11 Who was truly born, and
did eat and drink; was truly
persecuted under Pontius Pilate;
was truly crucified and dead; both
those in heaven and on earth, and
under the earth, being spectators
of it:
12 Who, was also truly raised
from the dead by his Father, after
the same manner as HE will also
raise up us who believe in him by
Christ Jesus; without whom we
have no true life.
13 But if, as some who are
Atheists, that is to say infidels,
pretend, that he seemed to suffer,
(they themselves only seeming to
exist) why then am I bound?—
Why do I desire to fight with
beasts?—Therefore do I die in
vain: therefore I will not speak
falsely against the Lord.
14 Flee therefore these evil
sprouts which bring forth deadly
fruit; of which if any one taste,
he shall presently die.
15 For these are not the plants
of the Father; seeing if they were,
they would appear to be the
branches of the cross, and their
fruit would be incorruptible; by
which he invites you through his
passion, who are members of him.
16 For the head cannot be without
its members, God having promised
a union with himself.
CHAP. III.
He again exhorts to unity, and desires their
prayers for himself, and for his church at Antioch.
I SALUTE you from Smyrna,
together with the churches of
God that are present with me;
who have refreshed me in all
things, both in the flesh and
in the spirit.