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| Chapter II.—Ignatius is condemned by Trajan. PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP
Chapter II.—Ignatius is condemned by
Trajan.
For Trajan, in the
ninth1403
1403 The numeral is
uncertain. In the old Latin version we find “the fourth,”
which Grabe has corrected into the nineteenth. The choice lies between
“ninth” and “nineteenth,” i.e., a.d. 107 or a.d. 116. | year of his
reign, being lifted up [with pride], after the victory he had gained over
the Scythians and Dacians, and many other nations, and thinking that the
religious body of the Christians were yet wanting to complete the
subjugation of all things to himself, and [thereupon] threatening them
with persecution unless they should agree to1404
1404 Literally, “would choose to submit
to.” | worship dæmons, as did all other nations, thus
compelled1405
1405 Some read,
“fear compelled.” | all who were living godly lives
either to sacrifice [to idols] or die. Wherefore the noble soldier of Christ
[Ignatius], being in fear for the Church of the Antiochians, was, in
accordance with his own desire, brought before Trajan, who was at that
time staying at Antioch, but was in haste [to set forth] against Armenia
and the Parthians. And when he was set before the emperor Trajan, [that
prince] said unto him, “Who art thou, wicked wretch,1406
1406 Literally,
“evil-dæmon.” | who settest1407 thyself to transgress our commands, and persuadest others to do
the same, so that they should miserably perish?” Ignatius replied,
“No one ought to call Theophorus1408
1408 Or, “one who carries God.” |
wicked; for all evil spirits1409
1409 Literally, “the dæmons.” | have
departed from the servants of God. But if, because I am an enemy to these
[spirits], you call me wicked in respect to them, I quite agree with you;
for inasmuch as I have Christ the King of heaven [within me], I destroy
all the devices of these [evil spirits].” Trajan answered,
“And who is Theophorus?” Ignatius replied, “He who has
Christ within his breast.” Trajan said, “Do we not
then seem to you to have the gods in our mind, whose assistance we enjoy
in fighting against our enemies?” Ignatius answered, “Thou
art in error when thou callest the dæmons of the nations gods. For there is but one God, who
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that are in them; and one
Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, whose kingdom may I
enjoy.” Trajan said, “Do you mean Him who was crucified under
Pontius Pilate?” Ignatius replied, “I mean Him who crucified
my sin, with him who was the inventor of it,1410 and
who has condemned [and cast down] all the deceit and malice of the devil
under the feet of those who carry Him in their heart.” Trajan said,
“Dost thou then carry within thee Him that was crucified?”
Ignatius replied, “Truly so; for it is written, ‘I will dwell
in them, and walk in
them.’ ”1411 Then Trajan pronounced sentence as follows: “We command
that Ignatius, who affirms that he carries about within him Him that was
crucified, be bound by soldiers, and carried to the great [city] Rome,
there to be devoured by the beasts, for the gratification of the
people.” When the holy martyr heard this sentence, he cried out
with joy, “I thank thee, O Lord, that Thou hast vouchsafed to
honour me with a perfect love towards Thee, and hast made me to be bound
with iron chains, like1412 Thy Apostle Paul.”
Having spoken thus, he then, with delight, clasped the chains about him;
and when he had first prayed for the Church, and commended it with tears
to the Lord, he was hurried away by the savage cruelty1413
of the soldiers, like a distinguished ram1414
1414 [Better, “like the noble leader,” etc.;
remitting κριὸς to the margin,
as an ignoble word to English ears.] | the leader of a goodly
flock, that he might be carried to Rome, there to furnish food to the
bloodthirsty beasts.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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