The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
When then I ceased asking in regard to all these matters, she said to
me, “Do you wish to see anything else?” And as I was extremely eager to
see something more, my countenance beamed with joy. She looked towards
me with a smile, and said, “Do you see seven women around the tower?” “I
do, Lady,” said I. “This tower,” said she, “is supported by them
according to the precept of the Lord. Listen now to their functions. The
first of them, who is clasping her hands, is called Faith. Through her
the elect of God are saved. Another, who has her garments tucked up and
acts with vigour, is called Self-restraint. She is the daughter of
Faith. Whoever then follows her will become happy in his life, because
he will restrain himself from all evil works, believing that, if he
restrain himself from all evil desire, he will inherit eternal life.”
“But the others,” said I, “O Lady, who are they?” And she said to me,
“They are daughters of each other. One of them is called Simplicity,
another Guilelessness, another Chastity, another Intelligence, another
Love. When then you do all the works of their mother, you will be able
to live.” “I should like to know,” said I, “O Lady, what power each one
of them possesses.” “Hear,” she said, “what power they have. Their
powers are regulated[1601] by each other, and follow each other in the
order of their birth. For from Faith arises Self-restraint; from
Self-restraint, Simplicity; from Simplicity, Guilelessness; from
Guilelessness, Chastity; from Chastity, Intelligence; and from
Intelligence, Love. The deeds, then, of these are pure, and chaste, and
divine. Whoever devotes himself to these, and is able to hold fast by
their works, shall have his dwelling in the tower with the saints of
God.” Then I asked her in regard to the ages, if now there is the
conclusion. She cried out with a loud voice, “Foolish man! do you not
see the tower yet building? When the tower is finished and built, then
comes the end; and I assure you it will be soon finished. Ask me no more
questions. Let you and all the saints be content with what I have called
to your remembrance, and with my renewal of your spirits. But observe
that it is not for your own sake only that these revelations have been
made to you, but they have been given you that you may show them to all.
For after three days—this you will take care to remember—I command you
to speak all the words which I am to say to you into the ears of the
saints, that hearing them and doing them, they may be cleansed from
their iniquities, and you along with them.”
CHAP. IX.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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