An Account of Those who Suffered in the Fifth Century

[First of all, mention is made of the tyrants who at the beginning of this century tyrannized over the defenseless lambs of Christ; among them are mentioned Isdigerdis, and his son Geroranes.

The bloody edict issued by the two Emperors, Honorius and Theodosius, against the so-called Anabaptists, is given, according to different versions, and explained.

The couplet of Prosperus, which proclaims to the candidates for baptism that their baptism must be perfected by martyrdom, is explained.

Albanus, a pious teacher at Mentz,* and others, martyred. [n293-1]

The threats of the Nestorian Emperor, Theodosius, against the upright teacher, Cyril of Alexandria.

The tyranny of Theodosius, Bishop of Jerusalem, against many upright people, especially toward a pious teacher of the church of Christ, whom he first had scourged, and then beheaded.

Benjamin, a deacon, after suffering many torments, put to death with a knotty stick, in Persia.

The cruelty of Honoricus, the Arian King, toward certain bishops and elders who would not swear an oath, described at length, and also his destruction.

Then it is shown in the margin that about this time, in different councils held in Africa, five hundred and five laws were made, some of them relating to infant baptism; the agitation about baptism, the suppression of the same, and so on.

The bloody oppression of the believers, which, it appears, occurred in the time of Fulgentius.

Two persons who denied infant baptism, condemned in a certain council at Carthage (as is shown in the margin); but we commit them to God. With this we conclude the fifth century.]

We now come to fulfill the promise we repeatedly made in the Account of Baptism in the fifth century, namely, that we would show that of those who were baptized according to the ordinance of Christ, and of those who defended them and their views, a number had to lose their lives on this account; and that others, who escaped death, were severely persecuted or had to suffer bodily punishment. In order to show this properly, we shall first note the tyrants of this time, and their tyranny; and then the persons who through this tyranny were oppressed and suffered even to blood.