NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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«r Hanry T. Arnold.
29 Apr-l&lS
A COMPLETE HISTORY
OF THE
LIVES, ACTS, AND MARTYRDOMS
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES,
AND
THE TWO EVANGELISTS, ST. MARK AND LUKE.
TO WHICH IS ADDED, ,
AN INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE THREE GREAT
DISPENSATIONS OF THE CHURCH, PATRIARCHAL,
MOSAICAL, AND EVANGELICAL.
BEING
A CONTINUATION OF CHRISTL\N ANTIQUITIES.
AND
A BAIEF ENUMERATION" AND ACCOUNT OF THE APOSTLES AND THEIR
SUCCESSORS, rOR THE FIRST THREE HUNDHED YEARS, IN
THE FIVK GREAT APOSTOLICAL CHURCHES.
ALSO,
A COMPLETE HISTORY
OF THE
LIVES, ACTS, DEATHS, AND MARTYRDOMS
OF THOSE
WHO WERE CONTEMPORARY WITH, OR IMMEDIATELY SUCCEEDED
THE APOSTLES.
LIKEWISE,
OF THE MOST EMINENT OF
THE PRIMITIVE FATHERS,
FOR THE FIRST THREE HUNDRED YEAR?.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A' ■MillONOLeiGY
— ,-, -.OF, THE ,.
THREE FIRST AG£!3 6f,^HE <tHRISTIAN CHURCH
BY WIlJLfAM ;i;::;AX'fe, D. D.
VOL. II. ^j^^^x^
PHILADELPHIA :
PUIiHSHED BY SOl»OMON \riATT, NO. 104, NORTH SECOND STREET
1810.
THE N LA ;^ YORK
PUBLIC Li. , '.RY
650762
Air •on. Lt^rjox and
Tl rOUMDATIONS.
U ^^'^ L
APOSTOLICl:
OR,
THE HISTORY
OF THE
LIVES, ACTS, DEATH, AND MARTYRDOMS
OF THOSE
■^HO WERE CONTEMPORARY WITH, OR IMMEDIATELY
SUCCEEDED THE APOSTLES;
AS ALSO
THE MOST EMINENT OF
THE PRIMITIVE FATHERS,
FOR THE FIRST THREE HUNDRED YEARS.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A CHRONOLOGY
OF THE
THREE FIRST,AGES OF THE CHURCH.
BY WXLtUM C4yE, D. D.
PHILADELPHIA :
PUBLISHED BY SOLOMON WIATT, NO. 104, NORTH SECOND-STREET.
Sweeny & M'Kenzie, Printejs-
1810.
TO THE READER.
IT is not the least argument for the spiritual anc
incorporeal nature of human souls, and that they ar<
acted by a higher principle than meer matter and motion
their boundless and inquisitive researches after know
ledge. Our minds naturally grasp at a kind of omnis
ciency, and not content with the speculations of this o:
that particular science, hunt over the whole course o
nature ; nor are they satisfied with the present state o
things, but pursue the notices of former ages and an
desirous to comprehend whatever transactions have beei
since time itself had a being. We endeavour to make \x\
the shortness of our lives by the extent of our know
ledge ; and because we cannot see forwards and spj
what lies concealed in the womb of futurity, we lool
back, and eagerly trace the footsteps of those times tha
went before us Indeed to be ignorant of what hap
pened before we ourselves came into the world is, (a*
Cicero'' truly observes) to be always children, and to de
prive ourselves of what would at once entertain oui
minds with the highest pleasure, and add the greatesi
authority and advantage to us. The knowledge of an-
tiquity, besides that it gratifies one of our noblest curiosi-
ties, improves our minds by the wisdom of preceding
ages, acquaints us with the most remarkable occurrences
of the Divine Providence, and presents us with the
most apt and proper rules and instances that may form
us to a life of true philosophy and virtue ; History (says
Thucydides^) being nothing else but $aoiro<f/* ««, rarApmyy.x
•fav, philosophy drawn from examples ; the one is a more
a In Oratore, page 268
a 111 Uratore, page 2b«.
b An, Dif5n liaiis. Tls^i Ao^wy?^??. p. 65, Tom. 2,
4 TO THE READER.
gross and popular philosophy the other a more subtle
and refintd history
These considerations, together with a desire to per-
petuate the memory of brave and great actions, gave
biith to history, and obliged mankind to transmit the
more observable passages both of their own and forego-
ing times to the notice of posterity. The first in this
kind was xMoses, the great prince and legislator of the
Jewish nation, who from the creation of the world con-
veyed down the records of above 2550 years ; the same
course being more or less continued through all the
periods of the Jewish state. Among the Babylonians
they had their public archives, which were transcribed
by Berosus the priest of Belus, who composed the Chal-
dean history. The Egyptians were wont to record their
memorable acts upon pillars in hieroglyphic notes and
sacred cha'^acters, first begun as they pretend,) by
Thouth, or the first of their Mercuries ; out of which
Manethos, their chief priest, collected his three books of
Egyptian dynasties, which he dedicated to Ptolomy
Philadelphus, second of that line. The Phoenician his-
tory was first attempted by Sanchoniathon, digested part-
ly out of the annals of cities, partly out of the books
kept in the temple, and communicated to him by Je-
rombaal, priest of the god Jao : this he dedicated to Abi-
balus king of Berytus, which Philo Byblius, about the
tinie if the emperor Adrian, translated into Greek. The
Gr /"ks boast of the antiquity of Cadmus, Archilochus,
and many others, though the most ancient of their his-
tO:iano now extant are Herodotus, Thucydides, and
Xenophon. Among the Romans the foundations of
history were laid in annals, the public acts of every year
being made up by the Pontifex Maximus, who kept
them at his own house, that the people upon any emer-
gency ml.o^iit resort to them for satisfaction. These were
the annales maxhni and afforded excellent materials to
those who afterwards wrote the history of that great and
powerful commonwealth.
But that which of all others challenges the greatest re-
.gard both as it more immediately concerns the present
TO THE READER. 5
inquiry, and as it contains accounts of things relating
to our biggest interests, is the histor} of the church. For
herein, as in a glass, we have the true face of the church
in its several ages represented to us. Here we find with
what infinite care those divine records, which are the
great instruments of our eternal happiness, have through
the several periods of time been conveyed down to us ;
with what a mighty success religion has triumphed over
the greatest oppositions, and spread its banners in the re-
motest corners of the world. With how incomparable
a zeal good men have contended earnest I ij for that foith
•which was once delivered to the saints ; with what a bitter
and implacable fury the enemies of religion have set up-
on it, and how signally the Divine Providence has ap-
peared in its preservation, and returned the mischief
upon their own heads. Here we see the constant suc-
cession of bishops and the ministers of religion in their
several stations, the glorious company of the apostles^ the
goodly follow ship of the prophets^ the noble army of mar-
tyrs^ who with the most cheerful and composed minds
have gone to heaven through the acutest torments. In
short, we have here the most admirable examples of a
divine and religious life, of a real and unfeigned piety, a
sincere and universal charity, a strict temperance and
sobriety, an unconquerable patience and submission
clearly represented to us. And the higher we go, the
more illustrious are the instances of piety and virtue.
For however later ages may have improved in know-
ledge, experience daily making new additions to arts
and sciences, yet former times were most eminent for
the practice and virtues of a holy life. The divine laws
while newly published, had a stronger influence upon
the minds of men, and the spirit of religion was more
active and vigorous till men by degrees began to be de-
bauched into that impiety and prophaneness, that in
these last times has over-run the world.
It were altogether needless and improper for me to
consider what records there are of the state of the church
before our Saviour's incarnation : it is sufficient to mv
purpose to inquire by what hands the first affairs of the
6 ^ TO THE READER.
Christian church have been transmitted to us. As for
the iife and death, the actions and miracles of our Sa-
viour, and some of the first acts of his apostles they are
fully represented by the evangelical historians. Indeed
immediately after them we meet with nothing of this na-
ture, the apostles and their immediate successors, as
Eusebius observes *") not being at leisure to write many
books, as being employed in ministries greater and
more immediately serviceable to the world. The first
that engaged in this way, was Hegesippus, an ancient and
apostolic man (as he in Phocius styles him) an Hebrew
by descent, and born (as is pj obabie) in Palestine.'^ He
flourished principally in the reign of M. Aurelius, and
came to Rome in the time of Anicetus, where he resi-
ded till the time ofEleutherius. He wrote five books of
ecclesiastical history, which he styled Commentaries of
the Acts of the Church, wherein in a plain and familiar
style he described the apostles' travels and preachings,
the remarkable passages of the church, the several
schisms, heresies, and persecutions that infested it from
our Lord's death till his own time. But these, alas, are
long since lost. The next that succeeded in this province,
though the first that reduced it to any exactness and
perfection, was Eusebius. He was born in Palestine,
about the later times of the emperor Gailienus, ordained
presbyter by Agapius bishop of Cgesarea, who sufter-
ing about the end of the Dioclesian persecution, Euse-
bius succeeded in his see. A man of incomparable
parts and learning, and of no less industry and diligence
in searching out the records and antiquities of the
church. After several other volumes in defence of the
Christian cause against the assaults both of Jews and
Gentiles, he set himself to write an ecclesiastical his-
tory, wherein he designed (as himself tells us ^ ) to re-
count from the birth of our Lord till his time the most
memorable transactions of the church, the apostolical
successions, the first preachers and planters of the gos-
pel, the bishops that presided in the most eminent sees,
ccl. I. 3. e. 24. p. 94. d Cod. 232. col. 893. e- Lib. 1. c. 1. p. S.
TO THE READER. y
the most not^d errors and heresies, the calamities that
befel the Jewish state, the attempts and persecutions
made against the Christians by the powers of the world,
the torments and sufferings of the martyrs, and the bles-
sed and happy period that was put to them by the con-
version of Constantine the Great. All this, accordingly,
he digested in ten books, which he composed in the
declining partvof his life, and (as Vaiesius conjectures,*)
some years after the council of Nice, though when not
long before he expresly affirms that history to have
been written before the Nicene Synod. How he can here-
in be excused from a palpable contradiction I cannot
imagine. It is true Eusebius takes no notice of that
council, but that might be partly because he designed to
end in that joyful and prosperous scene of things which
Constantine restored to the church (as he himself plain-
ly intimates in the beginning of his history) which he
was not willing to discompose with the controversies
and contentions of that Synod, according to the humour
of all historians^ who delight to shut up their histories
with some happy and successful period ; and partly be-
cause he intended to give some account of the affairs
of that council in his book of the life of Constantine the
Great,
The materials wherewith he was furnished for this
great undertaking (which he complains were very small
and inconsiderable) were besides Hegesippus his com-
mentariesthen extant, Africanus his chronology, the books
and writings of several fLithers, the records of particu-
lar cities, ecclesiastical epistles written by the bishops
of those times, and kept in the archives of their several
churches, especially that famous library at Jerusalem,
erected by Alexander, bishop of that place, but chiefly
the acts of the martyrs, which in those times were
taken at large with great care and accuracy. These,
at least a great many of them, Eusebius collected
into one volume under the title of 'Ag;^^''' is^^^V*" -^•''^7«"/^'
A collection of the ancient martyrdoms ; which he refer!?
f Pi-a:f4t. de Vit. ?c Script. Euscb,
8 TO THE READER.
to at every turn ; besides a particular narrative which lie
wrote (still extant as an appendage to the eighth book of
his ecclesiastical history) concerjiing the martyrs that suf-
fered in Palestine, A great peat of these acts by the
negligence and unfaithfulness of succeeding times, were
interpolated and corrupted, especially in the darker and
more undiscerning ages, when superstition had over-
spread the church, and when ignorance and interest con-
spired to fill the world with idle and improbable stories,
and men took what liberty they pleased in venting the
issue of their own brains, insomuch that some of the
more wise and moderate, even of the Roman commu-
nion have complained not without a just resentment and
indignation, that Laertius has written the lives of philo-
sophers with more truth and chasteness, than many have
done the lives of the saints. Upon this account a great
and general outcry has been made against Simeon Me-
taphrastes, as the father of incredible legends, and one that
has notoriously imposed upon the world by the most
fabulous reports. Naj' , some to reflect the more disgrace
upon him, have represented him as a petty schoolmaster.
A charge, in my mind, rash and inconsiderate, and in a
great measure groundless and uncharitable. He was a
person of very considerable birth and fortune, advanced
to the highest honours and offices, one of the primier
ministers of state, and as is probable, great chancellor to
the emperor of Constantinople ; learned and eloquent
above the common standard, and who, by the persuasions
not only of some great ones of that time (he flourished
under Leo the wise about the year 900, but principally
wrote under the reign of his successor) but of the empe-
ror himself, was prevailed with to reduce the lives of the
saints into order. To which end by his own infinite
labour, and the no less expenses of the emperor, he ran-
sacked the libraries of the empire, till he had amassed a
vast heap of volumes. The more ancient acts he passed
without any considerable alteration, more than the cor-
recting them by a collation of several copies, and the en-
larging some circumstarxes to render them more plain
and easy, as appears by comparing some that are extant
TO THE READER. ,9
at this day. Where lives were confused and immetho-
dical, or written in a style rude and barbarous, he digest-
ed the history into order, and clothed it in more polite
and elegant language. Others that were defective in
neither, he left as they were, and gave them place
amongst his own. So that I see no reason for so severe a
censure, unless it were evident, that he took his account
of things not from the writings of those that had gone be-
fore him, but forged them of his own head. Not to say
that things have been made much worse by translations,
seldom appearing in any but the dress of the Latin church,
and that many lives are laid at his door of which he ne-
ver was the fluher, it being usual with some, when they
met with the life of a saint, the author whereof they knew
not, presently to fasten it upon Metaphrastes. But to
return to Eusebius, from whom we have digressed.
His ecclesiastical history, the almost only remaining
records of the ancient church, deserves a just esteem
and veneration, without which those very fragments of
antiquity had been lost, which by this means have es-
caped the common shipwreck. And indeed S. Hierom,
Nicephorus, and the rest do not only build upon his
foimdation, but almost entirely derive their materials
from him. As for Socrates, Sozomen, Theodorit, and
the later historians, they relate to times without the
limits of my present business, generally conveying down
little more than the history of their own times, the church
history of those more early ages being either quite ne-
glected, or very negligently managed. The first that to
any purpose broke the ice after the reformation, were the
centuriators of Magdeburg, a combination of learned and
industrious men, the chief of whom were John Wigan-
dus, Matth. Judex, Basilius Faber, Andreas Corvinus,
but especially Matth. Flaccius lilyricus, who was the
very soul of the undertaking. They set themselves
to traverse the writings of the fathers, and all the ancient
monuments of the church, collecting whatever made to
their purpose, which with indefatigable pains they digest-
ed into an ecclesiastic history. This they divided into
centuries, and each centuiy into fifteen chapters, into each
10 TO THE READER.
of which, as into its proper classes and repository, they
reduced whatever concerned the propagation of religion,
the peace or persecutions of the Christians, the doctrines
of the church, the heresies that arose in it, the rites and
ceremonies, the government, schisms, councils, bishops,
and persons noted either for religion or learning, heretics,
martyrs, miracles, the state of the Jews, the religion of
them that w€7-e without^ and the political revolutions of
that age. A method accurate and useful, and which admi-
nisters to a very distinct and particular understanding the
aflliirs of the church. The four first centuries were
finished in the city of Magdeburg, the rest elsewhere. A
work of prodigious diligence and singular use. True it
is, that it labours under some faults and imperfections,
and is chargeable with considerable errors and mistakes.
And no wonder : for besides that the persons themselves
may be supposed to have been sometimes betrayed into
an rifj^ire^u r strS-oxjtn- by the heats and contentions of those
times, it was the first attem^pt in this kind, and which
never passed the emendations of a second review ; an un-
dertaking vast and diffusive, and engaged in while books
were yet more scarce and less correct. Accordingly
they modestly enough confess, that they rather attempt-
ed a delineation of church -history,^ than one that was
complete and absolute, desiring only to minister oppor-
tunity to those who were able and willing to furnish out
one more entire and perfect. And yet, take it with all the
faults and disadvantages that can be charged upon it,
and they bear no proportion to the usefulness and excel-
lency of the thing itself.
No sooner did this work come abroad but it made a
loud nose and bustle at Rome, as wherein the corruptions
and innovations of that church were sufficiently exposed
and kid open to the world. Accordingly it was necessa-
ry that an antidote should be provided against it. For
which purpose Philip Nereus (who had lately founded
the oratorian order at Rome) commands Baronius, r].u:n
a very young man, and ne^vly entered into the congre^-
g Prxfat. in Hist. Eccles. pracfix. Cent. I.
TO THE READER. 11
tion to undertake it, and in order thereunto, daily to read
nothing but ecclesiastical lectures in the oratory. This
course he held for thirty years together, several times
going over the history of the church. Thus trained up,
and abundantly furnished with with fit materials, he sets
upon the work itself, which he disposed by way of annals
comprising the affairs of the whole Christian world in the
orderly series and succession of every year. A method
much more natural and historical than that of the centu-
ries. A noble design, and which it were injustice to de-
fraud of its due praise and commendation, as wherein be-
sides whatever occurrences that concern the state of the
church, reduced (as far as his skill in chronology could
enable him) under their proper periods, he has brought
to light many passages of the ancients not known before,
peculiarly advantaged herein by the many noble libraries
that are at Rome. A monument of incredible pains and
labour, as which besides the difficulties of the thing it-
self was entirely carried on by his single endeavours,
and written all with his own hand, and that too in the
midst of infinite avocations, the distractions of a parish
cure, the private affairs of his own oratory, preaching,
hearing confessions, writing other books, not to men-
tion the many troublesome though honourable offices
and employments, which in the course of the work were
heaped upon him. In short, a work it was, by which he
had infinitely more obliged the world, than can be well
expressed, had he managed it with as much faithfulness
and impartiality as he has done with learning and indus- ~
try. But alas, too evident it is, that he designed not
so much the advancement of truth, as the honour and in-
terest of a cause, and therefore drew the face of the an-
cient church, not as antiquity truly represents it, but ac-
cording to the present form and complexion of the church
of Rome, forcing every thing to look that way, to justify
the traditions and practices, and to exalt the superemi-
nent power and grandeur of that church, making both
the sceptre and the crosier stoop to the triple crown.
This is that that runs almost through every page, and in-
12 TO THE READER.
deed both he ^'himself, and the writer' of his life, more
than once, expressly affirms, that his design was to defend
the traditions, and to preserve the dignity of that church
against the late innovators, and the labours of the Mag-
deburgensian centuriators. and that the opposing of them
was the occasion of that work. So fatally does partiality
and the interest of a cause spoil the most brave and ge-
nerous undertakings.
What has been hitherto prefaced, the reader, I hope,
will not censure as an unprofitable digression, nor think
it altogether unsuitable to the present work, whereof 'tis
like he will expect some short account. Being some
time since engaged, I know not how, in searching after
the antiquities of the apostolic age, I was then sti'ongly
importuned to have carried on the design for some of
the succeeding ages. This I then wholly laid aside,
without any further thoughts of resuming it. For
experience had made me sufficiently sensible of the diffi-
culty of the thing, and I well foresaw how almost im-
possible it was to be managed to any tolerable satisfac-
tion ; so small and inconsiderable, so broken and imper-
fect are the accounts that are left us of those early times.
Notwithstanding Avhich, I have once more suffered my-
self to be engaged in it, and have endeavoured to hunt
out, and gather together those ruins of primitive story
that yet remain, that I might do what honour I was able
to the memory of those brave and worthy men, who were
so instrumental to plant Christianity in the ^vorld, to seal
it with their blood, and to oblige posterity by those ex-.
cellent monuments of learning and piety which they left
behind them. I have bounded my account within the
first thi-ee hundred years, notwithstanding the barrenness
and obscurity of those ages of the church. Had I con-
sulted my own ease or credit, I should have commenced
my design from that time, which is the period of my
present undertaking, viz. the following sasculum, when
Christianity became the religion of the empire, and the
records of the church furnish us with large and plentiful
h Epist. Ded. ad Sixt. V. Tci-n. 1. Anna]. Prsefix.
i Hier. Bamab. de vit. Baron, i. 1. c. IB. p. 40. c. 19. p. 43.
TO THE READER. 13
materials for such a work. But I confess my humour
and inclination led me to the first and best ages of reli*
gion, the memoirs whereof I have picked up, and thereby
enabled myself to draw the lineaments of as many of
those apostolical persons, as concerning whom 1 could
retrieve any considerable notices and accounts of things.
With what success, the reader must judge : with whom
what entertainment it will find, i know not, nor am I
much solicitous. I have done what I could, and am not
conscious to myself, that I have been wanting in any
point either of fidelity or care. If there be fewer persons
here described than the space of almost three hundred
years may seem to promise and less said concerning
some of them than the reader does expect, he will I pre-
sume be more just aud charitable than to charge it up-
on me, but rather impute it to the unhappy fate of so
many ancient records as have been lost through the
carelessness and unfaithfulness of succeeding times. As
far as my mean abilities do reach, and the nature of the
thing will admit, I have endeavoured the reader's satis-
faction ; and though I pretend not to present him an ex-
act church history of those times ; yet I think I may
without vanity assure him, that there is scarce any ma-
terial passage of church antiquity, of which in some of
these lives he Avill not find a competent and reasonable
account. Nor is the history of those ages maimed and
lame only in its main limbs and parts, but (what is great-
ly to be bewailed) purblind and defective in its eyes, I
mean, confused and uncertain in point of chronologv.
The greatest part of what we have is from Eusebius, in
whose account of times some things are false, more un-
certain, and the whole the worse for passing through
other hands after his. Indeed next to the recovering the
lost portions of antiquity, I know nothing would be
more acceptable, than the setting right the disjointed
frame of those times : a cure which we hope for shortly
from a very able hand. In the mean time for mv own
part, and so far as may be useful to the purposes of the
following papers, I have, by the best measures I could
take in some haste, drawn up a chronology of these three
14 TO THE READER,
ages, which though it pretends not to the utmost exact-
ness and accuracy that is due to a matter of this nature,
yet it will serve, however, to give a quick and present
prospect of things, and to show the connexion and con-
currence of ecclesiastical affairs with the times of the Ro-
man empire. So far as I follow Eusebius, I principally
rely upon the accounts given in history which being
written after his Chronicon, may be supposed the issue
of his more exact researches, and to have passed the
judgment of his riper and more considering thoughts.
And perhaps the reader will say (and I confess I am
somewhat of his mind) had I observed the same rule to-
wards these papers, he had never been troubled with
them. But that is too late now to be recalled ; and it is
folly to bewail what is impossible to be remedied.
INTRODUCTION
The several periods of the three first ages. Our Lord's coming, and
the seasonableness of it for the propagation of the gospel. His entrance
upon his proplietic office, and the sum of his ministry. The success
ot his doctrine, and the several places where he preached. The
story of Agbarus not altogether improbable. Our Lord's death.
What attestation given to the passages concerning Christ by heathen
writers, The testimony of Tacitus. Pilate's relation sent to Tiberius.
The acts of Pilate what. Pilate's letter now extant spurious. The
apostles entering upon their commission, and first acts after our
l-.ord's ascension. How long they continued in Judea. Their disper-
sion to preach in the Gentile provinces, and the success of it. The
state of the Church after the apostolic age. The mighty progress of
Christianity. The numbers and quality of its converts. Its speedy
and incredible success in all countries, noted out of the writers of
those times. The early conversion of Britain to Christianity. The
general declension of Paganism. The silence and ceasing of their
oracles. This acknowledged by Porphyry to be the effect of the
Christian religion appearing in the world. A great argument of its
truth and divinity. The means contributing to the success of Chris-
tianity. The miraculous powers then resident in the church. This
proved at large out of the primitive writers. The great learning and
abilities of many of the church's champions. The most eminent of
the Christian apologists. The principal of them that engaged against
the heresies of those times. Others renowned for other parts of learn-
ing. The indefatigable zeal and industry used in the propagation of
Christianity. Instructing and catechising new converts. Schools
erected. Travelling to preach in all parts of the world. The admi-
rable lives of the ancient Christians, The singular efficacy of the
Christian doctrine upon the minds of men. A holy life the most accep-
table sacrifice. Their incomparable patience and constancy under
sufferings. A brief survey of the ten persecutions. The first begun
by Nero. His brutish extravagancies, and inhuman cruelties. His
burning Rome, and the dreadfulness of that conflagration. This
£harged upon the Christians, and their several kinds of punishment
noted out of Tacitus. The chief of them that suffered. The perse-^
cution under Domitian. The vices of that prince. The cruel usage
of St. John. The third begun by Trajan. His character. His pro-
ceeding against the Christians as illegal societies. Pliny's letter to
Trajan concerning the Christians, with the emperor's answer.
Adrian, Trajan's successor ; a mixture in him of vice and virtue.
His persecuting the Christians. This the fourth persecution. The
mitigation of it, and its breaking out again under Antoninus Pius.
The excellent temper and learning of M. Aurelius. The fifth perse»
cution raised by him. Its fierceness in the East, at Rome, especially
16 INTRODUCTION.
in France ; the most eminent that suffered there. The emperor's
victory in his German wars gained by the Christians' prayers. Se-
verus's temper : his cruelty towards the Christians. The chief of
the martyrs under the sixth persecution. Maximinus his immode-
rate ambition and barbarous cruelty. The author of the seventh per-
secution. This not universal. The common evils and calamities
charged upon the Christians. Decius the eighth persecutor ; other-
\v\se an excellent prince. The violence of this persecution, and the
most noted sufferers. The foundations of monachim when laid.
The ninth persecution, and its rage under Valerian. The most emi-
nent martyrs. The severe punishment of Valerien : his miserable
usage by the Persian king. The tenth pei\secution begun under Dio-
clesian, and when. The fierceness and cruelty of that time. The
admirable carriage and resolution of the Christians under all these
sufferings. The proper influence of this argument to convince the
Avorld. The whole concluded with Lactantms's excellent reason-
ings to this purpose.
THE state of the Christian church in the three
first ages of it may be considered under a three fold pe-
riod : as it was first planted and estabhshed by our Lord
himself during his residence in the world ; as it was en-
larged and propagated by the apostles, and first mission-
aries of the Christian faith ; and as it grew up and pros-
pered from the apostolic age till the times of Constantine,
when the empire submitted itself to Christianity. God,
who in former times was pleased by various methods of
revelation to convey his will to mankind, hath m these
last days spoken to us by his Son. For the great blessing
of the promised seed after a long succession of several
ages being come to its just maturity and perfection, God
was resolved to perform the mercy promised to the fathers^
and to remember his holy covenant^ the oath which he sware
to our father Abraham. Accordingly, in the fulness of
time God sent his Son. It was in the declining part of
Augustus's reign, when this great ambassador arrived
from heaven, to publish to the world the glad tidings of
salvation. A period of time (as^Origen observes) wisely
ordered by the divine Providence. For die Roman em-
pire being now in the highest pitch of its grandeur, all
its parts united under a monarchical government, and an
universal peace spread over all the provinces of the em-
pire, that had opened a way to a free and uninterrupted
a. Contr Gets, lib, 2. p. 79.
INTRODUCTION. 17
commerce with all nations, a smoother and speedier pas-
sage was hereby prepared for the publishing the doctrine
of the gospel, which the apostles and first preachers of re-
ligion might with the greater ease and security carry up
and down to all quarters of the world. As for the Jews,
their minds were awakened about this time with busy
expectations of their Messiah's coming : and no sooner
was the birth of the holy Jesus proclaimed by the arrival
of the eastern magi, who came to pay homage to him,
but Jerusalem was filled with noise and tumult, the San-
hedrin was convened, and consulted by Herod, who jea=
lous of his late gotten sovereignty, was resolved to dis-
patch this new competitor out of the way. Deluded in
his hopes of discovery by the magi, he betakes himself
to acts of open force and cruelty, commanding all infants
under two years old to be put to death, and among them
it seems his own son, which made ^ Augustus pleasantly
say (alluding to the Jewish custom of abstaining from
swine's flesh) It is better to be HerocVs hog than his son.
But the providence of God secured the holy infant, by
timely admonishing his parents to retire into Egypt,
where they remained till the death of Herod, which hap-
pening not long after, they returned.
2. Near thirty years our Lord remained obscure un-
der the retirements of a private life, applying himself,
(as the ancients tell us, and the evangelical history plainly
intimates) to Joseph's employment, the trade of a carpen-
ter. So little patronage did he give to an idle unaccoun-
table course of life. But now he was called out of his
shades and solitudes, and publicly owned to be that per-
son whom God had sent to be the great prophet of his
chuixih. This was done at his baptism, when the Holy
Ghost in a visible shape descended upon him, and God,
by an audible voice testified of him This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased. Accordingly, he set
himself to declare the counsels of God, going about all
Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the
gospel of the Kingdom. He particularly explained the
moral law, and restored it to its just authority aiid do-
b Macrob. Satnrnal. 1. 2. c. A. p. 279.
C
18 INTRODUCTION.
minion over the minds of men, redeeming it from those
corrupt and perverse interpretations which ihe masters
of the Jewish church had put upon it. He next in-
sinuated the abrogation of the Mosaic economy, to
which he was sent to put a period, to enlarge the bounds
of salvation, and admit both Jew and Gentile to terms
of mercy : that he came as a mediator between God and
man, to reconcile the world to the favour of Heaven by
his death and sufferings, and to propound pardon of sin
and eternal life to ail that by an hearty belief, a sincere
repentance, and an holy life, were willing to embrace
and entertain it. This was die sum of the doctrine which
he preached ever} where, as opportunity and occasion
led him, and which he did not impose upon the world
merely upon the account of his own authority and pow-
er, or beg a precarious enter tuinment of it ; he did not
tell men they must believe him, because he said he came
from God, and had his warrant and commission to in-
struct and reform the world, but gave them the most sa-
tisfactory and convictive evidence, by doing such mira-
cles as were beyond all powers and contrivances either
of art or nature, whereby he unanswerably demonstrated,
that he was a Teacher come from God, in that ?w man
could do those miracles which he did except God were
with him. And because he himself was in a little time
to return back to heaven, he ordained twelve, whom he
called apostles as his immediate delegates and vicege-
reiiib, to whom he deputed liis authority and power,
funvished them with miraculous gifts, and left them to
carry on that excellent religion which he himself had
begun, to whose assistance he joined seventy disciples,
as oidinary coadjutors and companions to them Their
commission for the present was limited to Palestine, and
they sent out only to seek and to save the lost sheep of the
house of Israel,
3. How great the success of our Saviour's ministry
was, may be guessed from that complaint of the phari-
sees, Behold the world is gone after him, " people from
all parts in such vast multitudes flocking after him, that
c John 12. 19,
INTRODUCTION. 19
they gave him not time for necessary solitude and re-
tirement. Indeed he went about doing good, preaching
the word throughout all Judea^ and healing all that were
possessed of the devil. The seat of his ordinary abode
was GaHlee, residing for the most part (says one of the
ancients'* )in Galilee of the Gentiles, that he might there
sow and reap the first fruits ol the calling of the Gentiles.
We usually find him preaching at Nazareth, at Cana, at
Corazin and Bethsaida, and the cities about the sea of
Tiberias, but especially at Capernaum, the m.etropolis
of the province, a place of great commerce and traffic.
He often visited Judea, and the parts about Jerusalem,
whither he was wont to go up at the paschal solemnities,
and some of the greater festivals, that so the general
concourse of people at those times might minister the
fitter opportunity to spread the net, and to communi-
cate and impart his doctrine to them. Nor did he who
was to be a common Saviour, and came to break down
the partition wall, disdain to converse with the Samari-
tans, so contemptible and hateful to the Jews. In Sy-
char, not far from Samaria, he freely preached, and
gained most of the inhabitants of that city to be prose-
lytes to his doctrine. He travelled up and down the
towns and villages of Caesarea Philippi, and went into
the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and through the midst
of the coasts of Decapolis, and where he could not
come, the renown of him spread itself, bringing him
disciples and followers from all quarters. Indeed his
fame went throughout all Syria, and there followed him
great multitudes of people from Galilee, Judea, Deca-
polis, Idumia, from beyond Jordan, and from Tyre and
Sidon. Nay might we believe the story, so solemnly
reported by Eusebius "" and the ancients (and excep-
ting the silence of the evangelical historians, who record-
ed only some of the actions and passages concerning
our Saviour, I know no wise argument against it)
Acbarus prince of Edessa beyond EAiphrates, having
heard of the fame of our Saviour's miracles, by letters
humbly besought him to come over to him, whose let-
ter, together with our Lord's answer, are extant in Eu-
(1 Euseb. Demonstrat. Evang.l. 9. p. 439. c H.Eccl.l. 1, c. 13. p. 31.
:0 INTRODUCTION.
sebius, there being nothing in the letters themselves
that nnay justly shake their credit and authority, with
much more to this purpose, transcribed (as he tells us)
out of the records of that city, and by him translated
out of Syriac into Greek, which may give us some ac-
count why none of the ancients before him make any
mention of this affair, being generally strangers to the
language, the customs, and antiquities of those eastern
countries.
4. Our Lord having spent somewhat more than
three years in the public exercise of his ministry, kept
his last passover with his, apostles ; which done, he
instituted the sacramental supper, consigning it to his
church as the standing memorial of his death, and the
seal of the evangelical covenant, as he appointed bap-
tism to be the federal rite of initiation, and the public
Tessera or badge of those that should profess his reli-
gion. And now the fatal hour was at hand. Being be-
trayed by the treachery of one of his own apostles, he
was apprehended by the officers and brought before the
public tribunals. Heavy v/ere the crimes charged upon
him, but as false as spiteful. The two main articles of the
charge were blasphemy against God, and treason against
the emperor : and though they were not able to make
them good by any tolerable pretence of proof, yet did
they condemn and execute him upon the cross, several
of themselves vindicating his innocency, that he was a
righteous man^ and the Son of God. The third day af-
ter his interment he rose again, appeared to and con-
versed with his disciples and followers, and having taken
care of the affairs of his church, given a larger commis-
sion, and fuller instructions to his apostles, he took his
leave of them, and visibly ascended into Heaven, and
sat down on the right hand of God, as head over ail things
to the churchy angels^ authorities and pozvers being made
subject unto him,
5. The faith of these passages concerning our Sa-
viour, are not only secured to us by the report of the
evangelical historians, and that justified by eye- wit-
nesses, the evidence of miracles, and the successive and
INTRODUCTION. 21
uncontrolled consent of all ages of the church, but (as
to the substance of them) by the plain confession of
Heathen writers, and the enemies of Christianity. ^ Ta-
citus tells us, that the author of this religion was Christ,
who under the reign of Tiberius was put to death by
Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea : whereby,
though this detestable superstition was suppressed for
the present, yet did it break out again, spreading itself
not only through Judea, the fountain oi the mischief,
but in the very city of Rome itself, where whatever is
wicked and shameful meet together, and is greedily
advanced into reputation. ^ Eusebius assures us, that
after our Lord's ascension, Pilate according to custom,
sent an account of him to the emperor, which Tiberius
brought before the senate, but they rejected it under
pretence that cognizance had been taken of it before it
came to them ; it being a fundamental law of the Roman
state, that no new god could betaken in without the de-
cree of the senate ; but that however Tiberius conti-
nued his good thoughts of Christ and kindness to the
Christians. For this he cites the testimony of Ter-
tullian, who in his ^ apology presented to the Roman
powers affirms, that Tiberius, in whose time the Chris-
tian religion entered into the world, having received an
account from Pilate out of Palestine in Syria concerning
the truth of that di^'inity that was there, brought it to
senate with the prerogative of his own vote : but
...at the senate, because they had not before approved
of it, would not admit it ; however the emperor conti-
nued of the same mind, and threatened punishment to
them that accused the Christians. And before Tertul-
lian, Justin Martyr ' speaking concerning the death and
suiFerings of our Saviour, tells the emperors, that they
might satisfy themselves in the truth of these things
from the acts written under Pontius Pilate. It being-
customary not only at Rome to keep the acts of the se-
nate and the people, but for he governors of provin-
f Annal. 1. 15. c 44 p. 319.
g: H. Eccl. 1. 2 c. 2. p. 40. vid. Orns. adv. pn^. 1. 7. c 4. foJ. 292.
h Apolug-. c. 5. p. 6. o; c 21. p< 2(5. i Apolog". II. p. 76,
22 INTRODUCTION.
ces to keep account of what memorable things hap.
pened in their government, the acts whereof they ti ans-
mitted to the emperor And thus did Piiate during
the procuratorship of his province. How long these
acts remained in being, I know not : but in the contro-
versy about Easter, wt find the Quartodecimans *" jus-
tifying the day on which they obsei ved it from the acts
of Pilate, wherein they gloried that they had found the
truth. Whether these were the acts of Piiate, to which
Justin appealed, or rather those acts of Piiate drawn up
and published by the command of ^ Maximinus, Dio-
clesian's successor, in disparagement of our Lord and his
religion, is uncertain, but the latter of the two far more
probable. However, Pilate's letter to Tiberius (or, as
he is there called Claudius) at this day extant in the
Anacephalaeosis "^ of the younger Egesippus, is of no
great credit, though that author challenges greater an-
tiquity than some allow him, being probably contempo-
rary with St. Ambrose, and by many, from the great
conformity of style and phrase, thought to be St. Am-
brose himself, who with som.e few additions compiled
it out of Josephus. But then it is to be considered,
whether that Anacephalaeosis be done by the same, or
(which is most probable) by a much later hand. Some
other particular passages concerning our Saviour are
taken notice of by Gentile writers, the appearance of the
star by Calcidius, the murder of the infants by Macro-
bins, the eclipse at our Saviour's passion by Phlegon
Trallianus (not to speak of his miracles frequently ac-
know^ledged by Celsus, Julian, and Porphyry) which I
shall not insist upon.
6. Immediately after our Lord's ascension (from
whence we date the next period of the chuich) the apos-
tles began to execute the powtrs intrusted with them.
They presently filled up Judas's vacancy by the election
of a new apostle, the lot falling upon Matthias^ and he zvas
numbered with the eleven apostles. Being next endued
with power from on high (as our Lord had promised
k Ap. EDiph. Hxi-es. L. p. 182. i Euseb. H. Eccl. 1. 9. c. 5. p. o50.
m Ad calccm 1. de Excid. nrb. Hieros. p. 683.
INTRODUCTION. 23
them) furnished with the miraculous gifts of the Holy
Ghost, they set themselves to preach in places of the
greatest concourse, and to the faces of their greatest ene-
mies. They who but a while before fled at the approach
of danger, now boldly plead the cause of their crucified
master, with the immediate hazard of their lives. And
that nothing might interrupt them in this employment,
they instituted the office of deacons, who might attend
the inferior services of the church while they devoted
themselves to what was more immediately necessary to
the good of souls. By which prudent course religion
got ground ap^ce, and innumerable converts were daily
added to the f:iith : till a persecution arising upon St.
Stephen's martyrdom, banished the church out of Jeru-
salem, though this also proved its advantage in the event
and issue, Christianity being by this means the sooner
spread up and down the: neighbour countries. The apos-
tles notwithstanding the rage of the persecution, remained
still at Jerus^'iem, only now and then despatching some
few of their number to confirm and settle the plantations,
and to propagate the faith, as the necessities of the church
required. And thus tliey continued for near twelve
years together, our Lord himself having commanded
them not to depart Jerusalem and the parts thereabouts,
till twelve years after his ascension, as the ancient tradi-
tion mentioned both by "Apollonius, and "Clemens Alex-
a nus informs us. And now^ they thought it high
tii J to apply themselves to the full execution of that
commission which Christ had given them, to go teach and
baptize all nations. Accordingly having settled the
general affliirs and concernments of the church, they be-
took themselves to the several provinces of the Gentile
world, preaching the gospel to every nation under heaven,
so that even in a literal sense, their sound went into all
the earthy and their' xvords unto the ends of the world.
" Infinite multitudes of people in all cities and countries
'' (says ^Eusebius) like corn into a well filled granary,
n An. Euseb. H. Ecd. I. 5. c. 18, p. 186.
o Stromat. I. 6. p. 6c>i^. vid. Life of St. Peter, Sect. 11. num. -5.
pLib.2. c.3.p.41.
24 INTRODUCTION.
*' being brought in by that grace of God that brings sal-
*' vation. And they whose minds were heretofore dis-
'' tempered and overrun with the error and idolatry of
** their ancestors, were cured by the sermons and mira-
*' cles of our Lord's disciples, and shaking oif those chains
*' of darkness and slavery which the merciless dsemons
** had put upon them, fieely embraced and entertained
*' tjie knowledge and service of the only true God, the
** great Creator of the world, whom they worshipped ac-
*' cording to the holy rites and rules of that divine and
*' wisely contrived religion which our Saviour had intro-
*' duced into the world." But concerning the apostles*
travels, the success of their ministry, the places and
countries to which they went, the churches they planted,
their acts and martyrdoms for the faith, we have given an
account in a work peculiar to that subject, so far as the
records of those times have conveyed any material no-
tices of things to us. It may suffice to observe, that
God was pleased to continue St. John to a very great age,
beyond any of the rest, that he might superintend and
cultivate, confirm and establish what they had planted,
and be as a standing and lively oracle, to which the}-
might from all parts have recourse in any considerable
doubts and exigencies of the church, and that he might
seal and attest the truth of those things Avhich m^en of
corrupt and perverse minds, even then began to call in
question.
7. Hence then we pass on to survey the state of the
church from the apostolic age till the times of Constan-
tine, for the space of at least two hundred years. And
under this period we shall principally remark t\A'o things.
What progress the christian religion made in the world.
Secondly, What it was that contributed to so vast a
growth and increase of it. That Christianity^ from the
nature of its precepts, the sublimeness of its principles,
its contrariety to the established rites and religions of
the world, was likely to find bad entertainment, and the
fiercest oj)position, could not but be obvious to every
impartial considerer of things ; which accordingly came
U) pass. For it met with all the discouragement, the
INTRODUCTION. 25
secret undermining, and open assaults which malice and
prejudice, wit and parts, learning and power, were able
to make upon it. Notwithstanding all which, it lift up
its head, and prospered under the greatest oppositions.
And the triumph of the christian faith will appear the
more considerable, whether we regard the number and
quality of its converts, or the vast circumference to which
it did extend and diffuse itself. Though it appeared un^
der all manner of disadvantages to recommend itself, yet
no sooner did it set up its standard, but persons from all
parts, and of all kind of principles and educations, began
to flock to it, so admirably affecting very many both of
the Greeks and Barbarians (as Origen*^ tells Celsus) and
they both wise and unwise, that they contended for the
truth of their religion even to the laying down their lives,
a thing not known in any other profession in the world.
And ''elsewhere he challenges him to show such an un-
speakable multitude of Greeks and Barbarians reposing
such a cohfidence in iEsculapius, as he could of those
that had embraced the faith of the holy Jesus. And
when 'Celsus objected that Christianity was a clandestine
religion, that skulked and crept up and down in corners ;
Origen answers. That the religion of the Christians was
better known throughout the whole world, than the dic-
tates of their best philosophers. Nor were they only
mean and ignorant persons that thus came over, but (as
'/ )bius observes) men of the acutest parts and learning ;
or. jrs, grammarians, rhetoricians, lawyers, physicians,
philosophers, despising their formerly beloved senti-
ments, sat down here. "Tertullian addressing himself to
the Roman governors in behalf of the Christians, assures
them, that although they were of no long standing, yet
that they had filled all places of their dominions, their
cities, islands, castles, corporations, councils, armies,
tribes, companies, the palace, senate, and courts of judi-
cature : that if they had a mind to revenge themselves,
they need not betake themselves to clancular and sculk-
ri Contr. Gels. 1. 1. p. 21. 22. r Ibid- 1. 3. p 124.
s lb. 1. 1. p r. t Adv. Gent. 1. 2 p. 21.
n Apol. c. 37. p. 30.
26 INTRODUCTION.
ing arts. Their numbers were great enough to appear in
open arms, having a party not in this or that province^-
but in all quarters of the world : nay, that naked as they
were, they could be sufficiently revenged upon them ;
for should they but all agree to retire out of the Roman
empire, the world would stand amazed at that solitude
and desolation that would ensue upon it, and they would
have more enemies than friends or citizens left among
them. And he ^bids the president Scapula consider,
that if he went on with the persecution, what he would
do with those many thousands both of men and women,
of all ranks and ages, that would readily offer themselves;
what fires and swords he must have to despatch them.
Nor is this any more than what ''Pliny himself confesses
to the emperor, that the case of the Christians was a mat-
ter worthy of deliberation, especially by reason of the
multitudes that were concerned, for that many of each
sex, of every age and quality were and must be called in
question, this superstition having infected and overrun
not the city only, but towns and countries, the temples
and sacrifices being generally desolate and forsaken.
8. Nor was it thus only in some parts and provinces
of the Roman empire, but in most nations and countries.
^Justin Martyr tells the Jew, that whatever they might
boast of the universality of their religion, there were ma-
ny places of the world whither neither they nor it ever
came: whereas there was no part of mankind, whether
Greeks or Barbarians, or by whut name soever they were
called, even the most rude and unpolished nations, where
prayers and thanksgivings were not made to the great
Creator of the world through the name of the crucified
Jesus. The same Bardesanes^' the Syrian, Justin's con-
temporary, afiirms, that the followers of the Christian in-
stitution, though living in different parts of the world,
•and being very numerous in every climate and country,
were yet all called by the name of Christians. So ^Lac-
V Ad. Scapul. c. 4 p. 71. w Ad. Traj. lib. 10. Epist. 97,
X Dial, cum Ti-vph. p. 345.
y Lib. de Fat. ap. Euseb. Pra-p Evang-. 1. 6. c. 10, p. 279:
2 Dejustit 1. 5.C. 13.p. 494.
INTRODUCTION. q7
tantius, the christian law (says he) is entertained from
the rising of the sun to the going down thereof, where
every sex, and age, and nation, and country does with
one heart and soui worship God. If from generals we
descend to particular places and countries, "'Irenasus, who
entered upon the see of Lyons Ann. Chr. 179. af-
firms, that though there w^ere different languages in the
world, yet that the force of tradition, (or that doctrine
that had been delivered to the church) was but one and
the same ; that there were churches settled in Germany,
Spain, France, in the east, in Egypt and Lybia, ^as well
as in the middle of the world. ''Tertullian, who probably
wrote not above twenty years after Irenasus, gives us in
a larger account. " Tlieir sound (says he) went through
'' all the earthy and their words to the ends of the world.
" For in whom but Christ did all nations believe ? Par-
*' thians, Medes, Elamites, the inhabitants of Mesopota-
*' mia, Armenia, Phrygia, and Cappadocia, of Pontus,
"- Asia, and Pamphylia, those who dwell in Egypt, Af-
** ric, and beyond Cyrene, strangers at Rome, Jew^s at
" Jerusalem, and other nations ; as also now the Getuli,
*' and the Mauri, the Spaniards, and the Gauls, yea and
*' those places of Britain, which were unapproachable by
** the Roman armies, are yet subdued to Christ ; the
'* Sarmatcc also and the Daci, the Germans and the Scy-
" *' -ans, together with many undiscovered countries,
',/ lany islands and provinces unknown to us, which he
'* professes himself unable to reckon up. In all which
^' places (says he) the name of Christ reigns, as before
'' whom the gates of all cities are set open, and to whom
'' none are shut; before whom gates of brass fly open,
" and bars of iron are snapt asunder." To which ^'Arno-
bius adds the Indians, the Persians, the Serae, and all
the islands and provinces, wdiich are visited by the rising
or setting sun, yea, and Rome itself, the empress of all.
9. From Tertuilian's account we have a most authen-
tic testimony how^ early Christianity stretched itself over
this other world, having before his time conquered the
a Adv. Haeres 1. 1. c. 3. p. 52.
b Adv. Judxos c. 7. p. 189. c Lib. 2. p. 2.3.
28 INTRODUCTION.
most rough and inaccessible parts of Britain to the ban-
ner of the cross, which may probably refer to the con-
version of king Lucius, (the first Christian king that ever
was) a potent and considerable prince in this island, who
embraced the Christian religion about the year 186, and
sent a solemn embassy to Eleutherius, bishop of Rome,
for some who might further instruct him and his people
in the faith ; who accordingly despatched Faganus and
De» wianus hither upon that errand. Not that this was
the first time that the gospel made its way through the
dKi^v^c dri^-jiVT(^ (as Clemens'^ calls the British ocean, and so
the ancients constantly style it) the impassable ocean^ and
those Tvorlds which are beyond it ; that is, the Britannic
islands. It had been here many years before, diough
probably stifled and overgrown with the ancient pagan-
ism and' idolatry. St. Clemens^ tells us of St. Paul, that
he preached both in the east and west ; and having in-
structed the whole world in righteousness, made his way
to the utmost bounds of the west : by wnich he mAist
either mean Spain, or more probably Britain, and it may
be both. Accordingly Theodoret*' speaking of his com-
ing into Spain, says, that besides that, he brought great
advantage to the isles of the sea ; and he reckons Hhe
Cimbri and the Britains among the nations which the
apostles (and he particularly mentions the tent-maker)
converted to the Christian faith. If after all this, it were
necessary to enter into a more minute and particular dis-
quisition, I might inquire not only in what countries, but
m what towns and cities in those countries Christianity
fixed itself, in what places episcopal sees were erected,
and what succession of bishops are mentioned in the re-
cords of the church; but that this would not well consist
with the designed shortness of this introduction, and
would be more perhaps than the reader's patience would
allow.
10. The shadows of the night do not more naturally
vanish at the rising of the Sun, dian the darkness of
d Epist. ad Corinth, p- 28. e Ibid. p. 8.
f Comment, in Psul. 116
g De curand. Graecor. affect. Serm. 9. p. 125
INTRODUCTION. 29
Pagan Idolatry and superstition fied before the light of
the Gospel ; which the more it prevailed, the clearer it
discovered the folly and impiety of their worship: their
solemn rites appeared more trifling and ridiculous, their
sacrifices more barbarous and inhuman, their daemons
were expelled by the meanest Christain, their oracles be-
came mute and silent, and their very priests began to be
ashamed of their magic charms and conjurations ; and
the more prudent and subtle heads among them, who
stood up for the rites and solemnities of their religion,
w^ere forced to turn them into mystical and allegorical
meanings, far enough either from the apprehension or in-
tention of the vulgar. The truth is, the devil, who for
so many ages had usurped an empire and tyranny over
the souls of m.en, became more sensible every day, that
his kingdom shaked ; and therefore sought, though in
vain, by all ways to support and prop it up. Indeed
some time before our Saviour's incarnation the most ce-
lebrated oracle at Delphos had lost its credit and reputa-
tion, as after his appearance in the world they sunk and
declined every day ; whereof their best writers univer-
sally complain, that their gods had forsaken their temples,
and oracular recesses, and had left the w^orld in darkness
and obscurity ; and that their votaries did in vain solicit
their cornseis and answers. Plutarch, who lived under
Traj. ivrote a particular tract (still extant) concerning
the ct^siJig of oracles^ which he endeavours to resolve
partly into natural, partly into moral, partly into political
causes, though all his philosophy was too short to give a
just and satisfactory account of it. One cause he assigns
of it is, the death and departure of those daemons, that
heretofore presided over these oracles. To which pur-
pose he relates a memorable passage, concerning a voice
that called three times aloud to one Thamus an Egyptian
ship-master and his company, as they sailed by the
Echinadae islands, commanding him when they came
near to Palodes to make proclamation, that the great Pan
%vas deadj which he did ; and the news was entertained not
with the resentment of one or two, but of many, who re
30 INTRODUCTION.
ceived it with great mourning and consternation.^ The
circumstances of this story he there reports more at large,
and adds, that the thing being published at Rome, Tha-
mus was sent for by Tiberius, to whom he gave an ac-
count, and satisfied him in the truth of it. Which circum-
stance of time Eusebius' observes corresponds with our
Lord's conversing in the world, w4ien he began openly to
disposses daemons of that power and tyranny which they
had gained over mankind. And (if the calculation which
some make, hit right) it fell in about the time of our Sa-
viour's passion, who led captivity captive, spoiled princi-
palities^ and powers^ and made a show of them openly^ tri-
umphing over them in his cross, and by his death destroyed
him that had the power of deaths that is, the devil,
11. However that the silence of oracles, and the ener-
vating the power of daemons was the effect of the chris-
tian religion in the world, we need no more than the plain
confession of Porphyry himself (truth will sometimes ex-
tort a confession out of the mouth of its greatest enemxy)
who says, that ?jow it is no xvojider if the city for so many
years has been overrun with sickness, iEsculapius and the
rest of the gods having withdrawn their converse with
men: for that since Jesus began to be worshipped no
man had received any public help or benefit by the gods.^
A great argument, as Eusebiiis well urges, of our Sa-
viour's divine authority, and the truth of his doctrine.
For when (says he a little before) such numbers of ficti-
tious deities fled at our Lord's appearance, who would
not with admiration behold it as an uncontrolable demon-
stration of his truly saving and excellent reigion, where-
by so many churches and oratories through all the world
both in cities and villages, and even in the deserts and
solitudes of the most barbarous nations have been erected
h Ui^\ T«v iKMXciTr. K^nrxp. p. 419.
i Prxpar. Evang. 1. 5. c. 17. p 207.
k ][ip\ S'i tS f.i.m in J'uvct^-'Ji) ti i i<?-^vtiv rove ^':tvK>i( S'cti/uovac, /Airti rnv to QaTii-
x.st6' if/ji.aiv QjTKiyi} tutov 7f6 hiyooy /uagrvgil <t TpcrarTrov. *' N'jv; tfg ^rtu/uii^iicriy, si
TJfTSTav irpcev KATi'iKtt^i T«v TTOAtv » voo-^, ' A(rx.\yi7riis /uiv iTriSn^idic x, rav <a^X&'v ©s-
wv fJtHKiT ii<r»c. 'l»CK yd^ TifAu/uiva liJ'i/uiki Tjc Giuv S»fjt.ca-i:t; ax^iMiacg vct-vxto. Toaj'To.
fi'iuciirtv sibTolc: o Ilogcjr'fi/®'. Jiusfh. nbisupr. c. 1^ />. \79.
INTRODUCTION. .31
and consecrated to the great Creator, and the only Sove-
reign of the world : when such multitudes of books have
been written, containing the most incomparable rules and
institutions to form mankind to a life of the most perfect
virtue and religion, precepts accommodated not to men
only, but to women and children : when he shall see that
the oracles and divinations of the daemons are ceased
and gone ; and that the divine and evangelical virtue of
our Saviour no sooner visited mankind, but they began
to leave oif their wild and frantic ways of worship, and to
abhor those human sacrifices (many times of their dear-
est relations) wherewith they had been wont to propitiate
and atone their bloody and merciless daemons, and into
which their wisest and greatest men had been bewitched
and seduced. I add no more but St. Chrysostom's* chal-
lenge, *' Judge now with me, O thou incredulous Jew,
" and learn the excellency of the truth ; what impostor
''' ever gathered to himself so many churches throughout
*' the world, and propagated his worship from one end of
*' it to the other, and subdued so many subjects to his
*' crown, even wdien thousands of impediments lay in the
'*~ way to hinder him? certainly no man : a plain evidence
*' that Christ was no impostor, but a Saviour and bene-
" fac"^" and the author of our life and happiness."
12 v^e have seen with what a mighty success Christi-
anity displayed its banners over the world ; let us next
consider what it was that contributed to so vast an in-
crease and propagation of it. And here not to insist upon
the blessing of the Divine Providence, which did imme-
diately superintend its prosperity and welfare, nor upon
the intrinsic excellency of the religion itself, which car-
ried essential characters of divinity upon it, sufficient to
recommend it to every wise and good man, there were
five things among others that did especially conduce to
make way for it ; the miraculous powers then resident in
the church, the great learning and abilities of its cham-
pions and defenders, the indefluigable industry used in
propagating of it, the incomparable lives of its professors,
1 Orat. 3.^dv. Judx-ns, p 420. Tooi. 1,
S^ INTRODUCTION.
and tlieir patience and constancy under sufferings. It
was not the least means that procured the Christian reli-
gion a just veneration from the world, the miraculous at-
testations that were given to it. I shall not here concern
myself to show, that miracles truly and publicly wrought
are the highest external evidence that can be given to the
truth of that religion, which they are brought to confirm ;
the force of the argument is sufficiently pleaded by the
Christian apologists. That such miraculous powers were
then ordinary in the church, we have the concurrent tes-
timonies of all the first writers of it. Justin Martyr
^ tells the emperor and the senate, that our Lord was
born for the subversion of the dasmons, which they might
know from the very things done in their sight ; for that
very many who had been vexed and possessed by dae-
mons, throughout the world, and in this very city of
theirs, whom ail their exorcists and conjurers were not
able to relieve, had been cured by several Christians,
through the name of Jesus that was crucified under Pon-
tius Pilate ; and that at this very time they still cured
them, disarming and expelling the daemons out of those
whom they had possessed. The same he affirms in his
discourse with Trypho" the Jew, more than once, that the
devils trembled and stood in awe of the power of Christ ;
and to this day being adjured by the name of Jesus Christ
crucified under Pontius Pilate the procurator of Judea,
thev were obedient to Christians. IrenEeus'' assures us
that in his time, the Christians, enabled by the grace of
Christ, raised the dead, ejected daemons^ and unclean
spirits ; the persons so dispossessed coming over to the
church : others had visions and the gift of prophesy ;
others by imposition of hands healed the sick, and re-
stored them to perfect health. But I am not able (says
he) to reckon up the number of those gifts, which the
church throughout the world receiving from God, does
every d:;y freely exercise in the name of Jesus Christ
crucified under Pontius Pilate, to the benefit of the
Tn Apol. 1. p. 45.
n Dial. cum. Trvph. 247, ^7" p. 502.
o Adv. Ilxre-s. L 2. .-.. 56. p. 215. c. 57. p. 21S
INTRODUCTION. C3
world. Tertullian ^ challenges the Roman governors to
let any possessed person be brought before their own
tribunals, and they should see, that the sph'it being com-
manded to speak, by any Christian, should as truly con-
fess himself to be a devil, as at other times he falsely
boasted himself to be a god. And he tells Scapula,'*
that they rejected, disgraced, and expelled daemons every
day, as most could bear them witness. Origen '' bids
Celsus take notice, that whatever he might think of the
reports which the gospel makes concerning our Saviour,
yet that it was the great and magnificent work of Jesus,
by his name to heal even to this day, whom God pleased ;
that he * himself had seen many, who by having the name
of God and Christ called over them, had been delivered
from the greatest evils, frenzy and madness, and infi-
nite other distempers, which neither men nor devils had
been able to cure. What influence these miraculous
eftects had upon the world, he lets us know elsewhere.
*^ The Apostles of our Lord (says* he) without these
*' miraculous powers would never have been able to have
" moved their auditors, nor persuaded them to desert the
*' institutions of their country ; and to embrace their
** new doctrine ; and having once embraced it, to de-
*' fend i*" /en to death, in defiance of the greatest dan-
^ gers. A ea, even to this day the footsteps of that Holy
Spirit, which appeared in the shape of a dove, are
** preserved among the Christians ; they exorcise d^-
** mons, perform many cures, and, according to the will
** of God, foresee and foretell things to come. At which,
'' though Celsus and his personated Jew may laugh, yet
*' I affirm further, that many, even against their inclina-
*' tions, have been brought over to the Christian religion,
" their former opposition of it being suddenly changed
** into a resolute maintaining of it unto death, after they
"** have had visions communicated to them ; several of
^'' which nature we ourselves have seen. And should
*' we only reckon up those at which we ourselves have
p Apol. c. 23. p. 22. q Ad Scap. c. 2. p 5. r Contr. Cels. 1. 2. p. 80=
s lb. 1. 3 p. 124. t Lib. 1. p. 34.
34 INTRODUCTION.
*' been present and beheld, it may be it would only make
" the infidels merry ; supposing that we like themselves
*' did forge and feign them. But God bears witness with
*• my conscience, that I do not endeavour by falsely-
" contrived stories, but by various powerful instances,
*' to recommend the divine religion of the holy Jesus."
IVIore testimonies of this kind I could easily produce
from Minucius Faslix, Cyprian, Arnobius, and Lac-
tantius ; but that these are enough to my purpose.
13. Another advantage that exceedingly contributed to
the triumph of Christianity, was the singular learning
of many, who became champions to defend it : For it
could not but be a mighty satisfaction, especially to men
of ordinary capacities, and mean employments (which
are the far greatest part of mankind) to see persons of
the most smart and subtle reasonings, of the most acute
and refined understandings, and consequently not easily-
capable of being imposed upon by arts of sophistry and
plausible stories, trampling upon their former sentiments
and opinions, and not only entertaining the Christian
faith, but defending it against its most virulent oppo-
sers. It is true indeed the gospel at its first setting out
was left to its own naked strength, and men of the most
unpolished breeding made choice of to convey it to the
world, that it might not seem to be an human artifice,
or the success of it be ascribed to the parts and powers
of man. But after that for an hundred years together
it had approved itself to the world, and a sharper edge
was set upon the malice and keenness of its adversaries,
it was but proper to take in external helps to assist it.
And herein the care of the Divine Providence was very
remarkable, that as miracles became less common and
frequent in the Church, God was pleased to raise up
even from among the Gentiles themselves, men of pro-
found abilities, and excellent learning, who might ^oh
'oiKu,i;7ricpoh^:iK>Mv, (as JuHau "" said of the Christians of his
time) beat them at their own weapons, and wound them
with arrows drawn out of their own qui\'er ; and it was
u Theud. H. Ecc!. 1. 3, c. 8. p. 131.
INTRODUCTION. $5
high time to do so : for the Gentiles did not onlv attack
the Christians and their religion by methods of cruel-
ty, and by arts of insinuation, not only object what wit
and subtlety could invent, to bear any shadow and pre-
tence of reason, but load them with the blackest crimes,
which nothing but the utmost malice and prejudice
could ever suspect to be true. This gave occasion to
the Christian Apologists, and the first writers against
the Gentiles, who by their learned and rational dis-
courses assoiled the Christians from the things charged
against them; justified the reasonableness, excellency,
and divinity of their religion ; and exposed the folly and
falsehood, the brutishness and impiety, the absurd and
trifling rites of the Pagan worship ; by which means
prejudices were removed, and thousands brought over
to the faith. In this way they that rendered themselves
most renowned, and did greatest service to the Chris-
tian cause, were especially these: Quadratus bishop of
Athens, and Aristides, formerly a famous philosopher
of that city, a man wise and eloquent^ dedicated each
an apologetic to the emperor Adrian : Justin the mar-
tyr, besides several tracts against the Gentiles, wrote
two apologies ; the first presented to Antoninus Pius,
the seconc' to M. Aurelius, and the senate : about which
time al Uhenagoras presented his apology to M. Au-
relius, ciid Aurelius Commodus : not to mention his
excellent discourse concerning the resurrection. To
the same M. Aurelius, Melito bishop of Sardis exhibi-
ted his apologetic oration for the Christians. Under this
emperor also flourished Apollinaris, bishop of Hierapo-
lis in Asia, and dedicated to him an incomparable dis-
course in defence of the Christian faith ; besides five
books which he wrote against the Gentiles, and two
concerning the truth. Not long after Theophilus bi-
shop of Antioch composed his three excellent books for
the conviction of Autolycus : and Miltiades presented
an apology (probably) to the emperor Commodus. Ta-
tian, the Syrian, scholar to Justin martyr, a man learned
and eloquent, among other things WTote a book against
tlie Gentiles, which sufficiently evidences his great abili-
as INTRODUCTION.
tics. Tertullian, a man of admirable learning, and the
first of the Latins that appeared in this cause, under the
reign of Scvcrus, published his apologetic, directed to
the magistrates of the Roman empire ; besides his
books, Ad Nationes, De Idololatria, Ad Scapulam, and
many more. After him succeeded Origen, whose eight
books against Celus did not greater service to the Chris-
tian cause, than they did honour to himself. Minucius
Fcclix, an eminent advocate at Rome, wrote a short,
but most elegant dialogue between Octavius and Csecil-
ius, which (as Lactantius"" long since observed) shows,
how fit and able an advocate he would have been to as-
sert the truth, had he wholly applied himself to it.
About the time of Gallus and Volusian, Cyprian ad-
dressed himself in a discourse to Demetrian, the Procon-
sul of Africa, in behalf of the Christians and their religion,
and published his tract De Idolorum Vanitate, which
is nothing but an epitome of Minucius's dialogue.
Towards the close of that age under Dioclesian, Arno-
bius taught rhetoric with great applause at Sicca in
Africa ; and being convinced of the truth of Christianity,
could hardly make the Christians at first believe that he
was real. In evidence, therefore, of his sincerity, he
wrote seven books against the Gentiles, wherein he
smartly and rationally pleads the Christian cause : as not
long after his scholar Lactantius, who under Dioclesian
professed rhetoric at Nicomedia, set himself to the com-
posing several discourses in defence of the Christian,
and subversion of the Gentile religion. A man witty
and eloquent, but more happy in attacking his adversa-
ries, than in establishing the principles of his own religion,
many whereof he seems not very distinctly to have nndei^
stood. To all these I may add Apollonius, a man ver-
sed in all kind of learning and philosophy ; and (if St.
Hierom say right) a senator of Rome, who in a set ora-
tion, with so brave and generous a confidence, eloquent-
ly pleaded his own, and the cause of Christianity before
ar De Instit. 1. 5. c. l.p. 459.
INTRODUCTION. 37
the senate itself; for which he suffered as a mart}^ in
the reign of Commodus.
14. And as they thus defended Christianity on the
one hand from the open assauhs and calumnies of the
Gentiles, so were they no less careful on the other to
clear it from the errors and heresies, wherewith men of
perverse and evil minds sought to corrupt and poison it.
A^id the chief of those that engaged in this way were
these : Agrippa Castor, a man of great learning, in the
time of Adrian, wrote an accurate refutation of Basilides
and his principles in twenty-four books. Theophilus of
Antioch against Hermogenes and Maixion; Apollinaris,
PhiUp, Bishop of Gortyna in Crete, Musanus, Modes-
tus, llhodon, Tatian's scholar, Miltiades, Apollonius,
Serapion, Bishop of Antioch, and hundreds more, who
engaged against the Marcionites, Montanists, and other
heretics of those times. But the principal of all was
Irenasus, who took to task the most noted heresies of
those ages, and with incomparable industry and quick-
ness of reasoning unravelled their principles, exposed
their practices, refuted their errors, whereby (as he fre-
quently intimates) many were reduced and recovered
to the church. I might also mention several others,
who, though not known to have particularly adventured
in either of these ways, are yet renowned for their ex-
cellent skill in all arts and sciences, whereby they be-
came eminently useful to the church. Such (besides
those whereof an account is given in the following work)
were Dionysius, bishop of Corinth, Bardesanes, the Sy-
rian, whose learning and eloquence were above the com-
mon standard, though he also wrote against almost all
the heresies of tlie age he lived in. Ammonius the cele-
brated philosopher of Alexandria, Julius Africanus, a
man peculiarly eminent for history and chronology ;
Dorotheus, Presbyter of Antioch, famous for his skill in
Hebrew, as well as other parts of learning , Anatolius
the Alexandrian, whom Eusebius magnifies so much as
the most learned man, and acute philosopher of his age,
exquisitely skilled in arithemetic, geometry, astronomy,
logic, physic, rhetoric, and indeed what not ? Pierius,
38 INTRODUCTION.
presbyter of Alexandria, an eloquent preacher, and so
great a scholar, that he was commonly styled Origen ju-
nior. But this is a field too large to proceed any further
in, and therefore I stop here. By all which it is evident,
what St. Hierom^ remarks, how little reason Celsus, Por-
phyry, and Julian had to clamour against the Christians,
as a rude and illiterate generation, who had no learning,
no eloquence, or philosophy to recommend them.
15. A third advantage that helped on the progress of
Christianity, was the indefatigable zeal and industry used
in the propagation of it. No stone was left unturned, no
method unattempted,whereby they mightreclaim men from
error, and bring them over to the acknowledgment of the
truth. Hence in an ancient inscription'^ said to be set up
in Spain, to the honour of Nero, they are described un-
der this character, Qui Novam Generi Hum. Superstition,
Inculcab. Those ^\ho inculcated and obtruded a new
superstition upon mankind. Indeed they were infinitely
zealous to gain proselytes to the best religion in the
world. They preached it boldly, and prayed heartily for
the conversion and reformation of mankind, solicited their
neighbours that were yet strangers to the faith, instructed
and informed new converts, and built them up on the most
holy faith. Those that were of greater parts and eminency
erected and instituted schools, where they publicly taught
those that resorted to them, grounding them in the rudi-
ments of the faith, and antidoting them both against
heathens on the one side, and heretics on the other.
Among us (says Tatian'')not only the rich and the wealthy
learn our philosophy, but the poor are freely disciplined
and instructed : we admit all that are willing to learn,
whether they be old or young. And what the success
was, he tells ^ us a little after, that all their virgins were
y'Discant erg-o Celsiis, Porphyrins, Julianas, rabidi adversus Christum
caries, discant eorair, sectiitores, qui putant Ecclesiam, nuilus Philosoplios &
eloquentes, nnlloshahuisse Doctoies, qutmti & quales viri earn fundaverint, ex-
truxerint, Scornaverint, & desinant fidem nostrum rustics tantum simplicitatis
arguere, suAtnque potius imperitiam agnoscunt. St. Hieron. praf. ad Catalog.
de script. Eccles.
7. Ap. Gruter. Inscript. p. 238. N. IX a ©rat. contr. Grxc. p. 1^7.
b Ibid. p. 168.
INTRODUCTION. 39
sober and modest, and were wont to discourse concern-
ing divine things, even while they were sitting at their
distafts. Nor did they content themselves only to do
thus at home, many of them freely exposing themselves
to all manner of hazards and hardships. No pains were
thought great, no dangers considerable, no difficulties
insuperable, that they might enlarge the bounds of the
gospel, travelling into the most barbarous nations, and
to the remotest corners of the world. " The divine and
'* admirable disciples of the Apostles (says ''Eusebius)
** built up the superstructures of those churches, thefoun-
*' dations whereof the Apostles had laid in all places
*' where they came : they every where promoted the
'' publication of the gospel, sowing the seeds of that
** heavenly doctrine throughout the whole world. For
*' their minds being inflamed with the love of a more
*' divine philosophy, according to our Lord's counsel,
" they distributed their estates to the poor ; and leaving
'' their own countries, took upon them the office of evan-
*' gelists, preaching Christ, and delivering the evange-
** lical writings to those who had not yet so much as
** heard of the Christian faith. And no sooner had they
^ founded the faith in any foreign countries, and or-
" dained guides and pastors, to whom they committed
*' the care of those new plantations, but they presently
" betook themselves to other nations, ratifying their doc-
** trine with the miraculous powers of that divine Spirit
'' that attended them ; so that as soon as ever they began
*^ to preach, the people universally flocked to them, and
*' cheerfully and heartily embraced the worship of the
*' true God, the great Creator of the world." In the
number of these evangelical missionai'ies, that were of
the first apostolical succesion, were Silas, Sylvanus,
Crescens, Andronicus, Trophimus, Marcus, Aristar-
chus, &c. as afterwards Pantcenus, who went into In-
dia, Pothinus and Ireiiceus, from Smyrna into France,
each successively becoming bishop of Lyons, and in-
finite others mentioned in the histories and maityrologies
c H.Ecdes.l. 3. c, 37. p. lt)9.
40 INTRODUCTION,
of the church, who counted not their lives to be dear
unto them, so that they might finish their course xvith
joyy and make known the mystery of the gospel to the
ends of the earth."
16. Fourthly, Christianity recommended itself to the
world by the admirable lives of its professors, which
were so truly consonant to all the laws of virtue and
goodness, as could not but reconcile the wiser and more
unprejudiced part of the Gentile world to a better opi-
nion of it, and vindicate it from those absurd and sense-
less cavils that were made against it. For when they
saw Christians every where so seriously devout and pi-
ous, so incomparably chaste and sober, of such humble
and mortified tempers, so strictly just and righteous, so
kind and charitable, not to themselves only, but to all
mankind, they concluded there must be something more
than human in it : as, indeed, no argument is so con-
victive, as a demonstration from experience. Their sin-
gular piety, and the discipline of their manners weighed
down all the disadvantages they were under. The di-
vine and most admirable Apostles of Christ (says Euse-
bius '^ ) how rude soever they were in speech, were yet
Tov ^/cv Axpa; x5Jt:tS-*§,ulvo/, j, deir^ Trio-,] TtL^ '\,v'j(_'l^ niKCcriuiijuivot, 01 thC mOSt
pure and holy lives, and had their minds adorned with
all sorts of virtue. And such generally were the Chris-
tians of the succeeding ages : they did not entertain the
world with a parcel of good words and a plausible story,
but showed their faith by their works, and proved the di-
vinity of their religion by the heavenliness of their lives.
We (says the Christian in Minucius Faelix ^ ) despise
the pride and superciliousness of philosophers, whom we
know to be debauched persons and always eloquent a-
gainst those vices of which themselves are most guilty.
For we measure not wisdom by men's garbs and habits,
but by their mind and manners ; nor do we speak great
things so much as live them, glor}-ing that we have attained
what they earnestly sought, but could never find. Chris-
tians were then the only persons that really were what
d ubi. supr. c. 24. p. 94. e M. F«l, Dial. non. longe a fin. p. 31.
INTRODUCTION. 41
they pretended to, men heartily reformed from vice to
virtue : " Being persuaded (as Justin Martyr tells ^ the
<* emperors) by the word, we have renounced the dae-
" mons, and through the Son, worhip the only and un-
** begotten Deity : and we, who heretofore took plea-
** sure in adulteries, do now embrace the strictest chas-
*' tity ; and who were addicted to magic arts, have de-
*^ voted ourselves to the benign and immortal God : we
** who valued estate and riches before all things in the
*' world, do now cast what we have in common, distri-
'' buting to every one according to his need : we who by
*' hatred and slaughters mutually raged against each
** other, and refused to sit at the same fire with those
*• who were not of our own tribe, since Christ's appear-
** ing in the world familiarly converse together, pray
*' for our enemies, and for the conversion of those that
*' unjustly hate us, endeavouring to persuade them to
** live according to the excellent precepts of Christ, that
*' so they may have just ground to hope for the same re-
*' wards with us from the great Judge of the world. " In-
deed, strange was the efficacy of the Christian doc-
trine over t.lie minds of men, which the Christian apo-
logists at every turn plead as an uncontrollable evidence
of their religion*", that it made all sorts of persons that
complied with it, chaste and temperate, quiet and peace-
able, meek and modest, and afraid of the least appear-
ance and colour of what was evil''. When the Heathens
derided them for the mean and unpompous solemnities
of their religion, they universally declared, that God
respected no man for any external excellencies or ad-
vantages, it was the pure and the holy soul he delighted
f Apoi.ll. p. 61.
g Tertul. AdoI. c. 3. p. 4. ad Nation, c. 1. p. 41. Orig-. contr. Cels. 1. 1. p. 9.
15, 21, 36, 50/53 lib. 2. p. 61. 8.5, 88, 110. iib. .3. p. 123, 147, 152, 157. lib. 4»
p. 167. iib. 6. p. 306. lib. 7. p. 364. lib. 8. p. 409. & alibi passim. Lactam, lib,
3. c. 26. p. 328. lib. 4. c. 3. p. 351.
h T-'Tart. Orat ad Grjec.p. 40. Athenag-. Le?at. p.13. Clem. Alex.Strdm.l?'.
p. 706, 709, 714, 719, 728." Minuc. Txl p. '26. 30. Arnob.adv. Gent. I. 7. p. 104,
OrijA • contr. Gels. I. 8. p. 385, 389, 392. T.actant. I. 1. c- 20. p. 103. I 6 c U
p. 540. c. 24. p. 636. Epii-jni. c. 2. p, 735.
F
42 INTRODUCTION.
in ; that he stood in no need of blood or smoke, perfumes
and incense ; that the greatest and best sacrifice was to
offer up a mind truly devoted to him : that meekness
and kindness, an humble heart, and an innocent life,
was the sacrifice with which God was well pleased, and
infinitely beyond all holocausts and oblations ; that a
pious and devout mind was the fittest temple for God to
dwell in, and that to do one's duty, to abstain from sin,
to be intent upon the offices and ministrations of prayer
and praise, is the truest festival ; yea, that the whole life
of a good man is nothing else but a holy and festival so-
lemnity. This was the religion of Christians then, and
it rendered their profession amiable and venerable to the
world ; and forced many times its most violent opposers
to fall down, and say that God was in them of a truth.
But the less of this argument is said here, a full account
having been given of it in a work peculiar to this subject.
17. Fifthly, the disciples of this holy and excellent
religion gained innumerable proselytes to their party, by
their patience and constancy under sufferings. They
were immutably resolved to maintain their station, not-
withstanding all the attempts made to beat them from
it. They entertained the fiercest threatenings with an
unshaken mind, and fearlessly beheld the racks and en-
gines prepared for them ; they laughed at torments, and
courted fiam.es, and went out to meet death in its blackest
dress : they died rejoicing, and triumphed in the midst
of the greatest tortures ; which happening for some ages
almost every day, could not but convince their enemies
that they were in good earnest, that they heartily believed
their religion to be true, and that there must be a divine
and supernatural power going along with it, that could
support them under it; which Justin Martyr confesses
was one main inducement of his conversion to Chris-
tianity. \^'hat particular methods of cruelty w^ere used
towards the primitive Christians, and with how brave
and generous a patience, with what evenness and tran-
quillity of mind they bore up under the heaviest and
acutest torments, we have sufficiently declared in another
place : and therefore sliali here only take a short survey
INTRODUCTION. 43
of those ten famous persecutions/ that so eminently ex-
ercised the faith and patience of the primitive saints, and
then collect the force of the argument resulting from it.
And this the rather, because it will present us with the
best prospect of the state of the church in those early
ages of it. As to the particular dates and periods of
some of these persecutions, different accounts are as-
signed by Sulpitius Severus, Eusebius, Orosius, Hierom,
and others ; we shall follow that whiph shall appear to
be most likely and probable.
18. The first that raised a general persecution against
the Christians, was Nero, as Tertuliian'" tells the Gen-
tiles ; and for the truth of it, refers them to their own
public archieves and records. A prince of that wild and
ungovernable temper, of such brutish and extravagant
manners, that their own writers scruple not to style him,
a beast in human shape, and the very monster of man-
kind. He was guilty of the most unbounded pride and
ambition, drunkenness, luxury, and all manner of debau-
chery, sodomy and incest, which he attempted to com-
mit with his own mother. But cruelty seemed to predo-
minate among his other vices; besides infinite others, he
despatched the greatest part of the senate, put to death
his tutor Seneca and his wife, Lucan the poet ; nay, vio-
lated all the laws of nature, in falling upon his own near
relations : he was privy to, if not guilty of the death of
his father Claudius ; killed his two wives, Octavia and
Poppasa, aiid murdered Antonia, because refusing to suc-
ceed in their bed ; he poisoned his brother Britannicus ;
and to complete all his villanies, fell next upon his
own mother Agrippina, whom he hated for her free re-
proving his looseness and extravagancy ; and having first
spoiled her of ail public honours, and caused her to be
openly disgraced and derided, then thrice attempted her
life by poison, he at last sent an assassin to stab her. And
the tradition then went, that not content to do this, he
himself came and beheld her naked corps, contemplating
and handling its several parts ; commending some and
i Prim. Christ, part 2. ch. T. k Apol. c. 5. p. 6k
44 INTRODUCTION.
dispraising others. And if thus barbarous and inhuman
towards his own kindred and subjects, we cannot think
he was over favourable to Christians ; wanting this title
(says Eusebius') to be added to all the rest, to be styled
the first emperor that became an enemy to the Christian
religion, publishing laws and edicts for the suppressing
of it ; and prosecuting those that professed it, with the
utmost rigour in everyplace ; and that upon this occasion.
Among infinite other instances of this madness and folly,
he took up a resolution to bum Rome, either as being of-
fended with the narrowness of the streets, and the defor-
Uiity of the buildings, or ambitious to become the author
of a moie stately and magnificent city, and to call it after
his own name. But however it was, he caused it to be
set on fire, about the 19th of July, ann. Christ. 64. The
conquering flames quickly prevailed over that city, that
had so often triumphed over the rest of the w-orld, in six
or seven days spoiling and reducing the far greatest part
of it (ten regions of fourteen) into ashes ; laying waste
houses and temples, and all the venerable antiquities and
monuments of that place, which had been preserved with
so much care and reverence for many ages ; himself in
the mean while from Mecaenas's tower beholding the
sad spectacle with pleasure and delight, and in the habit
of a player, singing the destruction of Troy. And when
the people would but have searched the ruins of their own
houses, he forbade them, not suffering them to reap ^^'^hat
the mercy of the flames had spared. This act (as w-eil it
might) expos'd him to all the hatred and detestation,
wherewith an injured and abused people could resent it,
which he endeavoured to remove by large promises, and
great rewards, by consulting the Sibylline books, and by
public supplications and sacrifices to the gods. Notwith-
standing all which, Tacitus'^ tells us, the people still be-
lieved him to be the author of the mischief. This not
succeeding, he sought to clear himself by deriving the
odium upon the Christians, whom he knew to be suffi-
ciently hateful to the people, charging them to have been
I H. Eccles. i. 2. c. 25, p. 6/. m Annal 1 15 c 44. p. 319.
INTRODUCTION. 45
th€ incendiaries, and proceeding against them with the
most exquisite torments. Having apprehended some,
whom they either forced or persuaded to confess them-
selves guilty, by their means great numbers of others
were betrayed ; whom Tacitus confesses, that not the
burning of the city, but the common hatred made crimi-
nal. They were treated with all the instances of scorn
and cruelty ; some of them were wrapt up in the skins of
wild beasts, and worried by dogs ; others crucified ;
others burnt alive, being clad in paper coats, dipt in
pitch, wax, and such combustible matter; that when
day light failed, they might serve for torches in the night.
These spectacles Nero exhibited in his own gardens,
which yet the people entertained with more pity than
pleasure : knowing they were done, not for the public be-
nefit, but merely to gratify his own private rage and ma-
lice. Little better usage did the Christians meet with in
other parts of the empire, as appears from the inscription''
found at Clunie in Spain, dedicated to Nero in memory
of his having cleared the province of those that had intro-
duced a new superstition amongst mankind. Under
this persecution suffered Tecla, Torques, Torquatus,
Marcellus, and several others mentioned in the ancient
Martyrologies, especially the apostles Peter and Paul ;
the one upon the cross, the other by the sword.
19. The troublesome vicissitudes and revolutions of
affairs that happened under the succeeding emperors,
Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, and the mild and merciful
disposition of Vespasian and Titus, gave some rest to
the Christians, till Domitian succeeding, began a se-
cond Persecution. A man of a temper vastly different
from that of his father, and his brother ; for though at
first he put on a plausible carriage, yet he soon left off
the vizor, and appeared like himself ; lazy and inactive,
ill-natured and suspicious, griping and covetous, proud
and insolent ; yea, so vainly ambitious as to affect di-
vinity, in all public edicts assuming to himself, and in
all petitions and addresses requiring from others, the titles
n Ap. Grutsr. loc sopr. cltat.
46 INTRODUCTION.
of Lord and God. He never truly loved any man ; and
ivhen he most pretended it, it was a sure sign of that
man's ruin. His cruelty he exercised first upon flies,
thousands whereof he despatched every day ; next upon
men, and those of all ranks and states : . putting to death
the most illustrious senators, and persons of the greatest
honour and nobility upon the most trifling pretences ;
and many times for no cause at all. In the fierceness
and brutality of his temper he equalled Nero, Portio
Neronis de crudelitate, as Tertullian° styles him ; nay,
in this exceeded him, that Nero was content to com-
mand execution to be done at a distance, while I omi-
tian took pleasure in beholding his cruelties exercised
before his eyes : an argument of a temper deeper died
in blood. But the Chrrstians, alas, bore the heaviest load
of rage and malice, whom he every v/here persecuted
cither by death or banishment. Under him St. John the
evangelist was sent for to Rome, and by his command
tlirown into a cauldron of boiling oil : in the midst where-
of, when the divine Providence had miraculously preserv-
ed him, he immediately banished him into Patmos. He put
to death his cousin-german Fl. Clemens (at that time con-
sul) for being a Christian, and banished his wife Fl. Do-
mitilla (his own kinswoman also) upon the same account
into the island Pandataria. At length his brutish and
bloody practices rendered him intolerable to his own
friends and servants, who conspired against him (his
own wife Domitia being of the confederacy) and slew
him. His successor Nerva abrogated his acts, and re-
called those whom he had proscribed and banished;
among whom St. John taking the benefit of that act of
revocation, quitted Patmos and returned to Ephesus.
20 The third Persecution commenced under Trajan,
whom Nerva had adopted to be his successor. A prince
he was of excellent and incomparable virtues, whose
justice and impartiality, gentleness and modesty, muni-
ficence and liberality, kindness and aflability rendered
him infinitely dear and acceptable to the people ; the
o Loc. super, citat.
INTRODUCTION. 4^
extravagancies of his predecessors not a little contribu-
ting to sweeten his government to them. He was
mild and dispassionate, familiar and courteous; he
showed a great reverence to the senate, by whose advice
he usually acted ; and they to requite him, gave him the
title of Optimus, as whom they judged the best of all
their princes. He conversed freely and innocently with
all men, being desirous rather to be beloved, than either
feared or honoured by the people. The glory of all
which is exceedingly stained in the records of the church
by his severe proceedings against the Christians. He
looked upon the religion of the empire as daily under-
mined by this new way of worship, that the numbers of
Christians grew formidable, and might possibly endan-
ger the peace and tranquillity of the Roman state ; and that
there was no better way to secure to himself the favour
of the gods, especially in his wars, than to vindicate their
cause against the Christians. Accordingly, therefore, he
issued out orders to proceed against them, as illegal so-
cieties, erected and acting contrary to the laws ; in which
number all colleges and corporations were accounted,
that were not^ settled either by the emperor's constitu-
tion, or the decree of the senate ; and the persons** fre-
quenting them adjudged guilty of high treason. Indeed
the emperors (as we have elsewhere observed) were in-
finitely suspicious of such meetings, as which might
easily conspire into faction and treason : and therefore
when Pliny'' interceded with Trajan in behalf of the city
of Nicomedia, that being so subject to fires, he w^ould
constitute a corporation of smiths, though but a small
number, which might be easily kept in order, and which
he promised to keep a particular eye upon : the empe-
ror answered, by no means : for we ought to remember
(says he) that that province and especially those cities are
greatly disturbed by such kinds of factions ; and whatever
the title or occasion be, if they meet together, they will
be Heterise, though less numerous than the rest. That
p L 1. ^ 3. ff. de Coileg-. ciTcorp, Lib. 47. tit. 22.
q Ulpaiu cte OiT". procons. 1, 6. ib. i, 2.
1- I,ib. W. Epist 43, 43^43.
48 INTRODUCTION.
they looked upon the Christian assemblies as in the
number of these unlawful corporations ; and that under
this pretence Trajan endeavoured to suppress them, will
appear from Pliny's letter to him. In the mean time he
commanded them either to offer sacrifice to the gods, or
to be punished as contemners of them. The people also
in several places by popular tumults falling foul upon
them. The chief of those who obtained the crown of
Martyrdom under him, were St. Clemens bishop of
Rome, St. Simeon bishop of Jerusalem, and St. Ignatius
bishop of Antioch, whom Trajan himself condemned,
and sent to Rome, there to be thrown to wild beasts.
21. The persecution raged, as in the other parts of the
empire, so especially in the provinces of Pontus and
Bithynia, where Pliny the younger (w^ho had some time
since been consul) then governed as Pro. Pr^tor, with
consular power and dignity. Who seeing vast multi-
tudes of Christians indicted by others, and pressing on of
themselves to execution, and that to proceed severely
against all that came would be in a manner to lay waste
those provinces, he thought good to write to the empe-
ror about this matter ; to know his pleasure in the case.
His letter, because acquainting us so exactly with the
state of the Christians, and the manner of proceeding
against them, and giving so eminent a testimony to their
innocency and integrity we shall here insert.
C. Plinius to the Emperor Trajan.
IT is my custom, Sir, in all affairs wherein I doubt,
to have recourse to you. For who can better either
sway my irresolution, or instruct my ignorance ? I have
never been heretofore present at the examination and
trial of Christians ; and therefore know not what the
crime is, and how far it is wont to be punished, or how
to proceed in these inquiries. Nor was I a little at a
loss, \vhether regard be to be had to difference of age,
whether the young and the weak be to be distinguished
from the more strong and aged ? whether place may be
allowed to repentance, and it may be of any advantage
INTRODUCTION. 49
to him, who once was a Christian, to cease to be so ?
Whether the name alone, without other oitences or the
oftences that go along with the name, ought to be punish-
ed ? In the mean time towards those who as Christians
have been brought before me, I have taken this course ;
I asked them whether they were Christians '? if they
confessed it, I asked them once and again, threatening
punishment ; if they persisted, I commanded them to
be executed. For, I did not at all doubt but that, what-
ever their confession was, their stubbornness and in-
flexible obstinacy ought to be punished. Others there
were guilty of the like madness, whom, because they
were Roman citizens, I adjudged to be transmitted to
Rome. While things thus proceeded, the error, as is
usual, spreading further, more cases did ensue. A name-
less libei was presented, containing the names of many
who denied themselves to be, or to have been Chris-
tians. These, when after my example they invocated
the gods and offered wine and incense to your statue
(which for that purpose I had commanded to be brought
together with the images of the gods) and had more-
over blasphemed Christ (which it is said none that are
true Christians can be compelled to do) I dismissed ;
others mentioned in the libel confessed themselves
Christians, but presently denied it, that they had indeed
been such, but had renounced it ; some by the space of
three years, others many years since, and one five and
twenty years ago. All which paid their reverence and
veneration to your statue, and the images of the gods,
and blasphemed Christ. They affirmed that the whole
sum of that sect or error lay in this, that they were wont
upon a set solemn day to meet together before sun-rise,
and to sing among themselves a hymn to Christ, as the
God whom they worshipped, and oblige themselves by
an oath, not to commit any wickedness, but to abstain
from theft, robbery, adultery, to keep faith, and when
required, to restore any pledge instrusted with them.
Which done, then to depart for that time, and to meet
again at a common meal, to partake of a promiscuous
and harmless food ; which yet tliey laid aside, after I had
50 INTRODUCTION.
published an edict, forbidding, according to your order,
the Heterias (or unlawful assemblies) to be kept. To
satisfy myself in the truth hereof, I commanded two
maidens called deaconesses, to be examined upon the
rack. But 1 perceived nothing but a lewd and im-
moderate superstition, and therefore surceasing any
further process, I have sent to pray your advice : For
the case seemed to me very worthy to be consulted
about ; especially considering the great numbers that
are in danger : for very many of all ages and ranks, both
men and women are, and will be called in question : the
contagion of this superstition having overspread not
only cities, but towns and country villages, which yet
seems possible to be stopped and cured. It is very evi-
dent that the temples, which were almost quite forsaken,
begin to be frequented, that the holy rites and solemni-
ties of a long time neglected are set on foot again, and
that sacrifices are from all parts brought to be sold,
which hitherto found very few to buy them. Whence
it is easy to conjecture, wdiat multitudes of persons
might be reclaimed, if place be given to repentance*
This letter was written, as is probable, about the year
of our Lord 107. Traj. 9. Trajan lying then at Anti-
och, in order to his wars in the east, and where the per-
secution was very hot. By which it is evident, what
unreasonable and inveterate prejudices even the more
moderate and ingenuous part of the Gentile world had
entertained against the Christian religion ; that though
so innocent and unblameabie, as to extort an honourable
character from its greatest enemies, and most malicious
apostates, though racks and tortures could force out
nothing to its disadvantage ; yet rather than not express
their resentments (what was unbecoming men of parts
and breeding) they loaded it with ill names and hard
words. Pliny we see here scruples not to style it not
only an error, but madness, and a wicked and immode-
rate superstition, charging the constant profession of it,
for stubbornness, and an incurable obstinacy, what in
itself was the effect of the most brave and generous re-
solution. And the very same civility it found from his
INTRODUCTION. 51
two intimate friends, Tacitus and Suteonius, the one
whereof calls it a ' detestable, the other a ' novel and
mischievous super^stition. By this account also we see,
that though the severity of the persecution might tempt
some to turn renegades, yet that so vast was the spread
which Christianity had made in those parts, that this
great man knew not how to deal with them. To direct
him, therefore, in this affair, the^ emperor returned this
following rescript.
TRAJAN TO PLINY, GREETING.
AS to the manner of your procedure, my Secun-
dus, in examining the causes of those who have been
brought before you for being Christians, you have taken
the course which you ought to take : for no certain and
general law can be so framed, as shall provide for all
particular cases. Let them not be sought for ; but if
they be accused and convicted, let them be punished :
yet so, that if any denies himself to be a Christian, and
shall give evidence of it by doing sacrifice to our gods,
although heretofore he has been suspected, let him be
pardoned upon his repentance. But as for libels, pub-
lished without the name of the authors, let them not be
valid as to the crimes they charge ; for that were an ill
precedent, and is not the usage of our reign.
Tertullian " speaking of this imperial edict, calls it
" a sentence confounded by a strange necessity : it al-
*' lows them not to be sought for, as if they were inno-
" cent, and yet commands them to be punished, as if
*' they were guilty : it spares and rages, dissembles,
'* and yet punishes. Why does he entangle himself in
'^ his own censure ? If he condemns them, why does he
*^ not hunt them out? if he thinks them not to be
*' searched out, why does he not acquit them V Here
Tertullian seems to argue more like an orator than lo-
gician. For Trajan might be unwilling the Christians
s Tacit. Annal. 1. 15. c. 44. p. 319. t Sueton. in Neron. c. 16. p. 571.
u Apol, c. 2 c. 3.
82 INTRODUCTION.
should be nicely hunted out, and yet not think them in-
nocent : he could not find them guilty of any enormous
crime, but only of a strange and novel superstition : and
therefore while they concealed themselves, did not think
it reasonable that they should be left to the malice and
rapine of busy under officers, who acted under the pre-
sidents and governors of provinces, mere sycophants
and calumniators, dvaiS^ih i^ ^ dKxoig(m i^^^xi as'' Melito styles
them hihis apology to M. Antonnius,im.pudent accusers,
and ravenous devourers of other men's estates, of whom
he complains, that, under a pretence of the imperial edicts
they day and night openly spoil and plunder the harm-
less aud the innocent. These Trajan might thhik fit
to restrain; but where there was notoriety of fact,
where Christians were duly cited before the public tri-
bunals, and the charge substantially made good, there
they were to be left to the sentence of the law. But
however it was, by this means the edge of their enemies'
fury was taken off; and though the popular rage might
in some particular places still continue, yet the general
force and rigour of the persecution did abate and cease.
22. Trajan dying at Selinusin Cilicia, Adrian (whom
he had adopted) succeeded in the empire. A prince of
excellent parts, and no inconsiderable learning, ^«^;xd5T=t7(^
^ATiK\vi, as ^ Athena3us calls him, a prince greatly devoted
to the muses, and yet one in whom it is hard to say, whe-
ther vice or virtue had the upper hand ; and which is
more, who seemed to reconcile most vices Avith their
contrary virtues. He highly honoured the senate, with-
out w^hose authority he would never transact any affairs
of moment ; and upon solemn days would condescend
to wait upon the consuls to their own houses ; and yet
was proud and vain glorious, and ambitious of honour,
which he greedily caught at upon every little occasion.
He was magnificent in his works, and liberal in his gifts ;
but v/ithal, envious, detracting from the glory of his pre-
decessor, censuring and discommending the most emi-
nent artists in all kind of faculties. He familiarly con^
X Ap. Euseb. H. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 26. p. 14r. y Deipnqa. 1. S. c. 16. p. 361,
INTRODUCTION. 53
versed with his friends, visited them in their sickness
many times twice or thrice a day, treated them with the
freedom and kindness of companions ; and yet he was
fierce and cruel : as is evident by the many persons of
nobiUty and renown whom he put to death. But we
have noted enough of his character elsewhere, in the life
of St. Quadratus. He was addicted to magic, and a
great zealot for religion ; especially the rites of Greece :
but despised and hated all other religions, upon which
account he was no good friend to Christians. In his
time, a fourth Persecution was raised against them, and
so Sulpitius Severus'^ positively calls it. I know Eu-
sebius, followed by Orosius and some others, assigns the
fourth persecution to the reign of M. Aurelius ; but
whoever impartially considers the state of things, will
see that it ought to be fixed here. It is true, we do not
find any new laws which this emperor made against the
Christians, but the laws of his predecessors were still
in force, and the people in most places were ready enough
to run upon this errand of their own accord, and to sa-
crifice the poor innocent Christians to their own spite
and malice. Whence Eusebius, speaking of the Apolo-
gies presented to this emperor, says, ^ it was because
wicked and ill-minded men began to vex and disturb the
Christians. And S. Hierom'' more particularly tells us,
that the zeal which the emperor showed in being initia-
ted into the holy mysteries and the rites of Greece, gave
opportunity and encouragement to the people (though
without any particular warrant) to fall upon them : and
this he elsewhere*" calls a most grievous persecution. And
so indeed it was, as is evident, not only from the Apolo-
gies which both Quadratus and Aristides presented to
the emperor in behalf of the Christians, but that when
Arrius Antoninus '^ (whom most suppose to have been
the same with him that succeeded Adrian) was procon-
sul of Asia, and severely prosecuted the Christians
there, all the Christians of the city where he resided as
z H. Sacr. I. 2. p. 142. a H. Eccles. !. 4. c. 3 p. 116.
b De script in Qiuidrat. c E[)ist. ad Magn. Orat. p. 32r. Tom. 2.
d Tei-tull. lib. ad. Scapul. c. 4. p, 71.
54 INTRODUCTION.
one man beset his tribunal, openly confessing themselves
to be Christians. He, amazed at the multitude, caused
some few of them to be executed, telling the rest, that
if they had a mind to end their lives, they had precipices
and halters enough at home, and need not crowd thither
for an execution. Nay so high did it arise, that Serenius
Granianus, one of the following proconsuls was forced
to write to Adrian for its mitigation : which the emper-
or accordingly commanded by a rescript, directed to
Minucius Fundanus, Granianus's successor in that
Province, as he did also to several others ; as Melito
particularly tells us in his apology. But though the fire
seemed to be pretty wxll quenched at present, yet did it
break out again in the succeeding reign of Antoninus
Pius, devouring many, whose sufferings are recorded in
the martyrologies of the church, and for the stop-
ping whereof, Justin 'Martyr exhibited an apology to
this emperor, which produced that excellent letter of
his to the common council of Asia, in favour of the
Christians, which we have exemplified in the life of Jus-
tin Martyr.
23. ToAntonniusPius succeeded M. Aurclius Anto-
ninus, and his brother L. Verus. M. Aurelius was a per-
son of whom the writers of his life deservedly speak
great things. He was a good man, and a great philoso-
pher, and whom the historian "" says, it is easier to ad-
mire, than to commend. But he was infinitely super-
stitious in his religion, and therefore easily blown up by
the priests and philosophers that were about him into a
prejudice against Christianity, and persuaded to set on
foot the fifth Persecution against the Christians, whom
he endeavoured to curb and suppress by new laws and
edicts, exposing them to all the malice and fierceness of
their enemies. The persecution began in the eastern
parts about the seventh year of his reign, where it con-
tinued almost all his time ; and not content to stay there,
spread itself into the west, especially France, where it
raged with great severity. That the conflict was very
e Eutrop. H. Rom. lib. 8. p. 1919.
INTRODUCTION. s5
sharp and fierce, may be guessed at by the crowd of
apologies that were presented to hhn by Justin Martyr,
Melito, Athenagoras, and Apolhnaris. In Asia St. Poly-
carp bishop of Smyrna was first condemned to the fire,
and then run through with a sword, with twelve more
from Philadelphia, who suffered with him, and Germani-
cus who a little before was devoured by wild beasts.
At Rome, besides Ptolomy and Lucius, Justin the mar-
tyr with his six companions, Charito, Charitina, Euel-
pistus, Hierax, Peon, and Valerianus were beheaded.
In the French persecution suffered Vettius Epagathus,
a young man of incomparable piety and magnanimity ;
Blandina a lady of singular virtue, who after infinite and
inexpressible torments was tied to a beam in fashion of
a cross, and thrown to wild beasts ; Biblis, who though
at first through frailty she denied the faith, yet recovered
her courage, and expired in the midst of the acutest
tortures. Pothinus, bishop of Lyons above 90 years old
beaten and stoned to death. Sanctus a deacon of Vien,
together with Maturus, exposed in the amphitheatre,
tormented, and imprisoned several days together, pre-
sented to wild beasts, placed in an iron chair red hot,
and at last run through with a spear. Attains a Roman
citizen disgracefully led up and down in triumph, roast-
ed in an iron chair, and then beheaded ; as was also
Alexander, the physician, a Phrygian, who readily pro-
fessed himself a Christian : and Ponticus a youth of
fifteen years of age, who through all the methods of
cruelty and torment, which might have shaken a matu-
rer age, entered into the kingdom of heaven. A larger
and more particular account of all whose matrydoms is
recorded in the letter written by the churches of Lyons
and Vien, in France, to those of Asia and Phrygia, yet
extant in Eusebius. At length the em.peror seems to
have relaxed the persecution, inclined to it, as is thought,
by the remarkable victory which he gained in his Ger-
man wars, by the prayers of the Christian legion,
when the fortunes of the Roman empire lay at stake,
and the Christians so signally, so immediately engaged
heaven in its rescue and deli\ erance, by supplying them
56 INTRODUCTION.
with rain, and fighting against the enemy with lightning
and thunder. Whereupon the emperor is said to have
written to the senate, acknowledging the greatness of the
blessing, and commandmg all just favour and indulgence
to be, showed to the Christians. The substance of the
storv is universally owned by the Gentile vv^riters, though
out of spite to the Christians, they either ascribe it to
the power of magic, or the prevalency of the emperor's
own prayers. That there were such letters written, is
plain, in that Tertulian ^ who lived but a little after, cites
them, and appeals to them ; though I confess little stress
can be laid upon the epistle that is extant at this day.
There is still extant ^ a law of M. Aurelius, and his bro-
ther Verus, permitting those who follow the Jewish su-
perstition to obtain honours, and granting them guards
to defend them from wrong and injury. By this very
learned men '' understand Christians, at least equally with
the Jews ; these two being commonly confounded by the
writers of those times, and superstition the word by which
they usually denote Christianity. But however it was,
this law was made before that German victory, M. Aure-
lius not being engaged in that war, till after the death of
his brother Verus.
24. The christian affliirs were tolerably quiet and
peaceable during the reig-ns of Commodus, IE]. Pertinax,
and Julian, till Severus got into the throne ; a prince
witty and learned, prudent and politic, hardy and valiant,
but withal crafty and subtle, treacherous and unfaithful,
bloody and passionate, and as the historian ' observes,
of a nature truly answering to his name, Fere Pertmax,
vere Severus, Under him began the sixth Persecution :
for though at first he showed himself favourable to the
Christians, yet afterwards he changed his mind, and gave
ear to those who traduced them as an impious and infa-
mous generation ; a people that designed nothing but
f Apol. c. 5. p. 6. vide lib. ad Scap. c. 4. p. 71.
g Ap. Ulpian. I. 3. ff. <5. 3. lib. 50. Tit. 2.
h Alciat. (lispunct. 1. 3. c. 8. A. Augutt. ad Modest, p. 336. Petit, de JLir.
Princip. c, 6. vide Selden de Synedr. 1. 1. <:. S. p. 233. Reynaud. Indie. SS.
Liisjd. proleg. 3. p. 52.
i Spaitian. in vit. Sever, c- 14. p 349.
INTRODUCTION. 5^.
treason and rebellion against the state. Whereupon lie
not only suffered his ministers and governors of provin-
ces to treat them with all imaginable cruelty, but he
himself gave out edicts forbidding any under the most
terrible penalties to profess either the Jewish or Chris-
tian religion ; which were executed with that rigour and
inhumanity, that the Christians of those days verily be-
lieved that the times of Antichrist did then take place.
Martyrs of note, whom this Persecution sent to heaven,
were Victor bishop of Rome, Leonidas Origen's father
beheaded at Alexandria, Serenus, Heraclides, Heron,
another Serenus, and Herais a Catechumen, all Origen's
scholars, Potamiccna, an iUustrious virgin, and her mother
Marcella, after various torments, committed to the
flames, and Basilides one of the officers that had led
them to execution ; Faelicitas and Perpetua two noble
ladies, at Tuburbis in Mauritania, the one brought to
bed but the day before, the other at that time a nurse ;
Speratus and his companions beheaded at Carthage, by
the command of Saturninus the proconsul ; Irenaeus
bishop of Lyons, and many thousands of his people mar-
tyred with him, whose names and sufferings though un-
known to us, are honourably written in the Book of life.
25. The next that created any disturbance to the
Christians was Maximinus, by birth a Thracian, a man of
base and obscure original, of a mean and sordid educa-
cation. He had been first a shepherd, then a highway-
man, and last of all a soldier : he was of strength and
stature beyond the ordinarv size and standard ; and his
manners were as robust and boisterous as his constitution,
and savoured wholly of the rudeness of his education.
Never did a more cruel beast (says the historian ^) tread
upon the earth, relying altogether upon his strength, and
upon that account reckoning himself almost immortal.
fif Tve-xyv/cT,^ a/zoTJiT* '/M»Tst^8;v Txyr* tTt;^iTO, i'j^fj.ittii'i ittvixti QvvnJ'uc, oTi Tg
y, T3 ^-5V(^, ^i^^Up'^. TO Tl (^CVIKCV TTdLir^lOV iy^lUt i rariJ^agiOV, "OrgOyO/ay iT0tilT9 /i
i^usTaTcc Tt-.y Ap;^»\ j^iCuiu^toli. Herod, lib. 7. in Maxim, p. 253.
k Ciipitol, in vit. Maxim, c. 9. p. 609.
58 INTRODUCTION.
He seized upon whatever came in his way, plundering and
destroying v/ithout any difference, without any process or
form of law : his strength was the law of justice, and his
will the measure of his actions. He spared none, but
especially killed all that knew any thing of his mean de-
scent, that none might reproach him whh the obscurity
of his birth. Having slain his master Alexander Mam-
maeus, that excellent and incomparable prince, he usurp-
ed the government, and managed it suitable to his own
maxim, that the empire could not be maintained but by
cruelty. The seventh Persecution was raised by him.
Indeed Sulpitius Severus admits not this into the num-
ber, and therefore makes no more than nine Pagan Per-
secutions, reserving the tenth for the times of Antichrist.
But Eusebius ' expressly affirms, that Maximinus stirred
up a persecution against the Christians, and that out of
hatred to his predecessor, in whose family many Chris-
tians had found shelter and patronage, but that it was al-
most wholly levelled against the bishops and ministers
of religion, as the prime authors and propagators of Chris-
tianity. Whence Firmilian, bishop of Cappadocia, in his
letter to St. Cyprian, "" says of it, that it was not a gene-
ral, but a local persecution, that raged in some particular
places, and especially in that province where he lived,
Serenianus, the president, driving the Christians out of all
those countries. He adds, that many dreadful earth-
quakes happening in those parts, whereby towns and
cities were overturned and swallowed up, added life and
vigour to the persecution, it being usual with the Gentiles,
if a famine or pestilence, an earthquake or inundation
happened, presently to fall foul upon the Christians,
and conclude them the causes of all those evils and mis-
chiefs that came upon the world. And this Origen" meant
whenhe tells us, that he knew some places overturned with
earthquakes, the cause whereof the Heathens cast upon
the Christians ; for which their churches were persecuted
and burnt to the ground, and that not only the common
1 H. Eccl 1. 6. c. 38. p. 228. m Inter Episl. Cypr. p. 146,
n Horn, xxviii. in Matth. lol. 55.^. 2.
INTRODUCTION. 59
<>
people, but the wiser sort among them did not stick
openly to affirm, that these things came for the sake of
the Christians. Hereupon he wrote his book De Mar-
tyrio^ for the comfort and support of those that suffered
in this evil time.
26. After Maximinus reigned Pupienus and Balbi-
nus, to them succeeded Gordian, and to him Philip : all
which time, for at least ten years together, the church
enjoyed a competent calmness, and tranquillity ; when
Decius was in a manner forced in his own defence to
take the empire upon him. A man of great activity
and resolution, a stout commander, a wise and prudent
governor, so universally acceptable for his modest and
excellent carriage, that by the sentence of the senate he
was voted not inferior to Trajan, and had the title of
Optimus adjudged to him. But he was a bitter and
implacable enemy to Christians, against whom he raised
the eighth Persecution, which proved, though the short-
est, the hottest of all the persecutions that had hitherto
afflicted and oppressed the church. The ecclesiastic *
historians generally put it upon the account of Decius's
hatred to his predecessor Philip, for being a Chris-
tian ; whereas it is more truly to be ascribed to his zeal
for the cause of declining paganism, which he saw fa-
tally undermined by Christianity, and that therefore
there was no way to support the one, but by the ruin of
the other. We have more than once taken notice of it
in some of the following lives, and therefore shall say
the less here. Decius reigned somewhat above two
years, during which time the storm was very black and
violent, and no place but felt the dreadful effects of
it. They were every where driven from their houses,
spoiled in their estates, tormented in their bodies. Whips
and prisons, fires and wild beasts, scalding pitch and
melted wax, sharp stakes and burning pincers were but
some of the methods of their treatment ; and when the
old ones were run over, new were daily invented and
o Euseb. H. Eccl. I. 6. c 39. p. 254. Chron. ad Ann. 252. Oros. 1. 7- c. 21.
fol. 310. Niceph. I. 5. c 17. p 377.
60 INTRODUCTION.
contrived. The laws of nature and humanity "were blac-
ken down ; friend betrayed his friend, and the nearest
relative his own father or brother. Every one was am-
bitious to promote the imperial edicts, and thought it
meritorious to bring a Christian to the stake. This per-
secution swept away at Alexandria, Julian, Chronion,
Epimachus, Alexander, Amnion, Zeno, Ptolomy, Am-
monaria, Mercuria, Isidore, and many others mentioned by
Dionysius bishoj) of that church ; at Carthage, Mappa-
licus, Bassus, Fortunio, Paulus, Donatus, Martialis, &.c.
it crowned Babylas bishop of Antioch, Alexander of
Jerusalem, Fabian bishop of Rome, Victoria, Anatolia,
Parthenius, Marcellianus, and thousands more : Nice-
phorusP affirming it to be easier to count the sands of the
shore, than to reckon up all the martyrs that suft'ered
under this persecution. Not to say any thing of those
incredible numbers of confessors that were beaten, im-
prisoned, tormented ; nor of the far greater number of
those who betook themselves to a voluntary exile ;
choosing rather to commit themselves to the barrenness
of rocks and mountains, and the mercy of wild beasts,
than to those that had put off* all reason and humanity.
Among whom was Paul of Thebais, a youth of fifteen
years of age, who withdrew himself into the Egyptian
deserts, where finding a large and convenient cavern in
a rock (which heretofore had been a private mint house
in the time of Antony and Cleopatra) he took up his
abode and residence, led a solitary and anchoretic course
of life, and became the father of hermits, and those
who afterwards were desirous tq retire from the world,
and to resign up themselves to solitude, and a more
strict mortified life. In this pious and devout retire-
ment he continued till he was 113 years of age, and in
the last period of his life was visited by Antonius, who
had spent the greatest part of 90 years in those desert
places, and who now performed the last offices to him in
oommitting his dead body to the earth.:
p Lib. 5.C. 29. p. 379.
INTRODUCTION. gi
27. Gallus succeeded Decius as in his government,
so in his enmity to Christians, carrying on what the
other had begun. But the cloud soon blew over ; for
he being cut off, was succeeded by Valerian, who enter-
ed upon the empire with an universal applause and ex-
pectation. In the beginning of his reign he was a great
patron of Christians, whom he treated with all offices of
kindness and humanity, entertaining them in his own
family ; so that his court seemed to be a little church
for piety, and a sanctuary for refuge to good men. But,
alas, this pleasant scene was quickly over ; seduced by a
chief magician of Egypt, who persuaded him that the
only way to prosper his affairs, was to restore the Gen-
tile rites, and to suppress Christianity, so hateful to the
gods, he commenced a ninth Persecution, wherein he
prosecuted the Christians with all imaginable fury in all
parts of the empire. With what fierceness it raged in
Egypt, is largely related by Dionysius of Alexandria,
and we have in a great part noted in his life. It is need-
less (says he '^) particularly to reckon up the Christians
that suffered in this persecution : only this you may ob-
serve, that both men and women, young and old, sol-
diers and country people, persons of all ranks and ages,
were some of them scourged and whipped, others be-
headed, others overcoming the violence of flames, rgp
ceived the crown of martyrdom. Cyprian eleg-antly and
passionately bewails the miseries and sufferings which
tiie martyrs underwent, in his letter to Nemesian, and
the rest that were condemned to the mines. Nor did
he himself escape, being beheaded at Carthage, as Xistus
and Quartus had been before him, and the three hun-
dred martyrs JDe Alaska Candida^ who rather than do
sacrifice, chearfully leapt into a mighty pit of burning
lime, kindled for that purpose, and were immediately
stifled in the smoke and flames. In Spain suffered Frue-
tuosus, bishop of Tarragon, together with his two dea-
cons, Augurius and Eulogius ; at Rome, Xistus the
feishop, and St. Laurence his deacon and treasurer of
q Epist. ad Doinlt. 5c Dhl. ap, f:useb. \. 7 . z. 11'. p. 250,
62 INTRODUCTION.
that church ; at Caesarea, Priscus, Malchus, and Alex-
ander, who ashamed, to think that they lay idle and se-
cure, while so many others were contending for the
crown, unanimously went to the judge, confessed they
were Christians, received their sentence, and under-
went their martyrdom. But the Divine Providence,
which sometimes in this world pleads the cause of
oppressed innocence, was resolved to punish the em-
peror for his causeless cruelty towards those whose in-
terest with heaven (while he continued favourable to
tliem) had secured his happiness : and therefore did not
only suffer the northern nations to break in upon him,
but he himself was taken prisoner by Sapor king of Per-
sia, who treated him below the rate of the meanest slave,
used him as his footstool to get on horseback, and
after several years captivity caused him to be flayed alive,
and rubbed with salt, and so put a period to his miserable
life. A fair warning to his son Gallienus, who growing
wiser by the mischiefs and miscarriages of his father,
stopped the persecution, and restored peace and security
to Christians. ''
28. A long peace and prosperity (for except a little
disturbance in the time of Aurelian, they met with no
opposition through the reigns of Gallienus, Claudius,
Tacitus, Florianus, Probus, Cams, and Numerian) had
somewhat corrupted the manners of Christians, and
therefore God was pleased to permit a tenth Persecution
to come upon them to purge and winnow the rubbish
and the chaff: the ulcer began to putrify, and it was
time to call for the knife and the caustic. It began un-
under Dioclesian and his colleague Maximian. Diocle-
sian was a prince active and diligent, crafty and subtle,
fierce in his nature, but which he knew how cunningly
to dissemble. His zeal for the Pagan religion engaged
him with all possible earnestness to oppose Christianity,
^:i.(riXiicu x3£r_uft\ Tix& Si inro Ii'X^opcs Uie^a-acii' fixcriKiuc lyJupitvAi Kihur^iic x^ Tagi-
;)(^iubiic, Tfc.tra/jv 't avii a-j'^v^jLcLi ir^^T-jLi ciiuyav. Constant. M. Orat. ad SS.Ccc-
luiu, cup. 2-*. pag. 600.
INTRODUCTION. 63
which he carried on with a high hand, it being as the
last, so the fiercest Persecution, like the last eftbrts of a
dying enemy, that summons all his strength to give the
parting blow. Dioclesian then residing at Nicomedia
published his edicts about the very solemnity of our Sa-
viour's passion, commanding the Christian churches to
be pulled down, their bibles to be burnt, the better sort
of them to be branded with infamy, the vulgar to be made
slaves ; as by subsequent orders he commanded the
bishops to be every where imprisoned, and forced to sa-
crifice. But these were but a pr^eludium to what follow-
ed after, other proclamations being put forth, command-
ing those that refused to offer sacrifice to be exposed to
all manner of torments. It were endless to reckon up
particular persons that suffered in this evil time. Euse-
bius who lived under this very persecution, has recorded
a vast number of them, with the acts of their martyr-
dom ; too many to account for in this place. It may
suffice to note from him, that they w^re scourged to
death, had their flesh torn off* with pincers, or raked off"
with pieces of broken pots; ^vere cast to lions and tygers,
to wild boars and bears, provoked and enraged wdth fire
to set upon them, burnt, beheaded, crucified, thrown in-
to the sea, torn in pieces by the distorted boughs of
trees, or their legs miserably distended in the stocks,
roasted at a gentle fire, or by holes made on purpose had
melted lead poured into their bowels. But impossible
it is to conceive, much more to express the cruelties of
that time. Eusebius himself, who saw them, tells' us,
that they were innumerable, and exceeded all relation.
All which he assures us they endured with the most ad-
mirable and undaunted patience ; they thronged to the
tribunals of their judges, and freely told them what they
were ; despised the threatenings and barbarity of their
enemies, and received the fatal and decretory sentence
w4th a smile ; when persuaded to be tender of their lives,
and to compassionate the case of their wives and chil-
dren, they bore up against the temptation with a manly
and philosophic mind, /u^xxov riivcnSu g cf.rAs6=» 4v;^7, as he adds,
s Lib. 8. c. 12. p. 307,
64^ INTRODUCTION.
yea rather with a soul truly pious and devoted unto God;
-io that neither fears nor charms could take hold upon
them, at once giving undeniable evidences both of their
own courage and fortitude, and of that Divine and un-
conceivable power of our Lord that went along with
them. The acutest torments did not shake the firmness
and stability of their minds, but they could with as much
unconcernedness lay down their lives (as Origen^ tells
Celsus) as the best philosopher could put ofP his coat.
They valued their innocency above their ease, or life it-
self and sufficiently showed they believed another state,
by an argument beyond what any institution of philoso-
phy could afford. *' The great philosophers of the Gen-
*' tiles (as Eusebius*" reasons in this matter) as much as
'* they talk of immortality, and the happiness of the fu-
*' ture state, did yet show that they looked upon it only
'* as a childish and a trifling report : whereas amongst us
*' even boys and girls, and as to outward appearance, the
'* meanest and rudest persons, being assisted by the
*' power and aid of our blessed Savour, do by their ac-
*' tions rather than their words demonstrate the truth of
*' this great principle, the immortality of the soul." Ten
years this persecution lasted in its strength and vigour,
under Dioclesian in the east, and Maximian in the west :
and they thought, it seems, they had done their work,
and accordingly tell the world, in some ancient inscrip-
tions, "" that they had utterly defaced the name and super-
stition' of the Christians, and had restored and propaga-
ted the worship of the gods ; but were miserably mis-
taken in the case ; and as if weary of the work, laid down
their purple, and retired to the solitudes of a private life.
And though Galerius, Maximianus, Jovius Maximinus,
Maxentius, and Licinius did what they could to set the
persecution on foot again, yet all in vain ; both they and
it in a very few years expiring and dwindling into nothing.
29. Thus we have seen the hardships and miseries, the
torments and sufferings which the Christians were expo-
t Contr. Cels. 1. 7. p. 357.
u Prspar. Evan. 1. 1. c 4. p. 15.
X Ap. Gruter. pug. 280. num. 3 & 4.
INTRODUCTION* 6^
sed to for several ages, and with how invincible a patience
they went through with them. Let us now a little re-
view the argument, and see what force and influence it
had to convince the world of the truth of their religion,
and bring in converts to the faith. Tertullian ^ tells the
Gentiles, ** That all their cruelty was to no purpose, that
*' it was but a stronger invitation to bring over others to
** the party ; that the oftener they mowed them down,
** the faster they sprang up again ; and that the blood of
'* Christians was a seed that grew up into a more plenti-
** ful harvest ; that several among the Gentiles had ex-
" horted their auditors to patience under suffering, but
*' coi^ld never make so many proselytes with all their fine
*' discourses; as the Christians did by their actions : that
*' that very obstinacy which was so much charged upon
** them was a tutor to instruct others. For who when
** they beheld such things, could not but be powerfully
'' moved to inquire what really was within? who when
^' he had once found it, would not embrace it ? and having
" once embraced it, not be desirous to suffer for it ; that
*' so he may obtain the full grace of God, and the pardon
''of his sins assured by the shedding of his blood."
Lactantius ^ manages this argument with incomparable
eloquence and strength of reason : his discourse is some*
what long, bat not unw^orthy the reader's consideration.
*' Since our number (says he) is alwa3^s increased from
'* amongst the votaries of the heathen deities, and is
'' never lessened, no not in the hottest persecution, who
*' is so blind and stupid, as not to see in which party true
*' w^isdom does reside ? But they, alas, are blinded
" with rage and malice, and think all to be fools, who
'' when it is in their power to escape punishment,
" choose rather to be tortured and to die ; when as
*' they might perceive by this, that that can be no
*' such folly, wherein so many thousands throughout
*' the whole world do so unanimously conspire. Suppose
" that women, through the weakness of their sex, may
*' miscarry (and they are pleased sometimes to style
y Apoioj. r. uk. p. 40. z De Justit. I 5. c.lS.p. 494
I
66 INTKODUCTION.
*' this religion an efteminate and oldvvives' superstition)
*' yet certainly men are wiser. If children and young
*' men may be rash, yet at least those of a mature age and
'' old men have a more stable judgment. If one city
" might play the fool, yet innumerable others cannot be
" supposed to be guilty of the same folly. If one pro-
" vince, or one nation should want care and providence,
*' yet all the rest cannot lack understanding to judge
** what is right. But now when the Divine law is enter-
" tained from the rising of the sun to the going down
*' thereof, and every sex, age, nation, and country serves
" God with one heart and soul ; when there is every
*• where the same patience and contempt of death, they
" ought to consider that there is some reason for it, and
** that it is not without cause, that it is maintained even
*' unto death : that there is some fixed foundation w^hen
*' a religion is not only not shattered by injuries and
" persecutions, but always increased and rendered more
*' lirm and stable. When the very common people see
" men torn in pieces by various engines of torment, and
" yet maintain a patience unconquerable in the midst of
*' their tired tormentors ; they cannot but think what
" the truth is, that the consent of so many, and their per-
*' severance unto death, cannot be in vain, nor that pa-
" tience itself, Avithout the Divine assistance, should be
" able to overcome such exquisite tortures. Highway-
*' men and persons of the most robust constitutions are
" not able to bear such pulling asunder ; they roar, and
" groan, and sink under pain because not furnished with
** a Divine patience. But our very children (to say no-
*' thing of our men) and our tender women, do by silence
** conquer their tormentors ; nor can the flames extort
*' one sigh from them. Let the Romans go now, and
** boast of their Mutius and their Reguius, one of which
*' delivered up himself to be put to death by his enemies,
" because he was ashamed to live a prisoner , the other
** thrust his hand into the fire when he saw he could not
'' escape death. Behold, with us the weaker sex, and
'' the more delicate age suffer the whole body to be torn
^^* and burnt ; not because thev could not avoid it if thev
INTRODUCTION. er
t
** would, but voluntarily, because they trust in GocL
** This is true virtue, which philosophers in vain only
^* talk of, when they tell us, that nothing is so suitable
*' to the gravity and constancy of a wise man, as not by
" any terrors to be driven from his sentiments and opi-
*' nions ; but that it is virtuous, and great indeed, to be
" tortured and die, rather than betray one's faith, or be
*' wanting in his duty, or do any thing that is unjust or
" dishonest, though for fear of death, or the acutest tor-
** ment, unless they thought their own poet raved, when
** he said,
yiistin7i £s? tenacem propositi virion^
Noil civium ardor prava juhenti^im^
Non vultus instantis tijranni
• Me?ite qiialit solida.^
The just man that resolved stands.
Not tvrants' frowns, nor fierce commands,
Nor all the peoples' rage combin'd.
Can shake the firmness of his mind.
'* Than which nothing can be more truly said, if meant of
*' those who refuse no tortures, nor death itself, that they
" may preserve fidelity and justice ; who regard not the
*' command of tyrants, nor the swords of the governors,
** that they may with a constant mind preserve real and
'* solid liberty, wherein true wisdom alone is to be main-
** tained." Thus far that elegant apologist. And cer-
tainly the truth of his reasoning was abundantly verified
by the experience of the world. Christians getting ground,
and conquering opposition by nothing more than their
patience and their constancy, till they had subdued the
empire itself to the acknowledgment of the truth. And
when once the great Constantine had entertained Chris-
tianity, it went along with wind and tide, and bore down
all before it. And surely it might be no unpleasant sur-
vey, to consider what was the true state of Paganism
under the first Christian emperors, and how and by what
degrees that religion, which for so many years had govern-
ed the world, slunk away into obscurity and silence. But
this is a business without the bounds of my present in-
quiiy to search into.
a Horat. Carm. I. 3. Od.3. p. 154,
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN,
THE PROTOMARTYR.
THE violent opposition that Christianity at its first appearance met with
both from Jews and Gentiles. St. Stephen's kindred unknown. One
of the seventy. The great charity of the primitive believers. Dissen-
tion between the Hebrews and Grecians. Hellenists who. The ori-
ginal of deacons in the Christian church. The nature of their oflice :
the number and qualification of the persons. Stephen's eminent ac-
complishments for the place. The envy and opposition of the Jews
against him. The Synagogue of the Libertines, what. Of the Cyre-
nians, Alexandrians, Sec. Their disputation with St. Stephen, and the
success of it. False witnesses suborned to depose against him. The
several parts of their charge considered. The mighty veneration of
the Jews for their temple and the Mosaic institutions. Its destruction
by Titus ; and their attempts to rebuild it under Julian frustrated by
a miracle. Stephen's apology before the Sanhedrim. The Jews^rage
against him. He is encouraged by a vision. Stoning to death, what
kind of punishment ; the manner of it among the Jews. St. Stephen's
martyrdom. His character, and excellent virtues. The time and
place of his suffering. The place and manner of his burial. His body
first discovered, when and how. The story of its translation to
Constantinople. The miracles said to be done by his reliques, and at
hi'.i Memorise. Several reported by St. Augustin. What credit to be
given to them. Miracles how long, and why continued in the church.
The vain pretences of the church of Rome.
1. THE Christian religion being designed by God
for the reformation of mankind, and the rooting out that
Barbarism and idolatry wherewith the world was so over-
grown, could not but meet with opposition, all corrupt in-
terests conspiring to give it no very welcome entertain-
ment. Vice and error had too long usurped the throne.
70 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN,
to part with it by a tame and easy resignation, but would
rather summon all their forces against a doctrine, that
openly proclaimed the subversion and ruin of their empire.
Hence this sect was every where spoken against, equally
opposed both by Jew and Gentile. The Gentiles despised
it for its lateness and novelty, as having no antiquity to re-
commend it, nor could they endure that their philosophy^
which then every where ruled the chair, should be con-
trolled by a plain simple doctrine, that pretended to no ela-
borate schemes, no insinuative strains of eloquence, no
nice and subtle arts of reasoning, no abstruse and sub-
lime speculations. The Jews were vexed to see their
expectations of a mighty prince who should greatly exalt
their state, and redeem it from that oppression and sla-
very under which it groaned, frustrated by the coming
of a Messiah, who appeared under all the circumstances
of meanness and disgrace ; and who was so far from res-
cuing them from the power of the Roman yoke, that for
their obstinacy and unbelief he threatened the final and
irrevocable ruin of their country, and, by the doctrine he
published, plainly told them he intended to abolish
those ancient Mosaic institutions, for which they had such
dear regards, and so solemn a veneration. Accordingly
when he came amongst them, they entertained him with
all the instances of cruelty and contempt, and whatever
might expose him to the scorn and odium of the people ;
they vilified and reproached his person, as but the son of
a carpenter, a glutton and a drunkard, a traitor and an
enemy unto Ccesar ; they slighted his doctrine as the
talk only of a rude and illiterate person, traduced his mi-
racles as tricks of imposture, and the effects of a black
confederacy with the infernal powers. And when all this
would not do, they violently laid hands upon him
and took away his life. And now one would have
thought their spite and fury should have cooled and died:
but malice and revenge are too fierce and hot to stoj) at
the first attempt. On they are resolved to go in these
bloody methods, and to let the world see that the disci-
ples and followers must expect no better than their mas-
ter. It was not many months before they took occasion to
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 71
refresh their rage m St. Stephen's martyrdom : the his-
tory of whose life and death we now come to relate, and
to make some brief remarks upon it.
2. The sacred story gives us no particular account
either of the country or kindred of this holy man. That
he was a Jew is unquestionable, himself sufficiently owiis
the relation in his apology to the people, but whether
originally descended of the stock of Abraham, or of
parents incorporated and brought in by the gate of
proselytism, whether born at Jerusalem, or among the
dispersed in the Gentile provinces is impossible to de-
termine. Baronius'' (grounding his conjecture upon an
epistle of Lucian, of which more afterwards) makes him
to have been one of Gamaliel's disciples, and fellow
pupil with St. Paul, who proved afterwards his mortal
enemy : but I must confess, I find not in all that epistle
the least shadow of probability to countenance that con-
jecture. Antiquity ^ makes him, probably enough, to
have been one of the 70 disciples, chosen by our Lord
as co-adjutors to the apostles in the ministry of the gos-
pel : and indeed his admirable knowledge in the Chris-
tian doctrine, his singular ability to defend the cause of
Christ's Messiaship against its most acute opposers,
plainly argue him to have been some considerable time
trained up under our Saviour's immediate institutions.
Certain it is, that he was a man of great zeal and piety,
endowed with extraordinary measures of that divine Spi-
rit that was lately shed upon the church, and incompara-
bly furnished with miraculous powers, which peculiarly
qualified him for a place of honour and usefulness in the
church, whereto he w^as advanced upon this occasion.
3. The primitive church among the man}^ instances
of religion for which it was famous and venerable, was
for none more remarkable than their charity. They lived
and loved as brethren ; were of one heart and one souly
and continued together xvith one accord, l^ove and chari-
ty were the common soul that animated the whole body
a Ad Ann. ?A. n. 27.5, 298.
b Epiph. Hjeres. 20. p. 27. D.)roth. Svnocs. de Vi!". ApT>. in Bjbl. P, F.
