PART II

TRAINING FOR MARTYRDOM

INTRODUCTORY

The sight of the martyrs’ endurance under suffering had a marked effect on the pagan population. This was noticed and dreaded by the Roman magistracy. Efforts were constantly made by the Government to arrest or at least to limit the number of martyrs 193

I

OF THE SPECIAL TRAINING FOR MARTYRDOM

The Church conscious of the powerful effect of a public martyrdom upon the pagan crowds--established a training for--a preparation in view of a possible martyrdom--This training included: (_a_) A public recitation in the congregations of Christians of the “Acts,” “Visions,” and “Dreams” of confessors--(_b_) The preparation of special manuals prepared for the study of Christians--In these manuals our Lord’s words were dwelt on--(_c_) A prolonged practice of austerities, with the view of hardening the body for the endurance of pain 197

II

QUOTATIONS FROM TERTULLIAN, ETC.

Certain of Tertullian’s references to this preparation, and to the austerities practised with this view, are quoted. (His words, written _circa_ A.D. 200, indicate what was in the second century a common practice in the Church.) S. Ignatius’s words in his letter to the Roman Church are a good example of what was the use of the Church in the early years of the second century--Some of the words in question are quoted 202