1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 67 
CloseC2 Christian martyred under Marcus Aurelius at Pergamum. [Paul Keresztes, 'Marcus Aurelius a Persecutor?', The Harvard Theological Review, vol. 61, no. 3 (July, 1968) p. 323]
She is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Alexander was beheaded. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
Close(d. c. 166) [Kelly]
Pope (c. 155 - c. 166)
Anthea sent her son Eleutherius to Anicetus to be brought up in the Christian religion. 1570, p. 66; 1576, p. 41; 1583, p. 41.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 14, 62, 78; 1576, pp. 11, 38, 53; 1583, p. 11, 38, 53.
CloseC2 Christian martyred under Marcus Aurelius at Pergamum. [Paul Keresztes, 'Marcus Aurelius a Persecutor?', The Harvard Theological Review, vol. 61, no. 3 (July, 1968) p. 323]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Cynic philosopher; persecutor of Justin Martyr, who refuted him [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Justin Martyr]
After his baptism, Justin Martyr went to Rome and disputed with Crescens. 1570, p. 73; 1576, p. 49; 1583, p. 49.
Justin Martyr opposed Crescens in his Apology to the emperor. 1570, pp. 46-47; 1576, pp. 44-45; 1583, pp. 44-45.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome with her seven sons. [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Felicitas, after her children were killed, was executed by sword. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Felix had his brains beaten out. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Roman presbyter who lapsed into heresy [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Polycarp]; recipient of a letter from Irenæus
His letter from Irenæus is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 62; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
Close(d. c. 107x117) [Gams]
Patriarch of Antioch (c. 67 - c. 107x117); martyr
Ignatius wrote letters to several congregations of Christians, warning them against heresy. He was thrown to wild beasts. 1570, p. 58, 1576, p. 40; 1583, p. 40.
In one of his letters, written on his way to his martyrdom, Ignatius assigned the government of his church at Antioch to Polycarp of Smyrna and praised the truth of his teaching. 1570, pp. 61-62; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Januarius, eldest son of Felicitas, was whipped and pressed to death with weights. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
Close(c. 340/2 - 420) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Scholar; translator of the bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin; studied at Rome and Trier. Lived as an ascetic (374 -79); lived in Constantinople (380 - 81), Rome (382 - 85) and Bethlehem (386)
Jerome was called 'papas' or 'father' by Boniface I and others. 1570, p. 11; 1576, p. 8; 1583, p. 8.
Close(c. 100 - 165) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
of Caesarea; Christian convert; writer. Studied philosophy, taught in Rome; martyr
Foxe gives an account of Justin's education and early life. 1570, pp. 72-73; 1576, pp. 48-49; 1583, pp. 48-49.
Justin related in his Apology how the behaviour of the Christian martyrs helped to stimulate his conversion to Christianity. 1570, p. 73; 1576, p. 49; 1583, p. 49.
After his baptism, he went to Rome and disputed with Crescens. 1570, p. 73; 1576, p. 49; 1583, p. 49.
Justin presented an apology to the emperor in defence of the martyrs and in opposition to Crescens. He predicted his own martyrdom through the procurement of Crescens. 1570, pp. 46-47, 64, 73-74; 1576, pp. 37, 44-45, 49-50; 1583, pp. 37, 44-45, 49-50.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Martialis was beheaded. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 presbyter of the Marcionite heresy; martyred under Marcus Aurelius [Paul Keresztes, 'Marcus Aurelius a Persecutor?', The Harvard Theological Review, vol. 61, no. 3 (July, 1968) pp. 323-324]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
Close(d. 828) [Gams]
Greek Orthodox theologian and historian; patriarch of Constantinople (806 - 15)
He is cited extensively by Foxe as a source in Book 1.
CloseC2 Christian martyred under Marcus Aurelius at Pergamum. [Paul Keresztes, 'Marcus Aurelius a Persecutor?', The Harvard Theological Review, vol. 61, no. 3 (July, 1968) p. 323]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Philip had his brains beaten out. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Christian martyred under Marcus Aurelius [Paul Keresztes, 'Marcus Aurelius a Persecutor?', The Harvard Theological Review, vol. 61, no. 3 (July, 1968) p. 323]
Pionius spoke boldly in defence of the faith, was tortured and burnt. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC5 Greek Christian church historian; continued the history of Eusebius of Caesarea
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 62, 77, 113; 1576, pp. 44, 53, 81; 1583, pp. 44, 53, 80.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Sylvanus had his neck broken. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
CloseC2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]
Vitalis was beheaded. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.
Close[Antiochia apud Orontem]
Turkey
Coordinates: 36° 12' 0" N, 36° 9' 0" E
Close[Pergamopolis; Pergamus]
Mysia, Turkey
Coordinates: 49° 38' 60" N, 4° 32' 60" E
to fauor him selfe, being in the floure of his age, he woulde not be allured: but constātly and boldly, and of his owne accorde incited and prouoked the wild beast to come vpon him, and to deuour him, to be deliuerd more spedely out of this wretched life. Hæc Eusebius, an, 170.
