PLATE XVII.

Marcus, Bishop of Arethusa, hung up in a basket, after having been smeared over with honey, and stung to death by wasps.-See page 49.

pair thither, to answer to them. On his arrival, he owned the charges, when he was first deprived of his commission, then of his estate, and, lastly, beheaded.

66

Theodorus, for singing the praises of God, was apprehended and put to the torture, though not to death. After being taken from the rack, he was asked how he could so paCassian, a schoolmaster of Imola, in the tiently endure such exquisite pains; to which province of Romagno, for refusing to sacri- he returned this remarkable reply: “ At first fice to the idols, was taken before the judge; I felt some pain, but afterwards there ap who, being apprized of his profession, and peared to stand by me a young man, who informed that many of the boys had an aver- wiped the sweat from my face, and frequently sion to him, on account of the strictness with refreshed me with cold water, which so dewhich he kept them to their studies, deter-lighted me, that I regretted being let down." mined that they should have permission to Marcus, bishop of Arethusa, having demurder him. He was accordingly bound and stroyed a Pagan temple in that city, erected delivered to the boys, who fell upon him with a Christian church in its room, on which acrods, whips, sticks, and stiles, and murdered count he was accused to Julian. His persehim. This singular martyrdom happened on cutors, stripping him naked, cruelly beat the 13th of August, A. D. 362. him. He was then thrust into a filthy sewer,

Maximilian and Bonosus, two officers of or sink, till he was almost suffocated; afterthe Herculean guards, upon Julian taking wards he was goaded with sharp-pointed away Constantine the Great's standard of the sticks; and lastly, he was hung up in a bascross of Christ, threw up their commissions. ket in the heat of the sun, after having been Being apprehended, the governor had them smeared over with honey, in order to be torseparately examined, and finding them in- mented to death by wasps. As soon as he flexible, he ordered Bonosus to be beaten was hung up, they asked him if he would with whips that had leaden bullets at the rebuild their temple. To which he answered, ends of the thongs, and Maximilian to be that he would neither rebuild it nor conScourged. When remanded to prison, they tribute in the smallest degree towards its were allowed nothing but bread and water, being rebuilt; upon which they left him, and the bread was marked with the seal of and he fell a martyr to the stings of the the emperor, the impression of which was insects. an idol; on which account they refused to Maxentius and Juventius, two Christian eat it. They were soon afterwards again officers, were put to death about the same examined, and then beheaded. time, for reproving the emperor, on account of his idolatries. Eusebius and Nestabus, two brethren, with Nestor also, being Christians, were dragged through the streets, and murdered, by the people of Gaza,

FICE TO IDOLS.

Bibiana was the daughter of Flavian and Dafrosa, two Christians. Flavian, her father, held a considerable post under the government, but being banished for his faith, died in exile. Dafrosa, her mother, was, for the same reason, ordered to be starved; but CHRISTIANS FINED FOR REFUSING TO SACRIApronianus, governor of Rome, impatient for her death, ordered her to be beheaded. Bibi- When Julian intended an expedition ana, and her sister Demetria, were then against the Persians, he imposed a large stripped of all their effects, and being brought fine upon every one who refused to sacrifice before the governor, were ordered to re-to the idols, and by that means got a great nounce their religion. Demetria suddenly sum from the Christians towards defraying dropped down dead in the governor's presence, his expenses. Many of the officers, in coland Bibiana resolutely refused to renounce lecting these fines, exacted more than their her faith, on which account she was scourged due, and some of them tortured the Christo death on the 2d of December, A. D. 363. tians to make them pay what they demanded, About the end of the year 363, the perse- at the same time telling them in derision, cution raged with more than usual violence." that when they were injured, they ought In Palestine many were burnt alive, others to take it patiently, for so their God had were dragged by their feet through the commanded them." The inhabitants of Cæstreets naked till they expired; some were sarea were fined in an immense sum, and scalded to death, many stoned, and great several of the clergy obliged to serve in the numbers had their brains beaten out with wars, as a punishment for having overthrown clubs. In Alexandria, innumerable martyrs the temples of Jupiter, Fortune and Apollo. suffered by the sword, burning, crucifixion, The governor at Meris, in Phrygia, having and stoning. In Arethusa, several were cleansed and opened a Pagan temple, the ripped open, and corn being put into their Christians in the night broke in, and demolbellies, swine were brought to feed therein, ished the idols. Next day the governor orwho, in devouring the grain, likewise de-dered all Christians that accidentally came voured the entrails of the victim; and, in in the way to be seized, that he might make Thrace, Emilianus was burnt at a stake; examples of them, and by this means would and Domitius murdered in a cave, whither have executed several innocent persons; but he had fled for concealment. those who really perpetrated the act, being

