DIDASCALIA. 63 judge and condemn unjustly. But ye, knowing who our God is, and what are Ap. Con. His judgments, do ye dare to pronounce sentence on one who is not guilty ? n> Uii- We therefore counsel you to investigate carefully with much caution, because that the sentence of judgment which ye pronounce goeth up to God at once ; and if ye have judged justly, ye will receive the reward of justice from God, both now and in that [world] which is to come; and if ye have judged unjustly, thus also shall ye receive retribution from God. Strive therefore, brethren, that ye be found worthy to receive praise from God, and not blame, because praise from God is everlasting life to men, but blame from God is everlasting death to men.) Be careful therefore, O Bishops, that ye be not hasty in sitting down in judgment hurriedly, lest ye oppress and condemn any one ; but before they come and stand in judgment, bring them together, and make peace between them ; and admonish them that have the lawsuit and strife with one another ; and teach them first that no one ought to be angry ; for the Lord hath said, that "every one who is angry with his brother l without Matt. v. cause1 is condemned in the judgment"; and again, that if it happen that there is anger by the work of the Enemy, it is required of you immediately in that day that ye be reconciled and pacified, and that ye be at peace with one another ; for it is written, " Let not the sun go down upon EPh- iv- 26 wrath against thy brother." David also said, "Be ye angry, and sin not." PS. xxxvii. Q This is, that ye be quickly reconciled, lest anger remaining, there be a grudge with it, and it should bear sin, for it is said in the Proverbs, " The v*0*- 3dx- soul that keepeth a grudge shall die." Again, also our Saviour said, "If thou Matt. v. 23 bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother keepeth anger against thee ; leave thy gift before the altar, and go, first be 2* reconciled to thy brother, and then come, offer thy gift." But the gift of God is our prayer and our Eucharist. If it be then that thou hast some grudge against thy brother, or he against thee, thy prayer is not heard, nor thy Eucharist accepted, but thou art found void of prayer and of the Eucharist, because of the anger that thou keepest. Prayer ought f. 43 b to be made diligently at every season. But those who are in anger and malice with their brethren, God heareth them not. If then thou prayest three times an hour, thou hast no advantage, for thou art not heard because of the enmity towards thy brother. Therefore if thou carest, and strivest to be a Christian, acquiesce in the word of the Lord which He spake. " Loose all the bonds of wickedness, cut the bonds of the yoke of avarice "; is. ivUi. 6 for our Saviour hath given thee this authority, to forgive thy brother who hath wronged thee, until seventy times over seven, seven, that is 490 times. How many times therefore hast thou forgiven thy brother, that thou 1 S. om.