Part 39

For many things are unknown[1966] to thee; [such as the following]: the virginity of Mary; the wonderful birth; who it was that became incarnate; the star which guided those who were in the east; the Magi who presented gifts; the salutation of the archangel to the Virgin; the marvellous conception of her that was betrothed; the announcement of the boy-forerunner respecting the son of the Virgin, and his leaping in the womb on account of what was foreseen; the songs of the angels over Him that was born; the glad tidings announced to the shepherds; the fear of Herod lest his kingdom should be taken from him; the command to slay the infants; the removal into Egypt, and the return from that country to the same region; the infant swaddling-bands; the human registration; the nourishing by means of milk; the name of father given to him who did not beget; the manger because there was not room [elsewhere]; no human preparation [for the child]; the gradual growth, human speech, hunger, thirst, journeyings, weariness; the offering of sacrifices, and then also circumcision, baptism; the voice of God over Him that was baptized, as to who He was and whence [He had come]; the testimony of the Spirit and the Father from above; the voice of John the prophet when it signified the passion by the appellation of “the Lamb;” the performance of divers miracles, manifold healings; the rebuke of the Lord ruling both the sea and the winds; evil spirits expelled; thou thyself subjected to torture, and, when afflicted by the power of Him who had been manifested, not having it in thy power to do anything.

CHAP. IX.—_Continuation: ignorance of Satan._

Seeing these things, thou wast in utter perplexity.[1967] And thou wast ignorant that it was a virgin that should bring forth; but the angels’ song of praise struck thee with astonishment, as well as the adoration of the Magi, and the appearance of the star. Thou didst revert to thy state of [wilful] ignorance, because all the circumstances seemed to thee trifling;[1968] for thou didst deem the swaddling-bands, the circumcision, and the nourishment by means of milk contemptible:[1969] these things appeared to thee unworthy of God. Again, thou didst behold a man who remained forty days and nights without tasting human food, along with ministering angels at whose presence thou didst shudder, when first of all thou hadst seen Him baptized as a common man, and knewest not the reason thereof. But after His [lengthened] fast thou didst again assume thy wonted audacity, and didst tempt Him when hungry, as if He had been an ordinary man, not knowing who He was. For thou saidst, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”[1970] Now, this expression, “If thou be the Son,” is an indication of ignorance. For if thou hadst possessed real knowledge, thou wouldst have understood that the Creator can with equal ease both create what does not exist, and change that which already has a being. And thou temptedst by means of hunger[1971] Him who nourisheth all that require food. And thou temptedst the very “Lord of glory,”[1972] forgetting in thy malevolence that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” For if thou hadst known that He was the Son of God, thou wouldst also have understood that He who had kept his[1973] body from feeling any want for forty days and as many nights, could have also done the same for ever. Why, then, does He suffer hunger? In order to prove that He had assumed a body subject to the same feelings as those of ordinary men. By the first fact He showed that He was God, and by the second that He was also man.

CHAP. X.—_Continuation: audacity of Satan._

Darest thou, then, who didst fall “as lightning”[1974] from the very highest glory, to say to the Lord, “Cast thyself down from hence,”[1975] [to Him] to whom the things that are not are reckoned as if they were,[1976] and to provoke to a display of vainglory Him that was free from all ostentation? And didst thou pretend to read in Scripture concerning Him: “For He hath given His angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou shouldest dash thy foot against a stone?”[1977] At the same time thou didst pretend to be ignorant of the rest, furtively concealing what [the Scripture] predicted concerning thee and thy servants: “Thou shalt tread upon the adder and the basilisk; the lion and the dragon shalt Thou trample under foot.”[1978]

