ERRATA.

IN vol. i. page 351, line 5, for regular read irregular; in page 396, lines

1 and 2 belong to the top of page 395.

CENTURY IV.

CHAPTER I.

The Persecution of Dioclesian.

THE last century concluded with some symptoms of

a storm ready to burst on the church, which had long been in a state of ease and prosperity, and was at the same time deeply declined from the purity and simplicity of the gospel. Besides the martyrdom of Marcellus in Africa,* an attempt had been made in a more general, and yet in a covert manner, to corrupt the army. It was put to the option of christian officers, whether they would sacrifice and enjoy their dignity, or refuse and be deprived. And so much pains were taken in this matter, that many soldiers were desirous of retiring into private life, to avoid the trial. Many however shewed a sincere regard to the kingdom of Christ, and contentedly lost their preferment. Some few were put to death for a terror to the rest. But the general persecution, which afterwards destroyed such numbers, was withheld for some time. In this prelude, which has been mentioned above, and of which we have only a dark and imperfect account, something of the political manoeuvres of Dioclesian seems spicuous. It is evident, that after he had so long favoured the christians, he had now contracted a prejudice against them, though at first he made use of arti-. fice rather than violence.

• See c. xvii. of last Century, Vol. I. † Euseb. b, viii. c. iv. VOL. II.

3

con

This emperor had a partner called Maximian, and they had under them two Cæsars, Galerius and Constantius. The last mentioned alone of the four was a person of probity and humanity. The other three were tyrants, though the savageness of Galerius was the most remarkable. He met Dioclesian at Nicomedia, where he usually kept his court, in the winter, in the nineteenth year of his reign, and in the year of our Lord 302, and determined, if possible, to instigate him to measures against the christians, still more sanguinary and decisive.* This man had a mother extremely bigoted to paganism, who almost every day employed herself in sacrifices. The christians about her refused to partake of the idolatrous feasts, and gave themselves up to fasting and prayer. Hence her mind was incensed against the whole body, and she stimulated her son, as superstitious as herself, to seek their destruction. A whole winter Dioclesian and Galerius were engaged in secret counsels. The latter proposed a general persecution; the former remonstrated against the impolicy of such sanguinary measures, and was for limiting the persecution to the officers of the court and the soldiers. Finding himself unable to stem the fury of Galerius, he called a council of a few judges and officers. Some gave it as their opinion, that the christians should in general be put to death; others induced by fear or flattery assented. Still Dioclesian was averse, and through policy or superstition determined to consult the oracle of Apollo at Miletus. Apollo answered in a manner friendly to the views of Galerius, as it might be expected. Staggered with repeated importunities, the old emperor still hesitated, and could not be persuaded to attempt the demolition of christianity by bloodshed, whereas Galerius was desirous to burn alive those who refused to sacrifice.

The feast of the Terminalia was the day appointed to commence the operations against the church. Early

Lactantius de M. P.

in the morning an officer with guards came to the great church at Nicomedia, and bursting open the doors, sought for the image of God. So says my author, though if this be not a mere flourish of rhetoric, they must have been strangely ignorant of the sentiments of christians. The Scriptures which were found were burnt; every thing was given to plunder. While all things were in this confusion, the two emperors, looking at the scene from the palace, were long in doubt, whether they should order the edifice to be burnt. The prudent opinion of Dioclesian at length prevailed, who feared the effect of a conflagration on the neighbouring buildings. The Prætorian soldiers were therefore sent with axes and other iron tools, who in a few hours levelled the whole building with the ground.

The next day an edict appeared, in which men of the christian religion, of whatever rank or degree, were deprived of all honour and dignity; were exposed to torture; every one might have justice against them; whilst they were debarred the benefit of the laws in all cases whatever.* Thus was the christian world at once exposed to all possible insults with impunity. The spirit of man naturally revolts against injustice so flagrant, and a christian was found hardy enough, under the transports of indignation, to pull down and tear the edict. He was burned alive for his indiscretion, and bore his sufferings with admirable, and it is to be hoped with christian patience.

In a passage, which seems to be misplaced by some mistake, Eusebius observes, that in the 19th year of Dioclesian, edicts were every where suddenly published, by which it was ordered, that churches should be levelled with the ground, the sacred books consumed by fire, persons of dignity disgraced, common people made slaves, if they persisted in christianity. Not long after, says he, other letters were published, by which it was enacted, that all the bishops every where should first be cast into bonds, and afterwards be compelled by every method to sacrifice. These measures of the court increasing gradually in asperity and horror, shew, that it was not without reluctance, that Dioclesian was induced to consent to an universal carnage, though he too well agreed with Galerius in forming a system for the extinction of the christian name.