The Epistle to Diogentus

To put it shortly what the soul is in the body.[*](The world and Christians) that the Christians are in the world.

The soul is spread through all members of the body, and Christians throughout the cities of the world.

The soul dwells in the body, but is not of the body, and Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the

The soul is invisible, and is guarded in a visible body, and Christians are recognised when they are in the world, but their religion remains invisible.

The flesh hates the soul, and wages war upon it, though it has suffered no evil, because it is prevented from gratifying its pleasures, and the world hates the Christians though it has suffered no evil, because they are opposed to its pleasures.

The soul loves the flesh which hates it and the limbs, and Christians love those that hate them.

The soul has been shut up in the body, but itself sustains the body; and Christians are confined in the world as in a prison, but themselves sustain the world.[*](Cf. Aristides, Apology 16. I have no doubt but that the world stands through the intercession of Christians.)

The soul dwells immortal in a mortal tabernacle, and Christians sojourn among corruptible things, waiting for the incorruptibility which is in heaven.

The soul when evil treated in food and drink becomes better, and Christians when buffeted day by day increase more.

10. God has appointed them to so great a post[*]( There is probably a recurrence of the idea of the church as the militia dei (cf. note on Hermas, Sim. v. i. 1).) and it is not right for them to decline it.