The Martyrdom of Polycarp

And when the proconsul again pressed him and said, "Swear by the fortune of Cæsar," he answered, "Since you are vainly urging that, as you say, I should swear by the fortune of Cæsar, and pretend not to know who and what I am, hear me declare boldly, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and you shall hear them." The proconsul replied, "Persuade the people." But Polycarp said, "To you I have thought it right to offer an account [of my faith]; for we are taught to give all due honor (which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God. But as for these, I do not consider them worthy of receiving any account from me."