things to be like unto the Father Therefore the year following they there Assembled Euxojus then governing the Church there and there the Emperor then made his aboad See how as Tertullian before asserted unless man please God shall not be God which he used to the Heathen or took up as to them but now is verified among the Christians many of them present at this Council calling in question such things as they had decreed in times past they affirm That the clause of likeness by the Council And abandon the clause of likeness as not once to be named again of Ariminum and that held at Constantinople is quite to be abandoned and not once to be named again See what changes and Observations hereupon alterations are here and as I have intimated men like the wind turn every where when they have lost that which gives weight to the Winds by their going about to determine of him the clause of one Substance before must go out after all the First The clause of one Substance wanderings to and fro and terrible destractions made by reason thereof Now that of likeness must be abandoned also but when Now that of Likeness must be abandoned do they put it but then when there is not the thing it self of which the Likeness and Substance is abandoned near unto which Aetius drew as aforesaid Whither will not man run when he is turned from God from the Subjectum quo that which gives the first Principle of seeing and knowing of which the Philosophers in their Ethnicks speak where men must make a stop and begin if they will have the rovings of their minds stayed and stopt as I have elsewhere shewed But this Generation cloak their business See the visitation to the Universities c Horrible blasphemy no longer but pronounce with open mouth That the Son was altogether unequal and unlike the Father not onely in Substance but also in Will And before it was answered He was like him in Will when it was demanded Wherein he was like him in all things if he be not in Substance So from Substance they come to Will and from Will they come to Nothing as by and by will appear for as Arius dreamed He had his being of Nothing and Arius his blasphemy so God cannot be said to have for he hath his being of himself from Generation to Generation of old even from Everlasting So such as appertained to Aetius entangled themselves also in the Aetius followers fall in with the Decrees of this Council snares of this Opinion Therefore besides that the Arians were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth that they affirmed the Son to be unlike the Father there were of the Antiochians who defended the Faith of one Substance and then were divided in the aforesaid cause of Miletius called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying that they had affirmed the Son of God to have had his being of nothing When they were demanded Wherefore they constantly affirmed in their Creed that the Son was God of God and now durst presume to say that he was unlike the Father and had his being of nothing They used this falacy Whereas we affirmed the Son to be of God we meant it in The Falacy of the Miletians in point of the Sons likeness to the Father that sence that the Apostle wrote where he said That all things were of God therefore the Son is of God inasmuch as he is included in the word All And for this cause we laid down in our Creed the clause according to the Scriptures And so they shuffle and cut and Conclusions therefrom equivocate with matters of Faith and the things of the highest import as to God and yet upon this falacious or on such falacious Foundations as these which are abominable amongst men would they have mens Faith as to God bottomed and pitch't and destroy all them who will not take it to be so build upon it Georgius of Laodicea was the Author of this equivocal answer Cap. 36. Georgius of Laodicea the Author of the falacy aforesaid The Sect of the Appolinarians and their blasphemy and yet this was not all for another sort crept up who are called Appolinarians from Appolinarius the Father and the Son the one whereof was a Priest and the other a Reader the one teaching Grammar the other Rhetorick They held That God the Word took manhood according to the order of Incarnation without Soul Again recanting the same they affirmed That he took Soul yet not the Mind or Reason which is accounted the highest part of the Soul But that God the Word was shut up included and comprised in man in place of the mind So whirling round not knowing where they are nor whereof they affirm I have set down these things as I find them in the History that The reason of these Quotations so the Reader may take notice into what confusions contradictions ridiculousnesses and vanities men run when they would determine of Faith and God not knowing the Principle of God and enjoyn the same the Appolinarians so called hold in other things the Creed containing the clause of one Substance Well these cruel Divisions and Persecutions because of Faith The Judgments as the Consequences and Doctrines in relation unto God had as I was but even now observing and do mind to carry it along in the progress of this Discourse as that which is necessary and to my purpose and a thing worthy of or fit to be duly considered their rebukes from Not only the Persians but the French put Cap. 37. the Romans to it the Lord for not only did the Persians proclaim War against the Romans but Julianus Caesar had much ado with the Barbarous Nations in France of whom when he got the upper hand his Souldiers proclaimed him Emperor Constantius hearing of this Constantius hearing that Julianus was pâ—oclaimed Emperor by the Soldiers in France is troubled marches against him from Antioch was wonderfully troubled and disquieted in his mind so that the grief thereof brought him into a dangerous Disease whorefore being first baptized of Eudoxius he made expedition from Antioch to give him Battle and coming as far as Mopsus Wells between Cappadocia and Silicia by reason of the great thought and sorrow conceived in his mind of his unlucky Affairs as the History tearms it he fell into an Appoplexie and thereof presently Dies in the way of an Appoplexie died in the forty and fifth year of his life having reigned thirty and eight years that is to say thirteen together with his Father and twenty five after the death of his Father Constantius being dead Julianus succeeds him who being Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 1. Julian the Apostate how he was bred up both a Philosopher a Christian and a Pagan brought up in the Christian Religion by the disposition or appointment of Constantius yet he had a secret inclination
that gave the fierce on set upon Nero began the first Persecution Euseb lib. 2. cap. 4. Anno 41. Cap. 5. Caius Caligula the Christians for although Caius Caligula made himself a Godd and caused himself to be proclaimed a Godd and the Tributaries to the Romans dedicated Altars and Temples to him and esteemed him in all other respects as God as those in effect do who take upon them to enjoyn as to the Worship of God and though his dealing was so grievous unto all men especially the Nation of the Jews who disdainfully withstood the honour done to him of men and were accustomed to prophane his Name and vexed so many with manifold and innumerable afflictions which are too long to be repeated for beginning at Alexandria he claimed unto himself their Prayers and set up his own Picture every where and dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem to himself unto his proper use which until that time is said to have been undefiled and free every way translating or consecrating the name to New Caius as a famous Godd who told Pilate when he said of Jesus Behold your King shall I crucifie your King We have no other King but Caesar Yet Anno. 46. Claudias c. 25. I read not that he so fell upon the Christians nor Claudius neither who succeeded Caius The Historian saith of him these words Nero now Anno. 56. A particular account of Nero and setled in his Seat fell into abominable facts and took Armour against the Service due unto the Universal and Almighty God how detestable he was become is not for this present time to declare for there be many who have painted out his wilful malice which may easily appear if we consider the furious madness of that man through the which after that beyond all reason he had destroyed an innumerable company he fell into such a sucking vein of slaughter that he abstained not from his most dear and familiar Friends yea he tormented with divers kinds of deaths his own Mother his Wife his Brethren and many of his nearest Kinsfolks as if they had been enemies and deadly foes unto him but it behoved us to note this one thing of him above the rest That he was accounted the first Enemy of all the Emperors to the Service of God This Enemy of God saith he set up himself in the destruction Paul Beheaded Peter crucified How he began and finished the first of the Ten Persecutions The Heathen Lineage of Christs persecuâ—ors Domitian Anno. 63. Euseb l. 3 c. 8. Titus cap 15. Raised the second persecution An account of him and his Persecution Anno. 97. of the Apostles wherein he was first discovered for they write that Paul was Beheaded and Peter Crucified of him at Rome Thus far Eusebius he began and in his Reign was finished the first of the Ten most famous and bloody Persecutions of the Christians being the first Enemy or Persecutor as the Historian saith above of the Christians of the Service of God of all the Emperors So see your Stock and Lineage in these latter dayes ye who have been persecutors of the Truth Domitian was the next who raised and upon the foot of whose cruelty is called the second Persecution he took the Imperial Crown when his Brother Titus had reigned two years and two months he was very wicked and cruel The Historian saith of him Domitian when he had executed much cruelty against many and put to death no small multitude of the Nobles of Rome and notable men beyond all rightful Judgement and punished an infinite company of famous men with exile and loss of their substance dieth and appointed himself successor of Nero in hatred and war against God This man also raised persecution against us although his Father Vespasian practised no presumptuous Lordliness towards us John is said Vespasian c. 16 John banished to be banished by Domitian into the Isle of Patmos the same year in which he died as saith Eusebius lib. 3. cap. 16. Our Religion saith he again so flourished in the aforesaid times that the Heathen Writers noting exactly the times vouchsafed to publish in their Histories this Persecution and the Martyrdoms suffered in the same Trajan is the third whose footsteps were covered in the blood of the Trajan raised Euseb l. 3. c. 18 Anno. 100. The third Persecution Christians great slaughters were made of them and with most cruel torments were many of them drawn unto death he succeeded Nerva who succeeded Domitian the compleating of his cruelty made up what Nerva cap. 30. is called the third Persecution Eusebius saith So great a persecution An account of his Persecution and the Christians Principlâ—s by Plinius Secundus was raised against us in several places that Plinius Secundus a notable President made relation there of unto the Emperor being very much moved with the number of Martyrs which suffered death for the testimony of their Faith signifying withal that they committed no beynous offence nor transgressed any Law saving that they rose before day and celebrated Christ with Hymns as God forbidding Adulteries and Slaughter with such other like abominable facts shewing conformity in all things agreeable to the Laws after which report it is written that Trajan commanded by edict that the Christian Nation Upon which Trajan commanded the Christians not to be enquired for should not be enquired for but if happily they were found they ought to be punished By which Edict the vehement heat of that grievous Persecution was somewhat quallified Yet nevertheless there was scope enough left for such as were willing to afflict us so that in one place the people in another place the Princes and Rulers of the Regions laid wait for our men whereby several persons suffered Martyrdom in their Provinces and sundry of the Faithful with sundry kinds of deaths without open or manifest persecution Which he groundeth out of Tertullians Apology for the Christians Tertul. Apolog cap. 5. Relates the reason of the Inhibition of the Inquisition against the Heathens where yet Tertullian saith Although we have known the Inquisition directed for us to be inhihited it was by reason of Plinius Secundus who having condemned some of the Christians and deprived some others of their Dignities was moved with the greatness of their Multitude and doubted what was best to be done He made the Emperor Trajan privy thereof saying That he found nothing in them that was impious but that they refused the worshipping of Images signifying this And the Christians Principles withal that the manner of the Christians was to rise before day to celebrate Christ as God and to the end their Discipline may straitly be observed they forbid shedding of blood adultery fraud traiterous dealing and such like For answer hereunto Trajan wrote again That there should be no inquisition for Christians but if they were met with they should be punished And thus saith Eusebius went the affairs of the Christians then Marcus
