Our aposdes also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on ac- count of the office ' of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and after- wards gave instructions,^ that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them,^ or afterwards by other eminent men, with the con- sent of the whole Church, and who have blame- lessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate ■♦ those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. 5 Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course be- fore now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world] ; for they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see that ye have re- moved some men of excellent behaviour from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honour.