Martyrs Mirror 209WHAT THE AUTHOR OF THE INTRODUCTION, ETC., HAS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS PERSECUTION

In A. D. 273 arose the ninth persecution of the Christians, under the Emperor Aurelian; but it was not as great as the former, because death suddenly overtook him as he proposed to himself, to begin it. Under him were killed . . . and many others, concerning whom no special accounts are extant. Fol. 41, col. 2.

Notwithstanding Emperor Aurelian could not himself sign the above mentioned decrees against the Christians, the persecution nevertheless proceeded in some places, so .that here and there some laid down their lives for the testimony of Jesus Christ; of whom we shall mention only a few, whom we have selected as true martyrs.