2. God hath always propagated Religion by sufferings. 1The foundation of the Church hath been laid in blood*, and these sanguine showers have ever made it more fruitful. Cain put the knife to Abel's throat, and ever since, the Churches veins have bled; but she is like the Vine, which by bleeding grows; and like the Palm-tree, which may have this motto, Percussa resurgit; the more weight is laid upon it, the higher it riseth. The holiness and patience of the ⟨p. 113⟩Saints under their persecutions, hath much added both to the growth of Religion, and the Crown. Basil, and Tertul. observe of the Primitive Martyrs, that divers of the Heathens seeing their zeal and constancy, turned Christians. Religion is that Phoenix which hath always revived and flourished in the ashes of holy men. Isaiah sawen asunder; Peter crucified at Jerusalem with his head downwards*; Cyprian Bishop of Carthage, Polycarp of Smyrna, both martyred for Religion; yet evermore the Truth hath been sealed most by blood, and gloriously dispersed; whereupon Julian did forbear to persecute, non ex clementia, sed invidia; not out of pity, but envy, because the Church grew so fast, and multiplied as Nazianzen well observes.
2. God hath alwayes propagated Religion by sufferings. 1The foundation of the Church hath been laid in blood*, and these sanguine showres have ever made it more fruitful. Cain put the knife to Abels throat, and ever since, the Churches veins have bled; but she is like the Vine, which by bleeding growes; and like the Palm-tree, which may have this motto, Percussa resurgit; the more weight is laid upon it, the higher it riseth. The holinesse and patience of the ⟨p. 113⟩Saints under their persecutions, hath much added both to the growth of Religion, and the Crowne. Basil, and Tertul. observe of the Primitive Martyrs, that divers of the Heathens seeing their zeale and constancy, turned Christians. Religion is that Phenix which hath alwayes revived and flourished in the ashes of holy men. Isaiah sawen asunder; Peter crucified at Ierusalem with his head downwards*; Cyprian Bishop of Carthage, Polycarp of Smyrna, both marryr'd for Religion; yet evermore the Truth hath been sealed most by blood, and gloriously dispersed; whereupon Iulian did forbeare to persecute, non ex clementia, sed invidia; not out of pity, but envy, because the Church grew so fast, and multiplied as Nazianzen well observes.
- 12. Reply.
- *Sanguine fundata est Ecclesia, sanguine crevit.
- *Euseb.
