apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

POLYCARP THE ELDER. 443
writes from Smyrna he speaks in affectionate terms of Polycarp {Ephcs.
21, ATagn. 15). Moving forward from Smyrna to Troas he despatches
thence two letters— one to the Smyrnean community generally, and
another addressed especially to Polycarp but intended (as the closing
injunctions show) to be read publicly in the Church. The language
whicli he uses in the latter manifests his estimate of Polycarp's
character and work. After expressing his thanksgiving that he was
permitted to see Polycarp face to face, he continues as follows :
'
I exhort thee in the grace wherewith thou art clothed to press forward
in thy race Vindicate thine office in all diligence
of flesh and of
spirit Bear all men as the Lord also beareth thee. Suffer all men in
love, as also thou doest. Give thyself to unceasing prayers. Ask for larger
wisdom than thou hast Bear the maladies of all, as a perfect athlete
Be thou prudent as the serpent in all things, and guileless always as the
dove The season requireth thee, as pilots require wind, and as a stormtossed
mariner a haven, that it may attain unto God. Be sober as God's
athlete In all things I am devoted to thee Stand thou firm as an anvil
when it is smitten. It is the part of a great athlete to receive blows and to
conquer Be thou more diligent than thou art. Mark the seasons.'
The words were in some sense prophetic. Half a century rolled
away before the athlete received the crown of victory. Meanwhile he
had stood firm and immoveable, unshaken by the license of theological
speculation within and undaunted by the terrors of persecution
from without. A recent writer describes him as 'ultra-conservative".
His was an age in which conservatism alone could save the Church.
Ignatius had rightly
demanded.
divined that he was the one man whom the season
Ignatius had charged Polycarp with the fulfilment of a task which,
owing to his hurried departure from Troas, he himself was unable to
execute. He had bidden him write to the Churches lying eastward and
instruct them to send letters and delegates to Antioch {Polyc. 8).
The
Smyrnaeans
themselves also were directed to write to the Antiochene
Church, and to place their letter in the hands of some exceptionally
trustworthy representative {Smyrn. 11, Polyc. 7).
This business brings
Polycarp into correspondence with the Philippians. Ignatius, after
leaving Troas, had sailed to Philippi, where he had halted for a time.
Receiving from him the same instructions as the other churches and
acting under his directions about writing to Antioch, the Philippians
communicated with Polycarp, requesting that the Smyrnrean messenger
might carry their letter also to Antioch. Polycarp replies. He con-
^
Renan V Rglise Chrcticmie p. 433.