Tom. 3. p
72 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
of believers, and conveyed heat and vital spirits to every
part. The}' prayed and worshipped God in the same
place, and fed together at the same table. None could
want, for they had all in common. The rich sold their
estates to minister to the necessities of the poor, and
deposited the money into one common treasury, the
care whereof w^as committed to the apostles, to see
distribution made as every one's case and exigency did
require. But in the exactest harmony there will be
some jars and discord, heaven only is free from quarrels,
and the occasions of oifence. The church increasing
every day by vast numbers of converts to the faith, the
apostles could not exactly superintend the disposure of
the church's stock, and the making provision for every
part, and were therefore probably forced to take in the
help of others, sometimes more and sometimes less, to
assist in this aft air. By a\ hich means a due equality and
proportion was not observed, but either through favour
and* partiality, or the oversight of those that managed
the matter, some had larger portions, others less relief
then then' just necessities called for. This begat some
present heats and animosities in the first and purest
church that ever w^as, the Grecians murmuring against
the Hebrews^ because their widows were neglected in the
daily ministration, ""
4. Who these Grecians or Hellenists were, opposed
here to the Hebrews, liovvcver a matter of some difficul-
ty and dispute, it may not be imuseful to inquire. The
opinion that has most generally obtained is, that they
were originally JeW'S born and bred in Grecian or Hea-
then countries, of the dispersed a?nong the Gentiles^ (the
^i'Z'j-.vTo^'X Tav.'hwxvciv. the word e;.\.v,.c in the style of the New
Testament, as also in the writings of the fathers being
commonly used for the Gentile world) vv'ho accommo-
dated themselves lo their manner of living, spoke the
Greek language, but altogether uiixed vAih. Hebraisms
•and Jewish forms of speech, (arid tljis called Lingua
Hellenistica) and used no other bible but the Grick
c Act. 6, 1. d Joh, r. 35.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 1%
translation of the Septuagint. A notion which Salma-
sius^ has taken a great deal of pains to confute, by
showing that never any people went under that notion
and character, that the Jews, in what parts of the world
soever they were, were not a distinct nation from those
that lived in Palestine ; that there never was any such
peculiar distinct Hellenistic dialect, nor any such ever
mentioned by any ancient writer ; that the phrase is
very improper to express such a mixt language, yea ra-
thar that 'e>xj,v/c)> implies one that expresseth himself in
better Greek then ordinar}', as 'AT7;/./r^? denotes one that
studies to speak pure Attic Greek. Probable therefore
it is, that they were not of the Hebrew race, but Greek
or Gentile proselytes, who had either themselves, or in
their ancestors deserted the Pagan superstitions, and im-
bodied themselves into the Jewish church, taking upon
them circumcision and the observation of the rites of
the Mosaic laws (which kind the Jew^s call :r:**i:! pl^'H
proselytes of justice) and were now converted to Chris-
tianity. That there were at this time great numbers of
these proselytes at Jerusalem, is evident ; and strange
it were, if when at other times they were deirous to
have the gospel preached to them, none of them should
have been brought over to the faith. Even among the
seven made choice of to be Deacons (most, if not all,
of whom we may reasonably conclude to have been
taken out of these Grecians) we find one expressly said to
have been a proselyte of Antioch, as in all likelihood some,
if not all the other, might be proselytes of Jerusalem. And
thus wherever we meet with the word 'E/x>»v;r^/, or Gre-
cians, in the history of the apostolic acts^ (as it is to be
met with in two places more) we may, and in reason are
to understand it. So that these Hellenists (who spake
Greek, and used the translation of the Sevent}) were
Jews by religion, and Gentiles by descent ; with the
"Eaahvk, or Gentiles, they had the same common original,
with the Jews the same common profession ) and therefore
e CoTTiment. de Hellenist. Qii. 1, 2, o^ 4, 5. prsecipue pag. 232. &c. vid,
etiam, inter alios, Bez. & Gamer, in loc.
f Act. ix. 29. xi. 20.
K
74 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
are not here opposed to Jews, (which all those might be
styled, who embrace Judaism and the rites of Moses,
though they were not born of Jewish ancestors) but to
the Hebrews, who were Jews both by their religion
and their nation. And this may give us some probable
account, wh}^ the widows of these Hellenists had not
so much care taken of them as those of the Hebrews,
the persons with whom the apostles in a great mea-
sure intrusted the ministration, being kinder to those
of their own nation, their neighbours, and it may be kin-
dred, than to those who only agreed with them in the
profession of the same religion, and who indeed were
not generally so capable of contributing to the church's
stock as the native Jews, who had lands and possessions,
which they sold and laid at the apostles feet,
5. The peace and quiet of the church being by this
,means a little ruffled and discomposed, the apostles, who
well understood how much order and unity conduced
to the ends of religion, presently called the church toge-
ther, and told them, that the disposing of the common
stock, and the daily providing for the necessities of the
poor, however convenient and necessary, w^as yet a
matter of too much trouble and distraction to consist
with a faithful discharge of the other parts and duties of
their office, and that they did not judge it fit and rea-
sonable to neglect the one, that they might attend the
other ; that therefore they should choose out among
themselves some that were duly qualified, and present
them to them, that they might set them apart peculiarly
to superintend this affair, that so themselves being freed
from these incumbrances, might the more freely and un-
interruptedly devote themselves to prayer and preaching
of the gospel. Not that the apostles thought the care
of the poor an office too much below them, but that
this might be discharged by other hands, and they, as
they were obliged, the better attend upon things of high-
er importance, ministeries more immediately serviceable
to the souls of men. This was the first original of dea-
cons in the Christian church, they were to serve tables,
that is, to wait upon the necessities of the poor, to make
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 75
daily provisions for their public feasts, to keep the
church's treasure, and to distribute to every one accor-
ding to their need. And this admirably agrees to one
ordinary notion of the word ao^^ov®- in foreign writers,
where it is used for that peculiar servant who waited at
feasts, whose office it was to distribute the portions to
every guest, either according to the command of the
'hfx^T^iH.Ki^®', the orderer of the feast, or according to the
rule of equality, to give every one alike. ^ But though
it is true this was a main part of the deacon's office, yet
was it not the whole. For had this been all, the apos-
tles needed not to have been so exact and curious in
their choice of persons, seeing men of an ordinary rank
and of a very mean capacity might have served the
turn, nor have used such solemn rites of consecration
to ordain them to it. No question, therefore, but their
serving tables implied also their attendance at the table
of the Lord's supper. For in those days their Agapss or
common love feasts, (whereat both rich and poor sat
down together) were at the same time with the holy
Eucharist, and both administered every day, so that
their ministration respected both the one and the other.**
And thus we find it was in the practice of the church,
for so Justin Martyr' tells us it was in his time, that
when the president of the assembly had consecrated the
Eucharist, the deacons distributed the bread and the
wine to all that were present, and afterw^ards carried them
to those who were necessarily absent from the congre-
gation. Nor were they restrained to this one particular
service, but were in some cases allowed to preach,
baptize, and absolve penitents, especially where they
had the peculiar warrant and authority of the bishop to
bear them out : nor need we look far beyond the pre-
g MoT^st x§?av, *, i«v atr^ff/v' 01 AiotKOvc; tt^oc X^oiv ^^icf^vi fxy^i'vj. Mi ttS /i^h jusyd-
>.«, ttJ tTg x.oy.iS'j fjLiK^i TTdL^tTtbiT^vi, dfA JcTSTK? 'sT/ Tiiaiy. Lucian. Chronosol. seu
tie Leg-g. Saturnal. Tom. 2. p. 823.
h Asi cTg Xj T«; A/*jt6v'jsf oi'7ot? ^yg-n^/ftw ']«(rs X^/s-« K^li TretvTci Tp'^Trov Tr^triv dpi<r>tit^'
i yd.^ li^ay.-lTm i Trorm (h. e. noil solum.) eWiv isuaLnovci, d»l anKyyxriAg ©sS Cvm^i-
Tate- J'sGvav auTHc <pvxuirffi7^ai -ret s^xAx'/xatJ* a,; irteg, Igiiat. £pist. ad Trall.-
Append. Usser. /;. 17.
i Apol. ii. p. 97.
76 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEX.
sent story to find St. Philip, one of the deacons here
elected, both preaching the gospel, and baptizing con-
verts with <neat success.
6. That this excellent office might be duly managed,
the apostles directed and enjoined the church to nomi-
nate such persons as were fitted for it, pious and good
men, men of known honesty and integrity, of approved
and untainted reputations, furnished and endowed with
the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, wise and pru-
dent men, who would discreetly discharge the trust
committed to them. I'he number of these persons was
limiced to seven, probably for no other reason but be-
cause the apostles thought these sufficient for the busi-
ness ; unless w^e will also suppose the whole body of be-
lievers to have been disposed into seven several divisi-
ons, for the more orderly and convenient managery of
their common fcitsts, a.nd distributions to the poor,
and that to each of these a deacon was appointed to su-
periiUend and direct them ; without further designing
any peculiar mvstery, which ^ some would fain pick out
of it. However the church thought good for a long
tim^e to conform to this primitive institution, insomuch
that the fathers of the' Neo-Cccsarean council ordained,
that in no city, how great soever, there should be more
then seven deacons, a canon which they found upon this
place : and Sozomen"' tells us that in his time, though
many other churches kept to no certain number, yet that
the church of Rome, in compliance wdth this apostolical
example, admitted no more then seven deacons in it.
The people were infinitely pleased with the order and
determination which the apostles had made in this mat-
ter, and accordingly made choice of seven, whom they
presented to the apostles, who (as the solemnity of the
thing required) first made their address to heaven by
prayer for the divine blessing upon the undertaking, and
then laid their hands upon them, an ancient symbolic
rite of investiture and consecration to any extraordina-
k Vid. Baron, ad Ann. 112. n. 7. Tom. 2.
1 Cone. NecCtes. can. 1.5, Cone. Tom. 1. Col. 1484.
m llvA. Eccl. lib. 7. c. 19. p. 7Z4^
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 17
ry office. The issue of all was, that the Christian reli-
gion got ground and prospered, converts came flocking
over to the faith, yea very many of the priests themselves,
and of their tribe and family, of all others the most zea-
lous and pertinacious assertors of the Mosaic constitu-
tions, the bitterest adversaries of the Christian doctrine,
the subtlest defenders of their religion, laid aside their
prejudices, and embraced the gospel. So uncontrolla-
ble is the efficacy of divine truth, as very often to lead
its greatest enemies in triumph after it.
7. The first and chief of the persons here elected,
(who were all chosen out of the seventy disciples, as
^ Epiphanius informs us,) and whom the ancients fre-
quently style arch deacon, as having the Ta^rg««757^ (as ®
Chrysostom speaks) the primacy and precedence among
these new elected officers, was our St. Stephen, whom
the author c^l the epistle to ^' Hero under the name of
Ignatius, as also the Interpolator of that to the *^ Trallians,
makes in a more peculiar manner to have been deacon
to St. James, as bishop of Jerusalem. He is not only
placed first in the catalogue, but particularly recom-
mended under this character, a man full of faith , and of
the Holy Ghost. He was exquisitely skilled in all parts
of the Christian doctrine, and fitted with great elo-
quence and elocution to declare and publish it, enriched
with many miraculous gifts and powers, and a spirit of
courage and resolution to encounter the most potent op-
position. He preached and pleaded the cause of Chris-
tianity with a firm and undaunted mind, and that nothing
might be wanting to render it effectual, he confirmed his
doctrine by many public and unquestionable miracles,
plain evidences and demonstrations of the truth and di-
vinity of that religion that he taught. But truth and
innocency, and a better cause, is the usual object of bad
men's spite and hatred. The zeal and diligence of his
ministry, and the extraordinary success that did attend
it, quickly awakened the malice of the Jews, and there
n Haeres. XX. p. 27. o Homil. XV, 'n\ Act. p. 555.
p. Epist. ad Heron Jn Bil^l. PP. Gr. Lai. p. .57.
q Ep. ad Trail, p. 6. ibid.
78 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
wanted not those that were ready to oppose and contra-
dict him. So natural is it for error to rise up against
the truth, as light and darkness mutually resist and ex-
pel each other.
8. There were at Jerusalem besides the temple, where
sacrifices and the more solemn parts of their rehgion
were performed, vast numbers of synagogues for prayer
and expounding of the law, whereof the Jews themselves
tell us there were not less than 480 in that city. In
these, or at least some apartments adjoining to them,
thei'e were schools or colleges for the instruction and edu-
cation of scholars in their laws ; many whereof were
erected at the charges of the Jews who lived in foreign
countries, and thence denominated after their names :
and hither they v/ere wont to send their youth to be
trained up in the knowledge of the law, and the myste-
rious rites of their religion. Of these, fi\z combined to-
gether to send some of their societies to encounter and
oppose St. Stephen. An unequa.1 match! dvay^v a^i^i^^Tav
UiVTci7r:\n (as St. Chrysostom calls it') a whole army of wick-
ed adversaries, the chief of five several synagogues, are
brought ou'^ against one, and him but a strippling too, as
if they inteneied to oppress him rather with the number of
assailants, than to overcome him by strength of argu-
ment.
9. The first of them were those of the Synagogue o/'the
JLiber tines ; but who these Libertines were, is variously
conjectured. Passing by Junius's conceit of Labra\ sig-
nifying in the Egyptian language the whole precinct that
was under one synagogue, whence Labratemi, or cor-
ruptly (says he) Libertini, must denote them that belong-
ed to the Synagogue of the Egyptians, omitting this as
altogether absurd and fantastical, besides that the Syna-
gogue of the Alexandrians is mentioned afterwards ; Sui-
das tells us it was the name of a nation,^ but in what part
of the world this people or country were, he leaves us
wholly in the dark. Most probably, therefore, it relates
r Orat. in St. Steph. Tom. 6. p. 276. s Jun. in loc, L'^ in Gen. 8- 4.
t Suid in voe. Ai*?^rii(S)-.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 79
to the Jews that were emancipated and set at liberty.
For the understanding whereof we must know, that when
Pompey had subdued Judea, and reduced it under the
Roman government, he carried great numbers of Jews
captive to Rome, as also did those generals that succeed-
ed him, and diat in such multitudes, that when the Jew-
ish state sent an embassy to Augustus, Josephus" tells us,
that there were about eight thousand of the Jews who
then lived at Rome, that joined themselves to the ambas-
sadors at their arrival thither. Here they continued in
the condition of slaves, till by degrees they were manu-
mitted and set at liberty, which was generally done in the
time of Tiberius, who (as Philo informs ') suffered the
Jews to inhabit the Transtiberine region : most whereof
were Libertines, such who having been made captives by
the fortune of war, had been set free by their masters,
and permitted to live after the manner of their ancestors.
They had their Proseuchas^ or oratories, where they as-
sembled, and performed their devotions according to the
religion of their country : every year they sent a contri-
bution instead of first-fruits to Jerusalem, and deputed
certain persons to oft'er sacrifices for them at the temple.
Indeed afterwards (as we find in Tacitus'^ and Seutonius'')
by an order of senate he caused four thousand Lihertini
generis, of those libertine Jews, so many as were young
and lusty, to be transported into Sardinia, to clear that
island of robbers, (the occasion whereof is related by Jo-
sephus^') and the rest, both Jews and proselytes, to be
banished the city, Tacitus adds, Italy itself. This oc-
casion, I doubt not, many of these Libertine- Jews took
to return home into their own country, and at Jerusalem
to erect this synagogue for themselves and the use of their
countrymen who from Rome resorted thither, styling it
from themselves, the Si/nagogue of the Libe? tines ; and
such, questionless, St. Luke means, when among the se-
verai nations that were at Jerusalem at the day of Pente-
u Antiquit. Jud. lib. 17. c 12. n. 610. v Plill. de legr^t. ad Gai.p 7^5.
w Tac. Annal. lib. 2. c 85. p. 88. x Sueton. in v]t. Tib. c. 55. p. 3G'4.
y Autifj- 1. 18. c. 5. p.. 62.7.
80 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
cost, he mentions strangers of Rome ^ and they both Jews
and proselytes,
10. The next antagonists were of the Synagogue of
the Cyrenians^ that is, Jews who inhabited Cyrene, a no-
ted city of Libya, where (as appears from a rescript of
Augustus^) great numbers of them did reside, and who
were annually wont to send their holy treasure or accus-
tomed offerings to Jerusalem, where also (as we see) they
had their peculiar synagogue. Accordingly we find
among the several nations at Jerusalem, those xvho dwelt
in the parts of Libya about Cyrene,^ Thus we read of Si-
mon of Cyrene^ whom the Jews compelled to bear our
Saviour's cross : of Lucius of Cyrene^ a famous doctor
in the church of Antioch ; of men of Cyrene^ who upon
the persecution that followed St. Stephen's death, were
scattered abroad from Jerusalem^ and preached as far as
Phcenice^ Cyprus, and Antioch. The third were those of
the Synagogue of the Alexandrians, there being a mighty
intercourse between the Jews at Jerusalem and Alexan-
dria, where what vast multitudes of them dwelt, and what
great privileges they enjoyed, is too well knov^^n to need
insisting on. The fourth were them of Cilicia, a known
province of the lesser Asia, the metropolis whereof was
Tarsus, well stored with Jews ; it w^as St. Paul's birth-
place, whom we cannot doubt to have born a principal
part among these assailants, finding him afterwards so
active and busy in St. Stephen's death. The last were
those of the Synagogue of Asia : where by Asia we are
probably to understand no more than part of Asia proper-
ly so called (as that was but part of Asia minor) viz.
that part that lay near to Ephesus, in which sense it
is plain Asia is to be taken in the New Testament. And
what infinite numbers of Jews were - in these parts, and
.especially at Ephesus, the history of the Apostles' acts
does sufficiently inform us.
1 1 . These were the several parties that were to take
the field, persons of very different countries, men skilled
z Ap. Joseph. Antiq.Jud Lib 16. c. 10. p. 561. a Act.ii. 10.
h Act. xiii. 1. xi. 19, 20.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. si
In the subtleties of their religion, who all at once rose up
to dispute with Stephen. What the particular subject of
the disputation was, we find not, but may with St. Chry-
sostoni conceive them*" to have accosted him after this
manner. " Tell us, young man, what comes into thy
" mind thus rashly to reproach the Deity ? Why dost
** thou study with such cunningly contrived discourses
** to inveigle and persuade the people '? and with deceit-
*• ful miracles to undo the nation? Here lies the crisis
*' of the controversy. Is it likely that he should be
*' God who was born of Mary ? that the Maker of the
** world should be the son of a carpenter ? Was not
^* Bethlehem the place of his nativity, and Nazareth of
*' his education ? Canst thou imagine him to be God,
*' that was born upon earth ? who was so poor that he
*' was wrapt up in swaddling clothes and thrown into a
^' manger ? who was forced to fly from the rage of Herod,
** and to wash away his pollution by being baptized in
" Jordan '? who was subject to hunger and thirst, to
^* sleep and weariness ? who being bound was not
*' able to escape, nor, being buffeted, to rescue or re-
*' venge himself? who when he was hanged, could
" not come down from the cross, but underwent a
'^ cursed and a shameful death ? Wilt thou make us be-
*' lieve that he is in heaven, whom we know to have been
" buried in his grave ? that he should be the life of the
'^' dead, who is so near a kin to mortality himself? Is it
** likely that God should suffer such things as these ?
^' would he not rather with an angry breath have struck
'* his adversaries dead at the first approach, and set them
*' beyond the reach of making attempts upon his own
** person ? Either cease, therefore, to delude the people
** with these impostures, or prepare thyself to undergo
*' the same fate.
12. In answer to which we may imagine St. Stephen
thus to have replied upon them. " And why, Sirs,
** should these things seem so incredible ? have you not
^' by you the writings of the prophets? do you not read
c Loc. supra citat
82 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
«' the books of Moses, and profess yourselves to be his
" disciples? did not Moses say, a prophet shall the Lord
" your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto
" 77ie, him shall ye hear? Have not the prophets long
" since foretold that he should be born at Bethlehem, and
" conceived in the womb of a virgin ? that he should fly
" into Egypt, that he should bear our griefs and carry
" our sorrows? that they should pierce his hands and his
''feet, and hang him on a tree ? tliat he should be buri-
** ed, rise again, and ascend up to heaven with a shout '?
*' Either now show me some other in whom all these
" prophecies Vv^ere accomplished, or learn with me to
*' adore as God our crucified Saviour. Blind and igno-
*' rant that you are of the predictions of Moses, you
*' thought you crucified a mere man, but had you known
" him, you would not have crucified the Lord of Glory :
" you denied the Holy One, and the Just, and desired a
*' murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the
" Prince of Life.
13. This is the sum of what that ingenious and elo-
quent father conceives St. Stephen did, or might have
returned to their inquiries. Which, Avhatever it was,
was delivered with that life and zeal, that evidence and
strength of reason, that freedom and majesty of elocution,
that his antagonists had not one word to say against it ;
tJiey were not able to resist the xuisdom a?id the spirit by
which he spake. So particularly did our Lord make
good what he had promised to his disciples,*^ settle it in
your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer,
for I ivill give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your
adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Here-
upon the men presently began to retreat, and departed
the lists, equally divided between shame and grief.
'Ashamed they were to be so openly baffled by one single
adversary, vexed and troubled that they had not carried
the day, and that the religion which they opposed had
hereby received such signal credit and confirmation.
And now being no longer able *i'7c<s9sA«27v t« «,\a&sj>. (as the
U Luke xxi. 14, 1 V.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 83
addition in some very ancient manuscript copies does
elegantly express it) ivith open face to resist the ti'utJi^
they betake themselves to clancular arts, to sly and sinis-
ter designs, hoping to accomplish by craft and subtlety
what they could not carry by fairness and force of reason.
14. To this purpose they tamper with men of debauch-
ed profligate consciences, to undermine him by f^ilse
accusations, that so he might fall as a sacrifice to their
spite and malice, and that by the hand of public justice.
St. Chrysostom'" brings them in with smooth and plausi-
ble insinuations, encourasrins: the men to this mischiev-
ous attempt. ^* Come on, w^orthy and honourable friends,
" lend your assistance to our declining cause, and let
" your tongues minister to our counsels and contrivan-
** ces. Behold a new patron and advocate of the Gali-
*' LEAN is started up : one that worships a God that was
'* buried, and preaches a Creator shut up in a tomb ;
** who thinks that he whom the soldiers despised and
*' mocked upon earth, is now conversing with the host
** of angels in heaven, and promises that he shall come
*^ to judge the world, who was not able to vindicate and
•' right himself : His disciples denied him, as if they
** thought him an impostor, and yet this man affirms that
** every tongue shall confess and do homage to him :
*' himself was not able to comedown from the cross, and
** yet he talks of his second coming from heaven : the
'^ vilest miscreants reproached him at his death, that he
^' could not save either himself or them, and yet this man
" peremptorily proclaims him to be the Saviour of the
*' world. Did you ever behold such boldness and im-
" pudence ? or have you ever heard words of so much
** madness and blasphemy ? Do you, therefore, under-
*' take the cause, and find out some specious colour and
*' pretence, and thereby purchase to yourselves glory
** and renown from the present generation.
15. The wretches were easily persuaded to the under-
taking, and to swTar whatever their tutors should direct
them. And now the cause is ripe for action, the case is
c Cod. Bezx. MS. tT C Ccdi. H. Steph. f Ubi. supra, pag. 2r8>
84 THE LIFE OE ST. STEJHElSr.
divulged, the elders and the scribes are dealt with (and
a little rhetoric would serve to persuade them) the peo-
ple possessed with the horror of the fact, the Sanhedrim
is summoned, the malefactor haled to the bar, the
witnesses produced, and the charge given in. They
suborned men -which said ^ toe have heard him speak blas-
phemous words against Moses and aga'mst God ; the false
witnesses said^ this man ceaseth not to speak blas-
phemous words against this holy place and the lazu ;
Jo 7ve have heard him say, that this Jesus of Naza-
reth shall destroy this place, and simll change the cus-
toms which Moses delivered us : tliat is (that we may-
still proceed with that excellent man in opening the se-
veral parts of the charge) " he has dared to speak
" against our wise and great lawgiver, and blasphemed
'* that Moses for whom our whole nation has so just a
" veneration ; that Moses who had the whole creation at
*' his beck, who freed our ancestors from the house of
*' bondage, and with his rod turned the waters into
*' walls, and by his prayer drovvned the Egyptian army
*' in the bottom of the sea ; who kindled a fiery pillar for
'' a light by night, and without plowing or sowing, fed
*' them with manna and bread from heaven, and with his
'* rod pierced the rock and gave them drink. But what
*' do we speak of Moses, when he has whetted his tongue
*' and stretched it out against God himself, and set up
*' one that is dead as an Anti-God to the great Creator of
*' of the world ? He has not blushed to reproach the tem-
*' pie, that holy place, where the Divine oracles are
** read, and the writings of the prophets set forth, the
*^ repository of the shew-bread and the heavenly manna,
*' of the ark of the covenant, and the rod of Aaron ; where
*' the hoary and venerable heads of the high-priests, the
** dignity of the elders, and the honour of the scribes is
" seen : this is the place which he has reviled and set
** at naught ; and not this only, but the law itself, which
*' he boldly declares to be but a shadow, and the ancient
** rites but types and figures. He affirms the Galilean
*' to be greater than Moses, and the son of Mary strong-
*• er than our law giver : he has not honoured the digni^
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 85
** ty of the elders, nor had any reverence to the society
*' of the scribes. He threatens us with a dead master ;
*^ the young man dreams sure, when he talks of Jesus qf
*' Nazareth rising again, and destroying this holy place :
*' he little considers with how much Avisdom it was
** contrived, with what infinite charges it was erected,
** and how long before it was brought to its perfection.
*' And yet, forsooth, this Jesus of Nazareth xawst destroy
** it and change the customs which Moses delivered to us :
** our most holy Sabbath must be turned out of doors,
** circumcision abolished, the new-moons rejected, and
** the feast of tabernacles laid aside ; our sacrifices must
^* no longer be accepted with God; our sprinklings and
" solemn purgations must be done away : as if we knew
*^ not this Nazarene's end, and as if one that is dead could
^* revenge himself upon them that are living. How ma-
'* ny of the ancient prophets and holy men have been cru-
** elly murdered, whose death none ever yet undertook
** to revenge ? and yet this man must needs appear in the
** cause of this crucified Nazarene, and tell us of a dead
*' man that shall judge us. Silly impostor ! to fright us
'^ with a Judge who is himself imprisoned in his own
** grave.
16. This, then, is the sum of the charge, that he
should threaten the ruin of the temple, and the abolition
of the Mosaic rites, and blaspemously afiirm that Jesus
of Nazareth should take away that religion w hich had
been established by Moses, and by God himself. In-
deed, the Jews had an unmeasurable reverence and ve-
neration for the Mosaic institutions, and could not wdth
any patience endure to hear of their being laid aside, but
accounted it a kind of blasphemy so much as to men-
tion their dissolution ; little thinking in how^ short a
time these things w^hich they now so highly valued
should be taken away, and their temple itself laid level
with the ground ; which a few years after came to
pass, by the Roman army under the conduct of Titus
Vespasian, the Roman general, when the city was sack-
ed, and the temple burnt to the ground. And so final
^md irrevocable was the sentence by %vhich it was doom-
86 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
ed to ruin, that it could never afterwards be repaired,
heaven itself immediately declaring against it. Inso-
much that when Julian, the emperor, out of spite and op-
position to the Christians, was resolved to give all-pos-
sible encouragement to the Jews, and not only permit-
ted but commanded them to rebuild the temple, furnish-
ing them with all charges and materials necesary for the
work (hoping that hereby he should prove our Saviour
a false prophet) no sooner had they begun to clear the
rubbish, and lay the foundation, but a terrible earthquake
shattered the foundation, killed the undertakers, and
shaked down all the buildings that were round about it.
And when they again attempted it the next day, great
balls of fire suddenly breaking out from under the foun-
dations, consumed the workmen and those that were near
it and forced them to give over the attempt. A strange
instance of the displeasure of heaven towards a place
which God had fatally devoted to destruction. And this
related not only by Christian writers ^, but as to the sub-
^jtance of it, by the ^' Heathen historian himself. And
the same curse has ever since pursued and followed
them, they having been destitute of temple and sacrifice
for sixteen hundred years together. " Were that bloo-
** dy Sanhedrim now in being, and here present, (says
"one of the ' ancients, speaking of this accusation) I
*-* would ask them about those things for which they
^' were here so much concerned ; what is now become of
'' your once famous and renowned temple ? where are
^' those vast stones, and incredible piles of building ?
*' where is that gold that once equalled ail the other
^' materials of the temple ? what are become of your
" legal sacrifices ? your rams and calves, your lambs
** and heifers, pigeons, turtles, [and scape-goats ? If
^* they, therefore, condemned Stephen to die, that none
** of these miseries might befall them, let them show
*' which of them they avoided by putting him to death ;
g Socrat. H. Ecc 1. 3. c. 20. p. 193. Sozom. H. E. 1. 5. c. 22. p. 631.
h A. Marcell. I. 23. non louge ab init.
1 Cre^ ^''y*£f'^. Oral. inS. Stcph. Tom. 2 p. 791.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. sf
** but if they escaped none of them, why then did thev
*' imbrue their hands in his innocent blood '?"
17. The court being thus set, and the charge brought
in and opened, that nothing might be wanting to carry
on their mock scene of justice, they give him liberty to
defend himself. In order whereimto while the judges
of the Sanhedrim earnestly looked upon him, they disco-
vered the appearances of an extraordinary splendour
and brightness upon his face, the innocency of his cause,
and the clearness of his conscience manifesting them-
selves in the brightness and chearfulness of his coun-
tenance. The high-priest having asked him whether
guilty or not, he in a large discourse pleaded his own
cause to this effect: *' That what apprehensions soever
** they might have of the stateliness and magnificence of
*' their temple, of the glory and grandeur of its services
'' and ministrations, of those venerable customs and
*' usages that were amongst them, as if they looked upon
** them as indispensably necessary, and that it was blas-
'' phemy to think God might be acceptably served with-
** out them; yet that if they looked back to the first ori-
*^ ginals of their nation, they would find, that God chose
*' Abraham to be the father and founder of it, not when
** he lived in a Jerusalem, and worshipped God with
*' the pompous services of a temple, but when he dwelt
*' among the idolatrous nations: that then it was that
*' God called him from the impieties of his father's house,
** and admitted him to a familiar acquaintance and in-
'^ tercourse with himself; wherein he continued for
"= many years without any of those external and visible
'' rites which they laid so much stress upon ; and that
''"when at last God entered into covenant with him, to
'' give his posterity the land of Canaan, and that in his
*' seed all the nations of the earth should he blessed, he
" bound it upon him with no other ceremony, but only
*' that of circum.cision, as the badge and seal of that
" federal compact that was between them : that without
'' any other fixed rile but this, the succeeding patriarchs
*' worshipped God for several ages, till the times of
'' Moses, a wise, learned, and prudent person, to T\'hom
88 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
God particularly revealed himself, and appointed him
ruler over his people, to conduct them out of the
house of bondage, a great and famous prophet, and
who was continually inculcating this lesson to their
ancestors, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren like unto me^ him shall ye
hear ; that is, that God in the latter days would send
amongst them a mighty prophet, who should do as
Moses had done, introduce new rites, and set up more
excellent institutions and ways of worship, to whom
they should yield all diligent attention, and ready
obedience : that when their fore-fathers had frequent-
ly lapsed into idolatry, God commanded Moses to set
up a tabernacle, as a place of public and solemn wor-
ship where he would manifest himself, and receive the
addresses and adorations of his people ; which yet
however was but a transient and temporary ministra-
tion, and though erected by the immediate order of
God himself, w^as yet after some years to give place
to a standing temple designed by David, but built by
Solomon ; stately indeed and majestic, but not abso-
lutely necessary, seeing that infinite Being that made the
world, who had the heaven for his throne^ and the earth
for his footstool, could not be confined within a mate-
rial temple, nor tied to any particular way of w^orship ;
and that therefore there could be no such absolute and
indispensable necessity for those Mosaical rites and
ceremonies, as they pretended ; especially when God
w^as resolved to introduce a new and better scene and
state of things. But it w^as the humour of this loose
and unruly, this refractory and undisciplinable gene-
ration (as it ever had been of their ancestors) to resist
the Holy Ghosts and oppose him in ail those methods,
whereby he sought to reform and reclaim them; that
there were few of the prophets whom their fore-fathers
had not persecuted, and slain them that had foretold
the Messiah's coming, the just and the holy Jesus, as
they their unhappy posterity had actually betrayed and
murdered him, without any due reverence and regard
to that laiv which had been solemnly delivered to them
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 8D
" by the ministry of angels, and which he came to fulfil
*' and perfect.
18. The holy man was going on in the application,
when the patience of his auditors, which had hitherto
holden out, at this began to fail ; that fire which gently
warms at a distance, scorches when it comes too near ;
their consciences being sensibly stung by the too near
approach of the truths he delivered, they began to fume
and fret, and express all the signs of rage and fury. But
he, regardless of what was done below, had his eyes and
thoughts directed to a higher and a nobler object, and
looking up, saw the heavens opened^ and some bright and
sensible appearances of the Divine Majesty, and the holy
Jesus clothed in the robes of our glorified nature, not sit-
ting (in which sense he is usually described in scripture)
but standing (as ready to protect and help, to crown and
reward his suffering servant) at the right hand of God.
So easily can Heaven delight and entertain us in the want
of all earthly comforts, and divine consolations are then
nearest to us, when human assistances are furthest from
us. The good man was infinitely ravished with the vi-
sion, and it inspired his soul with a fresh zeal and courage,
and made him long to arrive at that happy place, and Tit-
tle concerned what use they would make of it, he could
not but communicate and impart his happiness ; the cup
was full, and it easily overflowed ; he tells his adversaries
what himself beheld. Behold^ I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
» 19. The heavenly vision had very different eftects : it
encouraged Stephen, but enraged the Jews, who now
taking it pro eonfesso that he was a blasphemer, resolved
upon his death, without any further process. How furi-
ous and impatient is misguided zeal ! they did not stand
to procure a warrant from the Roman governor (without
whose leave they had not power to put any man to death)
nay, they had not the patience to stay for the judicial sen-
tence of the Sanhedrim, but acted the part of zealots,
(who were wont to execute vengeance upon capital of-
fenders, without staying for the ordinary formalities of
justice) and raising a great noise and clamour, and stop-
M
90 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
ping their ears^ that they might hear no further blasphe-
mies, and be deaf to all cries for merey, they unanimous-
ly rushed upon him. But zeal is superstitious in its
maddest fury : they would not execute him within the
walls, lest they should pollute the holy city with his blood,
but hurried him without the city, and there fell upon him
with a shower of stones. Stoning was one of the four
capital punishments among the Jews, inflicted upon
greater and more enormous crimes, especially blasphemy,
idolatry, and strange worship : and the Jews*" tell us of
many particular circumstances used in this sort of punish-
ment. The malefactor was to be led out of the consisto-
ry, at the door whereof a person was to stand with a nap-
kin in his hand, and a man on horse back at some dis-
tance from him, that if any one came and said, he had
something to offer for the deliverance of the malefactor,
upon the moving of the napkin the horseman might give
notice, and bring the offender back. ♦He had two grave
persons to go along with him, to exhoit him to confes-
sion by the way ; a crier went before him, proclaiming
•who he was, what his crime, and who the witnesses : be-
ing come near the place of execution (which was two cu-
bits from the ground) he was first stripped, and then
stoned, and afterwards hanged, where he was to continue
till sun-set, and then being taken down, he and his gib-
bet were both buried together.
20. Such were their customs in ordinary cases, but,
alas, their greediness of St. Stephen'^ blood would not
admit these tedious proceedings ; only one formality we
find them using, which the law required, which was, that
the hands of the xvitnesses should be first upon him, to put
him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people^ : a
law surely contrived with great wisdom and prudence,
that so the witness, if forsworn, might derive the guilt of
the blood upon himself, and the rest be free ; so thou shaft
put the evil aivay from among you. Accordingly here
the wdtnecses putting off their upp^r garments (whicli
rendered them less nimble and expedite, being loose and
k Vid. P. Fag. in Exod. xxi. 16. 1 Deut. xvi.i. 7,
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 91
long', according to the mode of those eastern countries)
laid them down at Saul's feet, a zealous youth, at that
time student under GamaUel, the fiery zeal and activity
of whose temper made him busy no doubt in this, as we
find he was in the following persecution. An action
which afterwards cost him tears and penitent rejections,
himself preferring the indictment against himself ; when
the blood of thy martyr Stephen xvas shed^ I also was stand-
ing by^ and consenting imto his deaths and kept the rai-
ment of them that slew hitn.^ Thus prepared they began
the tragedy, whose example w^as soon followed by the
multitude. All which time the innocent and holy man
was upon his knees, sending up his prayers faster to hea-
ven than they could rain down stones upon him, piously
recommending his own soul to God, and charitably in-
terceding for his murderers, that God would not charge
this guilt upon them, nor severely reckon with them for
it ; and then gave up the ghost, or as the sacred histori-
an elegantly expresses \l^ fell asleep. So soft a ])ilIow is
death to a good man ; so wihingly, so quietly does he
leave the w orld, as a weary labourer goes to bed at nlf^ht.
What storms or tempests soever may follow him while
he lives, his sun, in spite of all the malice and cJiieJty of
his enemies, sets serene and calm. Mark the perfect and
behold the upright^ for the end of that man is peace,
21. Thus died St. Stephen, the protomartyr of the
Christian faith, obtaining tcv Av-nS r^^mvijicv ^Tk^rivn (says Eu-
sebius") a reward truly answering to his name, a cp own.
He was a man in whom the virtues of a divine life were
very eminent and illustrious ; a man full of faith and of
the holy ghost. Admirable his zeal for God and for re-
ligion, for the propagating whereof he refused no pains,
declined no troubles or difficulties : his courage was not
baffled either with the angry frowns, or the fierce threat-
enings of his enemies, nor did his spirit sink, though he
stood alone, and had neither friend nor kinsman to assist
and comfort him ; his constancy firm and unshaken, not-
withstanding temptations on the one hand, and the dan-
gers that assaulted him on the other : in all the opposi-
\n Acts xxii. ,20. n H. Ec€l. i. 2. c. 1. p. 38.
92 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
tions that he met with, under all the torments and suffer-
ings that he underwent, he discovered nothing but the
meek and innocent temper of a lamb, never betraying one
passionate and revengeful word, but calmly resigned up
his soul to God. He had a charity large enough to
cover the highest affronts, and the greatest wrongs and
injuries that were put upon him; and accordingly after
the example of his master, he prayed for the pardon of
his murderers, even while they were raking in his blood"*.
And the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man
availed much ; Heaven was not deaf to his petition, as
appeared in the speedy conversion of St. Paul, whose
admirable change we may reasonably suppose to have
been the birth of the good man's dying groans, the fruit
of his prayer and interest in Heaven. And what set off
all these excellencies, he was not elated with lofty and
arrogant conceits, nor thought more highly of himself
than he ought to thinks esteeming meanly of, and prefer-
ring others before himself. And therefore the author
of the Apostolic^' Constitutions brings in the apostles
commending St. Stephen for his humility, that though
he was so great a person, and honoured with such sin-
gular and extraordinary visions and revelations, yet
never attempted any thing above his place, did not con-
secrate the Eucharist, nor confer orders upon any ; but
(as became a martyr of Christ t«v '?:/7«^'*v *iposrftfc<v, to preserve
order and decency) he contented himself with the station
of a deacon^ wherein he persevered to the last minute of
his life.
22. His martyrdom happened (say some) three years
after our Saviour's passion, which Euodius, bishop of An-
tioch (if that epistle were his cited by "^Nicephorus, which
o Eg-o sum Jesus Ntizarenus, quem tu persequerls. Qiiid mihi & tibl ? Qjiare
te erit^is contra me, ;id tanta mala qux commisisti in me ? Olim quidem debui
perdere te,sed Stephauus rr.eus oravit pro te. O Saule luperapax, comedisti ;
expecta paululum, ik dii!;ei-es. Dicam plane, elisus est filius perditionis. Nam
si Sanctus Stephanus sicnon orasset, Ecclesia Paulum non haberet. Sed ideo
erectus est Paulus. quia in terra inclinatus exaiiditus est Stephanus. Qiiod fe-
cit persecutor, patitur prx:dicator. August. Serm. 1. de S. Steph. Tom. 10.
.,vj/. 1168.
p Lib. 8, cap. 45. Concil. Tom, 1. Col. 509, q H. Etd. 1. 2. c. 3. p. 134.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 93
jt is probable enough was not) extends to no less than
seven years. Doubtless a very wide mistake. Sure I
am 'Eusebius affirms, that it was not long after his ordi-
nation to his deacon's office, and the author of the Ex-
cerpta Chronologica published by 'Scaliger more particu-
larly, that it was some few days less than eight months
after our Lord's ascension. He is generally supposed to have
been young at the time of his martyrdom ; and ^Chrysos-
tom makes no scruple of styling him young man at every
turn, though for what reason, I confesss I am yet to learn.
He was martyred without the walls, near the gate on the
north side, that leads to Cedar (as "Lucian tells us) and
which was afterwards called S. Stephen's Gate; ancient-
ly (say some) styled the Gate of Ephraim, or as others the
Valley Gate, or the Fish Gate which stood on the east
side of the city, where the place we are told is still show-
ed, where S. Paul sat when he kept the clothes of them
that slew him. Over this place (wherever it was) the
empress ""Eudocia wifeof Theodosius, when she repaired
the walls of Jerusalem, erected a beautiful and stately-
church to the honour of St. Stephen, wherein she herself
was buried afterwards. The great stone upon which
he stood while he suffered martyrdom, is '^'said to have
been afterwards removed into the church built to the
honour of the apostles upon Mount Sion, and there kept
with great care and reverence: yea, one of the stones
wherewith he was killed, being preserved by some
Christian, was afterwards (as we are ''told) carried into
Italy, and laid up as a choice treasure at Ancona, and a
church there built to the memory of the martvr.
23. The church received a great wound by the death
of this pious and good man, and could not but express a
very deep resentment of it : Devout men (probably pro-
selytes) carried Stephen to his burial, and made great
lamentation for him. They carried^ or as the word
r Loc. Supr. laudat.
s Ad. c:dc. Chro. Euseb. p. 82. t Onit. in S. Steph.ubi .supr. u Ep.
de Invent. S. Steph.ap. ^ur. ad Au.^. 5. Bed. de loc S. c. 1. p. 36.T. T. 3.
Broc. (lescript. Ttrr. s. p. m. 328. Convic. It in. 1. 2. c. 11, p. 249. v Euagr.
H. Ecd. 1. 1. c. 22. p. 280. w Bed. ib. cap. 3. p. 364. x Bar. nou'in
Martyr. Rom. ad. Aug. 3. p. 475. ex Martyrol. S. Cvriac*
94 THE LIFfe OF ST. STEPHEN.
{^vvjxV'o-* properly signifies, they dressed him up, and pre-
pared the dead body for the burial. For we cannot rea-
sonably suppose, that the Jews being at this time so
mightily enraged against him, the apostles would think
it prudent further to provoke the exasperated humour
by making a solemn and pompous funeral. His burial
{if we might believe ''one of the ancients, who pretends
it was revealed to him in a vision by Gamaliel, whom
many of the ancients make to have been a Christian con-
vert) was on this manner. The Jewish Sanhedrim, hav-
ing given order that his carcass should remain in the
place of its martyrdom to be consumed by wild beasts;
here it lay for some time night and day, untouched either
by beast or bird of prey. Till Gamaliel, compassionat-
ing the case of the holy martyr, persuaded some religious
Christian proselytes, who dwelt at Jerusalem, and fur-
nished them with all things necessary for it, to go with
all possible secrecy and fetch off his body. They
brought it av/ay in his own carriage, and conveyed it
to a place called Caphargamala (corruptly, as is pro-
bable, for Caphargamaliel, otherv/ise ^^Sd:i 1B^ proper-
ly signifies the Town of Camels) that is, the Village of
Gamaliel, twenty miles distant from Jerusalem; where
a solemn mourning vras kept for him seventy days at
Gamaliel's charge, who also caused him to be buried in
the east side of his own monument, where afterwards he
was interred himself. The Greek Menceorv' adds, that his
body w^as put into a coffin made of the wood of the tree
called persea (this was a large beautiful Egyptian tree,
as ^Theophrastus tells us, of which they were wont to
make statues, beds, tables, &:c.) though how they came
by such very particular intelligence (there being nothing
of it in Gamaliel's Revelation) I am not able to imagine.
''Johannes Phocas, a Greek writer of the middle age cf
y Lucian, Ep. de invent. S. Steph. ubi. supr. & apud. Bar, ad. Ann. 415. \\
371. vid. Nicepii.l. 14. c. 9- Tom.'2.p. 454.
a O -S-jT^ ■WSJeTO/J.dpl'TVi V a.VTl'TtaL'f.CV k.:tT«A(2oftiv, -T yKUKVV VWOV O.ViTTdt.itTdi'rO '
tTi TKTO (puTi:. MenreoM Grscor. t" k; tS iifKifxCp. sub lit. 2. 111. b Histor,
Plant. 1. 4. c. 2. p. 236. c 'Ex^g^s-. Tav *>'. roTtw, &c. c. 14. p. 19. Edit. Aliat.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 95
the church, agrees in the relation of his interment by Ga-
maliel, but adds, that he was first buried in Mount Sion,
in the house where the apostles were assembled when our
Lord came in to them, the doors being shut, after his re-
surrection, and afterwards removed by Gamaliel to ano-
ther place, which (says he)*^ was on the left side the city,
as it looks towards Samaria, w^here a famous monastery
was built afterwards.
24. But wherever his body was interred, it rested
quietly for several ages, till we hear of its being found
out in the reign of Honorius;' for then as ""Sozomen in-
forms us, it was discovered at the same time with the
bones of the prophet Zachary, an account of both which
he promises to give ; and having spoken of that of the
prophet, there abruptly ends his history. But what is
wanting in him is fully supplied by other hands, espe-
cially the forementioned ^Lucian, presbyter of the town
of Caphargamala in the diocese of Jerusalem, who is
very large and punctual in his account, the sum where-
of (so far as concerns the present case, and is material
to relate) is this. Sleeping one night in the baptisteri-
um of his church (this was ann. 415. Honor. Imper. 2L)
there appeared to him a grave venerable old man, who
told him he was Gamaliel, bade him go to John bishop
of Jerusalem, and will him to remove his remains and
some others (whereof S. Stephen was the principal)
that were with him from the place where they lay.
Three several tim^es the vision appeared to him before
he would be fully satisfied in the thing, and then he
acquainted the bishop with it, w^ho comm.anded him to
search after the place. After some attempts, he found
the place of their repository, and then gave the bishop
notice, who came and brought two other bishops, Eleu-
therius of Sebaste, and Eleutherius of Hiericho, along
with him. The monument being opened, they found
an inscription upon S. Stephen's tomb- stone in deep
letters, Celiel, signifying (says mine author) the servant
d Ibid. c. 15. p. 25. e H.Eccl. I. 9. c. 16, 17. p. 8i7. fVid. loc. supr,
cltat. 8c Phot. Cod. 171. Col. 383.
06 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
of God; at the opening of the coffin there was an earth-
quake, and a very pleasant and delightful fragrancy came
from it, and several miraculous cures were done by it.
The remains being closed up again (only some few bones
and a little of the dust that was taken out and bestowed
upon Lucian) were with great triumph and rejoicing
conveyed to the church that stood upon Mount Sion, the
place where he himself wiule alive had discharged the
office of a deacon. I add no more of this, but that this
story is not only mentioned by ^Photius, and before him
by ^MarceHinus Comes, sometimes chancellor or secre-
tary to Justinian, afterwards emperor (who sets it down
as done in the very same ) ear, and under the same con-
suls wherein Lucian's epistle reports it) but before both
by 'Gennadius presbyter of Marseilles, who lived Ann.
490, and many years before, and consequently not long
after the time of Lucian himself; who also adds, that
Lucian wrote a relation of it in Greek to all the churches,
which Avitus, a Spanish presbyter, translated into Latin,
whose epistle is prefixed to it, wherein he gives an ac-
count of it to Balchonius bishop of Braga, and sent it
by Orosius into Spain.
25. These remains (whether before or after, the reader
must judge by the sequel of the story, though I question
whether he will have faith enough to believe all the cir-
cumstances of it) were translated to Constantinople upon
this occasion. Alexander,^ a nobleman of ihe sejiatoi'ian
order, having a particular veneration for the protomartyr,
had erected an oratory to him in Palestine, commanding
that himself, when dead, being put into a coffin like that
of St. Stephen, should be buried by him. Eight years
after, his lady (whose name, say some, was Juliana) re-
moving to Constantinople, resolved to take her husband's
body along with her ; but in a hurry she chanced to mis-
take St. Stephen's coffin for that of her husband, and so
set forward on her journey . But it soon betrayed itself by
gLoc. citat. h Marcel. Chron. Indict. 13. p. m. 17. i De Script.
Ecc. c 46, 47. p. 55.
k NiccpU. H. Ecc lib. 14. c, 9. p. 454. Tom. 2. Eadem habet Menseon Graec.
Ahy^7. Tw ^ sub. lit 6'. II.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 97
an extraordinary odour, and some miraculous effects ;
the fame whereof flying before to Constantinople, had
prepared the people to conduct it with great joy and so-
lemnity into the imperial palace. Which yet could not
be effected ; for the sturdy mules that carried the trea-
sure, being come as far as Constantine's Baths, would
not advance one step further. And when unreasonably
whipped and pricked, they spake aloud, and told those
that conducted them, that the martyr was to be reposed
and interred in that place. Which was accordingly done,
and a beautiful church built there. But certainly they
that first added this passage to the story had been at a
great loss for invention, had not the story of Balaam's ass
been upon record in scripture. I confess Baronius* seems
not over forward to believe this relation, not for the tri-
fling and ridiculous improbabilities of it, but only because
he could not well reconcile it with the time of its being
first found out by Lucian. Indeed my authors tell us,
that this was done in the time of Constantine, Metro-
phanes being then bishop of Constantinople, and that it
was only some part of his remains buried again by some
devout Christians, that was discovered in a vision to Lu-
cian, and that the empress Pulcheria, by the help of her
brother Thcodosius, procured from the bishop of Jeru-
salem the martyr's right hand, which being arrived at
Constantinople, was with singular reverence and rejoicing
brought into the palace and there laid up, and a stately
and magnificent church erected for it, set off' with all
rich and costly ornaments and advantages.
26. Authors'" mention another remove Ann. 439 (and
let the curious and inquisitive after these matters recon-
cile the different accounts) of his remains to Constanti-
nople, by the empress Eudocia, wife to Theodosius," who
having been at Jerusalem upon some pious and charita-
ble designs, carried back with her to the imperial city
the remains of St. Stephen, which she carefully laid up
in the church of St. Laurence. The Roman'' martyrolo-
I Bar. ad Ann. 439. Tom. 5. p.'6Sl. m Marcell. chro. Indict. VII. p. 24.
n Theodor. Lect. Jib. 2 p. 568. o Ad. VII. Maii. p. 284,
N
98 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
gy says, that in the time of Pope Pelagiiis, they were re-
moved from Constantinople to Rome, and lodged in the
Sepulchre of S. Laurence the martyr in agro VeranOy
where they are honoured with great piety and devotion.
But I find not any author near those times mentioning
their translation into any of these western parts, except
the little parcel which Oiosius^ brought from Jerusalem
(whither he had been sent by St. Augustin, to know St.
Hierom's sense in the question about the original of the
soul) which he received from Avitus, who had procured
it of Lucian, and brought it along with him into the west,
that is, into Africa, for whether it went any further, I find
not.
27. As for the miracles reported to have been done by
the remains of this martyr, Gregory ,*! bishop of Tours,
and the writers of the following ages have furnished the
world with abundant instances, which I insist not upon,
superstition having been the peculiar genius and humour
of those middle ages of the church, and the Christian
Vv orld miserably over-run with an excessive and immo-
derate veneration of the reliques of departed saints.
However, I can venture the reader's displeasure for rela-
ting one, and the rather because it is so solemnly averred
by Baronius*" himself. S. Gaudiosus, an African bishop,
flying from the Vandalic persecution, brought with him
a glass vial of St. Stephen's blood to Naples in Italy,
where it was famous, especially for one miraculous effect,
that being set upon the altar, at the time of mass, it was
annually wont upon the third of August (the day where-
on St. Stephen's body was first discovered) to melt and
bubble, as if it were but newly shed. But the miracle
of the miracle lay in this, that when pope Gregory the
Xin. reformed the Roman kalendar, and made no less
than ten days difference from the former, the blood in
the vial ceased to bubble upon the third of August, ac-
cording to the old computation, and bubbled upon that
p Vid. Avit. T7p. Praef. Ep. Lucian. Gennad. de script. Eccl. in Oros. c. 39.
p. 53. M;ircpU. Chron. p. 17.
q De g-lor. Martyr, lib. 1. cap. 33. p. 42- <Sf<:.
r Anuot. in Martyr. Rom. ad Aug. 111. p. 474.
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. 99
that fell according to the new reformation. A great jus-
tification, I confess (as Baronius well observes) of the
Divine authority of the Gregorian kalendar, and the
pope's constitutions : but yet it was ill done to set the
Calendars at variance, when both had been equally justi-
fied by the miracle. But how easy it was to abuse the
world with such tricks, especially in these latter ages,
wherein the artifice of the priests was arrived to a kind
of perfection in these affairs, is no difficult matter to
imagine.
28. Let us then look to the more early ages, when
covetousness and secular interests had not so generally
put men upon arts of craft and subtlety. And we are
told, both by Lucian and Photius,' that at the first dis-
covery of the martyr's body, many strange miraculous
cures were effected, seventy-three healed only by smell-
ing the odour and fragrancy of the body ; in some de-
mons were cast out, others cured of issues of blood, tu-
mours, agues, fevers, and infinite other distempers that
were upon them. But that which most sw^ays w ith me,
is what St. Augustin reports of these matters ; who
seems to have been inquisitive about matters of fact, as
the argument he managed did require/ For being to
demonstrate against the Gentiles that miracles were not
altogether ceased in the Christian church, among several
others he produces many instances of cures miraculously
done at the remains of St. Stephen, brought thither (as
before we noted) by Orosius from Jerusalem, all done
thereabouts, and some of them in the place where him-
self lived, and of which (as he tells us) they made books,
which were solemnly published, and read to the people,
whereof (at the time of his writing) there w^re no less
than seventy written of the cures done at Hippo (the
place where he lived) though it was not full two years
since the memorial of St. Stephen's martyrdom had be-
gun to be celebrated in that place, besides many where-
of no account had been given in writing. To set down
s Loc, ante citat.
t. De Civ. Dei. lib. 22. cap. 8. col. 1346. Sec. Tom. 5
wo THE LIFE Ol^ ST. STEPHEN,
all were to tire the reader's patience beyond all recovery^
a few only for a specimen shall suffice. At the Aquts
Tihilitancd Projectus, the bishop bringing the remains of
the martyr, in a vast multitude of people, a blind woman
desiring to be brought to the bishop, and some flowers
which she brought being laid upon them, and after ap-
plied to her eyes, to the wonder of all she instantly re-
ceived her sight. Lucillus, bishop of Synica, near Hip-
po, carrying the same remains, accompanied with all the
people, was suddenly freed from a desperate disease un-
der which he had a long time laboured, and for which he
even then expected the surgeon's knife. Eucharius,
a Spanish presbyter, then dwelling at Calama (Avhereof
Possidius, w^ho wrote St. Augustin's life, was bishop)
was by the same means cured of the stone, which he had
a long time been afflicted with, and afterwards recovered
of another distemper, when he had been given over for
dead. Martialis, an ancient gentleman in that place, of
great note and rank, but a pagan, and highly prejudiced
^against the Christian faith, had been often in vain solici-
ted by his daughter and her husband (both Christians)
to turn Christian, especially in his sickness, but still re-
sented tlie motion with indignation. His son-in-law went
to the place dedicated to St. Stephen's martyrdom, and
there with prayers and tears passionately begged of God
his conversion. Departing, he took some flowers thence
with him, which at night he put under his father's head,
who slept well, and in the morning called for the bishop,
in whose absence (for he was at that time with St. Augus-
tin at Hippo) the presbyters w^ere sent for, at whose
coming he acknowledged himself a Christian, and to the
joy and admiration of all, was immediately baptized.
As long as he lived he often had these words in his
mouth, and they were the last words that he spake (for
he died not long after) 0 Christ, receive my spirit, though
utterly ignorant that it was the protomartyr's dying
speech.
29. Many passages of like nature he relates, done at
his own see at Hippo, and this among the rest. Ten
children of eminence at Cccsarea in Cappadocia (all the
THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. ioi
children of one man) had for some notorious misdemean-
our after their father's death, been cursed by their mo-
ther, whereupon they were all seized with a continual
trembling and shaking in all parts of their body. Two
of these, Paul us and Palladia, came over into Africa, and
dwelt at Hippo, notoriously known to the whole city.
They arrived fifteen days before Easter, where they fre-
quented the church, especially the place dedicated to the
martyrdom of St. Stephen, every day, praying that God
would forgive them, and restore them to their health.
Upon Easter-day the young man, praying as he was wont
at the accustomed place, suddenly dropt down, and lay
like one asleep, but without any trembling, and awaking
found himself perfectly restored to health, who was
thereupon, with the joyful acclamations of the people,
brought to St. Augustin, who kindly received him, and
after the public devotions were over, treated him at din-
ner, where he had the whole account of the misery that
befel him. The day after, when the narrative of his cure
was to be recited to the people, his sister also was healed
in the same manner, and at the same place, the particu-
lar circumstances of both which St. Augustin relates
more at large.
30. What the judicious and unprejudiced reader will
think of these and more the like instances there reported
by this good father, I know not, or whether he will not
think it reasonable to believe, that God might suffer these
strange and miraculous cures to be wrought in a place
where multitudes yet persisted in their gentilism and in-
fidelity," and who made this one great objection against
the Christian faith, that whatever miracles might be here-
tofore pretended for the confirmation of Christian reli-
gion, yet that now they were ceased, when yet they were
still necessary to induce the world to the belief of Chris-
tianity. Certain it is, that nothing was done herein, but
w^hat did very well consist with the wisdom and the good-
ness of God, who as he is never wont to be prodigal in
multiplying the effects of his omnipotent power beyond
u Vid. Aug. loc. clt. initio cap.
102 THE LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN.
a just necessity, so is never wanting to afford all neces-
sary evidences and methods of conviction. That there-
fore the unbelieving world (who made this the great re-
fuge of their infidelity) might see that his arm was not
grown effete and weak, that he had not left the Christian
religion wholly destitute of immediate and miraculous
attestations, he was pleased to exert these extraordinary
powers, that he might baffle their unbelief, and silence
their objections against the divinity of the Christian faith.
And for this reason God never totally withdrew the pow-
er of working miracles from the church, till the world
was in a manner wholly subdued to the faith of Christ.
And then he left it to be conducted by more human and
regular ways, and to preserve its authority over the
minds of men by those standing and innate characters of
Divinity which he has impressed upon it. It is true
that the church of Rome still pretends to this power,
which it endeavours to justify by appealing to these and
such like instances : but in vain and to no purpose ; the
pretended miracles of that church being generally trifling
and ludicrous, far beneath that gravity and seriousness
that should work upon a wise and considering mind, the
manner of their operation obscure and ambiguous, their
numbers excessive and immoderate, the occasions of them
light and frivolous, and after all, the things themselves
for the most part false, and the reports very often so
monstrous and extravagant, as would choke any sober
and rational belief, so that a man must himself become
the greatest miracle that believes them. I shall observe
no more, than that in all these cases related by St. Au-
gustin, we never find that they invocated or prayed to
the martyr, nor begged to be healed by his merits or in-
tercession, but immediately directed their addresses to
God himself.
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP,
THE DEACON AND EVANGELIST,
His birth-place. The confounding him with St. PhiUp, the apostle. His
election to the office of a deacon. The dispersion of the church at Je-
rusalem. Philip's preaching at Samaria. Inveterate prejudices be-
tween the Samaritans and the Jews. The great success of St. Philip s
ministry. The impostures of Simon Magus, and his embracing Chris-
tianity. The Christians at Samaria contirmed by Peter and John.
PhiUp sent to Gaza. His meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch. What
Ethiopia here meant. Candace who. The custom of retaining eu-
nuchs in the courts of the eastern princes. This eunuch who. His
office. His religion and great piety. His conversion and baptism by
St. Philip. The place where he was baptized. The eunuch's return,
and propagating Christianity in his own country. Philip's journey to
Cesarea, and fixing his abode there. His four daughters virgin-pro-
phetesses. His death.
ST. PHILIP was born (as Isidore the Peleusiot
plainly intimates) at Caesarea, a famous port town be-
tween Joppa and Ptolemais in the province of Samaria ;
but whether he had any other warrant for it than his
own conjecture, I know not, there being some circum-
stances however that make it probable. He has been by
some both formerly and of later times, for want of a due
regard to things and persons, carelessly confounded with
St. Philip the apostle. A mistake of very ancient date,
and which seems to have been embraced by some of the
most early writers of the church. But whoever consi-
ders that the one was an apostle and one of the twelve^
the other a deacon only, and one of the seven^ chosen out
of the people, and set apart by the apostles, that the)
themselves might attend the more immediate ministries
of their office, that the one was dispersed up and down
104 THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP.
the country, wliile the other remained with the apostolical
college at Jerusalem, that the one though commissioned
to preach and to baptize, could not impart the Holy Ghost
(the peculiar prerogative of the apostolical office) will see
just reason to force him to acknowledge a vast difference
between them. Our St. Philip was one of the seventy
disciples, and St. Stephen's next colleague in the deacon's
office, erected for the conveniency of the poor, and as-
sisting the apostles in some inferior services and minis-
trations : which shows him to have been a person of great
esteem and reputation in the church endowed with mi-
raculous powers, full of wisdom and of the Holy Ghost ;
which were the qualifications required by the apostles
in those who were to be constituted to this place. In the
discharge of this ministry he continued at Jerusalem for
some months after his election, till the church being scat-
tered up and down, he was forced to quit his station : as
what wonder if the stewards be dismissed, when the
household is broken up ?
2. The protomartyr had been lately sacrificed to the
rage and fury of his enemies : but the bloody cloud did
not so blow over, but increased into a blacker tempest.
Cruelty and revenge never say it is enough, like the tem-
per of the devil, whose malice is insatiable and eternal.
Stephen's death would not suffice, the whole church is
now shot at, and they resolve (if possible) to extirpate
the religion itself. The great engineer in this persecu-
tion was Saul, whose active and fiery genius, and pas-
sionate concern for the traditions of the fathers, made
him pursue his design with the spirit of a zealot^ and the
rage of a madman. He had furnished himself with a
commission from the Sanhedrim, he soon put it m
execution, broke open houses, seized whoever he met
with that looked but like a disciple of the crucified
Jesus, and without any regard to sex or age, beat, and
haled them into prison, plucking the husband from the
bosom of his wife, and the mother from the embraces
of her children, blaspheming God, prosecuting and be-
ing injurious unto men, breathing out nothing but slaugh-
ter and threatenings wherever he came ; whence Euse
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. 105
bius calls it the first and most grievous persecution of
the church.'' The church by this means was forced to
retire, the apostles only remaining privately at Jerusa-
lem, that they might the better superintend and steer the
affairs of the church, while the rest were dispersed up
and down the neighbouring countries, publishing the
glad tidings of the gospel, and declaring the nature and
design of it in all places where they came ; so that what
their enemies intended as the way to ruin them, by break-
ing the knot of their fellowship and society, proved an
effectual means to enlarge the bounds of Christianity.
Thus excellent perfumes, while kept close in a box, few
are the better for them, whereas being once, whether
casually or maliciously spilt upon the ground, the fra-
grant scent presently fills all corners of the house.
3. Among them that were thus dispersed was our
.evangelist, so styled not from his writing, but preaching
of the gospel. He directed his journey towards the pro-
vince of Samaria, and came into a city of Samaria (as
those words may be read) probably Gitton, the birth-
place of Simon Magus ; though it is safest to understand
it of Samaria itself. This was the metropolis of the
province, had been for some ages the royal seat of the
kings of Israel, but being utterly destroyed by Hyrca-
nus, had been lately re-edified by Herod the Great, and
in honour of Augustus (^s/Sirof) by him by styled Sebaste,
The Samaritans were a mixture of Jews and Gentiles,
made up of the remains that were left of the Ten Tribes
which were carried away captive, and those heathen co-
lonies which the king of Babylon brought into their
room ; and their religion accordingly was nothing but
Judaism blended with Pagan rites, though so highly
prized and valued by them, that they made no scruple to
dispute place, and to vie with the w orship of the temple
at Jerusalem. Upon this account there had been an an-
cient and inveterate pique and quarrel between the Jews
and them, so as utterly to refuse all mutual intercourse
with each other. Hence the Samaritan woman wonder-
aH.Eccl. 1.2. c.l. p. 39.
•o
106 TH£ LIFE OF St. PHILIP*
ed, that our Lord being a Jew, should ask drink of her^
who was a ivoman of Samaria ; for the Jtws have no deaU
ings with the Samaritans*^ They despised them at the
rate of heathens, devoted them under the most solemn
execrations, allowed them not to become proselytes, nor
to have any portion in the resurrection of the just, sufter-
ed not an Israelite to eat with them, no nor to say amen
to their blessing, nor did they think they could fasten
Upon our Saviour a greater character of reproach, than to
say that he was a Samaritan, and had a DeviL But God
regards not the prejudices of men, nor always withholds
his kindness from them, whom we are ready to banish
the lines of love and friendship. It is true the apostles
at their first mission were charged not to go in the way of
the Gentiles, nor to enter into any city of the Samaritans,"^
But when Christ by his death had broken down the par-
tition wall, and abolished in his flesh the enmity, even
the law of commandments contained in ordinances,^ then
the gospel came and preached peace as well to them that
Were afar off, as to them that were nigh, Philip there-
fore freely preached the gospel to these Samaritans, so
odiouS) so distasteful to the Jews : to which he effectual-
ly prepared his way by many great and uncontrollable
miracles, which being arguments fitted to the capacies,
and accommodated to the senses of the meanest, do easili-
est convey the truth into the minds of men. And the suc-
cess here was accordingly^ the people generally embrac-
ing the Christian doctrine, while they beheld him cu-
ring all manner of diseases, and powerfully dispossessing
demons, w ho with great horror and regret were forced to
quit their residence, to the equal joy and wonder of that
place.
4» In this city was one Simon, bom at a tow^n not far
off, who by sorcery and magic arts had strangely insinu-
ated himself into the reverence and veneration of the peo-
ple* A man crafty and ambitious, daring and insolent,
whose diabolical sophistries and devices, had for a long
time so amazed the eyes of the vulgar, that they really
b Joh. 4. 9. c MaUh, 10. 5. d Eph. ii. 14, 15. 8c seq.
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. lor
thought him (and for sueh no doubt he gave out himself)
to be the supreme divinity, probably magnifying him-
self as that divine power, that was to visit the Jews as the
Messiah, or the Son of God; among the Samaritans,
giving out himself to be the Father (as ^'Irenaeus assures
us) Tov tt/jStov eeiv, as his countryman ''Justin Martyr tells us
the people worshipped him, as the first and chiefest
Deity ; as afterwards among the Gentiles he styled him-
self the Holy Ghost. And w'hat wonder if by this train
of artifices the people were tempted and seduced to ad*
mire and adore him. And in this case things stood at
St. Philip's arrival, whose greater and more unquestion-
able miracles quickly turned the scale. Imposture can-
not bear the too near approach of truth, but flies befofe
it, as darkness vanishes at the presence of the sun. The
people, sensible of their error, universally flocked to St.
Philip's sermons, and convinced by the efficacy of his
doctrine, and the power of his miracles, gave up them-
selves his converts, and were by baptism initiated into
the Christian faith : Yea the magician himself, astonish-
ed at those mighty things which he saw done by Philip,
professed himself his proselyte and disciple, and was
baptized by him ; being either really persuaded by the
convictive evidence of truth, or else for some sinister de-
signs craftily dissembling his belief and profession of
Christianity. A piece of artifice which ^Eusebius tells
us his disciples and followers still observed in his time,
who, in imitation of their father, like a pest or a lepro-
sy, were wont to creep in among the Christian societies,
that so they might w\x\\ the more advantage poison and
infect the rest, many of whom having been discovered,
had with shame been ejected and cast out of the church*
5. The fame of St. Philip's success at Samaria quickly
flew to Jerusalem, where the apostles immediately took
care to despatch some of their ow n number to confirm
these new converts in the faith. Peter and John were
sent upon this errand, w^ho being come, prayed for them,
e Lib. 1. c. 20. p. 115. f Apol, u. p. 69. vid. Tert. de prsescr. Hwret,
c 46. p. 219. g H, Eccl. lib. 2. c. 1. p. -39.
108 THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP.
and laid their hands upon them, ordaming, probably ,'some
to be governors of the church, and mmisters of religion;
which was no sooner done, but the miraculous gifts of
the Holy Ghost fell upon them. A plain evidence of
the apostolic power : Philip had converted and baptized
them, but being only a deacon (as ^Epiphanius and
'jChrysostom truly observe) could not confer the Holy
Ghost, this being a faculty bestowed only upon the apos-
tles. Simon, the magician, observing this, that a power
of working miracles was conveyed by the imposition of
the apostles' hands, hoped by obtaining it to recover his
credit and reputation with the people ; to which end he
sought by such methods as were most apt to prevail
upon himself, to corrupt the apostles by a sum of money,
to confer this power upon him. Peter resented the mo-
tion with that sharpness and severity that became him,
told the wretch of the iniquity of his ojffer, and the evil
state and condition he was in, advised him by repen-
tance to make his peace with Heaven, that if possible,
he might prevent the miserable fate that otherwise did
attend him. But what passed between Peter and this
magician both here, and in their memorable encounter
at Rome (so much spoken of by the ancients) we have
related more at large in another place.*'
6. Whether St. Philip returned with the apostles to
Jerusalem, or (as ^ Chrvsostom thinks) staid at Samaria,
and the parts thereabouts, we have no intimations left
upon record. But wherever he ^vas, an angel was sent
to him with a message from God, to go and instruct a
stranger in the faith.'" The angel one would have thought
had been most likely himself to have managed this busi-
ness with success. But the wise God keeps method
and order, and will not suffer an angel to take that work
which he has put into the hands of his ministers. The
sum of his commission was to go toward the South y
h Epi} ^. Hxres. XXI. p. 29. i Chrys. llotnil. 18. in Act. p. 580.
k Antiquit. App. Life of St. Pet. Sect. 8. n. 1. Sect. 9. u. 4.
1 Hnmil. 19. in Act. App. p. 5^5.
m E<Vs; ctyykKag QvvAvri}.ei/i/.CoiVio.iVisr ttS K}!£vy/ucJi]t' ^ uuth^ fXiV i kh^v'tIcvtac,
T«V«? J'i KAhifAs-, TO Jg 5-a/^wac-cv «, ivTiJ^iv SiiayuTitt. Chrysost. ibid. p. 586.
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. 109
unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza^
which is desert : A circumstance, which whether it re-
late to the way, or the city is not easy to decide, it being
probably true of both. Gaza, was a city, anciently famous
for the strange efforts of Sampson's strength, for his cap-
tivity, his death, and the burial of himself and his enemies
in the same ruin. It was afterwards sacked and laid waste
by Alexander the Great, and as ^ Strabo notes, remain-
ed waste and desert in his time ; the prophetical curse
being truly accomplished in it, Gaza shall be forsaken ;
a fate which the prophet Jeremiah had foretold to be as
certain, as if he had seen it already done, baldness is
come upon Gaza. ° So certainly do the divine threat-
enings arrest and take hold of a proud and impenitent
people ; so easily do they set open the gates for ruin to
enter into the strongest and best fortified cities, where
sin has once undermined, and stripped them naked of the
divine protection.
7. No sooner had St. Philip received his orders,
though he knew not as yet the intent of his journey, but
he addressed himself to it, he arose and went : he did
not reason with himself wdiether he might not be mista-
ken, and that be a false and deluding vision that sent him
upon such an unaccountable errand, and into a desert
and a wilderness, ^\here he was more likely to meet
with trees and rocks, and wild beasts, then men to
preach to : but went however, well knowing God never
sends any upon a vain or a foolish errand. An excellent
instance of obedience ; as it is also recorded to Abra-
ham's eternal honour and commendation, that when God
sent his warrant, he obeyed and xvent out, not hioiuing
whither he went. As he was on his journey, he espied
coming tov.^ards him a man of Ethiopia : an Eunuch
of great authority under Ca?idace queen of the Ethiopi-
ans ; who had the charge of all her treasure, and had
come to Jerusalem to worship; though in what part
of the world the country here spoken of was situate
n Ceog-rnph. I. 16. p. 759. o Zdch. 2. 4 Jer. 47. 5,
110 THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP.
(the word being variously used in scripture) has been
some dispute. ^ Dorotheus and *^ Sophronius of old,
and some later writers, place it in Arabia the happy, not
far from the Persian Gulf; but it is most generally con-
ceived to be meant of the African Ethiopia, lying under
or near the torrid zone, the people whereof are describe
ed by Homer, to be icrx<t^,oi i>,s^a>v, the remotest part of man-
kind ; and accordingly St. Hierom'' says of this eunuch,
that he came from Ethiopia, that is, ab extremis mundi
JinibiiSy from the furthest corners of the world. The
country is sometimes styled Cush, probably from a
mixture of the Arabians, who inhabiting on the other
side of the Red Sea, might send over colonies hither,
who settling in these parts, communicated the names
of Cush and Sabaea to them. The manners^of the peo-
ple were very rude and barbarous, and the people
themselves, especially to the Jews, contemptible even
to a proverb ; Are ije not as the children of the Ethiopi-
ans unto me, O children of Israel ^ saith the Lord?^ nay
the very meeting an Ethiopian was accounted an ill
omen, and an unlucky prognostication. But no country
is a bar to Heaven, the grace of God that brings salva-
tion plucks up the enclosures, and appears to all ; so
that in every nation^ he that feareth God and xvorketh
righteousness y is accepted -with him,
8. But we cannot reasonably suppose that it should
be meant of Ethiopia at large, especially as parallel at
this day with the Abyssine empire, but rather of that
part of the country whose Metropolis w^as called Meroe,
and Saba (as it is called both by Josephus,* and the
Abyssines themselves at this day) situate in a large
Island, encompassed by the Nile, and the rivers of Asta-
pus, and Astoborra, as Josephus informs us, for about
these parts it was (as Pliny" tells us) that queens had a
long time governed under the title of Candace, a cus-
tom (as we find in Strabo) first commencing in the time
p Doroth. Synops. p. 148, q Sophr. ap. Hier.de Scrip. Eccl. in Crescent.
r Hier. ad Paul. Tom. 3. p. 7 . s Amos 9. 7.
\ Antiq. Jud. i. 2. c. 5. p. oB. u Hibt. Nat. 1. 6. c. 29. p. 105.
THE LIFE OJ' ST. PHILIP. m
of Augustus, when a queen of that name having for her
incomparable virtues been dear to the people, her suc-
cessors in honour of her took the title of Candace, in the
same sense that Ptolomy was the common name of the
kings of Egypt, Artaxerxes of the kings of Persia, and
Cassar of the Roman emperors. Indeed Oecumenius
was of opinion that Candace was only the common name
of the queen-mothers of Ethiopia, that nation not giv-
ing the name of fathers to their kings, as acknowledging
the sun only for their common father, and their princes
the sons of that common parent/ But in this I think he
stands alone, and contradicts the general vote and suf-
frage of the ancients, which affirms this nation to have
been subject to women; sure I am Eusebius''' express-
ly says, it was the custom of this country to be govern,
ed by queens even in his time. The name of the pre-
sent queen (they say) was Lacasa, daughter of king
Baazena, and that she outlived the death of our Saviour
four years.
9. Among the great officers of her court she had one
(if not more) eunuch, probably to avoid suspicion, it be-
ing the fashion of those eastern countries (as it still is at
this day) to'employ eunuchs in places of great trust and
honour, and especially of near access to, and attendance
upon queens. For however among us the very name
sounds vile and contemptible, yet in those countries it
is otherwise ; among the Barbarians (says Herodotus'')
that is, the eastern people, eunuchs are persons of the
greatest esteem and value. Our eunuch's name (as we
find it in the confession made by Zaga Zabo,'' ambassa-
dor from the Ethiopian emperor) was Indich, ^t/yc^^^?, a
potent courtier, an officer of state of prime note and qua-
V 'Irsov <?« OT/ KatvJ'atxxv AiB-loTrt? Trla-aiv rh tS ^aL^iKio)? /uari^a ko.^o-iv, imtSn tth-.
Ti^dL Aj3-<57ri? Sjc ctvct<|)j§«o-/v, tt?,^,' af oy?*? uii? «x/b ttrA^'uS'iSi^ta-ivy iKi^a Si r>iv /A)iTi^t
K(fhii<ri KAvSctKitv. Oecumen. Comment, in Act. viii. p. 82.
w H. Eccl.l. 2. c. l.p.40.
^iav. Herod, lib. 8,
Auctor Sinnaces, insignifamllia ac perinde opibus, J'c proxime huic Abdii:^,
ademptsc virilitatis, non despectum id apud barbaros, ultroque potentiiun habet.
lacit.Ami. I. 6. c.31./>. 182.
y E-xtat. ad B?.oy. Annal. Eccl. ad Aim. 1524. n. XXXII. p. 543.
112 THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP.
lity, being no less than high treasurer to the queen ; nor
do we find that PhiHp, either at his conversion or bap-
tism, found fault with him for his place or greatness.
Certainly magistracy is no ways inconsistent with Chris-
tianity ; the church and the state may well agree, and
Moses and Aaron go hand in hand. Peter baptized Cor-
nelius, and St. Paul Sergius, the proconsul of Cyprus,
into the Christian faith, and yet neither of them found
any more fault with them for their places of authority and
power than Philip did here with the lord treasurer of the
Ethiopian queen. For his religion, he was, if not 2i pro-
selyte of justice^ (as some think) circumcised, and under
an obligation to observe the rites and precepts of the law
of Moses, at least a proselyte of the gate (in which respect
it is that one of the ancients calls him a Jew) ^entered al-
ready into the knowledge of the true God, and was now
come to Jerusalem (probably at the solemnity of the pass-
over, or the feast of Pentecost) to give public and solemn
evidences of his devotion. Though an Ethiopian, and
many thousand miles distant from it, though a great
statesman, and necessarily swallowed up in a crowd of
business, yet he came to Jerusalem for to worship. No
way so long, so rugged and difficult, no charge or inter-
est so dear and great, as to hinder a good man from
minding the concernments of rehgion. No slender and
trifling pretences, no little and ordinary occasions, should
excuse our attendance upon places of public worship :
behold here a man that thought not much to take a jour-
ney of above four thousand miles, that he might appear
before God, in the solemn place of Divine adoration, the
plnce which God had chosen above all othe; parts of the
world, to place his name there.
10. Having performed his homage and worship at the
temple, he was now upon his return for his own country ;
nor had he left his religion at church behind him, or
thought it enough that he had been there, but improved
himself while travelling by the way : even while he sat
in his chariot (as Chrysostom observes'*) he read the
z Pont. Diac. in vit. Cypr.p. 11. a Homil. 19. in Act. p. 585,
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILlI*. U3
scriptures. A good man is not willing to lose even common
minutes, but to redeem what time is possible for holy
uses: whether sitting, or walking, or journeying, our
thoughts should be at work, and our afiections travelling
towards heaven.^ While the eunuch was thus employ-
ed, a messenger is sent to him from (psod : the best way
to meet with Divine communications/isto be conversant
in our duty. By a voice from Heaven, or some imme-
diate inspiration, Philip is commanded to go near the
chariot, and address himself to him.' He did so, and
found him reading a section or paragraph of the prophet
Isaiah, concerning the death and suiferings of the Mes<
siah, his meek and innocent carria,y;e, under the bloody
and barbarous violences of his enemies, who dealt with
him with all cruelty and injustice. This the eunuch not
well understanding, nor knowing certainly whether the
prophet meant it of himself or aiigther, desired St. Phi-
lip to explain it, who being courteously taken up into his
chariot, showed him that all this was meant of, and had
been accomplished in the Holy Jesus, taking occasion
thence to discourse to him of his nativity, his actions and
miracles, his sufferings and resurrection from the dead, and
his ascension into heaven, declaring to him the whole
system of the Christian faith. His discourse wanted not
its desired effect ; the eunuch was fully satisfied in the
Messiahship and Divine authority of our Saviour, and
wanted nothing but the solemn rite of initiation to make
him a Christian proselyte. Being come to a place where
there was conveniency of water, he desired that he might
be baptized, and having professed his faith in the Son of
God, and his hearty embracing the Christian religion,
they both went down into the xvatcr, where Philip baptiz^
ed him, and washed this Ethiopian white,
11. The place where this eunuch was baptised, Beza,*'
by a very wide mistake makes to be the river Eleutherit^,
which ran near the foot of Mount Lebanon, in the mcst
northern borders of Palestine, quite at the other end of
bTantus arnator Leg's clivinxq; scientiae ftvit, ut etiam in yehiculosacrss Hf.e.
r..steg-ere.t, Hier. Ef tn. ad Pculin^ T-o- ^.7-
q. Annot. ;n Act. VUI. 36.
114 THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP.
the country ; Brocard'' places it nearNehel Escol, or the
Torrent of the Grape ^ the place whence the spies fetched
the bunch of grapes ; on the left side of which valley,
about half a league, runs a brook not far from Sicelech,in
which this eunuch was baptized. But Eusebius'' andSt.Hi-
erom^ (followed herein by AdOj^the martyrologist)more
probably place it near Bethsoron (where we are told** it is
still to be seen at this day) a village twenty miles distant
from Jerusalem in the way between it and Hebron, near
to which there was a spring bubbling up at the foot of a
hilL St. Hierom adds, that it was again swallowed up
in the same ground that produced it, and that here it was
that Philip baptized the Ethiopian ; which was no soon-
er done, but Heaven set an extraordinary seal to his con-
version and admission into the Christian faith, especial-
ly if it be true what some very ancient manuscripts add
to the passage, that being baptized, the Holy Ghost fell
upon himi furnishing him with miraculous gifts and pow-
ers, and that Philip was immediately snatched away from
him.
12. Though the eunuch had lost his tutor, yet he re-
joiced that he had found so great a treasure, the know-
ledge of Christ, and of the true way to Heaven, and he
■went on his journey with infinite peace and tranquillity of
mind^ satisfied with the happines that had befallen him.
Being returned into his country, he preached and propa-
gated the Christian faith, and spread abroad the glad ti-
dings of a Saviour : in which respect St. Hierom'' styles
him the apostle of the Ethiopians^ and the ancients' gene-
rally make that prediction of David fulfilled in him, Ethi-
opia shall stretch out her hands unto God, and hence the
Ethiopians are wont to glory (as appears by the confes-
sion"' made by the Abyssinian ambassador) that by means
d Descript Terr. Sanct. p. m. 330.
e Eviscb. de loc. Hebr. invoc Bicfirj<g. p. 66.
f Hieron. de ioc Hebr. in voc. Besur. g Ad. Martyr. VIII. Idas Jun.
h Cotovic. Itin. 1. 2. c 9. p. 247
i v. 39. Thi-jfxct'Xyio-i i-riTTi^iv Ir) t Evv^x^y, a.yyix®' cTf Kt/§»8 iipTrcts-t t ^imv
■rci. Cod. Alexand. in Bibl. Reg-. Angl. aliique plures Codd. MSS.
k Com. in Esai. 33. T. 5. p. 195.
I Kuseb. H. Eccl. 1. 2. c. p. 40. Cyril. Catech. XVII. p. 457. Psal. Ixviii. 31.
© Apud Bzov. ubi supr. vid. Godi^n. de rebus Abyssin. 1. 1. c. 18. p. 113
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. lu
of this eunuch they received baptism almost the first of
any Christians in the world. Indeed they have a con-
stant tradition that for many ages they had the knowledge
of the true God of Israel, from the time of the queen of
Sheba (and Seba being the name of this country, as we
noted before, makes it probable she might govern here)
her name (they tell us) was Maqueda, who having learnt
from Solomon the knowledge of the Jewish law, and re-
ceived the books of their religion, taught them her sub-
jects, and sent her son Meilech to Solomon, to be in-
structed and educated by him : the story whereof may
be read in that confession more at large. I add no more
concerning the eunuch, than what Dorotheus" and others
relate, that he is reported to have suffered martyrdom,
and to have been honourably buried, and that diseases
were cured, and other miracles done at his tomb, even
in his timc.° The traditions of the country more parti-
cularly tell us, that the eunuch being returned home, first
converted his mistress, Candace, to the Christian faith,
and afterwards by her leave propagated it throughout
Ethiopia, till meeting with St. Matthew, the apostle, by
their joint endeavours they expelled idolatry out of all
those parts. Which done, he crossed the Red Sea, and
preached the Christian religion in Arabia, Persia, India,
and many other of those eastern nations, till at length in
the island Taprobana, since called Ceylon, he sealed his
doctrine with his blood.
13. God, who always affords what is sufficient, is not
wont to multiply means further than is necessary. Phi-
lip having done the errand upon which he was sent, was
immediately caught and carried away, no doubt by the
ministry of an angel, and landed at Azotus, anciently Ash-
dod, a Philistine city in the borders of the tribe of Dan,
famous of old for the temple and residence in it of the
idol Dagon, and the captivity of the ark kept for some
time in this place, and now enlightened with St. Philip's
preaching, who went up and down publishing the gospel
in all the parts hereabouts till he arrived at Cesarea, This
n Synops. ubi supr. vid. etiam Sophr. ap. Hisr. in Cresc,
o Ap. Godign. loc. ciut. p. IIT".
ii6 The life of st. fhilip.
city Was heretofore called Tiirris Stratonis, and after-
\vards rebuilt and enlarged by Herod the Great, and in
honour of Augustus CjEsar, to whom he was greatly
obliged, by him called Cesarea ; for whose sake also he
erected in it a stately palace of marble, called HerocTs
Judgment Hall ^w\\tr<tin his nephew, ambitious of greater
honours and acclamations than became him, had that fa-
tal execution served upon him. It was a place remai'k-
able for many devout and pious men. Here dwelt Cor-
nelius^ who together with his family being baptized by
Peter, was in that respect the first fruits of the Gentile
\vond ; hither came Agabus the prophetj who foretold
Sti Paul his imprisonment and martyrdom : here St.
Paul himself was kept prisoner, and made those brave
and generous apologies for himself^ first before Felix,
as afterwards before Festus and Agrippa* Here also our
St. Philip had his house and family^ to which probably
he now retired, and where he spent the remainder of his
life ; for here many years after we find St. Paiil and his
company, coming from Ptoiemais in their journey to Je-
rusalem^ entering into the house of Philip the evangelist,
xvhich was one of the seven^ and abiding with him ; and
the same man had four daughters^ virgins, which did pro-
phesyy These virgin prophetesses were endowed with
the gift of foretelling future events ; for though prophecy
in these times implied also a faculty of explaining the
more abstruse and difficult parts of the Christian doctrine,
and a peculiar abiUty to derrkonstrate Christ's Messiah-
ship from the predictions of Moses and the prophets, and
to express themselves on a sudden upon any difficult and
emergent occasion^ yet can we not suppose these virgins
to have had this part of the prophetic faculty, or at least
that they did not publicly exercise it in the congrega-
tion * This^ therefore, unquestionably respected things
to come, and was art instance of God's accomplishing an
ancient promise^ that in the times of the Messiah, he
^vould pour out of his spirit upon all flesh, on their sonSy
and daughters, servants and handmaideris, and they should
prophesy ^ The names of two of these daughters the.
p Act XXI. 8, 9. q Act. II. 17, 18*
THE LIFE OF ST. PHILIR 117
Greek Menaeon tells us were Hermione and Eutychis,
who came into Asia after St. John's death, and the first
of them died and was buried at Ephesus.
14. How long St. Philip lived after his return to Ce-
sarea, and whether he made any more excursions for the
propagation of the faith, is not certainly known. ""Do-
rotheus, I know not upon what ground, will have him to
have been bishop of Trazellis, a city in Asia : ""others
confounding him with St. Philip, the apostle, make him
resident at Hierapolis in Phrygia, where he suffered
martyrdom, and was buried (say they) together with his
daughters.' Most probable it is that he died a peaceable
death at Cesarea, where his daughters were also buried,
as some ancient^ Marty ologies inform us; where his
house and the apartments of his virgin daughters were
yet to be seen in "S. Hierom's time, visited and admired
by the noble and religious Roman lady Paula, in her
journey to the Holy Land.
r S^'nops. de Vit. App. loc. citat. Polycrat. ap. Euseb, 1. 3. c. 31. p. I02.
s Pro'cul. ib.p. 103. t Martvr. Rom. .id VI. Jun.p. 349 Martyr. Adon. VIIL
Id. Jun. u Hier. Epitaph. Paul, ad Eusjtoch. T. 1. p. 172.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS,
THE APOSTLE.
His surname loses. The title of Barnabas whence added to him. His
country and parents. His education and conversion to Christianity.
His generous charity. St. Paul's address to him, after his conversion.
His commission to confirm the church of Antioch. His taking St. Paul
into his assistance. Their being sent with contributions to the church
at Jerusalem. Their peculiar separation for the ministry of the Gen-
tiles. Imposition of hands the usual rite of ordination. Their travels
through several countries. Their success in Cyprus. Barnabas at
Lystra taken for Jupiter, and why. Their return to Antioch, Their
embassy to Jerusalem about the controversy concerning the legal rites.
Barnabas seduced by Peter's dissimulation at Antioch. The dissention
between him and St. Paul. Barnabas's journey to Cyprus. His voy-
age to Rome, and preaching the Christian faith there. His martyr-
dom by the Jews in Cyprus. His burial. His body when first disco-
vered. St. Matthew's Hebrew gospel found with it. The great pri-
vileges hereupon conferred upon the See of Salamis. A description of
his person and temper. The epistle anciently published under his
name. The design of it. The practical part of it excellently managed
under the two ways of hght and darkness.
1. THE proper, and (if I may so term it) original
name of this apostle (for with that title St. Luke, and af-
ter him the ancients constantly honour him) was loses,
by a softer termination familiar with the Greeks for Jo-
seph, and so the king's, and several other manuscript co-
pies read it. It was the name given him at his circum-
sion, in honour no doubt of Joseph, one of the great pa-
triarchs of their nation, to which after his embracing
Christianity, the apostles added that of Barnabas ; Josesy
who by the apostles was sirnamed Barnabas^ either im-
plying him a son of prophecy, eminent for his prophetic
gifts and endowments, or denoting him (what was a pe-
120 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
culiar part of the prophet^s office) a son of consolation^
for his admirable dexterity in erecting troubled minds,
and leading them on by the most mild and gentle me-
thods of persuasion: though I rather conceive him so
styled for his generous charity in refreshing the bowels
of the saints ; especially since the name seems to have
been imposed upon him upon that occasion.** He was
born in Cyprus, a noted island in the Mediterranean sea,
lying between Cilicia, Syria, and Egypt; a large and fer-
tile country, the theatre, anciently, of no less than nine
several kingdoms, so fruitful and richly furnished with
all things that can minister either to the necessity or
pleasure of man's life, that it was of old called Macaria, or
The Happy ; and the historian reports, that Fortius Cato
having conquered this island, brought hence, greater
treasures into the exchequer at Rome, than had been
done in any other triumph. '^ But in nothing was it more
happy, or upon any account more memorable in the re-
cords of the church, than that it was the birthplace of
our apostle, whose ancestors in the troublesome times of
Antiochus Epiphanes, or in the conquest of Judea by
Pompey and the Roman army, had lied over hither (as a
place best secured from violence and invasion) and set-
tied here.
2. He was descended of the tribe ofLevi^ and the line
of the priesthood, which rendered his conversion to
Christianity the more remarkable, all interests concur-
ring to leaven him with mighty prejudices against the
Christian faith. But the grace of God delights many
times to exert itself against the strongest opposition, and
loves to conquer where there is least probability to
overcome. His parents were rich and pious, and finding
jiim a beautiful and hopeful youth (says my 'Author, de-
riving his intelligence concerning him, as he tells us,
from Clemens of Alexandria, and other ancient writers)
n Ki/ cTsy.tT iJ.01 cIto v dfirn; ux>i4ha.i to oyc^at, (if ^po{ Ttsro Ikav^c w, ^ tTriT^Sii®' .
Chrvsost. Momil. XI. in Act. App. p. 529.
bVjcl. Notker. Martyr, ad. HI. id. Jim. ap. Canis. Antiq. Lect. Tom, 6.
cL. Flop, lib 3. C.9. ().67. d Alex. Mouncli. Eacom. S, 13.:riuib. inter vitas
S, Metaph. extut. ap. sur. ad. Jun. XI. p. X70. vid. ib. n.4^ o, 6.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 121
they sent, or brought him to Jerusalem, to be trained up
in the knowledge of the law, and to that end committed
him to the tutorage of Gamaliel, the great doctor of the
law, and most famous master at that time in Israel, at
whose foot he was brought up together with St. Paul ;
which if so, might lay an early foundation of that inti-
mate familiarity that was" afterwards between them.
Here he improved in learning and piety, frequenting
the temple, and devoutly exercising himself in fasting
and prayer/ We are further told, that being a fre-
quent spectator of our Saviour's miracles, and among
the rest, of his curing the paralytic at the pool of
Bethesda, he was soon convinced of his divinit}^, and
persuaded to deliver up himself to his discipline and
institutions : and as the nature of the true goodness
is ever communicative, he presently went and acquaint-
ed his sister Mary with the notice of the Messiah,
who hastened to come to him, and importuned him to
come home to her house, where our Lord afterwards
(as the church continued to do after his decease)
was wont to assemble with his disciples, and that her
son Mark was that young man^^ who bore the pitcher of
water, whom our Lord commanded the two disciples
to follow home, and there prepare for the celebration
of the passover.
3. But however that was, he doubtless continued
with our Lord to the last, and after his ascension stood
fair to be chosen one of the twelve, if it be true (what
is generally taken for granted, though I think without
any reason, ^Chrysostom I am sure enters his dissent)
that he is the same with Joseph called Barsabas, who
was put candidate with Matthias for the apostolate in
the room of Judas. However that he was one of the
Seventy 'Clemens Alexandrinus expressly affirms, as
others do after him. And when the necessities of the
church daily increasing, required more than ordinary sup-
plies, he according to the free and noble spirit of those
f Ibid. n. VII, g Mark xiv. l.*?. h Loc. supr. citat. i Strom,
1. 2. p. 410. Euseb.H. Eccl. 1. 2. c. 1. p. 38. ck Clem. Hypot. \,7> Chi-o. Alex,
pag. 530.
122 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
times, having lands of good value, sold them and laid the
money at the apostles* feet. If it be inquired how a Le-
vite came by lands and possessions, when the Mosaic
law allowed them no particular portions- but what were
made by public provision, it needs no other answer than
to suppose that this estate was his patrimonial inheritance
in Cyprus, where the Jewish constitutions did not take
place : and surely an estate it was of very considerable
value, and the parting with it a greater charity than or-
dinary, otherwise the sacred historian would not have
made such a particular remark concerning it.
4. The church being dispersed up and down after St.
Stephen's martyrdom, we have no certain account what
became of him, in all probability he staid with the apos-
tles at Jerusalem, w^here we find him not long after St.
Paul's conversion. \ or that fierce and active zealot be-
ing miraculously taken off in the height of his rage and
fury, and putting on now the innocent and inoffensive
temper of a lamb, came after some little time to Jerusa-
lem, and addressed himself to the church. But they not
satisfied in the reality of his change, and fearing it might
be nothing but a subtle artifice to betray them, universally
shunned his company ; and what wonder if the harmless
sheep fled at the sight of the wolf that had made such
havockofthe flock: till Barnabas presuming probably
upon his former acquaintance, entered into a more fa-
miliar converse with him, introduced him to the apostles,
and declared to them the manner of his conversion, and
what signal evidences he had given of it at Damascus in
his bold and resolute disputations with the Jews.
5. There is that scatter eth^ and yet increaseth : the dis-
persion of the church by Saul's persecution proved the
nieans of a more plentiful harvest, the Christian religion
being hereby on ail hands conveyed both to Jews and
Gentiles. Among the rest some Cyprian and Cyrenean
converts went to Antioch,^where they preached the gospel
with mighty success ; great numbers both of Jews and
proselytes (wherewith that city did abound) heartily em-
k Acts 11. ea.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 123
bracing the Christian faith. The news whereof coming
to the apostles at Jerusalem, they sent down Barnabas to
take an account of it, and to settle this new plantation.
Being come he rejoiced to see that Christianty had made
so fair a progress in that great city, earnestly pressing
them cordially and constantly to persevere in that excel-
lent religion which they had entertained ; himself like a
pious and a good man undergoing any labours and diffi-
culties ; which God was pleased to crown w^ith answer-
able success, the addition of multitudes of new converts
to the faith. But the work was too great to be managed
by a single hand : to furnish himself therefore with suit-
able assistance, he went to Tarsus, to inquire for St.
Paul lately come thither. Him he brings back with him
to Antioch, w^here both of them continued industriously
ministering to the increase and establishment of the
church for a whole year together ; and then and there it
was that the disciples of the holy Jesus had the honour-
able name of Christians first solemnly fixed upon them,
6. It happened about this time, or not long after, that
a severe famine (foretold by Agabus, a Christian prophet,
that came down to Antioch) pressed upon the provinces
of the Roman empire, and especially Judea, whereby the
Christians, whose estates were exhausted by their con-
tinual contributions for the maintenance of the poor,
were reduced to great extremities. The church of An-
tioch compassionating their miserable case, agreed upon
a liberal and charitable supply for their relief, which they
intrusted with Barnabas and Paul, ^\ hom they sent along
with it to the governors of the churches, that they might
dispose it as necessity did require. This charitable em-
bassy the Greek rituals no doubt respect, when in the
office at the promotion of the Magniis^Oeconomus, or
high stew^ard of the church^ (whose place it was to ma-
nage and dispose of the church's revenues) they make
particular mention of the holy and most famous Barnabas
the apostle, and generous martyr. Having discharged
their trust, they returned back from Jerusalem to An-
1 Rltvial. Grjecor.in promot Oeconom, p. 281
124 THE LIFE OF Sf. BARNABAS.
tioch,"' brini^'ing along with tlicm John sirnamecl Mark,
the bon of Mary, sister to Barnabas whose house was
the sanctuary, where the cliurch found both shelter for
their person.-s, and conveniency for the solemnities of
their worship.
7. The church of Antioch being now sufficiently pro-
vided of spiritual guides, our two apostles might be the
better spared for the conversion of the Gentile worlds
As they were therefore engaged in the duties of fasting
and prayer, and other public exercises of their religion,
the spirit of God by some prophetic afflatus or revelation
made to some of tiic prophets there present, commanded
that Barnabas and Saul should be set apart to that pecu-
liar ministry, to which God had designed them. Ac-
cordingly having fasted and prayed, lumds were solemnly
laid upon them, to denote their particular designation
to that scr\'ice. Imposition of hands had been a cere-
mony of ancient date. Even among the Gentiles they
were wont to design persons to public functions and of-
fices by lifting up, or stretching out the hand, whereby
they gave their votes and sullrages for those employ-
ments. But herein though they did xǤ0TerJv. stretch Jorth^
they did not lay on their hands ; which was the proper ce-
remony in use, and of far greater standing in the Jewish
church. When Moses made choice of the seventy elders
to be his coadjutors in the government, it was (say the
Jews) by laying hands upon them : and when he consti-
tuted Joshua to be his successor, he laid his hands on
him^ and gave him the charge he/ore all the co7igregation.
This custom they constantly kept in appointing both ci-
\\\ and ecclesiastical ofiicers, and that not only while their
temple and polity stood, but long after the fall of their
church and state. For so "Benjamin, the Jew, tells us,
that in his time all the Israelites of the east, when they
wanted a rabbin or teacher in their synagogues, were wont
to bring him to the nSi^n t:^sn as they called him the
Aixf<*>*Ti^;t«f» o^' head of the captivity^ residing at Baby-
lon (at that time R, Daniel, the son of Hasdai) that he
m Act.xi:.2j. n Itlncrar.p. 73.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 125
might receive nvd^ni Mr*,t:Dri power by vnposition of
hands to become preacher to them. From the Jews it
was, together with some other rites, transferred into the
Christian church, in ordaining guides and ministers of
religion, and has been so used through all ages and pe-
riods to this day. Though the xh'^^^'^'' ^^^d the ;t«?^^oi"a re
not of equal extent in the writings and practice of the
church ; the one im.plying the bare rite of laying on of
hands, while the other denotes ordination itself, and the
entire solemnity of the action. Whence the "apostolical
constitutor, speaking of the presbyter's interest in this
affair, says xh'^^"^ « ;t«'§''7«v«, he lays on his hands, but he
does not ordain; meaning it of the custom then, and ever
since, of presbyters laying on their hands together with
the bishop in that solemn action.
8. Barnabas and Paul having thus received a divine
commission for the apostleship of the Gentiles, and takino-
Mark along with them as their minister and attendant,
immediately entered upon the province. And first they
betook themselves to Seleucia, a neighbouring city seat-
ed upon the influx of the river Orontes into the Mediter-
ranean sea : hence they set sail for Cyprus, Barnabas's
native country, and iu-rived at Salamis, a city heretofore
of great account, the ruins whereof are two miles distant
from the present Famagusta, where they undauntedly
preached in the Jewish synagogues. From Salamis they
travelled up the island to Paphos, a city remarkable of
old for the worship of Venus, Diva potens Cypri, the tu-
telar goddess of the island, who was here worshipped with
the most wanton and immodest rites, and had a famous
temple dedicated to her for that purpose, concerning
which the inhabitants have a ^tradition that at St. Barna-
bas's prayers it fell fiat to the ground ; and the ruins of an
ancient church are still showed to travellers, and under it
an arch, where Paul and Barnabas were shut up in pri-
son. At this place was the court or residence of the
prgetor, or president of the island (not properly 'avS^j
• llTrg.-Tct-
o Lib. 8. c. 28. col, 494. p Cotovic. Itln. 11. c. 16. p. 100.
126 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
1^, the proconsul, for Cyprus was not a proconsular but
a praetorian province) who being altogether guided by
the counsels and sorceries of Bar- Jesus, an eminent magi-
cian, stood off from the proposals of Christianity, till the
magician being struck by St. Paul with immediate blind-
ness for his malicious opposition of the gospel, this
quickly determined the governor's belief, and brought
him over a convert to that religion, which, as it made the
best offers, so he could not but see had the strongest
evidences to attend it.
9. Leaving Cyprus, they sailed over to Perga in Pam-
phylia, famous for a temple of Diana ;'^ here Mark, weary
it seems of this itinerant course of life, and the unavoid-
able dangers that attended it, took his leave and returned
to Jerusalem, which laid the foundation of an unhappy
difference, that broke out between these two apostles af-
terwards. The next place they came to was Antioch in
Pisidia, where in the Jewish synagogue St. Paul, by an
elegant oration converted great numbers both of Jews and
proselytes, but a persecution being raised by others,
they were forced to desert the place. Thence they pas-
sed to Iconium, a noted city of Lycaonia, where in the
synagogues they preached a long time with good success,
till a conspiracy being made against them, they withdrew
to Lystra, the inhabitants whereof upon a miraculous
cure done by St. Paul, treated them as gods come down
from heaven in human shape ; St. Paul, as being princi-
pal speaker, they termed Mercury the interpreter of the
gods ; Barnabas they looked upon as Jupiter, their sove-
reign deity, either because of his age, or (as^'Chrysostom
thinks) because he was a^ro ^^ ^ea? *|/;.trgsT>)f, for the gravity
and comeliness of his person, being (as antiquity represents
him) a very goodly man, and of a venerable aspect, where-
in he had infinitely the advantage of St. Paul, who was of
a verymean and contemptible presence. But the malice
of the Jews pursued them hither, and prevailed with the
people to stone St. Paul, who presently recovering, he
and Barnabas went to Derbe, where, when they had con-
q Act. xiii. 13. V Homil. XXX. in Act. App. p. 361.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 12r
verted many to the faith, they returned back to Lystra,
Iconium and Antioch, and so through Pisidia toPamphy-
lia, thence from Perga to Attalia, confirming as they
came back the churches which they had planted at their
first going out. At AttaUa they took ship, and sailed to
Antioch in Syria, the place whence they had first set out,
where they gave the church an account of the whole suc-
cess of their travels, and what way was made for the
propagation of Christianity in the Gentile world.
10. The restless enemy of all goodness was vexed to
see so fair and smooth a progress of the gospel, and
therefore resolved to attempt it by the old subtle arts of
intestine divisions and animosities : what the envious man
could not stifle by open violence, he sought to choke by
sowing tares.^ Some zealous converts coming down
from Jerusalem to Antioch, started this notion, which
they asserted with all possible zeal and stiffness, that un-
less together with the Christian religion they joined the
observance of the Mosaic rites, there could be no hopes
of salvation for them. Paul and Barnabas opposed them-
selves against this heterodox opinion with all vigour and
smartness, but not able to beat it down, were despatched
by the church to advise with the apostles and brethren at
Jerusalem about this matter. Whither they were no
sooner come, but they were kindly and courteously en-
tertained, and the light hand of fellowship given them by
the three great apostles, Peter, James, and John, and an
agreement made between them, that wherever they came,
they should betake themselves to the Jews, while Paul
and Barnabas applied themselves unto the Gentiles. And
here probably it was that Mai'k reconciled himself to his
uncle Barnabas, which *one tells us he did with tears and
great importunity, earnestly begging him to forgive his
weakness and cowardice, and promising for the future a
firmer constancy and more undaunted resolution. But
they were especially careful to mind the great affair they
were sent about, and accordingly opened the case m a
public council convened for that purpose. And Peter
3 Ant XV. 1. t Alexand, IMonacli.ubisupr. n. XVo
128 THE LIEE OF ST. BARNABAS.
having first given his sentence, that the Gentile converts
were under no such obligation, Paul and Barnabas ac-
quainted the synod what great things God by their mi-
nistry had wrought for the conversion of the Gentiles, a
plain evidence that they were accepted by God without
the Mosaic rites and ceremonies. The matter being de-
cided by the council, the determination was drawn up
into the form of a synodical epistle, which was delivered
to Barnabas and Paul, to whom the council gave this elo-
gium and character, that they were men that had hazarded
their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with
Vv'hom they joined two of their ow^n, that they might car-
ry it to the churches. Being come to Antioch they de-
livered the decrees of the council, wherewith the church
was abundantly satisfied ; and the controversy for the
present laid asleep.
11. It was not long after this, that St. Peter came down
to Antioch, " who loth to exasperate the zealous Jews,
withdrew all converse with the Gentile converts, contrary
to his former practice, and his late vote and suffrage in
the Synod at Jerusalem. The minds of the Gentiles
were greatly disturbed at this, and the convert Jews
tempted by his example, abstain from all communion
with the Gentiles ; nay, so strong was the temptation, that
St. Barnabas himself was carried down the stream, and be-
gan now to scruple, whether it was lawful to hold com-
munion with the Gentiles, wAxh whom before he had so
familiarly conversed, and been so eminently instrumental
in their conversion to Christianity. So prevalent an in-
fluence has the example of a great or a good man to de-
termine others to what is good or bad. How careful
should we be what course we take, lest we seduce and
compel others to walk in our crooked paths, and load our-
selves with the guilt of those that follow after us? St.
Paul shortly after propounded to Barnabas that they might
again visit the churches wherein they had lately planted
the Christian faith : he liked the motion, but desired his
cousin Mark might again go along with them, which St.
u Gal. 2. II.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 129
Paul would by iio means consent to, having found by his
cowardly deserting them at Pamphylia, how unfit he was
for such a troublesome and dangerous service. This be-
gat a sharp contest, and ripened into almost an irrecon-
cilable difference between these two holy men. Which
as at once it shows, that the best are men of like passions
and infirmities with others, subject to be transported with
partiality, and carried off with the heats of an irregular
passion, so it lets us see hoxv great a matter a little fire
kindles^ and how inconsiderable an occasion may minister
to strife and division, and hazard the breach of the firmest
charity and friendship. The issue was that the to ^rjy<§r
TO Ueoy (as ^ Theodoret styles these two apostles) this sacred
pair^ that had hitherto equally and unanimously drawn
the yoke of the gospel, now drew several ways, and in
some discontent parted from each other ; St. Paul taking^
Silas went to the churches of Syria and Cilicia, while Bar-
nabas, accompanied with his cousin Mark, set sail for
Cyprus, his own country.
12. Thus far the sacred historian has for the main gone
before us, who here breaks off his accounts concerning
him. What became of him afterwards we are left under
great uncertainty. ^ Dorotheus and the ''author of the
Recognitions, and some other writings attributed to St.
Clemens, make him to have been at Rome, and one of
the first that preached the Christian faith in that city ; for
which yRaronius falls foul upon them, not being willing
that any should be thought to have been there before St.
Peter, though after him (and it is but good manners to
let him go first) he is not unwilling to grant his being
there. Leaving therefore the difference in point of time,,
let us see what we find there concerning him. At his
first arrival there about autumn he is said thus publicly to
have addressed himself to the people, "Av/gccPaYx^To/ dyjcraTt.
** O ye Romans give ear. The Son of God has appear-
V Comment, in Esa. 11, p. 55. Tom. 2.
w Doroth. Synops. Bibl. PP. Tom. 3. p. 148. col. 2.
X Recogn. lib. 1. c 7. p. 400. edit. Paris. 1672. CL-mentin. Homil. 1, c, 7- p>
549. ib. Epit. de Gest. B. Petr. c. 7. ib. p. 752.
y Baron, ad Ann, 51. n. 52. 54. not. ad Martyr. Rom. p. 359.
R
130 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
** ed in the country of Judea, promising eternal life to
" all that are willing to embrace it, and to lead their lives
*' according to the wDl of the father that sent him.
*' Wherefore change your course of life, and turn from a
*' worse to a better state, from things temporal to those
*' that are eternal, acknowledge that there is one only God,
*^ who is in heaven, and whose world you unjustly possess
" before his righteous face. But if you reform, and
<* live according to his laws, you shall be translated into
" another world, where you shall become immortal, and
** enjoy the ineffable glories and happiness of that state.
<i Whereas if you persist in your infidelity, your souls
*• after the dissolution of these bodies, shall be cast into
'' a place cf liames, where they shall be eternally torment-
'* ed under the anguish of an unprofitable and too late
'* repentance. For the present life is to e^'cry one the
" only space and season of repentance." This was
spoken w^ith great plainness and simpiicitj^ and without
any artificial schemes of speech, and accordingly took
with the attentive populacy : while the philosophers and
more inquisitive heads entertained the discourse with
scorn and laughter, (this indeed the "^ author of the
Trt Khf^uiviicL and the ''Epitome ng^'i^av, somewhat differently
from the Recognitions, refers to his being at Alexandria)
setting upon him with captious questions and syllogisms,
and sophistical arts of reasoning. But he taking no no-
tice of their impertinent questions, went on in his plain
discourse, concluding that he had nakedly laid these
things before them, and that it lay at their door whether
they would reject or entertain them ; that for his part he
could not without prejudice to himself not declare them,
nor they without infinite danger disbelieve them.
j 3. Departing from Rome, he is by different writers
made to steer dinerent courses. The ''Greeks tell us he
went for Alexandria, and thence for Judea : the ^vriters
of the Roman church (with whom agrees "^Dorotheus in
?. Cl-ment. lb. c. 8, 9, 10. a Epitom. c. 8. & seq.
b CleiiT. & Epitom. ibid. Alexand. Monach. loc. cit. n. 1C>, 14.
c Baron, ad An. 51. n. 54. Sanct. de prjed. S. Jac. Tr. 3. c. 1. n. 9.
d Synops. in Eibl. PP. p. 148. T. 3.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 131
this matter) that he preached the gospel in Ligiiria, and
lounded a church at Milain, whereof he became the first
bishop, propagating Christianity in all those parts. But
however tliat was, probable it is that in the last periods of
his life he returned unto Cyprus, where my *" author tells
us, he converted many, till some Jews from Syria coming
to Salamis, where he then was, enraged with fury set up-
on him as he was disputing in the synagogue, in a corner
whereof they shut him up till night, when they brought
him forth, and after infinite tortures, stoned him to death.
He adds (and the faith of it must rest upon the credit of
the relater, who ^Baronius tells us, lived at the same time
when his corpse was first found out) that they threw his
body into the fire with an intent to consume it, but that
the flames had not the least power upon it, and that Mark
his kinsman privately buried it in a cave not far distant
from the city, his friends resenting the loss with solemn
lamentation. I omit the miracles reported to have been
done at his tomb : the remains of his body were disco-
vered in the reign of ^ Zeno the emperor (^' Nicephorus by
a mistake makes it the 12th year of Anastasius) ann. 485,
dug up under a bean or carob tree, and upon his breast
was found St. Matthew's gospel written with Barnabas's
own hand, which Anthemius the bishop took along
with him to Constantinople, where it was received by tlie
emperor with a mighty reverence, and laid ^ip with great
care and diligence. The emperor as a testimony of his
joy, honouring the epispocal see of Salamis with this pre-
rogative, that it should be sedes cf.broyA<pAk®', independent
upon any foreign jurisdiction, a privilege ratified by Jus-
tinian the emperor, v/hose wife Theodora was a Cypriot :
the emperor also greatly enriched the bishop at his re-
turn, commanding him to build a church to St. Barna-
bas over the place of his interment, which was accord-
ingly erected with more than ordinary stateliness and
magnificence. It is added in the ' story, that these re-
e Alexand. ib. n. XVIII. iD' seq. f Ad. Ann. 485. n. 4. p. 428.
g Thead. Lect. H. Eccl. 1. 2. p. 557. Alex'. Mon. loc clt. n. ZXXL
h Niceph. H. Ecc. 1. 16. c. 37. |). 716. Tom. 2,
1 Alex, ut supr. n. XXIX, XXX.
132 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
mains were discovered by the notice of St. Barnabas
himself, who three several times appeared to Anthemius ;
which I behold as a meer addition to the story, designed
only to serve a present turn. For Peter sirnamed the
Fuller, then patriarch of Antioch, challenged at this time
a jurisdiction over the Cyprian churches as subject to his
see ; this Anthemius would not agree to, but stiffly as-
serted his own rights, and how easy was it to take this
occasion of finding St. Barnabas's body, to add that of
the appearances to him, to gain credit to the cause, and
advance it with the emperor ? And accordingly it had its
designed effect ; and whoever reads the whole story, and
the circumstances of the apparitions as related by my au-
thor, will see that they seem plainly calculated for such a
purpose.
14. For his outward form and shape, he is thus re-
presented by the ^ancients. He was a man of a comely
countenance, a grave and venerable aspect, his eye-brows
short, his eye chearful and pleasant, darting something of
majest}^ but nothing of sourness and austerity, his speech
sweet and obliging ; his garb was mean, and such as be-
came a man of a mortified life, his gate composed and
unallected, grave and decent. This elegant structure
was but the lodging of a more noble tenant, a soul rich-
ly furnished with divine graces and virtues, a profound
humility, diffusive charity, firm faith, an immoveable
constancy, and an unconquerable patience, a mighty zeal,
and an unwearied diligence in the propagating of Chris-
tianity, and for the good of souls. So entirely did he de-
vote himself to an ambulatory course of life, so con-
tinually was he employed in running up and down from
place to place, that he could find little or no time to
leave any writings behind him for the benefit of the
church ; at least none that have certainly arrived to us.
Indeed anciently there were some, and ^ Tertullian parti-
cularly, who supposed him to be the author of the epistle
to the Hebrews, an opinion generally rejected and thrown
out of doors : there is also an epistle still extant under
k Id. ibid. n. XVIII.
i Ue pudicit. c. 20. p. 582. vld. Phll;istr. de Hxres. c. 60.
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS 133
his name of great antiquity frequently cited by Clemens
Alexandrinus, and his scholar Origen (to pass by others)
the latter of whom styles it the Catholic Epistle of Bar-
nabas,"" but placed by Eusebius" among the t* vo3-*, the wri-
tings that were not genuine. The frame and contexture of
it is intricate and obscure, made up of uncouth allegories,
forced and improbable interpretations of scripture, though
the main design of it is to show, that the Christian reli-
gion has superseded the rites and usages of the Mosaic
law. The latter part of it contains an useful and excel-
lent exhortation managed under the notion of two rvays^
the one of light, the other of darkness, the one under
the conduct of the angels of God, <f)aT^>a>oi iyrix^i, those il-
luminating ministers as he calls them) the other under
the guidance of the angels of Satan, the prince of the ini-
quity of the age. Under the way of light he presses to
most of the particular duties and instances of the Chris-
tian and the spiritual life, which are there with admirable
accuracy and succinctness reckoned up. Under that of
darkness he represents those particular sins and vices,
which we are to decline and shun ; and I am confident
the pious reader will not think it time lost, nor repent his
pains to peruse so ancient and useful a discourse. Thus
then he expresses himself.
15. ** The way of life is this.** Whoever travels to-
wards the appointed place, will hasten by his works to
attain to it. x-Vnd the knowledge that is given us how to
walk in the way is this : Thou shalt love thy Creator.
Thou shalt glorify him who redeemed thee from death.
Thou shalt be simple in heart, and being rich in spirit
shalt not join thyself to him that walks in the way of
death. Thou shalt hate to do that w^hich is displeasing
unto God. Thou shalt hate all manner of hypocrisy
Thou shalt not forsake the commandments of the Lord.
Exalt not thyself, but be of an humble mind. Thou shalt
not assume glory to thyself. Neither shalt thou take evil
counsel against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not add bold-
m Contr. Gels. lib. 1. p. 49. n H, Eccl. I. 3. c. C5. p. 97- o Barmb;
Epist. p. 248. Edit. Voss.
ia4 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
ness to thy soul. Thou shall not commit fornication, nor
be guilty of adultery or buggery. Thou shalt not ne-
glect God's command in correcting other men's impurity,
nor shalt thou have respect of persons, when thou re-
provest any man for his faults. Thou shalt be meek and
silent, and stand in awe of the words which thou hearest.
Thou shalt not remember evil against thy brother. Thou
shalt not be of a double and unstable mind, doubting whe-
thus or thus. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
in vain.!* Thou shalt love thy neighbour above thy life.
Thou shalt not destroy a child by abortion, nor make it
away when it is born. Thou shalt not withhold thy hand
from thy son, or from thy daughter, but from their youth
shalt teach them the fear of the Lord. Be not desirous
of thy neighbour's goods, nor covet much. Neither shalt
thou heartily join with the proud, but shalt be numbered
with the just and the humble. Entertain trials and temp-
tations when they happen to thee, as instruments of good.
Thou shalt not be double minded, nor of a deceitful
tongue, for a double tongue is the snare of death. Thou
shalt be subject to the Lord, and to masters, as God's re-
presentatives, in reverence and fear. Thou shalt not
command thy maid or man servant with bitterness and
severity, those especially that hope in God, lest thou thy-
self prove one that fearest not him, who is over both :
For he came not to call men according to outward ap-
pearance, but those whom his spirit did prepare. Thou
shalt communicate to thy neighbour in all things, and
shalt not call what thou hast thine own: For if ye mu-^
tually partake in incorruptible things, how much more in
things that are corruptible. Be not rash with thy tongue,
for the mouth is the snare of death. Keep thy soul as
chaste as thou canst, stretch not forth thy hands to take,
and shut them when thou shouldst give. Love all those
that speak to thee the word of the Lord, as the apple of
thine eye. Remember the day of judgment night and
day. Seek out daily the faces of holy men, and searching
by the word, go forth to exhort, and b}- it study to save
THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 135
a soul. And with thy hands shalt thou labour for the
redemption of thy sins. Delay not to give, nor begrutch
when thou art charitable. Give to every one that asks
thee; and thou shalt know wlio is the good recompenser
of the reward. Thou shalt keep the things which diou
hast received, neither adding to them, nor taking from
them. Thou shalt ever hate a wicked person. Judge
righteously. Make no schism. Make peace between
those that are at difference, reconciling them to each
other. Confess thy sins, and come not to prayer with
an evil conscience. This is the way of light.
16. '' But now the way of darkness is crooked and full
of curses. For it is the way of eternal death attended
with punishment : wherein are things destructive to
their souls, idolatry, audaciousness, height of domina-
tion, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, adultery, murder,
rapine, pride, transgression, deceit, malice, arrogance,
witchcraft, magic, covetousness, want of the fear of God.
Persecutors of good men, haters of the truth, men who
love but do not know the wages of righteousness. Per-
sons that adhere not to what is good, nor who by righte-
ous judgment regard the case of the widow and the or-
phan ; watchful not for the fear of God, but for what is
evil : great strangers to meekness and patience. Lovers
of vanity, greedy of revenge, who compassionate not the
poor, nor endeavour to relieve the oppressed, prone to
detraction, not knovving their maker, murderers of chil-
dren, defacers of God's workmanship, such as turn away
themselves from the needy, add affliciion to the afflicted,
plead for the rich, and unjustly judge the poor, sinners
altogether." And having thus described these two dif-
ferent ways, he concludes his discourse with a hearty and
passionate exhortation, that since the time of rewards and
punishments was drawing on, they would mind these
things, as those that were taught of God, searching after
what God required of them, and setting themselves to the
practice of it, that they might be saved at the day of judg-
ment. I have no more to remark concerning this ex-
136 THE LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS.
cellent person, than to add the character given of him by
a pen that could not err,"* he was a good man ^ full of faith y
and of the Holy Ghost,
q Acts XI. 24.
THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY,
THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.
St. Timothy's country and kindred. His religious education. The great
advantages of an early piety. Converted to Christianity by St. Paul,
and made choice of to be his companion. Circumcised by St. Paul, and
"why. This no contradicting St. Paul's doctrine concerning Circumci-
sion. His travels with St. Paul for the propagation of the faith. His
return from Thessalonica, and St. Paul's two epistles to that church.
St. Timothy consecrated bishop of Ephesus. The consent of antiquity
herein. Ordination in those times usually done by prophetic designa-
tion, and the reason of it. Timothy's age inquired into. The import >
ance of vi& and tiornc (let no man despise thy youth,) the words showed
to be used by the best writers for a considerable age. St. Paul's first
and second epistle to him, and the importance of them. The manners
of the Ephesians noted. Their festival called KAJAyuiym. St. Timothy's
martyrdom. The time of his death, place of his burial, and translation
of his body. His weak and infirm constitution. His great abstinence,
and admirable zeal. St. Paul's singular affection for him. Different
from Timotheus in St. Denys the Areopagite. Another Timothy, St.
Paul's disciple, martyred under Antoninus.
1. ST. TIMOTHY was, as we may probably conceive,
a Lycaonian, born at Lystra, a noted city of that province.
He was a person in whom the Jew, the Gentile, and the
Christian met altogether. His father was by birth a Greek,
by religion a Gentile, or if a proselyte, at most but :2i:'*n
^^ a proselyte of the gate, who did not oblige themselves
to circumcision, and the rites of Moses, but only to the
observance of the sevcji precepts of the so?is of Noah :"" his
mother Eunice, daughter to the devout and pious Lois,
was a Jewess, who yet scrupled not to many with this
Homil. 1. in 2 Tim. p, 1627.
138 THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY.
Greek. An argument that the partition wall now totter-
ed, and was ready to fall, when Jew and Gentile began
thus to match together. His mother and grandmother
were women very eminently virtuous and holy, and seem
to have been amongst the first that were converted to the
Christian faith. Nor was it the least instance of their
piety, the cai'e they took of his education, instructing
him in the knowledge of divine things, and seasoning his
tender years with virtuous and sober principles, so that
from a child he was acquainted -with the holy scriptures^
whereby he was admirably prepared for the reception of
Christianity, and furnished for the conduct of a strict pious
life *" And indeed religion never thrives more kindly,
than when it is planted betimes, and the foundations of it
laid in an early piety. For the mind being then soft and
tender, is easily capable of the best impressions, which by
degrees insinuate themselves into it, and insensibly re-
concile it to the difficulties of an holy life, so that what
must necessarily be harsh and severe to a man that endea-
vours to rescue himself from an habitual course of sin,
the other is unacquainted with, and goes on smoothly in
a way that is become pleasant and delightful. None
start with greater advantages, nor usually persevere with
a more vigorous constancy, than they who remember
their Creator in the days of their youth, and sacrifice the
first fruits of their time to God and to religion, before
corrupt alFections have clapt a bias upon their inclinations,
and a train of vices depraved, and in great measure laid
asleep the natural notions of good and evil.
2. Prepared by so excellent a culture in the Jewish re-
ligion, God was pleased to transplant him into a better
soil. St. Paul in pursuance of his commission to preach
the gospel to the Gentiles had come as far as Antioch
in Pisidia, thence to Iconium, and so to Lystra, where
the miraculous cure of an impotent cripple made way for
the entertainment of the Christian doctrine. Among
others there converted, we are*" told were St. Timothy's
b 2 Tim. ili. 15.
C. Y\r,y.', i p:'^a ;caA;Ka>ec3-i3t;, Tc\ vcyJ/jLn Ti;,'£jr :rit.ihiA;. PluL de liber, educ.
pag. 4.
THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY. 139
parents, who courteously treated and entertained the
apostle at their house, wholly resigning up their son to his
care and conduct/ About two years after in his review
of these late plantations he came again to Lystra, where
he made choice of Timothy,^ recommended to him by the
universal testimony of the Christians thereabouts, as an
evangelist, to be his assistant and the companion of his
travels, that he might have somebody always with him,
with whom he could intrust matters of importance, and
whom he might despatch upon any extraordinary affliir
and exigence of the church. Indeed Timothy was not
circumcised, for this being a branch of the paternal au-
thority, did not lie in his mother's power : tliis was no-
toriously known to all the Jews, and this St. Paul knew
would be a mighty prejudice to his ministry wherever
he came. For the Jews being infinitely zealous for cir-
cumcision, would not with any tolerable patience endure
any man to preach to them, or so much as to converse
with them, who was himself uncircumcised. That this
obstacle therefore might be removed, he caused him to
be circumcised, becoming in lawful matters all things to
all men^ that he might gain the mor^e. Admirable (says
^Chrysostom) the wisdom and prudence of St. Paul, who
had this design in it, nrg^Te^sv, 'ivx 'sn^ijo^ut.v jc^6;>.«, he circumci-
sed him, that he might take away circumcision, that is,
be the more acceptable to th£ Jews, and by that means
the more capable to undeceive them in their opinion of
the necessity of those legal rites. At other times we find,
him smartly contending against circumcision as a justifi-
cation of the Mosaic institutions, and a virtual undermin-
ing the great ends of Christianity. Nor did he in this
instance contradict his own doctrine, or unwarrantably
symbolize with the Jews ; it being only (as ^ Clemens of
Alexandria observes concerning this passage) a prudent
condescension to the present humour of the Jews, whom
he was unwilling to disoblige, and make them wholly flj
d S. Metaphr. de S. Tlmoth. ap. Sur. ad Jnn. 24. n. 11. p. 411.
e Act. XVI. 1, 2, 3. f Homil. XXXIV, m Act. App. p. 684.
g Stromat. lib. 7. pag. 730.
140 THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY.
ofF, by a too sudden and violent rending them from the
circumcision in the flesh, to bring them over to the cir-
cumcision of the heart. So that he who thus accommo-
dates himself for the salvation of another, can no ways
be charged with dissimulation and hypocrisy; seeing he
does that purely for the advantage of others, which he
w^ould not do for any other reason, or upon account of
the things themselves : this being tS <pixAvbga>7ni ^ ipixoBia TTAihwU
the part of a wise and kind instructor, who is atrue lover
of God, and the souls of men.
3. St. Paul thus fitted with a meet companion, for-
wards they set in their evangelical progress, and having
passed through Phrygia and Galatia, came down to Troas,
thence they set sail for Samothracia, and so to Neapolis,
whence they passed to Philippi, the metropolis of that part
of Macedonia : where being evil entreated by the magis-
trates and people, they departed to Thessalonica, whence
the fury and malice of the Jews made them fly to Bersea.
Here they met with people of a more generous and manly
temper, ready to embrace the Christian doctrine, but
yet not till they had first compared it with the predictions
which the prophets had made concerning the Messiah.
But even here they could not escape the implacable spirit
of the Jews, so that the Christians were forced privately
to conduct St. Paul to Athens, while Silas and Timothy,
not so much the immediate objects of their spite and cru-
elty, staid behind, to instruct and confirm the converts
of that place. Whether they came to him during his
stay at Athens, is uncertain iSt.Luke takes no further no-
tice of them, till their coming to him at Corinth, his next
remove. Where at their first arrival (if it was not at
Athens) St. Paul despatched away Timothy to Thessalo-
nica,^ to inquire into the state of Christianity in that city,
and to confirm them in the belief and profession of the
gospel,' for he seems to have had a more peculiar kind-
ness for that church, having since his last being there,
more than once resolved himself to go back to them, but
that the great enemy of souls had still thrown some rub
in the way to hinder him.
h 1 Thess. iii. 1, 2, 3. 12 Thess. v. 17, 13, 19,
THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY. Ul
4. From Thessalonica Timothy'' returned with the
welcome news of their firmness and constancy, notwith-
standing the persecutions they endured, their mutual
charity to each other, and particular affection to St. Paul ;
news, wherewith the good man was infinitely pleased :
As certainly nothing can minister greater joy and satis-
faction to a faithful guide of souls, than to behold the
welfare and prosperity of his people. Nor did his care
of them end here, but he presently writes his first epis-
tle to them, to animate them under their sufferings, and
not to desert the Christian religion, because the cross did
attend it, but rather to adorn their Christian profession
by a life answerable to the holy designs and precepts of
it. In the front of this epistle he inserted not only his
own name, but also those of Silas and Timothy, partly to
reflect the greater honour upon his fellow- workers, partly
that their united authority and consent might have the
stronger influence and force upon them. The like he
did in a second epistle, which not long after he sent to
them, to supply the w^ant of his personal presence, where-
of in his former he had given them some hopes, and
which he himself seemed so passionately to desire.
Eighteen months at least they had continued at Corinth,
when St. Paul resolved upon a journey to Jerusukm,
where he staid not long, but went for Antioch, and hav-
ing travelled over the countries of Galatia and Phrygia to
establish Christianity lately planted in those parts, came
to Ephesus, where though he met with great opposition,
yet he preached with greater success, and w^as so wholly
swallowed up with the concerns of that city, that though
he had resolved himself to go into Macedonia, he was
forced to send Timothy and Erastus in his stead, who
having done their errand, returned to Ephesus, to assist
him in promoting the affairs of religion in that place.
5. St. Paul having for three years resided at Ephesus
and the parts about it, determined to take his leave, and
depart for Macedonia. And now it was (as himself
plainly intimates,' and the ancients generally conceive)
k 1 Thess. iii. 6, 7, b" seq. 11 Tim. i. 3.
