prayer A Counsel held at Caesar Augusta accursed such as received the Sacrament and eat it not in the Church A General Counsel was called at Constantinople which decreed that Mary should be called the mother of God Anno 583. The First and second Synods were called at Lyons for the removing of Schism i. e. divisions in matters of Religion raised in the Church Six Synods were held at Rome touching the Electon of a Bishop and the preservation of Church goods c. Malum Consilium Consultori pessimum THese things have I thought good here to recapitulate or briefly to rehearse to the end that the great Apostasie so often spoken of might be evidently manifest to all and the great fall and revolution of the Church from the Apostles Doctrin and Practise For when they assembled together it doth not appear that there was such discord and divisions such strife and aâ—…tipathy such brawling and contention in their general assemblies as there was in the Counsels before mentioned neither did they manifest such a bitter spirit of enmity and discord when they chused Mathias in the room of Judas nor yet when they chused the seven Disciples Acts 1. Chap. 6. Moreover when the Apostles and Elders and Brethren were assembled together to determin what was best to be done touching the doctrin sowed by certain that came from Judea which taught the Brethren saying That except they were circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved after they had debated the Matter they decreed with one accord to send chosen men unto the Gentiles and to injoyn them to abstain from things offered to Idols and blood from that which was strangled and from fornication c. But it doth not appear that they out of spite condemned or excommunicated those of Iudea and held them forthwith for acursed because of their error like as the Apostatized Bishops and Clergy men have done one with another and one unto another as appeareth from what I have before rehearsed Again when Paul came to Ierusalem he went with the Brethren unto Iames where all the Elders were assembled and there they determined what they thought best to be done and decreed that Paul should purifie himself according unto the Law c. These Counsels or General Assemblies oâ—… the Apostles and Brethren the Scripture makes mention of yet it doth not appear from the Scripture that the Apostles and Brethren Decreed the Celebration of the Feast of Easter or that none should be made Priest till they were thirty years old neither doth it appear that they brawled about men and agreed upon nothing nor yet that they ordered Lessons to be read in the Church between certain Psalms neither doth it appear from the Scripture that they decreed that Lent should be righteously observed and that the Priests should not marry nor yet that Infants should be baptized Neither doth it appear that they decreed that the Clergy should wear a different Attire from other men or that such Divine service as the Metropolitan liked of should be retained I say it doth not appear that they to wit the Apostles and Brethren decreed these or such like things in their Counsells but that since the Apostles days they have been decreed by the Synods and Counsels which have been in the Apostasie and yet at this day many of them are taught for doctrins though they be but the traditions of fallible Synods and Counsels as I have shewn Inclinemus igitur aurum verbo Dei in corde non ex Conciliis contendentium Episcoporum non ex Disputationibus novitiis non ex forensibus manicipalibus gestis sed in nostris cordibus veritatem quaeramus The Iudgment of some notable men concerning SYNODS i. e. general or universal Assemblies â—…nd Counsels together with their Effects I. IN the days of Berardus the Church of Rome was polluted with many superstitions and Baudaert said that the Bishops were rather biters of sheep then true Shepheards And upon a time when he was in a Counsel of the Clergy and had seen how unchristianly they dealt he said Sometime I have admired that among the little number of the twelve Apostles there was a Traitor but now do I wonder much more that among this great number of so many Bishops and Prelats that one upright Disciple of Christ cannot be found Apop Chr. lib. 13. pag. 260. Daar geen Godvreesendheid bij en is Daar is 't hoe geleerder hoe verkeerder Where ther 's neither God's fear nor godliness Ther 's the more learn'dess the more perversness II Gregorius Theologus who lived about three hundred years after the birth of Christ said That he had promised and determined never to come at Synods forasmuch as he observed that always there came more evil then good out of them for the ambitiousness and contention of the Bishops is above measure said he Anno 300. III. The Reformed Protestants testified that Synods and Counsels which strove upon the earth might err and with the most voyces conclude Lies in this or the other point according to what experience in all ages hath taught Eub. ch 28 29 c. IV. D. Calvin testified that Prophets and Pastours the Church Counsels have erred And that God hath often discovered that in Counsels which was humane to the end that People should not rely or depend too much upon men Instit. 4. ix ch 3. V. Boudaert said in Gilterland's Synod Soffragia non ponderanda sed numeranda esie i. e. that voyces were not to be pondred but numbred but said he if the Church reign in this manner or deal with voyces shall not the most evil surprize the best which is the least for is it not so most commonly and when that the Shepheards come to be changed into wolves are not the innocent harmless sheep then in pittiful danger Espetially saith he when Rulers of Cities are stirred up by passionate Priests VI. D. Pareus said Often hath the Truth suffered wrong in Synods because all that were assembled agreed in one error so that the truth came often times to be abandoned and with silence passed by Iren. 57. p. VII It hath been said the Church judged of the Doctrine of the Church According to this saying shall the Papists Church judge of the the doctrine of Popery the Lutherans the Calvinists the Anabaptists and every one of them but what such a judgment is this otherwise then that which is daily practised by their one condemning another and every one maintaining his own Sect So saith Hilarius What unity or edification is there in such work and in so much following partial Counsels or conferences None at all said he VIII Beza declared expresly that the Church and Counsel might err and that they had often erred and that the Devil in some old Counsels had sitten as President in them IX The Professors of Leyden said We see that particulars have not only erred but General Counsels for shepheards may also be devoures
