Narratives of the lives of the more eminent fathers of the three first centuries : interspersed with copious quotations from their writings, familiar observations on their characters and opinions, and occasional references to the most remarkable events and persons of the times in which they lived

Front matter

NARRATIVES

OF THE LIVES

OF THE MORE*

Preface

XF the principal business of a biographer be <( to lead the thoughts into domestic privacies and display the minute details of daily life/'* the subjects of the following Work may at first sight appear to afford a barren soil for his operations. Of some of them neither the period of their birth, nor the time nor manner of their death, can be ascertained ; of others little is known, except the circumstances connected with their martyrdom ; and even of those,, whose actions and characters have most escaped the ravages of time, scarcely any thing can be accurately ascertained respecting their retired moments, or domestic peculiarities.

After we have given, however, full weight to these objections, it may still be confidently asserted that the subjects of these narratives possess some peculiar biographical attractions. The more early of the fathers, whose lives are here recorded, were intimately acquainted with the apostles of our

* Rambler, No. 60.

VI PREFACE.

Lord, were themselves deservedly styled " apostolical meii/ J and manifested a degree of zeal and piety scarcely inferior to that of their inspired predecessors. Even those of them who were the most remote from the times of the apostles, though they rarely possessed the evangelical simplicity or their earlier brethren, still flourished during 1 that interesting- period of the Church, when persecution was continually developing; the character of nominal Christians, clearing the sacred inclosure of the noxious weeds of hypocrisy, and maturing the consecrated fruits of genuine Christianity.

Of such persons, whilst we lament the loss of a minute detail, every circumstance is interesting. Every incident of their lives, and almost every expression of their writings, is important: the one exhibits the habits of the early disciples, the other their sentiments ; and both not unfrequently supply a satisfactory comment on the Sacred Writing's. At the same time the family likeness, which pervades the whole circle, evidently indicates that its different members, though distinguished from each other by a variety of features and complexion, are all children of the same parent.

The apostolical Clement, the bold Ignatius, the venerable Polycarp, the philosophic Justin, the severe Tertullian, the speculative Origen, and the fervid Cyprian, widely dissimilar as they are in natural disposition and attainments, manifest a remarkable uniformity in religious sentiments and experience, — and are actuated by the same prin-

PREFACE. Vlt

ciples, and supported by the same consolations* None of them advocate those abstruse subjects ot divinity, the canvassing of which has caused such unhappy divisions in the Church since the times of Augustine, whilst the doctrines of human depravity, the Trinity, the Divinity, incarnation, and atonement of Christ, and of salvation by faith in Him, run through all their writings. At the same time holiness of heart and life, deadness to the world, love to their Divine Redeemer, and to their fellow-Christians for His sake, form the most prominent part of their exhortations, and are embodied in their lives.

Whilst, however, the compiler of these narratives readily acknowledges the satisfaction with which he records the excellencies of the fathers, he as plainly asserts, that he feels no inclination to conceal or palliate their defects. His object is, to fulfil the office of a faithful biographer, not that of a partial panegyrist. He deprecates no less that spurious charity which glosses over the failings of the fathers, than that unfeeling levity which can derive pleasure from the contemplation of their defects. It is his desire no less specifically to point out their errors than their excellencies ; the one, indeed, with grief, as a salutary beacon to others ; the other with joy, as an encouraging evidence of the reality and efficacy of genuine piety.

Whilst, therefore, he feelingly laments the scantiness of his materials, and still more deeply regrets his own inability to do justice to such as are

Vlll PREFACE.

actually in his possession,, he cheers himself with the hope that his humble publication will not prove altogether uninteresting ; and that even those who may justly censure its execution will candidly acknowledge that its tendency is good — a tendency to promote the interests of our common Christianity.

With these pleasing — may they not prove fallacious — expectations, he submits the following narratives to the public eye, as a humble thankoffering to that gracious Being who, when the ability to provide a more suitable one was wanting, did not reject the widow's mite.

Contents

Page.

SIMEON, Son of Cleopas, 1—17.

