of it Devout men probably Proselytes carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation for him They carried or as the word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã properly signifies they dressed him up and prepared the dead body for the burial For we cannot reasonably suppose that the Jews being at this time so mightily enraged against him the Apostles would think it prudent further to provoke the exasperated humour by making a solemn and pompous Funeral His burial if we might believe d Lucian Ep. de invent S. Steph. abi supr apud Bar. ad Ann. 415. p. 371 vid. Niceph. l. 14 c. 9. Tom. 2. p. 454. one of the Ancients who pretends 't was revealed to him in a Vision by Gamaliel whom many of the Ancients make to have been a Christian Convert was on this manner The Jewish Sanhedrim having given order that his Carcass should remain in the place of its Martyrdoâ to be consumed by wild Beasts here it lay for some time night and day untouched either by Beast or Bird of prey Till Gamaliel comââsâonating the case of the holy Martyr persuaded some religious Christian Proselytes who dwelt at Jerusalem and furnished them with all things ãâã Isary for it to go with all possible secrecy and fetch off his bodâ ãâã âhey brought it away in his own Carriage and conveved it to ãâ¦ã called Caphargamala corruptly as is probable for Caphargamala otherwise ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã properly signifies the Town of Camels that is the Village of Gamaliel twenty miles distant from Jerusalem where a solemn mourning was kept for him seventy days at Gamaliels charge who also caused him to be buried in the East side of his own Monument where afterwards he was interred himself The Greek Menaeon adds that his body was put into a Coffin made of the wood of the Tree called Persea ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Menaeon Graecor ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã sub lit Σ. 111. this was a large beautiful Egâptian Tree as c Histor Plant. l. 4. c. 2. p. 286. Theophrastus tells us of which they were wont to make Statues Beds Tables c. though how they came by such very particular intelligence there being nothing of it in Gamaliels Revelation I am not able to imagine * ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã c. c. 14. p. 19. Edit Allat Johannes Phocas a Greek Writer of the middle Age of the Church agrees in the relation of his Interment by Gamaliel but adds that he was first buried in Mount Sion in the house where the Apostles were assembled when our Lord came in to them the doors being shut after his resurrection and afterwards removed by Gamaliel to another place âoid c. 15. p. 25. which says he was on the left side the City as it looks towards Samaria where a famous Monastery was built afterwards XXIV BUT where ever his body was interred it rested quietly for several Ages till we hear of its being found out in the reign of Honorius for then as a H. Eccl. l. 9. c. 16 17. p. 817. Sozomen informs us it was discovered at the same time with the bones of the Prophet Zachary an account of both which he promises to give and having spoken of that of the Prophet there abruptly ends his History But what is wanting in him is fully supplied by other hands especially the forementioned b Vid. loc sapr citat Phot. Cod. Cl. XXI Col. 383. Lucian Presbyter of the Town of Caphargamala in the Diocess of Jerusalem who is very large and punctual in his account the sum whereof so far as concerns the present case and is material to relate is this Sleeping one night in the Baptisterium of his Church this was Ann. CCCCXV. Honor. Imper. XXI there appeared to him a grave venerable old man who told him he was Gamaliel bad him go to John Bishop of Jerusalem and will him to remove his remains and some others whereof S. Stephen was the principal that were with him from the place where they lay Three several times the Vision appeared to him before he would be fully satisfied in the thing and then he acquainted the Bishop with it who commanded him to search after the place After some attempts he found the place of their repository and then gave the Bishop notice who came and brought two other Bishops Eleutherius of Sebaste and Elentherius of Hiericho along with him The Monument being opened they found an Inscription upon S. Stephens Tomb-stone in deep Letters CELIEL signifying says mine Author the Servant of God at the opening of the Coffin there was an Earthquake and a very pleasant and delightful fragrancy came from it and several miraculous cures were done by it The remains being closed up again onely some few bones and a little of the dust that was taken out and bestowed upon Lucian were with great triumph and rejoicing conveyed to the Church that stood upon Mount Sion the place where he himself while alive had discharged the Office of a Deacon I add no more of this but that this Story is not onely mentioned by c Loc. citat Photius and before him by d Marcel Chron. Indâct XIII p. m. 17. Marcellinus Comes sometimes Chancellor or Secretary to Justinian afterwards Emperour who sets it down as done in the very same year and under the same Consuls wherein Lucians Epistle reports it but before both by e De Script Ecc. c. 46 47. p. 55. Gennadius Presbyter of Marseilles who lived Ann. CCCCXC and many years before and consequently not long after the time of Lucian himself who also adds that Lucian wrote a relation of it in Greek to all the Churches which Avitus a Spanish Presbyter translated into Latine whose Epistle is prefixed to it wherein he gives an account of it to Balchonius Bishop of Braga and sent it by Orosius into Spain XXV THESE remains whether before or after the Reader must judge by the sequel of the Story though I question whether he will have faith enough to believe all the circumstances of it were translated to Constantinople upon this occasion f Niceph. H. Ecc. lib. 14. c. 9. p. 454. Tom. 2. Eadem haâet Menaeon Graec. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã sab lit ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã 11. Alexander a Nobleman of the Senatorian Order having a particular veneration for the Protomartyr had erected an Oratory to him in Palestine commanding that himself when dead being put into a Coffin like that of S. Stephen should be buried by him Eight years after his Lady whose name say some was Juliana removing to Constantinople resolved to take her husbands body along with her but in a hurry she chanced to mistake S. Stephens Coffin for that of her husband and so set forward on her journey But it soon betrayed it self by an extraordinary odor and some miraculous effects the fame whereof flying before to Constantinople had prepared the people to conduct it with great joy and
is under the Turkish yoke at this day is without the limits of my business to enquire To look a little higher to the Times we write of though I love not to make severe and ill-natured interpretations of the actions of Divine Providence yet I cannot but observe how heavy the Divine Displeasure not long after Polycarps death fell as upon other places so more particularly upon this City by Plague Fire and Earthquakes mentioned by a Niphil Epit. Dion in M. Aâton p. 281. others but more fully described by b In Orat. Monodia dict vid. Philastr de vit Sophâât l. 2. in Aristid p. m. 659. Aristides their own Orator who was contemporary with S. Polycarp By which means their City before one of the Glories and Ornaments of Asia was turned into Rubbish and Ashes their stately Houses overturned their Temples ruined one especially which as it advanced Asia above other Countries so gave Smyrna the honour and precedence above other Cities of Asia their Traffick spoiled their Marts and Ports laid waste besides the great numbers of People that lost their lives Indeed the fate so sad that the Orator was forced to give over professing himself unable to describe it XVII I cannot better close the Story of Polycarps Martyrdom then with the Preface which the Church of Smyrna has in the beginning of it as what eminently represents the illustrious faith and patience of those Primitive Christians Edit Usser p. 14. confer Euseb l. 4. c. 15. p. 129. Evident it is say they that all those Martyrdoms are great and blessed which happen by the will of God for it becomes us Christians who have a more divine Religion then others to ascribe to God the soveraign disposure of all events Who would not stand and admire the generous greatness of their mind their singular patience and admirable love to God who when their flesh was with scourges so torn off their backs that the whole frame and contexture of their bodies even to their inmost Veins and Arteries might be seen yet patiently endured it Insomuch that those who were present pitied and grieved at the sight of it while they themselves were endued with so invincible a resolution that none of them gave one sigh or groan the holy Martyrs of Christ letting us see that at that time when they were thus tormented they were strangers to their own bodies or rather that our Lord stood by them to assist and comfort them Animated by the grace of Christ they despised the torments of men by one short hour delivering themselves from eternal miseries the fire which their Tormenters put to them seemed cool and little while they had it in their eye to avoid the everlasting and unextinguishable flames of another World their thoughts being fixed upon those rewards which are prepared for them that endure to the end such as neither ear hath heard nor eye hath seen nor hath it entered into the heart of man but which were shewn to them by our Lord as being now no longer Mortals but entering upon the state of Angels In like manner those who were condemned to be devoured by wild Beasts for a long time endured the most grievous tortures shells of Fishes were strewed under their naked bodies and they forced to lie upon sharp pointed stakes driven into the ground and several such like Engines of torture devised for them that if possible by the constancy of their torments the enemy might drive them to renounce the Faith of Christ Various were the methods of punishments which the Devil did invent though blessed be God there were not many whom they were able to prevail upon And at the end of the Epistle they particularly remark concerning Polycarp ãâ¦ã p. 28. that he was not onely a famous Doctor but an eminent Martyr whose Martyrdom all strove to imitate as one who by his patience conquered an unrighteous Judge and by that means having attained an immortal Crown was triumphing with the Apostles and all the souls of the righteous glorifying God the Father and praising of our Lord the disposer of our bodies and the Bishop and Pastor of the Catholic Church throughout the World Nor were the Christians the onely persons that reverenced his memory but the very Gentiles as a Loc. supr cit p. 135. Eusebius tells us every where spoke honourably of him XVIII AS for his Writings besides that b Epist ad Lâcia p. 194. Tom. 1. S. Hierom mentions the Volums of Papias and Polycarp and the above-mentioned c Vit. Polycarp c. 3. n. 12. p. 697 ubi supr Pionius his Epistles and Homilies d Epist ad Florin ap Euseb ubi supr Irenaeus evidently intimates that he wrote several Epistles of all which none are extant at this day but the Epistle to the Philippians an Epistle peculiarly celebrated by the Ancients very useful says e De Script in Polycarp S. Hierom ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as f Suid. in voc ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Suidas and g Sophron. ap Hieron ib. Sophronius stile it a most admirable Epistle h Adv. Hares l. 3. c. 3. ap Eus l. 4. c. 15. p. 128. Irenaeus gives it this Elogium that it is a most perfect and absolute Epistle whence they that are careful of their salvation may learn the character of his Faith and the truth which he preached To which Eusebius adds that in this Epistle he makes use of some Quotations out of the first Epistle of S. Peter An observation that holds good with the Epistle as we have it at this day there being many places in it cited out of the first not one out of the second Epistle Photius passes this just and true judgment of it that it is full of many admonitions delivered with clearness and simplicity according to the Ecclesiastic way way and manner of interpretation It seems to hold a great affinity both in stile and substance with Clemens his Epistle to the Corinthians often suggesting the same rules and making use of the same words and phrases so that it is not to be doubted but he had that excellent Epistle particularly in his eye at the writing of it Indeed it is a pious and truly Christian Epistle furnished with short and useful Precepts and Rules of Life and penned with the modesty and simplicity of the Apostolic Times valued by the Ancients next to the Writings of the Holy Canon Ubi supr and S. Hierom tells us that even in his time it was read in Asiae conventu in the public Assemblies of the Asian Church It was first published in Greek by P. Halloix the Jesuit Ann. MDCXXXIII and not many years after by Bishop Vsher and I presume the pious Reader will think it no unuseful digression if I here subjoin so venerable a monument of the ancient Church THE EPISTLE OF S. POLYCARP Bishop of Smyrna and Martyr to the Philippians Polycarp and the Presbyters that are with him to the
S. Cyprian then in his retirement the Blessed Pope Cyprian in their Letter to them of Carthage To this Eleutherius then these Martyrs directed their Epistle For the Martyrs in those times had a mighty honour and reverence paid to them and their sentence in any weighty case was always entertained with a just esteem and veneration These Letters they sent to Rome by l Euseb ib. c. 4. Irenaeus whom they persuaded to undertake the journey and whom they particularly recommended to Eleutherius by a very honourable testimony desiring him to receive him not onely as their Brother and Companion but as a zealous professor and defender of that Religion which Christ had ratified with his blood I know a Annot. in âuseb p. 91 92. Mons Valois will not allow that Irenaeus actually went this journey that the Martyrs indeed had desired him and he had promised to undertake it but that the heat of the Persecution coming on and he being fixed in the Government and Presidency over that Church could not be spared personally to undergo it But since Eusebius clearly intimates and b De Script in Iren. S. Hierom expresly affirms that the Martyrs sent him upon this errand 't is safest to grant his journey thither though it must be while he was yet Presbyter for so they particularly say he was in their Epistle to the Bishop of Rome And there probably it was that he took more particular notice of Florinus and Blastus c Euseb ibid. c. 15. p. 178. who being Presbyters of the Church of Rome were about this time fallen into the Valentinian Heresie the first of whom he had formerly known d Id. ibid. c. 20. with S. Polycarp in Asia and noted him for his soft and delicate manners and to whom after his return home as also to Blastus he wrote Epistles to convince them of those novel and dangerous sentiments which they had espoused IV. AND now the Persecution at Lyons was daily carried on with a fiercer violence Vast numbers had already gone to Heaven through infinite and inexpressible racks and torments and to crown all e Epist Eccles Lugd. Vien ap Euseb ubi supr c. 1. p. 159. Pothinus their reverend and aged Bishop above ninety years old was seized in order to his being sent the same way Age and sickness had rendred him so infirm and weak that he was hardly able to crawl to his execution But he had a vigorous and sprightly soul in a decaied and ruinous body and his great desire to give the highest testimony to his Religion and that Christ might triumph in his Martyrdom added new life and spirit to him Being apprehended by the Officers he was brought before the Public Tribunal the Magistrates of the City following after and the common People giving such loud and joyful acclamations as if our Lord himself had been leading to execution The Governour presently asked him Who the God of the Christians was Which he knowing to be a captious and sarcastic question returned no other answer then Wert thou worthy thou shouldst know Instruction takes hold onely of the humble and obedient ear Truth is usually lost by being exposed to the vitious and the scornful 't is in vain to hold a Candle either to the Blind that cannot or to them that shut their eyes and will not see ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Origen de Martyr p. 169. there is a reverence due to the Principles of Religion that obliges us not to cast Pearls before Swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend us Hereupon without any reverence to his age or so much as respect to humanity it self he was rudely dragged away and unmercifully beaten they that were near kicking him with their feet and striking him with their fists they that were farther off throwing at him what they could meet with making whatsoever came next to hand the instruments of their fury every man looking upon it as impious and piacular not to do something that might testifie his petulant scorn and rage against him For by this means they thought to revenge the quarrel of their gods But their savage cruelty thought it too much kindness to dispatch him at once it is like they intended him a second Tragoedy which if so Heaven disappointed their designs For being taken up with scarce so much breath as would entitle him to live he was thrown into the Prison where two days after he resigned up his soul to God V. THE Church of Lyons being thus deprived of its venerable Guide none could stand fairer for the Chair then Irenaeus a person honoured and admired by all who succeeded accordingly about the year CLXXIX in a troublesom and tempestuous time But he was a wise and skilful Pilot and steered the Ship with a prudent Conduct And need enough there was both of his courage and his conduct for the Church at this time was not onely assaulted by Enemies from without but undermined and betrayed by Heresies within The attempts of the one he endured with meekness and patience while he endeavoured to prevent the infection and poison of the other by a diligent and vigilant circumspection discovering their persons laying open their designs confuting and condemning their errours so that their folly was made manifest unto all The Author of the ancient a Edit Argent 1601. 4. pag. 2. Synodicon published by Pappus tells us of a Provincial Synod held at Lyons by Irenaeus where with the assistance and suffrage of twelve other Bishops he condemned the Heresies of Valentinus Marcion Basilides and the rest of that Antichristian crew Whence he derived this intelligence I know not it not being mentioned by any other of the Ancients However the thing it self is not improbable Irenaeus his zeal against that sort of men engaging him to oppose them both by word and writing and especially when 't is remembred what himself informs us of that they had invaded his own Province and were come home to his very door For having given us an account of Marcus one of those Gnostic Heresiarchs and his followers their beastly and licentious practices and by what ludicrous and sensless Arts what Magic and hellish Rites they were wont to ensnare and initiate their seduced Proselytes he tells us b Adv. Haeres l. 1. c. 9. p. 72. vid. Hieron Epist ad Theodor p. 196. they were come into the Countries round him all along the Roan where they generally prevailed which seems to have been observed as a Maxim and first principle by all Authors of Sects upon the weaker Sex corrupting their minds and debauching their bodies whose cauterized consciences being afterwards awakened some of them made public confession of their crimes others though deserting their Party were ashamed to return to the Church while others made a desperate and total Apostasie from any pretences to the Faith With some of these Ring-leaders c Praef. ad lib. 1. p. 2. Irenaeus
was the true standard and measure of truth he considered that no man knows every thing that some things are obvious to one that are overseen or neglected by another that there are wholsom herbs and flowers in every Field and that if the thing be well said 't is no matter who 't is that says it that reason is to be submitted to before authority and though a fair regard be due to the opinions and principles of our Friends yet that it is ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as e Ethic. l. 1. c. 4. p. 3. Tom. 2. Aristotle himself confesses more pious and reasonable to honour and esteem the truth And thus he picked up a System of noble principles like so many Flowers out of several Gardens professing f Laert. loc âit this to be the great end of all his disquisitions ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a life perfected according to all the rules of Vertue Of this incomparable Order was our divine Philosopher I espoused not says he g Strom. l. 2. p. 288. this or that Philosophy not the Stoic nor the Platonic not the Epicurean or that of Aristotle but whatever any of these Sects had said that was fit and just that taught righteousness with a divine and religious knowledge ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã all that being selected I call Philosophy Though it cannot be denied but that of any Sect he came nearest to the Stoics as appears from his discoursing by way of Paradoxes and his affected novelty of words two things peculiar to the men of that way as a very learned and ingenious person h H. Dodwel Prolââââ Apol. ad ãâ¦ã de ãâ¦ã 115. has observed And I doubt not but he was more peculiarly disposed towards this Sect by the instructions of his Master Pantaenus so great and professed an admirer of the Stoical Philosophy IV. PANTAENVS being dead he succeeded him in the Schola ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Catechetic School at Alexandria though questionless he taught in it long before that and probably during Pantaenus his absence in India supplying his place till his return and succeeding in it after his death for that he was Pantaenus his Successor the Ancients * Euseb l. 6. c. 6. p. 208. Hieron de Script in Clement Phot. Cod. CXVIII col 297. are all agreed Here he taught with great industry and fidelity and with no less success some of the most eminent men of those times Origen Alexander Bishop of Hicrusalem and others being bred under him And now as a Strom. l. 1. p. 278. himself confesses he found his Philosophy and Gentile-Learning very useful to him for as the Husbandman first waters the soil and then casts in the Seed so the notions he derived out of the Writings of the Gentiles served first to water and soften ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the gross and terrestrial parts of the soul that the spiritual seed might be the better cast in and take vital root in the minds of men Besides the Office of a Catechist he was made Presbyter of the Church of Alexandria and that at least about the beginning of Severus his reign for under that capacity Eusebius takes notice of him Ann. CXCV. About which time prompted by his own zeal and obliged by the iniquity of the times he set himself to vindicate the cause of Christianity both against Heathens and Heretics which he has done at large with singular learning and dexterity in his Book called Stromata published about this time for drawing down a Chronological b Strom. l. 1. p. 336. account of things he ends his computation in the death of the Emperour Commodus Whence 't is evident as c Lib. 6. c. 6. p. 208. Eusebius observes that he compiled that Volume in the reign of Severus that succeeded him V. THE Persecution under Severus raged in all Provinces of the Empire and particularly at Alexandria which made many of the Christians for the present willing to retire and Clemens probably among the rest whom we therefore find particularly discoursing d Stromat l. 4. p. 504. the lawfulness of withdrawing in a time of Persecution that though we may not cowardly decline a danger or death when 't is necessary for the sake of Religion yet in other cases we are to follow the direction of our Saviour when they persecute you in one City flee ye into another and not to obey in such a case is to be bold and rash and unwarrantably to precipitate our selves into danger that if it be a great sin against God to destroy a man who is his image that man makes himself guilty of the crime who offers himself to the public tribunal and little better does he that when he may declines not the Persecution but rashly exposes himself to be apprehended thereby to his power conspiring with the wickedness of his Persecutors And if further he irritate and provoke them he is unquestionably the cause of his own ruine like a man that needlesly rouzes and enrages a wild Beast to fall upon him And this opportunity I doubt not he took to visit the Eastern parts where he had studied in his younger days We find him about this time at Jerusalem with Alexander shortly after Bishop of that place between whom there seems to have been a peculiar intimacy insomuch that S. Clemens dedicated e Euseb l. 6. c. 14. pag. 214. Hieron in Clement his Book to him called The Ecclesiastical Canon ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or against them that Judaize During his stay here he preached constantly and declined no pains even in that evil time and with what success we may see by a piece of a Letter written by Alexander then in prison and sent by our S. Clemens to Antioch which we here insert * Apud Euseb ib. c. 11. p. 212. Alexander a Servant of God and a prisoner of Jesus Christ to the blessed Church at Antioch in the Lord greeting Our Lord has made my bonds in this time of my imprisonment light and easie to me while I understood that Asclepiades a person admirably qualified by his eminency in the faith was by the divine Providence become Bishop of your holy Church of Antioch Concluding these Letters worthy Brethren I have sent you by Clemens the blessed Presbyter a man virtuous and approved whom ye both do and shall yet further know who having been here with us according to the good will and providence of God has greatly established and encreased the Church of Christ By which Epistle we may by the way remarque the errour of ⸫ In Chron. ad Ann. CCXII. Eusebius who places Asclepiades his coming to the See of Antioch in the first year of Caracalla Ann. CCXII. whereas we see it was while Alexander was yet in prison under Severus which he himself makes to be Ann. CCV From Jerusalem then Clemens went to Antioch where we cannot question but he took the same pains and laboured with the same zeal and
Vit. Script Euseb and as Valesius conjectures some years after the Council of Nice though when not long before he expresly affirms that History to have been written before the Nicene Synod how he can herein be excused from a palpable contradiction I cannot imagine 'T is true Eusebius takes no notice of that Council but that might be partly because he designed to end in that joyful and prosperous Scene of things which Constantine restored to the Church as he himself plainly intimates in the beginning of his History which he was not willing to discompose with the controversies and contentions of that Synod according to the humour of all Historians who delight to shut up their Histories with some happy and successful period and partly because he intended to give some account of the affairs of that Council in his Book of the Life of Constantine the Great The Materials wherewith he was furnished for this great undertaking which he complains were very small and inconsiderable were besides Hegesippus his Commentaries then extant Africanus his Chronology the Books and Writings of several Fathers the Records of particular Cities Ecclesiastical Epistles written by the Bishops of those Times and kept in the Archives of their several Churches especially that famous Library at Jerusalem erected by Alexander Bishop of that place but chiefly the Acts of the Martyrs which in those Times were taken at large with great care and accuracy These at least a great many of them Eusebius collected into one Volume under the Title of ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã A Collection of the Ancient Martyrdoms which he refers to at every turn besides a particular Narrative which he wrote still extant as an Appendage to the Eighth Book of his Ecclesiastical History concerning the Martyrs that suffered in Palestin A great part of these Acts by the negligence and unfaithfulness of succeeding Times were interpolated and corrupted especially in the darker and more undiscerning Ages when Superstition had overspread the Church and when Ignorance and Interest conspired to fill the World with idle and improbable Stories and men took what liberty they pleased in venting the issue of their own Brains insomuch that some of the more wise and moderate even of the Roman Communion have complained not without a just resentment and indignation that Laertius has written the Lives of Philosophers with more truth and chastness then many have done the Lives of the Saints Upon this account a great and general out-cry has been made against Simeon Metaphrastes as the Father of incredible Legends and one that has notoriously imposed upon the World by the most fabulous reports Nay some to reflect the more disgrace upon him have represented him as a petty Schoolmaster A charge in my mind rash and inconsiderate and in a great measure groundless and uncharitable He was a person of very considerable birth and fortunes advanced to the highest Honours and Offices one of the Primier Ministers of State and as is probable Great Chancellor to the Emperour of Constantinople learned and eloquent above the common standard and who by the persuasions not onely of some great ones of that time he flourished under Leo the Wise about the Year DCCCC but principally wrote under the reign of his successor but of the Emperour himself was prevailed with to reduce the Lives of the Saints into order To which end by his own infinite labour and the no less expences of the Emperour he ransacked the Libraries of the Empire till he had amassed a vast heap of Volumes The more ancient Acts he passed without any considerable alteration more then the correcting them by a collation of several Copies and the enlarging some circumstances to render them more plain and easie as appears by comparing some that are extant at this day Where Lives were confused and immethodical or written in a stile rude and barbarous he digested the history into order and clothed it in more polite and elegant language Others that were defective in neither he left as they were and gave them place amongst his own So that I see no reason for so severe a censure unless it were evident that he took his accounts of things not from the Writings of those that had gone before him but forged them of his own head Not to say that things have been made much worse by Translations seldom appearing in any but the dress of the Latine Church and that many Lives are laid at his door of which he never was the Father it being usual with some when they met with the Life of a Saint the Author whereof they knew not presently to fasten it upon Metaphrastes But to return to Eusebius from whom we have digressed His Ecclesiastical History the almost onely remaining Records of the ancient Church deserves a just esteem and veneration without which those very fragments of Antiquity had been lost which by this means have escaped the common Shipwrack And indeed S. Hierom Nicephorus and the rest do not onely build upon his foundation but almost entirely derive their materials from him As for Socrates Sozomen Theodorit and the later Historians they relate to Times without the limits of my present business generally conveying down little more then the History of their own Times the Church History of those more early Ages being either quite neglected or very negligently managed The first that to any purpose broke the ice after the Reformation were the Centuriators of Magdeburg a combination of learned and industrious men the chief of whom were John Wigandus Matth. Judex Basilius Faber Andreas Corvinus but especially Matth. Flaccius Illyricus who was the very soul of the undertaking They set themselves to traverse the Writings of the Fathers and all the ancient Monuments of the Church collecting whatever made to their purpose which with indefatigable pains they digested into an Ecclesiastic History This they divided into Centuries and each Century into fifteen Chapters into each of which as into its proper Classis and Repository they reduced whatever concerned the propagation of Religion the Peace or Persecutions of the Christians the Doctrines of the Church and the Heresies that arose in it the Rites and Ceremonies the Government Schisms Councils Bishops and persons noted either for Religion or Learning Heretics Martyrs Miracles the state of the Jews the Religion of them that were without and the political revolutions of that Age. A method accurate and useful and which administers to a very distinct and particular understanding the affairs of the Church The four first Centuries were finished in the City of Magdeburg the rest elsewhere A work of prodigious diligence and singular use True it is that it labours under some faults and imperfections and is chargeable with considerable errours and mistakes And no wonder for besides that the Persons themselves may be supposed to have been sometimes betraid into an ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã by the heats and contentions of those Times it was the first attempt in this kind and
Gospel The Schism in the Church of Corinth and Clemens his Epistle to that Church An enquiry into the time when that Epistle was written The Persecution under Trajan His proceeding against the Heteriae A short relation of S. Clemens his troubles out of Simeon Metaphrastes His banishment to Cherson Damnatio ad Metalla what The great success of his Ministry in the place of his exile S. Clemens his Martyrdom and the kind of it The anniversary miracle reported on the day of his solemnity The time of his Martyrdom His genuine Writings His Epistle to the Corinthians the commendations given of it by the Ancients It s Stile and Character The great modesty and humility that appears in it The fragment of his second Epistle Supposititious Writings The Recognitions their several titles and different editions Their Antiquity what A conjecture concerning the Author of them The censures of the Ancients concerning the corrupting of them considered The Epistle to S. James Pag. 77. The Life of S. SIMEON Bishop of Jerusalem The heedless confounding him with others of the like name His Parents and near Relation to our Saviour The time of his Birth His strict Education and way of Life The Order and Institution of the Rechabites what His conversion to Christianity The great care about a Successor to S. James Bishop of Jerusalem Simeon chosen to that place when and why The causes of the destruction of the Jewish state The original and progress of those Wars briefly related The miserable state of Jerusalem by Siege Pestilence and Famine Jerusalem stormed The burning of the Temple and the rage of the Fire The number of the Slain and Captives The just accomplishment of our Lords predictions The many Prodigies portending this destruction The Christians forewarned to depart before Jerusalem was shut up Their withdrawment to Pella The admirable care of the Divine Providence over them Their return back to Jerusalem when The flourishing condition of the Christian Church there The occasion of S. Simeons Martyrdom The infinite jealousie of the Roman Emperours concerning the line of David Simeons apprehension and crucifixion His singular torments and patience His great age and the time of his death Pag. 89. The Life of S. IGNATIUS Bishop of Antioch His Originals unknown Called Theophorus and why The Story of his being taken up into our Saviours arms refuted His Apostolic education S. Johns Disciple His being made Bishop of Antioch The eminency of that See The order of his succession stated His prudent Government of that Church The tradition of his appointing Antiphonal hymns by revelation Trajans persecuting the Church at Antioch His discourse with Ignatius Ignatius his cruel usage His sentence passed His being transmitted to Rome and why sent so far to his execution His arrival at Smyrna and meeting with S. Polycarp His Epistles to several Churches His coming to Troas and Epistles thence His arrival at Porto Romano Met on the way by the Christians at Rome His earnest desire of Martyrdom His praying for the prosperity of the Church The time of his Passion His being thrown to wild Beasts What kind of punishment that among the Romans The collection of his Remains and their transportation to Antioch and the great honours done to them The great plenty of them in the Church of Rome Trajans surceasing the Persecution against the Christians The dreadful Earthquakes happening at Antioch Ignatius his admirable Piety His general solicitude for the preservation and propagation of the Christian Doctrine as an Apostle His care diligence and fidelity as a Bishop His patience and fortitude as a Martyr His Epistles Polycarps commendation of them Pag. 99. The Life of S. POLYCARP Bishop of Smyrna The place of his Nativity The honour and eminency of Smyrna His education under S. John By him constituted Bishop of Smyrna Whether the same with the Bishop to whom S. John committed the young man S. Polycarp the Angel of the Church of Smyrna mentioned in the Apocalyps Ignatius his arrival at Smyrna His Letters to that Church and to S. Polycarp His Journey to Rome about the Quartodeciman Controversie The time of it enquired into Anicetus his succession to the See of Rome His reception there by Anicetus Their mutual kindness notwithstanding the difference His stout opposing Heretics at Rome His sharp treatment of Marcion and mighty zeal against those early corrupters of the Christian Doctrine Irenaeus his particular remarques of S. Polycarps actions The Persecution under M. Antoninus The time of Polycarps Martyrdom noted The acts of it written by the Church of Smyrna their great esteem and value S. Polycarp sought for His Martyrdom foretold by a dream His apprehension and being conducted to Smyrna Irenarchae who Polycarps rude treatment by Herodes His being brought before the Proconsul Christians refused to swear by the Emperours genius and why His pious and resolute answers His slighting the Proconsuls threatnings His sentence proclaimed Asiarchae who Preparation for his burning His Prayer before his death Miraculously preserved in the fire Dispatched with a Sword The care of the Christians about his Remains this far from a superstitious veneration Their annual meeting at the place of his Martyrdom His great Age at his death The day of his Passion His Tomb how honoured at this day The judgments happening to Smyrna after his death The Faith and Patience of the Primitive Christians noted out of the Preface to the Acts of his Martyrdom His Epistle to the Philippians It s usefulness Highly valued and publicly read in the ancient Church The Epistle it self Pag. 111. The Life of S. QUADRATUS Bishop of Athens His Birth-place enquired into His Learning His Education under the Apostles Publius Bishop of Athens Quadratus his succession in that See The degenerate state of that Church at his coming to it His indefatigable zeal and industry in its reformation It s purity and flourishing condition noted by Origen Quadratus his being endowed with a spirit of Prophecy and a power of Miracles This person proved to be the same with our Athenian Bishop The troubles raised against the Christians under the reign of Aadrian Aadrians Character His disposition towards Religion and base thoughts of the Christians His fondness for the Learning and Religion of Greece His coming to Athens and kindness to that City His being initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries These mysteries what and the degrees of initiation Several addresses made to the Emperour in behalf of the Christians Quadratus his Apologetic Ser. Granianus his Letter to Aadrian concerning the Christians The Emperours Rescript His good opinion afterwards of Christ and his Religion Quadratus driven from his charge His Martyrdom and place of Burial Pag. 131. The Life of S. JUSTIN the Martyr His vicinity to the Apostolic times His Birth-place and Kindred His Studies His Travels into Egypt To what Sect of Philosophy he applied himself The occasion and manner of his strange conversion to Christianity related by himself Christianity the onely safe and
learning His Writings His Hypotyposes Photius his account of them corrupted by the Arrians His Books yet extant and the orderly gradation of them His Stromata what the design of it His stile what in this what in his other Books A short Apology for some unwary assertions in his Writings His Writings enumerated Pag. 193. The Life of TERTULLIAN Presbyter of Carthage His names whence His Father who His education in all kinds of Learning His skill in the Roman Laws Different from Tertylian the Lawyer His way of life before his conversion enquired into His married condition His conversion to Christianity when The great cruelty used towards the Christians Severus his kindness to them Tertullians excellent Apology in their behalf His address to Scapula and the tendency of that discourse Severus his violent persecuting the Christians His prohibition of the Heteriae Tertullians Book to the Martyrs and concerning Patience His zeal against Heresies and Writings that way His Book De Pallio when written and upon what occasion His becoming Presbyter when His Book De Corona and what the occasion of it His declining from the Catholic Party Montanus who and whence His principles and practices Tertullians owning them and upon what occasion His morose and stubborn temper How far he complied with the Montanists and acknowledged the Paraclete How he was imposed upon His Writings against the Catholics The severity of the ancient Discipline Episcopus Episcoporum in what sense meant by Tertullian concerning the Bishop of Rome His separate meetings at Carthage His death His Character His singular parts and learning His Books His phrase and stile What contributed to its perplexedness and obscurity His un-orthodox opinions A brief plea for him Pag. 201. The Life of ORIGEN Presbyter Catechist of Alexandria Origen where and when born Several conjectures about the original of his name His Father who His juvenile education and great towardliness in the knowledge of the Scriptures His Philosophical Studies under Clemens Alexandrinus His Institution under Ammonius Ammonius who His fame and excellency confessed by the Gentile Philosophers Another Origen his Contemporary These two heedlesly confounded His Fathers Martyrdom and the confiscation of his Estate Origen's resolute encouragement of his Father His own passionate desire of Martyrdom His maintenance by an honourable Matron of Alexandria His zeal against Heretics His setting up a private School He succeeds Clemens in the Catechetic School at eighteen years of Age. The frequency of his Auditors Many of them Martyrs for the Faith Origen's resolution in attending upon the Martyrs His danger His couragious act at the Temple of Serapis His emasculating himself and the reasons of it The eminent chastity of those Primitive Times Origen's journey to Rome and return to Alexandria His taking in a Colleague into the Catechetic Office He learns the Hebrew Tongue The prudent method of his Teaching Ambrosius converted Who he was His great intimacy with Origen Origen sent for by the Governour of Arabia His journey into Palestin and teaching at Caesarea Remanded by the Bishop of Alexandria Alexander Severus his excellent Vertues and kindness for the Christian Religion Origen sent for by the Empress Mammaea to Antioch He begins to write his Commentaries How many Notaries and Transcribers imployed and by whom maintained Notaries their Original and Office Their use and institution in the Primitive Church His journey into Greece His passage through Palestin and being ordained Presbyter at Caesarea Demetrius of Alexandria his envy and rage against him Origen condemned in two Synods at Alexandria and one at Rome The resignation of his Catechetic School to Heraclas Heraclas who The story of his offering Sacrifice The credit of this story questioned and why His departure from Alexandria and fixing at Caesarea The eminency of his School there Gregorius Thaumaturgus his Scholar His friendship with Firmilian Firmilian who The Persecution under Maximinus Origen's Book written to the Martyrs His retirement whither He compares the Versions of the Bible His Tetrapla Hexapla and Octapla what and how managed A Specimen given of them His second journey to Athens His going to Nicomedia and Letter to Africanus about the History of Susanna His confutation of Beryllus in Arabia His answer to Celsus Celsus who Origens Letters to Philip the Emperour The vanity of making him a Christian Origens journey into Arabia to refute Heresies The Helcesaitae who What their Principles Alexanders miraculous election to the See of Jerusalem His Coadjntorship Government Sufferings and Martyrdom Origens grievous sufferings at Tyre under the Decian Persecution His deliverance out of Prison Age and Death His Character His strict life His mighty zeal abstinence contempt of the World indefatigable diligence and patience noted His natural parts incomparable learning His Books and their several Classes His stile what His unsound opinions The great Out-cry against him in all Ages The Apologies written in his behalf Several things noted out of the Ancients to extenuate the charge His assertions not Dogmatical Not intended for public view Generally such as were not determined by the Church His Books corrupted and by whom His own complaints to that purpose The testimonies of Athanasius and Theotimus and Haymo in his vindication Great errours and mistakes acknowledged What things contributed to them His great kindness for the Platonic Principles S. Hierom's moderate censure of him His repenting of his rash Propositions His Writings enumerated and what now extant Pag. 213. The Life of S. BABYLAS Bishop of Antioch His Originals obscure His education and accomplishments enquired into Made Bishop of Antioch when Antioch taken by the King of Persia Recovered by the Roman Emperour Babylas his fidelity in his charge The Decian Persecution and the grounds of it severely urged by the Emperours Edicts Decius his coming to Antioch His attempt to break into the Christian Congregation Babylas his bold resistance This applied to Numerianus and the ground of the mistake The like reported of Philip the Emperour Decius his bloudy act related by S. Chrysostom His rage against Babylas and his examination of him The Martyrs resolute answer His imprisonment and hard usage The different accounts concerning his death Three Youths his fellow-sufferers in vain attempted by the Emperour Their Martyrdom first and why Babylas beheaded His command that his chains should be buried with him The translation of his body under Constantius The great sweetness and pleasantness of the Daphne Apollo's Temple there S. Babylas his bones translated thither by Gallus Caesar The Oracle immediately rendered dumb In vain consulted by Julian The confession of the Daemon Julian's command for removing Babylas his bones The Martyrs Remains triumphantly carried into the City The credit of this Story sufficiently attested The thing owned by Libanius and Julian Why such honour suffered to be done to the Martyr Julian afraid of an immediate vengeance His Persecution against the Christians at Antioch The sufferings of Theodorus The Temple of Apollo fired from Heaven Pag. 241. The Life of
onely said that they sailed under it and passed by it and that Titus was then in the company whereof no footsteps or intimations appear in the Story Sailing therefore from some Port in Cilicia they arrived at Crete where S. Paul industriously set himself to preach and propagate the Christian Faith delighting as much as might be to be the first messenger of the glad tidings of the Gospel to all places where he came not planting in another mans line or building of things made ready to his hand But because the care of other Churches called upon him and would not permit him to stay long enough here to see Christianity brought to a due maturity and perfection he constituted Titus Bishop of that Island that he might nourish that infant-infant-Church superintend its growth and prosperity and manage the Government and Administration of it This the Ancients with one mouth declare He was the first Bishop says d H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 4. p. 73. Eusebius of the Churches in Crete the Apostle consecrated him Bishop of it so e Praef. in Tit. p. 419. T. 5. S. Ambrose so f Doroth. Synops p. 148. Dorotheus and g Ap. Hier. de Script in Tit. Sophronius he was says h Homil. 1. in Tit. p. 1692. Chrysostom an approved person to whom ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the whole Island was intirely committed that he might exercise power and jurisdiction over so many Bishops he was by S. Paul ordained Bishop of Crete though a very large Island that he might ordain Bishops under him says i Argum. Epist ad Tit. Tom. 3. Theodoret expresly To which might be added the testimonies of Theophylact Oecumenius and others and the subscription at the end of the Epistle to Titus which though not dictated by the same hand is ancient however where he is said to have been ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Cretians And k Argum. in 1 ad Tim. p. 1519. S. Chrysostom gives this as the reason why of all his Disciples and Followers S. Paul wrote Epistles to Titus and Timothy and not to Silas or Luke because he had committed to them the care and government of Churches while he reserved the others as attendants and ministers to go along with himself IV. NOR is this meerly the arbitrary sense of Antiquity in the case but seems evidently founded in S. Pauls own intimation Tit. 1.5 where he tells Titus For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee that is I constituted thee Governour of that Church that thou mightst dispose and order the affairs of it according to the rules and directions which I then gave thee Ordain Elders he means Bishops says l Homil. 2. in Tit. p. 1700. vid. etiam Theoph. Occumen in loc Chrysostom as elsewhere I have oft explained it Elders in every City he was not willing as he adds that the whole administration of so great an Island should be managed by one but that every City might have its proper Governour to inspect and take care of it that so the burden might be lighter by being laid upon many shoulders and the people attended with the greater diligence Indeed Crete was famous for number of Cities above any other Island in the World thence stiled of old Hecatompolis the Island of an hundred Cities In short plain it is that Titus had power of Jurisdiction Ordination and Ecclesiastical Censures above any other Pastors or Ministers in that Church conferred and derived upon him V. SEVERAL years S. Titus continued at his charge in Crete when he received a summons from S. Paul then ready to depart from Ephesus The Apostle had desired Apollos to accompany Timothy and some others whom he had sent to Corinth but he chusing rather to go for Crete by him and Zenas he wrote an Epistle to Titus to stir him up to be active and vigilant and to teach him how to behave himself in that station wherein he had set him And indeed he had need of all the counsels which S. Paul could give him who had so loose and untoward a generation of men to deal with For the Countrey it self was not more fruitful and plenteous then the manners of the people were debauched and vicious Tit. 1 3â S. Paul puts Titus in mind what a bad character one of their own Poets who certainly knew them best had given of them ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã The Cretians are always Liars Evil Beasts Slow-bellies This Verse a Homil. III. in Tit. pag. 1707. S. Chrysostom supposes the Apostle took from Callimachus who makes use indeed of the first part of it charging the Cretians to be like themselves notorious Liars in pretending that Jupiter was not onely born but died among them and that they had his Tomb with this Inscription ÎÎΤÎÎ¥ÎÎ ÎÎÎ ÎÎÎΤÎÎ Here lies Jupiter when as the deity is immortal whereupon the good Father perplexes himself with many needless difficulties in reconciling it Whereas in truth S. Paul borrowed it not from Callimachus but Epimenides a native of Crete famous among the Ancients for his Raptures and Enthusiastic divinations ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as b In vit Solon pag. 84. Plutarch says of him From him Callimachus cites part of the Verse ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Callim Hymn ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 1. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Vet. Schol. ibi and applies it to his particular purpose while S. Paul quotes it intire from the Author himself This witness says he is true And indeed that herein he did not bely them we have the concurrent testimonies of most Heathen Writers who charge the same things upon them ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Suid. in voc ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Eadem Mich. Apostol in eod verb. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Psell de operat Damon p. 37. So famous for lying that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã became proverbial to lie like a Cretian and to cousen a cheat and nothing more obvious then mendax Creta c Histor l. 6. p. 681. l. 4. p. 386. Edit L Bataââ Polybius tells us of them that no where could be found more subtle and deceitful Wits and generally more wicked and pernicious Counsels that their Manners were so very sordid and covetous that of all men in the World the Cretians were the only persons who accounted nothing base or dishonest that was but gainful and advantagious Besides they were idle and impatient of labour gluttonous and intemperate unwilling to take any pains farther then to make provision for the flesh as the natural effect of ease idleness and plenty they were wanton and lascivious and prone to the vilest and basest sort of lust ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as d Deipnosoph l. 13. pag. 601. Athenaeus informs us outragiously mad upon that sin
