to prison." They were in consequence obliged to flee from Jerusalem. These persons living at the very fountain of information, both as to time and place, who did not receive the matter on hearsay, but whose senses were all along appealed to, and who gave such pledges of their conviction and sincerity, must surely be accounted credible witnesses.

Not only did the first disciples at Jerusalem suffer persecution, it was also the lot of all the first churches as soon as they were collected. The persecutions and afflictive trials they endured, both from the Jews and Heathens, are frequently and pointedly mentioned in those Epistles which were written to them by the apostles. "To you," says Paul to the Christians at Philippi, "it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Ye, brethren," says the same apostle to the believers at Thessalonica, " became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews." "Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." "We ourselves glory in you, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom for which ye also suffer." To the believing Hebrews he says, "Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joy

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fully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." What stronger pledges could we have of the sincerity of these persons among whom the apostles laboured, and in whose presence they had manifested those miraculous powers which are appealed to in the same Epistles, and which were of a character that could not be mistaken? These Epistles, too, were publicly read in the churches every first day of the week; so that the facts they contained were submitted to the examination of enemies as well as of friends. We receive, then, from these first churches in the principal cities of the Roman empire, irrefragable testimony to those facts on which Christianity is founded; a testimony, be it remarked, delivered in the presence of their enemies, and at the price of their own blood.

The following accounts of the death of Polycarp at Smyrna, and of the persecution of the churches at Lyons and Vienne, in France, will afford a specimen of what Christians in the next age had to encounter in adhering to their religion. Polycarp, as has been already noticed, was one of the Christian writers that were contemporaries with the apostles, who was himself acquainted with the apostle John, and had conversed with many who had seen Christ. He suffered death for the Christian religion in the year 167 or 168, in the reign of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, the philosopher, in what is called the fourth persecution.

Some time after the death of Polycarp, the Christians at Smyrna sent an account of that event in a letter, from which the following is an extract, to the Christians at Philadelphia, Philomelium, and other places,

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who had expressed a desire to receive it from eyewit"The church of God, which is at Smyrna, to the church at Philomelium, and to all the congregations of the holy universal church in every place, the mercy, and peace, and love of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied. We have written to you, brethren, concerning those who have suffered martyrdom, and particularly concerning the blessed Polycarp, who, by his martyrdom, as it were, sealed up, and put an end to the persecution." After which, says Eusebius," before they speak of Polycarp, they relate the sufferings of the other martyrs, describing their constancy under the torments which they endured; and how all who stood round them were astonished, seeing them scourged till their veins and arteries were laid bare, and even their entrails became visible; after which they were laid upon the shells of sea-fish, and upon sharp spikes fixed in the ground, with many other kinds of torture: In the end, they were cast to the wild beasts, to be devoured by them. They are particular in the account of the generous Germanicus, who, being corroborated by divine grace, overcame the fear of death implanted in the nature of men. For when the proconsul advised him to think of his youth, and to spare himself, and not throw away his life in his flourishing age, he was not at all moved thereby, but, as they say, he enticed and stimulated the wild beasts to approach him, that he might be the sooner dismissed from this evil world. Presently after that glorious exit, the whole multitude cried out, Away with the impious; let Polycarp be sought for.' There following then a great noise and tumult, and having in view the wild beasts, and other tortures, Quintus, a Phry

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gian, was intimidated and gave way, as did also some others with him, who, without a truly religious fear, had rashly presented themselves before the tribunal.

"When the admirable Polycarp heard of the demand made for him, he was not at all disturbed, but continued to be in a firm and composed temper of mind; and he resolved to stay in the city. Nevertheless, at length, he so far complied with the request of his friends, as to retire to a country-house not far off, where he abode with a small company, spending the time, night and day, in continual prayer to God, offering up supplications for the peace of the churches throughout the world, which, indeed, was his constant usage. In a short time, his pursuers, by informations given them, were led to the place where Polycarp was. Coming thither in the evening, they found him resting in an upper room, whence it was not difficult for him to remove to another house; but he would not, saying, 'the will of the Lord be done.' He then went down to the men, and talked to them in a free and cheerful manner, and ordered meat to be set before them, begging that they would allow him the space of one hour, in which he might pray without disturbance. Prayer being ended, they set him upon an ass, to carry him into the city. As they were going, he was met by Herod the Irenarch, and his father Nicetas, who took him up into their chariot. As they sat together, they endeavoured to persuade him, saying, What harm is it to say Lord Cæsar, and to sacrifice, and so to be safe?' At first, he made no answer; but when they were importunate, he said, I will never do what you advise.' They then began to reproach him, and thrust him out of the chariot so hastily, that, in getting down, his leg was bruised; but he got up, and went on cheer

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fully, as if he had suffered no harm, till he came to the stadium.

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"When he was brought before the tribunal, there was a great shout of the multitude. As he came near, the proconsul asked him if he was Polycarp. Upon his confessing that he was, he endeavoured to persuade him to deny Christ; and saying, Reverence thy age,' and other like things customary with them; 'Swear by the fortune of Cæsar-repent-say, Away with the impious.' The governor still urging him, and saying, Swear, and I will dismiss thee; reproach Christ,' Polycarp then answered: Fourscore and six years have I served him, and he has never done me any injury: How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?' The governor was still urgent, saying, 'Swear by the fortune of Cæsar.' Whereupon Polycarp answered, How can you desire this of me, as if you did not know who I am? Hear me then openly professing I am a Christian. And if you have a mind to know the doctrine of Christianity, appoint me a day and I will inform you.' The proconsul said, 'I have wild beasts, and I will cast you to them, unless you change your mind.' But he answered, Call for them, there can be no alteration from good to bad, but it is good to change from vice to virtue.' He said again to him, Since you do not mind the beasts, I will order you to be consumed by fire unless you repent.' Polycarp said, 'You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and then is extinguished; but you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgment and everlasting punishment reserved for the wicked. But why do you delay? Appoint which you please.'

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"The proconsul then sent the crier to make proclamation thrice in the midst of the stadium, Polycarp

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