5. But if the idea should occur to any one, that, if we
CO MaUgnUy of Crescens.
Christians fear not, nor seek death.
Just, thus that he may not be suspected of being a Christian ; he J j is far more base and utterly ' depraved, as being a slave to * v-npos popular and senseless opinion and fear.
For I wish you to know^, that 1 proposed and asked him certain questions of [this kind] both to ascertain, and to prove, that he really knows nothing, and that T speak truth.
If these disputations have not been reported to jou, I am ready to repeat my questions again even in your presence, and it would even be
_^a deed worthy of you as Emperors.
But, if my questions C and his answers are known to you, you must see that he knows nothing of our customs, or, if he knows them, that he does not dare to speak of them as Socrates would have done, through fear of his hearers: proving himself not a ^ 'pi\6- ^lover of Wisdom, as I have already said, but a lover of r^^j.
^vainglory, who values not that admirable saying of Socrates, ^o^os that no man should be honoured before the truth; but it is impossible for a Cynic, who asserts the End to be indifferent,
(^ to know any good but indifference.
Why '
But, lest any one should say to us. Do you all then tians^'do destroy yourselves, and go at once to God, and give us no not kill trouble !
I will tell you why we do not so ; and why, when selves, we are interrogated, we fearlessly confess.
We have been taught that God made not the world for nothing, but for the human race; and we have said that He takes pleasure in those who imitate His own perfections, and is displeased with those who prefer evil, whether in word or in deed.
If then we should all destroy ourselves, we are the cause, as far as in us lies, why no one would be born and instructed in the doctrines of God : or even that the human race should cease to exist; and if we act thus, even we ourselves do what is contrary to the will of God.
But, when we are interrogated, we do not deny, because we are conscious of nothing evil in ourselves, but account it wicked not in all things to speak the truth, which we also know to be pleasing to God ; and we also now desire to disabuse you of an unfair prejudice.
5. But if the idea should occur to any one, that, if we confess God to be our helper, we should not, as we say, be mastered and persecuted by the wicked''*;
I will answer this * Ben. cites Clem.
Al.
Strom, iv. when persecuted?'
'Why, they say, are ye not helped