Reprinted here in its most complete form, it brings to life the days when "a noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid," "climbed the steep ascent of heaven, 'mid peril, toil, and pain."
"After the Bible itself, no book so profoundly influenced early Protestant sentiment as the Book of Martyrs. Even in our time it is still a living force. It is more than a record of persecution. It is an arsenal of controversy, a storehouse of romance, as well as a source of edification."
2. The Ten Primitive Persecutions
3. Persecutions of the Christians in Persia
4. Papal Persecutions
5. An Account of the Inquisition
6. An Account of the Persecutions in Italy Under the Papacy
7. An Account fo the Life and Persecutions of John Wycliffe
8. An Account of the Persecutions in Bohemia Under the Papacy
9. An Account fo the Life and Persecutions of Martin Luther
10. General Persecutions in Germany
11. An Account of the Persecutions in the Netherlands
12. The Life and Story of the True Servant and Martyr of God, William Tyndale
13. An Account of the Life of John Calvin
14. An Account of the Persectuion in Great Britain and Ireland, prior to the Reign of Queen Mary
15. An Account of the Persectuions in Scotland During the Reign of Henry VIII
16. Persecutions in England During the Reign of Queen Mary
17. Rise and Progress of the Protestant Religion in Ireland; With an Account of the Barbarous Massacres of 1641
18. The Rise, Progress, Persecutions, and Sufferings of the Quakers
19. An Account of the Life and Persecutions of John Bunyan
20. An Account fo the Life of John Wesley
21. Persectuions of the French Protestants in the South of France, During the Years 1814 and 1820
22. The Beginnings of American Foreign Missions
During his residence at this place, he was distinguished for the excellence
and acuteness of his intellect, which was improved by the emulation of
his fellow collegians, united to an indefatigable zeal and industry on
his part. These qualities soon gained him the admiration of all; and as
a reward for his exertions and amiable conduct, he was chosen fellow of
Magdalen College; which was accounted a great honor in the university,
and seldom bestowed unless in cases of great distinction. It appears that
the first display of his genius was in poetry; and that he composed some
Latin comedies, which are still extant. But he soon directed his thoughts
to a more serious subject, the study of the sacred Scriptures: to
divinity, indeed, he applied himself with more fervency than circumspection,
and discovered his partiality to the Reformation, which had then commenced,
before he was known to its supporters, or to those who protected them;
a circumstance which proved to him the source of his first troubles.
He is said to have often affirmed that the first matter which occasioned
his search into the popish doctrine was that he saw divers things, most
repugnant in their nature to one another, forced upon men at the same time;
upon this foundation his resolution and intended obedience to that Church
were somewhat shaken, and by degrees a dislike to the rest took place.
His first care was to look into both the ancient and modern history
of the Church; to ascertain its beginning and progress; to consider the
causes of all those controversies which in the meantime had sprung up,
and diligently to weigh their effects, solidity, infirmities, etc.
Before he had attained his thirtieth year, he had studied the Greek
and Latin fathers, and other learned authors, the transactions of the Councils,
and decrees of the consistories, and had acquired a very competent skill
in the Hebrew language. In these occupations he frequently spent a considerable
part, or even the whole of the night; and in order to unbend his mind after
such incessant study, he would resort to a grove near the college, a place
much frequented by the students in the evening, on account of its sequestered
gloominess. In these solitary walks he was often heard to ejaculate heavy
sobs and sighs, and with tears to pour forth his prayers to God. These
nightly retirements, in the sequel, gave rise to the first suspicion of
his alienation from the Church of Rome. Being pressed for an explanation
of this alteration in his conduct, he scorned to call in fiction to his
excuse; he stated his opinions; and was, by the sentence of the college
convicted, condemned as a heretic, and expelled.
His friends, upon the report of this circumstance, were highly offended,
when he was thus forsaken by his own friends, a refuge offered itself in
the house of Sir Thomas Lucy, of Warwickshire, by whom he was sent for
to instruct his children. The house is within easy walk of Stratford-on-Avon,
and it was this estate which, a few years later, was the scene of Shakespeare's
traditional boyish poaching expedition. Fox died when Shakespeare was three
years old.
In the Lucy house Fox afterward married. But the fear of the popish
inquisitors hastened his departure thence; as they were not contented to
pursue public offences, but began also to dive into the secrets of private
families. He now began to consider what was best to be done to free himself
from further inconvenience, and resolved either to go to his wife's father
or to his father-in-law.
His wife's father was a citizen of Coventry, whose heart was not alienated
from him, and he was more likely to be well entreated, or his daughter's
sake. He resolved first to go to him; and, in the meanwhile, by letters,
to try whether his father-in-law would receive him or not. This he accordingly
did, and he received for answer, "that it seemed to him a hard condition
to take one into his house whom he knew to be guilty and condemned for
a capital offence; neither was he ignorant what hazard he should undergo
in so doing; he would, however, show himself a kinsman, and neglect his
own danger. If he would alter his mind, he might come, on condition to
stay as long as he himself desired; but if he could not be persuaded to
that, he must content himself with a shorter stay, and not bring him and
his mother into danger."
No condition was to be refused; besides, he was secretly advised by
his mother to come, and not to fear his father-in-law's severity; "for
that, perchance, it was needful to write as he did, but when occasion should
be offered, he would make recompense for his words with his actions." In
fact he was better received by both of them than he had hoped for.
By these means he kept himself concealed for some time, and afterwards
made a journey to London, in the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII.
Here, being unknown, he was in much distress, and was even reduced to the
danger of being starved to death, had not Providence interfered in his
favor in the following manner:
One day as Mr. Fox was sitting in St. Paul's Church, exhausted with
long fasting, a stranger took a seat by his side, and courteously saluted
him, thrust a sum of money into his hand, and bade him cheer up his spirits;
at the same time informing him, that in a few days new prospects would
present themselves for his future subsistence. Who this stranger was, he
could never learn; but at the end of three days he received an invitation
from the Duchess of Richmond to undertake the tuition of the children of
the Earl of Surry who, together with his father, the Duke of Norfolk, was
imprisoned in the Tower, by the jealousy and ingratitude of the king. The
children thus confided to his care were, Thomas, who succeeded to the dukedom;
Henry, afterwards Earl of Northampton; and Jane who became Countess of
Westmoreland. In the performance of his duties, he fully satisfied the
expectations of the duchess, their aunt.
These halcyon days continued during the latter part of the reign of
Henry VIII and the five years of the reign of Edward VI until Mary came
to the crown, who, soon after her accessiopn, gave all power into the hands
of the papists.
At this time Mr. Fox, who was still under the protection of his noble
pupil, the duke, began to excite the envy and hatred of many, particularly
Dr. Gardiner, then Bishop of Winchester, who in the sequel became his most
violent enemy.
Mr. Fox, aware of this, and seeing the dreadful persecutions then commencing,
began to think of quitting the kingdom. As soon as the duke knew his intention,
he endeavored to persuade him to remain; and his arguments were so powerful,
and given with so much sincerity, that he gave up the thought of abandoning
his asylum for the present.
At that time the Bishop of Winchester was very intimate with the duke
(by the patronage of whose family he had risen to the dignity he then enjoyed,)
and frequently waited on him to present his service when he several times
requested that he might see his old tutor. At first the duke denied his
request, at one time alleging his absence, at another, indisposition. At
length it happened that Mr. Fox, not knowing the bishop was in the house,
entered the room where the duke and he were in discourse; and seeing the
bishop, withdrew. Gardiner asked who that was; the duke answered that he
was "his physician, who was somewhat uncourtly, as being new come from
the university." "I like his countenance and aspect very well," replied
the bishop, "and when occasion offers, I will send for him." The duke understood
that speech as the messenger of some approaching danger; and now himself
thought it high time for Mr. Fox to quit the city, and even the country.
He accordingly caused everything necessary for his flight to be provided
in silence, by sending one of his servants to Ipswich to hire a bark, and
prepare all the requisites for his departure. He also fixed on the house
of one of his servants, who was a farmer, where he might lodge until the
wind became favorable; and everything being in readiness, Mr. Fox took
leave of his noble patron, and with his wife, who was pregnant at the time,
secretly departed for the ship.
The vessel was scarcely under sail, when a most violent storm came on,
which lasted all day and night, and the next day drove them back to the
port from which they had departed. During the time that the vessel had
been at sea, an officer, despatched by the bishop of Winchester, had broken
open the house of the farmer with a warrant to apprehend Mr. Fox wherever
he might be found, and bring him back to the city. On hearing this news
he hired a horse, under the pretence of leaving the town immediately; but
secretly returned the same night, and agreed with the captain of
the vessel to sail for any place as soon as the wind should shift, only
desired him to proceed, and not to doubt that God would prosper his undertaking.
The mariner suffered himself to be persuaded, and within two days landed
his passengers in safety at Nieuport.
After spending a few days in that place, Mr. Fox set out for Basle,
where he found a number of English refugees, who had quitted their country
to avoid the cruelty of the persecutors, with these he associated, and
began to write his "History of the Acts and Monuments of the Church," which
was first published in Latin at Basle in 1554, and in English in 1563.
In the meantime the reformed religion began again to flourish in England,
and the popish faction much to decline, by the death of Queen Mary; which
induced the greater number of the Protestant exiles to return to their
native country.
Among others, on the accession of Elizabeth to the throne, Mr. Fox returned
to England; where, on his arrival, he found a faithful and active friend
in his late pupil, the Duke of Norfolk, until death deprived him of his
benefactor: after which event, Mr. Fox inherited a pension bequeathed to
him by the duke, and ratified by his son, the Earl of Suffolk.
Nor did the good man's successes stop here. On being recommended to
the queen by her secretary of state, the great Cecil, her majesty granted
him the prebendary of Shipton, in the cathedral of Salisbury, which was
in a manner forced upon him; for it was with difficulty that he could be
persuaded to accept it.
On his resettlement in England, he employed himself in revising and
enlarging his admirable Martyrology. With prodigious pains and constant
study he completed that celebrated work in eleven years. For the sake of
greater correctness, he wrote every line of this vast book with his own
hand, and transcribed all the records and papers himself. But, in consequence
of such excessive toil, leaving no part of his time free from study, nor
affording himself either the repose or recreation which nature required,
his health was so reduced, and his person became so emaciated and altered,
that such of his friends and relations as only conversed with him occasionally,
could scarcely recognize his person. Yet, though he grew daily more exhausted,
he proceeded in his studies as briskly as ever, nor would he be persuaded
to diminish his accustomed labors. The papists, forseeing how detrimental
his history of their errors and cruelties would prove to their cause, had
recourse to every artifice to lessen the reputation of his work; but their
malice was of signal service, both to Mr. Fox himself, and to the Church
of God at large, as it eventually made his book more intrinsically valuable,
by inducing him to weigh, with the most scrupulous attention, the certainty
of the facts which he recorded, and the validity of the authorities from
which he drew his information.
But while he was thus indefatigably employed in promoting the cause
of truth, he did not neglect the other duties of his station; he was charitable,
humane, and attentive to the wants, both spiritual and temporal, of his
neighbors. With the view of being more extensively useful, although he
had no desire to cultivate the acquaintance of the rich and great on his
own account, he did not decline the friendship of those in a higher rank
who proffered it, and never failed to employ his influence with them in
behalf of the poor and needy. In consequence of his well-known probity
and charity, he was frequently presented with sums of money by persons
possessed of wealth, which he accepted and distributed among those who
were distressed. He would also occasionally attend the table of his friends,
not so much for the sake of pleasure, as from civility, and to convince
them that his absence was not occasoned by a fear of being exposed to the
temptations of the appetite. In short his character as a man and as a Christian
was without reproach.
Although the recent recollection of the persecutions under Bloody Mary
gave bitternes 6ce s to his pen, it is singular to note that he was personally
the most conciliatory of men, and that while he heartily disowned the Roman
Church in which he was born, he was one of the first to attempt the concord
of the Protestant brethren. In fact, he was a veritable apostle of toleration.
