the Christians, if the fact had not been publicly known. But let us see
whether it was denied by those, who were of opinion that his work
demanded a reply. The person, who wrote against him in favour of
Christianity, was Origen, who lived in the third century. But Origen, in
his answer, admits the fact as stated by Celsus, that the Christians
would not bear arms, and justifies them for refusing the practice on the
principle of the unlawfulness of war.

And as the early Christians would not enter into the armies, so there is
good ground to suppose, that, when they became converted in them, they
relinquished their profession. Human nature was the same both in and out
of the armies, and would be equally worked upon, in this new state of
things, in both cases. Accordingly we find, from Tertullian, in his
"Soldier's Garland," that many in his time, immediately on their
conversion, quitted the military service. We are told also, by
Archelaus, who flourished under Probus in the year 278, that many Roman
soldiers, who had embraced Christianity, after having witnessed the
piety and generosity of Marcellus, immediately forsook the profession of
arms. We are told also by Eusebius, that, about the same time, "Numbers
laid aside a military life, and became private persons, rather than
abjure their religion." And here it may not be unworthy of remark, that
soldiers, after their conversion, became so troublesome in the army,
both on account of their scruples against the idolatrous practices
required of the soldiery, and their scruples against fighting, that they
were occasionally dismissed the service on these accounts.

SECT. III.

_Objection to the foregoing statement, that the idolatry, which was then
connected with the military service, and not the unlawfulness of war,
was the reason why Christians declined it--Idolatry admitted to be a
cause--Instance in Marinus--But the belief of the unlawfulness of
fighting was another, and an equally powerful cause--Instances in
Maximilian--Marcellus--Cassian--Marlin--The one scruple as much then a
part of the Christian religion as the other._

As an objection may be made to the foregoing statement, I think it
proper to notice it in this place.

It will be said, that the military oath, which all were obliged to take
alike in the Roman armies, and which was to be repeated annually, was
full of idolatry; that the Roman standards were all considered as gods,
and had divine honours paid