>i In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment ^ of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the sanhedrim of God, and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no Church.* Concern- ing all this, I am persuaded that ye are of the same opinion. For I have received the manifestation 5 of your love, and still have it with me, in your bishop, whose very appearance is highly instructive, ^ and his meekness of itself a power ; w^hom I imagine even the ungodly must reverence, seeing they are ^ also pleased that I do not spare myself. But shall I, when per- mitted to write on this point, reach such a height of self-esteem, that though being a condemned ^ man, I should issue commands to you as if I were an apostle ?