correspondent_n to_o which_o 31._o the_o canon_n call_v apostolical_a 5._o and_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n ordain_v that_o if_o any_o presbyter_n set_v light_n by_o his_o own_o bishop_n shall_v withdraw_v and_o set_v up_o separate_a meeting_n and_o erect_v another_o altar_n i._n e._n say_v zonaras_n keep_v unlawful_a conventicle_n preach_v private_o and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n he_o shall_v be_v depose_v as_o ambitious_a and_o tyrannical_a and_o the_o people_n communicate_v with_o he_o be_v excommunicate_a as_o be_v factious_a and_o schismatical_a only_o this_o not_o to_o be_v do_v till_o after_o the_o three_o admonition_n after_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o may_v further_o show_v what_o esteem_n and_o value_v the_o first_o christian_n have_v of_o the_o lord_n day_n by_o those_o great_a and_o honourable_a thing_n they_o have_v speak_v concern_v it_o of_o which_o i_o will_v produce_v but_o two_o passage_n the_o one_o be_v that_o in_o the_o epistle_n ad_fw-la magnesios_n which_o if_o not_o ignatius_n must_v yet_o be_v acknowledge_v a_o ancient_a author_n 149._o let_v every_o one_o say_v he_o that_o love_v christ_n keep_v the_o lord_n day_n festival_n the_o resurrection_n day_n the_o queen_n and_o empress_n of_o all_o day_n in_o which_o our_o life_n be_v raise_v again_o and_o death_n conquer_v by_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n the_o other_o that_o of_o theophilus_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n 170._o who_o speak_v thus_o that_o both_o custom_n and_o reason_n challenge_v from_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v honour_v the_o lord_n day_n and_o keep_v it_o festival_n see_v on_o that_o day_n it_o be_v that_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n complete_v his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a next_o to_o the_o lord_n day_n the_o sabbath_n or_o saturday_n for_o so_o the_o word_n sabbatum_fw-la be_v constant_o use_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n when_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o christian_n be_v hold_v by_o they_o in_o great_a veneration_n and_o especial_o in_o the_o eastern_a part_n honour_v with_o all_o the_o public_a solemnity_n of_o religion_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o the_o gospel_n in_o those_o part_n main_o prevail_v among_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v general_o the_o first_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n they_o still_o retain_v a_o mighty_a reverence_n for_o the_o mosaic_a institution_n and_o especial_o for_o the_o sabbath_n as_o that_o which_o have_v be_v appoint_v by_o god_n himself_o as_o the_o memorial_n of_o his_o rest_n from_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n settle_v by_o their_o great_a master_n moses_n and_o celebrate_v by_o their_o ancestor_n for_o so_o many_o age_n as_o the_o solemn_a day_n of_o their_o public_a worship_n and_o be_v therefore_o very_o loath_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v whole_o antiquate_v and_o lay_v aside_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o time_n as_o in_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a rite_n so_o in_o this_o to_o indulge_v the_o humour_n of_o that_o people_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n as_o a_o day_n for_o religious_a office_n hence_o they_o usual_o have_v most_o part_n of_o divine_a service_n perform_v upon_o that_o day_n they_o meet_v together_o for_o public_a prayer_n for_o read_v the_o scripture_n celebration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o such_o like_a duty_n this_o be_v plain_a not_o only_o from_o some_o passage_n in_o ignatius_n and_o clemens_n his_o constitution_n but_o from_o writer_n of_o more_o unquestionable_a credit_n and_o authority_n init_fw-la athanasius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o assemble_v on_o saturdays_n not_o that_o they_o be_v infect_v with_o judaisme_n but_o only_o to_o worship_n jesus_n christ_n the_o lord_n of_o the_o sabbath_n 312._o