9.

Let me call to my aid the example of the three children, ¹ who, amid the cool, encircling fire, sang hymns, ² instead of weeping, and around whose turbans and holy hair the flames played harmlessly. Let me recall, too, the story of the blessed Daniel, ³ in whose presence, though he was their natural prey, the lions crouched, with fawning tails and frightened mouths. Let Susannah also rise in the nobility of her faith before the thoughts of all; who, after she had been condemned by an unjust sentence, was saved through a youth inspired by the Holy Ghost. ⁴ In both cases the Lord’s mercy was alike shewn; for while Susannah was set free by P. 3 the judge, so as not to die by the sword, this woman, though condemned by the judge, was acquitted by the sword.