Section 172
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 141 nications to me respecting them, to whom also, I wrote in reply, following the course pursued by my father. But if any still per severe in creating difficulties to any one of these because he is of this description (i. e. a Christian,) let him that is thus ar raigned be absolved from crime, although he should appear to be such, but let the accuser be held guilty." This was published at Ephesus in the public convention of Asia. To these events Melito bears testimony, who was then^ bishop of Sardis, and well known at that time. This is clear from what he has said in that most excellent defence of our faith which he wrote and address ed to the emperor Verus. CHAPTER XIV. Circumstances related of Polycarp, an apostolic man. ABOUT this time, when Anicetus was at the head of the Roman church, Irenseus says that Polycarp was yet living, and coming to Rome, had a conference with Anicetus, on a question respect ing the day of the passover. He also gives another account of Polycarp, which should be added to what is already related respecting him. The story is taken from the third book of Irenseus against the heresies, and is as follows : " And Polycarp, a man who had been instructed by the apostles, and had familiar inter course with many that had seen Christ, and had also been ap pointed bishop by the apostles in Asia, in the church at Smyrna, whom we also have seen in our youth, for he lived a long time, and to a very advanced age, when, after a glorious and most distinguished martyrdom, he departed this life. He always taught what he had learned from the apostles, what the church had handed down, and what is the only true doctrine. All the churches bear witness to these things, and those that have been the successors of Polycarp, to the present time, a witness of the truth much more worthy of credit, and much more certain than either Valentine or MarcioVi, or the rest of those perverse teach ers. The same Polycarp, coming to Rome under the episcopate