renaeus returned thanks to God as for
a second victory. When arrived on the bridge of Diana, from which he was
to be thrown, stripping off his clothes, and lifting up his hands to
heaven, he prayed thus: "Lord Jesus Christ, who condescendedst to suffer
for the salvation of the world, command the heavens to open, that the
angels may receive the soul of thy servant Irenaeus, who suffers for thy
name, and for thy people of the Catholic church of Sirmium." Then, his
head being struck off, he was thrown into the river, on the 25th of
March, on which day his name occurs in the Roman Martyrology. He
suffered in the year 304. He was married before he was ordained bishop;
but lived continent from that time, as the laws of the church required.

The martyrs most perfectly accomplished the precept of renouncing all
things for Christ; but all who desire truly to become his disciples, are
bound to do it in spirit. Many aspire to perfection by austere practices
of exterior mortification and long exercises of devotion; yet make
little progress, and, after many years, remain always subject to many
imperfections and errors in a spiritual life. The reason is, because
they neglected to lay the foundation by renouncing themselves. This
requires constant watchfulness, courageous self-denial, a perfect spirit
of humility, meekness and obedience, and sincere compunction, in which a
soul examines and detects her vices, bewails her past sins and those of
the whole world, sighs at the consideration of its vanity and slavery,
and of her distance from heaven, labors daily to cleanse her mind from
all idle thoughts, and her heart from all sin, all irregular
attachments, and superfluous desires, flies the vain joys of the world,
and often entertains herself on the bloody passion of Christ. If the
affections are thus purified, and this cleanness of heart daily more and
more cultivated, the rest costs very little, and the soul makes quick
progress in the paths of holy love, by the assiduous exercises of
contemplation and prayer, a constant fidelity in all her actions, and
the most fervent and pure attention to the divine will and presence.
Voluntary imperfections and failings, especially if habitual, both blind
and defile the soul, disquiet her, extremely weaken her, and damp the
fervor of her good desires and resolutions. They must therefore be
retrenched with the utmost resolution and vigilance, especially those
which arise from any secret vanity, sen