Outlines of Church History

The next chapter is about the persecutions of the early church. Most of the stories told here I have heard before, but two of them at least I had not, and these I will recount for you. Forty Roman Elite Infantry were Christians, and they were thrown in prison, after being starved for a week in a prison, they were placed in a freezing pond, with a house nearby. the house contained a warm bath and a fire.  Anywho went there would be considered unbelievers. One went, and the guard claimed that he had lost his crown, and going to the Emperor confessed himself a Christian. The Emperor promptly threw the guard in the pond too. All forty died but received their crowns. Another time, the Emperor found out that his Cheif Guard, named Sebastian, was a Christian. The Emperor ordered him killed, but he miraculously survived. Instead of fleeing, he went back to the Emperor and declared that he was a witness of Jesus. The Emperor in a fury ordered him beaten with clubs until he, too, died.