Estates and what they had to the Church so the Church imploy'd those Legacies or Gifts to support all those that should be necessitous Besides this their Pastors both by their Doctrine and Example admonish'd them to be diligent in working with their own hands that they might get something not only to be beneficial to themselves but to others too and indeed they thought they did little or nothing if of what they got they did not communieate to those who were not able to help themselves They had nothing that was superfluous and hence it was that there was but little striving about what they left To lay up much Goods for many years they thought was fitter for Heathens that for Christians and having seen no such thing in their Master they could not tell how it could be proper in his Servants Love of Mony and admiration of Riches and anxious worldly Cares and Desires of Hoarding were things they had an antipathy against and though out of that Stock they provided themselves with Necessaries yet for engrossing any thing to themselves besides was a thought as far from their Minds as the Heaven they longed for was from that Earth on which they trampled and looked upon with pity and scorn for alas what greediness could there be in them after Temporal Means who were already greater than the World could make them and took delight in nothing but surveying that Glory which ere long they should rejoyce and triumph in If any were so Malicious as to traduce their Teachers and brand them with the guilt of Covetousness or Slander them their Pastors used no other Weapon to put by the Sting but Meekness to the Back-biter and their own innocence by degrees dashed and wiped away all aspersions Hence the Christians gave them their own freely for they believed they could lose nothing by it and long experience had so confirm'd that belief that Envy it self could make no impressions upon them to the contrary when it was in their hands they thought it was safer than in their own and being hereby freed from abundance of Cares and Incumbrances they pressed more chearfully to the promised Mark. If any Christian kept any land in his hands his care was so to use his Income as to give God the First Fruits of it to bring his Gift to the Church to lay by somewhat for Alms to help and assist the Sick and to relieve the Prisoners and Captives not only such as were within the verge of the Town he liv'd in but others also Thus did those men live under Riches as under Thorns and were sensible of nothing so much as this that great Wealth is but a great temptation to be Vain and Sensual which made them use this Self-denial in their Incomes He that for a kindness he did to his Neighbour expected a Recompence was look'd upon as a Person greedy of filthy Lucre and he that could do nothing for his friend without a Reward or prospect of some Profit to himself was censured as a Person ignorant of the Fundamental Law of their Religion Usury Interest and such names were scarce heard of among them and Oppression was a thing which they thought none that named the Name of Christ could be guilty of In a word they desired nothing so much in this world as to be quickly gone from it and they thought it the joyfullest news imaginable to understand that they were to be dissolved and to go to Christ. This was the Temper Nature and Constitution of that Commonwealth The Members of it look'd mean and contemptible Nothing about them was pompous either in Cloaths or Dyet or Habitation or Houshold-stuff Such among them as were Noble or Learned or of a gentile Extract laid aside their Pride and all their swelling Titles forgot that they were better Born or Educated than others and became like their Brethren Plaiting and Curling the Hair was a thing that both their Men and Women proscribed from their care and they thought that labour lost which was employ'd on such Superfluities They were jealous of their serious frame of Spirit and therefore all such Dresses as might serve to infuse Vanity into their Minds or damp their Zeal to Religion they shunn'd as they did Houses infected with the Plague They minded no such thing as Modes and Fashion nor did any new Habit or Ornament that came up entice them to imitation Decency was their Rule and Modesty the Standard of their Habit and Conversation They wore nothing about them that was either Costly or Curious and there greatest study and contrivance was how to advance their Souls and make them fit for the Wedding of the Lamb Laying on either White or Red upon the Face or disfiguring it with something black and of Kin to Hell they knew not what it meant Their Garments were either Linnen or Woollen or Furr or Sheeps-skin and their Furniture Mean and Homely Without God they attempted nothing and whatever Enterprize it was they betook themselves to they sanctified it by Prayer and Suplication If they went out either to Sow or to Plough or to Reap or to Build God's Blessing was first sought and begg'd and they never put on their Cloaths but entertained themselves all the while with some holy reflections Theaters and seeing of Plays they hated as a thing contrary to their Profession and though the Heathen despised them for it look'd upon them as unsociable Men of pitiful Spirits Strangers to the Art of Conversation Melancholy Wretches Brethren of Worms and no better than Vermin of the Earth yet they mattered not their Censures and triumph'd more in a good Conscience than the other could do in all the Vanities and Glories of this present World The Worlds Contempt was their Glory and they were proud of being Scorn'd and Undervalued by the Vulgar Crowd that they might with greater earnestness long after a better Inheritance If any wanted business he would find some and they that had no need to work for their Living work'd for the Poor Idleness they had an aversion from as from the root of Evil and great Men and Women would do something which the Needy might be the better for The greatest Lady would not disdain to Spin or Sow or Knit for her distressed Neighbour and like Bees they were ever busie and employed for the common Good Love of the World was death to them and they thought it a certain sign that they had no Portion in Christ if they did serve both God and Mammon To be in the World and not of the World was their Motto and to be other Men than they seemed to be was the thing they chiefly aimed at They seemed to be profane because they would worship no Heathen Gods but were the devoutest persons in the World to the true God and they forgot to be Men that they might be the better Christians Not a few left their high Places and great Dignities to become Christians and chose to be low and
