Faith, a name so deservedly abhorred, was first instituted under the
reign of Theodosius. Yet we are assured, that the execution of his
penal edicts was seldom enforced; and that the pious emperor appeared
less desirous to punish, than to reclaim, or terrify, his refractory
subjects.

The theory of persecution was established by Theodosius, whose justice
and piety have been applauded by the saints: but the practice of it,
in the fullest extent, was reserved for his rival and colleague,
Maximus, the first, among the Christian princes, who shed the blood of
his Christian subjects on account of their religious opinions. The
cause of the Priscillianists, a recent sect of heretics, who disturbed
the provinces of Spain, was transferred, by appeal, from the synod of
Bordeaux to the Imperial consistory of Treves; and by the sentence of
the Prætorian præfect, seven persons were tortured, condemned, and
executed. The first of these was Priscillian himself, bishop of Avila,
in Spain; who adorned the advantages of birth and fortune, by the
accomplishments of eloquence and learning. Two presbyters, and two
deacons, accompanied their beloved master in his death, which they
esteemed as a glorious martyrdom; and the number of religious victims
was completed by the execution of Latronian, a poet, who rivalled the
fame of the ancients; and of Euchrocia, a noble matron of Bordeaux,
the widow of the orator Delphidius. Two bishops who had embraced the
sentiments of Priscillian, were condemned to a distant and dreary
exile; and some indulgence was shown to the meaner criminals, who
assumed the merit of an early repentance. If any credit could be
allowed to confessions extorted by fear or pain, and to vague reports,
the offspring of malice and credulity, the heresy of the
Priscillianists would be found to include the various abominations of
magic, of impiety, and of lewdness. Priscillian, who wandered about