# Further Statement Of The Cause And Severity Of This Persecution, According To The Account In The Introduction To The Martyrs Mirror.

4th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: FURTHER STATEMENT OF THE CAUSE AND SEVERITY OF THIS PERSECUTION, ACCORDING TO THE ACCOUNT IN THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MARTYRS MIRROR.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

“In A. D. 302, commenced the tenth persecution
of the Christians, namely, in the 19th year of the
reign of Emperor Diocletian; for although it had
been smouldering previously already, it was in this
year, that through the edicts, it was caused to break
forth in flames. It was so great as to exceed, not
only in cruelty, but also in duration, all the former
ones, for under the tyrannous Emperors, Diocletian,
Maximian, Maxentius, and Maximin, it lasted twelve
years, and this, principally in the east.

“Eusebius, who lived to see this persecution, gives
a full description of it. How awful it was, we may
read in his church history, book 8. He writes that
the cause of it was the great liberty enjoyed by the
Christians, who had attained to great distinction.
Thus it occurred, says the author of the Introduction,
that Diocletian first issued decrees commanding that
all the churches or meeting-places of the Christians
should be demolished, and the Holy Scriptures
burned. Then another decree followed, to the effect,
that the leaders, that is, the teachers and ministers,
of the churches, should be compelled to sacrifice to
the gods, or be put to death. Then the tormenting
and putting to death was extended also over the
common people of the Christians.112 Some were torn
with sharp irons, others lacerated with hooks, some
burned with red-hot plates; some were compelled
to sacrifice, and even though they did not sacrifice,
it was nevertheless proclaimed that they had sacrificed.”
Introduction, fol. 42, col. 1, 2, from Baronius,
in Chron., A. D. 302, num. 1.





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