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Chapter IV.—Some wickedly act independently of the bishop.
It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in reality: as some indeed
give one the title of bishop, but do all things without him. Now such persons seem to me to
be not possessed of a good conscience, seeing they are not stedfastly gathered together ac-
cording to the commandment.
It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in reality. For it is not the
being called so, but the being really so, that renders a man blessed. To those who indeed
talk of the bishop, but do all things without him, will He who is the true and first Bishop,
and the only High Priest by nature, declare, “Why call ye Me Lord, and do not the things
which I say?”183 For such persons seem to me not possessed of a good conscience, but to
be simply dissemblers and hypocrites.
183 Luke vi. 46.
Chapter IV.—Some wickedly act independently of the bishop.
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Chapter IV.—Some wickedly act independently of the bishop.