They dissolved the sacred ties of custom and education, violated the religious institutions of their country, and presumptuously despised whatever their fathers had believed as true, or had reverenced as sacred.

Nor was this apostasy (if we may use the expression) merely of a partial or local kind; since the pious deserter who withdrew himself from the temples of Egypt or Syria, would equally disdain to seek an asylum in those of Athens or Carthage.

Every Christian rejected with contempt the superstitions of his family, his city, and his province.

The whole body of Christians unanimously refused to hold any communion with the gods of Rome, of the empire, and of mankind.

It was in vain that the oppressed believer asserted the inalienable rights of conscience and private judgment.