First Apology 68

And if these things seem to you to be reasonable and true, honor them; but if they seem to you nonsense, despise them as nonsensical things, and do not decree death against those who do no wrong, as against enemies. For we tell you beforehand that you will not escape the coming judgment of God if you persist in injustice; and we will cry out: “What is pleasing to God, let that be done!” And though we could demand of you, from a letter of the greatest and most illustrious Caesar Hadrian, your father, that you order trials to be held as we have asked, we have not made our request on the ground that Hadrian so decided, but have made this address and explanation because we know that what we ask is just. But we have also appended the copy of Hadrian's letter, so that you may know that in this also we speak the truth. And this is the copy: To Minucius Fundanus. I have received a letter written to me by Serennius Granianus, a most distinguished man, whom you succeeded. It does not seem to me right to leave the matter uninvestigated, so that people may not be troubled and informers may not be given help in their wrongdoing. If, then, the provincials can clearly support this petition of theirs against the Christians, so as to answer before the judgment seat, let them turn to this course alone, and not to petitions or mere outcries. For it is much more fitting, if anyone wishes to accuse, that you should examine this. If, then, anyone accuses them and shows that they are doing anything contrary to the laws, decide thus according to the seriousness of the offense; but, by Heracles, if anyone brings this forward for the sake of slander, give judgment according to its wickedness and see that you punish it.