One of the most distinguished sufferers of this reign was Justin, surnamed the Martyr. [293:1] He was a native of Samaria; but he had travelled into various countries, and had studied various systems of philosophy, with a view, if possible, to discover the truth.  His attention had at length been directed to the Scriptures, and in them he had found that satisfaction which he could not obtain elsewhere.  When in Rome about A.D. 165, he came into collision with Crescens, a Cynic philosopher, whom he foiled in a theological discussion.  His unscrupulous antagonist, annoyed by this discomfiture, turned informer; and Justin, with some others, was put to death.  Shortly afterwards Polycarp, the aged pastor of Smyrna, was committed to the flames. [293:2] This venerable man, who had been acquainted in his youth with the Apostle John, had long occupied a high position as a prudent, exemplary, and devoted minister.  Informations were now laid against him, and orders were given for his apprehension.  At first he endeavoured to elude his pursuers; but when he saw that escape was impossible, he surrendered himself a prisoner.  After all, he would have been permitted to remain unharmed had he consented to renounce the gospel.  In the sight of an immense throng who gloated over the prospect of his execution, the good old man remained unmoved.  When called on to curse Christ he returned the memorable answer—­“Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me nothing but good; and how could I curse Him my Lord and Saviour?” “I will cast you to the wild beasts,” said the Proconsul, “if you do not change your mind.”  “Bring the wild beasts hither,” replied Polycarp, “for change my mind from the better to the worse I will not.”  “Despise you the wild beasts?” exclaimed the magistrate—­“I will subdue your spirit by the flames.”  “The flames which you menace endure but for a time and are soon extinguished,” calmly rejoined the prisoner, “but there is a fire reserved for the wicked, whereof you know not; the fire of a judgment to come and of punishment everlasting.”  These answers put an end to all hope of pardon; a pile of faggots was speedily collected; and Polycarp was burned alive.

Towards the end of the reign of Marcus Aurelius, or about A.D. 177, the Churches of Lyons and Vienne [294:1] in France endured one of the most horrible persecutions recorded in the annals of Christian martyrdom.  A dreadful pestilence, some years before, had desolated the Empire; and the pagans seem to have been impressed with the conviction that the new religion had provoked the visitation.  The mob in various cities became, in consequence, exasperated; and demanded, with loud cries, the extirpation of the hated sectaries.  In the south of France a considerable time appears to have elapsed before the ill-will of the multitude broke out into open violence.  At first the disciples in Lyons and Vienne were insulted in places of public concourse; they were then pelted with stones and forced