The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing is love, and that there
is no declaring its perfection. Who is fit to be found in it, except
such as God has vouchsafed to render so? Let us pray, therefore, and
implore of His mercy, that we may live blameless in love, free from all
human partialities for one above another. All the generations from Adam
even unto this day have passed away; but those who, through the grace of
God, have been made perfect in love, now possess a place among the
godly, and shall be made manifest at the revelation[221] of the kingdom
of Christ. For it is written, “Enter into thy secret chambers for a
little time, until my wrath and fury pass away; and I will remember a
propitious[222] day, and will raise you up out of your graves.”[223]
Blessed are we, beloved, if we keep the commandments of God in the
harmony of love; that so through love our sins may be forgiven us. For
it is written, “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and
whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not
impute to him, and in whose mouth there is no guile.”[224] This
blessedness cometh upon those who have been chosen by God through Jesus
Christ our Lord; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAP. LI.—_Let the partakers in strife acknowledge their sins._
Let us therefore implore forgiveness for all those transgressions which
through any [suggestion] of the adversary we have committed. And those
who have been the leaders of sedition and disagreement ought to have
respect[225] to the common hope. For such as live in fear and love would
rather that they themselves than their neighbours should be involved in
suffering. And they prefer to bear blame themselves, rather than that
the concord which has been well and piously[226] handed down to us
should suffer. For it is better that a man should acknowledge his
transgressions than that he should harden his heart, as the hearts of
those were hardened who stirred up sedition against Moses the servant of
God, and whose condemnation was made manifest [unto all]. For they went
down alive into Hades, and death swallowed them up.[227] Pharaoh with
his army and all the princes of Egypt, and the chariots with their
riders, were sunk in the depths of the Red Sea, and perished,[228] for
no other reason than that their foolish hearts were hardened, after so
many signs and wonders had been wrought in the land of Egypt by Moses
the servant of God.
CHAP. LII.—_Such a confession is pleasing to God._
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