crescens_n the_o cynic_n philosopher_n a_o man_n proud_a and_o ignorant_a and_o according_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o his_o sect_n ill-natured_a and_o implacable_a and_o as_o tatian_n who_o be_v very_o intimate_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o his_o manner_n describe_v he_o give_v up_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n now_o it_o happen_v that_o justin_n in_o public_a dispute_n have_v expose_v the_o extreme_a childishness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o this_o vainglorious_a pedant_n who_o to_o be_v revenge_v of_o he_o accuse_v he_o before_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o city_n who_o after_o he_o have_v in_o vain_a take_v some_o pain_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o renounce_v his_o saviour_n and_o to_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o god_n pronounce_v this_o sentence_n against_o he_o and_o six_o more_o they_o who_o refuse_v to_o do_v sacrifice_n to_o the_o god_n and_o to_o obey_v the_o imperial_a edict_n let_v they_o be_v first_o scourge_v and_o then_o behead_v according_a to_o the_o law_n the_o persecution_n at_o lion_n begin_v at_o the_o rabble_n as_o it_o be_v plain_o describe_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o that_o church_n to_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n in_o the_o first_o place_n say_v they_o they_o encounter_v with_o admirable_a courage_n and_o patience_n all_o the_o outrage_n and_o indignity_n of_o the_o promiscuous_a rabble_n as_o tumultuous_a outcry_n scourge_n dragging_n spoil_v ston_a and_o fetter_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o the_o heady_a and_o savage_a multitude_n be_v wont_a to_o practice_v against_o their_o most_o hate_a enemy_n and_o by_o they_o be_v they_o hale_v before_o the_o governor_n be_v tribunal_n and_o by_o he_o deliver_v back_o to_o their_o fury_n which_o they_o execute_v upon_o they_o with_o all_o the_o art_n and_o circumstance_n of_o fanatic_a zeal_n and_o barbarous_a cruelty_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o usual_a method_n to_o sacrifice_v the_o christian_n to_o the_o outrage_n of_o the_o superstitious_a rabble_n and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n any_o prince_n engage_v himself_o in_o the_o opposition_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v because_o that_o oppose_v the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o that_o be_v such_o a_o exorbitant_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o all_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o man_n can_v be_v in_o love_n with_o it_o after_o any_o fair_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n about_o it_o so_o that_o what_o such_o man_n act_v against_o christianity_n proceed_v not_o from_o any_o rational_a and_o sober_a counsel_n but_o mere_o from_o vulgar_a custom_n and_o prejudice_n and_o therefore_o if_o m._n aurelius_n or_o any_o other_o emperor_n that_o aught_o to_o have_v have_v more_o wit_n and_o temper_n than_o the_o common_a people_n show_v any_o zeal_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n their_o judgement_n be_v as_o little_a to_o be_v regard_v in_o this_o case_n as_o that_o of_o the_o multitude_n because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v act_v mere_o by_o superstitious_a zeal_n and_o folly_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v oppose_v christianity_n original_o upon_o its_o own_o account_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v have_v deserve_v some_o consideration_n but_o when_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o their_o displeasure_n against_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o their_o love_n of_o paganism_n the_o mere_a absurdity_n of_o that_o cause_n be_v too_o great_a a_o exception_n against_o their_o understanding_n in_o this_o controversy_n thus_o suppose_v that_o m._n aurelius_n himself_o be_v as_o forward_o as_o the_o people_n in_o his_o zeal_n against_o christianity_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v as_o wise_a too_o for_o whatever_o he_o be_v beside_o he_o be_v a_o great_a superstitionist_n and_o to_o a_o degree_n of_o stupidity_n zealous_a for_o the_o pagan_a folly_n out_o of_o that_o vain_a affectation_n that_o have_v possess_v he_o to_o be_v account_v the_o second_o numa_n of_o rome_n which_o one_o conceit_n transport_v he_o to_o a_o more_o than_o childish_a zeal_n for_o the_o old_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o decius_n and_o dioclesian_n in_o set_v on_o foot_n the_o eight_o and_o ten_o persecution_n to_o which_o they_o be_v hurry_v by_o a_o vehement_a and_o unlearned_a zeal_n for_o the_o pagan_a religion_n this_o in_o short_a be_v the_o true_a account_n that_o i_o can_v find_v of_o all_o