Acts and Monuments Volume 1

The x. Persecution.

BY reason whereof (the wrath of God being kindled against his church) ensued the tenth and last persecucion against the Christians, so horrible and grievous, that maketh the pen almost to tremble to writ upon it, so tedious that never was any persecution before or since comparable to it for the time it continued, lasting the space of ten years together. This persecution although it passed thorough the hands of diverse tyrants and workers moe then one or two, yet principally it beareth the name of Dioclesiā who was Emperor as is above noted, next after Carus & Numerianus. Thys Dioclesian ever having an ambitious mind, aspired greatly to be Emperor. To whom Druas his Concubine said, that first he should kill a wild Boore before he should be Emperor. He taking effect at these words, used much with hands to kill wild Boores: but seeing no success to come thereof, used this proverb: Ego Apros occido, alius pulpamento fruitur, that is, I kill the Boores, but other do eat the flesh. At length the said Dioclesian being nominate to be Emperor, and seeing Aper (who had killed Numerianus the Emperor) standing thereby sware, to the soldiers that Numerianus, was wrongfully killed, and forthwith running upon Aper with his sword, slew him. Vopisc. After this he being stablished in the Empire, and seeing on every side diverse and sundry cōmotions rising up against him, which he was not well able himself to sustain, in the first beginning of his reign he chooseth for his Colleage Maximianus surnamed Herculius, Father of Maxentius. Which two Emperors, because of diverse wars that rose in many provinces, choose to thē two other noble men, Galerius, & Constantine, whom they called Caesar's. Of whom Galerius was sent into the East partes against the Persians. Constantine was sent over to Britannie to this our country of England, to recover the tribute. Where he toke to wife Helena the daughter of king Coil, which was a maiden excelling in beautye, and no less famously brought up in the study of learning of whom was borne Constantine the great.

All this while hitherto no persecution was yet stirred of these 4. princes against the church of Christ, but quietlye and moderately they governed the common wealth, wherefor accordingly God prospered their doings and affairs, and gave them great victories, Dioclesian in Egypt, Maximinian in Aphricke and in France, Galerius in Persia, Constantine in England and in France also. By reason of which victories Dioclesian and Maximian pu • te up in pride, ordained a solemn triumph at Rome, after which triumph Dioclesian gave commandment that he would be worshipped as God, saying, that he was brother to the Sun and Moon, and adourning his shoes with gold and precious stones commanded the people to kiss his feet.

And not long after by the judgment of God, for certain enormities used in the church, above touched, began the great and grievous persecution of the Christians, moved by the ragious cruelty of Dioclesian, which was about the nyneteenth year of his rain, who in the Moneth of Marche when the feast of Easter was nye at hand, commanded all the churches of the Christians to be spoiled and cast to the earth, and the books of holy scripture to be burned.

Thus most violent edictes and proclamations were set forth, for the overthrowing as is said, of the Christians temples throughout all the Roman Empire. Neither did there want in the officers any cruel execution of the same proclamations. For their temples were defaced even when they celebrated the feast of Easter. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 2. And this was the first edicte given out by Dioclesian, the next proclamation that came forth, was for the burning of the books of the holy scripture, which thing was done in the open market place as before: then next unto that were edictes given forth for the displacing of such as were Magistrates, and that with a great ignominy, & all other whatsoever bare any office. Imprisoning such as were of the common sort, if they would not abjure Christianity, and subscribe to the heathen religion. Euseb. lib. 8. cap 3. & Nicephorus lib. 7. cap 4. Zonoras also in his seconde tome. And these were the beginning of the Christians evils.

It was not long after but that new edictes were sent forth, nothing for their cruelty inferior to the first: for the casting of the elders and bishops into prisō, and then constraining them with sundry kinds of punishments to offer unto their Idols. By reason whereof ensued a great persecutiō amongst the governors of the church, amongst whom many stood manfully, passing through many exceeding bitter torments, neither were overcome therwyth, being tormented and examined diverse of them diuerslye, some scourged, all their bodies over with whips & scourges, some with racks, rasinges of y ^e flesh intolerable were cruciated: someone way, some another way put to death. Some again violently were drawn to the impure sacrifice, and as though they had sacrificed, when indeed they did not, were let go. Other some neither coming at all to their aultars, nor touching any piece of their sacrifices, yet were borne in hand of thē that stood by, that they had sacrificed, & so suffering that false infamation of their enymies, quietly went away. Other as dead men were carried and cast away, being but half dead. Some they cast down upon the pavement, and trailing them a great space by the legs, made the people believe that they had sacrificed. Furthermore other there were which stoutly withstood them, affirming with a loud voice that they had done no such sacrifice. Of whom some said they were Christians, & gloried in the profession of that name: some cried saying, that neither they had, nor would ever be partakers of that idolatry. And those being buffeted on the face & mouth with the hands of the soldiers, were made to hold their peace, and so thrust out with violence. And if the Saints did seem never so little to do▪ what the enemies would have them, they were made much of. Albeit all this purpose of the adversary, did nothing prevail against the holy and constant servants of Christ. Notwithstanding, of the weak sort innumerable there were, which for fear & infirmity fell and gave over, even at the first brunt.

At the first coming down of these edictes into Nicomedia, there chanced a deed to be done, much worthy of memory, of a Christien, being a noble man borne, which moved by the zeal of God, after the proclamation made at Nicomedia was set up, by and by ran and took down the same, and openly tare and rent it in pieces, not fearing the presence of the two Emperors, then being in the city. For which act he was put to a most bitter death, which death he with great faith & constancy endured even to the last gasp, Euseb. lib. 8. lib. 3. & 5.

After this the furious rage of the malignaunt Emperors, being let loose against the saints of Christ proceeded more & more, making havoc of gods people through out all quarters of the world. First Dioclesian which had purposed with himself to subvert the whole Christian religion, executed his tyranny in the east) and Maximianus in the west, But wily Dioclesian began very subtilye, for he put the matter first in practice in his own campe, among whom the marshall of the field, as Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 4. affirmeth, put the Christian Soldiers to this choice, whether they would obey the Emperors commandment in that manner of sacrifice he commanded, and so both to keep their offices, and lead their bands, or else to lay away from thē their armor and weapons. Whereunto the Christian men courageously answered, that they were not only ready to lay away their armor & weapons, but also to suffer death if it should with tyranny be enforced unto them, rather thē they would obey the wicked decrees and comaundements of the Emperor.

There might a man have seen very many which were desirous to live a simple and poor life: and which regarded no estimation and honor in comparison of true piety & godliness. And this was no more but a subtle and wily flattery in the beginning, to offer them to be at their own liberty, whether they would willingly abjure their profession or not, as also this was another, that in the beginning of the persecution, there were but a few tormented with punishment, but afterward by little and little he began more manifestly to braste out into persecution: It can hardly be expressed with words what number of Martyrs, and what blood was shed through all cities and regions for the name of Christ Eusebius, in his 8 book & chap. 7. saith that he himself knew the worthy Martyrs that were in Palestine. But in Tire of Phenicia he declareth in the same a marvelous martyrdom made, where certain Christians being given to most cruel wild beasts were preserved without hurt of them, to the great admiration of the beholders and those Lions, Bears, and Lybardes (kept hungry for that purpose) had no desire to devour them, which notwithstanding most vehementlye raged against those by whom they were brought into the stage, and stood as they thought without danger of thē, such were first devoured. But the Christian Martyrs because they could not be hurt of the beasts being slain with the sword, were afterward thrown into the sea. At that time was martyred the Bishop of Sidon. But Syluanus the Bishop of Gazensis with 39. other were slain in the metal mynes of Phenitia. Pamphilus the elder of Cesarea being the glory of that congregation, died a most worthy Martyr, whose both life and most commendable martyrdom, Eusebius oftentimes declareth in his 8. book and 13. chapter, in so much that he hath written the same in a book by it self. In Syria all the chief teachers of the congregation were first committed to prison, as a most heavy & cruel spectacle to behold, as also the bishops, Elders, and Deacons, which all were esteemed as menquellers, and perpetratours of most wicked facts. Eusebius. Lib. 8. cap. 6, After that we read of another, whose name was Tirannion which was made meat for the fishes of the sea, and of Zenobius which was a very good Physician, which also was slain with brickebates in the same place. Eusebius. lib. 8. cap. 13.

Furthermore he maketh mention in the same place of others which were not tormented to death, but every day terrified and feared without ceasing: Of some others that were brought to the sacrifices and commanded to do sacrifice, which would rather thrust their right hand into the fire, then to touch the profane or wicked sacrifice, also of some others that before they were apprehended, would cast down themselves from steep places, left that being taken they should commit anything against their professiō. Also of two virgins very fair and proper, with their mother also which had studiously brought them up, even from their infancy in all godliness, being long sought for and at the last found, and straightly kept by their kepers, whilst they made their excuse to do that which nature required, threw thenselves down headlong into a river, also of other two young maid̄s being sisters, & of a worshipful stock, moved with many goodly virtues, which were cast of the persecutors into the sea: and these things were done at Antioch as Eusebius in his 8. book, and 13. chap. affirmeth. But Syluanus the Bishop of Emissa y ^e notable martyr together with certain others were thrown to the wild beasts. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 13.

Divers and sundry torments were the Christians in Mesopotamia molested with, where they were hanged up by the feet, & their heads downwards, & with the smok of a small fire strangled. And also in Capadocia, where the Martyrs had their legs broken. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 12.

Henricus de Erfordia maketh mention of the Martyrs of Tharsus in Silicia as Tharatus, Probus, and Andronicus: But yet the Martyrs in the region of Pontus suffered far more passing and sharper torments, whereof I will hereafter make mention. Eusebius ibidem. So outrageous was the beginning of the persecution which the Emperor made in Nicomedia in Bithinia. as afore is said, that he refrained not from the slaughter of the children of Emperors, neither yet from slaughter of the most chiefest princes of his court, who a little before he made as much of, as if they had ben his own childrē: Such another was Peter, which among diverse and sundry torments: (among whō he being naked was lefted up, his whole body being beaten with whips and torn, that a man might see y ^e bare bones, and after they had mingled vinegar & salt together they poured it upon the most tender parts of his body, & lastly roasted at a soft fire, as a man would roast flesh to eat as a victorious Martyr ended his life. Dorotheus and Gorgonius being in great authority and office under the Emperor, after diverse torments were strangled with a halter, which both being of the privy chamber, to him, when they saw & beheld the grievous punishment of Peter their household companion: wherefor (said they O Emperor) do you punish in Peter that opinion which is in all us? Why is that accounted in him an offense, that all we confess? we are of that faith religion & judgment y ^t he is of. Therefore he commanded them to be brought forth, & almost with like pains to be tormented as Peter was, & afterwards hanged. Euseb. Rufini Lib 8. cap. 6. After whom Anthimus the Bishop of Nicomedia after he had made a notable confession, & bringing with him a great company of Martyrs, was beheaded. These men being thus dispatched y ^e Emprour vainly thought y ^t he might cause y ^e rest to do whateuer him listed. To this ende came Lucianus the Elder of the congregation of Antioch, and was martyred after he had made his Apology before the Emperor. Eusebius. Lib. 8. Cap. 13.

Hermanus also that monster, caused Serena the wife of Dioclesian the Emperor, to be martyred for the Christian Religion: so much did the rage of persecutiō utterly forget all natural affects. Other Martyrs of Nichomedia doth Nicephorus in his vii. book and xiiii. chapter recite, as Eulampius and Eulampia, Agapen, Irenea, Chionia, and Anastacia, under Illyricus, chief officer, were bound hand & foot to a post and brent. Vincentius. Lib. 12 cap. 66. And also Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 6. mentioneth such another like matter full of horror and grief. There assembltd together in their temple many Christian men to celebrate the memory of the Natiuitie of Christ, of every age and sort some: There Maximianus thinking to have been given a very fit occasion to execute his tyranny vpō the poor Christians, sent thither such as should burn the temple, the doors being shut and closed round about. Thether came they with fire, but first they commanded the crier with a loud voice to cry, y ^t who soever would have life, should come out of the temple, & do sacrifice vpō the next altar they came unto of Jupiter, and unless they would do this, they should all be brent with the temple. Then one stepping up in the temple, answered in the name of all y ^e rest with great courage & boldness of mind, that they were all Christians, & believed that Christ was their only God & king, and that they would do sacrifice to him, with his father and holy Ghost, & that they were now all ready to offer unto him. Wyth these words the fire was kindled and compassed about the temple, and there were brent of men, women, and children certain thousands. There were also in Arabia, very many martyrs slain with axes, as Eusebius. Lib. 8. cap. 12. There was in Phrigia a city, unto which the Emperor sent his Edicts that they should do sacrifice to the gods, and worship Idols, all which Citizens the Major himself, the Questor, and chief Captain confessed that they were all Christians. The City upon this was besieged & set on fire, and all the people, Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 11. In Melitina a region of Armenia, the bishops and Elders were cast in prison. Eusebius eodem cap. 6. In Arabrace a region near adjoining to Armenia Eustratius was Martyred, as Nicephorus declareth, Lib 7 cap. 14. This Eustratius was y ^• country man borne, and very skillful in the Greek tongue, executing by the Emperors commandment, the shiriffes office at Licia in the East, which also did execution there upon the Christians, and was a Scribe of great estimatiō called Ordinis Ducalis. This man beholding the marvelous constancy of the Martyrs, thirsted with the desire of Martyrdom, for that he had privily learned the Christian religion. Therefore he not abiding for other accusers, detected himself, and worthily professed that he was a Christian, openly execrating the madness and vanity of the wicked Ethnikes. He therefore being carried away, was tied up, being first most bitterly beaten. After that he was parched with fire, being put unto his bowels, and thē basted with salt and vinagre, and lastly, so scotched & bemangled with the shardes of sharp and cutting shells, that his whole body seemed to be all one continual wound, howbeit, by gods great goodness afterward, it was restored to the first integrity. After this he was carried away to Sebastia, where, w ^t his companion Orest he was burned. At that time also suffered Eugenius, Auxentius, Mardarius, Nicepho. Lib. 7. cap. 14. And in no less wise raged this persecution throughout all Egypt: where Eusebius in his 8. book, and 13. chapter maketh mention of Peleus and Nile Martyrs and bishops in Egypt. But at Alexandria especially were declared most notable conflicts of Christian and true constant Martyrs that suffered: which Phileas the Bishop of Thumitane describeth as after (God willing) shall be declared. In this persecution of Alexandria, the principal that then suffered was Peter the bishop of Alexandria, with the Elders of y ^e same most worthy Martyrs, as Faustus, Didius, and Ammonius, also Phileas, Hesichius, Pachiminus, and Theodorus, which all were bishops of the congregations within Egypt, and besides them, many other both famous and singular mē. The whole legion of Christian soldiers which lay at Thebes in Egypt, under the Christian captain Maurice, when they would not obey the Emperors commandment touching the worshiping of Images, were tythed to death once, and then again. And at last through the exhortation of Maurice, died altogether like constant Martyrs. Vincentius in speculo, Lib 13. cap. 2. Likewise at Antino diverse Christian soldiers, notwithstanding they were seriously dissuaded, suffered death together, amongst whom were Ascla, Philemon, and Apollonius, ibidem, cap. 50. and also in y ^e other partes of Africa and Mauritania, was great persecution, as Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 6. Also in Sammium, of which place Chronicon maketh mention, and Scilia, where were 79. Martyrs slain, for the profession of Christ, as writeth Henricus de Erfordia.

Now let us come unto Europe, Nicephorus in his vii. book and xiv. chap. saith, that at Nicopolis in Thracia the Martyrs were in most miserable and pitiful wise handled, where Lysia had the execution thereof. In Chalcedon suffered Euphemia, under Priscus the Proconsul. Vincentius, Lib. 12. cap. 77.

Henricus de Erfordia saith that at Rome, Johannes and Crispus, being priests, had the execution of Martyrs. And at Boemia Agricola, and Vitalis, Vincentius. Lib. 12. cap. 49. And at Aquileia the Emperor commanded every man to kill the Christians. Vincentius, Lib. eodem cap. 58. and amongst those Martyrs he maketh mention of Felices, and Fortunatus. Reginus also writeth that in other places of Italy the persecution became great, as at Florentia, Pergamos, Neaples Campania, Beneuentus, at Venusa in Apulia, and in Thussia, and Henricus de Erfordia, saith, also at Verona. In France doubtless Rectionarus appointed to that office, played the cruel helhound, of whose great cruelty against y ^e Christians many histories are full. At Mediolanus suffered Victor. And at Massilia, Maximianus set forth his decree, that either they should all do sacrifice to the God's of the Gentiles, or else be all slain with diverse kinds of torments. Therefore many Martyrs there died for the glory of Christ. Antonius & Vincent. lib. 12. cap. 2. In Beluacus suffered Lucian.

