The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles Part 62

He again exhorts to unity, and desires their prayers for himself, and for his church at Antioch.

I SALUTE you from Smyrna, together with the churches of G.o.d 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 G.o.d) 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.

4 I beseech you, that you hearken to me in love; that I may not by those things which I write, rise up in witness against you.

5 Pray also for me; who, through the mercy of G.o.d, stand in need of your prayers, that I may be worthy of the portion which I am about to obtain, and that I be not found a reprobate.

6 The love of those who are at Smyrna and Ephesus salute you.

Remember in your prayers the church of Syria, from which I am not worthy to be called, being one of the least of it.

7 Fare ye well in Jesus Christ; being subject to your bishop as to the command of G.o.d; and so like.

wise to the presbytery.

8 Love every one his brother with an unfeigned heart. My soul be your expiation, not only now, but when I shall have attained unto G.o.d; for I am yet under danger.

9 But the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine and your pet.i.tion; in whom may ye be found unblameable.

THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE ROMANS.

CHAPTER I.

Ignatius testifies his desire to see, and his hopes of suffering for Christ 5 which he earnestly entreats them not to prevent, 10 but to pray for him, that G.o.d would strengthen him to the combat.

IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to the church which has obtained mercy from the majesty of the Most High Father, and his only begotten Son Jesus Christ; beloved, and illuminated through the will of him who willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our G.o.d; which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans; and which I salute in the name of Jesus Christ, as being united both in flesh and spirit to all his commands, and filed with the grace of G.o.d; with all joy in Jesus Christ our G.o.d.

2 Forasmuch as I have at last obtained through my prayers to G.o.d, permission to see your faces, which I much desired to do; being bound in Jesus Christ, I hope ere long to salute you, if it shall be the will of G.o.d to grant me to attain unto the end I long for.

3 For the beginning is well disposed, if I shall but have grace, without hindrance, to receive what is appointed for me.

4 But I fear your love, lest it do me an injury; for it is easy for you to do what you please; but it will be hard for me to attain unto G.o.d, if you spare me.

5 But I would not that ye should please men, but G.o.d; whom also ye do, please. For neither shall I hereafter have such an opportunity of going unto G.o.d; nor will you, if ye shall now be silent, ever be ent.i.tled to a better work.

For if you, shall be silent in my behalf, I shall be made partaker of G.o.d.

6 But if you shall love my body, I shall have my course again to run. Wherefore ye cannot do me a greater kindness, than to suffer me to be sacrificed unto G.o.d, 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 G.o.d; that I may rise again unto him.

9 Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. I would therefore that ye should now do those things yourselves, which in your instructions you have prescribed to others.

10 Only pray for me, that G.o.d would give me both inward and outward strength, that I may not only say, but will; nor be only called a christian, but be found one.

11 For if I shall be found a christian, I may then deservedly be called one; and be thought faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world.

12 Nothing is good, that is seen.

13 For even our G.o.d, Jesus Christ, now that he is in the Father, does so much the more appear.

14 A christian is not a work of opinion; but of greatness of mind, especially when he is hated by the world.

CHAPTER. II.

Expresses his great desire and determination to suffer martyrdom.

I WRITE to the churches, and signify to them all, that I am willing to die for G.o.d, unless you hinder me.

2 I beseech you that you show not an unseasonable good will towards me. Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts, by whom I shall attain unto G.o.d.

3 For I am the wheat of G.o.d, and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild-beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.

Rather encourage the beasts, that they may became my sepulchre, and may let live nothing of my body; that being dead I may not be troublesome to any.

5 Then shall I be truly the disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Pray therefore unto Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be made the sacrifice of G.o.d.

6 I do not, as Peter and Paul, command you. They were Apostles, I a condemned man; they were free, but I am even to this day a servant:

7 But if I shall suffer, I shall then become the freeman of Jesus Christ, and shall rise free. And now, being in bonds, I learn not to desire any thing.

8 From Syria even unto Rome, I fight with beasts both by sea and land; both night and day: being bound to ten leopards, that is to say, to such a band of soldiers, who, though treated with all manner of kindness, are the worse for it.

9 But I am the more instructed by their injuries; yet am I not therefore justified.

10 May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; which also I wish may exercise all their fierceness upon me.

11 And whom for that end I will encourage, that they may be sure to devour me, and not serve me as they have done some, whom out of fear they have not touched. But if they will not do it willingly, I will provoke them to it.

12 Pardon me in this matter; I know what is profitable for me, now I begin to be a disciple.

Not shall any thing move me whether visible or invisible, that I may attain to Jesus Christ.

13 Let fire and the cross; let the companies of wild beasts; let breakings of bones, and tearing of members; let the shattering in pieces of the whole body, and all the wicked torments of the devil come upon me; only let me enjoy Jesus Christ.

14 All the ends of the world, and the kingdoms of it, will profit me nothing: I would rather die for Jesus Christ, than rule to the utmost ends of the earth. Him I seek who died for us; him I desire who rose again for us.

This is the gain that is laid up for me.

15 Pardon me, my brethren, ye shall not hinder me from living; nor seeing I desire to go to G.o.d, may you separate me from him, for the sake of this world;--nor induce me by any of the desires of it. Suffer me to enter into pure light, where being come, I shall be indeed the servant of G.o.d.