the Christian religion." It appears that this of those who died in prison, previous to the miraculous storm so intimidated the enemy, appointed time of execution, were thrown that part deserted to the Roman army, the to dogs. Indeed, so far did the malice of the rest were defeated, and the revolted provinces were entirely recovered.

PERSECUTIONS IN FRANCE.

Pagans proceed, that they set guards over the bodies while the beasts were devouring them, lest the friends of the deceased should get them by stealth; and the offals left by the dogs, were ordered to be burnt.

Although this manifest interference of the Almighty in favor of the Christians, occa- The martyrs of Lyons are said to have sioned the persecution to subside for some been forty-eight in number, and their executime, in those parts immediately under the tions happened in the year of Christ. 177. inspection of the emperor, yet we find that They all died with great fortitude. it soon after raged in France, particularly at Besides the above martyrs of Lyons, many Lyons, where the tortures, to which many others suffered in that city, and different of them were put, almost exceed the powers parts of the empire, soon after. Of these, of description. All manner of punishments the principal were: Epipodius and Alexanwere adopted; torments, and painful deaths; der, celebrated for their great friendship, such as being banished, plundered, hanged, and their Christian union. The former was burnt, &c.; and even the servants and slaves born at Lyons, the latter in Greece; they of opulent Christians were racked and tor- were of mutual assistance to each other, by tured, to make them accuse their masters the continual practice of all manner of Chrisand employers. The following were the tian virtues and godliness. At the time the principal of these martyrs: Vetius Agathus, persecution first began to rage at Lyons, they a young man, who having pleaded the Chris- were in the prime of life, and to avoid its tian cause, was asked if he was a Christian; severities, they thought proper to withdraw to which answering in the affirmative, he to a neighboring village. Here they were was condemned to death. Many, animated for some time concealed by a Christian widow." by this young man's intrepidity, boldly owned But the malice of their persecutors sought their faith, and suffered likewise. Blandinia, after them with indefatigable industry, and a Christian, but of a weak constitution, being pursued them to their place of concealment, seized and tortured on account of her reli- whence they were committed to prison withgion, received so much strength from Hea-out examination. At the expiration of three ven, that her torturers became tired fre- days, being brought before the governor, they quently, and were surprised at her being were examined in the presence of a crowd able to bear her torments for so great a length of heathens, when they confessed the divinity of time, and with such resolution. Sanctus, of Christ; on which the governor, being ena deacon of Vienne, was put to the tortures, raged at what he termed their insolence, which he bore with great fortitude, and only said, "What signify all the former execucried, "I am a Christian." Red-hot plates tions, if some yet remain who dare acknowof brass were placed upon those parts of the ledge Christ?" body that were tenderest, which contracted They were then separated, that they should the sinews; but he remaining inflexible, was not console with each other, and he bega reconducted to prison. Being brought out to tamper with Epipodius, the youngest o from his place of confinement a few days the two. He pretended to pity his condition afterwards, his tormentors were astonished and entreated him not to ruin himself by or to find his wounds healed, and his person per-stinacy. "Our deities," continued he, "ar fect; they however again proceeded to tor- worshipped by the greater part of the peopl ture him; but not being able at that time to in the universe, and their rulers; we ador take his life, they remanded him to prison, them with feasting and mirth, while yo where he remained for some time after, and adore a crucified man; we, to honor ther was at length beheaded. Biblides, a weak launch into pleasures; you, by your fait woman, had been an apostate, but having are debarred from all that indulges the sense returned to the faith, was martyred, and bore Our religion enjoins feasting, yours fasting her sufferings with great patience. Attalus, ours the joys of licentious blandishments, you of Pergamus, was another sufferer; and the barren virtue of chastity. Can you e Pothinus, the venerable bishop of Lyons, who pect protection from one who could not s was ninety years of age, was so treated by cure himself from the persecutions of a co the enraged mob, that he expired two days temptible people? Then quit a profession after in the prison. such austerity, and enjoy those gratificatio At Lyons, exclusive of those already men- which the world affords, and which yo tioned, the martyrs were compelled to sit in youthful years demand." Epipodius, in red-hot iron chairs till their flesh broiled. ply, contemning his compassion: "Your p This was inflicted with peculiar severity on tended tenderness," said he, "is actual c Sanctus, already mentioned, and some others. elty; and the agreeable life you describe Some were sewed up in nets, and thrown replete with everlasting death. Christ s on the horns of wild bulle and the carcasses fered for us, that our pleasures should

