Part 3
the universe has a Son ; who also, being the
first-begotten Word of God, is even God. And
of old He appeared in the shape of fire and in
the likeness of an angel to Moses and to the
other prophets ; but now in the times of your
reign,^ having, as we before said, become Man by a virgin, according to the counsel of the
Father, for the salvation of those who believe on Him, He endured both to be set at nought and
the Word of God is His Son, as we have before
to suffer, that by dying and rising again He might conquer death. And that which was said
said. And He is called .A.ngel and Apostle ; for He declares whatever we ought to know, and is sent forth to declare whatever is revealed ; as our Lord Himself says, " He that heareth Me, heareth Him that sent Me."* From the writings of Moses also this will be manifest ; for thus it is written in them, "And the Angel of God spake to Moses, in a flame of fire out of the bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of thy fathers ; go down into Egypt, and bring forth My people." s And if
out of the bush to Moses, " I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob, and the God of your fathers," ^
this signified that they, even though dead, are
yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ
Himself. For they were the first of all men to
busy themselves in the search after God ; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of
Jacob, as Moses wrote.
CHAP. LXIV, FURTHER MISREPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUTH.
yoi} wish to learn what follows, you can do so
From what has been already said, you can
Thirlby conjectures that Justin henf confused in his mind the histories of Moses and Jacob,
* Isa. i. 3. 3 Matt. xi. 27. * Luke X 16.
'' Isa. i. 3. 7 Matt. xi. 27. 8 [Rather, " of your empire."] 9 Ex. iii. 6.
5 Ex. iii. 6.
THE FIRST APOLOGY OF JUSTIN. 185
understand how the devils, in imitation of what was said l)y Moses, asserted that Proserpine was
by US deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a
the daughter of Jupiter, and instigated the peo-
ple to set up an image of her under the name
of Kore [Cora, i.e., the maiden or daughter] at
portion.
the springheads. For, as we wrote above,' Moses said, " In the beginning (jod made >the heaven and the earth. And the earth was with-
CHAP. LXVI. OF THE EUCHARIST. And this food is called among us 'Evxo.pKTTia^ [the Fucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are tnie, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remis-
out form and unfurnished : and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." In
imitation, therefore, of what is here said of the
Spirit of God moving on the waters, they said
sion of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so
that Proserpine [or Cora] was the daughter of
Jupiter.^ And in like manner also they craftily
living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these ; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salva-
feigned that Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter, not by sexual union, but, knowing that God conceived and made the world by the Word, they
say that Minerva is the first conception [eVfota] ; which we consider to be very absurd, bringing forward the form of the conception in a female
tion, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmu-
shape. And in like manner the actions of those
others who are called sons of Jupiter sufficiently condemn them.
tation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of
that Jesus who was made flesh.'' For the apos-
tles, in the memoirs composed by them, which
CHAP. LXV. — ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.
are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them ; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, " This do ye in remembrance of Me,^ this is My body
But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and htis assented to our
teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order
; " and that, after the same manner, hav-
ing taken the cup and given thanks, He said, " This is My blood ; " and gave it to them alonej Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you
that we may offer hearty prayers in common for
ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] per-
son, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned
the truth, by our works also to be found good
citizens and keepers of the commandments, so
that we may be saved with an everlasting salva-
either know or can learn.
tion. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss.^ There is then brought to
CHAP. LXVII. WEEKLY WORSHIP OF THE CHRIS-
the president of the brethren • bread and a cup of wine mixed with water ; and he taking them,
TIANS. And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among
gives praise and glory to the Father of the uni-
verse, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has con( hided the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people ])resent express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to yeVotro [so be it]. Antl when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called
us help the needy ; and we always keep together ; and for all things wherewith we are sup-
plied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son
s Literally, thanksgiving. See Matt. xxvi. 27.
f" This passage is claimed alike by Calvinists, Lutherans, and Romanists: and, indeed, the language is so inexact, that each parly may plausibly maiat.iin that their own opinion i» advocated by it. [But the same might he said of the words of our Lord himself: and, if such widely scpar.ued Christians can all adopt this jiassage, who can be sorry?] The expression, " the prayer of His word," or of the word we have from Him, seems to signify the prayer pronoimced over the elements, in imitation of our Lord's thanksgiving before breaking the bread. [I must dissent from the opinion thai the language is " inexact: " he expresses him.sclf naturally as one who be-
' Chap. lix.