supplications c. produced an Edict c. 13. remitting the Persecution The Copy of the Edict being brought to the Emperor in the behalf of the Brethren who were grieved with all kind of contumelies practised upon them by their Provincials in Asia he granted to the Commonalty of Asia this Constitution The Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antonius Augustus Armenicus Pontifex Maximus fifteen times Tribune thrice Consul unto the Commonalty of Asia sendeth greeting I know the Gods are careful to disclose hurtful persons for they punish such as will not worship them more grievously than you do those whom you bring in trouble confirming that Opinion which they conceive of you to be wicked and ungodly men It is their desire in Gods quarrel to die rather than to live So that they become Conquerers yeelding their lives unto the death rather than to obey your Edicts It shall seem very necessary to admonish you of the Earthquakes which have and do happen among us that being therewith moved ye may compare our estate with theirs they have more confidence to Godwards than you have you during the time of your ignorance despise other Godds contemn the Religion of the Immortal God banish the Christians which worship him and persecute them unto death In the behalf of these men many of the Provincial Presidents have written heretofore unto our Father of famous memory whom he answered in writing again That they were no longer to be molested unless they had practised Treason against the Roman Empire and many have given notice unto us of the same matter whom we answered as our Father did before If any therefore hereafter be found thus busied in other mens affairs we command requiring the punishing of the Accusers cap. 14. Marc. Aurel. Verus Antoninus his Son Lucius his Brother that he accused be absolute and free though he be found such a one I mean faulty and that the accuser be grievously punished In the hearing of the great Assembly of Asia this Edict was proclaimed at Ephesus Thus far of Antonius Pius who was called so for his gentle and good disposition he reigned twenty and two years and then gave to Death whom Marcus Aurelius Verus aforesaid succeeded and Antoninus his Son together with Lucius his Brother so called because he was Adopted with Antoninus under whose cruelty arose as I have said the fourth Persecution Verus was a wicked cruel man and under him many famous men in An account of Verus and his Tyâ—anny their day and multitudes of others suffered It would be endless to go through all the particulars of that dayes Tragedy only some things I shall touch in the words of the Historian as I have done before to give the Reader a taste of what they endured who then were required to give a testimony of their Faith Asia which had a little release by the Edict of Antonius Pius as before Asia troubled again Policarp Bish of Smyrna suffered Martyrdom and Cap. 15. divers others came to be sorely troubled with Persecution again and Policarpus Bishop of Smyrna amongst many others met with a full cup of it of whom the Church there to the Church at Philomilium and unto all the Congregations throughout Pontus thus wrote We have written unto you Brethren of such as suffered Martyrdom and of blessed Policarpus who Signed and Sealed the Persecution with his own blood The beholders were The cruelties of the Executions amazeth the beholders amazed seeing the flesh of the Martyrs rent with scourges even to the inner Veins and Sinnews so that the most secret Intrals of their Bodies their Bowels and inward Privities were piteously to be seen beholding again the sharp shels of Sea-fish and pibble stones strewed under the Martyrs backs and bruised bodies with every kind of torment that could be devised Last of all They were thrown to be torn in pieces and devoured by wild Beasts They wrote of Germanicus that when the Proconsul exhorted him to relent and Ger manicus and his sufferings and admonished him of his tender years and prayed him to pitty his own case which is the usual Crocodile temper of Persecutors who without pitty offer men to cruelty for their Conscience and then seem to bespeak them to pitty themselves being now in the flower of his youth he without intermission inticed the Beasts to devour him yea constrained and compelled that Valiant Martyrdom with speed he might be dispatched of this cruel and wicked life the patience and constancy of whom and the whole Christian Nation saith the Historian the multitude of Infidels beholding suddenly cryed out Remove the Policarpus Martyred Cap. 16. Justin Martyr wicked seek out Policarpus whom they burned alive Justinus also the Philosopher aforesaid who Apologized for the Christian Faith as hath been said being in life and learning of that sort of them called Cynicks was put to death also by reason of Cresseus another by reason of Cresseus another Philosopher put to death France Antonius Verus Emperor then persecutes Men Women Lads Blandina wearied her tormentors Philosopher from whom he carried away the Bell as men use to say Apologizing for the Christians and reprehending the Philosophers as gluttonous and deceitful persons In France also the Persecution was exceeding hot by reason of Antoninus Verus the Emperor who there had Jurisdiction Men Women Lads suffered such torments as the Letter of the Christians in Vienna and Lyons of their sufferings saith as Tongue cannot express Blandina feared as one that would not hold out so stood it that the Executioners who tormented her by turns from morning to night fainted for weariness and ceased confessing themselves overcome and that they were no longer able to plague her with any more punishments marvelling that as yet she drew breath having Is refreshed wonderfully feeling no pain whilst she renewed her confession I am a Christâ—an Sanctus whilst he answered no otherwise her whole body rent in pieces and the Wounds open they confessing withal that one of those torments was of force sufficient to cost her her life much more so many and great Her strength was renewed and she was refreshed and felt no pain of her punishment as the Historian saith in the aforesaid Letter wherein it is repeated as oft as she pronounced I am a Christian neither have we committed any evil Sanctus a Deacon is said also to bear nobly and valiantly yea above the nature of men all such vexations as man could devise and when as the wicked incompass by reason of his great passions and torments had well hoped to the question asked him but to have heard some undecent and uncomely Speech out of his mouth his constancy is said to be so great that he uttered neither his own Name neither his Kindred neither his Countrey whence he was nor whether he was Bond or Free but unto every Question he answered in the Roman Tongue I am a Christian This he is said to
others say they found unready less exercised The flagging of many and yet weak not of ability to bear the burthen of so weighty a Combate in number Ten which fell through the frailty of the flesh to our great heaviness and sorrowful lamentation quailing the chearfulness of others which were not as yet apprehended but accompanied the Martyrs what torments soever befel them and severed not themselves to the great grief of the rest from them Then trembled we all say they for fear and that greatly because of the uncertainty of confessions being not terrified with any torments but carefull for the end lest any should fall from the Faith Yet say they daily there were apprehended such as were accounted worthy to fulfil the number of the fallen weaklings so that out of both these Churches as many as ruled and bear the greatest sway were taken and executed and the others came on again as aforesaid and died the death whom to encourage lest when at the Bar again they should flag Alexander offered himself up and was torn in pieces A worthy remembrance Drew Alexander to offer up himself wheâ—eby such were strengthened at the Bar to die of the famous power of the Truth and of the valour of him and the Christians in that day who thought not their lives dear unto the death for the confession of Jesus Christ The President commanded publickly a general Inquisition to be made for them And the inhumane and most cruel butcheries of them were made the recreation of the Heathen on their days of pleasure who to be so recreated flocked to The Heathen recreated themselves in their sufferings and came to them as to sport the Theatres in great multitudes which would be strange to think that men could be so far degenerated into cruelty who are made of a tender nature So that no man ever hated his own flesh as to make sport of the highest torments inflicted on their Brethren and to count it a pastime and come thither to such savage and barbarous cruelties for that purpose but that the Devil being got into Man and forming his Worship look how much their understandings are dark and they are brought into the grossest sort of Idolatrous Worship by so much they are come into his Nature and he hath power over them who is the Godd they worship who is without natural affection that they destroy and take pleasure therein These noble Christians were kept low and tender under all their sufferings desiring with watery eyes the prayers uncessantly of their Brethren that they might hold out unto the end and in the fulness of the fear of God as are those Christians own words refused to be called of the Brethren Martyrs as thinking themselves not worthy Cap. 2. The low account the Christians had of themselves who thus suffered but themselves said We are mean and base and humble Confessors whom the Lord highly exalted and counted worthy of this Name and of the Crown Immortal which they enjoy with the Lord in the highest Heavens And thus much shall suffice of this horrible Persecution of the French and their Noble Constancy and Faithfulness to God by which may be judged what was done in other Provinces for the Persecution under this Verus seemed to be general of which in these words I thought fit to give this particular Nevertheless the Lord was not absent from his People but with a The tendernes of the Lord to suppoâ—t them and to work a release tender hand not only upheld those that suffered through the greatest tortures and so gave the demonstration of his power in them but some release also of those sufferings in as great a wonder when he saw good he gave them as he did in carrying them through sufferings in manner following Historians do Record saith Eusebius that when his Brother Marcus Euseb l. 5. c. 5. By the means of the Legion of the Christians under Marc. Aurel. Antoninus's Brother in Germany who praying to the Lord obtained Lightning against the Enemy which overthrew them and Rain to refresh the Army which was near perishing The Heathen Writers Record it Aurelius viz. Antoninus his Brother who gave these Persecutions warred against the Germans and Sarmatians his Hoast was ready to perish with thirst so that he wist not what to do and that the Souldiers of the Legion called Militina moved again and again with faithfulness towards their Prince bowed down upon their bare knees as our accustomed manner saith he of praying is in the midst of the Army turning them to the Enemies and made supplication unto God When as this sight seemed strange unto the Enemies there was shewed a more sad Spectacle viz. Lightning which put the Enemy to flight and overthrew them and withal a shower of Rain to refresh the Army which well nigh perishing with thirst poured out their Prayers before the high Throne of the Majesty of God The History saith he is reported by them who favoured not the Christian Faith yet were careful to set down the things which concerned the aforesaid persons It is also written by our men saith he and of the Heathen Historiographers themselves the Miracle is mentioned but not expresly to proceed from our men yet our Writers saith he as Friends and Favourers of the true Doctrine have delivered it simply and plainly as in deed it was done whereof saith he Apolinarius is a Witness of credit who reporteth that this Legion by whose Prayers this Miracle came to pass was from that time forth called by the Emperor in the Roman Tongue after a peculiar The Emperor calls them the Lightning or Thundering Legion Name the Lightning Legion or Thundering as some interpret it Tertullian also saith he a man worthy of Credit dedicated an Apology in the Roman Tongue unto the Roman Senate in the defence of our Faith whereof saith he we mentioned before hath confirmed this History with a mightier and more manifest proof for he writeth saith Marc. Aurel. himself records it he that the most prudent Epistles of Marcus that is the Emperor aforesaid are yet extant that is in Tertullians time that thus wrote wherein he himself testifies that wâ—rring with the Germans his Army well nigh perished through the scarcity of Water but yet was saved through the prayers of the Christians he saith viz. Tertullian That the Emperor Tertul. in Apolog. cap. 6. and threatned them with death which accused the Christians threatned them with Death which went about to accuse them Unto the aforesaid things he addeth What manner of Laws are these against us Impious unjust cruel which neither Vespasian observed although Conquerer of the Jews which Trajan partly frustrated commanding the Inquisition of the Christians to cease which neither Adrianus although busiing himself with every matter neither he which is called Pâ—us confirmed And under Comodus the Emperor who succeeded Verus the rage of the Gentiles saith Eusebius was mittigated
Commodus ceases Anno. 182. Euseb lib. 5. cap. 10. The Persecution under Verus who succeeded Verus towards us so that peace was granted through the Grace of God unto the Universal Church throughout the World and the Heavenly Doctrine led the mind saith he of all mortal men to the embracing of the true Religion of the only and Universal God so that many of the Nobles of Rome drew near Many Nobles and others embrace the Christian Faith to their Souls Health and Salvation together with their whole Houses and Families Yet Apollonius a man saith Eusebius Yet Apollonius confessing himself a Christian before the Senate upon the importunity of the Judge among the Faithful at that time for Learning and Philosophy very famous was brought before the Tribunal Seat who exhibiting before the Senate in the presence of them all a notable Apology for his Faith when the Judge Perennius had earnestly and with many words intreated him after he had though the Legs of him that accused him were broken according to the Law yet sentenced his Legs to be broken who accused him according to the Decree of the Emperor that the Accusers of the Christians should die the death to render an account of his Faith before the Senate on purpose to entrap him by decree of the Senate he was beheaded was beheaded The antient decree of the Senate being of force and prevailing among them viz. that the Christians that were once presented before the Tribunal Seat and not revoking their Opinion should no more be set at liberty As the same Eusebius in the same Chapter word for word at large rehearseth Severus was the fifth upon whose Theatre of Blood is placed the fifth Severus raised Anno. 204. the fifth Persecution Persecution He succeeded Didius Julianus who succeeded Pertinax whose Reigns are said to be short Pertinax two months and two and twenty dayes Didius Julianus called also Salvius two months Comodus having reigned thirteen years before them both This Severus was most severe as is his Name and a wicked Persecutor An account of him his cruelty and wickedness and caused multitudes of rare men in their day and others to be most cruelly tormented and put to death the matter is long to be particular therein and the particular sufferings I may say hardly to be reckoned Therefore minding brevity so far as well I can and reach the intent of what I am about I shall give a touch or two of what then hapned for the satisfaction of the Reader and to give some sence of what then was suffered When Severus persecuted the Church of God saith Eusebius there were Euseb l. 6. c 1. Eusebius his account of the Persecution every where famous Martyrdoms of such as strove for godliness but especially at Alexandria whither chosen Champions out of Egypt and all Thebay as unto a most notable Theatre of God were brought and after a most patient sufferance of sundry Torments and divers kinds of death were crowned with Garlands of Immortality Leonides the Father of Origen Leonides Origens Father beheaded was one who was here beheaded Severus having governed the Empire ten years and Laetus Alexandria and the rest of Egypt and Demetrius after Julianus had newly taken upon him the oversight of the Congregation there Origen also when the heat of persecution was very vehement and an infinite Origens friendliness to the Martyrs Euseb l. 6. c 2. number as saith the Historian were Crowned with