THis Philo was a Iew of Alexandria , of the stocke of the priests , and hee is deservedly placed among the Ecclesiasticall Writers , because that in his workes hee sets forth the prayses of the Christians . He was sent Embassador by the Iews his Countrimen to Rome , to plead for his whole Nation , and to qualifie Caius the Emperours anger , who was possessed against the Iews for divers crimes and enormities which they had committed ; hoping by his endevour and wisdome to set them right againe in the Emperours good opinion : so testifies Photius , and Saint Ierome , and Suidas , and Eusebius : hee flourished in the fiftieth yeere after Christs Incarnation , in the Reigne of Nero the Emperour , the occasion that he was sent to Rome was thus , whereas betweene the Iews and Graecians , inhabiting Alexandria , there fell a great sedition , three choice men of either side was set apart to plead their matters and grievances before Caius . Appian then being the chief for the Graecians , objected many and enormous crimes against the Iews amongst others that they would not , neither did give that due honour and obedience to the Roman Emperour , which they ought : for whereas through all the Roman Provinces , there were Temples and Altars built to Caius , that hee as well as other Gods might be worshipped : these Iews onely of all others denied to performe any such respect ; neither would they sweare by the Name of Caesar : Hereupon this Philo the brother of Alexander Alabarchus , being an excellent and wise philosopher , and an excellent man for all sorts of Learning , and knew well how to guide his passion , that nothing could move him to wroth ; in despight of Appion , and all those that strove to exasperate Caius against him and the Iews , fitted himselfe to cleere his Nation of those foule aspersions : but Caesar would not heare him , but commanded him ( in a great fury ) to depart his presence : whereupon Philo turning himselfe to his Countrimen that came along with him from their Nation , as Associates , spake thus to them , Now let us be of good courage , and undaunted hearts , for though the Emperour be against us ; yet God that rules him , is for us . This Iosephus testifies of him in his eighth Booke and tenth Chapter of his Antiquities of the Iews . And thus saith a learned man of him :

That the noble and couragious heart hath still this property , to be alwayes doing things honest and vertuous ; not onely for his own particular , but for his Countries good , though it be with losse of credit , or exile , and with the frowne of princes ; for true worth indeed dependeth of Vertue ; and all other things are of Fortune . For that man , that is truly magnanimous , and of a great spirit , ( as was this Philo ) doth continually carry himselfe upright under any burden , be it never so weighty : and nothing doth happen amisse or displeasing unto him , be it never so difficult and hard to be borne : for a Wise man knoweth his owne forces , and with his vertue he vanquisheth all sudden accidents .

This Philo was eloquent of speech , rich in sentences , deep and profound in the explication of the sacred Scriptures : hee was excellent aswell in the Pythagorean , Platonicke , as in the philosophy of Aristotle , insomuch that he was counted one that excell'd others . So also was he renowmed for his skill in the Greeke , that he was held the chiefe of his time . Hence the proverbe came : Aut Plato Philonizat , aut Philo Platonizat : Either Plato imitates Philo , or Philo Plato , because of their congruity in writing .

The Romans in Claudius Reigne did so admire his Works , that they esteemed them worthy to be kept safe in a publike Library , as Monuments of his famous Learning , hee was admirable for his threefold explanation of Scripture , by the Literall , Morall , and Allegoricall sence , so that most of the Ancient Doctours of the Church have imitated him , and have cald him the Inventor , as Sixtus Senensis doth relate Possevi .

As hee was also famous for his Learning , so for his parentage being of great descent , and executed Offices of the chiefest esteeme with credit and fidelity : and it is reported of all , that Caius the Emperour , because in the Iewish Temples , hee was not worshipped by these Titles , JOVI ILLUSTRI NOVO CAIO , and being incensed by Appion against the Iewes , but specially against this Philo , that hee intended to have slain him ; but failing in that , hee did with extreme violence persecute and afflict the Iewes every where ; but chiefly those that lived in Alexandria : This Philo , notwithstanding , being of an admirable courage and vivacitie , did publikely deny that ever such prophanenesse and grosse Idolatry should be practised among the Servants of God , especially themselves who had fled thither for the Truth .

And that you may fully see what a rare Instrument this Philo was for al sorts of Learning , either Philosophicall or Theologicall : Let his Mysticall Expositions of Moses Writings expresse it . Hee did throughly , saith one , Search the Entrails and Bowels of them : by which leaving the literall sence , hee directed men to a higher end , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , even to gaine eternall life , and the perfection of all Vertue . Nay , saith Iosephus : Philo was so excellent in his studies for copiousnesse of Invention , for gravity of Expressions , for giving light to dark words , that all the Ancients gave him credit for Wit and Learning , so that many did follow his foot-steps : as Clemens , Gregory , Nazianzen : and among the Latine Fathers , Saint Ambrose , who confesseth , that he exchanged , nay , borrowed many excellent things of Philo. There are some Fathers that have blamed him a little for his too too inquisitive braine , and doe conclude that Hee and Origen were in some things fabulous and ridiculous , but all wise men know , that the greatest Lights of the Church have had some blemishes . Bernardus non videt omnia .