^ Anil therefore caused her to preside over the waters, as above.
lieves it is bread, but yet not " conunon bread." So Gela>ius, lii.-hop of Rome (.\ u. 490.), " liy tlie sacraments we are m.ade partakers of the divine nature, and yet the substance and nature of bread and wine do not cease to be in them," etc. (See the original in H.'ig-
3 The kiss of charity, tlie kiss of peace, or "the peace" (r;
fipiii'v), was enjoiiiod by the Apostle Paul in his Epistles to the Corinthians, Thessalonians, and Romans, and thence passed into a common Christian usage. It was continued in the Western Church, inider re<;nlations to prevent its abuse, until the thirteenth century. .Stanley rem.uks {Coriiit/u'aiis, i. 414), " It is still continued in the worship of die Coptic Church."
hti Ill's Antiquities, book xv cap. 5. See Chr\sost., F./>ist. mi. Ctesnri-iiin, torn. iii. p. 753. Ed. Migne.) Those desirous to pursue
this inquiry will fuid the Patristic authorities in Historia Trc.iisnb-
stiiutioiiis /'ii/>iilis, etc., iuiiitit K. Meyrick, Oxford, 185S. The famous tractate Oi Ratranin (a.d. 840) was published at Oxford, iSjS, with the homily of itlfric (A.u. 960) in a cheap edition.]
* tS) irpoeffTioTi Toil' a5eA<(>uii'i This expression may quite legiti-
111 itoly be translated, " to that one of the brethren who was presid-
7 Luke xxii. 19.
i86 THE FIRST APOLOGY OF JUSTIN.
Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And
Adrian's epistle, that you may know that we are speaking truly about this. And the following is the copy : —
Uoti the day called Sunday,' all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, aS' long as time permits ; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the
EPISTLE OF ADRIAN" IN BEJHALF OF THE
CHRISTIANS.
I have received the letter addressed to me by your predecessor Serenius Granianus, a most
imitation of these good things. Then we all
illustrious man ; and this communication I am unwilling to pass over in silence, lest innocent persons be disturbed, and occasion be given to the informers for practising villany. Accord-
rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according
to his ability,^ and the people assent, saying Am^n ; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given,^ and to those who are absent a por-
ingly, if the inhabitants of your province will so
fixr sustain this petition of theirs as to accuse the Christians in some court of law, I do not pro-
hibit them from doing so. But I will not suffer them to make use of mere entreaties and out-
tion is sent by the deacons. And they who are
well to do, and willing, give what each thinks
cries. For it is far more just, if any one desires
to make an accusation, that you give judgment upon it. If, therefore, any one makes the accu-
fit ; and what is collected is deposited with the
president, who succours the orphans and widows, and those who, through sickness or any other
sation, and furnishes proof that the said men do anything contrary to the laws, you shall adjudge punishments in proportion to the offences. And
cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. . But Sunday is the day on which we all holcT our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world ; and
this, by Hercules, you shall give special heed to,
that if any man shall, through mere calumny, bring an accusation against any of these persons, you shall award to him more severe punishments
in proportion to his wickedness.
Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead.j For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday) ; and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and dis-
EPISTLE OF ANTONINUS TO THE COMMON
ASSEMBLY OF ASIA.s
The Emperor Caesar Titus ^lius Adrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Supreme Pontiff, in the
ciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.
fifteenth year of his tribuneship, Consul for the
third time, Father of the fatherland, to the Common Assembly of Asia, greeting : I should have thought that the gods themselves would see to it
CHAP. LXVIII. CONCLUSION. And if tliese things seem to you to be reason-
that such offenders should not escape. For if
they had the power, they themselves would much
able and true, honour them ; but if they seem
rather punish those who refuse to worship them ; but it is you who bring trouble on these persons, and accuse as the opinion of atheists that which
nonsensical, despise them as nonsense, and do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies. For we forewarn you, that you shall not escape the coming judgment of God, if you continue in your injustice ; and we ourselves will invite you
they hold, and lay to their charge certain other
things which we are unable to prove. But it would be advantageous to them that they should be thought to die for that of which they are ac-
to do that which is pleasing to God. And though from the letter of the greatest and most
cused, and they conquer you by being lavish of
illustrious Emperor Adrian, your father, we could demand that you order judgment to be given as we have desired, yet we have made this appeal and explanation, not on the ground of Adrian's
their lives rather than yield that obedience which you require of them. And regarding the earthquakes which have already happened and are now occurring, it is not seemly that you remind
decision, but because we know that what we ask
us of them, losing heart whenever they occur, and thus set your conduct in contrast with that
is just. And we have subjoined the copy of
of these men ; for they have much greater confidence towards God than you yourselves have. And you, indeed, seem at such times to ignore
^ rrj ToO *IiAtou AeyOjuei'T^ yjuepo.
2 6<rr) SiivafiK; aiiTw, — a phrase over which there has been much contention, but which seems to admit of no other meaning than that given above. [No need of any " contention." Langus renders, Pra viriii sud, and Grabe ilUislrales by reference to Apost. Const., Ub.
the gods, and you neglect the temples, and make
viii. cap. 12. Our own learned translators render the same phra.se
(cap. xiii., above) " to the utmost of our power." Some say this favours extemporary prayers, and others object. Oh I what matter either way ? We all sing hymns, " according to our ability."] * Or, of the eucharistic elements.
Addressed to Minucius Fundanus. [Generally credited as genuine. ] 5 [Regarded as spurious.]
