Epistles

I am writing to all the Churches, and I give[*](His desire to suffer) injunctions to all men, that I am dying willingly for God’s sake, if you do not hinder it. I beseech you, be not an unseasonable kindness [*](Apparently a partial quotation from the proverb preserved by Zenobius ἄκαιρος εὔνοι’ οὐδὲν ἔχθρας διαφέρει an unseasonable kindness is nothing different from hostility.) to me. Suffer me to be eaten by tlie beasts, through whom I can attain to God. I am God’s wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread of Christ.

Rather entice the wild beasts that they may become my tomb, and leave no trace of my body, that when I fall asleep I be not burdensome to any. Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not even see my body. Beseech Christ on my behalf, that I may be found a sacrifice through these instruments.[*](I.e. the wild beasts.)

I do not order you as did Peter and Paul; they were Apostles, 1 am a convict; they were free, I am even until now a slave. But if I suffer I shall be Jesus Christ’s freedman, and in him I shall rise free. Now I am learning in my bonds to give up all desires.