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

ST. IGNATIUS'S EPISTLE TO THE MAGNESIANS.
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the blessed church, by the grace of GOD the Father, in JESUS CHRIST our Savior; in whom I salute the church which is at Magnesia, near the 11lceander, and wish it all joy in GOD the Father, andin JESUS CHRIST.
1. WHEN I heard of your well-ordered love in GOD, being full of joy, I desired much to speak unto you, in the faith of JESUS CHRIST. For having been thought worthy to obtain a most excellent name, in the bonds which I carry about, I salute the churches; wishing in them a union both of the body and spirit of JESUS CHRIST, our eternal life; as also of faith and charity, to which nothing is preferred: but especially of JESUS and the Father; in whom, if we undergo all the injuries of the prince of this present world, and escape, we shall enjoy God.
2. Seeing then I have been judged worthy to see you, by Damas, your most excellent bishop, and by your presbyters, Bassus and Apollorius, and by my fellow servant Sotio, the deacon, in whom I rejoice, I determined to write unto you.
3. It will become you not to despise your bishop on the account of his youth; but to yield all reverence to him according to the power of GOD the Father, as also I perceive your holy presbyters do; submitting to him, or rather not to him, but to the Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, the Bishop of us all.
4. Seeing all things have an end, there are these two set before us, death and life; and every one shall depart into his proper place. For there are two sorts of men, the one of GOD, the other of the world; and each of these have their proper inscription. The unbelievers are of this world; but the faithful, through charity, have the character of GOD the Father, by JESUS CHRIST by whom, if we are not ready to die, after the likeness of his passion, his life is not in us.
5. I exhort you that ye study to do all things in concord; your bishop presiding in the place of GOD; your presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles; and your deacons, most dear to me, being entrusted with the ministry of JESUS CHRIST; who was with the Father before all ages, and appeared in the end to us. See that ye all reverence one another: and let no one look upon his neighbor after the flesh; but do ye all love each other in JESUS CHRIST. Let there be no division among you; but be ye united to your bishop, and those who preside over you, to be your pattern and direction in the way to immortality.
6. As, therefore, the Lord did nothing without the Father, neither by himself, nor yet by his apostles; so neither do ye do any thing without your bishop and presbyters; neither endeavor to do any thing yourselves apart: but being come together in the same place, have one common prayer; one supplication; one mind; one hope; in charity and in joy undefiled. There is one Lord JESUS CHRIST, than whom nothing is better. Wherefore come ye all together as unto one temple of GOD; as to one altar; as to one JESUS CHRIST; who proceeded from one Father, and exists in one, and is returned to one.
7. Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still con= tinue to live according to the Jewish law, we do confess ourselves not to have received grace. For even the most holy prophets lived according to CHRIST JESUS. And for this cause were they persecuted, being inspired by his grace to convince the unbelievers and disobedient that there is one GOD, who has manifested himself by JESUS CHRIST his Son; who is the Eternal Word, who in all things pleased him that sent him.
8. Let us not then be insensible of his goodness; for, should he have dealt with us according to our works, we had not now had a being. Wherefore, being his disciples, let us learn to live according to the rules of Christianity: for whosoever is called by any other name besides this, he is not of God. Lay aside, therefore, the old and evil leaven; and be ye changed into the new leaven, which is JESUS CHRIST.
9. These things, my beloved, I write unto you; not that I know of any among you that he under error: but, as one of the least among you, I forewarn you that ye fall not into the snares of vain doctrine; but that ye be fully instructed in the birth, and suffering, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, our hope; which was accomplished in the time of Pontius Pilate; and from which, GOD forbid that any among you should be turned aside.
10. May I, therefore, have joy of you in all things, if I shall be worthy of it. For though I am bound, yet am I not worthy to be compared to one of you that are at liberty. I know that ye are not puffed up; for ye have JESUS CHRIST in your hearts. And especially when I commend you, I know that ye are ashamed.
11. Study,, therefore, to be confirmed in the doctrine of our Lord, and of his apostles; that so, whatsoever ye do, ye may prosper both in body and spirit: in faith and love; in the Son, and in the Father, and in the Holy Spirit; in the beginning, and in the end. Be subject to your bishop, and to one another, as JESUS CHRIST to the Father, according to the flesh; and the apostles both to CHRIST and to the Father, and to the Holy Ghost; that so ye may be united both in body and spirit.
12. Knowing you to be full of GOD, I have the more briefly exhorted you. Be mindful of me in your prayers, that I may attain unto GOD: and of the church which is in Syria, from which I am not worthy to be called. I stand in need of your joint prayers in GOD, and of your love, that the church which is in Syria may be thought worthy to be nourished by your church.
13. The Ephesians salute you, from which place I write unto you, (being present here to the glory of GOD, in like manner as you are,) who have in all things refreshed me, together with Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnwans. The rest of the churches, in the honor of JESUS CHRIST, salute you. Farewell, and be ye strengthened in the concord of GOD, enjoying his inseparable Spirit, which is JESUS CHRIST.