the Proconsul, who forthwith caused her to be maltreated as though he
had been bereft of reason; for he did not have her tortured with all
manner of dreadful torments, on her sides only, as was generally the
custom, but he also caused her breasts to be torn open to the very
bones, and then cut off. All this she suffered steadfastly and with
a happy countenance; but when by reason of the intensity of the pain
she could scarcely draw her breath any longer, so that it seemed that
she would soon cease to live, the Proconsul had her thrown into the
sea; and thus this faithful heroine of Jesus Christ was numbered among
her slain fellow-brethren and sisters. See _A. Mell., 1st book, fol.
124, col. 2, 3_, from _Euseb., lib. 8_. Also, _J. Gys. on the name
Theodosia_.
PAMPHILIUS, AN ELDER OF THE CHURCH AT CESAREA IN PALESTINE, MOST
MISERABLY MARTYRED THERE, FOR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 306.
This Pamphilius was an elder of the church at Cesarea, and a very
eloquent, learned and godly man. It is stated of him that after much
suffering and tribulation he underwent the conflict of martyrdom,
for the name of Christ, and was thus numbered among the heroes of the
bloody banner of Jesus Christ. It appears that he was a special friend
of Eusebius Pamphilius, so that some are of the opinion, that the
latter took his surname Pamphilius from him. This much is certain, that
he wrote the following concerning him, as ancient authors have informed
us: “Among those who were variously afflicted and vexed, and kept in
chains and bonds at Cesarea, by Urban, the Proconsul of Palestine, was
also Pamphilius, my most faithful friend, who probably was the chiefest
martyr of our time, and the most celebrated in all manner of virtue and
godliness.” _A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 124, col. 3, 4_, from _Eusebius_
and _Jerome_, compared with _J. Gys., fol. 26, col. 4_.
THE SIXTH YEAR OF THE PERSECUTION, COMMENCED A. D. 307.
From among those who were put to death in the sixth year of
Diocletian’s persecution, we have selected the following.
ENNATHAS, A CHRISTIAN MAIDEN FROM THE CITY OF SCYTHOPOLIS, BURNED ALIVE
IN PALESTINE, FOR THE CONFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, A. D. 307.
When some Christians, in their zeal for the truth, had reproved
Firmilian, the Proconsul of Palestine, for his great idolatry, and
were put to death on this account, on the thirteenth of November, A.
D. 307, a certain young maiden, named Ennathas, a native of the city
of Scythopolis, came there on the same day, not of her own accord,
however, but through compulsion, and, together with the others, boldly
laid down her life for the name of Jesus Christ. She was at first most
unmercifully treated, nay, in a manner too shameful and horrible for
description. Finally, when she remained steadfast nevertheless, in the
confession of her faith, the Judge pronounced sentence of death upon
her, namely, that she should be burnt alive; and thus this pious martyr
pressed through the strait gate, leaving her flesh on the posts; which
the Lord shall afterwards crown and reward with glory and majesty. See,
_A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 125, col. 4_, from _Euseb., J. Gys., fol. 26,
col. 4_.
CATHARINA, AN HONORABLE MAIDEN OF ALEXANDRIA, BEHEADED AFTER MANY
TORMENTS, FOR THE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 307.
It is stated that on the 25th of November of the same year, Catharina,
an honorable maiden of Alexandria, was beheaded, for the faith in Jesus
Christ, after having suffered many torments. _J. Gys., fol. 26, col.
4._
THE SEVENTH YEAR OF THE PERSECUTION, COMMENCED A. D. 308.
It is stated that in the seventh year of the persecution the following
persons were slain for the confession of the evangelical truth.
SOME PIOUS CHRISTIANS WHO WENT TO VISIT THEIR CONFINED FELLOW-BRETHREN,
APPREHENDED AT CESAREA, AND BANISHED TO THE MINES; BUT THREE OF THEM,
NAMELY, ARES, PROMUS, AND ELIAS, PUT TO DEATH AT ASKALON, A. D. 308.
About the beginning of the year 308, some godfearing Christians left
Egypt, with the intention of journeying to Cilicia, to supply those,
who for the confession of the faith had been banished to the mines
there, with some needful things in their misery and poverty. They were
apprehended at Cesarea by the guard at the gate of the city. Some of
them were sent into misery and slavery through the same sentence, which
consisted in this, that the right eye was to be put out, and the left
knee-pan cut away, and the wound seared; and thus with one eye and one
leg they were compelled to labor in this hard slavery.