too just to suffer such retaliation, voluntarily the officer ordered her to be brought before delivered themselves up; when they were him, and asked her where she was going. Scourged severely, and then put upon grid- She replied, "To church." "Have you not irons and broiled to death. heard," says the officer, "of the emperor's Julian died of a wound which he received order, to put to death all who are found in his Persian expedition, A. D. 363, and there?" "I have," said she," and for that even while expiring, uttered the most hor-cause I make the more haste." "And whithrible blasphemies. He was succeeded by er," said the officer, "do you lead that child?" Jovian, who restored peace to the church." I take him,” replied she, "with me, that After the decease of Jovian, Valentinian suc- he also may be reckoned in the number of ceeded to the empire, and associated to him- the martyrs." Upon this the humane officer self Valens, who had the command in the returned to the emperor, and telling him East. The latter was a great favorer of that all the Christians were prepared to die Arianism, and so incensed against the Chris- in defence of their faith, represented to hin tians, that he ordered, on a certain day, all the rashness of murdering so great a multi who were found in Edessa to be slain, while tude, and entreated the emperor to drop the they were at their devotions in the churches. design, at least for the present, with which The officers, however, being more compas- he at length complied. sionate than the emperor, privately gave Urbanus, Menedemus, and Theodorus notice to the Christians not to assemble on with several other orthodox clergymen, t the day appointed, so that they might escape the number of four-score, at Constantinople death. petitioned the emperor to relieve them from The Christians thanked the officers for the oppressions, persecutions, and crueltie their advice, but resolved to persevere in of the Arians. But the tyrant, instead o the performance of their duty. They accord- redressing their grievances, ordered the ingly repaired to the church, and the troops all to be embarked in a ship, and the vess were put in motion to destroy them. As to be set on fire; when this infernal orde they marched along, a woman, with a child being executed, they all perished in th in her arms, broke through the ranks, when flames.

SECTION IV.

Persecutions of the Christians by the Goths, &c.

DURING the reign of Constantine the Great St. Paul's principles to imagine, that the s several Scythian Goths embraced Christi- lay in eating; he knew that giving the e anity, the light of the gospel having spread mies of the faith an advantage over t considerably in Scythia, though the two kings weak was all that made that action crimin of that country, and the majority of the peo- in Christians. He, therefore, not only refus ple, continued Pagans. Fritegern, king of to comply with what was proposed to hi the Western Goths, was an ally of the Ro- but publicly declared, that those who sh mans; but Athanaric, king of the Eastern tered themselves under that artifice, w Goths, was at war with them. The Chris- not true Christians.

tians, in the dominions of the former, lived Jabas was soon after apprehended unmolested; but the latter, having been de- carried before a magistrate, who inqui feated by the Romans, wreaked his ven- into his fortune and circumstances, w geance on his Christian subjects. finding that he was a person of obscure Sabas, a Christian, was the first who felt tion, he was dismissed as unworthy of the enraged king's resentment. Sabas was tice.

humble and modest, yet fervent and zealous Sabas went to spend the ensuing Ea for the advancement of the church. Indeed with Sansala, a Christian priest of g the sanctity of his life, and the purity of his piety: but on the third night after his arr manners, gave the greatest force to his doc- they were both seized by a party of soldi The priest was allowed to dress him

trines.