Vincentius and Reginus write of many places in Spain, where was great persecution, as at Emerita, where suffered Eulalia, of whom more followeth hereafter, & Adula, where also suffered Vincentius, Sabina and Christina. At Toletum suffered Lencadia the virgin, at Cesarea Augusta, where were put to death, 18. beside a great number of other Martyrs, which suffered under Decianus the governor, which afflicted with persecution all the coast of Spain, as saith Vincentius, lib. 13. cap. 123.124.128.130.134▪ The foresaid Rictionarus made such persecution at Treuers near the river of Mosella, that the blood of Christian men that were slain, ran like small brooks, and couloured great and main rivers. Neither yet did this suffice him, but from thence sent certain horsemen with his letters, commanding them to ride into every place, and charge all such as had taken and apprehended any Christians, that they should immediately put them to death. Vincent. Lib. 13. cap. 136.

Also Henricus de Erfordia, and Reginus make mention of great persecution to be at Colonia where Agrippina and Augusta were martyred, as also in the Province of Rhetia.

Beda also saith, that this persecution reached even unto the Britain's in his book De ration temporum. And the Chronicle of Martinus, and the Nosegay or time do declare that all the Christians in Britanny were utterly destroyed. Furthermore, that the kinds of death & punishment were so great and horrible, as no man's tongue is able to express. In the beginning, when the Emperor by his subtlety and wiliness, rather dallied then shown his rigor, he threatened them with bands and imprisonment: but with in a while when he began to work the matter in good earnest, he devised innumerable sortes of torments & punishments, as whippings and scourgings, rackings, horrible scrapings, sword, fire, and ship boates, wherein a great mumber being put, were sunk & drowned in the bottom of the sea. Euseb. Lib 8. cap 6. & 7. Also hanging them upon crosses, binding them to the bodies of dead trees with their heads donneward, hanging them by the middles upon gallowses, til they died for hunger, throwyng them alive to such kind of wild beasts as would devour them, as Lions, Bears, Libardes, and wild Bulls. Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 8. Pricking and thrusting them in with bodkins and talants of beasts till they were almost dead, lifting them up a high with their heads douneward, even as in Thebaide, they did unto the women being naked and unclothed, one of their feet tied and lifted a high, & so hanging down with their bodies, which thing to see was very pitiful, with other devised sortes of punishments most tragical, or rather tirannicall, and pitiful to describe: as first, the binding of thē to trees, and to the boughs thereof. The pulling & tearing asunder of their members and iointes, being tied to the boughs and arms of trees. Euseb. Lib 8. cap. 9. The mangling of them with axes, the choking them with smoke by small and soft fires, the dismembering of their hands, ears, and feet, with other joints, as the holy Martyrs of Alexandria, suffered, the scorching and broiling of them w ^t coals, not unto death, but every day renewed. With such kind of torments the Martyrs at Antioch were afflicted. But in Pontus other horrible punishments and fearful to be heard, did the Martyrs of Christ suffer, of which, some had their fingers ends under the nails thrust in with sharp bodkins, some all to be sprinkled with boiling lead, having their most necessary members cut from them, some other suffering most filthy, intolerable, and indurable torments and pain in their bowels and privy members. Eusebius eodem, cap. 12.

To conclude, how great the outrage of the persecution which reigned in Alexandria, was, and with how many & sundry kinds of new devised punishments the Martyrs were afflicted: Phileas, the bishop of the Thumitanes, a man singularly well learned, hath described in his epistle to the Thumitanes, the copy whereof Eusebius hath in his 8. book & x. chapter, out of the which we mean here briefly to recite somewhat.

Sabellicus in his vii. Ennead. and viii. book, saith that that christened man, which tore and pulled down the wicked Edict of the Emperor in Nicomedia, being stripped and beaten y ^t the bones appeared, and after washed in salt and vinegar, was then slain with this cruel kind of torment. But Platina writeth that Dorotheus and Gorgonius exhorteth him to die so constantly.

But as all their torments were for their horriblenesse, marvelous and notable, and therewithal so studiously, devised, & no less grievous and sharp: so notwithstanding therewith were these Martyrs neither dismayd, nor overcome, but rather thereby confirmed and strengthened, so merrily and joyfully sustained they what so ever was put unto them. Eusebius saith that he himself beheld and saw the huge and great persecution that was done in Thebaide, in so much that the very swords of the hangmen and persecutors being blunt with the great and often slaughter, they themselves for weariness sat down to rest them, and other were fain to take their places. And yet all this notwithstanding the murdered Christians, shown their marvelous readiness▪ willingness, and divine fortitude, which they were endued with, with stout courage, joy, and smiling, receiving the sentence of death pronounced upon thē, and song even unto the last gasp, Hymns and Psalms to God. So did also the Martyrs of Alexandria, as witnesseth Phileas above mentioned. The holy martyrs (saith he) keeping Christ in their minds, being led with the love of better rewards, sustained not only at one time, whatsoever labor and devised punishments they had to lay upon them: but now also the second time have done the same, and have borne all the manaces of the cruel soldiers, not only in words, wherewith they threatened them, but also whatsoever in deed and work they could devise to their destruction, and that with most manly stomachs, excluding all fear, with the perfection of their inspeakable love towards Christ, whose great strength and fortitude cannot by words be expressed. And Sulpitius saith in the second book of his sacred history, that then the Christians with more greedy desire preased and sought for Martyrdom, then now they desire bishoprikes.

Although some there were also, as I have said, that with fear and threatenings, and by their own infirmity, were overcome and went back. Eusebius, Lib. 8. cap. 3. Amongst whom Socrates nameth Miletius, Lib. 1. cap. 6. and Athanasius in his second Apology, nameth the bishop of Licus a City in little Egypt, whom Peter the Bishop of Alexandria, excommunicated, for that in this persecution he sacrificed to the Gentiles God's. Of the fall of Marcellinus the Bishop of Rome, I will speak afterwards. For he being persuaded by others, and specially of the Emperor Dioclesian himself, did sacrifice, whereupon he was excommunicated, but afterwards he reap̄ting the same, was again received into the congregation, and made Martyr as Platina and the compiler of the book of the general councils, affirm. The number of the Martyrs increased daily, sometimes ten, sometimes twenty were slain at once, some whiles 30. and oftentimes 60. and otherwhiles a C. in one day, men, women, and children by diverse kinds of death. Eusebius, Lib 8. cap. 9 also Damasus, Beda, Orosius, Honorius and others do witness, that there were slain in this persecution by the names of Martyrs, within the space of 30. days, 17. thousand persons, beside another great number and multitude that were condemned to the metal mines and quaries with like cruelty.

At Alexandria with Peter the Bishop, of whom I have made mention before, were slain with axes 300. & above, as Sabellicus declareth. Gereon was beheaded at Colonia Agrippina, with 300. of his fellows, as saith Henricus de Erfordia. Maurice the Captain of Christian religion, with his fellows 6666. Victor in the city of Troy now called Xanthus, with his fellows 360. were slain, as saith Otto Phrinsigensis, Lib. 2. cap 45. Reginus reciteth the names of many other Martyrs, to the number of 120.

And for as much as mention here hath been made of Maurice and Victor, the particular description of the same history I thought here to insert, taken out of Ado & other story writers, as ensueth.

Maurice came out of Syria into France and Italy, being Captain of the bande of the Theban soldiers, to the number of 6660. being sent for of Maximianus, to go against the rebellious Bangandes, but rather as it should seem by the treason of the • irant, which thought he might better in these quarters use his tyranny upon the Christians, then in the East part. These Thebans with Maurice the Captain, after that they had entered into Rome, who were there of Marcellus the blessed bishop, confirmed in the faith, promising by oath that they would rather be slain of their enemies, then forsake that faith which they had received, who followed the Emperors host through the Alps even into France. At that time the Caesarians were encamped not far from the town called Ottodor, where Maximianus offered sacrifice to his devils, and called all the soldiers both of the East and West to the same, straightly charging them by the aultars of his God's, that they would fight against those rebels the Bangandes, and persecute the Christian enemies of the Emperors God's: which his commandment was shown to the Thebanes host, which were also encamped about the river of Rode, and in a place that was named Agawne, but to Ottodor they would in no wise come, for that every man did certainly appointe and persuade with themselves rather in that place to die, then either to sacrifice to the gods, or bear armor against the Christians. Which thing in deed very stoutly and valiantly they affirmed, upon their oath before taken to Maximianus when he sent for them. Wherwith the tyrant being wrathful and all moved, commanded every tenth man of that whole band to be put to the sword, whereto striuingly and with great rejoicing they committed their necks. To which notable thing and great force of faith, Maurice himself was a great incourager, who by & by w ^t a most grave Oration exhorted & animated his soldiers both to fortitude & constancy. Which being again called of y ^e Emperor, answered in this wise saying:

With which their answer the king being altogether incensed and moved, commanded the second time the tenth man of them that were left to be in like case murdered. That cruelty also being accomplished, at length whē the Christian soldiers would in no wise condescend unto his mind, he set upon them with his whole host, both footmen and also horsemen, and charged them to kill them all. Who with all force set upon them, they making no resistance, but throwyng down their armor, yielded their lives to the persecutors, and offered to them their naked bodies.

Victor at the same time was not of that bande, nor yet then any soldier, but one being an old souldior, and dismissed for his age. At which time he coming suddenly upon them as they were haketting and making merry with the spoils of the holy Martyrs, was bidden to sit down with them: and first asking the cause of that their so great rejoicing, and understanding the truth thereof, detested the guests, and refused to eat with them. And then being demanded of them whether happily he were a Christian or no, openly confessed and denied not, but that he was • Christian, and ever would be. And thereupon they rushing vpō him, killed him, and made him partner of the like Martyrdom and honor.

Beda in his history writeth, that this persecution being under Dioclesian, endured unto the seventh yere of Constantine, and Euseb Lib 8. cap. 6 saith, that is lasted until the x. year of Constantine. It was not yet one year from the day in which Dioclesian & Maximianus joining themselves together, began their persecution, when that they saw the number of the Christians rather to increase then to diminish, notwithstanding all the cruelty that ever they could show; and now were out of all hope for the utter rootyng out of them▪ which thing was the cause of their first enterprise, and had now even their fill of blood, and lothed as it were, the shedding thereof, they ceased at the last of their own accord to put any mo Christians to death: But yet of a great multitude they did thrust out their right eyes, and maimed their left legs at the hamme with a searing iron, condemning them to the mines of metals, not so much for the use of their labor, as for the desire of afflicting them. And this was the clemency and release of the cruelty of those Princes, which said that it was not meet that the cities should be defiled with the blood of citizens, and to make the Emperors highness to be destained with the name of cruelty, but to show his princely beneficence and liberality to all men. Eusebius, Lib. 8. cap 10.

When Dioclesianus and Maximianus had reigned together Emperors twenty years and one ( Nicephorus saith xxij. years) at length Dioclesian put himself from his imperial dignity at Nicomedia, and lived at Salona, Maximinianus at Mediolanum, and led both of thē a private life in the 309. year after Christ. This strange and marvelous alteration gave occasion, and so came to pass, that within short space after, there were in the Romaine commō wealth many Emperors at one time.

In the beginning of this persecution, you heard how Dioclesian being made Emperor, took to him Maximinian. Also how these two governing as Emperors together, chose other two Caesar's under them, to wit, Galerius Maximinus & Constantius the father of Constantine the 〈◊〉 . Thus then Dioclesian reigning with Maximinian, in the 19. year of his reign, began his furious persecution against the Christians, whose reign after the same continued not long. For so it pleased God to put such a snaffle in the tyrants mouth, that within two years after, he caused both him and Maximinian (for what cause he knoweth) to give over his Imperial function▪ and so to remain not as emperors anymore, but as private persons: So that t • ey being now displaced and dispossessed, the Imperial dominion remained w ^t Constantius & Galerius Maximinus, which two divided the whole Monarchy between them: so that Maximinus should govern the East countries, & Constantius the west partes. But Constantius as a modest Prince, only contented with the Imperial title, refused Italy and Aphrike, contenting himself only with France, Spain, and Britain. Wherefore Galerius Maximinus chose to him his two sons Maximinus and Seuerus. Likewise Constantius took Constantine his son, Caesar under him. In the mean time, while Maximinus with his two Caesar's were in Asia, the Romaine soldiers set up for their emperor Maxentius the son of Maximinian, who had before deposed himself. Against whom Maximinus the Emperor of the East, sent his son Seuerus, which Seuerus was slain in the same voyage of Maxentius. In whose place then Maximinus took Licinius. And these were the Emperors and Caesar's, which succeeding after Dioclesian, and Maximinian, prosecuted the rest of that persecution, which Dioclesian and Maximinian before begun, during near the space of seven or viii. years, which was to the year of our Lord, 318. Save only that Constantius with his son Constantine, was no great doer therein, but rather a maintainer and a supporter of the Christians. Which Constantius surnamed Chlorus for his paleness, was the son of Eutropius, a mā of great nobility of the Romaine union, as Loetus affirmeth. He came of the line of Aeneas and Claudia, the daughter of Claudius Augustus. This man had not the desire of great and mighty dominion, and therefore parted he the Empire with Galerius, and would rule but in France, Britain, and Spain, refusing the other kingdoms for the troublesome and difficult government of the same. Otherwise he was a Prince, as Eutropius maketh description of him, very excellent, civil, meek, gentle, liberal, and desirous to do good unto those that had any private authority under him. And as Cyrus once said, that he ga • e treasure enough, when he made his friends rich: even so it is said that Constantius would often times say, that it were better that his subjects had treasure, thē he to have it in his treasure house. Also he was by nature suffised with a little, In so much, that he used to eat and drink in earthen vessels (which thing was counted in Agathotles the Sicilian, a great commendation) and if at any time cause required to garnish his table, he would send for plate and other furniture to his friends. To these virtues he added yet a more worthy ornament, that is, devotion, love, and affection towards the word of God, as Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 13. affirmeth, after which virtues ensued great peace and tranquility in all his Provinces: By which word he being guided, neither levied any wars contrary to piety and Christian religion, neither he aided any other that did the same: neither destroyed he the churches, but commanded that the Christians should be preserved and defended, and kept them safe from all contumelions injuries. And when that in the other jurisdictions of the Empire, the congregations were molested with persecution, as Sozomenus declareth, Lib. 1. cap. 6. he only gave license unto the Christians to live after their accustomed manner. This wonderful act of his following, besides other, doth show that he was a sincere worshipper of the Christian religion.

Those which bare the chief offices among the Ethnikes, drave out of the emperors count all the godly Christians: whereupon this ensued, that the Emperors themselves at the last, were destitute of help, when such were driven away, which dwelling in their courts, and living a godly life, pour • out their prayers unto God for y ^e prosperous estate and health both of the Empire & Emperor. Constantius therefore thinking at a certain time to try what sincere and good Christians he had yet in his court, called together all his officers and servants in the same, feigning himself to chitse out such as would do sacrifice to devils, and that those only should dwell there & keep their offices, and that those which would refuse to do the same, should be thrust out & banished the court. At this appointment, all the 〈◊〉 divided thenselves into 〈◊〉 ▪ The Emperor marked which were the constantest & godliest from the rest▪ And when 〈◊〉 said that they would willingly do sacrifi • e, other serve openly and boldly denied to do the same: Then the Emperor 〈◊〉 rebuked those which were so ready to do 〈◊〉 , & judged them as false traitors unto God accountyng their unworthy to be in his court, which were such traitors to God, and forthwith commanded that they only should be banished the same. But greatly he commended them, which refused to do sacrifice and confessed God, affirming that they only were worthy to be above • prince, forthwith 〈◊〉 thē that thenceforth they should be the 〈◊〉 counsellors and defēders both of his person & kingdom, saying thus much more that they only were worthy to be in office, whom he might make account of as his assured friends, and that he meant to have them in more estimation, then the substance he had in his treasury. Eusebius maketh mention hereof in his first book of the life of Constantius, and also Sozomenus in his 1. book and • . chap.

With this Constantius was joined (as hath been aforesaid) Galerius Maximinus, a man as Eutropius affirmeth, very civil and a passing good souldior: Furthermore, a favorer of wise and learned men, of a quiet disposition, not rigorous, but in his drunkenness, whereof he would soon after repent him, as Victor writeth. whether he meaneth Maximinus the father, or Maximinus his son, it is uncertain. But Eusebius far otherwise describeth the conditions of him in his viii. book, and first chapter. For he saith he was of a tyrannical disposition: The feareinllest man that might be, and curious in all magical superstition, in so much that without the diuinatiōs and answers of devils he durst do nothing at all, & therefore he gave great offices and dignities to enchaunters. Furthermore that he was an exactor and extortioner of the Citizens, liberal to those that were flatterers, given to surfeiting and riot, a great drinker of wine, and in his furious drounkennesse most like a mad man, a Ribaud, an adulterer, which came to no City but he ravished virgins & defiled men's wives. To conclude he was so great an idolater, that he built up Temples in every City, and repaired those that were fallen in great decay: and he chose out the most worthiest of his political Magistrates to be the idols priests, and devised that they should execute that their office with great authority and dignity, and also with warlike pomp. But to Christian piety and religion he was most incensiue, and in the East Churches exercised cruel persecution, and used as executioners of the same, Pencetius, Quintianus, and Theotechnus beside others.

Notwithstanding he was at length revoked from his cruelty by the just judgment and punishment of God. For he was suddenly vexed with a fatal disease most filthy and desperate, which disease to describe was very strange, taking the first beginning in his flesh outwardly, frō thence it proceeded more and more to the inward parts of his body. For in the privy members of his body there happened unto him a suddayne putrificatiō, and after in the bottom of the same a botchy corrupt bile, with a Fistula, cōsuming & eating up his entrails, out of the which came swarming forth an innumerable multitude of lice, with such a pestiferous stinche that no man could abide him, and so much more, for that all the grosenesse of his body by abundance of meat before he fell sick, was turned also into a fat: which fat now putrefied, and stinking was so vgsome and horrible, that none that came to him could abide the sight thereof. By reason whereof, the Physicians which had him in cure, some of thē notable to abide the intolerable stench were commanded to be slain. Other some because they could not heal him being so swollen and past hope of cure were also cruelly put to death. At length being put in remembrance that his disease was sent of God, he began to forethinke the wickedness that he had done against the saints of God, and so coming again to himself, first confesseth unto god all his offenses, then calling them unto him which were about him, forthwith commanded all men, to cease from the persecutions of the Christians. Requiring moreover that they should set up his Imperial proclamations, for the restoring and reedyfiyng of their temples, and that they would obtain this of the Christians, in their assembles (which without all fear and doubt they might be bold to make) that they would devoutly pray to their God for the Emperor. Then forthwith was the persecution stayed, and the Imperial proclamations in every City were set up, containing the retraction or countermaund of those things which against the Christians were before decreed, the copy whereof ensueth.

Amongst other things which for the benefit and commodity of the common weal we established, we commanded to reform all things according to the ancient laws and public discipline of the Romaines, and also to use this policy, that the Christians which had forsaken the religion of those forefathers should be brought again to the right way. For such phātasticall singularity was amongst them, that those things which their elders had received and allowed, they re • ected and disallowed, devising every man such laws as they thought good, and observed the same, assembling in diverse places great multitudes of people.

Therefore when our foresaid decree was proclaimed, many there were that felt the penalty thereof, and many being troubled therefore suffered many kinds of death. And because we see yet that there be many which persevere in the same, which neither give due worship unto the Celestial God's neither receive the God of the Christians, we having respect to our accustomed benignity, wherewith we are wont to show favor unto all men, think good in this cause also to extend our clemencye, that the Christians may be again tolerated, and appoint them places where again they may meet together, so that they do nothing contrary to public order and discipline By another Epistle we mean to prescribe unto the judges, what shall be convenient for them to do. Wherefore according as this our bountiful clemency deserveth, let them make intercession to God for our health, common weal, and for themselves, that in all places the state of of the common weal may be preserved, and that they themselves may be able safely to live within their bonds. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. vltimo.

But one of his inferior officers whose name was also Maximinus, was not well pleased when this countermaūd was Published throughout all Asia, and the Provinces where he had to do. Yet he being qualified by this example that it was not convenient for him to repugn the pleasure of those Princes which had the chief authority as Constantius and Maximinus, set forth of himself no edict touching the same: but commanded his officers in the presence of others, that they should somewhat stay from the persecution of the Christians: of which commandment of the inferior Maximinus, each of them gave intelligence unto their fellows by their letters. But Sabinus which then amongst them all, had the chiefest office and dignity: to the substitutes of every country, wrote by his letters the Emperors pleasure in this wise.

The governors therefore of every province, supposing this to be the determinate pleasure (and not feigned) of the Emperor, did first advertise thereof, the rusticall & Pagan multitude: After that they released and set at liberty all such prisoners as were condemned to the metal mines, & to perpetual imprisonment for their faith, thinking thereby (where in deed they were deceived) that the doing thereof would well please the Emperor. This therefore seemed to them as unlooked for, and as light to travelers in a dark night. They gather themselves together in every City, they call their Synods and counsels, & much marvel at the sodden change and alteration. The Infidels themselves extol the only and true God of the Christians. The Christians receive again all their former liberty, and such as fell away before in the time of persecution, repent themselves and after penance done, they returned again to the congregation. Now the Christians rejoiced in every Citty, praying God with hymns and Psalms. Eusebius ibidem. This was a marvelous sudden alteration of the Church, from a most unhappy state into a better, but scarce suffered Maximinus the Tyraunt the same vi. months unviolated to continue. For whatsoeeuer seemed to make for the subversion of the same peace (yet scarcely hatched) that did he only meditate. And first of all he took from the Christians all liberty and leave for them to assemble and congregate in churchyardes under a certain color. After that he sent certain Miscreants unto the Athenians, to solicit them against the Christians, and to provoke them to ask of him as a recompense and great reward, that he would not suffer any Christian to inhabit in their country: and amongst them was one Theotechnus, a most wicked miscreant, an inchaunter, and a most deadly enemy against the Christians. He first made the way whereby the Christians were put out of credit, and accused to the Emperor, to which fraud also he erected a certain Idol of Jupiter to be worshipped of the inchaunters and conjurers, and mingled the same worship with ceremonies, full of deceiveable witchcra • t. Lastly, he caused the same Idol to give this sound out of his mouth. That is: Jupiter commandeth the Christians to be banished out of the City and suburbs of the same, as enemies unto him. And the same sentence did the rest of the governors of the provinces publish against the Christians, and thus at length persecution began to kindle against them. Maximinus appointed and instituted high priests and bishops in every city to offer sacrifice unto Idols, & inueigled all those that were in great offices under him, that they should not only cease to pleasure them & to do for them, but also that they should with new devised accusations against thē, at their pleasure, put as many to death as by any means they might. They also did counterfeit certain practices of Pilate against our savior Christ full of blasphemy, and sent the same into all the Empire of Maximinus by their letters, commanding that the same should be published and set up in every city and suburbs of the same, and that they should be delivered to y ^e scholemaisters, to cause their scholars to learn by roate the same.

After that one named Praefectus castrorum, whom the Romaines do call captain, allured certain light womē, partly by fear, and partly by punishment, dwelling at Damascus in Phenicia, and taken out of the court wherein they were accused, that they should openly say in writing that they were once Christians, and that they knew what wicked & lascivious acts the Christians were wont to execute amongst themselves upon the sondaies, & what other things they thought good to make more of their own head, to the slander of the Christians. The capitaine showeth unto the emperor theer words, as though it had been so in deed, and the Emperor by and by commanded the same to be published throughout every city. Furthermore, they did hange up in the midst of every City (which was never done before) the Emperors edicts against y ^e Christians, graven in tables of brass. And the children in the schools with great noise and clapping of hands did every day resound, the contumelious blasphemies of Pilate unto Jesus, & what other things so ever were devised of the magistrates, after most despiteful manner. Euseb. lib. 8, cap. 3.4.5.6.7. And this is the copy of the edict, which Maximinus caused to be fastened to pillars fraught, with all arrogant and insolent hate against God and Christ.

Thus came it to pass that at the length persecutiō was as great as ever it was, and the magistrates of every province were very disdainful against the Christians which condemned some to death, and some to exile. Among whom they condemned three Christians at Emisa, in Phenicia, w ^t whom Siluanus the bishop a very old man, being 40. years in the ecclesiastical function, was condemned to death. At Nicomedia, Lucianus the elder of Antioch, brought thither, after he had exhibited to the emperor his Apology concerning the doctrine of the Christians, was cast in prison, and after put to death. In Amasea a City of Capadocia, Bringes the lieftenaunt of Maximinus, had at that time, the executing of that persecution. At Alexandria, Petrus a most worthy bishop was beheaded with whom many other Egyptian bishops also died. Euseb. Lib. 9. cap. 7. Nicepho. Lib. 7. cap. 44. Quirinus the Bishop Scescanius having a hanmyll tied about his neck, was thrown headlong from the bridge, into the flood, and there a long while fleeted above the water, and when he opened his mouth to speak to the lookers on that they should not be dismayed with that his punishment, was with much a do drowned. Chron. Euseb. At Rome died Marcellus the bishop as saith Platina, also Timothy the elder, with many other bishops & Priests were martyred. To cōclud many in sundry places everywhere were martyred, whose name y ^e book entitled Fasciculus temporum declareth, as Victorianus, Symphorianus, Castorius, with his wife, Castulus, Cesarius, Mennas, Nobilis, Dorotheus, Gorgonius, Petrus, and other innumerable martyrs, Erasmus, Boniface, Iuliana, Cosmas, Damianus, Basilinus with seven others, Dorothea, Theophilus, Theodosia, Vitalis, Agricola, Acha, Philemon, Hireneus, Ianuarius, Festus, Desiderius, Gregorius, Spoletanus, Agapes, Chionia, Hirenea. Theodora, and 270. other Martyrs, Florianus, Primus and Felicianus, Vitus and Modestus, Crescentia, Albinus, Rogatianus, Donatianus, Pancratius, Catharina, Margareta, Lucia, the virgin, and Antheus the king with many thousand martyrs mo. Simplicius, Faustinus, Beatrix, Panthaleon, Georgius, Iustus, Leocandia, Anthonia, and other mo to an infinite number, suffered martyrdom in this persecution, whose names God hath written in the book of life. Also Felix Victor, with his parents Lucia the widow, Gemenianus, with 79 others, Sabinus, Anastasia, Chrisogonus, Felix, and Audactus, Adrianus, Nathalia, Eugenia, Agnes, also when she was but 13. year old was martyred▪ Euseb. in his 8. book and 15. chap. rehearseth these kinds of torments and punishments, that is to say, Fire, wild beasts, the sword, crucifyinges, the bottom of the sea, the cutting and burning of menbers, the thrusting out of eyes, dismembering of the whole body, hunger, imprisonment, & whatsoever other cruelty y ^e Magistrates could devise. All which notwithstanding the godly ones, rather then that they would do sacrifice as they were bid, manfully endured. Neither were the womē anything at all behind thē. For they being enticed to the filthy use of their bodies, rather suffered banishment, or willingly killed themselves. Neither yet could the Christians live safely in the wilderness, but were fetched evē frō thence to death and torments, in so much that this was a more grievous persecution under Maximianus, the tyrant, then was the former cruel persecution, under Maximianus the Prince. Euseb. Lib. 9. cap. 6. &. 10.

And forasmuch as ye have heard the cruel Edict of Maximinus proclaimed against the Christians, graven in brass, which he thought perpetually should endure to the abolishing of Christ & his Religion: Now mark again the great handy work of God, which immediately fell upon the same, checking the proud presumption of the tyrant, proving all to be false and contrary, that in the brazen Proclamation was contained. For where the foresaid Edict boasted so much of the prosperity and plenty of all things in the time of this persecution of the Christians, suddenly befell such unseasonable drought with famine and pestilence among the people, besides also the wars with the Armenians, that all was found untrue that he had bragged so much of before. By reason of which famine and pestilence y ^e people were greatly consumed, in so much that one measure of wheat was sold for two thousand and five hundred pieces of money of Athens coin, by reason whereof innumerable died in the Cities, but many more in the country and villages, so that most part of the husband men and countrymen died up with the famine and pestilence. Divers there were which bringing out their best treasure, were glad to give it for any kind of sustenāce, were it never so little. Other selling away their possessions, fell by reason thereof to extreme poverty and beggary. Certain eating grass, and feeding on other vnholsome herbs, were fain to relieve them selves with such food as did hurt and poison their dodies. Also a number of women in the Cities, being brought to extreme misery and penury, were constrained to depart the City, and fall to begging through the country. Some other were weak and faint (as Images without breath) wandering up and down, & not able to stand for feblenesse, fell down in the middle of y ^e streets, and holding up their hands most pitiful, cried for some scrappes or fragments of bread to be given them, & being at the last gasp, ready to give up the Ghost, and not able to utter any other words, yet cried out that they were hungry. Of the richer sort diverse there were, who being weary with the number of beggars and askers, after they had bestowed largely upon them, became hard hearted, fearing least they should fall into the same misery themselves, as they which begged. By reason whereof the market place, streets, lanes, and alleis lay full of dead & naked bodies, being cast out and unburied, to the pitiful & grievous beholding of them that saw them. Wherefore many were eaten of dogs, for which cause they that lived fell to the killing of dogs, least they running mad, should fall upon them, and kill them.

In like manner the pestilence scattering through all houses and ages of men, did no less consume them, especially those which through plenty of vitail escaped famine. Wherefore the rich Princes Presidentes and other innumerable of the Magistrates, being the more apt to receive the infection, by reason of their plenty, were quickly dispatched, and turned up their heels. Thus the miserable multitude being consumed with famine and with pestilence, all places was full of mourning, neither was there anything else seen, but wailing and weeping in every corner. So that death, what for famine and pestilence in short time brake up and consumed whole households, two or three dead bodies being borne out together from one house to one funeral,

These were the rewards of the vain brags of Maximinus and his Edicts, which he did publish in all towns and Cities against us, whē it was evident to all men, how diligent and charitable the Christians were to them all in this their miserable extremity. For they only in all this time of distress, showing compassion vpō them, traveled every day, some in curing the sick, & some in burying the dead, which otherwise of their own sort were forsaken. Other some of the Christians calling and gathering the multitude together, which were in jeopardy of famine, distributed bread to them, whereby they ministered occasion to all men to glorify the God of the Christians, and to confess them to be the true worshippers of God, as appeared by their works. By the means and reason hereof, the great God and defender of the Christians, who before had shown his anger and indignation against all men, for their wrongful afflicting of us, opened again unto us the comfortable light of his providence, so that by means thereof peace fell unto us, as light to them that sit in darkness, to the great admiration of all men, which easily perceive God himself to be a perpetual director of our doings, who many times chasteneth his people with calamities for a time to exercise them, but after sufficient correction, again showeth himself merciful and favorable to them which with trust call upon him.

By the narration of these things heretofore premised, taken out of the story of Eusebius, like as it is manifest to see, so is it wonderful to mark and note, how those counsels and rages of the Gentiles, achieved against Christ and his Christians, when they seemed most • ure against them, were most against them selves. And whereby they thought most to confoūd the Church & Religion of Christ, the same turned most to their own confusion, and to the profit and praise of the Christians, (God of his marvelous wisdom so ordering & disposing the end of things.) For where the brazen Edict of the Emperor promised temperate weather, God sent drought, where it promised plenty, God immediately sent upon them famine and penury: where it promised health, God stroke them even upon the same, with grievous pestilence, and with other moe calamities, in such sort, that the most relief they had, was chiefly by the Christians, to the great praise both of them, and to the honor of our God.

