Note:ThefalseJosephusisaromancerofverymoderndate，thoughsomeoftheselegendsareprobablymoreancient。ItmaybeworthconsideringwhethermanyofthestoriesintheTalmudarenothistoryinafigurativedisguise，adoptedfromprudence。
TheJewsmightdaretosaymanythingsofRome，underthesignificantappellationofEdom，whichtheyfearedtoutterpublicly。Laterandmoreignorantagestookliterally，andperhapsembellished，whatwasintelligibleamongthegenerationtowhichitwasaddressed。Hist。ofJews，iii。131。
ThefalseJosephushastheinaugurationoftheemperor，withthesevenelectorsandapparentlythepopeassistingatthecoronation!Pref。pagexxvi。—M。]
SincetheJews，whorejectedwithabhorrencethedeitiesadoredbytheirsovereignandbytheirfellow—subjects，enjoyed，however，thefreeexerciseoftheirunsocialreligion，theremusthaveexistedsomeothercause，whichexposedthedisciplesofChristtothoseseveritiesfromwhichtheposterityofAbrahamwasexempt。Thedifferencebetweenthemissimpleandobvious；
but，accordingtothesentimentsofantiquity，itwasofthehighestimportance。TheJewswereanation；theChristianswereasect:andifitwasnaturalforeverycommunitytorespectthesacredinstitutionsoftheirneighbors，itwasincumbentonthemtopersevereinthoseoftheirancestors。Thevoiceoforacles，thepreceptsofphilosophers，andtheauthorityofthelaws，unanimouslyenforcedthisnationalobligation。BytheirloftyclaimofsuperiorsanctitytheJewsmightprovokethePolytheiststoconsiderthemasanodiousandimpurerace。Bydisdainingtheintercourseofothernations，theymightdeservetheircontempt。
ThelawsofMosesmightbeforthemostpartfrivolousorabsurd；
yet，sincetheyhadbeenreceivedduringmanyagesbyalargesociety，hisfollowerswerejustifiedbytheexampleofmankind；
anditwasuniversallyacknowledged，thattheyhadarighttopractisewhatitwouldhavebeencriminalinthemtoneglect。
Butthisprinciple，whichprotectedtheJewishsynagogue，affordednotanyfavororsecuritytotheprimitivechurch。Byembracingthefaithofthegospel，theChristiansincurredthesupposedguiltofanunnaturalandunpardonableoffence。Theydissolvedthesacredtiesofcustomandeducation，violatedthereligiousinstitutionsoftheircountry，andpresumptuouslydespisedwhatevertheirfathershadbelievedastrue，orhadreverencedassacred。Norwasthisapostasyifwemayusetheexpressionmerelyofapartialorlocalkind；sincethepiousdeserterwhowithdrewhimselffromthetemplesofEgyptorSyria，wouldequallydisdaintoseekanasyluminthoseofAthensorCarthage。EveryChristianrejectedwithcontemptthesuperstitionsofhisfamily，hiscity，andhisprovince。ThewholebodyofChristiansunanimouslyrefusedtoholdanycommunionwiththegodsofRome，oftheempire，andofmankind。
Itwasinvainthattheoppressedbelieverassertedtheinalienablerightsofconscienceandprivatejudgment。Thoughhissituationmightexcitethepity，hisargumentscouldneverreachtheunderstanding，eitherofthephilosophicorofthebelievingpartofthePaganworld。Totheirapprehensions，itwasnolessamatterofsurprise，thatanyindividualsshouldentertainscruplesagainstcomplyingwiththeestablishedmodeofworship，thaniftheyhadconceivedasuddenabhorrencetothemanners，thedress，orthelanguageoftheirnativecountry。^8
[Footnote8:FromtheargumentsofCelsus，astheyarerepresentedandrefutedbyOrigen，l。v。p。247—259，wemayclearlydiscoverthedistinctionthatwasmadebetweentheJewishpeopleandtheChristiansect。See，intheDialogueofMinuciusFelix，c。5，6，afairandnotinelegantdescriptionofthepopularsentiments，withregardtothedesertionoftheestablishedworship。]
