was declared king of France; and it being would have obliged their enemies to raise that prince's ambition to be crowned by the the siege, but the place was betrayed by a most holy prelate he could find, Boniface renegado. Many were put to the sword; was solicited to perform that ceremony, and two general officers, with some persons which he did at Soissons in 752. The next of distinction, were carried prisoners to Bagyear his great age, and many infirmities, so dat, where they were loaded with chains, afflicted him, that, with the consent of the and thrown into a dungeon. They continued new king, the bishops, &c. of his diocese, he in prison for some time without seeing any consecrated Lullus, his countryman, and persons but their gaolers, having scarcely faithful disciple, and placed him in the see food enough for their subsistence. At length of Mentz, desiring Lullus to finish the church they were informed, that nothing could preat Fuld, and see him buried in it, for his end serve their lives but renouncing their rewas approaching. He then went to Fries- ligion and embracing Mahometanism. To land, where he converted and baptized sev- induce them to comply, the caliph pretended eral thousands of the natives, demolished zeal for their welfare; and declared, that he the temples, and raised churches on their looked upon converts in a more glorious ruins. Once he appointed a day for confirm-light than conquests. Agreeably to these ing a great number of new converts, and maxims, he sent some of the most artful of ordered them to assemble in an open plain the Mahometans, with money and clothes, near the river Bourde, whither he repaired and the promise of other advantages, which the day before; and pitching a tent, deter- they might secure to themselves, by an abmined to remain on the spot all night, in order juration of Christianity; which, according to be ready in the morning early. Several to the casuistry of those infidels, might be Pagans, having intelligence of this inten- made without quitting their faith; but the tion, poured down upon him, and the com- martyrs rejected the proposal with horror panions of his mission, in the night, with a and contempt. After this they were attacked view to massacre them. The servants of with that fallacious and delusive argument Boniface would have repelled the barbarians which the Mahometans still use in favor of by force of arms; but he told them and his themselves, and were desired to judge of the clergy, that the moment he had long wished merits of the cause by the success of those for was now come, and exhorted his assist- engaged in it, and choose that religion ants in the ministry to prepare themselves which they saw flourished most, and was for martyrdom. While he was thus employ-best rewarded with the good things of this ed, the Pagans rushed in upon him, and life, which they called the blessings of heakilled him and fifty-two of his companions ven. Yet the noble prisoners were proof and attendants. This happened on June against all these temptations; and argued 5, A. D. 755. Thus fell the great father of strenuously against the authority of the false the Germanic church, the honor of England, and the glory of his barbarous age.*

MASSACRE BY THE SARACENS.

Forty-two persons of Armorian, in Upper Phrygia, were martyred in the year 845, by the Saracens, the circumstances of which are thus related:

prophet. This incensed the Mahometans, and drew greater hardships upon the Christians during their confinement, which lasted seven years. Boidizius, the renegado who had betrayed Armorian, then brought them the welcome news that their sufferings would conclude in martyrdom the next day: when taken from their dungeon, they were again solicited to embrace the tenets of Mahomet; but neither threats nor promises could induce them to espouse the doctrines of an impostor. Perceiving that their faith could not by any means be shaken, the caliph ordered them to be executed. Theodore, one of the number, had formerly received *Having given the fair side of the character of priest's orders, and officiated as a clergyman; Boniface, the archbishop, it behoves us to say, that but afterwards quitting the church, he had he was a great abettor of all the absurditics and followed a military life, and raised himself blasphemies of popery: though for this he is not so

In the reign of Theophilus, the Saracens ravaged many parts of the eastern empire, gained considerable advantages over the Christians, and at length laid siege to the city of Armorian. The garrison bravely defended the place for a considerable time, and

much to be blamed; because in his tiine the candle by the sword to some considerable posts, of the true gospel was not lighted. By his authori- which he enjoyed at the time he was taken ty Childeric, king of France, was deposed, and prisoner. The officer who attended the exePepin, the betrayer of his master, was recognized as

king. From Boniface proceeded that detestable cution, being apprized of these circumdoctrine which now stands registered in the pope's stances, said to Theodore, "You might, indecrees, (dis. 40. cap. si papa;) which states, that in deed, pretend to be ranked amongst the case the pope were of most filthy living, and forget- Christians, while you served in their church. ful or negligent of himself, and of Christianity, in as a priest; but the profession you have such a degree, that he led innumerable souls with taken up, which engages you in bloodshed, him to hell; yet ought no man to rebuke him for so doing, "for he hath," says he, "power to judge all is so contrary to your former employment, men, and ought of no man to be judged again." that you should not now think of passing

upon us for one of that religion. When you threats, struck her; but afterwards endeavquitted the altar for the camp, you renounced ored to gain her by expressions of pretended Jesus Christ. Why then will you dissemble kindness. Finding her insensible to all he any longer? Would you not act more con- could say, he insinuated, that Flora had been formably to your own principles, and make educated in the religion of Mahomet, but your conduct all of a piece, if you came to a had renounced it at the suggestion of some resolution of saving your life by owning our Christians, who inspired her with the utmost great prophet?"

