Capitolina: he therefore inquired more par- Cæsar, who reigned in the East. Lucian, a ticularly concerning it. The Christian who learned Syrian, a man of so benevolent a had spoken before, again replied, and pursuing temper, that he disposed of the greatest part the allegory, described, with great force of of his fortune in charitable actions, was apimagination, the beauty, riches, and strength prehended as a Christian, imprisoned during of the place. Firmilian still mistaking his nine years, put to the rack, rolled upon sharp meaning, by understanding his words in a flints, nails, &c. and then being tortured to literal sense, became much alarmed; for not death, his body was thrown into the sea; but dreaming that a heavenly city was alluded to, it was afterwards cast on shore, and received he fancied that the Christians were strength- interment. ening and fortifying some place, in order to revolt from their allegiance to the emperor. Prejudiced by this mistake, and enraged at their supposed disloyalty, he condemned the five prisoners to be cruelly tormented, and then beheaded; which sentence was executed on the 16th of February, A. D. 309.

PAMPHILIUS AND MANY OTHERS PUT TO
DEATH.

Valentine, a priest, suffered the same fate at Rome; and Erasmus, a bishop, was martyred in Campania; Cosmus and Damian, Arabians, and brothers, were put to death in Cilicia; Adrian, an imperial officer, was beheaded; Barbara, a young lady, was martyred at Nicomedia; Lucy, a virgin, was put to death at Syracuse; and Serena, the empress of Diocletian, was beheaded for avowing herself a Christian. Innumerable other Pamphilius, a native of Phoenicia, of a persons, of all ranks, suffered death for the considerable family, was a man of such ex- love of Christ, during this most dreadful tensive learning, that he was called a second persecution, but their names have not been Origen. He was received amongst the cler-preserved; indeed, such was the horrible gy at Cæsarea, where he spent his time in cruelty of the Pagans, that they shut up the the practice of every Christian virtue. He doors of a church in which a Christian concopied the greatest part of the works of gregation were assembled, and having set Origen with his own hand, and, assisted by fire to the building, every person perished. Eusebius, gave a correct copy of the Old The following remarkable instance is a Testament, which had suffered greatly by proof of the power of the Almighty to endue the ignorance or negligence of former tran- those who suffer for his cause with fortitude scribers. He likewise gave public lectures sufficient to disappoint the malicious expectaon religious and literary subjects, in an tions of their persecutors, and to triumph, academy which he had erected for that pur- even in death, over the arts of their adverpose, till the year 307, when he was appre-saries. Barlaam, a noble martyr, having been hended, and carried before Urban, the gov- tortured with the utmost severity, even to ernor of Palestine, who exerted himself to the point of death, the tormentors at last induce him to embrace Paganism. Finding laid him upon the Pagan altar, and put frankhis endeavors vain, he began to threaten him; incense into his hand, which they lighted, but Pamphilius maintained his resolution, whereupon he was immediately tortured severely, and then sent to prison.

MARTYRDOM OF ST. GEORGE.

imagining that the heat and force of the fire would oblige him to scatter the burning incense on the altar, that they might thereby Soon after, Urban having displeased the say that he had sacrificed; but in this they emperor, was displaced and beheaded; but were disappointed, for the flame went round another governor was appointed, who was his hand, which appeared as if it had been equally prejudiced against the Christians. covered with red-hot embers, while he utPamphilius suffered martyrdom under the tered this exclamation of the psalmist :new governor, by being beheaded; together" Blessed is the Lord my God, who teacheth with Valens, a deacon of the church of Jeru- my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." salem; and Paul, a layman, of Jamnia, in After which he surrendered his soul to his Palestine. Porphyrius, the servant of Pam- Redeemer. philius, was burnt by a straw fire, for only requesting leave to bury the body of his master and other martyrs who suffered. George was born in Cappadocia, of ChrisTheodulus, a venerable and faithful servant tian parents; by whom he was instructed in to Firmilian the governor, being accused of the tenets of the gospel. His father dying the Christian faith, confessed the charge, and when he was young, he travelled with his was, by order of his master, crucified, on mother into Palestine, which was her native February 17, A. D. 309; and, on the same country, where she inherited an estate, which day, Julian, a Cappadocian, was burnt. Mar- afterwards descended to her son. George cellus, bishop of Rome, being banished on being active and spirited, became a soldier, account of his faith, fell a martyr to the and was made a tribune or colonel. In this miseries he suffered in exile, A. Ď. 310, on post he exhibited great proofs of his courage, the 16th of January. Peter, the sixteenth and was promoted in the army of Diocletian bishop of Alexandria, was martyred Novem-During the persecution, he threw up his ber 25, A. D. 311, by order of Maximus command, went boldly to the senate-house,

