The Church of the Saviour; Or the Early History of Christianity

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1842* Excerpt: ... cutions carried on in a very distant part of his dominions, and at the instance of the implacable enemies of the Christians, are not justly chargeable to his account, being probably without his knowledge far less permitted by him. Be it so, --we willingly in such cases allow him to prove an alibi. But what will be said to the martyrdom of Ignatius, the saintly bishop of Antioch, and during the time of the emperor's temporary residence in that city? Here, he gave an undeniable instance of a savage persecuting disposition. Ignatius waited on Trajan, hoping to induce him to shew some mercy to the Christians; but his hope proved delusive. Acknowledging that he carried the image of Christ within (the expression must be interpreted figuratively), he was condemned by the proud imperator to be carried to Rome, and there thrown to the lions, --a fearful sentence, and most punctually executed. During a somewhat leisurely journey through the lesser Asia and Greece, to the scene of his final sufferings, he wrote some epistles to his brethren in the faith, wherein (though there are several interpolations), he speaks of his approaching death, --horrible as it must have been to the imagination, --with resignation and even joy. Perhaps, he a little too much coveted martyrdom for its own sake; but we must not too closely scan the feelings and expressions of one, who so cheerfully took up his cross to follow his beloved Lord. The splendid Coliseum was destined to be the theatre on which Ignatius was, before thousands of spectators, --more brutal in heart than the fiercest of the animals collected there for sport, --to end his mortal career. The huge building was in an oval form. The seats for the spectators rose from an immense arena at the base, like those in the pit of a theatr..