either because 't was their humor to lay their own children at other mens doors or to decline the censure which the notions they published were likely to expose them to or principally to conciliate the greater esteem and value for them by thrusting them forth under the name of those for whom the World has a just regard and veneration As for Monsieur Dailles conjecture De Script Dionys c. 39. p. 221. that the reason why several learned Volumes were written and fastned upon the Fathers of the ancient Church was to vindicate them from that common imputation of the Gentiles who were wont to charge the Christians for being a rude and illiterate generation whose Books were stuffed with nothing but plain simple Doctrines and who were strangers to all kind of Learning and Eloquence that to obviate this objection several took upon them to compose Books full of Learning and Philosophy which they published under the names of the first preachers and propagaters of the Christian Faith and that this particularly was the case of the Recognitions ascribed to Clemens and the Writings attributed to Dionysius The first I grant very likely and rational the Recognitions being probably written about the second Century when as appears from Celsus his Book against the Christians this objection was most rife and when few learned discourses had been published by them But can by no means allow it as to the second Dionysius his Works being written long after the Learning and Eloquence of the Christians had sufficiently approved it self to the World to the shame and conviction the envy and admiration of its greatest Enemies And there was far less need of them for this purpose if it be true what Daille himself so confidently asserts and so earnestly contends for that they were not written till the beginning of the sixth Century about the year DXX when there were few learned Gentiles left to make this objection Heathenism being almost wholly banished out of the civilized World XVI BUT whoever was their genuine Parent or upon what account soever he wrote them it is plain that he laid the foundation of a mystical and unintelligible Divinity among Christians and that hence proceeded all those wild Rosicrucean notions which some men are so fond of and the life and practice whereof they cry up as the very soul and perfection of the Christian State And that this Author does immediately minister to this design let the Reader judge by one instance and I assure him 't is none of the most obscure and intricate passages in these Books I have set it down in its own Language as well as ours not being confident of my own version though expressed word for word for I pretend to no great faculty in translating what I do not understand Thus then he discourses concerning the knowledge of God ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Dionys de Divin Nomin cap. 7. p. 238. God saith he is known in all things and without all things he is known by knowledge and by ignorance there is both a cogitation of him and a word and a science and a touch and a sense and an opinion and an imagination and a name and all other things and yet he is neither thought nor spoken nor named He is not any thing of those things that are nor is he known in any of the things that are he is both all things in all and nothing in nothing out of all things he is known to all and out of nothing to nothing These are the things which we rightly discourse concerning God And this again is the most divine knowledge of God that which is known by ignorance according to the union that is above understanding when the mind getting at a distance from all things that are and having dismissed it self is united to those super-illustrious Beams from whence and where it is enlightned in the unfathomable depth of wisdom More of this and the like stuff is plentifully scattered up and down these Books And if this be not mystical and profound enough I know not what is and which certainly any man but one well versed in this sort of Theology would look upon as a strange Jargon of non sense and contradiction And yet this is the height of devotion and piety which some men earnestly press after and wherein they glory As if a man could not truly understand the mysteries of Religion till he had resigned his reason nor be a Christian without first becoming an Enthusiast nor be able to speak sense unless in a Language which none can understand Writings falsly attributed to him De Coelesti Hierarchia Lib. I. De Divinis Nominibus I. De Ecclesiastica Hierarchia I. De Mystica Theologia I. Epistolae ad Caium IV. Ad Dorotheum I. Ad Sosipatrum Epistola I. Ad Polycarpum I. Ad Demophilum I. Ad Titum I. Ad Joannem Evangelistam I. Ad Apollophanem I. The End of S. DIONYSIUS's Life THE LIFE OF S. CLEMENS BISHOP of ROME Michael Burghers delineavit et sculpsit S. CLEMENS ROMANUS His birth-place His Parents Kindred Education and Conversion to Christianity noted out of the Books extant under his name His relation to the Imperial Family shewed to be a mistake His being made Bishop of Rome The great confusion about the first Bishops of that See A probable account endeavoured concerning the order of S. Clemens his succession and the reconciling it with the times of the other Bishops What account given of him in the ancient Epistle to S. James Clemens his appointing Notaries to write the Acts of the Martyrs and dispatching Messengers to propagate the Gospel The Schism in the Church of Corinth and Clemens his Epistle to that Church An enquiry into the time when that Epistle was written The Persecution under Trajan His proceeding against the Heteriae A short relation of S. Clemens his troubles out of Simeon Metaphrastes His banishment to Cherson Damnatio ad Metalla what The great success of his Ministry in the place of his exile S. Clemens his Martyrdom and the kind of it The anniversary miracle reported on the day of his solemnity The time of his Martyrdom His genuine Writings His Epistle to the Corinthians the commendations given of it by the Ancients It s Stile and Character The great modesty and humility that appears in it The fragment of his second Epistle Supposititious Writings The Recognitions their several titles and different editions Their Antiquity what A conjecture concerning the Author of them The censures of the Ancients concerning the corrupting of them considered The Epistle to S. James I. IT makes not a little for the honour of this Venerable Apostolical Man for of him all antiquity understands it that he was Fellow-labourer with S. Paul and one of those whose names were written in the Book of Life He was born at Rome upon Mount Caelius as besides others the a Vit. Clement Concil Tom. 1. col 74. Pontifical under the name of Damasus
a Joseph Antiq. Jad l. 13. c. 23. p. 462. Jews under Alexander Jannaeus their King sacked it because they would not receive the Rites of their Religion And God 't is like on purpose directed the Christians hither that they might be out of the reach of the Besom of Destruction that was to sweep away the Jews where-ever it came Nor was it a less remarkable instance of the care and tenderness of the Divine Providence over them that when Cestius Gallus had besieged Jerusalem on a sudden he should unexpectedly break up the Siege at once giving them warning of their danger and an opportunity to escape How long Simeon and the Church continued in this little Sanctuary and when they returned to Jerusalem appears not If I might conjecture I should place their return about the beginning of Trajans reign when the fright being sufficiently over and the hatred and severity of the Romans asswaged they might come back with more safety Certain it is that they returned before b Epiph. de Pond Mens ibid. Adrians time who forty seven years after the devastation coming to Jerusalem in order to its reparation found there a few houses and a little Church of Christians built upon Mount Sion in that very place where that Vpper Room was into which the Disciples went up when they returned from our Lords Ascension Here the Christians who were returned from Pella kept their solemn Assemblies and were so renowned for the flourishing state of their Religion and the eminency of their Miracles that Aquila the Emperours Kinsman and whom he had made Governour and Overseer of the rebuilding of the City being convinced embraced Christianity But still pursuing his old Magic and Astrological studies notwithstanding the frequent admonitions that were given him he was cast out of the Church Which he resented as so great an affront that he apostatized to Judaism and afterwards translated the Bible into Greek But to return back to Simâon confident we may be that he administred his Province with all diligence and fidelity in the discharge whereof God was pleased to preserve him as a person highly useful to his Church to a very great Age till the middle of Trajans reign when he was brought to give his last testimony to his Religion and that upon a very slight pretence X. THE Roman Emperors were infinitely jealous of their new established Sovereignty and of any that might seem to be Corrivals with them especially in Palestine and the Eastern parts For an ancient and constant tradition as appears besides Josephus both from Suetonius and Tacitus had been entertained throughout the Eust that out of Judaea should arise a Prince that should be the great Monarch of the World Which though Josephus to ingratiate himself with the Romans flatteringly applied to Vespasian yet did not this quiet their minds but that still they beheld all that were of the line of David with a jealous eye ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Chron. Alexandr ad Ann. 1. Olympiad CCXIII. Indict XV. Vespas V. p. 586. eadem habet de Domitian ad An. 1. Olymp. CCXVIII Ind. V. Domit. XIII p. 590. This made Domitian Vespasians son resolve to destroy all that were of the blood royal of the house of Judah upon which account two Nephews of S. Jude one of the brothers of our Lord were brought before him and despised by him for their poverty and meanness as persons very unlikely to stand competitors for a Crown The very same Indictment was brought against our aged Bishop for some of the Sects of the a Euseb l. 3. c. 32. p. 103. 104. Jews not able to bear his activity and zeal in the cause of his Religion and finding nothing else to charge upon him accused him to Atticus at that time Consular Legat of Syria for being of the Posterity of the Kings of Judah and withall a Christian Hereupon he was apprehended and brought before the Proconsul who commanded him for several days together to be wracked with the most exquisit torments All which he underwent with so composed a mind so unconquerable a patience that the Proconsul and all that were present were amazed to see a person of so great age able to endure such and so many tortures at last he was commanded to be crucified He suffered in CXX year of his age and in the X. year of Trajans reign Ann. Chr. CVII the Alexandrin Chronicon b An. 4. Olymp. CCXX Ind. â p. 594. places it Traj VII Ann. Chr. as appears by the Consuls CIV though as doubtful of that he places it again in the following year after he had sate Bishop of Jerusalem computing his succession from S. James his Martyrdom XLIII or XLIV years c Animadv ad Epiph. Haeres LXVI p. 266 Petavius makes it no less then XLVII though Nicephorus Patriarch of Constantinople probably by a mistake of the figure assign him but XXIII A longer proportion of time then a dozen of his immediate successors were able to make up God probably lengthening out his life that as a skilful and faithful Pilot he might steer and conduct the Affairs of that Church in those dismal and stormy days The End of S. SIMEON'S Life THE LIFE OF S. IGNATIUS BISHOP of ANTIOCH ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Michael Burghers delineavit et sculpsit S. IGNATIUS ANTIOCHENUS His Originals unknown Called Theophorus and why The Story of his being taken up into our Saviours arms refuted His Apostolic education S. Johns Disciple His being made Bishop of Antioch The eminency of that See The order of his succession stated His prudent Government of that Church The tradition of his appointing Antiphonal hymns by revelation Trajans persecuting the Church at Antioch His discourse with Ignatius Ignatius his cruel usage His sentence passed His being transmitted to Rome and why sent so far to his execution His arrival at Smyrna and meeting with S. Polycarp His Epistles to several Churches His coming to Troas and Epistles thence His arrival at Porto Romano Met on the way by the Christians at Rome His earnest desire of martyrdom His praying for the prosperity of the Church The time of his Passion His being thrown to wild Beasts What kind of punishment that among the Romans The collection of his Remains and their transportation to Antioch and the great honours done to them The great plenty of them in the Church of Rome Trajans surceasing the Persecution against the Christians The dreadful Earthquakes happening at Antioch Ignatius his admirable Piety His general solicitude for the preservation and propagation of the Christian Doctrine as an Apostle His care diligence and fidelity as a Bishop His patience and fortitude as a Martyr His Epistles Polycarps commendation of them I. FINDING nothing recorded concerning the Countrey or Parentage of this Holy Man I shall not build upon meer fansie and conjecture He is ordinarily stiled both by himself and others Theophorus which though like Justus it be oft no more then a
common Epithet yet is it sometimes used as a proper name It is written according to the different accents either ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and then it notes a divine person a man whose soul is full of God and all holy and divine qualities ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as Ignatius himself is said to explain it or ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and so in a passive signification it implies one that is born or carried by God And in this latter sense he is said to have derived the title from our Lords taking him up into his Arms. For thus we are told that he was that very Child whom our Saviour took into his arms Mark 9.36 Matt. 18.2 3 4. and set in the midst of his Disciples as the most lively instance of Innocency and Humility And this affirmed if number might carry it not onely by the a Maenaeon Graecor ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Greeks in their public Rituals by b Metaphr ad Decembr 20. Graec. Lat. apud Cottler p. 991. Metaphrastes c Niceph. H. Eccl. l. 2. c. 35. p. 192. Nicephorus and others but as the Primate of Armagh d Annot. in Ignat Act. p. 37. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Men. Graec. loc citât observes from the Manuscripts in his own possession by two Syriac Writers more ancient then they But how confidently or generally soever it be reported the Story at best is precarious and uncertain not to say absolutely false and groundless Sure I am e Homil. in S. Ignat. p. 506. Tom. 1. S. Chrysostom who had far better opportunities of knowing then they expresly affirms of Ignatius that he never saw our Saviour or enjoyed any familiarity or converse with him II. IN his younger years he was brought up under Apostolical Institution so f Ibid. p. 499. Chrysostom tells us that he was intimately conversant with the Apostles educated and nursed up by them every where at hand and made partaker ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã both of their familiar discourses and more secret and uncommon Mysteries Which though 't is probable he means of his particular conversation with S. Peter and Paul yet some of the forementioned Authors and not they onely but the a Act. Ignat. p. 1. 5. Edit Usser Acts of his Martyrdom written as is supposed by some present at it further assure us that he was S. Johns Disciple Being fully instructed in the Doctrines of Christianity he was for his eminent parts and the great Piety of his life chosen to be Bishop of Antioch the Metropolis of Syria and the most famous and renowned City of the East not more remarkable among Foreign Writers for being the Oriental Seat of the Roman Emperours and their Vice-Roys and Governours then it is in Ecclesiastics for its eminent entertainment of the Christian Faith its giving the venerable title of Christians to the Disciples of the Holy Jesus and S. Peters first and peculiar refidence in this place Whence the Synod of b Ap. Theodâââ H. Eccl. l. 5. â9 p. 211. Constantinople assembled under Nectarius in their Synodical Epistle to the Western Bishops deservedly call it the most ancient and truly Apostolic Church of Antioch in which the honourable name of Christians did first commence In all which respects it is frequently in the Writings of the Church by a proud kind of title stiled ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or the City of God That Ignatius was constituted Bishop of this Church is allowed on all hands though as to the time and order of his coming to it almost the same difficulties occur which before did in Clemens his succession to the See of Rome possibly not readily to be removed but by the same method of solution easily granted in this case by * Ad Ann. 45. n. 14. vid. Ad. Martyr Rom. Feb. 1. p. 88. Baronius himself and some other Writers of note in that Church I shall not need to prove what is evident enough in it self and plainly acknowledged by the Ancients that Peter and Paul planted Christianity in this City and both concurred to the foundation of this Church the one applying himself to the Jews the other to the Gentiles And large enough was the Vineyard to admit the joint-endeavours of these two great Planters of the Gospel it being a vast populous City containing at that time according to S. Chrysostoms computation no less then two hundred thousand souls But the Apostles who could not stay always in one place being called off to the Ministry of other Churches saw it necessary to substitute others in their room the one resigning his trust to Euodius the other to Ignatius Hence in the Apostolic Constitutions c Lib. 7. c. 47. p. 451. Euodius is said to be ordained Bishop of Antioch by S. Peter and Ignatius by S. Paul till Euodius dying and the Jewish Converts being better reconciled to the Gentiles Ignatius succeeded in the sole care and Presidency over that Church wherein he might possibly be afterwards confirmed by Peter himself In which respect probably the Author of the d Ad Ann. Tib. XIX p. 526. Alexandrine Chronicon meant it when he affirms that Ignatius was constituted Bishop of Antioch by the Apostles By this means he may be said both immediately to succeed the Apostle as e Orig. Hom. 6. in Lâc. p. 214. Origen f Easeb H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 36. p. 106. Eusebius g Athan. de Synod Arim. Seleu. p. 922. Athanasius and h Chrysâsâ loc cit p. 500. Chrysostom affirm and withall to be the next after Euodius as i Hier. de script in Ignat. S. Hierom k Socr. H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 8. p. 313. Socrates l Metaphr ubi supr Metaphrastes and others place him However Euodius dying and he being setled in it by the Apostles hands might be justly said to succeed S. Peter in which sense it is that some of the Ancients expresly affirm him to have received his Consecration from S. Peter ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã says m De Immutab Dialog 1. p. 33. Tom. 4. Theodoret and so their own n Jo. Malel Chron. l. 10. ap Usser Not. in Epist ad Antioch pag. 107. Historian relates it that Peter coming to Antioch in his passage to Rome and finding Euodius lately dead committed the Government of it to Ignatius whom he made Bishop of that place though it will be a little difficult to reconcile the Times to an agreement with that account III. SOMEWHAT above forty years S. Ignatius continued in his charge at Antioch Nicephorus Patriarch of Constantinople assigns him but four years the figure μ for forty being probably through the carelessness of Transcribers slipt out of the account in the midst of very stormy and tempestuous times But a Act. Igâat p. 1 2. he like a wise and prudent Pilot sate at the Stern and declined the dangers that threatned them by his prayers and tears his fastings and the
rude and merciless usage of his Keepers who treated him with all ruggedness and inhumanity From Syria even to Rome both by Sea and Land I fight with Beasts night and day I am chained to ten Leopards which is my military guard who the kinder I am to them are the more cruel and fierce to me as a Epist ad Rom. p. 23. ap Euseb l. 3. c. 36. p. 107. himself complains Besides what was dearer to him then all this his credit and reputation might be in danger to suffer with him seeing at so great a distance the Romans were generally more likely to understand him to suffer as a Malefactor for some notorious crime then as a Martyr for Religion and this b Martyr ubi sâpr p. 995. Metaphrastes assures us was one particular end of his sending thither Not to say that beyond all this the Divine Providence which knows how to bring good out of evil and to over-rule the designs of bad men to wise and excellent purposes might the rather permit it to be so that the leading so great a man so far in triumph might make the Faith more remarkable and illustrious that he might have the better opportunity to establish and confirm the Christians Vid. Chrysost Homil. cit pag. 505. who flocked to him from all parts as he came along and by giving them the example of a generous Vertue arm them with the stronger resolution to die for their Religion and especially that he might seal the truth of his Religion at Rome where his death might be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as Chrysostom speaks a Tutor of Piety Ibid. and teach ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the City that was so famous for Arts and Wisdom a new and better Philosophy then they had learned before To all which may be added that this was done not by the Provincial Governour who had indeed power of executing capital punishments within his own Province which seems to have been the main ground of Scaligers scruple but immediately by the Emperour himself whose pleasure and command it was that he should be sent to Rome whither we must now follow him to his Martyrdom in the account whereof we shall for the main keep to the Acts of it written in all probability by Philo and Agathopus the Companions of his Journey and present at his Passion two ancient Versions whereof the incomparable Bishop Vsher first recovered and published to the World VI. BEING c Act. Ignat. pag. 5. consigned to a guard of ten Souldiers he took his leave of his beloved Antioch and a sad parting no doubt there was between him and his people who were to see his face no more and was conducted on foot to Seleucia a Port-town of Syria about sixteen miles distant thence the very place whence Paul and Barnabas set sail for Cyprus Here going aboard after a tedious and difficult Voyage they arrived at Smyrna a famous City of Ionia where they were no sooner set on shore but he went to salute S. Polycarp Bishop of the place his old Fellow-Pupil under S. John the Apostle Joyful was the meeting of these two Holy men S. Polycarp being so far from being discouraged that he rejoiced in the others chains and earnestly pressed him to a firm and final perseverance Hither came in the Country round about especially the Bishops Presbyters and Deacons of the Asian Churches to behold so venerable a sight to partake of the holy Martyrs prayers and blessing and to encourage him to hold on to his consummation To requite whose kindness and for their further instruction and establishment in the Faith he wrote d Eâseb H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 36. p. 107. Letters from hence to several Churches one to the Ephesians wherein he commends Onesimus their Bishop for his singular charity another to the Magnesians a City seated upon the River Meander which he sent by Damas their Bishop Bassus and Apollonius Presbyters and Sotio Deacon of that Church a third to the Trallians by Polybius their Bishop wherein he particularly presses them to subjection to their spiritual Guides and to avoid those pestilent haeretical doctrines that were then risen in the Church A fourth he wrote to the Christians at Rome to acquaint them with his present state and passionate desire not to be hindred in that course of Martyrdom which he was now hastening to accomplish VII HIS Keepers a little impatient of their stay at Smyrna set sail for Troas a noted City of the lesser Phrygia not far from the ruines of the ancient Troy where at his arrival he was not a little refreshed with the news that he received of the Persecution ceasing in the Church of Antioch Hither several Churches sent their Messengers to visit and salute him and hence he dispatched two Epistles one to the Church at Philadelphia to press them to Love and Unity and to stand fast in the truth and simplicity of the Gospel the other to the Church of Smyrna from whence he lately departed which he sent as also the former by Burrhus the Deacon whom they and the Ephesians had sent to wait upon him and together with that as a Loc. cit p. 1â Eusebius informs us he wrote privately to S. Polycarp particularly recommending to him the care and oversight of the Church of Antioch for which as a vigilant Pastor he could not but have a tender and very dear regard though very learned men but certainly without any just reason think this not to have been a distinct Epistle from the former but jointly directed and intended to S. Polycarp and his Church of Smyrna Which however it be they conclude it as certain that the Epistle to S. Polycarp now extant is none of it as in which nothing of the true temper and spirit of Ignatius does appear while others of great note not improbably contend for it as genuine and sincere From Troas they sailed to Neapolis a maritime Town of Macedonia thence to Philippi Act. 16.11.12 a Roman Colony the very same journey which S. Paul had gone before him where as b Epist Polycarp ad Philip. p. 13. âon longe ab ânit S. Polycarp intimates in his Epistle to that Church they were entertained with all imaginable kindness and courtesie and conducted forwards in their journey Hence they passed on foot through Macedonia and Epirus till they came to Epidamnum a City of Dalmatia where again taking Ship they sailed through the Adriatic and arrived at Rhegium a Port-Town in Italy whence they directed their course through the Tyrrhenian Sea to Puteoli Ignatius desiring if it might have been granted thence to have gone by Land that he might have traced the same way by which S. Paul went to Rome After a day and a nights stay at Puteoli a prosperous wind quickly carried them to the Roman Port the great Harbour and Station for their Navy built near Ostia at the mouth of Tyber about sixteen miles from Rome whither the
more unquestionable credit and ancient date tell us that he was S. Johns Disciple and not his onely but as d Adv. âeres l. 3. c. 3. p. 233. ap Eusth l. 4. c. 14. p. 127. Irenaeus who was his Scholar followed herein by S. Hierom assures us he was taught by the Apostles and familiarly conversed with many who had seen our Lord in the Flesh II. BVCOLVS the vigilant and industrious Bishop of Smyrna being dead by whom S. Polycarp was as we are e Pion. c. 3. n. 12. ubi supr told made Deacon and Catechist of that Church an Office which he discharged with great diligence and success Polycarp was ordained in his room according to Bucolus his own prediction who as the f Men. 23. Febr. âhi sâpr Greeks report had in his life time fortold that he should be his Successor He was constituted by S. John say the g Tirtull de praescript Haeretic c. 32. p. 213. Hieron ubi âapr vid. Suid. in voâ ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâ¦ã l. 3. c. 2 p. 225. Mââyr Rom. ad 20. Jan p. â1 Ancients generally though h ãâ¦ã citat Irenaeus followed herein by the i Olââp CCXXIV. 1. Anton. XXI p. 602. Chronicle of Alexandria affirms it to have been done by the Apostles whether any of the Apostles besides S. John were then alive or whether he means Apostolic persons commonly stiled Apostles in the Writings of the Church who joined with S. John in the consecration k H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 36. p 1â6 Eusebius says that Polycarp was familiarly conversant with the Apostles and received the Government of the Church of Smyrna from those who had been Eye-witnesses and Ministers of our Lord. It makes not a little for the honour of S. Polycarp and argues his mighty diligence and solicitude for the good of souls that as we shall note more anon Ignatius passing to his Martyrdom wrote to him and particularly recommended to him the inspection and oversight of his Church at Antioch knowing him says l Ib. p. 1ââ Eusebius to be truly an Apostolical man and being assured that he would use his utmost care and fidelity in that matter The m Ad. Ann. 1. Olynpiad CCXX Indi â XIII ann Tray 4. p. 594. Author of the Alexandrian Chronicle tells us that it was the Bishop of Smyrna who could not well be any other then S. Polycarp to whom S. John committed the tutorage and education of the young man whom he took up in his Visitation who ran away and became Captain of a Company of loose and debauched High-way men and was afterwards reduced and reclaimed by that Apostle But seeing Clemens Alexandrinus who relates the Story sets down neither the name of the Bishop nor the City though he a Ap. Eusebd 3. c. 23 p. 92. confesses there were some that made mention of it nor is this circumstance taken notice of by any other ancient Writer nor that Bishops neglecting of his charge well consistent with S. Polycarps care and industry I shall leave the Story as I find it Though it cannot be denied but that Smyrna was near to Ephesus as S. Clemens says that City also was and that S. John seems to have had a more then ordinary regard to that Church it being next Ephesus the first of those seven famous Asian Churches to whom he directed his Epistles and S. Polycarp at this time Bishop of it for that he was that Angel of the Church of Smyrna to whom that Apocalyptical Epistle was sent is not onely highly probable but by a b Usser Prolegom ad Ignat. Epist c. 2. p. 9. learned man put past all question I must confess that the character and circumstances ascribed by S. John to the Angel of that Church seem very exactly to agree with Polycarp and with no other Bishop of that Church about those times especially that we read of in the History of the Church And whoever compares the account of S. Polycarps Martyrdom with the notices and intimations which the Apocalypst there gives of that persons sufferings and death will find the prophecy and the event suit together That which may seem to make most against it is the long time of his presidency over that See seeing by this account he must sit at least LXXIV years Bishop of that Church from the latter end of Domitians reign when the Apocalyps was written to the Persecution under M. Aurelius when he suffered To which no other solution needs be given then that his great nay extreme Age at the time of his death renders it not at all improbable especially when we find several Ages after that Remigius Bishop of Rhemes sate LXXIV years Bishop of that place III. IT was not many years after S. Johns death when the Persecution under Trajan began to be reinforced wherein the Eastern parts had a very large share Ann. Chr. CVII Ignatius was condemned by the Emperour at Antioch and sentenced to be transported to Rome in order to his execution In his voyage thither he put in at Smyrna to salute and converse with Polycarp these holy men mutually comforting and encouraging each other and conferring together about the affairs of the Church From Smyrna Ignatius and his company sailed to Troas whence he sent back an Epistle to the Church of Smyrna wherein he endeavours to fortifie them against the errours of the Times which had crept in amongst them especially against those who undermined our Lords humanity and denied his coming in the Flesh affirming him to have suffered onely in an imaginary and phantastic body An opinion which as it deserved he severely censures and strongly refutes He further presses them to a due observance and regard of their Bishop and those spiritual Guides and Ministers which under him were set over them and that they would dispatch a messenger on purpose to the Church of Antioch to congratulate that peace and tranquillity which then began to be restored to them Besides this he wrote particularly to S. Polycarp whom he knew to be a man of an Apostolic temper a person of singular faithfulness and integrity recommending to him the care and superintendency of his disconsolate Church of Antioch In the Epistle it self as extant at this day there are many short and useful rules and precepts of life especially such as concern the Pastoral and Episcopal Office And here again he renews his request concerning Antioch that a messenger might be sent from Smyrna to that Church and that S. Polycarp would write to other Churches to do the like a thing which he would have done himself had not his hasty departure from Troas prevented him And more then this we find not concerning Polycarp for many years after till some unhappy differences in the Church brought him upon the public Stage IV. IT happened that the Quartodeciman controversie about the observation of Easter began to grow very high between the Eastern and Western Churches each standing very
excellens ingenium as a De Script in Qâaârat S. Hierom says of him so the place gave him mighty advantages in his education to be thoroughly trained up in the choicest parts of Learning and most excellent institutions of Philosophy upon which account the b Men. Graec. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Greeks truly stile him ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a man of great Learning and Knowledge He became acquainted with the Doctrines and Principles of Christianity by being brought up under Apostolical instruction for so c ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ad Ann. PKZâ p. 211. Eusebius and d Hier. de Scrip. in Quadr. Epist ad Magn. Orat. Tom. 2. p. 327. S. Hierom more then once tells us that he was an Auditor and a Disciple of the Apostles which must be understood of the longer lived Apostles and particularly of S. John whose Scholar in all probability he was as were also Ignatius Polycarp Papias and others and therefore e H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 37. p. 109. Eusebius places him among those that had ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that were of the very first rank and order among the Apostles Successors There are that make him and that too constituted by S. John though I confess I know not by what Authority the Ancients being wholly silent in this matter Bishop of Philadelphia one of the seven famous Churches of Asia and at that time when S. John sent his Epistle to that Church which I pass by as a groundless and precarious assertion seeing they might with equal warrant have made him Bishop of any other place II. UNDER the Reign of Trajan as is probable though Baronius places it under Hadrian Ann. Imp. VI. f Euseb l. 4. c. 23. p. â43 Publius Bishop of Athens suffered Martyrdom who is thought by some to have been that very Publius whom S. Paul converted in the Island Melita in his voyage to Rome and who afterwards succeeded Dionysius the Areopagite in the See of Athens To him succeeded our Quadratus as g Epist ad Aââââ apud Eaââ loc citat Dionysius Bishop of Corinth who lived not long after that time informs us who found the state of that Church in a bad condition at his coming to it For upon Publius his Martyrdom and the-Persecution that attended it the people were generally dispersed and fled as what wonder if when the Shepherd is smitten the Sheep be scattered and go astray their public and solemn Assemblies were deserted their Zeal grown cold and languid their lives and manners corrupted and there wanted but little of a total apostasie from the Christian Faith This good man therefore set himself with a mighty zeal to retrive the ancient spirit of Religion he re-setled Order and Discipline brought back the People to the public Assemblies kindled and blew up their faith into an holy flame Nor did he content himself with a bare Reformation of what was amiss but with infinite diligence preached the Faith and by daily Converts enlarged the bounds of his Church so that as the a Men. Graec. ubi supr Greek Rituals express it the Sages and Wise men of Greece being convinced by his Doctrines and wise discourses embraced the Gospel and acknowledged Christ to be the Creator of the World and the great Wisdom and Power of God And in a short time reduced it to such an excellent temper that b Contr. Cels l. 3. p. 128. Origen who lived some years after demonstrating the admirable efficacy of the Christian Faith over the minds of men and its triumph over all other Religions in the World instances in this very Church of Athens for its good Order and Constitution its meekness quietness and constancy and its care to approve it self to God infinitely beyond the common Assembly at Athens which was factious and tumultuary and no way to be compared with the Christian Church in that City that the Churches of Christ when examined by the Heathen Convocations shone like Lights in the World and that every one must confess that the worst parts of the Christian Church were better then the best of their popular Assemblies that the Senators of the Church as he calls them were fit to govern in any part of the Church of God while the Vulgar Senate had nothing worthy of that honourable dignity nor were raised above the manners of the common people III. THUS excellently constituted was the Athenian Church for which it was chiefly beholden to the indefatigable industry and the prudent care and conduct of its present Bishop whose success herein was not a little advantaged by those extraordinary supernatural Powers which God had conferred upon him That he was endued with a Spirit of Prophesie of speaking suddenly upon great and emergent occasions in interpreting obscure and difficult Scriptures but especially of fore-telling future events we have the express testimonies of c H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 37. p. 109. Eusebius affirming him to have lived at the same time with Philips Virgin-Daughters and to have had ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the gift of Prophecy and of another d Ap. Euseb l. 5. c. 17. p. 183. Author much ancienter then he who confuting the errour of the Cataphryges reckons him among the Prophets who flourished under the Oeconomy of the Gospel I know a learned e Vales Annot. ad Euseb l. 4. c. 23. p. 81. man would fain persuade us that the Quadratus who had the Prophetic gifts was a person distinct from our Athenian Bishop But the grounds he proceeds upon seem to me very weak and inconcluding For whereas he says that that Quadratus is not by Eusebius stiled a Bishop who knows not that persons are not in every place mentioned under all their capacities and less need was there for it here Quadratus when first spoken of by Eusebius not being then Bishop of Athens and so not proper to be taken notice of in that capacity Nor is his other exception of greater weight that the prophetic Quadratus did not survive the times of Adrian whereas ours was in the same time with Dionysius Bishop of Corinth who lived under M. Antoninus and speaks of him as his contemporary and lately ordained Bishop of Athens But whoever looks into that passage of * Ap. Eâseb l. 4. c. 23. p. 143. Dionysius will find no foundation for such an assertion but rather the quite contrary that he speaks of him as if dead before his time as I believe any one that impartially considers the place must needs confess Not to say that S. Hierom and all after him without any scruple make them to be the same So that we may still leave him his gift of prophecy which procured him so much reverence while he lived and so much honour to his memory since his death To which may he added what the Greeks in their Menaeon not improbably say of him ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Men. Graec. loc supr cit that he was furnished with
e Hieron Episâ ad Magn. Orat. p. 327. Tom. 2. Brachmans the Sages and Philosophers of those Countries whose Principles and way of life seemed more immediately to dispose them for the entertainment of Christianity De Brachman morib instit vid. inter alios A. exand Polyh de reb Indie ap Clem. Alex. Strimat l. 3. p. 451. Strab. Geogr. l. 15 p. 712. Bardesar Syr. l. de fat ap Euseb Praep. Evang. l. 6. c. 10. p 275. Plutarch de vit Alexand. p. 701. Porphyr ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã l. 4. § 17 18. p. 167. c. Pallad de Bragman p. 8 9 15 16 17. Tract de Orig. Mârib Brachman inter Ambrosii oper ad Câlc Tom 5. Suid. in voc ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 578. Their children as soon as born they committed to Nurses and then to Guardians according to their different ages who instructed them in principles according to their capacities and improvements they were educated with all imaginable severity of Discipline not suffered so much as to speak or spit or cough while their Masters were discoursing to them and this till they were seven and thirty years of Age. They were infinitely strict and abstemious in their diet eat no flesh drunk no wine or strong drink feeding onely upon wild Acorns and such Roots as nature furnished them withall and quenching their thirst at the next Spring or River and as sparing of all other lawful pleasures and delights They adored no Images but sincerely worshiped God to whom they continually prayed and in stead of the custom of those Eastern Nations of turning to the East they devoutly lift up their eyes to Heaven and while they drew near to God took a peculiar care to keep themselves from being defiled with any vice or wickedness spending a great part both of night and day in Hymns and Prayers to God They accounted themselves the most free and victorious people having hardned their bodies against all external accidents and subdued in their minds all irregular passions and desires Gold and Silver they despised as that which could neither quench their thirst nor allay their hunger nor heal their wounds nor cure their distempers nor serve any real and necessary ends of nature but onely minister to Vice and Luxury to trouble and inquietude and set the mind upon Racks and Tenters They looked upon none of the little accidents of this World to be either good or evil frequently discoursed concerning Death which they maintained to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a being born into a real and happy life and in order whereunto they made use of the present time onely as a state of preparation for a better life In short they seemed in most things to conspire and agree with the Stoics whom therefore of all other Sects they esteemed to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a Pallad de Brachman p. 52. the most excellent Philosophers and upon that account could not but be somewhat the more acceptable to Pantaenus who had so thoroughly imbibed all the wise and rational principles of that Institution VII WHAT success he had in these parts we are not particularly told Certainly his preaching could not want some considerable effect especially where persons were by the rules of their order and the course of their life so well qualified to receive it and that too where Christianity had been heretofore planted though now overgrown with Weeds and Rubbish for want of due care and culture For he met with several b Easeb l. 5. c. 10. p. 175. Hier. de Script in Pantaen that retained the knowledge of Christ preached here long since by S. Bartholomew the Apostle as we have elsewhere shewed in his life whereof not the least evidence was his finding S. Matthews Gospel written in Hebrew which S. Bartholomew had left at his being there and which Pantaenus as S. Hierom informs us though I question whether it be any more then his own conjecture brought back with him to Alexandria and there no doubt laid it up as an inestimable treasure And as our Philosopher succeeded in the labours of S. Bartholomew in these Indian Plantations so another afterwards succeeded in his an account whereof to make the story more intire the Reader I presume will not think it impertinent if I here insert c Socrat. H. Eccl. l. 1. c. 19. p. 50. Sozom. lib. 2. c. 24. p. 477. Theod. H. Eccl. l. 1. c. 23. p. 54. Aedesius and Frumentius two Youths of Tyre accompanied Meropius the Philosopher into India where being taken by the Natives they were presented to the King of the Countrey who pleased with their persons and their parts made one of them his Butler the other Frumentius the Keeper of his Records or as Sozomen will have it his Treasurer and Major-domo committing to his care the Government of his house For their great diligence and fidelity the King at his death gave them their liberty who thereupon determined to return to their own Countrey but were prevailed with by the Queen to stay and superintend affairs during the Minority of her Son Which they did the main of the Government being in the hands of Frumentius who assisted by some Christian Merchants that traffiqued there built an Oratory where they assembled to worship God according to the Rites of Christianity and instructed several of the Natives who joined themselves to their Assembly The young King now of age Frumentius resigned his trust and begged leave to return which being with some difficulty obtained they presently departed Aedesius going for Tyre while Frumentius went to Alexandria where he gave Athanasius then Bishop of that place an account of the whole affair shewing him what hopes there were that the Indians would come over to the Faith of Christ withall begging of him to send a Bishop and some Clergy-men among them and not to neglect so fair an opportunity of advancing their salvation Athanasius having advised with his Clergy persuaded Frumentius to accept the office assuring him he had none fitter for it then himself Which was done accordingly and Frumentius being made Bishop returned back into India where he preached the Christian Faith erected many Churches and being assisted by the Divine Grace wrought innumerable miracles healing both the souls and bodies of many at the same time An account of all which Rufinus professes to have received from Aedesius his own mouth then Presbyter of the Church of Tyre But it 's time to look back to Pantaenus VIII BEING returned to Alexandria he resumed his Catechetic office which I gather partly from a Ubi supra Eusebius who again mentions it just after his Indian expedition and adds ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that after all or when he drew near to his latter end he governed the School of Alexandria partly from S. Hierom b Loc. citat who says expresly that he taught in the reigns of Severus and Caracalla his first regency being under Commodus He died in the time
haughty and its face full of ancient wrinkles of which a Lib. 5. cap. 1. p. 459. Lactantius long since gave this censure that though he himself was skilled in all points of Learning yet his stile was rugged and uneasie and very obscure as indeed it requires a very attentive and diligent a sharp and sagacious understanding yet is it lofty and masculine and carries a kind of majestic eloquence along with it that gives a pleasant relish to the judicious and inquisitive Reader It is deeply tinctured with the African dialect and owes not a little of its perplexedness and obscurity to his conversing so much in the Writings of the Greeks whose forms and idioms he had so made his own that they naturally flowed into his pen and how great a Master he was of that Tongue is plain in that himself b De Baptism c. 15. p. 230. de Coron c. 6. p. 104 tells us he wrote a Book concerning Baptism and some others in Greek which could not but exceedingly vitiate and infect his native stile and render it less smooth elegant and delightful as we see in Ammianus Marcellinus who being a Greek born wrote his Roman History in Latin in a stile rough and unpleasant and next door to barbarous Besides what was in it self obscure and uneven became infinitely worse by the ignorance of succeeeding Ages who changed what they did not understand and crowded in spurious words in the room of those which were proper and natural till they had made it look like quite another thing then what it was when it first came from under the hand of its Author XIV HIS errours and unsound opinions are frequently noted by S. Augustin and the Ancients not to mention later Censors and Pamelius has reduced his Paradoxes to thirty one which together with their Explications and Antidotes he has prefixed before the Editions of his Works That of Montanus his being the Paraclete we noted before and for other things relating to that Sect they are rather matters concerning Order and Discipline then Articles and Points of Faith It cannot be denied but that he has some unwarrantable notions common with other Writers of those Times and some more peculiar to himself But he lived in an Age when the Faith was yet green and tender when the Church had not publicly and solemnly defined things by explicit Articles and nice Propositions when the Philosophy of the Schools was mainly predominant and men ran immediately from the Stoa and the Academy to the Church when a greater latitude of opining was indulged and good men were infinitely more solicitous about piety and a good life then about modes of Speech and how to express every thing so critically and exactly that it should not be liable to a severe scrutiny and examination His Writings Genuine Apologeticus Ad Nationes Libri II. De Testimonio Animae Ad Scapulam De Spectaculis De Idololatria De Corona De Pallio De Poenitentia De Oratione Ad Martyras De Patientia De cultu foeminarum Lib. II. Ad Vxorem Lib. II. De Virginibus Velandis Adversus Judaeos De Praescriptione Haereticorum De Baptismo Adversus Hermogenem Adversus Valentinianos De Anima De Carne Christi De Resurrectione Carnis Adversus Marcionem Lib. V. Scorpiace Adversus Praxeam Libri post Lapsum in Montanismum scripti De Exhortatione Castitatis De Monogamia De fuga in Persecutione De Jejuniis De Pudicitia Supposititious Poemata Adversus Marcionem Lib. V. De judicio Domini Genesis Sodoma Not extant De Paradiso De Spe Fidelium De Ecstasi Adversus Apollonium Adversus Apellecianos De Vestibus Aaron De Censu Animae Graece De Corona De Virginibus Velandis De Baptismo The End of TERTULLIAN 's Life THE LIFE OF ORIGEN Presbyter Catechist of ALEXANDRIA Michael Burghers sculpsit ORIGEN Origen where and when born Several conjectures about the original of his name His Father who His juvenile education and great towardliness in the knowledge of the Scriptures His Philosophical Studies under Clemens Alexandrinus His Institution under Ammonius Ammonius who His fame and excellency confessed by the Gentile Philosophers Another Origen his contemporary These two heedlesly confounded His Fathers martyrdom and the confiscation of his Estate Origen 's resolute encouragement of his Father His own passionate desire of Martyrdom His maintenance by an honourable Matron of Alexandria His zeal against Heretics His setting up a private School His succeding Clemens in the Catechetic Shool at eighteen years of Age. The frequency of his Auditors Many of them Martyrs for the Faith Origen 's resolution in attending upon the Martyrs His danger His couragious act at the Temple of Serapis His emasculating himself and the reasons of it The eminent chastity of those Primitive times Origen 's journey to Rome and return to Alexandria His taking in a Colleague into the Catechetic Office His learning the Hebrew Tongue The prudent method of his Teaching Ambrosius converted Who he was His great intâmaây with Origen Origen sent for by the Governour of Arabia His journey into Palestin and teaching at Caesarea Remanded by the Bishop of Alexandria Alexander Severus his excellent Vertues and kindness for the Christian Religion Origen sent for by the Empress Mammaea to Antioch He begins to write his Commentaries How many Notaries and Transcribers imployed and by whom maintained Notaries their Original and Office Their use and institution in the Primitive Church His journey into Greece His passage through Palestin and being ordained Presbyter at Caesarea Demetrius of Alexandria his envy and rage against him Origen condemned in two Synods at Alexandria and one at Rome The resignation of his Catechetic School to Heraclas Heraclas who The story of his offering sacrifice The credit of this story questioned and why His departure from Alexandria and fixing at Caesarea The eminency of his School there Gregorius Thaumaturgus his Scholar His friendship with Firmilian Firmilian who The Persecution under Maximinus Origen 's Book written to the Martyrs His retirement whither His comparing the Versions of the Bible His Tetrapla Hexapla and Octapla what and how managed A Speâimen given of them His second journey to Athens His going to Nicomedia and letter to Africanus about the History of Susanna His confutation of Beryllus in Arabia His answer to Celsus Celsus who Origens Letters to Philip the Emperour The vanity of making him a Christian Origen 's journey into Arabia to refute Heresies The Helcesaitae who What their Principles Alexander 's miraculous election to the See of Jerusalem his Coadjutor-ship Government Sufferings and Martyrdom Origen 's grievous sufferings at Tyre under the Decian Persecution His deliverance out of Prison Age and Death His Character His strict life His mighty zeal abstinence contempt of the World indefatigable diligence and patience noted His natural parts incomparable learning His Books and their several Classes His stile what His unsound opinions The great Out-cry against him in all Ages
