lest by means of a few foolish men, the whole congregation of God be evil spoken of. in 9 For wo to that man through whose vani-Through ty my name is blasphemed by any. whom vanity, Isa. lii. 5. g 10 Stop your ears therefore, as often as any one shall speak contrary to Jesus Christ; Without. who was of the race of David, of the Virgin Mary. 11 Who was truly born, and did eat and drink; was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; was truly crucified and dead; both those in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, * being spectators of it. A A Sceing, or looking on. i His Father he raising him. 12 Who was also truly raised from the dead by his Father, after the same manner as will also raise us up who believe in him, by sus Christ; without whom we have no true life. Je 13 But if, as some who are atheists, that is to say, infidels, pretend, that he only seemed to suffer (they themselves only seeming to exist); why then am I bound?-Why do I desire to fight with beasts?-Therefore do I die in vain : therefore I will not speak falsely against the Lord. k j The Father. 14 Flee therefore these evil sprouts, which Plants. bring forth deadly fruit; of which if any one taste, he shall presently die. 15 For these are not the plants of the Father; seeing if they were, they would appear to be the branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible; by which he invites you through his passion, who are members of him. 16 For the head cannot be without its members; God having promised a union, that is, himself. i. e. The delegates of CHAP. III. He again exhorts to unity; and desires their prayers for himself and for his church at Antioch. I SALUTE you from Smyrna, together the church. with the churches of God 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 God), exhort you, that you concord of y, a. tinue in concord among yourselves, and in prayer with one another. The con m 3 For it becomes every one 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 Be a testi- love; that I may not," by those things which you, writing. I write, rise up in witness against you. mony among • Them. P Undivided. 1 Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc. 5 Pray also for me; who through the mercy of God stand in need of your prayers, that I may be worthy of the portion which I am about to obtain, 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 God; and so likewise to the presbytery. P 8 Love every one his brother with an unfeigned heart. My soul be your expiation, 9 not only now, but when I shall have attained unto God; for I am yet under danger. 9 But the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine and your petition; in whom may ye be found unblamable. To the Trallians. 12* THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE ROMANS. a Vid. Pearson, Vind. ch. xvi. p. 214. ▸ In. c Omitted. Gr. dIn. God; which CHAP. I. 1 He 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 God would strengthen him to the combat. a d IGNATIUS, who is also called TheophoIgnat. par.2. rus, 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 also presides to the love of Jesus Christ our God; which of the region also presides in the place of the region of the Romans; and which I salute in the name most decent, of Jesus Christ, (as being) united both in most praised, flesh and spirit to all his commands, and filobtain led with the grace of God; ('all joy) in Jesires; most sus Christ our God. m the place of the Romans, worthy of God; most blessed, most worthy to what it de i charitable, 2 Forasmuch as I have at last obtained through my prayers to God, to see your "fathe Father. ces, "which I much desire to do; being bound name Christ and Gr. Type of the chorus, i. e. the church of the Romans. See Voss. Annot. in loc. A (The Son of the Father; to those who are-Gr.) i Wholly filled. Gr. j (Being absolutely separated from any other colour; much pure, or immaculate joy.) Vess. Annot. in loc. m Worthy of God." And have received even more than I asked,being bound. in Christ Jesus, I hope ere long to salute you, if it shall be the will of God 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 hinderance, to receive what is appointed for me. • Gr. ? My lot. 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 Is. unto God, if you spare me. please you ↑ I will not as men. Gr. $ As. Attaining 5 But I would not that ye should please men, but God; whom also ye do please. For neither shall I ever hereafter have such an opportunity' of going unto God; nor will you, to if ye shall now be silent, ever be entitled to a better work. For if you shall be silent "in "From me. my behalf, I shall be made partaker of God. unto. 6 But if you shall love my body, I shall Flesh. have my course again to run. Wherefore ye cannot do me a greater kindness than to suffer me to be sacrificed unto God, now that the altar is already prepared; - Sing. cho 7 i hat when ye shall be gathered togeth-Being be er in love, ye may give thanks to the Father rus. through Christ Jesus; that he has vouchsafed 'to bring a bishop of Syria unto you, being of called from the east unto the west. 8 For it is good for me to set from the world unto God; 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. y That a Syria should be found. That those should be things also firm. 10 Only pray for me, that God would give me both inward and outward strength, that I 27. |