Therefore , as a Wiseman saith , Let no man upbraid another man with his misery ; for weaknesse and infirmities is common to all mortall men ; and no man knows how soone hee may be over-taken and have his failings ; for it is an injury to laugh at anothers infirmities : when the best of men are incident to the like imperfections .

But this Philo was also well skild in Histories , wherein hee showes not onely a rare commendation of Vertues , but declares himselfe a sharp hater of Vices : so that even they which spake against him for some of his Allegories , give him a joint praise for his Historicall parts and knowledege ; the time and place wherein hee lived was full of Learning ; hee did live in the Reignes of Tiberius , Caius and Claudius : And so having done so much , hee departed this humane life , about the 50 yeere after Christ . His usuall saying was , That there is nothing better for a man then to be borne , nor anything better for him than to die soone and quickly ; For Death is the medicine of all evils incident to man .

Haec legere potes in praef. Ioseph .

These are all sufficient Witnesses of this Mans pains and labour .

HE was of no mean parentage , Ruffi . c 9. Niceph. c. 18. lib. 2. Euseb l. 3. c. 9. or Descent ; but of an ancient stock of the Priests : and of that Line which was the chiefe of the foure and twenty , and by his Mothers side was of the Bloud Royall , shee being of the Family of the Asamonaeans , who a long time not onely held the Priesthood of that Nation , but the Kingdome , his great Grand-father was called Symon Psellus , at what time Hircanus the sonne of Symon the High-priest , Ioseph . p. 989. the first of that name held the Priesthood , hee was borne the first yeare of Caius Caesar , and had three sonnes , Hircanus the eldest , Iustus and Agrippa : in Vespasians Time this Genealogie and Succession was truly kept in publike Tables : as his parents were great and Noble , so their Integrity and uprightnesse was well knowne to all Ierusalem , hee was bred up from his Childhood in good Discipline , and had an excellent memory , and quick understanding : so that the High-priest and Elders of the City much regarded him : hee passed through all the three Sects of Pharisees , Sadduces , and Essenes : and did most approve the life of the Pharisees , and did in his strictnesse of life imitate one Banus , who liv'd solitarily by fruites and herbes : At two and twenty yeares , he professed himselfe a Pharisie , which is much like to the Stoicks amongst the Graecians , and presently tooke a Voyage to Rome , to plead the cause of some honest and good men , who for little or no cause were bound and carried before the Emperour . In his Voyage the Ship was cast away , yet he with others , by Gods blessing , with swimming , saved their lives , and did appeare at Rome , and got speciall familiarity with Aliturus a Iew , who was in great esteeme with the Emperour ; by whose helpe hee got to be made knowne to Poppaea , the Wife of the Emperour , and so freed those Priests from their bonds , and further dangers , and was rewarded by her with great gifts , and so returned home againe .

Hee was in his outward behaviour and manners courteous and 〈◊〉 of humanity : And in his speeches aff●ble and friendly to all , making himselfe pleasing and agreeable to most men , as much as in him lay : and acquainted himselfe only with such as were good and vertuous ; for in so doing he shunned the hatred of one , and was sure to get the favour of the other : For Wisemen accustome themselves gladly and willingly to indure things with patience , to the intent , they may the better do it , when they shall be forced to sufferance .

He was in his time a famous Warriour , In vita Ios. 1029. and performed great Exploits , hee was taken prisoner alive at the siege of Iotopata , and was kept with great care and command , by a company of Souldiers .

In the time of his imprisonment , which was but short , being about five dayes , hee did write many things concerning the government of man in affliction : And as a Wise man saith , which is not impertinent ; That afflictions on earth are as so many good guides and Companions unto the godly , which , though of themselves unworthy , yet make their cause the better , who aime at a higher end then the blinded eyes of the ignorant can behold : and become the Masters of their own hopes : before others perceive them in trouble : For saith hee , The Heavens are their only prospect , where they behold the Creatour of Nature , in his height of Wonder ; and themselves are the Mine into which they dive , to finde reason triumphant , by which they discerne their insurrective passions and afflictions .

And as another saith , That it is good for a man to live in the greatest assurance that hee can possibly : howbeit , if hee be constrained to hazard and adventure himselfe , it is more fit that he contend and strive with it honestly , then to shun and flie from it shamefully : considering that all men are destinated to die : but Nature hath only ordained and framed them that are vertuous and wise , to die valiantly and couragiously ; and to beare afflictions patiently .

