Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/228

 210 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, the cities of Africa*. This delay may perhaps be im- • puted to the cautious temper of Diocletian, who had yielded a reluctant consent to the measures of persecu- tion, and who was desirous of trying the experiment under liis more immediate eye, before he gave way to the disorders and discontent which it must inevitably occasion in the distant provinces. At first, indeed, the magistrates were restrained from the effusion of blood ; but the use of every other severity was per- mitted and even recommended to their zeal ; nor could the christians, though they cheerfully resigned the or- naments of their churches, resolve to interrupt tlieir religious assemblies, or to deliver their sacred books to the flames. The pious obstinacy of Felix, an African bishop, appears to have embari'assed the subordinate ministers of the government. The curator of his city sent him in chains to the proconsul. The proconsul transmitted him to the pretorian prefect of Italy ; and Felix, who disdained even to give an evasive answer, was at length beheaded at Venusia in Lucania, a place on which the birth of Horace has conferred fame ". This precedent, and perhaps some imperial rescript, which was issued in consequence of it, appeared to authorise the governors of provinces in punishing with death the refusal of the christians to deliver up their sacred books. There were undoubtedly many persons who embraced this opportunity of obtaining the crown of martyrdom ; but there were likewise too many who purchased an ignominious life, by discovering and be- traying the holy scripture into the hands of infidels. A great number even of bishops and presbyters ac- quired, by this criminal compliance, the opprobrious epithet of traditors; and their oflfence was productive of much present scandal, and of much future discord, in the African church". ' Tillemont, Memoires Ecclesiast. torn. v. part i. p. 43. " See the Acta Sincera of Ruinart, p. 353 : those of Felix of Thibara, or Tibiur, appear much less corrupted than in the other editions, which afford a lively specimen of legendary licence. '■^ See the first book of Optatus of Milevis against the Donatists at Paris, 1700. edit. Dupin. He lived under the reign of Valens.