CHAPTER IV

A PARALYTIC JEW HEALED BY ATTICUS IN BAPTISM

THIS was one important improvement in the circumstances of the church, which happened during the ecclesiastic administration of Atticus. Nor were these times without the attestation of miracles. For a Jew who had been confined to his bed by paralysis for many years, and had been benefitted neither by medical skill, nor by the prayers of his Jewish brethren, had recourse at length to Christian baptism, hoping that as it was the only means now left untried, it would prove to be the true remedy. When Atticus the bishop was informed of his wishes, he instructed him in the first principles of Christian truth, and having preached to him the hope in Christ, directed that he should be brought in his bed to the font. The paralytic Jew receiving baptism with a sincere faith, as soon as he was taken out of the water found himself perfectly cured of his disease, and continued to enjoy sound health afterwards. Such was the miraculous power of Christ vouchsafed to be manifested even in our times; the fame of which caused many heathens to believe and be baptized. But the Jews who so zealously seek after signs, were not induced to embrace the faith by present miracles, notwithstanding the blessings they saw thus conferred by Christ upon men.