Vespasianus did much honour and respect him for his Learning and Knowledge , and at his command hee married a certaine Captive Virgin of Caesarea , but lived not long with her , for she went with the troops to Alexandria , and he himselfe married another , and so with Titus was sent to Hierusalem , where he was in great danger of the Iews ; for they esteemed him no better then a Traitour and a Betrayer of their Nation : but Titus slighted these clamours of the Vulgar : but the City being taken , Titus gave him leave to chuse something that might be beneficial for him : but hee not desiring to be made rich with the spoils of his Countrey , desired nothing but the freedome of his body , and his Writings ; both which the Emperour did grant unto him . Hee preferred study and knowledge before honour and riches ; for he knew that the one soone fadeth , and the other abideth for ever : For hee held amongst all goods and pleasure of this life , only wisdome was immortall : And we commonly see , that those to whom Riches most befall , doe find sooner the end of their living , then of their longing : Which consideration , hath caused most wise men to vent these or the like speeches concerning the infelicity of coveting Riches before Knowledge : How miserable saith one , should I bee , if I were the most richest of the the world ; with what a great burthen of evils should I be over-whelmed ? Why then should a man torment himselfe for a thing that he must necessarily leave ? And why is hee not rather content quietly with that which is needfull ; chiefly considering , that the fairest kinde of wealth is for a man to be content in what estate soever , that is , not to be too poore , nor yet too farre off from poverty ?

Hee set free abundance of his Kindred and Friends which were fled into the Temple , and did save them and theirs from the violence of the Souldiers , to the number of a hundred and fifty persons : so hee was sent by Titus with Cerealis with a thousand Horse to Tekoah , and saved many of his Friends and Countrymen by the way from misery and slavery , and got some of them to bee released from their torments . Titus did so love him , that he gave him great Possessions and Revenues , and tooke him as his Companion when hee went for Rome . Where hee was received with a great deale of Honour , not only of Titus , but of Vespasianus himselfe , and Domitianus and his Empresse ; and had an Annuall pension very large , given him by the Emperour , and it was not taken from him during life : he lived in Titus his owne Court in great esteeme , but not without the envy of his own Nation : his second Wife was of Creta a Iewesse , and nobly descended , by whom hee had two sonnes .

Nay , even Domitianus himselfe continued favourable unto him , and punished with death some of his Accusers .

Hee was excellent for Philosophy and Rhetorick , Trithem . de Scrip. Ecc. fol. 5. l. 1. and a famous Historiographer for his time : he was for the excellencie of his Wit and Learning , and singular uprightnesse of life much admired of the Senate and People of Rome ; though being a Iew , yet hee did highly prayse Christians , Ant. Iud. l. 18. and gave a famous Testimony of our Lord Iesus Christ , as you may read in his Works

His Workes were so prized , that they with great care were put into the publike Library by the Romans , and hee after his death had a Statue of Brasse set up for him by the Senate , and people of Rome .

His life was long and full of paine and labour , for hee lived under Vespasian and Titus , even to the times of Trajan , in the hundred yeere after Christ .

Eusebius is large in his praise , and so is Ruffinus and Hierome , and Nicephorus also , and others , and amongst all the turmoils of warre and destruction of his Country , hee set time to write worthy things , which the Church of God even to this day doe greatly esteeme for their reality , fidelity , and truth , and here are registred , as Eusebius hath exprest them .

So after all things enjoying the love both of the Emperour and Citizens of Rome , he departed this fraile and transitory life , and had solemne Funerall Rites performed for him , and was generally lamented of all good men .

THis Polycarpus was Disciple to Saint Iohn , Niceph. cap. 30 & 35. lib 3. Euseb. Ecc. h●st l. 4. c. 13. Ruffi . cap. 50. and Bishop of Smyrna , when Anicetus governed the Roman Church , in the Reigne of M. Antoninus , and Lucius Aurelius , Commodus being Proconsul . This Polycarpe came to Rome , and had great conference with Anicetus about the Celebration of Easter , as Irenaeus doth testifie , and in his third Book against Heresies , he speaks largely in his prayse and commendation . This Polycarpe was instituted by the Apostles themselves , and had great familiarity with them which had seene the Lord Jesus in the flesh : hee was sent into Asia , and there was made Bishop , and lived a long while to a very ripe age , so that the Almond-tree did flourish in his gray haires . Hee was wonderfull in esteeme and repute for his reverend gravity , and chiefly because hee taught nothing but what hee learned of the Apostles themselves , and what the Catholike Church delivered , and such points onely as were really true and orthodox . And this all the Churches of Asia manifest , and all the Bishops which succeeded him in that great dignitie . Hee was not as Valentinus or Marcion , but testis fidelis veritatis constansque , a faithfull and a constant witnesse to the truth ; nay , by his powerfull wisdome and singular piety , he recall'd and did reduce many from Heresie and Errour .

It is reported for certain , that Iohn the Lords Disciple , and he , going to a Bath at Ephesus , and espying Cerinthus an Heretick in it , that he said ( fugiamus ocyus ) &c. Let us depart for feare lest the Bath wherein the Lords Adversary is , doe suddenly dispatch us : which indeed he had just cause to feare ; forasmuch as the places where wicked men are , in a manner seeme to detest their wickednesse : so that one of the Fathers made hast out of the house of a wicked man , and soon after it fell to the ground . Thus this holy man Polycarpus shewed a great zeale & vigor of spirit for the defence of the truth . And indeed , those Primitive Fathers were very circumspect and cautious how they kept company with those whom they thought not to be sound in the faith , imitating that rule of Saint Paul , An Heretick after the first and second admonition shunne , knowing that such an one is fallen away , being condemned in his own conscience .