PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians
Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon) · 1,152,781 words · 1675 reading sections
Notice To The Reader.
Before we proceed to give a special account of the martyrs who were put to death in this persecution, we deem it necessary to call the attention of the reader to the following points. 1. That after A. D. 300, that is, in the beginning of this century, many errors began to arise among some of those who were called Chri…
288 wordsSECTION 242First Year Of The Persecution Commenced A. D. 302.
The sword of Diocletian had now been drawn from its sheath, and there remained nothing but the shedding of blood, and murdering and burning in manifold ways, all directed against the innocent and defenseless lambs of Christ; of which we shall directly give some examples. ANTHIMUS, BISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, AT NI…
745 wordsSECTION 243First Year Of The Persecution Commenced A. D. 302.
Thus far Eusebius’ translation; what now follows, is thus related by Mellinus, from the above letter of Phileas. “As every heathen had been given full power over the Christians, to inflict upon them all manner of vexation, mockery, and ignominy, yea, to put them to death in every way; they beat some with sticks, othe…
659 wordsSECTION 244First Year Of The Persecution Commenced A. D. 302.
Thus far the words of the martyr Phileas, which he wrote in a letter to the brethren of the church of Thumis, of which he was pastor, while he was still in prison, and before he had received his sentence of death; by which letter he wished to inform his church of his condition in prison, as well as to admonish them in …
675 wordsSECTION 245First Year Of The Persecution Commenced A. D. 302.
But before he allowed matters to proceed so far, he addressed her with these soft words: “How gladly would I spare thee! O that thou mightest renounce before thy death thy perverse views of the Christian religion? Reflect once, what great joy awaits thee, which thou mayest expect in the honorable state of matrimony. Be…
661 wordsSECTION 246The Second Year Of This Persecution Began A. D. 303.
The persecution did not yet cease, though it had already risen to a very high degree. But it may have pleased God to bring his people through much tribulation into his kingdom. Acts 14:22,23. EUPLIUS, A PIOUS CHRISTIAN, BEHEADED IN THE CITY OF CATANA IN SICILY, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 303. On the 12t…
692 wordsSECTION 247The Second Year Of This Persecution Began A. D. 303.
PANCRATIUS, A YOUTH OF FOURTEEN YEARS, BEHEADED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, WITHOUT THE CITY OF ROME, A. D. 303. There was at that time a Christian youth of fourteen years, called Pancratius, who, when he was brought before the Emperor Diocletian found such special favor in the eyes of the latter, that he promi…
688 wordsSECTION 248The Second Year Of This Persecution Began A. D. 303.
Having arrived there, the Proconsul or General commanded them to loose Felix, and asked him, saying: “O Felix, why wilt thou not deliver up the books of the Lord thy God? Or perhaps, thou dost not have any?” Felix answered: “Indeed, I have them, but I do not wish to give them to you.” The Proconsul said: “Put Felix t…
613 wordsSECTION 249The Third Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 304.
In the third year of the persecution, the obdurate heart of the bloodthirsty Emperor Diocletian had not yet softened, seeing he and his associate Maximian steadily went on putting to death the poor Christian believers, as appears from the death of the following persons. APPHIAN, A GODFEARING YOUTH, DROWNED IN THE SEA,…
685 wordsSECTION 250The Third Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 304.
Finally, when he happened to see, in the city of Alexandria, how the Proconsul pronounced sentence of death upon the Christians, and sometimes caused manifold indignities to be heaped upon aged persons, together with other wickednesses practiced by him, he boldly went into the court to the Judge, and openly reproved hi…
705 wordsSECTION 251The Third Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 304.
Upon this confession, the Proconsul had her suspended to the torture-stake, her flesh torn with iron combs, melted pitch poured over her naked body and fresh wounds, and finally caused her to be beheaded. _Acta Fidelia, per Metaphrastem_, compared with _A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 140, col. 1, 2_. FORTY YOUTHS, WHO CONFE…
258 wordsSECTION 252The Fifth Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 306.