CHAP. XI.—_Continuation: audacity of Satan._

If, therefore, thou art trodden down under the feet of the Lord, how dost thou tempt Him that cannot be tempted, forgetting that precept of the lawgiver, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God?”[1979] Yea, thou even darest, most accursed one, to appropriate the works of God to thyself, and to declare that the dominion over these was delivered to thee.[1980] And thou dost set forth thine own fall as an example to the Lord, and dost promise to give Him what is really His own, if He would fall down and worship thee.[1981] And how didst thou not shudder, O thou spirit more wicked through thy malevolence than all other wicked spirits, to utter such words against the Lord? Through thine appetite[1982] wast thou overcome, and through thy vainglory wast thou brought to dishonour: through avarice and ambition dost thou [now] draw on [others] to ungodliness. Thou, O Belial, dragon, apostate, crooked serpent, rebel against God, outcast from Christ, alien from the Holy Spirit, exile from the ranks of the angels, reviler of the laws of God, enemy of all that is lawful, who didst rise up against the first-formed of men, and didst drive forth [from obedience to] the commandment [of God] those who had in no respect injured thee; thou who didst raise up against Abel the murderous Cain; thou who didst take arms against Job: dost thou say to the Lord, “If thou wilt fall down and worship me?” Oh what audacity! Oh what madness! Thou runaway slave, thou incorrigible[1983] slave, dost thou rebel against the good Lord? Dost thou say to so great a Lord, the God of all that either the mind or the senses can perceive, “If thou wilt fall down and worship me?”

CHAP. XII.—_The meek reply of Christ._

But the Lord is long-suffering, and does not reduce to nothing him who in his ignorance dares [to utter] such words, but meekly replies, “Get thee hence, Satan.”[1984] He does not say, “Get thee behind _me_,” for it is not possible that he should be converted; but, “Begone, Satan,” to the course which thou hast chosen. “Begone” to those things to which, through thy malevolence, thou hast been called. For I know who I am, and by whom I have been sent, and whom it behoves me to worship. For “thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”[1985] I know the one [God]; I am acquainted with the only [Lord] from whom thou hast become an apostate. I am not an enemy of God; I acknowledge His pre-eminence; I know the Father, who is the author of my generation.

CHAP. XIII.—_Various exhortations and directions._

These things, brethren, out of the affection which I entertain for you, I have felt compelled to write, exhorting you with a view to the glory of God, not as if I were a person of any consequence, but simply as a brother. Be ye subject to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons. Love one another in the Lord, as being the images of God. Take heed, ye husbands, that ye love your wives as your own members. Ye wives also, love your husbands, as being one with them in virtue of your union. If any one lives in chastity or continence, let him not be lifted up, lest he lose his reward. Do not lightly esteem the festivals. Despise not the period of forty days, for it comprises an imitation of the conduct of the Lord. After the week of the passion, do not neglect to fast on the fourth and sixth days, distributing at the same time of thine abundance to the poor. If any one fasts on the Lord’s day or on the Sabbath, except on the paschal Sabbath only, he is a murderer of Christ.

CHAP. XIV.—_Farewells and cautions._

Let your prayers be extended to the church of Antioch, whence also I as a prisoner am being led to Rome. I salute the holy bishop Polycarp; I salute the holy bishop Vitalius, and the sacred presbytery, and my fellow-servants the deacons; in whose stead may my soul be found. Once more I bid farewell to the bishop, and to the presbyters in the Lord. If any one celebrates the passover along with the Jews, or receives the emblems of their feast, he is a partaker with those that killed the Lord and His apostles.

CHAP. XV.—_Salutations. Conclusion._

Philo and Agathopus the deacons salute you. I salute the company of virgins, and the order of widows; of whom may I have joy! I salute the people of the Lord, from the least unto the greatest. I have sent you this letter through Euphanius the reader, a man honoured of God, and very faithful, happening to meet with him at Rhegium, just as he was going on board ship. Remember my bonds,[1986] that I may be made perfect in Christ. Fare ye well in the flesh, the soul, and the spirit, while ye think of things perfect, and turn yourselves away from the workers of iniquity, who corrupt the word of truth, and are strengthened inwardly by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnote 1932:

1 Tim. iv. 10.

Footnote 1933:

Literally, “to your brother-loving spiritual love according to God.”

Footnote 1934:

Literally, “course in Christ.”

Footnote 1935:

1 Cor. i. 10; Phil. ii. 2, iii. 16.

Footnote 1936:

1 Cor. viii. 6.

Footnote 1937:

1 Cor. xii. 11.

Footnote 1938:

Literally, “which is given unto the death of the Lord.”

Footnote 1939:

Eph. iv. 5.

Footnote 1940:

Deut. vi. 4; Mark xii. 29.

Footnote 1941:

Mal. ii. 10.

