1I suppose that more cruel torments cannot be invented then of old have been inflicted on Christians. dPersecutors have acknowledged that they were overcome; and had no more to inflict. Yet was all that they did or could inflict but humane (as was noted before) such as flesh and blood by the assistance of the divine Spirit could and did endure: which assistance was afforded not only to estrong men, but also to women and young children, who were given up to be tormented. Neither were they only a few choice persons who endured Martyrdom in Christs cause, but such multitudes year after year, month after month, week after week, day after day, as an ancient Father testifieth, that fthere was never a day in the year, except the first of January, whereunto the number of five hundred Martyrs at least might not be ascribed. gSo many one after another in one day suffered, as the Executioner blunted his sword, and with the pains he took, fainted. That which many of them endured, though to flesh flesh and blood it seemed intolerable, yet with much patience, hexcellent cheerfulness, and divine courage they endured it. They were not as Bears hauled to the stake, but while persecutors were sitting on their judgement seats and condemning some Christians, iothers leaped in and professed themselves to be Christians: and suffered the uttermost that could be inflicted ⟨p. 35⟩kwith joyfulness, and a kind of pleasantness, singing Psalms as long as their breath lasted: as Paul and Silas did, being after sore scourging put into the stocks in a prison, Acts 16.23, 24, 25.
1I suppose that more cruell torments cannot bee invented then of old have beene inflicted on Christians. dPersecutors have acknowledged that they were overcome; and had no more to inflict. Yet was all that they did or could inflict but humane (as was noted before) such as flesh and blood by the assistance of the divine Spirit could and did endure: which assistance was afforded not only to estrong men, but also to women and young children, who were given up to be tormented. Neither were they onely a few choise persons who endured Martyrdome in Christs cause, but such multitudes yeare after yeare, moonth after moonth, week after week, day after day, as an ancient Father testifieth, that fthere was never a day in the yeare, except the first of Ianuary, whereunto the number of five hundred Martyrs at least might not be ascribed. gSo many one after another in one day suffered, as the Executioner blunted his sword, and with the paines he took, fainted. That which many of them endured, though to flesh flesh and blood it seemed intolerable, yet with much patience, hexcellent cheerefullnesse, and divine courage they endured it. They were not as Beares hall'd to the stake, but while persecutors were sitting on their judgement seates and condemning some Christians, iothers leaped in and prof•ssed themselves to be Christians: and suffered the uttermost that could be inflicted ⟨p. 35⟩kwith joyfullnesse, and a kinde of pleasantnesse, singing Psalmes as long as their breath lasted: as Paul and Silas did, being after soare scourging put into the stocks in a prison, Acts 16.23, 24, 25.
- 1M•ny Martyrs of all ages and se•es.
- dSe victos esse nec habere amplius quod inferrent confessi s•nt. Euseb. Ec. Hist. l. 5. c. 1.
- eViri cum mulieribus, & ad••dum par vulis, torme•tis tradu•tur. Euseb. loc. citat.Ʋiri cum mulieribus, & ad••dum par vulis, torme•tis tradu•tur. Euseb. loc. citat.
- fNullus dies qui non ultra quinque millium numerum Martyrum reperiri posset ascriptus, excepto die Calendarum Januarij Hier. ad Heliod.Nullus dies qui non ultra quinque millium numerum Martyrum reperiri posset ascriptus, excepto die Calendarum Ianuarij Hier. ad Heliod.
- gComplures •no die cumulatim perpessi sunt, ita ut lictor gladium s•um h•bitaret, l•borandoque defi•eret. Euseb. Eccles. Hist. l. 8. c. 9.
- hPraeclaram •la•ritatem ac revera divinam virtutem Martyrum vidimu•.
- iAssiliebant alij ad ipsum judicij tribunal, •eque ipsos Christianos esse confiten•es, &c.
- kCum gaudio risuque ac •ilaritate extremam mortis sententiam suscipi•••••, it a ut Psalerent, &c. Euseb. loc […].
