Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 47

V. That it is not lawful for us to enforce discipline against any man, unless testimony be established against him, that he hath sinned. For he that casteth out a man who hath not transgressed, is worse than a mur- derer. Neither perceiveth he the mercy of God ; for he remembereth not the commandments of Christ, how he said. There is joy in heaven on account of one sinner that repenteth. And he that doeth thus shall not attain to the salva- tion of his soul : for he erreth, and falleth into great sin ; seeing that he re- proveth not, nor converteth those who commit many sins, but scattereth the flock of Christ ; nay, even fighteth against it. For just is the Lord, and just is the judgment that he judgeth unto all, to the righteous man and to the sinner : he is merciful unto all them that turn unto him in righteousness and mercy and humi- lity, in the love of God. It becometh the Bishop, therefore, to judge rightly, and to follow Christ, and do his will ; even as the Lord judgeth the sinners that turn unto him. Dost thou not remember David, when he sinned, and Nathan said unto him. Wherefore hast thou done thus ? and he said, I have sinned, and I repent thereof : when he confessed his transgression, he was saved from death ; and Nathan said unto him. Be of good courage, and doubt not ; thou shalt not die. And the prophet Jonas also, when he would not preach to the men of Nineveh, 47