The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
On the other hand, be a man or woman ever so
bad, yet, if the works of the angel of righteousness ascend into his or
her heart, he or she must do something good. You see, therefore, that it
is good to follow the angel of righteousness, but to bid farewell[1660]
to the angel of iniquity.
“This commandment exhibits the deeds of faith, that you may trust the
works of the angel of righteousness, and doing them you may live to God.
But believe that the works of the angel of iniquity are hard. If you
refuse to do them, you will live to God.”
COMMANDMENT SEVENTH.
_On fearing God, and not fearing the devil._
“Fear,” said he, “the Lord, and keep His commandments.[1661] For if you
keep the commandments of God, you will be powerful in every action, and
every one of your actions will be incomparable. For, fearing the Lord,
you will do all things well. This is the fear which you ought to have,
that you may be saved. But fear not the devil; for, fearing the Lord,
you will have dominion over the devil, for there is no power in him. But
he in whom there is no power ought on no account to be an object of
fear; but He in whom there is glorious power is truly to be feared. For
every one that has power ought to be feared; but he who has not power is
despised by all. Fear, therefore, the deeds of the devil, since they are
wicked. For, fearing the Lord, you will not do these deeds, but will
refrain from them. For fears are of two kinds: for if you do not wish to
do that which is evil, fear the Lord, and you will not do it; but,
again, if you wish to do that which is good, fear the Lord, and you will
do it. Wherefore the fear of the Lord is strong, and great, and
glorious. Fear, then, the Lord, and you will live to Him, and as many as
fear Him and keep His commandments will live to God.” “Why,”[1662] said
I, “sir, did you say in regard to those that keep His commandments, that
they will live to God?” “Because,” says he, “all creation fears the
Lord, but all creation does not keep His commandments. They only who
fear the Lord and keep His commandments have life with God;[1663] but as
to those who keep not His commandments, there is no life in them.”
COMMANDMENT EIGHTH.
_We ought to shun that which is evil, and do that which is good._
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