In the Vatican codices 6451, page 155, and 6454, page 353, and in the Cassinese codices 100, 102 and 109, folio 87, this short sermon is adorned with the name of Saint Maximus. From the very manner of writing, moreover, we think it can plainly be recognized that no other than Maximus was its author. When, dearest brethren, the pagan impiety had often been overcome by the virtues of innumerable martyrs, and, all kinds of punishments having been exhausted, it saw that the people of God not only could not be conquered, but were made stronger by its own torments, kindled with the firebrands of its own fury it set about to harass the most blessed Lawrence with flames. But the most hardened persecutor found in him a fire which mortal flame could not conquer.
For He had kindled the breast of the most faithful martyr, concerning whom the Lord said: I came to send fire upon the earth, and what will I, but that it be kindled (Luke 12:49)? To such a degree, moreover, did this most brave man patiently sustain those flames and bravely conquer them, that, though the executioner raged and his whole body was scorched in its members, he neither denied Christ, nor betrayed the vessels consecrated to the heavenly mysteries. In which matter, who could estimate what confidence of mind, what vigour of soul was his? Who, in so great a bitterness of torment, neither published to impious eyes the secret of the holy Church, nor was compelled to deny the name of his Redeemer.
But consider to what execrable ferocity of cruel mind the persecutor blazed up, who—as though the flame alone, kindled by the fires beneath, could not suffice for the burning of a human body to torture God's minister more violently—under the appearance of a single torment, with a certain doubled punishment, tortured the most blessed martyr both with fire and with iron. But the earthly burning wholly wastes away, where the heavenly mind grows warm with the fervour of the Holy Spirit. Nor is he conquered by the glowing iron, who for the help of his contest invokes the Creator of the iron. And thus it came to pass that from unwonted torments a new victory was born for the soldier of Christ.
Nor let it trouble us, brethren, that the pagans are permitted so much against the saints of God, to whom this power is granted for this reason: that, while they rage more cruelly, they may be more gloriously triumphed over in the martyrs.