When the plague or pestilence broke out in England, in 1563, and many
forsook their duties, Fox remained at his post, assisting the friendless
and acting as the almsgiver of the rich. It was said of him that he could
never refuse help to any one who asked it in the name of Christ. Tolerant
and large-hearted he exerted his influence with Queen Elizabeth to confirm
her intention to no longer keep up the cruel practice of putting to death
those of opposing religious convictions. The queen held him in respect
and referred to him as "Our Father Foxe."
Mr. Fox had joy in the fruits of his work while he was yet alive. It
passed through four large editions before his decease, and it was orderred
by the bishops to be placed in every cathedral church in England, where
it was often found chained, as the Bible was in those days, to a lectern
for the access of the people.
At length, having long served both the Church and the world by his ministry,
by his pen, and by the unsullied luster of a benevolent, useful, and holy
life, he meekly resigned his soul to Christ, on the eighteenth of April,
1587, being then in the seventieth year of his age. He was interred in
the chancel of St. Giles', Cripplegate; of which parish he had been, in
the beginning of Elizabeth's reign, for some time vicar.
CHAPTER 1
back to Table of Contents Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch
that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but
a verifying of the said prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church,
needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs,
governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and
privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against
this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding,
hath yet endured and holden its own! What storms and tempests it hath overpast,
wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have
addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works
of God in His Church might appear to His glory; also that, the continuance
and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more
knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader
and edification of Christian faith.
As it is not our business to enlarge upon our Savior's history, either
before or after His crucifixion, we shall only find it necessary to remind
our readers of the discomfiture of the Jews by His subsequent resurrection.
Although one apostle had betrayed Him; although another had denied Him,
under the solemn sanction of an oath; and although the rest had forsaken
Him, unless we may except "the disciple who was known unto the high-priest";
the history of His resurrection gave a new direction to all their hearts,
and, after the mission of the Holy Spirit, imparted new confidence to their
minds. The powers with which they were endued emboldened them to proclaim
His name, to the confusion of the Jewish rulers, and the astonishment of
Gentile proselytes.
Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their
belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told
by St. Luke, that "there was a great persecution against the church which
was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout
the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles."
About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons,
suffered martyrdom during the "persecution that arose about Stephen."
And yet, notwithstanding all these continual persecutions and horrible
punishments, the Church daily increased, deeply rooted in the doctrine
of the apostles and of men apostolical, and watered plentously with the
blood of saints.
CHAPTER 2
back to Table of Contents This dreadful conflagration continued nine days; when Nero, finding
that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him,
determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse himself,
and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This
was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised
on the Christians were such as even excited the commiseration of the Romans
themselves. Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of
punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could
design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and
then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made
stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in
order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole
Roman Empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity.
In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.
To their names may be added, Erastus, chamberlain of Corinth; Aristarchus,
the Macedonian, and Trophimus, an Ephesians, converted by St. Paul, and
fellow-laborer with him, Joseph, commonly called Barsabas, and Ananias,
bishop of Damascus; each of the Seventy.
Among the numerous martyrs that suffered during this persecution was
Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and St. John, who was boiled
in oil, and afterward banished to Patmos. Flavia, the daughter of a Roman
senator, was likewise banished to Pontus; and a law was made, "That no
Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment
without renouncing his religion."
A variety of fabricated tales were, during this reign, composed in order
to injure the Christians. Such was the infatuation of the pagans, that,
if famine, pestilence, or earthquakes afflicted any of the Roman provinces,
it was laid upon the Christians. These persecutions among the Christians
increased the number of informers and many, for the sake of gain, swore
away the lives of the innocent.
Another hardship was, that, when any Christians were brought before
the magistrates, a test oath was proposed, when, if they refused to take
it, death was pronounced against them; and if they confessed themselves
Christians, the sentence was the same.
The following were the most remarkable among the numerous martyrs
who suffered during this persecution.
Dionysius, the Areopagite, was an Athenian by birth, and educated in
all the useful and ornamental literature of Greece. He then travelled to
Egypt to study astronomy, and made very particular observations on the
great and supernatural eclipse, which happened at the time of our Savior's
crucifixion.
The sanctity of his conversation and the purity of his manners recommended
him so strongly to the Christians in general, that he was appointed bishop
of Athens.
Nicodemus, a benevolent Christian of some distinction, suffered at Rome
during the rage of Domitian's persecution.
Protasius and Gervasius were martyred at Milan.
Timothy was the celebrated disciple of St. Paul, and bishop of Ephesus,
where he zealously governed the Church until A.D. 97. At this period, as
the pagans were about to celebrate a feast called Catagogion, Timothy,
meeting the procession, severely reproved them for their ridiculous idolatry,
which so exasperated the people that they fell upon him with their clubs,
and beat him in so dreadful a manner that he expired of the bruises two
days later.
In this persecution suffered the blessed martyr, Ignatius, who is held
in famous reverence among very many. This Ignatius was appointed to the
bishopric of Antioch next after Peter in succession. Some do say, that
he, being sent from Syria to Rome, because he professed Christ, was given
to the wild beasts to be devoured. It is also said of him, that when he
passed through Asia, being under the most strict custody of his keepers,
he strengthened and confirmed the churches through all the cities as he
went, both with his exhortations and preaching of the Word of God. Accordingly,
having come to Smyrna, he wrote to the Church at Rome, exhorting them not
to use means for his deliverance from martyrdom, lest they should deprive
him of that which he most longed and hoped for. "Now I begin to be a disciple.
I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win
Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking
of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and
all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ
Jesus!" And even when he was sentenced to be thrown to the beasts, such
as the burning desire that he had to suffer, that he spake, what time he
heard the lions roaring, saying: "I am the wheat of Christ: I am going
to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread."
Trajan being succeeded by Adrian, the latter continued this third persecution
with as much severity as his predecessor. About this time Alexander, bishop
of Rome, with his two deacons, were martyred; as were Quirinus and Hernes,
with their families;
Zenon, a Roman nobleman, and about ten thousand other Christians.
In Mount Ararat many were crucified, crowned with thorns, and spears
run into their sides, in imitation of Christ's passion. Eustachius, a brave
and successful Roman commander, was by the emperor ordered to join in 1000
an idolatrous sacrifice to celebrate some of his own victories; but his
faith (being a Christian in his heart) was so much greater than his vanity,
that he nobly refused it. Enraged at the denial, the ungrateful emperor
forgot the service of this skilful commander, and ordered him and his whole
family to be martyred.
At the martyrdom of Faustines and Jovita, brothers and citizens of Brescia,
their torments were so many, and their patience so great, that Calocerius,
a pagan, beholding them, was struck with admiration, and exclaimed in a
kind of ecstasy, "Great is the God of the Christians!" for which he was
apprehended, and suffered a similar fate.
Many other similar cruelties and rigors were exercised against the Christians,
until Quadratus, bishop of Athens, made a learned apology in their favor
before the emperor, who happened to be there and Aristides, a philosopher
of the same city, wrote an elegant epistle, which caused Adrian to relax
in his severities, and relent in their favor.
Adrian dying A.D. 138, was succeeded by Antoninus Pius, one of the most
amiable monarchs that ever reigned, and who stayed the persecutions against
the Christians.
The cruelties used in this persecution were such that many of the spectators
shuddered with horror at the sight, and were astonished at the intrepidity
of the sufferers. Some of the martyrs were obliged to pass, with their
already wounded feet, over thorns, nails, sharp shells, etc. upon their
points, others were scourged until their sinews and veins lay bare, and
after suffering the most excruciating tortures that could be devised, they
were destroyed by the most terrible deaths.
Germanicus, a young man, but a true Christian, being delivered to the
wild beasts on account of his faith, behaved with such astonishing courage
that several pagans became converts to a faith which inspired such fortitude.
Polycarp, the venerable bishop of Smyrna, hearing that persons were
seeking for him, escaped, but was discovered by a child. After feasting
the guards who apprehended him, he desired an hour in prayer, which being
allowed, he prayed with such fervency, that his guards repented that they
had been instrumental in taking him. He was, however, carried before the
proconsul, condemned, and burnt in the market place.
The proconsul then urged him, saying, "Swear, and I will release thee;--reproach
Christ."
Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never
once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?"
At the stake to which he was only tied, but not nailed as usual, as he
assured them he should stand immovable, the flames, on their kindling the
fagots, encircled his body, like an arch, without touching him; and the
executioner, on seeing this, was ordered to pierce him with a sword, when
so great a quantity of blood flowed out as extinguished the fire. But his
body, at the instigation of the enemies of the Gospel, especially Jews,
was ordered to be consumed in the pile, and the request of his friends,
who wished to give it Christian burial, rejected. They nevertheless collected
his bones and as much of his remains as possible, and caused them to be
decently interred.
Metrodorus, a minister, who preached boldly, and Pionius, who made some
excellent apologies for the Christian faith, were likewise burnt. Carpus
and Papilus, two worthy Christians, and Agatonica, a pious woman, suffered
martyrdom at Pergamopolis, in Asia.
Felicitatis, an illustrious Roman lady, of a considerable family, and
the most shining virtues, was a devout Christian. She had seven sons, whom
she had educated with the most exemplary piety.
Januarius, the eldest, was scourged, and pressed to death with weights;
Felix and Philip, the two next had their brains dashed out with clubs;
Silvanus, the fourth, was murdered by being thrown from a precipice; and
the three younger sons, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial, were beheaded.
The mother was beheaded with the same sword as the three latter.
Justin, the celebrated philosopher, fell a martyr in this persecution.
He was a native of Neapolis, in Samaria, and was born A.D. 103. Justin
was a great lover of truth, and a universal scholar; he investigated the
Stoic and Peripatetic philosophy, and attempted the Pythagorean; but the
behavior of our of its professors disgusting him, he applied himself to
the Platonic, in which he took great delight. About the year 133, when
he was thirty years of age, he became a convert to Christianity, and then,
for the first time, perceived the real nature of truth.
He wrote an elegant epistle to the Gentiles, and employed his talents
in convincing the Jews of the truth of the Christian rites; spending a
great deal of time in travelling, until he took up his abode in Rome, and
fixed his habitation upon the Viminal mount.
He kept a public school, taught many who afterward became great men,
and wrote a treatise to confuse heresies of all kinds. As the pagans began
to treat the Christians with great severity, Justin wrote his first apology
in their favor. This piece displays great learning and genius, and occasioned
the emperor to publish an edict in favor of the Christians.
Soon after, he entered into frequent contests with Crescens, a person
of a vicious life and conversation, but a celebrated cynic philosopher;
and his arguments appeared so powerful, yet disgusting to the cynic, that
he resolved on, and in the sequel accomplished, his destruction.
The second apology of Justin, upon certain severities, gave Crescens
the cynic an opportunity of prejudicing the emperor against the writer
of it; upon which Justin, and six of his companions, were apprehended.
Being commanded to sacrifice to the pagan idols, they refused, and were
condemned to be scourged, and then beheaded; which sentence was executed
with all imaginable severity.
Several were beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to the image of Jupiter;
in particular Concordus, a deacon of the city of Spolito.
Some of the restless northern nations having risen in arms against Rome,
the emperor marched to encounter them. He was, however, drawn into an ambuscade,
and dreaded the loss of his whole army. Enveloped with mountains, surrounded
by enemies, and perishing with thirst, the pagan deities were invoked in
vain; when the men belonging to the militine, or thundering legion, who
were all Christians, were commanded to call upon their God for succor.
A miraculous deliverance immediately ensued; a prodigious quantity of rain
fell, which, being caught by the men, and filling their dykes, afforded
a sudden and astonishing relief. It appears that the storm which miraculously
flashed in the face of the enemy so intimidated them, that part deserted
to the Roman army; the rest were defeated, and the revolted provinces entirely
recovered.
This affair occasioned the persecution to subside for some time, at
least in those parts immediately under the inspection of the emperor; but
we find that it soon after raged in France, particularly at Lyons, where
the tortures to which many of the Christians were put, almost exceed the
powers of description.
