The Epistle to Diogentus

But whoever takes up the burden of his neighbour, and wishes to help another, who is worse off in that in which he is the stronger, and by ministering to those in need the things which he has received and holds from God becomes a god to those who receive them,—this man is an imitator of God.

Then, though your lot be placed on earth you will see that God lives in heaven, then you will begin to speak of the mysteries of God, then you will both love and admire those who are being punished because they will not deny God, then you will condemn the deceit and error of the world, when you know what is the true life of heaven, when you despise the apparent death of this world, when you fear the death which is real, which is kept for those that shall be condemned to the everlasting fire, which shall punish up to the end those that were delivered to it.

8. Then you will marvel at those who endure for the sake of righteousness the fire which is for a season, and you will count them blessed when you know that other fire.

My speech is not strange, nor my inquiry[*](Conclusion) unreasonable, but as a disciple of apostles I am becoming a teacher of the heathen. I administer worthily that which has been handed down to those who are becoming disciples of the truth.

For who that has been properly taught, and has become a lover of the word does not seek to learn plainly the things which have been clearly shown by the word to disciples, to whom the Word appeared and revealed them, speaking boldly, not being perceived by the unbelieving, but relating them to disciples, who were held by him to be faithful and gained knowledge of the mysteries of the Father?

And for his sake he sent the Word to appear to the world, who was dishonoured by the chosen people,[*](λαός is here, as frequently, the chosen people of Israel, in contrast with τὰ ἔθνη, the heathen nations.) was preached by apostles, was believed by the heathen.

He was from the beginning, and appeared new, and was proved to be old, and is ever young, as he is born in the hearts of the saints.

He is the eternal one, who to-day[*](This suggests that the homily belongs to a feast of the Nativity. In the time of Hippolytus this was probably not separated from the Epiphany or feast of the Baptism (see article on Christmas in Hastings Dictionary of Religion and Ethics.)) is accounted a Son, through whom the Church is enriched, and grace is unfolded and multiplied among the saints, who confers understanding, manifests mysteries, announces seasons, rejoices in the faithful, is given to them that seek, that is, to those by whom the pledges of faith are

Then is the fear of the Law sung, and the grace of the Prophets known, the faith of the Gospels is established, and the tradition of apostles is guarded, and the grace of the Church exults.

And if you do not grieve this grace you will understand what the word says through the agents of his choice, when he will.

For in all things which we were moved by the will of him who commands us to speak with pain, we become sharers with you through love of the things revealed to us.