Warns against heresy. TRALLIANS. Exhorts to humility. things visible and invisible; but, in charity, that is, the blood of in these I am yet a learner. Jesus Christ. 20 For many things are wanting to us, that we come not short of God. CHAP. II. 1 Warns them against heretics, 4 exhorts them to humility and unity, 10 briefly sets before them the true doctrine concerning Christ. I EXHORT you therefore, or rather not I, but the love of Jesus Christ t; that ye use none but christian nourishment; abstaining from pasture which is of another kind, I mean heresy. 21 For they that are heretics, confound together the doctrine of Jesus Christ, with their own poison: 2 whilst they seem worthy of belief: 3 As men give a deadly potion mixed with sweet wine; which he who drinks of, does with the treacherous pleasure sweetly drink in his own death. 4 Wherefore guard yourselves against such persons. And that you will do if you are not puffed up; but continue inseparabie from Jesus Christ our God, and from your bishop, and from the commands of the Apostles. 53 He that is within the altar is pure; but he that is without, that is, that does any thing without the bishop, the presbyters, and deacons, is not pure in his conscience. 4 8 Let no man have any grudge against his neighbour. Give no occasion to the Gentiles; lest by means of a few foolish men, the whole congregation of God be evil spoken of. 9 For woe to that man 5 through whose vanity my name is blasphemed by any. 6 10 Stop your ears therefore, as often as any one shall speak contrary to Jesus Christ; 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, 7 being spectators of it. 12 Who was also truly raised from the dead by his Father, after the same manner as 9 he will also raise up us who believe in him by Christ Jesus; without whom we have no true life. 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. 6 Not that I know there is any 14 Flee therefore these evil thing of this nature among you; 10 sprouts which bring forth deadbut I fore-arm you, as being great-ly fruit; of which if any one taste, ly beloved by me, foreseeing the he shall presently die. snares of the devil. 15 For these are not the plants 7 Wherefore putting on meek- of the Father; seeing if they were, ness, renew yourselves in faith, they would appear to be the bran that is, the flesh of the Lord; and 'ches of the cross, and their fruit 1 Vid. de hoc loco conjecturas Vossii, Cotelerii, et Junii apud Usserium. Comp. Epist. Intercol. in loc. et Voss. Annot. in Epist. ad Phil. p. 281. Being believed for their dignity. 3 Vid. Usserii Obs. Marg. Comp. Cute ler. ib. 4 Any thing. 5 Through whom in vanity, Isaiah, lii. 5. 6 With7 Seeing, or looking on. His Father raising him. The Father. out. 10 Plants. ROMANS. unity, and prayer for the Church. would be incorruptible; by which | may not 3 by those things which he invites you through his passion, I write, rise up in witness against who are members of him. you. 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. The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the ROMANS. CHAP. I. He testifies his desire to see, and his GNATIUS, 7 who is also called which has obtained mercy 8 from the majesty of the Most High Father, and his only begotten Son Jesus Christ; beloved, and illuminated 10 through the will of him who willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our 11 God which also presides in the 12 place of the region 3 Be 6 Vid. 1i.e. The delegates of the church. 2 The concord of you. testimony among you, writing. 4 Them. 5 Undivided. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc. Vid. Pearson. Vind. Ignat. par 2. ch. xvi. p. 214. In. 9Omitted, Gr. 10 In. 11 God; which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God; most decent, most blessed, most praised, most worthy to obtain what it desires; most pure, most charitable, called by the name of Christ and the Father; Gr. of the chorus, i.e. the church of the Romans. See Voss. Annot. in loc. 12 Type Hopes to suffer ROMANS. of the Romans; and which 1I salute in the name of Jesus Christ, (2 as being) united both in flesh and spirit to all his commands, and 3 filled with the grace of God; 4 (all joy) in Jesus Christ our God. 8 25 Forasmuch as I have at last • obtained through my prayers to God, to see your 7 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 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 hindrance, to receive 10 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 11 will be hard for me to attain unto God, if you spare me. 5 But I 12 would not that ye should please men, but God 13 whom also ye do please. For neither shall I hereafter have such an opportunity 14 of going unto God; nor will you if ye shall now be silent, ever be entituled to a better work. For if you shall be silent 15 in my behalf, I shall be made partaker of God. 6 But if you shall love my 16 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 God, now that the altar is already prepared: 1 Also. filled. Gr. 10 My lot. 11 Is. for Christ's sake. 7 That 17 when ye shall be gathered together in love, ye may 18 give thanks to the Father through Christ Jesus; that he has vouchsafed 19 to bring a bishop of Syria unto you, being 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 other. I would therefore that ye 20 should now do those things yourselves, which in your instructions you have 21 prescribed to others. 10 Only pray for me, that God 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 3 Wholly 2 The Son of the Father; to those who are—Gr. (Being absolutely separated from any other colour; much pure, or immaculate joy.) Gr. Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 7 Worthy of God. And have received even more than I asked, being bound. Gr. 12 I will not please you as men. Gr. 13 As. 14 Attaining 15 From me. 10 Flesh. 17 Being become a chorus. 18 Sing. 19 That a bishop of Syria should be found. 20 That those things also should be firm: 21 Commanded. Vid. Annot. Userii in loc. N. 26, 27. 22 Nothing that is seen is eternal for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. Gr. 23 Persuasion, or silence. Gr. 24 (Desunt, Gr.) unto. WRITE to the churches, and 1 signify to them all, that I am willing to die for God, unless you 2 hinder me. 2 I beseech you that you 3 shew not an unseasonable good will towards me. Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts; by whom I shall attain unto God. 3 For I am the wheat of God; and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. 4 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 martyrdom. all manner of kindness, are the worse for it. 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, and 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 12 be a disciple. Nor 13 shall anything move me, whether visible or invisible, that I may attain to Jesus Christ. 14 All the 19 ends of the world, and the kingdoins 20 of it, will profit me nothing: I would rather die 21 for Jesus Christ, than rule to the utmost ends of the earth. 22 Him I seek who died for us; him I desire, that rose again for us. This is the 23 gain that is laid up for me. 10 Vid. Voss. in Usser. Annot. N. 15 Pardon me, my brethren, ye shall not hinder me from living: Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 31. 2 Forbid me. 3 Be not 4 Vid Lat. Vet. Interps. et Annot. Usser. N. 32. 5 Flatter. 6 Desunt. Gr. 7Free in him. Gr. Any worldly or vain things. Gr. 91 Cor. iv. 4. loc. Usser. Annot. N. 48. May be ready for me. Gr. 11 48. 12 Luke, xiv. 27. 13 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Rom. viii. 38, 39. 14 Force, 15 Let tearings, and rendings. Gr. 16 Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 56. 17 Ib. N. 57. 18 That I may enjoy. 19 Gr. Pleasures. 20 Of this age. "Gr. unto. 22 For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Gr. Add. 23 Usury. Gr. Vid. Voss. Correct. p. 301. or rage. Further desires ROMANS. to suffer. 'Nor seeing I desire to go to God,, of corruption, nor in the pleasure may you separate me from him, of this life. for the sake of this world; nor reduce 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 • God. : 4 16 Permit me to imitate the passion of my God. If any one has him within himself, let him consider what I desire; and let him have compassion on me, as knowing how I am straightened. CHAP. III. Further expresses his desire to suffer. 7 fain carry me away, and corrupt my resolution towards my God. Let none of you 8 therefore help him: Rather do ye join with me, that is, with God. 2 Do not speak with Jesus Christ, and yet covet the world. Let not any envy dwell with you; No not though I myself when I shall be come unto you, should exhort you to it, yet do not ye hearken to me; but rather believe what I now write to you. 3 For though I am alive at the writing this, yet my desire is to die. My love is crucified; 10 (and the fire that is within me does not desire any water; but being alive and 12 springing within me, says, Come to the Father. 4 I take no pleasure in the food 9 5 I desire the bread of God 13 which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, (14 of the seed of David; and the drink that I long for) is his blood, which is incorruptible love.15 6 I have no desire to live any longer after the manner of men, 16 neither shall I, if you consent. Be ye therefore willing, that ye yourselves also may be 17 pleasing to God. I 18 exhort 19 in a few words; I pray you believe me. you 7 Jesus Christ will shew you that I speak truly. My mouth is without deceit, and the Father hath truly spoken 20 by it. Pray therefore for me, that I may. aocomplish what I desire. 8 I have not written to you after the flesh, but according to the will of God. If I shall suffer, 21 ye have loved me: but if I shall be rejected, ye have hated me. 22 9 Remember in your prayers the church of Syria, which now enjoys God for its shepherd instead of me: Let Jesus Christonly oversee it, and your charity. 24 23 10 But I am even ashamed to be reckoned as one of them: For neither am I worthy, being the least among them, and as one 25 born out of due season. But through mercy I have obtained to be somebody, if I shall get unto God. : 1 Nor desire that I should die, who seek to go to God, rejoice not in the world. Gr. 2 By matter. 3 Take lay hold on. Man. Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. What things constrain me. 7 Mind will. 8 Who are present. Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 10 (And there is not any fire within me that loves matter, but living and speaking water saying within me. Gr.) 11 Cotelerius aliter explicat. Annot. in loc. Usser. N. 79. 12 Voss. in loc. Contr. Coteler. q. v. 13 The heavenly bread which is. Gr. 14 (The Son of God made in these last times of the seed of David and Abraham, and the drink of God that I long for. Gr.) 15 Gr. Adds, and perpetual life. 16 And that shall be. 17 Willed. 18 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. 19 By a short letter. 21 Ye have willed it. 22 Viz. as unworthy to suffer. 23 Vid. Vet. 24 Shall oversee it. 5 1 Cor. xv. 8. 20 In. Anterp. Lat. |