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Exhorts

PHILADELPHIANS.

to union!

spirit, being from God, is not strife, but according to the indeceived: for it knows both struction of Christ.

whence it comes, and whither

it goes, and reproves the secrets of the heart.

20 Because I have heard of some who say; Unless I find it written in the 1originals, I

12 I cried whilst I was a-will not believe it to be written mong you; I spake with a in the Gospel. And when I loud voice; attend to the bish-said, It is written they anop, and to the presbytery, and swered what lay before them to the deacons. in their corrupted copies. 13 Now some supposed that 21 But to me Jesus Christ I spake this as foreseeing the is instead of all the uncorruptdivision 1that should come a-ed monuments in the world: mong you. together with those 2undefiled 14 But he is my witness for monuments, his cross, and whose sake I am in bonds that death, and resurrection, and I knew nothing from any the faith which is by him by 1man. But the spirit spake, which I desire, through your saying on this wise; Do noth- prayers, to be justified. ing without the bishop :

1

15 Keep your bodies as the temples of God; Love unity Flee divisions: Be the followers of Christ, as he was of his Father.

dwelleth not.

22 The priests indeed are good: but much better is the High Priest to whom the Holy of Holies has been committed; and who alone has been entrusted with the secrets of God.

16 I therefore did as be23 He is the door of the came me, as a man composed Father; by which Abraham, to unity. For where there is and Isaac, and Jacob, and all division, and wrath, God the prophets enter in ; as well as the Apostles and the church. 17 But the Lord forgives 24 And all these things all that repent, if they 3return tended to the unity which is to the unity of God, and to of God. Howbeit the Gospel the council of the bishop. has somewhat in it far above

appearance

of our

Sav

18 For I trust in the grace all other dispensations; nameof Jesus Christ 4that he ly, the will free you from every iour, the Lord Jesus Christ, his passion, and resurrection. 19 Nevertheless Iexhort you 25 For the beloved prophyou do nothing out of ets referred to him: but the

bond.

that

1 Of some. 2 Flesh. 3 Repent. 1 Archives. Vid. Voss. Annot. in loer. 4 Who will loose from you.

2 Untouched.

Persecution

PHILADELPHIANS.

stopped.

Gospel is the perfection of in-churches have sent them, some corruption. All therefore to- bishops, some priests and deagether are good, if ye believe cons.

with charity.

CHAP. III.

4 As concerning Philo the deacon of Cilicia, a most worthy 1man, he still ministers

Informs them he had heard unto me in the word of God; that the persecution was together with Rheus 2of Agastopped at Antioch: and thopolis a singular good person directs them to send a mes- who has followed me even senger thither, to congrat- from Syria, not regarding his ulate with the church.

TOW as concerning the
as

Now

life: These also bear witness unto you.

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5 And I myself give thanks you, that ye receive is in Syria, seeing I am told them as the Lord shall receive that through your prayers,and you. But for those that disthe bowels which ye have to- honoured them, may they be wards it in Jesus Christ, it is forgiven through the grace in peace; it will become you, of Jesus Christ. as the church of God, to ordain 6 The charity of the brethsome 1 deacon to go to them ren that are at Troas salutes thither as the ambassador of you from whence also I now God ; that he may rejoice write by Burrhus, who was with them when they meet to- sent together with me by those gether, and glorify God's of Ephesus and Smyrna, for respect sake.

name.

2 Blessed be that man in 7 May our Lord Jesus Jesus Christ, who shall be Christ honour them; in whom found worthy of such a minis- they hope, both in flesh, and try; and ye yourselves also soul, and spirit; in faith, in shall be glorified. love, in unity. Farewell in Christ Jesus our common hope.

3 Now if ye be willing, it is not impossible for you to do this for the sake of God; as also the other neighbouring

1 Messenger or minister. 227

1 Vossius, a martyr or confessor. Vid. Annot. in loc. 2 Vid. Vossius

Annot. in Ep ad Smyrn. p. 261. See chap. iii. v. 11,

The EPISTLE of IGNATIÚS to the SMYRNÆANS.

CHAP. I.

of God: truly born of the Vir1 Declares his joy for their gin, and baptized of John; firmness in the Gospel. 4 that SO 1all righteousness Enlarges on the person of might be fulfilled in him. Christ, against such as 5 He was also truly crucifipretend that Christ did noted by Pontius Pilate, and Herreally suffer. od the Tetrarch, being nailed

IGNATIUS, who is also for us in the flesh; by the

called Theophorus, to the fruits of which we are, even by church of God the Father, and his most blessed passion; of the beloved Jesus Christ; 6 That he might set 2up a which God hath mercifully token for all ages through his 1 blessed with every, good gift; resurrection, to all his holy and being filled with faith and faithful servants, whether they charity, so that it is wanting in be Jews or Gentiles, in one no gift most worthy of God, body of his church.

and fruitful in saints; the 7 Now all these things he church which is at Smyrna in suffered for us, that we might Asia; all joy, through his im- be saved. And he suffered maculate spirit, and the word truly, as he also truly raised of God. up himselfe And not, as some 2 I glorify God, even Jesus unbelievers say, that he only Christ, who has given you seemed to suffer, they themsuch wisdom. cus rogioselves only seeming to be.3 3 For I have observed that 8 And as they believe so you are settled in an immove- shall it happen unto them; able faith, as if you were nailed when being divested of the to the cross of our Lord Jesus body they shall become 4mere Christ, both in the flesh and spirits.

