1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 75 
Close(d. c. 116) [Kelly]
Pope (c. 109 - c. 116)
Pope Alexander I was said to have raised Hermes' son from the dead and to have cured his maid of blindness. Alexander was imprisoned and cured the daughter of his jailer, resulting in the conversion of the whole household. 1576, p. 38; 1583, p. 38.
Close(1421 - 1481) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Humanist author; prefect of the Vatican library. In 1468 he was imprisoned on suspicion of heresy and conspiring against the pope's life. He wrote Lives of the Popes under Sixtus IV.
Sabellico and Platina recorded that Constantine IV decreed that bishops of Rome were to be chosen by the clergy and people, not by the emperor. 1570, p. 5, 1576, p. 4, 1583, p. 4.
He is mentioned by Foxe as a source: 1563, p. 11, 1570, p. 75, 77, 95, 104, 119; 1576, p. 38, 51, 52, 67, 80, 85; 1583, pp. 38, 51, 52, 57, 67, 80, 85.
Close(c.1177 - 1231)
Provost of Ursberg; chronicler
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 61, 77, 108; 1576, pp. 44, 52, 76; 1583, pp. 43, 52, 76.
Close(c. 305 - 384) [Kelly]
Pope (366 - 84) His election was followed by a disputed succession and violent riots; he was opposed by antipope Ursinus. Promoted Roman primacy. Wrote briefly on the martyrs and saints.
Damasus said that Pope Anterus caused the accounts of the martyrs to be written and as a result was himself martyred. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 59; 1583, p. 59.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 4, 23, 77, 93, 133; 1576, pp. 3, 18, 52, 65, 97; 1583, pp. 3, 18, 52, 57, 65, 96.
CloseLegendary missionary and martyr
Eusebius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was pressed to death with weights at Rome. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
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.
CloseSaid to be a senator under Commodus converted to Christianity; martyr
Julius was converted by Vincentius, Eusebius, Peregrinus and Potentianus. He denied the gods before the emperor, refused to sacrifice and was beaten to death. 1570, pp. 76-77; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
CloseLegendary missionary and bishop of Auxerre sent by Pope Sixtus; martyr
Peregrinus refused to sacrifice to the gods and was pressed to death with weights at Rome. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
CloseJudge during the reign of Commodus; persecutor of Christians
Perennius sentenced Apollonius to have his legs broken. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
CloseLegendary missionary and martyr
Potentianus refused to sacrifice to the gods and was pressed to death with weights at Rome. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
CloseSaid to be Christian priest at Rome at the time of Commodus
Ruffinus baptised Julius, a senator, and his family. 1570, p. 77; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
CloseAccording to Jerome, the servant of Apollonius during the reign of Commodus
Severus accused Apollonius to the senate. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
Close(d. c. 125) [Kelly]
Pope (c. 116 - c. 125)
Foxe discounts epistles attributed to him. 1570, p. 77; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 62; 1576, p. 38; 1583, p. 38.
Close(d. c. 136) [Kelly]
Pope (c. 125 - c. 136); martyr
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1563, p. ; 1570, p. 62, 77; 1576, p. 38, 53; 1583, pp. 38, 52.
CloseLegendary missionary and martyr
Vincentius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was pressed to death with weights at Rome. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
CloseCaptain under Emperor Commodus (r. 180 - 92)
Vitellus arrested Vincentius, Eusebius, Peregrinus and Potentianus on the emperor's orders. He ordered them to sacrifice to the gods and, when they refused, had them beaten to death. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.
whom Hierome writeth to be the seruaunt of þe said Apollonius, and nameth him Seuerus: but whose seruaunt soeuer he was, the wretched man came soone inough before the iudge, being condignely rewarded, for that his malicious diligence.Marginalia Appollonius accused by hys owne seruaunt. For by a law which þe Emperour made that no man vpon paine of death shoulde falsely accuse the Christians, he was put to execution, & had his legs broken forthwith, by the sentence of Perenninus the iudge, which being an heathen man, he pronounced against him: but the beloued martyr of God, when the iudge with much a doe had obtained of hym to render an accoūt before the honorable Senate of his faith,Marginalia Appollonius exhibiteth an Apology of hys fayth to the Senate. vnder whose defence and warrant of lyfe he did the same, deliuered vnto them an eloquēt Apologie of the christian beliefe: but the former warrant notwithstanding, he by the decree of the Senate, was beheaded, and so ended his life: For that there was an auncient law among them decreed,Marginalia An old wicked law of the Romaines. that none that professed Christ, and therefore araigned, should be released without recantation, or altering his opinion.
