The Life And Ministry Of Polycarp

Gospel Magazine 1768:

The life of Polycarp, a disciple of St. John, and bishop of Smyrna, a martyr and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. His character was excellent to a very high degree. The Christians of his time speak of him with the greatest respect, declaring that he was adorned with eminent piety, a teacher truly apostolical; and even spoken of by the Gentiles themselves as an eminent teacher and a famous martyr. After having been 86 years a shining ornament of Christianity, he was crowned with martyrdom, by being burnt at Smyrna, aged 100 years. 

Polycarp was born towards the latter end of Nero’s reign, that is, about seventy years after the incarnation of our blessed Lord; The place of his birth is not certainly known; some think it was at Smyrna, an eminent city of Ionia in Asia Minor. It is asserted that he was sold in his youth, and purchased by a noble matron named Calista, by whom he was brought up, and at he death made heir to her estate; which, though very considerable, he spent in works of charity. Several ancient authors affirm, that he was a disciple of St. John; and both Irenaesus, who was his scholar, and Jerom affirm, that he conversed familiarly with the Apostles, and with many who had seen our Lord in the flesh. 

He was first deacon and catechist of the church of Smyrna, an office which he discharged with great fidelity; and was afterwards, as many of the ancients affirm, by St. John, made bishop of the same place; though Irenaeus and the Alexandrian Chronicle assert it to be done by the Apostles.

He is generally believed to be the person mentioned, Rev. 2:8, under the title of the Angel of the Church of Smyrna; and if so, how well he discharged his duty in that important station, Rev. 11:8-12, in which it is observable that he stands entirely unreproved, though all but one of the neighboring bishops fell under censure; a remarkable proof of his fidelity and diligence. 

With regard to his character in the world, it was excellent to a very high degree. The Christians of his time speak of him with the greatest respect; declaring that he was adorned with eminent piety, a teacher truly apostolical and prophetical, that every word that went out of his mouth either had or would be fulfilled; and that, of all the martyrs of that place, he alone was had in memory of all men, being spoken of by the very Gentiles themselves in every place, as having been not only an eminent teacher, but also a famous martyr; and so every distinguished was his reputation among the enemies of Christianity, that they not only called him the doctor of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of their gods; but after his death express their fears, lest the Christians should make him the object of their worship, instead of Christ. 

His care of the church was not confined to the place immediately committed to his inspection; but extended itself even unto Rome; whither he went, on account of the controversy concerning the time of keeping the passover. The word Easter ought to be rejected, for she was the goddess of the Saxons, in honor of whom, sacrifices were offered about that time of the year. This controversy is of no great consequence, but it gave occasion to a great dispute in those times, and to different sentiments about a matter not worth contending for this controversy, about that which was no essential point, is said to be universally acknowledged to be one of the greatest scandals that ever disgraced Christianity, and ended at last as it had begun, in a fixed establishment of celebrating this festival on different days. All Christians ought to guard against human inventions in the worship of God; for many pious Christians are of opinion that no day but the Sabbath is to be set apart and kept holy; if men have power and authority to set one day apart; by the same power they may set apart a hundred. If there be no precept or example in scripture for any day except the Lord’s-day, men many have peace and tranquility of conscience, if they are only enabled seriously and spiritually to observe that day, which is a sign betwixt God and his people: and experience shows that human festivals have been observed by the greatest part rather sinfully than in a holy manner. 

While he was at Rome he employed his time in confirming the faithful, and convincing gain-sayers, whereby he reclaimed many who had been infected with pernicious heresies: And so very fervent was his affection for the truth, that whenever he heard any of the mischievous opinions of his time mentioned, he sued to stop his ears, and cry out, “Blessed God, to what times hast thou reserved me, that I should hear such things!” And one day meeting Marcian, who called to him, saying, “Polycarp, own us.” He replied, “I own thee to be the first-born of Satan.” In the same zeal he was wont to tell, that St. John going into a bath at Ephesus, and finding the heretic Cerinthus in it, started back instantly without bathing, crying out, “Let us run away, lest the bath should fall upon us, while Cerinthus, the enemy of truth, is in it.”

A life of such peculiar excellence, and continued to the length of a hundred years, must needs have afforded us a variety of edifying circumstances, had the memory of them been preserved; but, besides the above, there is nothing material can be depended upon, the following particulars only excepted, which relate to the close of his life; and which are remarkably affecting, as well as a considerable help toward forming a just idea of this great and venerable man. 

In the reign Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Verus began a severe persecution against the Christians; which growing hot at Smyrna, the general cry was, “Let Polycarp be sought “for:” who was so far from being disturbed at the news, that he resolved to tarry in the city; but by the importunity of his friends was prevailed on to retire to a village not far distant, where he spent his time in praying for all men, and for all the churches, according to his usual custom. Three days before he was taken, he dreamed that the pillow on which he lay was on fire, and burned to ashes; whereupon he told those about him that he should be burned alive. 

Being very narrowly sought for, on the approach of his enemies, he removed to another village, whither they also pursued him, and seizing on a couple of youths, one of them, on being tortured, confessed where he was; on which they came to his lodging, from whence he could easily have escaped, but would not, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” When he heard that they were come, he went down to them, and ordered that something should be provided for their repast, desiring them to give him one hour to pray without disturbance; which being complied with, he stood praying near two, to the admiration of all who repent that they were come to take so godly a man. 

The time of his departure being come, they set him on an ass, and brought him to the city. Herod, the chief officer, with his father Nicetus, met him in a chariot, and having taken him up with them, they began to persuade him to say, “Lord Caesar,” and to sacrifice; with other things that are usually said on such occasions. At first he did not answer them; but they continuing to urge him, he said, “I shall not do what you would have me.” On which they three him out of the chariot with all the inhumanity of brutish violence. 

As he was about to suffer, there came a voice to him from heaven, as was testified by several present, “Polycarp, be strong, and quit thyself like a man.” When he came before the Proconsul, he asked him, whether he was Polycarp? He answered, he was. On which the other persuaded him to deny the faith, saying, “Reverence thy age,” with many other things of the like nature; such as “Swear by caesar’s fortune, Take away the wicked, &c.” On which Polycarp, looking with a severe countenance on the multitude of Gentiles there gathered together, stood his hand, and looking up to heaven, said, “Take away the wicked.” The Proconsul then urged him to swear and to reproach Christ; he answered, “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never did me any evil; how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” 

The Proconsul replied, “I have wild beasts to cast thee to, unless thou repent.” Polycarp answered, “Call for them then, for we Christian are not disposed to turn from good to evil.” The other added, “Seeing thou despisest the wild beasts, I will cause thee to be devoured by fire, if thou do not repent.” He replied, “Thou threatenest me with fire that burns for an hour, and is then at an end; but art ignorant of that eternal fire which is prepared for the wicked. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt.”

Having said this, after some other expressions, he was filled with confidence and joy, insomuch that his countenance was full of grace; and the Proconsul was struck with astonishment, and sent the crier to proclaim three several times, that Polycarp had confessed himself a Christian. On which the multitude of Jews and Gentiles cried out, “This is the Doctor of Asia, the Father of the Christian, and the overthrower of our gods; he that has taught so many not to sacrifice, nor pay any worship to the gods.” After which they desired that a lion might be let loose against him. But being answered that it could not be done, they unanimously desired that he might be burned alive, which being agreed to, they instantly began to prepare the fuel, gathering faggots out of the baths and shops; and when all was ready, they brought him to the stake, to which they would have nailed him; but he desired them to let that alone, saying, “He who has given me strength to endure the fire, will enable me to stand without nailing.” However, they tied him to it; and when he was fixed, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy well-beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of thee, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and especially, of the whole race of just men who live in thy presence! I give thee hearty thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to bring me to this day, that I should have a part in the number of thy martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the operation of the Holy Spirit: Among which may I be accepted this day before thee, as a acceptable sacrifice; as thou the true God, with whom is no falsehood, hast both before ordained and manifested to me, and also hast now fulfilled it. For this, and all things else, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee by the eternal and heavenly High-priest Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son; with whom, to thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory, both now and to all succeeding ages. Amen.”

He had no sooner pronounced Amen, but they lighted the fire; and when the flame began to blaze very high, behold, a wonderful miracle appeared to us (say the writers of the history of his martyrdom) who had the happiness to see it, and who were reserved by heaven to report it to others, for the flame making a kind of arch, like the sail of a ship filled with wind, encompassed, as in a circle, the body of the martyr, who stood in the midst of it, not as if his flesh was burnt, but like gold or silver purified in a furnace. 

When his adversaries saw that his body could not be consumed, they commanded one of the spearmen who sued to dispatch the wild beasts when they were unruly, to run him through with his dagger; which being done, so great a quantity of blood issued from him, as even extinguished the fire. When he was dead, his enemies suggested to the governor, that if he let the Christians take away his body, they might possibly forsake their crucified Master and worship Polycarp; on which it was thrown into the fire and consumed to ashes, except the bones, which were by his friends decently buried. 

Thus, on the 26^th of March as some, or on the 23^rd of February as others assert, in the year of our Lord 167, in about the hundredth year of his life, after having been four-score and six years a shining ornament of Christianity, was found faithful unto death, and triumphantly entered into the joy of his Lord, the blessed martyr Polycarp; a man, as is asserted, perhaps not to be equalled by any other since his time. 

