WEBVTT 00:01.480 --> 00:05.040 Book Seven, Part One of Eusebius' Church History, 00:13.180 --> 00:18.800 by David Leeson. 00:20.160 --> 00:25.160 Church History by Eusebius of Caesarea, translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. 00:25.660 --> 00:30.020 Book Seven, Part One, Introduction, and Chapters One through Eleven. 00:30.960 --> 00:33.780 Book Seven, Introduction. 00:34.960 --> 00:39.220 In this seventh book of the Church History, the great bishop of Alexandria, 00:39.480 --> 00:45.300 Dionysius, shall again assist us by his own words, relating the several affairs of 00:45.300 --> 00:47.740 his time in the epistles which he has left. 00:48.140 --> 00:49.720 I will begin with them. 00:51.180 --> 00:52.440 Chapter One. 00:52.920 --> 00:55.380 The Wickedness of Decius and Gallus. 00:55.760 --> 01:01.100 When Decius had reigned not quite two years, he was slain with his children, 01:01.520 --> 01:03.220 and Gallus succeeded him. 01:04.140 --> 01:08.120 At this time Origen died, being sixty-nine years of age. 01:08.800 --> 01:13.220 Dionysius, writing to Hermammon, speaks as follows of Gallus. 01:13.220 --> 01:18.300 Gallus neither recognized the wickedness of Decius, nor considered what had 01:18.300 --> 01:23.040 destroyed him, but stumbled on the same stone, though it lay before his eyes. 01:23.680 --> 01:27.360 For when his reign was prosperous, and affairs were proceeding according to 01:27.360 --> 01:31.640 his mind, he attacked the holy men who were interceding with God for his peace 01:31.640 --> 01:32.180 and welfare. 01:33.080 --> 01:36.920 Therefore with them he persecuted also their prayers in his behalf. 01:37.780 --> 01:39.260 So much concerning him. 01:40.460 --> 01:41.540 Chapter Two. 01:41.980 --> 01:44.120 The Bishops of Rome in those times. 01:45.180 --> 01:49.480 Cornelius, having held the episcopate in the city of Rome about three years, 01:49.780 --> 01:51.500 was succeeded by Lucius. 01:51.940 --> 01:56.300 He died in less than eight months, and transmitted his office to Stephen. 01:57.180 --> 02:01.600 Dionysius wrote to him the first of his letters on baptism, as no small 02:01.600 --> 02:06.540 controversy had arisen as to whether those who had turned from any heresy should be 02:06.540 --> 02:07.840 purified by baptism. 02:07.840 --> 02:13.380 For the ancient custom prevailed in regard to such, that they should receive only the 02:13.380 --> 02:15.200 laying on of hands with prayers. 02:16.500 --> 02:17.640 Chapter Three. 02:18.180 --> 02:22.320 Cyprian, and the bishops with him, first taught that it was necessary to 02:22.320 --> 02:25.420 purify by baptism those converted from heresy. 02:26.500 --> 02:31.460 First of all, Cyprian, pastor of the parish of Carthage, maintained that they 02:31.460 --> 02:35.700 should not be received except they had been purified from their error by baptism. 02:35.700 --> 02:41.100 But Stephen, considering it unnecessary to add any innovation contrary to the 02:41.100 --> 02:45.360 tradition which had been held from the beginning, was very indignant at this. 02:46.540 --> 02:47.580 Chapter Four. 02:47.900 --> 02:50.680 The epistles which Dionysius wrote on this subject. 02:51.740 --> 02:56.320 Dionysius, therefore, having communicated with him extensively on this question by 02:56.320 --> 03:01.220 letter, finally showed him that since the persecution had abated, the churches 03:01.220 --> 03:05.500 everywhere had rejected the novelty of Novatus, and were at peace among 03:05.500 --> 03:06.040 themselves. 03:06.420 --> 03:08.100 He writes as follows. 03:09.300 --> 03:10.540 Chapter Five. 03:10.780 --> 03:12.420 The peace following the persecution. 03:13.060 --> 03:17.800 But know now, my brethren, that all the churches throughout the East and beyond, 03:18.080 --> 03:20.780 which formerly were divided, have become united. 03:21.480 --> 03:25.860 And all the bishops everywhere are of one mind, and rejoice greatly in the peace 03:25.860 --> 03:27.620 which has come beyond expectation. 03:28.620 --> 03:34.520 Thus Demetrianus in Antioch, Theoctistus in Caesarea, Mesobanes in Elea, 03:34.940 --> 03:40.600 Marinus in Tyre, Alexander having fallen asleep, Heliodorus in Laodicea, 03:40.900 --> 03:46.080 Thelimedres being dead, Helenus in Tarsus, and all the churches of Cilicia, 03:46.500 --> 03:48.440 Firmilianus, and all Cappadocia. 03:48.980 --> 03:53.840 I have named only the more illustrious bishops, that I may not make my epistle 03:53.840 --> 03:56.300 too long and my words too burdensome. 03:57.200 --> 04:02.700 And all Syria and Arabia to which you send help when needed, and whither you have 04:02.700 --> 04:08.000 just written, Mesopotamia, Pontus, Bithynia, and in short all everywhere, 04:08.220 --> 04:12.760 are rejoicing and glorifying God for the unanimity and brotherly love. 04:13.340 --> 04:14.980 Thus far, Dionysius. 04:15.580 --> 04:20.560 But Stephen, having filled his office two years, was succeeded by Zistus. 04:21.220 --> 04:26.060 Dionysius wrote him a second epistle on baptism, in which he shows him at the same 04:26.060 --> 04:30.840 time the opinion and judgment of Stephen and the other bishops, and speaks in this 04:30.840 --> 04:31.760 manner of Stephen. 04:32.380 --> 04:36.820 He therefore had written previously concerning Helenus and Firmilianus, 04:37.080 --> 04:41.440 and all those in Cilicia and Cappadocia and Galatia and the neighboring nations, 04:42.140 --> 04:47.020 saying that he would not commune with them for this same cause, namely, that they 04:47.020 --> 04:48.480 rebaptized heretics. 04:48.480 --> 04:51.260 But consider the importance of the matter. 04:52.300 --> 04:57.120 For truly in the largest synods of the bishops, as I learn, decrees have been 04:57.120 --> 05:01.720 passed on this subject, that those coming over from heresies should be instructed 05:01.720 --> 05:05.880 and then should be washed and cleansed from the filth of the old and impure 05:05.880 --> 05:06.280 leaven. 05:07.200 --> 05:10.100 And I wrote entreating him concerning all these things. 05:10.100 --> 05:11.940 Further on, he says, 05:26.080 --> 05:30.540 So much in regard to the above-mentioned controversy. 05:31.360 --> 05:32.700 CHAPTER VI. 05:33.100 --> 05:34.660 THE HERESY OF SABELLIUS. 05:34.660 --> 05:40.140 He refers also in the same letter to the heretical teachings of Sabellius, 05:40.560 --> 05:43.600 which were in his time becoming prominent, and says, 06:04.660 --> 06:09.660 As there came to me communications from both sides and brethren discussing the 06:09.660 --> 06:14.040 matter, I wrote certain letters treating the subject as instructively as, 06:14.380 --> 06:16.300 by the help of God, I was able. 06:16.600 --> 06:18.440 Of these I send thee copies. 06:20.040 --> 06:21.060 CHAPTER VII. 06:21.400 --> 06:25.940 THE ABOMINABLE ERROR OF THE HERETICS, THE DIVINE VISION OF DIONYSIUS, 06:26.180 --> 06:29.040 AND THE ECCLESIASTICAL CANON WHICH HE RECEIVED. 06:30.000 --> 06:34.520 In the third epistle on baptism, which this same Dionysius wrote to 06:34.520 --> 06:39.580 Philemon, the Roman presbyter, he relates the following, But I examined 06:39.580 --> 06:44.580 the works and traditions of the heretics, defiling my mind for a little time with 06:44.580 --> 06:49.900 their abominable opinions, but receiving this benefit from them, that I refuted 06:49.900 --> 06:52.980 them by myself, and detested them all the more. 06:54.260 --> 06:58.440 And when a certain brother among the presbyters restrained me, fearing that I 06:58.440 --> 07:02.440 should be carried away with the filth of their wickedness, for it would defile my 07:02.440 --> 07:07.800 soul, in which also, as I perceived, he spoke the truth, a vision sent from God 07:07.800 --> 07:09.240 came and strengthened me. 07:10.120 --> 07:14.600 And the word which came to me commanded me, saying distinctly, Read everything 07:14.600 --> 07:18.760 which thou canst take in hand, for thou art able to correct and prove 07:18.760 --> 07:19.140 all. 07:19.700 --> 07:23.300 And this has been to thee from the beginning the cause of thy faith. 