[Back to Top]This Commodus is said in stories to be so sure & steddy handed in casting the dart, that in the open Theatre before the people, he would encounter with the wild beasts, and be sure to hit them in place where he appointed. Among diuers other his vicious and wild parts he was to farre surpressed in pride and arrogancy,Marginalia The ridiculous pride of the Emperour. that he would be called Hercules, and many times would shewe himselfe to the people in the skinne of a Lion, to bee counted thereby the king of men, like as the Lion is of the beastes.
[Back to Top]Vpon a certaine time being his birth day, this Commodus, calling the people of Rome togither, in a great roialtye hauing his lions skinne vpon him, made sacrifice to Hercules & Iupiter, causing it to be cried through the Citty that Hercules was the patrone and defender of the Citye. There were the same time at Rome. Vincentius, Eusebius, Peregrinus, Potentianus,Marginalia Vincentius. Eusebius. Peregrinus. Potentianus. Martyrs. learned men, and instructors of the people, who folowing the steps of the Apostles, went about from place to place where the Gospell was not yet preached, conuerting the Gentiles to the fayth of Christ, These hearing the madnes of the Emperour & of the people, began to reproue their idolatrous blindnes, teaching in villages & townes al that heard them, to beleue vpon þe true and only God, and to come away from such worshipping of deuils, and to giue honor to God alone, which only is to be worshipped, willing them to repent and to bee Baptised, least they perished with Commodus. With thys their preaching, they conuerted one Iulius a Senatour and other to the Religion of Christ.Marginalia Iulius a Senator conuerted to Christ. Ex Vincen. lib. 10 cap 119. Henr. de Erfor. The Emperour hearyng thereof, caused thē to be apprehended of Vitellus his Captaine, and to be compelled to sacrifice vnto Hercules, which when they stoutly refused, after diuers greuous torments and great miracles by them done, at last they were pressed with leaden waightes to death, Vincentius. Lib. 10. cap. 119. & Chron. Henr. de Erfordia.
[Back to Top]Marginalia Peregrinus sent to Fraunce and Martyred at at Rome. Ex Platina in vita Sixti.This Peregrinus aboue mentioned had bene sent before by Xistus Byshop of Rome, into the parties of Fraunce, to supply there þe rowme of a Bishop and teacher, by reason þt for the continual and horrible persecutions there aboue touched, those places were left desolat and destitute of ministers and instructors, where after he had occupied hymselfe wt much frute among the flocke of Christ, and had stablished the congregation there, returning home againe to Rome, there finished at last (as it is said) his martirdome.
[Back to Top]Marginalia Iulius with hyr family baptised and after Martyred.Now remaineth likewise to speake of Iulius, which Iulius being as is afore described, a Senator of Rome, and now won by þe preaching of these blessed men, to the fayth of Christ, did eftsoones inuite them & brought them home to his house, where being by them more fully instructed in christian religiō, he beleued in the gospel. And sending for one Ruffinus a Priest, was with all his family by him baptised, who (not as the common sort was wont to do) kept close and secret his faith: but incensed with a marueylous and sincere zeale openly professed the same: altogither wishing and praying to be giuen to him by God, not only to beleue in Christ, but also to hasarde his life for him. Which thing the Emperour hearing, how that Iulius had forsakē his old religion, and became a christian, forthwith sent for him to come before him, vnto whom he spake on this wise O Iuly, what madnes hath possessed thee, that this thou doest fall from the olde & common Religion of thy forefathers who acknowledged and worshipped Iupiter & Hercules their gods, & now doest embrace a new & fond kind of Religion of the Christians: At which time Iulius hauing good occasion to shew and opē his faith gaue straight way accompt thereof to him, and affirmed that Hercules & Iupiter were false Gods, & how the worshippers of thē should perish with eternall damnation and punishmentes. Which the Emperour hearing, how that he condemned & despi-sed his Gods, being then inflamed with a great wrath as he was by nature very cholericke, committed him foorthwith to Vitellus, the master of the souldiours, a very cruell & fierce man, to see Iulius either to sacrifice to mighty Hercules or refusing the same to slea him. Vitellus (as hee was commaunded) exhorted Iulius to obey the Emperors cōmaundement and to worship his Gods, Alledging how that the whole Empire of Rome was not onely constituted, but also preserued and maintained by them. Which Iulius denied vtterly to do, admonishing sharply in like maner Vitellus to acknowledge the true God, and obey hys commaundementes, least he with his maister should dye some greeuous death. Whereat Vitellus being moued, caused Iulius with cougels to be beaten vnto death.
[Back to Top]These things being thus briefly recited touching such holy martirs, as hetherto haue suffered, nowe remayneth that wee returne againe to the order of the Romaine Byshops such as followed next after Alexander, at whome we left, whose succeder next was Xistus or Sixtus,Marginalia Xistus Byshop of Rome. the sixt Byshoppe counted after Peter, and gouerned that ministerye the space of x yeares as Damascus & other do write. Vrspergensis maketh mention but of ix. yeares. Platina recordeth that he died a Martir, and was buried at Vaticane. But Eusebius speaking of his diicease, maketh no word mentiō of any Martyrdome. In the 2. tome of the Councelles certaine Epistles be attributed to him, whereof Eusebius, Damasus, Hierome, and other olde authors, as they make no relation, so seeme they to haue no intelligence nor knowledge of any such matter. In these coūterfeit epistles, & in Platina appeareth þt Xistus was the first author of these ordinaunces.Marginalia The trifling ordinaunces of Xistus. First that the holy misteries and holy vessels shoulde be touched, but onely of persons holy and consecrated, especially of no woman, Itē that the corporas cloth should be made of no other cloth, but of fine linnen. Item that bishops such as were called vp to the Apostolicke sea, returning home againe, should not be receiued at their returne, vnlesse they brought with them letters from the bishop of Rome, saluting the people. Itē, at the celebration he ordained to be song this verse, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Where moreouer is to be noted, that the saide Platina, in the life of thys Xistus, doeth testifie that Peter ministred the celebration of the cōmunion onlie wyth the Lordes prayer.Marginalia S Peter celebrated the Lordes supper onely with the Lordspraier Platina in vita Sixti. These triflyng ordinaunces of Xistus, who is so rude that seeth not or may not easly cōiecture to be falsly fathered of Xistus,Marginalia The ordinannce of Xistus suspected. or of anye father of that time; first by the vniforme rudenes and stile of all those decretal letters, nothing sauouryng of that age, but rather of þe later dunsticall times that followed. Also by the matter and argument in those leters contained, nothing agreing with the state of those troublesome daies. Neither againe is it to be supposed that any such recourse of bishops was then to the Apostolicall sea of Rome, that it was not lawfull to returne without their letters: when as the persecution against the Christians was then so hoate, in the daies of Hadrian that the Bishoppes of Rome themselues were more glad to flee out of the Citie, then other bishops were to come to them vnto Rome. And if Xistus added the Sanctus vnto the Masse cannon, what peece then of the canon went before it, when they which put to the other patches came after Xistus: And if they came after Xistus that aded the rest, why did they set their peeces before his, seing they þt began the first peece of the canon, came after him?
[Back to Top]The same likewise is to be iudged of the Epistles & ordinaunces of Telesphorus,Marginalia Telesphorus Byshop of Rome and Martyr. who succeded next vnto Xistus, and being Bishop of that congregation the terme of a 11, yeares, the first yeare of the raigne of Antoninus Pius, dyed Martyr, about the yeare of our Lorde. 138. His Epistle like vnto the rest containing in it no great matter of doctrine, hath these ordinaunces:Marginalia The ordidaunces of Telesphorus. First he cōmaundeth al that were of the Clergy to fast and abstaine from flesh eatyng, vij. weekes before Easter. That three Masses shoulde bee said vpon the Natiuity day of the Lord. That no lay man should accuse either bishop or priest. He ordained moreouer Gloria in excelsis, to be added to the Masse, &c. but these things falsely to be fained vpon him may easely be coniectured. For as touching the vij. weekes fast neither doth it agree with the old Romane terme cōmonly receaued, calling it Quadragesima, that is the xl. daies fast: neither with the example of our Sauiour, who fasted not seuen wekes but onelye xl. dayes.Marginalia Lent fast and the originall therof examined. Moreouer, as concernyng this xl. daies fast, wee reade of the same in the Epistle of Ignatius, which was lōg before Telesphorus: wherby it may appere that this Telesphorus was not the first inuentour thereof. And if it be true, that is lately come out in the name of Abdias, (but vntruly, as by many coniectures may be proued) there is read, that in the daies of S. Mathewe this Lent, fast of xl. dayes was obserued long before Telesphorus: by
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