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
If, then, both proclaim the Word--the one by writing, the other by
speech--are not both then to be approved, making, as they do, faith
active by love? It is by one’s own fault that he does not choose what
is best; God is free of blame. As to the point in hand, it is the
business of some to lay out the word at interest, and of others to
test it, and either choose it or not. And the judgment is determined
within themselves. But there is that species of knowledge which
is characteristic of the herald, and that which is, as it were,
characteristic of a messenger, and it is serviceable in whatever way
it operates, both by the hand and tongue. “For he that soweth to the
Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be
weary in well-doing.”[810] On him who by Divine Providence meets in
with it, it confers the very highest advantages,--the beginning of
faith, readiness for adopting a right mode of life, the impulse towards
the truth, a movement of inquiry, a trace of knowledge; in a word, it
gives the means of salvation. And those who have been rightly reared
in the words of truth, and received provision for eternal life, wing
their way to heaven. Most admirably, therefore, the apostle says, “In
everything approving ourselves as the servants of God; as poor, and
yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.
Our mouth is opened to you.”[811] “I charge thee,” he says, writing
to Timothy, “before God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that
thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing
nothing by partiality.”[812]
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