ivBooks VII. and VIII. have been translated by the late W. H. Cairns,M.A., Rector of the Dumfries Academy, and the rest byProfessor Crombie.
VOLUME I.
BOOK I., 393-478
Preface.—Origen undertakes this treatise at the desire ofAmbrose, but thinks it unnecessary, as the facts and doctrinesof Christianity form its best defence—work begun on one planand carried on on another.
First objection of Celsus is, that Christians enter into secretassociations, some of which are illegal,—his object being to discreditthe “love-feasts” of the Christians: Answer of Origen—chap. i.Second objection of Celsus, that Judaism, on which Christianitydepends, had a barbarous origin: Answer—chap. ii. Celsus objectsthat Christians practise their doctrines in secret to avoid the penaltyof death: Answer—chap. iii. Morality of Christianity neither venerablenor new: Answe