EPISTLE OF ADRIAN(4) IN BEHALF OF THE CHRISTIANS.
I have received the letter addressed to me by your predecessor Serenius
Granianus, a most illustrious man; and this communication I am unwilling
to pass over in silence, lest innocent persons be disturbed, and occasion
be given to the informers for practising villany. Accordingly, if the inhabitants
of your province will so far sustain this petition of theirs as to accuse
the Christians in some court of law, I do not prohibit them from doing
so. But I will not suffer them to make use of mere entreaties and outcries.
For it is far more just, if any one desires to make an accusation, that
you give judgment upon it. If, therefore, any one makes the accusation,
and furnishes proof that the said men do anything contrary to the laws,
you shall adjudge punishments in proportion to the offences. And this,
by Hercules; you shall give special heed to, that if any man shall, through
mere calumny, bring an accusation against any of these persons, you shall
award to him more severe punishments in proportion to his wickedness.
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