Galerius Maximian, continuing in the persecution which had been begun, and carried into execution, with great bitterness, by Diocletian and Maximian, exercised much cruelty, through Peucetius, Quintinian, Theotecnus, and other Proconsuls, against the poor Christians; burning them alive; throwing them before the wild be…
719 wordsSECTION 253The Sixth Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 307.
From among those who were put to death in the sixth year of Diocletian’s persecution, we have selected the following. ENNATHAS, A CHRISTIAN MAIDEN FROM THE CITY OF SCYTHOPOLIS, BURNED ALIVE IN PALESTINE, FOR THE CONFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, A. D. 307. When some Christians, in their zeal for the truth, had repro…
270 wordsSECTION 254The Seventh Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 308.
It is stated that in the seventh year of the persecution the following persons were slain for the confession of the evangelical truth. SOME PIOUS CHRISTIANS WHO WENT TO VISIT THEIR CONFINED FELLOW-BRETHREN, APPREHENDED AT CESAREA, AND BANISHED TO THE MINES; BUT THREE OF THEM, NAMELY, ARES, PROMUS, AND ELIAS, PUT TO DE…
519 wordsSECTION 255The Eighth Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 309.
It is related that at this time the modes of torture and of putting to death were various. Some were beheaded with the axe, as was mostly done with the martyrs in Arabia. Some had their legs broken on the wheel, as was the case with those who confessed the name of Christ in Cappadocia. Others were hung up by their heel…
599 wordsSECTION 256The Ninth Year Of The Persecution, Commenced A. D. 310.
The ancients tell us that Maximinus Jovius instituted at this time a special persecution at Antioch, through the instrumentality of one Theotecnus; to which end he caused an image to be erected, in honor of Jupiter Philius (the god of friendship), by which--whether through Satan or through jugglery--certain oracles wer…
657 wordsSECTION 257The Tenth Or Last Year Of This Persecution, Commenced A. D. 311.
At the same time and place, also Demetrius, a remarkably virtuous and zealous teacher, sealed the genuine, divine and Christian truth with his blood. _Idem, Ibidem._ THEODORUS, PHILEMON, AND CYRILLA, PUT TO DEATH FOR THEIR LOVE TO THEIR SAVIOR, A. D. 310. Besides the preceding ones, we find that there were put to dea…
746 wordsSECTION 258The Tenth Or Last Year Of This Persecution, Commenced A. D. 311.
The persecution which took place under Julian, the Apostate, did not destroy the bodies as much as the souls. For since he was a very crafty man, and had an eloquent, yet deceitful, tongue, he did more harm to the church of God by his flattery, than by tyranny. Nevertheless, several of the true Christians were martyred…
421 wordsSECTION 259Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
[We have begun this century with the fifth chapter of the _Centuriæ Magdeburgenses_, the contents of which may be examined. Vincent Victor opposes Augustine in the matter of infant baptism. Synesius Syrenus, baptized on his faith, by Theophilus. The fourth council of Carthage establishes, that those who desire to be…
777 wordsSECTION 260Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
NOTE.--Vincent taught that in the Supper the figures of the body and the blood of Christ are administered. Also, that the bread and the wine continue in their own substance. _Book of the two natures._ Also, _Samuel Veltius_, in _Geslacht-register, page 124_. _A. D. 402._--About this time, the very old and excellent or…
662 wordsSECTION 261Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
_A. D. 402._--Synesius Syrenus, an upright, pious man, became, from a heathen, a Christian; was baptized by Theophilus, and afterwards appointed by him bishop of Ptolemais. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 5th book, page 138, col. 1_, from _Evagrius, lib. 1, cap. 15. Mer., fol. 334_. It is true, that it is stated of Synesius Sy…
678 wordsSECTION 262Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
But what else is the washing of regeneration, than the death of the old man, and the putting on of a new life, which is signified by baptism? See Rom. 6:3,4; Eph. 5:26,27; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21. Again, Sedulius, on Rom. 6, says: “Paul would have baptism so sure and perfect as to make it impossible for the recipient to…
705 wordsSECTION 263Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
Again, _quaest. 19 on Levit._: “He that believes in Christ the Savior, when he is sanctified by the water of holy baptism, is also cleansed from the stains of sin.” Again, _quaest. 1 on Jos._: “As the priests who bore the ark, went first into Jordan, whereupon all the people, with Joshua, the princes, and the prophets…