distinguish between faithful friends And fauning flatterers who for base ends Will speak thee fair whose words are soft and oylie And make a shew of friendship to beguile thee The secrets of thy friend do not disclose Left in so doing thou resemble those Whose ears are leaking vessels which contain Nothing but what 's pour'd in runs out again At the mouth These fools proclaim themselves unfit For any trust and to be voyd of wit If thou resolve to change a single life And hast proposed to become a wife Câ—…use then thy husband not for worldly gain Not for his shape or Air these things disdain If money draw or thou by lust art lead Expect no blessing of thy marrage bed But if the fear of God most excellent Be thy chief end then look for true content Cast off all needless and distrustful care A little is enough o're much a snare Our Journey from our Cradles to our grave Can be but short no large provision crave For such conveniences as must be had Confide to God who hath so richly clad The fragrant Meadows with fresh ' silver show'rs Send down to nurse up tender plants and flowers He for the chirping Birds provides a nest And gives each Creature that which feeds 'em best To him give thanks for mercys which before Thou hadst receiv'd and that makes way for more For faults before his face reprove thy friend But all good deeds behind his back commend Labour for peace chuse to contend with none Let reason with sweet clamours keep the throne Treading fierce wrath and lawless passions down The grace of meekness is the womans crown Be loving patient courteous and kind In doing these thou'lt praise and honour find Here on the Earth and when all conquering Death Thy body shall desoul and stop thy Breath Upon the golden wings of faith and love Thy soul shall fly to Paradise above When sin and sorrow shall for ever cease And there be crown'd with endless joys and peace Greshon Boate. CATONIS DISTICHA RUmores fugè ne incipias novus autor haberi Nam nulli tacuisse nocet nocet esse locutam Shun rumors least thou beest as th' Author nam'd Silence hurts none but some for words are blamed Cum rectè vivas ne cures verha malorum Arbitrii nostri non est quid quisque loquatur When thou livest well mind not what lewd folks say It is not in our power their tongues to sway Dilige non oegrâ charos pietate parentes Nec matrem offendas dum vis bonus esse parenti Thy parents love the one as well as th' other To please thy Father doe not cross thy Mother Tranquillis rebus quoe sunt adversa cave to Rursus in adversis melius sperare memento When things go well adversity beware Again when things go ill do not dispair Veritati adhaereto Stick to the Truth THis Historiographer Eusebius is accounted by many to be a witness unto whom credit may be given he was a Bishop of Caesarea and one that was said to be very studious in the Holy Scripture He flourished chiefly under the Emperour Constantinus Magnus and his Son Constantius about the Year 316. THE INDEX Or TABLE A. ADrian the Emperours remarkable Epistle in the Christians behalf Lib. 4. Chap. 23. Agbarus Epistle unto Iesus l. 1. c. 1â—… Antioch Citizens stirred up against the Christians l. 9. c. 2. Antonius Pius Epistle in the behalf of the Christans l. 4. c. 13. Apphianus zeal and boldness l. 8. c. 22. Apollonarius touching Montanus and the False Prophets that then were entred l. 5. c. 14. 16. 19. Attalus Revelation l. 5. c. 3. B. BAsilides Courtesie to a Virgin Martyr how he would not Swear and so was Beheaded l. 6. c. 4. Biblis restored again to the Faith in the time of Torment l. 5. c. 1. Bishops bribed with presents and sums of Money l. 10. c. 1. Bishops divided about a Lay-mans Preaching l. 6. c. 19. Blandina Refreshed in her suffering and torments l. 5. c. 3. C. CHristians Name dwelling and foundation l. 2. c. 17. Christians suffering by Proclamations or Edicts l. 4. c. 25. Christians terribly threatned and some converted by beholding their Innocent sufferings l. 4. c. 8. Christians prosperity also calamity l. 8. c. 1. Christians were generally summoned to appear at the Idols Temple l. 8. c. 22. Clements and of his Epistle l. 3. c. 14. Clements Bishop of Alexandria touching the Scriptures l. 6. c. 13. Clergy freed from Paying Tax or Tribute l. 1â—… c. 7. D. DEfinition of a Christian l. 1. c. 5. Doctrine of Christ approved of by Tiberius l2 c. 2. Dioclesians Proclamations against the Christians l. 8. c. 3. Dionysius Epistle concerning the Martyrs l. 6. c. 40. Dionysius Epistle to the Romans l. 4. c. 22. Dionysius Epistle to Novatus l. 6. c. 44. Dionysius Vision l. 7. c. 9. Dionysius Fidelity and Constancy in the time of Tryal l. 7. c. 10. E. EAster and the controversie about that Fast. l. 5. c. 23. Emperors begun to favour the Christians l. 10. c. 2. Emperours Proclamation concerning Christian Religion l. 10. c. 2. The Emperour refered the Bishop to the Judges for them to take acoursâ—… with troublesome Persons l. 10. c. 6. The Encratits and their Heresie l. 4. c. 27. F. THe Frenchman's Epistle unto the Church l. 5. c. 1. G. THe Gospel of the Evangelists l. 3. c. 21. vide l. 3. c. 35. H. HOw Heresie crept into the Church when persecution ceased l. 4. c. 6. Hereticks were a slander unto Christian Religion l. 4. c. 7. Hereticks and False Prophets among the Christians l. 4. c. 21. Herod was Smitten of an Angel l. 2. c. 10. I. JAmes was slain with a Sword l. 2. c. 9. The Martyrdom of James the Brother of Jesus l. 2. c. 9. A History of John the Apostle and a Young man l. 3. c. 20. Ignatius his Valourous courage l. 3. c. 32. Josephus Testimony of Christ. l. 1. c. 12. Justinus the Martyr l. 4. c. 16 17 18. The Jews would not allow of Carved Images l. 2. c. 6. What Irenaeus Wrote concerning the Holy Scriptures l. 5. c. 8. L. LAw against the Christians l. 5. c. 19. Licinnius cruelty towards the Christians l. 10. c. 8. M. WHy Mark Wrote his Gospel l. 2. c. 15. See l. 3. c. 35. Maximinus Impiety Proclamations l. 6. 