Notice to the Reader

Before we go on to give a special account of the martyrs who were put to death in this persecution, we think it necessary to call the reader's attention to the following points: 1. That after the year 300, that is, at the beginning of this century, many errors began to arise among some of those who were called Christians, especially among those who lived under Roman rule. Indeed, they went so far as to take up carnal weapons (which, however, some had already done before); and through this the defenseless and meek lambs of Christ suffered no little distress, fear, and sorrow.

2. That, besides the martyrs of the true faith, some of the class just mentioned allowed themselves to be killed for their opinions; and by this the death and the glorious martyrdom of the true Christian believers were obscured not a little.

3. That, in order to distinguish these from the former, we have used our utmost diligence, so that as far as we know, there are none found among the martyrs of whom we have given, or may yet give, an account who can be shown to have been guilty of gross errors, much less of the shedding of blood. At least we have not been able to detect it in any of them, and so, in keeping with the spirit of love, we must judge and believe the best of them.

As this persecution under Diocletian and Maximian was not only very severe, but also lasted a long time, we have thought it well to present its years separately in consecutive order, and to show what the pious martyrs suffered in each year, steadfastly confessing the truth of God with their blood.