Argument.

CYPRIAN, IN REPLY TO DEMETRIANUS THE PROCONSUL OF AFRICA, WHO CONTENDED THAT THE WARS, AND FAMINE, AND PESTILENCE WITH WHICH THE WORLD WAS THEN PLAGUED MUST BE IMPUTED TO THE CHRISTIANS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WORSHIP THE GODS; FAIRLY URGES (HAVING ARGUED THAT ALL THINGS ARE GRADUALLY DETERIORATING WITH THE OLD AGE OF THE WORLD) THAT IT WAS RATHER THE HEATHENS THEMSELVES WHO WERE THE CAUSE OF SUCH MISCHIEFS, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WORSHIP GOD, AND, MOREOVER, WERE DISTRESSING THE CHRISTIANS WITH UNJUST PERSECUTIONS.