CHAPTER I. His relationship to our Lord. — Probably oneof the seventy disciples. — The martyrdoms of James, the son of Zebedee, and of James the Just. — Simeon is elected bishop of Jerusalem . . 1

CHAP. III. Ignatius is brought before the Prefect. — The circumstance of his martyrdom 81 POLYCARP, Bishop of Smyrna, 84—119

CHAP, I. Slate to a Christian lady. — Becomes tt disciple of the apostle John. — Is ordained Bishop of Smyrna. — An account of St. John . " . . . .84

CHAP. II. Polycarp is visited by Ignatius. — Receives a letter from him. — Writes an epistle to the Philippians s, . ,93

CHAP. III. Polycarp travels to Rome. — Differs from Anicctus respecting the time of keeping Easter. — Opposes the heresy of Marcion . 99

CHAP. IV. Aurelius persecutes the Christians. — Polycarp is apprehended, and condemned to be burnt alive. — The circumstances of his martyrdom; — His character . . 106

CHAP. I. His early attachment to study. — Travels to Alexandria.— Enquires info the different systems of philosophy. — His conversion to Christianity . . 120

CONTENTS. XI

Page.

CHAP. IT. Justin writes his Exhortation to the Gentiles. — Retains his love for phi lo soph?/. — The Platonic notion of the Trinity.— Justin vindicated from Platonizing on the essential doctrines of Christianity . . 128

CHAP. III. Justin zcrites his book against heresies. — The calumnies propagated against the Christians. — J us! in i: rites his Apology. — Refers to the Sibylline Oracles. — Relates the manner of the Christians conducting their public worship. — The emperor Pius's edict in favour of the Christians . . ISj

CHAP. IV. Justin holds a disputation zcith Trypho, a Jew. — The emperor Aurelius persecutes the Christians . . . . 146

CHAP. V. Justin disputes with Crescens, a Cynic philosopher. — Jt'rites his second Apology. — Is summoned before the prefect. — His martyrdom and character . . . i54

IRENjEUS, Bishop of Lyons, 162—193.

CHAP. I. A disciple of Papias and Poly carp. — Account of Papias. — Irenceus ordained presbyter of the Church of Lyons. — The dreadful persecution of the Church. — The martyrdoms of Pothinus, Sanctus y Ponticus, and Blandina . . .162

CHAP. II. Irenceus appointed bishop of Lyons. — The emperor Commodus protects the Christians. — Account of the Valentinians. — Irenceus writes his work against heresies . 173 CHAP. III. Revival of the controversy respecting Easter. — Irenceus* s pacific conduct on the

Xii CONTENTS.

Page.

occasion. — Severus persecutes the Christians. — Martyrdom and character of Irenceus ..... 18T

TERTULLIAN, Presbyter of Carthage, 194—230.

CHAP. I. A native of Carthage. — His conversion to Christianity. — -Composes his Apology for the Christians .... 19&

CHAP. II. Tertullian a married man.— His tracts to his wife ; to Scapula, a persecutor, and to the martyrs. — Peculiar situation of the primitive Christians. — Tertullian s zcorks against heretics. — His tract against the public shows of the Pagans . . 209

CHAP. III. Tertullian joins the Montanists.- — - The sentiments of Mont anus. — Tertullian'' s increasing austerity — His tract on the miliiary crown. — His account of the state of Heathen children. — His character^ and death . . .' . i 223

ORIGEN, Catechist of Alexandria, 231—297.

CHAP. I. Piously instructed by his father. — Seeks for mysterious meanings of Scripture.— Is sent to the school at Alexandria. — Observations on Clement, its president. — Martyrdom of Origerf s father . . .251

C HAP. II. O rigen is patroniz ed by a rich matron* — Leaves her house, and commences teacher of philosophy. — His veneration for the martyrs. — Specimen of his allegorical method of interpreting the Scriptures ♦ . $42

CONTENTS. XJIl

Page

CHAP. III. Origen is appointed president of (he

school at Alexandria. — His bodily austerities. — Abase of philosophy, no argument against its legitimate use. — Martyrdoms of Pais and Potamicena . . . 252

CHAP. IV. The Church for several years free from persecution. — Ori gen's popularity. — Account of the introduction and progress of philosophy in the Church. — Peculiar notions of Origen .... 259