THE FIRST APOLOGY OF JUSTIN. 187
no recognition of the worship of God. And hence you are jealous of those who do serve Him, and persecute them to the death. Concerning
science. For having cast themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me, but also
for the whole army as it stood, that they might be delivered from the present thirst and famine. For during five days we had got no water, because there was none ; for we were in the heart of Germany, and in the enemy's territory. And simultaneously with their casting themselves on the ground, and praying to God (a Ciod of whom
such persons, some others also of the governors
of provinces wrote to my most divine father ; to whom he replied that they should not at all dis-
turb such persons, unless they were found to be
attempting anything against the Roman government. And to myself many have sent intima-
tions regarding such persons, to whom I also
I am ignorant), water poured from heaven, upon us most refreshingly cool, but upon the enemies of Rome a withering ^ hail. And nnmediately we recognised the presence of God following on the prayer— a God unconcjuerable and indestruc-
replied in pursuance of my father's judgment. But if any one has a matter to bring against any person of this class, merely as such a person,' let
the accused be acquitted of the charge, even though he should be found to be such an one
tible. Founding upon this, then, let us pardon such as are Christians, lest they pray for and obtain such a weapon against ourselves. And I counsel that no such person be accused on the ground of his being a Christian. But if any one be found laying to the charge of a Christian that he is a Christian, I desire that it be made mani-
but let the accuser he amenable to justice.
EPISTLE OF MARCUS AURELIUS TO THE SENATE, IN WHICH HE TESTIFIES THAT THE CHRISTIANS WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS VICTORY.^
fest that he who is accused as a Christian, and acknowledges that he is one, is accused of nothing
The Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoni-
nus, Germanicus, Parthicus, Sarmaticus, to the People of Rome, and to the sacred Senate,
else than only this, that he is a Christian ; but
greeting : I explained to you my grand design, and what advantages I gained on the confines of Germany, with much labour and suffering, in consequence of the circumstance that I was surrounded by the enemy ; I myself being shut up
that he who arraigns him be burned alive. And
I further desire, that he who is entrusted with the government of the province shall not compel the Christian, who confesses and certifies such a matter, to retract ; neither shall he commit him. And I desire that these things be confirmed by a decree of the Senate. And I command this my edict to be published in the Forum of Trajan,
in Carnuntum by seventy-four cohorts, nine miles
off. And the enemy being at hand, the scouts pointed out to us, and our general Pompeianus showed us that there was close on us a mass of a mixed multitude of 977,000 men, which indeed we saw ; and I was shut up by this vast host, having with me only a battalion composed of the
in order that it may be read. The prefect Vi-
trasius PoUio will see that it be transmitted to all the provinces round about, and that no one who wishes to make use of or to possess it be hindered from obtaining a copy from the document
first, tenth, double and marine legions. Having then examined my own position, and my host, with
I now publish.
respect to the vast mass of barbarians and of
the enemy, I quickly betook myself to prayer to
3 Literally, " fiery."
[Note I. (See capp. xxvi. and Ivi.) In 1851 I recognised this stone in the Vatican, and read it with emotion. 1 copied it, as follows " Semoni
the gods of ni}' country. But being disregarded by them, I summoned those who among us go by the name of Christians. And having made
Sanco Deo KiDio
inquiry, I discovered a great number and vast
Sacrvm Sex. Pompeius. S. P. F. Col. Mussianvs. QtHNQrENNAUS DeCUR BidEXTALIS PoNf.M DEDIT." The explanation is possibly this: Simon Mugus was actually recognised as the God SVwo. just as Barnabas and Paul were supposed to be Zeus and Hermes (Acts xiv. 12.), and were offered divine honours accordingly. Or the Samaritans may so have informed Justin on their understanding of this inscription, and with pride in the success of their countryman (Acts viii. 10) , whom they had recognised " as the great power of God." See OrcUi (No. i860), /inc., vol. i. 337. Note II. (The Thundering Legion.) The bas-relief on the column of Antonine, in Rome, is a very striking complement of the story, but an answer to prayer is not a miracle. 1 simply transcribe from the .American Translation of Alzog's Uiii7't;>'sni Vhiifch Histo>-y the references there given to the Lrgio Fuliisinatrix : '' Tertull., .Apol. cap. 5; .'\d Scap., cap. 4; Enseb, v 5; Greg. Nyss. Or., n in ^lartyr. ; Oros., vii. 15-, Dio. Cass. Epit. : Xiphilin., lib. Ixxi. cap. 8; Jul. Capitol, in Ware. Antonin., cap. 24."]
host of them, and raged against them, which was by no means becoming; for afterwards I learned
their power. Wherefore they began the battle, not by i)reparing weapons, nor arms, nor bugles ; for such preparation is hateful to them, on account of the God they bear about in their con-
science. Therefore it is probable that those wliom we suppose to be atheists, have God as
their ruling power entrenched in their con-
' That is. if nny one accuses a Christian merely on the ground of his being a Christian.
^ [Spurious, no doubt; but the literature of the subject is very rich. See text and notes, Milman's Gibbon, vol. ii. 46.