The Ninth Year of the Persecution, Commenced, in the Year 310

The ancients tell us that at this time Maximinus Jovius began a special persecution at Antioch, using one Theotecnus as his instrument. To this end he had an image erected in honor of Jupiter Philius (the god of friendship), through which, whether by Satan or by trickery, certain oracles were spoken, to this effect: that God had commanded that the Christians, as His special enemies, should be driven out of every country, city, and field, and be exterminated, the sooner the better. A. Mell., folio 134, from Euseb. [n278-1]

It is easy to judge that this false and bloodthirsty voice, having fallen into the hearts of the heathen as a true oracle, caused no little shedding of blood, oppression, and burning among the innocent and defenseless lambs of Christ, as we shall presently show in some measure.