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ed this holy man by their Bishops and priests and deacons, all hastening to him, if by any means they might receive some part of his spiritual gift) but more particularly Polycarp, to contend with God in his behalf; that being suddenly taken by the beasts from the world, he might appear before the face of Christ. And this he thus spake and testified, extending so much his love for Christ, as one, who was about to receive heaven through his own good confession, and the earnest contention of those, who prayed together with him and to return a recompence to the Churches, who came to meet him by their governors, he sent letters of thanks to them, which distilled spiritual grace, with prayer and exhortation. Seeing therefore all men so kindly affected towards him; and fearing lest the love of the brotherhood should prevent his hastening to the Lord, now that a fair door of suffering was opened to him; he wrote the Epistle we here subjoin, to the Romans. See the Epistle.

10. And having thus strengthened such of the brethren at Rome as were against his martyrdom, by this Epistle, as he desired; setting sail from Smyrna, (for he was pressed by the soldiers to hasten to the public spectacles at great Rome, that being delivered to the wild beasts in sight of the people of the Romans, he might receive the crown for which he strove,) he came to Troas from whence going on, being brought to Neopolis, he passed by Phillippi through Macedonia, and that part of Epirus which is next to Epidamnus having found a ship in one of the sea-ports, he sailed over the Adriatic Sea; [and from thence entering into the Tyrrhene] and passing by several islands and cities, at length he saw Puteoli. Which being showed to the holy man, he hastened to go forth, being desirous to walk from thence, in the way that Paul the Apostle had gone. [Acts xxviii. 13, 14.] But a violent wind arising, and driving on the ship, would not suffer him so to do-wherefore commending the love of the brethren in that place, he sailed forward.

11. And the wind continuing favourable to us, in one day and a night, we indeed were unwillingly hurried on, as sorrowing to think of being separated from this holy martyr: but to him it happened justly, according to his wish, that he might go the sooner out of the world, and attain unto the Lord whom he loved. Wherefore sailing into the Roman port, and those impure sports being almost at an end, the soldiers began to be offended at our slowness-but the Bishop with great joy complied with their hastiness.

12. Being therefore soon forced away from the port so called, we forthwith met the brethren, (for the report of what concerned the holy martyr was spread abroad) who were full of fear and joy, for they rejoiced in that God had vouchsafed them the company of Theophorus-but were afraid, when they considered, that such a one was brought thither to die. Now some of these he commanded to hold their peace, who were the most

zealous for his safety, and said, that they would appease the people, that they should not desire the destruction of the just. Who presently knowing this by the spirit, and saluting all of them, he desired them, that they would show a true love to him; disputing yet more with them than he had done in his Epistle, and persuaded them not to envy, him who was hastening unto the Lord. And so, all the brethren kneeling down, he prayed to the Son of God in behalf of the Churches, that he would put a stop to the persecution, and continue the love of the brethren towards each other which being done, he was with all haste led into the amphitheatre, and speedily, according to the command of Cæsar before given, thrown in,the end of the spectacles being at hand. For it was then a very solemn day, called in the Roman tongue the 13th of the Calends of January, upon which the people were ordinarily wont to be gathered together.-Thus was he delivered to the cruel beasts, near the temple by wicked men; that so the desire of the holy martyr, Ignatius, might be accomplished, as it is written, "the desire of the righteous is acceptable," [Prov. x. 24.] namely, that he might not be burthensome to any of the brethren,by the gathering of his relics, but might be wholly devoured by them, according as in his Epistle he had before wished, that so his end might be. For only the greater and harder of his holy bones remained, which were carried to Antioch, and there put up in a napkin, as an inestimable treasure left to the Church by the grace which was in the martyr,

13. Now these things were done the 13th of the Calends of January, that is the 20th day of December-Sura'and Synecius being the second time Consuls of the Romans, of which we ourselves were eye-witnesses, and being the night following watching with tears in the house, praying to God with our bended knees, that he would give us weak men some assurance of what had been before done-it happened, that falling into a slumber, some of us on the sudden saw the blessed Ignatius standing by us and embracing us-others beheld the blessed martyr praying for us-others as it were dropping with sweat, as if he were just come from his great labour, and standing by the Lord.

14. Which when we saw, being filled with joy, and comparing the visions of our dreams with one another,we glorified God, the giver of all good things, and being assured of the blessedness of the saint, we have made known unto you both the day and time-that being assembled together according to the time of his martyrdom, we may communicate with the combatant, and most valiant martyr of Christ; who trod under foot the devil, and perfected the course he had piously desired, in Christ Jesus our Lord, by whom, and with whom, all glory and power be to the Father,with the blessed Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

FOR

THE PUBLIC WORSHIP

OF

ALMIGHTY GOD

AGREEABLY TO THE SERVICES

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

SECOND EDITION.

STEREOTYPED BY JAMES CONNER, NEW-YORK,

NEW-YORK:

NEW-YORK PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL TRACT SOCIETY; Depository, Press Buildings, No. 46 Lumber-Street, in rear of Trinity Church.

Printed at the Protestant Episcopal Press,

No. 46 Lumber-Street.

FAMILIAR INSTRUCTIONS, &C.

EVER bear in mind that the great object which the Christian should have in view in going to Church, is the worship of God, and not the hearing of the sermon. This last is indeed important, and provision is, therefore, wisely made for it by the Church. But she has also, as wisely, and in the true spirit of piety, made worship the principal object.

Be very careful, therefore, to go to Church, with a main desire to worship, and in a corresponding frame of mind. Fondness for hearing favorite preachers too often takes place of true Christian preparation of heart to render hoinage to God, and to appear acceptably in his house of prayer. Under the show of religion, and sometimes under the delusive idea that it is religion, much that deserves no better name than dissipation, enters into the feelings and views of many in attending on divine service. Surely the true love of God, and a sincere desire to honor him, will make us, in attending at the sanctuary, think rather of worshipping him, than hearing his servant.

Be uniform in attending one place of worship. Variety in this respect is calculated to distract the mind, and interfere with the composure and undivided attention so necessary to a spirit of true devotion. It is the peculiar happiness of those who attend the services to which this tract refers, to know that, without respect to the particular talents of the officiating minister, those pious feelings which should most influence them in attending public worship, will be always gratified by the best prayers and praises, and by a large share of instruction from the holy Scrip

tures.

As you go to Church, reflect on the object you have in view; on the penitence, the humility, the faith, and the love of God and man, with which your mind should be possessed when engaged in the worship of your Maker.

Be careful to be always at Church before the appointed time of commencing service.

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