. The history of Christianity: consisting of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; the adventures of Paul and the apostles; and the most interesting events in the progress of Christianity, from the earliest period to the present time. yof the Populace. — The Martyrdom of Polycarp. T the commencement of the second century, Igna-tius was bishop or pastor of the church in Anti-och, in Sj^ria. He had occupied the post forforty years, and had obtained a very high reputa-tion for devout character and Christian zeal. TheEmperor Trajan, who had issued orders through-out the empire, that those r
. The history of Christianity: consisting of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; the adventures of Paul and the apostles; and the most interesting events in the progress of Christianity, from the earliest period to the present time. yof the Populace. — The Martyrdom of Polycarp. T the commencement of the second century, Igna-tius was bishop or pastor of the church in Anti-och, in Sj^ria. He had occupied the post forforty years, and had obtained a very high reputa-tion for devout character and Christian zeal. TheEmperor Trajan, who had issued orders through-out the empire, that those refusing to worship thepagan gods, and persisting in Christianity, should be put todeath, passing with his victorious army from the banks of theDanube to combat the barbarians of the East, stopped for atime at Antioch. Ignatius was brought before him, chargedwith the crime of being a Christian. The emperor sternlyinquired of him, Why do you disobey our orders, and influ-ence others to ruin themselves by doing the same ? Ignatius replied, I must be obedient to God, whom I bearin my heart. Who is the God, asked Trajan, whom you bear in yourheart ? Jesus Christ, was the reply. And do you not believe that we bear in our hearts those 249. 250 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY. gods wlio combat with us against our enemies ? was the ques-tion of Trajan. The Christian bishop boldly replied, You deceive yourselfin calling the demons of the Gentiles gods. There is but oneGodj who has made the heavens and the earth, the sea, andall which they contain ; and there is but one Jesus Christ, theonly Son of God, to whose kingdom I aspire. Trajan replied, Do you speak of him who was crucifiedunder Pontius Pilate ? Yes, responded Ignatius : he has made atonement formy sins, and has put all the malice of Satan under their feetwho carry him in their hearts. Do you, then, carry in your heart him who was crucified ? I do, was the response; for it is written, I will dwell inthem, and walk with them. Trajan was
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