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At that time the apostle and evangelist John, the one whom Jesus
loved, was still living in Asia, and governing the churches of that
region, having returned after the death of Domitian from his exile on
the island. And that he was still alive at that time may be
established by the testimony of two witnesses. They should be
trustworthy who have maintained the orthodoxy of the Church; and such
indeed were Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria. The former in the
second book of his work Against Heresies, writes as follows: "And
all the elders that associated with John the disciple of the Lord in
Asia bear witness that John delivered it to them. For he remained
among them until the time of Trajan." And in the third book of the
same work he attests the same thing in the following words: "But the
church in Ephesus also, which was founded by Paul, and where John
remained until the time of Trajan, is a faithful witness of the
apostolic tradition." Clement likewise in his book entitled What
Rich Man Can be Saved? indicates the time, and subjoins a
narrative which is most attractive to those that enjoy hearing what is
beautiful and profitable. Take and read the account which rims as
follows: "Listen to a tale, which is not a mere tale, but a
narrative concerning John the apostle, which has been handed down and
treasured up in memory. For when, after the tyrant's death, he
returned from the isle of Patmos to Ephesus, he went away upon their
invitation to the neighboring territories of the Gentiles, to appoint
bishops in some places, in other places to set in order whole
churches, elsewhere to choose to the ministry some one of those that
were pointed out by the Spirit. When he had come to one of the cities
not far away, and had consoled the brethren in other matters, he
finally turned to the bishop that had been appointed, and seeing a
youth of powerful physique, of pleasing appearance, and of ardent
temperament, he said, 'This one I commit to thee in all earnestness
in the presence of the Church and with Christ as witness.' And when
the bishop had accepted the Charge and had promised all, he repeated
the same injunction with an appeal to the same witnesses, and then
departed for Ephesus. But the presbyter, taking home the youth
committed to him, reared, kept, cherished, and finally baptized
him. After this he relaxed his stricter care and watchfulness, with
the idea that in putting upon him the seal of the Lord he had given him
a perfect protection. But some youths of his own age, idle and
dissolute, and accustomed to evil practices, corrupted him when he was
thus prematurely freed from restraint. At first they enticed him by
costly entertainments; then, when they went forth at night for
robbery, they took him with them, and finally they demanded that he
should unite with them in some greater crime. He gradually became
accustomed to such practices, and on account of the positiveness of his
character, leaving the right path, and taking the bit in his teeth
like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse, he rushed the more violently
down into the depths. And finally despairing of salvation in God, he
no longer meditated what was insignificant, but having committed some
great crime, since he was now lost once for all, he expected to suffer
a like fate with the rest. Taking them, therefore, and forming a
band of robbers, he became a bold bandit-chief, the most violent,
most bloody, most cruel of them all. Time passed, and some necessity
having arisen, they sent for John. But he, when he had set in order
the other matters on account of which he had come, said, 'Come, O
bishop, restore us the deposit which both I and Christ committed to
thee, the church, over which thou presidest, being witness. But the
bishop was at first confounded, thinking that he was falsely charged in
regard to money which he had not received, and he could neither believe
the accusation respecting what he had not, nor could he disbelieve
John. But when he said, 'I demand the young man and the soul of
the brother,' the old man, groaning deeply and at the same time
bursting into tears, said, 'He is dead.' 'How and what kind of
death?' 'He is dead to God,' he said; 'for he turned wicked and
abandoned, and at last a robber. And now, instead of the church, he
haunts the mountain with a band like himself.' But the Apostle rent
his clothes, and beating his head with great lamentation, he said,
'A fine guard I left for a brother's soul !But let a horse be
brought me, and let some one show me the way.' He rode away from the
church just as he was, and coming to the place, he was taken prisoner
by the robbers' outpost. He, however, neither fled nor made
entreaty, but cried out, 'For this did I come; lead me to your
captain.' The latter, meanwhile, was waiting, armed as he was.
But when he recognized John approaching, he turned in shame to flee.
But John, forgetting his age, pursued him with all his might,
crying out, 'Why, my son, dost thou flee from me, thine own
father, unarmed, aged? Pity me, my son; fear not; thou hast still
hope of life. I will give account to Christ for thee. If need be,
I will willingly endure thy death as the Lord suffered death for us.
For thee will I give up my life. Stand, believe; Christ hath sent
me.' And he, when he heard, first stopped and looked down; then he
threw away his arms, and then trembled and wept bitterly. And when
the old man approached, he embraced him, making confession with
lamentations as he! was able, baptizing himself a second time with
tears, and concealing only his right hand, But John, pledging
himself, and assuring him on oath that he would find forgiveness with
the Saviour, besought him, fell upon his knees, kissed his right
hand itself as if now purified by repentance, and led him back to the
church. And making intercession for him with copious prayers, and
struggling together with him in continual fastings, and subduing his
mind by various utterances, he did not depart, as they say, until he
had restored him to the church, furnishing a great example of true
repentance and a great proof of regeneration, a trophy of a visible
resurrection."
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