KNOWING AND CONsidering the warre and combat that yee daylye suffer to mayntaine and keepe the true and pure Christian doctrine of the ancient and true Church of God , agaynst a sort and heape of glorious deceiuers , which hyde and boast themselues with false ensignes , of the name and title of the auncient Church , and of the auncient Doctors : I haue dedicated vnto you ( my welbeloued frendes ) this present booke , entituled : The Staffe of the Faith , gathered out of the workes of the auncient doctors of the churche , and of the counselles , and out of many authors : to the ende that thereby you may learne wholy , to fight against your ennemies , with the same staffe with which they doe fight agaynst you , that is to say , the auncientes . I doe not tell you how this staffe , shall keepe you from the danger of your ennemies only , I will content my selfe in speaking but one worde , touching the same , ( that is to say ) that you shall not only obtayne and get victory of your ennemies , but also send them away with their mouthes stopped . Therefore I desire you in Gods name , that ye be not slothfull nor negligent , to study therein often , and to haue those sentences therein alledged readily at yovr fingers endes , that thereby the kingdome of Iesus Christe be auaunced , and the dominion of the deuilles and infidels destroyed and abolished .

I doe knowe very well that manye people haue accustomed to saye , when it is spoken vnto them of the auncients , speaking without eyther iudgement , or reason , in saying that as touching the Auncientes , they haue nothing to doe with them , for they wvere men as they : but that they content themselues only with the worde of God . I woulde not altogither denie or gainesaye them in that , if they would not reiect thereby God and his giftes , by thinking to reiect men and their doctrine . Therefore we ought to take good heede vnto men when they speake of themselues , and also when God speaketh by them . The same we may knowe , when their doctrine is confirmable and agreeing to the rule of all right , which is the word of God the doctrine of the prophets & Apostles . Furthermore , we would not haue you ignorant , that the auncient fathers haue ordayned and established a great many of ceremonies , and thinges in the churche respecting the time and personnes , and the infirmitie of those that dayly come vnto the knowledge of the Gospell , aswell of Iewes as of panims and Idolaters : But they haue done that onely but for a certaine time , to the ende they might drawe to the Gospell all nations , and let and stoppe the way of the Heritickes and ennemies of the catholyke faithe , from gayning and winning the weake in faithe . For we ought not to maruayle , if the auncient fathers haue done many thinges in that time , which now can not serue , nor profite vs any thing at all , inasmuch as they haue serued but onely for their time . For the Apostles haue ordayned some thinges which nowe ought not to be followed nor kept . As we doe reade in the actes of the Apostles , that the counsell that was celebrated by the Apostles in Ierusalem , Act. 15. decreed that we should abstaine from bloude , and from the fleshe of beastes that were strangled : We knowe well inough that this ordinance now hath no more place , and is not in force among the christians , Titus . 1. 1. Tim. 1. Rom. 14. nor ought to haue , bicause that all thinges are cleane and purified through the worde and prayer . Then wee see that that decree , which hath bene decreed by the holy spirite & by the Apostles , to haue bene made , bicause of the personnes , and to serue onely but for that time .

Iudge nowe , if an ordinance made by the Apostles to support the infirmitie of men , hath bene set foorth , and afterwardes abolished : what oughte we to iudge of those which are of lesse importance which haue bene ordayned by men , a great deale inferior and of lesse estimation then the Apostles ? There is no doubt , that forasmuch as they haue bene ordayned to serue onely for that time , that nowe we may let them alone and forsake them , bicause that there is neyther Iewes nor Turkes among vs , but christians , at the least as they saye .