immortal, and hath prepared for his followers prejudices against Christianity. His prin an eternity of bliss. The frame of man being cipal weakness was pride, and to that may composed of two parts, body and soul, the be chiefly ascribed the errors of his reign; first as mean and perishable, should be ren- for having fancied himself Hercules, he sacdered subservient to the latter. Your idola- rificed those to. his vanity, who refused tc trous feasts may gratify the mortal, but they subscribe to his absurd opinion. njure the immortal part; that cannot, there- In this reign Apollonius, a Roman senator, fire, be enjoying life, which destroys the became a martyr. This eminent person was most valuable moiety of your frame. Your skilled in all the polite literature of those pleasures lead to eternal death, and our pains times, and in all the purest precepts taught to eternal happiness." by our blessed Redeemer. He was accused For this rational speech Epipodius was by his own slave Severus, upon an unjust severely beaten, and then put to the rack, and contradictory, but unrepealed, edict of upon which being stretched, his flesh was the emperor Trajan. This law condemned torn with iron hooks. Having borne his the accused to die, unless he recanted his torments with incredible patience and forti- opinion; and, at the same time, ordered the tade, he was taken from the rack and be execution of the accuser for slander.-Apolbeaded Alexander, his companion, was lonius, upon this ridiculous statute, was acbrought before the judge, two days after his cused; for though his slave, Severus, knew execution; and on his absolute refusal to re- he must die for the accusation, yet such was jnounce Christianity, he was placed on the his diabolical malice and desire of revenge, rack and beaten by three executioners, who that he courted death in order to involve his relieved each other alternately. He bore his master in the same destruction. As Apollosufferings with as much fortitude as his friend nius refused to recant his opinions, he was, had done, and at length was crucified. These by order of the Roman senators, to whom he martyrs suffered A. D. 179; the first on the had appealed, condemned to be beheaded. 120th of April, and the other in two days after. The sentence was executed on the 18th of Valerian and Marcellus, who were nearly April, A. D. 186, his accuser having prerelated to each other, were imprisoned at viously had his legs broken, and been put to Lyons, in the year 177, for being Christians. death. By some means, however, they made their

About this time succeeded Anicetus, Soter, escape, and travelled different roads. The and Eleutherius, about the year of our Lord atter made several converts in the territories 189. This Eleutherius, at the request of of Besançon and Chalons; but being appre- Lucius, king of Britain, sent to him Damia hended, was carried before Priscus, the gov- nus and Fugatius, by whom the king was fror of those parts. This magistrate, know- converted to Christ's faith, and baptized about ng Marcellus to be a Christian, ordered him the year 179.

to be fastened to some branches of a tree, Eusebius, Vincentius, Potentianus, and which were drawn for that purpose. When Peregrinus, for refusing to worship Commohe was tied to different branches, they were dus as Hercules, were likewise martyred.* et go, with a design to tear him to pieces Julius, a Roman senator, becoming a conby the suddenness of the jerks. But this in- vert to Christianity, was ordered, by the emvention failing, he was conducted to Chalons, to be present at some idolatrous sacrifices, at which, refusing to assist, he was put to the torture, and afterwards fixed up to the waist in the ground, in which position he expired, A. D. 179, after remaining three days. Valean was also apprehended, and, by the order Priscus, was first brought to the rack, and then beheaded, in the same year as his relation Marcellus.

About this time, among other pious teachers whom God raised up to confound the persecutors by learning and writing, as the martyrs to confirm the truth with their blood, was Seraphion, bishop of Antioch; Egesippus, a writer of the Ecclesiastical His tory from Christ's passion to his time; Heraclitus, who first began to write annotations upon the New Testament and epistles of the apostles; Theophilus, who wrote divers epistles, from whence we learn bishop of Cesarea; and Dionysius, bishop of Corinth, that it was then the practice in the churches, to read the letters and epistles, sent by learned bishops and teachers, to the congregations; for, writing to the day we celebrate the holy dominical day, in which church of the Romans and to Soter, he says--"This we have read your epistle, which always we will read for our exhortation; like as we do read also the epistle of Clement sent to us before," &c. By him also mention is made of the keeping of Sunday

About the same time the following martyrs Ffered; Benignus, at Dijon; Speusippus, and others, at Langres; Androchus, Thyr us, and Felix, at Salieu; Sympoviam and Forella, at Autun; Severinus, Felician, and Exuperus, at Vienne; Cecilia, the virgin, at Sicily; and Thraseus, bishop of Phrygia, at Smyrna. holy, of which we find no mention in ancient authors before his time, except only in Justin the martyr, In the year 180 the Emperor Antoninus who in his description declares two times most es ded, and was succeeded by his son Commo-pecially used for Christians to congregate together s who did not imitate his father in any the first, when any convert was to be baptized; the respect. He had neither his virtues nor his that day God made the world, and because Christ second, upon the Sunday; because, says h., upon ces; he was without his learning and his upon that day first showed himself, after his resurmorality, and, at the same time, without his rection, to his disciples, &c.

peror, to sacrifice to him as Hercules. This after remaining in prison a considerable time, Julius absolutely refused, and publicly pro- he was, in the year 190, pursuant to his senfessed himself a Christian. On this account, tence, beat to death with cudgels.

The Fifth General Persecution under the Roman Emperors.

THE emperor Commodus dying in the year sooner confirmed his assertion, than he was 191, was succeeded by Pertinax, and he by dragged before the judge, committed to pris Julianus, both of whom reigned but a short on, and beheaded immediately. time. On the death of the last, Severus be- Irenæus, bishop of Lyons, was born in came emperor in the year 192.-When he Greece, and received a Christian education had been recovered from a severe fit of sick- It is generally supposed that the account o ness by a Christian, he became a great fa- the persecutions at Lyons was written b vorer of Christians in general; and even per- himself. He succeeded the martyr Pothinu mitted his son Caracalla to be nursed by a as bishop of Lyons, and ruled his diocese wit female of that persuasion. Hence, during great propriety: he was a zealous opposer o the reigns of the emperors already mentioned, heresies in general, and wrote a celebrate who successively succeeded Commodus, and tract against heresy, about A. D. 187. some years of the latter's reign, the Chris- Victor, the bishop of Rome, wanting tians had a respite for several years from impose a particular mode of keeping Easte persecution. But the prejudice and fury of there, it occasioned some disorders amon the ignorant multitude again prevailed, and the Christians. In particular, Irenæus wro the obsolete laws were put in execution him a synodical epistle in the name of against the Christians.-The Pagans were Gallic churches. This zeal in favor alarmed at the progress of Christianity, and Christianity, pointed him out as an object revived the calumny of placing accidental resentment to the emperor; and he was a misfortunes to the account of its professors. cordingly beheaded in A. D. 202. Fire, sword, wild beasts, and imprisonments, were resorted to; and even the dead bodies

PERSECUTIONS IN AFRICA.

of Christians were torn from their graves, The persecutions about this time extend and subjected to every insult; yet the gospel to Africa, and many were martyred in th withstood the attacks of its boisterous ene- part of the globe; the most particular mies. Tertullian, who lived in this age, in- whom were Perpetua, a married lady forms us, that if the Christians had collect- about twenty-six years of age, with a you ively withdrawn themselves from the Roman child at her breast; she was seized upon territories, the empire would have been being a Christian. Her father, who tende greatly depopulated. loved her, went to console her during

Victor, bishop of Rome, suffered martyr- confinement, and attempted to persuade dom in the first year of the third century, to renounce Christianity. Perpetua, h viz. A. D. 201, though the circumstances are ever, resisted every entreaty. This res not ascertained. tion so much incensed her father, that

Leonidas, the father of the celebrated beat her severely, and did not visit her Origen, was beheaded for being a Christian. some days after; and, in the mean time, Previous to the execution, the son, in order and some others who were confined, w to encourage him, wrote to him in these re- baptized, as they were before only cated markable words: "Beware, Sir, that your inens.

care for us does not make you change your On being carried before the pro-co resolution." Many of Origen's hearers like- Minutius, she was commanded to sacrific wise suffered martyrdom; particularly two the idols; but refusing, she was ordered brothers, named Plutarchus and Serenus: dark dungeon, and was deprived of her cl another Serenus, Heron, and Heraclides, Two deacons, however, Tertius and Por were beheaded; Rhais had boiling pitch nius, who had the care of persecuted C poured upon her head, and was then burnt, tians, allowed her some hours daily to in as was Marcella her mother. the fresh air, during which time she had

Potamiena, the sister of Rhais, was exe- satisfaction of being allowed to suckle cuted in the same manner as Rhais. But child. Foreseeing, however, that she sh Basilides, an officer belonging to the army, not long be permitted to take care of it, and one ordered to attend her execution, be-recommended it strongly to her mother came a convert on witnessing her fortitude. tention. Her father at length paid h When he was required to take a certain second visit, and again entreated her t oath, he refused, saying, that he could not nounce Christianity. His behavior was swear by the Roman idols, as he was a all tenderness and humanity; but infle Christian. The people could not, at first, to all things but Christ, she knew she believe what they heard; but he had no leave every thing for his sake; and she

said to him, "God's will must be done.", tioner did that office with a sword. Revoca He then, with an almost bursting heart, left tus and Satur were destroyed by wild beasts; ber. Saturnius was beheaded; and Secundulus Perpetua gave the strongest proof of for- died in prison. These executions took place titude and strength of mind on her trial. on the 8th of March, A. D. 205. The judge entreated her to consider her The crimes and false accusations objected father's tears, her infant's helplessness, and against the Christians at, this time were, seher own life; but triumphing over the softer dition and rebellion against the emperor, sentiments of nature, she forgot the ideas of sacrilege, murdering of infants, incestuous both mental and corporeal pain, and deter- poliution, eating raw flesh, libidinous commined to sacrifice all the feelings of human mixture, for which many, called then gnossensibility, to that immortality offered by tici, were disgraced. It was objected against Christ. In vain did they attempt to persuade them that they worshipped the head of an her that their offers were gentle, and her ass; which calumny was propagated by the Ca religion otherwise. Aware that she Jews. They were charged also with worat die, her father's parental tenderness shipping the sun, because before the sun rose returned, and in his anxiety he attempted to they met together, singing their morning carry her off, on which he received a severe hymns to the Lord, or else because they bow from one of the officers. Irritated at prayed towards the east, but particularly bets, the daughter immediately declared, cause they would not with them adore their Hat she felt that blow more severely than if idolatrous gods. sue had received it herself. Being conducted Speratus, and twelve others, were beback to prison, she awaited her execution headed; as was Androclus, in France. Aswith several other persons, who were to be clepiades, bishop of Antioch, suffered many executed at the same time; one of these, tortures, but his life was spared. Cecilia, a Fencitas, a married Christian lady, was big young lady of a good family in Rome, was with child at the time of her trial. The married to a gentleman named Valerian. rocurator, when he examined her, entreated Being a Christian herself, she soon persuaded ber to have pity upon herself and her condi- her husband to embrace the same faith; and Lon; but she replied, that his compassion his conversion was speedily followed by was useless, for no thought of self-preserva- that of Tiburtius his brother. This informa could induce her to submit to any idola- tion drew upon them all the vengeance of rous proposition. She was delivered in the laws: the two brothers were beheaded; son of a girl, which was adopted by a and the officer, who led them to execution, Christian woman as her own. becoming their convert, suffered in a similar Revocatus was a catechumen of Carthage, manner. da slave. The names of the other prison- When the lady was apprehended, she was rs, who were to suffer upon this occasion, doomed to death in the following manner: were Satur, Saturnius, and Secundulus. she was placed naked in a scalding bath, and When the day of execution arrived, they having continued there a considerable time, were led to the amphitheatre. Satur, Satur- her head was struck off with a sword, A. D. TGS and Revocatus, having the fortitude to 222. Calistus, bishop of Rome, was martyred denounce God's judgments upon their perse- A. D. 224, but the manner of his death is ators, were ordered to run the gauntelope not recorded; and in A. D. 232, Urban, between the hunters, or such as had the care bishop of Rome, met the same fate. the wild beasts.-The hunters being drawn Agapetus, a boy of Præneste, in Italy, who in two ranks, they ran between, and as was only fifteen years of age, absolutely reQey passed were severely lashed. Felicitas fusing to sacrifice to the idols, was severely Perpetua were stripped, in order to be scourged, and then hanged up by the feet, rown to a mad bull; but some of the spec- and boiling water poured over him. He was wors, through decency, desired that they afterwards worried by wild beasts, and at last it be permitted to put on their clothes, beheaded. The officer, named Antiochus, ach request was granted. The bull made who superintended this execution, while it 8 first attack upon Perpetua, and stunned was performing, fell suddenly from his judiber; he then attacked Felicitas, and wounded cial seat, crying out that his bowels burned - her much; but not killing them, the execu- like the supposed pains of hell.

The Sixth General Persecution under the Roman Emperors.

MAXIMUS, who was emperor in A. D. 235, [self a Christian, was scourged, imprisoned, used a persecution against the Christians; and put to death. Pontianus, bishop of Rome, n Cappadocia, the president Semiramus for preaching against idolatry, was banished. sade great efforts to exterminate the Chris- to Sardinia, and there destroyed. Anteros, as from that kingdom. A Roman soldier, a Grecian, who succeeded this bishop in the The refused to wear a laurel crown, bestowed see of Rome, gave so much offence to the him by the emperor, and confessed him-government by collecting the acts of the

feet, over thorns, nails, sharp shells, &c. Christians, who had been intimate with Poly. Others were scourged, till their sinews and carpus, were soon after martyred. veins lay bare; and after suffering the most excruciating tortures, they were destroyed by the most terrible deaths.

METRODORUS, a minister, who preached boldly, and Pionius, who made some excellent apologies for the Christian faith, were likewise burnt. Carpus and Capilus, two worthy Christians, and Agathonica, a pious woman, suffered martyrdom at Pergamopolis, in Asia, about the same period.

GERMANICUS, a young and true Christian, being delivered to the wild beasts on account of his faith, behaved with such astonishing courage, that several Pagans became converts to a faith which inspired such fortitude. This enraged others so much, that they cried FELICITATAS, an illustrious Roman lady out, he merited death; and many of the mul- of a considerable family, and great virtues, titude wondering at this beloved martyr for was a devout Christian. She had seven sons, his constancy and virtue, began suddenly whom she had educated with the most exemto cry with a loud voice, saying, "Destroy plary piety. The empire having been about the wicked men, let Polycarpus be sought this time grievously troubled with earthfor." And whilst a great uproar and tumult quakes, famine, inundations, &c. the Chris began to be raised upon those cries, a certain tians were accused as the cause, and FeliciPhrygian, named Quintus, lately arrived tatas was included in the accusation. The from his country, was so afflicted at the sight lady and her family being seized, the empe of the wild beasts, that he rushed to the judy-ror gave orders to Publius, the Roman govment-seat and upbraided the judges, for which ernor, to proceed against her. Upon this he was put to death.

Publius began with the mother, thinking that if he could prevail with her to change POLYCARPUS, hearing that he was sought her religion, the example would have great after, escaped, but was discovered by a child. influence with her sons. Finding her inflexFrom this circumstance, and having dreamed ible, he turned his entreaties to menaces, that his bed suddenly became on fire, and and threatened her with destruction to herwas consumed in a moment, he concluded self and family. She despised his threat: that it was God's will he should suffer mar- as she had done his promises; he then causer tyrdom. He therefore did not attempt to her sons to be brought before him, whom he make a second escape when he had an oppor- examined separately. They all, however tunity of so doing. Those who apprehended remained stedfast in their faith, and urani him were amazed at his serene countenance mous in their opinions, on which the whole and gravity. After feasting them, he desired family were ordered for execution. Janua an hour for prayer, which being allowed, he rius, the eldest, was scourged and pressed t prayed with such fervency, that his guards death with weights; Felix and Philip, the repented they had been instrumental in taking two next, had their brains dashed out wit him. He was, however, carried before the clubs; Sylvanus, the fourth, was murdere pro-consul, condemned, and conducted to the by being thrown from a precipice; and th market-place. Wood being provided, the three younger sons, viz. Alexander, Vitali holy man earnestly prayed to Heaven, after and Martialis, were all beheaded. ΤΗ being bound to the stake; and as the flames mother was beheaded with the same grew vehement, the executioners gave way as the three latter. on both sides, the heat now.becoming intol

SWO

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erable. In the mean time the bishop sung JUSTIN, the celebrated philosopher, full praises to God in the midst of the flames, but martyr in this persecution. He was remained unconsumed therein, and the burn- tive of Neapolis, in Samaria, and was b ing of the wood spreading a fragrance around, A. D. 103. He had the best education the the guards were much surprised. Deter- times would afford, and travelled into Egy mined, however, to put an end to his life, the country where the polite tour of that a hey struck spears into his body, when the was made for improvement. At Alexand quantity of blood that issued from the wounds he was informed of every thing relative extinguished the flames. After considerable the seventy interpreters of the sacred w attempts, however, they put him to death, and ings, and shown the rooms, or rather ce burnt his body, when dead, not being able in which their work was performed., Jus to consume it while alive. This extraordi- was a great lover of truth, and an univer nary event had such an effect upon the peo- scholar; he investigated the Stoic and p ple, that they began to adore the martyr; and patetic philosophy, and atteropted the Py the pro-consul was admonished not to deliver gorean system; but the behavior of one of nis body, lest the people should leave Christ, professors disgusting him, he applied hun and begin to worship him.* Twelve other

*Polycarpus was a very aged man, who had served Christ eighty-six years, and served also in

the ministry about the space of seventy years. was the scholar and hearer of John the Evang and was placed by him in Smyrna..