Thieleman J. Van Braght
Thieleman J. Van Braght (1625-1664) was an Anabaptist who is best known for writing a history of the Christian witness throughout the centuries entitled “The Bloody Theater or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their Saviour, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660” (1660).
Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror
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50. Of Different Persons
Of Different Other Persons Who Were Slain For The Name Of Christ About A. D. 100 According to ancient history there were also slain for the testimony of the Son of God; In France, Lucianus, bishop of the church of Bellovaco; Maximianus and Julianus, elders; Nicasius, bishop of the church of Rouen; Quirinus, an elder; Scubiculus, a deacon; Pascientia, a virgin. In Italy, Romulus, bishop of the church of Fesula, and others, in different places.—Gys. Hist. Mart., jol. 14, col. A. It is further recorded, that Marsilius Glabrio also had to suffer for the name of Christ and the true faith. At this time (it is stated in the Introduction to the Martyrs' Mirror to the Defenseless Christians fol. 36, col. 2,) "The Christians were…
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49. Vitalus
Vitalus buried alive in Ravena around the year 99 Vitalus, Buried Alive At Ravenna For The Name Of Jesus Christ; And His Wife Beaten To Death With Sticks, At Milan, About A.D. 99 Vitalus, before his conversion, was a Roman knight and citizen of Milan. He had come to Ravenna with Paulinus, the judge; but when he perceived the bloodthirstiness of his lord, whom he had hitherto served faithfully according to the manner of the world, he bravely left him, and straight- way enrolled himself under the banner of Christ, but was very soon apprehended by the enemies of truth. For Paulinus, his lord, not knowing why he had left him, but having learned that he had encouraged Urticinus—who had just before been beheaded with…
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48. Urticinus
Urticinus, A Pious Christian, Beheaded With The Ax, At Ravenna, A.D. 99 Next to Timothy is placed Urticinus or Ursinius, a physician at Ravenna in Italy. Having been reported to the Judge Paulinus, as being a Christian, he was tortured in manifold ways for the name of Christ. Having borne all with constancy, and still refusing to sacrifice to the gods of the heathen, he was finally sentenced by the judge, to be beheaded with the ax. When Urticinus received this sentence of death, he began to tremble and shake before the impending death, and to deliberate with himself, whether he should deny Christ, or how he might the most easily escape death. But while he was thus counseling with flesh and blood, one of…
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47. Timothy, Spiritual Son of the Apostle Paul
Timothy, The Spiritual Son Of The Apostle Apul, Stoned To Death By The Heathen Idolaters At Ephesus, About A. D. 98 Timothy was a native of Lystra in Lycaonia. His father was a Greek, but his mother and grandmother, though of Jewish descent, were Christian believers, the one named Eunice, the other Lois; by whom he was instructed from his youth in the holy Scriptures. Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 1:5. Timothy was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium; wherefore Paul received him as his companion in the ministry of the holy Gospel among the Gentiles. Acts 16:2, 3. Paul loved him with a godly love, and called him his dearly beloved son in the Lord. 2 Tim. 1:2. He…
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46. John the Evangelist
John the evangelist abandoned on the Isle of Patmos, A.D. 97 John, The Holy Evangelist, Banished To The Isle of Pathos, By Emperor Domitian, A.D. 97 John, the apostle and evangelist, was a son of Zebedee, and brother of James the Greater; he was born at Nazareth, and by occupation was a fisherman. Matt. 4:21. He was called by Christ, when engaged with his father and brother in mending their nets for fishing. Verse 22. As soon as he heard the words of Christ, he immediately left the nets, the ship, and his father, and, together with James, his beloved brother, followed Christ. Chrysost. Ilomil. 1., in Joh. Afterwards he became from a disciple an apostle of Christ, and was numbered with the twelve whom…
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45. Antipas
Antipas roasted alive in a “copper Steer”, A.D. 95 Antipas, The Faithful Witness Of Jesus Christ, Burned At Pergamos In A Red-Hot Brazen Ox, A.D. 95 Antipas was an upright man and a pious witness of the Son of God; who, in proof of his faith, tasted death, rather than dishonor his Saviour, by denying Him, or otherwise. This happened in the lifetime of the apostle John. Hence he may be reckoned one of the first of those who suffered, during the time of Domitian, for the testimony of JesusnChrist. Of this hero and knight of God, the Lord Himself made mention to His servant John, yea, commanded him, to write to the teacher at Pergamos concerning him, saying: "To the angel of the church…