142 THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY.
that he constituted Timothy bishop and governor of that
church : he was the first bishop (says '"Eusebius) of the
province or diocess of Ephesus ; he did ^§«T(sr r.^i^r^
'£7r/rK0T«<rrt/. says thc "author in Photius,^r^^ c;c^ as bkhop
of Ephesus^ and in the council of Chaicedon, 27 bishops
are said successively to have sitten in that chair, whereof
St. Timothy was the first. In the "Apostolical Consti-
tutions he is expressly said to have been ordained bishop
of it by St. Paul, or as he in ^Photius expresseth it a lit-
tle more after the mode of his time, he ivas ordained and
enthroned (or installed) bishop of the metropolis of the
Ephesians by the great St, Paid. Ephesus was a great
and populous city, and the civil government of the pro-
consul, who resided there reached over the whole Ly-
dian or proconsular Asia. And such in proportion the
ancients make the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of that church,
•^S. Chrysostom affirming it to be plain and evident, that
St. Timothy had the church, or rather the whole nation
of Asia committed to him ; to him (says 'Theodoret) di-
vine St. Paul committed T^'AcrkcT«v£^/^i^«cty, the care and
the charge of Asia ; upon which account a little after 'he
calls him the apostle of the Asians.^ As for the manner
of his ordination, or rather designation to the ministeries
of religion, it was by particular and extraordinary de-
signation, God immediately testifying it to be his will
and pleasure ; thence it is said to have been done ^at^ t*?
wgart^So-rt? 7r^o<p>f]iU(, ^according to some preceding predictions
concerning him^ and that he received it not only by the
laying on ofhands^ but by prophecy^ that is, as "Chrysos-
tom truly explains it, by the Holy Ghost; it being part
of the prophetic office (as he adds, and especially it w^as
so at that time) not only to foretell future events, but to
declare things present, God extraordinarily manifesting
whom he would have set apart for that weighty office.
Thus Paul and Barnabas were separated by the special
m H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 4. p. 7^. n Martyr. Tim. ap. Phot. Cod. CCLIV.
col. 1401. o Cone Chalced. Act. XI. Conc.'Tom. 4. col. 609. p Lib. 7. c.
47. col. 451. q Homil.XV. in ITim.p. 1606. r Arg-um. in 1 ad Tim. p.
463. sCom. inlTlm.S.p. 475.T. 3. 1 1 Tim. i. 18. 1 Tim. iv. 14.
u Homll.V. inl Tim. p. 1545.
THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY. 143
dictate of the Holy Ghost, and of the governors of the
Ephesine churches that met at Miletus, it is said, that
the Holy Ghost had made them bishops^ or overseers of the
church. And this way of election by way of prophetic
revelation continued in use at least during the apostolic
age . ""Clemens in his epistle to the Corinthians, tells us
that the apostles, preaching up and down cities and coun-
tries, constituted their first fruits to be the bishops and
deacons of those who should believe, <^o>cijucia-*vii;Ti^ TrvrSfxAX
making trial of them by the spirit: and another '"Clemens re-
ports of St. John, that visiting the neighbouring churches
about Ephesus, he ordained bishops and such as were
signified^ or pointed out to him, by the spirit,
6. This extraordinary and miraculous way of choosing
bishops and ecclesiastic officers, besides other advantages,
begat a mighty reverence and veneration for the gover-
nors of the church, who were looked upon as God's
choice, and as having the more immediate character of
heaven upon them. And especially this way seemed
more necessary for St. Timothy than others, to secure
him from that contempt which his youth might otherwise
have exposed him to. For that he w^as but young at that
time, is evident from St. Paul's counsel to him, so to de-
mean himself, that no man might despise his youth .•'' the
governors of the church in those days were ri§e<7/2^T£g^/, in
respect of their age as well as office, and indeed there-
fore styled elders, because they usually were persons of
a considerable age that w^ere admitted into the orders of
the church. This Timothy had not attained to. And
yet the word vsot*,?, youth, admits a greater latitude than
v/e in ordinary speech confine it to. ^Cicero tells us of
himself, that he was adolescentulus, but a very youth
when he pleaded Roscius's cause ; and yet ^A. Gelliuij
proves him to have been at that time no less than twenty-
seven years old. Alexander the son of Aristobulus is
called \iAvio-K(^, a youths at the time of his death, when y^^^
he vv^as above thirty. liiero in ^Polybius is styled ^■^ij..ii
V Epist. ad Corln. pag-. 54. \v Clem. Al. lib t/co Trxi^Vr^ (j/(^i ^'^\(^ . ap.
Euseb. H. Eccl. 1. 3. c 23. p. 92. x 1 Tim. iv. 12 y InOiat r. p. 265.
Tom. 1. z Noct. Atrit. 1. U. c 23. n. 383. a Jv>seph. AriUu. i. l4. c, 13. n.
480.
144 THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY.
y'i®', a very young matiy whom yet Casaubon proves to
have been thirty-five years of age -^ and the same historian
speaking of T. Flaminius's making war upon Phihp of
Macedon, says he was n®- KOfxtj^, a very young man, for
that he was not above thirty years old : it being (as Ca-
saubon observes) the custom both of Greek and Latin
writers to extend the juventus, or youthful age from the
thirtieth till the fortieth year of a man's life. To which
we may add what 'Grotius observes, that v^Wd? answering
to the Hebrew nninri denotes the military age,*' all that ci-
vil and manly part of a man's life that is opposed to old
age; so that Timothy's youth, without any force or
violence of the word, might very well consist with his
being at least thirty, or five and thirty years of age, and
he so styled only comparatively with respect to that
weighty function, which was wont to be conferred upon
none but grave and aged men. But of this enough.
7. St. Timothy thus fixedat Ephesus,'' did yet accom-
pany St. Paul some part of his journey into Greece, at
least went to him thither upon some urgent affairs of the
church, and then returned to his charge. Not long after
which St. Paul wrote his Jirst epistle to him, to encourage
him in his duty, and direct him bow to behave himself in
that eminent station wherein he had set him. And be-
cause the success of the ministry does in a great mea-
sure depend upon the persons employed in it, he gives
him more particular rules how to proceed in this matter,
and how the persons ought to be qualified, whom
he admitted to that honourable and important office,
K^lh tCttbo tov he^np^tx.iv 0sv *, hoycv dYdt.fx.xta)c S'if^sa^v, aS ^NicCpllOrUS
speaks, excellently representing in that epistle, as in
a short draught, the life and conversation of the sacred
governors of the church, describing the tempers and man-
ners of those Vvho are appointed to be the guides and
ministers of religion. Well he knew also that crafty
teachers and false apostles were creeping into the church,
whose principles and practices he remarks, warning him
b Hist. 1. 1. p. 11. Edit. 8. nh\ vid. Casnub. Comment, p. 129. & ejusd. extr-
cit ad BuriMi. Appar. n. 99. p. 154. ' c Amiot. in loc. d Acts xx. 2, 3. &Co
e K. Etc. lib. 2. c. 34. p. 189.
THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY. 145
to beware of them, and to stand continually upon his
guard against them. The holy man followed his instruc-
tions, and was no doubt faithful to his trust, which he
managed with all care and diligence. About six years
after, St. Paul being then a prisoner at Rome, wrote a
second epistle to him (for that this epistle was written at
his first coming to Rome, we have showed elsewhere^) to
excite him to mighty care and fidelity in his business,
and in undermining the false and subtle insinuations of
seducers. In it he orders Timothy to come to him with
all speed toRome,^who accordingly came, and joined with
himinthe several epistles written thence to the Philippians,
Colossians, and to Philemon, as his name in the front of
those epistles does abundantly declare. During his stay
at Rome he was, upon some occasion, cast into prison,
and thence released and set at liberty about the time of
St. Paul's enlargement, as he clearly intimates in the
close of his epistle to the Hebrews , ''after which he came
back to Ephesus nor is it probable that he any more
removed from thence, till his translation into Heaven.
And here it was that he became acquainted with St. John,
whose apostolical province mainly lay in Asia, and the
parts about Ephesus; and so the VActs under the name of
Polycrates, one of his successors (doubtless of good an-
tiquity, being those mentioned and made use of by Pho-
tius) report, that he conversed with, and was an auditor
of St. John the divine, who lay in the bosom of our Lord.
8. The Ephesians were a people of great looseness
and impiety, their manners were wanton and effeminate,
prophane and prodigal : they banished Hermodorus only
because be was more sober and thrifty than the rest,
enacting a decree Let none of ours be thrifty.^ They
were strangely bewitched with the study of magic and the
arts of sorcery and divination ; miserably overrun with
idolatry, especially the temple and worship of Diana, for
which they were famous through the whole world.
Among their many idolatrous festivals they had one
f Antiq. Apost, Life of St. Pau^ sect. 7. n. 5. g 2 Tim. iv. 9. h Hebr.
iii. 23, 24. i Ap. Bolland. Jam:arXXIV. k Strab. Geogr. lib. 14.
146 THE £lFE OF ST. TIMOTHY.
called ^KATArnnoN, which was celebrated after this manner;
habiting themselves in an antic dress, and covering their
faces with ugly vizors, that they might not be known,
with clubs in their hands, they carried idols in a wild and
frantic manner up and down the more eminent places of
the city, singing certain songs and verses to them; and
without any compassion or respect either to age or sex,
setting upon all persons that they met, they beat out their
brains, glorying in it as a brave atchievement, and a
great honour to their gods. This cursed and execrable
custom gave just offence to all pious and good men, es-
pecially St. Timothy, whose spirit was grieved to see
God so openly dishonoured, human nature sunk into
such a deep degeneracy, and so arbitrarily transported
to the most savage barbarities by the great murderer of
souls. The good man oft endeavoured to reclaim them
by lenitive and mild entreaties ; but alas gentle physic
works little upon a stubborn constitution. When that
would not do, out he comes to them into the midst of the
street upon one of these fatal solemnities, and reproves
them with some necessary sharpness and severity. But
cruelty and licentiousness are too headstrong to brook
opposition : impatient of being controlled in their wild
extravagancies, they fall upon him with their clubs, beat
and drag him up and down, and then leave him for dead,
whom some Christians finding yet to breathe, took up,
and lodged him without the gate of the city, where the
third day after he expired. He suffered martyrdom on
the thirtieth day of the fourth month, according to the
Asian computation, or in the Roman account on the
twenty, second of January, as the Greek church celebrates
his memory, or the twenty-fourth, according to the Latin.
It happened (as some will have it) in the time of Nerva,
while others more probably refer it to the reign of Do-
niitian, it being done before St. John's return from his
banishment in Patmos, which was about the beginning
1 Martyr Timoth. Apost. ap. Phot. Cod. 254. col. 1401, 1404. Com. de S.
Timoth. S. Metaphr.apud Sur. ad Jan. xxiv. n. 9, 10. Fragment, vit. S. Timoth.
Grjece ap. P. Halloix in vit. Polycarp. p. 558. forsan ex Act. S Timoth. a Po-
lycrat. (uti aiunt) scriplis, ^uxeadem habent, ap. Boilaiid. ad Januar. xxiv. p.
506.
THE LIFE OF ST, TIMOTHY. Ur
of Nerva's reign. Being dead, the Christians of Ephe-
sus took his body, and decently intered it in a place
called Pion, Piron (says"" Isidore, who adds that it was a
mountain) where it securely rested for some ages, till''
Constantine the great, or as others, his son Constantius
caused it to be translated to Constantinople, and laid up
together with those of St. ndrew and St. Luke, in the
great church erected by Constantine to the holy apostles.
9. He was a man of no very firm and healthful con-
stitution, frequent distempers assaulting him, besides
the constant infirmities that hung upon him. Which St.
Chrysostom conceives were in a great measure owing to
his extraordinary temperance, and too frequent fastings.'*
An effectual course to subdue those youthful lusts which
St. Paul cautioned him to shun, there being no such way
to extinguish the fire, as to withdraw the fuel : he al-
lowed himself no delicious meats, no generous wines ;
bread and water was his usual bill of fare, till by exces-
sive abstinence, and the meanness and coarseness of his
diet he had weakened his appetite, and rendered his stOr
mach unfit to serve the ends of nature. Insomuch that
St. Paul was forced to impose it as a kind of law upon
him, that he should }io longer drink water ^ but use a lit-
tie wine for his stomach'' s sake, and his often infirmities.^'
And yet in the midst of this weak tottering carcase there
dwelt a vigorous and sprightly mind, a soul acted by a
mighty zeal, and inspired with a true love to God : he
thought no difficulties great, no dangers formidable, that
he might be serviceable to the purposes of religion, and
the interest of souls ; he flew from place to place with a
quicker «peed, and a more unwearied resolution, than
could have been expected from a stronger and a healthier
person, now to Ephesus, then to Corinth, oft into Mace-
m Be Vlt. & Obit. SS. c. 86. p. 542.
Ti Hieron. adv. Vigil, p. 122. Tom. 2. Niceph. Eccl. H. 1. 2. c. 43. p. 210. Me-
taphr. ubi supr. n. X.
Chrssost. Homil. I. ad Pop. Aatioch. lorn. I. p. 5.
p 1 Tim . iv. 23.
148 THE LIFE OF ST. TKMOTHY.
donia, then to Italy, crossing sea and land, and surmount-
ing a thousand hazards and oppositions : in all which
(as *iChrysostom's words are) the weakness of his body
did not prejudice the divine philosophy of his mind ; so
strangely active and powerful is zeal for God, so nimbly
does it wing the soul w ith the swiftest flight. And cer-
tainly (as he adds) as a great and robust body is little
better for its health, which has nothing but a dull and a
heavy soul to inform it ; so bodily weakness is no great
impediment, where there is a quick and a generous mind
to animate and enliven it.
10. These excellent virtues infinitely endeared him
to St, Paul, who seems to have had a very passionate
kindness for him, never mentioning him without great
tenderness, and titles of reverence and respect : some-
times styling him Kisso?i, his brother^ \\\?> fellow -labourer,
Timotheus our brother^ and minister of God^ and our feU
low-labourer in the gospel of Christ f sometimes with ad-
ditions of a particular afiection and honourable regard,
Timothy^ my dearly beloved son ; Timotheus^ who is my
beloved son ^ and faithful in the Lord', and to the church
at Philippi more expressly,' / trust to send TimotJieus
shortly to you, for I have no man like-minded [i^i^v^ov,
equally dear to me as myself) rvho will naturally care for
your state : for all seek their oxvn, not the things that are
Jesus Chrisfs ; but ye know the proof of him, that as a son
with the father, he hath served -with me in the gospels
And because he knew that he was a young man, and of
temper easily capable of harsh and unkind impressions,
he entered a particular caution en his behalf with the
church of QoxmXh,^ If TimotJieus come, see that he may be
with you without fear, for he worketh the ivork of the
Lord, as I also do : let no man therefore despise him, but
conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me."^
Instances of a great care and tenderness, and which plain-
ly suppose Timothy to have been an extraordinary per-
son. His very calling him his dearly beloved son, Chry-
q Loc. cilat. pag.7. r 1 Tliess. iii. 2. s 2 Tim. i. 2,
t Philip ii. 19, 20, kt. u 1 Cor. xvi. 10, 11.
THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY. 149
sostom thinks a sufficient argument of his virtue/ For
such affection not being founded in nature, can flow from
nothing but virtue and goodness, the lovely and essential
ornaments of a divine and a holy soul. We love our
children not only because witty, or handsome, kind and
dutiful, but because they are ours, and very often for no
other reason ; nor can we do otherwise, so long as we
are subject to the impressions and the laws of nature.
Whereas true goodness and virtue have no other arts but
their own naked worth and beauty to recommend them,
nor can by any other argument challenge regard and ve-
neration from us.
11. Some dispute there has been among the writers
of the church of Rome, v/hether our St. Timotiiy was
the same with him, to whom Dionysius the Areopagite
dedicates the books said to be written by him ; and
troops of arguments are mustered on either side. But
the foundation of the controversy is quite taken away
with us, who are sufficiently assured, that those books
were written some hundreds of years after St. Denys's
head was laid in the dust. However it may not be im-
proper to remark, that besides ours, bishop of Ephesus,
we are'^told of another St. Timothy, disciple also to St.
Paul, the son of Pudens and Priscilia, who is said to have
lived unto a great age, till the times of Antoninus the em-
peror, and Pius bishop of Rome, and that he came over
into Brhain, converted and baptized Lucius king of this
island, the first king that ever embraced the Christian
faith. Pius bishop of Rome in a -^ letter to Justus bishop
of Vienna (which though suspected by most, is yet own-
ed by ^Baronius) reckons him among the presbyters that
had been educated by the aposdes, and had come to
Rome, and tells us that he had suffered martyrdom : ac-
cordingly the ^ Roman martyrology informs us, that he
obtained the crown of martyrdom under Antoninus the
V Homil. 1. in 2 Tim. p. 16 26.
w Pet.de Natal. Hist. SS. 1 1. 24. Naiicler. Chron. vol. 2. gener. 6. confer
Adon. Martyr, ad. XII. Kal. jLd. vid. Ussev. de primnrd. c. ". d. 31.
X Concil. Tom. 1. col, 576. y Bar. ad Anu. 166. n. 1, 2.
% Martyrol. Rom. ad Mart. 24. p. 190.
l^a THE LIFE OF ST. TIMOTHY.
emperor. A story which as I cannot confute, so I am
not over forward to believe, nor is it of moment enough
to my purpose more particularly to enquire about it.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS,
BISHOP OF CRETE.
His countiy inquired into. The report of his noble extract. His educa-
tion and conversion to Christianity. His acquaintance with, and ac-
companying St. Paul to the Synod at Jerusalem. St. Paul's refusing to
circumcise him, and why. His attending St. Paul in his travels. Their
arrival in Crete. Titus constituted by him Bishop of that island. The
testimonies of the ancients to that purpose. The intimations of it in
St. Paul's Epistle to him. St. Paul's censure of the people of Crete, justi^
fied by the account which Gentile writers give of their evil manners.
A short view of the Epistle itself. The directions concerning ecclesi-
astic persons. His charge to exhort and convince gain-say ers. Crete
abounding with Heretical teachers. Jewish fables and genealogies
what, and whence derived. The /Eones and av^vyioL of the ancient
Gnostics borrowed from the ^ioyovim of the Heathen poets. This shown
by particular instances. Titus commanded to attend S. Paul at Nico-
polis. His coming to him into Macedonia. His following St. Paul to
kome, and departure into Dalmatia. The story of Pliny the younger's
being converted by him in Crete, censured. His age and death. The
church erected to his memory.
1. THE ancient writers of the church make little
mention of this holy man ; who, and whence he was, is
not known, but by uncertain probabilities. *S. Chry-
sostom conjectures him to have been born at Corinth,
for no other reason, but because in some ancient copies
(as still is in several manuscripts at this day) mention is
made of St. Paul's going at Corinth into the house of one
[Titus] named Justus, one that worshipped.^ The wri-
ters of later ages generally make him to be born in Crete,
better known by the modern name of Candia, a noble
a HoinU. 1. in Tit. pag. 1^95. b Act. xviii. 7.
152 THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS.
island (as the "" historian calls it, who adds that the only
ciiusc of the Romans making war there, was a desire to
conquer so brave a country) in the ^gean sea, not more
famous of old for being the birth-place of Jupiter, the
sovereign of the Heathen gods, and the Daedalean La-
byrinth said to be in it, than of late for its having been
so long the seat of war between the Turkish emperor
and the state of Venice. Antiquity has not certainly
con\ eyed down to us any particular notice of his parents,
though, might we believe the account which some give,
he was of no common extract, but of the blood royal*,
his pedigree being derived from no less than Minos king
of Crete, whom the poets make the son of Jupiter, and
for the equity of his laws, and the impartial justice of his
government, prefer him to be one of the three great
judges in the infernal regions, whose place it is to deter-
mine men's future and eternal state ; while historians
more truly affirm him to have been the son of Xanthus
king of that island, and that he succeeded his father in
the kingdom. But I pass by that.
2. But whatever his parentage was, we are sure that
he was a Greek, probably both by nation and religion*".
The Greek church in their public offices^, give us this
account of his younger years, and conversion to Christi-
ai:iity : that being sprung from noble parents, his youth
was consecrated to learning and a generous education.
At twenty years old he heard a voice, w^hich told him, he
must depart thence, that he might save his soul, for that
all his learning else would be of little advantage to him.
Not satisfied with the warning, he desired again to hear
the voice. A year after he was again commanded in a
vision to peruse the volume of the Jewish law. He
opened the book, and cast his eye upon that of the pro-
piiet, keep silence before me^ 0 islands^ and let the people
c Flor. H. Rom. 1. 3. c. 7. p. 65.
d T<'t®' 0 ju:ix.'lpi'&' CM, Muck's. [Leg-end. sine dubio m/vso<S^-] ts? ^Ao-iMm K/)«'t»?
«tTOs-cx(gr Usii/K®'. Mena:on Crc^c, AvynT. th kL bub lit. ,a 111.
e 11 bi supr.
awT». Men. ill.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS. 153
renew their strength : let them come near^ let them speak :
let us come near together to judgment^ ^ &:c. Whereup-
on his uncle at that time proconsul of Crete, having
heard the fame of our Lord's miracles in Judea, sent him
to Jerusalem, where he continued till Christ's ascension,
when he was converted by that famous sermon of St.
Peter's, whereby he gained at once three thousand souls.
I cannot secure the truth of this story, though pretended
to be derived out of the Acts, said to be written by Ze-
nas the lawyer, mentioned by St. Paul : an authority, I
confess, which without better evidence, I dare not encou-
rage the reader to lay too much stress upon. Let us
therefore come to somewhat more certain and unquesti-
onable.
3. Being arrived in Judea, or the parts thereabouts,
and convinced of the truth and divinity of the Christian
faith, he became St. Pauls convert and disciple, though
when or where converted we find not. Likely it is, either
that he followed St. Paul in the nature of a companion
and attendant, or that he incorporated himself into the
church of Antioch : where when the famous controversy
arose concerning circumcision and the Mosaic instituti-
ons, as equally necessary to be observed with the belief
and practice of Christianity, they determined that Paul
and Barnabas, and certain others of them should go up to
Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this questioii^^
nay, a very ancient ' MS. adds, that when Paul earnestly
persuaded them to continue in the doctrine which they
had been taught, those very Jewish zealots who came
down to Antioch, and had first started the scruple, did
themselves desire Paul and Barnabas and some others to go
and co?2sult with the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, and
stand to their sentence and determination of the case. In
the number of those who were sent upon this e^'angelical
embassy was our St. Titus, w^hom St. Paul (encouraged
to his journey by a particular revelation'') was willing to
take along with him. No sooner were they come to Je-
pf Isn. xli. 1. h Act. XV. 1,2. i Cod. Bezae MS. ad Act. xv. 2.
k Gal.i. 2, &c.
U
154 THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS.
rusalem, but spies were at hand, some zealous Jews pre-
tendiiig themselves to be Christian converts, insinuated
themselves into St. Paul's company and acquaintance,
narrowly observing what liberty he took in point of legal
rites, that thence they might pick an accusation against
him. They charged him that he preached to, and con-
versed with the Gentiles, and that at this very time Titus
an uncircumcised Greek was his intimate familiar ; a
scandal which there was no way to avoid, but by circum-
cising him, that so it might appear that he had no design
to undermine the rites and customs of the law. This
St. Paul (who knew when to give ground, and when to
maintain his station) would by no means consent to : he
who at another time was content to circumcise Timothy,
a Jew by the mother's side, that he might please the Jews
to their edification, and have the fiurer advantage to win
upon them, refused here to circumcise Titus a Gentile,
that he might not seem to betray the liberties of the
Gospel, harden the Jews in their unreasonable and in-
veterate prejudices against the Heathens, and give just
ground of scandal and discouragement to the Gentiles^
and make them fly off to a greater distance from Christi-
anity. Accordingly he resisted their importunity with
an invincible resolution, and his practice was herein im-
mediately justified by the decretory sentence of the
council, summoned to determine this matter.
4. The affair about which they were sent being des-
patched in the Synod, he returned no doubt with St. Paul
to Antioch, and thence accompanied him in his travels,
till having gone over the churches of Syria and Cilicia,
they set sail for Crete. For that period of time I con-
ceive with ' Cypelius most probable for their going over
to that island, rather then Vvith "^ Baronius and others to
place it at St. P:ail's coming out of Macedonia into
Greece, which he supposes to have been by a sea- voyage,
passing by the Cyclndce islands through the i^gean sea,
or with " Grotius to refer it till his voyage to Rome,
I llistsr. Apost ad ann. Chvist. 46. m Ad. ann. 57. n. 212.
n la Arg-iun. Epist. ad Tit. Act. 27. 7.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS. 155
founding his conjecture upon a double mistake, that St.
Paul and his company put in and staid at Crete, when
it is only said that tJiey sailed under it, and passed by it^
and that Titus was then in the company, whereof no loot-
steps or intimations appear in the story. Saihng there-
fore from some port in Ciiicia, they arrived at Crete,
where St. Paul industriously set himself to preach and
propagate the Christian faith, delighting (as much as
might be) to be the first messenger of the giad tidings of
the gospel to all places where he came, not plantiug in
another man^s line, or building of things made ready to his
hand. But because the care ot other churches called up-
on him, and would not permit him to stay long enough
here to see Christianity brought to. a due maturity and
perfection, he constituted Titus bishop of that island, that
he might nourish that infint church, superintend its
growth and prosperity, and manage the government and
administration of it. This the ancients with one m'.)uth
declare, he was the first bishop (says °Eusebius) of the
churches in Crete: the apostle consecrated him bishop of
it, so P St. Ambrose ; so *^ Dorotheus, and"" Sophronius ;
he was (says * Chrysostom) an approved person to whom
» vH3-^ oAojtA«§<^, iJiQ ivholc islandwas entirely committed, that
he might exercise power and jurisdiction over so ma?iy
bishops : he was by St. Paul ordained bishop of Crete^
though a very large islaiid, that he might ordain bishops
under him, says* Theodoret expressly. To which might
be added the testimonies of Theophylact, Oecumenius,
and others, and the subscription at the end of the Epistle
to Titus, (which though not dictated by the same hand,
is ancient however) where he is said to have been ordamed
the first bishop of the church of the Cretians. And " St.
Chrysostom gives this as the reason, why of all hts disci-
ples and followers St. Paul wrote epistles to Titus and
Timothy, and not to Silas or Luke, because he had com-
mitted to them the care and government of churches,
o H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 4. p. 73. p Prsf. in Tit. p. 419. T. 5.
q Doroth-, 8} iiops p 148. r Ap. Hier. de Script, in Tit.
s Homil. 1, in Tit. p 1692. t Argum. Epist. ad Tit. Tom. 3,
u Argum. in 1 ad. Tim. p. 1519.
156 THE LIFE OF ST. TTFUS.
while he reserved the others as attendants and ministers
to go along with himself.
5. Nor is this merely the arbitrary sense of antiquity
in the case, but seems evidently founded in St. Paul's
own intimation, where he tells Titus, yor this cause left 1
thee in Crete y that thou shouldst set in order the things that
are luanting, and ordain elders in every city^ as I had ap-
pointed thee^ ^ that is, I constituted thee governour of that
church, that thou mightst dispose and order the afiairs of
it according to the rules and directions which I then gave
thee. Ordain elders'] he means bishops (says "'' Chryso-
stom) as elsewhere 1 have oft explained it. Elders in
every city] he was not willing (as he adds) that the ^vhole
administration of so great an island should be managed
by one, but that every city might have its proper gover-
nor to inspect and take care of it, that so the burthen might
be lighter by being laid upon many shoulders, and the
people attended with the greater diligence. Indeed
Crete w-as famous for number of cities above any other
island in the world, thence styled of old Hecatompolis, the
island of an hundred cities. In short, ^ plain it is, that
Titus had power of jurisdiction, ordination, and ecclesi-
astical censures, above any other pastors or ministers
in that church conferred and derived upon him.
6. Several years St. Titus continued at his charge in
Crete, when he received a summons from St. Paul, then
ready to depart from Ephesus. The apostle had desir-
ed ApoUos to accompany Timothy and some others whom
he had sent to Corinth^ but he choosing rather to go for
Crete, by him and Zenas he wrote an epistle to Titus, to
stir him up to be active and vigilant, and to teach him
how to behave himself in that station wherein he had set
him. And indeed he had need of all the counsels which
St. Paul could give him, who had so loose and untoward
a generation of men to deal with. For the country it-
self was not more fruitful and plenteous than the man-
ners of the people were debauched and vicious. St.
Paul puts Titus'' in mind what a bad character one of
V Tit. i. 5. w Homil. 2. in Tit. p. 1700. vid. etium Theoph. 8^ Oe-
cumen. in luc. x Tit. i. 12.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS. 157
their own poets (who certainly knew them best) had
given of them :
The Cretians are always liars^ evil beasts, slow -bellies.
This verse ^ St. Chrysostom supposes the apostle took
from Callimachus, who makes use indeed of the first
part of it, charging the Cretians to be like themselves,
notorious liars, in pretending that Jupiter was not only
born, but died among them, and that they had his tomb
with this inscription, entatoa zan y^eitai, here lies Jttpiter,
when as the deity is immortal : whereupon the good father
perplexes himself with many needless difficulties in recon-
ciling' it. Whereas in truth St. Paul borrow^ed it not from
Callimachus, but Epimenidcs, a native of Crete, famous
among the ancients for his raptures and enthusiastic di-
VmatlOnS, ©eocjjiXMc ^ (^'■-i?^? ■w-s^/ ta ^ilci, t))v svS«c7/sts-iK>)V i; TiKi^iKiiv Qc<tiiu:;
as ^ Plutarch says of him. From him Callimachus cites
part of the verse,^and applies it to his particular purpose,
while St. Paul quotes it entire from the author himself.
77iis Witness (says he) is true.^ And indeed that herein
he did not bely them, we have the concurrent testimonies
of most heathen writers, who charge the same things up-
on them.^ So famous for lying, that k^ht/^-^ and Kp>,7/<'5^v Trejc
K^HTct became proverbial, to lie like a Cretia?i and to cozen a
cheat, and nothing more obvious than mendax Creta.
""Polybius tells us of them, that no where could be found
more subtle and deceitful wits, and generally more wick-
ed and pernicious counsels ; that their manners were so
very sordid and covetous, that of all men in the world
the Cretians w^ere the only persons who accounted no-
thing base or dishonest, that was but gainful and advan-
tageous. Besides they w^ere idle and impatient of labour.
y Homil. III. in Tit. pag-. 1707. z In vit. Solon, pag. 84.
a K^nTic dit -^iZ^cti. J, yd^ Tei<^o»j ^ £vct, cnlo
KgjiTEc iriitli^.TcLvro ■ a-u tf' x S-^ivsc' s^c-i ydp a.\ii. Callim. Hymn, li^ t
Ai'at. p. 1. rrm^cifxia. eri to Keini^av, Itt] ■i^iuJ'-'T^-ui. Vet. Schol ibi.
b KgXTl^t/V, TO ']^(riuS'iO-^a.t, ^ il'igCt Tr^POlfXldL, K^/)Ti^«JV iTir?OC K^MTslC iTri'Jyi •if.iTiV-
g-Ai, xj dTATixvi? iiTi. Suid. in voc. K/)«T/^«<i'. Eadem Mich. Aostol. in eod. verb.
TlKY'.y'icr^l lJ.i)i' OLilThv 'iVfi-JL-^OcSlKiVAl fXi TUUTA TiPri.TlUOfjt.iVOV ;'^ T» J K SJl Tit.C. Psel. dc
aperat. Dsemon. p. 37.
c Histor. 1. 6. p. 681. S^ 1. 4 p, 3§G. Edk. L. BaUiV.
15« THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS.
gluttonous and intemperate, unwilling to take any pains
further than to make provision for the flesh ; as the natu-
ral effect of ease, idleness, and plenty, they were wanton
and lascivious, and prone to the vilest and basest sort of
lust, <ari^t n-u. TTrttS-iKx iuiij>.0Hu>i\7rii>^mdii, (as ^ Athcn^eus informs us)
outrageously mad upon that sin that peculiarly derives its
name from Sodom. And such being the case, what
wonder if St. Paul bids Titus reprove them sharply^
seeing their corrupt and depra^'ed manners would admit
of the sharpest lancets, and the most stinging corrosives
he could apply to them.
6. In the epistle itself, the main body of it consists of
rules and directions for the several ranks and relations of
men : and because spiritual and Ecclesiastical affairs are
of all others most considerable, he first instructs him in
the qualifications of those whom he should set apart to
be bishops and guides of souls, that they be holy and
harmless, innocent and inoffensive, such as had not di-
voixed and put away their first wife that they might maiTy
a second, whose children were sober and regular, imd
trained up in the Christian faith ; that they be easy and
tractable, meek and unpassionate, free from the love of
wine, and a desire after riches by sordid and covetous de-
signs ; that they be kind and hospitable, lovers of good-
ness and good men, modest and prudent, just and honest,
strict and temperate, firm and constant in owning and
asserting the doctrines of Christianity that have been de-
livered to them, that being thoroughly furnished with
this pure evangelical doctrine, they may be able both to
persuade and comfort others, and mightily to convince
those that resist and oppose the truth. And certainly it
was not without great reason, that the apostle required
that the guides and governors of the church should be
thus able to coirvince gainsay ers. For whatever authors
report of Crete, that it bred no serpents or venomous
creatures, yet certain it is that the poison of errour and
heresv had insinuated itself there together with the enter-
tainment of Christianity, there being many unruly and
d Dcipnosoph. L 13. pag. 601.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS. 159
vai?i talkers, especially tfwy of the circumcision^^ who en-
deavoured to corrupt the doctrine of the gospel with
Jewish fables/ groundless and unwarrantable traditions,
mystical and cabalistic explications., znd foolish questions
and genealogies.^ For the Jews borrowing their notions
herein from the schools of Plato, wTre fallen into a vein
of deriving things from an imaginary generation, first
Binah or understanding, then Achmoth or Cochmah wis-
dom, and so till they came to Milcah the kingdom, and
Schekinah or the divine presence. Much after the same
rate as the poets of old deduced the pedigrees of their
gods, they had first their several QjcrvyiAi their conjunctions^
the coupling and mixing of things together, and thence
proceeded their ym^xoyUi their genealogies or generations ;
out of Chaos came Erebus and the dark Night, the con-
junction of whom begot iEther and the Day, and thence
*'Hesiod proceeds to explain the whole pagan theology
concerning the original of their gods.
7, In imitation of all which, and from a mixture of all
together the Valentinians, Basilidians, and the rest of the
Gnostic crew formed the senseless and unintelligible
schemes of their n\«>,uA and thirty ^-Eones, divided into three
classes of conjunction; in the first were four couples,
Profundity and Silence, Mind and Truth, the Word
and Life, Man and the Church ; in the second five, viz.
Profound and Mixture, Ageratus and Union, &c. in the
third six, the Paraclete and Faith, Patricos and Hope, &c.
Of all which if any desire to know more, they mav (if
they can understand it) find enough in Irenaeus, Tertul-
lian, and Epiphanius, to this purpose. The * last of whom
not only affirms expressly that Valentinus and his party-
introduced €6yo/xt/3-6v tcjW/v, the fabulous and poetic fancies
of the heathens, but drawls a particular parallel between
Hesiod'sThe6gonia, and their thirty iEones or ages, con-
sisting of fifteen coupjes or conjugations, male and fe-
male, which he shows excictly to agree both in the num-
ber, design, and order of them. For instance, Valenti-
nus's tribe begins thus ;
e Tit. i. 10. f Verse 14. g Verse 3. 9.
h Hesiod. Theoc^on.p. in. 4C6. i Hjeres. XZXl.pa.^. 76. vid. Ter-
tull. de Prscscj'ipt. Hxret. c. 7. p. 204.
160 THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS.
Ampsiu 7 ^^^^ jg C Profundity
Auraa?! 3 C Silence.
Bucua 7 5^ Mind
Tharthun 3 C Truth.
Ubucua "> C Word
Thardeadie 3 ^ Life.
Merexa 1 C Man
Atarharba \ \ Church.
^c, &c.
All which was nothing but a trifling and fantastical imi-
tation of Hesiod's progeny and generation of the gods,
which being joined in conjugations succeeded in this or-
der ; Chaos, Night; Erebus, Earth ; .^ther, Day, &c.
There being (as he observes) no diflference between the
one scheme and the other, but only the change and alter-
ation of the names. This may suffice for a specimen to
show whence this idle generation borrowed their extrava-
gant conceits, though there were that had set much what
the like on foot before the time of Valentinus. By such
dark and wild notions and principles the false Apostles
both in Crete and elsewhere, sought to undermine the
Christian doctrine, mixing it also with principles of great
looseness and liberty, that they might the easilier insinu-
ate themselves into the aflections of men, whereby they
brought over numerous proselytes to their party, of
Avhom they made merchandise^^ gaining sufficient advan-
tage to themselves. So that it was absolutely necessary
that these men's mouths should be stopped, and that they
should not be suffered to go on under a show of such lofty
et-JTA OVTct, ^ fccTgy iTi^CV, ^:/.-JU3.^C,V ol Tm ^C/VUArUV ajgS5-/«'p;^:t/ //VS-Wia'/ft'? EvTitpfsX-
CrtgijtM? ovc/ualoiToi'Ug. Id. ibid.
k Tit. i. 11.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS. IGl
and sublime speculations, and a pretence of Christian li-
berty, to pervert men from the Christian religion, and the
plainness and simplicity of the Gospel. Having* done
with ecclesiastics, he proceeds to give directions for per-
sons of all ages and capacities, whether old or young, men
or women, children or servants, and then of more public
concernment, rulers and people, and indeed how to deport
ourselves in the general carriage of our lives. In the
close of the epistle he wishes him to furnish Zcnas and
Apollos, the two Apostolical messengers by whom this
letter was conveyed to him, with all things necessary for
their return, commanding that he himself with all conve-
nient speed should meet him at Nicopolis (though where
that was is not certain, whether Nicopolis in Epirus, so
called from Augustus's victory there over Antony and
Cleopatra, or rather Nicopolis in Thrace, upon the river
Nesus, not far from the borders of Macedonia, whither St.
Paul was now going, or some other city, whereof many in
those parts of that name) where he had resolved to spend
his winter. And that by withdrawing so useful and vigi-
lent a shepherd he might not seem to expose his flock to
the fury and the rage of the wolves, he promises to send
Artemas or Tychicus to supply his place during his ab-
sence from them.
8. St. Paul departing from Ephesus was come to
Troas, where though he had a fair opportunity to preach
the gospel offered to him, yet (as himself tells us)
he had no rest in his spirit, because he found not Titus
his brother,^ whom he impatiently expected to bring
him an account of the state of the church of Corinth ;
whether Titus had been with him, and been sent upon
this errand, or had been commanded by him to take Co-
rinth in his way from Crete, is not known. Not meeting*
him here, away he goes for iMacedonia,''' where at length
Titus arrived and comforted him under all his other sor-
rows and difficulties, with the joyful news of the happy
condition of the church of Corinth, and how readily they
I 2 Cor. li. 12, 13. m 2 Cor. vii. 56, r. iind 13, 14, 15.
X
162 THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS.
had reformed those miscarriages, which in his former
epistle he had charged upon them, fully making good
that gi^eat character which he had given of them to
Titus, and whereof they gave no inconsiderable evidence
in that kind and welcome entertainment which Titus
found amongst them. Soon after St. Paul having re-
ceived the collections of the Macedonian churches for
the indigent Christians at Jerusalem," sent back Titus
and Vv^ith him St. Luke to Corinth, to excite their chari-
ty, and prepare their contributions against his own arri-
val there, and by them he wTote his second epistle to that
church.
9. Titus faithfully discharged his errand to the church
of Corinth, and having despatched the services for which
he was sent, returned, we may suppose, back to Crete.
Nor do we hear any further news of him till St. Paul's
imprisonment at Rome, whither he came ( if my "author
say true) about two years after him, and continued with
him till his martyrdom, whereat he was present, and to-
gether with St Luke, committed him to his grave. An
account, which I confess I am the less inclined to believe,
because assured by St. Paul himself,^ that before his
death Titus had left him and was gone to Dalmatia, a pro-
vince of Illyricum, to plant that fierce and warlike nation
with the gospel of peace, taking it probably in his way in
order to his return for Crete. And this is the last notice
we find taken of him in the holy writings, nor do the re-
cords of the church henceforward furnish us with any
certain memoirs or remarks concerning him. Indeed,
were the story which some tell us true, one thing alone
were enough to make him memorable to posterity, I
mean his converting Pliny the Younger, that learned and
eloquent man, proconsul of Bithynia, and intimate privy
counsellor to Trajan the emperor. For so they tell us,**
that returning from his province in Bithynia, he landed
in Crete, where the emperor had commanded him to erect
n 2 Cor. viii. 6, 15, 16. o Pet. de Natal. Hist. SS. lib. 7. c 108. p 2 Tim.
iv. 10. q Pot. de Notal. loc cit. ex Act. S. Titi a Zena (uti fertur) s:rjj)t
Fl. Pseudo-iJext. Cliron. acl Ann. ccxx.
THE LIFE OF ST. TITUS. 163
a temple to Jupiter: which was accordingly done, and no
sooner finished, but St. Titus cursed it, and it immedi-
ately tumbled to the ground. The man, you may guess,
was strangely troubled, and came with tears to the holy
man to request his counsel, who advised him to begin it
in the name of the God of the Christians, and it would not
fail to prosper. He did so, and having firiished it, was him-
self, together with his son baptized. Nay, some to make
the story perfect, add, that he suffered martyrdcmi for the
faith at Novocomum, a city of Insubria in Italy, where he
was born. The reader I presume will not expect I
should take pains to confute this story, sufficiently im-
probable in itself, and which I behold as just of the same
metal, and coined in the same mint vrith that of his mas-
ter Trajan's soul, being delivered out of hell by the
prayers of St. Gregory the Great so gravely told, so se-
riously believed by many, not in the Greek church only,
but in the church of Rome : nay , which the whole east
and west (if we may believe 'Damascen) held to be yrJ,rrm
xj x^iiQK>Q'fiv, true and uncontrollable.
10 St. Titus lived, as the ancients tell us, to a great
age, dying about the ninety-fourth year of his life. He
died in peace (says 'Sophronius and Tsidore) and lies bu-
ried in Crete: the "Roman iVlartyrology adds, that he was
buried in that very church, wherein S. Paul ordained
him bishop of that island I understand him where a
church was afterwards built, it not being likely there
should be any at that time. At Candia, the metropolis
of the island, there is, or lately was, an ancient and beau-
tiful ""church dedicated to St. Titus, wherein under the
high altar his remains are said to be honourably laid up,
and are both by the Greeks and Latins held in great ve-
neration. Though what is become of them since that
famous city lately fell into the hands of the Turk, that
great scourge of Christendom, is to me unknown His
festival is celebrated in the western church on the fourth
r Damascen, Serm. Trtft t»v svtt/s*. jcucoi/ut. s Ap, Hieron, de Script, in Tito,
t De vit. & ob. SS c. 87. p.542. u Ad diem. iv. Jan. p. 16. v Cotovic,
Itin. lib. 1. c. 12. p. 60.
164 THiE LIFE OF ST. TITUS.
day of January, in the Greek church August the twenty-
fifth, and among the Christians in Egypt (as appears by
the Arabic calendar pubUshed by "^Mr. Selden) the twen-
ty-second of the month Barmahath, answering to our
March the eighteenth, is consecrated to his memory.
w De Synedr. Tom. 3. c. 15. p. 396.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS
THE AREOPAGITE.
Dionysius born at Athens. The quality of his parents. His domestic
studies. His foreign travels. Egypt frequented as tlie staple place of
all recondite learning. His residence at Heliopolis. The stiange and
miraculous eclipse at our Saviour's passion. Dionysiui^'s remarks
upon it. His return to Athens^ and bemg made one of the Judges of
the Areopagus. The nature of this court : the number and quality of
its Judges. St. Paul arraigned before it : his discourse, and its success.
Dionysius's conversion. His further instruction by Hicrotheus. Hie-
rotheus, "who. Dionysius constituted bisliop of Athens. A brief ac-
count of his story according to those that confound him with Dionysius
bishop- of Paris. These shown to be distinct. The original andprcxe-
dure of the mistake inquired into. A probable account given of it. Di-
onysius's martyrdom at Athens, and the time of it. A fabulous miracle
reported of his scull. The desc iption of his person, and the hyperbo-
lical commendations which the (ireeks give of him. The books as-
scribed to him. These none of his. Apollinaris (probably) showed to
be the author of them. Several passages of the ancients noted to that
purpose. Books why oft published under other men's names. These
books the fountain of enthusiasm and mystical theology. A passage in
them instanced in to that purpose.
1. ST. DYONYSIUS was born at Athens, the eye of
Greece, and fountain of learnmg and humanity, the only
place that without competition had for so many ages
maintained an uncontrolled reputation for arts and sci-
ences, and to which there was an universal confluence of
persons from all parts of the world to accomplish them-
selves in the more polite and useful studies. Though we
find nothing particularly concerning his parents, yet we
may safely conclude them to have been persons of a no-
ble quality, at least of a better rank than ordinary, seeing
166 THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS.
none were admitted to be Areopagite Judges (as * one who
knew very well informs us) nA«v ol kxkqds yiyovonc, i 7roN^;^v*gsT«v^
Ca^po(r'jv>,v'iv TifS &iu>h<!i<fiiy/uhoi, uuless thev wcre nobly born, and
eminently exemplary for a virtuous and a sober life. Be-
ing born in the very midst of arts and civility, his educa-
tion could not but be learned and ingenuous, especially
considering the advantages of his birth and fortunes.
Accordingly he was ^ instructed in all the learned sciences
of Greece, wherein he made such vast improvements,
that he easily outstript any of his time : scarce any sect
or institution in philosophy then in vogue, which he had
not considered and made trial of : it does not indeed ap-
pear to which of them he particularly devoted and applied
himself; and they who suppose him to have addicted
himself to the school of Plato, do it, I conceive it for no
other reason, than because the doctrine contained in the
books that bear his name, seems so near of kin to the
principles of that noble sect.
2. But it was not an homebred institution, or all the
advantages which Athens could afford, that could fill the
vast capacities of his mind, which he therefore resolved to
polish and improve by foreign travels. Being in the
prime and vigour of his youth, about the age of twenty-
five years, "^ he took with him one Apollophanes a rheto-
rician, his fellow-student, and (if '^ Syncelius say true) his
kinsman, who was afterwards at Smyrna, master to Pole-
mon the Laodicean, as he was to Aristides the famous
philosopher and apologist for the Christians. Thus fur-
nislied with a suitable companion, he is said to have gone
for Egypt, to converse with their philosophers and wise
men, that he might perfect himself in the study of the
mathematics, and the more mysterious and recondite parts
of learning, Egypt had in all ages been looked upon as
the prime school not only of astrology, but of the more
abstruse and uncommon speculations of theology, and
the great masters of wisdom and divinity among the Gen-
a Isocr. Orar. Areopag-. p. 147. vid. Maxim. Prolog'. Oper. S. Dionys. Pref.
pag. 34. b Suid. in voc. Ascvv*^. p. 744.
c Siiid. ubi snpr Maxim. Pachym. Syncel. aliique plures.
cl Encom. S. Dionys. p. 349. Tom. 1.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ler
tiles never though they had gained enough, till they had
crowned their studies by conversing with the Egyptian
sages. Hence it was frequented by Orpheus, Ho-
mer, Solon, Thales, by Pythagoras and Plato, and
whom not? nay, of Pythagoras ^Clemens of Alex-
andria reports that he suffered himself to be circum-
cised, that so he might be admitted itc r^ oi:svru, to the
concealed rites and notions of their religion, and be ac-
quainted with their secret and mystical philosophy. The
place he fixed at was Heliopolis, a city between Coptus
and Alexandria, where the Egyptian priests for the most
resided, as a place admirably advantageous for the con-
templation of the heavenly bodies, and the study of phi-
losophy and astronomy ; and where *Strabo (who lived
much about this time) tells us he was showed the habita-
tions of the priests, and the apartments of Plato and Eu-
doxus, who lived here thirteen years ; nay, a very an-
cient ^historian assures us, that Abraham himself lived
here, and taught the Egyptian priests astronomy, and
other parts of learning.
3. Dionysius no doubt plied his studies in this place,
during wdiose stay there, one memorable accident is re-
ported. The Son of God about this time was delivered
up at Jerusalem to an acute and shameful death by the
hands of violence and injustice ; when the sun, as if
ashamed to behold so great a wickedness, hid his head,
and put on mourning to wait upon the funerals of its
maker. This eclipse was contrary to all the know^n
rules and laws of nature, it happen iiig in a full moon,
when the moon is in its greatest distance from the sun,
and consequently not liable to a conjunction with him,
the moon moving itself under the sun from its oriental
to its occidental point, and thence back by a retrograde
motion, causing a strange defection of light for three hours
together. That there was such a wonderful and preter-
natural darkness over all the earth for three hours at the
e Stromat.lib. 1. p. 302. f Geograph. lib. 17. p. 805. g Alexand.
Polyhist. Hist, de Jud?eis ap.Euseb. p;acp. Evang-. 1,9. c,17, p- 419.
168 THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS.
time of our Saviour's suffering;, whereby the sun was
darkened, is unanimously attested by the evangelical his-
torians ; and not by them only, but**Phlegon Trallianus
sometimes servant to the emperor Trajan, speaks of an
eclipse of the sun that happened about that time, m«>/5-»
Tiv i^vtfw^yivav TTgoVsgov, the greatest of any that had been ever
known, whereby the day was turned into night, and the
stars appeared at noon-day, an earthquake also accom-
panying it, whereby many houses at Nice in Bithynia were
overturned. Apollophanes beholding this strange eclipse,
cried out to Dionysius that these were changes and revo-
lutions of some great afRiirs, to whom the other replied,
that either God suffered^ or at least sympathized and bore
part xvith him that did. I confess these passages are not to
be found in the most ancient writers of the church ; but
that ought to be no just exception, when we consider what
little care was then taken to consign things to writing, and
how great a part of those few ancient records that were
written were quickly lost, whereof Eusebius sufficiently
complains ; not to say, that a great many writings might,
and did escape his notice ; and 'Maximus, I remember,
answering the objection, that the books ascribed to St.
Denysare not mentioned by Eusebius, tells us, that him-
self had met with several pieces of the ancients, of which
not the least footstep in Eusebius. But however that be,
it concludes not against the matter of fact, many things
though never entered upon record, bein^ as to the sub-
stance of them, preserved by constant tradition and re-
port. I deny not but that the several authors who report
this passage, might immediately derive it out of the
epistles said to be written to St Polycarp and Apollo-
phanes. But then cannot suppose that tlie author of these
epistles did purely feign the matter of fact of his own
head, but rather delivered what tradition had conveyed
down to his time. Indeed that which would more shrewd-
ly shake the foundation of the story, if it be true, is what
^Origen supposes, that this darkness that ivas over ail the
h Chronic, lib. 13. apud Euseb. Chron. ad Ann. Chr. x\xii. vid. Groeca'HT.
AV. p. 202. vid. Grig. c;-nt!\ Ceis.l. 2. p. 80 &; Clifo. Alcxandr. ad Ann. Tiber,
xviii. Indict. 4. Olympiail. ccii. 4 p. 520. i Prolog-, ante oper. S. Dio-
nys. p. 36. k Trad. xxxv. in Matth. fol. iTi.89. col.'l.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 169
earth, and the earthquake that attended our Lord's pas-
sion, extended no further than Judea, as some of the
prodigies no further than Jerusalem. But to what de-
grees of truth or probability that opinion may approve
itself, I leave to others to inquire.
4. Dionysius having finished his studies at Heliopolis,
returned to Athens, incomparably fitted to serve his
country, and accordingly was advanced to be one of the
judges of the Areopagus, a place of great honour and
renown. The Areopagus was a famous senate house
built upon a hill in Athens, wherein assembled their
great court of justice, Tav«yTo7f'E>X«cricl'<)t*r>igi*v T;//i»Ta7oy«j*7//aTat7oK,
as ''one calls it, the most sacred and venerable tri-
bunal in all Greece. Under their cognizance came all
the greater and more capital causes, and especially ma.t-
ters of religion, blasphemy against the gods, and con-
tempt of the holy mysteries ; and therefore St. Paul was
arraigned before this court, as a setter forth of strange
gods, when he preached to them concerning Jesus and
Anastasis, or the resurrection. None might be of this
council but persons of birth and quality, wise and pru-
dent men, and of very strict and severe manners, and so
great an awe and reverence did this solemn and gra\ e
assembly strike into those that sat in it, that 'Isocrates
tells us, that in his time, when they were somewhat de-
generated from their ancient virtue, however otherwise
men w^ere irregular and exorbitant, yet once chosen into
this senate, they presently ceased from their vicious in-
clinations, and chose rather to cor.form to the laws and
manners of that court, >i tSk a-hTm k^kIclU i/u^fAmiv, than to continue
in their wild and debauched course of life. They were
exactly upright and impartial in their proceedings, and
heard causes at night, or in the dark, that the person of
the plaintiff or the pleader might have no undue inflaence
upon them. Their sentence was decretory and final,
and from their determination lay no appeal. Their num-
ber was uncertain, by some restrained to nine, by others
enlarged to thirty-one, by others to fifty-one, and to more
k Aristid, Tom. 1. p. 331. 1 Loco supr. laudat.
Y
170 THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS,
by some. Indeed the Novemviri, who were the Basileus
or king, the Archon, the Polemarchus, and the six Thes-
jnothetse, were the constant seminary and nursery of this
great assembly, who having discharged their several offi-
ces, annually passed into the Areopagus, and therefore
when Socrates was condemned by this "" court, we find no
less than two hundred fourscore and one, giving their
votes against him, besides those whose white stones
were for his absolution : and in an ancient inscription
upon a column in the Acropolis at Athens," erected to the
memory of Rufus Festus, proconsul of Greece, and one
of these Judges, mention is made of the Areopagite Se-
nate of three hundred,
5. In this grave and venerable judicature sat our St.
Denys, when St. Paul about the year forty-nine or fifty,
came to Athens, where he resolutely asserted the cause
of Christianity against the attempts of the Stoic and Epi-
curean philosophers, who mainly appeared against it.
The Athenians, who were infinitely curious and super-
stitious in matters of religion, not knowing what to make
of this new and strange doctrine that he taught, presently
brought him before the Areopagite senate, to whom the
proper cognizance of such causes did belong. Here, in a
neat and eloquent discourse, delivered not with greater
freedom of mind, then strength of reason, he plainly de-
monstrated the folly and absurdity of those many vain de-
ities, whom they blindly worshipped, explained to them
that Infinite Being that made and governed the world, and
what indispensable obligations he had laid upon all man-
kind to worship and adore him, and how much he had
enforced all former engagements to gratitude and obedi-
ence, to repentance and reformation by this last and best
dispensation, by sending his Son to publish so excellent a
religion to the world. His discourse however entertain-
ed by some with scorn and laughter, and gravely put oft'
by others, yet wanted not a happy influence upon many,
m D. Laert.l. 2. in vlt. Socrat. p. 115.
n H EH APEOllArOT KOTAH TP.N TPTAKGIiriN, KAI O AHMOS O A-
©HNAinN Caetera vid. apud R. Volaterran. Comment. Urban. 1. 8. col. 318,
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 171
whom it convinced of the reasonableness and divinity of
the Christian faith : among whom was our Dionysius,
one of the Judges that sat upon him, and Damaris his
wife (for so °St. Chr^sostom and others make her) and
probably his whole house. An author (I confess
I know not by what authority) relates a particular
dispute between Dionysius and St. Paul concerning
the unknown God, who as God-man was to appear in the
latter ages to reform the world ; this the apostle showed
to be the Holy Jesus, lately come down from Heaven, and
so satisfied St. Denys that he prayed him to intercede with
Heaven, that he might be fully confirmed in this belief.
The next day St. Paul having restored sight to one that
was born blind, charged him to go to Dionysius, and by
that token claim his promise to be his convert ; who be-
ing amazed at this sight, readily renounced his idolatry,
and was with his house baptized into the faith of Christ.
But I know the credit of my author too well to lay any
great stress upon this relation, and the rather because I
find that Baronius himself is not willing to venture his
faith upon it. To which I might add** St.'Chrysostom^s
observation, that the Areopagite was converted *'^»
^i^fAMycgUc fjLomy only by St. Paul's discourse, there being
no miracle that we know of, that might promote and fur-
ther it.
6. Being baptized, he was, we are '' told, committed to
the care and tutorage of St. Hierotheus, to be by him
further instructed in the faith, a person not so much as
mentioned by any of the ancients, which creates with me
a vehement suspicion, that it is only a feigned name, and
that no such person ever really was in the world. In-
deed the ' Greek Meneeon makes him to have been one
of the nine Senators of the Areopagus, to have been con-
verted by St. Paul, and by him made bishop of Athens,
and then appointed tutor to St. Denys. * Others make
o De sacerdot. I. 4. c. 7. p. 67. T. 4. Ambros. Epist. 82. p. 198. Tom. 3.
p Hi!d. in passio. S. Dionys. n. 6, 7, 8. ap. Sur. Octob. IX. p. 122.
q Loc. supr. citat.
r S. Metaphr. ap. Sur, ibid. Maxim. Syncel. ubi supr. Pseudo Dionys. de di»
vin. nomin. c 2- p. 175. T. 1.
t Pseudo-Deit.Chron. ad Ann. Chr. LXXL
172 THE LIFE OF DIONYSIUS.
him by birth a Spaniard, first bishop of Athens, and then
travelling into his own countr}% Bishop of Segovia in
Spain. And Ijoth I believe with equal truth. Nor pro-
bably had such a person ever been thought of, had there
not been some intimations of such an instructor in Dio-
nysius's works, confirmed by the Scoliasts that writ
upon him, and afterwards by others improved into a for-
mal story : As for St. Dionysius, he is made to travel
with St. Paul for three years after his conversion, and
then to have been constituted by him bishop of Athens ;
so that it was necessary it seems to pack Hierotheus into
Spain, that room might be made for him. Indeed that
Dionysius was, and that without any affront to St. Hiero-
theus, the first bishop of Athens, w^e are assured by an au-
thority, that cannot be doubted, " Dionysius thefamous
bishop of Corinth (who lived not long after him) expressly
affirming it ; and '^ Nicephorus adds, what is probable
enough, that it was done with St. Paul's own hands. I
shall but mention his journey to Jerusalem to meet the
apostles, who are said to have come from all parts of the
world to be present at the last hours of the Blessed Virgin^
and his several visitations of the churches in Phrygia and
Achaia, to plant or confirm the faith.
7. All which, supposing they were true, yet here we
must take our leave. For now the writei-s of his life ge-
nerally make him prepare for a much longer journey.
Having settled his affairs at Athens, and substituted a suc-
cessor in his see, he is said to go to Rome (a brief ac-
count of things shall suffice, where no truth lies at the
bottom :) at Rome he was despatched by St. Clemens
into France, where he planted the faith, and founded an
Episcopal see at Paris, whence after many years, about
the ninetieth year of his age, he returned into the east, to
converse with St. John at Ephesus thence back again to
Paris, where he suffered martyrdom, and among infinite
other miracles reported of him, he is said to have taken
up his head, after it had been cut off' by the executioners,
and to have carried it in his hands (an angel going be-
u Apud Euseb. H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 4. p. 74. and I. 4. c. 23. p. 144
V Niceph. H. Ecc. 1. 2. c. 20. p. 167.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 173
fore, and an heavenly chorus attending him all the way)
for two miles together, till he came to the ])lace of his in-
terment, where he gently laid it and himself down, and
was there honourably entombed. This is the sum of a ve-
ry tedious stor3\ A story so improbable in itself, so di-
rectly contrary to what ''' Severus Sulpitius affirms, that
none were martyred for the faith in France, till the fifth
persecution under the reign of M. Aurelius Antoninus;
that I shall not spend much time in its confutation. Es-
pecially vrhen the thing has been unanswerably done by
so many learned and ingenious men in the church of
Rome, and by none more effectually than Sirmond and
Launoy, who have cleared it beyond all possibilities of
just exception.
8. Indeed we find in several very ancient "" ?vlartyr-
ologies, as also in ^' Gregory bishop of Tours, who re-
ports it out of the Acts of Saturninus the Martyr, that
one Dionysius with some others was sent by the bishop
of Rome into France in the time of Decius the emperor,
Ann. Chr. CCL. where he preached the Christian faith,
and became bishop of Paris, and after great torments and
sufferings, was beheaded for his resolute and constant
profession of religion, and accordingly his martyrdom is
recorded in the most ancient Martyrologies, upon a day
distinct from that of tlie Atiienian Dionysius, and the
same miracles ascribed to him, that are reported of the
other. And that this was the first and true foundation of
the story, I suppose no wise man will doubt. Nor in-
deed is the least mention made of any such thing, I am
sure not any in writer of name and note, till the times of
Charles the great : when ''' Ludovicus emperor, and king
of France wrote to Hilduin abbot of St. Denys, to pick
up whatever memoirs he could find concerning him,
either in the books of the Greeks or Latins, or such re-
cords as they had at home, and to digest and compile
w Sacr. Hist. Tib. 2, pag". 14^.
X Usiiard. Martyr. Culend. Octob. et VII. Id. Octob. Martyr. BeJx VII.
Id. Octob.
y Greg-. Turon. Hist. Franc, lib. 1. c. 28. p. 26.5. Edit, Dn. Chesn.
?■ Vid. Epist. ejus, et Hilduin. Rescript, apud Sur. loc. cit at.
174 • THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS.
them into orderly tracts. He did so, and furnished out
a very large and particular relation, Avhich Avas quickly
improved and defended by Hincmar, bishop of Rhemes,
scholar to Hilduin, and Anastasius Bibliothecarius of
Rome, to whom the Greek writers of that and the fol-
lowing ages readily gave their vote and sufirage. Nor
has a late ^luthor much mended the matter in point of
antiquity, who tells us that in a convention of bishops in
France, held ann. 825. ten years before Hilduin wrote his
Areopagitics, mention is made of St. Dionysius's being
sent into France by Clemens St. Peter's successor. For
^vt can easily allow that there might about that time be
some blind and obscure tradition, though the fragment
of the Synod, which he there produces, speaks not one
syllable of this Dionysius's being the Areopagite, or
having any relation to Athens. In short the case seems
plainly this :
9. Hilduin set on by his potent patron, partly that he
might exalt the honour of France, partly to advance the
reputation of his particular convent, finding an obscure
Dionysius to have been bishop of Paris, removes him an
age or two higher, and makes him the same with him of
Athens, a person of greater honour and veneration, and
partly from the records, partly from the traditions current
among themselves, draws up a formal account of him
from first to last ; adding, it is like, what he thought good
of his own, to make up the story. These commentaries
of his, we may suppose, were quickly conveyed to Rome,
where being met with by the Greeks, who came upon
frequent embassies to that see about that time, they were
carried over to Constantinople, out of which Methodius
(who had himself been aprocrisiarius or embassador from
Nicephorus the Greek patriarch to pope Pascal at Rome,
and after infinite troubles was advanced to the patriarchate
of Constantinople) furnishes himself with materials to
write the life of Dion3'sius ; for that he had them not out
of the records of his own church is plain, in that when
a J. Mabillon. not. adEpiat. Hincmar. inter Analect. Veter. p. 63.
F THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 175
Hildiiin set upon composing his Areopagitics, he ex-
pressly says,^ that the Greeks had written nothing con-
cerning the niartyrdom of St. Denys, the particulars
whereof, by reason of the vast distance, they could not
attain. Out of Hilduin, therefore, or at least some re-
ports of that time, Methodius must needs derive his in-
telligence ; but^ most probably from Hilduin, between
whose relation and that of Methodius, there is so exact
an agreement, not only in particular passages, but oft-
times in the very same words, as "^Monsieur Launoy has
demonstrated by a particular collation. Methodiusi's
tract was by the Greek embassadors quickly brought
from Constantinople to Rome, where ^Anastasius con-
fesses he met with it, translated it into Latin, and thence
transmitted it into France, where it was read, owned, and
published by ''Hincmar, as appears by his epistle to
Charles the emperor. Where he plainly tells us, that no
sooner had he read this life written by Methodius, but he
found it admirably to agree with what he had read in his
youth (he means I doubt not, the writings of Hilduin) by
whom and how the acts of St, Denys and his companions
came to the knowledge of the Romans, and thence to the
notice of the Greeks. This is the most likely pedigree
and procedure of the story that I can think of ; and from
hence how easy was it for the after writers both of the v^es-
tern and the eastern church to swallow down a story, thus
plausibly fitted to their taste ? Nor had the Greenes any
reason over nicely to examine, or reject what made so
much for the honour of their church and nation, and
seemed to lay not France only, but the whole western
church under an obligation to them, for furnishing them
with so great and excellent a person. But to return to
our Dionysius.
10. Though we cannot doubt but that he behaved him-
self with all diligence and fidelity in the discharge of his
office ; yet because the ancients have conveyed down no
b Rescript, ad. Ludov. Impcr. n. 10. ibid. c Respons. discuss, cap 9 p
120^ d Epist. ad Carol. Calv. Imp. apud. Sur. ibid. p. 132. eExtut
apud. Sur. ubi supi-. J'j; MabillonJoc. citat.
176 THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS.
particulars to our hands, we shall not venture upon re-
ports of false, or at best doubtful credit. Nothing of cer-
tainty can be recovered of him, more than what Aristides
the Christian philoso];her (who himself lived, and was
probabi}- born at Athens, not long after Dionysius , relates
in the ^Apology which he published for the Christian
religion, that after ii most resolute and eminent confession
of the faith, afkr iia\ ing undergone several of the seve-
rest kinds of torment, he gave the last and great testimony
to it by layii}g down his life. This was done, as is most
probable, under the reign of Domitian, as is confessed
(betrayed into it by a secret instinct of truth) by abbot
Kilduin., Methodius, and their followers: while others ex-
tend it to the times of Trajan, others to the reignof Adrian,
who entered upon the empire ann. 1 17, partly that they
mieht leave room enough for the account which they give
of him, partly to presei ve the authority of his writings,
wherein a passage is cited out of Ignatius's epistles, writ-
ten just before his martyrdom, ann. 107. The reader I
hope will not expect from me an account of the miracles
said to be done by him either before or since his death,
or of the fierce contests that are between several places
in the Roman church concerning his reliques. One pas-
sage hovrever I shall not omit. In a village in Luxem-
bu/ g, not far from Treves, is a church dedicated to St.
Denys, wherein is kept his scull, at least a piece of it, on
the crown w hereof there is a white cross while the other
parts of the scull are black. This common tradition, and
some ^authors to avouch it, will have to be made, when
St. Paul laid his hands upon him at his consecration.
Which if so, I have no more to observe, but that orders
(which the church of Rome make a sacrament) did here
even in a literal sense confer an indelible character and
mark upon him.
11. His 'TiTT®' Qr^fxctiiKor^ the shape and figure of his body
is by the ''Greek Menason thus described : he was of a
middle stature, slender, fair, but inclining to paleness,
f Ap.id usuard. 8c Adon. Mart. v. Non. Octobr. g Vid. author, citat
ap. P. Hidloix. nut. ud vit. Dionjs. 241. L Ki; y t« OkI'.'x.^.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 177
his nose gracefully bending, hollow-eyed with short eye-
brows, his ear large, his hair thick and white, his beard
moderately long, but very thin. For the image of his
mind expressed in his discourses, and the excellent con-
duct of his life, the Greeks according to their magnifying
humour as well as language, bestow most hyperbolical
clogies and commendations on him. ^ They style him,
I c^o<f Avro^ct, g o-Sv ct7rcpp)iT»v ^t^^ov, thc sacrcd interpreter and con-
templator of hidden and unspeakable mysteries, and an
unsearchable depth of heavenly knowledge; t^iuSwv ^ioKo-
yoVf rm uursg iivoiAV ^anTroim ;^'^g<T^t.aTav ^^scipj^ov o^^rtvjp, tuC / TlTlltlf CtWlTlff^
the divine instrument of those enlivening graces that are
above all comprehension. They say of him that his life
was wonderful, his discourse more wonderful; his tongue
full of light, his mouth breathing an holy fire ; but his
mind *Kg/f<Sc ^i^n^WATOr, most exactly like to God ; v^^jth a
great deal more of the like nature up and down their
offices. And certainly were the notions which he has
given us of the celestial hierarchy and orders of angels^
and the things of that supramundane state, as clear and
certain, as some would persuade us, he might deserve
that title which 'others gave him ^7«gi/'>/cv » Triium tS sgstvs^ the
TFing^ or the bird of heaven.
12. The great and evident demonstration of his wis-
dom and eloquence, we are told,^ are the works which
he left behind him, the notions and language wherewith
they are clothed, being so lofty and sublime, as are scarce-
ly capable to be the issue of a mere mortal creature,
fiooks infinitely intricate and perplext (as our country-
man ^Johannes Scotus, who first translated them into
Latin, tell us) far beyond the reach of modern apprehen^
sions, and which few are able to pierce into, both for their
antiquity, and sublimeness of those heavenly mysteries,
whereof they treat. A work so grateful to all specula-
tive inquirers, into the natures of things, and the more
h Ibid. V
i Vid. Anastas. Biblioth. Ep'ist. ap. Sur. loc. cit.p. 132. Chry30St. de Pselidt«
Proph. p. 401. Tom. 6.
k Suid. in voce hiwiai®'^ p. 745. Niceph, H. Eccl.l. 2. c. 20. p. 167,
1 Epist. ad Carol. Calf, Franc. Reg, ap.Usser.Epist. Hibern p. 59.
178 THE LIFE OF ST. DOINYSIUS;
abstruse and recondite parts of learning, that (if Suidas
say true) some of the heathen philosophers, and particu-
larly Proclus, often borrows not only his notions, but his
very words and phrases from him ; whence he suspects,
that some of the philosophers at Athens stole those books
of his mentioned in the epistle dedicatory to St. Timo-
thy, and which now are wanting, and published them
under their own names. But had I been to make the
conjecture, I should rather have suspected that this
Pseudo-Dionysius fetched his speculations, and good
part of his expressions from Plotinus, lamblichus, and
the rest of the later Platonists. For certainly one tgg is
not more like another, than this man's divinity is like the
theology of that school, especially as explained by the
philosophers who lived in the first ages of Christianity,
That our Dionysius was not the author of the bocks at
this day extant under his name, I shall not concern my-
self to show. For however it be contended for by many
with all imaginable zeal and stiffness, yet want there not
those, and men of note, even in the Roman communion,
w ho clearly disown and deny it ; as among the reformed
it has been largely disproved by many, and by none with
greater learning and industry than Monsieur Daille, w^ho
has said whatever is necessary, if not more than enough
upon this argument : though as to the date of their birth
and first appearance, when he thrusts them down to the
sixth century, he takes somewhat oiffrom the antiquity,
w^hich may with probability be allowed them.
15. Who was the particular author of these books, is
not easy to determine. Among the several conjectures
about this matter, none methinks deserves a fairer regard,
then what '""Laurentius Valla tells us some learned
Greeks of his time conceived, that it was ApoUinaris,
but whether father or son, it matters not, both being men
of parts, and of the same strain and humour, et/u^^in^oi l>x»».
vuaY Kiyo^v U-!- ck^xci, " both of thcm mastcrs in all the learn-
ing of the Greeks, though of the two the son w^as most
m Annot. In Act- Ajiost. c. 17. n Spcrat. H. Ecc. 1. 2. c. 46. p. 160.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 179
likely to be the man. Certain it is, that Apollinaris was
:rgof ■retvliJ'ctrtiv lUntriv, 5 \^ym iMxv 'ra.^i<rKT;iuA<rjuh(^, aS **S0Z0mCn clc-
scribes him, trained up to all sorts of learning, and skill-
ed in the artifices and frames of words and speeches, and
PSto Basil says of him, that being endued with a facility of
writing upon any argument, joined with a great readi-
ness and volubility of language, he filled the world with
his books : though even in his theologic tracts he sought
not to establish them by scripture proofs, but from hu-
man arguments and ways of reasoning : Jiirxv^i^ii-. Se to j'^y^uu.
oii/TS:, lijc ct^cprSw^ d^' dvo Trig/ve/stf, as "^auotlier also says of him.
He was born and bred at Alexandria (than which no
place more famous for schools of human learning, espe-
cially the profession of the Platonic philosophy) and af-
terwards lived at Laodicea, where he was so intimately
familiar with the Gentile philosophers, that Theodotus
bishop of the place forbade him (though in vain) any lon-
ger to keep company with them, fearing lest he might be
perverted to paganism ; as afterwards George his suc-
cessor excommunicated him for his insolent contempt in
not doing it. This is said to have given the first occa-
sion to his starting aside from the orthodox doctrines of
the church. For resenting it as an high affront, and be-
ing T« h^oU tS Qocptfui xoya ^:ip'am, " promptcd witli a bold
conceit of his sophistical wit, and subtle ways of reason-
ing, he began to innovate in matters of doctrine, and set
up a sect after his own name. And certainly whoever
thoroughly considers ApoUinaris's principles, as they
are represented by ' Socrates, ^ So z omen, " Theodoret,
"" Basil, and ^ Epiphanius, wull find many of them to have
a great affinity with the Platonic notions, and some of
them not un-akin to those in Dionysius's books, and that
as to the doctrine of the Trinity they were right in the
main, which ^Socrates particularly tells us the Apoliinari-
o H. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 18. p. 623. Soci-. loc. citat.
p Ep. LXXIV. p. 125. Tom. 2. q Leont. de Sect. Act. IV. p. 44&.
r Socrat. ib. p. 161. s Socrat. loc. citat.
t Sozom. 1. 6. c. 27. p. 676. ex Ep. Nazian. de Nectar.
u Theodor. 1. 5. c. 3. p. 200. v Basil, ubi supr.
w Epiph. Ilxre3. 77. p. 42i. x Ibid. vki. Leunt. loc. citat.
im THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS.
ans confessed to be consubstantial. To which I add, what
a learntd * man of our own has observed upon this argu-
ment, that ApolUnaris and his followers were guilty of
forg-ing ecclesiastical writings, which they fastened upon
Gregory Thaumaturgus, Athanasius, and Pope Julius,
as "" Leontius particularly proves at large. So that they
rriight be probably enough forged in the school of ApoU
linaris, either by himself, or some of his disciples.
14. It makes the conjecture look yet more favourable,
that there was one ^ Dionysius, a friend probably of Apol-
Unaris, to n^hom he is said to have written that famous
epistle that went under the name of Pope Julius: and
then among his own scholars he had a Timotheus (con-
demned together with his master by ^ Damasus, and the
synod at Rome) so that they might easily enough take
occasion from their own to vent their conceptions under
the more venerable names of those ancient and apostolic
peri>ons. Or, which is more probable, ApolUnaris him*
self so well versed in the arts of counterfeiting, might
from them take the hint to compose and publish them
under the name of the ancient Dionysius. Nor indeed
could he likely pitch upon a name more favourable and
agreeable to his purpose, a man born in the very centre
of learning and eloquence, and who might easily be sup-
posed to be bred up in all the institutions of philosophy,
and in a peculiar manner acquainted with the writings
and theorems of Plato and his followers, so famous, so
generally entertained in that place. And there wiU be
the more reason to believe it still, when we consider,
that ' ApolUnaris reduced the gospels and the writings of
the apostles into the form of dialogues in imitation of
Plato among the Greeks. And then for the style, which
is very lofty and affected we noted before how peculiarly
qualified Apoliinaris was witli a quick invention of
words, and a sophistical way of speech, and the *^histo-
y Dr. Sfining^fl. his answer to Cress. Apobff. c. 2. «. 17 p. 133.
2 De Se-t. Act. VIII. p. 527. "" ^ !>• i/ • p. iJJ.
a V\d. Coliat. Cnthol. cum Severian. Cone. Tom. 4. col 1T67
h Th.od. H^Etc I. 5. c 9, 10. p. 212. c Socr.t 1. 3. c. 16 p. 187.
•1 Suzoitt, I. 6. c. 25. p. 672.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 181
rian observes that the great instrument by which he set
on foot his heresy, and wherein he had a singular talent,
was ^ix^» y^iym, artificial schemes of words, and subtle ways
to express himself. Besides he was an incomparable
poet^ (not only the father but the son) to the study where-
of he peculiarly addicted himself, and wrote poems to
the imitation, and the envy of the best among the hea-
thens. In imitation of Homer he wrote heroic poems of
the history of the Old Testament till the reign of Saul,
comedies after the manner of Menander, tragedies in
imitation of Euripides, and odes in imitation of Pindar :
he composed divine hymns,^ that w^ere publicly sung in
the churches of his separation, and songs which men sung
both in their feasts and at their trades, and even women
at the distaff. By this means he was admirably prepared
for lofty and poetic strains, and might be easily tempted,
especially the matter admitting it, to give way to a wan-
ton and luxuriant fancy in the choice, composition, and
use of words. And certainly never was there a stranger
heap (A?|»a,y TroKvTTxuB-Uv, Maximus himself calls it) of sublime
affected bombast, and poetic phrases, than is to be met
with in these books attributed to St. Denys.
15. If it shall be inquired why a man should after so
much pains choose to publish his labours rather under
another man's name than his own, there needs no other
answer than that this has been an old trade, which some
men have taken up, either because it was their humour
to lay their own children at other men's doors, or to de-
cline the censure which the notions they published were
likely to expose them to, or principally to conciliate the
greater esteem and value for them, by thrusting them
forth under the name of those for whom the world has a
just regard and veneration. x'Vs for Monsieur Dailles's
conjecture,^ that the reason why several learned volumes
were written and fastened upon the fathers of the ancient
church, was to vindicate them from that common impu-
tation of the Gentiles, who were wont to charge the
e Sozom. 1. 5. c. 18 p 623. fid. 1. 6. c 25. p. 6'1. g- De Script-
Dionys. c.39. p.221.
182 THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS.
Christians for being a rude and illiterate generation,
whose books were stuffed with nothing but plain simple
doctrines, and who were strangers to all kind of learning
and eloquence ; that to obviate this objection, several
took upon them to compose books full of learning and
philosophy, which they published under the names of the
first preachers and propagators of the Christian faith, and
that this particularly was the case of the Recognitions
ascribed to Clemens, and the writings attributed to Dio-
nysius : The first I grant very likely and rational, the
Recognitions being probably written about the second
century, when (as appears from Celsus's book against
the Christians) this objection was most rife, and when
few learned discourses had been published by them :
But can by no means allow it as to the second, Dionysi-
us's works being written long after the learning and elo-
quence of the Christians had sufiiciendy approved itself
to the world, to the shame and conviction, the envy and
admiration of its greatest enemies. And there was far
less need of them for this purpose, if it be true what
Daille himself so confidendy asserts, and so earnestly
contends for, that they were not written till the begin-
ning of the sixth century, about the year 520, when
there were few learned Gentiles left to make this objec-
tion, heathenism being almost wholly banished out of the
civilized world.
16. But whoever was their genuine parent, or upon
what account soever he wrote them, it is plain that he
laid the foundation of a mystical and unintelligible divi-
nity among Christians, and that hence proceeded all
those wild Rosicrucean notions, which some men are so
fond of, and the life and practice whereof they cry up as
the very soul and perfection of the Christian state. And
that this author docs immediately minister to this design,
let the reader judge by one instance, and I assure him
it is none of the most obscure and intricate passages in
these books. I have set it down in its own language as
well as ours, not being confident of my own version
(though expressed word for word) for I pretend to no
great faculty in translating what I do not understand.
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS. 183
Thus then he discourses concerning the knowledge of
God. '* 'God," saith he, " is known in all things, and
without all things : he is known by knowledge, and by-
ignorance ; there is both a cogitation of him, and a word,
and a science, and a touch, and a sense, and an opinion,
and an imagination, and a name, and all other things ;
and yet he is neither thought, nor spoken, nor named.
He is not any thing of those things that are, nor is he
known in any of the things that are ; he is both all things
in all, and nothing in nothing ; out of all things he is
known to all, and out of nothing to nothing. These are
the things which we rightly discourse concerning God.
And this again is the most divine knowledge of God, that
which is known by ignorance, according to the union
that is above understanding; when the mind getting at a
distance from all things that are, and having dismissed it-
self, is united to those super- illustrious beams, from
whence and w^here it is enlightened in the unfiithomable
depth of wisdom " More of this and the like stuff is
plentifully scattered up and dow^n these books. And if
this be not mystical and profound enough, I know not
what is ; and which certainly any man but one well ver-
sed in this sort of theology, would look upon as a strange
jargon of nonsense and contradiction. And yet this is
the height of devotion and piety, which some men ear-
nestly press after, and wherein they glory. As if a man
could not truly understand the mysteries of religion, till
he had resigned his reason, nor be a Christian, without
first becoming an enthusiast, nor be able to speak sense,
unless in a language which none can understand.
1 A/0 X, IV rrlo-ty o Qtoc ytvoiTKiTttt, x, ;:^a5/f Trdvrm- x. Stx yvaxriuc oQtcs yiyuTtci-rutt x.
J'tx dyvceTiu?. Kcti 5s-/v --tUT« x. vi>i(rt^, x, Kiy(Sr, I Wtg-ii/u>i, x, i:TdL:p», ii AiT^ha-ic, Xj
^'•'K^i f; «?><yT«i!7/ai, X. hcu^^ i t* rt.'/Aa TTctvrn, i «t« viJt*/, in Kiytrri, 8T5 ovcud^iroj.
K*/ »x. 55"5 rt rm o^Tav, icTs h tivi twv ovrav yivocmnt. Kt) b rS.<Ti ttuyta «r/, a '
y®-. Dionys. de Divin. Nomin. csp. 7. p. 2.'?S
184
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS-
WRITINGS FALSELY ATTRIBUTED TO HIM.
De Coelesti Hierarchia. Lib. 1.
De Divinis Nominibus. 1.
DeEcclesiastica Hierarchia. 1.
De Mystica Theologi?.. 1.
Epistolae ad Caium. 4.
Ad Dorotheum. 1.
Ad Sosipatrum. Epistola I,
Ad Polycarpum. 1,
Ad Demophilum. 1.
Ad Titum. 1.
Ad Joannem Evangelistam. 1.
Ad Apollophanem. i.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS,
BISHOP OF ROME.
His birth-place. His parents, kindred, education, and conversion to
cliristianity noted out of the books extant under his name. His relation
to the imperial family showed to be a mistake. His being made bishop
of Rome. The great confusion about the first bishops of that see. A
probable account endeavoured concerning the order of St. Clemens's
succession, and the reconciling it with the times of the other bishops.
What account given of him in the ancient Epistle to St. James. Cle-
mens his appointing notaries to write the acts of the Martyrs, and des-
patching messengers to propagate the gospel. The schism in the
church of Corinth ; and Clemehs's Epistle to that church. An inquiry
into the time when that Epistle was written. The persecution under
Trajan. His proceeding against the Heteri^. A short relation of St.
Clemens's troubles out of Simeon Metaphrastes. His banishment to
Cherson. Damnatio ad Metalla, what. The great success of his mi-
nistry in the place of his exile. St. Clemens's martyrdom, and the kind
of it. The annivei'sary miracle reported on the day of his solemnity.
The time of his martyrdom. His genuine writings. His Epistle to the
Corinthians : the commendations given of it by the ancients. Its style
and character. The great modesty and humility that appears in it.
The fragment of his second Epistle. Suppositious writings. The re-
cognitions ; their several titles, and different editions. Their antiqui-
ty, what. A conjecture concerning the author of them. The censures
of the ancients concerning the corrupting of them, considered. The
Epistle to St. James.
1. IT makes not a little for the honour of this venera-
ble apostolical man (for of him all antiquity understands
it) that he was fellow-labourer with St. Paul, and one of
those whose names were written in the book of life. He
was born at Rome, upon mount Caelius, as, besides
others, the ^ Pontifical under the name of Damasus, in-
a Vit Clement, concil. Tom. 1. col. 74.
A Jl
186 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
forms us. His flither's name was Faustinus, but who he
was and what his profession and course of life is not re-
corded. Lideed in the book of the Recognitions, and the
ta KK>iiAiviij (mentioned by the ancients, and lately publish-
ed) we have more particular accounts concerning him :
books which however falsely attributed to St. Clemens,
and liable in some cases to just exception, yet, being of
great antiquity in the church, written not long after the
Apostolic age (as we shall show hereafter) we shall thence
derive some few notices to our purpose, though we can-
not absolutely engage for the certainty of them. There
we find St. Clemens brought in, giving this account of
himself.
2. He ^ was descended of a noble race, sprung from
the family of the Caesars, his father Faustinianus, or
Faustus, being near akin to the emperor (I suppose Ti-
berius) and educated together with him, and by his pro-
curejnent matched with Mattidia, a woman of a prime fa-
mily in Rome. He was the youngest of three sons, his
two elder brothers being Faustinus and Faustus, who af-
ter changed their names for Nicetas and Aquila. His
mother, a woman it seems of exquisite beauty, was by
her husband's own brother strongly solicited to unchaste
embraces. To avoid whose troublesome importunities,
and yet loath to reveal it to her husband, lest it should
break out to the disturbance and dishonour of their fami-
ly, she found out this expedient : she pretended to her
husband that she was warned in a dream together with
her two eldest sons to depart for some time from Rome.
He accordingly sent them to reside at Athens, for the
greater conveniency of their education. But hearing-
nothing of them, though he sent messengers on purpose
every year, he resolved at last to go himself in pursuit of
them ; which he did, leaving his youngest son, then
twelve years of age, at home, under the care of tutors and
guardians. *" St. Clemens grew up in all manly studies,
b Re:o.a:n. 1. 7. n. 8. p. 476. Clem. Homil. 12. n. 8. p. 678. Epitom. n. 76. n.
/fei. ^. lie' P •■
c Ilecogn. 1. 1. n. 1. p. 399. CI. Horn. 1. p. 546. Epist. p. 7i9.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 187
and virtuous actions, till falling under some great dissa-
tisfactions of mind concerning the immortality of the
soul, and the state of the other life, he applied himself to
search more narrowly into the nature and the irufh of
things. After having baffled all his own notions, he be-
took himself to the schools of the philosophers, where he
met with nothing but fierce contentions, endless disputes,
so}!fhistical and uncertain arts of reasoning ; thence he re-
solved to consult the Egyptian Hierophantce, and to see
if he could meet with any who by arts of magic was able
to fetch back one of those who were departed to the invi-
sible world, the very sight of whom might satisfy his cu- ,
rious inquiries about this matter. While he was under
this suspense, he heard of the Son of God appearing in
the world, and the excellent doctrines he had published
in Judea, wherein he was further instructed by the minis-
try of St. Barnabas, who came to Rome. Him he fol-
lowed first to Alexandria, and thence after a little time to
Judea. Arriving at Cassarea he met with St. Peter, by
whom he was instructed and baptized, whose compa-
nion and disciple he continued for a great part of his life.
3. This is the sum of what I thought good to borrow
from those ancient writings. As for his relations, what
various misadventures his father and mother, and his two
brothers severally met with, by what strange accidents
they all afterwards met together, were converted and bap-
tized into the Christian faith, I omit, partly as less proper
to my purpose, partly because it looks more like a dra-
matic scene of fancy, than a true and real history. As to
that part of the account of his being related to the imperial
f-UPiily, though it be more than once and again confident-
ly asserted by ^ ]Nicephorus (who transcribes a good i)art
of the story) and by *" others before him, yet I cannot but
behold it as an evident mistake, arising from no other
fountain than the story of Flavins Clemens, the consul,
who was cousin-german to the emperor Domitian, and
his wife Flavia Domitilla near akin also to the empe-
d H. Eccl. I. 2. c. 35. p. 191. 1. 3. c. 2. et 18. p. 247.
e Evicher. Liiijd. ad Valerian, de contempt. .MLiud. Anonym, de vit. Petr. et
Paul. ap. P. Jun. not. in Clem. Ep. ad Corinth.
188 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
ror : concerning whose conversion to, and martyrdom
for the faith of Christ, we have ^ elsewhere given an ac-
count from the writers of those times. Probable it is, that
St. Clemens for the main attended St. Peter's motions,
and came with him to Rome, where he had at last the go-
vernment of that church committed to him. ^ Dorotheus
tells us, that he was the first of the Gentiles that em-
braced the Christian faith, and that he was first made
bishop of Sarclica, a city in Thrace, afterwards called
Triaditza, and then of Rome. But herein 1 think he
stands alone, I am sure has none of the ancients to join
with him ; unless he understands it of another Clemens,
whom the ^ Chronicon Alexandrinum also makes one of
the LXX disciples, but withal seems to confound with
ours. That he was bishop of Rome, there is an unani-
mous and unquestionable agreement of all ancient wri-
ters, though they strangely vary about the place and order
of his coming to it. The writers of the Roman church,
how great words soever they speak of the constant and
uninterrupted succession of St. Peter's chair, are yet in-
volved in an inextricable labryinth about the succession
of the four first bishops of that See, scarce two of them
of any note bringing in the same account. I shall not at-
tempt to accommodate the difference between the several
schemes that are given in, but only propose w^hat I con-
ceive most likely and probable.
4. Evident it is both from ' Ireneeus and ^ Epiphanius,
as also before them from ^ Caius an ancient WTiter, and
from "^ Dionysius bishop of Corinth, that Peter and Paul
jointly laid the foundations of the church of Rom.e, and
are therefore equally styled bishops of it, the one as apos-
tle of the Gentiles (as wt may probably suppose) taking
care of the Gentile Christians, while the other as the
apostle of the circumcision^ applied himself to the Jewish
f Primlt. Christ, p. 1. ch. iii.
g Sviaops. de vit. App. in Bibl. PP. Tom. iii. p. 150. col. 1.
h Chron. Alex. p. 508. i Adv. Hseres 1. 3.C.3. p. 232.
k Epiph. Hxres. ZXVII. p. 51. vid. Hum. Dissert. V. c. 1. p. 25&.
1 Cai. adv. Procul. et
Tn Dionys. Epist. ad Rom. ap«d £useb. I. 2.c. 25- p. 68.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 189
converts at Rome. For we cannot imagine, that there
being" such chronical and inveterate prejudices between
Jews and Gentiles, especially in matters of religion, they
should be suddenly laid aside, and both enter- common
in one public society. We know that in the church of
Jerusalem till the destruction of the temple, none were
admitted but Jewish converts : and so it might be at first
at Rome, where infinite numbers of Jews then resided,
they might keep themselves for some time in distinct as-
semblies, the one under St. Paul, the other under Peter.
And some foundation for such a conjecture there seems
tobeeven in the apostolic history, where St. Luke tells us,
that St. Paul at his first coming to Rome, being rejected
by the Jews, turned to the Gentiles, declaring to them the
mlvatmi of God, who gladly heard and entertained it,
and that he continued thus preaching the kmgdoni of
God, and receiving ail that came in unto him for two years
together^" "I'his I look upon as the first settled founda-
tion of a Gentile church at Rome, the further care and
presidency whereof St. Paul might devolve upon Linus
(whom the interpolated Ignatius makes his deacon or
minister) as St. Peter having established a church of
Jewish converts might turn it over to St. Clemens, of
whom ° Tertullian expressly says, that Peter ordained
him bishop of Rome. Accordingly the compiler of the ^
apostolic constitutions makes Linus to be ordained bishop
of Rome by St. Paul, and Clemens by St. Peter. He
says, indeed, that Linus was the first, and so he might
very well be, seeing St. Paul (whatever the modern
writers of that church say to the contrary) was some
considerable time at Rome, before St. Peter came
hither. Linus dying, was probably succeeded by Cletus
or Anacletus (for the Greeks, and doubtless most truly^,
generally make him the same person) in his distinct ca-
pacity. At which time Clemens, whom St. Peter had
ordained to be his successor, continued to act as presi-
dent over the church of Jewish converts : and thus things
n Act. xxvili. 23, 24, 25, 28, 39,31.
o De Praescript, Hccret. c, 32. p. 213. p Lib, 7. c. 4r. col. 451,
190 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
remained till the death of-Cletiis, when the dif/erence be-
tween Jew and Gentile being quite worn off, the entire
presidency and governrfient of the whole church of Rome
might devolve upon St. Clemens as the surviver ; and
from this period of time, the years of his episcopacy, ac-
cording to the common computation, are to begin their
date. By this account, not only that of '^ Optatus and
the "" Bucherian catalogue may be true, who make Cle-
mens to follow Linus, but also that of Baronius and ma-
ny of the ancients, who make both Linus and Cletus to
go before him, as we can allow they did as bishops and
pastors of the Gentile church. As for a more distinct
and particular account of the times, I thus compute
them : Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom in the Nero-
nian persecution (as we have elsewhere probably showed)
Ann. LXV. After which Linus sat twelve years, four
months, and twelve days : Cletus twelve years, one (but
as Baronius, seven) months, and eleven days, which be-
tween them make twenty-five years, and extend to Ann.
Chr. XC. after Vv^hich if we add the nine years, eleven
months and twelve days, wherein Clemens sat sole
bishop over that whole church, they fall in exactly with
the third year of Trajan, the time assigned for his mar-
tyrdom, by Eusebius, Hierom, Damasus, and many
others. Or if with Petavius, Kicciolus, and some others,
we assign the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, Ann. 67,
two years later, the computation will still run more
smooth and easy, and there will be time enough to be al-
lowed for the odd months and days assigned by the dif-
ferent accounts, and to make the years of their ponificate
complete and full. Nor can I think of any way, consi-
dering the great intricacy and perplexity of the thing,
that can bid fairer for an easy solution of this matter.
For granting Clemens to have been ordained by St. Peter
for his successor, (as several of the ancients expressly af-
firm) and yet withal (v>hat is evident enough) that he
died not till Ann. Chr. C. Traj. IIL it will be ver}- difii-
q T)e Schism. Donat lib. 2. p. 38.
r A Buciicr. edit, comment, in Vict. Can. Pasch. c. 15. p. 269.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 191
cult to find any way so proper to reconcile it. As for
that fancy of 'Epiphanius, that Clemens might receive
imposition of hands from St. Peter, but refused the ac-
tual exercise of the episcopal office, so long as Linus and
Cletus lived : he only proposes it as a conjecture, found-
ed merely upon a mistaken passage of Clemens in his
epistle to the Corinthians, and confesses it is a thing
wherein he dare not be positive, not being confident
whether it were so or no.
5. Might the ancient ^epistle written to St. James the
brother of our Lord, under the name of our St. Clemens,
be admitted as a competent evidence, there we find not
only that Clemens was constituted bishop by St. Peter,
but with what formality the whole affivir was transacted.
It tells us that the apostle, sensible of his approaching dis-
.solution, presented Clemens before the church as a fit
person to be his successor ; the good man with all ima-
ginable modesty declined the honour, which St. Peter,
in a long discourse urged upon him, and set out at large
the particular duties both of ministers in their respective
orders and capacities, as also of the people ; which done,
he laid his hands upon him and compelled him to take
his scat. Flow he administered this great but difficult
province, the ecclesiastical records give us very little
account. The author of the "Pontifical, that fathers him-
self upon pope Damasus, tells us, that he divided Rome^
into seven regions, in each of Vvhich he appointed a no-
tary, who should diligently inquire after all the martyrs
thatsuftered within his division, and fiiithfully record the
acts of their martyrdom. I confess the credit of this au-
thor is not good enough absolutely to rely upon his sin-
gle testimony in matters so remote and distant : though
we are otherwise sufficiently assured, that the custom of
notaries taking the speeches, acts, and suftcrings of the
martyrs did obtain in the early ages of the church.
Besides this, we are told by others that he despatched
s Contr. Carpocrat. Hxrcs. xxvii. p. 51. vid. Clem. Epist. ad Corinth. p, 69.
t Extat Grssce & Lat. inter PP. Apost. a Coteler. edit. u Lib, Pontif, ia
vit. Clem. Cone. T. 1. col. 74.
192 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
away several persons to preach and propagate the Chris-
tian reHgion in those countries, whither the sound of the
gospel had not yet amved. Nor did he only concern
himself to propagate Christianit}'^, where it wanted, but
to preserve the peace of those churches where it was al-
ready planted/ For an unhappy schism having broken out
in the church of Corinth, they sent to Rome to require his
advice and assistance in it, who in the name of the church,
whereof he was governor, wrote back an incomparable
epistle to them, to compose and quell y.i*e,^vy^dvicrtov^irriy^ as
^'he calls it, that impious and abominable sedition that was
arisen amongst them. And indeed there seems to have
been a more intimate and friendly intercourse between
these two churches in these times, than between any
other mentioned in the writings of the church. The
exact time of writing this epistle is not known, the date
of it not being certainly determinable by any notices of
antiquity, or any intimations in the epistle itself. The
conjecture that has obtained with some of most note and
learning is, that it was written before the destruction of
Jerusalem, while the temple and the Levitical minis-
tration were yet standing. Which they collect, I sup-
pose, from a 'passage, where he speaks of them in the
present tense But whoever impartially considers the
place, will find no necessary foundation for such an in-
ference, and that St. Clemens's design was only to illus-
trate his argument, and to show the reasonableness of ob-
serving those particular stations and ministries which
God has appointed us, by alluding to the ordinances of
the Mosaic institution. To me it seems most probable
to have been written a little after the persecution under
Domitian, and probably not long before Clemens's exile.
For excusing the no sooner answering the letters of the
church of Corinth, he ^tells them it was ^/* yivoiAvcm ^fjTiv C^ix^
ocgo^? i 7ris,i7rlu>aii^, by rcasou of those calamities and sad acci-
dents that had happened to them. Now plain it is, that
no persecution had been raised against the Christians,
V Pleo^e-sip. ap. Euseb. 1. 3. c 16. p. 88. \x Epist. ad Corinth, p. 2. x Ibid.
^.;cr. 5:^, V Ib.natr. 1.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 19S
especidly at Rome, from the time of Nero till Domitian.
As for Mr. Young's conjecture from this place, that it
was written in the time of his banishment ; he forgot to
consider that the epistle was written not in Clemens's
own name, but in the person of the church of Rome. A
circumstance that renders the place incapable of being
particularly applied to him.
6. By a firm patience and a prudent care he weathered
out the stormy and troublesome times of Domitian, and
the short but peaceable reign of Nerva. When alas the
clouds returned after rain^ and began to thicken into a
blacker storm in the time of Trajan, an excellent prince
indeed, of so sweet and plausible a disposition, of so mild
and inoffensive a conversation, that it Avas ever after a
part of their solemn acclamation at the choice of a new
elected emperor, MELIOR TRAJANO," better than
Trajan. But withal he w^as zealous for his religion, and
upon that account a severe enemy to the Christians.
Among several laws enacted in the beginning of his reign,
he published one ( if ""Baronius, which I much question,
conjecture the time aright, for ^Pliny's epistle, upon
which he seems to ground it, was probably written at
least nine or ten years after) whereby he forbad the he-
terice, the societies or colleges erected up and down the
Roman empire, Avhereat men were wont to meet, and li-
berally feast under a pretence of more convenient des-
patch of business, and the maintenance of mutual love
and fiitndship ; wdiich yet the Roman state beheld with a
jealous eye, as fit nurseries for treason and sedition. Un-
der the notion of these unlawful combinations, the Chris-
tian assemblies w^ere looked upon by their enemxies; for
finding them confederated under one common president,
and constantly meeting at their solemn love-feasts, and
especially being of a way of worship different from the
religion of the empire, they thought they might se-
curely proceed against them as illegal societies, and con-
temners of the imperial constitution, \vherein St. Cle-
z Eutrop. H. Rom. 1. 8. non longe ab initio. a Ad. Ann- 100. n. viii. Tom
2. b Fpist. 97. I. 10.
B b
194 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
mens, as head of the society at Rome, was sure to bear
the deepest share. And indeed it was no more than what
himself had long expected, as appears from his letter to
the Corinthians ; where having spoken of the torments
and sufferings which the holy apostles had undergone, he
tells them,*" that he looked upon himself and his people as
«v atuTO TiT (TK'iy.fj.'Mi- set to run the same race, '^o cdirhg ^/uh 'lym iTrt -
Kursii, and that the same fight and conflict was laid up for
them.
7. Simeon the metaphrast in the account of his ^ mar-
tyrdom (much what the same with that life of St. Cle-
mens, said to be written by an uncertain author, publish-
ed long since by Lazius at the end of Abdias Babylonius)
sets down the beginning of his troubles to this eftect. St.
Clemens having converted Theodora, a noble lady, and
afterwards her husband Sisinnius, a kinsman and favour-
ite of the late emperor Nerva, the gaining so great a man
quickly drew on others of chief note and quality to em-
brace the faith. So prevalent is the example of religi-
ous greatness to sway men to piety and virtue. But
envy naturally maligns the good of others, and hates the
instrument that procures it. This good success deriv-
ed upon him the particular odium of Torcutianus,'' a man
of great power and authority at that time in Rome, who
by the inferior magistrates of the city, excited the people
to a mutiny against the holy man, charging him with
magic and sorcery, and for being an enemy and bias-
phemer of the gods, crying out either that he should do
sacrifice to them, or expiate his impiety with his blood.
Mamertinus pr^efect of the city, a moderate and prudent
man, being willing to appease the uproar, sent for St.
Clemens, and mildly persuaded him to comply. But
finding his resolution inflexible, he sent to acquaint the
emperor with the case, who returned this short rescript,
that he should either sacrifice to the gods, or be banish-
ed to Cherson, a disconsolate city beyond the Pontic
sea. Mamertinus having received the imperial mandate,
c ubi supr. p. 9.
d Habiuir Grxc. & Lat. integrum ap. Coteler. loc. cit. p. 825.
e Id. ibid p. 832.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 195
unwillingly complied with it, and gave orders that all
things should be made read}^ for the voyage, and accord-
ingly he was transported thither, to dig in the marble
quarries, and labour in the mines. Damnntio ad Me-
talla is a punishment frequendy mentioned in the Roman
laws, where it is said to be proxima morti pcena^ the very
next to capital punishments. Indeed the usage under it
was very extreme and rigorous : for besides the severest
labour and most intolerable hardship, the condemned
person was treated with all the instances of inhumanity,
whipped and beaten, chained and fettered, deprived of
his estate,^ which was forfeited to the exchequer, and the
person himself perpetually degraded into the condition of
a slave, and consequently rendered incapable to make a
w ill.' And not this only, but they were further exposed
to the most public marks of infamy and dishonour, ''their
heads half shaved, their right eye bored out, their left leg
disabled, their foreheads branded with an infamous mark,
a piece of disgrace first used in this case by 'Caligula
(and the historian notes it as an instance of his cruel
'temper) and from him continued till the times of Con-
stantine, who abolished it by a ''law ann. Chr. 315, not to
mention the hunger and thirst, the cold and nakednes, the
filth and nastiness, which they vv^ere forced t-o conflict
with in those miserable places.
8. Arriving at the place of his uncomfortable exile, he
found vast numbers of Christians condemned to the same
miserable fate, whose minds were not a little erected un-
der all their pressures at the sight of so good a man, by
whose constant preaching, and the frequent miracles that
he wrought, their enemies were converted into a better
opinion of them and their religion, the inhabitants of
those countries daily flocking over to the faith, so that iu
a little time Christianity had beaten paganism out of the
field, and all monuments of idolatry thereabouts were de-
f L. 28 ff. de p,-^!!. lib. 48. Tit 19.
^ L. 36. ubi supr. 1. 12. fF. de jur. flsc. 1. 49. Tit. 14, 1. 1. de bon, damnat. 1.
8, Q^ii test, fac poss. §. 4,
h Cypr, Epist 77 . ad Nemes. p. 155. Euseb. I. 8. c. 12. p. '^:>^7-
i Sueton. in vit. Calig. c 17 p. 428.
k L.2. Cod.Th. de'pzen. 1. 9. Tit. 40.
196 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
faced and overturned. The fame whereof was quickly-
carried to the emperor, who despatched Aufidianus the
president, to put a stop to this growing sect, which by
methods ot" terror and crueky he set upon, putting great
numbers of them to death. But finding how leadiiy and
resolutely they pressed up to execution, and that this day's
martyrs did but prepare others for to-morrow's torments,
he gave over contending with the multitude, and resolved
to single out one of note above the rest, whose exemplary
punishment might strike dread and terror into the rest.
To this purpose St. Clemens is pitched on, and all temp-
tations being in vain tried upon him, the executioners
are commanded to carry him aboard and throw him into
the bottom of the sea, where the Christians might despair
to find him. This kind of death was called K^tia^ovpvT/uo?,
and was in use not only among the Greeks, as appears
by the instance mentioned by ' Diodorus Siculus,
but the Romans, as we find in several malefactors con-
demned to be thrown mto the sea both by '""Tiberius and
Avidius Cassius. To this our Lord has respect, when
in the case of wilful scandal, he pronounces it defte?' for
the man that a mill- stone were hanged about his neck ^ and
he cast into the bottom of the sea,'' Where though ^ St.
Hierom tells us that this punishment was usual among
the ancient Jews in case of more enormous crimes, yet
do I not remember that any such capital punishment ever
prevailed among them. I shall not here relate what I
find concerning the strange and miraculous discovery of
St. Clemens's body, nor the particular miracle of a little
child preserved in the church erected to him in the mid-
dle of the sea for a whole year together (though solemnly
averred by ^'Ephrasm bishop of the place) as despairing
they would ever find a belief wide enough to swallow
them, nor those infinite other miracles said to be done
there ; it shall only suffice to mention one ; that upon the
anniversary solemnity of his martyrdom the sea retreats
1 Biblioth. 1 16.
m Siieon. in vit. Tib. c. 6 . p. 366. V-l Gallic, in Avid Cass. c. 4. p. 247,
n Ma-k ix. 42. o Com. in Matt. 18. p. 5o. Tom. 9.
p Sei m. cie mirac. in puer. a St. Clem. fact. ap. Sur. Novemb. 23. & Gr. &
Lat. ap. Coteler. p. 837.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 19/
on each side into heaps, and leaves a fair and dry passage
for three miles together to the martyr's tomb, erected
within a church, built (as it must be supposed by angels)
within the sea, and the people's devotions being ended,
the sea returns to its own place, t/«*vt(^ t« gs^ kIvI^v^-j. t^v {jAs^-
T(/§*, says 1 one of my authors, God by this means doing
honour to the martyr. I only add, that these traditions
were current before the time of Gregory bishop of Tours,
"■ who speaks of them with great reverence and devotion.
St. Clemens died (as both ' Eusebius and *St. Hierom
w^itness, for I heed not the account of the Alexandrin
Chronicon, which places it four years after, Trajan VIL
though the consuls which he there assigns properlv be-
long to the IV. of that emperor)'' in the third year of Tra-
jan, a little more than two years after his banishment,
after he had been sole bishop of Rome nine years six
months and so many days, 'say Baronius and others,
though Bucherius's catalogue, more to be trusted (as be-
ing composed before the death of po-^e Liberius, ann.
354,) nine years eleven months and tvvcive days His
martyrdom happened on the 24th of November', accord-
ing to Baronius and the ordinary Roman computation
but on the ninth of that month, says the little martyrolo-
gy published by '"Bucherius, and which unquestionably
was one of the true and genuine calendars of the ancient
church. He was honoured at Rome by a church erect-
ed to his memory, yet standing in ''St. Hierom's time.
9. The writings which at this day bear the name of
this apostolic man, are of two sorts, genuine or supposi-
tious In the first class is that famous epistle to the Co-
rinthians, so much magnified by the ancients, ;;c-.v®T^'r>,
7^tf<5.(as ^'Irenasus calls it) the most excellent and absolute
writing, ^s>a\H te g .3-iy/xtf3-/:«, says ''Eusebius a truly great and
admirable epistle, and very useful as "" St. Hierom adds
q Ibid. p. 841. r De miralc. 1. 1. c. 25, o6. p. 46.
s Lib. 3. c 34. p. 105. t De Script. Eccl. in Clem.
U Ann. 4. Olymp. CCZX. Ind 1. p. 594.
V ubi supra. w Loc. supr. citat. p. 269.
X De Script, in Clement.
y Adv. Hxres. 1. 3. ap. Euseb. 1, 5. c. 6. p. 170.
z Lib. 3. c. 16. p. 88. a De Script. Fccles. in Clem.
198 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
d^ioxoy®^, as ^Photiiis styles it, worthy of all esteem and ve-
neration, dvu^uoKoya/uivntiTct^diT'^cri, as '^Eusebius assures us, re-
ceived by all, and indeed reverenced by them next to the
Holy Scriptures, and therefore publicly read in their
churches for some ages, even till his time, and it may be
a long time after. The style of it (as *^Photius truly ob^
serves) is very plain and simple, imitating an ecclesias-
tical and unaffected way of writing, and which breathes
the true genius and spirit of the apostolic age. It was
written upon occasion of a great schism and sedition in
the church of Corinth, begun by two or three factious
persons against the governors of the church, who envy-
ing either the gifts, or the authority and esteem of their
guides and teachers, had attempted to depose them, and
had drawn the greatest part of the church into the con-
spiracy : whom therefore he endeavours by soft words
and hard arguments to reduce back to peace and unity.
His modesty and humility in it are peculiarly discernible,
ii0t only that he wholly writes it in the name of the
church of Rome, without so much as ever mentioning
his own, but in that he treats them with such gentle and
mild persuasives. Nothing of sourness, or an imperi-
ous lo7'ding it over God's heritage to be seen in the whole
epistle. Had hf known himself to be the infallible j udge
of controversies', to whose sentence the whole Christian
world was bound to stand, invested with a supreme un*
accountable power, from which there lay no appeal, we
might have expected to have heard him argue at another
rate. But these were the encroachments and usurpa-
tions of later ages, when a spirit of covetousness and se-
cular ambition had stifled the modesty and simplicity of
those first and best ages of religion. There is so great
an afiinity in many things both as to words and matter
between this and the episde to the Hebrews, as tempted
Eusebius and St. Hierom of old, and some others before
then, to conclude St. Clemens at least the translator of
that epistle.^ This epistle to the Corinthians after it had
b Cod. CXII. col.289. ■ c Ibid. c. 38. p. 110.
d Cod. CXXVI. col. 305. e Ibid.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 199
been generally bewailed as lost for many ages, was, not
more to the benefit of the church in general, than the
honour of our own in particular, some forty years since
published here in England, a treasure not sufficiently to ^
be valued. Besides this first, there is the fragment of a
second Epistle, or rather homily, containing a serious ex-
hortation and direction to a pious life: ancient indeed,
and which many will persuade us to be his, and to have
been written many years before the former, as that which
betrays no footsteps of troublesome and unquiet times :
*but Euscbius. St. Hierom, and Photius assure us, that
it was rejected, and never obtained among the ancients
equal approbation with the first. And therefore though
we do not peremptorily determine against its being his,
yet we think it safer to acquiesce in the judgment of the
ancients, than of some few late writers in this matter.
10. As for those writings that are undoubtedly spuri-
ous and suppositious, disowned (as ^Eusebius says) be-
cause they did not 3t^'S-:tg5y T'^'TorcA/K/K o/33-ctfj|/ct?avTV5-£4'^£.'y'r(5v;:^<§a;tT«-
gu, retain the true stamp of orthodox apostolic doctrine,
though the truth is, ue speaks it only of the dialogues of
Peter and Appion, not mentioning the decretal epistles,
as not worth taking notice of, there are four extant at
this day that are entitled to him, the Apostolical canons
and the Constitutions (said to be penned by him, though
dictated by the Apostles) the Recognitions, and the Epistle
to St. James. For the two first, the Apostolic Canons and
Constitutions,^' I have declared my, sense of them in ano-
ther place, to which I shall add nothing here. The Re-
cognitions succeed, conveyed to us under different titles
by the ancients, sometimes styled St. Clemens'ti acts,
history, chronicle, sometimes St. Peter's acts, itinerary,
periods, dialogues with Appion, ail which are unquesti-
onably but different inscriptions (or it may be parcels of
the same book. True it is what 'Photius suspected, and
^Rufinus (who translated it) expressly tells us, that there
f Locis supr. citat, g- Ibid. nag. 110.
h Prxf. to Primit. Christianity. i Cod. CXII. col. 289.
k Proefat. ad Gaiident. p. "9T.
200 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
were two several editions of this book, difibring in some
things, but the same in most. And it deserves to be
considered, whether the tu Kxnjuivii^ mentioned by 'Nice-
phorus, and which he says the church received, and de-
nies to be those meant by Eusebius, and those Cle-
mentine homilies lately published under that very name,
be not that other edition of the Recognitions seeing they
exactly answer Rufinus's character, difieiing in some
things, but in most agreeing with them. There is yet a
third edition, or rather abstract out of all, styled, k?.»',«sv7®-
^5g* Tuv ^g^fsav. he. Clemens's epitome of the acts, tra-
vels, and preachings of St. Peter, agreeing with the for-
mer, though keeping more close to the homilies than the
other. This I guess to have been compiled by Simeon
the metaphrast, as for other reasons, so especially because
the appendage added to it by the same hand concerning
Clemens's martyrdom is word for word the same with
that of Metaphrastes, the close of it only excepted, which
is taken out of St. Ephrsem's homily of the miracle done
at his tomb.
IE The Recognitions themselves are undoubtedly of
very great antiquity, written about the same time, and by
the same hand (as Elondel probably conjectures) with the
Constitutions about the year 180, or not long after. Sure
I am, they are cited by '"Origen as the work of Clemens
in his periods, and his large quotation is in so many
w^ords "extant in them at this day. Nay before him we
meet with a very long fragment of Bardesanes the "Syri-
an (who flourished ann. 180.) concerning Fate, word for
word the same with what we find in the Recognitions,
and it seems equally reasonable to suppose that Barde-
sanes had it thence, as that the other borrowed it from
him. Nay what if Bardesanes himself was the author
of these books? It is certain that he was a man of great
parts and learning, a man prompt and eloquent, * J"/«^4x7«4,-
rr^ioi,^ an acute and subtle disputant, heretically inclined','^
1 H. Eccl. 3. c. 18. p 248. m P.seudo-Isid. p. 28.
ii Philocal. c. 23. p. 81, 82. o Reco.^nit. 1. 10.
p Exlat ap. Euseb. Prsep. Evan. I. 6. c. 10. p. "
9. p. 503, S;o.
q Euseb. H. Eccl. 1, 4. c. 30. p. ISl.Epiph. Hxres. LVI. p. 207
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. ^t
for he came out of the school of Valentinus, whose un-
couth notions he had so deeply imbibed, that even after
his recantation, he could never get clear from the dregs
of them, as Eusebius informs us : though Epiphanius
tells us he was first orthodox, and afterwards fell into the
errors of that sect, like a well freighted ship that having
duly performed its voyage, is cast away in the very
sight of the harbour. He was a great mathematician
and astrologer, w aixgov -f xa?.<j"*i»Mf €3-/s-»/««? «\«Att;£»c, "accurately
versed in the Chaldean learning, and wrote incomparable
dialogues concerning fate, which he dedicated to the
emperor Antoninus* And surely none can have looked
into the Recognitions, but he he must see what a consi?
derable part the doctrines concerning fate, the Genesis,
the influence of the stars and heavenly constellations, and
such like notions make there of St. Peter's and St. Cle-
mens's dialogues and discourses. To which we may
add what Photius has observed,^ and is abundantly evi-
dent from the thing itself, that these books are consider-
able for their clearness and perspicuity, their eloquent
style, and grave discourses, and that great variety of
learning that is in them, plainly showing their composer
to have been a master in all human learning, and the
study of philosophy. I might further remark, that Bar=
desanes seems to have had a peculiar genius for books
of this nature, it being particularly ^noted of him^ that
besides the Scriptures, he had traded in certain apocry-
phal writings. He wrote ^x«7r* c^r>g*/"/"«^^> *■ which St. Hie»
rom renders infinite volumes, written Jndeed for the
most part in Syriac, but which his scholars translated
into Greek, though he himself was sufficiently skilfull ip
that language, as Epiphanius nptes. In the number of
these books might be the Recognitions, plausibly father.-
ed upon St. Clemens, who was notoriously known tg
be St. Peter's companion and disciple : and were but
some of his many books now extant, I doubt not but a
much greater affinity both in style and notions would ap-
o Euseb. prsep. Evan. 1. 6. c. 9. p. 27S. p Ubi supra. q Epiph, logo
cit. r Eus.-b. K Eccl. ubi snpr.de Script. EpcU in Bardcs.
C C
202 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
pear between them. But this I propose only as a pro-
bable conjecture, and leave it at the reader's pleasure
either to reject or entertain it. I am not ignorant that
both 'St. Hierom, and Thotius charge these books with
heretical opinions, especially some derogatory to the ho-
nour of the Son of God, which it may be Rufinus (who
"confesses the same thing, and supposes them to have
been inserted by some heretical hand) concealed in his
translation : Nay, ""Epiphanius tells us, that the Ebion-
ites did so extremely corrupt them, that they scarce left
any thing of St, Clemens' s sound and true in them,
wliioh he observes from their repugnancy to his other
writings, those Encyclical epistles of his (as he calls them)
which were read in the churches. But then it is plain, he
means it only of those copies which were in the posses-
sion of those heretics, probably not now extant, nor do
any of those particular adulterations which he says they
made in them, appear in our books, nor in those large
and to be sure uncorrupt fragments of Bardesanes and
Origen is there the least considerable variation from those
books which we have at this day. But of this enough.
12. The epistle to St. James the brother of our Lord
is, no doubt, of equal date with the rest, in the close
whereof the author pretends that he was commanded by
St. Peter to give him an account of his travels, dis-
courses, and the success of his ministry, under the
title of Clemens' s Epitome of Petefs popular preach-
ings^ to which he tells him he would next proceed. So
that this epistle originally was nothing but a preface to
St. Peter's Acts or Periods (the same in effect with the
Recognitions) and accordingly in the late edition of the
Clementine homilies (which have the very title mention-
tioned in that epistle) it is found prefixed before them.
This epistle (as Photius tells us^) varied according to
different editions, sometimes pretending that it, and the
account of St. Peter's acts annexed to it, were written
by St. Peter himself, and by him sent to St. James ;
s Apol. adv. Rufin. p. 219. t Phot. Cod. cxa. col. 289. u Apology,
pre. Orig-. ap. Hieron. Tom. 4. p.. 195. v Hsres. xxx. p. ^5. x Loc
supra citat.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 203
sometimes that they were written by St. Clemens at St.
Peter's instance and command. Whence he conjectures
that there was a twofold edition of St. Peter's acts, one
said to be written by himself, the other by St. Clemens,
and that when in time the first was lost, that pretending
to St. Clemens did remain : For so he assures us he con-
stantly found it in those many copies that he met with,
notwithstanding that the epistle and inscription were
sometimes different and various. By the original whereof
now published appears the fraud of the factors of the Ro-
mish church, who in all Latin editions have added an
appendix almost twice as large as the epistle itself. And
well had it been, had this been the only instance wherein
some men to shore up a tottering cause, have made bold
with the writers of the ancient church.
HIS WRITINGS.
Genuine, Recognltionum lib. IQ*
Epistola ad Corinthios.
DouhtfuL seu^
Epistola ad Corinth, secunda. Homllise Clementinas.
Stippositkims, Constitutionum App. lib. 8.
Epistola ad Jacobum
Fratrem Domini. Canones Apostolici.
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON
BISHOP OF JERUSALEM.
The heedless confounding him with others of the like name. His pa-
rents and near relation to our Saviour. The time of his birth. His
strict education and way of life. The order and institution of the Re-
ehabites, what. His conversion to Christianity. The great care about
a successor to St. James bishop of Jerusalem. Simeon chosen to that
place, when and why. The causes of the destruction of the Jewish
state. The original and progress of those wars briefly related. The
miserable state of Jerusalem by siege, pestilence, and famine. Jeru-
salem stormed. The burning of the temple, and the rage of the fire.
The number of the slain and captives. The just accomplishment of
our Lord's predictions. The many prodigies portending this destruc-
tion. The Christians forwarned to depart before Jerusalem was shut
up. Theil' withdrawment to Pella. The admirable care of the Di-
vine Providence over them. Their return back to Jerusalem, when.
The flourishing condition of the Christian church there. The occasion
of St. Simeon's martyrdom. The infinite jealousy of the Roman empe-
rors concerning the line of David. Simeon's apprehension and cruci-
fixion. His singular torments and patience. His great age, and the
time of his death.
1. IT cannot be unobserved by any that have but
looked into the antiquities of the church, what confusion
the identity or similitude of names has bred among eccle-
siastic writers, especially in the more early ages, where
the records are but short and few. An instance whereof,
were there no other, we have in the person of whom we
write* : whom some will have to be the same with St.
Simon the Canaanite, one of the twelve apostles ; others
a Vid. Chron, <?^lexandr. Olymp, CCXX. Ind. 1, Traj, VII. et Ann. sequent.
206 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON.
confound him with Simon, one of the four brethren of
our Lord, while a third sort make all three to be but one
and the same person : the sound and similitude of names
giving birth to the several mistakes. For that Simeon
of Jerusalem w^as a person altogether distinct from Simon
the apostle, is undeniably evident from the most ancient
martyrologies both of the Greek and the Latin church,
where vastly different accounts are given concerning
their persons, employments, and the time and places of
their death ; Simon the apostle, being martyred in Bri-
tain, or as others, in Persia, while Simeon the bishop is
notoriously known to have suifered in Palestine or in Sy-
ria. Nor are the testimonies of Dorotheus, Sophroni-
us, or Isidore, considerable enough to be weighed against
the authorities of Hegesippus, Eusebius, Epiphanius,
and others. But of this enough.
2. St. Simeon was the son of ^ Cleophas, brother to
Joseph, husband to the blessed Virgin, and so his father
had the honour to be uncle to our Saviour, in the same
sense that Joseph was his father. His mother (say *"
some) was Mary the wife of Cleophas, mentioned in the
history of the Gospel, sister or cousin-german to the mo-
ther of our Lord : And if so, he was by both sides nearly
related to our Saviour. He was born (as appears from
his age, and the date of his martyrdom assigned by Eu-
sebius) Ann. Mundi 3936, thirteen years according to the
vulgar computation before our Saviour's incarnation. His
education was according to the severest rules of religion
professed in the Jewish church, being entered into the or-
der of the Rechabites, as may be probably collected from
the ancients. For ^ Hegesippus informs us, that when the
Jews were busily engaged in the martyrdom of St. James
the just, a Rechabite priest, one of the generation of the
sons of Rechab mentioned by the prophet Jeremy, stept
in, and interceeded with the people to spare so just and
b He.^esip. ap. Euseb. 1. 5. c. 11. p. 87. Epiph. Haeres. LZVI. p. 274. et
omnia antiqux Martyrolog-ia, Adonis, Bedas, Notkeri, Usuardi apud Bolland.
de Vit. SS. ad diem XVlii. Fehr. pag. 53, 54.
c Hegesip. ib. c. 32. p. 104. Nieeph. 1. 3. c. 16. p. 245.
dibid.l. 2. c. 23. p. 65.
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON. 207
good a man, and one that was then praying to Heaven for
them. This person ^ Epiphanius expressly tells us was
St. Simeon the son of Cleophas, and cousin-german to
the holy martyr. The Rechabites were an ancient insti-
tution, founded by Jonadab the son of Rechab, who flou-
rished in the reign of Jehu, and obliged his posterity to
these following rules, to drink no wine, sow no fields,
plant no ^ vineyards, build no houses, but to dwell only
in tents and tabernacles. All which precepts (the last
only excepted, which wars and foreign invasions would
not suffer them to observe) they kept with the most reli-
gious reverence, and are therefore highly commended by
God for their exact conformity to the laws of their insti-
tution, and brought in to upbraid the degeneracy of the
house of Israel, in violating the commands he had laid
upon them. They continued it seems (and so God had
promised them, that they should not xvant a man to stand
before him for ever J till the very last times of the Jewish
church, though little notice be taken of them, as indeed
they are but once mentioned throughout the whole histo-
ry of the bible, and that only accidentally, and then too no
less than three hundred years after their first institution.
Probable it is, that in after-times all Rechabites were not
Jonadab's immediate descendants, but that all were ac-
counted such, who took upon them the observance of
the same rules and orders which Jonadab had prescribed
to his immediate posterity. It further seems probable
to me, that from these Rechabites, the Essenes, that fa-
mous sect among the Jews, borrowed their original ; that
part of them especially, that dwelt in towns and cities,
and in many things conformed themselves to the rules of
the civil and sociable life. For as for the eint^^iiKc) describ-
ed ^ by Philo, they gave up themselves mainly to solitude
and contemplation, lived in forests and among groves of
palm-trees, and shunned all intercourse and converse with
other men. While the practic part of them (more par-
e Haeres. LXX VIII. p. 441. f Jer. xxxv. 2, 3, &c:-
g; Lib. Ui^i /jjV Qia^nTuif n Uaroc;) acrrm. p. 891. & S6q.
208 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON.
ticularly taken notice of by ^ Josephus) though abstaining
from marriage, and despising the riches and pleasures of
this world, did yet reside in cities, and places of public
concourse, labour in their several trades and callings,
maintain hospitality, and were united in a common col-
lege and society, where they were kept to a solemn ob-
servance of the great duties of religion, and devoted to
the orders of a very strict pious life* And among these,
I doubt not, the Rechabites were incorporated and swal-
lowed up, though it may be together with the general
name of Essenes, they might still retain their particular
and proper name. But to return.
3. His first institution in Christianity was probably
laid under the discipline of our Lord himself, whose au-.
ditor and follower * Hegesippus supposes him to have
been ; and in all likelihood he was one of the seventy
disciples, in which capacity he continued many years,
when he was advanced to a place of great honour and
eminency in the church. About the year sixty-two, St.
James the just, bishop of Jerusalem, by the artifices of
Ananus the high priest, had been cruelly martyred by
the Jews. The providing for whose place was so far
thought to be the concernment of the whole Christian
church, that the apostles and disciples of our Lord are
said*" to have come from all parts to advise and consult
with those of our Saviour's kindred and relations, about
a fit successor in his room. None was thought meet to
be a candidate for the place, but one of our Lord's own
relations ; and accordingly with one consent they de-
volved the honour upon Simeon, ojjr Lord's next kins-
man, whom they all judged most worthy of the place.
I know Eusebius seems to intimate that this election was
made not only after St. James's death, but after the
destruction of Jerusalem, between which there was the
distance of no less than eight or nine years. But (be-
sides that Eusebius makes the destruction of Jerusalem
immediately to succeed upon St. James's martyrdom^
h De Bell. Jud. I. 2. K«^. i0 p. 785. et. Antiq. Jud. 1. 18. c. 2, p. 61".
i Ap Euseb.l.3.c. 32. p. 104.
k Ibid, c, 11. p. 86. vid. lib. 4. c. 22- D. 142.
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON. 209
when yet there was so great a space) it is very unreason*
able to suppose that so famous and eminent a church, a
church newly constituted, and planted in the midst of
the most bitter and inveterate enemies, should for so
long a time be destitute of a guide and pastor, especially
seeing the apostles were all long since dispersed into se^
veral remote quarters of the world : not to say that most
of the apostles were dead before that time ; or if they
had not, could not very conveniently have returned and
met together about this affair in so dismal and distracted
a state of things, as the Roman wars, and the utter ruin
and overthrow of the Jewish nation had then put thos^
parts into. Besides that ' Kusebius himself elsewhere
places Simeon's succession immediately after St. James's
martyrdom. Nor is the least vacancy in that see men-
tioned by any other writer. The ™ Chronicle of Alexan-
dria places his succession Ann. LXIX. for it tells us,
that this year St, James the apostle and patriarch of Jeru^
salem (whom St. Peter at the time of his going to Rome,
as his proper see, had ordained to that place ; this pas^
sage, it is plain the publisher for want of rightly distin<=
guishing, did not understand) dying, Simeon or Simon
was made patriarch in his room. But this account is
against the faith of all the ancients, who make St. James to
have suffered martyrdom several years before ; nor do any
of them say that he was ordained by St. Peter, many of
them expressly affirming, that he immediately received
his consecration from the hands of our Lord himself.
4. How he managed the affairs of that church, is not
distinctly known, few particidar accounts of things being
transmitted to us. Confident we may be that his presi-
dency was attended with sufficient trouble and difficulty^
not only from the malicious and turbulent temper of tha^
people, whom he was continually exposed to, but be?
cause it fell in with the most black and fat^l period of
the Jewish church. For the sins of that nation being
now ripe for vengeance, and having filled up the measure
1 Chron, ad. Ann, Chr. Uii, m Ann I. Olympiad, ccxil Indict. x|,
Vespas. 2. p. 580,
p d
210 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON.
of their iniquities by their cruel usage of the apostles and
messengers of our Saviour, their barbarous treatment of
St. Stephen, and afterwards of St. James the great, and
their last bloody murder of St. James the less, but above
all, by their insolent and merciless carriage towards the
Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, the wrath of
God came upon them to the uttermost^ and the Romans
broke in upon them, and took away both their place and
nation. The sum whereof, because containing such re-
markable passages of Providence, such instances of severe
displeasure towards a people that for so many ages had
enjoyed the peculiar influences of the Divine favour, and
^vhose destruction at last so evidently justified the pre-
dictions of our Saviour, and made such immediate way
for the honour and advancement of Christianity, we shall
here relate.
5. The Jew^s, a stubborn and unquiet people, impa-
patiently resented the tyranny of the Roman yoke, which,
seemed heavier to their necks than it did to other na-
tions, because they looked upon themselves as a more
freeborn people, and were elated with those great charters
and immunities which heaven had immediately conferred
upon them. This made them willing to catch at any
opportunity to re-assert themselves into their ancient li-
berty. A thing which they more unanimously attempt-,
ed under the government oPCestius Florus, whom Nero
had sent to be procurator of that province : by whose in-
tolerable oppressions and insolent cruelties for two years
together, nothing abated by prayers and importunities,
and the solicitations of potent intercessors, their patience
was tired out, and they broke out into rebellion. The
fatal assault began at Cesarea,"" which instantly like light-
ning spread itself over tlie whole nation, till all places
were full of blood and violence. Florus unable himself
to deal with them, called in to his assistance Cestius
Gallus the president of Syria, who came from Antioch
with an army, took Joppa and some other places, and
n Joseph, de Bell. Judaic. 1. 2. c. 4. p. 798. Egesip. de cxcid. Hierosol. 1. %
c. 14. p. 272, &c. 0 Ibid. k. ?/. p. 809.
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON. 211
sat down before Jerusalem, but after all was forced to
depart, and indeed to fly with his whole army, leaving
all his warlike instruments and provisions behind him.
The news of this ill success was soon carried to ^Nero,
then residing in Achaia, who presently despatched Ves-
pasian (a man of prudent conduct, experienced valour,
the best commander of his time) to be general of the ar-
my. He coming into Syria, united the Roman forces, fell
into Galilee, burnt Gadara, and destroyed Jotapata, where
**Josephus him.self was taken prisoner. He pursued his
conquests with an unwearied diligence, victory every
where attending upon his svvord, and was repairing to
besiege Jerusalem,'' when hearing of the distractions of
Italy by the death of Nero, and the usurpations of Galba,
Otho, and Vitellius, he resolved for Rome, to free it
from those unhappy incumbrances that were upon it ;
whose resolutions herein were so far applauded by the
army, that they presently proclaimed him emperor.
Who thereupon hastened into Egypt to secure that coun-
try, a place of so considerable importance to the empire.
6. From Alexandria 'Vespasian remanded his son Ti-
tus back into Judea to carry on the war, who thought no
way quicker to bring it to a period, than to attempt the
capital city, to strike at Jerusalem itself, and accordingly
put all things in readiness to besiege it. The state of ^Je-
rusalem at this time was very sad. That place, whose
honour and security once it was to be a city at unity
'Within itself^ was now torn in pieces v/ith intestine fac-
tions ; and how unlikely is that kingdom long to stand,
that is once divided against itself? Simon the son of
Giora, a bold and ambitious man, had possessed himself
of the upper city ; John who headed the zealots, an inso-
lent and ungovernable generation, commanded the lower
parts, and the out skirts of the temple ; the inner parts
whereof were secured by Eleazar the son of Simon, who
had drawn over a considerable number of the soldiers to
p Ibkl. I. 3. c. 1. p. 830. q lb. Kgcj). Ui. p. 850. Egesip. I. 3. c. 18. p. 351,
rlbid.1.5. K6^)l«^p. 892. s Ibid. Kt<^ ^w^S'/ p. 903. t Ibid.l 6. c. 1.
p. 904 TL*;}). /a'.p.910.
