Eusebius History V

CHAPTER I.

The numher and sufferings of those that suffered for the faith in

* Gaul

Gaul was the place where the arena was prepared for the
abovementioned conflict. Of these the two distinguished capi-
tals are celebrated as surpassing all the rest, viz., Lyons and
Vienna. Through both of these the river Rhone passes, travers-
ing the whole region with a mighty stream. The account, how-
ever, of the martyrs, was sent by the most illustrious churches
there, to those of Asia and Phrygia, by whom the events that
took place among them, are related in the following manner — I
will subjoin their own declarations : " The servants of Christ
dwelling at Lyons and Vienna, in Gaul, to those brethren in Asia
and Phrygia, having the same faith and hope with us, peace and
grace and glory from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Then, premising some other matters, they commence their subject
in the following words :

" The greatness, indeed, of the tribulation, and the extent of
the madness exhibited by the heathen against the saints, and the
sufferings which the martyrs endured in this country, we are not
able fully to declare, nor is it, indeed, possible to describe them.
For the adversary assailed us with his whole strength, giving us
already a prelude, how unbridled his future movements among us
would be. And, indeed, he resorted to every means, to accus-
tom and exercise his own servants against those of God, so that
we should not only be excluded from houses, and baths, and mar-
kets, but every thing belonging to us was prohibited from appear-
ing in any place whatever. But the grace of God contended for
us, and rescued the weak, and prepared those who, like firm pil-
lars, were able through patience, to sustain tlie whole weight of
the enemy's violence against them. These coming in close con-
flict, endured every species of reproach and torture. Esteeming
what was deemed great, but little, they hastened to Christ, show-
ing in reality, " that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to

Y



170 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." And
first, they nobly sustained all the evils that were heaped upon
them by the populace, clamours, and blows, plundering and rob-
beries, stonings and imprisonments, and whatsoever a savage
people delight to inflict upon enemies. After this they were
led to the forum, and when interrogated by the tribune, and
the authorities of the city, in the presence of the multitude,
they were shut up in prison until the arrival of the governor.
Afterwards, they were led away to be judged by him, from
whom we endured all m.anner of cruelty. Vettius Epagathus,
one of the brethren, who abounded in the fulness of the love
of God and man, and whose walk and conversation had been
so unexceptionable though he was only young, shared in the
same testimony with the elder Zacharias. He had walked,
therefore, in all the commandments and righteousness of the Lord
blameless, and with alacrity in kind offices to man, abounding in
zeal for God, and fervent in spirit. As he was of this high cha-
racter, he could not bear to see a judgment so unjustly passed
against us, but gave vent to his indignation, and requested also,
that he should be heard in defence of his brethren, whilst he
ventured to assert that there was nothing either at variance with
religion or piety among us. At this, those around the tribunal
cried out against him, for he was a man of eminent standing.
Nor did the governor allow a request so just and so properly
made, but only asked whether he also were a Christian ? He
confessed in as clear a voice as possible, and he, too, was trans-
ferred to the number of martyrs, being publicly called the advo-
cate of the Christians. But he had the paraclete, (advocate,)
within him, viz., the spirit more abundant than Zacharias, which,
indeed, he displayed by the fulness of his love ; glorying in the
defence of his brethren, and to expose his own life for theirs. He
was, indeed, a genuine disciple of Christ, following the Lamb
whithersoever he would go. After this, the others were also set
apart, and the first martyrs endured their sufferings with prompt-
ness and alacrity, most cheerfully finishing the confession of
martyrdom. They appeared, indeed, unprepared and inexpe-
rienced, and yet so weak as to be incapable of bearing the in



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 171

tensity of the mighty contest. Of these, indeed, about ten also
fell away, causing great sorrow and excessive grief to our bre-
thren, and damping the ardour of those who had not yet been
taken. These, however, although they endured all manner of
affliction, nevertheless were always present with the martyrs, and
never left them. Then, indeed, we w ere all struck wdth great
fear, on account of the uncertainty of their holding out in the
profession, not indeed dreading the tortures inflicted, but looking
at tlie end, and trembling lest they should apostatize. Those,
indeed, that were w^orthy to fill up the number of the martyrs,
were seized from day to day, so that all the zealous members of
the two churches, and those by whose exertions the church had
been there established, were collected. Some domestics that
were heathen, belonging to our brethren, w^ere also seized as the
governor had publicly commanded search to be made for all of
us. But these, at the instigation of Satan, fearing the tortures
which they saw the saints suffering, and the soldiers beside this
urging them, charged us with feasts of Thyestes,* and the incests
of Oedipus,-|- and such crimes as are neither lawful for us to speak
nor to think ; and, such, indeed, as we do not even beheve were
committed by men. These things being spread abroad amonp,
the people, all were so savage in their treatment of us, that, if
before some had restrained themselves on account of some
affinity, they then carried their cruelty and rage against us to a
great excess. Then was fulfilled the declaration of our Lord,
" that the day would come when every one that slayeth you will
think he is doing God a service." The holy martyrs, after this,
finally endured tortures, beyond all description ; Satan striving
with all his power, that some blasphemy might be uttered by
them. Most violently did the collective madness of the mob, the
governor and the soldiers rage against the holy deacon of Vienna,
and against Maturus, a new convert, indeed, but a noble cham-
pion of the faith. Also, against Attains, a native of Pergamus,
who w^as a pillar and foundation of the church there. Against

* Thyestes, according to the heathen mythology, ate part of his own son, whom
his brother Atreus, to revenge the crime committed against himself, had slain,
-j- Oedipus, in ignorance, slew his father Laius, and married his mother Jocasta
]7#



172 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Blandina, also, in \vhom Christ made manifest, that the things
that appear mean and deformed and contemptible among men,
are esteemed of great glory ^vith God, on account of love to him,
which is really and powerfully displayed, and glories not in mere
appearance. For whilst we were all trembling, and her earthly
mistress, who was herself one of the contending martyrs, was ap-
prehensive lest through the weakness of the flesh she should not
be able to profess her faith with sufficient freedom, Blandina
was filled with such power, that her ingenious tormentors who
relieved and succeeded each other from morning till night, con-
fessed that they were overcome, and had nothing more that they
could inflict upon her. Only amazed that she still continued to
breathe after her whole body was torn asunder and pierced,
they gave their testimony that one single kind of the torture in-
flicted was of itself suflicient to destroy life, without resorting to
so many and such excruciating suflferings as these.

Bat this blessed saint, as a noble \\Testler, in the midst of her
confession itself renewed her strength, and to repeat, '• I am a
Christian, no ^^^ckedness is carried on by us," was to her rest, re-
freshment and relief from pain. But Sanctus himself, also nobly
sustaining beyond all measure and human power, the various
torments devised by men, whilst the \\-icked tormentors hoped
that by the continuance and the greatness of the tortures, they
would get to hear something from him that he ought not to say,
withstood them with so much firmness, that he did not even
declare his name, nor that of his nation, nor the city whence he
was, nor whether he was a slave or a freeman, but to all the
questions that were proposed, he answered in the Roman tongue,
" I am a Christian." For this he confessed instead of his name,
his city, his race, and instead of every thing. No other expression
did the heathen hear from him. Whence, also, an ambitious strug
gle in torturing arose between the governor and the tormentors
against him ; so that when they had nothing further that they
could inflict, they at last fastened red hot plates of brass to the
most tender parts of his body. But he continued unsubdued and
unshaken, firm in his confession, refreshed and strengthened by
the celestial fountain of li vine: water that flows from Christ. But



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. HS

the corpse itself was evidence of his sufferings, as it was one con-
tinued wound, mangled and shrivelled, that had entirely lost the
form of man to the external eye. Christ suffering in him exhi-
bited wonders ; defeating the adversary, and presenting a kind of
model to the rest, that there is nothing terrific where the love of
the Father, nothing painful where the glory of Christ prevails.
For when the lawless tormentors tortured the martyr again
during the day, and supposed that whilst the wounds were
swollen and inflamed, if they applied the same torments, they
would subdue him, as if he would not then be able to bear even
the touch of the hand, or else, that dying under his tortures he
would strike a terror into the rest, not only was there no appear-
ance like this, but, beyond all human expectation, the body raised
itself, and stood erect amid the torments afterwards inflicted, and
recovered the former shape and habit of the limbs ; so that his
second tortures became, through the grace of Christ, not his
torment, but his cure. But the devil also led forth a certain
Biblias to punishment, who was one of those that had renounced
the faith, thinking that he had already swallowed her, was anxious
to increase her condemnation by blasphemy, and constraining her
as a frail and timid character, easily overpowered, to utter im-
pieties against us. But in the midst of the torture she repented
and recovered herself, and as if awaking out of a deep sleep, was
reminded by the punishment before her, of the eternal punish-
ment in helL And accordingly she contradicted the blasphemers
in her declarations. " How," said she, " could such as these devour
children, who considered it unlawful even to taste the blood of
irrational animals ?" After that, she professed herself a Christian,
and was added to the number of martyrs. But as all the tortures
of the tyrants were defeated by Christ, through the patience of the
martyrs, the devil devised other machinations ; among these were
their confinement in prison, in a dark and most dismal place ;
their feet also stretched in the stocks,* and extended to the fifth
hole, and other torments, which the enraged minions of wicked-

• The instrument of punishment here mentioned was a piece of timber, with five
pair of holes cut at certain distances apart. The feet were put into these and secured
with cords and fetters.



