punctual_a account_n of_o what_o be_v do_v at_o their_o religious_a assembly_n as_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v from_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o the_o first_o of_o they_o in_o those_o place_n speak_v not_o any_o thing_n of_o their_o hymn_n and_o psalm_n which_o yet_o that_o they_o be_v even_o in_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v a_o constant_a part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n no_o man_n that_o be_v not_o whole_o a_o stranger_n in_o church-antiquity_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o i_o shall_v therefore_o out_o of_o they_o and_o other_o pick_v up_o and_o put_v together_o what_o seem_v to_o have_v constitute_v the_o main_a body_n of_o their_o public_a duty_n and_o represent_v they_o in_o that_o order_n wherein_o they_o be_v perform_v which_o usual_o be_v in_o this_o manner_n at_o their_o first_o come_v together_o into_o the_o congregation_n they_o begin_v with_o prayer_n as_o tertullian_n at_o least_o probable_o intimate_v for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o in_o any_o beside_o he_o we_o come_v together_o say_v he_o unto_o god_n 31._o that_o be_v band_v as_o it_o be_v into_o a_o army_n we_o may_v besiege_v he_o with_o our_o prayer_n and_o petition_n a_o violence_n which_o be_v very_o please_a and_o grateful_a to_o he_o i_o do_v not_o from_o hence_o positive_o conclude_v that_o prayer_n be_v the_o first_o duty_n they_o begin_v with_o though_o it_o seem_v fair_o to_o look_v that_o way_n especial_o if_o tertullian_n mean_v to_o represent_v the_o order_n as_o well_o as_o the_o substance_n of_o their_o devotion_n after_o this_o follow_v the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n both_o the_o commentary_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n 98._o as_o j._n martyr_n inform_v we_o how_o much_o of_o each_o be_v read_v at_o one_o meeting_n in_o the_o first_o time_n be_v not_o know_v it_o be_v then_o unfixed_a and_o arbitrary_a because_o their_o meeting_n by_o the_o sudden_a interruption_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v oft_o disturb_v and_o break_v up_o and_o therefore_o both_o justin_n and_o tertullian_n confess_v that_o they_o only_o read_v as_o much_o as_o occasion_v serve_v and_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o present_a time_n do_v require_v but_o afterward_o there_o be_v set_v portion_n assign_v both_o out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n 875._o two_o lesson_n out_o of_o each_o as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o author_n of_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n nay_o not_o only_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n but_o many_o of_o the_o write_n of_o apostolical_a man_n such_o as_o be_v eminent_a for_o place_n and_o piety_n be_v in_o those_o day_n public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n hist_o such_o be_v the_o famous_a epistle_n of_o s._n clemens_n to_o the_o corinthian_n 149_o of_o which_o and_o of_o the_o custom_n in_o like_a case_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n who_o live_v about_o the_o year_n 172._o give_v soter_n bishop_n of_o rome_n this_o account_n to_o day_n say_v he_o we_o keep_v holy_a the_o lordsday_n wherein_o we_o read_v your_o epistle_n which_o we_o shall_v constant_o read_v for_o our_o instruction_n as_o we_o also_o do_v the_o first_o epistle_n which_o clemens_n write_v to_o we_o 72._o the_o like_a eusebius_n report_v of_o hermas_n his_o pastor_n a_o book_n so_o call_v and_o s._n hierom_n of_o the_o write_n of_o s._n ephrem_n the_o famous_a deacon_n of_o edessa_n 300._o that_o in_o some_o church_n they_o be_v public_o read_v after_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n about_o this_o part_n of_o the_o service_n it_o be_v that_o they_o sing_v hymn_n and_o psalm_n a_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o divine_a worship_n as_o it_o have_v ever_o be_v account_v both_o among_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o more_o immediate_o serviceable_a for_o