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
What has to be observed at home, and how our life is to be regulated,
the Instructor has abundantly declared. And the things which He is
wont to say to children by the way, while He conducts them to the
Master, these He suggests, and adduces the Scriptures themselves in a
compendious form, setting forth bare injunctions, accommodating them to
the period of guidance, and assigning the interpretation of them to the
Master. For the intention of His law is to dissipate fear, emancipating
free-will in order to faith. “Hear,” He says, “O child,” who art
rightly instructed, the principal points of salvation. For I will
disclose my ways, and lay before thee good commandments; by which thou
wilt reach salvation. And I lead thee by the way of salvation. Depart
from the paths of deceit.
“For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the
ungodly shall perish.”[761] “Follow, therefore, O son, the good way
which I shall describe, lending to me attentive ears.” “And I will
give to thee the treasures of darkness, hidden and unseen”[762] by the
nations, but seen by us. And the treasures of wisdom are unfailing,
in admiration of which the apostle says, “O the depth of the riches
and the wisdom!”[763] And by one God are many treasures dispensed;
some disclosed by the law, others by the prophets; some to the divine
mouth, and others to the heptad of the spirit singing accordant. And
the Lord being one, is the same Instructor by all these. Here is then a
comprehensive precept, and an exhortation of life, all-embracing: “As
ye would that men should do unto you, do ye likewise to them.”[764]
We may comprehend the commandments in two, as the Lord says, “Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and
with all thy strength; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Then from these
He infers, “on this hang the law and the prophets.”[765] Further,
to him that asked, “What good thing shall I do, that I may inherit
eternal life?” He answered, “Thou knowest the commandments?” And on him
replying Yea, He said, “This do, and thou shalt be saved.” Especially
conspicuous is the love of the Instructor set forth in various salutary
commandments, in order that the discovery may be readier, from the
abundance and arrangement of the Scriptures. We have the Decalogue
given by Moses, which, indicating by an elementary principle, simple
and of one kind, defines the designation of sins in a way conducive
to salvation: “Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not worship
idols. Thou shalt not corrupt boys. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt
not bear false witness. Honour thy father and thy mother.”[766] And
so forth. These things are to be observed, and whatever else is
commanded in reading the Bible. And He enjoins on us by Isaiah: “Wash
you, and make you clean. Put away iniquities from your souls before
mine eyes. Learn to do well. Seek judgment. Deliver the wronged. Judge
for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason
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