The story of our Christianity; an account of the struggles, persecutions, wars, and victories of Christians of all times . ny of all ages, both sexes,and every rank, are or will be has the contagion of this supersti-tion seized cities only, but the smallertowns too, and the open country. Still,it seems to me that it may be restrainedand corrected. It is certain that thetemples, which were almost forsaken,begin to be more frequented, and thesacred solemnities, after a long inter-mission, are revived. Victims likewise[for the pagan sacrifices] are every-where bought up, whereas for s
The story of our Christianity; an account of the struggles, persecutions, wars, and victories of Christians of all times . ny of all ages, both sexes,and every rank, are or will be has the contagion of this supersti-tion seized cities only, but the smallertowns too, and the open country. Still,it seems to me that it may be restrainedand corrected. It is certain that thetemples, which were almost forsaken,begin to be more frequented, and thesacred solemnities, after a long inter-mission, are revived. Victims likewise[for the pagan sacrifices] are every-where bought up, whereas for some timethere were few purchasers. Whence itis easy to imagine that numbers mightbe reclaimed, if pardon were granted tothose who shall repent. Trajans answer was in thesewords: You have taken the rightmethod, my Pliny, in your proceedingswith those who have been brought be-fore you as Christians ; for it is im-possible to lay down any one rule thatshall hold universally. They are notto be sought for. If any are broughtbefore you, and are convicted, they oughtstreet scene in antioch to he punished. But he that denies. THE STORY OF OUR CHRISTIANITY. 89 being a Christian,.and makes it evident by offering supplications to our gods,though he be suspected to have been so formerly, let him be pardoned uponrepentance. But in no case, of any offense whatever, accept an unsigned accu-sation ; for that would be a dangerous precedent, and unworthy of my govern-ment. Tertullianmakes a sharppoint againstthis decision : O sentenceof a confusednecessity! Asinnocent, hewould nothave them tobe sought for;and 3^et hecauses themto be punishedas guilty! That is, ifChristianitywere a crime,its adherentsought to besearched outlike any othercriminals: ifnot, why pun-ish them atall? But Tra-jans coolstatemanshipwas not con-cerned aboutthe logic ofthe did notcare to draw increased attention to the new sect by undue inquiry; but when cases wereproperly brought before the tribunals, the law mus
Size: 1055px × 2368px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectchurchhistory, bookye
