Section 464
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 433 served, that our public affairs were beset with great dangers, and that this religion, when legally adopted and observed, afforded the greatest prosperity to the Roman name, and distinguished felicity to all men, as it has been granted by the divine benefi cence, we have resolved that those men who gave their services with becoming sanctity, and the observance of this law, to the performance of divine worship, should receive the recompence for their labours, oh most esteemed Anulinus ; wherefore it is my will that these men, within the province, entrusted to thee in the Catholic church, over which Cascilianus presides, who give their services to this holy religion, and whom they commonly call clergy, shall be held totally free, and exempt from all public offices, to the end that they may not by any error or sacrilegious deviation, be drawn away from the service due to the Divinity, but rather may devote themselves to their proper law, without any molestation. So, that, whilst they exhibit the greatest pos sible reverence to the Deity, it appears the greatest good will be conferred on the state. Farewell, most esteemed and beloved Anulinus." CHAPTER VIII. The wickedness which Licinius afterwards exhibited, and his death. SUCH then, was the divine and celestial grace, exhibited by the interposition of our Saviour. And such too the abundant bless ings imparted to us by the peace, and in this manner our affairs were finally crowned with gladness and festivity. But malig nant envy, and the daemon of iniquity was not able to endure the exhibition of this spectacle. When therefore, the events that befel the aforesaid tyrants were not sufficient to bring Licinius to sound reason, who as long as his government was prosperous, being honoured with the second rank after the emperor, Constantine the great, and also by inter marriage and affinity of the highest order, he nevertheless 31