Epistles

Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch. The Apostolic Fathers, Volume 1. Lake, Kirsopp, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1912.

Therefore as children of the light of truth flee[*](Warning against heresy) from division and wrong doctrine. And follow as sheep where the shepherd is.

For there are many specious wolves who lead captive with evil pleasures the runners in God’s race, but they will find no place if you are in unity.

Abstain from evil growths, which Jesus Christ[*](Warning against schism) does not tend, because they are not the planting of the Father. Not that I have found division among you but filtering.[*](The meaning is that the Christians at Philadelphia had filtered out the impurity of heresy from their church.)