Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially, we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that [God] also may bear with us, and bring us into the kingdom. Add more and more to [your] diligence; run [your] race with increasing energy; weigh carefully the times.
While [you are] here, be a conqueror; for here is the course, and there are the crowns. Look for Christ, the Son of God; who was before time, yet appeared in time; who was invisible by nature, yet visible in the flesh; who was impalpable, and could not be touched, as being without a body, but for our sakes became such, might be touched and handled in the body; who was impassible as God, but became passible for our sakes as [a human]; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes.
This is an excerpt from a book Epistle to Polycarp by Saint Ignatius. If you would like to buy this book please click here.