Martyrdom being yet very young bore in his mind a fervent desire of Martyrdom so that he hazarded himself often and coveted voluntarily to thrust himself into that dangerous Combate yea narrowly did he escape for it had cost him his life had not the Divine and Celestial Providence of God saith the History stayed him by reason of his Mother to the further commodity and profit of many he then being able to do no other thing wrote to his Father in Prison being more prompt in mind then ripe in years as the History saith in the which he exhorted him thus O Father faint not nor imagine amiss because His prompting his Father to Martyrdō of us Under Aquila Lievtenant of Alexandria he purchased unto himself a good Opinion among all the faithful in that he chearfully embraced all the Martyrs not onely of his acquaintance but such as were to him unknown he visited not only such as were fettered in deep Dungeons and close His visiting the Prisoners and attending them to execution Imprisonment neither only such as looked for the last Sentence for Execution but after Judgment given and Sentence pronounced he was present with the Martyrs boldly attending them to the place of Execution putting himself in great peril oftentimes boldly embracing and kissing and saluting them so that once the furious rage of the fond multitude had stoned him to death if that the Divine Power saith the Historian had not marvellously delivered him so extreamly it is said he was dealth withal by the Infidels that Souldiers were commanded to watch about his House because of the multitude that came to be instructed by him in the Christian Faith Plutarch was one of Cap. 3. Plutarch Serenus Heraclides Heron Serenus 2d all his scholars Martyred his Scholars whom he accompanied to the place of Execution not without great danger of his life Serenus was the next of his Disciples that gave proof of his Faith by fire for he was burned alive being said to be the second Martyr Heraclides was the third out of that School The fourth was Heron both of which were beheaded Another Serenus was a fifth Champion for the Truth out of the same School who after patience in great torments and grievous pain was beheaded And Phais a Woman was Phais burned Cap. 4. Basilides a Souldier Potomiena burned alive and departed this life Basilides a Souldier which led forth the renowned Virgin Potomiaena to execution was a seventh Potomiaena is said for the chastity of her Body and purity of Mind to strive very stoutly with her Lovers She is also said to be endued with ripeness of Mind and goodly beauty of Body When she had suffered infinitely as the Historian saith for the Faith of Christ last of all after great and grievous torments terrible to be spoken of together with her Mother Marcilla she was Marcilla Martyred burned with fire and consumed to Ashes the report goeth saith the History that Aquila the Judge commanded her whole Body to be scourged over and that very sore and threatned her he would deliver her Body shamefully to be abused of Fencers and Ruffians and that after she had mused a while with her self and they demanded an Answer to have said such things as pleased not the Gentiles and therefore immediately after sentence pronounced to have been taken and led of Basilides a Souldier of Authority among the Hoast to execution when the multitude molested her sore spightfully handling
her with opprobrious terms Basilides rebuked and reproved their railing speeches pittying her very much and practised great courtesie towards her She answered to his kindness and had some communication with him immediately after which Pitch scalding hot was poured by little and little over all her body as saith the History from the Crown of her Head to the Soal of her Foot the which she is said manfully to endure in the Lord and such was the sore combate she sustained As for Basilides of whom I spake not long after Basilides refused to swear he was required to swear by his fellow Souldiers for some occasion or other to which he affirmed plainly That it was not lawful for him to Swear for he said he was a Christian and that he would in very deed protest the same At first he was thought to dally as saith the History but when he constantly avouched it he was brought before the Judge and there having confessed the same he is clapt in Prison and afterwards beheaded and so suffered Martyrdom is beheaded Maximinus was the sixth whose progress in blood and cruelty made Anno. 237. Euseb l. 6. c. 14 Maximinus raised the 6th Persecution up the sixth persecution for Severus reigned eighteen years and dyed at York in England in whom the fifth Persecution went out and was extinguished After him Antoninus Caracalla was Emperor in the year 213. he reigned seven years and six months Marcinus succeeded Caracalla and died in the first year of his Reign being in the year 220. Antoninus Heliogabalus in the year 221. took the Imperial Scepter four years and he dying Alexander was Emperor Anno. 224. whom after thirteen years the space of his Reign Maximinus aforesaid succeeded of whom and the Persecution thus saith the Historian After that the Emperor Alexander had Reigned the space of thirteen An account of him his Persecution the ground thereof He ordered onely the Governors of Churches to be put to death years Maximinus Caesar succeeded him who being incensed with the anger spite and grudge he bare unto the House of Alexander which harboured many of the Faithful he stirred up the fiery flame of Persecution and gave Commandment that the Governours onely of the Churches as principal Authors of the Doctrine of our Saviour should be put to death but his Reign was short for he continued but three years though as to those who cruelly suffered under his Persecution as men may judge it was very long Decius was the seventh who mounted the bloody Throne which made Anno. 254. Euseb l. 6. c. 38 Decius forced the seventh Persecution the ground of his persecution up the seventh Persecution for after Maximinius succeeded Gordianus in the year 240. who reigned six years Philip succeeded him in the year 246. who is said to be the first Christian Emperor who reigned seven years whom Decius succeeded as aforesaid who as Maximinus upon his grudge and spite to Alexander so this to the House of Philip raised Persecution in which Fabianus Bishop of Rome was Martyrd also Fabianus Bish of Rome Martyred and Alexander Bishop of Jerusalem Alexander Bishop of Jerusalem after he had the second time endured confession for Christs sake as the History saith before the Tribunal Seat of the President of Cesaria was cast into Prison where after a famous and notable testimony of his true Faith given before the Judgment Seat of the Lievtenant he is said to end this mortal life Origen also sustained Origen suffered much for the Doctrine of Christ Imprisonments and torments of Body scourging at Iron Stakes stench of close Prison his feet stretched four spaces asunder in the Stocks for the space of many dayes and endured the threats of fire and all the enemy could terrifie him with the Judge used all the means possible to save his life It will not be amiss if as in the former I give a little further touch of the cruelty of this Persecution in the Description thereof by Dionisius then Bishop of Alexandria and Fabius Bishop of Antioch in these words This Persecution was not begun by the Emperors Edict but Cap. 40. The Persecution began at Alexandria by means of a Southsayer who perswaded one whole year before for there came unto this City a certain Southsayer and inventer of mischief who moved and stirred up the whole multitude of the Heathen against us and excited them to defend the superstition of their Native Soyl by whom they being thus provoked and having won to their side such as were in That the onely Worship of Devils and the slaughter of the Christians was Piety it self Power and Authority to perpetrate all impious Acts they perswaded themselves that the onely Worship of Devils and our slaughter was piety it self First Then they apprehend a certain Minister whose name was Metras and command him to utter Metras a Minister beaten with Clubs his face and eyes pricked with sharp Quills stoned to death blasphemy who for his disobedience therein is beaten with Clubs his face and eyes they pricked with sharp quils afterwards they led him forth into the Suburbs of the City and stoned him to death Again they bring into the Temple of Idols a faithful Woman named Quinta and constrained her to Worship who Quinta trailed along the streets contrarying and abhoring their Idols had her feet bound together and by them trailed and lugged all along the streets which were paved with sharp stones and withal being beaten against Beaten against Mill-stones Millstones and sore scourged she was brought forth to the place of Execution and executed which being done they all with one Sore scourged and executed Christians houses run inâ—o rifled the best taken accord run into the houses of the Religious and every one of the wicked leadeth the heady multitude unto their Neighbours houses whom they knew to be godly and well-disposed and they destroy spoyl steal and bear away the precious Jewels The rest thrown out burned as in times of Warr. but the vile and the base and the wooden stuff they threw out into the street and burn it to Ashes shewing forth thereby the resemblance or spectacle of a City taken and ransacked by the Enemy but the Brethren gave back and drew themselves aside taking in good part and very chearfully the loss of their goods They take all patiently much like unto them of whom Paul hath testified neither do I remember any one onely excepted of them which were apprehended unto this day that denyed the Lord. Furthermore they Apollonia's cheeks beat her teeth knockt out laid hold on the elderly and renowned Virgin Apollonia they beat her cheeks and knockt out all the teeth in her head over against the City they prepare a Pile and threaten to burn her quick unless she would together with them utter blasphemy but she lingring a little while as if she would take further deliberation suddenly
and cut off every way with the most cruel and detestable sufferings and trampled under foot as if they were not fit to live among men or as Beasts of prey were made to be destroyed they were accounted eminent and honourable and had to doing in the mannagement of publick Affairs and in the very Emperors Pallaces were the men of account and trust they degenerated from the natural Rule of Piety as are the Historians own words and his honest and right observation and after The Historians account of the cause as among the Christians of the Persecutions that one pursued another with open contumely and hatred as he goes on and speaks and when saith he we impugned our selves by no other than our selves with the Armour spite and sharp Spears of opprobious words so that Bishops against Bishops and People against People raised Sedition Last of all when that saith he cursed hypocresie and dissimulation had swom even to the brim of malice the heavy hand of Gods high Judgment after his wonted manner whilst as yet saith he the Ecclesiastical Companies assembled themselves nevertheless began softly by a little and a little to visit us so that the Persecution that was raised against us took his first Original from the Brethren which were under Vecturius the Captain aforesaid persecuted the Souldiers in Camp Banner in Camp when as saith he we were touched with no manner of sence or feeling thereof neither went about to pacifie God we heaped sin upon sin thinking like careless Epicures that God neither cared nor would visit our sins and they who seemed our Shepherds saith he Anno. 301. And lamentation oâ—er the divisions of the Christians and the consequences of them Lam. 2. laying aside the Rule of Piety practised Contention and Schism among themselves and whilst they aggravated these things that is contentions threatnings mutual hatred and enmity and every one proceeded in ambition much like Tiranny it self I say saith he then the Lord according to the saying of Jeremiah made the Daughter of Sion obscure and overthrew from above the glory of Israel and remembred not his footsteps in the day of his wrath the Lord hath drowned all the beauty of Israel and overthrown all his strong holds and according to the prophesies in the Psal 87. Psalms He hath overthrown and broken the Covenant of his Servant and prophained his Sanctuary casting it on the ground by the overthrow of his Churches he hath broken down all his Walls he hath laid all his Fortresses in ruine All they that passed by spoiled him and therefore he is become a rebuke unto his Neighbours for he lifted up the right hand of his enemies and turned the edge of his Sword and aided him not in the time of Battle but caused his Dignity to decay and cast his Throne down to the ground the dayes of his Youth he shortned and above all this he covered him with shame I have repeated this his words at large for example sake that the The use of it as to England consequence of such things may be avoided by the avoiding of such things as these and that it may be taken notice of that the Lord hath a correction in suffering such dayes as these to come for them that go astray as he hath judgment for his Enemies who work such things and seek to set up their Dominion over his Principality who lives for ever who will needs prescribe to his Worship and make Laws how he or rather themselves as I have shewed shall be worshipped and destroy and cause to suffer such as cannot fall down and worship the Laws they make and the Images they set up It would require a Volumn if I should go through these things also as in observation of what History affords in this particular even of those very Christians and what they suffered as the ends of this Emperor Maxentius and Lucinnius who rose up in the dayes of Constantine Son to Constantius of whom I have by and by to treat and the general end that then became of those Persecutions when Maximinus was dead and Lycinnius also and Constantine came also to be Emperor alone who being a Christian and a wise and mighty Prince struck all those cruelties and death under foot and gave peace unto all it being also something besides my purpose to notifie those divisions that as peace and rest came rose up among them further then what I have observed already what was among them then when they had no power that which followed in the dayes of Constantine and after serving to my intent herein and of which I shall speak when as I come to shew how that when the Christians came to impose Faiths or National Worships one upon another as did the Heathens to them to gather for their National Worship or Gods of which I have treated and through all to prove the truth of what I have laid down concerning these things and the consequences of all Religions Professions Worships that are not from Spirit and Truth but stand in the contrary Before I come unto which it will be necessary seeing that I have hitherto kept along with the History that I go along in order and give something to be understood of the Persecution which yet the Christians sustained after the death of Dioclesian and Maximinianuâ— aforesaid which is reckoned the tenth Persecution and of this Mâ—â—iminus after his Edict of Liberty to the Christians of which I have made mention Constantius ending his dayes in Quietness and Peace being Emperor Constantius dies in peace Anno. 311. Euseb lib. 8. cap. 14. Constantine proclaimed full Emperor by the Army alone in the presence of his natural Son Constantine who was proclaimed full Emperor and Caesar by the Army being a follower of his Fathers Piety as the Historian observes in Christian Religion and such a one saith he was he But Lycinnius whilst these things were a doing for Constantius died at York in Lycinnius also created Emperor England in the year 310. by common consent of the Potentates as he calls them was also created Emperor and Augustus This grieved Maximinus very sore who unto that time was alone called Maximinus grieved thereat invades their Jurisdictions intitles himself Augustus is attainted of Treason against Constantime deposed aspires again dies a shameful death Caesar of all men who also being Tirannically disposed violently of his own mind invaded the Empire intituled himself Augustus but being attainted of Treason and found to have conspired the death of Constantine and after deposition to have aspired again after the Emperial Scepter died a most shameful death His Son Maxentius which exercised Tiranny at Rome as saith Cap. 15. Maxentius his Son at first dissembles with the Christians at Rome commands Persecution to cease proves afterwards otherwise than he pretended the Historian in the beginning of his Reign dissembled with the Christian Faith egregiously and creeping into credit by flattering the