711 wordsSECTION 264Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
In the second passage the martyrs and the candidates for baptism are compared to one another; but who does not know that infants cannot be martyrs, seeing they can neither believe nor confess, much less can they voluntarily confirm said confessed faith with death, which, nevertheless, is the own work of all the orthodo…
698 wordsSECTION 265Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
When, therefore, Maximus introduces here the baptism of Christ, which took place when the latter was about thirty years old, and says that it was not done for himself, but for us, that is, for an example to be followed, and that he thereby confirmed the mystery of the new baptism, he certainly indicates thereby, that h…
709 wordsSECTION 266Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
Again: “A catechumen is anointed (that is, instructed with the word of God), that he may be taught; for the Greek word _catechumenos_ means, in Latin, one that is being instructed; and he is baptized, that he may know the true light, and receive the remission of all sins; therefore, the virtue or significance of baptis…
663 wordsSECTION 267Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
_A. D. 430._--In _Bapt. Hist., page 392_, quoted from Socrates by Vicecomes, _lib. 1, cap. 27_, Socrates writes, in the _7th book_ of the _Church History_: “A Jew, who was very sick, lying almost at the point of death, desired to be baptized. To this end, he was carried into the church, where the teacher instructed him…
693 wordsSECTION 268Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
NOTE.--It is recorded that in the time of Honorius A. D. 436, even those of Carthage passed this resolution: “Those who wish to receive baptism, shall previously be tried and examined for a long time.” _Seb. Fr., Chron. Rom. Conc., fol. 71, col. 4._ _A. D. 438._--Eucherius (in _lib. 3, Reg._), says: “We are all baptiz…
655 wordsSECTION 269Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
_Canon 14._ “The unbaptized weak (members), who are concerned about their purification, and commit themselves to spiritual guardians, following their admonitions, may commune, in order that, through the virtue of the sacrament received, they may be strengthened against the assaults of the devil.” _Canon 15._ “Weak cat…
732 wordsSECTION 270Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
What is to be held of such a baptism, may easily be judged; but as it is not our purpose to refute this error, we let this matter rest; in the meantime it suffices us, that in the latter half of the fifth century there were people, yea, distinguished persons, who, notwithstanding the superstitions of popery, especially…
722 wordsSECTION 271Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
[115] The pope and the councils had commenced making such efforts, it appears, already A. D. 470, seventeen years earlier; for at that time Anabaptism was condemned at Rome, as has been shown. “1. If those that have been rebaptized are grievously sorry, and desire to do penance, they shall be received kindly, and, a…
710 wordsSECTION 272Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
NOTE.--At this time mention is made, in a certain African council, of certain people, as being agitators with regard to baptism, and how they should be suppressed. Compare _Seb. Franck, Chron. Rom., Conc., fol. 48, col. 4_, with our remarks in the account of the martyrs of the fifth century, on the year 497. _A. D. 49…
667 wordsSECTION 273Summary Of Baptism In The Fifth Century.
From this we may gather the reason why at times so few orthodox and good writers are found, and, hence, how it comes that in those early days, there was sometimes, for a long period, only one, or a few, who openly maintained baptism upon faith, and other wholesome articles of faith, of which we will not speak further n…
419 wordsSECTION 274Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fifth Century.
[First of all, mention is made of the tyrants who in the beginning of this century tyrannized over the defenseless lambs of Christ; among them are mentioned Isdigerdis, and his son Geroranes. The bloody edict issued by the two Emperors, Honorius and Theodosius, against the so-called Anabaptists, is adduced, according …
716 wordsSECTION 275Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fifth Century.
SECOND VERSION, ACCORDING TO THE ANNOTATION OF MARTIN BELLIUS, IN THE TRACT, VAN DE KETTERS, EN OF MAN DE SELVE SAL VERVOLGEN, DEDICATED TO CHRISTOPHER, DUKE OF WURTEMBERG, PAGE 53. “Since we must speak,” he writes, “of that imperial code, we will relate the following, namely, about the law contained in the first code…
662 wordsSECTION 276Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fifth Century.