Footnote 1942:

John i. 18.

Footnote 1943:

1 Cor. viii. 6.

Footnote 1944:

Prov. xxx. 4.

Footnote 1945:

_i.e._ “Advocate” or “Comforter;” comp. John xiv. 16.

Footnote 1946:

Eph. iv. 4.

Footnote 1947:

1 Cor. xii. 13.

Footnote 1948:

1 Cor. xii. 11,

Footnote 1949:

Comp. Athanasian Creed.

Footnote 1950:

Matt. xxviii. 19.

Footnote 1951:

John i. 14.

Footnote 1952:

Prov. ix. 1.

Footnote 1953:

Isa. vii. 14.

Footnote 1954:

Eph. ii. 2.

Footnote 1955:

The various Gnostic sects are here referred to, who held that matter was essentially evil, and therefore denied the reality of our Lord’s incarnation.

Footnote 1956:

The MS. has μαγείας, “of magic;” we have followed the emendation proposed by Faber.

Footnote 1957:

Literally, “heretical in respect to phantasy.”

Footnote 1958:

Literally, is “various,” or “manifold.”

Footnote 1959:

1 Cor. ii. 8.

Footnote 1960:

John i. 14.

Footnote 1961:

Matt. iv. 23, ix. 35.

Footnote 1962:

Reference seems here to be made to obscene heathen practices.

Footnote 1963:

_i.e._ so as to have no separate personality from the Father. Comp. Epistle to the Tarsians, chap. ii.

Footnote 1964:

Literally, “and taking away Christ from being born.”

Footnote 1965:

Literally, “double.”

Footnote 1966:

According to many of the fathers, Satan was in great ignorance as to a multitude of points connected with Christ.

Footnote 1967:

Literally, “thou wast dizzy in the head.”

Footnote 1968:

Literally, “on account of the paltry things.”

Footnote 1969:

Literally, “small.”

Footnote 1970:

Matt. iv. 3.

Footnote 1971:

Or, “the belly.”

Footnote 1972:

1 Cor. ii. 8.

Footnote 1973:

Some insert, “corruptible.”

Footnote 1974:

Luke x. 18.

Footnote 1975:

Matt. iv. 6.

Footnote 1976:

Comp. Rom. iv. 17.

Footnote 1977:

Matt. iv. 6.

Footnote 1978:

Ps. xci. 13.

Footnote 1979:

Deut. vi. 16.

Footnote 1980:

Luke iv. 6.

Footnote 1981:

Matt. iv. 9.

Footnote 1982:

Or, “belly.”

Footnote 1983:

Or, “that always needs whipping.”

Footnote 1984:

Matt. iv. 10.

Footnote 1985:

Matt. iv. 10; Deut. vi. 13.

Footnote 1986:

Comp. Col. iv. 18.

THE EPISTLE OF MARIA THE PROSELYTE TO IGNATIUS.

MARY OF CASSOBELÆ[1987] TO IGNATIUS.

_Maria, a proselyte of Jesus Christ, to Ignatius Theophorus, most blessed bishop of the apostolic church which is at Antioch, beloved in God the Father, and Jesus: Happiness and safety. We all[1988] beg for thee joy and health in Him._

CHAP. I.—_Occasion of the epistle._

Since Christ has, to our wonder,[1989] been made known among us to be the Son of the living God, and to have become man in these last times by means of the Virgin Mary,[1990] of the seed of David and Abraham, according to the announcements previously made regarding Him and through Him by the company of the prophets, we therefore beseech and entreat that, by thy wisdom, Maris our friend, bishop of our native Neapolis,[1991] which is near Zarbus,[1992] and Eulogius, and Sobelus the presbyter, be sent to us, that we be not destitute of such as preside over the divine word; as Moses also says, “Let the Lord God look out a man who shall guide this people, and the congregation of the Lord shall not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”[1993]

CHAP. II.—_Youth may be allied with piety and discretion._

But as to those whom we have named being young men, do not, thou blessed one, have any apprehension. For I would have you know that they are wise above the flesh, and are insensible to its passions, they themselves glowing with all the glory of a hoary head through their own[1994] intrinsic merits, and though but recently called as young men to the priesthood.[1995] Now, call thou into exercise[1996] thy thoughts through the Spirit that God has given to thee by Christ, and thou wilt remember[1997] that Samuel, while yet a little child, was called a seer, and was reckoned in the company of the prophets, that he reproved the aged Eli for transgression, since he had honoured his infatuated sons above God the author of all things, and had allowed them to go unpunished, when they turned the office of the priesthood into ridicule, and acted violently towards the people.

