useful, says St. Jerome, nav Javpasn, (as Suidas and Sophronius style it,) a most admirable epistle. Irenæus gives it this eulogium, that it is a most perfect and absolute epistle, whence they that are careful of their salvation may learn the character of his faith, and the truth which he preached. To which Eusebius adds, that in this epistle he makes use of some quotations out of the first Epistle of St. Peter. An observation that holds good with the epistle, as we have it at this day, there being many places in it cited out of the first, not one out of the second epistle. Photius passed this just and true judgment of it, that it is full of many admonitions, delivered with clearness and simplicity, according to the ecclesiastical way and manner of interpretation. It seems to hold a great affinity, both in style and substance, with Clemen's Epistle to the Corinthians; often suggesting the same rules, and making use of the same words and phrases; so that it is not to be doubted but he had that excellent epistle particularly in his eye at the writing of it. Indeed it is a pious and truly Christian epistle, furnished with short and useful precepts and rules of life, and penned with the modesty and simplicity of the apostolic times; valued by the ancients next to the writings of the holy canon: and St. Jerome tells us, that even in his time it was read in Asia conventu, in the public assemblies of the Asian church. It was first published in Greek by P. Halloix, the Jesuit, ann. 1633, and not many years after by bishop Usher: and I presume the pious reader will think it no unuseful digression, if I here subjoin so venerable a monument of the ancient church. martyrdom, than with the preface which the church of Smyrna has in the beginning of it, as what eminently represents the illustrious faith and patience of those primitive Christians. "Evident it is, (say they,) that all those martyrdoms are great and blessed, which happen by the will of God; for it becomes us Christians, who have a more divine religion than others, to ascribe to God the sovereign disposure of all events. Who would not stand and admire the generous greatness of their mind, their singular patience, and admirable love to God? who, when their flesh was with Scourges so torn off their backs, that the whole frame and contexture of their bodies, even to their innermost veins and arteries, might be seen, yet patiently endured it: insomuch that those who were present, pitied and grieved at the sight of it, while they themselves were endued with so invincible a resolution, that none of them gave one sigh or groan; the holy martyrs of Christ letting us see, that at that time, when they were thus tormented, they were strangers to their own bodies; or rather that our Lord stood by them to assist and comfort them. Animated by the grace of Christ, they despised the torments of men, by one short hour delivering themselves from eternal miseries. The fire which their tormentors put to them seemed cool and little, while they had it in their eye to avoid the everlasting and unextinguishable flames of another world; their thoughts being fixed upon those rewards which are prepared for them that endure to the end, such as "neither ear hath heard, nor eye hath seen, nor hath it entered into the heart of man ;" but which were shown to them by our Lord, as being now no longer mortals, but entering upon the state of angels. In like manner those who were condemned to be devoured by wild beasts, for a long time endured the most grievous tortures: shells of fishes were strewed under their naked bodies, and they forced to lie upon sharp-pointed stakes driven into the ground, and several such-like engines of torture devised for them, that, (if possible,) by the constancy of their torments, the enemy might drive them to renounce the faith of Christ. Vari- 1. I REJOICED with you greatly in our Lord Jesus ous were the methods of punishment which the Christ, that ye entertained the patterns of true devil did invent; though, blessed be God, there love, and (as became you) conducted onwards were not many whom they were able to prevail those who were bound with chains, which are the upon." And, at the end of the epistle, they par- ornaments of saints, and the crowns of those that ticularly remark concerning Polycarp, that he was are the truly elect of God, and of our Lord; and not only a famous doctor, but an eminent martyr; that the firm root of your faith, formerly published, whose martyrdom all strove to imitate, as one who does yet remain, and bring forth fruit in our Lord by his patience conquered an unrighteous judge; Jesus Christ, who was pleased to offer up himself and by that means having attained an immortal even unto death for our sins: "whom God raised crown, was triumphing with the apostles, and all up, having loosed the pains of death:"*"in whom, the souls of the righteous, glorifying God the Fa- though you see him not, ye believe, and believing ther, and praising of our Lord, the disposer of our ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory;"'+ bodies, and the bishop and pastor of the catholic whereinto many desire to enter, knowing that "by church throughout the world. Nor were the Chris-grace ye are saved, not by works, but by the will tians the only persons that reverenced his memory, but the very Gentiles (as Eusebius tells) everywhere spoke honorably of him. 18. As for his writings, besides that St. Jerome mentions the volumes of Papias and Polycarp, and the above-mentioned Pionius's epistles and homilies, Irenæus evidently intimates that he wrote several epistles; of all which none are extant at this day, but the Epistle to the Philippians, an epistle peculiarly celebrated by the ancients, very THE EPISTLE. Polycarp and the presbyters that are with him, to the church of God which is at Philippi: mercy unto you, and peace from God Almighty, and Jesus Christ our Saviour, be multiplied. of God through Jesus Christ."