PreparingYou - User contributions [en]

Template:2 Thessalonians 3

2026-09-05T15:14:49Z

Wiki1:

== [[2 Thessalonians]] 3 ==

=== Finally ===

1 ¶ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

=== We command you ===

6 ¶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly<Ref name="ataktos">{{814}}</Ref>, working not at all, but are busybodies<Ref name="periergazomai">{{4020}}</Ref>.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.
=== The Lord of peace ===
16 ¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

Template:2 Thessalonians 3

2026-09-05T15:14:20Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 3 */

== 2 Thessalonians 3 ==

=== Finally ===

1 ¶ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

=== We command you ===

6 ¶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly<Ref name="ataktos">{{814}}</Ref>, working not at all, but are busybodies<Ref name="periergazomai">{{4020}}</Ref>.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.
=== The Lord of peace ===
16 ¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

Template:2 Thessalonians 2

2026-09-05T15:11:39Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 2 */

== 2 Thessalonians 2 ==

1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together<Ref>{{1997}}</Ref> unto him,

=== Be not troubled ===

2 That ye be not soon shaken<Ref name="saleuo">{{4531}}</Ref> in mind, or be troubled,<Ref name="throeo">{{2360}}</Ref> neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for ''that day shall not come'', except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son<Ref name="huios">{{5207}}</Ref> of perdition<Ref name="apoleia">{{684}}</Ref>;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is [[worship]]ped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

=== Remember I told you ===

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments Chapter 2'''
|-
| This warning in [[2 Thessalonians]] chapter 2 of being ''deceived'' or ''troubled'' in the mind is about a conflict while waiting for the day of [[Christ]], the [[anoint]]ing of our hearts and minds as priest [[faith]] and not [[fear]]<Ref>[[1 Samuel 2]]:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.</Ref>, is at hand for all of us who continue in the way and gather together as Jesus [[commanded]].
|-
| Understanding the [[Christian conflict]] with [[Rome]] and its government supported [[Temples]], the teachings of God concerning the error in the thinking and practices of the [[Nicolaitan]] and [[Balaam]] can help us grasp the difference between [[Pure Religion]] and [[public religion]] which like the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] ''makes the word of God to none effect.''
|-
| Understanding also the "mystery of iniquity" in verse 6 of who the [[workers of iniquity]] are, what the [[wages of unrighteousness]] consists of, and the difference between the [[mammon]] of [[righteousness]] and [[unrighteousness]] which includes the praying to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' for our [[daily bread]] and our [[Father]] in Heaven may challenge our delusions the [[wantonness]] and deceivableness of the systems of the [[world]] that operate by way of [[force]], [[fear]] and [[fealty]] and the [[Kingdom of God]] that operates by [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]] through the [[perfect law of liberty]].
|-
| Can we refuse to see these differences and the conflict with the [[covetous practices]] of [[modern Christians]] and the [[love]] and [[charity]] of the [[early Christians]]? If we follow the [[Modern Church]] rather than [[The Way]] of [[Christ]] and the [[early Church]] shall we not be made blind?
|-
| [https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3 Download Recording 2 Thessalonian 2 Keys] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3"></audio></html>
<center>'''Lighting Candles series'''</center>
[https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-190601.mp3 Download Recording Lighting Candles - Part 1] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-190601.mp3"></audio></html> 
[https://keysofthekingdom.info/TSH-190601.mp3 Download Recording Lighting Candles - Part 2] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/TSH-190601.mp3"></audio></html>
<center>'''Delusions 2026 Broadcasts'''</center>
[https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20260829-Delusions.mp3 Download Recording 20260829-Delusions] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20260829-Delusions.mp3"></audio></html>
|-
|}

=== Mystery of iniquity ===

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery<Ref name="musterion">{{3466}}</Ref> of [[iniquity]] doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of [[the way]].

8 And then shall that [[Wicked]] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

=== After the working of Satan ===

9 ''Even him'', whose coming is after the working of [[Satan]] with all power<Ref name="dunamis">{{1411}}</Ref> and signs<Ref name="semeion">{{4592}}</Ref> and lying<Ref name="pseudos">{{5579}}</Ref> wonders<Ref name="teras">{{5059}}</Ref>,

10 "And with all deceivableness<Ref name="apate">{{539}}</Ref> of [[unrighteousness]]<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref> in them that perish; because they received not the [[love]] of the [[truth]]<Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>, that they [[might be saved]]. <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

11 And for this cause God shall send them [[strong delusion]], that they should believe a [[lie]]:

=== Who believed not ===

12 That they all might be damned<Ref name="krino">{{2919}}</Ref> who believed not the [[truth]], but had pleasure<Ref name="eudokeo">{{2106}}</Ref> in [[reward of unrighteousness|unrighteousness]].<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref>"

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth<Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>:
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.<Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast<Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>, and hold the traditions<Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref> which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Template:2 Thessalonians 2

2026-09-05T15:10:18Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 2 */

== 2 Thessalonians 2 ==

<blockquote>
1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together<Ref>{{1997}}</Ref> unto him,

=== Be not troubled ===

2 That ye be not soon shaken<Ref name="saleuo">{{4531}}</Ref> in mind, or be troubled,<Ref name="throeo">{{2360}}</Ref> neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for ''that day shall not come'', except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son<Ref name="huios">{{5207}}</Ref> of perdition<Ref name="apoleia">{{684}}</Ref>;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is [[worship]]ped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

=== Remember I told you ===

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments Chapter 2'''
|-
| This warning in [[2 Thessalonians]] chapter 2 of being ''deceived'' or ''troubled'' in the mind is about a conflict while waiting for the day of [[Christ]], the [[anoint]]ing of our hearts and minds as priest [[faith]] and not [[fear]]<Ref>[[1 Samuel 2]]:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.</Ref>, is at hand for all of us who continue in the way and gather together as Jesus [[commanded]].
|-
| Understanding the [[Christian conflict]] with [[Rome]] and its government supported [[Temples]], the teachings of God concerning the error in the thinking and practices of the [[Nicolaitan]] and [[Balaam]] can help us grasp the difference between [[Pure Religion]] and [[public religion]] which like the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] ''makes the word of God to none effect.''
|-
| Understanding also the "mystery of iniquity" in verse 6 of who the [[workers of iniquity]] are, what the [[wages of unrighteousness]] consists of, and the difference between the [[mammon]] of [[righteousness]] and [[unrighteousness]] which includes the praying to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' for our [[daily bread]] and our [[Father]] in Heaven may challenge our delusions the [[wantonness]] and deceivableness of the systems of the [[world]] that operate by way of [[force]], [[fear]] and [[fealty]] and the [[Kingdom of God]] that operates by [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]] through the [[perfect law of liberty]].
|-
| Can we refuse to see these differences and the conflict with the [[covetous practices]] of [[modern Christians]] and the [[love]] and [[charity]] of the [[early Christians]]? If we follow the [[Modern Church]] rather than [[The Way]] of [[Christ]] and the [[early Church]] shall we not be made blind?
|-
| [https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3 Download Recording 2 Thessalonian 2 Keys] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3"></audio></html>
<center>'''Lighting Candles series'''</center>
[https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-190601.mp3 Download Recording Lighting Candles - Part 1] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-190601.mp3"></audio></html> 
[https://keysofthekingdom.info/TSH-190601.mp3 Download Recording Lighting Candles - Part 2] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/TSH-190601.mp3"></audio></html>
<center>'''Delusions 2026 Broadcasts'''</center>
[https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20260829-Delusions.mp3 Download Recording 20260829-Delusions] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20260829-Delusions.mp3"></audio></html>
|-
|}
<blockquote>

=== Mystery of iniquity ===

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery<Ref name="musterion">{{3466}}</Ref> of [[iniquity]] doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of [[the way]].

8 And then shall that [[Wicked]] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

=== After the working of Satan ===

9 ''Even him'', whose coming is after the working of [[Satan]] with all power<Ref name="dunamis">{{1411}}</Ref> and signs<Ref name="semeion">{{4592}}</Ref> and lying<Ref name="pseudos">{{5579}}</Ref> wonders<Ref name="teras">{{5059}}</Ref>,

10 "And with all deceivableness<Ref name="apate">{{539}}</Ref> of [[unrighteousness]]<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref> in them that perish; because they received not the [[love]] of the [[truth]]<Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>, that they [[might be saved]]. <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

11 And for this cause God shall send them [[strong delusion]], that they should believe a [[lie]]:

=== Who believed not ===

12 That they all might be damned<Ref name="krino">{{2919}}</Ref> who believed not the [[truth]], but had pleasure<Ref name="eudokeo">{{2106}}</Ref> in [[reward of unrighteousness|unrighteousness]].<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref>"

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth<Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>:
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.<Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast<Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>, and hold the traditions<Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref> which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
</blockquote>

Template:2 Thessalonians 1

2026-09-05T15:04:36Z

Wiki1:

== 2 Thessalonians 1 ==

: 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
: 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
: 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your [[faith]] groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
: 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
: 5 Which is a manifest token<Ref>{{1730}}</Ref> of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the [[kingdom of God]], for which ye also suffer:
=== Seeing is righteous ===
: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments''' 2 Thessalonians 1
|-
| The first three verses of [[2 Thessalonians]] mention our [[Father]] in heaven as opposed to the [[fathers]] of the earth. And emphasizes that "[[faith]] groweth exceedingly, and the [[charity]] of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;" Without [[charity]] to provide a [[daily ministration]] and the [[network]] of [[tens]] Christ [[commanded]] His [[disciples]] to make the people organize themselves into the people would have to pray to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' as their [[benefactors]] for their [[daily bread]] and [[welfare]] during the [[dearth]]s that rolled through the Roman empire.
|-
| The "churches of God" meant the "[[called out]]" of God that had been [[appoint]]ed a [[Kingdom of God|dominion]] by [[Christ]] to serve the people in that [[network]]. They were able to do this because they were not of the [[world]] of [[Rome]].
|-
|}
: 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
: 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
: 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

=== We Pray ===

: 11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

----

Template:2 Thessalonians 1

2026-09-05T15:03:43Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 1 */

== 2 Thessalonians 1 ==

: 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
: 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
: 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your [[faith]] groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
: 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
: 5 Which is a manifest token<Ref>{{1730}}</Ref> of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the [[kingdom of God]], for which ye also suffer:
=== Seeing is righteous ===
: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments''' 2 Thessalonians 1
|-
| The first three verses mention our [[Father]] in heaven as opposed to the [[fathers]] of the earth. And emphasizes that "[[faith]] groweth exceedingly, and the [[charity]] of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;" Without [[charity]] to provide a [[daily ministration]] and the [[network]] of [[tens]] Christ [[commanded]] His [[disciples]] to make the people organize themselves into the people would have to pray to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' as their [[benefactors]] for their [[daily bread]] and [[welfare]] during the [[dearth]]s that rolled through the Roman empire.
|-
| The "churches of God" meant the "[[called out]]" of God that had been [[appoint]]ed a [[Kingdom of God|dominion]] by [[Christ]] to serve the people in that [[network]]. They were able to do this because they were not of the [[world]] of [[Rome]].
|-
|}
: 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
: 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
: 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

=== We Pray ===

: 11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

----

Template:2 Thessalonians 2

2026-09-05T15:01:33Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 2 */

== 2 Thessalonians 2 ==

<blockquote>
1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together<Ref>{{1997}}</Ref> unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken<Ref name="saleuo">{{4531}}</Ref> in mind, or be troubled,<Ref name="throeo">{{2360}}</Ref> neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for ''that day shall not come'', except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son<Ref name="huios">{{5207}}</Ref> of perdition<Ref name="apoleia">{{684}}</Ref>;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is [[worship]]ped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments Chapter 2'''
|-
| This warning in [[2 Thessalonians]] chapter 2 of being ''deceived'' or ''troubled'' in the mind is about a conflict while waiting for the day of [[Christ]], the [[anoint]]ing of our hearts and minds as priest [[faith]] and not [[fear]]<Ref>[[1 Samuel 2]]:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.</Ref>, is at hand for all of us who continue in the way and gather together as Jesus [[commanded]].
|-
| Understanding the [[Christian conflict]] with [[Rome]] and its government supported [[Temples]], the teachings of God concerning the error in the thinking and practices of the [[Nicolaitan]] and [[Balaam]] can help us grasp the difference between [[Pure Religion]] and [[public religion]] which like the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] ''makes the word of God to none effect.''
|-
| Understanding also the "mystery of iniquity" in verse 6 of who the [[workers of iniquity]] are, what the [[wages of unrighteousness]] consists of, and the difference between the [[mammon]] of [[righteousness]] and [[unrighteousness]] which includes the praying to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' for our [[daily bread]] and our [[Father]] in Heaven may challenge our delusions the [[wantonness]] and deceivableness of the systems of the [[world]] that operate by way of [[force]], [[fear]] and [[fealty]] and the [[Kingdom of God]] that operates by [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]] through the [[perfect law of liberty]].
|-
| Can we refuse to see these differences and the conflict with the [[covetous practices]] of [[modern Christians]] and the [[love]] and [[charity]] of the [[early Christians]]? If we follow the [[Modern Church]] rather than [[The Way]] of [[Christ]] and the [[early Church]] shall we not be made blind?
|-
| [https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3 Download Recording 2 Thessalonian 2 Keys] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3"></audio></html>
<center>'''Lighting Candles series'''</center>
[https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-190601.mp3 Download Recording Lighting Candles - Part 1] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-190601.mp3"></audio></html> 
[https://keysofthekingdom.info/TSH-190601.mp3 Download Recording Lighting Candles - Part 2] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/TSH-190601.mp3"></audio></html>
<center>'''Delusions 2026 Broadcasts'''</center>
[https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20260829-Delusions.mp3 Download Recording 20260829-Delusions] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20260829-Delusions.mp3"></audio></html>
|-
|}
<blockquote>

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery<Ref name="musterion">{{3466}}</Ref> of [[iniquity]] doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of [[the way]].

8 And then shall that [[Wicked]] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 ''Even him'', whose coming is after the working of [[Satan]] with all power<Ref name="dunamis">{{1411}}</Ref> and signs<Ref name="semeion">{{4592}}</Ref> and lying<Ref name="pseudos">{{5579}}</Ref> wonders<Ref name="teras">{{5059}}</Ref>,

10 "And with all deceivableness<Ref name="apate">{{539}}</Ref> of [[unrighteousness]]<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref> in them that perish; because they received not the [[love]] of the [[truth]]<Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>, that they [[might be saved]]. <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

11 And for this cause God shall send them [[strong delusion]], that they should believe a [[lie]]:

12 That they all might be damned<Ref name="krino">{{2919}}</Ref> who believed not the [[truth]], but had pleasure<Ref name="eudokeo">{{2106}}</Ref> in [[reward of unrighteousness|unrighteousness]].<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref>"

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth<Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>:
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.<Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast<Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>, and hold the traditions<Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref> which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
</blockquote>

Template:2 Thessalonians 2

2026-09-05T15:00:15Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 2 */

== 2 Thessalonians 2 ==

<blockquote>
1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together<Ref>{{1997}}</Ref> unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken<Ref name="saleuo">{{4531}}</Ref> in mind, or be troubled,<Ref name="throeo">{{2360}}</Ref> neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for ''that day shall not come'', except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son<Ref name="huios">{{5207}}</Ref> of perdition<Ref name="apoleia">{{684}}</Ref>;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is [[worship]]ped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments Chapter 2'''
|-
| This warning in [[2 Thessalonians]] chapter 2 of being ''deceived'' or ''troubled'' in the mind is about a conflict while waiting for the day of [[Christ]], the [[anoint]]ing of our hearts and minds as priest [[faith]] and not [[fear]]<Ref>[[1 Samuel 2]]:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.</Ref>, is at hand for all of us who continue in the way and gather together as Jesus [[commanded]].
|-
| Understanding the [[Christian conflict]] with [[Rome]] and its government supported [[Temples]], the teachings of God concerning the error in the thinking and practices of the [[Nicolaitan]] and [[Balaam]] can help us grasp the difference between [[Pure Religion]] and [[public religion]] which like the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] ''makes the word of God to none effect.''
|-
| Understanding also the "mystery of iniquity" in verse 6 of who the [[workers of iniquity]] are, what the [[wages of unrighteousness]] consists of, and the difference between the [[mammon]] of [[righteousness]] and [[unrighteousness]] which includes the praying to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' for our [[daily bread]] and our [[Father]] in Heaven may challenge our delusions the [[wantonness]] and deceivableness of the systems of the [[world]] that operate by way of [[force]], [[fear]] and [[fealty]] and the [[Kingdom of God]] that operates by [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]] through the [[perfect law of liberty]].
|-
| Can we refuse to see these differences and the conflict with the [[covetous practices]] of [[modern Christians]] and the [[love]] and [[charity]] of the [[early Christians]]? If we follow the [[Modern Church]] rather than [[The Way]] of [[Christ]] and the [[early Church]] shall we not be made blind?
|-
| [https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3 Download Recording 2 Thessalonian 2 Keys] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3"></audio></html>
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|-
|}
<blockquote>

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery<Ref name="musterion">{{3466}}</Ref> of [[iniquity]] doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of [[the way]].