Martyrdom The cause was this There is a certain Dignity among the Romans called the Centurions Vine the which whosoever doth obtain is called a Centurion i. e. a Captain of a hundred when the Room was void the Company called Marinus to this Degree and he being preferred another came before the Tribunal or Judgmen-seat and accused him affirming that it was not lawful by the antient Laws for him to enjoy that Roman Dignity because he was a Christian and sacrificed not unto the Emperor and that it was his turn next to come in place The Judge being very much moved with this first demanded what Opinion Marinus was of and when he saw him constantly confessing himself to be a Christian he granted him three Hours space to deliberate i. e. advise or consider This being done Theoteâ—…nus Bishop of Caesarea took Marinus in hand with Exhortations and shewed him the Sword that hung by his side and pulled out of his Pocket the New Testament and set it over against the Sword and bade him chuse whether of these two he preferred or liked best for the health of his Soul when he immediately stretching out his Hand had taken up the Book of Holy Scriptures Hold fast then saith Theoteâ—…nus unto him cleave unto God and thou shalt enjoy the things thou hast chosen being strengthned by him and get in peace After he had returned thence the Crier lifted up his Voice and called him to appear at the Barr the time granted for deliberation being now ended Standing therefore at the Barr he gave Tokens of the noble Courage of his Faith wherefore in a while after as he was led he had the Sentence of Condemnation and was beheaded Several Bishops wrote unto Dionysius Bishop of Rome and to others concerning Paulus Samosatenus who was rejected as a Heretick by them They say that neither by Art Trade or Exercise he attained unto the abundance of Wealth he enjoyed but with lewd Acts and Sacriledge i. e. robbing of a Church or stealing of holy things by injurious or wrongful and tyrannical oppressing of the Brethren whom he made to tremble for fear with his guileful gain and wily promise of hired Patronship i. e. defence or protection by which subtilty and deceit he gained so much that Procured the Givers to be liberal to the end they might be delivered from their Adversaries and so he turned Godliness into Gain Neither need we declare how that he being puffed up with Pride usurped secular Dâ—…gnities i. e. took into his use contrary to right worldly Honours and would rather be called a warlike Captain than a Bishop of the Church walking stately through the Streets and Market-place reading Letters and withal openly inditing maintaining about him a great troop to guard his Person some going before and some coming after so that our Faith and Religion ran to great spight slander and hatred by reason of his swelling Pride and haughty Disdain Neither will we rehearse the monstrous Figments i. e. Lyes which he feigned his glorious Brags the uglisome Spectacles i. e. horrible Sights he devised to amaze the minds of the simple sort He made for himself a lofty Seat and high Throne not like the Disciple of Christ but severed in shew and title after the manner of the Princes of the World smiting the thigh with the hand pouncing the foot-stool with his Feet If any extolled him not as the use is upon Theaters i. e. places where People sit to behold solemn Games or Plays with clapping of their Hands with shouting and hurling of their Caps if any also both of Men and Women had not skipped to and fro with busie-bodies and undescent obeisance i. e. uncomely Obedience by bowing the knee if any as in the House of God had behaved themselves honestly and decently i. e. comely or handsomely the same he checked and all to be reviled He licensed the Bishops and Ministers of the adjoining Villages and Cities which honoured him to preach unto the People the Elders and Deacons which accompany with him know his Wickedness but dare not accuse him insomuch as they themselves are guilty of the same Crimes for he enricheth them wherefore he is both beloved and honoured of them that gape after the like Gudgeons i. e. Gift or Reward We know beloved Brethren that a Bishop and the whole Order of Priesthood ought to be a Patern of Good Works unto the common People neither are we ignorant of this that many are fallen by reason of the closely kept Women and many again are subject to suspicion and slander The Eighth BOOK OF EUSEBIUS Concerning the Peace and prosperous Success of the Christian Affairs and Calamity which followed after THE Clemency or Mercy of the Emperors was so increased towards the Christians that they committed the Government of the Gentiles to them And for the great Favour they bore to our Doctrine saith Eusebius they granted Liberty and Security to the Professors of Christian Religion What shall I say of them who in the very Palace of the Emperours and in the presence of Princes lived most familiarly Yea the Bishops of all Churches came to be in great Reverence and Favour among all