‡ 2. "Wherefore, girding up your loins," serve God in fear and truth, forsaking empty and vain talking, and the error wherein so many are involved, believing in him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave him glory," and a throne at his right hand; to whom all things, both to please him in this world, we shall receive the in heaven and in earth, are put in subjection, whom reward of the other life, according as he has proevery thing that has breath worships, who comes mised to raise us from the dead; and if we walk to judge the quick and the dead, whose blood God worthy of him, "we believe that we shall also will require of them that believe not in him. But reign with him." Let the young men also be unhe who raised him up from the dead, will raise up blamable in all things, studying in the first place us also, if we do his will, and walk in his com- to be chaste, and to restrain themselves from all mandments, and love what he loved, abstaining that is evil. For it is a good thing to get above from all unrighteousness, inordinate desire, covet-the lusts of the world, seeing every lust wars ousness, detraction, false witness; "not rendering against the spirit; and that "neither fornicators, evil for evil, or railing for railing."* or striking for nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with striking, or cursing for cursing; but remembering mankind shall inherit the kingdom of God,"* nor what the Lord said when he taught thus, "Judge whoever commits base things. not, that ye be not judged; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." And that "Blessed are the poor, and they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God."t 5. Wherefore it is necessary that ye abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as to God and Christ. That the virgins also walk with a chaste and undefiled conscience. Let the presbyters be tender and merciful, compassionate towards all, reducing those that are in error, visiting all that are weak; not negligent of the widow and the orphan, and him that is poor, but ever providing what is honest in the sight of God and men; abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unrighteous judgment; being far from covetousness, not hastily believing a report against any man, nor rigid in judgment; knowing that we are all faulty, and obnoxious to punishment. If therefore we stand in need to pray the Lord that he would forgive us, we ourselves ought also to forgive. For we are before the eyes of him who is Lord and God, and "all must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, and every one give an account of himself." Wherefore let us serve him with all fear and reverence, as he himself has commanded us, and as the apostles have preached and taught us, and the prophets who foreshowed the coming of our Lord. Be zealous of that which is good, abstaining from offences and false brethren, and those 3. These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not of my own humor, but because yourselves did provoke me to it. For neither I, nor any other such as I am, can attain to the wisdom of blessed and glorious St. Paul; who being among you, and conversing personally with those who were then alive, firmly and accurately taught the word of truth; and when absent, wrote epistles to you, by which, if you look into them, ye may be built in the faith delivered unto you, which is the mother of us all, being followed by hope, and led on by love, both towards God and Christ, and to our neighbor. For whoever is inwardly replenished with these things, has fulfilled the law of righteousness; and he that is furnished with love, stands at a distance from all sin. But love of money is the beginning of all evil. Knowing therefore that "we brought nothing into the world, and that we shall carry nothing out," let us arm ourselves with the armor of righteous-who bear the name of the Lord in hypocrisy, who ness; and in the first place be instructed ourselves seduce and deceive vain men; for "every one that to walk in the commands of the Lord, and next confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the teach your wives to live in the faith delivered to flesh, is anti-Christ ;" and he who doth not acthem, in love, and chastity; that they embrace knowledge the martyrdom of the cross, is of the their own husbands with all integrity, and others devil; and whoever shall pervert the oracles of also with all temperance and continency; and that the Lord to his private lusts, and shall say, that they educate and discipline their children in the there is neither resurrection nor judgment to come, fear of God. The widows, that they be sober that man is the first-born of Satan. Leaving and modest concerning the faith of the Lord; that therefore the vanity of many, and their false docthey incessantly intercede for all, and keep them-trines, let us return to that doctrine that from the seves from all slandering, detraction, false witness, beginning was delivered to us: let us be watchful covetousness, and every evil work; as knowing in prayers, persevering in fasting and supplicathat they are the altars of God, and that he ac- tions, beseeching the all-seeing God that he would curately surveys the sacrifice, and that nothing not lead us into temptation; as the Lord has said, can be concealed from him, neither of our reason-"the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is ings, nor thoughts, nor the secrets of the heart. weak." Let us unweariedly and constantly adAccordingly, knowing that God is not mocked, here to Jesus Christ, who is our hope and the we ought to walk worthy of his command, and of pledge of our righteousness, "who bare our sins his glory. in his own body on the tree, who did not sin, 4. Likewise let the deacons be unblamable be- neither was guile found in his mouth," but enfore his righteous presence, as the ministers of God in Christ, and not of men; not accusers, not double-tongued, not covetous, but temperate in all things; compassionate, diligent, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who became the deacon or servant of all of whom, if we be careful dured all things for our sakes, that we might live through him. Let us, then, imitate his patience, and if we suffer for his name, we glorify him; for such a pattern he set us in himself, and thus we have believed and entertained. 