Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 20

false accusation against his neighbour. And let him not neglect to fast, nor make pretexts for eating, and say. To-day is a feast, as the Gentiles do, to eat and to drink and to take their pleasure ; but let him cast away from himself every idle desire, in which there is no profit ; for all this is despised and hated in the sight of the Lord, and well-pleasing to the devils. It becomes the Bishop, therefore, to command and exhort the people, that they put away from them- selves all these doings. But let him teach them, and turn them, that they may become like himself, and follow his way in uprightness. For the Lord said to the Children of Israel, Observe my Law, and my covenant, and my command- ments. And Jesus Christ himself, our Lord and our God, first did all things, and then taught us to become hke himself; and therefore he saith, that he who shall teach and do, shall be great in the kingdom of heaven. It is your office, O Bishops! to teach the people, and preserve them from error, according as Christ hath given you grace. For the Lord spake by the mouth of the Prophet Ezekiel, and said. Son of man, I have set thee as a watch- man to the House of Israel ; and thou shalt hear the word from my mouth, and shalt rebuke them with my word. When I say unto the sinner. Thou shalt surely die ; and he hath not repented, aiad thou hast not told him, nor reproved 20