ugh, which he did, and such a quantity of
blood issued out of his left side as to quench the fire.[14] The malice
of the devil ended not here: {228} he endeavored to obstruct the relics
of the martyr being carried off by the Christians; for many desired to
do it, to show their respect to his body. Therefore, by the suggestion
of Satan, Nicetes advised the proconsul not to bestow it on the
Christians, lest, said he, abandoning the crucified man, they should
adore Polycarp: the Jews suggested this, "Not knowing," say the authors
of the acts, "that we can never forsake Christ, nor adore any other,
though we love the martyrs, as his disciples and imitators, for the
great love they bore their king and master." The centurion, seeing a
contest raised by the Jews, placed the body in the middle, and burnt it
to ashes. "We afterwards took up the bones," say they, "more precious
than the richest jewels or gold, and deposited them decently in a place
at which may God grant us to assemble with joy, to celebrate the
birth-day of the martyr." Thus these disciples and eye-witnesses. It was
at two o'clock in the afternoon, which the authors of the acts call the
eighth hour, in the year 166, that St. Polycarp received his crown,
according to Tillemont; but, in 169, according to Basnage.[15] His tomb
is still shown with great veneration at Smyrna, in a small chapel. St.
Irenaeus speaks of St. Polycarp as being of an uncommon age.

* * * * *

The epistle of St. Polycarp to the Philippians, which is the only one
among those which he wrote that has been preserved, is, even in the dead
letter, a standing proof of the apostolic spirit with which he was
animated, and of that profound humility, perfect meekness, burning
charity, and holy zeal, of which his life was so admirable an example.
The beginning is an effusion of spiritual joy and charity with which he
was transported at the happiness of their conversion to God, and their
fervor in divine love. His extreme abhorrence of heresy makes him
immediately fall upon that of the Docaetae, against which he arms the
faithful, by clearly demonstrating that Christ was truly made man, died,
and rose again: in which his terms admirably express his most humble and
affectionate devotion to our divine Redeemer, under these great
mysteries of love. Besides walking in truth, he takes notice, that to be
raised with Christ in glory, we must also do his will, keep all his
comman