Thus most plainly and evidently was then verified the true promise of Christ to his Church, affirming and assuring us, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his Church built vpō his faith: as sufficiently may appear by these x. persecutions above specified and described. Wherein as no man can deny, but that Satan & his malignaunt world have assayed the uttermost of their power and might to overthrow the Church of Jesus: so must all men needs grant, that read these stories, that when Satan and the gates of hell have done their worst, yet have they not prevailed against this mount of Zion, nor ever shall. For else what was here to be thought, where so many Emperors and tyraunts together, Dioclesian, Maximinian, Galerius, Maximinus, Seuerus, Maxentius, Licinius with their Captains and officers, were let loose, like so many Lions, upon a scattered and unarmed flock of sheep, intending nothing else, but the utter subversion of all Christianity, and especially also when laws were set up in brass against the Christians, as a thing perpetually to stand: what was here to be looked for, but a final desolation of the name and Religion of Christians? But what followed, partly ye have heard, partly more is to be marked, as in the story followeth.

I shown before how Maxentius the son of Maximinian, was set up at Rome by the Pretorian soldiers to be Emperor. Whereunto the Senate, although they were not consenting, yet for fear they were not resisting. Maximinian his father, who had before deprived him self with Dioclesian, hearing of this, took heart again to him, to resume his dignity, and so labored to persuade Dioclesian also to do the same: but when he could not move him thereunto, he repaireth to Rome, thinking to wrast the Empire out of his sons hand: but when the soldiers would not suffer that, of a crafty purpose he flieth to Constantine in France, under pretense to complain of Maxentius his son, but in very deed to kill Constantine. Notwithstāding that conspiracy being detected by Fausta the daughter of Maximinian, whom Constantine had married, so was Constantine through the grace of God preserved, & Maximinian retired back. In y ^e which his flight by the way he was apprehended, and so put to death. And this is the end of Maximinian.

Now let us return to Maxentius again, who all this while reigned at Rome, with tyranny and wickedness intolerable, much like to another Pharaoh or Nero. For he slew the most part of his noble men, and took from them their goods. And sometime in his rage he would destroy great multitudes of the people of Rome by his soldiers, as Eusebius declareth, lib. 8. cap. 14. Also he left no mischievous nor lascivious act unattempted, but was the utter enemy of all womanly chastity, which used to send the honest wives whom he had adulterated with shame and dishonesty unto their husbands (being worthy Senators) after that he had ravished them. He abs • ained from no adulterous act, but was inflamed with the inquencheable lust of deflowering of women. Letus declareth that he being at a time far in love with a noble & chaste gentlewoman of Rome, sent unto her such courtiers of his, as were mete for that purpose, whom also he had in greater estimation then any others, and with such was wont to consult about matters for the common weal. These first fell upon her husband and murdered him within his own house, then when they could by no means neither with fear of the tyrant, nor with threatening of death pull her away from him: At length she being a Christian desired leave of them to go into her chamber, and after her prayers she would accomplish that which they requested. And when she had gotten into her chamber, under this pretence, she killed her self. But the Courtiers when they saw that the woman tarried so long, they being displeased therewith, brake open the doors, and found her there lying dead. Then returned they and declared this matter to the Emperor, who was so far past shame, that in stead of repentance, he was the more set on fire in attempting the like.

He was also much addict to the art Magicall, which to execute, he was more fit then the Imperial dignity. Also sometime he would rip women when they were in labor, and would search the place where the infant lay, being borne a little before. Often he would invocate Devils in a secrete manner, and by the answers of them he sought to break the wars, which he knew Constantine and Licinius prepared against him. And to the ende he might the rather perpetrate his mischievous and wicked attempts, which in his ungracious mind he had conceived, according to his purpose, in the beginning of his reign he feigned himself to be a favorer of the Christians. In which thing doing, thinking to make the people of Rome his friends, he commanded that they should cease from persecuting of the Christians, and he himself in the mean season abstained from no contumelious vexation of them, till that he began at last to show himself an open persecutor of them: at which time as Zonaras writeth he most cruelly raged against all the Christians thereabouts, vexing them w ^t all manner of injuries. Which thing he in no less wise did, then Maximinus, as Euse. in his 8. book and 15. chap. seemeth to affirm. And Platina declareth in the life of Marcellus the Bishop, that he banished a certain noble woman of Rome, because she gave her goods to the Church.

Thus by the grievous tyranny and unspeakable wickedness of this Maxentius, the Citizens and Senators of Rome, being much grieved and oppressed, sent their complaints with letters unto Constantine, with much suit and most hearty petitions, desiring him to help and release their Country and City of Rome: who hearing and understanding their miserable and pitiful state, and grieved therewyth not a little, first sendeth by letters to Maxentius, desiring and exhorting him to refrain his corrupt doings, and great cruelty. But when no letters nor exhortations would prevail, at length pitying the woeful case of the Romaines, gathered together his power and army in Britain and France, wherewith to repress the violent rage of that tyrant. Thus Constantine sufficiently appointed with strength of men, but especially with strength of God, entered his journey coming toward Italy, which was about the last year of the persecution. Anno 318. Maxentius understanding of the coming of Constantine, and trusting more to his devilish Art of Magike, then to the good will of his subjects, which he little deserved, durst not show himself out of the City, nor encounter with him in the open field, but with privy garrisons laid in wait for him by the way, in sundry straightes as he should come. With whom Constantine had diverse skirmishes, and by the power of the Lord did ever vanquishe them and put them to flight. Notwythstanding Constantine yet was in no great comfort, but in great care and dread in his mind (approaching now near unto Rome) for the Magicall charms and sorceries of Maxentius, wherewith he had vanquished before Seuerus sent by Galerius against him, as hath been declared, which made also Constantine the more afraid. Wherefore being in great doubt and perplexity in himself, and reuoluing many things in his mind, what help he might have against the operations of his charming, which used to cut women great with child, to take his devilish charms by the entrails of the infants, with such other like feats of deuilishnes which he practiced: These things (I say) Constantine doubting and reuoluing in his mind, 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, with certain stars of equal bigness, giving this inscription like Latin letters, IN HOC VINCE, that is: In this overcome. Euseb. De vita Constant lib. 2. Nicep. lib. 7. cap. 29. Eutrop. lib. 11. Sozom. lib 1. cap 3. Socrat lib. 1. cap. 2. Vrspurgens. Chronic. Paul. Diacon. lib. 11. Thys miraculous vision to be true, for the more credit, Eusebius Pamphilus in his first book De vita Constantini doeth witness moreover, 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 astonied, 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 he have the victory.

Wherein is to be noted (good Reader) that this sign of the Cross, and these letters added withal: In hoc vince, was given to him of God, not to induce any superstitious worship or opinion of the Cross, as though the cross itself, had any such power or strength in it, to obtain victory: but only to bear the meaning of another thing, that is, to be an admonition to him, to seek and aspire to the knowledge and faith of him, which was crucified upon the cross for the salvation of him, and of all the world, and so to set forth the glory of his name, as afterward it came to pass. This by the way, now to the matter.

The next day following after this nights vision, Constantine caused a cross after the same figuratiō to be made of gold and precious stone, and to be borne before him in stead of his standard: and so with much hope of victory & great confidence, as one armed from heaven spedeth himself toward his enemy. Against whom Maxentius being constrained perforce to issue out of the City, sendeth all his power to join with him in the field beyond the river of Tybur, where Maxentius craftily breaking down▪ y ^e bridge called Pons Miluius, caused another deceitful bridge to be made of boates and whirries, being joined together, and covered over with boordes and planckes in manner of a bridge, thinking therewith to take Constantine as in a trap. But here it came to pass which in the 7. Psalm is writ̄. He digged a pit, and fell therein himself. Let his working return upon his own head, and his unrighteousness upon his own pate, which here in this Maxentius was rightly verified. For after the two hosts did meet, he being not able to sustain the force of Constantine fighting under the cross of Christ against him, was put to such a flight, and driven to such an exigent, that in retiring back, for hast thinking to get the City, upon the same bridge which he did lay for Constantine, was overturned by the fall of his horse into the bottom of the flood, and there with the weight of his armor, he with a great part of his beat̄ men were drowned. Representing unto us the like example of Pharaoh & his host drowned in the red sea. Who not unaptly seemeth to bear a Prophetical figuration of this Maxentius. For as the children of Israel were in long thralldom and persecution in Egypt under tyrants there, til the drowning of this Pharaoh their last persecutor: so was this Maxentius and Maximinus and Licinius the last persecutors in the Roman Monarchy of the Christians, whom this Constantine fighting under the cross of Christ, did vanquishe and set the Christians at liberty, who before had been persecuted now 300. years in Rome, as hath been hitherto in this history declared.

Wherefore as the Israelites with their Moses at the drowning of their Pharaoh, song gloriously unto the Lord, who myraculously had cast down the horse and horsemen into the sea: So no less rejoicing and exceeding gladness was here, to see the glorious hand of the Lord Christ fighting with his people, and vanquishing his enemies and persecutors.

In histories we read of many victories and great conquests gotten: yet we never read, nor ever shall of any victory so wholesome, so commodious, so opportune to mankind as this was, which made an ende of so much bloodshed, & obtained so much liberty & life to the posterity of so many generations. For albeit that some persecutiō was yet stirring in the East countries by Maximinus and Licinius, as shall be declared: Yet in Rome and in all the West partes, no martyr died after this heavenly victory gotten. And also in the East partes the said Constantine with the said cross borne before him, consequently upon the same so vanquished the tyrants, and so established the peace of the church, that for the space of a just M. years after that, we read of no set persecution against the Christians, unto the time of John Wycliffe, when the bishops of Rome began with fire to persecute the true members of Christ, as in further process of this history (Christ granting) shall appear. So happy, so glorious (as I said) was this victory of Constantine, surnamed the great. For the joy & gladness whereof, the Citizens who had sent for him before, with exceeding triumph brought him into the city of Rome, where he w ^t the cross was most honourably received and celebrated the space of vii. days together, having moreover in the market place, his image set up, holding in his right hand the sign of the cross, w ^t this inscription: Hoc salutari signo, veraci fortitudinis indicio, ciuitatem nostram iugo tyranni ereptam liberaui. That is, with this wholesome sign, the true token of fortitude, I have rescued and delivered our City from the yoke of the tyrant. Euseb lib. 9. cap 9.

By this heavenly victory of Constantine, and by the death of Maxentius no little tranquility came to the church of Christ. Although notwithstanding in the East churches the storm of this tenth persecutiō was not yet altogether quieted, but that some tail thereof in those partes remained for the space of ii. or iii. year. But of this we mind to speak (Christ willing) hereafter. In the mean season, to return again to the West partes here in Europe, where Constantine then had most to do, great tranquility followed, and long continued in the church without any open slaughter, for a thousand years together (to the time of John Wycliffe and Waldenses, as is before touched) by the means of the godly beginning of good Constantine, who with his fellow Licinius, being now stablished in their dominion, eftsones set forth their general proclamation or edict, not cōstraining therein any man to any religion, but giving liberty to all men, both for the Christians to persist in their profession without any danger, and for other men freely to adjoin with them, whosoever pleased. Which thing was very well taken, and highly allowed of the Romaines, and all wise men. The copy of the Edict or constitution here ensueth.

By these histories I doubt not (good reader) but thou doest right well consider and behold with thyself the marvelous working of God his mighty power: to see so many Emperors at one time conspired and confederate together against the Lord and his Christ annointed, whose names before we have recited, as Dioclesian, Maximinian, Galerius, Maxentius, Maximinus, Seuerus, Licinius, who having the subjection of the whole world under their dominion, did bend and extend their whole might and devises, to extirpate the name of Christ, and of all Christians. Wherein if the power of man could have prevailed, what could they not do? or what could they do more then they did? If policy or devises could have served, what policy was there lacking? If torments or pains of death could have helped, what cruelty of torment by man could be invented, which was not attempted? If laws, edictes, proclamations, written not only in tables, but engraven in brass, could have stand, all this was practiced against the weak Christians. And yet notwithstanding, to see howe no counsel can stand against the Lord, note here how all these be gone, and yet Christ and his Church doth stand. Fyrst, of the taking away of Maximinian you have heard, also of the death of Seuerus, of the drowning moreover of Maxentius, enough hath been said. What a terrible plague was upon Galerius, consuming his privy members with Lice, hath been also described. Howe Dioclesian the quondam being at Salona, hearing of the proceedings of Constantine, and this his Edict, either for sorrow died, or as some say did poison himself. Only Maximinus now in the East partes remained alive, who bare a deadly hatred against the Christians, and no less expressed the same with mortal persecution, to whom Constantine and Licinius caused this constitution of theirs to be delivered: at the sight whereof, although he was somewhat appaled, and defeated of his purpose: yet forasmuch as he saw himself too weak to resist the authority of Constantine and Licinius the superior Princes: He dissembled his counterfeit piety, as though he himself had tendered the quiet of the Christians: directing down a certain decree in the behalf of the Christians, wherein he pretendeth to write to Sabinus afore mentioned, first repeating unto him the former decree of Dioclesian and Maximinian in few words, with the commandment therein contained touching the persecution against the Christians. After that he reciteth the Decree which he himself made against them, when he came first to the imperial dignity in the East part joined with Constantius. Then the Countermaund of another Decree of his again, for the rescuing of the Christians, with such feigned and pretensed causes, as is in the same to be seen. After that declareth howe he coming to Nicomedia, at the suit and supplication of the Citizens (which he also feigned, as may appear before) he applying to their suit, revoked that his former Edict, and granted them that no Christian should dwell within their City or territories. Upon which Sabinus also had given forth his letters, rehearsing withal the general recountermaunde sent forth by him, for the persecution again of the Christians. Last of all now he sendeth down again another Surrecountermaund, with the causes therein contained, touching the safety of the Christians, and tranquility of them: Commaunding Sabinus to publish the same. Which edict of his is at large set forth of Eusebius, lib. 9. cap. 9. But this Surrecountermaunde he then dissimuled, as he had done in the other before. Howbeit shortly after, he making wars, and fighting a battle with Licinius, wherein he lost the victory, coming home again, took great indignation against the Priests and Prophets of his God's, whom before that time he had great regard unto, and honored: upon whose answers he trusting, & depending upon their enchantments, began his war against Licinius. But after that he perceived himself to be deceived by thē, as by wicked enchaunters and deceauers, and such as had betrayed his safety and person, he killed and put them to death. And he shortly after, oppressed with a certain disease, glorified the God of the Christians, and made a most absolute law for the safety and preservation of them, with fraunchise and liberty: the copy whereof ensueth.

Maximinus thus being conquered of Licinius, and also plagued with an incurable disease in the guts, sent by the hand of God, was compelled by torments and adversity to confess the true God, whom before he regarded not, and to write this Edicte in the favor of those Christians, whom before he did persecute. Thus the Lord doth make many times his enemies, be they never so stern & stout, at length to stoop, & mauger their harts, to confess him, as this Maximinus here did, who not long after, by the vehemency of his disease ended his life. Whereby, no mo tyrants now were left alive, to trouble the Church, but only Licinius. Of which Licinius, and of his persecutions stirred up in the East partes, against the Saints of God, now remaineth in order of story to prosecute.

This Licinius being a Dane borne, and made first Caesar by Galerius, as is above specified, was afterward joined with Constantine in government of the Empire, and in setting forth the Edicts, which before we have described: although it seemeth, all this to be done of him w ^t a dissembling mind. For so is he in all histories described, to be a man passing all other in desire of insatiable riches, given to lechery, hasty, stubborn, and furious. To learning he was such an enemy, that he named the same a poison and a common pestilence, and especially the knowledge of the laws. He thought no vice worse became a Prince, then learning, because he him self was unlearned. Eutropius, Letus, Ignatius. Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 13.

There was between him and Constantine in the beginning great familiarity: and such agreement, that Constantine gave unto him his sister Constantia in Matrimony, as Aurelius Victor writeth. Neither would any man have thought him to have been of any other Religion then Constantine was of, he seemed in all things so well to agree with him. Wherupon he made a decree with Constantine in the behalf of the Christians, as we have shown. Eusebius, Lib. 9. cap. 9. And such was Licinius in the beginning. But after arming him self with tyranny, began to cōspire against the person of Constantine, of whom he had received so great benefits, neither favorable to the law of nature, nor mindful of his oaths, his blood, nor promises. But when he considered that in his conspiracies he nothing prevailed, for that he saw Cōstantinus was preserved and safely defended of God: And partly being puffed up w ^t the victory against Maximinus, he began vehemently to hate him, and not only to reject the Christian religion, but also deadly to hate the same. He said he would become an enemy unto the Christians, for that in their assemblies and meetings they prayed not for him, but for Constantine. Therefore, first by little and little and that secretly, he went about to wrong and hurt the Christians, & banished them his Court, which never were by any means prejudicial to his kingdom. Then he commanded that all those should be deprived which were knights of the honorable order, unless they would do sacrifice to devils. Euseb. lib. 10. cap. 8. The same persecution afterwards stretched he from his court, into all his provinces, which with most wicked and devised laws he set forth. First, that for no cause the Bishops should in any matter communicate together: neither that any man should come at the Churches next unto them, or to call any assemblies, and consult for the necessary matters and utility of the Church.