6. I exhort you, therefore, all, that ye be obe- troubled for him and for his wife; the Lord give dient to the word of righteousness, and that you them true repentance. Be ye also sober as to this exercise all manner of patience, as you have seen matter, and account not such as enemies, but reit set forth before your eyes, not only in the bless-store them as weak and erring members, that the ed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus; but in whole body of you may be saved; for in so doing others also among you, and in Paul himself, and ye build up yourselves. the rest of the apostles; being assured that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness; and are arrived at the place due and promised to them by the Lord, of whose sufferings they were made partakers. For they loved not this present world, but him who both died and was raised up again by God for us. Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord; being firm and immutable in the faith, lovers of the brethren, and kindly affectionate one towards another, united in the truth, carrying yourselves meekly to each other, despising no man. When it is in your power to do good, defer it not, for alms delivereth from death. Be all of you subject one to another, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that both you yourselves may receive praise by your good works, and that God be not blasphemed through you. For wo unto him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed. Wherefore teach all men sobriety, and be yourselves conversant in it. 8. I trust that ye are well exercised in the holy Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; a thing as yet not granted to me. As it is said in these places, "be angry and not sin;” and “let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Blessed is he that is mindful of these things, which I believe you are. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Christ Jesus the eternal Highpriest and Son of God, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, that you may be without anger, in patience, forbearance, long-suffering, and chastity, and give you a portion and inheritance amongst his saints: and to us together with you, and to all under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in his Father. who raised him from the dead. Pray for all saints: pray also for kings, magistrates, and princes, and even for them that hate and persecute you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruits may be manifest in all, that you may be complete in him. 7. I am exceedingly troubled for Valens, who 9. Ye wrote unto me, both ye and Ignatius, that was sometimes ordained a presbyter among you, if any one go into Syria, he might carry your let that he so little understands the place wherein he ters along with him which I will do so soon as I was set. I therefore warn you, that you abstain shall have a convenient opportunity, either myself, from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and true. or by some other, whom I will send upon your Keep yourselves from every evil work. But he errand. According to your request, we have sent that in these things cannot govern himself, how you those epistles of Ignatius which he wrote to shall he preach it to another? If a man refrain us, and as many others of his as we had by us, not from covetousness, he will be defiled with which are annexed to this epistle, by which ye may idolatry, and shall be judged among the heathen. be greatly profited. For they contain in them Who is ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? faith and patience, and whatever else is necessary "Know ye not that the saints shall judge the to build you up in our Lord. Send us word what world?" as Paul teaches. But I have neither you certainly know both concerning Ignatius himfound any such thing in you, nor heard any such self and his companions. These things have I thing of you, among whom the blessed Paul labor-written unto you by Crescens, whom I have hithered, and who are in the beginning of his epistle. For of you he boasts in all those churches, which only knew God at that time, whom as yet we had not known. I am, therefore, brethren, greatly * 1 Cor. vi. 2. to commended to you, and do still recommend.For he has unblamably conversed amongst us, as also I believe amongst you. His sister also ye shall have recommended, when she shall come unto you. Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all. Amen. THE END. OF THE REV. RICHARD CECIL, M. A. LATE RECTOR OF BISLEY, AND VICAR OF CHOBHAM, SURREY; AND TO WHICH IS PREFIXED A VIEW OF HIS CHARACTER. BY JOSIAH PRATT, B. D. F. A. S. NEW YORK: THOMAS GEORGE, JR., 4 SPRUCE STREET. INTRODUCTION. "HE that has the happy talent of parlor-preaching," says Dr. Watts,* "has sometimes done more for Christ and souls in the space of a few minutes, than by the labor of many hours and days in the usual course of preaching in the pulpit." On my first intercourse with Mr. Cecil, now upwards of fifteen years since, when in the full vigor of his mind, I was so struck with the wisdom and originality of his remarks, that I considered it my duty to record what seemed to me most likely to be useful to others. It should be observed, that Mr. Cecil is made to speak often of himself: and, to persons who do not consider the circumstances of the case, there may appear much egotism in the quantity of such remarks here put together, and in the manner in which his things are said: but this will be treating him with the most flagrant injustice; for it must be remembered that the remarks of this nature were chiefly made by him, from time to time, in answer to my particular inquiries into his judgment and habits on certain points of doctrine or practice. I have labored, in recording those sentiments which I have gathered from him in conversation, to preserve as much as possible his very expressions; and they who were familiar with his manner will be able to judge, in general, how far I have succeeded but I would explicitly disavow an exact verbal responsibility. For the sentiments I make myself answerable. In some instances, I have brought together observations made at different times; the reader is not, therefore, to understand that the thoughts here collected on any subject always followed in immediate connexion. * An Humble Attempt towards the Revival of Religion, Part I, Sect. 4. |