12.] [Footnote 85a: This was not, as it appears, the motive which induced St.Cyprian to conceal himself for a short time; he was threatened to be carried to Utica; he preferred remaining at Carthage, in order to suffer martyrdom in the midst of his flock, and in order that his death might conduce to the edification of those whom he had guided during life.
Such, at least, is his own explanation of his conduct in one of his letters: Cum perlatum ad nos fuisset, fratres carissimi, frumentarios esse missos qui me Uticam per ducerent, consilioque carissimorum persuasum est, ut de hortis interim recederemus, justa interveniente causa, consensi; eo quod congruat episcopum in ea civitate, in qua Ecclesiae dominicae praeest, illie.

Dominum confiteri et plebem universam praepositi praesentis confessione clarificari Ep.

83 .-- G] [Footnote 86: Pontius (c.

15) acknowledges that Cyprian, with whom he supped, passed the night custodia delicata.

The bishop exercised a last and very proper act of jurisdiction, by directing that the younger females, who watched in the streets, should be removed from the dangers and temptations of a nocturnal crowd.Act.Preconsularia, c.