Ignatius, hoping to save the flock, came of his own accord to Trajan, who railed on him, saying, “What an impious spirit art thou, both to transgress our commands, and to inveigle others into the same folly, to their ruin!”
The dialogue, as recorded in the “Acts of Ignatius” is too long for insertion here. Suffice it to say that Ignatius confessed that he carried Christ in his breast, and stigmatized the gods of the nations as demons, desiring as his portion the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Trajan at this said: “His kingdom, do you say, who was crucified under Pilate?” To which Ignatius replied, “His, who crucified my sin with its author; and has put all the fraud and malice of Satan finder the feet of those who carry Him in their breast.” In conclusion, Trajan pronounced sentence as follows: “Since Ignatius confesses that he carries within himself Him that was crucified, we command that he be carried bound by soldiers to Great Rome, there to be thrown to the wild beasts for the entertainment of the people.”
In accordance with this, he was taken to the port of Seleucia, whence they sailed to Smyrna. Here he was allowed to visit Polycarp, of whom you shall hear later, if the Lord will. He also received visits from deputies of various Asian churches.
On this journey to Rome he wrote several letters which are full of interest, because they let us see something of the condition of mind of Christians at the-beginning of the second century. In them he speaks of Jesus Christ as “My God.” He presses the reality of His humanity: and speaks of Him with ardent love. I copy two brief extracts:
“It is better for me to die for Jesus Christ, than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him I seek, who died for us. Him I desire, who rose again for us. He is my gain laid, up for me. Suffer me to imitate the passion of my God.”
Again: “I glorify Jesus Christ our God, who hath given you wisdom. For I understand that ye are perfect in the immovable faith of our Lord Jesus Christ; who really was of the seed of David according to the flesh, and born of a virgin really; who really suffered under Pontius Pilate; for these things he suffered for us, that we might be saved. And He truly suffered; as also He truly raised up Himself; not as some infidels say, that He seemed to suffer.”
[I have inserted this at length, because in Christian Science (falsely so called) we have in these days a revival of the Gnostic notions that Ignatius had in view. It is well that the young should be forewarned by the knowledge of the truth.]
After landing at Ostia, the port of Rome, and some miles distant from it, he was met by Roman Christians who, notwithstanding he had written them beforehand, expressing his desire to suffer for Christ, intimated their strong wish for, his preservation. But Ignatius could not be turned aside. He was brought to Rome and presented to the Prefect of the city.
“When he was led to execution, he was attended by a number of the brethren, and was allowed to join in prayer with them. He prayed to the Son of God in behalf of the churches; that He would put a stop to the persecution, and continue the love of the brethren to toward each other. He was then led into the amphitheater and speedily thrown to the wild beasts. He had here also his wish. The beasts were his grave. A few bones only were left, which the deacons gathered, carefully preserved, and afterwards buried at Antioch.”
ML 07/26/1903