The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Martyrium Polycarpi

The Martydom of Polycarp. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913

So after this all the crowd, wondering at the nobility of the God-loving and God-fearing people of the Christians, cried out: Away with the Atheists; let Polycarp be searched for.

But one, named Quintus, a Phrygian lately come[*](Quintus) from Phrygia, when he saw the wild beasts played the coward. Now it was he who had forced himself and some others to come forward of their own accord. Him the Pro-Consul persuaded with many entreaties to take the oath and offer sacrifice. For this reason, therefore, brethren, we do not commend those who give themselves up, since the Gospel does not give this teaching.