174 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

ness, especially when stimulated by the influence of Satan, are
accustomed to inflict upon the prisoners. Numbers of them were,
therefore, suffocated in prison, as many, viz., as the Lord would
have to depart, thus showing forth his glory. Some of them, in-
deed, had been cruelly tormented, so that it appeared they could
scarcely live, though every means were applied to recover them.
Though confined in prison, devoid of all human aid, they were
strengthened by the Lord, and filled with powder from him both in
body and mind, and even stimulated and encouraged the rest. But
the new converts and those that were recently taken, whose
bodies were not exercised in trials, did not bear the oppression
of incarceration. ]>ut died within the prison.

But the blessed Pothinus, who had faithfully performed the mi-
nistrations of the episcopate at Lyons, and who was past his nine-
tieth year, and very infirm in body ; who, indeed, scarcely drew^
his breath, so weak was he in body at the time ; 3 et in the ar-
dour of his soul, and his eager desire for martyrdom, he roused
his remaining strength, and was himself also dragged to the tri-
bunal. Though his body, indeed, was already nearly dissolved,
partly by age and partly by disease, yet he still retaining his
fife in him, that Christ might triumph by it. When carried by
the soldiers to the tribunal, wdiither the public magistrates ac-
companied him, as if he were Christ himself, and when all the
mob raised every outcry against him, he gave a noble testimony.
When interrogated by the governor, who was the God of the Chris-
tians, he said, " If thou art worthy, thou shalt know." After this,
he was unmercifully dragged away and endured many stripes,
whilst those that w^re near abused him with their hands and feet
in ev'ery possible way, not even regarding his age. But those at
a distance, whatsoever they had at hand, every one hurled at
him, all thinking it w^ould be a great sin and impiety if they fell
short of w^anton abuse against him. For they supposed they
would thus avenge their own gods. Thus, scarcely drawing
breath, lie was throwm into prison, and after two days he there
expired. A wonderful interposition of God was then exhibited,
and the boundless mercy of Christ clearly displayed a thing that
had rarely happened among brethren, but by no means beyond the



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 175

reach of the skill of Christ. For those that had fallen from the
faith on the first seizure, were also themselves imprisoned, and
shared in the sufferings of the rest. Their renunciation did
them no good at this time, but those that confessed what they
really were, were imprisoned as Christians ; no other charge being
alleged against them. But these, at last, were confined as mur-
derers and guilty culprits, and were punished with twice the se-
verity of the rest. The former, indeed, were refreshed by the joy
of martyrdom, the hope of the promises, the love of Christ, and
the spirit of the Father ; but the latter were sadly tormented by
their own conscience. So that the difference was obvious to all in
their very countenances, when they were led forth. \ Far-ihe„
one w^ent on joyful, much glory and grace being mixed in their
faces, so that their bonds seemed to form noble ornaments, and,
like those of a bride, adorned with various golden bracelets, and im-
pregnated with the sw^eet odour of Christ, they appeared to some
anointed with earthly perfumes. But the others, with downcast
look, dejected, sad, and covered with every kind of shame, in ad-
dition to this, were reproached by the heathen as mean and cow-
ardly, bearing the charge of murderers, and losing the honourable,
glorious, and life-giving appellation of Christians. ' The rest, how-
ever, seeing these eflects, were so much the more confirmed, and
those that were taken immediately, confessed, not even admitting
the thought suggested by diabolical objections. Introducing
some further remarks, they again proceed : " After these things
their martyrdom was finally distributed into various kinds ;
tor platting and constituting one crown of various colours and
all kinds of flowers, they offered it to the Father. It was right,
indeed, that these noble wrestlers, who had sustained a diversi-
fied contest, and had come off with a glorious victory, should
bear away the great crown of immortality. Maturus, therefore,
and Sanctus, and Blandina, and Attalus, were led into the amphi-
theatre to the wild beasts, and to the common spectacle of hea-
thenish inhumanity, the day for exhibiting the fight w^ith wild
beasts being designedly published on our account. Maturus, how-
ever, and Sanctus, again passed through all the tortures in the
amphitheatre, just as if they had suffered nothing at all before, or



176 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

rather as those who in many trials before had defeated the adver-
sary, and now contending for the crown itself, again as they pass-
ed, bore the strokes of the scourge* usually inflicted there, the
draggings and lacerations from the beasts, and all that the mad-
ness of the people, one here and another there, cried for and de-
manded ; and last of all the iron chair, upon which their bodies
were roasted, whilst the fumes of their own flesh ascended to
annoy them. The tormentors did not cease even then, but conti-
nued to rage so much the more, intending if possible to conquer
their perseverance. They could not, however, elicit or hear any-
thing from Sanctus, besides that confession which he had uttered
from the beginning."

These two, therefore, in whom life for the most part had re-
mained through the mighty conflict, were at last despatched. On
that day, they were made an exhibition to the world, in place of
the variety of gladiatorial combats. Blandina, how^ever, was bound
and suspended on a stake, and thus exposed as food to the assaults
of wild beasts, and as she thus appeared to hang after the manner
of the cross, by her earnest prayers she infused much alacrity into
the contending martyrs. For as they saw her in the contest, with
the external eyes, through their sister, they contemplated Him that
was crucified for them, to persuade those that believe in him, that
every one who suffers for Christ, wdll for ever enjoy communion
with the living God. But as none of the beasts then touched her, she
was taken down from the stake, and remanded back again to prison
to be reserved for another contest ; so that by gaining the victory
in many conflicts, she might render the condemnation of the wily
serpent, irrefragable, and though small and weak and contempti-
ble, but yet clothed with the mighty and invincible wrestler
Christ Jesus, might also encourage her brethren. Thus she over-
came the enemy in many trials, and in the conflict received the
crown of immortality. But Attalus himself, being vehemently
demanded by the populace, as he was a distinguished character,
came well prepared for the conflict, conscious as he w^as of no

* The punishment here inflicted, was much like what is called running the gant-
let. The hunters stood in a long line, and as the martyrs passed, each one inflict-
ed a stroke with a scourge upon the naked body.



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 177

evil done by him, and as one who had been truly exercised in Chris-
tian discipline, and had always been a witness of the truth with
us. When led about in the theatre, with a tablet before him, on
which was written in Latin, "This is Attalus the Christian,"
and the people were violently incensed against him, the governor
learning that he was a Roman, ordered him to be remanded back
again to prison wdth the rest, concerning whom he had writ-
ten to Cesar, and was now awaiting his determination. But he
(Attalus) in the meantime was neither idle nor unprofitable to
them, but, by their patient endurance, the immeasurable mercy of
Christ was manifested. For by means of those that were yet
living, were things dead made to live. And the martyrs confer-
red benefits upon those that were no martyrs, (i. e. upon those
that had fallen away.) Much joy was also created in the Virgin
Mother, (the church,) for those whom she had brought forth as
dead she recovered again as living. For by means of these the
greater part of those that fell away, again retraced their steps,
were again conceived, were again endued with vital heat, and
learned to make the confession of their faith. And now living
again, and strengthened in their faith, they approached the tribu-
nal, where that God that willeth not the death of the sinner, but
inviteth all to repentance, sw^eetly regarding them, they were
again interrogated by the governor. For as Cesar had written
that they should be beheaded, but if any renounced the faith
these should be dismissed ; at the commencement of the fair
which is held here, which indeed is attended by an immense con-
course of people from all nations, the governor led forth the
martyrs, exhibiting them as a show and public spectacle to the
crowd. Wherefore, he also examined them again, and as many
as appeared to have the Roman citizenship, these he beheaded.
The rest he sent away to the wild beasts. But Christ was won-
derfully glorified in those that had before renounced him, as they
then, contrary to all suspicion, on the part of the Gentiles, con-
fessed. And these indeed, were separately examined, as if they
were soon to be dismissed ; but as they confessed, they were ad-
ded to the number of the martyrs. Those, however, who had
never anv traces of the faith, nor any conception of the marriage

Z



178 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

garment, nor any thought of the fear of God, remained without,
who, as the sons of perdition, blasphemed the way by their apos-
tacy. All the rest, however, were attached to the church, of
whom, when examined, a certain Alexander was found to be one,
a Phrygian by birth, and physician by profession. Having
passed many years in Gaul, and being well known for his love of
God and his freedom in declaring the truth, for he was not des-
titute of apostolical grace, he stood before the tribunal, and by
signs encouraged them to a good confession, appearing to those
around the tribunal as one in the pains of childbirth. The mob,
however, chagrined that those who had before renounced the faith
were again confessing, cried out against Alexander, as if he had
been the cause of this. And when the governor urged and
asked him who he was, and he replied that he was a Christian,
in his rage he condemned him to the wild beasts, and accordingly
on the following day, he entered the arena with Attalus. For the
governor to gratify the people, also gave up Attalus a second
time to the beasts.

