2. It’s no wonder, that this universal prejudice, drew many persecutions upon them: a persecution commonly began by some edict forbidding the Christians to meet together. The bishops gave notice of this immediately, and exhorted one another, to redouble their prayers, and to encourage the faithful _to run with patience the race set before them_. Then many retired, and some even of the pastors, while the rest remained with the people, but carefully concealed, knowing they were the persons, who would be sought for most diligently, as those whose destruction would probably occasion the dispersion of the whole flock. Indeed the rules of the church prohibited any, wilfully to expose themselves to danger, or unnecessarily to provoke the Heathens, and draw persecution upon them. 3. When any Christians were discovered and apprehended, they were brought before the magistrate, who seated on his tribunal, interrogated them, whether they were _Christians_? If they denied it, they were immediately set at liberty, for they knew a _Christian_ would not save his life by a lie. If they confest they were _Christians_, all arts were made use of to vanquish their constancy. First, by persuasion and promises, then by threatnings, and last of all by tortures. Sometimes they endeavoured to surprize them into idolatry, and then persuade them that they could not retract. They had always some idol and altar near. On this they offered victims in their presence: of which they would often force them to eat, or to drink of the wine offered to the idol. But this the _Christians_ resisted with all their strength: nay, when incense was laid upon their hands with burning coals, they would not so much as shake off the coals for fear of seeming to offer the incense. 4. The usual methods to force them to deny the faith, were, to stretch them upon the rack, by cords fastened to their hands and feet, and drawn at both ends by pullies: to hang them up by their hands with weights tied to their feet: to beat them with rods or large battoons, with thongs made of raw hides, or with scourges that had balls of lead, or iron points at the end. While they were stretched on the rack, they frequently applied burning coals or torches to their arms or sides: often at the same time tearing off their flesh with pincers or combs of iron. Insomuch that the bones being laid bare, and the intrails lying uncovered, the flame entering into the body put an end to the life of the sufferer.