Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/277

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TO POLYCARP.
263
women who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. Let all things be done to the honour of God.[1]

who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to the Lord, and not after their own lust. Let all things be done to the honour of God.[1]

Chap. vi.The duties of the Christian flock.

Give ye[2] heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs[3] that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates,[4] and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be

Give ye[2] heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs[3] that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbytery, and to the deacons: may I have my portion with them from God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates,[4] and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye shall receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge assigned to you, that you may obtain for them

  1. 1.0 1.1 Comp. 1 Cor. x. 31.
  2. 2.0 2.1 As this epistle, though sent to the bishop, was meant to be read to the people, Ignatius here directly addresses them.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Comp. chap. ii. etc.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Or, "assessors."