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Chapter VII.—Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters.
As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by
Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop and presbyters.
Neither endeavour that anything appear reasonable and proper to yourselves apart; but being
come together into the same place, let there be one prayer, one supplication, one mind, one
hope, in love and in joy undefiled. There is one Jesus Christ, than whom nothing is more
excellent. Do ye therefore all run together as into one temple of God, as to one altar, as to
one Jesus Christ, who came forth from one Father, and is with and has gone to one.
As therefore the Lord does nothing without the Father, for says He, “I can of mine own
self do nothing,”194 so do ye, neither presbyter, nor deacon, nor layman, do anything without
the bishop. Nor let anything appear commendable to you which is destitute of his approval.195
For every such thing is sinful, and opposed [to the will of] God. Do ye all come together
into the same place for prayer. Let there be one common supplication, one mind, one hope,
with faith unblameable in Christ Jesus, than which nothing is more excellent. Do ye all, as
one man, run together into the temple of God, as unto one altar, to one Jesus Christ, the
High Priest of the unbegotten God.
194 John v. 30.
195 Or, “contrary to his judgment.”
Chapter VII.—Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters.
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Chapter VII.—Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters.