Didascalia Apostolorum

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28 DIDASCALIA. Matt, xvlii. 18 and that thou boldest the place of God Almighty ; thus sit in the Church and teach, as one who hath power to judge those that sin, in the place of Almighty God ; for to you Bishops it is said in the Gospel, that what ye bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven. f. i8a Ap. Con. II. xii. Ezokiel xxxiii. 10 11 Ap. Con. II. xiii. Psalm vi. 5 f. i8b Ap. Con. H. xiv. Ps. Lnriv. 19 CHAPTER VI. Also teaches the Bishop, that he jttdge him that sins, as God, and not spare him ; that he receive in love him that repents and pardon him, and that Jie adhere not to the passions of the laity, and shut the door in the face of those who repent, but according to the greatness of his honour he carry the burden of all men's sins ; with demonstration and threatening from Ezekiel, about Bishops who despise their flocks or about laymen who contemn the Bishop. Therefore judge severely, O Bishop, like Almighty God, and receive those who repent with compassion like God ; and reprove, and beseech and teach, for even the Lord God has promised with oaths pardon to those who have sinned, as Ezekiel the prophet has said, "And thou, son of man, say to them of the house of Israel ; Thus ye say, our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and in them we pine away ; how should we then live? Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I do not wish the death of the sinner, but that the wicked should repent of his evil way and live ; repent therefore and turn from your evil deeds, and ye shall not die, ye house of Israel." Here therefore he gives hope to those who have sinned when they repent, that they may have forgiveness in their repentance ; and their hope may not be cut off, and that they may not remain in their sins, nor add to these ; but that they may repent and weep for their sins, and be converted with all their heart ; and those who have not sinned may remain without sins ; lest these also should have need of weeping and sighings and forgiveness. How knowest thou, O man that hath sinned, how many may be the days of thy life in this world that thou mayest repent, for thou knowest not thy departure from this world ; lest thou shouldest die in thy sins and have no repentance, as it is said in David, "In Sheol who confesseth to Thee?" Therefore every one who hath pity on himself and remaineth without sins, may remain without danger ; so that the righteousness which was done by him of old may be kept for him. Thou therefore, O Bishop, judge thus, first severely, and afterwards receive with mercy and clemency [him who] has promised to repent, reprove him and make him sorry and persuade him, because of the word that was said in David thus, "Thou wilt not give up the soul of him