Thus, enduring all the torments that were invented as punish-
ment in the amphitheatre, and after sustaining the arduous con-
flict, these w^ere likewise finally despatched. As to Alexander, he
neither uttered a groan nor any moaning sound at all, but in his
heart communed with God ; and Attalus, when placed upon the
iron chair, and the fumes from his roasting body arose upon him,
said to the multitude in Latin : " Lo this is to devour men, what
you are doing. But as to us, we neither devour men nor com-
mit any other evil." And when asked what was the name of
God, he answered, God has no name like a man. After all these,
on the last day of the shows of gladiators, Blandina was again
brought forth, together with Ponticus, a youth about fifteen
years old. These were brought in every day to see the tortures of
the rest. Force was also used to make them swear by their idols ;
and when they continued firm, and denied their pretended divinity,
the multitude became outrageous at them, so that they neither
compassionated the youth of the boy nor regarded the sex of the
woman. Hence they subjected them to every horrible suffering,
and led them through the whole round of torture, ever and anon



ECCLEvSIASTICAL HISTORY. 179

striving to force them to swear, but were unable to effect it.
Ponticus, indeed, encouraged by his sister, so that the heathen
could see that she was encouraging and confirming him, nobly
bore the whole of thase sufferings, and gave up his life. But the
blessed Blandina, last of all, as a noble mother that had animated
her children, and sent them as victors to the great King, herself
I'etracing the ground of all the conflicts her children had endured,
hastened at last, with joy and exultation at the issue, to them, as
if she were invited to a marriage feast, and not to be cast to
wild beasts. And thus, after scourging, after exposure to the
beasts, after roasting, she was finally thrown into a net and cast
before a bull, and when she had been well tossed by the animal,
and had now no longer any sense of what was done to her by
reason of her firm hope, confidence, faith, and her communion
with Christ, she too was despatched. Even the Gentiles confess-
ed, that no woman among them had ever endured sufferings as
many and great as these. But not even then was their madness
and cruelty to the saints satisfied ; for these fierce and barbarous
tribes, stimulated by the savage beast Satan, were in a fury not
easily to be assuaged, so that their abuse of the bodies assumed
another novel and singular aspect. Not abashed when overcome
by the martyrs, but evidently destitute of all reason, the madness
both of the governor and the people, as of some savage beast,
blazed forth so much the more, to exhibit the same unjust hostility
against us. That the Scriptures might be fulfilled, *' He that
is unjust let him be unjust still, and he that is righteous let him
be righteous still." Rev. xxii. 11. For those that were suffo-
cating in the prison, they cast to the dogs, carefully watching
them night and day, lest any should be buried by us, and then
also cast away the remains left by the beasts and the fire, how-
soever they had either been mangled or burnt. They also
guarded the heads of the others, together with the trunks of
their bodies, with military watches, for many days in succession,
in order to prevent them from being buried. Some, indeed,
raged and gnashed their teeth against them, anxious to find out
some better way of punishment. Others, again, laughed at and
insulted them, extolling their idols, and imputing to them the
18



180 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

punishment of the martyrs. But others, more moderate, and who
in some measure p^ppeared to sympathize, frequently upbraided
them, saying, " where is their God, and what benefit has their reli-
gion been to them, which they preferred to their own life?" Such
was the variety of disposition among the Gentiles, but among our
brethren, matters were in great affliction for want of liberty to
commit the bodies to the earth. For neither did the night avail
us for this purpose, nor had money any effect to persuade, nor
could any prayers or entreaties move them. But they guarded
them in every possible way, as if it were a great gain, to prevent
them from burial. To these, they afterwards add other ac-
counts, saying : " The bodies of the martyrs after being abused
in every possible manner, and thus exposed to the open air for
six days, were at length burned and reduced to ashes by the
wretches, and finally cast into the Rhone that flows near at hand,
that there might not be a vestige of them remaining on the land.
These things they did as if they were able to overcome God, and
destroy their resurrection, (naT^LyyeveGiav) as they themselves
gave out, ' that they might not have any hope of rising again, in
the belief of which, they have introduced a new and strange reli-
gion, and contemn the most dreadful punishments, and are pre-
pared to meet death even with joy. Now we shall see, whether
they will rise again ; and whether their god is able to help them,
and rescue them out of our hands.' "



CHAPTER II.

