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| Chapter IX
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Chapter IX.
But since he is manifestly guilty of falsehood in
the statements which follow, let us examine his assertion when he says,
“If all men wished to become Christians, the latter would not
desire such a result.” Now that the above statement is
false is clear from this, that Christians do not neglect, as far as in
them lies, to take measures to disseminate their doctrine throughout
the whole world. Some of them, accordingly, have made it their
business to itinerate not only through cities, but even villages and
country houses,3459
that they might
make converts to God. And no one would maintain that they did
this for the sake of gain, when sometimes they would not accept even
necessary sustenance; or if at any time they were pressed by a
necessity of this sort, were contented with the mere supply of their
wants, although many were willing to share (their abundance) with them,
and to bestow help upon them far above their need. At the present
day, indeed, when, owing to the multitude of Christian believers, not
only rich men, but persons of rank, and delicate and high-born ladies,
receive the teachers of Christianity, some perhaps will dare to say
that it is for the sake of a little glory3460
that certain individuals assume the office of Christian
instructors. It is impossible, however, rationally to entertain
such a suspicion with respect to Christianity in its beginnings, when
the danger incurred, especially by its teachers, was great; while at
the present day the discredit attaching to it among the rest of mankind
is greater than any supposed honour enjoyed among those who hold the
same belief, especially when such honour is not shared by all. It
is false, then, from the very nature of the case, to say that “if
all men wished to become Christians, the latter would not desire such a
result.”E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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