212 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON.
his party ; and all those mutually quarrelling with and
opposing one another. Titus with his army approaching,
a little before the paschal solemnity begirt the city,
drawing it by degrees into a closer siege^ he straitly
blocked up all avenues and passages of escape, building
a wall of thirty nine "furlongs, which he strengthened with
thirteen forts ; whereby he prevented all possibility of
either coming into, or going out of the city. And now was
exactly acconipiished what our Lord had some time since
told them would come to pass, when he beheld the city
nnd -wept over it, saying, if thou hadst known, even thou at
least i?i this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace/
but now they are hidden from thine eyes. For the days
^hall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench
about thee^ and compass thee found, and keep thee in o?i
every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and
thy children within thee, because thou knowest not the
time of thy visitations^ The truth is, whoever would be
at the pains to compare what our Lord has said concern*
iiig this war and the sackage of Jerusalem,'' with the ac-
counts given of them by Josephlis, would find so just a
eotrespondence between the prophecy and the success, as
Would tempt him to think that the historian had taken his
Iheasures as much from our Lord's predictions as from
the event of things* But to proceed : Terms of mercy
Were offered upon surrender, but scornfully rejected,
Which exasperated the Roman army to fall on w^ith great-
er fierceness and severity. And now God and man, hea-
ven and earth seemed to fight against them. Besides the
Roman army without, and the irreconcilable factions and
disorders within, a ^famine (hastened by those vast multi-
tudes that flocked to the passover) raged so horribly with-
in the city, that they took more care to prey upon one
another, and to plunder their provisions, than how to de^
fend themselves against the common enemy : thousands
U Ibid. i. 6. ki4). vi. p. 9^6. tv Luke xix. 41, 42, 43, 44.
^X 2u}'XgJv:tc Si T/c Tat? -nj iffiTM^®' j;/y.ai' -Ki^mi tSlic xoittoa; ■tk Qvly^eti^im^ Iro^iatg
*ttil(; ml^l Tis ^«v7i<; TToKifAH, TTwr tK Av eiimQdctvfA.eii7itiV, ^-iiuv wc axxS^Sc J^ vfcripcpva; ^a-
f' dir/^ov T«v ns-goyvceo-iv t« x^ 7r^jp»T(v ts Qari)^©' njuLav o/Aohoyta-ctc- Euseb. H. Ecci*
. 3. e. t. p. Bh y Ibid. K«<f . Ajg'.p. 93?. & I 7. Kf<f . *'. p. 954,
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON. 213
were starved for Want of food, who died so fast, that they
were not capable of performmg to them the last offices of
humanity, but were forced to throw them upon common
heaps ; nay, were reduced to that extremity, that some
offered violence to all the laws of nature, among which
was ^Mary the daughter of Eleazar, who being undone
by the soldiers, and no longer able to bear the force and
rage of hunger, boiled her sucking child and eat him.
So plainly had our Lord foretold the daughters of Jeru-
salem^ that the days were coming, in the xvhich they should
say^ blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare^
and the paps which never gave suck,
7. Titus went on with the siege, and finding that no
methods either of kindness or cruelty would work upon
this obstinate generation of men, gave order that all
things should be made ready for a storm. Having gain-
ed the tower of Antonia, the Jews fled to the temple which
was hard by, the ^outer gates and porches whereof were
immediately set on fire, the Jews like persons stupified
and amazed, never endeavouring to quench it. Titus,
the sweetness of whose nature ever enclined him to pity
and compassion, was greatly desirous to have spared the
people and saved the temple. But all in vain ; an obscure
soldier threw a firebrand into the chambers that were
about the temple, which presently took fire, and though
the general ran and stormed, and commanded to put it
out, yet so great was the clamour and confusion, that his
orders could not be heard ; and when they v/ere it was
too late, the conquering and triumphant flames prevailing
in spite of all opposition, and making their way with so
fierce aVage, as if they threatened to burn up Mount
Sion to the very roots. So effectually did our Saviour's
commination take place, who told his disciples, when
they admired the stately and magnificent buildings of the
temple, Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here
6ne stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And that nothing might be wanting to verify our Lord's
prediction, Turnus Rufus was commanded to plow up
Z Ke<;>. K%'. ubi supr. a lb. Ksc;,. k/2' x,y'. &c. p. 956. h Ibid. Ke$ .x«', p. 959.
314 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON.
the very foundations of it. How sad a sight must it needs
be to behold all things hurled into a mixture of blood,
smoke, and flames ! the Jews were slain like sheep or
dogs, and many, to prevent the enemy's sword, volun-
tarily leapt into the fire ; the 'number of them that pe-
rished in this siege amounted to no less than eleven hun-
di*ed thousand, besides ninety-seven thousand that were
made slaves ; the infinite multitudes that from all parts
had flocked to the feast of the passover, and were by the
Roman army crowded up within the city, rendering the
account not improbable.
8. Such was the period of the Jewish church and state ;
thus fell Jerusalem (by far the most eminent city not of
Judea only, but of the whole east, as "^Pliny himself con-
fesses) notwithstanding its antiquity, wealth and strength,
after it had stood from the time of David, 1579 years.
And memorable it is, that this fatal siege began a little
before the passover, about that very time when they had
so barbarously treated and put to death the Son of God.
So exact a proportion does the Divine Justice sometimes
observe in the retribution of its vengeance. A fate not
only predicted by our Lord and his apostles, but lately
presignified by immediate ''prodigies and signs from hea^
ven. A blazing comet in the fashion of a sword, hung
directly over the city for a whole year together. In the
feast of unleavened bread, a little before the breaking out
of the war, at nine of the clock of the night, a light sud-
denly shined out between the altar and the temple, as
bright as if it had been noon-day. About the same time
a heifer, as she was led to sacrifice, brought forth a lamb
in the very midst of the temple. The east gate of the inner
part of the temple, all of massy brass, and which twenty
men could hardly shut, after it had been fast locked and
barred, was at night seen to open of its own accord. Cha-
riots and armies were beheld in the air, all in their mar-
tial posture, and preparing to surround the city. At Pen-
tecost, when the priests entered into the inner temple,
c Ibid.Kep. {xL p. 968. dNat. Hist. 15. c. 14. p. 80. e Joseph. ubL
Slip. 1. 7.K6<^. xc^.p. 960»
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON. 2iS
they first perceived a noise and motion, and immediately
heard a voice that said, UiraCctivoiuiv hiiu^iv, Let us depart
hence. And four years before ever the war began, while
all things were peaceable and secure, one Jesus, a plain
country fellow, pronounced many dreadful woes against
the temple, the city, and the people, wherein he conti-
mied, especially at festival times, notwithstanding all the
cruelties used towards him for seven years together,
when some made a shift to despatch him by a violent death.
But alas, an angel itself cannot stop men that are riding
post towards their own destruction. So little will warn-
ings, or threatnings or miracles signify with them, whom
Heaven hath once given up to an incurable infatuation.^
9. But it is high time to return and inquire, in the
midst of this sad and calamitous state of things, what be-
came of St. Simeon and the Christians of that place. And
of them we find, that being timely warned by the caution
which our Lord had given them, that wheTi they shoula
see Jerusalem compassed with armies, and the abomina-
tion oj' desolation (that is the Roman army) standing in tlie
holy place, they should then flee into the mountains^ be-
take themselves to some obscure place of refuge : and
having been lately commanded by a particular ^revelation
communicated to some pious and good men among
them (which says Epiphanius was done by the ministry
of an angel) to leave Jerusalem and go to Pella, they
universally withdrew themselves, and seasonably retreats
ed thither, as to a little Zoar from the flames of Sodom^
and so not one perished in the common ruin. This Pell^
was a little town in Coelo-Syria beyond Jordan, deriving
its name probably from Pella, a city of iVlacedonia, as
being founded and peopled by the Macedonians of Alex-
ander's army, who sat down in Asia. That its inhabi-
tants were Gentiles, it is plain, in that the ^Jews, under
Alexander Jannseus their king, sacked it, because they
would not receive the rites of their religion. And God,
'V Q^^'^'^etf' yivii T^t Cu>Ti; e^iA, T^i? J' unir dvclaig J, jcstxay itbd-atf,irm a.irof't^uy.iVii?. Jo-
seph, loc. citat. g Euseb. 1. 3. c. 5. p. 75. Epipii. Hceres. xxix. p 58.,
Hjeres. XXX. p. 59. dc Pond. 8t raens. p. 5-37. h Joseph. Antic. Jud. L 13,
c. 23. p. 462. ' ' ,
216 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON.
it is like on purpose, directed the Christians hither, that
they might be out of the reach of the besovi of destruc-
tion that was to sweep away the Jews wherever it came-
Nor was it a less remarkable instance of the care and
tenderness of the Divine Providence over them, that
when Cestius Gallus had besieged Jerusalem, on a sud-
den he should unexpectedly break up the siege, at once
giving them warning of their danger, and an opportunity
to escape. How long St Simeon and the church conti-
nued in this little sanctuary, and when they returned to
Jerusalem, appears not. If I might conjecture, I should
place their return about the beginning of Trajan's reign,
when the fright being sufficiently over, and the hatred and
severity of the Romans assuaged, they might come back
"with more safety. Certain it is, that they returned before
^Adrian's time, who forty-seven years after the devasta-
tion coming to Jerusalem in order to its reparation, found
there a few houses, and a little church of Christians built
upon Mount Sion, in that very place where that upper
room was, into which the disciples went up when they
returned from our Lord's ascension. Here the Chris-
tians who were returned from Pella, kept their solemn
assemblies, and were so renowned for the flourishing
state of their religion, and the eminency of their miracles,
that Aquila, the emperor's kinsman, and whom he had
made governor and overseer of the rebuilding of the
city, being convinced, embraced Christianity. But still
pursuing his old magic and astrological studies, notwith-
standing the frequent admonitions that were given him,
he was cast out of the Church. Which he resented as so
great an affront, that he apostatized to Judaism, and
aftervv^ards translated the Bible into Greek. But to return
back to Simeon : confident we may be that he adminis-
tered his province with all diligence and fidelity, in the
discharge whereof God was pleased to preserve him as
a person highly useful to his church, to a very great age,
till the middle of Trajan's reign, when he was brought
to give his last testimony to his religion, and upon a very
slight pretence.
i Epipb. de Pond. & Mens, ibid.
THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON. Sir
10. 'Hie Roman emperors were infinitely jealous of
their new established sovereignty, and of any that might
seem to be corrivals with them, especially in Palestine
and the eastern parts. For an ancient and constant tra-
dition (as appears besides Josephus, both from Sueto-
nius and Tacitus) had been entertained throughout the
east, that out of Judea should arise a prince, that should
be the great monarch of the world. Which, though Jo-
sephus to ingratiate himself with the Romans, flatteringly
applied to Vespasian, yet did not this quiet their minds,
but that still they beheld all that were of the Une of Da«
vid with a jealous eye.*' This made Domitian, Vespa-
sian's son, resolve to destroy all that were of the blood
royal of the house of Judah ; upon which account two
nephews of St. Jude, one of the brothers of our Lord,
were brought before him, and despised by him for their
poverty and meanness, as persons very unlikely to stand
competitors for a crown. The very same indictment
was brought against our ancient bishop ; for some of the
sects of the 'Jews not able to bear his activity and zeal in
the cause of his religion, and finding nothing else to
charge upon him, accused him to Atticus, at that time
consular legate of Syria, for being of the posterity of the
kings of Judah, and withal a Christian, Hereupon he
w^as apprehended and brought before the proconsul, who
commanded him for several days together to be wrecked
with the most exquisite torments. All which he under-
went with so composed a mind, so unconquerable a pa-
tience, that the proconsul and all that were present were
amazed to see a person of so great age able to endure
such and so many tortures : at last he was commanded
to be crucified. He suffered in the hundred and twen-
tieth year of his age, and in the tenth year of Tra-
jan's reign, Ann. Chr. 107 (the Alexandrina Chro-
k Ov6TTi5-/*vcc ixiT-l Ti;\i T»y 'liPOffoKv/jLOiV otAttT/v :T*yTrtf Ti< ? drro /uiva; J^^CtS a(.V*.
Q'',U(rd-ni fss-^og-drlii d)c /u.ii 'sngiKU'^^r^vui Ttvx ta-aga-'lK/^JCf tmv d-ro t* ^Ayi>.iK)ii ^wxii?, Xf
*)c ix, T^TK «5>/r:v ']{sJ*/i/c QjiuCitvAi Sia>y/uov 7rct.rAv. Cliron Alexandr. ad Ami. 1,
Olympiad, ccxiii. Indict, xv. Vespas. V. p. 586. eadem liabetde Domitian ad
An. 1. Oh-mp, ccxviii. Ind. V. Domit. xiii. p. 5^^. I Easpb. 1. 3. c, S2. p,
•tO^t 104. ■
E e
218 THE LIFE OF ST. SIMEON,
nicon"" places it Traj. 7, Ann. Chr. as appears by
the consuls, 104, though as doubtful of that, he
places it again in the following year) after he had sat
bishop of Jerusalem (computing his succession from
St. James's martyrdom) forty-three or forty-four years ;
"Petavius makes it no less than sixty- seven, though Ni-
cephorus, patriarch of Constantinople (probably by a mis-
take of the figure) assigns him but twenty-three. A
longer portion of time than a dozen of his immediate
successors were able to make up, God probably length-
ening out his life, that as a skilful and faithful pilot he
might steer and conduct the affairs of that church in those
dismal and stormy days.
m An. 4. Olymp. ccxx. Ind. I. p. 594. n Animadv. ad Eoinh, Hxres. Ixv.
p. 266.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS,
BISHOP OF ANTIOCH.
His original unknown. Called Theophorus, and why. The story of his
being taken up into our Saviour's arms refuted. His apostolic edu-
cation. St. John's disciple. His being made bishop of Antioch. The
eminency of that see. The order of his succession stated. His pini-
dent government of that church. The tradition of his appointing An-
tiphonal hymns by revelation. Trajan's persecuting the church at
Antioch. His discourse with Ignatius. Ignatius's cruel usage. His
sentence passed. His being transmitted to Rome : and ^\ hy sent so
far to his execution. His arrival at Smyrna, and meeting with St.
Polycarp. His epistles to several churches. His coming to Troas,
and epistles thence. His arrival at Porto Romano. Met on the way
by the Christians at Rome. His earnest desire of martyrdom. His
praying for the prosperity of the church. The time of his passion.
His being thrown to wild beasts. What kind of punishment that
among the Romans. The collection of his remains, and their trans-
portation to Antioch ; and the great honours done to them. The
great plenty of them in the church of Rome. Trajan's surceasing the
persecution against the Christians. The dreadful earthquakes hap-
pening at Antioch. Ignatius's admirable piety. His general solici-
tude for the preservation and propagation of the Christian doctrine,
as an apostle. His care, diligence, and fidelity as a bishop. His pa-
tience and fortitude as a martyr. His epistles. Polycarp's commen-
dation of them.
1. FINDING nothing recorded concerning the coun^
try or parentage of this holy man, I shall not build upon
mere fancy and conjecture. He is ordinarily styled both
by himself and others Theophorus, which though like
^20 THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
Justus it be oft no more than a common epithet, yet is it
sometimes used as a proper name. It is written accord-
ing to the different accents, either eti^o^(§r, and then it
notes a divine person, a man whose soul is full of God,
and all holy and divine qualities, o 4 x§is-cv «v tm -^vx^ <Br«g«;>s§a'v,
as Ignatius himself is said to explain it ; or Qii<^og(^, and
so in a passive signification it implies one that is born or
carried by God. And in this latter sense he is said to
have derived the tide from our Lord's taking him up into
his arms. For thus we are told, that he was that very
child whom our Saviour"" took into his arms, and set in
the midst of his disciples, as the most lively instance of
innocency and humility. And this affirmed (if. number
might cany it) not only by the '"Greeks in their public
rituals, by ''Metaphrastes, '^Nicephorus, and others, but
(as the primate of Armagh^ observes from the manu-
scripts in his own possession) by two Syriac writers,
more ancient than they. But how^ confidently or generally
soever it be reported, the story at best is precarious and
uncertain, not to say absolutely false and groundless.
Sure lam ^St. Chrysostom (who had far better oppor-
tunities of knowing than they) expressly affimis of Igna-
tius, that he never saw our Saviour, or enjoyed any fa-
miliaiity or converse with him.
2. In his younger years he was brought up under
apostolical institution : so ^Chrysostom tells us, that he
was intimately conversant with tlie apostles, educated and
nursed up by them, every where at hand, and made par-
taker 'p>i^m i d7r4}:nuy, botli of thclr familiar discourses, and
more secret and unconimon mysteries. Which though
it is probable he means of his particular conversation
ivith St. Peter and Paul, yet some of the forementioned
authors, and not they only, but the ''Acts of his Martyr-
dom, written as is supposed by some present at it, fur-
a M.rk ix.36. Matt, xvlli 2, o, 4.
c >Jc taphr. ad Decembr 20 Grxc. & Lat. apud Cottier, p. 991.
d >Keph. H. Ecci.l. 2.C.35. p. 192, e Annot. in Ignat. Act. p. 37-
f "OvT&i- :iiga:vvaa>r ninAna'aii QiO<pc^@", TTitri^. Nji'tt/^ yd^ tTl KOjj.tJ^i vmrde^y^cei
«»? yjH^'J^' ' r v^in <j>egcwsyof, i^AdO civA(fa.\i\l@' turgor ufAic) y'iM7^t fj-oi^ af to Tcu^ivr
'j^Ts'. ^Me:.. Gixc. loc. citat.
g Ibid. p. 499. h Act. I^at. p. 1. & 5. Edit, usse^.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 221
ther assure us, that he was St. John's disciple. Being
fully instructed in the doctrines of Christianity, he was
for his eminent parts, and the great piety of his life, cho-
sen to be bishop of Antioch the metropolis of Syria, and
the most famous and renowned city of the East; not
more remarkable among foreign writers for being the
Oriental seat of the Roman emperors, and their viceroys
and governors ; than it is in Ecclesiastics for its eminent
entertainment of the Christian faith, its giving the vene-
rable title of Christians to the disciples of the holy Jesus,
and St. Peter's first and peculiar residence in this place.
When the Synod of ^Constantinople assembled under
Nectarius, in their Synodical epistle to the Western
bishops, deservedly call it, the most ancient and truly
npostolic church of Antioch^ in which the honourable name
q/'Christians did first commence In all which respects
it is frequently in the writings of the church by a proud
kind of title styled ee^'-nroxic, or the City of God, That Ig-
natius was constituted bishop of this church, is allowed
on all hands, though as to the time and order of his
coming to it, almost the same difficulties occur, which be-
fore did in Clemens's succession to the see of Rome, pos-
sibly not readily to be removed but by the same method
of solution, easily granted in this case by ''Baronius him-
self, and some other writers of note in that church. I
shall not need to prove what is evident enough in itself,
and plainly acknowledged by the ancients, that Peter
and Paul planted Christianity in this city, and both con-
curred to the foundation of this church, the one applying
himself to the Jews, the other to the Gentiles. And
large enough was the vineyard to admit the joint endea-
vours of these two great planters of the gospel, it being
a vast populous city, containing at that time according to
St. Chrysostom's computation no less than two hundred
thousand souls. But the apostles (who could not stay
always in one place) being called off to the ministry of
other churches, saw it necessary to substitute others in
their room, the one resigning his trust to Euodius, the
1 Ap. Theodora. H. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 9. p. 211.
k Ad Ann. 45. n. 14. vid. Ad. Martyr. Rom. Feb. 1. p. 8«.
222 THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
other to Ignatius. Hence in the Apostolic Constitutions
'Euodius is said to be ordained bishop of Antioch by St.
Peter, and Ignatius by St. Paul ; till Euodius dying, and
the Jewish converts being better reconciled to the Gen-
tiles, Ignatius succeeded in the sole care and presidency
over that church, wherein he might possibly be after-
wards confirmed by Peter himself. In which respect
probably the author of the ""Alexandrine Chronicon meant
it, when he affirms that Ignatius was constituted bishop
of Antioch by the apostles. By this means he may be
said both immediately to succeed the apostle, as "Origen,
^'Eusebius, ^Athanasius, and '^Chrysostom affirm, and
withal to be the next after Euodius, as ""St. Hierom, 'So-
crates, *Metaphrastes and others place him. However
Euodius dying, and he being settled in it by the apos-
ties' hands, might be justly said to succeed St. Peter ; in
which sense it is that some of the ancients expressly
affirm him to have received his consecration from St.
Peter, ^t*. t^ tS fjnyoiha Tiiie^'6 j'i^iS.5 Tw'c ct^^ii^oavvfi^ t«v x^i'^ iSi^aiot says
'"Theodoret; and so their own ""historian relates it, that
Peter coming to Antioch in his passage to Rome, and
finding Euodius lately dead, committed the government
of it to Ignatius, whom he made bishop of that place :
though it will be a little difficult to reconcile the times to
an agreement with that account.
3. Somewhat above forty years St. Ignatius continu-
ed in his charge at Antioch, (Nicephorus patriarch of
Constantinople assigns him but four years, the figure ft
for forty, being probably through the carelessness of
transcribers slipt out of the account) in the midst of very
stormy and tempestuous times. But "^he, like a wise and
prudent pilot, sat at the stern, and declined the dangers
that threatened them by his prayers and tears, his fast-
1 Lib. 7. c. 47. p. 451. m Ad Ann. Tib. XIX. p, 536.
n Grig-. Hom. 6. in Luc. p. 214. o Euseb. H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 36. p. 106,
p Athan. de Synod. Arim. & Seleu. p. 922.
q Chrysost. loc. cit.p. 500. r Hier. de script, in Ignat.
s Socr. H. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 8. p. 313. t Metaphr. ubi supr.
u De Immutab. Dialog-. 1. p. 33. Tom. 4.
V Jo Malel Chron. 1. 10. ap usser. Not. in Epist. ad Antioch pag. 107,
\v Aat. Ignat. p. 1, 2.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 22'3
ings and the constancy of his preaching, and those inde-
fatigable pains he took among them, fearing lest any of
the more weak and unsettled Christians might be over-
bom with the storms of persecution. Never did a little
calm and quiet interval happen, but he rejoiced in the
prosperity of the church : though as to himself he some-
what impatiently expected and longed for martyrdom,
without which he accounted he could never perfectly
attain to the love of Christ, nor fill up the duty and mea-
sures of a true disciple, which accordingly afterwards
became his portion. Indeed as to the particular acts of
his government, nothing memorable is recorded of him
in the antiquities of the church, more than what ''Socrates
relates, by what authority, I confess, I know not) that he
saw a vision, wherein he heard the angels with alternate
hymns celebrating the honour of the Holy Trinity, in imi-
tation whereof he instituted the way of Antiphonal hymns
in the church of Antioch, which thence spread itself
over the whole Christian church. Whether this story
was made on purpose to outvie the Arians who were
wont on the Sabbaths and Lord's days to sing alternate
hymns in their congregations, with some tart reflections
upon the orthodox, insomuch that Chrysostom was for-
ced to introduce the same way of singing into the ortho*
dox assemblies : or whether it was really instituted by
Ignatius, but afterwards grown into disuse, I will not say.
Certain it is, that Flavianus afterwards bishop of Antioch
in the reign of Constantius is ''said to have been the first
that thus established the quire, and appointed David's
psalms to be sung by turns, which thence propagated it-
self to other churches. St. Ambrose was the first that
brought it into the western church, reviving (says the
^historian) the ancient institution of Ignatius, long dis-
used among the Greeks. But to return.
4. It was about the year of Christ 107. When Tra-
jan the emperor, swelled with his late victory over the
Scythians and the Daci, about the ninth year of his reign
came to Antioch, to make preparation for the war which
X H. Eccl. loc, citat. y Theodoret. Fl Ectl 1. 3. c. 24. p. 1S7.
z Sigebert. Chr. ad ATin.CJw. 387,
224 THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
he was resolved to make upon the Parthians and Arme-
nians. He entered the city with the pomps and solemni-
ties of a triumph, and as his first care usually was about
the concernments of religion, he began presently to in-
quire into that affair. Indeed he ''looked upon it as an
affront to his other victories to be conquered by Chris-
tians ; and therefore to make this religion stoop, had al-
ready commenced a persecution against them in other
parts of the empire, which he resolved to carry on here.
St. Ignatius (whose solicitude for the good of his flock
made him continually stand upon his guard) thinking it
more prudent to go himself, than stay to be sent for, of
his own ^'accord presented himself to the emperor, be-
tween whom there is said to have passed a large and par-
ticular discourse, the emperor wondering that he dai'ed
to transgress his laws, while the good man asserted his
own innocency, and the power which God hath given
them over evil spirits, and that the gods of the Gentiles
were no better than daemons, there being but one su-
preme deity, who m.ade the world, and his only begotten
son Jesus Christ, who though crucified under Pilate, had
yet destroyed him that had the power of sin, that is, the
Devil, and would ruin the whole power and empire of
the dsemons, and tread it under the feet of those, who car-
ried God in their hearts. The issue was, that he was
cast into prison, where (if what the ^'Greek rituals and
some others report, be true) he was for the constancy
and resolution of his profession, subjected to the most,
severe and merciless torments, Vv hipped with plumbatge,,
scourges with leaden bullets at the end of them, forced to
hold fire in his hands, while his sides were burnt with
papers dipt in oil, his feet stood upon live coals, and hi^s
flesh was torn off" with burning pincers. Having by an
invincible patience overcome the malice and cruelty of
his tormentors, the emperor pronounced the "^final sen-
tence upon him, that being incurably overrun with su-
perstition, he should be carried bound by soldiers to
a Act. ib. p. 2. b Act. Ign. p. 3.
c T^ J-'/MP^- K fjLK', tS /i^me/AC. d Act. Martyr, p. 4i
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 225
\
Rome, and there thrown as a prey to wild beasts. The
good man heartily rejoiced at the fatal decree, I thank
theCy 0 Lord (said he) that thou hast condescended thus
perfectly to honour me with thy love, and hast thought me
worthy with thy apostle Paul to be bound ivith iron chains.
With that he chearfully embraced his chains, and having
fervently prayed for his church, and with tears recom-
mended it to the divine care and providence, he deliver-
ed up himself into the hands of his keepers, that were
appointed to transport him to the place of execution.
5. It may justly seem strange, and it was that which
puzzled the great ''Scaliger, why he should be sent so
vast a way from Antioch in Syria to be martyred at
Rome. Whereof these probable accounts may be ren-
dered. First, it was usual with tlie governors of pro-
vinces, where the malefactors were more then ordinarily
eminent, either for the quality of their persons, or the
nature of their crimes, to send them to Rome, that their
punishment might be made exemplary in the eye of the
world. Secondly his enemies were not willing he should
suffer at home, where he w^as too much honoured and
esteemed already, and where his death would but raise
him into a higher veneration with the people, and settle
their minds in a firmer belief of that faith, which he had
taught them, and which they then saw him sealing with
his blood. Thirdly, by so long a journey, they hoped
that in all places where he came, men would be more
effectually terrified from embracing that religion, which
they saw so much distasted and resented by the empe-
ror, and the profession whereof could not be purchased
but at so dear a rate ; besides the probability, that by this
usage the constancy of Ignatius himself might be bro-
ken, and he forced to yield. Fourthly, they designed
to make the good man's punishment as severe and hea-
vy as they could, and therefore so contrived it, that
there might be a concurrence of circumstances to render
it bitter and grievous to him. His great age, being then
e Animadv. nti. Euseb. Chron. p. 2t37.
226 THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
probably above fourscore years old, the vast length and
tcdiousness of the journey, which was not a little in-
creased by the /uAK^ortgoiSiMhoirii j^:^xK as ^ St. Chrysostom
observes, their gomg the furthest way about, for they
went not the direct passage to Rome, but by infinite
windings, diverted from place to place) the trouble and
difficulty of the passage, bad at all times, but much
worse now in winter, the want of all necessary conve-
niences and accomodations for so aged and infirm a per-
son, the rude and merciless usage of his keepers, who
treated him with all ruggedness and inhumanity : Frotn
Syria even to Rome both by Sea and land I fight with
beasts, night and day I am chained to ten leopards, [which
is my military guard) who, the kinder I am to them, are
the more cruel and fierce to me, as ^ himself complains.
.Besides what was dearer to him then all this, his credit
and reputation might be in danger to suffer with him,
seeing at so great a distance the Romans were generally
more likely to understand him to suft'er as a malefactor
for some notorious crime, then as a martyr for religion,
and this ^ Metaphrastes assures us, w^as one particular
end of his sending thither. Not to say that beyond all
this, the Divine Providence (which knows how to bring
good out of evil, and to overrule the designs of bad
men to wise and excellent purposes) might the rather
permit it to be so, that the leading so great a man so far
in triumph, might make the faith more remarkable and
illustrious, that he might have the better opportunity to
establish and confirm the Christians, * who flocked to
him from ail parts as he came along ; and by giving^
them the example of a generous virtue, arm them with
the stronger resolution to die for their religion, and es-
pecially that he might seal the truth of his religion at
Rome, where his death might be Si^xan^uOr -^ivcnQiiitg, (as
Chrisostom ^ speaks) a tutor of piety, and teach K^iivi^v <ti-
xoro<;)6lv,the city that was so famous for arts and wisdom, a
f Homil. cit. p. 504.
g- Epist. ad. Rom. p. 23. & ap. Euseb. 1. 3. c. 36. p. 107.
It Martyr, ubi. supr. p. 995.^ i Vid. Chrysost. Homii.cit. pag". 505.
k Ibid.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 227 •
Tiew and better philosophy then they had learned before.
To all which may be added, that this was done not by
the provincial governor, who had indeed power of exe-
cuting capital punishments within his own province
(which seems to have been the main ground of Scaliger's
scruple) but immediately by the emperor himself, whose
pleasure and command it was that he should be sent to
Rome ; whither we must now follow him to his martyr-
dom : in the account whereof we shall for the main keep
to the acts of it, written in all probability by Philo and
Agathopus, the companions of his journey, and present
at his passion ; two ancient versions whereof the incom-
parable bishop Usher first recovered and published to
the world.
6. Being ^ consigned to a guard of ten soldiers, he
took his leave of his beloved Antioch (and a sad parting
no doubt there was between him and his people ; who
were to see his face no more) and was conducted on foot
to Seleucia, a port town of Syria, about sixteen miles
distant thence, the very place whence Paul and Barna-
bas set sail for Cyprus. Here going aboard, after a
tedious and difficult voyage they arrived at Smyrna, a
famous city of Ionia, where they were no sooner set on
shore, but he went to salute St. Poly carp, bishop of the
place, his old fellow pupil under St. John the apostle.
Joyful was the meeting of these two holy men, St. Poly-
carp being so far from being discouraged, that he re-
joiced in the other's chains, and earnestly pressed him
to a firm and final perseverance. Hither came in the
country round about, especially the bishops, presby-
ters and deacons of the Asian churches, to behold so
venerable a sight, to partake of the holy martyr's pray-
ers and blessing, and to encourage him to hold on to his
consummation. To requite whose kindness, and for
their further instruction and establishment in the faith,
he wrote '" letters from hence to several churches, one
to the Ephesians, wherein he commends Onesimus their
I Act. Ignat. pa^. 5. m Euseb. H. Eccl. I. 3. c. 36. p. 107.
iJfiS THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
bishop for his singular charity ; another to the Magne-
sians, a city seated upon the river Meander, which he
sent by Damas their bishop, Bassus and Apollonius,
presbyters, and Sotio deacon of that church ; a third to
the Trallians by Polybius their bishop, wherein he par-
ticularly presses them to subjection to their spiritual
guides, and to avoid those pestilent heretical doctrines
that were then risen in the church. A fourth he wrote
to the Christians at Rome, to acquaint them with his pre-
sent state, and passionate desire not to be hindered in that
course of martyrdom, which he was now hastening to
accomplish.
7. His keepers, a little impatient of their stay at Smyr^
na, set sail for Troas, a noted city of the lesser Phrygia,
not far from the ruins of the ancient Troy : where at
his arrival he was not a little refreshed with the news
that he received of the persecution ceasing in the church
of Antioch. Hither several churches sent their mes-
sengers to visit and salute him, and hence he despatched
two epistles, one to the church at Philadelphia, to press
them to love and unity, and to stand fast in the truth and
simplicity of the gospel, the other to the church of
Smyrna, from whence he lately departed, which he sent,
as also the former, by Burrhus, the deacon, whom they
and the Ephesians had sent to wait upon him ; and to-
gether with that (as " Eusebius informs us) he wrote
privately to St. Polycarp, particularly recommending to
him the care and oversight of the church of Antioch,
for which as a vigilant pastor he could not but have a
tender and very dear regard ; though very -learned men
(but certainly without any just reason) think this not to
have been a distinct epistle from the former, but jointly
directed and intended to St. Polycarp and his church
of Smyrna. Which however it be, they conclude it as
certain that the epistle to St. Polycarp now extant, is
none of it, as in which nothing of the true temper and
spirit of Ignatius does appear, while others of great note
n Loc. oit.p. lOT.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS, 229
not improbably contend for it as genuine and sincere.
From Troas they sailed to Neapolis, a maritime town of
Macedonia, thence to Philippi, a Roman colony^' (the
very same journey which St. Paul had gone before
him,) where (as "* St. Poly carp intimates in liis epistle to
that church) they were entertained with all imaginable
kindness and courtesy, and conducted forwards in their
journey. Hence they passed on foot through Mace-
donia and Epirus, till they came to Epidamnum, a city
of Dalmatia, where again taking ship they sailed through
the Adriatic, and arrived at Rhegium a port town in
Italy, whence they directed their course through the
Tyrhenian sea to Puteoli, Ignatius desiring (if it might
have been granted) thence to have gone by land, that he
might have traced the same way, by which St Paul
went to Rome. After a day and a night's stay at Puteoli,
a prosperous wind quickly carried them to the Roman
port, the great harbour and station for their navy, built
near Ostia, at the mouth of Tyber, about sixteen miles
from Rome, whither the holy martyr longed to come, as
much desirous to be at the end of his race, as his keep-
ers weary of their voyage, were to be at the end of their
journey.
8. The Christians at Rome, daily expecting his arrival,
were come out to meet and entertain him, and accor-
dingly received him with an equal resentment of joy
and sorrow. Glad tliey were of the presence and com-
pany of so great and good a man, but quickly found their
joy allayed with the remembrance, how soon, and by
how severe a death he was to be taken from them : and
when some of them did but intimate, that possibly the
people might be taken off from desiring his death, he
expressed a pious indignation, entreating them to cast
no rubs in his way, nor do any thing that might hinder
him, now he was hastening to his crown. Being con-
ducted to Rome, he was presented to the prcefect of the
city, and as it is probable, the emperor's letters con-
cerning him were delivered. In the mean time while
br Act xvU. U. 12. p Epist Pclycarp. ad Philip, p "iS. non. longe rJ>, ioit.
230 THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
tilings were preparing for his martyrdom, he and the
brethren that resorted to him iniproved their time to
pious purposes ; he prayed with them, and for them,
heartily recommended the state of the church to the
care and protection of our blessed Saviour, and earnestly
solicited heaven, that it would stop the persecution that
was begun, and bless Christians with a true love and
charity towards one another. That his punishment
might be the more pompous and public, one of their
solemn festivals, the time of their Saturnalia, and that
part of it when they celebrated their Sigillaria, was
pitched on for his execution : at which times they were
wont to entertain the people with the bloody conflicts of
the Gladiators, and the hunting of, and fighting v/ith
wild beasts. Accordingly on the thirteenth of the Kalends
of January, that is, December 20. he was brought out
into the Amphitheatre, and according to his own fer-
vent desire, that he might have no other grave but the
bellies of wild beasts, the lions w^ere let loose upon him,
w^hose roaring alarm he entertained with no other con-
cernment, than that now as God's owqi corn he should
be ground between the teeth of these wild beasts, and
become white bread for his heavenly Master. The lions
were not long doing their work, but quickly despatched
their meal, and left nothing but what they could not well
devour, a few hard and solid bones. This throwing of
persons to wild beasts was accounted among the Romans,
"^intc}' summa siipplicia, and was never used but for very
capital oiiences, and towards the vilest and most despica-
ble malefactors, under which rank they beheld the Chris-
tians, w^ho w^ere so familiarly destined to this kind of
death,. that (as ''Tertullian tells us) upon any trifling and
frivolous pretence, if a famine or an earthquake did but
happen, the common outcry was, Christianos ad leojies^
Away with the Christians to the lions.
9. Among other Christians that were mournful spec-
tators of this tragic scene, were the deacons I mention'*
q Paul. JC. Sent. lib. 5. Tit. 23. L. 3. §. 5. ff. ad le^. Cornel, de Sicar. & Ve-
nef. I* Apolog. c. 40. p. 32.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 231
ed, who had been the companions of his journey, who
bore not the least part in the sorrows of that day. And
that they might not return home with nothing but the ac-
count of so sad a story, they gathered up the bones
which the wild beasts had spared, and transported them
to Antioch, Vvdiere they wxre joyfully received, and ho-
nourably entombed in the ceme'cery without the gate that
leads to Daphne.' A passage which Chrysostom accord-
ing to his rhetorical vein elegantly ampliRes as the great
honour and treasure of that place. From hence, in the
reign *of Theodosius they were by his command, with
mighty pomp and solemnity removed to the Tych:eOii
within the city, a temple heretofore dedicated to the pub-
lie genius of the city, but now consecrated" to the memo-
ry of the martyr. And for their translation afterwards to
Home, and the miracles said to be done by them, they
that are further curious may inquire. For indeed I am
not now at leisure for these things. But I can direct the
reader to one that will give him very punctual and parti-
cular account of them, and in what places the several
parcels of his reiiques are bestowed ;" no less than five
churches in Rome enriched with them, besides others ia
Naples, Sicily, France, Flanders, Germany, and indeed
where not. And verily but that some men have a very
happy faculty at doing wonders by multiplication, a maa
would be apt to wonder how a few bones (and they w^ere
not many which the lions spared) could be able to serve
so many several churches. I could likevvise tell him a
long story of the various travels and donations of St. %»
natius's head, and by what good fortune it came at last
to the Jesuit's college at Rome, where it is richly en-
shrined, solemnly and religiously worshipped, but that I
am afraid my reader w^ould give me no thanks for my
pains.
10. About this time, or a little before, w^hile Trajan
was yet at Antioch, he stopped, or at least mitigated the
s Act. Ignat. p. 8. Metophr. loc. clt. M^n. Gvarc. T? >:S'. Td Trfvt;*^, HierKtn.
de Script, in If^p.at.
t Euagr. H. Ec". I 1. c 16, p. 274. u BoUancl. ad diem. ?. Fehr ^
35. &c, ■ -
232 THE LIFE OP' ST. IGNATIUS.
prosecution against Christians : For having had an ac-
count from Pliny,'' the proconsul of Bithynia (whom he
had employed to that purpose) concerning the innocency
and simplicity of the Christians, that they were a harm-
less and inoffensive generation ; and lately received a let-
ter from Tiberianus,'' governor of Palestina Prima, where-
in he told him that he was wearied out in executing the
laws against the Galileeans, who crowded themselves in
such multitudes to execution, that he could neither by
persuasions nor threatnings keep them from owning them-
selves to be Christians, further praying his majesty's ad-
vice in that affair : Hereupon he gave command that no
inquisition should be made after the Christians, though if
any of them offered themselves, execution should be
done upon them. So that the fire which had heretofore
flamed and burnt out, began now to be extinguished and
only crept up and down in private corners. There are
that tell us^ that Trajan having heard a full account of Ig-
natius and his sufferings, and how undauntedly he had
undergone that bitter death, repented of what he had
done, and was particularly moved to mitigate and relax
the persecution: whereby (as Metaphrastes observes)
not only Ignatius's life, but his very death became
fM x^v <crgc|£v(^ dyx^s^vy the procurer of great peace and pros-
perity, and the glory and establishment of the Christian
faith. Some not improbably conceive, that the severe
judgments which happened not long after, might have a
peculiar influence to dispose the emperor's mind to more
tenderness and pity for the remainder of his life. For
during his abode at Antiocb, there were dreadful and
unusual earthquakes,^' fatal to other places, but which fell
most heavy upon Antiocb, at that time lilled more than
ordinary with a vast army and confluence of people from
all parts of the world. Among thousands that died, and
V Epist.97. I. 10. Euseb. I. 3. c. 34. p. 105. J. ISXalel. Cliron. 1. 11. ap. Usser..
not. in. Ignat. Epist. p. 43.
w Extiit ap. Jo. Mulel. loc. cit. £ip. Usser. Appcn. Ig-nat. p. 9. vid. Excerpt.
ex. Jo. Antioch. a Val. edit. j). 818.
X Sim. Metaphr. Martyr. Ig-nat. apud Coteler. p, 1002.
y Dio. Cass. Hist. Rom. 1. 68. £i XtpLil. in vit. Traj. p. 2?!?» ^50, 551, Jcc
Malcl. Chro. I. 10. ubi supr.
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 233
fhr greater numbers that were maimed and wounded,
Pedo, the consul, lost his life, and Trajan himself, had
he not escaped out at a window, had undergone the same
fate. Accidents which I doubt not prepared his mind
to a more serious consideration and regard of things.
Though these calamities happened not till some years
after Ignatius's death.
11. Whether these judgments were immediate in-
stances of the Divine displeasure for the severity used
against the Christians, and particularly for their cruelty
to Ignatius, I vvill not say. Certain it is, that the Chris-
tian church had a mighty loss in so useful and excellent
a person. For he was a good man, one in whose breast
the true spirit of religion did eminently dwell, a man of
very moderate and mortified affections, in which sense
he doubtless intended that famous saying, so much ce-
lebrated by the ancients, o emo2 hpos estatphtai, 7722/ love is
crucified, that is (for to that purpose he explains it in the
very words that follow) his appetites and desires were
crucified to the world, and all the lusts and pleasures of
it. We may with St. Crysostom^ consider him in a three-
fold capacity, as an apostle, a bishop, and a martyr. As
an apostle (in the larger acception of the word, he being
d-gomv Jus^x^ '^*»' 'ATTo^.hm, as thc Grcck oiBces^ style him, the
hnmediate successor of the apostles in their see) he was care-
ful to diftlise and propagate the genuine doctrine which
he had received of the apostles, and took a kind of oecu-
menical care of ail the churches ; even in his passage to
Rome he surveyed t-1; y^ TroMVTrx^ouia^, as Eusebius^ tells us,
the diocesses, or churches, that belonged to all the cities
whither he came, confirming them by his sermons and
exhortations, and directing epistles to several of the prin-
cipal, for their further order and establishment in the
faith. As a bishop, he was a diligent, faithful and indus-
trious pastor, infinitely careful of his charge ; which
though so exceedingly vast and numerous, he prudent-
ly instructed, governed, and superintended, and that in
z Oral, svipr.laud. p. 499. a Men. Grjcc. t?; h.' tv -isxf^^.
b H.Eccl.!-3. c. r.p. n. 106.
234 THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS;
the midst of ticklish and troublesome times, above forty
years together. He had a true and unchangeable love
for his people, and when ravished from them in order to
his martyrdom, there was not any church to whom he
wrote,'' but he particularly begged their prayers to God
for his church at Antioch, and of some of them desired
that they would send ^io-x^r^i^durw, a divine ambassador thi>
ther on purpose to comfort them, and to congratulate
their happy deliverance from the persecution. And be-
cause he knew that the prosperity of the church and the
good of souls were no less undermined by heresy from
^vithin, than assaulted by violence and persecution from
without, he had a peculiar eye to that, and took all occa-
sions of warning the church to beware of heretics and
seducers t* ^>-5:« ^d d;-f}^o:7r,y.o^^^, as he styles them,*^ those
beasts in the shape of men, whose wild notions and brut-
ish manners began even then to embase religion, and
corrupt the simplicity of the faith. Indeed he duly filled
up all the measiu'es of a wise governor, and an excellent
p-uide of souls, and St. Chrysostom'' runs through the
particular characters of the bishop delineated by St.
Paul, and finds them all accomplished and made good in
him ; with so generous a care^ (says he) so exact a dili-
gence did he preside over the flock of Christ, even to the
making good what our Lord describes, &-c fAyi^ov i^ov g ^avov* t
«;r<7x'.T>,r, as the utmost pitch and line of episcopal fidelity,
to laij doivn his life for the sheep ; and this he did with all
courage and fortitude ; which is the last consideration
we shall remark concerning him.
12. As a martyr he gave the highest testimony to his
fidelity, and to the truth of that religion which he both
preached and practised. He gloried in his sufferings as
his honour and his privilege, and looked upon his chains,
Tx; TrnufAiicKic y.ct^ya^iisi^, hc calls tlicm,^ as liis jewels and his or-
naments : he was raised above either the love or fear of
the present state, and could with as much ease and free-
c Ep'St ad Eph. p. 9. ad Magnes. p. 15. ;id Tralllan. p. 20. ad Rom. p. C5. ad
pliilad^'ipii. p. 31. ad Smyrn. p. 37.
d Eplst. ad Smyrn. p. 34. & Eu.scb. ub;.- supr. c Ubi supr. p. 500. S;c.
f Ibid. p. 499. g-Epist, ud £:ph. p. 6
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS. 23^
xiom (says Chrysostom'') lay down his life, as another
man could put off his clothes. The truth is, his soul
was strangely inflamed w'ith a desire of martyrdom, he
wished every step of his journey to meet with the wild
beasts that were prepared for him, and tells the Romans,*
he desired nothing more than they might presently do
his work, that he would invite and court them speedily
to devour him, and if he found them backward, as they
had been towards others, he would provoke and force
them. And though the death he was to undergo was
most savage and barbarous, and dressed up in the most
horrid and frightful shapes, enough to startle the firmest
resolution, yet could they make no impression i?r] -r^v s-ip'^iv
i do'u./uL^vitvov -^vxh (as the Greeks say of him*") upon his im-
pregnable adamantine mind, any more than the dashes of
a wave upon a rock of marble. Let thejire (said he') arid
the cross^ the assaults of wiUl beasts^ the breaking of bones,
cutting of limbs^ battering the whole body in pieces^ yea
andall the torments which the devil can invent come upon
me, so I may but attain to be with Jesus Christ ; professing
he thought it much betier to die for Christ, than to live
and reign the sole monarch of the world. Expressions
certainly of a mighty zeal, and a divine passion woundup
to its highest note. And yet after all, this excellent per-
son was humble to the lowest step of abasure : he oft
professes that he looked upon himself as an abortive, and
the very least of the faithful in the whole church of An-
tioch,"' and that though it was his utmost ambition, yet
he did not know whether he was worthy to sufier for reli-
gion. I might in the last place enter into a discourse
concerning his epistles (the true indices of the piety and
divine temper of his mind) those seven I mean, enume-
rated and quoted by Eusebius, and collected by St. Po-
lycarp, as himself expressly testifies f but shall forbear,
despairing to offer any thing considerable after so much
as has been said by learned men about them : only ob»
h Loc laudat. i Epist. ad Rom. p. 23. & np'id Euseb. loc. cit.
k Men, Grzec. ubisupr. 1 Epist." ad Rom. p. 24. & ap. Euseb. ubisupr
m Epist. ad Eph. p. 9. ad Rom. p. 25. Epist. ad Trail, p. 17. n Enist.
Polycar. p. 23- edit. Usser. & ap. Euseb. loc, cIt. p, 103
236
THE LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS.
serving, that in the exceptions to the argument from St,
Polycarp's testimony, little more is said even by those
who have managed it to the best advantage, than what
might be urged against the most genuine writing in the
world. I add St. Polycarp's character of these epistles,
whereby he recommends them as highly useful and ad-
vantageous, that they contain in them instructions and
exhortations to faith and patience^ and whatever is ne-
cessary to build us up in the religion of our Lord and
Saviour,
HIS WRITINGS.
Genuine.
Ad Ephesios Epistola.
Ad Magnesianos.
Ad Trallianos,
Ad Romanos,
Ad Philadelphenos,
Ad^Symrnaeos.
Doubtful.
Epistola ad Polycarpum.
Spurious.
Ad Mariam Cossobolitam
Ad Tarsenses.
Ad Antiochenos.
Ad Phlllppenses.
Ad Heronem.
Ad B. Viro-, Mariam.
Ad Joannem Apostolum. 2.
rilE IJFE OF ST. POLYCARP
BISHOP OF SMYRNA.
The place of his Nativity. The honour and eminencey of Smyrna.
His education under St. John. By him constituted Bishop of Smyrna,
Whether the same with the Bishop to whom St. John committed the
the young man. St. Polycarp the Angel of the'Church of Smyrna men-
tioned in the Apocalyps. Ignatius his arrival at Smyrna. His letters
to tliat Churcli, and to St. Polycarp. His Journe)' to Rome about the
Quartodeciman Controversy. The time of it enquired into. Anice-
tus his succession to the see of Rome. His reception there by Ani-
cetus. Their mutual kindness notwithstanding the difference. His
stout opposing heretics at Rome. His sharp treatment of Murcion,
and mighty zeal against those early corrupters of the Christian Doc-
trine. Irenxus his particular remarks of St. Polycarp's actions. The
Persecution under M. Antoninus, 'Hie time of Polycarp's Martyrdom
noted. The acts of it written by the Church of Smyrna : their great
esteem and value. St. Polycarp sought for. His Martyrdom fore-
told by a dream. His apprehension. Conducted to Smyrna. Ire-
narchai, who. Polycarp's rude treatment by Herodcs. His being
brought before the Proconsul. Christians refused to swear by the
Emperor's genius, and why. His pious and resolute answers. His
slighting the Proconsul's threatnings. His sentence proclaimed.
Asiarchx who. Preparation for liis burning. His prayer before his
death. Miraculously preserved in the fire. Despatched vvith a Sword.
The care of the Christians about his Remains : this far from a super-
stitious veneration. Their annual meeting at the place of his mar-
tyrdom. His great age at his death. The day of his passion. His
tomb how honoured at this day. The judgments happening to Smyrna
after his death. The Faith and Patience of the Primitive Christians
noted out of the Preface to the Acts of his Martyrdom. His Epistle
to the Philippians. Its usefulness. Highly valued and publicly read
in the ancient Church. The Epistle itself.
1. ST. POLYCARP was bom towards the latter
end of Nero's reign, or it may be a little sooner, his great
age at the time of his death, with some other circumstan-
ces rendering it highly probable, if not certain. Uncer-
tain it is where he was born, and I see no suiScient rea-
238 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARF.
son to the contrary, why we may not fix his nativity at
Smyrna, an eminent city of Ionia in the lesser Asia, the
first of the seven that entered their claim of being the
birth-place of the famous ''Homer, in memory whereof
they had a library, and a four-square portico, called
Homereum, with a temple and statute of Homer ad-
joining to it, and used a sort of brass coin, which they
called 'Ofxy^efi^v, after his name, and probably with his image
stamped upon it. A place it was of great honour and re-
nown, and has not only very magnificent titles heaped
upon it by the writers of those times, but in several
ancient inscriptions, set up by public order of the se-
nate, not long after the time of Adrian, it is styled, The
chief City of Asia ^ both for beauty and greatness^ the most
splendid^ the Metropolis of Asia, and the Orna7nent of
Ionia. ''But it had a far greater and more honourable pri-
vilege to glory in, if it was (as we suppose) the place of
St. Polycarp's nativit}^, however of his education, the
seat of his episcopal care and charge, and the scene of his
tragedy and martyrdom. The ''Greeks in their Menceon,
report that he was educated at the charge of a certain noble
matron (whose namewe are told was Callisto) a woman of
great piety and charity, who when she had exhausted all
her granaries in relieving the poor, had them suddenly fill-
ed again by St. Polycarp's prayers. The circumstances
whereof are more particularly related by Pionius (who
suffered, if, which I much question, it was the same, un-
der the Decian persecutiou) to this •^effect. Callisto
warned by an angel in a dream sent and redeemed Po-
lycarp (then but a child) of some who sold him, brought
him home, took care of his education, and finding him a
a Strab. Geograph. 1. 14 p. C46.
b H KPAT12TH BOTAH
TH2 riPHTHS TH2; ASIAX
KAAAEl KAl MHrEeEl KAI
AAMRPOTATHS KAl MHTPO
nOAEP.S TH2 A21A2
KAI K02M0T
TH2 iriNlAS 2MTPNAI
HN nOAEP.S. Marmor. Oxon. II. p 47. Eydem
babet Marm. LXXVIIl. p. 129. CXLIII. p. 277. Append. XV. p. 296,
C T« M.y'. Tb fx:w 'i 'Jsojui^i.
d Pion. vit. S. Polycarp. ex MS. Grxc. apud. BoUanU Januar.XXVl. p. 696,.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP, 23$
youth of ripe arid pregnant parts, as he grew up, made
him the major-domo and steward of her house; whose cha-
rity it seems he dispensed with a very liberal hand, inso-
much that, during her absence, he had emptied all her
barns and store-houses to the uses of the poor. For
which being charged by his fellow- servants at her reurn,
she not knowing then to what purpose he had imployed
them, called for the keys, and commanded him to re-
sign his trust, which was no sooner done, but at her en-
trance in, she found all places full, and in as good condi-
tion as she had left them, which his prayers and inter-
cession with heaven had again replenished. As indeed
heaven can be sometimes content rather to work a mi-
racle, than charity should suffer and fare the worse for its
kindness and bounty. In his younger years he is said to
have been instructed in the Christian faith by Bucolus,
whom the same "^^Meuceon elsewhere informs us St. John
had consecrated bishop of vSmyrna ; however ^authors of
more uncjuestionable credit and ancient date tell us, that
he was St. John's disciple, and not his only, but as ^Ire-
na^us, who was his scholar (followed herein by St. Hie-
rom) assures us, he was taught by the apostles, and fa-
miliarly conversed with many who had seen our Lord in
the flesh.
2. Bucolus the vigilant and industrious bishop of
Smyrna being dead, (by whom St. Poly carp was as we
are ''told, made deacon and catechist of that church, an
office which he discharged with great diligence and suc-
cess) Polycarp was ordained in his room, according to
Bucolus's own prediction, who as the 'Greeks report,
had in his lifetime foretold that he should be his succes-
sor. He was constituted by St. John, say the ''ancients
generally ; though ^Iren^eus followed herein by the
'"Chronicle of Alexandria, affirms it to have been done by
C Tw cl'JTU I'.HVi T»i 5-',
f Acr. Ip:nut. p. 5. Hieron.de Script, in Polycarp. Eiise"b. X^iv. Aoy. p. 81.
g Adv. Hxvco. 1. 3. c. 3. p. 233. & ap. Euseb. 1. 4. c. 14. p. 127.
h Plon. c. 3- n. 12. ubi supr. i Men. 23. Febr. ubi supr.
k TertuU. de prsescript. Hxretic. c. 32. p. 213. Hieron. ubi supr. vid. Suid
in voc. nn^vK^ipTr. Niceph. H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 2. p. 225. Maityr. Rom, ad 26. Jan.
p. 71. I Loc. supr. citat.
m Olymp. CCJfZIV, 1. Anton. X7A. p. 602.
240 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
the apostles, whether any of the apostles beside St. John
were then alive, or whether he means apostolic persons
(commonly styled apostles in the writings of the church)
who joined with St. John in the consecration. "Euse-
bius says, that Polycarp was familiarly conversant with
the apostles, and received the government of the church
of Smyrna from those who had been eye witnesses and
ministers of our Lord, It makes not a little for the hoir
nour of St. PolycaiT), and argues his mighty diligence
and solicitude for the good of souls, that (as we shall note
more anon) Ignatius passing to his m.artyrdom, wrote to
him, and particularly recommended to him the inspection
and oversight of his church at Antioch, knowing him
(says ""Eusebius) to be truly an apostolical man, and be-
ing assured that he would use his utmost care and fidelity
in that matter. The ^author of the Alexandrian Chro-
nicle tells us, that it was the bishop of Smyrna (who
could not well be any other than St. Polycarp) to whom
St. John committed the tutorage and education of the
young man, whom he took up in his visitation, who ran
away, and became captain of a company of loose and de-
bauched highwaymen, and was afterwards reduced and
reclaimed by that apostle. But seeing Clemens Alexan-
drinus, who relates the story, sets down neither the name
of the bishop, nor the city, though he •^confesses there
were some tliat made mention of it, nor is this circum-
stance taken notice of by any other ancient wrher, nor
that bishop's neglecting of his charge well consistent with
St. Polycarp's care and industry, I shall leave the story
as I find it. Though it cannot be denied but that Smyrna
was near to Ephesus, as St. Clem.ens says, that city also
was, and that St. John seems to have had a more than
ordinary regard to that church, it being next Ephesus,
the first of those seven famous Asian churches, to whom
he directed his epistles, and St. Polycarp at this time
bishop of it : for that he was that angel of the church of
Smyrna^ to whom that Apocalyptical epistle was sent,
r. H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 36. p. 106. o ib. p. 137.
^ Ad. Ann. 1. Olvmpiad. CCXZ. Indict. XIII. ann. Traj. 4, p. !^5A,
q Ap. Euseb. 1. 3.'c. 23. p, 92.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP, 241
is not only highly probable, but by a "^learned man put
past all question. I must confess that the character and
circumstances ascribed by St. John to the angel of that
church seem very exactly to agree with Polycarp, and
with no other bishop of that church (about those times
especially) that we read of in the history of the church.
And whoever compares the account of St. Polycarp's
martyrdom, with the notices and intimations which the
Apocalypst there gives of that person's sufferings and
death, will find the prophecy and the event suit together.
That which may seem to make most against it is, the
long time of his presidency over that see : seeing by this
account he must sit at least 74 years bishop of that
church, from the latter end of Domitian's reign (when
the Apocalyps was written) to the persecution under M.
Aurelius, when he suffered. To which no other solution
needs be given, than that his great, nay extreme age at
the time of his death renders it not at all improbable ;
especially when we find several ages after, that Remigius
bishop of Rhemes, sat 74 years bishop of that place.
3. It was not many j^ears after St. John's death, w^hen
the persecution under Trajan began to be reenforced,
wherein the eastern parts had a very large share. Ann.
Chr. 107, Ignatius was condemned by the emperor at
Antioch, and sentenced to be transported to Rome in or-
der to his execution. In his voyage thither he put in at
Smyrna, to salute and converse with Polycarp, these holy
men mutually comforting and encouraging each other,
and conferring together about the affairs of the church.
From Smyrna Ignatius and his company sailed toTroas,
whence he sent back an epistle to the church of Smyrna,
wherein he endeavours to fortify them against the errors
©f the times which had crept in amongst them, especially
against those who undermined our Lord's humanity, ancj
denied his coming in the flesh, affirming him to have suf-
fered only in an imaginary and phantastic body. An
©pinion, (which as it deserved) he severely censures,
and strongly refutes. He further presses them to a due
r Uss^r Pfftlt^gom ?.d J*?nat. Epist. c 2 p. 9.
h' h
242 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP
observance and regard of their bishop, and those spiri-
tual guides and ministers which under him were set over
them ; and that they would despatch a messenger on
purpose to the church of Antioch, to congratulate that
peace and tranquillity which then began to be restored to
them. Besides this he wrote particularly to St. Poly-
carp, whom he knew to be a man of apostolic temper, a
person of singular faithfulness and integrity, recommend-
ing to him the care and superintendency of his discon-
solate church of Antioch. In the epistle itself, as ex-
tant at this day, there are many short and useful rules and
precepts of life, especially such as concern the pastoral
and episcopal office. And here again he renews his re-
quest concerning Antioch, that a messenger might be
sent from Smyrna to that Church, and that St. Polycarp
would write to other churches to do the like ; a thing
which he would have done himself, had not his hasty de-
parture from Troas prevented him. And more than this
we find not concerning Polycarp for many years after,
till some unhappy difference'.:) in the church brought him
upon the public stage.
4. It happened that the quartodeciman controversy
about the observation of Easter began to grow very high
between the eastern and western churches, each standing
very stifly upon tlieir own way, and justifying themselves
by apostolical practice and tradition. That this fire might
not break out into a greater flame, St. Polycarp' under-
takes a journey to Rome to interpose with those who
were the main supports and champions of the opposite
party, and gave life and spirit to the controversy. Though
the exact time of his coming hither cannot precisely be
defined, yet will it in a great measure depend upon Ani-
cetus's succession to that see, in w^hose time he came
thither. Now evident it is that almost all the ancient
catalogues place him before Soter, and next to Pius,
whom he succeeded. This succession ^Eusebius places
Ann. Chr. 154, a computation certainly much truer dian
that of Baronius, who places it in the year 167, and con
s Iren. apiid. Eiis^b, H. Eccl. I. 4. c. 14. p. 127- t Chron. ud An. cliv
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 24a
sonantly to this the chronicle of Alexandria'' places St.
Polycarp's coming to Rome Ann. Chr. 158, Anton. Imp.
21. It is true, indeed, that in two ancient catalogues of
the bishops of Rome, set down by 'Optatus and St. Au-
gustine"^, Anicetus is set before Pius, and made imme-
diately to succeed Hyginus ; by which account he must
be removed fifteen years higher, for so long Eusebius
positively says Pius sat. And methinks it seems to look
a little this way, that Eusebius having given an account
of the emperor Antoninus Pius's rescript in behalf of the
Christians (granted by him in his third consulship, Ann.
Chr. 140, or thereabouts) immediately adds, that about
the time of the things spoken^ of Anicetus governed the
church of Rome, and Polycarp came thither upon this er-
rand; the late peace and indulgence granted to the Chris-
tians probably administering both opportunity and en-
couragement to his journey. But seeing this scheme of
times contradicts Eusebius's plain and positive account
in other places, and that most ancient catalogues, espe-
cially that of Ireuceus^ and Hegesippus^ (who both lived
and were at Rome in the time of Anicetus himself) con-
stantly place Anicetus next to Pius, I dare not disturb
this ancient and almost uncontrolled account of things,
till I can meet with better evidence for this matter. But
whenever it was, over he came to Anicetus to confer with
him about this affair. Which makes me the more won-
der at the learned Monsieur Valois'' who with so peremp-
tory a confidence denies that Polycarp came to Rome
upon this errand, and that it was not the difierence about
the pascal solemnity, but some other controversies that
brought him thither, when as ^Irenaeus's express words
are (if Eusebius rightly represent them) that he came
to Rome to confer and discourse with Anicetus, J^i* t£^«t«,
fiA 'uri^i T^ y^ TO vti^x* i5jwsg*r, by reasoiiofii certain controversy con-
cerning the day -whereon Easter was to be celebrated. It is
true, he says*", that they differed a little ^sgi i^^v rimv, about
u Loc. infra cit. v De Schism. Donatist. I. 2. p. 38. w Epist.
clxv. ad Generos. col. 751. x H. Eccl. I. 4 c. 14 p. 127. y Lib. 3. c.
3. Scap.Eus. 1. 4. c. 13.p. 126. z Ap. Euseb. ib. c. 22. p.l42. a An-
not. ia Euseb. p. 11)9. b Ap, Euseb. ioc cit vid. etiam. Chron. Alex, ad
An. 2. Olym. 224. Ind. x. p. 602. ubi habet, <r<st ^^t-^ij.a <ari^^i t»\- tsj Tr^ta-^a eogr^;,
c Ibid. 1. 5. c. 24. pag. 193
244 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
some other things, but this hindered not, but that thp
other was the main errand and inducement of his voyage
thither : though even about that (as he adds) there was
no great contention between them. For those holy and
blessed souls knowing the main and vital parts of religion
not to be concerned in rituals and external observances,
mutually saluted and embraced each other. They could
not indeed so satisfy one another, as that either would
quit the customs which they had observed, but were con-
tent still to retain their own sentiments, without violating
that charity, which was the great and common law of their
religion In token whereof they communicated together
at the holy sacrament ; and Anicetus to put the greater
honour upon St. Poly carp, gave him leave to consecrate
the eucharist in his own church : after which they parted
peaceably, each side though retaining their ancient rites,
yet maintaining the peace and communion of the church.
The ancient Synodicon'' tells us that a provincial synod
was held at Rome about this matter by Anicetus, Poly-
carp, and ten other bishops, where it was decreed that
Edster should not be kept at the time, nor after the rites
and manner of the Jew's, but be celebrated ^y7«< t«/ ^t^ij'^^cf,
2,/>t6>i.v) K-j^t^KU^ on the eminent and great Lord's day that
followed after it. But improbable it is that St. Polycarp
should give his vote to any such determination, when we
know that he could not agree with Anicetus in this con-
troversy, and that he left Rome with the same judgment
and practice herein, wherewith he came thither.
• 5. During his stay at "'ome^ he mainly set himself to
convince gainsayers, testifying the truth of those doc-
trines which he ha'^ received from the apostles, whereby
he reclaimed many to the communion of the church, who
had been infected and overrun with errors, especially
the pernicious heresies of Marcion and Valentinus.
And when Marcion meeting him one day accidentally in
the street, and ill resenting it that he did not salute him,
d Synod, a P app. edit. gr. l.p. 5. & Concil. Tom. 1. col. 583. edit. no\[sS.
e Iren. adv. hxres. I. S. c. 3. p. 233. & p. Euseb. 1. 4. c, 14.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 245
called out to him, Poly carp own us; the good man replied
in a just indignation, J own thee to be the first born of
Satan, So religiously cautious (says Iren^us^) were
the apostles and their followers, not so much as by dis-
course to communicate with any that did adulterate and
corrupt the truth ; observing St. Paul's rule, a man that
is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject ;
knowing that he that is such is preverted, and sinneth^ be-
ing condemned of himself^. Indeed St. Polycarp's pious
and devout mind was fermented with a mighty zeai and
abhorrency of the poisonous and pestilent principles,
which in those times corrupted the simplicity of the
Christian faith, insomuch that when at any timt' he
heard any thing of that nature, he was wont **presentlv to
stop his ears, and cry out, good God, info what times hast
thou reserved me, that I should hear such things ! imme-
diately avoiding the place where he had heard any such
discourse. And the same dislike he manifested in all
the epistles, which he wrote either to neighbour churches,
or particular persons, warning them of errors, and ex-
horting them to continue steadfast in the truth. This
zeal against heretics, and especially his carriage towards
Marcion, we may suppose he learnt in a great measure
from St. John, of whom he w^as wont to Hell, that going
into a bath at Ephesus, and espying Cerinthus, the here-
aiarch there, he presently started back, let us be gone
(said he to his companions) lest the bath, wherein there
is Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, fall upon our heads.
This passage (says Irenaeus) some yet alive heard from
St. Polycarp's own mouth, and himself no doubt among
the rest; for so he tells us ''elsewhere, that in his youth
when he waS with St. Polycarp in the lesser Asia, he took
such particular notice of things, that he perfectly re-
membered the very place where he used to sit while he
discoursed, his goings out and coming in, the shape of
Men, Graecor. ubi supr. g- Tit. iii, 9»10.
h Iren. Epist. ad Fiorin. ap. Euseb. I, 5. c. 20. p. 88.
I Iren, 1. 3, c. 3- p. 233 & ap. Euseb. 1. 4. c. X4. k Epist. ad. Florin, ubi supr.
246f THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
his body, and tlie manner of his Hfe, his discourses to die
people, and the account he was wont to give of his fa-
miliar converse with St. John and others, who had seen
our Lord, whose sayings he rehearsed, and whatever
they had told him concerning our Saviour, concerning his
miracles and his doctrine, which themselves had either
seen or heard, agreeing exactly with the relations of the
sacred history. All which Irenasus tells us he particu-
larly took notice of, and faithfully treasured them up in
his mind, and made them part of his constant meditation.
These are all the material remarks which I find among
the ancients concerning Poly carp during the time of his
government of the church at Smyrna. Indeed there
are several miracles and particular passages of his life
related by the above-mentioned Pionius, which tend in-
finitely to exalt the honour of this holy man. But see-
ing the author is obscure, and that we can have no rea-
sonable satisfaction who he was, and whence he borrow-
ed his notices and accounts of things, I choose rather to
suspend my belief, than to enterty.in the reader with those
(at best uncertain) relations which he has given us.
6. IN thereign of M. Antoninus andL. Verus, began
a severe persecution, (whether fourth or fifth, let others
inquire) against the Christians, Meiito Bishop of Sardis,
who lived at that time, and dedicated his Apology to the
Emperors, making mention of ^^'v^^ <r ^«v Aaiav i'.yiAcTictxjii^t^dy-
//:£7'x,* new edicts and decrees which the Emperors had
issued out through Asia, by virtue whereof impudent
and greedy informers spoiled and vexed the innocent
Christians. But the storm increased into a more violent
tempest about the seventh year of their reign, Ann.
Chr. 167. when the emperor Marcus Antoninus de-
signing an expedition against the '"Marcomanni, the
terror of whom had sufficiently awakened them at Rome,
summoned the priests together, and began more so-
lemnly to celebrate their religious rites, and no doubt
but he was told that there was no better way to propiti-
1 Apud. Euseb. i. 4. c. 26. p. 147.
m Jul. Capit. in vit. M. Antonin. c. 13. p. 181<
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 24r
ate and 'atone the gods, then to bear hard upon the
Christians, generally looked upon as the most open and
hateful enemies to their gods. And now it was that
St. Pol} earp after a long and diligent discharge of his
duty in his episcopal station received his crown. So
vastly wide of the mark are the later "Greeks, making
him in their public offices to suffer martyrdom under the
Decian persecution. Nor much nearer is that of °So-
crates (however he fell into the error) w^ho tells us that
he was martyred under Gordianus. Mistakes so extra-
vagant, that there needs no more to confute them, than
to mention them. Concerning his sufferings and mar-
tyrdom we have a full and particular relation in a letter
of the church of Smyrna written not long after his death
to the church of Philomelium (or more truly Philadel-
phia) and in the nature of an encyclical epistle, to all
the Dioceses [^u^ouUt^) of the Holy Catholic Church ; the
fur greatest part whereof Eusebius has inserted into his
History, leaving out only the beginning and the end,
though the entire epistle together with its ancient ver-
sion, or rather paraphrase, is since published by Bishop
Usher. It was penned by Euaristus, and afterwards
(as appears by their several subscriptions at the end of
it) transcribed out of Irenaeus's copy by Caius, con-
temporary and familiar with Irengeus, out of his by one
Socrates at Cornith, and from his by Pionius, who had
with great diligence found it out. A piece it is that
challenges a singular esteem and reverence both for the
subject matter and the antiquity of it, with which ^Scali-
ger thinks every serious and devout mind must needs be
so affected, as never to think it has enough on't ; professing
for his own part that he never met with any thing in all the
history of the church, with the reading whereof he was
more transported, so that he seemed no longer to be him-
self. Which effect that it may have upon the pious well-
disposed reader, we shall present him with this following
account.
n Men. Gr<cc. t« Ky' tov ^iCpv?^.
o H. Eccl. I. 5. c, 22. p. 284.
p Aaimadv. ad Euseb. Chr. ad N. MMCLXXXIII. p. 221.
248 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
7. THE persecution growing hot at ^^Smyrna, and
many having aheady sealed their confession with their
blood, the general outcry was, away with the impious,
(or the Atheists, such they generally called and accounted
the Christians) let Poly carp be sought for. The good
man was not disturbed at the news, but resolved to en-
dure the brunt : till his friends, knowing his singular
usefulness, and that our Lord had given leave to his dis-
ciples, when persecuted in one city to flee to another,
prevailed with him to withdraw into a neighbouring vil-
lage, where with a few companions he continued day and
night in prayer, earnestly interceding with heaven (as
afore- time it had ever been his custom) for the peace
and tranquillity of all the churches in the world. Three
days before his apprehension falling at night as he was
at prayer into a trance, he dreamt that his pillow was
on fire, and burned to ashes ; which when he wakened,,
he told his friends was a prophetic presage, that he
should be burnt alive for the cause of Christ. In the
mean time he was every where narrowly sought for, up-
on notice whereof his friends persuaded him to retire
into another village, whither he was no sooner come but
his enemies were at hand, who seizing upon a couple of
youths (one of whom by stripes they forced to a con-
fession,) were by them conducted to his lodging. En-
tering the house at evening, they perceived him to be
in bed in an upper room ; and though upon notice be-
forehand of their coming he might easily have saved him-
self by slipping into another house, yet he refused, say-
ing, the will of the Lord be done. Understanding his per-
secutors were there, he came down and saluted them
with a very chearful and gentle countenance ; inso-
much that they who had not hitherto known him, won-
dered to behold so venerable a person, of so great age,
and so grave and composed a presence, and what needed
all this stir to hunt and take this poor old man. He
nothing concerned, ordered a table to be spread, and
q Epist. Eccles. Smvm. dc Mart. Polycarp. Edit Usser. p. 16. & apad
Euseb, 1. 4. c. 15. p. 129.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 349
provisions to be set upon it, inviting theni to partake of
them, and only requesting for himself, that in the mean while
he might have one hour for prayer. Leave being granted,
he rose up, and betook himself to his devotions, wherein be
had such mighty assistances of divine grace, that he con-
tinued praying near two hours together heartily recom-
mending to God the case of all his friends and acquaint-
ance, whether great or little, honourable or ignoble, and
the state of the Catholic church throughout the world,
all that heard him being astonished at it, and many of
them now repenting that so divine and venerable an old
man should be put to death.
8. His prayer being ended, and they ready to depart,
he was set upon an ass, and (it being then the great,
sabbath^ though what that great sabbath was, learned
men, I believe, w^ill hardly agree till the coming of Elias)
conducted into the city. As the}' were upon the road,
they were met by Herod and his father Nicetes, who in-
deed were the main springs of the persecution, and had
put the tumult into motion. ThisHerod was an irenarcha,
one of those, adqiios tuenda publico pacts v'lgilautia per-
tinebat^ as ""St. Augustin describes them ; their office
was mostwhat the same with that of our modern jus-
tices of the peace, they being set to guard the provinces,
and to secure the pubUc peace and quietness within
their several jurisdictions, to prevent and suppress riots
and tumults, robberies, and rapines, and to inquire into
the companions and receivers of all such persons, and
to transmit to the magistrates the examinations and no-
tices which they had received of such matters. They
were appointed either by the emperor himself, or the
Prafecti Prcetor'io^ or the Decurios ; and at this time
the custom in the provinces of the lesser Asia was, that
every city did yearly send ten of the names of their prin-
cipal persons to the governor of the province, who chose
out one to be the irenarcha, the keeper, or justice of the
peace. Being afterwards found grievous and troublesome
to the people, they were taken away by a law of the
r Epist. CLIX. col. 720. CLX- c. 722. vid. 1. 18. $ 4. fF. de mnner. 8; horror.
Tit. 4. & I. 6, § 2. ft", d'e custod. c^ exhib reor. Tit* 5.
I i
250 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
younger Theodosius% though the office remained un-
der another name- This office at Smyrna was at thivS
time managed by this Herod, whom Baronius* conjec-
tures to be Herodes Atticus", a man of consular dignity,
and of great learning and eloquence, and who had been
tutor to the present emperor. Certain it is that that He-
rod governed in the free cities of Asia"", and resided some-
times at Smyrna : though it cramps the conjecture, that
the name of that Herod's father was Atticus, of this Ni
cetes, unless we will suppose him to have had two names-
But whoever he be, a great enemy he was to Poly carp,
whom meeting upon the way, he took him up into his
chariot, v/here both he and his father by plausible insi-
nuations sought to undermine his constancy, asking
him what great harm there was in saying, my lord the
emperor^ and in sacrificing, by which means he might
escape. This was an usual way of attempting the Chris-
tians ; not that they made any scruple to acknowledge
the emperor to be their lord, (none were so forward, so
earnest to pay all due subjection and reverence to prin-
ces) but because they knew that the Romans, too apt to
flatter the ambition of their emperors into a fondly usurpt
divinity, by that title usually understood God, as Ter-
tullian'' tells them ; in any other notion of the word they
could as freely as any call him Lord, though, as he adds,
even Augustus himself '^ modestly forbad that title to be
ascribed to him.
9. St. Polycarp returned no answer to their de-
mand, till importunately urging him, he replied, that
he would not at an}- rate comply with their persuasi-
ons. Frustrated of the ends which they had upon him,
they now lay aside the vizor of their dissembled friend-
ship, and turn their kindness into scorn and reproaches,
thrusting him out of the chariot with so much violence,
that he bruised his thigh with the fail. Whereat no-
thing daunted, as if he had received no hurt, he cheer ^
s C. Th. I. unic. Tit. 14. de Hirenarch. t Ad Ann. CLXIX. n. 7-
u A Gell. noct. Att. I. 1. c. 2. p. 2. J. C;ipit. in vit. M. Anton, c. 3. p. 151.
V PliiUstp. de vit. Sophist.!. 2. in Her.>d. p. m. 646. & I. 1. in Polemon. p
64-2. w Apoiog. c. 34 p. 2y. x Vid. Sueton. in vit. Aug. c. 53. p 192.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 2S1
fully hastened on to the place of his execution under the
conduct of his guard : whither when they were come,
and a confused noise and tumult was arisen, a voice
came from Heaven (heard by many, but none seen who
spake it,) saying. Poly carp be stro?ig, and quit thyself
like a man. Immediately he was brought before the
public tribunal, where a great shout was made, all re-
joicing that he was apprehended. The proconsul
(whose name was L. Statins Quadratus) this very year,
as Aristides^ the orator who lived at this time at Smyrna
informs us, the proconsul of Asia, (as not long before he
had been consul at Rome,) asked him whether he was
Polycarp? which being confessed, he began to persuade
him to recant ; Regard^ said he, thy great age^ nvear by
the genius of Ca^'sar, repent, and say with us, take axvay
the impious. These were * Qvr'P^n cthruc, as my author tru-
ly observes, their usual terms and proposals to Christians,
who stoutly refused to swear by the emperor's genius;
upon which account the heathens generally traducecj
them as traitors and enemies to the state, though to
wipe off that charge, they openly professed^, that though
they could not swear by the fortune of the emperor,
(their genii being accounted deities, whom the Christi-
ans knew to be butdcemons, and cast out at every turn)
yetthe}^ scrupled not to swear by the emperor's safety,
a thing more august and sacred than all the genii in the
world.
10. The holy martyr looking about the stadium,
and with a severe and angry countenance, beholding the
crowd, beckoned to them with his hand, sighed and look-
ed up to Heaven, saying, (though quite in another sense
then they intended) take away the impious. The pro-
consul still persuaded him to swear, with promise to re-
lease him, withal urging him to blaspheme Christ ; for
with that temptation they were wont to assault Chris-
tians, and thereby to try the sincerity of their renegadoes,
a course which Pliny tells us"" he observed towards apos-
y Orat. Sacr. 4. z Tert. Apol. c. 32. p. 28. Orig. contr. Cel^. 1. 8. p. 42!.
. a Eplst. ad Trajan. Imp. Ep. 97 1. 10.
^52 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
tate Christians, though he withal confesses, that none
of them that were really Christians could ever be brought
to it. The motion w^as resented with a noble scorn, and
drew from Poly carp this generous confession, *' Four-
score and six years I have served him, and he never did
me any harm, how then shall I now blaspheme my king
and my Saviour?" But nothing will satisfy a malicious
misguided zeal : the proconsul still importuned him to
swear by Caesar's genius ; to whom he replied, " Since
you are so vainly ambitious that I should swear by the
emperor's genius, as you call it, as if you knew not
who I am, hear my free confession. I am a Christian,
If you have a mind to learn the Christian religion, appoint
me a time, and I will instruct you in it. The proconsul
advised him to persuade the people ; he answered, '' Ta
you I rather choose to address my discourse ; for we are
commanded by the laws of our religion to give to prin-
ces and the powers ordained of God, ail that due honour
and reverence, that is not prejudicial and contrary to the
precepts of religion. As lor them" meaning the com-
mon herd " I think them not competent judges to
whom I should apologize, or give an account of my
faith."
li. The proconsul now saw it was in vain to use
any further persuasives and entreaties, and therefore be-
took himself to severer arguments : '' I have wild beasts
at hand" said he "to which L will cast thee, unless thou
recant." '' Call for them" cried the martyr, " for we
are immutably resolved not to change the better for the
worse, accounting it fit and comely only to turn from
vice to virtue. Since thou makest so light of wild beasts
(added the proconsul) I have a fire that shall tame thee,
unless thou repent. *' Thou threatenest me with afire"
answered Poly carp *' that burns for an hour, and is pre-
sently extinct but art ignorant, alas, of the fire of eternal
damnation and the judgment to come, reserved for the
wicked in the other world. But why delay est thou ?
bring forth whatever thou hast a mind to." This and
much more he spake with a pleasant and cheerful confi-
deace, and a divine grace was conspicuous in his very
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 253
looks, so far was he from cowardly sinking under the
great threatenings made against him. Yea the procon-
sul himself was astonished at it, though finding no good
could be done upon him, he commanded the crier in the
middle of the stadium thrice to make open proclama-
tion (as was the manner of the Romans in all capital trials)
Polijcarp has confessed himself a Christian. Whereat
the whole multitude both of Jews and Gentiles that were
present, (and probable it is that the to ko^vov -/AWa?, the com-
mon council, or assembly of Asia, might about this time
be held at Smyrna for the celebration of their common
shows and sports ; for that it was sometimes held here is
evident from an ancient inscription making mention of
it,) gave a mighty shout, crying out aloud. This is the
great doctor of Asia, and the father of the Christians;
this is the destroyer of our gods^ that teaches men ?wt to
do sacrifice, or worship the deities.
12. The cry being a little over, they immediately ad-
dressed themselves to Philip the asiarch: these ''asiarchs
were Gentile priests belonging to the comnionalty of
Asia, yearly chosen at the common-council or assembly
of Asia, to the number of about ten, (whereof one was
principal) out of the names returned by the several cities.
It was an office of great honour and credit, but withal of
great expense and charge, they being obliged to enter-
^tain the people with sights and sports upon the festival
solemnities, and therefore it was not conferred but upon
the more wealthy and substantial citizens. In this place
was Philip at this time, whom the people clamorously re-
quested, to let out a lion upon the malefactor. Which
he told them he could not do, having already exhibited
rJ Kvviiyi<rtx^ tlic huutiug of wild bcasts with men, one of the
famous shows of the amphitheatre, Then they unani-
mously demanded, that he might be burnt alive ; a fate
which he himself from the vision in his dream had pro-
phetically foretold should be his portion. The thing was
no sooner said than done, each one striving to bear a part
b — SMTPNAN KGlNON A2IA2. Marm. Oxon. III. p. 70. c Vicl. 1. 6.
§. 14. tt". de Excusat. Tit. 1. & 1. 8. J. 1. de Vacat. Tit. 5. ibid. vid. etiam Aris.
tid. Oi-at. Sacr. IV.
254 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
in this fatal tragedy, wilh incredible speed fetching wood
and faggots from several places, but especially the Jews
were peculiarly active in the service, maUce to Christians
being almost as natural to them as it is for the lire to
burn. The lire being prepared, St. Polycarp untied his
girdle, laid aside his garments, and began to put oft' his
shoes ; ministeries which he before was not wont to be
put to ; the Christians ambitiously striving to be admit-
ted to do them for him, and happy he that could first
touch his body. So great a reverence even in his younger
years had he from all for the admirable strictness and re-
gularity of his holy life.
13. The officers that were employed in his execution
having disposed all other things, came according to cus-
tom to nail him to the stake ; which he desired them to
omit, assuring them, that he who gave him strength to
endure the fire, would enable him without nailing to siand
immovable in the hottest flames. So they only tied him,
who standing like a sheep ready for the slaughter, de-
signed as a grateful sacrifice to the Almighty, clasping
his hands which were bound behind him, he poured out
his soul to Heaven in the following prayer. '' O Lord
God Almighty, the father of thy well -be loved and ever
blessed son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the
knowledge of thee ; the God of angels, powers, and of
every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous,
who live before thee ; I bless thee that thou hast graci-
ously condescended to bring me to this day and hour,
that'l may receive a portion in the number of thy holy
martyrs, and drink of Christ's cup, for the resurrection
to eternal life both of soul and body in the incorruptible-
ness of the holy Spirit. Into which number grant I may
be received this day, being found in thy sight as a fair
and acceptable sacrifice, such a one as thou thyself hast
prepared, that so thou mayest accomplish what thou, O
true and faithful God, hast foreshown. Wherefore I
praise thee for all thy mercies, I bless thee, I glorify thee,
through the eternal high priest, thy beloved son Jesus
Christ; with whom to thyself and the Holy Ghost, be
glwy both now ajid for ever. Amen." Which last
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 255
word he pronounced with a more clear audible voice, and
having done his pra3^er, the ministers of execution blew
up the fire, which increasing to a mighty flame, behold a
wonder (seen, say my authors, by us, who were purposely
reserved, that we might declare it to others) the flames
disposing themselves into the resemblance of an arch,
like the sails of a ship swelled with the wind, gently en-
circled the body of the martyr, who stood all the while
hi the midst, not like roasted flesh, but like gold or sil-
ver purified in the furnace, his body sending forth a de-
lightful fragrancy, which like frankincense, or some
other costly spices, presented itself to our senses'*.
14. How blind and incorrigibly obstinate is unbelief!
The infidels were so far from being convinced, that they
were rather exasperated by the miracle, commanding a
spearman, one of those who were wont to despatch wild
beasts when they became outrageous, to go near and run
him through with a sword^ ; which he had no sooner
done, but such a vast quantity of blood flowed from the
wound, as extinguished and put out the fire ; together
with which a dove was seen to fly from the wounds of his
body, which some suppose to have been his soul, clothed
in a visible shape at the time of its departure ; though
true it is, that this circumstance is not mentioned in Eu-
sebius's account, and probably never was in the originals
Nor did the malice of Satan end here, he knew by the in-
nocent and unblamable course of his life, and the glori-
ous constancy of his martyrdom, that he had certainly
attained the crown of immortality, and nothing now was
left for his spite to work on, but to deprive them even of
d PhceRicem si quis medio miretur in igne
Emori, & exlructo se repanue Togo.
Obsu;i)eut PULYCARPc:, avidas tih'i parcere flammas,
Non ausas sacia te violare face.
Mille nitent tedse, rutilar.tq ; hinc inde favillis,
Atque in te Dominum, quem colis ipse, colunt.
Prsemia nunc majora tibi scd reddit Olympus,
Ig'iiea qui |)edibus subjicit astrasuis.
inscript. Romae in Ecclesia S. Slephaui in Ccelio, suprascripta hasc Slracid?e
^ententia :
Ecclesiastic. LI. 6.
IN MEDIO IGNIS NON SUM .^STUATUS.
e Vid. usser. not. 74. in Acr. Polycarp. p. 67.
256 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARR
the honour of his bones. For many were desirous to
have given his body decent and honourable burial, and to
have assembled there for the celebration of his memory ;
but were prevented by some who prompted Nicetes, the
father of Herod, and brother to Alee, to advise the pro-
consul not to bestow his body upon the Christians, lest
leaving their crucified master, they should henceforth
worship Polycarpus. A suggestion however managed
by the Heathens, yet first contrived and prompted by the
Jews, who narrowly watched the Christians when they
would have taken away his body from the place of exe-
cution : *' Little considering (they are the very words of
my authors) how impossible it is that either we should
forsake Christ, who died for the salvation of the whol^
world, or that we should worship any other. Him we
adore as the Son of God, but martyrs as the disciples
and followers of our Lord, we deservedly love for their
eminent kindness towards their own prince and master,
whose companions and fellow-disciples we also by all
means desire to be.'* So far were those primitive and
better ages from that undue and superstitious veneration
of the relics of martyrs and departed saints which after-
ages introduced into the church, as elsewhere we have
showed more at large^.
15. The centurion beholding the perverseness and ob-
stinacy of the Jews, commanded the body to be placed
in the midst, and in the usual manner to be burnt to
ashes ; whose bones the Christians gathered up as a
choice and inestimable treasure, and decently interred
them. In which place they resolved, if possible, (and
they prayed God nothing might hinder it) to meet and
celebrate the birth-day of his martyrdom, both to do ho-
nour to the memory of the departed, and to prepare and.
encourage others hereafter to give the like testimony to
the faith. Both which considerations gave birth and ori-
ginal to the Memori<^ Martyrum^ those solemn anniver-
sary commemorations of the martyrs which we have in
another place more fully showed^, were generally kept in
f Prim. Christ, part I. chap. 5. g Ibicl. chap. 7-
'FHE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 25/
the primitive church. Thus died this aposiolical man
Ann. Chr. 167, about the hundredth year of his age ; for
those eighty six years^ which himself speaks of, wherein
he had served Christ, cannot be said to commence from
his birth, but from his baptism or new birth, at which
time we cannot well suppose him to have been less than
sixteen or twenty years old : besides his converse with
the apostles, and consecration by St. John, reasonably
suppose him of some competent years, for v/e cannot
think he would ordain a youth, or a very young man
bishop, especially of so great and populous a city. The
incomparabh ^primate, from a passage in his epistle, con-
jectures him to have lived (though not then converted to
Christianity) at the time when St. Paul wrote his epistles ;
which if so, must argue him to have been of a greater
age : nor is this any more improbable than what ^ ua-
dratus, the Christian apologist, who lived under Hadrian,
and dedicated his Apologetic to that emperor, reports ;
that there were some of those whom our Lord had heal-
ed, and raised from the dead alive even in his time : and
of Simeon successor to St. James in the bishoprick of
Jerusalem, ''Hegesippus expressly relates that he was 120
years old, at the time of his matryrdom Sure I am,
^Irenaeus particularly notes of our St. Poly carp, that he
lived a very long time, and was arrived to an exceeding
great age, when he underwent a most glorious and illus-
trious martyrdom for the faith.
16. He suffered on the second of the month Xanthi-
cus, the 7th of the kalends of May, though whether mis-
taken for the 7th of the kalends of April, and so to be re»
ferred to March 26, as some will have it, or for the 7th
of the kalends of March, and so to be adjudged to Febru-
ary 23, as others, is difficult to determine. It shall suf-
fice to note, that his memory is cekbrated by the Greek
church, February the 2Sd, by the Latin, January the
26th. The amphitheatre where he sulFered is in a great
measure yet re-iiaining, (as a late ""eye-witness and dili-
h Annot. in Ep. St. Polycarp. p. 2. i Ap. Euscb. 1. 4. c. 3. p. 116.
k Ibid. 1. 3. c 32. p. 104. I Adv. Hsres 1. 3. c. 3. & ap. Eus. I. 4. c. 14. p.
12r. m Th. Smiih Epist. de VII. Asix Eccles. p. 164-
Kk
258 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
gent searcher into antiquity informs us) in the two oppo-
site sides whereof are the dens where the hons were wont
to be kept. His tomb is in a little chapel in the side of
a mountain on the south-east part of the city, solemnly
visited by the Greeks upon his festival day ; and for the
maintenance and reparation whereof, travellers are wont
to throw in a few aspres into an earthen pot that stands
there for that purpose. How miserable the state of this
city is under the Turkish yoke at this day, is without the
limits of my business to inquire : to look a little higher
to the times we write of, though I love not to make se-
vere and ill-natured interpretations of the actions of di-
vine providence, yet I cannot but observe, how heavy the
divine displeasure not long after Polycarp's death fell, as
upon other places, so more particularly upon this city, by
plague, fire, and earthquakes, mentioned by "others, but
more fully described by "Aristides, their 0's\'n orator, who
was contemporary with St. Polycarp. By which means
their city, before one of the glories and ornaments of Asia,
was turned into rubbish and ashes, their stately houses
overturned, their temples ruined ; one especially, w^hich
as it advanced Asia above other countries, so gave SmjT-
na the honour and precedence above other cities of Asia ;
their traffic spoiled, their marts and ports laid waste, be-
sides the great numbers of people that lost their lives.
Indeed the fate so sad, that the orator was forced to give
over, professing himself unable to describe it.
17. I cannot better close the story of Polycarp's mar-
tyrdom, than with the preface which the church of Smyr-
na has in the beginning of it, as what eminently represents
the illustrious faith and patience of those primitive Chris-
tians. *' Evident it is (say they^*) that all those martyr-
doms are great and blessed, which happen by the will of
God ; for it becomes us Christians, who have a more di-
vine religion than others, to ascribe to God the sovereign
disposure of all events. Who would not stand and ad-
mire the generous greatness of their mind, their singular
n Xiphil Epit. Dion, in M. Anton, p. 261. • o In Orat. Monodia diet. vJd,
Pliilaslr. de vit Sopliist. 1. 2- in Aristid. p. m. 659. p Edit, usscr. p. 14,
Conitr Euseb. i. 4. c, 15. p. 129.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 259
patience, and admirable love to God ? who when their
flesh was with scourges so torn off their backs, that the
whole frame and contexture of their bodies, even to their
inmost veins and arteries, might be seen, yet patiently en-
dured it. Insomuch that those who were present, pitied
and grieved at the sight of it, while they themselves were
endued with so invincible a resolution, that none of them
gave one sigh or groan : the holy martyrs of Christ let-
ting us see, that at that time when they were thus tor-
mented, they were strangers to their own bodies ; or ra-
ther that our Lord stood by them to assist and comfort
them. Animated by the grace of Christ, they despised
the torments of men, by one short hour delivering them-
selves from eternal miseries : the fire which their tor-
mentors put to them seemed cool and little, while they
hud it in their eye, to avoid the everlasting and unextin-
guishing flames of another world ; their thoughts being
fixed upon those rewards which are prepared for them
that endure to the end, such as neither ear hath heard,
nor eye hath seen, nor hath it entered into the heart of
man ; but which were shown to them by our Lord, as
being now no longer mortals, but entering upon the state,
of angels. In like manner those who were condemned
to be devoured by wild beasts, for a long time endured
the most grievous tortures ; shells of fishes were strewed
under their naked bodies, and they forced to lie upon
sharp pointed stakes driven into the ground, and several
such like engines of torture devised for them, that (if
possible) by the constancy of their torments, the enemy
might drive them to renounce the faith of Christ : vari-
ous were the methods of punishment which the Devil did
invent, though, blessed be God, there were not many,
whom they were able to prevail upon. And at the
end of the epistle^^ they particularly remark concerning
Polycarp, that he was not only a famous doctor, but an
eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all strove to imitate,
as one who by his patience conquered an unrighteous
judge, and by that means having attained an immortal
q Ubi. supr. p. 28.
260 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP,
crown was triumphing with the apostles, and all the souls
of the righteous glorifying God the Father, and praising
of our Lord, the disposer of our bodies, and the bishop
and pastor of the Catholic church throughout the world.
Nor were the Christians the only persons that reverenced
his memory, but the very Gentiles (as 'Eusebius tells
us) every where spoke honourably of him.
i8. As for his writings, besides that 'St. Hierom men-
tions the volumes of Papias and Polycarp, and the above
mentioned ^Pionius his Epistles and Homilies, "Ireuccus
evidently intimates that he wrote several Epistles, of all
which none are extant at this day, but the Epistle to the
Philippians, an epistle peculiarly celebrated by the an-
cients, very useful says ""St. Hierom, Wvt/ s^^^v/watr^ (as "^Sui-
das and "Sophronius style it) a most admirable epistle,
^Irenseus gives it this eulogium, that it is a most perfect
and absolute epistle^ whence they that are careful of their
salvation, may learn the character of his faith^ and the
truth which he preached. To which Eusebiiis adds, that
in this epistle he makes use of some quotations out of
the first epistle of St. Peter. An observation that holds
good with the epi'^tle, as we have it at this day, there be-
ing many places in it cited out of the first, not one out of
the second epistle. Photius passes this just and true
judgment of it, that it is full of many admonitions, deli-
vered with clearness and simiplicity, according to the ec-
clesiastic w^ay and manner of interpretation. It seems to
hold a great affinity both in style and substance with Cle-
mens's epistle to the Corinthians, often suggesting the
same rules, and making use of the same words and phra-
ses, so that it is not to be doubted, but he had that ex-
cellent epistle particularly in his eye at the writing of it.
Indeed it is a pious and truly Christian epistle, furnished
with short and useful precepts and rules of life, and pen-
ned with the modesty and simplicity of the apostolic
times, valued by the ancients next to the writings of the
r Loc. supr. cit. p. 135. s Epist. ad Lucin p. 194. torn. 1. t Vit. Po.
lycarp c. 3. n. 1?. p. 697- ubi supr. u EpLst. ad Florin, ap. Euseh. uhi supr.
▼ De Script, in Polycarp. w Suid. in voc. rioxt/xcrgia-. x Sophron. ap.
Hieron 'b. y Adv. Hares. I. 3. c. 3.& ap. Lus. I. 4. c. 15. p 128.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 261
holy canon ; and St Hierom tells us that even in his
time* it was read in ^si^ conventu^ in the public assem-
blies of the Asian church. It was first published in
Greek by P. Halloix the Jesuit, ^nn. 1633, and not ma-
ny years after by bishop Usher : and I presume the
pious Reader will think it no unuseful digression, if I
here subjoin so venerable a monument of the ancient
church.
THE EPISTLE OF ST. POLYCARP,
BISIISOP OF SMYRNA AND MARTYR, TO THE PHILLIPIANS.
Polycarp and the Presbyters that are with him, to the Church of God
which is at Phiiippi : Mercy unto you, and Peace from God Almighty,
aud Jesus Christ our Saviour, be multiplied.
1. I REJOICED with you greatly in our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye entertained the patterns of true love, and (as became
you) conducted onwards those who were bound with chains
which are the ornaments of saints, and the crowns of those that
are the truly elect of God, and of our Lord : and that the firm
root of your faith, formerly published, does yet remain, and
bring forth fruit in our Lord Jesus Christ, who was pleased to
offer up himself even unto death for our sins :* whom God raised
up, having loosed the pains of death :^ in who?n., though you sec
him noty ye believe^ and believing^ ye rejoice with joy unspeakable
and full of glory ; whereinto many desire to enter, knowing that
by grace, ye are saved,® not by works, but by the will of God
through Jesus Christ.
IL Wherefore girding up your loins ^^ serve God in fear and
truth, forsaking empty and vain talking, and the error wherein
so many are involved,* believing in him -who raised up our Lord
yesus Christ from the dead^ and gave him glory ^ and a throne at
his right hand ; to whom all things both in heaven and in earth
are put in subjection, whom every thing that has breath wor-
ships, who comes to judge the quick and the dead, whose blood
z Ubi sup. a Acts ii. 24. b 1 Pet. i, 8. c Eph- ii. 8.
dlPet. i. 13. clFct.i.21,
262 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP.
God will require of them that helieve-not in him. But he who
raised him up from the dead, will raise up us also, if we do his
will, and walk in his commandments, and love what he loved,
abstaining from all unrighteousness, inordinate desire, covetous-
ness, detraction, false witness ; f not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing, or striking for striking, or cursing for curs-
ing, but remembering what the Lord said when he taught thus,^
judge not., that ye he not judged^ forgive and ye shall be for gro em
he mercful^ that ye may obtain mercy : rvith what measure ye
mete., it shall be measured to you again : and that blessed are the
poor^ and they which are persecuted for righteousness sake., for
theirs is the kingdom of God,
3. These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righte-
ousness, not of my own humour, but because yoursehes did
provoke me to it. For neither I, nor any other such as I am,
can attain to the wisdom of blessed and glorious St. Paul, who
being among you, and conversing personally with those who
were then alive, firmly and accurately taught the word of truth ;
and when absent, wrote epistles to you, by vrhich, if you look
into them, ye may be built in the faith, delivered unto you,
Vv'hich is the mother of us all, being followed by hope, and led
on by love, both towards God, and Christ, and to our neigh-
bour. For whoever is inwardly replenished with these things,
has fulfilled the law of righteousness ; and he that is furnished
vrith love, stands at a distance from all sin. But the love of
money is the beginning of all eviU KnoAving therefore that zve
brought nothing into the ivorld^ and that we shall carry nothing
ozU., let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness, and
in the first place be instructed ourselves to v/alk in the com-
mands of the Lord, and next teach your wives to live in the faith
delivered to them, in love, and chastity, that they embrace their
own husbands with all integrit) , and others also with all tem-
perance and continency, and that they educate and discipline
their children in the fear of God. The widows, that they be
sober and modest concerning the faith of the Lord, that they
incessantly intercede for all, and keep themselves from all slan-
dering detraction, false w^itness, covetousness, and every evil
work : as knowing that they are the altars of God, and that he
accurate!}' surveys the sacrifice, and that nothing can be con-
cealed from him, neither of our reasonings, nor thoughts, nor
the secrets of the heart. Accordingly knowing that God is not
mocked, we ought to walk worthy of his command, and of his
glory.
f 1 Pet. iii. 9. g Man. vii. 1. Luke vi. 36, 37.
h Matt. V. 3. 10. i 1 Tim. vi. 7.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 26.3
4. Likewise let the deacons be unblamable before his righte-
ous presence, as the ministers of God in Christ, and not of men ;
not accusers, not double-tongued, not covetous, but temperate
in all things, compassionate, diligent, walking according to the
truth of the Lord, who became the deacon or servant of all : of
whom, if we be careful to please him in this world, we shall re-
ceive the reward of the other life according as he has promised
to raise us from the dead : and if we walk v/orthy of him, ~cue
believe that we shall also reign zuith him. Let the young men
also be unblamable in all things, studying in the first place to
to be chaste, and to restrain themselves from all that is evil....
For it is a good thing to get above the lusts of the world, seeing
every lust wars against the spirit; and that neither fornicators^
nor effeminate^ nor abusers of themselves xvith mankind shall
ifiherit the kingdom of God^ nor whoever commits base things.
5. Wherefore it is necessary that ye abstain from all these
things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as to God
and Christ : that the virgins also walk with a chaste and un-
defiled conscience. Let the presbyters be tender and merciful,
compassionate towards all, reducing those that are in error, vi-
siting all that are weak, not negligent of the v/idow and the or-
phan, and him that is poor, but ever providing what is honest
in the sight of God and men ; abstaining from ail wrath, respect
of persons, and unrighteous judgment, being far from covetous-
ness, not hastily believing a report against any man, not rigid
in judgment, knowing that we are all faulty, and obnoxious to
punishment. If therefore we stand in need to pray the Lord
that he would forgive us, we ourselves ought also to forgive.
For we are before the eyes of him, who is Lord and God, and
all must stand before the judgment seat of Christy and every one
give an account of himself } Wherefore let us serve him with
all fear and reverence, as he himself has commanded us, and as
the apostles have preaclied and taught us, and the prophets who
foreshowed the coming of our Lord. Be zealous of that which
is good, abstaining from offences and false brethren, and those
who bear the nalne of the Lord in hypocrisy, w^ho seduce and
deceive vain men. For evei^y one, that confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is oQme in the flesh, is Antichrist ;ra and he who
4oth not acknowledge the martyrdom of the cross, is of the
devil, and whoever shall pervert the oracles of the Lord to his
private dusts, and shall say, that there is neither resurrection nor
judgment to come, that man is the first-born of Satan. Leav-
ing therefore the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us
return to that doctrine, that from the beginning was delivered
k 1 Cof. vi. 9. 10. 1 Rom. x\v. 9, 10, m 1 Jo]m xv. 3- 5 Eprst. v, 7.
264 THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARR
to us : let us be watchful in prayers, persevering in fasting, and
supplications, beseeching the all-seeing God that he would not
lead us into temptation ; as the Lord has said, the spirit indeed
is -willing^ but the Jlesh is lueak.^ Let us unweariedly and con-
stantly adhere to Jesus Christ, who is our hope and the pledge
of our righteousness, xvho bare our sins in his own body on the
tree^ xvho did no sin^ neither ivas guile found in his viouth^^hxit
endured all things for our sakes, that we might live through him.
Let us then imitate his patience, and if we suffer for his name,
we glorify him ; for such a pattern he set us in himself, and this
we have believed and entertained.
6. I exhort you therefore all, that ye be obedient to the word
€f righteousness, and that you exercise all manner of patience,
as you have seen it set forth before your eyes, not only in the
blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but in others also
among you, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles ;
being assured that all these have not run in vain, but in faith
and righteousness, and are arrived at the place, due and pro-
mised to them by the Lord, of whose sufferings they were made
partakers. For they loved not this present world, but him who
both died, and was raised up again by God for us. Stand fast
therefore in these things, and follow the example of the Lord^
being firm and immutable in the faith, lovers of the brethren,
and kindly affectionate one towards another, united in the truth,
carrying yourselves meekly to each other, despising no man....
When it is in your power to do good, defer it not, for alms de-
hvereth from death. Be all of you subject one to another^ having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that both you
yourselves may receive praise by your good works, and that
God he not blasphemed through you. For wo unto him, by
whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed. Wherefore teach
all men sobriety, and be yourselves conversant in it.
7. I am exceedingly troubled for Valens, who was some-
times ordained a presbyter among you, that he so little under-
stands the place wherein he was set. I therefore warn you,
that you abstain from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and
true. Keep yourselves from every evil work. But he that in
these things cannot govern himself, how shall he preach it to
another ? If a man refrain not from covetousness, he will be de-
filed with idolatry, and shall be judged among the Heathen...*
Who is ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? Know ye not
that the saints shall judge the world ?v as Paul teaches. But I
have neither found any such thing in you, nor heard any such
of you, among whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who arc
n Matt. xxvi. 41. o 1 Pet. ii. 22, :;4. p Cor. vi. 2.
THE LIFE OF ST. POLYCARP. 265
in the beginning of his epistle. For of you he boasts in all
those churches, which only knew God at that time, whom as yet
we had not known. I am therefore, brethren, greatly troubled
for him, and for his wife, the Lord give them true repentance.
Be ye also sober as to this matter, and account not such as ene-
mies, but restore them as weak and erring members, that the
whole body of you may be saved ; for in so doing, ye build up
yourselves.
8. I trust that ye are well exercised in the holy scriptures,
and that nothing is hid from you ; a thing as yet not granted
to me. As it is said in these places, be angry and sin not :
and, let not the stm go down upon your wrath. Blessed is he
that is mindful of these things, which I believe you are. The
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Christ Jesus
the eternal High-priest, and Son of God, build you up in faith
and truth, and in all meekness that you may be without anger,
in patience, forbearance, long-suffering, and chastity, and give
you a portion and inheritance amongst his saints, and to us to-
gether with you, and to all under heaven, who shall believe in
our Lord Jesus Christ, and in his Father, who raised him from
the dead. Pray for all saints. Pray also for kings, magistrates,
and princes, and even for them that hate and persecute you, and
for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest
in all, that you may be complete in him.
9. Ye wrote unto me, both ye and Ignatius, that if any one
go into Syria^ he might carry your letters along with him :
which I will do so soon as I shall have a convenient opportu-
nity, either myself, or by some other, whom I will send upon
your errand. According to your request we have sent you
those epistles of Ignatius, which he wrote to us, and as many
others of his as we had by us, which are annexed to this epistle,
by which ye may be greatly profited. For they contain in them
faith, and patience, and w^hateverelse is necessary to build you up
in our Lord. Send us word what you certainly know both con-
cerning Ignatius himself, and his companions. These things
have I written unto you by Crescens, whom I have hitherto
commended to you, and do still recommend. For he has un-
blamably conversed among us, as also I believe amongst you.
His sister also ye shall have recommended, when she shall come
unto you. Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be
xvith you all. Amen*
1. 1
THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS,
BISHOP OF ATHENS.
His birth place inquired into. His learning. His education under the
apostles. Publius bishop of Athens. Quadratus his succession in that
see. The degenerate state of that church at his coming to it. His in-
defatigable zeal and industry in its reformation. Its purity and flou-
rishing condition noted by Oi-igen. Quadratus*s being endowed with a
spirit of prophecy, and a power of miracles. This person proved to be
the same with our Athenian bishop. The troubles raised against the
Christians under the reign of Hadrian. Hadrian's character. His
disposition towards religion, and base thoughts of the Christians. His
fondness for the learning and religion of Greece. His coming to Athens,
and kindness to that city. His being initiated into the Eleusinian mys-
teries. These mysteries what, and the degrees of initiation. Several
addresses made to the emperor in behalf of the Christians. Quadra-
tus's A])oiogetic. Ser. Granianus's letter to Hadrian concerning the
Christians. The emperor's rescript. His good opinion afterwards of
Christ and his religion. Quadratus driven from his charge. His mar-
tyrdom and place of burial.
1. WHETHER St. Quadratus was born at Athens,
no notices of church antiquity enable us to determine :
though the thing itself be not improbable, his education
and residence there, and the government of that church
seeming to give some colour to it. And as nature had
furnished him with incomparable parts, [excellens inge-
niu7n, as ^St. Hierom says of him) so the place gave him
mighty advantages in his education, to be thoroughly
trained up in the choicest parts of learning, and most ex-
a De Script, in t^adrat.
268 THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS.
cellent institutions of philosophy, upon which account
the ^Greeks truly style him, avcT^* TroKvi^agu, a man of great
learning and knowledge. He became acquainted with
the doctrines and principles of Christianity, by being
brought up under apostolical instruction, for so ''Euse-
bius and ^St. Hierom more than once tell us, that he
was an auditor and a disciple of the apostles ; which
must be understood of the longer lived apostles, and par-
ticularly of St. John, whose scholar in all probability he
was, as were also Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias, and others ;
and therefore ^Eusebius places him among those that had
T»y ^5aT«v rci^iv, that were of the very first rank and order
among the apostles' successors. There are that make
him, and that too constituted by St. John (though I con-
fess I know not by what authority, the ancients being
wholly silent in this matter) bishop of Philadelphia, one
of the seven famous churches of Asia, and at that time,
when St. John sent his epistle to that church : which I
pass by as a groundless and precarious assertion, seeing
they might with equal warrant have made him bishop of
any other place
2. Under the reign of Trajan, as is probable, though
Baronius places it under Hadrian, J?i?i Imp. VI. ^Pub-
lius, bishop of Athens, suffered martyrdom, who is thought
by some to have been that very Publius whom St. Paul
converted in the island Melita in his voyage to Rome,
and who afterwards succeeded Dionysius the Areopagite
in the see of Athens. To hini succeeded our Quadra-
tus, (as ^Dionysius bishop of Corinth, who lived not long
after that time, informs us) who found the state of that
church in a bad condition at his coming to it. For upon
Publius's martyrdom, and the persecution that attended
it, the people were generally dispersed and fled, as what
wonder, if when the shepherd is smitten^ the sheep be scat-
tered^ and go astray ? their public and solemn assemblies
were deserted, their zeal grown cold and languid, their
lives and manners corrupted, and there wanted but little
b !"^en. Grxc. Tm xat' too 2i7r'h/uC. C KH<t^gsiT@' o /rgoc t&v 'Atos-oxov dxug-^f.
Euseb. ~,giv. Kctv. ad ann. PKZ'. p. 211. d Hier. de Scrip, jn Quadr. &
Epist. id M:*gn. Orat. torn. 2. p. 327. e H. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 37. p. 109. fEu-
eeb. 1. 4. c. 23. p. 143. g Epist. ad Athen. upud Euseb. loc. citat
THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS. 269
of a total apostasy from the Christian faith. This good
man therefore, set himself with a mighty zeal to retrieve
the ancient spirit of religion, he re-settled order and dis-
cipline, brought back the people to the public assem-
blies, kindled and blew up their faith into an holy flame.
Nor did he content himself with a bare reformation of
what was amiss, but with infinite diligence preached the
faith, and by daily converts enlarged the bounds of his
church, so that (as the ^Greek ritulas express it) the
sages and wise men of Greece being convinced by his
doctrines and wise discourses, embraced the gospel,
and acknowledged Christ to be the creator of the world,
and the great wisdom and power of God. And in a
short time reduced it to such an excellent temper, that
'Origen (who lived some years after) demonstrating the
admirable efficacy of the Christian faith over the minds
of men, and its triumph over all other religions in the
world, instances in this very church of Athens for its
good order and constitution, its meekness, quietness,
and constancy, and its care to approve itself to God, in-
finitely beyond the common assembly at Athens, which
was factious and tumultuary, and no way to be compared
with the Christian church in that city ; that the church-
es of Christ v/hen examined by the heathen convocations,
shone like lights in the world, and that every one must
confess that the worst parts of the Christian church
were better than the best of their popular assemblies ;
that the senators of the church (as he calls them) were
fit to govern in any part of the church of God, while
the vulgar senate had nothing worthy of that honourable
dignity, nor were raised above the manners of the com-
mon people.
3. Thus excellently constituted was the Athenian
church ; for which it was chiefly beholden to the indefa-
tigable industry, and the prudent care and conduct of
its present bishop, whose success herein was not a little
advantaged by those extraordinary supernatural powers
which God had conferred upon him. That he was en^
h. Men. Grace . ubi supr. ; Coiitr. Cels^.l. 3. p. 12^.
sro THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS.
dued with a spirit of prophecy, of speaking suddenly
upon great and emergent occasions, in interpreting ob-
scure and difficult scriptures, but especially of foretel-
ling future events, we have the express testimonies of Eu-
sebius'', affirming him to have lived at the same time with
Philip's virgin daughters, and to have had ^§o<?>«7<»!v x*§"i«*»
the gift of prophecy, and of another author* much anci-
enter then he, who confuting the error of the Cataphryges,
reckons him among the prophets who flourished under
the economy of the gospel. I know a learned ""man
would fain persuade us, that the Quadratus who had the
prephetic gifts, was a person distinct from our Athenian
bishop. But tlie grounds he preceeds upon seem to
me very weak and inconckiding. For whereas he says,
that that Quadratus is not by fckisebius styled a bishop,
who knows not that persons are not in every place men-
tioned under all their capacities? and less need was there
for it here, Quadratus when first spoken of by Euse-
bius, not being then bishop of Athens, and so not pro-
per to be taken notice of in that capacity. Nor is his
other exception of greater weight, that the prophetic
Quadratus did not survive the times of Adrian whereas
ours was in the same time with Dionysius, bishop of
Cornith, who lived under M. Antoninus, and speaks
of him as his contemporary, and lately ordained
bishop of Athens. But whoever looks into that pas-
sage of Dionysius"", will find no foundation for such an
assertion, but rather the quite contrary, that he speaks
of him as if dead before his time, as I believe any one
that impartially considers the place, must needs confess.
Not to say, that St. Hierom and ail after him without any
scruple niake them to be the same. So that we may
still leave him his gift of prophecy, which procured him
so much reverence while he lived, and so much honour
to his memory since his death. To which may be add-
ed what the Greeks in their Menseon*' not improbably
k H.Ecd.13. cSr. p. 109. 1 Ap. Euseb. 1. 5. c. 17. p. X83 m Vales.
Aniiot. and Euseb. 1. 4. c. 23. p. 81. n Ap Euseb. 1. 4 c. 23. p. 143.
o TsxSiv ret (poCiPilf Kr,SpdTi, ^a.ufx*Jity <iT»Vt;? s'c Trig-tv 'J5
7.0^ ^■iV.-ATrlQrf x; (TiTrlo;, Ue,afX*iy Uia^tCii. Men. Grxc. Ice. !
supr. cit.
THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS. 27t
^y of him, that he was furnished with a power of work-
ing miracles, and that by his prayers he ruined the idola-
trous temples of the heathens, whereby he mightily eon-
founded the infidels, and brought in great numbers to
the faith.
4. But the fair weather and prosperity of the church
was not wont to last long in those days. They had en-
joyed a short tranquillity about the latter end of Trajan's
reign, but now, alas, under Adrian, his successor the
weather changed, and there arose (as ^St. Hierom calls
it) a most grievous and heavy persecution, and which
^Sulpitius Severus expressly says was the fourth perse^
dution. And indeed, how grievous it was, sufficiently
appears from those many thousands of martyrs that then
suffered, mentioned in the ancient martyrologies of the
church ; yea, even at ""Rome itself Eustachius and his
wife Theopistis with their two sons, are said by the em-
peror's command to have been thrown to the lions, and
when the mercy of the savage beasts had spared them,
they were ordered to be burnt to death in the belly of a
brazen bull. It is true 'Tertullian says that Adrian
published no laws or edicts against the Christians ; but
the laws enacted by Trajan being yet unrepealed, or not
laid aside, there would not want those who would put
them in execution. We find 'that though Trajan com-
manded a stop to be put to the persecution against Chris-
tians, yet even then both people and governors of pro-
vinces went on with their accustomed cruelties, and
though there was not a general, there were particular
and provincial persecutions. And no doubt it was much
more so after his death, when Adrian came to the em-
pire, whom they knew too well, to think he would be
an enemy to such proceedings. For whatever some
have said concerning the clemency and good nature of
that prince, there are "others that plainly affirm, that it
was but personated and put on, that he really was in his
p Epist. ad Mag. iibi. siipr. q Hist. sacr. 1. 2. p. 142. r Vi 1 Rom.
Mart\ r. ad Septemb. XX. p. 583. s Apol. c. 6. p. 6. t Euseb. 1. 3. c. 33.
p. 105. u Mar. Maxim, ap. ,£1. Spart. in viu Adrran. c. 20. p. §S vid.
Dion. I. 69. non long, ab init.
272 THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS.
nature cruel, and that (according to the true genius of
superstition) whatever works of piety he did, it was for
fear lest the same evil fate should happen to him, that
fell upon Domitian ; and of his cruelty instances enough
may be met with in the writers of his life. In short,
there was in him a strange mixture and contemperation
of vice and virtue, it being a true character which the
historian"" gives of him, that he was severe and cheerful,
grave and affable, deliberate and yet eagerly wanton^
covetous and liberal, cruel and merciful, a great dissem-
bler, and perpetually inconstant in all his actions.
5. For religion he was a deligent and superstitious
observer "^of their own rites of worship, but hated and
despised all strange and foreign religions, and especially
the Christian. Indeed how well he thought of the
Christians, appears sufficiently from his ''letter to Ser-
vianus the consul, written a little after his return out of
Egypt, wherein he gives the Christians there so lewd
and base a character ; not sticking to affirm that the
people, yea their priests, their bishops, and their very
patriarch himself would worship both Christ and Sera-
pis, and that they were a most turbulent, vain, and inju-
rious generation. From which epistle it seems plain
to me, tliat at his being there, he had severely persecuted
the Christians, and compelled some light or false profes*
sors to worship the deities of the country, which proba-
bly gave ground to his censure, and to charge the im-
putation upon all. And since he loooked upon the
Christians as such a vile sort of men, it is the less to be
wondred, that he should connive at, or encourage their
being persecuted in other parts of the empire. He
principally applied himself to the studies of ''Greece^
whereof he was so strangely fond, that he was commonly
styled Gr^ cuius, the Little Greek : this made him de-
light much in those parts, and to converse with the
learning and philosophy of those countries. About the-
sixth or seventh year of his reign he came to Athens,
V Spartian. ib.c 14. p. 69. w Id. ib. c. 22. p. 96. x Extftt ap. fL
Vopisc. in vit. Saturn, p. 959. y Span. c. 1. p. 4,
THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS. 273
v/here he took upon him the place and honour of an ar-
chon, celebrated their solemn sports, and gave many par-
ticular laws and privileges to that city, but especially was
entered into their Eleusinian mysteries, accounted the
most sacred and venerable of the whole Gentile world,
and which particularly carried the title of The mysteries.
They were solemn and religious rites performed to Ceres
in memory of great benefits received from her, the candi-
dates whereof were styled iav^^li, and to the full participa-
tion whereof they were many times not admitted till af-
ter a five years preparatory trial, which had many several
steps, and each its peculiar rites : first there were ^^rcTa/.Mjx
jt:i3-xg3-«f, the common purgations^ then */ dTrm^Qirr^^i, those that
were more secret, next the ^t/r^cr«?, or stations, then the
/xv«v«;?, the initiations, and lastly, (which was the top of
all) the iTroTriu'M, or the inspections. Others reckon them
thus ; that first there were the t* x^s-*§^/=t, the purifications,
and expiations; then followed the T*>;;cg:t,«urx'§/:t, the lesser
mysteries, when they were solemnly initiated and taken
in ; and lastly, after some time they arrived at the greater
mysteries, the t* iTroTrii^d, which were the most hidden so-
lemnities of all, w4ien they w^ere admitted to a full sight
of the whole mystic scene, and thenceforth called eottt?*/,
or inspectors, and were obliged, under a solemn oath, not
to discover these mysterious rites to any. We cannot
well suppose that the emperor Adrian was put to observe
those tedious methods of initiation, their mystic laws
were no doubt dispensed with for so extraordinary a per-
son, and he at once became both a candidate and an 'ettottIhc,
a thing which they sometimes granted in some extraor-
dinary cases. And not content to do thus at Athens, ^St.
Hierom tells us he was initiated into almost all the sa-
cred rites of Greece, whence ""Tertullian justly styles
him, the searcher into all curious and hidden mysteries, and
^Dion himself tells us of him, that he was infinitely curi-
ous, and strangely addicted to all sorts of divination and
magic arts.
z I%e Script, in Qiiadrat. a Loc. supr. cit. B Excerpt, ex Dion, a
yales. edit. p. TH.
M m
274 THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS.
6. At Athens Adrian staid the whole winter, where
his busy and superstitious zeal being taken notice of;
was warrant enough without further order for active zea-
lots to pursue and oppress the Christians, the persecu-
tion gro ving so fierce and hot, that the Christians were
forced to remonstrate and declare their case to the em-
peror ; among whom besides ''Aristides a Christian phi-
losopher at this time at Athens, who in an apology ad-
dressed himself to Adrian, our Quadratus presented an
apologetic to the emperor, defending the Christian reli-
gion from the calumnies and exceptions of its enemies,
and vindicating it from those pretences, upon which ill
minded men sought to ruin and undo the innocent Chris-
tians, wherein also he particularly took notice of our
Saviour's miracles, his curing diseases, and raising the
v*ead, some instances whereof, he says, were alive in his
time. Besides this apology (wherein, as Eusebius says,
he gave large evidences both of his excellent parts, and
true apostolic doctrine) it is probable he left no other
writings behind him, none being mentioned by any of the
ancients : where I cannot but note the strange heedless-
ness of the compilers of the 'V'e?ituries, where they tell us
out of Eusebius, that besides the apology, he composed
another excellent book called Syngramma, when nothing
can be more plain, than that by that writing Eusebius
means not a distinct book, but that very apologetic ora-
tion, which he there speaks of: and yet a modern Ger-
man ^professor (who frequently transcribes their errors as
well as their labours) securely swallows it, purely (I sup-
pose upon their authority ; ) though strange it is, that he
could read that passage in Eusebius himself, which he
seems to have done, and not palpably feel the mistake.
7. It happened about this time that Serenius Graninaus
the proconsul of Asia, wrote ^letters to the emperor, re-
presenting to him the injustice of the common proceed-
ings against Christians, how unfit it was that without any
le^al trial, or crime laid to their charge, they should be
c Euseb. I. 4. c 3. p 116. Hieron, iibi supr. & in Epist. i<d Magn. Otator.
d Cent. II. cap. 10. col. 152. e Bebel. Antiq Eccles. Secul. 2. Aitic. 1. p
183. f J. Mart. Apol. II. p. 99. & ap. Euseb. 1. 4. c. 8. p. 122.
THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS. 275
])ut to death merely to gratify the unreasonable and tu-
multuary clamours of the people. With this letter and the
apologies that had been offered him by the Christians,
the keenness of the emperor's fury was taken off, and care
was taken that greater moderation should be used to-
wards them. To which purpose he despatched away ^'to
Fundanus, Granianus's successor in the proconsulship
of Asia this following rescript.
'' I received the letters which were sent me by the
most excellent Serenius Granianus, your predecessor.
Nor do I look upon it as a matter fit to be passed over
without due inquiry, that the men may not be needlessly
disquieted, nor informers have occasion and encourage-
ment of fraudulent accusations ministered unto them.
Wherefore if the subjects of our provinces be able open-
ly to appear to their indictments against the Christians,
so as to answer to them before the public tribunal, let
them take that course, and not deal by petition and mere
noise and clamour : it being much fitter, if any accusation
be brought, that you should have the cognizance of it.
If any one shall prefer an indictment, and prove that they
have transgressed the laws, then give you sentence
against them according to the quality of the crime. But
if it shall appear, that he brought it only out of spite and
malice, take care to punish that man according to the
heinousness of so mischievous a design."
The same rescripts (as ''Melito bishop of Sardis, who pre-
sented an apology to M. Antoninus informs us) Adrian
sent to several other governors of provinces. Nay was
so far wrought into a good mood, that if it be true what
their own historian reports of him', he designed to build
a temple to Christ, and to receive him into the number
of their gods, and that he commanded temples to be built
in all cities without images, which were for a long time
after called Adriani ; but was prohibited to go on by
g Justin, ib. Euseb. c. 9. p. 123. h Ap. Euseb. 1. 4. c- 26. p= 148,
i Lamprid. in vit. Alex. Saver, c. 43. p. 568.
276 THE LIFE OF ST. QUADRATUS.
some, who having consulted the oracle, had been told,
that if this succeeded according to some men's desires,
the temples would be deserted and all men become Chris-
tians.
8. What became of St. Quadratus after Adrian's de-
parture from Athens, we find not more than what the
^Greeks in their Menceon relate, that by the violence of
persecutors he was driven from his charge at Athens, and
being first set upon by stones, then tormented by fire,
aiul several other punishments, he at last under Adrian
(probably about the latter end of his reign) received the
crown of martyrdom\ To what place he fled when he
left Athens, and where he suffered martyrdom is uncer-
tain, unless it were at Magnesia, a city of Ionia, in Asia
Minor, where the same Menaeon tells us, he preached
the gospel, as he did at Athens, and that his body was
there entombed, and his remains famous for miracles
done there. A place memorable for the death of The-
mistocles, that great commander and citizen of Athens,
banished also by his own fellow-citizens, who after his
brave and honourable achievements, did here by a fatal
draught put a period to his own life ; where (as ""Plu-
tarch tells us) his posterity had certain honours and pri-
vileges conferred upon them by the Magnesians, and
which his friend Themistocles the Athenian enjoyed in
his time.
k Loc. supra cit. 1 a/S-o/? nfjuiv B-ixcvlat. ytojcTa//*; (C*^*? t KocTgstTovj /33»»k»-
ortTi u<^^oni hi'^ois. Men. ibid. m In vit. Themist.p. 128.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN,
THE MARTYR,
His vicinity to the apostolic times. His birth-place and kindred. His
studies. His travels into Egypt. To what sect of philosophy he ap-
plied himself. The occasions and manner of his strange conversion to
Christianity related by himself. Christianity the only safe and satis-
factory philosophy. The great influence which the patience and forti-
tude of the Christians had upon his conversion. The force of that ar-
gument to persuade men. His vindication of himself from the charges
of the Gentiles. His continuance in his philosophic habit. The «i>/Ai<ro-
<pov 2;t«^* what, and by whom worn. 'O y^cLulc t7r/3-«TH?, His coming to
Rome, and opposing heretics. Marcion who, and what his principles.
Justin's first apology to the emperors, and the design of it. Antoninus's
letter to the common-council of Asia in favour of the Christians. This
showed not to be the edict of Marcus Antoninus. Justin's journey into
the east, and conference with Trypho the Jew. Trypho who. The
malice of the Jews against the Christians. Justin's return to Rome.
His contests with Crescens the philosopher. Crescens's temper and
principles. Justin's second apology. To whom presented. The occa-
sion of it. M. Antoninus's temper. Justin foretels his own fate. The
acts of his martyrdom. His arraignment before Rusticus prxfect of
Rome. Rusticus who : the great honours done him by the emperor.
Justin's discourse with the prefect. His freedom and courage. His
sentence and execution. The time of his death. His great piety, cha-
rity, impartiality, &c. His natural parts, and excellent learning. His
unskiliulness in the Hebrew language noted. A late author censured.
His writings. The epistle to Diognetus. Diognetus who. His style
and character. The unwarrantable opinions he is charged with. 'His
indulgence to Heathens. Kat* xiyov /ith, what, ao^®" in what sense
used by the ancient fathers. How applied to Christ, how to reason.
His opinion concerning Chiliasm. The concurrence of the ancients
with him herein. This by whom first started; by whom corrupted.
Concerning the state of the soul after this life. The doctrine of the an-
cients in this matter. His assertion concerning angels, maintained by
most of the first fathers. The original of it. Their opijiion concerning
free will showed not to be opposed by them to the grace of God. What
influence Justin's philosophic education had upon his ophiions. His
writings enumerated.
1. JUSTIN the martyr was one, as of the most
learned, so of the most early writers of the eastern
church, not long after the apostles, as ^Eusebius says of
aH, Eccl.i. 2>c. 13. p. 50.
278 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
him, near to them xt'^^ i- h''""^ says Methodius ^bibhop of
Tyre, both in time and virtue. And near indeed, if
we strictly understand what he *=says of himself, that he
was a disciple of the apostles ; which surely is meant
either of the apostles at large, as comprehending their
immediate successors, or probably not of the persons,
but doctrine and writings of the aposdes, by which he
was instructed in the knowledge of Christianity. He
was "*born at Neapolis, a noted city of Palestine within
the province of Samaria, anciently called Sichem, after-
wards as ^Josephus, tells us, by the inhabitants Mabartha,
(corruptly by ^Pliny Mamortha) by the Romans Neapo-
lis, and from a colony sent thither by Flavins Vespasian,
styled Flavia Ccesarea. His father was Prisons, the son
of Bacchius (for so the n^iV^is iS boc;^*/*;, Tn~N a.7ro <t>}.Avitic, as
Sylburgius and Valesius observe, must necessarily be
understood, implying the one to have been his father,^
the other his grandfather) a Gentile, and (as ^Sca-
liger probably thinks) one of those Greeks which were
in that colony transplanted thither, v/ho took care, to-
gether with religion, to have him educated in all the
learning and philosophy of the Gentile world. And
indeed how great and exact a master he was in all their
arts and learning, how thoroughly he had digested the
best and most useful notions, which their institutions of
philosophy could afford, his writings at this day are an
abundant evidence.
2. In his younger years, and as it is probable, before
his conversion to Christianity, he travelled into foreign
parts for the accomplishment of his studies, andparticu-
larlv into Egypt, the staple place of all the more myste-
rious and recondite parts of learning and religion, and
therefore constantly visited by all the niore grave and
sage philosophers among the heathens. That he was
atX'Vlexandria himself assures us, where he tells us
b Ap. Phot. Cod. CCXXXIV. col. 921. c 'Attos-oxov yivofxiv^ /waS-xTiSc,
yivou'JU iiU<TK'i.\@' i^vm. Epist. ad Diognet. p. 501. d Apol. II. p. 53.
e De Bel!. Jad. 1. 5. c. 4. p. 890. f H. Nat. 1. 5. c 13. p. 79.
g Animadv. ad Eus, Chron. n. MMCVIl. p. 219.
h Parxnes. ad Grsc. p. 14.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 279
what account he received from the inhabitants of the
seventy translators, and was showed the cells wherein
they performed that famous and elaborate work, which
probably his inquisitive curiosity as a philosopher, and
the reports he had heard of it by living among the Jews
had more particularly induced him to inquire after.
Among the several sects of philosophers, after he had
run through and surveyed all the forms, he pitched his
tent among the Platonists, whose 'notions were most
agreeable to the natural sentiments of his mind, and
which no doubt particularly disposed him for the en-
tertainment of Christianity, ^himself telling us, that the
principles of that philosophy, though not in all things
alike, were yet not alien or contrary to the doctrines of
the Christian faith. But, alas, he found no satisfaction to
his mind either in this, or any other, till he arrived at a
full persuasion of the truth and divinity of that religion
which was so much despised by the wise and the learn*
ed, so much opposed and trampled on by the grandees
and powers of the world. Whereof, and of the manner
of his conversion to the Christian religion, he has given
us a very large and punctual account in his discourse
with Trypho. I know this account is suspected by
some to be only a prosopopoeia, to represent the grounds
of his becoming a Christian after the platonic mode
by way of dialogue, a way familiar with the philoso-
phers of tliat sect. But however it may be granted that
some few circumstances might be added to make up the
decorum of the conference, yet I see no reason (nor is
any thing offered to the contrary besides a bare conjec-
ture) to question the foundation of the story, whereof
the sum is briefly this.
3. Being from his youth acted by an inquisitive phi-
losophic genius, to make researches and inquiries after
trutlV he first betook himself to the stoics, but not sa-
tisfied with his master, he left him, and went to a peripa-
tetic tutor, whose sordid covetousness soon made him
i Apol. I. (revera II.) pag, 50. k Ibid, p.t^ 51. 1 Dialog", cum Tryph.
p. 213. Lc.
Z&) THE LIFE OF St. JUSTIN-
conclude that truth could not dwell with him, accord-
ingly he turned himself over to a Pythagorean, who re-
quiring the preparatory knowledge of music, astronomy,
and geometry, him he quickly deserted, and last of all
delivered himself over to the institution of an eminent
platonist, lately come to reside at Neapolis ; with whose
intellectual notions he was greatly taken, and resolved
for some time to give up himself to solitude and contem-
plation. Walking out therefore into a solitary place by
the sea side, there met him a grave ancient man, of a
venerable aspect, who fell into discourse with him. I'he
dispute between them was concerning the excellency of
philosophy in general, and of Platonism in particular ;
which Ju*stin asserted to be the only true way to happi-
ness, and of knowing and seeing God. This grave per-
son refutes at large, and at last comes to show him, who
were the most likely persons to set him in the right way.
He tells him, that there were long before his reputed
philosophers, certain blessed and holy men, lovers of
God, and divinely inspired, called prophets, who fore-
told things which have since come to pass ; who alone
understood the truth, and undesignedly declared it to
the world, whose books, yet extant, would instruct a man
in what most became a philosopher to know , the ac-
complishment of whose predictions did sufficiently at-
test their faithfulness and integrity, and the mighty mira-
cles which they wrought, set the truth of what they said
beyond all exception ; that they magnified God the great
creator of the world, and published his son Christ to the
world : concluding his discourse with this advice, jBta
as for thyself above all things pray that the gates of light
may be set open to thee ; for these are not things dis-
cerned and understood by all^ unless God and Christ grant
to a man the knowledge of them. Which discourse be-
ing ended, he immediately departed from him.
4. The wise discourse of this venerable man made a
deep impression upon the martyr's mind"", kindled in his
soul a divine flame, and begot in him a sincere love di
m Ibid, pag. 22*5.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. ^si
the prophets, and those excellent men that were friends
to Christ : and now he beg;m seriously to inquire into,
and examine the Christian religion, which he confesses h^
found ,Miv»v <piKOTo<^i!iv d7<pstxif ri X. 76fji<^r,g:,vy tlic only certain and pro-
fi table philosophy, and which he could not but commend
as containing a certain majesty and dread in it, and ad-
mirably adapted to terrify and persuade those who were
out of the right way, and to beget the sweetest serenity
and peace in the minds of those who are conversant in
it. Nor was it the least inducement to turn the scale
with him, when he beheld the innocency of the Christians'
lives, and the constancy of their death, with what fearless
and undaunted resolutions they courted torments, and en-
countered death in its blackest shape. This very account
he gives of it to the Roman emperor. " For my own part"
says ""he " being yet detained under the Platonic institu-
tions, when I heard the Christians traduced and re-
proached, and yet saw them fearlesly rushing upon death,
and venturing upon all those things that are accounted
most dreadful and amazing to human nature, I con-
cluded with myself, it was impossible that those men
should wallow in vice, and be carried away with the
love of lust and pleasure. For what man that is a
slave to pleasure and intemperance, that looks upon the
eating human flesh as a delicacy, can cheerfully bid
death welcome, which he knows must put a period to
all his pleasures and delights ; and would not rather by all
means endeavour to prolong his life as much as is pos-
sible, and to delude his adversaries, and conceal him-
self from the notice of the magistrate, rather than vo-
luntarily betray and ofler himself to a present execu-
tion ? And certainly the mart}r's reasonings were unan-
swerable ; seeing there could not be a more effectual
proof of their innocency, than their laying down their
lives to attest it. Zeno was wont to say, he had ra-
ther see one Indian burnt alive, than hear a hundred
arguments about enduring labour and suffering. Whence
Clemens Alexandrinus" infers the great advantages ef
n Apd. I. p. 50. o Stromat. 1. 2. p. 41-1.
N n
282 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
Christianity, wherein there were daily fountains of mar-
tyrs springing up, who before their eyes were roasted,
tormented, and beheaded, every day, whom regard to
the law of their master had taught and obliged, to ivxaCn <f/
a.>*Tav ivSiiKVivo-^cuy to demonstrate the truth and excellency
of their religion, by sealing it wdth their blood.
5. We cannot exactly fix the date of his conversion,
yet may we, I think, make a very near conjecture.
I'Eusebius tells us, that at the time when Hadrian conse-
crated Antinous, Justin did yet adhere to the studies and
religion of the Greeks. Now for this we are to know
that Hadrian coming into Egypt lost there his beloved
catamite Antinous, whose death he so resented, that he
advanced him into the reputation of a deity ; whence in
an ancient inscription at *^ Rome, he is styled CTNepoNo:^
TfiN EN AirrnT.Q eE.QN, t/ic assessor of the gods in Egypt
He built a city to him in the place where he died called
Antinoe, erected a temple, and appointed priests and pro-
phets to attend it, instituted annual solemnities, and every
live years sacred games, called 'Av7m«*, held not in Egypt
only, but in other parts ; whence an "■ inscription not long
after those times, set up by the senate of Smyrna, men-
tions Lerenius Septlmius Heliodorus Antinoea, who
overcame in the sports at Symrna. But to return
'Tis very evident that Hadrian had not been in Egypt,
till about the time of Servianus or Severianus's being
consul (as appears from that emperor's letters ' to himj
whose consulship fell in with Ann. Chr, CXXXH....,
Troj. XVI. So that this of Antinous must be done
either, that, or at most, the foregoing year ; and accord-
ingly about this time (as Eusebius intimates) Justin de-
serted the Greeks, and came over to the Christians
Whence in his first apology presented not many years
after to Antoninus Pius, Adrian's successor, he speaks
^ of Antinous -^ ^Zv yiym:,y.Ui(, who very lately lived and was
consecrated, and of the Jewish war, headed by Barcha-
chab, as but lately past, which we knov/ was concurrent
p H. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 8. p. 132. q Ap. Cresau. not. In Jf\. Spart. vit. Adr. p e^6.
r Marni. Oxon. CXLIH. p. '277. s Ext. .ip. Vopisc in vit. Saturn, n. 959
Apol H. (revcral.) p. 72.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 283
with the death and apotheosis of Antinous. For that
Justin's 0 vuy yiyivn!JLiv(^ iw both passagcs, cannot be precisely
confined to the time of presenting that apology, is evident
to all, and therefore (as the phrase is sometimes used)
must be extended to what was lately done.
6. The wiser and more considerate part of the Gen-
tiles were not a little troubled at the loss of so useful and
eminent a person, and wondered what should cause so
sudden a change. For whose satisfaction and conver-
sion, as well as his own vindication, he thought good
particularly to write a discourse to them, in the very first
words whereof he thus bespeaks thtm. " '' Think not,
*' O ye Greeks, that I have rashly, and without any judg-
^' ment or deliberation departed from the rites of your
** rehgion. F"or I could find nothing in it really sacred,
*' and worthy of the divine acceptance. The matters
'* among you, as your poets have ordered them, are
'' monuments of nothing but madness and intemper-
'^ ance : and a man can no sooner apply himself even to
*' the most learned among you for instruction, but he
*' shall be entangled in a thousand difficulties, and be-
** come the most confused man in the world," And
then proceeds with a great deal of wit and eloquence to
expose the folly and absurdness of the main foundations
of the Pagan creed, concluding his address with these
exhortations; *' ^ Come hither, O ye Greeks, and par-
" take of a most incomparable wisdom, and be instruct-
'' ed in a divine religion, and acquaint yourselves with
'' an immortal King. Become as I am, for I sometimes
•' was as you are. These are the arguments that pre-
*^ vailed with me, this the efficacy and divinity of the doc-
^' trine, which like a skilful charm expels all corrupt and
*' poisonous affisctions out of the soul, and banishes that
*' lust that is the fountain of all evil, whence enmities,
" strifes, envy, emulations, anger, and such like mis-
** chievous passions do proceed: which being once
*' driven out, the soul presently enjoys a pleasant calm-
*' ness and tranquillity. And being delivered from that
u Orat. ad Grxc. p. 2,7. v Ibid, p, 40.
684 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
'' yoke of evils, that before lay upon its neck, it aspires
" and mounts up to its Creator ; it being but suitable
" that it should return to that place, from whence it bor-
*^ rowed its original."
7. But though he laid aside his former profession, he
still retained his ancient garb, h ^jkjt':^)^ o-;t>»>=tT/ ^r^irQiCa^v tov
^jTjk xi>ov, as ''Eusebius, and after him ""St. Hierom reports,
preaching and defending the Christian religion under his
old philosophic habit, which was iht pallium or cloak, the
usual badge of the Greek philosophers (difterent from
that which was worn by the ordinary Greeks) and which
those Christians still kept to, who before their conver-
sion had been professed philosophers. So ^' St. Hierom
tells us of Aristides, the Athenian philosopher, contem-
porary with Quadratus, that under his former habit he
became Christ's disciple ; and ^ Origen of Heraclas, af-
terwards bishop of Alexandria, that giving up himself to
the more strict study of philosophy, he put on <^tKocro^,v <ry}y.^
the philosophic habit, which he constantly wore even after
he became presbyter of that church. This custom con-
tinned long in the Christian church, that those who did
et^gzCac x§'f'-'"'^^'^ (as ""Socrates speaks) enter upon an ascetic
course of life, and a more severe profession of religion,
always wore the philosopher's cloak, and he tells us of
Silvanus the rhetorician, that when he became christian,
and professed this ascetic life, he was the first that laid
aside the cloak, and contrary to custom put on the com-
mon garb. Indeed it was so common, that i y^^uU^^ibin^t
became proverbial among the Heathens, when any
Christian actot;;? passed by, there goes a Greek impostor,
because of their being clad after the same manner, and
professing a severer life than ordinary, like the philoso-
phers among the Grecians, many of whom, notwithstand-
ing, were mere cheats and hypocrites" ; and "" St. Hierom
w Lib, 4. c, 11. p. 125. X De script, in Justin, v De script, mi Aristid.
z Ap. Euseb. 1. 6. c. 19. p. 221. a H. Eccl. 1. 7. c. 37.
(ri-X^aa-t «T« StV-yiKUTt, xoyi^ojuivot tv;j(OV, volvti^c sciv o sl'vS-ga^T^, x, oti k'cTsv Su KATtt-
yiKAV TKTXJygK.*. — iTTiiS'it Si T/V'X "UaTit iyirrmA h l/utrio', x.o/xcevTcL''rhv >c2<fca!>i«v x, Tst
yivitA, HH. o'toi Ti ita-i tar^oc tsstkc tmv tta-u^inv ayUv, ih Qiy;-> Trupi^X-y^^' ' *''^-' *^'''
S"*VTs« 5 ?§s-9-/^»3-/, X) nroi n-ATiyiKiTctVy « iKaid'-^pucrsLV x, TAvrct sicTsTg?, oti to7c x,AM/uivot(
<i>iXQ<ro<;)oic '^vvi)i'k Iti « rox« aur» ; «, tp6 ttIv T<va dTrrJcJityfjLivcv. Dion. Chrys.
Orat. LXXl. ^tgi -re ;).^y p. 627. c Epist. ud Marcel, p. 115. Tom .' 1.
tHE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIjNT. 285
notes of iiis time, that if such a Christian were not so
fine and spruce in his garb as others, presently the com-
mon saying was clapt upon him, he is an impostor and a
Greek. This habit it seems was generally black, and
sordid enough. Whence the monks who succeeded in
this strict and regular course of life, are severely noted
by the Gentile writers of those times under this charac-
ter. Libanius calls them fj^iK^mtxovividLc, black coat monksy
and says of them, that the greatest demonstration of their
virtue was Ti ^jTv b i>*]n/c -n^^i^^m, to walk about in mourning
garments.*^ Much at the same rate *" Eunapius describes
the monks of Egypt, that they were clad in black, and
were ambitious v^^^'V *c^;c«^svs/r, to go abroad in the most
slovenly and sordid garb. But it is time to return to
our St. Justin, who (as *"Photius and ^Epiphanius note)
showed himself in his words and actions, as well as in his
habit to be a true philosopher.
8. He came to Rome, (upon what occasion is^ uncer-
tain) probably about the beginning of Antoninus Pius's
reign, where he fixed his habitation, dwelling, as ap-
pears from the acts of his martyrdom, about the Timo-
thine baths, which were upon the Viminal mount. Here
he strenuously employed himself to defend and promote
the cause of Christianity, and particularh' to confute and
beat down the heresies that then mainly infested and dis-
turbed the church, writing a book '* against all sorts of
heresies ; but more especially opposed himself to Mar-
cion, who was the son of a bishop, born in Pontus, and
for his deflowering a virgin had been cast out of the
church, ^vhereupon he fled to Rome, ^here he broached
many damnable errors, and among the rest, that there
were two Gods, one the Creator of the world, whom he
made to be the God of the Old Testament, and the au-
thor of evil ; the other a more Sovereign and Supreme
Being, Creator of more excellent things, the Father of
Christ, whom he sent into the world to dissolve the law
and the prophets, and to destroy the works of the other
d Orat. de Tempi, p. 10. Ibid. p. 2S. e In vit. ^des. p. ^!S.
f <i>i\'jfT'j<i^m i TOic \iyoic 4 T^ /SJff, ^ ttv cr'^>i/i/'."Ti. Cod. 12.5. col. 304.
^ Heres. 46 p. 171. ' h Apofc. II. p. 70
286 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
Deity, whom he styled the God of the Jews. Odicrs,
and among them especially * Epiphanius, and a more an-
cient author ^ of the dialogues against the Marcionites
under the name of Origen (for that it was Origen himself,
I much question) make him to have established three
diifering principles or beings ; an «§;;c«' «*>'*^«> or ^oo^ prin-
ciple, the father of Christ, and this was the god of the
Christians ; an ds,xi> <f>»A</«g>/x«, or creating principle, that
made the visible frame of things, which presided over
the Jews, and an d^^x^ ttcv^^, or evil principle, which was
the devil, and ruled over the Gentiles. With him Jus-
tin encountered both by word and writing, particularly
publishing a book which he had composed against him
and his pernicious principles.
8. About the year of our Lord 140, the Christians
seem to have been more severely dealt with ; for though
Antoninus the emperor was a mild and excellent prince,
and who put out no edicts, that we know of, to the pre-
judice of Christianity, yet the Christians being generally
traduced and defamed as a wicked and barbarous gene-
ration, had a hard hand born upon them in all places,
and were persecuted by virtue of the particular edicts of
former emperors, and the general standing lavv^s of the
Roman empire. To vindicate them from the aspersions
cast upon them, and to mitigate the severities used to-
vrards them, Justin about this time published his first
apology, (for though in all editions it be set in the second
j)lace, it was unquestionably the first) presenting it (as
appears from the inscription) to Antoninus Pius^ the em-
peror, and to his two sons Verus and Lucius^ to the se-
nate, and by them to the whole people of Rome, wherein
with great strength and e\idence of reason he defends
the Christians from the common objections of their ene-
mies, proves the divinity of the Christian faith, and shows
how unjust and unreasonable it was to proceed against
them without due conviction and form of law, acquaints
them with the innocent rites and usages of the Christian
assemblies,^ and lastly puts the emperor in mind of the
i Haeres.xlii.p. 135. k Dial, contr. Marcion. p. 3, 4. Basil, edit. 1&74. 4.
i Vicl.Euseb.1.4. c. 18. p. 139.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 5187
course wfiicli Adrian, his predecessor, had taken in this
matter ; who had commanded that Christians should not
be needlessly and unjustly vexed, but that their cause
should be traversed and determined in open judicatures ;
annexing to his apology a copy of the rescript which
Adrian had sent to Minucius Fundanus to that purpose.
10. His address wanted not it seems its desired success"".
For the emperor, in his own nature of a merciful and ge-
nerous disposition, being moved partly by this apology,
partly by the notices he had received from other parts of
the empire, gave orders that Christians henceforward
should be treated in more gentle and regular w^ays, as ap-
pears among others by his "letter to the commonalty of
Asia, yet extant, which I shall here insert.
** Emperor Caesar Titus, iElius Adrian, Antoninus,
Augustus, Pius, high priest, the 15th time tribune, thrice
consul, father of the country, to the common assembly of
Asia, greeting. I am very well assured, that the gods
tliemselves will take care, that this kind of men shall not
escape, it being much more their concern, than it can be
yours, to punish those that refuse to worship them ;
whom you do but the stronglier confirm in their own
sentiments and opinions, while you vex and oppress
them, accuse them for atheists, and charge other things
upon them, which you are not able to make good : nor
can a more acceptable kindness be done them, than thut
being accused they may seem to choose to die rather than
live, for the sake of that God whom they worship. By
which means they get the better, being ready to lay down
their lives, rather than be persuaded to comply with your
command. As for the earthquakes that have been, or
that do yet happen, it may not be amiss to advertise you,
whose minds are ready to despond under any such acci-
dents, to compare your case with theirs. They at such
a time are much more secure and confident in their God, ,
whereas you, seeming to disown God all the while, ne-
glect both the rites of other g(xls, and the religion of that
V
m Oros. Hist. I. 7- c. 14. fol. 505. n Ap. J. Mart, ad Calc. Apo]. if p.
TOO. Sc ap. Eiiseb. 1, 4. c. 13. p. 126. ik Chron, AIc.k. Ann. 2. Olvmp, CCXZXVIi
Ind, VII. p. 503. ' *
5J88 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
immortal deity, nay banish and persecute to death the
Christians that worship him. Concerning these men se-
veral governors of provinces have heretofore written to
my father of sacred memory : to w^hom he returned this
answer, That they should be no way molested, unless it
appeared that they attempted something against the state
of the Roman empire. Yea, and I myself have received
many notices of this nature, to which I answer according
to the tenor of my father's constitution. After all which
if any shall still go on to create them trouble, merely be-
cause they are Christians, let him that is indicted be dis-
charged, although it appear that he be a Christian, and
let the informer himself undergo the punishment.
Published at Ephesus in the place of the com-
mon assembly of Asia.
11. This letter was sent (as appears from the year of
his consulship) Ann. Chr. 140, Antonini III. if it be ob-
jected, that this seems not consistent with the year of his
being tribune, said here to be the 15th, I answer that the
^■^[x^zx^,.^ i^>i<riAy or tribunitian power did not always com-
mence with the beginning of their reign, but was some-
times granted, and that more than once, to persons in a
private capacity, especially those who were candidates
for the empire. Thus (as appears from the Fasti ConsU'
lares'") M. Agrippa had the Jribunitia potestas seven, as
after his death Tiberius had it fifteen times during the
life of Augustus. So that Antoninus's fifteenth tribune-
ship might wx41 enough consist with the third year of his
empire. Though I confess I am apt to suspect an error
in the number, and the rather because ^Sylburgius tells
us, that these J 5 years were not in the edict, as it is in
Justin martyr, but were supplied out of Eusebius's copy,
which I have some reason to think to be corrupted in
other parts of this epistle. I am not ignorant that some
learned men would have this imperial edict to be the de-
cree of Marcus Aurelius, son of Antoninus. Indeed in
the inscription of it, as it is extant in Eusebius, it is
.© Vides'isFast. Consul, a Si.?on. Edit. ad. Ann. V. C. DCCXLI .et DCCLXVL
p Anuot. in Justin, M. p. 10. c 2.»
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 289
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus : but then nothing can be
more evident, than that that part of it is corrupted, as is
plain, both because Eusebius himself a few lines before
expressly ascribes it to Antoninus Pius, and because in
the original inscription in Justin's own apology (from
whence FAisebius transcribed his) it is Titus iElius An-
toninus Pius. And besides that nothing else of moment
is offered to make good the conjecture, the whole con-
sent of antiquity, and the tenor of the epistle itself clear-
ly adjudge it to the elder Antoninus ; and *^Melito bi-
shop of Sardis, who presented an apology to his son and
successor, tells him of the letters which his father at the
time when he was his partner in the empire, wrote to the
cities that they should not raise any new troubles against
the Christians.
12. Not long after his first apology, Justin seems to
have revisited the eastern parts : for besides what he says
in the acts of his martyrdom, that he was twice at Rome,
"Eusebius expressly affirms, that he w^as at Ephesus,
where he had his discourse with Tryphon, which it is
^plain was after the presenting his first apology to the em-
peror. And it is no ways improbable but that he wxnt
to Ephesus in company with those who carried the em-
peror's edict to the common-council of Asia, then assem-
bled in that city, where he fell into acquaintance with
Tryphon the Jew. This Tryphon was probably that
rabbi Tarphon, -ni2?;Ti pDn as they commonly call him, the
'iVealthy priest^ the master or associate of R. Aquiba, of
whom mention is often made in the Jewish writings. A
man of great note and eminency, who had fled his coun-
try^ in the late war, where Barchochab had excited and
headed the Jews to a rebellion against the Romans, since
which time he had lived in Greece, and especially at Co-
rinth, and had mightily improved himself by converse
with the philosophers of those countries. With him
Justin enters the lists in a two day's dispute, the account
whereof he has given us in his dialogue with that subtle
q Ap. Eiiscb. 1. 4. c 26. p. 148. vkl. c. 13. p. 127. r Lib. 4.
Vicl. Dialog-, cum Tryph. p. 349. t Dialog-, cwxn Tr\ ph. p. 21J
4. c. ir. p. 140.
ilog-. ciitn Tr\ ph. p. ;
o o
290 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
man, wherein he so admirably defends and makes good
the truth of the Christian religion, cuts the very sinews
of the Jewish cause, dissolves all their pleas and pretences
against Christianity, and discovers their implacable spite
and malice, who not barely content to reject Christianity,
sent peculiar persons "up and down the world to spread
abroad, that Jesus the Galilsean was a deceiver and sedu-
cer, and his whole religion nothing but a cheat and an
imposture, that in their public synagogues they solemnly
anathematized all that turned Christians, hated them, as
elsewhere'' he tells us, with a mortal enmity, oppressed
and murdered them whenever they got them in their pow-
er ; Barchochab, their late general, making them the only
objects of his greatest severity and revenge, unless they
would renounce and blaspheme Christ. The issue of the
conference was, that the Jew acknowledged himself high-
ly pleased with his discourse, professing he found more
in it than he thought could have been expected from it,
wishing he might enjoy it oftener, as what would greatly
conduce to the true understanding of the scripture, and
begging his friendship in what part of the world soever
he was.
13. In the conclusion of this discourse with Tryphon,
he tells us, he was ready to set sail, and depart from
Ephesus, but whether in order to his return to Rome, or
some other place, is not known. That he returned thi-
ther at last, is unquestionable, the thing being evident,
though the time uncertain, whether it was while Antoni-
nus was yet alive, or in the beginning of his successor's
reign, I will not venture to determine. At his coming
he had, among others, frequent contests with Crescens,
the philosopher, a man of some note at that time in Rome.
He was a "^cynic, and according to the genius of that sect,
proud and conceited, surly and ill-natured, a philosopher
in appearance, but a notorious slave to all vice and
wickedness. ''I'atian, Justin's scholar, (who saw the
man at Rome, admired and despised him for his childish
u Ibid. pag. 335. Stap. Euseb. I. 4. c. 18. p. 140. v Pag". 323, Apolng-, II.
pag-. 7'1. w Vid. Hieion. de Script, in Justin. x Orat. contr. Grace.
p. leo.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 291
and trifling, his wanton and efFeminate manners) gives him
this character, that he was the traducer of all their gods,
the epitome of superstition, the accuser of generous and
heroic actions, the subtle contriver of murders, the
prompter of adultery, a pursuer of wealth even to rage
and madness, a tutor of the vilest sort of lust, and the
great engine and instigator of men's being condemned
to execution : he tells us ^of him, that when at Rome, he
was above all others miserably enslaved to sodomy and
covetousness ; and though he pretended to despise
death, yet did he himself abhor it, and to which, as the
greatest evil, he sought to betray Justin and Tatian, for
their free reproving the vicious and degenerate lives of
those philosophical impostors. This was his adversary,
^iKo-^6<t>^ « 'jfiKoa-o<p@', as he calls him^, a lover of popular ap-
plause, not of true wisdom and philosophy, and who by
all the base arts of insinuation endeavoured to traduce
the Christians, and to represent their religion under the
most infamous character. But in all his disputes the
martyr found him wretchedly ignorant of the affairs of
Christians, and strongly biassed by malice and envy,
which he oiTered to make good (if it might be admitted)
in a public disputation with him before the emperor and
the senate ; assuring them, that either he had never con-
sidered the Christian doctrines, and then he was worse
than the meanest ideots, who are not wont to bear wit-
ness and pronounce sentence in matters whereof they
have no knowledge ; or if he had taken notice of them,
it was plain that either he did not understand them, or if
he did, out of a base compliance with his auditors, dis-
sembled his knowledge and approbation, for fear of being
accounted a Christian, and lest freely speaking his mind,
he should fall under the sentence and tlie fate of Socrates;
so far was he from the excellent principle of that wise
man, that fio man was to be regarded before the truth.
Which free and impartial censure did but more exaspe-
rate the man,, the sooner to hasten and promote his ruin.
y Orat.contr. Graec. p. 15* r Apol. I. (verius II.) p. 46.
292 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
14. In the mean time Justin presented his second apo-
logy to M. Antoninus (his colleague, L. erus, being
then, probably, absent from the city) and the senate ;
for that it was not addressed to the senate alone, is evi-
dent from several passages in the apology itself. There
are, that will have this as well as the former to have been
presented to Antoninus Pius, but certainly without any
just ground of evidence, besides that Eusebius and the
ancients expressly ascribe it to Marcus Aurelius, his son
and successor. And were the inscription and beginning
of it, which are now wantinjr, extant, they would quickly
determine and resolve the doubt. The occasion of it
was this. ^A woman at Rome had, together with her
husband, lived in all manner of wantonness and debauch-
ery, but being converted to Christianity, she sought by
all arguments and persuasions to reclaim him from his
loose and vicious course. But the man was obstinate,
and deaf to all reason and importunity ; however by the
advice of her friends, she still continued with him,
hoping in time she might reduce him ; till finding him
to grow intolerable, she procured a bill of divorce from
him. The man was so far from being cured, that he was
more enraged by his wife's departure, and accused her
to the emperor for being a Christian ; she also put in her
petition, to obtain leave to ansvv'-er for herself. Where-
upon he deserted the prosecution of his wife, and fell up-
on one Ptolemeus, by whom she had been converted to
the Christian faith, whom he procured to be cast into
prison, and there a long time tortured merely upon his
confessing himself a Christian. At last being brought
before Urbicius, prefect to the city, he was condemned
to death. Whereat Lucius, a Christian that stood by,
could not forbear to tell the judge, it was very hard that
an innocent and virtuous man, charged with no crime,
should be adjudged to die merely for bearing the name of
a Christian, a thing no way creditable to the government
of such emperors as they had, and of the august senate
of Rome, Which he had no sooner said, but he was
a Apolog. I. p. 41.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 293
together with a third person sentenced to the same fate.
The severity of these proceedings awakened Justin's
solicitude and care for the rest of his brethren, who im-
mediately drew up an apology for them, wherein he lays
down a true and naked relation of the case, complains of
the injustice and cruelty of such procedures, to punish
men merely for the name of Christians, without ever ac-
cusing them of any material crimes, answers the objec-
tions usually urged against them, and desires no more
favour, dian that what determination soever they should
make of it, his apology might be put before it, that so the
whole world might judge of them, when they had been
once truly acquainted with their case.
15. The martyr's activity and zeal in the cause of
Christianity did but set the keener edge upon Crescens's
malice and rage against him. llie philosopher could
not confute him by force of argument, and therefore
resolved to attack him by clancular and ignoble arts,
and could think of no surer way to oppress him, than
by engaging the secular powers against him. Pvlarcus
Antoninus, the emperor, was a great philosopher, but
withal zealous of Pagan rites to the highest degree of
superstition ; he had from his youth been educated
in the ^Salian college, all the offices whereof he had
gone through in his own person, affecting an imitation
of Numa Pompilius, the first master of religious cere-
monies among the Romans, from whom he pretended
to derive his pedigree and original : nay, so very strict
in his way of religion (says ""Dion) that even upon the
Dies Nefasti, the unlucky and inauspicious days, when
all public sacrifices were prohibited, he would then pri-
vately offer sacrifices at home. What apprehensions
he had of the Christians is evident from hence, that he
ascribes '^their ready and resolute undergoing death, not
to a judicious and deliberate consideration, but to a
4<\« rnr:t^di'rrj^i^, a 7?iere stubborness and obstinacy ; which he,
being so eminent and professed a Stoic, had of all men
b J. Capitol in vit. M. Anton, c. 4. p. 156. c Excerpt Dion. p. 721.
d Xay iU ixvT.l 11. :). 3 p. 106.
294 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
in the world the least reiison to charge them with. With
him it was no hard matter for Crescens to insinuate
himself, and to procure his particular disfavour towards
Justin, a man so able, and so active to promote the
interest of the Christian religion Indeed * Justin him-
self had publicly told the emperor what he expected
should be his own fate, that he looked that Crescens, or
some of their titular philosophers, should lay snares to
undermine, torment, or crucify him. Nor was he at
all mistaken, the envious man procuring him to be cast
in prison, where if the ^Greeks say true, he was exercis-
ed with many preparatory tortures in order to his mar-
tyrdom. I confess Eusebius gives us no particular ac-
count of his death, but the acts of his martyrdom are
still ^extant, and (as there is reason to believe) ge-
nuine and uncorrupt, the shortness of them being not
the least argument diat they are the sincere transcripts of
the primitive records, and that they have for the main
escaped the interpolations of later ages, which most
others have been obnoxious to. I know it is doubted
by ^one, whether these acts contain the martyrdom of
ours, or another Justin : but whoever considers the par-
ticulars of them, most agreeable to our Justin, and espe-
cially their fixing his death under the prefecture of Rus-
ticus, which Epiphanius expressly affirms of our St.
Justin, will see little reason to question, whether they
belong to him. In them then we have this following
account.
16. Justin and six of his companions having been ap-
prehended, were brought before Rusticus, prefect of the
city. This Rusticus was 'Q. Junius Rusticus, a man fa-
mous both for court and camp, a wise statesman and great
philosopher, peculiarly addicted to the sect of the Stoics.
He was tutor to the present emperor M. Aurelms, and
what remarkable rules and instructions he had given
him, Antoninus himself sets down at large^. Above all
his masters he had a particular reverence and regard to
e Apologv I p. 46. f Men. Gr^ec. T«/ st'. to 'Isi'. g Apud Sur. an
Xil jun. p. 382 & Baron, ad. Ann 165. n. 2. h seq. h Sur. loc. cit. at,
i J. Capit. ubi supr. c. 9. p. 154. k T«y e« e«t/J. 1. 1- J» 7. p. 1.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN 295
him, communicated to him all his public and private
counsels, showed him respect before all the great officers
of the empire, and after his death required of the senate
that he might be honoured with a pubhc statue. He-
had been consul in the second year of Hadrian, and again
in the second of the present emperor's, rnd was now
prefect of Rome : before whom these good men being
brought, he persuaded Justin to obey the gods, and
comply with the emperor's edicts. The martyr told him,
that no man could be justly found fault with, or con-
demned, that obejed the commands of our Saviour
Jesus Christ, Then the governor inquired in what
khid of learning and discipUne he had been brought
up : he told him, that he had endeavoured to understand
all kinds of discipline, and tried all methods of learning,
but had finally taken up his rest in the Christian disci-
pline, how little soever it was esteemed by those who
were led by error and false opinions. Wretch that
thou art (said the governor) art thou then taken with that
discipline ? I am, replied the martyr, for with right
doctrine do I follow the Christians. And when asked
what that doctrine was ; he answered, the right doctrine
which we Christians piously profess, is this, We be-
lieve the one only God to be the creator of all things
visible and invisible, and confess our Lord Jesus Christ
to be the Son of God, foretold by the prophets of old,
and who shall hereafter come to be the judge of mankind,
a saviour, preacher, and master to all those, who are duly
instructed by him -.that as for himself, he thought him-
self too mean to be able to say any thing becoming his
infinite deity ; that this was the business of the prophets,
who had many ages before foretold the coming of this
Son of God into the world.
17. The prefect next inquired where the Christians
were wont to assemble, and being told, that the God of
the Christians was not confined to a particular place, he
asked in what place Justin was wont to instruct his dis-
ciples, who gave him an account of the place where he
dwelt, and told him that there he preached the Christian
doctrine to all that resorted to him. Then having se-
296 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
verally examined his companions, he again addressed
himself to Justin in this manner. Hear thou that art
noted for thy eloquence, and thinkest thou art in the
truth ; if I cause thee to be scourged from head to foot,
thinkest thou thou shal go to heaven? He answered,
that although he should suffer what the other had threat-
ened, yet he hoped he should enjoy the portion of all
true Christians, well knowing that the divine grace and
favour was laid up for all such, and should be as long as
the world endured. And when again asked, whether
he thought he should go to heaven, and receive a re-
ward ; he replied, that he did not think it only, but knew,
and was so certain of it, that there was no cause to doubt
it. The governor seeing it was to no purpose to argue,
came closer to the matter in hand, and bid them go to-
gether, and unanimously sacrifice to the gods. No
man (replied the martyr) that is in his right mind, will
desert true religion to fall into error and impiety. And
when threatened that unless they complied, they should
be tormented without mercy ; There is nothing (said
Justin) which wq more earnestly desire, than to endure
torments for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and be
saved. For this is that which will promote our happi-
ness, and procure us confidence before that dreadful
tribunal of our Lord and Saviour, before which by the
divine appointment, the whole world must appear. To
which the rest assented, adding, despatch quickly what
thou hast a mind to, for we are Christians, and cannot
sacrifice to idols. Whereupon the governor pronounc-
ed this sentence ; The?/ xvho refuse to do sacrifice to the
gods^ and obey the imperial edict, let them be first scourg-
ed, and then beheaded according to the laws. The holy
martyrs rejoiced and blessed God for the sentence pass-
ed upon them, and being led back to prison, were ac-
cordingly whipped, and afterwards beheaded.^ The
Greeks* in their rituals, though very briefly, give the
1 'liirnev Kci>\:iiov y^ev Ik fiia.
Men. Grxcor. T>? *'. iS 'Ihk
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 297
same account, only they differ in the manner of the
martyr's death, which they tell us was by a draught
of poison, while the rest of his companions lost their
heads. Though there are that by that fatal potion un-
derstand no more than the poisonous malice and en-
vy of Crescensthe philosopher, by which Justin's death
was procured. And indeed, if literally taken, the ac-
count of the Greeks in that place will not be very consist-
ent with itself. Their dead bodies the Christians took
up and decently interred. This was done, as Baronius
conjectures, Ann. Chr. CLXV. with whom seems to
concur the "'Alexandrine Chronicle, which says, that
Justin having presented his second apology to the em-
perors, was not long after crowned with martyrdom.
This is all the certainty that can be recovered concern-
ing the time of his death, the date of it not being con-
bigned by any other ancient writer. It is a vast mis-
take (or rather error of transcribers) of ""Epiphanius,
who makes him suiter under Adrian, when yet he could
not be ignorant that he dedicated his first apology to
Antoninus Pius, his successor, in the close whereof he
makes mention of Adrian, his illustrious parent and
predecessor, and annexes the letter which he had written
to Minucius Fundanus in favour of the Christians ; and
no less his mistake (if it was not an error in the number)
concerning his age, making him but thirty years old at
the time of his death, a thing no ways consistent with
the course of his life : and for what he adds of ^v >c«s-£ra,cr»
itKuU, that he died in a firm and consistent age, it may be
very well applied to many vears after that period of his
life.
18. Thus have we traced the martyr through the se-
veral stages of his life, and brought him to his last fatal
period. And now let us view him a little nearer. He
was a man of a pious mind, and a very virtuous life ;
tenderly sensible of the honour of God, and the great
interests of religion. lie was not elated, nor valued
m Acl ann. 2 Olymp. 236. M. Aurel. &. L. Ver. Imp. 6. Indict. 3. p. 60o.
n Heeres. XLVL p. in..
P p
298 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
himself upon the account of his great abilities, but upon
every occasion entirely resolved the glory of all into the
divine grace and goodness. He had a true love to all
men, and a mighty concern for the good of souls, whose
happiness he continually prayed for and promoted, yea,
that of their fiercest enemies. From none did he and
his religion receive more bitter affronts and oppositions
than from the Jews, yet he tells ''Tryphon that they hear-
tily prayed for them and all other persecutors, that they
might repent and, ceasing to blaspheme Christ, might be-
lieve in him, and be saved from eternal vengeance at his
glorious appearing: ^that though they were wont so-
lemnly to curse them in their synagogues, and to join
with any that would persecute them to death, yet they
returned no other answer than that, you are our brethren,
we beseech you own and embrace the truth of God. And
in|his*^apology to the emperor and the senate, he thus
concludes, I have no more to say, but that we shall en-
deavour what in us lies, and heartily pray, that all men
in the world may be blessed with the knowledge and
entertainment of the truth. In the pursuit of this no-
ble and generous design he feared no dangers, but deli-
vered himself with the greatest freedom and impartiality ;
he acquaints the ''emperors, how much it was their duty
to honour and esteem the truth, that he came not to
smooth and flatter them, but to desire them to pass sen-
tence accbrding to the exactest rules of justice ; "that it
w^as their place and infinitely reasonable when they had
heard the cause, to discharge the duty of righteous
judges, which if they did not, they would at length be
found inexcusable before God, ^nay that if they went
on to punish and persecute such innocent persons, he
tells them beforehand, it was impossible they should
escape the future judgment of God, Vv^hilethey persisted
in this evil and unrighteous course. In tills case he re-
garded not the persons of men, nor was scared with the
dangers that attended it, and therefore in his conference
o Dial, cum Tryph. p. 254. p Ib".d. pag. 323 q Apolug-. I. p ,52.
r Apol. II. p. i3." s Ibid. p. o4. t Ibid. p. 99,
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 299
with the Jew, tells " him, that he regarded nothing but to
speak the truth, not caring whom in this matter he dis-
obliged, yea, though they should presently tear him all in
pieces ; neither fearing nor favouring his own country-
men the Samaritans, whom he had accused in his apo-
logy to the emperor, for being so much bewitched and
seduced with the impostures of Simon Magus, whom
they cried up as a supreme deity, above all principality
and power.
1 9. For his natural endowments, he was a man of
acute parts, a smart and pleasant wit, a judgment able to
weigh the differences of things, and to adapt and accom-
modate them to the most useful purposes ; all which
were mightily improved and accomplished by the advan-
tages of foreign studies, being both in the Christian and
Ethnic philosophy, tUdn^ov dvny^^iv'Sr', TrcKvfjLAQiU t-€ xj ho^im 'sri^4c,tojui-
v(§r 7rKiTu>, says "^ Photius, arrived at the very height, flow-
ing with abundance of history, and all sorts of learning.
In one thing, indeed, he seems to have come short, and
wherein the first fathers were generally defective, skill in
the Hebrev/, and other eastern languages, as appears (to
omit others) by one instance, his derivation of the word
Satanas ; Sata (as he tells '"^ us) in the Hebrew and the
Syriac signifying an apostate^ and Nas the same with the
Hebrew Sata, out of the composition of both which arises
this one word Satanas. A trifling conceit, and the less
to be pardoned in one that was born and lived among the
Samaritans and the Jews; every one that has but con-
versed with those languages at a distance, knowing it to
spring from I^^^' to be an adversary, which being formed
according to the mode of the Greeks, (as ''Origen long
since observed in this veiy instance) who were wont to
add *c to the termination of words borrowed from a fo-
reign language, becomes Satanas, an adversary. And
therefore a late -author (who has weeded the writings of
the ancients, and whose quotations savour of infinitely
greater ostentation, than either judgment or fidelity) suf-
u Dial, cum Tryph. p. 349. v Cod CXZV- col. 304.
w Dialog^ cum Tryph. p. 331. x Contr. Gels. 1. 6. p. 305.
y Sand. Tract, de Vet. ScripL Eccl. Hist. Eccles. Tom. 1. Prsfix. p, 44.
300 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
ficiently betrays his ignorance in those very fathers, with
which he pretends so much acquaintance, when to prove
the Quest. ^ Resp. ad Orthodoxos^ not to be the genuine
work of our Justin, he urges the odd and ridiculous in-
terpretation of the word osanna, there rendered ^ by /««>*-
\r,a--.m vTrigKitixm, supev excellent magmjicence : of the true
signification whereof (says he) Justin himself being a
Samaritan couid not be ignorant. When as his unques-
tionable tracts afford such evident footsteps of his lament-
able unskilfulnes in that language. But the man must
be excused, seeing in this (as in many other things) he
traded purely upon trust, securely stealing the whole
passage, word for word, out of another author *" : so little
skill had he to distinguish between true and false, and to
know when to follow his guides, and where to leave
them. As for Justin himself his ignorance herein is the
less to be wondered at, if we consider that his religion,
as a Gentile born, his early and almost sole converse with
the Greeks, his constant study of the writings of the
Gentile philosophers, might well make him a stranger to
that language, which had not much in it to tempt a mere
philosopher to learn it. In all other parts of learning,
how great his abilities were, may be seen in his writings
yet extant (to say nothing of them that are lost) -TViT^iSiuuk-.
^ Eusebius says of them, the monuments of his sin-
gular parts, and of a mind studiously conversant about
divine things, richly fraught with excellent and useful
knowledge. They are all designed either in defence of
the Christian religion both against Jews and Gentiles, or
in beating down that common religion, and those pro-
phane and ridiculous rites of worship which then go-
verned the world, or in prescribing rules for the ordinary
conduct of the Christian life, all which he has managed
with an admirable acuteness and dexterity. Some books
indeed have obtruded themselves under his name, as the
Expositio Fidei, Qucestiones EsP Responsa ad OrthodoxoSy
z Vid. Qiic^st. L. p. 421. a Vid. Rivet. Crlt Sacr. I, 2. c. 5. p. ^.98.
bH. Ecd, 1. 4.C. 18.p. 139.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 3G)1
Qu£stiones Gvitcanic^ ad C/iristia7ios, Qu^stiones V, ad
Gri€cos^ ^c. ail which are undoubtedly of a later age,
composed after Christianity was fully settled in the world,
and the Arian controversies had begun to disturb the
Christian church. Or if any of them were originally
his, they have been so miserably interpolated and defa-
ced by after ages, that it is almost impossible to discern
true from false.
20. As for the epistle to Diognetus, though excepted
against by some, yet is it fairly able to maintain its title,
without any just cause alleged against it. Nor is it im-
probable but that this might be that very Diognetus vfh6
was tutor to the emperor M. Aurelius, who (as himself
confesses "") persuaded him to the study of philosophy,
and gave him wise counsels and directions to that pur-
pose, and being a person of note and eminency, is accord-
ingly saluted by the martyr with a ^^^li^i AioyvnTi, most excel-
lent Diognetus. His temper and course of life had made
him infinitely curious (as is evident from the first part of
that epistle) to know particularly what was the religion,
what the manners and rites of Christians, what it was that
inspired them with so brave and generous a courage, as
to contemn the world, and to despise death ; upon what
grounds they rejected the religion, and disowned the
deities of the Gentiles, and yet separated themselves
from the Jewish discipline and way of worship ; what
was that admirable love and friendship b}" which they
were so fast knit together, and why this novel institution
came so late into the world. To all which inquiries
(suitable enough to a man of a philosophic genius) Jus-
tin (to whom probably he had addressed himself as the
most noted champion of the Christian cause) returns a
very particular and rational satisfaction in this epistle,
though what effect it had upon the philosopher is un-
known. That this epistle is not mentioned by P^usebius,
is no just exception, seeing he confesses '^ there were
many other books of Justin's besides those which he
there reckons up : that it is a little more than ordinary
G M. Aurel. tSv ei? \i.ulA. I. §:. 6. p. I. d H. Eccl. I. 4. c. 18. p. 140.
302 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
polite and philosophical, is yet less; for who can won
der if so great a scholar as Justin, writing to a person so
eminent for learning and philosophy, endeavoured to
give it all the advantages of a florid and eloquent dis-
course. It must be confessed that his ordinary style does
not reach this ; for which let us take Photius's ^ cen-
sure, a man able to pass a judgment in this case : he
studied not (says he) to set off the native beauty of philo-
sophy -with the paint and varnish of rhetorical art. For
which cause his discourses^ though otherwise very weighty
and powerful^ and observing a composure agreeable enough
to art and science, have not yet those sweet and luscious in-
sinuations^ those attractives and allurements that are wont
to prevail upon vulgar auditors^ and to draw them after
them,
21. That which may seem most to impair the credit
of this ancient and venerable man, is that he is commonly
said to be guilty of some unorthodox sentiments and
opinions, disagreeing with the received doctrines of the
church. True it is, that he has some notions not war-
ranted by general entertainment or the sense of the
church, especially in later ages, but yet scarce any but
what were held by most of the fathers in those early
times, and which for the main are speculative and have
no ill influence upon a good life ; the most considerable
whereof we shall here remark. First he is charged with
too much kindness and indulgence to the more eminent
sort of Heathens, and particularly towards Socrates,
Heraclitus, and suchlike^: such indeed he seems to al-
low to have been in some sense Christians, and of So-
crates particularly ^affirms that Christ tt^a^ «^o ^i*g«f in part
known to him, and the like elsewhere more than once.....
The ground of all which was this, that such persons did
^jT*>.o'>«/3»5v, live according to the ^h^ the word, or reason^
and that this naturally is in every man, and manifest to
him, if he but govern himself according to it. For the
e Loc. supr. cittit.
f Toy X5/V-0V .is-gaTOTOKOV tS ©«« sTi-iv i^iMx^n/m^v, Xj <ar^c(/u»vtj<r:t/^iv hiyoy cvtsl, k
WAV /J.h<^ dv^pmTTay /uiTiT^i. KatJ ol fAird Koyx ^la^a-ctfrn, Xa/s-vavs/ sitr/, KdLv i^iof
puge 83. g Apol, I. p. 48.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 303
clearer understanding whereof it may not be amiss briefly
to inquire in what sense the primitive fathers, and espe-
cially our Justin use this word hoy^. And their notion
was plainly this, that Christ was the eternal xiy®- or word
of the Father, the sum and centre of all reason and wis-
dom, as the sun is the fountain of light, and that from
him there was a \oy@' or reason naturally derived into
every man, as a beam and emanation of light from that
sun ; to which purpose they usually bring that of St.
John, Jn the beginning was the word, and the word was
with God, and the word xvas God: that was the true
light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world^,
God (says Justin) 'first and before the production of any
creatures begot of himself Svv^t/xn t/v* ko>«;;v, a certain rational
power, sometimes styled in scripture the glory of God,
the Son, Wisdom, an Angel, God, Lord, and Word ; by
all which names he is described both according to the
economy of his Father's will, and according to his volun-
tary generation of him. And elsewhere''; we love and
worship the word of the unbegotten and ineffable God,
which (Word) for our sakes became man, that by par-
taking of our sufferings he might work out our cure
Hence Christ is called ' t^ Wv?®^ xoy®', the universal Word,
and with respect to him reason is styled (rtrs^^«7/xcf ^iy©^, the
seminal Word that is sown in our natures, ^ o-^sg^*7wK s^j/j?
Koya TO Qvfytvic, aud™ jj tvjscra «^cf,t/Vj< tS xo>^}< (T-tB-opji, thc iutcmal semina-
tion of the implanted Word, which he there distinguishes
from the dwo to cr^i^^uA, the primary and original seed itself,
from which according to the measure of grace given by
it, all participation and imitation does proceed. This is
that which he means by the <7.z!reg/^.a7ct dx-MUc, the seeds of
truth, which he "" tells us seem to be in all men in the
world ; they are a derivation from Christ, who is the
root, a kind of participation of a divine nature from him.
Clemens of Alexandria thus deduces the pedigree. The
h O t/e C'^Th^ oKXil/uTrccr tolc XcytKole x. hyiuoyuoJc, J'y* Avrm o v»c tu ioiA o^-j''*
^fc., Sic. Ori,^. Com. in Joan. p. 25. vid. etiam. p. 40.
i Dial, cum Tryph. p. 234. p. 285. D. Is: Apol. I. p. 51.
iibid. p. 46. ' mlbidp.5r a Apoi. 1. 2. p. S%
304 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
image of God (says ° he) is his word, (for the divine
word is the genuine oftspring of the mind, the archetypal
light of light) and the image of the word is man. I'he
true mind that is in man (and therefore to be made after
the image and Ukeness of God) as to the frame of the
heart is conformed to the divine word, and by that means
partakes of the word or reason.
22. Origen, Clemens's scholar, treads exactly in his
master's steps. He tells us^, that as God the father is
a^ro^i®-, the fountain of deity to the Son, so God the Son,
^My(ir, the word, or the supreme and eternal reason, is
the fountain and orignal that communicates reason to all
rational beings, who as such are iiKon<; -^ ^Ikov®- , the image of
the image, that is, some kind of shadow of the word, who
is the brightness of his father's glory, and the express
image of his person. And he further adds, that x^.y^r with
an article is meant of Christ, but without it of that word
or reason that is derived from him. The case then in
short is this, every man naturally is endued with princi-
ples of reason, and lively notices of good and evil, as a
light kindled from him, who is the word and wisdom of
the father, and may so far be said to partake of Christ,
the primitive and original word, and that more or less ac-
cording to their improvement of them ; so that whatever
wise and excellent things either philosophers or poets
have spoken, says Justin the martyr"*, it was s-u^o 'i,^<puicv
•Truii] yim dv^pdrrav T.-srf^fxdL to ^.s>a, from that sccd of the \iy&, word,
or reason that is implanted in all mankind : thus he says
that Socrates'" exhorted the Greeks to the knowledge of
the unknown God by the inquisition of the word. To
conclude this, he no where affirms, that Gentiles might
be saved without the entertainment of Christianity, nor
O Admonit. arl Gent. p. 62.
p 'O ytt^h ejtatra fxiy®" -raty A.e^uSv'rKTtf tsv Xo^ov «;;(^8; <tjrgof t sv «ig;tV >'^>«v -cr^i?
Tiir S-eov ovt* Xo^gv S-rt-v, ok o ©64f Koy^<; n^go; t ^iiy. 'ilc y%^ ctliT-^^i'&'j) i d/Ji-^u'd
©«c 0 TTatTxp (orgi? UKOva, ^ eixOKstc 't tiKOv®' (J'lx «i x-at]' UK'jvct hiyovTai iivstv ot Av^pai-
vrai, i^ iiicivK) KTa? oaturc? xiyQf 'sr^s? -f sy «x*r&) xoyov' dfxc^on^ct yd.^ Trytyng \yji
;^-*g«y, c TTaiT/ip 3-j;'r«7@r, o </e t^ii?, Asya. Tim. 1. Coniiiient. in Jouii. p. 47. Edit.
Huet. Tom. 2- o» TPO^raK ystg o \7t\ 7ra.<Ti 06Of, o 0«Cf, >^^x dTrKcc; ©soc, utoj? d 7r;)^^J
tS £y J)c*r» Totv xoyiKtif /.oyn, o Koy®' -n iviitdgrcf Koyti a^ ay nu^'ce; oy.aice; m" <tp^-C-
Tte o¥o/U3LT'^ivl<§r xj Atx^hl®', 0 Ac>@*. I'o'id. p. 40.
q Apolog. I, p. 46, vid. p. 48. C. r Ibid. p. 48;»
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. SOS
that their knowledge was of itself sufficient to that end
(no man more strongly proves reason and natural philo^
scphy to be of themselves insufficient to salvation) but
that so far a. they improved their reason and internal
word to the great and excellent purposes of religion, so
far th^y were Christians, and akin to the eternal and ori-
ginal word, and that 'whatever was rightly dictated or
reformed by this inward word, either by Socrates among
the Greeks, or by others among the Barbarians, was in
effect done by Christ himself, the word made flesh.
23. Another opinion with which he was charged is
Chihasm, or the reign of a thousand years. This in-
deed he expressly asserts^ that after the resurrection of
the dead is over, Jerusalem should be rebuilt, beautified
and enlarged, where our Saviour with all the holy patri-
archs and prophets, the saints and martyrs should visibly
reign a thousand years. He confesses indeed that there
are many sincere and devout Christians that would not
subscribe to this opinion; but withal affirms that there
were abundance of the same mind with him. As indeed
there were, ""Papias bishop of Hierapolis, ""Irenaeus bishop
of Lyons, ''Nepos, ''Apollinaris, ^TertuUian, ^Victorinus,
^Lactantius, ''Severus Gallus, and many more. The first
that started this notion among the orthodox Christians of
those early tim.es seems to have been the before mention-
ed Papias, who (as ^'Eusebius tells us) pretended it to be
an apostolical tradition, misunderstanding the apostles'
discourses, and too lightly running away with what they
meant in a mystical and hidden sense. For he was, though
a good man, yet of no great depth of understanding, and
so easily mistaken ; and yet as he observes, his mistake
imposed upon several ecclesiastical persons, the venera-
S Ou /xovov*'E?X»»-i S'il locza^^Tin; -j-vro xo^i; i^}i'yx^^ r^.vTH, dn.A x. \v 0teCi^oi? v-aro
J<J^H Td K'jyti fji-jfoobivr'^ i 'iv-S-ca).T» yivjy.ivt;, ij 'l>icr« X§jg-£ ;tX»5-JVT@'. Just. Apol.
II.p 56. t^Dialog". cum. Tryph. p. 306, 307. vid. p. 3o9.
u Apud Iren. 1. 5. c. 33. p. 498. vid. Euseb. 1. 3. c. ult. p. 112.
V Loc. cit. &. ap. Eiisc'i). ubi supr. w Ap. Eiiseb. I. 7. c. 24. p. 270.
X Ap. Hieron. CommciU. in Ezech. c. 36. Tom. 3. p. 507.
y Adv. Mai-ciou. I. 3. c. 23. p. 411. de Resur. Ciirn. c. 25. p. 340.
z Apud Hiei-on., loc. supv." ciL a De vit. beat 1.7. c. 24. p. 722. c. 26-
p- 727. & seq. b Ap. Mieron. ubi s'.:pr. vid. etiam de script. Eccles. in
PUpia. 0. Lib. 3. c 39. p. 112.
306 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
ble antiquity of the man recommending the error to them
with great advantage. Among which especially wereour
St. Justin and Irenseus, who held it in an innocent and
harmless sense. It is true "^Cerinthus and his followers,
mixing it with Jewish dreams and fables, and pretending
divine revelations to patronise and countenance it, im-
proved it to brutish and sensual purposes, placing it in a
state of eating and drinking, and all manner of bodily
pleasures and delights. And what use heretics of later
times have made of it, and how much they have improv-
ed and enlarged it, is not my present business to inquire.
24. Concerning the state of the soul after this life, he
affirms ^that the souls even of the prophets and righteous
men fell under the power of dcemons^ though how far
that power should extend, he tells us not, grounding his
assertion upon no other basis than the single instance of
Samuel's being summoned up by the enchantments of
the Pythoness. Nor does he assert it to be necessarily
so, seeing he grants that by our hearty endeavours and
prayers to God, our souls at the hour of their departure
may escape the seizure of those evil powers. To this
we may add, what he seems ^to maintain, that the souls
of good men, are not received into heaven till the resur-
rection ; that when they depart the body, they remain
iv ,cp«T7oy< TTci ;^£ig«, ^in a better state, where being gathered
within itself, the soul perpetually enjoys what it loved ;
but that the souls of the unrighteous and the wicked are
thrust into a worse condition, where they expect the judg-
ment of the great day : and he reckons** it among the
errors of some pretended Christians, who denied the re-
surrection, and affirmed that their souls immediately af-
ter death were taken into heaven. Nor herein did he
stand alone, but had the almost unanimous suffrage of
primitive writers voting with him, 'Irenseus, ''Tertullian,
'Origen, ^ Hilary, " Prudentius, " Ambrose, ^ Augustin,
d Cains ap. Euseb. 1. 3. c. 28. p. 100. Dionvs. Corinth, ibid. & 1. T-c 25. p. 273.
e Dial, cum Trvph. p. 333. f Ibid. p. 223. g lb. p. 222. C. h Ibid, p. 307.
i Adv. Haeres. \. 3. c, 31. p. 491 . h Apol. c. 47. p. 37.
I nj§. ipx- 1. 2c. 12 fol. 136. 1. 4 c. 2. fol. 154. confer. Philoc. c.l. p. 18.
& Homil 7. Lcvit. fol. 71. m Enarrat. in Psal CXX. p. 532.
n Cathemep. Hymn. X. p. 485. o Ambros. de Cain &. Ab.iib. 2. p- 131.
T. 4 de bon. Mori, c 10. p. 240.
TvHE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. S07
'Anastasius Sinaita, and indeed who not, there being a
general concurrence in this matter, that the souls of the
righteous were not upon the dissolution presently trans-
lated into Heaven, that is, not admitted to a full and per-
fect fruition of the divine presence, but determined to
certain secret and unknown repositories, where they en-
joyed a state of imperfect blessedness, waiting for the
accomplishment of it at the general resurrection, which
intermediate state they will have described under the no-
tion of Paradise and Abraham'' s bosom^ and which some
of them make to be a subterranean region within the
bowels of the earth.
25. The like conciliTence, though not altogether so
inicontrollably entertained of the ancients with our Jus-
tin, we may observe in his opinion concerning the '^an-
gels, that God having committed to them the care and
superintendency of this sublunary world, they abused
the power intrusted with them, mixing themselves with
women in wanton and sensual embraces, of whom they
begat a race and posterity of dasmons. An assertion
not only intimated by 'Philo and ""Josephus, but express-
ly owned by * Papias, "Athenagoras, 'Clemens Alexan-
drinus, ''Tertullian, ""Cyprian, ^Lactantius, ^Sulpitius Se-
verus, "St. Ambrose, and many more. That which first
gave birth to this opinion (easily embraced by those who
held angels to be corporeal) was a misunderstanding that
place, the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they
were fair, and they took them to wife, and they bare chil-
dren to them, the same became mighty men, men of re-
7iown, And it more particularly furthered the miiitake,
that many ancient copies of the Septuagint (as is evident
from Philo and St. Augustin, and the king's ancient
Alexandrian manuscript at this day) instead of the sons
read the angels of God, which the f^uhers, who generally
p Enchirid. c. 109. col. 190. Tom o. in Psdm. 36. Cone. 1. col. 281. T. 8.
q Qviacst. XCI. q Apol. I. p. 44. r De Giffant.l. 1. p. 221.
s Antiq.l. 1. c. 4. p. 8. t Apad Andr. Csesar. Comment, in Apoc. Serm. 12.
u Legat pro Christ, p. 27. v Stromal. 1. 5. p. 550.
w De Hab. mui. seu de Cult, foemin. 1. 1 c. 2. p )50. x De Discipl.
8c hab. Virg.p. 166. y De Grig-, error. I. 2. c. 14. p 216. z Sacr.
Hist. lib. 1. p. 8. a Dc Noe & Arc. c, 4. p. 141. T. 4,
308 THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
understood no Hebrew, were not able to correct. And
I doubt not what gave further patronage to this error,
was the authority of the book of Enoch, (highly valued
by many in those days) wherein this story was related,
as appears from the fragments of it still extant.
26. I might here also insist upon, what some find so
much fault with in our martyr, his magnifying the power
of man's will, which is notoriously known to have been
the current doctrine of the fathers through all the first
ages till the rise of the Pelagian controversies, though
still they generally own ;t*§«' '^I*'§stov, a mighty assistance of
divine grace to raise up and enable the soul for divine
and spiritual things. ^Justin tells his adversary that it is
in vain for a man to think rightly to understand the mind
of the ancient prophets, unless he be assisted ^er* //6>*k«c x*§/.
q®' r-nr«g*0£S,by 2L mighty grace derived from God. As well
may the dry ground (says ''Irengeus) produce fruit with-
out rain to moisten it, as we who at first are like dried
sticks, be fruitful unto a good life, without voluntary
showers from above, that is, (as he adds) the laver of the
spirit. Clemens, of Alexandria'^, affirms expressly, that as
there is a free choice in us, so all is not placed in our own
power, but that bi/ grace we are saved, though not with-
out good works ; and that to the doing of what is good
fAdxt^a ^ ^iU? xp'-'^'i^^^ X'ig/TS^-.we especially need the grace of God,
a right institution, an honest temper of mind, and that the
Father draws us to him : and that the ro h^/uh dhm^Uiov, the
powers of the will are never able to wing the soul for a
due flight for heaven, without a mighty portion of grace
to assist it. The mysteries of Christianity (as ''Origen
discourses against Celsus) cannot be duly contemplated
without a better affiatiis and a more divine power ; for
b Dialog, cum Tryph. p. 3- 19. c Adv. Hxres. I. 3. c. 19. p. 280.
cl To sv«ft7v auTs^jsV/ov j«? ^va3"/v «fc^i;co^svsv Ta.ya.b'iy a-x-igja, n i ttuJa vsrto to. i<r-
xHfAfxiyA, 11 <;>cLa-iv o\ yu/uvng-a.), ttkw « Xat'giT®^ eivij "T i^itipi<Tii7rTiPi'ra.i Ti jc, c/.vig-stTa.i,
.X, diyo) T co'j i/<nripKit/uivcDV d^iTcU « -^v^^^iiy ■vSiy to ^pi^ov dTroTtBt/uiv iuTTcJ'i^iiiru'n! Qvfynii.
Clem Alexand. Stromat. I. 5. p. 588. Oun yi, aiviv -tr-^oA/gsa-sa); 4'^%"" °^'*' ''"^ ' ^
ftijv iS% TO TrSiv iTr) tm yvei'/an tH h juiTipit. kutai' iivAV to XTroQy.a-iy.ivov. XagiTi ^ a-ct-
^OfJLl^dLy iK dviV fAiV TCt tS)V KCtXaV 'ipyKV. cTs/cTf Xj T>iv yVoi/UHV vytif X.iKTi^a-^'Uti TMV d/Jti-
TavonTov ^§ic T»v 3-«§*v tS Kctxi ■ (argo? o tsrip fxAKi^a. t«? 3-«/«tc ^gjf^o^uev X«^/7©', S^iSu-
a-x-ctxiu^ Ti 'op^y.c-, Xj iuTTABiiu.; dyvnc'^ r^c -re o-ctrgcr (jSTgojac/TSP o?.Kt]i. Id. ibid, p. 54tT^
e Lib. 4. p. 181. vid. etiam ib. p. 22T.
THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN. 309
as no man knows the things of a 7nan save the spirit of a
man that is in him^ so no man knows the things of God, but
the spirit of God : it being all to no purpose (as he else-
where observes) unless God by his grace does <?o7.f«v to «^6.
pLovinhv, enlighten the understanding. I add no more but
that of TertuUian^, who asserts, that there is a power of
divine grace, stronger than nature, v/hich has in subjec-
tion the power of our free will. So evident it is, that
when the fathers talk highest of the uin'^i^ioy, and the pow-
ers of nature, they never intended to exclude and banish
the grace of God. Some other disputable or disallowed
opinions may be probably met with in this good man's
writings, but which are mostly nice and philosophical.
And indeed having been brought up under so many seve-
ral institutions of philosoph}', and commg (as most of the
first fathers did) fresh out of the schools of Plato, it is the
less to be wondered at, if the notions which he had there
imbibed stuck to him, and he endeavoured, as much as
might be, to reconcile the Platonic principles with the
dictates of Christianity.
HIS WRITINGS.
Genuine. Not extant.
Parfenesis ad GraBcos.
Elenchus, seu Oratio ad Gr^e- Liber de Anima.
COS. Liber Psaltes dictus.
Apologia pro Christianis pri- Contra omnes Haereses.
ma. Contra Marcionem.
Apologia pro Christianis se- Commentarius in Hexameron
cunda. (cujus meminit Anastasius
Liber de Monarchia Dei, for- Sinaita.)
san in fine mudlus. De Resurrectione Carnis teste
Dialogus cum Tryphone Ju- Damasceno.
daeo.
Epistola ad Diognetum.
f Haec erit vis divinae gratiae, potentlor utique natura, habens In nobis gub-
jacentem si!)i liberam arbitrii potestatem, quod oo/T^b^oi^ dicitur. Tertul de
Anim, c. 21. p. 279.
no THE LIFE OF ST. JUSTIN.
Doubtful. Quaestionum CXLVI. Res»
Aristotelicorum quorundam ponsio ad Orthodoxos.
Dogmatum eversio. Vid. an hie liber sit idem (sed
Epistolaad Zenam & Serenum. interpolatus) de quo Photius
hoc titulo.
Supposititious, Duhitationum adversus Reli-
gionem summariae solutio-
Quffistiones & Respons. ad nes. ^ ^ ^
Grscos. Expositio Fidei de S. Trini-
Quaestiones Grsecanicse, de in- tate.
corporeo, &c. & ad easdem
Christianie Responsicmes,
THE LIFE OF ST. IREN^US,
BISHOP OF LYONS.
His country inquired into. His philosophical studies. His institution b>^
Papias. Papias who. His education under St, Polycarp. His com-
ing into France, and being made presbyter of Lyons. Pothinus who ;
how and by whom sent into France. The grievous persecution there
under M. Aurelius. The letters of the martyrs to the bishop of Rome
Pope Eleutherius guilty of Montanism. Irenxus sent to Rome. His
writing against Florinus and Blastus. The martyrdom of Pothinus
Bishop of Lyons, and the cruelty exercised towards him. Irenxus
succeeds. His great diligence in his charge, His opposition of he-
retics. The Synods said to have been held under him to that pur-
pose. The Gnostic heresies spread in France. Their monstrous vil-
lanies. His confutation of them by word and writing. Variety of
sects and divisions objected by the heathens against Christianity. This
largely answered by Clemens of Alexandria. Pope Victor's reviving
the controversy about Easter. The contests between him and the
Asiatics. Several synods to determine this matter. Ireasus his mo-
derate interposal. His Synodical epistle to Victor. The persecution
under Severus. Its rage about Lyons. Irenscus's martyrdom, and
and place of burial. .His virtues. His industrious and elaborate con-
futation of the Gnostics. His style and phrase. Photius his censure
of his works. His error concerning Christ's age, Miraculous gifts
and powers common in his time. His writings.
1. ST. IRENiEUS may justly challenge to go next the
martyr o '«f>yc tSv «7roroxay>iyo^«v^, as * S. Basil styles him, one
near to the apostles, which ^ S. Hierom expresses by-
being a man of the apostolic times. His originals are
so obscure, that some dispute has been to what part of
the world he belonged, whether east or west, though
that he was a Greek, there can be no just cause to doubt.
a'De Spirit. S. c. 29. p. 358. Tom, 2. b Epist. ad ThcodoP. p. 196. T. 1.
312 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENtEUS.
The ancients having not particularly fixed the place of
his nativity, he is generally supposed to have been born
at Smyrna, or thereabouts. In his youth he wanted
not an ingenuous education in the studies of philosophy
and human learning, whereby he was prepared to be
afterwards an useful instrument in the church. His
first institution in the doctrine of Christianity was laid
under some of the most eminent persons that then were
in the Christian church. St. Hierom'' makes him scho-
lar to Papias bishop of Hierapolis, who had himself con-
versed with the apostles and their followers. This Pa-
pias (as "^Irenaeus and others inform us) was one of St.
John's disciples.; by whom though Eusebius under-
stands not the apostle, but one sirnamed the Elder,
which he seems to collect from a passage of ""Papias
himself; yet evident it is, that though Papias in that
place afiirms, that he diligently picked up what memoirs
he could meet with concerning the apostles from those
that had attended and followed them, yet he no where
denies that he himself conversed with them. He was
(as ^Eusebius characters him) a man very learned and
eloquent, and knowing in the scriptures ; though as ^else-
where he adds, C'p^J'i* Ci^iH°^ «v tov v£v, of a very weak and
undiscerning judgment, especially in the more abstruse
and mysterious parts of the Christian doctrine, which
easily betrayed him, and others that followed him, into
great errors and mistakes. He wrote five books entitled,
Aoyiu>v Kv^iixm i^^ynTtc, the explanation of our Lord's discourses*
and, as he in ^'Photius intimates, and' the 'Alexandrine
Chronicon expressly affirms, died a martyr, being put to
death at Pergamus in the persecution under M. Aure-
lius. He is said to have trained up many scholars in
the Christian institution, and among the rest our
Irenaeus. Which though not improbable, yet we are
sure not only from the testimonies of ^ Eusebius and
* Theodoret, but what is more, from his '" own, that he
c Loc. cit at. d Adv. Ha:res. I. 5. c. 33. p. 498. & ap. Euseb. 1. 3. c. 39.
p. 110. e Euseb. loc. ci^ f Ibid. c. 36. p. 106. g Ibid. c. 39. p. 123.
h Steph. Gob. ap- Phot. Cod. CCXXXII col. 901. i An. III. Olymp. 235.
Ind. I. M. Aurel.4. k H Eccl.l. 5. c. 5. p. ITO. 1 Adv. H^eres. dial. 1.
mEpist. ad Fbr. apud Euseb. ib. c. 20. p. 188. 5; Hieron. de Script, in litn.
THE LIFE OF ST. IREN^EUS. 313
was trained up under the tutorage and instructions of St.
Poly carp bishop of Smyrna, and St* John's disciple, from
whom he received the seeds of the true apostolic doc»
trine, and for whom he had so great a reverence and re-
gard, that he took a most exact and particular notice of
whatever was memorable in him, even to the minutest
circumstances of his conversation, the memory whereof
he preserved fresh and lively to his dying day.
2. By whose hands he was consecrated to the minis-
teries of religion, as also when, and upon what occasion
he came into France is not known. Probable it is that
he accompanied St. Polycarp in his journey to Rome
about the Paschal controversv, where bv his and Ani-
cetus's persuasions he might be prevailed with to go for
France, (in some parts whereof, and especially about
Marseilles, great numbers of Greeks did reside) then
beginning to be over-run with those pernicious heresies
which at that time invaded and disturbed the church,
that so he might be helpful and assisting to Pothinus the
aged bishop of Lyons in quelling and subduing of them.
This Pothinus (if we may believe Gregory, bishop of
Tours", who resided some time in this city with his un-
cle Nicetius bishop of it) came out of the East, and had
been despatched hither also by St. Polycarp to govern
and superintend this church. If it seem strange to any
how St. Polycarp's care came to extend so far, as to send
a bishop into so remote and distant parts of the world ;
it seems not improbable to suppose, that Lyons being a
city famous for commerce and traffic, some of its mer-
chants might trade to Smyrna, where being converted by
Polycarp, they might desire of him to send some grave
and able person along with them to plant and propagate
the Christian faith in their own country, which accord-
ingly fell to Pothinus's share. But then that this must
needs be done by the authority, and ratified by the de-
cree of the bishop of Rome, a learned man*" will never be
able to convince us, though he offers at three arguments
n Hist, Franc lib. 1, c. Sf9. o P. de Marc. disr.Prt de Primat. n lU.
p. 2^2r.
Ti r
14 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENiEUS.
to make it good : weak I must needs say, and incon-
eluding, and which rather show that he designed thereby
to reconcile himself to the court of Rome (whose favour
at the time of his writing that tract, he stood in need of,
in order to his admission to the bishoprick of St. Leiger
de Conserans, to which he was nominated, and wherein
he was delayed by that court, offended with his late book
De Concordia Sacerdotii h Imperii) than argue the truth
of what he asserts, so unsuitable are they to the learning
and judgment of that great man. But I return to Ire-
naius. He came to Lyons, the metropolis of Gallia
Celtica, situate upon the confluence of the two famous
rivers the Roan and La Saona, or the ancient Arar, fa-
mous among other things for its temple and altars,
erected to the honour of Augustus at the common charge
of all France, where they held an annual solemnity from
all parts of the country upon the first of August : and
upon P this day it was that most of the martyrs suffered
in the following persecution. These festival solemni-
ties were usually celebrated not only with great conten-
tions for learning and eloquence, but with sports and
shows, and especially with the bloody conflicts of gla-
diators, with barbarous usages, and throwing malefactors
to wild beasts in the Ampitheatre ; wherein the martyrs
mentioned by Eusebius bore a sad and miserable part....
Irenasus being arrived at Lyons, continued several
rears in the station of a presbyter, under the care and
government of Pothinus, till a heavy storm arose upon
them. For in the reign of M. Aurelius Antoninus, Ann.
Chr. CLXXVII. began a violent persecution "^ against
the Christians, which broke out in all places, but more
peculiarly raged in France, whereof the churches of Ly-
ons and Vein in a "" letter to them of Asia and Phrygia,
give them an account; where they tell them, 'twas im^
possible for them exactly to describe the brutish fierce-
ness and cruelty of their enemies, and the severity of
those torments which the martyrs suffered, banished from
their houses, and forbid so much as to show their heads.
p Eusel). H. Eccl 1. 5. c. 1. p. 162. q Euseb. 1. 5. Prxf, p. 153.
Apud F^Ubcb. ibid. p. 154, 155, he
THE LIFE OF ST. IRENiEUS. 31 >
reproaclfed, beaten, hurried from place to place, plun-
dered, stoned, imprisoned, and there treated with all the
expressions of an ungovernable rage and fury, as they
particularly relate at large, The occasion ' of writing
this account, was a controversy lately raised in tlie Asian
churches by Montanus and his followers, concerning the
prophetic spirit, to which they pretended : for the com-
posing whereof these churches thought good to send
their judgment and opinion in the case, adjoining the
epistles which several of the martyrs (while in prison) had
written to those churches about that very matter, all
which they annexed to their commentary about the mar-
tyrs, sufferings, penned, no doubt, by the hand of Irenaeus.
3. Nor did the martyrs write only to the Asian
churches, but to Eleutherius bishop of Rome about these
controversies. And just occasion there was for it, if
(which is most probable) this very Eleutherius was in-
fected with the errors of Montanus : for ^ 'J'ertuUian tells
us, that the bishop of Rome did then own and embrace the
prophecies of Montanus and his two prophetesses, and
upon that account had given letters of peace to the
churches of Asia and Phrygia, though by the persuasions
of one Praxeas he was afterwards prevailed with to
revoke them. \\'"here by the w-ay may be observed,
that the infallibility of the Pope was then from home, or
so fast asleep, that the envious man could sow tares in
the very pontifical chair itself. This bishop "" Baroniuf
will have to be Anicetus, but in all likelihood was our
Eleutherius, who in his after-condemnation of the Mon-
tanists followed the example of his ' predecessors, (no
doubt Soter and Anicetus) who had disowned and re-
jected Montanus's prophecy ; nor can it w^ell be other-
wise conceived why the martyrs should so particularly
write to him about it. And whereas '' Baronius would
have pope Eleutherius dead long before Tertullian be-
came a Montanist, because, in his book against heresies,
he styles "" him the blessed Eleutherius, as if it were tan-
s Euseb. ibid. c. 3- p. 163 t Adv. Prax. c. 1. p. 501 .
u Ad. Ann. 173. n. IV. v TertuU. ibid. w AJ. Ann. 201. n. IX.
X De Praescrint. Hxres. c. 30. p. 212.
316 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENiEUS.
tamount with cujus memoria est in befiedictiorw, nothing'
was more common than to give that title to eminent per-
sons while alive, as Alexander of Jerusalem calls ^' Cle-
mens Alexandrinus, who carried the letter, the blessed
Clemens, in his epistle to the church of Antioch, and
the clergy of the church of Rome styles ^ St. Cyprian
(then in his retirement) the blessed pope Cyprian, in their
letter to them of Carthage. To this Eleutherius, then,
these martyrs directed their epistle : for the martyrs in
those times had a mighty honour and reverence paid to
them, and their sentence in any weighty case was always
entertained with a just esteem and veneration. These
letters they sent to Rome by ^ Irenaeus, whom they per-
suaded to undertake the journey, and whom they parti-
ticularly recommended to Eleutherius by a very honour-
able testimony, desiring him to receive him not only as
their brother and companion, but as a zealous professor
and defender of that religion which Christ had ratified
with his blood. I know ^ Mons. Valois will not allow
that Irenaeus actually went this journey, that the martyrs
indeed had desired him, and he had promised to under-
take it, but that the heat of the persecution coming on,
and he being fixed in the government and presidency
over that church, could not be spared personally to un-
dergo it. But since Eusebius clearly intimates and "" St.
Hierom expressly afiirms, that the martyrs sent him upon
this errand, it is safest to grant his journey thither,
though it must be while he was yet presbyter, for so
they particularly say he was in their epistle to the bishop
of Rome. And there probably it was that he took more
particular notice of Florinus and Blastus ^, who being
presbyters of the church of Rome, were about this time
fallen into the Valentinian heresy, the first of whom he
had formerly known " with St. Poly carp in Asia, and
noted him for his soft and delicate manners, and to whom
after his return home, as also to Blastus, he wrote epis^
y Euseb. I. 6. c. 11. p. 113. z Ad. Cler. Carthag-. Eplst. II p. 8.
a Euseb. ib. c 4. b Annot. in Euseb. p. 91, & 92. c De Script. juU'en-
d Euseb, ibid. c. 15, p. 178. e Id- ikid. c. 20.
THE LIFE OF ST. IREN^US. 317
ties to cortvince them of those novel and dangerous sen-
timents which they had espoused.
4. And now the persecution at Lyons was daily car-
ried on with a fiercer violence. Vast numbers had al-
ready gone to heaven through infinite and inexpressible
racks and torments, and to crown all, ^Pothinus their
reverend and aged bishop, above ninety years old, was
seized in order to his being sent the same way. Age
and' sickness had rendered him so infirm and weak, that
he was hardly able to crawl to his execution. But he
had a vigorous and sprightl)^ soul in a decayed and ru-
inous body, and his great desire to give the highest tes-
timony to his religion, and that Christ might triumph
in his martyrdom, added new life and spirit to him. Be-
ing apprehended by the officers, he was brought before
the public tribunal, the magistrates of the city follow-
ing after, and the common people giving such loud and
joyful acclamations, as if our Lord himself had been
leading to execution. The governor presently asked
him, w4io the God of the Christians was ? Which he
knowing to be a captious and sarcastic question, re-
turned no other answer than, IFert thou ivorthy^ thou
shouldst know. Instruction takes hold only of the hum-
ble and obedient ear. Truth is usually lost by being
exposed to the vitious and the scornful : it is in vain to
hold a candle either to the blind that cannot, or to them
that shut their eyes, and ^vill not see : there is a rever-
ence due to the principles of religion that obliges us not
to cast pearls before sxv'me, lest they trample them under
their feet, and turn again and rend us. ^Hereupon with-
out any reverence to his age, or so much respect to hu-
manity itself, he was rudely dragged away, and unmer-
cifully beaten, they that were near, kicking him with
their feet, and striking him with their fists ; they that
were further off, throwing at him what they could meet
with, making whatsoever came next to hand the instru-
ments of their fury : every man looking upon it as im-
f Epist. Eccles. Lugd, & Vien. ap. Euseb ubi supr. c. l.p. 159.
yoilaiviTrAvop^airiy. Orig-en, de Martyr, p. 169.
318 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENiEUS.
pious and piacular, not to do something that might tes
tify his petulant scorn and rage against him. For by
this means they thought to revenge the quarrel of their
gods. But their savage cruelty thought it too much
kindness to despatch him at once, it is like they intend-
ed him a second tragedy, which if so, heaven disap-
pointed their designs. For being taken up with scare t
so much breath us would entitle him to live, he was
thrown into the prison, where two days after he resigned
up his soul to God.
5. The church of Lyons being thus deprived of its
venerable guide, none could stand fairer for the chair
than Irenasus, a person honoured and admired by all,
who succeeded accordingly about the year CLXXIX. in
a troublesome and tempestuous time. But he was a
wise and skilful pilot, and steered the ship with a pru-
dent conduct. And need enough there was both of his
courage and his conduct; for the church at this time
was not only assaulted by enemies from without, but
undermined and betrayed by heresies within. The at-
tempts of the one he endured with meekness and pati-
ence, while he endeavoured to prevent the infection and
poison of the other by a diligent and vigilant circum-
spection, discovering their persons, laying open their
designs, confuting and condemning their errours, so that
their folly wa^ made manifest unto all. The author of
the ancient ^'Synodicon published by Pappus, tells us of
a provincial Synod held at Lyons by Irenaeus, where with
the assistance and suffrage of twelve other bishops he
condemned the heresies of Valentinus, Marcion, Basili-
des, and the rest of that antichristian crew. Whence he
derived this intelligence, I know not, it not being menti-
oned by any other of the ancients. Flowever the thing
itself is not improbable, Irenaeus's zeal against that sort
of men engaging him to oppose them both by word and
writing, and especiallly when it is remembered what him-
self informs us of, that they had invaded his own province,
and were come home to his very door. For having given
h Edit. Arg■en^ 1601. 4. pag-. 2.
THE LIFE OF ST. IREN.EUS. 319
usan account of Marcus, one of those Gnostic heresiarchs,
and his followers, their beastly and licentious practices,
and by what ludicrous and senseless arts, what magic and
hellish rites they were wont to ensnare and initiate their
seduced proselytes, he tells us', they were come into the
countries round him, all along the Roan, where they ge-
nerally prevailed (which seems to have been observed
as a maxim and first principle by all authors of sects) up-
on the weaker sex, corrupting their minds, and debauch-
ing their bodies, whose cauterized consciences being af-
terwards awakened, some of them made public confes-
sion of their crimes, others though deserting their party,
were ashamed to return to the church, while others made
a desperate and total apostasy from any pretences to the
faith. With some of these ringleaders ''Irenaeus had
personally encountered, and read the books of others,
which gave him occasion (what the desires of many had
importuned him to undertake) to set upon that elabo-
rate work agai?ist IwresieSy wherein he has fully display-
ed their wild and fantastic principles, their brutish and
abominable practices, and with such infinite pains endea-
voured to refute them : though indeed so prodigiously
extravagant, so utterly irreconcilable were they to any
principles of sober reason, that as he himself observes,
it was victory enough over them, only to discover and
detect them. This work he composed in the time of
Eleutherius bishop of Rome, as is evident from his cata-
logue '"^of the bishops of that see, ending in Eleutherius,
the twelfth successive bishop, who did then possess the
place.
6. And indeed it was but time for Ireuceus and the
rest of the wise and holy bishops of those days to bestir
themselves, grievous xvolves haviJig entered in, and made
havoc of the jiock. The field of the church was mise-
rably, over-run with tares, which did not only endan-
ger the choking of religion within the church, but ob-
struct the planting and propagating the faith among
i Adv. Hares. 1. 1. c. 9. p,72. vid. Hieron, Epist. ad Theodor. p. 196.
k Prjcf. ad lib. 1. p. 2. I Lib. 1, c. ult. p. 139. m Lib. S. c. 3. p. '^oo.
& ap. Eus. 1. 5. c 6. p. ITl
320 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENi£US.
•
them that were without. Nothing being more common-
ly objected against the truth and divinity of the Christi-
an religion, than that they were rent and torn into so
many schisms and heresies. "St. Clemens of Alexan-
dria particularly encounters this exception, some of
whose excellent reasonings are to this eftect. The first
thing (says he) they charge upon us, and pretend wh^
they cannot embrace the faith, is the diversity of sects
thatareamongus,truth being delayed andneglected, while
some assert one thing and some another. To which he
answers, that there were various sects and parties both
among the Jews, and the philosophers of the Gentiles,
and yet no man thought this a sufficient reason why they
should cease to study philosophy, or adhere to the Jew-
ish rites and discipline : that our Lord had foretold, that
errours would spring up with truth, like tares growing
up with the wheat, and that therefore it was no wonder
if it accordingly came to pass, and that we ought not to
he wanting to our duty because others cast oft' theirs, but
rather stick closer to them who continue constant in the
profession of the truth : that a mind diseased and dis-
tempered with error and idolatry, ought no more to be
discouraged from complying with an institution that will
cure it, by reason of some dift'erences and divisions that
are in it, than a sick man would refuse to take any medicine,
because of the different opinions that are among physici-
ans, and that they do not all use the same prescriptions :
that the apostles hath told us, that there must be heresiesy
that they that are approved may be made manifest, that
they heartily entertain the Christain doctrine, improve
and persevere in faith and a holy life : that if truth be
difficult to be discerned, yet the finding it out will abun-
dantly recompense the trouble and the labour : that a
wise man would not refuse to eat of fruit, because
he must take a little pains to discover what is ripe and
real, from that which is only painted and counterfeit :
Shall the traveller resolve not to go his journey because
there are a great many ways that cross and thwart the
n Strom at. I. 7. p, ^53,
THE LIFE OF ST. IRENiEUS. 321
common road, and not rather inquire which is the plain
and king's high- way ? or the husbandman refuse to till
his ground, because weeds grow up together with the
plants ? We ought rather to make these differences an
argument and incentive the more accurately to examine
truth from falsehood, and realities from pretences, that
escaping the snares that are plausibly laid, we may attain
eif 67ri>va^.v T^c)'vTft)fsV»?AK«esiatf, to the knowlcdgc of that which
is really truth indeed, and which is not hard to find, of
them that sincerely seek it. But to return back to Ire-
nasus.
7. Having passed over the times of the emperor Com-
modus (the only honour of whose reign was, that he
created no great disturbance to the Christians, being
otherwise a most debauched and dissolute prince, in
whom the vices of all his predecessors seemed to meet
as in one common-sewer) Eleutherius died, and Victor
succeeded in the see of Rome. A man furious and in-
temperate, impatient of contradiction, and who let loose
the reins to an impotent and ungovernable passion.
He revived the controversy about the celebration of Eas-
ter, and endeavoured imperiously to impose the Roman
custom, of keeping it on the next Lord's day after the
Jewish passover, upon the churches of the lesser Asia,
and those who observed the contrary usage ; and because
they would not yield, rashly thundered out an excommu-
nication against them, not only endeavouring, but as^Eu-
sebius explains it in the following words, actually pro-
scribing, and pronouncing them cut off from the com-
munion of the church. The Asiatics, little regarding
the fierce threatenings from Rome, under the conduct
of Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus, stood their ground,
justifying their observing it upon the fourteenth day
after the appearance of the moon, let it fall upon what
day of the week it would, after the rule of the Jewish
passover, and this by constant tradition, and uninterrupt-
ed usage derived from St. John and St. Philip the apos-
tles, St. Polycarp and several others to that very day. All
0 .Lib. 5. c. 24. p. 192.
S S
522 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENiEUS.
which he told Pope Victor, but prevailed nothing as what
will satisfy a wilful and passionate mind ?) to prevent his
rending the church in sunder. For the composure of this
unhappy schism ^'synods were called in several places as
besides one at Rome, one in Palestine under Theophilus,
bishop of Caesarea Palestina, and Narcissus Bishop of
Jerusalem, another in Pontus under Palmas, and many
more in other places, who were willing to lend their
hands toward the quenching of the common flame, '^vvho
all wrote to Victor, sharply reproving him, and advising
him rather to mind what concerned the peace of the
church, and the love and unity of Christians among
one another. And among the rest our Irenaeus (who
as Eusebius observes, truly answered his name in his
peaceable and peace-making temper) convened a 'synod
of the churches of France under his jurisdiction, where
with thirteen bishops besides himself (says the foremen-
tioned 'Synodicon) he considered and determined of this
matter. In whose name he wrote a synodical epistle to
Pope * Victor, wherein he told him that they agreed with
him in the main of the controversy, but withal duly and
gravely advised him to take heed how he excommunica-
ted whole churches for observing the ancient customs
derived down to them from their ancestors : that there
was as little agreement in the manner of the preparatory
fast before Easter, as in the day itself, some thinking
that they were to fast but one day, (probably he means
of the great or solemn week) others two, others more,
and some measuring the time by a continued fast of forty
hours (whether in memory of Christ lying so long in
the grave, or in imitation of his forty days fast in the
wilderness, I know not) and that this variety was of
long standing, and had crept into several places, while
the governors of the church took less care about these
different customs, who yet maintained a sincere and
mutual love and peace towards one another, a thing prac-
tised by all his own pious predecessors, putting him in
mind of Anicetus and Polycarp, who though they could
p Euseb. ibid. c. 23. p. 190. q Ibid. c. 24. p. 192. r Ibid. c. 23. p.
191. s Ubi supr. p. 7. t Ibid. c. 24. p. 192.
The life of st. iren^us. 323
not so far convince each other as to lay aside their differ-
ent usages, did yet mutually embrace, orderly receive
the communion together, and peaceably part from one
another. And letters to the same effect he wrote to se-
veral other bishops for allaying the difference thus unhap-
pily started in the church.
8. The calm and quiet days which the church had for
some years of late enjoyed, now expired, and the wind
changed into a more stormy quarter, Sever us the empe-
ror, hitherto favourable, began a bitter and bloody per-
secution against the Christians, prosecuted with great
severity in all parts of the empire. Himself had here-
tofore governed "this very province of Lyons, and pro»
bably had taken peculiar notice of Irena^us, and the flou-
rishing state of the church in that city, and might there-
fore give more particular orders for the proceeding
against them in this place. The persecution, that in
other parts picked out some few to make them exem-
plary here served all alike, and went through with the
work. For so ""Gregory of Tours, and tl^ ancient
martyrologies"^ inform us, that Irengeus having been pre-
pared by several torments, was at length put to death
(beheaded say the Greeks", likely enough) and together
with him almost all the Christians of that vast populous
city, whose numbers could not be reckoned up, so that
the streets of the city flowed with the blood of Christians.
His body was taken up by Zacharias his presbyter, and
buried in a vault, laid between Epipudius and Alexan-
der, who had suffered in the persecution under Antoni-
nus. It is not easy to assign the certain date of his
martyrdom, which may with almost equal probability
be referred to a double period, either to the time of that
bloody edict which Severus published against the Chris-
tians about the tenth year of his reign, Ann, Chr. CCIL
or to his expedition in Britain, Ann. Chr. CCVIII.
when he took Lyons in his way, and might see execu-
tion done with his own eyes. And indeed the vast num«
u JE\. Spartian. in vit. Sever, c. 3. p. 335. v Hist. Franc. 1. 1. c 29.
w Martyr. Rom. ad Jun. XXVllI. Adon. Martyr. IV Kalend. Jul.
X Men. Grjec. T« ny'. li Avyx.
324 THE LIFE OF ST. IRENtEUS.
bers that are there said to have suffered, agree well
enough with the temper of that fierce and cruel prince,
who had conceived before a particular displeasure against
the citizens of Lyons, and a worse against the Christians
there.
9. He was a true lover of God> and of the souls of
men, for the promoting whose happiness he thought no
dangers or difficulties to be great ; he scrupled not to
leave his own country, to take so troublesome and tedi-
ous a journey, and instead of the smooth and polite man-
ners of the Eastern nations to fix his dwelling among a
people of a wild and savage temper, and whom he must
convert to civility, before he gained them to religion
Nor was it the least part of his trouble (as himself ^ plain-
ly intimates) that he was forced to learn the language of
tiie country, a rugged and (as he calls it) barbarous dia-
lect before he could do any good upon them. All which
and a great deal more, he cheerfully underwent, that he
might be serviceable to the great interests of men. And
because he knew that nothing usually more hinders the
progress of piety, than to have men's minds vitiated and
depraved widi false and corrupt notions and principles,
and that nothing could more expose the Christian reli-
gion to the scorn and contempt of wise and discerning
men, than the wild schemes of those absurd and ridicu-
lous opinions that were then set on foot, therefore he set
himself with all imaginable industry to oppose them,
reading over all their writings, considering and unra-
velling all their principles with incomparable patience as
well as diligence, whence he is deservedly styled by
. ^ Tertullian, Omnium doctrinarum curiosissimus explora-
tory the most curious searcher into all kinds of doctrines.
In the successful managery whereof he was greatly ad-
vantaged by the wdlwv^ acumen and subtelty of his parts,
and those studies of philosophy and human literature, of
which he had made himself master in his younger days,
sufficient footsteps whereof appear in the writings which
he left behind him* For besides his epistles, he wrote
y Prxf. ad. 1. 1. p. 4. z Adv. Valent. c. 5 p. 252.
THE LIFE OF ST. IREN^US. 325
many volumes (though he ^ that tells us that he compo-
sed an ecclesiastical history, which Eusebius made use
of, reckons up one more than ever he wrote, and doubt-
less mistook it for his Avork, Adversus Hsereses) which
are lost, except his five books against heresies^ entitled
anciently nsg} sMi^« ^ ava]go7rM j t«c ■^ivSmvfxa yvatnac, The confutation
and subverson of knowledge falsely so called^ i. e. of Gnos-
ticism, those abstruse and mystical heretics pretending
that all sublime and excellent knowledge dwelt with
them. What his proper style and phrase was in these
books is not easily guessed, the far greatest part of the
original Greek being wanting (the conjecture of those
who will have them originally penned in Latin is not
worth the mentioning) probably it was simple and un-
affected, vulgar and ordinary, embased, it is like, and he
seems to confess as much, with the natural language
** of the country where he lived, nor had he studied the
arts of rhetoric, the ornaments of speech, or had any
skill in the elaborate methods and artifices of persuasion,
as he modestly *" apologizes for himself. However his
discourses are grave and well digested, and (as far as the
argument he manages would admit) clear and perspicu-
ous, in all which he betrays a mighty zeal, and a spirit
prepared for martyrdom. For the martyrs (as '^ Eras-
mus truly notes) have a certain serious, strenuous, and
masculine way of writing beyond other men.
10. As for his works themselves ^ Photius thus cen>
sures them, that in some of them the accuracy of truth
in ecclesiastic doctrines is sophisticated voa./; xi>/sr,wo7?,
with false and spurious reasonings, which ought to be
taken notice of. In the books yet extant there are some
assertions, that will not bear a strict rigorous examina-
tion, the principal whereof are such as we have already
remarked in the life of Justin martyr, the rest are of an
inferior and more inconsiderable notice. As for his af-
firming that our Lord was near ^ fifty years of age at the
a Volaterr. Comment. Urban. 1. 16, col. 590.
b Loc. citat. c Prsefat. ut supr. d Pracf. in Irscn.
e Cod. CXX. col 301.
f Adv. Hacies. 1. 2. c. 39. p. 192 8t c. 40. ibid.
326 THE LIFE OF ST. IREX.EUS.
time of his public ministry, it was an error into which he
was betrayed partly from a false supposition, that our
Lord must be of a more mature and elderly age, that so
he might deliver his doctrine with the greater authority ;
partly from a mistaken rcport (which he had somewhere
picked up, and it may be from his master Papias) that
St. John and the rest of the apostles had so affirmed and
taught it ; and partly out of opposition to his adver-
saries, who maintained that our Saviour staid no longer
upon earth than till the thirty-first year of his age ;
against whom the eagerness of disputation tempted him
to make good his assertion from any plausible pretence,
and to take the hint (though his impetus^ and the desire
of prosecuting his argument would not give his thoughts
leave to cool, and take the place into solder consideration)
from that question of the Jews to Christ, thou art not yet
fifty years oich <^^c^ ^^^^^ ^^^ou seen Abi'aham ? whence in
transitu he took it for granted that the Jews had sonije
s;round for what they said, and that he must be near
that age.
11. His care to have his writings derived pure and
uncorrupted to posterity was great and admirable, add-
ins: to his book n^^i hySo^s®'^ this solemn and religious ob-
testation ; ^ 1 adjure thee, whoever thou art that shalt
transcribe this book, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by his
glorious coming, wherein he shall judge the quick and the
dead, that thou compare what thou transcribest, and dili-
gently correct it by the copy from whence thou trans-
cribest it, and that thou likewise transcribe this adjuration^
and ajinex it to thy copy. And well had it been with
the ancient writers of the church, had their books been
treated with this care and reverence : more of them had
been conveyed down to us ; at least those few that are,
had arrived more sound and unpolluted. I note no more
(audit is what Eusebius long since thought worth tak-
ing notice of) than that in his time miraculous gifts and
powers were very common in the church. For so he
^ tells us, that some expelled and cast out devils, the per-
g Ap. Euseb. H. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 20. p. 187.
h Adv. Hxres. 1. 2. c. 57 p. CIS. k up. Luseb. I. 5. c. i. p. 171 ^
THE LIEE OF ST. IREN.EUS.
32/
sons ofteli embracing Christianity upon it ; others had
visions and revelations, and foretold things to come ;
some spake all manner of languages, and as occasion
was, discovered men's thoughts and secret purposes, and
expounded the mysteries and deep things of God ;
others miraculously healed the sick, and by laying their
hands upon them restored their health, and many who
raised the dead, the persons so raised living among them
many years after. The gifts (as he speaks) which God
in the name of our crucified Lord then bestowed upon
the church being innumerable, all which they sincerely
and freely improved to the great advantage and benefit
of the world. Whence with just reason he urges the
truth of our religion in general, and how much advan-
tage true Christians had to triumph over all those impos-
tors and seducers, who sheltered themselves under the
venerable title of being Christians.
HIS WRITIXGS.
Extant. Liber de Ogdoade.
Adversus Haereses, Epistola ad Blastum de Schis-
seu mate.
De refiitatione & eversione Ad Florinum de Monarchia,
falsse scienti^, Libri V. sen,
Quod Deus non sit conditor
Not extant. mali, Epistola.
Ad Victorem Episcopum Ro-,
Libellus de Scientia adversus manum de Paschate, Epis-
Gentes. tola.
Demonstratio Apostolicae pr?e- Ad varios Episcopos de eadem
dicationis, ad Marcianum re, Epistolce plures.
fiatrem. Variorum Tractatuum Liber.
THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS,
BISHOP OF ANTIOCH.
The great obscurity of his originals. His learned and ingenuous educa-
tion, and natural parts. An account of his conversion to Christianity,
and the reasons inducing him thereunto, collected out of his own wri-
tings. His scrupling the doctrine of the resurrection. The great
difficulty of entertaining that principle. Synesius his case. Theo-
philus his conquiring this objection. His great satisfaction in the
Christian religion. His election to the bishoprick of Antioch. His
desire to convert Autolycus. Autolycus who. His mighty prejudice
against Christianity. Theophilus's undertaking him, and his free
and impartial debating the case with him. His excellent menage of
the controversy. His vigorous opposing the heresies of those times.
His books against Maricon and Hermogenes. His death, and the time
of it. St. Hicrom's Character of his works. His writings.
1. THOUGH the ancients furnish us with very few
notices concerning this venerable bishop, yet perhaps it
may not be unacceptable to the reader to pick up that
little which may be found. The mistake is not worth
confuting and scarce deserves mentioning, that makes
him the same with that Theophilus of Antioch, to whom
St. Luke dedicates his evangelical writings, so great
the distance of time (if there were nothing more) be-
tween them. Whether he was born at Antioch is un-
certain : but wherever he was born, his parents were
Gentiles, by whom he was brought up in the common
rites of that religion that then governed the world. They
gave him all the accomplishments of a learned and libe*
ral education, and vast improvements he made in the
progress of his studies, so that he was thoroughly versed
* X t
.JO
THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS.
in the writings of all the great masters of learning and
philosophy in the heathen world : which being set oft"
with a quick and a pleasant wit (as appears from his
disputes against the Gentiles) rendered him a man of
no inconsiderable note and account among them.
2. When or by what means converted to Christiani-
ty, is impossible particularly to determine : thus much
only may be gathered from the discourses which he
left behind him. Being a man of an inquisitive tem-
per, and doubtless of a very honest mind, he gave up
himself to a more free and impartial search into the na-
ture and state of things. He found that the account of
things which that religion gave, wherein he was then en-
gaged, was altogether unsatisfactory, that the stories of
their gods were absurd and frivolous, and some of them
prophane and impious, that their rites of worship were
trifling and ridiculous ; he considered the several parts
of the creation, and that excellent providence that govern-
ed the world, wherein he easily descerned the plain notices
of a wife and omnipotent being, and that God had pur-
posely disposed things thus, that his grandeur and ma-
jesty might appear to all. Accordingly he directs his
friend to this method of conviction, as that which doubt-
less he had found most successful and satisfactory to
himself. He bids ^him survey and consider the works
of God, the vicissitude and alteration of the times accord-
ing to their proper seasons, the revolutions of the hea-
venly bodies, the wisely established course of the ele-
ments, the beautiful order and disposition of nights and
days, and months and years, the pleasant and admirable
variety of seeds, plants, and fruits, the manifold genera-
tions of beasts, birds, creeping things, fishes, and the
inhabitants of the watery regions ; the prudent instinct
by which all these creatures are excited to preserve their
kind and nourish their young, and that not for their own
advantage, but for the necessity and pleasure of man-
kind, God by a wise and secret providence having so or-
dained, that all things should be in subjection unto man-
a Ad Av.tolyc.l. 1. p. r2. •
THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS. S3t
And indeed so strangely was he ravished with the consi-
deration of this argument , that he professes ^ that no
man is able duly to describe the singular order &, econo-
my of the creation, no though he had a thousand mouths,
and as many tongues, and were to live in tlie world a
thousand 3^ears, tf'* to iiTsn^fixr^oy ^5756®-, ^ t&v ttaktov -/ a-'i<^Ui tS ©s?, so
incomprehensibly great and unfathomable is that Divine
Wisdom that shines in the works of the creation. Thus
prepared he seems to have betaken himself (and to this
also he advises Autolycus '') to the consideration of other
volumes, the books that contained the religion of the
Christians, especially the writings of the prophets, and
to have weighed the importance of their revelations, the
variety of the persons, the meanness and obscurity of
their education, their exact harmony and agreement, the
certainty of their predictions, and how accurately the
prophecy and the event met together, so that (as he adds**)
whoever would but seriously apply himself to the study
of them, had a way ready open to come to the exact
knowledge of the truth.
3. One thing there was, which he himself^ seems to
intimate, did more especially obstruct his full compliance
with the Christian doctrine, the belief of the resurrec-
tion. He had been brought up in the schools of philo-
sophy, where he had been taught that from a privation
of life there can be no return to the possession of it ;
it is like he could not perceive how men's scattered dust
after so many ages could be recollected, and built up a-
gain into the same bodies. Indeed there is scarce any
principle of the Christian faith, that generally met with
more opposition from the wise and the learned, and which
was more difficultly admitted into their creed. When
S. Paul preached to' the philosophers at Athens, while he
told them of a judgment to come, they made no scruple
to give it entertainment, it being a principle evident by
natural light, till he discoursed of a future resurrection ;
and this they rejected with contempt and scorn, and when
they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked^-,
bibid. 1.2. p. 51. c Ibid. p. 110, in. (1 Ibid. p. 112. e IJb. 1. p T^T
f Acts XVII. 32.
332 THE LIFE OK ST. THEOPHILUS.
and the most grave and sober took time to consider of it ^
others said, we will hear thee again of this matter. And
Synesius himself, that great philosopher, after his being
baptized into the christian religion, when courted by
Theophilus of Alexandria to take upon him the bishop-
rick of Ptolemais, would not yield till he had publicly
entered his dissent to the doctrine of the resurrection^ at
least as to the common explication of the article : he
looked upon it as 'Vv 7/ ^ itVoppxTov, as containing a kind of
sacred and ineffable mystery in it, but could not com-
ply with the vulgar and received opinions. ; being wil-
ling probably to admit it, if he might explain it accord-
ing to the principles of philosophy, and after the Platonic
mode. Though why the incredibility of this article
should stick with any that OAvn a Being of infinite power,
I see not : it being equally easy to Omnipotence (as ''
Athenagoras and others discourse upon this argument)
to restore our scattered parts, and to combine them a-
gain into the same mass, as it was at first to create ihem
out of nothing. But to return to our Theophilus. By
a frequent reflection ' upon the many shadows of a re-
surrection which God had impressed upon the course of
nature, and the standing phenomena of Divine Provi-
dence, he conquered this objection, especially after he
had conversed with, and embraced the holy volumes,
wherein these things were so positively declared and
published. And thus he became a Christian, being baf-
fled and disappointed in all other refuges, he took sanc-
tuary in the church, which (as himself expresses it*')
God has set in the world, like an island in the midst of
the sea,into whose safe and convenient harbours the lovers
of truth might fly, and all those who desired to be saved^
and to escape the judgement and the wrath to come.
And glad was he that he' w^as got thither, rejoicing that
he bore the name of a Christian, to ego<|>/Asc ovo^st, that name
was so dear to God, how much soever otherwise despis-
ed and scorned by an ignorant and evil age.
g Synes. Epist, CV p. 249. vid. Euagr. H. Ecc!. 1. 1. c. 15. p. 273. h De
.esurr. mort. p. 43. i Loc. supr. c tat, k Lib. 2. p. 93, V-4. 1. Vrd. 1. 1. p. 69.
THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS. o36
4. About the year^ CLXIX ("Eutychius refers it to
the sixteenth year of Antoninus's reign) or rather the year
before, his predecessor Eros being dead, he was made
bishop of Antioch, accounted by some the sixth, by oth-
ers the seventh bishop of that see. And neither of them
mistaken, both being true according to different compu-
tations, some reckoning S. Peter the first, while others
beholding him as an apostle, and as acting in a larger
and a more ecumenical sphere than a private bishop, be-
gin the account from Euodius as the first bishop of it.
S. Theophilus thus fixed in his charge, set himself to
promote the true interest and happiness of men, and as
goodness always delights to communicate and diffuse it-
self, he studied to bring over others to that faith which
he had entertained himself. Among the rest he attempt-
ed a person of note, his great friend Autolycus. Who
this Autolycus was we have no account, more than what
is given us by Theophilus himself. ° He was a person
learned and eloquent, curious in all arts and sciences, the
acquist whereof he pursued with so indefatigable a dili-
gence, that he would bury himself among books, and
steal hours for study from his necessary rest, spending
whole nights in libraries, and in conversing whh the mo-
numents of the dead. But withal a Gentile, ^' infinitely
zealous for his religion, and unreasonably prejudiced a-
gainst Christianity, which he cried out of as the highest
folly and madness, and loaded with all the common char-
ges and calumnies which either the wit or malice of those
times had invented to make it odious, and for the defence
and vindication whereof he had bitterly quarrelled w^ith
Theophilus. This notwithstanding, he is not affrighted
from undertaking him, but treats him with all the freedom
and ingenuity that became a friend and a philosopher,
tells '^ him that the cause w\is in himself, why he did not
discern and embrace the truth, that his wickedness and
impieties had depraved his mind, and darkened his un-
derstanding, and that men w^re not to blame the sun for
m Euseb. Chron.eod. anno, n Anna!, p. 359. o Theoph. I o n. 119.
p Ibid. 1. 2. p. 80. qlbid. I. l.p.70.
334 THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS.
want of light, when themselves were blind and wanted
eyes to see it ; that the rust and soil must be wiped oiF
from the glass before it would make a true and clear re-
presentation of the object ; and that God would not dis-
cover himself, but to purged and prepared minds, and
such who by innocency and a divine life were become fit
and disposed to receive and entertain him. Then he ex-
plains to him the nature of God, and gives him an ac-
count of the origin of the world according to the Chris-
tian doctrine, disproves and derides the ridiculous deities
of the heathens, and particularly answers those black im-
putations usually laid upon the Christians ; and because
Autolycus had mainly urged the lateness and novelty of
the Christian faith, he shows at large how much superi-
or it was in many parts of it in point of seniority, and
that by many ages, to any thing which the heathen reli-
gion could pretend to : pressing him at every turn to
comply with so excellent a religion, and assuring him
the "" people whom he invited him to, were so fcU* from
being such as he represented them, that they lived under
the conduct of modesty and sobriety, temperance and
chastity, banished injustice, and rooted up all .vice and
wickedness, loved righteousness, lived under law and
rule, exercised a divine religion, acknowledged God,
served the truth, were under the preservation of grace
and peace, directed by a sacred word, taught by wisdom,
rewarded by a life immortal, and governed by God him-
self. What the issue of his discourses was, we cannot tell,
but may probably hope they had the desired success, es-
pecially since we find * Autolycus after the first confer-
ence a little more favourable to the cause, abating of his
conceived displeasure against Theophilus, and desiring
ofhim a further account of his religion. And certainly
if wisdom and eloquence, if strength of reason, and a
prudent management of the controversy were able to do
it, he could not well fail of reclaiming the man from his
error and idolatry.
5. Nor was he more solicitous to gain others to the
faith, than he was to keep those who already had em»
r Lib. 3- p. 127. s Lib. 2. p. 80
THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS. 335
braced it from being infected and depraved with er-
rour. For which cause he continually stood upon his
guard, faithfully gave warning of the approach of here-
sy, and vigorously set himself against it. For notwith-
standing the care and vigilance of the good and pious
men of those days (as ^Eusebius observes) envious men
crept in, and sowed tares among the sincere apostolic
doctrine : so that the pastors of the church were forced
to rise up in every place, and to set themselves to drive
away these wild beasts from Christ's sheep-fold, partly
by exhorting and warning the brethren, partly by en-
tering the lists with the heretics themselves, some per-
sonally disputing with, and confuting them, others accu-
rately convincing and refuting their opinions by the books
which they wrote against them. Among whom he tells
us was our Theophilus, who conflicted with these here-
tics, and particularly wrote against Marcion, vv^ho assert-
ed tw o deities, and that the soul only, as being the di-
vine and better part, and not the body, was capable of
the happiness of the other world, and this too granted to
none but his followers, with many such impious and fond
opinions. Another book he wrote against Hermogenes,
one better skilled in painting, than drawing schemes of
new divinity. He forsook the church, and fled to the sto-
ics, and being tinctured with their principles maintained
matter to be eternal, out of which God created all things,
and that all evils proceeded out of matter, asserting
moreover (as Clemens of Alexandria" informs us) that
our Lord's body was lodged in the sun, ridiculously in-
terpreting that place, in them hath he set a tabernacle for
the Sim, Nor did our Theophilus neglect the weak and
younger part of the charge, he had not only physic for
the sick, and strong meat for them of full age, but milk
for babes, and such as were yet unskilful in the -word of
righteousness, composing many catechetic discourses,
that contained the first rudiments of the faith.
tH. Eccl. 1 4. c, ?4. p. 146. u In excerpt. Grzc. Theo, ap, cl. Alex. p.
808. D.
536 THE LIFE OF ST. THEOPHILUS.
6. He sat thirteen years "in his bishoprick, (XXL says
the Patriarch of Alexandria"') and died about the second
or third year of the emperour Commodus, for that he
out Uved M. Antoninus, is evident from his mentioning
his'' death and the time of his reign in his discourses with
Autolycus, after which he composed those discourses,
but what kind of death it was, whether natural or vio-
lent, is to me unknown. From the calmness and tran»
quiUity of Commodus's reign, as to any persecution
against the Christians, we may probably guess it to have
been a peaceable and quiet death. Books he wrote ma-
ny, whereof ^St Hierom gives this character, that they
were elegant tracts, and greatly conducive to the edifica-
tion of the church. And further adds, that he had met
with commentaries upon the gospel and the proverbs of
Solomon, bearing his name, but which seemed not to
answer his other writings in the elegancy and politeness
of the style.
HIS WRITINGS.
Extant. Libri aliquot Catechetici.
Ad Autolycum Libri IIL Doubtful.
Not Extant. Commentarii in Evangelium.
Contra H^resin Hermogenis. Commentarii in Proverbia
Adversus Marcionem. Solomonis.
V NJceph. C. P. Chronograph, ap. Scalig. p. 311.
w Eutych. Annal. p. 359. x Ad Autol. I. 3, p. 138. y Hieron. de
Script, in Theoph.
THE LIFE OF ST. MELITO,
BISHOP OF SARDIS.
His country and birth-place. His excellent parts and learning. His
being made bishop of Sardis. His celibacy His prophetic gifts. The
persecution under Marcus Aurelius. Melito his apology for the
Christians. A fragment of it cited out of Eusebius. The great advan-
tages of Christianity to the empire. His endeavour to compose the
Paschal controversy. His book concerning that subject. His journey
to Jerusalem to search what books of the Old Testament were received
by that church. The copy of his letter to his brother Onesimus con-
cerning the canon of the Old Testament. What books admitted by
the ancient church. Solomon's Proverbs styled by the ancients the
Book of Wisdom. His death and burial. The great variety of his
works. Unjustly suspected of dangerous notions. An account given
of the titles of two of his books most liable to suspicion. His writings
enumerated.
1. ST. MELITO was born in Asia, and probably
at Sardis, the metropolis of Lydia, a great and ancient
city, the seat of the Lydian kings ; it was one of the
seven churches to which St. John wrote epistles, and
wherein he takes notice of some that durst own and stand
up for God and religion in that great degeneracy that
was come upon it. He was a man of admirable parts,
enriched with the furniture of all useful^earnlng, acute
and eloquent, but especially conversant in the paths of
divine knowledge, having made deep inquiries into all
the more uncommon parts and speculations of the Chris-
tian doctrine. He was for his singular eminency and
usefulness chosen bishop of Sardis^ though we can-.
IT n
JJ8 IHK LIFE OF ST. MELITO.
not exactly define the time, which, were I to conjecture^
1 should guess it about the latter end of iVntoninus Pius's
• reign, or the beginning of his successor's. He filled up
all the parts of a very excellent governor and guide of
souls, whose good he was careful to advance both by
Avord and WTiting. Which that he might attend with
less solicitude and distraction, he not only kept himself
within the compass of a single life, but was more than or-
dinarily exemplary for his chastity and sobriety, his self-
denial and contempt of the world ; upon which account
he is by Polycrates bishop of Ephesus "" styled an eu-
nuch, that is, in our Saviour's explication, one of those,
who make themselves eunuchs for the Jdngdom of heaven'' s
sake ; who, for the service of Religion, and the hopes of
a better life> are content to deny themselves the comforts
of a married state, and to renounce even the lawful plea-
sures of this world. And God, who delights to multiply
his grace upon pious and holy souls, cro\\'ned his other
virtues with the gift of prophecy, for so '' Tertullian tells
us, that he was accounted by the orthodox Christians as
a prophet, and Polycratas says "^ of him, that he did h iym
TrnvfjLaii TrdvrA Trcxiriuicr^xi, was iu all thiugs govcmed aud di-
rected by the afflatus and suggestion of the Holy Ghost.
Accordingly in the catalogue '^ of his writings we find one
^c^i TTOKCnUi, >: ■■ors^^^nTT'h, of the right way of livhigj and con-
cerning prophets, and another concerning prophecy.
2. It was about the year CLXX. and the tenth "" of M.
Antoninus, (Ins brother L. W^rus, having died the year
before of an apoplexy, as he sat in his chariot) when
the persecution grew high against the Christians, greedy
and malicious men taking occasion from the imperial
edicts lately published, by all the methods of cruelty and
rapine to oppress and spoil innocent Christians. Where-
upon as others, so especially ^ St. Melito presents an
apology and hmnble supplication in their behalf to the
emperor, wherein, among other things, he thus bespeaks
him. " If these things, sir, be done by your order, let
a Ap. Euseb. 1. 5. c. 24. p. 191. b Ap. Hieron. de Script, in Melit.
c Loc. siipr. citat. d Ap Euseb. I. 4. c 26. p. 147.
e Euseb. Chron. :id Ann. CLXXI. f Eutitb. H. Eccl. loc. supr. citat.
THE LIFE OF ST. MELTrO. 339
them be thought well done. For a righteous prince will
not at any time command what is unjust ; and we shall
not think much to undergo the award of such a death....
This only request we beg, that yourself would please
first to examine the case of these resolute persons, and
then impartially determine, whether the}* deserve pun-
ishment and death, or safety and protection. But if this
new edict and decree, which ought not to have been pro-
claimed against the most barbarous enemies, did not
come out with yom' cognizance and consent, we humbly
pray^ and that with the greater importunity, that you
would not suffer us to be any longer exposed to this
public rapine."
3. After this he put him in mind how much the em-
pire had prospered since the rise of Christianity, and that
none but the worst of his predecessors had entertained
an implacable spite against the Christians. " This new
sect of philosophy (says he) which we profess, hereto-
fore flourished among the barbarians (by which probably
he means the Jews.) Afterwards under the reign of Au-
gustus, your predecessor, it spread itself over the pro-
vinces of your eiTpire, commencing with a happy omen
to it : since which time the majesty and greatness of the
Roman empire hath mightily increased, whereof you are
the wished-for heir and successor, and together with
your son shall sc continue, especially while you pro-
tect that religion, ivhich began with Augustus, and grew
up together with the empire, and for which youY prede-
cessors had togetlier with other rites of worship, some
kind of reverence and regard. Anel that our religion,
which was bred up with the prosperity of the empire,
was born for public good, there is this great argument
to convince you, tiat since the reign of Augustus there
has no considerable mischief happened ; but on the con-
trary all things according to every one's desire have fallen
out glorious and successful. None but Nero and Do-
mitian, instigated by cruel and ill-minded men, have at-
tempted to reproach and calumniate our religion ;
whence sprang the common slanders concerning us, the
injudicious vulgar, greedily entertaining such reports
S40 THE LIFE OF ST. MELITO.
without any strict examination. But your parents of re-
ligious memory gave a check to this ignorance and injus-
tice, by frequent rescripts reproving those who made
any new attempts in this matter. Among whom was
your grandfather Adrian, who wrote, as to several others,
so to Fundanus the proconsul of Asia ; and your father,
at what time yourself was colleague mth him in the em-
pire, wrote to several cities (particvflitjly to Larissaea,
Thessalonica, Athens, and all the cities of Greece) that
they should not create any new disttirbance about this
affair. And for yourself, who have Jie same opinion of
us which they had, and a great deal better, more becom-
ing a good man and a philosopher, w^rt promise ourselves
that you will grant all our petitions aird requests." An
address managed with great prudeiice and ingenuous
freedom, and which striking in with mher apologies pre-
sented about the same time, did not a little contribute to
the general quiet and prosperity of C^uiytians.
4. Nor was he so wholly swallowed tip with care for
the general peace of Christians, as tcneglect the parti
cular good of his own, or neighbour ihurches. During
the government of Servilius Paulus proconsul of Asia,
Sagaris bishop of Laodicea had suft red martyrdom in
the late persecution , ^ at what tirrx tjie controversy
about the paschal solemnity was hotl;» ventilated in that
church, some, strangers probably, u'ging the observa-
tion of the festival according to the Roman usage cele-
brating it upon the Lord's day, contrary to the custom
of those churches, who had ever kept it upon the four-
teenth day of the moon, according to the manner of the
Jews. For the quieting of which contention Melito pre-
sently wrote two books trt^i tS u^^x* cmcernmg the pass-
over^ wherein no doubt he treated at large of the cele-
bration of Easter according to the observacion of the
Asian churches, and therefore Polycrates, in his letter to
pope Victor particularly reckons ^ Saj^aris and Melito,
among the chief champions of the cau:^. This Paschal
g Ipse Milet. ap. Euseb. 1. 4. c.26. p. 147.
\ Ap. Euseb. 1. 5. c. 24. p. 191.
THE LIFE OF ST. MELITO. 341
book of St. Melito was mentioned also by * Clemens of
Alexandria in a tract concerning the same subject,
wherein he confesses that he was moved to that under-
taking by the discourse which Melito had published
upon that subject.
5. How unwearied is true goodness and a love to
souls ! how willing to digest any difficulties, by which
another's happiness may be advanced ! his brother One-
simus had desired of him to remark such passages of
the Old Testament as principally made for the confir-
mation of the Christian religion, and to let him knov/
how many of those books were admitted into the holy
canon. Wherein that he might at once thoroughly sa-
tisfy both his brother and himself, he took a journey on
purpose into the East, that is, I suppose, to Jerusalem,
where he was likeliest to receive full satisfaction in this
matter, and where having informed himself, he gave his
brother at his return an account of it. The letter itself,
because but short, and containing so authentic an evi-
dence what books of the Old Testament were received
by the ancient church, we shall here subjoin.
Melito to his brother Onesimiis, greeting.
FORASMUCH as out of your great love to and de-
light in the holy scriptures, you have oft desired me to
collect such passages out of the law and the prophets as
relate to our Saviour and the several parts of our Chris-
tian faith, and to be certainly informed of the books of
the Old Testament, how many in number, and in what
order they were written, I have endeavoured to comph'
with your desires in this affair. For I know your great
zeal and care concerning the faith, and how much you
desire to be instructed in matters of religion, and espe-
cially out of your love to God how infinitely you prefer
these above all other things, and are solicitous about
your eternal salvation. In order hereunto I travelled
into the East, and being arrived at the place where these
i Ap. Euseb. ubi supr.p. 147.
342 THE LIFE OF ST. MELITO. ,
tilings were done and published, and having accurately
informed myself of the books of the old testament, I
have sent you the following account. The five books
of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deu-
teronomy, Jesus or Joshua the son of Nun ; Judges,
Ruth ; the four books of Kings. Two books of Chroni-
cles. The Psalms of David. The Proverbs, of Solomon,
which is Wisdom; Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, Job.
The Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the twelve [wzi/zor] pro
phets in one book. Daniel, Ezekiel : Esdras or Ezra.
Out of all which I have made collections, which I have
digested into sixbooks.
6. In which catalogue we may observe the book
of Esther is omitted, as it is also by *^St. Athanasius,
^Gregory Nazianzen, and "'Leontius, in their enumera-
tion of the books of the holy canon: though for what
reason is uncertain, unless (as "Sixtus Senensis, not im-
probably conjectures) because it was not in those times
looked upon as of such unquestionable credit and au-
thority as the rest ; the spurious additions at the end of
it causing the whole book to be called in question. Nor
is here any particular mention made of Nehemiah, pro-
bably because it was anciently comprehended under that
of Esdras. And by that of Wisdom we see is not meant
the apocryphal book, called the Wisdom of Solomon (as
Bellarmine ''and most writers of that church confidently
enough assert) but his proverbs, of which ^'Eusebius ex-
pressly tells us, that not only Hegesippus but Irenaeus,
and all the ancients were wont to call the Proverbs of So-
lomon by the name of wisdom, 7rsivǤs7o> Cj^^itv,, a wisdom
containing a system of all kind of virtues. And indeed
that Melito in this place could mean no other, the words
of his letter as restored by Valesius(22x^Vw^ cra^ci^/^t/, 5^ sc^**)
according to Nicephorus's quotation, and the faith of
all the best and most ancient manuscrips, puts the case
beyond all peradventure.
V. At last this good man, broken with infinite pains
and labours, and wearied with the inquietudes of a trou-
k Synops. 5. Script, p 471. I Carm. XXXIII p. 98. Tom. 2. td Sect.
Act. II. p. 408. n Biblioth. S. 1. 1. p. 5. o De Script, Eccl. in Mclit. ad
Aun. 150. p Lib. 4. c. 22. p. 143.
THE LIFE OF ST. MELITO. 343
blesome world, retreated to the place of rest. The time
and manner of his death is unknown ; this only we find
"^that he died, and lies buried at Sardis, waiting T«vaVo roZ
i^rtvm iT/sr>to^«v the episcopal visitation from heaven, when our
Lord shall come and raise him up from the dead. He
was a man, besides the piety of his mind, and the strict-
ness and innocency of his life, of great parts and learn-
ing, he had elegans et declamatorium ingenium, as "^Ter-
tullian said of him, a smart elegant wit, able to represent
things with their most proper aggravations. He wrote
books almost in all kinds of subjects, divine, moral, and
philosophical, the monuments of no less industry than
learning, which are all long since lost, some very few
fragments only excepted. I know there are that sus-
pected him to have had notions less orthodox about
some of the great principles of religion : which I confess
seems to me a most uncharitable and unjust reflection upon
so holy and so good a man, especially seeing the conjec-
ture is founded upon the mere titles of some of his books,
none of the books themselves being extant, and of those
titles a fair account might be given to satisfy any sober
and impartial man ; there being but two that can be
liable to exception, the one Ui^i haajuctm e^i, de Deo, not
Corpore, (however ^'J^'heodoret, and as it seems from ori-
gen, understands it) but Corporato) as Tertullian would
express it) de Deo corpere im/uto, as Rufinus of old trans-
lated it, concerning God clothed with a body, or the
zvord made jlesh ; the other ns^i x7<Vjct? (most copies read
^iVfac) /; yinTio,^ x^/rS, of thc crcatiou and generation of Christ.
Where admit it to have been yCii^no,,, creation, he alluded I
doubt not to that of Solomon, the Lord possessed, uii^-.,
created me in the beginning of his way. And evident it
is, that before the rise of the Arian controversies the
fathers' used the word for any manner of production, and
q Polycrat. Ep. ap. Eiiseb. ubi p. 191. r Apud Hieron. de Script, in Melit.
S 'fly sit} 4 Uihiru^Ti avyy^ctfxiAula. kxtsw.httuk, -nrip) ^ h^d/xxlov ilvsiv TiV 0jov.
Theod. Qiiest. XX. in Genes. Tom. 1. pag-. 21.
/^t dfxnv oSm duT^ ii; i^ya. Constit. Apost, 1, 5. c. 19. col. 370. Cxterumne
tunc quidem solus; habc bat enim secum, quern liabebat in semetipso, ratio-
nem suam scilicet : banc Graci >>^t,. dicunt.— Iiaque Sophiam quoq ; exaud:
344
THE LIFE OF ST. MELITO.
usually understand that place of Solomon of the ineffable
generation of the Son of God.
HIS WRITINGS,
None whereof are now extant.
De Paschate, Libri II.
De recta vivendi ratione,& de
Prophetis, liber unus.
De Ecclesia.
De die Dominica.
De Natura Hominis.
De Creatione.
De obedientia sensuum fidei.
De Anima, & corpore, & mente.
De Lavacro.
De Veritate.
De fide [Creatione] & Genera-
tione Christi.
De Prophetia.
De Hospitalitate.
Liber Clavis dictus,
De Diabolo.
De Joannis Apocalypsi. "
De Incarnatione Dei.
Apologia ad Imp. Antoninum.
Exerptorum ex libris Veteris
Testamenti, Libri VI.
ut secundnm personam condltam. Prlmo, Dominus creavit me initum vjarum
in opera sua, &c. nam ut primum Deus voluit ea quae cum Sophiae ratione Sc
sermone disposuerat intra se, ipsum primum protuUt sermonem. — Haec est na-
tivitas perfecta sermonis, dum ex deo procedit : conditns abeo primum ad co-
gitatum in nomine Sophise, Dominus condidit me initium viarum. Tertul adv.
Prax. c. 5, 6, 7. p. 203. ubi plura.
THE LIFE OF ST. PANT^NUS
CATECHIST OF ALEXANDRIA.
The various conjectures concerning his origin. The probabilities of his
Jewish descent, what. Whether born in Sicily or at Alexandria. His
first institution. The famous Platonic school erected by Ammonius at
Alexandria. The renown of that place for other parts of learning. Pan-
taenus addicted to a sect of the Stoics. The principles of that sect show-
ed to agree best with the dictates of Christianity. His great improve-
ments in the Christian doctrine. The catechetic school at Alexan-
dria, with its antiquity. Pant^enus made regent of it. When he first
entered upon this office. An embassy from India to the bishop of Alex-
andria for some to preach the Christian faith. Pantaenus sent upon
this errand. This country where situate. His arrival in India, and
converse with the Brachmans. Their temper, principles, and way of
life. Their agreement with the Stoics. Foot steps of Christianity
formerly planted there. St. Matthew's Hebrew gospel found among
them and brought by Pantxnus to Alexandria. How far and by whom
Christianity was propagated in India afterwards. PantJenus's return
to Alexandria, and resuming his catechetic office. His death. His
great piety and learning.
1. THE silence of antiquity as to the country and
kindred of this excellent person has administered to va-
riety of conjectures concerning his origin. Some con-
ceive him to have been born of Jewish parents, and they
of note and quality, for * Clemens Alexandrinus, reck-
oning up his tutors, tells us that one (whom he names
last) was of Palestine, an Hebrew of very long descent;
and then adds, that having found the last (meaning, say
some, the last of those whom he had reckoned up) though
a Stromat. 1. 1. p. 274
X X
346 THE LIFE OF ST. PANTtENUS.
he justly deserved to be placed first, after which he had
with infinite diligence and curiosity hunted him out in
Egypt, where he lay obscure, he sat down under his
discipline and institution. This person^ Eusebius plain-
ly supposes to have been our Pantasnus ; and that he in-
tended him in the latter clause there is no cause to doubt,
the former only is ambiguous, it not being clear, whe-
ther the latter sentence be necessarily connected and
joined to the former, or that he designed any more, than
to intimate the last master he addressed to, as distinct
from those he had named before. And this I am the ra-
ther inclined to think, because whoever considerately
weighs Clemens's period, will find that by his Hebrew or
Palestine master, he means one of the two whom he
heard in the east, whereas Pantaenus was his master in
Egypt, whom he both found and heard there. "" Others
make him born in Sicily, because Clemens in the fol-
lowing words styles him, a truly Sicilian bee : but whe-
ther there may not be something proverbial in that ex-
pression even as it relates to Sicily, I shall not now in*
quire. However it is certain that the inhabitants of that
island were generally Greeks, that many eminent philo-
sophers were born, or resided there, and particularly the
famous Porphyry, who had retired hither for some years,
and here wrote his virulent books against the Chris-
tians. Let this then stand for his country, till something
more probable offer itself, unless we w ill say, that being
descended of Sicilian ancestors, he was born at Alexan-
dria, the place of his education.
2. His younger years were seasoned with all learned
and philosophical studies, under the best masters which
Alexandria (for there I presume to place his education)
afforded, at that time a noted staple place of learning.
As Egypt had in all ages been famous for the choicest
parts of literature, and the more uncommon speculations
of theology, so more especially Alexandria, where*there
b H. Eccl. L5, c. 11. p. 175, 176. c^Vales. Annot. in Euseb. p. 96.
THE LIEE OF ST. PANTiENUS. 347
were professors in all arts and sciences, and public schools
of institution, not a little advantaged by that noble libra-
ry, placed here by Ptolomy Philadelphus, and so much
celebrated by the ancients. In after-times here was a
fixed and settled succession of philosophers :n the Plato-
nic school, begun by Ammonius Saccas and carried on
by Photinusand Origen, and their successors for several
ages. ^ Ammianus Marcellinus tells us that in his time,
though not so famous as formerly, yet in some good de-
gree it still maintained its reputation, and that all ingenu-
ous arts and methods of recondite learning, and celebra-
ted professors of all sorts flourished here, and that it was
enough to recommend a physician to public notice, if he
had studied at Alexandria. Nay, many ages after him^
Benjamin the Jew^ at his being there, found near twenty
several schools of Aristotelians (the only men that then
ruled the chair) whither men flocked from all parts of
the world to learn the Peripatetic philosophy.