8. c. 16 17 18. Maximinius conquered his Proclamation and Iudgment l. 9. c. 2. Money given to Ministers l. 10. c. 6. N. NEro's persecutions l. 2. c. 25. Nicolas and his Sect. l. 3. c. 26. Novatus beresie and impietie l. 6. c. 24. O. ORigen's zeale while he was young his Lâ—…vs to the Martyrs how he sold his Philosophy books l. 6. c. 2. Origen's Tryall Fall and bitter Lamentation l. 7. c. 1. P. PAulus Samosatenus's heresie l. 7. c. 19. Persecutions against the Christians l. 8. c. 6. Persecution suddenly Revived againe against the Christians l. 8. c. 27. Pilate became his
Sects among the Jews Egesippus wrote how that after Iacobus Iustus was martyred in such sort as Christ himself was put to death his Uncle Simon Cleophas was chosen Bishop and then they called the Church a pure Virgin for as yet saith he the Devil had not sown there any corrupt Seed of False Doctrine But Thebulis because that he was not chosen Bishop went about to corrupt the same being one of the Seven Hereticks among the People He writes of many more Hereticks as of Simon â—…cobius Dosithaeus Gortaeus Machotaei Menendâ—…anises Carpocratians Valetinians Basilidians and Saturnians whereof every one saith he hath set abroach a proper and a several Opinion Of these saith he further sprang the false Christs the false Prophets the false Apostles rending asunder the Church with their false Doctrine directed against God and Christ The same Author describeth likewise the old Heresies of the Jews saying there were in the time of the Circumcision sundry Sects among the Children of Israel varying in Opinions and set opposite against the Tribe of Iudah and Christ namely these the Esseans the Galileans the Hemerobaptists the Masbotheans the Samaritans the Sadducees and Pharisees And by Occasion the aforesaid Egesippus reasoning of the Scriptures called Apocrypha that is hidden doubtful or unknown he said that in his time divers of them were published by Hereticks that is such as make choice of themselves what points of Religion they will believe and what they will not Of Dionysius Epistle to the Romans Moreover there remaineth an Epistle of Dionysius Bishop of Corinth unto the Romans as Eusebius saith wherein it is thus written It hath been your accustomed manner saith he even from the beginning diversly to benefit all the Brethren and to send Relief throughout the City supplying the Want of the Poor by refreshing them in this sort and especially the Want of the Brethren appointed for slavish Drudgery and digging of Metals The same Author reporteth of his own Epistles that they were patched and corrupted in these Words When I was entreated of the Brethren to write I wrote certain Epistles but the Messengers of Satan have sown them with Tares pulling away some things and putting to other some For whom Condemnation is laid up No marvel then saith he though some endeavour to corrupt the sacred Scriptures of God whenas they went about to counterfeit such Writings of so small Authority Concerning the Christians Sufferings Melito the Bishop of Sardis in his Apology to the Emperour reporteth some of the things practised against the Christians writing thus The godly People were grieved by reason of new Edicts which were published throughout Asia and never before practised now suffer Persecution For impudent Sycophants that is Tale-bearers or Slanderers and greedy Gapers after other Mens Goods having gotten Occasion through these proclamations openly to rob and spoil day and night such as commit no Trespass at all And after a few Lines he saith The Emperour that is just never putteth in Practice any unjust thing and we willingly will bear away the Honour of this Death yet this only we will crave of you that you after Notice and Tryal had of the Authors of this Contention do justly give Sentence whether they are worthy of Death and Punishment or Life and Quietness Of the Encratits and their Heresie Out of the School of Syternius and Marcion sprang the Hereticks whom they call Encratits that is te say contient or chast persons who taught that Marriage was to be aborred contemning the ancient Shape and Mould of Man framed of God And so by Sequel or consequently reprehending him that made the Generation of Mankind again they have commanded Abstinence from living Creatures for so they call them shewing themselves ungrateful towards God who made all things for the Use of Man After that Iustinus was martyred Tatianus fell from the Chureh and being puffed up with presumptuous Estimation and Self-opinion of Doctrineship as though he passed all other invented a new Form of Doctrine He dreamed of certain invisible Worlds with the Valentinians Some report that he presumed metaphrastically i. e. by a Metaphor to change one Word from its natural Sence into another Sence like unto it to alter the Words of the Apostle correcting as it were the order of the Phrase The Fifth BOOK OF EUSEBIUS The Servants of Christ inhabiting Vienna and Lions Cities of France unto the Brethren throughout Asia and Phrygia having with us the same Faith and