Thus haue you heard out of the Epistle of the brethren of Smyrna, the whole order and life of Policarpus, wherby it may appeare that he was a very aged māMarginaliaThe olde age of Policarpus.who had serued Christ, lxxxvj. yeares since the first knowledge of him, and serued also in the ministery about the space of 70. yeares. This Policarpus was the schooler and hearer of Iohn the Euangelist,MarginaliaPolicarpus the scholler of Iohn.and was placed by the sayde Iohn in Smyrna. Of him also Ignatius maketh mention in his Epistle which he wrote in his iourney to Rome, going toward his martyrdome, and commended to him the gouernement of hys Church at Antioch, whereby it appeareth that Policarpus then was in þe ministery. Likewise Iræneus writeth of the sayd Policarpus after this maner.MarginaliaIrenæus lib. 3. Cap. 1.He alwayes taught (sayd he) those things which he learned of the Apostles, leauing them to the Church, and are onely true. Wherevnto also al the Churches that be in Asia, and all they which succeeded after Policarpus to this day beareth witnes, And the same Irenæus witnesseth also that the sayd Policarpus wrote an Epistle to the Phillipians,MarginaliaThe Epistle of Policarpus to the Philippians.which whether it be the same that is now extant and read in the name of Policarpus, it is doubted of some: notwithstanding in the sayd Epistle diuers things are founde very holesome and Apostolicke: as where he teacheth of Christ, of iudgement and of the resurrection. Also he writeth of faith very worthily, thus declaryng that by grace we are saued, and not by works, but in the will of God by Iesus Christ.MarginaliaIustification by fayth.
[Back to Top]In Eusebius we reade in like maner a part of an Epistle written by Irenæus to Florinus, wherin is declared how that the said Irenæus being yet yong, was with Policarpus in Asia:MarginaliaEx Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 20. Irenæus conuersaunt with the policarpus.at what time he saw & well remembred, what Policarpus did, and the place where he sat teaching, his whole order of life and proportion of his body, with the sermons & wordes which he said to the people. And furthermore, he perfectly remembred howe that the saide Policarpus often times reported vnto him those thinges which hee learned and heard them speake of the Lord,MarginaliaPolicarpus conuersaunt with the Apostles.his dooinges, power, and doctrine, who heard the worde of life with their owne eares, all which were more consonant and agreable to the holy Scripture. Thus with much more hath Irenæus, concerning Policarpus.
[Back to Top]Hierome also writing of the same Policarpus, hath howe he was in great estimation throughout all Asia,MarginaliaThe authoritie of Policarpus in the Churches of Asia.for that he was scholer to the Apostles and to them which did see and were conuersant with Christ himselfe, whereby it is to be coniectured his authority to be much not onely with them of his owne Church, but wyth all other Churches about him.
[Back to Top]Ouer and besides, it is witnessed by the sayd Irenæus, that Policarpus came to Rome in the time of Anicetus Byshop of Rome about the yere of our Lord. 157. in þe raigne of Antoninus Pius, whose cause of his comming thether appeareth to be about the controuersie of Easter day: wherin the Asians and the Romanes somthing disagreed amonge thēselues.MarginaliaPolicarpus came to Rome. Polycarpus conferreth with Anicetus The East church and Romaine Church differe about Easterday. Ex Nicepho. Lib. 4. cap 39.And therfore the said Policarpus in the behalfe of the brethren and Church of Asia, tooke his long iourneye thether to come and conferre with Anicetus. Wherof wryteth also Nicephorus Lib. 4. declaring that Policarpus and Anicetus, something varied in opinions and iudgement about that mater. And that notwithstanding, yet both frēdly communicated either with the other, insomuch that Anicetus in his Church gaue place to Policarpus to minister the Communion and Sacrament of the Lordes Supper for honour sake,MarginaliaDifference of ceremonyes caused no breach of charitie in the Primitiue Church. which may be a notable testimony now to vs, that the doctrine concerning the free vse and liberty of ceremonies, was at that time retained in the church without any offence of stomacke, or breach of Christian peace in the Church.
[Back to Top]This Policarpus (as is aboue mentioned) suffered his Martyrdome euen in his owne Church at Smyrna, where he had laboured so many yeares in planting of the Gospel of Christ, which was about the yeare of our Lorde 170. as Eusebius rekoneth in his Chronicle, and in the 7. yeare of Antoninus Verus his raigne: wherby it appeareth that Socrates in Historia tripartita was much deceaued saying that Policarpus suffered in the time of Gordianus.MarginaliaSocrates deceiued in hys Tripart. hist. Ex Euseb. Lib. 4. cap. 17.
[Back to Top]In this fourth persecution beside Policarpus and other mentioned before, we read also in Eusebius of diuers other, who at the same time likewise did suffer at Smyrna.
