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UNIVERSALIS
The saints were seized and brought
before the prefect of Rome, whose name was
Rusticus. As they stood before the judgement
seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin:
“Above all, have faith in the gods and obey
the emperors.” Justin said: “We cannot be
accused or condemned for obeying the commands
of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
Rusticus said: “What system of
teaching do you profess?” Justin said: “I have
tried to learn about every system, but I have
accepted the true doctrines of the Christians,
though these are not approved by those who are
held fast by error.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “Are those
doctrines approved by you, wretch that you
are?” Justin said: “Yes, for I follow them
with their correct teaching.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “What sort
of teaching is that?” Justin said: “Worship
the God of the Christians. We hold him to be
from the beginning the one creator and maker
of the whole creation, of things seen and
things unseen. We worship also the Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. He was foretold by the
prophets as the future herald of salvation for
the human race and the teacher of
distinguished disciples. For myself, since I
am a human being, I consider that what I say
is insignificant in comparison with his
infinite godhead. I acknowledge the existence
of a prophetic power, for the one I have just
spoken of as the Son of God was the subject of
prophecy. I know that the prophets were
inspired from above when they spoke of his
coming among men.”
Rusticus said: “You are a Christian,
then?” Justin said: “Yes, I am a Christian.”
The prefect said to Justin: “You are
called a learned man and think that you know
what is true teaching. Listen: if you were
scourged and beheaded, are you convinced that
you would go up to heaven?” Justin said: “I
hope that I shall enter God’s house if I
suffer that way. For I know that God’s favour
is stored up until the end of the whole world
for all who have lived good lives.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “Do you
have an idea that you will go up to heaven to
receive some suitable rewards?” Justin said:
“It is not an idea that I have; it is
something I know well and hold to be most
certain.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “Now let us
come to the point at issue, which is necessary
and urgent. Gather round then and with one
accord offer sacrifice to the gods.” Justin
said: “No one who is right thinking stoops
from true worship to false worship.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “If you do
not do as you are commanded you will be
tortured without mercy.” Justin said: “We hope
to suffer torment for the sake of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and so be saved. For this will
bring us salvation and confidence as we stand
before the more terrible and universal
judgement-seat of our Lord and Saviour.”
In the same way the other martyrs also
said: “Do what you will. We are Christians; we
do not offer sacrifice to idols.”
The prefect Rusticus pronounced
sentence, saying: “Let those who have refused
to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the
command of the emperor be scourged and led
away to suffer capital punishment according to
the ruling of the laws.” Glorifying God, the
holy martyrs went out to the accustomed place.
They were beheaded, and so fulfilled their
witness of martyrdom in confessing their faith
in their Saviour.
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