CHAPTER XVI: Conduct Towards The Christians, From Nero To.
Constantine .-- Part VI.
Although the policy of Diocletian and the humanity of Constantius inclined them to preserve inviolate the maxims of toleration, it was soon discovered that their two associates, Maximian and Galerius, entertained the most implacable aversion for the name and religion of the Christians.

The minds of those princes had never been enlightened by science; education had never softened their temper.

They owed their greatness to their swords, and in their most elevated fortune they still retained their superstitious prejudices of soldiers and peasants.

In the general administration of the provinces they obeyed the laws which their benefactor had established; but they frequently found occasions of exercising within their camp and palaces a secret persecution, [144] for which the imprudent zeal of the Christians sometimes offered the most specious pretences.

A sentence of death was executed upon Maximilianus, an African youth, who had been produced by his own father [144a] before the magistrate as a sufficient and legal recruit, but who obstinately persisted in declaring, that his conscience would not permit him to embrace the profession of a soldier.