Also we ought not vpon this to holde our peace or hide the vnshamelesse malice of many , who ( neuerthelesse calling themselues christians ) vnder colour of antiquitie , and of the auncient doctors , doe forge and inuent of their owne wicked and filthye brayne , naughty and most detestable errors : and afterward say that the auncient fathers haue written so , and preached so : and by that meanes make the poore world being seduced to beleeue it . And yet the malice is so great in them , that all they that will not receiue and allowe , that which their brayne hath inuented vnder the name of holy men , they crye after them with open mouth , to the fire , to the fire with the Heritickes . They reiecte the doctrine of the fathers . Alas O my God and Lord thou knowest our hearts : and the heartes of these lyers , that we doe not desire but that in all and through all , be it through life or death , that thy son Iesus Christ , and his doctrine , may be onely receiued , loued and worshipped : And for this are we apoynted as sheepe to be slayne : we are nought set by , mocked , beaten , banished , chased from towne to towne : To be short we are esteemed and counted as the most vile & stinking filthynesse of all the world , troden downe vnderneth the feete of the worldlinges : But for all that we possesse our soules in patience , looking for the righteous Iudge which will iudge all the world , not according to the doctrine of men , but according to hys holy worde , for which we are had nowe in suche abhomination to the worlde .

Furthermore they which dayly accuse vs with so greate rage and furye , against the auncient doctrine of the Apostles and Doctors , shall at the last acknowledge their malice and liuing , that they haue declared in their bookes , corrupting and marring the bookes of the auncient fathers of the churche : If I durst , I would gladly name one who in that occupation or science hath serued out his prentyshyppe , for that cause is called our maister , in his booke that he hath intituled . The bouckler of the faithe : wherein he declareth the subtiltie of his intent and craft , alledging the auncient Doctors in Latine , after translating them into Frenche , and at euery place where he found Sacrificium , or the like manner of speaking , in steade to put in sacrifice , or holy mysterie , he hath translated them alwayes the holy mysterie of the Masse , and so by that meanes they finde that worde Masse in the bookes of those good fathers , which they neuer thought nor did . I beleeue he thought that his booke should not come but only in the handes of yong children , or else he thought that he had to doe but with beastes like vnto himselfe . There is no man though he haue but small iudgement and vnderstanding , which reading that booke , but that he may see at the first dashe how he lyeth , and vnsayeth and reuoketh it agayne , and neuerthelesse he is heard and accounted as halfe a God : not only of the poorest sort , but of the greatest in the worlde . In the meane time we ought not to maruayle at this , that such gallants haue bene so hardy and ouerbolde , forasmuch as they were supported and maintayned of Kings , Emperors , Princes , and Magistrates , and that they were the best welcome to their Court.

I remember that I haue reade in the Ecclesiasticall histories , that in the time of the auncient Doctors , Euseb. lib. 4. cap. 22. there were abusers and seducers of the people , that sowed their pestilent venim amongst the doctrine of the auncients : Of that Denise bishop of Corinth complayned very much , saying , that many haue sown in his Epistles much wicked doctrine . Therefore thinke , that if they haue bene so hardy and bolde that they durst corrupt the wrytinges of the auncientes , yea whilest they were yet aliue . What will they doe nowe ? at the least they will doe asmuch , as their auncient fathers , that is to saye those Apostates ennemies of the fathers .

Now notwithstanding their shamelesse malyce they rebuke and checke vs with a whores face , that we are ennemies of the fathers , despisers and contemners of their doctrine , and disturbers of the world . I would to God that they would permitte and suffer vs to compare our doctrine openly , and before all the world with theirs , to the end that all men might knowe who be the contemners and ennemies of the fathers : somuch it wantith that we should be found condemners and ennemies of those good fathers , that altogither it woulde be seene that the same doctrine that we hold & keepe at this day , is the very same for whiche manye of those good fathers haue shead their bloud : and would shead it , if they were nowe aliue .

It seemeth that the same is not true that I haue spoken , that if the fathers were yet aliue , that men would put them cruelly to death , as most wicked Heritickes . Yea they which at this daye doe boste and brag them selues to be their obedient children , and make bucklers of their bookes .

