I offer thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord, who qualified me for the ministry he has plac'd me in, for having appointed me to such a trust,

He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable.

for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil.

besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser.

you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, that is, in the church of the true God.

take care how you behave, and what you teach. persevere in these duties: for by the practice of them, you will save both yourself, and those who hear you.

he that takes no care of his relations, especially those of his own family, has renounc'd the faith and is worse than an infidel.

for the scripture says, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox, when he treads the corn." and, "the labourer is worthy of his reward."

he is full of pride and ignorance, touch'd with a spirit of chicanery and wrangling, productive of envy, contention, calumny,

whose advent HE will in his own time display, WHO is perfectly happy, who alone is omnipotent, the king of kings, and the lord of all that bear rule;