I write to the Churches, and im- press on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of you not to sliow an unsea- sonable good-will towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body ; so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may be no trouble to any one. Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat Christ for me, that by these instruments^ I may be found a sacri- fice [to God]. I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles ; I am but a condemned man : they were free,^ while I am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I shall be the freed- man of Jesus, and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, be- ing a prisoner, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.