Andronicus replied: “Because thou art older, and hast no understanding, therefore thou advisest me to sacrifice to stones and evil spirits.”
While he was being tormented, the Proconsul said: “Thou wretched man! Dost thou not feel any torments, seeing thou hast no compassion upon thyself, and dost not forsake thy folly, which cannot save thee?”
Andronicus answered: “My sincere confession, which thou callest a vain folly, is perfectly good, as putting all hope and confidence upon the Lord our God; but thy temporal wisdom shall die forever.”
The President asked: “Who is it that has taught thee this folly?”
Andronicus replied: “The quickening word, by which we are quickened, teaches us that our Lord is in heaven, who works in our hearts the living hope of our blessed resurrection from the dead.”
Maximus said: “Desist from this folly before we torture thee still more severely.”
Andronicus answered: “My body is before thee; thou hast full power over it; do as it pleaseth thee.”
The Proconsul said: “Torture him exceedingly on the mouth.”
Andronicus replied: “The Lord sees that you punish me even as a murderer.”
The President said: “Dost thou still despise the commands of the princes? and thinkest thou my tribunal is without power?”