Foxe's Book of Martyrs

Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a classic, filled with the stories of Christians great and small who have paid the ultimate price so that others might hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here's a few short excerpts from Chapter 2, listed under "The Fourth Persecution, Under Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antonius (AD 162-180)". Every time I read this it makes me ashamed of my cowardice and timidity, and I ask God to give me more courage to lovingly spread His good news:


"The cruelties against Christians in this persecution were so inhuman that many of those who watched them shuddered in horror, and were astonished at the courage of the sufferers. Some of the martyrs had their feet crushed in presses, and were then forced to walk over thorns, nails, sharp shells, and other pointed objects. Others were whipped until their sinews and veins were exposed. Then, after suffering the most excruciating tortures that could be devised, they were killed in terrible ways. Yet few turned from Christ or begged their torturers to lessen their pains.

When Germanicus, a young man and true Christian, was delivered to the wild lions on account of his faith, he behaved with such astonishing courage that several pagans were converted to the faith that inspired such bravery...

Felicitatis, a well-known lady of a wealthy Roman family was a devout and pious Christian. She had seven sons who were also devout Christians. All were martyred.

Januarius, the eldest, was scourged, and pressed to death with weights. Felix and Philip, the two next, had their brains dashed out with a club. Silvanus, the fourth, was thrown from a precipice. The three younger sons, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial, were beheaded with a sword. Felicitatis was then beheaded with the same sword....

Sanctus, a deacon of Vienna, had red hot plates of brass placed upon the tenderest parts of his body and left there until they burned through to his bones...

Blandina, a Christian lady of weak constitution who was not thought to be able to resist torture, but whose fortitude was so great that her tormenters became exhausted with their devilish work, was afterward taken into an amphitheater with three others...[She] was torn by the lions, scourged, put into a net and tossed about by a wild bull, and placed naked into a red-hot metal chair. When she could speak, she exhorted all near her to hold fast to their faith....When Blandina's torturers were unable to make her recant her faith, they killed her with a sword."


And here I sit, comfrotable in my luxurious middle-class American lifestyle, worried that if I talk about Jesus someone might think I'm weird.

Lord, please forgive us for our cowardice. Give us courage and boldness to lay down our reputations and our lives for your glory. Amen.