MarginaliaMetrodorus. Pronius. Carpus. Papylus. Agathonica. Martyrs.Ouer and besides in the said persecution suffered moreouer Metrodorus a ministrr: who was giuen to the fier, & so consumed. An other was worthy Pionius, which after much boldnes of speeche with his Apologies exhibited, &his sermons made to the people in the defence of christian fayth, and after much relieuyng and comforting of such as were in prisons, and otherwise discōforted, at last was put to cruell torments and afflictions, then giuen likewise to the fire, so finished his blessed martyrdome.
[Back to Top]After these also suffered Carpus Papylus, and Agathonyca, a woman who after their most constaunt and worthye confessions were put to death at Pergamopolis in Asia, witnessing Eusebius Lib. 4, cap 7.
And as these suffered in Asia, so in Rome suffered Felicitas with her 7, children,MarginaliaFelicitas with her 7. Children. Ianuari. Felix. Philipus. Siluanus. Alexander. Vitalis. Martialis. Martyrs.who vnder this M. Antoninus Verus, sustayned also the cruelty of this persecution. The names of whose children Bergomensis and other histories doe thus recite, Ianuarius Felix, Philippe, Siluanus, Alexander, Vitalis, Martialis. Of whom her first and eldest sonne Ianuarius after he was whipped and scourged with roddes, was prest to death with leaden waightes. Felix and Phillippe had their braynes beaten out with maules. Siluanus was cast downe headlong, and had his necke broken. Furthermore, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis was beheaded. Last of all Felicitas the mother (otherwise then the accustomed maner was, for such as hadde borne Children) was slayne with the sword. Ex Supplem.
[Back to Top]In the rage of this fourth persecution, vnder the raigne of Antonius Pius, suffered also good Iustinus,MarginaliaIustinus a man in learning and Philosophy excellent, & a great defender of Christian Religion. Who first exhibited unto the Emperour & to the Senate, a booke or Apologie in the defence of the Christians, and afterward himselfe also dyed a Martyr. Of whom in the history of Euseb. Lib. 4. cap. 16. it is thus recorded:MarginaliaMartyr. Ex Euseb. Lib. 4 Cap. 16.That about what tyme, or a little before that Polycarpus with other diuers Sainctes suffered Martyrdome in Pargamopolis, a Cittie of Asia, this Iustinus (as is aforesayd) presented a booke in defence of our doctrine to the Emperour, to wit vnto Antonius, and to the Senate. After which he was also crowned with like Martyrdome vnto those, whome he in his booke had defended, through the malicious meanes, and crafty circumuention of Crescens.
[Back to Top]This Crescens was a PhilosopherMarginaliaCrescens A Philosopher procurer of the death of Iustinus.confirming hys lyfe and maners to the Cynical sect, whom for because this Iustinus had reproued in open audience, and had borne away the victory of the trueth which he defended, he therefore as much as in him lay, did worke & procure vnto him this crowne of Martyrdome. And this did also Iustine him selfe a Philosopher, no lesse famous by hys profession, foresee and declare in hys foresayd Apology, telling almost all those thinges before hand which should happen vnto him, by these words saying: And I looke after this good turne, that I be slayne goyng by the way, eyther of some of those whom I haue named, and to haue my braynes beaten out with a bat, or els of Crescens, whom I cannot call a Phylosopher, but rather a vayne boaster. For it is not conuenient to call him a Philosopher, whiche openly professeth thinges to him vnknowne, and whereof he hath no skil, saying and reporting of vs, that the Christians be vngodly & irreligiouse: And all to please and flatter them, which are reduced by errour.
[Back to Top]For whether he obiecteth against vs the doctrine of the Christians whiche he hath not read, yet is he very malicious, and worse then the vnlearned ideotes,MarginaliaCrescens a rayling Philosopher, and a malicious rayler.who for the most part vse not to dispute or iudge of thinges they know not, and to beare witnes of the same. Or put case that he had read them, yet vnderstandeth he not the maiestie of the matters therein conteined, or if peraduenture he vnderstandeth them, and doth it for thys purpose, that he would not be counted as one of them: then is he so much the more wicked and malicious, and the bondslaue of vyle & beastly both fame and feare.MarginaliaA slaue of fame and fear.For this I testifie of him, geuiug you truely to vnderstand that for a truth, which I declare vnto you, how that I haue apposed him, and haue put vnto him many questions, whereby I know and perceaue, that he vnderstandeth nothing. But if so be that this our disputatiō with him, hath not come vnto your eares, I am ready to communicate vnto you agayn those questions which I demaunded of him, whiche things shall not be vnfit for your Princely honour to heare.MarginaliaCrescens proued an vnlearned Philosopher.But if ye knowe and vnderstand both what thinges I haue examined him of, as also what aunswere he hath made, it shal be apparant vnto you, that he is altogether ignoraunt of our doctrine and learning, or els if he knoweth the same, he dare not vtter it for feare of hys auditors, which thing, as I sayd before, is a proofe that he is no Philosopher, but a slaue to vayne glory, which maketh none accompt of that, which his own Mayster Socrates had in so great estimation. And thus much of Iustine, out of Iustine himselfe.
[Back to Top]Now to verifie that, which Iustine here of him selfe doth prophecie, that Crescens would and did procure his death,