Laurentius, "to set things in order, and I will render an account."

Three days were granted for the purpose; during which, the deacon gathered together all the poor who were supported by the Church; and going to the prefect, invited him to go and behold a large court full of golden vessels. The magistrate followed; but seeing all the poor people, he turned upon Laurentius with a look of indignation. "Why are you displeased," demanded the martyr, "the treasure which you so eagerly desire, is but a contemptible mineral dug from the earth; these poor people are the true gold, these are the treasures I promised you-make the riches subserve the best interests of Rome, of the emperor, and of yourself."

66 Do you mock me?" demanded the prefect; "I know you value yourself for contemning death; and, therefore, it shall be lingering and painful." He then caused him to be stripped, and fastened to a gridiron, upon which he was broiled to death. The fortitude of the martyr, however, was invincible. When he had continued a considerable time on one side, he said, "Let me be turned, I am sufficiently broiled on one side." Being turned, he exclaimed, "It is enough, you may serve me up." Then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he prayed for the conversion of Rome, and expired.

In Egypt, the persecution raged with not less fury than at Rome. Death or banishment was the lot of every one whose boldness in his profession brought him under the cognizance of the magistrate. Dionysius of Alexandria, whom Divine Providence had remarkably preserved in the Decian persecution, lived to suffer much also in this, but not unto death. Being apprehended with five others, he was brought before the prefect, by whom he was ordered to recant, on the ground that his example would have great

influence on others.

But to this Dionysius boldly replied, "We ought to obey God rather than man; I worship God, who alone ought to be worshipped." Being promised pardon with his companions, provided they would return to duty, and would adore the gods, who guarded the empire-the bishop answered, "We worship the ONE GOD, who gave the empire to Valerian and Gallienus, and to HIM we pour out our insaid of the persecution in Egypt? What distinguished individua!

cessant prayers, for the prosperity of their administration.” Finding threats in vain, the magistrate banished Dionysius and his companions to Cephro, a village on the borders of the desert. In their exile, they were accompanied by numbers from Alexandria, and places which lay contiguous.

Cyprian, also, who had escaped the two preceding persecutions, was made a victim in this. His persecution, however, was attended with circumstances of comparative lenity. He was seized by Paternus, the proconsul of Carthage, by whose order he was banished to Curubis, a small town on the coast over against Sicily, 50 miles from Carthage. Curubis was pleasantly situated, and the air salubrious. Here he remained eleven months; during which he was kindly treated by the inhabitants, and enjoyed the privilege of receiving repeated visits from his friends. From Curubis he addressed many warm and affectionate letters to the suffering Churches, and their suffering pas

tors.

In the year 259 Cyprian was permitted to return, and to take up his residence in a garden near his own city. But he was not long suffered to remain in peace; for the orders of Valerian had been given that all ministers should be put to death. According to this order, Cyprian was seized, and received the crown of martrydom.

Preparatory to his death, he was conducted to a spacious plain, surrounded with trees. On his arrival at the spot, Cyprian with great composure took off his mantle, and fell on his knees. After having worshipped, he laid aside his other garments, and bound a napkin over his eyes. His hands were then tied behind him. A sword severed his head from his body.

Thus fell the martyr Cyprian; a man, who, in this perilous era of the Church, set an example of Christian patience, fortitude and heroism, which, had it been exhibited by a man of the world, would have rendered his name illustrious during the annals of time.

Sec. 27. From the accession of Gallienus, A. D. 260, the son and successor of Valerian, to the 18th year of Dioclesian, answering to

suffered in Egypt? Give particulars. What is said of the sufferings and death of Cyprian? What was his character ?

Sec. 27. What is said of the history of the Church,

the year 302, the history of the Church furnishes no materials of peculiar interest. With the exception of the short persecution under Aurelian, called the ninth persecution, the church in general enjoyed an interval of peace.

The termination of the persecution under Valerian, it is worthy of remark, was caused by an event which, in respect to that monarch, may be considered as a signal frown of Divine Providence. During the irruption of some of the northern nations into the empire, Valerian was taken prisoner by Sapor, king of Persia, who detained him during the remainder of his life. To add to his humiliation, the king made him basely stoop, and set his foot upon him, when he mounted on horseback. At last he ordered him to be flayed, and then rubbed with salt.

