went and released him; but though, he was now at liberty, and his persecutors asleep, he did not avail himself of the opportunity to make his escape.

The next morning the persecutors began to practise on these two worthy Christians, and tampered with them to renounce their religion, and eat the meat consecrated to the idols. This, however, they jointly refused, and positively declared, that they were ready to meet the most cruel death, rather than comply with such detestable idolatry. Sansala was at length dischar

Athanarick, in the year 370, gave orders, that all persons in his dominions should sacrifice to the pagan deities, and eat the meat which had been offered to the idols, or be put to death for disobedience. Some humane pagans, who had Christian relations, endeavored to save them by offering them meat which had not received the idolatrous consecration, while the magistrates were to be imposed on, and made to believe that all had been done according to their direction. But Sabas too well knew St. Paul's principles, to imagine that the sin lay in eating: he knew that scandali-ged, and Sabas ordered to be drowned; zing the weak, and giving the enemies of which sentence was put into execution the faith an advantage over them, was all April 12, A. D. 372. that made that action criminal in Christians, neither of which consequences would have been avoided by this disguise. He not only refused to comply with what was proposed to him, but publicly declared, that those who sheltered themselves under that artifice, were not worthy to be called Christians.

Sabas being soon after apprehended on account of his faith, was carried before a magistrate, who inquired into his fortune and circumstances. Finding that what he had upon his back was the principal part of what he possessed, he was dismissed, as a person of little or no consequence.

NICETAS was of Gothic extraction, born near the banks of the Danube, and though he had been long a Christian, he never met with any molestation on that account, till the abovementioned persecution began by Athanarick. That monarch ordered an idol to be drawn about on a chariot, through all the places where the Christians lived: the chariot stopped at the door of every one who professed the gospel, and the Christian inhabitants were ordered to pay it adoration. Upon a refusal, the house was immediately set on fire, and all within were burnt. This was the case with Nicetas, who, on account of his religion, refusing to pay the respect demanded to the idol, had his house burnt, and himself consumed in it, September 15, A. D. 372.

Sabas went to spend the ensuing easter with Sansala, a Christian priest of great piety they lived in great tranquillity for three days, but on the third night they were EUSEBIUS, bishop of Samosata, makes a both seized by a party of soldiers. The most distinguished figure in ecclesiastical priest was allowed to dress himself, and to history, and was one of the most eminent ride, but Sabas was obliged to leave his champions of Christ against the Arian clothes behind him, and to walk; and dur-heresy. The Arians having advanced Miing the journey, they drove him through letus to the see of Antioch, thinking him of thorns and briers, beating him with great their party, the instrument of his advanceviolence almost continually. This cruelty {ment was placed in the care of Eusebius. he bore without a single murmur, and in the evening they extended him between two beams, fastening his legs to the one, and his arms to the other; and in that posture left him for the night, while they retired to repose. The woman of the house, however, hearing how ill he had been used,

When Miletus preached his first sermon, the Arians, to their great surprise, found they had been greatly mistaken in him, for {his doctrines were pure and orthodox.

Enraged at their disappointment, they persuaded the emperor to displace him, and likewise to get the instrument out of the

hands of Eusebius. Miletus was accord- my, and maintain the faith in its purity ingly deposed, and the emperor sent to against all the endeavors of such as would Eusebius to deliver the instrument. Euse- corrupt the people; but knowing that sevbius's answer was, that he could not give eral churches were, by the iniquity of the up a trust reposed in him by so great a times, deprived of their pastors, he disguisnumber, without the express consent of all ed himself; and thus made the tour of concerned in it. The emperor, incensed Syria, Phenicia, and Palestine; fortified the at this reply, wrote to him on that subject, pure against the solicitations of the hereand assured him he had commissioned the tics; ordained several priests and inferior bearer of his letter to cut off his right hand, ministers, wherever they were wanting; if he refused to surrender the instrument in and, when he found any orthodox prelates question; which threat was artfully added in his travels, assisted them in consecrating only to awe him into a compliance. Eu- bishops for the use of the widowed churches. sebius, however, knew the party was capa- It was impossible to conceal the hand that ble of any cruelty to promote their cause; every day gave some fresh stroke to the but, without the least emotion, offered his Arian party, and sunk their interest wherhands, and declared he would lose them ever it was employed; so that the emperor, both rather than part with so flagrant a at their instigation, granted an order for proof of Arian injustice. The emperor banishing him into Thrace. He was at could not but be surprised at his resolu- Samosata when the messenger came with tion, and professed a high esteem for him this commission; it was late in the evenever after so true it is that virtue caning, and Eusebius, who was very well-besometimes force even its declared enemies to love and praise it.

