WEBVTT 00:26.480 --> 00:27.760 BOOK V. 00:27.880 --> 00:28.540 PART I. 00:28.900 --> 00:30.580 INTRODUCTION AND CHAPTER I. 00:31.980 --> 00:33.140 BOOK V. 00:34.320 --> 00:40.780 INTRODUCTION Soter, Bishop of the Church of Rome, died after an episcopate of eight 00:40.780 --> 00:45.520 years, and was succeeded by Eleutherus, the twelfth from the Apostles. 00:46.020 --> 00:50.780 In the seventeenth year of the emperor Antoninus Verus, the persecution of our 00:50.780 --> 00:55.120 people was rekindled more fiercely in certain districts on account of an 00:55.120 --> 00:59.500 insurrection of the masses in the cities, and judging by the number in a single 00:59.500 --> 01:03.280 nation, myriads suffered martyrdom throughout the world. 01:03.920 --> 01:08.460 A record of this was written for posterity, and in truth it is worthy of 01:08.460 --> 01:09.600 perpetual remembrance. 01:11.220 --> 01:15.600 A full account, containing the most reliable information on the subject, 01:16.040 --> 01:20.780 is given in our Collection of Martyrdoms, which constitutes a narrative instructive 01:20.780 --> 01:21.800 as well as historical. 01:22.620 --> 01:27.240 I will repeat here such portions of this account as may be needful for the present 01:27.240 --> 01:27.800 purpose. 01:29.620 --> 01:33.860 Other writers of history record the victories of war and trophies won from 01:33.860 --> 01:38.000 enemies, the skill of generals, and the manly bravery of soldiers, 01:38.500 --> 01:42.520 defiled with blood and with innumerable slaughters for the sake of children and 01:42.520 --> 01:43.940 country and other possessions. 01:45.460 --> 01:50.580 But our narrative of the government of God will record in ineffaceable letters the 01:50.580 --> 01:55.940 most peaceful wars waged in behalf of the peace of the soul, and will tell of men 01:55.940 --> 02:00.820 doing brave deeds for truth rather than country, and for piety rather than dearest 02:00.820 --> 02:01.400 friends. 02:02.100 --> 02:05.760 It will hand down to imperishable remembrance the discipline and the 02:05.760 --> 02:10.660 much-tried fortitude of the athletes of religion, the trophies won from demons, 02:11.140 --> 02:15.560 the victories over invisible enemies, and the crowns placed upon all their 02:15.560 --> 02:16.080 heads. 02:18.080 --> 02:19.040 Chapter 1. 02:19.640 --> 02:23.800 The number of those who fought for religion in Gaul under Verus and the 02:23.800 --> 02:25.160 nature of their conflicts. 02:26.340 --> 02:31.000 The country in which the arena was prepared for them was Gaul, of which Lyons 02:31.000 --> 02:34.240 and Vienne are the principal and most celebrated cities. 02:34.940 --> 02:39.100 The Rhône passes through both of them, flowing in a broad stream through the 02:39.100 --> 02:39.900 entire region. 02:40.880 --> 02:45.140 The most celebrated churches in that country sent an account of the witnesses 02:45.140 --> 02:49.740 to the churches in Asia and Phrygia, relating in the following manner what was 02:49.740 --> 02:50.640 done among them. 02:51.080 --> 02:52.940 I will give their own words. 02:54.380 --> 02:58.980 The servants of Christ residing at Vienne and Lyons, in Gaul, to the brethren 02:58.980 --> 03:03.320 throughout Asia and Phrygia, who hold the same faith and hope of redemption, 03:04.000 --> 03:07.980 peace and grace and glory from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 03:09.340 --> 03:13.840 Then, having related some other matters, they begin their account in this manner. 03:14.360 --> 03:18.580 The greatness of the tribulation in this region, and the fury of the heathen 03:18.580 --> 03:23.360 against the saints, and the sufferings of the blessed witnesses, we cannot recount 03:23.360 --> 03:26.940 accurately, nor indeed could they possibly be recorded. 03:28.220 --> 03:33.600 For with all his might the adversary fell upon us, giving us a foretaste of his 03:33.600 --> 03:35.920 unbridled activity at his future coming. 03:36.560 --> 03:41.000 He endeavored in every manner to practice and exercise his servants against the 03:41.000 --> 03:45.580 servants of God, not only shutting us out from houses and baths and markets, 03:45.940 --> 03:49.100 but forbidding any of us to be seen in any place whatever. 