07:23.300 --> 07:28.160 I received the vision as agreeing with the apostolic word, which says to them that 07:28.160 --> 07:30.880 are stronger, be skillful money-changers. 07:32.120 --> 07:37.540 Then, after saying some things concerning all the heresies, he adds, I received this 07:37.540 --> 07:40.740 rule and ordinance from our blessed father Heracles. 07:41.340 --> 07:45.740 For those who came over from heresies, although they had apostatized from the 07:45.740 --> 07:50.640 church, or rather had not apostatized, but seemed to meet with them, yet were 07:50.640 --> 07:54.840 charged with resorting to some false teacher, when he had expelled them from 07:54.840 --> 07:59.400 the church he did not receive them back, though they entreated for it, until they 07:59.400 --> 08:03.360 had publicly reported all things which they had heard from their adversaries, 08:03.680 --> 08:07.440 but then he received them without requiring of them another baptism. 08:08.180 --> 08:11.240 For they had formerly received the Holy Spirit from him. 08:12.400 --> 08:16.920 Again, after treating the question thoroughly, he adds, I have learned also 08:16.920 --> 08:21.680 that this is not a novel practice introduced in Africa alone, but that even 08:21.680 --> 08:26.300 long ago, in the times of the bishops before us, this opinion has been adopted 08:26.300 --> 08:30.720 in the most populist churches, and in synods of the brethren in Iconium 08:30.720 --> 08:33.000 and Synoda, and by many others. 08:33.200 --> 08:37.320 To overturn their counsels and throw them into strife and contention I cannot 08:37.320 --> 08:37.900 endure. 08:38.400 --> 08:43.220 For it is said, Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark which thy fathers have 08:43.220 --> 08:43.600 set. 08:44.720 --> 08:49.940 His fourth epistle on baptism was written to Dionysius of Rome, who was then a 08:49.940 --> 08:54.020 presbyter, but not long after received the episcopate of that church. 08:54.680 --> 08:59.860 It is evident from what is stated of him by Dionysius of Alexandria, that he also 08:59.860 --> 09:01.880 was a learned and admirable man. 09:02.480 --> 09:06.100 Among other things, he writes to him as follows concerning Novatus. 09:07.220 --> 09:08.320 Chapter VIII. 09:08.700 --> 09:15.020 THE HETERODOXY OF NOVATUS For with good reason do we feel hatred toward Novatian, 09:15.020 --> 09:19.640 who has sundered the church and drawn some of the brethren into impiety and 09:19.640 --> 09:24.220 blasphemy, and has introduced impious teachings concerning God, and has 09:24.220 --> 09:28.380 columniated our most compassionate Lord Jesus Christ as unmerciful. 09:28.960 --> 09:33.800 And besides all this he rejects the holy baptism, and overturns the faith and 09:33.800 --> 09:38.380 confession which precede it, and entirely banishes from them the Holy Ghost, 09:38.680 --> 09:42.440 if indeed there was any hope that he would remain or return to them. 09:43.560 --> 09:44.680 Chapter IX. 09:44.940 --> 09:51.360 THE UNGODLY BAPTISM OF THE HERETICS His fifth epistle was written to Sistus, 09:51.520 --> 09:52.380 bishop of Rome. 09:52.740 --> 09:57.300 In this, after saying much against the heretics, he relates a certain occurrence 09:57.300 --> 09:58.760 of his time as follows. 09:59.280 --> 10:04.120 For truly, brother, I am in need of counsel, and I ask thy judgment concerning 10:04.120 --> 10:08.400 a certain matter which has come to me, fearing that I may be in error. 10:09.300 --> 10:13.740 For one of the brethren that assemble, who has long been considered a believer, 10:14.260 --> 10:18.440 and who before my ordination, and I think before the appointment of the blessed 10:18.440 --> 10:23.120 Heracles, was a member of the congregation, was present with those who 10:23.120 --> 10:24.180 were recently baptized. 10:24.940 --> 10:28.760 And when he heard the questions and answers, he came to me weeping, 10:29.020 --> 10:30.140 and bewailing himself. 10:30.520 --> 10:34.800 And falling at my feet he acknowledged and protested that the baptism with which he 10:34.800 --> 10:39.740 had been baptized among the heretics was not of this character, nor in any respect 10:39.740 --> 10:43.460 like this, because it was full of impiety and blasphemy. 10:44.720 --> 10:48.880 And he said that his soul was now pierced with sorrow, and that he had not 10:48.880 --> 10:53.620 confidence to lift his eyes to God, because he had set out from those impious 10:53.620 --> 10:54.620 words and deeds. 10:55.280 --> 10:58.940 And on this account he besought that he might receive this most perfect 10:58.940 --> 11:01.640 purification and reception and grace. 11:02.740 --> 11:06.660 But I did not dare to do this, and said that his long communion was 11:06.660 --> 11:07.900 sufficient for this. 11:08.360 --> 11:12.440 For I should not dare to renew from the beginning one who had heard the giving of 11:12.440 --> 11:16.980 thanks, and joined in repeating the Amen, who had stood by the table and had 11:16.980 --> 11:21.740 stretched forth his hands to receive the blessed food, and who had received it and 11:21.740 --> 11:26.280 partaken for a long while of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. 11:26.760 --> 11:31.280 But I exhorted him to be of good courage, and to approach the partaking of the 11:31.280 --> 11:33.440 saints with firm faith and good hope. 11:34.260 --> 11:38.920 But he does not cease lamenting, and he shudders to approach the table, 11:39.200 --> 11:43.300 and scarcely, though entreated, does he dare to be present at the prayers. 11:44.900 --> 11:49.800 Besides these there is also extant another epistle of the same man on baptism, 11:50.280 --> 11:53.780 addressed by him and his parish to Zistus and the church at Rome. 11:54.640 --> 11:58.460 In this he considers the question then agitated with extended argument. 11:59.120 --> 12:03.800 And there is extant yet another after these, addressed to Dionysius of Rome 12:03.800 --> 12:07.580 concerning Lucian, so much with reference to these. 12:09.300 --> 12:10.440 Chapter 10. 12:10.840 --> 12:13.240 Valerian and the Persecution Under Him. 12:14.420 --> 12:18.800 Gallus and the other rulers, having held the government less than two years, 12:18.960 --> 12:23.620 were overthrown, and Valerian, with his son Gallienus, received the 12:23.620 --> 12:24.080 empire. 12:24.640 --> 12:29.440 The circumstances which Dionysius relates of him we may learn from his epistle to 12:29.440 --> 12:32.580 Hermammon, in which he gives the following account. 12:34.500 --> 12:39.380 And in like manner it is revealed to John, for there was given to him, he says, 12:39.500 --> 12:43.780 a mouth speaking great things and blasphemy, and there was given unto him 12:43.780 --> 12:46.060 authority and forty and two months. 12:47.140 --> 12:51.980 It is wonderful that both of these things occurred under Valerian, and it is the 12:51.980 --> 12:55.200 more remarkable in this case when we consider his previous conduct, 12:55.860 --> 13:00.440 for he had been mild and friendly toward the men of God, for none of the emperors 13:00.440 --> 13:03.420 before him had treated them so kindly and favorably. 