literaryhistoryo02crut - Carmel Apologetics

320 THE APOLOGISTS.
lit'L up his soul in i»iii}er, " that the gates of Light may
be opened to thee also ; for these things can only Ije seen
and known l)y those to whom God and His Christ have
given understanding."
This interview formed the turning-point of Justin's life.
He never siiw the old man again, but those stirring words
Siink deep into his soul. He pondered over them, and became
convinced that in the revelation given by Christ and the
friends of Ciuist lay the true Divine philosophy. From
henceforth he was a Christian.
But, be it noticed, he did not
break with philosophy. His spiritual progress presents a
continuous movement. He never looked upon philosophy as
the enemy or the counterfeit of the Gospel. To him it had
been the handmaid of truth. To him the Christian system
crowns and glorifies but does not destroy its predecessors.
As soon as he was baptized, he appears to have devoted
his life to a public defence of the faith, not seeking controversy,
but, in accordance with his philosopher's garb, holding
himself ready for discussion with every comer. We hear of
him at Epliesus and at Eome, where he resided some yeai-s.
The daily presence of a Christian apologist in these great
centres must have attracted public attention. We cannot
wonder if Justin made enemies. Of these the most bitter
was one Crescens, a cynic, whom Justin had publicly convicted
of ignorance of the principles of those he attacked,
and from whose resentment he justly expected to suffer.
On the otlier hand, as we learn from his Dialogue, he met
occasionally with
friendly disputants, who delmted without
bigotry their points of difference. The Jew Trypho, who is
there introduced, is a remarkable instance of this. He is as
unlike the average of his countrymen as can be conceived.
Uiilin'judieed, courteous, willing to hear and appreciate
Mrgunicnts that make against himself, he seems a model controvei-sialist.
He has one defect, however, which neutmlises
the.se advantages. For though a scrupulous ol)server of tlie
ceremonial law, he is evidently a sceptic at heart. The
earnestness of Justin is t h r. .wn jiway upon him. He admires,
but does not ])elieve.
He is a type of that class of enlightened