then brought to him, and having communicated to him some spiritual gifts, and glorying in his bonds, he entreated of him to labour[1] along with him for the fulfilment of his desire; earnestly indeed asking this of the whole church (for the cities and churches of Asia had welcomed[2] the holy man through their bishops, and presbyters, and deacons, all hastening to meet him, if by any means they might receive from him some[3] spiritual gift), but above all, the holy Polycarp, that, by means of the wild beasts, he soon disappearing from this world, might be manifested before the face of Christ.
Chap. iv.—Ignatius writes to the churches.
And these things he thus spake, and thus testified, extending his love to Christ so far as one who was about to[4] secure heaven through his good confession, and the earnestness of those who joined their prayers to his in regard to his [approaching] conflict; and to give a recompense to the churches, who came to meet him through their rulers, sending[5] letters of thanksgiving to them, which dropped spiritual grace, along with prayer and exhortation. Wherefore, seeing all men so kindly affected towards him, and fearing lest the love of the brotherhood should hinder his zeal towards the Lord,[6] while a fair door of suffering martyrdom was opened to him, he wrote to the church of the Romans the epistle which is here subjoined.
(See the epistle as formerly given, pp. 205–220.)