Hope of Redemption Peace Grace and Glory from God the Father and Iesus Christ our Lord be multiplied WHEN they had premised certain things by way of Preamble they prâ—…ceed in these Words The Greatness of this our Tribulation the fury of the Gentiles against the Saints and what things the blessed Martyrs had suffered we are not able exactly to express by Word or Comprehend in Writing for we are not only banished our Houses Baths and common Market-places but altogether every one one of us are straitly charged not to shew our Faces And many have born all the Vexations that the Multitude have laid upon them as Examinations Scourgings Draggings Spoiling Stoning Fettering and the like whatsoever the heady savage Multitude accustomed to practise against their professed Enemies Next being had unto the open Market-place and Examination had they were condemned in the Presence of the People by the Tribune that was a certain Officer that ought to have defended their Liberty and the other chief Potentates of the City and were cast into Prison until the Presidents coming After that when they were brought before the President which had exercised all kind of extream Cruelty against us Vetius Epagathus one of the Brethren whose Conversation was so perfect that he was thought comparable with Zachary the Priest allowed not of the Sentence unjustly pronounced against us but with vehement Motion required that Audience might be given him to plead for the Brethren alledging that we had committed no Impiety which being denied him of such as compassed the Tribunal that is the Iudgment-Seat and the President rejecting this just Petition only demand whether he was a Christian Which he confessed with a loud Voice and so he was received unto the Fellowship of the Martyrs And was called the Advocate that is one which pleadeth for another in a Consistory or in a Iudgment place of the Ghristians There was certain found unready and as yet weak not of abillity to bear the Burthen of so weighty a Combate in number Ten which fell through the Frailty of the Flesh to our great Heaviness and sorrowful Lamentation quailing the Chearfulness of others which were not as yet aprehended but accompanied the Martyrs what Torments soever befell them and severed not themselves from them then Trembled we all for fear and that greatly because of the uncertainty of Confessions being not terrified with any Torments but careful for the end least
will lead a Life agreeable to the Gospel I being of late at Ancira in Galatia found the Church through Pontus not with Prophets as they call them but rather as it shall be proproved with Falâ—…e Prophets where through the Lord as much as in me lay I disputed in the Chuhch the space of many Days against them and their several Objections so that the Church rejoiced and was thereby confirmed in the Truth but the contrary Part yet repined and the Gainsayers were very sorrowful It is written of Montanus that he was puffed up with an immoderate Desire of Primacy i. e. Chief Authority opened a Gap for the Adversary to enter into him and being mad and estranged suddenly and bereft of his Wits waxed furious and published strange Doctrine contrary to the Tradition and ancient Custom of ancient Succession now received under the Name of Prophecy they which then were Auditors of this unlawful Preaching some chastised and checked him for a Lunatick i. e. one possed with Lunacy who at certain times of the Moon is distracted in his Wits and one that was possessed with the Spirit of Errours and forbad him to Preach being mindful of the Forewarnings and Threatnings of our Saviour tending to this end that we should take diligent heed of False Prophets Others waxed insolent i. e. proud and boasted and bragged of him not a little as if he had been endued with the Holy Ghost and Gift of Prophecy so that through disobedient Persons he came to be more honoured than his Merit did require And two Women being possessed of a foul Spirit spoke fond foolish and fantastical things even as he had before and they gloried and rejoiced in that Spirit which pronounced them happy and puffed them up with infinite fair Promises yet sometimes by Signs and Tokens he rebuked them to their faces so that he seemed a chastising Spirit There were few of the Phrygians seduced notwithstanding that bold and blind Spirit instructed them to blaspheme and revile generally every Church under Heaven because they neither did Homage i. e. a servile Ceremony of some Tenants which by Duty they owe to their Lords neither courteously received among them that false Spirit of Prophecy Those things he wrote in his first Book and in his second Book he writeth thus of their Ends These say they are the Prophets which the Lord promised to send his People Let them answer me I charge them in the Name of the Living God O ye Good People Is there any of the Sect of Montanus and these Women which have been persecuted by the Jews or put to death by any Tyrant Not one of them bearing the Name was either apprehended or crucified neither was their any Woman of them in the Synagogues of the Jews either scourged or stoned at all but Montanus and Maximilla are said to die ' another kind of Death Moreover when the Bishops went about to rebuke the Spirit which spoke in Maximilla they were hindred by others that wrought by the same Spirit saying Let not the Spirit of Maximilla say I am chased as a Wolf from the Sheep I am no Wolf I am the Word the Spirit and Power but let him manifestly express the power by the Spirit and prevail Apollonius against the Montanists He wrote in this manner saying But what kind of New Doctrine this is his Works and Doctrine do declare This is he which taught the breaking of Wedlock i. e. Marriage this is he which prescribed Laws of Fasting This is he which called Pâ—…puza and Tymium pelting Parishes of Phrygia Jerusalem to the end he might