3. Only do not be deceived by their lies
when they claim to be of the
right faith. They are not Christians, but traffickers in
Christ, χριστέμποροι. cf. the use of the cognate subst. χριστεμ
πορία in the letter of Alexander
of Alexandria in Theodoret, Ecc. Hist. i. 3.
χριστέμπορος
occurs in the Didache, § 12, and in the Pseud.
Ig., e.g., ad Mag. ix. always preferring
their profit in this life to living in accordance with the truth.
When they thought that they should get this empty dignity, they joined
the enemies of Christ: now that they have seen the indignation of
the people, they are once more for pretending orthodoxy. I do not
recognise as bishop—I would not count among Christ’s
clergy ἱερεῦσι.
cf. note in Letter liv. p. 157.—a man
who has been promoted to a chief post by polluted hands, to the
destruction of the faith. This is my decision. If you
have any part with me, you will doubtless think as I do. If
you take counsel on your own responsibility, every man is master
of his own mind, and I am innocent of this blood. cf.
Matt. iv. 24. I have written thus, not because
I distrust you, but that by declaring my own mind I may strengthen
some men’s hesitation, and prevent any one from being
prematurely received into communion, or after receiving the laying
on of hands of our enemies, when peace is made, later on, trying
to force me to enroll them in the ranks of the sacred
ministry. Through you I salute the clergy of the city and
diocese, and all the laity who fear the Lord.