The persecution of the Christians in Persia by Sapor II. is described at length by Sozomen (E.H. II. cc. ix.–xv., in this Series).  It commenced in a.d. 343, and was going on at the date of these Lectures and long after.  “During fifty years the Cross lay prostrate in blood and ashes” (Dict. Bib. ‘Sassanidæ’).  Compare Neander, Church History, Tom. III. p 148, Bohn.)