sorts of Men and with all Magistrates who can worthily describe those innumerable Heaps flocking Multitudes throughout all Cities and Famous Assemblies frequenting the Places dedicated or appointed unto Prayer because of which Circumstances they not contented with the old and antient Buildings which could not receive them have throughout all Cities Builded them from the Foundation wide and ample Churches But then after that our Affairs through too much liberty ease and security degenerated i. e. turned out of kind from the natural Rule of Piety and after that one pursued another with open contumely i. e. disgrace or reproach and hatred and when that we impugned i. e. resisted or assaulted our selves by no other than our selves with the Armour of Spite 2nd sharp Spears of opprobrious i. e. reproachful Words so that Bishops against Bishops and People against People raised Sedition i. e. discord or strife Last of all when that cursed Hypocrisie and Dissimulation had swom even to the brim of Malice the heavy hand of Gods high Iudgment after his wonted mannâ—…r whilst as yet the Ecclesiastical Companies i. e. them of or such as belonged to the Church assembled themselves nevertheless began softly by little and little to visit us so that the Persecution that was raised against us took its first original i. e. first beginning from the Brethren which were under Banner in Camp whenas we were touched with no Sense or Feeling thereof neither went about to pacifice God we heaped Sin upon Sin thinking like careless Epicures i. e. such as are given to excess in Gluttony that God neither cared nor would visit our Sins And they which seemed our Shepherds laying aside the Rule of Piety practised Contention and Schism among themselves i. e. division in matters of Religion
Doctrine of their Lord and Master THe first Persecuting Christians were called Arians from one Arius a Priest at Alexandria a Man very skilful in the subtilties of Sophistical Logick who reasoned thus saying If the Father begat the Son then had the Son which was begotten a beginning of Essence hereby it is manifest said he that there was a time when the Son was not and the consequent to follow necessarily that he had his Essence of nothing When he had with this strange kind of Doctrine concluded and laid down this position he provoked many to reason hereof so that of a small spark a great Fire was kindled And for the debating of this with a controversie that was in the Church about the Feast of Easter was the Nicene Counsel Sommoned And when the Arians had got the Emperour on their sides then did they set up themselves and did boast of the Emperours Religion and by force of Arms did they Instal i. e. Consecrate one Lucius an Arian in the Bishoprick at Alexandria And they laid hands or Peter that before was Bishop and clapt him in Prison and the rest of the Clergy the Banished some unto one place and some unto another And horible Acts was committed afterwards against ' such as inhabited the rest of Egypt by Imprisoning of some Tormenting of others Exileing i. e. banishing of the rest then did the world begin to favour the Ariens much and after the Emperours Edict i. e. Ordinance or Proclamation was Proclaimed the Houses of the Righteous in the Desert were spoiled overthrown and cruely beaten to the ground the armed Souldiers set upon the silly and unarmed People who stretched not out a Hand for their own defence and slew them miserably The History saith That the manner of the Slaughter was so Lamentable that it cannot sufficiently be manifested unto the World And when the Emperour Valens had by Law ordained that Persecution should be raised against all that maintained the Faith of one Substance then was many brought before the Bar many clapt up in Prison others diversly Tormented for they vexed them with sundry Punishments which led a Peaceable and quiat Life and many of them were set at nought Scourged Spoyled of their Rayment Fettered in Prison Grushed with Stones Beheaded with Bloody Swords Shut up in the Desert covered with sheep and goats Skins destitute of aid and succour grievously afflicted wonderfully troubled with the Adversary many wandred in deserts and dangerous ways they hid themselves in Mountains in Denns in Caves and hollow Rock's These afflctions they suffered for their Faith and for their Works After that these notable men through their invinciblé patience and sufferance had overcome the sundry and manifold torments Lucius that Persecuting Bishop perswaded the Captain to exile the Father and Ring Leaders of these Religious Men and they were Banished into an Island where there was not a Christian yet it is said That they converted both Priest and People unto the Christian Faith When the World favoured the Arians in this sort they set up themselves they crowed insolently over the Christians they Scourged Reviled Imprisoned and laid upon them all the grievous and intollerable Burthens they could devise The true Christians being thus oppressed with extream dealing went unto the Emperour besought of him that if not altogether yet at least wise he would ease them of some part of their troubles but he was their deadly foe and the cause of their calamity for when eighty of the Clery were sent in the name of all the rest to him to open their grief unto him and they certified unto him the injuries which they sustained at the hands of the Arians he altho' he was very much incensed against them yet concealed he his displeasure until that privily he had commanded his Lieutenant to lay them in hold and to punish them with Death And then he made them believe that he would Banish them the Country which they seemed to take in good part and they going Aboard and taking Shiping as if they were to be conveyed into Forrain and far Countries but the Lieutenant charged the Marriners that when they came in the main Sea