Some words of encouragement and exhortation to Christians awaiting execution for their faith. Content He writes, unworthy as is he, to comfort the imprisoned Christians. External conditions are beyond our control, and so are irrelevant - it is our will and reason that decide if we are happy. The devil lurks in the jails, but if the experience mortifies the flesh, then the spirit will grow. Christians are soldiers of the living God, and no-one becomes a soldier without painful training.
Prison is that training ground.
The famous pagans endured unpleasant death, with only false ideals to comfort them. Violent death happens by accident every day, and in the recent wars many died simply for another man. Ad Scapulam, ed., with intr. I have this. Boring and unreadable it is too.