Section 175
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144 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. of this one, the whole multitude amazed at the courage of thfc pious martyr, and at the fortitude of the whole race of Christ ians, began to cry out " Away with the wicked fellows, let Polycarp be sought." A very great tumult arising in consequence of these outcries, a certain Phrygian, Quiritus by name, who had recently come from Phrygia, seeing the beasts and the additional tortures threatened, was so overcome by fear and shaken in his resolution, that he finally gave up his salvation. The contents of the aforesaid epistle, show that this man had frowardly rushed forward to the tribunal with others, and not in a modest retiring manner; and yet when seized, he gave a manifest proof to all, that it is not proper for those in this situation, to brave danger by rushing blindly and rashly upon it. Thus far, however, respect ing these. But the admirable Polycarp hearing these things, at first, continued unmoved, preserving his firm and unshaken mind, and, had determined to remain there in the city. But persuaded by the entreaties of those around him, and exhorting him to leave the city secretly, he went forth to a farm not far from it. There he staid with a few friends, night and day, engaged in nothing but constant prayer to the Lord, and imploring peace for all the churches throughout the world. For this had always been his practice. In this situation, three days before he was seized, in a vision at night, and during prayer, the pillow under his head seemed to him sud denly to take fire, and thus to be consumed. On this, waking out of his sleep, he immediately began to interpret the vision to those present, almost fortelling the event that was about to take place, and plainly declaring to those around him, that it would be ne cessary for him to give up his life in the flames for Christ's sake. Those, however, that were in search of him, making every effort to discover him, he was again constrained by the affection and love of the brethren, to go away to another part of the country. Thither the pursuers came upon him, not long after, and caught two boys there, one of which they scourged in order to direct them to the retreat of Polycarp. Entering upon him at a late hour of the day, they found him, indeed, resting in an upper room, whence, although he might easily have escaped to another house, he would not, saying : " The Lord's will be done," and having