Monarchy; A Dialogue with Trypho the
Jew, and an Epistle to Diagnetus.

Several were beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to the image of Jupiter; in particular CONCORDUS, a deacon of the city of

time to treat the Christians with great severity, Justin wrote his first apology in their favor, and addressed it to the emperor, to two princes whom he had adopted as his sons, and to the senate and people of Rome in general. This piece displays { Spoleto, being carried before the image, great learning and genius, is written with a manly elegance, and occasioned the emperor to publish an edict in favor of the Christians.

and ordered to worship it, not only refused, but spit in its face; for which he was severely tormented, and afterward had his head cut off with a sword.

Some of the northern nations being in arms against Rome, the emperor marched to encounter them. He was, however, drawn into an ambuscade, and dreaded the loss of his whole army. Enveloped with moun

Soon after he entered into frequent contests with Crescens, a person of a vicious life and conversation, but a celebrated cynic philosopher; and his arguments appeared so powerful, yet disgusting to the cynic, that he resolved on, and in the sequel accom-tains, surrounded by enemies, and perishplished, his destruction.

ing with thirst, the troops were driven to Justin's second apology was occasioned the last extremities. All the pagan deities by the following circumstances: A man were invoked in vain; when the men beand his wife, who were both bad livers, longing to the militine, or thundering leresided at Rome. The woman, however, gion, who were all Christians, were combecoming a convert to Christianity, at-manded to call upon their God for succor: tempted to reclaim her husband: but not they immediately withdrew from the rest, succeeding, she sued for a divorce, which prostrated themselves upon the earth, and so exasperated him, that he accused her prayed fervently. A miraculous deliverof being a Christian. Upon her petition, ance immediately ensued; a prodigious however, he dropped the prosecution, and quantity of rain fell, which being caught levelled his malice at Ptolemeus, who had by the men, and filling the dikes, afforded converted her. Ptolemeus was condemned a sudden and astonishing relief. The emto die; and one Lucius, with another per-peror, in his epistle to the Roman senate, son, met with the same fate, for expressing wherein the expedition is described, after themselves too freely upon the occasion.

The apology of Justin, upon these severities, gave Crescens the cynic an opportunity of prejudicing the emperor against the writer of it; upon which Justin, and six of his companions, were apprehended. Being commanded as usual to deny their faith, and sacrifice to the pagan idols, they absolutely refused to do either. On their refusal, they were condemned to be first scourged and then beheaded; which sentence was executed with all imaginable severity.

Of the writings of this celebrated martyr and great philosopher, only seven pieces are now extant, viz: The two Apologies; An Exhortation to the Gentiles; An Oration to the Greeks; A Treatise on Divine

mentioning the difficulties to which he had been driven, thus speaks of the Christians:

"When I saw myself not able to encounter with the enemies, I craved aid of our country gods; but at their hands finding no relief, and being cooped up by the enemy, I caused those men, which we call Christians, to be sent for; who being mustered, I found a considerable number of them, against whom I was more incensed than I had just cause, as I found afterward: for by a marvellous power, they forthwith used their endeavors, not with ammunition, drums, and trumpets, abhorring such preparations and furniture, but only praying unto, and trusting in their God, whom they carry about with them in their consciences. It is therefore to be believed, although we

was asked if he was a Christian? To which, answering in the affirmative, he was condemned to death, and suffered the crown of martyrdom accordingly. Many, animated by this young man's intrepidity, boldly owned their faith, and suffered as he had done.

BLANDINIA, a Christian, but of a weak constitution, being seized and tortured upon the account of her religion, received so much strength from heaven, that her torturers became tired frequently, and were surprised at her being able to bear her torments with such resolution, and for so great a length of time.

