Vol 01 - AN EXTRACT FROM THE EPISTLE OF THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA, CONCERNING THE MARTYRDOM OF ST...

AN EXTRACT FROM THE EPISTLE OF THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA, CONCERNING THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. POLYCARP
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 catholic church in every place; mercy, peace, and. love, from GOD the Father, and our Lord JESUS CHRIST, be multiplied.
1. WE have written to you, brethren, of the other martyrs, but especially the blessed Polycarp, who by his sufferings put an end to the persecution.
2. Germanicus strengthened those that feared by his patience; and fought gloriously with the beasts.. For when the Proconsul would have persuaded him to consider his age, and spare himself, he pulled the wild beast to him, and provoked him, being desirous quickly to be delivered from a wicked and unjust world. Upon this, the whole multitude cried out, "Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be looked out.
3. Then one named Quintus, seeing the beasts, was afraid. This was he who forced himself and some others, to present themselves of their own accord to the trial. Him the Proconsul persuaded to swear and sacrifice. For which cause, brethren, we do not commend those who offer themselves to persecution; seeing the gospel teaches no such thing.
4. Polycarp, when he first heard that he was called for, was not at all concerned; but resolved to tarry in the city. Nevertheless, he was at last persuaded to go out of it. He departed therefore into a village, not far distant, and there tarried with a few; doing nothing, night and day, but praying for all men, and for the churches that were in the world. And as he was praying, he saw a vision three days before he was taken; and behold, the pillow under his head seemed to him on fire. Whereupon, turning to those that were with him, he said prophetically, I must be burnt alive.
5. When those who were to take him drew near, lie. departed into another village; and immediately they came thither. And when they found him not, they seized upon two young men; one of which, being tormented, confessed. So the officer, Herod by name, hastened, that Polycarp might receive his portion, being made partaker of CHRIST.
6. The sergeants, therefore, and horsemen taking the young lad with them, departed about supper-time, being Friday; about the close of the evening they found him, lying down in a little upper room. When he heard that they were come to the house, he went down and spoke to them. Then presently he ordered that there should be somewhat got ready for them, that they might eat and drink: desiring them withal, that they would give him one hour's liberty, to pray without disturbance. And when they had permitted him, he stood praying, being full of the grace of GOD, so that he ceased not for two whole hours; insomuch that many of the soldiers began to repent they were come out.
7. As soon as he had done his prayer, in which he remembered all men, whether he or great, honorable or obscure, that had at any time been acquainted with him, and with them the whole catholic church; the time being come to depart, the guards set him upon an ass, and brought him into the city, being the day of the great Sabbath. Herod, with his father Nicetes, met him in a chariot: and having taken him up to them, and set him in the chariot, they began to persuade him, saying, "What harm is there in it, to say, Lord Caesar, and sacrifice, and so be safe" But Polycarp, at first, answered them not: whereupon they, continuing to urge him, he said, " I shall not do what you would persuade me to." So being out of all hope of prevailing, they first spoke bitter words, and then with violence threw him out of the chariot, insomuch that he hurt his thigh with the fall. But he not turning back, went on readily with all diligence, as if he had received no harm; and so was brought to the lists, where there was so great a tumult, that no body could be heard.
8. As he was going into the lists, there came a voice from heaven to him, Be strong, Polycarp, and quit thy self like a man. No one saw who it was that spoke to him; but the voice many of our brethren heard. As he was brought in, there was a great disturbance when they heard that Polycarp was taken. And when he came near, the Proconsul asked him, whether he was Polycarp Who confessing that he was, he persuaded him to deny the faith, saying, " Reverence thy old age, swear by Caesar's fortune: repent, and say, take away the wicked." Then Polycarp, looking with a stern countenance upon the whole multitude, that was gathered together in the lists, and shaking his hand at them, looked unto heaven, and groaning, said, " Take away thewicked." But the Proconsul insisting, and saying; " Swear, and I will set thee at liberty; reproach CHRIST;" Polycarp replied, "Eighty and six years have I now served CHRIST, and he has never done me the least wrong: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior"
9. When the Proconsul still insisted, saying, " Swear by the genius of Caesar;" he answered, " Seeing you art so urgent with me that I should swear, as you callest it, by the genius of Caesar, seeming as if you didst not know what I am; hear me freely professing that I am a Christian. If you desirest an account what Christianity is, appoint a dty, and you shall hear it." The Proconsul replied, " Persuade the people." Polycarp answered, " To thee have I offered to give a reason of my faith: for so are we taught to pay all due honor, (such only excepted as would be hurtful to ourselves,) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God. But for the people, I esteem them not worthy, that I should give an account of my faith to them."