and_o socrates_n speak_v of_o the_o usual_a time_n of_o their_o public_a meeting_n call_v the_o sabbath_n and_o the_o lord_n day_n the_o weekly_a festival_n on_o which_o the_o congregation_n be_v wont_a to_o meet_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o divine_a service_n therefore_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n among_o other_o thing_n decree_v 51._o that_o upon_o saturday_n the_o gospel_n and_o other_o scripture_n shall_v be_v read_v that_o in_o lent_n the_o eucharist_n shall_v not_o be_v celebrate_v but_o upon_o saturday_n and_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o upon_o those_o day_n only_o in_o the_o time_n of_o lent_n it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a to_o commemorate_v and_o rehearse_v the_o name_n of_o martyr_n upon_o this_o day_n also_o aswell_o as_o upon_o sunday_n all_o fast_n be_v severe_o prohibit_v a_o infallible_a argument_n they_o count_v it_o a_o festival_n day_n one_o saturday_n in_o the_o year_n only_o except_v viz._n that_o before_o easter-day_n which_o be_v always_o observe_v as_o a_o solemn_a fast_o thing_n so_o common_o know_v as_o to_o need_v no_o proof_n but_o though_o the_o church_n think_v fit_a thus_o far_o to_o correspond_v with_o jewish_a convert_v as_o solemn_o to_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n yet_o to_o take_v away_o all_o offence_n and_o to_o vindicate_v themselves_o from_o compliance_n with_o judaisme_n they_o open_o declare_v that_o they_o do_v it_o only_o in_o a_o christian_a way_n and_o keep_v it_o not_o as_o a_o jewish_a sabbath_n as_o be_v express_o affirm_v by_o athanasius_n cement_n nazianzen_n and_o other_o and_o the_o forementioned_a laodicean_n synod_n have_v a_o canon_n to_o this_o purpose_n 835._o that_o christian_n shall_v not_o judaize_v 29._o and_o rest_n from_o all_o labour_n on_o the_o sabbath_n but_o follow_v their_o ordinary_a work_n i._n e._n so_o far_o as_o consist_v with_o their_o attendance_n upon_o the_o public_a assembly_n and_o shall_v not_o entertain_v such_o thought_n of_o it_o but_o that_o still_o they_o shall_v prefer_v the_o lord_n day_n before_o it_o and_o on_o that_o day_n rest_n as_o christian_n but_o if_o any_o be_v find_v to_o judaize_v they_o shall_v be_v accurse_v thus_o stand_v the_o case_n in_o the_o eastern_a church_n in_o those_o of_o the_o west_n we_o find_v it_o somewhat_o different_a among_o they_o it_o be_v not_o observe_v as_o a_o religious_a festival_n but_o keep_v as_o a_o constant_a fast_o the_o reason_n whereof_o as_o it_o be_v give_v by_o pope_n innonocent_a in_o a_o epistle_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o eugubium_n where_o he_o treat_v of_o this_o very_a case_n seem_v most_o probable_a if_o vero_fw-la say_v he_o we_o commemorate_v christ_n resurrection_n not_o only_o at_o easter_n but_o every_o lord_n day_n and_o fast_o upon_o friday_n because_o it_o be_v the_o day_n of_o his_o passion_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o pass_v by_o saturday_n which_o be_v the_o middle-time_n between_o the_o day_n of_o grief_n and_o joy_n the_o apostle_n themselves_o spend_v those_o two_o day_n viz._n friday_n and_o the_o sabbath_n in_o great_a sorrow_n and_o heaviness_n and_o he_o think_v no_o doubt_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o the_o apostle_n fast_v upon_o those_o two_o day_n whence_o the_o church_n have_v a_o tradition_n that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v on_o those_o day_n and_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o every_o saturday_n or_o sabbath_n ought_v to_o be_v keep_v a_o fast_a to_o the_o same_o purpose_n the_o council_n of_o illiberis_n ordain_v 35._o that_o a_o saturday_n festival_n be_v a_o error_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v reform_v and_o that_o man_n ought_v to_o fast_o upon_o every_o sabbath_n but_o though_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o general_a practice_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o obtain_v in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o west_n alike_o in_o italy_n itself_o