CAP. X••.
After the death of Maximinus, the Christian affaires beganne to be in better estate. the executors of Maximinus tyrannie are punished. Constantinus and Licinnius are proclaymed Emperours.
WHen Maximinus had thus departed this life, who alone continewed of all the tyrants the vtter enemy to all pietie and godlines: the churches through the grace of almighty God were buylded againe and erected from the fundations: the Gospell of Christ Iesus shining vnto the glory of the vniversall God, receaued greater libertie then aforetime: but the im∣pietie* 1.1 of the sworne enemies to godlinesse was subiect to extreme shame and ignominie. For the sayd Maximinus was declared by publique edicts the firste most deadly enemie of all the Empe∣rours, the most impious, the most ignominious, and a tyrant that was abhorred before the face of God. And what monument so euer of letters or proclamations stoode throughout euery citie to his or his childrens honor, they were partly worne and throwen from aloft vnto the pauement, partly so ouerlayd & darkened with so blacke a colour, that they became vnprofitable for publique sight. Likewise the pictures, as many as were erected to his honor, being throwen downe after the same sort, and defaced, were sett forth to the laughter and derision of such as woulde vse them* 1.2 both ignominiously and contempteously. Afterwardes all the ensignes also of others that were e∣nemies to pietie and christian religion were taken downe, all the persecutors as many as fauored Maximinus were executed, specially such as by him were honored in the heade cyties, and to the ende they might flatter him, hated more deadly our doctrine and religion, of which sort of people* 1.3 Peucetius was one, whome before all other he esteemed for most honorable, most reuerend, and of all his friends best beloued, twise, and the thirde time Consull, and had appointed him the chiefe gouernour in all his affaires: next was Culcianus enioying the authoritie of euery degree and of∣fice, who also hauinge shedde throughout Aegypt the bloode of an infinite number of Christians, was of greate fame: besides others not a fewe through whome chiefly the tyranny of Maximinus preuayled and tooke encrease. Moreouer also bengeance lyghted vpon Theotecnus, not forgetfull of the things he had committed against the Christians, who because of the image & idol he erected* 1.4 at Antioch became famous, and was also made president by Maximinus. Licinnius after his com∣ming to Antioche, to the ende he might finde out the inchaunters which had foully deceaued him he punished with torments the prophets and priests of the late erected image, & made inquisition in what sort they cloked y• deceate. When as they driuen by torment could not conceale ye trueth, they reueled the whole secretie to be a deceite wrought by the subtletie of Theotecnus. Wherfore* 1.5 he rewarded all with punishment dewe for their desert, and first of all Theotecnus him selfe, after∣wards the other cōpaniōs of inchauntments when he had first diuersly tormented thē, he executed to death. After all these the next turne lyghted vpon the children of Maximinus, whome he had made companions of the imperiall honour, of the pictures and publique ensignes. Last of all the kinsmen of the tyrant, who afore time by their insolencie oppressed all men, together with the aforesayde tyrant now suffred punishment with vtter shame. For they receaued not the discipline, they knewe not neither vnderstoode they the admonition which speaketh in holy scripture: Putt* 1.6 not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man, for there is no help in them. VVhen the breath of man goeth forth he shall returne againe to his earth, in that daye all his thoughts and deuises shall perishe. The impious persons after this sort being bereaued of their liues, the empire stood* 1.7 very stable voyde of all enuie vnto Cōstantinus and Licinnius alone. These men (when as before all things they had wiped out of this life the enemies of God) ioyfully possessinge benefits and gra∣ces from aboue, shewed forth the studie of vertue and of godlines, pietie and thankfulnes of minde towards God, by a constitution published in the behalfe of the Christians.