John Fox, Martyrs #138-#1520, & Osteen's "Best Life Now"

Foxe, John. The New Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2001.
This segment is entitled "John Foxe, Narcissism, Joel Osteen's Polycarp Edition of Foxe and Martyrs #138 to #1520.  That is, martyr number 138 through martyr number 1520.

8^th Persecution under Emperor Valerian (253-260 A.D.)  The persecution began in 257 A.D. and lasted near-wise four years.  

138-139.  Rufina and Secunda, two daughters of a prominent Roman citizen.  Beheaded.

140.  Stephen, Roman overseer, beheaded.

141.  In Toulouse, France, Saturnis refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods.  He was tied up feet to the back of a wild bull, taken to the top of the temples steps, and dragged downwards, thereby, dying of head trauma.

142-148.  Sixtus, an overseer in Rome, and six deacons, killed.  258 A.D.  An “Edict of Valerian” authorized the round-up.

149.  Lawrence, a deacon in Rome.  The Governor of Rome, Marcianus, understands that this deacon has charge of money; as such, Lawrence was in charge of distribution of the alms for mercy and support of others.  Old Marcianus wants some of it.  He demands it.  Lawrence and several supporting Christians appear before Marcianus. 

Lawrence:  “These are the precious riches of the Church.  They are the treasure in which faith Christ reigns, in whom He has His dwelling place.  What more precious jewel can the Church have than those for whom Christ promise to dwell?”

Marcianus: “Light the fire, do not spare the wood! This villain has tried to deceive the Emperor! Away with him! Away with him! Whip him with the scourge! Jerk him with hooks, buffet him with the fists, brain him with clubs! Does the traitor joke with the Emperor? Torment him every way you can or you will be tormented yourselves.”

Aside from the martyrdom, we note that the “Real Presence” is noted in, with, upon and amongst the believers.  We get pinged by 2.0 and 6.0 Anglicans, that is, Non-Papal Romanists called Anglo-Catholics for the “Real Absence” of Christ at the Holy Communion.  “Absent, oh really now?”  It’s the MCTTers trick, that is, “We’re more Catholic than thou.”  It’s the Diotrephian principle of “We’re more pre-eminent than you.”  It’s hubris.  Our lives are hid in Christ (Col.3.1) and the Triune God has made us His home.  Our response to the 2.0 and 6.0 hubrists?  Put politiely, yawn.  We’ll forego the Marine Corps response for now.

150. In Africa, Mr. Foxe says 1000s died and a few stories must be added.  Ergo, we add the numbers.  1500.

1500.  In Utica, northwest of Carthage, 300 Christians were burned in a lime kiln pot.  They refused to sacrifice to Jupiter.

1501-1503.  Maxima, Donatilla, and Secunda are scourged, lime grinded into the wounds and then decapitated.

1504-1506.  In Spain, Fructuosus, an overseer in Tarragona.  He and two deacons, Augurius and Eulogius, burned at the stake.

1507-1510.  In Palestine, four go to the lions.  Aleander, Malchus, Priseus, and one un-named woman.

In 260 A.D., Gallienus, the son of Valerian, succeeds him to the throne and peace rules for several years.

The Ninth Persecution:  Aurelius (Lucius Domitius Aurelianus) rules (270-275 A.D.).   According to the historians, this Emperor held the “barbarians” (as if the Romans weren’t themselves) in check.  Britain, Gaul, Spain, Syria and Egypt were retained within the Empire.

1511.  Felix, an overseer in Rome, was beheaded in 274 A.D.

1512.  In Praeneste, 30 miles from Rome, a rich young Christian man who had given much of his wealth to the poor was tortured and beheaded.  

Tenth Persecution.  Diocletian (285-303 A.D.).  Mr. John Foxe says this was the “worst of all.”

1513-1514.  Marcus and Marcellianus, twins, were crucified.

1515.  Zoe, the wife of the jailer of the above, converted as a result of this crucifixion.  She was hung on a tree, a fire lit beneath her, and she died.

1516.  Faith, of Aquitaine, France, was broiled and then beheaded.  Aquitaine is pictured below. 

1517-1518. Back in Rome, 287 A.D., Quintin and Lucien decide to go to Amiens, France.  They are racked, scourged and die in jail there. 

 

 1519. On 22 Jun 287, Alban became the first reported Christian martyr in Britain.      This was in the county of Hertfordshire.  He was scourged and beheaded. The Venerable Bede tells the story in Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation.  Mr. Bede says that Alban’s executioner begged to die for or with Alban.  Both were killed.  Bede is available in hardcopy at:   http://www.amazon.com/Bedes-Ecclesiastical-History-England-Bede/dp/1481049100/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376004597&sr=8-1&keywords=venerable+bede Bede is available online at: http://books.google.com/books?id=UlY-AAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+venerable+bede&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KCoEUrmxO4e28wTIm4CoAw&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=the%20venerable%20bede&f=false

1520. 23 February 303.  In Nicomedia, the eastern capital of Diocletian’s (eastern) Roman Empire, he issues the edict to “eliminate Christianity from the Empire,” including the “burning of books” and the leveling of “Christian buildings.”  All Christians were to “be arrested as traitors to the empire.”