The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Polycarp
POLYCARPVS
The Life of Polycarp, who dyed Anno Chr. 170
POlycarpus was Disciple to S John, and Bishop of Smyrna: he going with S. John to a Bath at Ephosus, and espying Cerinthus the Heretick in it, said, Fugiamus ocyùs, &c.His zeal against Hereticks. Let us depart speedily, for fear least the Bath wherein the Lord's adversary is, do fall upon us: as one of the Fathers made haste out of the house of a wicked man, which soon after fell to the ground.Gods judgement against Hereticks.
The History of his Martyrdom is excellently set forth in an Epistle written by his own Church at Smyrna, The History of his Martyrdom.to the Brethren of Pontus, out of which, so much as concerns this matter, I shall transcribe. The Congregation which is at Smyrna, to the Congregation which is at Philomilium, and to all the Congregations throughout Pontus; mercy to you, peace, and the love of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplyed, Amen. We have written unto you (Brethren) of those men which have suffered Martyrdom; and particularly of blessed Polycarp, who by sheding his blood, hath (through Gods mercy) put an end to this persecution, the manner whereof we shall now relate to you: This holy man hearing of the cruel persecution abroad, was therewith nothing terrified, but retained the inmovable tranquility of his minde,His courage. and continued still in the City, till at length he was perswaded through the importunity of his friends,His slight. to betake himself to a certain Farm-place, not far from the City: where he remained with a few, exercising himself night and day in prayer, making humble supplications, as his usual manner was, for the peace, and tranquility of all the Churches in the world. Having been in prayer, three days before his apprehension, and now faln asleep, he saw in a Vision by night the pillow under his head set on fire, and suddenly consumed to ashes,His vision foretelling his Martyrdom. which when he awaked, he interpreted to them that were present, to fore-signifie that his life was neer an end, and that his body should be Burned for the testimony of Christ.
When the Searchers were now at hand, and all the people cryed out, Quaeratur Polycarpus: Let us search out Polycarp; at the earnest entreaty of his friends, he removed to another Village, unto which the Searchers coming, caught two boys, and scourged them till one of them confessed and led them to Polycarps lodging: Yet might he easily have escaped;Hight refused. but he would not, saying, the will of the Lord be fulfilled: and so coming to them, he communed with them very cheerfully, so that it was wonderful to see; those which a little before knew not the man, now beholding and viewing his comey age, and his grave and constant countenance, lamented that they had so imployed themselves for the apprehension of so worthy a person:He seasts his persecutors. But he on the contrary commanded that the table should be presently spred for them, intreating them to eat, and dine well, requesting but one hours space to make his prayers unto God in, which they assenting to, he arose, and went to prayer, and being replenished with the grace of God, he so poured out his soul, that all that heard him praying, were astonished at it, yea many of his enemies were sorry that so holy, honest, and aged a man should be put to death.
The hour being now come wherein he was to set forwards, they set him upon an Ass, and brought him to the City of Smyrna upon a solemn Feast day, and there met him Herod the Justice of Peace, and his Father Nicetes, who receiving him into their Chariot,His tentations. said unto him, What harm is it to say, Lord Caesar, to sacrifice, and so to be saved? At first he answered nothing, but when again they urged him, he said, I will not do according to your counsel: They perceiving that he would not be perswaded, gave him very rough language, and at last tumbled him out of their Chariot,Cruely. whereby he brake his shins: But he, as though he had received no injury, nor hurt at all, went bolt upright, cheerfully and apace towards the Theater: And being come thither, a voice came down from Heaven (though by reason of the great tumult few heard it) Be of good cheer, O Polycarp, and play the man: He is encouraged from Heaven.The speaker no man saw, but the voice was heard by many of us. The multitude was in a rage, and the Proconsul demanded of him whether he were that Polycarp? yet withal beckoning to him to deny it,His tentations. said, Have respect unto thine age: tender thy self: swear by the Fortune of Caesar: Repent of what is past, and say, Remove the wicked. But Polycarp looking about upon the multitude with a stedfast countenance, and casting up his eyes towards Heaven,His courage. said, Remove O Lord these wicked. Yet the Proconsul urged him again, saying, Swear, and I will let thee go: Blaspheme, and defie Christ, and thou shalt be safe: To whom Polycarp answered, Octoginta sex annos illijam inservivi &c. An excellent speech.Fourscore, and six years have I served Christ, neither hath he ever offended me in any thing, and how then can I revile my King that hath thus kept me? The Proconsul still urged, and said, Swear by the Fortune of Caesar;His invincible courage. Polycarp replyed, If thou requirest of me this vain glory, that I should protest the Fortune of Caesar, pretending that thou knowest not what I am? Know then that I am a Christian: And if thou desirest to know the Doctrine of Christianity, appoint a day, and thou shalt hear it. Perswade the people unto this, said the Proconsul. Truly said Polycarp, I thought it my part to make this tender unto you, Because we are commanded of God to give unto Governours and Powers whom he hath ordained, the honour, and obedience which is due unto them, and not hurtful unto us: but as for these people, I deem them not competent judges, and therefore will not purge my self before them: Then said the Proconsul, I have wild Beasts to devour thee, unless thou repent.He fears not threatnings. Polycarp answered, Bring them forth: for we have determined with our selves not to repent, nor to turn from the better to the worse: Its more convenient for you to turn from evill to that which is good, and just. I will, said the Proconsul, tame thee with fire, if thou set naught by the wild Beasts, and wilt not repent: To which Polycarp