Therefore it is fitting that you also should run together in accordance with the will of the bishop who by God’s appointment rules over you.
Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter IV
Tag: Holy Orders
Church authority
Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.
Polycarp
Epistle to the Philippians
Chapter V
The Apostles appointed bishops
Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those ministers already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those whoo have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties.
Clement of Rome
First Epistle to the Corinthians
Chapter XLIV