Acts and Monuments Volume 1

The ix. Persecution.

HEtherto from the captivity of Ualerian the Church of Christ was in some quietness till the death of Quintilianus, as hath been declared: After whom Aurelianus the next successor possessed the crown, who in the first beginning of his reign (after the common manner of all princes) shown himself a Prince moderate and discrete, much worthy of commendation, if his good beginning had continued in a constant course agreeing to the same. Of nature he was severe & rigorous in correcting, dissolute in manners, in so much that it was said of him in a vulgare proverb, that he was a good physician, saving that he gave to bitter medicines. This Emperor being sick, never sent for Physician, but cured himself with abstinence. And as his beginning was not unfruitful to the common wealth: so neither was he any great disturber of the Christians: whom he did not only tolerate in their religiō but also in their counsel, being the same time assembled at Antioch, seemed not to be against them. Notwithstanding in continuance of time through sinister motion and instigation of certain about him (as commonly such are never absent in all places from the ears of princes (his nature somewhat inclinable to severity, was altered to a plain tyranny, which tyranny first he shown beginning with the death of his own sisters son, as witnesseth Eutropius. After that he proceeded either to move, or at least to purpose persecution against the Christians. Albeit that wicked purpose of the Emperor, the merciful working of God his hand did soon overthrow. For as the edict or proclamation should have been denounced for the persecuting of the Christians, and the emperor now ready to subscribe the edict with his hand, the mighty stroke of the hand of the lord suddenly from above did stop his purpose, binding, as a man might say, the Emperors hands behind him: declaring (as Eusebius saith) to all men, how there is no power to work any violence against the servants of God, unless his permission do suffer them, and give them leave. Euseb. Lib. 7. cap. 30. Eutropius and Uopiscus affirm, that as the said Aurelianus was purposing to raise persecutiō against us, he was suddenly terrified with lightning, and so stopped from his wicked tyranny. Not long after about the fifth or sixth year of his rain, he was slain between Bizance and Hieraclea, an. 278. Thus Aurelianus rather intended thē moved persecution. Neither is there anymore then this found concerning this persecution in ancient histories and records of the Church. Wherefore I marvel the more, that Vincentius collecting out of the Martyreloges, hath comprehended such a great Cataloge of so many martyrs, which in France and in Italy (saith he) suffered death and torments under this Emperor Aurelianus. Wherunto Orosius also seemeth to agree, in numbering this to be the ninth persecution under the said Aurelian.

Next after Aurelianus the succession of the impery fell to Publius Annius Tacitus, who reigned but vi. months, Him succeeded his brother Florianus, who reigned but lx. days. And after him followed Marcus Aurelius, surnamed Probus. Of whom more hereafter (God willing) shall appear.

In the mean time, within the compass of these Emperors •• lleth in a story recorded, of Eusebius, and not unworthy here to be noted, whereby to understand the faithful diligence of good Ministers, what good it may do in a common wealth.

Mention is made before of Eusebius the Deacon of Dyonisius, whom God stirred up to unite and comfort the saints that were in prison and bands, and to burye the bodies of the blessed Martyrs departed, not without great peril of his own life, and after was made bishop (as is said) of Laodicea. But before he came to Laodicea to be bishop there, it chanced, the said Eusebius remaining as yet at Alexandria, the city to be besieged of the Romaines, Pyruchius being there captain. In the which siege half of the city did hold with the Romaines, the other half withstood them. In that part which went with the Romaine captain was Eusebius, being also in great favor with the captain for his worthy fidelity and service shown. With the other half that resisted the Romans, was Anatholius, governor or moderator then of the school of Alexandria, who also was bishop after the said Eusebius of Laodicea. This Anatholius perceiving the citizens to be in miserable distress of famine and destruction by reason of penury and lack of sustenance, sendeth to Eusebius beeng then with the Romaines, and certifieth him of the lamentable penury and peril of the city, instructing him moreover, what to do in the matter. Eusebius understanding the case, repaireth to the captain, desiring of him so much favor, that so many as would flee out of the city from their enemies, might be licenced to escape and freely to pass, which was to him eftsoons granted. As Eusebius was thus laboring with the capitaine, on the other side Anatholius for his part labored with the Citizens, moving them to assemble together, and persuading them to give themselves over, in yielding to the force and might of the Romaines. But when the Citizens could not abide the hearing thereof: yet (said Anatholius ) this I trust you will be con • ented, if I shall coūsails you, in this miserable lack of things to avoid out of your city, all such superfluities and unnecessary impedimentes unto you, as old women, young children, aged men, with such other as be feeble and impotent, & not to suffer them here to perish with famine, whose presence can do no stead to you if they dy, & less if they live, for spending the victuals which otherwise might serve thē that be more able to defend the City. The Senate hearing this sentence, & understanding moreover the grant of the captain, promising them their safety, were well consenting thereunto. Then Anatholius, having a special care to them that belonged to the Church of Christ, calleth them together, with the rest of the multitude, and persuading them what they should do, and what had been obtained for thē, caused them to void the city, and not only them, but also a great number of other mo, who persuaded by him, under that pre • ence, changing themselves in women's apparel, or faming some impotency, so escapeh out of the city. At whose coming out Eusebius on the other side was ready to receive them, and refreshed their hungrye and pined bodies, whereby not only they, but the whole Citye of Alexandria was preserved from destruction. Eusebius. lib. 7. cap. 32.

