and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I make the same request now.

He ought not to be a new convert, for fear he should be blinded with pride and come under the same condemnation as the Devil.

Deacons, in the same way, must be men of serious demeanour, not double-tongued, nor addicted to much wine, nor greedy of base gain,

Deaconesses, in the same way, must be sober-minded women, not slanderers, but in every way temperate and trustworthy.

And at the same time they also learn to be idle as they go round from house to house; and they are not only idle, but are gossips also and busybodies, speaking of things that ought not to be spoken of.