appear to be such, but let the accuser be held guilty." This was published at Ephesus in the public convention of Asia. To these events Melito bears testimony, who was then bishop of Sardis, and well known at that time. This is clear from what he has said in that most excellent defence of our faith which he wrote and addressed to the emperor Verus.

CHAPTER XIV.

CIRCUMSTANCES RELATED OF POLYCARP, AN APOSTOLIC MAN.

ABOUT this time, when Anicetus was at the head of the Roman church, Irenæus says that Polycarp was yet living, and coming to Rome, had a conference with Anicetus, on a question respecting the day of the passover. He also gives another account of Polycarp, which should be added to what is already related respecting him. The story is taken from the third book of Irenæus against the heresies, and is as follows: "And Polycarp, a man who had been instructed by the apostles, and had familiar intercourse with many that had seen Christ, and had also been appointed bishop by the apostles in Asia, in the church at Smyrna; whom we also have seen in our youth, for he lived a long time, and to a very advanced age; after a glorious and most distinguished martyrdom, departed this life. He always taught what he had learned from the apostles, what the church had handed down, and what is the only true doctrine. All the churches bear witness to these things, and those that have succeeded Polycarp, to the present time, testify that he was a witness of the truth much more worthy of credit and much more certain than either Valentine or Marcion, or the rest of those perverse teachers. The same Polycarp, coming to Rome under the episcopate of Anicetus, turned many from the aforesaid heretics to the church of God, proclaiming the one and only true faith, that he had received from the apostles, viz., that which was delivered by the church. And there are those still living who

heard him relate, that John the disciple of the Lord went into a bath at Ephesus, and seeing Cerinthus within, ran out without bathing, and exclaimed, Let us flee lest the bath should fall in, as long as Cerinthus, that enemy of truth, is in it.' And the same Polycarp, once coming and meeting Marcion, who said, 'Acknowledge us,' replied, I acknowledge the first-born of Satan.' Such caution did the apostles and their disciples use, so as not even to have any communion, even in word, with any of those that thus mutilated the truth, according to the declaration of Paul: An heretical man after the first and second admonition avoid, knowing that such an one is perverse, and that he sins, bringing condemnation upon himself.' There is, also, an excellent epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, from which those that wish, and that have any concern for their salvation, may perceive both the character of his faith, and the doctrine of the truth." Such is the account of Irenæus. But Polycarp, in the epistle to the Philippians, still extant, has made use of certain testimonies taken from the first epistle of Peter. About this time Antonine, surnamed the Pious, having completed the twenty-second year of his reign, was succeeded by his son Marcus Aurelius Verus, also called Antoninus, together with his brother Lucius.

CHAPTER XV.

THE MARTYRDOM OF POLYCARP, IN THE REIGN OF VERUS, WITH OTHERS AT SMYRNA.

AT this time, as there were the greatest persecutions excited in Asia, Polycarp ended his life by martyrdom. But I consider it all-important also to record his end in this history, as it is handed down in writings still extant. There is, however, an epistle of the church which he superintended, to the churches of Pontus, which shows

* It was customary in the primitive church to use this expression as a form of salutation, particularly at the communion. "I acknowledge thee," therefore, is the same as "I salute thee."

what befel him, in the following words: "The church of God at Smyrna, to that of Philomelius, and to all parts of the holy universal church, every where, mercy, peace, and the love of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied. We have written to you, brethren, the circumstances respecting the martyrs, and the blessed Polycarp, who, as if sealing it with his martyrdom, has also put a stop to the persecution." After these, before the account of Polycarp's death, they give the account of the other martyrs, and show what firmness they evinced against the tortures they endured. "For," say they, "those standing around, were struck with amazement, at seeing them lacerated with scourges, to their very blood and arteries, so that now the flesh concealed in the very inmost parts of the body, and the bowels themselves, were exposed to view. Then they were laid upon conch shells from the sea, and on sharp heads and points of spears on the ground, and after passing through every kind of punishment and torment, were at last thrown as food to wild beasts." But they relate that Germanicus, a most noble youth, was particularly eminent as a martyr; who, strengthened by divine grace, overcame the natural dread of death implanted in us; although the proconsul was desirous of persuading him, and urged him from considerations of his youth, and entreated him, that as he was so very young and blooming he should take compassion on himself. He, however, hesitated not, but eagerly irritated the wild beast against him, all but forcing and stimulating him, that he might the sooner be freed from this unjust and lawless generation. On the glorious death of this one, the whole multitude, amazed at the courage of the pious martyr, and at the fortitude of the whole race of Christians, began to cry out, 'Away with these wicked fellows, let Polycarp be sought.' A very great tumult arising in consequence of these outcries, a certain Phrygian, Quintus by name, who had recently come from Phrygia, seeing the beasts and the additional tortures threatened, was so overcome by fear

