Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 70

save the bodies of men, how much more, then, are those worthy of honour who have received the ordination of the Priesthood from the Lord, who heal both soul and body from condemnation! For the soul is greater than the body, and the Priest's office is greater than the King's ; for this is the office that bindeth those who deserve condemnation, and looseth those who seek forgiveness. And there- fore it is right that ye should love the Bishop as a Father, and fear him as a King, and trust in him as in the Lord. Bring unto him your fruits of the earth, and the labour of your hands, and your first-fruits and tithes and oblations, and the first of corn and wine, and oil, and wool. And then shall he give a blessing upon you, that your offering may be well-pleasing and accepted, as incense of a sweet savour before the Lord your God ; and the Lord shall bless the works of your hands, and multiply the good fruits of your land ; for the Lord giveth his blessing upon the heads of the righteous who shew mercy. Behold, then, and know that the Lord hath delivered us from the curse of the Law, and brought us into life, while we were scattered and lost as sheep that have no shepherd, and as the brute beast that cannot reason. He hath turned us from our sins, and cleansed us from our transgressions, and commanded us to bring our oblations to the Priests, and to give alms to the poor who have nothing. n