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INTRODUCTION IIUSEBIUS in his Ecclesiastical Historyl states that Justin's Second Apology was addressed to Marcus Aurelius when he was sole emperor (169-180). But modern critics assign both apologies to the latter part of the reign of Antoninus Pius (i.e., 147-161), and some conjecture that its addressees are the same as those of the First Apology.2 The Second Apology came down to us in two manuscripts,3 in which it precedes the First Apology. In the original Greek edition' as well as in the first Latin translation5 this sequence is preserved. However, it was pointed out above6 that the second followed the first, not as an appendix but as an independent petition, although it may have been written only shortly after the first. This would place its composition between 155 and 160, at Rome. This short address of fifteen chapters was provoked through the execution of three Christians by Urbicus, the prefect of Rome. Because they had been condemned to death only because they were Christians, Justin opens his address by accusing the Romans of injustice. 1 4.15.18. 2 Cf. below. p. 121 nn.2 and !I. !I Cf. above. p. 26 n. 15. 4 Cf. above. p. 26 n.16. 5 Cf. above. p. 26 n.l7. 6 Cf. above. p. 25f. 115 116 SAINT JUSTIN MARTYR Then he goes on to answer these two sarcastic questions: (1) If the Christians desire so earnestly to see God, why do they not commit suicide and save their enemies the trouble of killing them? (2) If their God has the power to help Christians , why does He permit their enemies to oppress and punish them? In answer to the first query, Justin explains that man is not master of his own life. In replying to the second question, he shows that the persecution of the Christians is due not only to man's free will, but also, and this especially , to the hatred of the demons. After proving the superiority of Christianity over paganism, Justin brings the Apology to a close by exhorting the rulers to show justice in their treatment of Christians. The reader will do well in reading the intrviuction to the First Apology and consult the Select Bibliography on page 27 of this volume. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 Preface 119 2 Three Christians executed by Urbicus 120 3 Crescens the Cynic . 122 4 The reasons why Christians do not commit suicide • 123 5 The bad angels . 124 6 The meaning of the Divine Names • 125 7 Christians are the cause of the preservation of the universe. 8 Participation in the Word a cause of persecution 9 Eeternal punishment by fire 10 Christ the Logos 11 Vice and virtue . 12 The Christians' attitude toward death proves their innocence . 13 The seminal word 14 A request that the petition be published. 15 Conclusion . 117 126 127 .128 .129 130 132 133 .134 134 ...

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