call them wicked men, that they worship God in their hearts; for they, falling prostrate on the ground, prayed, not only for me, but for the army also which was with me, beseeching God to help me in that our extreme want of victuals and fresh water (for we had been five days without water, and in our enemy's land, even in the midst of Germany); I say, falling upon their faces, they prayed to God unknown to me, and immediately thereupon fell from heaven a most pleasant and cold shower; but among our enemies great store of hail, mixed with thunder and lightning: so that we soon perceived the invincible aid of the most mighty God to be with us; therefore SANCTUS, a deacon of Vienna, was put we give these men leave to profess Chris-to the torture, which he bore with great tianity, lest, by their prayers, we be pun- fortitude, and only cried, "I am a Chrisished by the like; and I thereby make my-tian." Red-hot plates of brass were placed self the author of all the evil that shall accrue by the persecution of the Christian religion." It appears that the storm which so mi-ed to prison. Being brought out from his raculously flashed in the faces of the enemy so intimidated them, that part deserted to the Roman army; the rest were with ease defeated, and the revolted provinces were entirely recovered.

upon those parts of the body that were tenderest, which contracted the sinews; but he remaining inflexible, was reconduct

place of confinement a few days afterward, his tormenters were astonished to find his wounds healed, and his person as perfect as before they tormented him: they, however, again proceeded to torture him; but not being able, at that time, to take away a life which was miraculously preserved, they only remanded him to prison, where he remained for some time after; and having had this respite, received the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded.

This affair occasioned the persecution to subside for some time, at least in those parts, immediately under the inspection of the emperor ; for we find that it soon after raged in France, particularly at Lyons, where the tortures to which many of the Christians were put almost exceed the powers of description. The aspersions, false accusations, taunts, threats, revilings, menacings, which were but forerunners to all manner of punishments, torments, and painful deaths; such as being banished, plundered, beaten, imprisoned, stoned, assassinated, hanged, burnt, &c., and even the servants and slaves of opulent Christians were racked and tortured, to make When the Christians, upon these occathem accuse their masters and employers.sions received martyrdom, they were ornaThe principal of these martyrs were the mented, and crowned with garlands of following:flowers; for which they in heaven received eternal crowns of glory.

VETIUS AGATHUS, a young man, who having boldly pleaded the Christian cause,

BIBLIAS, a weak woman, had been an apostate, but having returned to the faith was martyred, and bore her sufferings with great patience. Attalus of Pergamus, was another sufferer; and Pothinus, the venerable bishop of Lyons, who was ninety years of age, was so unmercifully treated by the enraged pagan mob, that he expired two days after in prison.

The torments were various; and, exclu

sive of those already mentioned, the mar- When the persecution began first to rage tyrs of Lyons were compelled to sit in red-at Lyons, they were in the prime of life, hot iron chairs till their flesh broiled. This and to avoid the effects of its severities, was inflicted with peculiar severity on they thought proper to withdraw to a neighSanctus already mentioned, and some oth-boring village. Here they were for some ers. Some were sewed up in nets, and time concealed by a Christian widow, thrown on the horns of wild bulls; and the whose piety protected while her obscurity carcases of those who died in prison pre-gave a sanction to their retreat. vious to the appointed time of execution, were thrown to dogs. Indeed, so far did the malice of the pagans proceed, that they set guards over the bodies while the beasts were devouring them, lest the friends of the deceased should get them away by stealth; and the offals left by the dogs were ordered to be burned.

The martyrs of Lyons, according to the best accounts we could obtain, who suffered for the gospel, were forty-eight in number, and their executions happened in the year of Christ 177. They all died. with great fortitude and serenity of mind, evidently evincing that they preferred the everlasting pleasures of an immortal and happy life, to the transitory scenes of one that was precarious, dashed with afflictions, and at best but short and fleeting.

"Like to the falling of a star,

As they were eminent persons, the malice of their persecutors sought after them with indefatigable industry, and pursued them to their place of concealment with unremitting assiduity. Dragged from their retirement, they were committed to prison without examination: but their misfortunes did not oppress their spirits; for, shielded by the gospel, they were secure against the woes incident to this life.

