Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle
Paul. What did he write to you at the time
when the Gospel first began to be preached ? ^
Truly, under the inspiration ^ of tlie Spirit, he
wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas,
and Apollos,'' because even then parties 5 had
been formed among you. But that inclination
for one above another entailed less guilt upon
you, inasmuch as your partialities were then
shown towards apostles, already of high reputa-
tion, and towards a man whom they had ap-
proved. But now reflect who those are that have
perverted you, and lessened the renown of your
far-famed brotherly love. It is disgraceful, be-
loved, yea, highly disgraceful, and unworthy of
your Christian profession,^ that such a thing
should be heard of as that the most stedfast and
ancient Church of the Corinthians should, on
account of one or two persons, engage in sedi-
tion against its presbyters. And this rumour has
reached not only us, but those also who are
unconnected 7 with us; so that, through your
infatuation, the name of the Lord is blasphemed,
while danger is also brought upon yourselves.