CHAPTER II

THOSE THAT HAD FALLEN AWAY, KINDLY RESTORED BY THE PIOUS MARTYRS

SUCH were the occurrences that befel the churches of Christ under the above-mentioned emperor, from which it is easy to conjecture what was the probable course of things in the other provinces. It may be well here to add to these accounts, other extracts from the same epistle, in which the moderation and benevolence of these martyrs whom we have mentioned, is recorded in the following words: “They were also so zealous in their imitation of Christ, who, though in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, that though they were esteemed in the same light, and had neither once nor twice, but frequently, endured martyrdom, and had been again taken away from the beasts to prison, and had brands, and scars, and wounds spread over them, they did not proclaim themselves martyrs, for it did not become us to apply this name to them; and if any one of us, either by letter or in conversation, called them martyrs, they seriously reproved us. For they cheerfully yielded the title of martyr to Christ, the true and faithful Martyr (witness), the First-begotten from the dead, the Prince of divine life.” They also made mention of those martyrs that had already departed, and said: “They now are martyrs whom Christ has thought worthy to be received in their confession, setting the seal to their martyrdom by the issue. But we are but indifferent and mean confessors, and with tears did they intreat the brethren, that they should offer up incessant prayers, that they might be made perfect. They exhibited, indeed, the power of martyrdom in fact, exercising much freedom in declaring themselves to all people, and manifested their noble patience and fearless intrepidity; but the name of martyrs they declined receiving from the brethren, filled as they were with the fear of God.” Again, after a little, they said, “They humbled themselves under the mighty hand by which they were now highly exalted. Then, they defended themselves before all, they accused none, they loosed all, they bound none. They prayed for those that were so bitter in their hostility, like Stephen, the perfect martyr. ‘Lord, impute not this sin to them.’ And if he prayed for those that stoned him, how much more should they pray for the brethren!” And again they say, after mentioning other matters, “That their greatest conflict against Satan was on account of the sincerity of their love, that the beast being strangled, might be forced to restore alive those whom he thought he had already devoured. For they did not arrogate any superiority over the backsliders: but in those things wherein they themselves abounded, in this they supplied those that were deficient, exercising the compassion of mothers, and pouring forth many prayers to the Father on their account. They implored life, and he gave it to them, which they also shared with their neighbours; coming off victorious over all, to God: always lovers of peace, they always recommended peace, and with peace they departed to God; not leaving grief to their mother (the church), or discord or dissensions to the brethren, but joy and peace, unanimity and love. This account may be profitably added, respecting the love of those blessed brethren towards those that fell away, on account of those also, who, after these events, unsparingly exercised an inhuman and merciless disposition towards the members of Christ.”