son_n that_o so_o he_o may_v reign_v alone_o this_o he_o think_v will_v be_v easy_o effect_v and_o that_o the_o soldier_n who_o have_v abandon_v severus_n will_v stick_v firm_o to_o he_o upon_o which_o he_o call_v together_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o soldiery_n as_o if_o he_o have_v some_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n to_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o he_o harangued_a to_o they_o long_o upon_o the_o misery_n that_o lay_v on_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o at_o last_o he_o point_v out_o to_o his_o son_n and_o say_v he_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o misery_n and_o the_o chief_a occasion_n of_o all_o the_o calamity_n that_o lay_v upon_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o thereupon_o he_o tear_v the_o imperial_a purple_n from_o he_o he_o be_v thus_o strip_v of_o that_o badge_n of_o dignity_n leap_v down_o from_o the_o bench_n on_o which_o the_o emperor_n sit_v and_o be_v well_o receive_v by_o the_o soldier_n who_o express_v upon_o this_o occasion_n so_o much_o anger_n and_o fury_n that_o the_o old_a man_n be_v asfright_v at_o it_o fall_v into_o great_a disorder_n and_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o rome_n almost_o as_o ignominious_o as_o tarquin_n the_o proud_a have_v be_v xxix_o he_o retire_v first_o to_o gaul_n and_o after_o that_o he_o have_v stay_v there_o for_o some_o time_n he_o go_v to_o the_o other_o maximian_n know_v he_o to_o be_v his_o son_n inveterate_a enemy_n he_o pretend_v that_o he_o go_v to_o concert_v with_o he_o some_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o his_o true_a design_n be_v that_o he_o may_v under_o this_o pretence_n of_o reconciliation_n seek_v a_o occasion_n to_o murder_v he_o and_o so_o possess_v himself_o of_o his_o share_n of_o the_o empire_n since_o he_o be_v now_o thrust_v out_o of_o his_o own_o diocles_n be_v then_o with_o the_o other_o maximian_n for_o he_o have_v be_v send_v for_o by_o he_o that_o so_o his_o presence_n may_v give_v some_o more_o authority_n to_o his_o installing_n of_o licinius_n in_o severus_n stead_n so_o that_o both_o the_o old_a emperor_n happen_v to_o be_v present_a on_o that_o occasion_n and_o now_o there_o be_v all_o at_o once_o six_o emperor_n but_o maximian_n the_o elder_a find_n that_o there_o be_v a_o distraction_n in_o the_o council_n and_o that_o he_o can_v not_o compass_v his_o design_n flee_v again_o for_o the_o three_o time_n and_o withdraw_v into_o gaul_n with_o new_a project_n no_o less_o wicked_a than_o the_o former_a have_v be_v for_o though_o both_o constantine_n and_o his_o father_n constance_n have_v marry_v two_o of_o his_o daughter_n yet_o he_o lay_v a_o design_n against_o his_o life_n and_o in_o order_n to_o his_o effect_n it_o he_o lay_v aside_o his_o imperial_a habit._n the_o frank_n be_v then_o in_o arm_n so_o that_o constantine_n be_v oblige_v to_o march_v against_o they_o but_o his_o father-in-law_n persuade_v he_o who_o as_o yet_o be_v in_o no_o distrust_n of_o he_o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o carry_v his_o whole_a army_n with_o he_o and_o that_o a_o small_a body_n will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o defeat_v those_o barbarian_n that_o as_o he_o may_v have_v the_o army_n that_o be_v leave_v behind_o in_o his_o own_o power_n so_o constantine_n have_v so_o few_o troop_n with_o he_o may_v be_v infallible_o overwhelm_v by_o the_o frank_n he_o be_v easy_o wrought_v on_o by_o his_o father-in-law_n who_o long_a experience_n give_v great_a authority_n to_o his_o advice_n so_o after_o that_o some_o day_n be_v pass_v and_o that_o maximian_n believe_v his_o son-in-law_n be_v now_o engage_v among_o the_o barbarian_n he_o again_o assume_v the_o purple_a break_v in_o upon_o the_o public_a treasure_n and_o as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o do_v he_o distribute_v a_o large_a donative_n among_o the_o soldier_n and_o give_v out_o false_a report_n concern_v constantine_n but_o all_o this_o be_v quick_o turn_v upon_o he_o for_o constantine_n be_v soon_o advertise_v of_o all_o that_o have_v pass_v and_o come_v back_o with_o almost_o incredible_a diligence_n so_o that_o maximian_n have_v not_o time_n enough_o to_o settle_v himself_o in_o his_o new_a usurpation_n but_o be_v surprise_v and_o be_v also_o abandon_v by_o the_o soldiery_n upon_o which_o he_o flee_v to_o marseilles_n and_o shut_v himself_o up_o within_o it_o constantine_n do_v quick_o invest_v that_o place_n and_o have_v demand_v a_o personal_a conference_n with_o he_o from_o the_o wall_n he_o neither_o reproach_v nor_o threaten_v he_o but_o only_o ask_v he_o what_o he_o himself_o have_v do_v and_o what_o be_v in_o maximian_o mind_n that_o have_v push_v he_o on_o to_o act_v so_o indecent_o as_o he_o have_v do_v the_o other_o answer_v he_o very_o scurrilous_o but_o those_o about_o he_o set_v open_v the_o gate_n to_o constantine_n soldier_n so_o this_o rebellious_a emperor_n and_o treacherous_a father-in-law_n be_v now_o in_o constantine_n power_n who_o satisfy_v himself_o with_o lay_v his_o crime_n before_o he_o and_o so_o chide_v he_o for_o they_o he_o strip_v he_o of_o his_o imperial_a purple_n but_o carry_v his_o resentment_n no_o further_o and_o leave_v he_o both_o his_o life_n and_o liberty_n xxx_o but_o maximian_n have_v lose_v both_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o emperor_n and_o the_o regard_n that_o be_v pay_v to_o he_o as_o a_o father-in-law_n and_o not_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v this_o lowness_n of_o fortune_n fall_v to_o contrive_v new_a plot_n and_o such_o ill_a use_n make_v he_o of_o constantine_n forgive_a he_o that_o he_o set_v on_o his_o daughter_n fausta_n solicit_v she_o what_o with_o caress_n and_o what_o with_o entreaties_n to_o contrive_v her_o husband_n ruin_n and_o promise_v she_o a_o better_a husband_n when_o that_o shall_v be_v once_o do_v so_o he_o beseech_v she_o to_o leave_v their_o bedchamber_n door_n sometime_o open_a she_o undertake_v to_o do_v all_o that_o he_o beg_v of_o she_o but_o reveal_v all_o to_o her_o husband_n thus_o a_o train_n be_v lay_v for_o discover_v his_o treason_n in_o a_o undeniable_a manner_n there_o be_v a_o eunuch_n put_v in_o constantine_n place_n to_o suffer_v what_o be_v project_v against_o he_o maximian_n rise_v in_o the_o dead_a silence_n of_o the_o night_n and_o all_o thing_n seem_v favourable_a to_o he_o he_o see_v some_o few_o guard_n that_o be_v at_o some_o distance_n from_o the_o bedchamber_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o be_v go_v to_o give_v his_o son-in-law_n a_o account_n of_o a_o strange_a dream_n that_o he_o have_v dream_v so_o he_o go_v in_o arm_a and_o have_v kill_v the_o eunuch_n and_o fancy_v that_o he_o have_v execute_v his_o project_n he_o come_v out_o boast_v of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v but_o he_o be_v not_o a_o little_a confound_v when_o he_o see_v constantine_n come_v towards_o he_o with_o some_o soldier_n about_o he_o the_o dead_a body_n of_o the_o eunuch_n be_v draw_v out_o so_o that_o he_o be_v manifest_o convict_v of_o the_o murder_n and_o he_o be_v so_o confound_v with_o this_o discovery_n of_o his_o treachery_n that_o he_o be_v as_o it_o be_v strike_v dead_a with_o it_o nor_o have_v he_o any_o sort_n of_o excuse_n or_o defence_n ready_a the_o choice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n be_v leave_v to_o he_o and_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o hang_v thus_o this_o great_a emperor_n that_o in_o the_o long_a course_n of_o 20_o year_n reign_v have_v govern_v the_o roman_a empire_n with_o so_o much_o glory_n be_v now_o force_v to_o this_o most_o ignominious_a end_n of_o his_o execrable_a life_n xxxi_o the_o judgement_n of_o