Section 174
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 143 CHAPTER XV. The martyrdom of Poly carp, with others at Smyrna. AT this time, as there were the greatest persecutions excited in Asia, Polycarp ended his life by martyrdom. (But I consider it all-important also to record his end in this history, as it is handed down in writings still extanA There is, however, an epistle of the church which he superintended, to the churches of Pontus, which shows what befel him, in the following words : " The church of God at Smyrna, to that of Philomelius, and to all parts of the holy catholic, (universal church,) everywhere, mercy, peace, and the love of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, be mul tiplied. We have written to you, brethren, the circumstances respecting the martyrs, and the blessed Polycarp, who as if seal ing it with his martyrdom has also put a stop to the persecution." After these, before the account of Polycarp's death, they give the account of the other martyrs, and show what firmness they evinced against the tortures they endured. " For," say they, " those standing around, were struck with amazement, at seeing them lacerated with scourges, to their very blood and arteries, so that now the flesh concealed in the very inmost parts of the body, and the bowels themselves were exposed to view. Then they were laid upon corich shells from the sea, and on sharp heads and points of spears on the ground, and after passing through every kind of punishment and torment, were at last thrown as food to wild beasts. But they relate that Germanicus, a most noble youth, was particularly eminent as a martyr; who, strengthened by divine grace, overcame the natural dread of death implanted in us ; although the proconsul was desirous of persuading him, and urged him from considerations of his youth, and entreated him, that as he was so very young and blooming he should take compassion on himself. He, however, hesitated not, but eagerly irritated the wild beast against him, all but forcing and stimulating him, that he might the sooner be freed from this unjust and lawless generation. On the glorious death 15