st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul

DOUBTFUL WRITINGS. 195
from thee, and withstand the gainsayers, then shalt
thou have yet greater honour as a herald of the truth,
and I will continue in thy doctrine, and worship
Christ to my latest breath. But if thou failest, I will
avenge my confusion on thee, and with mine own
hands will tear out thy heart and thy false tongue, and
give them for the dogs to feast upon."
Such an exordium was not very reassuring, and we
cannot wonder that the courage of Nachor failed
him. So, as it was part of the arrangement that he
should begin by assailing idolatry, and as the words
of Joasaph gave him no inducement to alter his
theme, he made a vigorous apology for Christianity
all through, exposing the vanities alike of Egyptian
and Hellenic superstition. So unexpected a termi
nation of the debate mightily incensed the king; and
Nachor only saved his life
by being allowed to
remain with the prince that night, who made a
proselyte of him and sent him away by
join the Christian anchorites.
stealth to
It would be tedious to relate in detail all the other
devices adopted, and the trials of his faith which
Joasaph withstood. Beautiful maidens were sent to
wait upon him; and one of these tried him sorely by
professing herself ready to become a Christian, and
asking whether, on his own principles, such a prize
as that would not make him willing to yield to her
solicitations. This was the stratagem of Theudas
the magician, and it was a hard one to overcome.
Yet the constancy of Joasaph prevailed even over
this. One final effort was now made. Calling
together his council, and asking their advice in the
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