that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o avenger_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o of_o his_o people_n be_v in_o the_o next_o place_n no_o less_o visible_a upon_o the_o other_o maximian_n that_o have_v be_v indeed_o the_o chief_a contriver_n of_o this_o persecution_n he_o be_v now_o think_v to_o celebrate_v the_o festival_n of_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o though_o he_o have_v promise_v that_o upon_o that_o occasion_n he_o will_v restore_v some_o of_o those_o severe_a exaction_n by_o which_o he_o have_v ruin_v so_o many_o of_o the_o province_n yet_o now_o instead_o of_o perform_v it_o he_o make_v use_v of_o this_o solemnity_n to_o lay_v new_a tax_n upon_o they_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o set_v forth_o the_o severity_n of_o these_o imposition_n that_o he_o raise_v upon_o this_o occasion_n chief_o of_o those_o which_o be_v lay_v on_o the_o corn._n there_o be_v soldier_n or_o rather_o hangman_n that_o wait_v on_o all_o the_o taxmaster_n and_o man_n do_v not_o know_v whither_o to_o turn_v they_o the_o officer_n come_v with_o their_o unreasonable_a demand_n and_o those_o who_o have_v not_o wherewith_o to_o satisfy_v they_o be_v subject_v to_o great_a variety_n of_o torture_n from_o which_o they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o save_v themselves_o
the_o gaul_n only_o except_v those_o three_o wild_a beast_n exercise_v their_o cruelty_n upon_o all_o the_o province_n from_o the_o east_n to_o the_o west_n if_o i_o have_v a_o hundred_o tongue_n and_o the_o strong_a voice_n i_o can_v not_o set_v out_o all_o the_o form_n of_o crime_n and_o all_o the_o name_n of_o the_o torture_n that_o the_o judge_n in_o the_o several_a province_n put_v in_o practice_n against_o so_o many_o holy_a and_o innocent_a person_n but_o what_o need_v i_o engage_v in_o this_o recital_n especial_o to_o you_o my_o dear_a donatus_n who_o have_v so_o extraordinary_a a_o share_n in_o they_o for_o whereas_o you_o first_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o perfect_a flaccinus_fw-la who_o be_v not_o a_o small_a murderer_n you_o fall_v next_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o hierocles_n who_o from_o be_v a_o deputy_n be_v make_v a_o precedent_n and_o have_v be_v a_o adviser_n and_o a_o promoter_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v bring_v before_o priscillian_n his_o successor_n where_o as_o well_o as_o before_o the_o other_o two_o you_o give_v a_o evidence_n of_o your_o unconquered_a courage_n you_o be_v nine_o several_a time_n put_v to_o a_o great_a many_o torture_n and_o at_o every_o one_o of_o they_o you_o overcome_v the_o rage_n of_o your_o enemy_n by_o a_o glorious_a confession_n in_o those_o nine_o encounter_n with_o the_o devil_n you_o defeat_v he_o with_o his_o whole_a troop_n of_o assistant_n and_o by_o so_o many_o victory_n you_o triumph_v over_o the_o world_n with_o all_o its_o terror_n how_o pleasant_a be_v that_o triumph_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n in_o which_o instead_o of_o white_a horse_n or_o elephant_n about_o your_o chariot_n you_o triumph_v over_o the_o emperor_n themselves_o and_o seem_v to_o drag_v they_o after_o your_o chariot_n this_o be_v true_a victory_n when_o those_o that_o have_v conquer_v the_o world_n be_v subdue_v for_o they_o be_v overcome_v and_o subdue_v by_o you_o who_o despise_v their_o impious_a edict_n make_v no_o account_n of_o all_o the_o pomp_n and_o terror_n of_o their_o tyrannical_a authority_n their_o whip_n and_o their_o pincer_n their_o fire_n and_o sword_n and_o all_o the_o several_a shape_n of_o torture_n have_v no_o effect_n upon_o you_o no_o sort_n of_o violence_n can_v make_v you_o fall_v from_o the_o faith_n and_o from_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n this_o be_v to_o be_v a_o true_a disciple_n and_o a_o true_a soldier_n of_o christ_n who_o no_o enemy_n can_v overcome_v