Ecclus. iii. 27.

Rom. xi. 33.

Ps. xlii. 10.

Ps. xcvi. 4, 5.

Originally the spectators had to stand, and now (according to Livy, Ep. xlviii.) the old custom was restored.

Ps. xciv. 4.

2 Tim. iii. 7.

"Pluvia defit, causa Christiani." Similar accusations and similar replies may be seen in the celebrated passage of Tertullian's Apol. c. 40, and in the eloquent exordium of Arnobius, C. Gentes.

Augustine is supposed to refer to Symmachus, who similarly accused the Christians in his address to the Emperor Valentinianus in the year 384. At Augustine's request, Paulus Orosius wrote his history in confutation of Symmachus' charges.