full and solid answer in eight Books wherein as he had the better cause so he managed it with that strength of Reason clearness of Argument and convictive evidence of truth that were there nothing else to testifie the abilities of this great man this Book alone were enough to do it It was written probably about the beginning of the reign of Philip the Emperour with whom Origen seems to have had some acquaintance who a Id. ibid. p. 233 wrote one Letter to him and another to the Empress From whence and some other little probabilities Eusebius first and after him the generality of Ecclesiastic Writers have made that Emperour to have been a Christian and the first of the Imperial line that was so The vanity of which mistake and the original from whence it sprung we have shewed elsewhere Nor is the matter mended by those who say that Philip was privately baptized by Fabian Bishop of Rome and so his Christian Profession was known onely to the Christians but concealed from the Gentiles which being but a conjecture and a gratis dictum without any authority to confirm it may with the same ease and as much justice be rejected as it is obtruded and imposed upon us Nor has the late learned publisher b Rod. Wetsteinius Praefat. in Orig. Dial. contr Marc. c. Ã se Edit Basil 1674. 4 of some Tracts of Origen who in order to the securing the Dialogue against the Marcionites to belong to Origen has newly enforced this argument said any thing that may persuade a wise man to believe a Story so improbable in all its circumstances and which must have made a louder noise in the World and have had more and better witnesses to attest it then an obscure and uncertain report the onely authority which Eusebius who gave the first hint of it pretends in this matter XXI THE good success which Origen lately had in Arabia in the cause of Beryllus made him famous in all those parts and his help was now again c Ibid. c. 37. desired upon a like occasion For a sort of Hereties were start up who affirmed that at death both body and soul did expire together and were resolved into the same state of corruption and that at the resurrection they should revive and rise together to eternal life For this purpose a general Synod of those parts was called and Origen desired to be present at it who managed the cause with such weighty Arguments such unanswerable and clear convictions that the adverse party threw down their weapons and relinquished the sentiments which they maintained before Another heretical crew appeared at this time in the East the impious and abominable Sect of the Helcesaitae against whom also Origen seems to have been engaged concerning whom himself d Homil. in Psal 82. ap Euseb ibid. c. 38. p. 233. gives us this account They rejected a great part both of the Old and New Canon making use onely of some few parts of Scripture and such without question as they could make look most favourably upon their cause S. Paul they wholly rejected and held that it was lawful and indifferent to deny the faith and that he was the wise man that in his words would renounce Christianity in a time of danger and Persecution but maintain the truth in his heart They carried a Book about with them which they affirmed to have been immediately dropt down from Heaven which whoever received and gave credit to should receive remission of sins though different from that pardon which our Lord Jesus bestowed upon his followers But how far Origen was concerned against this absurd and sensless generation is to me unknown The best on 't is this Sect like a blazing Comet though its influence was malignant and pestilential suddenly arose and as suddenly disappeared XXII PHILIP the Emperour being slain by the Souldiers Decius made a shift by the help of the Army to step into the Throne a mortal enemy to the a Ibid. â 3â p. 234. Church in whose short reign more Martyrs especially men of note and eminency came to the Stake then in those who governed that Empire ten times his reign In Palaestin Alexander the aged and venerable Bishop of Jerusalem was thrown into prison where after long and hard usage and an illustrious confession of the Christian Faith before the public Tribunal he died This Alexander whom we have often mentioned had been first Bishop in Cappadocia b Ibid. c. 11. p. 212. where out of a religious curiosity he had resolved upon a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to visit the holy and venerable Antiquities of that place whereto he was particularly excited by a divine revelation intimating to him that it was the will of God that he should be assistant to the Bishop of that place It happened at this time that Narcissus Bishop of Jerusalem being some years since returned to his See which he had deserted many years before was become incapable through his great age and infirmity being CXVI years old duly to manage his charge Alexander approaching near Jerusalem they were warned by a Vision and a Voice from Heaven to go out of the City and there receive him whom Heaven had designed to be their Bishop They did so and finding Alexander entertained and introduced him with all possible kindness and respect where by the importunity of the People and the consent of all the neighbour-neighbour-Bishops he was constrained to become Colleague with Narcissus in the government of that Church This I suppose is the first express instance that we meet with in Church-antiquity of two Bishops sitting at once and that by consent in one See But the case was warranted by an extraordinary authority besides that Narcissus seems rather to have resigned and quitted the place retaining nothing but the title nor intermedling any further then by joining in prayers and devotions for the good of the Church surviving not above three or four years at most Alexander succeeding in the sole Presidency governed his Church with singular prudence and fidelity and among other memorable acts erected a Library at Jerusalem c Ibid. c. 20. p. 222. which he especially stored with Ecclesiastical Epistles and Records from whence Eusebius confesses he furnished himself with many considerable Memoirs and materials for the composing of his History He sate Bishop XXXIX years and after several arraignments and various imprisonments and sufferings died now in prison at Caesarea to the unconceivable loss and resentment of the whole Church and especially of Origen who had been ordained by him and whom he had ever found a fast Friend and Patron Nor did Origen himself who was at this time at Tyre escape without his share Eusebius does but briefly intimate his sufferings having given a larger account of them in another Book long since lost he tells d Ubi supr p. 234. us that the Devil mustered up all his Forces against him and assaulted him with all
excellency of those ascribed to him The great honours done to his memory I. THASCIVS Caecilius Cyprian was born at Carthage in the declining part of the foregoing Saeculum though the particular year cannot be ascertained Who or what his Parents were is unknown a Ad Ann. 250. n. V. vid. not ad Martyrol Rom. Sept. XXVI p. 600. Cardinal Baronius not to mention others makes him descended of a rich honourable Family and himself to have been one of the chief of the Senatorian Order and this upon the authority of Nazianzen b Orat. in laud. S. Cypr. p. 275. who indeed affirms it but then certainly forgot that in very few lines before he had exploded as a fabulous mistake the confounding our Cyprian with another of the same name of whom Nazianzen unquestionably meant it For besides our Carthaginian Cyprian there was another born at Antioch a person of great learning and eminency who travelled through Greece Phrygia Egypt India Chaldaea and where not famous for the Study and the Arts of Magic by which he sought to compass the affections of Justina a noble Christian Virgin at Antioch by whose prayers and endeavours he was converted baptized made first Sexton then Deacon of that Church was indued with miraculous powers and afterwards consecrated Bishop of that Church though I confess I find not his name in the Catalogue of the Bishops of that See drawn up by Nicephorus of Constantinople and at last having been miserably tormented at Antioch was sent to Dioclesian himself then at Nicomedia by whose command together with Justina sent thither also at the same time from Damascus he was beheaded The History of all which was largely described in three Books in Verse written by the noble Empress Eudocia the excerpta whereof are still extant in a Cod. CLXXXIV col 416. Photius This account Simeon the Metaphrast Nicephorus and the later Greeks without any scruple attribute to S. Cyprian of Carthage nay some of them make him to suffer Martyrdom under the Decian Persecution Though in the whole mistake the more to be pardoned in that not onely Prudentius but Nazianzen had long before manifestly confounded these two eminent persons who finding several passages of the Antiochian Cyprian very near a kin to the other carried all the rest along with them as two persons very like are oft mistaken the one for the other To prove that our Cyprian was not him described by Nazianzen were a vain and needless attempt the accounts concerning them being so vastly different both as to their Countrey Education manner of Life Episcopal charge the time place and companions of their death that it is plainly impossible to reconcile them But of this enough II. S. CYPRIAN's education was ingenuous b Pont. Diac. in vit Cypr. non longe ab init polished by Study and the Liberal Arts though he principally addicted himself to the Study of Oratory and Eloquence wherein he made such vast improvements that publicly and with great applause he taught Rhetoric at e Hier. de script in Cypriano Carthage All which time he lived in great pomp and plenty in honour and power his garb splendid his retinue stately never going abroad as himself tells us d Ad Donat. Epist 1. p. 2. but he was thronged with a crowd of Clients and Followers The far greatest part of his life he passed among the errours of the Gentile Religion and was at least upon the borders of old Age when he was rescued from the Vassalage of inveterate Customs the darkness of Idolatry and the errours and vices of his past life as e Ubi supra himself intimates in his Epistle to Donatus He was converted to Christianity by the arguments and importunities of Caecilius f Pont. ibid. p. 12. a Presbyter of Carthage a person whom ever after he loved as a friend and reverenced as a father And so mutual an endearment was there between them that Cyprian in honour to him assumed the title of Caecilius and the other at his death made him his Executor and committed his Wife and Children to his sole care and tutelage Being yet a Catechumen g Id. ibid. p. 11. he gave early instances of a great and generous piety professed a strict and severe temperance and sobriety accounting it one of the best preparations for the entertainment of the truth to subdue and tread down all irregular appetites and inclinations His estate at least the greatest part of it he sold and distributed it among the necessities of the Poor at once triumphing over the love of the World and exercising that great duty of Mercy and Charity which God values above all the Ritual Devotions in the World So that by the speedy progress of his piety says Pontius his Friend and Deacon he became almost a perfect Christian before he had learnt the rules of Christianity III. BEING fully instructed in the rudiments of the Christian Faith he was baptized h Epist 1. p. 2 3 when the mighty assistances which he received from above perfectly dispelled all doubts enlightned all obscurities and enabled him with ease to do things which before he looked upon as impossible to be discharged Not long after he was called to the inferiour Ecclesiastic Offices and then advanced to the degree of Presbyter wherein he so admirably behaved himself that he was quickly summoned to the highest order and honour in the Church Donatus his immediate predecessor in the See of Carthage as his own words a Epist 55. p. 82 seem to imply being dead the general vogue both of Clergy and People Felicissimus the Presbyter and some very few of his party onely dissenting b Epist 40. p. 53. was for Cyprian to succeed him But the great modesty and humility of the man made him flie c P. Diac. p. 12. from the first approaches of the news he thought himself unfit for so weighty and honourable an imployment and therefore desired that a more worthy person and some of his Seniors in the Faith might possess the place His declining it did but set so much the keener an edge upon the desires and expectations of the People his doors were immediately crowded and all passages of escape blocked up he would indeed have fled out at the window but finding it in vain he unwillingly yielded the People in the mean while impatiently waiting divided between hope and fear till seeing him come forth they received him with an universal joy and satisfaction This charge he entered upon Ann. CCXLVIII as himself d Epist 55. p. 80 plainly intimates when in his Letter to Cornelius he tells him he had been four years Bishop of Carthage which Epistle was written not long after the beginning of Cornelius his Pontificat Ann. CCLI It was the third Consulship of Philip the Emperour a memorable time it being the thousandth year ab Vrbe Condita when the Ludi Saeculares were celebrated at Rome with all imaginable magnificence
and solemnity Though indeed it was then but the declining part of the Annus Millesimus which began with the Palilia about April XXI of the foregoing year and ended with the Palilia of this whence in the ancient coins of this Emperour these Secular Sports are sometimes ascribed to his second sometimes to his third Consulship as commencing in the one and being compleated in the other IV. THE entrance upon his Care and Government was calm and peaceable but he had not been long in it before a storm overtook him and upon what occasion I know not he was publicly e Epist 69. p. 117. Ep. 55. p. 80. vid. Pont. de vit Cypr. p. 12. proscribed by the name of Caecilius Cyprian Bishop of the Christians and every man commanded not to hide or conceal his goods And not satisfied with this they frequently called out that he might be thrown to the Lions So that being warned by a divine admonition and command from God as he pleads for himself f Epist 9. p. 22. and least by his resolute defiance of the public sentence he should provoke his adversaries g Epist 14. p. 27 to fall more severely upon the whole Church he thought good at present to withdraw himself hoping that malice would cool and die and the fire go out when the fewel that kindled it was taken away Loc. citat During this recess though absent in body yet was he present in spirit supplying the want of his presence by Letters whereof he wrote no less then XXXVIII by pious counsels grave admonitions frequent reproofs earnest exhortations and especially by hearty prayers to Heaven for the welfare and prosperity of the Church That which created him the greatest trouble was the case of the lapsed whom some Presbyters without the knowledge and consent of the Bishop rashly admitted to the communion of the Church upon very easie terms Cyprian a stiff asserter of Ecclesiastic Discipline and the rights of his place would not brook this but by several Letters not onely complained of it but endeavoured to reform it not sparing the Martyrs themselves who presuming upon their great merits in the cause of Religion took upon them to give Libels of Peace to the lapsed whereby they were again taken into communion sooner then the Rules of the Church did allow V. THIS remissness of Disciplin and easie admission of Penitents gave occasion to Novatus one of the Presbyters of Carthage to start aside and draw a Faction after him denying any place to the lapsed though penitent in the peace and communion of the Church not that they absolutely excluded them the mercy and pardon of God for they left them to the sentence of the divine Tribunal but maintained that the Church had no power to absolve them that once lapsed after Baptism and to receive them again into communion Having sufficiently imbroiled the Church at home where he was in danger to be excommunicated by Cyprian for his scandalous irregular and unpeaceable practices over he goes with some of his party to Rome where by a pretence of uncommon sanctity and severity besides some Consessors lately delivered out of Prison he seduced Novatianus who by the Greek Fathers is almost perpetually confounded with Novatus a Presbyter of the Roman Church a man of an insolent and ambitious temper and who had attempted to thrust himself into that Chair Him the Party procures by clancular Arts and uncanonical means to be consecrated Bishop and then set him up against Cornelius lately ordained Bishop of that See whom they peculiarly charged a Vid. Epist 55. ad Antonian p. 66. with holding a communion with Trophimus and some others of the Thurificati who had done sacrifice in the late Persecution Which though plausibly pretended was yet a false allegation Trophimus and his Party not being taken in till by great humility b Ibid. p. 69. and a public penance they had given satisfaction to the Church nor he then suffered to communicate any otherwise then in a Lay-capacity Being disappointed in their designs they now openly shew themselves in their own colours separate from the Church which they charge with loosness and licentiousness in admitting scandalous offenders and by way of distinction stiling themselves Cathari the pure undefiled Party those who kept themselves from all society with the lapsed or them that communicated with them Hereupon they were on all hands opposed by private persons and condemned by public Synods and cried down by the common Vote of the Church probably not so much upon the account of their different sentiments and opinions in point of pardon of sin and Ecclesiastical penance wherein they stood not at so wide a distance from the doctrin and practice of the early Ages of the Church as for their insolent and domineering temper their proud and surly carriage their rigorous and imperious imposing their way upon other Churches their taking upon them by their own private authority to judge censure and condemn those that joined not with them or opposed them their bold devesting the Governours of the Church of that great power lodged in them of remitting crimes upon repentance which seem to have been the very soul and spirit of the Novatian Sect. VI. IN the mean while the Persecution under Decius raged with an uncontrolled fury over the African Provinces and especially at Carthage concerning which Cyprian every where c Epist 53. p. 75 Epist 7. p. 16. Epist 8. p. 19. lib. ad Demetr p. 200. gives large and sad accounts whereof this the sum They were scourged and beaten and racked and roasted and their flesh pulled off with burning pincers beheaded with swords and run through with spears more instruments of torment being many times imployed about the man at once then there were limbs and members of his body they were spoiled and plundred chained and imprisoned thrown to wild Beasts and burnt at the stake And when they had run over all their old methods of execution they studied for more excogitat novas poenas ingeniosa crudelitas as he complains Nor did they onely vary but repeat the torments and where one ended another began they tortured them without hopes of dying and added this cruelty to all the rest to stop them in their journey to heaven many who were importunately desirous of death were so tortured that they might not die they were purposely kept upon the Rack that they might die by piece-meals that their pains might be lingring and their sense of them without intermission they gave them no intervals or times of respite unless any of them chanced to give them the slip and expire in the midst of torments All which did but render their faith and patience more illustrious and make them more earnestly long for Heaven They tired out their tormentors and overcame the sharpest engins of execution and smiled at the busie Officers that were raking in their wounds and when their flesh was wearied their faith was unconquerable
out his soul with unspeakable comfort and satisfaction that he now died in communion with the Church VI. NOR was his care herein confined to his single Diocess but he wrote Letters about this matter to most of the eminent Bishops and Governours of the Church And that he might leave nothing unattempted he treated with Novatian or as he calls him Novatus himself endeavouring by all mild and gentle methods to reduce him to the peace and order of the Church His Epistle to him being but short and very pathetical we shall here subjoin b Ibid. c. 45. p. 247. Dionysius to Novatus our Brother greeting FOrasmuch as you your self confess you were unwillingly drawn into this Schism make it appear so by your willing and ready returning to the Church For better it were to suffer any thing then that the Church of God should be rent asunder Nor is it less glorious to suffer Martyrdom upon this account then in the case of not sacrificing to Idols Yea in my mind much more honourable For in the one case a man suffers onely for his own soul but in this he undergoes Martyrdom for the whole Church of God And if now thou shalt perswade and reduce thy brethren to peace and concord thy merit will out-weigh thy crime The one will not be charged to thy reproach and the other will be mentioned to thy praise And suppose thou shalt not be able to persuade them yet however save thy own soul I pray that thou mayest live peaceably and farewell in the Lord. VII NO sooner had he well rid his hands of this but he was engaged in another controversie which involved and disturbed the whole Christian Church I mean that concerning the rebaptizing those who had been baptized by Heretics so hotly disputed between S. Cyprian and Stephen Bishop of Rome a Ibid. l. 7. c. 4. p. 251. Dionysius together with Firmilian Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and a great many others in the East stood on Cyprian's side maintaining that they ought to be baptized But however carried himself in it with great temper and moderation he distinguished between Apostates who had received their baptism in the Catholic Church and those upon their return they did not baptize as Cyprian also affirms but onely admitted by imposition of hands and this rule and practice he tells us b Ib. c. 7. p. 253. he had learned from his predecessor Heraclas but then for pure Heretics who had no other baptism then what had been conferred by Heretical persons which in reality was null and of no effect these he thought fit to be entered into the Church by Catholic baptism Besides that he engaged more as a Mediator then a Party writing to Pope Stephen to use moderation in the case as he did also to Sixstus his successor and most other Bishops of that time Indeed that he was not stiff and rigorous in his sentiments may appear from the instance he relates c Ibid. c. 9. p. 254. in his Epistle to Pope Sixtus wherein he begs his advice A certain man in his Church who went among the Classe of the faithful both in his and his Predecessors days beholding the form and manner of Baptism as it was administred among the Orthodox came to Dionysius and with tears bewailed his own case and falling at his feet confessed that the Baptism which he had received among the Heretics was nothing like this but full of blasphemy and impiety that for this reason he was infinitely troubled in conscience and durst not lift up his eyes to Heaven begging that he might partake of the true and sincere Baptism and that grace and acceptation that was conferred by it This Dionysius would not admit telling him that his long communion with the Church was equivalent to it that he that had so often been present at the giving of thanks and said Amen to the prayers of the Congregation that had stood before the holy Table and had taken the holy food into his hands and been so very long partaker of the body and bloud of our Lord Jesus Christ that having done thus for so many years together he durst not admit him to another Baptism bidding him to be of good chear and with a firm faith and a good conscience approach the holy Sacrament All which notwithstanding did not quiet the mans mind but that still he droopt under his fears and scruples durst not be present at the Lords Table nor could hardly be persuaded to come to the public Prayers What answer Sixtus returned to this instance is uncertain but by this it is evident that S. Dionysius was no zealot for the contrary opinion though it must be confessed there was something particular in this that occurred not in ordinary cases he presuming that so long a communion with the Church so continued and open a profession of the Orthodox Faith did tantamount a being legally initiated and baptized into it VIII IN these contests he passed over the short reign of Gallus Decius his successor who not taking warning a Dion Epist ad Herm. ib. c. 1. p. 250. by his predecessors errour stumbled at the same stone And when he found all things quiet and peaceable must needs fall a persecuting the Christians whose prayers with Heaven secured the peace and prosperity of the Empire But this alas was but a preparatory storm to that which followed in the reign of Valerian whom our Dionysius b Ibid. c. 10. p. 255. makes to be the Beast in the Revelation to whom was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months He was at first extraordinarily kind to Christians beyond any of the precedent Emperours even those who were themselves accounted Christians so that his whole Family was full of pious and good men and his house a kind of Church But this weather was too fair and benign to last long Being seduced and deluded by an Arch-Magician of Egypt he was prevailed with to fall from his kindness and to persecute the Christians whom the Conjurer represented as persons who by wicked and execrable charms hindred the Emperours prosperity colouring his pretence from their power over Daemons whose mischievous Arts they obstructed and whom they ordinarily banished with the speaking of a word and persuading him that to urge the Gentile Rites to maintain Lustrations Sacrifices Divinations by the bloud and intrails of Men and Beasts was the ready way to make him happy Whereupon Edicts were every where published against the Christians and they without the least protection exposed to the common rage IX ORDERS being come to Alexandria Dionysius c Ep. ejus ad Cârm ib. c. 11. p. 257. accompanied with some of his Clergy addressed himself to Aemilian the Governour who did not at first downright forbid him to hold their solemn Assemblies but endeavoured to persuade him to leave off that way of Worship presuming others would quickly follow
judgment and our conformity to him in glory and to hope for a state in the Kingdom of God wherein they should be entertained with such little and trifling such fading and transitory things as this World does afford Dionysius being then in the Province of the Arsenoitae where this Opinion had prevailed so far as to draw whole Churches into Schism and Separation summoned the Presbyters and Teachers who preached in the Country Villages and as many of the People as had a mind to come advising them that in their Sermons they would publicly examine this Doctrin They presently defended themselves with this Book whereupon he began more closely to join issue with them continuing with them three days together from morning to night weighing and discussing the doctrins contained in it In all which time he admired their constancy and love to truth their great quickness and readiness of understanding with so much order and decency so much modesty and moderation were the Discourses managed on both sides doubts propounded and assent yielded For they took an especial care not pertinaciously to defend their former opinions when once they found them to be erroneous nor to shun any objections which on either part were made against them As near as might be they kept to the present question which they endeavoured to make good but if convinced by argument that they were in the wrong made no scruple to change their minds and go over to the other side with honest minds and sincere intentions and hearts truly devoted to God embracing whatever was demonstrated by the holy Scriptures The issue was that Coracion the Commander and Champion of the other Party publicly promised and protested before them all that he would not henceforth either entertain or dispute or discourse or preach these opinions being sufficiently convinced by the arguments which the other side had offered to him all the Brethren departing with mutual love unanimity and satisfaction Such was the peaceable conclusion of this Meeting and less could not be expected from such pious and honest souls such wise and regular Disputers And happy had it been for the Christian World had all those controversies that have disturbed the Church been managed by such prudent and orderly debates which as usually conducted rather widen the breach then heal and mend it Dionysius to strike the controversie dead while his hand was in wrote a Book concerning the Promises which S. Hierom forgetting what he had truly said a De script in Dionys elsewhere that it was written against Nepos tells b Praef at in l. 18. Com. in Esa p. 242. T. 5. us was written against Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons mistaking the person probably for his opinion in the first part whereof he stated the question laid down his sense concerning it in the second he treated concerning the Revelation of S. John the main Pillar and Buttress of this Opinion where both by reason and the testimony of others he contends that it was not written by S. John the Apostle and Evangelist but by another of that name an account of whose judgment herein we have represented in another place c Antiq. Apost Life of S. John n. 14. XVI THE last controversie wherein he was concerned was that against Paul of Samosata Bishop of Antioch who had d Euseb ubi sup c. 27. p. 277 281. Epiph. Haeres LXV p. 262. Athanas de Syn d. Arim. Seleuc. p. 920. Niceph. l. 6. c. 27. p. 420. confidently vented these and such like impious dogmata that there is but one person in the Godhead that our blessed Saviour was though a holy yet a meer man who came not down from Heaven but was of a meer earthly extract and original in whom the word which he made not any thing distinct from the Father did sometimes reside and sometimes depart from him with abundance of the like wicked and sensless propositions Besides all which he was infinitely obnoxious in his e Epist Synod II. Antioch ap Euseb ib. c. 30. p. 280. c. morals as few men but serve the design of some lust by Schism and bad opinions covetous without any bounds heaping up a vast estate though born a poor mans son partly by fraud and sacriledge partly by cruel and unjust vexations of his brethren partly by fomenting differences and taking bribes to assist the weaker party Proud and vain-glorious he was beyond all measure affecting Pomp and Train and secular Power and rather to be stiled a temporal Prince then a Bishop going through the streets and all public places in solemn state with persons walking before him and crouds of people following after him In the Church he caused to be erected a Throne higher then ordinary and a place which he called Secretum after the manner of Civil Magistrates who in the inner part of the Praetorium had a place railed in with Curtains hung before it where they sate to hear Causes He was wont to clap his hand upon his thigh and to stamp with his feet upon the Bench frowning upon and reproaching those who did not Theatrically shout and make a noise while he was discoursing to them wherein he used also to reflect upon his predecessors and the most eminent persons that had been before him with all imaginable scorn and petulancy magnifying himself as far beyond them The Hymns that were ordinarily sung in honour of our Lord he abolished as late and novel and in stead thereof taught some of his proselyted Females upon the Easter solemnity to chaunt out some which he had composed in his own commendation to the horrour and astonishment of all that heard them procuring the Bishops and Presbyters of the neighbouring parts to publish the same things of him in their Sermons to the People some of his Proselytes not sticking to affirm that he was an Angel come down from Heaven All which he was so far from controlling that he highly encouraged them and heard them himself not onely with patience but delight He was moreover vehemently suspected of incontinency maintaining ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã subintroduced Women in his house and some of them persons of exquisit beauty contrary to the Canons of the Church and to the great scandal of Religion And that he might not be muh reproached by those that were about him he endeavoured to debauch his Clergy conniving at their Vices and Irregularities and corrupting others with Pensions and whom he could not prevail with by evil arts he awed by power and his mighty interest in the Princes and great ones of those parts so that they were forced with sadness to bewail at home what they durst not publish and declare abroad XVII TO rectifie these enormities most of the chief Bishops of the East resolved to meet in a Synod at Antioch a Euseb ib. c. 27. p. 277. c. 30. p. 279. to which they earnestly invited our Dionysius But alas age and infirmities had rendred him incapable of such a journey
a life of true Philosophy and Vertue Ap. Dioâ Haliâ ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. â5 Tem. 2. History says Thucydides being nothing else but ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Philosophy drawn from Examples the one is a more gross and popular Philosophy the other a more subtle and refined History These considerations together with a desire to perpetuate the memory of brave and great Actions gave birth to History and obliged mankind to transmit the more observable passages both of their own and foregoing Times to the notice of Posterity The first in this kind was Moses the great Prince and Legislator of the Jewish Nation who from the Creation of the World conveyed down the Records of above MMDL years the same course being more or less continued through all the periods of the Jewish State Among the Babylonians they had their public Archives which were transcribed by Berosus the Priest of Belus who composed the Chaldean History The Egyptians were wont to record their memorable Acts upon Pillars in Hieroglyphic notes and sacred Characters first begun as they pretend by Thouth or the first of their Mercuries out of which Manethos their Chief Priest collected his three Books of Egyptian Dynasties which he dedicated to Ptolomy Philadelphus second of that line The Phoenician History was first attempted by Sanchoniathon digested partly out of the Annals of Cities partly out of the Books kept in the Temple and communicated to him by Jerombaal Priest of the God Jao this he dedicated to Abibalus King of Berytus which Philo Byblius about the time of the Emperour Adrian translated into Greek The Greeks boast of the Antiquity of Cadmus Archilochus and many others though the most ancient of their Historians now extant are Herodotus Thucydides and Xenophon Among the Romans the foundations of History were laid in Annals the public Acts of every year being made up by the Pontifex Maximus who kept them at his own house that the people upon any emergency might resort to them for satisfaction These were the Annales Maximi and afforded excellent materials to those who afterwards wrote the History of that great and powerful Commonwealth But that which of all others challenges the greatest regard both as it more immediately concerns the present enquiry and as it contains accounts of things relating to our biggest interests is the History of the Church For herein as in a Glass we have the true face of the Church in its several Ages represented to us Here we find with what infinite care those Divine Records which are the great instruments of our eternal happiness have through the several periods of time been conveyed down to us with what a mighty success Religion has triumphed over the greatest oppositions and spread its Banners in the remotest corners of the World With how incomparable a zeal good men have contended earnestly for that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints with what a bitter and implacable fury the Enemies of Religion have set upon it and how signally the Divine Providence has appeared in its preservation and returned the mischief upon their own heads Here we see the constant succession of Bishops and the Ministers of Religion in their several stations the glorious company of the Apostles the goodly fellowship of the Prophets the noble Army of Martyrs who with the most chearful and composed minds have gone to Heaven through the acutest torments In short we have here the most admirable examples of a divine and religious Life of a real and unfeigned Piety a sincere and universal Charity a strict Temperance and Sobriety an unconquerable Patience and Submission clearly represented to us And the higher we go the more illustrious are the instances of Piety and Vertue For however later Ages may have improved in knowledge Experience daily making new additions to Arts and Sciences yet former Times were most eminent for the practice and vertues of a holy life The Divine Laws while newly published had a stronger influence upon the minds of men and the spirit of Religion was more active and vigorous till men by degrees began to be debauched into that impiety and prophaneness that in these last Times has over-run the World It were altogether needless and improper for me to consider what Records there are of the state of the Church before our Saviours Incarnation it is sufficient to my purpose to enquire by what hands the first affairs of the Christian Church have been transmitted to us As for the Life and Death the Actions and Miracles of our Saviour and some of the first acts of his Apostles they are fully represented by the Evangelical Historians Indeed immediately after them we meet with nothing of this nature H. Eâcl l. 3. c. 24. p. 94. the Apostles and their immediate Successors as Eusebius observes not being at leisure to write many Books as being imployed in Ministeries greater and more immediately serviceable to the World The first that engaged in this way was Hegesippus an ancient and Apostolic man as he in Photius stiles him an Hebrew by descent Cod. 232. col 893. and born as is probable in Palestin He flourished principally in the reign of M. Aurelius and came to Rome in the time of Ancietus where he resided till the time of Eleutherius He wrote five Books of Ecclesiastical History which he stiled Commentaries of the Acts of the Church wherein in a plain and familiar stile he described the Apostles Travels and Preachings the remarkable passages of the Church the several Schisms Heresies and Persecutions that infested it from our Lords death till his own time But these alas are long since lost The next that succeeded in this Province though the first that reduced it to any exactness and perfection was Eusebius He was born in Palestin about the later times of the Emperour Gallienus ordained Presbyter by Agapius Bishop of Caesarea who suffering about the end of the Dioclesian Persecution Eusebius succeeded in his See A man of incomparable parts and learning and of no less industry and diligence in searching out the Records and Antiquities of the Church After several other Volumes in defence of the Christian Cause against the assaults both of Jews and Gentiles he set himself to write an Ecclesiastical History Lib. 1. c. 1. p. 3. wherein he designed as himself tells us to recount from the birth of our Lord till his time the most memorable Transactions of the Church the Apostolical successions the first Preachers and Planters of the Gospel the Bishops that presided in the most eminent Sees the most noted Errours and Heresies the calamities that befel the Jewish State the attempts and Persecutions made against the Christians by the Powers of the World the torments and sufferings of the Martyrs and the blessed and happy period that was put to them by the conversion of Constantine the Great All this accordingly he digested in Ten Book which he composed in the declining part of his life Praefat. de
of his suffering The place and manner of his burial His body first discovered when and how The story of its translation to Constantinople The miracles said to be done by his Reliques and at his Memoriae Several reported by S. Augustin What credit to be given to them Miracles how long and why continued in the Church The vain pretences of the Church of Rome Pag. 1. The Life of S. PHILIP the Deacon and Evangelist His Birth-place The confounding him with S. Philip the Apostle His election to the Office of a Deacon The dispersion of the Church at Jerusalem Philip's preaching at Samaria Inveterate prejudices between the Samaritans and the Jews The great success of S. Philip's Ministry The Impostures of Simon Magus and his embracing Christianity The Christians at Samaria confirmed by Peter and John Philip sent to Gaza His meeting with the Aethiopian Eunuch What Aethiopia here meant Candace who The Custom of retaining Eunuchs in the Courts of the Eastern Princes This Eunuch who His Office His Religion and great Piety His Conversion and Baptism by S. Philip. The place where he was baptized The Eunuchs return and propagating Christianity in his own Countrey Philip's journey to Caesarea and fixing his abode there His four daughters Virgin-Prophetesses His death Pag. 23. The Life of S. BARNABAS the Apostle His Sirname Joses The title of Barnabas whence added to him His Countrey and Parents His Education and Conversion to Christianity His generous Charity S. Pauls address to him after his Conversion His Commission to confirm the Church of Antioch His taking S. Paul into his assistance Their being sent with contributions to the Church at Jerusalem Their peculiar separation for the Ministry of the Gentiles Imposition of hands the usual Rite of Ordination Their travels through several Countries Their success in Cyprus Barnabas at Lystra taken for Jupiter and why Their return to Antioch Their Embassy to Jerusalem about the controversie concerning the legal Rites Barnabas seduced by Peters dissimulation at Antioch The dissension between him and S. Paul Barnabas his journey to Cyprus His voyage to Rome and preaching the Christian Faith there His Martyrdom by the Jews in Cyprus His Burial His body when first discovered S. Matthews Hebrew Gospel found with it The great priviledges hereupon conferred upon the See of Salamis A description of his person and temper The Epistle anciently published under his name The design of it The practical part of it excellently managed under the two ways of Light and Darkness Pag. 33. The Life of S. TIMOTHY the Apostle and Evangelist S. Timothies Countrey and Kindred His religious education The great advantages of an early Piety Converted to Christianity by S. Paul and made choice of to be his companion Circumcised by S. Paul and why This no contradicting S. Pauls doctrine concerning Circumcision His Travels with S. Paul for the propagation of the Faith His return from Thessalonica and S. Pauls two Epistles to that Church S. Timothy consecrated Bishop of Ephesus The consent of Antiquity herein Ordination in those times usually done by Prophetic Designation and the reason of it Timothies age enquired into The importance of ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã let no man despise thy youth the words shewed to be used by the best Writers for a considerable age S. Pauls first and second Epistle to him and the importance of them The manners of the Ephesians noted Their Festival called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã S. Timothies martyrdom The time of his death place of his burial and translation of his body His weak and infirm constitution His great abstinence and admirable zeal S. Pauls singular affection for him Different from Timotheus in S. Denys the Areopagite Another Timothy S. Pauls Disciple martyred under Antoninus Pag. 45. The Life of S. TITUS Bishop of Crete His Country enquired into The report of his noble extract His education and conversion to Christianity His acquaintance with and accompanying S. Paul to the Synod at Jerusalem S. Pauls refusing to circumcise him and why His attending S. Paul in his travels Their arrival in Crete Titus constituted by him Bishop of that Island The testimonies of the Ancients to that purpose The intimations of it in S. Pauls Epistle to him S. Pauls censure of the People of Crete justified by the account which Gentile Writers give of their evil manners A short view of the Epistle it self The directions concerning Ecclesiastic persons His charge to exhort and convince Gain-sayers Crete abounding with Heretical Teachers Jewish Fables and Genealogies what and whence derived The Aeones and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of the ancient Gnostics borrowed from the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of the Heathen Poets This shewn by particular instances Titus commanded to attend S. Paul at Nicopolis His coming to him into Macedonia His following S. Paul to Rome and departure into Dalmatia The Story of Pliny the Younger's being converted by him in Crete censured His age and death The Church erected to his memory Pag. 55. The Life of S. DIONYSIUS the Areopagite Dionysius born at Athens The quality of his Parents His domestic Studies His foreign Travels Egypt frequented as the staple place of all recondite Learning His residence at Heliopolis The strange and miraculous Eclipse at our Saviours Passion Dionysius his remarques upon it His return to Athens and being made one of the Judges of the Areopagus The nature of this Court the number and quality of its Judges S. Paul arraigned before it his Discourse and its success Dionysius his conversion His further instruction by Hierotheus Hierotheus who Dionysius constituted Bishop of Athens A brief account of his Story according to those that confound him with Dionysius Bishop of Paris These shewn to be distinct The original and procedure of the Mistake enquired into A probable account given of it Dionysius his Martyrdom at Athens and the time of it A fabulous miracle reported of his Scull The description of his person and the hyperbolical commendations which the Greeks give of him The Books ascribed to him These none of his Apollinaris probably shewed to be the Author of them Several passages of the Ancients noted to that purpose Books why oft published under other mens names These Books the Fountain of Enthusiasm and mystical Theology A passage in them instanced in to that purpose Pag. 65. The Life of S. CLEMENS Bishop of Rome His Birth-place His Parents Kindred Education and Conversion to Christianity noted out of the Books extant under his name His relation to the Imperial Family shewed to be a mistake His being made Bishop of Rome The great confusion about the first Bishops of that See A probable account endeavoured concerning the order of S. Clemens his succession and the reconciling it with the times of the other Bishops What account given of him in the ancient Epistle to S. James Clemens his appointing Notaries to write the Acts of the Martyrs and dispatching Messengers to propagate the
S. CYPRIAN Bishop of Carthage His Birth-place The Nobility of his Family exploded The confounding him with another Cyprian Bishop of Antioch These two vastly distinct S. Cyprian's education His professing Rhetoric His conversion to Christianity by the persuasions of Caecilius Their mutual endearment His great charity to the Poor His Baptism Made Presbyter and Bishop of Carthage His modest declining the honour His Proscription recess and care of his Church during that retirement The case of the Lapsed A brief account of the rise of the Novatian Sect. The fierceness of the Persecution at Carthage under Decius The courage and patience of the Christians Cyprian's return A Synod at Carthage about the case of the Lapsed and the cause of Novatian Their determination of these matters Ratified by a Synod at Rome and another at Antioch A second Synod about the same affair Moderation in the Ecclesiastic Discipline used in the time of Persecution The great Pestilence at Carthage The miserable state of that City The mighty charity of S. Cyprian and the Christians at that time These evils charged upon the Christians S. Cyprians vindication of them The time of baptizing Infants determined in a Synod Another Synod to decide the case of the Spanish Bishops that had lapsed in the time of Persecution The Controversie concerning the Rebaptizing those who had been baptized by Heretics This resolved upon in a Synod of LXXXVII African Bishops The immoderate heats between Cyprian Firmilian and Stephen Bishop of Rome about this matter Cyprian arraigned before the Proconsul His resolute carriage His banishment to Curubis His Martyrdom foretold him by a Vision His Letters during his exile The severe usage of the Christians His withdrawment and why His apprehension and examination before the Proconsul The sentence passed upon him His Martyrdom and place of burial His piety fidelity chastity humility modesty charity c. His natural parts His learning wherein it mainly consisted The politeness and elegancy of his stile His quick proficiency in Christian studies His frequent converse with Tertullian's Writings His Books The excellency of those ascribed to him The great honours done to his memory Pag. 251. The Life of S. GREGORY Bishop of Neocaesarea S. Gregory where born His Kindred and Relations The rank and quality of his Parents His youthful studies His study of the Laws His travels to Alexandria The calumny there fixed upon him and his miraculous vindication His return through Greece His studying the Law at Berytus and upon what occasion His fixing at Caesarea and putting himself under the tutorage of Origen The course of his studies His Panegyric to Origen at his departure Origen's Letter to him and the importance of it His refusal to stay at Neocaesarea and retirement into the Wilderness His stunning to be made Bishop of Neocaesarea Consecrated Bishop of that City during his absence His acceptance of the charge and the state of that place at his entrance upon it His miraculous instruction in the great mysteries of Christianity His Creed The miracles wrought by him in his return His expelling Daemons out of a Gentile Temple and the success of it His welcom entrance into the City and kind entertainment His diligent preaching to the People His erecting a Church for Divine Worship and its signal preservation An horrible Plague stopped by his prayers The great influence of it upon the minds of the People His judging in Civil Causes His drying up a Lake by his prayers which had been the cause of an implacable quarrel between two Brothers and his restraining the overflowings of the River Lycus The signal vengeance inflicted upon two Jews counterfeit Beggars The fame and multitude of his miracles and the authorities to justifie the credibility of them The rage and cruelty of the Decian Persecution in the Regions of Pontus and Cappadocia His persuading the Christians to withdraw His own retirement The narrow search made for him and his miraculous escape His betrayer converted His return to Neocaesarea and instituting solemnities to the memories of the Martyrs and the reasons of it The inundations of the Northern Nations upon the Roman Empire His Canonical Epistle to rectifie the disorders committed by occasion of those inroads His meeting with others in the Synod at Antioch about the cause of Paulus Samosatenus His return home age and death His solemn thanks to God for the flourishing state of his Church and command concerning his Burial The excellent Character given of him by S. Basil His Writings The charge of Sabellianism S. Basils Apology for him in that behalf Modesty to be used in censuring the ancient Fathers and why Pag. 267. The Life of S. DIONYSIUS Bishop of Alexandria The place of his nativity His Family and Relations His conversion how His studies under Origen Whether a professed Rhetorician His succeeding Heraclas in the Catechetic School His being constituted Bishop of Alexandria and the time of it Apreparatory Persecution at Alexandria how begun The severity of it The Martyrdom of Apollonia and the fond honours done her in the Church of Rome The Persecution continued and promoted by Decius his Edicts The miserable condition of the Christians The sudden Conversion and Martyrdom of a Guard of Souldiers Dionysius apprehended and carried into banishment there to be beheaded A pleasant account of his unexpected deliverance by means of a drunken rout His retirement into the Desarts His return to Alexandria The great number and quality of the Lapsed in the late Persecution The contests about this matter Dionysius his judgment and practice herein The case of Serapion His dealing with Novatian about his Schism and the copy of his Letter to him His being engaged in the Controversie about Rebaptization and great moderation in it His Letter to Pope Sixtus about a person baptized by Heretics Valerianus the Emperours kindness to Christians How turned to cruelty Dionysius brought before Aemilian His discourse with him and resolute constancy He is condemned to be banished His transportation into the Desarts of Lybia The success of his Ministry there Innumerable Barbarians converted to the Faith Gallienus his relaxing the Persecution His Letter to Dionysius granting liberty to the Christians Alexandria shut up by the usurpation of Aemilian The Divisions within and Siege without The horrible Pestilence at Alexandria and the singular kindness and compassion of the Christians there above the Heathens Dionysius his confutation of Sabellius His unwary expressions and the charge against him His vindication both by himself and by S. Athanasius His writing against Nepos Nepos who and what his Principles and Followers Dionysius his encounter with the heads of the Party his convincing and reducing them back to the Orthodox Church His engaging in the Controversie against Paulus Samosatenus The loose extravagant and insolent temper and manners of that man Dionysius his Letter to the Synod at Antioch concerning him The success of that affair Dionysius his death His Writings and Epistles The loss of them bewailed THE
Christ did all Nations believe Parthians Medes Elamites the inhabitants of Mesopotamia Armenia Phrygia and Cappadocia of Pontus Asia and Pamphylia those who dwell in Egypt Afric and beyond Cyrene strangers at Rome Jews at Jerusalem and other Nations as also now the Getuli and the Mauri the Spaniards and the Gauls yea and those places of Britain which were unapproachable by the Roman Armies are yet subdued to Christ the Sarmatae also and the Daci the Germans and the Scythians together with many undiscovered Countries many Islands and Provinces unknown to us which he professes himself unable to reckon up In all which places says he the name of Christ reigns as before whom the Gates of all Cities are set open and to whom none are shut before whom Gates of Brass fly open and bars of iron are snapt asunder To which g Lib. 2. p. 23. Arnobius adds the Indians the Persians the Serae and all the Islands and Provinces which are visited by the rising or setting Sun yea and Rome it self the Empress of all IX FROM Tertullians account we have a most authentic testimony how early Christianity stretched it self over this other World having before his time conquered the most rough and inaccessible parts of Britain to the banner of the Cross which may probably refer to the conversion of King Lucius the first Christian King that ever was a potent and considerable Prince in this Island who embraced the Christian Religion about the year CLXXXVI and sent a solemn Embassie to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome for some who might further instruct him and his people in the Faith who accordingly dispatched Faganus and Derwianus hither upon that errand Not that this was the first time that the Gospel made its way through the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as Clemens a Epist ad Corinth p. 28. calls the British Ocean and so the Ancients constantly stile it the unpassable Ocean and those worlds which are beyond it that is the Britannic Islands it had been here many years before though probably stifled and overgrown with the ancient Paganism and Idolatry St. Clemens b Ibid. p. 8. tells us of St. Paul that he preached both in the East and West and having instructed the whole world in righteousness made his way to the utmost bounds of the West by which he must either mean Spain or more probably Britain and it may be both Accordingly Theodoret c Comment in Psal 116. speaking of his coming into Spain says that besides that he brought great advantage to the Isles of the Sea and he reckons d De curand Graecor affect Serm. IX p. 125. the Cimbri and the Britains among the Nations which the Apostles and he particularly mentions the Tent-maker converted to the Christian Faith If after all this it were necessary to enter into a more minute and particular disquisition I might enquire not only in what Countries but in what Towns and Cities in those Countries Christianity fixed it self in what places Episcopal Sees were erected and what succession of Bishops are mentioned in the Records of the Church but that this would not well consist with the designed shortness of this Introduction and would be more perhaps than the Readers patience would allow X. THE shadows of the night do not more naturally vanish at the rising of the Sun than the darkness of Pagan Idolatry and Superstition fled before the Light of the Gospel which the more it prevailed the clearer it discovered the folly and impiety of their worship Their solemn Rites appeared more trifling and ridiculous their Sacrifices more barbarous and inhumane their Daemons were expelled by the meanest Christian their Oracles became mute and silent and their very Priests began to be ashamed of their Magic Charms and Conjurations and the more prudent and subtle heads among them who stood up for the Rites and Solemnities of their Religion were forced to turn them into mystical and allegorical meanings far enough either from the apprehension or intention of the vulgar The truth is the Devil who for so many ages had usurped an Empire and tyranny over the souls of men became more sensible every day that his Kingdom shaked and therefore sought though in vain by all ways to support and prop it up Indeed some time before our Saviours Incarnation the most celebrated Oracle at Delphos had lost its credit and reputation as after his appearance in the world they sunk and declined every day whereof their best Writers universally complain that their gods had forsaken their Temples and Oracular Recesses and had left the world in darkness and obscurity and that their Votaries did in vain solicit their Counsels and answers Plutarch who lived under Trajan wrote a particular Tract still extant concerning the ceasing of Oracles which he endeavours to resolve partly into natural partly into moral partly into political causes though all his Philosophy was too short to give a just and satisfactory account of it One cause he assigns of it is the death and departure of those Daemons that heretofore presided over these Oracles To which purpose he relates a memorable passage ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 419. concerning a voice that called three times aloud to one Thamus an Egyptian Ship-master and his company as they sailed by the Echinadae Islands commanding him when they came near to Palodes to make Proclamation that the great Pan was dead which he did and the news was entertained not with the resentment of one or two but of many who received it with great mourning and consternation The circumstances of this story he there reports more at large and adds that the thing being published at Rome Thamus was sent for by Tiberius to whom he gave an account and satisfied him in the truth of it Which circumstance of time Eusebius a Praepar Evang. l. 5. c. 17. p. 207. observes corresponds with our Lords conversing in the world when he began openly to dispossess Daemons of that power and tyranny which they had gained over mankind And if the calculation which some make hit right it fell in about the time of our Saviours Passion who led captivity captive spoiled principalities and powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in his Cross and by his Death destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil XI HOWEVER that the silence of Oracles and the enervating the power of Daemons was the effect of the Christian Religion in the world we need no more then the plain confession of Porphyry himself truth will sometimes extort a confession out of the mouth of its greatest enemy who says ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Euseb ubi supr c. 1. p. 179. that now it s no wonder if the City for so many years has been overrun with sickness Aesculapius and the rest of the gods having withdrawn their converse with men For that since Jesus began to be worshipped no man hath received any public