3. Among all the sects of philosophy he principally
applied himself ^ to the Stoics, with whose notions and
rules of life he was most enamoured ; and no wonder,
seeing (as St. Hierom ^ observes) their dogmata in many
things come nearest to the doctrines of Christianity. As
indeed they do, especially as to the moral and practical
part of their principles. They held that nothing was
good but what was just and pious, nothing evil but what
w^as vicious and dishonest : that a bad man could never
be happy, nor a good man miserable, who was always
free, generous, and dear to heaven ; that the deity was
perpetually concerned for human affairs, and that there
was a wise and powerful providence that particularly su-
perintended the happiness of mankind, and was ready to
assist men in all lawful and virtuous undertakings ; that
therefore this God was above all things to be admired,
adored, and worshipped, prayed to, acknowledged, obey-
ed, praised, and that it is the most comely and reasona-
ble thing in the world, that we should universally sub-
d Lib. 22. noti longe a fin. p. 1638. e Itiner p. 12J. f Euseb. I 5. c, 10,
'i^^S. g Com. in Esa. c. 11. p. 49. Tom. 5.
348 THE LIFE OF ST. PANT^ENUS.
niit to his will, and dvtBikQt.a^ai \^ ox«? ^ -^v/Jn^ i"** £vfxC:Li,n\r^.'?rh':(t.t
cheerfully embrace with all our souls all the issues
and determinations of his providence ; that we ought not
to think it enough to be happy alone, but that it is our
duty «To K^fiU, 0/xm, to love men from the very heart, to
jelieve and help them, advise and assist them, and
contribute what is in our power to their welfare and safe-
ty, and this not once or twice, but throughout the whole
life, and that unbiasedly, without any little designs of ap-
plause, or advantage to ourselves ; that nothing should
be equally dear to a man as honesty and virtue, and that
this is the first thing he should look at, whether the thing
he is going about be good or bad, and the part of a good
or wicked man, and if excellent and virtuous, that he
ought not to let any loss or damage, torment, or death it-
self deter him from it. And whoever runs over the wri-
tings of Seneca, Antoninus, Epictetus, Arrian, &c. will
find these, and a great many more, claiming a very near
kindred with the main rules of life prescribed in the
Christian faith. And what wonder if Pantasnus was in
love with such generous and manly principles, which he
liked so well, that as he always retained the title of the
Stoic philosopher, so for the main he owned the profes-
sion of that sect, even after his being admitted to emi-
nent offices and employments in the Christian Church.
4. By whom he was instructed in the principles of the
Christain religion, I find not ; *" Photius tells us that he
was scholar to those who had seen the apostles, though
I cannot allow of what he adds, that he had been an audi-
tor of some of the apostles themselves, his great distance
from their times rendering it next door to impossible.
But whoever were his tutors, he made such vast profici-
encies in his learning, that his singular eminency quickly
recommended him to a place of great trust and honour in
the churchjto be master of the catechetic school at Alex-
andria, For there were not only academies and schools
of human literature, but an ecclesiastical school for the
training persons up in divine knowledge and the first
hCod.CXVHI,col.29r,
THE LIFE OF ST. PANT^NUS. 349
principles of Christianity : and this €| de,x^i^ '«9«?. says * Eur
sebius, of very ancie?it custom^ from the very times of St.
Mark (says '^ St. Hierom) the first planter of Christiani-
ty and bishop of that place. From whose time there had
been a constant succession of catechists in that school,
which Eusebius tells us, continued in his time, and was
managed by men famous for eloquence and the stud}/ of
divine things. The fame and glory of Pantaenus did a-
bove all others at that time design him for this place, ia
which he accordingly succeeded, and that (as * Eusebius
intimates) about the beginning of Commodus's reign,
when Julian entered upon the see of Alexandria, for a-
bout that time (says he) he became governour of the
school of the faithful there. And whereas others before
him had discharged the place in a more private way, he
made the school more open and public, freely teaching all
that addressed themselves to him. In this employment he
continued without intermission the whole time of Julian
(who sat ten years) till under his successor he was des-
patched upon a long and dangerous journey, whereof
this the occasion.
5. Alexandria was Trownv^paTrorATH Trttam iroKt? (as the orator
^ styles it) one of the most populous and frequented ci-
ties in the world, whither there was a constant resort not
only of neighbour nations but of the most remote and
distant countries, Ethiopians, Arabians, Bactrians, Scy-
thians, Persians, and even Indians themselves. It hap-
pened that some Indian ambassadors (whether sent for
this particular purpose is not certain) entreated " Deme-
trius,then bishop of Alexandria,to send some worthy and
excellent person along with them to preach the faith in
those countries. None appeared qualified for this errand
like Pantenus, a grave man, a great philosopher, incom-
parably furnished with both divine and secular learning.
Him Demetrius persuades to undertake the embassy ;
and though he could not but be sufficiently apprehensive
that he quitted a pleasant and delightful country, a place
i Lac. supr citat. k De script, in Pantaen. I Cap. 9, &. 10. ut supr,
m Dion. Chrj sto-. Orat. XXXII. p. 375. vld. p 37.5,
n Hieron. de Script, ubi. supr.
sm THE LIFE OF ST. PANT^NUS.
where he was beloved and honoured by all with a just es-
teem and reverence, and that he ventured upon a journey
where he must expect to encounter with dangers and
hardships, and the greatest difficulties and oppositions,
yet were all these easily conquered by his insatiable desire
to propagate the Christian religion, even to the remotest
corners of the world. For there were many evangelical
preachers even at that time (as ° Eusebius adds upon this
occasion) who inflamed with a divine and holy zeal, in
imitation of the apostles were willing to travel up and
down the world for enlarging the bounds of Christianity,
and building men up on die most holy faith. What In-
dia this was to which Pantaenus, and after him Frumen-
tins (for that they both went to the same country, is
highly probable) was despatched, is not easy to deter-
mine. There are, and they men of no inconsiderable note,
that conceive it was not the Oriental, but African India,
conterminous to Ethiopia, or rather a part of it. These
Indians were a colony and plantation derived at first out
of the east. For so ^ Eusebius tells us, that in the more
early ages the ^Ethiopians quitting the parts about the
river Indus, sat down near Egypt. Whence '^ Philostra-
tus expressly styles the ^Ethiopians, a colony of Indians,
as "" elsewhere he calls them yiv®' 'hSiKov, an Indian genera-
tion. The metropolis of this country was Axumis, of
which Frumentius is afterwards said to be ordained bi-
shop by Athanasius. An opinion, which I confess my-
self very inclinable to embrace, and should without any
scruple comply with^ did not ' Eusebius expressly say,
that Pant^nus preached the gospel to the eastern nations,
and came as far as to India itself. A passsage, which
how it can suit with the African India, and the countries
that lie so directly south of Egypt, I am not able to ima-
gine. For which reason we have elsewhere fixed it in
the east. Nor is there any need to send them as far as
India intra Gangem, there are places in Asia nearer hand,
and particularly some parts of Arabia that anciently pas-
o Loc.citat. p Chron. ad An. Abrah, CCCCIV. q Vit. Appollon. I.
6. c. 8. p. 287. r Ibid. I. 3 . c. 6. p. 125. s Hist. EgcI. ubi supr.
THE LIFE OF ST. PANT^NUS. 351^
sed under that name, whence the Persian gulf is some-
times called the Indian sea. But let the judicious rea-
der determine as he please in this matter.
6. Being arrived in India, he set himself to plant the
Christian faith in those parts, especially conversing with
the ^Brachmans, the sages and philosophers of those
countries, whose principles and way of life seemed
more immediately to dispose them for the entertainment
of Christianity. Their children as soon as born they
committed to nurses, and then to guardians according to
their different ages, who instructed them in principles ac-
cording to their capacities and improvements : they were
educated with all imaginable severity of discipline, not
suffered so much as to speak or spit, or cough, while
their masters were discoursing to them, and this till they
were seven and thirty years of age."" They were infi-
nitely strict and abstemious in their diet, eat no flesh,
drank no wine or strong drink, feeding only upon wild
acorns, and such roots as nature furnish them withal,
and quenching their thirst at the next spring or river, and,
abstaining from all other lawful pleasures and delights.
They adored no images, but sincerely worshipped God,
to whom they continually prayed, and instead of the
custom of those eastern nations of turning to the east,
they devoutly lift up their eyes to heaven, and while they
drew near to God, took a peculiar care to keep them-
selves from being defiled with any vice or wickedness,
spending a great part both of night and day in hymns
and prayers to God. They accounted themselves the
most free and victorious people, having hardened their
bodies against all external accidents, and subdued in
their minds all irregular passions and desires. Gold
and silver they despised, as that which could neither
quench their thirst nor allay their hunger, nor heal their
t Hieron. Epist. ad Magn. Orat. p. 327. Tom. 2.
u De Brachman. morib. & instit. vid. inter alios Alexand. Polyb. de reb. In-
die, ap. Clem. Alex. Stromat. I. 3. p. 451. Strab. Geogr. I. 15. p. 712. Barde-
san. Syr. I. de fat. ap. Euseb, Prsep, Evang. 1. 6. c. 10. p. 275. Plutarc!i de vit.
Alexand. p. 701. Porphyr. ns§. o.ttq'x}:;, 1. 4. § 17, IB. p. 167. SiC. Pallad. de
Bragman. p. 8, 9, 15, 16, 17. Tract, de Grig. & Morib. Brachman, inter Am-
bi'osii oper.ad Calc.Tom 5. Suidin voc. B§«;^**stvi;, p. 578,
352 THE LIFE OF ST. PANTiENUS.
wounds, nor cure their distempers, nor serve any real
and necessary ends of nature, but only minister to vice
and luxury, to trouble and inquietude, and set the mind
upon racks and tenters. They looked upon none of the
little accidents of this world to be either good or evil,
frequently discoursed concerning death, which they
maintained to hQy'-n^ivuiTovovTm/^iov, a being born into a
real and happy life, and in order whereunto they made
use of the present time only as a state of preparation
for a better life. In short, they seemed in most things
to conspire and agree with the stoics, whom therefore of
all other sects they esteemed to be Myw^iKo^^:<piii, ^the
most excellent philosophers ; and upon that account
could not but be somewhat the more acceptable to Pan-
tsenus, who had so thoroughly imbibed all the wise and
rational principles of that institution.
7. What success he had in these parts, we are not par-
ticularly told. Certainly his preaching could not want
some considerable effect, especially where persons were
by the rules of their order, and the course of their life so
well qualified to receive it, and that too where christinity
had been heretofore planted, though now overgrown with
weeds and rubbish for want of due care and culture. For
he met with several"^ that retained the knowledge of
Christ, preached here long since by St. Bartholomew
the apostle (as we have elsewhere showed in his life)
whereof not the least evidence was his finding St. Mat-
thew's gospel \\Titten in Hebrew, which St. Bartholo-
mew had left at his being there, and which Pantasnus
(as St. Hierom informs us, though I question whether it
be any more than his own conjecture) brought back
with him to Alexandria, and there no doubt laid it up
as an inestimable treasure. And as our philosopher
succeeded in the labours of St. Bartholomew in these
Indian plantations, so another afterwards succeeded in
his, an account whereof, to make the story more entire,
the reader I presume, will not think it impertinent, if I
V Pallad. de Brachman. p. 52. w Euseb. 1. 5, c. 10. p. 175. Hier. de
Script, in PaiUserio
THE LIFE OF ST. PANT.i^NUS. 553
here insert. ''^Edesius and Frumentius, two youths of
Tyre, accompanied Meropius the philosopher into In-
dia, where being taken by the natives, they were pre-
sented to the king of the country, who pleased with their
persons and their parts, made one of them his butler,
the other (Frumentius) the keeper of his records, or as
Sozomen will have it, his treasurer and major-domo,
committing to his care the goverment of his house.
For their great diligence and fidelity the king at his death
gave them their liberty, who thereupon determined to
return to their own country, but were prevailed with by
the queen to stay, and superintend affairs during the
minority of her son. Which they did, the main of the
government being in the hands of Frumentius, who, as-
sisted by some Christian merchants that trafficked there,
built an oratory, where they assembled to worship God
according to the rites of Christianity, and instructed se-
veral of the natives, who joined themselves to their as-
seml^ly. The young king, now of age, Frumentius re»
signed his trust, and begged leave to return ; which be-
ing with some difficulty obtained, they presently depart-
eci, /Edesius going for Tyre, while Frumentius went to
Alexandria, where he gave Athanasius, then bishop of
that place, an account of the whole affiiir, showing him
what hopes there were that the Indians would come over
to the faith of Christ, withal begging of him, to send a
bishop and some clergymen among them, and not to ne-
glect so fair an opportunity of advancing their salvation.
Athanasius, having advised with his clergy, persuaded
Frumentius to accept the office, assuring him he had
none fitter for it than himself. Which was done accord-
ingly, and Frumentius being made bishop, returned
back into India, where he preached the Christian faith,
erected many churches, and being assisted by the
divine grace and favour, healed both the souls and
bodies of many at the same time. An account of
all which Rufinus professes to have received from iEde»
X Socrat. H. EccU 1. 1. c 19. p, 50. Sozom. lib. 2. c. 24, p. M7 . Theod.
H.Eccl. 1. I.e. 23. p. 54.
Y y
05A THE LIFE OF ST. PANT^NUS.
5ius's own mouth, then presbyter of the church of Tyre.
But it is time to look back to Pantasnus.
8. Being returned to Alexandria, he resumed his ca-
techetic office, which I gather partly from ^ Eusebius,
tvho again mentions it just after his Indian expedition^
and adds nkiurav HyCirui that after all, or when he drew near
to his latter end, he governed the school of A^lexandria ;
partly from St. Hierom^, who says expressly, that he
taught in the reigns of Severus and Caracalla, his first
regency being under Commodus. He died in the time
of Antoninus Caracalla, who began his reign./4?2w. CCXI.
though the exact date and manner of his death be lost ;
his memory is preserved in the Roman calendar on the
seventh of July. And certainly a just tribute of honour
is due to his memory for his admirable zeal and piety,
his indefatigable pains and industry, his exquisite abili-
ties, Tay tfVi TT^ti^iU? dv^'^iTrao'^oTuK^, as Euscbius truly characters
him, a man singularly eminent in all kinds of learning ;
and *" Origen, who lived nearer to him, and was one of
his successors, commends him for his great usefulness
and ability both in philosophical speculations, and theo-
logical studies, in the one able to deal with philosophers,
in the other to refute heretics and seducers. In his
school he displayed (as Eusebius tells us) both by word
and writing the treasures of the sacred doctrines ; though
he taught (says St. Hierom) rather viva voce, than by
books, who mentions only his commentaries upon the
holy scripture, and of them not the least fragment is re^
maining at this day.
y Ubi supra. z Loc. citat. a Apiid Euseb. 1.6. c. 19. p. 221."
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS,
BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA.
His country. Tlie progress of his studies. His instruction in the Chrs-
tian doctrine. His several masters. His impartial inquiry after truth.
The elective sect, what. Its excellent genius. Clemens of this sect.
His succeeding Pantjenns in the Caiechetic school. He is made pres-
byter of Alexandria. His Strom ata published, when. Lawfulness of
flying in time of persecution. His journey into the East. What tracts
he wrote there. His going from Jerusalem to Antioch, and return to
Alexandria. His death. The elogia given of him by the ancients. His
admirable learning. His writings. His hypotyposes : Photius his
account of them ; corrupted by the Arians. His books yet extant^ and
the orderly gradation of them. His Stromata, what the design of it.
His style, what in this, what in his other books. A short apology for
some unwary assertions in his writings. His writings enumerated.
1. TITUS Flavius Clemens was, probably, born at
Athens. For when ^ Epiphanius tells us, that some af-
firmed him to be an Alexandrian, others an Athenian,
he might well be both ; the one being the place of his
nativity, as the other was of his constant residence and
employment. Nor can I imagine any other account,
upon which the title of Athenian should be given to him.
And the conjecture is further countenanced from the
course and progress of his studies, the foundations
whereof were laid in Greece, improved in the East, and
perfected in Egypt. And indeed his incomparable abi-
lities in all parts of science render it a little more pro-
bable, that his early years commenced in that great
school of arts and learning. But he staid not here, his
insatiable thirst after knowledge made him traverse al-
a Hseres. XXXIL p. 95.
35-6 THE LIFE OF SI. CLEMENS,
most all parts of the world, and converse with the learned
of all nations, that he might furnish himself with the
knowledge of whatever was useful and excellent, especi-
ally a thorough acquaintance with the mysteries of the
Christian doctrine. He tells us ^ of those lively and pow-
erful discourses, which he had the happiness to hear
from blessed and truly worthy and memorable persons,
who preserving that sincere and excellent doctrine,
which like children from the hands of their parents, they
had immediately received from Peter, James, John, and
Paul, the holy apostles, whereby God's blessing came
down to his time, sowing those ancient and apostolic
seeds of truth. A passage, which I doubt not *" Eusebius
intended, when he says, that Clemens, speaking concern-
ing himself in the first book of his Stromata, affirms him-
self to have been of the next succession to the apostles,
2. Of these venerable men to whose tuition he com-
mitted himelf, he himself has given "^ us some, though
but obscure account. The first was lonicus, a Ccelo-
Syrian, whom he heard in Greece, and whom ^Baronius
conjectures to have been Caius, or Dionysius, bishop of
Corinth ; a second an Egyptian, under whose discipline
he was, in that part of Italy called Magna Grascia, and
since Calabria. Hence he travelled into the East, where
the first of his masters was an Assyrian, supposed by
some to have been Bardesanes, by others Tatian, the
scholar of Justin martyr: the next originally a Jew, of a
very ancient stock, whom he heard in Palestine, whom
Barpnius will have to have been Theophilus, bishop of
Caesarea (though for his Hebrew descent there be no evi=
de.nce among the ancients) others ^ more probably Theo-
dotus, whence the excerpta out of his hypotyposes still
extant, are styled, a^^s>vQi'^^.^^'ivxiohiy.^z£iSua>LdiKUz, the epitome
of Theodotus's oriental doctrine^ that is, the doctrine
which he learnt from Theodotus in the East. The last
of the masters whom he met with, ^u^xfAuii ^^a. ^§sit^, as he
says of him, but the first and chief in power and virtue,
b Stromal. I. l.p. 274. & ap. Euseb. I. 5. c. 11. p. 176.
c Lib. 6. c. 13. p. 215. d Loc cltat e Ad Ann. 185. n. IV.
f Vaies. Annot. in Euseb, p. 95.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. ^57
was one whom he inquisitively sought out, and found
in Egypt, and in whose institution he fully acquiesced,
and sought no further* This person is generally sup-
posed to have been Pantasnus, whom Clemens elsewhere
^ expressly affirms to have been his master, and whom
in the forementioned epitome he styles ^ our Pantsenus.
3. But though he put himself under the discipline of
so many several masters, yet was it not out of any vain
desultory lightness, or phantastic curiosity, but to make
researches after truth with an honest and inquisitive
mind. He loved what was manly and generous, where-
ver he met it : and therefore tells us', he did not simply
approve all philosophy, but that of which Socrates in
Plato speaks concerning their mysterious rites,
imitating as he expresses it in the style of the scripture,
that many are called^ but few elect, or who make the
right choice. And such (adis Socrates) and such only, in
my opinion, are those who embrace the true philosophy.
Of which sort (says Clemens) through my whole life I
have to my power approved myself, desiring and endea-
vouring by all means to become one of that number
For this purpose he never tied himself to any particular
institution of philosophy, but took up in the i/^s^/? UKiKiui,,
the elective sect, who obliged not themselves to the dic-
tates and sentiments of any one philosopher, but freely
made choice of the most excellent principles out of all.
This sect (as the philosophic historian ^ informs us) was
begun by Potamon, an Alexandrian too, who out of
every sect of philosophy selected what he judged best....
He gave himself liberty impartially to inquire into the
natures of things, and what was the true standard and
measure of truth ; he considered, that no man knows
every thing, that some things are obvious to one, that
are overseen or neglected by another, that there are
wholesome herbs and flowers in every field, and that if
g In lib. Hypot.ap. Euseb. 1, 5. c. 11. p. 175. h Ad Calc. Clem. p. 808.
i Stromal. 1. 1. p. 315. k D. Laert, proem, ad vit. Philos. p. 1\.
358 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS-
the thing be well said, it is no matter who it is that says
it ; that reason is to be submitted to, before authority,
and though a fair regard be due to the opinions and
principles of our friends, yet that it is oV/ov ^§o7i^a:v t«v «txi)'es/rtv,
(as ^ Aristotle himself confesses) more pious and reason-
able to honour and esteem the trtuh. And thus he pick-
ed up a system of noble principles, like so many flowers
out of scA^eral gardens, professing "" this to be the great
end of all his disquisitions, fa«vx*Ti ^rSiaciv de^iVm Tsxsiav, a life per-
fected according to all the rules of virtue. Of this incom-
parable order was our divine philosopher : / espoused
not (says he") this or that philosophy^ not the stoic or pla-
tonic, nor the epicurean, or that of Aristotle, hut what-
ever any of these sects had said, that was fit arid just, that
taught righteousness with a divine and religious know-
ledge, TKTo <TVfx7r<iy ro MKiKJiKiv, all that being selected I call phi-
losophy. Though it cannot be denied, but that of any
sect, he came nearest to the stoics, as appears from his
discoursing by way of paradoxes, and his affected novel-
ty of words, two things peculiar to the men of that way,
as a very learned and ingenious person " has observed....
And I doubt not but he was more peculiarly disposed
towards this sect by the instructions of his master Pan-
ta^nus, so great and professed an admirer of the stoical
philosophy.
4. Pantienus being dead, he succeeded him in the
schola Kury,x^iamv, thc catcchctic school at Alexandria,
though questionless he taught in it long before that, and
probably during Pantaenus's absence in India, supplying
his place till his return, and succeeding in it after his
death, for that he was Pantssnus's successor, the ancients
p are all agreed. Here he taught with great industry and
fidelity, and with no less success, some of the most emi-
nent men of those times, Origen, Alexander, bishop of
Hierusalem, and others being bred under him. And
now (as *! himself confesses) he found his philosophy and
1 Ethic. 1. I. c. 4 p. 3. Tom. 2. m Laert. loc. cit.
n Strom. I 1. p. 288. o H. Dodwel. Prole^om. Apol. ad lib. D.
Stearn de Obstin. p. 115. p Euseb. 1. 6. c. 6. p. 208. Hieron. de
Script, in Clement. Phot. Cod. CXVIII, col. 297. q Strom. 1. 1. p. 278.
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 359
Gentile learning very useful to him : for as the husband-
man first waters the soil, and then casts in the seed, so
the notions he derived out of the writings of the Gen-
tiles, served first to water and soften to yt^^^c du^^v, the gross
and terrestrial parts of the soul, that the spiritual seed
might be the better cast in, and take vital root in the
minds of men. Besides the office of a catechist, he was
made presbyter of the church of Alexandria, and that at
least about the beginning of Severus's reign, for under
that capacity Eusebius takes notice of him, Ann, CXCV.
About which time prompted by his own zeal, and oblig-
ed by the iniquity of the times, he set himself to vindi-
cate the cause of Christianity both against heathens and
heretics, which he has done at large with singular learn-
ing and dexterity in his book called Stromata, published
about this time; for drawing down a chronological "" ^lc-
count of things, he ends his computation in the death of
the emperor Commodus. Whence it is evident, as ' Eu-
sebius observes, that he compiled that volume in the
reign of Severus that succeeded him.
5. The persecution under Severus raged in all pro-
vinces of the empire, and particularly at Alexandria,
which made many of the Christians for the present will-
ing to retire, and Clemens probably among the rest,
whom we therefore find particularly discoursing * the
lawfulness of withdrawing in a time of persecution : that
though we may not cowardly decline a danger or death,
when it is necessary for the sake of religion, yet in other
cases we are to follow the direction of our Saviour, when
they persecute you in one city^ flee ye into another ; and
not to obey in such a case, is to be bold and rash, and
unwarrantably to precipitate ourselves into danger, that
if it be a great sin against God to destroy a man, who is
his image, that man makes himself guilty of the crime,,
who offers himself to the public tribunal ; and little bet-
ter does he, that when he may, declines not the persecu-
tion, but rashly exposes himself to be apprehended,
thereby to his power conspiring with the wickedness of
r Strom. 1. 1. p. 336. s Lib. 6, c. 6. p. 203. t Stromat. I. 4. p. 504.
^60 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
his persecutors. And if further, he irritate and provoke
them, he is unquestionably the cause of his own ruin,
like a man that needlesly rouses and enrages a wild beast
to fall upon him. And this opportunity I doubt not he
took to visit the Eastern parts, where he had studied in
his younger days. We find him about this time at Jerusa-
lem with Alexander, shortly after bishop of that place,
between whom there seems to have been a peculiar inti-
macy, insomuch that St. Clemens dedicated " his book
to him, called The Ecclesiastical Canon, ^ -cr^i? t«? 'i«cr:6/^ovTrt?,
or against them that Judaize, During his stay here
he preached constantly, and declined no pains even in
that evil time, and with what success we may see by a
piece of a letter written by Alexander, then in prison,
and sent by our St. Clemens to Antioch, which we here
insert. " '' Alexander, a servant of God, and a prisoner
of Jesus Christ, to the blessed church at Antioch, in the
Lord greeting. Our Lord has made my bonds in this
time of my imprisonment light and easy to me, while I
understood that Asclepiades, a person admirably quali-
fied by his eminency in the faith, was by the divine Pro-
vidence become bishop of your holy church of Antioch.
Concluding these letters, worthy brethren, I have sent
you by Clemens, the blessed presbyter, a man virtuous
and approved, whom ye both do, and shall yet further
know : who having been here with us according to the
good will and providence of God, has greatly established
and increased the church of Christ." By which epistle
we may by the way remark the error of '^ Eusebius, who
places Asclepiades's coming to the see of Antioch in
the first year of Caracalla, Ann. CCXIL whereas we see
it was while Alexander was yet in prison under Severus,
which he himself makes to be Amu CC V. From Jeru-
salem then Clemens went to Antioch, where we cannot
question but he took the same pains, and laboured with
the same seal and industry. After which he returned to
Alexandria, and the discharge of his office, where, how
long he continued, or by what death he died, antiquity
u Eseub. I. 6. c. 14. p. 214. Hieron. in Clement.
V Apud. Euseb. ib.c. 11. p. 212. w In Chron. ad Aiiji. CCXil,
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. S61
is silent. Certain it is, that for some considerable time
he outlived Pantasnus, who died in the time of Caracalla ;
and when he wrote his Stromata, he tells us that he did it
that he might lay up things in store against old age : a
plain intimation that he was then pretty far from it. I
add no more but what Alexander of Hierusalem ''says in
a letter to Origen, where having told him that their
friendship which had commenced under their predeces-
sors should continue sacred and inviolable, yea grow
more firm and fervent, he adds, '' For we acknowledge
for our fathers those blessed saints, who are gone before
us, and to whom we shall go after a little time ; Pantse-
nus I mean, the truly happy, and my master ; and the
holy Clemens, my master, and one that was greatly use-
ful and helpful to me."
6. To commend this excellent man after the great
things spoken of him by the ancients, were to hold a
candle to the sun. Let us hear the character which
some of them give of him. The holy and the blessed
Clemens, a man very virtuous and approved, as we have
seen Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, who knew him
best, testifying of him. Indeed his zeal and piety, mo-
desty, and humility, could not but endear him unto all.
For his learning, he was in ^St. Hierom's judgment the
most learned of all the ancients. A man admirably learn-
ed and skilful^ and that searched to the very bottom of all
the learning of the Greeks with that exactness that per-
haps few before him ever attained to, says ^St. Cyril of
Alexandria. An holy man {s2i\ s^l'heodore) y^ ^oKvTru^u aTrav-
Uc dTToKiTTdv, and one that for his vast and diffusive learning
incomparably surpassed all other men. Nor was he less
accurate in matters of theology than human learning, an
incomparable master in the Christian philosophy, as
Eusebius styles him. Witness his many books, crowd-
ed, as ^Eusebius tells us, with variety and plenty of
useful knowledge, derived (as ''St. Hicrom adds) both
X Ap. Eus-b. I. 6. c. 14. p. 216. v Epist. ad Mag-n. Orat. p. 327.
z Contr. Julian. 1.7. p. 231. Toin. 6. vid. 1.6. p 2t'5. a Hsret. Fabal.
1 I.e. 6. p. 197. b H. Eccl. i. 6. c. 13. p. 215. c De Script, in Clem. ?c
ad Miign- O:'. loc.rit.
7. ^.
362 THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
from the holy scriptures and secular learning, wherein
there is nothing unlearned, nothing that it is not fetched
out of the very centre and bowels of philosophy. The
titles of them those two authors have preserved, the far
greatest part of the books themselves having perished,
among which the most memorable was the Hypotyposes
or Books of institution, so often cited by Eusebius,
which contained short and strict explications of many
passages of holy scriptures, wherein '^Photius tells us
there were many wild and impious opinions, as, that
matter was eternal, and that ideas were introduced by
certain decrees, that there is a transmigration of souls,
and were many worlds before Adam, that the Son is
among the number of created beings, and that the Word
was not really made flesh, but only appeared so, and ma-
ny more liUo-<^i,fj.ot Ti^ctrohoyius, monstrous blasphemies : But
withal insinuates, that probably these things were insert-
ed by another hand, as Rufinus, expressly assures us,
that heretics, had corrupted Clemens's writings. Cer-
tainly had these books been infected with these pro-
phane and poisonous dogmatia in Eusebius's time, we
can hardly think, but that he would have given us at
least some obscure intimations of it. And considera-
ble it is what Photius observes, thtit these things are not
countenanced by his other books, nay many of them
plainly contradicted by them.
7. The books yet extant (beside the little tract, enti-
tled T/s 3 cra^o^sv©- TTAb^/i^, lately published) are chiefly three,
which seem to have been written in a very wise and ex-
cellent order, the a^>/#' u^cr^iTriiKi?, or exhortation of the Gen-
tiles^ the Pasdagogus, or Christian instructor, and the
Stromata, or various discourses ; in the first he very ra-
tionally refutes the follies and impieties of the Gentile
religion, and strongly persuades men to embrace Chris-
tianity : in the second he tutors and instructs new con-
verts, and by the most admirable rules, and pathetical
insinuations prepares and forms them to an holy and tru-
ly Christian life : in the third he administers strong meat
d Cod. CIZ. col. 285. e Apol.pro Orig. inter. Oper. Hier. Tom. 4. p. 195
. THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS. 363
to tliem tliat are of a more full age, a clearer explication
of the Christian doctrine, and a more particular confu-
tation both of Gentile and heretical opinions, admitting
the disciple after his first purgation and initiation into a
more immediate acquaintance, with the sacred myste-
ries of religion. His Stromata^ are nothing but miscel-
laneous discourses composed out of the holy writings,
and the books of the Gentiles, explaining and (as occa-
sion is) confuting the opinions of the Greeks and barba-
rians, the sentiments of philosophers, the notions of
heretics, inserting a variety of stories, and treasures out of
all sorts of learning ; which as himself tells us", he there-
fore styled Stromata, that is, a va?'iegated coiitexture of
discourses, and which ^'he compares not to a curious gar-
den, wherein the trees and plants are disposed according
to the exactest rules of method and order, but to a thick
shady mountain, whereon trees of all sorts, the cypress
and the plantane, and laurel, and the ivy, the apple, the
olive, and the figtree, promiscuously grow together.
In the two former of his books (as 'Photius observes)
his style is florid, but set off with a well proportioned
gravity, and a becoming variety of learning : In the lat-
ter he neither designed the ornaments of eloquence, nor
v/ould the nature of his design well admit it, as he truly
apologizes^ for himself; his main care Vas so to express
things that he might be understood, and further eloquence
than this, he neither studied nor desired. If in thesq
books of his there be what ""Photius affirms, some few
things here and there ^x h'^^^ not soundly or wearily ex-
pressed, yet not, as he adds, like those of the Hypotypo-
ses, but capable of a candid and benign interpretation,
not considerably prejudicial either to the doctrine and
practice of religion, and such as are generally to be met
with in the writers of those early ages. And it is no
%vonder, if the good and pious men of those times, who
were continually engaged in fierce disputes Avith hea-
fVid.Euseb. I. 6. c. 13. p. 214 g Strom. 1. 1. p. 278.1.4. p. 476.
h Lib. 7. p. 766. i Loc. supr. cit. col. 288.
k Ubi. supr, p. 767. 1 lb. 1- 1- P- 293. in Ubi, supr.
364
THE LIFE OF ST. CLEMENS.
thcns on the one side, and Jews and heretics on the other,
did not always o^^oiofxav, divide the truth aright ^ in some
nicer lines and strokes of it. The best is, their great
piety and serviceableness in their generations, while they
lived, and the singular usefulness of their writings to
posterity since they are dead, are abundantly enough to
weigh down any little failures or mistakes that dropt from
them.
HIS WRITINGS.
Extant.
Protrepticon ad Gentes.
Psedagogi, Libri III.
Stromateon, Libri VIII.
Orat. Quisnam dives ille sit,
qui salvetur.
I)pitome doctrine Orientalis
Theodoti, &c.
Not Extant.
Hypot) poseon, seu Institutio-
num, Libri VIII.
Canon Eccleslasticus.
seu
Adversus Judaizantes.
De Paschate.
De obtrectatione,
Disputationes de jejunio.
Exhortatio ad Patientiam ad
Neophytos.
Supposititious.
Commentariola in Prim. Cano-
nicam S. Petri, in Epistolam
Judae, & tres Epistolas S.
Joannis Apostoli.
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAK
PRESBYTER OF CARTHAGE.
His names, whence. His father, who. His education in all kinds of
learning. His skill in the Roman laws. Different from Tertylian the
lawyer. His way of life before his conversion, inquired into. His
married condition. His conversion to Christianity, when. The great
cruelty used towards the Christians. Severus's kindness to them.
Tertullian's excellent apology in their behalf. His address to Scapu-
la, and the tendency of that discourse. Severus's violent persecuting
the Christians. His prohibition of the Heteriae. Tertullian's book to
the martyrs, and concerning patience. His zeal against heresies, and
writings that way. His book De Pallio, when written, and upon
what occasion. His becoming presbyter, when. His book De Corona^
and what the occasion of it. His declining from the Catholic party.
Montanus who and whence. His principles and practices. Tertulli-
an's owning them, and upon what occasion. His morose and stubborn
temper. How far he complied with the Montanists, and acknow-
ledged the paraclete. How he was imposed upon. His writings
against the Catholics. The severity of the ancient discipline. E-
piscopus Episcoporum^ in what sense meant by Tertullian concern-
ing the bishop of Rome. His separate meetings at Carthage. His
death. His character. His singular parts and learning. His books.
His phrase and style. What contributed to its perplexedness and ob-
scurity. His unorthodox opinions. A brief plea for him .
1. QUINTUS Septimus FlorensTertullianus, was (as
tlie ancients ^affirm, and himself implies when he calls it
his country) born at Carthage, the Metropolis of Africa,
famous above all others for antiquity, sovereignty, and
power, insomuch that for some ages it contended for
glory and superiority even with Rome itself. He was
a Hieron. de script, in Tertul. Niceph. H, EccU 1. 4, c. 34. p. 334. b. De
Pall. c. 1. p. 112. & Apolog. c. 9. p. 9.
366 THE LIFE OF TERTULHAN.
called Septimiiis, because descended of the Gens Septi]
mia, a tribe of great account among the Romans, being
first regal, afterwards plebeian, and last of all consular and
patrician. Florens, from some particular family of that
house so called, and Quintus (a title common among
the Romans) probably because the fifth child which his
parents had ; ana Tertullian, a derivative from Tertul-
lus, it is like from his immediate parent. His father
was a soldier, a Centurion under the proconsul of Africa
(called therefore by St. Hierom and others Centurio pro-
consularis) not a man of proconsular dignity, as some
make him; he was a Gentile, in which religion Tertul-
lian also was brought up, as himself ^'confesses. He
was educated in all the accomplishments which the
learning either of the Greeks or Romans could add to
him, he seems to have left no paths untraced, to have in-
timately conversed with poets, historians, orators, not to
have looked only, but to have entered into the secrets of
philosophy and the mathematics, not unseen in physic,
and the curiosities of nature, and as Eusebius ^notes, a man
famous for other things, but especially admirably skilled
in the Roman laws ; though they who would hence infer
him to have been a professed lawyer and the same with
him whose excerpta are yet extant in the pandects, are
guilty of a notorious mistake, the name of that lawyer
being Tertylianus ; besides that dissonancy that is in
their style and language. Or suppose wdth others that
this Tertylian was one of Papinian's scholars in the reign
of Alexander Severus, he must by this account be at
least thirty years after the other's conversion to Christia-
nity. The original of the error doubtless arose from
the nearness and similitude of the names, and the charac-
ter of his skill in the Roman laws given by Eusebius,
which indeed is evident from his works, and especially
his apology for the Christians.
2. What was his particular course of life before he
came over to the Christian religion, is uncertain. They
that conceive him to have been an advocate, and publicly
a Apol. c. 18. p. 17. d H. Eccl. 1. 2. c. 2. p. 4t
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 367
to have pleaded causes, because after his conversion he "^
says of himself, that he owed nothing to the forum, took
up no place among the rostra, made no noise among the
benches, did not toss about the laws, nor clamour out
causes, as if he had done all this before, might by the
same reason conclude him to have been a soldier, because
he adds in the same place, that he owed nothing to the
camp, with some other offices there mentioned by him.
That he was married is evident, though whether before
or after his embracing the Christian faith, I cannot posi-
tively determine, probably before. However, according
to the severity of his principles, he lived with his wife a
great part of his life in a state of continency, conversing
with her as his sister, exhorting her to perpetual celibacy
and the utmost strictnesses of a single life, as appears by
his two books written to her on that subject.
3. His conversion to Christianity Ave may conceive to
have happened not long after the beginning of Severus's
reign, and a little before the conclusion of the second
century. Being a man of an inquisitive and sagacious
mind, he had observed the powerful and triumphant effi-
cacy of the Christian faith over the minds and lives of
men, its great antiquity, the admirable consent and truth
of the predictions recorded in the books of the Chris-
tians, the frequent testimonies which the heathen deities
themselves gave to its truth and divinity, the ordinary
confessions of their daemons when forced to abandon the
persons they had possessed, at the command of a Chris-
tian, all which he shows * at large (at least as we may pro-
bably guess) to have been the main inducements of his
conversion. In the very entrance of the following secu-
lum, Severus being gone to make war upon the Parthi»
ans, the magistrates at Rome, and proportionably the go-
vernors of provinces, began to bear hard upon the
Christians, beholding them as infamous persons, and es-
pecially traitors to the empire. Among whom the most
principal person, I doubt not, was Plautianus, a man in
e De Pall. c. 5. p. U8. f Vld. Apol. c. 19, 20. p. 18. c, ^3. p. 22, 23, & ali-
bi passim.
368 THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN.
great favour with the emperdur, whose daughter was mar-
ried to Antoninus, the emperor's eldest son, and whom
Severus at his going into the east, had made praefect of
Rome ; of him we read ^ that in the emperor's absence
he put to death an infinite number both of the nobiUty
and common people. Among whom we cannot question
but the Christians had theirs, audit is like, the far great-
est share. And so notorious was the cruelty, that ^ Se-
verus at his return was forced to apologize for himself,
that he had no hand in it. And indeed Severus in the
first part of his reign (was as Tertullian informs' us) very
benign and favourable to the Christians ; for having been
cured of a dangerous distemper by one Proculus a Chris-
tian, who anointed him with oil, he kept him at court with
him ever after. Nor did his kindness terminate here,
for when he knew that several both men and women of
the senatorian order were Christians, he was so far from
persecuting them upon that account, that he gave them
an honourable testimony, and restrained the people, when
they were raging against the Christians. This I suppose
to have been done at his return from the Parthian expe-
dition, when he found both govemours and people en-
gaged in so hot and severe a persecution of the Chris-
tians.
4. The barbarous and cruel usage which the Chris-
tians generally met with, engagedTertullian to vindicate
and plead their cause both against the malice and cruelty
of their enemies. For which purpose he published and
sent abroad his Apology, dedicating it to the magistrates
of the Roman empire, and especially the senate at Rome
(for that he went to Rome himself and personally present-
ed it to the senate, I confess I see no convincing evi-
dence) wherein with incomparable learning and elo-
quence, with all possible evidence and strength of rea-
son he pleads their cause, complains of the iniquity and
injustice of their enemies, and the methods of their pro-
ceedings, particularly demonstrates the vanity and fiilse-
hood of those crimes that were commonly charged upon
g Dio. Cass. H. Rom. 1. 75. & Xiphil. in Vit. Sever, p. 328. h Spartian in
vit. Sever, c. 15. p. 350. i Ad Scuj>ul. c. 4. p. 7\.
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 369
ihe Christians, arguing their meekness and innocency,
their temperance and sobriety, their piety to God, and
obedience to their prince, the reasonableness of their prin-
ciples, and the holiness of their lives beyond all just ex-
ception. An apology which undoubtedly contributed
towards the cooling and qualifying of the present calen-
tures, especially at Severus's return. And indeed it ap-
pears not by the whole series of that discourse, that the
emperor had given any particular countenance to those se-
verities ; nay, on the contrary he expressly styles ^' him
the inost constant prince. Not long after this, Tertullian
found work nearer home, Scapula, the president, and pro-
consul of Africa (the same probably with ScapulaTertyl-
lus, a provincial president, to whom there is a Rescript
of Marcus and Commodus') treating theChristians much
at the same rate that Platianus had done at Rome.
To him therefore he addresses himself in a neat and pa-
thetical discourse, representing the honesty and simplici-
ty of Christians, and their hearty prayers and endeavours
for the prosperity of the empire, and those particular in-
stances of severity which the Divine Providence had late-
ly inflicted upon it, which could not be reasonably sup-
posed to have been sent upon any other errand, so much
as to revenge the innocent blood that had been shed;
laying before him the clemency and indulgence of former
princes and presidents, yea, and of the present emperor
himself, so great a friend to Christians. A plain evi-
dence that this book was written at this time, before Se.-
verus broke out into open violence against them.
5. The Christians now enjoyed a little respite : but,
alas, it was but like the intermitting fits of a fever, w^hich
being over, the paroxysm returns with a fiercer violence,
Ann. Chr, CCII. Severi X. '"^ the persecution revived,
and was now carried on by the command of the emperor.
For Severus in his journey through Palestine forbade
^ any under the heaviest penalties to become Jews ; and
the same orders he issued out concerning Christians.
k Apol. c. 4. p. 5. 1 L, 14. fi'.do Offic. Prxskl. lib. 1. Tit. 18.
m En.seb. Chron. Ad- eiinckui An. u /tli. Snnrtian.in vit. Sever: c. 17. p.'35S.
3 A
S70 THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN.
The general pretence it is like was the prohibiting the
heterias, or unlawful societies (which we have elsewhere
described) for such a rescript "" Ulpian mentions, where-
by Severus forbade the illegal colleges, commanding the
persons frequenting them to be accused before the Prse-
fect of the city, in which number they usually beheld the
Christians ; though I doubt not but there were (as Spar-
tianus plainly affirms) particular edicts issued out against
them. The people, who could hardly be held in before,
having now the reins thrown upon their necks, and spur-
red on by the imperial orders ran apace upon the execu-
tion, so that the churches in all places ^' were filled with
martyrdoms and the blood of the saints, and it grew so
hot, that "^ Jude, a writer of those times, drawing down
his chronology of Daniel's LXX. weeks, to this 5'ear,
broke off his computation, supposing that the so much
celebrated coming of antichrist was now at hand. So
exceedingly (says the historian) were the minds of many
shaken and disturbed with the present persecution. Ter-
tullian, that he might speak a word in season, took hold
of the present opportunity, and wrote to the martyrs in
prison, to comfort them under their sufferings, and exhort
them to constancy and final perseverance ; as also for the
same reason and about the same time he published his
discourse concerning patience, wherein he very elegantly
describes the advantages and commendations of that vir-
tue, and especially urges it from the example of God,
our blessed Saviour, and speaks therein m^ore favourably
than he did afterwards of retiring in a time of persecution.
Nor was he less watchful to defend and preserve the
church from errour and heresy, writing his Prescription
against Heretics (for that it was written about this time is
evident from several passages, especially where he men-
tions the time of persecution, the place of the tribunal,
the person of the judge, the bringing forth of lions, and
the like) wherein he enumerates and insists upon the se-
veral heresies which had infested the church till that
o L. 1. ff. de offic. Prefect. tirb. § 14. Tit. IS. "ib. 1. p F/iseb. H. Eccl.
i 6. c. 1. p. 201, q Ibid c. 6. p. 208.
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 271
time ; censuring and confuting their absurd opinions,
and promising' a more distinct and particular confutation
of the :> afterwards. Which accordingly he performed
in his discourses against the Jews, against Hermogenes,
the Valentinians, Marcion, Praxeas, and some others of
their proselytes and disciples, and some of the Monta-
nists themselves, writing a particular tract concerning
baptism, and the use of water in it, and its necessity to
salvation, against Quintilla, a woman of great note and
eminency among the followers of Montanus, what value
soever he afterwards seemed to put upon that sect.
6. About the XV. of Severus, J/in, Chr, CCVII. he
published his book De Pallio upon this occasion. He
had lately left of the gown, the garment ordinarily worn
in all parts of the Roman empire, and had put on the
cloak, the usual habit of philosophers, and of all those
Christians that entered upon a severer state of life, as we
have shown in the life of Justin martyr. Hereupon he
was derided by them of Carthage for his lightness and
vanity, in so wantonly skipping d toga ad pallium^ from
the gown to the cloak, satyrically taxing his inconstancy
\xi turning from one course of life to another. To vindi-
cate himself he writes this discourse, wherein he puts
forth the keenness of a sarcastic v;it, and spreads all the
sails of his African eloquence, retorts the case upon his
accusers, shows the antiquity, simplicity, easiness, and
gravity of this habit, and smartly upbraids that luxury
and prodigality that had overrun all orders and ranks of
men. And that this was done about this time, and not
at his first taking upon him the profession of Christianity,
is judiciously observed and urged by Baronius,' and more
fully proved by the learned Salmasius, in his notes upon
that book. Indeed the circumstances mentioned by
^ Tertullian do not well suit with any other time, as the
prasentis Imperii triplex virtus, which cannot reasonably
be meant of any, but Severus and his two sons, Antoni-
nus and Geta, whence in several ancient inscriptions, they
r De Prjescrlpt. Haeret. c. 45. p. 219. s Ad. Ann, 197 n. 3. & se^.
t DePjUl.cap.2. p. 114.
Sr2 THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAK.
are put together under the title of AUGUSTI, and Env
perours ; the present happiness, security, enlargement,
and tranquillity of the Roman state, which these three
powers of the empire had made like a well cultivated
field, eradicato omni aconito hostilitatis^ every poisonous
weed of hostility and sedition being rooted up, with a
great deal more to the same purpose. Which evidently
refers both to his conquest of Pescennius Niger, who
usurped the empire, and whom he overthrew and killed
at Cyzicum in the east, and to his last year's victory
(as ""Eusebius places it) over Clodius Albinus and his
party, whom he subdued and slew as Lyons in France,
for attempting to make himself emperor, as afterwards
he came into Britain [maxiininn ejus Imperii Decus^ as
the ^ historian styles it, the greatest honour and ornament
of his empire) where he conquered the natives, and secu^
red his conquests by the famous Pict's wall, which he
built : by which means he rendered the state of the Ro-
man empire pacate and quiet. At the same time we may
suppose it was that TertuUian was made presbyter of
Carthage, and that that was the particular occasion of al-
tering his habit, and assuming the philosophic pall'mm^
the clergy of those times being generally those who took
tipon them an ascetic course of life, and for which reason
doubtless the cloak is called by TertuUian in his dialect,"^
sacerdos suggestus^ the priestly habit. Accordingly
'^Eusebius takes notice of him this very year as becoming
famous in theaccount and esteem of all christian churches.
7. Before Severus left Rome in order to his Britannic
expedition, were solemnized the decenalia of Antoninus
Caracalla, when besides many magnificent sports a .d
shows, and a largess bestowed upon the people, the em-,
peror gave a donative to the soldiers, which eveiy one
that received, was to come up to the tribune with a lau-
rel crown upon his head. Among the rest there was one
a ''Christian, who brought his crown along with him in
u Easeb. Chron, ad eund. Ann. v Spart. in vit. Sever, c. l^ p. 354;.
\v Ibid. c. 4. p. 118. X Chrnn. ad An. CCVIH.
y De Coron. Millit. c. 1. p. 100.
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 373
his hand, and being asked the reason why like others he
wore it not upon his head ? answered, he could not for
that he was a Christian. A council oF war was presently
calied, and the man accused before the general, stripped
of his military ornaments, his cloak, shoes, and sword,
unmercifully beaten, till he was died in his own blood,
^nd then cast into prison, there expecting martyrdom,,
and a better donative and reward from Christ. The rest
of the Christians, who were fellow- soldiers in the same
army, took offence at his over nice scrupulosity. What
was this but needlessly to betray their liberty, and to sa-
crifice the general quiet and peace of Christians to one
man's private humour ? to give the common enemy too
just a provocation to fliU upon them ? Where did the
laws of their religion forbid such an innocent compliance,
nay rather not only give leave, but commanded us pru-
dently to decline a danger, by u'ithdrawing from it ? what
was this but a sturdy and an affected singularity, as if he
had been the only Christian ? Tertullian, whose mighty
zeal engaged him to be a patron to whatever had but the
shadow of strictness and severity, presently set himself
to defend the fact, and wrote his book De Corona MilU
tis, wherein he cries up the act as an heroic piece of zeal
and christian magnanimity, not only warrantable, but
honourable, not only lawful, but just and necessary, for-
tifying his assertion with several arguments, and endea-
vouring to disable the most specious objections that were
made against it. Tliis military act, and Tertullian's
vindication of it, happened (as we have here placed it)
Ann. Chr. 208, Sever. 16, while others refer it to the
year 196. Sever. 7, when the emperor, by the decree of
the senate, created his elder son Antoninus emperor, and
his younger Geta, Cassar, in testimoniy whereof he en-
tertained the people with various shows and solemnities,
and bestowed a donative upon the soldiers. If the rea-
der like this period of time better, I will not contend
with him, it being what I myself, upon second thought?,
do not think improbable.
8. But let him that tlnnlceth he stcmdeth, take heed lest
hefalL Tertullian, who had hitherto stood firm and right
374 THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN,
in the communion of the Catholic church, began now,
about the middle of his age, says ^St. Hicrom (which I am
inclinable rather to understand of his age as a Christian,
than the currentof hislife)to incline towards the errours of
the Montanists, of which before we give an account.
It may not be amiss a little to inquire into the author and
principles of that sect. ^Montanus was born at Ardaba,
a little village in Mysia in the confines of Phrygia,
where, about the latter times of Antoninus Pius, but es-
pecially in the reign of his successor, he began to show
himself. Pride and immoderate ambition betrayed the
man into the snares and condemnation of the deviL At
which breach Satan having entered, took possession of
the man, who actuated by the influence of an evil spi-
rit, was wont on a sudden to fall into enthusiastic fits
and ecstatic raptures, and while he was in them, in a
furious and a frantic manner he poured out wild and
unheard of things, prophesying of what was to come in
a way and strain that had not been used hitherto in the
church. Proselytes he wanted not, that came over to
his party. At first only some few of his county men,
the Phrygians (whence his sect derived the title of Cata-
phryges) were drawn into the snare, whom he instruct-
ed in the arts of evil speaking, teaching them to reproach
the whole Christian church for refusing to entertain and
honour his pseudo-prophetic spirit, the same spirit on the
contrary pronouncing them blessed that joined them-
selves to this new prophet, and swelling them with the
mighty hopes and promises of what should happen to
them, sometimes also gently reproving and condemning
them. Among the rest of his disciples two women
were especially remarkable, Prisca, and Maximilla,
whom having first corrupted, he imparted his daemon to
them, whereby they were presently enabled to utter the
most frantic, incoherent and extravagant discourses.
The truth is he seemed to lay his scene with all imagina-
z De Script, in Tertull a Vet. Script, ap. Euseb. 1. 5. c. 16. p. 180 SiC.
Apollon. ibid, c 18. p. 184. Epiph. Haeres. XLVIII. p. 175. Tertull. de Prae-
script. Hxretic. C' 52. p. 2*23.
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 3TS^
ble craft and subtlety ; in the great and foundation prin-
ciples of religion he agreed with the Catholics, embra-
ced entirely the holy scriptures, and pretended that he
must receive the gifts of divine grace extraordinarily con-
ferred upon him, which he gave out were more immedi-
ately the Holy Ghost: he made a singular show of some
uncommon rigours and severities in religion, gave laws
for more strict and solemn fasts, and more frequently
to be observed, than were among the orthodox, taught
divorces to be lawful, and forbid all second marriages,
called Pepuza and Tymium, two little towns of Phry-
gia, Jerusalem, that so he might the more plausibly in-
vite simple and unwary proselytes to flock thither. And
because he knew no surer way to oblige such persons
as would be serviceable to him, than proposals of gain
and advantage, he used all methods of extorting money
from his deluded followers, especially under the notion
of gifts and offerings, for which purpose he appointed
collectors to receive the oblations that were brought in,
with which he maintained under- officers, and paid sala-
ries to those that propagated his doctrines up and down
the world. Such were the arts, such the principles of
the sect first started by Montanus ; what additions were
made by his followers in after ages, I am not now con-
cerned to inquire.
9. Allured with the smooth and specious pretences
of this sect, TertuUian began to look that way, though
the particular occasion of his starting aside ''St. Hierom
tells us, was the envy and reproaches which he met with
from the clergy of the church of Rome. They that con
ceive him to have sued for the see of Carthage, vacant
by the death of Agrippinus, and that he was opposed and
repulsed in it by the clergy of Rome, and so highly re-
sented the affront, as thereupon to quit the communion
of the Catholic church, talk at random, and little consi-
der the mortified temper of the man, and his known con>
tempt of the world. Probabieit is, that being generally
noted for the excessive and over rigorous strictness of
b Ubi supra, vid, Niceph. 1. 4. c. 12. tj. 298.
376 THE LIKE OF TERTULLIAK.
his manners, he had been charged by some of the Ro-
man clergy for compliance with Montanus, and, it may
be, admonished to recant, or disown those principles.
Which his stubborn and resolute temper not admitting,
he was, together with Proclus and the rest of the Cata-
phrygian party, cut oif by the bishop of Rome from all
communion with that church. For there had been late-
ly a disputation held at Rome between Caius, an anci-
ent orthodox divine, and Proclus, one of the heads of
the Montanist party (as ''Eusebius, who read the account
of it published by Caius, informs us) wherein Proclus
being worsted, was, together with all the followers of that
sect, excommunicated, and Tertullian himself among the
rest, as he sufficiently *^intimates. This, a man of a
morose and unyielding disposition, and w^ho could brook
no moderation that seemed to intrench upon the disci-
pline and practice of religion, could not bear, and there-
fore making light of the judgment and censures of that
church, fiew oiF, and joined himself to Montanus's
party, whose pretended austerities seemed of all others
most agreeable to his humour and genius, and most ex-
actly to conspire with the course and method of his life.
But as it cannot be doubted that he looked no further
than to the appearances and pretensions of that sect (not
seeing the corrupt springs by which the engine was ma-
naged within) so it is most reasonable and charitable to
conceive, that he never understood their principles in
the utmost latitude and extent of them. If beseems
sometimes to acknowledge Montanus to be the paraclete
that was to come into the world, probably he meant not
something distinct from the Holy Spirit bestowed upon
the apostles, but a mighty power and extraordinary as-
sistance of the Holy Ghost shed upon Montanus, whom
God had sent into the world, more Hilly and perfectly to
explain the doctrines of the gospel, and to urge the rules
and institutions of the Christian life, which our lord had
delivered when he was upon earth, but did not with the
c Lib. 6. c. 20 p. 222. 1 . 2. c. 25. p. 67. Hlcron. de Script. In Cai^.
d De jeJLin. c. 1. p. 544.
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 377
greatest accuracy the things were capable of, the m inds
of men not being then duly qualified to receive them.
That for this end he thought Montanus invested with
miraculous powers and a spirit of prophecy (a thing not
unusual even in those times) and might believe his two
prophetesses to be acted with the same spirit. All which
might consist with an honest mind, imposed upon by
crafty and plausible pretences. And plain it is that for
some considerable time Montanus maintained the repu-
tation of great piety, zeal, sanctity, and extraordinary
gifts, before he was discovered to the world. And Ter-
tullian in all likelihood had his accounts concerning him,
not from himself, but from Proclus, or some others of
the party, who might easily delude him, especially in
matters of fact, with false informations. However no-
thing can be more evident, than that he looked '^upon
these new prophets as innovating nothing in the princi-
ples of Christianity, that Montanus preached no other
God, nor asserted any thing to the prejudice of our bles-
sed Saviour, nor subverted any rule of faith or hope, but
only introduced greater severities than other men : that
he was not the author, but the restorer of discipline, and
only reduced things to that ancient strictness, from
which he supposed they had degenerated, especially in
the cases of celibacy, single marriages, and such like, as
he ^more than once particularly tells us. Not to say,
that Montanus's followers (as is usual with the after
brood of every sect) asserted many things, which their
master himself never dreamt of, which yet without dis-
tinction are laid at his door, and Tertuliian too because
a favourer of the party, drawn iato the guilt, and made
liable to many improvements, to the hay and stubble
which the successors of that sect built upon it.
10. But however it was, he stomached his excommu-
nication, and was highly offended at the looseness and re-
missness of the discipline among the Catholics, whom
with great smartness he persecutes under the name of
psychici, or animal persons, as those that took too much
d De Jejun. loc. citat. e Vid 1. de ■Mono^am. c, 1. p. 52'^. &. c. 3. 8c 4 Sc
passim d'^^'jeiiTn, c. 1?. p- 550, 5?^.
3 B
S7S THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN.
liberty in their manners and practices of devotion, styling
his own party Spiritales, as whom he thought more imme-
diately guided by the spirit, more plentifully endowed
with the gifts of it, and conversant in a more divine and
spiritual life. Against these Psychici he presently pub-
lished a tract De Jejuniis, wherein he defends the Mon-
tanists in the observation of their fasts, their abstinence
from flesh, and feeding only upon dried meats, their sta-
tionary days, and the keeping them till the very evening,
while the orthodox broke up theirs about three of the
clock in the afternoon ; in all which respects he makes
many tart and severe reflections upon them. Indeed, the
devotions of those times were brisk and fervent, their
usages strict and punctual, their ecclesiastic discipline
generally very rigid and extreme, seldom admitting per-
sons that had lapsed after baptism to penance and the
communion of the church. But this was looked upon
by moderate and sober men as making the gate too strait,^
and that which could not but discourage converts from
coming in. Accordingly it began to be relaxed in seve-
ral places, and particularly the bishop of Rome ^ had late-
ly published a constitution, wherein he admitted persons
guilty of adultery and fornication (and probably other
crimes) to a place among the penitents. Against this
Tertullian storms, cries up the severity of the ancient
discipline, writes his book De Pudicitia^ wherein he con-
siders and disputes the case, arid aggravates the greatness
of those offences, and undertakes the arguments that
pleaded for remission and indulgence. And if in the
mentioning this decree the bishop of Rome be styled E-
piscopus Episcoporom^ the champions of that church be-
fore they make such advantage of it, should do well to
prove it to liave been a part of the decree, or, if it was,
that it was mentioned by Tertullian as his just right and
privilege, and not rather (which is infinitely more proba-
ble) Tertullian' s sarcasm, intended by him as an ironical
reflection and a tart upbraiding the pride and ambition
of the bishops of that church, who took too much upon
f Tcjt. dc Pudicit. c. 1. p. 555,
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 379
them, and began (as appears from pope Victor's carriage
towards the Asian Churches in the case of Easter) to do-
tnineer over their brethren, and usurp an insolent autho-
rity over the whole Christian church. And that this
was his meaning, I am abundantly satisfied from ^ Cy-
prian's using the phrase in this very sense in the famous
synod at Carthage, where reflecting upon the rash and vi-
olent proceedings of the bishops of Rome (whom though
he particularly names not, yet all who are acquainted
with the story know whom he means) against those who
were engaged in thejcause of rebaptizing heretics, he
adds, " that as for themselves (the bishops then in the
synod) none of them made himself bishop of bishops^ or
by a tyrannical threatening forced his colleagues into a
necessity of compliance : since every bishop according
to the power and liberty granted to him, had his proper
urisdiction, and could no more be judged by another,
ihan he himself could judge others."
11. Whether ever he was reconciled to the catholic
communion, appears not ; it is certain that for the main
he forsook the ^' Cataphrygians, and kept his separate
meetings at Carthage, and his church was yet remaining
till St. Augustin's time, by whose labours the very re-
lics of his followers, called TertuUianists, were dis-
persed, and quite disappeared. How long he continued
after his departure from the church, is not known ; St.
Hierom ' says that he lived to a very decrepit age, but
whether he died under the reign of Alexander Severus,
or before, the ancients tell us not, as neither whether he
died a natural or violent death. He seemed indeed to have
been possessed with a passionate desire of laying down
his life for the faith ; though had he been a martyr, some
mention would without peradventure have been made of
it in the writings of the church.
12. He was a man of a smart and acute wit, though a
little too much edged with keenness and satyrism, acris
et vehementis ingeniif as '' St. Hierom characters him,'onc
g Apud Cyprian, p. 282. h August, de Hacrcs. c. 85. Tom. 6. col. 31.
i De Scrip, in Tertull. k Loc. citat.
380 THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAX.
that knew not how to treat an adversary \A-ithoiit salt and
sharpness. He was of a stiff and rui^ged disposition, a
rigid censor, inclined to choler, and impatient of opposi-
tion, a strict observer of rites and disciphne, and a zeal-
ous asserter of the highest rigors and most nice severities
of religion. His learning was admirable, wherein though
many excelled, he had no superiours, and few equals, in
the age he lived in : Tertidliano quid erudit'ius^ quid
acutius? says* St. Hierom, who adds that \ns> Apology,
and book against the Gentiles took in all the treasures of
human learning. '" Vincentius of Lire gives him this
notable eulogium. ** He is justly (says he) to be esteem-
ed the prince among the writers of the Latin church.
For what more learned ? who more conversant both in
divine and human studies ? who by a strange largeness
and capacity of mind had drawn all philosophy, and its
several sects, the authors and abettors of heresies with all
their rites and principles, and the whole circumference of
history and all kind of study within the compass of his
own breast. A man of such quick and weighty parts,
that there was scarce any thing which he set himself
against, which he did not either pierce through with the
acumen of his wit, or batter down Avith the strength and
soHdity of his arguments. Who can sufficiently com-
mend his discourses, so thick set with troops of reasons,
that whom they cannot persuade, they are ready to force
to an assent ? who hath almost as many sentences as
words, and not more periods than victories over those
whom he hath to deal with."
13. For his books, though time has devoured many,
yet a great number still remain, and some of them writ-
ten after his withdrawment from the church. His style
is for the most part abrupt and haughty, and its fece full
of ancient wrinkles, of which '^ Lactantius long since gave
this censure, that though he himself was skilled in all
points of learning, yet his style was rugged and uneasy,
and very obscure ; as indeed it requires a very attentive
I Epist. ad Mag. Orator, p. 328. T. 2. m Commonit. adv. Hsr^s. cap.
24. |). 59, 6a. n Lib. 5. cap. 1. p. 459. ^
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. 381
and diligent, a sharp and sagacious understanding, yet
is it lofty and masculine, and carries a kind of majestic
eloquence along with it, that gives a pleasant relish to
the judicious and inquisitive reader. It is deeply tine-
tured u^ith the African dialect, and owes not a little of
its perplexedness and obscurity to his conversing so
much in the writings of the Greeks, whose forms and
idioms he had so made his own, that they naturally flow-
ed into his pen ; and how great a master he was of that
tongue is plain, in that himself" tells us, he wrote a book
concerning baptism, and some others, in Greek ; which
could not but exceedingly vitiate and infect his native
style, and render it less smooth, elegant, and delightful,
as we see in Ammianus Marcellinus, who being a Greek
born, wrote his Roman history in Latin, in a style rough
and unpleasant, and next door to barbarous. Besides
what was in itself obscure and uneven, became infinitely
worse by the ignorance of succeeding ages, who changed,
what they did not understand, and crowded in spurious
words in the room of those which were proper and na-
tural, till they had made it look like quite another thing
than what it was when it first came from under the hand
of its author.
14. His errors and unsound opinions are frequently
noted by St. Augustin and the ancients (not to mention
later censors) and Pamelius has reduced his paradoxes
to thirty one, which together with their explications
and antidotes he has prefixed before the editions of his
works. That of Montanus's being the paraclete, we
noted before, and for other things relating to that sect,
they are rather matters concerning order and discipline,
then articles and points of faith. It caimot be denied
but that he has some unwarrantable notions, common
with other writers of those times, and some more pecu-
liar to himself. But he lived in an age, when the faith
was yet green and tender, when the church had not pub-
licly and solemnly defined things by explicit articles and
nice propositions, when the philosophy of the schools was
o De Baptism, c. 15, p. 230. de Coron. c . 6. p. 104.
382
THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN.
mainly predominant, and men ran immediately from the
stoa and the academy to the church, when a greater lati.
tude of opening was indulged, and good men were infi-
nitely more solicitous about piety and a good life, than
about modes of speech, and how to express every thing
so critically and exactly, that it should not be liable to a
severe scrutiny and examinatipn.
HIS WRITINGS.
Genuine.
Apologeticus.
Ad Nationes, Libri 2.
De Testimonio Animse.
Ad Scapulam.
De Spectaculis,
De Idololatria.
De Corona.
De Pallio.
De Pcenitentia.
De Oratione.
Ad Martyras.
De Patientia.
De Cultii foeminarum Lib. 2.
AdUxorem, Lib. 2.
De Virginibus Velandis.
Adversus Judaos.
De Praescriptione Haeretico-
rum.
De Baptismo.
Adversus Hermogenem.
Adversus Valentin ianos.
De Anima.
De Carne Christi.
De Resurrectione Carnis.
Adversus Marcionem, Lib. 5.
Scorpiace.
Adversus Praxeam.
Libri post Lapsum in Monta-
nismum scripti.
De Exhortatione Castitatis.
De Monogamia.
De Fuga in Persecutione.
De Jejuniis.
De Pudicitia.
Supposititious.
Poemata.
Adversus Marcionem, Lib. ^.
De judicio Domini.
Genesis.
Sodoma.
Not extant.
De Paradiso.
De Spe Fidelium.
De Ecstasi.
Adversus Apollonium.
Adversus Apellecianos.
De Vestibus Aaron.
De Censu Aninice.
GrsEce,
De Corona.
De Virginibus Velanls.
De Baptismo.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN,
PRESBYTER, CATECHIST OF ALEXANDRIA.
OH gen, where and when born. Several conjectures about the original
of his name. His father, who. His juvenile education, and great to-
wardliness in the knowledge of the scriptures. His philosophical stu-
dies under Clemens Alexandrinus. His institution under Ammonius.
Animonius. who. His fame and excellency confessed by the Gentile phi-
losophers. Another Origen his contemporary : these two heedlessly con-
founded. His father's martyrdom, and the confiscation of his estate. Ori-
gen's resolute encouragement of his father. His own passionate desire of
martyrdom. His maintenance by an honourable matron of Alexan-
dria. His zeal against heretics. His setting up a private school.
His succeeding Clemens in the catechetic school at eighteen years of
age. The frequency of his auditors. Many of them martyrs for the
faith. Origen's resolution in attending upon the martyrs. His danger.
His courageous act at the temple of Serapis. His emasculating him-
self, and the reasons of it. The eminent chastity of those prfmitive
tunes. Origen's journey to Rome, and return to Alexandria. His
taking in a colleague into the catechetic office. His learning the He-
brew tongue. The prudent method of his teaching. Ambrosius con-
verted. Who he was. His great intimacy with Origen. Origen sent
for by the governour of Arabia. His jcurney into Palestine, and teach-
ing at Caesaria. Remanded by the bishop of Alexandria. Alexander
Severus, his excellent virtues, and kindness for the christian religion.
Origen sent for by the empress Mammaea to Antioch. Fie begins to
write his commentaries. How many notaries, and transcribers em-
ployed, and by whom maintained. Notaries, their original and office -
their use and institution in the primitive church. His journey inf
Greece. His passage through Palestine, and being ordained presbyti
at Caesarea. Demetrius of Alexandria, his envy and rage against
him. Origen condemned in two synods at Alexandria, and one at
Home. The resignation of his catechetic school to Heraclas. Hera-
cias, who. The story of his offering sacrifice. The credit of this stoiy
questioned, sind why. His departure from Alexandria, and fixing at
384 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
Caesarca. The eminency of his school there. Gregorius Thauma*^
turgus his scholar. His friendship with Firmilian. Firmilian, who.
The persecution under Maximinus. Origen's book written to the
martyrs. His retirement whither. His comparing the versions of the
Bible. Hi? Tetrapla, Hexapla, and Octapla, what, and how managed :
His second journey to Athens. His going to Nicomedia, and let-
ter to Africanus about the history of Susanna. His confutation
of Beiyllus in Arabia. His answer to Celsus. Celsus, who. Origen's
letters to Philip the emperor. The vanity of making him a
Christian. Origen's journey into Arabia to refute heresies. The
Helcesaitae, who : what their principles. Alexander's miraculous
election to the see of Jerusalem ; his coadjutorship, government, suf-
ferings, and martyrdom. Origen's grievous sufferings at Tyre, under
the Decian persecution. His deliverance out of prison ; age, and
death. His character. His strict life. His mighty zeal, abstinence,
contempt "of the world, indefatigable diligence, and patience noted.
His natural parts : incomparable learnmg. His books, and their se-
veral classes. His style, what. His unsound opinions. The great
outcry against him in all ages. The apologies written in his behalf,
several things noted out of the ancients to extenuate the charge. His
assertions not dogmatical. Not intended for public view^ Generally
such as were not determined by the church. His books corrupted, and
by whom. His own complaints to that purpose. The testimonies of
Athanasius, and Theotimus, and Haymo in his vindication. Great
erroi's and mistakes acknowledged. What things contributed to
them. His great kindness for the PI li tonic principles. St. Hierom's
moderate censure of him. His repenting of his rash propositions. His
■writings enumerated, and what now extant.
1. ORIGEN, called also Adamantius (either from
the unwearied temper of his mind, and that strength of
reason wherewith he compacted his discourses, or his
iirmness and constancy in religion, notwithstanding aU
the assaults made against it) was born at Alexandriaj
tiie known metropolis of Egypt ; unless we will suppose,
that upon some particular tumult or persecution raised
against the Christians in that city, his parents fled for re-
fuge to the mountainous parts thereabouts, where his
mother was delivered of him, and that thence he was
called Origenes, quasi h igii yim^bCn (which most conceive
to the etymology of his name) one born in the mountains.*'
But w^hether that be the proper derivation of the word,
or the other the particular occasion of its imposition, let
the reader determine as he please. However I believe
the reader will think it a much more probable and reason-
able conjecture, than what one ^supposes, that he was so
a 'Og/Q^eyiic, 0 h to? l^tt yim^^iie:. Suid. in voc 'O^;^.. p. 330. T. 2.
b Halloix not. ad Grig-, defcns. c. I. p, i.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 385
called because born of holy parents ; the saints in scrip-
ture being (as he tells us) sometimes metaphorically
styled Mountains. The first and the last I dare say that
ever made that conjecture. A learned man ''supposes
him rather (and thinks no doubt can be made of it) so
called from Orus, an Egyptian word, and with them the
title of Apollo or the sun (from iin no question, which
signifies light or fire) one of their principal deities.
Hence Orus, the name of one of the Egyptian kings, as
it has been also of many others. And thus as «Vo ^ a«c
comes Diogenes, one born of Jupiter, sO'i^sTS'n^^is derived
Origenes, one descended of Or, or Orus, a Deity so-
lemnly worshipped at Alexandria. A conjecture that
might have commanded its own entertainment, did not
one prejudice lie against it, that we can hardly conceive
so good a man, and so severe a Christian as Origen's
father would impose a name upon his child for which he
must be beholden to an heathen deity, and whom he might
see every day worshipped with the most sottish idolatry,
that he should lethim perpetually carry about that remem-
brance of Pagan idolatry in his name, which thc}^ so par- ■
ticularly, and so solemnly renounced in their baptism/
But to return.
2. He was born about the year of our Lord 186, be-
ing seventeen'^ years of age at his father's death, who
suffered Ann. Chr. 202, Severi 10. His father was Le-
onidas, whom Suidas^and some others (without any au-
thority that I know of from the ancients) make a bishop.
To be sure he was a good man, and a martyr for the faith.
In his younger years he was brought up under the tutor-
age of his own ^father, who instructed him in all the
grounds of human literature, and together with them,
took especial care to instil the principles of religion, sea-
soning his early age with the notices of divine things, so
that like another Timothy, fro?n a child he knew the holy
Scriptures, and was thoroughl}^ exercised and instructed
in them. Nor was his father more diligent to insinuate
c Voss.de Idol. 1. 2. c. 10. p. 18'1>.
d Euseb, H. EccL 1.6. c. 2. p. 203. e In \oz. 'nf>iyivn;,p. 389. Tom. 2
f Euseb. Ibid. p. 202.
5 C
586 TI^E LIFE OF ORICxEX.
his instructions, than the subject he managed was capa--
ble to receive them. Part of his daily task was to learn
and repeat some parts of the holy Scriptures, which he
readily discharged. But not satisfied wath the bare
reading or recital of them, he began to inquire more
narrowly into the more profound sense of them, often im-
portuning his father with questions, what such or such
a passage of scripture meant. The good man, though
seemingly reproving his busy forwardness, and admo-
nishing him to be content with the plain obvious sense,
and not to ask questions above his age, did yet inwardly
rejoice in his own mind, and heartily bless God that he
had made him the father of such a child. Much ado
had the prudent man to keep the exuberance of his love
and joy from running over before others, but in private
he gave it vent, frequently going into the chaniber where
the youth lay asleep, and reverently kissing his naked
breast, the treasury of an early piety and a divine spirit,
reflected upon himself how happy he was in so excellent
a son. So great a comfort, so invaluable a blessing is it
to pious parents to see their children setting out betimes
in the way of righteousness, and sucking in religion al-
most with their mother's milk.
3. Having passed over his paternal education, he was
put to perfect his studies under the institution of Cle-
mens Alexandrinus, then regent of the catechist school
at Alexandria, where according to the acuteness of his
parts, and the greatness of his industry he made vast im-
provements in all sorts of learning. From him he be-
took himself to Ammonius, who had then newly set up
a platonic school at Alexandria, and had reconciled
s those inveterate feuds and differences that had been be-
tween the schools of Plato and Aristotle, and which had
reigned among their disciples till his time, which he did
(says my author) hGarida-^cargoc ro ■^ cpixo^ccpi^g dx>,^ivcv, out of a
divine transport for the truth of philosophy, despising
the little opinions, and wrangling contentions of peevish
men, and propounding a more free and generous kind of
g Hierccl. 1. 1. de provkl. & Fat, ap. Phot. Cod. CCXIV. col, 549. & Cod.
CCLI. coi. 1381.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 38r
^^n, as Porphyry '^ besides other witnesses, who saw
Origen when hnnself but a youth. This Ammonius
was called Saccas, (from his carrying ' sacks of corn upon
his back, being a porter by eniploynient, before he betook
himself to the study of philosoph} ) one of the most learn-
ed and eloquent men of those times, a great philosopher,
and the chief of the platonic sect, and which was above all,
a Christian, born and brought up among them, as ^ Por-
phyry himself is forced to confess ; though when he tells
us, that afterwards upon maturer consideration, and his
entering upon philosophy, he renounced Christianity, and
embraced Paganism and the religion of the empire, he is
as little to be credited, and guilty of as notorious a false-
hood (as Eusebius observes) as when he affirms that
Origen was born and bred up a gentile, and then turned
oft to Christianity, when as nothing was more evident,
than that Origen was born of Christian parents, and that
Ammonius retained hiis Christian and divine philosophy
to the very last minute of his life, whereof the books
which he left behind him were a standing evidence. In-
deed '"^ Eutychius patriarch of Alexandria (if he means
tlie same) seems to give some countenance to Porphyry's
report, and further adds, that Ammonius was one of the
twenty bishops, which Heraclas, then bishop of Alexan-
dria, constituted over the Egyptian churches, but that
he deserted his religion, which Heraclas no sooner
heard of, but he convened a synod of bishops and went
to the city, where Ammonius was bishop, \\here having
thoroughly scanned and discussed the matter, he redu-
ced him back again to the trudi. Whether he found this
among the records of that church, or took it from the
mouth of tradition and report, is uncertain, the thing not
being mentioned by any other writer. But however it
was, it is plain that Ammonius was a man of incompara-
ble parts and learning, " Hierocles himself styles him
kdiJj'XKh,, one taught of God, and when Plotinus the great
h Apv.fl Euseb. ibid. c. 19. p. 220. vid. Tlieod. Serm. VI. de Prov'.d p. 96.
i Vul T :Cv;d. loco citat. k Lnc. ciiat.
m Anna'i. p. 332 Edit. Pocnck. vid. etiam SeUler,. not. in Eutych. Sect. 2".
p. 147. Lib. de P.orid, & fat. ubi supr.
388 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
platonist had found him out, he ''told his friend in a kind
of triumph, that this was the man whom he had sought
after. Under him Origen made himself perfect master
of the platonic notions, being daily conversant in the
writings of Plato, Numenius, Cronius, Apollophanes,
Longinus, Moderatus, Nicomachus, and the most prin-
cipal among the Pythagoreans, as also of Chaeremon and
Cornatus, Stoics ; from whom (as Porphyry truly enough
observes) he learned that allegorical and mystical way
of interpretation, which he introduced into the Chris-
tian doctrine.
4. Besides our Adamantiu:^, there was another Ori-
gen, his contemporary, a Gentile philosopher, honourably
mentioned by ^'Longinus, ^^Porphyry, 'Hierocles, *Euna-
pius, ^Proclus, and others; a person of that learning and
accurate judgment, that coming "one day into Plotinus's
school, the grave philosopher was ashamed, and would
have given place : and when intreated by Origen to go on
with his lecture, he answered widi a compliment, that a
man could have but little mind to speak there, where he
was to discourse to them, who understood things as well
as himself, and so after a very short discourse, broke up
the meeting. I am not ignorant that most learned men
have carelesly confounded this person with our Origen :
Whence 'Holstenius wonders why Eunapius should
make him school-fellow with Porphyry, who was much
his junior, whom Porphyry says indeed he knew, being
himself then very young, and this probably not at Alex-
andria but at Tyre, where he was born, and where Ori-
gen a long time resided. So that his wonder would
have ceased, had he considered what is plain enough,
tliat Eunapius meant it of this other Origen, Porphyry's
fellow pupil, not under Ammonius at Alexandria, but
under Plotinus at Rome. Indeed were there nothing
else, this were enough to distinguish them, that the ac-
count given of Origen and what he wrote by Longinus,
o Porphyi\ in vit. Plotln. p 2. Plotiii. Opcr. Pi\tf. Porphyr. ap Euseb. ubi.
[> Lib. <arsei Ttxss? apiul. Poi-phvr. in vit. Plotin. q Ibid. r Lib. de Fat
..hi. supr. s In vit. Prophyr. p. 19. t In Plat. Theol. I. %c. 4. p. 9l>.
u Ap. Porpbvr. loc, cit. v Dc Vit. &. Script. Forpliyv. c. 2. p. IL
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 389
by Porphyry in the life of Plotinus, and others, does no
ways agree to our Christian writer.
5. The persecution under Severus in the tenth year
of his reign was now grown hot at Alexandria, Lcctus
the governor daily adding fuel to the flames, where
among the great numbers of martyrs ''Leonides, Ori-
gen's father, was first imprisoned, then beheaded, and
his estate confiscated and reduced into the public exche-
quer. During his imprisonment ''Origen began to dis-
cover a most impatient desire of martyrdom, from which
scarce any intreaties or considerations could restrain
him. He knew the deplorable estate wherein he was
like to leave his wife and children, could not but have a
sad influence upon his father's mind, whom therefore by
letters he passionately exhorted to persevere unto mar-
tyrdom, adding this clause among the rest, Take heed
sir, that for our sakes you do not change your mind. And
himself had gone not only to prison, but to the very
block with his father, if the divine providence had not
interposed. His mother, perceiving his resolutions, treat-
ed him with all the charms and endearments of so affec-
tionate a relation, attempted him with prayers and tears,
ir^treating him if not for his own, that at least for her
sake, and his nearest relatives, he would spare himself.
All which not prevailing, especially after his father's ap-
prehension, she was forced to betake herself to little arts,
hiding all his clothes, that mere shame might confine
him to the house. A mighty instance, as the historian
notes, of a juvenile forwardness and maturity, and a
most hearty affection for the true religion.
6. His father being dead, and the ^estate seized for
the emperor's use, he and the family were reduced to
great straits. When behold the providence of God
(who peculiarly takes care of widows and orphans, and
especially the relicts of those that suffer for him) mad
\\'\\ for their relief. A rich and honourable matron of
Alexandria, pitying his miserable case, liberally contri-
w Euseb. ib. c 1. p. ^M. x Id q. ? p. 20?.
Euseb. ibUi. p. 203.
390 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
butcd to his necessities, as she did to others, and among
them maintained one Paul of Antioch, a ringleader of all
the heretics at Alexandria, who by subtle artifices had so
far insinuated himself into her, that she had adopted
him to be her son. Origen, though he held his livelihood
purely at her bounty, would not yet comply wuth this
favourite, not so much as to join in prayer with him, no
not when an innumerable multitude not only of heretics,
but of orthodox daily flocked to him, taken with the elo-
quence of his discourses. For from his childhood he
had religiously observed the rule and canon of the churcla,
and abominated (as himself expresses it) all heretical
doctrines. Whether this noble lady upon this occasion
withdrew her charity, or wdiether he thought it more
agreeable to the Christian rule to live by his own labour,
than to depend wholly upon another's bounty, I know-
not : but having perfected those studies of foreign learn-
ing, the foundations whereof he had laid under the dis-
cipline of his father, he now began to set up for himself,
opening a school for the profession of the learned arts,
where besides the good he did to others, he raised a con-
siderable maintenance to himself. And though then,
but a very youth, yet did not the grave and the learned,
the philosophers, and greatest masters of heresy disdain
to be present at his lectures, whose opinions he imparti-
ally w^eighed and examined, as himself ^informs us :
many of whom of auditors ''became his converts, yea
and martyrs for the faith, as we shall see by and by.
7. By this time his fame had recommended him to
public notice, and he was thought fit, though but eigh-
teen years of age, to be made master of the Catechetic
school at Alexandria, whether as colleague with his mas-
ter Clemens, or upon resignation, his successor, is un-
certain ; the latter seems most probable, because ^Eu-
sebius reports that Demetrius bishop of Alexandria com-
mitted the instruction of the Catechumens to him only,
unless we will understand it of some private andparticu-
liar school, distinct from the ordinary catechetic school,
2 Epist. ap. Euseb, ib. c. 19. p. 221. a Ibid. c. 30. p. 204. b Ibid
p. 205.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. S91
philosophy to his auditors. Among whom was our Ori-
till Clcmens's death, whose successor the ancients gene-
fallv make him. Scholars in very great numbers daily
crowded in upon him, so that finding he had enough to
do, and that his different imployments did not well con-
sisc together, he left off teaching the arts and sciences,
and gave up himself entire]}^ to the instructing his disci-
ples in the rudiments of Christianity. Being settled in
this office, he followed it with infinite diligence, and no
less success. For he not onl}" built up those who were
already Christians, but ''gained over a great number of
Gentile philosophers to the faith, who embraced Chris-
tianity with so hearty and sincere a mind, as readily to
seal it wdth their blood. Among which of most note
Avere Plutarch, whom Origen attending to his martyr-
dom was like to have been killed by the people for be-
ing the author of his conversion ; Sere n us, who was
burnt for his religion, Heraciides and Heron, both^be-
headed, the one while but a Catechumen, the other a
novice ; next came a second Serenus, who after he had
endured infinite torments, lost his head, and gained a
crown. Nay the weaker sex also put in for a share,
one Herais, a catechumen, and Origen's scholar, being
as himself expresses it, to ySaTr?/^-^^ to cT;* 7tv(ok xaCK?-*, baptized
by fire^ left this world, and in those flames mounted up
to heaven. Nor was Origen so wholly swallowed up
with the care of his school, as not to perform Muties of
piety and humanity towards others, especially martyrs,
and those that w^ere condemned to die. For Aquila,
Laitus's successor, in the government of Alexandria,
that he might do something singular in the entrance
upon his place, renewed the persecution, which was so
severe, that every one consulted his own safety, and kept
close ; so that when the martyrs were in prison, or led to
trial, or execution, there was none to comfort them, or
minister unto them. This ofiice Origen boldly took
upon him, attending the martyrs to the very place of
execution, embracing and saluting them as they were
led along, till the enraged multitude pelted him with
c M. Ibid. c. 4. p. 206. d Ibid. p. 204.
392 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
showers of stones, and an hundred times was he in danger
of his hfe, had not the divine providence immediately in-
terposed to rescue him. At last the}^ resolved to find him
out, great multitudes besetting his house, and because he
had vast numbers of scholars, they brought a guard of
soldiers along with them, who hunted him from house
to house, so that no place could afford him a quiet re-
fuge. And to this period of time I find some learned
men (and I think very probably) ascribing that passage
which ''Epiphanius reports concerning him, that he was
hauled up and down the city, reviled and reproached,
and treated with insolent scorn and fury. Once having
shaved his head after the manner of the Egyptian priests^
they set him upon the steps of Serapis's temple, comman-
ding him to give branches of palm-trees, as the priests
used to do, to them that went up to perform their holy
rites. He taking the branches with a ready and unterri-
fied mind, cried out aloud, Come hither^ and take the
brarich, not of an idol- temple^ hut of Christ, A piece of
courage which I suppose did not contribute to mitigate
their rage against him.
8. About this time he made that famous attempt upon
himself, so much commended by some, but condemned
by others, his making himself an eunuch, which, as ap-
pears from ^ Epiphanius, some of the ancients conceived
to have been done by medicinal applications, which en-
ervated the powers and tendencies of nature that way,
though others, and ^ St. Hierom expressly, say it was
done with the knife. But how^ever it was, he did it part-
ly out of a perverse interpretation ^ of our Saviour's mean-
ing, when he says, there be some xvhich make themselves
eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven"* s sake^ which he would
needs literally understand ; partly out of a desire to take
away all suspicion of wantonness and incontinency,
which the Gentiles might be apt enough to cast upon
him, when they saw him admit not men only, but women
into his discipliae ; besides that hereby he himself was
e Heres. LXIV.p. 227. f Ubi snpr. p. 228. g Ad Palnach. de
error. Orig. Tom. 2. p. 192. h Euseb. ibid. c. 8. p. 209.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 393
secured from any temptations to immodest and irregular
embraces. How strict and severe was the chastity of those
primitive times, we have showed at large in another place ;
so great, that ' Justin the martyr tells us of a young man
of Alexandria, who to convince the Gentiles of the false-
hood of that malicious charge upon the incontinency and
promiscuous mixtures, which they usually laid upon the
Christians, presented a petition to Fselix, the president of
Alexandria, desiring his leave that the physicians might
make him an eunuch, which the president refused, as
prohibited by the laws of the Roman empire ; as it was
afterwards by several provisos and canons of the church.
This fact though Origen endeavoured to conceal from
some of his friends, yet did it quickly break out, and De-
metrius the bishop who now admired it as an heroic act of
temperance, and an instance of a great and a daring mind,
did afterwards load it with all its aggravations, and bringit
in as an inexcusable charge against him. I add no more
concerning this than that whatever Origen might do now
in the vigor of his youth, and through the sprightliness of
his devout zeal, yet in his more considerate and reduced
age he was of another mind, condemning ^ such kind of
attempts, soberly enough expounding that passage of our
Saviour, which before he had so fatally misunderstood.
9. Severus, the emperor, that violentenemy of Christians
being dead, Ann. Chr, CCXI. Origen ' had a great desire
to see the church of Rome, so venerable for its antiquity
and renown, and accordingly came thither, while pope
Zephyrin sat bishop of that see, where he staid not long,
but returned back to Alexandria, and to his accustomed
catechetic office, Demetrius earnestly importuning him to
resume it But finding the employment '" grow upon him,
and so wholly to engross his time, as not to allow him
the least leisure for retirement and contemplation, and the
study of the scriptures, so fast did auditors press in up-
on him from morning till night, he took in Heraclas, who
had been his scholar, a man versed both in olivine and
i Ap(-log. 11. p. 71. k Via. Comment, in Matt. p. 368. & p. 370, 371.
Edit. HueV i K..^eb.ib. c. 14. p. 216. m ibid. c. 15. p. 217.
3 D
a94 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
human studies, to be his partner, dividing the work be>
tween them, the younger and more untutored catechu-
mens he committed to him ; the maturer, and those who
had been of a longer standing he reserved to be instruct-
ed by himself. And now he gave up himself to a closer
and more accurate study of the holy scriptures, which
that he might manage with the better success, he set him-
self to learn the Hebrew tongue, the true key to unlock
the door (wherein as " St. Hierom probably inti-
mates, he was assisted by the help of Huillus the Jew-
ish patriarch at that time, at least in the Rabbinic ex-
position of the scripture) a thing little understood in
those times, and the place he lived in, and to him who was
nov/ in the prime of his age, and the flower of more plea-
sing and delightful studies, no doubt very difficult and
uneasy. But nothing is hard to an industrious diligence,
and a v/ilhng mind.
10. Nor did his pains in this interrupt his activity in his
other employments ; Vviiere he perceived ° any of his scho-
lars of more smart and acute understandings, he first in-
structed them in geometry, arithmetic, and other prepa-
ratory institutions, and then brought them through^ a
course of philosophy, discovering the principles of each
sect, and explaining the books of the ancients, and some-
times himself writing comments upon them, so that the
very Gentiles cried him up for an eminent philosopher.
The ruder and more unpolished part of his auditory he
w^ouid often exhort to the study of human arts, assuring
them that they would not a little conduce to the right un-
derstanding of the holy scriptures. Many flocked to him
to make trial uf his famed skill and learning ; others to be
instructed in the precepts both of philosophy and Chris-
tianity. Great numbers of heretics were his auditors,
.some of whom he converted from the error of their way ;
and among the rest ^ x^mbrosius, a man of nobility and
estate at Alexandria, having been seduced into the errors
of Marcion and Valentinus, being convinced by Origen's
n Apolog. adv. Ruffin. Tom 2. p 201. o Eus. ib. c. 18 p 218,
p Kuscb. ib. liieron. do Sc-ip. h\ Ambros. Siiid. in Voc. 'ii^i-y, iipiph. ubi supr
r- ?^^-
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 395
discourses, renounced his former heresies, and returned to
the catholic doctrine of the cliurch, and ever after became
his intimate friend, his great patron and benefactor. He
was a man of neat elegant parts, and was continually
prompting Origen to explain and interpret some part of
the scripture ; as oft as they were together (as '^ Origen
himself informs us) he sufi'ered not a supper time to pass
without discourses to this purpose, nor their very walks
and recreations to be without them ; a great part of the
night, besides their morning studies, were spent upon
these pious exercises ; their meals and their rest were
ushered in with continual lectures, and both night and
day where prayer ended, reading began, as after reading
they again betook themselves to prayer. Indeed this
Ambrose was a pious and good man, and though so great
a person, did not disdain to take upon him the office of
a deacon in the church, nay to undergo great hardships
and suiferings, becoming an eminent confessor for the
faith. And there is only this blot, ""that I know of, that
sticks upon his memory, that when he died rich, he re-
membered not his dear and ancient friend whose low
and mean condition might well have admitted, as his
pains and intimacy might deservedly have challenged, a
bountiful legacy to have been bequeathed to him.
11. About this time came a messenger' from the go-
vernor of Arabia with letters to Demetrius the bishop,
and to the praefect of Egypt, desiring that with all speed
Origen might be sent to impart the Christian doctrine to
him : so considerable had the fame of this great man
rendered him abroad in foreign nations. Accordingly he
went into Arabia, where having despatched his errand,
he came back to Alexandria. Not long after whose re-
turn, the emperor Caracalla drew his army into those
parts, intending to fall severely upon that city. To
avoid whose rage and cruelty Origen thought good to
withdraw himself, and not knowing any place in Egypt
that could afford him shelter, he retired into Palestine,
and fixed his residence at Caesarea, where his excel-
b Epist. ap. Suid. ubi. supp. p. 390. vid. Hieron. Ep. ad Marcell. p. 129.
Tom. 1. r Hieron. i]e Script. in Agnbros. sEu^cb. ibici. c. 19. p. 221.
396 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
lent abilities being soon taken notice of, he was request-
ed by the bishops of those parts, though but then in the
capacity of a laic, publicly in the church, and before
themseives to expound the scriptures to the people.
The news hereof was presently carried to Alexandria,
and highly resented by Demetrius, who by letters ex-
postulated the case with Theoctistus, bishop of Cgesarea,
and Alexander of Jerusalem, as a thing never heard of
before in the Christian church ; who in their answer put
him in mind, that this had been no such unusual thing,
whereof they give him particular instances. All which
satisfied not Demetrius, who by letters commanded
Origen to return, and sent deacons on purpose to
urge him to it, whereupon he came back and applied him-
self to his wonted charge.
12. Alexander Severus, ^the present emperor, in or-
der to his expedition against the Persians, was come to
Antioch, attended with his mother Mammasa, a wise and
prudent, and (says *Eusebius) a most pious and religious
princess; a great influence she had upon her son, whom
she engaged in a most strict and constant administration
of justice, and the affiiirs of the empire, that he might
have no leisure to be debauched by vice and luxury.
Indeed he was a prince of incomparable virtues, histori-
ans representing him as mild and gentle, compassionate
and charitable, sober and temperate, just and impartial,
devout and pious, one advanced to the empire for the
recovery and happiness of mankind. He was no enemy to
Christians, whom he did not only not persecute, but
favour at every turn: and in his private oratory he had
among other heroes the images of Abraham and of
Christ, and was once minded to have built a temple to
him, and publicly admitted him into the number of their
gods. He highly admired some precepts of the Chris-
tian religion, and from their discipline learned some rites
which he made use of in the government of the empire.
But to return to Mammaea : being a Syrian born, she
could not be unacquainted with the aifairs both of Jews
t Ibid. c. 31. p. 223. vid. excerpt, ex Jo. Antioch. p. 850.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 39/
and Christians, and having heard of the great fame of
Origen" was very desirous to see him, and hear him dis-
course concerning religion, that she might know what
it was, for which the whole world had him in such vene-
ration. And for this purpose she sent for him, order-
ing a military guard to conduct him to Antioch, where
he stayed some considerable time, and having fully
opened the doctrines of our religion, and given her ma-
ny demonstrations of the faith of Christians, to the great
honour of God and of religion, he was dismissed, and
permitted to return to his old charge at Alexandria.
13 Henceforward he set upon writing ^commentaries
on the Holy Scripture, at the instigation of his dear friend
Ambrosius, who did not only earnestly importune
him to it, but furnish him with all conveniences neces-
sary for it ; allovving him besides his maintenance, seven
(and as occasion was more) notaries to attend upon him,
who by turns might take from his mouth what he dicta-
ted to them ; and as many transcribers, besides virgins
employed for that purpose, who copied out fair, what
the others had hastily taken from his mouth. These
notaries were very common both among the Greeks and
Romans, making use of certain peculiar notes and signs,
either by way of occult or short writing, being able by
the dexterity of their art to take not words only but en-
tire sentences. The original of it is by some ascribed
to Tyro, Cicero's servant, by others to Aquila, servant
to Meccenas, by others to Ennius, and that it was polish-
ed and enlarged afterwards, first by Tyro, then by Aqui-
la and some others. It may be in its first rudeness it
was much more ancient, and improved and perfected by
degrees, every new addition entitling itself to the first
invention, till it arrived to that accuracy and perfection,
that (as appears from what "" Martial says in the case,
and Ausonius ""reports of his amanuensis) they were able
not only to keep pace with, but many times to out run
the speaker. That they were of frequent use in the
u Euseb. loc. cit. v Ibid. c. 23. p. 224. w Lib. 14. Epigr. 20S,
X Epigram. 36.
39^ THE LIFE OF ORIGIN.
primitive church, is without all doubt, being chiefly
imployed to write the acts of the martyrs ; for which
end they were wont to frequent the prisons, to be pre-
sent at all trials and examinations ; and if the thing was
done intra velum, within the secretarium, they used by
bribes to procure copies of the examinations and answers
from the proconsul's register ; thence they followed \ht^
martyrs to the place cf execution, there to remark their
sayings and their suiferings. I'his was done in the most
early ages, as is evident from ^Tertullian's mentioning
i\\^ fasti ecclesice^ and from what ^St. Cyprian says in his
epistle to the clergy of his church, and ^Pontius the
deacon in his life : where he tells us, that their fore-
fathers were wont to register whatever concerned the
martyrdom of the meanest Christian, the acts whereof
descended down to his time. Thus ^'Eusebius speak-
ing of the martyrdom of Apollonius in the reign of Com-
modus, tells us, that all his answers and discourses be-
fore the president's tribunal, and his brave apology before
the senate, were contained in the acts of his martyrdom,
which together with others, he had collected into one
volume. So that the original of the institution is not
widiout probability referred to the times of St. Clemens,
bishop of Rome. All which I the rather note because
it gives us a reasonable account how the answers and
speeches of the martyrs, the arguments and discourses
of synods and councils, and extempore homilies of the
fathers came to be transmitted so entire and perfect to
us. But I return to Origen, whom we left dictating to
his notaries, and they dehvering it to those many trans-
cribers that were allowed him ; all which were maintain-
ed at Ambrosius's sole expense. Thotius indeed makes
this charge to have been allowed by Hippolytus, deriv-
ing his mistake it is plain, from the Greek interpreter
of '^St. Hierom's catalogue, who did not rightly appre-
hend St. Hierom's meaning, and who himself speaking
of Hippolytus, inserts this passage concerning Ambrose
V De Coron. c. 13. p. 109, z Epist. XXXVII. p. 51. a In vit Cypr. non.
lon^. ab init. b H. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 21. p. 189. c Cod. CXXI. col. SOL
^ Vid. Hieron.de Scrjpt. in HippoV
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 39^
I know not how, and for no other reason that I can ima-
gin, but because in Eusebius's history he found it im-
mediately following the account that was given of Hip-
polytus's works. *" Epiphanus will have these commen-
taries written, and the expenses allowed for that purpose
by Ambrosius at T^re, and that for that end he resided
there 28 years together. An intolerable mistake, not
only disagreeing with Eusebius's account, but plainly in-
consistent with the course of Origen's life. And indeed
Epiphanius alleges no better author than «? o Koy®- ixu, ha-
ving picked up the story from some vulgar tradition and
report. His industry and diligence in these studies was
incredible, few parts of the bible escaping his narrow and
critical researches : wherein he attained to so admirable
an accuracy and perfection, that ^ St. Hierom himself
(not always over civil to him) professes he could be
content to bear that load of envy that was cast upon his
name, so that he had but withal his skill and knowledge
in the scriptures. A passage which ^ Ruffinus afterwards
smartly enough returns upon him.
14. But a stop for the present was put to this work by
some affairs of the church, which called him into Achaia,.
then disturbed with divers heresies that over ran those
churches. And at this time doubtless it was that he
stayed awhile at Athens, where (as ^ Epiphanius tells us)
he frequented the schools of the philosophers, and con-
versed with the sages of that place. In his journey to
Achaia he went through ' Palestine, and took Csesarea in
his way, where producing his letters of recommendation
from Demetrius, he was ordained presbyter by Alexan-
der of Jerusalem, and Theoctistus, bishop of Csesarea.
Not that this was done by any sinister arts, or fhe ambi-
tious procurement of Origen himself, but was entirely
the act of those two excellent persons, Vvho designed by
eHeres.LXIV.p. 228.
f Hoc unum dico, fjuod vcUem cum invidia nomiois ejus habere etiam sci-
eniiam sciipturai uni, floccipendens imagiues umbrasque lavarnm : quarum iia-
tura esse dicitur, terrere parvulos, et in anguUs gavrire lenebiosis, HLeroii;
Praet". in Qiixst. in Genes. Tom. 3. p. 201,
g- Invxctiv. II. in Hieron. Inter oper. Hier. Tom. 4. p. ^5. h XJh'i supt,
p. 227, i Eiiseb. loc. cit. Hicr. ch; Script in A?e\:.
400 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
this means to furnish him with a greater authority for the
management of his embassy, and to render him more ser-
viceable to the affairs of the church. However the thing
was infinitely resented by Demetrius, as an affront against
his jurisdiction, and a contempt of his authority, and now
the wind is turned into a blustering quarter, and no-
thing but anathemas are thundered out against him from
Alexandria. Demetrius had for some time born him a se-
cret grudge, and he takes this occasion to fall upon him.
The truth is, he '^ envied the honour and reputation which
Origen's learning and virtue had raised him in the
thoughts and mouths of all men, and wanting hitherto an
opportunity to vent his emulation, he had now one put
into his hand, and accordingly charges him with all that
spite and spleen can invent, publicly accusing him (what
before he admired in him) for making himself an eunuch,
and severely reflectmg upon the bishops that ordained
him. Nay, so high did he raise the storm, that he pro-
cured Origen to be condemned ' in two several synods,
one of bishops and presbyters, who decreed that he should
be banished Alexandria, and not permitted either to live
or teach there : the other under Demetrius, who with
some bishops of Egypt pronounced him to be degraded
from his priesthood, his greatest favourers subscribing
the decree. "" St. Hierom adds, that the greatest part of
the Christian world consented to this condemnation, and
that Rome itself convened a synod against him, not for
heresy or innovations in doctrine ; but merely out of en-
vy, as not able to bear the glory and renown of his learn-
ing and eloquence ; seeing while he taught they were
looked upon as mute and dumb, as the stars disappear at
the presence of the sun. And yet all this combustion
vanished into smoke, Origen still retaining his priest-
hood, publicly preaching in the church, and being honour -
ably entertained wherever he came by the wiser and more
moderate party of the church.
kEuseb. ib.c 8. p. 209. I Panphil. Apolog. ap. Phot. Cod. CXVIII,
col. 29r. m Apud Ruffin, luvecl. II. in Hierou. inter ope;-. Hier. T.-4.
p. 225.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 401
15. Wearied out with .the vexatious assaults of his
enemies, he resolved to quit Alexandria, where the sen-
tence of the synods would not suffer him long to abide,
having first resigned the government of his catechetie
school entirely to his colleague Heraclas. " This Hera-
clas was a Gentile born^ brother to Plutarch, who (as be-
fore we noted) suftered martyrdom for the faith, together
with whom he became Origen's scholar, by whom he was
converted, and built up in the faith, then taken in as his
usher or partner in the catechetic office, afterwards his
successor, and last of all bishop of Alexandria. A man
of unwearied diligence and a strict life ; learned and elo-
quent, a great master in philosophy and all human, but
especially versed in divine, studies. He retained his phi-
losophic habit even after he was made presbyter of Alex-
andria, and ceased not with a mighty industry still to read
over and converse with the writings of the Gentiles ; in-
deed arrived to that singular fame and reputation, tliat
Julius Africanus, one of the most learned men of those
times came ° on purpose to Alexandria to see and hear
him. No wonder, therefore, if Origin committed this
great care and trust to him, whose personal merit, and
particular obligation as his scholar, might seem to chal-
lenge it. Before his departure (for they that refer it to
the time ofDecius, speak at random, Origen not being
then at Alexandria) an accident fell out, which (if true)
hastened his flight with more shame and sorrow than ail
the malice of his bitterest enemies could create him.
Thus then we are told ; ^ some Gentiles that were his
mortal enemies, seized upon him, and reduced him to
this strait, that either he should abuse his body with a
Blackmoor^ or do sacrifice to an idol. Of the two he
chose to sacrifice, though it was rather their act than his,
for putting frankincense into his hand, they led him up
to the akar, and forced him to throw it into the lire.
Which yet drew so great a blot upon his mime, and de-
rived so much guilt upon his conscience, that not able to
n Euseb. ib. c. 26. p. 228. o Ibid. c. 31. p. 230. P E^^'PH. u^i
sup. p. 228. P.eont. de Sect. Act. X. p
3 E
402 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
bear the public reproach, he immediately left the city.
The credit of this story is not a little shaken by the uni-
versal silence of the more ancient writers in this matter,
not so much as intimated by Eusebius, Pamphilus, or
Origin's own contemporary, Dionysius of Alexandria ;
not objected by his greatest adversaries, as is plain from
the apologies written in his behalf ; not mentioned by
Porphyry who lived in those times, and whom we can-
not suppose either to have been ignorant of it, or willing
to conceal it, when we find him falsely reporting of Am-
monius, that he apostatized from Christianity, and of
Origen himself, that he was born and bred a heathen.
In short, not mentioned by any before Epiphanius, and
besides him, not by any else of that time, not St. Hie-
rom, Rufinus, Vincentius Lerinensis, or Theophilus of
Alexandria, some of whom were enemies enough to Ori-
gen. So that it was not without some plausibility of
reason that '^ Baronius suspected this passage to have been
foisted into Epiphanius, and not to have been the genu-
ine issue of his pen. Though in my mind Epiphanius
himself says enough to make any wise man ready to sus-
pend his belief ; for he tells '^ us, that many strange
things were reported concerning Origen, v/hich he him-
self gave no credit to, though bethought good to set down
the reports ; and how often he catches up any common
rumours and builds upon them, none need be told that
are acquainted with his writings. Nor is it likely he
would baulk any story that tended to Origen's disgrace,
who had himself so bitter a zeal and spleen against him.
I might further argue the improbability of this story from
hence, that this being a long time after his famous emascu-
lating of himself which by this time was known all abroad,
it is not reasonable to suppose, that the heathens should
make the prostituting himself in committing adultery one
part of his choice, which his self contracted impotency
and eunuchism had long since made it impossible to him.
However, supposing the matter of fact to be true, it
sounds not more (especially considering how much there
q Ad Ann. 253. n. CZXIII. r Ibid. p. 229.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 403
was of force and compulsion in it) to his disparagement,
than his solemn repentance afterwards made for his ho-
nour, and when the desire to preserve his chastity invio-
lable is laid in the scale with his offering sacrifice.
16. Jnn. CCXXXIII. » Origen left^ Alexandria, and
directing his course for Palestine, went to his good
friend and patron Theoctistus, bishop of Cgesarea, and
from thence to Jerusalem to salute Alexander, bishop of
it, and to visit the venerable antiquities of that place....
And here Epiphanius in pursuance of the foregoing story
tells us, that being mightily importuned to preach, he
stood up in the congregation, and having pronounced
those words of penitent David, But unto the wicked God
saith, what hast thou to do to declare my statutes^ and that
thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth ? he could
go on no further, but shut the book, and laid it dowu^
and sitting down burst out into sighs and tears, the
whole congregation bearing part with him in that mourn-
ful scene. And to carry on the humour, and make the
story more complete, after ages present us with a * dis-
course under his name, called Origen's Complaint,
wherein he passionately resents and laments his fall, as a
desperate wound to himself, a grief to good men, and an
inconceivable dishonour to God, and to religion. And
pity it is, if the story be true, that this lamentation were
not genuine ; but as it is, the best ground it has to sup-
port itself is, that it is calculated to gratify a pious fan-
cy and a melting passion, there being nothing in it other-
wise worthy of this great man, and I fear was first de-
signed by him that made it, as a reflection upon him, and
to give countenance to the report that was raised con-
cerning him. From Jerusale m he not long after return,
ed back to Caesarea, where (as before he had done at
Alexandria) he set up a " school both for divine and hu-
man learning, and his great name quickly procured him
scholars from all parts, not only of the country there-
abouts, but from the remotest provinces. Among which
s Euseb. ib. c. 26. p. 228. t Extat inter Oper. Grig. Tom. 1. p. 752.
Edit. Erasm. u Id. ibid. c. 30. p. 229.
404 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN*
of most remark were Gregory, called afterwards Thau^
maluigus, and his brother Athenodorus, who leaving the
study of the law, as being more delighted with philosophy
and humane arts, committed themselves to his conduct
and tutorage, who first instructed them in philosophy,
and then trained them up to a more accurate knowledge
of the Christian faith. Five years they remained under
his discipline, when being sufficiently enriched with the
knowledge cf religion, they returned into Pontus, their
own country, where they both became bishops, and
proved eminent lights and governors of the church....
During his residence at Ccesarea, there was a firm inti-
macy and league "" of friendship contracted between Ori-
gen and Firmilian, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia,
who had so great a kindness for him that sometimes he
would prevail with him to come over into that province
for the edification of the churches in those parts, some-
times he himself would go into Judasa to visit him, and
stay a considerable while with him to perfect himself by
his society and converse. This Firmilian was a gentle-
man of Cappadocia, afterwards made bishop of Cassarea
in that country. A person of great name and note, and
who held correspondence with most of the eminent men
of those times. Few considerable afiairs of the church,
wherein he was not concerned either by his presence or
advice. Great contests were betw^een him and Stephen,
bishop of Rome, concerning the baptism of heretical per-
sons, wherein he took part with Cyprian. He was twice
at Antioch to examine the case of Paul of Samoijata,
bishop of that church, and coming a third time to a synod
convened there for that purpose, died at Tarsus by the
way. Nor was Origen admired and courted only by
foreigners and young men who had been his scholars,
but by the grave and the wise at home : both Alexander
nnd Theoctistus, though ancient bishops, did not dis-
dain in a manner to become his disciples, committing to
his single care the pow^r of interpreting the holy scrip,
tures, and whatever concerned the ecclesiastical doc-
trine
V.Ibid.c. 2r. p. 2&.
THE IJFE OF ORIGEN. 405
17. Tt was now about the year CCXXXV. when
Maximinus, the Thracian succeeded in the emph'e : a
man fierce and ill-natured, and accordmg to his educa-
tion brutish and cruel. He hated whatever had relation
to his predecessor, and because the "^ Christians had
found some favourable entertainment in his family, he
began first with them, and especially the bishops, as the
chief pillars and promoters of their religion, whom he
every where commanded to be put to death. To con-
tribute toward the consolation of Christians in this evil
time, Origen wrote his book concerning martyrdoni^y
v/hich he jointly dedicated to his dear Ambrosius, and to
Protoctetus, presbyter of Cassarea, as who had undergone
a joint share of imprisonment and sufferings under the
present persecution, and had made a glorious and illus-
trious confession of the Christian faith. As for Origen
himself, he is said to have taken sanctuary in the house
of Juliana, a wealthy and charitable lady, who courteous-
ly entertained him, and furnished him with books useful
for him, particularly with Symmachus's ^ version of the
Old Testament, and his Commentaries in defence of the
Ebionites, particularly levelled against St. Matthew's
(xospel, books which Juliana enjoyed as by right of in^
heritance devolved upon her.
18. While he enjoyed the happy opportunity of this
retirement, he, more directly applied himself to what he
had long since designed, the collecting and collating the
several editions and versions of the Old Testament with
the original text, which he finished by three several
parts% the Tetrapla, the Hexapla, and the Octapla. In
the first (which considered as a distinct part, was made
last) where four translations, set one over against another,
that of Aquila, Symmachus, the Septuagint, and Theodo-
lion ; these made up the Tetrapla. In the second were
w Id. ibid. c. 28.
^gouyov ri; \vi yiyejuovsLg Xj /ina-iKiit, i'v* auto; toi (Tvy.-rcpiv3-u<;, etuToglQctJo) § fOjUa Xf
(TO^iitv. fc QoiT^ (TvvAyaviT'A civtv UpairiKThlt' i QufAjwipTvpirrtv ii/juv, Toh ciV!t7rKnpS<ri
T-ivg-i^iifxxlit Tciv Tra^-ufxciTav t5 Xp/g-«, Quv i^uh y'ivnTAi W) t Trct^-JJ'it'Tov ib @6«.
OrigExhort. ad Martyr, p. 200. y Euseb. ib. c 17. p. 218.
z Id ibid. c. 16. p. 217. Epiph. loc. supr. citat. de ponder. & memur. p. m.
SG4, 539. Hier. de ScripL in Orig. &, Suid. in voc. Orig.
406 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
these four versions disposed in the same order, and two
other columns set before them, thus ; first the Hebrew
text in its own letters, then in a cohimn next adjoining
the same Hebrew text in Greek characters, that they
who were strangers to the one, might be able to read the
other : next followed the several versions of Aquila,
Symmachus, the Septuagint, and Theodotion. And
these constituted the Hexapla. Where the Septuagint
being placed after that of Aquila and Symmachus, gave
some ignorant undiscerning persons occasion to think,
that it had been made alter the two former : whereas it
was placed in the middle (as Epiphanius "* informs us)
only as a standard, by which the goodness and sincerity
of the rest were to be tried and judged. In the third,
whicli made the Octapla, were all that were in the former,
and in the same manner, and two if.:- ore versions added
at the end of them, one called xht fifth edition, found by
a student at Jerusalem, in a hogshead at Jericho, in the
time of the emperor Caracalia ; and another styled the
sixth edition, fr-urd by one cf Origen's scholars at Nico-
polis near Actium, in the reign of Alexander Severus.
All which in the Octapla were disposed in several co-
lumns in this order : in the first column was the original
Hebrew, in its native characteis, in the next the Hebrew^
in Greek letters, in the third the translation of Aquila,
then that of Symmachus, next the Septuagint, in the
sixth that of Theodotion, and in the two last that of Jeri-
cho, and the other of Nicopolis. Indeed plain it is from
what ^ St. Hierom tells us, that these two last were not
complete and entire translations, but contained only some
parts of the Old Testament, especially the prophetical
books. But whether from iience v/e may conclude the
Hexapla and the Octapla to have been but one and the
same work, only receiving its difterent title according to
those parts that had these two last versions annexed to
them, I v/ill not say. Besides these there was a seventh
edition ; but this belonging only to the book of Psalms,
made no alteration in the title of the whole.
a Ibid. p. io9. b Comment, in Tit, c. 3. p. ZSe. T. 9,
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 407
And to make the work more complete and useful, he distin-
guished the additions and deficiences by several marks%
where any thing had been added by the LXX. besides the
faith of the original text, he prefixed an obelus before it;
where any thing was wanting, \a hich yet was in the He-
brew, he inserted the words with an asteric, to distinguish
them from the rest of the Septan gint translation. Where
various lections were confirmed by the greater number
of translations, he added a note called Lemniscus, where
two of them only concurred, an Hypolemniscus. By
which means he did right to truth, without doing wrong^
to miy. A work of infinite labour and admirable use, and
which was therefore peculiarly styled by the ancients
Opus Eccksiof, the work of the church, upon the account
whereof St. Hierom '^calls him Lnmortale Ulud higcniiim^
as indeed had there been nothing else, ihis alone had
been sufficient to have eternized his name, and to have
rendered him memorable to posterity : and how happy
had it been, had it been preserved, the loss whereof I
can attribute to nothing more than the pains and charge,
the trouble and difficulty of transcribing it. Though
some part of it, viz. the Septuagint was taken out, and
published more exact and correct from the faults which
had crept into it by transcribing by Eusebius and Pam-
philus afterwards. It w^as a work of time, and not finish-
ed by Origen all at once, begun by him at Csesarea, and
perfected at Tyre, as Epiphanius plainly intimates.
19. From C^sarea Origen, upon what occasion I know
not, seems to have taken a second journey to Athens.
For during his stay there, we find him finishing his com-
mentaries, *^^upon Ezekiel, and beginning his exposition
upon the Canticles, five books whereof he there perfect-
ed, making an end of the rest at his return to Caisarea.
The opportunity of this journey, it is conceived by some,
he took to go to Nicomedia, to visit his friend Ambro-
sius, who with his wife and children at that time resid-
c Vid. prxter script, citat. Orlg. Comment in Matth.Eflit. Hiict. gr. t. p^
381. & Resp. adEj'.ist. AfHc. p. 226,227. Edit. Basil, vid. Ru^Hm, Invect. II.
in Hleron. inter opei-. Hier. T. 4. p. 230.
d InTit.loc. supr. cit. e Euseb. vb c 32. p. 231
40« THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
ed there. While he continued here (which was not long)
he returned an answer to the letter which he had lately
received from Julius Africanus concerning the history
of Susanna, which Africanus by short but very forcible
arguments maintained to be a fictitious and spuriotis re-
lation. Origen undertakes the case, and justifies the
story to be sincere and genuine, but by arguments,
which rather manifest the acuteness of his parts, than the
goodness of his cause, and clearly show how much men
of the greatest learning and abilities are put to it, when
engaged to uphold a weak side, and which has no truth
of its own to support itself. It happened about this
time that Beryllus, 'bishop of Bostra in Arabia fell
into absurd and dangerous errors, asserting, that our
lord before his incarnation had no proper subsistence,
no personal deity, but only a derivative divinity from
his father. The bishops of those parts met about it,
but could not reclaim the man, whereupon Origen's
assistance was requested, who went thither, and treated
with him both in private conferences and in public sy-
nods. His greatest difficulty was to know what the man
meant, which when he had once found out, he plied him
so hard with co2:ent reasonings and demonstrations, that
he w^as forced to let go his hold, recant his errors, and
return back into the way of truth. Which done, Ori-
gen took his leaA'C, and came back for Palestine. And
Beryllus", as became a true convert, in several letters
gave thanks to Origen for his kind pains in his convic-
tion, kissing the hand that brought him back.
20. Origen was now advanced^ above the age of three-
score, and yet remitted nothing of his incredible indus-
try either in preaching or writing. At Ambrosius's
intreaty he took to task Celsus's book against the
Christians. This Celsus was an epicurean philosopher,
contemporary with Lucian, the witty Atheist, who de-
dicated his pseudomantis to him, as indeed there seems
to have been a more than ordinary sympathy of humour
and genius between these two persons. Celsus was a
f Ibid. c. 33. g Hieron.dc^S-crlpt. in BerjU. h Eus«. Ibid. c. 36. p. 232
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 409
man of wit and parts, and had all the advantages which
learning, philosophy, and eloquence could add to him ;
but a severe and incurable enemy to the Christian reli-
gion, against which he wrote a book entitled ak»^>,; xiy<^
or the true discourse^ wherein he attempted Christianity
with all the arts of insinuation, all the witty reflections,
virulent aspersions, plausible reasonings, wherewith a
man of parts and malice was capable to assault it. To
this Origen returns a full and solid answer in eight books^
wherein as he had the better cause, so he managed it
with that strength of reason, clearness of argument, an
convictive evidence of truth, that were there nothing
else to testify the abilities of this great man, this book
alone were enough to do it. It w^as written probably
about the beginning of the reign of Philip the emperor,
with whom Origen seems to have had some acquaintance,
who wrote' one letter to him, and another to t'le empress.
From whence, and some other little probaoilities, Eu-
sebius first, and after him the generality of Ecclesiastic-
writers, have made that emperor to have been a Chris-
tian, and the first of the imperial line that was so. The
vanity of which mistake, and the original from whence
it sprung, we have showed elsewhere. Nor is the mat-
ter mended by those who say that Philip was privately
baptized by Fabian bishop of Rome, and so his Chris-
tian profession was known only to the Christians, but
concealed from the Gentiles ; which being but a conjec-
ture, and a gratis dictum^ without any authority to con-
firm it, may with the same ease and as much justice be
rejected, as it is obtruded and imposed upon us. Nor has
the late learned publisher ''of some tracts of Origen (who
in order to the securing the dialogue against the Mar do-
nites to belong to Origen, has newly enforced this argu-
ment) said any thiug diat may persuade a wise man to
believe a story, so improbable in all its circumstances,
and which must have made a louder noise in the v\^orid,
and have had more and better witnesses to attest it, than
i Id. iSjId. p. 233. k Rod. Wetsteinios Pra^fat. in Ont,^ Di:il, co-,V'. Marc
&.C. il s'e Ltli'l. Basil, 1674. 4.
3 F
4iO THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
an obscure and uncertain report, the only authority which
Eusebius, who gave the first hint of it, pretends in this
matter,
21. The good success which Origen lately had in
Arabia in the cause ofBeryllus made him famous in all
those parts, and his help was now again 'desired upon a
like occasion. For a sort of heretics were started up, who
affirmed, that at death both body and soul did expire to-
gether, and were resolved into the same state of corrup-
tion, and that at the resurrection they should revive and
rise together to eternal life. For this purpose a gene-
ral synod of those parts was called, and Origen desired
to be present at it, who managed the cause with such
weighty arguments, such unanswerable and clear con-
victions, that the adverse party threw down their wea-
pons, and relinquished the sentiments which they main-
tained before. Another heretical crew appeared at this
time in the east, the impious and abominable sect of the
Helcesaitse, against whom also Origen seems to have
been engaged, concerning whom himself '"gives us this
account. They rejected a great part both of the old and
new canon, making use onl}^ of some few parts of scrip -
ture, and such without question as they could make
look most favourably upon their cause. "^ St. Paul they
wholly rejected, and held that it was lawful and indiffer-
ent to deny the faith ; and that he was the wise man,
that in his words would renounce Christianity in a time
of danger and persecution, but maintain the truth in his
heart. They carried a book about with them which
tliey affirmed to have been immediately dropped down
from heaven, which whoever received and gave credit
to, should receive remission of sins, though different
from that pardon which our Lord Jesus bestowed upon
his followers. But how far Origen was concerned against
this absurd and senseless generation, is to me unknown.
The best of it is, this sect, like a blazing comet, though
its influence was malignant and pestilential, suddenly
arose, and as suddenly disappeai^d.
1 K)ld.c. ST. m Homil. in Psal. ^. ap. Euseb.ibid. c. 38. p 233.
THE LIFE OF GRIGEN, 411
22. Philip, the emperor, being slain by the soldiers,
Decius made a shift by the help of the army to step into
the throne j a mortal enemy to the " church, in whose
short reign more martyrs, especially men of note and
eminency came to the stake, than in those who governed
that empire ten times his reign. In Palestine Alex-
ander, the aged and venerable bishop of Jerusalem, was
thrown into prison, where, after long and hard usage, and
an illustrious confession of the Christian faith before the
public tribunal, he died. This Alexander (whom we
have often mentioned) had been first bishop in Cappado-
cia, ° where out of a religious curiosity he had resolved
upon a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to visit the holy and ve-
nerable antiquities of that place, whereto he was particu-
larly excited by a divine revelation intimating to him that
it was the will of God that he should be assistant to the
bishop of that place. It happened at this time that Nar-
cissus, bishop of Jerusalem, being some years since re-
turned to his see (which he had deserted many years be-
fore) was become incapable through his great age and in-
firmity (being 116 years old) duly to manage his charge,
Alexander approaching near Jerusalem, they were warn-
ed by a vision and a voice from heaven, to go out of the
city, and there receive him whom heaven had designed
to be their bishop. They did so, and finding Alexander,
entertained and introduced him with all possible kindness
and respect, where, by the importunity of the people, and
the consent of all the neighbour bishops, he was con-
strained to become colleague with Narcissus in the go-
vernment of that church. This I suppose is the first ex-
press instance that we meet with in church antiquity of
two bishops sitting at once (and that by consent) m one
see. But the case was warranted by an extraordinary
authority ; besides that. Narcissus seems rather to have
resigned and quitted the place, retaining nothing but the
title, nor intermeddling any further, than by joining in
prayers and devotions for the good of the church, survi-
ving not above three or four years at most. Alexander
n Ibid c. 39 p. 234. o Ibid c. H. p. 212,
4i2 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
succeeding in the sole presidency, governed his church
with singular prudence and fidelity, and among other
memorable acts, erected a library at Jerusalem, ^ which
he especially stored with ecclesiastical epistles and re-
cords, from whence Eusebius confesses he furnished
himself with many considerable memoirs and materials
for the composing of his history. He sat bishop 39
years, and after several arraignments and various impri-
sonments and sufferings, died now in prison at Cassarea,
to the inconceivable loss and resentment of the whole
church, and especially of Origen, who had been ordained
by him, and whom he had ever found a fast friend and
patron. Nor did Origen himself, who was at this time
at Tyre, escape without his share. I^usebius does but
brieiiy intimate his sufterings, having given a larger ac-
count of thetn in another book, long since lost, he tells**
us that the devil mustered up all his forces against him,
and assaulted him with all his arts and engines, singling
him out above all others of that time to make him the
object of his utmost rage and fury. He was cast into the
bottom of a loathsome and uncomfortable dungeon, loa-
ded with irons, a chain about his neck, his feet set in the
stocks, with his legs stretched four holes distant from
each other many days together ; he was threatened with
fire, and tried with all the torments that a merciless ene-
my could inflict. Which meeting with a person of his
age, and a body broken with such and so many cares and
labours, must needs render it a very heavy burden. And
yet ne bore all with a generous patience, and was ready
to submit to the last fatal stroke, but that the judge to
give dl possible accents to his misery, ordered them so
to torment him, that they should not kill him.
23. Human councils and resolutions, when most ac-
tive and violent, y^the that is higher than the highest can
overrule them, and there be that are higher than they.
His enemies had hitherto exercised him only with prepa-
ratory cruelties, reserving him for a more solemn execu-
tion. But God, to whom belongs the issues from death,
p Ibid. c. 20. p. 222. q Ubi stspr. p. 234.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 413
prevented their malice, and made way for him to escape,
vvhich in all probability was effected by the death of De-
cius, who was cut off, when he had reigned two years and
an half. Being delivered out of prison, "" he improved
his time to pious purposes, comforting the weak and the
disconsolate, and writing letters to that end up and down
the world. Some few years he out-lived the Decian per-
secution, and died at Tyre about the first year of Valeri-
an. Indeed Eusebius intimates that he departed this life
about the beginning of Gallus's reign. But I cannot see
how that can stand : for seeing elsewhere he positively
affirms that he was seventeen years old at the time of his
father's martyrdom, Ann. CCII. his death must happen
the first of Valerian, Ann. Chr. CCLIV. which falls in
with the 69th year of his age, in which Eusebius tells
us he left this world. Otherwise he could not be more
than 67 years old, whereas none make him less than 69.
Pamphilus ' the martyr, and some others, from the rela-
tion of those that had seen him, reports that an honoura-
ble martyrdom put a period to his life, when Decius rai-
sed the persecution at Caesarea. But besides that * Epi-
phimius expressly denies that he died a martyr, others
(as Photius adds, and among them Eusebius "" and St.
Hierom ") tell us, that he continued till the time of Cal-
lus and Volusian, and being 69 years old died, and was
buried at Tyre. Which, as he observes, must needs be
so, seeing he wrote many epistles after the Decian per-
secution. And probable it is, that Pamphilus meant it,
or at least his mistake thence arose, of that great and glo-
rious confession, a preparatory martyrdom, which he
made under the reign of Decius, which he survived two
or three years, peaceably ending his days at Tyre, where
his body found a place of rest, and wherein a great church
dedicated to the memory of our Saviour's sepulchre, be-
hind the high altar, his remains were laid up, as the tradi-
tion "^ of the last age informs us. Nay, long before that
Brocard -^ the monk tells us that when he was there, he
r Euseb. Ibid. p. 235. s Apud. Phot. Cod. CXVIII. col. 297. t De
pond. & mensur. p. 539. u Lib. 7. c. i. p. 250. v De script, in Origen.
v Cotovic, ititier. 1. 1 .c. 19. p. 121. x Descript. Terr. S, c. 2.
414 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
saw his tomb, and read his epitaph ; and before both ^
William, who was himself archbishop of Tyre, reckons
Origen's tomb among the monuments and venerable an-
tiquities of that city, his marble monument being adorn-
ed with gold and precious stones.
24. HaA'ing thus brought this great man to his grave,
let us a little look back upon him, and we shall find him a
more than ordinary person. His life was truly strict and
philosophical, ^ and an admirable instance of discipline
and virtue ; such as his discourses were, such were his
manners, and his life the image of his mind : that wise
and good man, whom he was wont to describe in his lec-
tures to his scholars (as one * of the most eminent of them
assures us) he himself had first formed, and drawn in the
example of his own life. He had a mighty regard to the
glory of God, and the good of souls, whose happiness he
studied by all ways to promote, and thought nothing
hard, nothing mean or servile that might advance it. He
w^as modest and humble, chaste and temperate ; so ex-
emplary his abstinence and sobriety, that he lived upon
what was next door to nothing, for many years ^ abstain-
ing from wine, and every thing but what was absolutely
necessary for the support of life, till by too much absti-
nence he had almost ruined his health, and endangered
the weakening of nature past recovery. Singular his
contempt of the world, literally making good that precept
of our Lord to his disciples, not to have two cloaks, to
provide no shoes, nor to be anxiously careful for to-mor-
row. When many out of consideration of his unwearied
diligence would have communicated part of what they
had towards his necessities, he would not, but rather than
be needlessly burdensome to any, sold his library, agree-
ing with the buyer to allow him four oboli, or five pence,
for his daily maintenance. His diligence in study, in
preaching, writing, travelling, confuting heathens and
heretics, composing schisms and differences in the
ohurch was indefatigable, upon which account the titles
y Guiliel. Tyr. H. sacr. 1. 13. non longe ab init. vid, etiara Adrlcom. Theatr.
Te^r. S. in Trib. Aser. n. 84. in fin. z Euseb. 1. 6. c 3. p. 205. a Creg^.
Naeocxfiar. Orat. Paneg-yr. in Orig". p. 205. b Euseb. ib. p. 2QG.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 4:15
of Adamantius and Chalcenterus are supposed by the
ancients to have been given to him, nothing but an in-
dustry of brass and iron being able to hold out un-
der such infinite labours. The day he spent part in fast-
ing, part in other religious exercises and employments ;
the night he bestowed upon the study of the scripture, re-
serving some little portion for sleep and rest, which he
usually took not in bed, but upon the bare ground. This
admirably exercised and advanced his patience, which he
improved by further austerities, fasting, and enduring
cold and nakedness, studying standing, and for many
years together going barefoot, remitting nothing of his ri-
gours and hardships, notwithstanding all the counsels and
persuasions of his friends, who were troubled at the ex-
cessive severities of his life. Whereby notwithstanding
he gained upon men, and converted many of the Gentile
philosophers, famous for learning and philosophy, not
only to the admiration, but imitation of himself.
