The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians Shorter and Longer Versions · Chapter II
Maintain Union with the Bishop
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Wherefore, as children of light and truth, flee from division and wicked doctrines; but where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves that appear worthy of credit, who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive889 those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place.
Wherefore, as children of light and truth, avoid the dividing of your unity, and the wicked doctrine of the heretics, from whom "a defiling influence has gone forth into all the earth."890 But where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves in sheep's clothing,891 who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive892 those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place.
Notes
Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson and A. Cleveland Coxe (1885–96). Public domain. Text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.