Tharacus replied: “I asked Publius, our General, for permission, and he discharged me.”
The President said: “Have regard for thy age, then; for I desire thee, too, to be one of those who obey the commands of our lords, the emperors; so that thou mayest be promoted by me to great honors. Come hither, therefore, and sacrifice to our gods, for the princes themselves, who are the monarchs of the whole world, honor the gods.”
Tharacus answered: “They err grossly; however, they are seduced by Satan.”
The President said: “Smite him on the cheek, because he has said that the emperors err.”
Tharacus replied: “Yes, I have said it, and say it still, that they as men are liable to err.”
The President said: “Sacrifice to our gods, and forsake thy folly.”
Tharacus answered: “I serve my God, and sacrifice to him: not with blood, but with a pure heart; for these sacrifices (namely such as are stained with blood) are unnecessary.”
The President said: “I have pity for thy age; therefore I admonish thee, to forsake this folly, and sacrifice to the gods.”
Tharacus replied: “I will not depart from the law of the Lord; and because I honor the law of God, I shall beware of such wickedness.”
The President said: “Is there, then, another law besides this, thou wicked wretch?”
Tharacus answered: “Your law commands to worship wood, stone, and the work of man.”
_Tharacus put to the rack._--The Proconsul or President then said to his hangmen: “Smite him on the neck, and tell him not to speak such folly.”
While they were beating Tharacus, he said: “I shall by no means abandon this confession, which saves me.”
The Proconsul said: “I shall make thee forsake this folly, and be more prudent.”
Tharacus answered: “Do what thou wilt; thou hast full power over my body.”
Maximus, the Proconsul, said to his servants: “Strip him, and scourge him with rods.”
Tharacus answered, as he was scourged: “Truly, thou hast made me more prudent, since by these stripes thou strengthenest me more and more in my confidence in God and his Anointed, Jesus Christ, who is his Son.”
The President said: “Thou accursed and unrighteous fellow! how canst thou serve two gods at once. See, now thou dost certainly confess more than one god. Why then, deniest thou those whom we worship? Dost thou not confess Christ and the Lord?”
Tharacus answered: “Yea, I do; for he is the Son of God, the hope of all Christians, for whose sake we are wounded, and healed.”
The President said: “Leave off this useless babbling; come hither, and sacrifice.”
“I do not say much,” replied Tharacus, “but I speak the truth; for I am now sixty-five years old, and have believed thus, and do not desire to depart from the truth.”
Demetrius, the Centurion, said: “O wretched man! spare thyself, sacrifice, and follow my advice.”
Tharacus answered: “Depart from me, thou servant of Satan, with thy advice.”
Maximus commanded them, to put heavy iron chains on him, and take him back to prison, and to bring forth another.
_Probus examined._--Demetrius, the Captain, said: “Lord, here is one already.”
Thereupon the President said to Probus: “Tell me first thy name.”
Probus answered: “In the first place, my noblest name is, that I am a Christian; secondly, men call me Probus.”
The Proconsul asked again: “Of what nation and descent art thou?”
Probus replied: “My father was from Thracia, a citizen, born at Pergamus, in Pamphilia; but I am a Christian.”
The Proconsul said: “Thou shalt not gain much by this name; but listen to me, and sacrifice to the gods; that thou mayest be honored by the princes, and be our friend.”
Probus answered: “I desire neither honor from the emperors nor thy friendship; for not small was the wealth which I forsook, in order faithfully to serve the living God.”