TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.
us. Come, therefore, all of you together, and with one mind do sacrifice to the gods." Justin answered, "No man of right judgment falleth from religion to irreligion." Rusticus answered, "If ye will not obey me, ye shall be tortured without mercy." Justin replied, "We ask in prayer, that we may be tortured for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and be saved; for this shall be our salvation and our confidence, at that more terrible tribunal whereat all the world must appear, of our King and Saviour." In like manner said the other martyrs also. "Do what thou wilt, for we are Christians and do no sacrifice to idols."
Then the Prefect Rusticus gave sentence, saying, "Let such as refuse to do sacrifice to the gods, and to obey the decree of the Emperor, be scourged, and then led away to capital punishment, in pursuance of the laws." So the holy martyrs, giving glory to God, were led forth to the accustomed place, and were beheaded, giving full completion to their testimony by the confession of the Saviour. And certain of the faithful, when they had secretly taken up their bodies, deposited them in a meet place, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ working with them, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Justin's account of Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the Public Worship of God[1].
We will state in what manner we are created anew by Christ, and have dedicated ourselves to God.—As many as are persuaded and believe that the things which we teach and declare are true, and promise that they are determined to live accordingly, are taught to pray, and to beseech God, with fasting, to grant them remission of their past sins, while we also pray and fast with them. We then lead them to a place where there is water, and there they are regenerated in the same manner as we also were; for they are then washed in that water in the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. For Christ
- ↑ Mr. Chevallier's translation has been generally adhered to in this extract.