Vnderstand and hold fast in minde ( dearely beloued ) behold this present booke may serue vs for a certayne argument , of that which is composed and faithfully gathered togither , out of the very bookes of the auncient Doctors : That if I would present this present booke ( wherein there is nothing in it of mine , but altogither of the auncientes ) for confession of my faith to those enemies of the fathers , I doubt not but presently I should be as a moste wicked Heretick , condemned to be burned quicke into ashes . Nowe see ( dearely beloued ) and iudge iustly before God according to your own conscience , whether we be the ennmies of the fathers or they .

The auncient fathers haue sayde that the breade of the supper abideth alwayes breade , not being transubstantiated or chaunged : I doe demaund of you in good faith , wherefore or what is the cause that they shead dayly so abundantly the bloude of the poore children of God ? Is it not vpon this only poynte , or for this cause , that the fathers haue beleeued and mayntayned with a common consent , as you shall see in that booke vpon the artycle of the Lordes supper ? I leaue it to your owne iudgement . Furthermore we doe reade that the ancient fathers , of whom these here doe aduance , and bost them selues to keepe and mayntayne their doctrine , haue broken in peeces the images of Iesus Christe , and of the Saintes , that haue bene set vp in the temple of the christians , saying that it is against the Christian doctrine to haue Images in the Church .

What is he that doubteth , that if the good fathers were yet liuing , and that they shoulde so breake the Images as they did in that time , but that they shoulde be out of hande , or with all speede condemned as heretickes to be burned , yea if they escaped so . For we do see many dayly which doe not escape so good cheape , but they haue done vnto them all the torments and paynes that these worshippers of the fathers can inuent or imagin .

Then when you shall reade the doctrine of the fathers contayned in this present booke , iudge whether it may be confessed and maintayned openly before these worshippers of the fathers without daunger of lyfe . In the meane time , I desire you ( my deare brethren ) that ye feare not to abandon your bodie and lyfe , for a doctrine so iust , holy , and good : and let vs reioyce in this , that we holde the true auncient doctrine of the Prophets , Apostles and Doctors of the Church .

And as touching you , O ye Princes , Iudges , and Magistrates , betweene whose handes this present booke shall happen to fall : I desire and require you , in the name of the liuing God , and of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde which hath shed out all his bloud vpon the crosse for the loue of vs , that you doe giue right iudgement vpon the poore faithfull people , of whome your prisons are at this time full , through the furor and madnesse of those worshippers of the fathers , and bee no more the hangmen of that wicked Vermine : for it is not counted a thing honest nor meete among men , that the Kings , Emperours , Princes , and Magistrates shoulde bee made the hangmen of beggers .

1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. Sapi. 6. Be ye then more ashamed than euer you were , bicause that you beare the name of God , and the power to gouerne the people is giuen you from God , not for to abuse it in punishing the good , and defending the wicked , but to maintayne and ayde the good , and to punish the wicked ( as the Apostles haue taught vs . ) But alas my God , into what blindenesse is the worlde fallen into , to esteeme and thinke that they which holde and keepe the true auncient doctrine are heretikes .

O you Iudges and Magistrates , doe you not see dayly in your prisons , the poore children of God , to eate and drinke very scarsly bread and water , and to be cast most vilely and filthily into a lowe dunge on with the venimous beastes , lying as the poore beastes vpon a little strawe hauing their armes and legges broken with the racke ?

