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To the Philadelphians
St Ignatius of Antioch, Lake, Loeb 1912
Chapter 5
Petition for their prayers
Brethren, I am overflowing with love to you, and exceedingly joyful in watching over your safety. Yet not I, but Jesus Christ, whose bonds I bear, but am the more fearful in that I am not yet perfected; but your prayer will make me perfect for God, that I may attain the lot wherein I found mercy, making the Gospel my refuge as the flesh of Jesus, and the Apostles as the presbytery of the Church.
The Christian prophets
And the prophets1 also do we love,2 because they also have announced the Gospel, and are hoping in him and waiting for him, by faith in whom they also obtain salvation, being united with Jesus Christ, for they are worthy of love and saints worthy of admiration, approved by Jesus Christ, and numbered together in the Gospel of the common hope.
Notes
- He probably means the Christian prophets: cf. the Didache and Hermas.
- An alternative translation is “let us love.”