The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles Part 66

23 Grace be with you, and mercy, and peace, and patience, for evermore.

24 I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children; and the virgins that are called widows. Be strong in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, who is present with me salutes you.

25 I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be strengthened in faith and charity, both of flesh and spirit.

26 I salute Alce my well-beloved, together with the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all by name.

27 Farewell in the grace of G.o.d.

IGNATIUS TO POLYCARP

CHAPTER I.

Ignatius blesses G.o.d for the firm, establishment of Polycarp in the faith, and gives him particular directions for improving it.

IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, bishop of the church which is at Smyrna; their overseer, but rather himself overlooked by G.o.d the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; all happiness.

2 Having known that thy mind towards G.o.d, is fixed as it were upon an immoveable rock; I exceedingly give thanks, that I have been thought worthy to behold thy blessed face, in which may I always rejoice in G.o.d.

3 Wherefore I beseech thee by the grace of G.o.d with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all others that they may be saved.

4 Maintain thy place with all care both of flesh and spirit: Make it thy endeavour to preserve unity, than which nothing is better.

Bear with all men even as the Lord with thee.

5 Support all in love, as also thou dost. Pray without ceasing ask more understanding than what thou already hast. Be watchful, having thy spirit always awake.

6 Speak to every one according as G.o.d shall enable thee. Bear the infirmities of all, as a perfect combatant; where the labour is great, the gain is the more.

7 If thou shalt love the good disciples, what thank is it? But rather do thou subject to thee those that are mischievous, in meekness.

8 Every wound is not healed with the same plaister: if the accessions of the disease be vehement, modify them with soft remedies: be in all things wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove.

9 For this cause thou art composed of flesh and spirit; that thou mayest modify those things that appear before thy face.

10 And as for those that are not seen, pray to G.o.d that he would reveal them into thee, that so thou mayest be wanting in nothing, but mayest abound in every gift.

11 The times demand thee, as the pilots the winds; and he that is tossed in a tempest, the haven where he would be.

12 That thou mayest attain unto G.o.d, be sober as the combatant of G.o.d. The crown proposed to thee is immortality, and eternal life: concerning which thou art also fully persuaded. I will be thy surety in all things, by my bonds, which thou halt loved.

13 Let not those that seem worthy of credit, but teach other doctrines, disturb thee. Stand firm and immoveable, as an anvil when it is beaten upon.

14 It is the part of a brave combatant to be wounded, and yet overcome. But especially we ought to endure all things for G.o.d's sake, that he may bear with us.

15 Be every day better than others; consider the times, and expect him, who is above all time, eternal; invisible, though for our sakes made visible: impalpable, and impa.s.sible, yet for us subjected to sufferings; enduring all manner of ways for our salvation.

CHAPTER II.

1 Continues his advice, 6 and teaches him how to advise others.

12 Enforces unity and subjection to the bishop.

LET not the widows be neglected: be thou after G.o.d, their Guardian.

2 Let nothing be done without thy knowledge and consent; neither do thou anything but according to the will of G.o.d; as also thou dost, with all constancy.

3 Let your a.s.semblies be more full: inquire into all by name.

4 Overlook not the men and maid servants; neither let them be puffed up: but rather let them be the more subject to the glory of G.o.d, that they may obtain from him a better liberty.

5 Let them not desire to be set free at the public cost, that they be not slaves to their own l.u.s.ts.

6 Flee evil arts; or rather make not any mention of them.

7 Say to my sisters, that they love the Lord; and be satisfied with their own husbands, both in the flesh and spirit.

8 In like manner, exhort my brethren in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the church.

9 If any man can remain in a virgin state, to the honour of the flesh of Christ, let him remain without boasting; but if he boast, he is undone. And if he desire to be more taken notice of than the bishop he is corrupted.

10 But it becomes all such as are married, whether men or women, to come together with the consent of the bishop, that so their marriage may be according to G.o.dliness, and not in l.u.s.t.

11 Let all things be done to the honour of G.o.d.

12 Hearken unto the bishop, that G.o.d also may hearken unto you. My soul be security for them that submit to their bishop, with their presbyters and deacons.

And may my portion be together with theirs in G.o.d.

13 Labour with one another; contend together, run together, suffer together; sleep together, and rise together; as the stewards, and a.s.sessors, and ministers of G.o.d.

14 Please him under whom ye war; and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter; but let your baptism remain, as your arms; your faith, as your helmet; your charity, as your spear; your patience, as your whole armour.

15 Let your works be your charge, that so you may receive a suitable reward. Be long suffering therefore towards each other in meekness; as G.o.d is towards you.

16 Let me have joy of you in all things.

CHAPTER III.

1 Greets Polycarp on the peace of the church at Antioch: 2 and desires him to write to that and other churches.

NOW forasmuch as the church of Antioch in Lyria is, as I am told, in peace through your prayers; I also have been the more comforted, and without care in G.o.d; if so be that by suffering, I shall attain unto G.o.d; and through your prayers I may be found a disciple of Christ.