13:04.180 --> 13:08.160 And not even those who were said openly to be Christians received them with such 13:08.160 --> 13:12.740 manifest hospitality and friendliness as he did in the beginning of his reign, 13:13.240 --> 13:18.180 for his entire house was filled with pious persons and was a church of God. 13:20.020 --> 13:24.700 But the teacher and ruler of the synagogue of the Magi from Egypt persuaded him to 13:24.700 --> 13:30.080 change his course, urging him to slay and persecute pure and holy men because they 13:30.080 --> 13:34.140 opposed and hindered the corrupt and abominable incantations. 13:34.880 --> 13:39.740 For there are and there were men who, being present and being seen, though they 13:39.740 --> 13:44.520 only breathed and spoke, were able to scatter the counsels of the sinful demons. 13:45.280 --> 13:50.480 And he induced him to practice initiations and abominable sorceries, and to offer 13:50.480 --> 13:55.800 unacceptable sacrifices, to slay innumerable children, and to sacrifice the 13:55.800 --> 14:00.740 offspring of unhappy fathers, to divide the bowels of newborn babes, and to 14:00.740 --> 14:05.700 mutilate and cut to pieces the creatures of God, as if by such practices they could 14:05.700 --> 14:06.820 attain happiness. 14:07.960 --> 14:09.840 He adds to this the following. 14:22.220 --> 14:26.240 He did nothing praiseworthy or of general benefit, but fell under the prophetic 14:26.240 --> 14:31.420 saying, Woe unto those who prophesy from their own heart and do not consider the 14:31.420 --> 14:32.260 general good. 14:32.960 --> 14:37.060 For he did not perceive the general providence, nor did he look for the 14:37.060 --> 14:41.280 judgment of him who is before all, and through all, and over all. 14:42.120 --> 14:46.580 Wherefore he became an enemy of his Catholic Church, and alienated and 14:46.580 --> 14:51.820 estranged himself from the compassion of God, and fled as far as possible from his 14:51.820 --> 14:52.340 salvation. 14:53.300 --> 14:56.020 In this he showed the truth of his own name. 14:57.620 --> 15:02.640 And again, farther on, he says, For Valerian, being instigated to such 15:02.640 --> 15:07.660 acts by this man, was given over to insults and reproaches, according to what 15:07.660 --> 15:12.400 was said by Isaiah, they have chosen their own ways, and their abominations in which 15:12.400 --> 15:13.500 their soul delighted. 15:14.020 --> 15:18.260 I also will choose their delusions, and will render unto them their sins. 15:19.700 --> 15:24.880 But this man madly desired the kingdom, though unworthy of it, and being unable to 15:24.880 --> 15:29.540 put the royal garment on his crippled body, set forward his two sons to bear 15:29.540 --> 15:30.620 their father's sins. 15:31.280 --> 15:35.880 For concerning them the declaration which God spoke was plain, visiting the 15:35.880 --> 15:39.260 iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth 15:39.260 --> 15:41.320 generation of them that hate me. 15:42.340 --> 15:47.580 For heaping on the heads of his sons his own evil desires, in which he had met with 15:47.580 --> 15:52.820 success, he wiped off upon them his own wickedness and hatred toward God. 15:53.860 --> 15:57.240 Dionysius relates these things concerning Valerian. 16:04.880 --> 16:09.960 But as regards the persecution which prevailed so fiercely in his reign, 16:09.960 --> 16:14.500 and the sufferings which Dionysius with others endured on account of piety toward 16:14.500 --> 16:19.420 the God of the universe, his own words shall show, which he wrote in answer to 16:19.420 --> 16:23.320 Germanus, a contemporary bishop who was endeavoring to slander him. 16:23.700 --> 16:25.660 His statement is as follows. 16:26.820 --> 16:31.740 Truly I am in danger of falling into great folly and stupidity through being forced 16:31.740 --> 16:34.740 to relate the wonderful providence of God toward us. 16:35.140 --> 16:39.000 But since it is said that it is good to keep close the secret of a king, 16:39.000 --> 16:44.180 but it is honorable to reveal the works of God, I will join issue with the violence 16:44.180 --> 16:44.980 of Germanus. 