Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/450



, also called Theophorus, to her who is blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father; to the predestinate before all worlds to be ever in marvellous glory unchangeable, united, and elect through the true Passion, through the will of the Father and Jesus Christ our God; to the truly beatified Church, which is in Ephesus of Asia, all health in Jesus Christ and in unspotted grace.

I. I in God's behalf that well-beloved name, which ye have attained in all righteousness, according to the Faith and Love which is in  our, for that being followers of , and kindling the inward flame by the blood of , ye have perfectly accomplished the work that belonged to you, when ye heard that I came bound from Syria, for the common name and hope; trusting through your prayers to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by suffering I may become indeed the Disciple of Him "who gave himself to , an Offering and Sacrifice for us". How many ye be, that be called by the name of, I have heard from Onesimus, whose love is beyond all words, your Bishop according to the flesh; whom I beseech you, by , to love, and that ye would all be like unto him. And blessed be, who has granted unto you, who are so worthy of him, to enjoy such a Bishop.

II. As to my fellow-servant Burrhus, who is your most blessed Deacon, in things pertaining to, I pray that he may abide with you to the honour both of you and of your Bishop. And Crocus, also, worthy both of and you, whom I have received as the sample of your love, has in all things refreshed me, as the Father of our  shall also refresh him; together with Onesimus, and Burrhus, and Euplus, and Fronto, in seeing whom I have seen the love of you all. And may I always have joy of you, if I be worthy of it! It is therefore fitting that you should by all means glorify