CHAP. XXVIII. Concerning the Miracle which was performed at Sergiopolis.
MOreover, I will relate another thing, which was done by [the same] Chosroes at the City Sergiopolis; in regard 'tis [a passage] worthy to be recorded, and in reality deserves to be consigned to eternall memory. For Chos∣roes came to this City also, and attempted to take it by a Siege. After therefore he had made an Attacque against its walls, † 1.1 the Inhabitants came to a Parley with him about a preserva∣tion of the City. And it is agreed [at length on both sides,] that the sacred Treasure and Gifts [which had been dedicated to the Church] should be the Ransome of the City; amongst which [gifts] was that a 1.2 Cross also which had been sent thither by Justinianus and Theodora. After these things had been brought to Chosroes, he asked the Priest and those Persians who had been sent with him [into the City on that account,] whether there were any thing remaining. Then a certain person of those not accustomed to speak the truth, returned answer to Chosroes, that there were o∣ther sacred Gifts of great value, which were concealed by the Citizens who were very few in number. Now, of [the sacred Treasure] which was brought out [of the City to Chos∣roes,] nothing of value had been left behind consisting either of Gold or Silver, but of ano∣ther sort of matter more pretious, and which was wholly dedicated to God; to wit, the most holy Reliques of the Victorious Martyr Sergius, which lay in a certain oblong Chest covered over with Silver. When Chosroes, per∣swaded hereby, had sent his whole Army to the City, on a sudden, round the whole Circuit [of the City walls] there appeared an innumerable multitude of Souldiers, who with Bucklers de∣fended the City. Which [Apparition] those sent by Chosroes having beheld, returned, and with admiration declared both their number, and their kind of Armour. But Chosroes, after on a second enquiry he understood that very few persons were left in the City, and those either very aged or very young, the men of strength and vigour being all cut off and destroyed; found that the Martyr was the Authour of this Miracle. And being [on this account] put into a fear, and having admired the Faith of the Christians, he returned into his own King∣dom.