It is remarkable, that of so great a multitude of bishops in the province of Africa, Cyprian was the first who was esteemed worthy to obtain the crown of martyrdom.

[88] [Footnote 87a: There is nothing in the life of St.Cyprian, by Pontius, nor in the ancient manuscripts, which can make us suppose that the presbyters and deacons in their clerical character, and known to be such, had the permission to attend their holy bishop.

Setting aside all religious considerations, it is impossible not to be surprised at the kind of complaisance with which the historian here insists, in favor of the persecutors, on some mitigating circumstances allowed at the death of a man whose only crime was maintaining his own opinions with frankness and courage .-- G.] [Footnote 88: Pontius, c.19.

M.de Tillemont (Memoires, tom.iv.

part i.p.450, note 50) is not pleased with so positive an exclusion of any former martyr of the episcopal rank.