Section 184
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 153 should be his companion, she sent him what is called the bill of divorce, and was separated. This good and excellent hus band, however, who ought to have rejoiced that his wife, who had formerly delighted in debauchery and all manner of vice, had now ceased from those deeds in which she had formerly been wantonly engaged with servants and hirelings, and that she now wished him, also, to cease from doing the same things, would not do thus, when she left him, but he brought an accu sation against her, asserting that she was a Christian. And she delivered to you, the emperor, a petition, requesting that she might first be permitted to regulate her domestic affairs, and then, after the regulation of her affairs, she would make her defence in reference to the accusation. And this you granted. But he, who had formerly been the husband of the woman, not being able to say anything against her now, turned upon a certain Ptolemy, whom Urbicius had punished, and who had become her instructer in the principles of Christianity, in the following manner. He had persuaded the centurion to seize Ptolemy his friend, and cast him in prison, and to ask him only this, whether he was a Christian ? Ptolemy, who was a lover of truth, and averse to all deceit and falsehood, confessed himself a Christian ; in conse quence of which, he was cast into prison, and punished by the centurion in this way for a long time. At last, when the man came before Urbicius in like matter, only this one thing was asked, whether be was a Christian ? And as he was conscious of deriving every happiness and blessing from the doctrine of Christ, he again professed the principles of celestial virtue. — For he that denies that he is a Christian, either denies, be cause he despises, or because he is conscious that he is unworthy of this religion, and a stranger to its excellency ; and thus avoids the confession. Neither of these things can apply to the true Christian. Urbicius, however, having commanded him to be led forth, a certain Lucius, who was also a Christian, seeing the judgment so unjustly passed, says to Urbicius, " What charge is this, that you should punish one who is neither an adulterer, nor fornicator, nor a murderer, nor a thief, nor a robber ; nor con victed, indeed, of any crime, but simply confessing the name oJf U