The Arians from this time looked upon Eusebius as a most dangerous enemy. At the time Jovian restored peace to the church, Miletus convened a council at Antioch, which consisted of Eusebius, and twenty-five other prelates, who unanimously confirmed the doctrines of the council of Nice.

loved by his people, begged he would make no noise, but conceal his business; "for," says he, "if it takes air, the people will fall on you, throw you into the river, and then I shall be charged with your death." Eusebius was calm enough to go through his usual devotions, and when the night was far advanced he left his house on foot, attended only by one trusty servant, who carried a pillow and one book after him. When the see of Cesarea became vacant, Thus accommodated he took a boat, and Eusebius was greatly instrumental in pro-went to Zeugma, about seventy miles down moting Basil to it, on which occasion, the river. Gregory the younger calls him, "The pillar of truth, the light of the world, the fortress of the church, the rule of faith, the support of the faithful, and an instrument in the hands of God for bestowing favors on his people." When the Arians were the most vigilant to propagate their heresy, Eusebius was greatly touched with their Eusebius was exceedingly assiduous in affection, but said he must go according to taking measures to prevent their success; the emperor's order, putting them in mind and his zeal was always so governed by of the authority of St. Paul, for paying a the rules of prudence, that his attempts sel-due reverence, and proper submission to dom failed of success. It was not enough the civil power. Finding they could not for our excellent prelate to screen his own prevail, they accommodated him with everyflock from the insults of the common ene-thing that could comfort him in his journey,

The people, however, next day, missing Eusebius, and hearing which way he was gone, followed in a great number of boats, and overtaking would have rescued him, at the same time entreating him with tears in their eyes not to abandon them.

and then left him to pursue his way to the iron cramps so massy, that he despaired of place of destination.

being able to accomplish the work; when a poor laboring Christian, recommended by Marcellus, undertook to go through with what the præfect had given up, and the business was executed in the following manner:—

At this time Thrace was a scene of confusion, by means of the war carried on between the Goths and the emperor's forces; and in these contests, the life of Eusebius was frequently in danger. The emperor, in order to terminate the war with the This person examined the situation of greater expedition, resolved to march the edifice, and finding it surrounded by a against the Goths in person; but first to gallery, supported by stately pillars, ten engage the prayers of the Christians, he yards in circumference, he judged it would gave peace to the church of Christ, and al-be more to his purpose to weaken the founlowed the orthodox prelates to return to dation than pretend to attack the body of the their churches. Thus was Eusebius re-building directly; with this view he dug at stored to his see, which, however, he did not long enjoy, for an Arian woman threw a tile at him from the top of a house, which fractured his skull, and terminated his life in the year 380.

the bottom of the said pillars, and shored them with timber beams. When he had thus undermined three of the most consid{erable pillars, he set fire to the wood, which burning in sunder, the pillars fell, and drew MARCELLUS, bishop of Apamea, a prelate twelve more with them, and brought down of great merit, was very active in attempt-one whole side of the building; upon which ing to suppress idolatry in his diocese, on the people flocked together from all parts which account his life was in continual of the town, and praised God who had, in danger, till Cynegius, the præfect, arrived this signal manner, triumphed over his with a considerable body of troops, which enemies. kept the pagans in awe. This officer's design was totally to abolish idolatry, to effect which he determined to destroy the temple of Jupiter; he however, found this a more difficult attempt than he had imagined, for the building was so strong, the stones so unwieldy, the cement so durable, and the

The bishop and præfect continued destroying a great number of idol temples, when being at a town called Aulo upon this business, while the troops were busy in demolishing the buildings, some pagans privately seized upon the bishop, and burnt him, A. D. 393.

THE PERSECUTIONS UNDER THE ARIAN VANDALS.

HE Vandals passing from Spain to Africa in the fifth century, under their leader Genseric, committed the most unheard-of cruelties. They persecuted the Christians wherever they came, and even laid waste the country as they passed, that the Christians left behind, who had escaped them, might not be able to subsist.

They plundered the churches, and murdered the bishops and ministers by a variety of tortures. In particular, they poured stinking oil and vinegar down the throats of some till they expired; suffocated others by filling their mouths with mud, and martyred many by stretching their limbs with cords till the veins burst, and sinews cracked. They also wreaked their vengeance on several of the clergy and nobility, whom

to persecute the orthodox Christians, as they assured him that they were friends to the people of Rome.

they loaded with heavy burdens, and obliged them to carry their baggage; and if they did not travel fast enough, they pricked them on with sharp goads, insomuch. ARMOGASTUS was one who felt the rage that several died under their burdens. of this persecution; Victor, the learned Reverend gray hairs found no instances of bishop of Vita, who was personally acmercy, and guiltless infants felt the rage of quainted with Armogastus, and who liketheir barbarity. Stately buildings were wise wrote the history of this persecution, burned or levelled with the earth; and the informs us, that "his legs were tied, and chief churches in Carthage employed to his forehead bound with cords several their own heretical worship, or put to pro- times; which, though applied with no genfane uses; and where any castles held outtle hand, made not the least impression on against them, they brought great numbers his flesh, nor left any mark on his skin. of Christians, and slew them, leaving their After this, he was hung up by one foot; dead bodies lying under the walls, that the stench thereof might force the besieged to surrender.

