CHAPTER 3

 3:1  In like manner let all men respect the deacons as

Jesus Christ, even as they should respect the bishop as

being a type of the Father and the presbyters as the

council of God and as the college of Apostles. Apart

from these there is not even the name of a church.

 3:2  And I am persuaded that ye are so minded as

touching these matters: for I received the ensample of

your love, and I have it with me, in the person of your

bishop, whose very demeanour is a great lesson, while

his gentleness is power -- a man to whom I think even

the godless pay reverence.

 3:3  Seeing that I love you I thus spare you, though I

might write more sharply on his behalf: but I did not

think myself competent for this, that being a convict I

should order you as though I were an Apostle.