「The Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, Armenicus, Pontifex Maximus, holding the tribunician power for the fifteenth time, consul for the third time, to the commonalty of Asia, greeting.」
「I for my part know that the gods too take care that such men should not escape notice; for they would far rather punish those who are unwilling to worship them than you would.」
「But you throw these men into confusion, confirming them in the very opinion which they hold, by accusing them of being atheists. And it would be preferable to them, when so accused, to seem to die rather than to live, for the sake of their own God. Wherefore they even gain the victory, giving up their own lives rather than complying with what you require them to do.」
「Concerning the earthquakes that have occurred and are occurring, it is not out of place to remind you, who lose heart whenever they happen, to compare your conduct with theirs.」
「They, then, become the bolder in their confidence toward God; but you, throughout all the time during which you appear to be in ignorance, neglect both the other gods and the worship of the Immortal One—whom indeed you drive out and persecute even unto death the Christians who worship him.」
「Concerning such men, many of the governors over the provinces also wrote to our most divine father, to whom he replied that they should not be molested, unless they appeared to be attempting anything against the Roman government. And to me also many made report concerning such matters, to whom I likewise replied, following my father’s judgment.」
「But if anyone persists in bringing any such person into trouble merely as being such, let the one so accused be acquitted of the charge, even if he appears to be such; and let the accuser be liable to punishment. Posted at Ephesus in the commonalty of Asia.」
That matters thus proceeded is testified by Melito, bishop of the church in Sardis, who became known at that very time, as is plain from what was said by him in the Apology which he composed to the emperor Verus on behalf of our doctrine.