534, and by all these wars Africa was almost depopulated, according to Procopius, who reckons that above five millions of men perished in them.
When the Vandals first invaded Africa, that country was very populous, consisting of about 700 bishoprics, more than were in all France, Spain and Italy together: but by the wars between the Vandals, Romans and Moors, it was depopulated to that degree, that Procopius tells us, it was next to a miracle for a traveller to see a man.
In pouring out the third vial it is said: Thou art righteous, O Lord, — because thou hast judged thus: for they have shed the blood of thy Saints and Prophets, and thou has given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. How they shed the blood of Saints, may be understood by the following Edict of the Emperor Honorius, procured by four Bishops sent to him by a Council of African Bishops, who met at Carthage 14 Jun, A.C.
410.
Impp. Honor. & Theod. AA. Heracliano Com. Afric.
Oraculo penitus remoto, quo ad ritus suos haereticae superstitionis obrepserant, sciant omnes sanctae legis inimici, plectendos se poena & proscriptionis & sanguinis, si ultra convenire per publicum, execranda sceleris sui temeritate temptaverint. Dat. 8:Kal. Sept. Varano V.C. Cons. A.C. 410.
Which Edict was five years after fortified by the following: Impp. Honor. & Theod. AA. Heracliano Com. Afric.
Sciant cuncti qui ad ritus suos haeresis superstitionibus obrepserant sacrosanctae legis inimici, plectendos se poena & proscriptionis & sanguinis, si ultra convenire per publicum exercendi sceleris sui temeritate temptaverint: ne qua vera divinaque reverentia contagione temeretur. Dat. 8:Kal. Sept.
Honorio 10:& Theod. 6:AA. Coss. A.C. 415.
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