03:50.520 --> 03:54.720 But the grace of God led the conflict against him, and delivered the weak, 03:54.720 --> 03:59.740 and set them as firm pillars, able through patience to endure all the wrath of the 03:59.740 --> 04:00.400 evil one. 04:00.940 --> 04:05.140 And they joined battle with him, undergoing all kinds of shame and injury. 04:05.620 --> 04:09.580 And regarding their great sufferings as little, they hastened to Christ, 04:09.980 --> 04:14.300 manifesting truly that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be 04:14.300 --> 04:17.700 compared with the glory which shall be revealed to usward. 04:19.220 --> 04:23.760 First of all, they endured nobly the injuries heaped upon them by the populace, 04:23.760 --> 04:28.840 clamors and blows and draggings and robberies and stonings and imprisonments, 04:29.240 --> 04:33.960 and all things which an infuriated mob delight in inflicting on enemies and 04:33.960 --> 04:34.760 adversaries. 04:36.060 --> 04:40.900 Then, being taken to the forum by the Ciliarch and the authorities of the city, 04:41.420 --> 04:45.300 they were examined in the presence of the whole multitude, and having confessed, 04:45.560 --> 04:48.000 they were imprisoned until the arrival of the governor. 04:49.700 --> 04:54.060 When, afterwards, they were brought before him, and he treated us with the utmost 04:54.060 --> 04:59.240 cruelty, Vettius Epagathus, one of the brethren, and a man filled with love for 04:59.240 --> 05:01.180 God and his neighbor, interfered. 05:01.520 --> 05:06.020 His life was so consistent that, although young, he had attained a 05:06.020 --> 05:10.380 reputation equal to that of the elder Zacharias, for he walked in all the 05:10.380 --> 05:15.480 commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless, and was untiring in every good 05:15.480 --> 05:19.020 work for his neighbor, zealous for God, and fervent in spirit. 05:19.780 --> 05:23.960 Such being his character, he could not endure the unreasonable judgment against 05:23.960 --> 05:28.760 us, but was filled with indignation, and asked to be permitted to testify in 05:28.760 --> 05:33.780 behalf of his brethren, that there is among us nothing ungodly or impious. 05:35.300 --> 05:39.800 But those about the judgment seat cried out against him, for he was a man of 05:39.800 --> 05:44.800 distinction, and the governor refused to grant his just request, and merely asked 05:44.800 --> 05:46.420 if he also were a Christian. 05:47.140 --> 05:51.820 And he, confessing this with a loud voice, was himself taken into the order of the 05:51.820 --> 05:56.640 witnesses, being called the advocate of the Christians, but having the advocate in 05:56.640 --> 05:59.700 himself, the spirit more abundantly than Zacharias. 06:00.480 --> 06:05.280 He showed this by the fullness of his love, being well-pleased even to lay down 06:05.280 --> 06:09.940 his life in defense of the brethren, for he was and is a true disciple of 06:09.940 --> 06:13.120 Christ, following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. 06:14.920 --> 06:19.640 Then the others were divided, and the proto-witnesses were manifestly ready, 06:20.060 --> 06:22.300 and finished their confession with all eagerness. 06:23.100 --> 06:27.960 But some appeared unprepared and untrained, weak as yet, and unable to 06:27.960 --> 06:29.440 endure so great a conflict. 06:30.060 --> 06:34.900 About ten of these proved abortions, causing us great grief and sorrow beyond 06:34.900 --> 06:39.040 measure, and impairing the zeal of the others who had not yet been seized, 06:39.420 --> 06:44.340 but who, though suffering all kinds of affliction, continued constantly with the 06:44.340 --> 06:46.280 witnesses and did not forsake them. 06:47.360 --> 06:51.880 Then all of us feared greatly on account of uncertainty as to their confession, 06:52.360 --> 06:56.660 not because we dreaded the sufferings to be endured, but because we looked to the 06:56.660 --> 06:59.920 end, and were afraid that some of them might fall away. 07:01.460 --> 07:05.960 But those who were worthy were seized day by day, filling up their number, 07:06.360 --> 07:10.200 so that all the zealous persons, and those through whom especially our 07:10.200 --> 07:13.800 affairs had been established, were collected together out of the two 07:13.800 --> 07:14.200 churches. 07:15.740 --> 07:20.840 And some of our heathen servants also were seized, as the governor had commanded that 07:20.840 --> 07:22.760 all of us should be examined publicly. 