The principal of these martyrs were Vetius Agathus, a young man; Blandina,
a Christian lady, of a weak constitution; Sanctus, a deacon of Vienna;
red hot plates of brass were placed upon the tenderest parts of his body;
Biblias, a weak woman, once an apostate. Attalus, of Pergamus; and Pothinus,
the venerable bishop of Lyons, who was ninety years of age. Blandina, on
the day when she and the three other champions were first brought into
the amphitheater, she was suspended on a piece of wood fixed in the ground,
and exposed as f ood for the wild beasts; at which time, by her earnest
prayers, she encouraged others. But none of the wild beasts would touch
her, so that she was remanded to prison. When she was again produced for
the third and last time, she was accompanied by Ponticus, a youth of fifteen,
and the constancy of their faith so enraged the multitude that neither
the sex of the one nor the youth of the other were respected, being exposed
to all manner of punishments and tortures. Being strengthened by Blandina,
he persevered unto death; and she, after enduring all the torments heretofore
mentioned, was at length slain with the sword.
When the Christians, upon these occasions, received martyrdom, they
were ornamented, and crowned with garlands of flowers; for which they,
in heaven, received eternal crowns of glory.
It has been said that the lives of the early Christians consisted of
"persecution above ground and prayer below ground." Their lives are expressed
by the Coliseum and the catacombs. Beneath Rome are the excavations which
we call the catacombs, whivch were at once temples and tombs. The early
Church of Rome might well be called the Church of the Catacombs. There
are some sixty catacombs near Rome, in which some six hundred miles of
galleries have been traced, and these are not all. These galleries are
about eight feet high and from three to five feet wide, containing on either
side several rows of long, low, horizontal recesses, one above another
like berths in a ship. In these the dead bodies were placed and the front
closed, either by a single marble slab or several great tiles laid in mortar.
On these slabs or tiles, epitaphs or symbols are graved or painted. Both
pagans and Christians buried their dead in these catacombs. When the Christian
graves have been opened the skeletons tell their own terrible tale. Heads
are found severed from the body, ribs and shoulder blades are broken, bones
are often calcined from fire. But despite the awful story of persecution
that we may read here, the inscriptions breathe forth peace and joy and
triumph. Here are a few:
"Here lies Marcia, put to rest in a dream of peace."
"Lawrence to his sweetest son, borne away of angels."
"Victorious in peace and in Christ."
"Being called away, he went in peace."
Remember when reading these inscriptions the story the skeletons
tell of persecution, of torture, and of fire.
But the full force of these epitaphs is seen when we contrast them
with the pagan epitaphs, such as:
"Live for the present hour, since we are sure of nothing else."
"I lift my hands against the gods who took me away at the age of
twenty though I had done no harm."
"Once I was not. Now I am not. I know nothing about it, and it is
no concern of mine."
"Traveler, curse me not as you pass, for I am in darkness and cannot
answer."
The most frequent Christian symbols on the walls of the catacombs, are,
the good shepherd with the lamb on his shoulder, a ship under full sail,
harps, anchors, crowns, vines, and above all the fish.
But, though persecuting malice raged, yet the Gospel shone with resplendent
brightness; and, firm as an impregnable rock, withstood the attacks of
its boisterous enemies with success. Tertullian, who lived in this age,
informs us that if the Christians had collectively withdrawn themselves
from the Roman territories, the empire would have been greatly depopulated.
Victor, bishop of Rome, suffered martyrdom in the first year of the
third century, A.D. 201. Leonidus, the father of the celebrated Origen,
was beheaded for being a Christian. Many of Origen's hearers likewise suffered
martyrdom; particularly two brothers, named Plutarchus and Serenus; another
Serenus, Heron, and Heraclides, were beheaded. Rhais had boiled pitch poured
upon her head, and was then burnt, as was Marcella her mother. Potainiena,
the sister of Rhais, was executed in the same manner as Rhais had been;
but Basilides, an officer belonging to the army, and ordered to attend
her execution, became her convert.
Basilides being, as an officer, required to take a certain oath, refused,
saying, that he could not swear by the Roman idols, as he was a Christian.
Struck with surpsie, the people could not, at first, believe what they
heard; but he had no sooner confirmed the same, than he was dragged before
the judge, committed to prison, and speedily afterward beheaded.
Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, was born in Greece, and received both a polite
and a Christian education. It is generally supposed that the account of
the persecutions at Lyons was written by himself. He succeeded the martyr
Pothinus as bishop of Lyons, and ruled his diocese with great propriety;
he was a zealous opposer of heresies in general, and, about A.D. 187, he
wrote a celebrated tract against heresy. Victor, the bishop of Rome, wanting
to impose the keeping of Easter there, in preference to other places, it
occasioned some disorders among the Christians. In particular, Irenaeus
wrote him a synodical epistle, in the name of the Gallic churches. This
zeal, in favor of Christianity, pointed him out as an object of resentment
to the emperor; and in A.D. 202, he was beheaded.
The persecutions now extending to Africa, many were martyred in that
quarter of the globe; the most particular of whom we shall mention.
Perpetua, a married lady, of about twenty-two years. Those who suffered
with her were, Felicitas, a married lady, big with child at the time of
her being apprehended, and Revocatus, catechumen of Carthage, and a slave.
The names of the other prisoners, destined to suffer upon this occasion,
were Saturninus, Secundulus, and Satur. On the day appointed for their
execution, they were led to the amphitheater. Satur, Saturninus, and Revocatus
were ordered to run the gauntlet between the hunters, or such as had the
care of the wild beasts. The hunters being drawn up in two ranks, they
ran between, and were severely lashed as they passed. Felicitas and Perpetua
were stripped, in order to be thrown to a mad bull, which made his first
attack upon Perpetua, and stunned her; he then darted at Felicitas, and
gored her dreadfully; but not killing them, the executioner did that office
with a sword. Revocatus and Satur were destroyed by wild beasts; Saturninus
was beheaded; and Secundulus died in prison. These executions were in the
205, on the eighth day of March.
Speratus and twelve others were likewise beheaded; as was Andocles in
France. Asclepiades, bishop of Antioch, suffered many tortures, but his
life was spared.
Cecilia, a young lady of good family in Rome, was married to a gentleman
named Valerian. She converted her husband and brother, who were beheaded;
and the maximus, or officer, who led them to execution, becoming their
convert, suffered the same fate. The lady was placed naked in a scalding
bath, and having continued there a considerable time, her head was struck
off with a sword, A.D. 222.
Calistus, bishop of Rome, was martyred, A.D. 224; but the manner of
his death is not recorded; and Urban, bishop of Rome, met the same fate
A.D. 232.
The principal persons who perished under this reign were Pontianus,
bishop of Rome; Anteros, a Grecian, his successor, who gave offence
to the government by collecting the acts of the martyrs, Pammachius and
Quiritus, Roman senators, with all their families, and many other Christians;
Simplicius, senator;
Calepodius, a Christian minister, thrown into the Tyber; Martina, a
noble and beautiful virgin; and Hippolitus, a Christian prelate, tied to
a wild horse, and dragged until he expired.
During this persecution, raised by Maximinus, numberless Christians
were slain without trial, and buried indiscriminately in heaps, sometimes
fifty or sixty being cast into a pit together, without the least decency.
The tyrant Maximinus dying, A.D. 238, was succeeded by Gordian, during
whose reign, and that of his successor Philip, the Church was free from
persecution for the space of more than ten years; but in A.D. 249, a violent
persecution broke out in Alexandria, at the instigation of a pagan priest,
without the knowledge of the emperor.
These reasons stimulated Decius to attempt the very extirpation of the
name of Christian; and it was unfortunate for the Gospel, that many errors
had, about this time, crept into the Church: the Christians were at variance
with each other; self-interest divided those whom social love ought to
have united; and the virulence of pride occasioned a variety of factions.
The heathens in general were ambitious to enforce the imperial decrees
upon this occasion, and looked upon the murder of a Christian as a merit
to themselves. The martyrs, upon this occasion, were innumerable; but the
principal we shall give some account of.
Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first person of eminence who felt
the severity of this persecution. The deceased emperor, Philip, had, on
account of his integrity, committed his treasure to the care of this good
man. But Decius, not finding as much as his avarice made him expect, determined
to wreak his vengeance on the good prelate. He was accordingly seized;
and on January 20, A.D. 250, he suffered decapitation.
Julian, a native of Cilicia, as we are informed by St.
Chrysostom, was seized upon for being a Christian. He was put into a
leather bag, together with a number of serpents and scorpions, and in that
condition thrown into the sea.
Peter, a young man, amiable for the superior qualities of his body and
mind, was beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to Venus. He said, "I am astonished
you should sacrifice to an infamous woman, whose debaucheries even your
own historians record, and whose life consisted of such actions as your
laws would punish. No, I shall offer the true God the acceptable sacrifice
of praises and prayers." Optimus, the proconsul of Asia, on hearing this,
ordered the prisoner to be stretched upon a wheel, by which all his bones
were broken, and then he was sent to be beheaded.
Nichomachus, being brought before the proconsul as a Christian, was
ordered to sacrifice to the pagan idols. Nichomachus replied, "I cannot
pay that respect to devils, which is only due to the Almighty." This speech
so much enraged the proconsul that Nichomachus was put to the rack. After
enduring the torments for a time, he recanted; but scarcely had he given
this proof of his frailty, than he fell into the greatest agonies, dropped
down on the ground, and expired immediately.
Denisa, a young woman of only sixteen years of age, who beheld this
terrible judgment, suddenly exclaimed, "O unhappy wretch, why would you
buy a moment's ease at the expense of a miserable eternity!" Optimus, hearing
this, called to her, and Denisa avowing herself to be a Christian, she
was beheaded, by his order, soon after.
Andrew and Paul, two companions of Nichomachus, the martyr, A.D.
251, suffered martyrdom by stoning, and expired, calling on their blessed
Redeemer.
Alexander and Epimachus, of Alexandria, were apprehended for being Christians:
and, confessing the accusation, were beat with staves, torn with hooks,
and at length burnt in the fire; and we are informed, in a fragment preserved
by Eusebius, that four female martyrs suffered on the same day, and at
the same place, but not in the same manner; for these were beheaded.
Lucian and Marcian, two wicked pagans, though skilful magicians, becoming
converts to Christianity, to make amends for their former errors, lived
the lives of hermits, and subsisted upon bread and water only. After some
time spent in this manner, they became zealous preachers, and made many
converts. The persecution, however, raging at this time, they were seized
upon, and carried before Sabinus, the governor of Bithynia. On being asked
by what authority they took upon themselves to preach, Lucian answered,
'That the laws of charity and humanity obliged all men to endeavor the
conversion of their neighbors, and to do everything in their power to rescue
them from the snares of the devil.'
Lucian having answered in this manner, Marcian said, "Their conversion
was by the same grace which was given to St. Paul, who, from a zealous
persecutor of the Church, became a preacher of the Gospel."
The proconsul, finding that he could not prevail with them to renounce
their faith, condemned them to be burnt alive, which sentence was soon
after executed.
Trypho and Respicius, two eminent men, were seized as Christians, and
imprisoned at Nice. Their feet were pierced with nails; they were dragged
through the streets, scourged, torn with iron hooks, scorched with lighted
torches, and at length beheaded, February 1, A.D. 251.
Agatha, a Sicilian lady, was not more remarkable for her personal and
acquired endowments, than her piety; her beauty was such, that Quintian,
governor of Sicily, became enamored of her, and made many attempts upon
her chastity without success. In order to gratify his passions with the
greater conveniency, he put the virtuous lady into the hands of Aphrodica,
a very infamous and licentious woman. This wretch tried every artifice
to win her to the desired prostitution; but found all her efforts were
vain; for her chastity was impregnable, and she well knew that virtue alone
could procure true happiness. Aphrodica acquainted Quintian with the inefficacy
of her endeavors, who, enaged to be foiled in his designs, changed his
lust into resentment. On her confessing that she was a Christian, he determined
to gratify his revenge, as he could not his passion. Pursuant to his orders,
she was scourged, burnt with red-hot irons, and torn with sharp hooks.
Having borne these torments with admirable fortitude, she was next laid
naked upon live coals, intermingled with glass, and then being carried
back to prison, she there expired on February 5, 251.
