Section 316
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 285 CHAPTER XII. The martyrs at Cesarea of Palestine. IN the persecution of Valerian, mentioned above, three men of Cesarea in Palestine, who shone gloriously in their confession of Christ, were honoured with divine martyrdom by becoming the food of wild beasts. Of these, one was called Priscus, another Malchus, the third was named Alexander. These, it is said, lived at first in the country, pretending to be careless and indif ferent ; but when occasion presented itself from heaven to them, already burning with desire to obtain the prize, they would then cease, with the view that they might not be too forward in seiz ing the martyr's crown. With these purposes, therefore, they hasted to Cesarea, and advanced to the judge, and obtained the sentence mentioned. It is also said, that a certain female en dured a similar conflict in the same persecution and city, but who is also said to have been of the sect of Marcion. CHAPTER XIII. The peace after Gallienus. BUT as it was not long before Valerian was taken captive, and reduced to slavery by the barbarians, his son Gallienus, obtain ing the sole command, was disposed to use more clemency in the exercise of his power. He, therefore, immediately restrained the persecution against us, by sending edicts, in which he com manded that the ministers of the word might perform the custo mary duties of their office with freedom, the copy of which was as follows : •' The emperor Cesar, Publius, Licinius, Gallienus, Pius, Felix, Augustus, to Dionysius, Pinna, Demetrius and the other bishops. The benefit of the privilege granted by me, I have ordered to be issued throughout the whole world, that all may depart from their religious retreats ; and therefore you also