'And why stands he at my tribunal?' continued Varus.
'For a breach of the late edict of the Emperor, by which the Christians were forbidden to preach either within their temples or abroad in the streets and squares.'
'Is that all?' asked the Prefect.
'Not only,' it was replied, 'hath he preached abroad in the streets, but he hath cast signal contempt upon both the Emperor and the empire, in that he hath but now torn down from its brazen frame the edict which he had first violated, and scattered it in fragments upon the streets.'
'If these things are so, doubtless he hath well earned his death. How is this, Galilean? dost thou confess these crimes, or shall I call in other witnesses of thy guilt?'
'First,' replied Macer, 'will it please the Prefect to have these bonds removed? For the sake of old fellowship let them be taken off, that, while my tongue is free to speak, my hands may be free also. Else am I not a whole man.'
'Unbind them,' said the Prefect; 'let him have his humor. Yet shall we fit on other bracelets anon that may not sit so easy.'
'Be that as it may,' answered the Christian; 'in the meanwhile I would stand thus. I thank thee for the grace.'
'Now, Christian, once more if thou art ready. Is it the truth that hath been witnessed?'
'It is the truth,' replied Macer; 'and I thank God that it is so.'