Epistle of Ignatius, the friend of St. Peter, on the way to Martyrdom, to the Ephesians.
Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to her who is blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father; to the predestinate before all worlds to be ever in marvellous glory unchangeable, united, and elect through the true Passion, through the will of the Father and Jesus Christ our God; to the truly beatified Church, which is in Ephesus of Asia, all health in Jesus Christ and in unspotted grace.
I. I Welcome in God's behalf that well-beloved name, which ye have attained in all righteousness, according to the Faith and Love which is in Jesus Christ our Saviour, for that being followers of God, and kindling the inward flame by the blood of God, ye have perfectly accomplished the work that belonged to you, when ye heard that I came bound from Syria, for the common name and hope; trusting through your prayers to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by suffering I may become indeed the Disciple of Him "who gave himself to God, an Offering and Sacrifice for us". How many ye be, that be called by the name of God, I have heard from Onesimus, whose love is beyond all words, your Bishop according to the flesh; whom I beseech you, by Jesus Christ, to love, and that ye would all be like unto him. And blessed be God, who has granted unto you, who are so worthy of him, to enjoy such a Bishop.
II. As to my fellow-servant Burrhus, who is your most blessed Deacon, in things pertaining to God, I pray that he may abide with you to the honour both of you and of your Bishop. And Crocus, also, worthy both of God and you, whom I have received as the sample of your love, has in all things refreshed me, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ shall also refresh him; together with Onesimus, and Burrhus, and Euplus, and Fronto, in seeing whom I have seen the love of you all. And may I always have joy of you, if I be worthy of it! It is therefore fitting that you should by all means glorify Jesus