the_o persecution_n by_o which_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o christianity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o oppose_v by_o its_o great_a enemy_n for_o any_o thing_n they_o have_v to_o object_v against_o itself_o as_o because_o it_o so_o shameful_o expose_v the_o bruitishness_n of_o their_o idolatry_n and_o yet_o as_o absurd_a as_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v the_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o their_o emperor_n be_v much_o worse_o for_o though_o their_o god_n be_v nothing_o better_a than_o dead_a man_n yet_o have_v live_v in_o age_n remote_a and_o almost_o unknown_a and_o thereby_o gain_v the_o advantageous_a reverence_n of_o antiquity_n the_o common_a people_n be_v not_o aware_a of_o their_o original_a but_o find_v they_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o their_o divinity_n they_o give_v they_o the_o worship_n due_a to_o that_o title_n but_o to_o give_v divine_a and_o religious_a worship_n to_o the_o roman_a emperor_n who_o death_n and_o who_o vice_n be_v so_o fresh_a in_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n be_v such_o a_o unmanly_a piece_n of_o flattery_n as_o any_o man_n that_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o generosity_n ought_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o but_o every_o man_n that_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o god_n or_o religion_n ought_v to_o defy_v and_o yet_o so_o infinite_o be_v those_o man_n besot_v with_o pride_n and_o insolence_n that_o they_o all_o have_v their_o temple_n and_o priest_n dedicate_v to_o their_o own_o divinity_n except_v only_a tiberius_n who_o be_v a_o great_a dissembler_n himself_o choose_v to_o refuse_v so_o gross_a a_o flattery_n and_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o permit_v his_o statue_n to_o be_v place_v among_o the_o image_n of_o the_o god_n but_o only_o among_o the_o ornament_n of_o private_a house_n but_o as_o for_o all_o the_o rest_n they_o either_o take_v to_o themselves_o all_o the_o title_n and_o dignity_n of_o divinity_n or_o have_v they_o confer_v on_o they_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o advance_v among_o the_o god_n all_o man_n be_v require_v under_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o pay_v they_o divine_a honour_n nay_o as_o tertullian_n too_o true_o upbraid_v they_o they_o be_v more_o religious_a towards_o their_o emperor_n than_o their_o supreme_a deity_n majore_fw-la formidine_fw-la &_o callidiore_fw-la timiditate_fw-la caesarem_fw-la observatis_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsum_fw-la de_fw-la olympo_fw-la jupiter_fw-la and_o all_o this_o though_o it_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a blasphemy_n against_o god_n than_o a_o affront_n to_o mankind_n yet_o so_o base_a and_o degenerate_a be_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n at_o that_o time_n that_o they_o refuse_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o so_o dishonourable_a a_o flattery_n only_o the_o christian_n out_o of_o that_o serious_a regard_n they_o have_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o creator_n unanimous_o scorn_v it_o with_o open_a and_o public_a defiance_n and_o for_o their_o generous_a freedom_n herein_o they_o be_v as_o familiar_o proceed_v against_o as_o for_o the_o contempt_n of_o their_o go_n but_o now_o if_o this_o be_v another_o ground_n of_o the_o heathen_n act_v against_o the_o christian_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o reasonable_a pretence_n that_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a shame_n of_o humane_a nature_n so_o that_o set_v aside_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o be_v to_o be_v produce_v in_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n the_o opposition_n make_v to_o it_o upon_o this_o or_o any_o of_o the_o forementioned_a account_n can_v reflect_v the_o least_o shadow_n of_o disadvantage_n upon_o the_o truth_n or_o the_o goodness_n of_o its_o cause_n §_o xli_o these_o be_v the_o real_a article_n of_o accusation_n in_o their_o charge_n against_o the_o christian_n but_o they_o be_v not_o so_o frivolous_a as_o their_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_a pretence_n be_v malicious_a for_o the_o heathen_a priest_n think_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o inflame_v the_o rage_n of_o the_o people_n with_o fanatic_a zeal_n unless_o they_o feed_v their_o malice_n as_o all_o impostor_n do_v with_o lie_n and_o calumny_n but_o when_o man_n be_v once_o reduce_v to_o this_o low_a and_o dirty_a artifice_n in_o defence_n of_o any_o cause_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v draw_v down_o to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o malice_n for_o it_o be_v only_o for_o want_v of_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o slander_n which_o the_o natural_a ingenuity_n of_o mankind_n will_v scorn_v if_o they_o can_v support_v themselves_o and_o their_o party_n without_o
