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Ante-Nicene
Fathers
The Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D.
325
Volume I. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus
Clement of
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Volume II. Fathers of the Second Century
Hermas(641), Tatian(701), Theophilus(727), Athenagoras(770,
Clement of
Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian (1410)
Three Parts:
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Volume IV. The Fathers of the Third Century
Tertullian Part IV; Minucius Felix(2258); Commodian(2290); Origen (2313)
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Volume V. The Fathers of the Third Century
Hippolytus(2890); Cyprian(3891); Caius(4282); Novatian(4287); Appendix
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Volume VI. The Fathers of the Third Century
Gregory Thaumaturgus(4377); Dinysius the Great(4437); Julius Africanus(4482); Anatolius and Minor Writers(4503); Methodius(4664); Arnobius(4780)
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Volume VII. Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries
Lactantius(6458), Venantius(6462), Asterius(6465), Victorinus(6469), Dionysius(6494), Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily, Liturgies
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Volume VIII. Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries
The Twelve Patriarchs(6717), Excerpts and Epistles, The
Clementia(6763), Apocrypha(7134), Decretals(7398), Memoirs of
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Volume X. Recently Discovered Additions to Early Christian Literature; Commentaries of Origen
The Gospel of Peter(7576), The Diatessaron of Tatian(7605), The Apocalypse of Peter(7781), The Visio Pauli(7785), The Apocalypses of the Virgin and Sedrach(7803), The Testament of Abraham(7814), The Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena(7830), The Narrative of Zosimus(7845), The Apology of Aristides(7879), The Epistles of Clement (Complete Text)(7851), Origen's Commentary on John, Books I-X(7905), Origen's Commentary on Mathew, Books I, II, and X-XIV(8036)
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Questionable Writings
THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES; THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO MATTHEW; THE GOSPEL
OF THE NATIVITY OF MARY; HISTORY OF JOSPEH THE CARPENTER; THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS; THE
GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS; THE LETTER OF PONTIUS PILATE; THE NARRATIVE OF JOSPEH; AVENGING
OF THE SAVIOUR; ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
Nicene and Post-Nicene
St.
Volume I.
Prolegomena:
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Volume II.
The City of
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Volume III.
On the Holy Trinity, Doctrinal
Treatises, Moral Treatises
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Volume IV.
The Anti-Manichaean Writings,
The Anti-Donatist Writings
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Volume V.
Anti-Pelagian Writings
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Volume VI.
Sermon on the Mount, Harmony
of the Gospels, Homilies on the Gospels
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Volume VII.
Homilies on the Gospel of
John, Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Soliloquies
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Volume VIII.
Expositions on the Psalms
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St. Chrysostom Volumes
Volume IX.
On the Priesthood, Ascetic
Treatises, Select Homilies and Letters, Homilies on the Statutes
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Volume X.
Homilies on the Gospel of St.
Matthew
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Volume XI.
Homilies on the Acts of the
Apostles and the Epistle to the Romans
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Volume XII.
Homilies on First and Second
Corinthians
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Volume XIII.
Homilies on the Epistles to
the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy,
Titus, and Philemon
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Volume XIV.
Homilies on the Gospel of St.
John and the Epistle to the Hebrews
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Nicene and Post-Nicene
Fathers
Series II
Volume I.
Eusebius: Church History from
A.D. 1-324, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of Constantine
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Volume II.
Socrates: Church History from
A.D. 305-438; Sozomenus: Church History from A.D. 323-425
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Volume III.
Theodoret, Jerome and
Gennadius, Rufinus and Jerome
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Volume IV.
Athanasius: Select Writings
and Letters
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Volume V.
Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic
Treatises; Select Writings and Letters
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Volume VI.
Jerome: Letters and Select
Works
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Volume VII.
Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory
Nazianzen
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Volume VIII.
Basil: Letters and Select
Works
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Volume IX.
Hilary of Poitiers, John of
Damascus
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Volume X.
Ambrose: Select Works and
Letters
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Volume XI.
Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of
Lerins, John Cassian
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Volume XII.
Leo the Great, Gregory the
Great
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Volume XIII.
