and subsequent ages venerated as a model of virtue and benevolence.  If I admitted the genuineness of some documents, he would be altogether clear from the charge of even allowing any persecutions; but as I seek the truth and am sure that they are false, I leave him to bear whatever blame is his due.[C] I add that it is quite certain that Antoninus did not derive any of his ethical principles from a religion of which he knew nothing.[D]

[A] Except that of Orosius (vii. 15), who says that during the Parthian war there were grievous persecutions of the Christians in Asia and Gallia under the orders of Marcus (praecepto ejus), and “many were crowned with the martyrdom of saints.”

[B] See xi. 3.  The emperor probably speaks of such fanatics as Clemens (quoted by Gataker on this passage) mentions.  The rational Christians admitted no fellowship with them.  “Some of these heretics,” says Clemens, “show their impiety and cowardice by loving their lives, saying that the knowledge of the really existing God is true testimony (martyrdom), but that a man is a self-murderer who bears witness by his death.  We also blame those who rush to death; for there are some, not of us, but only bearing the same name, who give themselves up.  We say of them that they die without being martyrs, even if they are publicly punished; and they give themselves up to a death which avails nothing, as the Indian Gymnosophists give themselves up foolishly to fire.”  Cave, in his primitive Christianity (ii. c. 7), says of the Christians:  “They did flock to the place of torment faster than droves of beasts that are driven to the shambles.  They even longed to be in the arms of suffering.  Ignatius, though then in his journey to Rome in order to his execution, yet by the way as he went could not but vent his passionate desire of it ’Oh that I might come to those wild beasts that are prepared for me; I heartily wish that I may presently meet with them; I would invite and encourage them speedily to devour me, and not be afraid to set upon me as they have been to others; nay, should they refuse it, I would even force them to it;’” and more to the same purpose from Eusebius.  Cave, an honest and good man, says all this in praise of the Christians; but I think that he mistook the matter.  We admire a man who holds to his principles even to death; but these fanatical Christians are the Gymnosophists whom Clemens treats with disdain.

[C] Dr. F.C.  Baur, in his work entitled “Das Christenthum und die Christliche Kirche der drei ersten Jahrhunderte,” &c., has examined this question with great good sense and fairness, and I believe he has stated the truth as near as our authorities enable us to reach it.

[D] In the Digest, 48, 19, 30, there is the following excerpt from Modestinus:  “Si quis aliquid fecerit, quo leves hominum animi superstitione numinis terrerentur, divus Marcus hujusmodi homines in insulam relegari rescripsit.”