raise_v against_o christianity_n but_o as_o for_o that_o private_a opposition_n that_o it_o meet_v with_o from_o philosopher_n and_o pretend_o learn_v man_n it_o be_v so_o very_o contemptible_a that_o it_o scarce_o deserve_v consideration_n for_o though_o one_o will_v expect_v to_o have_v find_v all_o the_o learned_a world_n engage_v in_o a_o controversy_n that_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o few_o that_o concern_v themselves_o against_o the_o christian_a cause_n and_o those_o that_o do_v so_o only_o pelt_v at_o it_o with_o remote_a and_o far-fetched_a cavil_n but_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o only_a pertinent_a subject_n in_o this_o enquiry_n and_o if_o that_o stand_v firm_a all_o other_o opposition_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o break_v its_o own_o force_n upon_o itself_o by_o endeavour_v to_o disparage_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o it_o can_v deny_v or_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a that_o it_o can_v but_o confess_v to_o be_v true_a nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o put_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o the_o question_n that_o they_o be_v all_o force_a to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v porphyry_n and_o celsus_n impute_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n to_o magic_n hierole_n and_o trypho_n say_v only_o that_o the_o christian_n make_v too_o much_o of_o they_o by_o make_v a_o god_n of_o a_o divine_a man_n julian_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o do_v no_o such_o great_a matter_n but_o only_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a so_o that_o it_o seem_v none_o of_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n hardy_a enough_o so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v of_o control_a the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n for_o fear_n of_o too_o much_o disadvantage_n in_o the_o controversy_n now_o after_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o foretell_v with_o what_o trifle_a pretence_n they_o must_v satisfy_v themselves_o and_o they_o be_v so_o very_a trifle_a that_o itwill_a require_v but_o very_o little_a pain_n to_o show_v their_o vanity_n all_o the_o opposition_n then_o that_o be_v make_v to_o it_o this_o way_n proceed_v mere_o either_o from_o gross_a superstition_n or_o avow_a atheism_n the_o first_o be_v coincident_a with_o the_o former_a account_n of_o the_o public_a persecution_n and_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a zeal_n for_o the_o old_a pagan_a idolatry_n and_o this_o be_v chief_o manage_v by_o the_o pythagorean_n the_o only_a superstitious_a sect_n among_o all_o the_o philosopher_n who_o be_v all_o along_o so_o zealous_a of_o the_o grecian_a rite_n that_o they_o may_v proper_o be_v style_v the_o monk_n and_o friar_n of_o that_o religion_n this_o humour_n they_o derive_v from_o their_o first_o founder_n pythagoras_n himself_o who_o have_v learn_v that_o part_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n from_o thales_n and_o anaximander_n that_o explain_v the_o mechanical_a contrivance_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n to_o which_o alone_o those_o philosopher_n pretend_v he_o quick_o perceive_v either_o by_o the_o sagacity_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n or_o the_o instruction_n of_o pherecides_n that_o there_o be_v some_o intelligent_a be_v in_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o order_n and_o harmony_n of_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o so_o strong_o possess_v he_o with_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n who_o he_o define_v to_o be_v a_o mind_n diffuse_v through_o all_o nature_n from_o who_o all_o thing_n receive_v their_o life_n and_o activity_n as_o not_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v how_o the_o natural_a effect_n that_o be_v constant_o and_o every_o where_o visible_a in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v but_o by_o the_o present_a and_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o such_o a_o power_n and_o now_o have_v his_o mind_n thus_o thorough_o touch_v with_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o find_v the_o orphean_a rite_n and_o constitution_n at_o that_o time_n the_o most_o sacred_a solemnity_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n he_o grow_v very_o zealous_a of_o they_o as_o the_o most_o religious_a symbol_n of_o divine_a worship_n neither_o be_v his_o zeal_n satisfy_v with_o the_o superstition_n of_o his_o own_o country_n