celebrate_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o lift_v up_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a rapture_n it_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n speak_v of_o large_o by_o s._n paul_n and_o continue_v in_o all_o age_n after_o insomuch_o that_o pliny_n report_v it_o as_o the_o main_a part_n of_o the_o christian_n worship_n 10._o that_o they_o meet_v together_o before_o day_n to_o join_v in_o sing_v hymn_n to_o christ_n as_o god_n 97._o these_o hymn_n be_v either_o extemporary_a rapture_n so_o long_o as_o immediate_a inspiration_n last_v or_o set_v composition_n either_o take_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o of_o their_o own_o compose_n 32._o as_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o 196_o for_o it_o be_v usual_a then_o for_o any_o person_n to_o compose_v divine_a song_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o sing_v they_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n till_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n order_v 59_o that_o no_o psalm_n compose_v by_o private_a person_n shall_v be_v recite_v in_o the_o church_n where_o though_o by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o two_o greek_a scholiast_n will_v have_v certain_a psalm_n ascribe_v to_o solomon_n and_o other_o to_o be_v understand_v yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o reasonable_a to_o understand_v it_o of_o private_a constitution_n usual_a a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o church_n and_o here_o for_o good_a reason_n prohibit_v by_o this_o council_n it_o be_v likewise_o appoint_v 17._o that_o the_o psalm_n shall_v not_o be_v one_o entire_a continue_a service_n but_o that_o a_o lesson_n shall_v be_v interpose_v in_o the_o midst_n after_o every_o psalm_n which_o be_v do_v as_o balsamon_n and_o alexius_n aristenus_n tell_v we_o to_o take_v off_o the_o weariness_n of_o the_o people_n who_o mind_n may_v be_v apt_a to_o tire_v in_o pass_v through_o those_o prolix_a office_n all_o together_o especial_o the_o lesson_n be_v so_o large_a and_o many_o in_o this_o duty_n the_o whole_a congregation_n bear_v a_o part_n join_v all_o together_o in_o a_o common_a celebration_n of_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n afterward_o the_o custom_n be_v to_o sing_v alternatim_fw-la course_n by_o course_n answer_v one_o another_o 78._o first_o bring_v in_o as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o flavianus_n and_o diodorus_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n 313._o but_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v socrates_n some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o that_o by_o ignatius_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n who_o have_v in_o a_o vision_n hear_v the_o angel_n praise_v the_o holy_a trinity_n with_o alternate_a hymn_n thereupon_o introduce_v the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o that_o church_n which_o from_o thence_o spread_v itself_o into_o all_o other_o church_n and_o whether_o pliny_n who_o live_v about_o that_o time_n may_v not_o mean_v some_o such_o thing_n by_o his_o secum_fw-la inuicem_fw-la canere_fw-la that_o the_o christian_n sing_v hymn_n one_o with_o another_o or_o in_o their_o course_n may_v be_v consider_v by_o those_o who_o think_v it_o worth_a their_o labour_n to_o inquire_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o proceed_v the_o reader_n have_v do_v they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o justin_n the_o martyr_n the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n make_v a_o sermon_n by_o way_n of_o instruction_n and_o exhortation_n 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o imitation_n and_o practice_n of_o those_o excellent_a thing_n that_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o indeed_o sermon_n in_o those_o time_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o exposition_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v read_v before_o and_o exhortation_n to_o the_o people_n to_o obey_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o