Ignatius of Antioch, translated by William Wake

“ FOR if I in this little time have had such a familiarity with your bishop, I mean not a carnal, but spiritual acquaintance with him; how much more must I think you happy who are so joined to him, as the church is to Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ to the Father; so that all things may agree in the same unity.
2 Let no man deceive himself; if a man be not within the altar, he is deprived of the bread of God. For if the prayer of one or two be of such force, as we are told; how much more powerful shall that of the bishop and the whole church be? ”

“ Bear the infirmities of all, as a perfect combatant; where the labour is great, the gain is the more.
7 If thou shalt love the good disciples, what thank is it? But rather do thou subject to thee those that are mischievous, in meekness.
8 Every wound is not healed with the same plaister: if the accessions of the disease be vehement, modify them with soft remedies: be in all things wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove.
9 For this cause thou art composed of flesh and spirit; that thou mayest modify those things that appear before thy face. ”

“ I SALUTE you from Smyrna, together with the churches of God that are present with me; who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit.
2 My bonds, which I carry about me for the sake of Christ, (beseeching him that I may attain unto God) exhort you that you continue in concord among yourselves, and in prayer with one another.
3 For it becomes everyone of you, especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father of Jesus Christ, and of the Apostles. ”

“ Wherefore ye cannot do me a greater kindness, than to suffer me to be sacrificed unto God, now that the altar is already prepared:
7 That when ye shall be gathered together in love, ye nay give thanks to the Father through Christ Jesus, that he has vouchsafed to bring a bishop of Syria unto you, being called from the east unto the west.
8 For it is good for me to turn from the world, unto God; that I may rise again unto him.
9 Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. ”

“ SEEING then all things have an end, there are these two indifferently set before us, death and life: and everyone shall depart unto his proper place.
2 For as there are two sorts of coins, the one of God, the other of the world, and each of these has its proper inscription engraven upon it; so also is it here.
3 The unbelievers are of this world; but the faithful, through charity have the character of God the Father by Jesus Christ: by whom if we are not readily disposed to die after the likeness of his passion, his life is not in us. ”

“ May his grace fully reward him.
22 I salute your very worthy bishop, and your venerable presbytery; and your deacons, my fellow-servants; and all of you in general, and every one in particular, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in his flesh and blood; in his passion and resurrection both fleshly and spiritually; and in [7] the unity of God with you.
23 Grace be with you, and mercy, and peace, and patience, for evermore.
24 I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children; and the [8] virgins that are called widows. Be strong in the power of the Holy Ghost. ”

“ I determined to write unto you.
6 Wherefore it will become you also not to use your bishop too familiarly upon the account of his youth; but to yield all reverence to him according to the power of God the Father; as also I perceive that your holy presbyters do: not considering his age, which indeed to appearance is young; but as becomes those who are prudent in God, submitting to him, or rather not to him but to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the bishop of us all. ”

“ A star shone in heaven beyond all the other stars, and its light was inexpressible, and its novelty struck terror into men's minds. All the rest of the stars, together with the sun and moon, were the chorus to this star ”

“ Let none of you be found a deserter; but let your baptism remain, as your arms; your faith, as your helmet; your charity, as your spear; your patience, as your whole armour.
15 Let your works be your charge, that so you may receive a suitable reward. Be long suffering therefore towards each other in meekness; as God is towards you.
16 Let me have joy of you in all things.
CHAP. III.
1 Greets Polycarp on the peace of the church at Antioch: 2 and desires him to write to that and other churches.
NOW forasmuch as the church of Antioch in Lyria is, as I am told, in peace through your prayers ”

“ For if westill continue to live according to the Jewish law, we do confess ourselves not to have received grace. For even the most holy prophets lived according to Christ Jesus.
2 And for this cause were they persecuted, being inspired by his grace to convince the unbelievers and disobedient that there is one God who has manifested himself by Jesus Christ his Son; who is his eternal word, not coming forth from silence ”

“ Not that I have found any division among you, but rather all manner of [12] purity.
3 For as many as are of God, and of Jesus Christ, are also with their bishop. And as many as shall with repentance return into the unity of the church, even these shall also be the servants of God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ.
9 Be not deceived brethren; if any one follows him that makes a schism in the church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ”

“ For he is fitted to the commands, as the harp to its strings.
4 Wherefore my soul esteems his mind towards God most happy, knowing it to be fruitful in all virtue, and perfect; full of constancy, free from passion, [9] and according to all the moderation of the living God.
5 Wherefore as becomes the children both of the light and of truth; flee divisions and false doctrines; but where your shepherd is, there do ye, as sheep, follow after.
6 For there are many wolves [10] who seem worthy of belief, that with a [11] false pleasure lead captive those that run in the course of God ”

“ MY brethren, the love I have towards you makes me the [13] more large; and having a great joy in you, I endeavour to secure you against danger; or rather not I, but Jesus Christ; in whom being bound, I the more fear, as being yet only on the way to suffering.
2 But your prayer to God shall make me perfect, that I may attain to that portion, which by God's mercy is allotted to me Fleeing to the Gospel as to the flesh of Christ ”

“ For neither shall I hereafter have such an opportunity of going unto God; nor will you, if ye shall now be silent, ever be entitled to a better work. For if you, shall be silent in my behalf, I shall be made partaker of God. ”

“ The deacons also, as being the ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, must by all means please ye. For they are not the ministers of meat and drink, but of the church of God. Wherefore they must avoid all offences, as they would do fire.
8 In like manner let us reverence the deacons [2] as Jesus Christ; and the bishop as the Father; and the presbyters as the Sanctuary of God, and college of the Apostles.
9 Without these [3] there is no church ”

“ And these two joined together, are of God; but all other things which concern a holy life, are the consequences of these.
15 No man professing a true faith, sinneth; neither does he who has charity hate any. ”

“ CHAP. II.
1 Continues his advice, 6 and teaches him how to advise others. 12 Enforces unity and subjection to the bishop.
LET not the widows be neglected: be thou after God, their Guardian.
2 Let nothing be done without thy knowledge and consent; neither do thou anything but according to the will of God ”

“ Philo, who is present with me salutes you.
25 I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be strengthened in faith and charity, both of flesh and spirit.
26 I salute Alce my well-beloved, [9] together with the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all by name.
27 Farewell in the grace of God.
¶ To the Smyrnæans from Troas.
↑ Comp. 1 Cor. xiii. 25. ↑ Matt. iii. 15. ↑ Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. ↑ i. e. Christians. ↑ Incorporeal and dæmoniac. ↑ Ex Evang. Sec. Hebr. See Dr. Grabe Spicileg. tam. ii. p. 26. ↑ Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. ”