The Epistle Of Ignatius To The Antiochians

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.