John Trapp on Matthew 24:9

Verse 9. And shall kill you] Besides the butcheries at Jerusalem, that slaughter-house of the Saints, Nero orientem fidem primus Romae cruentavit, Nero was the first Roman persecutour, saith Tertullian, who therefore calleth him the dedicatour of the condemnation of Christians: He is said to have made such a Dedicator damnationis Christianorum. Tert. Alsted. Chron. 33[illegible: 1 letter]. bloody decree as this, Quisquis Christianum se esse confitetur, is tanquam generis humani convictus hostis, sine ulteriori suidefensione capite plectitor. Whoso confesseth himself a Christian, let him be put to death without any more adoe, as a convicted enemy of mankinde.