Gregory the Great II, Ephriam
Syrus, Aphrahat
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Volume XIV.
The Seven Ecumenical Councils
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This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library |
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THE
FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS
CHAP.
I.--THE SALUTATION. PRAISE OF THE
CORINTHIANS BEFORE THE
BREAKING
FORTH OF SCHISM AMONG THEM.
THE Church of God which sojourns at Rome,
to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to them that are called and
sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you,
and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and
successive calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we
have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting
which you consulted us;(2) and especially to that shameful and detestable
sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and
self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your
venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered
grievous injury.(3) For who ever dwelt even for a short time among you, and did
not find your faith to be as fruitful of virtue as it was firmly
established?(4) Who did not admire the sobriety and moderation of your
godliness in Christ? Who did not proclaim the magnificence of your habitual
hospitality? And who did not rejoice over your perfect and well-grounded
knowledge? For ye did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the
command-merits of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and
giving all fitting honour to the presbyters among you. Ye enjoined young men to
be of a sober and serious mind; ye instructed your wives to do all things with
a blameless, becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty
bound; and ye taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should manage
their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect marked by
discretion.
CHAP.
II.--PRAISE OF THE CORINTHIANS CON-
TINUED.
Moreover, ye were all distinguished by
humility, and were in no respect puffed up with pride, but yielded obedience
rather than extorted it,(5) and were more willing to give than to receive?
Content with the provision which God had made for you, and carefully attending
to His words, ye were inwardly filled(7) with His doctrine, and His sufferings
were before your eyes. Thus a profound and abundant peace was given to you all,
and ye had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the
Holy Spirit was upon you all. Full of holy designs, ye did, with true
earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, stretch forth your hands to God
Almighty, beseeching Him to be merciful unto you, if ye had been guilty of any
involuntary transgression. Day and night ye were anxious for the whole
brotherhood,(8) that the number of God's elect might be saved with mercy and a
good conscience.(9) Ye were sincere and uncorrupted, and forgetful of injuries
between one another. Every kind of faction and schism was abominable in your
sight. Ye mourned over the transgressions of your neighhours: their
deficiencies you deemed your own. Ye never grudged any act of kindness, being
"ready to every good work."(10) Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and
religious life, ye did all things in the fear of God. The commandments and
ordinances of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts.(11)
CHAP.
III.--THE SAD STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH AFTER SEDITION
AROSE
IN IT FROM ENVY AND EMULATION.
Every kind of honour and happiness(12) was
bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, "My
beloved did eat and drink, and was enlarged and became fat, and
kicked."(13) Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition,
persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against
the honoured, those of no reputation
6
against
such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those
advanced in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed
from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind
in His faith,(1) neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a
part becoming a Christian,(2) but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming
the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered
into the world.(3)
CHAP.
IV.--MANY EVILS HAVE ALREADY FLOWED FROM THIS SOURCE IN
ANCIENT
TIMES.
For thus it is written: "And it came
to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a
sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and
of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain
and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his
countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why art thou grieved, and why is try
countenance fallen? If thou offerest rightly, but dost not divide rightly, hast
thou not sinned? Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt
again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field.
And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against
Abel his brother, and slew him."(4) Ye see, brethren, how envy and
jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob
fled from the face of Esau his brother.(5) Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto
death, and to come into bondage.(6) Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face
of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman,
"Who made thee a judge or a ruler over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou
didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?"(7) On account of envy, Aaron and
Miriam had to make their abode without the camp.(8) Envy brought down Dathan
and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against
God's servant Moses.(9) Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of
foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel.(10)
CHAP.
V.--NO LESS EVILS HAVE ARISEN FROM THE SAME SOURCE IN THE
MOST
RECENT TIMES. THE MARTYRDOM OF PETER AND PAUL.
But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let
us come to the most recent spiritual heroes.(11) Let us take the noble examples
furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and
most righteous pillars[of the Church](3) have been persecuted and put to
death.(12) Let us set before our eyes the illustrious(13) apostles. Peter,
through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when
he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him.
Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being
seven times thrown into captivity,(14) compelled(15) to flee, and stoned. After
preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due
to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the
extreme limit of the west,(16) and suffered martyrdom under the prefects.(17)
Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved
himself a striking example of patience.
CHAP.
VI.--CONTINUATION. SEVERAL OTHER
MARTYRS.
To these men who spent their lives in the
practice of holiness, there is to be added a great multitude of the elect, who,
having through envy endured many indignities and tortures, furnished. us with a
most excellent example. Through envy, those women, the Danaids(18) and Dircae, being
persecuted, after they had suffered terrible and unspeakable torments, finished
the course of their faith with stedfastness,(19) and though weak in body,
received a noble reward. Envy has alienated wives from their husbands, and
changed that saying of our father Adam, "This is now bone of my bones, and
flesh of my flesh." Envy and strife have overthrown great cities and
rooted up mighty nations.
7
CHAP.
VII.--AN EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE.
These things, beloved, we write unto you,
not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves. For we
are struggling on the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both of
us. Wherefore let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the
glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good,
pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look
stedfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to
God,(1) which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of
repentance before the whole world. Let us turn to every age that has passed,
and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of
repentance to all such as would be converted unto Him. Noah preached
repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved.(2) Jonah proclaimed
destruction to the Ninevites;(3) but they, repenting of their sins, propitiated
God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were aliens [to the
covenant] of God.
CHAP.
VIII.--CONTINUATION RESPECTING REPENTANCE.
The ministers of the grace of God have, by
the Holy Spirit, spoken of repentance; and the Lord of all things has himself
declared with an oath regarding it, "As I live, saith the Lord, I desire
not the death of the sinner, but rather his repentance ; "(4) adding, moreover, this gracious declaration
Repent O house of Israel, of your iniquity.(5) Say to the children of My
people, Though your sins reach from earth to heaven, I and though they be redder(6)
than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth, yet if ye turn to Me with your whole
heart, and say, Father ! I will listen to you, as to a holy(7) people."
And in another place He speaks thus: "Wash
you, and become clean; put away the wickedness of your souls from before
mine eyes; cease from your evil ways, and learn to do well; seek out judgment,
deliver the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and see that justice is done to
the widow; and come, and let us reason together. He declares, Though your sins
be like crimson, I will make them white as snow; though they be like scarlet, I
will whiten them like wool. And if ye be
willing and obey Me, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye
refuse, and will not hearken unto Me, the sword shall devour you, for the mouth
of the Lord hath spoken these things."(8) Desiring, therefore, that all
His beloved should be partakers of repentance, He has, by His almighty will,
established [these declarations].
CHAP.
IX.--EXAMPLES OF THE SAINTS.
Wherefore, let us yield obedience to His
excellent and glorious will; and imploring His mercy and loving-kindness, while
we forsake all fruitless labours,(9) and strife, and envy, which leads to
death, let us turn and have recourse to His compassions. Let us stedfastly
contemplate those who have perfectly ministered to His excellent glory. Let us take (for instance)
Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was translated, and death was
never known to happen to him? Noah, being found faithful, preached regeneration
to the world through his ministry; and the Lord saved by him the animals which,
with one accord, entered into the ark.
CHAP.
X.--CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE.
Abraham, styled "the friend,"(11)
was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He,
in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his
kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small
territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the
promises of God. For God said to him, "Get thee out from thy country,, and
from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, into the land which I shall
show thee. And I will make thee a great
nation, and will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shall be
blessed. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee;
and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed."(12) And
again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him. "Lift up thine eyes,
and look from the place where thou now art, northward, and southward, and eastward,
and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to
thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, [so that]
if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be
numbered."(13) And again [the Scripture] saith, "God brought forth
Abram, and spake unto him, Look up now to heaven, and count the stars if thou
be able to number them; so shall thy seed be. And Abram believed God, and it
was counted to him for righteousness."(14) On account of his faith and
hospitality, a son
8
was
given him in his old age; and in the exercise of obedience, he offered him as a
sacrifice to God on one of the mountains which He showed him.(1)
CHAP.
XL.--CONTINUATION. LOT.