07:23.540 --> 07:27.960 These, being ensnared by Satan, and fearing for themselves the tortures 07:27.960 --> 07:32.340 which they beheld the saints endure, and being also urged on by the soldiers, 07:32.700 --> 07:38.860 accused us falsely of Theistian banquets and Oedipodian intercourse, and of deeds 07:38.860 --> 07:43.600 which are not only unlawful for us to speak of or to think, but which we cannot 07:43.600 --> 07:45.420 believe were ever done by men. 07:47.180 --> 07:51.700 When these accusations were reported, all the people raged like wild beasts 07:51.700 --> 07:56.340 against us, so that even if any had before been moderate on account of friendship, 07:56.820 --> 08:00.640 they were now exceedingly furious, and gnashed their teeth against us. 08:00.860 --> 08:05.340 And that which was spoken by our Lord was fulfilled, the time will come when 08:05.340 --> 08:08.620 whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God's service. 08:10.280 --> 08:14.060 Then finally the holy witnesses endured sufferings beyond description, 08:14.600 --> 08:18.960 Satan striving earnestly that some of the slanders might be uttered by them also. 08:20.420 --> 08:24.920 But the whole wrath of the populace, and governor, and soldiers was aroused 08:24.920 --> 08:30.600 exceedingly against Sanctus, the deacon from Vien, and Maturus, a late convert, 08:30.860 --> 08:35.500 yet a noble combatant, and against Attalus, a native of Pergamos, 08:35.900 --> 08:40.640 where he had always been a pillar and foundation, and Blandina, through whom 08:40.640 --> 08:45.600 Christ showed that things which appear mean and obscure and despicable to men are 08:45.600 --> 08:51.140 with God of great glory, drew love toward him manifested in power, and not boasting 08:51.140 --> 08:51.760 in appearance. 08:53.380 --> 08:58.680 For while we all trembled, and her earthly mistress, who was herself also one of the 08:58.680 --> 09:03.360 witnesses, feared that on account of the weakness of her body she would be unable 09:03.360 --> 09:08.180 to make bold confession, Blandina was filled with such power as to be delivered 09:08.180 --> 09:13.140 and raised above those who were torturing her by turns from morning till evening in 09:13.140 --> 09:17.560 every manner, so that they acknowledged that they were conquered, and could do 09:17.560 --> 09:18.760 nothing more to her. 09:19.340 --> 09:24.300 And they were astonished at her endurance, as her entire body was mangled and broken, 09:24.820 --> 09:29.560 and they testified that one of these forms of torture was sufficient to destroy life, 09:29.900 --> 09:32.820 not to speak of so many and so great sufferings. 09:34.020 --> 09:38.920 But the blessed woman, like a noble athlete, renewed her strength in her 09:38.920 --> 09:43.340 confession, and her comfort and recreation and relief from the pain of her sufferings 09:43.340 --> 09:48.400 was in exclaiming, I am a Christian, and there is nothing vile done by us. 09:49.800 --> 09:55.280 But Sanctus also endured marvelously and superhumanly all the outrages which he 09:55.280 --> 09:55.700 suffered. 09:56.220 --> 10:00.360 While the wicked men hoped by the continuance and severity of his tortures 10:00.360 --> 10:05.520 to wring something from him which he ought not to say, he girded himself against them 10:05.520 --> 10:10.180 with such firmness that he would not even tell his name, or the nation or city to 10:10.180 --> 10:14.820 which he belonged, or whether he was bond or free, but answered in the Roman tongue 10:14.820 --> 10:17.400 to all their questions, I am a Christian. 10:18.100 --> 10:22.420 He confessed this instead of name and city and race and everything besides, 10:22.740 --> 10:25.280 and the people heard from him no other word. 10:26.540 --> 10:31.240 There arose therefore on the part of the governor and his tormentors a great desire 10:31.240 --> 10:32.220 to conquer him. 10:32.740 --> 10:37.320 But having nothing more that they could do to him, they finally fastened red-hot 10:37.320 --> 10:40.180 brazen plates to the most tender parts of his body. 10:41.740 --> 10:46.500 And these indeed were burned, but he continued unbending and unyielding, 10:46.840 --> 10:51.360 firm in his confession, and refreshed and strengthened by the heavenly fountain of 10:51.360 --> 10:54.520 the water of life, flowing from the bowels of Christ. 