The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
“Hear, then,” says he, “foolish man, how grief crushes out the Holy
Spirit, and on the other hand saves. When the doubting man attempts any
deed, and fails in it on account of his doubt, this grief enters into
the man, and grieves the Holy Spirit, and crushes him out. Then, on the
other hand, when anger attaches itself to a man in regard to any matter,
and he is embittered, then grief enters into the heart of the man who
was irritated, and he is grieved at the deed which he did, and repents
that he has wrought a wicked deed. This grief, then, appears to be
accompanied by salvation, because the man, after having done a wicked
deed, repented.[1670] Both actions grieve the Spirit: doubt, because it
did not accomplish its object; and anger grieves the Spirit, because it
did what was wicked. Both these are grievous to the Holy Spirit—doubt
and anger. Wherefore remove grief from you, and crush not the Holy
Spirit which dwells in you, lest he entreat God[1671] against you, and
he withdraw from you. For the Spirit of God which has been granted to us
to dwell in this body does not endure grief nor straitness. Wherefore
put on cheerfulness, which always is agreeable and acceptable to
God,[1672] and rejoice in it. For every cheerful man does what is good,
and minds what is good, and despises grief;[1673] but the sorrowful man
always acts wickedly. First, he acts wickedly because he grieves the
Holy Spirit, which was given to man a cheerful Spirit. Secondly,
Grieving the Holy Spirit, he works iniquity, neither entreating the Lord
nor confessing[1674] to Him. For the entreaty of the sorrowful man has
no power to ascend to the altar of God.” “Why,” say I, “does not the
entreaty of the grieved man ascend to the altar?” “Because,” says he,
“grief sits in his heart. Grief, then, mingled with his entreaty, does
not permit the entreaty to ascend pure to the altar of God. For as
vinegar and wine, when mixed in the same vessel, do not give the same
pleasure [as wine alone gives], so grief mixed with the Holy Spirit does
not produce the same entreaty [as would be produced by the Holy Spirit
alone]. Cleanse yourself from this wicked grief, and you will live to
God; and all will live to God who drive away grief from them, and put on
all cheerfulness.”
COMMANDMENT ELEVENTH.
_The Spirit and prophets to be tried by their works; also of the two
kinds of spirit._
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