Martyrdom of Polycarp 2

1Brethren, we write unto you an account of what befell those who suffered martyrdom, and especially the blessed Polycarp, who stayed the persecution, having, as it were, set his seal upon it by his martyrdom. For nearly all the foregoing events came to pass that the Lord might show us once more an example of martyrdom conformable to the Gospel. For he lingered that he might be delivered up, even as the Lord did, to the end that we too might be imitators of him, looking not only to that which concerns ourselves, but also to that which concerns our neighbors. For it is the office of true and steadfast love not only to desire that oneself be saved, but all the brethren also.