These things, brethren, out of the affection
which I entertain for you, I have felt compelled
to write, exhorting you with a view to the glory
of God, not as if I were a person of any conse-
quence, but simply as a brother. Be ye subject
to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the dea-
cons. Love one another in the Lord, as being
the images of God. Take heed, ye husbands,
that ye love your wives as your own members.
Ye wives also, love your husbands, as being one
with them in virtue of your union. If any one
lives in chastity or continence, let him not be
lifted up, lest he lose his reward. Do not lightly
esteem the festivals. Despise not the period of
forty days, for it comprises an imitation of the
conduct of the Lord. After the week of the
passion, do not neglect to fast on the fourth and
sixth days, distributing at the same time of thine
abundance to the poor. If any one fasts on the
Lord's Day or on the Sabbath, except on the
paschal Sabbath only, he is a murderer of Christ.