Cairns, Earle E. Christianity Through the Centuries. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishers., 1958. Print.A few musings. It arises from reflections on Mr. Foxe's work.
There was no Empire wide persecution afterwards until Decius, 249-251 A.D. After him, there was a respite.
But then came Emperor Diocletian.
Diocletian was a “strong military leader” who felt that only a strong monarchy “could save the Empire and its classical culture.”
In 285 A.D., he ended the diarchy of the principate, that is, the shared power of the Emperor and Senate (something that went back to Caesar Augustus in 27 B.C.).
He wanted centralization of power and despotism.
He was hostile to Christian Churchmen and any who were “hostile to the state religion” (Cairns, 100).
March 303, the fateful month.
This anti-Christ energized by Satanic energies and Emperor of the Roman Empire, Diocletian, issued his infamous verdict against Christ and His Churchmen:
(1) no Christian meetings,
(2) destruction of Christian buildings,
(3) deposition of Church officers,
(4) imprisonments, and
(5) burn the Scriptures.
Notably in north Africa, Carthage and Utica, for example, this developed.
On this latter point (number 5 above), "the burning of Scriptures" or the handing over the "traditores" (= Scriptures which governed all things and books), some Christians complied.
"Here ya' go, I ain't gonna be killed for the Scriptures," was the sense. "Here, take them."
Quite unlike William Tyndale, earlier Wycliffites, Jan Huss, and Jerome of Prague who did burn for those sacred books of the canon. Or, our beloved English Reformers.
This did not go over well with the sterner sorts, especially those who persevered and suffered, who wanted these cowards permanently excluded from fellowship in the visible church. As an old Marine, there is some sympathy for these sterner sorts. But....
Some of these cowards later repented of surrendering the books. They sought readmission to the Church’s fellowship.
Eusebius (260-340 A.D.), famous Church historian and attendee at the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.), later notes that during the Diocletian persecution the “prisons became so crowded with Christians that there was no room for criminals” (Cairns, 101).
Some, however, did not believe they should be readmitted after such manifest disloyalty.
This would give rise to the "Donatist" controversy...that would hold forth well into Augustine’s times.
Augustine would successfully argue, along with others, for the extension of mercy and forgiveness to these woeful but repentant cowards.
All Saints Day. “For All the Saints.” The lyrics are below.
http://www.youtube.com/
1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
3. For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
4. For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
5. For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
6. O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
7. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
8. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
9. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
10. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
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