# Tracts for the Times/Record VI

RECORDS OF THE CHURCH.
No. VI.
THE HOLY CHURCH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD DOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THEE.
Account of the Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne. (From the Church History of Eusebius.)
In the seventeenth year of the Emperor Antoninus Verus, the persecution raged with fresh violence against us, in some parts of the world, by means of the attacks made on us by the populace of the several cities. We may conjecture, from what occurred in a single country, that myriads of martyrdoms took place throughout the earth. These are well worthy of immortal memory, and happen to have been transmitted to posterity in writing. The whole document, which contains the fullest account of them, is placed in my collection of Martyrs, containing a description which is not merely historical, but also instructive. As much, however, as is connected with my present purpose, I will select and insert here.
Others, in composing historical narrations, commit to writing victories in war, and trophies over the enemy, and the exploits of generals, and the valour of troops, stained with blood and endless slaughter, in defence of their children, their country, and their fortunes. But our narrative of the acts of a Divine Commonwealth, will rather seek to inscribe, on an everlasting monument, those most peaceful wars for the peace of the soul; and the Heroes who have fought in these, rather for the truth than for their country, and rather for religion than for the objects of their dearest affections. It will proclaim, for eternal memory, the perseverance, and the enduring valour of the combatants in the cause of Piety, and their trophies over devils, and their victories over unseen adversaries, and their crowns which followed.
Gaul [i. e. France], then was the place of the conflicts of which we speak. The principal cities of this country, remarkable and celebrated above others, are Lyons and Vienne, through both which runs the stream of the Rhone, which passes with a rapid course round that whole region. The account of the martyrdoms, transmitted by the Churches of chief note in these parts to those in Asia and Phrygia, thus describes the things done among them; and I will give their own words.
Letter of the Churches of Lyons and Vienne in the South of France to the Churches of Asia and Phrygia.
The Servants of Christ, that sojourn at Vienne and Lyons in Gaul, to the Brethren in Asia and Phrygia, who have the same faith and hope of redemption with us, peace, and grace, and glory, from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. * * * * The greatness of the sufferings in this country, and the wonderful rage of the heathen against the Saints, and how much the blessed Martyrs endured, we are neither able accurately to declare, nor is it possible to be comprehended in writing. For the Adversary rushed down upon us with all his might, as already anticipating his future coming without controul; and went through all possible means in preparing, and exercising his own beforehand, against the Servants of God. So that we were not only excluded from the houses, the baths, and the market; but it was even forbidden for any of us to shew himself, in any place whatever.
But the Grace of God took the lead in opposition to him; and, protecting the weak, set Firm Pillars in battle array against him, whose fortitude rendered them first to draw on themselves the whole violence of the Evil One; men who went forth to meet him, supporting patiently every kind of insult and torture, and counting the most he could do as little, were in haste to be with Christ; shewing, of a truth, that "the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."
And, in the first place, they nobly endured all the injuries heaped on them by the assembled populace, who hooted, beat, dragged about, plundered, stoned, and confined them; and did all such things, as are wont to be done by a furious mob to those, whom it hates and counts its enemies. And, lastly, when brought into the market-place by the commander of the troops and the authorities of the city, and questioned before the whole multitude, they confessed, and were shut up in prison till the arrival of the Governor.
And when afterwards they were brought before the Governor, and he shewed the utmost cruelty towards us, Vettius Epagathus, one of the brethren, (full of love toward God and his neighbour, and of so exact and perfect a life, that, though a young man, he ​was equal to the testimony borne to the aged Zacharias, in that he "walked in all the commandments and judgments of the Lord blameless," and ready in every service to his neighbour, having great "zeal toward God," and "fervent in spirit,") this excellent man could not endure the unreasonable judgment, which was passing against us, but testified his indignation, and demanded to be heard himself in defence of the Brethren. And when those about the tribunal hooted him down, (for he was a man of note,) and the Governor would not allow the just claim he had put in on our behalf, but only asked if he too were a Christian, he confessed with a loud voice, and was himself taken, and so took his place among the number of the Martyrs; being called the Advocate of the Christians, and having in himself the "Advocate," (or the Comforter, John xiv. 16.) the Spirit, yet more than Zacharias (Luke i. 67.). Which he also shewed by the fulness of his love, being ready to lay down his own life for the sake of defending his Brethren. For he was, yea, is, a genuine Disciple of Christ, "following the Lamb wherever He goeth."
Then also others began to be distinguishable; and the First Martyrs were conspicuous and prepared, fulfilling with all readiness the Martyr's confession. Those also might be discerned who were unprepared and unexercised, and still weak, unable to bear the strain of a great conflict. About ten of whom fell away; who also caused us much grief and unmeasured lamentation, and hindered the readiness of others, who were not yet arrested, and who, though suffering all possible indignities, were in attendance on the Martyrs, and did not desert them. Then, however, we were all greatly alarmed by the uncertainty of the confession; not fearing the cruelties that were inflicted, but looking to the end, and fearing that any one might fall away.
Those, however, who were worthy, were daily apprehended, filling up their number, so that there were taken up, from the two Churches, all the best men, and those, by whom things here were chiefly kept together. There were also taken up some heathen servants belonging to persons amongst our number, since the Governor ordered a public inquisition to be made after us all. And they, by a device of Satan, fearing the tortures which they saw the Saints endure, the soldiers urging them on, belied us as holding Thyestean feasts, and guilty of impurities like those of ​Œdipus, and such things as it is not allowed us to mention, or even to think of, no, nor to believe that they ever existed among mankind.
But when these things were noised abroad, all were infuriated against us; so that, even if any had before shewn moderation on account of connections, even these were greatly enraged, and stung with malice (Acts v. 33.) against us. And that was fulfilled which the Lord had foretold us (John xvi. 2.) "the time shall come, when every one, that killeth you, shall think that he doeth God service." Then afterwards the Holy Martyrs endured tortures beyond all description; Satan being ambitious of drawing some to blaspheme with their lips.
But most eminently did all the rage of the populace, the Governor, and the soldiers, light on Sanctus, a deacon of Vienne; and on Maturus, one newly enlightened, but a noble champion; and on Attains, a Pegamese by birth, who had always been "a pillar and support" of those in this neighbourhood; and on Blandina, by whom Christ shewed that the things which are lowly esteemed among men, and held by them mean and contemptible, are thought worthy of great honour with God, for that love of Him, which is shewed forth in power, and does not boast in a vain appearance.
For when we all were in fear, and her own mistress according to the flesh, (who also herself was one champion among the Martyrs,) was in agony for her, lest she should be unable to make even one bold confession, from the weakness of her body; Blandina was filled with such strength, that even those, who tortured her by turns in every possible way, from morning till evening, were wearied and gave it up, themselves confessing that they were conquered, having nothing more that they could do to her. And they wondered at her remaining still alive, her whole body being mangled and pierced in every part; and declared, that any one kind of torture was enough to deprive her of life, not to say so many and so severe.
But that blessed woman, like a brave wrestler, renewed her strength in confessing; and it was to her recovery, and rest, and ease from her sufferings, to say "I am a Christian," and "Nothing vile is done amongst us."
​Sanctus also, for his part, enduring exceedingly, and above every man, all the cruelties of men with a noble patience, when the wicked hoped that, by means of the continuance and severity of the tortures, they should hear something from him that ought not to be uttered, set himself against them with such firmness as not to mention even his own name, nor that of the nation or city whence he was, nor whether he were bond or free; but to all questions he answered in the Roman tongue "I am a Christian." This he repeatedly declared to be to him instead of a name, instead of a country, and instead of a family; but no other word did the heathen hear from him. Whence also there was great strife both of the Governor and torturers against him; so that, when they had nothing left that they could do to him, at last they fastened red hot plates of brass on the tenderest parts of his body. But though his limbs were burning, he remained upright and unshrinking, stedfast to his confession, bathed and strengthened from Heaven with that fountain of living water, that springs from the well of Christ. But his body bore witness of what had been done, being one entire wound and bruise, and wrenched, and deprived of the external form of man. In whom Christ Himself suffering shewed forth great glory, confounding the adversary, and shewing, for an example to others, that nothing is terrible where is the love of the Father; nothing painful where is the glory of Christ. For when the ungodly again after several days tortured the Martyr, and thought that they should overcome him by applying the same torments while his wounds were yet swollen and sore, and could scarce bear the mere touch of the hand; or that by dying under the torture he would at least alarm the rest; not only did no such thing befal him, but also, contrary to all human expectation, his frail body recovered and was strengthened in his latter torments, and regained its former appearance, and the use of the limbs; so that, by the favour of Christ, his second torture was made to him no punishment, but a remedy.
And then the Devil, thinking he had already swallowed up one woman of the number of those, who had denied Christ, named Biblias, led her to the torture, to compel her to say impious things concerning us, as one now easily to be broken, and without courage. But she came to herself under the tortures, and awoke, so to speak, from a deep sleep; being reminded by temporal ​punishment of the eternal misery of hell; and declared, in contradiction of the blasphemers, "How should those devour children, with whom it is not allowed even to eat the blood of brute animals?" And from this time she confessed herself to be a Christian, and was added to the number of the Martyrs.
But, when these tyrannical cruelties were confounded by Christ through the patience of the Blessed Martyrs, the Devil imagined other devices, such as confinement in prison, in the darkest and most loathsome dungeon; and stretching their feet in the stocks, even to the fifth hole; and all other such insults, as the underkeepers, when enraged, (and these same men filled with the Evil Spirit) are accustomed to put upon their prisoners; so that many were suffocated in the prison, those whom the Lord willed thus to escape, showing forth His glory. Some there were who had been bitterly tormented, so that it should have seemed that with all possible care they could scarce have lived, who stayed in prison; deprived indeed of human care, but revived and strengthened by the Lord in body and soul, and exciting and comforting the rest. But the young, and those newly apprehended, whose bodies had suffered no previous mangling, could not endure the pressure of this confinement, but died in prison.
But the blessed Pothinus, who was entrusted with the bishoprick of the Church in Lyons, above ninety years of age, and quite worn out in body, scarce able to breathe from his previous infirmity, but renewed in strength by the readiness of his spirit, in his earnest desire of martyrdom, himself also was dragged to the tribunal; his body worn out with age and disease; but his life being still kept in him, that Christ might triumph through it:—who, when brought by the soldiers to the tribunal, all the authorities of the city following him, and all the crowd, as though he had been Christ Himself, uttering all sorts of cries against him, bore a good testimony. And when asked by the Governor, who might be the God of the Christians? he said, "If thou be worthy, thou shalt know." After this he was dragged about without mercy, and suffered all kinds of buffeting, those who were near him insulting him with their hands and feet, without regard to his age; and those at a distance throwing at him whatever came to hand; and all thinking any one guilty of a great fault and impiety, who should be wanting in insolence towards him. For they considered that they should thus avenge ​their gods. And he was cast, scarce alive, into the prison, and died after two days. Here then, there took place a remarkable dispensation of God, and an infinite compassion of Jesus was shown forth; a thing, which had rarely occurred in the brotherhood, but is not unsuited to the wisdom of Christ. For those, who denied at their first apprehension, were themselves also confined, and partook of our sufferings. At this time the denial of the faith was of no use to them; for those, who confessed what they were, were imprisoned as Christians, no further charge being brought against them; whereas these were still detained as murderers and impure, suffering double the punishment of the rest. Those indeed the joy of martyrdom, and the hope of the promises, and the love of Christ, and the Spirit of the Father, comforted; but these, conscience tormented with great vengeance; so that, in passing by, their countenances might be distinguished amongst all the rest. For the one went cheerfully, great glory and grace being mingled in their countenances; so that their very chains hung on them as a noble ornament, as on a bride adorned with robes embroidered and fringed with gold; at the same time, smelling so of the sweet odour of Christ, that some even appeared to have been anointed with earthly perfumes. But the others went abashed, and dejected, and wretched in their looks, and full of disgrace; and, moreover, reproached by the very heathen as ignoble and unmanly; bearing indeed the charge of murder, but having lost the honourable, and glorious, and life-giving Name. The rest, seeing these things, were confirmed; and those who were apprehended, confessed without hesitation, not even taking any thought of the reasonings of the Devil.
To conclude; their martyrdoms were distinguished by various kinds of death. For, having plaited a crown of different colours, and of all kinds of flowers, they offered it to the Father. It was needful, it seems, that these noble champions, who had endured a varied conflict, and been greatly victorious, should receive the great and incorruptible crown.
Maturus, and Sanctus, and Blandina, and Attalus, were taken to the beasts in the public place, for a common spectacle to the inhumanity of the heathen; this day of wild-beast fighting ​being given on purpose to shew forth our Martyrs. And Maturus, and Sanctus, again went through, in the Amphitheatre, every torture, as if they had absolutely suffered nothing before. Rather, as having now in several combats foiled the Adversary, and engaged in the contest for the very crown, they supported again the courses of scourging usually inflicted there, and the dragging about by the beasts, and whatever else the mad populace shouted and demanded on this side and that, to have done to them; and above all, the iron seat, on which their bodies, being scorched, choked them with the smell. But their persecutors did not cease even with this; but were yet more outrageous, wishing to overcome their patience. And even thus they could hear nothing from Sanctus, beyond the words of confession he had been accustomed to use from the first. These then, their life holding out long through a severe conflict, were at last put to death; being by themselves, throughout that day, a spectacle to the world, instead of all the variety of single combats. But Blandina, hung up on a cross, was placed to be devoured by the beasts that were turned in. She, thus visibly hanging in the figure of a Cross, and engaged in earnest prayer, wrought great readiness in those who underwent the conflict; since they saw, in the midst of their suflferings, even with the outward eye, in their sister, Him who was crucified for them, to persuade those who believe in Him, that every one who hath suffered for the glory of Christ, hath for ever communion with the Living God. And, none of the beasts having at that time touched her, she was taken down from the cross, and carried up again to the prison, to be kept for another conflict; that, by conquering in yet more encounters, she might bring inexorable condemnation on the crooked Serpent; and, though by nature little, weak, and easily to be despised, yet having put on Christ, the great and invincible Champion, she might encourage the brethren; having overpowered the Adversary in many combats, and having won in the contest the incorruptible crown.
Next Attalus himself, being much called for by the multitude, (for he was a well-known man,) came in prepared for the combat by a good conscience, since he was truly exercised in the Christian discipline, and had always been amongst us a witness of the truth. He was led all round the Amphitheatre, with a tablet carried before him, on which was written in Latin, "This is ​Attalus the Christian." And the people being exceedingly enraged against him, the Governor, having understood that he was a Roman, ordered him to be taken back among the rest that were in the prison; concerning whom he sent to Cæsar, and waited for his decision. But the meantime was not idle nor fruitless to them, but through their patience the infinite mercy of Christ appeared. For the dead members were enlivened through the living; and the Martyrs shewed favour to those who were not martyrs, and there was great joy to the Virgin Mother, the Church, in receiving those again living, whom she had cast away as dead and abortive. For by those good men, the greater number of those, who had denied Christ were renewed, and reconceived, and rekindled; and learned to confess; and now, living and full of nerve, were brought before the tribunal;—God, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but sheweth goodness to repentance, granting them of His kindness to be again questioned by the Governor. For, (Cæsar having ordered that these should be executed, but that if any denied, they should be released,) when the public festival here began, which is numerously attended by persons, who come together to it from all nations, he brought the blessed Martyrs to the tribunal for a spectacle, and to make a show of them to the multitudes. Wherefore also he examined them again; and as many as appeared to have had Roman citizenship, he beheaded; but the rest he sent to the beasts. But Christ was greatly glorified in those who had denied before, but then confessed, contrary to the expectation of the heathen. For these were even separately examined, as on the idea that they were to be dismissed; but confessing, were added to the number of the Martyrs. But those remained without, who never had any trace of faith, nor a feeling of the bridal garment, nor a sense of the fear of God; but by their very manner of life brought scandal on the true way, that is, the sons of perdition. But all the others were united to the Church. And while they were under examination, one Alexander, a Phrygian by birth, and a physician by profession, who had lived many years in the provinces of Gaul, and was known almost by all, for his love to God, and boldness in declaring the word, (for he was not without a share of the Apostolic gift,) standing by the tribunal, and encouraging them by signs in their confession, was observed by those who stood round the tribunal, to ​be thus as it were in travail for them. But the multitude, being enraged at hearing these confess again, who had before denied, cried out against Alexander, as if he had been the cause of it. And the Governor turning upon him, and asking who he was, he answered "A Christian;" upon which the other, in a rage, condemned him to be given to the beasts. And next day he came in with Attalus. For the Governor, to please the people, gave up Attalus also again to the wild beasts. But they, in the Amphitheatre, having passed through all the instruments of torture, that ever were invented, and endured a most severe conflict, were at last put to death. Alexander without uttering a groan or a syllable, but conversing in his heart with God. But Attalus, when he was placed on the iron seat, and scorched, when the vapour went up from his body, said to the crowd, in the Roman tongue; "Behold this is man-eating, which yourselves do; but we neither eat men, nor do any other evil thing." And when asked what name God hath, he answered, "God hath not a name, as a man hath."
And after all these things, on the last remaining day of the combats, Blandina was brought in again, with a boy from Pontus, of about fifteen years old; (who had been also brought in every day to see the tortures of the others;) and were commanded to swear by their idols. And because they remained constant, and set them at nought, the multitude was enraged against them; so that they neither pitied the youth of the boy, nor respected the female; but they put them to all the most dreadful tortures, and made them pass through the whole course of inflictions, demanding of them again and again to swear, (by the heathen gods,) but unable to make them do so. For the youth of Pontus, encouraged by our sister, so that even the heathen saw that she was forwarding and confirming him, having nobly endured all his torments, gave up the ghost. But the blessed Blandina, last of all, like a noble mother, having stirred up her children, and sent them forward victorious to the king; and having herself gone through all the same conflicts with her children, hastened after them, rejoicing and exulting in her departure, as if called to a marriage supper, instead of being thrown to wild beasts. And after the scourging, after the wild beasts, after the scorching, at last she was placed in a basket, and thrown to a ​bull; and died, after having been much tossed about by the animal, having no feeling of her sufferings, through her hope and hold of those things which she believed, and her converse with Christ; even the heathen themselves confessing, that no woman ever among them bore such and so numerous tortures.
But not even thus could their madness, and cruelty to the Saints, be satisfied; for those fierce and barbarous tribes, stirred up by the Dragon, were hardly to be quieted. And they made another fierce attack on the bodies of the Martyrs, being not ashamed of their former defeat, because they had not the reasonable feeling of men; but it rather inflamed their anger, as though both Governor and people had been of some brute nature, shewing like unjust hatred toward us; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "he that is ungodly, let him be ungodly still, and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still.. For they even threw those, who were stifled in the dungeon, to the dogs; watching them carefully night and day, lest any should be buried by us. And then having exposed what beasts and fire had left, partly torn, and partly burnt to a cinder, and the heads of the rest, with the headless bodies, they kept them in like manner unburied, with military observation and guard, many days. And some grinned and gnashed their teeth at them, seeking to wreak some further vengeance on them; others mocked and jested at them, glorifying their idols, and ascribing to them the punishment of the dead. Even the better sort, and those who seemed to have some compassion, uttered many reproaches, saying, "Where is their God, and what has his service profited them, which they chose before their own lives?" Such were the various doings of our enemies; but we were in great sorrow, for that we could not commit the bodies to the earth. For neither would night enable us to do it, nor would money persuade, nor entreaties shame them; but they guarded them in every way, as if they gained much in depriving them of burial.
The bodies of the Martyrs, when they had been publicly insulted and exposed in every way for six days, were at last burnt to ashes by the ungodly, and swept into the river Rhone, which runs by, ​that not a fragment of them might appear still on the earth. And this they did, as if they could overcome God, and deprive them of their resurrection; in order, as they said, that "these Christians may not have even that hope, of rising again, which persuades them to bring in upon us some strange and new worship, and to despise all terrors, coming readily and with joy to their death. Now let us see, if they will rise again; and if their God can help them, and take them out of our hands."
Such were the sufferings of the Blessed Saints in early times for Christ their Saviour.
Hence we learn how Christ supports all who trust in Him; and how far we are below the Saints of early times in courage, patience, and love. We learn that our greatest troubles are very slight, compared with those which Christians then underwent, and underwent for their very virtue's sake; whereas now we often suffer only for our sins. And we learn beside, how blessed it is to suffer boldly in a good cause, for we encourage others to do the same; and we are reminded what a short time the fiercest sufferings last; for these cruel trials of the Christians of France took place so long ago, that it is as if they had never been; whereas ever since, and now, and so on for ever, these Martyrs have been rejoicing in heaven in the presence of God.
Moreover we learn how we ought to think of, love, and imitate good Christians, however far off. We are not so far from France, as France is from Asia. Now this letter was written to the Churches of Asia; which shows, how anxious the Christians in those parts were, to know about the trials of their brethren of France.
KING, PRINTER, ST. CLEMENT'S, OXFORD.
* ↑ Rev. xx. 3.
* ↑ i. e. Eating human flesh, a calumny derived from the Lord's Supper.
* ↑ 1 Tim. iii. 15.
* ↑ Vid. p. 4.
* ↑ Bearing witness.
* ↑ Namely, of eating human flesh, as above, p. 4.
* ↑ Gal. iv. 19.
* ↑ Rev. xxii. 11.