his wickedness The Edicts for Persecution and the Decrees of Cities were Cap. 7. A new practise engraving the Edicts of persecution in brass and nailing them to Posts engraven which never were seen before saith the History on brazen Tables and nailed up that so of all they might be seen and none might miss his oppertunity in persecuting the Christians this was the new practise of which I have intimated The Edict or Rescript is as followeth At length the weak resistance A Copy of part of one of the Edicts of Persecution of mans mind laying aside and scattering all obscurity and mist of error which hitherto possessed their Wits as well of the impious and miserable men wrapped in the pernicious darkness of ignorance hath been able to discern that the same is governed by the providence of the immortal Gods imbracing goodness which thing may not be expressed how acceptable how pleasing how greatful it was unto us and how great a tryal it shewed of your godly will when as also aforetime every man knew your disposed diligence and piety towards the immortal Gods whose faith is made manifest not by naked and fruitless words but by firm and wonderful works wherefore your City may justly be called the Seat of the Immortal Gods and by many These were the Tyrants whom he commendeth for their superstition and persecuting the Châ—istians examples it is apparent how she flourisheth having the Caelestial Gods present with her For behold your City laying aside all the things which especially concerned her and despising the things which chiefly should be sought for her Wealth when as she perceived that cursed vanity again to creep and like contemned and covered sparks of fire by blowing again to send forth mighty flames immediately without further deliberation you having recourse unto our Grace as unto the Metropolitan of all Divine Worship have made supplication for remedy and aid the which sound mind it is manifest the Gods for your trusty service have ingrafted in you He therefore I mean the most high and mighty Jove who ☞ ruleth your most renowned City to the end that he might deliver your Countrey Gods your Wives your Children your houshold Goods and Houses from all corruption hath inspired your minds with this wholesom counsel shewing and declaring how excellent and notable a thing it is to imbrace the Religion and Sacred Service of the Immortal Gods with due Worship who may be found so bereaved of all his Wits which cannot understand this thing to happen to us by the favourable care of the Gods that neither the Earth denyeth the Seed she receiveth frustrating the hope of the Husbandman by vain expectation neither is that shew of wicked War on Earth strengthened without offence neither doth the noysome temperature of the Earth despatch with death the corrupt bodies neither is the Sea swoln with intemperate Winds overflown the Banks neither do the Storms which fall down stir up pernicious Tempests neither is the Earth which is fosterer and Mother of all drowned in her own bottomless Gulfs by terrible Earthquakes neither the Mountains setled on Earth swallowed up by rending of the Earth asunder All which evils yea greater than those who knoweth not often to have hapned heretofore Yet all these things came to pass because of the meer folly of those wicked men whereas that shameful spot overshadows their minds and well-nigh as I may so say prevailed every where let them behold the wide and broad Field the flourishing Corn and overflowing Ears the pleasant Meadows cloathed with Herbs and Flowers moistened with showers from Heaven and the Weather become temperate and calm again let all rejoyce because the might of the most Potent and sturdy Mars is pacified through your Service Sacrifice and Worship let them rejoyce because that therefore constantly we enjoy quiet peace and as many as left that blind error and returned unto the right and best mind may the rather be glad for that they are delivered from that sudden storm and grievous Disease and henceforth attained unto the sweetness of a pleasant life But if they persist in that execrable vanity our Will and Pleasure is according to your request That they be severed and banished far from your City and the bordering Regions that your City by this means after your laudable industry being made free from all impurity may busily occupie her self according to her disposed mind in offering up Sacrifices with due honour of the Immortal Gods And that you may thorowly understand how graceful your request in this behalf hath been unto us yea without intreaty or great suit our most prompt mind to promote good endeavours hath voluntarily granted unto your devotion That what gift soever of our bountifulness ye list ye crave it of us in consideration of this your godly purpose And that this thing may be accomplished forthwith ask and have which being done shall be a perpetual testimony unto your City of piety towards the Immortal Gods and shall be a proof unto your Sons and Posterity how that you have been worthily rewarded by our goodness for this your desire to lead a right life This is the Copy of so much of the Edict which concerns this matter The intent of quoting the Copy of the Edict I have in hand which I was willing to insert the rather because all may see here as in a Looking-Glass how the Heathen judged of the Christians and how the most detestable bloodsheds and torments exercised against them are accounted the best devotions and the indulgence of God extended to the Empire whilst there was a little release of the Christians sufferings in the times and seasons and freedom from Plague Invasion and other miseries is attributed to their beginning again to embrue their hands in the blood of the Christians And how acceptable such Sacrifices of blood are to those in power who would have their blood to be sacrificed forthwith ask and have all shall be accomplished Thus of the new Practise and the Edict now of the Consequence The consequence thereof from the Hand of the Lord and his terrible Judgments It is true these things being nailed to Pillars throughout every Province they bereaved the Christians of all hopes of better success as much as lay in man so that well-nigh saith the Historian according to the Divine saying of Christ The Elect themselves if it could be possible had been offended at these things But when as in a manner the hope of many lay for dead immediately saith he whilst they were yet in their Journey which were authorized in certain places to publish the aforesaid Edict God the Defender of his Church saith he for his words are good and pertinent and I may well use them not only resisted the insolent outrage of this Tyrant but shewed unto the World his Coelestial Aid in our behalf for showrs and Rain in Winter Season ceased from The Rain withheld Famine ensued Then
purpose gathers together great Forces and at length being drawn forth somewhat from the City of Rome near unto which Constantine Maxentius and many of his Souldiers fighting with Constantine are sunk in the River Tiberis had approached having overcome a good part of Italy he was totally overthrown first himself then his Guard sinking as Lead into the deep Waters through the falling of a Bridge of Boats that he had caused to be made over the River Tiberis for the passage of his Souldiers so that he was utterly foiled and overcome And as for Maximinus his end was not long after for Anno. 318. Dioclesian died about the same time Cap. 10. Maximinus overthrown by Licinnius under great ignomy slayes his Priests and Inchanters Ordains liberty to the Christians he waged Battle with Lycinnius that was Emperor with Constantine was overcome also and forced to fly he slew many Priests and Prophets of their gods being strucken with rage and madness and made subject to most vile shame and reproach as Inchanters and Deceivers which had villanously betrayed his Person by the procurement and trust of whose Oracles he had gone forth and waged Battle And as for the Christians after he had glorified the God of the Christians he ordained a most perfect and absolute Decree in behalf of their liberty as he had upon the Letters of Constantine and Licinnius after the overthrow of Maxentius wrote something before but this served not his turn for he had been an old dissembler as well as a bloody persecutor driving up and down as I have given instance so that as the They trust him not Christians trusted him not notwithstanding his Edict upon the Letters from the Emperor who had dealt so contrary with them before for neither gathered they a Synod nor medled with publick Affairs neither did the Lord who releasing him of his former Neither did the Lord. extremity upon his bowing by affliction and freeing the Christians which he revearsed and persecuted again thereupon now give him any release but notwithstanding he was made to confess and give glory to him whom he had ran against yet his measure being full now cut him off so he died not as Captains in War saith the Historian who fighting manfully in Battle for their Countrey for Virtue and their Friends are commonly wont to endure couragiously a glorious death but like an impious person and a Rebel against God his Army as yet lying in the Who whilst he lay in secret his Army being in the field smote him with an incurable Plague Field and he tarrying at home and in secret he suffereth due punishment being stricken with a sudden Plague of God over all his Body so that he was vexed with great torments and griefs pined away with hunger fell down from his Bed his flesh altogether wasted by invisible fire sent from above so that it consumed dropped away and lost all the fashion of the old form whereas there remained nothing unto him save only the bare bones like a painted Image dried up of a long time Neither did the beholders Which after most grievous torments and unheard of take his body for other than the Sepulchre of the Soul buried in a body that was now dead and altogether consumed when as yet he burned more vehemently than the boyling Baths are wont out of the inward Closets of the Marrow his eyes leapt forth and passing their bounds left him blind but he breathing as yet And his confession to the Lord that he suffered justly in the torments making his confession to the Lord called for death and at length confessing himself to have suffered these things justly and instead of revengement for the madness he presumed and practised against Christ Jesus gave up the Ghost Gave up the Ghost Thus ended Maximinus and thus ended Maxentius and so let all The end of both these Tyrants The persecution of Lycinnius thine enemies O God perish And thus ended the fierce persecutions of the Christians from the Heathen onely Lycinnius gave now and then some overtures but he being laid aside through some workings against Constantine the persecutions had a full end and the Christians as from the Heathen had rest from persecution though from themselves and as doing that unto one another which the Heathens exercised towards them what I have to say yet giveth instance So I proceed in the particular of the Christians to give particulars to this first thing laid down by me viz. National Worships Creeds or confessions of Faith Laws or Doctrine and Government concerning Religion enforced by men what it hath produced in the World as it is in enmity unto God unto the Religion the Worship of him which is in Spirit and in Truth And here I shall gather up matters as narrowly as I can and yet bear The 〈◊〉 praeludiu◠〈◊〉 the followâ—â—g matter the intent and drift of this Discourse to what I have proposed which I suppose will not be unprofitable seeing that on this very foot what hath been the consumption of multitudes of thousands in the former dayes is the present sufferings in this of such who being come to Spirit and Truth cannot conform to the Worship either on this Mountain or at Jerusalem as was said in the beginning And so I come to this second Particular and therein to the close of this Head which I hope will not seem large to the sensible and men of understanding seeing that the end and drift of what I have said and have yet to say is in a matter of highest importance viz. the Worship of God and to the present case as to imposition in relation to Worship And here as I said before I shall mind no affected Stile or to please the ears of men but as I shall receive by that which leads into all truth so I shall communicate the counsel that shall be with me in this matter No sooner were the Tyrants cut off and throughout the whole Empire Anno. 330. The Heathen persecution ceasing the Christians fall a persecuting one another of Rome Peace and Quietness was setled to the Christians by the means of Constantine and Lycinnius who married with his Sister whom he made Emperor with him who as yet had attempted nothing against the Christians and the Heathen persecutions on all hands laid aside but difference began to arise among the Christians as it had done before as I have intimated which produced the last persecution of which I gave former instance and they who joyntly and together withstood the force of the Heathenish persecution came now to be at variance and at length to do the same things one to another as the Heathen had done unto them together The difference began among themselves for having all quiet in the When all things weâ—e quiet in the Empire and Empire through the wonderful working of the Lord who thought it fit to give a little rest after their sore
gives the Relation Here they were all mistaken for the Council or Synod which A Judgement upon both the Council and Arius their Opinions held the clause of the Sons being of one Substance with the Father speak they did not know what who judged of the Son according to a Carnal Generation who is God from everlasting And Arius with those who opposed it with him who concluded therehence that he was not God as in effect what both parties hold do speak both which things should have been let alone but the medling with them made this jar and contention the evil consequence of which is hereafter to be related The Decree of this Synod by a Solemn Epistle is sent unto Cap. 6. The Synods Decrees sent about by Epistles the Churches throughout Egypt Libia and Pentapolis wherein not only this concerning Arius but the difference concerning Easter hath a determination and Constantine also writes to the Constantine writes also to Alexandria Calls the Decree of the Synod the Sentence of God and instinct of the Holy Ghost Church at Alexandria and otherwhere concerning the matter wherein he calls the censure of this Assembly or the decree of this Synod the Sentence of God himself neither doubted he that so great a company of Bishops was united and linked together in one Opinion and one mind but by the motion and instinct of the Holy Ghost Notwithstanding Sabinus who was tearmed Sabinus Ringleader of the Macedonian Heresie opposes them the Ringleader of the Macedonian Heresie impugned those things tearming those that met at Nice unlearned and doltish Idiots So things grew on to a height for Religion coming hereby to Religion comes now to be National be National or the Emperor siding therewith and making these Decrees as Laws there came to be an injunction and opposition Laws are made and opposition founded was founded on the other side and the Emperor commanded in his Epistle to the Bishops and Congregations throughout Christendom That if there could be found any Book or Work compiled Arius Books ordered to be burnt by Arius that the same should be burned to Ashes This also saith he we straitly command and charge that if any man be found to hide or conceal any Book made by Arius and not immediately bring The Concealers to die the death as soon as taken on them forth the said Book and deliver it up to be burned that the said offender for so doing shall die the death for as soon as he is taken our pleasure is that his Head be struken off from his Shoulders He also wrote against Arius and so the contest grew high and his Example and Laws animated the division and that which in his Letter to Alexander and Arius he reproved and said Hereby I gather All this against his own Letter to Arius and Alexander Part of his said Letter the Original ground of this controversie in that thou Alexander hast demanded of the Elders concerning a certain place of holy Scripture yea rather touching a vain piece of a question what every Opinion was as aforesaid being now become a Law and made so by him woful wreck and mischief came upon the Christian Assemblies although in that his Letter he reasoned to the contrary and said to them Cap. 4. upon the foot of the Unity Wherefore let every of you pardoning each other like of that which your fellow Minister not without cause exhorteth you unto as aforesaid And what is that That you neither object at all neither answer any Objection that concerneth such matters for such questions as no Law or Ecclesiastical Canon necessarily defineth but the fruitless contention of idle brains setteth abroad though the exercise thereof avail for the sharpning of the wit yet ought we to retain them in the inward Closet of our mind and not rashly to broach them in the publick Assembly of the vulgar people neither unadvisedly to grant the common sort the hearing thereof for how many be there that can worthily explicate and sufficiently ponder the weight of so grave so intricate so obscure a matter But if there be any such that perswadeth himself easily to compass and attain unto it how many parts are there I beseech you of the multitude whom he can sufficiently instruct therein And who is there who in sifting out so curious a question that can well pass the peril of plunging into error Wherefore in such cases we must refrain from verbal disputations lest that either we by reason of the imbecility of our Wit cannot explicate our mind either our Auditors when we teach by reason of their dull capacity cannot comprehend the curious drift of our Doctrine whereby the people of necessity either incurreth the danger either of blasphemy or the poysoned infection of discord wherefore both the rash Objection and the unadvised answer being the cause of the heretical Sect of the Arrians Eunomians and as many as favour the like folly ought each one of each other crave pardon Yet how these things came to be bruited abroad and to be made publick His actions judge his Letter and his Letter his actions and a Law made as to these things the contrary to that Law or Decree accursed Arius Books ordered to be burnt those that conceal them presently to be put to death by the sudden striking off their Head from their Shoulders what hath been said makes manifest So see Reader here an exact account of this Schism and Division A repetition of the ground of the difference The difference between the Heathen and the Christians concerning Christ in their Opinion and what was the ground and occasion thereof how it came to be broached and fostered and what made it up The difference between the Heathen and the Christians were Whether Christ was the Son of God The Heathen that held the Negative imposed what they held and put to death and made to suffer the Christians who were on the part of the Affirmative Both persecute and the Christians The Heathen being down the question among the Christians who held the Affirmative was Whether the Son of God was Eternal Arius who held the Negative and all that adhered to one another contrary to him through occasion of some niceties and Philosophical curiosities not understanding the God-head is accursed and prosecuted The others who held the Affirmative imposed what they held and so did persecute All came to be rent in a moment as it were and torn asunder pretending to the same Jesus to Christ who is not divided The Doctrine of Chrich which imposes not Religion who never imposed the Faith of him on any nor gave authority for so doing otherwise than by wayes that are Spiritual not Carnal nor did his Ministers Is Christ divided saith Paul The Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal but Spiritual mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds and every thought and imagination that exalteth it self
Concord for he would by no means communicate with he called Arians so being exiled he leads his life at Trevere in France The thirtieth year of Constantines Reign was expired while Peace ensued not among the Câ—ristians though Constantine had past thirty years of his Reign Arius returning sets Alexandria on fire The Emperor sends for him to Constantinople Thither he comes these things were a doing yet he saw no peace among rhe Christians Arius with his company returning to Alexandria set the whole City in an uproar for they were not onely distasted with the return of Arius but the banishment of Athanasius The Emperor understanding as the History saith of the perverse mind and corrupt purpose of Arius sends for him again to Constantinople to render an account of the tumult and sedition he had raised afresh The City being divided into two parts one for the Nicene Creed the other for Arius Alexander then governed the Alexander Bishop of Constantinople holds disputation with him He layes aside quirks of Logick and seeks by Prayer to overcome Church who a little before succeeded Metrophanes in the Bishoprick of Constantinople held disputation with Arius and laying aside the quirks of Logick is said with continual Fasting and Prayer and Tears many dayes and nights to have fled for aid to the Lord and on his bare knees before the Communion Table called also the Altar of â—â—e Church called Peace having lock't himself in to have besought the Lord in these words Grant I beseech thee O Lord that if the Opinion of Arius be true His Prayer and his Obtestation therein concerning him and Arius as to the determination of the matter The Emperor demands of Arius to sign the Nicene Creed He doth it He puts him to his Oath He swears to it by Equivocation The Equivocation The Emperor requires Alexander to receive him into Communion I my self may never see the end of this set Disputation but if the Faith I hold be true that Arius the Author of all this mischief may receive due punishment for his impious desert Arius being come to Constantinople the Emperor demands of Arius to sign the Nicene Creed he subscribes it chearfully he puts him to his Oath he swears it also his juggle is said to be this he wrote his own Opinion in a piece of Paper the same he carried under his arm in his bosome coming to the Book he takes his Oath That he verily believed as he had written The Emperor believing he had dealt plainly commanded Alexander Bishop of Constantinople to receive him to the Communion It was on a Saturday saith the History the day after Arius looked to be received into the Church and Communion of the Faithful but vengeance saith it lighted forthwith upon his lewd and bold Vengeance overtakes Arius enterprises when he had his leave and departed out of the Emperors Hall he passed through the midst of the City with great pomp and pontificiality compassed and attended with the Faction and Train of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia that waited upon him as soon as he came nigh Constantines Market for so was the He is taken ill suddenly in the street place called where there stood a Pillar of Red Marble sudden feat saith the History of the heinous faults he had committed took Arius and withal he felt a great lask Sirs saith Arius is there any draught or jakes nigh When they told him there was one in the back side of Constantines Market he got him thither strait then he was taken with faintness and together with his excrements he voideth his Guts a great stream of blood followeth after the slender and small bowels slide out blood together with the Spleen and Liver gushed out and immediately he dieth And dieth miserable and with a remarkable hand of Judgment like a Dog saith the History And the Jakes was then to be seen when the History was wrote and that Passengers were wont as they went by to point their fingers thereat in remembrance of the miserable end of Arius Which saith the History being done terror and astonishment amazed the mind of Eusebius His followers are amazed The Emperor cleaves the more to the Nicene Creed as confirmed as he said Cap 26 by the testimony of God himself The Emperor falls sick the next year makes his Will trusts the Priest therewith that perswaded him to tenderness to Arius and dies his Confederates that followed him And that the Emperor clave the more unto the Christian Religion and said that the Nicene Creed was ratified and confirmed to be true by the testimony of God himself and rejoyced exceedingly at the things which then came to pass The next year being the 65th of his Age he sailed to Helenopolis for his healths sake where his sickness more and more encreased he got him strait to Nicomedia where after a certain time he was baptised in which he is said to have greatly rejoyced made his last Will and Testament wherein he had appointed his three Sons their particular Inheritances trusteth the Priest which was the occasion of Arius his return from exile as aforesaid with charge to the Priest to deliver it into no mans hands but to his Son Constantius whom he had made Emperor of the East and died having reigned one and thirty years Yet neither with Arius nor the death of Constantine was there Anno. 348. Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 2. Discord ends not with Constantine nor Arius Constantius Constantines Son leans to the Arians by means of the Priest that Constantine entrusted his Will withal who also brought Arius in respect with Constantine an end of the troublesome discord that was among the Christians For the Priest aforesaid unto whose charge Constantine committed the trust of his last Will and Testament having possessed Constantius therewith and with the Arian Heresie as it was called and Constantius being pleased therewith as he was with the disposition of his Father to him of the Government of the East that Opinion came to vent it self again and to bear head for it had entred into the Empress and the Chamberlains and the Emperors Guards and every where almost as the History relates it the Opinion had entrance and controversies throughout the East and plain questions would not serve the turn but open contention tumult and stir but in the West in Illyrium and other Countries Contention tumults stirs grew high thereabouts The Western parts clear they held to the Nicene Council or the Faith as it was called of one Substance which by no means they would suffer to be abbrogated And Eusebius of Nicomedia waited for an opportunity through these tumults when some or other should be put into the place of Athanasius to accomplish his purpose there But Athanasius once more goes to Alexandria upon Constantine the youngers Letters through means of Constantine the youngers Letters who was also Caesar who governed the Western Parts which he wrote to Alexandria