Marcionites Montanists and other Heretics of those times But the principal of all was Irenaeus who took to task the most noted Heresies of those Ages and with incomparable industry and quickness of reasoning unravelled their Principles exposed their practices refuted their errors whereby as he frequently intimates many were reduced and recovered to the Church I might also mention several others who though not known to have particularly adventured in either of these ways are yet renowned for their excellent skill in all Arts and Sciences whereby they became eminently useful to the Church Such besides those whereof an account is given in the following work were Dionysius Bishop of Corinth Bardesanes the Syrian whose learning and eloquence were above the common standard though he also wrote against almost all the Heresies of the Age he lived in Ammonius the celebrated Philosopher of Alexandria Julius Africanus a man peculiarly eminent for History and Chronology Dorotheus Presbyter of Antioch famous for his skill in Hebrew as well as other parts of learning Anatolius the Alexandrian whom Eusebius magnifies so much as the most learned man and acute Philosopher of his age exquisitely skill'd in Arithmetic Geometry Astronomy Logic Physic Rhetoric and indeed what not Pierius Presbyter of Alexandria an eloquent Preacher and so great a Scholar that he was commonly styled Origen Junior But this is a field too large to proceed any further in and therefore I stop here By all which it is evident what St. Hierom a Discant ergo Celsus Porphyrius Julianus rabidi adversus Christum canes discant corum sectatores qui putant Ecclesiam nullos Philosophos eloquentes nullos habuisse Doctores quanti quales viri eam fundaverint extruxerint oraverint desinant fidem nostram rusticae tantum simplicitatis arguere suamque potias imperitiam agnoscunt S. Hieron praef ad Catalog de script Eccles remarques how little reason Celsus Porphyry and Julian had to clamour against the Christians as a rude and illiterate generation who had no Learning no Eloquence or Philosophy to recommend them XV. A third advantage that helpt on the progress of Christianity was the indefatigable zeal and industry used in the propagation of it No stone was left unturn'd no method unattempted whereby they might reclaim men from error and bring them over to the acknowledgment of the truth Hence in an ancient Inscription b Ap. Grâter Inscript p. 238. N. IX said to be set up in Spain to the honour of Nero they are described under this Character QVI NOVAM GENERI HVM SVPERSTITION INCVLCAB Those who inculcated and obtruded a new Superstition upon mankind Indeed they were infinitely zealous to gain Proselytes to the best Religion in the world They preached it boldly and prayed heartily for the conversion and reformation of mankind solicited their neighbours that were yet strangers to the Faith instructed and informed new converts and built them up on the most holy Faith Those that were of greater parts and eminency erected and instituted Schools where they publicly taught those that resorted to them grounding them in the rudiments of the Faith and antidoting them both against Heathens on the one side and Heretics on the other Among us says Tatian a Orat. contr Graec. p. 167. not only the rich and the wealthy learn our Philosophy but the poor are freely disciplined and instructed we admit all that are willing to learn whether they be old or young And what the success was he tells b Ibid. p. 168. us a little after that all their Virgins were sober and modest and were wont to discourse concerning divine things even while they were sitting at their Distaffs Nor did they content themselves only to do thus at home many of them freely exposing themselves to all manner of hazards and hardships no pains were thought great no dangers considerable no difficulties insuperable that they might enlarge the bounds of the Gospel travelling into the most barbarous Nations and to the remotest corners of the world The divine and admirable Disciples of the Apostles says c H. Eccles l. 3. c. 37. p. 109. Eusebius built up the superstructures of those Churches the foundations whereof the Apostles had laid in all places where they came they every where promoted the publication of the Gospel sowing the seeds of that heavenly Doctrine throughout the whole world For their minds being inflamed with the love of a more divine Philosophy according to our Lords counsel they distributed their estates to the poor and leaving their own Countries took upon them the office of Evangelists preaching Christ and delivering the Evangelical Writings to those who had not yet so much as heard of the Christian Faith And no sooner had they founded the Faith in any forein Countries and ordained guides and Pastors to whom they committed the care of those new Plantations but they presently betook themselves to other Nations ratifying their Doctrine with the miraculous powers of that Divine Spirit that attended them so that as soon as ever they began to preach the people universally flocked to them and chearfully and heartily embraced the worship of the true God the great Creator of the world In the number of these Evangelical Missionaries that were of the first Apostolical succession were Silas Sylvanus Crescens Andronicus Trophimus Marcus Aristarchus c. as afterwards Pantaenus who went into India Pothinus and Irenaeus from Smyrna into France each successively becoming Bishop of Lyons and infinite others mentioned in the Histories and Martyrologies of the Church who counted not their lives to be dear unto them so that they might finish their course with joy and make known the mystery of the Gospel to the ends of the earth XVI FOURTHLY Christianity recommended it self to the world by the admirable lives of its professors which were so truly consonant to all the laws of virtue and goodness as could not but reconcile the wiser and more unprejudiced part of the Gentile world to a better opinion of it and vindicate it from those absurd and sensless cavils that were made against it For when they saw Christians every where so seriously devout and pious so incomparably chast and sober of such humble and mortified tempers so strictly just and righteous so kind and charitable not to themselves only but to all mankind they concluded there must be something more than humane in it as indeed no argument is so convictive as a demonstration from experience Their singular piety and the discipline of their manners weighed down all the disadvantages they were under The divine and most admirable Apostles of Christ says Eusebius a Ubi supr c. 24. p. 94. how rude soever they were in speech were yet ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of the most pure and holy lives and had their minds adorned with all sorts of virtue And such generally were the Christians of the succeeding Ages they did not entertain the world with a parcel of good
yet afterwards he changed his mind and gave ear to those who traduced them as an impious and infamous generation a people that designed nothing but Treason and Rebellion against the State Whereupon he not only suffered his Ministers and Governours of Provinces to treat them with all imaginable cruelty but he himself gave out Edicts forbidding any under the most terrible penalties to profess either the Jewish or Christian Religion which were executed with that rigor and inhumanity that the Christians of those days verily believed that the times of Antichrist did then take place Martyrs of note whom this Persecution sent to heaven were Victor Bishop of Rome Leonidas Origen's Father beheaded at Alexandria Serenus Heraclides Heron another Serenus and Herais a Catechumen all Origen's Scholars Potamiaena an illustrius Virgin and her Mother Marcella after various torments committed to the flames and Basilides one of the Officers that had led them to execution Faelicitas and Perpetua two noble Ladies at Tuburbis in Mauritania the one brought to bed but the day before the other at that time a Nurse Speratus and his companions beheaded at Carthage by the command of Saturninus the Proconsul Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons and many thousands of his people martyred with him whose names and sufferings though unknown to us are honourably written in the Book of life XXV THE next that created any disturbance to the Christians was Maximinus by birth a Thracian a man of base and obscure originals of a mean and sordid education he had been first a Shepherd then a High-way man and last of all a Souldier He was of strength and stature beyond the ordinary size and standard and his manners were as robust and boisterous as his constitution ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Herod lib. ãâã in Maxim p. 253. and savoured wholly of the rudeness of his Education Never did a more cruel Beast says the Historian a Capitol in vit Maxim c. 9. p. 609. tread upon the earth relying altogether upon his strength and upon that account reckoning himself almost immortal He seiz'd upon whatever came in his way plundering and destroying without any difference without any Process or form of Law his strength was the law of justice and his will the measure of his actions He spared none but especially killed all that knew any thing of his mean descent that none might reproach him with the obscurity of his birth Having slain his Master Alexander Mammaeus that excellent and incomparable Prince he usurped the Government and manag'd it suitable to his own maxim that the Empire could not be maintained but by cruelty The SEVENTH PERSECUTION was raised by him Indeed Sulpitius Severus admits not this into the number and therefore makes no more than nine Pagan Persecutions reserving the tenth for the times of Antichrist But Eusebius b H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 38 p. 228. expresly affirms that Maximinus stirr'd up a Persecution against the Christians and that out of hatred to his Predecessor in whose Family many Christians had found shelter and patronage but that it was almost wholly levelled against the Bishops and Ministers of Religion as the prime authors and propagators of Christianity Whence Firmilian Bishop of Cappadocia in his Letter to S. Cyprian c Inter Epist ââpr p. 14â says of it that it was not a general but a local Persecution that rag'd in some particular places and especially in that Province where he liv'd Serenianus the President driving the Christians out of all those Countries He adds that many dreadful Earthquakes happening in those parts whereby Towns and Cities were overturned and swallowed up added life and vigor to the Persecution it being usual with the Gentiles if a Famine or Pestilence an Earthquake or Inundation happened presently to fall foul upon the Christians and conclude them the causes of all those evils and mischiefs that came upon the world And this Origen d ãâ¦ã meant when he tells us that he knew some places overturned with earthquakes the cause whereof the Heathens cast upon the Christians for which their Churches were persecuted and burnt to the ground and that not only the common people but the wiser sort among them did not stick openly to affirm that these things came for the sake of the Christians Hereupon he wrote his Book De Martyrio for the comfort and support of those that suffered in this evil time XXVI AFTER Maximinus reign'd Pupienus and Balbinus to them succeeded Gordian and to him Philip all which time for at least ten years together the Church enjoy'd a competent calmness and tranquillity when Decius was in a manner forced in his own defence to take the Empire upon him A man of great activity and resolution a stout Commander a wise and prudent Governour so universally acceptable for his modest and excellent carriage that by the Sentence of the Senate he was voted not inferiour to Trajan and had the Title of Optimus adjudged to him But he was a bitter and implacable enemy to Christians against whom he rais'd the EIGHTH PERSECUTION which proved though the shortest the hottest of all the Persecutions that had hitherto afflicted and oppressed the Church The Ecclesiastic a Euseb H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 39. p. 234. Chron. ad Ann. CCLII Oros l. 7. c. 21. fol. 310. Niceph. l. 5. c. 27. p. 377. Historians generally put it upon the account of Decius his hatred to his Predecessor Philip for being a Christian whereas it is more truly to be ascribed to his zeal for the cause of declining Paganism which he saw fatally undermin'd by Christianity and that therefore there was no way to support the one but by the ruine of the other We have more than once taken notice of it in some of the following Lives and therefore shall say the less here Decius reigned somewhat above two years during which time the storm was very black and violent and no place but felt the dreadful effects of it They were every where driven from their houses spoil'd in their estates tormented in their bodies whips and prisons fires and wild beasts scalding pitch and melted wax sharp stakes and burning pincers were but some of the methods of their treatment and when the old ones were run over new were daily invented and contriv'd The laws of nature and humanity were broken down friend betray'd his friend and the nearest relative his own Father or Brother Every one was ambitious to promote the Imperial Edicts and thought it meritorious to bring a Christian to the stake This Persecution swept away at Alexandria Julian Chronion Epimachus Alexander Ammon Zeno Ptolomy Ammonaria Mercuria Isidore and many others mentioned by Dionysius Bishop of that Church at Carthage Mappalicus Bassus Fortunio Paulus Donatus Martialis c. it crown'd Babylas Bishop of Antioch Alexander of Jerusalem Fabian Bishop of Rome Victoria Anatolia Parthenius Marcellianus and thousands more Nicephorus affirming it to be easier to count the Sands of the shore than
to reckon up all the Martyrs that suffered under this Persecution Not to say any thing of those incredible numbers of Confessors that were beaten imprisoned tormented nor of the far greater number of those who betook themselves to a voluntary exile chusing rather to commit themselves to the barrenness of Rocks and Mountains and the mercy of wild beasts than to those that had put off all reason and humanity Among whom was Paul of Thebais a youth of XV. years of age who withdrew himself into the Egyptian Desarts where finding a large and convenient Cavern in a Rock which heretofore had been a b Lib. 5. c. 29 p. 379. private mint-house in the time of Antony and Cleopatra he took up his abode and residence led a solitary and Anchoretic course of life and became the Father of Hermites and those who afterwards were desirous to retire from the world and to resign up themselves to solitude and a more strict mortified life In this pious and devout retirement he continued till he was CXIII years of age and in the last period of his life was visited by Antonius who had spent the greatest part of XC years in those desart places and who now performed the last offices to him in committing his dead body to the earth XXVII GALLVS succeeded Decius as in his Government so in his enmity to Christians carrying on what the other had begun But the cloud soon blew over for he being cut off was succeeded by Valerian who entered upon the Empire with an universal applause and expectation In the beginning of his reign he was a great Patron of Christians whom he treated with all offices of kindness and humanity entertaining them in his own family so that his Court seemed to be a little Church for Piety and a Sanctuary for refuge to good men But alas this pleasant Scene was quickly over seduced by a chief Magician of Egypt who persuaded him that the only way to prosper his affairs was to restore the Gentile Rites and to suppress Christianity so hateful to the gods he commenced a NINTH PERSECUTION wherein he prosecuted the Christians with all imaginable fury in all parts of the Empire With what fierceness it rag'd in Egypt is largely related by Dionysius of Alexandria and we have in a great part noted in his Life It 's needless says he a Epist ad Domit. Did. ap Euseb l. 7. c. 11. p. 260. particularly to reckon up the Christians that suffered in this Persecution only this you may observe that both men and women young and old Souldiers and Country people persons of all ranks and ages were some of them scourg'd and whipped others beheaded others overcoming the violence of flames received the crown of Martyrdom Cyprian elegantly and passionately bewails the miseries and sufferings which the Martyrs underwent in his Letter to Nemesian and the rest that were condemned to the mines Nor did he himself escape being beheaded at Carthage as Xistus and Quartus had been before him and the three hundred Martyrs De Massa Candida who rather than do Sacrifice chearfully leapt into a mighty pit of burning Lime kindled for that purpose and were immediately stifled in the smoke and flames In Spain suffered Fructuosus Bishop of Tarragon together with his two Deacons Augurius and Eulogius at Rome Xistus the Bishop and S. Laurence his Deacon and Treasurer of that Church at Caesarea Priscus Malchus and Alexander who asham'd to think that they lay idle and secure while so many others were contending for the Crown unanimously went to the Judg confess'd they were Christians received their Sentence and underwent their Martyrdom But the Divine Providence which sometimes in this world pleads the cause of oppressed innocence was resolved to punish the Emperor for his causless cruelty towards those whose interest with heaven while he continued favourable to them had secured his happiness and therefore did not only suffer the Northern Nations to break in upon him but he himself was taken prisoner by Sapor King of Persia who treated him below the rate of the meanest slave used him as his foot-stool to get on horse-back and after several years captivity câus'd him to be flay'd alive and rub'd with salt and so put a period to his miserable life A fair warning to his Son Gallienus ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Constant M. Orat. ad SS Coelum cap. 24. pag. 600. who growing wiser by the mischiefs and miscarriages of his Father stopt the Persecution and restor'd peace and security to Christians XXVIII A long peace and prosperity for except a little disturbance in the time of Aurelian they met with no opposition through the reigns of Gallienus Claudius Tacitus Florianus Probus Carus and Numerian had somewhat corrupted the manners of Christians and therefore God was pleased to permit a TENTH PERSECUTION to come upon them to purge and winnow the rubbish and the chaff the Ulcer began to putrifie and it was time to call for the Knife and the Caustic It began under Dioclesian and his Colleague Maximian Dioclesian was a Prince active and diligent crafty and subtil fierce in his nature but which he knew how cunningly to dissemble His zeal for the Pagan Religion engag'd him with all possible earnestness to oppose Christianity which he carried on with a high hand it being as the last so the fiercest Persecution like the last efforts of a dying enemy that summons all his strength to give the parting blow Dioclesian then residing at Nicomedia published his Edicts about the very solemnity of our Saviours Passion commanding the Christian Churches to be pulled down their Bibles to be burnt the better sort of them to be branded with infamy the vulgar to be made slaves as by subsequent orders he commanded the Bishops to be every where imprisoned and forced to Sacrifice But these were but a praeludium to what followed after other Proclamations being put forth commanding those that refus'd to offer Sacrifice to be expos'd to all manner of torments 'T were endless to reckon up particular persons that suffered in this evil time Eusebius who liv'd under this very Persecution has recorded a vast number of them with the Acts of their Martyrdom too many to account for in this place It may suffice to note from him that they were scourged to death had their flesh torn off with pincers or rak'd off with pieces of broken pots were cast to Lions and Tygers to wild Boars and Bears provoked and enrag'd with fire to set upon them burnt beheaded crucified thrown into the Sea torn in pieces by the distorted boughs of Trees or their legs miserably distended in the Stocks roasted at a gentle fire or by holes made on purpose had melted lead poured into their bowels But impossible it is to conceive much more to express the cruelties of that time Eusebius himself who saw them tells a Lib. 8. c. 12. p. 307. us that they were innumerable and exceeded all relation All
parts and duties of their Office and that they did not judge it fit and reasonable to neglect the one that they might attend the other that therefore they should chuse out among themselves some that were duly qualified and present them to them that they might set them apart peculiarly to superintend this affair that so themselves being freed from these incumbrances might the more freely and uninterruptedly devote themselves to prayer and preaching of the Gospel Not that the Apostles thought the care of the Poor an Office too much below them but that this might be discharged by other hands and they as they were obliged the better attend upon things of higher importance Ministeries more immediately serviceable to the souls of men This was the first original of Deacons in the Christian Church they were to serve Tables that is to wait upon the necessities of the Poor to make daily provisions for their public Feasts to keep the Churches Treasure and to distribute to every one according to their need And this admirably agrees to one ordinary notion of the word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Foreign Writers ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Lucian Chronosol scu de Legg Saturnal Tom. 2. p. 823. where 't is used for that peculiar Servant who waited at Feasts whose Office it was to distribute the portions to every Guest either according to the command of the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Orderer of the Feast or according to the rule of Equality to give every one alike But though 't is true this was a main part of the Deacons Office yet was it not the whole For had this been all the Apostles needed not to have been so exact and curious in their choice of persons seeing men of an ordinary rank and of a very mean capacity might have served the turn nor have used such solemn Rites of Consecration to Ordain them to it No question therefore but their serving Tables implied also their attendance at the Table of the Lords Supper ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã h. e. non âolum ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ignat. Epist ad Trall Append. Usser p. 17. For in those days their Agapae or common Love-Feasts whereat both Rich and Poor sate down together were at the same time with the Holy Eucharist and both administred every day so that their ministration respected both the one and the other And thus we find it was in the practice of the Church for so Justin Martyr tells us it was in his time Apol. II. p. 97. that when the President of the Assembly had consecrated the Eucharist the Deacons distributed the Bread and the Wine to all that were present and after carried them to those who were necessarily absent from the Congregation Nor were they restrained to this one particular Service but were in some cases allowed to Preach Baptize and Absolve Penitents especially where they had the peculiar warrant and authority of the Bishop to bear them out nor need we look far beyond the present Story to find St. Philip one of the Deacons here elected both preaching the Gospel and baptizing Converts with great success VI. THAT this excellent Office might be duly managed the Apostles directed and enjoined the Church to nominate such persons as were fitted for it pious and good men men of known honesty and integrity of approved and untainted reputations furnished and endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost wise and prudent men who would discreetly discharge the trust committed to them The number of these persons was limited to seven probably for no other reason but because the Apostles thought these sufficient for the business unless we will also suppose the whole body of Believers to have been disposed into seven several Divisions for the more orderly and convenient managery of their common Feasts and distributions to the Poor and that to each of these a Deacon was appointed to superintend and direct them without further designing any peculiar Mystery which * Vid. Baron ad Ann. 112. n. 7. Tom. 2. some would fain pick out of it However the Church thought good for a long time to conform to this Primitive Institution insomuch that the Fathers of the â Conc. Neo-Caes can 15. Couc Tom. 1. Col. 1484. Neo-Caesarean Council ordained that in no City how great soever there should be more then seven Deacons a Canon which they found upon this place and ⸫ Hist Eccl. lib. 7. c. 19. p. 734. Sozomen tells us that in his time though many other Churches kept to no certain number yet that the Church of Rome in compliance with this Apostolical example admitted no more then seven Deacons in it The People were infinitely pleased with the order and determination which the Apostles had made in this matter and accordingly made choice of seven whom they presented to the Apostles who as the solemnity of the thing required first made their address to Heaven by Prayer for the divine blessing upon the undertaking and then laid their hands upon them an ancient symbolic Rite of Investiture and Consecration to any extraordinary Office The issue of all was that the Christian Religion got ground and prospered Converts came flocking over to the Faith yea very many of the Priests themselves and of their Tribe and Family of all others the most zealous and pertinacious asserters of the Mosaic Constitutions the bitterest adversaries of the Christian Doctrine the subtlest defenders of their Religion laid aside their prejudices and embraced the Gospel So uncontroulable is the efficacy of divine truth as very often to lead its greatest enemies in triumph after it VII THE first and chief of the persons here elected who were all chosen out of the LXX Disciples as * Haeres XX. p. 27. Epipâanius informs us and whom the Ancients frequently stile Arch-deacon as having the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as â Homil. XV. in Act. p. 555. Chrysostom speaks the Primacy and Precedence among these new-elected Officers was our St. Stephen whom the Author of the Epistle to â Epist ad Hâron in Bibl. PP Gr. Lat. p. 37. Hero under the name of Ignatius as also the Interpolator of that to the Ep. ad Trall p. 6. Ibid. Trallians makes in a more peculiar manner to have been Deacon to St. James as Bishop of Jerusalem He is not onely placed first in the Catalogue but particularly recommended under this character a man full of Faith and of the Holy Ghost he was exquisitly skilled in all parts of the Christian Doctrine and fitted with great eloquence and elocution to declare and publish it enriched with many miraculous gifts and powers and a spirit of courage and resolution to encounter the most potent opposition He preached and pleaded the cause of Christianity with a firm and undaunted mind and that nothing might be wanting to render it effectual he confirmed his doctrine by many publick and unquestionable miracles plain evidences and demonstrations of the truth and
solemnity into the Imperial Palace Which yet could not be effected for the sturdy Mules that carried the Treasure being come as far as Constantines Baths would not advance one step further And when unreasonably whipped and pricked they spake aloud and told those that conducted them that the Martyr was to be reposed and interred in that place Which was accordingly done and a beautiful Church built there But certainly they that first added this passage to the Story had been at a great loss for invention had not the Story of Balaams Ass been upon record in Scripture I confess * Bar. ad Ann. 439. Tom. 5. p. 681. Baronius seems not over-forward to believe this relation not for the trifling and ridiculous improbabilities of it but onely because he could not well reconcile it with the time of its being first found out by Lucian Indeed my Authors tell us that this was done in the time of Constantine Metrophanes being then Bishop of Constantinople and that it was onely some part of his remains buried again by some devout Christians that was discovered in a Vision to Lucian and that the Empress Pulcheria by the help of her Brother Theodosius procured from the Bishop of Jerusalem the Martyrs right hand which being arrived at Constantinople was with singular reverence and rejoycing brought into the Palace and there laid up and a stately and magnificent Church erected for it set off with all rich and costly ornaments and advantages XXVI a Marcell Chro. Indict VII p. 24. Theodor. Lect. lib. 2. p. 568. AUTHORS mention another remove Ann. CCCCXXXIX and let the curious and inquisitive after these matters reconcile the different accounts of his remains to Constantinople by the Empress Eudocia Wife to Theodosius who having been at Jerusalem upon some pious and charitable designs carried back with her to the Imperial City the remains of S. Stephen which she carefully laid up in the Church of S. Laurence The Roman b Ad VII Maii p. 284. Martyrology says that in the time of Pope Pelagius they were removed from Constantinople to Rome and lodg'd in the Sepulchre of S. Laurence the Martyr in agro Verano where they are honoured with great piety and devotion But I find not any Author near those times mentioning their translation into any of these Western parts except the little parcel which c Vid. Avit Ep. Praef. Ep. Lucian Gennad de script Eccl. in Oros c. 39. p. 53. Marcell Chron. p. 17. Orosius brought from Jerusalem whither he had been sent by S. Augustin to know S. Hieroms sense in the Question about the Original of the Soul which he received from Avitus who had procured it of Lucian and brought it along with him into the West that is into Afric for whether it went any further I find not XXVII AS for the miracles reported to have been done by the remains of this Martyr d Deglor Martyr lib. 1. cap. 33. p. 42. c. Gregory Bishop of Tours and the Writers of the following Ages have furnished the World with abundant instances which I insist not upon Superstition having been the peculiar genius and humour of those middle Ages of the Church and the Christian World miserably over-run with an excessive and immoderate Veneration of the Reliques of departed Saints However I can venture the Readers displeasure for relating one and the rather because 't is so solemnly averred by e Annot. in Martyr Rom. ad Aug. III. p. 474. Baronius himself S. Gaudiosus an African Bishop flying from the Vandalic Persecution brought with him a Glass Vial of S. Stephens blood to Naples in Italy where it was famous especially for one miraculous effect that being set upon the Altar at the time of Mass it was annually wont upon the third of August the day whereon S. Stephens body was first discovered to melt and bubble as if it were but newly shed But the miracle of the miracle lay in this that when Pope Gregory the XIII reformed the Roman Kalendar and made no less then ten days difference from the former the bloud in the Vial ceased to bubble upon the third of August according to the old computation and bubbled upon that that fell according to the new Reformation A great justification I confess as Baronius well observes of the divine Authority of the Gregorian Kalendar and the Popes Constitutions but yet it was ill done to set the Kalendars at variance when both had been equally justified by the miracle But how easie it was to abuse the World with such tricks especially in these later Ages wherein the Artifice of the Priests was arrived to a kind of perfection in these affairs is no difficult matter to imagin XXVIII LET us then look to the more early Ages when Covetousness and Secular Interests had not so generally put men upon Arts of craft and subtlety and we are told both by Lucian and Photius Loc. anâe eleat that at the first discovery of the Martyrs body many strange miraculous cures were effected seventy three healed onely by smelling the odor and fragrancy of the body in some Daemons were cast out others cured of Issues of Bloud Tumours Agues Fevers and infinite other distempers that were upon them But that which most sways with me is what S. Augustin reports of these matters who seems to have been inquisitive about matters of Fact De Civ Dâi lib. 22. cap. 8. col 1346. c. Tom. 5. as the Argument he managed did require For being to demonstrate against the Gentiles that miracles were not altogether ceased in the Christian Church among several others he produces many instances of Cures miraculously done at the remains of S. Stephen brought thither as before we noted by Orosius from Jerusalem all done thereabouts and some of them in the place where himself lived and of which as he tells us they made Books which were solemnly published and read to the People whereof at the time of his Writing there were no less then seventy written of the Cures done at Hippo the place where he lived though it was not full two years since the memorial of S. Stephens Martyrdom had begun to be celebrated in that place besides many whereof no account had been given in writing To set down all were to tire the Readers patience beyond all recovery a few onely for a specimen shall suffice At the Aquae Tibilitanae Projectus the Bishop bringing the remains of the Martyr in a vast multitude of People a blind woman desiring to be brought to the Bishop and some Flowers which she brought being laid upon them and after applied to her eyes to the wonder of all she instantly received her sight Lucillus Bishop of Synica near Hippo carrying the same remains accompanied with all the people was suddenly freed from a desperate disease under which he had a long time laboured and for which he even then expected the Chirurgeons Knife Eucharius a Spanish Presbyter then dwelling at Calama
by laying his hands upon them and when he constituted Joshua to be his Successor he laid his hands on him and gave him the charge before all the Congregation This custom they constantly kept in appointing both Civil and Ecclesiastical Officers and that not onely while their Temple and Polity stood but long after the fall of their Church and State For so a Itinerar p. 73. Benjamin the Jew tells us that in his time all the Israelites of the East when they wanted a Rabbin or Teacher in their Synagogues were wont to bring him to the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as they call him the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or Head of the Captivity residing at Babylon at that time R. Daniel the son of Hasdai that he might receive ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã power by imposition of hands to become Preacher to them From the Jews it was together with some other Rites transferred into the Christian Church in ordaining Guides and Ministers of Religion and has been so used through all Ages and Periods to this day Though the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã are not of equal extent in the writings and practice of the Church the one implying the bare Rite of laying on of hands while the other denotes Ordination it self and the intire solemnity of the action Whence the b Lib. 8. c. 28. col 494. Apostolical Constitutor speaking of the Presbyters interest in this affair says ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã he lays on his hands but he does not ordain meaning it of the Custom then and ever since of Presbyters laying on their hands together with the Bishop in that solemn action VIII BARNABAS and Paul having thus received a divine Commission for the Apostleship of the Gentiles and taking Mark along with them as their Minister and attendant immediately entered upon the Province And first they betook themselves to Seleucia a neighbour City seated upon the influx of the River Orontes into the Mediterranean Sea hence they set sail for Cyprus Barnabas's Native Country and arrived at Salamis a City heretofore of great account the ruines whereof are two miles distant from the present Famagusta where they undantedly preached in the Jewish Synagogues From Salamis they travelled up the Island to Paphos a City remarkable of old for the Worship of Venus Divapotens Cypri the tutelar Goddess of the Island who was here worshipped with the most wanton and immodest Rites and had a famous Temple dedicated to her for that purpose concerning which the Inhabitants have a c Cotovic Itin. l. 1. c. 16. p. 100. Tradition that at S. Barnabas his Prayers it fell flat to the ground and the ruines of an ancient Church are still shewed to Travellers and under it an Arch where Paul and Barnabas were shut up in Prison At this place was the Court or Residence of the Praetor or President of the Island not properly ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Proconsul for Cyprus was not a Proconsular but a Praetorian Province who being altogether guided by the counsels and sorceries of Bar-Jesus an eminent Magician stood off from the Proposals of Christianity till the Magician being struck by S. Paul with immediate blindness for his malicious opposition of the Gospel this quickly determined the Governours belief and brought him over a Convert to that Religion which as it made the best offers so he could not but see had the strongest evidences to attend it IX Act. 13.13 LEAVING Cyprus they sailed over to Perga in Pamphilia famous for a Temple of Diana here Mark weary it seems of this itinerant course of life and the unavoidable dangers that attended it took his leave and returned to Jerusalem which laid the foundation of an unhappy difference that broke out between these two Apostles afterwards The next place they came to was Antioch in Pisidia where in the Jewish Synagogue S. Paul by an elegant Oration converted great numbers both of Jews and Proselytes but a persecution being raised by others they were forced to desert the place Thence they passed to Iconium a noted City of Lycaonia where in the Synagogues they preached a long time with good success till a conspiracy being made against them they withdrew to Lystra the inhabitants whereof upon a miraculous cure done by S. Paul treated them as gods come down from Heaven in humane shape S. Paul as being principal Speaker they termed Mercury the interpreter of the gods Barnabas they looked upon as Jupiter their soveraign deity either because of his Age or as a Homil. XXX in Act. App. p. 361. Chrysostom thinks because he was ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã for the gravity and comeliness of his person being as antiquity represents him a very goodly man and of a venerable aspect wherein he had infinitely the advantage of S. Paul who was of a very mean and contemptible presence But the malice of the Jews pursued them hither and prevailed with the People to stone S. Paul who presently recovering he and Barnabas went to Derbe where when they had converted many to the Faith they returned back to Lystra Iconium and Antioch and so through Pisidia to Pamphylia thence from Perga to Attalia confirming as they came back the Churches which they had planted at their first going out At Attalia they took Ship and sailed to Antioch in Syria the place whence they had first set out where they gave the Church an account of the whole success of their travels and what way was made for the propagation of Christianity in the Gentile World X. THE restless enemy of all goodness was vexed to see so fair and smooth a progress of the Gospel and therefore resolved to attempt it by the old subtle arts of intestine divisions and animosities what the envious man could not stifle by open violence he sought to choke by sowing tares Act. 15.1 Some zealous Converts coming down from Jerusalem to Antioch started this notion which they asserted with all possible zeal and stiffness that unless together with the Christian Religion they joined the observance of the Mosaic Rites there could be no hopes of salvation for them Paul and Barnabas opposed themselves against this heterodox opinion with all vigour and smartness but not able to beat it down were dispatched by the Church to advise with the Apostles and Brethren at Jerusalem about this matter Whither they were no sooner come but they were kindly and courteously entertained and the right hand of fellowship given them by the three great Apostles Peter James and John and an agreement made between them that where-ever they came they should betake themselves to the Jews while Paul and Barnabas applied themselves unto the Gentiles And here probably it was that Mark reconciled himself to his Uncle Barnabas which a Alexand. Monach ubi supr n. XV. one tells us he did with tears and great importunity earnestly begging him to forgive his weakness and cowardice and promising for the future a
he became the first Bishop propagating Christianity in all those parts But however that was probable it is that in the last periods of his life he returned unto Cyprus where my i Alexand. ib. n. XVIII seq Author tells us he converted many till some Jews from Syria coming to Salamis where he then was enraged with fury set upon him as he was disputing in the Synagogue in a corner whereof they shut him up till night when they brought him forth and after infinite tortures stoned him to death He adds and the faith of it must rest upon the credit of the Relater who k Ad Ann. 485. v. 4. p. 428. Baronius tells us lived at the same time when his corps was first found out that they threw his body into the fire with an intent to consume it but that the flames had not the least power upon it and that Mark his Kinsman privately buried it in a Cave not far distant from the City his Friends resenting the loss with solemn lamentation I omit the miracles reported to have been done at his Tomb the remains of his body were discovered in the reign of a Theod. Lect. H. Eccl. l. 2. p. 557. Alex. Mon. loc cit n. XXXI Zeno the Emperour b Niceph. H. Ecc. l. 16. c. 37. p. 716. Tom 2. Nicephorus by a mistake makes it the XII year of Anastasius Ann. CCCCLXXXV dug up under a Bean or Carob Tree and upon his Brest was found S. Matthews Gospel written with Barnabas his own hand which Anthemius the Bishop took along with him to Constantinople where it was received by the Emperour with a mighty reverence and laid up with great care and diligence The Emperour as a testimony of his joy honouring the Episcopal See of Salamis with this Prerogative that it should be sedes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã independent upon any Foreign Jurisdiction a Priviledge ratified by Justinian the Emperour whose Wife Theodora was a Cypriot The Emperour also greatly enriched the Bishop at his return commanding him to build a Church to S. Barnabas over the place of his interment which was accordingly erected with more then ordinary stateliness and magnificence 'T is added in the c Alex. ut sâprâ n. XXIX XXX Story that these remains were discovered by the notice of S. Barnabas himself who three several times appeared to Anthemius which I behold as a meer addition to the Story designed onely to serve a present turn For Peter sirnamed the Fuller then Patriarch of Antioch challenged at this time a jurisdiction over the Cyprian Churches as subject to his See this Anthemius would not agree to but stiffly asserted his own rights and how easie was it to take this occasion of finding S. Barnabas his body to add that of the appearances to him to gain credit to the cause and advance it with the Emperor And accordingly it had its designed effect and whoever reads the whole Story and the circumstances of the apparitions as related by my Author will see that they seem plainly calculated for such a purpose XIV FOR his outward form and shape he is thus represented by the d Id. Ibid. nâ XVIII Ancients He was a man of a comely countenance a grave and venerable aspect his eye-brows short his eye chearful and pleasant darting something of majesty but nothing of sowrness and austerity his speech sweet and obliging his garb was mean and such as became a man of a mortified life his gate composed and unaffected grave and decent This elegant structure was but the lodging of a more noble tenant a Soul richly furnished with divine graces and vertues a profound humility diffusive charity firm faith an immoveable constancy and an unconquerable patience a mighty zeal and an unwearied diligence in the propagating of Christianity and for the good of Souls So entirely did he devote himself to an ambulatory course of life so continually was he imployed in running up and down from place to place that he could find little or no time to leave any Writings behind him for the benefit of the Church at least none that have certainly arrived to us Indeed anciently there were some and e De pudicit c. 20. p. 582. vid. Philastr de Haeres c. 60. Tertullian particularly who supposed him to be the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews an opinion generally rejected and thrown out of doors there is also an Epistle still extant under his name of great antiquity frequently cited by Clemens Alexandrinus and his Scholar Origen to pass by others the latter of whom stiles it the f Contr. Cels lib. 1. p. 49. Catholic Epistle of Barnabas but placed by g H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 25. p. 97. Eusebius among the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Writings that were not genuine The frame and contexture of it is intricate and obscure made up of uncouth Allegories forced and improbable interpretations of Scripture though the main design of it is to shew that the Christian Religion has superseded the Rites and Usages of the Mosaic Law The latter part of it contains an useful and excellent exhortation managed under the notion of two ways the one of light the other of darkness the one under the conduct of the Angels of God ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã those illuminating Ministers as he calls them the other under the guidance of the Angels of Satan the Prince of the iniquity of the Age. Under the way of light he presses to most of the particular duties and instances of the Christian and the Spiritual life which are there with admirable accuracy and succinctness reckoned up Under that of darkness he represents those particular sins and vices which we are to decline and shun and I am confident the pious Reader will not think it time lost nor repent his pains to peruse so ancient and useful a discourse Thus then he expresses himself XV. Evâaâ Epist p. 2â8 Edit Vess THE way of life is this Whoever travels towards the appointed place will hasten by his works to attain to it And the knowledge that is given us how to walk in this way is this Thou shalt love thy Creator Thou shalt glorifie him who redeemed thee from death Thou shalt be simple in heart and being rich in spirit shalt not join thy self to him that walks in the way of death Thou shalt hate to do that which is displeasing unto God Thou shalt hate all manner of hypocrisie Thou shalt not forsake the Commandments of the Lord. Exalt not thy self but be of an humble mind Thou shalt not assume glory to thy self Neither shalt thou take evil counsel against thy neighbor Thou shalt not add boldness to thy soul Thou shalt not commit fornication nor be guilty of adultery or buggery Thou shalt not neglect Gods command in correcting other mens impurity nor shalt thou have respect of persons when thou reprovest any man for his faults Thou shalt be meek and silent and stand
at least they had continued at Corinth when S. Paul resolved upon a journy to Jerusalem where he staid not long but went for Antioch and having travelled over the Countries of Galatia and Phrygia to establish Christianity lately planted in those parts came to Ephesus where though he met with great opposition yet he preached with greater success and was so wholly swallowed up with the concerns of that City that though he had resolved himself to go into Macedonia he was forced to send Timothy and Erastus in his stead who having done their errand returned to Ephesus to assist him in promoting the affairs of Religion in that place V. S. PAVL having for three years resided at Ephesus and the parts about it determined to take his leave and depart for Macedonia And now it was as himself plainly intimates 1 Tim. 1.3 and the Ancients generally conceive that he constituted Timothy Bishop and Governour of that Church he was the first Bishop says a H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 4. p. 73. Eusebius of the Province or Diocess of Ephesus he did ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã says the b Martyr Tim. ap Phot. Cod. CCLIV col 1401. Author in Photius first act as Bishop of Ephesus and in the Council of Chalcedon XXVII Bishops are said successively to have sitten in that Chair whereof S. Timothy was the first c Conc. Chalced. Act. XI Conc. Tom. 4. col 609. In the d Lib. 7. c. 47. col 451. Apostolical Constitutions he is expresly said to have been ordained Bishop of it by S. Paul or as he in Photius expresseth it a little more after the mode of his time he was ordained and enthroned or installed Bishop of the Metropolis of the Ephesians by the great S. Paul Ephesus was a great and populous City and the Civil Government of the Proconsul who resided there reached over the whole Lydian or Proconsular Asia And such in proportion the Ancients make the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of that Church a Homil. XV. in 1 Tim. p. 1606. S. Chrysostom affirming it to be plain and evident that Timothy had the Church or rather the whole Nation of Asia committed to him to him says b Argum. in 1 ad Tim p. 462 Theodoret divine S. Paul committed ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the care and the charge of Asia upon which account a little after c Com. in 1 Tim. 3. p. 475. T. 3. he calls him the Apostle of the Asians As for the manner of his Ordination or rather designation to the ministeries of Religion it was by particular and extraordinary designation God immediately testifying it to be his will and pleasure thence it is said to have been done ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã 1 Tim. 1.18 1 Tim. 4.14 according to some preceding predictions concerning him and that he received it not onely by the laying on of hands but by prophesie that is as d Homil. V. in 1 Tim. p. 1545. Chrysostom truly explains it by the Holy Ghost it being part of the Prophetic Office as he adds and especially it was so at that time not onely to fore-tell future events but to declare things present God extraordinarily manifesting whom he would have set apart for that weighty Office Thus Paul and Barnabas were separated by the special dictate of the Holy Ghost and of the Governours of the Ephesine Churches that met at Miletus it is said that the Holy Ghost had made them Bishops or Over-seers of the Church And this way of election by way of prophetic revelation continued in use at least during the Apostolic Age e Epist ad Corinth pag. 54. Clemens in his Epistle to the Corinthians tells us that the Apostles preaching up and down Cities and Countries constituted their first-fruits to be the Bishops and Deacons of those who should believe ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã making trial of them by the spirit and another f Clem. Al. lib. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ap Euseb H. Eccl. l. 3. c. 23. p. 92. Clemens reports of S. John that visiting the neighbour Churches about Ephesus he ordained Bishops and such as were signified or pointed out to him by the spirit VI. THIS extraordinary and miraculous way of chusing Bishops and Ecclesiastic Officers besides other advantages begat a mighty reverence and veneration for the Governours of the Church who were looked upon as God's choice and as having the more immediate character of Heaven upon them And especially this way seemed more necessary for S. Timothy then others to secure him from that contempt which his youth might otherwise have exposed him to For that he was but young at that time is evident from S. Pauls counsel to him 1 Tim. 4.12 so to demean himself that no man might despise his youth the Governours of the Church in those days were ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in respect of their age as well as office and indeed therefore stiled Elders because they usually were persons of a considerable age that were admitted into the Orders of the Church This Timothy had not attained to And yet the word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã youth admits a greater latitude then we in ordinary speech confine it to g In Orator p. 266. Tom. 1. Cicero tells us of himself that he was adolescentulus but a very youth when he pleaded Roscius's cause and yet h Noct. Attic. l. 15. c. 28. p. 383. A. Gellius proves him to have been at that time no less then XXVII years old Alexander the son of Aristobulus is called i Joseph Antiq. l. 14. c. 13. p. 480. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a youth at the time of his death when yet he was above thirty Hiero in k Hist l. 1. p. 11. Edit 8. ubi vid. Casaub Comment p. 129. ejusd exercit ad Baron Appar n. 99 p. 154. Polybius is stiled ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a very young man whom yet Casaubon proves to have been XXXV years of Age and the same Historian speaking of T. Flaminius his making War upon Philip of Macedon says he was ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a very young man for that he was not above thirty years old it being as Casaubon observes the custom both of Greek and Latine Writers to extend the juventus or youthful age from the thirtieth till the fortieth year of a mans life To which we may add what Grotius observes that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã answering to the Hebrew ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã denotes the Military Age Annot. in loc all that civil and manly part of a mans life that is opposed to Old Age so that Timothies youth without any force or violence to the word might very well consist with his being at least thirty or five and thirty years of age and he so stiled onely comparatively with respect to that weighty Function which was wont to be conferred upon none but grave and aged men But of this enough VII Acts 20.2 3 c. S. TIMOTHY thus
