The Lives and Times of the Most Distinguished Christian Fathers, Tothe Close of the Third Century] by William H. Coffin

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 Excerpt: ...enemy. The emperor, Marcus Aurelius, was indefatigable in his opposition, and Justin determined to address to him an apology, for the Christians; hoping to soften his mind and change the current of opinion, which was much against the church. We have placed this as his second apology, although in most of the copies it is styled the first; 192 OCCASION OF HIS SECOND APOLOGY. and it has been difficult to determine which has the best claim to priority, although it is a matter of comparatively little importance. The apology itself, however, is testimony, that an error has occurred in addressing this apology to Antonius Pius, and styling it the first instead of the second. He speaks, for instance, of the death of Christ, as occurring one hundred and fifty years before, of the death of Antonius Pius himself, and quotes from the other apology, which is conclusive in showing that it was certainly in existence when this was written. In addressing to the emperor a defence of Christianity, a circumstance of great interest determined his course; and drew from him the most able document which appeared upon this subject, up to the close of the second century. The occasion was this: a woman of notoriously vicious character, became a convert to the faith, and she immediately set about the work of converting her husband, that she might not be any longer the sharer of his vices; for she soon discovered that she could not withdraw from the shameful practices to which she had been accustomed, in connection with him. Being unsuccessful in every attempt to reform him, and having determined to extricate herself from every obstacle to a religious life, she procured a divorce. The divorced husband sought revenge, and informed upon her as a Christian, which caused her arrest. The acc...