The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
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The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
And as to the fact that Christians are
not accustomed to serve such gods, I might easily find many other things
to say; but if even what has been said does not seem to any one
sufficient, I deem it idle to say anything further.
CHAP. III.—_Superstitions of the Jews._
And next, I imagine that you are most desirous of hearing something on
this point, that the Christians do not observe the same forms of divine
worship as do the Jews. The Jews, then, if they abstain from the kind of
service above described, and deem it proper to worship one God as being
Lord of all, [are right]; but if they offer Him worship in the way which
we have described, they greatly err. For while the Gentiles, by offering
such things to those that are destitute of sense and hearing, furnish an
example of madness; they, on the other hand, by thinking to offer these
things to God as if He needed them, might justly reckon it rather an act
of folly than of divine worship. For He that made heaven and earth, and
all that is therein, and gives to us all the things of which we stand in
need, certainly requires none of those things which He Himself bestows
on such as think of furnishing them to Him. But those who imagine that,
by means of blood, and the smoke of sacrifices and burnt-offerings, they
offer sacrifices [acceptable] to Him, and that by such honours they show
Him respect,—these, by[1473] supposing that they can give anything to
Him who stands in need of nothing, appear to me in no respect to differ
from those who studiously confer the same honour on things destitute of
sense, and which therefore are unable to enjoy such honours.
CHAP. IV.—_The other observances of the Jews._
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