THE EPISTLE OF St. IGNATIVS TO St. Polycarp,
IGNATIUS who is also called THEOPHORUS,
to Poly∣carp Bishop of the Church which is at Smyrna; Their Over∣seer, but rather himself Over∣look'd by God the Father, and the LORD Jesus Christ; All Happiness.
I. HAVING known that thy Will towards God, is fix'd as it were upon an im∣moveable Rock; I exceedingly give Page 210 Thanks, that I have been thought worthy to behold thy * Blessed Face, in which may I always rejoyce in God. Wherefore I beseech thee by the Grace of God with which thou art cloathed, to press forward in thy Course, and to exhort all others that they may be saved. Maintain thy Place, with all care ‖ both of Flesh and Spirit: Make it thy Endeavour to preserve Unity in thy Church, than which nothing is better. Bear with all Men, even as the Lord with thee. Support all in Love, as also thou dost. † Pray without Ceasing: Ask more Understanding than what thou al∣ready hast. Be Watchful, having thy Spirit always awake. Speak to every one * according as God shall enable Thee. Bear the ‖ Infirmities of all, as a perfect Combatant; Where the Labour is Great, the Gain is so too.
II. IF thou shalt love the Good Disciples, what Thank is it? But rather do thou subject to thee those that are infected, in Meekness. Every Wound is not healed with the same Page 211 Plaister: If the accessions of the Dis∣ease be vehement, molifie them with * soft Remedies; Be in all things, Wise as a Serpent, but Harmless as a Dove.* For this cause thou art com∣posed of Flesh and Spirit; that thou mayst molifie those things that ap∣pear before thy Face: But as for those that are not seen, pray to God that he would reveal them unto thee, that so thou mayst be wanting in nothing, but may'st abound in every Gift. The Times demand thee, as the Ma∣riner the Winds, and he that is toss'd in a Tempest, the Haven where he would be; that thou may'st attain unto God. Be Sober, as the Com∣batant of God: The * Crown pro∣posed to thee is Immortality, and Life Eternal; concerning which thou art fully perswaded. I will be thy Surety in all things, and my Bonds, which thou hast loved.
III. LET not those that appear to be faithful, but teach other Do∣ctrines, ‖ disturb thee. Stand firm and immovable, as an Anvil when it is beaten upon. It is the Part of Page 212 a brave Combatant indeed, to be * Wounded, and yet Overcome. And especially we ought to endure all things for Gods sake, that he may bear with us. Be every day † Better than other: Consider the Times; and expect him, Who is above all Time, Eternal, Invisible, though for our sakes made Visible: Impal∣pible, and impassible, yet for us subjected to Sufferings; endu∣ring all manner of ways for our Salvation.
IV. LET not the Widows be neglected: Be thou after God, their Guardian. Let nothing be done but with thy Knowledge and Consent: Neither do thou any thing but ac∣cording to the Will of God, as also thou dost, ‖ with all Constancy. Let your Assemblies be more frequent: Inquire into all by Name. Overlook not the Men and Maid Servants; Neither let them be Puffed up; but rather let them be more Subject, to the Glory of God; that they may obtain from him a better Liberty. Let them not desire to * be set free Page 213 from their present Service, that they be not Slaves to their own Lusts.
V. FLEE Evil * Arts: Or ra∣ther, make not any mention of them. Say to my Sisters, that they love the Lord; and be satisfied with their own Husbands, both in the Flesh and Spirit. † In like manner, Exhort my Brethren in the Name of Jesus Christ, that they Love their Wives, even as the LORD the Church. If any Man can remain in a Virgin State, ‖ to the Honour of Christ, let him remain without Boasting: But if he Boast, he is undone. And if he thinks that he knows more than the Bishop; he is ruined. But it be∣comes all such as are Marryed, whe∣ther Men or Women, to come to∣gether with the Consent of the Bi∣shop; that so their Marriage may be according to Godliness, and not in Lust. Let all things be done to the Honour of God.
VI. HEARKEN unto the Bishop, that God also may hearken unto you. My Soul be Security for Page 214 them that Submit to their Bishop, with their Presbyters and Deacons. And may my Portion be together with theirs in God. Labour with one another; Contend together, run together, suffer together; sleep to∣gether, and rise together; as the Stewards, and Assessors, and Mini∣sters of God. 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 Pati∣ence, as your whole Armour. Let your Works be your ‖ Charge, that so you may receive a suitable Re∣ward. Be long-suffering therefore towards each other in Meekness; as God is towards you. Let me have Joy of you in all things.
VII. NOW forasmuch as the Church of Antioch in Syria is, as I am told, in Peace through your Prayers; I also have been the more comforted in † their Security; if so be that by suffering, I shall attain Page 215 unto God; that through your Pray∣er I may be found a faithful Dis∣ciple. It will be very fit, O most worthy Polycarp, to call a * Select Council, and chuse some One whom ye particularly Love, and who is pa∣tient of Labour; that he may be the Messenger of God: And that going unto Syria, he may Glorifie your incessant Love, to the Praise of God. A Christian has not the Power of Himself; but must be always at leisure for God's Service. Now this work, is both Gods and yours; when ye shall have perfected it. For I trust in your fa∣vour, that ye are ready to do all the good Work that is fitting for you in the LORD. Knowing therefore your earnest Affection to the Truth, I have exhorted you by this short Epistle.
VIII. BUT forasmuch as I have not been able to Write to all the Churches, because I must suddainly Sail from Troas to Neapolis; for so is the Command of those to whose pleasure I am subject; Do you write to the Churches that are near you, as Page 216 being instructed in the Will of God, that they also may do in like manner. Let those that are able send * Mes∣sengers; and let the rest send their Letters by those who shall be sent by you: That you may be Glorified † to all Eternity, of which you are wor∣thy. I salute all by Name; parti∣cularly the Wife of Epitropus, with all her House, and Children. I sa∣lute Attalus my Well-beloved. I sa∣lute him, who shall be sent by you into Syria. Let my Grace be ever with him, ‖ and with Polycarp who sends him. I wish you all Happiness in our God, Jesus Christ; in whom continue in the Unity, and Protecti∣on of God. I salute Alcé my well-beloved. Farewell in the LORD.