no_o wolf_n can_v carry_v out_o of_o god_n fold_n no_o snare_n can_v entangle_v no_o sorrow_n can_v subdue_v and_o no_o torture_n can_v break_v after_o all_o those_o nine_o engagement_n that_o prove_v so_o glorious_a to_o you_o the_o devil_n find_v himself_o always_o overcome_v by_o you_o dare_v not_o assault_v you_o any_o more_o for_o experience_n have_v show_v he_o that_o you_o be_v not_o to_o be_v vanquish_v and_o since_o he_o see_v that_o the_o crown_n of_o victory_n be_v ready_a to_o be_v bestow_v on_o you_o he_o will_v not_o by_o provoke_v you_o any_o further_a give_v you_o the_o occasion_n of_o receive_v it_o so_o soon_o though_o it_o be_v not_o give_v to_o you_o then_o it_o be_v safe_o keep_v for_o you_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n as_o the_o recompense_n of_o your_o virtue_n and_o worth._n but_o now_o i_o return_v to_o the_o series_n of_o the_o history_n xvii_o diocletian_n be_v now_o engage_v into_o this_o wicked_a design_n and_o have_v succeed_v so_o well_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o go_v straight_o to_o rome_n that_o so_o he_o may_v celebrate_v there_o his_o enter_v upon_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o empire_n that_o he_o be_v to_o open_v upon_o the_o anniversary_n of_o his_o come_n to_o it_o which_o be_v the_o twenty_o of_o november_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o that_o be_v over_o he_o show_v how_o little_a he_o can_v bear_v that_o freedom_n that_o the_o roman_n have_v still_o retain_v at_o which_o he_o be_v so_o uneasy_a that_o though_o the_o first_o of_o january_n be_v very_o near_o in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o enter_v upon_o his_o nine_o consulate_v yet_o he_o can_v not_o be_v prevail_v on_o to_o stay_v to_o that_o day_n and_o so_o he_o can_v not_o bear_v the_o stay_n thirteen_o day_n long_o at_o rome_n but_o he_o begin_v his_o consulate_a at_o ravenna_n the_o winter_n be_v both_o extreme_a cold_a and_o rainy_n so_o that_o the_o journey_n do_v so_o affect_v his_o health_n that_o it_o throw_v he_o into_o a_o linger_a sickness_n that_o never_o go_v off_o quite_o and_o be_v ill_o all_o the_o way_n he_o be_v force_v to_o be_v carry_v for_o most_o part_n in_o a_o litter_n his_o illness_n lie_v upon_o he_o all_o the_o summer_n long_o about_o the_o end_n of_o it_o he_o continue_v his_o journey_n and_o have_v come_v round_o the_o coast_n of_o phrygia_n he_o get_v at_o last_o to_o nicomedia_n his_o sickness_n be_v now_o come_v to_o a_o great_a height_n but_o though_o he_o be_v bring_v very_o low_a by_o it_o yet_o he_o will_v needs_o appear_v in_o public_a and_o assist_v at_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o hippodrome_n that_o he_o have_v build_v which_o be_v do_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o twenty_o year_n of_o empire_n his_o sickness_n grow_v at_o last_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o supplication_n be_v make_v to_o all_o the_o god_n for_o his_o life_n but_o on_o the_o 13_o the_o of_o december_n a_o report_n be_v spread_v all_o about_o the_o palace_n that_o he_o be_v dead_a the_o sad_a look_n and_o the_o terror_n that_o appear_v in_o all_o his_o courtier_n and_o the_o solemn_a silence_n that_o be_v over_o all_o the_o court_n make_v that_o the_o report_n be_v general_o believe_v the_o city_n of_o nicomedia_n believe_v he_o not_o only_o dead_a but_o bury_v but_o the_o next_o day_n it_o be_v give_v out_o that_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a upon_o which_o the_o countenance_n of_o many_o that_o be_v concern_v be_v much_o change_v but_o other_o believe_v still_o that_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o that_o it_o be_v conceal_v for_o fear_n of_o the_o soldiery_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v fall_v into_o some_o dangerous_a consultation_n and_o that_o therefore_o his_o death_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v up_o till_o maximian_n shall_v come_v to_o nicomedia_n this_o grow_v to_o be_v so_o universal_o believe_v that_o be_v he_o have_v not_o show_v himself_o on_o the_o first_o of_o march_n it_o have_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v persuade_v the_o people_n that_o he_o be_v still_o alive_a he_o be_v strange_o alter_v by_o a_o whole_a year_n sickness_n that_o they_o to_o who_o he_o be_v very_o well_o know_v can_v hardly_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o same_o he_o have_v indeed_o on_o the_o thirteen_o of_o december_n fall_v into_o so_o deep_a a_o swoon_n that_o it_o be_v think_v he_o be_v dead_a and_o he_o never_o recover_v this_o so_o entire_o as_o to_o be_v whole_o what_o he_o have_v be_v former_o for_o he_o have_v ever_o after_o this_o some_o fit_n of_o madness_n which_o return_v at_o some_o time_n upon_o he_o though_o in_o the_o interval_n of_o those_o fit_v he_o have_v his_o understanding_n very_o perfect_a xviii_o not_o many_o day_n after_o this_o galerius_n maximian_n come_v to_o he_o not_o to_o congratulate_v upon_o his_o recovery_n but_o to_o force_v he_o to_o resign_v the_o empire_n he_o have_v make_v the_o same_o attempt_n upon_o the_o elder_a maximian_n and_o threaten_v he_o with_o a_o civil_a war_n if_o he_o will_v not_o resign_v so_o now_o he_o set_v on_o diocletian_a he_o begin_v at_o first_o more_o soft_o and_o gentle_o with_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o be_v now_o become_v ancient_a and_o infirm_a and_o less_o able_a to_o undergo_v the_o fatigue_n of_o government_n and_o that_o therefore_o he_o ought_v to_o give_v himself_o some_o repose_n after_o so_o much_o application_n and_o toil._n he_o set_v before_o he_o nerva_n example_n who_o resign_v the_o empire_n to_o trajan_n diocletian_n answer_v that_o as_o it_o be_v not_o honourable_a for_o he_o after_o he_o have_v bear_v so_o sublime_a a_o character_n so_o long_o to_o shut_v himself_o up_o in_o a_o obscure_a corner_n so_o it_o can_v not_o be_v safe_a for_o he_o to_o do_v it_o since_o during_o so_o long_a a_o reign_n he_o must_v needs_o have_v make_v himself_o many_o enemy_n the_o case_n be_v quite_o different_a in_o nerva_n who_o have_v past_o his_o whole_a life_n in_o retirement_n so_o that_o his_o great_a age_n and_o his_o unacquaintendness_n with_o affair_n make_v he_o less_o capable_a of_o bear_v so_o great_a a_o burden_n which_o therefore_o he_o throw_v off_o and_o return_v to_o that_o privacy_n in_o which_o he_o have_v spend_v the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o life_n but_o he_o offer_v to_o maximian_n to_o receive_v
list_n be_v make_v no_o difference_n be_v put_v between_o those_o that_o live_v in_o town_n or_o country_n and_o as_o the_o tax_v be_v manage_v in_o the_o town_n without_o any_o distinction_n of_o the_o ancient_a citizen_n and_o those_o that_o be_v new_o come_v out_o of_o the_o country_n so_o in_o the_o village_n all_o people_n come_v with_o their_o child_n and_o slave_n to_o be_v list_v and_o upon_o the_o slight_a suspicion_n man_n be_v whip_v or_o torture_v child_n be_v hang_v up_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o their_o parent_n slave_n be_v deal_v with_o to_o accuse_v their_o master_n and_o wife_n to_o accuse_v their_o husband_n when_o no_o sort_n of_o evidence_n can_v be_v find_v man_n be_v force_v by_o torture_n to_o accuse_v themselves_o and_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v thus_o extort_a from_o they_o than_o they_o be_v proceed_v against_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v clear_o convict_v of_o those_o crime_n no_o regard_n be_v have_v either_o to_o man_n age_n or_o infirmity_n for_o the_o sick_a and_o feeble_n be_v tax_v as_o well_o as_o the_o whole_a and_o in_o the_o estimate_n that_o be_v make_v of_o man_n age_n they_o add_v year_n to_o those_o that_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o