After, that the men & women together should not come in companies to pray, nor that the women should come in those places where they used to preach and read the word of God, neither that they should be after that instructed anymore of the Bishops, but should choose out such women amongst them as should instruct them. The third most cruel and wickedst of all was, that none should help and succor those that were cast in prison, nor should bestow any alms or charity upon them, though they should die for hunger: and they which shown any compassion upon those that were condemned to death, should be as greatly punished, as they to whom they shown the same should be. Eusebius libro primo de vita Constantini. These were the most horrible constitutions of Licinius, which went beyond and passed the bounds of nature.

After this he used violence against the Bishops, but yet not openly, for fear of Constantine, but privily and by conspiracy: by which means he slew those that were the worthiest men amongst the Doctors and Prelates. And about Amasea and other Cities of Pontus, he razed the Churches even to the ground. Other some he shut up, that no man should come after their accustomed manner to pray and worship God: and therefore as we said before, his conscience accusing him, all this he did, for that he suspected they prayed for Constantine, and not at all for him. And from this place in the East parties unto the Libians, which bordered upon the Egyptians, the Christians durst not assemble and come together for the displeasure of Licinius, which he had conceived against them. Zozomenus. Lib. 1. cap. 2.

Furthermore, the flattering officers that were under him, thinking by this means to please him, slew & made out of the way many bishops, and without any cause put them to death, as though they had been homicides & heinous offenders: and such rigorousnes used they towards some of them, that they cut their bodies into gobbets and small pieces in manner of a Boucher, and after that threw them into the Sea to feed the fishes. Euseb. Lib. 10. cap. 8. What shall we speak of the exiles & confiscations of good and virtuous men? For he took by violence every man's substance, and cared not by what means he came by the same: But threatened them with death, unless they would forgo the same. He banished those which had committed none evil at all. He commanded that both gentlemen and men of honor, should be made out of the way, neither yet herewith content, but gave their daughters that were unmarried, to varlets and wicked ones to be deflowered. And Licinius himself (although that by reason of his years, his body was spent) yet shamefully did he vitiate many women, men's wives & maids. Euseb Lib. 1. de vita Constantini. Which cruel outrage of him caused many godly mē of their own accord to forsake their houses: and it was also seen that the woods, fields, desert places and mountains, were fain to be the habitations, and resting places of the poor and miserable Christians. Eusebius. Lib. 10. cap, 14. Of those worthy men and famous Martyrs, which in this persecution found the way to heaven, Nicephorus. Lib. 7. cap. 10. first speaketh of Theodorus, who first being hanged upon the cross, had nawles thrust into his arm pits, and after that his head stricken of. Also of another Theodorus being the Bishop of Tyre, the third was a man of Perga. Basilius also the Bishop of Amasenus, Nicolaus, the Bishop of Mirorus, Gregorius, of Armenia the great: After that, Paul of Neocaesaria, which by the impious commandment of Licinius had both his hands cut of with a searing iron. Besides these were in the City of Sebastia, xl. worthy men, & Christian soldiers in the vehement cold time of winter, soused and drowned in a horse pond, whē Locias as yet, of whom we spake before, and Agricolaus executing the Shrieues office under Licinius in the East parts, were alive: and were in great estimation, for inventing of new and strange torments against the Christians. The wives of those 40. good men, were carried to Heraclea a City in Thracia, and there with a certain Deacon whose name was Amones, were (after innumerable torments by them most constauntly endured) slain with the sword. These things writeth Nicephorus. Also Zozomenus in his ninth book & 2. Chapter maketh mention of the same Martyrs. And Basilius in a certain Oration seemeth to entreat of their history, saving that in the circumstances he somewhat varieth. And surely Licinius was determined, for that the first face of this persecution fell out according to his desire, to have overrun all the Christians: to which thing neither counsel, nor good will, nor yet opportunity, perchance wanted: unless God had brought Constantine into those parties, where he governed: where, in the wars which he himself began (knowing right well that Constantine had intelligence of his conspiracy & treason) joining battle with him, was most cowardly overcome.

Divers battles between them were fought, the first fought in Hungary, where Licinius was overthrown: Then he fled into Macedonia, & repairing his army, was again discomfited. Finally, being vanquished, both by sea and lande: he lastly, at Nicomedia, yielded himself to Constantine: and was commanded to live a private life in Thessalia, where at length he was slain by the soldiers.

Thus have ye heard, the ende and conclusion of all the vii. tyrants, which were the authors and workers of this x. and last persecutiō, against the true people of God. The chief Captain, and incentour of which persecution was first Dioclesian, who died at Salena, as some say, by his own poison. An. 319. The next was Maximinian, who as is said, was hanged of Constantine at Masilia, about the year of our Lord. 310. Then died Galerius, plagued with an horrible disease sent of God. Seuerus was slain by Maximinian, father of Maxentius the wicked tyrant was overcome and vanquished of Constantine. an. 318. Maximinus the vi. tyrant tarried not long after, who being overcome by Licinius, died, about the yere of our Lord. 320. Lastly, how this Licinius was overcome by Constantine and slain. An. 324. is before declared. Only Constantius, the father of Constantine being a good and a godly Emperor, died in the third year of the persecution. An. 310. and was buried at York. After whom succeeded after his godly father, Constantine, as a seconde Moses sent and set up of God to deliver his people out of this so miserable captivity, into liberty most joyful.

Now remaineth after the end of these persecutors thus described, to gather up the names & stories of certain particular Martyrs, which now are to be set forth worthy of special memory: for their singular constancy & fortitude, shown in their sufferings & cruel torments. The names of all which that suffered in this foresaid tenth persecution, being in number infinite, in virtue most excellent, it is impossible here to comprehend: but the most notable, and in most approved authors expressed, we thought here to insert, for the more edification of other Christians, which may and ought to look upon their examples, first beginning with Albanus, the first Martyr that ever in England suffered death for the name of Christ.

At what time Dioclesian & Maximinian the Pagan Emperors had directed out their letters with all seueritye, for the persecuting of the Christians: Alban being then an infidel, received into his house a certain Clerke, fleeing from the persecutors hands, whom when Alban beheld, continually both day & night to persevere in watching and in prayer: suddenly by the great mercy of God, he began to imitate the example of his faith & virtuous life: whereupon by little and little he being instructed by his holesom exhortation, and leaving the blindness of his Idolatry, became at length a perfect Christian. And when the forenamed Clerke had lodged with him a certain time, it was informed the wicked Prince, that this good man & Confessor of Christ (not yet condemned to death) was harbored in Albans house, or very near unto him. Whereupon immediately he gave in charge to the soldiers, to make more diligent inquisition of the matter. Who as soon as they came to the house of Alban the Martyr, he by and by putting on the apparel wherewith his guest and master was appareled (that is, a garment at that time used, named Caracalla ) offered him self in the stead of the other to the soldiers: who binding him, brought him forthwith to the judge. It fortuned that at that instant when blessed Alban was brought unto the Judge, they found the same Judge at the altars offering sacrifice unto Devils, who as soon as he saw Alban, was straight ways in a great rage, for that he would presume of his own voluntary will, to offer him self to peril, and give him self a prisoner to the soldiers, for safeguard of his guest whom he harbored: and commanded him to be brought before the Images of the devils whom he worshipped, saying: For that thou haddest rather hide & convey away a rebel, then to deliver him to the officers, and that (as a contemner of our God's) he should not suffer punishment and merit of his blasphemy: look what punishment he should have had, thou for him shalt suffer the same: if I perceive thee any whit to revolt from our manner of worshipping. But blessed Alban, who of his own accord had bewrayed to the persecutors that he was a Christian, feared not at all the manaces of the Prince, but being armed with spiritual armor, openly pronounced that he would not obey his commandment. Then said the Judge: of what stock or kindred art thou come? Alban answered, what is that to you, of what stock soever I am come of, if you desire to hear the verity of my Religion, I do ye to wit that I am a Christian, and apply myself altogether to that calling. Then said the Judge, I would know thy name, and see thou tell me the same without delay. Then said he, my parents named me Alban, and I worship and honor the true and living God, which hath created all the world. Then said the Judge fraught with fury, if thou wilt enjoy the felicity of this present life, do sacrifice (and that out of hand) to these mighty God's. Alban replieth: these sacrifices which ye offer unto devils, cā neither help them that offer the same, neither yet can they accomplish the desires and prayers of their suppliāts: But rather shall they, whatsoever they be, that offer sacrifice to these Idols, receive for their meede everlasting pains of hell fire. The Judge, when he heard these words, was passing angry, and commanded the tormentors to whip this holy Confessor of God, indeuoring to overcome the constancy of his heart w ^t stripes, which had prevailed nothing with words. And when he was cruelly beaten, yet suffered he the same patiently, nay rather joyfully, for the Lord's sake. Then when the Judge saw that he would not with torments be ouercomen, nor be reduced from the worship of Christian Religion, he commanded him to be beheaded.

The rest that followeth of this story in the narration of Bede, as of drying up the River, as Alban went to the place of his execution: then of making a wellspring in the top of the hill, and of the falling out of the eyes of him that did behead him (with such other prodigious miracles mentioned in his story) because they seem more legēdlike, then truthlike: again, because I see no great profit, nor necessity in the relation thereof, I leave them to the free judgment of the Reader, to think of them, as cause shall move him.

The like estimation I have of the long story, wherein is written at large a fabulous discourse of all the doings & miracles of S. Alban, taken out of the Librarie of S. Albans, compiled (as there is said) by a certain Pagan, who (as he saith) afterward went to Rome, there to be Baptized. But because in the beginning or Prologue of the Book, the said writer maketh mention of the ruinous walls of the town of Verolamium, containing the story of Albanus, and of his bitter punishments: which walls were then falling down for age, at the writing of the said book, as he saith: Therby it seemeth this story to be written a great while after the martyrdom of Alban either by a Britain, or by an English mā. If he were a Britain, how then did the Latin translation take it out of the English tongue, as in the Prologue he him self doeth testify. If he were an Englishmā, how then did he go up to Rome for baptism, being a Pagan, when he might have been baptized among the Christian Britain's more near at home.

But among all other evidences and declarations sufficient to disprove this Legendary story of S. Alban, nothing maketh more against it, then the very story it self: as where he bringeth in the head of the holy martyr, to speak unto the people after it was smitten of from the body. Also where he bringeth in the Angels going up, & coming down in a pillar of fire, & singing all the night long. Item in the river which he saith, S Alban made dry, such as were drowned in the same before in the bottom, were found alive. With other such like Monkish miracles and gross fables, wherewith these Abbey Monks were wont in time past to deceive the Church of God, and to beguile the whole world for their own advantage. Notwithstanding this I write not to any derogatiō of the blessed and faithful martyr of God, who was the first that I did ever find in this Realm, to suffer Martyrdom for the testimony of Christ. And worthy no doubt of condign commendation, especially of us here in this land: whose Christian faith in the Lord, and charity toward his neighbor: I pray God all we may follow. As also I wish moreover that the stories both of him, and of all other Christian Martyrs might have been delivered to us simply as they were, w ^t out the admixture of all these Abbey like additions of Monkish miracles, wherewith they were wont to paint out the glory of such saints to the moste, by whose offerings they were accustomed to receive most advantage.

As touching the name of the Clearke mentioned in this story, whom Alban received into his house, I find in the English stories to be Amphibalus, although the latin authors name him not, who y ^e same time flying into Wales was also set from thence again to the same town of Uerolamium, otherwise called Uerlancaster, where he was martyred, having his belly opened, and made to run about a stake, while all his bowels were drawn out, then thrust in with swords and daggers: and at last was stoned to death, as the foresaid legend declareth.

Moreover the same time with Alban, suffered also ii. citizens of the foresaid City of Uerlancaster, whose names were Aaron and Julius: beside other, whereof a great number the same time no doubt, did suffer, although our Chronicles of their names do make no rehearsal.

The time of the Martyrdom of this blessed Alban and the other, seemeth to be about the second or third year of this tenth persecution, under the tyranny of Dioclesian, and Maximinianus Herculius, bearing then the rule in England, about the year of our Lord 301. before the coming of Constantius to his government. Where, by the way is to be noted, that this realm of Britain being so christened before, yet never was touched with any other of the nine persecutions, before this tenth persecution of Dioclesian & Maximinian. In which persecution our stories and Polichronicon do record, that all Christianity almost in the whole Ilelande was destroyed, the Churches subverted, all books of the Scripture burned, many of the faithful both men & women were slain. Among whom the first and chief ringleader (as hath been said) was Albanus. And thus much touching the martyrs of Britain. Now from England to return again unto other countries, where this persecution did more vehemently rage: we will add hereunto (the Lord willing) the stories of other, although not of all that suffered in this persecution (which were impossible) but of certain most principal, whose singular constancy in their strong torments are chiefly renowned in latter histories: beginning first with Romanus the notable and admirable soldier and true servant of Christ, whose history set forth in Prudentius, doth thus proceed: so lamentably by him described, that it will be hard for any man almost with dry cheeks to hear it.

Pitiles Galerius with his graunde captain Asclepiades violently invaded the city of Antioch, intending by force of arms to drive all Christians to renounce utterly their pure religion. The Christians as god would, were at that time cōgregated together, to whom Romanus hastily ran, declaring that the Wolves were at hand, which would devour the Christian flock, but fear not (said he) neither let this imminēt peril disturb you, my brethren: brought was it to pass, by the great grace of God working in Romanus, that old men and matrones, fathers and mothers, young men and maidens were all of one will and mind, most ready to shed their blood in defense of their Christian profession. Word was brought to y ^e captain that the band of armed soldiers was not able to wrest the staff of faith, out of the hand of the armed congregation: and all by reason that one Romanus so mightily did encourage them, that they stick not to offer their naked throats, wishing gloriously to die for the name of their Christ. Seek out that rebel (quod the captain) and bring him to me that he may answer for the whole sect. Apprehended he was, & bound as a sheep appointed to the slaughter house, was presented to the Emperor: who w ^t wrathful countenance beholding him, said: What? Art thou the author of this sedition? art thou the cause why so many shall loose their lives? By the gods I swear thou shalt smart for it, and first in thy flesh shalt thou suffer the pains, whereunto thou hast encouraged the hearts of thy fellows. Romanus answered: Thy sentence O Emperor I joyfully embrace, I refuse not to be sacrificed for my brethren, and that by as cruel means as thou mayest invent: and whereas thy soldiors were repelled from the Christian congregation, that so happened, because it lay not in Idolaters and worshippers of Devils to enter into the holy house of God, and to pollute the place of true prayer. Then Asclepiades wholly enflamed with this stout answer, commanded him to be trussed up, and his bowels drawn out. The executioners themselves more pitiful in heart then the captain, said: not so sir, this man is of noble parentage: unlawful is it to put a noble man to so unnoble a death: scourge him then with whips (quod the captain) with knaps o • lead at the ends. In stead of tears, sighs & groans, Romanus song psalms all the time of his whipping, requiring them not to favor him for nobilities sake, not the blood of my progenitors (said he) but Christian profession maketh me noble. Then with great power of spirit he inueied against the capitain, laughing to scorn the false gods of the heathen, with the idolatrous worshipping of them, affirming the God of the Christians to be the true God that created heaven and earth, before whose judicial seat all nations shall appear. but the wholesome words of the Martyr were as oil to the fire of the captains fury. The more the Martyr spake, the madder was he, in so much that he commanded the Martyrs sides to be lanced with knives, until the bones appeared white again. Sorie am I, O captain (quod the Martyr) not for that my flesh shall be thus cut and mangled, but for thy cause am I sorrowful, who being corrupted with damnable errors, seducest others. The seconde time he preached at large, the living God, and the Lord Jesus Christ his well-beloved son, eternal life through faith in his blood, expressing therewith the abomination of idolatry, w ^t a vehement exhortation to worship & adore the living God. At these words Asclepiades commanded the tormentors to strike Romanus on the mouth, that his teeth being stricken out, his pronunciation at least wise might be impeired: The commandment was obeyed, his face buffeted, his eye liddes torn with their nails, his cheeks scorched with knives, the skin of his bearde was plucked by little and little from the flesh, finally his seemly face was wholly defaced. The meek Martyr said: I thank thee, O Capitaine, that thou hast opened unto me many mouths, whereby I may preach my Lord & Savior Christ. Look howe many wounds I have, so many mouths I have lauding and praising God. The captain astonished w ^t this singular constancy, commanded them to cease from the tortures. He threateneth cruel fire, he reuileth the noble martyr, he blasphemeth god, saying: Thy crucified Christ, is but an yesterdaies God, the gods of the Gentiles are of most antiquity.