In Gallienus the Church found a friend and protector; for he not only stayed by his imperial edict, the persecution commenced by his father, but issued letters of licence to the bishops to return from their dispersion, to the care of their respective pastoral charges.

After a reign of 15 years, Gallienus was succeeded by Claudius, who in the short space of two years, was followed by Aurelian. This emperor for a time appeared friendly to the Christians; but at length, through the influence of a restless pagan priesthood, he commenced the work of persecution. Happily, however, the measures which he was adopting, were prevented from being fully executed, by his death, A. D. 275.

From this date, through the reign of Tacitus, Probus, Carus, and his two sons, the spirit of persecution was in a great degree dormant.

Sec. 28. Dioclesian was declared emperor in

from the accession of Gallienus, 260, to the 18th year of Dioclesian? What persecution occurred during this time? Under whom?.

By what means was the persecution in the reign of Valerian terminated? What was the conduct of Gallienus? Who succeeded Gallienus? How long did he reign? Who succeeded him? What is said of the persecution under Aurelian ? When did he die? What emperors followed? What is said of the state of things during this reign?

Sec, 28. When was Dioclesian declared emperor ?

the year 284, and for 18 years, as already hinted, was kindly disposed towards the Christians. The interval of rest, however, which had been enjoyed from the accession of Gallienus (excepting the reign of Aurelian,) extended, as it now was for 18 years longer, was far from adding to the honour of the Church. At no period since the days of the Apostles, had there been so general a decay of vital godliness, as in this. Even in particular instances, we look in vain for the zeal and self-denial of more primitive times.

Although Dioclesian appears not to have respected religion himself, both his wife and daughter cherished a secret regard for it. The eunuchs of his palace and the officers of state, with their families, were open in their professions of attachment. Multitudes thronged the worship of God; and, when at length the buildings appropriated to that purpose were insufficient, larger and more magnificent edifices were erected.

Were the kingdom of Christ of this world; were its strength and beauty to be measured by secular prosperity; this might have been considered the era of its greatness. But the glory of the Church was passing away. During the whole of the third century, the work of God in purity and power had been declining; and through the pacific part of Dioclesian's reign, the great first out-pouring of the Spirit of God, which began on the day of Pentecost, appears to have nearly ceased.

A principal cause of this sad declension, may be found in the connexion which was formed by the professors of religion, with the philosophy of the times. Outward peace and secular advantage completed the corruption. Discipline, which had been too strict, softened into an unscriptural laxity. Ministers and people became jealous of one another, and ambition and covetousness became ascendant How long was he friendly to the Christians? What had the state of the Church become?

Who of Dioclesian's family cherished a regard for Christianity? What is said of the secular prosperity of the Church, at this time?

in the Church. The worship of God was indeed generally observed; nominal Christians continually increased; but the spirit which had but a few years before so nobly and zealously influenced a Cyprian, a Dionysius, a Gregory; and which so strongly resembled the spirit of Apostolic times, was gone. Such having become the defiled and degenerated state of the Church; can it be thought strange that God should have suffered her, in order to purify and exalt her, again to walk amidst the fires of persecution?

Sec. 29. In the year 286, Dioclesian, finding the charge of the whole empire too burdensome, associated with himself his friend Maximian; and in 292 they took two colleagues, Gallerius and Constantius, each bearing the title of Cæsar. The empire was now divided into four parts, under the government of two Emperors, and two Cæsars, each being nominally supreme; but in reality, under the direction of the superior talents of Dioclesian.

Sec. 30. Excepting Constantius, who was distinguished for a character mild and humane, these sovereigns are represented as "monsters of horrible ferocity;" though in savageness Galerius seems to have excelled. To his more inordinate hatred of the Christians, and his influence over the mind of Dioclesian, is attributed the tenth and last persecution; which com

What was the real state of religion? To what was owing this sad declension? What seemed necessary to correct existing evils?

Sec. 29. Whom did Dioclesian associate with himself in the government? When? What two colleagues were chosen in 292? What title did they bear? How was the empire now divided? Who was at the head of the government?

Sec. 30. What was the character of these Sovereigns? Which is to be excepted? What persecution took place under Dioclesian? In what year? How long did it last? What was its extent ?