By this little history of Eusebius and Anatholius, described in the vii. book of Eusebius. cap. 32. and briefly here set forth to thee (gentle Reader) thou mayest partly understand the practice of the Prelates what it was in those days in the church, which was then only employed in saving of life, and succouring the common weals wherein they lived, as by these two godly persons Eusebius and Anatholius may well appear. Unto the which practice if we compare the practice of our latter prelates of the church of Rome, I suppose no little difference will appear.

The next Emperor to Florianus (as is said) was Marcus Aurelius Probus, a Prince both wise and virtuous, and no less valiant in martial affairs, as fortunate in the success of the same. During his time we read of no persecution greatly stiring in the church, but much quietness, as well in matters of religion, as also in the common wealth In so much that after his great and many victories, such peace ensued, that his saying was, there needed no more soldiers, seeing there were no moe enemies to the common wealth to fight against. It was his saying also, that his soldiers need not to spend corn and victuale, except they labored to serve the common wealth. And for the same cause he caused his soldiers to be set a work about certain mountains in Syrinia & in Messia to be planted with vines, and not so much as in winter suffered them to be at rest, therefore by them at length he was slain, after he had reigned the space of vi. years, and 4. months, an. 284 Eutrop.

Carus with his two sons Carinus and Numerianus, succeeded next after Probus in the Empire, the reign of which Emperors, continued in all, but iii. years. Of the which three first Carus, warring against the Persians, was slain with lightning. Of Numerianus his son, being with his father in his wars against the Persians, we find much commendation in Eutropius, Vopiscus, and other writers, which testified to him to be a valiant warrior, an eloquent orator, as appeared by his declamatiōs and writings sent to the Senate. Thirdly, to be an excellent Poet. This Numerianus sorrowing & lamenting for the death of his father, through immoderate weeping fell into a great sorenes of his eyes, by reason whereof he keeping close, was slain not long after of his father in law, named Aper who traitorously aspiring to the Empire, dissnnuled his death, with a false excuse to the people, asking for him, saying, for the pain of his eyes he kept in from the wind and weather, til at length by the stench of his body being carried about, his death was uttered.

In the life of this Emperor Carus aforesaid, written by Eutropius in the later edition set forth by Frobenius, I find (which in other editions of Eutropius doth not appear) that Numerianus the son of this Carus was he that slew Babylas the holy Martyr, whose history before we have comprehended. But that seemeth not to be like both by the narration of Chrysostom, and also for that Vrspergensis declaring the same history and in the same words, as it is in Eutropius, saith that it was Cyrillus, whom Numerianus killed, the story whereof is this: what time Carus the Emperor in his journey going toward the Persians, remained at Antioch. Numerianus his son would enter into the church of the Christians, to view and behold their mysteries. But Cyrillus their bishop would in no wise suffer him to enter into the church, saying that it was not lawful for him to see the mysteries of God, who was polluted with sacrifices of Idols. Numerianus full of indignation at the hearing of these words, not suffering that repulse at the hands of Cyrillus, in his fury did slay the godly Martyr. And therefore justly (as it seemed) was he himself slain afterward by the hands of Aper.

Thus Carus with his son Numerianus being slain in the East partes, as is declared, Carinus the other son reigned alone in Italy, where he overcame Sabinus striuyng for the Empire, and reigned there with much wickedness, till they returning home of the army again from the Persians, who then set up Dioclesian to be Emperor, by whom the foresaid Carinus for the wickedness of his life, being forsaken of his host, was overcome, & at length slain with the hand of the Tribune, whose wife before he had deflowered. Thus Carus with his two sons, Numerianus and Carinus ended their lives, whose reign continued not above three years.

