To Minucius Fundanus. I have received a letter written to me by Serennius Granianus, a most illustrious man, whom you have succeeded. It does not seem to me, then, that the matter should be left without investigation, lest men be troubled and an occasion for malice be furnished to informers.
If, therefore, the provincials can clearly maintain this charge against the Christians, so as to give answer before a tribunal, let them have recourse to this alone, and not to mere demands and outcries. For it is far more fitting, if anyone wishes to bring an accusation, that you should examine the matter judicially.
If, then, anyone accuses them and shows that they are doing anything contrary to the laws, determine accordingly, in proportion to the gravity of the offence. But, by Hercules, if anyone brings this forward for the sake of false accusation, decide concerning his villainy, and take care that you punish it.