the feet of the martyrs; they perceived that red-hotcoals, molten lead, did not burn them, and witnessedother similar prodigies. In vain did they cry out:"This is magic; these are incantations" - the peoplewere converted in the presence of these miracles, andthousands of them embraced the faith; and this re-doubled the irritation of the judges.They believed that they were frightening the Chris-tians by inventing new tortures, and flattered them-selves that they were extinguishing the faith by puttingto death all Christians. But the more they multipliedtortures and immolated victims, the more did the num- ber of the faithful increase. Tertullian 1 relates that acertain governor in Asia, named Arrius, was putting todeath those who confessed the name of the Lord Jesus,when such a multitude presented themselves before histribunal as caused him to shudder at the thought of shedding so much blood; he therefore contented himself with putting a few of them to death, and to the rest hesaid: "If your desire of death be so irresistible, thereare precipices enough from which to fling yourselves.Begone!"1
Letter to Scapula
, ch. 5.
A Prayer to the Holy Martyrs to obtain their Protection.
O you blessed Saints of the heavenly kingdom! youwho sacrificed to the Almighty God the honors, theriches, and possessions of this life, and have received inreturn the unfading glory and never-ending joys of heaven! you who are secure in the everlasting possessionof the brilliant crown of glory which your sufferingshave obtained! look with compassionate regard uponour wretched state in this valley of tears, where we groanin the uncertainty of what may be our eternal destiny.And from that divine Savior, for whom you suffered somany torments, and who now repays you with so un-speakable glory, obtain for us that we may love him
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