Called the Christian Cicero by readers ancient and modern alike, Lactantius is best known for his monumental work of early Christian apologetics entitled The Divine Institutes. Though less appreciated, On the Deaths of the Persecutors is a primary source of considerable historical import containing details about the Roman Empire of the early 4th century AD that are found nowhere else. In this unique work, Lactantius created a hybrid of history and apologetics, making an argument for the truth of the Christian religion based on the fates of those emperors who had been the most egregious persecutors of Christians. Based in Diocletian's imperial capital of Nicomedia and later in Gaul at the court of Constantine, Lactantius was perfectly positioned to record these momentous events. As history, On the Deaths of the Persecutors is a key source for Diocletian’s Tetrarchy, the Great Persecution, and the rise of Constantine. It is an invaluable supplement to the broader Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus as well as his panegyrical Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, taking its place among the most important primary sources for this era of transition, turmoil and consolidation. This new edition features the classic late 18th century translation of Lord Hailes which was utilized in The Ante-Nicene Fathers series in 1905. Updated for a modern audience, the text of the translation effectively mirrors the erudite and lively prose of Lactantius's compelling and occasionally lurid historical narrative. A new introduction and extensive commentary has been added for this new edition to help make the text more approachable for the student or general reader. An index has also been included along with an updated list of references and suggested further reading.

Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius was an early Christian author (c. 250 - c. 325) who became an advisor to the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine I, guiding his religious policy as it developed, and tutor to his son. In The Divine Institutes, Lactantius expected an earthly reign of the resurrected saints with Jesus after His second advent for the thousand years before the universal judgment. He presented, in sharp chronological summary, the premillennial advent, the two resurrections, the millennial period, and the reign of the saints with Christ, with surprising astuteness, reflecting the unsettled doctrine of the time. With the conversion of Constantine, the Christians were no longer persecuted, their adversaries were destroyed, and tranquility reigned. The world's favor, rather than its hatred, became the church's peril. Multitudes flocked into the church because it was now fashionable and the church, long comfortable to persecution and expected martyrdom, became worldly. New errors commingled with older ones, and with truth. In the outline of Bible history, Lactantius dealt with the plan of salvation, the origin of sin, creation, probation in Eden, the fall, and the incarnation of Christ. He said that "as the end of this world approaches, the condition of human affairs must undergo a change, and through the prevalence of wickedness become worse."

Is this the day I die? Li Quan asks himself this question daily, knowing that he might be killed for practicing his faith. American businessman Ben Fielding has no idea what his brilliant former college roommate is facing in China. He expects his old friend has fulfilled his dream of becoming a university professor. But when they are reunited in China after twenty years, both men are shocked at what they discover about each other. Thrown together in an hour of encroaching darkness, both must make choices that will determine not only the destinies of two men, but two families, two nations, and two worlds.

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Taken together, these three volumes represent a basic English-language reference book of patristic works. Volume 1 ends circa 382.