Section 178
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 147 other similar declarations, he was filled with confidence and joy, and his countenance was brightened with grace. So that he not only continued undismayed at what was said to him, but on the contrary, the governor, astonished, sent the herald to proclaim in the middle of the stadium, " Polycarp confesses that he is a Chris tian." When this was declared by the herald, all the multitude, Gentiles and Jews dwelling at Smyrna, cried out, " This is that teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the destroyer of our gods ; he that teaches multitudes not to sacrifice, not to worship." Saying this, they cried out, and asked Philip the Asiarch,* to let loose a lion upon Polycarp. But he replied, that he was not per mitted, as he had already completed the exhibition of the chase in the amphitheatre. Then all cried out together, that Polycarp should be burnt alive. For it seemsd necessary that the vision which he saw on his pillow should be fulfilled ; when seeing it on fire whilst he prayed, he turned to those few faithful friends with him, and said prophetically, " I must be burnt alive." These things were executed, however, with such haste that they were no sooner said than done. The crowd, however, forthwith col lected wood and straw from the shops and baths, especially the Jews, as usual, freely offered their services for this purpose. But when the pile was prepared, laying aside all his clothes, and loosing his girdle, he attempted also to take off his shoes, which he had not been in the habit of doing before, as he always had some one of the brethren, that were soon at his side, and rivalled each other in their services to him. For he had always been treated with great respect on account of his exemplary life even before his gray hairs. Presently the instruments prepared for the funeral pile were applied to him. As they were also on the point of securing him with spikes, he said, " let me be thus. For he that gives me strength to bear the fire, will also give me power without being secured by you with these spikes, to remain un moved on the pile." They, therefore, did not nail him, but merely bound him to the stake. But he, closing his hands behind him. * The Asiarchs were the priests of the assembly or common council of Asia, whose office, among others, was to exhibit the public shows in the amphitheatre.