Thanks them SMYRNEANS. for kindnesses. Jesus Christ is, there is the God, as the deacons of Christ Catholic church. our God. 5 It is not lawful without 12 Who also give thanks the bishop, neither to baptize, unto the Lord for you, forasnor 1to celebrate the Holy much as ye have refreshed Communion: but whatsoever them in all 1things. 2Nor he shall approve of, that is shall any thing that you have also pleasing unto God; that done, be lost to you. so whatever is done, may be sure and well done. 6 For what remains, it is very reasonable that we should 2repent whilst there is yet time to return unto God 13 My 3soul be for yours, and my bonds which ye have not despised, nor been ashamed of. Wherefore neither shall Jesus Christ, our perfect faith be ashamed of you. 7 It is a good thing to have 14 Your prayer is come to a due regard both to God, and the church of Antioch which to the bishop: he that honours is in Syria. From whence be the bishop, shall be honoured ing sent bound with chains beof God. But he that does any thing without his knowledge, 3 ministers unto the devil. 8 Let all things therefore abound to you in charity; seeing ye are worthy. 9 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 absent ye cease not to do so. 10 May God be your reward, for whom whilst ye undergo all things, ye shall attain unto him. coming God, I salute the 4churches; being not worthy to be called 5from thence, as being the least among them. 15 Nevertheless by the will of God I have been thought worthy of this honour; not for that I think I have deserved it, but by the grace of God: 16 Which I wish may be perfectly given unto me that through your prayers I may attain unto God. 17 And therefore that your work may be fully accomplished both upon earth and in heaven; it will be fitting, and for the honour of God, 6that your church appoint some worthy 11 Ye have done well in that ye have received Philo, and Rheus 2Agathopus, who followed me 3 for the word of delegate, who being come 1 Make a love-feast. 2 Return to a sound mind. 3 Does Worship. 4 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 5 Uuto. 231 as far as Syria, may rejoice to- To the bishop SMYRNEANS. and pastors. gether with them that they are ble presbytery; and your deain peace; and that they are cons, my fellow-servants; and again restored to their former all of you in general, and eyeIstate, and have again receiv-ry one in particular, in the ed their proper body. name of Jesus Christ, and in 18 Wherefore I should think his flesh and blood; in his it a worthy action, to send passion and resurrection both some one from you with an e-fleshly and spiritually; and in pistle, to congratulate with the unity of God 2with you. them their peace in God; and 23 Grace be with you, and that through your prayers, mercy, and peace, and pathey have now gotten to their tience, for evermore. harbor. 24 I salute the families of 19 For in as much as ye my brethren, with their wives are perfect yourselves, you and children; and the 3 virgins ought to think those things that are called widows. Be that are perfect. For when strong in the power of the Hoyou are desirous to do well, ly Ghost. Philo, who is presGod is ready to 2enable you ent with me, salutes you. 25 I salute the house of 20 The love of the breth- Tavias, and pray that it may ren that are at Troas salute be strengthened in faith and you; from whence I write to charity, both of flesh and you by Burrhus whom ye sent spirit. with me, together with the E thereunto. 26 I salute Alce my well phesians your brethren; and beloved, 4together with the who has in all things refresh- incomparable Daphnus, and The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to POLYCARP. CHAP. I. out ceasing: ask more underBlesses God for the firm es- standing than what thou altablishment of Polycarp in ready hast. Be watchful, the faith, and gives him having thy spirit always aparticular directions for wake. improving it. 6 Speak to every one lacGNATIUS, who is also cording as God shall enable called Theophorus, to Poly- thee. Bear the 2infirmities of carp, bishop of the church all, as a perfect combatant: 1which is at Smyrna; their where the labour is great, the overseer, but rather himself gain 3is the more. overlooked by God the Fath- 7 If thou shalt love the er, and the Lord Jesus Christ; good disciples, what thank is all happiness. it? But rather do thou sub2 Having known that thy ject to thee those that are mismind towards God, is fixed as chievous, in meekness. it were upon an immoveable 8 Every wound is not healrock; I exceedingly give led with the same plaister: if thanks, that I have been the accessions of the disease thought worthy to behold thy be vehement, mollify them 2blessed face, in which may I with 4soft remedies: be in all always rejoice in God. things, 5wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove. 3 Wherefore I beseech thee by the Grace of God with 9 For this cause thou art which thou art cloathed, to composed of flesh and spirit; press forward in thy course, that thou mayest mollify those and to exhort all others that things that appear before thy they may be saved. face. 4 Maintain thy place with 10 And as for those that all care 3both of flesh and are not seen, pray to God that spirit: Make it thy endeav-he would reveal them unto our to preserve unity, than thee, that so thou mayest be which nothing is better. Bear wanting in nothing, but maywith all men, even as the Lord est abound in every gift. .with thee. 11 The times demand thee, 5 Support all in love, as as the pilots the winds; and also thou dost. 4Pray with- he that is tossed in a tempest, 1 of the Smyrnæans. 2 Innocent. 3 Vid. 1 Cor. vii. 34. 4 Be at leisure Interpr. 2 The diseases. 3 Is much. 19. &c. 1 Vid. Voss. in loc. aliter Vet. Lat. 4 Superfusions. 5 Matt. x. 16. Desire to greet POLYCARP. the haven where he would be; that thou mayest attain unto God. the churches. ET not the widows be A neglected: be thou after God their guardian. 12 Be sober, as the com- 2 Let nothing be done withbatant of God: the 1crown out thy knowledge and conproposed to thee is immortali-sent: neither do thou any ty, and eternal life; concern- but according to the will of ing which thou art also fully God; as also thou dost, 1 with persuaded. I will be thy sure-all constancy. ty in all things, and my bonds which thou hast loved. 3 Let your assemblies be more full inquire into all by name. 4 Overlook not the men 13 Let not those that seem worthy of credit, but teach other doctrines, 2disturb thee. and maid servants; neither Stand as firm and immoveable let them be puffed up; but as an anvil when it is beaten rather let them be the more upon. subject to the glory of God, that they may obtain from him a better liberty. 14 It is the part of a brave combatant to be 3 wounded and yet overcome. But especially 5 Let them not desire to we ought to endure all things 2be set free at the public cost, for God's sake that he may that they be not slaves to their bear with us. own lusts. 15 Be every day 4better 6 Flee evil 3arts or raththan other consider the times; [er, make not any mention of and expect him, who is above them. all time, eternal, invisible, 7 Say to my sisters, that though for our sakes made vis-they love the Lord; and be ible impalpable and impas- satisfied with their own hussible, yet for us subjected to bands, both in the flesh and sufferings; enduring all man- spirit. ner of ways for our salvation. CHAP. II. 8 In like manner exhort my brethren in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord 9 If any man can remain 1 Continues his advice, 6and teaches him how to advise the church. others. 12 Inforces unity and subjection to the bish-in a virgin state, 4to the honour of the flesh Christ, let him op. 1 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Collat cúm Coteler. ib. 2 Amaze thee. Beaten 4 More studious, diligent. 3 1 Being well settled. 2 Vid Annot. Coteler. in loc. 3 Or, trades 4 Vid: Annot. Vossi et Coteler. in loc. Unity and subjection POLYCARP. to the bishop. remain, without boasting but 1charge, that you may receive if he boast, he is undone. And a suitable reward. Be long if he desire to be more taken suffering therefore towards notice of than the bishop he is each other in meekness; as corrupted. God is towards you. -10 But it becomes all such 16 Let me have joy of you as are married, whether men in all things. or women, to come together with the consent of the bishop, that so their marriage may be according to godliness and not in lust. 11 Let all things be done to the honour of God. 1 CHAP. III. Greets Polycarp on the peace of the church at Antioch; 2and desires him to write to that and other churches. TOW forasmuch as the church of Antioch in Sy N 12 1Hearken unto the bishop, that God also may hear- ria is, 2as I am told, in peace ken unto you. My soul be se- through your prayers; I also curity to them that submit to have been the more comforted their bishop, with their pres- 3and without care in God; if byters and deacons. And may so be that by suffering, I shall my portion be together with attain unto God; that through theirs in God. your prayers I may be found a disciple of Christ. 13 Labour with one another; contend together, run together, suffer together; sleep together, and rise together; as the stewards, and assessors, and ministers of God. 2 It will be very fit, O most worthy Polycarp, to call a 4select council, and choose some one whom ye particularly love, and who is patient of labour; that he may be the messenger 14 Please him under whom ye war; and from whom ye of God; and that going unto receive your wages. Let none Syria, he may glorify your inof you be found a deserter; cessant love, to the praise of but let your baptism remain, Christ. as your arms; your faith, as 3 A christian has not the your helmet; your charity, as power of himself; but must be your spear; your patience as always at leisure for God's your whole armour. service. Now this work is 15 Let your works be your 3 In the 1That which is committed to your 1 Observe, from the foregoing vers-custody, to keep secure 2 It has es, that Ignatius here speaks not to been manifested unto me. Polycarp, but through him to the security of God. 4 Most becoming Church of Smyrna: God. |