25. View him in his natural parts and acquired abili-
ties, and he had a quick, piercing apprehension, a strong
and faithful memory, an acute judgment, a ready utter-
ance. All which were adorned and accomplished with a
prodigious furniture of learning, and all the improvements
which Rome or Greece could afford ; being incompara-
bly skilled (as '' St. Hierom and ^ Suidas observes) both
in Gentile and Christian learning, logic, geometry, arith-
metic, music, philosophy, rhetoric, and the several senti-
ments and opinions of all the sects of philosophy, and who
always entertained his auditors with something above
common observation. So great the force and acuteness
of his parts (says Vincentius Lerinensis *") so profound,
quick and elegant, that none could come near him : so
vast his stock of all sorts of learning, that there were few^
corners of divine, and perhaps none of human philosophy,
which he had not accurately searched into ; and when the
Greeks could l^d him no further, with an unparalleled
industry he conquered the language and learning of the
Jews. But no other character need be given him than
c De script, in Orig". d In Ong. p. SS7, e CoStr. Ilaeres. c 23. p. 53.
416 THE LIFE OF ORlGEN.
what Porphyry, ^ who knew him (though a learned man, ^
who from that passage in Eusebius makes him to have
been his scholar, proceeds doubtless a great mistake)
and was an enemy, bestows upon him, that he was
held in very great esteem in those times, and had pur-
chased a more than ordinary glory and renown from the
greatest masters which Christianity then had in the world,
and that under the discipline ofAmmonius he attained
to an admirable skill in learning and philosophy. The
monuments and evidences whereof (as he there observes)
were the books and writings which he left behind him,
considerable not for their subjects only, but their multi-
tude, arising to that vast number, that Epiphanius ^ tells
us, it was commonly reported that he wrote six thousand
volumes : the greatest part of which being understood of
epistles, and single homiles, the account will not be
above belief, nor give any just foundation for Rufinus and
St. Hierom to wrangle so much about it, the latter of
whom point-blank denies, that ever himself read, or that
Origen himself wrote so many. ' Vincentius affirms,
that no man ever v/rote so much as he, and that all his.
books could not only not be read, but not so much as be
found out by any. So that it was not v/ithout reason that
antiquity festened the title of Syntacticus, or the compo-
ser upon him, his innumerable discourses upon all sorts
of subjects justly appropriating that title to him. His
books were of old enumerated by many, and digested in-
to their proper classes, whether Scholia, short strictures
upon obscure difficult places, Homilies and Tomes, as the
ancients divided them ; or Exegetica and Syntagmata,
under which rank some modern writers comprehend
them, the greatest part whereof though they have long
since perished through the carelessness and ill will of suc-
ceeding times, yet does a very large portion of them still
remain. His phrase and way of writing is clear and un-
affected, fluent and copious. ^ Erasmus gives a high en-
comium of it, preferring it before most other writers of
f Ap. Euseb. 1. 6. c. 19. p. 220. g L. Holsten. de vit. Sc script. Porphyr. r.i
6. p. 27. h Ubi. supr. p. 256. vld. Ruffin. Apol. pro Orig'. intfer Oper. Hier;-
T. 4. p. 197. i Loc. citat. k Censur. de Oper. Ori^.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 417
the church, that it is neither turgid and lofty, like that of
St. Hilary, flying above the reach of ordinary readers ;
nor set off with gaudy and far-fetched ornaments, like
that of St. Hierom ; nor abounding with flowers of rhe-
toric, and smart witty sentences, like that of St. Am-
brose; nor over- seasoned with tart and satyrical reflec-
tions, and obscured with obsolete and antiquated terms,
as that of TertuUian ; not superstitious in the curious
and accurate structure of its several parts, like that of
St. Gregory ; nor running out into large digressions, nor
affecting a chiming cadency of words, like that of St.
Augustin : but always brisk and lively, easy and natu-
ral. But when he commends it for its conciseness and
brevity, he certainly forgot himself, or mistook (and
what w^onder he should, when it is like he took his mea-
sures not so much from the original as translations.) For
his style though it be generally plain and perspicuous,
yet is it diffusive and luxuriant, flowing with plenty of
words, w^hich might be often spared, and therefore char-
ged by some of his critical ad\ersaries that he did irifint-
ta verba midtiplicare^ * multiply an infinite crowd of
words : and that ^" xs<t5Ao> i^ 'nrso/;,^^ ^v^ij *t«5o^a;.&£7 tcv k^o^«cv, he filled
the world with a company of needless and idle words,
which he unmeasurably poured out, and that he did
<f>;.oag^ cT5«^»i Taf.7sAc>s7v, exceedingly trifle with vain tautolo-
logies and repetitions. A censure wherein envy and
emulation must be supposed to have had the predomi-
nant and over-ruling stroke. For though abounding
with words, he was always allowed to be eloquent, for
wdiich Vincentius" highly commends him, affirming his
phrase to be so sweet, pleasant, and delightful, that there
seemed to him to have dropped not words so much as
honey from his mouth.
26. But that, alas, which has cast clouds and darkness
upon all his glory, and buried so much of his fame in
ignominy and reproach, is the dangerous and unsound
doctrines and principles which are scattered up and
down his writings, for which almost all ages without any
1 Epiph. Ep. ad Joan. Hiercsol.ap. Hieron. T. 2. p. l58. m Eustath. An-
tioch. dissert, de Engastrym. adv. Ori^. inter. Grit. S. Tom. 8. col. 441, 453
nUbi supr.
3 G
418 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
reverence to his parts, learning, piety, and the judgment
of the wisest and best of the times he hved in, have vvith-
outany mercy pronouncedhim heretic, and his sentiments
and speculations rash, absurd, pernicious, blasphemous,
and indeed what not. The alarm began of old, and was
pursued with a mighty clamour and fierceness, especially
by Methodius, bishop of Olympus, Eustathius of Anti-
och, Apoilinaris, Theophilus of Alexandria, and Epipha-
nius ; and the cry carried on with a loud noise in after-
ages, insomuch that the very mention of his name is in
the Greek church abominable at this day. I had once
resolved to have considered the chief of those notions
and principles for which Origen is so heavily charged by
the ancients, but superceded that labour, when I found
that the industry of the learned Monsieur Huet in his
Origeniana had left no room for any to come after him,
so fully, so clearly, so impartially, with such infinite va-
riety of reading has he discussed and canvassed this mat-
ter, and thither I remit the learned and capable reader....
And for those that cannot or will not he at the pains to
read his large and excellent discourses, they may consult
nearer hand the ingenious author oitheLetter of resolution
concerning Origen and the chief of his opinions'" ; where
they will find the most obnoxious of his dogmata reck-
oned up, and the apologies and defences which a sincere
lover of Origen might be supposed to make in his be-
half, and these pleas represented with all the advantages
with which wit, reason, and eloquence could set them
off.
27. Nor wanted there of old those who stood up to
plead and defend his cause, especially Pamphilus the
martyr, and Eusebius who published an apology in six
books in his behalf; the first five whereof were written by
Pamphilus with Eusebius's assistance, while they were
in prison, the last finished and added by Eusebius after
the other's martyrdom. Besides which, ^ Photius tells
us there were many other famous men in those times,
who wrote apologies for him, he gives us a particular
0 Edit. Lend. 1661, 4. p* Cod. CXVIII. col. .297.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 419
account **of one, though without a name, where in five
books the author endeavours to justify Origen as sound
and orthodox, and cites Dionysius, Demetrius, and Cle-
mens, all of Alexandria, and several others to give in
evidence for him. The main of these apologies are pe-
rished long ago, otherwise probably Origen's cause
might appear with a better face, seeing we have now
nothing but his notions dressed up and glossed by his
professed enemies, and many things ascribed to him
which he never owned, but were coined by his pretend-
ed followers. For my own part, I shall only note from
the ancients some general remarks, which may be plead-
ed in abatement of the rigour and severity of the sentence
iisuall}^ passed upon him. And j^r^^, many things were
said and written by him, not positively and dogmatically,
but yvfxv^tcrU; ;t«§"'' says the "■ author of his apology in Pho-
tius, by way of exercitation ; and this he himself was^
wont to plead at every turn, and to beg the reader's par-
don, and profess that he propounded these things not as
doctrines, but as dispijtable problems, and with a design
to search and find out the truth, as ' Pamphilus assures
us, and St. Hierom himself ^ cannot but confess : and if
we had the testimony of neither, there is enough to this
purpose in his books still extant, to put it beyond all just
exception. Thus discoursing concerning the union of
the two natures in the person of our blessed Saviour, he
affirms " it to be a mystery which no created understand-
ing can sufficiently explain ; concerning which (says he)
not from any rashness of ours, but only as the order of
discourse requires, we shall briefly speak rather what
oiu' faith contains, that what human reason is wont to as-
sert, producing rather our own conjectures, than any
plain and peremptory affirmations. And to the same
purpose he expresses himself at every turn. Not to say
that he wrote many things in the heat of disputation,
which it may be his cooler and more considering
thoughts would have set right. So the apologist in Pho-
qCofl. CXVII. col,293.
r ibid. col. 295 s Apolog. ap. Hieron. Tom. 4. p. 172.
t Ad. Avit. p. 1.51. Tom. 2. u llt^i *,:/. I. 2. o. 6. p. 69a.
420 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
tins "'pleads, that Avhatever he said amiss in the doctrine
of the trinity, proceeded merely from a vehement oppo-
sition of Sabellius, who confounded the number and dif-
ference of persons, and whose sect was one of the most
prevailing heresies of that time. The confutation where-
of made him attempt a greater difference and distinction
in the persons, than the rules of faith did strictly allow.
Secondly, those books of his'% wherein he betrays the
most unsound and unwarrantable notions, were written
privately, and with no intention of being made public,
but as secrets communicable among friends, and not as
doctrines to disturb the church. And this he freely ac-
knowledged in his letter to Fabian ^bishop of Rome, and
cast the blame upon his friend Ambrosius, quod secreto
edita hi publicum protulerit that he had published those
things which he meant should go no further than the
breasts or hands of his dearest friends. And there is
always allowed a greater freedom and latitude in debat-
ing things among friends, the secrets whereof ought not
to be divulged, nor the public made judges of that in-
nocent liberty which is taken within men's private walls.
Thirdly, the disallowed opinions that he maintains are
many of them such as were not the Catholic and deter-
mined doctrines of the church, not defined by synods,
nor disputed by divines, but either philosophical, or
speculations which had not been thought on before, and
which he himself at every turn cautiously distinguishes
from those propositions which were entertained by the
common and current consent and approbation of the
Christian church. Sure I am he lays it down as a fun-
damental maxim, in the very entrance upon that ^book,
wherein his m.ost dangerous assertions are contained,
that those ecclesiastic doctrines are to be preserved,
which had been successively delivered from the apostles,
and were then received, and that nothing was to be em-
braced for truth that any ways differed from the tradi-
tion of the church.
V Cod. CXVII. col 29G. w Pamph. Apo!. ubl supr. p. 174, 177.
X Ap. Hieron. in lip'st. ad Painmach. de err. Oiitj. p. 193. T. 2.
> Pi'zef. lid lib, \\i(i d^. p. 66 J.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 421
28. Fourthly, divers of Origen's works have been
corrupted and interpolated by evil hands, and heretics
to add a lustre and authority to their opinions by the
veneration of so great a name, have inserted their own
assertions, or altered his, and made him speak their lan-
guage. An argument which however laughed at by
St. Hierom'', is yet stiffly maintained by Rufinus*, who
shows this to have been an old and common art of here-
tics, and that they dealt thus with the writings of Clemens
Romanus, of Clemens and Dionysius of Alexandria, of
Athanasius, Hilary, Cyprian, and many more. Diony-
sius*' the famous bishop of Cornith, who lived many
years before Origen, assures us he was served at this
rate ; that at the request of the brethren he had written
several epistles, but that the apostles and emissaries of
the devil had filled them with weeds and tares, expun-
ging some things, and adding others. The apologist in
Photius ''tells us Origen himself complained of this in
his life time ; and so indeed he does in his "^letter to them
of Alexandria, where he smartly resents that charge of
blasphemy had been ascribed to him and his doctrine,
of which he was never guilty, and that it was less won,
der if his doctrine was adulterated when the great St.
Paul could not escape their hands ; he tells them of an
eminent heretic, that having taken a copy of a dispute
which he had had with him, did afterwards cut off, and
add what he pleased, and change it into another thing,
carrying it about with him, and glorying in it. And
w^hen some friends in Palestine sent it to him then at
Athens, he returned them a true and authentic copy of
it. And the same foul play he lets them know he had
met with in other places, as at Ephesus and at Antioch,
as he there particularly relates. And if they durst do
this while he was yet alive, and able (as he did) to right
himself, what may we think they would do after his
death, when there were none to control them? And upon
this account most of those assertions must especially be
z Ad Pammach. ubi supr. a Apol. pro. Orig". apud Hier. Tom.'4. p, 194,
195. &,c. & Pi-xf. ad lib. m^t do^. ib. Tom. 2. p. 188. b Ap. Eased. H.
Ecd. 1 4. c. 23. p. 145. a Ubi. supr , d A^x Rv(ffin. ib, 1 owi, 4. p. 1^5.
422 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
discharged, wherein Origen is made to contradict him-
self, it being highly improbable (as Rufinus %vell urges)
that so prudent and learned a person, one far enough
from being either fool or madman, should write things
so contrary and repugnant to one another. And that not
only in divers, but in one and the same book.
29. I might further observe his constant zeal against
heretics, his opposing and refuting of them wherever he
came both by word and writing, his being sent for into
foreign countries to convince gainsayers, his professing
to abominate all heretical doctrines, and his refusing so
much as to communicate in prayer with Paul, the heretic
of Antioch, though his whole maintenance did depend
upon it. And methinks it deserves to be considered,
that Athanasius in all the heat of the Arian controversy
(than whom certainly none was ever more diligent to
search out heretical persons and opinions, or more accu-
rate in examining and refuting the chief of those doc-
trines, that are laid at Origen's door) should never charge
him upon that account. Nay he particularly quotes
him ^to prove our Lord's coeternity and coessentiality
with the father exactly according to the decisions of the
Nicene synod, dismissing him with the honourable cha-
racter of ^'-^vfxirk i, <ptxo7ro,ciTa]Qr, thc most admirable and in-
finitely industrious person. Nor is there any hetero-
dox opinion of his, that I know of, once taken notice of
in all his works, but only that concerning the duration
of future torments, and that too but ^obliquely mention-
ed. Whence I am apt to conclude, either that Origen's
writings were not then so notoriously guilty, or that this
great man, and zealous defender of the church's doc-
trine (who being bishop of Alexandria could not be ig-
norant of what Origen had taught or written, nay assures
us, he had read his books) did not look upon those dan-
gerous things that were in them, as his sense. And
indeed so he says expressly ; that what things he wrote
by way of controversy and disputation, are not to be
e Loc. cit. p. 194. f Decret. Sj-norl. Nic. contr. Hxres. Arrlan. p. 27r.
T. 1. vid. de Blasph. in S. S, p. 971. l< Socr. H. E. 1. 6, c. 13 p 320.
g De Com. essent. Patr.F. &. SS. p. 2^S. T. 1,
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 42^
looked upon as his own words and sentiments, but as
those of his contentious adversaries whom he had to
deal with, which accordingly in the passages he cites he
carefully distinguishes from Origin's own v/ords and
sense. To all which I may add, that when the contro-
versy about the condemnation of his books was driven
on'' most furiously by Theophilus and Epiphanius, The-
otimus the good Scythian bishop plainly told Epipha-
nius, that for his part he would never so much dishonour
a person so venerable for his piety and antiquity, nor
durst he condemn what their ancestors never rejected,
especially when there were no ill and mischievous doc-
trines in Origen's w^orks ; therewithal pulling out a book
of Origen's which he read before the whole convention,
and showed it to contain expositions agreeable to the
articles of the church. With these two excellent per-
sons let me join the judgment of a writer of the middle
ages of the church, 'Haymo, bishop of Halberstad, who
speaking of the things laid to Origen's charge: " For
my part (says he) saving the faith of the ancients, I
affirm of him, either that he never wrote these things,
but that they were wickedly forged by heretics, and
fathered upon his name ; or if he did write them, he
wrote them not as his ow^n judgment, but as the opinion
of others. And if, as some would have it, they were
his own sentiments, we ought rather to deal compassion-
ately with so learned a man, who has conveyed so vast
a treasury of learning to us. What faults there are in
his writings, those orthodox and useful things which
they contain, are abundantly sufficient to over ballance."
30. This a great deal more, is, and may be pleaded
in Origen's defence. And yet after all it must be con-
fessed, that he was guilty of great mistakes, and rash
propositions, which the largest charity cannot excuse.
He had a natural warmth and fervor of mind, a compre-
hensive wit, an insatiable thirst after knowledge, and a
desire to understand the most abstruse and mysterious
h Socrat, H. Exl. I 6. c. 12. p. 319. i Breviar. H. Eccl. 1. 6. c, 3. nl
JOS, 199. ' •
424 THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
speculations of theology, which made him give himself
an unbounded liberty in inquiring into, and discoursing
of the nature of things, he wrote much, and dictated
apace, and was engaged in infinite variety of business,
which seldom gave hira leisure to review and correct his
writings, and to let them pass the censure of second and
maturer thoughts ; he traded greatly in the writings of
the heathens, and was infinitely solicitous to make the
doctrines of Christianity look as little unlike as might be
to their best and beloved notions. And certainly what
Marcellus*" bishop of Ancyra iong since objected against
him, is unquestionably true (notwithstanding what Euse-
bius has said to salve it) that coming fresh out of the
philosophic schools, and havmg been a long time accu-
rately trained up in the principles and books of Plato, he
applied himself to divine things, before he was sufficient-
ly disposed to receive them, and fell upon writing con-
cerning them, while secular learning had yet the predo-
minancy in his mind, and so unwarily mingled philosophic
notions with Christian principles, further than the analog^'
of the Christian faith would allow. And I doubt not
but whoever would parallel his and the Platonic princi-
ples, would find that most of tht Kv^^^a^^uA^Q is charg-
ed with, his master notions, were brought out of the
school of Plato, as the above mentioned ^Huetius has in
many things particularly observed. St. Hierom him-
self (whom the torrent of that time made a severe enemy
to Origen) could but have so much tenderness for him,
even in that very tract Vherein he passes the deepest
censures upon him, after he had commended him for
his parts, zeal, and strictness of life; "Which of us
(says he) is able to read so much as he has written ?
who would not admire the ardent and sprightly temper
of his mind towards the holy scriptures ? But if any
envious zealot shall object his errors to us, let him freely
hear what was said of old :
Quandoque bojiiis dormitat Homerus^,
Verum opere in longo fas est ohrepere somnum.
k Ap.Euseb. contr. Marcel. 1. 1, p. 2g. 1 Ad Pamnnach. de error. Grig
,oA T. c ^ Horat. de Art. poet. v. 359. p. 815.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. 425
In a long work each slip the censor's rod
Does not deserve. Homer does sometimes nod.
" Let us not imitate his faults, whose virtues we cannot
reach. Others both Greeks and Latins have erred in
the faith as well as he, whom it is not necessary to name,
lest we might seem to defend him, not by his own merit,
but by the mistakes of other men." To all that has
been hitherto said, I may add this, that suppose him
guilty of as pestilent and dangerous errors as the worst
of his enemies lay to his charge, yet he afterwards re-
pented of what he had rashly and unadvisedly written,
as appears by his epistle to Fabian, ""bishop of Rome.
And is it not intolerable rudeness and incivility at least,
perpetually to upbraid and reproach a man with the
faults of his past life, and which he himself has disown-
ed ? Sorrow for what is past in some measure repairs
the breach, and repentance must be allowed next door
to innocence.
His writings mentioned by the ancients and which of
them extant at this day.
Homillarum mysticarum In In Deteronomium Homiliae,
Genes. Lib. II. In Libr. Jesu Nave ext. Ho-
Commentar. in Genes.* Lib. mil. XXVI. Lat.
XIII. Extant Latine Homi- In Libr. Jadicum ext. Horn.
lise XVIL IX. Lat.
Commentar. Tomi in Exo- In I. Lib. Regum Homil. IV.
dum. Ext. Latine Homilias In Lib. II. extat Homilia una.
XII. In Lib. Paralipom. Komil. I.
Scholia in Levlticum In duos Esdrse Libros Homi-
Ext. Homilise XVI. li£s.
In Numeros extant Lat. Ho- In Libr. Job Tractatus.
mills XXVIIL
n Ap. Hier. ubi supr. p. 193. vid. RufF. Invect. I. in Hieron. inter, oper
Hier. T. 4. p. 219. Primus fselicitatis gradus est, non delinquere : Secundus,
delicta cognoscere. Illic currit innocentiaintegra Scillibata qiix servet, hie
s'lcceditmedela quae sanet. Cvpr. ad Cornel- Epist 55. p, S:!.
S H
42(
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN.
r Commentarii.
In Psaimos < Homiliaj.
(.Scholia.
Ext. Lat. in Psalm. 36. Horn.
V. in Psai. 37. Horn. li. in
Psal. 38. Horn. 11.
In Proverbia Salom. Com-
mentar.
Explicatio Ecclesiastis.
In Canticum Cantic. Com-
mentarii. Ext. Lat. Homi-
lis II.
fCommentar. Li-
» T^ . j bri XXX.
L.Scholia.
Ext. Lat. Horn ill ae IX.
In Jeremiam Homilise XLV.
Extant Gr. Lat. Homil.
XVIL
In Threnos Tonii IX.
In Ezechielem Tomi XXV.
Ext. Lat. Homil. XIV.
In Danielem Expositio.
In XII. Prophetas Tomi
XXV.
(^Comment. Lib.
In Mat- • XXy.
thseum | Homilise XXV.
^.Scholia.
Ext. Gr. Lat. Tomi VII.
In Lucam Commentar. Tomi
V.
Ext. Lat. Homiliae.
XXXIX.
In Joannem Commentar. Tom.
XXXIL
Ext. Gr. Lat. Tom. IX.
In Acta Apostolorum Homil.
aliquot.
In Epistolam ad Romanos
Explanationum Lib. XX.
Ext. Lat. Libri X.
In I. ad Corinthios Commen-
tarii.
T r* • X J r Commentarii.
In Epist. ad I TT -r
^ S ^ < Homiiise.
^""^^'^^ Ischolia.
In Epist. ap Ephes. Comment.
Lib. III.
In Epist. ad Coloss. Commen-
tarii.
In I. ad Thess. Vol. (ut mini-
mum) III.
In Epist. ad Titum.
T 17 • X J r Commentarii
In Epist. ad J
Hebraeos J tt -r
(.Homilise.
Tetrapla.
Hexapla.
Octapla.
Commentarii in Veteres Phi-
losophos.
De Resurrectione Libri II.
De Resurrectione Dialogi.
Stromateon Libri X.
Disputationes cum Beryllo.
Uie) dgx^, sen de Principiis
Lib. IV. Ext. Lat.
Contra Celsum Lib VIIL
Ext. Gr. L.
De Martyrio. Ext. Gr. L.
Homil. de Engastrimytho.
Ext. Gr. L.
De Oratione. Ext. Gr. Ms.
Philocalia de aliquot praecipuis
Theologise locis & qu^es-
tionibus ex Origenis scrip-
tis a S. Basilio & Gregor.
Naz. excerptis, cap. XXVII
ext. Gr. L.
Epistolae fere infinitae ex
his hodie ext.
Epistola ad Jul. Africanum
de Histor. Susannae, Gr. L.
Epistola ad Gregorium Thau-
maturgum. Ext. Gr. L.
in Philocalia.
THE LIFE OF ORIGEN, 427
Doubtful. De Philosophorum Sectis &
Bialogus contra Marcionitas, dogmatibus.
de recta in Deum fide. Ext. Lamentum Origenis.
Gr. L. Scholia in Orationem Domi-
Supposititioiis, nicam, & in Cantica B,
In Libri Job Tract. Ill & Virginis, Zachariae, ?c Si-
Comment, in eundem. meonis.
Commentarius in Evangel. S.
Marci. Homiliae in diver*
SOS.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS,
BISHOP OF ANTIOCH.
His originals obscure. His education and accomplishments inquired into.
Made bishop of Antioch, when. Antioch taken by the king of Persia.
Recovered by the Roman emperor. Baljylas's fidelity in his charge.
The Decian persecution, and the grounds of it : severely urged by the
emperor's edicts. Decius's coming to Antioch. His attempt to
break into the Christian congregation. Babylas's bold resistance.
This applied to Numerianus, and the ground of the mistake. The
like reported of Philip the emperor. Decius's bloody act related by
St. Chrysostom. His rage against Babylas, and his examination of
him. The martyr's resolute answer. His imprisonment and hard
usage. The different accounts concerning his death. Three youths
his fellow-sufferers, in vain attempted by the emperor. Their mar-
tyrdom first and why. Babylas beheaded. His command that his
chains should be buried with him. The translation of his body under
Constantius. The great sweetness and pleasantness of the Daphne-
Apollo's temple there. St. Babylas's bones translated thither bv Gal-
lus Caesar. The oracle immediately rendered dumb. In vain con-
sulted by Julian. The confession of the demon. Julian's command
for removing Babylas's bones. The martyrs' remains triumphantly
carried into the city. The credit of this story suiiiciently attested.
The thing owned by Libanius and Julian. Why such honour suffered
to be done to the martyr. Julian afraid of an immediate vengeance.
His persecution against the Christians at Antioch. The sufferings of
Theodorus. The temple of Apollo hred from Heaven;
1. SO great and general is the silence of church an-
tiquity in the acts of this holy martyr, especially the
former part of his life, that I should wholly pass him
over, did not his latter times furnish us with some few
memorable passages concerning him. His country, pa-
rents, education, and way of life, are all unknown, as
also whether he was born and bred a gentile, or a Chris-
tian. No doubt he was trained up under the advantages
of a liberal and ingenuous education, living in places
that opportunely ministred unto it, and in times when
none but men of known parts and eminency both for
430 THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS.
learning and piety were advanced to the government of
the church: and when great measures of arts and learn-
ing were not only commendable, but necessary, both to
feed and preserve the flock of God, to resist and convince
gainsayers, and to defend Christianity against the at-
tempts both of secret and open enemies. For as the
Christian church never wanted professed adversaries from
without, who endeavoured both by sword and pen to stifle
and suppress its growth, nor pretended friends from
within, who by schisms and heresies disturbed its peace,
and tore out its very bowels; so never were these more
predominant than in those times and parts of the world
wherein this good man lived.
2. ANN. Chr. CCXXXIX. Gordian Imper, I. died
Zebinus"" bishop of Antioch, in whose room Babylas
succeeded. He was a stout and prudent pilot, who (as
St. Chrysostom ^ says of him) guided the holy vessel of
that church in the midst of storms and tempests, and the
many waves that beat upon it. Indeed in the beginning
of his presidency over that church he met not with much
trouble from the Roman powers, the old enemies of
Christianity, but a fierce storm blew from another quar-
ter. For Sapor king of Persia *" had lately invaded the
Roman empire, and having overrun all Syria, had be-
sieged and taken Antioch, and so great a dread did his
conquests strike into all parts, that the terror of them
flew into Italy, and startled them even at Rome itself.
He grievously oppressed the people of Antioch, and what
treatment the Christians there must needs find under so
merciless and insolent an enemy (at no time favourable
to Christians) is no hard matter to imagine. But it was
not long before God broke this yoke from off* their
necks. For Gordian, the emperor, raising a mighty ar-
my, marched into the east, and having cleared the coun-
tries as he went along, came into Syria, and went directly
for Antioch, where he totally routed the Persian army,
recovered Antioch and the conquered cities, and gained
some considerable places belonging to Sapor, whom
a Euseb. H. Eccl. I. 16. c. 29. p. 229. b HomlJ. de S, Bab\l. p. 641. torn 1,
c Capitol, in Gordian. III. c. 26. p. (^9.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS. 431
he forced to retire back into his own country : of all which
he gives an account in a letter ^ to the senate, who joy-
fully received the news, and decreed him a triumph at
his return to Rome.
3. The church of Antioch being thus restored to its
former tranquillity. Baby las attended his charge with all
diligence and fidelity, instructing, feeding, and govern-
ing his flock, preparing both young and old to undergo
the hardest things, which their religion might expose
them to, as if he had particularly foreseen that black
and dismal persecution that was shortly to overtake
them. Having quietly passed through the reign of
Philip (who was so far from creating any disturbance to
the Christians, that he is generally though groundlesly,
supposed to have been a Christian himself) he fell into
the troublesome and stormy times of Decius, who was
unexpectedly advanced, and in a manner forced upon
the empire. One, whose character might have passed
among none of the worst of princes, if he had not so in-
delebly stained his memory with his outragious violence
against the Christians. The main cause whereof the
generality of writers, taking the hint from Eusebius%
make to have been hatred to his predecessor Philip, a
Christian, as they account him, and whom he resolved
to punish in his spleen and malice against them. But
methinks much more probable is the account which
Gregory Nyssen^ gives of this matter, viz. the large
spread and triumphant pre valency of the Christian faith,
which had diffused itself over all parts, and planted every
corner, and filled not cities only, but countr}^ villages';
the temples were forsaken, and churches frequented,
altars overthrown, and sacrifices turned out of doors.
This vast increase of Christianity, and great declension
of paganism, awakened Decius to look about him : he
was vexed to see the religion of the empire trodden un-
der foot, and the worship of the gods every where slight-
ed and neglected, opposed and undermined by a novel
d Ibid. c. 27. p. 670. e H. Eccl. !. 6. c. 39. n. 2:34. f De vit. Gre,?
Thaum. p. 999. Tom. e.
432 THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS.
and upstart sect of Christians, which daily multiplied into
greater numbers. This made him resolve with all pos-
sible force to check and control this growing sect, and
to try by methods of cruelty to weary Christians out of
their profession, and to reduce the people to the religion
of their ancestors. Whereupon he issued out edicts to
governors of provinces, strictly commanding them to
proceed with all severity against Christians, and to spare
no manner of torments, unless they returned to the obe-
dience and worship of the gods. Though I doubt not
but this was the main spring that set the rage and malice
of their enemies on work, yet Cyprian^ like a man of
great piety and modesty, seeks a cause nearer home, in-
genuously confessing, that their own sins had set open
the flood-gates for the divine displeasure to break in
upon them, while pride, and self-seeking, schism and
faction reigned so much among them, the very martyrs
themselves, who should have been a good example unto
others, casting off the order and discipline of the church ;
and being swelled with so vain and immoderate a tumour,
it was time God should send them a thorn in the flesh
to cure it.
4. The provincial governors, forward enough to run
of themselves upon such an errand, made much more
haste, when they were not only encouraged, but threat-
ed into it by the imperial edicts, so that the persecution
was carried on in all parts with a quick and a high hand,
concerning the severity whereof we shall speak more
elsewhere. At present it may suffice to remark that it
swept away many of the most eminent bishops of the
church, Fabian bishop of Rome, Alexander, bishop of
Hierusalem, and several others. Nor was it long before
it came to St. Babylas's door. For Decius probably
about the middle of his reign, or some time before his
Thracian expedition, wherein he lost his life, came into
Syria, and so to Antioch, to take order about his affairs
that concerned the Persian war. I confess his coming
into these parts is not mentioned in the Roman histories,
g Epist. VII. p. 16.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS. 433
and no wonder, die accounts of his life either not having
been written by the Historic August ^e Scriptores^ or if
they were, having long since perished, and few of his
acts are taken notice of in those historians that yet r*^-
main. However the thing is plainly enough ov*iieu ^j ^
ecclesiastical writers. While ^' he continued here, either'^
out of curiosity, or a design to take some more plausiblet
advantage to fall upon them, he would needs go into the
Christian congregation, ^vhen the public assembly was
met together. This Babylas ^\'ould by no means give
way to, but standing in the church porch, with an un-
daunted courage and resolution opposed him, telling
him, that as much as lay in his power, he would never
endure that a wolf should break in upon Christ's sheep-
fold. 'J'he emperor urged it no further at present, ei-
ther being unwilling to exasperate the rage and fury of
the people, or designing to effect it some' other way. This
passage there are, and Nicephorus among the rest (with
whom accord exactly the Meneea and Menologies of the
Greek church) that ascribe not to Decius, but Numeri-
anus (whom Suidas's translator corruptly styles Mari-
anus) who reigned at least thirty years after. A mistake
without any pillar or ground of truth to support it, there
being at that time no Babylas, bishop of Antioch, whom
all agree to have suffered under the Decian persecution.
And it is not improbable what Baronius ' conjectures,
but the mistake might at first arise from this, that there
was under Decius one Numerius, one of the generals of
the army, a violent persecutor of the Christians, whom
it is not to be doubted the first mistakes of the report
confounded with Numerianus, and applied to him what
belonged to the emperor, under whom he served.
5. Eusebius '^ relates a like passage to this, but attri-
butes it to the emperor Philip, Decius's predecessor, tell-
ing us, that when on the Vigils of Easter he would have
gone with the rest of the Christians into the church, to be
li Chrvsost. lib. de S. Babyl. Tom. 6. p. 658 &. passim. Philost. H. Eccl. 1. 7.
c. 8. p. 94. Suid. in voc. Y.iQuKic, Niceph. H. Eccl. 1. 10. c. 28. p. 63.
i Ad. Ann. 253. n. CZXVI. vid S. Metaphr. in Martyr. S. Isidor. apiul. Sur,
Feb. V, p. 48. k H.Eccl. 1. 6. c. 34. p. 232,
3 r
434 THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS.
present at their prayers, the bishop of the place would
by no means suffer him, unless he would make public
confession of his sins, and pass through the order of the
penitents, for that he had been guilty of many heinous
and enormous crimes, which he readily submitted to.
But besides that, this is laid as the main foundation of
Philip's falsely supposed Christianity, Eusebius justifies
it by no better authority than fame and mere report.
And indeed stands alone in this matter. For though
some of the ancients referred it to Numerian, yet none
but he entitled Philip to it. St. Chrysostom in a large
^encomiastic (wherein he describes this act of Babylas
in all the colours wherein wit and eloquence could re-
present it, particularly equalling it with the spirit and
freedom of Elias, and John the baptist) tells us, that
when the emperor made this attempt, he had newly wash-
ed his hands in innocent blood, liaving barbarously, and
against the faith of his most solemn oath, and the laws of
nations, put to death the little son of a certain king,
whom his father had given in hostage to secure a peace
made between them. This probably was either the son
of some petty prince in those parts, who entered into a
league with him while he was at Antioch, or some young
prince of Persia, pawned as a pledge to ensure the peace
between those two crowns, and whom he had no sooner
received, but either to gratify his cruelty, or else pre-
tending some fraud in the articles, he inhumanly butch-
ered. The author of the '"Alexandrian Chronicon, tells
us, and vouches Leontius bishop of Antioch for the re-
lation, that Philip (in the Greek is added o j^w'^g, probably
Tor ° ']KA<(^, the sirnameof that emperor, andnot junior, the
younger, as the translator renders it, and elsewhere cor-
rects it by ugi<rCuTi^<§r, the elder) being governor of a pro-
vince in the reign of Gordianus, Gordian had committed
the care of his young son to him, whom after his
father's death he slew, and usurped the empire :
that being thus guilty of murder, though he was
a Christian, yet St. Babylas would not admit him or his
1 Ubi siipr, p. supr. p. 655.
m Olymp. 25T. 4. Decii. 1. Indict. 14. p. 630. vid. ibid. p. 628.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS. 435
wife into' the church ; for which affront offered to so
great persons, and not merely because he was a Christian
himself, Decius afterwards put St. Babylas to death.
A strange medley of true and false, as indeed it is the
custom of that author to confound times, things, and
persons. However, most evident it is from Chrysostom,
that it was the same emperor by whom this young
prince was murdered, and St. Babylas put to death,
which could be no other than Decius; who with hands
thus reeking in the blood of the innocent, would have
irreverently rushed into the holy place of the Christian
sanctuary, where none but pure hands were lift up to
heaven.
VI. Decius, though for the present he dissembled"
his anger and went away, yet inwardly resented the af-
front, and being returned to the palace, sent for Baby-
las, and having sharply expostulated with him for the
boldness and insolency of the fact, cornmanded him to
do sacrifice to the gods, assuring him that this was the
only expedient to expiate his crime, divert his punish-
ment, and to purchase him honour and renown. The
martyr answered to all his inquiries with a generous con-
fidence, despised his proffers, and defied his threats, told
him, that as to the offence wherewith he charged him, he
was obliged as a pastor readily to do whatever was con-
ducive to the benefit of his flock; and for his command,
he was resolved never to apostatize from the service
of the true God and sacrifice to devils, and those
who falsely usurped the name and honour of deities. ■
The emperor finding his resolutions firm and inflex-
ible, gave order that chains and fetters should be clapt
upon him, with which he was sent to prison, where
he endured ° many severe hardships and sufferings, but
yet rejoiced in his bonds, and was more troubled at the
misery that attended him that sent him thither, than at
the weight of his own chains, or the sharpness of those
torments that were heaped upon him. So naturally does
Christianity teach us to bless them that curse us, to pray
n Phllost et Suid. iibi j-wp;'. o Chrysost. loc. cit. p ()fyi^ ■, 608. nartw
Kom. ad Juiiaar. XZIV
436 THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS.
for them that despite fuUy use and persecute usy and to
overcome evil with good,
7. There is some little difference in the accounts of
the ancients, concerning the manner of his martyrdom.
Eusebius ^ and some others make him after a famous
Confession to die in prison; while Chrysostom ** (whom
I rather incline to believe in this matter, as more capable
to know the traditions and examine the records of that
church) and Suidas affirm, that being bound he was led
forth out of prison to undergo his martyrdom, the one
plainly intimating, the other positively expressing it, that
he was beheaded. The fatal sentence being passed, as
he w^as led to execution, he began his song of triumph,
Return unto thy rest, 0 my soul, for the Lord hath dealt
bountifully with me. Together with him were led along
three youths, brothers (whose names the Roman Mar-
tyrology '' tells us, were Urbanus, Prilidianus, and Epo-
lonius) whom he had Carefully instructed in the faith, and
had trained up for so se"\'ere a trial. The emperor, not
doubting to prevail upon their tender years, had taken
them from their tutor, and treated them with all kinds of
hardship and cruelty, as methods most apt to make
impression upon weak and timorous minds. But per-
ceiving them immovably determiricd not to sacrifice, he
commanded them also to be beheaded. Being arrived at
the place of execution, Babylas placed the children first,
giving them the precedency of martyrdom, lest the spec-
tacle of his bloody fate should relax their constancy, and
make them desert their station. As the officer was tak-
ing off their heads, he cried aloud. Behold, I and the
children xvhich the Lord hath given me; and after that
laid down his own neck upon the block, having first '
given order to his friends, to w hom he had committed
the care of his body, that his chains and fetters should be
buried in the same grave \vith him, that they might there
remain as ensigns of honour, and the badges of his suf-
ferings, and as evidences how much he accounted those
things which seem most ignominious among men, to be
for Christ's sake most splendid and honourable : imitat-
p Lib. 6. c. 39. p. 234. q L')c. cir.p. 6^ v Loc citat.
s Chrysost. Suid. Martyr. Rom. ubi supra.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS. 437
ing therebi the great St. Paul, who took pleasure in bonds,
chains, imprisonments, reproaches, professing to rejoice
and glory in nothing so much as in his sufferings, and in
the cross of Christ. Accordingly his chains were laid
up with him in the grave, w^here Chrysostom assures us
they remained in his time.
8. Where his body w^as first buried, we are not told;
but wherever it was, there it remained till the time of
Constantius, when it had a more magnificent interment,
which proved the occasion of one of the most remarkable
occurrences that church-antiquity has conveyed to us.
There was a '^ place in the suburbs of Antioch called
Daphne, a place that seemed to be contrived by nature
on purpose as the highest scene of pleasure and delight.
It was a delicate grove thick set with cypress, and other
trees, which according to the season afforded all manner
of fruits and flowers. Furnished it was with infinite
variety of shady walks, the trees joining their bushy
heads forbade the approaches of the sun to annoy and
scorch them; watered with plenty of chrystal fountains
and pleasant rivulets, the air cool and temperate, and the
wand playing within the boughs of the trees, added a na-
tural harmony and delightful murmur. It was the usual
scene of the poets' amorous and v/anton fancies, and in-
deed so great a temptation to intemperance and riot, that
it w^as accounted scandalous for a good man to be seen
there. But that which was the greatest glory of the place
was a stately and magnificent temple, said to be erected
there by Seleucus, father to Antiochus, who built Anti-
och, and by him dedicated to Apollo Daphnasus, who
also had a very costly and ancient image placed within
the temple, where oracles were given forth, which gave
not the least addition to the renown and honour of it. And
in this condition it remained, till Gallus, Julian's elder
brother, being lately created Cesar by his cousin Con-
stantius, was sent to reside at Antioch, to secure those
frontier parts of the empire against the incursions of the
enemy. He having a singular veneration for the memo-
ries of Christian martyrs, resolved to purge this place
from its lewd customs and pagan superstitions. Which
t Clirysost. ibid. p. 671. Sozom. !. G. c. 19. p. 635. Nicepli. 1. 10- c. 28. p 6j.
438 THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS.
he thought he could not more efFectually compass than
by building a church over against Apollo's temple ;
which was no sooner finished and beautified, but he
caused St. Babylas's coffin to be translated thither.
9. The devil it seems liked him not for so near a
neighbour, his presence striking him dumb, so that
henceforth not one syllable of an oracle was given out.
This silence was at first " looked upon as the effect only
of neglect, that the sullen demon w ould not answer, be-
cause he had not his usual tribute of sacrifices, incense, and
other ritual honours paid to him; but wasfound afterwards
to arise from the neighbourhood of St. Babylas's ashes,
which caused their second removal upon this occasion.
Julian, having succeeded Constantius in the empire, came
to Antioch in order to his expedition into Persia, and being
intolerably overgrown with superstition, presently wentup
to Apollo's temple, to consult the oracle about the success
of the war, "" and some other important afRiirs of the em-
pire, offering the choicest sacrifices, and making very
rich and costly presents. But, alas, all in vain, his prayers,
and gifts, and sacrifices availed nothing, the demon giv-
ing him to understand that the dead kept him from speak-
ing, and that till the place was cleared from the corpse
that lay hard by, he could return no answ^ers by the ora-
cle. Julian, quickly perceived his meaning, and though
many dead bodies had been buried there, he suspected
it was Babylas's remains that were particularly aimed at,
and therefore commanded the Christians to remove them
thence. Who thereupon assembled in infinite numbers,
persons of all ages and sexes, and laying the coffin upon
an open chariot, brought it into the city with the most
solemn triumph, singing psalms of joy all the way they
went; and the end of every period adding this tart sting-
ing versicle, Confounded be all they, that worship carved
images.
10. The reader 'tis like may be apt to scruple this
story, as savouring a little of superstition, and giving
u Chrvsost. p, 674, et scriptorcs supra citat.
V Chrys. Hornil. de S. Babyl.p. 641 et I. de S.Babv!. p. 671, &77, 679. Soz.
et Niceph. ubi supr. Soci-at/l. 3. c. 18. p. 191. Tlieodur. H.L. I. ). c. la^^ ,
132. Conf. Phllust. loc. siipi-. citut.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS. 439
too much honour to the relics of saints. To which I
shall say no more, than that the credit of it seems un-
questionable, it being reported not only by Socrates,
Sozomen, and Theodoret (who all lived very near that
time) but by Chrysostom, who was born at Antioch, and
was a long time presbyter of that church, and was scho-
lar there to Libanius the sophister at that very time when
the thing was done, and an ^^ eye-witness of it, and who
not only preached the thing, but wrote a discourse
against the gentiles upon this very subject, wherein he
appeals " to the knowledge both of young and old then
alive, who had seen it, and challenges them to stand up,
and contradict, if they could, the truth of what he relat-
ed. Nay, which further puts the case past all perad-
venture, ^ Libanius the orator evidently confesses it,
when he tells us, that Apollo Daphn?eus, though before
neglected and forgotten, yet when Julian came with sa-
crifices and oblations to kiss his foot, he appeared again
in his rites of worship, after that he had been freed from
the unwelcome neighbourhood of a certain dead maii^
^vho lay hard by, to his great trouble and disturbance.
And Julian himself tells the Christians that he had sent
back Tov vey.^cvT Ai^v«?, theiT dead man that had been buried in
Daphne, Nor is it improbable that God should suffer
such an extraordinary passage to happen, especially at
this time, to demonstrate the vanity of the gentile reli-
gion, to correct the infidelity of the emperor, and to give
testimony to that religion which he scorned with so
much insolence and sarcasm, and pursued with so much
vigour and opposition. If any inquire why Julian should
so far gratify the Christians, as to bestow the martyr's
bones upon them, and suffer them to convey them with
so much pomp and honour into the city, and not rather
scatter the ashes into the air, throw them into the fire, or
drown the cofiin in the river? ^ Chrysostom answers,
that he durst not, he was afraid lest the divine vengeance
sliouldovertake him,lestathunderbolt from heaven should
w Vicl. lib. citat. p. 654. et Horn, de Bab. p. 641. x Ibic]. p. 6r6,
y Monod. sup. Apoll, funum igni exust. p. 1H.5. /. Misapog. p. 96.
a Ibid. p. 681.
440 THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS.
strike him, or an incurable disease arrest him, as such
kind of miserable fates had overtaken some of his prede-
cessors in the height of their activity against the Chris-
tians, and he had lately seen sad instances of it that came
very near him ; his uncle Julian prefect of the east, a pe-
tulant scorner and apostate derider of Christians, who
having broken into the great church at Antioch, had
treated their communion plate with the greatest irre-
verence and contempt, throwing it upon the ground,
spurning, and sitting upon it, and after all carrying it
away into the emperor's exchequer, was immediately
seized with a loathsome disease, which I am not willing
to mention, which, within a few days, in spite of all the
arts of physic, put an end to his miserable life. And
Felix, the treasurer, a man of the same spirit and tem-
per, and engaged with him in the same design, coming
up to the palace, on a sudden fell down upon the top of
the steps and burst asunder. Ammianus Marcellinus ^
himself confessing that he died of a sudden flux of blood.
Others there were, who about that time came to wretch-
ed and untimely ends, but these two only are particu-
larly noted by Chrysostom. Examples, which it is pro-
bable had put an awe and restraint upon him.
11. But evihnemvax rvorse and worse, Julian, how^-
ever awed at present, yet his rage quickly found a
vent, which all his philosophy could not stop. Vexed *" to
see the Christians pay so solemn a veneration to the
martyr, and especially stung with the hymns which the
Christians sung, the very next day he gave order, against
the advice of his privy council, to Salust, the prefect, to
persecute the Christians, many of whom were accord-
ingly apprehend and cast into prison. And among the
rest one Theodorus, a youth, was caught up in the
streets, and put upon the rack, his flesh torn oft' with iron
pincers, scourged and beaten, and when no tortures
could shake his constancy, or so much as move his pa-
tience, he was at length dismissed. Rufinus afterwards
met with this Theodorus, and asking him v/hether in
b Lib. 23. p 1641. c Socr. c. 19. p. 191. Sozom. etTheocI. ibid.
THE LIFE OF ST. BABYLAS. 441
the midst of his torments he felt any pain, he told him,
at first he was a little sensible, but that one in the shape
of a voting man stood by him, who gently wiped off the
sweat from his face, refreshed him with cold water, and
supported his spirit with present consolations, so that his
rack was rather a pleasure than a torment to him. But
to return.
12. Heaven showed itself not well pleased with the
proceedings of the emperor. For immediately the tem-
ple of Apollo in the Daphne took fire, which in a few
hours burnt the famed image of the god, and reduced the
temple, excepting only the walls and pillars, into ashes.
This the Christians ascribed to the divine vengeance, the
gentiles imputed it to the malice of the Christians; and
though the priests and warders of the temple were rack-
ed to make them say so, yet could they not be brought
to affirm any more, than that it was fired by a light from
heaven. This conflagration is mentioned not only by
Christian writers, but by ^ Ammianus Marcellinus, and
by ^ Julian himself, but especially by Libanius, the ora-
tor, who, in an oration on purpose made to the people,
elegantly bewails its unhappy fate; whose discourse St.
Chrysostom takes to task, and makes witty and eloquent
remarks upon it. If the reader ask what became of Ba-
bylas's remains after all this noise and bustle, they were
entombed within the city, in a church dedicated to his
name and memory, and in after-ages are ^ said to have
been translated (by some Christian princes, probably,
during their wars in the holy land) to Cremona in Italy,
where how oft they have been honourably reposed and
with how much pomp and ceremonious veneration they
are still entertained, they who are curious after such
things may inquire.
d Lib. 22. p. 1629. e Loc. supr. cit. f. Vid. Uolland. ad Jan. XZIV. p. 580.
3 K
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
BISHOP OF CARTHAGE.
Hrs birth-place. The nobility of his family exploded. The confounding
him with another Cyprian, bishop of Antioch. These two vastly dis-
tinct. St. Cyprian's education. His professing rhetoric. His conver-
sion to Christianity by the persuasions of Caecilius. Their mutual en-
dearment. His great charity to the poor. His baptism. Made
presbyter, and bishop of Carthage. His modest declining the honour.
His proscription, recess, and care of his church during that retire-
ment. The case of the lapsed. A brief account of the rise of the
Novatian sect. The fierceness of the persecution at Carthage under
Decius. The courage and patience of the Christians. Cyprian's re-
turn. A synod at Carthage about the case of the lapsed, and the cause
of Novatian. Their determination of these matters. Ratified by a
synod at Rome : and another at Antioch. A second synod about the
same affair. Moderation in the ecclesiastic discipline used in the time
of persecution. The great pestilence at Carthage. The misera-
ble state of that city. The mighty charity of St. Cyprian and the
Christians at that time. These evils charged upon the Christians.
St. Cyprian's vindication of them. The time of baptizing infants de-
termined in a synod. Another synod to decide the case of the Spanish
bishops that had lapsed in the time of persecution. The controversy
concerning the re-baptizing those who had been baptized by heretics.
This resolved upon in a synod of 87 African bishops. The immoderate
heats befween Cyprian, Firmilian, and Stephen, bishop of Rome,
about this matter. Cyprian arraigned before the proconsul. His re-
solute carriage. His banishment to Curubis. His martyrdom fore-
told him by a vision. His letters during his exile. The severe usage
of the Christians His withdrawment, and why. His apprehension
and examination before the proconsul. The sentence passed upon him.
His martyrdom, and place of burial. His piety, fidelity, chastity, hu-
mility, modesty, charity, &c. His natural parts. His learning, where-
in it mainly consisted. The politeness and elegancy of his style. His
quick proficiency in Christian studies. His frequent converse with
T-ertullian's writings. His books. The excellency of those ascribed
to him. The great honours done to his mempry.
444 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
1. THASCIUS C^cilius Cyprian was born at Car-
thage, in the declining part of the foregoing saeculum,
though the particular year cannot be ascertained. Who
or what his parents were, is unknown. ^Cardinal Baro-
nius (not to mention others) makes him descended of a
rich honourable family, and himself to have been one of
the chief of the senatorian order ; and this upon the au-
thority of Nazianzen,^ who indeed affirms it ; but then
certainly forgot that in very few lines before, he had ex-
ploded as a fabulous mistake, the confounding our Cyp-
rian with another of the same name, of whom Nazianzen
unquestionably meant it. For besides our Carthaginian
Cyprian, there was another born at Antioch, a person of
great learning and eminency, who travelled through
Greece, Phrygia, Kgypt, India, Chaldaea, and where not ?
famous for the study and the arts of magic, by which he
sought to compass the affections of Justina, a noble
Christian virgin at Antioch, by whose prayers and en-
deavours he was converted, baptized, made first sexton,
then deacon of that church, was endowed with miracu-
lous powers, and afterwards consecrated bishop of that
church, (though I confess I find not his name in the cata-
logue of the bishops of that see, drawn up by Nicephorus
of Constantinople) and at last having been miserably tor-
mented at Antioch, was sent to Dioclesian himself, then
at Nicomedia, by whose command together with Justi-
na, sent thither also at the same time from Damascus,
he was beheaded. The history of all which was largely
described in three books in verse, written by the noble
empress Eudocia, the excerpta whereof are still extant
in 'Photius. This account Simeon the metaphrast, Ni-
cephorus, and the later Greeks without any scruple at-
tribute to St. Cyprian of Carthage, nay some of them
make him to suffer martyrdom under the Decian perse-
cution. Though in the vrhole mistake the more to be
pardoned, in that not only Prudentius, but Nazianzen
had long before manifestly confounded these two emi-
a Ad Ann. 250 n. V. vld. no^ nd Martvrol. Rom. Sept. 26. p. 600.
b Orat. in l;md. .S . Ox pr. p. 2/ o. c Cod. CLXXXiV. col. 4It).
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 445
nent persons, who finding several passages of the Anti-
ochian Cyprian very near akin to the other, carried all
the rest along with them, as two persons very like are
oft mistaken the one for the other. To prove that our
Cyprian was not him described by Nazianzen, were a
vain and needless attempt, the accounts concerning them
being so vastly different, both as to their country, educa-
tion, manner of life, episcopal charge, the time, place,
and companions of their death, that it is plainly impossi-
ble to reconcile them. But of this enough.
2. St. Cyprian's education was ingenuous,'* polished
by study and the liberal arts, though he principally ad-
dicted himself to the study of oratory and eloquence,
wherein he made such vast improvements, that publicly
and with great applause, he taught rhetoric at ^Carthage.
AH which time he lived in great pomp and plenty, in
honour and power, his garb splendid, his retinue stately ;
never going abroad (as himself tells us^) but he was
thronged with a crowd of clients and followers. The
far greatest part of his life he passed among the errors
of the Gentile religion, and was at least upon the borders
of old age when he was rescued from the vassalage of in-
veterate customs, the darkness of idolatrj^, and the er-
rours and vices of his past life, as ^himself intimates in
his epistle to Donatus. He was converted to Christianity
by the arguments and importunities of Csecilius,*' a pres-
byter of Carthage, a person whom ever after he loved as
a friend, and reverenced as a father. And so mutual an
endearment was there between them, that Cyprian in
honour to him, assumed the title of Csecilius ; and the
other at his death made him his executor, and committed
his wife and children to his sole care and tutelage. Be-
ing yet a catechumen,' he gave early instances of a great
and generous piety : professed a strict and severe tem-
perance and sobriety, accounting it one of the best pre-
parations for the entertainm.ent of the truth, to subdue
d Pont. Biac. in vit. Cypr. nan Innge ab init.
e Hter. de script in C\pniii'.o. f Ad Donat. Epist. 1. p. 2.
g- Ubi supra. h Pont- ibid, p 12. i Id. ibid. p. 11,
^6 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
and tread down all irregular appetites and inclinations.
His estate, at least the greatest part of it, he sold, and
distributed it among the necessities of the poor, at once
triumphing over the love of the world, and exercising
that great duty of mercy and charity, which God values
above all the ritual devotions in the world. So that by
the speedy progress of his piety (says Pontius his friend
and deacon) he became almost a perfect Christian, before
he had learnt the rules of Christianity.
3. Being fully instructed in the rudiments of the Chris-
tian faith, he was baptized,^ when the mighty assistances
which he received from above, perfectly dispelled all
doubts, enlightened all obscurities, and enabled him
with ease to do things which before he looked upon as
impossible to be discharged. Not long after, he was
called to the inferior ecclesiastic offices, and then ad-
vanced to the degree of presbyter, wherein he so admira-
bly behaved himself, that he was quickly summoned to
the highest order and honour in the church. Donatus
his immediate predecessor in the see of Carthage (as his
own words' seem to imply) being dead, the general vogue
both of clergy and people (Felicissimus the presbyter
and some very few of his party only dissenting"') was for
Cyprian to succeed him. But the great modesty and
humility of the man made him fly" from the first ap-
proaches of the news, he thought himself unfit for so
weighty and honourable an emplo}ment, and therefore
desired that a more worthy person, and some of his se-
niors in the faith might possess the place. His declining
it did but set so much the keener an edge upon the desires
and expectations of the people ; his doors were immedi-
ately crowded, and all passages of escape blocked up ;
he would indeed have fled out at the window, but finding
it in vain, he unwillingly yielded, the people in the mean
while impatiently waiting, divided between hope and
fear, till seeing him come forth, they received him with
an universal joy and satisfaction. This charge he en-
kEpIst. 1. p, 2, 3. 1 Enist. 55. p. &2\ m Epi.st.4C. p. 5.1
nP. Diac.p. l^'.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. UT
tered upon Ann. 248, as himself "plainly intimates, when
in his letter to Cornelius, he tells him he had been
four years bishop of Carthage : which epistle was writ-
ten not long after the beginning of Cornelius's pdntifi^
cate, Ann. 251. It was the third consulship of Philip
the emperor ; a memorable time, it being the thousandth
year ab urbe condita, when the Ludi Saculares were ce-
lebrated at Rome, with all imaginable magnificence and
solemnity. Though indeed it was then but the decli-
ning part of the Annus Miliesimus, which began with the
Palilia, about April 21, of the foregoing year, and ended
with the Palilia of this : whence in the ancient coins of
this emperor, these secular sports are sometimes ascribed
to his second, sometimes to his third consulship, as com-
mencing in the one, and being completed in the other.
4. The entrance upon his care and government was
calm and peaceable, ^but he had not been long in it be-
fore a storm overtook him, and upon what occasion I
know not, he was publicly^ proscribed by the name of
Caecilius Cyprian, bishop of the Christians, and every
man commanded not to hide or conceal his goods. And
not satisfied with this, they frequently called out, that he
might be thrown to the lions. So that being warned by
a divine admonition and command from God, (as he
pleads for himself) and lest by his resolute defiance of
the public sentence, he should provoke his adversaries**
to fall more severely upon the whole church, he thought
good at present to w^ithdraw himself, hoping that malice
would cool and die, and the fire go out when the fuel
that kindled it was taken away. During this recess,
though absent in body, yet was he present in spirit, sup-
plying the want of his presence by letters,' (whereof he
wrote no less than 38) by pious counsels, grave admo-
nitions, frequent reproofs, earnest exhortations, and es-
pecially by hearty prayers to Heaven for the welfare and
prosperity of the church. That which created him the
<3 Epist. 55. p. 80. p Epist, 69. p. 117. Ep. 55. p. 80.vId.Pont.de vit.C} pr. p.l2.
q Epist. 9- p. 22. Epist. 14. p. 27. r Loc. citat.
448 THE LIFE OF ST. CVPRIAN.
greatest trouble, was the case of the lapsed, whom some
presbyters without the knowledge and consent of the
bishop, rashly admitted to the communion of the church
upon very easy terms. Cyprian, a stiff assertor of eccle-
siastic discipline, and the rights of his place, would not
brook this, but by several letters not only complained of
it, but endeavoured to reform it, not sparing the mar-
tyrs themselves, who presuming upon their great merits
in the cause of religion, took upon them to give libels
of peace to the lapsed, whereby they were again taken
into communion, sooner than the rules of the church did
allow.
5. This remissness of discipline, and eas}^ admission of
penitents, gave occasion to Novatus, one of the presby-
ters of Carthage to start aside, and draw a faction after
him, denying any place to the lapsed, though penitent,
in the peace and communion of the church ; not that
they absolutely excluded them the mercy and pardon of
God (for they left them to the sentence of the divine
tribunal) but maintained that the church had no power
to absolve them that once lapsed after baptism, and to
receive them again into communion. Having suffici-
ently imbroiledthe church at home (where he was in
danger to be excommunicated by Cyprian for his scan-
dalous, irregular, and unpeaceable practices) over he
goes with some of his party to Rome, where by a pre-
tence of uncommon sanctity and severity, besides some
confessors lately delivered out of prison, he seduced
Novatianus (who by the Greek fathers is almost perpetu-
ally confounded with Novatus) a presbyter of the Ro-
man church, a man of an insolent and ambitious temper,
and who had attempted to thrust himself into that chair.
Him the party procures by clancular arts and uncanoni-
cal means to be consecrated bishop, and then set him up
against Cornelius, lately ordained bishop of that see,
whom they peculiarly charged *with holding a commu-
nion with Trophimus and some others of the ThurljicatU
who had done sacrifice in the late persecution. Which
s Vid, Epist. 55, ad Antonkn. p. 66^
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 449
though plausibly pretended, was yet a false allegation ;
Trophimus and his party not being taken in, till by
great humility^ and a public penance they had given
satisfaction to the church, nor he then suffered to com-
municate any otherwise than in a lay capacity. Being
disappointed in their designs, they now openly show
themselves in their own colours, separate from the church,
which they charge with looseness and licentiousness in
admitting scandalous offenders, and by way of distinc-
tion, styling themselves Cathari^ the pure undefiled par-
ty, those who kept themselves from all society with the
lapsed, or them that communicated with them. Here-
upon they were on all hands opposed by private persons,
and condemned by public synods, and cried down by
the common vote of the church, probably not so much
upon the account of their different sentiments and opi-
nions in point of pardon of sin, and ecclesiastical penance
(wherein they stood not at so wide a distance from the
doctrine and practice of the early ages of the church) as
for their insolent and domineering temper, their proud
and surly carriage, their rigorous and imperious impo-
sing their way upon other churches, their taking upon
them by their own private authority to judge, censure,
and condemn those that joined not with them, or oppo-
sed them, their bold divesting the governors of the
church of that great power lodged in them, of remitting
crimes upon repentance, which seem to have been the
very soul and spirit of the Novatian sect.
6. In the mean while the persecution under Decius
raged with an uncontrolled fury over the African pro-
vinces, and especially at Carthage, concerning which
Cyprian every where" gives large and sad accounts,
whereof this the sum. I'hey were scourged, and beaten,
and racked, and roasted, and their flesh pulled oft' with
burning pincers, beheaded with swords, and run through
with spears, more instruments of torment being many
times employed about the man at once, than there were
t Ibid. p. 69.
u Bpist. 53. p. 75. Epist. 7. p. 16. Epist. 8. p. 19 lib. ad Demetr. p. 200.
3 L
450 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
limbs and members of his body : they were spoiled and
plundered, chained and in^prisoned, thrown to wild
beasts, and burnt at the stake. And when they had run
over all their old methods of execution, they studied for
more, excogitat novas p^nas ingeniosa crudelitas^ as he
complains. Nor did they only vary, but repeat the tor-
ments, and where one ended another began ; they tor-
tured them without hopes of dying, and added this cru-
elty to all the rest, to stop them in their journey to hea-
ven ; many who were importunately desirous of death^
were so tortured, that they might not die, they were pur-
posely kept upon the rack, that they might die by piece-
meals, that their pains might be lingering, and their
sense of them without intermission, they gave them no
intervals, or times of respite, unless any of them chanced
to ^ive them the slip and expire in the midst of torments.
All which did but render their faith and patience more
illustrious, and make them more earnestly long for Hea-
ven. They tired out their tormentors, and overcame
the sharpest engines of execution, and smiled at the
busy officers that were raking in their wounds, and when
their flesh was wearied, their faith was unconquerable.
The muhitude beheld with admiration these heavenly
conflicts, and stood astonished to he ar the servants of
Christ in the midst of all this with an unshaken mind
m.aking a free and bold confesssion of him, destitute of
any external succour, but armed with a divine powder,
and defending themselves with the shield of faith,
7. Two full years St. Cyprian had remained in his re-
tirement, when the persecution being somewhat abated
by the death of Decius, he returned to Carthage, Ann.
2*51, where he set himself to reform disorders, and to
compose the differences that disturbed his church. For
which purpose he convened a synod of his neighbour
bishops to consult about the cause of the lapsed. Who
were no sooner met,^ but there arrived messengers with
letters from Novatian, signifying his ordination to the
see of Rome, and bringing an accusation and charge
V Ad Cornel' Epist. 41. p. 55.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 451
against Cornelius. But the men no sooner appeared,
but were disowned, and rejected from communion, es-
pecially after that Pompeius and Stephanas were arrived
from Rome, and had brought a true account and relation
of the case. The Synod, therefore, advised and charged
them to desist from their turbulent and schismatical pro-
ceedings, not to rend the church by propagating a perni-
cious faction, that it was their best way and the safest
counsel they could take, to show themselves true Chris-
tians, by returning back to the p;race of the church. As
for the lapsed, having discussed their case"^ according to
the rules of the holy scripture, they concluded upon this
wise and moderate expedient, that neither all hopes of
peace and communion should be denied them, lest look-
ing upon themselves as in a desperate case, they should
start back into a total apostacy from the faith, nor yet
the censures of the church be soUir relaxed, as rashly to
admit them to communion : but that the causes being-
examined, and regard being had to the will of the delin-
quents, and the aggravations of partic ular cases,their time of
penance should be accordingly prolonged, and the divine
clemency be obtained by acts of a great sorrow and re-
pentance. Their meaning is, that the hipsed being of
several sorts, should be treated according to the nature
of their crimes ; the Libeliatici,, who had only purchased
libels of security and dismission from the heathen ma-
gistrate to excuse them from doing sacrifice in time of
persecution, should have a shorter time of penance as-
signed them, the Sacrificati who had actually sacrificed
to idols, should not be taken in till they had expiated
their offence by a very long penance, and (as they some-
times call it) satisfaction. This Synodical determination''
was presently sent to Rome, and ratiried by Cornelius
and a counsel of sixty bishops, and above as many pres-
byters and deacons, concluding (and the decree examin-
ed, assented to, and published by the bishops in their se-
veral provhices) that Novatus and his insolejit party, and
all that adhered to his inhuman and merciless opinion,
w Ail Anion Epi-'t 52. p. 6;\ x Id- ib.d. Easeb, 1. 6, 43, p. 242.
452 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
should be excluded the communion of the church ; but
that tlie brethren, who had fallen into that calamity,
should be gently dealt with, and restored by methods of
repentance. About the same time there was a synod
also held at Antioch by the eastern bishops about the
same affair. For so Dionysius,^ bishop of Alexandria,
in his letter to Cornelius of Rome, tells him, that he had
been summoned by Helenus, bishop of Tarsus, Firmi-
lian of Cappadocia, and Theoctistus of C^sarea in Pales-
tine, to meet in council at Antioch, to suppress the en-
deavours of some, who sought there to establish the No-
vatian schism.
8. The next year. May XV. Jnn. CCLII. began an-
other ^ council at Carthage about this matter, and
wherein they steered the same course they had done
before, being rather swayed to moderate counsels herein,
because frequently admonished by divine revelations of
an approaching persecution, and therefore did not think
it prudent and reasonable, that men should be left naked
and unarmed in the day of battle, but that they might be
able to defend themselves with the shield of Christ's
body and blood. For how should they ever hope to
persuade them to shed their own blood in the cause of
Christ, if they denied them the benefit of his blood? how
could it be expected they should be ready to drink the
cup of martyrdom, whom the church debarred the pri-
vilege to drink of the cup of Christ? While peace and
tranquillity smiled upon the church, they protracted the
time of penance, and allowed not the Sacrificati to be
readmitted, but at the hour of death. But that now the
enemy was breaking in upon them, and Christians were
to be prepared and heartened on for suffering, and en-
couragement to be given to those ^vho, by the sincerity
of their repentance, had showed themselves ready to re-
sist unto blood, and to contend earnestly for the faith.
This they did not to patronise the lazy, but excite the
diligent, the church's peace being granted not in order to
y Ap. Euseb. H. Eccl 1. 6. c. 4G. p. 247. z Epist, Synod, ad Cernel. Ep.
S4.p.7.6.etEp. i5. i>. »2.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 453
ease and softness, but to conflict and contention. And
if any improved the indulgence to worse purposes, they
did but cheat themselves, and such they remitted to the
divine tribunal. At this synod appeared one * Privatus,
who having some years since been condemned for here-
sy and other crimes by a council of ninety bishops, de-
sired that his cause might be heard over again, but was
rejected by the synod, whereupon gathering a party of the
lapsed, or the schismatics, he ordained, at Carthage, one
Fortunatus bishop, giving out that no less than five and
twenty bishops were present at the consecration. But
the notorious falsehood and vanity of their pretences
being discovered, they left the place and fled over to
Rome.
9. About this time happened that miserable plague,
that so much afflicted the Roman world, wherein Car-
thage had a very deep share. ^ Vast multitudes were
swept away every day, the fatal messenger knocking, as
he went along, at every door. The streets were filled
with the carcasses of the dead, which seemed to implore
the assistance of the living, and to chalfe^^vge it as a right
by the laws of nature and humanity, as thuc which shortly
themselves might stand in need of. But, alas, all in vain,
every one trembled and fled, and shifted for himself, de-
serted their dearest friends and nearest relations ; none
considered what might be his own case, nor how reason-
able it was that he should do for another, what he would
another should do for him, and if any staid behind, it
was only to make a prey. In this calamitous and tragic
scene, St. Cyprian calls the Christians together, instructs
them in the duties of mercy and charity, and from the
precepts and examples of the holy scripture, shows them
what a mighty influence they have to oblige God to us;
that it was no wonder if their charity extended only to
their own party, the w^ay to be perfect, and to be Chris-
tians indeed, was to do something more than heathens
and publicans, to overcome evil with good, and in imitation
of the divine benignity, to love our e?2emies, and accord-
a Ibid. p. 82. b Pont. Diac. in vit. Cj-pr. p. 13.
454 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
ing to our Lord's advice, to pray for the happiness of
them that persecute us ; that God constantly makes his
sun to rise and his rain to fall upon the seeds and plants^
not only for the advantage of his own children, but of ail
other men ; that therefore they should act as became the
nobility of their new birth, and imitate the example of
such a Father, who professed themselves to be his chil-
dren. Persuaded by this, and much more that he dis-
coursed to the same effect, enough to convmce the very
gentiles themselves, they presently divided their help
according to each one's rank and quality. Those who
by reason of poverty could contribute nothing to the
charge, did what was infinitely more, personally labour-
ed in the common calamity, an assistance infinitely be-
yond all other contributions. Indeed every one was am-
bitious to engage under the conduct of such a comman-
der, and in a service wherein they might so eminently
approve themselves to God the Father, and Christ the
Judge of all, and in the meantime to so pious and good a
bishop. And by this large and abundant charity great
advantage redounded not to themselves only, who were
of the household of faith, but universally to all. And that
he might not be wanting to any, he penned at this time
his excellent discourse concerning Mortality, wli^rein he
so eloquently teaches a Christian to triumph over the
fears of death, and shows how little reason there is exces-
sively to mourn for those friends and relations, that are
taken from us.
10. This horrible pestilence, together with the wars,
which of late had, and even then did, overrun the em-
pire, the gentiles generally charged upon the Christian
religion, as that for which the gods were implacably an-
gry with the world. To vindicate it from this common
objection, Cyprian addresses himself in a discourse to
Demetrian the proconsul wherein he proves that these
evils that came upon the world, could not be laid at the
door of Christianity, assigning other reasons of them,
and among the rest their wild and brutish rage agahist
the Christians, which had provoked the Deity to bring
tiiese calamities upon them, as a just punishment of theii?
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 455
lolly and madness in persecuting a religion, so innocent
and dear to heaven *^ The persecution being OA^er, a
controversy arose concerning the time of baptizing in-
fants, started especially by Fidus, ^ an African bishop,
who asserted that baptism was not to be administered on
the third or fourth, but as circumcision under the Jewish
state, to be deferred till the eighth day. St. Cyprian, in
a synod of sixty-six bishops, determined this question,
that it was not necessary to be dt ferred >,o long, nor the
grace and mercy of God to be denied to any as soon as
born into the world; that it was then- universal sentence
and resolution, that none ought to be prohibited baptism
and the grace of God ; which, as it was to be observed
and retained towards all, so much more towards infants
and new-born children. Not long after which, another
council was held by ^ Cyprian (importuned thereunto by
the bishops of Spain) to consult concerning the case of
Basilides, bishop of Asturica, and Martial, bishop of
Emerita in Spain, who had lapsed into the most horrible
idolatry in the late persecution, and yet still retained
their places in the church. The synod resolved, that
they were fallen from their episcopal order, and the very
lowest degree of the ministry, and that upon their repent-
ance they were to be restored to no more than the capa-
city of laics in the communion of the church.
11. In this synod, or another called not long after, the
famous contest about rebaptizing those who had been
baptized by heretics, received its first approbation. It
had been some time since, by occasion of the Monta-
nists and Novatians, canvassed in the eastern parts, thence
it flew over to Numidia, by the bishops whereof it had
been brought before Cyprian, and the council at Carthage,
who determined that the thing was necessary to be ob-
served, and that this was no novel sentence, but had been
c Exoritur ultio violati nominis Christian!, ct usqueqiio ad proflig-andas ec-
clesias edicta Deciicucuvreiunt, catenus incredibilium morborum pestis ex-
tenditur. Nulla fere provincia Romana, nulla civitas, nulla domus fuit, quae
non ilia general! pestilentia correpta atque vastata sit. P. Orosius Hist. adv.
Pagan. 1. 7. c 21. ibl. 310. p. 2.
d Vid, Epist. Synod, ad Fid. Ep. S9. p. 94- e Epist. 68. p. 112. et seq.
456 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
so decreed by his predecessors, and die thing constantly
practised and observed among them, as he assures them
in the Synodical Epistle ^ about this matter. Among
others, to whom they sent their decrees, the synod ^ espe-
cially wrote to Stephen, bishop of Rome (who had so far
espoused the contrary opinion, as to excommunicate the
synod at Iconium, for making the like determination) him
they acquaint with the sentence they had passed, and the
reasons of it, which th .y hoped he also would assent to,
however did not magisterially impose it upon him, every
bishop having a proper authority within the jurisdiction
of his own church, whereof he is to render an account to
God. Pope Stephen (with whom stood a great part of
the church) liked not their proceedings; whereupon a
more general council was summoned, where no less than
eighty-seven bishops, from all parts of the African
churches, met together, who unanimously ratified the
former sentence, whose names and particular votes are
extant in the ^ Acts of that council. But numbers made
the cause never the better resented at Rome, and indeed
the controversy arose to that height between these two
good men, that Stephen gave Cyprian very rude and un-
christian language, 'styling h'mi jTalse Christ, Jaise apos-
tle, deceitful worker, and such like: while on the other
hand Cyprian treated him with more than ordinary sharp-
ness and severity, charging ^ him with pride and imper-
tinence, and self-contradicticn, with ignorance and indis-
cretion, with childishness and obstinacy, and other ex-
pressions, far enough from that reverence and regard,
which St. Stephen's successors claim at this day. And
no better usage did he find from Firmilian, bishop of
Caesarea in Cappadocia, as may be seen in his letter to
Cyprian, ' charging Stephen with sacrificing the church's
peace to a petulant humour, where inhumanity, auda-
ciousness, insolence, wickedness, are some of the cha-
racters bestowed upon him. A great instance how far
f Epist. 69. p. 117. g'Epist. 72 • p. 121. Apud Cyr. p. 282. et concil.
Tom. 1. col. 786. edit, noviss. i Firmil. Epist. ad Cypr. p. 150. k Ad
Fompei. Epist. 74. p. 129. 1 Apud Cypr. ^ 143.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 457
passion aitd prejudice may transport wise and good men
beyond the merits of the cause, and what the laws of
kindness and charity do allow. I note no more con-
cerning this, than that Cyprian and liis party '"" expressly
disowned anabaptism, or rebaptization, they freely con-
fessed that there was but one baptism, and that those
who came over from heretical churches, where they had
had their baptism, were not rebaptized, but baptized,
their former baptism being ipso facto null and invalid,
and they did then receive, what (lawfully) they had not
before.
12. It was now the year 257, when Aspasius Paternus,
the proconsul of Africa, sent " for Cyprian to appear be-
fore him, telling him, that he had lately received orders
from the emperors (Valerian and Gaiiienus) command-
ing that all that were of a foreign religion, should wor-
ship the gods according to the Roman rites, desiring to
know what was his resolution ? Cyprian answered, /
am a Clir'istian and a bishops I acknowledge no other godsy
but one only true God^ who made heaven and earthy and all
that therein is. This is he whom we Christians se?'ve, to
'whom we pray day and nighty for ourselves and for all
men, and for the happiness and prosperity of the emperors.
And is this then thy resolution? said the proconsul.
TJmt resolution, replied the martyi , which is founded in
God, cannot be altered. Then he told l)im, that he was
to search out the presbyters as well as bishops, requiiing
him to discover them. To which Cyprian gave no other
answer, than that according to their own laws, they were
not bound to be informers. The pi^oconsul then ac-
quainted him, that he was commanded to prohibit all
private assemblies, and to proceed with capital severity
against them that frequented them. VvMieieat the good
miin told him that his best way was to do as he was
commanded. The proconsul finding it was in vain to
treat with him, commanded him to be banished, and ac-
cordingly he was transported to Curubis, a little city,
standing in a peninsula, within the Lybian sea, not far
m AdQiiint. Epist. Tl. p. 119. n Act. Pass. S. Cvpriani. ap. Cvpr. p.
17i 24.
3.JVI
458 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIA IST.
from Pentapolis ; a "place pleasant and delightful enough,
and where he met with a kind and a courteous usage, was
frequendy visited by the brethren, and furnished with all
conveniences necessary for him.
13. But the greatest entertainment in this retirement,
were those divine and heavenly visions with which God
was pleased to honour him, by one whereof the very first
day of his coming thither he was particularly forewarned
of his approaching martyrdom, whereof Pontius, the dea-
con, who L'.ccompanied him in his banishment, gives us
this account fi^om the martyr's own mouth.^* There ap-
peared to him as he was going to rest, a young man of a
prodigious stature, who seemed to lead him to the pr^-
torium, and to preserst him to the proconsul, then sitting
upon the bench : who looking upon him, began to WTite
something in a book, which the young man who looked
over his shoulder, read, but not daring to speak, intima-
ted by signs what it was : for extending one of his hands
at length, he made across stroke over it with the other,
by v/hich Cyprian presently guessed the manner of his
death. Whereupon he importunately begged of the pro-
consul but one day's respite to dispose his affairs, and
partly by the pleasingness of the judge's countenance,
partly by the signs which the young man made of what
the proconsul was noting in his book, he immediately
gathered that his request was granted. And just so it
accordingly came to pass, both as to the time and man-
ner of his martyrdom, that very day twelve-month,
whereon he had this vision, proving the period of his
life.
14. How active and diligent he was to improve his
opportunities to the best advantage, appears from the se-
veral letters he wrote during his confinement, especially
to the martyrs in prison, whose spirit he refreshed by
proper consolations, and pressed them to persevere unto
the crown. While he was here he had news brought ''him
of the daily increase of the persecution, the emperor
o p. Diac. in vit. Cyp p. 14. p Loc. citat.
q Ad Success. Epi»t. 82. p. 160.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 459
Valerian having sent a rescript to the senate, that bishops,
presbyters, and deacons, should be put to death without
delay ; that senators, and persons of rank and quality
should lose their honours and preferments, forfeit their
estates, and if still they continued Christians, lose their
heads ; and that matrons having had their goods confis-
cated, should be banished : that Xystus and Quartus
had already suffered in the cemetery, where their
solemn assemblies were held ; and that the governors of
the city carried on the persecution with might and main^
spoiling and putting to death all that they could meet
with. This sad and uncomfortable news' gave the good
man just reason to expect and provide for his own fate,
which he waited and wished for every day. Indeed
some persons of the highest rank and quality, his ancient
friends, came to him, and persuaded him for the present
to withdraw, offering to provide a secure place for his
retreat. But the desire of that crown which he had in
his eye, had set him above the world, and made him deaf
to their kind offers and entreaties. True it is that when
news was brought that the officers were coming for him,
to carry him to Utica to suffer there, by the advice of
his friends he stept aside, being unwilling to suffer any
where but at Carthage, in the eye of the people, where
he had so long, and so successfully preached the Chris-
tian faith, the truth whereof he was desirous to seal with
his blood ; it being very fit and congruous, that a bishop
should suffer for our Lord in that place where he had
governed his church, and by that eminent confession
edify and encourage the flock committed to him, as he
tells' the people of his charge in the last letter that ever
he wrote. As for themselves, he advised them to peace
and unity, not to create trouble to one another, not to of-
fer themselves to the Gentiles, but if any was apprehend-
ed, to stand to it, and freely confess, as God should ena-
ble him to declare himself,
r P. Diac. ubi, supr. p. 15. s Epist. 82. p. 161.
460 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
15. Galerius Maximns the new proconsul, being re-
turned to Carthage,' Cyprian (who resolved but till then
to conceal himscit ) came home, and took up his residence
in his own gardens. Where officers were presently sent
to apprehend him, who putting him into a chariot, car-
ried him to the place wnere the proconsul was i etired lor
his heahh, who commanded him to be kept till the next
day, which was done in the house of one of the oliicers
that secuj^d him, the people, alarmed with the news of
his retunt'and apprehension, flocking to the doors, and
watching there all night. The next morning being Sep-
tember 14, Ann. Chr. 258, he was led to the proconsul's
palace, who not being yet come forth, he was carried
aside into a by-place, where he rested himself upon a
seat, which by chance was covered with a linen cloth,
that so (says my author) even in the hour of his passion,
he might enjoy some part of episcopal honour. The
length and hurry of his walk, had put the infirm and aged
man into a violent sweat, which being observed by a mili-
tary messenger, who had formerly been a Christian, he
came to him and offered to accommodate him with dry
linen instead of that wet and moist that was about him :
this he did in a pretended civility, but really with de-
sign to have secured some monument of the martyr's
last agony and labour, who returned no other answer,
than, PFe seek to cure complaints^ ami sorrows^ ivhich
perhaps to day shall be ?io more for ever. By this time
the proconsul was come out, Vvho looking upon him,
said, Art thou Thascius Cypriari, who hast been bishop
and father to men of an impious mind ? the sacred empe-
rors command thee to do sacrifice. Be xvell advised, and
do not throw away thy life. The holy martyr replied, /
am Cyprian, I am a Christian, and I cannot sacrifice to
the gods ; do as thou art commanded ; as for me, in so just
a cause there ncifds no consultation. The proconsul was
angry at his resoluie constancy, and told him, that he had
been a long time of this sacrilegious humour, had sedu-
t Pont. ib. p. 15- Act, Passion, ib. p. 16, 18, 19, 24.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 461
ced abundance into the same wicked conspiracy with
himself, and sho'wn himself an enemy to the gods and
religion of the Roman empire, one whom the pious and
religious emperors could never reduce to the observance
of their holy rites : that therefore being found to be the
author and ring-leader of so heinous a crime, he should
be made an example to those whom he had seduced into
so great a wickedness, and that discipline and severity
should be established in his blood. Whereupon he read
his sentence out of a table book, / will that Thasckis
Cyprian be beheaded. To which the martyr only answer-
ed, 1 heartily t/iank Almighty God, who is pleased to set
mefr ee from the chains of the body.
16. Sentence being passed, he was led away from the
tribunal with a strong guard of soldiers, infinite numbers
of people crowding after, the Christians weeping and
mourning, and crying out, let us also be beheaded with
him. The place of execution was Sextus's field, a large
circuit of ground, where the trees (whereof the place was
full) were loaded with persons to behold the spectacle.
The martyr presently began to ^trip himself, iirsi put-
ting off his cloak, which he folded up, and laid at his
feet,' and falling down upon his knees, recommended his
soul to God in prayer ; after which he put off his dal-
matic, or under coat, which he delivered to the deacons,
and so standing in nothing but a linen vestment, expect-
ed the headsman, to whom he commanded the sum of
about six pounds to be given, the brethren spreading
linen cloths about him to preserve his blood from being
spread upon the ground." His shirt sleeves being tied
by Julian (or as one of the acts calls him, Tuliian) the
presbyter, and Julian the sub-deacon, he covered his
eyes with his own hand, and the executioner did his of-
fice. His body was by the Christians deposited not far
Ti Cum venisset Spiculator, jussltsuis, ut eidem Spiculatori XXV. (alia Ac-
la habent XX.) aureos darent. Act. Cypr. p. 18. Aureus sub imperatoribus
Romanis viiluit de nostro 15 s, sed sub Alexandro Severe primo cusi sunt Se-
missis Aurei (de nostro 7 s. 6 d.) & Tremissis Aurei, qui valuit de nostro 5 s.
vid. Brierw. de num. cap. 14, de ultir^ohunc ex Aciis Cypriani Jocum intelli-
g-endum puto.
462 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
off, but at night for fear of the Gentiles, removed, and
with abundance of lights and torches solemnly interred
in the cemetery of Macrobiiis Candidus, a procurator,
near the fish-ponds in the Mappalian way. This was
done Ann. 258, Valeriani and Galiien. 5. So extrava-
gantly wide is the account of the "Alexandrine Chronicle
(if it means the same person) when it tells us, that St.
Cyprian suffered martyrdom Ann. Alexandri Imp. 13,
that is Ann. Chr. 234, though the consuls under which
he places it (and this agrees better with his other ac-
counts, both of the Olympiads, and of Christ's ascension)
assign it to the last year of Maximinus, Ann. Chr. 237,
for so he says, that it was 205 years after our Lord's as-
cension into heaven. Which was, however, far enough
from truth. Indeed elsewhere"^ he places St. Cypiian's
martyrdom Valeriani 2, which (as appears by the con-
suls) should be 5, that is, Ann. Chr. 258. But it is no
new thing with that author to confound times and persons,
and assign the same events to different years. Thus di-
ed this good man, the first bishop of his see that suffered
martyrdom, as ""Pontius his deacon informs us, who was
a true lover of him, and followed him to the last, and
professes himself not to rejoice so much at the glor^ and
triumph of his master, as to mourn that he himself was
left behind.
17. St. Cyprian though starting late, ran apace in
the Christian race. He had a soul inflamed with a migh-
ty love and zeal for God, whose honour he studied by all
ways to promote. A wise and prudent governor, a
great assertor of the church's rights, a resolute patron
and defender of the truth, a faithful and vigilant overseer
of his flock, powerful and diligent in preaching, prudent
in his determinations, moderate in his counsels, grave
and severe in his admonitions, pathetical and affectionate
in his persuasives, indulgent to the penitent, but inflexi-
ble to the obstinate and contumacious ^Infinite pains
V Ann. 4 Olympiad. CCLIII. Indict. XIII. p. 626. w An. I. Olymp*
259. Ind. IV. Valer. II. x Ibid. pag. 16.
y Q^iaecunque bona in multis libris tuis intulisti, nescius ipsnm te nobis dc-
srrgnasti : es enim omnibu* in tractatu major, in sermone facundior, in const-
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 463
he took tb reclaim the lapsed, and to restore them to the
church by methods of penance^ and due humiliation :
he invited them kindly, treated them tenderly ; if their
minds were honest, and their desires sincere, he would
not rigorously examine their crimes by over nice
weights and measures ; so prone to pity and compassion,
that he was afraid lest he himself offended in remitting
other men's offences. He valued the good of souls above
the love of his own life, constant in the profession of re-
ligion, from w^hich neither by hopes nor fears could he be
drawn aside. How strictly chaste and continent he was,
even in his first entrance upon Christianity, we have
noted in the beginning of his life. His humility emi-
nently appeared in his declining the honour of the epis-
copal order, and desire that it might be conferred upon
a more deserving person ; and when some fiictious and
schimatical persons traduced him as taking too much
upon him, because he controlled their wild and licenti-
ous courses, he vindicates his humility at large in a letter
to Pupianus', who had made himself head of the party
that appeared against him. So modest, that in all great
transactions concerning the church, he always consulted
both" his colleagues and his flock, himself assuring us**,
that from the very entrance upon his bishopric he deter-
mined, not to adjudge any thing by his own private order,
without the counsel of the clergy, and the consent of the
people. His behaviour was composed and sober% his
countenance grave, yet cheerful, neither guilty of a
frowning severity, nor an over pleasant mirth, but an
equal decorum and temperament of both, it being hard
to say whether he more deserved to be loved or feared,
but that he equally deserved both. And the very same
he was in his garb, sober and moderate, observing a just
distance both from slovenliness and superfluity, such as
neither argued him to be swelled with pride and vanity,
lio sapientori, in patientia simplicior, in operibus largior, in abstientia sanction,
in obsequio humilior, & in actubono innocentior. Nemes. &.c. Martyr. Epist.
ad Cvpr. p. 157.
z Vid. ad Cornel. Epist. 55. p. 85. a Epist. 69. p. 116. b Ad. Presb. h
piac. Epist. 5. p. 14. c P. Diac. in vit, Cypr. p. 12.
464 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
nor infected with a sordid and penurious mind. But
that which set the crown upon the head ot all his other
virtues, was his admirable and exemplary charity. He
was of a kind and compassionate temper and he gave it
vent. X Upon his first embracing the Christian religion
he sold his estate (which was not mean and inconsidera-
ble) and gave almost all of it to the poor, from which he
suffered no considerations to restrain him. His hand,
and tongue, and heart, were open upon all occasions ;
we find him at one time not only earnestly '^pressing
others to contribute towards the redemption of Christi-
ans taken captive by the Barbarians, but himself sending
a collection of a great many thousand crowns. Nor was
this a single act done once in his life, but his ordinary
practice ; his doors*" were open to all that came, the
widow never returned empty from him ; to any that
were blind, he would be their guide to direct them;
those that were lame, he was ready to lend his assistance
to support them ; if any were oppressed by might, he
was at hand to rescue and protect them. Which things,
he was wont to say, they ought to do, who desired to
render themselves truly acceptable and dear to God
18. His natural parts seem to have been ready and
acute enough, which how far he improved by secular
and Gentile learning, is unknown. He seems to have
laid no deep foundations in the study of philosophy,
whereof few or no footsteps are to be seen in any of his
writings : his main excellency was eloquence, rhetoric
being his proper profession before his conversion to
Christianity ; wherein he attained to so great a pitch, that
Erasmus, a competent judge of these matters, sticks
not to afiirm^, that among all the ecclesiastics he is the
only African writer, that attained the native purity of the
Latin tongue. Tertullian is difficult and obscure, St.
Augustin strangely perplexed and dry; but Cyprian (as
St, liierom/ long since truly censured) like a pure foun-
tain is smooth and sweet. And Lactantius'' long before
d Ad Episc. Ntiinld. Epist. 60. p. 97"- e Pont, ubl supr, f Praef. in
Cypr. inter Erasm. Ep. I 28. Epist. 6. col. 1616, g Epist. ad Paulin. p. 104,
Tom. 1-. h De Justit. I. 5. c. 1 . p. 459.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN. 465
him passed this judgment, that Cyprian alone was the
chief and famous writer, eminent for his teaching ora-
tory, and writing books admirable in their kind : that
he had a facile, copious, pleasant, and (which is the
greatest grace of speech) clear and perspicuous wit, that
a man can hardly discern whether he be more eloquent
in his expressions, easy in his exphcations, or potent in
his persuasives'. Indeed his style is very natural and
easy, nothing elaborate or aifected in it, or which savours
of craft and ostentation, but such every where the tenor
of his language (I speak ''Erasmus's sense as well as
my own) that you will think you hear a truly Christian
bishop, and one designed for martyrdom speaking to
you. His mind was inflamed with piety, and his speech
was answerable to his mind : he spake elegantly, and yet
things more powerful than elegant, nor did he speak
powerful things so much as live them. After his com-
ing over to the church, he made such quick and vast
proficiencies in Christian theology, that ^Baronius thinks
it not improbable to suppose either that before his con-
version he had been conversant in the books of Chris-
tians, or that he was miraculously instructed from above.
It is certain that afterwards he kept close to Tertullian's
writings, without which he scarce ever passed one day,
often saying to his notary. Reach hither my master^
meaning Tertuliian. A passage which St. Hierom""
tells us he received from Paulus of Concordia in Italy,
who had it from the mouth of Cyprian's own amanuen-
sis at Rome. And certainly it sounds not a little to the
i Incubatln Lybia sang'uis, sed ubique lingua pollet :
Sola superstes ag'it de corpora, solaobire nescit.
Dum genus esse hominum Christus sinet Sc vigere rnundum,
Dam liber ullus erit, dum scrinia sacra literarum,
Te leget omnis amans Christuni, tua, Cypriane, discct.
Spiritus ille Dei, qui fluxerat autor in Prophetac,
Fontibus eloquii te coelitus actus inig-avit.
O nive candidius linguae genus ! O novum saporem !
Ut liquor aivibrosius, cormitig'at, imbuit palatum,
Sedem anims penetrat,iTientem fovet, & pererrat artus :
Sic Deus interius sentitur, & inditur raedallis.
Prudent, risgi '^^in^-xv. Hymn. XII. in Passion. Cypr. Maityris, et Episc,
Carthag.
k Log, citat. 1 Ad. ann. 250. n. XI. m De script, in I'ertull.
3 N
466. THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
commendation of his judgment, that he could drink so
freely at the fountain, and suck in none of his odd and
uncouth opinions, that he could pick the flowers, and
pass by the useless or noxious weeds; as a wise man
many times is so far from being corrupted, that he is the
more warned and confirmed in the right by another
man's errors and mistakes. As for his writings, St.
Hieroni " passes them over with this character, that it was
superfluous to reckon them up, being clearer and more
obvious than the sun. Many of them are undoubtedly
lost, the greatest part of what remain, are epistles, and
all of them such as admirably tend to promote the peace
and order of the church, and advance piety and a good
life. A great number of tracts, either dubious or evi-
dently supposititious, are laid at his door, some of them
very ancient, and most of them useful, it being his happi-
ness above all other writers of the church (says ° Eras-
mus) that nothing is fathered upon him but what is
learned, and what was the issue of some considerable
pen.
19. He was highly honoured while he lived, not only
by men, consulted and appealed to in all weighty cases
by foreign churches, but by frequent visions and divine
condescensions, (as he was wont to call them) whereby
he was immediately warned and directed in all important
affairs and exigencies of the church. After his death
his memory was had in great veneration, the people of
Carthage ^ erecting two eminent churches to it, one in
the place of his martyrdom, the other in the Mappalian
way, where he was buried. The former was styled
31e?isa Cypriaiii, Cyprian's Table, because there he had
been offered up a sacrifice acceptable unto God. And
here they had their anniversary commemorations of him.
Whether this was the church mentioned by "^ Procopius,
I cannot tell, v/ho informs us, that the Carthaginians,
alcove all people in the world, honoured St. Cyprian,
building a magnificent church to his memory without
n Ibid, in Cvpr. o Ubi supr. p Vict, de Persec. Vandal. 1.1. inter
Ootbod. PP. p' 801. Tom. % qDe Bell. Vandall. I. 1. vid. Niceph. 1. 17. c.
12. p. 751.
THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
46;
the city walls, near the sea side, and besides other ex-
pressions of honour done to him, they kept a yearly fes-
tival, which they called Cypriana. This church Honori-
cus, king of the Vandals, afterwards took from the Ca-
tholics, casting out the orthodox clergy with disgrace
and contempt, and bestowed it upon the Arians, which,
ninety-live years after, was recovered by the emperor
Justinian, under the conduct of Belisarius, who besiged
and took Carthage, and drove the Va^idals out of all
those parts.
HIS WRITINGS
Genuine.
Epistola ad Donatum statim a
Baptismo conscripta.
Epistolae in Secessu toto bien-
nio conscriptae XXXVIII.
Epistolae sub Pontificatu Cor-
nelii et Lucii XVIII.
Epistolae Miscellaneae in pace
variis temporibus conscrip-
tae VIII.
Epistolae sub Pontificatu Ste-
phani, et de rebaptizandis
Haereticis X.
Epistolae in exilio scriptae sub
finem Vitae VII.
De disciplina et habitu Virgi-
num.
De Lapsis.
De Unitate Ecclesiae Catho-
licae,
De Oratione Dominica.
Ad Demetrianum.
De Idolorum Vanitate.
De Mortalitate.
De Opere et Eleemosynis.
De Bono Patientiae.
De Zelo et Livore.
De exhortatione Martyrii ad
Fortunatum.
Testimoniorum Adversus Ju-
daeos Lib, III.
Concilium Carthaginense, de
baptizandis Haereticis.
Supposititious.
De Spectaculis.
De Disciplina etbono pudici-
tiae.
De Laude Martyrii ad Mo-
sen, &c.
Ad Novatianum, quod Lapsis
spes veniae non sit dene-
ganda.
De Cardinalibus Christi ope-
ribus.
De Nativitate Christi.
De ratione Circumcisionis.
De Stella et Magis, ac inno-
centium nece.
De baptismo Christi, et mani-
festatione Trinitatis.
De jejunio et tentationibus
Christi.
De Coena Domini.
De Ablutione pedum.
De Unctione Chrismatis, et
aliis Sacramentis.
De Passione Christi.
De Resurrectione Christi.
468 THE LIFE OF ST. CYPRIAN.
De Ascensione Christi, De singularitate Clericorum.
De Spiritu Sancto. In Symbolum Apostolorum
D€ Aleatoribus. Expositio.
De montibus Sina et Sion De Judaica incredulitate.
contr. Judaeos. Adv. Judaeos, qui Christum
Carmen, Genesis. insecuti sunt.
Carmen, Sodoma. De revelatione Capitis B. Jo-
Carmen, ad Senatorem Apos- an. Baptistae.
tatam. De duplici Martyrio, ad For-
Hymnus de Pascha Domini. tunatum
Oratio pro Martyribus. De XII. Abusionibus Saeculi.
Oratio in die Passionjs suaf. Dispositio Coenae.
THE LIFE OF ST. GREGORY,
BISHOP OF NEOCaESAREA.
St. Gregory where born. His kindred and relations. The rank and qua-
lity of his parents. His youthful studies. His study of the laws. His
travels to Alexandria. The calumny there fixed upon him, and his
miraculous vindication. His return through Greece. His studying the
law at Berytus, and upon what occasion. His fixing at Caesarea, and
puttmg himself under the tutorage of Origen. The course of his studies.
His Panegyric to Origen at his departure. Origen's letter to him.
and the nnportance of it. His refusal to stay at Neocaesarea, and re-
tirement into the wilderness. His shunning to be made bishop of Neo-
caesarea. Consecrated bishop of that city during his absence. His ac-
ceptance of the charge, and the state of that place at his entrance
upon It. His miraculous instruction in the great mysteries of Christi-
anity. His creed. The miracles wrought by him in his return. His ex-
expelhng demons out of a gentile temple, and the success of it. His
welcome entrance into the city, and kind entertainment. His diligent
preaching to the people. His erecting a church for divine worship,
and Its signal preservation. An horrible plague stopped by his prayers.
1 he great influence of it upon the minds of the people. His judging in civil
causes. His drying up a lake by his prayers, which had been the cause
ot an implacable quarrel between two brothers ; and his restraining
the overflowings of the river Lycus. The signal vengeance inflicted
upon two Jews, counterfeit beggars. The fame and multitude of his
miracles, and the authorities to justify the credibility of them. The rage
and cruelty of the Decian persecution in the regions of Pontus and
Cappadocia. His persuading the Christians to withdraw. His own
retirement. The narrow search made for him, and his miraculous
escape. His betrayer converted. His return to Neocaesarea, and in-
stituting solemnities to the memories of the martyrs, and the reasons
ot It. 1 he inundations of the northern nations upon the Roman em-
pire. His canonical epistle to rectify the disorders committed by oc-
casion ot those inroads. His meeting with others in the synod at An-
tioch about the cause of PaulusSamosatenus. His return home, age, and
death; His solemn thanks to God for the flourishing state of his church
and command concerning his burial . The excellent character given
ot him by St. Basil. His writings. The charge of Sabellianism. St. Ba-
sil s apology for him in that behalf. Modestv to be used in censurin^r
the ancient fathers, and whv.
470 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
1. ST. GREGORY, called originally Theodorus,
was born at ^ Neocaesarea, the metropolis of Cappado-
cia, situate upon the riv^r Lycus. His parents were
gentiles, but eminent for their birth and fortunes. He
had a brother called Athenodorus, his fellow-pupil, and
afterwards colleague in the episcopal order in his own
country, and one sister at least, married to a judge under
the governor of Palestine. His father ^ was a zealot for
his religion, wherein he took care to educate him, toge-
ther with the learning of the gentile world. Vv^hen he
was fourteen years of age his father died, after which he
took a greater liberty of inquiring into things, and as his
reason grew more quick and manly, and was advan-
taged by the improvements of education, he savv^ more
plainly the foily and vanity of tliat religion, wherein he
had been brought up, which presently abated his edge,
and turned his inclinations towards Christianity. But
though he had lost his father, his mother *" took care to
complete his breeding, placing him and his brother un-
der masters of rhetoric and eloquence. By one of which,
who was appointed to teach him the Latin tongue, as a
necessary piece of noble and ingenious education, he
was persuaded to the study of the Roman laws, as what
would be a mighty advantage to him in what way soever
he should make use of his rhetorical studies afterwards.
And the man himself being no inconsiderable lawyer,
read lectures to him with great accuracy and diligence,
which he as sedulously attended to, rather to gratify his
humour and his fancy, than out of any love to those stu-
dies, or design to arrive at perfection in them. Which
however sufficiently commends his industry, those laws
(as himself observes'') being vast and various, and not
to be learned without trouble and difficulty. And which
above all increased the labour, was, that they were all
written in Latin, a language (as he confesses) great in-
deed and admirable, and suited to the majesty of the
empire; but which he found troublesome enough to
make himself but a competent master of.
a Greg. Nvss. in vit. Gr. Thaum. p. 969. Tom. 2. b Gr. Tliaum. Paneg-yr.
ad Orig. p. i82. c Ibid. p. 184. d Ibid. p. IH.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 471
2. Having laid the foundations of his first and most
necessary studies at home, he designed yet further to
accomplish himself by foreign travels, going probably
first for Alexandria, grown more than ordinarily famous
the Platonic school lately erected there. Indeed I am
not confident of the precise assigning this period of his
life, but know that I cannot be much wide the mark,
Gregory of Nissa^ assuring us, that he came thither in his
youth, where by the closeness of his studies, but espe-
cially by the admirable sobriety and strictness of his life,
he visibly reproached the debaucheries of his fellow stu-
dents, who were of more wanton and dissolute manners.
They presently fall a meditating revenge, confederating
with a common strumpet to put an abuse and affront up-
on him. Accordingly dressed in a loose wanton garb,
she came to him one day as he was engaged in a serious
and grave discourse with some learned and peculiar
friends, impudently charging him with over familiar con-
verses, relating what she thought good to affirm had ei-
ther been said, or had passed between them ; charging
him moreover with cheating her of the reward of their
lewd embraces. The company, who knew him to be a
person of quite another temper, stormed at the boldness
and impudence of the woman, while he, regardless of the
affront, said nothing to it, calmly desiring a friend to give
her the money that she asked, that they might be no
longer interrupted in their discourses. But behold how
ready Heaven is to vindicate the cause of injured inno-
cence. The money was no sooner paid into her hand,
but as if acted by a furious daemon, she fell into fits of
the most wild and extravagant madness, roaring out the
most horrid noise, throw ing herself upon the ground,
pulling and tearing of her hair, distorting her eyes, and
foaming at the mouth, nor could she be freed from the
rude treatments of the merciless *dasmon, till he whom
she had wronged had forgiven her, and interceded with
Heaven for her.
e Ubi supv. p. 972.
472 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
3. Departing from Alexandria, he came back, as we
may probably suppose, through Greece, and staid awhile
at Athens, where ^ Socrates tells us he studied, and
thence returned to his own country, applying himself to
his old study of the law, which he had now a great op-
portunity to improve, by going to Berytus, a city of
Phoenicia, and a famous university for the profession of
the Roman laws, whence Eunapius^ says of Anatolius,
it was no wonder if he was incomparably skilled in the
laws, being born at Berytus, the mother of those studies.
Hither he came upon this occasion.*' The president of
Palestine had taken his brother-in-law, an eminent law-
yer, along with him to be his assessor and assistant in
governing the affairs of that province, who not long after
sent for his wife, and a request that he also would come
along with her. All things conspired to make him wil-
ling to undertake this journey, the gratifying his sister
with his company, the importunity and persuasion of his
friends, the conveniency of residing at Berytus, for the
study of the law, and the advantage of conveyance, and
the public carriages that were sent to fetch his sister and
her retinue into those parts. Whether he actually stu-
died at Berytus cannot be gathered from any account
that he himself gives of it, nay rather the contrary,' though
St. Hieron and others expressly affirm it. If he did, he
staid not long, quickly growing weary of his law studies,
being tempted with the more pleasant and charming spe-
culations of philosophy. The fame of Origen, who at
that time had opened a school at Cassarea in Palestine,
and whose renown no doubt he had heard sufficiently
celebrated at Alexandria, soon reached him, to whom
he immediately betook himself, where meeting ^acciden-
tally with Firmilian, a Cappadocian gentleman, and af-
terwards bishop of Cccsarea in that country, and finding
a more than ordinary sympathy and agreeableness in
their tempers and studies, they entered into a league of
H. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 27. p. 2-4.4. g In vit. Projeres. p. 117.
h Panegyr. ad Grig. p. 1S6. i id. ibid. p. 188.
k Gr. Nyss. ib p.Pr4.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 473
friendship, and jointly put themselves, together with his
brother Athenonorus, under the tutorage of that so much
celebrated master. Where ^Erasmus's mistake must be
pardoned, making our Gregory and Theodorus two dis-
tinct scholars of Origen, when it is so notoriously known
they were but two names of the same person. Though
herein the more easily to be excused, that '"Nicephorus
Callistus long before him, had besides ours, made ano-
ther Theodorus scholar also to Origen at that same time
at C^esarea, who was, as he tells us, an eminent bishop
in Palestine. But herein there is an universal silence in
all other writers, not the least intimation of it in Eusebi-
iis, from whom he derives his accounts of things. So
plain it is, that of two several names, he made two diifer-
ent persons.
4. Glad he was to have fallen under so happy an insti-
tution, Origen l)y the most apt and easy methods leading
him through the whole region and circumference of phi-
losophy. By how many stages he brought him through
the several parts of discipline, logic, physics, mathemat-
ics, ethics, metaphysics, and how he introduced him into
the mysteries of theology, St. Gregory himself has given
us" large and particular accounts, which it is not mate-
rial here to insist upon. Above all he endeavoured to
settle him in the full belief and persuasion of the Chris-
tian religion, whereinto he had some insight before, and
to ground him in the knowledge of the holy scriptures,
as the best system of true wisdom and philosophy. Five
years he continued Origen's disciple, when he was re-
called into his own country. Being to take his leave,
he made an oration before his master, and in a numerous
auditory, wherein as he gives Origen his just commen-
dations, so he particularly blesses God° for the happy
advantages of his instructions, and returns thanks to his
tutelar and guardian angel, which as it had superintended
him from his birth, so had especially conducted him to
so good a master : elegatitly bewailing^ his departure
1 Vit Orii^. Pi-sef. Ov]g. Oper. m H. Eccl. 1 . 5. c. 20. p. 369.
n Paneg-. p. 197, SiC o Ibid. p. l7o. 181. p Ibid, p 21i>, &c,
3 0
474 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY TH AUM ATURGUS.
from that school, as a kind of banishment out of Paradise,
a being turned like the prodigal out of his father's house,
and a being carried captive as the Jews were into Baby-
lon : concluding, that of all things upon earth, nothing
could give so great an ease and consolation to his mind,
as if his kind and benign angel would bring him back to
that place again.
5. He was no sooner returned to Neocaesarea, but Ori-
gen followed him with a letter, "^ commending his excel-
lent parts, able to render him an eminent lav^^yer among
the Romans, or a great philosopher among the Greeks,
but especially persuading him to improve them to the
ends of Christianity, and the practice of piety and virtue.
For w^hich purpose he lets him know that he instructed
him mainly in those sciences and parts of philosophy,
which might be introductory to the Christian religion,
acquainting him with those things in geometry and as-
tronomy, which might be useful for the understanding
and explaining the holy scriptures, these things being
as previously advantageous to the knowledge of the
Christian doctrine, as geometry, music, grammar, rhe-
toric, and astronomy, are preparatory to the study of phi-
losophy. Advising him before all things to read the
scripture, and that with the most profound and diligent
attention, and not rashly to entertain notions of divine
things, or to speak of them w^ithout solemn premedita
tion; and not only to seek but knock to pray with faith
and fervency, it being in vain to think that the door
should be opened where prayer is not sent beforehand to
unlock it. At his return' all men's eyes were upon him,
expecting that in public meetings he should show him-
self, and let them reap some fruit of all his studies; and
to this he was universally courted and importuned, and
especially by the wise and great men of the city, entreat-
ing him to reside among them, ^nd by his excellent pre-
cepts and rules of life to reform and direct the manners
of men. But the modest young man, knowing how un-
fit they generally were to entertain the dictates of true
qExUt in Grig-, Phirocal. c. 13. p. 41. r Gr. Nyss. ib. p. 97$.
LIFE OF St. GREGORY THAUPvIA TURGUS. 475
philosophy, and fearing; lest by a great concourse and
applause he might be insensibly ensnared into pride and
vain glory, resisted all addresses, and withdrew himseli*
into the wilderness, where he resigned up himself to
solitude and contemplation, conversing with God and
his own mind, and delighting his thoughts with the plea-
sant speculations of nature, and the curious and admira-
ble works of the great Artificer of the world.
6. Neocaesarea was a place large and populous, but
miserably overgrown with superstition and idolatry, so
that it seemed the place where Satan^s seatw?is, and whi-
ther Christianity had as vet scarce made its entrance, to
the great grief and resentment of all good men, who
heartily wished that religion and the fear of God were
planted in that place. ' Phaedimus, bishop of Amasea,
a neighbour city in that province, a man endued with a
prophetic spirit, had cast his eye upon our young philo-
sopher, as one whose ripe parts and piety did more thart
weigh down his want of age, and rendered him a person fit to
be a guide of souls to the place of his nativity, whose re-
lation to the place would more endear the employment to
him. The notice hereof being intimated to him, h^
shifted his quarters, and as oft as sought f5r, fled from
one desert and solitary shelter to another, so that the
good man by all his arts and industry could not lay hold
of him, the one not being more earnest to find him out,
than the other was vigilant to decline him. Phaedimus
at last despairing to meet with him, resolved however to
go on with his design, and being acted, h^-"^ nvt B-uonpd:, by
a divine and immediate impetus^ betook himself to this
pious stratagem (the like precedent probably not to be
met with in the antiquities of the church) not regarding
Gregorius's absence (who was at that time no less than
three days' journey distant from him) he made his ad-
dress and prayer to God, and having declared that both
himself and Gregory were at that moment equally seen
by God, as if they were present, instead of imposition of
hands, he directed a discourse to St, Gregory, wherein
sId. \h. p. 976.
476 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
he set him apart to God, and constituted him bishop of
that place, and God, who steers the hearts of men, in-
clined him, how averse soever before, to accept the
charge, when, probably, he had a more formal and so-
lemn consecration.
7. The province he entered upon was difficult, the
city and parts thereabouts being wholly given to the wor-
ship of demons, ^ and enslaved to the observance of dia-
bolic rites, there not being above seventeen Christians in
those parts, so that he must found a church before he
could govern it; and, which was not the least inconve-
nience, heresies had spread themselves over those coun-
tries, and he himself, though accomplished with a suffi-
cient furniture of human learning, yet altogether unex-
ercised ii theological studies, and the mysteries of reli-
gion. For remedy whereof he is said to have had an im-
mediate assistance from heaven. For while one night he
was deeply considering of these things, and discussing
matters of faith in his own mind, he had a vision,
wherein two august and venerable persons (whom he
understood to be St. John the Evangelist and the blessed
virgin) appeared in the chamber where he was, and dis-
coursed before him concerning those points of faith,
which he had been before debating with himself. After
whose departure he immediately penned that canon and
rule of faith which they had declared, and which he ever
after made the standard of his doctrine, and bequeathed
as an inestimable legacy and depositum to his successors,
the tenor whereof we shall here insert, together with the
original Greek; which being very difficult to be exactly
rendered into our language, the learned reader (if he likes
not mine) may translate for himself.
E<; ©go? 5raT«§ Kiyz ^ievl(^, aa^iiai.? J <})«;-« a-«? 5 SuvdfJUMiy I, X'^P^^^^^^ dlSia'
©68 • 3^stg;tK7«g i ii)cm 'f ^iin-}f](^ , Koy®' ivig^yoc, (ro<pU -t tm oKctv c-yr^Vea? ^igiaCu-
x.«, X, S6vtf.uc '/oAw? Kllascor 7r(itiilu>i, doc axjiSvvof *\})9-/yS TTctl^oc ' do^di]®' dcedTHy x.
a<p&!i:pl@' ■i^.S^'gTif, «, eLB-Avtlt^ dd'xvdris, x, ciUi(^ d'Ma. Ksii iv TrnvfAA dyiov, U
®i^ T>iv v^of^iv i^ov XjS'i Cm TTi^itvoc <r«A5d'« To7f 4y3-gttvTCK • ium nv J/s, Texs/jf rsKtU
t Id. iibi 6\ipr. p. 977.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 477
<^at«, ^&'v7a)v diltx' vnyvi dyiu, dytor^c, dyiAo-juS ;it;,o/>»)-oc * €v a (^{tvip^Tut Qio? o- tta-
There is one God, the Father of the living Word, and of
the subsistijig Wisdom and Poxver, and of Him xvho is his
eternal image, the perfect Begetter of Him that is per-
fect, the Father of the only begotten Son. There is one
Lord, the only \^So7i~\ of the only [Father^ God of God^
the character and image of the Godhead, the powerful
Word, the comprehensive Wisdom, by xvhich all things
were made, and the Power that gave being to the whole
creation, the true So7t of the true P'ather, the Invisible of
the Invisible, the Incorruptible of the Incorruptible, the
Immortal of the Immortal, and the eternal of him that is
eternal. There is one Holy Ghost, having its subsistence
of God, xvhich appeared through the Son to mankind, the
perfect Image of the perfect Son., the life giving life, the
holy fountain, the sanctity, and the author of sanctifica-
tioji : by xvhom God the father is made manifest, who is
over all, and in all ; and God the Son, who is through all,
A perfect Trinity, xvhich neither in glory, eternity, or
dotninion is divided^ or separated from itself
To this creed he always kept himself, the original where-
of written with his own hand, my author assures us was
preserved in that church in his time.
8. Thus incomparably furnished, he began to apply
himself more directly to the charge committed to him,
in the happy success whereof he was infinitely advan-
taged by a power of working miracles (so much talked
of among the ancients) bestowed upon him. As he was
^returning home from the wilderness, being benighted,
and overtaken wuth a storm, he, together with his com-
pany, turned aside to shelter themselves in a Gentile
temple, famous for oracles and divinations, where they
spent the night in prayers and hymns ta God. f>.rly
u Ibid. p. 980.
478 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS,
in the morniiig^ came the Gentile priest to pay the accus-
tomed devotions to the dssmons of the place, who had
told them, it seems^ that they must henceforth relinquish
It by reason of him that lodged there ; he made his lus-
trations, and offered his sacrifices, but all in vain,, the
dcgmons being deaf to all importunities and invocations.
Whereupon he burst out into a rage and passion, ex-
claiming against the holy man, and threatening to com-
plain of him to the magistrates, and the emperor. But
when he saw him generously despising all his threaten-
ings, and invested with a power of commanding d2emons
in and out at pleasure, he turned his fury into admiration,
a;id intreated the bishop as a further evidence of that di-
vine authority that anended him, to bring the daemons
once more back again into the temple. For whose satis-
fation he is said to have torn off a piece of paper, and
therein to have written these words, Gregory to Satariy
enter. Which schedule was no sooner laid upon the
altar, and the usual incense and oblations made, but the
daemons appeared again as they were wont to do.
Whereby he was plainly convinced that it was an autho-
rity superior to all infernal powers, and accordingly re-
solved to accompany him ; but being unsatisfied in some
parts of the Christian doctrine, was fully brought over
after he had seen St. Gregory confirm his discourse by
another evident miracle ; whereupon he freely forsook
house and home, friends, and relations, and resigned up
himself to the instructions of his divine wisdom and phi-
losophy.
9. The fame of his strange and miraculous actions
had prepared ""the people of Neocsesarea to entertain him
with a prodigious reverence and regard, the people gene-
rally flocking out of the city to meet him, every one be-
ing ambitious to see the person of whom such great
things were spoken. He unconcerned in the applause
and expectations of all the spectators that were about
bim, without so much as casting his eye on the one side
or the other, passed directly through the midst of the
V Id. ibicL p. 983.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 479
crowds iilto the city. Whither being come, his friends
that had accompanied him out of his solitudes, were very
solicitous where and by whom he should be entertained.
But he reproving their anxiety, asked them, whether
they thought themselves banished the divine protection?
whether God's providence was not the best and safest
refuge and habitation ? that whatever became of their
bodies, it was of infinitely more importance to look after
their minds, as the only fit and proper habitations,
which were by the virtues of a good life to be trimmed
and prepared, furnished, and built up for heaven. But
there wanted not many, who were ready enough to set
open their doors to so welcome a guest, among which
especially was Musonius, a person of greatest honour,
estate, and power in the city, who entreated him to ho-
nour his house with his presence, and to take up his
lodging there : whose kindness, as being first offered he
accepted, dismissing the rest with a grateful acknowledg-
ment of that civility and respect which they had offered
to him.
10. It was no little abatement to the good man's joy
to think in what a prophane and idolatrous place his lot
was fallen, and that therefore it concerned him to lose
no time. Accordingly that very day '"he fell to preach-
ing, and with so good success, that before night he had
converted a little church. Early the next morning the
doors were crowded, persons of all ranks, ages, infirmi-
ties and distempers flocking to him, upon whom he
wrought two cures at once, healing both soul and body,
instructing their minds, convincing their errors, re-
claiming and reforming their manners, and that with
case, because at the same time strengthening the infirm,
curing the sick, healing the diseased, banishing demons
out of the possessed ; men greedily embracing the reli-
gion he taught, while they beheld such sensible demon-
strations of its power and divinity before their eyes, and
heard nothing reported but what was verified by the
testimony of their own senses. Having thus prepared
"Vv Ubi. snpr. p. 985.
480 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
a numerous congregation, his next care was to erect a
church where they might assemble for the public solem-
nities of religion, which, by the cheerful contributions
of some, and the industrious labour of others, was in a lit-
tle time both begun and finished. And the foundations
of it seem to have been laid upon a firmer basis than
other buildings, seeing it outstood not only earthquakes,
frequent in those parts, but the violent storm of Diocle-
sian's reign, who commanded the churches of the Chris-
tians in all places to be demolished ; and was still stand-
ing in Gregory Nyssen's time, who further tells us, that
when a terrible earthquake lately happened in that
place, wherewith almost all the buildings both public
and private were destroyed and ruined, this church only
remained entire, and not the least stone was shaken to
the ground.
11. St. Gregory Nyssen'' reports one more memora-
ble passage than the rest ; which at his first coming to
the place made his conversion of the people much more
quick and easy. There was a public festival held in
honour of one of the gods of that country, whereto not
only the NeocDgsareans, but all the inhabitants of the
neighbour country came in, and that in such infinite
numbers, that the theatre was quickly full, and the crowd
so great, and the noise so confused and loud, that the
shows could not begin, nor the solemn rites be perform-
ed. The people hereupon universally cried out to the
dcsmon, Jupiter^ we beseech thee make us room, St. Gre-
gory being told of this, sent them this message, that
their prayer would be granted, and that greater room
would be quickly made them, than they desired. Im-
mediately a terrible plague breake in upon them, that
turned their music into weeping, and filled all places
with cries and dying groans. The distemper spread
like wild-fire, and persons were sick and dead in a fev/
moments. The temples, whither many fled in hopes
of cure, were filled with carcasses ; the fountains and
the ditches, whither the heat and fervour of the mfec-
X Ibid, p, 100?:.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 431
tion had led them to quench their thirst, were dammed
up with the multitudes of those that fell into them ;
some of their own accord went and sat among the tombs,
securing a sepulchre to themselves, there not being liv-
ing enough to perform the last offices to the dead. The
cause of this sad calamity being understood, that it pro-
ceeded from their rash and foolish invocation of the
daemon, they addressed themselves to the bishop, entreat-
ing him to intercede with his God (whom they believed
to be a more potent and superior being) in their behalf,
that he would restrain that violent distemper that raged
amongst them. He did so, and the pestilence abated,
and the destroying angel took his leave. And the issue
was, that the people generally deserted their temples,
oracles, sacrifices, and the idolatrous rites of their reli-
gion, and took sanctuary in Christianity, as the securest
refuge, and the best way to oblige heaven to protect
them.
12. His known prudence, and the reputation of his
mighty and (as my author ^'calls them) apostolical mira-
cles advanced him into so much favour and veneration
with the people, that they looked upon whatever he said
or did, as the effect of a divine power. And even in
secular causes, w^here the case was any thing knotty and
difficult, it was usually brought to him, whose sentence
was accounted more just and impartial, more firm and
valid than any other decision whatsoever. It happened
that two brothers were at law about a lake, w^hich both
challenged as belonging to that part of their inheritance
their father had left them. The umpirage of the case
was left to him, who by all the persuasive arts of insinu-
ation first endeavoured to reconcile them, and peaceably
to accommodate the difference between them. But his
pains proved fruitless and ineffectual, the young men
stormed, and resolved each to maintain his right by
force of arms, and a day was set when they were to try
their titles by all the power which their tenants of each
side could bring into the field. To prevent which the
vld. ib. p. 986.
3 P
482 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
holy bishop went the night before to the place, where
he continued all nigh:: in the exercises of devotion, and
by his praj ersto heaven procured the lake to be turned
into a parcel of dry and solid ground, removing thereby
the bone of contention that was between them, the re-
mains of which lake were showed many ages after. Thus
also"" he is said to have miraculously restrained the
violence of the river Lycus, which coming down fiom
the mountains of Armenia with a swift rapid torrent, and
swelled by the tributary concurrence of other rivers, fell
down into a plain champain country, where oversweiiing
and sometimes breaking down its banks, it oveviiowed
the country thereabouts, to the irreparable damage
of the inhabitants, and very often to the hazard and loss
of their lives. Unable to deal with it any other way, they
applied themselves to St. Gregory to improve his interest
in heaven, that God, who alone rules the raging of
the sea, would put a stop to it. He goes along with
them to the place, makes his address to him who has
set a bound to the waters., that they may not pass over,
nor turn again to cover the earth, thrust his staff down
into the bank, and prayed that that might be the boun-
dary of the insolent and raging stream, and so departed.
And it took effect, the river ever after mannerly keeping
within its banks, and the tradition adds, that the staff
itself grew up into a large spreading tree, and was show-
ed to travellers together with the relation of the miracle
in my author's days. In his return from Comana'*(whi.
ther he had been invited and importuned both by the
magistrates and people, to constitute a fit person bishop
of that city) he was espied by two Jews, who knowing
his chciritable temper, either out of covetousness, or a
design to abuse him, agreed to'put a trick upon him. To
that purpose one of them lies along upon the ground and
feigns himself dead, the other deplores the miserable fate
of his companion, and begs of the holy bishop as he pas-
sed by to give somewhat towards his burial, wh.') \u ing
off his coat that was upon him, cast It upon the man, and
7. Ibid. p. 990, a Ibid. p. 99r.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 485
went on his way. No sooner was he gone out of sight,
but the impostor came laughing to his fellow, bad him
rise, and let them make themselves merry with the cheat.
He called, pulled, and kicked him, but alas in vain, the
comical sport ended in a real tragedy, the man was dead
indeed, his breath expiring that very moment the garment
was oast vipon him, and so the coat really served for
what he intended it, as a covering to his burial.
1-3. In an age so remote from the miraculous ages of
the church and after that the world has been so long
abused by the mipostures of a church, pretending to
miracles as one of the main notes and evidences of its
Catholicism and ti-uth, these passages may possibly seem
suspicious, and not obtain a very easy belief with the
more scrupulous reader. To which perhaps it may be
enough to say, at least to justify my relating them, that
the tilings are reported by persons of undoubted credit
and integrity, especially St. Basil and his brother Gre-
gory, both of them wise and good men, and who Viv^d
themselves within less than an hundred years after our
St. Gregory ; and what is more considerable, were capa-
ble of deriving their intelligence from a surer hand than
ordinary, their aged grandmother Macrina, who taught
them in their youth, and superintended their education,
having in her younger years been scholar and auditor
of our St. Gregory, and from her I doubt not they re-
ceived the most material passages of his life, and the ac-
count of his miracles, of many whereof she herself was
capable of being an eye witness, and wherewith she ac-
quainted them, as she also did with the doctrine that he
taught, wherein St. BasiP particularly tells us she in-
structed them, and told them the very words which she
had heard from him, and which she perfectly remembered
at that age. Besides, that his brother solemnly *" professes
in recounting this great man's miracles, to set them down
in a plain and naked relation, without any rhetorical arts
to amplify and set them oif, ^'and to mention only some
b AdNeocaesar. Epist. LXXV. p. 131. Tom. 3.
c Ubi. supr. p. 985, d lb. p. 985.
484 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
few of those great things that had been done by him,
and purposely to suppress ^many yet in memory, lest
men of incredulous minds should disbelieve them, and
count all iabies which were above the standard of their
sentiments and apprehensions. Indeed as to the main
of the thing, I might challenge the faith of all ages ever
since, who have unanimously believed, and conveyed the
report of it down to us, and upon this account the title
of Thaumaturgus, the wonder-worker, is constantly
and uncontrollably ascribed to him in the writings of the
church. And St. BasiF assures us, that upon this very
account the Gentiles were wont to call him a second Mo-
ses, and that in his time he was had in such universal
admiration among the people of that country, and his
memory so fresh among them, that no time would be
able to blot it out.
14, In this faithful and successful management of his
place, he quietly continued till about the year 250, when
thg emperor ^Decius, vexed to seethe Christian religion
so much yet the ground of declining paganism, publish-
ed very sevei'e edicts against the Christians, commanding
the governors of provinces as they valued their heads, to
put them into a strict and rigorous execution ; wherein
Pontus and Ca])padocia shared if not deeper, to be sure
equal with the rest. All other business seemed to give
way to this, persecuting the Christians was the debate of
ail public councils, and the great care of magistrates,
which did not vent itself in a few threatenings, and hard
words, but in studying methods of cruelty, and instru-
ments of torment, the very apprehension whereof is
dreadful and amazing to human nature, swords and axes,
fire, wild beasts, stakes, and engines to stretch and dis-
tend the limbs, iron chairs made red hot, frames of tim-
ber set up strait, in which the bodies of the tormented, as
they stood were raked with nails that tore oif the flesh,
and innumerable other arts daily invented, every great
man being careful that another should not seem to be
more fierce and cruel than himself, Some came in as
e Ibid. p. 1009. f Dfi Spir. S. c. 29.p. 360.Tom. 2. ^ Id ibid. p. 990.
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 485
informers, others as witnesses, some searched all private
corners, others seized upon them that fled, and some who
gaped for their neighbours' estiUes, took hold of the op-
portunity to accuse and persecute them for being Chris-
tians. So that there was a general confusion and con-
sternation, every man being afraid of his nearest relatives^
the father not consulting the safety of his child, nor the
child regarding its duty to its parents ; the Gentile son
betraying his Christian father, and the infidel father accu-
sing his son for embracing Christianity, and the brother ac-
counting it a piece of piety to violate the laws of nature
hi the cause of religion, and to condemn his own brother,
because a Christian. By this means the woods became
full, and the cities empty, and yet no sooner were many
houses rid of their proper owners, but they were turned
into common goals, the public prisons not being able to
contain the multitudes of Christians, that were sent to
them. You could not go into the markets, or places of
usual concourse, but you might have seen some appre-
hended, others led to trial or execution, some weeping,
others laughing and rejoicing at the common misery :
no regard had to age, or sex, or virtue, or merit, but as
in a city stormed by a proud and potent conqueror, eve-
ry thing was without mercy exposed to the rage and
rudeness of a barbaroiis and inhuman enemy.
15. St. Gregory beholding the sad and calamitous
state of the present time, and having considered ^seriously
with himself the frailty and imbecility of human nature,
and how few (of his new converts especially) would be
able to bear up under tho&e fierce conflicts which the cause
of religion would engage them in, timely advised his
church a little to decline the force of the present storms,
telling them it was better by flying to save their souls,
than by abiding those furious trials, to hazard their fall-
ing from the faith. And to let them see that this might
be done, and that herein there was no prejudice to their
souls, he resolved to show them the way by his example,
himself first retiring out of danger, retreating to a desert
h Ibid. p. 1001.
486 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
moimtain, accompanied with none but the Gentile priest
whom he had converted, and who ministered to him in
the capacity of a deacon. And it was but time he should
withdraw, the enemy chiefly aiming at him as the head
of the party, and laying all possible snares to take him.
Being informed where he lay concealed, they went in
vast numbers to hunt him out, some besetting round the
foot of the mountain, that he might not escape, others
going up searched every place till they came very near
him. He persuading his deacon to a firm confidence of
the divine protection, presently fell to prayer, as the
other also did by his example, with eyes and hands lift
up to Heaven. The persecutors in the mean time pried
into all places, examined every bush and shrub, every
crevise of a rock, every nook and hole, but finding no-
thing, returned back to their companions at the bottom,
hoping that by this time he might be fallen into their
hands. And when the informer described the very place
where he lay, they affirmed they saw nothing there but a
couple of trees a little distant from each other. The
company being gone, the informer staid behind, and
went directly to the place, where finding them at their
devotions, and concluding their escape to be the imme-
diate effect of a divine preservation (God having blinded
their eyes that they should not see them) fell down at the
bishop's feet, gave up himself to be a Christian, and a
companion of his solitudes and dangers.
16. Despairing now of meeting with the Shepherd,
the wolves fell with the fiercer rage upon the flock that
staid behind, and not there only, but ran up and down
all parts of the province, seizing upon men, women, and
children, that had but any reverence for the name of
Christ, dragging them to the city, and casting them into
prison, where they were sure to be entertained with va-
riety of tortures.' St. Gregory in the mean time remain-
ed in his solitary retirement, till God having mercifully
commas ided the storm to blow over, and the tyranny of
the persecution to cease, he quitted his shady and melan-
I Ibid. p. 1002,
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 48^
choly walks, and came back to Neocaesarea, and visiting
his diocess all about, established in every place anniver-
sary festivals and solemnities, to do honour to the me-
mory of the martyrs, that had suffered in the late perse-
cution. A great instance of his wisdom and prudence
at that time, not only in doing right to the memory of
the martyrs, but by this means training up people to a
readier embracing of religion, when they saw that it in-
dulged them a little mirth and freedom in the midst of
those severe yokes that it put upon them. He had ob-
served what advantage the idolatry of the Gentiles made
by permitting its votaries liberty (indeed licentiousness)
m their religious solemnities, and he reasonably presumed
it would be no little encouragement to some to desert
their superstitions, and come over to Christianity, if they
were suffered to rejoice, and use a little more innocent
freedom than at other times, which could not be better
done than at the memorials of the martyrs, though it can-
not be denied, but that this custom produced ill effects
afterwards.
17. In the reign of the emperor Gallienus about the
year 260, and for some years before, God being (as Oso-
rius*" truly enough conjectures) offended with the cruel
usage which the Christians met withal from the present
powers, was resolved to punish the world. And to that
end did not only suffer Valerian, the emperor (friendly
enough at first, but afterwards a bitter persecutor of the
Christians) to be betrayed into the hands of Sapor, king
of Persia (who treated him with the highest instances of
scorn and insolence) but permitted the northern^ nations
like a mighty inundation to break down the banks, and
overflow most parts of the Roman empire. The Ger-
mans betook themselves some into Spain, others passed
the Alps, and came through Italy as far as Ravenna ; the
Alemanni foraged France, and invaded Italy ; theQuades
and Samatae wasted Pannonia, the Parthians fell into
k Hist. 1. 7. c. 22. fol.311.
