The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
subject[712] to the Lord, and to [other] masters as the image of God,
with modesty and fear. Thou shalt not issue orders with bitterness to
thy maid-servant or thy man-servant, who trust in the same [God[713]],
lest thou shouldst not[714] reverence that God who is above both; for He
came to call men not according to their outward appearance,[715] but
according as the Spirit had prepared them.[716] Thou shalt communicate
in all things with thy neighbour; thou shalt not call[717] things thine
own; for if ye are partakers in common of things which are
incorruptible,[718] how much more [should you be] of those things which
are corruptible![719] Thou shalt not be hasty with thy tongue, for the
mouth is a snare of death. As far as possible, thou shalt be pure in thy
soul. Do not be ready to stretch forth thy hands to take, whilst thou
contractest them to give. Thou shalt love, as the apple of thine eye,
every one that speaketh to thee the word of the Lord. Thou shalt
remember the day of judgment, night and day. Thou shalt seek out every
day the faces of the saints,[720] either by word examining them, and
going to exhort them, and meditating how to save a soul by the
word,[721] or by thy hands thou shalt labour for the redemption of thy
sins. Thou shalt not hesitate to give, nor murmur when thou givest.
“Give to every one that asketh thee,”[722] and thou shalt know who is
the good Recompenser of the reward. Thou shalt preserve what thou hast
received [in charge], neither adding to it nor taking from it. To the
last thou shalt hate the wicked[723] [one].[724] Thou shalt judge
righteously. Thou shalt not make a schism, but thou shalt pacify those
that contend by bringing them together. Thou shalt confess thy sins.
Thou shalt not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of
light.[725]
CHAP. XX.—_The way of darkness._
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