and authentic Copy of it And the same foul play he lets them know he had met with in other places as at Ephesus and at Antioch as he there particularly relates And if they durst do this while he was yet alive and able as he did to right himself what may we think they would do after his death when there were none to controul them And upon this account most of those assertions must especially be discharged wherein Origen is made to contradict himself it being highly improbable as Rufinus f Loc. cit p. 194. well urges that so prudent and learned a person one far enough from being either fool or mad man should write things so contrary and repugnant to one another And that not only in divers but in one and the same Book XXIX I might further observe his constant zeal against Heretics his opposing and refuting of them wherever he came both by word and writing his being sent for into foreign Countries to convince gainsayers his professing to abominate all heretical doctrines and his refusing so much as to communicate in prayer with Paul the Heretic of Antioch though his whole maintenance did depend upon it And methinks it deserves to be considered that Athanasius in all the heat of the Arrian controversies then whom certainly none was ever more diligent to search out heretical persons and opinions or more accurate in examining and refuting the chief of those doctrines that are laid at Origen's door should never charge him upon that account Nay he particularly quotes him g Decret Synod Nic. contr Haeres Arrian p. 277. T. 1. vid. de Blasph in S. S. p. 971. Socr. H E. l. 6. c. 13. p. 320. to to prove our Lords coeternity and coessentiality with the Father exactly according to the decisions of the Nicene Synod dismissing him with the honourable character of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most admirable and infinitely industrious person Nor is there any heterodox opinion of his that I know of once taken notice of in all his works but only that concerning the duration of future torments and that too but h De Com. essent Patr. F. S◠p. 236. T. 1. obliquely mentioned Whence I am apt to conclude either that Origen's writings were not then so notoriously guilty or that this great man and zealous defender of the Churches doctrin who being Bishop of Alexandria could not be ignorant of what Origen had taught or written nay assures us he had read his Books did not look upon those dangerous things that were in them as his sense And indeed so he says expresly that what things he wrote by way of controversie and disputation are not to be looked upon as his own words and sentiments but as those of his contentious adversaries whom he had to deal with which accordingly in the passages he cites he carefully distinguishes from Origen's own words and sense To all which I may add that when the controversie about the condemnation of his Books was driven a Socrat. H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 12. p. 319. on most furiously by Theophilus and Epiphanius Theotimus the good Scythian Bishop plainly told Epiphanius that for his part he would never so much dishonour a person so venerable for his piety and antiquity nor durst he condemn what their Ancestors never rejected especially when there were no ill and mischievous Doctrins in Origen's Works therewithall pulling out a Book of Origen's which he read before the whole Convention and shewed it to contain Expositions agreeable to the Articles of the Church With these two excellent persons let me join the judgment of a Writer of the middle Ages of the Church b Breviar H. Eccl. l. 6. c. 3. p. 108 109. Haymo Bishop of Halberstad who speaking of the things laid to Origen's charge For my part says he saving the faith of the Ancients I affirm of him either that he never wrote these things but that they were wickedly forged by Heretics and fathered upon his name or if he did write them he wrote them not as his own judgment but as the opinion of others And if as some would have it they were his own sentiments we ought rather to deal compassionately with so learned a man who has conveyed so vast a treasury of Learning to us What faults there are in his Writings those orthodox and useful things which they contain are abundantly sufficient to over-ballance XXX THIS and a great deal more is and may be pleaded in Origen's defence And yet after all it must be confessed that he was guilty of great mistakes and rash propositions which the largest charity cannot excuse He had a natural warmth and fervor of mind a comprehensive wit an insatiable thirst after knowledge and a desire to understand the most abstruse and mysterious speculations of Theology which made him give himself an unbounded liberty in inquiring into