7. But it may be urged, that some have already been taken crisis of
Christians ought not to be punished as such.
every one who wishes to learn as we are tau<iht ourAhol. selves.
^' 7.8.
7. But it may be urged, that some have already been taken crisis of and convicted as criminals.
Many, no doubt, and often, you' condemn, whenever you enquire into the life of each of the accused, but you never condemn these as criminals because of those spoken of above «; and this we confess, that as among the Greeks, those who hold doctrines according to cniiiinality. their own pleasure, are all called by the one name of philosopher, although their opinions be contrary ; so with the Barbarians, both those who are, and those who only pass for being wise, have this common name bestowed on them, for they are all called Christians ; hence, we entreat, that all who are accused by you, may be judged for their actions, in order that whoever is convicted may suffer as an evil doer, but not as a Christian ; but if he be proved innocent, that he may be dismissed as a Christian who has done no wron^^^ for we do not wish you to punish our accusers, since they are sufficiently punished by their present wickedness, and ignorance of what is right.
8. And do you consider, that we say this for your good. ChrisFor it is in our power when examined to deny our faith, ^o^^fess but we are not desirous of living by the utterance of a falsetheir re- '^'°"* hood; for, possessed with the desire of a life of eternal duration and purity, and striving for that abode which is above, with God the Father and Maker of all things, we even hasten to confess our faith, persuaded and convinced as we are that they who have shewn before God by their works that they are followers of Him, and lovers of the life that is with Him, where there is no evil to oppose, may obtain these rewards.
Briefly then, what we look for, and have learnt from Christ, and what we teach, is as follows ; Plato said to the same effect, that Rhadamanthus and Minos would punish the wicked when they came to them
; we say that the same thing will take place; but that the Judge will be Christ, and that their souls will be united to the same , bodies, and will undergo an eternal punishment ; and not, / as he said, a period of a thousand years only.
And if any c irpoAex^eWas.
But we should protK^yx^ivTas, those before convicted. bably read as Hgh. conjectures, irpo-