Section 152
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 121 was cast as food to wild beasts, on account of his testimony to Christ. And being carried through Asia under a most rigid cus tody, fortified the different churches in the cities were he tarried, by his discourses and exhortations ; particularly to caution them more against the heresies which even then were springing up and prevailing. He exhorted them to adhere firmly to the tradition of the apostles; which, for the sake of greater security, he deemed it necessary to attest by committing it to writing. When, therefore, he came to Smyrna, where Polycarp was, he wrote one epistle, viz. that to jhe church of Ephesus, in which he mentions its pas tor Onesimus. Another, also, to the church in Magnjgda, which is situated on the Meander, in which again he makes mention of Damas the bishop. Another, also, to the church of the Trallians, of which he states that Polybius was then bishop. To these must be added, the epistle to the chA^cJi^Romje, which also contains an exhortation, not to disappoint him in his ardent hope, by re fusing to endure martyrdom. Of these, it is worth while also to subjoin very short extracts, by way of specimen. He writes, therefore, in the following manner : " From Syria to Rome, I am contending with wild beasts by land and sea, by night and day, being tied to ten leopards, the number of the military band, who, even when treated with kindness, only behave with greater ferocity. But in the midst of these iniquities, I am learning. Yet I am not justified on this account. May I be benefited by those beasts that are in readiness for me, which I also pray may be quickly found for me, which also I shall entice and flatter to de vour me quickly, and not to be afraid of me as of some whom they did not touch. But, should they perchance be unwilling, I will force them. Pardon me ; I know what advantage it will confer. Now I begin to be a disciple. Nothing, whether of things visible or invisible, excites my ambition, as long as I can gain Christ. Whether fire, or the cross, the assault of wild beasts, the tearing asunder of my bones, the breaking of my limbs, the bruising of my whole body, let the tortures of the devil all assail me, if I do but gain Christ Jesus." This he wrote from the abovementioned city to the aforesaid churches. But after he had left Smyrna, he wrote an exhortation from Troas to those in Philadelphia, and Q