Church of Corinth whether Titus had been with him and been sent upon this errand or had been commanded by him to take Corinth in his way from Crete is not known Not meeting him here away he goes for Macedonia 2 Cor. 7.5 6 7. 13 14 15. where at length Titus arrived and comforted him under all his other sorrows and difficulties with the joyful news of the happy condition of the Church of Corinth and how readily they had reformed those miscarriages which in his former Epistle he had charged upon them fully making good that great character which he had given of them to Titus and whereof they gave no inconsiderable evidence in that kind and welcom entertainment which Titus found amongst them Soon after S. Paul having received the Collections of the Macedonian Churches for the indigent Christians at Jerusalem 2 Cor. 8.6 15 16. sent back Titus and with him S. Luke to Corinth to excite their charity and prepare their contributions against his own arrival there and by them he wrote his second Epistle to that Church IX TITVS faithfully discharged his errand to the Church of Corinth and having dispatched the services for which he was sent returned we may suppose back to Crete Nor do we hear any further news of him till S. Pauls imprisonment at Rome whither he came if my a Pet. de Natal Hist SS lib. 7. c. 108. Author say true about two years after him and continued with him till his martyrdom whereat he was present and together with S. Luke committed him to his Grave An account which I confess I am the less inclined to believe 2 Tim. 4.10 because assured by S. Paul himself that before his death Titus had left him and was gone into Dalmatia a Province of Illyricum to plant that fierce and warlike Nation with the Gospel of Peace taking it probably in his way in order to his return for Crete And this is the last notice we find taken of him in the Holy Writings nor do the Records of the Church henceforward furnish us with any certain Memoirs or Remarques concerning him Indeed were the Story which some tell us true one thing alone were enough to make him memorable to posterity I mean his converting Pliny the Younger that learned and eloquent man Proconsul of Bithynia and intimate Privy Counsellor to Trajan the Emperour For so they tell us b Pet. de Natal loc cit ex Act. S. Titi à Zena uti sertur script Fl. Pseudo-Dext Chron. ad Ann. CCXX that returning from his Province in Bithynia he landed in Crete where the Emperour had commanded him to erect a Temple to Jupiter which was accordingly done and no sooner finished but S. Titus cursed it and it immediately tumbled to the ground The man you may guess was strangely troubled and came with tears to the Holy man to request his counsel who advised him to begin it in the name of the God of the Christians and it would not fail to prosper He did so and having finished it was himself together with his son baptized Nay some to make the Story perfect add that he suffered martyrdom for the Faith at Novocomum a City of Insubria in Italy where he was born The Reader I presume will not expect I should take pains to confute this Story sufficiently improbable in it self and which I behold as just of the same Metal and coined in the same Mint with that of his Master Trajans soul being delivered out of Hell by the prayers of S. Gregory the Great so gravely told so seriously believed by many not in the Greek Church onely but in the Church of Rome nay which the whole East and West if we may believe a Damascen Serm. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Damascen held to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã true and uncontrollable X. S. TITVS lived as the Ancients tell us to a great age dying about the ninety fourth year of his life He died in peace says b Ap. Hieron de Script in Tito Sophronius and c De vit ob SS c. 87. p. 542. Isidore and lies buried in Crete the d Ad diem IV Jan. p. 16. Roman Martyrology adds that he was buried in that very Church wherein S. Paul ordained him Bishop of that Island I understand him where a Church was afterwards built it not being likely there should be any at that time At Candia the Metropolis of the Island there is or lately was an ancient and beautiful e Cotovic Itin. lib. 1. c. 12. p. 60. Church dedicated to S. Titus wherein under the high Altar his remains are said to be honourably laid up and are both by the Greeks and Latins held in great veneration Though what is become of them since that famous City lately fell into the hands of the Turk that great Scourge of Christendom is to me unknown His Festival is celebrated in the Western Church on the IV day of January in the Greek Church August the XXV and among the Christians in Aegypt as appears by the Arabic Calendar published by f De Synedr Tom. 3. c. 15. p. 396. Mr. Selden the XXII of the Moneth Barmahath answering to our March the XVIII is consecrated to his memory The End of S. TITUS's Life THE LIFE OF S. DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE Micha Burgh deli et sculp S. DIONYSIVS AREOPAGITA Dionysius born at Athens The quality of his Parents His Domestic studies His foreign Travels Egypt frequented as the staple place of all recondite Learning His residence at Heliopolis The strange and miraculous Eclipse at our Saviours Passion Dionysius his remarques upon it His return to Athens and being made one of the Judges of the Areopagus The nature of this Court the number and quality of its Judges S. Paul arraigned before it his discourse and its success Dionysius his conversion His further instruction by Hierotheus Hierotheus who Dionysius constituted Bishop of Athens A brief account of his Story according to those that confound him with Dionysius Bishop of Paris These shewn to be distinct The Original and procedure of the mistake enquired into A probable account given of it Dionysius his Martyrdom at Athens and the time of it A fabulous miracle reported of his Scull The description of his person and the hyperbolical commendations which the Greeks give of him The Books ascribed to him These none of his Apollinaris probably shewed to be the Author of them Several passages of the Ancients noted to that purpose Books why oft published under other mens names These Books the Fountain of Enthusiasm and mystical Theology A passage in them instanced in to that purpose I. S DIONYSIVS was born at Athens the Eye of Greece and Fountain of Learning and Humanity the only place that without competition had for so many Ages maintained an uncontrolled reputation for Arts and Sciences and to which there was an universal confluence of persons from all parts of the World to accomplish themselves
informs us His Fathers name was Faustinus but who he was and what his Profession and course of life is not recorded Indeed in the Book of the Recognitions and the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã mentioned by the Ancients and lately published we have more particular accounts concerning him Books which however falsly attributed to S. Clemens and liable in some cases to just exception yet being of great antiquity in the Church written not long after the Apostolic Age as we shall shew hereafter we shall thence derive some few notices to our purpose though we cannot absolutely engage for the certainty of them There we find S. Clemens brought in giving this account of himself II. HE b Recogn l. 7 n. 8. p. 476. Clem. Homil. 12. n. 8. p. 678. Epitom â 76. p. 781. Edit Paris was descended of a noble race sprung from the family of the Caesars his Father Faustinianus or Faustus being near a kin to the Emperour I suppose Tiberius and educated together with him and by his procurement matched with Mattidia a woman of a prime Family in Rome He was the youngest of three sons his two elder Brothers being Faustinus and Faustus who after changed their names for Nicetas and Aquila His Mother a Woman it seems of exquisit beauty was by her husbands own brother strongly sollicited to unchast embraces To avoid whose troublesome importunities and yet loth to reveal it to her husband lest it should break out to the disturbance and dishonour of their Family she found out this expedient she pretended to her husband that she was warned in a dream together with her two eldest sons to depart for some time from Rome He accordingly sent them to reside at Athens for the greater conveniency of their education But hearing nothing of them though he sent Messengers on purpose every year he resolved at last to go himself in pursuit of them which he did leaving his youngest son then twelve years of age at home under the care of Tutors and Guardians a Recogn l. 2. â 1. p. 399. ââ Hom. 1. p. 540. Epist p. â49 S. Clemens grew up in all manly Studies and vertuous actions till falling under some great dissatisfactions of mind concerning the immortality of the soul and the state of the other life he applied himself to search more narrowly into the nature and the truth of things After having baffled all his own notions he betook himself to the Schools of the Philosophers where he met with nothing but fierce contentions endless disputes sophistical and uncertain arts of reasoning thence he resolved to consult the Egyptian Hierophantae and to see if he could meet with any who by arts of Magic was able to fetch back one of those who were departed to the invisible World the very sight of whom might satisfie his curious enquiries about this matter While he was under this suspense he heard of the Son of God his appearing in the world and the excellent doctrins he had published in Judaea wherein he was further instructed by the ministry of S. Barnabas who came to Rome Him he followed first to Alexandria and thence after a little time to Judaea Arriving at Caesarea he met with S. Peter by whom he was instructed and baptized whose Companion and Disciple he continued for a great part of his life III. THIS is the sum of what I thought good to borrow from those ancient Writings As for his relations what various misadventures his Father and Mother and his two Brothers severally met with by what strange accidents they all afterwards met together were converted and baptized into the Christian Faith I omit partly as less proper to my purpose partly because it looks more like a dramatic Scene of Fansie then a true and real History As to that part of the account of his being related to the Imperial Family though it be more then once and again confidently asserted by b H. Feeâ l. 2. c. 35. p. 191. l. 3. c. 2. 18. p. 247. Nicephorus who transcribes a good part of the Story and by c Euther Lugd. ad Valerian de contempt Mund. Anonym de vit Petr. Paul ap P. Jun. not in Clem. Ep. ad Corinth others before him yet I cannot but behold it as an evident mistake arising from no other Fountain then the Story of Flavius Clemens the Consul who was Cousin-german to the Emperour Domitian and his Wife Flavia Domitilla near akin also to the Emperour concerning whose conversion to and martyrdom for the Faith of Christ we have d Primit Christ p. 1. ch 3. elsewhere given an account from the Writers of those Times Probable it is that S. Clemens for the main attend S. Peters motions and came with him to Rome where he had at last the Government of that Church committed to him e Synops de vit App. in Bibl. PP Tom 3. p. 150. col 1. Dorotheus tells us that he was the first of the Gentiles that embraced the Christian Faith and that he was first made Bishop of Sardica a City in Thrace afterwards called Triaditza and then of Rome But herein I think he stands alone I am sure has none of the Ancients to join with him unless he understands it of another Clemens whom the f Chron. Alex. p. 508. Chronicon Alexandrinum also makes one of the LXX Disciples but withall seems to confound with ours That he was Bishop of Rome there is an unanimous and unquestionable agreement of all ancient Writers though they strangely vary about the place and order of his coming to it The Writers of the Roman Church how great words soever they speak of the constant and uninterrupted succession of S. Peters Chair are yet involved in an inextricable labyrinth about the succession of the four first Bishops of that See scarce two of them of any note bringing in the same account I shall not attempt to accommodate the difference between the several Schemes that are given in but onely propose what I conceive most likely and probable IV. EVIDENT it is both from a Adv. Heres l. 3. c. 3. p. 232. Irenaeus and b Epiph. Haeres XXVII p. 51. vid. Ham. Dissert V. c. 1. p. 256. Epiphanius as also before them from c Cal. adv Procâl Caius an ancient Writer and from d Dionys Epist ad Rom. apud Euseb l. 2. c. 25. p. 68. Dionysius Bishop of Corinth that Peter and Paul jointly laid the Foundations of the Church of Rome and are therefore equally stiled Bishops of it the one as Apostle of the Gentiles as we may probably suppose taking care of the Gentile Christians while the other as the Apostle of the Circumcision applied himself to the Jewish Converts at Rome For we cannot imagine that there being such chronical and inveterate prejudices between Jews and Gentiles especially in matters of Religion they should be suddainly laid aside and both enter-common in one public Society We know that in the Church
of Jerusalem till the destruction of the Temple none were admitted but Jewish Converts and so it might be at first at Rome where infinite numbers of Jews then resided they might keep themselves for some time in distinct assemblies the one under S. Paul the other under Peter And some foundation for such a conjecture there seems to be even in the Apostolic History Act. 28.23 24 25 28 39 31. where S. Luke tells us that S. Paul at his first coming to Rome being rejected by the Jews turned to the Gentiles declaring to them the salvation of God who gladly heard and entertained it and that he continued thus preaching the Kingdom of God and receiving all that came in unto him for two years together This I look upon as the first setled foundation of a Gentile Church at Rome the further care and presidency whereof S. Paul might devolve upon Linus whom the interpolated Ignatius makes his Deacon or Minister as S. Peter having established a Church of Jewish Converts might turn it over to S. Clemens of whom e De Praescript Haeret. c. 32. p. 213. Tertullian expresly says that Peter ordained him Bishop of Rome Accordingly the Compiler of the f Lib. 7. c. 47. col 451. Apostolic Constitutions makes Linus to be ordained Bishop of Rome by S. Paul and Clemens by S. Peter He says indeed that Linus was the first and so he might very well be seeing S. Paul whatever the Modern Writers of that Church say to the contrary was some considerable time at Rome before S. Peter came hither Linus dying was probably succeeded by Cletus or Anacletus for the Greeks and doubtless most truly generally make him the same person in his distinct capacity At which time Clemens whom S. Peter had ordained to be his Successor continued to act as President over the Church of Jewish Converts and thus things remained till the death of Cletus when the difference between Jew and Gentile being quite worn off the entire Presidency and Government of the whole Church of Rome might devolve upon S. Clemens as the surviver and from this period of time the years of his Episcopacy according to the common computation are to begin their date By this account not onely that of g De Schism Donat. lib. 2. p. 38. Optatus and the h A Bucher edit comment in Vict. Can. Pasch c. 15. p. 269. Bucherian Catalogue may be true who make Clemens to follow Linus but also that of Baronius and many of the Ancients who make both Linus and Cletus to go before him as we can allow they did as Bishops and Pastors of the Gentile Church As for a more distinct and particular account of the Times I thus compute them Peter and Paul suffered Martyrdom in the Neronian persecution as we have elsewhere probably shewed Ann. LXV After which Linus sate twelve years four moneths and twelve days Cletus twelve years one but as Baronius seven moneths and eleven days which between them make XXV years and extend to Ann. Chr. XC after which if we add the nine years eleven moneths and twelve days wherein Clemens sate sole Bishop over that whole Church they fall in exactly with the third year of Trajan the time assigned for his Martyrdom by Eusebius Hierom Damasus and many others Or if with Petavius Ricciolus and some others we assign the Martyrdom of Peter and Paul Ann. LXVII two years later the computation will still run more smooth and easie and there will be time enough to be allowed for the odd moneths and days assigned by the different accounts and to make the years of their Pontificat compleat and full Nor can I think of any way considering the great intricacy and perplexity of the thing that can bid fairer for an easie solution of this matter For granting Clemens to have been ordained by S. Peter for his successor as several of the Ancients expresly affirm and yet withall what is evident enough that he died not till Ann. Chr. C. Traj III. it will be very difficult to find any way so proper to reconcile it As for that fansie of a Contr. Carpocrat Haeres XXVII p. 51. vid. Clem. Epist ad Corinth p. 69. Epiphanius that Clemens might receive imposition of hands from Peter but refused the actual exercise of the Episcopal Office so long as Linus and Cletus lived he onely proposes it as a conjecture founded meerly upon a mistaken passage of Clemens in his Epistle to the Corinthians and confesses 't is a thing wherein he dare not be positive not being confident whether it were so or no. V. MIGHT the ancient b Extat Grace Lat. inter PP Apost à Coteler âdit Epistle written to S. James the Brother of our Lord under the name of our S. Clemens be admitted as a competent evidence there we find not onely that Clemens was constituted Bishop by S. Peter but with what formality the whole affair was transacted It tells us that the Apostle sensible of his approaching dissolution presented Clemens before the Church as a fit person to be his Successor the good man with all imaginable modesty declined the honour which S. Peter in a long discourse urged upon him and set out at large the particular duties both of Ministers in their respective Orders and Capacities as also of the people which done he laid his hands upon him and compelled him to take his seat How he administred this great but difficult Province the Ecclesiastical Records give us very little account The Author of the c Lib. Pontif. in vit Clem. Conc. T. 1. col 74. Pontifical that fathers himself upon Pope Damasus tells us that he divided Rome into seven Regions in each of which he appointed a Notary who should diligently enquire after all the Martyrs that suffered within his division and faithfully record the Acts of their Martyrdom I confess the credit of this Author is not good enough absolutely to rely upon his single testimony in matters so remote and distant though we are otherwise sufficiently assured that the custom of Notaries taking the Speeches Acts and Sufferings of the Martyrs did obtain in the early ages of the Church Besides this we are told by others that he dispatched away several persons to preach and propagate the Christian Religion in those Countries whither the sound of the Gospel had not yet arrived Nor did he onely concern himself to propagate Christianity where it wanted Hegesip ap Exseb l. 3. c. 16. p. 88. but to preserve the peace of those Churches where it was already planted For an unhappy Schism having broken out in the Church of Corinth they sent to Rome to require his advice and assistance in it who in the name of the Church whereof he was Governour wrote back an incomparable Epistle to them to compose and quel ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as d Epist ad Corinth p. 2. he calls it that impious and abominable Sedition that was arisen
to the Blessed Virgin and so his Father had the honour to be Uncle to our Saviour in the same sense that Joseph was his Father His Mother say b Hâgesip ib. c. 32. p. 104. Nicâph l. 3. c. 16. p 245. some was Mary the Wife of Cleophas mentioned in the History of the Gospel Sister or Cousin-german to the Mother of our Lord And if so he was by both sides nearly related to our Savior He was born as appears from his Age and the date of his Martyrdom assigned by Eusebius Ann. Mundi 3936. thirteen years according to the Vulgar computation before our Saviours Incarnation His Education was according to the severest rules of Religion professed in the Jewish Church being entered into the Order of the Rechabites as may be probably collected from the Ancients For c Ibid. l. 2. c. 23. p. 65. Hegesippus informs us that when the Jews were busily engaged in the Martyrdom of S. James the Just a Rechabite Priest one of the Generation of the sons of Rechab mentioned by the Prophet Jeremy stept in and interceded with the People to spare so just and good a man and one that was then praying to Heaven for them This person * Haeres LXXVIII p. 441. Epiphanius expresly tells us was S. Simeon the son of Cleophas and Cousin-german to the holy Martyr The Rechabites were an ancient Institution founded by Jonadab the son of Rechab who flourished in the reign of Jehu and obliged his posterity to these following Rules to drink no Wine sowe no Fields Jer. 35.2 3 c. plant no Vineyards build no Houses but to dwell onely in Tents and Tabernacles All which precepts the last onely excepted which Wars and Foreign Invasions would not suffer them to observe they kept with the most religious reverence and are therefore highly commended by God for their exact conformity to the Laws of their Institution and brought in to upbraid the degeneracy of the House of Israel in violating the Commands he had laid upon them They continued it seems and so God had promised them that they should not want a man to stand before him for ever till the very last times of the Jewish Church though little notice be taken of them as indeed they are but once mentioned throughout the whole History of the Bible and that onely accidentally and then too no less then three hundred years after their first Institution Probable it is that in after-times all Rechabites were not Jonadabs immediate descendants but that all were accounted such who took upon them the observance of the same Rules and Orders which Jonadab had prescribed to his immediate posterity It further seems probable to me that from these Rechabites the Essenes that famous Sect among the Jews borrowed their Original that part of them especially that dwelt in Towns and Cities and in many things conformed themselves to the Rules of the civil and sociable life For as for the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã described a Lib. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 891. seq by Philo they gave up themselves mainly to solitude and contemplation lived in Forests and among Groves of Palm-trees and shunned all intercourse and converse with other men While the Practic part of them more particularly taken notice of by b De Bell. Jud. l. 2. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 785. Antiq. Jud. l. 18. c. 2. p. 617. Josephus though abstaining from marriage and despising the riches and pleasures of this World did yet reside in Cities and places of Public Concourse labour in their several Trades and Callings maintain Hospitality and were united in a common Colledge and Society where they were kept to a solemn observance of the great duties of Religion and devoted to the Orders of a very strict pious life And among these I doubt not the Rechabites were incorporated and swallowed up though it may be together with the general name of Essenes they might still retain their particular and proper name But to return III. HIS first Institution in Christianity was probably laid under the Discipline of our Lord himself whose Auditor and Follower c Ap. Eâseb l. 3. c. 32 p. 104. Hegesippus supposes him to have been and in all likelihood he was one of the LXX Disciples in which capacity he continued many years when he was advanced to a place of great honour and eminency in the Church About the Year LXII S. James the Just Bishop of Jerusalem by the artifices of Ananus the High-Priest had been cruelly martyred by the Jews The providing for whose place was so far thought to be the concernment of the whole Christian Church that the Apostles and Disciples of our Lord are said d Ibid. c. 11. p. 86. vid. lib. â c. 22. p. 142. to have come from all parts to advise and consult with those of our Saviours Kindred and Relations about a fit Successor in his room None was thought meet to be a Candidate for the place but one of our Lords own Relations and accordingly with one consent they devolved the honour upon Simeon our Lords next Kinsman whom they all judged most worthy of the place I know Eusebius seems to intimate that this Election was made not onely after S. James his death but after the destruction of Jerusalem between which there was the distance of no less then eight or nine years But besides that Eusebius makes the destruction of Jerusalem immediately to succeed upon S. James his Martyrdom when yet there was so great a space it 's very unreasonable to suppose that so famous and eminent a Church a Church newly Constituted and planted in the midst of the most bitter and inveterate Enemies should for so long a time be destitute of a Guide and Pastor especially seeing the Apostles were all long since dispersed into several remote quarters of the World Not to say that most of the Apostles were dead before that time or if they had not could not very conveniently have returned and met together about this affair in so dismal and distracted a state of things as the Roman Wars and the utter ruine and overthrow of the Jewish Nation had then put those parts into Besides that a Chron. ad Ann. Chr. LXII Eusebius himself elsewhere places Simeons succession immediately after S. James his Martyrdom Nor is the least vacancy in that See mentioned by any other Writer The b Ann. 1. Olympiad CCXII. Indict XI Vespas 2. p. 580. Chronicle of Alexandria places his succession Ann. LXIX for it tells us that this year S. James the Apostle and Patriarch of Jerusalem whom S. Peter at the time of his going to Rome as his proper See had ordained to that place this passage 't is plain the Publisher for want of rightly distinguishing did not understand dying Simeon or Simon was made Patriarch in his room But this account is against the Faith of all the Ancients who make S. James to have suffered Martyrdom
Faithful in the whole Church of Antioch and that though it was his utmost ambition yet he did not know whether he was worthy to suffer for Religion I might in the last place enter into a discourse concerning his Epistles the true Indices of the piety and divine temper of his mind those seven I mean enumerated and quoted by Eusebius and collected by S. Polycarp as c Epist Polycar p. 23. edit Usser ap Euseb loc cit p. 108. himself expresly testifies but shall forbear despairing to offer any thing confiderable after so much as has been said by learned men about them onely observing that in the exceptions to the argument from S. Polycarps testimony little more is said even by those who have managed it to the best advantage then what might be urged against the most genuine writing in the World I add S. Polycarps character of these Epistles whereby he recommends them as highly useful and advantagious that they contain in them Instructions and Exhortations to Faith and Patience and whatever is necessary to build us up in the Religion of our Lord and Saviour His Writings Genuine Ad Ephesios Epistola I. Ad Magnesianos I. Ad Trallianos I. Ad Romanos I. Ad Philadelphenos I. Ad Smyrnaeos I. Doubtful Epistola ad Polycarpum Spurious Ad Mariam Cassobolitam I. Ad Tarsenses I. Ad Antiochenos I. Ad Philippenses I. Ad Heronem I. Ad B. Virg. Mariam I. Ad Joannem Apostolum II. The End of S. IGNATIUS'S Life THE LIFE OF S. POLYCARP BISHOP of SMYRNA Miachel Burghers delineavit et sculpsit S. POLYCARPUS The place of his Nativity The honour and eminency of Smyrna His education under S. John By him constituted Bishop of Smyrna Whether the same with the Bishop to whom S. John committed the young man S. Polycarp the Angel of the Church of Symyrna mentioned in the Apocalyps Ignatius his arrival at Smyrna His Letters to that Church and to S. Polycarp His Journey to Rome about the Quartodeciman Controversie The time of it enquired into Anicetus his succession to the See of Rome His reception there by Anicetus Their mutual kindness notwithstanding the difference His stout opposing Heretics at Rome His sharp treatment of Marcion and mighty zeal against those early corrupters of the Christian Doctrinâ Irenaeus his particular remarques of S. Polycarps actions The Persecution under M. Antoninus The time of Polycarps Martyrdom noted The acts of it written by the Church of Smyrna their great esteem and value S. Polycarp sought for His Martyrdom foretold by a dream His apprehension Conducted to Smyrna Irenarchae who Polycarps rude treatment by Herodes His being brought before the Proconsul Christians refused to swear by the Emperours genius and why His pious and resolute answers His slightings the Proconsuls threatnings His sentence proclaimed Asiarchae who Preparation for his burning His Prayer before his death Miraculously preserved in the fire Dispatched with a Sword The care of the Christians about his Remains this far from a superstitious veneration Their annual meeting at the place of his Martyrdom His great Age at his death The day of his Passion His Tomb how honoured at this day The judgments happening to Smyrna after his death The Faith and Patience of the Primitive Christians noted out of the Preface to the Acts of his Martyrdom His Epistle to the Philippians It s usefulness Highly valued and publicly read in the ancient Church The Epistle it self I. S POLYCARP was born towards the latter end of Nero's reign or it may be a little sooner his great Age at the time of his death with some other circumstances rendring it highly probable if not certain Uncertain it is where he was born and I see no sufficient reason to the contrary why we may not fix his Nativity at Smyrna an eminent City of Ionia in the lesser Asia the first of the seven that entered their claim of being the birth-place of the famous a Strab. Geograph l. 14. p. 646. Homer in memory whereof they had a Library and a four-square Portico called Homereum with a Temple and the Statue of Homer adjoining to it and used a sort of brass Coin which they called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã after his name and probably with his Image stampt upon it A place it was of great honour and renown ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Oxon. II. p 47. Evdem habât Marm. âXXVIII p. 129. CXLIII p. 277. Append. XV. p. 296. and has not onely very magnificent titles heaped upon it by the Writers of those Times but in several ancient Inscriptions set up by the public Order of the Senate not long after the time of Adrian it is stiled The chief City of Asia both for beauty and greatness the most splendid the Metropolis of Asia and the Ornament of Ionia But it had a far greater and more honourable Privilege to glory in if it was as we suppose the place of S. Polycarp's Nativity however of his Education the seat of his Episcopal care and charge and the Scene of his Tragoedy and Martyrdom The b ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Greeks in their Menaeon report that he was educated at the charge of a certain noble Matron whose name we are told was Callisto a woman of great Piety and Charity who when she had exhausted all her Cranaries in relieving the Poor had them suddenly filled again by S. Polycarps prayers The circumstances whereof are more particularly related by Pionius who suffered if which I much question it was the same under the Decian Persecution to this a Pion. vit S. Polycarp ex MS. Graec. apud Bolland Januar XXVI p. 696. effect Callisto warned by an Angel in a dream sent and redeemed Polycarp then but a child of some who sold him brought him home took care of his education and finding him a Youth of ripe and pregnant parts as he grew up made him the Major-domo and Steward of her house whose charity it seems he dispenced with a very liberal hand insomuch that during her absence he had emptied all her Barns and Store-houses to the uses of the Poor For which being charged by his Fellow-Servants at her return she not knowing then to what purpose he had imployed them called for the Keys and commanded him to resign his trust which was no sooner done but at her entrance in she found all places full and in as good condition as she had left them which his prayers and intercession with Heaven had again replenished As indeed Heaven can be sometimes content rather to work a Miracle then Charity shall suffer and fare the worse for its kindness and bounty In his younger years he is said to have been instructed in the Christian Faith by Bucolus whom the same b ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Menaeon elsewhere informs us S. John had consecrated Bishop of Smyrna however c Act. Ignat. p. 5. Hieron de Script in Polycarp E. sib ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 81 Authors of
and their false doctrines let us return to that doctrine that from the beginning was delivered to us let us be watchful in Prayers persevering in Fasting and Supplications beseeching the All-seeing God that he would not lead us into temptation Matt. 26.41 as the Lord has said the Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak Let us unweariedly and constantly adhere to Jesus Christ who is our hope and the pledge of our righteousness 1 Pet. 2.22 24. who bare our sins in his own body on the Tree who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth but endured all things for our sakes that we might live through him Let us then imitate his patience and if we suffer for his Name we glorifie him for such a pattern he set us in himself and this we have believed and entertained VI. I exhort you therefore all that ye be obedient to the word of righteousness and that you exercise all manner of patience as you have seen it set forth before your eyes not onely in the blessed Ignatius and Zosimus and Rufus but in others also among you and in Paul himself and the rest of the Apostles being assured that all these have not run in vain but in faith and righteousness and are arrived at the place due and promised to them by the Lord of whose sufferings they were made partakers For they loved not this present world but him who both died and was raised up again by God for us Stand fast therefore in these things and follow the example of the Lord being firm and immutable in the faith lovers of the brethren and kindly affectionate one towards another united in the truth carrying your selves meekly to each other despising no man When it is in your power to do good defer it not for Alms delivereth from death Be all of you subject one to another having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that both you your selves may receive praise by your good works and that God be not blasphemed through you For wo unto him by whom the Name of the Lord is blasphemed Wherefore teach all men sobriety and be your selves conversant in it VII I am exceedingly troubled for Valens who was sometimes ordained a Presbyter among you that he so little understands the place wherein he was set I therefore warn you that you abstain from covetousness and that ye be chast and true Keep your selves from every evil work But he that in these things cannot govern himself how shall he preach it to another If a man refrain not from covetousness he will be defiled with Idolatry and shall be judged among the Heathen 1 Cor. 6.2 Who is ignorant of the judgment of the Lord Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World as Paul teaches But I have neither found any such thing in you nor heard any such thing of you among whom the blessed Paul laboured and who are in the beginning of his Epistle For of you he boasts in all those Churches which onely knew God at that time whom as yet we had not known I am therefore Brethren greatly troubled for him and for his Wife the Lord give them true repentance Be ye also sober as to this matter and account not such as enemies but restore them as weak and erring members that the whole body of you may be saved for in so doing ye build up your selves VIII I trust that ye are well exercised in the holy Scriptures and that nothing is hid from you a thing as yet not granted to me As it is said in these places be angry and sin not and let not the Sun go down upon your wrath Blessed is he that is mindful of these things which I believe you are The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus the eternal High-priest and Son of God build you up in faith and truth and in all meekness that you may be without anger in patience forbearance long-suffering and chastity and give you a portion and inheritance amongst his Saints and to us together with you and to all under Heaven who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and in his Father who raised him from the dead Pray for all Saints Pray also for Kings Magistrates and Princes and even for them that hate and persecute you and for the Enemies of the Cross that your fruit may be manifest in all that you may be compleat in him IX YE wrote unto me both ye and Ignatius that if any one go into Syria he might carry your Letters along with him which I will do so soon as I shall have a convenient opportunity either my self or by some other whom I will send upon your errand According to your request we have sent you those Epistles of Ignatius which he wrote to us and as many others of his as we had by us which are annexed to this Epistle by which ye may be greatly profited For they contain in them faith and patience and whatever else is necessary to build you up in our Lord. Send us word what you certainly know both concerning Ignatius himself and his companions These things have I written unto you by Crescens whom I have hitherto commended to you and do still recommend For he has unblamably conversed among us as also I believe amongst you His sister also ye shall have recommended when she shall come unto you Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ Grace be with you all Amen The End of S. POLYCARP'S Life THE LIFE OF S. QUADRATUS BISHOP of ATHENS Michael Burghers Dilineavit et sculpsit S. QUADRATUS His Birth-place enquired into His Learning His Education under the Apostles Publius Bishop of Athens Quadratus his succession in that See The degenerate state of that Church at his coming to it His indefatigable zeal and industry in its reformation It s purity and flourishing condition noted by Origen Quadratus his being endowed with a spirit of Prophecy and a power of miracles This person proved to be the same with our Athenian Bishop The troubles raised against the Christians under the reign of Hadrian Hadrians Character His disposition towards Religion and base thoughts of the Christians His fondness for the Learning and Religion of Greece His coming to Athens and kindness to that City His being initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries These mysteries what and the degrees of initiation Several addresses made to the Emperour in behalf of the Christians Quadratus his Apologetic Ser. Granianus his Letter to Hadrian concerning the Christians The Emperours Rescript His good opinion afterwards of Christ and his Religion Quadratus driven from his charge His Martyrdom and place of Burial I. WHETHER S. Quadratus was born at Athens no notices of Church-Antiquity enable us to determine though the thing it self be not improbable his Education and Residence there and the Government of that Church seeming to give some colour to it And as Nature had furnished him with incomparable parts
and such like mischievous passions do proceed which being once driven out the soul presently enjoys a pleasant calmness and tranquillity And being delivered from that yoke of evils that before lay upon its neck it aspires and mounts up to its Creator it being but suitable that it should return to that place from whence it borrowed its original VI. BUT though he laid aside his former Profession he still retained his ancient Garb ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as a Lib. 4. c. 11. p. 125. Eusebius and after him * De script in Justin S. Hierom reports preaching and defending the Christian Religion under his old Philosophic habit which was the Pallium or Cloak the usual badge of the Greek Philosophers different from that which was worn by the ordinary Greeks and which those Christians still kept to who before their conversion had been professed Philosophers So b De Script in Aristid S. Hierom tells us of Aristides the Athenian Philosopher contemporary with Quadratus that under his former habit he became Christs Disciple and c Ap. Euseb l. 6. c. 19. p. 221. Origen of Heraclas afterwards Bishop of Alexandria that giving up himself to the more strict study of Philosophy he put on ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Philosophic Habit which he constantly wore even after he became Presbyter of that Church This custom continued long in the Christian Church that those who did ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as d H. Eccl. l. 7. c. 37. Socrates speaks enter upon an Ascetic course of life and a more severe profession of Religion always wore the Philosophers Cloak and he tells us of Silvanus the Rhetorician that when he became Christian and professed this Ascetic life he was the first that laid aside the Cloak and contrary to custom put on the common Garb. Indeed it was so common that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã became proverbial among the Heathens when any Christian ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã passed by there goes a Greek Impostor because of their being clad after the same manner ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Dion Chrys Orat. LXXI ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã p. 627. and professing a severer life then ordinary like the Philosophers among the Grecians many of whom notwithstanding were meer cheats and hypocrites and e Epist ad Marcel p. 115. Tom. 1. S. Hierom notes of his time that if such a Christian were not so fine and spruce in his Garb as others presently the common saying was clapt upon him he is an Impostor and a Greek This habit it seems was generally black and sordid enough Whence the Monks who succeeded in this strict and regular course of life are severely noted by the Gentile Writers of those Times under this character * Orat. de Templ p. 10. e Epist ad Marcel p. 115. Tom. 1. Libanius calls them ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã black-coat Monks and says f Ibid. p. 28. of them that the greatest demonstration of their vertue was ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to walk about in mourning garments Much at the same rate g In vit Aedâf p. 65. Eunapius describes the Monks of Egypt that they were clad in black and were ambitious ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to go abroad in the most flovenly and sordid Garb. But it is time to return to our S. Justin who as h ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Cod. 125 col 304. Photius and i Haeres 46. p. 1â1 Epiphanius note shewed himself in his words and actions as well as in his habit to be a true Philosopher VII HE came to Rome upon what occasion is uncertain probably about the beginning of Antoninus Pius his reign where he fixed his habitation dwelling as appears from the acts of his Martyrdom about the Timothine Baths which were upon the Viminal Mount Here he strenously imployed himself to defend and promote the cause of Christianity and particularly to confute and beat down the Heresies that then mainly infested and disturbed the Church writing a Book a Apol. II. p. 70. against all sorts of Heresies but more especially opposed himself to Marcion who was the son of a Bishop born in Pontus and for his deflowering a Virgin had been cast out of the Church whereupon he fled to Rome where he broached many damnable errours and among the rest that there were two Gods one the Creator of the World whom he made to be the God of the Old Testament and the Author of Evil the other a more Sovereign and Supreme Being Creator of more excellent things the Father of Christ whom he sent into the World to dissolve the Law and the Prophets and to destroy the works of the other deity whom he stiled the God of the Jews Others and among them especially b Haeres XLII p. 135. Epiphanius and a more ancient Author c Dial. contr Marcion p. 3 4 Basil edit 1674. 4. of the Dialogues against the Marcionites under the name of Origen for that it was Origen himself I much question make him to have established three differing Principles or Beings an ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or good Principle the Father of Christ and this was the God of the Christians an ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or Creating Principle that made the visible frame of things which presided over the Jews and an ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or evil Principle which was the Devil and ruled over the Gentiles With him Justin encountered both by Word and Writing particularly publishing a Book which he had composed against him and his pernicious principles VIII ABOUT the Year of our Lord CXL the Christians seem to have been more severely dealt with for though Antoninus the Emperour was a mild and excellent Prince and who put out no Edicts that we know of to the prejudice of Christianity yet the Christians being generally traduced and defamed as a wicked and barbarous generation had a hard hand born upon them in all places and were persecuted by virtue of the particular Edicts of former Emperours and the general standing Laws of the Roman Empire To vindicate them from the aspersions cast upon them and to mitigate the severities used towards them Justin about this time published his first Apology for though in all Editions it be set in the second place it was unquestionably the first Vid. Euseb l. 4. c. 18. p. 139. presenting it as appears from the Inscription to Antoninus Pius the Emperour and to his two sons Verus and Lucius to the Senate and by them to the whole People of Rome wherein with great strength and evidence of reason he defends the Christians from the common objections of their enemies proves the divinity of the Christian Faith and shews how unjust and unreasonable it was to proceed against them without due conviction and form of Law acquaints them with the innocent Rites and Usages of the Christian Assemblies and lastly puts the Emperour in mind of the course which Adrian his predecessor had taken in this matter who
up under the tutorage and instructions of S. Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna and S. Johns Disciple from whom he received the seeds of the true Apostolic Doctrine and for whom he had so great a reverence and regard that he took a most exact and particular notice of whatever was memorable in him even to the minutest circumstances of his conversation the memory whereof he preserved fresh and lively to his dying day II. BY whose hands he was consecrated to the Ministeries of Religion as also when and upon what occasion he came into France is not known Probable it is that he accompanied S. Polycarp in his journey to Rome about the Paschal controversie where by his and Anicetus his persuasions he might be prevailed with to go for France in some parts whereof and especially about Marseilles great numbers of Greeks did reside then beginning to be over-run with those pernicious Heresies which at that time invaded and disturbed the Church that so he might be helpful and assisting to Pothinus the aged Bishop of Lyons in quelling and subduing of them Hist Franc. lib. 1â 29. This Pothinus if we may believe Gregory Bishop of Tours who resided some time in this City with his Uncle Nicetius Bishop of it came out of the East and had been dispatched hither also by S. Polycarp to govern and superintend this Church If it seem strange to any how S. Polycarps care came to extend so far as to send a Bishop into so remote and distant parts of the World it seems not improbable to suppose that Lyons being a City famous for Commerce and Traffique some of its Merchants might trade to Smyrna where being converted by Polycarp they might desire of him to send some grave and able person along with them to plant and propagate the Christian Faith in their own Country which accordingly fell to Pothinus his share But then that this must needs be done by the Authority and ratified by the Decree of the Bishop of Rome P. de Marc. dissert de Primat n. 111. p. 227. a learned man will never be able to convince us though he offers at three Arguments to make it good weak I must needs say and inconcluding and which rather shew that he designed thereby to reconcile himself to the Court of Rome whose favour at the time of his writing that Tract he stood in need of in order to his admission to the Bishoprick of S. Leiger de Conserans to which he was nominated and wherein he was delayed by that Court offended with his late Book De Concordia Sacerdotii Imperii then argue the truth of what he asserts so unsuitable are they to the learning and judgment of that great man But I return to Irenaeus He came to Lyons the Metropolis of Gallia Celtica situate upon the confluence of the two famous Rivers the Roan and La Saona or the ancient Arar famous among other things for its Temple and Altars erected to the honour of Augustus at the common charge of all France where they held an annual solemnity from all parts of the Countrey upon the first of August and upon d Euseb H. Eccl. l. 5. c. 1 p. 162. this day it was that most of the Martyrs suffered in the following Persecution These Festival solemnities were usually celebrated not onely with great contentions for Learning and Eloquence but with Sports and Shews and especially with the bloody conflicts of Gladiators with barbarous usages and throwing Malefactors to wild Beasts in the Amphitheatre wherein the Martyrs mentioned by Eusebius bore a sad and miserable part Irenaeus being arrived at Lyons continued several years in the station of a Presbyter under the care and Government of Pothinus till a heavy storm arose upon them For in the reign of M. Aurelius Antoninus Ann. Chr. CLXXVII began a violent Persecution a Euseb l. 5. Praef. p. 153. against the Christians which broke out in all places but more peculiarly raged in France whereof the Churches of Lyons and Vien in a b Apud Euseb ibid. p. 154 155 c. Letter to them of Asia and Phrygia give them an account where they tell them 't was impossible for them exactly to describe the brutish fierceness and cruelty of their Enemies and the severity of those torments which the Martyrs suffered banished from their houses and forbid so much as to shew their heads reproached beaten hurried from place to place plundered stoned imprisoned and there treated with all the expressions of an ungovernable rage and fury as they particularly relate at large The occasion c Euseb ibid. c. 3. p. 168. of writing this account was a controversie lately raised in the Asian Churches by Montanus and his followers concerning the Prophetic Spirit to which they pretended for the composing whereof these Churches thought good to send their judgment and opinion in the case adjoyning the Epistles which several of the Martyrs while in Prison had written to those Churches about that very matter all which they annexed to their Commentary about the Martyrs sufferings penned no doubt by the hand of Irenaeus III. NOR did the Martyrs write onely to the Asian Churches but to Eleutherus Bishop of Rome about these controversies And just occasion there was for it if which is most probable this very Eleutherus was infected with the errours of Montanus for d Adv. Prax. c. 1. p. 501. Tertullian tells us that the Bishop of Rome did then own and embrace the Prophesies of Montanus and his two Prophetesses and upon that account had given Letters of Peace to the Churches of Asia and Phrygia though by the persuasions of one Praxeas he was afterwards prevailed with to revoke them Where by the way may be observed that the infallibility of the Pope was then from home or so fast asleep that the envious man could sowe Tares in the very Pontifical Chair it self This Bishop e Ad Ann. 173. n. IV. Baronius will have to be Anicetus but in all likelihood was our Eleutherius who in his after-commendation of the Montanists followed the example of his f Tertull. ibid. Predecessors no doubt Soter and Anicetus who had disowned and rejected Montanus his Prophesie nor can it well be otherwise conceived why the Martyrs should so particularly write to him about it And whereas g Ad. Ann. 201. n. IX Baronius would have Pope Eleutherius dead long before Tertullian became a Montanist because in his Book against Heresies he stiles h De Praescript Haeret. c. 30. p. 212. him the blessed Eleutherius as if it were tantamount with cujus memoria est in benedictione nothing was more common then to give that title to eminent persons while alive as Alexander of Jerusalem calls i Euseb l. 6. c. 11 p. 113. Clemens Alexandrinus who carried the Letter the blessed Clemens in his Epistle to the Church of Antioch and the Clergy of the Church of Rome stiles k Ad Cler. Carthag Epist II. p. 8.