and discoursing of the nature of things he wrote much and dictated apace and was ingaged in infinite variety of business which seldom gave him leisure to review and correct his writings and to let them pass the censure of second and maturer thoughts he traded greatly in the writings of the Heathens and was infinitely solicitous to make the doctrines of Christianity look as little unlike as might be to their best and beloved notions And certainly what Marcellus a Ap. Euseb contr Marcel l. 1. p. 23. Bishop of Ancyra long since objected against him is unquestionably true notwithstanding what Eusebius has said to salve it that coming fresh out of the philosophic Schools and having been a long time accurately trained up in the principles and books of Plato he applied himself to divine things before he was sufficiently disposed to receive them and fell upon writing concerning them while secular learning had yet the predominancy in his mind and so unwarily mingled philosophic notions with Christian principles further than the analogy of the Christian faith would allow And I doubt not but whoever would paralell his and and the Platonic principles would find that most of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is charged with his master-notions were brought out of the School of Plato as the above mentioned Huetius has in many things particularly observed S. Hierom himself whom the torrent of that time made a severe enemy to Origen could but have so much tenderness for him even in that very Tract b Ad Pammach de error Orig. p. 192. Tom. 2. wherein he passes the deepest censures upon him after he had commended him for his parts zeal and strictness of life Which of us says he is able to read so much as he has written who would not admire the ardent and sprightly temper of his mind towards the holy Scriptures But if any envious Zealot shall object his errours to us let him freely hear what was said of old Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus Horat. de Art Poet. v. 359. p. 815. Verum opere
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 sâ—pr 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Chrysostom speaks a Tutor of Piety Ibid. and teach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 Eâ—seb 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. â—on longe ab â—nit 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
he reasonably presumed it would be no little encouragement to some to desert their superstitions and come over to Christianity if they were suffered to rejoice and use a little more innocent freedom then at other times which could not be better done then at the Memorials of the Martyrs though it cannot be denied but that this custom produced ill effects afterwards XVII IN the reign of the Emperour Gallienus about the year CCLX and for some years before God being as Osorius a Hist l. 7. c. 22. fâ—l 311. truly enough conjectures offended with the cruel usage which the Christians met withall from the present Powers was resolved to punish the World And to that end did not onely suffer Valerian the Emperour friendly enough at first but afterwards a bitter Persecutor of the Christians to be betrayed into the hands of Sapor King of Persia who treated him with the highest instances of scorn and insolence but permitted the Northern b Tâ—â—â— Poll. in viâ— Gallien c. â— 5. p. 717 718. vid. Zosim Hiâ—t lib. 1. p. 352. 〈◊〉 359. Tâ—â—b Pâ—ll in vit Claâ—d c. 8 p. 8â—6 Nations like a mighty inundation to break down the Banks and overflow most parts of the Roman Empire The Germans betook themselves some into Spain others passed the Alps and came through Italy as far as Ravenna the Alemanni forraged France and invaded Italy the Quades and Sarmatae wasted Pannonia the Parthians fell into Mesopotamia and Syria and the Goths broke in upon Pontus Asia and some parts of Greece Intollerable were the outrages which these barbarous people committed where-ever they came but especially upon the Christians whose goods they plundred ravished their Wives and Daughters tortured their persons and compelled them to offer sacrifice and communicate in their Idol-Feasts many of the Renegadoes spoiling their fellow-Christians and some under a pretence of finding stole or at least kept their neighbours goods to their own use In this general confusion a neighbour Bishop of those parts writes to S. Gregory of Neocaesarea to beg his advice what to do in this sad state of affairs Who by Euphrosynus sent back a Canonical Epistle so often cited and magnified by the Ancients and still extant to rectifie these irregularities and disorders wherein he prescribes the several stations and orders of Penitents but especially reproves and censures their