was a subject of sorrow, inasmuch as we were grieved at our approaching separation from that holy man; but to him it was the accomplishment of his prayers, that he might the sooner depart out of this world, and attain unto the LORD whom he loved. Wherefore sailing into the Roman port, as that impure festival was approaching to an end, the soldiers began to be offended at our slowness, but the Bishop, with great joy, complied with their haste. 6. Being therefore hurried from the place which is called the Port, we forthwith met the brethren; for the report respecting the holy martyr was already spread abroad, who were full of fear and joy. For they rejoiced in that God had vouchsafed them the company of Theophorus, but were afraid when they considered that such a one was brought thither to die. Some of these who were the most zealous (for his safety), and promised to calm the people, that they should not desire the destruction of the just, he commanded to hold their peace: for he presently knew this by the Spirit, and saluted them all, entreating them to show true love toward him; expressing himself in discourse more fully even than he had in his epistle, and persuading them not to hinder him who was hastening to the LORD. And so, all the brethren kneeling down, he prayed to the Son of GOD for the Church, that he would cause the persecution to cease, and (continue) the love of the brethren toward each other. (This being done) he was hurried away with all haste into the amphitheatre, and was immediately thrown in, according to the previous command of Cæsar, the end of the spectacles being at hand. For it was then a very solemn day, called in the Roman tongue the thirteenth (of the Calends of January), upon which the people were more than ordinarily wont to be gathered together. Thus was he delivered to the wild beasts, near the temple, that so the desire of the holy martyr Ignatius might be accomplished, as it is written, the desire of the righteous is acceptable: namely, that he might be to that in Acts xvi. 8, 10. "And they passing by Mysia, came down to Troas. And after he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia" the first incidental intimation that St. Luke there became the companion of St. Paul. ▲ Prov. x. 24. burdensome to none of the brethren, by the gathering of his remains, according as in his epistle he had before wished that so his end might be. For only the more solid parts of his holy remains were left, which were carried to Antioch, and wrapped in linen, as an inestimable treasure left to the holy Church, by the grace which was in the martyr. 7. Now these things were done the day before the thirteenth of the Calends of January, that is on the twentieth day of December, Sura and Senecius being the second time consuls of the Romans.* We ourselves were eye-witnesses of these events, with many tears; and as we watched all night in the house, and prayed GoD in many words, with bended knees and supplication, that he would give us weak men some assurance of what was before done, it happened that, having fallen into a slumber for a little while, some of us on a sudden saw the blessed Ignatius standing by us and embracing us and others beheld him praying for us; others saw him as it were dropping with sweat, as if he came out of great labor, and standing by the LORD. Having seen these things then with great joy, and comparing the visions of our dreams, we sang praises to God the giver of all good things, and pronounced the saint blessed; and have now made known unto you both the day and the time: that, being assembled together at the season of his martyrdom, we may communicate with the combatant and noble martyr of CHRIST, who trod under foot the devil, and perfected the course which he had piously desired, in JESUS CHRIST our Lord, by whom and with whom, all glory and power be to the FATHER with the HOLY SPIRIT for ever. Amen. See IGNATIUS' Epist. to Romans, Sect. 4. * This corresponds to A.D. 107, THE Church of GoD which is at Smyrna to the Church of God which is at Philadelphia, and to all the other assemblies of the holy and Catholic Church, in every place; mercy, peace, and love from GOD the Father and our Lord JESUS CHRIST be multiplied. 1. We have written unto you, brethren, respecting the other martyrs, and (especially) the blessed Polycarp, who by his martyrdom has set, as it were, his seal, and put an end to the persecution. For almost all things that went before were done, that the LORD might show us from above a martyrdom truly such as became the Gospel. For he expected to be delivered up, even as the LORD also was, that we also should imitate his example; considering not only our own interest but that of our neighbor. For true and perfect charity desires not only that a man's self should be saved, but also all his brethren. 