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Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion)
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Chapter 7: The Same Continued.
BE ON YOUR GUARD: therefore, against such people, so that you do not set a snare for your own souls. Act in such a way that your life is without offense to all people, lest you become "a snare upon a watchtower, and like a net which is spread out." For "he who does not heal himself in his own works is the brother of him who destroys himself." If, therefore, you also put away conceit, arrogance, disdain, and haughtiness, it will be your privilege to be inseparably united to God, for "He is near to those who fear Him." And He says, "Upon whom will I look, but upon him who is humble and quiet and trembles at my words?" Also, you should reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according to the instructions of the blessed apostles.
He who is within the altar is pure; therefore, he is obedient to the bishop and presbyters.
But he who is outside does anything apart from the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons, such a person is defiled in his conscience and is worse than an infidel. For what is the bishop but one who possesses all power and authority beyond all others, as far as a man can possess it, who, according to his ability, has been made an imitator of the Christ of God? And what is the presbytery but a sacred assembly, the counselors and advisers of the bishop? And what are the deacons but imitators of the angelic powers, fulfilling a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen did to the blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and Clement to Peter? He, therefore, who will not yield obedience to such, must be utterly without God, an impious person who despises Christ and depreciates His appointments.