92 Seea chain of tradition, from Justin Martyr to Jerome, in the Morale des Peres ; c. iv. 6-26. 94- See a. very curious Dissertation on the Vestals, in the Memoirea de l'Aeademie des Inscriptions, tom. iv. p. x6r-2,2.7. Notwithstanding the honours and rewards which were bestowed on those virgins, it was difficult to procure a sufficient number; no'r could the dread of the most horrible death always restrain their incontinence. A . 95 Cupiditatem procreandi aut unam scimus aut nuilam. Minucius' Fazlix, c. 31. Justin. Apolog. Major. Athenagoras in Legat. c. 28. Tertnlliau de Cultu Foemin. l. ii. 96 Eusebius, l. vi. 8. Before the same of Origen had excited envy and persecution, this extraordinary action was rather admired than censured. As it was his general practice to allegorize scripture; it seems unfortunate that, in this instance only, he should have adopted the literal sense. r * were The Christians, were not less averse to the bu. siness than to the-pleasures of this world. The defence of our persons and property they knew not how to ,.reconcile with the patient doctrine which enjoined an unlimited forgiveness of past injuries, and commanded them to invite the re, petition of fresh insults. Their simplicity was offended by the use of oaths, by the pomp of magistracy, and by the active contention of puba lic life, nor could their humane ignorance be convinced, that it Was lawful on any o casion to shed the blood of our fellow-creatures, either by the sword of justice, or by that of war; even though their criminal or hostile attempts should threaten the peace and safety of the whole community'oo. It was acknowledged, that under a 10" See the Morale des Peres. The same patient principles have been revived since the Reformation by the Socinians, the modern Anabaptists, and the ankcrs. Barclay, the apologist of the Was kers, has protected his brethren, by the authority of the primitivg Christians, p. 542-549. > who, |