Letters of Ignatius 58

1From Syria all the way to Rome, I fight with wild beasts, on land and sea, night and day, bound among ten leopards—that is, a company of soldiers—who only grow worse when they are treated kindly. Yet through their wrongdoing I become more fully a disciple, though I am not thereby justified.

2May I have joy from the beasts prepared for me. I pray that I may find them ready; indeed, I will entice them to devour me quickly, unlike what they have done to some, refusing out of fear to touch them. Even if they are unwilling while I am ready, I myself will force them to it.

3Bear with me. I know what is best for me. Now I am beginning to be a disciple. Let nothing visible or invisible envy me, so that I may attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and cross come, grappling with wild beasts, [cuttings and manglings,] wrenching of bones, hacking off of limbs, crushing of my whole body; let the cruel tortures of the devil come upon me. Only let me attain to Jesus Christ.