CHAP. V. Origen composes his Hexapla. — His popularity. — Instructs an Arabian governor in Christianity. — Expounds the Scriptures at Ccesarea. — Alexander and Mamma* a favourable to Christianity. — Origetfs intimacy with Ambrose. — His homilies and commentaries. — He is ordained by foreign bishops, and compelled to leave Alexandria 269

CHAP VI. Origen travels to Palestine. — Writes his Exhortation to Martyrdom. — Account of Gregory Thaumaturgus. — Origen reclaims Beryllus .... 282

CHAP. VII. The outward peace of the Church accompanied with a decline in piety. — Origen writes his book against Celsus. — He suffers severely during the Decian persecution. — Dies a natural death . D 28SJ

CYPRIAN, Bishop of Carthage, 298— SSO.

CHAP. I. Original situation and character. — His conversion to Christianity. — His own account of his conversion. — His tracts on the vanity of idols, and testimonies against the /«" . • . . 298

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Page,

CHAP. II. Cyprian is ordained presbyter, and soon afterwards bishop, of Carthage.— Pontius 's character of him. — He leaves Carthage during the Decian persecution. — The Church of Rome exhorts his people to constancy. — Cyprian 's letters to them . 314.

CHAP. III. The persecution rages at Carthage. — Cyprian's joy on account of the boldness of the martyrs. — He laments the hastiness of the confessors in giving letters to the lapsed. — The Church of Rome writes to him respecting the lapsed . . » 3S9

CHAP IV. Cyprian returns to Carthage. — -Finds his Church rent with schisms. — His judicious conduct.— The Novaiian Schism. — Cyprian's conduct on the occasion. — His tract on the Lord's Prayer . . 336

CHAP. V. Cyprian congratulates the Church of Rome on its constancy during the persecution of Gallus. — He writes on a similar occasion to another Church. — His Tract to Demeirian .... 318

CHAP. VI. A dreadful pestilence rages in Africa. — Cyprian's conduct on tJw occasion. — His Treatise on Mortality. — He makes a collection for the redemption of the Numidian captives ..... 355

CHAP. VII. Cyprian attends different councils. — He is banished to Curubis.- — His letter to the Christians in the mines. — He returns to Carthage. — His condemnation, martyrdom, and characUr , . . 364;

CONTENTS. XV

Page.

DIONYSIUS, Bi?hop of Alexandria, 381—402.

CHAP. I. Appointed Catechist of Alexandria, and afterwards bishop. — His account of the persecution, under the reign of Philip. — He retires during the Decian persecution. — His conduct respecting the Novation schism, and the controversy on heretical baptism. — He is banished during the Valerian persecution . . . . . 3S1

CHAP. II. The persecution of Valerian. — He is taken prisoner. — Galerius protects the Christians. — Alexandria is successively afflicted by civil tear, famine, and pestilence. — Dion y si us* s conduct on the occasion. — The controversies in which he zcas engaged. —His death . . . . 39\

LIVES

OF THE

PRIMITIVE FATHERS.

SIMEON.

Chapter I

Simeon's relationship to our Lord — probably one of the seventy disciples. — The martyrdoms of James, the son of Zebedee, and of James the Just. — Simeon is elected bishop of Jerusalem,

DIFFERENT sentiments are entertained respecting the importance to be attached to hereditary honours and exalted birth ; but every pious Christian will readily acknowledge, that the subject of the present memoir derives additional interest from the circumstance of his relation, by both his parents, to our blessed Saviour. His father, Cleopas, was the brother of Joseph, and his mother

B the sister of (he Holy Virgin. Great, however, as may be esteemed the honour of being thus personally related to the Lord Jesus Christ, it was an infinitely greater one, that he was a partaker of a similar spirit, and interested in His great salvation ; a privilege, indeed, of which every genuine believer is equally a partaker. Hence, when the woman in the Gospel, struck with admiration of the authority and eloquence of our Lord's teaching, exclaimed, ct Blessed is the womb that bare Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked/' fearing lest she should rest satisfied with a transient impression of His excellency, instead of seeking to derive from Him real and permanent benefit, He answered, with a wisdom and tenderness peculiarly His own, " Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

Simeon, afterwards bishop of Jerusalem, was probably a native of that city. He was born about thirteen years before our Lord's incarnation : but of the circumstances and situation of his parents we are not informed. The former part of his own life also affords a barren field for the labours of a biographer; for we search almost in vain for a vestige of the employments, opinions, and residence, of this venerable father, during the first seventy-five years of his life.