common_o be_v upon_o the_o lesson_n which_o be_v last_o read_v because_o that_o be_v fresh_a in_o the_o people_n memory_n be_v most_o proper_a to_o be_v treat_v of_o 1116._o as_o s._n augustine_n both_o aver_v the_o custom_n and_o give_v the_o reason_n hence_o in_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n preacher_n come_v to_o be_v call_v tractatores_fw-la and_o their_o sermon_n tractatus_fw-la because_o they_o handle_v or_o treat_v of_o such_o place_n of_o scripture_n as_o have_v be_v a_o little_a before_o read_v unto_o the_o people_n according_a as_o occasion_n be_v these_o sermon_n be_v more_o or_o few_o sometime_o two_o or_o three_o at_o the_o same_o assembly_n the_o presbyter_n first_fw-mi and_o then_o the_o bishop_n as_o be_v express_o affirm_v in_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n 876._o than_o i.e._n after_o the_o read_n of_o the_o gospel_n let_v the_o presbyter_n exhort_v the_o people_n one_o by_o one_o not_o all_o at_o once_o and_o after_o all_o the_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v fit_v for_o the_o master_n to_o do_v and_o thus_o gregory_n nyssen_n excuse_v himself_o for_o not_o introduce_v his_o sermon_n with_o a_o tedious_a preface_n 872._o because_o he_o will_v not_o be_v burdensome_a to_o the_o people_n who_o have_v already_o take_v pain_n to_o hear_v those_o admirable_a discourse_n that_o have_v be_v make_v before_o he_o this_o course_n
the_o public_a treasury_n and_o themselves_o for_o ever_o reduce_v into_o the_o condition_n of_o slave_n these_o be_v some_o of_o the_o more_o usual_a way_n of_o punishment_n among_o the_o roman_n though_o exercise_v towards_o the_o christian_n in_o their_o utmost_a rigour_n and_o severity_n i_o omit_v to_o speak_v of_o christian_n be_v scourge_v and_o whip_v even_o to_o the_o tire_a of_o their_o executioner_n especial_o with_o rod_n call_v plumbatae_fw-la whereof_o there_o be_v frequent_a mention_n in_o the_o theodosian_a code_n which_o be_v scourge_n make_v of_o cord_n or_o thong_n with_o leaden_a bullet_n at_o the_o end_n of_o they_o of_o their_o be_v stone_v to_o death_n their_o be_v behead_v their_o be_v thrust_v into_o stink_a and_o nasty_a prison_n where_o they_o be_v set_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o stock_n with_o five_o hole_n their_o leg_n be_v stretch_v asunder_o to_o reach_v from_o one_o end_n to_o the_o other_o we_o shall_v now_o consider_v some_o few_o of_o those_o unusual_a torment_n and_o punishment_n which_o be_v inflict_v only_o upon_o christian_n or_o if_o upon_o any_o other_o only_o in_o extraordinary_a case_n such_o be_v their_o be_v tie_v to_o arm_n of_o tree_n bend_v by_o great_a force_n and_o strength_n by_o certain_a engine_n and_o be_v sudden_o let_v go_v do_v in_o a_o moment_n tear_v the_o martyr_n in_o piece_n in_o which_o way_n many_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o persecution_n at_o thebais_n 300._o sometime_o they_o be_v clad_v with_o coat_n of_o paper_n linen_n or_o such_o like_a daub_v in_o the_o inside_n with_o pitch_n and_o brimstone_n which_o be_v set_v on_o fire_n they_o be_v burn_v alive_a otherwhile_o they_o be_v shut_v into_o the_o belly_n of_o a_o brazen_a bull_n and_o a_o fire_n be_v kindle_v under_o it_o be_v consume_v with_o a_o torment_n beyond_o imagination_n sometime_o they_o be_v put_v into_o a_o great_a pot_n or_o cauldron_n full_a of_o boil_a pitch_n oil_n lead_v or_o wax_v mix_v together_o or_o have_v these_o fatal_a liquor_n by_o hole_n make_v on_o purpose_n pour_v into_o their_o bowel_n some_o of_o they_o be_v hang_v up_o by_o one_o or_o both_o hand_n with_o stone_n of_o great_a weight_n tie_v to_o their_o foot_n to_o augment_v their_o suffering_n other_o be_v anoint_v all_o over_o their_o body_n with_o honey_n and_o at_o midday_n fasten_v to_o the_o top_n of_o a_o pole_n that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o prey_n to_o fly_n wasp_n and_o such_o little_a cattle_n as_o might_n by_o degree_n sting_v and_o torment_v they_o to_o death_n thus_o beside_o many_o other_o it_o be_v with_o marcus_n bishop_n of_o arethusa_n 