God sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius Caesar in Answer to the Prayers of our People.

It is reported [1] that Marcus Aurelius Caesar, brother of Antoninus, [2] being about to engage in battle with the Germans and Sarmatians, was in great trouble on account of his army suffering from thirst. [3] But the soldiers of the so-called Melitene legion, [4] through the faith which has given strength from that time to the present, when they were drawn up before the enemy, kneeled on the ground, as is our custom in prayer, [5] and engaged in supplications to God. This was indeed a strange sight to the enemy, but it is reported [6] that a stranger thing immediately followed. The lightning drove the enemy to flight and destruction, but a shower refreshed the army of those who had called on God, all of whom had been on the point of perishing with thirst. This story is related by non-Christian writers who have been pleased to treat the times referred to, and it has also been recorded by our own people. [7] By those historians who were strangers to the faith, the marvel is mentioned, but it is not acknowledged as an answer to our prayers. But by our own people, as friends of the truth, the occurrence is related in a simple and artless manner.

Among these is Apolinarius, [8] who says that from that time the legion through whose prayers the wonder took place received from the emperor a title appropriate to the event, being called in the language of the Romans the Thundering Legion. Tertullian is a trustworthy witness of these things. In the Apology for the Faith, which he addressed to the Roman Senate, and which work we have already mentioned, [9] he confirms the history with greater and stronger proofs. He writes [10] that there are still extant letters [11] of the most intelligent Emperor Marcus in which he testifies that his army, being on the point of perishing with thirst in Germany, was saved by the prayers of the Christians. And he says also that this emperor threatened death [12] to those who brought accusation against us.

He adds further: [13]

"What kind of laws are those which impious, unjust, and cruel persons use against us alone which Vespasian, though he had conquered the Jews, did not regard; [14] which Trajan partially annulled, forbidding Christians to be sought after; [15] which neither Adrian, [16] though inquisitive in all matters, nor he who was called Plus [17] sanctioned." But let any one treat these things as he chooses; [18] we must pass on to what followed. Pothinus having died with the other martyrs in Gaul at ninety years of age, [19] Irenaeus succeeded him in the episcopate of the church at Lyons. [20] We have learned that, in his youth, he was a hearer of Polycarp. [21] In the third book of his work Against Heresies he has inserted a list of the bishops of Rome, bringing it down as far as Eleutherus (whose times we are now considering), under whom he composed his work. He writes as follows: [22]

CHAPTER VI.

Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.

"The blessed apostles [1] having founded and established the church, entrusted the office of the episcopate to Linus. [2] Paul speaks of this Linus in his Epistles to Timothy. [3] Anencletus [4] succeeded him, and after Anencletus, in the third place from the apostles, Clement [5] received the episcopate. He had seen and conversed with the blessed apostles, [6] and their preaching was still sounding in his ears, and their tradition was still before his eyes. Nor was he alone in this, for many who had been taught by the apostles yet survived. In the times of Clement, a serious dissension having arisen among the brethren in Corinth, [7] the church of Rome sent a most suitable letter to the Corinthians, [8] reconciling them in peace, renewing their faith, and proclaiming [9] the doctrine lately received from the apostles." [10] A little farther on he says: [11]

"Evarestus [12] succeeded Clement, and Alexander, [13] Evarestus. Then Xystus, [14] the sixth from the apostles, was appointed. After him Telesphorus, [15] who suffered martyrdom gloriously; then Hyginus; [16] then Pius; [17] and after him Anicetus; [18] Sorer [19] succeeded Anicetus ; and now, in the twelfth place from the apostles,

Eleutherus [20] holds the office of bishop. In the same order and succession [21] the tradition in the Church and the preaching of the truth has descended from the apostles unto us."

CHAPTER VII.

Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the Faithful.

These things Irenaeus, in agreement with the accounts already given by us, [1] records in the work which comprises five books, and to which he gave the title Refutation and Overthrow of the Knowledge Falsely So-called. [2] In the second book of the same treatise he shows that manifestations of divine and miraculous power continued to his time in some of the churches. He says: [3] "But so far do they come short of raising the dead, as the Lord raised them, and the apostles through prayer. And oftentimes in the brotherhood, when, on account of some neces sity, our entire Church has besought with fasting and much supplication, the spirit of the dead has returned, [4] and the man has been restored through the prayers of the saints." And again, after other remarks, he says: [5]

"If they will say that even the Lord did these things in mere appearance, we will refer them to the prophetic writings, and show from them that all things were beforehand spoken of him in this manner, and were strictly fulfilled; and that he alone is the Son of God. Wherefore his true disciples, receiving grace from him, perform such works in his Name for the benefit of other men, as each has received the gift from him. For some of them drive out demons effectually and truly, so that those who have been cleansed from evil spirits frequently believe and unite with the Church. Others have a foreknowledge of future events, and visions, and prophetic revelations. Still others heal the sick by the laying on of hands, and restore them to health. And, as we have said, even dead persons have been raised, and remained with us many years. But why should we say more? It is not possible to recount the number of gifts which the Church, throughout all the world, has received from God in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and exercises every day for the benefit of the heathen, never deceiving any nor doing it for money. For as she has received freely from God, freely also does she minister." [6] And in another place the same author writes: [7] "As also we hear that many brethren in the Church possess prophetic gifts, and speak, through the Spirit, with all kinds of tongues, and bring to light the secret things of men for their good, and declare the mysteries of God." So much in regard to the fact that various gifts remained among those who were worthy even until that time.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Statements of Irenaeus in regard to the Divine Scriptures.