and avowed his being a Christian, taking an inauspicious omen, portending an unfor occasion at the same time to remonstrate tunate expedition; the emperor himself did against Paganism. This conduct so greatly not understand it, till at length our Savior provoked the senate, that he was ordered to appeared to him in a vision, with the cross be tortured, which he underwent with great in his hand, commanding him to make a royal constancy. He was afterwards, by the em- standard, like that he had seen in the heaperor's orders, dragged through the streets, vens, and cause it to be continually carried and beheaded. The calendar commemorates his martyrdom on the 23d of April; many churches have been dedicated to him, and he is considered as the tutelar saint and patron of England.*

before his army, as an ensign both of victory and safety. Early the next morning, Constantine informed his friends and officers of what he had seen in the night, and sending for proper workmen, sat down by them and described to them the form of the standard,

CONSTANTINE BECOMES THE CHAMPION OF which he then ordered them to make with the THE CHRISTIANS. greatest art and magnificence; and accordConstantine the Great at length deter-ingly they made it thus: a long spear, plated mined to redress the grievances of the Chris- with gold, with a traverse piece at the top, tians, for which purpose he raised ar army in the form of a cross, to which was fastened of 30,000 foot, and 8000 horse, with which a four-square purple banner, embroidered he marched towards Rome, against Maxen- with gold, and beset with precious stones, tius, the emperor. But, reflecting on the which reflected an amazing lustre: towards fatal miscarriages of his predecessors, who the top was depicted the emperor between had maintained a multiplicity of gods, and his two sons; on the top of the shaft, above reposed an entire confidence in their assist- the cross, stood a crown, overlaid with gold ance; and considering that while his own and jewels, within which was placed the father adored only one God, he continually sacred symbol, namely, the two first letters prospered; Constantine rejected the adora- of Christ in Greek, X and P, struck one tion of idols, and implored the assistance of through the other: this device he afterwards the Almighty; who heard his prayers, and bore not only upon his shields, but also upon answered them in a manner so surprising his coins, many of which are still extant.” and miraculous, that Eusebius acknowledges it would not have been credible, had he not received it from the emperor's own mouth, who publicly and solemnly ratified the truth upon his oath.

THE VISION OF CONSTANTINE.

DEATH OF MAXIMUS AND LICINIUS.

Afterwards engaging Maxentius, he defeated him, and entered the city of Rome in triumph. A law was now published in favor of the Christians, in which Licinius joined. with Constantine, and a copy of it was sent "The army being advanced near Rome, to Maximus in the East. Maximus, who was and the emperor employed in his devout a bigoted Pagan, greatly disliked the edict, ejaculations, on the 27th day of October, but being afraid of Constantine, did not, howabout three o'clock in the afternoon, when ever, openly avow his disapprobation of it. the sun was declining, there suddenly ap- At length, he invaded the territories of Lipeared to him a pillar of light in the heavens, cinius; but being defeated, put an end to in the form of a cross, with this plain in- his life by poison. The death of Maxentius scription on or about it, TOYTO NIKA, In has already been described.

this overcome.' Constantine was greatly Licinius was not really a Christian, but surprised at this strange sight, which was affected to appear such, through dread of visible to the whole army, who equally won- Constantine's power; for even after publishdered at it with himself. The officers and ing several edicts in favor of the Christians, commanders, prompted by the augurs and he put to death Blase, bishop of Sebaste, sevauspices, or soothsayers, looked upon it as eral bishops and priests of Egypt and Lybia, who were cut to pieces, and thrown into the

*The Order of the Garter, instituted by Edward

III., is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the blessed sea; and forty soldiers of the garrison of Virgin, St. George, and St. Edward the Confessor. Sebaste, who suffered martyrdom by fire. In the badge of the order, St. George is represented This cruelty and hypocrisy greatly incensed on horseback, tilting at a dragon, which is only alle- Constantine; he marched against Licinius, gorical, and implies that he had conquered the devil, and defeated him, and that commander was or the dragon, by his faith in Christianity, and his afterwards siain by his own soldiers. fortitude in adhering thereto.

