Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 75

two, and tell him of his negligence and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and say unto him. Wisdom dwelleth in the heart of the good, and maketh her rest in the bosom of the instructors. And if he hear the word of you three, he hath saved himself, and gained his soul. But if he refuse to hear, tell it to the Church ; and if he refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a Gentile, a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, neither bring him into the Church ; nor number him with the Christian people. But as for those who repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, He will receive their repentance. Behold, I, Matthew, one of the Twelve, declare unto you the doctrine of this Didascalia, who was before a publican, but when I repented and believed with a right faith, I became an Apostle, and a preacher of the word of the Holy Gospel; for by faith shall a man be saved. And thus Zacchasus also, who was before a publican, when he returned and prayed unto the Lord, he received his repentance, and despised him not. And so with those soldiers and pubhcans who entered into the Church, and heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, after their baptism he saith unto them. Do no more than that which is commanded you. Be not heavy upon your brethren, nor upon the heathen that turn to the l2 t5