〈◊〉_d a_o venerable_a old_a man_n who_o suffer_v under_o julian_n the_o apostate_n after_o infinite_a other_o torture_n they_o daub_v he_o over_o with_o honey_n and_o jelly_n and_o in_o a_o basket_n fasten_v to_o the_o top_n of_o a_o pole_n expose_v he_o to_o the_o hot_a beam_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o to_o the_o fury_n of_o such_o little_a infect_v as_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o prey_v upon_o he_o sometime_o they_o be_v put_v into_o a_o rot_a ship_n which_o be_v turn_v out_o to_o sea_n be_v set_v on_o fire_n thus_o they_o serve_v a_o orthodox_n presbyter_n under_o valens_n the_o arrian_n emperor_n 227._o the_o same_o which_o socrates_n report_v of_o fourscore_o pious_a and_o devout_a man_n who_o by_o the_o same_o emperor_n command_n be_v thrust_v into_o a_o ship_n which_o be_v bring_v into_o open_a sea_n be_v present_o fire_v that_o so_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o may_v also_o want_v the_o honour_n of_o a_o burial_n and_o indeed_o the_o rage_n and_o cruelty_n of_o the_o gentile_n do_v not_o only_o reach_v the_o christian_n while_o alive_a but_o extend_v to_o they_o after_o death_n deny_v they_o what_o have_v be_v otherwise_o grant_v among_o the_o most_o barbarous_a people_n the_o conveniency_n of_o burial_n expose_v they_o to_o the_o ravage_v and_o fierceness_n of_o dog_n and_o beast_n of_o prey_n 334._o a_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v tell_v the_o primitive_a christian_n reckon_v as_o not_o the_o least_o aggravation_n of_o their_o suffering_n nay_o where_o they_o have_v be_v quiet_o bury_v they_o be_v not_o suffer_v many_o time_n as_o tertullian_n complain_v to_o enjoy_v the_o asylum_n of_o the_o grave_n 30._o but_o be_v pluck_v out_o rend_v and_o tear_v in_o piece_n but_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o any_o long_a to_o insist_v upon_o these_o thing_n soon_o may_v a_o man_n tell_v the_o star_n than_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o method_n of_o misery_n and_o suffer_v which_o the_o christian_n endure_v 307._o eusebius_n who_o himself_o be_v a_o sad_a spectator_n of_o some_o of_o the_o late_a persecution_n profess_v to_o give_v over_o the_o account_n as_o a_o thing_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o expression_n the_o manner_n of_o their_o suffering_n and_o the_o person_n that_o suffer_v be_v hard_o nay_o impossible_a to_o be_v reckon_v up_o the_o truth_n be_v as_o he_o there_o observe_v and_o cyprian_a plain_o tell_v demetrian_n of_o it_o their_o enemy_n do_v little_a else_o but_o set_v their_o wit_n upon_o the_o tenter_n to_o find_v out_o the_o most_o exquisite_a method_n of_o torture_n and_o punishment_n 200._o they_o be_v not_o content_a with_o those_o old_a way_n of_o torment_n which_o their_o forefather_n have_v bring_v in_o but_o by_o a_o ingenious_a cruelty_n daily_o invent_v new_a strive_v to_o excel_v one_o another_o in_o this_o piece_n of_o hellish_a art_n and_o account_v those_o the_o witty_a person_n that_o can_v invent_v the_o bitter_a and_o most_o barbarous_a engine_n of_o execution_n and_o in_o this_o they_o improve_v so_o much_o that_o ulpian_n master_n of_o record_n to_o alexander_n severus_n the_o emperor_n and_o the_o great_a oracle_n of_o those_o time_n for_o law_n write_v several_a book_n de_fw-fr officio_fw-la proconsulis_fw-la many_o parcel_n whereof_o be_v yet_o extant_a in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o civil_a law_n in_o the_o seven_o book_n collect_v together_o the_o several_a bloody_a edict_n which_o the_o emperor_n have_v put_v out_o against_o the_o christian_n that_o he_o may_v show_v by_o what_o way_n and_o method_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o destroy_v 491._o as_o lactantius_n tell_v we_o but_o this_o book_n as_o to_o what_o concern_v christian_n be_v not_o now_o extant_a the_o zeal_n and_o piety_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n emperor_n have_v banish_v all_o book_n of_o that_o nature_n out_o of_o the_o world_n as_o appear_v by_o a_o law_n of_o the_o emperor_n theodosius_n 