41. But
Blandina was suspended on a stake, and exposed to be devoured by the wild beasts who should attack her. And because she appeared as if hanging on a cross, and because of her earnest
prayers, she inspired the combatants with great
zeal. For they looked on her in her conflict, and beheld with their outward eyes, in the form of their sister,
him who was crucified for them, that he might persuade those who
believe in him, that every one who suffers for the
glory of
Christ has fellowship always with the living
God.
42. As none of the wild beasts at that time touched her, she was taken down from the stake, and cast again into
prison. She was preserved thus for another contest, that, being victorious in more conflicts, she might make the punishment of the crooked serpent irrevocable; and, though small and weak and despised, yet clothed with
Christ the mighty and conquering Athlete, she might arouse the
zeal of the brethren, and, having overcome the adversary many times might receive, through her conflict, the crown incorruptible.
43. But Attalus was called for loudly by the people, because he was a person of distinction. He entered the contest readily on account of a good
conscience and his genuine practice in
Christian discipline, and as he had always been a
witness for the
truth among us.
44. He was led around the amphitheater, a tablet being carried before him on which was written in the Roman language 'This is Attalus the
Christian,' and the people were filled with indignation against him. But when the governor learned that he was a Roman, he commanded him to be taken back with the rest of those who were in
prison concerning whom he had written to Cæsar, and whose answer he was awaiting.
45. But the intervening time was not wasted nor fruitless to them; for by their patience the measureless compassion of
Christ was manifested. For through their continued life the dead were made alive, and the witnesses showed favor to those who had failed to
witness. And the
virgin mother had much
joy in receiving alive those whom she had brought forth as dead.
46. For through their influence
many who had denied were restored, and re-begotten, and rekindled with life, and learned to confess. And being made alive and strengthened, they went to the judgment seat to be again interrogated by the governor;
God, who desires not the death of the sinner,
Ezekiel 33:11 but mercifully invites to repentance, treating them with kindness.
47. For Cæsar commanded that they should be
put to death, but that
any who might deny should be set free. Therefore, at the beginning of the public festival which took place there, and which was attended by crowds of men from all nations, the governor brought the blessed ones to the judgment seat, to make of them a show and spectacle for the multitude. Wherefore also he examined them again, and beheaded those who appeared to possess Roman citizenship, but he sent the others to the wild beasts.
48. And
Christ was
glorified greatly in
those who had formerly denied him, for, contrary to the expectation of the
heathen, they confessed. For they were examined by themselves, as about to be set free; but confessing, they were added to the order of the
witnesses. But some continued without, who had never possessed a trace of
faith, nor any apprehension of the wedding garment,
Matthew 22:11 nor an understanding of the
fear of
God; but, as sons of perdition, they
blasphemed the Way through their
apostasy.
