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Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

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THE FIRST AGE OF THE MARTYR CHURCH.225angels, and now they are crowned with immortallight. <strong>The</strong>y live in heaven, and follow everywherethe Kinor " who VY AAVy reigns X V-/AV! AAkJ there, u.i_i.vy-i- v->« covered withglory by the trophies they have gained in dyingfor Him." Hadrian, stung by this reply, couldnot contain himself, but said : " Either sacrificethis instant to the immortal gods, or I will myselfsacrifice you with your children to these godswhom you despise." " And how should I be sohappy," said Symphorosa, "as to be worthy withhildren to be sacrificed to my God ?" "tell you," said Hadrian, " I will have you sacrificedto my gods." "Your gods," replied she," cannot receive me in sacrifice. I am not a vie-tim for them ; but if you order me to be burntfor the name <strong>of</strong> Christ my God, know that thefire which consumes me will only increase theirpunishment." " Choose, I tell you," said the emperor; u sacrifice or die." " You think, doubtless,to frighten me," rejoined Symphorosa; "butdesire to be at rest with my husband, whom youput to death for the name <strong>of</strong> Christ." <strong>The</strong>n theemperor ordered her to be taken before the temple<strong>of</strong> Hercules, to be struck in the face, and hung upby her hair. But finding that these torments onlyserved to strengthen her in the faith, he had herthrown into the Anio. Her brother Euenius, /being one <strong>of</strong> the chief men at Tibur, drew hebody from the water, and buried her in the suburbs<strong>of</strong> the town.n. Q

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