Vol 01 - ST. IGNATIUS'S EPISTLE TO THE PHILADELPHIANS

ST. IGNATIUS'S EPISTLE TO THE PHILADELPHIANS
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the church of GOD the Father, and our Lord JESUS CHRIST, which is at Philadelphia in Asia; which has obtained mercy, being fixed in the concord of GOD, and rejoicing evermore in the passion of our Lord, and being fulfilled in all mercy through his resurrection; which church I salute in the blood of JESUS CHRIST, which is our eternal and undefiled joy.
1. AS becomes the children of the light and truth, flee divisions and false doctrines: but where your shepherd is, there do ye follow after. For there are many wolves who lead captive those that run in the course of God; but in your concord they shall find no place.
2. My brethren, the love I have towards you makes me the more large; and having a great joy in you, I endeavor to secure you against danger: or rather not I, but JESUS CHRIST; in whom being bound I the more fear, as being yet only on the way to suffering. But your prayer to GOD shall make me perfect, that I may attain to that portion which by GOD’s mercy is allotted to me.
3. If any do not speak concerning CHRIST JESUS, they are but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men. Flee therefore the snares of the prince of this world; lest at any time ye grow cold in your charity. But come all together in the same place, with an undivided heart. I bless my GOD that no one among you has whereof to boast that I have been burthensome to him. And I wish to all among whom I have conversed, that it may not turn to a witness against them.
4. For although some would have deceived me according to the flesh; yet the Spirit, being from GOD, is not deceived: for it knows both whence it comes, and whither it goes, and reproves the secrets of the heart. I cried whilst I was among you, attend to the bishop, and to the presbytery, and to deacons. Some supposed that I spoke this as fore-seeing the division that should come among you. And he is my witness for whose sake I am in bonds that I knew nothing from any man. But the Spirit spoke, saying on this wise: Do nothing without the bishop: keep your bodies as the temples of GOD love unity; flee divisions; be the followers of CHRIST, as he was of his Father.
5. I trust in the grace of JESUS CHRIST, that he will free you from every bond. I exhort you that you do nothing out of strife, but according to the instruction of CHRIST. I have heard of some who say, Unless I find it written in the originals, I will not believe it to be written in the gospel. And when I said, it is written, they answered what lay before them in their corrupted copies. But to me JESUS CHRIST is instead of all the uncorrupted monuments in the world; together with those undefiled monuments, his cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which is by him; by which I desire, though your prayers, to be justified.
6. He is the door of the Father; by which Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, entered in; as well as the apostles and the church. And all these things tend to the unity which is of God. Howbeit, the gospel has somewhat in it far above all other dispensations; namely, the appearance of our Savior, the Lord JESUS CHRIST, his passion, and resurrection. For the beloved prophets referred to him: but the gospel is the perfection of incorruption. All therefore together are good, if ye believe with charity.
7. Now as concerning the church of Antioch which is in Syria, seeing through your prayers, and the bowels which ye have towards it in JESUS CHRIST, it is in peace; it will become you, as the church of GOD, to ordain some deacon to go to them thither as the ambassador of God; that he may rejoice with them when they meet together, and glorify GOD’s name. Blessed be that man in JESUS CHRIST, who shall be found worthy of such a ministry.
8. As concerning Philo, the deacon of Cilicia, he still ministers unto me in the word of GOD; together with Rheus, who has followed me even from Syria, not regarding his life: these also bear witness unto you. And I myself give thanks to GOD for you, that ye receive them as the Lord shall receive you. But for those that dishonored them, may they be forgiven through the grace of JESUS CHRIST. The love of the brethren that are at Troas salutes you: from whence also I write. May our Lord JESUS CHRIST honor them; in whom they hope, both in flesh, and soul, and spirit; in faith, in love, in unity. Farewell in CHRIST JESUS our common hope.