contempt for the great prophet. When she Theodore, covered with religious confu- was called on to answer to the charge, she sion at this reproach, but still unshaken in declared she had never owned Mahomet, but his faith, made the following answer: "It is sucked the Christian religion in with her true," said he, “I did in some measure aban- milk, and was entirely devoted to the Redon my God when I engaged in the army, deemer of mankind. The magistrate, findand scarce deserve the name of a Christian. ing her resolute, delivered her to her broBut the Almighty has given me the grace to ther, and gave him orders to use his utmost see myself in a true light, and made me sen- endeavors to make her a Mahometan. She, sible of my fault; and I hope he will be however, soon found an opportunity of espleased to accept my life as the only sacri- caping over a wall in the night, and of sefice I can now offer to expiate my guilt." creting herself in the house of a Christian. This pious answer confounded the officer, She then withdrew to Tucci, a village of who only replied, that he should presently Andalusia, where she met with her sister, have an opportunity of giving that proof of and they never separated again till her mar. his fidelity to his master. Upon which, Theo- tyrdom. dore and the rest, forty-two in number, were beheaded.

MARTYRDOM OF TWO LADIES.

Mary, who was martyred at the same time, was the daughter of a Christian tradesman at Estremadura, who afterwards removed to a town near Corduba. When the Two ladies of distinction, Mary and Flora, persecution began under Abderrama, king suffered martyrdom at the same time. Flora of the Saracens in Spain, Mary's brother was the daughter of an eminent Mahometan was one who fell a victim to the rage of the at Seville; from whence he removed to Cor-infidels on that occasion. Mary, hearing of duba, where the Saracen king resided, and his martyrdom, and filled with confusion at kept his court. Her father dying when she being left behind by one so much younger was young, Flora was left to the care of her than herself, went to Corduba, where, going mother, who, being a Christian, brought her into a church, she found Flora, who had left up in the true faith, and inspired her with her retreat on the same motive. On consentiments of virtue and religion. Her bro- versing together, and finding they acted upon ther being a professed enemy to Christianity, the same heroic principles, and proposed the and of a barbarous and savage temper, Flora same glorious end of their labors, they agreed was for some time obliged to use great cau- to go together, and declare their faith before tion in the practice of such virtues as must the judge. Accordingly they proceeded to have exposed her to a persecution. She was the magistrate, when Flora boldly told him, too zealous to bear this restraint long; for she looked upon Mahomet as no better than which reason she left Corduba, in company a false prophet, an adulterer, and magician. with her sister. Her departure soon alarm- Mary also told the magistrate, that she proed her brother, who guessed her motives, fessed the same faith and entertained the and, in revenge, informed against several same sentiments as Flora, and that she was Christians of Corduba; for as he did not sister to Walabonzus, who had already sufknow whither his sister was gone, he de- fered for being a Christian. This behavior termined to wreak his vengeance on such so much enraged the magistrate, that he - Christians as were present. When Flora ordered them to be committed to prison for was informed of these proceedings, she con- some time, and then to be beheaded: which sidered herself as the cause of what the sentence was executed on the 4th of NovemChristians had suffered at Corduba, and hav-ber, A. D. 850. ing an interior conviction that God called ACCOUNT OF PERFECTUS. her to fight for her faith, she returned to that city, and proceeded to the persecutors, Perfectus was born at Corduba, and among whom she found her brother. "If," brought up in the Christian faith. He made said she, "I am the object of your inquiry, himself master of all the useful and polite if the servants of God are tormented on my literature of that age; and at length took account, I now freely offer myself to your priest's orders, and performed the duties of disposal. I declare, that I believe in Jesus his office with great assiduity and punctualiChrist, glory in his cross, and profess the ty. One day walking in the streets of Cordoctrine which he taught." None of the duba, some Arabians entered into conversacompany seemed so much enraged at this tion with him, and, among other questions, declaration as her brother, who, after some asked him his opinion both of Jesus Christ