{but in that posture seemed as much at his ease as if reposed on a soft bed. Theodoric, one of the king's sons, finding all Having seized and plundered the city of attempts on his life had hitherto proved unCarthage, they put the bishop, and all the successful, ordered his head to be struck clergy, into a leaky ship, and committed it off. But Jocundus, an Arian priest, disto the mercy of the waves, thinking that suaded him from that resolution, by telling they must all perish of course; but provi-him it would be much better to destroy him dentially the vessel arrived safe at Naples. by slow and imperceptible means, and wear Innumerable orthodox Christians were beaten, scourged, and banished to Capsur, where it pleased God to make them the means of converting many of the Moors to Christianity; but this coming to the ears of Genseric, he sent orders, that they and their new converts should be tied by the feet to chariots, and dragged about till they were dashed to pieces.

him out by degrees; whereas a violent death would procure him the reputation of a martyr among those of his own opinion, which could be of no service to the opposite cause. The prince sent him to the mines, and sometime after removed him to a place near Carthage, where he was employed in looking after cattle. While Armogastus was thus engaged, he grew exceeding ill, and imagining that the end of his labors was near, he communicated his thoughts to Felix, a virtuous Christian, em

he received some consolation; but his disorder increasing daily soon deprived him of life, and he was buried by Felix accord

PAMPINIAN, the bishop of Mansuetus, was tortured to death with plates of hot iron; the bishop of Urice was burnt; the bishop of Habensa was banished, for re-ployed in that prince's service. From him fusing to deliver up the sacred books which were in his possession; and a whole congregation, who were assembled in a church at their devotions, together with the clergy-ing to his own direction." man who was preaching to them, were ARCHINIMUS was a devout Christian, murdered by these barbarians breaking in upon whom all manner of artifices were upon them, and exercising the most indis-employed, in vain, to make him renounce criminate cruelties. his faith. At length Genseric himself un

The Vandalian tyrant Genseric, having dertook to persuade him, but finding his made an expedition-into Italy, and plunder-endeavors ineffectual, he passed sentence ed the city of Rome, returned to Africa, upon him to be beheaded. He, however, flushed with the success of his arms. The privately ordered the executioner to really Arians took this occasion to persuade him perform his office, if the prisoner seemed

The weak monarch, believing all that Cyrilla told him, sent for several of the most eminent Christians, who were particularly obnoxious to that prelate. He, at first, attempted to draw them from their faith by flattery, and to bribe them from the hopes of future salvation, by the promise of

intimidated and afraid; " for then," said he, "the crown of martyrdom will be lost to him; but if he seems courageous, and willing to die," continued the king, "strike not the stroke; for I do not intend that he shall have the honor of being deemed a martyr." The executioner, when they came to the place appointed, finding Archinimus re-immediate worldly rewards. Being firm solved, and happy in the thought of dying for the sake of Christ, brought him back unhurt. He was soon after this banished, and never heard of more, though it is conjectured that he was murdered privately by the king's order.

and constant in their faith, they were proof against the former, and despised the latter; declaring resolutely against Arianism, and saying: "We acknowledge but one Lord, one faith, and one baptism; you may therefore do whatever you please with our bodies, for it is better that we should suffer a few temporary pains, than to endure everlasting torments."

DIONYSIA, a lady of fortune, and a widow, being apprehended as an orthodox Christian, was stripped naked, exposed in a most indecent manner, and severely scourg- The king, being greatly exasperated at ed. Her son, a young lad, being seized at this freedom, sent them to a filthy dark the same time, seemed afraid of the torture, dungeon, and ordered them to be put into and looked pitifully at his mother, who or- irons. The keeper, however, not being of dered him not to fear any torments that the savage disposition too common to such could be inflicted on him, but to be con- as are intrusted with the care of jails, sufstant to the faith in which she had brought him up. When he was upon the rack, she again comforted him in these words :

{fered their friends to have access to them; by which they received great consolation, and became daily more and more confirmed in their resolution of dying for the sake of Christ.

The king hearing of the indulgence given them by their keepers was exceedingly

Remember, O my child, that we were baptized in the name of the ever-sacred Trinity, let us not lose the benefit thereof, lest it should hereafter be said, cast them into outer darkness, where there is weep-angry, and sent orders that they should be ing and gnashing of teeth; for that pain which never endeth is, indeed, to be dreaded, and that life which endureth to eternity to be desired." Whereupon the youth patiently persevered, and from the force of his torments resigned his soul to his God.

The pious mother saw the death of her son with pleasure, and soon after received the crown of martyrdom herself.

The Arian bishop of Carthage, named Cyrilla, was a most furious heretic, and a very great enemy to those Christians who professed the faith in its purity. Having gained the ear of the king, he persuaded him that he could never expect prosperity in his undertakings, or hope to enjoy his kingdom in peace, while he suffered any of the orthodox Christians to live.

more closely confined, and loaded with still heavier fetters. He then began to ruminate in his mind by what means he should put them to death, and after revolving over and over all the modes of cruelty that he could recollect, he at length determined to imitate the monstrous barbarity of the emperor Valens, who, as we have already related, caused fourscore clergymen to be burnt together in a ship. Fixing upon this infernal precedent, he ordered these Christians to be put on board a ship filled with combustible materials, and the vessel being set fire to, they received the crown of martyrdom. The names of seven of the principal of these Christians were, RUSTICUS, SEVERUS, LIBERATUS, BONIFACE, SEPTIMUS, SERVUS, and ROGATUS.