Souldiers practices were exercised at Alexandria by Georgius the called Arrian who was there himself and felt part of the lamentable affliction There came saith he certain people that sought us out to execution so that the ending was far worse then the beginning the Souldiers unawares beset the Church instead of devout service of God they take in hand desperate Swords Then Georgius that was sent by them from Cappadocia coming in Lent time added unto his own of the lewd practices which he learned of them after that the Easter week was over the Virgins began to be clapt in Prison the The Virgins clapt in Prison The Bishops bound and led by Souldiers The Fatherless and Widows dispossessed Families rifled Peâ—sons trailed Doors nailed up Bishops were bound and led by Bands of Souldiers the Fatherless and Widows were dispossessed of their Houses the Families were rifled the Christians were violently trailed and lugged out of their Houses their doors were nailed up the Clergy mens Brethren were in great danger of their lives for their Brethren sake These things seemed very grievous but the afterclaps were far worse the week after Whitsuntide the people did fast they got them therefore into the Churchyard to pray because they all abborred the Communion of Georgius but Beset in their Church-yards by a Troop of Souldieâ—s when this passing lewd man understood of it be stirred up against them one Sebasteanus a Captain which also was a Manichee he forthwith together with a great Troop of Souldiers all in Armour having naked Swords in their hands Bows and Arrows prepared ran upon the The people ran upon people as they were praying on the Sunday When he found there but a few for the hour being past the greater part was gone away he committed such heinous acts as became very well his person He set on fire a great company of Faggots he made the Virgins to stand The Virgins made to stand near to a burning flame nigh the burning flame he went about to constrain them to confess the Arrian Faith but when he perceived they would not yeeld and that they despised the burning heat of that horrible fire he stripped them Then stripped naked and beaten because they would not recant Forty scourged with twigs of Palm Trees newly gathered The terribleness of that new torment stark naked he buffeted them about the head and face so that of a long while after they were scarce known of their own Friends Moreover he took forty persons and plagued them with a new kind of Torment never heard of before their backs and sides were so scorched and rent with Palm Twigs newly pluckt off the Trees having on their pricking knobs that divers because of the stumps that stuck in the flesh of their backs were constrained oftentimes to repair unto Chyrurgions other some not able to endure such terrible pain died of their Wounds As many of the men as remained yet alive together The remainder alive of Men and Virgins banished The bodies of the dead not suffered to be buried with the Virgins were exiled and led by the Souldiers to Oasis The dead Carkasses not yet fully cold were denied the Friends of the deceased being thrown here and there and lying unburied for that liked them best the Souldiers hid them as if they had not been faulty in committing such horrible crimes this did they having their minds overshadowed with frantick Heresie And when as the dear Friends and Familiars of the dead rejoyced at the bold protestation of their Faith yet sorrowed because their Carkasses were not covered with earth the savage impiety and beastly cruelty of the Souldiers revealed it self with a greater shame and infamy Moreover they banish forthwith certain Bishops of Egypt and Libia viz. sixteen Sixteen Bishops banished of Egypt and Libia whose names he reckons up these being bereaved of their native Soyl they handled so roughly that some of them died by the way some other in exile never returning again They put to death above thirty Thirty Bishops put to death Bishops they followed the steps of the wicked Achab employing all their care and industry for the rooting out of the Truth from the face of the Earth Thus far Athanasius The Emperor with his Army came to Illyrium where Bretanion Constantius with his Army comes to Illyrium Bretanion he parly The Souldiers brought over from Bretanion to Constantius was proclaimed Emperor as soon as he came to Syrmium Truce being made they came to Parly in which time Constantius endeavoured to win over the Souldiers that had proclaimed Bretanion who refused him for their Emperor which being done they proclaimed Constantius alone both their Augustus their King They proclaim Constantius Emperor and Emperor Bretanton seeing himself betrayed for there was no mention of his Name in the Proclamation fell down prostrate at Constantius feet and craved for mercy Constantius taking from Bretanion begs mercy him his Princely Robe and Scepter lifted him up by the hand very courteously and exhorted him to live a peaceable and quiet life as a private man saying further That it was fitter for such an old man as he was to embrace a trade of life that were free from all He sends him into â— private life bâ—aâ—s his charge trouble than to gape after a vain title of Honour full of disquietness and molestation Constantius commanded all charges to be born him out of the Publick and wrote him several Letters to Prousa a City in Bythinia where he made his abode signifying Writes to him blames his unadvisedness that he had not given himself that liberty which he had done to another viz. to live privately what singular pleasure he had done him in ridding him from cares and troubles shewing also what misery oft-times befalls to Reign and Government and that for his own part he had done unadvisedly in not giving to himself that which he granted to another These things being finished Constantius made Gallus his Cozen Cap. 24. Gallus made Caesar by Constantius and sent into the East Other Captains against Magnentius He remains at Sirmium German Caesar sent him to Antioch in Syria to keep those parts of the Empire which lay in the East Other Captains he sent with great power against Magnentius himself remaining at Syrmium where Photinus aforesaid being Superintendant of that Church having broached an Opinion as hath been declared That the Son of God was only man About which there was a great tumult and much trouble arose he summoned a Council thither who Anno. 355. Has a Council there and deposes Photinus deposed Photinus It was held in the year 355. And then another form of Faith was agreed on And because there was great contention about the understanding of the Word which the Latines call Substantia and the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the equality The word Substance put out of the Creed or as they call it
the Unity of Substance They decreed That thenceforth the controversie should not once be remembred That the Church of God should no longer be troubled with the Interpretation thereof and that for two causes First Because the Scriptures of The Causes thereof God made no mention thereof Next Because the Interpretation thereof exceeded the sence and capacity of man for the Holy Scriptures testifie that no man was able to set forth the Generation of the Son in these words His Generation who shall be able to declare Isa 53. Much more is rehearsed as the Ground or Reason of their leaving Observations thereupon out that clause of one Substance about which such tumults and divisions had been raised so much blood spilt and torments exercised even Christian by Christian and other grievous sufferings already rehearsed which having wearied themselves with whether it were this or that in signification they will have it left out and no more remembred judging themselves as having erred from Scripture in the thing which had no such word and in medling with that or to give account of that which none can declare and so as intruding into things that are not revealed So the righteous Judgment of God comes at length to be made manifest after man having tired himself in his way of blood and mischief coming to be weary sees it time to give over and so judgeth and condemns himself wherein he had judged and destroyed another Photinus is put to dispute his Opinion the Bishops are present Photiâ—â—s put to dispute his Opinion Bisilius undertakes him He is foiled And banished by the command of the Emperor and at his request of Senators not a few Basilius undertakes him and gives him the foil so Photinus is banished This form of Faith was wrote in the Latin Tongue which afterwards The new Creed dislike because wrote in the Latin Tongue The Papers called in by threats misliking they called in the Papers and when they could not get them all in the Emperor by his Edicts threatned with punishments those who did it not but it could not avail Prevâ—il not Yet Osius Bishop of Corduba in Spain who was present at this Cap. 22. Osius Bishop of Corduba in Spain called from exile to this Council scourged for not consenting and wrack't till he did Council and summoned thither by the Emperor though an exile by reason of those called Arrians not consenting unto this Creed or the form of Faith agreed on at this Council had his sides scourged and his members put upon the Wrack and so constrained to consent thereunto which was thought to be the doings of the Emperor who caused him to be cited there and The causes wherefore force a perswasive Argument being there would have him subscribe it that the Acts of that Council might have the more force and credit A perswasive Arguments Magnentius having in the mean time taken Rome and put to Cap. â—7 Magnentius takes Rome puts many Senators to death and other people Is overthrown and runs away slayes his Mother his Brother made Cesar and himself Decennius another Brother hangs himself death many of the Senators and abundance of the common people Constantius abiding still at Sirmium sends a great power against him who at length overthrew him he was so close beset that he ran away alone to Lyons for the Engagement was in France where first of all he slew his Mother next his Brother whom he had created Caesar then he murdered himself not long after which Decennius another Brother of Magnentius hanged himself yet the Common Wealth was not in quiet but another Tyrant steps up to give him trouble that troubled the Earth because of the Conscience of men unto God Sylvanus by name who gave Silvanus another Tyrant arises in France He is soon disparch't The Jews in Diocesarea rise against the Romans Gallus overthrows them Levels the City with the ground Plots against Constantius He takes his head off and makes Julianus his Brother Cesar in his place He is sent into France Constantius falls to persecuting his troubles being fallen Summons a Council into Italy being removed to Rome Julius Bishop of Rome dies Liberius succeeds Cap. 28. Aetius and his Heresie comes forth The Reasons why he severed from Aâ—ius though an Arian His Heresie disquiet in France but he was soon dispatch't out of the way Then the Jews made a stir in the East those inhabiting Dtocaesarea in Palestina took Arms against the Romans and invaided the Neighbouring Regions whom Gallus discomfited and laid the City even with the ground Gallus also swelled in his mind against Constantius and plotted against him whose head Constantius caused to be taken off his shoulders and made Julianus the Brother of Gallus Caesar in his room whom he sent into France against as the Historian calls them the Barbarians Constantius being rid of these present mischiefs or troubles turns himself against the Church of God removing from Sirmium to Rome he calls a Council and requires several Bishops from the East to repair to Italy during which time Julius aforesaid died and Liberius came in his room About this time Aetius came forth who though he was counted an Arrian yet he severed himself from Arius because they admitted Arius into Communion who had so dissembled with the Emperor in signing and swearing the Nicene Creed as aforesaid The History saith He could not understand that there was an unbegotten birth or bow to imagine that the begotten could be eternal with the begetter Whereupon he was called the Atheist He is called the Atheist his followers Eunomians Observations upon the several Heresies of Aetius Arius and what they speak and those that went after him were afterwards called Eunomians So here are three things in which the Christians came principally to be divided The first The Faith so tearmed of one Substance Next The Opinion of Arius Then this of Aetius The first as I have said thinks of God according to a Natural Generation The second Judges that such a Natural Generation is not God The third That there is no God For if that were not the Son of God which Mary being overshadowed of the holy Ghost bore according to an eternal Generation then there is no God For of the Son he saith Thy Throne O God endures for ever the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a Scepter of Righteousness c. Heb. 18. But no God he is if that Holy Thing that was born of Mary was not God and if that Holy Thing that was born of Mary was not God then there is no God For the Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool saith David Psalm 110. 1. And there be that are called gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be gods many and lords many but unto us there is but one God of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord
suffer any kind of torment then deny their Saviour Christ Jesus Others Others Sacrifice saith he counterfeit Christians who thought that the Riches and Honour of this World was true felicity it self without any delay fell to Sacrifice Ecebolius the Sophist of Constantinople was Ecebolius the Sophist turns Cat in the Pan again Falls to Idolatry after Julianus death turns again His Speech in the Church Poâ—ch when he laid himself all along for the passers in to tread upon him one of them who in the dayes of Constantine was an earnest follower of the Christian Faith but when Julian succeeded him he fell to Gentility and the Idolatry of the Pagans after the death of Julian he became a Professor of the Doctrine of Christ again and lying along at the Porch of the Church saith the History cryed to such as came in Tread me underfoot for that I am the unsavoury Salt As a scourge for Julian who undertook these enterprizes for Julians Judgments The Persians invade him the Heathen Godds and against the Christians the Persians invaded some of the Romans Jurisdiction of whom to be revenged he took his Journey into the East through the Coasts of Asia and Raiseth money on the Christians for not Sacrificing to maintaâ—n his Wars Whâ—ch was rigorously exactâ—d considering that many evils and inconvenies attended War and great sums of mony were requisite he set a great fine on the heads of those that would not Sacrifice So that the Christians every one rateably were assessed in a certain sum which was very grievous and duly demanded which Law he made of force not onely where he travelled but also in such Countries where he came not The Heathen hereupon insult over the Christians near so that he wonderfully enriched himself with injurious heaps of money unjustly exacted Then did the Gentiles insult over the Christians the Philosophers celebrated their frequented Conferences they solemnized certain detestable Rites and Ceremonies they made slaughter of Infants sparing no Sex They used Perform their Rites Slay Infants their Intrals for Southsaying they tasted of their tender flesh These detestable practises were both at Athens and Alexandria and elsewhere And because Athanasius was returned to Alexandria Cap. 12. Athanasius returned is falsly accused divers false accusations were raised against him that he had subverted Egypt and the whole City of Alexandria so that of necessity they said unto the Emperor that it behoved him to banish Athanasius out of Alexandria so that by the command of the Emperor the Governor was sorely incensed against him concerning The Emperor incenst which Athanasius is said to utter these words to some of Athanasius prophesies of the shortness of the storm Gets away is pursued but lies hid his Familiars My Friends let us go aside for a season this is but a little Cloud which will quickly vanish away He immediately took shipping and went into Egypt his Adversaries pursued him his Followers perswaded him to fly into the Desart so he escaped them and got privily again into Alexandria where he hid himself till the kindled flame of Persecution was quenched Furthermore The Governors enrich themselves by the Taxes on the Christians the Governors of Provinces thinking it now high time to fill their Bags under colour of Religion vexed the Christians far sorer than the Emperors Proclamation bore them out in demanding greater Taxes then they were rated at and sometimes