and shaken in his resolution, that he finally desired to save his life. The contents of the aforesaid epistle, show that this man had frowardly rushed forward to the tribunal with others, and not in a modest, retiring manner; and yet, when seized, he gave a manifest proof to all, that it is not proper for those in this situation to brave danger by rushing blindly and rashly upon it. Thus far, however, respecting these: but the admirable Polycarp hearing these things, continued unmoved, preserving his firm and unshaken mind, and, at first, had determined to remain there in the city; but persuaded by the entreaties of those around him, and exhorting him to leave the city secretly, he went forth to a farm not far from it. There he staid with a few friends, night and day engaged in nothing but constant prayer to the Lord, and imploring peace for all the churches throughout the world; for this had always been his practice. In this situation, three days before he was seized, in a vision at night, and during prayer, the pillow under his head seemed to him suddenly to take fire, and thus to be consumed. On this, waking out of his sleep, he immediately began to interpret the vision to those present, almost foretelling the event that was about to take place, and plainly declaring to those around him, that it would be necessary for him to give up his life in the flames for Christ's sake. Those, however, that were in search of him, making every effort to discover him, he was again constrained by the affection and love of the brethren, to go away to another part of the country. Thither the pursuers came upon him, not long after, and caught two boys there, one of which they scourged in order to direct them to the retreat of Polycarp. Entering upon him at a late hour of the day, they found him, indeed, resting in an upper room, whence, although he might easily have escaped to another house, he would not, saying: The Lord's will be done;' and having understood also that they were come, as it is said, he descended and addressed the men with a very cheerful and mild countenance, so that those who did not know

him before, thought they beheld a miracle, as they beheld the advanced age of the man, the gravity and firmness of his countenance; and were surprised that so much zeal should be exercised to seize a venerable old man like this. He, however, without hesitation, ordered a table to be immediately prepared for the men; then requested them to partake of food largely, and begged of them only one hour, that he might pray undisturbed. As they gave him permission, he arose and prayed, so full of the grace of the Lord, that those present who heard him were amazed, and many of them now repented, that so venerable and pious a man should be put to death. Beside these things, the above-mentioned epistle respecting him pursues the narrative as follows:

"After he had ended praying, and had in this remembered all that had ever been connected with him, small and great, noble and obscure, and the whole universal church throughout the world, when the hour came for him to go, they placed him upon an ass and conducted him to the city, it being a great Sabbath-day.* He was met by Herod, who was the irenarch,† and his father Nicetes; who, taking him into their vehicle, persuaded him to take a seat with them, and said, 'For what harm is there in saying Lord Cesar, and to sacrifice, and thus save your life?' He, however, did not at first make any reply; but as they persevered, he said, 'I shall not do what you advise me.' Failing, therefore, to persuade him, they uttered dreadful language, and thrust him down from the car with great vehemence, so that as he descended from the car he sprained his thigh. But not at all moved from his purpose, as if nothing had happened, he eagerly went on, and was conducted to the stadium.‡ But as there was so great an uproar in the place that not

The great Sabbath was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, which immediately preceded the passover. See Beverege Pandecta Canonum SS. Apostolorum.

The Irenarch, as the name implies, was an officer to preserve the public peace. See 49th Law in Codex Theodosius.

The place of exhibition for sacred games and shows.