Cyril, bishop of Gortyna, was seized by order of Lucius, the governor
of that place, who, nevertheless, exhorted him to obey the imperial mandate,
perform the sacrifices, and save his venerable person from destruction;
for he was now eighty-four years of age. The good prelate replied that
as he had long taught others to save their souls, he should only think
now of his own salvation. The worthy prelate heard his fiery sentence without
emotion, walked cheerfully to the place of execution, and underwent his
martyrdom with great fortitude.
The persecution raged in no place more than the Island of Crete; for
the governor, being exceedingly active in executing the imperial decrees,
that place streamed with pious blood.
Babylas, a Christian of a liberal education, became bishop of Antioch,
A.D. 237, on the demise of Zebinus. He acted with inimitable zeal, and
governed the Church with admirable prudence during the most tempestuous
times.
The first misfortune that happened to Antioch during his mission, was
the siege of it by Sapor, king of Persia; who, having overrun all
Syria, took and plundered this city among others, and used the Christian
inhabitants with greater severity than the rest, but was soon totally defeated
by Gordian.
After Gordian's death, in the reign of Decius, that emperor came to
Antioch, where, having a desire to visit an assembly of Christians, Babylas
opposed him, and absolutely refused to let him come in. The emperor dissembled
his anger at that time; but soon sending for the bishop, he sharply reproved
him for his insolence, and then ordered him to sacrifice to the pagan deities
as an expiation for his ofence. This being refused, he was committed to
prison, loaded with chains, treated with great severities, and then beheaded,
together with three young men who had been his pupils. A.D. 251.
Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, about this time was cast into prison
on account of his religion, where he died through the severity of his confinement.
Julianus, an old man, lame with the gout, and Cronion, another Christian,
were bound on the backs of camels, severely scourged, and then thrown into
a fire and consumed. Also forty virgins, at Antioch, after being imprisoned,
and scourged, were burnt.
In the year of our Lord 251, the emperor Decius having erected a pagan
temple at Ephesus, he commanded all who were in that city to sacrifice
to the idols. This order was nobly refused by seven of his own soldiers,
viz. Maximianus, Martianus, Joannes, Malchus, Dionysius, Seraion, and Constantinus.
The emperor wishing to win these soldiers to renounce their faith by his
entreaties and lenity, gave them a considerable respite until he returned
from an expedition. During the emperor's absence, they escaped, and hid
themselves in a cavern; which the emperor being informed of at his return,
the mouth of the cave was closed up, and they all perished with hunger.
Theodora, a beautiful young lady of Antioch, on refusing to sacrifice
to the Roman idols, was condemned to the stews, that her virtue might be
sacrificed to the brutality of lust. Didymus, a Christian, disguised himself
in the habit of a Roman soldier, went to the house, informed Theodora who
he was, and advised her to make her escape in his clothes. This being effected,
and a man found in the brothel instead of a beautiful lady, Didymus was
taken before the president, to whom confessing the truth, and owning that
he was a Christian the sentence of death was immediately pronounced against
him. Theodora, hearing that her deliverer was likely to suffer, came to
the judge, threw herself at his feet, and begged that the sentence might
fall on her as the guilty person; but, deaf to the cries of the innocent,
and insensible to the calls of justice, the inflexible judge condemned
both; when they were executed accordingly, being first beheaded, and their
bodies afterward burnt.
Secundianus, having been accused as a Christian, was conveyed to prison
by some soldiers. On the way, Verianus and Marcellinus said, "Where are
you carrying the innocent?" This interrogatory occasioned them to be seized,
and all three, after having been tortured, were hanged and decapitated.
Origen, the celebrated presbyter and catechist of Alexandria, at the
age of sixty-four, was seized, thrown into a loathsome prison, laden with
fetters, his feet placed in the stocks, and his legs extended to the utmost
for several successive days. He was threatened with fire, and tormented
by every lingering means the most infernal imaginations could suggest.
During this cruel temporizing, the emperor Decius died, and Gallus, who
succeeded him, engaging in a war with the Goths, the Christians met with
a respite. In this interim, Origen obtained his enlargement, and, retiring
to Tyre, he there remained until his death, which happened when he was
in the sixty-ninth year of his age.
Gallus, the emperor, having concluded his wars, a plague broke out in
the empire: sacrifices to the pagan deities were ordered by the emperor,
and persecutions spread from the interior to the extrem e parts of
the empire, and many fell martyrs to the impetuosity of the rabble, as
well as the prejudice of the magistrates. Among these were Cornelius, the
Christian bishop of Rome, and Lucius, his successor, in 253.
Most of the errors which crept into the Church at this time arose from
placing human reason in competition with revelation; but the fallacy of
such arguments being proved by the most able divines, the opinions they
had created vanished away like the stars before the sun.
Rufina and Secunda were two beautiful and accomplished ladies, daughters
of Asterius, a gentleman of eminence in Rome. Rufina, the elder, was designed
in marriage for Armentarius, a young nobleman; Secunda, the younger, for
Verinus, a person of rank and opulence. The suitors, at the time of the
persecution's commencing, were both Christians; but when danger appeared,
to save their fortunes, they renounced their faith. They took great pains
to persuade the ladies to do the same, but, disappointed in their purpose,
the lovers were base enough to inform against the ladies, who, being apprehended
as Christians, were brought before Junius Donatus, governor of Rome, where,
A.D. 257, they sealed their martyrdom with their blood.
Stephen, bishop of Rome, was beheaded in the same year, and about that
time Saturninus, the pious orthodox bishop of Toulouse, refusing to sacrifice
to idols, was treated with all the barbarous indignities imaginable, and
fastened by the feet to the tail of a bull. Upon a signal given, the enraged
animal was driven down the steps of the temple, by which the worthy martyr's
brains were dashed out.
Sextus succeeded Stephen as bishop of Rome. He is supposed to have been
a Greek by birth or by extraction, and had for some time served in the
capacity of a deacon under Stephen. His great fidelity, singular wisdom,
and uncommon courage distinguished him upon many occasions; and the happy
conclusion of a controversy with some heretics is generally ascribed to
his piety and prudence. In the year 258, Marcianus, who had the management
of the Roman government, procured an order from the emperor Valerian, to
put to death all the Christian clergy in Rome, and hence the bishop with
six of his deacons, suffered martyrdom in 258.
Let us draw near to the fire of martyred Lawrence, that our cold hearts
may be warmed thereby. The merciless tyrant, understanding him to be not
only a minister of the sacraments, but a distributor also of the Church
riches, promised to himself a double prey, by the apprehension of one soul.
First, with the rake of avarice to scrape to himself the treasure of poor
Christians; then with the fiery fork of tyranny, so to toss and turmoil
them, that they should wax weary of their profession. With furious face
and cruel countenance, the greedy wolf demanded where this Lawrence had
bestowed the substance of the Church: who, craving three days' respite,
promised to declare where the treasure might be had. In the meantime, he
caused a good number of poor Christians to be congregated. So, when the
day of his answer was come, the persecutor strictly charged him to stand
to his promise. Then valiant Lawrence, stretching out his arms over the
poor, said: "These are the precious treasure of the Church; these are the
treasure indeed, in whom the faith of Christ reigneth, in whom Jesus Christ
hath His mansion-place. What more precious jewels can Christ have, than
those in whom He hath promised to dwell? For so it is written, 'I was an
hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was
a stranger, and ye took me in.' And again, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these my brethren , ye have done it unto
me.' What greater riches can Christ our Master possess, than the poor people
in whom He loveth to be seen?"
O, what tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the tyrant's
heart! Now he stamped, he stared, he ramped, he fared as one out of his
wits: his eyes like fire glowed, his mouth like a boar formed, his teeth
like a hellhound grinned. Now, not a reasonable man, but a roaring lion,
he might be called.
"Kindle the fire (he cried)--of wood make no spare. Hath this villain
deluded the emperor? Away with him, away with him: whip him with scourges,
jerk him with rods, buffet him with fists, brain him with clubs. Jesteth
the traitor with the emperor? Pinch him with fiery tongs, gird him with
burning plates, bring out the strongest chains, and the fire-forks, and
the grated bed of iron: on the fire with it; bind the rebel hand and foot;
and when the bed is fire-hot, on with him: roast him, broil him, toss him,
turn him: on pain of our high displeasure do every man his office, O ye
tormentors."
The word was no sooner spoken, but all was done. After many cruel handlings,
this meek lamb was laid, I will not say on his fiery bed of iron, but on
his soft bed of down. So mightily God wrought with his martyr Lawrence,
so miraculously God tempered His element the fire; that it became not a
bed of consuming pain, but a pallet of nourishing rest.
In Africa the persecution raged with peculiar violence; many thousands
received the crown of martyrdom, among whom the following were the most
distinguished characters:
Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, an eminent prelate, and a pious ornament
of the Church. The brightness of his genius was tempered by the solidity
of his judgment; and with all the accomplishments of the gentleman, he
blended the virtues of a Christian. His doctrines were orthodox and pure;
his language easy and elegant; and his manners graceful and winning: in
fine, he was both the pious and polite preacher. In his youth he was educated
in the principles of Gentilism, and having a considerable fortune, he lived
in the very extravagance of splendor, and all the dignity of pomp.
About the year 246, Coecilius, a Christian minister of Carthage, became
the happy instrument of Cyprian's conversion: on which account, and for
the great love that he always afterward bore for the author of his conversion,
he was termed Coecilius Cyprian. Previous to his baptism, he studied the
Scriptures with care and being struck with the beauties of the truths they
contained, he determined to practise the virtues therein recommended. Subsequent
to his baptism, he sold his estate, distributed the money among the poor,
dressed himself in plain attire, and commenced a life of austerity. He
was soon after made a presbyter; and, being greatly admired for his virtues
and works, on the death of Donatus, in A.D. 248, he was almost unanimously
elected bishop of Carthage.
Cyprian's care not only extended over Carthage, but to Numidia and Mauritania.
In all his transactions he took great care to ask the advice of his clergy,
knowing that unanimity alone could be of service to the Church, this being
one of his maxims, "That the bishop was in the church, and the church in
the bishop; so that unity can only be preserved by a close connexion between
the pastor and his flock."
In A.D. 250, Cyprian was publicly proscribed by the emperor Decius,
under the appellation of Coecilius Cyprian, bishop of the Christrians;
and the universal cry of the pagans was, "Cyprian to the lions, Cyprian
to the beasts." The bishop, however, withdrew from the rage of the populace,
and his effects were immediately confiscated. During his retirement, he
wrote thirty pious and elegant letters to his flock; but several schisms
that then crept into the Church, gave him great uneasiness. The rigor of
the persecution abating, he returned to Carthage, and did everything in
his power to expunge erroneous opinions. A terrible plague breaking out
in Carthage, it was as usual, laid to the charge of th e Christians;
and the magistrates began to persecute accordingly, which occasioned an
epistle from them to Cyprian, in answer to which he vindicates the cause
of Christianity. A.D. 257, Cyprian was brought before the proconsul Aspasius
Paturnus, who exiled him to a little city on the Lybian sea. On the death
of this proconsul, he returned to Carthage, but was soon after seized,
and carried before the new governor, who condemned him to be beheaded;
which sentence was executed on the fourteenth of September, A.D. 258.
The disciples of Cyprian, martyred in this persecution, were Lucius,
Flavian, Victoricus, Remus, Montanus, Julian, Primelus, and Donatian.
At Utica, a most terrible tragedy was exhibited: three hundred Christians
were, by the orders of the proconsul, placed round a burning limekiln.
A pan of coals and incense being prepared, they were commanded either to
sacrifice to Jupiter, or to be thrown into the kiln. Unanimously refusing,
they bravely jumped into the pit, and were immediately suffocated.
Fructuosus, bishop of Tarragon, in Spain, and his two deacons, Augurius
and Eulogius, were burnt for being Christians.
Alexander, Malchus, and Priscus, three Christians of Palestine, with
a woman of the same place, voluntarily accused themselves of being Christians;
on which account they were sentenced to be devoured by tigers, which sentence
was executed accordingly.
Maxima, Donatilla, and Secunda, three virgins of Tuburga, had gall and
vinegar given them to drink, were then severely scourged, tormented on
a gibbet, rubbed with lime, scorched on a gridiron, worried by wild beasts,
and at length beheaded.
It is here proper to take notice of the singular but miserable fate
of the emperor Valerian, who had so long and so terribly persecuted the
Christians. This tyrant, by a stretagem, was taken prisoner by Sapor, emperor
of Persia, who carried him into his own country, and there treated him
with the most unexampled indignity, making him kneel down as the meanest
slave, and treading upon him as a footstool when he mounted his horse.
After having kept him for the space of seven years in this abject state
of slavery, he caused his eyes to be put out, though he was then eighty-three
years of age. This not satiating his desire of revenge, he soon after ordered
his body to be flayed alive, and rubbed with salt, under which torments
he expired; and thus fell one of the most tyrannical emperors of Rome,
and one of the greatest persecutors of the Christians.
A.D. 260, Gallienus, the son of Valerian, succeeded him, and during
his reign (a few martyrs excepted) the Church enjoyed peace for some years.
Agapetus, a young gentleman, who sold his estate, and gave the money
to the poor, was seized as a Christian, tortured, and then beheaded at
Praeneste, a city within a day's journey of Rome.
These are the only martyrs left upon record during this reign, as it
was soon put to a stop by the emperor's being murdered by his own domestics,
at Byzantium.
Aurelian was succeeded by Tacitus, who was followed by Probus, as the
latter was by Carus: this emperor being killed by a thunder storm, his
sons, Carnious and Numerian, succeeded him, and during all these reigns
the Church had peace.
Diocletian mounted the imperial throne, A.D. 284; at first he showed
great favor to the Christians. In the year 286, he associated Maximian
with him in the empire; and some Christians were put to death before any
general persecution broke out. Among these were Felician and Primus, two
brothers.
Marcus and Marcellianus were twins, natives of Rome, and of noble descent.
Their parents were heathens, but the tutors, to whom the education of the
children was intrusted, brought the m up as Christians. Their constancy
at length subdued those who wished them to become pagans, and their parents
and whole family became converts to a faith they had before reprobated.
They were martyred by being tied to posts, and having their feet pierced
with nails. After remaining in this situation for a day and a night, their
sufferings were put an end to by thrusting lances through their bodies.
Zoe, the wife of the jailer, who had the care of the before-mentioned
martyrs, was also converted by them, and hung upon a tree, with a fire
of straw lighted under her. When her body was taken down, it was thrown
into a river, with a large stone tied to it, in order to sink it.
In the year of Christ 286, a most remarkable affair occurred; a legion
of soldiers, consisting of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men,
contained none but Christians. This legion was called the Theban Legion,
because the men had been raised in Thebias: they were quartered in the
east until the emperor Maximian ordered them to march to Gaul, to assist
him against the rebels of Burgundy. They passed the Alps into Gaul, under
the command of Mauritius, Candidus, and Exupernis, their worthy commanders,
and at length joined the emperor. Maximian, about this time, ordered a
general sacrifice, at which the whole army was to assist; and likewise
he commanded that they should take the oath of allegiance and swear, at
the saame time, to assist in the extirpation of Christianity in Gaul. Alarmed
at these orders, each individual of the Theban Legion absolutely refused
either to sacrifice or take the oaths prescribed. This so greatly enraged
Maximian, that he ordered the legion to be decimated, that is, every tenth
man to be selected from the rest, and put to the sword. This bloody order
having been put in execution, those who remained alive were still inflexible,
when a second decimation took place, and every tenth man of those living
was put to death. This second severity made no more impression than the
first had done; the soldiers preserved their fortitude and their principles,
but by the advice of their officers they drew up a loyal remonstrance to
the emperor. This, it might have been presumed, would have softened the
emperor, but it had a contrary effect: for, enraged at their perseverance
and unanimity, he commanded that the whole legion should be put to death,
which was accordingly executed by the other troops, who cut them to pieces
with their swords, September 22, 286.
Alban, from whom St. Alban's, in Hertfordshire, received its name, was
the first British martyr. Great Britain had received the Gospel of Christ
from Lucius, the first Christian king, but did not suffer from the rage
of persecution for many years after. He was originally a pagan, but converted
by a Christian ecclesiastic, named Amphibalus, whom he sheltered on account
of his religion. The enemies of Amphibalus, having intelligence of the
place where he was secreted, came to the house of Alban; in order to facilitate
his escape, when the soldiers came, he offered himself up as the person
they were seeking for. The deceit being detected, the governor ordered
him to be scourged, and then he was sentenced to be beheaded, June 22,
A.D. 287.
The venerable Bede assures us, that, upon this occasion, the executioner
suddenly became a convert to Christianity, and entreated permission to
die for Alban, or with him. Obtaining the latter request, they were beheaded
by a soldier, who voluntarily undertook the task of executioner. This happened
on the twenty-second of June, A.D. 287, at Verulam, now St. Alban's, in
Hertfordshire, where a magnificent church was erected to his memory about
the time of Constantine the Great. The edifice, being destroyed in the
Saxon wars, was rebuilt by Offa, king of Mercia, and a monastery erected
adjoining to it, some remains of which are still visible, and the church
is a noble Gothic structure.
Faith, a Christian female, of Acquitain, in France, was ordered to be
broiled upon a gridiron, and then beheaded; A.D. 287.
Quintin was a Christian, and a native of Rome, but determined to attempt
the propagation of the Gospel in Gaul, with one Lucian, they preached together
in Amiens; after which Lucian went to Beaumaris, where he was martyred.
Quintin remained in Picardy, and was very zealous in his ministry. Being
seized upon as a Christian, he was stretched with pullies until his joints
were dislocated; his body was then torn with wire scourges, and boiling
oil and pitch poured on his naked flesh; lighted torches were applied to
his sides and armpits; and after he had been thus tortured, he was remanded
back to prison, and died of the barbarities he had suffered, October 31,
A.D. 287. His body was sunk in the Somme.
The fatal day fixed upon to commence the bloody work, was the twenty-third
of February, A.D. 303, that being the day in which the Terminalia were
celebrated, and on which, as the cruel pagans boasted, they hoped to put
a termination to Christianity. On the appointed day, the persecution began
in Nicomedia, on the morning of which the prefect of that city repaired,
with a great number of officers and assistants, to the church of the Christians,
where, having forced open the doors, they seized upon all the sacred books,
and committed them to the flames.
The whole of this transaction was in the presence of Diocletian and
Galerius, who, not contented with burning the books, had the church levelled
with the ground. This was followed by a severe edict, commanding the destruction
of all other Christian churches and books; and an order soon succeeded,
to render Christians of all denomination outlaws.
The publication of this edict occasioned an immediate martyrdom, for
a bold Christian not only tore it down from the place to which it was affixed,
but execrated the name of the emperor for his injustice. A provocation
like this was sufficient to call down pagan vengeance upon his head; he
was accordingly seized, severely tortured, and then burned alive.
All the Christians were apprehended and imprisoned; and Galerius privately
ordered the imperial palace to be set on fire, that the Christians might
be charged as the incendiaries, and a plausible pretence given for carrying
on the persecution with the greater severities. A general sacrifice was
commenced, which occasioned various martyrdoms. No distinction was made
of age or sex; the name of Christian was so obnoxious to the pagans that
all indiscriminately fell sacrifices to their opinions. Many houses were
set on fire, and whole Christian families perished in the flames; and others
had stones fastened about their necks, and being tied together were driven
into the sea. The persecution became general in all the Roman provinces,
but more particularly in the east; and as it lasted ten years, it is impossible
to ascertain the numbers martyred, or to enumerate the various modes of
martyrdom.
Racks, scourges, swords, daggers, crosses, poison, and famine, were
made use of in various parts to dispatch the Christians; and invention
was exhausted to devise tortures against such as had no crime, but thinking
differently from the votaries of superstition.
A city of Phrygia, consisting entirely of Christians, was burnt, and
all the inhabitants perished in the flames.
Tired with slaughter, at length, several governors of provinces represented
to the imperial court, the impropriety of such conduct. Hence many were
respited from execution, but, though they were not put to death, as much
as possible was done to render their lives miserable, many of them having
their ears cut off, their noses slit, their right eye s put out, their
limbs rendered useless by dreadful dislocations, and their flesh seared
in conspicuous places with red-hot irons.
It is necessary now to particularize the most conspicious persons who
laid down their lives in martyrdom in this bloody persecution.
Sebastian, a celebrated martyr, was born at Narbonne, in Gaul, instructed
in the principles of Christianity at Milan, and afterward became an officer
of the emperor's guard at Rome. He remained a true Christian in the midst
of idolatry; unallured by the splendors of a court, untained by evil examples,
and uncontaminated by the hopes of preferment. Refusing to be a pagan,
the emperor ordered him to be taken to a field near the city, termed the
Campus Martius, and there to be shot to death with arrows; which sentence
was executed accordingly. Some pious Christians coming to the place of
execution, in order to give his body burial, perceived signs of life in
him, and immediately moving him to a place of security, they, in a short
time effected his recovery, and prepared him for a second martyrdom; for,
as soon as he was able to go out, he placed himself intentionally in the
emperor's way as he was going to the temple, and reprehended him for his
various cruelties and unreasonable prejudices against Christianity. As
soon as Diocletian had overcome his surprise, he ordered Sebastian to be
seized, and carried to a place near the palace, and beaten to death; and,
that the Christians should not either use means again to recover or bury
his body, he ordered that it should be thrown into the common sewer. Nevertheless,
a Christian lady named Lucina, found means to remove it from the sewer,
and bury it in the catacombs, or repositories of the dead.
The Christians, about this time, upon mature consideration, thought
it unlawful to bear arms under a heathen emperor. Maximilian, the son of
Fabius Victor, was the first beheaded under this regulation.
Vitus, a Sicilian of considerable family, was brought up a Christian;
when his virtues increased with his years, his constancy supported him
under all afflictions, and his faith was superior to the most dangerous
perils. His father, Hylas, who was a pagan, finding that he had been instructed
in the principles of Christianity by the nurse who brought him up, used
all his endeavors to bring him back to paganism, and at length sacrificed
his son to the idols, June 14, A.D. 303.
Victor was a Christian of a good family at Marseilles, in France; he
spent a great part of the night in visiting the afflicted, and confirming
the weak; which pious work he could not, consistently with his own safety,
perform in the daytime; and his fortune he spent in relieving the distresses
of poor Christians. He was at length, however, seized by the emperor Maximian's
decree, who ordered him to be bound, and dragged through the streets. During
the execution of this order, he was treated with all manner of cruelties
and indignities by the enraged populace. Remaining still inflexible, his
courage was deemed obstinacy. Being by order stretched upon the rack, he
turned his eyes toward heaven, and prayed to God to endue him with patience,
after which he underwent the tortures with most admirable fortitude. After
the executioners were tired with inflicting torments on him, he was conveyed
to a dungeon. In his confinement, he converted his jailers, named Alexander,
Felician, and Longinus. This affair coming to the ears of the emperor,
he ordered them immediately to be put to death, and the jailers were accordingly
beheaded. Victor was then again put to the rack, unmercifully beaten with
batoons, and again sent to prison. Being a third time examined concerning
his religion, he persevered in his principles; a small altar was then brought,
and he was commanded to offer incense upon it immediately. Fired with indignation
at the request, he boldly stepped forward, and with his foot overthrew
both altar and idol. This so enraged the emperor Maximian, who was present,
that he ordered the foot with which he had kicked the alta r to be
immediately cut off; and Victor was thrown into a mill, and crushed to
pieces with the stones, A.D. 303.
Maximus, governor of Cilicia, being at Tarsus, three Christians were
brought before him; their names were Tarachus, an aged man, Probus, and
Andronicus. After repeated tortures and exhortations to recant, they, at
length, were ordered for execution.
Being brought to the amphitheater, several beasts were let loose upon
them; but none of the animals, though hungry, would touch them. The keeper
then brought out a large bear, that had that very day destroyed three men;
but this voracious creature and a fierce lioness both refused to touch
the prisoners. Finding the design of destroying them by the means of wild
beasts ineffectual, Maximus ordered them to be slain by the sword, on October
11, A.D. 303.
Romanus, a native of Palestine, was deacon of the church of Caesarea
at the time of the commencement of Diocletian's persecution. Being condemned
for his faith at Antioch, he was scourged, put to the rack, his body torn
with hooks, his flesh cut with knives, his face scarified, his teeth beaten
from their sockets, and his hair plucked up by the roots. Soon after he
was ordered to be strangled, November 17, A.D. 303.
Susanna, the niece of Caius, bishop of Rome, was pressed by the emperor
Diocletian to marry a noble pagan, who was nearly related to him. Refusing
the honor intended her, she was beheaded by the emperor's order.
Dorotheus, the high chamberlain of the household to Diocletian, was
a Christian, and took great pains to make converts. In his religious labors,
he was joined by Gorgonius, another Christian, and one belonging to the
palace. They were first tortured and then strangled.
Peter, a eunuch belonging to the emperor, was a Christian of singular
modesty and humility. He was laid on a gridiron, and broiled over a slow
fire until he expired.
Cyprian, known by the title of the magician, to distinguish him from
Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, was a native of Natioch. He received a liberal
education in his youth, and particularly applied himself to astrology;
after which he traveled for improvement through Greece, Egypt, India, etc.
In the course of time he became acquainted with Justina, a young lady of
Antioch, whose birth, beauty, and accomplishments, rendered her the admiration
of all who knew her. A pagan gentleman applied to Cyprian, to promote his
suit with the beautiful Justina; this he undertook, but soon himself became
converted, burnt his books of astrology and magic, received baptism, and
felt animated with a powerful spirit of grace. The conversion of Cyprian
had a great effect on the pagan gentleman who paid his addresses to Justina,
and he in a short time embraced Christianity. During the persecutions of
Diocletian, Cyprian and Justina were seized upon as Chrisitans, the former
was torn with pincers, and the latter chastised; and, after suffering other
torments, both were beheaded.
Eulalia, a Spanish lady of a Christian family, was remarkable in her
youth for sweetness of temper, and solidity of understanding seldom found
in the capriciousness of juvenile years. Being apprehended as a Christian,
the magistrate attempted by the mildest means, to bring her over to paganism,
but she ridiculed the pagan deities with such asperity, that the judge,
incensed at her behavior, ordered her to be tortured. Her sides were accordingly
torn by hooks, and her breasts burnt in the most shocking manner, until
she expired by the violence of the flames, December, A.D. 303.
In the year 304, when the persecution reached Spain, Dacian, the governor
of Terragona, ordered Valerius the bishop, and Vincent the deacon, to be
seized, loaded with irons, and imprisoned. The prisoners being firm in
their resolution, Valerius was banished, and Vincent was racked, his limbs
dislocated, his flesh torn with hooks, and he was laid on a gridiron, which
had not only a fire placed under it, but spikes at the top, which ran into
his flesh. These torments nei ther destroying him, nor changing his
resolutions, he was remanded to prison, and confined ina small, loathsome,
dark dungeon, strewed with sharp flints, and pieces of broken glass, where
he died, January 22, 304. His body was thrown into the river.
The persecution of Diocletian began particularly to rage in A.D. 304,
when many Christians were put to cruel tortures and the most painful and
ignominious deaths; the most eminent and paritcular of whom we shall enumerate.
Saturninus, a priest of Albitina, a town of Africa, after being tortured,
was remanded to prison, and there starved to death. His four children,
after being variously tormented, shared the same fate with their father.
Dativas, a noble Roman senator; Thelico, a pious Christian;
Victoria, a young lady of considerable family and fortune, with some
others of less consideration, all auditors of Saturninus, were tortured
in a similar manner, and perished by the same means.
Agrape, Chionia, and Irene, three sisters, were seized upon at Thessalonica,
when Diocletian's persecution reached Greece. They were burnt, and received
the crown of martyrdom in the flames, March 25, A.D. 304. The governor,
finding that he could make no impression on Irene, ordered her to be exposed
naked in the streets, which shameful order having been executed, a fire
was kindled near the city wall, amidst whose flames her spirit ascended
beyond the reach of man's cruelty.
Agatho, a man of a pious turn of mind, with Cassice, Philippa, and Eutychia,
were martyred about the same time; but the particulars have not been transmitted
to us.
Marcellinus, bishop of Rome, who succeeded Caius in that see, having
strongly opposed paying divine honors to Diocletian, suffered martyrdom,
by a variety of tortures, in the year 324, conforting his soul until he
expired with the prospect of these glorious rewards it would receive by
the tortures suffered in the body.
Victorius, Carpophorus, Severus, and Severianus, were brothers, and
all four employed in places of great trust and honor in the city of Rome.
Having exclaimed against the worship of idols, they were apprehended, and
scourged, with the plumbetae, or scourges, to the ends of which were fastened
leaden balls. This punishment was exercised with such excess of cruelty
that the pious brothers fell martyrs to its severity.
Timothy, a deacon of Mauritania, and Maura his wife, had not been united
together by the bands of wedlock above three weeks, when they were separated
from each other by the persecution. Timothy, being apprehended, as a Christian,
was carried before Arrianus, the governor of Thebais, who, knowing that
he had the keeping of the Holy Scriptures, commanded him to deliver them
up to be burnt; to which he answered, "Had I children, I would sooner deliver
them up to be sacrificed, than part with the Word of God." The governor
being much incensed at this reply, ordered his eyes to be put out, with
red-hot irons, saying, "The books shall at least be useless to you, for
you shall not see to read them." His patience under the operation was so
great that the governor grew more exasperated; he, therefore, in order,
if possible, to overcome his fortitude, ordered him to be hung up by the
feet, with a weight tied about his neck, and a gag in his mouth. In this
state, Maura his wife, tenderly urged him for her sake to recant; but,
when the gag was taken out of his mouth, instead of consenting to his wife's
entreaties, he greatly blamed her mistaken love, and declared his resolution
of dying for the faith. The consequence was, that Maura resolved to imitate
his courage and fidelity and either to accompany or follow him to glory.
The governor, after trying in vain to alter her resolution, ordered her
to be tortured, which was executed with great severity. After this, Timothy
and Maura were crucified near each other, A.D. 304.
Sabinus, bishop of Assisium, refusing to sacrifice to Jupiter, and pushing
the idol from him, had his hand cut off by the order of the gover 1000
nor of Tuscany. While in prison, he converted the governor and his family,
all of whom suffered martyrdom for the faith. Soon after their execution,
Sabinus himself was scourged to death, December, A.D. 304.
Tired with the farce of state and public business, the emperor Diocletian
resigned the imperial diadem, and was succeeded by Constantius and Galerius;
the former a prince of the most mild and humane disposition and the latter
equally remarkable for his cruelty and tyranny. These divided the empire
into two equal governments, Galerius ruling in the east, and Constantius
in the west; and the people in the two governments felt the effects of
the dispositions of the two emperors; for those in the west were governed
in the mildest manner, but such as resided in the east felt all the miseries
of oppression and lengthened tortures.
Among the many martyred by the order of Galerius, we shall enumerate
the most eminent.
Amphianus was a gentleman of eminence in Lucia, and a scholar of Eusebius;
Julitta, a Lycaonian of royal descent, but more celebrated for her virtues
than noble blood. While on the rack, her child was killed before her face.
Julitta, of Cappadocia, was a lady of distinguished capacity, great virtue,
and uncommon courage. To complete the execution, Julitta had boiling pitch
poured on her feet, her sides torn with hooks, and received the conclusion
of her martyrdom, by being beheaded, April 16, A.D. 305.
Hermolaus, a venerable and pious Christian, or a great age, and an intimate
acquaintance of Panteleon's, suffered martyrdom for the faith on the same
day, and in the same manner as Panteleon.
Eustratius, secretary to the governor of Armina, was thrown into a fiery
furnace for exhorting some Christians who had been apprehended, to persevere
in their faith.
Nicander and Marcian, two eminent Roman military officers, were apprehended
on account of their faith. As they were both men of great abilities in
their profession, the utmost means were used to induce them to renounce
Christianity; but these endeavors being found ineffectual, they were beheaded.
In the kingdom of Naples, several martyrdoms took place, in particular,
Januaries, bishop of Beneventum; Sosius, deacon of Misene; Proculus, another
deacon; Eutyches and Acutius, two laymen; Festus, a deacon; and Desiderius,
a reader; all, on account of being Christians, were condemned by the governor
of Campania to be devoured by the wild beasts. The savage animals, however,
would not touch them, and so they were beheaded.
Quirinus, bishop of Siscia, being carried before Matenius, the governor,
was ordered to sacrifice to the pagan deities, agreeably to the edicts
of various Roman emperors. The governor, perceiving his constancy, sent
him to jail, and ordered him to be heavily ironed; flattering himself,
that the hardships of a jail, some occasional tortures and the weight of
chains, might overcome his resolution. Being decided in his principles,
he was sent to Amantius, the principal governor of Pannonia, now Hungary,
who loaded him with chains, and carried him through the principal towns
of the Danube, exposing him to ridicule wherever he went. Arriving at length
at Sabaria, and finding that Quirinus would not renounce his faith, he
ordered him to be cast into a river, with a stone fastened about his neck.
This sentence being put into execution, Quirinus floated about for some
time, and, exhorting the people in the most pious terms, concluded his
admonitions with this prayer: "It is no new thing, O all-powerful Jesus,
for Thee to stop the course of rivers, or to cause a man to walk upon the
water, as Thou didst Thy servant Peter; the people have already seen the
proof of Thy power in me; grant me now to lay down my life for Thy sake,
O my God." On pronouncing the last words he immediately sank, and died,
June 4, A.D. 308. His body was afterwards taken up, and buried by some
pious Christians.
Pamphilus, a native of Phoenicia, of a considerable family, was a man
of such extensive learning that he was called a second Origen. He
was received into the body of the clergy at Caesarea, where he established
a public library and spent his time in the practice of every Christian
virtue. He copied the greatest part of the works of Origen with his own
hand, and, assisted by Eusebius, gave a correct copy of the Old Testament,
which had suffered greatly by the ignorance or negligence of former transcribers.
In the year 307, he was apprehended, and suffered torture and martyrdom.
Marcellus, bishop of Rome, being banished on account of his faith, fell
a martyr to the miseries he suffered in exile, January 16, A.D. 310.
Peter, the sixteenth bishop of Alexandria, was martyred November 25,
A.D. 311, by order of Maximus Caesar, who reigned in the east.
Agnes, a virgin of only thirteen years of age, was beheaded for being
a Christian; as was Serene, the empress of Diocletian. Valentine, a priest,
suffered the same fate at Rome; and Erasmus, a bishop, was martyred in
Campania.
Soon after this the persecution abated in the middle parts of the empire,
as well as in the west; and Providence at length began to manifest vengeance
on the persecutors. Maximian endeavored to corrupt his daughter Fausta
to murder Constantine her husband; which she discovered, and Constantine
forced him to choose his own death, when he preferred the ignominious death
of hanging after being an emperor near twenty years.
Constantine was the good and virtuous child of a good and virtuous father,
born in Britain. His mother was named Helena, daughter of King Coilus.
He was a most bountiful and gracious prince, having a desire to nourish
learning and good arts, and did oftentimes use to read, write, and study
himself. He had marvellous good success and prosperous achieving of all
things he took in hand, which then was (and truly) supposed to proceed
of this, for that he was so great a favorer of the Christian faith. Which
faith when he had once embraced, he did ever after most devoutly and religiously
reverence.
Thus Constantine, sufficiently appointed with strength of men but especially
with strength of God, entered his journey coming towards Italy, which was
about the last year of the persecution, A.D. 313. Maxentius, understanding
of the coming of Constantine, and trusting more to his devilish art of
magic than to the good will of his subjects, which he little deserved,
durst not show himself out of the city, nor encounter him in the open field,
but with privy garrisons laid wait for him by the way in sundry straits,
as he should come; with whom Constantine had divers skirmishes, and by
the power of the Lord did ever vanquish them and put them to flight.
Notwithstanding, Constantine yet was in no great comfort, but in great
care and dread in his mind (approaching now near unto Rome) for the magical
charms and sorceries of Maxentius, wherewith he had vanquished before Severus,
sent by Galerius against him. Wherefore, being in great doubt and perplexity
in himself, and revolving many things in his mind, what help he might have
against the operations of his charming, Constantine, in his journey drawing
toward the city, and casting up his eyes many times to heaven, in the south
part, about the going down of the sun, saw a great brightness in heaven,
appearing in the similitude of a cross, giving this inscription, In hoc
vince, that is, "In this overcome."
