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But, say they, many Christians were even led away captive. This
indeed were a most pitiable fate, if they could be led away to any
place where they could not find their God. But for this calamity also
sacred Scripture affords great consolation. The three youths were
captives; Daniel was a captive; so were other prophets: and God,
the comforter, did not fail them. And in like manner He has not
failed His own people in the power of a nation which, though
barbarous, is yet human, He who did not abandon the prophet in the
belly of a monster. These things, indeed, are turned to ridicule
rather than credited by those with whom we are debating; though they
believe what they read in their own books, that Arion of Methymna,
the famous lyrist, when he was thrown overboard, was received on a
dolphin's back and carried to land.
But that story of ours about the prophet Jonah is far more
incredible, more incredible because more marvellous, and more
marvellous because a greater exhibition of power.
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