After the death of Commodus reigned Pertinax 1but few months: after whom succeeded Severus, 2under whom was raised the fifth persecution. He reigned 18. years, and in the first ten was very favourable, afterward through false accusations and suggestions, he caused to be proclaimed, that no Christian should be suffered: whereupon an infinite number were slain, this was about the year 205. §205the crimes objected, were rebellion against the Emperor, Sacrilege, murdering of Infants, incestuous pollutions, eating raw flesh, libidinous commixture, worshipping the head of an ass: which is thought to have been raised by the Jews, also for worshipping of the Sun: which rose because either they used daily to sing unto the Lord, or because they used ⟨p. 19⟩to pray toward the East. But the special matter against them was, that they would not worship Idols. The Presidents and chief under the Emperor of this persecution were, Hilarius, 3Vigellius, Claudius, Hermianus, ruler of Cappadocia. Celicius, Capella, Vespronius, Demetrius mentioned of Cyprian, and Aquila Judge of Alexandria. The places where these persecutions raged were Africa, Alexandria, Cappadocia, and Carthage. The number infinite: of which the first was Leonides, 4the father of Origen, who although he were but of the age of seventeen years, greatly desired to have suffered with his father, had not his mother privily in the night stolen away his garments and his shirt, and so for shame he was constrained to tarry at home: yet he wrote to his father, Take heed to your self that you turn not your thought and purpose for our sakes
AFter the death of Commodus raigned Pertinax 1but few moneths: after whō succéeded Seuerus, 2vnder whom was raised the fifth persecution. He raigned 18. yéeres, and in the first ten was very fauourable, afterward through false accusations and suggestions, he caused to be proclaimed, that no Christian should be suffered: wherevpon an infinite number were slaine, this was about the yéere 205. §205the crimes obiected, were rebellion against the Emperour, Sacrilege, murthering of Infants, incestuous pollutions, eating raw flesh, libidinous cōmixture, worshipping the head of an asse: which is thought to haue béene raised by the Iewes, also for worshipping of the Sunne: which rose because eyther they vsed dayly to sing vnto the Lord, or bycause they vsed ⟨p. 19⟩to pray toward the East. But the speciall matter agaynst them was, that they would not woorshippe Idoles. The Presidents and chiefe vnder the Emperour of this persecution were, Hilarius, 3Vigellius, Claudius, Hermianus, ruler of Cappadocia. Celicius, Capella, Vespronius, Demetrius mentioned of Cyprian, and Aquila Iudge of Alexandria. The places where these persecutions raged were Africa, Alexandria, Cappadocia, and Carthage. The number infinite: of which the first was Leonides, 4the father of Origen, who although he were but of the age of seuentéen yéers, greatly desired to haue suffered with his father, had not his mother priuily in the night stollen away his garments and his shirt, and so for shame he was constrained to tarrie at home: yet he wrote to his father, Take héede to your selfe that you turne not your thought and purpose for our sakes
- 1Pertinax.
- 2Severus.Seuerus.
- 3Hillarius &c.
- 4Leonides.
