CHAPTER XV

OF THE PERSECUTION RAISED BY HIS COLLEAGUES

BY command of the supreme authorities of the empire, the governors of the several provinces had set on foot a general persecution of those who professed the worship of God. Indeed, it was from the imperial courts themselves that the very first of the pious martyrs proceeded, who passed through those conflicts which were the test of their faith, and most readily endured both fire and sword, and the depths of the sea; in short, every form of death: so that in a short time all the royal palaces were bereft of godly men. The result was, that the authors of this wickedness were entirely deprived of the protecting care of God, since by their persecution of His worshippers they at the same time silenced the prayers that were wont to be made on their own behalf.