_Sixtus_ was succeeded by _Telesphorus_ (or, as some style him, _Thelesphorus_), the Seventh Bishop of the See of _Rome_[177]. To him is ascribed, in some Editions of the Chronicle of _Eusebius_, the Institution of _Lent_[178]; but in none of the best Editions Mention is made of such an Institution, and scarce in any Manuscripts[179]. _Baronius_ endeavours to prove, that this Fast was instituted by the Apostles, and that _Telesphorus_ established it for ever by a Decree; but his Arguments are so weak, that he deserves rather to be pitied than answered. He introduces too early the Bishops of _Rome_ issuing Decrees, and prescribing Laws to the whole Church. [Sidenote: Telesphorus _the first Bishop of_ Rome _Martyr_.] _Telesphorus_ was the first Bishop of _Rome_ who suffered Death for the Christian Religion, seeing _Irenæus_ distinguishes him with the Title of Martyr[180], which this Author gives to none of his Predecessors; but, as to the Particulars of his Death, the Antients have left us quite in the Dark. He suffered in the Eleventh Year of his Pontificate, the First of _Antoninus Pius_, and 139 of Christ[181]. ----- Footnote 177: Iren. l. 3. c. 3. Euseb. l. 4. c. 5. Footnote 178: Bar. ad ann. 154. Footnote 179: Not. Scal. in chron. 216. Not. Pont. in chron. p. 612. Footnote 180: Iren. l. 3. c. 3. Footnote 181: Euseb. l. 4. c. 10. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ANTONINUS PIUS. HYGINUS,, _Eighth_ BISHOP _of_ Rome. [Sidenote: Year of Christ 139. ] _Hyginus_, the Successor of _Telesphorus_, governed the Church but Four Years, and those not complete; for, in 142. we find _Pius_ already in that See[182]. [Sidenote: _The Two Heretics_, Valentine _and_ Cerdo, _come to_ Rome.] In his Time the two famous Heretics, _Valentine_ and _Cerdo_, came to _Rome_; the former from _Egypt_, and the latter from _Syria_, to display their new Doctrine in that great Metropolis. _Hyginus_ no doubt opposed them with all the Zeal of a primitive Bishop; but, in spite of his Zeal, they gained a great many Proselytes to their heterodox Opinions[183]. His Infallibility, had it been then known and believed, would have soon put a Stop to the growing Evil. The Church of _Rome_ honours _Hyginus_ among her Martyrs; but none of the Antients give him that Title. To him is ascribed the Use of Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism, and the Ceremony of Consecrating Churches; but upon no better Grounds than the Two Decretals are fathered upon him, which are, by all the Learned, rejected as spurious. _Hyginus_ died in the Year 142. the Fourth or Fifth of _Antoninus Pius_; and is supposed to have been buried near St. _Peter_[184]. ----- Footnote 182: Idem, l. 4. c. 11. Footnote 183: Iren. l. 3. c. 4. Philas. c. 44. Epiph. hær. 41. c. 1. Footnote 184: Bolland. April. p. 22. -----------------------------------------------------------------------