young, but hear what his teacher writes to him: “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word and in conduct.”174 It is becoming, therefore, that ye also should be obedient to your bishop, and contradict him in nothing; for it is a fearful thing to contradict any such person. For no one does [by such conduct] deceive him that is visible, but does [in reality] seek to mock Him that is invisible, who, however, cannot be mocked by any one. And every such act has respect not to man, but to God. For God says to Samuel, “They have not mocked thee, but Me.”175 And Moses declares, “For their mur- muring is not against us, but against the Lord God.”176 No one of those has, [in fact,] re- mained unpunished, who rose up against their superiors. For Dathan and Abiram did not speak against the law, but against Moses,177 and were cast down alive into Hades. Korah also,178 and the two hundred and fifty who conspired with him against Aaron, were destroyed by fire. Absalom, again,179 who had slain his brother, became suspended on a tree, and had his evil-designing heart thrust through with darts. In like manner was Abeddadan180 be- headed for the same reason. Uzziah,181 when he presumed to oppose the priests and the priesthood, was smitten with leprosy. Saul also was dishonoured,182 because he did not wait for Samuel the high priest. It behoves you, therefore, also to reverence your superiors. 174 1 Tim. iv. 12. 175 1 Sam. viii. 7. 176 Ex. xvi. 8. 177 Num. xvi. 1. 178 Num. xvi. 31. 179 2 Sam. xviii. 14. 180 Sheba is referred to under this name: see 2 Sam. xx. 22. 181 2 Chron. xxvi. 20. 182 1 Sam. xiii. 11. 168 Chapter III.—Honour your youthful bishop.