Those that had fallen away, kindly restored, by the pious martyi^s.

Such were the occurrences that befel the churches of Christ
under the abovementioned emperor, from which it is easy to con-
jecture what w^as the probable course of things in the remaining
provinces. It may be well here to add to these accounts, other
extracts from the same epistle, in which the moderation and be-
nevolence of these martyrs whom we have mentioned, is record-
ed in the following w^ords : " They were also so zealous in their



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 181

imitation of Christ, who, though in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God," that though they were es-
teemed in the same Hght, and had neither once nor twice, but
frequently, endured martyrdom, and had been again taken away
from the beasts to prison, and had brands, and scars, and wounds
spread over them, they did not proclaim themselves martyrs, for
it did not become us to apply this name to them ; but if any one
of us, either by letter or in conversation, called them martyrs,
they seriously reproved us. For they cheerfully yielded the
title of martyr to Christ, the true and faithful martyr, (witness)
the first begotten from the dead, the prince of divine life. They
also made mention of those martyrs that had already departed,
and said: "They now are martyrs v/horn Christ has thought
worthy to be received in their confession, setting the seal to their
martyrdom', (testimony,) by the issue. But we are but indifferent
and mean confessors, and with tears did they entreat the bre-
thren, that they should offer up incessant prayers, that they might
be made perfect. They exhibited, indeed, the power of martyr-
dom in fact, exercising much freedom in declaring themselves
to all people, and manifested their noble patience and fearless in-
trepidity; but the name of martyrs, (witnesses) they declined re-
ceiving from the brethren, filled as they were with the fear of
God." Again, after a little, they say, " They humbled themselves
under the mighty hand, by which they are now highly exalted.
Then, however, they pleaded for all, they accused none, they ab-
solved all, they bound none, and prayed for those that were so
bitter in their hostility, like Stephen, that perfect martyr. ' Lord
impute not this sin to them.' But if he pra3^ed for those that
stoned him, how much more for the brethren." And again they
say, after mentioning other matters, " This was their greatest
conflict against him, (the devil,) on account of the genuine cha-
racter of their love, that the beast being choaked and throttled
might be forced to return alive again (to vomit up) those whom
he had already thought to have swallowed. For they did not
arrogate any superiority over the backsliders : but in those things
wherein they themselves abounded ; in this they supplied those
that were deficient, exercising the compassion of mothers, and



182 ECC1.ESIASTICAL HISTORY.

pouring forth many prayers, to the Father on their account.
They implored life, and he gave it to them, which they also
shared with their neighbours ; coming off victorious over all,
to God: always lovers of peace, they always recommended
peace, and with peace they departed to God. Not leaving
grief to their mother, (the church,) no discord or dissensions
to the brethren, but joy and peace, unanimity and love. This
account may be profitably added, respecting the love of those
blessed brethren towards those that fell away, on account of
those also, who after these events, unsparingly exercised an in-
human and merciless disposition towards the members of Christ.



CHAPTER III.

The vision that appeared to Attains the martyr, in a dream.

The same epistle of the abovementioned martyrs, also contains
another account worthy of record, which no one could regret
to be presented to the knowledge of our readers. It is as fol-
lows : " A certain Alcibiades, who was one of these (martyrs,)
and who had led a hard and rough kind of life, partook of no
food usually eaten, but merely bread and water. When cast
into prison, and he attempted to lead the same kind of Hfe, it was
revealed to Attalus, after the first conflict which he finished in
the amphitheatre, that Alcibiades did not do v/ell in not making
use of the creatures of God, and affording an example of offence
to others. Alcibiades, therefore, in obedience to this, partook
of all kinds of food, and gave thanks to God ; for neither were
they destitute of divine grace, but the divine spirit was their
counsellor." But let this suffice concerning these. Now as
Montanus, and Alcibiades,* and Theodotus, in Phrygia, then
first began to be esteemed by many for their gifts, (as there were
many other wonderful powers of divine grace, yet exhibited even
at that time in different churches,) they created the belief with

* This is a different Alcibiades from the one beforementioned.



