St Ignatius of Antioch

All things have an end, and two things, life and death, are side by side set before us, and each one will go to his own place. Just as there are two coinages, one of God and the other of the world, each with its own image, so unbelievers bear the image of this world, and those who have faith with love bear the image of God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

from a Letter by St Ignatius of Antioch

Do your utmost to stand firm in the precepts of the Lord and the Apostles, so that you may prosper in all that you do in the flesh and in the spirit, in faith and love, in the Son and the Father and the Spirit, at the beginning and at the end.

I am writing this from Smyrna and the Ephesians here send you their greeting. They, like you, are here for the glory of God and have in all things given me comfort, as has Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnaeans. The other Churches also greet you in honour of Jesus Christ.

Farewell. See that there is a godly unity among you
and an unhesitating spirit; for this is Jesus Christ.

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From a letter attributed to Barnabas

Hope of life is the beginning and end of our faith.
Greetings, sons and daughters. In the name of the Lord
who loves us, peace be to you.

Because the Lord has granted you an abundance of blessings,
I rejoice immeasurably in your blessed and glorious company.

The Lord has given us these three basic doctrines: hope for eternal life, the beginning and end of our faith; justice, the beginning and end of righteousness; and love, which bears cheerful and joyous witness to the works of righteousness.

When evil days are upon us and the worker of malice gains power, we must attend to our own souls and seek to know the ways of the Lord. In those times reverential fear and perseverance will sustain our faith, and we will find need of forbearance and self-restraint as well. Provided that we hold fast to these virtues and look to the Lord, then wisdom, understanding, knowledge and insight will make joyous company with them.

God and Father,

To those who go astray you reveal the light of your truth
and enable them to return to the right path.
Grant that all who have received the light of grace
may strive to do good and avoid evil

Be gracious, to us Lord who love and serve you
and in your kindness increase your gifts
of grace within us: so that, fervent in faith,
hope and love, we may be ever on the watch
and persevere in doing what you command.

This we ask through Christ our Lord.

Amen

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