all desired to have some testimonies of his walk and conversation, is evident, as Polycarp in his epistle to the Philippians writes, "What you know of Ignatius, and those that are with him, signify unto us." And Polycarp, by Ignatius' own desire, and by the desire of the Philippians and other churches, sent to them Ignatius' epistles, "together with what others of his were come to his hands."

The length and various difficulties of his journey must have been very trying to him, when we consider his great age, being upwards of eighty, his being in bonds, and subject to rude, heathenish soldiers, unaccustomed to humanity. As to his bonds, instead of murmuring on their account, he prized them highly as most costly ornaments, or, as he calls them, "Spiritual jewels."

As to the treatment which he received from his keepers, we can have no better account than that which he himself gives of it. He writes to the Romans from Syria, even unto Rome: "I fight with beasts both by sea and land, both night and day; being bound to ten leopards, that is to say, to such a band of soldiers, who, though treated with all manner of kindness, are the worse for it." But he adds, "I am the more instructed by their injuries, yet am I not therefore justified."

The writers of the relation of his martyrdom proceed as follows:

"Being soon forced away from the Port, so called, we forthwith met the brethren from Rome, (for the report of what concerned the holy martyr was spread abroad,) who were full of fear and joy:

for they rejoiced in that God had vouchsafed them the company of Ignatius, but were afraid when they considered that such a one was brought thither to die. Now some of these he commanded to hold their peace, who were the most zealous for his safety, and said, that they would appease the people, that they should not desire the destruction of the just. He presently knowing this by the Spirit, and saluting all of them, desired that they would show a true love to him, disputing yet more with them than he had done in his epistles, and persuading them not to envy him who was hastening unto the Lord."

This controversy of love and zeal between the aged and fatigued bishop, and the loving and tenderly affected Roman brethren, must have been very moving, and was probably the hardest trial that Ignatius met with on his whole journey. That he overcame what he regarded as a mistaken effect of their love, is a proof of the ardour of heart and burning zeal of the brethren in those days of genuine Christianity, as likewise the readiness to submit, even in the most tender and delicate point, to the desire of this ancient servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. When he had gained his point, we are told "All the brethren kneeling down, he prayed to the Son of God in behalf of the churches, that he would put a stop to the persecution, and continue the love of the brethren towards each other. Which being done, he was with all haste led into the amphitheatre, and speedily, according to the command of Cesar before given, thrown in, the end of

the spectacles being at hand: for it was then a very solemn day, called, in the Roman tongue, the 13th of the Calends of January,* upon which the people were more than ordinarily wont to be gathered together."

Thus was he delivered to the cruel beasts, near the temple, by wicked men; that so the desire of the holy martyr Ignatius might be accomplished as it is written, "The desire of the righteous is acceptable."

It appears that the beasts did their work so effectually, that they left but a few fragments of his body; only the greater and harder part of his bones remained, which were carried to Antioch.

Thus Ignatius obtained his wish, and showed more true heroism, wisdom and fortitude, as it proceeded from unfeigned and ardent love to his gracious Lord and Saviour, and a joyful and assured hope of a blessed immortality in the presence of his God who died for his sins, than Trajan in all his conquests.

In the relation of his martyrdom, it is further said, "that some of the brethren being together watching and praying with tears unto God, to show them what had been done, they had particular displays of the blessedness of Ignatius."

The year in which he suffered martyrdom is not positively ascertained; but this is plain, that it was between the years of our Lord 107 and 116.

The writers of the relation of his martyrdom de

✦ 20th of December.-Sura and Synecius were consuls,

clare, that they were eye-witnesses; and conclude it by saying, "We have made known to you both the day and time; that being assembled together, according to the time of his martyrdom, we may communicate with the combatant, and most valiant martyr of Christ, who trod under foot the devil, and perfected the course he had piously desired, in Christ Jesus our Lord; by whom, and with whom all glory and power be to the Father, and the Blessed Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen."

His memory was dear to the churches, and he was pointed out by Polycarp, in his epistle to the Philippians, as an example unto them. He writes, "I exhort all of you that ye obey the word of righteousness, and exercise all patience; which ye have seen set before your eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles; for they loved not this present world, but him who died, and was raised again by God for us."

SOME ACCOUNT

OF

POLYCARP.

He was born in the East, and was sold, in his childhood, to a certain noble matron, whose name was Calisto, bred up by her, and at her death made heir to all her estate, which, though very considerable, he soon spent in works of love and mercy.

He received his Christianity from Bucolus, bishop of Smyrna, by whom he was made deacon and catechist of that church; and having discharged those offices with universal approbation, he was, after the decease of Bucolus, made bishop by the apostles, and particularly by St. John, whose disciple he had been with Ignatius.

His character, in his function, was great; and so well known, that his enemies, before his death, cried out, that he should be thrown to the lions, saying, "This is the doctor of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods." And when he was burned, they persuaded the governor not to let his friends carry away any of his remains, "Lest," said they, "the Christians forsaking