| << | Contents | >> |
Ignatius
These things I write to you, thou new olive-tree of Christ, not that I am aware you hold any such opinions, but that I may put you on your guard, as a father does his children. Beware, therefore, of those that hasten to work mischief, those “enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose glory is in their shame.”[1240] Beware of those “dumb dogs,” those trailing serpents, those scaly[1241] dragons, those asps, and basilisks, and scorpions. For these are subtle wolves,[1242] and apes that mimic the appearance of men.
Ye have been the disciples of Paul and Peter; do not lose what was committed to your trust. Keep in remembrance Euodias,[1243] your deservedly-blessed pastor, into whose hands the government over you was first entrusted by the apostles. Let us not bring disgrace upon our Father. Let us prove ourselves His true-born children, and not bastards. Ye know after what manner I have acted among you. The things which, when present, I spoke to you, these same, when absent, I now write to you. “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema.”[1244] Be ye followers of me.[1245] My soul be for yours, when I attain to Jesus. Remember my bonds.[1246]
Ye presbyters, “feed the flock which is among you,”[1247] till God shall show who is to hold the rule over you. For “I am now ready to be offered,”[1248] that I “may win Christ.”[1249] Let the deacons know of what dignity they are, and let them study to be blameless, that they may be the followers of Christ. Let the people be subject to the presbyters and the deacons. Let the virgins know to whom they have consecrated themselves.
Let the husbands love their wives, remembering that, at the creation, one woman, and not many, was given to one man. Let the wives honour their husbands, as their own flesh; and let them not presume to address them by their names.[1250] Let them also be chaste, reckoning their husbands as their only partners, to whom indeed they have been united according to the will of God. Ye parents, impart a holy training to your children. Ye children, “honour your parents, that it may be well with you.”[1251]
Ye masters, do not treat your servants with haughtiness, but imitate patient Job, who declares, “I did not despise[1252] the cause[1253] of my man-servant, or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me. For what in that case shall I do when the Lord makes an inquisition regarding me?”[1254] And you know what follows. Ye servants, do not provoke your masters to anger in anything, lest ye become the authors of incurable mischiefs to yourselves.
Search Comments
This page has been visited 0002 times.
| << | Contents | >> |
10 per page