Of Eight Severe Persecutions Instituted Against Christian Believers

We ought to record here that from the year 622 to the close of this century, various other persecutions and severe oppressions were brought against those who were called Christian believers, among whom, as it appears, there were here and there some who died upon a pure confession of faith. Of these persecutions and oppressions of the Christian believers, eight, among others, are listed, which we will briefly take from A. Mellinus. Having spoken of the chronology of the Turks or Mohammedans, he comes to the year 622, and says

1. "In Italy a new persecution arose against the Christians who lived there, under the Arian King of the Longobards.

2. "In France also some (namely, Christian believers) were made martyrs.

3. "Constantine, the son of Heraclius, having reigned four months, and Heracleonas six months, Constant, the son of Constantine, became Emperor, and reigned for twenty-seven years. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Heraclius in taking up the cause of the Monothelites, and for the sake of this sect carried on a severe persecution (namely, against those Christians who held different views).

4. "In the twenty-eight years during which these three Emperors reigned, the Arabians or Saracens conquered many countries and cities, and put to death a countless number of Christians (namely, of those who lived under that reign). There was also considerable commotion in France and England (understand, on account of the Christian religion). He afterwards says:

5. "But in France, during the seventeen years of his reign, several were put to death as martyrs."

After this, he speaks of the persecutions which, during the twenty-seven years that make up the reign of Justinian the Second, and the time of Leontius and Tiberius Apsimarus, arose against the Christians, through the Longobards as well as the Saracens. Finally he says

"Also in France, 6. in England, 7. in Germany, and in Spain 8. many became martyrs at this time." A. Mell., 2nd book, folio 303, columns 1 and 2.

What was said concerning the martyrdom of those killed in the years 614 and 628 applies also to the eight persecutions just mentioned; so see the notice mentioned above.