Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

294 THE SECOND AGE OF THE MARTYR CHURCHthan heaven, superior to time and all fleeting nature,legislator ineffable, unexpressed by voice,unseen by eye; and we who cannot grasp hisessence rest upon words and names, and forms ofgold, ivory, and silver, in our longing to conceiveHim, giving to His nature what is fair among ourselves.But fix Him only in the mind; I care notwhether the Greek is kindled into remembranceof Him by the art of Phidias, or the Egyptian bythe worship of animals, that fire is his symbol tothese, and water to those ; only let them understand,let them love, let them remember Himalone."62I doubt not that Junius Rusticus was familiarwith such thoughts as these, and as a matter ofphilosophic reflection assented to them. And nowlet us study the scene which was enacted in hispresence and by his command.63" At a time when the defenders of idolatry hadproposed edicts in every city and region to compelChristians to sacrifice, Justin and his companionswere seized and brought before the Prefectof Rome, Rusticus. When they stood beforehis tribunal, the Prefect Rusticus said: Well, beobedient to the gods and the emperor's edicts.Justin answered: No man can ever be blamed orcondemned who obeys the precepts of our SaviourJesus Christ. Then the Prefect Rusticus asked: In62 Maximus Tyrius, diss. 17, 12; Reiske, and diss. ii. 2. 10.03 Acta Martymm sincera, Ruinart, p. 58-GO.