On account of his hospitality and godliness,
Lot was saved out of Sodore when all the country round was punished by means of
fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake
those that hope in Him, but gives up such as depart from Him to punishment and
torture.(2) For Lot's wife, who went forth with him, being of a different mind
from himself and not continuing in agreement with him [as to the command which
had been given them], was made an example of, so as to be a pillar of salt unto
this day.(3) This was done that all might know that those who are of a double
mind, and who distrust the power of God, bring down judgment on themselves? and
become a sign to all succeeding generations.
CHAP.
XII.--THE REWARDS OF AITH AND HOSPITALITY. RAHAB.
On account of her faith and hospitality,
Rahab the harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun,
to Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they were come to spy out
their land, and sent men to seize them, in order that, when taken, they might be
put to death. But the hospitable Rahab receiving them, concealed them on the
roof of her house under some stalks of flax. And when the men sent by the king
arrived and said "There came men unto thee who are to spy out our land;
bring them forth, for so the king commands," she answered them, "The
two men whom ye seek came unto me, but quickly departed again and are
gone," thus not discovering the spies to them. Then she said to the men,
"I know assuredly that the Lord your God hath given you this city, for the
fear and dread of you have fallen on its inhabitants. When therefore ye shall
have taken it, keep ye me and the house of my father in safety." And they
said to her, "It shall be as thou hast spoken to us. As soon, therefore,
as thou knowest that we are at hand, thou shall gather all thy family under thy
roof, and they shall be preserved, but all that. are found outside of thy
dwelling shall perish."(5)
Moreover, they gave her a sign to this effect, that she should hang
forth from her house a scarlet thread. And thus they made it manifest that
redemption should flow through the blood
of the Lord to all them that believe and hope in God.(6) Ye see,
beloved, that there was not only faith, but prophecy, in this woman.
CHAP.
XIII.--AN EXHORTATION TO HUMILITY.
Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble
mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry
feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy
Spirit saith, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man Story in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory
in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and
righteousness"(7)), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord
Jesus which He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He
spoke: "Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be
forgiven to you ; as ye do, so shall it be done unto you; as ye judge, so shall
ye be judged; as ye are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what
measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured to you."(8) By this
precept and by these rules let us stablish ourselves, that we walk with all
humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy word saith, "On whom
shall I look, but on him that is meek and peaceable, and that trembleth at My
words?"(9)
CHAP.
XIV.--WE SHOULD OBEY GOD RATHER THAN THE AUTHORS OF SEDITION.
It is right and holy therefore, men and
brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and
sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur
no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the
inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us
away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the
tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, "The
kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it,
but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it."(10) And
again [the Scripture] saith, "I saw the ungodly highly exalted, and lifted
up like the cedars of Lebanon: I passed by, and, behold, he was not; and I
diligently sought his place, and could not find it. Preserve innocence, and
look on equity: for there shall be a remnant to the peaceful man."(11)
9
CHAP.
XV.--WE MUST ADHERE TO THOSE WHO CULTIVATE PEACE, NOT TO THOSE WHO MERELY
PRETEND TO DO SO.
Let us cleave, therefore, to those who
cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to
desire it. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, "This people
honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me."(1) And
again: "They bless with their mouth, but curse with their heart."(2)
And again it saith, "They loved Him with their mouth, and lied to Him with
their tongue; but their heart was not right with Him, neither were they
faithful in His covenant."(3) "Let the deceitful lips become silent,"(4)
[and "let the Lord destroy all the lying lips,(5)] and the boastful tongue
of those who have said, Let us magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is
lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, and for the sighing of the needy,
will I now arise, saith the Lord: I will place him in safety; I will deal confidently with him."(6)
CHAP.