Three of their number were apprehended at Askalon, in Palestine, and
were tormented in various ways, because they steadfastly confessed
their faith. One of them, named Ares, was burnt alive; the other two,
Promus and Elias, were beheaded, and thus departed this life in a godly
manner. _A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 126, col. 1_, from _Euseb._
PETER APSELAMUS, A YOUNG MAN, BURNED ALIVE AT CESAREA FOR THE NAME OF
JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 308.
Shortly afterwards (on the 11th of January), a pious man, called Peter,
and surnamed Apselamus, was apprehended. He was a native of Amea, a
village in the neighborhood of Elentheropolis. For some time he had led
the life of a recluse, having retired into solitude to give himself
over to divine meditations.
Though the Judge and the other members of the tribunal had begged him
again and again, to have compassion upon himself and his youth (for
he was yet in the bloom of life), he disregarded it all, putting his
entire confidence in the living and true God, whom he loved more than
all this world contains, yea, than his own life. Finally he suffered
his confidence in Christ, his Savior, to be tried, as precious gold, by
fire, and was burned alive at Cesarea, for the name of Jesus Christ,
having commended his soul into the hands of God. _Idem, Ibidem, ex
Euseb., lib. 8._
BIBLIS, AQUILINA, AND FORTUNATA, THREE GODFEARING CHRISTIAN WOMEN, PUT
TO DEATH FOR THE DIVINE TRUTH, IN PALESTINE, A. D. 308.
Among various other martyrs who suffered for the testimony of Jesus
Christ in the seventh year of Diocletian’s persecution, we have noticed
that there were also several honorable Christian women who, from
love to their Savior, did not hesitate to give their lives for the
truth. They were called Biblis, Aquilina, a girl of twelve years, and
Fortunata, a maiden of Cesarea; who together laid down their lives for
the truth, in Palestine. _J. Gys., fol. 26, col. 3_, compared with _A.
M., fol. 131, col. 3, ex Mart. Rom. Menol. Grec. Metaphrast. 13 Junii_.
THE EIGHTH YEAR OF THE PERSECUTION, COMMENCED A. D. 309.
It is related that at this time the modes of torture and of putting
to death were various. Some were beheaded with the axe, as was mostly
done with the martyrs in Arabia. Some had their legs broken on the
wheel, as was the case with those who confessed the name of Christ in
Cappadocia. Others were hung up by their heels, with the head close
to the ground, and then suffocated by a small fire, as was the case
in Mesopotamia. Some had their noses, ears, hands, feet, and other
members, cut off, as was done to those at Alexandria. At Antioch some
were roasted on frying-pans, not unto death, but to intensify the
pain. But the sufferings inflicted upon the poor martyrs in Pontus are
horrible to relate; for some had sharp splints of reed thrust between
the nails and the flesh of their fingers; others had melted lead poured
over their naked bodies; some had their secret parts singed and seared,
in the invention of which tortures the judges and proconsuls vied with
one another, even as though they wished thereby to manifest their great
ingenuity, and their tyranny against the Christians. See concerning,
this, _A. Mell., fol. 128, col. 1, 2_.
TWO SISTERS AT ANTIOCH DROWNED IN THE SEA, BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT
RENOUNCE CHRIST THEIR SAVIOR, A. D. 309.
In the eighth year of Diocletian’s persecution, that is, A. D. 309,
there were at Antioch two sisters, young maidens, of modest manners and
pious life, intelligent and well-informed in the way of godliness; so
that the world was not worthy, to contain them any longer. They were
apprehended and examined, and, clinging steadfastly to Christ, cast
into the depths of the sea, and drowned, by the servants of Satan. See
the above named author, in the same book, _fol. 129, col. 1_, from
_Euseb._
IRENE AND HER TWO SISTERS, BURNED ALIVE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS
CHRIST, A. D. 309.
In the records written, through the clerk of the criminal court, by
the Proconsul Dulcetius, concerning some pious martyrs, there is
pronounced, at the close, a certain sentence of death over three
sisters, who steadfastly continued in the truth of Christ. The last
part of the aforementioned records contain, in regard to this, the
following words: “And when he (Dulcetius) had demanded paper, he wrote
this sentence of death: ‘Whereas Irene would not obey the decree of the
Emperors, and sacrifice to the gods, and does still remain a Christian,
therefore I command that she be burned alive, as her two sisters were.’”
When the criminal Judge had pronounced this sentence upon Irene, the
soldiers took her and brought her upon an elevated place, where her
sisters had died; and when they had built a great fire of wood, they
made her climb upon it, and there, after singing sweet psalms and
hymns of praise to the honor of God, she was consumed by the flames.
_A. Mell., fol. 130 and 131, col. 1, ex Act. Ver. Proconsular. apud
Metaph._ Also, _Acta cognitionis novissime diei_.
