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2.
1
LET not the widows be neglected: be thou after God, their guardian.
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2.
2
Let nothing be done without thy knowledge and consent; neither do thou anything but according to the will of God; as also thou dost, [*190:7] with all constancy.
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2.
3
Let your assemblies be more full: inquire into all by name.
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2.
4
Overlook not the men and maid servants; neither let them be puffed up: but rather let them be the more subject to the glory of God, that they may obtain from him a better liberty.
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2.
5
Let them not desire to [*190:8] be set free at the public cost, that they be not slaves to their own lusts.
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2.
6
Flee evil [*190:9] arts; or rather, make not any mention of them.
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2.
7
Say to my sisters, that they love the Lord; and be satisfied with their own husbands, both in the flesh and spirit.
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2.
8
In like manner, exhort my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the Church.
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2.
9
If any man can remain in a virgin state, [*190:10] to the honour of the flesh of Christ, let him remain without boasting; but if he boast, he is undone. And if he desire to be more taken notice of than the bishop he is corrupted.
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2.
10
But it becomes all such as are married, whether men or women to come together with the consent of the bishop, that so their marriage may be according to godliness, and not in lust.
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2.
11
Let all things be done to the honour of God.
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2.
12
[*191:1] Hearken unto the bishop, that God also may hearken unto you. My soul be security for them that submit to their bishop, with their presbyters and deacons. And may my portion be together with theirs in God.
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2.
13
Labour with one another; contend together, run together, suffer together; sleep together, and rise together; as the stewards, and assessors, and ministers of God.
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2.
14
Please him under whom ye war, and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter; but let your baptism remain, as your arms; your faith, as your helmet; your charity, as your spear; your patience, as your whole armour.
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2.
15
Let your works be your [*191:2] charge, that so you may receive a suitable reward. Be longsuffering therefore towards each other in meekness: as God is towards you.
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2.
16
Let me have joy of you in all things.
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2.
Footnotes ^190:7 being well settled.
^190:8 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc.
^190:9 Or, trades.
^190:10 Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc.
^191:1 Observe, from the foregoing verses, that Ignatius here speaks not to Polycarp, but through him to the Church of Smyrna.
^191:2 That which is committed to your custody, to keep secure.
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