A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

33I write to all the churches and impress on all, that I shall willinglydie for God unless ye hinder me. I beseech you not to showunseasonable good-will toward me. 11 Permit me to be the foodof wild beasts, through whom it will be granted me to attain untoGod. I am the wheat of God and I am ground by the teeth ofwild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Ratherentice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb and leavenothing of my body, so that when I have fallen asleep I may beburdensome to no one. Then I shall be truly a disciple of JesusChrist, when the world sees not my body. Entreat Christ for me,that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God. Notas Peter and Paul 12 do I issue commandments unto you. Theywere Apostles, I a condemned man; they were free, I even untilnow a slave. 13 But if I suffer, I shall be the freedman of JesusChrist, and shall rise again free in Him. And now, being in bonds,I learn not to desire anything.§ 9. The Position of the Roman Community ofChristians in the ChurchThe Roman Church took very early a leading place in the ChristianChurch, even before the rise of the Petrine tradition, andits importance was generally recognized. Its charity was verywidely known and extolled. It was a part of its care for Christianseverywhere, a care which found expression later in the obligation11 The Christians at Rome seem, according to this statement, to have been insuch a position that they might be able to interfere in the case of prisoners.12 A possible reference to the presence of Peter and Paul at Rome, but by nomeans certain, as epistolatory commands would fulfil the conditions better.The connection of Peter with Rome, however, is very significant.13 It can not be concluded from this that Ignatius was of servile condition.His journey to Rome in chains might be enough here to explain the language,especially when the style of Ignatius is considered.