entice all Men from every where to frequent thither This is he which first ordained Tollgatherers and Taxers of Money this is he which under pretence and colour of Oblations hath cunningly invented the Art of Bribing this is he who giveth great hire unto the Preachers of his Doctrine that by feeding of the Paunch his Prophecies may prevail Moreover he addeth saying Doth not the whole Scripture forbid that a Prophet should receive Rewards and Money When I see a Prophetess receive gold and silver and goodly Garments how can I chuse but detest her Again of another he saith And besides these Themison also inflamed with the burning Thirst of Covetousness tasted not of the tart Cognisance of Confession before the Tyrant but shuffled himself out of Fetters with much Money And whenas therefore he should have humbled himself yet he all in bragery as if he were a Martyr i. e. one that died for Righteousness sake after the example of the Apostle wrote a Catholick i. e. Universal or General Epistle very presumptuously to instruct them which believed better than himself and to exhort them to strive with him for this New Doctrine and to revile the Lord and his Apostles and his holy Church Again speaking of one of their highly esteemed Martyrs he writes in this sort And that we trouble not our selves with many let the Prophetess tell us touching Alexander who called himself a Martyr with whom she hath banqueted whom also many do adore i. e. worship whose Thefts and other heinous Crimes which he suffered for I will not presently rehearse for they are publickly known and registred Whose Sins hath he pardoned Whether doth a Prophet yield theft unto a Martyr or a Martyr an immoderate Desire of gathering unto a Prophet For as when Christ commanded You shall not possess Gold neither Silver neither two Goats these on the contrary seek after the Possession of unlawful Substance for they whom they call Prophets and Martyrs have extorted Money i. e. wrested it from people per force not only of the Rich but of the Poor the Fatherless and Widows But if they plead innocency let them stay and join with us in the issue in the matter upon this condition that if they be overthrown at leastwise from henceforth they will cease to commit the like Sin again The Fruits of the Prophets are to be tried the Tree is to be known by its Fruit. And that the case of Alexander may be known of such as desire it he was condemned at Ephesus by Aemilius Frontinus not for his Profession but for his presumptuous and bold enterprised Theft being a lewd Person And then with a false pretence of Christian Profession seducing the faithful of that place he was pardoned and set at liberty Again in another place he writeth of their Prophets thus If they deny their Prophets to have been Bribers let them affirm it conditionally that if it be proved they be no longer Prophets For all the Works of a Prophet are necessarily to be proved Tell me I beseech ye Is it seemly for a Prophet to painthimself in Colours Is it seemly for a Prophet to smooth himself with the white glittering Stibiâ—… i. e. A certain Stone which maketh the Skin look very fair when it is rubbed with it Is it seemly for a Prophet to pinch and gingerly to
who could not bow to the Gods of the Heathen no more then the true Christians now can bow to the corrupt wills of Ambitious and unreasonable men and though the Innocent suffer therefore for the present yet for their sakes will the Lord shorten the days of the Wicked as he did the days of that Persecuting Emperour The Seventh Persecution IN the year 253. did the Seventh Persecution arise under the Emperour Decius who with Excessive Cruelty did Persecute the Christians In this Persecution several of the Bishops were put to death and such as were the chief among the Christians did they torture with many Torments and the Houses of the Christians they Plundred and that which the Plunderers did not esteem that they burned In this Persecution many suffered Martyrdom some being Burned some Beheaded Women so well as Men some being whipt to death and some Souldiers for Incouraging these Martyrs in their Suffering were put to death In this Terrible Persecution several departed from the Faith for fear of the Torments yet afterwards came to be restored again the Suffering of the Christians was great under this Emperour but his days were also shortened for he had not Raigned two years but was caught in a Whag of Mire where he met with a check or Reproof for his cruelty Note Thus it appears that the Christians that lived Godly in Christ-Iesus suffered Persecution according to what the Apostle hath said 2 Tim. 3 12. And many now that live Godly and Righteously do suffer not only the Imprisonment of their Bodies but also the Spoyling of their Goods which have been Spoyled both by Priests and People who have sometime as it were Plundred their Houses for their dishonest gain and they have shewed themselves in their carriage and behaviour to be liker unto the Heathen then the suffering Christians who suffered their Houses to be Plundred but we do not Read that they then Plundred the Houses of any but with patience suffered the Plundring of their Goods and in this patience and long Suffering are the Christians that are so not in Name only but in Nature found in these Perillous times Again have not some Souldiers been turned out of their places yea and brought into suffering for countenancing and favouring the Sober Innocent true Christians among whom some for fear of Suffering may in some respect desert the Truth as some faithless ones among the ancient Christians did yet we know certainly there are a Remnant that cannot bow their knee to Baall but would chuse rather to die the death which many ancient Christians suffered then they will forsake the Lords Truth or Transgress his Righteous Law by breaking his commands The Eighth Persecution IN the year 