[77] The propriety of reserving himself for the future exigencies of the church, the example of several holy bishops, [78] and the divine admonitions, which, as he declares himself, he frequently received in visions and ecstacies, were the reasons alleged in his justification.
[79] But his best apology may be found in the cheerful resolution, with which, about eight years afterwards, he suffered death in the cause of religion.

The authentic history of his martyrdom has been recorded with unusual candor and impartiality.

A short abstract, therefore, of its most important circumstances, will convey the clearest information of the spirit, and of the forms, of the Roman persecutions.

[80] [Footnote 76: The letters of Cyprian exhibit a very curious and original picture both of the man and of the times.

See likewise the two lives of Cyprian, composed with equal accuracy, though with very different views; the one by Le Clerc (Bibliotheque Universelle, tom.xii.p.