all that due honour and reverence that is not prejudicial and contrary to the precepts of religion. As for them, I think them not competent judges, to whom I should apologize, or give an account of my faith."

The proconsul now saw it was in vain to use any further persuasives and entreaties; and therefore betook himself to severer arguments. "I have wild beasts at hand," said he, "to which I will cast thee, unless thou recant." "Call for them," cried the martyr, "for we are immutably resolved not to change the better for the worse; accounting it fit and comely only to turn from vice to virtue." "Since thou makest so light of wild beasts," added the proconsul, "I have a fire that shall tame thee, unless thou repent." "Thou threatenest me with a fire," answered Polycarp, "that burns for an hour, and is presently extinct, but art ignorant, alas! of the fire of eternal damnation, and the judgment to come, reserved for the wicked in the other world. But why delayest thou? Bring forth whatever thou hast a mind to." This and much more he spake with a pleasant and cheerful confidence; and a divine grace was conspicuous in his very looks, so far was he from cowardly sinking under the great threatenings made against him. Yea, the proconsul himself was astonished at it; though finding no good could be done upon him, he commanded the crier, in the middle of the

stadium, thrice to make open proclamation, (as was the manner of the Romans in all capital trials,) "Polycarp has confessed himself a Christian." Whereat the whole multitude, both of Jews and Gentiles that were present, (and it is probable that the common council or assembly of Asia might about this time be held at Smyrna, for the celebration of their common shows and sports; for that it was sometimes held here, is evident from an ancient inscription making mention of it,) gave a mighty shout, crying out aloud, "This is the great doctor of Asia, and the father of the Christians; this is the destroyer of our gods, who teaches men not to do sacrifice, or worship the deities."

The cry being a little over, they immediately addressed themselves to Philip, the asiarch. These asiarchs were Gentile priests belonging to the commonalty of Asia, yearly chosen at the common council or assembly of Asia, to the number of about ten, (whereof one was principal,) out of the names returned by the several cities. It was an office of great honour and credit, but withal of great expense and charge; they being obliged to entertain the people with sights and sports upon the festival solemnities; and therefore it was not conferred but upon the more wealthy and substantial citizens. In this place was Philip at this time, whom the people clamorously requested to let loose a lion

upon the malefactor. Which he told them he could not do, having already exhibited the hunting of wild beasts with men, one of the famous shows of the amphitheatre. Then they unanimously demanded that he might be burnt alive; a fate which he himself, from the vision in his dream, had prophetically foretold should be his portion. The thing was no sooner said than done, each one striving to bear a part in this fatal tragedy, with incredible speed fetching wood and fagots from several places; but especially the Jews were peculiarly active in the service, malice to Christians being almost as natural to them as it is for the fire to burn.

The officers that were employed in his execution having disposed all other things, came, according to custom, to nail him to the stake; which he desired them to omit, assuring them, that He who gave him strength to endure the fire, would enable him, without nailing, to stand immovable in the hottest flames. So they only tied him, who standing like a sheep ready for the slaughter, designed as a grateful sacrifice to the Almighty, clasping his hands, which were bound behind him, he poured out his soul to Heaven in this following prayer: "O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy well-beloved and everblessed Son, Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of thee; the God of angels, powers, and of every creature, and of

the whole race of the righteous, who live before thee; I bless thee that thou hast graciously condescended to bring me to this day and hour, that I may receive a portion in the number of thy holy martyrs, and drink of Christ's cup, for the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body, in the incorruptibleness of the Holy Spirit. Into which

number grant I may be received this day; being found in thy sight as a fair and acceptable sacrifice, such a one as thou thyself hast prepared, that so thou mayest accomplish what thou, O true and faithful God, hast foreshown. Wherefore, I praise thee for all thy mercies. I bless thee, I glorify thee, through the eternal High-Priest, thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ; to whom with thyself and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and for ever, Amen." Which last words he pronounced with a more clear, audible voice; and having done his prayer, the ministers of execution blew up the fire, which increasing to a mighty flame, behold a wonder, (seen, say my authors, by us, who were purposely reserved, that we might declare it to others,) the flames disposing themselves into the resemblance of an arch, like the sails of a ship swelled with the wind, gently encircled the body of the martyr, who stood all the while in the midst, not like roasted flesh, but like gold or silver purified in the furnace; his body sending forth a delightful fragrancy,

which, like frankincense, or some other costly spices, presented itself to our senses.

How blind and incorrigibly obstinate is unbelief! The infidels were so far from being convinced, that they were rather exasperated by the miracle; commanding a spearman, one of those who were wont to dispatch wild beasts when they became outrageous, to go near and run him through with a sword; which he had no sooner done, but such a vast quantity of blood flowed from the wound, as extinguished and put out the fire: together with which a dove, as is said, was seen to fly from the wounds of his body, which some suppose to have been his soul, clothed in a visible shape at the time of its departure; though true it is, that this circumstance is not mentioned in Eusebius's account, and probably never was in the original. Nor did the malice of Satan end here; he knew by the innocent and unblamable course of his life, and the glorious constancy of his martyrdom, that he had certainly attained the crown of immortality, and nothing now was left for his spite to work on, but to deprive them even of the honour of his bones. For many were desirous to have given his body decent and honourable burial, and to have assembled there for the celebration of his memory; but were prevented by some who prompted Nicetes, the father of Herod, and brother to Alce, to advise the proconsul not to bestow his body