Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/511

 Noble, therefore, and blessed are all those testimonies, which have been offered up according to will; (for to  must we with especial reverence attribute the power over all things;) for who but must admire their nobleness, their endurance, their faithfulness to their Lord? For when torn with scourges, till their whole frame, even to the veins and arteries within, was laid open, they bore it so patiently, that the very bystanders pitied and bewailed them; yet they had attained to such a noble spirit, that not one of them uttered a cry or a groan himself, showing plainly to us, that in that hour of torment witnesses were absent from the flesh, or rather that our  stood near and held converse with them; and they, intent on  favour, despised this world's torments, that they might by one hour's anguish purchase redemption from eternal chastisement. The fire of their cruel tormentors felt cold to them, for they had before their eyes the fleeing from the eternal fire that never shall be quenched, and with the eyes of their heart they looked to the good things reserved for them that endure; the things which ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have they entered into the heart of man; but which were already half shown by the to them, who were men no more, but already angels. In like manner also did those who were condemned to the wild beasts endure long time, in their confinement, fearful punishments; for they lay long stretched on sharp shells, and were buffeted with divers other torments, that, if he were able, the tyrant might by continued punishment turn them to a denial of the faith.

For many were the contrivances which the Devil wrought against them; but, (thanks be to ,) he prevailed not over them. For the heroic Germanicus gave courage to their fearfulness by the patient endurance that was in him; who fought with the wild beasts notably: for when the Proconsul endeavoured to persuade him, and besought him to compassionate his years, he provoked the animal, and drew it upon himself, wishing to be sooner freed from an unjust and lawless race. Upon this the whole multitude were struck with wonder at the Christians' noble love and devotion to their, and shouted, "Away with the godless men, look for Polycarp."

But one Phrygian, Quintus by name, who had newly arrived