Homily XIX. is on the Forty Soldier Martyrs of Sebaste, who were ordered by the officers of Licinius, a.d. 320, to offer sacrifice to the heathen idols, and, at their refusal, were plunged for a whole night into a frozen pond in the city, in sight of a hot bath on the brink.  One man’s faith and fortitude failed him.  He rushed to the relief of the shore, plunged into the hot water, and died on the spot.  One of the executioners had stood warming himself and watching the strange scene.  He had seemed to see angels coming down from heaven and distributing gifts to all the band but one.  When the sacred number of forty was for the moment broken the officer flung off his clothes, and sprang into the freezing pond with the cry, “I am a Christian.”  Judas departed.  Matthias took his place.…