[Footnote*:Inallthisthereisdoubtlessmuchtruth；yetdoesnotthemoreimportantdifferencelieonthesurface?TheChristiansmademanyconvertstheJewsbutfew。HadtheJewishbeenequallyaproselytingreligionwoulditnothaveencounteredasviolentpersecution?—M。]
ThesurpriseofthePaganswassoonsucceededbyresentment；
andthemostpiousofmenwereexposedtotheunjustbutdangerousimputationofimpiety。MaliceandprejudiceconcurredinrepresentingtheChristiansasasocietyofatheists，who，bythemostdaringattackonthereligiousconstitutionoftheempire，hadmeritedtheseverestanimadversionofthecivilmagistrate。Theyhadseparatedthemselvestheygloriedintheconfessionfromeverymodeofsuperstitionwhichwasreceivedinanypartoftheglobebythevarioustemperofpolytheism:butitwasnotaltogethersoevidentwhatdeity，orwhatformofworship，theyhadsubstitutedtothegodsandtemplesofantiquity。ThepureandsublimeideawhichtheyentertainedoftheSupremeBeingescapedthegrossconceptionofthePaganmultitude，whowereatalosstodiscoveraspiritualandsolitaryGod，thatwasneitherrepresentedunderanycorporealfigureorvisiblesymbol，norwasadoredwiththeaccustomedpompoflibationsandfestivals，ofaltarsandsacrifices。^9ThesagesofGreeceandRome，whohadelevatedtheirmindstothecontemplationoftheexistenceandattributesoftheFirstCause，wereinducedbyreasonorbyvanitytoreserveforthemselvesandtheirchosendisciplestheprivilegeofthisphilosophicaldevotion。^10Theywerefarfromadmittingtheprejudicesofmankindasthestandardoftruth，buttheyconsideredthemasflowingfromtheoriginaldispositionofhumannature；andtheysupposedthatanypopularmodeoffaithandworshipwhichpresumedtodisclaimtheassistanceofthesenses，would，inproportionasitrecededfromsuperstition，finditselfincapableofrestrainingthewanderingsofthefancy，andthevisionsoffanaticism。ThecarelessglancewhichmenofwitandlearningcondescendedtocastontheChristianrevelation，servedonlytoconfirmtheirhastyopinion，andtopersuadethemthattheprinciple，whichtheymighthaverevered，oftheDivineUnity，wasdefacedbythewildenthusiasm，andannihilatedbytheairyspeculations，ofthenewsectaries。Theauthorofacelebrateddialogue，whichhasbeenattributedtoLucian，whilstheaffectstotreatthemysterioussubjectoftheTrinityinastyleofridiculeandcontempt，betrayshisownignoranceoftheweaknessofhumanreason，andoftheinscrutablenatureofthedivineperfections。^11
[Footnote9:Curnullasarashabent?templanulla?nullanotasimulacra!—Undeautem，velquisille，autubi，Deusunicus，solitarius，destitutus?MinuciusFelix，c。10。ThePaganinterlocutorgoesontomakeadistinctioninfavoroftheJews，whohadonceatemple，altars，victims，&c。]
[Footnote10:ItisdifficultsaysPlatotoattain，anddangeroustopublish，theknowledgeofthetrueGod。SeetheTheologiedesPhilosophes，intheAbbed\'Olivet\'sFrenchtranslationofTullydeNaturaDeorum，tom。i。p。275。]
[Footnote11:TheauthorofthePhilopatrisperpetuallytreatstheChristiansasacompanyofdreamingenthusiasts，&c。；andinoneplacehemanifestlyalludestothevisioninwhichSt。Paulwastransportedtothethirdheaven。Inanotherplace，Triephon，whopersonatesaChristian，afterderidingthegodsofPaganism，proposesamysteriousoath。]
