135 persuaded, that it is impossible that any man should escape the notice of God, whether he be an evil doer, or covetous, or a traitor, or a virtuous man: and that every one shall go into eternal punishment or happiness, according to that which his deeds deserve. For if all men knew this, no one would choose evil for a little time, knowing that he must go into everlasting punishment by fire; but each would restrain himself, and adorn himself with all virtue, that so he might attain unto the good things which are of GoD, and be free from those torments. They, who offend against the laws and are exposed to the punishments which you impose, may endeavor to escape detection, knowing well that it is possible to elude the notice of human beings like yourselves. But if they had learned and were well assured, that it is impossible for God not to know every thing which is done, nay even every thing which is thought, they would by all means live circumspectly, if it were but to avoid the punishment hanging over their heads, as even ye yourselves will

confess.

13. But, it would seem, ye fear lest all should be just and holy in their lives, and ye should have none to punish. This would be an apprehension worthy of an executioner, but not of good princes. And we are persuaded that such suggestions arise, as we have before said, from those evil demons, who demand even offerings and worship from those who live a life contrary to reason. Neither do we suspect that ye, who follow after piety and philosophy, would do any thing against reason. But if ye also, in like manner with those inconsiderate men, honor established practices more than truth, then do what ye can: and the utmost that even princes can do, who honor the opinions (of men) more than the truth, is but as much as robbers in the desert could. And that your labor will be in vain the Word himself declares, than whom, with GOD his Father, we know no prince more royal and more just. For as all avoid the inheritance of the poverty, or

* Justin alludes to the appellations of the two Antonines, 'Pius' and Philosopher.' See Sect. 2,

That is, 'put us to death.' Compare Sections 2 and 60.

disease, or disgrace of their parents, so will every one who is wise reject that which right reason commands him to refuse.*

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14. Our teacher the Son and Apostle of God the Father and LORD of all things, even JESUS CHRIST, from whom also we have obtained the name of Christians, hath foretold to us that all these things would come to pass. Wherefore we cleave steadfastly to all things which were taught of him, since whatsoever he before declared should happen, hath indeed been ful, filled. For this is the work of GOD (only); to declare events before they happen; and manifestly to bring them to pass, even as they were predicted.

15. We might now rest satisfied with what hath been said, and add nothing more, in the full assurance that our demands are perfectly consistent with justice and truth. But being well aware that the mind, once held captive by ignorance, doth not without great difficulty change, in an instant, its whole train of thought, we have determined to add a few words, to persuade those who are really lovers of truth; for, although difficult, we are persuaded that it is not impossible, that a plain representation of the truth should be sufficient to dissipate error.

16. With respect to the charge of impiety: what man of consideration will not confess that this accusation is falsely alleged against us? since we worship the Creator of this Universe, declaring, as we have been taught, that he requires not sacrifices of blood, and libations, and incense; and praise him to the utmost of our power, with words of prayer and thanksgiving, for all things which we enjoy. For we have learned, that the only honor which is worthy of him is, not to consume with fire what he hath given to us for our nourishment, but to distribute them to ourselves and to those

Children inherit the property of their parents, and they justly claim it as their right. But no one requires to succeed to the poverty, or disease, or disgrace of his parent. In like manner, although established prejudices may have descended to us, we shall exercise our own judgment upon them: we shall consider whether right reason declares them to be part of the wealth, or of the weakness of antiquity: and accordingly accept or reject them.

* Heb. iii. 1.

who have need: and that our thankfulness to him is best expressed, by the solemn offering of prayers and hymns. Moreover we pour forth our praises for our creation, and every provision for our well-being; for the various qualities of all creatures, and the changes of seasons; and (for the hope) of rising again in corruption, through faith which is in him. Again we have learned, that he who taught us these things, and for this end was born, even JESUS CHRIST, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea, in the time of Tiberius Cæsar, was the Son of Him who is truly GOD, and we esteem him in the second place. And that we with reason honor the prophetic Spirit, in the third place, we shall hereafter show. For upon this point they accuse us of madness, saying that we give the second place after the unchangeable and eternal GOD, the Creator of all things, to a man who was crucified; (and this they do) being ignorant of the mystery which is in this matter; to which we exhort you to take heed while we explain it.d

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17. For we have forewarned you to beware, lest those demons, whom we have before accused, should deceive you, and prevent you from reading and understanding what we say. For they strive to retain you as their slaves and servants, and sometimes by revelations in dreams, and at other times again by magical tricks, enslave those who strive not at all for their own salvation. In like manner as we also, since we have been obedient to the Word, abstain from such things, and, through the Son, follow the only unbegotten GOD. We, who once delighted in fornication, now embrace chastity only we, who once used magical arts, have consecrated ourselves to the good and unbegotten GOD: we, who loved above all things the gain of money and possessions, now bring all that we have into one common stock, and give a part to every one that needs : we, who hated and killed one another, and permitted not those of another nation, on account of their different

The true reading

• Compare Sect. 6.

probably αἰνέσεις, not αἰτήσεις.

d Justin here digresses after his usual manner, and does not resume his argument till Sect. 31.

customs, to live with us under the same roof, now, since the appearing of CHRIST, live at the same table, and pray for our enemies, and endeavor to persuade those who unjustly hate us; that they also, living after the excellent institutions of CHRIST, may have good hope with us to obtain the same blessings, with GoD the LORD of all.

e

18. And, that we may not seem to deceive you, we think it right to remind you of some few of the doctrines which we have received from CHRIST himself, before we proceed to the proof (which we have promised) and be it your care, as powerful princes, to inquire whether in truth we have thus been taught and teach. His words were short and concise; for he was no sophist, but his word was the power of God. With respect, then, to chastity, he spake thus: "Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery in his heart before God." And If thy right eye offend thee, cut it out; for it is profitable for thee to enter into the kingdom of heaven with one eye, rather than with the two, to be sent into everlasting fire." And, "Whosoever marrieth a 62 wife that is put away from another man, committeth adultery:" and, "There are some, which were made eunuchs of men: and there are some which were born eunuchs; and there are some which have made themselves eunuchs, for the kingdom of heaven's sake: but all receive not this."! Hence they who, under the sanction of human laws, marry again, and they who look on a woman to lust after her, are sinners in the sight of our master. For not only he, who is an adulterer in fact, is cast out by him, but he who wishes to commit adultery: since not only the deeds but the very desires are manifest to GOD. Nay many, both men and women, of the age of sixty and seventy years, who have been disciples of CHRIST from their youth,

• ὡς δυνατῶν βασιλέων. Η. STEPHANUS proposes to read ὡς δὴ συνετῶν Baciléwv, "as wise princes."

f 1 Cor. i. 24.

Matt. v. 28.

h Justin has ἔκκοψον αυτον – the word ἔκκοψον being taken from the following verse, for ἔξελε.

i Matt. v. 29.

Mark ix. 47.

Matt. v. 32.

Luke xvi. 18.

Matt. xix. 11, 12.

continue in immaculate virginity; and it is my boast to be able to display such before the whole human race. For why should we mention also the innumerable multitude of those, who have been converted from a life of incontinence, and learned these precepts? *For CHRIST called not the righteous nor the chaste to repentance, but the ungodly, and the incontinent, and the unjust. For thus he said; "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. For our heavenly Father prefers the repentance of a sinner to his punishment.

19. Again, concerning the love of all men he thus taught: "If ye love those who love you, what new thing do ye? for even the fornicators also do the same. But I say unto you, Pray for your enemies, and love those that hate you, and bless those that curse you; and pray for those that despitefully use you." And that we should give to them that are in need, and do nothing for the sake of vain-glory, he thus said; "Give to every one that asketh of you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not ye away :" "For if ye lend to them from whom ye hope to receive, what new thing do ye? for even the publicans do the same." "But lay not ye up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through but lay up for yourselves treasures in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.", "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall he give in exchange for it ?"r Lay up therefore treasure in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt." And, "Be ye good and merciful, as your Father also is good and merciful; and maketh his sun to rise upon the sinners, and the righteous, and the wicked.". "Take no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall put on: are ye not better than the fowls and the beasts? Yet GOD feedeth them. Therefore take no thought, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall put on;

m Matt. ix. 13.

"Matt. v. 44, 46.

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Luke v. 32.

Luke vi. 27, 28, 32.

• Matt. v. 42. Luke vi. 30.

a Matt. vi. 19, 20.

Luke vi. 35, 36. Matt. v. 45.

P Luke vi. 34.
Luke ix. 25.

Matt. xvi. 26.

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