Doe you not see ( I say ) on the other side those goodly masters which beare such great zeale to the auncient fathers , to haue their bellye altogither stuffed with wine and delicate fare , coming forth from their bankets and feastes with a face as red as fire , or like to a Butchers boule , comming forth to passe awaye the time , for to examine the poore faythfull people , which are not sought for at the table where good cheare is , but in a most filthie and darke dungeon : they are poore children of God tyed and bounde with chaynes , with a pale face and thinne cheekes , brought before those fat bellies and firie faces through their ouermuche drinking and quaffing of wine , and the first words they speake is , come hither thou wicked heretick , away thou damned seducer of the people , thou hast the deuil within thee . And assone as the pore children of God did thinke to haue spoken for their defence , the fatte bellies quicklye put their hands to their Bible , but it is another Bible than the olde olde or newe testament : For they can do nothing but prouide faggots , and crie to the fire , to the fire with those wicked heretickes , I knowe not where they haue learned to doe so . Haue they learned that of the Prophetes and Apostles ? It appeareth no. Neyther haue they learned it of the auncient fathers . For they shall finde within this present booke , that they haue spoken and done altogither otherwise : therefore they declare that it is a rage and a madnesse that they haue conceyued against the truth for to extinguishe and abolishe it vtterly , and all those that maintaine it : For libertie to speake is taken from vs . Those that would speake , their tongues are cut out of their heades ? and afterwardes are burned .

In the meane time O ye Iudges and Magistrates , which haue the publicke charge , haue regard from henceforth what you doe in condemning them to death . You cannot condemne them to death except ye condemne all the good and auncient fathers to death with them . What order doe you call this to condemne to death as Heretickes the Saintes and their doctrine , vnto whom they crye and dayly pray vnto in their Letanie , saying , O Sancte Augustine , O Sancte Cypriane , O Sancte Hieronime . &c. Ora pro nobis , that is to say , O Saint Augustine , O Saint Cyprian , O Saint Ierome , and so consequently of the other , pray for vs . And in the meane time they condemne them , and their writinges , and all those that followe theyr doctrine to be burned , as the experience dothe dayly teach vs .

Therefore ye that Iudge the people haue a good respect vnto that that you haue to doe : for it is not onely vnto vs that you doe adresse your selues , but also to the sonne of God , which hath sayd vnto vs , he that toucheth you , toucheth the apple or sight of mine eye . The same hath bene well shewed to Paule , When he persecuted the poore faythfull , crying from heauen after him , Act. 9. Saule Saule why persecutest thou me ? he did not persecute him in his owne person , but he persecuted him in his members , which are all the faithfull that beleue in him .

Euen so ( my deare brethren ) we shall rest in patience , and shall not be ashamed to be condemned with all those good and auncient fathers of the church , and not onely with them , but also with all the Prophets and Apostles . Then when you see your selues bound and brought before the Iudges , to receiue sentence of death and condemnation against you , behold with you the Prophets , Apostles and the auncient doctors bound with you to be condemned in the same torment . Be ye ioyfull and reioyce to be enrowled in their bande , for to beare with them , the yoke of Iesus Christ ? perseuere valiantly in the doctrine that you haue already receiued , for no man can hurt you . Ought we not greatly to reioyce of this , that the persecuting tyrantes can doe our bodyes no more hurt , then a wolfe or theefe of the woods , which can but murther or kill vs . Let vs reioyce , for our names are written in heauen . We haue yet this good turne ( thankes be vnto our good God therefore ) that the persecutors can do vnto vs no worse then to to put and place vs with our good God in the company of Angelles and all the blessed soules in heauen .

What is he that would not desire to goe playe with so happy a company eternally and without ende ? 1. Cor. 2. Yea to be in glory which the eye hath not seene , and eare hath not heard , neyther hath entred into mans minde , the thinges which God hath prepared to such as loue him .

Againe , forasmuch as they esteeme and court vs so wicked and abhominable , and crye so spitefully after vs , as after the wickedest people of all the world , to make vs and our doctrine odious vnto the people : They commaund them not to heare or harken vnto vs , they make the simple people beleeue , when they haue them vnder confession , that if they doe not accuse vs , they shall be damned .

Their craft , subtiltye and enuye agaynste the truth is to be maruayled at . In the meane time I would willingly that they would accord and agree with vs to conferre their doctrine with ours , their crosse and persecution with ours , their lyfe with ours , theyr church with ours : By that means we should plainly see whether they be the children of God or we . First of all haue not we the baptisme purely administred , as we doe reade that the Apostles haue administred it without any inuentions of men , but onely according to the word of God ? Let one reade the Scriptures , and he shall see who it is that hath added to the Sacramentes , eyther we or they .