inordinate avarice shewing how uncomely it is in it self how unsutable to Christians how abhorrent to God and all good men to covet and grasp what is another mans and how much more barbarous and inhumane in this calamitous time to spoil the oppressed and to enrich themselves by the bloud and ruines of their miserable Brethren And because some might be apt to plead they did not steal but onely take up what they accidentally met with he lets them know that whatever they had found of their neighbours nay though it were their enemies they were bound by Gods Law to restore it much more to their Brethren who were fellow-sufferers with them in the same condition And if any thought it were warrant enough to keep what they had found though belonging to others having been such deep losers themselves he tells them this is to justifie one wickedness with another and because the Goths had been enemies to them they would become Goths and Barbarians unto others Nay many as he tells us joined in with the Barbarians in open persecuting captivating and tormenting of their Brethren In all which cases he pronounces them fit to be excluded the communion of the Saints and not to be readmitted till by a just penance according to the various circumstances of the case they had made public and solemn satisfaction to the Church XVIII NOT long after this Paulus of Samosata Bishop of Antioch began to broach very pernicious Doctrins concerning the person of our blessed Saviour To prevent the infection whereof the most eminent of the Bishops and Clergy of all those parts frequently met in Synod at Antioch the chief of whom a Euseb H. E. l. 7. c. 27. p. 278. were Firmilian Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia our S. Gregory and his brother Athenodorus Bishop also in Pontus and some others The Synod being sate and having canvassed the matter the crafty Heretic saw 't was in vain to contend and therefore dissembling his errours as well as he could he confessed what could not be hid and by a feigned repentance salved his credit for the present and secured his continuance in that honourable place he held in the Church This Council was held Ann. Chr. CCLXIV which our S. Gregory seems not long to have survived dying either this or most probably the following year a Lib. 6. c. 17. p. 408. Nicephorus makes him to have lived to a very great age which he must if as he affirms he died under Dioclesian and b In voc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 628. Suidas by a mistake much more prodigious makes him to decease in the reign of Julian A little before his death being sensible that his time drew near he sent c Gr. Niss ubi supr p. 1006. up and down the City and the Vicinage to make a strict enquiry whether there were any that yet were strangers to the Christian Faith And being told that there were but seventeen in all he sighed and lifting up his eyes to Heaven appealed to God how much it troubled him that he should leave any part of mens salvation incompleat but that withall it was a mercy that challenged the most grateful resentment that when he himself had found but seventeen Christians at his first coming thither he should leave but seventeen Idolaters to his successor Having heartily prayed for the conversion of Infidels and the increase and consummation of those that were converted he calmly and peaceably resigned up his soul to God having first enjoyned his friends to make no trouble about his Funeral nor procure him any proper and peculiar place of burial but that as in his life time he had carried himself as a Pilgrim and Foreigner in the World claiming nothing for himself so after death he might enjoy the portion of a Stranger and be cast into the common lot XIX HE was a man says d De Spir. S. c. 29. p. 359. Tim. 2. S. Basil of a Prophetical and Apostolic temper and who in the whole course of his life expressed the height and accuracy of an Evangelical conversation In all his e Id. ad Cler. Neocaes Epist LXIII p. 97. T. 3. devotions he was wont to shew the greatest reverence never covering his head in prayer as accounting that of the Apostle most proper and rational that every one praying or prophecying with his head covered dishonoureth his head All Oaths he avoided making Yea and Nay the usual measure of his communication Out of regard to our Lords threatning he durst never call his Brother Fool no anger wrath or bitterness proceeded out of his mouth Slandering
