62 DIDASCALIA.
that he is not reproved, venture also and do likewise to one of the brethren,
and perish from before God ; but if he who has sinned be reproved and punished,
and go out for a time, he also who is ready to be like him and to act like him,
when he sees him put out, may also fear, lest it happen to him in like manner;
and he will submit, and live before God, and not be ashamed at all before man.
Also in regard to him who is accused, take counsel likewise, and consider
amongst yourselves, and observe his habits and deeds in the world, whether
ye have heard many accusations against him, or whether many wicked things
are done by him; if it be found that many evil deeds are wrought by him,
it appears as if also this accusation that they bring against him were true.
It may also happen, that some sin has formerly been committed by him, but
that he is innocent from the present accusation. Therefore investigate carefully
about these things ; that with great caution and with truth you pronounce sentence
of judgment. Against him that is found guilty judge righteously, and pronounce
judgment against him; but he amongst them who doth not stand by your
judgment, let him be reproved, and let him go out of the assembly, until he
repent, and implore the Bishop or the Church, and confess that he has sinned
and that he repents; and thus there will be a help to many, lest even, when
another person sees him sitting in the Church neither rebuked nor punished,
he also venture to do like him, thinking that he will live before men, but before
Ap. Con. God he will perish. But if ye hear one person alone, the other not standing,
nor defending himself on account of the action which they bring against
him, but ye pronounce judgment hastily without consultation or investigation,
and condemn according to false words which ye believe, he not having stood
nor made any defence on his own behalf and ye have condemned him, ye
have become partakers before God with him that hath brought the false witness,
and ye shall be punished with him before God; for the Lord hath said in the
Prov.xxvl. Proverb^ that "he who stirs up strife that is not his is like him that taketh hold of
Johnvii.24 the tail of a dog." In another place He hath said, "Judge righteous judgment "; and
is. i. 17 again He hath said, "Judge the orphans, and justify the widows," and again He
is. iviii. 6 saith, " Let the oppressed go free, and loose every unjust bond." But if it be
that ye resemble those Elders that were in Babylon, who brought false witness
against Susan, and condemned her unjustly to death, ye also will be partakers
in their judgment and condemnation. For the Lord saved Susan by means of
Daniel from the hand of the unjust ; (S. f. 40 b) but these Elders who were
guilty of her blood He condemned to the fire. Then let those who are of
the sanctuary be far removed from the things of the world. Nevertheless
Ap. Con. we say that ye [must] see, brethren, when murderers are brought before
n. ill. the Authority, that the judges question carefully those that have brought
them, and learn from them what they have done, and then again they
say to that doer of evil things, if these things are so, and he confess and
say yea, they send him not at once to die, but again they interrogate him
for many days, and draw the curtains, and consider and consult much
together, and then at last pass sentence of death upon him, and lift up
their hands to Heaven, and call to witness that we are clear from men's blood ;
for they do these things being yet heathen, and knowing not God nor that
they shall receive retribution from God on account of those whom they