But if, as some affirm who are without God, —that is, are unbelievers—his suffering was only a semblance (but it is they who are merely a semblance), why am I a prisoner, and why do I even long to fight with the beasts? In that case I am dying in vain. Then indeed am I lying concerning the Lord.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians
Chapter 10
1 section
Ignatius of Antioch
Transcribed from a dated scan; artifacts may remain. Edition notes
Trans. Kirsopp Lake, The Apostolic Fathers, Volume I (Loeb Classical Library), 1912. Public domain.