they should set the Ship on Fire so that dying in that sort they should have none to bury them and so they did and in the end the Ship with the Christians that were in her were consumed to Ashes but it is reported that this horrible act was not long after revenged for immediately the Land was Plagued with a sore and lamentable Famine Again there was a certain man called Moses who led in the desert the Monastical i. e. Solitry or Comfortless trade of life but for his Zeal Faith and Godliness and for the strange Miracles wrought by him he was Famous among all men And a certain Queen called Mavia required of the Romans this Moses to be her Bishop Moses therefore was taken from the Wilderness and sent to Alexandria for Orders and when Moses was come in the presence of Lucius the Persecuting Bishow before mentioned he refused to receive Orders at his hands reasoning with him in this sort I think my self unworthy of the Priestly Order yet if it be for the profit of the Common wealth that I be called unto the Function truly thou Lucius shalt never lay hand upon my Head for thy right hand is imbrued with Slaughter and Bloodshed Then Lucius said again that it became him not so contumeously to revile him but rather to learn of him the precepts of Christian Religion Moses answered I am not come now to reason of matters of Religion but sure I am of this that thy Horrible Practises against the brethren prove thee to be altogether void of the true principles of Christian Religion for the true Christian striketh no Man fighteth with no man for the servant of God should be no fighter But thy deeds in exileing of some throwing of others to wild beasts burning of some others do cry out against thee yet are wee surer of the thing we see with our eyes then of these we hear with our ears This happened in the year of our Lord 272 In which time it came to pass that the Meetings of the Christians were forbidden And upon a certain time there was a Woman that went very zealously with her Child towards the Meeting of the Christians and being asked of the Judge whither she was going she replyed and said to the meeting of the Christians to die there a Martyr with this Child with which Answer the Judge was so Smitten that he ceased Persecuting In the 1035 did Berengarius with the Bishop Bruno in France begin to teach against Infants Babtizm and Transubstantiation i. e. a changing of one substance into another as the Papists Imagine the Bread and Wine to be changed into the Body of Christ through or after Consecration which Doctrine begun presently to spread it self through France and Germany
against which Pope Leo IX held two Synods in the year 1050 one at Rome and another at Vercle in which the opinion of these two were Condemned In the year 1126 did Peter de Brusius teach against Infants Babtizm Transubstantiation praying for the dead and such like things which he Preached near upon twenty years and finally because of this Doctrine was he Burned for then was the Pope begun to follow the Foot steps of the Arrians in Persecuting men to death for their Religion though it was not the practise of the Apostles In the year 1139 did Arnaldus teach against Infants Babtism Transubstantiation and other things but the Pope Innocentus the Second commanded him to be Silent fearing least he should spread this Doctrine much There was one Peter Abailardus of the same opinion And to this opinion many of the Clergy were brought insomuch that three Popes had enough to do one after another to reduce them to their Superstition Afterwards this Abailardus was apprehended and Burned to ashes in Rome Moreover there arose some who suffered themselves to be called Apostolical because they said they walked in the footsteps of the Apostles They rejected Infants Babtism the Purgatory praying for the dead and calling upon the Saines with other of the Romish Ceremonies they also rejected the priests that led a Sinful Life These were called Unlearned Blockish Clowns In the year 1176 There was a People raised up in the province of Albi in France whose opinion was as Baronius writes That Infants Babtism was not necessary to Salvation That an unworthy Sinful Priest could not administer the Sacrament that none should be Bishops except they were unreprovable that men should build no Churches to the Honour of God nor to the Honour of the Saints and that it was unlawful to Swear neither would they receive the Doctors Interpritations These people saith Baron were taken into the protection of some Princes and Rulers against whom the Pope made War because they would not Persecute them and expel them out of their Country In the year 1178. The King of France and the King of England observing how these People did daily increase They concluded together per force of Arms to expel them out of their Coasts But changing their mind they first laboured to convert them by the Clergy And to that end was there many Bishops and learned men sent to convert these whom they juged to be Heriticks by their Sermons but withal they sent several men with their Clergy that in case they with their Sermons reasons and Arguments could not overcome them that then the other should fall upon them and drive them out And when the Bishops with their Traine were come to the City Toulous where the aforesaid People were They ingaged the Citizens by an Oath to discover them they knew to be of this People And among the rest there was one Peter Moranus discovered and being examined he made a confession of his Faith freely and therefore was he presently condemned for a Heritick and all his goods were Confiseated with his sumpteous House in which he had holden Meetings and part of it was demolished But this Faithless Peter when he saw this Storm begun to fear and begun to be sorrowful seemingly and begged forgiveness And it was granted him with this condition that one Bishop with another man should whip him he going naked and barefoot towards the Church and that three years long he must go Pilgrimage to Ierusalem which then was become a fashion among the Apostazed Christians and when the three years were expired he was to have his Confiseated Goods again Now others of the aforesaid people observing this begun somewhat to fear and some seemed to recant but when there was an Oath required of them they refused to take it whereupon they were rejected as Heriticks and afterwards were Banished And it was commanded that all the Catholicks should shun them and that all Princes should expel them out of their Countrys In the year 1199 the the aforesaid people begun to be dispersed in many Citys and Countrys and their Doctrine begun to spread exceedingly yea through the most part of Europe That the Popes with the assistance of the Princes and secular powers had enough to do to root out the same First they endeavoured by disputing and afterwards by Banishment and lastly by all manner of Torturing Burning Hanging and cruell Bloodsheding so that the whole World seemed to be as in an uproar And this was all about Religion When that the Christians had gotten the power into their own Hands I mean the secular or earthly Power then did they by that power Persecute as they had been persecuted Compel as they had been complled and put men to Death about their Relegion as their Bretheren had been put to Death for their Religion And with this thing the Church of Rome hath not only corrupted her self but the most of the Sects that have come out of her when they got the carnal Sword in their Hands then did they endeavour to defend their Sect their Religion their Worship and their Discipline with that Sword which may kill the Body but connot slay nor destroy the Spiritual Wickedness in the Body which at this day abounds among Anti-Christians who are yet Persecuting about Worship Faith Religion and things of this Nature as their forefathers the Arrians did in whose steps most of the professors have been found who wrestle with flesh and blood And when that their Clargy could not prevail with their Original with their Philosophy with their quirks of Logick nor with their strong reasons and Arguments then were they to have the help of the Civil Magistrate unto whom they have cryed for help as the Jews did unto the men of Israel and often have they combined together for to kill and destroy that which God had made alive yea and to extinguish that which he had kindled as appears from what I have rehearsed And the same Spirit of enmity which hath been in the World since the beginning hath appeared often against the work of God and his Instruments as it now hath appeared against the true Christian-Quakers who are found in the footsteps of the suffering but not of the Persecuting Christians I might here add very much concerning the terrible and redious Persecution in Iermany and in the Low-Countrys which begun in the year 1524. And continued untill the year 1641. About the beginning of which the Emperour put forth a Proclamation wherein it was contained That all such as were found stained or polluted with the cursed Sect of Anabaptism for so he called it of what state or condition soever they were their adhaerents and compliences were to forfeit both their Lives and Estates and were to be brought to the utmost punishment without any delay especially those that continued constant and that had Baptized any likewise they that had the name of Prophets Apostles or Bishops
distinguish between faithful friends And fauning flatterers who for base ends Will speak thee fair whose words are soft and oylie And make a shew of friendship to beguile thee The secrets of thy friend do not disclose Left in so doing thou resemble those Whose ears are leaking vessels which contain Nothing but what 's pour'd in runs out again At the mouth These fools proclaim themselves unfit For any trust and to be voyd of wit If thou resolve to change a single life And hast proposed to become a wife Câ—…use then thy husband not for worldly gain Not for his shape or Air these things disdain If money draw or thou by lust art lead Expect no blessing of thy marrage bed But if the fear of God most excellent Be thy chief end then look for true content Cast off all needless and distrustful care A little is enough o're much a snare Our Journey from our Cradles to our grave Can be but short no large provision crave For such conveniences as must be had Confide to God who hath so richly clad The fragrant Meadows with fresh ' silver show'rs Send down to nurse up tender plants and flowers He for the chirping Birds provides a nest And gives each Creature that which feeds 'em best To him give thanks for mercys which before Thou hadst receiv'd and that makes way for more For faults before his face reprove thy friend But all good deeds behind his back commend Labour for peace chuse to contend with none Let reason with sweet clamours keep the throne Treading fierce wrath and lawless passions down The grace of meekness is the womans crown Be loving patient courteous and kind In doing these thou'lt praise and honour find Here on the Earth and when all conquering Death Thy body shall desoul and stop thy Breath Upon the golden wings of faith and love Thy soul shall fly to Paradise above When sin and sorrow shall for ever cease And there be crown'd with endless joys and peace Greshon Boate. CATONIS DISTICHA RUmores fugè ne incipias novus autor haberi Nam nulli tacuisse nocet nocet esse locutam Shun rumors least thou beest as th' Author nam'd Silence hurts none but some for words are blamed Cum rectè vivas ne cures verha malorum Arbitrii nostri non est quid quisque loquatur When thou livest well mind not what lewd folks say It is not in our power their tongues to sway Dilige non oegrâ charos pietate parentes Nec matrem offendas