Section 177
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146 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. was that spoke ; but the voice itself was heard by many of our brethren. When he was led forward, however, a great tumult arose among those that heard Polycarp was taken. At length, as he advanced, the proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp, and he answering that he was, he persuaded him to renounce Christ, saying, " Have a regard for your age," and adding similar expressions, such as is usual for them to s\y, he said, " Swear by the genius of Cesar. Repent ; say, Away with those that deny the gods." But Polycarp, with a countenance grave and serious, and contemplating the whole multitude that were collected in the stadium, beckoned with his hand to them, and with a sigh he looked up to heaven, and said, " Away with the impious." As the governor, however, continued to urge him, and said, " Swear, and I will dismiss you. Revile Christ ;" Polycarp replied, " Eighty and six years have i served him, and he never did me wrong ; and how can I now blaspheme my King that has saved me ?' The governor still continuing to urge him, and again saying, " Swear by the genius of Cesar," said Polycarp, " If you are so vain as to think that I should swear by the genius of Cesar, as you say, pre tending not to know who I am, hear my free confession. I am a Christian. But if you wish to learn what the doctrine of Chris tianity is, grant me a day and listen to me." The proconsul said, " Persuade the people." Polycarp replied, " I have thought pro per to give you a reason ; for we have been taught to give magis trates and powers appointed by God, the honour that is due to them, as far as it does not injure us ; but I do not consider those the proper ones before whom I should deliver my defence. The pro consul said, " I have wild beasts at hand, I will cast you to these unless you change your mind." He answered, " Call them. For we have no reason to repent from the better to the worse, but it is good to change from wickedness to virtue." He again urged him. " I will cause you to be consumed by fire, should you de spise the beasts, and not change your mind. Polycarp answered " You threaten fire that burns for a moment and is soon extin guished, for you know nothing of the judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment reserved for the wicked. But why do you delay? Bring what you wish." Saying these, and manj