An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church

Hermannus caused Serena the wife of Diocletian, ¹to be martyred. There were also other Martyrs in Nicomedia, as, Eulampia, Agapen, Irenea, Chronia, and Anastachia: who under Illyricus chief Officer, were burned.

Hermannus caused Serena the wife of Dioclesian, ¹to bée martired. There were also other Martirs in Nicomedia, as, Eulampia, Agapen, Irenea, Chronia, and Anastachia: who vnder Illyricus chiefe Officer, were burned.

1. 1Serena, the wife of the emperor martyredSerena, the wife of the emperor martired

Maximinus burned 2000. ¹Christians together in one Temple, men, women, and children.

1. 1Two thousand together in a Temple, burned.

In Arabia many Martyrs were slain with axes. In Phrygia there was a whole City of Christians compassed, set on fire, and burned.¹

In Arabia many Martirs were slaine with axes. In Phrygia there was a whole Citie of Christians compassed, set on fire, and burned.¹

1. 1A whole city of Christians burned.A whole citie of Christians burned.

In Arabrate, a Region nigh Armenia, Eustachius, that Countryman borne, and Sheriff under the Emperor at Lycia, in the East, having there done execution on the christians, was converted, and confessed himself a Christian: & after divers strange torments, was carried to Sebastia, with the rest of his companions, and there burned,

In Arabrate, a Region nigh Armenia, Eustachius, that Countreyman borne, and Sheriffe vnder the Emperor at Lycia, in the East, hauing there done execution on the christians, was conuerted, and confessed himselfe a Christian: & after diuers strange tormentes, was carried to Sebastia, with the rest of his companions, and there burned,

At that time also suffered Eugenius, Auxentius, ¹Marderius. And in no less manner raged this persecution in Egypt, where Peleus, and Nilus, ²Bishops, were martyred. But especially in Alexandria the rage was great, where Peter the Bishop of Alexandria suffered, with the Elders of the same church, Faustus, Didius, Ammonius, Phildas, ³Hesichius, Pachiminus, and Theodorus, beside many other.

At that time also suffered Eugenius, Auxentius, ¹Marderius. And in no lesse manner raged this persecution in Egypt, where Peleus, and Nilus, ²Bishops, were martyred. But especially in Alexandria the rage was great, where Peter the Bishop of Alexandria suffered, with the Elders of the same church, Faustus, Didius, Ammonius, Phildas, ³Hesichius, Pachiminus, and Theodorus, beside many other.

1. 1Eustachius.
2. 2Peleus and Nilus.
3. 3The B. with the Elders, martyred. A legion of Christians martyred.The B. with the Elders, martired. A legion of Christians martired.

The whole legion of Christian Soldiers, which (to the number of 6660. lay at Thebes in Egypt, under the Christian Captain Mauritius) refusing to worship Images, were tithed to death once, and then again: and last, through the exhortation of Mauritius, ¹died all together constant in faith ⟨p. 46⟩Likewise at Anteno divers Christian Martyrs suffered death together. Among whom were, Ascla, Philemon, and Apollonius. And in other parts of Africa, and Mauritania, was great persecution. Also in Samnium, & Scilia, where 79. ²were put to death.

The whole legion of Christian Souldiers, which (to the number of 6660. lay at Thebes in Egypt, vnder the Christian Captaine Mauritius) refusing to worshippe Images, were tithed to death once, and then againe: and last, through ye exhortation of Mauritius, ¹died al together constant in faith ⟨p. 46⟩Likewise at Anteno diuers Christian Martirs suffered death together. Among whom were, Ascla, Philemon, and Apollonius. And in other parts of Africa, and Mauritania, was great persecution. Also in Samnium, & Scilia, where 79. ²were put to death.

1. 1Mauritius.
2. 279. martyred.79. martired.

Now in Europe, at Nicopolis in Thracia, the Martyrs were miserably handled by Lysia. In Chalcedon suffered Euphenia, under Priscus the Proconsul

Now in Europe, at Nicopolis in Thracia, the Martirs were miserably handled by Lysia. In Chalcedon suffered Euphenia, vnder Priscus the Proconsul

¹At Rome, Johannes, and Crispus, being Priests had the execution of Martyrs. At Bohemia, Agricola, & Vitalis: and at Aquileia, the Emperor commanded every man to kill the Christians. Among those, Felices, and Fortunatus are recorded. In other places also of Italy, the persecution was great: as, at Florentia, Pergamus, Naples, Campania, Beneventus, at Venusa in Apulia, in Thussia, and at Verona.

¹At Rome, Iohannes, and Crispus, being Priestes had the execution of Martirs. At Bohemia, Agricola, & Vitalis: and at Aquileia, the Emperor commanded euery man to kil the Christians. Among those, Felices, and Fortunatus are recorded. In other places also of Italie, the persecutiō was great: as, at Florentia, Pergamus, Naples, Cāpania, Beneuentus, at Venusa in Apulia, in Thussia, and at Verona.