and Mahomet. Perfectus gave them an death of Boriver, her husband, the first duke exact account of the Christian faith, respect- of Bohemia who embraced the faith of Christ; ing the divinity of Christ, and the redemp- and Winceslaus was sent to that city, to be tion of mankind; but would not deliver his brought up under her. Ludmilla undertook sentiments concerning Mahomet. The Ara- to form his heart to devotion and the love of bians pressed him to speak freely; but he God, and was assisted in that work by Paul saying, that what he should utter would not her chaplain, a man of great sanctity and be agreeable to their ideas, and therefore he prudence, who likewise endeavored to culwould be silent, as he did not wish to offend tivate his mind in other respects. The young any one; they still entreated him to speak prince corresponded with their endeavors; his thoughts, declaring at the same time and the grace of God, who had prepared him that they would not be offended at any thing for their instructions, caused him to make he should say. Hence, believing them sin- astonishing progress: he was sent to a colcere, and hoping this might be the favorable lege at Budweis, about sixty miles from time allotted by God for their conversion, Prague, where several young persons of the Perfectus told them that the Christians first rank were placed, and studied under an looked on Mahomet as one of the false excellent master, a native of Neisse, in prophets foretold in the gospel, who were to Silesia. seduce and deceive great numbers, to their When Wrattislaus died, his son Winceseternal ruin. To illustrate this assertion, he laus was very young: on which account descanted on some of the actions of that im- Drahomira, his mother, declared herself repostor; endeavored to show them the impious gent during his minority. This princess, doctrines and abominable absurdities of the now not having any one to control her, gave Alcoran; and exhorted them, in very strong vent to her rage against Christianity. She terms, to quit the miserable state in which began her administration with an order for they then were, and which would certainly shutting up the churches; repealed the laws be followed by eternal misery. in favor of the Christians, and removed all

The infidels could not hear such a dis- magistrates of that denomination, supplying course without conceiving an indignation their places with Pagans. Thus finding against the speaker. They thought proper, themselves encouraged, the Pagans, upon however, to disguise their resentment, but any frivolous pretence, murdered the Chriswere resolved not to let him escape. At tians with impunity; and if a Christian in first, indeed, they were unwilling to use any his own defence killed a Pagan, his life, and violence to him, because they had given him that of nine other Christians, were forfeited. a solemn assurance he should come to no Ludmilla was afflicted at these proceedharm but they were soon eased of that ings, as she could not behold a religion descruple; and watching a favorable opportu- spised which she professed, and which her nity, seized on him, hurried him away to consort had established with so much diffione of their chief magistrates, and accused culty and zeal. Yet she could not think of him of blaspheming their great prophet; on any expedient to prevent the total extirpawhich, the judge ordered him to be put in tion of Christianity in Bohemia, except perchains, and confined in prison, till the fast of suading Winceslaus, young as he was, to astheir Ramadan, or Lent, when he should be sume the reins of government. Winceslaus made a victim to Mahomet. He heard the at first declined engaging in this task; but determination with joy, and prepared for his upon his grandmother promising to assist him martyrdom with great fervency. At the with her advice, he complied with her retime appointed he was led to the place of quest; and, to prevent future disputes, diexecution, where he again made a confes- vided the country between himself and his sion of his faith, declared Mahomet an im- younger brother Bolislaw, whose name is postor, and insisted, that the Alcoran was still retained by a town and a considerable filled with absurdities and blasphemies. In district of that country. Drahomira now atconsequence of this he was sentenced to be tached herself to Bolislaw, who was a Pabeheaded, and was executed A. D. 850; after which his body was interred by the Christians.

WINCESLAUS, DUKE OF BOHEMIA.

gan, and followed implicitly her maxims. Concerning the behavior of Winceslaus after his assuming the sovereignty, and the fate of the aged and worthy Ludmilla, the annals of Bohemia state these particulars: “WinWinceslaus, duke of Bohemia, was edu- ceslaus, pursuant to the impressions of vircated in the faith of Christ, as his father tue which he had received from his grandWrattislaus, the preceding duke, was a good mother, and others employed in his education, Christian; but Drahomira, his mother, was was more careful than ever to preserve the a Pagan, whose morals were as bad as her innocence of his morals, and acquired some religious sentiments: she consented, how-new degree of perfection every day. He ever, to intrust her mother, Ludmilla, with was as humble, sober, and chaste, when masthe education of her eldest son. That holy ter of his own motions, and in full possession lady had resided at Prague ever since the of sovereign authority, as when under the