Eusebius Pamphilus doth witness that he had heard the said Constantine
himself oftentimes report, and also to swear this to be true and certain,
which he did see with his own eyes in heaven, and also his soldiers about
him. At the sight whereof when he was greatly astonished, and consulting
with his men upon the meaning thereof, behold, in the night season in his
sleep, Christ appeared to him with the sign of the same cross which he
had seen before, bidding him to make the figuration thereof, and to carry
it in his wars before him, and so should we have the victory.
Constantine so established the peace of the Church that for th 75d e
space of a thousand years we read of no set persecution against the Christians,
unto the time of John Wickliffe.
So happy, so glorious was this victory of Constantine, surnamed the
Great! For the joy and gladness whereof, the citizens who had sent for
him before, with exceeding triumph brought him into the city of Rome, where
he was most honorably received, and celebrated the space of seven days
together; having, moreover, in the market place, his image set up, holding
in his right hand the sign of the cross, with this inscription:
"With this wholesome sign, the true token of fortitude, I have rescued
and delivered our city from the yoke of the tyrant."
We shall conclude our account of the tenth and last general persecution
with the death of St. George, the titular saint and patron of England.
St. George was born in Cappadocia, of Christian parents; and giving proofs
of his courage, was promoted in the army of the emperor Diocletian. During
the persecution, St. George threw up his command, went boldly to the senate
house, and avowed his being a Christian, taking occasion at the same time
to remonstrate against paganism, and point out the absurdity of worshipping
idols. This freedom so greatly provoked the senate that St. George was
ordered to be tortured, and by the emperor's orders was dragged through
the streets, and beheaded the next day.
The legend of the dragon, which is associated with this martyr, is usually
illustrated by representing St. George seated upon a charging horse and
transfixing the monster with his spear. This fiery dragon symbolizes the
devil, who was vanquished by St. George's steadfast faith in Christ, which
remained unshaken in spite of torture and death.
CHAPTER 3
back to Table of Contents The emperor Sapores, being naturally averse to Christianity, easily
believed what was said against the Christians, and gave orders to persecute
them in all parts of his empire. On account of this mandate, many eminent
persons in the church and state fell martyrs to the ignorance and ferocity
of the pagans.
Constantine the Great being informed of the persecutions in Persia,
wrote a long letter to the Persian monarch, in which he recounts the vengeance
that had fallen on persecutors, and the great success that had attended
those who had refrained from persecuting the Christians.
Speaking of his victories over rival emperors of his own time, he said,
"I subdued these solely by faith in Christ; for which God was my helper,
who gave me victory in battle, and made me triumph over my enemies. He
hath likewise so enlarged to me the bounds of the Roman Empire, that it
extends from the Western Ocean almost to the uttermost parts of the East:
for this domain I neither offered sacrifices to the ancient deities, nor
made use of charm or divination; but only offered up prayers to the Almighty
God, and followed the cross of Christ. Rejoiced should I be if the throne
of Persia found glory also, by embracing the Christians: that so you with
me, and they with you, may enjoy all happiness.
In consequence of this appeal, the persecution ended for the time, but
it was renewed in later years when another king succeeded to the throne
of Persia.
In Egypt and Lybia, thirty bishops were martyred, and many other Christians
cruelly tormented; and, A.D. 386, George, the Arian bishop of Alexandria,
under the authority of the emperor, began a persecution in that city and
its environs, and carried it on with the most infernal severity. He was
assisted in his diabolical malice by Catophonius, governor of Egypt; Sebastian,
general of the Egyptian forces;
Faustinus, the treasurer; and Heraclius, a Roman officer.
The persecutions now raged in such a manner that the clergy were driven
from Alexandria, their churches were shut, and the severities practiced
by the Arian heretics were as great as those that had been practiced by
the pagan idolaters. If a man, accused of being a Christian, made his escape,
then his whole family were massacred, and his effects confiscated.
Constantius, dying the year 361, Julian succeeded him, and had no sooner
attained the imperial dignity than he renounced Christianity and embraced
paganism, which had for some years fallen into great disrepute. Though
he restored the idolatrous worship, he made no public edicts against Christianity.
He recalled all banished pagans, allowed the free exercise of religion
to every sect, but deprived all Christians of offices at court, in the
magistracy, or in the army. He was chaste, temperate, vigilant, laborious,
and pious; yet he prohibited any Christian from keeping a school or public
seminary of learning, and deprived all the Christian clergy of the privileges
granted them by Constantine the Great.
Biship Basil made himself first famous by his opposition to Arianism,
which brought upon him the vengeance of the Arian bishop of Constantinople;
he equally opposed paganism. The emperor's agents in vain tampered with
Basil by means of promises, threats, and racks, he was firm in the faith,
and remained in prison to undergo some other sufferings, when the emperor
came accidentally to Ancyra. Julian determined to examine Basil himself,
when that holy man being brought before him, the emperor did every thing
in his power to dissuade him from persevering in the faith. Basil not only
continued as firm as ever, but, with a prophetic spirit foretold the death
of the emperor, and that he should be tormented in the other life. Enraged
at what he heard, Julian commanded that the body of Basil should be torn
every day in seven different parts, until his skin and flesh were entirely
mangled. This inhuman sentence was executed with rigor, and the martyr
expired under its severities, on June 28, A.D. 362.
Donatus, bishop of Arezzo, and Hilarinus, a hermit, suffered about the
same time; also Gordian, a Roman magistrate. Artemius, commander in chief
of the Roman forces in Egypt, being a Christian, was deprived of his commission,
then of his estate, and lastly of his head.
The persecution raged dreadfully about the latter end of the year 363;
but, as many of the particulars have not been handed down to us, it is
necessary to remark in general, that in Palestine many were burnt alive,
others were dragged by their feet through the streets naked until they
expired; some were scalded to death, many stoned, and great numbers had
their brains beaten out with clubs. In Alexandria, innumerable were the
martyrs who suffered by the sword, burning, crucifixion and stoning. In
Arethusa, several were ripped open, and corn being put into their bellies,
swine were brought to feed therein, which, in devouring the grain, likewise
devoured the entrails of the martyrs, and in Thrace, Emilianus was burnt
at a stake; and Domitius murdered in a cave, whither he had fled for refuge.
The emperor, Julian the apostate, died of a wound which he received
in his Persian expedition, A.D. 363, and even while expiring, uttered the
most horrid blasphemies. He was succeeded by Jovian, who restored peace
to the Church.
After the decease of Jovian, Valentinian succeeded to the empire, and
associated to himself Valens, who had the command in the east, and was
an Arian and of an unrelenting and persecuting disposition.
In religion the Goths were Arians, and called themselves Christians;
therefore they destroyed all the statues and temples of the heathen gods,
but did no harm to the orthodox Christian churches. Alaric had all the
qualities of a great general. To the wild bravery of the Gothic barbarian
he added the courage and skill of the Roman soldier. He led his forces
across the Alps into Italy, and although driven back for the time, returned
afterward with an irresistible force.
The first part of the bloody entertainment was finished; the bodies
of the dead were dragged off with hooks, and the reddened sand covered
with a fresh, clean layer. After this had been done the gates in the wall
of the arena were thrown open, and a number of tall, well-formed men in
the prime of youth and strength came forward. Some carried swords, others
three-pronged spears and nets. They marched once around the walls, and
stopping before the emperor, held up their weapons at arm's length, and
with one voice sounded out their greeting, Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant!
"Hail, Caesar, those about to die salute thee!"
The combats now began again; the glatiators with nets tried to entangle
those with swords, and when they succeeded mercilessly stabbed their antagonists
to death with the three-pronged spear. When a glatiator had wounded his
adversary, and had him lying helpless at his feet, he looked up at the
eager faces of the spectators, and cried out, Hoc habet! "He has it!" and
awaited the pleasure of the audience to kill or spare.
If the spectators held out their hands toward him, with thumbs upward,
the defeated man was taken away, to recover if possible from his wounds.
But if the fatal signal of "thumbs down" was given, the conquered was to
be slain; and if he showed any reluctance to present his neck for the death
blow, there was a scornful shout from the galleries, Recipe ferrum! "Receive
the steel!" Privileged persons among the audience would even descend into
the arena, to better witness the death agonies of some unusually brave
victim, before his corpse was dragged out at the death gate.
The show went on; many had been slain, and the people, madly excited
by the desperate bravery of those who continued to fight, shouted their
applause. But suddenly there was an interruption. A rudely clad, robed
figure appeared for a moment among the audience, and then boldly leaped
down into the arena. He was seen to be a man of rough but imposing presence,
bareheaded and with sun-browned face. Without hesitating an instant he
advanced upon two gladiators engaged in a life-and-death struggle, and
laying his hand upon one of them sternly reproved him for shedding innocent
blood, and then, turning toward the thousands of angry faces ranged around
him, called upon them in a solemn, deep-toned voice which resounded through
the deep inclosure. These were his words: "Do not requite God's mercy in
turning away the swords of your enemies by murdering each other!"
Angry shouts and cries at once drown ed his voice: "This is no
place for preaching!--the old customs of Rome must be observed!--On, gladiators!"
Thrusting aside the stranger, the gladiators would have again attacked
each other, but the man stood between, holding them apart, and trying in
vain to be heard. "Sedition! sedition! down with him!" was then the cry;
and the gladiators, enraged at the interference of an outsider with their
chosen vocation, at once stabbed him to death. Stones, or whatever missiles
came to hand, also rained down upon him from the furious people, and thus
he perished, in the midst of the arena.
His dress showed him to be one of the hermits who vowed themselves to
a holy life of prayer and self-denial, and who were reverenced by even
the thoughtless and combat-loving Romans. The few who knew him told how
he had come from the wilds of Asia on a pilgrimage, to visit the churches
and keep his Christmas at Rome; they knew he was a holy man, and that his
name was Telemachus-no more. His spirit had been stirred by the sight of
thousands flocking to see men slaughter one another, and in his simple-hearted
zeal he had tried to convince them of the cruelty and wickedness of their
conduct. He had died, but not in vain. His work was accomplished at the
moment he was struck down, for the shock of such a death before their eyes
turned the hearts of the people: they saw the hideous aspects of the favorite
vice to which they had blindly surrendered themselves; and from the day
Telemachus fell dead in the Colosseum, no other fight of gladiators was
ever held there.
Hermenigildus, a Gothic prince, was the eldest son of Leovigildus, a
king of the Goths, in Spain. This prince, who was originally an Arian,
became a convert to the orthodox faith, by means of his wife Ingonda. When
the king heard that his son had changed his religious sentiments, he stripped
him of the command at Seville, where he was governor, and threatened to
put him to death unless he renounced the faith he had newly embraced. The
prince, in order to prevent the execution of his father's menaces, began
to put himself into a posture of defence; and many of the orthodox persuasion
in Spain declared for him. The king, exasperated at this act of rebellion,
began to punish all the orthodox Christians who could be seized by his
troops, and thus a very severe persecution commenced: he likewise marched
against his son at the head of a very powerful army. The prince took refuge
in Seville, from which he fled, and was at length besieged and taken at
Asieta. Loaded with chains, he was sent to Seville, and at the feast of
Easter refusing to receive the Eucharist from an Arian bishop, the enraged
king ordered his guards to cut the prince to pieces, which they punctually
performed, April 13, A.D. 586.
Martin, bishop of Rome, was born at Todi, in Italy. He was naturally
inclined to virtue, and his parents bestowed on him an admirable education.
He opposed the heretics called Monoth elites, who were patronized
by the emperor Heraclius. Martin was condemned at Constantinople, where
he was exposed in the most public places to the ridicule of the people,
divested of all episcopal marks of distinction, and treated with the greatest
scorn and severity. After lying some months in prison, Martin was sent
to an island at some distance, and there cut to pieces, A.D. 655.