All this mean space we read of no great persecution stirring in the Church of Christ, but was in mean quiet state and tranquility, unto the xix. year of the reign of Dioclesian, So that in counting the time from the latter ende of Ualerian, unto this foresaid year of Dioclesian, the peace of the church which God gave to his people, seemeth to continue above 44. years. During the which time of peace and tranquility, the church of the Lord did mightily increase and flourish, so that the more bodies it lost by persecution, the more honor and reverence it wan daily among the Gentiles in all quarters, both Greeks and barbarous, in so much that (as Eusebius in his vii. book describeth) amongst the Emperors themselves, diverse there were which not only bare singular good will and favor to them of our profession, but also did commit unto them offices & regiments over countries and nations, so well were they affected to our doctrine, that they priuileged the same with liberty and indemnity. What needeth to speak of them which not only lived under the Emperors in liberty but also were familiar in the court with the Princes themselves, entertained with great honor and special favor beyond the other seruitures of the court, as was Dorotheus with his wife, children and whole family, highly accepted & advanced in the palace of the Emperor: Also Gorgonius in like manner with diverse other mo, who for their doctrine & learning which they professed, were with their Princes in great estimation. In like reverence also were the bishops of cities and Diocese, with the Presidentes and rulers where they lived: who not only suffered thē to live in peace, but also had them in great price and regard, so long as they kept themselves upright, and continued in God his favor. Who is able to number at that time the mighty and innumerable multitudes and congregations assembling together in every city, and the notable cōcurses of such as daily • locked to the common Oratoures to pray▪ For the which cause they being not able to be contained in their old houses, had large and great churches, new built from the foundation, for them to frequent together. In such increasement (saith Eusebius ) by process of time did the church of christ grow and shout up daily more and more, profiting and spreading through all quarters, which neith • r envy of men could infringe, nor any devil could inchaunte, neither the crafty policy of man's wit could supplant, so long as the protection of God his Heauenlye arm went with his people, keeping them in good order, according to the rule of Christian life.

But as commonly the nature of all men being of it self unruly and untoward, always secketh & desireth prosperity, and yet can never well use prosperity, always would have peace, and yet having peace, always abuseth y ^e same: so here likewise it happened with these mē, which through this so great liberty & prosperity of life began to degenerate & languishe unto idleness & delycacy, & one to work spite and cōtumely against another, striving and contending among thenselves for every occasiō, with railing words after most despiteful manner: bishops against bishops, and people against people, moving hatred and seditiō one against another, besides also cursed hypocrisy and simulation with all extremity increasing more and more, by reason whereof the judgment of god after his wonted manner, (whilist yet the congregatiō began to multiply) began by a little and little to visit our men with persecution, falling first upon our brethrē which were abroad in warfare, but whē y ^t touched y ^e other nothing or very little, neither did they seek to appease gods wrath, & call for his mercy, but wickedly thinking with ourselves, that god neither regarded nor would visit our transgressions, we heaped our iniquities daily more and more one upon another, & they which seemed to be our pastors refusing the rule of piety, were inflamed with mutual contentions on against another. and thus whilst they were given only to the study of contentions, threatenings, emulations, mutual hatred, & dyscord, every man seeking his own ambition, and persecuting one another after the manner of tirany: Then, then, I say, the Lord according to the voice of Jeremiah took away the beauty of the daughter of Zion. & the glory of Israel, fell down from heaven, neither did he remember the footstool of his feet in the day of his wrath. And the Lord overturned all y ^e comely ornaments of Israel, & destroyed all her gorgeous buildings, and according to the saying of the Psalm, subverted and extinguished the Testament of his servant, and profaned his sanctuary in destruction of his churches, and in laying wast the buildings thereof so that all passingers spoiling the multitude of the people, they were made an obloquy to all the dwellers about. For he hath exalted the strength of his enemies, and turned away the help of his sword from her, nor aided her in the battle, but ceased from the purging of her and her seat. He stroke down to the ground and deminished her days and over all this poured upon her confusion. All these things were fulfilled upon us, when we saw the temples rased from the top to the ground, and the sacred scriptures to be burnt in the open market place, and the Pastors of the church to hide themselves, some here, some there, some other taken prisoners with great shame, were mocked of their enemies, whē also according to the saying of the prophet in another place: Contempt was poured out upon the Princes, and they caused to go out of the way, and not to keep the strait pathe.

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