[Issued after the meeting of
Constantine and Licinius in Milan, in the month of March, 313 A.D.]
"Wherefore, as I, Constantine Augustus, and I, Licinius Augustus, came
under favorable auspices to Milan, and took under consideration all affairs that
pertained to the public benefit and welfare, these things among the rest
appeared to us to be most advantageous and profitable to all.
"We have
resolved among the first things to ordain those matters by which reverence and
worship to the Deity might be exhibited. That is, how we may grant likewise to
the Christians, and to all, the free choice to follow that mode of worship which
they may wish. That whatsoever divinity and celestial power may exist, may be
propitious to us and to all that live under our government. Therefore, we have
decreed the following ordinances as our will, with a salutary and most correct
intention, that no freedom at all shall be refused to Christians, to follow or
to keep their observances or worship. But that to each one power be granted to
devote his mind to that worship which he may think adapted to himself. That the
Deity may in all things exhibit to us his accustomed favor and kindness.
"It was
just and consistent that we should write that this was our pleasure. That all
exceptions respecting the Christians being completely removed, which were
contained in the former epistle that we sent to your fidelity, and whatever
measures were wholly sinister and foreign to our mildness, that these should be
altogether annulled; and now that each one of the Christians may freely and
without molestation pursue and follow that course and worship which he has
proposed to himself: which, indeed, we have resolved to communicate most fully
to your care and diligence, that you may know we have granted liberty and full
freedom to the Christians, to observe their own mode of worship; which as your
fidelity understands absolutely granted to them by us, the privilege is also
granted to others to pursue that worship and religion they wish. Which it is
obvious is consistent with the peace and tranquility of our times; that each may
have the privilege to select and to worship whatsoever divinity he pleases. But
this has been done by us, that we might not appear in any manner to detract
anything from any manner of religion, or any mode of worship."