Furthermore let men behold the persecutions that they suffer for their doctrine , the number is soone counted , for there is not one which hath suffred death for their doctrine : neuerthelesse Iesus Christ hath promised that his church shal haue persecution in the world , saying , ye shall be hated of all men for my name . Mat. 10. How can they be hated of all men sith that they be in all places the best welcome ? How commeth it that one shoulde thinke to doe sacrifice vnto God in putting them to death ? I did neuer knowe any .

I doe accord and agree in this , that they are often times taken prisoners , but it is in the good feastes and bankettes , and in the best seates of the table : and whereas the children of God are burned with fire , they here are burned throughe the heate of Wine . Their innocent fleshe is hewen and cut in peeces , but it is at the table vpon their treachers . They are rotten and consumed with the Goute of Naples , insomuch that they fall in peces .

They are melted and melted againe many times in a yeere . Besides all the dangers they put them selues into both day and night to runne after other mens wyues , in great danger of their life . And yet some will say that they are not persecuted : It appeareth that they be , for one shall see a great many more among them to dye Martyrs , of the paines that we did speake of euen now , then of their naturall diseases or sicknesses . They are then Martyres , no man can denie , yea , but it is of the diuell : and what is he that doubteth of it ?

And as concerning their life it is knowen well inough and manyfested vnto all men : Their good workes and godly fruites what it bringeth in all places , destroying and corrupting all the worlde , aswell spiritually as corporally . This I am sure of , that forasmuch as I haue touched and medled but with the doore of their kitchin , they will say I am a wicked Hereticke : But what then ? Shoulde I hold my peace for their menaces and iniuries ? No , no , God forbid , but rather I will crye with open mouth after them , bicause they haue so corrupted and destroyed the Lordes Vineyard .

Alas , alas , my God what is he that ought not but to lament and weepe with bloudy teares , seeing all the world to be so led into the bottome of hell , so many poore soules led to perdition . O Lord regard thy poore people , haue some pitie and compassion on them , for whom thy sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ hath offred to thee his body and bloud in a sacrifice : and suffer not that thy poore sheepe be so put as a pray for to be deuoured of al beastes .

For we are dayly assaulted with so many ennemyes , that sathan riseth agaynst vs , for to make vs forsake and abandon our Lord Iesus Christ , and to renounce his Gospell : One day we haue warre agaynst the Heretickes Anabaptistes , an other day agaynst Libertines , Epicures , Arians , Dauidistes , and agaynst dissemblers , and consequently , against the worshippers of the fathers , through whose zeale the children of God are put to death . Haue not we then great neede of weapons ? It appeareth yea , if we would not be taken in their snares , as many at this day are , through the iust iudgement of God .

Therefore if there be any time to pray , or to watch , it is nowe : Let vs then watch and praye , to the end we may auoyde all those dangers , and perseuer and continewe to the ende .

