Apostolic Church Order 16

1Peter said, " If there should be a place having a few faithful men in it, before the multitude increase, who shall be able to make a dedication to pious uses for the Bishop to the extent of twelve men, let them write to the churches round about them, informing them of\he place in which the multitude of the faithful (assemble and) are established. " That three chosen men in that place may come, that they may examine with diligence him who is IH. OYOg AYepOYtii THpOY X6 S Aft A*£\A worthy" of this grade. If one of the people who hath a good reputation, being guiltless, without anger, a lover of the poor, prudent, wise, not given to wine, not a fornicator, not covetous*, not a~ comtemner, not partial t, and the like of these things. " If he have not a wife it is a good thing ; but if * he have married a wife, having children, let him \ abide with her, continuing stedfast in every doctrine, able to explain the Scriptures well ; but if he be ignorant of literature let him be meek: let him abound in love towards every man, lest they should accuse the Bishop in any affair, and he should be at all culpable."