致腓立比人书

Christ, that ye received the patterns of true love, and accompanied as it behoved you, those who were bound with chains, the fitting ornament of saints, * the crowns of those who are truly chosen of God and our Lord: and that the firm root of your faith, which was preached from ancient times, remains until' now, and brings forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered himself to be brought even to death for our sins : “ whom ,God raised up, having loosed the pains of death : ,,b “in whom, having not seen him, ye believe ; and believing rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory 6 Into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that “by grace ye are saved, not of works,” d but by the will of God, through Jesus Christ. 2. “ Wherefore, girding up the loins (of your minds),” • serve God in fear and truth, laying aside all empty and vain speech, and the error of many, “ believing in him • Thus Ignatius, in bis Epistle to the Ephesians, c. 11. calls bis drains “ spiritual jewels.* 1 Compare also bis Epistle to the Smyr • neam , § 11. In like manner Cyprtan, Epist. 76. (Pell.) “ Dicatis Deo hominibus, et fidem suam religiose, virtute testantibus, ornaments sunt ista, non vincula : nec Christianorum pedes ad infamiam copulant, sed clarificant ad coronam. O pedes lebciter vincti, qui non a fabro sed Domino resolvuntur f O pedes fejiciter vincti, qui itinere salutari ad paradisum diriguntur ! O pedes in seculo ad prssens ligati, ut sink semper apud Doming*! liberi !” Compare Edsbbius, Eccles. Hist. i. 5. * Acts u. 24. • 1 Pet. i. 8. -Eph.ii.8,^ • 1 Pet i ML 48 THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP [$ 3.