"The gospel 'tis which streaks the morning bright,
'Tis this which gilds the horrors of the night.
When wealth forsakes us, or when friends are few;
When friends are faithless, or when foes pursue ;
'Tis this which wards the blow, or stills the smart,
Disarms affliction, or repels its dart;
Within the breast bids purest raptures rise,
Bids awful conscience spread her cloudless skies.
When the storm thickens, and the thunders roll,
When the earth trembles to the affrighted pole,
The virtuous mind, nor doubts nor fears assail,
For storms are zephyrs, or a gentler gale;
But when disease obstructs the laboring breath,
When the pulse thickens, and each gasp is death,
Even then religion shall sustain the just,

Grace their last moments, nor desert their dust."

Being at the expiration of three days brought before the governor, they were examined in the presence of a crowd of pagans. They confessed the divinity of Christ, when the governor, being enraged at what he termed their insolence, absurdly said, "What signifies all the former executions, if some yet remain who dare ac

Or as the flights of eagles are;
Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue,
Or silver drops of morning dew;
Or like a wind that chafes the flood,
Or bubbles which on water stood;
Even such is man, whose borrowed light
Is straight called in, and paid to night.
The wind blows out; the bubble dies;
The spring entombed in autumn lies;
The dew dries up; the star is shot;
The light is past, and man forgot."
Besides the above martyrs of Lyons,
who are usually enumerated together, some
others suffered in that city, and in the dif-knowledge Christ!"
ferent parts of the empire soon after. Of
these the principal were :-

Having separated them, that they should not console with, or fortify each other, he EPIPODIUS and ALEXANDER, celebrated began to tamper with Epipodius, the youngfor their great friendship, and their Chris-est of the two. With a dissembled kindtian union with each other. The first wasness, he pretended to pity his condition, born at Lyons, the latter in Greece; they and entreated him not to ruin himself by were of mutual assistance to each other, obstinacy. "Our deities," continued he, and prepared themselves for receiving a "are worshipped by the greater part of the crown of martyrdom in this world, and à people in the universe, and their rulers; crown of glory in the next, by the continual we adore them with feasting and mirth, practice of all manner of Christian virtues. while you adore a crucified man; we, to

honor them, launch into pleasures; you, by your faith, are debarred from all that indulges the senses. Our religion enjoins feasting, yours fasting; ours the joys of licentious blandishments, yours the barren virtue of chastity. Can you expect protection from one who could not secure himself from the persecutions of a contemptible people? Then quit a profession of such austerity, and enjoy those gratifications which the world affords, and which your youthful years demand."

{fered A. D. 179; the first on the 22d of April, and the other on the 24th of the same month.

VALERIAN and MARCELLUS, who were nearly related to each other, were imprisoned at Lyons in the year 177 for being Christians. By some means, however, of which we are not informed, they made their escape, and travelled different ways.

Marcellus made several converts in the territories of Bezancon and Chalons, but being apprehended, was carried before Priscus, the governor of those parts.

That magistrate, knowing Marcellus to be a Christian, ordered him to be fastened to some branches of a tree, which were drawn down for that purpose. you When he

was tied to different branches, they were let go, with the design that the suddenness of the jerks might tear him to pieces.

This invention failing in its proposed end, he was conducted to Chalons, to be

To this illusive harangue Epipodius replied; he contemned his compassion, as a heart full of faith could not want it. "Your pretended tenderness," said he, "is actual cruelty; and the agreeable life describe, is replete with everlasting death. Christ suffered for us, that our pleasures should be immortal, and hath prepared for his followers an eternity of bliss. The frame of man being composed of two parts, body and soul; the first, as mean and per-present at some idolatrous sacrifices, at ishable, should be rendered subservient to the interests of the last. Your idolatrous feasts may gratify the mortal, but they injure the immortal part: that can not therefore be enjoying life which destroys the most valuable moiety of your frame. Your pleasures lead to eternal death, and our pains to perpetual happiness."

For this manly and rational speech, Epipodius was severely beaten, and then put to the rack, upon which being stretched, his flesh was torn with iron hooks. Having borne his torments with incredible patience, and unshaken fortitude, he was taken from the rack and beheaded.

man.

which, refusing to assist, he was put to the torture, and afterward fixed up to the waist in the ground; in which position, after remaining three days, he expired, A. D. 179.

VALERIAN Was soon after apprehended, and by the order of Priscus was first put to the rack, and then beheaded, in the same year as his friend and relation.