Radislaus accepted the proposal with joy.

government of those on whom he was taught ingly raised a considerable body of forces, and to look as his superiors. He spent great part marched against the enemy. When the two of the night in prayer, and the whole day in armies were ready to engage, Winceslaus acts of piety; directing all his views to the obtained a conference with Radislaus, and establishment of peace, justice, and religion, observed, that as it would be unjust to hazard in his dominions. He was assisted in these the lives of so many innocent men, the most charitable and truly Christian labors by able eligible method of putting an end to the ministers; and nothing of consequence was dispute would be by single combat between done without the advice of Ludmilla. This themselves. excellent princess being informed that Drahomira, transported with rage at the success thinking that he was much more expert in of her directions, had formed a design against the use of arms than his antagonist. They her life, and that it would scarcely be in her accordingly engaged in sight of the two arpower to save herself, was so far from being mies, and the victory seemed doubtful for disturbed at the apprehensions of death, or some time, till, at length, it declared in favor desisting from what had made her odious to of Winceslaus: when his antagonist was that wicked woman, that she exerted herself obliged to relinquish his pretended claim, more vigorously than ever for the main- and retire into his own country. tenance of religion, and confirming the prince . Winceslaus being thus freed from the in his resolutions. Being now assured that fears of a foreign enemy, turned his thoughts her death was near, and that several persons to domestic reformation. He removed corwere actually employed to dispatch her the rupt judges and magistrates, and filled their first convenient opportunity, she called all places with persons of integrity; put an end her servants together, acknowledged their to oppression, punished such nobles as tyranfidelity in her service with a liberal hand, nized over their vassals, and made other and distributed her goods and money among wise regulations, which, though they rethe poor. Thus divested of all she possessed lieved the poor and helpless, gave great in the world, she went to her chapel, received offence to the great and rich, as they abridged the holy eucharist, and then employed her- their power, and took from them their selfself in prayer, recommended her soul to importance and assumed consequence. Hence God, and expected his will with the utmost many became factious, and the malcontents tranquillity and resignation. This was her censured all his best actions, and spoke consituation, when two ruffians entered the temptuously of his application to prayer, chapel, seized on her, and strangled her with fasting, and other acts of religion, which her own veil." they insinuated were low employments for a The young duke severely felt the loss of prince, and incompatible with the courage his grandmother, yet he did not punish the and policy necessary for the government of offenders, knowing that they had been insti- a state. His mother and brother were the gated to what they did by his mother. He most inveterate of his enemies; and were therefore addressed himself to God only, en- concerting measures for murdering him, treated the throne of grace for his mother's pardon and conversion, and patiently submitted to the dispensations of Providence.

TERRITORIES OF WINCESLAUS INVADED.

when they understood that he had desired the pope to send some priests into his dominions, with whom he proposed to spend the remainder of his days in a religious retreat. This news suspended the execution of their As many factions were fomented in his conspiracy for some time; but, perceiving doininions by means of his mother and bro- the affair did not come to a conclusion so ther, and as Winceslaus himself seemed soon as was necessary for their ambitious of an unwarlike disposition, a neighboring views, they reassumed their practices against prince, Radislaus of Gurima, determined to him, and gained their ends in the following invade Bohemia. He accordingly entered treacherous manner: that country at the head of a considerable Bolislaw having been some time married, army. Winceslaus, on hearing of these pro- his princess brought him forth a son. This ceedings, sent a message to the invader, to circumstance, which should have diffused joy know what offence he had given him, and throughout the family, furnished Drahomira what terms he required to quit his dominions. and Bolislaw with an idea of the most horrid Radislaus, mistaking the temper of Winces- nature, and the innocent infant was made laus, looked upon this message as arising the object for perpetrating a deed of unexfrom timidity; he therefore answered in a ampled cruelty. The scheme concerted behaughty manner, made frivolous excuses for tween them, was to get Winceslaus into having commenced the quarrel, and con- their power. The birth of the child furnished cluded by insisting that Winceslaus should them with a pretence; and a message was surrender to him all his dominions. dispatched to the unsuspecting duke, request. This insolent demand obliged Winceslaus ing his company at an entertainment upon to put himself at the head of an army in de- the occasion. Winceslaus, not having the fence of himself and his people. He accord- least surmise of their intention, repaired to

ADALBERT, BISHOP OF PRAGUE.

the court of Bolislaw, where he was received June the same year; and he was received with the greatest appearance of cordiality. at Prague with great demonstrations of pubHe partook of the entertainment, and was lic joy. He divided the revenue of his see festive, till it grew rather late, when he re- into four parts, according to the direction of tired before the rest of the company, as he the canons extant in the fifth century. The was not fond of late hours, and never neg- first was employed in the building and ornalected his devotions to the Almighty, previ- ments of the church; the second went to the ons to lying down to rest. When he had maintenance of the clergy; the third was withdrawn, Drahomira urged Bolislaw to fol- laid out for the relief of the poor; and the low his brother instantly, and murder him. fourth reserved for the support of himself The prince took his mother's sanguinary ad- and family; which was always made to invice, and repairing to his brother's chamber, clude twelve indigent persons, to whom he he found him kneeling, and in fervent prayer, allowed daily subsistence. He performed his when he rushed upon him, and plunged a duty with the utmost assiduity, and spent a dagger to his heart. Thus, in A. D. 929, great portion of his time in preaching to and fell Winceslaus, the third duke of Bohemia, exhorting the people. His conduct was disby a most infernal act of treachery and frat- creet and humane; and his manner neither ricide. too severe nor too indulgent. Yet some things which he could not remedy gave him great uneasiness, particularly the having a Adalbert, bishop of Prague, was a Bohe- plurality of wives, and selling the Christians mian by birth. His parents were persons to the Jews for trivial offences. Hence he of rank, but more distinguished for their vir- determined to consult the pope, and made a tue and piety than for their opulence and journey to Rome. John, who then occupied lineage. They had the highest expectations the papal chair, received him with cordiality, of their son, and gave him a good education; and advised him to give up his bishopric, but their joy was damped, by his falling into rather than be the witness of enormities a dropsy, from which he was with difficulty which he could not remedy. He, in conserecovered. When cured, they sent him to quence, determined to take the pope's adMagdeburg, and committed him to the care vice, and to devote the remainder of his days of the archbishop of that city, who completed to mortification and silence; and began by his education. The rapid progress which giving all his treasures to the poor. He was, Adalbert made in human and divine learn- however, before he entirely secluded himing, made him dear to the prelate, who, to self from mankind, desirous of seeing the the authority of a teacher, joined all the ten- Holy Land, and set off accordingly in comderness of a parent. Having spent nine years pany with three persons. at Magdeburg, he retired to his own country On their way, they arrived at Mount Casupon the death of the archbishop, and en- sino, where the chiefs of the monastery of tered himself among the clergy at Prague. that place received them in a very friendly Dithmar, bishop of Prague, died soon after manner, and being apprized of the cause of the return of Adalbert to that city; and, in their journey, when they were about to dehis last moments, expressed great contrition part, the superior of the monastery addressed for having been ambitious and solicitous of himself to Adalbert, and observed to him, worldly honors and riches: Adalbert, who that the journey he had undertaken would was among the number present, was so sen- give him more trouble and uneasiness than sibly affected at the bishop's dying senti- he was aware of; that the frequent desire of ments, that he received them as an admoni- travelling, often proceeded more from a resttion to the strict practice of virtue, which less disposition, than real religion. "Therehe afterwards exercised with the greatest fore," said he, "if you will listen to my adattention, spending his time in prayer, and vice, leave the world at once with sincerity, relieving the poor with his fortune. and settle in some religious community, withSoon after the decease of Dithmar, an as-out desiring to see more than you have alsembly was held for the choice of a successor, ready scen." Adalbert adopted the sentiments which consisted of the clergy of Prague, and of the superior, and took up his residence in the nobility of Bohemia. Adalbert's charac- that monastery, where he then thought he ter determined them to raise him to the va- might live entirely recluse; but he was miscant see, which they did on the 19th of taken; for the priests, by accident, coming February, 983, and immediately dispatched to a knowledge of the rank and former digmessengers to Verona, to desire Otho II. nity of their colleague, began to treat him would confirm the election. The emperor with great deference and respect, which ocgranted the request, ordered Adalbert to re-casioned him to leave the place. Nilus, a pair to court for investiture, gave him the Grecian, being then at the head of a comring and crosier, and then sent him to the munity not far from Mount Cassino, Adalarchbishop of Mentz for consecration. That bert went to him, and begged to be received cer mony was performed on the 29th of into his monastery. He assured him he