." "I can receive, says Maximilian,
no such mark. I have already the mark of Christ." Upon which Dion said,
"I will send thee quickly to thy Christ." "Thou mayest do so, said
Maximilian, but the glory will be mine."

Dion then bade the officer mark him. But Maximilian still persisted in
refusing, and spoke thus: "I cannot receive the mark of this world, and
if thou shouldst give me the mark, I will destroy it. It will avail
nothing. I am a Christian, and it is not lawful for me to wear such a
mark about my neck, when I have received the saving mark of the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, whom thou, knowest not, who
died to give us life, and whom God gave for our sins. Him all we
Christians obey. Him we follow as the restorer of our life, and the
author of our salvation."

Dion instantly replied to this, "Take thy arms, and receive the mark, or
thou shalt suffer a miserable death."--"But I shall not perish, said
Maximilian. My name is already enrolled with Christ. I cannot fight."

Dion said, "Consider then thy youth, and bear arms. The profession of
arms becomes a young man." Maximilian replied, "My arms are with the
Lord. I cannot fight for any earthly consideration. I am now a
Christian."

Dion the proconsul, said, "Among the life-guards of our masters
Dioclesian and Maximian, and Constantius and Maximus, there are
Christian soldiers, and they fight." Maximilian answered, "They know
best what is expedient for them, but I am a Christian, and it is
unlawful to do evil."

Dion said, "Take thy arms. Despise not the profession of a soldier, lest
thou perish miserably."--"But I shall not perish, says Maximilian; and
if I should leave this world, my soul will live with Christ the Lord."

Dion then ordered his name to be struck from the roll, and, when this
was done, he proceeded, "Because, out of thy rebellious spirit, thou
hast refused to bear arms, thou shall be punished according to thy
deserts for an example to others." And then he delivered the following
sentence: "Maximilian! because thou hast with a rebellious spirit
refused to bear arms, thou art to die by the sword." Maximilian replied,
"Thanks be to God."

He was twenty years, three months, and seventeen days old, and when he
was led to the place of execution, he spoke thus: "My dear brethren,
endeavour with all your might, that it may be your portion to see the
Lord, and that he may give you such a crown;" and then, with a pleasant
countenanc