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IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to the church which is at Ephesus in Asia; most deservedly happy; being blessed [*166:1] through the greatness and fulness [*166:2] of God the Father, and predestinated before the world began, that it should be always unto an enduring and unchangeable glory; being united and chosen [*166:3] through his true passion, according to the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ our God; all [*166:4] happiness, by Jesus Christ, and [*166:5] his undefiled grace.
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I have heard of your name much beloved in God; which ye have [*166:6] very justly attained by a [*166:7] habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love which is in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
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How that being [*166:8] followers of God, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of Christ ye have perfectly accomplished the work that was con-natural unto you.
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For hearing that I came bound from Syria, for the common name and [*166:9] hope, trusting through your prayers to fight with beasts at Rome; so that by [*166:10] suffering I may become indeed the disciple of him [*166:11] who gave himself to God, an offering and sacrifice for us; [*166:12] (ye hastened to see me). I received, therefore, in the name of God, your whole multitude in Onesimus.
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Who by inexpressible love is ours, but according to the flesh is your bishop; whom I beseech you, by Jesus Christ, to love; and that you would all strive to be like unto him. And blessed be God, who has granted unto you, who are so worthy of him, to [*166:13] enjoy such an excellent bishop.
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For what concerns my fellow servant Burrhus, and your [*166:14] most blessed deacon in things pertaining to God; I entreat you that he may tarry longer, both for yours, and your bishop's honour.
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And Crocus also worthy both our God and you, whom I have received as the pattern 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 Euclus, and Fronto, [*167:1] in whom I have, as to your charity, seen all of you. And may I always, [*167:2] have joy of you, if I shall be worthy of it.
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It is therefore fitting that you should [*167:3] by all means glorify Jesus Christ who hath glorified you: that [*4] by a uniform obedience [*167:5] ye may be perfectly joined together, in the same mind, and in the same judgment: and may all speak the same things concerning everything.
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And that being subject to [*167:6] your bishop, and the presbytery, ye may be wholly and thoroughly sanctified.
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These things I [*167:7] prescribe to you, not as if I were somebody extraordinary: for though I am bound [*167:8] for his name, I am not yet perfect in Christ Jesus. [*167:9] But now I begin to learn, and I speak to you as fellow disciples together with me.
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For I ought to have been stirred up by you, in faith, in admonition, in patience, in long-suffering; but forasmuch as charity suffers me not to be silent [*167:10] towards you, I have first taken upon me to exhort you, that ye would all run together according to the will of God.
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For even Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is sent by the [*167:11] will of the Father; as the bishops, appointed unto the utmost bounds of the earth, are by the will of Jesus Christ.
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[*167:12] Wherefore it will become you to run together according to the will of your bishop, as also ye do.
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For your [*167:13] famous presbytery, worthy of God, is fitted as exactly to the bishop, as the strings are to the harp.
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Therefore in your concord and agreeing charity, Jesus Christ is sung; and every single person among you makes up the chorus:
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That so being all consonant in [*167:14] love, and taking up the song of God, ye may in a perfect unity with one voice, sing to the Father by Jesus Christ; to the end that he may both hear you, and perceive by your works, that ye are indeed the members of his son.
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Wherefore it is profitable for you to live in an unblameable unity, that so ye may always [*167:15] have a fellowship with God.
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Footnotes ^166:1 In.
^166:2 See Eph. iii. 19.
^166:3 In.
^166:4 Health, Joy.
^166:5 Received. Vid. Epist. Interpol.
^166:6 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Comp. Gal. iv. 8.
^166:7 Pearson Vind. Ignat. Par. 2, cap. 14.
^166:8 Imitators.
^166:9 Viz. of Christ.
^166:10 Martyrdom.
^166:11 Eph. v. 2.
^166:12 See the old Lat. Ed. of Bishop Usher.
^166:13 Possess.
^166:14 Blessed in all things.
^167:1 By.
^167:2 See Philem. 20. Wisd. xxx. 2.
^167:3 In all manner of ways.
^167:4 In one.
^167:5 1 Cor. i. 10.
^167:6 The.
^167:7 Command you.
^167:8 In.
^167:9 For.
^167:10 Concerning.
^167:11 Mind, counsel, opinion, &c.
^167:12 Whence.
^167:13 Worthy to be named.
^167:14 Concord.
^167:15 Partake of.
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