Chapter VIII: 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