I dissolve all their snares through Christ, the heavenly king." Traj. "Pray who is Theophorus?" Ign. "He who has Christ in his breast." Traj. "And thinkest thou not that gods reside in us also, who fight for us against our enemies?" Ign. "You mistake in calling the demons of the nations by the name of Gods. For there is only one God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; and one Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, whose kingdom be my portion." Traj. "His kingdom, do you say, who was crucified under Pilate?" Ign. His, who crucified my sin with its author, and has put all the fraud and malice of Satan under the feet of those who carry him in their hearts.” Traj. “Dost thou then carry him who was crucified, with thee?" Ign. "I do," for it is written "I dwell in them, and walk in them." Then Trajan pronounced this sentence against him. "Since Ignatius confesses that he carries

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within himself him that was crucified, we command that he be carried, bound by soldiers, to great Rome, there to be thrown to the wild beasts for the entertainment of the people."

This excellent man, "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," was hurried off to the place of suffering. On his way to Rome, he stopped at Smyrna to visit Polycarp.They had been fellow disciples of John. Their meeting was joyful. Seven epistles were written by him to as many churches before he reached the end of his journey. From these which are still extant, though perhaps corrupted, we learn that the churches of Asia retained much evangelical purity, though they were often greatly perplexed by heresies, and borne down by persecution; that the deity, manhood and atonement of Christ were doctrines unspeakably precious: and that an entire separation from all who deny the fundamental doctrines of Christianity was the foundation of their long continued prosperity. When he came to Rome he was anxious for a speedy martyrdom, and had his wish granted, for he was immediately led into the amphitheatre and thrown to the wild beasts. His bones were carefully collected by his friends and carried to Antioch.

Trajan was succeeded by Adrian, A. D. 117. This emperor was respectfully addressed by Quadratus and Aristides, two excellent Athenian Christians, in behalf of the Churches; and, by them, he seems to have been induced to direct, that the calumniators of Christians should not only not be heard, but should be punished; and that, if any were pre

sented before the magistrates, they should be condemned only as it should appear that they had broken the laws. This was the most favorable decree that had ever been made relating to the followers of Christ.

During Adrian's reign, appeared a great impostor among the Jews, called Barchobebas, because he pretended to be the Star prophesied of by Balaam. Defeated in every way, and reduced to the greatest extremities, the Jews received him with open arms. He came out in rebellion against the emperor, but was soon defeated and slain. In the conflict, however, the Christians were great sufferers; for the Jews, looking upon them as the authors of their calamities, every where inflicted upon them the greatest cruelties.

The next emperor, Antoninus Pius, was still more favorable to the Christians. In the third year of his reign, A. D. 140. Justin Martyr, a very able defender of the truth, presented him an apology for Christianity, which had no small influence on his mind. An edict issued by him, in consequence of complaints made from Asia of the Christians, as the cause of the earthquakes, speaks volumes in his praise, and in praise too, of the persecuted.

66 THE EMPEROR TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF ASIA." "I am quite of opinion that the gods will take care to discover such persons. For it much more concerns them to punish those who refuse to worship them, than you, if they be able. But you harass and vex the Christians and accuse them of atheism and other crimes, which you can by no means prove. To them it appears an advantage to die for their religion; and they will gain their point, while they throw away their lives rather than comply with your injunctions. As to the earthquakes which have happened in past times, or lately, is it not proper to remind you of your own despondency, when they happen, and to desire you to compare your spirit with theirs and observe how serenely they confide in God! In such seasons you seem to be ignorant of the gods, and to neglect their worship. You live in the practical ignorance of the supreme God himself, and you harass and persecute to death those who do worship him. Concerning these same men, some others of the provincial governors wrote to our divine father Adrian, to whom he returned answer, That they should not be molested, unless they appeared to atttempt something against the Roman government.' Many also have signified to me con

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cerning these men, to whom I have returned an answer agreeable to the maxims of my father. But if any person will still persist in accusing the Christians merely as suchlet the accused be acquitted, though he appear to be a Christian, and let the accuser be punished."

This was certainly no ordinary, and we are assured by Eusebius, it was no empty edict; for it was fully put in execution, and gave the Church about twenty-three years of peace and prosperity. But such seasons she was liable to abuse; provoking against her the anger of heaven. From worldly mindedness and stupidity, however, she was again soon roused by the fires of persecution.

