34. Eusebius, 1. iv. c. 15. Sozomen, 1. ii. c. 32. See in
Bayle, in the article of 'Marcion', a curious detail of a
dispute on that subject. It should seem that some of the
Gnostics (the Basilidians) declined, and even refused, the
honour of martyrdom. Their reasons were singular and
abstruse. See Mosheim, p. 539.