(G.) The next jiersecution began with the reign of the emperor iMaximinus, A.D. 2:!;'), and seems to have arisen from that prince's hatred of his predecessor, Al- exander, in whose family many Christians had found
shelter and patronage. Though this persecution was very severe in some places, yet we have the names of only a few martjTS. Origen at this time was very industrious in supporting the Christians under these fiery trials.
(7.) The most dreadful persecution that ever had been known in the Church occurred during the short reign of Deeius, the Christians being exposed to great- er calamities than any the}' had hitherto suffered. It has been said, and with some probability, that the Christians were involved in this persecution by their attachment to the family of the emperor Philip. Con- siderable numbers were publicly destroj-ed ; several purchased safety bj' bribes or secured it by flight; and many deserted from the faith, and consented to burn incense on the altars of the gods. The citj' of Alexandria, the great theatre of persecution, had even anticipated the edicts of the emperor, and had put to death a number of innocent persons, among whom were some women. The imperial edict for perse- cuting the Christians was published A.D. 249; and shortly after Fabianus, bishop of Rome, with a num- ber of his followers, was put to death. The venerable bishops of Jerusalem and Antioch died in prison, the most cruel toitures were employed, and the numbers that perished are by all parties confessed to have been very considerable.
(8.) The emperor Valerian, in the fourth year of his reign, A.D. 257, listening to the suggestions of Ma- crinus, a magician of Egypt, was prevailed upon to persecute the Christians, on pretence that by their wicked and execrable charms they hindered the pros- perity of the emperor. Macrinus advised him to per- form many impious rites, sacrifices, and incantations; to cut the throats of infants, etc. ; and edicts were pub- lished in all places against the Christians, who were exposed without protection to the common rage. We have the names of several martjrs, among whom were the famous St. Laurence, archdeacon of Kome, and the great St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage.
(9.) A persecution took place under the emperor Au- relian, A.D. 274 ; but it was so small and inconsid- erable that it gave little interruption to the peace of the Church.
(10.) The last general persecution of the Christians began in the nineteenth jear of the emperor Diocle- tian, A.D. 303. The most violent promoters of it were Hierocles the philosopher, who Mrote against the Chris- tian religion, and Galerius, whom Diocletian had de- clared Caesar. This latter was excited not only b}' his own cruelt}' and superstition, but likewise by his moth- er, who was a zealous pagan. Diocletian, contrary' to his inclination, was prevailed upon to authorize the persecution by bis edicts. Accordingly it began in the city of Nicomedia, whence it spread into other cit- ies and provinces, and became at last universal. Great numbers of Christians suffered the severest tortures in this persecution, though the accounts given of it by succeeding historians are probably exaggerated. There are, however, suihcient well-authenticated facts to as- sure us amply of the cruel and intolerant disposition of the professors of pagan philosophy. The human imagination was, indeed, almost exhausted in invent- ing a variety of tortures. Some were impaled alive ; some had their limbs broken, and in that condition were left to expire. Some were roasted by slow fires ; and some suspended by their feet with their heads downward, and, a fire being placed under them, were suffocated by the smoke. Some had melted lead ])oured down their throats, and the flesh of some was torn oft" with shells, and others had splinters of reeds thrust under the nails of their fingers and toes. The few who were not capitally punished had their limbs and their features mutilated. It would be endless to enumerate ! the victims of superstition. The bishops of Nicomcdia, I of Tyre, of Sidon, of Emesa, several matrons and vir- I gins of the purest character, and an immense number of
PERSECUTIONS OF CHRISTIANS 967 PERSECUTIONS OF CHRISTIANS
plebeians, arrived at immortality through the flames of martyrdom. At last it pleased God that the emperor Coustan- tine, who himself afterwards became a Christian, openly declared for the Chris- tians, and published the first law in favor of them. The death of Maximin, emperor of the East, soon after put a period to all their troubles; and this was the great epoch when Cliristianity triumphantly got possession of the thrones of princes. In this dreadful persecution, whicli last- ed ten years, houses tilled with Christians were set on lire, and numbers of them were tied together with ropes and thrown into the sea. It is related that 17,000 were slain in the space of one month, and that during the continuance of tliis perse- cution, in the province of Egypt alone, no less than 144,000 Christians died In' the violence of their perse- cutors, besides 700,000 that died through the fatigues of banishment or the public works to which they were condemned. The time fixed for the exterminating edicts, as the}' are called, was the Feast of Terminalia in the year 302, which historians remark was to put an end to Christianity. So complete was supposed to be the extirpation of the sect, that coins were struck and