Final answer:
Simplicianus might counsel Victorinus to openly declare his Christian faith, considering the early Christians' willingness to publicly stand by their beliefs and the historical significance of public faith in Roman society. Public declaration was tied with virtus and could profoundly influence one's social standing.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Simplicianus was told by Victorinus that he was privately a Christian, Simplicianus might encourage Victorinus to profess his faith publicly. This is based on historical accounts where Christian teachings were initially public, as per theologians like Irenaeus and Tertullian, but later became more secretive, especially regarding the mysteries of the faith as noted by Cyril, Athanasius, and Ambrosius. It matters if faith is public due to the communal aspect of Christianity, the encouragement of sharing the good news, and standing firm against potential persecution, reflecting one's virtues (courage and integrity) by Christian tenets.
Furthermore, the historical context provided by the excerpts indicates that early Christians like Paul were willing to suffer publicly for their beliefs, demonstrating that a public declaration was significant to them. Additionally, the ridicule faced by Apuleius on the grounds of his personal and religious life highlights that public perception and declaration of one's beliefs were relevant factors in ancient society. Moreover, the importance of public faith is also indicated by the reactions to public actions and declarations in Roman society, such as the way Cicero addresses mourning in public, the declamations of Valerius Licinianus, and the legal strategies of Roman courts, as seen in the defense of Rabirius Postumus by Cicero. All of these instances reveal that how one's actions and beliefs are displayed publicly matters greatly and could affect one's reputation and legacy.