259. did the eighth Persecution arise under the Emperour Valerianus who put forth a Proclamation against the Christians wherein he forbad their Meetings and when this Proclamation or Order was not observed then did there follow a great Persecution of the Christians in which there was very many put to death and some were Banished and they converted of the Heathen in the place to which they were Banished but the Emperour under whom the Christians thus suffered did not go unreproved for his cruelty for he was taken Prisoner by the King of Persia who made use of him for a Foot-stool when he got up upon his Horse c. Note Hath it not happned so in England that by the Kings Proclamation the Meetings of the true Christians have been forbidden And when that they observed the Kings Proclamation no more then the antient Christians observed the Emperours hath not a great Persecution followed have not many of the Prisons he silled with them partly because they could not Swear and partly because they continved their Meetings when they were forbidden by the Kings Proclamation as the Religion of the Christians was forbidden by the Laws of the Heathen and therefore did the Heathen with much rigour pronounce these words unto the Christians Your Religion is forbidden by the Laws c. And did not Anti-christians the like when they abused them in their Meetings and broke them up with much Violence did they not also pronounce these words with much Rigour Your Meetings are forbidden by the Kings Proclamation c. And forasmuch as the true Christians now have chused rather to suffer Bonds and Imprisonment yea the spoyling of their Goods and what not then they would renounce the Faith deny their Religion or forsak the Assembling of themselves together it doth therefore appear that the same mind is found in them now which was heretofore in the antient Christians who chused rather to suffer the loss of their Lives then to forsake him for whose cause they suffered yet we see their Persecutors did not always go unreproved Oh! that other Kings Princes and Magistrates would take warning from that which happened to these Persecuting Emperours The Ninth Persecution IN the year 273. did the ninth Persecution arise under the Emperour Aurelianus but this Persecution was not so great as the other because he was cut off by death soon after he had determined the same yet in this Persecution was Felix the Bishop of Rome put to Death with several others here and there in divers places Note Often doth the Lord frustate the purposes and Determinations of such as conspire Mischief against his People yea have we not seen sundry Powers overturned in England and Parliments broken up and Councels if not Committees also shattered to pieces when they have been determined to do Wickedly so that sometime they have not had power to bring that forth which they had Conceived and brought to the Birth so mightily hath the Lord confounded their Conspiracies and brought their devices to nought and this the true Christians have concluded to be the Lords doing which they have beheld and which thing hath been indeed marvelous in their Eyes The Tenth Persecution IN the year 302. begun the Tenth Persecution which was so great that it exceeded all that had been before it not only in cruelty but in continuance for it continued 12 Years Eusebius who lived at that time Writes of it at large in his Eclesiastical History saying it was occasioned through the freedom of the Christians who were come into great Reputation and were put in places of Office to Rule in Countrys and Cities but through their prosperity and voluptuousness Brotherly Love came to decrease Haughtyness and Pride got up and in stead of the worship of God an insolent authority begun to get up in the Church of the Christians And at that time the Emperour Diocletianus gave forth a Proclamation wherein he commanded that all the Christian Churches should be pulled down and the Holy Scriptures Burned and that the Christians should be turned out of their places with other such like things After that there came another Order that they should cause the chief of of the Church to offer unto Idols or else they were to be put to
of Arms not by Engins or Artificers of Pomp and Gradeur but by Faith in the Power of Christ the Jewish Rulers alarm'd with this news and awaken'd with the growing numbers of the Church sent to apprehend the Apostles and cast them into Prison but God who is never wanting to his one cause sent that night an Angel from Heaven to open the Prison doors commanding them to Repair to the Temple and exercise their Ministery which they did early in the morning and there taught the People how unsuccessful are the projects of the wisest States-men when God frowns upon them how little do any Councils against heaven prosper in vain is it to shut the doors where God is resolved to open them the firmest bars the strongest chains cannot hold when once God has designed and decreed our Liberty the Officer returning the next morning acquainted the Council who much wondered at it sent for them and asked them how they durst propagate that Doctrine they had so strictly commanded them not to Preach Peter in the name of the rest told them that they must in this case obey God rather than Men so vexed was the the council with his answer that they began to cosider how to cut them off but Gamaliel a grave and learned Senatour prevented it by commanding the Apostles to withdraw and then bid the Council take heed what they did putting them in mind that several Persiâ—…ns had heretofore raised Partys and Factions in great numbers but came to nothing and therefore they would do well to let these men alone for if their Doctrine and design were mearly humain they would in time of themselves fall to the ground but if of God all their power and polisie would never be able to defeat and overturn them and that