Claudius Crispinus Pope Callistus martyred after he had sate 5 years 1 moneth 12 days Urban chosen in his room 225  3 L. Turpilius Dexter  4 M. Maecius Refus 226  4 Imp. Alexander II.  5 C. Quinctilius Marcellus 227  5 D. Caelius Balbinus II. Hippolytus Bishop of Portus suffers Martyrdom 6 M. Clodius Pupienus Maximus 228  6 Verttius Modestus Origen ordained Presbyter by Alexander Bishop of Jerusalem and Theoctistus of Caesarea 7 Probus 229  7 Imp. Alexander III. The Sixth Greek Edition found at Nicopolis 8 Dio Cassius historicus 230  8 Calpurnius Agricola Origen prosecuted and Synodically condemned by Demetrius Bishop of Alexandria 9 Clementinus 231 Alexandri 9 T. Claudius Pompeianus Origen resigns up his Catechetic School to his Scholar Heraclas who is soon after chosen Bishop of Alexandria  10 Felicianus Pope Urban beheaded He is succeeded by Pontianus 232  10 Julius Lupus Origen departs from Alexandria and fixes his residence at Caesarea in Palestin 11 Maximus Plotinus becomes Ammonius his Scholar at Alexandria 233  11 Maximus II.  12 Ovinius Paternus 234  12 Maximus III. Pontianus Bishop of Rome banished into Sardinia 13 Urbanus 235  13 L. Catilius Severus Maximinus raises the Seventh Persecution against the Christians 14  Origen writes his exhortation to Martyrdom Maximinus à 18 Martii 1 L. Ragonius Urinatius Quintianus Pope Pontianus suffers martyrdom in Sardinia ..  Anterus succeeds in the Chair 236  1 Imp. Maximinus Anterus scarce having possessed his place one moneth is slain and Fabian elected in his room 2 C. Julius Africanus 237  2 P. Titius Perpetuus  3  Pupienus Balbinus à Maii 26. 1 L. Ovinius Rusticus Cornelianus 238  1 M. Ulpius Crinitus  Gordianus à Mense Martii 1 C. Nonius Proculus Pontianus 239 Gordiani 1 Imp. Gordianus Zebinus Bishop of Antioch dies Babylas is chosen to that See  2 M. Acilius Aviola 240  2 Vettius Sabinus About this time Origen is thought to have taken his second journey to Athens where he finished his Commentaries upon Ezekiel 3 Venustus 241  3 Imp. Gordianus II.  4 T. Claudiê° Pompeianê° II. 242  4 C. Aufidius Atticus  5 C. Asinius Praetextatus 243  5 C. Julius Africanus Origen is sent for into Arabia where he disputes with and converts Beryllus from his unsound and erroneous opinions 6 Aemilius Pappus 244  6 Fulvius Aemilianus  Philippê° Ã mense April 1 Peregrinus 245  1 Imp. Philippus  2 Tib. Fabius Titianus 246  2 Bruttius Praefens Dionysius one of Origens Scholars and successors in the Schola 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made Bishop of Alexandria 3 Nummius Albinus 247  3 Imp. Philippus II. The Annus Millesimus ab U. C. begun this ended the following year and celebrated by the Emperour with all imaginable solemnity and magnificence 4 M. Philippus F. Caesar 248 Philippi 4 Imp. Philippus III. Cyprian chosen Bishop of Carthage 5 M. Julius Philippus F. II. 249  5 Fulvius Aemilianus II. A tunnilt raised at Alexandria by an Impostor gives occasion to a preliminary Persecution against the Christians there 6  Decius à Maio. 1 Vettius Aquilinus 250   The Eighth Persecution raised by Decius 1 Imp. Messius Decius S. Cyprian in retirement 2 Annius Maximus Gratus Pope Fabian martyred After whose decease a vacancy in that See for above a year Novatian endeavouring to thrust himself in 251  2 Imp. Decius II. Great Schisms in the African Churches about the lapsed 3  Gallus Volusianus F. à Dec. 1 Q. Etruscus Deciê° F. Caesar Cornelius elected Bishop of Rome 252  1 Imp. Trebonianê° Gallus II. The Novatian Doctrines condemned in a Synod of 60 Bishops at Rome  The Emperours renew the Persecution begun under Decius 2 C. Vibius Volusianus A great mortality throughout the World 253  2 C. Vibius Volusianus II. Cornelius first banished then recalled cruelly beaten and at last beheaded 3  Valerianus cum Gallieno F. à Dec. 1 M. Valerius Maximus Lucius succeeds him 254  1 Imp. Licinius Valerianus II Origen dies and is buried at Tyre 2 Imp. Gallienus Valerian the Emperour at first a great Patron of the Christians 255  2 Imp. Valerianus III. Pope Lucius after one year and three moneths suffers Martyrdom Stephen a Roman chosen to be his successor 3 Imp. Gallienus II. 256 Valeriani 3 M. Valerius Maximus The great controversie about the rebaptizing such as had been baptized by Heretics hotly ventilated 4 M. Acilius Glabrio The heats between Cyprian and Stephen of Rome 257  4 Imp. Valerianus IV. The Nineth Persecution begun by Valerian 5 Imp. Gallienus III. Sabellius confounds the Persons in the Trinity and spreads his Heresie 258  5 M. Aurelius Memmius Fuscus Pope Stephen slain Aug. 2. which others refer to the foregoing year Sixtus succeeds 6 Pomponius Bassus S. Cyprian beheaded at Carthage Sept. 14. 259 Gallienus solus capto Valer. 6 Fulvius Aemilianus al. Gallienus IV. Pope Sixtus and his Deacon Laurentius receive the Crown of Martyrdom 7 Pomponius Bassus II. al. Valerianus jun. Dionysius succeeds in the See of Rome 260  7 cornelius Secularis Paul of Samosata made Bishop of Antioch 8 Junius Donatus Gallienus stops the Persecution against the Christians 261  8 Imp. Gallienus IV. Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria writes to Pope Dionysius to vindicate himself from the suspicion of Sabellianism charged upon him 9 Volusianus 262  9 Imp. Gallienus V. Aemylian attempts to make himself Emperour and besieges Alexandria where the Christians are reduced to great straits 10 App. Pompeius Faustinus 263  10 Nummius Albinus  11 Maximus Dexter 264 Gallieni 11 Imp. Gallienus VI.  12 Aemilius Saturninus 265  12 Valerianus Caesar II. A Synod held at Antioch against Paulus Samosatenus the Bishop of it 13 L. Caesonius Lucillus Macer Rufinianus Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria and Gregory Bishop of Neocaesarea depart this life 266  13 Imp. Gallienus VII Hymenaeus ordained Bishop of Jerusalem 14 Sabinillus 267  14 Ovinius Paternus  15 Arcesilaus 268  15 Ovinius Paternus II. Claudius the Emperour persecutes the Christians at Rome Claudius à Mart. 21. 1 Marinianus 269  1 Imp. Aur. Claudius  2 Ovinius Paternus III. 270  2 Flavius Antiochianus Another Synod held at Antioch wherein Paul of Samosata is condemned and deposed and Domnus placed in his room Aurelianus à Mart. 1 Furius Orfitus Pope Dionysius dies Decem. 26. 271  1 Imp. Aurelianus Felix chosen Bishop of Rome 2 Pomponius Bassus al. C. Jul. Capitolinus 272  2 Quietus Many suffer Martyrdom about this time 3 Voldumianus 273 Aureliani 3 M. Claudius Tacitus  4 Furius Placidianus 274  4 Imp. Aurelianus II. Zenobia Queen of the Palmyreni a Jewess and if some might be credited a Christian overcome by Aurelian and carried in triumph to Rome 5 C. Julius Capitolinus 275  5 Imp.
satisfactory Philosophy The great influence which the patience and fortitude of the Christians had upon his conversion The force of that argument to persuade men His vindication of himself from the charges of the Gentiles His continuance in his Philosophic habit The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what and by whom worn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His coming to Rome and opposing Heretics Marcion who and what his Principles Justin's first Apology to the Emperours and the design of it Antoninus his Letter to the Common-Council of Asia in favour of the Christians This shewed not to be the Edict of Marcus Antoninus Justin's journey into the East and conference with Trypho the Jew Trypho who The malice of the Jews against the Christians Justin's return to Rome His contests with Crescens the Philosopher Crescens his temper and principles Justin's second Apology To whom presented The occasion of it M. Antoninus his temper Justin fore-tells his own fate The Acts of his Martyrdom His arraignment before Rusticus Praefect of Rome Rusticus who the great honours done him by the Emperour Justin's discourse with the Praefect His freedom and courage His sentence and execution The time of his death His great Piety Charity Impartiality c. His natural parts and excellent learning His unskilfulness in the Hebrew Language noted A late Author censured His Writings The Epistle to Diognetus Diognetus who His stile and character The unwarrantable opinions he is charged with His indulgence to Heathens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in what sense used by the ancient Fathers How applied to Christ how to Reason His opinion concerning Chiliasm The concurrence of the Ancients with him herein This by whom first started by whom corrupted Concerning the state of the Soul after this life The doctrine of the Ancients in this matter His assertion concerning Angels maintained by most of the first Fathers The original of it Their opinion concerning Free-will shewed not to be opposed by them to the Grace of God What influence Justin's Philosophic education had upon his opinions His Writings enumerated Pag. 139. The Life of S. IRENAEUS Bishop of Lyons His Countrey enquired into His Philosophical Studies His institution by Papias Papias who His education under S. Polycarp His coming into France and being made Presbyter of Lyons Pothinus who how and by whom sent into France The grievous Persecution there under M. Aurelius The Letters of the Martyrs to the Bishop of Rome Pope Eleutherius guilty of Montanism Irenaeus sent to Rome His writing against Florinus and Blastus The martyrdom of Pothinus Bishop of Lyons and the cruelty exercised towards him Irenaeus succeeds His great diligence in his charge His oppostion of Heretics The Synods said to have been held under him to that purpose The Gnostic Heresies spread in France Their monstrous Villanies His confutation of them by word and writing Variety of Sects and Divisions objected by the Heathens against Christianity This largely answered by Clemens