In their time also Justin, whom we mentioned a little before, after delivering a second book on behalf of our doctrines to the rulers already named, was adorned with a divine martyrdom; the philosopher Crescens—who emulated in life and manner the Cynic name he bore—having contrived the plot against him, because Justin had often refuted him in debates before hearers and finally bound upon himself the crown of victory through his martyrdom for the truth of which he was an ambassador.
And this very thing the man who was in truth the most philosophical of all, in the Apology already mentioned, foretells thus plainly—just as in fact it was about to happen to him before long—indicating it in these very words:
「I too, then, expect to be plotted against by one of those who have been named, and to be racked upon the wood, or even by Crescens, that lover not of wisdom but of vainglory. For the man is not worthy to be called a philosopher, seeing that he publicly testifies concerning things he does not understand, alleging that the Christians are atheists and impious—doing this for the favour and pleasure of the deluded multitude.」
「For if he assails us without having met with the teachings of Christ, he is utterly wicked and far worse than the unlearned, who often guard themselves against discussing and bearing false witness on matters they do not understand. And if, having met with them, he has not grasped the greatness that is in them, or, having grasped it, acts thus in order not to be suspected of being such a one, he is far more ignoble and utterly wicked, being inferior to ignorant and unreasoning opinion and fear.」
「For I would have you know that I put forward and asked him certain questions of this kind, so as to learn and to prove that he truly understands nothing. And that I speak the truth—if the records of our discussions have not been brought to you—I am ready even before you to take part again in the questioning; and this too would be a task worthy of an emperor.」
「But if my questions and his answers are already known to you, it is plain to you that he understands nothing of our position. Or if he does understand, yet for the sake of the listeners does not dare to say so, then, as I said before, he is shown to be a man who loves not wisdom but glory, seeing that he does not even honour the saying of Socrates, worthy of love as it is.」 Thus far, then, Justin.
And that, according to his own prediction, he was caught by Crescens and perfected in martyrdom, Tatian—a man who in his earlier life was a sophist in the learning of the Greeks and had won no small reputation in it, and who left behind very many monuments of himself in writing—relates in his work Against the Greeks, saying somewhat thus: 「And the most marvellous Justin rightly declared that those aforesaid were like brigands.」
Then, having said certain things about the philosophers, he adds this: 「Crescens, at least, who nested himself in the great city, surpassed all in pederasty and was wholly given over to the love of money.」
「And he who counselled others to despise death himself so feared death that he contrived to involve Justin in death as in a great evil, because Justin, by preaching the truth, convicted the philosophers of being gluttons and deceivers.」 Such, then, was the cause that the martyrdom of Justin obtained.