Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

THE THIRD AGE OF THE MARTYR CHURCH.367ing hymns, and returning thanks to their lastbreath."49"Among those distinguished for their learningin all Grecian studies, and for the universal honourin which they had been held, Eusebius mentionsespecially a bishop of Thmuis named Phileas.While he lay in prison under sentence of death,which was afterwards executed by beheading, hewrote a letter to his people, detailing the scenesin which he bore a part. This letter the historianhas happily preserved for us. " " Inasmuch,"e says, uas the holy scriptures presented uswith so many fair ensamples and lessons, theblessed martyrs who are with me felt no hesitation.They fixed their mind's eye steadily uponthe God of all, formed the conception of deathsuffered for piety's sake, and clung firmly to thatto which they were called. For they knew thatour Lord Jesus Christ had become man for oursakes in order to cut up all sin by the root, andto supply us with food on that journey by whichwe enter into eternal life. For He thought it notrobbery to be equal with God, but emptied HimIf by taking the form of a slave, and being foundin fashion as a man humbled Himself to death,d that death the cross. Hence it was that thtyrs, bearing Christ within them, in their zeathe greatevery suffering andthe various inventions of torture not once, but49 Hist. viii. 9.