Here again Romanus taking good occasion, made a long Oration of the eternity of Christ, of his human nature, of the death & satisfaction of Christ for all mankind. Which done, he said: give me a child (O Capitaine) but seven years of age, which age is free from malice and other vices, wherewith riper age is commonly infected, and thou shalt hear what he will say, his request was granted. A pretty boy was called out of the multitude, and set before him. Tell me my babe (quoth the Martyr) whether thou think it reason that we worship one Christ, and in Christ one father, or else that we worship infinite gods? Unto whom the babe answered: That certainly, whatsoever it be, that men affirm to be God, must needs be one: which with one, is one and the same: and in as much as this one is Christ, of necessity Christ must be the true God, for, that there be many gods, we children cannot believe. The capitaine hereat clean amazed, said: thou young villain & traitor, where and of whom learnedst thou this lesson? Of my mother (quod the child) with whose milk I sucked in this lesson, that I must believe in Christ. The mother was called, and she gladly appeared, the captain commanded the child to be horsed up, and scourged. The pitiful beholders of this pitilesse act, could not temper thenselves from tears: the joyful and glad mother alone, stood by with dry cheeks: yea, she rebuked her sweet babe for craving a draught of cold water, she charged him to thirst after the cup, that the infantes of Bethlehem once drank of, forgetting their mothers milk and paps, she willed him to remember little Isaac, who beholding the sword wherewith, & the altar whereon he should be sacrificed, willingly proffered his tender neck to the dent of his fathers sword. Whilest this counsel was ingening, the boucherly torture plucked the skin from the crown of his head, hear and all. The mother cried, suffer my child, anon thou shalt pass to him that will adorn thy naked head, with a crown of eternal glory. The mother counselleth, the child is counseled: the mother encourageth, the babe is encouraged: & received the stripes with smiling countenance. The captain perceiving the child invincible, and himself vanquished, committeth the silly soul, the blessed babe, the child vncherished, to the stinking prison, commanding the torments of Romanus to be renewed and increased, as chief author of this evil.

Thus was Romanus brought forth again to new stripes and punishments, to be renewed and received upon his old sores, in so much the bare bones appeared, the flesh all torn away: wherein no pity was shown, but the raging tyrant puffing out of his blasphemous mouth, like a mad man these words, cried out to the tormentors, saying:

Yea, no longer could the tyrant forbear, but needs he must draw nearer to the sentence of death: is it painful to thee (said he) to tarry so long alive? a flaming fire doubt thou not shall be prepared for thee, by and by, wherein thou and that boy, thy fellow of rebellion shall be consumed into ashes. Romanus and the babe were led to the place of execution. As they laid hands on Romanus, he looked back saying: I appeal from this thy tyranny, O judge unjust, to the righteous throne of Christ that upright judge: not because I fear thy cruel torments and merciless handlings, but that thy judgments may be known to be cruel and bloody. Now when they were come to the place, the tormentor required the child of the mother, for she had taken it up in her arms: And she only kissing it, delivered the babe. Farewell she said my sweet child, and as the hangman applied his sword to the babes neck, she sang on this manner.

The innocents head being cut off, the mother wrapped it up in her garment, and laid it to her breast. On the other side a mighty fire was made, whereinto Romanus was cast: who said, y ^t he should not burn: wherewith a great storm arose (if it be true) and quenched the fire. The Capitaine gave in commandment that his tongue should be cut out, out was it plucked by the hard roots and cut of: Nevertheless, he spake▪ saying: he that speaketh Christ shall never want a tongue, think not that the voice that uttereth Christ, hath need of the tongue to be the minister. The Capitaine at this, half out of his wit, bare in hand that the hangman deceived the sight of the people by some subtle sleight and crafty conveyance. Not so (quoth the hangman) if ye suspect my deed, open his mouth and diligently search the roots of his tongue. The Captain at length being confounded with the fortitude and courage of the Martyr, straightly commandeth him to be brought back into the prison, and there to be strangled. Where his sorrowful life and pains being ended, he now enjoyeth quiet rest in the Lord, with perpetual hope of his miserable body to be restored again with his soul into a better life: where no tyrant shall have any power: Prudentius in hymnis de coronis Martyrum.

Gordius was a citizen of Caesaria, a worthy soldier, and Captain of an hundredth men. He in the time of extreme persecution, refusing any longer to execute his charge did choose of his own accord willing exile, and lived in the desert many years a religious and solitary life. But upon a certain day when a solemn feast of Mars was celebrated, in the city of Cesarea, and much people were assembled in the Theatre to behold the games: he left the desert, and got him up into the chief place of the Theatre, and with a loud voice uttered this saying of the Apostle: Behold I am found of them which sought me not, and to those which asked not for me, have I openly appeared. By which words he let it to be understood, that of his own accord he came unto those games. At this noise, the multitude little regarding the sights, looked about to see who it was y ^t made such exclamation. As soon as it was known to be Gordius, and that the crier had commanded silence, he was brought unto the shiri • e, which at that instant was present, and ordained the games. Whē he was asked the question who he was, from whence, and for what occasion he came thither, he telleth the truth of everything as it was. I am come, saith he, to publish, that I set nothing by your decrees against the Christian religion: but that I profess Jesus Christ to be my hope and safety. And when I understood with what cruelty ye handle other men: I took this as a fit time to accomplish my desire. The Shirife with these words was greatly moved, and revengeth all his displeasure upon poor Gordius, commanding the executioners to be brought out with scourges, while gibbet, & whatsoever torments else might be devised. Whereunto Gordius answered, saying, that it should be to him an hindrance and damage if he could not suffer and endure diverse torments and punishments for Christ his cause. The shirife being more offended with this his boldness, commanded him to feel as many kind of torments as there were, with all which Gordius notwithstanding, could not be mastered or overcome: but lifting up his eyes unto heaven singeth this saying out of the Psalms. The Lord is my helper, I will not fear the thing that man can do to me: and also this saying, I will fear none evil, because thou Lord art with me.

After this, he against him self provoketh the extremity of the tormentors, & blameth them if they favor him anything at all. When the Shrife saw, that hereby he could win but little, he goeth about by gentleness and enticing words, to turn the stout and valiant mind of Gordius. He promiseth to him great and large offers if he will deny Christ: as to make him a Captain of as many men as any other is, to give him richesse, treasure, & what other thing so ever he desireth. But in vain as the Proverb is, pipeth the minstrel to him that hath no ears to hear, for he deriding the foolish madness of the Magistrate saith, that it lieth not in him to place any in authority, which he worthy to have a place in heaven. The Magistrate with these words thoroughly angered and vexed, prepareth him self to his condemnation. Whom after that he had condemned, he caused to be had out of the City to be brent. There runneth out of the City great multitudes by heaps to see him put to execution, some take him in their arms, & lovingly kiss him, persuading him to take a better way and save himself, and that with weeping tears. To whom Gordius answered, weep not I pray you for me, but rather for the enemies of God which always make war against the Christians: weep I say for them which prepare for us a fire, purchasing hell fire for themselves in the day of vengeance: And cease of further, I pray you, to molest and disquiet my settled mind. Truly (saith he) I am ready for the name of Jesus Christ, to suffer and endure a thousand deaths if need were. Some other came unto him which persuaded him to deny Christ with his mouth, & to keep his conscience to himself. My tongue (saith he) which by the goodness of God I have, cannot be brought to deny the author and giver of the same: for with the heart we believe unto righteousness, and with the tongue we confess unto salvation. Many moe such like words he spake: but especially uttering to them such matter, whereby he might persuade the beholders to death, and to the desire of Martyrdom. After all which, with a merry and glad countenance, never changing so much as his color, he willingly gave himself to be brent. Basilius in Sermon in Gordium militem Caesariensem.

Not much unlike to the story of Gordius is the story also of Menas an Egyptian, who being likewise a soldier by his profession, in this persecution of Dioclesian forsook all, & went into the desert, where a long time he gave him self to abstinence, watching, and meditation of the Scriptures. At length returning again to y ^e City Cotys, there in the open threatre, as y ^e people were occupied upon their spectacles or pastimes, he with a loud voice openly proclaimed himself to be a Christian, and upon the same was brought to Pyrrhus the President: of whom, he being demanded of his faith, made this answer: Conuenyent it is that I should (saith he) confess God in whom is light and no darkness, for so much as Paul doth teache that with heart we believe to righteousness, with mouth confession is given to salvation. After this the innocent Martyr was most painfully pinched and cruciate with sundry punishments. In all which, notwithstanding he declared a constant heart, and faith invincible, having these words in his mouth being in the midst of his torments. There is nothing in my mind that can be compared to the kingdom of heaven. Neither is all the world, if it were weighed in balance able to be conferred with the price of one soul. And said, who is able to separate us from the love of Jesus Christ our Lord: shall afflictiō or anguish? And moreover (said he) I have thus learned of my Lord & my king, not to fear them which kill the body and have no power to kill y ^e soul, but to fear him rather, who hath power to destroy both body and soul in hell fire. To make the story short, after manifold torments borne of him, and suffered, when the last sentence of death was upon him pronounced which was to be beheaded: Menas being then had to the place of execution said: I give thee thanks my Lord god, which hast so excepted me to be found a partaker of thy precious death, & hast not given me to be devoured of my fierce enemies, but hast made me to remain constant in thy pure faith unto this my later end: And so this blessed soldier fighting valiantly under the baner of Christ, lost his head, & wan his soul. Simeon Metaphrast. tom. 5. In the which autor there followeth a long narration of the miracles of this holy man, which here for prolixity I do omit,

Basilius in a certain Sermon of 40. Martyrs rehearseth this story not unworthy to be noted. There came (saith he) into a certain place (which place he maketh no mention of) the Emperors Marshall or officer, with the edict which the Emperor had set out against the Christians, that whosoever confessed Christ, should after many torments suffer death. And first they did privily suborn certain which should detect & acuse the Christians whom they had found out, or had laid wait for: upon this the sword, the gibbet, the wheel, & the whips were brought forth: At the terrible sight whereof, the harts of all the beholders did shake & tremble. Some for fear did flee, some did stand in doubt what to do: Certain were so terrified at the beholding of these engines & tormenting instruments that they denied their faith. Some other began the game, and for a time did abide the conflict and agony of Martydome, but vanquished at length, by the intolerable pain of their torments, made shipwreck of their consciences, & lost the glory of their confession. Amōg other xl. there were at that time young gentlemen all soldiers, which after the Marshall had shown the Emperors Edict, and required of all men the obedience of the same, freely & boldly of their own accord confessed themselves to be Christians & declared to him their names. The Marshall somewhat amazed at this their boldness of speech, standeth in doubt, what was best to do. Yet forthwith he goeth about to win them with fair words, advertising them to consider their youth, neither that they should change a cruel and untimely death, • or a sweet and pleasant life: After that he promiseth them money, and honorable offices in the Emperors name. But they little esteming all these things break forth into a long and bold Oration, affirming that they did neither desire life, dignity, nor money, but only the celestial kingdom of Christ, saying further that they are ready for the love and faith they have in god, to endure the afflictiō of the wheel, the cross, and the fire. The rude Marshall being herewith offended, deviseth a new kind of punishment. He spied out in the middle of the city a certain great pond, which layfull, upon the cold Northern wind, for it was in the winter time, wherein he caused them to be put all that night, but they being merry & comforting one another, received this their appointed punishment, and said, as they were putting of their clothes: we put off (said they) now not our clothes, but we put of y ^e old mā, corrupt with the deceit of concupiscence. We give thee thanks (O Lord) that with this our apparel we may also put of by thy grace, the sinful man: for by means of the Serpent we once put him on, and by the means of Jesus Christ we now put him of. When they had thus said: they were brought naked into y ^• place where they felt moste vehement cold: in so much that all the partes of their bodies were stark & stiff therewith. Assone as it was day, they yet having breath, were brought into the fire, wherein they were consumed, and their ashes thrown into the flud. By chance there was on of the company more lively, and not so near dead as the rest, of whom y ^e executioners taking pity, said unto his mother standing by, that they would save his life. But she with her own hands taking her son brought him to the pile of wood where y ^e residue of his fellows (crooked for cold) did lie ready to be brent, admonished him to accomplish the blessed journey he had taken in hand with his companions. Basil.

A like history of 40. Martyrs, which were married men, we read of in Niceph. & Zozomenus. Lib. 9. cap. 2. which were killed likewise in a lake or pond at Sebastia, a town of Armenia, under Licinius, if the story be not the same with this, Niceph. Zozom.

In this fellowship and company of martyrs cannot be left out and forgotte the story of Cyrus: This Cyrus was a Physician borne in Alexandria, which fleing into Egypt, in the persecution of Dioclesianus, and Maximianus, led a solitary life in Arabia, being much spoken of for his learning and miracles, unto whose company after a certain time did Johannes, borne in the City of Edessa, beyond the river Euphrates, join himself, leaving the soldiers life which before that time he had exercised. But whilst as yet the same persecution raged in a city in Egypt called Canope, there was cast into prison for the confession of their faith, a certain godly Christian woman, called Athanasia, and her three daughters, Theoctiste, Theodota, and Eudoxia : with whom Cyrus was well acquainted. At whose inf • rmities he much fearing accompanied with his brother John, came and visited them for their better confirmation: at which time Lyrianus was chief captain and Lieutenaunt of Egypt, of whose wickedness and cruelty, especially against women and maidens: Athanasus maketh mention in his Apologies, and in his Epistle to those that lead a solitarye life. Thys Cyrus therefore and Johannes, being accused and apprehended of the Heathen men, as by whose persuasions, the maidens and daughters of Athanasia contumelyously, despised the God's and the Emperors religion, & could by no means be brought to do sacrifice, were after the publication of their constant confession put to death by the sword. Athanasia also and her three daughters being condemned to death. This history writeth Simeon Metaphrastes ▪

Sebastian being borne in the part of France called Gaul Narbonensis was a Christian, and was Lieutenaunte general of the vawward of Dioclesian the Emperor, who also encouraged many martyrs of Christ by his exhortations, unto constancy, and kept them in the faith. He being therefore accused to the Emperor, was commanded to be apprehended, and that he should be brought into the open field, where of his own soldiers he was thrust through the body with innumerable arrows, and after that his body was thrown into a iaques or sink. Ambrosius maketh mention of this Sebastian the martir in his Cōmentary upon the 118. Psalm. & Simeon Metaphrastes amongst oher Martyrs that suffered with Sebastian numbereth also these following: Nicostratus with Zoe his wife, Tranquillinus with Martia his wife: Traglinus Claudius, Castor, Tiburtius, Castullus, Marcus, and Marcellinus with other moe.

Basilius in another Sermon also maketh mention of one Barlaam being a noble and famous Martyr, which abode all the torments of the executioners even to the point of death, which thing when the tormentors saw, they brought him and laid him upon the altar, where they did use to offer sacrifices to their idols, and put fire & frankensence into his right hand wherein he had yet some strength, thinking that the same his right hand, by the heat & force of the fire, would have scattered the burning incense upon the alter and so have sacrificed. But of that their hope, the pestiferous tormentors were disappointed: for the flame eat round about his hand, and the same endured even as though it had been covered with hot embers, when Barlaam, recited out of the Psalms this saying: Blessed is the Lord my God which teacheth my hands to fight.