It is generally supposed that he was of the order of the Rechabites, that pious sect among the Jews, who, for the strict obedience they paid to the injunctions of their father Jonadab, furnished so powerful a contrast to the base ingratitude and disobedience of Israel to God.*

According- to Hegesippus, when our Lord entered upon His public ministry, Simeon became His constant disciple and regular attendant. He is also supposed to have been one of those seventy who were commissioned by our Lord to go before Him through the different parts of Judea, and prepare the people for the reception of His doctrine. They are mentioned in the Scriptures only in one place, f where their first mission appears to have been restricted to the Jewish nation. We have, however, no reason to suppose that their authority was withdrawn after they had fulfilled this charge, but may rather conclude, that they were in general employed amongst the first evangelists, in declaring through different countries the glad tidings of salvation. Amongst this company we may reasonably suppose, that the venerable subject of the present memoir was engaged during the most efficient years of his life. But of the nature of his labours, or the success of his ministry, we have no record. There is, however, a book written, in which all the actions of the righteous are fully and faithfully preserved ; and a day is approaching, " when they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

* See Jeremiah, chap. xxxr. -f Lufce x, 1.

B 2

* SIMEON.

At length in the year 62, we meet with Simeon at Jerusalem ; but whether he regularly resided there, or was in that city merely on a visit, is not ascertained. He was called, however, at that time to witness a scene truly affecting, which was the means of ultimately fixing him as a bishop in that most important situation.

The malignity of the Jews against the Christians had long been proverbial. Eighteen years before this period, James, the son of Zebedee, the first of the apostles who suffered martyrdom, was slain by the order of Herod Agrippa, to gratify the murderous spirit of the people. A remarkable circumstance attending his martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius. The man, who had drawn him before the tribunal, when he saw the readiness with which he submitted to his fate, was struck with remorse ; and by one of those sudden conversions, which have more frequently happened in times of persecution than of peace, and are then more worthy of being considered genuine, was himself turned from the power of Satan to God. In a moment, from a persecutor he became a martyr, boldly owned Christ to be his Saviour, and, as they walked on together to the place of execution, earnestly entreated the apostle's forgiveness. James readily granted this request, embraced him as a brother, and pronounced on him his apostolic benediction, " Peace be unto thee." They were then beheaded together.

This wonderful and interesting conversion of an

SIMEON. O

opposer appears to have produced little or no effect on the minds of the Jewish people. Peter was shortly after imprisoned, and rescued from martyrdom, only by a miracle ; and Paul, whose death they had long" been plotting, narrowly avoided the fate they intended him by appealing to Caesar.

Irritated by the defeat they had sustained, the Jews were now determined to wreak their vengeance upon James, surnamed The Just, bishop of Jerusalem, who is also frequently called James the Less, to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee. In this attempt they made no doubt of succeeding, as he ivas merely a Jew, and could therefore plead no Roman privilege.

The interval between the death of their old governor Festus, and the arrival of his successor, was deemed by Ananias, the high priest, who was invested with the supreme power until Albinus should arrive, as a propitious opportunity for executing their design. He therefore called a council, before which he summoned James, and accused him of breaking the law of Moses. But it was not an easy matter to procure the condemnation of this apostle. His holy character extorted reverence, where it failed to generate affection ; and numbers, who could not bear his religious principles, were constrained to admire the gentleness of his manners, and the excellency of his life.

At length the council persuaded the apostle to mount one of the pinnacles of the temple, and declare to the people, who were assembled to celebrate the passover, his sentiments respecting Christianity; hoping that they should prevail upon him, tinder some plausible pretence, to renounce his principles. James standing where he was bid, was then desired by the Jews to declare what was the gate of salvation ;* or, in other words, the true means of obtaining eternal life. The holy apostle, undaunted by the number and power of his enemies, immediately replied, that Jesus Christ was the door of salvation ; probably alluding to our Lord's own words, ce 1 am the door of the sheep/' He then enlarged upon the glory and dignity of the Saviour, and declared his belief that He was then sitting at the right hand of power, and that He would come in the clouds of heaven.