had personally encountred and read the Books of others which gave him occasion what the desires of many had importuned him to undertake to set upon that elaborate Work against Heresies wherein he has fully displayed their wild and phantastic principles their brutish and abominable practises and with such infinite pains endeavoured to refute them though indeed so prodigiously extravagant so utterly irreconcileable were they to any principles of sober reason that as he himself d Lib. 1. c. ult p. 139. observes it was Victory enough over them onely to discover and detect them This Work he composed in the time of Eleutherus Bishop of Rome as is evident from his Catalogue e Lib. 3. c. 3. p. 233. ap Eus l. 5. c. 6. p. 171. of the Bishops of that See ending in Eleutherus the twelfth successive Bishop who did then possess the place VI. AND indeed it was but time for Irenaeus and the rest of the wise and holy Bishops of those days to bestir themselves grievous Wolves having entered in and made havock of the flock The field of the Church was miserably over-run with taâes which did not onely endanger the choaking of Religion within the Church but obstruct the planting and propagating the Faith among them that were without Nothing being more commonly objected against the truth and divinity of the Christian Religion then that they were rent and torn into so many Schisms and Heresies a Stromat l. p. 753. S. Clemens of Alexandria particularly encounters this exception some of whose excellent reasonings are to this effect The first thing says he they charge upon us and pretend why they cannot embrace the Faith is the diversity of Sects that are among us truth being delayed and neglected while some assert one thing and some another To which he answers that there were various Sects and Parties both among the Jews and the Philosophers of the Gentiles and yet no man thought this a sufficient reason why they should cease to study Philosophy or adhere to the Jewish Rites and Discipline that our Lord had foretold that Errours would spring up with Truth like Tares growing up with the Wheat and that therefore 't was no wonder if it accordingly came to pass and that we ought not to be wanting to our duty because others cast off theirs but rather stick closer to them who continue constant in the profession of the Truth that a mind diseased and distempered with Errour and Idolatry ought no more to be discouraged from complying with an Institution that will cure it by reason of some differences and divisions that are in it then a sick man would refuse to take any Medicines because of the different opinions that are among Physitians and that they do not all use the same Prescriptions that the Apostle hath told us that there must be heresies that they that are approved may be made manifest that they heartily entertain the Christian Doctrin improve and persevere in Faith and a holy Life that if Truth be difficult to be discerned yet the finding it out will abundantly recompence the trouble and the labour that a wise man would not refuse to eat of fruit because he must take a little pains to discover what is ripe and real from that which is only painted and counterfeit Shall the Traveller resolve not to go his journey because there are a great many ways that cross and thwart the common Road and not rather enquire which is the plain and Kings High-way or the Husbandman refuse to till his ground because Weeds grow up together with the Plants We ought rather to make these differences an argument and incentive the more accurately to examine Truth from Falshood and Realities from Pretences that escaping the snares that are plausibly laid we may attain ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to the knowledge of that which is really truth indeed and which is not hard to find of them that sincerely seek it But to return back to Irenaeus VII HAVING passed over the times of the Emperour Commodus the onely honour of whose Reign was that he created no great disturbance to the Christians being otherwise a most debauched and dissolute Prince in whom the Vices of all his Predecessors seemed to meet as in one Common-Sewer Eleutherus died and Victor succeeded in the See of Rome A man furious and intemperate impatient of contradiction and who let loose the Reins to an impotent and ungovernable Passion He revived the Controversie about the celebration of Easter and endeavoured imperiously to impose the Roman Custom of keeping it on the next Lords day after the Jewish Passover upon the Churches of the Lesser Asia and those who observed the contrary usage and because they would not yield rashly thundred out an Excommunication against them not onely endeavouring but as a Lib. 5. c. 24. p. 192. Eusebius explains it in the following words actually proscribing and pronouncing them cut off from the Communion of the Church The Asiatics little regarding the fierce threatnings from Rome under the conduct of Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus stood their ground justifying their observing it upon the fourteenth day after the appearance of the Moon let it fall upon what day of the Week it would after the rule of the Jewish Passover and this by constant Tradition and uninterrupted usage derived from S. John and S. Philip the Apostles S. Polycarp and several others to that very day All which he told Pope Victor but prevailed nothing as what will satisfie a wilful and passionate mind to prevent his rending the Church in sunder For the composure of this unhappy Schism b Euseb ibid. c. 23. p. 190. Synods were called in several places as besides one at Rome one in Palestine under Theophilus Bishop of Caesarea Palestina and Narcissus Bishop of Jerusalem another in Pontus under Palmas and many more in other places who were willing to lend their hands toward the quenching of the common Flame c Ibid. c. 24. p. 192. who all wrote to Victor sharply reproving him and advising him rather to mind what concerned the Peace of the Church and the love and unity of Christians among one another And among the rest our Irenaeus who as Eusebius observes truly answered his name in his peaceable and peace-making temper convened a d Ibid. c. 23. p. 191. Synod of the Churches of France under his jurisdiction where with thirteen Bishops besides himself says the fore-mentioned e Ubi supr p. 7. Synodicon he considered and determined of this matter In whose name he wrote a Synodical Epistle to Pope f Ibid. c. 24. p. 192. Victor wherein he told him that they agreed with him in the main of the Controversie but withall duly and gravely advised him to take heed how he excommunicated whole Churches for observing the ancient Customs derived down to them from their Ancestors that there was as little agreement in the manner of the Preparatory Fast before Easter as in the
day it self some thinking that they were to fast but one day probably he means of the great or solemn week others two others more and some measuring the time by a continued fast of forty hours whether in memory of Christs lying so long in the Grave or in imitation of his forty days Fast in the Wilderness I know not and that this variety was of long standing and had crept into several places while the Governours of the Church took less care about these different Customs who yet maintained a sincere and mutual love and peace towards one another a thing practised by all his own pious Predecessors putting him in mind of Anicetus and Polycarp who though they could not so far convince each other as to lay aside their different usages did yet mutually embrace orderly receive the Communion together and peaceably part from one another And Letters to the same effect he wrote to several other Bishops for allaying the difference thus unhappily started in the Church VIII THE calm and quiet days which the Church had for some years of late enjoyed now expired and the wind changed into a more stormy quarter Severus the Emperour hitherto favourable began a bitter and bloody Persecution against the Christians prosecuted with great severity in all parts of the Empire Himself had heretofore governed g Ael Spartian in vit Sever. c. 3. p. 335. this very Province of Lyons and probably had taken peculiar notice of Irenaeus and the flourishing state of the Church in that City and might therefore give more particular Orders for the proceeding against them in this place The Persecution that in other parts picked out some few to make them exemplary here served all alike and went through with the Work For so a Hist Franc. l. 1. c. 29. Gregory of Tours and the ancient b Martyr Rom. ad Jan. XXVIII Adon Martyr IV. Kalend. Jul. Martyrologies inform us that Irenaeus having been prepared by several torments was at length put to death beheaded say the Greeks c Men. Grââc ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã likely enough and together with him almost all the Christians of that vast populous City whose numbers could not be reckoned up so that the Streets of the City flowed with the bloud of Christians His Body was taken up by Zacharias his Presbyter and buried in a Vault laid between Epipodius and Alexander who had suffered in the Persecution under Antoninus It is not easie to assign the certain date of his Martyrdom which may with almost equal probability be referred to a double period either to the time of that bloudy Edict which Severus published against the Christians about the tenth year of his reign Ann. Chr. CCII. or to his expedition into Britain Ann. Chr. CCVIII when he took Lyons in his way and might see execution done with his own eyes And indeed the vast numbers that are there said to have suffered agree well enough with the temper of that fierce and cruel Prince who had conceived before a particular displeasure against the Citizens of Lyons and a worse against the Christians there IX HE was a true lover of God and of the souls of men for the promoting whose happiness he thought no dangers or difficulties to be great he scrupled not to leave his own Countrey to take so troublesom and tedious a journey and in stead of the smooth and polite manners of the Eastern Nations to fix his dwelling among a People of a wild and savage temper and whom he must convert to civility before he gained them to Religion Nor was it the least part of his trouble as himself e Praef. ad l. 2. p. 4. plainly intimates that he was forced to learn the Language of the Countrey a rugged and as he calls it barbarous Dialect before he could do any good upon them All which and a great deal more he chearfully underwent that he might be serviceable to the great interests of men And because he knew that nothing usually more hinders the progress of Piety then to have mens minds vitiated and depraved with false and corrupt Notions and Principles and that nothing could more expose the Christian Religion to the scorn and contempt of wise and discerning men then the wild Schemes of those absurd and ridiculous opinions that were then set on foot therefore he set himself with all imaginable industry to oppose them reading over all their Writings considering and unravelling all their principles with incomparable patience as well as diligence whence he is deservedly stiled by f Adv. Valent. c. 5. p. 252. Tertullian Omnium doctrinarum curiosissimus explorator the most curious searcher into all kinds of Doctrines In the successful managery whereof he was greatly advantaged by the natural acumen and subtlety of his parts and those Studies of Philosophy and Humane Literature of which he had made himself Master in his younger days sufficient foot-steps whereof appear in the Writings which he left behind him For besides his Epistles he wrote many Volums though he g Volaterr Comment urban l. 16. col 590. that tells us that he composed an Ecclesiastical History which Eusebius made use of reckons up one more then ever he wrote and doubtless mistook it for his Work Adversus Haereses which are all lost except his five Books against Heresies intituled anciently ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã The Confutation and Subversion of Knowledge falsly so called i.e. of Gnosticism those abstruse and mystical Heretics pretending that all sublime and excellent knowledge dwelt with them What his proper stile and phrase was in these Books is not easily guessed the far greatest part of the Original Greek being wanting the conjecture of those who will have them originally penned in Latine is not worth the mentioning probably it was simple and unaffected vulgar and ordinary embased it is like and he seems to confess as much Loc. titat with the natural Language of the Countrey where he lived nor had he studied the Arts of Rhetoric the ornaments of Speech or had any skill in the elaborate methods and artifices of persuasion as he modestly a Praefat. ut supr apologizes for himself However his Discourses are grave and well digested and as far as the Argument he manages would admit clear and perspicuous in all which he betrays a mighty zeal and a spirit prepared for Martyrdom For the Martyrs as b Praef. in Iraen Erasmus truly notes have a certain serious strenuous and masculine way of writing beyond other men X. AS for his Works themselves c Cod CXX col 301. Photius thus censures them that in some of them the accuracy of truth in Ecclesiastic Doctrines is sophisticated ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã with false and spurious reasonings which ought to be taken notice of In the Books yet extant there are some assertions that will not bear a strict rigorous examination the principal whereof are such as we have already remarked in the life of
the Metropolis of Lydia a great and ancient City the Seat of the Lydian Kings it was one of the Seven Churches to which S. John wrote Epistles and wherein he takes notice of some that durst own and stand up for God and Religion in that great degeneracy that was come upon it He was a man of admirable parts enriched with the furniture of all useful Learning acute and eloquent but especially conversant in the paths of Divine Knowledge having made deep enquiries into all the more uncommon parts and speculations of the Christian Doctrine He was for his singular eminency and usefulness chosen Bishop of Sardis though we cannot exactly define the time which were I to conjecture I should guess it about the latter end of Antoninus Pius his reign or the begining of his Successors He filled up all the parts of a very excellent Governour and Guide of Souls whose good he was careful to advance both by Word and Writing Which that he might attend with less solicitude and distraction he not onely kept himself within the compass of a single life but was more then ordinarily exemplary for his Chastity and Sobriety his self-denial and contempt of the World upon which account he is by Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus a Ap. Euseb l. 5. c. 24. p. 191. stiled an Eunuch that is in our Saviours explication one of those who make themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heavens sake who for the service of Religion and the hopes of a better life are content to deny themselves the comforts of a married state and to renounce even the lawful pleasures of this World And God who delights to multiply his Grace upon pious and holy souls crowned his other Vertues with the gift of Prophesie for so b Ap. Hieron de Script in Melit Tertullian tells us that he was accounted by the Orthodox Christians as a Prophet and Polycrates says c Loc. supr citat of him that he did ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã was in all things governed and directed by the afflatus and suggestion of the Holy Ghost Accordingly in the Catalogue d Ap Eâseb l. 4. c. 26. p. 147. of his Writings we find one ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of the right way of living and concerning Prophets and another concerning Prophesie II. IT was about the year CLXX and the tenth e Eâsâb Chron. ad Ann. CLXXI. of M. Antoninus his Brother L. Verus having died the year before of an Apoplexy as he sate in his Chariot when the Persecution grew high against the Christians greedy and malicious men taking occasion from the Imperial Edicts lately published by all the methods of cruelty and rapine to oppress and spoil innocent Christians Whereupon as others so especially f Eâseb H. Eccl. loc supr citat S. Melito presents an Apology and humble Supplication in their behalf to the Emperour wherein among other things he thus bespeaks him If these things Sir be done by your Order let them be thought well done For a righteous Prince will not at any time command what is unjust and we shall not think much to undergo the award of such a death This onely request we beg that your self would please first to examine the case of these resolute persons and then impartially determine whether they deserve punishment and death or safety and protection But if this new Edict and Decree which ought not to have been proclaimed against the most barbarous Enemies did not come out with your cognizance and consent we humbly pray and that with the greater importunity that you would not suffer us to be any longer exposed to this public rapine III. AFTER this he put him in mind how much the Empire had prospered since the rise of Christianity and that none but the worst of his Predecessors had entertained an implacable spight against the Christians This new Sect of Philosophy says he which we profess heretofore flourished among the Barbarians by which probably he means the Jews Afterwards under the reign of Augustus your Predecessor it spread it self over the Provinces of your Empire commencing with a happy omen to it since which time the Majesty and Greatness of the Roman Empire hath mightily increased whereof you are the wished-for Heir and Successor and together with your Son shall so continue especially while you protect that Religion which begun with Augustus and grew up together with the Empire and for which your Predecessors had together with other Rites of Worship some kind of reverence and regard And that our Religion which was bred up with the prosperity of the Empire was born for public good there is this great Argument to convince you that since the reign of Augustus there has no considerable mischief happened but on the contrary all things according to every ones desire have fallen out glorious and successful None but Nero and Domitian instigated by cruel and ill-minded men have attempted to reproach and calumniate our Religion whence sprang the common slanders concerning us the injudicious Vulgar greedily entertaining such reports without any strict examination But your Parents of Religious Memory gave a check to this Ignorance and injustice by frequent Rescripts reproving those who made any new attempts in this matter Among whom was your Grandfather Adrian who wrote as to several others so to Fundanus the Proconsul of Asia and your Father at what time your self was Colleague with him in the Empire wrote to several Cities particularly to Larissaea Thessalonica Athens and all the Cities of Greece that they should not create any new disturbance about this affair And for your self who have the same opinion of us which they had and a great deal better more becoming a good man and a Philosopher we promise our selves that you will grant all our Petitions and Requests An Address managed with great prudence and ingenuous freedom and which striking in with other Apologies presented about the same time did not a little contribute to the general quiet and prosperity of Christians IV. NOR was he so wholly swallowed up with care for the general Peace of Christians as to neglect the particular good of his own or neighbour Churches During the Government of Servilius Paulus Proconsul of Asia Sagaris Bishop of Laodicea had suffered Martyrdom in the late persecution a Ipse Milet. ap Euseb l. 4. c. 26. p. 147. at what time the controversie about the Paschal solemnity was hotly ventilated in that Church some strangers probably urging the observation of the Festival according to the Roman usage celebrating it upon the Lords-day contrary to the custom of those Churches who had ever kept it upon the fourteenth day of the Moon according to the manner of the Jews For the quieting of which contention Melito presently wrote two Books ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã concerning the Passover wherein no doubt he treated at large of the celebration of Easter according to the observation of the Asian Churches and therefore Polycrates
an immoderate ambition betrayed the man into the snare and condemnation of the Devil At which breach Satan having entered took possession of the man who acted by the influence of an evil Spirit was wont on a suddain to fall into Enthusiastic fits and Ecstatic raptures and while he was in them in a furious and a frantic manner he poured out wild and unheard of things prophecying of what was to come in a way and strain that had not been used hitherto in the Church Proselytes he wanted not that came over to his Party At first onely some few of his Country-men the Phrygians whence his Sect derived the title of Cataphryges were drawn into the snare whom he instructed in the Arts of Evil speaking teaching them to reproach the whole Christian Church for refusing to entertain and honor his Pseudo-prophetic Spirit the same Spirit on the contrary pronouncing them blessed that joyned themselves to this new Prophet and swelling them with the mighty hopes and promises of what should happen to them sometimes also gently reproving and condemning them Among the rest of his Disciples two women were especially remarkable Prisca and Maximilla whom having first corrupted he imparted his Daemon to them whereby they were presently enabled to utter the most frantic incoherent and extravagant Discourses The truth is he seemed to lay his Scene with all imaginable craft and subtlety in the great and foundation-principles of Religion he agreed with the Catholics embraced entirely the holy Scriptures and pretended that he must receive the gifts of Divine Grace extrarordinarily conferred upon him which he gave out were more immediately the Holy Ghost he made a singular shew of some uncommon rigours and severities in Religion gave Laws for more strict and solemn Fasts and more frequently to be observed then were among the Orthodox taught Divorces to be lawful and forbad all second marriages called Pepuza and Tymium two little Towns of Phrygia Jerusalem that so he might the more plausibly invite simple and unwary Proselytes to flock thither And because he knew no surer way to oblige such persons as would be serviceable to him then by Proposals of gain and advantage he used all methods of extorting money from his deluded followers especially under the notion of Gifts and Offerings for which purpose he appointed Collectors to receive the Oblations that were brought in with which he maintained under-Officers and paid Salaries to those that propagated his Doctrines up and down the World Such were the Arts such the Principles of the Sect first strated by Montanus what additions were made by his followers in after-Ages I am not now concerned to enquire IX ALLURED with the smooth and specious pretences of this Sect Tertullian began to look that way though the particular occasion of his starting aside * Ubi supra vid. Niceph. l. 4. c. 12. p. 298. S. Hierom tells us was the envy and reproaches which he met with from the Clergy of the Church of Rome They that conceive him to have sued for the See of Carthage vacant by the death of Agrippinus and that he was opposed and repulsed in it by the Clergy of Rome and so highly resented the affront as thereupon to quit the Communion of the Catholic Church talk at random and little consider the mortified temper of the man and his known contempt of the World Probable it is that being generally noted for the excessive and over-rigorous strictness of his manners he had been charged by some of the Roman Clergy for compliance with Montanus and it may be admonished to recant or disown those Principles Which his stubborn and resolute temper not admitting he was together with Proclus and the rest of the Cataphrygian Party cut off by the Bishop of Rome from all Communion with that Church For there had been lately a disputation held at Rome between Caius an ancient Orthodox Divine and Proclus one of the Heads of the Montanist Party as a Lib. 6. c. 20. p. 222. l. 2. c. 25. p. 67. Hieron de Script in Caio Eusebius who read the account of it published by Caius informs us wherein Proclus being worsted was together with all the followers of that Sect excommunicated and Tertullian himself among the rest as he sufficiently b Dâ jejun c. 1. p. 544. intimates This a man of a morose and unyielding disposition and who could brook no moderation that seemed to intrench upon the Discipline and Practice of Religion could not bear and therefore making light of the judgment and censures of that Church flew off and joined himself to Montanus his Party whose pretended austerities seemed of all others most agreeable to his humour and genius and most exactly to conspire with the course and method of his life But as it cannot be doubted that he looked no further then to the appearances and pretensions of that Sect not seeing the corrupt Springs by which the Engine was managed within so it is most reasonable and charitable to conceive that he never understood their principles in the utmost latitude and extent of them If he seems sometimes to acknowledge Montanus to be the Paraclete that was to come into the World probably he meant not something distinct from the Holy Spirit bestowed upon the Apostles but a mighty power and extraordinary assistance of the Holy Ghost shed upon Montanus whom God had sent into the World more fully and perfectly to explain the Doctrines of the Gospel and to urge the rules and institutions of the Christian life which our Lord had delivered when he was upon earth but did not with the greatest accuracy the things were capable of the minds of men not being then duly qualified to receive them That for this end he thought Montanus invested with miraculous powers and a spirit of Prophesie a thing not unusual even in those times and might believe his two Prophetesses to be acted with the same spirit All which might consist with an honest mind imposed upon by crafty and plausible pretences And plain it is that for some considerable time Montanus maintained the reputation of great piety zeal sanctity and extraordinary gifts before he was discovered to the World And Tertullian in all likelihood had his accounts concerning him not from himself but from Proclus or some others of the Party who might easily delude him especially in matters of fact with false informations However nothing can be more evident then that he looked a De Jejun loc citat upon these new Prophets as innovating nothing in the principles of Christianity that Montanus preached no other God nor asserted any thing to the prejudice of our blessed Saviour nor subverted any rule of Faith or Hope but onely introduced greater severities then other men that he was not the Author but the restorer of Discipline and onely reduced things to that ancient strictness from which he supposed they had degenerated especially in the cases of coelibacy single marriages and such like as he
b Vid. l. de Menogam c. 1. p. 525. c. 3. 4. passim de Jejun c. 12. p. 550 551. more then once particularly tells us Not to say that Montanus his followers as is usual with the after-brood of every Sect asserted many things which their Master himself never dreamt of which yet without distinction are laid at his door and Tertullian too because a favourer of the Party drawn into the guilt and made liable to many improvements to the Hay and Stubble which the successors of that Sect built upon it X. BUT however it was he stomached his excommunication and was highly offended at the looseness and remissness of the Discipline among the Catholics whom with great smartness he persecutes under the name of Psychici or Animal persons as those that took too much liberty in their manners and practices of devotion stiling his own party Spiritales as whom he thought more immediately guided by the Spirit more plentifully endowed with the gifts of it and conversant in a more divine and spiritual life Against these Psychici he presently published a Tract De Jejuniis wherein he defends the Montanists in the observation of their Fasts their abstinence from Flesh and feeding onely upon dried meats their Stationary days and the keeping them till the very evening while the Orthodox broke up theirs about three of the Clock in the afternoon in all which respects he makes many tart and severe reflections upon them Indeed the devotions of those times were brisk and fervent their usages strict and punctual their Ecclesiastic Discipline generally very rigid and extreme seldom admitting persons that had lapsed after Baptism to Penance and the Communion of the Church But this was looked upon by moderate and sober men as making the gate too strait and that which could not but discourage Coverts from entering in Accordingly it began to be relaxed in several places and particularly the Bishop of Rome c Tert. de Pudic cit c. 1. p. 555. had lately published a constitution wherein he admitted persons guilty of Adultery and Fornication and probably other crimes to a place among the Penitents Against this Tertullian storms cries up the severity of the antient Discipline writes his Book De Pudicitia wherein he considers and disputes the case and aggravates the greatness of those offences and undertakes the Arguments that pleaded for remission and indulgence And if in the mentioning this Decree the Bishop of Rome be stiled Episcopus Episcoporum the Champions of that Church before they make such advantage of it should do well to prove it to have been a part of the Decree or if it was that it was mentioned by Tertullian as his just right and priviledge and not rather which is infinitely more probable Tertullians Sarcasm intended by him as an Ironical reflection and a tart upbraiding the pride and ambition of the Bishops of that Church who took too much upon them and began as appears from Pope Victors carriage towards the Asian Churches in the case of Easter to domineer over their Brethren and usurp an insolent authority over the whole Christian Church And that this was his meaning I am abundantly satisfied from a Apud Cyprian p. 282. Cyprians using the phrase in this very sense in the famous Synod at Carthage where reflecting upon the rash and violent proceedings of the Bishops of Rome whom though he particularly names not yet all who are acquainted with the Story know whom he means against those who were engaged in the cause of rebaptizing Heretics he adds that as for themselves the Bishops then in the Synod none of them made himself Bishop of Bishops or by a tyrannical threatning forced his Colleagues into a necessity of Compliance since every Bishop according to the power and liberty granted to him had his proper jurisdiction and could no more be judged by another then he himself could judge others XI WHETHER ever he was reconciled to the Catholic Communion appears not 't is certain that for the main he forsook the b August de Haeres c. 86. Tom. 6. col 31. Cataphrygians and kept his separate meetings at Carthage and his Church was yet remaining till S. Augustins time by whose labours the very reliques of his followers called Tertullianists were dispersed and quite disappeared How long he continued after his departure from the Church is not known S. Hierom c De Script in Tertull. says that he lived to a very decrepit age but whether he died under the reign of Alexander Severus or before the Ancients tell us not as neither whether he died a natural or violent death He seems indeed to have been possessed with a passionate desire of laying down his life for the Faith though had he been a Martyr some mention would without peradventure have been made of it in the Writings of the Church XII HE was a man of a smart and acute wit though a little too much edged with Keeness and Satyrism acris vehementis ingenii as d Loc. citat S. Hierom characters him one that knew not how to treat an adversary without salt and sharpness He was of a stiff and rugged disposition a rigid Censor inclined to choler and impatient of opposition a strict observer of Rites and Discipline and a zealous asserter of the highest rigors and most nice severities of Religion His learning was admirable wherein though many excelled he had no superiours and few equals in the Age he lived in Tertulliano quid eruditius quid acutius says e Epist ad Mag. Grator p. 328. T. 2. S. Hierom who adds that his Apology and Book against the Gentiles took in all the treasures of Humane Learning f Commonit adv Haeres cap. 24 p. 59 60. Vincentius of Lire gives him this notable Elogium He is justly says he to be esteemed the Prince among the Writers of the Latin Church For what more learned who more conversant both in divine and humane Studies who by a strange largeness and capacity of mind had drawn all Philosophy and its several Sects the Authors and Abettors of Heresies with all their Rites and Principles and the whole circumference of History and all kind of Study within the compass of his own breast A man of such quick and weighty parts that there was scarce any thing which he set himself against which he did not either pierce through with the acumen of his Wit or batter down with the strength and solidity of his Arguments Who can sufficiently commend his Discourses so thick set with Troops of Reasons that whom they cannot persuade they are ready to force to an assent who hath almost as many sentences as words and not more periods then victories over those whom he hath to deal with XIII FOR his Books though time has devoured many yet a great number still remain and some of them written after his withdrawment from the Church His stile is for the most part abrupt and
of the Empire he is as little to be credited and guilty of as notorious a falshood as Eusebius observes as when he affirms that Origen was born and bred up a Gentile and then turned off to Christianity when as nothing was more evident then that Origen was born of Christian Parents and that Ammonius retained his Christian and divine Philosophy to the very last minute of his life whereof the Books which he left behind him were a standing evidence Indeed e Annal. p. 332. Edit Poâock vid. ãâã Selden retan Eutyââ Sect. 23. p. 147. Eutychius Patriarch of Alexandria if he means the same seems to give some countenance to Porphyries report and further adds that Ammonius was one of the twenty Bishops which Heraclas then Bishop of Alexandria constituted over the Egyptian Churches but that he deserted his Religion Which Heraclas no sooner heard of but he convened a Synod of Bishops and went to the City where Ammonius was Bishop where having throughly scanned and discussed the matter he reduced him back again to the truth Whether he found this among the Records of that Church or took it from the mouth of Tradition and Report is uncertain the thing not being mentioned by any other Writer But however it was 't is plain that Ammonius was a man of incomparable parts and learning a Lib. de Provid fat ubi supr Hierocles himself stiles him ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã one taught of God and when Plotinus the great Platonist had found him out he b Porphyr in vit Plotin p. â Plot. n. Opââ Praf Porphyr ap Eâ seb ubi supr told his friend in a kind of triumph that this was the man whom he had sought after Under him Origen made himself perfect Master of the Platonic Notions being daily conversant in the Writings of Plato Numenius Cronius Apollophanes Longinus Moderatus Nicomachus and the most principal among the Pythagoreans as also of Chaeremon and Cornatus Stoics from whom as Porphyry truly enough observes he learned that allegorical and mystical way of interpretation which he introduced into the Christian Doctrin IV. BESIDES our Adamantius there was another Origen his Contemporary a Gentile Philosopher honourably mentioned by c Lib. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã apâd Porphyr in vit Plotin Longinus d Ibid. Porphyry e Lib. de Fat ubi supr Hierocles f In vit Porphyr p. 19. Eunapius g In Plat. Tâeol l. 2. c. 4. p. 90. Proclus and others a person of that learning and accurate judgment that coming h Ap. Porphyr loc cit one day into Plotinus his School the grave Philosopher was ashamed and would have given place and when intreated by Origen to go on with his Lecture he answered with a complement that a man could have but little mind to speak there where he was to discourse to them who understood things as well as himself and so after a very short discourse broke up the meeting I am not ignorant that most learned men have carelesly confounded this person with our Origen Whence i De Vit. Script Porphyr c. 2. p. 11. Holstenius wonders why Eunapius should make him School-fellow with Porphyry who was much his junior whom Porphyry says indeed he knew being himself then very young and this probably not at Alexandria but at Tyre where he was born and where Origen a long time resided So that his wonder would have ceased had he considered what is plain enough that Eunapius meant it of this other Origen Porphyries fellow-Pupil not under Ammonius at Alexandria but under Plotinus at Rome Indeed were there nothing else this were enough to distinguish them that the account given of Origen and what he wrote by Longinus by Porphyry in the life of Plotinus and others does no ways agree to our Christian Writer V. THE Persecution under Severus in the tenth year of his reign was now grown hot at Alexandria Laetus the Governour daily adding fewel to the flames where among the great numbers of Martyrs k Euseb ib. c. 1. p 201. Leonides Origens Father was first imprisoned then beheaded and his estate confiscate and reduced into the public Exchequer During his imprisonment l Id. c. 2 p. 2ââ Origen began to discover a most impatient desire of Martyrdom from which scarce any intreaties or considerations could restrain him He knew the deplorable estate wherein he was like to leave his wife and children could not but have a sad influence upon his Fathers mind whom therefore by Letters he passionately exhorted to persevere unto Martyrdom adding this clause among the rest Take heed Sir that for our sakes you do not change your mind And himself had gone not onely to prison but to the very block with his Father if the divine Providence had not interposed His Mother perceiving his resolutions treated him with all the charms and endearments of so affectionate a relation attempted him with prayers and tears intreating him if not for his own that at least for her sake and his nearest relatives he would spare himself All which not prevailing especially after his Fathers apprehension she was forced to betake her self to little Arts hiding all his cloths that meer shame might confine him to the house A mighty instance as the Historian notes of a juvenile forwardness and maturity and a most hearty affection for the true Religion VI. HIS Father being dead and the a Eâseb ibid. p. 203. Estate seized for the Emperours use he and the Family were reduced to great streights When behold the providence of God who peculiarly takes care of Widows and Orphans and especially the relicts of those that suffer for him made way for their relief A rich and honourable Matron of Alexandria pitying his miserable case liberally contributed to his necessities as she did to others and among them maintained one Paul of Antioch a ringleader of all the Heretics at Alexandria who by subtle artifices had so far insinuated himself into her that she had adopted him to be her Son Origen though he held his livelihood purely at her bounty would not yet comply with this Favourite not so much as to join in prayer with him no not when an innumerable multitude not onely of Heretics but of Orthodox daily flocked to him taken with the eloquence of his discourses For from his childhood he had religiously observed the Rule and Canon of the Church and abominated as himself expresses it all heretical Doctrines Whether this noble Lady upon this occasion withdrew her charity or whether he thought it more agreeable to the Christian Rule to live by his own labour then to depend wholly upon anothers bounty I know not but having perfected those Studies of Foreign Learning the foundations whereof he had laid under the Discipline of his Father he now began to set up for himself opening a School for the profession of the learned Arts where besides the good he did to others he raised a
renown and accordingly came thither while Pope Zephyrin sate Bishop of that See where he staid not long but returned back to Alexandria and to his accustomed Catechetic office Demetrius earnestly importuning him to resume it But finding the imployment c Ibid. c. 15. p. 217. grow upon him and so wholly to engross his time as not to allow him the least leisure for retirement and contemplation and the study of the Scriptures so fast did auditors press in upon him from morning to night he took in Heraclas who had been his Scholar a man versed both in divine and humane Studies to be his Partner dividing the work between them the younger and more untutored Catechumens he committed to him the maturer and those who had been of a longer standing he reserved to be instructed by himself And now he gave up himself to a closer and more accurate Study of the holy Scriptures which that he might manage with the better success he set himself to learn the Hebrew Tongue the true Key to unlock the Door wherein as d Apolog. adv Ruffin Tom. 2. p. 201. S. Hierom probably intimates he was assisted by the help of Huillus the Jewish Patriarch at that time at least in the Rabbinic Exposition of the Scripture a thing little understood in those times and the place he lived in and to him who was now in the prime of his age and the Flower of more pleasing and delightful Studies no doubt very difficult and uneasie But nothing is hard to an industrious diligence and a willing mind X. NOR did his pains in this interrupt his activity in his other imployments where he perceived e Eus ib. c. 18. p. 218. any of his Scholars of more smart and acute understandings he first instructed them in Geometry Arithmetic and other preparatory Institutions and then brought them through a course of Philosophy discovering the Principles of each Sect and explaining the Books of the Ancients and sometimes himself writing Comments upon them so that the very Gentiles cried him up for an eminent Philosopher The ruder and more unpolished part of his auditory he would often exhort to the Study of humane Arts assuring them that they would not a little conduce to the right understanding of the holy Scriptures Many flocked to him to make trial of his famed Skill and Learning others to be instructed in the Precepts both of Philosophy and Christianity Great numbers of Heretics were his Auditors some of whom he converted from the errour of their way and among the rest * Euseb ib. Hieron de Scrip. in Ambros Suid. in Voc. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Epiph ubi supr p. 228. Ambrosius a man of Nobility and Estate at Alexandria having been seduced into the Errours of Marcion and Valentinus being convinced by Origen's Discourses renounced his former Heresies and returned to the Catholic Doctrin of the Church and ever after became his intimate Friend his great Patron and Benefactor He was a man of neat elegant parts and was continually prompting Origen to explain and interpret some part of the Scripture as oft as they were together as a Epist ap Suid. ubi supr p. 390 vid. Hieron Ep. ad Marcell p. 129. Tom. 1. Origen himself informs us he suffered not a Supper time to pass without discourses to this purpose nor their very walks and recreations to be without them a great part of the night besides their morning studies were spent upon these pious exercises their meals and their rest were ushered in with continual Lectures and both night and day where Prayer ended Reading began as after reading they again betook themselves to Prayer Indeed this Ambrose was a pious and good man and though so great a person did not disdain to take upon him the Office of a Deacon in the Church nay to undergo great hardships and sufferings becoming an eminent Confessor for the Faith And there is onely this blot b Hieron de Script in Ambrof that I know of that sticks upon his memory that when he died rich he remembred not his dear and ancient Friend whose low and mean condition might well have admitted as his pains and intimacy might deservedly have challenged a bountiful legacy to have been bequeathed to him XI ABOUT this time came a c Euseb ibid. c. 19. p. 221. Messenger from the Governour of Arabia with Letters to Demetrius the Bishop and to the Praefect of Egypt desiring that with all speed Origen might be sent to impart the Christian Doctrin to him so considerable had the fame of this great man rendred him abroad in foreign Nations Accordingly he went into Arabia where having dispatched his errand he came back to Alexandria Not long after whose return the Emperour Caracalla drew his Army into those parts intending to fall severely upon that City To avoid whose rage and cruelty Origen thought good to withdraw himself and not knowing any place in Egypt that could afford him shelter he retired into Palestin and fixed his residence at Caesarea Where his excellent abilities being soon taken notice of he was requested by the Bishops of those parts though but then in the capacity of a Laic publicly in the Church and before themselves to expound the Scriptures to the People The news hereof was presently carried to Alexandria and highly resented by Demetrius who by Letters expostulated the case with Theoctistus Bishop of Caesarea and Alexander of Jerusalem as a thing never heard of before in the Christian Church who in their answer put him in mind that this had been no such unusual thing whereof they give him particular instances All which satisfied not Demetrius who by Letters commanded Origen to return and sent Deacons on purpose to urge him to it whereupon he came back and applied himself to his wonted charge XII ALEXANDER SEVERVS the present Emperour in order to his expedition against the Persians was come to Antioch attended with his mother Mammaea a wise and prudent and says d Ibid. c. 21. p. 223. vid. excerpt ex Jo. Antioch p. 830. Eusebius a most pious and religious Princess a great influence she had upon her Son whom she engaged in a most strict and constant administration of Justice and the affairs of the Empire that he might have no leisure to be debauched by Vice and Luxury Indeed he was a Prince of incomparable Vertues Historians representing him as mild and gentle compassionate and charitable sober and temperate just and impartial devout and pious one advanced to the Empire for the recovery and happiness of mankind He was no enemy to Christians whom he did not onely not persecute but favour at every turn and in his private Oratory he had among other Heroes the Images of Abraham and of Christ and was once minded to have built a Temple to him and publicly admitted him into the number of their gods He highly admired some precepts of the Christian Religion and from their Discipline learned some Rites
foregoing Story tells us that being mightily importuned to preach he stood up in the Congregation and having pronounced those words of penitent David But unto the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to declare my statutes and that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth he could go on no further but shut the Book and laid it down and sitting down burst out into sighs and tears the whole Congregation bearing part with him in that mournful Scene And to carry on the humour and make the Story more compleat after-Ages present us with a d Extat Inter Oper. Orig. Tom. 1. p. 752. Eaitâ Erasm Discourse under his name called Origen's Complaint wherein he passionately resents and laments his fall as a desperate wound to himself a grief to good men and an unconceivable dishonour to God and to Religion And pitty it is if the Story be true that this Lamentation were not genuine but as it is the best ground it has to support it self is that it is calculated to gratifie a pious fansie and a melting passion there being nothing in it otherwise worthy of this great man and I fear was first designed by him that made it as a reflection upon him and to give countenance to the report that was raised concerning him From Jerusalem he not long after returned back to Caesarea where as before he had done at Alexandria he set up a a Id. ibid. c. 30. p. 229. School both for divine and humane learning and his great name quickly procured him Scholars from all parts not onely of the Country thereabouts but from the remotest Provinces Among which of most remarque were Gregory called afterwards Thaumaturgus and his Brother Athenodorus who leaving the study of the Law as being more delighted with Philosophy and humane Arts committed themselves to his conduct and tutorage who first instructed them in Philosophy and then trained them up to a more accurate knowledge of the Christian Faith Five years they remained under his Discipline when being sufficiently enriched with the knowledge of Religion they returned into Pontus their own Countrey where they both became Bishops and proved eminent Lights and Governours of the Church During his residence at Caesarea there was a firm intimacy and league b Ibid. c. 27. p. 228. of friendship contracted between Origen and Firmilian Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia who had so great a kindness for him that sometimes he would prevail with him to come over into that Province for the edification of the Churches in those parts sometimes he himself would go into Judaea to visit him and stay a considerable while with him to perfect himself by his society and converse This Firmilian was a Gentleman of Cappadocia afterwards made Bishop of Caesarea in that Countrey A person of great name and note and who held correspondence with most of the eminent men of those times Few considerable affairs of the Church wherein he was not concerned either by his presence or advice Great contests were between him and Stephen Bishop of Rome concerning the Baptism of heretical persons wherein he took part with Cyprian He was twice at Antioch to examine the case of Paul of Samosata Bishop of that Church and coming a third time to a Synod convened there for that purpose died at Tarsus by the way Nor was Origen admired and courted onely by foreigners and young men who had been his Scholars but by the grave and the wise at home both Alexander and Theoctistus though ancient Bishops did not disdain in a manner to become his Disciples committing to his single care the power of interpreting the holy Scriptures and whatever concerned the Ecclesiastical Doctrin XVII IT was now about the year CCXXXV when Maximinus the Thracian succeeded in the Empire a man fierce and ill-natured and according to his education brutish and cruel He hated whatever had relation to his Predecessor and because the c Id. ibid. c. 28. Christians had found some favourable entertainment in his Family he begaâ first with them and especially the Bishops as the chief Pillars and promoters of their Religion whom he every where commanded to be put to death To contribute toward the consolation of Christians in this evil time ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Orig. Exhort ad Martyr pag. 200. Origen wrote his Book concerning Martyrdom which he jointly dedicated to his dear Ambrosius and to Protoctetus Presbyter of Caesarea as who had undergone a joint share of imprisonment and sufferings under the present Persecution and had made a glorious and illustrious confession of the Christian Faith As for Origen himself he is said to have taken sanctuary in the house of Juliana a wealthy and charitable Lady who courteously entertained him and furnished him with Books useful for him particularly with Symmachus a Euseb ib. c. 17. p. 218. his Version of the Old Testament and his Commentaries in defence of the Ebionites particularly levelled against S. Matthews Gospel Books which Juliana enjoyed as by right of inheritance devolved upon her XVIII WHILE he enjoyed the happy opportunity of this retirement he more directly applied himself to what he had long since designed the collecting and collating the several Editions and Versions of the Old Testament with the Original Text which he finished by three several parts b Id. ibid. c. 16. p. 217. Epiph. loc supr citat de ponder mensur p. m. 534 539. Hier. de Script in Orig. Suid. in voc Orig. the Tetrapla the Hexapla and the Octapla In the first which considered as a distinct part was made last were four Translations set one over against another that of Aquila Symmachus the Septuagint and Theodotion these made up the Tetrapla In the second were these four Versions disposed in the same order and two other columns set before them thus first the Hebrew Text in its own Letters then in a column next adjoining the same Hebrew Text in Greek characters that they who were strangers to the one might be able to read the other next followed the several Versions of Aquila Symmachus the Septuagint and Theodotion And these constituted the Hexapla Where the Septuagint being placed after that of Aquila and Symmachus gave some ignorant undiscerning persons occasion to think that it had been made after the two former whereas it was placed in the middle as Epiphanius c Ibid. p. 539. informs us onely as a Standard by which the goodness and sincerity of the rest were to be tried and judged In the third which made the Octapla were all that were in the former and in the same manner and two more Versions added at the end of them one called the Fifth Edition found by a Student at Jerusalem in a Hogshead at Jericho in the time of the Emperour Caracalla and another stiled the Sixth Edition found by one of Origen's Scholars at Nicopolis near Actium in the reign of Alexander Severus All which in the Octapla were disposed in
