RECORDS OF THE CHURCH.
No. IV.
THE HOLY CHURCH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD DOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THEE.
Epistle of Ignatius, the friend of St. Peter, on his way to Martyrdom, to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna.
Ignatius, called also Theophorus, to Polycarp, of the Church at Smyrna, Bishop and Superintendant: yea, rather himself superintended by God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, All hail!
I. Welcoming thy disposition which is to God ward, founded as upon an immoveable rock, I glorify Him, in that I have been honoured by thy holy presence, and praying that I may rejoice in it through God. I beseech thee, by the grace of God, wherewith thou art invested, to press onwards in thy course, and to exhort all unto salvation. Maintain thy station in all diligence, both of body and soul; study to preserve that unity, than which nothing is better. Endure all men, as the Lord has also endured thee; continue, as thou dost, to bear with all men in love; devote thyself to prayer without ceasing; seek for more understanding than thou hast; watch with an unwearied spirit; speak unto every one as God shall enable thee: as a practised combatant, endure the weaknesses of all; for where labour abounds, there also abounds gain.
II. For in that thou lovest the good disciples, what thank hast thou? yea, rather with mildness bring into subjection the more mischievous. For every wound is not treated with the same ap-