HOW EASIE A THING it is ( gentle reader ) rashly to discommend , eche one is vnto himselfe a witnesse : but how hard a thing rightly to commend , few , yet the wyser , can testifie . Therefore to make any great or tedious relation of that , which of it selfe is worthy , I thinke a thing vayne and superstuous : or to commend that which in the very shew is commendable , should be to bereeue thee of thy iudgement . Notwithstanding , least I should be accused and condemned of negligence , which I haue sought to shunne and auoyde , I determined priuatly , to set thy sight openly , that this booke hath bene out of the Doctors and Counselles collected carefully , composed by the authour pithilye , and by the same alledged fitly and aptlye : and not onely out of the Doctors , but out of the Popes owne Canons culled gratiously , whereby he hath not brought a Doctor agaynst a Pope , but a Pope with a Pope conferred learnedlye . This being rightly wayed and considered . I thinke there is nothing left for the more enuious ( being the motion godly , the matter their owne , the order fitte and conuenient ) as an obiect to worke on theyr insatiable minde , and desire of reprehension , except they wyll seeke and runne to the manners of the author ( common practises now a dayes ) to search and prye ouer curiouslye , something to animaduert and oppugne , and sore agreeued that he hath beaten them with their owne rodde , say with Zeuxis contending with Parrhasius , when he had seene all , now vncouer thy sheete Parrhasius , that we may see thy worke . Yet least there shoulde growe in their mindes some vndeserued suspition , being the authour vnknowen , I will endeauour not onely to remoue , but to roote it cleane out of their entendement : and playnely affirme that which is credibly and sincerely referred to me , that he was of manners modest , of life laborious , of countenance sober , and of witte quicke , and willing to profite euery one to his power and abilitie . Therefore as I iudge and esteeme , there is no cause for any one , nor yet for the aduersaryes to bee greeued , seeing to the one it redoundeth to his vtilitie , and the other may not complayne , that in disclosing the veritie , he paynted foorthe that which he hath worthelye deserued . Next to this is the cause of the translatour , whome thou shalte thanke , that for thy further benifite , he hath with good zeale learned the authour to talke in an other tongue , and shewing that which before was well spoken to a fewe , to be better spoken to a great many , rendered it , copied out of the French , into thy Englishe , vulgare and natiue speache . Lastly I admonishe the to view and reade diligently the cataloge of the doctors and counselles , alledged by the authour , which I haue layde downe , to the ende thou mightest see for thy emolument what euery one hath bene , and what he hath suffred and written , and the time he florished , wishing thee to ponder the same , and loke if they haue thought any otherwyse , then truth , or fallen into any inextricable error , not redily to condemne them , as the enuious doe : but to ascribe it to mans fragilitie , as christians ought : and to marke and imprint the same in thy minde , not to fall into the like , nor to stay on mans sayinges , seeing as it is vsually sayde : nihil omni parte bea●um . Nothing ( meaning mortall thinges ) is blessed or happy on euery side but to boulster and trust wholy to Gods mercyes , who is onely the truthe , and the phisition for euery sore . Thus much I thought good to aduertise thee ( gentle re-der ) of this present booke , being , as it may be sayde , in sight fayre , in matter good , in effect fructuous and godly , wishing and willing thee to accepte gratefullye that which for thy pleasure hath bene penned paynefully . Farewell .

DIonysius Areopagita , a Grecian borne , and iudge in the causes of weight at Athens : was conuerted by S. Paule , when he disputed with the Stoikes and Epicures in the same Citie : and constituted byshop there of the faythfull : Afterwarde he went into Fraunce , and was made byshop of Paris , where he was also beheaded by the gouernour Fesceninus , in the yeare of our Lorde , as Trithemius reporteth , 96. and Paulus Eberus , Pag. 327. being the ix . daye of October vnder the Emperor Domitian in the seconde persecution . He flourished chiefly vnder the two Vespasians father and the sonne . Hee was called the French mens Apostle , and lieth buried in a place in Fraunce , called after his name S. Denis , a little distant from Paris , verye famous throughe the sepulchres of the Kings of that Countrie , reade Act. 17. Euseb. lib. 3. cap. 4. and lib. 4. cap. 22. Martinus Polonus in the life of Domitian . Onuphrius Panuinus in his Chronologie , Pag. 14. Gregorius Turonicus , pag. 23. Roffin . pag. 365. Pantaleon . pag. 4. Of his iudgement of the Eclipse of the sunne in the passion of our Lorde , reade the annales of Glycas , pag. 306. and in his owne Epistle to Polycarpus the martyr .

