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for the sake of God; as also the other neighbouring Churches have sent them, some Bishops, some priests and deacons.

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11. As concerning Philo, the deacon of Cilicia, a most worthy man,(c) he still ministers unto me in the word of God; together with Rheus of Agathopolis, (d) a singular good person, who has followed me even from Syria, not regarding his life: these also bear witness unto you. And I myself give thanks to God for you, that ye receive them as the Lord shall receive you. But for those that dishonoured them, may they be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ. The charity of the brethren that are at Troas salutes you: from whence also I now write by Burrhus, who was sent together with me by those of Ephesus and Smyrna, for respect sake. May our Lord Jesus Christ honour them; in whom they hope, both in flesh, and soul, and spirit; in faith, in love, in unity. Farewell in Christ Jesus our common hope.

(c) Vossius a martyr, or confessor. Vid. Annot. in loc. (d) Vid. Vossius Annot. in Ep. ad Smyrn. p. 261.

THE

EPISTLE OF ST. IGNATIUS

TO THE

SMYRNEANS.

0330000

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus; to the Church of God the Father, and of the beloved Jesus Christ; which God hath mercifully blessed with every good gift, (a) being filled with faith and charity, so that it is wanting in no gift; most worthy of God, and fruitful in saints; the Church which is at Smyrna in Asia; all joy, through his immaculate Spirit, and the word of God.

1. I GLORIFY God, even Jesus Christ, who has given you such wisdom. For I have observed that you are settled in an immoveable faith, as if you were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in the flesh and in the spirit; and are confirmed in love through the blood of Christ; being fully persuaded of those things which relate unto our Lord: who truly was of the race of David according to the flesh, but the Son of God according to the will and power of God: truly born of the Virgin, and baptized of John, that so all righteousness might be fulfilled by him, [Mat. iii. 15.] He was also truly crucified by Pontius Pilate and Herod the Tetrarch, being nailed for us in the flesh; by the fruits of which we are, even by his most blessed passion; that he might set up a token for all ages through his resurrection,(c) to all his holy and faithful servants, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, in one body of his Church.

2. Now all these things he suffered for us, that we (a) Comp. 1 Cor. i 25. (c) Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.

might be saved. And he suffered truly, as he also truly raised up himself and not, as some unbelievers say, that he only seemed to suffer, they themselves only seeming to be. (d) And as they believe so shall it happen unto them; when being divested of the body they shall become mere spirits.

3. But I know that even after his resurrection he was in the flesh; and I believe that he is still so. And when he came to those who were with Peter, he said, unto them, take, handle me, and see that I am not an incorporeal dæmon.(f) And straightway they felt him and believed; being convinced both by his flesh and spirit. For this cause they despised death, and were found to be above it. But after his resurrection he did eat and drink with them, as he was flesh; although as to his spirit he was united to the Father.

4. Now these things, beloved, I put you in mind of, not questioning but that you yourselves also believe that they are so. But I arm you before-hand against certain beasts in the shape of men; whom you must not only not receive, but if it be possible must not meet with. Only you must pray for them, that if it be the will of God they may repent; which yet will be very hard. But of this our Lord Jesus Christ has the power, who is our true life. For if all these things were done only in shew by our Lord, then do I also seem only to be bound: and why have I given up myself to death, to the fire, to the sword, to wild beasts? but now the nearer I am to the sword, the nearer am I to God: when I shall come among the wild beasts, I shall come to God. Only in the name of Jesus Christ, I undergo all, to suffer together with him; he who was made a perfect man strengthening

me.

5. Whom some, not knowing, do deny; or rather have been denied by him, being the advocates of

(d) i. e. Christians.

(f) Ex. Erang. sec. Hebr. See Dr. Grabe Spicileg. to. ii. p. 25.

death, rather than of the truth. Whom neither the prophecies, nor the law of Moses have persuaded; nor the Gospel itself even to this day, nor the sufferings of every one of us. For they think also the same things of us, For what does a man profit me, if he shall praise me, and blaspheme my Lord`; not confessing that he was truly made man? now he that doth not say this, does in effect deny him, and is in death. But for the names of such as do this, they being unbelievers, I thought it not fitting to write them unto you. Yea, God forbid that I should make any mention of them, until they shall repent to a true belief of Christ's passion, which is our resurrection.

6. Let no man deceive himself; both the things which are in Heaven, and the glorious Angels, and princes, whether visible or invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ, it shall be to them to condemnation. "He that is able to receive this, let him receive it," [Matt. xix. 12.] Let no man's place or state in the world puff him up :(m) that which is worth all is faith and charity, to which nothing is to be preferred. But consider those who are of a different opinion from us, as to what concerns the grace of Jesus Christ which is come unto us, how contrary they are to the design of God? they have no regard to charity; no care of the widow, the fatherless, and the oppressed; of the bound or free, of the hungry or thirsty.

7. They abstain from the eucharist, and from the public offices;(n) because they confess not the eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ; which suffered for our sins, and which the Father of his goodness, raised again from the dead. And for this cause contradicting the gift of God, they die in their dis putes but much better would it be for them to re

(m) Vid. Epist. Interpol.

(n) Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. Or, prayers.

ceive it, that they might one day rise through it.(o) It will therefore become you to abstain from such per sons; and not to speak with them neither in private, nor in public. But to hearken to the prophets, and especially to the Gospel, in which both Christ's pas sion is manifested unto us, and his resurrection perfectly declared. But flee all divisions, as the begin ning of evils.

8. See that ye all follow your Bishop, as Jesus Christ, the Father: and the Presbytery, as the Apos tles. And reverence the deacons, as the command of God. Let no man do any thing of what belongs to the Church separately from the Bishop. Let that eucharist be looked upon as well established, which is either offered by the Bishop, or by him to whom the Bishop has given his consent. Wheresoever the Bishop shall appear, there let the people also be as where Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church. It is not lawful without the Bishop, neither to baptize, nor to celebrate the holy communion: but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing unto God; that so whatever is done, may be sure and well done.

9. For what remains, it is very reasonable that we should repent, whilst there is yet time to return unto God. It is a good thing to have a due regard both to God and to the Bishop: he that honours the Bishop, shall be honoured of God. But he that does any thing without his knowledge, ministers unto the devil. Let all things therefore abound to you in charity; seeing ye are worthy. Ye have refreshed me in all things; so shall Jesus Christ you. Ye have loved me both when I was present with you, and now being ab sent, ye cease not to do so. May God be your reward, for whom whilst ye undergo all things, ye shall attain unto him.

10. Ye have done well in that ye have received Philo, and Rheus Agathopus,(u) who followed me

(0) Vid. Coteler Annot.

() Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.

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