1

4

in the spirit; and are con- 9 But I know that even affirmed in love through the ter his resurrection he was in blood of Christ; being fully the flesh; and I believe that persuaded of those things he is still so." which relate 2unto our Lord.

4 Who truly was of the race of David according to the flesh, but the Son of God according to the will and power

10 And when he came to those who were with Peter, 5 he said unto them, Take, han

1 Matt, iii. 15. 2 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 3 i. e. Christians. Incor. 1 Com. 1 Cor. vii. 25. 2 Unto the Sec Hebr. 5 Ex. Evang. poreal and dæmoniac. See Dr. Grabe Spicileg. J tom. ii. p.

Lord.

25..

Exhorts against

SMYRNÆANS.

heretics

6 But now the nearer I am

dle me, and see that I am not myself to death, to the fire, to an incorporeal dæmon. And the sword, to wild beasts ? straightway they felt him and believed; being convinced both by his flesh and spirit. 11 For this cause they despised death, and were found to be above lit.

to the sword, the nearer am I to God: when I shall come among the wild beasts, I shall come to God.

7 Only in the name of Je12 But after his resurrec-sus Christ, I undergo all, to tion he did eat and drink with suffer together with him; he them, as he was flesh; although who was made a perfect man as to his Spirit he was united strengthening me.

to the Father.

CHAP. II.

8 Whom some not knowing, do deny; or rather have been denied by him, being the advocates of death, rather than Whom neither

& Exhorts them against here-
tics. 8 The danger of their of the truth.
doctrine.

N

the prophecies, nor the law of OW these things, belov-Moses have persuaded; nor ed, I 2put you in mind the Gospel itself even to this of, not questioning but that day, nor the sufferings of eveyou yourselves also 3believe ry one of us.

that they are so.

9 For they think also the 2 But I arm you beforehand same things of us. For what against certain beasts in the does a man profit me, if he shape of men; whom you shall praise me, and blaspheme must not only not receive, but my Lord; not confessing that if it be possible must not meet he 1 was truly made man ?

with.

10 Now he that doth not

3 Only you must pray for say this. does in effect deny. them, that if it be the will of him, and is in death. But for the God they may repent; which names of such as do this, they yet will be very hard. But of being unbelievers, I thought it this our Lord Jesus Christ has not fitting to write them unto the power, who is our true life. you.

4 For if all these things were done only in shew by our Lord then do I also seem only to be bound:

5 And why have I given up

1 Death. 2 Admonish. 3 Haye

11 Yea, God forbid that I should make any mention of them, till they shall repent to true belief of Christ's passion, which is our resurrection.

a

12 Let no man deceive him

1 Had true flesh.

Danger of

SMYRNÆANS.

heresy. self; both the things which might one day rise through it. are in heaven, and the glorious 18 It will therefore become 'angels, and princes, whether you to abstain from such pervisible or invisible, if they be- sons; and not to speak with lieve not in the blood of Christ, them neither in private nor in it shall be to them to condem-public.

mation.

19 But to hearken to the 13 2He that is able to re-prophets, and especially to the ceive this, let him receive it Gospel, in which both Christ's Let no man's 3place or state passion is manifested unto us, in the world poff him up; that and his resurrection perfectly which is worth all is faith and declared.

harity, to which nothing is to be preferred.

14 But consider those who are of a different opinion from ús, as to what concerns the grace of Jesus Christ which is come unto us, how contrary they are to the design of God.

15 They have no regard to charity, no care of the widow, the fatherless, and the oppressed; of the bond or free, of the hungry or thirsty.

20 But flee all divisions, as the beginning of evils.

CHAP. III.

1 Exhorts them to follow their bishop and pastors; but especially their bishop. 6 Thanks them for their kindnesses, 11 and acquaints them with the ceasing of the persecution at Antioch. EE that ye all follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ,

16 They abstain from the the Father: and the presbyteeucharist, and from 4the pub-ry, as the Apostles. And relic offices; because they con- verence the deacons, as the fess not the eucharist to be the command of God. flesh of our Saviour Jesus! 2 Let no man do any thing Christ; which suffered for our of what belongs to the church sins, and which the Father of separately from the bishop. his goodness, raised again 3 Let that eucharist be from the dead. looked upon as well establish

17 And for this cause con- ed, which is either offered by tradicting the gift of God, they the bishop, or by him to whom die in their disputes: 5but the bishop has given his conmuch better would it be for sent. them to receive it, that they 4 Wheresoever the bishop 1 It is. 2 Matt. xix 12. 3 Vid. shall appear, there let the Epist, Interpol. 4 Vid. Annot Coteler. in loc Or, Prayers. Vid. 1people also be:

Coteler. not. 6 Love...

1 Mantitade.

as where

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