H 2

Remarks on the Vengeance of God towards the Persecutors of the Christians. We cannot close our account of the ten per- ciously offered to them by Jesus Christ, were secutions under the Roman emperors, without signally punished. Forty years had scarcely calling the attention of the Christian reader elapsed from their crucifixion of our Savior, to the manifestations of the great displeasure when Jerusalem was levelled with the of the Almighty against the persecutors. ground, and more than a million of the Jews History evidently proves, that no nation or killed; innumerable multitudes sold for individual can ultimately prosper, by whom slaves; and many thousands torn to pieces Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is contemned. by wild beasts, or otherwise cruelly slain. During the persecutions of the holy martyrs, Indeed, the nation may be said to have been which we have related above, the Roman annihilated-its political existence was terpeople were the victims of the cruelty and minated, and the descendants of that people, tyranny of their rulers, and the empire was which were once peculiarly favored of God, perpetually torn and distracted by civil wars. are now scattered over the face of the earth In the reign of Tiberius, five thousand per--a byword and a reproach among the nasons were crushed to death by the fall of a tions.

theatre, and on many other occasions the di- Thus it is evident that wickedness and vine wrath was evinced against that cruel infidelity are certainly, though sometimes and merciless nation. slowly, punished by Him who is just, alNeither did the emperors themselves es- though merciful: and if he has hitherto gracape without their just reward. Tiberius ciously refrained from visiting the sins of this was murdered; as were his three immediate nation with the punishment which they desuccessors. Galba, after a reign of only seven serve, let us not be vain of that exemption: months, was put to death by Otho, who, be- let us not attribute it to any merit of our ing vanquished by Vitellius, killed himself. own: but rather let it afford an additional Vitellius, shortly after, was tortured, and his motive to our gratitude and praise; let us body thrown into the Tiber. Titus is said to unfeignedly thank him for his tender mercies have been poisoned by his brother Domitian, daily vouchsafed to us; and, while we bow who was afterwards slain by his wife. Com- before him in humble adoration, let us earnmodus was strangled. Pertinax and Didius estly endeavor to preserve our worship of were put to death; Severus killed himself; him free from that ungodliness and superstiCaracalla slew his brother Geta, and was in tion, of which it has been happily purged his turn slain by Macrinus, who, with his and cleansed by the blood of the holy marson, was afterwards killed by his own sol-tyrs. So shall we not only secure our hapdiers. Heliogabalus was put to death by the piness in this world, but, in the end, attain people. Alexander Severus, a virtuous em- everlasting joy and felicity, through the peror, was murdered by Maximinus, who was merits of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus afterwards slain by his own army. Pupienus Christ, who gave up himself as a precious and Balbinus were murdered by the præto- sacrifice for our transgressions. rian guards. Gordian and Philip were slain. If we be negligent in the defence of the Decius was drowned, and his son killed in pure religion which he has vouchsafed to imbattle. Gallus and Volusianus were mur- part unto us; if we allow that glorious fabdered by Emilianus, who, within three ric, which cost so much blood to raise, to be months afterwards, was himself slain. Va- overturned by the open attack of the Infidel, lerian was taken prisoner by the Persians, or the more dangerous sap and mine of the and at length flayed alive, and his son Gal- Catholic Emancipator; we alone are justly lienus was assassinated. Aurelian was mur- blamable for the consequences that will indered; as were Tacitus, Florianus, and Pro- fallibly ensue; and on our heads will rest bus. Galerius died in a miserable manner, the dreadful responsibility of having surrenas did Maximinus of a horrible and lothe-dered the citadel of our security to those some disease. Maxentius, being conquered who await, in anxious expectation, the moby Constantine, was drowned in his attempt ment when the weakness of some, and the to escape; and Licinius was deposed, and indifference of others, shall allow the power slain by his soldiers. to pass from their hands, under the deluThe Jews, also, for their obstinacy and sive hope of seeing it exercised with modewickedness in rejecting the gospel so gra- ration.

н 3

wash the images of those goddesses; and the likewise unroofed the church, walled up the washing was considered as a material part doors, embezzled the plate, and burnt the of the adoration of the idols. scriptures.

