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3.
1
SEE that ye all follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ, the Father; and the presbytery, as the Apostles. And reverence the deacons, as the command of God.
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3.
2
Let no man do anything of what belongs to the church separately from the bishop.
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3.
3
Let that eucharist be looked upon as well established, which is either offered by the bishop, or by him to whom the bishop has given his consent.
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3.
4
Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the [*188:1] people also be: as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic church.
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3.
5
It is not lawful without the bishop, neither to baptize, nor [*188:2] to celebrate the Holy Communion; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing unto God; that so whatever is done, may be sure and well done.
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3.
6
For what remains, it is very reasonable that we should [*188:3] repent whilst there is yet time to return unto God.
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3.
7
It is a good thing to have a due regard both to God, and to the bishop: he that honours the bishop, shall be honoured of God. But he that does anything without his knowledge, [*188:4] ministers unto the devil.
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3.
8
Let all things therefore abound to you in charity; seeing that ye are worthy.
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3.
9
Ye have refreshed me in all things; so shall Jesus Christ you. Ye have loved me both when I was present with you, and now being absent, ye cease not to do so.
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3.
10
May God be your reward, from whom whilst ye undergo all things, ye shall attain unto him.
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3.
11
Ye have done well in that ye have received Philo, and Rheus [*188:5] Agathopus, who followed me [*188:6] for the word of God, as the deacons of Christ our God.
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3.
12
Who also gave thanks unto the Lord for you, forasmuch as ye have refreshed them in all [*188:7] things. [*188:8] Nor shall any thing that you have done be lost to you.
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3.
13
My [*188:9] soul be for yours, and my bonds which ye have not despised, nor been ashamed of. Wherefore neither shall Jesus Christ, our perfect faith, be ashamed of you.
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3.
14
Your prayer is come to the church of Antioch which is in Syria. From whence being sent bound with chains becoming God, I salute the [*188:10] churches; being not worthy to be called [*188:11] from thence, as being the least among them.
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3.
15
Nevertheless by the will of God I have been thought worthy of this honour; not for that I think I have deserved it, but by the grace of God.
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3.
16
Which I wish may be perfectly given unto me, that through your prayers I may attain unto God.
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3.
17
And therefore that your work may be fully accomplished both upon earth and in heaven; it will be fitting, and for the honour of God, [*188:12] that your church appoint some worthy delegate, who being come as far as Syria, may rejoice together with them that they are in peace; and that they are again restored to their former [*188:13] state, and have again received their proper body.
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3.
18
Wherefore I should think it a worthy action, to send some one from you with an epistle, to congratulate with them their peace in God; and that through your prayers they have now gotten to their harbor.
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3.
19
For inasmuch as ye are perfect yourselves, you ought to think those things that are perfect. For when you are desirous to do well, God is ready to [*188:14] enable you thereunto.
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3.
20
The love of the brethren that are at Troas salute you; from whence I write to you by Burrhus whom you sent with me, together with the Ephesians your brethren; and who has in all things refreshed me.
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3.
21
And I would to God that all would imitate him, as being a pattern of the ministry of God. May his grace fully reward him.
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3.
22
I salute your very worthy bishop, and your venerable presbytery; and your deacons, my fellow-servants; and all of you in general, and every one in particular, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in his flesh and blood; in his passion and resurrection both fleshly and spiritually; and in [*189:1] the unity of God with you.
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3.
23
Grace be with you, and mercy, and peace, and patience, for evermore.
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3.
24
I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children; and the [*189:2] virgins that are called widows. Be strong in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, who is present with me salutes you.
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3.
25
I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be strengthened in faith and charity, both of flesh and spirit.
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3.
26
I salute Alce my well-beloved, [*189:3] together with the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all by name.
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3.
27
Farewell in the grace of God.
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3.
28
To the Smyrnaeans from Troas.
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3.
Footnotes ^188:1 Multitude.
^188:2 Make a love-feast.
^188:3 Return to a sound mind.
^188:4 Does worship.
^188:5 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
^188:6 Unto.
^188:7 Ways.
^188:8 Vid. Epist. Interpol.
^188:9 Spirit.
^188:10 All the.
^188:11 i.e. the bishop of that church.
^188:12 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
^188:13 Bulk, greatness.
^188:14 Help you.
^189:1 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
^189:2 i.e. The See the reason for the name, Voss. Annot. in loc. Add. Coteler. ib.
^189:3 See Voss. Annot. ex Epist. Interpol.
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