Bikers Theological Discussion

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

Awwwwww.... i like the zoo too.

 

I know liao...your expletives too powerderful, so the lions and tigers cannot eat you....kekekke

 

you know in some places you can make your wish to be a martyr come true?

 

 

yup the arcade

[EddyMeng]

yup the arcade

in the arcade ... one can die many times hor

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

The Sixth Persecution, Under Maximus, A.D. 235

A.D. 235, was in the time of Maximinus. In Cappadocia, the president, Seremianus, did all he could to

exterminate the Christians from that province.

The principal persons who perished under this reign were Pontianus, bishop of Rome; Anteros, a Grecian, his

successor, who gave offence to the government by collecting the acts of the martyrs, Pammachius and

Quiritus, Roman senators, with all their families, and many other Christians; Simplicius, senator;

Calepodius, a Christian minister, thrown into the Tyber; Martina, a noble and beautiful virgin; and

Hippolitus, a Christian prelate, tied to a wild horse, and dragged until he expired.

During this persecution, raised by Maximinus, numberless Christians were slain without trial, and buried

indiscriminately in heaps, sometimes fifty or sixty being cast into a pit together, without the least decency.

The tyrant Maximinus dying, A.D. 238, was succeeded by Gordian, during whose reign, and that of his

successor Philip, the Church was free from persecution for the space of more than ten years; but in A.D. 249,

a violent persecution broke out in Alexandria, at the instigation of a pagan priest, without the knowledge of

the emperor.

 

ref fox's book of martyr

[edwardlong]

in the arcade ... one can die many times hor

 

just put in 50cents token...can live again...heheheh

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

just put in 50cents token...can live again...heheheh

 

I let your daddy know you riding a bike and see how many 50c token he give you:angel:

[EddyMeng]

I let your daddy know you riding a bike and see how many 50c token he give you:angel:

this i got to see

maybe his dad will give a 50k for him to buy HD

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

this i got to see

maybe his dad will give a 50k for him to buy HD

 

maybe you see this

 

http://bp1.blogger.com/_P01np0pfFJo/R_DvGtTtn_I/AAAAAAAAGI0/7qazWnrL9YM/s400/blow+it+out+your+ass.jpg

[EddyMeng]

maybe you see this

 

http://bp1.blogger.com/_P01np0pfFJo/R_DvGtTtn_I/AAAAAAAAGI0/7qazWnrL9YM/s400/blow+it+out+your+ass.jpg

 

this photo reminds me of the B King's exhaust

trumpet styled

[edwardlong]

this i got to see

maybe his dad will give a 50k for him to buy HD

 

Ya lor...for all you know my dad maybe give me 50k buy a HD Electra Glide...yum yum

 

[EddyMeng]

Ya lor...for all you know my dad maybe give me 50k buy a HD Electra Glide...yum yum

 

 

let's find out ...

mordy do you work

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

let's find out ...

mordy do you work

 

I apply leave and congrate him on been honest with his dad:angel:

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

GOOD EXAMPLES OF PROFANITY !!!!!

 

http://www.blog.joelx.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/christianity-demotivational-poster.gif

 

ref http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=104173&page=13

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

GOOD EXAMPLES OF PROFANITY !!!!!

 

http://www.blog.joelx.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/christianity-demotivational-poster.gif

 

Fcuking shits!! Poor SOB ,who invent this SH!T:dot:

[EddyMeng]

The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation. ~ Charles Spurgeon

[edwardlong]

I apply leave and congrate him on been honest with his dad:angel:

 

Do you want me to be like becky ...without even riding?

 

[EddyMeng]

Do you want me to be like becky ...without even riding?

 

 

have faith ...

you mentioned:

Ya lor...for all you know my dad maybe give me 50k buy a HD Electra Glide...yum yum

 

so the only way to find out hor ... is by

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

Do you want me to be like becky ...without even riding?

 

 

 

If you tell your Father who knows he give you a electra glide....

 

it's better to tell your father when you are alive than to tell you father when you or he die.

 

you think your Father don't love you ?

 

nope you cannot be like becky.... she got tits you don't have , and she tell her parent , you don't have , she rides to thailand , you don't have, she met with serious injury, you don't have , she have the courage to ride again , you don't have. , you are riding without enjoying the RIDE:angel:

 

and what the use of having a phallus bro

 

cheers bro

[edwardlong]

If you tell your Father who knows he give you a electra glide....

 

it's better to tell your father when you are alive than to tell you father when you or he die.

 

you think your Father don't love you ?

 

nope you cannot be like becky.... she got tits you don't have , and she tell her parent , you don't have , she rides to thailand , you don't have, she met with serious injury, you don't have , she have the courage to ride again , you don't have. , you are riding without enjoying the RIDE:angel:

 

and what the use of having a phallus bro

 

cheers bro

 

you mean having a phallus...is to use it?

 

I have a brain too....i rather use that!!

 

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

The Seventh Persecution, Under Decius, A.D. 249

This was occasioned partly by the hatred he bore to his predecessor Philip, who was deemed a Christian and

was partly by his jealousy concerning the amazing increase of Christianity; for the heathen temples began to

be forsaken, and the Christian churches thronged.

These reasons stimulated Decius to attempt the very extirpation of the name of Christian; and it was

unfortunate for the Gospel, that many errors had, about this time, crept into the Church: the Christians were

at variance with each other; self-interest divided those whom social love ought to have united; and the

virulence of pride occasioned a variety of factions.

The heathens in general were ambitious to enforce the imperial decrees upon this occasion, and looked upon

the murder of a Christian as a merit to themselves. The martyrs, upon this occasion, were innumerable; but

the principal we shall give some account of.

Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first person of eminence who felt the severity of this persecution. The

deceased emperor, Philip, had, on account of his integrity, committed his treasure to the care of this good

man. But Decius, not finding as much as his avarice made him expect, determined to wreak his vengeance on

the good prelate. He was accordingly seized; and on January 20, A.D. 250, he suffered decapitation.

Julian, a native of Cilicia, as we are informed by St.

Chrysostom, was seized upon for being a Christian. He was put into a leather bag, together with a number of

serpents and scorpions, and in that condition thrown into the sea.

Peter, a young man, amiable for the superior qualities of his body and mind, was beheaded for refusing to

sacrifice to Venus. He said, "I am astonished you should sacrifice to an infamous woman, whose

debaucheries even your own historians record, and whose life consisted of such actions as your laws would

punish. No, I shall offer the true God the acceptable sacrifice of praises and prayers." Optimus, the proconsul

of Asia, on hearing this, ordered the prisoner to be stretched upon a wheel, by which all his bones were

broken, and then he was sent to be beheaded.

Nichomachus, being brought before the proconsul as a Christian, was ordered to sacrifice to the pagan idols.

Nichomachus replied, "I cannot pay that respect to devils, which is only due to the Almighty." This speech

so much enraged the proconsul that Nichomachus was put to the rack. After enduring the torments for a time,

he recanted; but scarcely had he given this proof of his frailty, than he fell into the greatest agonies, dropped

down on the ground, and expired immediately.

Denisa, a young woman of only sixteen years of age, who beheld this terrible judgment, suddenly exclaimed,

"O unhappy wretch, why would you buy a moment's ease at the expense of a miserable eternity!" Optimus,

hearing this, called to her, and Denisa avowing herself to be a Christian, she was beheaded, by his order,

soon after.

Andrew and Paul, two companions of Nichomachus, the martyr, A.D. 251, suffered martyrdom by stoning,

and expired, calling on their blessed Redeemer.

Alexander and Epimachus, of Alexandria, were apprehended for being Christians: and, confessing the

accusation, were beat with staves, torn with hooks, and at length burnt in the fire; and we are informed, in a

fragment preserved by Eusebius, that four female martyrs suffered on the same day, and at the same place,

but not in the same manner; for these were beheaded.

Lucian and Marcian, two wicked pagans, though skilful magicians, becoming converts to Christianity, to

make amends for their former errors, lived the lives of hermits, and subsisted upon bread and water only.

After some time spent in this manner, they became zealous preachers, and made many converts. The

persecution, however, raging at this time, they were seized upon, and carried before Sabinus, the governor of

Bithynia. On being asked by what authority they took upon themselves to preach, Lucian answered, 'That the

laws of charity and humanity obliged all men to endeavor the conversion of their neighbors, and to do

everything in their power to rescue them from the snares of the devil.'

Lucian having answered in this manner, Marcian said, "Their conversion was by the same grace which was

given to St. Paul, who, from a zealous persecutor of the Church, became a preacher of the Gospel."

The proconsul, finding that he could not prevail with them to renounce their faith, condemned them to be

burnt alive, which sentence was soon after executed.

Trypho and Respicius, two eminent men, were seized as Christians, and imprisoned at Nice. Their feet were

pierced with nails; they were dragged through the streets, scourged, torn with iron hooks, scorched with

lighted torches, and at length beheaded, February 1, A.D. 251.

 

Agatha, a Sicilian lady, was not more remarkable for her personal and acquired endowments, than her piety;

her beauty was such, that Quintian, governor of Sicily, became enamored of her, and made many attempts

upon her chastity without success. In order to gratify his passions with the greater conveniency, he put the

virtuous lady into the hands of Aphrodica, a very infamous and licentious woman. This wretch tried every

artifice to win her to the desired prostitution; but found all her efforts were vain; for her chastity was

impregnable, and she well knew that virtue alone could procure true happiness. Aphrodica acquainted

Quintian with the inefficacy of her endeavors, who, enaged to be foiled in his designs, changed his lust into

resentment. On her confessing that she was a Christian, he determined to gratify his revenge, as he could not

his passion. Pursuant to his orders, she was scourged, burnt with red-hot irons, and torn with sharp hooks.

Having borne these torments with admirable fortitude, she was next laid naked upon live coals, intermingled

with glass, and then being carried back to prison, she there expired on February 5, 251.

Cyril, bishop of Gortyna, was seized by order of Lucius, the governor of that place, who, nevertheless,

exhorted him to obey the imperial mandate, perform the sacrifices, and save his venerable person from

destruction; for he was now eighty-four years of age. The good prelate replied that as he had long taught

others to save their souls, he should only think now of his own salvation. The worthy prelate heard his fiery

sentence without emotion, walked cheerfully to the place of execution, and underwent his martyrdom with

great fortitude.

The persecution raged in no place more than the Island of Crete; for the governor, being exceedingly active

in executing the imperial decrees, that place streamed with pious blood.

Babylas, a Christian of a liberal education, became bishop of Antioch, A.D. 237, on the demise of Zebinus.

He acted with inimitable zeal, and governed the Church with admirable prudence during the most

tempestuous times.

The first misfortune that happened to Antioch during his mission, was the siege of it by Sapor, king of

Persia; who, having overrun all Syria, took and plundered this city among others, and used the Christian

inhabitants with greater severity than the rest, but was soon totally defeated by Gordian.

After Gordian's death, in the reign of Decius, that emperor came to Antioch, where, having a desire to visit

an assembly of Christians, Babylas opposed him, and absolutely refused to let him come in. The emperor

dissembled his anger at that time; but soon sending for the bishop, he sharply reproved him for his insolence,

and then ordered him to sacrifice to the pagan deities as an expiation for his ofence. This being refused, he

was committed to prison, loaded with chains, treated with great severities, and then beheaded, together with

three young men who had been his pupils. A.D. 251.

Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, about this time was cast into prison on account of his religion, where he

died through the severity of his confinement.

Julianus, an old man, lame with the gout, and Cronion, another Christian, were bound on the backs of

camels, severely scourged, and then thrown into a fire and consumed. Also forty virgins, at Antioch, after

being imprisoned, and scourged, were burnt.

In the year of our Lord 251, the emperor Decius having erected a pagan temple at Ephesus, he commanded

all who were in that city to sacrifice to the idols. This order was nobly refused by seven of his own soldiers,

viz. Maximianus, Martianus, Joannes, Malchus, Dionysius, Seraion, and Constantinus. The emperor wishing

to win these soldiers to renounce their faith by his entreaties and lenity, gave them a considerable respite

until he returned from an expedition. During the emperor's absence, they escaped, and hid themselves in a

cavern; which the emperor being informed of at his return, the mouth of the cave was closed up, and they all

perished with hunger.

Theodora, a beautiful young lady of Antioch, on refusing to sacrifice to the Roman idols, was condemned to

the stews, that her virtue might be sacrificed to the brutality of lust. Didymus, a Christian, disguised himself

in the habit of a Roman soldier, went to the house, informed Theodora who he was, and advised her to make

her escape in his clothes. This being effected, and a man found in the brothel instead of a beautiful lady,

Didymus was taken before the president, to whom confessing the truth, and owning that he was a Christian

the sentence of death was immediately pronounced against him. Theodora, hearing that her deliverer was

likely to suffer, came to the judge, threw herself at his feet, and begged that the sentence might fall on her as

the guilty person; but, deaf to the cries of the innocent, and insensible to the calls of justice, the inflexible

judge condemned both; when they were executed accordingly, being first beheaded, and their bodies

afterward burnt.

Secundianus, having been accused as a Christian, was conveyed to prison by some soldiers. On the way,

Verianus and Marcellinus said, "Where are you carrying the innocent?" This interrogatory occasioned them

to be seized, and all three, after having been tortured, were hanged and decapitated.

Origen, the celebrated presbyter and catechist of Alexandria, at the age of sixty-four, was seized, thrown into

a loathsome prison, laden with fetters, his feet placed in the stocks, and his legs extended to the utmost for

several successive days. He was threatened with fire, and tormented by every lingering means the most

infernal imaginations could suggest. During this cruel temporizing, the emperor Decius died, and Gallus,

who succeeded him, engaging in a war with the Goths, the Christians met with a respite. In this interim,

Origen obtained his enlargement, and, retiring to Tyre, he there remained until his death, which happened

when he was in the sixty-ninth year of his age.

Gallus, the emperor, having concluded his wars, a plague broke out in the empire: sacrifices to the pagan

deities were ordered by the emperor, and persecutions spread from the interior to the extreme parts of the

empire, and many fell martyrs to the impetuosity of the rabble, as well as the prejudice of the magistrates.

Among these were Cornelius, the Christian bishop of Rome, and Lucius, his successor, in 253.

Most of the errors which crept into the Church at this time arose from placing human reason in competition

with revelation; but the fallacy of such arguments being proved by the most able divines, the opinions they

had created vanished away like the stars before the sun.

 

ref fox's book of Martyr

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

you mean having a phallus...is to use it?

 

I have a brain too....i rather use that!!

 

 

:angel:

 

What are you doing here?

Edited June 25, 2010 by ChaoPuzzy1968

[edwardlong]

:angel:

 

What are you doing here?

 

Told you liao mah...i very free....

 

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

Told you liao mah...i very free....

 

 

KJV Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 

KJV Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

THE EIGHTH PERSECUTION, UNDER VALERIAN, AD 257

Began under Valerian, in the month of April, 257, and continued for three

years and six months. The martyrs that fell in this persecution were

innumerable, and their tortures and deaths as various and painful. The

most eminent martyrs were the following, though neither rank, sex, nor age

were regarded.

Rufina and Secunda were two beautiful and accomplished ladies, daughters

of Asterius, a gentleman of eminence in Rome. Rufina the elder, was

designed in marriage for Armentarius, a young noble man; Secunda, the

younger, for Verinus, a person of rank and opulence. The suitors, at the

time of the persecution’s commencing were both Christians; but when

danger appeared, to save their fortunes, they renounced their faith. They

took great pains to persuade the ladies to do the same, but, disappointed in

their purpose the lovers were base enough to inform against the ladies,

who, being apprehended as Christians, were brought before Junius

Donatus, governor of Rome, where, AD 257, they sealed their martyrdom

with their blood.

Stephen, bishop of Rome, was beheaded in the same year, and about that

time Saturninus, the pious orthodox bishop of Toulouse, refusing to

39

sacrifice to idols, was treated with all the barbarous indignities imaginable,

and fastened by the feet to the tail of a bull. Upon a signal given, the

enraged animal was driven down the steps of the temple, by which the

worthy martyr’s brains were dashed out.

Sextus succeeded Stephen as bishop of Rome. He is supposed to have

been a Greek by birth or by extraction, and had for some time served in the

capacity of a deacon under Stephen. His great fidelity, singular wisdom,

and uncommon courage distinguished him upon many occasions; and the

happy conclusion of a controversy with some heretics is generally ascribed

to his piety and prudence. In the year 258, Marcianus, who had the

management of the Roman government, procured an order from the

emperor Valerian, to put to death all the Christian clergy in Rome, and

hence the bishop with six of his deacons, suffered martyrdom in 258.

Let us draw near to the fire of martyred Lawrence, that our cold hearts

may be warmed thereby. The merciless tyrant, understanding him to be

not only a minister of the sacraments, but a distributor also of the Church

riches, promised to himself a double prey, by the apprehension of one

soul. First, with the rake of avarice to scrape to himself the treasure of

poor Christians; then with the fiery fork of tyranny, so to toss and turmoil

them, that they should wax weary of their profession. With furious face

and cruel countenance, the greedy wolf demanded where this Lawrence had

bestowed the substance of the Church: who, craving three days’ respite,

promised to declare where the treasure might be had. In the meantime, he

caused a good number of poor Christians to be congregated. So, when the

day of his answer was come, the persecutor strictly charged him to stand

to his promise. Then valiant Lawrence, stretching out arms over the poor,

said: “These are the precious treasure of the Church; these are the treasure

indeed, in whom the faith of Christ reigneth, in whom Jesus Christ hath

His mansion-place. What more precious jewels can Christ have, than those

in whom He hath promised to dwell! For so it is written, ‘I was an

hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was

a stranger and ye took me in.’ And again, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ What

greater riches can Christ our Master possess, than the poor people in

whom He loveth to be seen?” O, what tongue is able to express the fury

40

and madness of the tyrant’s heart! Now he stamped, he stared, he ramped,

he fared as one out of his wits: his eyes like fire glowed, his mouth like a

boar foamed, his teeth like a hellhound grinned. Now, not a reasonable

man, but a roaring lion, he might be called.

 

“Kindle the fire (he cried) — of wood make no spare. Hath this villain

deluded the emperor? Away with him, away with him: whip him with

scourges, jerk him with rods, buffet him with fists, brain him with clubs.

Jesteth the traitor with the emperor? Pinch him with fiery tongs, gird him

with burning plates, bring out the strongest chains, and the fire-forks, and

the grated bed of iron: on the fire with it; bind the rebel hand and foot; and

when the bed is fire-hot, on with him: roast him, broil him, toss him, turn

him: on pain of our high displeasure do every man his office, O ye

tormentors.” The word was no sooner spoken, but all was done. After

many cruel handlings, this meek lamb was laid, I will not say on his fiery

bed of iron, but on his soft bed of down. So mightily God wrought with

his martyr Lawrence, so miraculously God tempered His element the fire,

that it became not a bed of consuming pain, but a pallet of nourishing rest.

In Africa the persecution raged with peculiar violence; many thousands

received the crown of martyrdom, among whom the following were the

most distinguished characters: Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, an eminent

prelate, and a pious ornament of the Church. The brightness of his genius

was tempered by the solidity of his judgment; and with all the

accomplishments of the gentleman, he blended the virtues of a Christian.

His doctrines were orthodox and pure; his language easy and elegant, and

his manners graceful and winning: in fine, he was both the pious and polite

preacher. In his youth he was educated in the principles of Gentilism, and

having a considerable fortune, he lived in the very extravagance of

splendor, and all the dignity of pomp.

About the year 246, Cúcilius, a Christian minister of Carthage, became the

happy instrument of Cyprian’s conversion: on which account, and for the

great love that he always afterward bore for the author of his conversion,

he was termed Cúcilius Cyprian. Previous to his baptism, he studied the

Scriptures with care and being struck with the beauties of the truths they

contained, he determined to practise the virtues therein recommended.

41

Subsequent to his baptism, he sold his estate, distributed the money

among the poor dressed himself in plain attire, and commenced a life of

austerity.

He was soon after made a presbyter; and, being greatly admired for his

virtues and works, on the death of Donatus, in AD 248, he was almost

unanimously elected bishop of Carthage.

Cyprian’s care not only extended over Carthage, but to Numidia and

Mauritania. In all his transactions he took great care to ask the advice of

his clergy, knowing that unanimity alone could be of service to the Church

this being one of his maxims, “That the bishop was in the church and the

church in the bishop; so that unity can only be preserved ‘by a close

connection between the pastor and his flock.” In AD 250, Cyprian was

publicly proscribed by the emperor Decius, under the appellation of

Cúcilius Cyprian, bishop of the Christians; and the universal cry of the

pagans was, “Cyprian to the lions, Cyprian to the beasts.” The bishop,

however, withdrew from the rage of the populace, and his effects were

immediately confiscated.

During his retirement, he wrote thirty pious and elegant letters to his flock;

but several schisms that then crept into the Church, gave him great

uneasiness. The rigor of the persecution abating, he returned to Carthage,

and did everything in his power to expunge erroneous opinions. A terrible

plague breaking out in Carthage, it was as usual, laid to the charge of the

Christians; and the magistrates began to persecute accordingly, which

occasioned an epistle from them to Cyprian, in answer to which he

vindicates the cause of Christianity. AD 257, Cyprian was brought before

the proconsul Aspasius Paturnus, who exiled him to a little city on the

Lybian sea. On the death of this proconsul, he returned to Carthage, but

was soon after seized, and carried before the new governor, who

condemned him to be beheaded; which sentence was executed on the

fourteenth of September, AD 258.

The disciples of Cyprian, martyred in this persecution, were Lucius,

Flavian, Victoricus, Remus, Montanus, Julian, Primelus and Donatian.

42

At Utica, a most terrible tragedy was exhibited: three hundred Christians

were, by the orders of the proconsul, placed round a burning lime kiln. A

pan of coals and incense being prepared, they were commanded either to

sacrifice to Jupiter, or to be thrown into the kiln. Unanimously refusing,

they bravely jumped into the pit and were immediately suffocated.

Fructuasus, bishop of Tarragon, in Spain, and his two deacons, Augurius

and Eulogius, were burnt for being Christians.

 

woman of the same place, voluntarily accused themselves of being

Christians; on which account they were sentenced to be devoured by

tigers, which sentence was executed accordingly.

Maxima, Donatilla, and Secunda, three virgins of Tuburga, had gall and

vinegar given them to drink, were then severely scourged tormented on a

gibbet, rubbed with lime, scorched on a gridiron, worried by wild beasts,

and at length beheaded.

It is here proper to take notice of the singular but miserable fate of the

emperor Valerian, who had so long and so terribly persecuted the

Christians. This tyrant, by a stratagem, was taken prisoner by Sapor,

emperor of Persia, who carried him into his own country, and there treated

him with the most unexampled indignity, making him kneel down as the

meanest slave, and treading upon him as a footstool when he mounted his

horse. After having kept him for the space of seven years in this abject

state of slavery, he caused his eyes to be put out, though he was then

eighty-three years of age. This not satiating his desire of revenge, he soon

after ordered his body to be flayed alive, and rubbed with salt, under which

torment he expired; and thus fell one of the most tyrannical emperors of

Rome, and one of the greatest persecutors of the Christians.

AD 260, Gallienus, the son of Valerian, succeeded him, and during his reign

(a few martyrs excepted) the Church enjoyed peace for some years.

 

ref Fox's book of martyr

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

THE NINTH PERSECUTION UNDER AURELIAN, AD 274

The principal sufferers were: Felix, bishop of Rome. This prelate was

advanced to the Roman see in 274. He was the first martyr to Aurelian’s

petulancy, being beheaded on the twenty-second of December, in the same

year.

Agapetus, a young gentleman, who sold his estate, and gave the money to

the poor, was seized as a Christian, tortured, and then beheaded at

Praeneste, a city within a day’s journey of Rome.

These are the only martyrs left upon record during this reign, as it was

soon put to a stop by the emperor’s being murdered by his own

domestics, at Byzantium.

Aurelian was succeeded by Tacitus, who was followed by Probus, as the

latter was by Carus: this emperor being killed by a thunder storm, his

sons, Carnious and Numerian, succeeded him, and during all these reigns

the Church had peace.

Diocletian mounted the imperial throne, AD 284; at first he showed great

favor to the Christians. In the year 286, he associated Maximian with him

in the empire; and some Christians were put to death before any general

persecution broke out. Among these were Felician and Primus, two

brothers.

Marcus and Marcellianus were twins, natives of Rome, and of noble

descent. Their parents were heathens, but the tutors, to whom the

education of the children was entrusted, brought them up as Christians.