1. 1Great persecution in Italy.

In France. Rectorianus was a cruel persecutor. At Mediolanum suffered Victor.¹

In Fraunce. Rectorianus was a cruell persecutor. At Mediolanum suffered Victor.¹

1. 1Victor.

At Massilia, Maximianus setteth out his decree, that all ye refused to do sacrifice, should with divers torments be slain. In Beluacus suffered Lucian.¹

At Massilia, Maximianus setteth out his decrée, that all ye refused to doe sacrifice, should with diuers tormentes be slaine. In Beluacus suffered Lucian.¹

1. 1Lucian.

In Spain likewise was great persecution, as at Emerita, where suffered Eulalia, and Adula: where also suffered Vincentia, Sabina, and Christiana.

In Spayne likewise was great persecution, as at Emerita, where suffered Eulalia, and Adula: where also suffered Vincentia, Sabina, and Christiana.

¹At Toletum suffered Leucadia the virgin. At Caesarea, Augusta: Where were put to death xviij. beside a great nun ber of Martyrs which suffered under Decianus the Governor, who afflicted with persecution, all the coasts of Spain. And the foresaid Rectorianus made such Persecution at Trevers,² near the river of Mosella, that the blood of christian men that were slain,³ ran like a little brook, and coloured many rivers. And round about all quarters he commā dead horsemen to ride, and charge the people to kill the Christians, as they found them.

¹At Toletum suffered Leucadia the virgin. At Cesarea, Augusta: Where were put to death xviij. beside a great nū ber of Martirs which suffered vnder Decianus the Gouernor, who afflicted with persecutiō, all ye coasts of Spain. And the foresaide Rectorianus made such Persecution at Treuers,² néere the riuer of Mosella, that the bloud of christian men that were slaine,³ ran like a litle brooke, and coloured many riuers. And round about all quarters he commā ded horsemen to ride, and charge the people to kill the Christians, as they found them.

1. 118. martyred.18. martired.
2. 2Persecution in Spain.Persecution in Spaine.
3. 3Rivers died with blood of Christians.Riuers died with bloud of Christians.

Moreover, at Colonia was great persecution, where Agrippina ⟨p. 47⟩and Augusta were martyred: as also in the province of Rhetia.¹ And in Britain all the Christians were destroyed. The deaths that this tyrant used were diverse, and the torments so grievous as no tongue can utter: as the hanging up of them by one hand,² that they might feel the weight of the rest of their bodies, the scorching and broiling them with coals not unto death, but every day new: with which kind of death the martyrs of Antioch were afflicted, as more at large it appeareth by a letter of Phildas, to the congregation of Thunitans, where he was Bishop before he received the sentence of death, being yet in hands.

Moreouer, at Colonia was great persecutiō, where Agrippina ⟨p. 47⟩and Augusta were martyred: as also in the prouince of Rhetia.¹ And in Brytannie all the Christians were destroyed. The deaths that this tyrant vsed were diuerse, and the torments so gréeuous as no tongue can vtter: as the hanging vp of them by one hand,² that they might féele the waight of the rest of their bodies, the scorching and broylyng them with coales not vnto death, but euery day new: with which kind of death the martyrs of Antioch were afflicted, as more at large it appeareth by a letter of Phildas, to the congregation of Thunitans, where hée was Bishop before hée receiued the sentence of death, beyng yet in handes.

1. 1In Britanny great persetion.
2. 2Strange torments.Straunge torments.

In Thebaid, Eusebius saith, that he himself beheld the persecution, which was so great,¹ that the very swords of the hangmen and persecutors, being blunt with the great and often slaughter, they themselves for weariness sate down to rest them, and other were fain to take their places. But the martyrs nothing dismayed, bare all with patience, for his sake.

In Thebaid, Eusebius saith, that he himselfe beheld the persecution, which was so great,¹ that the very swords of the hangmen and persecutors, being blunt with the great and often slaughter, they themselues for wearinesse sate down to rest them, and other were faine to take their places. But the martyrs nothing dismayed, bare all with patience, for his sake.

1. 1The persecutors wearied with slaughter.

In this persecution one Miletus gave back, and the Bishop of Lycus a city in little Egypt,¹ whom Peter the Bishop of Alexandria did therefore excommunicate. So did Marcellinus Bishop of Rome, being persuaded thereto by Diocletian, wherefore he was excommunicated, but afterward repented, and was also martyred.

In this persecution one Miletus gaue backe, and the Bishoppe of Lycus a citie in litle Egypt,¹ whom Peter the Bishop of Alexandria did therfore excommunicate. So did Marcellinus Bishop of Rome, being perswaded thereto by Dioclesian, wherefore he was excommunicated, but afterward repented, and was also martired.

1. 1Revolt.Reuolt.