Itmightappearlesssurprising，thatthefounderofChristianityshouldnotonlybereveredbyhisdisciplesasasageandaprophet，butthatheshouldbeadoredasaGod。ThePolytheistsweredisposedtoadopteveryarticleoffaith，whichseemedtoofferanyresemblance，howeverdistantorimperfect，withthepopularmythology；andthelegendsofBacchus，ofHercules，andofAesculapius，had，insomemeasure，preparedtheirimaginationfortheappearanceoftheSonofGodunderahumanform。^12ButtheywereastonishedthattheChristiansshouldabandonthetemplesofthoseancientheroes，who，intheinfancyoftheworld，hadinventedarts，institutedlaws，andvanquishedthetyrantsormonsterswhoinfestedtheearth，inordertochoosefortheexclusiveobjectoftheirreligiousworshipanobscureteacher，who，inarecentage，andamongabarbarouspeople，hadfallenasacrificeeithertothemaliceofhisowncountrymen，ortothejealousyoftheRomangovernment。
ThePaganmultitude，reservingtheirgratitudefortemporalbenefitsalone，rejectedtheinestimablepresentoflifeandimmortality，whichwasofferedtomankindbyJesusofNazareth。
Hismildconstancyinthemidstofcruelandvoluntarysufferings，hisuniversalbenevolence，andthesublimesimplicityofhisactionsandcharacter，wereinsufficient，intheopinionofthosecarnalmen，tocompensateforthewantoffame，ofempire，andofsuccess；andwhilsttheyrefusedtoacknowledgehisstupendoustriumphoverthepowersofdarknessandofthegrave，theymisrepresented，ortheyinsulted，theequivocalbirth，wanderinglife，andignominiousdeath，ofthedivineAuthorofChristianity。^13
[Footnote12:AccordingtoJustinMartyr，Apolog。Major，c。
70—85，thedaemonwhohadgainedsomeimperfectknowledgeoftheprophecies，purposelycontrivedthisresemblance，whichmightdeter，thoughbydifferentmeans，boththepeopleandthephilosophersfromembracingthefaithofChrist。]
[Footnote13:InthefirstandsecondbooksofOrigen，CelsustreatsthebirthandcharacterofourSaviorwiththemostimpiouscontempt。TheoratorLibaniuspraisesPorphyryandJulianforconfutingthefollyofasect。，whichstylesadeadmanofPalestine，God，andtheSonofGod。Socrates，Hist。
Ecclesiast。iii。23。]
ThepersonalguiltwhicheveryChristianhadcontracted，inthuspreferringhisprivatesentimenttothenationalreligion，wasaggravatedinaveryhighdegreebythenumberandunionofthecriminals。Itiswellknown，andhasbeenalreadyobserved，thatRomanpolicyviewedwiththeutmostjealousyanddistrustanyassociationamongitssubjects；andthattheprivilegesofprivatecorporations，thoughformedforthemostharmlessorbeneficialpurposes，werebestowedwithaverysparinghand。^14
ThereligiousassembliesoftheChristianswhohadseparatedthemselvesfromthepublicworship，appearedofamuchlessinnocentnature；theywereillegalintheirprinciple，andintheirconsequencesmightbecomedangerous；norweretheemperorsconsciousthattheyviolatedthelawsofjustice，when，forthepeaceofsociety，theyprohibitedthosesecretandsometimesnocturnalmeetings。^15ThepiousdisobedienceoftheChristiansmadetheirconduct，orperhapstheirdesigns，appearinamuchmoreseriousandcriminallight；andtheRomanprinces，whomightperhapshavesufferedthemselvestobedisarmedbyareadysubmission，deemingtheirhonorconcernedintheexecutionoftheircommands，sometimesattempted，byrigorouspunishments，tosubduethisindependentspirit，whichboldlyacknowledgedanauthoritysuperiortothatofthemagistrate。Theextentanddurationofthisspiritualconspiracyseemedtorenderiteverydaymoredeservingofhisanimadversion。WehavealreadyseenthattheactiveandsuccessfulzealoftheChristianshadinsensiblydiffusedthemthrougheveryprovinceandalmosteverycityoftheempire。Thenewconvertsseemedtorenouncetheirfamilyandcountry，thattheymightconnectthemselvesinanindissolublebandofunionwithapeculiarsociety，whicheverywhereassumedadifferentcharacterfromtherestofmankind。
