Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/192

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178
THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS.
me, and are entrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the beginning of time,[1] and in the end was revealed. Do ye all then, imitating the same divine conduct,[2] pay respect to one another, and let no one look upon his neighbour after the flesh, but do ye continually love each other in Jesus Christ. Let nothing exist among you that may divide you; but be ye united with your bishop, and those that preside over you, as a type and evidence of your immortality.[3]

before the beginning of time,[1] was God the Word, the only-begotten Son, and remains the same for ever; for "of His kingdom there shall be no end,"[4] says Daniel the prophet. Let us all therefore love one another in harmony, and let no one look upon his neighbour according to the flesh, but in Christ Jesus. Let nothing exist among you which may divide you; but be ye united with your bishop, being through him subject to God in Christ.


Chap. VII.Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters.

As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything Neither without the bishop and presbyters. Neither

As therefore the Lord does nothing without the Father, for says He, "I can of mine own self do nothing,"[5] so do ye, neither presbyter, nor deacon, nor layman, do anything without the bishop. Nor let anything appear commendable to you which is destitute of

  1. 1.0 1.1 Literally, "before the ages."
  2. Literally, "receiving the like manners of God."
  3. The meaning is here doubtful.
  4. Dan. ii. 44, vii. 14, 27.
  5. John v. 30.