Dec. 6, 1833.]
RECORDS OF THE CHURCH.
No. VIII.
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 Romans.
Ignatius, which is also Theophorus, to the Church which hath found mercy by the greatness of the supreme Father and of Jesus Christ His only Son, beloved and enlightened by the will of Him, who willeth all things, according to the love of Jesus Christ our God; and which is established in the place of the Romans, all-godly, all-gracious, all-blessed, all-praised, all-prospering, all-hallowed, enthroned in Love, with the name of Christ and with the name of the Father; salutation in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father; so that ye being united in flesh and spirit, according to all His will, ever filled with the grace of God, and cleansed from all outward pollution, may have a plenteous and blameless joy, through the Lord Jesus Christ our God.
I. Since, through prayer to God, it hath been granted unto me, to behold your godly countenances, (an event I have very greatly desired,) bound as I am in Jesus Christ, I have a hope of saluting you, if by God's will I be deemed worthy to attain unto my end. For my progress has been begun successfully if I but find grace to come unto my consummation without hindrance. For I have fears from your love, lest even it should bring injury upon me; for to you it is easy to work your purpose; but there will be a difficulty in the way of my going unto God, if your affection interfere for me.
II. I desire that ye be not men-pleasers, but pleasers of God, which ye also are. For never shall I find such an opportunity of gaining the presence of God; nor can you have any deed reported of you more glorious, than your silence now. For if you abstain
