Dec. 10, 1833.]
RECORDS OF THE CHURCH.
No. X.
THE HOLY CHURCH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD DOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THEE.
Epistle of Ignatius, the friend of St. Peter, on his way to Martyrdom, to the Philadelphians.
Ignatius, which is also Theophorus, to the Church of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that is in Philadelphia of Asia, that hath obtained mercy, and remaineth stedfast in godly concord, and exulteth continually in the Passion of our Lord; and hath in His Resurrection been richly furnished with all Mercy. Even this Church do I salute in the blood of Jesus Christ, which is our everlasting and abiding joy; especially if it be in Unity with the Bishop and his Fellow-Presbyters and Deacons, appointed after the mind of Jesus Christ; whom He hath according to His own Will established in all confidence, by His Holy Spirit.
I. This your Bishop, I well know, hath obtained his public Ministry not of himself, or by the means of men, neither out of vain-glory, but in the Love of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. His moderation I do greatly admire; as he by silence doth more prevail, than others with their idle disputations; for he is exactly fitted to the commandments, even as a harp to its strings. Wherefore my soul esteemeth his mind toward God most happy; knowing it to be perfect in all virtue; as also his unmoved and dispassionate temper, according to the moderation of the Living God.
II. Do ye then, being children of light and truth, avoid division and corrupt doctrines; but where your shepherd is, thither follow ye as sheep. For there be many wolves, held worthy to be trusted, who captivate by corrupt pleasure those that are running a godly course; but in your Unity they shall have no place.
III. Abstain from the evil herbs, that Christ Jesus dresseth not; forasmuch as they are not the Father's planting. I say not this because I have found you divided, but rather sifted