16:45.720 --> 16:50.100 I went not alone to Aemilianus, but my fellow presbyter Maximus, 16:50.920 --> 16:55.520 and the deacons Faustus, Eusebius, and Chimeron, and a brother who was 16:55.520 --> 16:57.540 present from Rome, went with me. 16:58.660 --> 17:03.800 But Aemilianus did not at first say to me, Hold no assemblies, for this was 17:03.800 --> 17:08.060 superfluous to him, and the last thing to one who was seeking to accomplish the 17:08.060 --> 17:08.460 first. 17:09.040 --> 17:13.200 For he was not concerned about our assembling, but that we ourselves should 17:13.200 --> 17:14.020 not be Christians. 17:14.520 --> 17:18.460 And he commanded me to give this up, supposing if I turned from it, 17:18.660 --> 17:20.420 the others also would follow me. 17:21.480 --> 17:26.900 But I answered him, neither unsuitably nor in many words, We must obey God rather 17:26.900 --> 17:27.580 than men. 17:28.160 --> 17:32.520 And I testified openly that I worshipped the one only God and no other, 17:32.520 --> 17:36.800 and that I would not turn from this nor would I ever cease to be a Christian. 17:37.720 --> 17:41.760 Thereupon he commanded us to go to a village near the desert called Cephro. 17:42.760 --> 17:46.760 But listen to the very words which were spoken on both sides as they were 17:46.760 --> 17:47.280 recorded. 17:48.340 --> 17:53.980 Dionysius, Faustus, Maximus, Marcellus, and Chimeron being arraigned, Aemilianus 17:53.980 --> 17:58.600 the prefect said, I have reasoned verbally with you concerning the clemency which our 17:58.600 --> 18:02.500 rulers have shown to you, for they have given you the opportunity to save 18:02.500 --> 18:07.140 yourselves if you will turn to that which is according to nature and worship the 18:07.140 --> 18:11.840 gods that preserve their empire and forget those that are contrary to nature. 18:12.420 --> 18:14.120 What then do you say to this? 18:14.520 --> 18:18.700 For I do not think that you will be ungrateful for their kindness since they 18:18.700 --> 18:20.560 would turn you to a better course. 18:21.720 --> 18:26.800 Dionysius replied, Not all people worship all gods, but each one those whom he 18:26.800 --> 18:27.420 approves. 18:27.420 --> 18:33.080 We therefore reverence and worship the one God, the Maker of all, who hath given the 18:33.080 --> 18:38.500 empire to the divinely favored and august Valerian and Gallienus, and we pray to him 18:38.500 --> 18:42.260 continually for their empire that it may remain unshaken. 18:43.700 --> 18:48.880 Aemilianus the prefect said to them, But who forbids you to worship him if he 18:48.880 --> 18:52.180 is a god together with those who are gods by nature? 18:52.600 --> 18:56.480 For ye have been commanded to reverence the gods and the gods whom all know. 18:57.220 --> 19:00.120 Dionysius answered, We worship no other. 19:00.940 --> 19:05.900 Aemilianus the prefect said to them, I see that you are at once ungrateful and 19:05.900 --> 19:08.640 insensible to the kindness of our sovereigns. 19:09.040 --> 19:13.160 Wherefore ye shall not remain in this city, but ye shall be sent into the 19:13.160 --> 19:15.980 regions of Libya to a place called Sephro. 19:16.320 --> 19:20.660 For I have chosen this place at the command of our sovereigns, and it shall by 19:20.660 --> 19:25.900 no means be permitted you or any others either to hold assemblies or to enter into 19:25.900 --> 19:27.600 the so-called cemeteries. 19:28.580 --> 19:32.980 But if any one shall be seen without the place which I have commanded, or be found 19:32.980 --> 19:36.100 in any assembly, he will bring peril on himself. 19:36.620 --> 19:38.800 For suitable punishment shall not fail. 19:39.360 --> 19:41.600 Go, therefore, where ye have been ordered. 19:42.480 --> 19:47.460 And he hastened me away, though I was sick, not granting even a day's respite. 