ALBANUS, A PIOUS TEACHER AT MENTZ, WITH OTHERS, MARTYRED FOR THE FAITH, A. D. 424. In A. D. 424, eleven years after the Emperors Honorius and Theodosius had issued their bloody edict against the so-called Anabaptists, a pious teacher, who, intending to spread abroad the name of Jesus Christ, and promulgate the doctrin…
765 wordsSECTION 277Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fifth Century.
In the meantime, the King, knowing nothing of the answer which Benjamin had returned to the ambassador gave command to release him from his confinement. Benjamin once more free, ceased not to exhort the people as before, and to set the light of the holy gospel on the candle-stick. When this had continued for about the …
726 wordsSECTION 278Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fifth Century.
NOTE.--It is stated that about this time, until the year 495, and afterwards, there were made in different councils held in Africa five hundred and five laws (called canons or rules), in which among other things it was resolved by the Roman church: 1. “That the children of the Donatists, (namely those Donatists who had…
542 wordsSECTION 279Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
[Shortly after the beginning of this account, Alcimus is introduced who declares that baptism was prefigured in the suffering of Christ; his testimony, however, in regard to this, is reserved for another place. Cassiodorus follows Alcimus, saying that in baptism believers are regenerated to new creatures. He is follo…
669 wordsSECTION 280Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
Alcimus writes (_lib. 1, de Orig. Mundi_) in the _6th Cent. Magdeburg., fol. 112_, concerning the doctrine of baptism: “That baptism is prefigured in the suffering of Christ.” Thereupon follows a certain verse from Alcimus, in which baptism is compared to the water which flowed from Christ’s side, and to the blood of t…
810 wordsSECTION 281Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
We now come to the third passage, in which he speaks of the passage of the people of Israel through the Red Sea. He compares the Israelites to those who, having been converted from heathenism, were baptized; the Red Sea, by which the people of Israel were delivered, he compares to baptism, through which those who had b…
660 wordsSECTION 282Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
But how can these two things, namely, to live after the flesh before baptism, and after the Spirit after baptism, apply to infants, of this he that has experience may judge. That which is written to Symmachus, in the letter of the orientals, is of the same nature; for there it is said of regenerated baptized persons t…
713 wordsSECTION 283Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
_About A. D. 525._--Or in the 15th year of Theodoric, King of France, those of the Roman church again found themselves in great embarrassment with regard to the so-called Anabaptists. The matter rose to such a pitch that it was thought well to assemble a council against them, as had been done by Pope Felix, A. D. 487, …
665 wordsSECTION 284Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
[118] Touching the Jews who embraced the faith, this rule was established: “A Jew shall be tried for eight months among the scholars of the faith, and then, if he assents to it, be baptized.” _Seb. Franck, Chron., Rom. Conc., fol. 72, col. 3._ We do not especially favor the decrees of councils; yet, when they agree…
763 wordsSECTION 285Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
He then relates, from the constitutions [laws] of the Emperors, Justin and Justinian, in what the interdiction, or, at least, the decree, ordained by these Emperors respecting this matter, consisted; from which it can be seen, that not only was infant baptism rejected and contemned by those contemptuously called fanati…
727 wordsSECTION 286Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
_About A. D. 548._--Or 550, it is related, that one Peter, as well as one Zoroaras defended Anabaptism; but as to how and in what manner it was done, whether they rejected infant baptism, or whether they recognized no other baptism than that upon faith and administered in their own church, or otherwise, of this I find …
655 wordsSECTION 287Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
However, if it should be, that with this putting on of white robes, and giving of presents, there was coupled any superstition (of which, however, we are not aware,), we would not commend, but rather speak against it. What we have in view here, is simply this, that such ceremonies were not, and could not be, performed …
650 wordsSECTION 288Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
Having quoted this much, Jacob Mehrning says: “All this is utterly inapplicable to infant baptism.” _Bapt. Hist., page 486._ _Same year as above._--It is stated that about this time there also lived Theophilus Alexandrinus, who, it appears, held views entirely different from those of the Roman church, with regard to b…
687 wordsSECTION 289Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century.
_About A. D. 600._--We will now bring the history of baptism in the sixth century to a close. We would adduce more writers in confirmation of said matter, but we fear that many authors of that time did not write faithfully and uprightly; besides, that many of their descendants, in order to give color to infant baptism …
502 wordsSECTION 290Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Sixth Century.
[The verse of Alcimus, reserved in the preceding account of baptism in this century, is now adduced, as the first proof of the martyrization of this time, and circumstantially explained. Mention is made of various severe persecutions that occurred about this time, of which fifteen are enumerated; it is also shown in w…
770 wordsSECTION 291Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Sixth Century.
II. _Of Martyrdom._--This is what we have chiefly had in view; for he says in the last line of the aforementioned verse: “Thus flows to-day the martyrs’ blood.” Certainly, here he indicates that at the time when he wrote this, the blood of the (believing) martyrs was shed; for this is indicated by the word, _to-day_, w…
666 wordsSECTION 292Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Sixth Century.
3. It is declared that in the third year of Justinian the Great, nephew of Justin the Great, a persecution against the Christians was raised by the Samaritan Jews in Palestine. _Ibidem, col. 4._ 4. Afterwards there was also a short persecution of the Christian believers, by the Vandals, in Africa. _Ibid._ 5. Also, th…
659 wordsSECTION 293Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Sixth Century.
Hence it follows, that to all appearance, in the abovementioned fifteen persecutions, not a few, or, at least, some, orthodox believers were put to death, as true martyrs; for such have of old been paramountly subject to persecution. We shall therefore investigate what people have at this time, as pious witnesses of Je…
676 wordsSECTION 294Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Sixth Century.
THE OPPRESSION SUFFERED BY THE CHURCH AND THE SERVANTS OF GOD, UNDER GRANUS, THE SON OF THE KING OF FRANCE A. D. 562. That believers and the leaders of the church of God had to suffer great oppression at this time, our beloved brother and co-worker in Christ, P. J. Twisk, deceased, in his time, signified to his cotemp…
696 wordsSECTION 295Summary Of Baptism In The Seventh Century.
Abraham Mellinus and J. Mehrning, however, differ in regard to the supposed time in which Evagrius (who, it appears, wrote the above account of the martyrdom of Golauduch), is said to have lived, J. Mehrning referring him to the middle of the fifth century, while Abr. Mellinus, on the other hand, places him almost at t…
811 wordsSECTION 296Summary Of Baptism In The Seventh Century.
[127] _A. D. 605._--At this time, Gregory the Great wrote: “If a bishop, whoever he be, is called a general bishop (that is, Pope), the whole church decays.” In _Regist., lib. 8, cap. 188_. Again: “I candidly say that any one who calls himself a general bishop, or desires to be called such, is, in his exaltation, t…
716 wordsSECTION 297Summary Of Baptism In The Seventh Century.
As regards the _place_ of baptizing, it was not in a font or basin, but in the wilderness, here and there at the rivers, whither, as every one can easily judge, new-born infants cannot go; neither can they observe the manner then customary at baptism, namely, to kneel during baptism, and go in or under the water; of wh…
879 wordsSECTION 298Summary Of Baptism In The Seventh Century.
_About A. D. 658._--D. Joseph Vicecomes quotes from Zeno of Verona, a certain address which the latter was accustomed to direct to the candidates, saying, when they were about to be baptized: “Rejoice (beloved friends); it is true, in baptism you are divested of your clothes, but adorned in the heavenly robe, you shall…
700 wordsSECTION 299Summary Of Baptism In The Seventh Century.
From this it can be seen that the Pope’s principal concern was, not to lose the mass and infant baptism, both of which were chief points upon which rested the Roman church, as the temple of Dagon upon two pillars, which were threatened, now by this Sampson and now by another, by the arms of the Spirit and the word of G…
700 wordsSECTION 300Summary Of Baptism In The Seventh Century.
What took place ultimately with these applicants for baptism, in his time, he indicates with these words: “On Palm Sunday (that is, the Sunday before Easter), the _Symbolium_ (that is, the twelve articles of faith) is delivered to the applicants for baptism, on account of the approaching glorious Easter feast, in order…
638 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.