dum vis bonus esse parenti Thy parents love the one as well as th' other To please thy Father doe not cross thy Mother Tranquillis rebus quoe sunt adversa cave to Rursus in adversis melius sperare memento When things go well adversity beware Again when things go ill do not dispair Veritati adhaereto Stick to the Truth THis Historiographer Eusebius is accounted by many to be a witness unto whom credit may be given he was a Bishop of Caesarea and one that was said to be very studious in the Holy Scripture He flourished chiefly under the Emperour Constantinus Magnus and his Son Constantius about the Year 316. THE INDEX Or TABLE A. ADrian the Emperours remarkable Epistle in the Christians behalf Lib. 4. Chap. 23. Agbarus Epistle unto Iesus l. 1. c. 1â—… Antioch Citizens stirred up against the Christians l. 9. c. 2. Antonius Pius Epistle in the behalf of the Christans l. 4. c. 13. Apphianus zeal and boldness l. 8. c. 22. Apollonarius touching Montanus and the False Prophets that then were entred l. 5. c. 14. 16. 19. Attalus Revelation l. 5. c. 3. B. BAsilides Courtesie to a Virgin Martyr how he would not Swear and so was Beheaded l. 6. c. 4. Biblis restored again to the Faith in the time of Torment l. 5. c. 1. Bishops bribed with presents and sums of Money l. 10. c. 1. Bishops divided about a Lay-mans Preaching l. 6. c. 19. Blandina Refreshed in her suffering and torments l. 5. c. 3. C. CHristians Name dwelling and foundation l. 2. c. 17. Christians suffering by Proclamations or Edicts l. 4. c. 25. Christians terribly threatned and some converted by beholding their Innocent sufferings l. 4. c. 8. Christians prosperity also calamity l. 8. c. 1. Christians were generally summoned to appear at the Idols Temple l. 8. c. 22. Clements and of his Epistle l. 3. c. 14. Clements Bishop of Alexandria touching the Scriptures l. 6. c. 13. Clergy freed from Paying Tax or Tribute l. 1â—… c. 7. D. DEfinition of a Christian l. 1. c. 5. Doctrine of Christ approved of by Tiberius l2 c. 2. Dioclesians Proclamations against the Christians l. 8. c. 3. Dionysius Epistle concerning the Martyrs l. 6. c. 40. Dionysius Epistle to the Romans l. 4. c. 22. Dionysius Epistle to Novatus l. 6. c. 44. Dionysius Vision l. 7. c. 9. Dionysius Fidelity and Constancy in the time of Tryal l. 7. c. 10. E. EAster and the controversie about that Fast. l. 5. c. 23. Emperors begun to favour the Christians l. 10. c. 2. Emperours Proclamation concerning Christian Religion l. 10. c. 2. The Emperour refered the Bishop to the Judges for them to take acoursâ—… with troublesome Persons l. 10. c. 6. The Encratits and their Heresie l. 4. c. 27. F. THe Frenchman's Epistle unto the Church l. 5. c. 1. G. THe Gospel of the Evangelists l. 3. c. 21. vide l. 3. c. 35. H. HOw Heresie crept into the Church when persecution ceased l. 4. c. 6. Hereticks were a slander unto Christian Religion l. 4. c. 7. Hereticks and False Prophets among the Christians l. 4. c. 21. Herod was Smitten of an Angel l. 2. c. 10. I. JAmes was slain with a Sword l. 2. c. 9. The Martyrdom of James the Brother of Jesus l. 2. c. 9. A History of John the Apostle and a Young man l. 3. c. 20. Ignatius his Valourous courage l. 3. c. 32. Josephus Testimony of Christ. l. 1. c. 12. Justinus the Martyr l. 4. c. 16 17 18. The Jews would not allow of Carved Images l. 2. c. 6. What Irenaeus Wrote concerning the Holy Scriptures l. 5. c. 8. L. LAw against the Christians l. 5. c. 19. Licinnius cruelty towards the Christians l. 10. c. 8. M. WHy Mark Wrote his Gospel l. 2. c. 15. See l. 3. c. 35. Maximinus Impiety Proclamations l. 6. 8. c. 16 17 18. Maximinius conquered his Proclamation and Iudgment l. 9. c. 2. Money given to Ministers l. 10. c. 6. N. NEro's persecutions l. 2. c. 25. Nicolas and his Sect. l. 3. c. 26. Novatus beresie and impietie l. 6. c. 24. O. ORigen's zeale while he was young his Lâ—…vs to the Martyrs how he sold his Philosophy books l. 6. c. 2. Origen's Tryall Fall and bitter Lamentation l. 7. c. 1. P. PAulus Samosatenus's heresie l. 7. c. 19. Persecutions against the Christians l. 8. c. 6. Persecution suddenly Revived againe against the Christians l. 8. c. 27. Pilate became his
indicting himself for this Fact and pleading Guilty when the blood of thy Martyr Stephen was shed I also was standing by and consenting unto his death and kept the Raiment of them that Slew him Acts 22. 20. God chiefly inspects the Heart and if the Vote be passed there writes the man Guilty though he stur no farther in all moral Actions God values the will for the deed the storm thus increased apace and a violent persecution began to arise in which our Apostle was a prime Agent and Minister Raging about in all Parts with a mad and ungoverned Zeal searching for the Saints beating some imprisoning others and procuring them to be put to death indeed he was a kind of Inquisitor imployed to hunt and find out these upstart Hereticks accordingly took a Warrant and Commission to go down to Damascus in fury and a misguided Zeal whether many of those persecuted Christians had fled for shelter but God who had designed him for a work of another nature and separated him from his Mother's womb to the Preaching of the Gospel stopt him in his journey as Acts 22. 