To this narration of Basilius touching the Martyrdom of Barlaam, we will anexe consequently another story of Ambrose : He making a certain exhortation to certain virgins, in the same Oration commendeth the martirdomes of Agricola & Vitalis, who suffered also in the same persecution under Dioclesian and Maximinian (as they so affirm) at Bononie. This Vitalis was servant to Agricola, who both together between themselves had made a compact to give their lives with other Martyrs for the name of Christ. Wherupon Vitalis, being sent before of his master to offer himself to Martirdome, fe • l first into the hands of persecutors, who labored about him by all manner of means to cause him to deny Christ. Which when he would in no case do▪ but stoutly persisted in the confessiō of his faith, they began to exercise him with all kinds of torments: So unmercifully that there was no whole skin left in all his body. So Vitalis in the midst of the agony, & painful torments, after he had in a short prayer, commended him self to God, gave up his life. After him the tormentors set upon Agricola his Master, whose virtuous manners & gentle conditions, because they were singularly well liked and known to the enemies, his suffering therefore was the longer deferred. But Agricola not abiding the long delay and driving of, and provoking moreover y ^e adversaries to quicker speed, at length was fastened unto the cross and so finished his martyrdom, which he so long desired, Ambrose in Exhortatione ad Virgines.

No less worthy of commemoration is the lamentable Martyrdom of Vincentius, whose history here followeth. This Vincentius was a Spaniard, and a Levite most godly and virtuous, who at this time suffered Martyrdom at Valence, under Dacianus the President, as we may gather by Prudentius in his hymn. Bergomensis in his supplement reciteth these words concerning his martyrdom, out of a certain sermon of S. Augustine: Our heart conceived not a vain and fruitless sight (as it were in beholding of lamentable tragedies) but a great sight & marue • lous, certainly, and there with singular pleasure received it, when the painful passion of Victorius Vincentius was read unto us. Is there any so heavy hearted, that will not be moved in the contemplation of this immooueable Martyr so manly, or rather so godly fighting against the craft and subtlety of that Serpent, against the tyranny of Dacianus, against the horrors of death, & by the mighty spirit of his God conquering all: But let us in few words rehearse the degrees of his torments though the pains thereof in many words cannot be expressed. First Dacianus caused the Martyr to be laid upon the torture, and all the joints of his body to be distended and racked out, until they cracked again. This being done in most extreme and cruel manner all the members of his painful and pitiful body were grievously indented with deadly wounds. Thirdly (that his dolors & griefs might be augmented) they miserably vexed his flesh with iron combes sharply filed. And to y ^e end the tormentors might vomit out all their vengeance on the meek & mild martyrs flesh, the tormentors themselves also were vily scourged at the Presidentes commandment. And lest his passion through want of pains might seem imperfect or else to easy, they laid his body being all out of joint, on a grate of iron, which body when they had opened with iron hooks, they seared it with fiery plates, with hot burning salt sprinkling the same. Last of all into a vile dongeon was this mighty Martyr drawn, the flour whereof first was thick spredde with the sharpest shells that might be gotten, his fete then being fast locked in the stocks, there was he left alone without all worldly comfort: but the Lord his God was with him, the holy spirit of God (whose office is to comfort the godly afflicted) fulfilled his heart with joy & gladness. Hast thou prepared a terrible rack (O cruel tyrant, O devouring Lion) for the Martyrs bed: the Lord shall make that bed soft and sweet unto him. Rackest thou his bones and joints all a sunder, His bones, his joints, his hears are all numbered. Tormentest thou his flesh with mortal wounds: the Lord shall pour abūdantly into all his sores of his oil of gladness. Thy scraping combes, thy sharp fleshookes, thine hot searing irons, thy parched salt, thy stinking prison, thy cutting shelles, thy pinching stocks shall turn to this patient Martyr to the best. Altogether shall work contrary to thine expectation, great plenty of joy shall he reap into the barn of his soul, out of this mighty harvest of pains that thou hast brought him into. Yea thou shalt prove him Vincentius indeed: that is, a vanquisher, a tryumpher, a conqueror subduing thy madness, by his mekenes, thy tyranny by his pat • ence, thy manifold means of tortures, by the manifold graces of God, wherewith he is plentifully enriched.

In this cataloge or company of such holy martyrs, as suffered in this foresaid tenth persecutiō, many mo and almost innumerable there be expressed in authors, beside thē whom we have hitherto comprehended, as Philoromus, a man of noble birth, & great possessions in Alexandria, who being persuaded by his friends to favor himself, to respect his wife, to consider his children and family did not only reject the counsels of them, but also neglected the threats and torments of the Judge, to keep the confessiō of Christ inuiolate unto the death, & losing of his head. Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 9. Niceph. Lib. 7. cap. 9. of whom Euseb. beareth witness that he was there present himself.

Of like estate and dignity was also Procopius in Palestine, who after his conversion brake his images of silver, and gold, and distributed the same to the poor and after all kind of torments, of racking, of cording, of tearing his flesh, of goring and stabbing in, of fiering, at length had his head also smitten of, as witnesseth. Niceph. Lib. 7. cap. 15.

To this may be joined also Georgius, a young man of Capadocia, who stoutly inueighing against the impyous idolatry of the Emperors, was apprehended, and cast in prison, then torn with hooked irons, burnt with hot lyme, stretched with cords, after that his hands and feet with other members of his body being cut of, at last with a sword had his head cut of. Niceph. ibid.

With these aforenamed add also Sergius, and Bacchius, Panthaleon, a physician in Nicomedia, mentioned in Supplem. Lib. 8. Theodorus of the City Amasia in Hellesp. mentioned of Vincentius. Lib. 3. Faustus a martyr of Egypt, mentioned of Niceph. Lib. 8. cap. 5. Gereon with 318. fellow martyrs which suffered about Colour. Petr. de nat. Lib, 9. cap. 49. Hermogenes the President of Athens, who being converted by the constancy of one Menas, and Eugraphus in their torments, suffered also for the like faith. Item Samonas, Gurias and Abibus, mentioned in Simeon Metaphrast. Hieron also w ^t certain of his confessors, under Maximinus, mentioned in Metaphrastes. Jude’s, and Domuas, who suffered with many other Martyrs above mentioned, at Nicomedia, as recordeth Metaphrastes. Euelasius, Maximinus the Emperors officers, whom Fausta the virgin in her torments converted. Also Thyrsus, Lucius, Callinicus, Appollonius, Philemon, Asilas, Leonides, with Arrianus president of Thebaide, Cyprianus, likewise a Citizen of Antioch, who after he had continued a long time a filthy Magician, or sorcerer, at length was converted, & made a Deacon then a Priest, and at last the Bishop of Antioch, Vincent lib. 12. cap. 120. of whom partly we touched somewhat before. Pag. 72. This Cyprian w ^t Iustina a virgin suffered among the martyrs, Item, Glycerius at Nicomedia, Felix a minister, Fortunatus, Achilleus, Deacons in the city of Valent. Arthemius of Rome, Cyriacus Deacon to Marcellus the bishop. Carpophorus Priest at Thuscia, with Abundus his deacō. Item, Claudius, Syrinus, Antonius, which suffered with Marcellinus the Bishop Sabell Enead. 7. Lib. 8. Cucusatus, in the city Barcinona. Felix Bishop of Apulia, with Adauctus & Ianuarius his priests, Fortunatus & Septimus his readers, who suffered in the City Venusina under Dioclesian. Bergom. Lib. 8.

It were to long a travel or trouble to recite all and singular names of them particularly, whom this persecutiō of Dioclesian did consume. The number of whom being almost infinite is not to be collected or expressed: One story yet ramayneth, not to be forgotten of Cassianus, whose pitiful story being described of Prudentius we have here inserted, rendering metre for metre as followeth.

No less admirable then wonderful was the constancy also of women and maidens, who in the same persecution gave their bodies to the torments & their lives for the testimony of Christ, with no less boldness of spirit, thē did the men themselves above specified, to whom howe much more inferior they were in bodily strength, so much more worthy of praise they be, for their constant standing. Of whom some examples here we mind (Christ willing) to infer, such as in our stories and Chronicles seem most notable, first beginning with Eulalia, whose story we have taken out of the foresaid Prudentius as followeth.

In the West part of Spain called Portingall, is a City great and pop • lous, named Emerita, wherein dwelt and was brought up a virgins borne of noble parentage, whose name was Eulalia, which Emerita although for the apt situation thereof, was both rich & famous, yet more adourned and famous was the renown thereof, by y ^e martyrdom, blood, and sepulture of this blessed virgins Eulalia. Twelue years of age was she and not much above, when she refused great and honorable offers in marriage, as one not skillful, nor yet delighting in courtly daliaunce, neither yet taking pleasure in purple and gorgeous apparel, or else in precious balms, or costly ornaments and iuels: But forsaking and despising all these and such like pompeous allurements, then shown she herself most busy in preparing her journey to her hoped inheritance, and heavenly patronage. Which Eulalia as she was modest and descrete in behavior, sage and sober in conditions, so was she also witty and sharp in answering her enemies. But when the 〈◊〉 rage of persecution enforced her to join herself amongst God's Children in the household of faith, and when the Christians were commanded to offer incense and sacrifice to devils or dead God's: Then began the blessed spirit of Eulalia to kindle, and being of a pro • tipped & ready wit thought forthwith (as a courageous captain) to give a charge upon this so great, and disordered a battle: and so she, silly woman, pouring out the bowels of her innocent heart before God, more provoketh thereby the • orce and rage of her enemies against her. But the godly care of her parents, fearing least the willing mind of the Damsel, so ready to die for Christ's cause, might make her gilty of her own death, hid her and kept her close at their house in the country, being a great way out of the Citty. She yet misliking that quiet life, as also detesting, to make such delay, softly stealeth out of the doors (no man knowing thereof) in the night and in great hast leaving the common way, openeth the hedge gappes, and with werye feet (god knoweth) passed through y ^e thorny & bryery places, accompanied yet w ^t spiritual garde: & although dark & dreadful was the silent night, yet had she with her the Lord & guider of light. And as the children of Israel coming out of Egypt, had by the mighty power of God, a cloudy pillar for their guide in y ^e day, & a flame of fire in the night, so had this godly virgins, traueling in this dark night, when she fleing & forsaking the place where all filthy idolatry abounded, & hastened her heavenly journey, was not oppressed with the dreadful darkness of the night, But yet she before the day appeared in this her speedy journey, with her self considered & mused on a thousand matters, & more. In the morning betime with a bold courage she goeth unto the tribunal or judgment seat, & in the midst of them all with a loud voice, crying out said: I pray you what a shame is it for you thus rashly, and without advisement to destroy and kill men's souls, and to throw their bodies alive against the rocks, and cause them to deny the omnipotent god? Would you know (O you unfortunate) who I am? behold, I am one of the Christians: an enemy to your devilish sacrifices, I spurn your idols under my feet: I confess God omnipotent with my heart and mouth. Isis, Apollo, and Uenus, what are they? Maximinus himself, what is he? The one a thing of naught, for that they be y ^e works of men's hands, y ^e other but a cast away because he worshippeth the same work. Therefore frivolous are they both, and both not worthy to be set by. Maximinus is a Lord of substance, and yet he himself falleth down before a stone, and voweth the honor of his dignity unto those that are much inferior to his vassals. Why then doth he oppress so tirannically, more worthy stomachs and courages then himself? He must neds be a good guid, and an upright judge, which fedeth upon innocent blood: and breathing in the bodies of godly men doth rent and tear their bowels, and that more is, hath his delight in destroying and subuerting the faith.

Go to therefore thou hangman, burn, cut and mangle thou these earthly menbers. It is an easy matter to break a britle substance, but the inward mind shalt not thou hurt for anything thou canst do. The pretor thē or judge with these words of hers, set in a great rage, saith, hangmā take her and pull her out by the hear of her head & torment her to the uttermost. Let her feel the power of our country gods, and let her know what the Imperial government of a Prince is. But yet, O thou sturdy girl, fain would I have thee (if it were possible) before thou die, to revoke this thy wickedness. Behold what pleasures thou mayest enjoy by the honorable house thou camest of. Thy fallen house and progeny followeth thee to death with lamentable tears, & the heavy nobility of thy kindred maketh dolfull lamētation for thee. What meanest thou, wilt thou kill thyself so young a flower, & so near these honorable marriages and great dowries that thou mayest enjoy? Doth not the glistering and golden pomp of the bried bed move thee? Doth not the reverend piety of thine Auncitours prick thee? whom is it not, but that this thy rashness and weakness sorroweth? behold here the furniture ready prepared for thy terrible death. Either shalt thou be beheaded with this sword, or else with these wild beasts shalt thou be pulled in pieces, or else y ^u being cast into the fiery flames shall be (although lamentably bewailed of thy friends and kinsfolks) consumed to ashes. What great matter is it for thee I pray thee, to escape all this? If thou wilt but take & put with thy fingers a little salt & incense into the censers, thou shalt be delivered from all these punishments. To this Eulalia made no answer, but being in a great fury she spitteth in the tirauntes face, she throweth down the Idols, and spurneth abroad with her feet the heap of incense prepared to the censers: then without further delay, the hangmen with both their strengths took her, & pulled one ioynte from another, and with the talantes of wild beasts, scotched her sides to the hard bodes: she all this while singing and praising God in this wise. Behold, O Lord I will not forget thee: what a pleasure is it for them O Christ that remember thy triumphant victoryes, to attain unto these high dignities, and still calleth upon that holy name, all stained and embrued with her own blood. This sang she with a bold stomach, neither lamentyngly nor yet wepingly, but being glad and merry, abandonyng from her mind all heaviness and grief, when as out of a warm fountain her mangled members with fresh blood bathed her white and fair skin. Then proceed they to the last and final torment, which was not only the goring and wounding of her mangled body with the iron grat, & hurdle, and terrible harrowing of her flesh, but burned, on every side with flaming torches her tormented breasts, and sides: her hear hanging about her shoulders in two parts divided (wherewith her shamefast chastity and virginity was covered) reached down to the ground: but when the cracking flame fleeth about her face, kindled by her hear, and reacheth the crown of her head: thē she desiring swift death, opened her mouth and swallowed the flame, and so rested she in peace.

The said Prudentius and Ado, also Equilinus add moreover, writing of a white dove issuing out of her mouth at her departing, and of the fire quenched about her body, also of her body, covered miraculously with snow, with other things more, whereof let every reader use his own judgment.

As ye have heard now the Christian life and constant death of Eulalia, much worthy of praise & commendation: So no less commendation is worthily to be given to blessed Agnes, that constant Damsel and martir of God, who as she was in Rome of honorable parents begotten, so lieth she there as honorably intombed & buried. Which Agnes for her unspotted & undefiled virginity, deserveth no greater praise and commendation, then for her willing death and martyrdom. Some writers make of her a long discourse, more in my judgment then necessary, reciting diverse & sundry strange miracles by her done in the process of her history, which partly for tediousness, partly for the doubtfulness of the author, (whom some father upon Ambrose ) and partly for the straungenes and incredibilitie thereof I omit, being satisfied with that which Prudentius, brefly writeth of her, as followeth: She was (saith he) young & not mariageable, when first she being dedicated to Christ, boldly resisted the wicked Edicts of the Emperor: least that through idolatry she might have denied and forsaken the holy faith: but yet first proved by diverse and sundry policies to induce her to the same (as now with y ^e flattering and enticing words of the Judge, now with the threatenings of the storming executioner) stood notwithstanding, steadfast in all courageous strength: and willingly offered her body to hard & painful torments, not refusing as she said, to suffer whatsoever it should be, yea though it were death it self. Then said the cruel tyrant: if to suffer pain & torment, be so easy a matter and lightly regarded of thee & that thou accomptest thy life nothing worth: yet y ^e shame of thy dedicated or vowed virginity is a thing more regarded I know, and esteemed of thee. Wherefore this is determined, that unless thou wilt make obeisaunce to the alter of Minerva, and ask forgiveness of her for thy arrogancy, thou shalt be sent or abandoned to the common stews or brothelhouse. Agnes y ^e virgins, with more spirit and vehemency inneieth against both Minerva & her verginitie: the youth in sculs flock and run together, and crave that they may have Agnes their ludibrious pray: thē saith Agnes, Christ is not so forgetful of those that be his, that he will suffer violently to be taken frō them their golden and pure chastity, neither will he leave them so destitute of help: he is always at hand and ready to fight for such as are shamfast and chaste virgins, neither suffereth he his gifts of holy integrity or chastity to be polluted. Thou shalt saith she, willingly bathe thy sword in my blood if thou wilt, but thou shalt not defile my body with filthy lust for anything thou canst do. She had no sooner spoken these words, but he commanded that she should be set naked at the corner of some street, (which place at that time, such as were strumpets commonly used, the greater part of the multitude both sorrowing and shaming to see so shameless a sight, went their ways, some turninge their heads, some hiding their faces. But one amongst y ^e rest, with uncircumcised eyes, beholding the Damsel, and that in such opprobrious wise: behold a flame of fire like unto a flash of lightning, falleth vpō him, striketh his eyes out of his head, whereupon he for dead falling to the ground, sprauleth in the channel dirt, whose companions taking him up, & carrying him away, bewailed him as a dead man. But the virgin for this her miraculous delivery from the danger and shame of that place, singeth praises unto God and Christ.

