3. Let not those which appear worthy of credit, but teach other doctrines, disturb thee.

Stand

firm and immoveable as an anvil when it is beaten upon. It is the part of a brave combatant, to be

wounded, and yet to overcome.

ought to endure all

may bear with us.

But especially we

things for God's sake, that he

Become daily more diligent even than thou art. Consider the times, and expect Him, who is above all time, eternal, invisible, though for our sakes made visible: who cannot be perceived by our touch, neither is liable to suffering, although for our sakes he submitted to suffer, and endured evils of every kind for us.

4. Let not the widows be neglected. Be thou, after God, their guardian. Let nothing be done without thy knowledge and consent; neither do thou any thing but according to the will of God; as also thou dost with all constancy. Let your assemblies be more full: enquire into all by name. Overlook not the men-servants and maid-servants. Neither let them be puffed up, but rather let them be the more subject, to the glory of God, that they may obtain from him a better liberty. Let them not desire to be set free at the public cost, that they may not be slaves to their own lusts.

5. Flee evil arts: or rather, make not any mention of them. Say to my sisters, that they

e

Compare Ignatius's Epistle to the Ephesians, c. 13.

The Greek text, μᾶλλον δὲ περὶ τούτων ὁμιλίαν ποιοῦ.

"Rather

g

love the Lord, and be satisfied with their husbands both in the flesh and spirit. In like manner exhort my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, to love their wives, even as the Lord the Church. If any one is able to remain in chastity, to the honour of Him, who is the Lord of (all) flesh, let him remain so without boasting. If he boast, he is undone. And if he desire to be more esteemed than the Bishop, he is corrupted. It becomes also those who marry and are given in marriage to be united with the consent of the Bishop, that so the marriage may be according to godliness, and not in lust. Let all things be done to the honour of God.

h

6. Hearken ye (all) unto the Bishop, that God also may hearken to you. My soul be security for those who submit to their Bishop, Presbyters, and Deacons. And may my portion be together with theirs in God. Labour ye one with another: strive together; run together; suffer together: together take rest, and together rise, as the stewards, and assessors, and ministers of God. Please him,

"Rather make frequent discourses respecting them." The old Latin version has the same sense. It seems probable, however, that the reading, un wood, which is preserved in the Interpolated Epistle, is correct.

f Ephes. v. 25.

Comp. Jer. xxxii. 27.

Although this Epistle was written to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, precepts are included in it addressed to the whole Church; as St. Paul, in his first Epistle to Timothy, introduces many instructions to Christians in general.

under whom ye war, and from whom also

ye

receive

your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism remain, as arms, faith as an helmet, charity as a spear; patience as your whole armour. Let your works be that which is committed to your charge, that so ye may receive a suitable reward. Be long-suffering, therefore, towards each other in meekness, as God is towards you. Let me have joy of you in all things.

k

i

7. Now, forasmuch as the Church of Antioch in Syria, is, as I have learned, at peace through your prayers, I also have been the more comforted and without care in God, if so be that by suffering I shall attain unto God, that through your prayers

I

may be found a disciple (of Christ). It will be fit, most worthy Polycarp, to call a council of the most godly men, and choose some one whom ye particularly love, and who is patient of labour, that he may be the messenger of God, and to appoint him to go into Syria, and glorify your unwearied love, to the praise of Christ. A Christian is not in his own power, but must be always at leisure for (the service of) God. And this is the work both of God, and of you, when ye shall have perfected it. For I trust, through the

1 τὰ δεπόσιτα ὑμῶν, τὰ ἔργα ὑμῶν. See that ye employ all the talents, committed to you as a sacred deposit, for which ye will be called upon to give an account.

Trajan having put a stop to the persecution at Antioch. Compare the Epistle to the Philadelphians, c. 10.

grace (of God) that ye are ready to every good work, that is fitting for you in the Lord. Knowing therefore your earnest affection for the truth, I have exhorted you by these short letters.'

8. But forasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, for so is the will of those to whom I am subject, write to the Churches which are near thee, inasmuch as thou art instructed in the will of God, that they also may do in like manner. Let those who are able send messengers; and the rest send (their) letters by those who shall be sent by you: that thou mayest be glorified to all eternity, even as thou art worthy.

I salute all by name: and (particularly) the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus my well-beloved. I salute him who shall be thought worthy to be sent by you into Syria. Grace be ever with him, and with Polycarp who sends him. I wish you all happiness in our God, Jesus Christ, in whom continue in the unity and protection of God. I salute Alce my well-beloved. Farewell in the Lord.

The Epistle to the Smyrneans and this to himself.

THE

MARTYRDOM

OF

IGNATIUS.

A RELATION OF THE MARTYRDOM OF IGNATIUS.

SOON after Trajan had succeeded to the Roman empire, Ignatius, the disciple of the Apostle John, a man in all things like unto the Apostles, governed the Church of Antioch with all care. He had with difficulty escaped the former storms of the numerous persecutions, which happened under Domitian, like a skilful pilot, by the helm of prayer and fasting, by the constancy of his doctrine and spiritual labour, withstanding the raging floods, fearing lest he should lose any of those who wanted courage, or were not well grounded in the faith. Wherefore, when the persecution was for the present somewhat abated, he rejoiced greatly at the tranquillity of the Church. Howbeit for himself he was troubled, that he had not yet attained to the true love of Christ, nor to the perfect rank of a disciple. For he thought that the confession, which is made by martyrdom, would bring him