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CHAPTER II.

ON THE SUFFERINGS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS.

Sufferings of St. Paul-Christians persecuted for asserting the resurrection-Why this was offensive to the Jews-Feast of Pentecost-Mahometan enthusiasm—Appearances of Christ after his resurrection-Martyrdom of St. Paul-Burning of Rome-Cruelty of Nero-Prejudices of TacitusCharacters of Trajan and Pliny-Religion of the heathens a political institution-Testimony of Marcus Antoninus to the heroism of the Christians-Evidence from the voluntary sufferings of the apostles.

THE Conversation we have related made a deep impression on the mind of Harry. He renewed the subject at tea-time, by asking his mother whether she thought any other people had undergone such cruel treatment as the Waldenses?

"Yes," replied she, "I have read of a people whose simplicity of character, zeal in propagating their religion, and constancy under suffering, very much resembled what we have heard of the inhabitants of the valleys."

Harry expressed a great desire to know something of the people to whom his mother alluded, and she promised to gratify his curiosity after tea. When the room was cleared, she took up a Testament that was lying on the sofa, saying: "We shall find the best account of them here."

"Surely you cannot mean that the apostles resembled the Waldenses!"

"Let St. Paul speak for himself," replied Mrs. Beaufoy, turning to the eleventh chapter of his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, from which she read the following passage:

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suf

fered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

"Perhaps you may think, my dear Harry, that these sufferings were peculiar to St. Paul; but such trials were then common, as we learn from the first Epistle of Peter, who exhorts the Christians in Asia Minor not to be discouraged by them, as though some strange thing had happened. He also charges them to be careful not to suffer for any crime or misconduct, but if they suffered as Christians, not to be ashamed, rather accounting it a happiness to be reproached for the name of Christ."

"But if the Christians did not break the laws, or give any just cause of offence, I cannot understand why they should be exposed to such general persecution. Were the Romans cruel to every body who did not profess their religion?"

"On the contrary, they were, in general, remarkably tolerant to the religious prejudices of the inhabitants of those countries which were subjected to their dominion. It was not from the Romans, but from the unbelieving Jews, that the Christians first received the unjust and cruel treatment described and alluded to in the Acts and in the Epistles. Afterwards, indeed, the Roman government showed itself hostile to the new religion; but some of the ancient fathers affirm that Nero was the first emperor who persecuted the Christians. Be this as it may, we certainly know, and from other sources of information besides the New Testament, that great numbers of the first Chris

tians passed their lives in labours, dangers, and sufferings *, similar to those which were experienced by St. Paul. This was one of the wise appointments of Providence, for which we have reason to be very thankful."

"Oh! mamma: when innocent people were shamefully treated? Surely this is a strange cause for thankfulness."

"It does appear very strange, I confess: but are you not aware that it is of the utmost importance for us to be quite sure that our religion is true?"

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Certainly: I never thought of doubting the truth of it; but these shocking sufferings of good people for the sake of religion, are very puzzling."

"We are apt to doubt of things that puzzle us," replied Mrs. Beaufoy; "and therefore, in an affair so important as religion, it is necessary for us to endeavour

Paley's Evidences, chap. ii.

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