10:56.160 --> 11:00.940 And his body was a witness of his sufferings, being one complete wound and 11:00.940 --> 11:05.220 bruise, drawn out of shape and altogether unlike a human form. 11:05.940 --> 11:11.760 Christ, suffering in him, manifested his glory, delivering him from his adversary, 11:12.240 --> 11:17.100 and making him an example for the others, showing that nothing is fearful where the 11:17.100 --> 11:21.620 love of the Father is, and nothing painful where there is the glory of Christ. 11:22.660 --> 11:27.640 For when the wicked men tortured him a second time after some days, supposing 11:27.640 --> 11:31.960 that with his body swollen and inflamed to such a degree that he could not bear the 11:31.960 --> 11:36.520 touch of a hand, if they should again apply the same instruments, they would 11:36.520 --> 11:41.020 overcome him, or at least by his death under his sufferings others would be made 11:41.020 --> 11:46.420 afraid, not only did not this occur, but, contrary to all human expectation, 11:46.940 --> 11:50.940 his body arose and stood erect in the midst of the subsequent torments, 11:51.220 --> 11:55.540 and resumed its original appearance and the use of its limbs, so that, 11:55.700 --> 12:00.680 through the grace of Christ, these second sufferings became to him not torture but 12:00.680 --> 12:01.200 healing. 12:02.780 --> 12:07.580 But the devil, thinking that he had already consumed Biblius, who was one of 12:07.580 --> 12:12.020 those who had denied Christ, desiring to increase her condemnation through the 12:12.020 --> 12:16.740 utterance of blasphemy, brought her again to the torture, to compel her, 12:16.740 --> 12:21.340 as already feeble and weak, to report impious things concerning us. 12:22.300 --> 12:27.160 But she recovered herself under the suffering, and as if awaking from a deep 12:27.160 --> 12:31.560 sleep, and reminded by the present anguish of the eternal punishment in hell, 12:31.980 --> 12:33.820 she contradicted the blasphemers. 12:34.180 --> 12:39.080 How, she said, could those eat children who do not think it lawful to taste the 12:39.080 --> 12:41.160 blood even of irrational animals? 12:41.860 --> 12:46.620 And thenceforward she confessed herself a Christian, and was given a place in the 12:46.620 --> 12:47.700 order of the witnesses. 12:49.540 --> 12:54.560 But as the tyrannical tortures were made by Christ of none effect through the 12:54.560 --> 12:59.480 patience of the blessed, the devil invented other contrivances, confinement 12:59.480 --> 13:04.180 in the dark and most loathsome parts of the prison, stretching of the feet to the 13:04.180 --> 13:08.840 fifth hole in the stocks, and the other outrages which his servants are accustomed 13:08.840 --> 13:13.020 to inflict upon the prisoners when furious and filled with the devil. 13:13.600 --> 13:18.300 A great many were suffocated in prison, being chosen by the Lord for this manner 13:18.300 --> 13:21.680 of death, that He might manifest in them His glory. 13:23.280 --> 13:28.340 For some, though they had been tortured so cruelly that it seemed impossible that 13:28.340 --> 13:33.180 they could live, even with the most careful nursing, yet destitute of human 13:33.180 --> 13:37.200 attention, remained in the prison, being strengthened by the Lord, 13:37.540 --> 13:42.700 and invigorated both in body and soul, and they exhorted and encouraged the rest. 13:43.220 --> 13:47.460 But such as were young and arrested recently, so that their bodies had not 13:47.460 --> 13:51.540 become accustomed to torture, were unable to endure the severity of their 13:51.540 --> 13:53.680 confinement, and died in prison. 13:55.200 --> 13:59.640 The blessed Pothinus, who had been entrusted with the bishopric of Lyons, 13:59.980 --> 14:01.680 was dragged to the judgment seat. 14:02.180 --> 14:07.340 He was more than ninety years of age, and very infirm, scarcely indeed able to 14:07.340 --> 14:11.940 breathe because of physical weakness, but he was strengthened by spiritual zeal 14:11.940 --> 14:14.180 through his earnest desire for martyrdom. 14:14.960 --> 14:19.840 Though his body was worn out by old age and disease, his life was preserved that 14:19.840 --> 14:21.520 Christ might triumph in it. 14:22.680 --> 14:27.360 When he was brought by the soldiers to the tribunal, accompanied by the civil 14:27.360 --> 14:31.460 magistrates and a multitude who shouted against him in every manner as if he were 14:31.460 --> 14:34.120 Christ himself, he bore noble witness. 