accomplished with a prodigious furniture of learning and all the improvements which Rome or Greece could afford being incomparably skilled as d De script in Orig. S. Hierom and e In Orig. p. 387. Suidas observes both in Gentile and Christian learning Logic Geometry Arithmetic Music Philosophy Rhetoric and the several sentiments and opinions of all the Sects of Philosophy and who always entertained his Auditors with something above common observation So great the force and acuteness of his parts says Vincentius Lerinensis f Contr. Haeres c. 23. p. 55. so profound quick and elegant that none could come near him so vast his stock of all sorts of Learning that there were few corners of divine and perhaps none of humane Philosophy which he had not accurately searched into and when the Greeks could lead him no further with an unparallel'd industry he conquered the language and learning of the Jews But no other character need be given him then what Porphyry a Ap. Euseb l. 6. c. 19. p. 220. who knew him though a learned man b L. Holsten de vit script Porphyr c. 6. p. 27. who from that passage in Eusebius makes him to have been his Scholar proceeds doubtless upon a great mistake and was an enemy bestows upon him that he was held in very great esteem in those times and had purchased a more then ordinary glory and renown from the greatest Masters which Christianity then had in the World and that under the discipline of Ammonius he attained to an admirable skill in Learning and Philosophy The monuments and evidences whereof as he there observes were the Books and Writings which he left behind him considerable not for their Subjects onely but their multitude arising to that vast number that Epiphanius c Ubi supr p. 256. vid. Ruffin Apol. pro Orig. inter Oper. Hier. T. 4. p. 197. tells us it was commonly reported that he wrote six thousand Volumes The greatest part of which being understood of Epistles and single Homilies the account will not be above belief nor give any just foundation for Rufinus and S. Hierom to wrangle so much about it the latter of whom point-blank denies that ever himself read or that Origen himself wrote so many d Loc. citat Vincentius affirms that no man ever wrote so much as he and that all his Books could not onely not be read but not so much as be found out by any So that it was not without reason that antiquity fastned the title of Syntacticus or the Composer upon him his innumerable Discourses upon all sorts of Subjects justly appropriating that title to him His Books were of old enumerated by many and digested into their proper Classes whether Scholia short strictures upon obscure difficult places Homilies and Tomes as the Ancients divided them or Exegetica and Syntagmata under which rank some Modern Writers comprehend them the greatest part whereof though they have long since perished through the carelessness and ill will of succeeding Times yet does a very large portion of them still remain His phrase and way of writing is clear and unaffected fluent and copious e Censur de Oper. Orig. Erasmus gives a high encomium of it preferring it before most other Writers of the Church that it is neither turgid and lofty like that of S. Hilary flying above the reach of ordinary Readers nor set off with gaudy and far-fetcht ornaments like that of S. Hierom nor abounding with flowers of Rhetoric and smart witty sentences like that of S. Ambrose nor over-seasoned with tart and satyrical reflections and obscured with obsolete and antiquated terms as that of Tertullian not superstitious in the curious and accurate structure of its several parts like that of S. Gregory nor running out into large digressions nor affecting a chiming cadency of words like that of St. Augustin but always brisk and lively easie and natural But when he commends it for its conciseness and brevity he certainly forgot himself or mistook and what wonder he should when t is like he took his measures not so much from the Original as Translations For his stile though it be generally plain and perspicuous yet is it diffusive and luxuriant flowing with plenty of words which might be often spared and therefore charged by some of his critical adversaries that he did infinita verba multiplicare f Epiph. Ep. ad Joan. Hierosol ap Hieron T. 2. p 158. g Eustath Antioch dissot de Engastrym adv Orig. inter Crit. S. Tom. 8. col 441 453. multiply an infinite crowd of words and that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã he filled the World with a company of needless and idle words which he unmeasurably poured out and that he did ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã exceedingly trifle with vain tautologies and repetitions A censure wherein envy and emulation must be supposed to have had the predominant and over-ruling stroke For though abounding with words he was always allowed to be eloquent for which Vincentius highly commends him Ubi supr affirming his phrase to be so sweet pleasant and delightful that there seemed to him to have dropt not words so much as honey from his mouth XXVI BUT that alas which has cast clouds and darkness upon all his glory and buried so much of his fame in ignominy and reproach is the dangerous and unsound doctrines and principles which are scattered up and down his writings for which almost all Ages without any reverence to his parts learning piety and the judgment of the wisest and best of the times he lived in have without any mercy pronounced him Heretic and his sentiments and speculations rash absurd pernicious blasphemous and indeed what not The alarm began of old and was pursued with a mighty clamour and fierceness especially by Methodius Bishop of Olympus Eustathius of Antioch Apollinaris Theophilus of Alexandria and Epiphanius and the cry carried on with a loud noise in after-ages insomuch that the very mention of his name is in the Greek Church abominable at this day I had once resolved to have considered the chief of those notions and principles for which Origen is so heavily charged by the Ancients but superseded that labor when I found that the industry of the learned Monsieur Huet in his Origeniana had left no room for any to come after him so fully so clearly so impartially with such infinite variety of reading has he discussed and canvassed this matter and thither I remit the learned and capable Reader And for those that cannot or will not be at the pains to read his large and excellent Discourses they may consult nearer hand the ingenious Author of the Letter of Resolution concerning Origen and the chief of his opinions Edit Lond. 1661. 4. where they will find the most obnoxious of his dogmata reckoned up and the Apologies and Defences which a sincere lover of Origen might be supposed to make in his behalf and these
these more predominant then in those Times and parts of the World wherein this good man lived II. ANN. Chr. CCXXXIX Gordian Imper. I. died a Fâseb H. Eccl. lâ 16. c. 29. p. 229. Zebinus Bishop of Antioch in whose room Babylas succeeded He was a stout and prudent Pilot who as S. Chrysostom b Homil. de S. Bâbyl p. 641. Tem. 1. says of him guided the holy Vessel of that Church in the midst of Storms and Tempests and the many Waves that beat upon it Indeed in the beginning of his Presidency over that Church he met not with much trouble from the Roman Powers the old Enemies of Christianity but a fierce storm blew from another quarter For Sapor King of c Capitol in Gâââdiâa III. ãâã 26. p. ãâã Persia had lately invaded the Roman Empire and having over-run all Syria had besieged and taken Antioch and so great a dread did his Conquests strike into all parts that the terrour of them flew into Italy and startled them even at Rome it self He grievously oppressed the People of Antioch and what treatment the Christians there must needs find under so merciless and insolent an Enemy at no time favourable to Christians is no hard matter to imagine But it was not long before God broke this yoke from off their necks For Gordian the Emperour raising a mighty Army marched into the East and having cleared the Countries as he went along came into Syria and went directly for Antioch where he totally routed the Persian Army recovered Antioch and the conquered Cities and gained some considerable places belonging to Sapor whom he forced to retire back into his own Countrey of all which he gives an account in a * Ibid. c. 27. p. 670. Letter to the Senate who joyfully received the news and decreed him a triumph at his return to Rome III. THE Church of Antioch being thus restored to its former tranquillity Babylas attended his charge with all diligence and fidelity instructing feeding and governing his Flock preparing both young and old to undergo the hardest things which their Religion might expose them to as if he had particularly foreseen that black and dismal Persecution that was shortly to overtake them Having quietly passed through the reign of Philip who was so far from creating any disturbance to the Christians that he is generally though groundlesly supposed to have been a Christian himself he fell into the troublesome and stormy times of Decius who was unexpectedly advanced and in a manner forced upon the Empire One whose character might have passed among none of the worst of Princes if he had not so indelebly stained his memory with his outragious violence against the Christians The main cause whereof the generality of Writers taking the hint from Eusebius a H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 39. p. 234. make to have been hatred to his Predecessor Philip a Christian as they account him and whom he resolved to punish in his spleen and malice against them But methinks much more probable is the account which Gregory Nyssen b De vit Greg. Thaum p. 999. Tom. 2. gives of this matter viz. the large spread and triumphant prevalency of the Christian Faith which had diffused it self over all parts and planted every corner and filled not Cities onely but Countrey Villages the Temples were forsaken and Churches frequented Altars overthrown and Sacrifices turned out of doors This vast increase of Christianity and great declension of Paganism awakened Decius to look about him he was vexed to see the Religion of the Empire trodden under foot and the worship of the gods every where slighted and neglected opposed and undermined by a novel and upstart Sect of Christians which daily multiplied into greater numbers This made him resolve with all possible force to check and control this growing Sect and to try by methods of cruelty to weary Christians out of their Profession and to reduce the People to the Religion of their Ancestors Whereupon he issued out Edicts to the Governours of Provinces strictly commanding them to proceed with all severity against Christians and to spare no manner of torments unless they returned to the obedience and worship of the gods Though I doubt not but this was the main Spring that set the rage and malice of their enemies on work yet Cyprian c Epist VII p. 16. like a man of great piety and modesty seeks a cause nearer home ingenuously confessing that their own sins had set open the Flood-gates for the divine displeasure to break in upon them while Pride and Self-seeking Schism and Faction reigned so much among them the very Martyrs themselves who should have been a good example unto others casting off the order and discipline of the Church and being swelled with so vain and immoderate a tumor it was time God should send them a thorn in the flesh to cure it IV. THE Provincial Governours forward enough to run of themselves upon such an errand made much more haste when they were not onely encouraged but threatned into it by the Imperial Edicts so that the Persecution was carried on in all parts with a quick and a high hand concerning the severity whereof we shall speak more elsewhere At present it may suffice to remarque that it swept away many of the most eminent Bishops of the Church Fabian Bishop of Rome Alexander Bishop of Hierusalem and several others Nor was it long before it came to S. Babylas his door For Decius probably about the middle of his reign or some time before his Thracian expedition wherein he lost his life came into Syria and so to Antioch to take order about his affairs that concerned the Persian War I confess his coming into these parts is not mentioned in the Roman Histories and no wonder the accounts of his life either not having been written by the Historiae Augustae Scriptores or if they were having long since perished and few of his Acts are taken notice of in those Historians that yet remain However the thing is plainly enough owned by Ecclesiastical Writers While * Chrysost lib. de S. Babyl Tom. 6. pag. 658. passim Philost H. Eccl. l. 7. c. 8. p. 94. Suid. in voc ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Niceph. H. Eccl. l. 10. c. 28. p. 63. he continued here either out of curiosity or a design to take some more plausible advantage to fall upon them he would needs go into the Christian Congregation when the public Assembly was met together This Babylas would by no means give way to but standing in the Church Porch with an undanted courage and resolution opposed him telling him that as much as lay in his power he would never endure that a Wolf should break in upon Christs Sheepfold The Emperour urged it no further at present either being unwilling to exasperate the rage and fury of the People or designing to effect it some other way This passage there are and Nicephorus among the rest with whom
passage to happen especially at this time to demonstrate the vanity of the Gentile Religion to correct the infidelity of the Emperour and to give testimony to that Religion which he scorned with so much insolence and sarcasm and pursued with so much vigour and opposition If any enquire why Julian should so far gratifie the Christians as to bestow the Martyrs bones upon them and suffer them to convey them with so much pomp and honour into the City and not rather scatter the ashes into the air throw them into the fire or drown the Coffin in the River c Ibid. p. 681. Chrysostom answers that he durst not he was afraid lest the divine vengeance should overtake him lest a thunderbolt from heaven should strike him or an incurable disease arrest him as such kind of miserable fates had overtaken some of his predecessors in the height of their activity against the Christians and he had lately seen sad instances of it that came very near him his Uncle Julian Praefect of the East a petulant scorner and apostate derider of Christians who having broken into the great Church at Antioch had treated their Communion Plate with the greatest irreverence and contempt throwing it upon the ground spurning and sitting upon it and after all carrying it away into the Emperours Exchequer was immediately seized with a loathsom disease which I am not willing to mention which within a few days in spight of all the Arts of Physic put an end to his miserable life And Faelix the Treasurer a man of the same spirit and temper and engaged with him in the same design coming up to the Palace on a sudden fell down upon the top of the steps and burst asunder Ammianus Marcellinus * Lib. 23. p. 1641. himself confessing that he died of a sudden Flux of bloud Others there were who about that time came to wretched and untimely ends but these two onely are particularly noted by Chrysostom Examples which 't is probable had put an awe and restraint upon him XI BUT evil men wax worse and worse Julian however awed at present yet his rage quickly found a vent which all his Philosophy could not stop Vexed d Socr. c. 19. p. 191. Sozom. Theod. ibid. to see the Christians pay so solemn a veneration to the Martyr and especially stung with the hymns which the Christians sung the very next day he gave order against the advice of his Privy Council to Salust the Praefect to persecute the Christians many of whom were accordingly apprehended and cast into Prison And among the rest one Theodorus a Youth was caught up in the streets and put upon the Rack his flesh torn off with iron Pincers scourged and beaten and when no tortures could shake his constancy or so much as move his patience he was at length dismissed Rufinus afterwards met with this Theodorus and asking him whether in the midst of his torments he felt any pain he told him at first he was a little sensible but that one in the shape of a young man stood by him who gently wiped off the sweat from his face refreshed him with cold water and supported his spirit with present consolations so that his Rack was rather a pleasure then a torment to him But to return XII HEAVEN shewed it self not well pleased with the proceedings of the Emperour For immediately the Temple of Apollo in the Daphne took fire which in a few hours burnt the famed image of the god and reduced the Temple excepting onely the Walls and Pillars into ashes This the Christians ascribed to the divine vengeance the Gentiles imputed it to the malice of the Christians and though the Priests and Warders of the Temple were racked to make them say so yet could they not be brought to affirm any more then that it was fired by a light from Heaven This conflagration is mentioned not onely by Christian Writers but by a Lib. 22. p. 1629. Ammianus Marcellinus and by b Loc. supr cit Julian himself but especially by Libanius the Orator who in an Oration on purpose made to the People elegantly bewails its unhappy fate whose Discourse S. Chrysostom takes to task and makes witty and eloquent remarques upon it If the Reader ask what became of Babylas his Remains after all this noise and bustle they were entombed within the City in a Church dedicated to his name and memory and in after-Ages are c Vid. Bolland ad Jan. XXIV p. 580. said to have been translated by some Christian Princes probably during their Wars in the holy Land to Cremona in Italy where how oft they have been honourably reposed and with how much pomp and ceremonious veneration they are still entertained they who are curious after such things may enquire The End of S. BABYLAS 's Life THE LIFE OF S. CYPRIAN BISHOP OF CARTHAGE Micha Burgh deli et sculp S. CYPRIANUS CARTHAGINIENSIS His Birth-place The Nobility of his Family exploded The confounding him with another Cyprian Bishop of Antioch These two vastly distinct S. Cyprian 's education His professing Rhetoric His conversion to Christianity by the persuasions of Caecilius Their mutual endearment His great charity to the Poor His Baptism Made Presbyter and Bishop of Carthage His modest declining the honour His proscription recess and care of his Church during that retirement The case of the Lapsed A brief account of the rise of the Novatian Sect. The fierceness of the Persecution at Carthage under Decius The courage and patience of the Christians Cyprian 's return A Synod at Carthage about the case of the Lapsed and the cause of Novatian Their determination of these matters Ratified by a Synod at Rome and another at Antioch A second Synod about the same affair Moderation in the Ecclesiastic Discipline used in the time of Persecution The great Pestilence at Carthage The miserable state of that City The mighty charity of S. Cyprian and the Christians at that time These evils charged upon the Christians S. Cyprians vindication of them The time of baptizing Infants determined in a Synod Another Synod to decide the case of the Spanish Bishops that had lapsed in the time of Persecution The Controversie concerning the Rebaptizing those who had been baptized by Hereties This resolved upon in a Synod of LXXXVII African Bishops The immoderate heats between Cyprian Firmilian and Stephen Bishop of Rome about this matter Cyprian arraigned before the Proconsul His resolute carriage His banishment to Curubis His Martyrdom foretold him by a Vision His Letters during his exile The severe usage of the Christians His withdrawment and why His apprehension and examination before the Proconsul The sentence passed upon him His Martyrdom and place of burial His piety fidelity chastity humility modesty charity c. His natural parts His learning wherein it mainly consisted The politeness and elegancy of his stile His quick proficiency in Christian studies His frequent converse with Tertullian 's Writings His Books The
The multitude beheld with admiration these heavenly conflicts and stood astonished to hear the servants of Christ in the midst of all this with an unshaken mind making a free and bold confession of him destitute of any external succour but armed with a divine power and defending themselves with the shield of Faith VII TWO full years S. Cyprian had remained in his retirement when the Persecution being somewhat abated by the death of Decius he returned to Carthage An. CCLI where he set himself to reform disorders and to compose the differences that disturbed his Church For which purpose he conven'd a Synod of his neighbor-Bishops to consult about the cause of the lapsed Who were no sooner met a Ad Cornel. Epist 41. p. 55. but there arrived Messengers with Letters from Novatian signifying his Ordination to the See of Rome and bringing an accusation and charge against Cornelius But the men no sooner appeared but were disowned and rejected from Communion especially after that Pompeius and Stephanus were arrived from Rome and had brought a true account and relation of the case The Synod therefore advised and charged them to desist from their turbulent and schismatical proceedings not to rend the Church by propagating a pernicious Faction that it was their best way and the safest counsel they could take to shew themselves true Christians by returning back to the Peace of the Church As for the lapsed having discussed their case b Ad Anton. Epist 52. p. 67. according to the Rules of the holy Scripture they concluded upon this wise and moderate expedient that neither all hopes of Peace and communion should be denied them lest looking upon themselves as in a desperate case they should start back into a total apostacy from the Faith nor yet the censures of the Church be so far relaxed as rashly to admit them to Communion but that the causes being examined and regard being had to the will of the Delinquents and the aggravations of particular cases their time of penance should be accordingly prolonged and the divine clemency be obtained by acts of a great sorrow and repentance Their meaning is that the lapsed being of several sorts should be treated according to the nature of their crimes the Libellatici who had onely purchased libels of security and dismission from the Heathen Magistrate to excuse them from doing sacrifice in time of Persecution should have a shorter time of penance assigned them the Sacrificati who had actually sacrificed to Idols should not be taken in till they had expiated their offence by a very long penance and as they sometimes call it satisfaction This Synodical determination * Id. ibid. Euseb l. 6. c. 43. p. 242. was presently sent to Rome and ratified by Cornelius and a Council of sixty Bishops and above as many Presbyters and Deacons concluding and the Decree examined assented to and published by the Bishops in their several Provinces that Novatus and his insolent Party and all that adhered to his inhumane and merciless opinion should be excluded the Communion of the Church but that the Brethren who had fallen into that calamity should be gently dealt with and restored by methods of repentance About the same time there was a Synod also held at Antioch by the Eastern Bishops about the same affair For so Dionysius a Ap. Euseb H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 46. p. 247. Bishop of Alexandria in his Letter to Cornelius of Rome tells him that he had been summoned by Helenus Bishop of Tarsus Firmilian of Cappadocia and Theoctistus of Caesarea in Palestin to meet in Council at Antioch to suppress the endeavours of some who sought there to establish the Novatian Schism VIII THE next Year May XV. Ann. CCLII began another b Epist Synod ad Cornel. Ep. 54 p. 76. Ep. 55. p. 82. Council at Carthage about this matter and wherein they steered the same course they had done before being rather swayed to moderate counsels herein because frequently admonished by divine revelations of an approaching Persecution and therefore did not think it prudent and reasonable that men should be left naked and unarmed in the day of battel but that they might be able to defend themselves with the shield of Christs body and bloud For how should they ever hope to persuade them to shed their own bloud in the cause of Christ if they denied them the benefit of his bloud how could it be expected they should be ready to drink of the cup of Martyrdom whom the Church debarred the priviledge to drink of the cup of Christ While peace and tranquillity smiled upon the Church they protracted the time of penance and allowed not the Sacrificati to be readmitted but at the hour of death But that now the enemy was breaking in upon them and Christians were to be prepared and heartned on for suffering and encouragement to be given to those who by the sincerity of their repentance had shewed themselves ready to resist unto bloud and to contend earnestly for the Faith This they did not to patronize the Lazy but excite the Diligent the Churches Peace being granted not in order to ease and softness but to conflict and contention And if any improved the indulgence to worser purposes they did but cheat themselves and such they remitted to the divine Tribunal At this Synod appeared one c Ibid. p. 8â Privatus who having some years since been condemned for Heresie and other crimes by a Council of XC Bishops desired that his cause might be heard over again but was rejected by the Synod whereupon gathering a Party of the lapsed or the Schismatics he ordained at Carthage one Fortunatus Bishop giving out that no less then five and twenty Bishops were present at the consecration But the notorious falshood and vanity of their pretences being discovered they left the place and fled over to Rome IX ABOUT this time happened that miserable Plague that so much afflicted the Roman World wherein Carthage had a very deep share d Pont. Diac. in vit Cypr. p. 13. Vast multitudes were swept away every day the fatal Messenger knocking as he went along at every door The streets were silled with the carcasses of the dead which seemed to implore the assistance of the living and to challenge it as a right by the Laws of Nature and Humanity as that which shortly themselves might stand in need of But alas all in vain every one trembled and fled and shifted for himself deserted their dearest friends and nearest relations none considered what might be his own case nor how reasonable it was that he should do for another what he would another should do for him and if any staid behind it was onely to make a prey In this calamitous and tragic Scene S. Cyprian calls the Christians together instructs them in the duties of Mercy and Charity and from the Precepts and Examples of the holy Scripture shews them what a mighty influence they have
to oblige God to us that it was no wonder if their charity extended onely to their own Party the way to be perfect and to be Christians indeed was to od something more then Heathens and Publicans to overcome evil with good and in imitation of the divine benignity to love our enemies and according to our Lords advice to pray for the happiness of them that persecute us that God constantly makes his Sun to rise and his rain to fall upon the Seeds and Plants not onely for the advantage of his own children but of all other men that therefore they should act as became the nobility of their new birth and imitate the example of such a Father who professed themselves to be his children Persuaded by this and much more that he discoursed to the same effect enough to convince the very Gentiles themselves they presently divided their help according to each ones rank and quality Those who by reason of poverty could contribute nothing to the charge did what was infinitely more personally laboured in the common calamity an assistance infinitely beyond all other Contributions Indeed every one was ambitious to engage under the conduct of such a Commander and in a service wherein they might so eminently approve themselves to God the Father and Christ the Judge of all and in the mean time to so pious and good a Bishop And by this large and abundant charity great advantage redounded not to themselves onely who were of the houshold of Faith but universally to all And that he might not be wanting to any he penned at this time his excellent Discourse concerning Mortality wherein he so eloquently teaches a Christian to triumph over the fears of death and shews how little reason there is excessively to mourn for those friends and relations that are taken from us X. THIS horrible pestilence together with the Wars which of late had and even then did over-run the Empire the Gentiles generally charged upon the Christian Religion as that for which the gods were implacably angry with the World To vindicate it from this common objection Cyprian addresses himself in a Discourse to Demetrian the Proconsul wherein he proves that these evils that came upon the World could not be laid at the door of Christianity assigning other reasons of them Exoritur ultio violati nominis Christiani ãâã ad profligandas Ecclesias edicta Decii ãâ¦ã eatenus incredibilium morborum pestââ extenaitur Nalla fere provincia Romana nulla Civitas calla domus fuit quae non illa generaii ãâ¦ã a atque vastata sit P. Orosius ãâ¦ã l. 7. c. 21. fol. 310. p. 2. and among the rest their wild and brutish rage against the Christians which had provoked the deity to bring these calamities upon them as a just punishment of their folly and madness in persecuting a Religion so innocent and dear to heaven The Persecution being over a controversie arose concerning the time of baptizing Infants started especially by Fidus a Vid. Epist Synod ad Fld. Ep. 59. p. 94. an African Bishop who asserted that Baptism was not to be administred on the third or fourth but as Circumcision under the Jewish state to be deferred till the eighth day S. Cyprian in a Synod of sixty six Bishops determined this question that it was not necessary to be deferred so long nor the grace and mercy of God to be denied to any as soon as born into the World that it was their universal sentence and resolution that none ought to be prohibited baptism and the grace of God which as it was to be observed and retained towards all so much more towards Infants and new born children Not long after which another Council was held by b Epist 68. p. 112. seq Cyprian importuned thereunto by the Bishops of Spain to consult concerning the case of Basilides Bishop of Asturica and Martial of Emerita in Spain who had lapsed into the most horrible idolatry in the late Persecution and yet still retained their places in the Church The Synod resolved that they were fallen from their Episcopal Order and the very lowest degree of the Ministry and that upon their repentance they were to be restored to no more then the capacity of Laics in the Communion of the Church XI IN this Synod or another called not long after the famous contest about rebaptizing those who had been baptized by Heretics received its first approbation It had been sometime since by occasion of the Montanists and Novatians canvassed in the Eastern parts thence it flew over to Numidia by the Bishops whereof it had been brought before Cyprian and the Council at Carthage who determined that the thing was necessary to be observed and that this was no novel sentence but had been so decreed by his Predecessors and the thing constantly practised and observed among them as he assures them in the Synodical c Epist 69. p. 117. Epistle about this matter Among others to whom they sent their Decrees the Synod d Epist 72. p. 121. especially wrote to Stephen Bishop of Rome who had so far espoused the contrary opinion as to excommunicate the Synod at Iconium for making the like determination him they acquaint with the sentence they had passed and the reasons of it which they hoped he also would assent to however did not magisterially impose it upon him every Bishop having a proper authority within the jurisdiction of his own Church whereof he is to render an account to God Pope Stephen with whom stood a great part of the Church liked not their proceedings whereupon a more general Council was summoned where no less then LXXXVII Bishops from all parts of the African Churches met together who unanimously ratified the former sentence whose names and particular votes are extant in the e Apud Cypr. p. 282. Concil Tom. 1. col 786. Edit noviss Acts of that Council But numbers made the cause never the better resented at Rome and indeed the controversie arose to that height between these two good men that Stephen gave Cyprian very rude and unchristian language f Firmil Epist ad Cypr. p. 150. stiling him false Christ false Apostle deceitful worker and such like while on the other hand Cyprian treated him with more then ordinary sharpness and severity charging g Ad Pompâi Epist 74. p. 129. him with pride and impertinence and self-contradiction with ignorance and indiscretion with childishness and obstinacy and other expressions far enough from that reverence and regard which S. Stephen's successors claim at this day And no better usage did he find from Firmilian Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia as may be seen in his Letter to Cyprian h Apud Cypâ p. 143. charging Stephen with sacrificing the Churches Peace to a petulant humour where inhumanity audaciousness insolence wickedness are some of the characters bestowed upon him A great instance how far passion and prejudice may transport wise and good men beyond
the merits of the cause and what the Laws of Kindness and Charity do allow I note no more concerning this then that Cyprian and his Party a Ad Quint. Epist 71. p. 119. expresly disowned Anabaptism or rebaptization they freely confessed that there was but one Baptism and that those who came over from Heretical Churches where they had had their baptism were not rebatpized but baptized their former baptism being ipso facto null and invalid and they did then receive what lawfully they had not before XII IT was now the Year CCLVII when Aspasius Paternus the Proconsul of Asric sent b Act. Pass S. Cypriani ap Cypr. p. 16 17 24. for Cyprian to appear before him telling him that he had lately received orders from the Emperours Valerian and Gallienus commanding that all that were of a Foreign Religion should worship the gods according to the Roman Rites desiring to know what was his resolution Cyprian answered I am a Christian and a Bishop I acknowledge no other gods but one onely true God who made Heaven and Earth and all that therein is This is he whom we Christians serve to whom we pray day and night for our selves and for all men and for the happiness and prosperity of the Emperours And is this then thy resolution said the Proconsul That resolution replied the Martyr which is founded in God cannot be altered Then he told him that he was to search out the Presbyters as well as Bishops requiring him to discover them To which Cyprian gave no other answer then that according to their own Laws they were not bound to be Informers The Proconsul then acquainted him that he was commanded to prohibit all private Assemblies and to proceed with capital severity against them that frequented them Whereat the good man told him that his best way was to do as he was commanded The Proconsul finding 't was in vain to treat with him commanded him to be banished and accordingly he was transported to Curubis a little City standing in a Peninsula within the Lybian Sea not far from Pentapolis a c P Diac. in vit Cypr. p. 14. place pleasant and delightful enough and where he met with a kind and a courteous usage was frequently visited by the brethren and furnished with all conveniences necessary for him XIII BUT the greatest entertainment in this retirement were those divine and heavenly Visions with which God was pleased to honour him by one whereof the very first day of his coming thither he was particularly forewarned of his approaching Martyrdom Locaeitat whereof Pontius the Deacon who accompanied him in his banishment gives us this account from the Martyrs own mouth There appeared to him as he was going to rest a young man of a prodigious stature who seemed to lead him to the Praetorium and to present him to the Proconsul then sitting upon the Bench who looking upon him began to write something in a Book which the young man who looked over his shoulder read but not daring to speak intimated by signs what it was for extending one of his hands at length he made a cross stroke over it with the other by which Cyprian presently guessed the manner of his death Whereupon he importunately begged of the Proconsul but one days respit to dispose his affairs and partly by the pleasingness of the Judges countenance partly by the signs which the young man made of what the Proconsul was noting in his Book he immediately gathered that his request was granted And just so it accordingly came to pass both as to the time and manner of his Martyrdom that very day twelve-moneth whereon he had this vision proving the period of his life XIV HOW active and diligent he was to improve his opportunities to the best advantage appears from the several Letters he wrote during his confinement especially to the Martyrs in prison whose spirit he refreshed by proper consolations and pressed them to persevere unto the Crown While he was here he had news brought a Ad Success Epist 82. p. 100. him of the daily increase of the Persecution the Emperor Valerian having sent a Rescript to the Senate that Bishops Presbyters and Deacons should be put to death without delay that Senators and persons of rank and quality should lose their honours and preferments forfeit their estates and if still they continued Christians lose their heads and that Matrons having had their goods confiscated should be banished that Xystus and Quartus had already suffered in the Coemetery where their solemn assemblies were held and that the Governours of the City carried on the Persecution with might and main spoiling and putting to death all that they could meet with This sad and uncomfortable news b P. ãâ¦ã supr p. 15. gave the good man just reason to expect and provide for his own fate which he waited and wished for every day Indeed some persons of the highest rank and quality his ancient friends came to him and persuaded him for the present to withdraw offering to provide a secure place for his retreat But the desire of that Crown which he had in his eye had set him above the World and made him deaf to their kind offers and intreaties True it is that when news was brought that the Officers were coming for him to carry him to Vtica to suffer there by the advice of his friends he stept aside being unwilling to suffer any where but at Carthage in the eye of the people where he had so long and so successfully preached the Christian Faith the truth whereof he was desirous to seal with his bloud it being very fit and congruous that a Bishop should suffer for our Lord in that place where he had governed his Church and by that eminent confession edifie and encourage the Flock committed to him as he tells c Epist 82. p. 161. the People of his charge in the last Letter that ever he wrote As for themselves he advised them to peace and unity not to create trouble to one another not to offer themselves to the Gentiles but if any was apprehended to stand to it and freely confess as God should enable him to declare himself XV. GALERIVS Maximus the new Proconsul being returned to Carthage d Pont. ib. p. 15. Act. Passion ib. p. 16 18 19 24. Cyprian who resolved but till then to conceal himfelf came home and took up his residence in his own Gardens Where Officers were presently sent to apprehend him who putting him into a Chariot carried him to the place where the Proconsul was retired for his health who commanded him to be kept till the next day which was done in the house of one of the Officers that secured him the People alarm'd with the news of his return and apprehension flocking to the doors and watching there all night The next morning being Septemb. XIV Ann. Chr. CCLVIII. he was led to the Proconsuls Palace who not being yet come forth
Episcopal Order and desire that it might be conferred upon a more deserving person and when some factious and schismatical persons traduced him as taking too much upon him because he controlled their wild and licentious courses he vindicates his humility at large in a Letter to Pupianus d Epist 69. p. 116. who had made himself Head of the Party that appeared against him So modest that in all great transactions concerning the Church he always consulted both his Colleagues and his Flock himself assuring us e Ad Presb. Diac. Epist 5. p. 14. that from the very entrance upon his Bishoprick he determined not to adjudge any thing by his own private Order without the counsel of the Clergy and the consent of the People His behaviour was composed and sober f P. Diac. iâ vit Cypr. p. 12. his countenance grave yet chearful neither guilty of a frowning severity nor an over-pleasant mirth but an equal decorum and temperament of both it being hard to say whether he more deserved to be loved or feared but that he equally deserved both And the very same he was in his garb sober and moderate observing a just distance both from slovenliness and superfluity such as neither argued him to be swelled with pride and vanity nor infected with a sordid and penurious mind But that which set the Crown upon the head of all his other Vertues was his admirable and exemplary Charity he was of a kind and compassionate temper and he gave it vent Upon his first embracing the Christian Religion he sold his estate which was not mean and inconsiderable and gave almost all of it to the Poor from which he suffered no considerations to restrain him His hand and tongue and heart were open upon all occasions we find him at one time not onely earnestly * Ad Episc Neâid Epist 6â p. 97. pressing others to contribute towards the redemption of Christians taken captive by the Barbarians but himself sending a collection of a great many thousand Crowns Nor was this a single act done once in his life but his ordinary practice his doors a Pontââbi supr were open to all that came the Widow never returned empty from him to any that were blind he would be their guide to direct them those that were lame he was ready to lend his assistance to support them if any were oppressed by might he was at hand to rescue and protect them Which things he was wont to say they ought to do who desired to render themselves truly acceptable and dear to God XVIII HIS natural parts seem to have been ready and acute enough which how far he improved by secular and Gentile Learning is unknown He seems to have laid no deep foundations in the Study of Philosophy whereof few or no footsteps are to be seen in any of his Writings his main excellency was eloquence Rhetoric being his proper profession before his conversion to Christianity wherein he attained to so great a pitch that Erasmus a competent judge of these matters sticks not to affirm b ãâ¦ã Cypr. ãâã Erasm Ep. l. 28. Epâst 6. ãâ¦ã that among all the Ecclesiastics he is the onely African Writer that attained the native purity of the Latin Tongue Tertullian is difficult and obscure S. Augustin strangely perplexed and dry but Cyprian as S. Hierom c ãâ¦ã Tom. 1 long since truly censured like a pure Fountain is smooth and sweet And Lactantius d ãâ¦ã 5 â 1. p. 459. long before him passed this judgment that Cyprian alone was the chief and famous Writer eminent for his teaching Oratory and writing Books admirable in their kind that he had a facile copious pleasant and which is the greatest grace of Speech clear and perspicuous wit ãâ¦ã Lybia sanguis sed ubique lingua pollet ãâ¦ã agit de corpore sola obire nescit ãâã genus esse hominum Christus sinet vigere ãâ¦ã Dirn liber âllus erit dum scrinia sacra literarum ãâã âeget omnis amans Christum tua Cypriane difâet Spiritus ille Dei qui fluxerat autor in Prophetas Fontibus eloquii te coelitus actus irrigavit O nive candidius linguae genus O novum saporem Ut liquor ambrosius cor mitigat imbuit palatum Sedem animae penetrat mentem fovet pererrat artâs Siâ Deus interius sentitur inditur medullis Prudent ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Hynn XII in Passion Cypr. Martyris Episc Carthag that a man can hardly discern whether he be more eloquent in his expressions easie in his explications or potent in his persuasives Indeed his stile is very natural and easie nothing elaborate or affected in it or which savours of craft and ostentation but such every where the tenor of his language I speak * ãâ¦ã Erasmus his sense as well as my own that you will think you hear a truly Christian Bishop and one designed for Martyrdom speaking to you His mind was inflamed with piety and his speech was answerable to his mind he spake elegantly and yet things more powerful then elegant nor did he speak powerful things so much as live them After his coming over to the Church he made such quick and vast proficiencies in Christian Theology that e ãâ¦ã Baronius thinks it not improbable to suppose either that before his conversion he had been conversant in the Books of Christians or that he was miraculously instructed from above 'T is certain that afterwards he kept close to Tertullians Writings without which he scarce ever passed one day often saying to his Notary Reach hither my Master meaning Tertullian A passage which S. Hierom f ãâ¦ã tells us he received from Paulus of Concordia in Italy who had it from the mouth of Cyprian's own Amanuensis at Rome And certainly it sounds not a little to the commendation of his judgment that he could drink so freely at that great mans Fountain and suck in none of his odd and uncouth opinions that he could pick the Flowers and pass by the useless or noxious weeds as a wise man many times is so far from being corrupted that he is the more warned and confirmed in the right by another mans errours and mistakes As for his Writings S. Hierom a Ibid. in Cypr. passes them over with this character that it was superfluous to reckon them up being clearer and more obvious then the Sun Many of them are undoubtedly lost the greatest part of what remain are Epistles and all of them such as admirably tend to promote the peace and order of the Church and advance piety and a good life A great number of Tracts either dubious or evidently suppositious are laid at his door some of them very ancient and most of them useful it being his happiness above all other Writers of the Church says b Ubi supr Erasmus that nothing is fathered upon him but what is learned and what was the issue of some considerable
and reproaching others he greatly hated as a quality opposite to a state of salvation Envy and Pride were strangers to his innocent and guileless soul Never did he approach the holy Altar till first reconciled to his Brother He severely abominated lies and falshood and all cunning and artificial methods of detraction well knowing that every lie is the spawn and issue of the Devil and that God will destroy all those that speak lies XX. HIS Writings are first particularly mentioned by f De Script in Theodor. S. Hierom who reckons up his Eucharistical Panegyric to Origen his short and as he calls it very useful Metaphrase upon Ecclesiastes several Epistles in which doubtless his Canonical Epistle had the first place and his Creed or short exposition of Faith which though not taken notice of in some is extant in other Editions of S. Hieroms Catalogue All which some of his Epistles excepted are still extant and probably are all he ever wrote For though there are other Tracts commonly ascribed to him yet without any great reason or evidence to warrant their legitimacy whereof their strongest assertors are not very confident It appears from g Ad Doct. Eccleâ Neocaesar Epist LXIV p. 101. S. Basil that he was by some of old suspected as inclining to Sabellianism which confounded the persons in the holy Trinity and that many sheltered themselves under his authority from an expression of his affirming that the Father and Son are two in the consideration of the mind but one in person For this S. Basil makes a large Apology and shews that it was spoken in the heat of disputation against Aelian a Gentile ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã not dogmatically as a point of Doctrin but in hast and in the fervency of disputation when judgment and consideration is not at leisure to weigh every thing by nice scruples that his earnest desire to gain the Gentile made him less cautious and solicitous about exactness of words and that he indulged something to the apprehensions of his adversary that so he might get the better advantage upon him in the greater and more important principles that this betraid him into some unwary expressions which the Heretics of after-times improved to bad purposes and strained to another sense then what was originally intended by him that spake them That as to the particular charge of the Sabellian errour a Ibid. p. 99. he was so far from it that it had been chiefly confuted and laid asleep by the evidence of that very doctrin which S. Gregory had preached the memory whereof was preserved fresh among them However nothing can be more true and modest then what b Apol. adv Râfin lib. c. p. 21â Tom. 2. S. Hierom observes in such cases that it 's great rashness and irreverence presently to charge the Ancients with Heresie for a few obnoxious expressions since it may be they erred with a simple and an honest mind or wrote them in another sense or the passages have been since altered by ignorant Transcribers or they took less heed and care to deliver their minds with the utmost accuracy and exactness while as yet men of perverse minds had not sown their tares nor disturbed the Church with the clamour of their disputations nor infected mens minds with their poisonous and corrupt opinions His Writings Gen ⦠ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ad Origenem Metaphrasis in Ecclesiastem Brevis expositio fidei Epistola Canonica Aliae Epistolae plures quae non extant Supposititious ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Capita XII de fide cum Anathematismis In Annunciationem S. Dei Genitricis Sermones III. Sermo in Sancta Theophania Ad Tatianum de Anima ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã The End of S. GREGORY Thaumaturgus 's Life THE LIFE OF S. DIONYSIUS BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA S. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRIN US The place of his nativity His Family and Relations His conversion how His studies under Origen Whether a professed Rhetorician His succeeding Heraclas in the Catechetic School His being constituted Bishop of Alexandria and the time of it A preparatory Persecution at Alexandria how begun The severity of it The Martyrdom of Apollonia and the fond honours done her in the Church of Rome The Persecution continued and promoted by Decius his Edicts The miserable condition of the Christians The sudden Conversion and Martyrdom of a Guard of Souldiers Dionysius apprehended and carried into banishment there to be beheaded A pleasant account of his unexpected deliverance by means of a drunken rout His retirement into the Desarts His return to Alexandria The great number and quality of the Lapsed in the late Persecution The contests about this matter Dionysius his judgment and practice herein The case of Serapion His dealing with Novatian about his Schism and the copy of his Letter to him His being engaged in the controversie about Rebaptization and great moderation in it His Letter to Pope Sixtus about a person baptized by Heretics Valerianus the Emperours kindness to Christians How turned to cruelty Dionysius brought before Aemilian His discourse with him and resolute constancy He is condemned to be banished His transportation into the Desarts of Lybia The success of his Ministry there Innumerable Barbarians converted to the Faith Gallienus his relaxing the Persecution His Letter to Dionysius granting liberty to the Christians Alexandria shut up by the usurpation of Aemilian The Divisions within and Siege without The horrible Pestilence at Alexandria and the singular kindness and compassion of the Christians there above the Heathens Dionysius his confutation of Sabellius His unwary expressions and the charge against him His vindication both by himself and by S. Athanasius His writing against Nepos Nepos who and what his Principles and Followers Dionysius his encounter with the heads of the Party His convincing and reducing them back to the Orthodox Church His engaging in the Controversie against Paulus Samosatenus The loose extravagant and insolent temper and manners of that man Dionysius his Letter to the Synod at Antioch concerning him The success of that affair Dionysius his death His Writings and Epistles The loss of them bewailed I. S DIONYSIVS was in all probability born at Alexandria where his Parents a Vid. Euseb l. 7. c. 11. p. 260. A. seem to have been persons of considerable note and quality and his Father and possibly his Ancestors to have born very honourable Offices and himself to have lived some time in great secular pomp and power He was born and bred a Gentile but by what particular occasion converted to Christianity I know not more then what we learn from a Vision and Voice that spake to him mentioned by b Epist ad Philem ib. c. 7. p. 253. himself that by a diligent reading whatever Books fell into his hand and an impartial examination of the things contained in them he was first brought over to the Faith Having passed his juvenile studies he put himself under the institution of the renowned c Ibid.
