On the Twelve Abuses of the World

The pride and injustice of a king not only darken his own face, but also obscure his sons and grandsons, even if they hold the inheritances of the kingdom after him. For because of the sin of Solomon, the Lord tore the kingdom of the house of Jerusalem from the hand of his son, and because of the justice of King David, a lamp was always left for his offspring in Jerusalem. Behold how much the justice of a king avails the world; it is clearly evident to those who contemplate it. It is the peace of the people, the care of the fatherland, the community of the populace, the fortification of the nation, the joy and relief against the languor of good men, the serenity of the air, the fertility of the earth, the solace of the poor, the inheritance of sons, and for the king himself, the hope of future blessedness. However, let the king know that just as he is established first in the throne of men, so too will he have the primacy in punishments if he does not practice justice. For all the sinners he had beneath him in the present time, he will have above him in that future punishment, as he will be humbled.

¶ The Tenth Degree of Abuse. ¶ A Negligent Bishop.

The tenth degree of abuse is a negligent bishop who seeks the honor of his station among men, but does not guard the dignity of his ministry before God by the office he has been delegated. For the dignity of his name first holds and inquires of the bishop concerning his care, for since the name bishop is Greek, it is interpreted as "watchman" original: "speculator". Why indeed is he called a watchman, and what does the Lord require of the watchman? He reveals it thus: "I have set you as a watchman for the house of Israel. You will hear the word from my mouth and announce it to them from me. If, however, you see the sword coming and you do not announce it so that they might turn from their way, the impious one will die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood from your hand. If, however, you announce it and he has not returned, he himself will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul." Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop, since he is placed as a watchman, to attend diligently to the aforementioned things, and after he has attended to them, to correct them by word if he can, and by deed. And if he cannot, he must decline the companionship of the workers of wickedness according to the rule of the Gospel. If your brother sins against you, says the Gospel, correct him between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. If he does not hear you, take with you one or two, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. If he does not hear them, tell the church. If he does not hear the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector. By such an order is he to be expelled who does not adhere to the teacher or bishop, and whoever has been expelled by such an order should not be received by any other teacher or bishop. For it is written in the law concerning a priest: "He shall not take a living or a repudiated woman as a wife."