14:35.600 --> 14:40.000 Being asked by the governor who was the God of the Christians, he replied, 14:40.340 --> 14:42.580 If thou art worthy, thou shalt know. 14:43.080 --> 14:46.940 Then he was dragged away harshly, and received blows of every kind. 14:47.460 --> 14:51.320 Those near him struck him with their hands and feet, regardless of his age, 14:51.660 --> 14:55.660 and those at a distance hurled at him whatever they could seize, all of them 14:55.660 --> 14:59.840 thinking that they would be guilty of great wickedness and impiety if any 14:59.840 --> 15:04.940 possible abuse were omitted, for thus they thought to avenge their own deities. 15:05.600 --> 15:10.460 Scarcely able to breathe, he was cast into prison, and died after two days. 15:12.180 --> 15:17.100 Then a certain great dispensation of God occurred, and the compassion of Jesus 15:17.100 --> 15:21.180 appeared beyond measure, in a manner rarely seen among the brotherhood, 15:21.420 --> 15:23.420 but not beyond the power of Christ. 15:24.680 --> 15:29.000 For those who had recanted after their first arrest were imprisoned with the 15:29.000 --> 15:34.260 others, and endured terrible sufferings, so that their denial was of no profit to 15:34.260 --> 15:35.480 them even for the present. 15:36.160 --> 15:39.540 But those who confessed what they were, were imprisoned as Christians, 15:40.060 --> 15:42.560 no other accusation being brought against them. 15:43.020 --> 15:47.520 But the first were treated afterwards as murderers and defiled, and were punished 15:47.520 --> 15:49.520 twice as severely as the others. 15:50.460 --> 15:55.300 For the joy of martyrdom, and the hope of the promises, and love for Christ, 15:55.440 --> 16:00.260 and the spirit of the Father supported the latter, but their consciences so greatly 16:00.260 --> 16:04.040 distressed the former, that they were easily distinguishable from all the rest 16:04.040 --> 16:06.700 by their very countenances when they were led forth. 16:08.160 --> 16:12.260 For the first went out rejoicing, glory and grace being blended in their 16:12.260 --> 16:17.320 faces, so that even their bonds seemed like beautiful ornaments, as those of a 16:17.320 --> 16:22.040 bride adorned with variegated golden fringes, and they were perfumed with the 16:22.040 --> 16:26.400 sweet savour of Christ, so that some supposed that they had been anointed with 16:26.400 --> 16:27.480 earthly ointment. 16:28.140 --> 16:32.420 But the others were downcast, and humble, and dejected, and filled with every kind 16:32.420 --> 16:33.060 of disgrace. 16:33.980 --> 16:38.900 And they were reproached by the heathen as ignoble and weak, bearing the accusation 16:38.900 --> 16:43.240 of murderers, and having lost the one honourable and glorious and life-giving 16:43.240 --> 16:43.700 name. 16:44.400 --> 16:48.160 The rest, beholding this, were strengthened, and when apprehended, 16:48.500 --> 16:52.600 they confessed without hesitation, paying no attention to the persuasions of 16:52.600 --> 16:53.020 the devil. 16:54.440 --> 16:56.700 After certain other words they continue. 16:57.020 --> 17:01.680 After these things, finally, their martyrdoms were divided into every form. 17:02.220 --> 17:07.280 For plating a crown of various colours and of all kinds of flowers, they presented it 17:07.280 --> 17:08.100 to the Father. 17:08.700 --> 17:12.940 It was proper, therefore, that the noble athletes, having endured a manifold 17:12.940 --> 17:17.460 strife, and conquered grandly, should receive the crown, great and 17:17.460 --> 17:18.260 incorruptible. 17:20.340 --> 17:24.980 Matyrus, therefore, and Sanctus, and Blandina, and Attalus, were led to the 17:24.980 --> 17:29.860 amphitheatre to be exposed to the wild beasts, and to give to the heathen public 17:29.860 --> 17:35.140 a spectacle of cruelty, a day for fighting with wild beasts being specially appointed 17:35.140 --> 17:36.560 on account of our people. 17:38.460 --> 17:43.380 Both Matyrus and Sanctus passed again through every torment in the amphitheatre, 17:43.780 --> 17:48.840 as if they had suffered nothing before, or rather, as if, having already conquered 17:48.840 --> 17:53.080 their antagonist in many contests, they were now striving for the crown 17:53.080 --> 17:53.720 itself. 