[84:1] 1 Pet. v., 1. See 2 John i., 1; 3 John i., 1. [84:2] 1 Pet. v., 13. [84:3] _Cf._ Lipsius for a full discussion of the so-called "Simonian theory." [85:1] John i., 44. [85:2] Matt. iv., 18; Mark i., 16-20. [85:3] Matt. viii., 14; Mark i., 29-31; Luke iv., 38. [85:4] Matt. iv., 18; xix., 27; Mark i., 16; John i., 35, 40, 51; Luke v.; xviii., 28. [85:5] Mark iii., 13-19; Luke vi., 12-16. CHAPTER VI THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT'S TREATMENT OF THE CHRISTIANS OUTLINE: I.--Religious persecutions before the Christian era. II.--Christians first persecuted by the Jews. III.--Causes and motives of persecution by the Roman government. IV.--Number and general character of the persecutions. V.--Results of persecutions. VI.--Sources. Religious persecution originated long before the Christian era began--in fact it runs through the whole history of religion. In Rome all citizens were required by law to conform to the Roman religion so that the gods would protect the state. Refusal brought punishment, but always on political grounds.[91:1] Foreign religions which were either harmless or helpful were often adopted, or at least tolerated.[91:2] Those, however, which were dangerous to public morality, social order, or political security, and which were not tolerant of other religions, were severely treated by the Roman government. This was the Roman legal principle of procedure in the case of every such religion,[91:3] hence when Christianity appeared, Rome had already developed a distinct policy which first tolerated and then persecuted it. Persecution came to the Christians first from the Jews. Had not these deserters of their fathers' faith precipitated Roman hatred upon the Jews which resulted in persecution, expulsion, and loss of freedom and independence?[92:1] Might not the Jewish religion be greatly weakened if this proselyting continued? Hence the Christians were persecuted individually and in masses.[92:2] The Jews sought in every possible way to incite the Roman authorities against the hated Christians.[92:3] This resulted in an irreparable breach between the two sects. The Christians were brought into greater prominence, and the Romans even sought to protect them from the Jewish fanatics.[92:4] At the same time a greater Christian zeal was aroused, and thus the spread of the new faith was promoted. The Roman government tolerated the Christians at the outset, because they were regarded as a harmless sect of Jews, whose work was quiet and unobtrusive.[92:5] The significance of Christianity was not understood, nor the marvellous spread of the faith noticed. Indeed Roman hostility to the Jews led at first to personal and official protection of the supporters of the new faith, until the Jewish War in 70 A.D.