“May those that are employed in the sacred ministerial work of preaching the gospel, learn from such an example of fidelity and diligence, to make it their meat and drink to do their Master’s will, by instructing their flock, and using all means to deliver their people from the ignorance and impiety that abound in this island, that the commons and others may not be hardened and without a due sense of sin, but may be awakened, convinced and converted, and enabled to believe in the blessed Jesus, the only Savior of sinful men, for pardon and salvation. Amen.”

Two observations many arise from the foregoing account of this great man: One concerning the Christian Religion in general, and the other respecting the Divinity of Christ in particular; of the truth of both which the conduct of this martyr is a most convincing proof; for he lived at the very same time with some of the first teachers of the former, and was doubtless convinced of the truth of those facts on which our holy religion is founded: And as to his integrity, after what has been observed above, that cannot justly be called in question: so that it is undeniable that Christianity is what it professes to be; namely, the true religion revealing to us man’s fall, and the way of his recovery from sin and misery, by the incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of our blessed Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. And as to the Divinity of Christ, it is evident that it was firmly believed by Polycarp, as appears from his making Christ the proper object of divine worship; for that he did this, is manifest, as almost the last words that ever he spoke were a solemn doxology to him together with the Father: And that this was the practice of the rest of his brethren as well as his, is evident from the plain testimony of the enemies of the Christian truth; and therefore as our Savior’s Divinity was an article of Christianity at that time, we may conclude that a general persuasion of this kind was founded on this supposition that it was set on foot by the apostles. 

It is said of him, that he was testis fidelis, constansque veritatis; a faithful and constant witness to the truth; and that by his wisdom, zeal, and piety, he recalled many from heresies and errors. He so detested heretics, that when Marcion, of his former acquaintance, met him at Rome, and wondering that he took no notice of him said, “Dost thou not know me, Polycarp?” “Yea, said he, I know thee well, thou art the eldest son of the devil.” He was remarkable for his zeal against heretics; for his manner was to stop his ears if at any time he heard the wicked speeches of heretics, and to shun those very places where such speeches had been uttered. He was crowned with martyrdom in the seventh years of Verus, in the year after our Lord’s incarnation, 167, in about the hundredth year of his life. 

In the midst of the flames he made this excellent prayer: “O God the Father of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of thee: O God the Creator of all things, upon thee I call, the I confess to be the true God: Thee I glorify. O Lord, receive me, and make me a companion of the resurrection of thy saints, through the merits of our great High-priest, thy beloved Son Jesus Christ; to whom with the Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory for every. Amen.” 

He was a bishop about sixty-three years. Jerom writing of him saith, that he was in great esteem through all Asia, and that he was a disciple to the apostles, and to them that did see and were conversant with Christ himself; and therefor his authority was of great credit, not only with his own church, but with all other churches round about him. 

There is on epistle of Polycarp remaining, which is to the church at Philippe, we shall here subjoin a short specimen of it.

“Whosoever doth not confess, that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, he is antichrist; and whosever does not confess his suffering upon the cross, is from the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there shall neither be any resurrection nor judgment, he is the first-born of satan. Wherefore, leaving the vanity of many and their false doctrines, let us return to the word that was delivered to us from the beginning, watching unto prayer, and persevering in fasting; with supplications beseeching the All-seeing God not to lead us into temptation; as the Lord hath said, The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

“Let us therefore, without ceasing, hold steadfastly to him who is our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, even Jesus Christ, who bore our sins in his own body on the tree, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; but suffered all for us, that we might live through him. Let us therefore initiate his patience; and if we suffer for his name we glorify him: for this example he has given us by himself, and so have we believer. 

“I trust that ye are well exercised in the holy scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but at present it is granted to me to practice that which is written. Be ye angry and sin not, and let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Blessed is he that believeth and remembereth these things, which I trust you do. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and in truth, and in all meekness and lenity, in patience and long-suffering, in forbearance and charity; and grant to you a lot and portion among his saint, and us with you, and to all that are under the heavens, who shall believe in Jesus Christ, and in his Father, who raised him from the dead. Pray for all the saints: pray also for kings and all that are in authority, and for those who persecute you, and are enemies of the cross; that your fruit may be manifest in all, and that ye many be perfect in Christ.”

He wrote some homilies and epistles, which are all lost, except that to the Philippians just mentioned; and even that is judged by Scultetus to be spurious. The accounts of the three first centuries of the church are to be receive with great caution. The history of Polycarp’s martyrdom is given us in an epistle written by his own church at Smyrna to the brethren of Pontus, which contains the chief materials of the foregoing account:

“May God pour out his Spirit upon this generation of infidelity and impiety; and may there be a reformed among us in principles and practice, and may those in high stations be concerned about the salvation of their souls and be good examples to those in inferior stations. May the time be at hand when real religion shall be a stop to preferment and irreligion a bar to it. This prayer is offered up in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ. Amen.”