17:54.140 --> 17:58.580 They endured again the customary running of the gauntlet, and the violence of the 17:58.580 --> 18:03.060 wild beasts, and everything which the furious people called for or desired, 18:03.540 --> 18:08.880 and at last the iron chair in which their bodies being roasted tormented them with 18:08.880 --> 18:09.580 the fumes. 18:11.000 --> 18:16.080 And not with this did the persecutors cease, but were yet more mad against them, 18:16.460 --> 18:18.320 determined to overcome their patience. 18:18.660 --> 18:22.760 But even thus they did not hear a word from Sanctus except the confession which 18:22.760 --> 18:24.260 he had uttered from the beginning. 18:25.960 --> 18:30.160 These then, after their life had continued for a long time through the great 18:30.160 --> 18:35.200 conflict, were at last sacrificed, having been made throughout that day a 18:35.200 --> 18:39.340 spectacle to the world, in place of the usual variety of combats. 18:40.860 --> 18:46.100 But Blandina was suspended on a stake, and exposed to be devoured by the wild 18:46.100 --> 18:47.600 beasts who should attack her. 18:48.040 --> 18:52.320 And because she appeared as if hanging on a cross, and because of her earnest 18:52.320 --> 18:55.880 prayers, she inspired the combatants with great zeal. 18:56.280 --> 19:00.620 For they looked on her in her conflict, and beheld with their outward eyes, 19:01.040 --> 19:05.980 in the form of their sister, him who was crucified for them, that he might persuade 19:05.980 --> 19:10.580 those who believe on him, that everyone who suffers for the glory of Christ has 19:10.580 --> 19:12.740 fellowship always with the living God. 19:14.500 --> 19:19.320 As none of the wild beasts at that time touched her, she was taken down from the 19:19.320 --> 19:21.400 stake, and cast again into prison. 19:22.460 --> 19:27.080 She was preserved thus for another contest, that, being victorious in more 19:27.080 --> 19:31.320 conflicts, she might make the punishment of the crooked serpent irrevocable. 19:31.760 --> 19:36.540 And though small and weak and despised, yet clothed with Christ the mighty and 19:36.540 --> 19:41.480 conquering athlete, she might arouse the zeal of the brethren, and having overcome 19:41.480 --> 19:46.160 the adversary many times, might receive, through her conflict, the crown 19:46.160 --> 19:47.160 incorruptible. 19:48.320 --> 19:53.340 But Attalus was called for loudly by the people, because he was a person of 19:53.340 --> 19:53.840 distinction. 19:54.500 --> 19:58.220 He entered the contest readily, on account of a good conscience and his 19:58.220 --> 20:02.780 genuine practice in Christian discipline, and as he had always been a witness for 20:02.780 --> 20:04.120 the truth among us. 20:05.560 --> 20:09.820 He was led around the amphitheater, a tablet being carried before him, 20:09.920 --> 20:13.800 on which was written in the Roman language, This is Attalus the Christian, 20:14.120 --> 20:17.060 and the people were filled with indignation against him. 20:17.620 --> 20:22.120 But when the governor learned that he was a Roman, he commanded him to be taken back 20:22.120 --> 20:25.880 with the rest of those who were in prison concerning whom he had written to Caesar, 20:26.260 --> 20:28.020 and whose answer he was awaiting. 20:29.740 --> 20:34.520 But the intervening time was not wasted nor fruitless to them, for by their 20:34.520 --> 20:37.780 patience the measureless compassion of Christ was manifested. 20:38.440 --> 20:42.940 For through their continued life the dead were made alive, and the witnesses showed 20:42.940 --> 20:45.020 favor to those who had failed to witness. 20:45.640 --> 20:50.080 And the virgin mother had much joy in receiving alive those whom she had brought 20:50.080 --> 20:51.140 forth as dead. 20:52.140 --> 20:57.540 For through their influence many who had denied were restored, and rebegotten, 20:57.740 --> 21:00.220 and rekindled with life, and learned to confess. 21:00.820 --> 21:05.260 And being made alive and strengthened, they went to the judgment seat to be again 21:05.260 --> 21:09.800 interrogated by the governor, God who desires not the death of the sinner, 21:10.140 --> 21:13.780 but mercifully invites to repentance, treating them with kindness. 