In the first six months, however, of his new reign, Maximin affected to adopt the prudent counsels of his predecessor; and though he never condescended to secure the tranquillity of the church by a public edict, Sabinus, his Praetorian praefect, addressed a circular letter to all the governors and magistrates of the provinces, expatiating on the Imperial clemency, acknowledging the invincible obstinacy of the Christians, and directing the officers of justice to cease their ineffectual prosecutions, and to connive at the secret assemblies of those enthusiasts.

In consequence of these orders, great numbers of Christians were released from prison, or delivered from the mines.

The confessors, singing hymns of triumph, returned into their own countries; and those who had yielded to the violence of the tempest, solicited with tears of repentance their readmission into the bosom of the church.

[175] [Footnote 175: Eusebius, l.ix.c.1.He inserts the epistle of the praefect.] But this treacherous calm was of short duration; nor could the Christians of the East place any confidence in the character of their sovereign.

Cruelty and superstition were the ruling passions of the soul of Maximin.