IRENAEUS.
THE scene of the labors of Irenaeus is nearer us than is that of Ignatius’ or of Polycarp. Probably born in Asia, between the years 120 and 140, he comes first to our knowledge as a resident of Lyons, France.
It is probable that one or both of his parents were Christians, because he was brought, when young, to the Christian assemblies, where he had the privilege of hearing and knowing the godly Poly-carp.
The church at Lyons (which is at this date the largest city in France, except Paris) was planted or nourished by Greek Christians from the neighborhood of Smyrna, and amongst these, doubtless, came the subject of this sketch.
The Roman Empire at that time extended. over the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Marcus Aurelius, having become Emperor in the year 161, recommenced the persecution of Christians. He was a philosopher, having begun to wear the cloak at the age of twelve, and to practice that neglecting of the body which is referred to in Colossians. He used to sleep on the bare floor, and it was with difficulty that his mother prevailed on him to use a mattress and slight coverlet. Against this false philosophy we are warned in the second chapter of Colossians, and the true way of holiness is pointed out in that and the following chapter.
From an ardent adherent of such philosophy, therefore, we might reasonably expect an active hatred to the grace of God, which makes a believing sinner to be “complete” in the One who is the Head of every principality and power: so complete that all the teachings and austerities of the stoic can add nothing to him. Man and the devil both hate this: it takes all the glory from the creature, and places the crown, where alone it belongs, on the brow of the man-crucified, but God-glorified Saviour—Jesus.
So it came to pass that under this man, the fires of persecution, which had slacked during the reign of his predecessor, were again blown up against Christians. You have already been told of Polycarp’s death, which is placed by some in the year 167, and now I have to tell you of the faithfulness of certain confessors of Christ’s name, who suffered for Him in the city of Irenaeus in the year 177. The letter from which the account is taken, is generally attributed to Irenaeus, though written in the name of “The Servants of Christ, sojourning in Vienna and Lyons, in France, to the brethren in Asia, Propria and Phrygia.”
I would willingly reproduce the whole letter, but the compass of our little magazine forbids it; so I must content myself with giving you a synopsis, hoping by this means to stir you up to procure a Church history and read it for yourselves. From this letter it appears that in those days Christians recognized Satan as the instigator of their troubles and the great leader of their enemies, regarding their persecutors as his slaves. In the commencement of this great trial, Christians were absolutely prohibited from appearing in any houses except their own, or in any public place, not even the market. The next step was the attack of the mob: “shouts, blows, the dragging of their bodies, the plundering of their goods, casting of stones . . . were magnanimously sustained.” Then came the trial before the magistrates, and the sufferings “legally” inflicted. Having pleaded guilty to the charge of being Christians, the martyrs were shut up in prison until the arrival of the Governor, probably Severus, afterwards Emperor.
The Governor treated them with such savageness of manner that the spirit of one Vittius Epagathus, a person of quality, was aroused to demand a hearing, pledging himself to prove that there was nothing atheistic or impious among them. “Though but a youth, he might be compared to old Zacharias, for he walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
The Governor only asked him if he were a Christian. He confessed in the most open manner that he was, and consequently was ranked among the martyrs.
ML 08/16/1903