In the year 370, Athanaric gave orders, and to ride, but Sabas was obliged to le that all persons in his dominions should sac- his clothes behind him, and to walk; rifice to the Pagan deities, and eat the meat during the journey, they drove him thro which had been offered to the idols, or be thorns and briers, beating him seve put to death for disobedience. Some humane This cruelty he bore without a murmur, Pagans, who had Christian relations, en- in the evening they extended him bety deavored to save them by offering them meat two beams, fastening his legs to the one which had not received the idolatrous conse- his arms to the other; and in that po cration, while the magistrates were made to left him for the night. The woman o believe that all had been done according to house, however, went and released him their direction. But Sabas too well knew though he was now at liberty, he did

avail himself of the opportunity to make his on which occasion Gregory the younger calls escape. The next morning the persecutors him, "The pillar of truth, the light of the began to tamper with him and his fellow- world, the fortress of the church, the rule prisoner to renounce their religion, and eat of faith, the support of the faithful, and an the meat consecrated to the idols. They, instrument in the hands of God for bestowhowever, positively declared, that they were ing favors on his people." When the Arians ready to suffer the most cruel death rather were the most vigilant to propagate their than comply. Sansala was at length dis- tenets, Eusebius was assiduous in taking charged, and Sabas was ordered to be measures to prevent their success; and his drowned; which sentence was put into exe- zeal was always so governed by prudence, cution on the 12th of April, A. D. 372. that his attempts seldom failed, till at length Nicetas was of Gothic extraction; his the emperor, at the instigation of his eneparents lived near the Danube, and though mies, granted an order for banishing him he had long been a Christian, he had hitherto into Thrace. He was at Samosata, when remained unmolested. At this time, how- the messenger came with his commission; ever, Athanaric directed an idol to be drawn it was late in the evening; and Eusebius, about on a chariot through every place in who was beloved by his people, begged he his doininions inhabited by Christians, who would make no noise, but conceal his busiwere ordered, on the procession stopping at ness; "for," says he, "if it becomes known, their door, to pay adoration to the pretended the people will fall on you, throw you into deity. On a refusal, the house was imme- the river, and I shall be charged with your diately set on fire, and every inmate de- death." He then went through his usual destroyed. Nicetas, therefore, refusing to wor-votions; and, when the night was far adship the idol, was thus consumed, Septem- vanced, left his house on foot, attended by ber 15, A. D. 372.

OPPOSITION OF EUSEBIUS TO THE ARIAN

one trusty servant, who carried a pillow and book after him. Thus accompanied, he took a boat, and proceeded to Zeugma, about seventy miles down the river.

HERESY. Eusebius, bishop of Samosata, made a dis- The people next day missing Eusebius, tinguished figure in ecclesiastical history, and hearing which way he was gone, followand was one of the most eminent champions ed in a great number of boats, and overtakof Christ against the Arian heresy. The ing him, entreated him, with tears in their Arians having advanced Miletus to the see eyes, not to abandon them. Their kindness of Antioch, thinking him of their party, the affected Eusebius, but be determined to obey document of his advancement was placed in the emperor's order; and his flock finding the care of Eusebius. When Miletus preach they could not prevail, accommodated him ed his first sermon, the Arians, to their great with necessaries for his journey, and left surprise, found they had been mistaken in him.' him, for his doctrines were pure. They, Thrace, was at this time the seat of war therefore, persuaded the emperor to displace between the Goths and the Romans; and in him, and likewise to get the instrument out these contests, the life of Eusebius was in of the hands of Eusebius. Miletus was ac- great danger. At length the emperor, in cordingly deposed, and the emperor sent to order to terminate the war with the greatest Eusebius to deliver the instrument: but he expedition, resolved to march against the answered that he could not give up a trust Goths in person; but first, to engage the reposed in him by so great a number, with- prayers of the Christians, he gave peace to out the consent of all concerned in it. The the church, and allowed the Christian pre emperor, incensed at this reply, wrote to lates to return to their churches. Thus was him, that he had commissioned the bearer of Eusebius restored to his see, which, howthe letter to cut off his right hand, if he re-ever, he did not long enjoy, for an Arian fused to surrender the instrument in ques- woman threw a tile at him from the top of a tion. Eusebius, however, without the least house, which fractured his skull, and termiemotion, offered his hands, and declared he nated his life. This happened in the year would lose them both rather than part with 380. the deed. The emperor applauded his resoDESTRUCTION OF A PAGAN TEMPLE. lution, and professed a high esteem for him ever after. The bishop of Apamea, a prelate of great The Arians now looked upon Eusebius as merit, was very active in endeavoring to a dangerous enemy. At the time Jovian re- suppress idolatry in his own diocese, on which stored peace to the church, Miletus convened account his life was in continual danger, till a council at Antioch, which consisted of Cynegius, the prefect, arrived with a conEusebius, and twenty-five other prelates, siderable body of troops, which kept the who unanimously confirmed the doctrines of Pagans in awe. This officer's design was the council of Nice. About this time the see totally to abolish idolatry, to effect which he of Cæsarea having become vacant, Eusebius determined to destroy the temple of Jupiter: was instrumental in promoting Basil to it, he, however, found this a difficult attempt;