19:47.460 --> 19:52.920 What opportunity then did I have either to hold assemblies or not to hold them? 19:54.240 --> 19:59.000 Farther on he says, But through the help of the Lord we did not give up the open 19:59.000 --> 19:59.480 assembly. 19:59.860 --> 20:04.380 But I called together the more diligently those who were in the city, as if I were 20:04.380 --> 20:08.760 with them, being, so to speak, absent in body but present in spirit. 20:09.380 --> 20:13.880 But in Sephro a large church gathered with us of the brethren that followed us from 20:13.880 --> 20:19.160 the city, and those that joined us from Egypt, and there God opened unto us a door 20:19.160 --> 20:20.060 for the word. 20:21.220 --> 20:26.060 At first we were persecuted and stoned, but afterwards not a few of the heathen 20:26.060 --> 20:28.420 forsook the idols and turned to God. 20:28.940 --> 20:34.480 For until this time they had not heard the word, since it was then first sown by us. 20:35.700 --> 20:40.240 And as if God had brought us to them for this purpose, when we had performed this 20:40.240 --> 20:42.780 ministry he transferred us to another place. 20:42.780 --> 20:47.740 For Emilianus, as it appeared, desired to transport us to rougher and 20:47.740 --> 20:52.520 more Libyan-like places, so he commanded them to assemble from all quarters in 20:52.520 --> 20:56.440 Moraetus, and assigned to them different villages throughout the country. 20:56.960 --> 21:01.340 But he ordered us to be placed nearer the highway that we might be seized first. 21:01.740 --> 21:06.240 For evidently he arranged and prepared matters, so that whenever he wished to 21:06.240 --> 21:08.940 seize us he could take all of us without difficulty. 21:09.900 --> 21:14.420 When I was first ordered to go to Sephro I did not know where the place was, 21:14.560 --> 21:18.920 and had scarcely ever heard the name, yet I went readily and cheerfully. 21:19.500 --> 21:24.100 But when I was told that I was to remove to the district of Coluthion, those who 21:24.100 --> 21:26.060 were present know how I was affected. 21:27.480 --> 21:29.540 For here I will accuse myself. 21:30.100 --> 21:34.280 At first I was grieved and greatly disturbed, for though these places were 21:34.280 --> 21:38.880 better known and more familiar to us, yet the country was said to be destitute 21:38.880 --> 21:43.380 of brethren and of men of character, and to be exposed to the annoyances of 21:43.380 --> 21:45.540 travelers and incursions of robbers. 21:46.800 --> 21:51.020 But I was comforted when the brethren reminded me that it was nearer the city, 21:51.480 --> 21:55.760 and that while Sephro afforded us much intercourse with the brethren from Egypt, 21:56.120 --> 22:00.740 so that we were able to extend the church more widely, as this place was nearer the 22:00.740 --> 22:05.000 city we should enjoy more frequently the sight of those who were truly beloved and 22:05.000 --> 22:07.440 most closely related and dearest to us. 22:08.360 --> 22:12.080 For they would come and remain, and special meetings could be held, 22:12.280 --> 22:14.000 as in the more remote suburbs. 22:14.600 --> 22:16.160 And thus it turned out. 22:17.320 --> 22:21.820 After other matters, he writes again as follows of the things which happened to 22:21.820 --> 22:22.180 him. 22:23.300 --> 22:26.020 Germanus indeed boasts of many confessions. 22:26.520 --> 22:30.540 He can speak forsooth of many adversities which he himself has endured. 22:30.540 --> 22:36.420 But is he able to reckon up as many as we can of sentences, confiscations, 22:36.720 --> 22:41.740 prescriptions, plundering of goods, loss of dignities, contempt of worldly 22:41.740 --> 22:46.940 glory, disregard for the flatteries of governors and of counselors, and patient 22:46.940 --> 22:51.880 endurance of the threats of opponents, of outcries, of perils and persecutions, 22:52.320 --> 22:57.440 and wandering and distress, and all kinds of tribulation, such as came upon me under 22:57.440 --> 23:01.800 Decius and Sabinus, and such as continue even now under Aemilianus? 23:02.160 --> 23:04.560 But where has Germanus been seen? 23:04.920 --> 23:06.520 And what account is there of him? 23:07.660 --> 23:12.120 But I turn from this great folly into which I am falling on account of Germanus, 23:12.260 --> 23:16.500 and for the same reason I desist from giving to the brethren who know it an 23:16.500 --> 23:18.540 account of everything which took place. 23:19.680 --> 23:24.420 The same writer also, in the epistle to Domitius and Didymus, mentions some 23:24.420 --> 23:26.820 particulars of the persecution as follows. 23:26.820 --> 23:32.000 As our people are many and unknown to you, it would be superfluous to give their 23:32.000 --> 23:37.360 names, but understand that men and women, young and old, maidens and matrons, 23:37.800 --> 23:42.860 soldiers and civilians, of every race and age, some by scourging and fire, 23:43.280 --> 23:47.940 others by the sword, have conquered in the strife and received their crowns. 23:49.980 --> 23:54.580 But in the case of some, a very long time was not sufficient to make them appear 23:54.580 --> 24:00.440 acceptable to the Lord, as indeed it seems also in my own case that sufficient time 24:00.440 --> 24:01.960 has not yet elapsed. 24:02.280 --> 24:06.640 Wherefore He has retained me for the time which He knows to be fitting, saying, 24:07.160 --> 24:12.060 In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped 24:12.060 --> 24:12.420 thee. 24:14.200 --> 24:18.400 For as you have inquired of our affairs and desire us to tell you how we are 24:18.400 --> 24:24.040 situated, you have heard fully that when we, that is, myself and Gaius and Faustus 24:24.040 --> 24:29.080 and Peter and Paul, were led away as prisoners by a centurion and magistrates, 24:29.480 --> 24:33.880 with their soldiers and servants, certain persons from Moraetus came and 24:33.880 --> 24:37.620 dragged us away by force, as we were unwilling to follow them. 24:38.620 --> 24:43.240 But now I and Gaius and Peter are alone, deprived of the other brethren, 24:43.580 --> 24:48.060 and shut up in a desert and dry place in Libya, three days' journey from 24:48.060 --> 24:48.920 Paritonium. 24:49.840 --> 24:51.620 He says farther on, 25:20.720 --> 25:25.940 and to attend to the dangerous task of preparing for burial the bodies of the 25:25.940 --> 25:27.880 perfected and blessed martyrs. 25:28.920 --> 25:33.740 For as I have said before, unto the present time the governor continues to put 25:33.740 --> 25:38.680 to death in a cruel manner those who are brought to trial, and he destroys some 25:38.680 --> 25:44.240 with tortures and wastes others away with imprisonment and bonds, and he suffers no 25:44.240 --> 25:48.180 one to go near them, and investigates whether anyone does so. 25:48.180 --> 25:53.060 Nevertheless God gives relief to the afflicted through the zeal and persistence 25:53.060 --> 25:54.000 of the brethren. 25:55.260 --> 25:56.680 Thus far Dionysius. 25:57.240 --> 26:01.620 But it should be known that Eusebius, whom he calls a deacon, shortly afterward 26:01.620 --> 26:07.200 became bishop of the church of Laodicea in Syria, and Maximus, of whom he speaks as 26:07.200 --> 26:12.140 being then a presbyter, succeeded Dionysius himself as bishop of Alexandria. 26:12.820 --> 26:17.180 But the Faustus who was with him, and who at that time was distinguished for 26:17.180 --> 26:22.180 his confession, was preserved until the persecution in our day, when being very 26:22.180 --> 26:26.840 old and full of days, he closed his life by martyrdom, being beheaded. 26:27.760 --> 26:31.500 But such are the things which happened at that time to Dionysius.