Theirgloomyandaustereaspect，theirabhorrenceofthecommonbusinessandpleasuresoflife，andtheirfrequentpredictionsofimpendingcalamities，^16inspiredthePaganswiththeapprehensionofsomedanger，whichwouldarisefromthenewsect，themorealarmingasitwasthemoreobscure。\"Whatever，\"saysPliny，\"maybetheprincipleoftheirconduct，theirinflexibleobstinacyappeareddeservingofpunishment。\"^17
[Footnote14:TheemperorTrajanrefusedtoincorporateacompanyof150firemen，fortheuseofthecityofNicomedia。Hedislikedallassociations。SeePlin。Epist。x。42，43。]
[Footnote15:TheproconsulPlinyhadpublishedageneraledictagainstunlawfulmeetings。TheprudenceoftheChristianssuspendedtheirAgapae；butitwasimpossibleforthemtoomittheexerciseofpublicworship。]
[Footnote16:AsthepropheciesoftheAntichrist，approachingconflagration，&c。，provokedthosePaganswhomtheydidnotconvert，theywerementionedwithcautionandreserve；andtheMontanistswerecensuredfordisclosingtoofreelythedangeroussecret。SeeMosheim，413。]
[Footnote17:Nequeenimdubitabam，quodcunqueessetquodfaterentur，sucharethewordsofPliny，pervicaciancerteetinflexibilemobstinationemleberepuniri。]
TheprecautionswithwhichthedisciplesofChristperformedtheofficesofreligionwereatfirstdictatedbyfearandnecessity；buttheywerecontinuedfromchoice。ByimitatingtheawfulsecrecywhichreignedintheEleusinianmysteries，theChristianshadflatteredthemselvesthattheyshouldrendertheirsacredinstitutionsmorerespectableintheeyesofthePaganworld。^18Buttheevent，asitoftenhappenstotheoperationsofsubtilepolicy，deceivedtheirwishesandtheirexpectations。
Itwasconcluded，thattheyonlyconcealedwhattheywouldhaveblushedtodisclose。Theirmistakenprudenceaffordedanopportunityformalicetoinvent，andforsuspiciouscredulitytobelieve，thehorridtaleswhichdescribedtheChristiansasthemostwickedofhumankind，whopractisedintheirdarkrecesseseveryabominationthatadepravedfancycouldsuggest，andwhosolicitedthefavoroftheirunknownGodbythesacrificeofeverymoralvirtue。Thereweremanywhopretendedtoconfessortorelatetheceremoniesofthisabhorredsociety。Itwasasserted，\"thatanew—borninfant，entirelycoveredoverwithflour，waspresented，likesomemysticsymbolofinitiation，totheknifeoftheproselyte，whounknowinglyinflictedmanyasecretandmortalwoundontheinnocentvictimofhiserror；thatassoonasthecrueldeedwasperpetrated，thesectariesdrankuptheblood，greedilytoreasunderthequiveringmembers，andpledgedthemselvestoeternalsecrecy，byamutualconsciousnessofguilt。Itwasasconfidentlyaffirmed，thatthisinhumansacrificewassucceededbyasuitableentertainment，inwhichintemperanceservedasaprovocativetobrutallust；till，attheappointedmoment，thelightsweresuddenlyextinguished，shamewasbanished，naturewasforgotten；and，asaccidentmightdirect，thedarknessofthenightwaspollutedbytheincestuouscommerceofsistersandbrothers，ofsonsandofmothers。\"^19
[Footnote18:SeeMosheim\'sEcclesiasticalHistory，vol。i。p。
101，andSpanheim，RemarquessurlesCaesarsdeJulien，p。468，&c。]
[Footnote19:SeeJustinMartyr，Apolog。i。35，ii。14。
Athenagoras，inLegation，c。27。Tertullian，Apolog。c。7，8，9。
MinuciusFelix，c。9，10，80，31。Thelastofthesewritersrelatestheaccusationinthemostelegantandcircumstantialmanner。TheanswerofTertullianistheboldestandmostvigorous。]