of Alexandria Pope Victor's reviving the controversie about Easter The contests between him and the Asiatics Several Synods to determine this matter Irenaeus his moderate interposal His Synodical Epistle to Victor The Persecution under Severus It s rage about Lyons Irenaeus his Martyrdom and place of Burial His Vertues His industrious and elaborate confutation of the Gnostics His stile and phrase Photius his censure of his Works His errour concerning Christs age Miraculous gifts and powers common in his time His Writings Pag. 161. The Life of S. THEOPHILUS Bishop of Antioch The great obscurity of his Originals His learned and ingenuous Education and natural parts An account of his conversion to Christianity and the reasons inducing him thereunto collected out of his own Writings His scrupling the Doctrine of the Resurrection The great difficulty of entertaining that Principle Synesius his case Theophilus his conquering this objection His great satisfaction in the Christian Religion His election to the Bishoprick of Antioch His desire to convert Autolycus Autolycus who His mighty prejudice against Christianity Theophilus his undertaking him and his free and impartial debating the case with him His excellent menage of the controversie His vigorous opposing the Heresies of those times His Books against Marcion and Hermogenes His death and the time of it S. Hierom's Character of his Works His Writings Pag. 173. The Life of S. MELITO Bishop of Sardis His Countrey and Birth-place His excellent Parts and Learning His being made Bishop of Sardis His coelibaâ—y His Prophetic gifts The Persecution under Marcus Aurelius Melito his Apology for the Christians A fragment of it cited out of Eusebius The great advantages of Christianity to the Empire His endeavour to compose the Paschal Controversie His Book concerning that Subject His journey to Jerusalem to search what Books of the Old Testament were received by that Church The Copy of his Letter to his Brother Onesimus concerning the Canon of the Old Testament What Books admitted by the ancient Church Solomons Proverbs stiled by the Ancients the Book of Wisdom His death and burial The great variety of his Works Vnjustly suspected of dangerous notions An account given of the titles of two of his Books most liable to suspicion His Writings enumerated Pag. 179. The Life of S. PANTAENUS Catechist of Alexandria The various conjectures concerning his Original The probabilities of his Jewish descent what Whether born in Sicily or at Alexandria His first institution The famous Platonic School erected by Ammonius at Alexandria The renown of that place for other parts of Learning Pantaenus addicted to the Sect of the Stoics The Principles of that Sect shewed to agree best with the dictates of Christianity His great emprovements in the Christian Doctrine The Catechetic School at Alexandria with its antiquity Pantaenus made Regent of it When he first entered upon this Office An Embassie from India to the Bishop of Alexandria for some to preach the Christian Faith Pantaenus sent upon this errand This Countrey where situate His arrival in India and converse with the Brachmans Their temper principles and way of life Their agreement with the Stoics Foot-steps of Christianity formerly planted there S. Matthews Hebrew Gospel found among them and brought by Pantaenus to Alexandria How far and by whom Christianity was propagated in India afterwards Pantaenus his return to Alexandria and resuming his Catechetic Office His Death His great Piety and Learning Pag. 185. The Life of S. CLEMENS of Alexandria His Countrey The progress of his Studies His instruction in the Christian doctrin His several Masters His impartial enquiry after truth The elective Sect what It s excellent genius Clemens of this Sect. His succeeding Pantaenus in the Catechetic School He is made Presbyter of Alexandria His Stromata published when Lawfulness of flying in time of Persecution His journey into the East What Tracts he wrote there His going from Jerusalem to Antioch and return to Alexandria His death The Elogia given of him by the Ancients His admirable
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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Foreign Writers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h. e. non â—olum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 †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. Epipâ—anius informs us and whom the Ancients frequently stile Arch-deacon as having the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as †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 Hâ—ron 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
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.