ITreb. Poll, in vlt. Gallien. c. 4,5. p. 717, 718. vid. Zosim. Hist. lib.
1. p. 352, kc, 359. & Treb. Poll, in vlt. Cian.d. c. S. n, 806.
488 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
Mesopotamia and Syria, and the Goths broke in upon
Pontus, Asia, and some parts of Greece. Intolerable
were the outrages which these barbarous people commit-
ted wherever they came, but especially upon the Chris-
tians, whose goods they plundered, ravished their wives
and daughters, tortured their persons, and compelled
them to offer sacrifice, and communicate in their idol
feasts : many of the renegadoes spoiling their fellow
Christians, and some under a pretence of finding, stole»
or at least kept their neighbours' goods to their own use.
In this general confusion, a neighbour bishop of those
parts writes to St. Gregory of Neocaesarea to beg his
advice what to do in this sad state of affairs. Who by
Euphrosynus sent back a canonical epistle (so often cited
and magnified by the ancients, and still extant) to rectify
these irregularities and disorders, wherein he prescribes
the several stations and orders of penitents, but e>>pecially
reproves and censures their inordinate avarice, showing
how uncomely it is in itself, how unsuitable to Christians,
how abhorrent to God and all good men to covet and
grasp what is another man's ; and how much more bar-
barous and inhuman in this calamitous time to spoil the
oppressed, and to enrich themselves by the blood and
ruins of their miserable brethren. And because some
might be apt to plead they did not steal, but only take up
what they accidentally met with, he lets them know, that
whatever they had found of their neighbour's, nay though
it were their enemy's, they were bound by God's law to
restore it, much more to their brethren, who were fellow-
sufferers with them in the same condition. And if any
thought it were warrant enough to keep what they had
found, though belonging to others, having been such
deep losers themselves, he tells them, this is to justify
one wickedness with another, and because the Goths had
been enemies to them, they would become Goths and
barbarians unto others. Nay many (as he tells us) join-
ed in with the barbarians in open persecuting, captiva-
ting, and tormenting of their brethren. In all which
cases he pronounces them fit to be excluded the commu-
nion of the saints, and not to be re-admitted, till by a
LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 48,9
just penance according to the various circumstances of
the case, they had made public and solemn satisfaction
to the church.
18. Not long after this, Paulus of Samosata, bishop of
Antioch, began to broach very pernicious doctrines con-
cerning the person of our blessed Saviour. To prevent
the infection whereof, the most eminent of the bishops
and clergy of all those parts frequently met in Synod at
Antioch, the chief of whom were *" Firmilian, bishop of
Caesarea in Cappadocia, our St. Gregory, and his bro-
ther Athenodorus, bishop also in Pontus, and some
others. The synod being sat, and having canvassed
the matter, the crafty heretic saw it was in vain to con-
tend, and therefore dissembling his errors as well as he
could, he confessed what could not be hid, and by a
feigned repentance salved his credit for the present, and
secured his continuance in that honourable place he held
in the church. This council was held Ann. Chr. CCLXIV.
which our St. Gregory seems not long to have survived,
dying either this, or most probably the following year.
Nicephorus ° makes him to have lived to a very great
age, which he must, if (as he affirms) he died under Di-
oclesian ; and *" Suidas, by a mistake much more prodi-
gious, makes him to decease in the reign of Julian. A
little before his death, being sensible that his time drew
near, he sent ^' up and down the city and the vicinage to
make a strict inquiry whether there were any that yet
were strangers to the Christian faith. And being told
that there were but seventeen in all, he sighed, and lifting
up his eyes to heaven, appealed to God how much it
troubled him, that he should leave any part of men's
salvation incomplete, but that withal it was a mercy that
challenged the most grateful resentment, that when he
himself had found but seventeen Christians at his first
coming thither, he should leave but seventeen idolaters
to his successor. Having heartily prayed for the con-
version of infidels, and the increase and consumma-
mEuseb. H. E. l.r. c. 27.p. 278. n Lib. 6. c. 17. p. 408. o Inv&c.
Yc)r-o^i(§r. p. 628. p Gr. Nvss. ubi supr. p. 1006.
3q.
490 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
tioii of those that were converted, he calmly and peace-
ably resigned up his soul to God: having first en-
joined his friends to make no trouble about his funeral,
nor procure him any proper and peculiar place of bu-
rial, but that, as in his lifetime he had carried himself as
a pilgrim and foreigner in the world, claiming nothing
for himself, so after death he might enjoy the portion of
a stranger, and be cast into the common lot.
IQ. lie was a man (says "^ St. Basil) of a prophetical and
apostolic temper, and who in the whole of his life ex-
pressed the height and accuracy of an evangelical conver-
sation. In all his devotions "" he was wont to show the
greatest reverence, never covering his head in prayer, as
accounting that of the apostle most proper and rational,
that every one praying or prophesying with his head cover-
ed^ dishonoureth his head. All oaths he avoided, making
yea and nay the usual measure of his communication.
Out of regard to our Lord's threatening, he durst never
call his brother yoo/; no anger, wrath, or bitterness pro-
ceeded out of his mouth. Slandering and reproaching
others he greatly hated, as a quality opposite to a state of
salvation. FLnvy and pride were strangers to his inno-
cent and guileless soul. Never did he approach the holy
altar, till first reconciled to his brother. He severely
abominated lies and falsehood, and all cunning and arti-
ficial methods of detraction; well knowing that every lie
is the spawn and issue of the devil, and that God will de-
stroy all those that speak lies.
20. His writings are first particularly mentioned by
St. Hierom, ' who reckons up his Eucharistical Panegy-
ric to Origen, his short, and (as he calls it) very useful
Metaphrase upon Ecclesiastes, several Epistles (in which
doubtless his Canonical Epistle had the first place) and
his Creed or short exposition of faith, which, though not
taken notice of in some, is extant in other editions of St.
Hierom's catalogue. All which (some of his epistles ex-
cepted) are still extant, and probably are all he ever wrote-
q De Spii-. S. c. 29. p. 359. torn. 2. r Id. ad Cler. Neocaes. Epist. LXIII
p. 97.1. 3. s De Script, in Theodor.
LIFE OI^ ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS. 491
For though there are other tracts commonly ascribed to
him,yet without any great reason or evidence to warrant,
their legitimacy, whereof their strongest assert ors are not
very confident. It appears from * St. Basil, that he was
by some of old suspected as inclining to Sabellianism,
which confounded the persons in the Holy Trinity, and
that many sheltered themselves under his authority from
an expression of his, affirming that the Father and Son are
two in the consideration of the mind^ but one in person. For
this St. Basil makes a large apology, and shows that it was
spoken in the heat of disputation against iElian, a gentile,
•^ ^'.yfj^ATiKH^, i>^ a.yuin9um* uot dogmatically as a point of doc-
trine, but in haste and in the fervency of disputation, when
judgment and consideration is not at leisure to weigh
every thing by nice scruples; that his earnest desire to
gain the gentile made him less cautious and solicitous
about exactness of words, and that he indulged some-
thing to the apprehensions of his aclversary, that so he
might get the better advantage upon him in the greater
and more important principles; that this betrayed him
into some unwary expressions, which the heretics of af-
ter times improved to bad purposes, and strained to ano-
ther sense than what was originally intended by him that
spake them : That as to the particular charge of the Sabel-
lian error, " he was so far from it, that it had been chiefly
confuted and laid asleep by the evidence of that very
doctrine which St. Gregory had preached, the memory
whereof was preserved fresh among them. However
nothing can be more true and modest than what ' St.
Hierom observes in such cases, that it is great rashness
and irreverence presently to charge the ancients with he-
resy for a few obnoxious expressions, since it may be,
they erred with a simple and an honest mind, or wrote
them in another sense, or the passages have been since
altered by ignorant transcribers, or they took less heed and
care to deliver their minds with the utmost accuracy and
exactness, while as yet men of perverse minds had not
t Ad Doct. Eccles. Neocaesar. Epist. LXIV. p. 101. u Ibid. p. 99.
V Apol, adv. Rufiii. lib 2. p. 219. torn. 2.
492 LIFE OF ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS.
sown their tares, nor disturbed the church with the cla-
mour of their disputations, nor infected men's minds with
their poisonous and corrupt opinions.
HIS WRITINGS.
Genuine.
Metaphrasis in Ecclesiastem.
Brevis expositio fidei,
Epistola Canonica.
Alia Epistolae plures quae
non extant.
Supposititious.
'H KfltTSt fxip^ n«V'f»
Capita XII de fide, cum Ana-
thematismis.
In Annunciationem S. Dei Ge-
nitricis Sermones III.
Sermo in Sancta Theophania.
Ad Tatianum de Anima xiy^
THE LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS,
BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA.
The place of his nativity. His family and relations. His conversion how.
His studies under Origen. Whether a professed rhetorician. His suc-
ceeding Heraclas in the catechetic school. His being constituted bishop
of Alexandria, and the time of it. A preparatory persecution at
Alexandria, how begun. The severity of it. The martyrdom of Apol-
lonia, and the fend honours done her in the church of Rome. The per-
secution continued and promoted by Decius's edicts. The miserable
condition of the Christians. The sudden conversion and martyrdom of
of a guard of soldiers. Dionysius apprehended and carried into banish-
ment, there to be beheaded. A pleasant account of his unexpected de-
liverance by means of a drunken rout. His retirement into the deserts.
His return to Alexandria. The great number and quality of the lapsed
in the late persecution. The contests about this matter. Dionysius*s
judgment and practice herein. The case of Serapion. His dealing with
Novatian about his schism, and the copy of his letter to him. His being
engaged in the controversy about rebaptization, and great moderation
in it. His letter to pope Sixtus about a person baptized by heretics.
Valerianus, the emperor's kindness to Christians. How turned to cru-
elty. Dionysius brought before ^i^milian. His discourse with him and
resolute constancy. He is condemned to be banished. His transporta-
tion into the deserts of Lybia. The success of his ministry there. Innu-
merable barbarians converted to the faith. GalUenus's relaxing the
persecution. His letter to Dionysius granting liberty to the Christians.
Alexandria shut up by the usurpation of iEmilian. TThe divisions with-
in, and siege without. The horrible pestilence at Alexandria; and the
singular kindness and compassion of the Christians there above the
heathens. Dionysius's confutation of Sabellius. His unwary expressions
and the charge against him. His vindication, both by himself and by
St. x\thanasius. His writings against Nepos. Nepos who, and what his
principles and followers. Dionysius's encounter with the heads of the
party ; his convincing and reducing them back to the orthodox church.
His engaging in the controversy against Paulus Samosatenus. The loose,
extravagant, and insolent temper and manners of that man. Diony-
sius's letter to the synod at Antioch concerning him. The success of
that affair. Dionysius's death. His writings and epistles. The loss of
them bewailed.
49.4 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
1. DIONYSIUS was in all probability born at Alex-
andria, where his parents "seem to have been persons of
considerable note and quality, and his father, and possi-
bly his ancestors, to have born very honourable offices,
and himself to have lived some time in great secular
pomp and power. He was born and bred a Gentile, but
by what particular occasion converted to Christianity, I
know not, more than what we learn from a vision and
voice that spake to him, mentioned by ^himself, that by
a diligent reading whatever books fell into his hand, and
an impartial examination of the things contained in them,
he was first brought over to the faith. Having passed
his juvenile studies, he put himself under the institution
of the renowned 'Origen, the great master at that time at
Alexandria, famous both for philosophic and Christian
lectures, after which he is said by some^ to have publicly
professed rhetoric and eloquence ; as indeed there seems
a more peculiar vein of fancy and rhetoric to run through
those fragments of his discourses which do yet remain.
But I can scarce believe that the Dionysius mentioned
by Anastasius and Maximus, and by them said of a
rhetorician to be made bishop of Alexandria, to have
been the same with ours, were it for no other reason,
than that he is said to have written Scholia on the works
of St. Denys the Areopagite, which we are well assured
had no being in the world till many years after his time.
Ann. 232, Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, being dead,
Heraclas one of Origen's scholars, and his successor in
the catechetic school, succeeded in his room ; upon
whose preferment Dionysius then presbyter of that
church was advanced to his place. Wherein he dis-
charged himself with so much care and diligence, such
universal applause and satisfaction, that "pon Heraclas's
death, who sat fifteen or sixteen years, none was thought
so fit to be again his successor as Dionysius, who ac-
cordingly entered upon that see^ Ann, 246, though Eu-
a Vid.Euseb.l. /. c. 11. p. 260. A. bEpist. ad Phllem ib. c. 7. p. 253.
clbid 1. 6. c. 29. p. 229. Hie; on de Script, in Dionys. d Anastas. Sinait.
'oSAy. C.22. p. 341. Maxim. S Jiol. inc. 5. de Cttkst. Hierarch. p. 2i Tom.
2. e Euseb. ib. c. 35. p. 232.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 49^^
sebius's Chronicon places it two years after, Philippi
Imp. Ann. 5, expressly contrary to his history, where
he assigns the third year of that emperor, for the time of
his consecration to that place.
2. The first years of his episcopal charge were calm
and peaceable, till Decius succeeding in the empire Ann.
249, turned all into hurry and combustion, persecuting
the Christians with the utmost violence, whereof the
church of Alexandria had a heavy portion. Indeed the
persecution there hadbegun^a year before, while Philip
the emperor was yet alive, upon this occasion : A certain
Gentile priest or poet led the dance, exciting the people
of that place (naturally prone to superstition) to revenge
the quarrel of their gods. The multitude once raised,
ran on with an uncontrollable fury, accounting cruelty to
the Christians, the only instance of piety to their gods.
Immediately they lay hands upon one Metras, an aged
man, who refusing to blaspheme his Saviour, they beat
him with clubs, pricked him in the face and eyes with
sharp reeds, and afterwards leading him into the suburbs,
stoned him. The next they seized on was a woman
called Quinta, whom they carried to the temple, where
having refused to worship the idol, she was dragged by
the feet through the streets of the city over the sharp
flints, dashed against great stones, scourged with whips,
and in the same place despatched by the same death.
Apollonia, an ancient virgin, being apprehended, had all
her teeth dashed out, and was threatened to be burnt
alive, who only begging a little respite, of her own ac-
cord cheerfully leapt into the flames. Incredible it is
(but that the case is evident from more instances than
one) with how fond a veneration the church of Rome
celebrates the memory of this martyr.^ They infinitely
extol her for the nobility of her birth, the eminent piety
and virtues of her life, her chastity, humility, frequent
fastings, fervent devotions, &c. (though not one syllable
of all this mentioned by any ancient writer) bring in a
f Ep. ejus ad. Fab. ibid. c. 41. p. 236. g- Vid. Holland, de ut. SS. ad
Febr. IX.
496 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS,
voice from Heaven styling her, the spouse of Christy and
telling her, that God had granted her what she had asked.
They make her the tutelar goddess or guardian of all that
are troubled with the tooth or headach, and in many so-
lemn offices of that church, pray that at her intercession
God would cure them of those pains ; nay formally ad-
dress their prayers to her, that she would intercede with
God for them on that behalf, and by her passion obtain for
them (they are the very words of the prayer) the remis-
sion of all the sins -which with teeth and mouth they had
cofnfnitted through gluttony and speaking. Innumerable
are the miracles reported of her, and to me, it seems a
miracle, and to exceed all the rest, were it true, what is
related of the vast number of her teeth. For besides
those which are preserved among the reliques of foreign
churches (which are not a few) we are ^'told, that when
king Edward, then afflicted with the tooth-ache, com-
manded that all St. Apollonia's teeth in the kingdom
should be sought out and sent him ; so many were
brought in, that several great tuns could not hold them.
It seems they were resolved to make her ample amends
for those few teeth she lost at the time of her martyrdom.
But it is time to return to the Alexandrian persecution,
where they every where broke open the Christian's
houses, taking away the best of their goods, and burning
what was 'not worth the carrying away. A Christian
could not stir out day or night, but they presently cried
out, Away with him to the fire. In which manner they
continued, till quarrelling among themselves they fell
foul upon one another, and gave the Christians a little
breathing time from the pursuits of their malice and in-
humanity.
3. In this posture stood affairs when Decius having
usurped the empire, routed and killed his master Philip,
his edict arrived at Alexandria, which gave new life to
their rage and cruelty. And now they fall on afresh, and
persons of all ages, qualities, and professions, are accu-
sed, summoned, dragged, tortured, and executed, with
h Vid. Chemnit. exam. Concil. Trid, Part. IV. de reliq. SS. p. 13. col. 1.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSrUS ALEXANDRINUS. 497
all imagnable severity; multitudes of whom 'Dionysius
particularly reckons up, together with the manner of
their martyrdom and execution. Vast numbers'' that
fled for shelter to the woods and mountains, met with a
Worse death abroad, than that which they sought to avoid
at home, being famished with hunger and thirst, starved
with cold, overrun with diseases, surprised by thieves,
or worried by wild beasts, and many taken by the Arabs
and barbarous Saracens, who reduced them into a state
of slavery more miserable than death itself. In this evil
time though many revolted from the faith, yet others
maintained their station with a firm and unshaken cou-
rage, and several who till that moment had been stran-
gers and enemies to the Christian religion, on a sudden
came in and publicly professed themselves Christians in
open defiance of those immediate dangers that attended
it. Whereof one instance may suffice. One who was
thought to be a Christian, and ready to renounce his re-
ligion, being led into the place of judicature, Ammon,
Zeno, and the rest of the military guard that stood at
the door, derided him as he was going in, gnashing upon
him with their teeth, and making such grimaces, such
mimic and antic gestures, that all men's eyes were
upon them. When behold on a sudden before any one
laid hand upon them, they came into open court, and
unanimously professed themselves to be Christians. Au
accident wherewith the governors and assessors upon the
bench were strangely surprised and troubled. The con-
demned were cheerful and courageous, and most ready
to undergo their torments, while the judges themselves
were amazed and trembled. Sentence being passed up-
on them, they went out of court in a kind of pomp and
state, rejoicing in the testimony they were to give to the
faith, and that God would so gloriously triumph in their
execution.
4. St. Dionysius bore a part in the common tragedy,
though God was pleased to preserve him from the Libt
1 Ibid, p. 238. k lb. c. 4?. p. 2iO.
3 R
498 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS*
and severest act, as a person eminently useful to his
church. No sooner had ^Sabinus the prsefect received
the imperial orders, but he immediately despatched a
frumentarius, or military officer (whose place it was to
seize delinquents, and inquire out seditious reports and
practices againsc the state, and therefore particularly be-
longed to judges and governors of provinces) to appre-
hend him. The serjeant went all about, and narrowly
ransacked every corner, searching all ways and places
where he thought he might hide himself, but in the mean
time never searched his own house, concluding he would
not dare to abide at home, and yet there he stayed four
days together, expecting the officers coming thither. At
length being warned of God, he left his house with his
servants and some of the brethren that attended him,
but not long after fell into the hands of the soldiers, and
having received his sentence, was conducted by a guard
under the command and conduct of a centurion and
some other officers to Taposiris, a little town between
Alexandria and Canopus, there probably to be beheaded
with less noise and clamour. It happened in the mean
while that Timotheus one of his friends, knowing nothing
of his apprehension, came to the house where he had been,
and finding it empty, and a guard at the door, fled after
him in a great amazement and distraction, whom a coun-
tryman meeting upon the road, inquired of him the
cause why he made so much haste. He probably sup-
posing to have heard some news of them, gave him a
broken and imperfect relation of the matter. The man
was going to a wadding feast (which there they were
wont to keep all night) and entering the house told his
company what he had heard. They heated with wine,
and elevated with mirth, rose all up and ran out of doors,
and with a mighty clamour came towards the place
where he Vvas. I'he guard hearing such a noise and con-
fusion at that time of night, left their prisoner and ran
away, whom the rabble coming in found in bed. The
good man supposing them to be thieves, was reaching
1 Ej-ist Dicn. a>l Go: mar. Wnd c, 40. p. 235.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 4>m
his clothes that lay by him to give them; but they com-
manded him to rise preseiUly and go along with them,
whereat he besought them (understanding now the errand
upon which they came) to dismiss him and depart, at
least to be so kind to him, as to take the soldier's office
upon them, and themselves behead him. While he was
thus passionately importuning them, they forced him to
rise, and when he hail thrown himself upon the ground,
they began to drag him out by the hands and feet, but
quitted him not long after, and returned it is like to their
drunken sports. This tragi-comic scene thus over, Caius
and Faustus, Peter and Paul, presbyters, and his fellow-
prisoners, took him up, and leaving the town, set him
upon an ass, and conveyed him away™ into a desolate
and uncomfortable part of the desarts of Lybia, where
he, together with Peter and Caius, lay concealed, till the
storm was over-past.
5. The persecution being in a great measure blown
over by the death of Decius, Dionysius came out of his
solitudes, and returned to Alexandria, where he found
the affairs of his church infinitely entangled and out of
order, especially by reason of those great numbers that
had denied the faith, and lapsed into idolatry in the late
persecution, among which were many of the wealthy and
the honourable, and who had places of authority and
power ; some freely renouncing others so far degene-
rating from the gallantry of a Christian spirit, that when
cited to appear and sacrifice to the gods (as he tells us")
they trembled, and looked as pale and ghastly, as if they
had come not to offer, but to be made a sacrifice, inso-
much that the very Gentiles derided and despised them.
Most of these, after his return, sued to be readmitted to
the communion of the church, which the ecclesiastic
discipline of those times did not easily allow of, especi-
ally after the Novation principles began to prevail, which
denied all communion to the lapsed, though expressing^
their sorrow by never so long and great a penance.
m Vid. Epist. ejus ud Domit. ib. I. 7. c. 11. p. 260, n ib. 1. 6. c. 40. p.
J38.
500 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
Upon what occasion Novatus and his partner Novatian
first started this rigorous and severe opinion, how ea-
gerly Cyprian and the African bishops stickled against
it, how far it was condemned both there and at Rome, in
whiit cases and by what measures of penance the lapsed
penitents were to be taken in, we have already noted in
Cyprian's life. St. Dionysius was of the moderate party,
wherein he had the concurrence of most of the eastern
bishops, and as he ""pleads the general judgment and
practice of the holy martyrs, many of whom had before
their death received the lapsed upon their repentance
again into the church, and had themselves freely com-
municated with them. Whose judgment he thought it
not reasonable should be despised, nor their practice
controlled, nor the accustomed order overturned. In-
deed he himself had ever observed this course, and there-
fore at the beginning of the persecution had given I'order
to the presbyters of the church to restore peace, and give
the eucharist to penitents, especially in danger of death,
and where the y had before earnestly desired it. Which
was done accordingly, as appears from the memorable
instance of Serapion, an aged person, mentioned by him,
who having lapsed in the time of persecution, had often
desired reconciliation, but in that confused time could
not obtain it : but being suddenly surprised by a sum-
mons of death, and having laid three days speechless,
on the fourth had only so much use of his tongue re-
stored him, as to bid his nephew, a boy that attended
him, go for one of the presbyters, to give him absolu-
tion, without which he could not die. The presbyter
was at that time sick, btit pitying the man's case, gave
the boy a little part of the consecrated eucharist, which
he kept by him, bidding him moisten it, and put it into
his mouth. Which was no sooner done, but he breath,
ed out his soul with unspeakable comfort and satisfac-
tion, that he now died in communion with the church.
6. Nor was his care herein confined to his single dio-
cess, but he wrote letters about this matter to most of
o Epist. 4d Fab. ibid. c. 42. p. 241. p Ibid. c. 44. p. 246.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 50t
the eminent bishops and governors of the church.
And that he might leave nothing unattempted, he treat-
ed with Novatian (or as he calls him Novatus) himself,
endeavouring by all mild and gentle methods to reduce
him to the peace and order of the church. His epistle
to him, being but short and very pathetical, we shall
here subjoin.^
Dionysius to Novatus our brother, greeting :
Forasmuch as yourself confess you were unwillingly
drawn into this schism, make it appear so by your wil-
ling and ready returning to the church. For better it
were to suffer any thing, than that the church of God
should be rent asunder. Nor is it less glorious to suffer
martyrdom upon this account, than in the case of not
sacrificing to idols. Yea, in my mind much more ho-
nourable. For in the one case a man suffers only for
his own soul, but in this he undergoes martyrdom for
the whole church of God. And if now thou shalt per-
suade and reduce thy brethren to peace and concord,
thy merit will outweigh thy crime. The one will not
be charged to thy reproach, and the other will be men-
tioned to thy praise. And suppose thou shalt not be
able to persuade them, yet however save thy own soul,
I pray that thou mayest live peaceably, and farewell in
the Lord.
7. No sooner had he well rid his hands of this, but
he was engaged in another controversy, which involved
and disturbed the v/hole Christian church : I mean that
concerning the rebaptizing those who had been baptized
by heretics, so hotly disputed between St. Cyprian and
Stephen bishop of Rome. ""Dionysius, together with
Firmilian bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and a great
many others in the east, stood on Cyprian's side, main-
taining that they ought to be baptized. But however
carried himself in it with great temper and modera-
q Ibid. c. 45. p. 2i7. V Ibid. !. 7. c. 4. p. 250.
502 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEX ANDRINUS.
tion ; he distinguished between apostates who had re-
ceived their baptism in the Catholic church, and those
upon their return they did not baptize (as Cyprian also
affirms) but only admitted by imposition of hands, and
this rule and practice, he tells ii&% he had learned from
his predecessor HeracldS r but then for pure heretics,
who had no other baptism than what had been conferred
by heretical persons (which in reality was null and of no
affect) these he thought fit to be entered into the church
by Catholic baptism. Besides that, he engaged more as
a mediator, than a party, writing to Pope Stephen to use
moderation in the v!^ ae, as he did also to Sixtus's succes-
sor, r^nd most other bishops of that tim.e. Indeed that
he was not stiff and rigorous in his sentiments, may ap-
pear from the instance he relates* in his epistle to pope
Sixtus, wherein he begs his advice. A certain man in
his church, who went among the class of the faithful,
both in his and his predecessor's days, beholding the
form and manner of baptism as it was administered
among the orthodox, came to Dionysius, and with tears
bewailed his own case, and falling at his feet, confessed
that the baptism which he had received among the here-
tics was nothing like this, but full of blasphemy and im-
piety ; that for this reason he was infinitely troubled in
conscience, and durst not lift up his eyes to heaven, beg-
ging that he might partake of the true and sincere bap-
tism, and that grace and acceptation that was conferred
by it. This Dionysius would not admit, telling him
that his long communion with the church was equivalent
to it, that he that had so often been present at the giving
of thanks, and said Amen to the prayers of the congrega-
tion, that had stood before the holy table, and had taken
the holy food into his hands, and been so very long par-
taker of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that having done thus for so many years together, he
durst not admit him to another baptism : bidding him
to be of good cheer, and with a firm faith and a good
conscience approach the holy sacrament. All which
s Ib.c. 7. p. 253. t Ibid. c. 9. p. 254.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 5Q3
notwithstanding did not quiet the man's mind, but that
still he drooped under his fears and scruples, durst not
be present at the Lord's table, nor could hardly be per-
suaded to come to the public prayers. What answer
Sixtus returned to this instance is uncertain : but by
this it is evident that St. Dionysius was no zealot for
the contrary opinion, though it must be confessed,
there was something particular in this, that occurred
not in ordinary cases, he presuming that so long a com-
munion with the church, so continued and open a pro-
fession of the orthodox faith did tantamount a being le-
gally initiated and baptized into it.
8. In these contests he passed over the short reign,
of Gallus, Decius's successor, who not taking warning"
by his predecessor's error, stumbled at the same stone.
And when he found all things quiet and peaceable, must
needs fall a persecuting the Christians, whose pravers
with heaven secured the peace and prosperity of^ the
empire. But this, alas, was but a preparatory storm to
that which followed in the reign of Valerian, whom our
Dionysius 'makes to be the beast in the Revelation, to
whom xvas give?! a mouth speaking great things, and blas-
phemies, and power was given unto him to continue forty
and two months. He was at first extraordinarily kind
to Christians beyond any of the precedent emperors,
even those who were themselves accounted Christians :
so that his whole family was full of pious and good men,
and his house a kind of church. But this weather was
too fliir and benign to last long : Being seduced and de-
luded by an arch magician of Egypt, he was prevailed
with to fall from his kindness, and to persecute the Chris-
tians, whom the conjurer represented as persons, who
by wicked and execrable charms hindred the emperor's
prosperity, colouring his pretence from their power over
daemons, whose mischievous arts they abstracted, and
whom they ordinarily banished with the speaking of a
word ; and persuading; him that to urge the Gentile rites,
to maintain lustrations, sacrifices, divinations by the
u Dion Epist. ad Hermariira. ib. c. 1. p. 250. v Ibid. c. 10 p. 255.
504 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS,
blood and entrails of men and beasts, was the ready way
to make him happy. Whereupon edicts were every
where pubHshed against the Christians, and they without
the least protection exposed to the common rage.
9. Orders being come to Alexandria, Dionysius '^'ac
companied with some of his clergy, addressed himself
to itmilian the governor, who did not at first downright
forbid him to hold their solemn assemblies, but endea-
voured to persuade him to leave off that way of worship,
presuming others would quickly follow his example.
The answer he returned was short and apostolical, that
we must obey God rather than men^ openly assuring him,
that he would worship the true God, and none but him,
from which resolution he would never start, nor ever
cease to be a Christian. The governor told them, that
both by word and writing he had acquainted them with
the great clemency of the emperors towards them, per-
mitting them to be safe, if they would but act agreeably
to nature, and adore the gods that were protectors of
the empire, and he hoped they would be more grateful
than to refuse it. The bishop replied, that every one
worshipped those whom they thought to be gods, that as
for themselves they adored and served that one God who
is the creator of the world, and who gave that govern-
ment to the emperors, and to whom they offered up
daily prayers for the permanency and stability of their
empire. To which the other rejoined, that if he were
a God, none hindred them from worshipping him toge-
ther with them who were truly gods, they being enjoin-
ed to worship (not one, but) gods, and those whom all
men owned to be so. Dionysius answered, we cannot
worship any other, " I see, replied ZEmilian, that you
are a company of foolish and ungrateful people, and not
sensible of the favour of our lords the emperours : where-
fore you shall stay no longer in this city, but be sent
to Cephro in the parts of Lybia, for thither according to
the emperor's command, I resolve to banish you. Nor
shall either you, or any of your sect have leave to keep
•w Ep. ejus ad Germ. ib. c. 11. p. 257-
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 50^5
your meetings, or to frequent your coemeteria ; which
if any dare to attempt, it shall be at his peril, and he shall
be punished suitably to his crime. Be gone, therefore,
to the place allotted you."
10. The sentence was speedily put into execution, Di-
onysius though then sick, not being allowed one day's
respite to recover himself, or provide for his journey
thither. Indeed when he came distinctly to understand
the place of his exile, he was a little troubled, knowing
it to be a place destitute of the society of good men, and
perpetually exposed to the incursions of thieves and rob-
bers ; but was better satisfied when told that it was near
a great and populous city, whose neighbourhood would
furnish him with persons both for converse, and for op-
portunities of conversion. Cephro was the most rude
and barbarous tract of the Lybian desert, and Colythius
(which as ""Nicephorus tells us, was that particular part
of it to which Dionysius was designed) the most un-
comfortable it is like of all the rest. Thither, therefore,
was he sent, whom great numbers of Christians quickly
followed, partly from Alexandria, and partly out of other
parts of Egypt. At his first arrival he was treated with
rudeness and showers of stones, but had not been long
there, before he not only civilized their barbarous man-
ners, but reclaimed them from idolatry, and brought
them to embrace the Christian faith. And as he met
with success, so he shifted his quarters, preaching up
and down those wild and disconsolate parts, and turning
the wilderness into a church. Nor could all the malice
and threatenings of the governor hinder, but that the
Christians still assembled at Alexandria, notwithstanding
that their beloved bishop was ravished from them, and
tha.t /Emilian proceeded with the utmost rigour against
all that were brought before him, killing many with all
the arts of cruelty, keeping others for the rack and tor-
ment, loading them with chains, and thrusting them into
squailid and nasty dungeons, forbidding any of their
friends to come near them. Though even in the height
X Lib. 6. c. 10. p. 40^.
3 s
506 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
of these afflictions God supported their spirits, and ani-
mated others to venture in, and to administer comfort
and necessaries to them, not scrupling though with the
peril of their heads to inter the bodies of the martyrs.
11. Ho.v long Dionysius continued in his banishment,
I find not, probably till Valerian was taken captive by
the king of Persia, Ann. 259, when Gallienus's son ruled
alone, who from the unhappiness of his father took the
measures of his carriage towards the Christians : he saw
that while he favoured the Christians, Heaven smiled
upon his designs, and things went on in a smooth and
uninterrupted course ; but when once he began to bear
hard upon them, the tide turned, and the divine ven-
geance pursued and overtook them, and that therefore
nothing could be more prudent and reasonable, than to
give a check to the present fury, and suffer them to go
on securely in the exercise of their religion, which he
did by this following edict.^
Emperoiir Casar P, Licinius GALLIENUS, Fws, Fe-
lixy Augustus^ to DionysiuSy Pinnas^ Demetrius^ and
the rest of the Bishops,
WE have giv^en order that the indulgence of our
bounty shall be extended throughout the world, that all
religious places shall be freed from force and violence.
Wherefore ye also may freely enjoy the benefit of our
rescript, so as no man shall dare to vex or molest you,
and what you now may lawfully enjoy has been long since
granted by us. And for this end Aurelius Cyrenius,
our high steward shall keep the copy of this edict which
we have now granted.
The like rescript he also sent to other bishops, giving
them the free leave of their coemeteria, the places where
they buried their dead, and often assembled for their re-
y Eussb. 1. r. c. 13. p. 262,
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 507
ligious'solemnities, especially tHe memorials of the mar-
tyrs.
12. Scarce was Dionysius quietly re-settled at home,
when he was alarmed by another accident, which forced
him for awhile again, if not to retire, at least to keep
so close, that he was not capable to execute his charge,
^^milianus the prsefect partly by his own ambition, and
partly forced by an unhappy accident wherein he was in-
volved, took the empire upon him, the Roman army in
Egypt joining with him, partly out of dislike to Gallie-
nus, partly out of affection to iEmilian, who was a brisk
active man. Immediately he seiztd upon the store-
houses, that country being the common granary of the
empire. Gallienus being acquainted with the news, or-
dered Theodotus his general to march with an army in-
to those parts, who besieged Alexandria, and reduced
the city to great extremity. For they were not more
vigourously assaulted by the enemy from without, than
undermined* by parties and factions within, the city be-
ing divided into two fractions, one contending for Gallie-
nus, and the other for i^milian. So that there was no
converse nor commerce between them, Dionysius being
compelled in all his private affairs, and the public con-
cernment of his church to transact with his friends by
letters, it being safer, as he tells us, for a man to travel
from east to west, than to pass from one part of Alexan-
dria to another, so barbarous and inhuman were the out-
rages committed there. The issue was, that Gallienus's
party prevailed to let in Theodotus and his army, who
seized the tyrant, and sent him to the emperor, who
caused him to be strangled in prison.
13. How stormy and tempestuous is the region of
this lower world ! one wave perpetually pressing upon
the neck of another. The persecution was seconded by
a civil war and a cruel famine, and that no sooner over,
but a terrible plague followed close at the heels of it;
2 Tr. Poll. in vit. iKmil. p. 7r8. & in vit. Gall. c. 4. p. 715.
a Dionys. Epist. adHievarcli. ib. c. 21. p. 266.
598 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
one of the most dreadful and amazing judgments which
God sends upon mankind. It overran city and coun-
try, sweeping away what the fury of the late wars had
left, there not having been known (saith the historian^)
in any age so great a destruction of mankind. This pes-
tilence (which some say*^ came first out of Ethiopia) be-
gan in the reign of Gallus and Volusian, and ever since
more or less straggled over most parts of the Roman
empire, and now kept its fatal residence at Alexandria,
where by an impartial severity it movv^ed down both
Gentiles and Christians, and turned the paschal solem-
nity (it being then the time"* of Easter) into days of
weeping and mourning, all places were filled with dying
groans, and sorrows either for friends already dead, or
those that were ready to depart, it being now, as former-
ly under that great Egyptian plague, and something
worse, there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not
an house where there xvas not only one, but many dead.
In this sad and miserable time how vastly diiferent was
the carriage of the Christians and the heathens. The
Christians out of the superabundance of their kindness
and charity, without any regard to their own health and
life, boldly ventured into the thickest dangers, daily vi-
siting, assisting, and ministering to their sick and in-
fected brethren, cheerfully taking their pains and distem-
pers upon them, and themselves expiring with them.
And when many of those whom they thus attended, re-
covered and lived, they died themselves, as if by a pro-
digious and unheard of charity, they had willingly taken
their diseases upon them, and died to savethemfrom death.
And these the most considerable both of clergy and peo-
ple, cheerfully embracing a death that deserved a title
iitiie less than that of martyrdom. They embraced the
bodies of the dead, closed their eyes, laid them out,
washed and dressed them up in their funeral weeds, took
them upon their shoulders, and carried them to their
graves, it not being long before others did the same of-
b Zosim. Histor. 1 1. p. 347'. c Pomp. Lset. in vit Galli.p. m. 1235.
Eutrop. H. Rom. I. 9. p. 1924* <l Dionys. ib. c. 22. p. 268.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 509
fices for them. The gentiles on the contrary put off all
sense of humanity, when any began to fall sick, they pre-
sently cast them out, ran from their dearest friends and
relations, and either left them half dead in the highways,
or threw them out as soon as they were dead, dreading
to fall under the same infection, which yet with all their
care and diligence they could not avoid.
14. Nor were these the only troubles the good man
ivas exercised with, he had contests of another nature
that swallowed up his time and care. Sabellius, a Li-
byan, born at Ptolemais, a city of Pentapolis, had lately
started ^ dangerous notions and opinions about the doc-
trine of the holy Trinity, affirming the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost, to be but one subsistence, one person under
three several names which in the time ot the Old Tes-
tament gave the law under the notion of the Father, in
the New, was made man in the capacity of the Son, and
descended afterwards upon the aposdes in the quality of
the Holy Ghost. Dionysius, as became a vigilant pastor
of his flock, presently undertakes the man, and while he
managed the cause with too much eagerness and ferven-
cy of disputation, he bent the stick too much the other
way, asserting not only l^iio-TmdTav i'^ro^dcnmy *"a distinc-
tion of persons, but 8Vkc ^i^c^o^^^v, a difference of essence,
and an inequality of power and glory. For which he is
severely censured by St. Basil and some of the ancients,
as one of those that mainly opened the gap to those Ari-
an impieties that after broke in upon the world. Though
St. Basil s could not but so far do him right, as to say
that it was not any ill meaning, but only an over-vehe-
ment desire to oppose his adversary that betrayed him
into those unwary and inconsiderate assertions. Some
bishops of Pentapolis, immediately took hold of this, and
going over to Rome represented his dangerous errors ;
where the case was discussed in a synod, and letters
written to Dionysius about it, who in a set apology an-
swered for himself, and declared his sense more expli-
e Dion
f Basil
. Eplst. ad Sex. ib. c. 6. p. 252. Nlceph. 1. 6. c. 26. p. 419.
. ad Magn. Philos. Epist. XL I. p. 60. g Ubi supr.
510 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
citly in this controversy, as may be seen at large in
Athanasius, '' who has with infinite pains vindicated our
Dionysius, his predecessor, as a man sound and ortho-
dox, and who v/as never condemned by the governors of
the church for impious opinions, or that he held those
abominable tenets which Arius broached afterwards. And
certainly St. Basil might and w^ould have passed a milder
censure, had he either perused all Dionysius's wTitings,
or remembered how much he concerned himself to clear
St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, Dionysius's contemporary,
from the very same charge, for which he could not but
confess he had given too just occasion.
15. No sooner was this controversy a little over, but
he was engaged in another. ' Nepos, an Egyptian bishop
lately dead (a man eminent for his constancy in the faith,
his industry and skill in the holy scriptures, the many
psalms and hymns he had composed, which the breth-
ren sung in their public meetings) had not long since
fallen into the error of the Millenaries, and had published
books to show that the promises made in the scriptures
to good men, were 'uuiKceTigov, according to the sense
and opinion of the Jews to be literally understood,
and that there was to be a thousand years state upon
earth, wherein they were to enjoy sensual pleasures and
delights. Endeavouring to make good his assertions
from some passages in St. John's Revelation, styling
his book "'EKifx®' dmyo^tg-m, A Confutation of Allegorical
Expositors* This book was greedily caught up and
read by many, and advanced into that esteem and repu-
tation, that law and prophets, and the writings of the
evangelists and apostles were neglected and thrown aside,
and the doctrine of this book cried up, as containing
^^yl ri ^ KiKfufAfxim />tus-»g/ov, somc great and extraordinary
mystery, concealed before from the world : the more
simple and unwary being taught to disband all sub-
lime and magnificent thoughts of our Lord's glorious
coming, the resurrection and final judgment, and our
h De Sentent. nionvs.tom. 1. p. 548. &c, vid. Pliot. Cod. CCXXXII.
ool. 901. i Euseb. ibid. c. 24. p. 270.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 511
conformity to him in glory, and to hope for a state in the
kingdom of God, wherein they should be entertained
with such little and trifling, such fading and transitory
thmgs as this world does afford. Dionysius, being then
in the province of the Arsenoitae, where this opinion had
prevailed so far as to draw whole churches into schism
and separation, summoned the presbyters and teachers,
who preached in the country villages, and as many of the
people as had a mind to come, advising them that in their
sermons they would publicly examine this doctrine.
They presently defended themselves with this book,
whereupon he began more closely to join issue with
them, continuing with them three days together from
morning to night, weighing and discussing the doctrines
contained in it. In all which time he admired their con-
stancy and love to truth, their great quickness and readi-
ness of understanding, with so much order and decency,
so much modesty and moderation were the discourses
managed on both sides, doubts propounded, and assent
yielded. For they took an especial care not pertinaci-
ously to defend their former opinions, when once they
found them to be erroneous, nor to shun any objections
which on either part were made against them. As near
as might be they kept to the present question, which they
endeavoured to make good ; but if convinced by argu-
ment that they were in the wrong, made no scruple to
change their minds, and go over to the other side, with
honest minds, and sincere intentions, and hearts truly de-
voted to God, embracing whatever was demonstrated by
the holy scriptures. The issue was, that Coracion, the
commander and champion of the other party, publicly
promised and protested before them all, that he would
not henceforth either entertain, or dispute, or discourse,
or preach these opinions, being sufficiently convinced by
the arguments which the other side had offered to him :
all the brethren departing with mutual love, unanimity,
and satisfaction. Such was the peaceable conclusion of
this meeting, and less could not be expected from such
pious and honest souls, such wise and regular disputers.
And happy had it been for the Christian world, had all
512 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
those controversies that have disturbed the church, been
managed by such prudent and orderly debates, which, as
usually conducted, rather widen the breach, than heal and
mend it. Dionysius, to strike the controversy dead, while
his hand was in, wrote a book concerning the Promises^
(which St. Hierom, forgetting what he had truly said
elsewhere ^ that it was written against Nepos, tells * us
was written against Ireneeus, bishop of Lyons, mistaking
the person probably for his opinion) in the first part
whereof he stated the question, laid down his sense con-
cerning it : in the second he treated concerning the Re-
velation of St. John (the main pillar and buttress of this
opinion) where both by reason and the testimony of
others, he "" contends that it was not written by St. John,
the apostle and evangelist, but by another of that name,
an account of whose judgment herein we have represent-
ed in another place.
16. The last controversy wherein he was concerned
was that against Paul of Samosata, bishop of Antioch,
who had " confidently vented these and such like impious
dogmata^ that there is but one person in the Godhead, that
our blessed Saviour was, though a holy, yet a mere man,
who came not down from heaven, but was of a mere earthly
extract and original, in whom the Word (which he made not
any thing distinct from the Father) did sometimes reside,
and sometimes depart from him, with abundance of the
like wicked and senseless propositions. Besides all which
he was infinitely obnoxious in his morals (as few men
but serve the design of some lust by schism and bad opi-
nions) covetous without any bounds, heaping up a vast
estate (though born a poor man's son) partly by fraud
and sacrilege, partly by cruel and unjust vexations of his
brethren, partly by fomenting differences, and taking
bribes to assist the weaker party. "" Proud and vainglo-
rious he was beyond all measure, affecting pomp and
kDescript. in Dioms. 1 Prxfat. in 1. 18. Com. in Esa. p. 242. T 5e
in Antiq. Apost. Life of St. John, n. 14. n Euseb. ubi supr. r. Sr. p.
277, i>81- Epiph. Hseres. LXV.p. 262. Athanas. de Synod. Arim . & St leiic .
p. 920. Nic'eph. 1. 6. c. 27. p. 420. o Epi»t. Synod. II. Antioch. ap:
kusttb. ib. e. SO. p. 280. Sic
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 513
train, and secular power, and rather to be styled a tem-
poral prince than a bishop, going through the streets and
all public places in solemn state with persons walking
before him, and crowds of people following after him. In
the church he caused to be erected a throne higher than
ordinary, and a place which he called Secretum, after the
manner of civil magistrates, who, in the inner part of the
pr(Storium^ had a place railed in, with curtains hung be-
fore it, where they sat to hear causes. He was wont to
clap his hand upon his thigh, and to stamp with his feet
upon the bench, frowning upon, and reproaching those,
who did not theatrically shout and make a noise while he
was discoursing to them, wherein he used also to refiect
upon his predecessors and the most eminent persons that
had been before him, with all imaginable scorn and petu-
lancy, magnifying himself as far beyond them. The
hymns that were ordinarily sung in honour of our Lord,
he abolished as late and novel, and instead thereof taught
some of his proselyted females, upon the Easter solem-
nity to chant out some which he had composed in his
own commendation, to the horror and astonishment of all
that heard them, procuring the bishops and presbyters of
the neighbouring parts to publish the same things of him
in their sermons to the people, some of his proselytes not
sticking to affirm, that he was an angel come down from
heaven. All which he was so far from controlling, that
he highly encouraged them, and heard them himself
not only with patience but delight. He was more-
over vehemently suspected of incontinency, maintaining
OjM<rci.yL^^iyvv!UKAi, subintroduced' xuomen in his house, and
some of them persons of exquisite beauty, contrary to
the canons of the church, and to the great scandal of reli-
gion. And that he might not be much reproached by
those that were about him, he endeavoured to debauch
his clergy, conniving at their vices and irregularities, and
corrupting others with pensions, and whom he could not
prevail with by evil arts, he awed by power, and his
mighty interest in the princes and great ones of those
parts, so that they were forced with sadness to bewail at
home what thev durst not publish and declare abroad.
3 c
514 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
17. To rectify these enormities most of the chief bi-
shops of the east resolved to meet in a synod at ^ Antioch,
to which they earnestly invited our Dionysius. But, alas,
age and infirmities had rendered him incapable of such
a journey, and had given him a writ of ease, upon which
account he begged to be excused from it. But that he
might not be wanting in what he could, he sent letters,
wherein he declared his sense and opinion of those mat-
ters, and in his epistle to the church of Antioch, to show
his resentment of the thing, he not only wrote not to the
man, but gave him not so much as the civility of a salu-
tation. In this synod the crafty fox hid his head, dissem-
bling his sentiments, and palliating his disorders, and
confessing and recanting what he was not able to con-
ceal, so that for the present he still continued in his place.
How he was afterwards discovered and laid open, con-
victed, condemned, and deposed in another synod in that
city, and Domnus substituted in his room ; how he re-
fused to submit to the sentence of the council, and for
some time maintained his station by the power of Zeno-
bia, a queen in those parts, and a Jewish proselyte, whose
favour he had courted and obtained ; and how at last upon
the bishops' appeal he was turned out, and the synodical
decree executed by the immediate order of the emperor
Valerian, is without the limits of my business to inquire.
18. A little after this first synod at Antioch died our
St. Denys in the twelfth year of *» Gallienus, Ann.
265, when he had sitten seventeen years bishop of
Alexandria, dying probably the same year and on the
same day with St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, whose me-
mories are accordingly celebrated September 17, in the
calendar of the Roman church. His memory was con-
tinued at Alexandria (as we learn from ' Epiphanius) by
a church dedicated to him, but flourished much more in
the incomparable virtues of his past life, and those excel-
lent writings he left behind him, which mainly consisted
of vast numbers of epistles; and it is probable all his
p Euseb. ib. c. 27. p. 277. & c. 30. p. 279. q Vid. ib. c. 28. p. 27«.
cHacres. LXIX. p. 31!.
LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS. 515
writings were nothing else, his larger tracts being writ-
ten in the nature of epistles. Which, were they still ex-
tant, instead of those little fragments preserved by Euse-
bius, besides other advantages, they would probably fur-
nish us with the most material transactions of the Chris-
tian world in those times, than which in those early ages
there was not a more active and busy period of the church.
HIS WRITINGS,
Whereof some fragments only are now extant.
Liber de Poenitentia ad Cono-
nem Episcopum Hermapo-
litanum.
Libellus de Martyrio ad Ori-
ginem.
De Promisslonibus adversus
Nepotem Libri II.
Ad Dionisium Romanum ad-
versus Sabellium, Libri IV.
Ad Timotheum Libri de Na-
tura.
DeTentationibus Liber ad Eu-
phran.
Commentarlus in primam par-
tem Ecclesiastis.
Epistola ad Cornelium Epis-
copum Romanum.
Epistola ad Stephanum Epis-
cop. Rom. de Baptismo.
Ad Sixtum Papam de Baptis-
mo Epistolse III.
Adversus Germanum Episc.
Epistola.
Epistola ad Fabium Antiochiae
Episc.
Epistola ad Novatianum de
Schismate.
Epistola de Poenitentia ad Fra-
tres per iEgyptum constitu-
^$y^ tos.
Ad gregem suum Alexandri-
num Epistola objurgatoria.
Epistola ad Laodicenos.
Epistola ad Armenios de Poe-
nitentia.
Epistola ad Romanes <r(A»ov/v>».
Alia ad eosdem de Pace £3*
Pcenitent.
Ad Confessores Novatianos
Romae Epistolse III.
Ad Philemonem Presbyterum
Romanum de Baptismo.
Epistola itidem ad Dionysium
PresbyternumRom.de Bap-
tismo.
Epistola suo & Ecclesise suae
nomine ad Sixtum & Eccl.
Rom. de eadem re.
Ad Dionysium Romanum de
Luciano Epistola.
Epistola ad Hermammonem.
Epistola ad Domitium & Dy-
dymum.
Epistola ad Compresbyteros
Alexand.
Epistola ad Hieracem Episc.
iEgyptiac.
Epistola de Sabbato.
Epistola de Mortalitate.
De Exercitatione Epistola.
516 LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS.
Epistola ad Ammonem Ber-
nenicensem Episcopum, con-
tra Sabellium.
Alia ad Telesphorum.
Ad Euphranorem alia.
Ad Ammonem & Euporum
Epistola.
Ad BasilidemEpiscopum Pen-
tapolit,
Epistolse plures. Ex his super-
est Epistola Canonica de
diversis Capitibus. Extat
Gr. L. Tom. 1. Concil. &
alibi cum Commentario Bal-
samonis.
Epistolae 'Eogcrrts-wa/, seu Pascha-
les plurimas.
Epistola ad Ecclesiam Anti-
ochenam adversus Paulum
Samosatenum.
Doubtful, or rather Suppositi-
tious.
Epistola ad Paulum Samosa-
tenum Gr. L. Concil. Tom.
1.
Responsiones ad Pauli Samo-
teni decem Quasstiones^
Gr. L. ibid.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
OF THE
THREE FIRST AGES
OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
PHILADELPHIA
PUBLISHID BY SOLOMON WIATT, NO. 104, NORTH
SECOND STREET.
SWEENY & M'KENZIE, PRINTERS.
1811.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann.
Chr.
Roman
emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
1
Augusti.
43
C. Julius Caesar Vipsania-
nus.
L. iEmil. Paulus.
Our Lord's circumcision :
His being presented in the
temple. His flight into Egypt.
The massacre of the infants
at Bethlehem.
The death of Herod about
the time of the passover.
2
44
P. Vniicius iSepos.
P. Alphinius Varus.
Archelaus declared Te-
trarch of Judaea.
3
45
L. iElius Lamia.
L. Servilius Geminus.
In the begmning of this (or
rather the end of the foregoing
year) our Lord returned out of
His education and abode at
Nazareth.
4
46
Sex. /Elius Catws.
C. Sentius Saturninus.
Augustus refuses the title of
Lord,
5
47
L. Valerius Messala.
Cn. Cornelius Cinna.
Cireat earthquakes hap^
pened.
Tiber overflows.
An eclipse of the sun, March
28.
6
48
M. iEmil. Lepidus.
L. Arruntius Nepos.
About this iime the Jews
and Samaritans accused Ar-
chelaus to Augustus, who ban-
ished him to Vein in France.
7
49
A. Licinius Nerva.
Q. Cec. Metellus Creticus.
8
50
M. Funus Camillus.
S. Nonius Quinctilianus.
9
51
Q. Sulp. Camerinus.
C. Poppccus Sabinus.
10
1 -
P. Corn. Dolabella.
C. Junius Salanus.
11
53
M. .t^mil. Lepidus.
T- Statilius Taurus.
The Jews taxed by Quiri-
nus the Roman governor. In
those days rose up Judas of
Galilee, and drew away much
people after him. He is ^lain,
and his two sons crucified.
Our Lord is generally supposed to have been born December XXV^ six
days before the commencement of the common jEra. jinn. Augusti Imfi.
XLIL For though hi strictness the XLIL year of August . ^Xidjtdi Jsto-v ^
«520
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann.
Chr.
I Roman
I emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
54
T. Germanicus Caesar.
C. Fonteius Capito.
By occasion of the pass-
over our Lord goes up with
his parents to Jerusalem,
and there disputes with the
rabins in the temple^
55
C. Silius Nepos.
L. Munacius Plancus.
Augustus solemnly makes
his will, and lays it up with
the vestal virgins.
56
Tibe- T
rius ab L
Aug. j
19. J
Sex. Pompeius Nepos.
Sex. Apuleius Nepos.
Augustus dies, and is in-
terred with great funeral
honours. Serv. Numerius
affirms upon his oath, that
he saw him ascend into hea-
ven.
Drusus J. Cxsar.
C. Norbanus Flaccus.
T. Statil. Se senna.
L. Scribonius Libo.
The magicians and ma-
thematicians banished Rome
by Tiberius.
C. Cxlius Rufus.
L. Pomponius Flaccus.
CI. Tib. Nero III.
D. German. Csesar II.
M. Junius Silanus.
L. Norbanus Balbus.
Josephus called Caiaphas
made high priest of the Jews
by the favour of Valerius
Gratus the Roman governor.
L. Valerius Messala.
M. Aurelius Cotta.
CI. Tib. Nero IV.
Drusus J. Cxsar II.
C. Sulpicius Galba.
D. Haterius Agrippa.
C. Asinius Poilio.
C. Antistius Vetus*
Sex. Cornel. Cethegus.
L. VitelJius Varro.
Towards the end of this
year Pontius Pilate is sent to
be procurator of Judea,
Cossus Cornel. Lentuius.
M. Asinius Agrippa.
12
Cn. Cornel. Lentuius.
G:et.
C. Calvisius Sabinus.
Pilate commands the Ro-
man standards with the
image of Tiberius upon them
to be brought into the tem-
ple to the great offence of
the Jews.
XXVII. (accounting his reign from his entering upon the Triumvirate)
yet seeing the civil Roman year expired not till the last of Dccemb. it
may be said to extend ?dl that time. His XLIII. year in common reckon-
ing, and the first year of the vulgar JEra of our Lord commencing Jan. ^
when the Romans began their year and the new consuls took place.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
521
Ann. I R<iman 1 „ , ' " ' I ~~ -
Chr. I emperors. j Consuls. | Ecclesiastical Affairs,
27
13
14
J Herod Antipas putting
M. Licinius Crassus. away the daughter of Aretas
king of Arabia, marries He-
L. Calphurnius Piso. rodias, his brother Philip's
wife.
28
i4
15
Ap. Junius Silanus.
P. Silius Nerva.
Joseph our Lord's reputed
father is by some said to de-
cease this year.
29
15
16
C. Rubellius ") ^ . .
C.Fusius JGemmi.
John the Baptist begins to
preach and baptize, (proba-
bly) about mid-summer, or
as B. Usher thinks, Oct. 19.
30
16
17
C. Cassius Longinus.
M. Vinucius Quartinus.
Our Lord baptized Jan. 6.
having completed the 29Lh
year of his age, and 13 days.
His iirs* pa<-sover Anril 6.
31
17
18
Tiber. Nero Caesar, V.
L. .^lius Sejanus.
His seconrt passover,
March 28. His cure of the
paralytic at the pool of
Bethesda. His sending out
the 12 apostles.
John the Baptist behead-
ed.
32
18
19
Cn. Domitius iEnobar-
bus.
A. Vitellius Ncpos.
Suf. M. Fur. Camill9
Scrib.
The third passover, April
14. 4000 fed with 7 loaves.
Christ's transfiguration
The LXX. disciples sent
out. Zachjeus converted,
Bartimseus cured of his
blindness.
33
19
20
Ser. Sulpit. Galba.
L. Cornelius Sylla.
Lazarus raised. Our
Lord's triumphant entry in-
to Jerusalem. The Lord's
supper instituted. The
fourth passover. Our Lord
apprehended, arraigned,
crucified April 3, rises again
and ascends into heaven.
The 7 deacons chosen.
St. Stephen stoned, Dec. 25.
34
20
21
P. Fabhis Persicus.
L. Vitellius Nepos.
The persecution follow
ing St. Stephen's death.
St. Philip's preaching at
Samaria. His converting
and baptizing the Eunuch.
Peter and John return to
Jenis^:ilem.
3 V
522
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Chr.
Roman
emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairi.
S5
Tiber. 21
22
C. Cestius Gallus Ca-
merinus.
M. Servilius Rufus.
St. Paul converted, Jan.
25.
St. Peter visits the
churches.
Jonathan the son of Annas
made high priest. Many-
favours conferred upon the
Jews by Vitellius.
36
22
23
•
1
Q. Plautius Plautianus.
al. Laelianus.
Sex. Papinius Gallienus.
Peter's vision.
Cornehus's conversion.
Peter accused for his con-
verse with the Gentiles at
his return to Jerusalem.
37
23
24
Caligula
a Mart, ^l
Ifl. J
Cn. AcerroniusProculus.
C. Pontius Nigrinus.
St. Paul comes to Jerusa-
lem, and after 15 days is by
revelation commanded to
depart thence. He goes for
Tarsus.
38
1
2
C. Ciesar Caligula. II.
L. Apronius Cxsianus.
A cruel persecution raised
against the Jews at Alexan-
dria, by Flaccus the prefect
of Egypt.
39
2
3
M. Aquilius Julianus.
P. Nonius Asprenas.
Pontius Pilate lays violent
hands upon himself.
The great increase of the
church of Antioch. The be-
lievers first called Christians
there.
40
3
4
C. Caesar Calieula III.
Suf. L. GehiusPub-
hcola.
M. Cocceius Nerva.
Caligula commands Pe-
tronius to set up his statue
in the temple at Jerusalem :
but at the great instance of
the Jews it is deferred.
41
4
Claudius -^
a 1 Feb. J
C. Cxsar Caligula IV.
6w/: Q. Pompon. Secun-
dus.
Cn. Sentius Saturninus.
St. James the great, the
apostle, beheaded by the
command of Herod. Peter
delivered out of prison.
42
1
2
Tib. Claudius Imp. II.
C. Licinius Cscina Lar-
gus.
Barnabas and Paul set
forward in their preaching
of the gospel. They plant
the Christian faith 'in Se-
leucia, Cyprus, and other
places.
43
2
3
T. Claudius Imp. III.
L. Vitellius II.
Claudius abrogates many
of the Roman festivals.
Elion is made high priest
of the Jews in the room of
Matthias the son of Ananus
deposed.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
523
Ann. J Roman
Chr. i emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs,
44
Claudii 3
4
L. Q. Crispin US 11.
T. Statilius Taurus.
Herod dies, being imme-
diately struck by an angel
for his pride and ambition.
45
4
5
M. Vicinius Quartinus.
M. Statilius Corvinus.
The blessed virgin said by
some to die this year, by
others three years after.
The apostles disperse
themselves to preach the
gospel to the several pro-
vinces of the Gentile world.
46
5
6
C. Valerius Asiaticus.
M. Valerius Messala.
Paul and Barnabas preach
at Lystra : Paul stoned
there. Their return to An-
tioch.
47
6
7
T. Claudius Imp. IV.
L. Vitellius III.
30,000 ot the Jews, raising
a tumult in the feast of un-
leavened bread, slain by
Ventidius Cumanus, procu-
rator of Judea.
48
7
8
A. Vitellius postea Imp.
L. Vipsanius Poplicola.
A council holden by the
apostles and others at Jeru-
salem, to determine the con-
troversy about legal rites.
The decrees of the synod
sent to the churches.
49
8
9
Cn. Pompeius Gallus.
Q.Verannius Laetus.
Barnabas preaches the
gospel in Cyprus : St. Paul
in Syria, Cilicia, &c.
The Jews banished Rome
by the edict of Claudius.
50
9
10
C. Antistius Vetus.
M. Sailli9 Rufus Nervi-
lian9.
St. Paul having travelled
through Macedonia, comes
to Athens, disputes with the
philosophers, converts Dio-
nysius the Areopagite, and
thence passeth to Corinth,
where he resides 18 months.
51
10
11
T. Claudius Imp. V.
Ser. Cornelius Orfilus.
St. Paul continues at Co-
rinth, where he meets with
Aquila and Priscilla not
long before banished Rome
by the decree of Claudius.
Hence he writes to the
Thessalonians.
52
11
12
P. Cornelius Sylla Faus-
tus.
L. Salvius Otho Titian-
us.
St. Paul departs irom Co-
rinth, passes to Ephesus,
thence to Jerusalem, and re-
turns back to Ephesus.
524
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
Chr
emperors.
Consuls. 1 Ecclesiastical Affairs.
53
Claudii
V2
1.
D. Junius Silanus.
Q. Haterius Antoninus.
He preache. ai.J disputes
daily in the school of Tyran-
nus, convinces the Jews, and
converts great numbers to
the faith.
54
13
14
Nero a^
■3 Oct. J
: iVi. Asiniub Marceilus.
M. Acilius Aviola.
St. Paul fights with beasts,
i. e. men of evil and brutish
manners at Ephesus. He
preaches there still, and in
the parts thereabouts.
55
1
2
Nero Claudius Imp.
L. Antistius Vetus.
St. Paul's departure from
Ephesus. He passes
through Macedonia and
Greece, and gathers con-
tribution for the saints of
Jeriisp.lem.
56
2
3
Q. Volusius Saturninus.
P. Cornelius Scipio.
St. Paul comes to Jerusa-
lem, and is apprehended in
the temple, and secured in
the castle. His imprison-
ment at Caesarea, and ar-
raignment before Felix the
Roman governor.
57
3
4
Nero Claud. Imp. II.
L. Calpurnius Plso.
St. Paul kept prisoner at
Caesare? undo- Felix.
58
4
5
Nero CI. Imp. III.
M. Valerius Messala.
St. Paul's arrignment be-
fore Festus. He is sent to
Rome, where he arrives
about the end of this, or the
beginning of the following
year.*
59
5
6
C. Vipsanius Poplicola.
al. Apronianus.
C. Fonteius Capito.
St. Paul's free imprison-
ment at Rome. He >' rites
his epistles to the Ephesians,
Colossians, Philippians, to
Timothy and Philemon.
60
6
r
Nero Ci. Imp. IV.
Cossus Cornelius Lentu-
lus.
About the latter end of
this year St. Paul is set at
liberty, and before his de-
parture out of Italy, writes
his epistle to the Hebrews.
* The time of St. Paul's being sent to Rome, depends upon Festus's
comhig into Judea to succeed in the room of Felix : which though it can-
not be precisely determined, yet plain it is, that it must be Avhile Pallas
(Felix's brother, by whose mediation with the emperor, Felix at his re-
turn had his life spared when accused by the Jews for his mal-adminis-
tration) was yet in some favour with Nero, wherein he was declining
some time before, and from which he seems wholly to have fallen upon
Agrippina's death (upon whose interest he stood at court) who was slain
NeroTL V. 4nn. Chr. LIX. Pallas himself being poisoned, Neron. VIIL
Ann. LXII.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
525
Ann. I Roman I ^
Chr. I emperor. | Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
61
Neronis 7.
62
63
64
C. Cxsonius Pxtus.
C. Petronius Turpilianus
al. Sabinus.
8 i P. Marius Celsus.
I L. Asiniub Gallus.
Suff. Seneca & Trebel-
lius.
10
10
11
L. Memmius Regulus.
Paulus Virginius Rufus.
St. Paul now released,
travels for the propagation
of the gospel especially in
the western parts, Wi to tI^,
fxa. T^At/srsfiDf 4x9-^v, Clem. Rom.
I Ep. ad Corinth, p. 8. proba-
I bly into Spain, or Britain.
St. James the less, the
brother of our Lord and bi-
shop of Jerusalem, thrown
by the Jews from the Tem-
ple, and knocked on the
head with a fuller's club.
Simeon chosen by St.
James his successor in the
see of Jerusalem.
Anianus succeeds St. Mark
in the bishopric of Alexan-
dria. Euseb. Chron.
C. Lecanius Bassus.
M. Licinius Crassus
Frugi.
Nero burns the city of
Rome, and to wipe off the
odium from himself, char-
ges it upon the Christians,
and raises the first persecu-
tion against them under that
pretext.
65
11
12
P. Siiius iNervH.
C. Julius Atticus Vesti-
nus.
Suff. Anicius Cerealis.
* St. Peter and Paul suf-
fer martyrdom at Rome.
Several prodigies at Jeru-
salem foreshow the distruc-
tion of that church afid state
66
12
13
C. Suetonius Paulinus.
L. Pontius Telesinus.
Nero residing in Achaia,
commits the management
©f the war against the Jews
to Vespasian.
er
13
14
L. Fonteius Capito.
C. Julius Rufus.
Vespasian carries on the
war with great diligence
and success.
Josephus is taken priso-
ner.
68
Galba a -1
Jun. 10. J
C. Siiius Italicus.
M. Galerius Trachalus
Turpilianus.
Phanassus the son of Sa-
muel the last High Priest of
the Jews.
* Some of the most learned Chronologists of the Roman church place
the martyrdom of these two great Apostles two years later, viz. Ann. Chr.
LXVII. which if any like better, I will not contend, the persecution pro-
bably extending to the last of Nero, though it seems most probable that
tlity should suffer about the beginning of it.
526
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Anu.
Chr.
Roman J
:raperor. f
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
69
Oilio a 1
Jan. 15. 5
Vitellius -1
ab April >
20. J
Vespasi- ~)
ano a 1 {>l
Juiu. J
Ser. Sulpitius Galba
Imp. 11.
T. Vinius Rufinus. al.
Crispinianus.
Vespasian being proclaim-
ed emperor, leaves Judea,
goes to Alexandria, and
thence for Rome.
70
1
2
Fl. Vespasianus Imp. II.
T. Vespasianus Cxsar.
Titus remanded by Ves-
pasian to prosecute the Jew-
ish war.
Jerusalem besieged, taken,
sacked, and burnt.
1100000 of the Jews pe-
rish, 97000 taken prisoners.
71
2
3
Imp. Vespasianus III.
M. Cocceius Nerva,
postea Imper.
The Jewish nobility, and
the spoils of the temple car-
ried in triumph to Rome.
St. Bartholomew the A-
postle said to be martyred
this, by others, the following
year.
72
3
4
Imp. Vespasianus IV.
T. Vespasianus C sesar II.
Ebion, so called from an
affected poverty, bom at
Cocaba a village in Basani-
tis, and Cerinthus noted he-
retics, begin more openly to
show themselves about this
time.
73
4
5
Fl. Domitianus.
M. Valerius Messalinus.
St. Thomas slain at Mali-
apor in India.
St. Martialis at Ravenna
in Italy.
74
5
6
Imp. Vespasianus V.
T. Vespasianus III.
The last census made at
Rome : several very aged
persons then noted, men-
tioned by Pliny, lib. 7. c. 49.
Justifying the great age of
several Ecclesiastic persons
of those times.
75
6
7
Imp. Vespasianus VI.
Tit. Vespasianus IV.
^uff. Domitianus IV.
The Temple of Peace de-
dicated by Vespasian, and
the Jewish spoils laid up in it.
76
7
8
Imp. Vespasianus VIL
Tit. Vespasianus V.
Suff. Domitianus V.
77
— p
8
9
Imp. Vespasianus VIII.
Tit. Vespasianus VI.
Suff. Domitianus VI.
Linus bishop of the church
of the Gentile Christians at
Rome suffers martyrdom,
having sat 12 years, four
months, and twelve days :
though others allow but 11
years, 2 months, and 23
davs.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
527
Ann.
Chr.
emJSors. ! ^«»»"J^- 1 Ecclesiastical Affairs.
78
Vespasiani 9
10
L. Ceionius Commodus
Verus.
C. Cornelius Priscus.
Antipas a faithful martyr
slain at Pergamus. Onuphr.
by others referred to Ann
9S.
79
10
June 24. J
Imp. Vespasianus IX.
Tit. Vespasianus VII.
_ A great eruption of Vesu-
vius: in the over-curious
search whereof Pliny the
elder perished the following
year.
80
1
2
Titus Vespas. Imp. Vill.
Fl. Dnmitianus VII.
Titus commands Jose-
phus's history of the Jewish
war to be laid up in the li-
brary at Rome.
81
2
3
Domit. a^
Sep. 13. J
iM. Piuutms byivanus.
M. Annius Verus Poliio.
82
1
2
Domitianus Imp. VIII.
T. Flavius ftabinus.
83
2
o
Imp. Domitianus IX.
T. Virginius Rufus. II.
Domitian banishes the
philosophers out of Rome
and Italy, and severely pun-
ishes the incest of the Vestal
virgins.
84'
3
4
Imp. Domitianus X.
Ap. Junius Sabinus.
85
4
5
Anianus i5t. Mark's suc-
Imp. Domitianus XL cessor in the bishopric of Al-
T. Aurelius Fulvus. exandria, dies and is suc-
ceeded by A villus.
86
5
6
Imp. Domitianus XII.
Ser. Cornelius Dolabella.
87
6
7
Imp. Domitianus XIII.
A. Volusius Saturninns.
Domitian assumes divine
honours, commanding him-
self to be styled Lord and
c;od.
88
7
8
Imp. Domitianus XIV.
M. Minucius Rufus.
89
8
9
T. Aurelius Ful\ ms.
A. Sempronius Atrati-
nus.
Philosophers and Mathe-
maticians again banished
out of Rome.
90
9
10
Imp. Domitianus XV.
M. Cocceius Nerva II.
Apollonius Tyansus the
famous magician, set up by
the Gentiles as rival to our
Saviour, is brought before
Domitian, shows triclcs of
magic, and is said immedi-
ately to vanish out of his
sight.
The second persecution.
528
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann.
Chr.
( Roman
1 emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
* Cletus bishop of Rome
Domit.lO
M. Ulpius Trajanus.
martyred this (if not rather
yi
the foregoing) year, April
11
M. Acihus Glabrio.
26, he is succeeded by Cle>
mens, May 16.
About this time St. Juhi. is
11
Imp. Domitianus XVI.
supposed to be sent by the
Proconsul of Asia to Rome,
92
and by Domitian to have
been put into a vessel of hot
12
A.Volusius Saturninus II
oil, and then banished into
Patmos.
93
12
Sex. Pompeius Coilega.
13
Cornelius Pi-iscus.
13
L. Nonius Asprenas
St. John writes his Book of
94
Torquatus.
Revelations.
Josephus finishes his books
14
M. Arricinius Clemens,
of Je>-':ch Antiquivie^'-
1 1. (^iei.uens, uoautian s
14
Imp. Domitianus XVII.
cousin-german and consul
with him this year, put to
95
death for being a christian.
15
T. Flavius Clemens
His wife Fl. Domitilla, Do-
Mart.
mitian's niece, banished for
the same cause.
15
C. Fulvius Valens.
>Jerva re\oking the acts
16
of Domitian, St. John is re-
96
leased of his banishment, and
Nerva a ^
C. Antistius Vetus
returns to Ephesus.
18. Sept. J
1
Coc. Nerva Imp. III.
St. John (this year proba-
T. Virginius Rufus III.
bably after solemn prepara-
97
Suff. C. Cornelius Taci-
tion writes his gospel at the
tus, historicus.
earnest request of the Asian
2
Churches.
Avilus dving, Cerdo suc-
2
Imp. Nerva IV.
ceeds in the see of Alexan-
dria.
98
St. Clemens bishop of
Rome is banished, and con-
Trajan, ■-)
a Jan. 27 J
M. Ulpius Trajanus II.
demned to the marble quar-
ries in the Taurica Cherso-
nesus.
1
C. Sosius Senecio II.
99
2
A Cornelius Palm a.
* This Cletus is bv the Greeks, and that with greatest probabihty,
made the same with Anacletus, which breeds a grent difference in their
account of years. But because the account of the Greeks is not so clear
and smooth, we have chosen, in assignmg the times of the Bishops of
Rome, to follow the writers of that church.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
m
Cf ! e.n^'p-er. ! <^o-'- ! te^de.ia.tical Affair..
100
Trajani. 2
3
Imp. Traj anus III.
M. Cornelius Frojito III.
Suff. iPlinius Junior.
St. John dies, and is buri-
ed at Ephesus.
St. Clemens of Rome i»
thrown into the sea, with an
anchor tied about his neck,
November 9, having been
sole bishop of Rome 9 years,
11 months and 12 days.
101
3
4
Imp. Trajanus IV.
Sex. Articuleius Paetus.
Anacletus (according to the
computation of the church
of Rome) succeeds in that
see, April 3.
10^
4
5
C. Sosius Senecio III.
L. Licinius Sura.
103
5 Imp. Traj anus V.
6 L. Appius Maximus.
Jixai, a false prophet,
author of a new sect, arises.
Epiph. Haeres. 19.
104
6
7
L. Licinius Sura II.
P. Neratius Marcellus.
105
7
8
T. Julius Candidus.
A. Julius Quadr atus.
Barsimaeus bishop of E-
dessa suffers martyrdom;
others place it, Ann. 109.
106
8
9
L. Ceionius Commodus
Verus.
L. Tullius Cereaiis.
The Greek Menology
mentions 11000 Christian
Soldiers banished by Trajan
into Armenia, and that 10000
of them were crucified upon
Mount Ararat.
107
9
10
C. Sosius Senecio IV.
L. Licinius Sura HI.
Ihe third persecution
wherein Simeon bishop of
Jerusalem is crucified in the
120th year of his age.
Ignatius bishop of Antioch.
condemned, and sent to
Rome to be thrown to wild
Beasts.
108
10
11
Ap. Annius Trebonius
Gallus.
M. Atilius Bradua.
Ignatius*s bones are con-
veyed back to Antioch, and
there solemnly interred.
I!t9
11
12
A. Cornel. Palma IL
C. Calvisius Tullus IL
Onesimus, St. Paul's dis»
ciple, whom the martyrolo-
gies make bishop of Ephe*
sus, stoned at Rome, Feb. 16.
Primus made bishop of
Alexandria.
110
12
13
Clodius Crispinus.
Solenus Orfilus Hasta.
Euaristus succeeds Ana-
cletus bishop of Rome,
though the Greeks, who
makes Cletus and Anacle-
tus the same person, make
him immediately to follow
Clemens.
530
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
Ann. I Roman
Chr. I emperors.
Ill
Trajani 13
14
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs,
L. Caipurnius Piso.
Vettius RusticusBolanus
Justus dying Zacchaeus
succeeds in the see of Jeru-
salem.
112
Imp. Trajanus VI.
C. Julius Africanus.
ii:
114
115
17
18
L, Publius Celsus.
C. Clcdius Crispinus.
Q. Ninnius Hasta.
P, Manlius Vopiscus.
M. Valerius Messala.
vel ut al. Adrianus &
Salinator.
C. Popilius Carus Pedo.
The Jews at Alexandria,
and about Cyrene in Egypt
rebel, who are slain in great
numbers.
116
iEmiiius A^lianus.
L. Antistius Vetus.
Papias bishop of Hierapo-
lis sets on foot the Millena-
rian doctrine.
iir
19
20
Adrian9 n
ab.Au^.9j
Quinctius Niger.
T. Vipsanius Apronia-
nus.
118
Imp. Adrianus II.
T. Claudius Fuscus.
119
2 Imp. Adrianus III.
Q. Junius Rusticus.
The fourth persecution,
raised against the Chris-
tians, reenforcing that which
had been set on foot by Tra-r
Jan.
Pope Evaristus martyred.
He sat 9 years, 3 months, 10
days. He was succeeded by-
Alexander a Roman.
Justus made bishop of A-
lexandria.
120
L. Catilius Severus. j
T. Aurelius Fulvus, j
fiostea
Imp. Antoninus.
121
M. Annius Verus II.
L. Augur.
The Christians severelv
prosecuted at Rome, where-
of many martyrs, and more
driven to hide themselves in
the Cryptx and Cosmeteria
under ground.
A great tumult at Alexan-
dria about the idol Apis
found there.
122
123
M.Acilius Avioia.
Corellius Pansa.
The persecution rages in
Asia, under the government
of Arrius Antoninus the Pro-
consul.
Q. Arrius Paetinus.
C. Ventidius Apronianus.
Adrian comes to Athens,
and is initiated in the Eleu-
sinian mysteries.
Quadratus bishop of A-
thens, and Aristides present
apologies to the emperor in
behalf of the Christians.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
531
Ann.
Chr.
Roman
emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
Adriani.
M. Acilius Glabrio.
C. Bellicius Torquatus.
SereniusGranianus writes
to the emperor in favour of
the Christians, by whose re-
script to M. Fundanus Pro-
consul of Asia (Granianus'a
successor) the proceedings
against them are miti-
gated^
P. CorneUus Scipio
Asiaticus II.
Q. Vettius Aquilinus.
10
Vesproni9 Candid9
Ver9 11.
Ambiguus Bibulus.
al M. Loll. Pedius.
Q. Jun. Juepidns.
Adrian revisits Athens,
finishes and dedicates the
temple of Jupiter Olympius,
and an altar to himself.
Galiicanus.
C. Caelius Titianus.
11
12
L. Nonius Asprenas
Torquatus-
M. Annius Libo.
Aquiia, a kinsman of the
emperors, first turns Chris-
tian, then apostatizing to Ju-
daism, translates the Old
Testament into Greek.
Q. Juventius Celsus.
Q. Julius Balbus.
13
14
Q. Fabius CatuUinus.
M. Flavins Aper.
/Elius Adrianus having
repaired Jerusalem, calls it
after his own name, ifelia.
The martyrdom of Alex-
ander bishop of Rome, after
he had sat 10 years, five
months 80 days, to whom
succeeded Sixtus a Romaii.
Ser.Octavius Laenas
Pontianus.
M. Antonius Rufinus.
Hymenaius made bishop
of Alexandria, being the 6th
bishop of that see.
15
16
Sentius Augurinus.
Arrius Severianus.
Ihe Jews rebel agamst
the Romans under the con-
duct.of Barchochab an im-
postor.
Justin Martyr coiw^erted
to Christianity about this
time, or it may be, the fol-
lowing year.
133
16
17
Hiberus.
Jul. Silanus Sisenna.
The Jews dispersed and
overcome by the prudent
arts of Julius Severus the
Roman general, though not
fully suppressed till the fol-
lowing year, when- Barcho^
chab was executed.
^ajj
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann. 1 Romaa 1 i ■*
Chr. ■ emperor. | Consuls. 1 Ecclesiastical Affairs.
134
Adriani 17
18
C. Julius Serviiius
Ursu§ Severianus.
C. Vibius Juventius Ve-
rus.
Basilides the Haeresiarch
makes himself famous at
Alexandria.
135
18
19
Pompeianus Lupercus.
L, Juni9 Atticus AcUi-
anus.
Marcus, the first of the
Gentile converts, made bi-
shop of Jerusalem, all hith-
erto having been of the cir-
cumcision.
136
19
20
L. Ceionius Com modus
Verus.
Sex, Vetulenus Pompe-
ianus.
Getulius, Amantius, Ce-
realis, and several others
suffer martyrdom.
137
20
21
L. iElius Verus C»sar 11.
P. Cxlius Balbinus
Vibullius Pius.
Plilegonthe Trallian, for-
merly servant to the empe-
ror Adrian here ends his
book of Olympiads. Olym.
229. An. 1.
138
' ^1
Antoninus
Piut Jul. 10
1,
Suipicius Camerinus,
Quinct. Niger Magnus,
139
1
2
Imp. Antoninus Pius 11.
Bi uttius Prxsens.
140
3
6
Imp. Anton. Piua III,
M. Aurelius Csesar.
Upon Sixtus's martyr*
dom Telesphorus is chosen
bishop of Rome, according
to the Roman account.
J. Martyr presents his
first (usually put second)
apology for the Christians.
141
3
4
M- Peducaeus Sylogaj
Priicir.'^is.
T. Hoenius Severus.
142
4
5
L. Cuspius Kutinus.^
L. Statius Quadratus.
About this time the most
absurd and sensless here-
tics, the Ophitae Cainitae,
and Sethiani arise.
143
5
6
C. Bellicius Torquatus.
T. Claudius Atticus
Herodes.
144
6
7
Lollianus Avitus,
C, Gavius Maximus.
Eumenes or Hymenaeus
bishop of Alexandria dies,
Marcus the seventh bishop
of that see succeeds.
Valentinu^ the heretic ap-
pears.
145
7
8
Imp. Anton. Pius IV.
M. Aurelius Caesar II.
A €HRONeLeGICAL TABLE.
553
Chn! eS^rs. | ^^^^^^^ 1 Ecclesiastical Affairs.
146
Antoiiiui
Pii. g
9
Sex. Erucius Claims II.
Cn. Claudius Severus.
Marcion afterhistrequent
recantations, again lapses
into heresy, which he pro-
pagates more industriously
than before.
U7
9
10
iM. Valerius Largus.
M. Valerius Messali-
nus.
148
10
11
C. Beilicius Torquatus
II.
M. Salvius Julianus II.
149
11
12
Ser. Corneli9 Scipio Or-
fit9.
Q. Nonius Priscus.
(cl.dion succeeds as the
eighth bishop of Alexan-
dria.
150
12
13
Romulus GuLicanus.
Antistius Vetus.
151
13
14
Sex Quinctiiius Gordi-
an9.
Sex. Quinct. Maximus.
152
14
15
Sex. Acilius Glabrio.
C. Valerius OmoUus Va-
rianus.
Pope Telesphorus mar-
tyred, having sat 11 years^
9 months, 3 days. Petav.
&c.
Hyginus succeeds.
153
15
16
Bruttius Prxsens II.
M. Antonius Rufinus.
154
16
17
L. Auvelius Caesar-
Sextilius Lateranus.
=* Anicetus according tg
the account of the Greeks,
succeeds about this time in
the see of Rome, not long
after which St. Polycarp
comes thither : and this no
doubt much truer than the
computation of the church of
Rome.
155
17
18
C. Julius Severus.
M. Rufinus Sabinianus.
156
18
19
Plautius Sylvanus.
Sentius Augurinys.
Pope Hyginus martyred,
after he had sitten 4 years,
wanting two days, to whom
Pius succeeds. Petav. Ric-
ciol. Briet. &c.
157
19
20
Barbatus.
Regulus.
168
20
21
Q. Fl. TertuUus.
Licinius Sacerdos.
* In the catalogue of the bishops of Rome recorded by Optatus and St.
Augustin, Anicetus is set before Pius : accordiug to which account Ani-
cetus's succession in that see, and consequently Polycarp's coming to
Rome, must be placed fifteen years sooner. See the life of St. Polycarp,
Num. IV,
5^34
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
"Ann. j Roman
Chr. ', emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
159
Antonini 21
^"- 22
Plautius Quinctillus.
Statius Priscus.
160
22
23
T. Vibius Barus.
Ap. Annius Bradua.
161
23
M. Aure--\
lius L. 1
Aelius >l
Verus a6.
Martii. .
M. Aurelius Ciesar III.
L.iElius Verus Cxsar II.
162
1
2
Q. Junius Rusticus.
Vettius Aquilinus.
Justin the martyr pre-
sents his other apology to
the emperor in behalf of the
Christians.
The fifth persecution be-
gun.
163
2
3
L. Papirius .^lianus.
Junius Pastor.
Justin suffered martyrdom
(probably about this time)
at Rome, or at most, the
next year.
164
3
4
C. Julius Macrinus.
L. Cornelius Celsus.
Marcus and Timotheus
martyred at Rr me.
165
4
5
L. Arrius Pudens.
M. Gavius Orfitus.
Upon pope Pius's mar-
tyrdom, Anicetus is advan-
ced into the chair: though
Eusebius and the Greeks
according to their account,
make his pontificate com-
mence, Ann. Christ. 154, and
accordingly fix the time of
Polycarp's coming to Rome.
166
5
6
Q. Servilius Pudens.
L. Fusidius Pollio.
167
6
7
L. Aurelius Verus.
T. Numidius Quadratus.
St. Poiycarp, bishop of
Smyrna, suffers martyrdom
there, together with Ger-
manicus and others.
168
7
s
T. Junius Montanus.
L. Vettius Paulus.
Theophilus made bishop
of Antioch, who learnedly
defends the cause of Chris-
tianity against the Gentiles,
Eusebius refers it to the fol-
lowing year.
169
8
9
Sosius Priscus.
Q. Cjelius Apollinaris.
Gervasius and Protasius
undergo martyrdom about
this time at Millain.
170
9
10
L. Julius Clarus.
yl. Aurelius Cethegus.
Melito, bishop of Sardis,
and Apollinaris, bishop *of
Hierapolis, present their
apologetics to the emperor
for the Christians.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
53S
Ann. 1 «.oman
Chr. i emperors.
Consuls. Ecclesiastical Affairs.
171
M. Aurt--^
liiL.Aelu}>
Veri. J
10
11
L. Septimius Severus II.
ai. T. Tibinus Serenus.
Herennianus.
al. C. Scoedius Natta.
Montanus and his accom-
plices, authors of the new
prophecy, begin now more
plainly to discover them-»
selves, having craftily
broached their errors some
years before.
•
172
11
12
Claudius Maximus.
Cornelius Scipio Orfitus.
Tatian, heretofore Justin
martyr's scholar, becomes
author of the sect, called
Bardesanes the Syrian in-
fected with Valentinianism:
173
12
13
Claudius Severus.
T. Claudius Pompeia-
nus.
Pope Anicetus crowned
with martyrdom, having
been bishop of Rome 8 years.
2 months, 7 days.
Soter succeeds.
174
13
14
Anniiis Trebonius Cal-
lus.
L. Flaccus,
M. Aurelius's victory over
the Quadi and Marcomanni
in Germany, gained by the
prayers of the Christian le-
gion.
175
14
1.5
Caipurnius Piso.
M. Salvias Julianus.
176
15
16
T. Vitrasius PoUio.
M. Flavius Aper.
177
16
17
L. Aurel. Commodus.
Imp.
Plautius Quinctillus.
Soter being taken aAvay
by martyrdom, Eleutherus
a Greek sacceeds in the
church of Rome.
Athenagoras the Chris-
tian philosopher of Athens is
now supposed to have pre-
sented his apology.
irs
17
18
Vittius Rufus.
Cornelius Scipio Orfitus.
The foregoing year a per-
secution raged horribly in
France, wherein besides
many others died Pothinus,
bishop of Lyons, to whom
succeeded Irenxus, the year
following.
179
18
19
Imp. L. Aurelius Com-
dus II.
Vespronius Candidas
Verus.
TheCataphrygian heresy
greatly prevails.
180
19
Commo- ")
dus a ^1
Mart. 16.J
Bruttius Prxsens II.
Sex. Quinctili9 Gordia-
nus.
Julianus created bishop of
Alexandria.
Pantsenus a Christian
philosopher, opens the ca-
techetic school at Alexan-
dria.
s^
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann. 1 Roman | Consuls. 1
Chr. ', f^mperor. f . ^ •
Ectlesiastical Affairs.
181
Commodi l
2
Imp. Commodus 111.
Antistius Burrhus.
I'he periecuiion against
the Christians much abated.
182
2
o
Petronius Mamertinus.
Trebellius Rufus.
Theodotion of Pontus, first
a Marcionite, then a Jew,
translates the Old Testa-
ment into Greek.
The temple of Serapis at
Alexandria burnt down.
183
o
4
Imp. Commodus IV .
M. Aufidius Victorinus.
184
4
5
M. Eggius Marullus seu
Marcellus.
M. Papirius ^Elianus.
Commodus introduces the
worship of I sis (formerly-
prohibited) into Rome.
185
5
6
Triarius Maternus.
M. Atilius Metilius Bra-
dua.
186
6
7
Imp. Commodus V.
M. Acilius Glabrio,
About this time Lucius a
Prince of Britain is said to
have sent letters to Pope
Eleutherius to furnish him
with preachers to publish
the Christian faith in these
parts.
Origen born.
187
7
8
TuUius seu Clodius
Crispinus.
Papirius ^lianus.
ApoUonius a great Philo-
sopher, and (as St Hierom
affirms) a senator, pleads
his own, and the cause of
the Christian religion before
the senate, for which he suf-
fers martyrdom.
188
8
9
C. Allius Fusciamis.
Duillius Silanus.
The Capitol burnt by
lightning, which destroyed
the adjacent buildings, es-
pecially the famous Libra-
ries.
189
9
10
Junius Silanus.
Q. Servilius Silanus.
Demetrius ordaiued bi-
shop of Alexandria, who sat
43 years.
Serapion made bishop of
Antioch, this, or as others,
the following year.
190
10
11
Imp. Commodus VI.
Petronius Septimianus.
Commodus will have him-
self accounted Hercules, the
son of Jupiter, and accord-
ingly habits himself; with
other extravagant instances
of folly.
11
J91 12
Cassius Apronianus.
M. Attilius Melilius
Bradua II.
Julian a Senator, and ma-
ny others said to be martyr-
ed about this time.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
sat
clu-' ! enTperors. '• ^^ns^^^- 1 Ecclesiastical Affairs.
Commodi 12
192
13
imp. Commodus VII.
P. Helvius Pertinax.
Pope Eleutherius having
sat 15 years and 23 days,
dies ; in whose room Victor,
an African, succeeds.
193
1 Pertiiiax
1 a 1 Januar.
1 Did. Julian9
a Mart. 28.
1 Sevevus "J
1 a ISIaii llj
Q. Sosius Falco.
C. Julius Clarus.
194
1
2
Imp. Severus II.
Clodius Albinus Caesar
II.
Clemens Alexandrinus
Pantaenus's scholar and
successor in the Catechetic
school, was famous about
this time.
Pope Victor excommuni-
cates Theodorus the heretic.
195
2
3
Q. Fi. TenuUus.
T. Fl. Clemens.
Narcissuss made bishop of
Jerusalem. He is famous for
miracles and an holy life.
196
3
4
Cn. Domitius Dexter.
L. Valeri9 Messala
Priscus.
Pope Victor revives the
ct)ntroversy about the cele-
bration of Easter, threatens
to excommunicate the Asi-
atic Churches, for which he
is severely reproved by ma-
ny, and especially by Ire-
naeus.
Several Synods holden to
this purpose.
197
4
5
Ap. Claudius Lateranus.
M. Marius Rufimis.
The Jews and Samaritans
rebel, and are overcome, and
their religion strictly forbid-
den. Severus triumphs for
that victory.
198
5
6
Tib. Aterius Saturninus.
C. Annius Treboni9
Gallus.
199
6
7
P. Cornelius Anulinus.
M. Aufidius Pronto.
Severus creates hig son
Antoninus emperor, his son
Geta Caesar, and bestows a
large donative upon the sol-
diers, which gave occasion
to Tertullian to write his
book De Corona.
200
7
8
Tib. Claudius Severus.
C. Aufidius Victorinus.
The Christians at Rome
severely treated by Plauti-
anus Prefect of the city,
and in Africa by Saturninus
the Proconsul.
Tertullian writes his A-
pologetic either this, or the
following year.
'^> Y
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann. 1 Roman | r„T,^»u J
Chr. I emperor. ! <^»°^"'^- \
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
'ZOl
Severi 8
9
L. Annius Fabianus.
M. Nonius Mucianus.
Pope Victor after 9 years,
and 2 months, being martyr-
ed, leaves the place to Ze-
phyrinus.
TertuUian presents his
discourse to the president
Scapula.
^02
9
10
Imp. Severus III-
Imp. Antoninus Cara-
calla.
The sixth persecution ;
wherein Leonidas, Origen's
father suffers martyrdom at
Alexandria : Irenaeus at
Lyons in France.
iOS
10
11
P. Septimius Geta.
L. Septimius Plautianus.
Origen a very youth sets
up a grammar school at A-
lexandria, and becomes fa-
mous.
At 18 years of age he is
preferred by Demetrius the
bishop to be instructor of the
Chatechumens.
C04
11
12
L. Fabius Chilo Septi-
mius.
M. Annius Libo.
The Secular games cele-
brated at Rome, upon which
occasion, probably, Tertul-
lian wrote his book De Spec-
taculis, and it may be that
De Idololatria.
205
12
13
Imp. Antoninus
Caracalla II.
P. Septimius Geta
Cssar.
206
13
14
M. Nummi9 Annius
Albin9
Fulvius ^^milianus.
Origen makes tiie tamous
attempt upon himself, in ma-
king himself an Eunuch.
^207
14
15
M. Flavins Aper.
Q. AUius Maximus.
TertuUian writes against
the Marcionites ; and his
book De PalHo, and w^s
then (probably) made Pres-
byter of Carthage.
About this time Minucius
Felix is supposed to pub-
Ush his dialogue called Oc-
tavius.
208
15
16
Imp. Antoninus
Caracalla III.
P. Spetimius Geta
Caesar II.
209
16
17
T. Claudius Pompeia-
nus.
Lollianus Avitus.
210
17
18
M. Acilius Faustinus.
C. Csesonius Macer
Rufinianus.
1
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
539
Ann. I Roman |
Chr. ! emperors. |
P^cclesiastical Affairs.
211
Severi 18
Antoni- ~)
nus
Caracal- H
la a 4 1
Febr. J
Q. Epidius Rutus LoUia-
nus Gentianus.
Pomponius Bassus.
212
1
2
M. Pompcius Asper.
P. Asper.
Alexander a Cappadocian
bishop, made bishop of Je-
rusalem.
213
2
3
Imp. Caracalla IV.
P. Caslius Balbinus.
214
3
4
Silius Messala.
Q. Aquilius Sabinus.
A disputation held at
Rome between Caius and
Proclus one of Montanus's
disciples ; whereupon Pope
Zephyr in excluded Proclus
and Tcrtulian communion
with the church of Rome,
which occasioned Tertui-
lian's starting aside to Mon-
tanus's party.
21o
4
5
iEmilius Lxtus.
Anicius Cerealis.
TertuUian writes against
the Orthodox, against whom
he inveighs under the name
of Psychici.
216
5
6
Q. Aquilius Sabinus II.
Sex. Corn. Annuliniis.
217
6
7
Macrimis^
& Diadu- 1
men. F. a >.l
10 April. J
Bruttius Praesens.
Extricatus.
A Greek translation of the
Bible, called the fifth edi-
tion, found in a hogshead at
Jericho, inseited by Origcri
into his Octapla.
218
2
Antoni- "^
nusEla- 1
gabalus r-1
a 7 Jun. J
Anton. Diadumenus
Caesar.
Adventus.
219
1
2
Imp. Elagabalus II.
Licinius Sacerdos.
Pope Zeph);rin dies. He sat
22 years and so many days.
Succeeded by Callistus.
Julius Africanus a famous
Christian writer, sent upon
an embassy to the emperor,
for the rebuilding of Nicopo-
lis (anciently Emmaus) a
city in Palestine.
220
2
3
Imp. Elagabalus III.
M. Aurelius Eutychia-
nus Comazon.
221
3
4
Annius Gratus.
Claudius Seleucus.
I 4 I Imp. Elagabalus IV.
:22 I ^\!^";nli I M. Aurelius Severus
aMart^^o'. J Alexander Caesar.
I Hippolytus bishop of Por-
" tus composes his Paschal
canon.
S40
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann.
Chr.
1 Roman
1 emperors.
Consuls.
1 Ecclesjastiial Affairs.
223
Alexandri. j
2
Maximus.
Papirius .^lianus.
Among the famous men
of this time was Ulpian the
lawyer, who collected all
the imperial edicts formerly-
published against the Chris-
tians.
224
2
3
Claudius Julianus.
Claudius Crispinus.
The Christians cruelly
persecuted at Rome, at the
instigation of Ulpian the
great lawyer.
Pope Callistus martyred,
after he had sat 5 years, 1
month, 12 days. Urban
chosen in ].i> room.
225
3
4
L. lurpiiius Dexter.
M. Maecins Rufus.
226
4
5
Imp. Alexander II.
C. Quinctilius MarceP
Ills.
'
227
6
D. C^lius baibinus 11.
M. Clodius Pupieiuis
Maximus.
Hippolytus, bishoi) of Por-
Lus, suffers manyrdom.
228
6
7
Vettius Modestus.
Probus.
Origen ordained presby-
ter by Alexander, bishop of
Jeiusidem, and Theociistus
of Qsesarea.
229
7
8
Imp. Aiexaiider ill.
Dio Cassius, histOTJcvs.
The sixth Greek edition
found at Nico])Oiis.
230
8
9
Calpn.rnius Agricola.
Clementinus.
Origen prosecuted, and
synodically condemned by
Demetrius bishop of Alex-
.ndriu.
231
9
10
T. Claudius Pompeia-
nus.
Felicianus.
0:ig(jn j-esigus up his ca-
techetic school to his scholar
Heraclas, who is soon after
chosen bishop of Alexan-
dria.
Pope Urban beheaded
He is succeeded by Ponti-
anus.
232
10
11
Julius Lupus.
Maximus.
Origen departs from
Alexandria, and fixes his
residence at Cxsarea in Pa-
lestine.
Plotinus becomes Ammo-
nius's scholar at Alexan-
dria,
233
11
12
?>laximus 11.
Oviiuus Paternus.
^34
12
13
Maximum lil.
Urbanus.
Pontiaims bishop of Rome
banished into Sardinia.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
541
Aim.
Clir.
Roman
emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
235
Alexandri.
13
14
Maxirai- ")
nus a 18 J.-1
Martii. J
L. Catilius Scverus.
L. Ragonius Urinatius
Quintianus.
Maximinus raises the se-
venth persecution against
the Christians.
Origen writes his exhor-
tation to Martyrdom.
Pope Pontianus suffers
martyrdom in Sardinia. ^
Anterus succeeds in the
chair.
236
1
2
Imp. Maximinus.
C. Julius Africanus.
Anterus scarce having
possessed his place one
month, is slain; and Fabian
elected hi his room.
237
2
3
Pupienus-^
Baibinus J-l
aMaii26^
P. Tilius Perpetuus.
L. Ovinius Rusticus Cor-
nelianus.
238
1
Gordia- ")
nus a !
mcnse [
ivlavtij. J
M. Ulpius Crinitub.
C. Nonius Proculus Pon-
tianus.
239
1
2
imp. Gordianus.
M. Acilius Aviola.
Zebinus, bishop of Anti-
och, dies; Babylas is cho-
sen to that See.
240
2
3
Vettius Sabiuus.
Venustus.
About this time Origen is
thought to have taken his
second journey to Athens,
where he finished his com-
mentaries upon Ezekiel.
241
3
4
Imp. Gordianus 11.
T. Claudi9 Pompeian9
II.
242
4
5
C. Aufidius Atticus.
C. Asinius Prxtextatus.
243
5
6
C. Julius Africanus.
.-Emilius Pappus.
Origen is sent for into
Arabia, where he disputes
with, and converts Beryllus
from his unsound and erro-
neous o])inions.
244
6
PhilippQ -j
a niense ^l
April. J
Fulvms iEmilianus.
Peregrin us.
245
1
2
imp. Pliilippus.
Tib. Fabius Titianus.
246
2
o
Bruttius Prxsens.
Nummius Albinu.s.
Dionysius, one of Origen's
scholars, and successors in
the schola K«tT«;t«V6av, made
bishop of Alexandriai
542
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann. 1 Roman
Chr. i emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
■:a7
■phiUppi. 3
4
Imp. Philippus II.
M. Philippus F. Cjcsav.
The Annus Millesimus ab
U. C. begun this, ended the
followmg year, and cele-
brated by the emperor with
all imaginable solemnity and
magnificence.
248
4
5
Imp. Philippus 111.
M. Julius Philippus F.
Cyprian chosen bishop of
Carthage.
249-
5
6
Decius a "^
Mail. J
Fulvius ^^.milianus 11.
Vettius Aquilinus.
A tumult raised at Alex-
andria by an impostor, gives
occasion to a preliminary
persecution against the
Christians there.
250
1
1
o
Imp. Messius Decius.
Annius Maximus Gra-
tus.
The eighth persecution
raised by Decius.
St. Cyprian in retire-
ment.
Pope Fabian martyred....
After whose decease a va-
cancy in that See for above
a year, Novatian endeavour-
ing to thrust himself in.
251
2
3
Gall US &1
Volusia- 1 ,
nus F. a 1
Dec. J
Imp. Decius 11.
Q. Etruscus Deci9 F.
Csesar.
Great sclusn)s in the Af-
rican churches about the
lapsed.
Cornelius elected bishop
of Rome.
252
1
2
Imp. Trebonian9 Gallus
II.
C. Vibius Volusianus.
The Novatian doctrines
condemned in a synod of 60
bishops of Rome.
The emperors renew the
persecution begun undei-
Decius.
A great mortality through-
out the world.
253
2
3
Valeria- 1
nus cum '. ^
Gallieno ,
F.a Dec. J
C Vibius Volusianus 11.
M. Valerius Maximus.
Cornelius first banished,
recalled, cruelly beaten, and
at last beheaded.
Lucius succeeds him.
254
1
9
■it
Imp. Licinius Valeriamis
II.
Imp. Gallienus.
Origeu dies, and is buried
at Tyre.
Valerian the emperor at
first a great patron of the
Christians.
255
2
3
Imp. Valerianus III.
Imp. Gallienus. II.
Pope Lucius, after orie
year and three months, suf-
fers martyrdom. Stephen,
a Roman, chosen to be his
successor.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
sm
Ann. j Homan j Consuls.
C'hr. 1 emperors. | ■^ui«ui».
j Ecclesiastical Affairs.
256
Valeriani. 3
4
M. Valerius Maximus.
M. Acilius Glabrio.
The great controversy
about the re-baptizing such
as had been baptized by he-
retics hotly ventilated.
The heats between Cyp-
rian and Stephen of Rome.
257
4
5
Imp. Valerianus IV.
Imp. Gallienus III.
The ninth persecution be-
gun by Valerian.
Sabellius confounds the
persons in the Trinity, and
spreads his heresy.
258
5
6
M. Aurelius Memmius
Fuscus.
Pomponius Bassus.
Pope Stephen slain Aug.
2. which others refer to the
foregoing year. Sixtus suc-
ceeds.
St. Cyprian beheaded at
Carthage, Sept. 14.
239
6
Gallienus
solus, caplo
Valer.
7
Fvilvius ^iimilianus.
al. Gallienus IV.
Pomponius Bassus 11.
al. Valerianus^?;/?.
Pope Sixtus and his dea-
con Laurentius receive the
crown of martyrdom.
Dionysius succeeds in the
See of Rome.
260
7
8
Cornelius Secularis.
Junius Donatus.
Paul of Samosata made
bishop of Antioch.
Gallienus stops the perse-
cution against the Chris-
tians.
261
8
9
Imp. Gallienus IV.
Volusianus.
Dionysius, bishop of Alex-
andria, writes to pope Dio-
nysius to vindicate himself
from the suspicion of Sabel-
lianism charged upon him.
262
9
10
Imp. Gallienus V.
App. Pompeius Fausti-
nus.
iEmilian attempts to
make himself emperor, and
besieges Alexandria, where
the Christians are reduced
to great straits.
263
10
11
Numniius Albinus.
Maximus Dexter.
264
11
12
Imp. Gallienus VI.
iEmilius Saturninus.
265
12
13
Valerianus Cxsar II.
L. Caesonius Lucillus
Macer Rufinianus.
A synod held lat Antioch
against Paulus Samosatenus
the bishop of it.
Dionysius, bishop of Alex-
andria, and Gregory, bishop
of Neocssarea depart this
life.
266
13
14
Imp. Gallienus Vil. j Hymenacus ordained bi-
Sabinillus. | shop of Jerusalem.
544
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
cZ. ! empX. ! ^°"^"'^- ! EcclesiasticalAffair.
257
Gallieni 14
15
Ovinias Paternus.
'Arcesilaus.
268
15
Claudius T
aMart.lJ
Ovinius Paternus II.
Claudius the emperorper-
secutes the Christians at
Rome.
269
2
...'^ •. utuus.
O .inus Paternus TTI.
sro
2
Aureli- "j
anus Yl
a Mart. J
Flavius Antiochianus.
urius Orfitus.
Another Synod held at
Antioch, wherein Paul of
Samosata is condemned and
deposed, and Domnus placed
in his room.
Pope Dionysius dies, De-
cember 26.
271
1
2
Imp. Aurelianus.
Pomponius Bassus
al. C. Jul. Capitolinus.
Felix chosen Bishop of
Rome.
272
2
3
Quietus.
Voldumianus.
Many suffer martyrdom
about this time.
273
3
4
M. Claudius Tacitus.
Furius Placidianus.
274
4
5
Imp. Aurelianus II.
C. Julius Capitolinus.
Zenobia queen of the Pal-
myreni, a Jewess, and (if
some might be credited) a
Christian, overcome by Au-
relian, and cariied in tri-
umph to Rome.
7 3
5
Tacitus -1
a25Sep.J
Imp. Aurelianus III.
T. Nonius MarccUinus,
Pope Felix crowned with
maityrdom, after he had
sitten 4 years and 5 months.
His successor was Eutychi-
anus a Tuscan.
^76
1
Florianus^
April 12. J
Frobus a ")
-1
Jul. 1. J
iin^, 2vi. v.i. i acitus li.
Fulvius iEmilianus.
277
1
2
Imp. Aurelius Probus.
Anicius Paulinus
a/.M. FurinsLupus.
The Manichaean heresy
s])rings up, planted by
Manes a Persian, originally
called Curbicum, the author
of that wild and execrable
sect.
278
9
Imp. Probus II.
1
M. Furius Lupus I
al. Virius. |
Anatoaus bLsiiop or l.acd.-
cea, eminent tor his skill in
philosophy and humane
learning. He had formerly
been colleague with Theo-
tecnus bishop of Caesarea in
Palestine.
Cy rill us the 18th bishop of
Antioch.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
54^5
Ann. j -'Roman
Chr. 1 emperors.
Consuls.
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
279
Probi. 3
4
Imp. Probus III.
Ovinius Paternus
al. C. Junius Tiberianus.
280
4
5
Junius Messalu.
Gratus.
281
5
6
Imp. Probus IV.
C. Junius Tiberianus.
Theonas created bishop
of Alexandria, the 15 bishop
of that church.
282
6
7.
Cams -^
cum F.P. 1
Numeria- 1 .
DO, Cavi- f ^
no Aug. 1
12. J
Imp. Probus V.
Pomponius Victorinus.
283
1
2
Imp. M. Carus.
M. A. Carinus Cresar.
284
2
Diodesi- ~j
anus a ^l
Sept. 17. J
Imp. Carinus.
Imp. Numerianus.
Eutychianus, bishop of
Rome, "crowned with mar-
tyrdom, December 8. His
successor was Caius, a Dal-
matian, and a kinsman (as
is said) of Dioclesian.
The Dioclesian asra be-
gius here.
285
1
2
Imp. Uiociesianus II.
Aristobulus.
286
2
3
Maximus Junius Priscil-
lianus.
Vettius Aquilinus.
* The Thebsean legion,
under the command of Mau-
ricius, being sent to attend
upon Maximian in his ex-
pedition against the Bagau-
dx, and refusing to do sa»
critice, are lirst decimated,
and then universally des-
troyed at Octodurus in
France.
9.87
3
4
Imp. Dioclesianus III.
Imp. Maximianus Her-
culeus.
Dioclesian and Maximian
write to the proconsul of
Africa to punish the Mani-
chees, to burn their books,
execute their persons, and
confiscate their estates.
288
4
5
M. Aurelius Maximus.
Pomponius Januarius.
* Though this seems the most proper period for the martyrdom of the
Thebaean legion when Maximian was sent against the rebels in France ;
yet is it said in the acts of their martyrdom, that in their journey out of
the east, they came to Rome, and were confirmed in the faith by Mar-
cellinus then bishop of it. Which if so, they could not suffer sooner than
Ann. Chr. CCXCVI. wUen Marcellinus succeeded in that se.e«
5-46
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ann.
Chr.
Roman
emperor. '
Consuls. 1
Ecclesiastical Affairs.
289
Dioclesianij
6
Annius Bassus.
L. Ragonius Quinctianus.
■
290
6
7
Imp. Dioclesianus IV.
Imp. Maximianus Her-
culeus II.
Tharacus, Probus, and
Andronicus suffer martyr-
dom at Tarsus in Cilicia.
291
7
8
C. Junius Tiberianus.
Cassius Dio.
292
8
9
Atranius Hannibalianus.
M. Aur. Asclepiodotus.
293
9
10
Imp. Dioclesianus V.
Imp. Maximianus III.
Dioclesian assumes the ti-
tle of Lord, challenges di-
vine honours, and suffers
himself to be adored as Cod.
294
10
11
Constantius Chlorus Cs-
sar.
Galerius Maximianus
Cxsar.
295
11
12
Nummius Tuscus.
Annius Cornelius Anu-
linus.
96
12
13
Imp. Dioclesianus VI.
Constantius Cxsar II.
Caius, bishop of Rome,
martyred April 22.
MarceUinus. a Roman,
succeeds in the government
of that church, who in the
Dioclesian persecution lap-
sed and sacrificed to idols,
though recovering he died a
martyr.
297
13
14
Imp. IVIaximianus Her- |
culeus V.
Galerius Cassar II.
298
14
15
Anicius Faustus.
Severus Gallus.
Zabdas ordained the 27
bishop of Jerusalem.
299
15
16
Imp. Dioclesianus VII.
Imp. Maximianus Her-
culeus VI.
oOO
16
17
Constantius Chlorus Cx-
sarllL
Galerius Armentarius
Caesar III.
The Christians at Rome
harassed out in working at
Dioclesian's baths, most of
whom, when the work was
finished, were put to death,
though the tenth persecu-
tion did not universally be-
gin till three yeai-s after,
Ann. Chr. 303. Diodes. 19.
THE END.
SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.
A.
ANDERSON, William Philad.
Alexander, Rev. A.
do.
Allison, Dr. Burg-ess
do.
Antly, Robert D.
do.
Amos, Abr.
do.
Arnold, Catharine
do.
Annison, John
do.
Axe, Frederick
Germantovvn.
Armstrong-, John
Wilmington
Avery, M.
Philad.
Allison, D. 10 copies,
Burlington.
Armstrong-, Thomas
do.
Ayres, D. Springfield, N. J.
Alden, Rev. Timothy
Newark.
Anderson, Samuel D.
Del. CO.
Ackerman, Ja. J-
Newark.
Allwood, Marquis
do.
Allum, Samuel
Orange, N. J.
Ailing, David
do.
B.
Budd, Rev. Thomas L
Philad.
Brown, David
do.
Burch, James K.
do.
Bateman, Rev. James
do.
Brown, Jacob
do.
Boyle, Niel
do.
Bergerie, Jos.
do.
Brewer, George
do.
Barnes, Mahlon
do.
Burch, Rev. Thomas
do.
Billings, Thomas
do.
Bounard, J.
do.
Burch, James
do.
Barnett, W.
do.
Benger, Mary
do.
Bruner, Jacob
Germantown.
Butcher, W.
do.
Butcher, Thomas
do.
Backman, J B.
do.
Barnet, Racliel
do.
Boisbran, Stephen, M.
D. do.
Baldwin, Dr.
Wilmington.
Bonus, Milton
Newport
Baylie, John
Bucks CO.
"Barnes, Milla
Newport.
Bend, Rev. Jos. G.
Beasley, Rev. Frederick
Bunbury, H. A.
Bull, John
Bach, John
Brainies, Ed.
Baker, Samuel
Bayard, Jonathan
Balwid, Col. W.
Boudinot, Hon. Judge
Baldwin, Caleb C.
Balwin, Johnson
Bacon, Job
Brinseley, Leonard
Brewer, Caleb W.
Bro\\'n, Ebenezar
Baldwin, Jabez
Beach, Daniel Y.
Bowman, Mary
Brown, Samuel B,
Beach, Jos. jun.
Bolks, Nathan
Blaything, Joseph
Bahu, Mathias
Baldwin, Caleb T.
Baldwin, Israel T.
Baldwin, Mathias
Baker, Mary, 2 copies,
Barton, Eden
Baltimore.
do„
do.
do.
do,
Burlington.
Brunswick
do.
Newark.
do.
do.
Newark .
do.
do.
do.
do„
do.
do.
do.
dOi
Orange, N. J.
Newark.
Belville.
Bloomfield, N.J.
do.
do,
do.
do.
Del. CO.
C.
Cooper, Thomas
Carter, Thomas
Charles, Henry
Crane, Joseph
Crane, Josias
Corry, Molleston
Cadmud, T. J.B.
Cole, Sarah
Clarke, Mary
Clement Jos. T.
Can, W.
Cartwright, G. F.
Cury, Martin
Clark, W.
Clark, Jer,
Casdorf.E.
Philad.
do.
do.
Bloomfield, N. J.
do.
Philad.
N.J.
Philad.
do.
do.
do.
do,
do.
do.
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do,
SUBSCRIBERS* NAMES.
Comly, Henry
Comiton, Daniel
Cross, Joseph
Channon, Joseph
Colliday, Charles
Ciilpp, Abraham
Clemmins, Kettural
Cripp, John
Comeygs, John
Cannahan, Samuel
Creasy, Josiah
Cunningham, John
Cochrane, Isaac
Curry, Benjamin L.
Coal, J. A.
Chambers, Dr.
Curwen, Geo. F.
Clark, Samuel
Carr, Robert
Clark, Rev. Jos.
Croes, John,
Conditt, Rev. Ira
Correll, John P.
Clady, Jacob
Cai-sevvell, John
Cook, Benjamin
Cummings, D.
Collie, Samuel
Clackson, Belinda
Cumming. Hooper
Christie, Thonas
Coe, Benjamin
Crane, Rebecca
Crane, James
Cougen, Ira
Caldwell, Hugh
Craig, John
Caldwell, John
Crane, Ichabod
Clark, H. jun.
Courtie, William
Crane, Elira B.
Coley, Daniel
Cochasais, Michael
Dodd, Abijah,
Dodd, Hiram
Dercamerge, Peter
Drummond, Josiah
Dunn, William
Davis Noah
Doak, Rev. S.
Doak, Kev. J. M,
Dedi'^r, John jun.
DaVis, James
Dougberty, Dennis
Dixon, Deborah
Philad.
do.
Germantovvn.
do.
do,
do.
do.
Wilntiington.
do.
do.
Newport, D.
Philad.
Del. CO.
Christiana.
Baltimore
do.
do.
do.
Burlington.
Brunswick.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Somerset co.
Springfield, J
Newark.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Del. CO.
do,
do.
Newark.
do.
do.
Orange, N J.
Belville.
Bloomfield.
Bloomfield N. J.
do.
do.
Philad.
do.
do.
Frankford
do.
Germantovvn.
Derbv.
W I
Christiana.
Dunker, Perry
Dorsey, Owen
Debovv, John
I Davis, Martha
Dunn, George
Dunn, Mary Arsteen
Dunn, Jonathan
Duffee, Alexander
Donne, Nathan
Davison, James
Dorsett, Samuel
Douglass, David
Davis, William
Doe, John
Dyson, George
Dodd, Samuel
Dodd, Daniel
Dodd, Abner
Donahue, John
Dodd, Isaac
Dodd, Silas
Dodd, Abitha
Evans, Samuel
Evans, Cadwallader
Engle, Rebecca
Elliott, W.
Egbert, Abraham
English, Isaac
Everitt, William
Euble, W H.
Each, Joseph
Dashield, Rev. Geofge Baltimore.
Baltimore.
do.
New Btunswick.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Del. CO.
do.
• Newark.
do.
Orange, N. J.
Newark.
Belville, N. J.
do.
Bloomfield.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Philad.
do.
Germantown.
Philad.
Christiana.
Burlington.
Brunswick
Newark.
do.
Fisher, Rev. W.
Furman, Rev. Rich.
Ford ice, John
Frailev, James
Fox, Rev. William
Forbes, Joseph
Fox, George
Fry, George
Fryhoffer, W.
Fr'ailey, Leonard
Freeman, Rev. Jos.
Fidder, Rev. D.
Fisher, George D.
Finkinoolitt, Isaac
Fail-Iamb, Robert
Freeman, Nathaniel
Fordham, Stephen
Philad.
Charleston, S. C.
Philad.
do.
do.
Germantown.
do.
do.
do.
do.
R. Staunton. Va.
Baltimore.
Biunswick.
Newark.
Del co-
Newark.
Belville.
Greene, Rev. Dr. Ashbel Philad.
Garretson, Rev. F. 12 copies, N.York.
Gartin.Maiy Philad,.
SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.
Oiass, ReV, Francis
Clermont college .
Hiches, Thomas
Jfrwark,
Glass, Francis
Lower Dublin.
Hillyer, Rev.
do.
Gardner, Charles
Philad.
Headen, Electa
do.
Guilhey, Joseph
do.
Hacher, Hetty
Orange, J^
GilfiUan, Edward
do.
Holmes, W.
Newark.
Glendy, Rev. Joha
Baltimore .
Hendricks, Walter
do.
Grosse, Henry
Brunswick.
Hughes, Jos.
BellvilIe,J.
Garrettson, Jane
do.
Howel, John,
Bloorafield, J,
C^rummond, W.
Newark.
Harrison, George.
do.
Gordon, W. G.
do.
Harrison, Caleb
do.
Grant, William M.
do.
Hall, Eliphalet
do.
Gable, Mary
do.
Hamilton, W.
do.
Gold, John
Bloorafield.
I.J.
H.
Jones, David
Philad.
Harrison, Moses
Bloomfield, N. J.
Joyent, Charles
do.
Hopkins, B. B. & Co.50 Copies. Phil.
Jaquett, Thomas
do.
Hamilton, W.
Bloomlield. N. J.
Justice, Jos,
do-
Howich, W.
Philad.
Jones, Elvy,
do.
Hill, Mary
do
Jones, George
do.
Hall, John
do.
Johnson, John
do.
Horsey, Samuel
do.
Jacobs Joseph
Germantown.
Harmer, Samuel
Germantown
Jeflries, James
Wilmington.
Hergersheimer, Anthony. do.
Inglis, Rev. James,
Baltimore^
Hooper, James
do.
Jones, James A.
do .
Hassinger, George
do.
Jones, James D.
do.
Harmer, David
J2 Copies, do.
Irving, Edw.
Burlington.
Humphrey, Dr. Gideon do.
Jeffries, Benjannin
do.
Henderson, Rev. Saml. Wilming
Johnson, Henry
Brunswick,
Henderson, Thomas
do.
Joline, WiUiam.
do.
Highlands Henry,
Newport
Johnson, Dr, Uzal,
Newark.
Hemphill, Thomas,
Thornbo.
Jones, David
do.
Hopkins, Mat. Esq,
Snow-hill
Johnson, James
do.
Healy, Rev. John
Baltimore.
Johnson, Nathaniel
do.
Hargrove, Rev. Mr.
do.
Jeffers, Lsaac
do
Henderson, Rev. Jos
iah do.
Johnson, David G.
do.
Hawkins, John
do.
James, Mary,
Del. Co.
Hanson, Mr.
do.
James, Frederick,
do.
Haicrout, G.
do.
Jones, Nicholas.
Newark.
Hail, Thomas
Burlington.
Johnson, Theodocius
do.
Hanse, Thomas
Brunswick.
Jones, James
do.
Hughes, David
do.
Jones, G. T.
Bloomfield.
Haghm, Henry
do.
Jaques, David
do.
Hunt, Mary
do.
Joyce, Rev. John
Philad
Hagas, James
do.
Hill, Aaron
do.
K
Hornblower, Jos. C.
Newark.
Halstead, Caleb
do.
Keyser, Peter
Philad
Headen, Aaron
do.
Kane, Francis
do.
Haye«, Moses
do.
Keyser, Samuel
Germantown.
Harrison, Isaac
do.
Keyser Jacob
do.
Hughes, Issachar
do.
Keyser, Thomas
do.
Harrison, Josiah,
Newark.
Kitchen, Thomas
Bucks Co.
Humphrey, Gideon
Del. Co.
Kaighn, Abraham,
Christiana.
Hews, Samuel
do.
Kernes, Levi,
Staunton, Vir,
Hall, Robert
do.
Knox, Rev. Saml. A.M. Baltimore.
Hart, John D.
do.
Keider, W. jun.
Brunswick*
Heuden, James.
Newai-k.
KenEeld, Sarah,
Ne wark .
SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.
Kurney, Hannah
Kenfield, Thomas
King, Stephen,
Keen, Thomas
Newark.
do.
do.
Bloomfield.
L.
Lumn, John Bloomfield, N.J.
Lyon, Rev. Richard do.
Lenor, Jacob,
Loyness, Levi
Locke, Nathan
Lacy, R. W. B.
Lasley, Rev. T .
Lippord, Daniel B.
Lackins, Edward,
Leveren, Charles
Latta, Rev. John E.
Lettig-, George,
Lot. Uriah,
Law, William
Little, Stephens.
Looker, Nathaniel
Lamplugh, Daniel
Levis, Cyrus
Lindsey, James
Levis, John,
Lee, John,
Laycraft, Richard
Leish, WilUam
M
Markoe, Francis
Mintonoye, David B.
Mullen, Thomas
Mollersan, W.
M'Leighan, D.
Morrow, Samuel
Miller, George I.
M'Cochle, James
Moyer, W.
M'Clune, John
Matson, Aaron
M 'Arthur, James
M'llhenny, James
Mason, B.
Mete, George
M'Clung, W.
Moore, Mordecai
Mott, Laurence
M'Kimsey, Mor.
M'Menn, Joseph
M'Mahan, Cuss.
Murdoch, L G.
M*Machen, Charles
Madock, J. G.
Massington, Jacob
M'Laughlin, Rev. J.
Philad.
do.
do.
6 Copies .
do.
Germantown.
Milford.
Del. County.
Christiana.
Baltimore.
Brunswick.
do.
do.
Newark
Del. County.
do.
do.
do.
Orange, N. J.
Newark.
Bellville, J.
Philad.
N.J.
Philad.
do.
Bush-Hill.
Philad.
Germantown
do.
do.
do.
Del. CO.
Philad.
do.
do.
Wilmington.
do.
do
Newport, Del.
Newcastle.
Del. CO.
Baltimore.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Burlington.
Mundy, Fred-
Moser, James
Machay, E.G.
Marvell, John W,
Muckle, Richard
M'Gogg, Daniel
Mathew, David
Munn, Moses
Marcell, Jacob
Marehouse, Silas
Morney, John
M*Gill, Adley
Miller, Jona.
Mansu, John
N
Naglee, James
Newman, Daniel
Nutz, Leon. J,
Nutt, W.
Naglee, James
Neilson, John
Nathy, Jacob
North, Silas
Nevinus, John W.
Nichols, Aaron
Nichols, David
Nape, Joseph
Nichols Johnson]
Orange, J.
Osburn, Jeremiah
Oliver, David
Outcalt, Henry B .
Oram, John
Oglivie, Ann
Ogden, James C.
Ogden, Joseph
O wings, Robert. T.
Osburn, Henry
Brunswick.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do,
Del. CO.
do.
Newark.
BelviUe.
Pliilad.
do.
Germantown.
Newport Del.
Burlington.
Brunswick.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Bloomfield, N. J.
Philad.
Brunswick.
do.
do.
Newark.
do.
Del. CO.
Bloomfield.
do.
Pitt, Samuel Bloomfield N. J.
Potts, Rev. George C. Philad
Patterson, Robert
Payne, W.
Prentice, E.
Peacock, E.
Probassco, Henry Esq.
Parmer, Clement
Provest, Abraham
Pahner, Henry
Poulson, Samuel
Porter, Mary
Penn, Jacob M.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Germantown.
Wilmington.
Newport.
Staunton Va.
Baltimore.
SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES,
Porter, Samuel
Philad
Peters, Samuel
Trenton
Poole, Michael
Brunswick.
Perin, Peter
do.
Philipps, Dr. John
do.
Packhurst, John
Newark.
Pearson, Catherine
do.
Pickins, Samuel
do.
Packhurst, Henry L.
do.
Pyle, Israel
Del. CO.
Piper, Joseph
do.
Peanon, Eliza
Newark
Poener. Isaac
do
Pearson, Thomas
Bloomfield.
Qiiicksall, John Burlington.
R
W
Range, Mary,
Riker, David H.
Rogers, Rev. Dr
Rup, Christopher
Rock, Sarah
Renshaw, F.
Reed, Elizabeth Ann
Rorces, John
Rapp, Joseph
Royal, Georg-e
Rose, John
Rodman John
Read, Rev. Thomas
Redman, Joseph
Ross, James,
Rogers, Mary
Rice, Jesse
Richards. Rev. Lewis
Randolph, Moses
Roland, William
Rosegrant, Alexander
Richards, James
Ryerson, Cornelius J.
Roberts, Moses
Reader, John
Riker, Michael
Stewart, William
Smith, John
Stout Jonathan B.
Smith, Mathias
Strieker Daniel
Staughton, Rev. Dr. W.
Sergeant, Rev. Thomas
Sailor, Henry
Stockton, John
Smith, Thomas
Bloomfield, N. J.
do.
Philad.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Germantown.
do.
de.
Del. CO.
Wilmington.
Bucks CO.
Christiana.
do.
Baltimore.
do.
Burlington.
Brunswick.
do.
Newark.
do.
do.
Bellville.
do.
Philad.
Bloomfield.
do.
do.
do.
Philad.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Stratton, William
Stock, John
Shutts, Charles Jun.
Shane, Arthur
Saunders, Sarah
Snyder, William
Swartz, George
Street, John
Sheets, Robert
Smith Henry
Smith, Yost
Swartz, Daniel
Sweyer, Henry
Stephenson W.
Sterling, J. W.
Stewart, Robert
Sneath, Rev. Richard
Stewart, Perry
Stevenson, Isaac
Smith, John
Standerst, Susan
Spencer, Price
Smith, R. S.
Shields, Susan
Savage, Dr. W.
Stoop, Ephraim,
Summerville, Samuel
Stiles, James,
Slake, Philip,
Silcock, Joseph
Shirdlow, William
Scott, J. W.
Smith, Jasper
Sturges, Thomas T.
Sandford, John P.
Sharp, Rev. Daniel
Stuart, W. Y.
Sandford, J. P.
Searings, J.
Salter, Jos. H.
Sayrs, Isaac
Spencer, JosiaU
Salten, Amos
Sharpless, Daniel
Stircer, Samuel
Springer, Jos.
Stuart, Jo.
Steely Enos
Smith, Abraham,
Swan, Caleb
Tompkins, Daniel
Thambut, George
Thomas Robert
Trites, Barbara
Thomas, Owen
Twvford, W.J.
Philad.
do,
do,
do.
do.
do.
Germantown,
do.
do.
do.
do.
Germantown,
do.
do.
Mount Holly.
Wilmingion .
do.
do.
do.
do.
Newport.
Christiana.
do.
do.
Snow-hill Mar.
Newport.
Baltimore .
Burlington.
Brunswick
do.
do.
do.
do.
Springfield, J ,
Newark.
do.
do.
do.
do,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Orange, N. J.
do.
Bloomfield.
do.
Philad.
do,
Germantown.
do.
do.
Germantown.
SUBSCRIBERS* NAMES.
Taylor, John Wilming.
Tripp, Samuel do.
Thompson, John Spring-field.
Thompson, Daniel Del. co.
Thomas, Lambert Baltimore.
Tennison, William Brunswick.
Tennison, Cornelius do.
Thompson, Philetius M. Newark.
Taylor, Thomas do.
Tillon, William do.
Thatcher, Enos & Thomas Del. co.
Tyson, James do.
Thompson, Sarah D. do.
Taylor, John do.
Taylor, Thomas Newark.
Tichenor, James do.
Tichenor, Isaac C . Orange J .
Thomas, Cor. Bloomfield.
Tucker, Benjamin do.
Turner, Francis Philad.
Veasy, Edward Baltimore.
Vanderbitt, Jeramus, Brunswick.
Vorhees, Jacob do.
Upshur, Nancy do.
Vorhees, John do.
Van Houten, James Newark.
Vincent, Rachel N. Y.
Vanderslice,, George Philad.
W
Waikxn, Samuel Philad
Wright, Joseph do.
Woodward, W. W. 50 Copies do.
Ward, Samuel Bloomfield, N. J.
Wilson, Rev. Dr. James P. Philad.
Wilson, Samuel do.
Wallace, John Maryland.
Williams, Samuel Philad.
Walter, P. B. do.
Wallace, Alexander do.
Williams, Benjamin do.
Willihandan, Mary do.
Wiser, John do.
Whitaker, Robert do.
Williams, Edmund do.
Warner, Sarah Germantown .
Wells, Robert, Jnn. do.
Wunder, J. S. Germantowti ,
Williamson, John do.
Wander, George Del. cOo
Wylie, Rev. Samuel I> . do>
Witsell John Wilmington.
Webster, John do.
Wilson, Ann do.
Wells Enos Newport >
Weaver, Samuel Del. co.
Wright, W. Christiana.
Welch, Sylvester do.
Whittington, W. Esq. Snow-hill, Md.
Williams, Mary Burlington.
Whittlesey, Samuel do.^
Wilier, Moses Brunswick.
Webster, Lewis . do.
Woodward, W. do.
Wycoff, Peter S. do.
Whitelock, John do.
Williams, Rev. Gershom Spring. J.
Wade, Oliver Newark.
Whelpay, Rev. Samuel do.
Wolley, Abraham R. do.
Wade, OUver do.
Williams, James do.
Wade, Charles do.
Wiljard, Rev. J. do.
Wallace George do.
Ward, Amos do.
Ward, John do.
Watson, J. F. 50 Copies, Philad,
Williamson, Jesse l3el. co.
Wright, John Newark.
Wheeler, Caleb do.
Williamson, Alexander Bloomfield.
Woodruff i Abigial do.
Ward, David do.
Wright, Nathaniel Chester co.
Yearly, Alexander Baltimore.
Young, James Germantown.
Young, W. Springfield, N.J.
Yeudenu, John Newark.
Youngs, Abijah do.
Zoralemeon, Abr. Bloomfield N.J.
Zoralemeon, J. L Belville.
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