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
“Let those who have faithful masters not despise them, because they are
brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful.”[794]
“He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with
diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be
without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which
is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in
honour preferring one another. Not slothful in business; fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer. Given to hospitality; communicating to
the necessities of the saints.”
Such are a few injunctions out of many, for the sake of example, which
the Instructor, running over the divine Scriptures, sets before His
children; by which, so to speak, vice is cut up by the roots, and
iniquity is circumscribed.
Innumerable commands such as these are written in the holy Bible
appertaining to chosen persons, some to presbyters, some to bishops,
some to deacons, others to widows, of whom we shall have another
opportunity of speaking. Many things spoken in enigmas, many in
parables, may benefit such as fall in with them. But it is not my
province, says the Instructor, to teach these any longer. But we need a
Teacher of the exposition of those sacred words, to whom we must direct
our steps.
And now, in truth, it is time for me to cease from my instruction, and
for you to listen to the Teacher.[795] And He, receiving you who have
been trained up in excellent discipline, will teach you the oracles.
To noble purpose has the church sung, and the Bridegroom also, the
alone Teacher, the good Counsel, of the good Father, the true Wisdom,
the Sanctuary of knowledge. “And He is the propitiation for our sins,”
as John says; Jesus, who heals both our body and soul--which are the
proper man. “And not for our sins only, but also for the whole world.
And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He
that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar;
and the truth is not in Him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily
is the love of God perfected. Hereby know we that we are in Him. He
that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself to walk even as He also
walked.”[796] O nurslings of His blessed training! let us complete the
fair face of the church; and let us run as children to our good mother.
And if we become listeners to the Word, let us glorify the blessed
dispensation by which man is trained and sanctified as a child of God,
and has his conversation in heaven, being trained from earth, and there
receives the Father, whom he learns to know on earth. The Word both
does and teaches all things, and trains in all things.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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