Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol I:
IGNATIUS: Chapter VI.—Renewed cautions.

Chapter VI.—Renewed cautions.

These things I write to you, thou new olive-tree of Christ, not that I am aware you hold any such opinions, but that I may put you on your guard, as a father does his children. Beware, therefore, of those that hasten to work mischief, those “enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose glory is in their shame.” 1240 Beware of those “dumb dogs,” those trailing serpents, those scaly 1241 dragons, those asps, and basilisks, and scorpions. For these are subtle wolves, 1242 and apes that mimic the appearance of men.

Footnotes

Phil. 3:18, 19.

The text is here doubtful.

Literally, “fox-like thoes,” lynxes being perhaps intended.