Their constancy at length subdued those who wished them to become

pagans, and their parents and whole family became converts to a faith they

had before reprobated. They were martyred by being tied to posts, and

having their feet pierced with nails. After remaining in this situation for a

day and a night, their sufferings were put an end to by thrusting lances

through their bodies. Zoe, the wife of the jailer, who had the care of the

before-mentioned martyrs, was also converted by them, and hung upon a

tree, with a fire of straw lighted under her. When her body was taken

44

down, it was thrown into a river, with a. large stone tied to it, in order to

sink it.

In the year of Christ 286, a most remarkable affair occurred; legion of

soldiers, consisting of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men,

contained none but Christians. This legion was called the Theban Legion,

because the men had been raised in Thebias: they were quartered in the

east until the emperor Maximian ordered them to march to Gaul, to assist

him against the rebels of Burgundy. They passed the Alps into Gaul,

under the command of Mauritius, Candidus, and Exupernis, their worthy

commanders, and at length joined the emperor. Maximian, about this time,

ordered a general sacrifice, at which the whole army was to assist; and

like-wise he commanded that they should take the oath of allegiance and

swear, at the same time, to assist in the extirpation of Christianity in Gaul.

Alarmed at these orders, each individual of the Theban Legion absolutely

refused either to sacrifice or take the oaths prescribed. This so greatly

enraged Maximian, that he ordered the legion to be decimated, that is,

every tenth man to be selected from the rest, and put to the sword. This

bloody order having been put in execution, those who remained alive were

still inflexible, when a second decimation took place, and every tenth man

of those living was put to death. This second severity made no more

impression than the first had done; the soldiers preserved their fortitude

and their principles, but by the advice of their officers they drew up a

loyal remonstrance to the emperor. This, it might have been presumed,

would have softened the emperor, but it had a contrary effect: for, enraged

at their perseverance and unanimity, he commanded that the whole legion

should he put to death, which was accordingly executed by the other

troops, who cut them to pieces with their swords, September 22, 286.

Alban, from whom St. Alban’s, in Hertfordshire, received its name, was

the first British martyr. Great Britain had received the Gospel of Christ

from Lucius, the first Christian king, but did not suffer from the rage of

persecution for many years after. He was originally a pagan, but converted

by a Christian ecclesiastic, named Amphibalus, whom he sheltered on

account of his religion. The enemies of Amphibalus, having intelligence of

the place where he was secreted, came to the house of Alban; in order to

facilitate his escape, when the soldiers came, he offered himself up as the

person they were seeking for. The deceit being detected, the governor

ordered him to be scourged, and then he was sentenced to be beheaded,

June 22, AD 287.

The venerable Bede assures us, that, upon this occasion, the executioner

suddenly became a convert to Christianity, and entreated permission to die

for Alban, or with him. Obtaining the latter request they were beheaded by

a soldier, who voluntarily undertook the task of executioner. This

happened on the twenty-second of June, AD 287, at Verulam, now St.

Alban’s, in Hertfordshire, where a magnificent church was erected to his

memory about the time of Constantine the Great. The edifice, being

destroyed in the Saxon wars, was rebuilt by Offa, king of Mercia and a

monastery erected adjoining to it, some remains of which are still visable

are still visible, and the church is a noble Gothic structure.

Faith, a Christian female, of Acquitain, in France, was ordered to be broiled

upon a gridiron, and then beheaded; AD 287.

Quintin was a. Christian, and a native of Rome, but determined to attempt

the propagation of the Gospel in Gaul, with one Lucian they preached

together in Amiens; after which Lucian went to Beaumaris, where he was

martyred. Quintin remained in Picardy, and was very zealous in his

ministry. Being seized upon as a Christian he was stretched with pulleys

until his joints were dislocated; his body was then torn with wire scourges,

and boiling oil and pitch poured on his naked flesh; lighted torches were

applied to his sides and armpits; and after he had been thus tortured, he

was remanded back to prison, and died of the barbarities he had suffered,

October 31, AD 287. His body was sunk in the Somme

 

ref fox's book of martyr

[gohjohan]

Ya lor...for all you know my dad maybe give me 50k buy a HD Electra Glide...yum yum

 

 

.... with built-in CD player to listen to sermon messages on the Harman/Kardon sound system too