: For with what reason should we believe of a crucified man that He is the first-born of the unbegotten God, and Himself will pass judgment on the whole human race, unless we had found testimonies concerning Him published before He came and was born as man, and unless we saw that things had happened accordingly—the devastation of the land of the Jews, and men of every race persuaded by His teaching through the apostles, and rejecting their old habits, in which, being deceived, they had had their conversation....
''The first apology of Justin,'' chapter LXVIII. In ANF1, that is, [https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01 Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) ''Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1'', at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.] [Justin quotes from a letter of the Emperor Hadrian to Minucius Fundanus. ANF1 footnote: "Generally credited as genuine."]
: "If, therefore, any one makes the accusation, and furnishes proof that the said men [Christians] do anything contrary to the laws, you shall adjudge punishments in proportion to the offences. And this, by Hercules, you shall give special heed to, that if any man shall, through mere calumny, bring an accusation against any of these persons [Christians], you shall award to him more severe punishments in proportion to his wickedness."
''Dialogue with Trypho,'' chapter LXXXI. In ANF1, that is, [https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01 Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) ''Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1'', at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.] [ANF1 footnote: "A very noteworthy passage, as a primitive exposition of Rev xx 4-5...."]
: And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place.
: But yet, since He knew that it would be good, He created both angels and men free to do that which is righteous, and He appointed periods of time during which He knew it would be good for them to have the exercise of free-will; and because He likewise knew it would be good, He made general and particular judgments; each one’s freedom of will, however, being guarded.
''Dialogue with Trypho,'' chapter CXVII. In ANF1, that is, [https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01 Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) ''Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1'', at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.] [ANF1 footnote: "Note this testimony to the ... Church in the second century...."]
: For there is not one single race of men, whether barbarians, or Greeks, or whatever they may be called, nomads, or vagrants, or herdsmen living in tents, among whom prayers and giving of thanks are not offered through the name of the crucified Jesus.