tormented their Bodies which the Emperor winked at and answered The Emperor winks at it and flouts the Christians with their required patience the Christians when they complained It is your part when you have injuries offered you to take it patiently for so your God commanded you At Maris in Phrygia Amachius the Governor commanded the Cap. 13. A notable attempt of three Christians in Maris in Phrygia on the Idols Temple Idols Temple to be set wide open and to be cleansed and set himself to the worshipping of the Idols which pricked not a little in Conscience saith the History the zealous Christians wherefore Macedonius Theodulus and Tatianus brake in the night season into the Temple threw down their Idols and stamped them into ponder at which when the Governor was exceeding wroth and threatned to execute divers of the Citizens the men aforesaid presented themselves who were the Authors thereof that the They present themselves to death lest the guiltless should die guiltless of that Act might not suffer and chose to die themselves for the Truth The Governour commanded them to clear themselves by Sacrifice threatning severely to punish them if they did it not They set nought by his threats and made themselves ready Endure all kind of torments the Gridiron and are broyled to death to suffer The Governor when he had assayed them with all kind of torments last of all set them on the Gridiron and caused fire to be made under and broiled them to death and to the end that they might gloriously encounter saith the History under the glorious Garland of Victory they reasoned thus with the Governor If thou long O Amachius after broyled meat turn up the Their noble Speech on the Gridiron other side of us lest in the eating we seem raw unto thee and the blood run about thy teeth Onward in his Journey towards the Persians the Emperor proceeded Cap. 15. Julian in his expedition against the Persians is derided at Antioch with his long thrum Beard when he had from the Christians heaped up a great sum of money and came to Antioch where the people derided him with his long thrum beard and bad him make halters thereof when he had for the advantage of his Souldiers put down the rates of the Market so playing upon him which he to be revenged of them for the flouting of his Beard answered in an Oration which He avenges it in an Oration he called Antiochian or Misopogon wherein he defamed the City of Antioch for ever He got him also to the Oracle of Apollo at Daphne a little from Cap. 16. Attends the Oracle of Apollo The Devil would not speak He interprets the cause to the Body of Babilas removes it Antioch But the Devil saith the History whose dwelling was in that Den would give the Emperor no answer The Emperor supposing the cause to be the body of Babylas the Martyr which lay there caused his Tomb to be removed thence with speed The Christians of Antioch hearing of this they assembled together their Men Women and Children they rejoyce and are The Christians rejoyce with Songs Julian is plagued determines to do as had Dioclesian glad and sing Psalms in reproof or derision of the Heathen god and such as worshipped Images which plagued the Emperor who thereby discovered his inward mind determined to torment the Christians as Dioclesian had before but his expedition against the His expedition hinders Orders these Christians punishment Persians
departed the City and those of the Faith The Arrians depart The Nicenians take their place of one Substance came into their room and took possession of the Churches Thus whilst the Arrians stood so stubbornly to own their Opinion What the stout Spirit of the Arrians met with Persecution the consequence of Theodosius enforcing the Faith of one Substance as to Faith and Religion as stout a Spirit entered into the Emperor who by little and little introduced a settlement of his own Opinion which was of the Faith of one Substance which he endeavouring to establish contrary to the Universal Liberty which Gratian had granted brought divers Persecutions as is the proper nature of imposing of Religion One hundred and fifty Bishops of the Nicene Faith or of the Cap. 8. A Council at Constantinople of 150 Nicene and 36 Macedonian Bishops By order of Theodosius he seeks to perswade the Macedonians to the Niâ—ene Faith which they had subscribed Creed containing the Clause of one Substance and thirty and six of the Macedonians being met together in a Council at Constantinople which Theodosius had summoned partly to settle a Bishop in Constantinople Gregory being gone to Nazianzum refusing that Bishoprick as aforesaid and partly to confirm the Canons of the Nicene Council he together with the other Bishops greatly endeavoured to bring them over to them urging their Embassy by Eustathius to Liberius of Rome and their Subscription then and that not long before without exception they had communicate throughout every Church with such as held the Faith of one Substance No Arguments prevail this Faith of one Substance still remaining a jar in the way and that they would behave themselves neither godly nor religiously sithence they aforetime had ratified the same Opinion and Faith with them if now again they sought to overthrow such things as before they advisedly decreed but all would not do Their hat answer rather to joyn with the Arrians They leave Constantinople and send their Letters every where against the Nicenian Faith which once they had subscribed The rest place Nectarius in the â—oom of Gregory that was gone They make Patriarks establish the Nicene Faith No Bishop to intermeddle with aâ—others Diocess The Emperor consents The Council ends they said flatly Rather than they would subscribe unto the Faith of one Substance they would hold with the Arrians So they left Constantinople and sent their Letters every where that they should in no wise consent to the Nicene Council The one hundred and fifty Bishops which remained placed Nectarius by Office a Pretor of Noble Lineage whose Ancestors had been Senators Bishop of Constantinople enstalled Constantinople next in the Empire to the Bishoprick of Rome because called New Rome and made Patriarks and established the Nicene Faith and that no Bishop should leave his one Diocess and intermeddle with Forreign Churches which till that time because of Persecution was suffered To all which the Emperor gave his consent so the Council was dissolved Thus things went at Constantinople where the beginning of the This new fire burns after through the Empire new fire kindled which afterward burnt through the Empire which by and by I shall in particular treat of giving only this intimation by the way That Meletius dying at Antioch his Favourites Cap. 9. Meletius Favourites refuse after his death to be under Paulinus contrary to the Oath Flavianus is chosen would not be under the Jurisdiction of Paulinus though the Oath was taken in the former uproar which quieted it that so it should be but chose Flavianus one of the six aforesaid by whom the Oath was taken that it should be submitted So discord rose again in that City and Tumults and Divisions and those of Antioch became to be divided again not about the Faith saith Antioch divided hereabouts the History but the Colleague aforesaid the Faith was concerned but their fond contention in choosing a Bishop for Meletius being made by the Arrian Bishop Paulinus refuseth him as his Colleague as aforesaid The banishment of the Arrians from their Churches caused a Cap. 10. A Council again is called by Theodosius to reconcile if it might be all Opinions for the flame was grown great through the expulsion of the Arrians great flame of tumult and schism to arise every where the Emperor perceiving it summoned a Council of all Opinions if so be possible he might reduce them into one and particularly the Faith which himself held for he had peace as to the Civil State throughout his Dominion At that time the Valiant Captain of the Goths Athanarichus being come in with all his power and shortly after dying at Constantinople and he having created his Son Arcadius He advises with Nectarius how to accompâ—ish his design viz. Theodosius Augustus or Emperor The Bishops of all sorts being come he devised how he might rid the Christians of Contention and Discord and with Nectarius advised for that purpose saying That the Controversies and Quarrels that molested the quiet state of the Church ought to be sifted out and the punishment to light on the Pates of them that were found to be the Authors of Schism and disturbers of Peace and Quietness This made Nectarius very pensive and sad because of the consequence Nectarius consults with Agelius he consults with Agelius Bishop of the Novations who held the same Faith with those of one Substance Agelius was little Agelius with Sisinius at disputation and appoints Sisinius a Reader of his Church who was a man very eloquent well experienced in all things a skilful Interpreter saith the Historian of Holy Scripture and a notable Philosopher who knowing well enough that Disputations would not only not reconcile Schisms but also fire the slimy matters of contention he thus advised That it was best to avoid the Sisinius his Judgment strife of Logical Disputations For this was the manner of the Bishops when they met together in Councils and Synods to cleave Hairs as they use to say at Arguments and they that were most curious and subtile therein were accounted the best Masters of Faith and so carried the matter not according to the Revelation of Truth but the subtilty of man in things relating unto Truth through which came all this adoe and trouble in the World and to lay before them the form of Faith established by their Ancestors and in pursuit hereof the Emperor should demand Whether they made any account of the antient Fathers who governed the Church godly and prudently before the Schism and Division still the matter stood upon man which made all this stir not knowing the Principle of God in and by which only the Truth can indeed be known and determined or condemned them as Aliens and far-estranged from the Christian Faith If they rejected them then let them saith he boldly pronounce them accursed If they presume so bold an enterprize then saith he will the common
long after and Serapion was made Bishop of Dioscorus dies Heraclea a City of Thrace Yet John was not free for a Silver Picture covered with a John in trouble again Inveighs against the Silver Picture of the Empress set up Mantle of Eudoxia the Empress being set upon a Pillar of Red Marble and common Playes and Shews being made thereby John sorely enveighed against the Authors thereof with very nipping taunts The Empress took it to her self and as done to her reproach and therefore procured another Council of Bishops to Another Council is called at Constantinople He preaches against her The Empress on fire John's Enemies his Accusers and Judges be called at Constantinople which he hearing of preached that Sermon which thus began Herodias rageth afresh stomacheth anew danceth again seeketh yet the Head of John in a Platter Which made the Empress mad and set her all on fire the Bishops which were his utter Enemies sate his Accusers the old Crimes are brought forth he trusting to the upright dealings of the Bishops desires that things might indifferently be examined The Emperor sends John word That he would not communicate The Emperor refusâ—s to communicate with John till he had cleared himself with him it being their Feast of the Nativity till be had cleared himself of the Crimes laid to his charge The accusers mistrusting themselves and John building upon the integrity of his Cause the Bishops perceiving this would insist on nothing but his coming into the Church without admission of a Council after he was John is charged deposed and when he made answer That the Canon that required He answers that was not made for their Church but was to be executed where the Arrians did reign for such as assembled at Antioch to root out the Faith of one Substance made that Canon against Athanasius and that he had the confirmation of fifty Bishops that communicated with him They made no account of his Answer nor weighed that those that made that Canon were deposers of Athanasius but They sentence him The Emperor forâ—ids him the Church gave sentence against him And the Emperor sent to him That he had no authority to go into the Church inasmuch as he was deposed and condemned by two Councils so he refrained and He withdraws and those with him those that favoured him did the same and kept Easter in the Common Baths called Constantiana together with many Bishops Priests and other Ecclesiastical Persons who because of their several Conventicles were called Johannites John was never They are called Johannites He is carried to Exile there dies The Church set on fire as â—e was carried away by some Johannites burns the Senators Court The Governor sore plagues the Christians therefore The cause wherefore these things are rehearsed seen abroad for the space of two months till by the Emperors Commandment he was carried into Exile where he died The same day as he was so carried away some called Johannites set the Church on fire which taking on the Senators Court burnt it to Ashes for which Optatus the Governor of Constantinople a Pagan by his Religion and so a sore plaguer of the Christians made them endure heavy punishments and sore penalties I am constrained to mention these things thus at large that once for all I may let the world understand what the forcing of Religion and the strife that comes through the imposition thereof hath produced in the World Many revolutions followed this banishment of John and his Ominous consequences of tâ—e Exile and death of John death and certain other significant things from Heaven which then there were that attributed to this persecution of John as the rotting of Cyrinus his Foot Bishop of Chaldon who was unawares Cap. 17. Cyrinus's foot rotted trod upon by Maruthas Bishop of Mesopotamia when the first Council met there to depose John which the people imputed The imputed cause to his reviling of John and calling of him stubborn Bishop which rotted so as that he was constrained to have it sawn off It is sawn off which he suffered not once but twice and oftner for it ran viz. the putrifaction over his whole Body and fell into his other foot so he was forced to cut off both The falling of great And the other also The greatest Hail that ever was seen falls at Constantinople The Empress dies And the Emperor Hail the likeness of the magnitude of which none had seen before The death of the Empress which followed immediately after his banishment all said by the people to be tokens of God's Wrath because of his banishment yea the death of the Emperor himself who died shortly after the death of John All which are matters for me to speak of as that which the vogue of that Age All attributed to the persecution of John attributed to be significatory as to the displeasure of the Lord as to things that then were transacted and done and which still speaks the consequence of imposing or persecuting because of And speak the consequence of peâ—secution for Religion Religion In the place of John Arsacius was made Bishop of Constantinople Arsacius of 80. years of Age succeeds John who was of the age of about fourscore years in whose time things were very quiet he being said to be of singular modesty and meek behaviour He lived Bishop of that place not very long His good description Dies the year following but in the year following that he was made Bishop he departed this life to pitch upon a successor unto whom proved a difficult kind of work and the contention grew long but at last ended in Atticus of Sebastia in Armenia who was made Bishop of Constantinople Atticus chosen in his place John died in Exile at Comanum scituate on the Sea Euxinus Cap. 19. Arcadius died at Constantinople he reigned together with his Cap. 21. Arcadius dies Anno. 412. His Son Arcadius succeeds Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 1. Father thirteen years and beginning with the one and thirtieth year of his Age he reigned fourteen years after the decease of his Father leaving behind him his Son Theodosius of the Age of eight years who by direction of Anthemius governed the Eastern as Honorius Arcadius his Brother did the Western part of the Roman Empire These times were not free from trouble for men took upon Cap. 3. Contention in Religion grew on Theodosius of Synada Bishop persecutes the Maâ—edonians banishes them the Town and Countrey them in several places to do what they listed in matters of Religion Theodosius Bishop of Synada a City of Phrygia Pacatiana sorely exercised the Macedonian Opinion he banished them not only the Town but also the Countrey which he did neither according to the rule of the Catholick Church neither with zeal of sincere and upright Faith saith the History but for his advantage sake for foul gain and filthy lucre to wring money
