PREFACE.

In addition to these circumstances, it is known from his own writings that he was a convert from heathenism Reference: Apol. c. 18. p. 41; On Repentance, init. p. 349. Two other passages quoted, On Flight in Persecution c. 6, and Against Marcion iii. 21, only imply Gentile origin., and that he once despised the Gospel Reference: Apol. l. c., which he afterwards embraced. As a heathen, he had taken pleasure in the savage sports of the gladiators Reference: On Shows c. 19., and had fallen into the gross sins of heathendom Reference: On the Resurrection of the Flesh c. 59., but he contrasts these with his subsequent state Reference: l. c., although with a deep consciousness of abiding sinfulness Reference: On the Apparel of Women ii. 1; On Repentance c. 4 and end. and of his weakness of faith Reference: On Baptism c. 10. p. 267.. Regarding specific infirmities, he takes the opportunity, while writing on patience, to mention his own impatience Reference: On Patience c. 1. p. 327.. His conversion was probably A.D. 196 It seems clear, from the conclusion of On the Cloak (de Pallio), that it was written upon his conversion to Christianity, as the pallium was the dress of Christians. "Thus far speaketh the Cloak. But as for me, I now transfer my life to that sect and discipline, which is [not merely philosophical but] Divine also. Rejoice, Cloak, and be glad; a better philosophy has accepted you, from the time that you became the Christian’s dress." However, the date of On the Cloak itself becomes fixed by the passage in which he speaks of the peace following the harmony of the three Augusti... The three Augusti were Severus, Antoninus Caracalla, and Albinus.; his continuance in the Church can thus have been scarcely five years, since in A.D. 201 The date, as it seems, of On the Crown (see notice, p. 158). He was certainly a Montanist in A.D. 207, the date of the first book against Marcion., it seems certain that he was a Montanist. He had then, at all events, reached middle age. His treatises addressed "to his wife," written while in the Church, imply the likelihood of continued life.