IGNATIUS TO THE SMYRNEANS

FORBIDDEN BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

CHAPTER I.

1 Declares his joy for their firmness in the Gospel.
4 Enlarges on the person of Christ, against such
as pretend that Christ did not suffer.

IGNATIUS, who is also called
Theohorus, to the church of
God the Father, and of the beloved
Jesus Christ, which God hath
mercifully blessed with every
good gift; being filled with faith
and charity, so that it is wanting
in no gift; most worthy of God,
and fruitful in saints; the church
which is at Smyrna in Asia; all
through his immaculate spirit,
through word of God.

2 I glorify God, even Jesus
Christ, who has given you such
wisdom.

3 For I have observed that you
are settled in an immoveable faith,
as if you were nailed to the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in
the flesh and in the spirit; and
are confirmed in love through the
blood of Christ; being fully
persuaded of those things which
relate unto our Lord.

4 Who truly was of the race
of David according to the flesh,
but the Son of God according to
the will and power of God;
truly born of the Virgin, and
baptised of John; that so all
righteousness might be fulfilled
by him.

5 He was also truly crucified
by Pontius Pilate, and Herod the
Tetrarch, being nailed for us in
the flesh; by the fruits of which
we are, even by his most blessed
Passion;

6 That he might set up a token
for all ages through his resurrection,
to all his holy and faithful servants,
whether they be Jews or Gentiles,
in one body of his church.

7 Now all these things he suffered
for us that we might be saved; and
he suffered truly, as he also truly
raised up himself; and not, as some
unbelievers say, that he only seemed
to suffer; they themselves 'only
seeming to be.'

8 And as they believe so shall it
happen unto them, when being divested
of the body they shall become mere
spirits.

9 But I know that even after his
resurrection he was in the flesh;
and I believe that he is still so.

10 And when he came to those
who were with Peter, he said
unto them, Take, handle me, and
see that I am not an incorporeal
daemon. And straightway they
felt and believed; being convinced
both by his flesh and spirit.

11 For this cause they despised
death, and were bound to be above
it.

12 But after his resurrection he
did eat and drink with them, as he
was flesh; although as to his
Spirit he was united to the Father.
 

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