XVI.--CHRIST AS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY,
For Christ is of those who are
humble-minded, and not of those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of
pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition,
as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding Him. For He says, "Lord, who
hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ? We have
declared [our message] in His presence: He is, as it were, a child, and like a
root in thirsty ground; He has no form nor glory, yea, we saw Him, and He had
no form nor comeliness; but His form was without eminence, yea, deficient in
comparison with the [ordinary] form of men. He is a man exposed to stripes and
suffering, anti acquainted with the endurance of grief: for His countenance was
turned away; He was despised, and not esteemed. He bears our iniquities, and is
in sorrow for our sakes; yet we supposed that [on His own account] He was
exposed to labour, and stripes, and affliction. But He was wounded for our
transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace
was upon Him, and by His stripes we were
healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; [every] man has wandered in his
own way; and the Lord has delivered Him up for our sins, while He in the midst
of His sufferings openeth not His mouth. He was brought as a sheep to the
slaughter, and as a lamb before her shearer is dumb, so He openeth not His
mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away; who shall declare His
generation? for His life is taken from the earth. For the transgressions of my
people was He brought down to death. And
I will give the wicked for His sepulchre, and the rich for His death? because
He did no iniquity, neither was guile found in His mouth. And the Lord is
pleased to purify Him by stripes.(8) If ye make(9) an offering for sin, your
soul shall see a long-lived seed. And the Lord is pleased to relieve Him of the
affliction of His soul, to show Him light, and to form Him with
understanding,(10) to justify the Just One who ministereth well to many; and
the Himself shall carry their sins. On this account He shall inherit many, and shall
divide the spoil of the strong; because His soul was delivered to death, and He
was reckoned among the transgressors, and He bare the sins of many, and for
their sins was He delivered."(11) And again He saith, "I am a worm,
and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All that see Me have
derided Me; they have spoken with their lips; they have wagged their head,
[saying] He hoped in God, let Him deliver Him, let Him save Him, since He
delighteth in Him."(12) Ye see, beloved, what is the example which has
been given us; for if the Lord thus humbled Himself, what shall we do who have
through Him come under the yoke of His grace ?
CHAP.
XVII.--THE SAINTS AS EXAMPLES OF HUMILITY.
Let us be imitators also of those who in
goat-skins and sheep-skins(13) went about proclaiming the coming of Christ; I
mean Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel among the prophets, with those others to whom
a like testimony is borne [in Scripture]. Abraham was specially honoured, and
was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly regarding the glory of God,
humbly declared, "I am but dust and ashes."(14) Moreover, it is thus
written of Job, "Job was a righteous man, and blameless, truthful,
God-fearing, and one that kept himself from all evil."(15) But bringing an
accu-
1O
sation
against himself, he said, " No man is free from defilement, even if his
life be but of one day."(1) Moses was called faithful in all God's
house;(2) and through his instrumentality, God punished Egypt(3) with plagues
and tortures. Yet he, though thus greatly honoured, did not adopt lofty
language, but said, when the divine oracle came to him out of the bush,
"Who am I, that Thou sendest me ? I am a man of a feeble voice and a slow
tongue."(4) And again he said, "I am but as the smoke of a
pot."(5)
CHAP.
XVIII.--DAVID AS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY.
But what shall we say concerning David, to
whom such testimony was borne, and of whom(6) God said, "I have found a
man after Mine own heart, David the son of Jesse; and in everlasting mercy have
I anointed him?"(7) Yet this very man saith to God, "Have mercy on
me, O Lord, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy
compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me still more from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever
before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done that which was evil in Thy
sight; that Thou mayest be justified in Thy sayings, and mayest overcome when
Thou(8) art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in my
sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, Thou hast loved truth; the secret
and hidden things of wisdom hast Thou shown me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with
hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than
snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; my bones, which have been
humbled, shall exult. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine
iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me.(9) Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from
me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and establish me by Thy governing
Spirit. I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall be converted
unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness,(10) O God, the God of my
salvation: my tongue shall exult in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open
my mouth, and my lips shall show forth Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired
sacrifice, I would have given it; Thou wilt not delight in burnt-offerings. The
sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a bruised spirit; a broken and a contrite
heart God will not despise."(11)
CHAP.
XIX.--IMITATING THESE EXAMPLES, LET US SEEK AFTER PEACE.
Thus the humility and godly submission of
so great and illustrious men have rendered not only us, but also all the
generations before us, better; even as many as have received His oracles in
fear and truth. Wherefore, having so many great and glorious examples set
before us, let us turn again to the practice of that peace which from the
beginning was the mark set before us;(12) and let us look stedfastly to the
Father and Creator of the universe, and cleave to His mighty and surpassingly
great gifts and benefactions, of peace. Let us contemplate Him with our
understanding, and look with the eyes of our soul to His long-suffering will.
Let us reflect how free from wrath He is towards all His creation.
CHAP.
XX.--THE PEACE AND HARMONY OF THE UNIVERSE.
The heavens, revolving under His
government, are subject to Him in peace. Day and night run the course appointed
by Him, in no wise hindering each other. The sun and moon, with the companies
of the stars, roll on in harmony according to His command, within their
prescribed limits, and without any deviation. The fruitful earth, according to
His will, brings forth food in abundance, at the proper seasons, for man and
beast and all the living beings upon it, never hesitating, nor changing any of
the ordinances which He has fixed. The unsearchable places of abysses, and the
indescribable arrangements of the lower world, are restrained by the same laws.
The vast unmeasurable sea, gathered together by His working into various
basins,(13) never passes beyond the bounds placed around it, but does as He has
commanded. For He said, "Thus far shalt thou come, and thy waves shall be
broken within thee."(14) The ocean, impassible to man, and the worlds
beyond it, are regulated by the same enactments of the Lord. The seasons of
spring, summer, autumn, and winter, peacefully give place to one another. The
winds in their several quarters(15) fulfil, at the proper time, their service
without hindrance. The ever-flowing fountains, formed both for enjoyment and
health, furnish without fail their breasts for the life of men. The very
smallest
11
of living
beings meet together in peace and concord. All these the great Creator and Lord
of all has appointed to exist in peace and harmony; while He does good to all,
but most abundantly to us who have fled for refuge to His compassions through
Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory and majesty for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAP.
XXI.--LET US OBEY GOD, AND NOT THE AUTHORS OF SEDITION.
Take heed, beloved, lest His many
kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all. [For thus it must be] unless we
walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which are good and
well-pleasing in His sight. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place,
"The Spirit of the Lord is a candle searching the secret parts of the
belly."(1) Let us reflect how near He is, and that none of the thoughts or
reasonings in which we engage are hid from Him. It is right, therefore, that we
should not leave the post which His will has assigned us. Let us rather offend
those men who are foolish, and inconsiderate, and lifted up, and who glory in
the pride of their speech, than [offend] God. Let us reverence the Lord Jesus
Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us esteem those who have the rule
over us;(2) let us honour the aged(3) among us; let us train up the young men
in the fear of God; let us direct our wives to that which is good. Let them
exhibit the lovely habit of purity [in all their conduct]; let them show forth
the sincere disposition of meekness; let them make manifest the command which
they have of their tongue, by their manner(4) of speaking; let them display
their love, not by preferring(5) one to another, but by showing equal affection
to all that piously fear God. Let your children be partakers of true Christian
training; let them learn of how great avail humility is with God--how much the
spirit of pure affection can prevail with Him--how excellent and great His fear
is, and how it saves all those who walk in(6) it with a pure mind. For He is a
Searcher of the thoughts and desires [of the heart]: His breath is in us; and when
He pleases, He will take it away.
CHAP.
XXII.--THESE EXHORTATIONS ARE CONFIRMED BY THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, WHICH PROCLAIMS
THE MISERY OF SINFUL CONDUCT.
Now the faith which is in Christ confirms
all these [admonitions]. For He Himself by the Holy Ghost thus addresses us:
"Come, ye children, hearken unto Me; I will teach you the fear of the
Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth to see good days ? Keep thy
tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do
good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and His ears are [open] unto their prayers. The face of the Lord is against
them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The
righteous cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his
troubles."(7) "Many are the stripes [appointed for] the wicked; but
mercy shall compass those about who hope in the Lord."(8)
CHAP.
XXIII.--BE HUMBLE, AND BELIEVE THAT CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.
The all-merciful and beneficent Father has
bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly
bestows His favours upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore
let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted(9) up on account of
His exceedingly great and glorious gifts. Far from us be that which is written,
"Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who
say, These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but, behold,
we have grown old, and none of them has happened unto us.."(10) Ye foolish
ones! compare yourselves to a tree: take [for instance] the vine. First of all,
it sheds its leaves, then it buds, next it puts forth leaves, and then it
flowers; after that comes the sour grape, and then follows the ripened fruit.
Ye perceive how in a little time the fruit of a tree comes to maturity. Of a
truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also
bears witness, saying, "Speedily will He come, and will not tarry;"(11)
and, "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for
whom ye look."(12)
CHAP.
XXIV.--GOD CONTINUALLY SHOWS US IN NATURE THAT THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION.
Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord
continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He
has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits(13) by raising Him from the
dead. Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times
taking place. Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks to
sleep, and the day arises; the day [again] departs, and the night comes on.
12
Let us
behold the fruits [of the earth], how the sowing of grain takes place. The
sower(1) goes forth, and casts it into the ground; and the seed being thus
scattered, though dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually
dissolved. Then out of its dissolution the mighty power of the providence of
the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth
fruit.
CHAP.
XXV.--THE PHOENIX AN EMBLEM OF OUR RESURRECTION.
Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the
resurrection] which takes place in Eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the
countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This
is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of
its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of
frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is
fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm
is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings
forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in
which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of
Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in
the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done
this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the registers
of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year
was completed.(2)
CHAP.
XXVI.--WE SHALL RISE AGAIN, THEN, AS THE SCRIPTURE ALSO TESTIFIES.
Do we then deem it any great and wonderful
thing for the Maker of all things to raise up again those that have piously
served Him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird He shows us
the mightiness of His power to fulfil His promise ?(3) For [the Scripture]
saith in a certain place, "Thou shalt raise me up, and I shall confess unto
Thee; "(4) and again, "I laid me down, and slept; I awaked, because
Thou art with me; "(5) and again, Job says, "Thou shalt raise up this
flesh of mine, which has suffered all these things."(6)
CHAP.
XXVII.--IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, LET US CLEAVE TO THE OMNIPOTENT AND OMNISCIENT GOD.
Having then this hope, let our souls be
bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who
has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is
impossible with God, except to lie.(7) Let His faith therefore be stirred up
again within us, and let us consider that all things are nigh unto Him. By the
word of His might(8) He established all things, and by His word He can
overthrow them. "Who shall say unto Him, What hast thou done ? or, Who
shall resist the power of His strength?"(9) When and as He pleases He will
do all things, and none of the things determined by Him shall pass away? All
things are open before Him, and nothing can be hidden from His counsel.
"The heavens(11) declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His
handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth
knowledge. And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not
heard."(12)
CHAP.XXVIII.--GOD
SEES ALL THINGS: THEREFORE LET US AVOID TRANSGRESSION.
Since then all things are seen and heard
[by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from
evil desires;(13) so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the
judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His mighty hand ? Or
what world will receive any of those who run away from Him ? For the Scripture
saith in a certain place, "Whither shall I go, and where shall I be hid
from Thy presence? If I ascend into heaven, Thou art there; if I go away even
to the uttermost parts of the earth, there is Thy right hand; if I make my bed
in the abyss, there is Thy Spirit."(14) Whither, then, shall any one go,
or where shall he escape from Him who comprehends all things ?
CHAP. XXIX.--LET
US AlSO DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PURITY OF HEART.
Let us then draw near to Him with holiness
of spirit, lifting up pure and undefiled hands unto Him, loving our gracious
and merciful Father, who has made us partakers in the blessings of His elect.(15)
For thus it is written, "When the Most High divided the nations, when He
scattered(16) the sons of Adam, He fixed the bounds of the nations according to
the number of the angels of God. His people Jacob became the portion of the
Lord, and Israel the lot of His
13
inheritance."(1)
And in another place [the Scripture] saith, "Behold, the Lord taketh unto
Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the
first-fruits of his threshing-floor; and from that nation shall come forth the
Most Holy.(2)
CHAP.
XXX.--LET US DO THOSE THINGS THAT PLEASE GOD, AND FLEE FROM THOSE HE HATES,
THAT WE MAY BE BLESSED.