171 .-- G.] [Footnote 102: Plin.Epist.x.97.Dionysius Alexandrin.ap.

Euseb.
l.vi.c.41.Ad prima statim verba minantis inimici maximus fratrum numerus fidem suam prodidit: nec prostratus est persecutionis impetu, sed voluntario lapsu seipsum prostravit.Cyprian.Opera, p.89.

Among these deserters were many priests, and even bishops.] [Footnote 103: It was on this occasion that Cyprian wrote his treatise De Lapsis, and many of his epistles.

The controversy concerning the treatment of penitent apostates, does not occur among the Christians of the preceding century.

Shall we ascribe this to the superiority of their faith and courage, or to our less intimate knowledge of their history!] [Footnote 103a: Pliny says, that the greater part of the Christians persisted in avowing themselves to be so; the reason for his consulting Trajan was the periclitantium numerus.