Section 375
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.04% accurate
344 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. declared, " Wo to him through whom the offence eometh." Hence he was visited by a judgment sent from God, which be ginning in his flesh proceeded to his very soul. For a sudden tumor appeared about the middle of the body, then a spongy fistula in these parts,* which continued to extend and penetrate with its ulcerations to the inmost parts of the bowels. Hence sprung an immense multitude of worms, hence also an insuffera ble death-like effluvia exhaled, as his whole body before his dis ease, by reason of his gluttony, had been changed into an exces sive mass of fat, which then becoming putrid, exhibited a dread ful and intolerable spectacle to those that drew near. Some, indeed, of the physicians, totally unable to endure the excessively offensive smell, were slain : others again, as the swelling had pe netrated every where, and they unable to give any relief, des paired of safety, and were put to death without mercy. CHAPTER XVII. The revocation of the emperors. THUS struggling with so many miseries, he had some corn punctions for the crimes that he had committed against the pious. Turning, therefore, his reflections upon himself, first of all he confessed his sin to the supreme God, then summoning his officers, he immediately orders that, without delay, they should stop the persecution against the Christians, and by an imperial ordinance and decree, commanded that they should hasten to re build the churches, that they might perform their accustomed devotions, and offer up prayers for the emperor's safety. This decree was immediately followed by its effects ; the imperial de crees were published in the cities, embracing the following revo cation with regard to us. * Valesius renders, Repente enim circa media occultiorum corporis partium Iocs abscessus ei nascitur : ulcus deinde in imo fistulosum.