Several of the people, struck with the holy fervour of the apostle., and, we may add, with the force of truth suddenly breaking in upon their minds, glorified God, and exclaimed aloud, " Hosanna to the Son of David." Ananias and the rulers, finding that their attempts to ensnare him were without success, suddenly changed their mode of attack, and cry in gout with apparent horror, that Justus himself was seduced, threw the apostle down from the place where he stood. Though severely bruised by the fall, he had strength to

* « Gate, among the Jews, signifies metaphorically the entrance, introduction, or means of acquiring any thing. So they talk of the gate of repentance, the gate of prayers, and the gate of tears." — Dr. A. Clarke's Commentary.

kneel clown and to pray, {C I beseech thee, Lord God and Father, for them ; for they know not what they do." In the mean time the infatuated Jews preparing to stone him, a Rechabite, whom Hegesippus declares to be the subject of this memoir, cried out, {< Cease, what do you mean? This just man is praying for you." At length a person, more mercifully cruel than the rest, came behind, and striking him on the head with a fuller's club, completed his martyrdom.

This apostle is supposed to have written his epistle but a very short time before his death. On account of his singular innocence and integrity he was distinguished by the exalted title of THE JUST : and the universally admitted excellence of his character made his execution to be abhorred, and his murderers to be censured, even by those who were far from being favourable to the Christian name.

Upon the martyrdom of James, those of the apostles, who were still alive, and several of the most eminent disciples of our Lord, are said to have come to Jerusalem from all parts, to consult together respecting a proper successor. It was their general opinion, that, if possible, a relative of our Lord ought to be appointed to the situation ; and at length they unanimously determined to confer the honour upon Simeon, as a man of eminent piety, and a near relation of the Saviour. He was accordingly ordained bishop of Jerusalem.

i

Chapter II

An account of the destruction of Jerusalem.'— The Chris* tians flee to Pella. — Simeon suffers martyrdom.— -The longevity of the early fathers remarkable.

We have little information of the manner in which Simeon fulfilled the important duties of his sacred office. We may, however, be confident that his charge was a most trying one, both on account of the turbulent temper of the Jewish people, and because his presidency fell in with that gloomy period, when their city and temple were overthrown, and their very name as a nation blotted out by the victorious Romans. " To give a particular account of all their iniquities," remarks their own celebrated historian, ee would be endless : thus much in general it may suffice to say, that there never was a city which suffered such miseries, or a race of men from the beginning of the world who so abounded in wickedness. I verily believe," he continues, " that if the Romans had delayed to destroy these wicked wretches, the city would either have been swallowed up by the earth, or overwhelmed by the waters, or struck with fire from heaven as another Sodom, for it produced a far more impious generation than those who suffered such punishment."

This tremendous scene of carnage is very particularly described by this historian, who was,, during the greater part of the time, an eye-witness of all its attendant horrors. The destruction of Jerusalem at once so remarkably displays the veracity of our Lord's predictions respecting it, the hatred of the Almighty against sin, and His distinguishing care of His people, that a brief account of it may here be properly introduced, and may not prove uninteresting.

The tyranny of the Roman governors, and especially the oppressive and vexatious conduct of Gessius Florus, occasioned in the first instance that opposition of the Jews to the Romans which ended in the final destruction of that unhappy people, who, without piety, still confided in their claim to peculiarity. Goaded by insults and severities, of which they had in vain solicited redress, this wretched people at last broke out into an open rebellion, which only tended to accelerate their ruin. At the very commencement of the insurrection, 20,000 Jews were cruelly massacred at Caesarea; and shortly after, a sedition arising in Alexandria, 50,000 more were slain in one day by two Roman legions. In the mean time the insurrection became universal, and every place was full of blood and violence. For some time the war was conducted with apparently equal success by Jews and Romans. At length Vespasian was sent by Nero with a large body of veteran troops, who immediately marched to Gadara, took it on the first assault, and afterwards burnt it and the adjoining villages to the ground. From thence he advanced to Jotopata, a place strongly fortified by nature and art, to which a great number of Jews had fled for security. This place also, after an obstinate resistance, fell into his hands through the treachery of one of the inhabitants ; and Josephus, the famous Jewish general and historian, was taken prisoner. Vespasian now pursued his conquests with unwearied diligence, victory every where attending him. At length he determined to attack Jerusalem ; but for the present was prevented by the short tumultuous reigns of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, and afterwards by his being actually compelled by his soldiers to accept of the crown.