Much about the same time the following martyrs suffered, but we have not any circumstantial or particular accounts of their deaths ::

Benignus, at

Speusippus, and others,
Androches,
Thyrseus,
Fexlic,
Sympoviam,
Florella,
Severinus,
Felician,
Exuperus,
Cecilia, the virgin,

Salieu.

Antun.

Vienna.

Sicily.

ALEXANDER, the companion of Epipodius, was brought before the judge two days after the execution of that excellent young On his absolute refusal to renounce Christianity, he was placed upon the rack and beat by three executioners, who relieved each other alternately. He bore his sufferings with as much fortitude as his friend had done, and at length received the conclusion of his glorious martyrdomceeded A. D. 180, by his son, COMMODUS, by being crucified. These martyrs suf- who did not seem to copy his father in any

Thraseus, bishop of Phrygia, Smyrna.
The emperor ANTONINUS dying, was suc-

peers, the Roman senators, to whom he had appealed, condemned to be beheaded. The sentence was executed on the 18th day of April, A. D. 186, his accuser hav

particular. He had neither his virtues nor his vices: he was without his learning and morality, and at the same time without his prejudices against Christianity. His principal foible was pride, and to this weing previously had his legs broken, and chiefly ascribe the errors of his reign; for, been put to death. having taken it into his head to fancy him-2 self Hercules, he sacrificed those to his vanity who refused to subscribe to his absurdity.

EUSEBIUS, VINCENTIUS, POTENTIANUS, and PEREGRINUS, were all martyred for refusing to worship Commodus as Hercules.

JULIUS, a Roman senator, becoming a convert to Christianity, was ordered by the emperor to sacrifice to him as Hercules. This Julius absolutely refused, and publicly professed himself a Christian. On this

APOLLONIUS, a Roman senator, became a martyr in his reign. This eminent person was at once skilled in all the polite literature of those times, and in all the purest precepts taught by our blessed Re-account, after remaining in prison a condeemer. He was, indeed, an accomplished gentleman, and a sincere Christian.

This worthy person was accused by his own slave Severus, upon an unjust and contradictory, but unrepealed edict, of the emperor Trajan's. This inconsistent law condemned the accused to die, unless he recanted his opinion; and at the same time ordered the execution of the accuser for calumny.

Upon this ridiculous statute was Apollonius accused; for though his slave Severus knew he must die for the accusation, yet such was his diabolical malice and desire of revenge, that he courted death, in order to involve his master in ruin.

The accused Apollonius refusing to recant his opinions, was, by order of his

siderable time, he was, in the year 190,
pursuant to his sentence, beat to death
with cudgels. Virtue, whose essence is
religion, supported him, however, to the
last, and he died a glorious martyr to the
truth.

"Thine, virtue! thine is each persuasive charm,
Thine every soul with heavenly raptures warm;
Thine all the bliss that innocence bestows,
And thine the heart that feels another's woes.
What though thy train neglected, or unknown,
Have sought the silent vale, and sighed alone?
Though torrents streamed from every melting eye?
Though from each bosom burst the unpitied sigh?
Though oft with life's distracting cares oppressed,
They long to sleep in everlasting rest?
O, envied misery! what soft delight
Breathed on the mind, and smoothed the gloom
of night,

When nobler prospects, an eternal train,
Made rapture glow in every beating vein;
When heaven's bright domes the smiling eye
surveyed,

And joys that bloomed more sweetly from the
shade."

UNDER THE ROMAN EMPERORS.

THE FIFTH PRIMITIVE PERSECUTION HE emperor COMMODUS { SEVERUS having been recovered from a dying in the year 191, severe fit of sickness by a Christian, bewas succeeded by the came a great favorer of Christians in geneshort-reigned PERTI-ral; and even permitted his son Caracalla NAX; and he again was to be nursed by a female Christian. succeeded by the still Hence, during the reigns of the two emshorter-reigned JULIANUS. On the death perors already mentioned, who successiveof the last, in the year 192, SEVERUS be-ly succeeded Commodus, and some years

came emperor.

of the latter's reign, the Christians were