2. The sufferings, then, of all the other martyrs which they underwent according to the will of God, were blessed and generous. For so it becomes us, who who are more religious (than others) to ascribe the supreme power over all things unto Him. And who EUSEBIUS, Eccles. Hist. iv. 15. has preserved the substance of this Epistle, from another copy, sent to the Church of Philomelium in Phrygia. He has transcribed the Epistle from Sect. 8. to the middle of Sect. 19. with some variations from the present Greek copy. indeed would not admire the greatness of their mind, their patience and love of their LORD; who when they were so torn with scourges, that the very structure of their bodies to the inward veins and arteries was seen, did yet endure it; so that all who stood round pitied and lamented them? Others again attained to such a degree of fortitude, that no one uttered a cry or a groan, plainly showing to all of us, that those martyrs of CHRIST, in the same hour in which they were tormented, were absent from the body: or rather that the LORD stood by, and conversed with them. Wherefore being supported by the grace of God, they despised all the torments of the world, and by the sufferings of one hour redeemed themselves from everlasting punishment. Whence even the fire of their cruel murderers seemed cold to them for they had before their eyes the prospect of escaping that which is eternal and unquenchable : and beheld with the eyes of their heart those good things which are reserved for them that endure, which neither ear hath heard, nor eye seen, nor have they entered into the heart of man." But to them they were now revealed by the LORD, as being no longer men, but already become angels. In like manner they who were condemned to the wild beasts, (and kept) a long while (in prison,) underwent many grievous torments: being compelled to lie upon sharp spikes, and tormented with divers other punishments, that, if it were possible, the tyrant might force them, by the length of their sufferings, to deny CHRIST. 3. The devil did indeed invent many things against them but, thanks be to GOD; for he prevailed not over all. For the brave Germanicusd strengthened those : b 1 Cor. ii. 9. κńρukas-These spikes might be natural or artificial. EUSEBIUS, (Hist. Eccles. iv. 15.) who has given only a brief abstract of the early part of this Epistle, paraphrases the expression thus:-"being sometimes laid upon whelk-shells from the sea, and upon sharp spikes." (τοτὲ δὲ τοὺς ἀπὸ θαλάττης κήρυκας, καὶ τινας ἐξεῖς ὀβελίσκους ὑποστρωννυμένους.) The shell of the κήρυξ or buccinum, was armed with rough spikes: (Plin. Hist. Nat. ix. 36.) and an iron instrument, formed with sharp spikes projecting in every direction, used by the Romans as a defence against the enemy's horse, was called Murex, from its resemblance to the shell of the fish of that name. The Latin Church celebrate the memory of Germanicus on the 19th of January. that feared, by his patience, and fought gloriously with wild beasts. For when the proconsul would have persuaded him, telling him, that he should consider his age, and spare himself, he forcibly drew the wild beast toward him, being desirous the more quickly to be delivered from a wicked and unjust world. Upon this, the whole multitude, wondering at the courage of the holy and pious race of Christians, cried out, Away with the wicked wretches: let Polycarp be sought out.' 4. Then one named Quintus, a Phrygian, having lately come from his own country, when he saw the wild beasts, was afraid. Now this was the same man who forced himself and some others, to present themselves of their own accord (to the trial). Him therefore the Proconsul induced, after much persuasion, to swear (by the Emperor) and to sacrifice. For which cause, brethren, we do not commend those who offer themselves (to persecution); since the Gospel teaches no such thing. 5. Now the most admirable Polycarp, when he first heard (that he was called for), was not disturbed in mind, but determined to remain in the city. But the greater part (of his friends) persuaded him to retire. Accordingly he went into a little village, not far distant from the city, and there remained, with a few others; doing nothing else, either by day or by night, but praying for all men, and for all the Churches throughout the world, according to his usual custom. And as he prayed, he saw a vision, three days before g Compare IGNATIUS' Epistle to the Romans, Sect. 5. doéovs-Atheists. This was a constant term of reproach against the early Christians, arising from their opposing the worship of the Heathen deities. Thus Dio, in his life of Domitian, speaks of the charge of Atheism being " very common against those who went over to the Jewish religion;" evidently alluding to Christianity; and of Acilius Glabrio being put to death on that account. ATHENAGORAS says that the Gentiles brought three principal accusations against the Christians,-Atheism, banquetting on the bodies of children, and incest. (τρία ἐπιφημίζουσιν ἡμῖν ἐγκλήματα, ἀθεότητα, Θυέστεια δεῖπνα, Οιδιποδείους μίξεις.) (ATHENAG. Legatio pro Christi anis, p. 4. C. Colon. 1686.) JUSTIN MARTYR, Apol. c. 5. and elsewhere refers to the same charge. From Sect. 9. of this Epistle it is plain that the phrase, "away with the Atheists," was considered equivalent to away with the Christians." EUSEBIUS describes this as a dream. For he says, "When he |