both Father and good, continues immutably in the self-same goodness. For what is the use of good that does not act and do good?
CHAPTER XIII.
DEGREES OF GLORY IN HEAVEN CORRESPONDING WITH THE DIGNITIES OF THE CHURCH BELOW.
He, then, who has first moderated his passions and trained himself for impassibility, and developed to the beneficence of gnostic perfection, is here equal to the angels. Luminous already, and like the sun shining in the exercise of beneficence, he speeds by righteous knowledge through the love of God to the sacred abode, like as the apostles. Not that they became apostles through being chosen for some distinguished peculiarity[1] of nature, since also Judas was chosen along with them. But they were capable of becoming apostles on being chosen by Him who foresees even ultimate issues. Matthias, accordingly, who was not chosen along with them, on showing himself worthy of becoming an apostle, is substituted for Judas.
Those, then, also now, who have exercised themselves in the Lord's commandments, and lived perfectly and gnostically according to the gospel, may be enrolled in the chosen body of the apostles. Such an one is in reality a presbyter of the church, and a true minister (deacon) of the will of God, if he do and teach what is the Lord's; not as being ordained[2] by men, nor regarded righteous because a presbyter, but enrolled in the presbyterate[3] because righteous. And although here upon earth he be not honoured with the
- ↑ In opposition to the heretical opinion, that those who are saved have an innate original excellence, on account of which they are saved.
- ↑ Or, "elected"—χειροτονούμενος. Acts xiv. 23, "And when they had ordained (χειροτονήσαντες) them elders in every church." A different verb (ϰαθίστημι) is used in Tit. i. 5.
- ↑ Presbytery or eldership.