hearing they themselves would appear to appose the Council and design of Heaven with this prudent answer they gave them their Liberty commanding them to be only scourged and charged them no more to Preach this Doctrin but their hard usage did not in the least discourage them to their duty to God or less zealous and diligent both publick and private to Preach Christ every where Peter was dispatched by the Apostles to consirm the Church newly planted at Samaria where he baffled and silenced Simon Magus he is again cast into Prison by Herod Agrippa but as miraculously delivered by an Angel He is again with Paul cast into Prison by Nero the Emperor who is resolved now the Apostles shall fall as a Victime and sacrifice to his cruilty and revenge Peter is desired by his companion to make his Escape and accordingly did but meeting his Lord Peter asked him Lord whether art thou going who answered I am come to Rome to be Crucified a Second time by which Peter apprehended himself to be reproved and that our Lord ment he was to be Crucified a second time in his servant and so returned back to the Prison and it is reported that in the stone where our Lord stood while he talked with Peter he left the impression of his feet which stone hath been ever since preserved as a sacred Relique before his suffering he was no question scourged according to Custom and having saluted his Brethren more especially Paul he was brought out of Prison and led to the top of the Vatican Mount near to Tybur to be executed the death he was adjudged to was Crucifiction but he intreated the Officer that he might not be Crucified the Common way but might suffer with his head downwards affirming he was not worthy to suffer in the same posture as his Lord suffered as Chrysostom glosses to be set in the rediest posture of travelling from Earth to Heaven his body being taken from the Cross is said to have been embalmed by Marcellinus the Presbiter after the Iews manner and was then buried in the Vatican near the triumphant way The description of his Person HIS Body if we may believe the description given him by Nicephorus was somewhat slender of a Midle size but rather inclining to Tallness his Complection very pale and almost white the hair of his Head curled and thick but withal short his Eyes black but speak with read which Baronius will have to proceed from his much weeping his Nose long but rather broad and flat than sharp such was the case of that Jewel that was within he was very Eager in his Temper which like a whetstone sharpned his Soul for all bold and generous undertakings The Life of Paul THough Paul was none of the Twelve Apostles yet had he the Honour of being an Apostle extraordinary and to be immediately Called in a way peculiar to himself he justly deserves a place next Peter for in their Lives they were pleasant and lovely so at their deaths they were not devided especially if it be true that they both suffered not only for the same cause but at the same time Paul was born at Tarsus the Metropolis of Cilicia a City infinitely Rich and Popular and what Contributed more to the Fame and Honour of it an Academy furnished with Schools of Learning where the Scholars so closly plyed their Studys that as Strabo informs us they excelled in all Arts of Politeck Learning and Philosophy his Parence was Iews and that of the Antients Stock not entring in by the Gate of Proselitism but Originally desended from that Nation which surely he meanswhen he says that he was an Hebrew of the Hebrews his Parents belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin whose Founder was the younger Son of the Old Patriarch Iacob who thus provisied of him Benjamen shall Raven as a Wolf in the Morning he shall devour the prey and at Night he shall devide the Spoyl this Prophetical Character Tertullian and others will have to be accomplished in our Apostle as a Ravening Wolf in the Morning devouring his prey that is as a Persecutor of the Church in the first part of his Life destroying the Flock of God in the Evening deviding the Spoyl that is in his declining Age as Doctor of the Nation feeding and distributing to Christ Sheep we find him described in Scripture by two Names the one Saul a name common in the Tribe of Benjamen his other was Paul asumed to him as some think at his Conversion to denote his humility in his youth he was brought up in the Schools of Tarsus fully instructed in all the Liberal Arts and Sciences whereby he came admirably aquainted with famous and external Authors having run through the whole Circle of the Sciences and laid the sure foundation of humain Learning at Tarsus he was by his Parance sent to Ierusalem to be perfected in the Study of the Law it is said when Stephen was Executed Paul stood by and kept the Clothes of them that did it whether he was any farther conserned in the death of this innocent Man we do not find however it was enough loudly to Proclaim his approbation and consent and therefore we find him
now-a-days do in the lofty Epithers of Duke Earl Baron Knight or Gentleman You might see amongst them abundance of Mothers that never had any Children and Virgins took care of innocent Babes as if they had beâ—…n Mothers No Family complained of Barrenness or Unfruitfullness for they never wanted Children to provide for and and those that had none of their own would be sure to find some to take care of None wanted paternal Care while so many Fathers studied to do good and men were readier to Give than others were to Ask and seemed to be sorrowful if they had not Objects upon which they might exercise a paternal Charity There was hardly a Widow among them that complained of Solitariness or sought comfort in a second Husband and second Marriage was counted little better than Adultery Their Widows were the same that they were whil'st their Husbands lived and finding that upon their Husband's death