l. 6. c. 29. p. 229. Hieron d. Sâipt in Diâny Origen the great Master at that time at Alexandria famous both for Philosophic and Christian Lectures after which he is said by some d Anastas Sirait ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã c. 22. p. 341. Maxim Schol. in c. 5 de Coelest Hiââraââh p. 24. ãâã 2. to have publicly professed Rhetoric and Eloquence as indeed there seems a more peculiar vein of Fansie and Rhetoric to run through those fragments of his Discourses which do yet remain But I can scarce believe that the Dionysius mentioned by Anastasius and Maximus and by them said of a Rhetorician to be made Bishop of Alexandria to have been the same with ours were it for no other reason then that he is said to have written Scholia on the Works of S. Denys the Areopagite which we are well assured had no being in the World till many years after his time Ann. CCXXXII Demetrius Bishop of Alexandria being dead Heraclas one of Origen's Scholars and his successor in the Catechetic School succeeded in his room upon whose preferment Dionysius then Presbyter of that Church was advanced to his place Wherein he discharged himself with so much care and diligence such universal applause and satisfaction that upon Heraclas his death who sate fifteen or sixteen years none was thought so fit to be again his successor as Dionysius who accordingly entred upon that See a Euseb ib. c. 35. p. 232. Ann. CCXLVI though Eusebius his Chronicon places it two years after Philippi Imp. Ann. V. expresly contrary to his History where he assigns the third year of that Emperour for the time of his consecration to that place II. THE first years of his Episcopal charge were calm and peaceable till Decius succeeding in the Empire Ann. CCXLIX turned all into hurry and combustion persecuting the Christians with the utmost violence whereof the Church of Alexandria had a heavy portion Indeed the Persecution there had begun b Ep. ejus ad Fab. ibid. c. 41. p. 236. a year before while Philip the Emperour was yet alive upon this occasion A certain Gentile Priest or Poet led the Dance exciting the People of that place naturally prone to superstition to revenge the quarrel of their gods The multitude once raised ran on with an uncontrolable fury accounting cruelty to the Christians the onely instance of piety to their gods Immediately they lay hands upon one Metras an aged man who refusing to blaspheme his Saviour they beat him with clubs pricked him in the face and eyes with sharp Reeds and afterwards leading him into the Suburbs stoned him The next they seized on was a Woman called Quinta whom they carried to the Temple where having refused to worship the Idol she was dragged by the feet through the streets of the City over the sharp flints dashed against great stones scourged with whips and in the same place dispatched by the same death Apollonia an ancient Virgin being apprehended had all her teeth dashed out and was threatned to be burnt alive who onely begging a little respite of her own accord chearfully leapt into the flames Incredible it is but that the case is evident from more instances then one with how fond a veneration the Church of Rome celebrates the memory of this Martyr c Vid. Boâand de vit SS ad Febr. IX They infinitely extol her for the nobility of her Birth the eminent piety and vertues of her Life her chastity humility frequent fastings fervent devotions c. though not one syllable of all this mentioned by any ancient Writer bring in a voice from Heaven stiling her the Spouse of Christ and telling her that God had granted her what she had asked They make her the tutelar Goddess or Guardian of all that are troubled with the tooth or headach and in many solemn Offices of that Church pray that at her intercession God would cure them of those pains nay formally address their prayers to her that she would intercede with God for them on that behalf and by her Passion obtain for them they are the very words of the Prayer the remission of all the sins which with teeth and mouth they had committed through gluttony and speaking Innumerable are the miracles reported of her and to me it seems a miracle and to exceed all the rest were it true what is related of the vast number of her teeth For besides those which are preserved among the Reliques of foreign Churches which are not a few we are * Vid. Chemnit exam Concil Trid. Part. IV. de reliq SS p. 13. col 1. told that when King Edward then afflicted with the Tooth-ach commanded that all S. Apollonia's teeth in the Kingdom should be sought out and sent him so many were brought in that several great Tuns could not hold them It seems they were resolved to make her ample amends for those few teeth she lost at the time of her Martyrdom But it is time to return to the Alexandrian Persecution where they every where broke open the Christians houses taking away the best of their goods and burning what was not worth the carrying away A Christian could not stir out day or night but they presently cried out Away with him to the fire In which manner they continued till quarrelling among themselves they fell foul upon one another and gave the Christians a little breathing time from the pursuits of their malice and inhumanity III. IN this posture stood affairs when Decius having usurped the Empire routed and killed his Master Philip his Edict arrived at Alexandria which gave new life to their rage and cruelty And now they fall on afresh and persons of all ages qualities and professions are accused summoned dragged tortured and executed with all imaginable severity multitudes of whom a Ibid. p. 238. Dionysius particularly reckons up together with the manner of their martyrdom and execution Vast numbers b Ib. c. 42. p. 240 that fled for shelter to the Woods and Mountains met with a worse death abroad then that which they sought to avoid at home being famished with hunger and thirst starved with cold over-run with diseases surprized by thieves or worried by wild beasts and many taken by the Arabs and barbarous Saracens who reduced them into a state of slavery more miserable then death it self In this evil time though many revolted from the Faith yet others maintained their station with a firm and unshaken courage and several who till that moment had been strangers and enemies to the Christian Religion on a sudden came in and publicly professed themselves Christians in open defiance of those immediate dangers that attended it Whereof one instance may suffice One who was thought to be a Christian and ready to renounce his Religion being led into the place of Judicature Ammon Zeno and the rest of the military Guard that stood at the door derided him as he was going in gnashing upon him with their teeth and
making such grimaces such mimic and antique gestures that all mens eyes were upon them When behold on a sudden before any one laid hand upon them they came into open Court and unanimously professed themselves to be Christians An accident wherewith the Governors and the Assessors upon the Bench were strangely surprized and troubled The condemned were chearful and couragious and most ready to undergo their torments while the Judges themselves were amazed and trembled Sentence being passed upon them they went out of Court in a kind of pomp and state rejoicing in the testimony they were to give to the Faith and that God would so gloriously triumph in their execution IV. S. DIONYSIVS bore a part in the common Tragoedy though God was pleased to preserve him from the last and severest act as a person eminently useful to his Church No sooner had c Epist Dion ad German ibid. c. 40 p. 235. Sabinus the Praefect received the Imperial Orders but he immediately dispatched a Frumentarius or military Officer whose place it was to seize Delinquents and enquire out seditious reports and practices against the State and therefore particularly belonged to Judges and Governours of Provinces to apprehend him The Serjeant went all about and narrowly ransacked every corner searching all ways and places where he thought he might hide himself but in the mean time never searched his own house concluding he would not dare to abide at home and yet there he staid four days together expecting the Officers coming thither At length being warned of God he left his house with his servants and some of the Brethren that attended him but not long after fell into the hands of the Souldiers and having received his sentence was conducted by a Guard under the command and conduct of a Centurion and some other Officers to Taposiris a little Town between Alexandria and Canopus there probably to be beheaded with less noise and clamour It happened in the mean while that Timotheus one of his friends knowing nothing of his apprehension came to the house where he had been and finding it empty and a Guard at the door fled after him in a great amazement and distraction whom a Country man meeting upon the Road enquired of him the cause why he made so much hast He probably supposing to have heard some news of them gave him a broken and imperfect relation of the matter The man was going to a Wedding feast which there they were wont to keep all night and entering the house told his company what he had heard They heated with Wine and elevated with mirth rose all up and ran out of doors and with a mighty clamour came towards the place where he was The Guard hearing such a noise and confusion at that time of night left their Prisoner and ran away whom the rabble coming in found in bed The good man supposing them to be Thieves was reaching his cloaths that lay by him to give them but they commanded him to rise presently and go along with them whereat he besought them understanding now the errand upon which they came to dismiss him and depart at least to be so kind to him as to take the Souldiers Office upon them and themselves behead him While he was thus passionately importuning them they forced him to rise and when he had thrown himself upon the ground they began to drag him out by the hands and feet but quitted him not long after and returned it's like to their drunken sports This Trage-comic Scene thus over Caius and Faustus Peter and Paul Presbyters and his fellow-prisoners took him up and leaving the Town set him upon an Ass and conveyed him away a Vid. Epist ejus ad Domit. ib. l. 7. c. 11. p. 260. into a desolate and uncomfortable part of the Desarts of Lybia where he together with Peter and Caius lay concealed till the storm was over-past V. THE Persecution being in a great measure blown over by the death of Decius Dionysius came out of his Solitudes and returned to Alexandria where he found the affairs of his Church infinitely entangled and out of order especially by reason of those great numbers that had denied the Faith and lapsed into Idolatry in the late Persecution among which were many of the wealthy and the honourable and who had places of authority and power some freely renouncing others so far degenerating from the Gallantry of a Christian spirit that when cited to appear and sacrifice to the gods as he tells us b Ib. l. 6. c. 4â p. 238. they trembled and looked as pale and gastly as if they had come not to offer but to be made a sacrifice insomuch that the very Gentiles derided and despised them Most of these after his return sued to be readmitted to the Communion of the Church which the Ecclesiastic Discipline of those Times did not easily allow of especially after the Novatian principles began to prevail which denied all communion to the lapsed though expressing their sorrow by never so long and great a penance Upon what occasion Novatus and his partner Novatian first started this rigorous and severe opinion how eagerly Cyprian and the African Bishops stickled against it how far it was condemned both there and at Rome in what cases and by what measures of Penance the lapsed Penitents were to be taken in we have already noted in Cyprian's Life S. Dionysius was of the moderate Party wherein he had the concurrence of most of the Eastern Bishops and as he * Epist ad Fab. ibid. c. 42. p. 241 pleads the general judgment and practice of the holy Martyrs many of whom had before their death received the lapsed upon their repentance again into the Church and had themselves freely communicated with them Whose judgment he thought it not reasonable should be despised nor their practice controlled nor the accustomed order overturned Indeed he himself had ever observed this course and therefore at the beginning of the Persecution had given a Ibid. c. 44. p. 246. order to the Presbyters of the Church to restore peace and give the Eucharist to Penitents especially in danger of death and where they had before earnestly desired it Which was done accordingly as appears from the memorable instance of Serapion an aged person mentioned by him who having lapsed in the time of Persecution had often desired reconciliation but in that confused time could not obtain it but being suddenly surprized by a summons of death and having laid three days speechless on the fourth had onely so much use of his tongue restored him as to bid his Nephew a Boy that attended him go for one of the Presbyters to give him absolution without which he could not die The Presbyter was at that time sick but pitying the mans case gave the Boy a little part of the consecrated Eucharist which he kept by him bidding him moisten it and put it into his mouth Which was no sooner done but he breathed
and had given him a Writ of Ease upon which account he begged to be excused from it But that he might not be wanting in what he could he sent Letters wherein he declared his sense and opinion of those matters and in his Epistle to the Church of Antioch to shew his resentment of the thing he not onely wrote not to the man but gave him not so much as the civility of a salutation In this Synod the crafty Fox hid his head dissembling his sentiments and palliating his disorders and confessing and recanting what he was not able to conceal so that for the present he still continued in his place How he was afterwards discovered and laid open convicted condemned and deposed in another Synod in that City and Domnus substituted in his room how he refused to submit to the sentence of the Council and for some time maintained his station by the power of Zenobia a Queen in those parts and a Jewish Proselyte whose favour he had courted and obtained and how at last upon the Bishops appeal he was turned out and the Synodical Decree executed by the immediate order of the Emperour Valerian is without the limits of my business to enquire XVIII A little after this first Synod at Antioch died our S. Denys in the XII year of Gallienus b Vid. ib. c. 28. p. 278. Ann. CCLXV. when he had sitten seventeen years Bishop of Alexandria dying probably the same year and on the same day with S. Gregory Thaumaturgus whose memories are accordingly celebrated September XVII in the Calendar of the Roman Church His memory was continued at Alexandria as we learn from c Haeres LXIX p. 311. Epiphanius by a Church dedicated to him but flourished much more in the incomparable Vertues of his past life and those excellent Writings he left behind him which mainly consisted of vast numbers of Epistles and 't is probable all his Writings were nothing else his larger Tracts being written in the nature of Epistles Which were they still extant in stead of those little fragments preserved by Eusebius besides other advantages they would probably furnish us with the most material transactions of the Christian World in those times then which in those early Ages there was not a more active and busie period of the Church His Writings whereof some Fragments onely are now extant Liber de Poenitentia ad Cononem Episcopum Hermapolitanum Libellus de Martyrio ad Originem De Promissionibus adversus Nepotem Libri II. Ad Dionysium Romanum adversus Sabellium Libri IV. Ad Timotheum Libri de Natura De tentationibus Liber ad Euphran Commentarius in primam partem Ecclesiastis Epistola ad Cornelium Episcopum Romanum Epistola ad Stephanum Episcop Rom. de Baptismo Ad Sixtum Papam de Baptismo Epistolae III. Adversus Germanum Episc Epistola Epistola ad Fabium Antiochiae Episc Epistola ad Novatianum de Schismate Epistola de Poenitentia ad Fratres per Aegyptum constitutos Ad gregem suum Alexandrinum Epistola objurgatoria Epistola ad Laodicenos Epistola ad Armenios de Poenitentia Epistola ad Romanos ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Alia ad eosdem de Pace Poenitent Ad Confessores Novatianos Romae Epistolae III. Ad Philemonem Presbyterum Romanum de Baptismo Epistola itidem ad Dionysium Presbyterum Rom. de Baptismo Epistola suo Ecclesiae suae nomine ad Sixtum Eccl. Rom. de eademre Ad Dionysium Romanum de Luciano Epistola Epistola ad Hermammonem Epistola ad Domitium Didymum Epistola ad Compresbyteros Alexand. Epistola ad Hieracem Episc Aegyptiac Epistola de Sabbato Epistola de Mortalitate De Exercitatione Epistola Epistola ad Ammonem Bernenicensem Episcopum contra Sabellium Alia ad Telesphorum Ad Euphranorem alia Ad Ammonem Euporum Epistola Ad Basilidem Episcopum Pentapolit Epistolae plures Ex his superest Epistola Canonica de diversis Capitibus Extat Gr. L. Tom. 1. Concil alibi cum Commentario Balsamonis Epistolae ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã seu Paschales plurimae Epistola ad Ecclesiam Antiochenam adversus Paulum Samosatenum Doubtful or rather Supposititious Epistola ad Paulum Samosatenum Gr. L. Concil Tom. 1. Responsiones ad Pauli Samosateni decem Quaestiones Gr. L. ibid. The End of S. DIONYSIUS Alexandrinus 's Life A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE Three First Ages OF THE Christian Church Tatian Orat. contr Graec. p. 167. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Chrysost Homil. II. in verb. Esai vidi Domin Tom. 3. p. 740. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã LONDON Printed by Andrew Clark for Richard Chiswel at the Rose and Crown in S. Pauls Church-yard MDCLXXVI A Chronological Table Ann. Chr. Roman Emperours Consuls Ecclesiastical Affairs 1 Augusti 43 C. Julius Caesar Vipsanianus Our Lords Circumcision His being presented in the Temple His flight into Egypt L. Aemil. Paulus The Massacre of the Infants at Bethlehem  The death of Herod about the time of the Passover 2  44 P. Vinicius Nepos Archelaus declared Tetrarch of Judaea P. Alphinius Varus 3  45 L. Aelius Lamia In the beginning of this or rather the end of the foregoing year our Lord returned out of Egypt L. Servilius Geminus His education and abode at Nazareth 4  46 Sex Aelius Catus Angustus refuses the title of Lord. C. Sentius Saturninus 5  47 L. Valerius Messala Great Earthquakes hapned Cn. Cornelius Cinna Tiber overflows  An Eclyps of the Sun March 28 6  48 M. Aemil. Lepidus About this time the Jews and Samaritans accused Archelaus to Augustus who banished him to Vien in France L. Arruntius Nepos 7  49 A. Licinius Nerva  Q. Cec. Metellus Creticus 8  50 M. Furius Camillus  S. Nonius Quinctilianus 9  51 Q. Sulp. Camerinus  C. Poppaeus Sabinus 10  52 P. Corn. Dolabella  C. Junius Silanus 11  53 M. Aemil. Lepidus The Jews taxed by Quirinus the Roman Governour In those days rose up Judas of Galilce and drew away much people after him He is slain and his two sons crucified T. Statilius Taurus Our Lord is generally supposed to have been born Decem. XXV six days before the Commencement of the common Aera Ann. Augusti Imp. XLII For though in strictness the XLII Year of August ended Nov. XXVII accounting his reign from his entering upon the Triumvirate yet seeing the civil Roman year expired not till the last of Decemb. it may be said to extend all that time His XLIII year in common reckoning and the first year of the vulgar Aera of our Lord commencing Jan. 1. when the Romans began their year and the new Consuls took place 12  54 T. Germanicus Caesar By occasion of the Passover our Lord goes up with his Parents to Jerusalem and there disputes with the Rabbins in the Temple C. Fonteius Capito 13  55 C. Silius Nepos Augustus solemnly makes his Will and lays it up with the Vestal
at Jerusalem 2 L. Antistius Vetus  56  2 Q. Volusius Saturninus S. Paul comes to Jerusalem and is apprehended in the Temple and secured in the Castle His imprisonment at Caesarea and arraignment before Felix the Roman Governour 3 P. Cornelius Scipio 57  3 Nero Claud. Imp. II. S. Paul kept Prisoner at Caesarea under Felix 4 L. Calpurnius Piso 58  4 Nero Cl. Imp. III. S. Pauls arraignment before Festus He is sent to Rome where he arrives about the end of this or the beginning of the following year * The time of S. Paul's being sent to Rome depends upon Festus his coming into Judaea to succeed in the room of Felix which though it cannot be Precisely determined yet plain it is that it must be while Pallas Felix his Brother by whose mediation with the Emperour Felix at his return had his life spared when accused by the Jews for his mal-administration was yet in some favour with Nero wherein he was declining some time before and from which he seems wholly to have fallen upon Agrippina's death upon whose interest he stood at Court who was slain Neron V. Ann. Chr. LIX Pallas himself being Poisoned Neron VIII Ann. LXII 5 M. Valerius Messala al. 59  5 C. Vipsanius Poplicola al. Apronianus S. Pauls free imprisonment at Rome He writes his Epistles to the Ephesians Colossians Philippians to Timothy and Philemon 6 C. Fonteius Capito 60  6 Nero Cl. Imp. IV. About the latter end of this year S. Paul is set at liberty and before his departure out of Italy writes his Epistle to the Hebrews 7 Cossus Cornelius Lentulus 61 Neronis 7 C. Caesonius Paetus S. Paul now released travels for the propagation of the Gospel especially in the Western parts ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Clem. Rom. Ep. Ad Corinth P. 8. prchably into Spain or Britain 8 C. Petronius Turpilianus al. Sabinus 62  8 P. Marius Celsus S. James the less the Brother of our Lord and Bishop of Jerusalem thrown by the Jews from the Temple and knocked on the head with a Fullers Club.  L. Asinius Gallus 9 Suff. Seneca Trebellius 63  9 L. Memmius Regulus Simeon chosen to be S. James his successor in the See of Jerusalem 10 Paulus Virginius Rufus Anianus succedes S. Mark in the Bishoprick of Alexandria Euseb Chron. 64  10 C. Lecanius Bassus Nero burns the City of Rome and to wipe off the odium from himself charges it upon the Christians and raises the First Persecution against them under that pretext 11 M. Licinius Crassus Frugi 65  11 P. Silius Nerva * Some of the most learned Chronologists of the Roman Church place the Martyrdom of these two great Apostles two years later viz. Ann. Chr. LXVII Which if any like better I will not contend the Persecution probably extending to the last of Nera though it seems mose probable that they should suffer about the beginning of it S. Peter and Paul suffer Martyrdom at Rome  C. Julius Atticus Vestinus Several prodigies at Jerusalem foreshew the destruction of that Church and State 12 Suff. Anicius Cerealis 66  12 C. Suetonius Paulinus Nero residing in Achaia commits the mannagement of the War against the Jews to Vespasian 13 L. Pontius Telesinus 67  13 L. Fonteius Capito Verspasian carries on the War with great diligence and success 14 C. Julius Rufus Josephus is taken Prisoner 68 Galba à Jun. 10.  C. Silius Italicus Phanassus the son of Samuel the last High Priest of the Jews 1 M. Galerius Trachalus Turpilianus 69 Otho à Jan. 15.  Ser. Sulpitius Galba Imp. II Vespasian being proclaimed Emperour leaves Judaea goes to Alexandria and thence for Rome Vitellius ab April 20  T. Vinius Rufinus al. Crispinianus Vespasianê° Ã 1. Julii 1  70  1 Fl. Vespasianus Imp. II. Titus remanded by Vespasian to prosecute the Jewish War 2 T. Vespasianus Caesar Jerusalem besieged taken sacked and burnt 1100000 of the Jews perish 97000 taken prisoners 71  2 Imp. Vespasianus III. The Jewish Nobility and the spoils of the Temple carried in triumph to Rome 3 M. Cocceius Nerva postea Imper. S. Bartholomew the Apostle said to be martyred this by others the following year 72  3 Imp. Vespasianus IV. Ebion so called from an affected poverty born at Cocaba a Village in Basanitis and Cerinthus noted Heretics begin more openly to shew themselves about this time 73  4 Fl. Domitianus S. Thomas slain at Maliapor in India 5 M. Valerius Messalinus S. Martialis at Ravenna in Italy 74  5 Imp. Vespasianus V. The last Cense made at Rome several very aged persons then noted mentioned by Pliny lib. 7. c. 49. justifying the great Age of several Ecclesiastic persons of those times 6 T. Vespasianus III.  75  6 Imp. Vespasianus VI. The Temple of Peace dedicated by Vespasian and the Jewish spoils laid up in it  Tit. Vespasianus IV. 7 Suff. Domitianus IV. 76  7 Imp. Vespasianus VII   Tit. Vespasianus V. 8 Suff. Domitianus V. 77 Vespasiani 8 Imp. Vespasianus VIII Linus Bishop of the Church of the Gentile Christians at Rome suffers Martyrdom having sate 12 years 4 moneths and 12 days though others allow but 11 years 2 moneths and 23 days  Tit. Vespasianus VI. 9 Suff. Domitianus VI. 78  9 L. Ceionius Commodus Verus Antipas a faithful Martyr slain at Pergamus Onuphr by others referred to Ann. 93. 10 C. Cornelius Priscus 79 Titus à Jun. 24 10 Imp. Vespasianus IX A great eruption of Vesuvius in the over-curious search whereof Pliny the Elder perished the following year 1 Tit. Vespasianus VII 80  1 Titus Vespas Imp. VIII Titus commands Josephus his History of the Jewish War to be laid up in the Library at Rome 2 Fl. Domitianus VII 81 Domit. à Sept. 13. 2 M. Plautius Sylvanus  3  1 M. Annius Verus Pollio 82  1 Domitianus Imp. VIII  2 T. Flavius Sabinus 83  2 Imp. Domitianus IX Domitian banishes the Philosophers out of Rome and Italy and severely punishes the incest of the Vestal Virgins 3 T. Virginius Rufus II. 84  3 Imp. Domitianus X.  4 Ap. Junius Sabinus 85  4 Imp. Domitianus XI Anianus S. Marks successor in the Bishoprick of Alexandria dies and is succeeded by Avilius 86  5 Imp. Domitianus XII  6 Ser. Cornelius Dolabella 87 Domit. 6 Imp. Domitianus XIII Domitian assumes divine honours commanding himself to be stiled Lord and God  7 A. Volusius Saturninus  88  7 Imp. Domitianus XIV  8 M. Minucius Rufus  89  8 T. Aurelius Fulvius Philosophers and Mathematicians again banished out of Rome  9 A. Sempronius Atratinus  90  9 Imp. Domitianus XV. Apollonius Tyanaeus the famous Magician set up by the Gentiles as Rival to our Saviour is brought before Domitian shews tricks of Magic and is said immemediately to vanish out of his sight  10 M. Cocceius Nerva
II. The Second Persecution  91  10 M. Ulpius Trajanus * This Cletus is by the Greeks and that with greatest probability made the same with Anaeletus which breeds a great difference in their account of years But because the account of the Greeks is not so clear and smooth we have chosen in assigning the times of the Bishops of Rome to follow the Writers of that Church Cletus Bishop of Rome martyred this if not rather the foregoing year April 26. he is succeeded by Clemens May 16.  11 M. Acilius Glabrio  92  11 Imp. Domitianus XVI About this time S. John is supposed to be sent by the Proconsul of Asia to Rome and by Domitian to have been put into a Vessel of hot oil and then banished into Patmos  12 A. Volusius Saturninius II.  93  12 Sex Pompeius Collega  13 Cornelius Priscus  94  13 L. Nonius Asprenas Torquatus S. John writes his Book of Revelations  14 M. Arricinius Celemens Jewish Antiquities  95  14 Imp. Domitianus XVII Fl. Clemens Domitians Cousin-german and Consul with him this year put to death for being a Christian His Wife Fl. Domitilla Domitians Neece banished for the same cause  15 T. Flavius Clemens Mart.  96 Nerva à 18. Sept. 15 C. Fulvius Valens Nerva revoking the Acts of Domitian S. John is released of his banishment and returns to Ephesus  16   1 C. Antistius Vertus  97  1 Coc. Nerva Imp. III. S. John this year probably after solemn preparation writes his Gospel at the earnest request of the Asian Churches T. Virginius Rufus III.  2 Suff. C. Cornelius Tacitus historicus  98 Trajan à Jan 27. 2 Imp. Nerva IV. Avilius dying Cerdo succeeds in the See of Alexandria  1 M. Ulpius Trajanus II. S. Clemens Bishop of Rome is banished and condemned to the Marble Quarries in the Taurica Chersonesus  99  1 C. Sosius Senecio II.  2 A. Cornelius Palma  100  2 Imp. Trajanus III. S. John dies and is buried at Ephesus  M. Cornelius Fronto III.   3 Suff. Plinius junior S. Clemens of Rome is thrown into the Sea with an anchor tied about his neck November 9. having been sole Bishop of Rome 9 years 11 moneths and 12 days  101  3 Imp. Trajanus IV. Anacletus according to the computation of the Church of Rome succeeds in that See April 3.  4 Sex Articuleius Paetus  102  4 C. Sosius Senecio III.  5 L. Licinius Sura  103  5 Imp. Trajanus V. Elxai a false Prophet Author of a new Sect arises Epiph. Haeres 19.  6 L. Appius Maximus  104  6 L. Licinius Sura II.  7 P. Neratius Marcellus  105 Trajani 7 T. Julius Candidus Barsimaeus Bishop of Edessa suffers Martyrdom others Place it Ann. 109.  8 A. Julius Quadratus  106  8 L. Ceionius Commodus Verus The Greek Menology mentions 11000 Christian Souldiers banished by Trajan into Armenia and that 10000 of them were crucified upon Mount Ararat  9 L. Tullius Cerealis  107  9 C. Sosius Senecio IV. The Third Persecution wherein Simeon Bishop of Jerusalem is crucified in the 120 year of his age   10 L. Licinius Sura III. Ignatius Bishop of Antioch condemned and sent to Rome to be thrown to wild Beasts  108  10 Ap. Annius Trebonius Gallus Ignatius his bones are conveyed back to Antioch and there solemnly interred  11 M. Atilius Bradua  109  11 A. Cornel. Palma II. Onesimus S. Paul's Disciple whom the Martyrologies make Bishop of Ephesus stoned at Rome Feb. 16.  12 C. Calvisius Tullus II. Primus made Bishop of Alexandria  110  12 Clodius Crispinusâ Euaristus succeeds Anacletus Bishop of Rome though the Greeks who make Cletus and Anacletus the same Person make him immediately to follow Clemens  13 Solenus Orfitus Hasta  111  13 L. Calpurnius Piso Justus dying Zacchaeus succeeds in the See of Jerusalem  14 Vettius Rusticus Bolanus  112  14 Imp. Trajanus VI.  15 C. Julius Africanus  113 Trajani 15 L. Publius Celsus  16 C. Clodius Crispinus  114  16 Q. Ninnius Hasta  17 P. Manlius Vopiscus  115  17 M. Valerius Messala vel ut al. Adrianus Salinator The Jews at Alexandria and about Cyrene in Egypt rebel who are slain in great numbers  18 C. Popilius Carus Pedo  116  18 Aemilius Aelianus Papias Bishop of Hierapolis sets on foot the Millenarian Doctrin 19 L. Antistius Vetus 117 Adrianê° ab Aug. 9. 19 Quinctius Niger  20   1 T. Vipsanius Apronianus  118  1 Imp. Adrianus II. The Fourth Persecution raised against the Christians reinforcing that which had been set on foot by Trajan 2 T. Claudius Fuscus  119  2 Imp. Adrianus III. Pope Evaristus martyred He sate 9 years 3 moneths 10 days He was succeeded by Alexander a Roman  3 Q. Junius Rusticus Justus made Bishop of Alexandria  120  3 L. Catilius Severus The Christians severely prosecuted at Rome whereof many Martyrs and more driven to hide themselves in the Cryptae and Coemeteria under ground  4 T. Aurelius Fulvus postea Imp. Antoninus  121  4 M. Annius Verus II. A great tumult at Alexandria about the Idol Apis found there 5 L. Augur  122  5 M. Acilius Aviola The Persecution rages in Asia under the Government of Arrius Antoninus the Proconsul  6 Corellius Pansa  123 Adriani 6 Q. Arrius Paetinus Adrian comes to Athens and is initiated in the Eleusmian mysteries 7 C. Ventidius Apronianus Quadratus Bishop of Athens and Aristides present Apologies to the Emperour in behalf of the Christians 124  7 M. Acilius Glabrio Serenius Granianus writes to the Emperour in favour of the Christians by whose Rescript to M. Fundanus Proconsul of Asia Granianus his successor the proceedings against them are mitigated 8 C. Bellicius Torquatus  125  8 P. Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus II.  9 Q. Vettius Aquilinus 126  9 Vesproniê° Candid Verê° II Ambiguus Bibulus al. M. Loll. Pedius Adrian revisits Athens finishes and dedicates the Temple of Jupiter Olympius and an Altar to himself 10 Q. Jun. Lepidus 127  10 Gallicanus  11 C. Caelius Titianus 128  11 L. Nonius Asprenas Torquatus Aquila a Kinsman of the Emperours first turns Christian then apostatizing to Judaism translates the Old Testament into Greek 12 M. Annius Libo  129  12 Q. Juventius Celsus  13 Q. Julius Balbus  130  13 Q. Fabius Catullinus Aelius Adrianus having repaired Jerusalem calls it after his own name Aelia 14 M. Flavius Aper The Martyrdom of Alexander Bishop of Rome after he had sate 10 years 5 moneths 20 days to whom succeeded Sixtus a Roman 131 Adriani 14 Ser. Octavius Laenas Pontianus Hymenaeus made Bishop of Alexandria being
16. 19 Bruttius Praesens II. Julianus created Bishop of Alexandria  1 Sex Quinctiliâ Gordianus Pantaenus a Christian Philosopher opens the Catechetic School at Alexandria  181  1 Imp. Commodus III. The Persecution against the Christians much abated  2 Antistius Burrhus  182  2 Petronius Mamertinus Theodotion of Pontus first a Marcionite then a Jew translates the Old Testament into Greek  3 Trebellius Rufus The Temple of Serapis at Alexandria burnt down  183  3 Imp. Commodus IV.  4 M. Aufidius Victorinus  184  4 M. Eggius Marullus seu Marcellus Commodus introduces the worship of Isis formerly prohibited into Rome  5 M. Papirius Aelianus  185 Commodi 5 Triarius Maternus  6 M. Atilius Metilius Bradua  186  6 Imp. Commodus V. About this time Lucius a Prince of Britain is said to have sent Letters to Pope Eleutherius to furnish him with Preachers to publish the Christian Faith in these parts  7 M. Acilius Glabrio Origen born  187  7 Tullius seu Clodius Crispinus Apollonius a great Philosopher and as S. Hierom affirms a Senator pleads his own and the cause of the Christian Religion before the Senate for which he suffers Martyrdom  8 Papirius Aelianus  188  8 C. Allius Fuscianus The Capitol burnt by Lightning which destroyed the adjacent buildings especially the famous Libraries  9 Duillius Silanus  189  9 Junius Silanus Demetrius ordained Bishop of Alexandria who sate 43 years  10 Q. Servilius Silanus Serapion made Bishop of Antioch this or as others the following year  190  10 Imp. Commodus VI. Commodus will have himself accounted Hercules the son of Jupiter and accordingly habits himself with other extravagant instances of folly  11 Petronius Septimianus  191  11 Cassius Apronianus Julian a Senator and many others said to be martyred about this time  12 M. Attilius Metilius Bradua II.  192  12 Imp. Commodus VII Pope Eleutherius having sate 15 years and 23 days dies in whose room Victor an African succeeds  13 P. Helvius Pertinax  193 Pertinax à 1 Januar.  Q. Sosius Falco  Did. Julianê° Ã Mart. 28.  Severus à Maii 11. 1 C. Julius Clarus  194 Severi 1 Imp. Severus II. Clemens Alexandrinus Pantaenus his Scholar and successor in the Catechetic School was famous about this time 2 Clodius Albinus Caesar II. Pope Victor excommunicates Theodorus the Heretic 195  2 Q. Fl. Tertullus Narcissus made Bishop of Jerusalem He is famous for miracles and an holy life 3 T. Fl. Clemens 196  3 Cn. Domitius Dexter Pope Victor revives the controversie about the celebration of Easter threatens to excommunicate the Asiatic Churches for which he is severely reproved by many and especially by Irenaeus 4 L. Valeriê° Messala Priscus Several Synods holden to this Purpose 197  4 Ap. Claudius Lateranus The Jews and Samaritans rebel and are overcome and their Religion strictly forbidden Severus triumphs for that Victory 5 M. Marius Rufinus  198  5 Tib. Aterius Saturninus  6 C. Annius Treboni Gallus 199  6 P. Cornelius Anulinus Severus creates his son Antoninus Emperour his son Geta Caesar and bestows a large Donative upon the Souldiers which gave occasion to Tertullian to write his Book De Corona 7 M. Aufidius Fronto 200 Severi 7 Tib. Claudius Severus The Christians at Rome severely treated by Plautianus Praefect of the City and in Afric by Saturninus the Proconsul 8 C. Aufidius Victorinus Tertullian writes his Apologetic either this or the following year 201  8 L. Annius Fabianus Pope Victor after 9 years and 2 moneths being martyred leaves the place to Zephyrinus 9 M. Nonius Mucianus Tertullian presents his Discourse to the President Scapula 202  9 Imp. Severus III. The Sixth Persecution wherein Leonidas Origens Father suffers Martyrdom at Alexandria Irenaeus at Lyons in France 10 Imp. Antoninus Caracalla 203  10 P. Septimius Geta. Origen a very Youth sets up a Grammar School at Alexandria and becomes famous 11 L. Septimius Plautianus At 18 years of Age he is preferred by Demetrius the Bishop to be Instructor of the Catechumens 204  11 L. Fabius Chilo Septimius The Secular Games celebrated at Rome upon which occasion probably Tertullian wrote his Book De Spectaculis and it may be that De Idololatria 12 M. Annius Libo 205  12 Imp. Antoninus Caracalla II.  13 P. Septimius Geta Caesar 206  13 M. Nummiê° Annius Albinê° Origen makes the famous attempt upon himself in making himself an Eunuch 14 Fulvius Aemilianus 207 Severi 14 M. Flavius Aper Tertullian writes against the Marcionites and his Book De Pallio and was then probably made Presbyter of Carthage 15 Q. Allius Maximus About this time Minucius Felix is supposed to publish his Dialogue called Octavius 208  15 Imp. Antoninus Caracalla III.  16 P. Septimius Geta Caesar II. 209  16 T. Claudius Pompeianus  17 Lollianus Avitus 210  17 M. Acilius Faustinus  18 C. Caesonius Macer Rufinianus 211  18 Q. Epidius Rufus Lollianus Gentianus  Antoninus Caracalla à 4 Febr. 1 Pomponius Bassus 212  1 M. Pompeius Asper Alexander a Cappadocian Bishop made Bishop of Jerusalem 2 P. Asper 213  2 Imp. Caracalla IV.  3 P. Caelius Balbinus 214  3 Silius Messala A disputation held at Rome between Caius and Proclus one of Montanus his Disciples whereupon Pope Zephyrin excluded Proclus and Tertullian communion with the Church of Rome which occasioned Tertullians starting aside to Montanus his Party 4 Q. Aquilius Sabinus 215 Antonini 4 Aemilius Laetus Tertullian writes against the Orthodox against whom he inveighs under the name of Psychici 5 Anicius Cerealis 216  5 Q. Aquilius Sabinus II.  6 Sex Corn. Anulinus 217  6  A Greek Translation of the Bible called the Fifth Edition found in a Hogs-head at Jericho inserted by Origen into his Octapla 7 Bruttius Praesens Macrinus Diadumen F à 10. April 1 Extricatus 218  2 Anton. Diadumenus Caesar  Antoninus Elagabalus à 7 Jun. 1 Adventus 219  1 Imp. Elagabalus II. Pope Zephyrin dies He sate 22 years and so many days Succeeded by Callistus 2 Licinius Sacerdos 220  2 Imp. Elagabalus III. Julius Africanus a famous Christian Writer sent upon an Embassie to the Emperour for the rebuilding of Nicopolis anciently Emmaus a City in Palestin 3 M. Aurelius Eutychianus Comazon 221  3 Annius Gratus  4 Claudius Seleucus 222  4 Imp. Elagabalus IV. Hippolytus Bishop of Portus composes his Paschal Canon Alexander Mam. à Martii 6. 1 M. Aurelius Severus Alexander Caesar 223 Alexandri 1 Maximus Among the famous men of this time was Ulpian the Lawyer who collected all the Imperial Edicts formerly published against the Christians 2 Papirius Aelianus 224  2 Claudius Julianus The Christians cruelly persecuted at Rome at the instigation of Ulpian the great Lawyer 3
Aurelianus III. Pope Felix crowned with martyrdom after he had sitten 4 years and 5 moneths His successor was Eutychianus a Tuscan Tacitus à 25. Sept. 1 T. Nonius Marcellinus 276 florianus April 12. 1 Imp. M. Cl. Tacitus II.  Probus à Jul. 1. 1 Fulvius Aemilianus 277  1 Imp. Aurelius Probus The Manichaean Heresie springs up planted by Manes a Persian originally called Curbicum the Author of that wild and execrable Sect. 2 Anicius Paulinus al. M. Furius Lupus 278  2 Imp. Probus II. Anatolius Bishop of laodicea eminent for his skill in Philosophy and Humane Learning He had formerly been Colleague with Theotecnus Bishop of Caesarea in Palaestin 3 M. Furius Lupus al. Virius Cyrillus the 18 Bishop of Antioch 279  3 Imp. Probus III.  4 Ovinius Paternus al. C. Junius Tiberianus 280  4 Junius Messala  5 Gratus 281 Probi 5 Imp. Probus IV. Theonas created Bishop of Alexandria the 15 Bishop of that Church 6 C. Junius Tiberianus 282  6   7 Imp. Probus V. Carus cum FF Numeriano Carino Aug. 12. 1 Pomponius Victorinus 283  1 Imp. M. Carus  2 M.A. Carinus Caesar 284  2 Imp. Carinus Eutychianus Bishop of Rome crowned with Martyrdom Decemb 8. His successor was Caius a Dalmatian and a Kinsman as is said of Dioclesian Dioclesianus à Sept. 17. 1 Imp. Numerianus The Dioclesian Aera begins here 285  1 Imp. Dioclesianus II.  2 Aristobulus 286  2 Maximus Junius Priscillianus * Though this seems the most proper period for the Martyrdom of the Thebaean Legion when maximian was sent against the Rebels in France yet is it said in the Acts of their Martyrdom that in their journey out of the East they came to Rome and were confirmed in the Faith by Marcellinus then Bishop of it Which if so they could not suffer sooner then Ann. Chr. CCXCVI. when Marcellinus succeeded in that See The Thebaean Legion under the command of Mauricius being sent to attend upon Maximian in his expedition against the Bagaudae and refusing to do sacrifice are first decimated and then universally destroyed at Octodurus in France 3 Vettius Aquilinus 287  3 Imp. Dioclesianus III. Dioclesian and Maximian write to the Proconsul of Afric to Punish the Manichees to burn their Books execute their Persons and confiscate their Estates 4 Imp. Maximianus Herculeus 288 Dioclesiani 4 M. Aurelius Maximus  5 Pomponius Januarius 289  5 Annius Bassus  6 L. Ragonius Quinctianus 290  6 Imp. Dioclesianus IV. Tharacus Probus and Andronicus suffer Martyrdom at Tarsus in Cilicia 7 Imp. Maximianus Herculeus II. 291  7 C. Junius Tiberianus  8 Cassus Dio. 292  8 Afranius Hannibalianus  9 M Aur. Asclepiodotus 293  9 Imp. Dioclesianus V. Dioclesian assumes the title of Lord challenges divine honours and suffers himself to be adored as God 10 Imp. Maximianus III. 294  10 Constantius Chlorus Caesar  11 Galerius Maximianus Caesar 295  11 Nummius Tuscus  12 Annius Cornelius Anulinus 296  12 Imp. Dioclesianus VI. Caius Bishop of Rome martyred April 22. 13 Constantius Caesar II. Marcellinus a Roman succeeds in the Government of that Church who in the Dioclesian Persecution lapsed and sacrificed to Idols though recovering he died a Martyr 297 Dioclesiani 13 Imp. Maximianus Herculeus V.  14 Galerius Caesar II. 298  14 Anicius Faustus Zabdas ordained the 27 Bishop of Jerusalem 15 Severus Gallus 299  15 Imp. Dioclesianus VII  16 Imp. Maximianus Herculeus VI. 300  16 Constantius Chlorus Caesar III. The Christians at Rome harassed out in working at Dioclesians Baths most of whom when the Work was finished were put to death though the Tenth Persecution did not universally begin till three years after Ann. Chr. 303. Diocles 19. 17 Galerius Armentarius Caesar III. FINIS
Church of God which is at Philippi Mercy unto you and Peace from God Almighty and Jesus Christ our Saviour be multiplied I. I REJOICED with you greatly in our Lord Jesus Christ that ye entertained the patterns of true love and as became you conducted onwards those who were bound with chains which are the Ornaments of Saints and the Crowns of those that are the truly elect of God and of our Lord and and that the firm root of your Faith formerly published does yet remain and bring forth fruit in our Lord Jesus Christ who was pleased to offer up himself even unto death for our sins Act. 2.24 1 Pet. 1.8 whom God raised up having loosed the pains of death in whom though you see him not ye believe and believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory whereinto many desire to enter Eph. 2â8 knowing that by Grace ye are saved not by Works but by the Will of God through Jesus Christ II. 1 Pet. 1.13 WHEREFORE girding up your loins serve God in fear and truth forsaking empty and vain talking and the error wherein so many are involved believing in him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Pet. 1.21 and gave him glory and a throne at his right hand to whom all things both in Heaven and in Earth are put in subjection whom every thing that has breath worships who comes to judge the quick and the dead whose bloud God will require of them that believe not in him But he who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also if we do his will and walk in his commandments and love what he loved abstaining from all unrighteousness inordainate desire 1 Pet. 3.9 covetousness detraction false witness not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing or striking for striking or cursing for cursing but remembring what the Lord said Matth â 1 Lââe 6.36 37. when he taught thus Judge not that ye be not judged forgive and ye shall be forgiven be merciful that ye may obtain mercy with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again and that blessed are the poor Matt. 5 3.1â and they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of God III. THESE things Brethren I write to you concerning righteousness not of my own humour but because your selves did provoke me to it For neither I nor any other such as I am can attain to the wisdom of blessed and glorious S. Paul who being among you and conversing personally with those who were then alive firmly and accurately taught the word of truth and when absent wrote Epistles to you by which if you look into them ye may be built in the Faith delivered unto you which is the Mother of us all being followed by Hope and led on by Love both towards God and Christ and to our neighbour For whoever is inwardly replenished with these things has fulfilled the law of righteousness and he that is furnished with love stands at a distance from all sin 1 Tim. 6.7 But the love of Money is the beginning of all evil Knowing therefore that we brought nothing into the World and that we shall carry nothing out let us arm our selves with the armour of righteousness and in the first place be instructed our selves to walk in the commands of the Lord and next teach your Wives to live in the Faith delivered to them in love and chastity that they embrace their own husbands with all integrity and others also with all temperance and continency and that they educate and discipline their children in the fear of God The Widows that they be sober and modest concerning the Faith of the Lord that they incessantly intercede for all and keep themselves from all slandring detraction false witness covetousness and every evil work as knowing that they are the Altars of God and that he accurately surveys the sacrifice and that nothing can be concealed from him neither of our reasonings nor thoughts nor the secrets of the heart Accordingly knowing that God is not mocked we ought to walk worthy of his command and of his glory IV. LIKEWISE let the Deacons be unblamable before his righteous presence as the Ministers of God in Christ and not of men not accusers not double-tongued not covetous but temperate in all things compassionate diligent walking according to the truth of the Lord who became the Deacon or servant of all of whom if we be careful to please him in this World we shall receive the reward of the other life according as he has promised to raise us from the dead and if we walk worthy of him we believe that we shall also reign with him Let the Young men also be unblamable in all things studying in the first place to be chaste and to restrain themselves from all that is evil For it is a good thing to get above the lusts of the World seeing every Lust wars against the Spirit and that neither Fornicators 1 Cor. 6.9 10. nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind shall inherit the Kingdom of God nor whoever commits base things V. WHEREFORE it 's necessary that ye abstain from all these things being subject to the Presbyters and Deacons as to God and Christ that the Virgins also walk with a chast and undefiled conscience Let the Presbyters be tender and merciful compassionate towards all reducing those that are in errour visiting all that are weak not negligent of the Widow and the Orphan and him that is poor but ever providing what is honest in the sight of God and men abstaining from all wrath respect of persons and unrighteous judgment being far from covetousness not hastily believing a report against any man not rigid in judgment knowing that we are all faulty and obnoxious to punishment If therefore we stand in need to pray the Lord that he would forgive us we our selves ought also to forgive For we are before the eyes of him who is Lord and God Rom. 14.9 10. and all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ and every one give an account of himself Wherefore let us serve him with all fear and reverence as he himself has commanded us and as the Apostles have preached and taught us and the Prophets who foreshewed the coming of our Lord. Be zealous of that which is good abstaining from offences and false brethren and those who bear the name of the Lord in hypocrisie 1 Joh 4.3 2 Epist v. 7. who seduce and deceive vain men For every one that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is Antichrist and he who doth not acknowledge the martyrdom of the Cross is of the Devil and whoever shall pervert the Oracles of the Lord to his private lusts and shall say that there is neither resurrection nor judgment to come that man is the first-born of Satan Leaving therefore the vanity of many