PEREGRINUS 455
time he made them out to be mere children in compar- ison with himself, who united in his own person alone the offices of prophet, master of ceremonies, head of the synagogue, and everything. And of their books he explained and interpreted some, and many he him- self also wrote, and they came to look upon him as a god, made him their law-giver, and chose him as their patron. At all events, they still worship that extraor- dinary man, who was crucified in Palestine for in- troducing into the world this new religious sect.
Just about this time Peregrinus Proteus was seized on this account and thrown into prison, which very circumstance procured for him no small honor dur- ing his subsequent career, and the reputation for won- derful powers, and the popularity of which he was passionately fond. However, now that he had been put in bonds, the Christians, looking upon the thing as a misfortune, left no stone unturned in their efforts to secure his release. Then, when this proved to be impracticable, they all the time zealously rendered him ministries of every other sort. From earliest dawn aged widows and orphan children were to be seen waiting at the door of the prison ; and men of rank among them even obtained the privilege of sleep- ing with him within by bribing the prison guards. Then they were wont to bring in all manner of viands and read their sacred Scriptures, and our most excel- lent Peregrinus — for that was still his name — was dubbed by them a new Socrates.
Moreover, there came certain even from the cities of Asia, sent by the Christians at the common charge, to help the man, and advocate his cause, and com- fort him. They exhibit extraordinary activity, when- ever some such thing occurs affecting their common
