Seeing that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has in- formed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encour- aged, resting without anxiety in God,' if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ] .^ It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very sol- emn 3 council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God ; -^ and to bestow on him this honour that he may go into Syria, and glorify your ever active love to the praise of Christ. A Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for 5 the service of God. Now, this work is both God's and yours, when ye shall have completed it to His glory .^ For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief Epistle.