10. The Proconsul continued, and said, " I have wild beasts ready; to those I will cast thee, except you repent." He answered, " Call for them then: for we Christians are fixed in our minds not to change from good to evil." The Proconsul added, " Seeing you despisest the wild beasts, I will cause thee to be devoured by fire, unless you shall repent." Polycarp answered, " You threatenest me with fire, which burns for an hour; but knows not the fire of that eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest you Bring forth what you wilt."
11. The Proconsul then sent his cryer into the middle of the lists, to proclaim three times, Polycarp has confessed himself to be a Christian. Which being done, the whole multitude, both of the Gentiles and the Jews, being full of fury, cried out with a loud voice, "This is the doctor of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods: he that has taught so many not to sacri flee, nor pay any worship to the gods." And saying this, they cried out with one consent, that Polycarp should be burnt alive.
12. This was done with greater speed than it was spoke; the whole multitude instantly gathering together wood and fagots, out of the shops and hass; the Jews especially, with all readiness assisting. When the fuel was ready, Polycarp laid aside all his upper garments. This being done, they presently put about him such things as were necessary to prepare the fire. But when they would have nailed him to the stake, he said, " Let me alone as I am: for He who has given me strength to endure the fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to stand without moving in the pile.
13. Wherefore they did not nail him, but only tied him to it. But he having put his hands behind him, and being bound as a ram chosen out of a great flock, for a burnt-sacrifice, acceptable unto GOD, looked up to heaven, and said, " O Lord GOD Almighty, the Father of thy well-beloved and blessed Son, JESUS CHRIST, by whom we have received the knowledge of thee; the GOD of angels and powers, and of every creature, and especially of the whole race of just men who live in thy presence! I give thee hearty thanks, that you have vouchsafed to bring me to this day, and to this hour; that I should have a part in the number of thy martyrs, in the cup of thy CHRIST, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body) in' the incorruption of the Holy Ghost among which may I be accepted this day before thee, as an acceptable sacrifice. For this, and for all things else, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee, by the eternal and heavenly High-Priest, JESUS CHRIST, thy beloved Son; with whom to thee) and the Holy Ghost, be glory, both now, and to all succeeding ages. Amen."
14. He had no sooner pronounced aloud, Amen, and finished his prayer, but they who were appointed to be his executioners, lighted the fire. And when the flame began to blaze to a very great heighth, behold the flame, making a kind of arch, like the sail of a ship filled with the wind, encompassed, as in a circle, the body of the holy martyr.
15. Those wicked men, seeing that his body was not consumed by the fire, commanded the executioner to go near to him, and strike his dagger in him; which was accordingly done. The centurion then put his body into the midst of the fire, and so consumed it.
16. Such was the passion of the blessed Polycarp; who is yet had in memory of all men: insomuch that he is spoken of by the very Gentiles themselves, as having been not only an eminent teacher, but a glorious martyr. Whose death all desire to imitate, as having been every way conformable to the gospel of CHRIST. For having by patience overcome the unjust governor, and so received the crown of immortality, he now, together with the apostles, and all other righteous men, who have gone before, with great triumph, glorifies GOD, even the Father, and blesses our Lord, the Governor both of our souls and bodies, and Shepherd of the catholic church, which is over all the earth.
17. We wish you, brethren, all happiness, by living according to the rule of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST; with whom, glory be to the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the salvation of his chosen saints. After whose example the blessed Polycarp suffered; at whose feet may we be found in the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST!