Didascalia Apostolorum

Historical source scan page 52

24 DIDASCALIA. in wine, nor be a calumniator, nor let him be contentious, nor a lover of money, nor have a childish mind, nor let him exalt himself and fall into Luke xiv. the condemnation of Satan ; for it is said that, " every one that exalteth himself shall be abased." Thus the Bishop is required to be ; a man who has taken one wife, who ruleth his house well ; and thus let him be proved when he receives the laying on of hands, that he may sit in the place of the Bishops, if he be chaste, and if also his wife be believing and chaste, and if he have brought up his children in the fear of God, and if he have admonished and taught them, and if they reverence and respect him at home, and if all of them be obedient to him ; for if his household according to the flesh oppose him and do not obey him, how shall those Ap. con. who are without belong to him and submit to him ? Let it also be proved that he is blameless in the affairs of the world, and in his body, for it is j^' ' written ; " See that there be no blemish in him who is appointed priest." Prov.xv. i Let him be also without anger, for the Lord hath said that anger destroyeth i Peter iv. even the wise. Let him be merciful and gracious and full of love, for the Lord hath said that love shall cover a multitude of sins. Let his hand be stretched out to give ; let him love both orphans and widows. Let him love the poor, and also strangers. Let him be apt in his service, and let him be constant in service. Let him humble himself, and not be ashamed ; Ap. con. let him know who is most worthy to receive. For if there be a widow who II. iv. f. 15 b possesses aught, or if she be able to provide for herself anything that is necessary for the nourishment of the flesh ; and if there be another who is not yet a widow and is in want, either on account of sickness or the educa- tion of children, or because of the infirmity of the flesh, to this one rather let him stretch out his hand. If there be a person, who is spendthrift or drunken or lazy, and is constrained in provision for the flesh, this one is not worthy of alms nor even for the Church. Therefore let the Bishop also Ap. con. nO(- be a respecter of persons, and let him not be ashamed before the rich, II. v. f r and let him not please them beyond what is right, and let him not despise or neglect the poor ; let him not be haughty towards them. Let him be frugal and poor in his food and drink ; so that he can be watchful in admonition and in discipline towards those who have no education. Let him not be very designing nor eccentric, nor be luxurious, nor let him love dainties, nor love pleasant viands, and let him not be irritable, but let him be long-suffering in his admonition. Let him be very diligent in his instruction ; let him be constant in the reading of the divine books assiduously, that he may interpret and explain the Scriptures accurately. Let him compare the Law and the Prophets with the Gospel, how that the