as every one of the faithful was always eager who should first touch his skin. For, on account of his holy life,[1] he was, even before his martyrdom, adorned[2] with every kind of good. Immediately then they surrounded him with those substances which had been prepared for the funeral pile. But when they were about also to fix him with nails, he said, "Leave me as I am; for he that giveth me strength to endure the fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to remain without moving in the pile."
Chap. xiv.—The prayer of Polycarp.
They did not nail him then, but simply bound him. And he, placing his hands behind him, and being bound like a distinguished ram [taken] out of a great flock for sacrifice, and prepared to be an acceptable burnt-offering unto God, looked up to heaven, and said, "O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before thee, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the cup[3] of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before Thee as a fat[4] and acceptable sacrifice, according as Thou, the ever-truthful[5] God, hast fore-ordained, hast revealed beforehand to me, and now hast fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen."[6]
- ↑ Literally, "good behaviour."
- ↑ Some think this implies that Polycarp's skin was believed to possess a miraculous efficacy.
- ↑ Comp. Matt. xx. 22, xxvi. 39; Mark x. 38.
- ↑ Literally, "in a fat," etc.
- ↑ Literally, "the not false and true God."
- ↑ Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. iv. 15) has preserved a great portion of this
