3. I also expect to be entrapped by some of those whom Justin
Execution of Ptolemceus, Lucius, and another.
centurion caused him to be put in bonds, and confined him Apol.
1 1 . 3. for a long time in the prison.
At last, when he came before Urbicus, he was likewise asked this same question only, If he were a Christian ?
And he again, knowing the blessings he had derived through the doctrine of Christ, confessed the school of divine virtue ; for he who denies any thing, either does so from condemning it; or, knowing himself to be unworthy of, and alien to it, avoids the confession of it none of which conditions apply to the true Christian.
And J when Urbicus commanded him to be led away to execution, a certain Lucius, who was also himself a Christian, seeing the decision that was thus unreasonably given, said to Urbicus, What is the reason of your punishing this man, who is neither an adulterer, nor a fornicator, nor a murderer, nor a thief, nor a robber, and who is not convicted of having committed any offence whatever, but who confesses himself to bear the name of a Christian ? You judge not, O Urbicus, in such a manner as becomes the Emperor Pius, or the Philosopher the son of Caesar, or the sacred Senate.
He gave no other reply to Lucius than merely this: You yourself also appear to me to be such an one ; and, when Lucius answered.
Certainly I am; he commanded him also, in return, to be led away.
He acknowledged it with thanks,^'" knowing that he would be liberated from such wicked masters, and would go to the Father, and King of the heavens.
And some other third person coming up, was in ^ like manner condemned to punishment.
I also expect to be entrapped by some of those whom Justin I have mentioned, and to be affixed to the stake, even J^P^fj^*^^ perhaps by Crescens, that lover of hioise and ^ boasting: fori ^^y^^, it is not fit to term the man a lover of ^ wisdom, who accuses |'<^4'o'^us in public of what he knows nothing of; as if Christians ^j^ttow. were Atheists, and wicked persons; acting thus to'^^^** gain the grace and favour of the deluded multitude.
For if he attacks us without studying the doctrines of Christ, he is utterly wicked, and far worse than the common people, who often take care not to speak about subjects they do not understand, and bear false witness.
Or, if he have read them, and have not understood the sublimity of their contents; or have understood it, and acts