Section 293
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262 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. turn again, nor could the brethren learn any thing of him any more, though frequent search was made for him. They neither found them nor their bodies, but many were carried off as slaves by the barbarous Saracens, to the same mountains. Some of these were ransomed with difficulty, others not even to the pre sent day. And these facts, I have stated brethren, not without an object, but that thou mayest see how great and terrible dis tresses have befallen us. Of which, indeed, they who have been most tried, also understand the most." Then, after a few re marks, he observes : " But these same martyrs, who are now sit ting with Christ, and are the sharers in his kingdom, and the partners in his judgment, and who are now judging with him, re ceived those of the brethren that fell away, and had been con victed of sacrificing, (to idols,) and when they saw their conver sion and repentance, and that it might be acceptable to him who doth not by any means wish the death of the sinner so much as their repentance, and having proved them (as sincere) they re ceived and assembled with them. They also communicated with them in prayer and at their feasts. What then, brethren, do ye advise concerning these ? What should we do 1 Let us join in our sentiments with them, and let us observe their judg ment and their charity ; and let us kindly receive those who were treated with such compassion by them. Or should we rather pronounce their judgment unjust, and set ourselves up as the judges of their opinion? And thus grieve the spirit of mildness, and overturn established order ?" These remarks were probably added by Dionysius when he spoke of those that had fallen away through weakness, during the persecution. Arabian mountain. He thinks that it was so called merely from its vicinity or contiguity to Arabia.