Andronicus answered: “It is better that my body perish, than that thou shouldst do with my soul according to thy pleasure.” Maximus said: “Take advice, and sacrifice, before thou be tortured to death.” Andronicus replied: “Never from my youth up did I sacrifice, and do still not wish to do so, though thou constrain me.” Maximus said: “Lay on, and rack him well.” Anaximus, the horn-blower, who was to execute the sentence, spoke to Andronicus, saying: “I am old enough to be thy father; I advise thee to the best: do what the Proconsul commands thee.” Andronicus replied: “Because thou art older, and hast no understanding, therefore thou advisest me to sacrifice to stones and evil spirits.” While he was being tormented, the Proconsul said: “Thou wretched man! Dost thou not feel any torments, seeing thou hast no compassion upon thyself, and dost not forsake thy folly, which cannot save thee?” Andronicus answered: “My sincere confession, which thou callest a vain folly, is perfectly good, as putting all hope and confidence upon the Lord our God; but thy temporal wisdom shall die forever.” The President asked: “Who is it that has taught thee this folly?” Andronicus replied: “The quickening word, by which we are quickened, teaches us that our Lord is in heaven, who works in our hearts the living hope of our blessed resurrection from the dead.” Maximus said: “Desist from this folly before we torture thee still more severely.” Andronicus answered: “My body is before thee; thou hast full power over it; do as it pleaseth thee.” The Proconsul said: “Torture him exceedingly on the mouth.” Andronicus replied: “The Lord sees that you punish me even as a murderer.” The President said: “Dost thou still despise the commands of the princes? and thinkest thou my tribunal is without power?” Andronicus answered: “I trust in the mercy and truth of God’s promise, and therefore I suffer all this patiently.” Maximus asked: “Have, then, the princes transgressed, thou wretched man?” Andronicus replied: “Yes, according as I understand it, they have; for it is a transgression to sacrifice to idols.” While he was being tormented, the Proconsul said: “Turn him over, and torment him on his sides.” Andronicus said: “I am before you. Torment me as you please.” The President said to the executioners: “Take potsherds, and scrape open the old wounds.” When they had done this, Andronicus said: “You have strengthened my body by these torments.” Maximus said: “Ere long I shall exterminate thee; ere long I shall kill thee.” Andronicus answered: “I do not fear thy threats; my sentiments are better than all thy wicked thoughts.” Then the Proconsul commanded that irons should be put on his neck and feet, and he be kept with the others until the second examination. SECOND EXAMINATION OF THE THREE AFOREMENTIONED CHRISTIANS. [Illustration: SECOND EXAMINATION OF THARACUS.]