7
their gods. And he was cast, scarce alive, into the prison, and died after two days. Here then, there took place a remarkable dispensation of God, and an infinite compassion of Jesus was shown forth; a thing, which had rarely occurred in the brotherhood, but is not unsuited to the wisdom of Christ. For those, who denied at their first apprehension, were themselves also confined, and partook of our sufferings. At this time the denial of the faith was of no use to them; for those, who confessed what they were, were imprisoned as Christians, no further charge being brought against them; whereas these were still detained as murderers[1] and impure, suffering double the punishment of the rest. Those indeed the joy of martyrdom[2], and the hope of the promises, and the love of Christ, and the Spirit of the Father, comforted; but these, conscience tormented with great vengeance; so that, in passing by, their countenances might be distinguished amongst all the rest. For the one went cheerfully, great glory and grace being mingled in their countenances; so that their very chains hung on them as a noble ornament, as on a bride adorned with robes embroidered and fringed with gold; at the same time, smelling so of the sweet odour of Christ, that some even appeared to have been anointed with earthly perfumes. But the others went abashed, and dejected, and wretched in their looks, and full of disgrace; and, moreover, reproached by the very heathen as ignoble and unmanly; bearing indeed the charge of murder[3], but having lost the honourable, and glorious, and life-giving Name. The rest, seeing these things, were confirmed; and those who were apprehended, confessed without hesitation, not even taking any thought of the reasonings of the Devil.
***
To conclude; their martyrdoms were distinguished by various kinds of death. For, having plaited a crown of different colours, and of all kinds of flowers, they offered it to the Father. It was needful, it seems, that these noble champions, who had endured a varied conflict, and been greatly victorious, should receive the great and incorruptible crown.
Maturus, and Sanctus, and Blandina, and Attalus, were taken to the beasts in the public place, for a common spectacle to the inhumanity of the heathen; this day of wild-beast fighting
