Turning again to Justin he said: “Listen to me, you who are called learned, and think that you have the true doctrine; if I get you scourged and beheaded, think you that you must needs go up to Heaven?” “I hope,” answered Justin, “to receive the reward destined for those who keep the commandments of Christ, if I suffer the tortures you promise me. For I know that those who have lived thus will keep the Divine favour to the end of the world.” “You think, then, that you will mount up to Heaven, there to receive your reward,” said the judge with a sneer. “I do not think it, I know it, I am certain of it without a doubt.” This assurance of a future life of happiness fell strangely on the ears of the Stoic philosopher. His heart craved for it but at best he could hope for immortality only, “if it were best for the whole Kosmos that it should be so.” He gave his final command to sacrifice to the idols and received a final refusal; and all were immediately sent to execution. * * * * * More famous than either the martyrdom of St. Felicitas or of St. Justin was the martyrdom at Lyons of forty-eight Christians, afterwards known as the martyrdom of the Maccabees. It is typical of the persecutions in the provinces as the others were of those in Rome, and fortunately we still possess the beautiful letter of the churches of Lyons and Vienne to the churches of Asia which gives a full account of it. It took place in A.D. 177, when Marcus Aurelius had already reigned for sixteen years and within three years of his death. He was then grappling with the barbarians on the Danube frontier and the plague was working havoc in the provinces as in Rome and Italy. Superstition broke out on all sides with renewed force and with especial intensity at Lyons, the religious capital of the Three Gauls. The old calumnies against the Christians were revived. They were accused of infanticide and incest, of treachery to the State, of secret conspiracy, and of contempt for the gods and hatred of mankind. To them was due the anger of the gods; and by their blood alone could it be satiated. The persecution began by a social ostracism of the Christians from all intercourse with their fellow-citizens in the baths, the forum and the other public places of the city, and even in private houses. If they violated this order they were beaten and stoned in the streets. So violent did this persecution become that the magistrates had at last to arrest all known to be Christians and examine them before the people. All confessed to the faith and were thrown into prison to await the arrival of the Imperial legate.