Since, in the beginning of this work, [1] we promised to give, when needful, the words of the ancient presbyters and writers of the Church, in which they have declared those traditions which came down to them concerning the canonical books, and since Irenaeus was one of them, we will now give his words and, first, what he says of the sacred Gospels: [2] "Matthew published his Gospel among the Hebrews in their own language, [3] while Peter and Paul were preaching and founding the church in Rome. [4] After their departure Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, also transmitted to us in writing those things which Peter had preached; [5] and Luke, the attendant of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel which Paul had declared. [6] Afterwards John, the disciple of the Lord, who also reclined on his bosom, published his Gospel, while staying at Ephesus in Asia." [7] He states these things in the third book of his above-mentioned work. In the fifth book he speaks as follows concerning the Apocalypse of John, and the number of the name of Antichrist: [8]

"As these things are so, and this number is found in all the approved and ancient copies, [9] and those who saw John face to face confirm it, and reason teaches us that the number of the name of the beast, according to the mode of calculation among the Greeks, appears in its letters .... " [10]

And farther on he says concerning the same: [11]

"We are not bold enough to speak confidently of the name of Antichrist. For if it were necessary that his name should be declared clearly at the present time, it would have been announced by him who saw the revelation. For it was seen, not long ago, but almost in our generation, toward the end of the reign of Domitian." [12] He states these things concerning the Apocalypse [13] in the work referred to. He also mentions the first Epistle of John, [14] taking many proofs from it, and likewise the first Epistle of Peter. [15] And he not only knows, but also receives, The Shepherd, [16] writing as follows: [17]

"Well did the Scripture [18] speak, saying, [19] 'First of all believe that God is one, who has created and completed all things,'" &c. And he uses almost the precise words of the Wisdom of Solomon, saying: [20] "The vision of God produces immortality, but immortality renders us near to God." He men-lions also the memoirs [21] of a certain apostolic presbyter, [22] whose name he passes by in silence, and gives his expositions of the sacred Scriptures. And he refers to Justin the Martyr, [23] and to Ignatius, [24] using testimonies also from their writings. Moreover, he promises to refute Marcion from his own writings, in a special work. [25] Concerning the translation of the inspired [26] Scriptures by the Seventy, hear the very words which he writes: [27]

"God in truth became man, and the Lord himself saved us, giving the sign of the virgin but not as some say, who now venture to translate the Scripture, 'Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bring forth a son,' [28] as Theodotion of Ephesus and Aquila of Pontus, [29] both of them Jewish proselytes, interpreted; following whom, the Ebionites say [30] that he was begotten by Joseph." Shortly after he adds: "For before the Romans had established their empire, while the Macedonians were still holding Asia, Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, [31] being desirous of adorning the library which he had rounded in Alexandria with the meritorious writings of all men, requested the people of Jerusalem to have their Scriptures translated into the Greek language. But, as they were then subject to the Macedonians, they sent to Ptolemy seventy elders, who were the most skilled among them in the Scriptures and in both languages. Thus God accomplished his purpose. [32] But wishing to try them individually, as he feared lest, by taking counsel together, they might conceal the truth of the Scriptures by their interpretation, he separated them from one another, and commanded all of them to write the same translation. [33] He did this for all the books. But when they came together in the presence of Ptolemy, and compared their several translations, God was glorified, and the Scriptures were recognized as truly divine. For all of them had rendered the same things in the same words and with the same names from beginning to end, so that the heathen perceived that the Scriptures had been translated by the inspiration [34] of God. And this was nothing wonderful for God to do, who, in the captivity of the people trader Nebuchadnezzar, when the Scriptures had been destroyed, and the Jews had returned to their own country after seventy years, afterwards, in the time of Artaxerxes, king of the Persians, inspired Ezra the priest, of the tribe of Levi, to relate all the words of the former prophets, and to restore to the people the legislation of Moses." [35]

Such are the words of Irenaeus.

CHAPTER IX.

The Bishops under Commodus.

After Antoninus [1] had been emperor for nineteen years, Commodus received the government. [2] In his first year Julian [3] became bishop of the Alexandrian churches, after Agrippinus [4] had held the office for twelve years.

CHAPTER X.

Pantaenus the Philosopher.

About that time, Pantaenus, [1] a man highly distinguished for his learning, had charge of the school of the faithful in Alexandria. [2] A school of sacred learning, which continues to our day, was established there in ancient times, [3] and as we have been informed, [4] was managed by men of great ability and zeal for divine things. Among these it is reported [5] that Pantaenus was at that time especially conspicuous, as he had been educated in the philosophical system of those called Stoics. They say that he displayed such zeal for the divine Word, that he was appointed as a herald of the Gospel of Christ to the nations in the East, and was sent as far as India. [6] For indeed [7] there were still many evangelists of the Word who sought earnestly to use their inspired zeal, after the examples of the apostles, for the increase and building up of the Divine Word. Pantaenus was one of these, and is said to have gone to India. It is reported that among persons there who knew of Christ, he found the Gospel according to Matthew, which had anticipated his own arrival. For Bartholomew, [8] one of the apostles, had preached to them, and left with them the writing of Matthew in the Hebrew language, [9] which they had preserved till that time. After many good deeds, Pantaenus finally became the head of the school at Alexandria, [10] and expounded the treasures of divine doctrine both orally and in writing. [11]