iew of
philosophers and rulers. The believers formed an esoteric circle, and were
lofty, stern, and hostile to all the existing institutions of society.
They formed an _imperium in imperio_, but did not aim, at this time, to
reach political power. They were scattered throughout the great cities of
the empire, and were ruled by their bishops and ministers. They did not
make war on men, but on their ideas and habits and customs. They avoided
all external conflicts, and contended with devils and passions. But
government distrusted and disliked them, and sought at different times to
exterminate them. There had already been nine signal persecutions from the
time of Nero, and yet they had constantly increased in numbers and
influence. But now a more serious attack was to be made upon them by the
emperors, provoked, probably, by the refusal of some Christians to take
the military oath, and serve in the armies, on conscientious principles:
but interpreted by those in authority as disloyalty in a great national
crisis. The mind of the emperor was alienated; and both Galerius and
Diocletian resolved that a religion which seemed hostile to the political
relations of the empire, should be suppressed. A decree was issued to
destroy all the Christian churches, to confiscate their property, to burn
the sacred writings, to deprive Christians of their civil rights, and even
to doom them to death. The decree which was publicly exhibited in
Nicomedia, was torn down by a Christian, who expressed the bitterest
detestation of the tyrannical governors. The fires which broke out in the
palace were ascribed to the Christians, and the command was finally issued
to imprison all the ministers of religion, and punish those who protected
them. A persecution which has had no parallel in history, was extended to
all parts of the empire. The whole civil power, goaded by the old priests
of paganism, was employed in searching out victims, and all classes of
Christians were virtually tormented and murdered. The earth groaned for
ten years under the sad calamity, and there was apparently no hope. But
whether scourged, or lacerated, or imprisoned, or burned, the martyrs
showed patience, faith, and moral heroism, and invoked death to show its
sting, and the grave its victory.

(M1128) The persecution of the Christians--this attempt to suppress
religion thought to be hostile to the imperial authority, and not without
some plausibility, since many Christians re