Note 3 — XXXVI Here it is told how a cruel king persecuted the Christians

And he replied: it cannot be otherwise, for the angel of the Lord so bade me. Therefore, do in this way3. You have beautiful women: they have a lack of them. Take a number of them and dress them richly and set on their breasts a buckle4 of gold or silver for an ornament, on which let there be carved the idol which you adore (for he adored the statue of Mars) and you will speak to them as follows: that they do not yield unless the men promise to adore that image and figure of Mars. And then when they have sinned, I shall be free to curse them.