age_n as_o they_o detract_v some_o from_o those_o that_o be_v pass_v it_o all_o place_n be_v full_a of_o grief_n and_o sorrow_n and_o he_o adventure_v to_o put_v in_o execution_n against_o the_o roman_n and_o those_o province_n that_o be_v subject_v to_o they_o all_o that_o any_o conqueror_n have_v do_v to_o those_o who_o be_v subdue_v by_o they_o be_v by_o the_o law_n of_o war_n at_o their_o mercy_n as_o if_o he_o will_v have_v revenge_v the_o tax_n that_o trajan_n put_v on_o his_o ancestor_n the_o dacian_o which_o he_o lay_v on_o they_o as_o a_o punishment_n for_o their_o frequent_a rebellion_n after_o that_o all_o man_n be_v thus_o list_v then_o so_o much_o money_n be_v lay_v upon_o every_o man_n head_n as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v to_o pay_v so_o much_o for_o his_o life_n yet_o this_o matter_n be_v not_o trust_v to_o the_o first_o taxman_n but_o new_a set_v of_o they_o one_o after_o another_o be_v send_v about_o that_o new_a man_n may_v always_o find_v new_a matter_n to_o work_v upon_o and_o though_o they_o can_v real_o discover_v nothing_o yet_o they_o increase_v the_o number_n in_o the_o list_n that_o they_o make_v that_o so_o it_o may_v not_o be_v say_v that_o they_o have_v be_v send_v to_o no_o purpose_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o those_o oppression_n the_o stock_n of_o the_o cattle_n be_v much_o diminish_v and_o many_o man_n die_v and_o yet_o the_o tax_n continue_v still_o to_o be_v levy_v even_o for_o those_o that_o be_v dead_a to_o such_o misery_n be_v man_n reduce_v that_o even_o death_n do_v not_o put_v a_o end_n to_o it_o the_o beggar_n be_v the_o only_a person_n that_o be_v exempt_v from_o these_o oppression_n for_o to_o have_v nothing_o to_o pay_v be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o be_v cover_v from_o those_o exaction_n but_o this_o curse_a man_n take_v care_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o their_o want_n for_o he_o give_v order_n to_o gather_v they_o all_o together_o and_o to_o put_v they_o in_o vessel_n and_o when_o they_o be_v at_o sea_n he_o order_v they_o to_o be_v all_o drown_v so_o compassionate_a be_v he_o that_o he_o be_v resolve_v that_o no_o body_n shall_v be_v extreme_o miserable_a during_o his_o reign_n thus_o he_o find_v out_o a_o effectual_a expedient_a to_o keep_v all_o man_n from_o pretend_v poverty_n as_o a_o excuse_n from_o pay_v the_o tax_n but_o he_o at_o the_o same_o time_n against_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o humanity_n put_v a_o multitude_n of_o miserable_a person_n to_o death_n xxiv_o at_o last_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n come_v to_o seize_v on_o he_o and_o now_o all_o that_o success_n which_o he_o have_v hitherto_o enjoy_v come_v to_o be_v change_v while_o he_o be_v appyl_v himself_o to_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o account_n he_o have_v take_v no_o care_n to_o destroy_v or_o to_o dethrone_v constance_n for_o he_o be_v wait_v for_o his_o death_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o apprehend_v that_o it_o will_v come_v so_o sudden_o as_o it_o do_v but_o constance_n be_v now_o very_o sick_a write_v to_o he_o that_o he_o may_v send_v his_o son_n constantine_n to_o he_o have_v make_v the_o same_o desire_n often_o before_o but_o to_o no_o purpose_n for_o maximian_n have_v no_o mind_n to_o let_v he_o go_v to_o his_o father_n on_o the_o contrary_a he_o have_v expose_v he_o to_o many_o danger_n hope_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fall_v under_o some_o of_o they_o he_o dare_v not_o make_v a_o open_a attempt_n upon_o he_o fear_v a_o civil_a war_n or_o rather_o a_o mutiny_n among_o the_o soldier_n but_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o exercise_v he_o he_o have_v engage_v he_o to_o encounter_v with_o wild_a beast_n yet_o all_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o as_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n be_v visible_a in_o protect_v he_o all_o along_o so_o it_o appear_v most_o signal_o now_o in_o the_o last_o and_o critical_a moment_n for_o the_o emperor_n not_o know_v how_o he_o can_v deny_v it_o any_o long_o grant_v he_o at_o last_o a_o pass_n which_o have_v the_o seal_n put_v to_o it_o while_o it_o be_v late_o but_o he_o order_v he_o to_o come_v to_o he_o next_o morning_n to_o receive_v his_o command_n and_o he_o have_v resolve_v either_o to_o find_v some_o colour_n for_o hinder_v his_o journey_n or_o to_o send_v order_n to_o severus_n to_o stop_v he_o on_o the_o way_n constantine_n have_v some_o apprehension_n of_o that_o which_o may_v happen_v and_o therefore_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o emperor_n go_v to_o sleep_v after_o supper_n he_o take_v journey_n and_o in_o the_o several_a stage_n through_o which_o he_o pass_v he_o carry_v with_o he_o all_o the_o post_n horse_n the_o emperor_n on_o purpose_n to_o delay_v he_o do_v not_o open_v his_o door_n next_o day_n till_o it_o be_v noon_n and_o then_o he_o call_v for_o he_o but_o he_o hear_v that_o he_o have_v go_v last_o night_n immediate_o after_o supper_n upon_o which_o the_o emperor_n fall_v into_o a_o most_o violent_a fit_n of_o rage_n and_o order_v some_o to_o be_v send_v after_o he_o for_o fetch_v he_o back_o but_o when_o he_o understand_v that_o he_o carry_v all_o the_o post_n horse_n with_o he_o so_o that_o this_o can_v not_o be_v do_v the_o emperor_n can_v hardly_o forbear_v weep_v constantine_n make_v all_o the_o haste_n that_o be_v possible_a and_o find_v he_o father_n just_a breathe_v out_o his_o last_o constance_n recommend_v his_o son_n to_o the_o soldier_n and_o deliver_v over_o the_o empire_n to_o he_o and_o so_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o all_o point_n as_o he_o wish_v to_o do_v constantine_n be_v no_o soon_o possess_v of_o the_o empire_n than_o he_o give_v the_o christian_n the_o free_a liberty_n of_o their_o religion_n so_o that_o his_o first_o edict_n be_v the_o restore_a the_o exercise_n of_o this_o holy_a religion_n xxv_o within_o a_o few_o day_n after_o this_o his_o image_n with_o the_o character_n of_o the_o imperial_a dignity_n upon_o it_o be_v send_v to_o maximian_n he_o be_v long_o in_o suspense_n not_o know_v what_o he_o shall_v do_v he_o once_o intend_v to_o throw_v both_o the_o image_n itself_o and_o likewise_o he_o that_o bring_v it_o into_o the_o fire_n but_o his_o friend_n divert_v he_o from_o this_o for_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o irritate_v the_o army_n who_o be_v already_o displease_v because_o that_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o they_o in_o the_o nomination_n of_o the_o caesar_n and_o they_o may_v probable_o enough_o have_v declare_v for_o constantine_n if_o they_o shall_v have_v see_v he_o come_v against_o maximian_n at_o the_o head_n of_o a_o army_n these_o advice_n prevail_v so_o far_o upon_o he_o that_o though_o it_o be_v much_o against_o his_o heart_n yet_o he_o receive_v the_o statue_n and_o send_v constantine_n the_o purple_a that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o he_o have_v of_o his_o own_o accord_n receive_v he_o into_o the_o partnership_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o this_o break_v all_o his_o measure_n nor_o can_v he_o now_o make_v another_o emperor_n supernumerary_n yet_o he_o fall_v upon_o this_o contrivance_n of_o declare_v severus_n who_o be_v the_o ancient_a person_n emperor_n and_o constantine_n not_o emperor_n as_o have_v be_v already_o do_v but_o cesar_n only_o in_o partnership_n with_o maximin_n that_o so_o instead_o of_o be_v next_o to_o himself_o he_o may_v be_v the_o last_o of_o the_o four._n xxvi_o but_o while_o he_o think_v that_o this_o matter_n be_v quite_o settle_v he_o receive_v a_o new_a alarm_n which_o be_v that_o maxentius_n who_o be_v his_o own_o son-in-law_n be_v