His son Titus, being now appointed to carry on the war, made every preparation for an attack upon the capital. At this time Jerusalem was broken into factions ; one party raging against another, and committing such cruelties under John, Simon, and Eleazar, the leaders of the opposite parties, as surpassed all the miseries inflicted upon them by their public enemy. At length Titus approached, and after much difficulty battered down one of the three walls by which the city was defended, and took possession of the northern quarter. At the same time he shewed great compassion to the besieged, and assured them of pardon if they would submit. But the Jews still obstinately rejecting all conditions, Titus broke through the second wall, and prepared to attack

SIMEON.

the third. Before, however, he commenced the attack, he caused the whole city to be surrounded by a strong entrenchment, the more effectually to prevent the inhabitants from departing- from the city, or receiving any relief from their friends. Thus began to be fulfilled that very explicit prophecy of our Lord, which in the subsequent overthrow of Jerusalem was so fully accomplished : " And when He was come near, He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace ! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the day shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee ; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another ; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."*

And now is the whole vial of God's anger about to be poured out upon this devoted people. Theiv rejection of Messiah, their Prince, is punished by a senseless opposition to a human power too great for them to overcome, without the aid of that Prince whom they had renounced — their persecution of His faithful disciples by the most lamentable divisions, when unity was most wanted — their infidelity by a false confidence in mis- interpreted prophecies — and their contempt of that Bread which cometh down from heaven, by a terrible

SIMEON.

famine of that common bread, of which, as well as every temporal blessing, all must be at last deprived, who refuse to feed upon the blessed word of God. For besides the Roman army without, and the numerous factions within, the want of provisions was so great in consequence of the multitudes which had flocked to the passover, that thousands were famished, and died so fast as to render it impossible to observe the common rites of sepulture. Some, who fled from the city to Titus, related that the famine was so excessive as to compel the soldiers to eat girdles, shoes, skins, and hay. A bushel of corn was sold for six hundred crowns. Sinks and holes were continually raked to find the vilest offals to satisfy hunger. Wives took the meat out of their husbands' mouths, children from their parents', mothers from their infants'. Nay, a certain lady., descended from noble and rich parentage, actually boiled her own child, that, according to the language of ancient prophecy, she might ec eat it secretly in the siege, and straitness, wherewith the enemy distressed them."*

Titus was filled with horror at the relation of this enormity. He called upon God to witness that he was not the author of these calamities, since he had repeatedly offered peace to the Jews ; and concluded by declaring that he would bury this abominable crime in the ruins of their country^ and not suffer the sun to shine upon a city, where

* Deut. xxviih 53—57.

SIMEON.

mothers ate their own children, and where fathers reduced them to that extremity by refusing to surrender.

Being* now convinced that neither kind nor harsh methods could produce any effect upon this obstinate generation, Titus gave directions that all things should be made ready for a storm ; and at length finding that he could not prevail against the walls of the inner temple, he set fire to the gates, a step he had hitherto religiously avoided. The porches were soon in a flame, and continued burning all that day and the following night. Titus, however, still resolved, if possible, to save the temple ; but on the tenth day a Roman soldier, of his own accord, threw a flaming fire-brand through the golden window into the chambers, which were presently in a blaze ; and the fire, spreading through the whole fabric, consumed the most glorious structure that the world ever saw. Titus in the mean time employed every effort to extinguish the flames. He called, entreated, and even threatened, his men ; but without effect. So great was the confusion, and so pertinaciously were the soldiers bent upon destroying all within their reach, that he was neither heard nor regarded.

Throughout the whole history of the human race we meet with few, if any, instances of carnage and devastation that can be compared with this. According to their own historian, in the course of a seven years' war there perished of this ill-fated people, in one way or another, no less a number than one million three hundred and thirtyseven thousand four hundred and ninety.