but_o he_o travel_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o inform_v himself_o of_o their_o several_a way_n of_o worship_v their_o go_n and_o then_o compose_v a_o service_n of_o his_o own_o partly_o out_o of_o the_o orphean_a partly_o out_o of_o the_o egyptian_a partly_o out_o of_o the_o chaldean_a partly_o out_o of_o the_o eleusinian_n and_o partly_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o out_o of_o the_o samothracian_a rite_n which_o together_o with_o his_o own_o theurgic_a ceremony_n must_v make_v up_o a_o complete_a rhapsody_n of_o all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o though_o some_o of_o his_o follower_n leucippus_n democritus_n and_o epicurus_n apostatise_v so_o far_o from_o his_o institution_n as_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o rank_a and_o most_o audacious_a atheism_n yet_o all_o that_o persevere_v in_o their_o master_n discipline_n be_v sure_o no_o doubt_n to_o be_v most_o of_o all_o strict_a in_o his_o religion_n and_o it_o be_v only_o this_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n who_o be_v man_n rather_o devout_a than_o learned_a that_o all_o along_o give_v authority_n and_o reputation_n to_o the_o old_a heathen_a idolatry_n and_o therefore_o when_o christianity_n begin_v to_o bear_v it_o away_o it_o can_v not_o be_v expect_v but_o that_o they_o shall_v appear_v the_o most_o forward_a champion_n to_o defend_v their_o fane_n and_o their_o temple_n their_o altar_n and_o their_o oracle_n against_o the_o new_a and_o prevail_a religion_n the_o first_o and_o the_o able_a champion_n be_v porphyry_n a_o man_n at_o that_o time_n eminent_a for_o wit_n and_o learning_n but_o so_o entire_o eat_v up_o with_o fanatic_a zeal_n for_o his_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v not_o patience_n so_o much_o as_o to_o hear_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o oppose_v it_o and_o this_o set_v he_o all_o on_o fire_n against_o christianity_n for_o be_v by_o nature_n of_o a_o fierce_a and_o angry_a temper_n insomuch_o as_o he_o attempt_v to_o cut_v his_o own_o throat_n as_o he_o describe_v himself_o in_o the_o life_n of_o plotinus_n and_o withal_o very_o much_o incline_v to_o austerity_n and_o devotion_n for_o he_o be_v a_o very_a strict_a observer_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n rule_n this_o fix_v he_o in_o his_o fanatic_a and_o superstitious_a zeal_n than_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o insuperable_a though_o when_o this_o happen_v to_o be_v join_v with_o a_o natural_a eagerness_n of_o temper_n it_o grow_v into_o mere_a fury_n and_o outrage_n and_o so_o transport_v man_n out_o of_o the_o use_n of_o their_o natural_a understanding_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o porphyry_n not_o only_o from_o that_o description_n that_o he_o give_v of_o himself_o and_o that_o account_n that_o his_o friend_n give_v of_o his_o life_n but_o also_o by_o that_o character_n that_o be_v give_v of_o his_o write_n against_o the_o christian_n which_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o most_o impartial_a writer_n as_o full_a of_o rage_n and_o bitterness_n though_o how_o he_o perform_v what_o he_o undertake_v be_v not_o so_o certain_o determinable_a in_o that_o not_o only_o his_o own_o book_n but_o all_o those_o that_o be_v write_v against_o it_o be_v utter_o perish_v but_o by_o those_o fragment_n that_o remain_v of_o it_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v that_o he_o ever_o venture_v to_o deny_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n but_o grant_v they_o so_o far_o as_o to_o impute_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n but_o how_o vain_a that_o pretence_n be_v we_o have_v already_o show_v at_o least_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o controversy_n depend_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v record_v of_o our_o saviour_n none_o of_o which_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o ever_o undertake_v to_o control_v and_o as_o long_o as_o that_o stand_v firm_a all_o other_o opposition_n be_v but_o trifle_v however_o he_o be_v a_o person_n so_o infinite_o superstitious_a that_o his_o opinion_n can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n against_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n because_o he_o be_v at_o no_o liberty_n to_o make_v any_o enquiry_n into_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o pretence_n and_o of_o the_o same_o kidney_n be_v hierocles_n especial_o if_o he_o be_v of_o which_o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n the_o same_o zealous_a person_n that_o be_v first_o judge_n at_o nicomedia_n and_o afterward_o perfect_a of_o egypt_n under_o dioclesian_n and_o a_o great_a agent_n in_o his_o bloody_a persecution_n however_o he_o be_v a_o zealous_a orphean_a and_o extreme_o addict_v to_o the_o old_a pythagorick_a superstition_n but_o whatever_o he_o be_v otherwise_o his_o work_n
necessary_a upon_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o that_o he_o too_o well_o know_v in_o his_o court_n outweigh_v all_o other_o consideration_n and_o hence_o come_v that_o constant_a succession_n of_o murder_n in_o the_o empire_n whereby_o all_o of_o his_o own_o family_n be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n cut_v off_o and_o afterward_o all_o his_o kindred_n so_o imprudent_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o to_o think_v of_o dispose_n of_o crown_n against_o the_o right_n of_o inheritance_n it_o certain_o entail_v murder_n upon_o the_o royal_a family_n and_o civil_a war_n upon_o the_o kingdom_n but_o to_o return_v to_o nero_n these_o be_v the_o main_a instance_n of_o cruelty_n wherewith_o he_o be_v usual_o brand_v some_o other_o there_o be_v that_o i_o shall_v here_o pass_v by_o and_o only_o concern_v myself_o in_o that_o he_o be_v charge_v with_o against_o the_o christian_n against_o who_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o proceed_v not_o either_o from_o any_o enquiry_n into_o their_o cause_n or_o any_o voluntary_a cruelty_n of_o his_o own_o but_o deliver_v they_o up_o to_o the_o people_n fury_n only_o to_o deliver_v himself_o from_o it_o for_o the_o city_n happen_v to_o be_v destroy_v by_o a_o sudden_a fire_n nero_n enemy_n to_o render_v he_o more_o odious_a cast_a report_n among_o the_o people_n that_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o mischief_n and_o the_o more_o to_o exasperate_v they_o add_v that_o he_o behold_v the_o sad_a sight_n from_o maecenas_n his_o tower_n with_o no_o small_a joy_n and_o pleasure_n sing_v the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n whether_o this_o report_n be_v true_a or_o false_a it_o mattered_a not_o the_o people_n be_v ready_a enough_o to_o run_v away_o with_o any_o thing_n in_o their_o rage_n and_o anguish_n and_o though_o it_o be_v for_o any_o thing_n that_o appear_v altogether_o groundless_a and_o malicious_a it_o be_v then_o believe_v and_o be_v so_o to_o this_o day_n and_o therefore_o nero_n to_o bring_v himself_o off_o transfer_v the_o odium_n upon_o the_o christian_n who_o he_o know_v to_o be_v sufficient_o hateful_a to_o the_o common_a rabble_n as_o despiser_n of_o their_o god_n and_o their_o religion_n and_o by_o turn_v they_o loose_v to_o their_o rage_n and_o cruelty_n divert_v or_o at_o least_o somewhat_o assuage_v their_o fury_n against_o himself_o neither_o do_v this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v nero_n own_a device_n but_o rather_o to_o have_v be_v first_o prompt_v by_o the_o people_n themselves_o for_o it_o be_v more_o than_o likely_a that_o the_o idol_n priest_n upon_o occasion_n of_o so_o sad_a a_o calamity_n shall_v blow_v the_o suspicion_n into_o the_o people_n head_n that_o it_o come_v from_o the_o christian_n who_o as_o they_o hate_v their_o god_n hate_v their_o temple_n too_o and_o so_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o set_v the_o city_n on_o fire_n on_o purpose_n to_o destroy_v they_o and_o such_o a_o suggestion_n as_o this_o be_v once_o kindle_v among_o the_o common_a people_n it_o will_v quick_o prevail_v like_o the_o flame_n themselves_o and_o in_o the_o extremity_n of_o their_o anguish_n transport_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a excess_n of_o rage_n and_o indignation_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o historian_n observe_v they_o do_v not_o think_v simple_a punishment_n enough_o unless_o they_o add_v scorn_n to_o their_o cruelty_n and_o so_o will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o man_n but_o worry_v they_o with_o dog_n in_o the_o skin_n of_o wild_a beast_n but_o whether_o nero_n fire_v the_o city_n or_o not_o or_o whether_o he_o contrive_v this_o device_n to_o save_v himself_o or_o only_o make_v advantage_n of_o the_o folly_n of_o the_o people_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o neither_o he_o nor_o they_o proceed_v against_o they_o upon_o any_o mature_a deliberation_n but_o that_o they_o be_v sacrifice_v mere_o to_o the_o outrage_n of_o the_o rabble_n and_o this_o be_v the_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o neronian_a persecution_n in_o which_o the_o prosecutor_n be_v so_o far_o from_o enter_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n that_o it_o be_v whole_o manage_v by_o popular_a tumult_n that_o be_v raise_v by_o calumny_n and_o enrage_v by_o superstition_n so_o that_o the_o christian_n in_o it_o suffer_v not_o as_o christian_n but_o only_o upon_o occasion_n of_o this_o accident_n the_o people_n fall_v foul_a upon_o they_o as_o enemy_n to_o their_o idol-god_n and_o that_o be_v natural_a for_o the_o