was the Roman Empire without trouble within it self during Cap. 23. John seeks to be Emperor on the death of Honorius sends Legats to Theodosius to procâ—aim him They are imprisoned John is marched against overthrown the whirl of Christians persecuting one another for Honorius being dead John his chief Secretary took upon him and sent Legates to Theodosius to proclaim him Emperor who laid up his Embassadors Prisoners and with his Army marched against him and at length overthrew him though he passed through many straits in the accomplishing thereof after which he caused Valentinianus the Son of Constantius and Placida the Aunt of Theodosius Valentinianus proclaimed Emperor Cap. 24. Troubles in Constant Cap 25. The Johannites courted by Atticus of Constantinople John Chrysostoms memorial solemnized at Service Observations thereupon to be proclaimed Emperor at Rome A great stir there was in Constantinople about the Exile and death of John Chrysostom of whom I have formerly spoken the Church being divided about him and those called Johannites using their private Conventicles Atticus the Bishop hoping thereby to cease the Division and to return many to the Church of which he was commanded the memorial of John to be solemnized at Service as was the manner for other Bishops that were deceased So the one deposeth exiles him as a cursed person the other Canonizeth him as a Saint and this was the contradiction as well as the superstition of those dayes among the Christians The followers also of Sabbatius removing his Corps from the Prayers made on Sabbattius's Tomb by his Followers Atticus removes his body thereupon in the night Observations on both Isle of Rhodes where he died in exile prayed upon his Tomb which caused Atticus to have his Body in the night to be removed to another Sepulchre whether for Religion sake or because of the Opinion of Sabbatius let the Reader judge seeing he caused the name of dead John to be remembred in the Service of his Church and these but prayed upon the Tomb of dead Sabbatius but the body being gone those that frequented the place where he lay ceased any more to come thither and pray These were the poor things into which they ran in those dayes who knew not the Principle of Truth yet few exceeded this man Atticus The praise of Atticus if any came at him of whom I read of very few for charity seemed to be very little among many Bishops he is said to have given to Calliopus Minister of Nice three hundred pieces of Gold His liberality to the Poor without respect to Opinion but to such as wanted who were ashamed to beg to be distributed among such as were ashamed to beg without having respect to practise of Faith or Sect or Opinion but to such who had not wherewithal to relieve their hunger and thirst He is commended for very many things and especially for tenderness to such however differing from him who suffered persecution in the dayes of Constantius and Valens he prophesied of He prophesies of his death and dies accordingly Cap. 26. Great stir about his Successor Sisinius chosen The like at Cizicum about Proclus Cap. 28. Dalmatius chosen against the Canon by the people his death which fell out accordingly About his Successor there was a great stir in Constantinople as it fell out ordinarily Sisinius carried it against Philip who yet was not quiet but wrote Books and made all the stir about it as he could and the like hapned at Cyzicum where Sisinius appointed Proclus in the place of the Bishop that was dead whom they of Cyzicum would not receive but against the Canon chose Dalmatius so that he was constrained to continue at Constantinople In two years after his consecration at Constantinople Sisinius Cap. 29. Sisinius dies new stirs about one to succeed him Nestorius from Antioch is the man He sets all on fire His proud Speech to the Emperor dies a new stir is again for another to succeed him the Complotment brings Nestorius thither from Antioch he sets all one fire and in his Oration to the Emperor before the people immediately after his Enstalment thus said Restore unto me O Emperor the Earth weeded and purged of Hereticks and I will render Heaven unto thee Aid thou me in foyling of the Hereticks and I will assist thee in the overthrow of the Persians A proud arrogant Speech which I notifie to shew to what a height these Bishops were come and what furious persecution lay in the bottom of their proud stomachs to all that which was otherwise than their own Religion He had hardly drank as the saying is before he began to He falls on the Arâ—ians blow the smoke and kindle the fire of Persecution for the fifth day after he was chosen he determined to overthrow the Arrians Church where they had their service privily and by stealth who when they saw their Church must needs down they set it on fire themselves which fell on the next houses and burned them They burn their Church when they saw he would have it down It burns more houses He is called the Firebrand by all to Ashes and rose up to revenge them on their Enemies From that time not only those that opposed him but his own party called him a Firebrand Neither rested he here but destroyed as much as in him lay the whole City whilst he went about to mischieve those who from him differed The Novations he molested He persecutes the Novations because Paulus their Bishop was more eminent than himself but the Emperor who sent for him because divers vain-glorious persons in Constantinople sought the Bishoprick who now had enough of him meeting with one that was worse than them all nipped The Emperor nips him He vexes the observeâ—s of Easter on the 4th day of the month in Asia Lydia Caria him with sharp admonitions and so withstood his enterprises he vexed those that kept Easter the fourth day of the month througout Asia Lydia and Caria with many injuries and was the occasion of cutting off many in the Sedition which he raised at Miletum and Sardis and so perplexed the Macedonians in Hellespont At Miletene Sardice many are cut off Cap. 31. In Hellespont the Macedonians conspire the death of Anthony through his setting him on to persecute by Anthony Bishop of Germa that they conspired the death of Anthony and by certain persons did accomplish it which gave occasion to Nestorius to perswade the Emperor to deprive them of their Churches many of which thereupon conformed to the Faith of one Substance Commonly saith the History we say such as are given to Cap. 32. The scale comes to turn on Nestorius drunkenness are never to seek for the Cup and busie bodies never want woe Nestorius who endeavoured to cast others out of their Churches comes to be cast out himself Anastasius a Priest whom he brought thither from Antioch preached That none
of Basiliscus confirming with an Oath that it was so and that they believed no otherwise than the Council of Chalcedon believed The thing it self I forbear to rehearse lest I should seem too tedious Thus it fared with the Bishops and thus Religion came to be Cap. 10. Observations hereupon turned up and down and Faith and Creeds at the pleasure of men and as it listeth them Peter being banished the Church of Antioch Stephen succeeded him whom the people of Antioch Stephen at Antioch murdered with Darts dispatched with little Darts much like sharp Spears whom Calandio succeeded who perswaded all that came near him to accurse Calandio who succeeds perswades all to curse both Timothy and the Letters of Basilicus both Timothy and the General Letters Basiliscus had sent unto all Churches Timothy also had gone into banishment had not Zeno been Cap. 11. Timothy dies Pet Moggus succeeds told he was a very old man and ready to lie in his Grave who not long after finished his mortal life and the Bishops of their own heads chose Peter sirnamed Moggus to succeed which Zeno Zeno threatens to put him to death Another Timothy called home to succeed hearing it displeased him so that he threatned he should die the death and called home Timothy the Successor of Proterius who then by reason of a certain Insurrection of the people lived at Canubus Not long after Timothy died whom to succeed John the Cap. 12. He dies John succeeds by Symony Zeno because he had sworn he would never be Bishop turns him out Priest of St. John Baptist so called gave a piece of money to be Bishop and was chosen for Alexandria which when the Emperor heard of and how he had broken his Oath to the Emperor which was That he would never be Bishop if it was offered him he turned him out and commanded Peter to be restored Peter restored on conditions of subscription c. Cap. 14. The people brought into Concord conditionally that he subscribed unto the Epistle and received into Communion such as held with Proterius which was an Epistle of Concord of Zeno's to those at Alexandria to draw them unto the Faith held by the Council of Chalcedon which the people having heard read it is said they returned into the Catholick and Apostolick Church John being thus put out of Alexandria takes his heels and Cap. 15. John runs to Rome Raises a stir there runs unto Rome and there raises a great stir and contention pretending that for standing to the Epistle of Leo and the Council of Chalcedon he was deposed at which the Bishop was much moved The Bishop writes to Zeno. Zeno returns it was for Perjury and wrote to Zeno but Zeno answered it was for John's perjury and for that crime he was removed Calandio write to Zeno and Acacius that Peter was not only Cap. 16. Calandio charges Peter with Adultery cursing the Council of Chalcedon Calandio is banished Peter Cnapheus restored to Antioch an Adulterer but had accursed the Council of Chalcedon notwithstanding Calandio was banished into Oasis for holding with Ilus Leo and Pampreps against Zeno. Peter Cnapheus hereupon was restored into Antioch and subscribed the Epistle of Concord wrote by Zeno and wrote Synodical Letters to Petter Moggus of Alexandria Acacius also was reconciled to this Peter Martyrius likewise the Bishop of Jerusalem wrote Synodical Letters unto him yet divers withdrawing from his Communion he openly accursed the Council of Chalcedon This troubled Acacius He curses the Council of Chalcedon Peter seeks to purge himself Observations upon the reeling state of things in that time John pursues his quarel Felix of Rome sends to the Emperor to depose Peter but Peter wrote back to purge himself as if he had done no such Fact So backwards and forwards things turn and reel and men are unstable as Water whilst they know not the Rock of Ages to be their strength and establishment in reference unto God John persists still in his quarrel of deposition gets Felix Bishop of Rome to send Vitalius and Misinus two Bishops to the Emperor to depose Peter of his Bishoprick as an Heretick and to send Acacius unto him to render an account and to purge himself of such Crimes as John had laid to his charge because he had communicated with Peter Before the Messengers came to Zeno Cyril head of the Vigilant Cap. 19. The vigilanâ— Monks pursue the business by Cyril They blame Felix for slackness Monks so called charged Felix with slackness of duty seeing so many grievous practices took place against the true and sincere Faith Felix then wrote unto Misinus That he should do nothing before he had conferred with Cyril and learnt of him what was to be done Felix wrote not only unto Zeno but unto others to put them Cap. 20. Felix solicits the Emperor afresh in mind of the Council at Chalcedon and of the persecution in Africk in the reign of Theodorichus Another Epistle he wrote unto Acacius Zeno returned him That he fought with his shadow in giving an ear to Johns report and contending with his Adversaries He turns a deaf ear tells him John was put by for perjury for he was the man that bound himself with an Oath That he would never be Bishop of Alexandria yet afterwards was found perjured and to commit every kind of Sacriledge that Peter was not advanced to the Priestly Function without good tryal of his Faith that he had subscribed with his own hand and approved the Faith of the 318. Fathers in the Council of Nice which Faith was afterwards ratified by the Council of Chalcedon This was the ado that was kept about John who was perjured Observations hereupon as aforesaid and gave money also to be Bishop when he had sworn to the Emperor that he would not be a Bishop and about Peter who was charged as aforesaid to be an Adulterer whom notwithstanding the Emperor in the latter end of his Letter calls most Holy for that Title he gives him which right or wrong it seems is used to the Bishops especially that had Patriarchal Seats or were Arch-Bishops We would have you assure your self that our Highness with most holy Peter mentioned before and all the Christian Congregations do imbrace and reverence the Sacred Council of Chalcedon which Council is one in effect with the Nicene Creed Yet the Monks of Constantinople and the Bishops throughout Egypt charge Peter to be an Heretick and so write against him to Felix the Bishop of Rome and against all that communicated with him as many also of the vigilant Monks which came to Felix reproved Misinus and Vitalis because at their coming to Constantinople the name of Peter was secretly used to be read in the holy Catalogue notwithstanding they since that time communicated continually with Peter the Bishops of Egypt their Epistle signified That John the perjured person aforesaid and