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Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

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Without address.<br />

Letter CCLXXXVII. 3247<br />

IT is difficult to deal with this man. I scarcely know how to treat so shifty, <strong>and</strong>, to judge<br />

from the evidence, so desperate a character. When summoned before the court, he fails to<br />

appear; <strong>and</strong> if he does attend, he is gifted with such volubility of words <strong>and</strong> oaths, that I<br />

think myself well off to be quickly rid of him. I have often known him twist round his accusations<br />

upon his accusers. In a word, there is no creature living upon earth so subtile <strong>and</strong><br />

versatile in villainy. A slight acquaintance with him suffices to prove this. Why then do<br />

you appeal to me? Why not at once bring yourselves to submit to his ill-treatment, as to a<br />

visitation of God’s anger?<br />

At the same time you must not be contaminated by contact with wickedness.<br />

I enjoin therefore that he <strong>and</strong> all his household be forbidden the services of the <strong>Church</strong>,<br />

<strong>and</strong> all other communion with her ministers. Being thus made an example of, he may haply<br />

be brought to a sense of his enormities.<br />

3247 Placed in the episcopate.<br />

Without address.<br />

856

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