John, bishop of Bergamo, in Lombardy, was a learned man, and a good
Christian. He did his utmost endeavors to clear the Church from the errors
of Arianism, and joining in this holy work with John, bishop of Milan,
he was very successful against the heretics, on which account he was assassinated
on July 11, A.D. 683.
Killien was born in Ireland, and received from his parents a pious and
Christian education. He obtained the Roman pontiff's license to preach
to the pagans in Franconia, in Germany. At Wurtzburg he converted Gozbert,
the governor, whose example was followed by the greater part of the people
in two years after. Persuading Gozbert that his marriage with his brother's
widow was sinful, the latter had him beheaded, A.D. 689.
After due study, the abbot seeing him qualified for the priesthood,
obliged him to receive that holy order when he was about thirty years old.
From which time he began to preach and labor for the salvation of his fellow
creatures; he was released to attend a synod of bishops in the kingdom
of West-Saxons. He afterwards, in 719, went to Rome, where Gregory II who
then sat in Peter's chair, received him with great friendship, and finding
him full of all virtues that compose the character of an apostolic missionary,
dismissed him without commission at large to preach the Gospel to the pagans
wherever he found them. Passing through Lombardy and Bavaria, he came to
Thuringia, which country had before received the light of the Gospel, he
next visited Utrecht, and then proceeded to Saxony, where he converted
some thousands to Christianity.
During the ministry of this meek prelate, Pepin was declared king of
France. It was that prince's ambition to be crowned by the most holy prelate
he could find, and Boniface was pitched on to per
SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR
John Fox (or Foxe) was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, in 1517, where
his parents are stated to have lived in respectable circumstances. He was
deprived of his father at an early age; and notwithstanding his mother
soon married again, he still remained under the parental roof. From an
early display of talents and inclination to learning, his friends were
induced to send him to Oxford, in order to cultivate and bring them to
maturity.
FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS
History of Christian Martyrs to the First General Persecutions
Under Nero
Christ our Savior, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, hearing the confession
of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be
the Son of God, and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called
him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church
so strong that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which
words three things are to be noted: First, that Christ will have a Church
in this world. Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be impugned,
not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of
all hell. And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost
of the devil and all his malice, should continue.
I. St. Stephen
St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the
faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers
of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast
him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered
is generally supposed to have been at the passover which succeeded to that
of our Lord's crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following
spring.
II. James the Great
The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apsotles' Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother
of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german
to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen
that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been
appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with
them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined
to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given
us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be
overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser
was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage
and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing
himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown
of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus
did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup,
which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas
suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other
in Macedonia. These events took place A.D. 44.
III. Philip
Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple."
He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis,
in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified,
A.D. 54.
IV. Matthew
Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He
wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek
by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in
which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd
in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.
V. James the Less
Is supposed by some to have been the brother of our Lord, by a former wife
of Joseph. This is very doubtful, and accords too much with the Catholic
superstition, that Mary never had any other children except our Savior.
He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the
author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age
of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his
brains dashed out with a fuller's club.
VI. Matthias
Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected
to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then
beheaded.
VII. Andrew
Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations;
but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the
two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation
of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.
VIII. St. Mark
Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have
been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis,
and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark
was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity
of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.
IX. Peter
Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death,
and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without
cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against
Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated
Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity
at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate,
he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said,
"Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come
again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be
understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified,
his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because
he was (h ac3 e said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and
manner as the Lord was.
X. Paul
Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail
and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also
in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his
execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring
him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired
him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly
after they should believe and be baptised at His sepulcher. This done,
the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution,
where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.
XI. Jude
The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at
Edessa, A.D. 72.
XII. Bartholomew
Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew
into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at
length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.
XIII. Thomas
Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting
the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through
with a spear.
XIV. Luke
The evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name.
He travelled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have
been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.
XV. Simon
Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in
Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74.
XVI. John
The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of
Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded
by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed
he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without
injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he
wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled
him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.
XVII. Barnabas
Was of Cyprus, but of Jewish descent, his death is supposed to have taken
place about A.D. 73.
FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS
The Ten Primitive Persecutions
The First Persecution, Under Nero, A.D. 67
The first persecution of the Church took place in the year 67, under Nero,
the sixth emperor of Rome. This monarch reigned for the space of five years,
with tolerable credit to himself, but then gave way to the greatest extravagancy
of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities. Among other diabolical
whims, he ordered that the city of Rome should be set on fire, which order
was executed by his officers, guards, and servants. While the imperial
city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Macaenas, played upon his
harp, sung the song of the burning of Troy, and openly declared that 'he
wished the ruin of all things before his death.' Besides the noble pile,
called the Circus, many other palaces and houses were consumed; several
thousands perished in the flames, were smothered in the smoke, or buried
beneath the ruins.
The Second Persecution, Under Domitian, A.D. 81
The emperor Domitian, who was naturally inclined to cruelty, first slew
his brother, and then raised the second persecution against the Christians.
In his rage he put to death some of the Roman senators, some through malice;
and others to confiscate their estates. He then commanded all the lineage
of David be put to death.
The Third Persecution, Under Trajan, A.D. 108
In the third persecution Pliny the Second, a man learned and famous, seeing
the lamentable slaughter of Christians, and moved therewith to pity, wrote
to Trajan, certifying him that there were many thousands of them daily
put to death, of which none did any thing contrary to the Roman laws worthy
of persecution. "The whole account they gave of their crime or error (whichever
it is to be called) amounted only to this-viz. that they were accustomed
on a stated day to meet before daylight, and to repeat together a set form
of prayer to Christ as a God, and to bind themselves by an obligation-not
indeed to commit wickedness; but, on the contrary-never to commit theft,
robbery, or adultery, never to falsify their word, never to defraud any
man: after which it was their custom to separate, and reassemble to partake
in common of a harmless meal."
The Fourth Persecution, Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, A.D. 162
Marcus Aurelius, followed about the year of our Lord 161, a man of nature
more stern and severe; and, although in study of philosophy and in civil
government no less commendable, yet, toward the Christians sharp and fierce;
by whom was moved the fourth persecution.
1000
The Fifth Persecution, Commencing with Severus, A.D. 192
Severus, having been recovered from a severe fit of sickness by a Christian,
became a great favorer of the Christians in general; but the prejudice
and fury of the ignorant multitude prevailing, obsolete laws were put in
execution against the Christians. The progress of Christianity alarmed
the pagans, and they revived the stale calumny of placing accidental misfortunes
to the account of its professors, A.D. 192.
The Sixth Persecution, Under Maximus, A.D. 235
A.D. 235, was in the time of Maximinus. In Cappadocia, the president, Seremianus,
did all he could to exterminate the Christians from that province.
The Seventh Persecution, Under Decius, A.D. 249
This was occasioned partly by the hatred he bore to his predecessor Philip,
who was deemed a Christian and was partly by his jealousy concerning the
amazing increase of Christianity; for the heathen temples began to be forsaken,
and the Christian churches thronged.
The Eighth Persecution, Under Valerian, A.D. 257
Began under Valerian, in the month of April, 257, and continued for three
years and six months. The martyrs that fell in this persecution were innumerable,
and their tortures and deaths as various and painful. The most eminent
martyrs were the following, though neither rank, sex, nor age were regarded.
The Ninth Persecution Under Aurelian, A.D. 274
The principal sufferers were: Felix, bishop of Rome. This prelate was advanced
to the Roman see in 274. He was the first martyr to Aurelian's petulancy,
being beheaded on the twenty-second of December, in the same year.
The Tenth Persecution, Under Diocletian, A.D. 303
Under the Roman emperors, commonly called the Era of the Martyrs, was occasioned
partly by the increasing number and luxury of the Christians, and the hatred
of Galerius, the adopted son of Diocletian, who, being stimulated by his
mother, a bigoted pagan, never ceased persuading the emperor to enter upon
the persecution, until he had accomplished his purpose.
1000
FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS
Persecutions of the Christians in Persia
The Gospel having spread itself into Persia, the pagan priests, who worshipped
the sun, were greatly alarmed, and dreaded the loss of that influence they
had hitherto maintained over the people's minds and properties. Hence they
thought it expedient to complain to the emperor that the Christians were
enemies to the state, and held a treasonable correspondence with the Romans,
the great enemies of Persia.
Persecutions Under the Arian Heretics
The author of the Arian heresy was Arius, a native of Lybia, and a priest
of Alexandria, who, in A.D. 318, began to publish his errors. He was condemned
by a council of Lybian and Egyptian bishops, and that sentence was confirmed
by the Council of Nice, A.D. 325. After the death of Constantine the Great,
the Arians found means to ingratiate themselves into the favor of the emperor
Constantinus, his son and successor in the east; and hence a persecution
was raised against the orthodox bishops and clergy. The celebrated Athanasius,
and other bishops, were banished, and their sees filled with Arians.
Persecution Under Julian the Apostate
This emperor was the son of Julius Constantius, and the nephew of Constantine
the Great. He studied the rudiments of grammar under the inspection of
Mardonius, a eunuch, and a heathen of Constantinople. His fa ther
sent him some time after to Nicomedia, to be instructed in the Christian
religion, by the bishop of Eusebius, his kinsman, but his principles were
corrupted by the pernicious doctrines of Ecebolius the rhetorician, and
Maximus the magician.
Persecution of the Christians by the Goths and Vandals.
Many Scythian Goths having embraced Christianity about the time of Constantine
the Great, the light of the Gospel spread itself considerably in Scythia,
though the two kings who ruled that country, and the majority of the people
continued pagans. Fritegern, king of the West Goths, was an ally to the
Romans, but Athanarich, king of the East Goths, was at war with them. The
Christians, in the dominions of the former, lived unmolested, but the latter,
having been defeated by the Romans, wreaked his vengeance on his Christian
subjects, commencing his pagan injunctions in the year 370.
The Last Roman "Triumph"
After this fortunate victory over the Goths a "triumph," as it was called,
was celebrated at Rome. For hundreds of years successful generals had been
awarded this great honor on their return from a victorious campaign. Upon
such occasions the city was given up for days to the marching of troops
laden with spoils, and who dragged after them prisoners of war, among whom
were often captive kings and conquered generals. This was to be the last
Roman triumph, for it celebrated the last Roman victory. Although it had
been won by Stilicho, the general, it was the boy emperor, Honorius, who
took the credit, entering Rome in the car of victory, and driving to the
Capitol amid the shouts of the populace. Afterward, as was customary on
such occasions, there were bloody combats in the Colosseum, where gladiators,
armed with swords and spears, fought as furiously as if they were on the
field of battle.
Persecutions from About the Middle of the Fifth, to the Conclusion of the
Seventh Century
Proterius was made a priest by Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, who was well
acquainted with his virtues, before he appointed him to preach. On the
death of Cyril, the see of Alexandria was filled by Discorus, an inveterate
enemy to the memory and family of his predecessor. Being condemned by the
council of Chalcedon for having embraced the errors of Eutyches, he was
deposed, and Proterius chosen to fill the vacant see, who was approved
of by the emperor. This occasioned a dangerous insurrection, for the city
of Alexandria was divided into two factions; the one to espouse the cause
of the old, and the other of the new prelate. In one of the commotions,
the Eutychians determined to wreak their vengeance on Proterius, who fled
to the church for sanctuary: but on Good Friday, A.D. 457, a large body
of them rushed into the church, and barbarously murdered the prelate; after
which they dragged the body through the streets, insulted it, cut it to
pieces, burnt it, and scattered the ashes in the air.
Persecutions from the Early Part of the Eighth, to Near the Conclusion
of the Tenth Century
Boniface, archbishop of Mentz, and father of the German church, was an
Englishman, and is, in ecclasiastical history, looked upon as one of the
brightest ornaments of this nation. Originally his name was Winfred, or
Winfrith, and he was born at Kirton, in Devonshire, then part of the West-Saxon
kingdom. When he was only about six years of age, he began to discover
a propensity to reflection, and seemed solicitous to gain information on
religious subjects. Wolfrad, the abbot, finding that he possessed a bright
genius, as well as a strong inclination to study, had him removed to Nutscelle,
a seminary of learning in the diocese of Winchester, where he would have
a much greater opportunity of attaining improvements than at Exeter.