apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

358 EPISTLES OE S. IGNATIUS.
This picture, which I have drawn, is
probable in itself j
and it is
fully borne out by the description which Lucian gives of Peregrinus
the hero of his story, then a Christian, under similar circumstances
(see above, p. 137 sq). The chief passage, which has been translated
already (p. 345 sq), deserves to be read in its entirety. The zeal and
attention paid to the imprisoned confessor — for he poses as such to
the Christians— is ceaseless. The widows, with the orphan children
committed to their care', crowd about the prison doors at early dawn
for admittance. The officers of the Christian brotherhood bribe the
keepers and thus are allowed to pass the night with the prisoner.
Meals are brought in ; religious services are held in the prisoners cell ;
deputies are sent to him from various Christian communities ;
he is
amply supplied with means.
There is very strong reason for believing, as I have already pointed
out (p. 345 sq), that Lucian has drawn his picture at least in part from
the known circumstances of Ignatius' history. But for my present purpose
this point may be waived. Nor is it necessary to enquire whether
the story of Peregrinus is true or not. Even if it be fictitious, the
satirist plainly relates only what is likely
to have occurred under the
circumstances ;
and this is sufficient for the object which we have in
view.
Nor does this evidence stand alone.
We need not press the earlier
instance of S. Paul, who during his captivity, though chained to a
soldier by the wrist, communicated freely with all his friends and
preached the Gospel without let or hindrance, so that he even regards
the cause as having gained by his captivity (Acts xxviii. 31, Phil. i.
12 sq). But even to the close of the era of persecutions, when the
rapid growth of the Church had given just ground for the alarm of
statesmen, the same lenient and liberal treatment of prisoners
— even
of condemned prisoners
— is seen. The humour of the populace was
indulged, the supremacy of the law was vindicated, by the condemnation
of the offender. Beyond this the majesty of Rome could afford
to be magnanimous. In the Apostolic Constitutions (v. i) directions are
given that, if any Christian is condemned to a gladiatorial combat or
to wild beasts or to the mines, money is to be sent to him to purchase
food and to bribe the soldiers (ets/x.to-^a7ro8oa-iai'Twv o-Tpariwrwv), so that
his condition may be alleviated (see 11. p. 214). Accordingly we find
1
The fidelity of the picture is shown comp. Hermas Vis. ii. 3 TpawTr] 5e vovdeby
this touch. The widows in the ancient r-quei ras XVP°-^ x"-'- '''O'"''
opcpavovs, and see
Church had charge of the orphans and the note on Smyrn. 12 (ll. p. 322).
would therefore be accompanied by them ;