Footnotes:

104 P. J. Twisck fixes this council of Laodicea in the year 364, while Seb. Franck states that it occurred in the year 368, but we follow a middle course, and assign the year 366 as its date.

105 About this time (A. D. 380), Ambrose taught that the heathen worshiped wood, because they judged it to be the image of God; but, says he, “God’s image is invisible.” Tom. 4, in Psal. 118, Ser. 10. Samuel Veltius, in Geslacht-register, page 119.

106 That this Basilius was the son of Christian parents, appears from Bapt. Hist., page 365. Instances of this kind, it is stated there, occurred at that time also in other places; we mention Basilius, Jerome, Ambrose, etc., all of whom were born of Christian parents, and baptized upon confession of their faith.

107 It is evident here that either the author is mistaken in the name, or that a typographical error occurred. Theophilus was the name of the Patriarch of Alexandria, through whose instigation, with that of the Empress Eudoxia, the Emperor in question, whose name was Arcadius, was induced to persecute Chrysostom.—Translator.

108 Pure as precious metal.—Pub.

109 Although the Papists sometimes have this Goldenmouth in their mouth, they nevertheless regard his teachings as heresies.

110 The translator says priests, namely, such priests as John speaks of, Rev. 1:6: “And hath made us kings and priests,” etc.

111 P. J. Twisck places this Epiphanius in the year 377, but this may be a typographical error; the figure 7 having been substituted for the figure 9.

112 The author writes: “In Egypt they were beheaded in such great numbers, that the executioners grew tired, and their swords became dull from cutting. The Christians went unto death gladly, without being bound, fearing lest they should not be there in time to die as martyrs.” Fol. 41.

113 A certain author speaks of her having spit into the face of the tyrant; which is to be understood of the image or idol.

114 This council, also called Concilium Arausione, is stated to have taken place, A. D. 441. In the same it was decreed, by command of Antichrist, that the Gospel should not be read to the catechumens, and that they should not be admitted to the place of baptism. See P. J. Twisck, Chron., 5th book, page 155, col. 1.

115 The pope and the councils had commenced making such efforts, it appears, already A. D. 470, seventeen years earlier; for at that time Anabaptism was condemned at Rome, as has been shown.

116 Or Mayance.

117 In English this may be rendered thus:

118 Touching the Jews who embraced the faith, this rule was established: “A Jew shall be tried for eight months among the scholars of the faith, and then, if he assents to it, be baptized.” Seb. Franck, Chron., Rom. Conc., fol. 72, col. 3.

119 Olympiodorus (in Eccles., cap. 9), says: “Through the washing of regeneration white robes are also given us, which doubtless remain clean as long as we refrain from the evil of sin.” Bapt. Hist., page 474.

120 P. J. Twisck, it appears, makes mention of this Peter, for the year 586, as we have also noted for that year.

121 This Vincent is to be distinguished from Vincent Victor, who is spoken of in another place.

122 What he says about the water of baptism, is somewhat obscure, and hence every one may judge for himself; but that which he remarks about the bread of the Supper, is clearer.

123 The writings of Bullinger against the said people are more fully explained elsewhere.

124 The reader will please insert here, to the peoples, which is contained in the original, but had to be omitted in the translation, as the metre would not allow it. The words in question are virtually implied in the verse as translated by us, and we would not have deemed it necessary to call attention to the circumstance, were it not for the fact, that van Braght bases part of his following argument on these very words.—Translator.

125 In the following year, namely, A. D. 563, mention is made of forty Christian peasants, whom the Longobards seized and would constrain to eat of the food offered to idols; but as they refused to do this, they were beheaded together, for the faith in the only God, and his Son Jesus Christ. Compare P. J. Twisck, Chron. page 192, from Marianus Scotus, lib. 4, with A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 299, col. 4, from Gregor. Dialog., lib. 5, cap. 27 from trustworthy eye-witnesses. Nevertheless, we dare not count them among the true, defenseless martyrs, since we doubt whether, at their apprehension, they showed themselves meek.

126 Concerning these martyrs, we have not found that anything has been laid to their charge, as regards the uprightness and steadfastness of their faith (as has been stated respecting Arnold); nor have we discovered anything that is at variance with the views of the Anabaptists; hence we have accorded them a place among the faithful martyrs of Jesus Christ.