The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
behoves you, therefore, also to reverence your superiors.
CHAP. IV.—_Some wickedly act independently of the bishop._
SHORTER.
It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in
reality: as some indeed give one the title of bishop, but do all things
without him. Now such persons seem to me to be not possessed of a good
conscience, seeing they are not stedfastly gathered together according
to the commandment.
LONGER.
It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in
reality. For it is not the being called so, but the being really so,
that renders a man blessed. To those who indeed talk of the bishop, but
do all things without him, will He who is the true and first Bishop, and
the only High Priest by nature, declare, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and
do not the things which I say?”[921] For such persons seem to me not
possessed of a good conscience, but to be simply dissemblers and
hypocrites.
CHAP. V.—_Death is the fate of all such._
SHORTER.
Seeing, then, all things have an end, these two things are
simultaneously set before us—death and life; and every one shall go unto
his own place. For as there are two kinds of coins, the one of God, the
other of the world, and each of these has its special character stamped
upon it, [so is it also here.][922] The unbelieving are of this world;
but the believing have, in love, the character of God the Father by
Jesus Christ, by whom, if we are not in readiness to die into His
passion,[923] His life is not in us.
LONGER.
Seeing, then, all things have an end, and there is set before us life
upon our observance [of God’s precepts], but death as the result of
disobedience, and every one, according to the choice he makes, shall go
to his own place, let us flee from death, and make choice of life. For I
remark, that two different characters are found among men—the one true
coin, the other spurious. The truly devout man is the right kind of
coin, stamped by God Himself. The ungodly man, again, is false coin,
unlawful, spurious, counterfeit, wrought not by God, but by the devil. I
do not mean to say that there are two different human natures, but that
there is one humanity, sometimes belonging to God, and sometimes to the
devil. If any one is truly religious, he is a man of God; but if he is
irreligious, he is a man of the devil, made such, not by nature, but by
his own choice. The unbelieving bear the image of the prince of
wickedness. The believing possess the image of their Prince, God the
Father, and Jesus Christ, through whom, if we are not in readiness to
die for the truth into His passion,[924] His life is not in us.
CHAP. VI.—_Preserve harmony._
SHORTER.
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