CHAPTER XXV

OF DIOCLETIAN, WHO IGNOBLY ABDICATED THE IMPERIAL THRONE, AND WAS TERRIFIED BY THE DREAD OF LIGHTNING FOR HIS PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH

DIOCLETIAN, however, after the display of relentless cruelty as a persecutor, evinced a consciousness of his own guilt, and, owing to the affliction of a disordered mind, endured the confinement of a mean and separate dwelling. What, then, did he gain by his active hostility against our God? Simply this, I believe, that he passed the residue of his life in continual dread of the lightning’s stroke. Nicomedia attests the fact; eyewitnesses, of whom I myself am one, declare it. The palace, and the emperor’s private chamber were destroyed, consumed by lightning, devoured by the fire of heaven. Men of understanding hearts had indeed predicted the issue of such conduct; for they could not keep silence, nor conceal their grief at such unworthy deeds; but boldly and openly expressed their feelings, saying one to another: “What madness is this? and what an insolent abuse of power, that man should dare to fight against God; should deliberately insult the most holy and just of all religions; and plan, without the slightest provocation, the destruction of so great a multitude of righteous persons? O rare example of moderation to his subjects! Worthy instructor of his army in the care and protection due to their fellow-citizens! Men who had never seen the backs of a retreating army plunged their swords into the breasts of their own countrymen!” At length, indeed, the providence of God took vengeance on these unhallowed deeds; but not without severe damage to the state, and an effusion of blood, which, if shed in battle with barbarian enemies, had been sufficient to purchase a perpetual peace. For the entire army of the emperor of whom I have just spoken, becoming subject to the authority of a worthless person, who had violently usurped the supreme authority at Rome (the providence of God intending to restore freedom to that great city), was destroyed in several successive battles. And when we remember the cries with which those who were oppressed, and who ardently longed for their native liberty, implored the help of God; and their praise and thanksgiving to Him on the removal of the evils under which they had groaned, when that liberty was regained, and free and equitable intercourse restored; do not these things every way afford convincing proofs of the providence of God, and His affectionate regard for the interests of mankind?