literaryhistoryo02crut - Carmel Apologetics

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342 Til?: AI'OLO(;iSTS.
cluirity of Justin's works, and adds little to the religious
heritage of the Church. The finest passage is where he
attacks the immoral doctrine that man's sin is due not to
free-will hut to fate. This wc quote, t(j give the reader an
instance of his style. Our translation follows that of the
Ante-Niccnc Lihrary:
"How, then, slmll I admit this nativity accordinfj: to Fate,
when I see such managers of Fate ? I do not wish to be a king
I nui not anxious to be rich : I decline military command : I
detest fornication : I am not impelled by an in.satial)le love of
gain to go to sea : I do not contend for chaplets : I am fiee from
a mad thirst for fame ; I despise death : I am superior to every
kind of disease ;
grief does not consume my soul.^ Am I a slave ?
1 endure servitude. Am I free ? I do not vaunt my good l)irth.
I see that the same sun is for all, and one death for all, whether
they live in pleasure or destitution. The rich man sows, and the
poor man partakes of the same sowing. The wealthiest die, and
beggars have the same limits to their life. The rich lack many
things, and are glorious only through the estimation they are
held in ;
but the poor man, and ho who has moderate desires,
seeking,' only the things suited to his lot, more easily ol (tains his
purpose. How is it you are fated to be sleepless through avarice ?
Why are you fated to grasp things and fail, perhaps die? Die
to the world, repudiating the madness that is in it. Live to
We
God, and by apprehending ]lim, lay aside your old nature.
were not created to die, but we die by our own fault. Our free-
\\ ill has destroyed us : we who were free have become slaves : we
are sold through sin. Nothing evil has been created ])y God.
We ourselves have manifested wickedness ; but we, who have
manifested it, arc able uL'ain to reject it."
The reader will observe ccjnsiderable power of sarcasm
here, and a certain rugged eloquence. The attacks on
'
Tlu! Latin student will remember the stinginj; words of Juvenal,
which Tatian may have had in his raind (Sat. iii. 41 aqq.):—
** Quid Romae faciam ? mentiri nescio : librum
Si malu.s est, noquoo laudarc ct posccrc : motus
Astroruni ignore : fiinus proraittere patris
Nee volo nee iMDssum : rananmi viscera iuHi(]unm
In.spcxi," *c.