The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Religion
The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
There is a twofold species of fear, the one of which is accompanied
with reverence, such as citizens show towards good rulers, and we
towards God, as also right-minded children towards their fathers. “For
an unbroken horse turns out unmanageable, and a son who is let take
his own way turns out reckless.”[380] The other species of fear is
accompanied with hatred, which slaves feel towards hard masters, and
the Hebrews felt, who made God a master, not a father. And as far as
piety is concerned, that which is voluntary and spontaneous differs
much, nay entirely, from what is forced. “For He,” it is said, “is
merciful; He will heal their sins, and not destroy them, and fully
turn away His anger, and not kindle all His wrath.”[381] See how the
justice of the Instructor, which deals in rebukes, is shown; and the
goodness of God, which deals in compassions. Wherefore David--that is,
the Spirit by him--embracing them both, sings of God Himself, “Justice
and judgment are the preparation of His throne: mercy and truth shall
go before Thy face.”[382] He declares that it belongs to the same power
both to judge and to do good. For there is power over both together,
and judgment separates that which is just from its opposite. And He who
is truly God is just and good; who is Himself all, and all is He; for
He is God, the only God.
For as the mirror is not evil to an ugly man because it shows him what
like he is; and as the physician is not evil to the sick man because
he tells him of his fever,--for the physician is not the cause of the
fever, but only points out the fever;--so neither is He, that reproves,
ill-disposed towards him who is diseased in soul. For He does not put
the transgressions on him, but only shows the sins which are there;
in order to turn him away from similar practices. So God is good on
His own account, and just also on ours, and He is just because He is
good. And His justice is shown to us by His own Word from there from
above, whence the Father was. For before He became Creator He was God;
He was good. And therefore He wished to be Creator and Father. And the
nature of that love was the source of righteousness--the cause, too, of
His lighting up His sun, and sending down His own Son. And He first
announced the good righteousness that is from heaven, when He said, “No
man knoweth the Son, but the Father; nor the Father, but the Son.”[383]
This mutual and reciprocal knowledge is the symbol of primeval justice.
Then justice came down to men both in the letter and in the body, in
the Word and in the law, constraining humanity to saving repentance;
for it was good. But do you not obey God? Then blame yourself, who drag
to yourself the judge.
CHAPTER X.
THAT THE SAME GOD, BY THE SAME WORD, RESTRAINS FROM SIN BY
THREATENING, AND SAVES HUMANITY BY EXHORTING.
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