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even as He is of His Father.

of the apostles, even as they also were of Christ.

Chap. viii.—The same continued.

I therefore did what belonged to me, as a man devoted to^[1] unity. For where there is division and wrath, God doth not dwell. To all them that repent, the Lord grants forgiveness, if they turn in penitence to the unity of God, and to communion with the bishop.^[2] I trust [as to you] in the grace of Jesus Christ, who shall free you from every bond. And I exhort you to do nothing out of strife, but according to the doctrine of Christ. When I heard some saying, If I do not find it in the ancient^[3] Scriptures, I will not believe the gospel; on my saying to them, It is written, they answered me, That remains to be proved.

I therefore did what belonged to me, as a man devoted to unity; adding this also, that where there is diversity of judgment, and wrath, and hatred, God does not dwell. To all them that repent, God grants forgiveness, if they with one consent return to the unity of Christ, and communion with the bishop.^[2] I trust to the grace of Jesus Christ, that He will free you from every bond of wickedness.^[4] I therefore exhort you that ye do nothing out of strife,^[5] but according to the doctrine of Christ. For I have heard some saying. If I do not find the gospel in the archives, I will not believe it. To such persons I say that my archives are Jesus Christ, to disobey whom is manifest destruction. My authentic archives are His cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which bears on these things, by which I desire, through your prayers, to be justified. He who disbelieves the gospel disbelieves everything along

1. Literally, "prepared for."
2. Literally, "to the assembly of the bishop."
3. The meaning here is very doubtful. Some read ἐν τοῖς ἀρχαίοις, as translated above; others prefer ἐν τοῖς ἀρχείοις, as in the longer recension.
4. Comp. Isa. lviii. 6.
5. Phil. ii. 3.