answered, you threaten me with sire which shall last but an hour, and is quickly quenched; but thou art ignorant of the everlasting fire at the Day of Judgment, and of those endless torments which are reserved for the wicked. But why make you all these delays? appoint me to what death you please. Whilest he spake these things, he was replenished with joy, and boldness, and his countenance appeared so full of grace, and gravity, that it was evident, that he was nothing troubled with the cruel threats of the Proconsul: but on the contrary the Proconsul himself began to be amazed, and sent for the Cryer, commanding him in the midst of the Theater to cry three times: Polycarp hath confessed himself to be a Christian. Hereupon the multitude both of Jews, and Gentiles, inhabiting Smyrna cryed out in a great rage,The Iews and Gentiles rage against him. Iste Asiae Doctor, &c. This is that Doctor of Asia, the Father of the Christians, the Overthrower of our gods, who hath taught many that our gods are not to be adored: and thereupon they cryed to the Proconsul, that a Lyon might be let loose to devour him: But he told them that he might not do it, for that the game of Beasts was now finished: Then they cryed with one voice that Polycarp should be burned alive: To which when the Proconsul had assented, the multitude forthwith carryed logs, and wood out of their Shops and Booths; especially the Jews, after their wonted manner, were very forward herein. The pile being prepared, Polycarp put off his apparrel, the faithful assisting, and contending amongst themselves who should touch his body at his farewell: Being thus made ready, when they would have nailed him to the stake,He … to be nailed to the stake. he said; Nay suffer me even as I am: for he that, hath given me strength to come to this fire, will also give me patience to persevere therein without your fastning of my body with nails; Then they bound his hands behind him, which done,His Prayer. he prayed thus. O Father of thy Wel. Beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have known thee, O God of Angels, Powers, and of every living creature, and of just men which live in thy presence: I thank thee that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this day, and this hour to allot me a portions amongst the number of Martyrs, to drink of the Cup of Christ, unto the Resurrection of everlasting life, both of Body and Soul, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, amongst whom I shall this day be received into thy sight for an acceptable Sacrifice; And as thou hast prepared, and revealed this before hand, so thou hast now accomplished and fulfilled the same, O thou most true God, which canst not lye; wherefore for all these things I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorifie thee, through the everlasting Bishop and Shepherd of our Souls Christ Jesus: to whom with thee, and the Holy Ghost be all Honour, and Glory, world without end: Amen. Having ended his Prayer, the tormentors kindled the fire.The fire will not burn him. The flame vehemently flashed about; which was terrible to the beholders: But the slame framing it self after the manner of a vault, or sail of a Ship, with the blustering blasts of wind, touched not the holy Martyrs Body, which sent forth a fragrant, and sweet smell like unto Frankincense, or such like pretious Perfume: But the cruel Persecutors perceiving that the fire touched not his body, called for a tormentor, charging him to thrust him into the side with a spear; which being done, there issued our such abundance of blood as quenched the fire,He is slain. to the great astonishment of the beholders. Then did the Jews stir up Nicetes the Father of Herod, and his Brother Dalces to move the Proconsul,The Iews malice. that his body might not be delivered to the Christians; least (say they) leaving Christ, they fall to worship him: This they said through their ignorance, not knowing that we can never forsake Christ, which dyed for our Salvation, to worship any other. For we worship Christ as the Son of God: the Martyrs we love as the Disciples, and followers of the Lord, and that worthily, for the invincible love which they bear to their King and Master, &c. His body burned.Hereupon the Proconsul caused his body (to satisfie the Jews) to be laid upon a pile of wood, and burned.
Irenaeus being young, was acquainted with him, and writeth of him, that Anicetus being Bishop of Rome, Polycarp went thither, and questioned with him about the celebration of Easter. He saith also, that there is extant an Epistle of Polycarps unto the Philippians, very profitable for such as are careful for their Salvation: where they may know the true character of Faith, and the right rule of Doctrine.
It is said of him, that he was testis fidelis, constansque veritatis: A faithful and constant witness to the Truth: Nay, by his Wisdom, Zeal, and Piety, he recalled many from Heresies, and Errors
He so detested Hereticks, that when Marcion (of his former acquaintance) met him at Rome, and wondering that he took no notice of him, said, Dost thou not know me Polycarp? Yea, said he, I know thee wel, thou art the eldest son to the Divel.
His manner was to stop his ears if at any time he heard the wicked speeches of Hereticks,His zeal against Heresies. and to shun those very places where such speeches had been uttered. He suffered Martyrdom in the seventh year of Verus, Anno Christi, 170. of his Age 86.
In the midst of the flames he made this excellent Prayer.His prayer in the fire. O God the Father of thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of thee: O God the Creator of all things, upon thee I call, thee I confess to be the true God: Thee I glorifie. O Lord receive me, and make me a companion of the resurrection of thy Saints, through the merits of our great High Priest, thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ; to whom with the Father and God the Holy Ghost be honour, and glory for ever, Amen. He was a Bishop about 63 years. Herom writing of him, saith, that he was in great esteem through all Asia, for that he was Scholar to the Apostles, and to them that did see and were conversant with Christ himself; and therefore his authority was of great credit, not only with his own Church, but with all other Churches about him.
There is extant an Epistle of his to the Philippians, His works.but Scultetus judgeth it spurious.