About this time, writes P. J. Twisck, the instruments of the devil could not invent punishments severe enough, but what they considered the Christians worthy of. For they were watched in their houses as well as without; men cried out against them in all public places; they were scourged, stoned, and dragged about; their goods were plundered; they were apprehended; red-hot iron plates were applied to their bare bodies; they were placed in a certain instrument made to torture malefactors; they were put into the deepest and darkest places of the prisons, where they were slain, yea, they were afflicted with excruciating torments. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 2d book, for the year 130, page 39, col. 2, and page 40, col. 1, from Jan Crespin in den staet der Kerken._
GETULICUS, SYMPHOROSA WITH HER SONS, CERIALUS AND AMANTIUS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE FAITH, AT FRIVOLI; AND SAPPHIRA AND SABINA AT ROME, A. D. 136.
Getulicus, a teacher at Frivoli in Italy, Symphorosa with her sons, and Cerialus and Amantius, were put to death in that city for the faith. It is also stated that Sapphira, a maiden from Antioch, and Sabina, the widow of Valentinus, had to lay down their lives, at Rome, for the same reason. _Joh. Gysii Hist. Mart., fol. 15, col. 4._
PTOLOMEUS, A GODFEARING MAN, PUT TO DEATH AT ALEXANDRIA, IN EGYPT, FOR THE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, ABOUT THE YEAR 144.
It is stated that Ptolomeus was a pious and godfearing man, who had converted his wife from the blindness of heathendom to the faith. He was apprehended for the truth of Christ. Asked, whether he was a Christian, he, as a lover of the truth, immediately confessed that he was. After this confession, he was cast into prison, in which he suffered so long as to become completely emaciated. Finally he was delivered to the judge Urbicius, who shortly afterwards had him put to death; and thus Ptolomeus became a faithful martyr of Jesus Christ. Compare _Joh. Gysii Hist. Mart._, printed at _Dort, 1657, fol. 15, col. 3_, with _Abr. Mell., 1st book of the Hist, der vervolg. Mart._, also, printed at _Dort, A. D. 1619, fol. 32, col. 2, from Just. Philos. Apol. prima Christian Euseb., lib. 4, cap. 17_.
LUCIUS, A PIOUS CHRISTIAN, ALSO PUT TO DEATH AT ALEXANDRIA, ACCORDING TO THE PRECEDING SENTENCE, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER, WHO MADE THE SAME PROFESSION, ABOUT THE YEAR 144.
In _Historia Ecclesia Eusebii Pamphilii Cæsariensis_, mention is made of a certain Lucius, who was greatly dissatisfied with the sentence and execution of the aforementioned pious man Ptolomeus, and, therefore, demanded a reason for it from the judge, at the same time confessing himself a Christian; which cost him his life, even as it did the man for whom he interceded.
The words in the book mentioned above are as follows: “When Lucius, who was also a Christian, perceived that so presumptuous a sentence was pronounced against Ptolomeus, he said to Urbicius (the judge): ‘Pray, tell me, for what reason do you sentence this man so hastily, and cause him to be led to execution, merely on account of one word, because he confesses himself to be a Christian? If there were another, who would confess all manner of sin, such as murder, adultery, or any other crime, would you also act so hastily, and sentence him to death immediately? This is not proper, O Urbicius! it does not become a good emperor, a wise bachelor, the son of the emperor, or the senators to act thus.’ Then said Urbicius to Lucius: ‘It appears to me that thou also art a Christian.’ When Lucius replied: ‘It is true, I am one.’ Then Urbicius commanded that he should be led forth to death. Thereupon Lucius said: ‘I thank thee, for releasing me from these wicked lords, and sending me to the kind and best of fathers, the king of all things, namely, our God.’ Another who also boldly confessed that he was a Christian, was put to death by virtue of the same sentence.” Thus far, _Eusebius in the 4th book of his Church History, in the 17th chapter, Dort edition, A. D. 1588, fol. 72, col. 1_, compared with _A. Mellinus_ and _Joh. Gysius_, in the passages quoted concerning Ptolomeus.