there pressed him to join him in making
sacrifices. But the martyr replied, that he could never adore blind and
deaf idols. And taking a piece of his flesh which had been cut out of
his body that day, and still hung to it by a bit of skin, he threw it
upon Julian. The emperor went out in great indignation: and count
Frumentinus, fearing his displeasure, studied how to revenge an insult,
for which he seemed responsible to his master. He therefore mounted his
tribunal, and ordered the torments of the martyr to be redoubled; and so
deep were the incisions made in his flesh, that his bowels were exposed
to view, and the spectators wept for compassion. The martyr prayed aloud
all the time, and at evening was carried back to prison. Next morning
Julian set out for Antioch, and would not see Frumentinus. The count
resolved to repair his disgrace, or at least to discharge his resentment
by exerting his rage upon the servant of Christ. But to his thundering
threats Basil answered: "You know how many pieces of flesh have been
torn from my body: yet look on my shoulders and sides; see if any wounds
appear? Know that Jesus Christ this night hath healed me. Send this news
to your master Julian, that he may know the power of God whom he hath
forsaken. He hath overturned his altars, who was himself concealed under
them when he was sought by Constantius to be put to death. But God hath
discovered to me that his tyranny shall be shortly extinguished with his
life." Frumentinus seemed no longer able to contain his rage, and
commanded the saint to be laid upon his belly, and his back to be
pierced with red-hot iron spikes. The martyr expired under these
torments on the 29th of June, in 362. But his name is honored both by
the Latins and Greeks on the 22d of March.

The love of God, which triumphed in the breasts of the martyrs, made
them regard as nothing whatever labors, losses, or torments they
suffered for its sake, according to that of the Canticles: _If a man
shall have given all that he possesses, he will despise it as nothing._
If the sacrifice of worldly honors, goods, friends, and life be required
of such a one, he makes it with joy, saying with the royal prophet,
_What have I desired in heaven, or on earth, besides thee, O God! Thou
art my portion forever._ If he lives deprived of consolation and joy, in
interior desolation and spiritual dryness, he is content to bear his
cross, provided he be united to his God by love, and says