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 the world that the Roman emperors began to dread the effect, and their adversaries representing them as traitors and enemies to the government. Tertullian argues with the emperor thus:— “If we were enemies to the state, you might then go and seek now cities and countries to govern, since you would have more adversaries than loyal subjects in your empire. We have filled your cities, your towns, your provinces, your castles, your fortresses, your camps, your tents, your palaces, your senates, your market-places, and your islands, only we have left your idolatrous temples to yourselves, all the places being full of Christians: If we were enemies, what dangerous rebellion might we have made, though our numbers be but small, in comparison of the rest of your people, since we so little value our lives, that we suffer ourselves to be slain daily, notwithstanding your unjust persecution of us, we are, loyal, patient, and obedient, and that the Christian religion obliges us rather to be killed than to kill.’’

Q. What was the encouragement Cyrus the Persian emperor caused to be proclaimed for men who would inlist in his service?

A. His proclamation was, that whosoever would be his soldiers, if he be a footman, said he, I will make him a horseman, if an horseman, l will make him ride in a chariot, if he be a farmer I will make him a gentleman, if he possess a cottage, I will bestow on him a village, if he has a village, I will give him a city, if he be a Lord of a city, I will make him governor of a province, and for gold and silver, I will pour it out on him by weight and measure, and not by tale.—This was the pompous edict of Cyrus to gain followers for the prosecuting his designs.