against them. Exposed to such sufferings, they endured them gloriously. For what shall we say, brethren ? Was Daniel ^ cast into the den of lions by such as feared God? Were Ananias, and Azarias, and Mishael shut up in a furnace ^ of fire by those who observed '° the great and glorious worship of the Most High ? Far from us be such a thought ! Who, then, were they that did such things? The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with a holy and blameless pur- pose [of heart], not knowing that the Most High is the Defender and Protector of all such as with a pure conscience venerate " His all-ex- cellent name ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. But they who with confidence endured [these things] are now heirs of glory and honour, and have been exalted and made illustrious '^ by God in their memorial for ever and ever. Amen.