PASSION OF PERPETUA AND FELICITAS. 277 giftsin all,even as the Lord distributedto every one— as wellneedfullycollectthem in writing,as commemorate them in reading to God's glory; thatso no weakness or despond ency of faithmay suppose that the divinegrace abode only among the ancients,whether in respectof the condescension thatraisedup martyrs,or that gave revelations; sinceGod always carriesintoeffectwhat He has promised,fora testi mony to unbelievers,to believersfor a benefit.And we therefore,what we have heard and handled,declarealsoto you, brethren and littlechildren,thatas well you who were concerned in thesemattersmay be reminded of them again to the gloryof the Lord, as thatyou who know them by re port may have communion with the blessedmartyrs, and through them with the Lord Jesus Christ,to whom be glory and honour,forever and ever. Amen. CHAPTER L Argument. — When tliesaintswere apprehended,St.Perpetua successfullyresistedherfatherspleading,was baptizedwith the others,was ilirustintoa filthydungeon; and, being anxious abouther infant,by a visiongrantedtoher of a ladderraisedtoheaven,and of theascentof St.Saturus and herself,and ofa smallloafof breadofferedtothem,she understoodthathermartyrdom wouldtakeplaceverysliortly. 1. The young catechumens, Eevocatus and his fellow- servant Felicitas,Saturninus and Secundulus,were appre hended. And among them also was Vivia Perpetua, respectably born, liberallyeducated, a married matron, having a fatherand mother and two brothers,one of whom, likeherself,was a catechumen,and a son an infantat the breast. She herselfwas about twenty-two years of age. From thispointonward she shallherselfnarratethe whole course of her martyrdom, as she leftitdescribedby her own hand and with her own mind. 2. " While," saysshe," we were stillwith the persecutors,