they were become Sisters of many Brethren they aimed at no other Contract but that with Christ who if they were found worthy would as they thought marry them at last to the Service of the Church where they might exercise that Material Care to the Poor and Needy which formerly they used to express to their own Children Here you should see none Rejoycing that he had any thing of his own for what-ever he had he look'd upon his Fellow-Christians as Co-heirs and was so well contented that they should inherit with him that he thought that which he had a Burthen if his Neighbours were not to share in his Possessions This present Life was the least thing they minded while that to come engrossed their Thoughts and Considerations They were so entirely Christians that in a manner they were nothing else and cared not for being any thing else lest if they should be something else they should be suspected of deviating from their Master's footsteps Hence it was that the Pagans accused them of Unrighteousness and Unprofitableness as if they were dead Weights in the World contributing nothing to the welfare and prosperity of Manking and as if they stood for Cyphers in Humane Societies though none were more ready to communicate of the Profit of their Labours to others than they and did therefore on purpose keep close to their Calling and Profession that they might be able to relieve the Needy And though they were loath to take upon them the Employment of Magistrates and Governours lest the Empero's and God's Commands should clash and they lye under a temptation of obeying Man more than God yet when-ever they were thought worthy to bear Office in the Church they readily embraced the Charge that they might be in a greater capacity to improve the Talents God had given them to his Glory and his People's good and were pleased with the Trouble of the Office that the World might see they had no design of Gain or Worldly Interest in the Administration They spake little but their Thoughts were always Great and Heavenly and as they look'd upon sublunary Objectâ—… as too mean for their lofty Minds to rest on so their care was to keep the Eyes of their Understanding fix'd on that World which fades not away Their Communications or Answers in common Discouries were Yea Yea and Nay Nay An Oath they shunn'd as much as Perjury and a Lye among them was more rare than a Sea-monster is to the Inhabitants of a Continent for they said that in their Baptism they were signed with the Mark of Truth and that they could not be Servants of the God of Truth if they should yield but to the least appearance of Falshood In the Cities and Towns where they lived none was unknown to the other for they Pray'd together heard the Word together met frequently at Meals together and were continually helpful one to the other In-so-much that where-ever they met they knew one another and when they durst not with their Lips yet with their Eyes and Gestures they would salute one another send Kisses of Peace one to another rejoyce in the common Hope and if permitted assist one another in Adversities This is one of us saith such a Saint for we have seen him in our Oratories we have Prey'd with him we have been at the Lord's Table together we have heard the Scriptures read together we have kneeled together we have been instructed together O happy Kindred which comes by Prayer and Communion of the Body and Blood of JESUS O Blessed Relations where Men are not called Brothers of the Sun or of the Stars as the antient Tyrants styled themselves but Brethren of CHRIST Children of GOD and Citizens of Heaven When a Christian who was a Stranger came to them before ever he shew'd his Testimonias they knew him by his lean Visage and meager Face which his frequent Fasting had brought him to by the Modesty of his Eyes by the Gravity of his Speech by his Gate and Habit and mortified Behaviour for something Divine did shine through their looks and one might read the Characters of the Spirit in their Countenance Nor is it very strange that a good Man should be known by his Carriage for to this day a serious Person though he says nothing something in his Lineaments and Features and Postures will betray the inward Zeal and Sincerity of his Soul and his Deportment will discover there is something more than ordinary in him as much as the Roman Senator was betray'd by the Perfumes about him Whenever they were thrust into the Croud of Malefactors there Fellow-Christians soon guessed who they were for they hastned with Meekness to their Martyrdom and without expressing any impatience or indignation submitted their Necks to the stroak of the Axe prepared for them They used to look frequently up to Heaven and one might by their smiles see that between God and them there was more than ordinary Correspondence Sometimes they would provoke the Executioners to begin their Tortures and be earnest with the Hangman not to delay their Agonnies Sometimes they would laugh at the Pain they suffer'd and in the very jaws of Death betray a taste of Immortality They looked upon Christianity as a Religion that taught them to suffer valiantly and to them it was no other but a Science to instruct Men to dispise Riches Honours and Torments too in order to Everlasting Glory Their Presidents and Pastors were known by no other Character but that of Officiousness and Charity nor had their Shepherds any other mark to be distinguish'd by but their willingness to advance the good of the Sheep and their readiness unto every good Word and Work And indeed so were the Christians in general known by their mutual Love and kind Offices If any fell sick the rest did chearfully run to comfort him and this Employment their Women were chiefly ambitious of who seldom stirred out of their own Houses but upon such occasions and when they resorted to their Oratories They were seen but rarely in the Streets except