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. J 83

many, that they also were endued with prophecy. And as
there was a dissension in consequence of these men, the brethren
in Gaul again presented their own pious and correct judgment
also concerning these, and published several letters of the martyrs
that had been put to death among them. These they had writ-
ten whilst yet in prison, and addressed to the brethren in Asia and
Phrygia. And not only to these but likewise to Eleutherus, who
w^as then bishop of Rome, negotiating as it were for the peace of
the churches.



CHAPTER IV.

The martyrs commend Irenceus in their epistle.

But these same martyrs recommending also Irenaeus, who
was then a presbyter of the church at Lyons, to the bishop of
Rome beforementioned, bear abundant testimony in his favour,
as the following extracts show : " We pray and desire, father
Eleutherus, that you may rejoice in God in all things and
always. We have requested our brother and companion Ire-
naeus to carry this epistle to you, and we exhort you to consider
him as commended to you as a zealous follower of the testament
(covenant) of Christ. For if we knew that any place could con-
fer righteousness upon any one, we would certainly commend
him among the first as a presbyter of the church, the station that
he holds." Why should we here transcribe the list of those mar-
tyrs given in the abovementioned epistle, of whom some were
made perfect by decapitation, some cast to be devoured by
wild beasts, and others again fell asleep in prison. Why repeat
the number of confessors still living ? For whoever wishes to
learn these, can more easily obtain the fullest account by con-
sulting the epistle itself, which, as I said, has been inserted by us
in our collection of martyrs. But such were the events that
happened under Antonine.
18=^



184 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.



CHAPTER V.

God sent rain from heaven to Marcus AureliuSf the emperor , at the
prayers of our brethren.

But it is said that Marcus Aurelius Cesar, the brother of
the former, when about to engage in battle with the Germans
and Sarmatians, and his army was sufJering with thirst, was
greatly at a loss on this account. Then, however, those soldiers
that belonged to the Melitine legion, as it was called, by a faith
which has continued from that time to this, bending their knees
upon the earth whilst drawn up in battle array against the
enemy, according to our peculiar custom of praying, entered into
prayer before God. And as this was a singular spectacle to the
enemy, a still more singular circumstance is reported to have
happened immediately ; that the lightning drove the enemy into
flight and destruction, but that a shower came down and re-
freshed the army of those that then called upon God, the whole
of which was on the point of perishing with thirst. This history
is related also by historians who are strangers to our doctrine,
who, however, took an interest in the writings of those whom
we have mentioned ; but it is also stated by our own writers,
whilst the wonderful event is also added by historians who differ
from our faith, but who do not admit that this happened at the
prayers of our brethren. But the fact is handed down on record
by our brethren, as lovers of truth, in a plain and undisguised
manner. Of these we might mention Apollinaris, who says that
from that time the legion at whose prayers the wonder took place,
received an appellation appropriate to the event, from the em-
peror, being called the fulminea, or thundering legion. Ter-
tullian also might be cited as a suitable witness of these things, in
the Apology that he addressed to the Roman senate for the faith,
the work which has been already mentioned by us, in which he
confirms the history with greater and more powerful proof, where
he writes as follows ; " There are epistles of the most learned em-
peror Marcus still extant, in which he himself bears testimony that



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 185

when his army was ready to perish for want of water, it was
saved by the prayers of the Christians ;" he says also, " that the
same emperor threatened death to those that attempted to accuse
us." To w hich he also adds, " What kind of laws are those
which the wicked, unjust, and cruel put in force against us alone ?
which neither Vespasian observed, although be conquered the
Jews, which Trajan in part annulled ; forbidding that the Chris-
tians should be hunted up ; which not even Adrian, though very
inquisitive in all matters, nor he that was surnamed the Pious,
confirmed." But every one may place these to what account
he pleases. Let us proceed to the order of our history. Po-
thinus having died with the other martyrs of Gaul, in the nine-
tieth year of his age, he was succeeded by Irenoeus in the episco-
pate of the church at Lyons. We have understood he was a
hearer of Polycarp in his youth. This writer has inserted the
succession of the bishops in his third book against the heresies,
where he reviews the catalogue dow^n to Eleutherus, whose
times we are now examining, as he laboured with him in the
production of this work, writing as follows.



CHAPTER VL

Catalogue of the bishops of Rome.



