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
Such ought those who are consecrated to Christ appear, and frame
themselves in their whole life, as they fashion themselves in the
church for the sake of gravity; and to be, not to seem such--so
meek, so pious, so loving. But now I know not how people change
their fashions and manners with the place. As they say that polypi,
assimilated to the rocks to which they adhere, are in colour such as
they; so, laying aside the inspiration of the assembly, after their
departure from it, they become like others with whom they associate.
Nay, in laying aside the artificial mask of solemnity, they are
proved to be what they secretly were. After having paid reverence to
the discourse about God, they leave within [the church] what they
have heard. And outside they foolishly amuse themselves with impious
playing, and amatory quavering, occupied with flute-playing, and
dancing, and intoxication, and all kinds of trash. They who sing thus,
and sing in response, are those who before hymned immortality,--found
at last wicked and wickedly singing this most pernicious palinode, “Let
us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.” But not to-morrow in truth,
but already, are these dead to God; burying their dead,[745] that is,
sinking themselves down to death. The apostle very firmly assails them:
“Be not deceived; neither adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,
nor railers,” and whatever else he adds to these, “shall inherit the
kingdom of God.”[746]
_Love and the Kiss of Charity._
And if we are called to the kingdom of God, let us walk worthy of the
kingdom, loving God and our neighbour. But love is not tested by a
kiss, but by kindly feeling. But there are those, that do nothing but
make the churches resound with a kiss, not having love itself within.
For this very thing, the shameless use of the kiss, which ought to be
mystic, occasions foul suspicions and evil reports. The apostle calls
the kiss holy.[747]
When the kingdom is worthily tasted, we dispense the affection of the
soul by a chaste and closed mouth, by which chiefly gentle manners are
expressed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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