Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/178

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THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS.

rupts by wicked doctrine the faith of God, for which Jesus Christ was crucified! Such an one becoming defiled [in this way], shall go away into everlasting fire, and so shall every one that hearkens unto him.

endured the cross, and submitted to death! Whosoever, "being waxen fat,"[1] and "become gross," sets at nought His doctrine, shall go into hell. In like manner, every one that has received from God the power of distinguishing, and yet follows an unskilful shepherd, and receives a false opinion for the truth, shall be punished. "What communion hath light with darkness? or Christ with Belial? Or what portion hath he that believeth with an infidel? or the temple of God with idols?"[2] And in like manner say I, what communion hath truth with falsehood? or righteousness with unrighteousness? or true doctrine with that which is false?


Chap. xvii.Beware of false doctrines.

For this end did the Lord suffer the ointment to be poured upon His head,[3] that He might breathe immortality into His church. Be not ye anointed with the bad odour of the doctrine of the prince of this world; let him not lead you away captive from the life which is set before you. And

For this end did the Lord suffer the ointment to be poured upon His head,[3] that His church might breathe forth immortality. For saith [the Scripture], "Thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore have the virgins loved Thee: they have drawn Thee; at the odour of Thine ointments we will run after Thee."[4] Let no one be anointed with the bad odour of the doctrine of [the prince of] this world; let not the holy church of

  1. Deut. xxxii. 15.
  2. 2 Cor. vi. 14–16.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Comp. John xii. 7.
  4. Song of Sol. i. 3, 4.