Further Statement of the Cause and Severity of This Persecution

In the year 302 the tenth persecution of the Christians began, namely, in the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Diocletian; for although it had been smoldering before this already, it was in this year that, through the edicts, it was made to break out in flames. It was so great that it exceeded all the former ones, not only in cruelty, but also in length of time, for under the tyrannical Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Maxentius, and Maximin it lasted twelve years, and this chiefly in the east.

"Eusebius, who lived to see this persecution, gives a full description of it. How dreadful 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 risen to great distinction. So it came about, says the author of the Introduction, that Diocletian first issued decrees commanding that all the churches or meeting places of the Christians should be torn down, 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 torment and putting to death was extended to the common people of the Christians too.* Some were torn with sharp irons, others lacerated with hooks, some burned with red hot plates; some were forced to sacrifice, and even though they did not sacrifice, it was nevertheless proclaimed that they had sacrificed:" [n241-1] Introduction, folio 42, columns 1, 2, from Baronius, in Chron., in the year 302, number 1.