Clemens , a Grecian , flourished vnder the two Vespasians , Domitian , and Nerua . He was the Disciple of Paule , called his fellow labourer , as he himselfe witnesseth : and as Dorotheus sayth , one of the 70. disciples . He first preached the Gospell at Metz in France . Pantaleon , pag. 7. Maior , Munster . Afterwards was made Bishop of Sardis now called Triaditza . Dorotheus in the lyues of the 70. Disciples . Lastlye bishop of Rome the 3. in succession , and was martyred vnder Traian , anno . 103. in the thirde persecution , by tying an anker about his necke , and throwne into the sea . He obtayned the dignitie of the seate 9. yeares , 2. monethes , 10. dayes . Martinus Polonus in his lyfe . Gregorius Turonicus , pag. 21. Platyna in his lyfe .

Ignatius , a Grecian , byshop of Antioch the yeare of our Lorde .99 . seconde in succession after Peter the disciple of S. Iohn the Euangelist and Apostle : flourished chieflye vnder Nerua , and Traian , was martyred , as he testifieth of himselfe at Rome in the thirde persecution : the historie saith , that as Traian returned from the victorie of his enimies , the yere 109. and threatened death to the Christians , Ignatius came towardes him , and confessed himselfe a Christian , wherefore he was straight apprehended and bounde with fetters , and caried to Rome , and deuoured with wild beasts . Euseb. lib. 3. cap. 33. shewing his owne Epistle , howe he was bounde and fettered and garded with a great troupe of souldiers , and inclosed with ten Leopardes . Gregorie of Tours , pag. 21. Martin the Polonian in the lyfe of Traian . Pantaleon , pag. 9. Onuphrius Panuinus , pag. 16.

Irenaeus a Latine Doctor , the seconde bishop of Lyons in Fraunce , and successour of Pothynus the disciple of Polycarpus the martyr bishop of Smyrna . Florished vnder Commodus the yeare .175 . Pantaleon , pag. 13. He was sent into France , by the sayde Polycarpus , and was commended by the martyrs there vnto Elutherius the 13. byshop of Rome , and confuted there certaine heretikes . Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 4. cap. 18. He reprehended sharplye Victor successor of Elutherius in the sea of Rome , bicause he had excommunicated the Christians of Asia and Greece . Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 23. Hee was martyred at Lyons vnder Seuerus in the v. persecution , or according to Sulpitius Seuerus , the sixt in the yeare . 184. Gregorie of Tours , pag. 22. Martin the Polonian , in the life of Seuerus . He was present in the Councel of Palaestine with Polycarpus , Theophilus , Narcissus , and Bacchylus the noble and learned Byshoppes of Asia . Platyna in the lyfe of Victor the first .

Tertullian Priest , a Latine Doctor , byshop of Carthage in Aphrica , flourished in the yeare 202. vnder Seuerus and Antoninus . He wrate many learned workes , but at length by reason of a schisme risen of emulation betweene him and the Romane Clergie , he fell from the truth into the Montane heresie . Hieronymus in cataloge . Nicephorus lib. 4. cap. 34. He wrote an Apologie for the Christians alledged by Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 2.

Origen Priest , a Grecian Doctor , flourished in the yeare of our Lorde 235. the Disciple of Clement of Alexandria , whom also he succeeded in the schoole , and instructed many in the fayth , which afterwarde became martyrs . In his youth his father was martyred vnder Seuerus , who being in prison , he often visited , and therfore was in great daunger of his person , and woulde haue suffred martyrdome if his mother had not hindered him : being growen in age , he gelded himselfe , to the intent he might the freelyer be at his studie . He wrate many things , of which there are not all extant . Hieronymus in Catalogo . He liued till the time of Gallus and Volusianus Emperors , and died in the 69. yeare of his age , and lyeth buried at Tyrus . Suydas . Euseb . in the whole 6. booke .

Cyprianus , a Grecian , Bishop of Carthage , flourished in the yeare of our Lord 355. vnder the reigne of Decius . Pantaleon pag. 21. Hee was a great enimie of the Arians , and other heretikes . His opinion that he helde of rebaptizing the heretikes , was the occasion of falling at square with Stephan the first bishop of Rome . He was present at the first Councell of Carthage . Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 3. Pantaleon , pag. 22.