"The blessed apostles having founded and established the
church, transmitted the office of the episcopate to Linus. Of
this Linus, Paul makes mention in his Epistles to Timothy. He
was succeeded by Anencletus, and after him Clement held the
episcopate, the third from the apostles. Who, as he had seen
the blessed apostles, and had been connected wdth them, might
be said to have the doctrine of the apostles still sounding in his
ears, and what they delivered before his eyes. And not only he,
but many others were still left, who had been taught by the
apostles. In the times of this Clement, there was no little dis-
sension among the brethren at Corinth, on occasion of which
the church at Rome wrote a considerable Epistle to the Corin-

2 A



186 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

thians, confirming them in peace, and renewing their faith and the
doctrine they had lately received from the apostles. After a
little, he subjoins : " But this Clement was succeeded by Euares-
tus, and Euarestus by Alexander. Xystus followed as the sixth
from the apostles, after whom was Telesphorus, who also illus-
triously suffered martyrdom, then came Hyginus, and after him
Pius. He w^as followed by Anicetus, and as he was succeeded
by Soter, the twelfth from the apostles in the episcopate now is
Eleutherus, in the same order and the same doctrine (or succes-
sion*) in which the tradition of the apostles in the church and the
promulgation of the truth has descended to us."



CHAPTER VII.

Miracles were performed in those times by the believers.

These accounts are given by Irenaeus in those five books of his,
to which he gave the title of " Refutation and Overthrow of
False Doctrine." In the second book of the same work, he also
shows that even down to his times, instances of divine and mi-
raculous power were remaining in some churches. " So far are
they," says he, " from raising the dead, as the Lord raised, and
as'the apostles by means of prayer, for even among the brethren
frequently in a case of necessity when a whole church united in
much fasting and prayer, the spirit has returned to the ex-ani-
mated body, and the man was granted to the prayers of the
saints." And again, he says, after other observations : " But if
they say that our Lord also did these things only in appearance,
we shall refer them back to the prophetic declarations, and
shall show from them that all those things were strictly foretold,
and were done by him, and that he alone is the Son of God.
Wherefore, also, those that were truly his disciples, receiving
grace from him, in his name performed these things for the benefit

* The word succession, in the parenthesis, is adopted by Valesius as the correct
reading.



f.OCI.F.S\ASTICAL HISTORY. 187

01 iht ^o»t ^1 itien, as every owe received the free gift from him.
Some, indeed, most certainly and truly cast out daemons, so that
frequently thuss persons themselves that were cleansed from
wicked spirits believed and were received into the church.
Others have the knowledge of things to come, as also visions
and prophetic communications ; othei's heal the sick by the im-
position of hands, and restore them to health. And, moreover,
as we said above, even the dead have been raised and continued
with us many years. And why should we say more ? It is im-
possible to tell the num.ber of the gifts which the church through-
out the world received from God, and the deeds performed in the
name of Jesus Christ, that was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
and this too every day for the benefit of the heathen, without
deceiving any, or exacting their money. For as she has received
freely from God, she also freely ministers." In another place
the same author writes : " As we hear many of the brethren in
the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in all
tongues through the spirit, and who also, bring to light the secret
things of men for their benefit, and who expound the mysteries
of God." These gifts of different kinds also continued with those
that were worthy until the times mentioned.



CHAPTER VIII.

The statement of Irencms respecting the sacred Scriptures.

Since we have promised in the outset of our work to give ex-
tracts occasionally when we refer to the declarations of the an-
cient presbyters and historians of the church, in which they have
transmitted the traditions that have descended to us respecting
the sacred Scriptures, among these Irenasus was one. Let us
now give his words, and first of all what he has said of the holy
gospels : " Matthew, indeed," says he, " produced his gospel writ-
ten among the Hebrews in their own dialect, whilst Peter and
Paul proclaimed the gospel and founded the church at Rome.



188 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

After the departure of these, Mark, the disciple and interpreter
of Peter, also transmitted to us in writing what had been preach-
ed by Peter. And Luke, the companion of Paul, committed to
writing the gospel preached by him, i. e. Paul. Afterwards John
the disciple of our Lord, the same that lay upon his bosom, also
pubhshed the gospel, whilst he was yet at Ephesus in Asia."
This is what this author says in the third book of the work al-
ready mentioned ; and in the fifth, he thus descants on the Reve-
lation of John and the calculation of antichrist's name : " As mat-

^ters are thus, and the number is thus found in all the genuine
and ancient copies, and as they who saw John attest, reason
itself shows that the number of the name of the beast is indi-
cated by the Greek letters which it contains." And a little
further on he speaks of the same John : " We, therefore," says
he, " do not venture to affirm any thing with certainty respecting
the name of antichrist. For were it necessary that his name
should be clearly announced to the present age, it would have
been declared by him who saw the revelation. For it has not
been long since it was seen, but almost in our own generation,
about the end of Domitian's reign." These are what he states

'respecting the Revelation.