9. and he fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying Saul Saul why Persecutest thou me and he went to Damascus another man from a Persecutor he became one of the Persecuted from hence he Traveled to Arabia and spent three years in the Ministery there and then retunned to Damascus a great and populus City from hence he went to Ierusalem and converst with Peter and Iames it was at Antioch about the beginning of Claudious's Reign ten years after Christ's Ascension where the Desiples was first called Christians being usually stiled before Nazarens from Jerusalem he set Sail to Cyprus and planted Christianity there and now the Old Spirit of the Iews did begin to hunt and persue them who coming from Antioch and Iconium exasperated and stired up the multitude and they who just before accounted them as Gods used them not only worse then men but slaves for in a mighty Rage they fell upon Paul stoned him and as they thought Dead and then drag'd him out of the City where the Christians of that place coming probable to Inter him he suddenly Revived and Rose up among them and the next day went hence to Debe and so Traveled to several places to Confirm the new planted Church he was Imprisoned and Ill-used at Phylippi His Parents were Tent Makers by Trade Preaching Christ at Jerusalem Italy Spain Labouring much among the Gentiles suffered at Rome under Nero as he was leading to Execution it is said Three of the Soulders that Guarded him seeing his Courage become Christians and suffered Death he kneeled down and his head strucken off with a Sword as some write in the 68 year of his Age and was buried with Peter The description of his Person He was a Man said to be of Low and tittle Stature and somewhat stooping his Complection fair his Countenance grave his head small his Eyes carried a kind of beauty and sweetness in them that he was Low himself plainly intimates when he tells us they were wont to say of him that his bodily person was weak and his speech contemptable in which respect he is stiled by Chrysostom a Man Three Cubits or a little more than four Foot high and yet tall enough to reach Heaven The Life of Andrew HIstory which hath hitherto been very Large and Copius in describing the Acts of the two first Apostles is hence forward very sparing in its accounts giving us only now and then a few oblique and accidental Remarks concerning the Rest and some of them no farther mentioned than the meer recording of their Names for what Reason it pleased the divine Wisdom and Providence that no more of their Acts should be consigned to writing by the Pen Men of Old is to us unknown Andrew was Born at Bethsaida a City of Galile standing upon the bank of the Lake of Genesareth Son to John or Jonas a Fisher-man of that Town Brother he was to Simon Peter he had Scythia and the Neighbouring Country primary alloted him for his Provinces first then he Traveled through Cappadocia Galatia and Bithynia and Instructed them in the Faith of Christ. Passing all along the Euxine Seas formerly called Axenus from the Barbarous and Inhospitable temper of the People who were wont to sacrificed strangers and of their Skulls make Cups to drink in at their Feasts and Banquets he was brought before the Proconsul who perswaded him that he would not foolishly destroy himself but live and injoy with him the pleasures of this Life the Apostle after many more words replyed that now he saw it was in vain any longer to deal with him a person incapable of sober Counsel and hardened in his on blindness and folly he might now do his worst and if he had one Torment greater than another he might heap that upon him the greater constancy he shewed in his suffering for Christ the more acceptable he should be to his Lord and Master the Procounsul first Commanded him to be scourged seven lashes successively whipping his naked body and seeing his invincable patience and constancy Commanded him to be Crucified but not to be fastned to the Cross with Nails but Cords that so his death might be the more lingering and tedious as he was led to Execution to which he went with a chearful and composed mind the People Cried out that he was an innocent and good Man being come within sight of the Cross he saluted it with this kind adress that he had long desired and expected that happy hour thus having prayed and exhorted the People to constancy and perceverance in that Relgion he was fastned to the Cross whereon he hung two days teaching and instructing the People all the time and when great importunities in the mean while was used to the Proconsul to spare his Life he earnestly begs of the Lord that he might at this time depart and seal the Truth of his Religion with his blood God heard his prayers and he immediately expired in the 9th month though in what year no certain account can be Recorded his Body being taken down and Embalmed was decently and honourably Interred by Maximilla a Woman of great Quality and Estate JAMES The Son of Zebede a Fisher-man by Birth a Galilean suppos'd to be one of the Brethren that their Mother asked that one might sit at the right hand and the other at the left hand of Jesus in his Kingdom he Preach't Christ unto the 12 Tribes some write that he came to Spain and other Western parts and also Britain Ireland he was slain with a Sword by Herod the Tetrach of the Jews in Judaea where he was buried JOHN The Brother of James by Birth a Galilean Preach't Christ in Asia coming near Rome was accused to the Emperor as an Assertor of Athesim and Subvertor of the Religion of the Empire whereupon he was sent bound to Rome and put into a Coldron
such charitable Employments called them forth for none denied her Neighbour her care nor could any worldly Rspects discharge them from that Officiousness If any were Rich or Noble they were the readier to express their compassion and Women of the highest Descent were the forwardest to assist the Calamitous in their need for Religion had mortifi'd in them all Punctilio's of Honour and State and made them remember that in Christ they were all equal She in whose Veins the Noblest Blood did run would say of her poor distressed Nighbour she is my Sister my Fellow-member one that hath part with me in my Dear Redemer If she be antient she is my Mother said she if younger she is my Daughter nor were these expressions names of course only but they were written in their hearts and their Lips spoke what their Minds believed and these words were at once pronounced and thought Hence it was that the