Though these Reasonings were such, as Irene knew not well how to answer, yet, being uncapable of acquiescing in any Discourse, that inferr’d it to be her duty; to part with Theodora; she resolv’d to try, whether the perswasions of the company, (which she knew, would be very forward to assist her) would not be more prevalent, than hers had been: And that seem’d an accident very. friendly to her design, that just then happen’d, by the arrival of an intelligent Gentleman, whom she had a while before employ’d to learn News of her Friend; and who, on that score, had been a curious and heedful Spectator, of all that had pass’d, at the presidents, in relation to Didymus, and was come to bring Irene an account of it. To hear this, she and her sorrowful Friend were desir’d to rejoin the rest of the company: To which, the high and just esteem they all had of so brave a Gentleman, as Didymus, gave an impatient desire to be inform’d of his Adventures. To satisfie this Curiosity, the Gentleman that was to do it, did, after a short pause, make them the following Narrative.
I suppose this company needs not be informed by me, of what happen’d to the generous Didymus, between the time, that the excellent Theodora was condemn’d to an infamous place, and that wherein he had the happiness, of helping her to make an escape out of it. And therefore without wasting any of that little time, whereof, I fear, we may have but too great need, I shall proceed to inform you, that when this astonishment, occasion’d by this Surprize, of finding a Young man in the escap’d Virgins Room, was a little over, and they had cloath’d Didymus in a habit more decent, to appear in, before a publick Assembly; they led him away to the Judge: to whom some of them related, maliciously enough, what had pass’d earnestly begging Justice of him, against a Person, who (they said) could not but be a Christian; and who was not content, to be himself an Offender against the Laws, but had dared to rescue another Offender, from the Punishment to which they had doom’d her.
Against this Charge, the undaunted Didymus being ask’d, what Defence he had to make, addressing himself to the Judge, made this resolute answer. I stand accus’d of a twofold Crime, of being a Christian, and of Theodora’s Rescue: And though I cannot so soon have forgot, how heinous my Accusers have endeavour’d to make them appear, yet, instead of denying either of them, I shall own, that I glory in both.
As for Christianity, in an Age, wherin it is so cruelly Persecuted, I would not have embraced the profession of it, but that I was resolv’d, if there were occasion, to suffer for it. And therefore I shall neither deny what they call a Crime, nor make an Apology for it, nor deprecate any Infliction, (for so I call it, rather than Punishment, which still supposes a fault) whereto it can expose me. Nor could I, without being wanting to the duty of Humanity, refuse my assistance, to preserve the purity of so noble a Shrine of Chastity, as the Savage designers of a Rape on Theodora, were going barbarously to violate. And the inward satisfaction of having done what became me on such occasions, will support me under any Sufferings, that shall be drawn upon me, but by my Loyalty to persecuted Truth, and my compassion of distress’d Vertue.
The experience I have had, (answers the President) of the effects of those desperate Errours, you miscall Religion, makes me inclinable enough, to think, that you, as well as many others of your wild Sect, have both Madness and Impiety enough, to put off the Apprehensions, as well as the other common sentiments, of Human Nature, and fear Death, as little as you do the Gods. But since you pretend to be more vertuous Men, and obedient Subjects, than others; pray tell me, what you can say, for your rescuing a Malefactor, out of the hands of those Ministers of Justice, that were going to Execute the sentence of Condemnation upon her.
If, (replies Didymus) the Sentence you speak of, had doom’d her but to Death; though I should most gladly have suffer’d it in her stead, yet I had deplor’d your Cruelty, without attempting to defeat it. But I confess, I could not without Indignation, as well as Grief, see such a person as Theodora, who for her Beauty, Vertue, and other Perfections, is justly admir’d by all that know her, and look’d upon as the honour of her Sex; most injuriously condemn’d to so infamous and barbarous an usage, as were unfit for the meanest and despicablest of Creatures, that belong to the Sex, (whereof she is the Ornament.) And considering with my self, that Chastity in Women, and especially in Virgins, is so much a Vertue, and their right to preserve it, so confes’dly inhaerent, that all Nations agree, in ascribing to them a right to defend it, without reserve, against whosoever attempts to deprive them of it; I concluded, that to help a distressed Virgin to preserve so acknowledg’d a right, was to defeat Ravishers, rather than to oppose Magistrates, and not commit a Crime, but hinder the accomplishing of one. Nor could I think, that ‘twas against the Roman Judges I acted when I oppos’d Persons, whom their Savage design made me look upon as the worst sort of Barbarians. And I did not doubt Sir, (continues Didymus) that in your own Breast, when calmer thoughts shall come there, to succeed those that lately possess’d it, I shall be absolv’d from an action, which kept you from dishonouring your self as much, as the execution of your Sentence would have defil’d Theodora; and kept you innocent as to Act, from what would have made you Enemies for ever, not only of the fairest half of Mankind, but of all those of our Sex, that retain any Sparks either of Vertue, or good Nature.