JUSTIN (St.) commonly called Justin Martyr, one of the earliest and most learned writers of the eastern church, was born at Neapolis, the ancient Sechem of Palestine. His father Priscus, a Gentile Greek, brought him up in his own religion, and had him educated in all the Grecian learning. To complete his studies he travelled to Egypt; and followed the sect of Plato, with whose intellectual notions he was much pleased. But one day, walking by the sea-side, wrapt in contemplation, he was met by a grave ancient person, of a venerable aspect; who, falling into discourse with him, turned the conversation by degrees from the excellence of Platonism to the superior perfection of Christianity; and reasoned so well, as to raise in him an ardent curiosity to inquire into the merits of that religion; in consequence of which inquiry, he was converted about the year 132. On his embracing that religion, he quitted neither the profession nor the habit of a philosopher: but a perfection breaking out under Antoninus, he composed An apology for the Christians; and afterwards presented another to the emperor Marcus Aurelius, in which he vindicated the innocence and holiness of the Christian religion, against Cretens, a Cynic philosopher, and other calumniators. He did honour to Christianity by his learning and the purity of his manners; and suffered martyrdom in 167. Besides his two Apologies, there are still extant his Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew; two treatises addressed to the Gentiles, and another on the unity of God. Other works are also ascribed to him. The best editions of St Justin are those of Robert Stephens, in 1551 and 1571, in Greek and Latin: that of Morel, in Greek and Latin, in 1656; and that of Don Prudentius Marandus, a learned Benedictine, in 1742, in folio. His style is plain, and void of all ornament.