Give ye[1359] heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs[1360] that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbytery, and to the deacons: may I have my portion with them from God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates,[1361] and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye shall receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge assigned to you, that you may obtain for them a most worthy[1362] recompense. Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, and God shall be so with you. May I have joy of you for ever! CHAP. VII.—_Request that Polycarp would send a messenger to Antioch._ SHORTER. Seeing that the church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encouraged, resting without anxiety in God,[1363] if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ].[1364] It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very solemn[1365] council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God;[1366] and to bestow on him this honour that he may go into Syria, and glorify your ever active love to the praise of Christ. A Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for[1367] the service of God. Now, this work is both God’s and yours, when ye shall have completed it to His glory.[1368] For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief epistle. LONGER. Seeing that the church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encouraged, resting without anxiety in God,[1369] if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ]. It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very solemn[1370] council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God;[1371] and to bestow on him the honour of going into Syria, so that, going into Syria, he may glorify your ever active love to the praise of God. A Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for[1372] the service of God. Now, this work is both God’s and yours, when ye shall have completed it. For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief epistle.