Chapter VI.—Preserve harmony.
Since therefore I have, in the persons before mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of
you in faith and love, I exhort you to study to do all things with a divine harmony,187 while
your bishop presides in the place of God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly
of the apostles, along with your deacons, who are most dear to me, and are entrusted with
the ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the beginning of time,188 and
in the end was revealed. Do ye all then, imitating the same divine conduct,189 pay respect
to one another, and let no one look upon his neighbour after the flesh, but do ye continually
love each other in Jesus Christ. Let nothing exist among you that may divide you; but be ye
united with your bishop, and those that preside over you, as a type and evidence of your
immortality.190
Since therefore I have, in the persons before mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of
you in faith and love, I exhort you to study to do all things with a divine harmony,191 while
your bishop presides in the place of God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly
of the apostles, along with your deacons, who are most dear to me, and are entrusted with
the ministry of Jesus Christ. He, being begotten by the Father before the beginning of time,192
was God the Word, the only-begotten Son, and remains the same for ever; for “of His
kingdom there shall be no end,”193 says Daniel the prophet. Let us all therefore love one
another in harmony, and let no one look upon his neighbour according to the flesh, but in
Christ Jesus. Let nothing exist among you which may divide you; but be ye united with your
bishop, being through him subject to God in Christ.
187 Literally, “in harmony of God.”
188 Literally, “before the ages.”
189 Literally, “receiving the like manners of God.”
190 The meaning is here doubtful.
191 Literally, “in harmony of God.”
192 Literally, “before the ages.”
193 Dan. ii. 44, Dan. vii. 14, 27.
Chapter VI.—Preserve harmony.
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Chapter VI.—Preserve harmony.