for the building was so strong, that he des- siderable pillars, he set fire to the wood, paired of being able to accomplish the work; which burning, the pillars fell, drew twelve when a poor laboring Christian, recommend- more with them, and brought down one ed by Marcellus, undertook to go through whole side of the building; upon which the with what the prefect had given up, and the Christians flocked from all parts of the town, business was executed in the following man- and praised God for the demolition of the ner: This person examined the edifice, and temple.

finding it surrounded by a gallery, supported The bishop and prefect continued destroy. by stately pillars, ten yards in circumfer- ing a great number of idol temples, when ence, he knew it would be more to his pur- being at a town called Aulo upon this busipose first to weaken the foundation than to ness, while the troops were busy in demolattack the body of the building; with this ishing the buildings, some Pagans privately view he dug at the bottom of the pillars, and seized upon the bishop, and burnt him, A. D. shored them with timber beams. When he 393. had thus undermined three of the most con

SECTION V.

Persecutions of the Christians by the Arian Vandals.

THE Arian Vandals proceeding from Spain should be tied by the feet to chariots, and to Africa in the fifth century, under their dragged till they were dashed to pieces. leader, Genseric, committed many horrible Pampinian, the bishop of Mansuetes, was cruelties. They persecuted the Christians burnt to death with plates of hot iron; the wherever they came, and laid waste the bishop of Urice was burnt; the bishop of country as they passed, in order that those Habensa was banished, for refusing to dewho had escaped the sword, might be de- liver up the sacred books which were in his stroyed by famine. They plundered the possession; and a whole congregation, who churches, and murdered the bishops and were assembled in a church at their devoministers by a variety of tortures; in par- tions, together with the clergyman who was ticular, they poured fetid oil and vinegar preaching to them, were murdered by those down the throats of some till they expired; barbarians, who broke in upon them. suffocated others by filling their mouths with Archinimus was a devout Christian, upon mud, and martyred many by stretching their whom various artifices were employed in limbs with cords till the veins and sinews vain, to make him renounce his faith. At burst. They compelled some of the nobility length Genseric himself undertook to perto carry their baggage; and if they did not suade him, but finding his endeavors ineftravel fast enough, they pricked them on fectual, he ordered him to be beheaded. He, with sharp goads, insomuch that several died however, privately ordered the executioner under their burdens. Old men found no to perform his office, if the prisoner seemed mercy, and even guiltless infants felt the intimidated and afraid; "for then," said he, rage of their barbarity. Stately buildings "the crown of martyrdom will be lost to were destroyed: and the principal churches him; but if he seems courageous, and willin Carthage were employed in their hereti- ing to die, strike not, for I do not intend that cal worship, or put to profane uses; and he shall have the honor of being deemed a where any castles held out against them, martyr." The executioner, finding Archinithey brought great numbers of Christians mus happy in the thought of dying for the and slew them, leaving their bodies under sake of Christ, brought him back again. He the walls, that the besieged might be forced was soon after banished, and never hearu of to surrender, on account of the offensive more, though it is conjectured that he was stench which arose from them. murdered privately by the king's order.

FIVE THOUSAND CHRISTIANS BANIKED.

When they had seized and plundered the city of Carthage, they put the bishop, and all the clergy, into a leaky ship, and com- Eugenius, bishop of Carthage, was eminent mitted it to the mercy of the waves, think- for his learning and piety, which brought ing that they must all perish of course; but upon him the hatred of the Arians, who took the vessel, through Divine Providence, ar- great pains to set the king Huneric against rived safe at Naples. him and the orthodox Christians; and he Several Christians were beaten, scourged, banished above five thousand into a desert, and banished to Capsur, where it pleased where many perished. He also sent an edict God to make them the means of converting to Eugenius, which he commanded that he many of the Moors to Christianity; but this should read in the cathedral on Ascensioncoming to the knowledge of Genseric, he day, A. D. 484. By this it was ordered, that sent orders, that they and their converts all the orthodox bishops should meet at Car