CHAP. XV.
perhaps be allowed to those persons who, before their conversion, were already engaged in such violent and sanguinary occupations[1]; but it was impossible that the christians, without renouncing a more sacred duty, could assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes[2]. This indolent, or even criminal disregard to the public welfare, exposed them to the contempt and reproaches of the pagans, who very frequently asked what must be the fate of the empire, attacked on every side by the barbarians, if all mankind should adopt the pusillanimous sentiments of the new sect[3]? To this insulting question the christian apologists returned obscure and ambiguous answers, as they were unwilling to reveal the secret cause of their security; the expectation that, before the conversion of mankind was accomplished, war, government, the Roman empire, and the world itself, would be no more. It may be observed, that in this instance likewise the situation of the first christians coincided very happily with their religious scruples, and that their aversion to an active life contributed rather to excuse them from the service, than to exclude them from the honours of the state and army,
The Fifth Clause.
The christians active in the government of the church.}}
V. But the human character, however it may be
exalted or depressed by a temporary enthusiasm, will
return by degrees to its proper and natural level, and
will resume those passions that seem the most adapted
to its present condition. The primitive christians were
dead to the business and pleasures of the world; but
their love of action, which could never be entirely extinguished, soon revived, and found a new occupation
in the government of the church. A separate society,
which attacked the established religion of the empire,
- ↑ Teilullian, Apolog. c. 21 ; De IdolohUria, c. 17, 18; Oiigen contra Celsurn, 1. v. p. -253. 1. vii. p. 348. 1. viii. p. 423—428.
- ↑ TertuUian (de Corona iMllitis, c. 11.) suggests to them the expedient of deserting ; a counsel which, if it had been generally known, was not very proper to conciliate the favour of the emperors towards the christian sect.
- ↑ As well as we can judge from the mulihited representation of Origen, (1. viii. p. 423.) his adversary Celsus had urged his objection with great force and candour.
