Flee wicked arts; but all the more discourse regarding them. Speak to my sisters, that they love in our Lord, and that their husbands be sufficient for them in the flesh and spirit. Then, again, charge my brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, as our Lord His church. If any man is able in power to continue in purity,[1393] to the honour of the flesh of our Lord, let him continue so without boasting; if he boasts, he is undone; if he become known apart from the bishop, he has destroyed himself.[1394] It is becoming, therefore, to men and women who marry, that they marry with the counsel of the bishop, that the marriage may be in our Lord, and not in lust. Let everything, therefore, be [done] for the honour of God. CHAP. VI. Look ye to the bishop, that God also may look upon you. I will be instead of the souls of those who are subject to the bishop, and the presbyters, and the deacons; with them may I have a portion in the presence of God! Labour together with one another, act as athletes[1395] together, run together, suffer together, sleep together, rise together. As stewards of God, and of His household,[1396] and His servants, please Him and serve Him, that ye may receive from Him the wages [promised]. Let none of you be rebellious. Let your baptism be to you as armour, and faith as a spear, and love as a helmet, and patience as a panoply. Let your treasures be your good works, that ye may receive the gift of God, as is just. Let your spirit be long-suffering towards each other with meekness, even as God [is] towards you. As for me, I rejoice in you at all times. CHAP. VII. The Christian has not power over himself, but is [ever] ready to be subject to God.[1397] CHAP. VIII. I salute him who is reckoned worthy to go to Antioch in my stead, as I commanded thee. Footnote 1384: The inscription varies in each of the three Syriac MSS., being in the first, “The Epistle of my lord Ignatius the bishop;” in the second, “The Epistle of Ignatius;” and in the third, “The Epistle of Ignatius, bishop of Antioch.” Footnote 1385: For “vindicate thy place” in the Greek. Footnote 1386: Literally, “draw out thy spirit.” Footnote 1387: Cureton observes, as one alternative here, that “the Syrian translator seems to have read παράξυσμα for παροξυσμοὺς.” Footnote 1388: Or, “flatter,” probably meaning to “deal gently with.” Footnote 1389: Thus the Syriac renders ἀντίψυχον in the Greek. Footnote 1390: The Greek has ἄκμων, “an anvil.” Footnote 1391: The Greek has μετά, “after.” Footnote 1392: Or, “constant,” “regular.” Footnote 1393: _i.e._ “in celibacy.” Footnote 1394: Or, “corrupted himself.” Footnote 1395: Literally, “make the contest.” Footnote 1396: Literally, “sons of His house.” Footnote 1397: