Chapter I.—Praise of the bishop.
Which bishop,403 I know, obtained the ministry which pertains to the common [weal],
not of himself, neither by men,404 nor through vainglory, but by the love of God the Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ; at whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by his
silence is able to accomplish more than those who vainly talk. For he is in harmony with
the commandments [of God], even as the harp is with its strings. Wherefore my soul declares
his mind towards God a happy one, knowing it to be virtuous and perfect, and that his sta-
bility as well as freedom from all anger is after the example of the infinite405 meekness of
the living God.
Having beheld your bishop, I know that he was not selected to undertake the ministry
which pertains to the common [weal], either by himself or by men,406 or out of vainglory,
but by the love of Jesus Christ, and of God the Father, who raised Him from the dead; at
whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by His silence is able to accomplish
more than they who talk a great deal. For he is in harmony with the commandments and
ordinances of the Lord, even as the strings are with the harp, and is no less blameless than
was Zacharias the priest.407 Wherefore my soul declares his mind towards God a happy
one, knowing it to be virtuous and perfect, and that his stability as well as freedom from all
anger is after the example of the infinite meekness of the living God.
403 The bishop previously referred to.
404 Comp. Gal. i. 1.
405 Literally, “all.”
406 Comp. Gal. i. 1.
407 Luke i. 6.
Chapter I.—Praise of the bishop.
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Chapter I.—Praise of the bishop.