it_o be_v otherwise_o at_o milan_n where_o saturday_n be_v a_o festival_n praefixâ—_n and_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o life_n of_o s._n ambrose_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o see_v that_o he_o constant_o dine_v as_o well_o upon_o saturday_n as_o the_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v his_o custom_n to_o dine_v upon_o no_o other_o day_n but_o those_o and_o the_o memorial_n of_o the_o martyr_n and_o use_v also_o upon_o that_o day_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n though_o so_o great_a be_v the_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n of_o that_o good_a man_n that_o he_o bind_v not_o up_o himself_o in_o these_o indifferent_a thing_n but_o when_o he_o be_v at_o milan_n he_o dine_v upon_o saturday_n and_o when_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n he_o fast_v as_o they_o do_v upon_o those_o day_n 2._o this_o s._n augustine_n assure_v we_o he_o have_v from_o his_o own_o mouth_n for_o when_o his_o mother_n monica_n come_v after_o he_o to_o milan_n where_o he_o then_o reside_v she_o be_v great_o trouble_v to_o find_v the_o saturday_n fast_v not_o keep_v there_o as_o she_o have_v find_v it_o in_o other_o place_n for_o her_o satisfaction_n he_o immediate_o go_v to_o consult_v s._n ambrose_n than_o bishop_n of_o that_o place_n who_o tell_v he_o he_o can_v give_v he_o no_o better_o
this_o wicked_a imputation_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o before_o we_o conclude_v to_o inquire_v a_o little_a into_o the_o rise_n and_o original_n of_o this_o absurd_a and_o malicious_a charge_n 294._o origen_n father_n it_o upon_o the_o jew_n as_o if_o they_o have_v false_o and_o spiteful_o invent_v it_o as_o they_o do_v other_o thing_n to_o disgrace_v and_o prejudice_n christianity_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o some_o measure_n it_o succeed_v according_o keep_v many_o at_o a_o distance_n from_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o even_o in_o his_o time_n there_o be_v some_o who_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n will_v have_v no_o discourse_n or_o commerce_n with_o a_o christian_a but_o though_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n have_v malice_n and_o spite_n enough_o against_o the_o christian_n yet_o i_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o it_o be_v a_o pure_o invent_v falsehood_n but_o that_o it_o have_v some_o ground_n of_o pretence_n though_o ill_o apply_v and_o so_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o have_v for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o in_o the_o most_o early_a time_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o heretic_n who_o though_o they_o have_v their_o particular_a name_n yet_o all_o call_v themselves_o christian_n account_v that_o hereby_o they_o grace_v and_o honour_v their_o party_n as_o epiphanius_n tell_v we_o the_o follower_n of_o simon_n magus_n 58._o menander_n martion_n marcus_n basilides_n etc._n etc._n who_o all_o go_v under_o the_o general_a name_n of_o gnostic_n and_o be_v under_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n guilty_a of_o the_o most_o prodigious_a villainy_n and_o particular_o those_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o 132._o irenaeus_n report_v of_o they_o that_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o all_o filthiness_n and_o bestiality_n not_o only_o private_o corrupt_v the_o woman_n who_o they_o have_v inveagle_v into_o their_o sect_n as_o some_o of_o they_o return_v after_o to_o the_o church_n confess_v with_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n but_o open_o and_o with_o bare_a face_n marry_v the_o woman_n who_o they_o have_v seduce_v from_o their_o husband_n commit_v the_o most_o execrable_a wickedness_n and_o laugh_v at_o the_o pious_a and_o orthodox_n christian_n who_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n restrain_v from_o sin_n either_o in_o word_n or_o thought_n as_o a_o company_n of_o ignorant_a and_o silly_a fellow_n magnify_v themselves_o style_v themselves_o perfect_a