13 For even our God, Jesus Christ, now that he is in the Father, does so much the more appear.
14 A christian is not a work of opinion; but of greatness of mind, especially when he is hated by the world.
CHAPTER. II.
Expresses his great desire and determination to suffer martyrdom.
I WRITE to the churches, and signify to them all, that I am willing to die for God, unless you hinder me.
2 I beseech you that you show not an unseasonable good will towards me. Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts, by whom I shall attain unto God.
3 For I am the wheat of God, and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild-beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather encourage the beasts, that they may became my sepulchre, and may let live nothing of my body; that being dead I may not be troublesome to any.
5 Then shall I be truly the disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Pray therefore unto Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be made the sacrifice of God.
6 I do not, as Peter and Paul, command you. They were Apostles, I a condemned man; they were free, but I am even to this day a servant:
7 But if I shall suffer, I shall then become the freeman of Jesus Christ, and shall rise free. And now, being in bonds, I learn not to desire any thing.