Now these things took place on the thirteenth day before the Calends of January, that is, on the twentieth of December, Sura and Senecio being then the consuls of the Romans for the second time. Having ourselves been eye-witnesses of these things, and having spent the whole night in tears within the house, and having entreated the Lord, with bended knees and much prayer, that He would give us weak men full assurance respecting the things which were done,[1461] it came to pass, on our falling into a brief slumber, that some of us saw the blessed Ignatius suddenly standing by us and embracing us, while others beheld him again praying for us, and others still saw him dropping with sweat, as if he had just come from his great labour, and standing by the Lord. When, therefore, we had with great joy witnessed these things, and had compared our several visions[1462] together, we sang praise to God, the giver of all good things, and expressed our sense of the happiness of the holy [martyr]; and now we have made known to you both the day and the time [when these things happened], that, assembling ourselves together according to the time of his martyrdom, we may have fellowship with the champion and noble martyr of Christ, who trode under foot the devil, and perfected the course which, out of love to Christ, he had desired, in Christ Jesus our Lord; by whom, and with whom, be glory and power to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, for evermore! Amen. Footnote 1427: The date of Trajan’s accession was A.D. 98. Footnote 1428: The text here is somewhat doubtful. Footnote 1429: Literally, “any of the faint-hearted and more guileless.” Footnote 1430: This word is of doubtful authority. Footnote 1431: The numeral is uncertain. In the old Latin version we find “the fourth,” which Grabe has corrected into the nineteenth. The choice lies between “ninth” and “nineteenth,” _i.e._ A.D. 107 or 116. Footnote 1432: Literally, “would choose to submit to.” Footnote 1433: Some read, “fear compelled.” Footnote 1434: Literally, “evil-dæmon.” Footnote 1435: Literally, “art zealous.” Footnote 1436: Or, “one who carries God.” Footnote 1437: Literally, “the dæmons.” Footnote 1438: The Latin version reads, “Him who bore my sin, with its inventor, upon the cross.” Footnote 1439: 2 Cor. vi. 16. Footnote 1440: Literally, “with.” Footnote 1441: Or, “beast-like.” Footnote 1442: It is doubtful if this clause should be referred to Polycarp. Footnote 1443: Or, “received.” Footnote 1444: Literally, “a portion of.” Footnote 1445: The Latin version has, “that he was to.” Footnote 1446: The punctuation and construction are here doubtful. Footnote 1447: Or, “should prevent him from hastening to the Lord.” Footnote 1448: Or, “corrected.” Footnote 1449: Comp. Acts xxviii. 13, 14. Footnote 1450: Literally, “the ship being driven onwards from the stern.” Footnote 1451: