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of Lactantius, Ambrose, Sulpicius, Orosius, &e. it has been long believed, that the Thebzan legion, consistng of 6000 Christians, suffered martyrdom, by the order of Maximian, in the valley of the Penine Alps. The story was first published about the middle of the vth century, by Eucheriiss, bishop of Lyons, who received it from certain persons, who received it from Isaac bishop of Geneva,whois said to have received it from Theodore bishop of Octodurum. The Abbey of St. Maurice still subfists, a rich monument of the crcdu-' lity of Sigismond, king of Burgundy. See an excellent Dissertation in the xxxvith volume of the Bibliathe'que Raisonnee, p. 417-454.

14! See the Acta Sincera, p. 299. The accounts of his martyrdom, and of that of Marcellus, bear every mark of tru'th and authenticity.

\ . v .. , the 145 Acta Sincera, p. 302. _ '47 De M. P. c. rr. Lactantius (or whoever was the author of this little treatise) was, at that time, an inhabitant of Nicomedia; but it seems difficult to conceive how he could acquire so accurate a knowledge of what passed in the Imperial eabinet.

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VOL, II. H- h dis

Galeri us prevails on Diocletian to begin 3. general persecution.

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148 The only circumstance which we can discover, is the devo-* tion and jealousy of the mother of Galerius. She is- described by Lactamius, as Deorum montium cnltrix ; mulier admodum super

stitiosa. She had a great influence over her son, and was offended by the dilirgard ossome of her Christian servants. The

I

The pleasure of the emperors was at length signified to the Christians, who, during the course of this melancholy winter, had expected, with anxiety, the result of so many secret consultations. The twenty-third of February, which coincided with the Roman festival of the Terminalia'w, was appointed (whether from accident or design) to set bounds to the progress of Christianity. At the earliest dawn of day, the Praetorian praefect"®, accompanied by several generals, tribunes, and 'offiCers of the revenue, repaired to the principal church of Nicomedia, which was situated on an eminence in the most populous and beautiful part of the city. The doors were instantly broke open; they rushed into the sanctuary; and as they searched in vain for some visible object of worship, they Were obliged to content themselves with committing to the flames the volumes of holy scripture. The ministers of Diocletian were followed by a numerous body of guards and pioneers, who marched in order of battle, and Were provided with all the instruments used in the destruction of fortified cities. By their incessant labour, a sacred edifice, which towered above the Imperial palace, and had long excited the indignation and envy

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C I-I A P.
XVI.
w
Demoli-
tion of the
church of
Nicome-

dia.
A. D. 30 3.
23d Feb.

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of the Gentiles, was in a few hours levelled with,

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15! Lactantius de M. P. c. 12, gives a very lively picture of the destruction of the church.

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