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It is beyond our ability to describe in a suitable manner the extent
and nature of the glory and freedom with which the word of piety toward
the God of the universe, proclaimed to the world through Christ, was
honored among all men, both Greeks and barbarians, before the
persecution in our day. The favor shown our people by the rulers might
be adduced as evidence; as they committed to them the government of
provinces, and on account of the great friendship which they
entertained toward their doctrine, released them from anxiety in regard
to sacrificing. Why need I speak of those in the royal palaces, and
of the rulers over all, who allowed the members of their households,
wives and children and servants, to speak openly before them for the
Divine word and life, and suffered them almost to boast of the freedom
of their faith? Indeed they esteemed them highly, and preferred them
to their fellow-servants. Such an one was that Dorotheus, the most
devoted and faithful to them of all, and on this account especially
honored by them among those who held the most honorable offices and
governments. With him was the celebrated Gorgonius, and as many as
had been esteemed worthy of the same distinction on account of the word
of God. And one could see the rulers in every church accorded the
greatest favor by all officers and governors.
But how can any one describe those vast assemblies, and the multitude
that crowded together in every city, and the famous gatherings in the
houses of prayer; on whose account not being satisfied with the ancient
buildings they erected from the foundation large churches in all the
cities? No envy hindered the progress of these affairs which advanced
gradually, and grew and increased day by day. Nor could any evil
demon slander them or hinder them through human counsels, so long as
the divine and heavenly hand watched over and guarded his own people as
worthy.
But when on account of the abundant freedom, we fell into laxity and
sloth, and envied and reviled each other, and were almost, as it
were, taking up arms against one another, rulers assailing rulers with
words like spears, and people forming parties against people, and
monstrous hypocrisy and dissimulation rising to the greatest height of
wickedness, the divine judgment with forbearance, as is its pleasure,
while the multitudes yet continued to assemble, gently and moderately
harassed the episcopacy.
This persecution began with the brethren in the army. But as if
without sensibility, we were not eager to make the Deity favorable and
propitious; and some, like atheists, thought that our affairs were
unheeded and ungoverned; and thus we added one wickedness to another.
And those esteemed our shepherds, casting aside the bond of piety,
were excited to conflicts with one another, and did nothing else than
heap up strifes and threats and jealousy and enmity and hatred toward
each other, like tyrants eagerly endeavoring to assert their power.
Then, truly, according to the word of Jeremiah, "The Lord in his
wrath darkened the daughter of Zion, and cast down the glory of
Israel from heaven to earth, and remembered not his footstool in the
day of his anger. The Lord also overwhelmed all the beautiful things
of Israel, and threw down all his strongholds." And according to
what was foretold in the Psalms: "He has made void the covenant of
his servant, and profaned his sanctuary to the earth, in the
destruction of the churches, and has thrown down all his strongholds,
and has made his fortresses cowardice. All that pass by have plundered
the multitude of the people; and he has become besides a reproach to
his neighbors. For he has exalted the right hand of his enemies, and
has turned back the help of his sword, and has not taken his part in
the war. But he has deprived him of purification, and has cast his
throne to the ground. He has shortened the days of his time, and
besides all, has poured out shame upon him."
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