21:15.320 --> 21:19.680 For Caesar commanded that they should be put to death, but that any who might deny 21:19.680 --> 21:20.780 should be set free. 21:21.420 --> 21:25.080 Therefore, at the beginning of the public festival which took place there, 21:25.340 --> 21:29.940 and which was attended by crowds of men from all nations, the governor brought the 21:29.940 --> 21:34.420 blessed ones to the judgment seat, to make of them a show and spectacle for 21:34.420 --> 21:34.980 the multitude. 21:35.900 --> 21:40.740 Wherefore also he examined them again, and beheaded those who appeared to possess 21:40.740 --> 21:44.580 Roman citizenship, but he sent the others to the wild beasts. 21:46.060 --> 21:50.860 And Christ was glorified greatly in those who had formerly denied him, for, 21:51.140 --> 21:54.340 contrary to the expectation of the heathen, they confessed. 21:54.820 --> 22:00.280 For they were examined by themselves as about to be set free, but confessing they 22:00.280 --> 22:02.120 were added to the order of the witnesses. 22:02.740 --> 22:07.480 But some continued without, who had never possessed a trace of faith, nor any 22:07.480 --> 22:12.000 apprehension of the wedding garment, nor an understanding of the fear of God, 22:12.300 --> 22:16.600 but as sons of perdition, they blasphemed the way through their apostasy. 22:17.700 --> 22:20.420 But all the others were added to the church. 22:20.940 --> 22:25.380 While these were being examined, a certain Alexander, a Phrygian by birth, 22:25.560 --> 22:29.840 and physician by profession, who had resided in Gaul for many years, 22:30.160 --> 22:34.140 and was well known to all on account of his love to God and boldness of speech, 22:34.560 --> 22:38.920 for he was not without a share of apostolic grace, standing before the 22:38.920 --> 22:43.360 judgment seat, and by signs encouraging them to confess, appeared to those 22:43.360 --> 22:45.120 standing by as if in travail. 22:46.800 --> 22:51.780 But the people, being enraged because those who formerly denied now confessed, 22:52.300 --> 22:55.620 cried out against Alexander as if he were the cause of this. 22:56.100 --> 23:00.380 Then the governor summoned him and inquired who he was, and when he answered 23:00.380 --> 23:04.940 that he was a Christian, being very angry, he condemned him to the wild beasts. 23:05.520 --> 23:10.720 And on the next day he entered along with Attalus, for to please the people the 23:10.720 --> 23:13.780 governor had ordered Attalus again to the wild beasts. 23:15.020 --> 23:19.640 And they were tortured in the amphitheater with all the instruments contrived for 23:19.640 --> 23:24.940 that purpose, and having endured a very great conflict, were at last sacrificed. 23:25.940 --> 23:31.080 Alexander neither groaned nor murmured in any manner, but communed in his heart with 23:31.080 --> 23:31.520 God. 23:33.040 --> 23:38.380 But when Attalus was placed in the iron seat and the fumes arose from his burning 23:38.380 --> 23:44.240 body, he said to the people in the Roman language, Lo, this which ye do is 23:44.240 --> 23:49.700 devouring men, but we do not devour men, nor do any other wicked thing. 23:50.080 --> 23:56.260 And being asked what name God has, he replied, God has not a name as man has. 23:58.140 --> 24:03.600 After all these, on the last day of the contests, Blandina was again brought in, 24:04.000 --> 24:07.060 with Ponticus, a boy about fifteen years old. 24:07.600 --> 24:12.080 They had been brought every day to witness the sufferings of the others, and had been 24:12.080 --> 24:13.820 pressed to swear by the idols. 24:14.420 --> 24:18.920 But because they remained steadfast and despised them, the multitude became 24:18.920 --> 24:23.700 furious, so that they had no compassion for the youth of the boy, nor respect for 24:23.700 --> 24:24.740 the sex of the woman. 24:26.280 --> 24:30.220 Therefore they exposed them to all the terrible sufferings and took them through 24:30.220 --> 24:35.720 the entire round of torture, repeatedly urging them to swear, but being unable to 24:35.720 --> 24:36.480 effect this. 24:36.820 --> 24:41.500 For Ponticus, encouraged by his sister so that even the heathen could see that she 24:41.500 --> 24:45.680 was confirming and strengthening him, having nobly endured every torture, 24:45.680 --> 24:47.180 gave up the ghost. 