forgetful of his years, and calling out, "Why do you fly from me, my son, me your father, unarmed, and stricken in years; pity me, my son, and fear me not. Thou hast yet hope of life. I will give account for thee to CHRIST; yea, if it be needful, I will willingly undergo the death for thee, even as our LORD the death for us. For thee will I render up my breath. Stay and believe; CHRIST hath sent me.' But the young man, when he heard his words, first stood still, with eyes cast down to the ground; next threw away his arms, and then trembling, wept bitterly. And when the old man drew nigh to him, he threw his arms around him, and besought pardon, as best he could, with his groans, and was baptized as it were a second time, with tears, hiding only his blood-stained hand. But John, with promises and solemn protestations of his having obtained his pardon from the SAVIOUR, besought him, nay, knelt to him, and kissed the very right hand he had withheld from him, as already cleansed by change of heart; and so brought him back to the Church. Finally, interceding for him, sometimes in frequent prayers, sometimes striving together with him in long continued fasts, and sometimes soothing his spirit with various holy texts, he departed not, so they tell us, till he had fully reinstated him in the Church, and had thus set forth a mighty example of true change of heart, and a mighty proof of regeneration, a trophy as it were of a visible resurrection.

Here we see sinners baptized, taught, and brought to repentance by the Holy Church, at the hands of the Apostles, and the Bishops whom they have appointed.

Conduct of St. John the Apostle, and his Disciple Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, towards the false teachers, Cerinthus and Marcion.

(In the words of Irenæus, Bishop of Lyons, in France.)

WHEN Polycarp visited Rome at the time Anicetus was Bishop there, he converted many heretics to the Church of Gov, declaring that he had received from the Apostles that one and only doctrine, which the Church has delivered to us. And there are those who heard him say, that John the LORD's Disciple, who lived at Ephesus, having gone to a bath, and finding Cerinthus within, rushed out without bathing, with the exclamation, "Let us fly, lest the bath fall in, while Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is in it."

And Polycarp himself was once met and addressed by Marcion, in these words: "Do you acknowledge me ?" "Yes," he replied, "I acknowledge you to be the first-born of Satan."

Such caution did the Apostles and their Disciples observe, lest they should hold intercourse even by word of mouth with any of those who adulterate the truth: as says St. Paul too; "A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

Hence we learn to avoid false teachers, after the pattern of the Blessed Apostle and his Disciple, even though it inconvenience us to do so.

[NEW EDITION.]

These Tracts are continued in Numbers, and sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, or 7s. for 50 copies.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON,

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1840.

GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London.

RECORDS OF THE CHURCH.

No. IV.

THE HOLY CHURCH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD DOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THEE.

Epistle of Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, the friend of St. Peter and of St. John, on his way to Martyrdom, to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna,

IGNATIUS, called also Theophorus, to Polycarp, of the Church at Smyrna, Bishop [overseer]: yea, rather himself over seen by GOD the FATHER, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, All hail!

I. WELCOMING thy godly disposition founded as upon an immoveable rock, I glorify Him, in that I have been honoured by thy unblameable presence, which may I enjoy in GOD. I beseech thee, in the grace wherewith thou art clad, to press onwards in thy course, and to exhort all men that they may be saved. Assert thy station in all diligence, both of flesh and spirit; have a care Bear with all men, as

for unity, than which nothing is better. the LORD with thee; endure all men in love as thou dost; devote thyself to prayers without ceasing; ask for more understanding than thou hast; watch, being possessed of a sleepless spirit; speak unto every one as GOD shall enable thee: as a finished combatant, endure the diseases of all; for where labour abounds, there is much gain.

II. For in that thou lovest good disciples, thou hast not thank yea, rather with mildness bring into subjection the more mischievous. Not every wound is treated with the same application; paroxysms assuage by emollient medicine. Become in

VOL. I.

A

all things wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove. For this end art thou formed of flesh and spirit, that thou mayest deal gently with the things which are in thy sight: but pray that the things which are invisible may be revealed unto thee, that thou mayest want in nothing, but abound in every gift. The times demand thee, as pilots the wind, as the storm-tost his haven, to attain unto God. Be abstemious, as God's Champion; the reward is incorruption, and eternal life: concerning which also thy faith is firm. In all things, my soul for thine, and my bonds too, which thou hast loved.

III. Be not dismayed at those who seem worthy of trust, and yet teach new doctrines: stand firm, as the anvil under the stroke, for it is like a mighty champion, to be buffeted, yet overcome. But above all for the sake of GOD, we must endure all, that He also may endure us. Become more and more zealous; study the times; await Him who is above all time, who is apart from time, the Invisible, who for us became visible, the Impalpable, the Impassible, who for us became subject unto suffering, who for us endured all things.

IV. Let not the widows be neglected, after the LORD be thou their guardian; let nothing be done without thy sanction, neither thyself do any thing, without the sanction of GOD; which indeed thou dost not, being firmly established. Let your assemblies be held more frequently. Seek out all by name. Slight not the slaves, male nor female; yet suffer them not to be puffed up, but let them rather serve the more unto the glory of Gov, that from GOD they may obtain a better freedom. Let them not be bent on being emancipated at the public cost, lest they be found to be the slaves of their own desires.

V. Avoid evil arts; nay, rather hold an assembly about them. Speak unto my sisters, that they love the LORD, and be content, in flesh and spirit, with their husbands. Exhort also my brethren in the name of JESUS CHRIST, that they love their wives, even as the LORD the Church. If any one can remain in chastity, to the honour of the LORD of the flesh, let him remain without boasting. If he boast, he is already lost; yea, if he pretend to knowledge beyond the Bishop, he is corrupted. It is fitting for those who

purpose matrimony, men and women, to accomplish their union with the sanction of the Bishop; that their marriage may be according to GOD, and not according to lust. Let all things be

done to the honour of God.

VI. Hearken unto your Bishop, that God may also hearken unto you. My soul for the soul of them who are in subjection to the Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons; and may my portion be with them in the LORD! Labour together, strive together, run together, suffer together, lie down to rest together, rise up together, as stewards and assessors, and servants of GOD. Seek to please Him, whose soldiers ye are, and whose wages ye receive. Let none of you be found a deserter: let your baptism remain, for armour; your faith, for a helmet; your love, for a spear; your long-suffering, for panoply. Let your good works be your deposits, that ye may finally bear away the receipts worthy of you. Be patient with one another in mildness, as your God with you. May I rejoice in you alway!

VII. But as the Church in Antioch of Syria, is in peace as has been shown me, through your prayers, I have rather been of good cheer in a godly security, (if through suffering I shall attain unto GOD,) that I may be found in the resurrection your disciple. It is meet, O most divinely blessed Polycarp, that thou shouldst call together a godly council, and choose some one, well-beloved and zealous, that he may be called God's Messenger; and to appoint him to go into Syria, that he may illustrate your zealous love, to the glory of CHRIST. A Christian is not master of himself, but is devoted to God. This work is God's, and your's, when you have accomplished it for Him. For I trust to Grace, that ye are ready to every good work which appertaineth unto GOD; and therefore, as I know your earnestness for the truth, I have exhorted you in few words.

VIII. Since I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because I have been suddenly called upon to sail from Troas to Neapolis, as His will orders, do thou write to those Churches which are nearest to thee, knowing Gon's purpose, that they may do the same onwards, sending, if possible, messengers; if not, Epistles by those whom thou shalt send, that ye may be glorified