The like example of Gods wrathful punishment is to be noted no less in the Romans also themselves.1 For when Tiberius Caesar, having received by letters from Pontius Pilate, of the doings of christ, of his miracles. Resurrection, and ascension into heaven, & how he was received as God of many, was himself also moved with belief of the same, and did confer thereof with the whole Senate of Rome, to have Christ adored as god: but they not agreeing thereunto refused him, because that contrary to the law of the Romans, he was consecrated, (said they) for God, before the Senate of Rome had so decreed & approved him.2 &c. Tertul. Apol. cap. 5. Thus the vain Senate following rather the law of man, then of God, & which were contented with the Emperor to reign over them, were not con tented with the meek king of glory the Son of God to be their king. And therefore after much like sort to the Jews were scourged and entrapped for their unjust refusing, by the same way which they themselves did prefer. For as they preferred the Emperor, and rejected Christ, so the just permission of God, did stir up their own Emperors against them in such sort, that both the Senators themselves were almost all devoured, & the whole City most horrible afflicted the space almost of 300. years together. For first the same Tiberius, which for a great part of his reign was a moderate and a tolerable Prince, afterward was to them a sharp and heavy tyrant, who neither favoured his own mother, nor spared his own nenewes, nor the Princes of the City, such as were his own counsellors, of whom to the number of xx, he left not past two or three alive,3 & so cruel was he to the City, that as the story recordeth: Nullus a paena hominum cessabat dies, ne religiosus quidem ac sacer. Suet. reporteth him to be so stern of nature and tyrannical, that in time of his reign, very many were accused and condemned with their wives & children, Maids also first deflowered, then put to death. In one day he recordeth .xx. persons to be drawn to the place of execution. By whom also, through the just punishment of God Pilate under whom Christ was crucified, was apprehended and accused at Rome, deposed, then banished to the town of Lyonce, and at length did slay himself. Neither did Herod and Caiaphas long escape,4 of whom more followeth hereafter.
The like example of Gods wrathful punishment is to be noted no lesse in the Romanes also themselues.1 For when Tiberius Caesar, hauing receaued by letters frō Pontius Pilate, of the doings of christ, of his miracles. Resurrection, and ascention into heauen, & how he was receiued as God of many, was himselfe also mooued with beliefe of the same, and did conferre thereof with the whole Senate of Rome, to haue Christ adored as god: but they not agreyng therunto refused him, because that contrary to the law of the Romanes, he was consecrated, (said they) for God, before the Senate of Rome had so decred & approued him.2 &c. Tertul. Apol. cap. 5. Thus the vaine Senate following rather the law of man, then of God, & which were contented with the Emperour to reigne ouer them, were not cō tented with the meeke king of glory the sonne of God to be their king. And therfore after much like sort to ye Iewes were scourged and intrapped for their vniust refusing, by the same way which they themselues did preferre. For as they preferred the Emperour, and reiected Christ, so the iust permission of God, did stirre vp their owne Emperours against them in such sort, that both the Senatours themselues were almost all deuoured, & the whole Citye most horrible afflicted the space almost of 300. yeares togither. For first the same Tiberius, which for a great part of his reigne was a moderate and a tollerable Prince, afterward was to them a sharpe and heauy tyraunt, who neyther fauoured his owne mother, nor spared his owne nenewes, nor the Princes of the City, such as were his own counselers, of whom to ye number of xx, he left not past two or three aliue,3 & so cruell was he to the Citye, that as the story recordeth: Nullus a paena hominum cessabat dies, ne religiosus quidem ac sacer. Suet. reporteth him to be so sterne of nature and tirannical, that in time of his reigne, very many were accused and condemned with their wiues & children, Maydes also first defloured, then put to death. In one day he recordeth .xx. persons to be drawen to ye place of execution. By whom also, through the iust punishment of God Pilate vnder whom Christ was crucified, was apprehended and accused at Rome, deposed, then banished to the towne of Lyonce, and at length did slaye himselfe. Neither did Herode and Cayphas long escape,4 of whome more followeth hereafter.
- 1Tiberius Caesar moveth the Senate to have Christ received. Christ refused of the Senate of Rome.Tiberius Casar moueth the Senate to haue Christ receaued. Christ refused of the Senate of Rome.
- 2The vain cause why the Senate of Rome refused Christ. Tertul. Apol. cap. 5. Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 3. The Senate and City of Rome plagued for refusing of Christ.The vayne cause why the Senate of Rome refused Christ. Tertul. Apol. cap. 5. Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 3. The Senate and Citie of Rome plagued for refusing of Christ.
- 3Ex Suet. in vitae Tiberij.
- 4Christ suffereth and riseth again.Christ suffereth and riseth agayne.
