martyrdom

Martyrdom, then, seems to be a purifying of sins with glory.

To the wretched among men, the martyrdom through blood for the Lord seems to be the most violent death, not knowing that such a gate of death is the beginning of the truly existent life.

And those who bear witness in deed throughout their life, and in word in the court—even if they look forward to a hope, even if they shrink in fear—these are better than those who confess salvation with the mouth only.

I contend that martyrdom is a good thing with the same God by whom idolatry is forbidden and punished.

"I will burn them as gold is burnt, and I will prove them as silver is proved" — surely through the torments of fires and punishments, through the examining martyrdoms of faith.

But even if God had set martyrdoms before us under the name of a contest, through which we might make trial with our adversary, so that one by whom man was willingly struck down might now steadfastly strike him down — here too the liberality rather than the harshness of God presides.

this is that unconquered athlete.

We have, indeed, also a second bath, itself one and the same — namely of blood — concerning which the Lord says, I have a baptism to be baptized with, when he had already been baptized.

In short, if it were lawful to transfer the parables elsewhere, we should rather direct their hope toward martyrdom, which alone, the whole substance being squandered, will be able to restore the son;