IN or about the year 167, Smyrna was distinguished by the martyrdom of her bishop, Polycarp. Usher has laboured to show that he was the angel of the Church of Smyrna, addressed by our Saviour. If he be right in this, the character of Polycarp is indeed delineated by a divine hand; and the martyrdom before us was particularly predicted.
The admirable Polycarp, when he heard of the cruelties practised in the bloody persecution then carried on, was quite unmoved, and resolved to remain in the city. But, induced by the entreaties of his people, he retired to a village, at no great distance; and there, with a few friends, he spent his time entirely, day and night, in praying, according to his usual custom, for all the Churches in the world. Three days before he was seized, he had a vision while he was praying: he saw his pillar consumed by fire, and turning to the company, he said prophetically, “I must be burned alive.” Upon hearing that the persons in search of him were just at hand, he retired to another village. Immediately the officers came to his house; and, not finding him, they seized two servants, one of whom was induced, by torture, to confess the place of his retreat. Taking the servant as their guide, they went out about supper time, with their usual arms, as against a robber; and arriving late, they found him lying in an upper room at the end of the house, whence he might have made his escape, but he would not, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
When he was brought to the tribunal, the pro-consul asked him if he was Polycarp: to which he assented. The pro-consul then began to exhort him to have pity on his great age, and to swear by the fortune of Cæsar, and to reproach Christ, and he would release him. Polycarp gave him this ever memorable reply: “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He hath never wronged me, and how can I blaspheme my King who hath saved me?” The pro-consul still urging, “Swear by the fortune of Cæsar;” Polycarp said, “If you still vainly contend to make me swear by the fortune of Cæsar, as you speak, affecting an ignorance of my real character, hear me frankly declaring what I am: I am a Christian.” “I have wild beasts,” says the pro-consul: “I will expose you to them, unless you repent.” “Call them,” replies the martyr. “I will tame your spirit by fire,” says the pro-consul, “since you despise the wild beasts, unless you repent.” “You threaten me with fire,” answers Polycarp, “which burns for a moment, and will be soon extinct; but you are ignorant of the future judgment, and of the fire or eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Do what you please.” The pro-consul then sent the herald to proclaim thrice, in the midst of the assembly, “Polycarp hath professed himself a Christian.” Upon this all the multitude, both of Gentiles and of Jews, who dwelt at Smyrna, with insatiate rage, shouted aloud, “This is the doctor of Asia, the father of Christians, the subverter of our gods, who hath taught many not to sacrifice nor to adore.” They now begged Philip the Asiarch to let out a lion against Polycarp. But he refused, observing that the amphitheatrical spectacles of the wild beasts were finished. They then unanimously shouted that he should be burned alive. The business was executed with all possible speed; for the people immediately gathered fuel from the work-shops and baths, in which employment the Jews distinguished themselves with their usual malice. As soon as the faggots were collected, he stripped off his clothes, and loosed his girdle. Immediately the usual appendages of burning were placed about him. And when they had proceeded to fasten him to the stake, he said, “Let me remain as I am; for He who giveth me the strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without your securing me with nails, to remain unmoved in the fire.” Upon this they bound him without nailing him. And he, putting his hands behind him, and being bound, offered to Almighty God the following prayer:—”O Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have attained the knowledge of Thee, O God of angels and principalities, and of all creation, and of all the just who live in Thy sight, I bless Thee, that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day, and this hour, to receive my portion in the number of martyrs, in the cup of Christ, for the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body. Amen.
When he had finished his prayer, the officers lighted the fire; and, a great flame bursting out, and forming the appearance of an arch, was as a wall round about the body of the martyr, which was in the midst, not as burning flesh, but as gold and silver refined in the furnace. At length, the infuriated people, observing that his body could not be consumed by the fire, called to the officer, whose business it was, in the Roman games, to dispatch any beast that was unruly or dangerous, to approach, and to plunge his sword into his body. Upon this, a quantity of blood gushed out, so that the fire was extinguished, and the immortal spirit of the venerable saint fled to the mansions of everlasting rest, and glory, and felicity.