1._o where_o he_o command_v the_o write_n of_o porphyry_n and_o all_o other_o that_o have_v write_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v burn_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o have_v no_o more_o book_n of_o the_o heathen_n concern_v the_o christian_n extant_a at_o this_o day_n have_v give_v this_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o some_o few_o of_o those_o grievous_a torment_n to_o which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v expose_v they_o that_o will_v have_v more_o must_v read_v the_o martyrology_n of_o the_o church_n or_o such_o as_o have_v purposely_o witten_v on_o this_o subject_n we_o come_v next_o to_o consider_v what_o be_v their_o behaviour_n and_o carriage_n under_o they_o this_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o have_v be_v most_o sedate_n and_o calm_v most_o constant_a and_o resolute_a they_o neither_o faint_v nor_o fret_v neither_o rail_v at_o their_o enemy_n nor_o sink_v under_o their_o hand_n but_o bear_v up_o under_o the_o heavy_a torment_n under_o the_o bitter_a reproach_n with_o a_o meekness_n and_o patience_n that_o be_v invincible_a and_o such_o as_o every_o way_n become_v the_o mild_a and_o yet_o generous_a spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o justin_n martyr_n tell_v the_o jew_n 236._o we_o patient_o bear_v say_v he_o all_o the_o mischief_n which_o be_v bring_v upon_o we_o either_o by_o man_n or_o devil_n even_o to_o the_o extremity_n of_o death_n and_o torment_n pray_v for_o those_o that_o thus_o treat_v we_o that_o they_o may_v find_v mercy_n not_o desire_v to_o hurt_v or_o revenge_v ourselves_o upon_o any_o that_o injure_v we_o according_a as_o our_o great_a lawgiver_n have_v command_v we_o laudib_n thus_o eusebius_n report_v the_o hard_a usage_n which_o the_o christian_n meet_v with_o during_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n 622._o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v betray_v and_o butcher_v by_o their_o own_o friend_n and_o brethren_n but_o they_o as_o courageous_a champion_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n accustom_v to_o prefer_v a_o honourable_a death_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o truth_n before_o life_n itself_o little_o regard_v the_o cruel_a usage_n they_o meet_v with_o in_o it_o but_o rather_o as_o become_v true_a soldier_n of_o god_n arm_v with_o patience_n they_o laugh_v at_o all_o method_n of_o execution_n fire_n and_o sword_n and_o the_o piercing_n of_o nail_n wild_a beast_n and_o the_o bottom_n of_o
more_o than_o ordinary_a rank_n and_o dignity_n or_o of_o a_o more_o tender_a and_o delicate_a constitution_n 18._o chrysostome_n determine_v that_o in_o chastise_v and_o punish_v their_o offence_n they_o be_v deal_v withal_o in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n than_o other_o man_n 4._o lest_o by_o hold_v they_o under_o overrigorous_a penalty_n they_o shall_v be_v tempt_v to_o fly_v out_o into_o despair_n and_o so_o throw_v off_o the_o reins_o of_o modesty_n and_o the_o care_n of_o their_o own_o happiness_n and_o salvation_n shall_v run_v headlong_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n so_o wise_o do_v the_o prudence_n and_o piety_n of_o those_o time_n deal_v with_o offender_n neither_o let_v the_o reins_o so_o loose_a as_o to_o patronize_v presumption_n or_o encourage_v any_o man_n to_o sin_n nor_o yet_o hold_v they_o so_o straight_o as_o to_o drive_v man_n into_o despair_n the_o four_o and_o last_o circumstance_n concern_v the_o person_n by_o who_o this_o discipline_n be_v administer_v now_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o this_o affair_n be_v manage_v in_o the_o public_a congregation_n and_o seldom_o or_o never_o do_v without_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o people_n as_o cyprian_n more_o than_o once_o and_o again_o express_o tell_v we_o yet_o be_v it_o ever_o account_v a_o ministerial_a act_n and_o proper_o belong_v to_o they_o 39_o tertullian_n speak_v of_o church_n censure_n add_v that_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v approve_v and_o have_v attain_v that_o honour_n not_o by_o purchase_n but_o testimony_n preside_v therein_o 146._o and_o firmilian_a bishop_n of_o caesarea_n cappadocia_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o s._n cyprian_a speak_v of_o the_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la the_o senior_n that_o preside_v in_o the_o church_n tell_v we_o that_o to_o they_o belong_v the_o power_n of_o baptise_v impose_v hand_n viz._n in_o penance_n and_o ordination_n by_o the_o bishop_n it_o be_v primary_o and_o usual_o administer_v the_o determine_v the_o time_n and_o manner_n of_o repentance_n and_o the_o confer_v pardon_n upon_o the_o penitent_a sinner_n be_v act_n of_o the_o high_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o therefore_o reckon_v to_o appertain_v to_o the_o high_a order_n in_o the_o church_n therefore_o it_o be_v provide_v by_o the_o illiberine_n council_n 40._o that_o penance_n shall_v be_v prescribe_v by_o none_o but_o the_o bishop_n only_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n such_o as_o sickness_n and_o danger_n of_o death_n by_o leave_n and_o command_v from_o the_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n may_v impose_v penance_n and_o absolve_v according_o we_o find_v cyprian_a among_o other_o direction_n to_o his_o clergy_n how_o to_o carry_v themselves_o towards_o the_o lapse_v 2._o give_v they_o this_o that_o if_o any_o be_v over-taken_a with_o sickness_n carthag_n or_o present_a danger_n 4._o they_o shall_v not_o stay_v for_o his_o come_n but_o the_o sick_a person_n shall_v make_v confession_n of_o his_o sin_n to_o the_o next_o presbyter_n or_o if_o a_o presbyter_n can_v not_o be_v meet_v with_o to_o a_o deacon_n that_o so_o lay_v hand_n upon_o he_o he_o may_v depart_v in_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n but_o though_o while_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v small_a and_o the_o bound_n of_o particular_a church_n little_a bishop_n be_v able_a to_o manage_v these_o and_o other_o part_n of_o their_o office_n in_o their_o own_o person_n yet_o soon_o after_o the_o task_n begin_v to_o grow_v too_o great_a for_o they_o and_o therefore_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o decian_a persecution_n when_o christian_n be_v very_o much_o multiply_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o lapse_v great_a it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o church_n partly_o for_o the_o ease_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o partly_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o modesty_n of_o person_n in_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o confess_v every_o crime_n to_o appoint_v a_o public_a penitentiary_n some_o holy_a grave_a and_o prudent_a presbyter_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o take_v the_o confession_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o person_n have_v commit_v after_o baptism_n and_o by_o prayer_n fasting_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o mortification_n to_o prepare_v they_o for_o absolution_n he_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o censor_n morum_fw-la to_o inquire_v into_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n to_o take_v a_o account_n of_o their_o failure_n and_o to_o direct_v and_o dispose_v they_o to_o repentance_n this_o office_n continue_v for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o it_o be_v abrogate_a by_o nectarius_n s._n chrysostom_n predecessor_n in_o the_o see_v of_o constantinople_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o notorious_a scandal_n that_o arise_v about_o it_o 726._o a_o woman_n of_o good_a rank_n and_o quality_n have_v be_v with_o the_o penitentiary_n and_o confess_v all_o her_o sin_n commit_v since_o baptism_n he_o enjoin_v she_o to_o give_v up_o herself_o to_o fast_v and_o prayer_n but_o not_o long_o after_o she_o come_v to_o he_o and_o confess_v that_o while_o she_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o church_n to_o attend_v upon_o those_o holy_a exercise_n she_o have_v be_v tempt_v to_o commit_v folly_n and_o lewdness_n with_o a_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n whereupon_o the_o deacon_n be_v immediate_o cast_v out_o but_o the_o people_n be_v exceed_o trouble_v at_o the_o scandal_n and_o the_o holy_a order_n hereby_o expose_v to_o the_o scorn_n and_o derision_n of_o the_o gentile_n nectarius_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o eudaemon_n a_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n whole_o take_v away_o the_o office_n of_o the_o public_a penitentiary_n leave_v every_o one_o to_o the_o care_n and_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n to_o prepare_v himself_o for_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n this_o account_n socrates_n assure_v we_o he_o have_v from_o eudaemon_n own_o mouth_n and_o sozomen_n add_v that_o almost_o all_o bishop_n follow_v nectarius_n his_o example_n in_o abrogate_a this_o office_n but_o beside_o the_o ordinary_a and_o stand_a office_n of_o the_o clergy_n we_o find_v even_o some_o of_o the_o laity_n the_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n that_o have_v a_o considerable_a hand_n in_o absolve_a penitent_n and_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n have_v a_o mighty_a reverence_n for_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n as_o the_o great_a champion_n of_o religion_n so_o the_o martyr_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o dispense_v in_o extraordinary_a case_n for_o it_o be_v very_o customary_a in_o time_n of_o persecution_n for_o those_o who_o through_o fear_n of_o suffer_v have_v lapse_v into_o idolatry_n to_o make_v their_o address_n to_o the_o martyr_n in_o prison_n and_o to_o beg_v peace_n of_o they_o that_o they_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o the_o church_n who_o consider_v their_o petition_n and_o weigh_v the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o case_n do_v frequent_o grant_v their_o request_n mitigate_v their_o penance_n and_o by_o a_o note_n sign_v under_o their_o hand_n signify_v what_o they_o have_v do_v to_o the_o bishop_n who_o take_v a_o account_n of_o their_o condition_n absolve_v and_o admit_v they_o to_o communion_n of_o these_o libelli_fw-la or_o book_n grant_v by_o the_o martyr_n to_o the_o lapse_v there_o be_v mention_n in_o cyprian_a at_o every_o turn_n who_o complain_v they_o be_v come_v to_o that_o excessive_a number_n alibi_fw-la that_o thousand_o be_v grant_v almost_o every_o day_n 27._o this_o many_o of_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o do_v with_o great_a smartness_n and_o authority_n and_o without_o that_o respect_n that_o be_v due_a to_o the_o bishop_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o note_n write_v to_o cyprian_a by_o lucian_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o confessor_n 29._o which_o because_o it_o be_v but_o short_a and_o withal_o show_v the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o those_o pacific_a libel_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o set_v it_o down_o and_o thus_o it_o run_v all_o the_o confessor_n to_o cyprian_a the_o bishop_n greeting_n know_v that_o we_o have_v grant_v peace_n to_o all_o those_o of_o who_o you_o have_v have_v a_o account_n what_o they_o have_v do_v how_o they_o have_v behave_v themselves_o since_o the_o commission_n of_o their_o crime_n and_o we_o will_v that_o these_o present_n shall_v by_o you_o be_v impart_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n we_o wish_v you_o to_o maintain_v peace_n with_o the_o holy_a martyr_n write_a by_o lucian_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o exorcist_n and_o reader_n be_v present_a this_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o very_o peremptory_a and_o magisterial_a and_o therefore_o of_o this_o confidence_n and_o presumption_n and_o carelessness_n in_o promiscuous_o grant_v these_o letter_n of_o peace_n 34._o cyprian_n not_o without_o reason_n complain_v in_o a_o epistle_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o rome_n beside_o these_o libel_n grant_v by_o the_o martyr_n there_o