There be (saith Prudentius ) that report how that she being desired to pray unto Christ for the party, that a little before with fire frō heaven for his incōtinency was stricken was restored by their prayer, both unto his perfect health & sight. But blessed Agnes after that she had climbed this her first grief and step unto the heavenly palace, forthwith began to clime another: for fury ingendring now, y ^e mortal wrath of her bloody enemy, wringing his hands crieth out saying, I am undone: O y ^t the executioner draw out thy sword, and do thine office that y ^e Emperor hath appointed thee. And when Agnes saw a sturdy and cruel fellow (to behold) stand behind her, or approaching near unto her with a naked sword in his hand: I am now gladder saith she, & rejoice, y ^t such a one as thou, being a stout, fierce, strong and sturdy soldier art come, then one more feable, weak, & faint should come, or else any other young man sweetly enbalmed, and wearing gaye apparel that might destroy me with funeral shame. This, even this is he I now confess, y ^t I do love. I will make hast to meet him and will no longer protract my longing desire: I will willingly receive into my papes the length of his sword, and into my breast will draw the force thereof evē unto the hilts: That thus I being married unto Christ my spouse, may surmount and escape all the darkness of this world, that reacheth even unto y ^e skies. O eternal governor, vouchsafe to opē the gates of heaven once shut up against all the inhabitants of the earth, and receive (oh Christ) my soul that seeketh thee. Thus speaking and kneeling upon her knees, she prayeth unto Christ above in heaven, that her neck might be the redyer for the sword, now hanging over the same. The executioner then with his bloody hand, finished her hope, & at one stroke cutteth off her head, & by such short & swift death doth he preuente her of y ^e pain thereof.

I have oftentimes before complained that the stories of Saints have been poudered and sawsed with diverse untrue additions and fabulous inventions of men, who either of a superstitious devotion, or of a subtle practice, have so mingle mangled their stories and lives, that almost nothing remaineth in them simple and uncorrupt, as in the usual Portues wont to be read for daily service, is manifest and evident to be seen, wherein, few Legendes there be, able to abide y ^e touch of history, if they were truly tried. This I write upon the occasiō specially of good Katherine, whom now I have in hand. In whom although I nothing doubt, but in her life was great holiness, in her knowledge excellency, in her death constancy: yet that all things be true that be storyed of her, neither dare I affirm, neither am I bound so to think: So many strange fictions of her be feigned diversely of diverse writers, whereof some seem incredible, some also impudent. As where Petrus de Natalibus, writing of her conversion declareth, how that Katherine sleeping before a certain picture or table of the Crucifix, Christ with his mother Mary appeared unto her: And when Mary had offered her to Christ to be his wife, he first refused her for her blackenes. The next time, she being baptized, Mary appearing again, offered her to mary with Christ, who then being liked, was espoused to him and married, having a golden ring the same time put on her finger in her sleep. &c. Bergomensis writeth thus, that because she in y ^e sight of the people openly resisted the Emperor Maxentius to his face and rebuked him for his cruelty, therefore she was commanded and committed upon the same to prison, which seemeth hitherto not much to digress from truth. It followeth moreover, that the same night an angel came to her, comforting and exhorting her to be strong and constant unto the Martyrdom, for that she was a maid accepted in the sight of God, and that the Lord would be with her, for whose honor she did fight, and that he would give her a mouth and wisdom, which her enemies should not withstand: with many other things mo, which I here omit. As this also I omit concerning y ^e 50. Philosophers, whom she in disputation convicted, and converted unto our religion, and died martyrs for y ^e same. Item, of the converting of Porphyrius kinsmā to Maxentius and Faustina the Emperors wife. At length (saith the story) after she proved the rack, and the four sharp cutting wheels, having at last her head cut off with the sword, so she finished her martyrdom, about the year of our Lord (as Antoninus affirmeth) 310 Simeon Metaphrastes, writing of her, discourseth the same more at large, to whom they may resort, which covet more therein to be satisfied.

Among the works of Basel a certain Oration is extant concerning Iulitta the martyr, who came to her martyrdom (as he witnesseth) by this occasion. A certain auaricious and greedy person, of great authority, and as it may appear, the Emperor his deputy, or other like officer, (who abused the decrees and laws of the Emperor against the Christians, to his own lucre and gain) violently took from this Iulitta all her goods, lands, cattle, and servants, contrary to all equity and right. She made her pitiful complaint to the Judges, a day was appointed, when the cause should be heard. The spoiled woman, and the spoiling extorcioner stood forth together, y ^e woman lamentably declareth her case, y ^e man frowningly beholdeth her face. When she had proved that of good right the goods were her own & that wrongfully he had dealed with her: the wicked & bloudthirsty wretch, preferring vile worldly substance, before the precious substance of a Christian body, affirmed her action to be of no force, for that she was as an outlaw in not serving the Emperors God's, since her Christian faith hath been first abjured. His allegation was allowed as good and reasonable. Whereupon incense & fire were prepared for her to worship the God's, which unless she would do, neither the Emperors protectiō, nor laws, nor judgment, nor life, should she enjoy in that common weal. When this handmaid of the Lord heard these words, she said, farewell life, welcome death: farewell riches welcome poverty. All that I have if it were a thousand times more, would I rather loose, then to speak one wicked & blasphemous word against God my creator. I yield thee thanks most hearty, O my God, for this gift of grace, that I can contemn & despise this frail and transitory world, esteming Christian profession above all treasures. Hence forth whē any question was demanded, her answer was: I am the servant of Jesus Christ. Her kindred & acquaintance flocking to her, advertised her to change her mind. But that vehemently she refused, with detestation of their Idolatry. Forthwith the Judge, with the sharp sword of sentence not only cutteth of all her goods & possessions, but judgeth her also to the fire most cruelly. The joyful Martyr embraceth the sentence as a thing most sweet and delectable. She addresseth her self to the flames, in countenance, iesture, and words, declaring the joy of her heart, coupled with singular constancy. To the women beholding her, sententiouslye she spake: Sticke not, O sisters, to labor and travel after true piety and godliness. Cease to accuse the fragility of feminine nature. What? are not we created of the same matter, that mē are? Yea, after God's Image and similitude are we made, as lively as they. Not flesh only God used in the creation of the woman, in sign and tokē of her infirmity, & weakness, but bone of bones is she, in token that she must be strong in the true and living God, all false God's forsaken. Constant in faith all infidelity renounced patient in adversity, all worldly ease refused. Wax weary, (my dere sisters) of your lives lead in darkness, & be in love with my christ, my God, my redeemer, my comforter which is the true light of the world. Perswade yourselves, or rather the spirit of the living God persuade you, that there is a world to come, wherein the worshippers of idols and devils shall be tormented, perpetually, the servants of the high god shall be crowned eternally. With these words she embraced the fire, and swetely slept in the Lord.

There have been moreover beside these above recited diverse godly women and faithful Martyrs, as Barbara a noble woman in Thuscia, who after miserable prisonmēt sharp cords, & burning flames put to her sides, was at last beheaded. Also Fausta the virgin, which suffered under Maximinus by whom Euelasius a ruler of the Emperors palace, and Maximinus the President were both converted and also suffered martyrdom, as witnesseth Metaphrastes. Item Iuliana a virgins of singular beauty in Nicomedia, who after diverse agonies suffered likewise under, Maximinus. Item, Anysia a maid of Thessalonica, who under the said Maximinus suffered. Metaphr. ibid. Iustina which suffered with Cyprianus bishop of Antioch, not to omit also Tecla although most writers do accord that she suffered under Nero. Platina in vita Caij, maketh also mentiō of Lucia, & Agatha. All which holy maids and virgins glorified the Lord Christ with their constant martyrdom in this tenth & last persecution of Dioclesian.

During the time of which persecution these bishops of Rome succeeded on after another▪ Gaius who succeeded next after Xist{us} mentioned. pag. 71. Marcellinus Marcellus (of whō, Eusebius in his story maketh no mention) Eusebius, & then Miltiades : all which, died martyrs in the tempest of this persecution. First Marcellinus after the Martirdome of Gaius was ordained Bishoppe, he being brought by Dioclesian, to the Idols, first yielded to their Idolatry & was seen to sacrifice, wherefor being excommunicated by the Christians, fell in such repentance, that he returned again to Dioclesian, where he standing to his former confession, and publicly condemning the idolatry of the heathen, recovered the crown of martyrdom: suffering with Claudius, Cyrinus, and Antoninus.

Marcellus likewise was urged of Maxentius to renounce his bishopric & religion, & to sacrifice with them to idols. which when he constantly refused, was beaten with cudgels, and so expelled the city. Then he entering into y ^e house of Lucina a widow, assembled there the congregation, which when it came to the ears of Maxentius the tiraunt, he turned the house of Lucina into a stable, and made Marcellus the keeper of the beasts, and so with the stench thereof and miserable handling was put to death. Eusebius late bishop of Rome, as Euseb. in Chron. saith. 7. months: Marianus Scotus saith 8. months. Damasus affirmeth 6. years, Sabellicus alledgeth certain authors that say, that he was slain by Maximinianus : but correcteth that himself, affirming that Maximinianus died before him.

Miltiades by the testimony of Platina, and other that follow him sat 3. years, & 7. months, & suffered under Maximinianus. But that seemeth not to be true, as both Sabellicus doth rightly note, affirming that the same cannot stand by the supputation of time: Forasmuch as the said Galerius Maximinus reigned but 2. years, and died before Miltiades. Also Eusebius manifestly expresseth the example of a letter of Constantine written to this Miltiades Bishop of Rome, plainly conuicting that to be false, which Platina affirmeth.

In the book collected of general councils among the decretal epistles, there is a long tractation about y ^e judgment and condemnation of Marcellinus: whereof the Maysters & Patrones of popery, in these our days, take great hold to prove the supremacy of the pope to be above all general councils, and that he ought not to be subject to the condemnation of any person or persons, for that there is written: Nemo vnquam iudicauit Pontificem, nec Praesul sacerdotem suum, quoniam prima sedes non iudicabitur a quoquā. &c. Although this sentence of Miltiades seemeth apparently to be patched in, rather by some Heldibrandus, then by Miltiades : both for that it hangeth with little order of sense, upon that which goeth before: & again because that prima sedes here mentioned, was not yet ordained nor attributed to the sea of Rome before the council of Nice, where the order and placing of bishops was first established. But to let this sentence pass, yet notwithstanding the circumstance & proceeding of this judgment, if it be rightly weighed, maketh very little to the purpose of these men. Neither is it true that the bishops of this council of Sinuesse, did not condemn Marcellinus: for the words of the council be plain. Subscripserunt igitur in eius damnationem & damnauerunt eum extra ciuitatem. That is: They subscribed therefore to his comdemnation, and condemned him to be expelled out of the city. Moreover by y ^e said council were brought in, the 42. witnesses against Marcellinus. In the said council the verdit of the same witnesses was demanded and also received. Furthermore, Quirinus there, one of the Bishops openly protested, that he would not depart y ^e council, before the malice of the bishops were revealed: what doth all this declare, but that the bishop of Rome was called there, and did appear before the judgment seat of the Council, and there stood subject to their sentence & authority, by the which he was expelled out of the City? As for the words of the council, whereupon our Papists stand so much. Non enim nostro, sed tuo ipsius iudicio cōdemnaberis, &c. Item: Tuo ore iudica causam tuā. &c. These words import not here the authority of the Roman bishop to be above the council, neither do they declare what the council could not do, but what they would and wished rather to be done, that is, that he should rather acknowledge his crime before God & them, with a voluntary yielding of his heart, then that the confession of such an heinous fact should be extorted from him through their condemnatiō: for that they saw to be expedient for his souls health. Otherwise their cōdamnation should serve him to small purpose. And so it came to pass. For he being urged of thē to condemn himself, so did: prostrating himself and weeping before them. Wherupon immediately they proceeded to the sentence against him, condemning & pronouncing him to be expelled the city. Now whether by this may be gathered, that y ^e Bishop of Rome ought not to be cited, accused, and condemned by any person or persons, let the indifferent Reader judge simply.

As touching y ^e decretal epistles, which be entitled under the name of these foresaid bishops: who so well adviseth them, and with judgment will examine the style, the time, the argument the hanging together of the matter, & the constitutions in them contained (little serving to any purpose, and nothing serving for those troublous days then present) may easily discern them: either in no part to be theirs, or much of the same to be clouted and patched by the doings of other, which lived in other times: specially seeing all the constitutions in them for the most part tend to the setting up and to exalt the sea of Rome above all other, Bishops and churches, and to reduce all cames & appeals to the said sea of Rome. So the epistle of Gaius beginning with the commendation of the authority of his sea, endeth after the same tenor, willing and commanding all difficult questions in all provinces whatsoever emerging, to be referred to the sea Apostolical. Moreover, the greatest part of the said epistle from this place. Quicunque illi sunt ita obcaecati. &c. to the ende of this periode: Quoniam sicut ait. B. Apostolus Magnum est pietatis. &c. is contained in the epistle of Leo, unto Leo the Emperor: & so rightly agreeth in all points with the style of Leo, that evident it is the same to be borrowed out of Leo, out of the epistle of Gaius, or to be patched into the epistle of Gaius taken out of Leo.

Likewise the epistle of Marcellinus to get more authority with y ^e reader, is admixed with a great part of S. Paul's epistle to the ephesians, word, for word. And howe is it like that Marcellinus which died in the 20. year of Dioclesian could write of consubstantialitie of the divine persons, when that controversy and term of Consubstantialitie, was not heard of in the Church, before Nicene council, which was 23. years after him? But especially the two epistles of Marcellus bewray themselves, so that for the confuting thereof needeth no other probation, more then only the reading of the same. Such a glorious style of ambition therein doth appear, as it is easy to be understood, not to proceed either frō such an humble Martyr, or to savor anything of the misery of such a time. His words of his first epistle written to the brethren of Antioch, and alleged in the popes decrees by Gratianus are these:

Whether this be like matter to proceed from the spirit of Marcellus that blessed martyr, in those so dreadful days, I say no more, but only desire thee (gentle reader) to judge.

In his second Epistle moreover, the said Marcellus, writing to Maxentius, the bloody tyrant, first reprehendeth him for his cruelty, sharply admonishing him howe & what to do: to learn and seek the true religion of God, to maintain his Church, to honor and reverence the Priests of God, and specially exhorteth him to charity, and that he would cease from persecution. &c. All this is possible, and like to be true: but now mark (good reader) what blanched stuff here followed withal: as where he alleging the statutes and sanctions of his predecessors, declareth and discusseth that no bishop nor minister ought to be persecuted, or deprived of his goods. And if they be, then ought the to have their possessions and places again restored (by the law) before they were bound (by the law) to answer to their accusations laid in against thē. And so after that, in convenient time, to be called to a council. The which council notwithstanding, without the authority of the holy sea, cannot proceed regularly (albeit it remain in his power to assemble certain Bishops together.) Neither can he regularly condemn any Bishop, appealing to this his Apostolical sea, before the sentence diffinite do proceed from the foresaid sea. &c. And it followeth after: and therefore (saith he) let no Bishop of what crime soever he be attached, come to his accusation or be heard, but in his own ordinary Synod at his convenient time: the regular and Apostolicalll authority being joined withal. Moreover in the said Epistle writing to Maxentius, he decreeth that no lay men, or any suspected Bishop, ought to accuse Prelates of the Church:

The like discussion & examination I might also make of the other epistles that follow of Eusebius and Miltiades, which all tend to the same scope, that no Prelate or bishop ought to come to his answer (or