and_o the_o seed_n of_o election_n and_o much_o more_o in_o other_o place_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n where_o he_o give_v account_n of_o the_o profane_a and_o hellish_a rite_n of_o their_o assembly_n of_o the_o carpocratian_o another_o gang_n of_o those_o brutish_a heretic_n 430._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n relate_v the_o same_o both_o as_o to_o their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n report_v the_o matter_n almost_o in_o the_o very_a same_o circumstance_n wherein_o it_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o christian_n by_o the_o heathen_a in_o min._n foelix_n viz._n that_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n use_v to_o meet_v at_o supper_n which_o they_o have_v in_o imitation_n of_o the_o true_a christian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o love-feast_n where_o after_o they_o have_v load_v themselves_o with_o a_o plentiful_a meal_n to_o prevent_v all_o shame_n if_o they_o have_v any_o remain_v they_o put_v out_o the_o light_n and_o then_o promiscuous_o mix_v in_o filthiness_n with_o one_o another_o or_o else_o each_o sort_v as_o they_o please_v and_o of_o the_o gnostic_n epiphanius_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o have_v their_o wife_n in_o common_a 42._o and_o if_o any_o stranger_n of_o their_o party_n come_v to_o they_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n have_v this_o mark_n and_o sign_n to_o know_v one_o another_o by_o stretch_v out_o their_o hand_n by_o way_n of_o salutation_n they_o use_v to_o tickle_v each_o other_o in_o the_o ball_n of_o the_o hand_n by_o which_o they_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o stranger_n real_o be_v of_o their_o gang_n and_o party_n among_o their_o brethren_n the_o carpocratian_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o mark_v their_o disciple_n and_o proselyte_n unde_fw-la the_o right_a ear_n with_o a_o brand_n 51._o a_o slit_n or_o a_o hole_n that_o they_o may_v the_o more_o ready_o discern_v they_o this_o agree_v exact_o with_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o heathen_n that_o they_o know_v one_o another_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n by_o privy_a mark_n and_o sign_n and_o have_v thus_o own_a and_o receive_v each_o other_o they_o go_v to_o their_o luxurious_a feast_n and_o to_o those_o horrid_a brutishness_n that_o follow_v after_o now_o this_o be_v the_o case_n with_o these_o abominable_a wretch_n who_o yet_o have_v the_o face_n to_o call_v themselves_o christian_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o be_v greedy_a of_o any_o occasion_n to_o bespatter_n and_o reproach_n christian_n and_o rather_o than_o not_o find_v a_o occasion_n will_v make_v one_o charge_v it_o upon_o all_o christian_n either_o not_o know_v it_o to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o if_o they_o do_v not_o willing_a to_o distinguish_v between_o true_a and_o false_a and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a and_o only_o rise_v and_o ground_n of_o the_o charge_n beside_o some_o intimation_n of_o it_o in_o justin_n martyr_n 70._o we_o have_v it_o express_o assert_v by_o eusebius_n 120._o as_o that_o which_o give_v be_v to_o that_o absurd_a and_o impious_a opinion_n which_o spread_v so_o fast_o among_o the_o heathen_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v guilty_a of_o promiscuous_a mixture_n to_o the_o great_a reproach_n and_o infamy_n of_o the_o christian_a name_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o this_o malicious_a report_n may_v receive_v strength_n and_o encouragement_n from_o the_o servant_n of_o some_o christian_n who_o be_v rack_v by_o the_o heathen_n may_v confess_v what_o they_o put_v into_o their_o mouth_n and_o this_o charge_n among_o the_o rest_n this_o the_o same_o historian_n relate_v out_o of_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o church_n in_o france_n 156._o certain_a gentile_n who_o be_v servant_n to_o some_o christian_n be_v apprehend_v and_o have_v see_v the_o exquisite_a torment_n which_o the_o christian_n be_v put_v to_o for_o fear_n of_o the_o like_a do_v at_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o soldier_n who_o urge_v they_o to_o it_o confess_v that_o the_o christian_n have_v among_o they_o incestuous_a mixture_n and_o supper_n furnish_v with_o man_n flesh_n lay_v such_o thing_n to_o their_o charge_n as_o they_o hold_v unlawful_a to_o speak_v or_o think_v of_o or_o can_v believe_v be_v ever_o do_v by_o man_n which_o be_v once_o divulge_v they_o every_o where_o fall_v upon_o the_o christian_n with_o the_o great_a rage_n and_o fierceness_n so_o in_o the_o persecution_n under_o maximinus_n 350._o one_o of_o the_o commander_n that_o then_o reside_v at_o damascus_n lay_v hold_v of_o a_o few_o light_a inconsiderable_a woman_n in_o the_o market_n and_o threaten_v they_o with_o the_o rack_n force_v the_o wretch_n public_o to_o confess_v that_o they_o have_v former_o be_v christian_n and_o that_o they_o know_v all_o their_o villainy_n that_o in_o their_o religious_a meeting_n they_o commit_v the_o most_o beastly_a action_n and_o indeed_o what_o ever_o else_o he_o will_v have_v they_o say_v that_o may_v disgrace_v christianity_n this_o confession_n of_o they_o he_o cause_v to_o be_v enter_v into_o the_o public_a record_n and_o then_o transmit_v it_o to_o the_o emperor_n by_o who_o command_n it_o be_v immediate_o publish_v in_o all_o city_n and_o place_n of_o the_o empire_n so_o industrious_o do_v the_o malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n bend_v all_o the_o nerve_n of_o their_o power_n and_o subtlety_n though_o in_o vain_a either_o whole_o to_o suppress_v or_o at_o least_o to_o dishearten_v and_o baâ—â—le_v out_o the_o christian_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o another_o virtue_n no_o less_o remarkable_a in_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n chap._n vi_o of_o their_o readiness_n and_o constancy_n in_o profess_v their_o religion_n their_o courage_n and_o undauntedness_n in_o profess_v the_o truth_n though_o reproach_v and_o persecute_v their_o open_a and_o resolute_a own_n it_o to_o the_o face_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o in_o defiance_n of_o the_o great_a danger_n the_o story_n of_o victorinus_n the_o rhetorician_n convert_v by_o simplician_n the_o free_a and_o impartial_a answer_n of_o maris_n to_o julian_n of_o basil_n to_o the_o arrian_n governor_n polycarp'_v refuse_v to_o fly_v when_o officer_n be_v send_v to_o apprehend_v he_o his_o resolute_a carriage_n before_o the_o proconsul_n the_o like_a of_o cyprian_a no_o torment_n can_v make_v they_o deny_v christ_n woman_n unconquerable_a the_o excellent_a instance_n of_o blandina_fw-la and_o other_o divers_a voluntary_o offer_v themselves_o other_o offer_v to_o plead_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o christians_n though_o with_o the_o immediate_a hazard_n of_o their_o life_n this_o boldness_n and_o resolution_n note_v as_o a_o argument_n
and_o i_o can_v sacrifice_v to_o your_o god_n do_v therefore_o what_o you_o be_v command_v as_o for_o i_o in_o so_o just_a a_o cause_n there_o need_v no_o consultation_n and_o when_o the_o sentence_n be_v pronounce_v against_o he_o he_o cry_v out_o i_o hearty_o thank_v almighty_a god_n who_o be_v please_v to_o free_v i_o from_o the_o chain_n of_o this_o earthly_a carcase_n have_v torment_n and_o the_o very_a extremity_n of_o cruelty_n be_v able_a to_o sink_v their_o courage_n it_o have_v soon_o be_v tread_v under_o foot_n but_o it_o be_v triumphant_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o torment_n and_o lift_v up_o its_o head_n high_o the_o great_a the_o load_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o it_o whereof_o there_o be_v instance_n enough_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n nay_o in_o this_o triumph_n even_o the_o weak_a sex_n bear_v no_o inconsiderable_a part_n 157._o eusebius_n tell_v we_o among_o other_o that_o suffer_v in_o the_o french_a persecution_n under_o m._n aurelius_n of_o one_o blandina_fw-la a_o good_a woman_n but_o of_o who_o the_o church_n be_v afraid_a how_o she_o will_v