Section 199
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BOOK V. PRELIMINARY SOTER, bishop of Rome, died, after having held the episcopate eight years. He was succeeded by Eleutherus the twelfth in order from the apostles. It was also the seventeenth year of the reign of the emperor Antoninus Verus, when a more violent persecution having broken out against our brethren, in certain parts, occa sioned by insurrections in the cities, it is probable that innume rable martyrs obtained the crown of eminence in the conflict, from the events that happened in a single nation. These, as worthy of imperishable remembrance, were also handed down to posterity in historical records. The full account of these is given in our history of martyrs, comprising not only historical narrative, but that which may contribute to edification. But whatsoever may have a re ference to our present purpose, I shall here select for the present. Others, indeed, that compose historical narratives, would record nothing but victories in battle, the trophies of enemies, the war like achievements of generals, the bravery of soldiers, sullied with blood and innumerable murders, for the sake of children and country and property. |13ut our narrative embraces that conversation and conduct which is acceptable to God!l The wars and conflicts of a most pacific character, whose ultimate tendency is to establish the peace of the soul. Those, also, that have man fully contended for the truth, rather than for their country, and who have struggled for piety rather than their dearest friends. Such as these our narrative would engrave on imperishable monuments. The firmness of the champions for the true religion, their fortitude in the endurance of innumerable trials, their tro phies erected over daemoniacal agency, and their victories over their invisible antagonists, and the crowns that have been placed upon all these, it would proclaim and perpetuate by an everlast ing remembrance. 168