24:49.140 --> 24:54.040 But the blessed Blandina, last of all, having, as a noble mother, encouraged her 24:54.040 --> 24:58.640 children and sent them before her victorious to the king, endured herself 24:58.640 --> 25:03.520 all their conflicts and hastened after them, glad and rejoicing in her departure 25:03.520 --> 25:07.620 as if called to a marriage supper, rather than cast to wild beasts. 25:08.760 --> 25:13.380 And after the scourging, after the wild beasts, after the roasting seat, 25:13.760 --> 25:17.320 she was finally enclosed in a net and thrown before a bull. 25:17.960 --> 25:21.540 And having been tossed about by the animal, but feeling none of the things 25:21.540 --> 25:26.140 which were happening to her, on account of her hope and firm hold upon what had been 25:26.140 --> 25:30.920 entrusted to her, and her communion with Christ, she also was sacrificed. 25:31.640 --> 25:36.060 And the heathen themselves confessed that never among them had a woman endured so 25:36.060 --> 25:38.240 many and such terrible tortures. 25:39.660 --> 25:44.720 But not even thus was their madness and cruelty toward the saints satisfied. 25:45.480 --> 25:50.640 For, incited by the wild beast, wild and barbarous tribes were not easily 25:50.640 --> 25:55.820 appeased, and their violence found another peculiar opportunity in the dead bodies. 25:57.620 --> 26:02.460 For, through their lack of manly reason, the fact that they had been conquered did 26:02.460 --> 26:07.360 not put them to shame, but rather the more enkindled their wrath as that of a wild 26:07.360 --> 26:12.500 beast, and aroused alike the hatred of governor and people to treat us unjustly, 26:12.700 --> 26:17.460 that the scripture might be fulfilled, he that is lawless, let him be lawless 26:17.460 --> 26:21.460 still, and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still. 26:22.740 --> 26:27.080 For they cast to the dogs those who had died of suffocation in the prison, 26:27.520 --> 26:32.480 carefully guarding them by night and day, lest anyone should be buried by us. 26:33.000 --> 26:37.800 And they exposed the remains left by the wild beasts and by fire, mangled and 26:37.800 --> 26:42.280 charred, and placed the heads of the others by their bodies, and guarded them 26:42.280 --> 26:46.340 in like manner from burial by a watch of soldiers for many days. 26:47.040 --> 26:52.320 And some raged and gnashed their teeth against them, desiring to execute more 26:52.320 --> 26:57.500 severe vengeance upon them, but others laughed and mocked at them, magnifying 26:57.500 --> 27:01.280 their own idols, and imputed to them the punishment of the Christians. 27:02.160 --> 27:06.260 Even the more reasonable, and those who had seemed to sympathize somewhat, 27:06.680 --> 27:10.720 reproached them often, saying, Where is their God, and what has their 27:10.720 --> 27:14.580 religion, which they have chosen rather than life, profited them? 27:15.880 --> 27:21.220 So various was their conduct toward us, but we were in deep affliction because we 27:21.220 --> 27:22.480 could not bury the bodies. 27:23.140 --> 27:27.580 For neither did night avail us for this purpose, nor did money persuade, 27:27.580 --> 27:32.420 nor entreaty move to compassion, but they kept watch in every way, 27:32.840 --> 27:36.740 as if the prevention of the burial would be of some great advantage to them. 27:38.240 --> 27:43.440 In addition, they say, after other things, the bodies of the martyrs, having thus in 27:43.440 --> 27:48.580 every manner been exhibited and exposed for six days, were afterward burned and 27:48.580 --> 27:54.080 reduced to ashes, and swept into the roam by the wicked men, so that no trace of 27:54.080 --> 27:55.720 them might appear on the earth. 27:57.120 --> 28:01.960 And this they did, as if able to conquer God and prevent their new birth, 28:02.400 --> 28:07.660 that, as they said, they may have no hope of a resurrection, through trust in which 28:07.660 --> 28:12.280 they bring to us this foreign and new religion, and despise terrible things, 28:12.420 --> 28:15.020 and are ready even to go to death with joy. 28:15.520 --> 28:20.100 Now let us see if they will rise again, and if their God is able to help them, 28:20.100 --> 28:22.560 and to deliver them out of our hands. 28:23.960 --> 28:26.500 End of Book 5, Part 1