Chap. 2.

Persecution.

67

Presbyter; Pothinus stood related to the former-Irenæus to the latter. The sufferings of these churches are detailed by Irenæus, in an epistle to the brethren in Asia and Phrygia, from which our information is derived.

The persecution commenced by the furious attack of the populace. Christians did not dare to appear in any public places, such as the markets, the baths, nor scarcely in the streets, much less could they assemble for worship, without the greatest danger. They were not safe in their own houses. They were plundered, dragged on the ground, stoned, heaten, and accused to the magistrate of the most abominable crimes. All the tender ties of relationship were dissolved; the father delivered up the son to death, and the son the father. In order to make them recant, and abandon their profession, the most cruel tortures were inflicted. The inhuman ruler commanded them to be scourged with whips, to be scorched by applying heated brazen plates to the most tender parts of the body. To prepare them for a renewal of such barbarous treatment, they were remanded to prison, and again brought forth, some to a repetition of similar cruelties, others to die under the hands of their persecutors. Pothinus, one of the pastors, upwards of ninety years of age, worn out with his labours, suffered these diabolical indignities; and expired in prison. Various were the ways in which the mar tyrs were put to death: some were thrown to the beasts, others roasted in an iron chair, and many were beheaded.

The sufferings of a pious female, and a magnanimous. youth, aged fifteen, deserve particular notice. The good woman was suspended, by a rope, within reach of the beasts; but not being, at that time, given up by Providence to the fury of those animals, she was taken

68

Commodus.

Cent. 2.

down, and cast into prison. On the last day of the spectacles, she was again brought forth, attended by the youth. They were ordered to swear by the gods; refusing which, their tortures were repeated, with every aggravation, till at length, the youth, abiding firm in the faith, gave up the ghost. And now, the female champion, having endured stripes, the teeth of the beasts, and the iron chair, was inclosed in a net, and thrown to a wild bull: after having been tossed some time, to the no small gratification of the base mob, she breathed out her soul, and was numbered with the noble army of martyrs.

Irenæus, notwithstanding the conspicuous station he occupied, appears to have outlived this violent storm, God, sometimes, wonderfully preserves his saints : all are in his hands, and they are precious in his sight, both in life and in death. A. D. 180. Marcus Aurelius was called to stand before the divine tribunal, where Trajan, and Nero, and Pilate, had been arraigned before; and where these obstinate and inveterate enemies of Jesus Christ have been fully convinced of his eternal power and Godhead.

CHAPTER III.

THE REIGN OF COMMODUS, AND THE STATE OF THE CHURCH TO THE END OF THE CENTURY.

"In the evening-tide it shall be light." Twenty years now remain to conclude the century; during which season, for the most part, the church applies the healing balm to her wounds, and recruits her strength.

Chap. 3.

Apollonius.

69

COMMODUS, Son of the emperor whose bloody reign we have just dismissed, in the eyes of philosophy and polities, is unworthy of such a father; but Christianity hailed his assumption, as a day of deliverance. The character of Commodus was far from being that of an honourable and virtuous man; he is described as the most abandoned and vicious of all mortals. This, God overruled for the peace of his people, by making even his unholy passion an occasion of good to the church. Marcia, a woman of mean rank, was the favourite coneubine of this prince. By what means she was brought to think well fof the Christians, we are not informed; but such was her opinion in their favour, that she employed all her influence, with the emperor, on their behalf. The persecuting edicts of Aurelius were revoked, and those of former sovereigns, against informers, were enforced. Commodus went farther, and made information a capital offence. Appollonius, a Roman citizen and philosopher, had decidedly espoused the faith, and as a Christian was accused, by an informer, before Perennis a judge. In compliance with the law, he accordingly gave sentence against the accuser, and his legs were broken. But the issue proves, that though Commodus had done something against the enemies of Christians, yet he had not abrogated those laws, by which Christianity was deemed a capital crime. Hence this magistrate had still an opportunity of showing his dislike to the followers of Jesus. He requested with much earnestness that Appollonius would address the senate, then assembled in court. The Christian orator complied, and thus convicted himself; and the senate decreed that he should be beheaded. Probably had Apollonius held his peace, he had escaped. However, he fell in a good cause, and doubtless received the crown

70

Faith of the Church.

Cent. 2.

of life. This was a singular case, and most likely unknown to the emperor. The gospel now flourished, disciples increased through the empire, and some of the nobility were added to the number. After the death of Commodus, A. D. 192, three emperors succeeded in less than three years. During their reigns nothing particular transpired in relation to the church. But upon the ascension of SEVERUS, in the year 194, affairs were changed; the ministers at Lyons were grievously harassed, and many provinces were dyed with the blood of martyrs. The reign of this sovereign runs into the next century, in which period more particulars will pass in review.

CHAPTER IV.

Doctrines; Errors and Divisions; Government; Rites and Ceremonies; Christian Writers; Review of the Century.

IN THE WRITINGS of those holy men whose productions are preserved to us, the DOCTRINES held in the church, during this century, are displayed most unequivocally. The antiquity of these writings none dispute, and that they are as ancient as the second century is evident from the doctrinal likeness they bear to the writings of the apostles. Such doctrines were not so clearly stated in succeeding ages; hence a fair conclusion that they belong to those men to whom they are ascribed. The faith of the church in the ETERNAL THREE, the Son, and the Father, and the Spirit, is beyond controversy. The

Chap. 4.

Government of the Church.

71

GODHEAD of CHRIST, as God appearing in flesh, is equally plain. The atonement of Christ, as made in his life and death, is asserted to be the ground of a sinner's faith, by which he escapes death. The election of saints is expressed in terms clear and decisive: Predestinated before the world to be perpetually permanent in glory, immovable, united, and elect in the genuine suffering, by the will of the Father and of Jesus Christ our God. The doctrine of SANCTIFICATION was evident in their lives, their enemies being witnesses.

The errors which distinguished this century were chiefly such as had been maintained in the apostolic age. Some few converts to Christianity still adhered to Jewish rites. But the principal corruption of the New Testament system consisted in the denial of the real humanity and sufferings of Jesus. And one thing is worthy of remark, that in every instance wherein the humanity of Christ is denied, an attack is made also upon his divinity. In this century, Montanus, a weak and superstitious man, faneied himself to be the comforter, promised by Christ and asserted himself to be such. He instituted a variety of austerities, and drew some followers after him. Philosophy had its share of influence in mutilating the gospel; and what it took away of its glory, it supplied with mystery and conjecture. During this period the church maintained considerable unity. Some few individuals, from an attachment to Mosaic ceremonies, separated from the general body: but from the letters of the suffering bishops, it appears that no schism had broken the peace, and interrupted the fellowship of the churches.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH We find in the great body of the people, not intrusted to self-created |lordly officers-Officers, such as pastors and deacons,