Accordingly, they were forced to the tem- When Philip was taken to the marketple: but absolutely refusing to wash the idols, place, he was ordered to sacrifice to the Rothe governor was so enraged, that he ordered man deities in general, and to Hercules in them all to have stones tied about their particular; in answer to which command, he necks, and to be pushed into the water in-made an animated address on the real nature tended for the washing, in which they were of the Deity; and concluded, that from what drowned. he had already said, it appeared that the heathens worshipped what might lawfully be trodden on, and made gods of such things as Providence had designed for their service.

A Christian, of the name of Timothy, being carried before Urban, governor of Palestine, was sentenced to be burnt to death by a slow fire; which sentence was executed at Gaza, on the 19th day of August, A. D. 304.

The governor then tried the constancy of Hermes, but finding him as inflexible as the bishop, he committed them both to prison. Soon after this, a new governor, named Justin, arrived; but he was equally cruel as his

ACTIONS OF PHILIP, BISHOP OF HERACLEA. Philip, bishop of Heraclea, had, in every act of his life, appeared as a good Christian; predecessor. the chief of his disciples were Severus, a Philip was then dragged by the feet priest, and Hermes, a deacon, who all did through the streets, severely scourged, and much to promote the cause of Christianity. brought again to the governor, who charged This worthy bishop was advised to secrete him with obstinate rashness, in continuing himself, in order to avoid the persecution; disobedient to the imperial decrees; but he but he reproved those who counselled him so boldly replied, that "he was obliged to prefer to do, telling them that their merit would heaven to earth, and to obey God rather than be enhanced by their sufferings, and that man.' ." On this the governor immediately death had no terror for the virtuous. He passed sentence on him to be burnt, which therefore publicly performed his duty. was executed accordingly, and he expired,

An officer, named Aristomachus, being singing praises to God in the midst of the employed to shut up the Christian church in fire. Hermes, for behaving in a similar manHeraclea, Philip took great pains to convince ner, and Severus, who had surrendered himhim, that the shutting up buildings made by self up in order to suffer with his friends, hands could not destroy Christianity, while met with the same fate.

NUMEROUS MARTYRDOMS.

the living temples of the Lord remained; for the true faith consisted not in the places where God is adored, but in the hearts of Agricola was a Christian of so very amiathose who adore God. But being denied ble a disposition, that he even gained the esentrance into the church where he used to teem and admiration of the Pagans. Being preach, Philip took up his station at the door, apprehended, however, he was crucified, in and there exhorted the people to patience, imitation of the death of our Savior; and his perseverance, and godliness. For this he body, together with the cross, was buried at was seized and carried before the governor, Bologna, in Italy. who severely reprimanded him, and then Vitalis, the servant and convert of the continued to speak sternly in these words: above Agricola, was seized upon the same "Bring all the vessels used in your worship, account as his master, and being put to the and the scriptures which you read and teach severity of the torture, died under the hands the people, and surrender them to me, before of his tormentors.

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you are forced thereto by tortures." "If," Carpophorus, Victorius, Severus, and Sereplied the bishop, "you take any pleasure verianus, were brothers, and all were emin seeing us suffer, we are prepared for the ployed in places of great trust and honor in worst you can do. This infirm body is in the city of Rome. Having exclaimed againsi your power; use it as you please. The ves- the worshipping of idols, they were appresels you demand shall be delivered up, for hended, and scourged with the plumbetæ, or God is not honored by gold and silver, but scourges, to the ends of which were fastened by the fear of his power; but as to the sacred leaden balls. This punishment was exer books, it is neither proper for me to part with cised with such cruelty, that the pious bro them, nor for you to receive them." This thers fell martyrs to its severity. answer so much incensed the governor, that A Christian of Aquileia, named Chrysogo he ordered him to the torture. Hermes, nus, was beheaded by order of Diocletian expressing himself freely against such bar- for having instructed Anastasia, a young barities, was ordered to be scourged at the lady of that city, in the Christian faith This young lady was descended from an illus The Pagans having proceeded to the place trious Roman family. Her mother, named where the scriptures and the church plate Flavia, was a Christian, and dying while her were kept, immediately seized them; they daughter was an infant, she bequeathed her

same time.