CHAP. III.—_Examples of youthful devotedness._

Moreover, the wise Daniel, while he was a young man, passed judgment on certain vigorous old men,[1998] showing them that they were abandoned wretches, and not [worthy to be reckoned] elders, and that, though Jews by extraction, they were Canaanites in practice. And Jeremiah, when on account of his youth he declined the office of a prophet entrusted to him by God, was addressed in these words: “Say not, I am a youth; for thou shalt go to all those to whom I send thee, and thou shalt speak according to all that I command thee; because I am with thee.”[1999] And the wise Solomon, when only in the twelfth year of his age,[2000] had wisdom to decide the important question concerning the children of the two women,[2001] when it was unknown to whom these respectively belonged; so that the whole people were astonished at such wisdom in a child, and venerated him as being not a mere youth, but a full-grown man. And he solved the hard questions of the queen of the Ethiopians, which had profit in them as the streams of the Nile [have fertility], in such a manner that that woman, though herself so wise, was beyond measure astonished.[2002]

CHAP. IV.—_The same subject continued._

Josiah also, beloved of God, when as yet he could scarcely speak articulately, convicts those who were possessed of a wicked spirit as being false in their speech, and deceivers of the people. He also reveals the deceit of the demons, and openly exposes those that are no gods; yea, while yet an infant he slays their priests, and overturns their altars, and defiles the places where sacrifices were offered with dead bodies, and throws down the temples, and cuts down the groves, and breaks in pieces the pillars, and breaks open the tombs of the ungodly, that not a relic of the wicked might any longer exist.[2003] To such an extent did he display zeal in the cause of godliness, and prove himself a punisher of the ungodly, while he as yet faltered in speech like a child. David, too, who was at once a prophet and a king, and the root of our Saviour according to the flesh, while yet a youth is anointed by Samuel to be king.[2004] For he himself says in a certain place, “I was small among my brethren, and the youngest in the house of my father.”[2005]

CHAP. V.—_Expressions of respect for Ignatius._

But time would fail me if I should endeavour to enumerate[2006] all those that pleased God in their youth, having been entrusted by God with either the prophetical, the priestly, or the kingly office. And those which have been mentioned may suffice, by way of bringing the subject to thy remembrance. But I entreat thee not to reckon me presumptuous or ostentatious [in writing as I have done]. For I have set forth these statements, not as instructing thee, but simply as suggesting the matter to the remembrance of my father in God. For I know my own place,[2007] and do not compare myself with such as you. I salute thy holy clergy, and thy Christ-loving people who are ruled under thy care as their pastor. All the faithful with us salute thee. Pray, blessed shepherd, that I may be in health as respects God.

Footnote 1987:

Nothing can be said with certainty as to the place here referred to. Some have conceived that the ordinary reading, _Maria Cassobolita_, is incorrect, and that it should be changed to _Maria Castabalitis_, supposing the reference to be to Castabala, a well-known city of Cilicia. But this and other proposed emendations rest upon mere conjecture.

Footnote 1988:

Some propose to read, “always.”

Footnote 1989:

Or, “wonderfully.”

Footnote 1990:

The MS. has, “and.”

Footnote 1991:

The MS. has Ἠμελάπης, which Vossius and others deem a mistake for ἡμεδαπῆς, as translated above.

Footnote 1992:

The same as Azarbus (comp. Epist. to Hero, chap. ix.).

Footnote 1993:

Num. xxvii. 16, 17.

Footnote 1994:

Literally, “in themselves.”

Footnote 1995:

Literally, “in recent newness of priesthood.”

Footnote 1996:

Literally, “call up.”

Footnote 1997:

Literally, “know.”

Footnote 1998:

The ancient Latin version translates ὠμογέροντας “cruel old men,” which perhaps suits the reference better.

Footnote 1999:

Jer. i. 7.

Footnote 2000:

Comp. for similar statements to those here made, Epist. to the Magnesians (longer), chap. iii.

Footnote 2001:

Literally, “understood the great question of the ignorance of the women respecting their children.”

Footnote 2002:

Literally, “out of herself.”

Footnote 2003:

2 Kings xxii. xxiii.

Footnote 2004:

1 Sam. xvi.

Footnote 2005:

Ps. cl. 1 (in the Septuagint; not found at all in Hebrew).

Footnote 2006:

Literally, “to trace up.”

Footnote 2007:

Literally, “measure” or “limits.”

THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO MARY AT NEAPOLIS, NEAR ZARBUS.

_Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to her who has obtained mercy through the grace of the most high God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Lord, who died for us, to Mary, my daughter, most faithful, worthy of God, and bearing Christ [in her heart], wishes abundance of happiness in God._

CHAP. I.—_Acknowledgment of her excellence and wisdom._

Sight indeed is better than writing, inasmuch as, being one[2008] of the company of the senses, it not only, by communicating proofs of friendship, honours him who receives them, but also, by those which it in turn receives, enriches the desire for better things. But the second harbour of refuge, as the phrase runs, is the practice of writing, which we have received, as a convenient haven, by thy faith, from so great a distance, seeing that by means of a letter we have learned the excellence that is in thee. For the souls of the good, O thou wisest[2009] of women! resemble fountains of the purest water; for they allure by their beauty passers-by to drink of them, even though these should not be thirsty. And thy intelligence invites us, as by a word of command, to participate in those divine draughts which gush forth so abundantly in thy soul.

CHAP. II.—_His own condition._

But I, O thou blessed woman, not being now so much my own master as in the power of others, am driven along by the varying wills of many adversaries,[2010] being in one sense in exile, in another in prison, and in a third in bonds. But I pay no regard to these things. Yea, by the injuries inflicted on me through them, I acquire all the more the character of a disciple, that I may attain to Jesus Christ. May I enjoy the torments which are prepared for me, seeing that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”[2011]

CHAP. III.—_He had complied with her request._

I have gladly acted as requested in thy letter,[2012] having no doubt respecting those persons whom thou didst prove to be men of worth. For I am sure that thou barest testimony to them in the exercise of a godly judgment,[2013] and not through the influence of carnal favour. And thy numerous quotations of Scripture passages exceedingly delighted me, which, when I had read, I had no longer a single doubtful thought respecting the matter. For I did not hold that those things were simply to be glanced over by my eyes, of which I had received from thee such an incontrovertible demonstration. May I be in place of thy soul, because thou lovest Jesus, the Son of the living God. Wherefore also He Himself says to thee, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me shall find peace.”[2014]

CHAP. IV.—_Commendation and exhortation._

Now it occurs to me to mention, that the report is true which I heard of thee whilst thou wast at Rome with the blessed Pope[2015] Linus, whom the deservedly-blessed Clement, a hearer of Peter and Paul, has now succeeded. And by this time thou hast added a hundred-fold to thy reputation; and may thou, O woman! still further increase it. I greatly desired to come unto you, that I might have rest with you; but “the way of man is not in himself.”[2016] For the military guard [under which I am kept] hinders my purpose, and does not permit me to go further. Nor indeed, in the state I am now in, can I either do or suffer anything. Wherefore deeming the practice of writing the second resource of friends for their mutual encouragement, I salute thy sacred soul, beseeching of thee to add still further to thy vigour. For our present labour is but little, while the reward which is expected is great.

CHAP. V.—_Salutations and good wishes._

Avoid those that deny the passion of Christ, and His birth according to the flesh: and there are many at present who suffer under this disease. But it would be absurd to admonish thee on other points, seeing that thou art perfect in every good work and word, and able also to exhort others in Christ. Salute all that are like-minded with thyself, and who hold fast to their salvation in Christ. The presbyters and deacons, and above all the holy Hero, salute thee. Cassian my host salutes thee, as well as my sister, his wife, and their very dear children. May the Lord sanctify thee for evermore in the enjoyment both of bodily and spiritual health, and may I see thee in Christ obtaining the crown!

Footnote 2008:

Literally, “a part.”

Footnote 2009:

Literally, “all-wise.”

Footnote 2010: