Likewise, let everyone respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, just as the bishop is a type of the Father, and the presbyters as the council of God and the bond of the apostles. Apart from these, it is not called a Church.
I am convinced that you are of this mind concerning these things. For I received the pattern of your love and have it with me in your bishop, whose very demeanor is a great lesson and whose gentleness is power. I think that even the godless respect him.
Loving you, I spare you, though I am able to write more forcefully about this. I did not presume to do so, that, being a condemned man, I should give you orders like an apostle.