hold_v out_o to_o make_v a_o resolute_a confession_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o her_o body_n and_o the_o tenderness_n of_o her_o education_n that_o when_o she_o come_v to_o it_o she_o bear_v up_o with_o such_o invincible_a magnanimity_n that_o her_o tormentor_n though_o they_o take_v their_o turn_n from_o morning_n to_o night_n and_o ply_v she_o with_o all_o kind_n of_o rack_n and_o torture_n be_v yet_o force_v to_o give_v over_o and_o confess_v themselves_o overcome_v and_o wonder_v that_o a_o body_n so_o break_v and_o mangle_v shall_v yet_o be_v able_a to_o draw_v its_o breath_n but_o this_o noble_a athleta_fw-la gain_v strength_n by_o suffering_n she_o ease_v and_o refresh_v herself_o and_o mitigate_v the_o sense_n of_o present_a pain_n by_o repeat_v these_o word_n i_o be_o a_o christian_n and_o no_o evil_n be_v do_v by_o we_o nor_o do_v they_o only_o generous_o bear_v these_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o religion_n when_o they_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o but_o many_o time_n free_o offer_v themselves_o confess_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n when_o they_o know_v that_o their_o confession_n will_v cost_v their_o life_n so_o do_v those_o noble_a martyr_n who_o eusebius_n see_v at_o thebais_n 301._o multitude_n have_v be_v execute_v every_o day_n with_o all_o imaginable_a cruelty_n sentence_n be_v no_o soon_o pass_v against_o one_o party_n of_o they_o but_o other_o present_v themselves_o before_o the_o tribunal_n and_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n receive_v the_o fatal_a sentence_n with_o all_o possible_a expression_n of_o cheerfulness_n and_o rejoice_v 321._o the_o same_o which_o he_o also_o report_v of_o six_o young_a man_n that_o suffer_v in_o palestine_n spontaneous_o address_v themselves_o to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o province_n own_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o ready_a to_o undergo_v the_o severe_a punishment_n in_o the_o act_n of_o s._n cyprian_n passion_n we_o be_v tell_v 16._o that_o the_o precedent_n have_v cause_v a_o mighty_a furnace_n to_o be_v fill_v with_o burn_a lime_n and_o fire_n with_o heap_n of_o frankincense_n round_o about_o the_o brim_n of_o it_o give_v the_o christian_n this_o choice_n either_o to_o burn_v the_o frankincense_n in_o sacrifice_n to_o jupiter_n or_o to_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o furnace_n whereupon_o three_o hundred_o man_n be_v arm_v with_o a_o unconquerable_a faith_n and_o confess_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n leap_v into_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fiery_a furnace_n with_o who_o fume_n and_o vapour_n they_o be_v immediate_o suffocate_v and_o swallow_v up_o there_o want_v not_o some_o who_o in_o the_o hot_a persecution_n dare_v venture_v to_o undertake_v the_o cause_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o plead_v it_o before_o the_o face_n of_o their_o bitter_a enemy_n 155._o thus_o do_v vettius_n epagathus_n a_o man_n full_a of_o zeal_n and_o piety_n who_o see_v his_o fellow-christians_a unjust_o drag_v before_o the_o judgment-seat_n require_v leave_v of_o the_o precedent_n that_o he_o may_v plead_v his_o brethren_n cause_n and_o open_o show_v that_o they_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o the_o least_o wickedness_n and_o impiety_n but_o not_o dare_v to_o grant_v he_o so_o reasonable_a a_o request_n the_o judge_n take_v the_o advantage_n of_o ask_v he_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a which_o he_o public_o own_v be_v adjudge_v to_o the_o same_o martyrdom_n with_o the_o rest_n 204._o of_o origen_n we_o read_v that_o though_o then_o but_o eighteen_o year_n of_o age_n yet_o he_o be_v wont_a not_o only_o to_o wait_v upon_o the_o martyr_n in_o prison_n but_o to_o attend_v upon_o they_o at_o their_o trial_n and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o execution_n kiss_v and_o embrace_v they_o and_o bold_o preach_v and_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n insomuch_o that_o have_v he_o not_o be_v many_o time_n miraculous_o preserve_v the_o gentile_n have_v pelt_v he_o to_o death_n with_o stone_n for_o they_o mortal_o hate_v he_o for_o his_o industrious_a and_o undaunted_a propagation_n of_o the_o faith_n 202._o nay_o when_o but_o a_o boy_n and_o his_o father_n leontius_n be_v seize_v upon_o he_o write_v to_o his_o father_n most_o earnest_o press_v he_o to_o persevere_v unto_o martyrdom_n and_o not_o to_o concern_v himself_o what_o may_v become_v of_o his_o wife_n and_o child_n nor_o for_o their_o sake_n to_o decline_v that_o excellent_a cause_n he_o be_v engage_v in_o by_o this_o free_a and_o cheerful_a undergo_n the_o great_a misery_n rather_o than_o deny_v or_o prejudice_v their_o religion_n christian_n evident_o demonstrate_v the_o goodness_n of_o their_o principle_n and_o show_v they_o be_v no_o such_o person_n as_o their_o enemy_n common_o look_v upon_o they_o that_o a_o christian_n as_o ignatius_n observe_v be_v not_o the_o child_n of_o fancy_n and_o persuasion_n 57_o but_o of_o true_a gallantry_n and_o greatness_n of_o spirit_n have_v so_o much_o hatred_n of_o the_o world_n to_o grapple_v and_o contend_v with_o those_o who_o be_v malefactor_n as_o tertullian_n argue_v desire_v to_o be_v conceal_v 2._o and_o shun_v to_o appear_v be_v apprehend_v they_o tremble_v be_v accuse_v they_o deny_v be_v rack_v do_v not_o easy_o nor_o always_o confess_v the_o truth_n however_o be_v condemn_v they_o be_v sad_a search_v into_o and_o censure_v themselves_o be_v unwilling_a to_o acknowledge_v their_o wickedness_n to_o be_v their_o own_o and_o according_o impute_v they_o either_o to_o their_o fate_n or_o star_n but_o what_o be_v there_o like_o this_o to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_n among_o they_o no_o man_n be_v ashamed_a none_o repent_v he_o of_o be_v a_o christian_n unless_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v no_o soon_o so_o if_o mark_v out_o he_o glory_v if_o accuse_v he_o stand_v not_o to_o defend_v himself_o be_v interrogated_a he_o confess_v of_o his_o own_o accord_n be_v condemn_v he_o give_v thanks_o what_o evil_a then_o can_v there_o be_v in_o this_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o shadow_n of_o evil_n any_o fear_n shame_n tergiversation_n repentance_n deplorableness_n to_o attend_v it_o what_o evil_a can_v that_o be_v of_o which_o he_o that_o be_v guilty_a rejoice_v of_o which_o to_o be_v accuse_v be_v their_o vote_n and_o desire_n and_o for_o which_o to_o be_v punish_v be_v their_o happiness_n and_o felicity_n this_o likewise_o arnobius_n lay_v down_o as_o a_o grand_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n 21._o that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n it_o have_v conquer_v so_o much_o of_o the_o world_n subdue_a man_n of_o the_o great_a part_n and_o learning_n make_v they_o willing_a to_o quit_v their_o beloved_a opinion_n to_o forfeit_v their_o estate_n to_o part_v with_o their_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n and_o to_o submit_v to_o torment_n rather_o than_o violate_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n or_o start_v from_o the_o station_n they_o have_v enter_v upon_o by_o this_o excellent_a temper_n and_o carriage_n they_o admirable_o triumph_v over_o the_o best_a man_n among_o the_o gentile_n none_o of_o who_o dare_v engage_v so_o deep_a for_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o dear_a sentiment_n as_o the_o christian_n do_v for_o they_o witness_v plato_n who_o set_v up_o the_o academy_n and_o bring_v in_o a_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a way_n of_o deliver_v his_o opinion_n lest_o by_o speak_v out_o he_o shall_v fall_v under_o the_o sentence_n and_o the_o fate_n of_o socrates_n thus_o origen_n put_v celsus_n in_o mind_n of_o aristotle_n 51._o who_o understand_v that_o the_o athenian_n intend_v to_o call_v he_o to_o account_v for_o some_o of_o his_o as_o they_o think_v they_o un-orthodox_a opinion_n immediate_o remove_v his_o school_n say_v to_o his_o friend_n let_v we_o be_v go_v from_o athens_n lest_o we_o give_v they_o a_o occasion_n of_o be_v guilty_a