Chapter II
1 Continues his advice,
6 and teaches him how to advise others.
12 Enforces unity and subjection to the bishop.
LET not the widows be neglected:
be thou after God, their Guardian.
2 Let nothing be done without thy
knowledge and consent; neither do
thou anything but according to the
will of God; as also thou dost,
with all constancy.
3 Let your assemblies be more
full: inquire into all by name.
4 Overlook not the men and
maid servants; neither let them
be puffed up: but rather let them
be the more subject to the glory
of God, that they may obtain from
him a better liberty.
5 Let them not desire to be
set free at the public cost, that
they be not slaves to their own
lusts.
6 Flee evil arts; or rather make
not any mention of them.
7 Say to my sisters, that they
love the Lord; and be satisfied
with their own husbands, both in
the flesh and spirit.
8 In like manner, exhort my
brethren in the name of Jesus
Christ, that they love their wives,
even as the Lord the church.
9 If any man can remain in a
virgin state, to the honour of the
flesh of Christ, let him remain
without boasting; but if he boast,
he is undone. And if he desire to
be more taken notice of than the
bishop he is corrupted.
10 But it becomes all such as
are married, whether men or women,
to come together with the consent
of the bishop, that so their
marriage may be according to
godliness, and not in lust.
11 Let all things be done to the
honour of God.
12 Hearken unto the bishop,
that God also may hearken unto
you. My soul be security for
them that submit to their bishop,
with their presbyters and deacons.
And may my portion be together
with theirs in God.
13 Labour with one another;
contend together, run together,
suffer together; sleep together,
and rise together; as the stewards,
and assessors, and ministers of
God.
14 Please him under whom ye
war; and from whom ye receive
your wages. Let none of you be
found a deserter; but let your
baptism remain, as your arms;
your faith, as your helmet; your
charity, as your spear; your
patience, as your whole armour.
15 Let your works be your
charge, that so you may receive
a suitable reward. Be long
suffering therefore towards each
other in meekness; as God is
towards you.
16 Let me have joy of you in
all things.