In the year 161, Pius was succeeded by Marcus Antoninus, a man of eminence in the schools of philosophy; whose meditations, humanity, and beneficence, have gained him the plaudits of succeeding generations, but whose pride and self importance made him scorn the doctrines of the cross; made him, for nineteen years, a bitter persecutor of the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Very able apologies were made for the Christians by Justin, Tatian, Athenagoras, Apollinaris, Theophilus, and Melito; but they were regarded by Marcus as a vain, obstinate, and evil minded race, and left, without relief, to the most cruel tortures. So much, however, were ormer edicts regarded, that none could be condemned unless some crime was brought against them; but the enraged heathen priests and corrupt judges found no difficulty in suborning false witnesses, and procuring the death of all who were brought before them.

In the year 163, the able apologist, Justin, slept in Jesus. He was educated a philosopher, and was, probably, the most learned man, who, from the days of the Apostles, had embraced Christianity. In early life he wandered through all the systems of philosophy in pursuit of God and happiness, but found no satisfaction. At length he examined the Gospel, and found peace for his soul. To the cause of the Redeemer he consecrated his habits of study, and became its able supporter. His views of Christian doctrine were once, in the main, evangelical; but he was nearly ruined by a philosophising spirit. Of those who denied the deity of Christ, he thus expressed himself: "There are some who call themselves Christians, who confess him to be the Christ, but still maintain that he is a mere man only, with whom I agree not; neither do most of those who bear that name agree with them; because we are commanded by Christ

himself not to obey the precepts of men, but his own injunctions and those of the holy prophets. As for myself I am too mean to say any thing becoming his infinite deity." His apologies for Christianity are still extant, and are very valuable.

This learned and excellent man was imprisoned, whipped, and beheaded for the crime of being a Christian. We have his testimony to the interesting and important fact, that the Churches in his time examined those they received, not only concerning their creed, but concerning a work of grace in their hearts.

But the most distinguished martyr of the age, was Polycarp. This venerable man was the disciple of John; was intimate with the apostles, and was ordained by them over the Church of Smyrna. The learned Usher says, it is beyond all question, that he was the angel of the church of Smyrna, to whom the apocalyptical epistle was sent. If so, his martyrdom was there particularly predicted. For seventy years he had been a firm pillar in the Church. Against the heretics of the age, especially the Docetae, who denied the humanity of Christ, rejected the Old Testament, and mutilated the New, he opposed himself with the greatest firmness. To Marcion, their chief, who one day called out to him, "Polycarp, own us;" "I do own thee," said he, "to be the first born of Satan." Ireneus informs us, that he often heard from his lips an account of his conversations with John, and others who had seen our Lord, whose sayings he rehearsed.

This venerable man was brought to the tribunal in the hundredth year of his age. The proconsul told him to reproach Christ and he would release him. 'Eighty and six years," said Polycarp, "have I served him, and he hath never wronged me, and how can I blaspheme my King who hath saved me?" "I have wild beasts," said the proconsul. "Call them," said the martyr. "I will tame your spirit by fire." "You threaten me with fire, which burns for a moment and will be soon extinct; but you are ignorant of the future judgment and of the fire of eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Do what you please." The fire being prepared, and he, being bound, a distinguished sacrifice, clasped his hands, which were tied behind him; and said, "O, Father of thy beloved and blessed son Jesus Christ, through whom we have attained a 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, in the incorruption of the Holy Ghost, among whom may I be received before thee this day as a sacrifice well savored and acceptable, which thou the faithful and true God has prepared, promised before-hand and fulfilled accordingly. Wherefore I praise thee for all these things, I glorify thee by the eternal High Priest, thy well beloved Son, through whom, with him in the Holy Spirit, be glory to thee, both now and forever. Amen."

Eleven brethren from Philadelphia, suffered with him, AD. 167. If the Lord Jesus Christ died as a mere martyr to the truth, how inferior was he in fortitude, to his servant Polycarp. "O my Father," said he, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me." But he was an atoning sacrifice, called to bear his Father's wrath, for our sins.

By the persecutions of Antonius, our attention is here directed to a country hitherto unknown in ecclesiastical history. Flourishing churches had been planted in Vienne, and Lyons in France, then called Gallia; probably, by the churches of Asia. The account given by themselves of their sufferings, under Severus the Roman governor, will be read with great interest by all who love to trace the children of God in their Christian warfare. It affords a very full account of the humility, meekness, patience, magnanimity and heavenly mindedness of the martyrs; of the influences of the Holy Spirit; of the supports of religion. under the most excruciating sufferings, and must excite in every reader, a spirit of gratitude to God, for the inestimable blessings which we, in this age of light and liberty, are permitted to enjoy.

The epistle of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons, to the Brethren in Asia aud Phrygia.

ABRIDGED.

"The servants of Christ, sojourning in Vienne and Lyons in France, to the brethren in Asia, Propria and Phrygia, who have the same faith and hope of redemption with us; peace and grace and glory from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.