Letters of Ignatius 71

1For even though certain people wanted to deceive me according to the flesh, the spirit is not deceived, since it is from God. For it knows where it comes from and where it is going, and it searches out hidden things. When I was among you, I cried out; I spoke in a loud voice, with God’s own voice: “Pay attention to the bishop, the presbytery, and the deacons.”

2Nevertheless, some suspected that I said this because I knew beforehand about the division of certain people. But He in whom I am bound is my witness that I did not learn it from human flesh. It was the preaching of the Spirit, who spoke in this way: “Do nothing without the bishop. Keep your flesh as a temple of God. Cherish unity. Avoid divisions. Be imitators of Jesus Christ, just as He Himself also was of His Father.”