Didascalia Apostolorum

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84 DIDASCALIA. CHAPTER XIX. Exhortation to Bishops to take care of those who are persecuted or imprisoned for the name of the Christ, that tJuy visit them, and keep away from him who is imprisoned and receives punishment from judges because of his depravity. Also exhortation to all Christians that they suffer with those who suffer for the sake of the Christ, and that out of fear they deny not or forsake them. He who denieth them, denieth Christianity and the Christ. A nd let him pray that he enter not into temptation. Ap. Con. Do not take your eyes off the Christian who is put in prison for the name of God, and for his faith and love, and Ms cast into the mines1; but by your work and by the sweat of your face send him nourishment, and for the wage of the soldiers who guard him, that he may be at ease and be taken care of, but that your blessed brother be not completely afflicted. For he who is condemned for the name of God the Christ, let him be considered by you as a holy Martyr, and an Angel of God, (S. + or as God upon earth) he who is clothed spiritually with the Holy Ghost (S. + of God, by whose means ye behold the Lord our Saviour), because he has been thought worthy of an incorruptible crown (S. + he has renewed the testimony of the Passion). Therefore it is obligatory that all ye believers should diligently comfort the Martyrs with your goods (S. + by means of your Bishops). But if there be a man who has nothing, let him fast, and what he would have spent for himself for that day, let him give to his brother. But if thou art rich, it is required of thee that thou serve them according to thy power, or even that thou give all thy property to redeem them from the chains 2of death2, for they f. 59 a are worthy of God, and children who fulfil His will, as the Lord hath Matt. x. said, " Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess 32 before My Father which is in heaven." Do not be ashamed 3to talk with3 them when they4 are imprisoned, and in doing these things ye shall inherit everlasting life, for ye shall be partakers in their martyrdom ; as we know Matt. xxv. that our Lord hath spoken thus in the Gospel, " Come unto Me, all ye 34 blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom that is prepared for you before 35 the foundation of the world. I was hungry, and ye fed Me ; I was thirsty, 36 and ye gave Me drink ; I was a stranger, and ye gathered Me in ; I was 37 naked, and ye clothed Me ; in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall 1 S. is condemned to the amphitheatre, or to the beasts, or to the mines 2 S. om. 3 S. to visit 4 Cod. ye