Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/163

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 145 consul of the most amiable and philosophic character, C M A P. and according to the laws of an emperor distinguished ^ ^^' by the wisdom and justice of his general administration. The apologies which were repeatedly addressed to the successors of Trajan are filled with the most pathetic complaints, that the christians who obeyed the dictates, and solicited the liberty, of conscience, were alone, among all the subjects of the Roman empire, excluded , from the common benefits of their auspicious govern- ment. The deaths of a few eminent martyrs have been recorded with care ; and from the time that Chris- tianity was invested with the supreme power, the go- vernors of the church have been no less diligently em- ployed in displaying the cruelty, than in imitating the conduct, of their pagan adversaries. To separate (if it be possible) a few authentic as well as interesting facts from an undigested mass of fiction and error, and to relate, in a clear and rational manner, the causes, the extent, the duration, and the most important circum- stances of the persecutions to which the first christians M'ere exposed, is the design of the present chapter. The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by Enquiry fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by '°^°-^^^"^ enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of mind calmly to investigate, or candidly to appreciate, the motives of their enemies, which often escape the im- partial and discerning view even of those who are placed at a secure distance from the flames of perse- cution. A reason has been assigned for the conduct of the emperors towards the primitive christians, which may appear the more specious and probable as it is drawn from the acknowledged genius of polytheism. It has already been observed, that the religious con- cord of the world was principally supported by the implicit assent and reverence which the nations of an- tiquity expressed for their respective traditions and ceremonies. It might therefore be expected, that they would unite with indignation against any sect or people which should separate itself from the communion of VOL. II, L