PETER, NILUS, AND P. MYTHIUS, BURNED IN EGYPT; FORTY BEHEADED;
MARTIONILLA, EUPHRATESIA, SEVEN BROTHERS, AND OTHERS, PUT TO DEATH AT
ANTIOCH, A. D. 309.
It is stated that besides the aforementioned martyrs there were put
to death by fire in Egypt, for the name of the Lord, three pious
Christians, named Peter, Nilus, and P. Mythius; forty others were
beheaded; and for the same reason, Martionilla, Euphratesia, seven
brothers, and various others, also laid down their lives for the truth.
_J. Gys., fol. 27, col. 1._
THE NINTH YEAR OF THE PERSECUTION, COMMENCED A. D. 310.
The ancients tell us that Maximinus Jovius instituted at this time a
special persecution at Antioch, through the instrumentality of one
Theotecnus; to which end he caused an image to be erected, in honor
of Jupiter Philius (the god of friendship), by which--whether through
Satan or through jugglery--certain oracles were uttered, to the
effect, that God had commanded that the Christians, as his special
enemies, should be driven out of every country, city, and field, and be
exterminated, the sooner the better. _A. Mell., fol. 134, from Euseb._
It is easy to judge that this false and blood-thirsty voice, having
fallen as a true oracle into the hearts of the heathen, caused not a
little shedding of blood, oppression, and burning among the innocent
and defenseless lambs of Christ, as we shall presently in some measure
show.
LUCIAN, AN ELDER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT ANTIOCH, AFTER HAVING
CONFESSED THE FAITH, CAST INTO PRISON, AND PUT TO DEATH THERE, A. D.
310.
Among the many pious witnesses of Jesus Christ, who laid down their
lives for the truth, Lucian, who was an elder of the church at Antioch,
was not one of the least; for it is stated of him, that he was a very
godly, wise, and eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures, but above
all, that he boldly sealed all this with his blood and death, to the
honor of God.
The Judge asked him as he stood before his judgment seat, saying: “O
Lucian, how does it come that thou, who art such a wise man, dost
follow this sect, for which thou canst give no reason at all? Or, if
thou hast any, let us hear it.”
Having obtained permission to speak, he made a very excellent and
glorious profession of his faith; which would well deserve a place
here, were we not, in order to avoid prolixity, compelled to omit it.
As soon as he had ended his confession, and the people had, in some
measure, been drawn over to his views, the Judge commanded them to
lock him up again in prison, and to put him to death there; which, as
the ancient writers relate, was accordingly done. But God shall reveal
it all on the last day, and reward every one according to his works.
Compare with _A. M., fol. 135, col. 1–4, ex Eusebio and Ruffino, in
Hist. Eccles. Hier. Catal. in Luciano_.
NOTE.--Some place this Lucian in the tenth year of the persecution,
namely, in A. D. 311.
PETER, FAUSTUS, DIDIUS, AND AMMONIUS, WHO MINISTERED TO THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST AT ALEXANDRIA, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE FAITH IN THE SON OF
GOD, A. D. 310.
At this time there were persecuted, by virtue of the bloody decree
of Maximian, a number of godfearing and learned men, who adhered to
Christ by a true confession; of whom we shall briefly present a few,
mentioning also the place and time of their death. Peter, bishop of the
church of Christ at Alexandria, and Faustus, Didius, and Ammonius, all
three elders, were put to death for the faith in Jesus Christ, on the
28th day of November, A. D. 310. There were also several other bishops
in Egypt, who laid down their lives for the same reason. Compare _J.
Gys., fol. 27, col. 1_, with _A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 136, col. 4,
from Eusebius, Epiphanius, Athanasius_.
ANYSIA, A YOUNG GIRL OF THESSALONICA, SLAIN IN THE TEMPLE, AT
ALEXANDRIA, BECAUSE OF HER CHRISTIAN FAITH, A. D. 310.
Anysia, a girl of Thessalonica, born of wealthy Christian parents, was
slain in the temple at Alexandria, because of her Christian faith, at
the time when Maximian had issued a decree authorizing every one to
kill the Christians wherever they might be found. _J. Gys., fol. 27,
col. 2._
DEMETRIUS, A CHRISTIAN TEACHER, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN
TRUTH, AT ALEXANDRIA, A. D. 310.
At the same time and place, also Demetrius, a remarkably virtuous and
zealous teacher, sealed the genuine, divine and Christian truth with
his blood. _Idem, Ibidem._
THEODORUS, PHILEMON, AND CYRILLA, PUT TO DEATH FOR THEIR LOVE TO THEIR
SAVIOR, A. D. 310.
Besides the preceding ones, we find that there were put to death,
for the name of the Lord, and their love to their Savior, Theodorus,
a bishop of the church of Christ, Philemon, and Cyrilla. See the
abovementioned author, in the same book, _fol. 27, col. 3, ex Vinc.,
lib. 12, cap. 149_.
THE TENTH OR LAST YEAR OF THIS PERSECUTION, COMMENCED A. D. 311.
We shall speak but briefly of the last year of this persecution, since
ancient writers have left us little information in regard to it.
Nevertheless, there were some at that time, who laid down their lives
for the truth; among whom the following are mentioned.
EUGENIUS, AUXENTIUS, MAODATIUS, AND MANY OTHERS, AFTER MANY TORMENTS
PUT TO DEATH IN VARIOUS WAYS, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, A. D.
311.
Eugenius, because he confessed Christ, and had reproved the wickedness
of the heathen, had his tongue cut out, and his arms and legs broken,
and thus departed this life, steadfastly continuing in the Lord.
Auxentius, a deacon of the Christian church at Auracea, in Asia, was
beheaded for the same reason--for the faith in Christ.
Maodatius was hung up by his toes, and, having been pierced with
red-hot awls, and burned with torches, was deprived of life, for the
testimony of Jesus.
Besides these, many others were put to death for the faith, whose names
cannot be given; hence we shall content ourselves with those already
mentioned. See _J. Gys., fol. 27, col. 4, at the foot, and fol. 28,
col. 1_.
In the _Introduction to the Martyrs Mirror, fol. 44_ and _45_, there
are mentioned, besides the ten general persecutions, which we have
described, two others, there called the eleventh and the twelfth
persecutions; of which the former is said to have begun, A. D. 316,
under Lucinius, who, together with Constantine the Great, reigned in
the east; and the second, A. D. 362, under Julian the Apostate. But
since other eminent writers do not pronounce these persecutions as
general ones, we shall give no special account of them; however, if any
true martyrs were put to death at that time, we hope to mention each in
his proper place. Under Lucinius, there laid down their lives for the
faith in the Son of God, according to the testimony of the ancients,
the following persons.
BASILEUS, BISHOP AT PONTUS; AMMON, A DEACON; ABOUT FORTY WOMEN; AND
OTHERS, PUT TO DEATH BY FIRE, WATER, AND ICE, A. D. 316.
When it was thought that the previous persecutions, especially
that under Diocletian and Maximian, should have quenched the
blood-thirstiness of the great, Lucinius, who occupied the imperial
throne in the east, was still not content therewith. For when the winds
of blood, fanned on by Satan, blew through his head, he caused to be
put to death without mercy, various pious Christians, namely: Basileus,
bishop of the church of Christ at Amasen, in Pontus; Ammon, a deacon;
and about forty women, whom he had killed, some by fire, and some by
water; as well as various other pious martyrs, whom he had put in the
cold ice, thus causing their death. This happened about the tenth year
of the reign of Lucianius, which agrees with A. D. 316. _Introd., fol.
44, col. 1, 2._
TWO BROTHERS, DONOTIAN AND ROGATIAN, BEHEADED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF
JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 360.
There were two brothers, Donotian and Rogatian, natives of Italy;
one of whom, Donotian, had accepted the true Christian faith, and
been baptized upon it; but the other, Rogatian, had not yet received
baptism, was however a neophyte or catechumen, having been brought
to the knowledge of the Christian truth through the instrumentality
of his brother. Both were apprehended. Then Rogatian wished greatly
that he had been baptized, for he knew that he would have to die; but
that could not be, as there was no opportunity. His brother, Donotian,
therefore prayed to God, that his blood might be accounted to him for
the sacrament of baptism. The next day both were beheaded, A. D. 360.
_P. J. Twisck, Chron., 4th book, fol. 106, col. 2, from the tract,
Grondig Bewijs van den Heyligen Doop, letter B._ Also, _Leonh., in
tract., lib. 2_. These authors must be compared with each other.
The persecution which took place under Julian, the Apostate, did not
destroy the bodies as much as the souls. For since he was a very crafty
man, and had an eloquent, yet deceitful, tongue, he did more harm to
the church of God by his flattery, than by tyranny. Nevertheless,
several of the true Christians were martyred under his reign; who
would rather through the way of death enter life eternal, than through
the way of temporal life, by flattery, fall into eternal death and
damnation; as shall presently be shown.
JOHN AND PAUL, WHO OPPOSED WAR, PUT TO DEATH AS HERETICS, UNDER JULIAN
THE APOSTATE, ABOUT A. D. 363.
There were two special friends, John and Paul, who opposed war and
bloodshed. They were called to war, and urged to engage in it, but
as they would not consent to it, they were therefore, as well as
because of their true Christian confession, put to death as heretics.
Concerning this, different authors write thus: “John and Paul had to
die, because they would not engage in warfare, but replied to the
Apostate: ‘We are Christians; it is not lawful for us to engage in
war.’” In _Grondelijke Verklaringe Danielis, en Johannis Openbaringe_,
printed at _Harlem_, _A. D. 1635, page 56_, from various other authors.
SOME PIOUS PEOPLE, WHO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST,
REFUSED TO ENGAGE IN WARFARE, VERY CRUELLY PUT TO DEATH BY THE EMPEROR
VALENS, A. D. 368.
After the death of the Emperor Julian, Jovian reigned, and after
the death of the latter, the empire devolved on Valentinian, who is
commonly called Valens. He, too, stained his hands with the blood of
the Christians, yet not so excessively as some of his predecessors.
Nevertheless, he cannot be excused, seeing he caused some pious people
who observed the doctrine of Christ to be put to a very cruel death,
because they, like the abovementioned John and Paul, refused to perform
military service. Compare _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 4th book, p. 114, col.
1_, with _Jan. Crespin_, in his tract, treating of the oppressions,
_fol. 114_.
We might have adduced more martyrs for this century, but since that
which the ancients have written with respect to their lives, as well
as their faith and religion is doubtful, we have not deemed it well to
proceed further, and shall, therefore, content ourselves with the true
martyrs of whom we have already given an account, and those of whom we
hope to give an account in the following centuries.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOLY BAPTISM OF THE MARTYRS IN THE FIFTH CENTURY.
SUMMARY OF BAPTISM IN THE FIFTH CENTURY.
[We have begun this century with the fifth chapter of the _Centuriæ
Magdeburgenses_, the contents of which may be examined.
Vincent Victor opposes Augustine in the matter of infant baptism.
Synesius Syrenus, baptized on his faith, by Theophilus.
The fourth council of Carthage establishes, that those who desire to be
baptized, must first be examined, and sounded relative to their faith.
Sedulius maintains that baptism is a regeneration, and, moreover,
exhorts the young to baptism.
Hilarius of Syracuse asserts the salvation of children that die
unbaptized.
The edict of Honorius and Theodosius against the Anabaptists.
The council held at Carthage, under Aurelius, against those who denied
original sin, infant baptism, and predestination, adopts resolutions
entirely different from the decree of the aforementioned fourth council
of Carthage.
The edicts of Honorius and Theodosius, in support of said council.
Maximus teaches the baptism of Christ; Cresconius and his adherents are
pronounced Anabaptists; Cyril of Alexandria speaks soundly on baptism,
and opposes the errors of the Nastorians and Valentinians.
An account, from Socrates, of many persons at Alexandria, who hastened
to baptism, and were baptized on confession of their sins; as also, of
a sick Jew, who was baptized, and of one who received baptism after
much fasting.
Faustus Regiensis teaches that for baptism the will [consent] of him
that is baptized is necessary.
Evragius makes mention of the baptism of the candidates, that is, of
those who had previously been instructed.
Eucherius maintains that that believer who dies unto sin is rightly
baptized.
Carthaginian women who waited for baptism.
In the Council of Arausica rules are made respecting the baptism of the
dumb, the weak, and catechumens.
Nazarius, the son of Perpetua, a Christian woman, is baptized after
previous instruction.
In the margin mention is made of one Montluck, who adduces the
resolutions of various councils, against the killing of heretics; as
also, the views of Gelasius concerning the holy Supper.
Salvian of Marseilles, on renouncing Satan, confessing the faith in
God, which it was customary to do at baptism.
Authymius, Sisinnius, and Sociorus, baptized after having been
instructed for seven days.
Nolanus mentions the hymns which it was customary to sing at baptism.
Anabaptism condemned in the fourth council of Rome.
An account of many who separated from the church of Rome, and, though
baptized in their infancy, were baptized upon faith; as also, what the
Pope (or Bishop of Rome) decreed against this.
Primasius’ explanation of 1 Tim. 6:12; its application to adult
candidates for baptism.
Fulgentius calls baptism a sacrament of faith and repentance.
In the margin it is stated how vehemently Leo inveighed against the
bishops of Campania, etc., who, according to his judgment, did not
administer baptism aright.
The conclusion is from P. J. Twisck, who says that ancient church
history, other writers excepted, makes no mention of infant baptism
before A. D. 500.]