blind_a and_o furious_a rabble_n to_o do_v whatever_o the_o christian_a cause_n may_v be_v for_o without_o inquire_v into_o that_o they_o be_v only_o zealous_a for_o their_o old_a superstition_n and_o therefore_o their_o opposition_n to_o christianity_n can_v be_v no_o objection_n against_o it_o for_o though_o we_o suppose_v its_o truth_n and_o evidence_n yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v avoid_v their_o displeasure_n and_o yet_o in_o most_o of_o the_o other_o persecution_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o they_o be_v both_o set_v on_o foot_n and_o carry_v on_o only_o by_o the_o folly_n and_o fury_n of_o the_o multitude_n §_o xxxviii_o the_o second_o persecution_n be_v raise_v by_o domitian_n the_o second_o to_o nero_n for_o fierceness_n and_o cruelty_n though_o neither_o do_v he_o proceed_v in_o it_o upon_o any_o account_n of_o religion_n but_o pure_o out_o of_o jealousy_n of_o state_n for_o as_o he_o exceed_v all_o other_o prince_n in_o suspicion_n and_o ill-nature_n so_o upon_o the_o least_o shadow_n of_o pretence_n he_o will_v never_o stick_v at_o any_o cruelty_n to_o secure_v himself_o thus_o he_o murder_v metius_n domitianus_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o because_o 10._o he_o be_v bear_v as_o the_o astrologer_n affirm_v under_o a_o imperial_a horoscope_n and_o slay_v his_o own_o uncle_n flavius_n sabinus_n because_o when_o he_o be_v choose_v consul_n the_o clerk_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o declare_v the_o choice_n to_o the_o people_n by_o mistake_n pronounce_v he_o emperor_n instead_o of_o consul_n and_o though_o it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o he_o slay_v his_o kinsman_n flavius_n clemens_n who_o two_o son_n he_o have_v adopt_v to_o succeed_v he_o in_o the_o empire_n upon_o the_o score_n of_o christianity_n yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o his_o displeasure_n be_v sudden_o take_v up_o upon_o some_o pretence_n of_o state_n as_o suetonius_n express_o affirm_v repentè_fw-fr ex_fw-la tenuissimâ_fw-la suspicion_n tantum_fw-la non_fw-la ipso_fw-la ejus_fw-la consulatu_fw-la 1_o interemit_fw-la and_o this_o as_o we_o have_v the_o story_n from_o hegesippus_n be_v the_o true_a original_a cause_n of_o 20._o his_o trouble_v the_o christian_n against_o who_o he_o do_v not_o proceed_v in_o general_a as_o christian_n but_o only_o against_o some_o of_o our_o saviour_n kindred_n who_o be_v accuse_v before_o he_o as_o descend_v from_o the_o royal_a line_n of_o david_n out_o of_o which_o the_o messiah_n or_o universal_a monarch_n be_v to_o come_v of_o who_o domitian_n say_v the_o historian_n be_v not_o less_o jealous_a than_o herod_n himself_o but_o upon_o examination_n find_v both_o the_o poverty_n and_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o person_n he_o dismiss_v they_o and_o by_o a_o public_a edict_n for_o bad_a all_o far_a prosecution_n against_o the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n thus_o far_o hegesippus_n and_o it_o be_v one_o will_v think_v a_o plain_a and_o a_o easy_a story_n and_o record_v by_o a_o person_n that_o live_v very_o near_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v transact_v and_o yet_o our_o great_a scaliger_n in_o pursuit_n of_o that_o scholastic_a authority_n which_o he_o have_v take_v to_o himself_o of_o correct_v mmcxii_o the_o ancient_n but_o especial_o hegesippus_n be_v please_v not_o to_o pass_v it_o for_o so_o much_o as_o credible_a and_o that_o with_o so_o much_o confidence_n and_o so_o little_a reason_n as_o too_o gross_o discover_v his_o affectation_n of_o find_v fault_n for_o first_o he_o wonder_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o than_o two_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n leave_v and_o those_o of_o the_o family_n of_o judas_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n as_o hegesippus_n affirm_v whereas_o hegesippus_n affirm_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o only_o say_v that_o two_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o judas_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v accuse_v before_o domitian_n but_o that_o they_o be_v all_o that_o be_v remain_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v neither_o have_v scaliger_n any_o ground_n for_o this_o surmise_n unless_o from_o thence_o to_o seize_v a_o opportunity_n to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o account_n of_o his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o babylon_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o many_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n in_o great_a honour_n but_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o story_n though_o all_o the_o story_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o their_o dispersion_n be_v