Justin Martyr the rest are of an inferiour and more inconsiderable notice As for his affirming that our Lord was near d Adv. Haeres l. 2 c. 39. p. 192. c. 40. ibid. fifty years of age at the time of his public Ministry it was an errour into which he was betrayed partly from a false supposition that our Lord must be of a more mature and elderly Age that so he might deliver his doctrine with the greater authority partly from a mistaken report which he had somewhere picked up and it may be from his Master Papias that S. John and the rest of the Apostles had so affirmed and taught it and partly out of opposition to his adversaries who maintained that our Saviour staid no longer upon earth then till the thirty first year of his age against whom the eagerness of disputation tempted him to make good his assertion from any plausible pretence and to take the hint though his impetus and the desire of prosecuting his Argument would not give his thoughts leave to cool and take the place into sober consideration from that question of the Jews to Christ thou art not yet fifty years old and hast thou seen Abraham whence in transitu he took it for granted that the Jews had some ground for what they said and that he must be near that age XI HIS care to have his Writings derived pure and uncorrupted to posterity was great and admirable adding to his Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this solemn and religious obtestation e Ap. Euseb H. Eccl. l. 5. c 20. p. 187. I adjure thee whoever thou art that shalt transcribe this Book by our Lord Jesus Christ and by his glorious coming wherein he shall judge the quick and the dead that thou compare what thou transcribest and diligently correct it by the Copy from whence thou transcribest it and that thou likewise transcribe this adjuration and annex it to thy Copy And well had it been with the ancient Writers of the Church had their Books been treated with this care and reverence more of them had been conveyed down to us at least those few that are had arrived more sound and unpolluted I note no more and it is what Eusebius long since thought worth taking notice of then that in his time miraculous gifts and powers were very common in the Church For so he f Adv. Haeres l. 2. c. 57. p. 218. ap Eusch l. 5. c. 7. p. 171. tells us that some expelled and cast out Devils the persons often embracing Christianity upon it others had Visions and Revelations and foretold things to come some spake all manner of Languages and as occasion was discovered mens thoughts and secret purposes and expounded the mysteries and deep things of God others miraculously healed the sick and by laying their hands upon them restored their health and many who raised the dead the persons so raised living among them many years after The Gifts as he speaks which God in the name of our crucified Lord then bestowed upon the Church being innumerable all which they sincerely and freely improved to the great advantage and benefit of the World Whence with just reason he urges the truth of our Religion in general and how much advantage true Christians had to triumph over all those Impostors and Seducers who sheltered themselves under the venerable Title of being Christians His Writings Extant Adversus Haereses seu De refutatione eversione falsae scientiae Libri V. Not extant Libellus de Scientia adversus Gentes Demonstratio Apostolicae praedicationis ad Marcianum fratrem Liber de Ogdoade Epistola ad Blastum de Schismate Ad Florinum de Monarchia seu Quod Deus non sit conditor mali Epistola Ad Victorem Episcopum Romanum de Paschate Epistola Ad varios Episcopos de eadem re Epistolae plures Variorum Tractatuum Liber The End of S. IRENAEUS 's Life THE LIFE OF S. THEOPHILUS BISHOP of ANTIOCH Micha Burg Dili et sculpsit S. THEOPHILUS ANTIOCHENUS The great obscurity of his Originals His learned and ingenuous Education and natural parts An account of his Conversion to Christianity and the reasons inducing him thereunto collected out of his own Writings His scrupling the Doctrine of the Resurrection The great difficulty of entertaining that Principle Synesius his case Theophilus his conquering this objection His great satisfaction in the Christian Religion His election to the Bishoprick of Antioch His desire to convert Autolycus Autolycus who His mighty prejudice against Christianity Theophilus his undertaking him and his free and impartial debating the case with him His excellent merage of the controversie His vigorous opposing the Heresies of those times His Books against Marcion and Hermogenes His death and the time of it S. Hieroms Character of his Works His Writings I. THOUGH the Ancients furnish us with very few notices concerning this venerable Bishop yet perhaps it may not be unacceptable to the Reader to pick up that little which may be found The mistake is not worth confuting and scarce deserves mentioning that makes him the same with that Theophilus of Antioch to whom S. Luke dedicates his Evangelical Writings so great the distance of time if there were nothing more between them Whether he was born at Antioch is uncertain but where-ever he was born his Parents were Gentiles by whom he was brought up in the common Rites of that Religion that then governed the World They gave him all the accomplishments of a learned and liberal Education and vast improvements he made in the progress of his Studies so that he was throughly versed in the Writings of all the great Masters of Learning and Philosophy in the Heathen World which being set off with a quick and a pleasant wit as appears from his Disputes against the Gentiles rendred him a man of no inconsiderable note and account among them II. WHEN or by what means converted to Christianity is impossible particularly to determine thus much onely may be gathered from the Discourses which he left behind him Being a man of an inquisitive temper and doubtless of a very honest mind he gave up himself to a more free and impartial search into the nature and state of things He found that the account of things which that Religion gave wherein he was then engaged was altogether unsatisfactory that the stories of their gods were absurd and frivolous and some of them prophane and impious that their Rites of Worship were trifling and ridiculous he considered the several parts of the Creation and that excellent providence that governed the World wherein he easily discerned the plain notices of a wise and omnipotent Being and that God had purposely disposed things thus that his Grandeur and Majesty might appear to all Accordingly he directs his friend to this method of conviction as that which doubtless he had found most successful and satisfactory to himself He bids a Ad Autolyc l. 1. p. 72. him
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. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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. Eait◠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 bega◠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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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
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