Philo, who is present with me, salutes you. I salute the house of Tavia, and pray that she may be strengthened in faith and charity, both of flesh and spirit. I salute Alce, my well-beloved; and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all (others) by name. Farewell in the grace of GoD.

scio alicubi virginem in viduatu ab annis nondum viginti collocatam. Cui si quid refrigerii debuerat Episcopus, aliter utique salvo respectu disciplinæ præstare potuisset, ne tale nunc miraculum, ne dixerim monstrum, in Ecclesiâ denotaretur." [Indeed I know that in a certain place a virgin not yet twenty years old was placed in the widowhood. To whom if the bishop was bound to render any assistance, he might surely have done it in some other way with due regard to discipline, and so have preserved the Church from the stigma of such a wonderful, not to say monstrous transaction.]

It appears, however, from this passage of IGNATIUS, and from other authorities, that virgins were admitted into this order. Thus EPIPHANIUS (Expósit. Fid. n. 21.) says the Deaconnesses must be either virgins, or widows who had been but once married: xnρcúσασaι àñò μονογαμίας, ἢ ἀεὶ παρθενοι ούσαι. The same rule is laid down in the Apostolical Constitutions, Lib. vi. c. 17; the preference being there given to a virgin. See BINGHAM, Eccles. Ant. B. II. c. xxii. 1, 2. where several instances of virgin Deaconnesses are mentioned: and VALESIUS, on EUSEBIUS de Laudibus Constantini, c. 17,

THE

EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS

ΤΟ

POLYCARP.

IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, Bishop of the Church which is at Smyrna; (their overseer), but rather himself overseen by GOD the Father, and our Lord JESUS CHRIST; all happiness.

1. Having known that thy mind toward GoD 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 God. I beseech thee, by the grace of GoD, with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all (others) that they may be saved. Maintain thy station with all diligence both of flesh and spirit.* Be careful (to preserve) unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all men; even as the LORD with thee. Support all in love, as also thou dost. Find time to pray without ceasing. Ask more understanding than that thou already 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 there is the greater labor, there is the greater gain.

2. If thou shalt love the good disciples, what thank is it? But rather do thou subject to thyself in meekness those that are mischievous. Every wound is not healed with the same remedy. Mollify severe attacks with lenient fomentations. Be in all things wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove. For this cause

⚫ 1 Cor. vii. 34. • Matt. x. 16.

Comp. Isa. liii. 4. Matt. viii. 17.

thou art composed of flesh and spirit, that thou mayest treat mildly those things which appear before thy face. And, as for those that are not seen, pray to God that he would reveal them unto thee, that so thou mayest be wanting in nothing, but abound in every gift. The times demand thee, as (pilots) require the winds, and as he that is tossed in a tempest (desires) the haven; that thou mayest attain unto God. Be sober, as the combatant of GOD. The crown (proposed to thee) is immortality, and eternal life, concerning which thou art also fully persuaded. In all things I, and my bonds which thou hast loved, will be thy surety.

3. Let not those which appear worthy of credit, but teach other doctrines, disturb thee. Stand firm and immoveable as an anvil when it is beaten upon. It is the part of a brave combatant, to be wounded, and yet to overcome. But especially we ought to endure all things for God's sake, that he may bear with us. Become daily more diligent even than thou art. Consider the times, and expect Him, who is above all time, eternal, invisible, though for our sakes made visible: who cannot be perceived by our touch, neither is liable to suffering, although for our sakes he submitted to suffer, and endured evils of every kind for us.

4. Let not the widows be neglected. Be thou, after GOD, their guardian. Let nothing be done without thy knowledge and consent; neither do thou any thing but according to the will of God; as also thou dost in all constancy. Let your assemblies be more full : « inquire into all by name. Overlook not the men servants and maid-servants. Neither let them be puffed up, but rather let them be the more subject, to the glory of GoD, that they may obtain from him a better liberty. Let them not desire to be set free at the public cost, that they may not be slaves to their own lusts.

5. Flee evil arts: or rather, make not any mention of them. Say to my sisters, that they love the LORD, and be satisfied with their husbands both in the flesh

"Rather

◄ Compare IGNATIUS' Epistle to the Ephesians, Sect. 13. • The Greek text, μᾶλλον δὲ περὶ τούτων ὁμιλίαν ποιοῦ. make frequent discourses respecting them." The old Latin version has the same sense. It seems probable, however, that the reading, photo, which is preserved in the Interpolated Epistle, is correct.

VOL, IV.-9

g

and spirit. In like manner exhort my brethren, in the name of JESUS CHRIST, to love their wives, even as the LORD the Church. If any one is able to remain in chastity, to the honor of Him, who is the LORD of (all) flesh, let him remain so without boasting. If he boast, he is undone. And if he desire to be more esteemed than the Bishop, he is corrupted. It becomes also those who marry and are given in marriage to be united with the consent of the Bishop, that so the marriage may be according to godliness, and not in lust. Let all things be done to the honor of God.

6. Hearken ye (all) unto the Bishop, that God also may hearken to you. My soul be security for those who submit to their Bishop, Presbyters, and Deacons. And may my portion be together with theirs in GoD. Labor ye one with another: strive together; run together; suffer together: together take rest, and together rise, as the stewards, and assessors, and ministers of GOD. Please him, under whom ye war, and from whom also ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism remain, as arms, faith as a helmet, charity as a spear; patience as your whole armor. Let your works be that which is committed to your charge, that so ye may receive a suitable reward. Be long-suffering, therefore, toward each other in meekness, as GoD is toward you. me have joy of you in all things.

Let

7. Now, forasmuch as the Church of Antioch in Syria, is, as I have learned, at peace through your prayers, I also have been the more comforted and without care in GOD, if so be that by suffering I shall attain unto God, that through your prayers I may be found a disciple (of CHRIST). It will be fit, most worthy Polycarp, to call a council of the most godly

Eph. v. 25.

Comp. Jer. xxxii. 27.

h Although this Epistle was written to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, precepts are included in it addressed to the whole Church; as St. Paul, in his first Epistle to Timothy, introduces many instructions to Christians in general."

ἢ τὰ δεπόσιτα ὑμῶν, τὰ ἔργα ὑμῶν. See that ye employ all the talents, committed to you as a sacred deposit, for which ye will be called upon to give an account.

Trajan having put a stop to the persecution at Antioch. Compare the Epistle to the Philadelphians, Sect. 10.

men, and choose some one whom ye particularly love, and who is patient of labor, that he may be the messenger of GOD, and to appoint him to go into Syria, and glorify your unwearied love, to the praise of CHRIST. A Christian is not in his own power, but must be always at leisure for (the service of) GOD. And this is the work both of God, and of you, when ye shall have perfected it. For I trust, through the grace (of GoD) that ye are ready to every good work, that is fitting for you in the LORD. Knowing therefore your earnest affection for the truth, I have exhorted you by these short letters.'

8. But forasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, for so is the will of those to whom I am subject, write to the Churches which are near thee, inasmuch as thou art instructed in the will of God, that they also may do in like manner. Let those who are able send messengers; and the rest send (their) letters by those who shall be sent by you: that thou mayest be glorified to all eternity, even as thou art worthy.

I salute all by name: and (particularly) the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus my well-beloved. I salute him who shall be thought worthy to be sent by you into Syria. 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 protection of GOD. I salute Alce my well-beloved. Farewell in the LORD.

The Epistle to the Smyrneans and this to himself.

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