Buttheperusaloftheancientapologieswassufficienttoremoveeventheslightestsuspicionfromthemindofacandidadversary。TheChristians，withtheintrepidsecurityofinnocence，appealfromthevoiceofrumortotheequityofthemagistrates。Theyacknowledge，thatifanyproofcanbeproducedofthecrimeswhichcalumnyhasimputedtothem，theyareworthyofthemostseverepunishment。Theyprovokethepunishment，andtheychallengetheproof。Atthesametimetheyurge，withequaltruthandpropriety，thatthechargeisnotlessdevoidofprobability，thanitisdestituteofevidence；theyask，whetheranyonecanseriouslybelievethatthepureandholypreceptsofthegospel，whichsofrequentlyrestraintheuseofthemostlawfulenjoyments，shouldinculcatethepracticeofthemostabominablecrimes；thatalargesocietyshouldresolvetodishonoritselfintheeyesofitsownmembers；andthatagreatnumberofpersonsofeithersex，andeveryageandcharacter，insensibletothefearofdeathorinfamy，shouldconsenttoviolatethoseprincipleswhichnatureandeducationhadimprintedmostdeeplyintheirminds。^20Nothing，itshouldseem，couldweakentheforceordestroytheeffectofsounanswerableajustification，unlessitweretheinjudiciousconductoftheapologiststhemselves，whobetrayedthecommoncauseofreligion，togratifytheirdevouthatredtothedomesticenemiesofthechurch。Itwassometimesfaintlyinsinuated，andsometimesboldlyasserted，thatthesamebloodysacrifices，andthesameincestuousfestivals，whichweresofalselyascribedtotheorthodoxbelievers，wereinrealitycelebratedbytheMarcionites，bytheCarpocratians，andbyseveralothersectsoftheGnostics，who，notwithstandingtheymightdeviateintothepathsofheresy，werestillactuatedbythesentimentsofmen，andstillgovernedbythepreceptsofChristianity。^21
Accusationsofasimilarkindwereretorteduponthechurchbytheschismaticswhohaddepartedfromitscommunion，^22anditwasconfessedonallsides，thatthemostscandalouslicentiousnessofmannersprevailedamonggreatnumbersofthosewhoaffectedthenameofChristians。APaganmagistrate，whopossessedneitherleisurenorabilitiestodiscernthealmostimperceptiblelinewhichdividestheorthodoxfaithfromhereticalpravity，mighteasilyhaveimaginedthattheirmutualanimosityhadextortedthediscoveryoftheircommonguilt。Itwasfortunatefortherepose，oratleastforthereputation，ofthefirstChristians，thatthemagistratessometimesproceededwithmoretemperandmoderationthanisusuallyconsistentwithreligiouszeal，andthattheyreported，astheimpartialresultoftheirjudicialinquiry，thatthesectaries，whohaddesertedtheestablishedworship，appearedtothemsincereintheirprofessions，andblamelessintheirmanners；howevertheymightincur，bytheirabsurdandexcessivesuperstition，thecensureofthelaws。^23
[Footnote20:InthepersecutionofLyons，someGentileslaveswerecompelled，bythefearoftortures，toaccusetheirChristianmaster。ThechurchofLyons，writingtotheirbrethrenofAsia，treatthehorridchargewithproperindignationandcontempt。Euseb。Hist。Eccles。v。i。]
[Footnote21:SeeJustinMartyr，Apolog。i。35。Irenaeusadv。
Haeres。i。24。Clemens。Alexandrin。Stromat。l。iii。p。438。
Euseb。iv。8。Itwouldbetediousanddisgustingtorelateallthatthesucceedingwritershaveimagined，allthatEpiphaniushasreceived，andallthatTillemonthascopied。M。deBeausobreHist。duManicheisme，l。ix。c。8，9hasexposed，withgreatspirit，thedisingenuousartsofAugustinandPopeLeoI。]
[Footnote22:WhenTertullianbecameaMontanist，heaspersedthemoralsofthechurchwhichhehadsoresolutelydefended。\"SedmajorisestAgape，quiaperhancadolescentestuicumsororibusdormiunt，appendicesscilicetgulaelasciviaetluxuria。\"DeJejuniisc。17。The85thcanonofthecouncilofIlliberisprovidesagainstthescandalswhichtoooftenpollutedthevigilsofthechurch，anddisgracedtheChristiannameintheeyesofunbelievers。]
[Footnote23:TertullianApolog。c。2expatiatesonthefairandhonorabletestimonyofPliny，withmuchreasonandsomedeclamation。]
ChapterXVI:ConductTowardsTheChristians，FromNeroToConstantine。