greatest Ladies touch'd their poorer Neighbours Sores bound up their Wounds applied Plaisters to them made their Beds and tended them as the meanest Servants Here you might see the industry of one there the sweetness and patience of another one would turn the sick Sister the other help her up the third dress her the fourth feed her and in all this the sick Creature saw as it were the Face of the Lord JESUS She that tended the Sick look'd upon Christ in her that was sick and she that was sick thought she saw Christ in the person that tended her So Divine so heavenly were their Works of Mercy that one was to the other in God's stead and that saying of Christ What you haue done unto the least of these my Brethren you have done it unto me did not depart from their Memories Thus stood the case with the Holy Women then and this advantage they reapt by their Charitable care that when their Husbands died they were taken as Deaconnesses into the Church and thus they prepared themselves for Christ and the Church's Service If any were imprisoned upon the account of Religion all that knew them would fly to them No Keeper so hard-hearted but they would find out a way to smooth him no Lock no Bar so strong but they would make a shift to break it either by their Gifts or their soft Answers not to make the Jaylers false to their Trusts but to get an oppertunity to see their Suffering Friends and when they saw them one would kiss their Chains and Fetters another lay his Lips to their Wounds a third give their bruised Members and tired Bodies such refreshment as was needful 〈◊〉 any of them were driven into Exile in every place they met with Brethren and Feliow-Christians and these would run to to them comfort them lead them into their Houses and treat them as Members of their own Family especially when by Letters from their Brethren they understood that for CHRIST his sake they were driven from their native home Were any condemned to work in Mines or Quarries the neighbouring Christians that that heard of it would presently come together help the innocent Man endeavour to make his burthen light feed him with Victuals and assist him in the performing of his Task Were any of them sent through the malice of the Heathen Governors to the Correction-house or forced to labour hard in Caves and Dens or lamentably scourg'd beaten and abused for the name of the Lord JESUS The rest that heard of it would not complain nor think their Brethren unhappy but rather count themselves so because they were not counted worthy to suffer for the Name of JESUS and therefore would wish that this might be their Lot and Portion too If the fury of Tyrants abated or remitted at any time and the imprison'd and afflicted Believers got leave to return home again some wounded some bruised some with disjoynted Bones some half Burnt some Maimed some with one Arm some with one Eye some with one Leg only their Friends would run out to them and strive who should first receive them into their Houses Happy the man that could kifs their Wounds and refresh them with Necessaries and Conveniences and the longer any Man could harbour such a Christian at his House the happier he thought himself to be And such Men as had thus suffer'd for Christ they honour'd for the future and esteem'd them equal with their Pastors and Presidents Indeed out of these they chose their Bishops thinking those fittest to serve at Christ's Altar who had already made themselves a Sacrifice for him Thus Men purchased the degree of Pastours by their Holiness and their eminent Sanctity which pressed even through Wounds and Tortures for the Name of Christ prepared them for that Function Men that were strong to suffer they justly thought might be fittest to lalabour in God's Church and they that had been such Champions for the truth they looked upon as the properest Instruments to defend it to their death Nor did their kindness extend only to their Friends but reacht even to their greatest Enemies and they that jush before were persecuted by them if their Persecutors fell fick or were afflicted or the Plague of God came upon them these injured Christians would offer their Services support them comfort them admonish them attend at their Beds side and Lend them their helping-hand cherish them supple their Sores relieve them and with a pity great and magnanimous weep over their calamitious Estate to the amazement of the Pagan World who were now ready to look upon them as Angels when but just before they thought them as bad as Devils Poverty was the least thing that troubled them nor did Want sit so heavy on their Souls as it doth on ours for they had learned to undervalue Riches and that which made them slight it were these two impressions the Apostles Doctrine had made on their Souls This sunk deep into their Hearts that here we have no Continuing City but we seek one to come That all we see here is but shadow and imagery but the substance is not yet Visible that the fashions of this World will pass away and the Gaudes and Glories below the Moon afford no real satisfaction This made it ridiculous in their eyes to snatch at a Butterfly or a Flying Feather and they rationally believe that what-ever is subject to time and change will certainly make it self Wings and flee away and leave the Soul as empty as it found it and that therefore their Thoughts must be turned another way even there where constant satisfaction lasting content permanent happiness perfect beauty and uninterrupted joys are to be found and indeed this duly weigh'd will breed a mighty contempt of Temporal things and a certain expectation of future Bliss Nor did the care of their Children fill their Hearts with anexious Thoughts for they were sensible that when-ever the Church had notice of their want they would certainly be relieved and looked after for as many Fathers and Mothers left their