8 And then shall that [[Wicked]] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 ''Even him'', whose coming is after the working of [[Satan]] with all power<Ref name="dunamis">{{1411}}</Ref> and signs<Ref name="semeion">{{4592}}</Ref> and lying<Ref name="pseudos">{{5579}}</Ref> wonders<Ref name="teras">{{5059}}</Ref>,

10 "And with all deceivableness<Ref name="apate">{{539}}</Ref> of [[unrighteousness]]<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref> in them that perish; because they received not the [[love]] of the [[truth]]<Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>, that they [[might be saved]]. <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

11 And for this cause God shall send them [[strong delusion]], that they should believe a [[lie]]:

12 That they all might be damned<Ref name="krino">{{2919}}</Ref> who believed not the [[truth]], but had pleasure<Ref name="eudokeo">{{2106}}</Ref> in [[reward of unrighteousness|unrighteousness]].<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref>"

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth<Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>:
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.<Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast<Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>, and hold the traditions<Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref> which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
</blockquote>

Sabbath

2026-09-05T13:35:50Z

Wiki1:

[[File:restfromwork.jpg|right|300px|thumb|In the explanation of the [[Sabbath]] we see that it is given after God accomplished six days of work and then rested.<ref name="order">From the beginning the sabbath was about the natural order of things done "in the very order of time". Work came first then the reward and rest. '''Institution at Creation''' "Later commands do not create the Sabbath; they recall and codify a principle embedded in the very order of time." [https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7676.htm] [[Genesis 2]] "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."</ref> The reason to hollow the day with rest and the way to do it is to work first like God did using His Way as [[The way|The Way]] of the Sabbath.<Ref>[[Exodus 20]]:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.</Ref>
. The LORD is expressing a precept of His nature. Sabbath is a way not a day. Taking the benefit of labor before the labor is done brings the [[curse children|Curse of debt upon the children of God]]. Debt brings the [[bondage of Egypt]], can [[snare]] the [[masses]] as [[merchandise|human resources]] according to Peter. Have people unmoored the meaning of the Sabbath and returned to the [[bondage of Egypt]]? Have you kept the Sabbath if you are in debt? Assigning a day to the [[Sabbath]] or the [[Sabbath]] to a day is perverting the Spiritual Precept of what the Sabbath is really all about. ''We should not unmoor the meaning of [[metaphor]] of the Sabbath through [[Sophistry]].'' The [[Sabbath]] was about a day to the [[Pharisees]] who got its true purpose and meaning wrong. To [[Moses]] and [[Christ]] the [[Sabbath]] was not a day of ritual observance but it was [[The Way]] of [[righteousness]]. The [[Sabbath]] was about the [[choice]] between [[Study|diligence]] and [[righteousness]] of God or debt and [[bondage]] of the "[[world]]". The whole world has gone back into the bondage of Egypt where in every nation the children are born in debt because their parents have borrowed against their future to receive the benefits of labor not yet done. They unmoored the meaning of the Sabbath and strayed from [[the way]] of the righteousness of God. 
https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Sabbath '''Audio files''' 
http://www.hisholychurch.org/audio/20221119Sabbathdebt01.mp3 
http://hisholychurch.org/audio/20221119openmic.mp3 To freely sow [[sacrifice]] through [[love]] is to assure a harvest a life more abundant.<Ref>[[Ecclesiastes 11]]:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to [[seven men|seven]], and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
: [[1 John 3]]:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we [[love]] the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath [[eternal life]] [[abide|abiding]] in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the [[love]] of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.</Ref>
 [[Luke 12]]:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of [[covetousness]]: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. <Ref>[[John 10]]:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and [[care]]th not for the sheep.</Ref>
 The Sabbath had nothing to do with [[calendars]] and counting of days. The Sabbath has always been about payment first rather than the [[sloth]] and [[covet]]ousness of debt that would make mankind "and [[merchandise]]" and "[[curse children]]". Those who lead men into the captivity of debt for [[gain]]<Ref>[[Isaiah 56]]:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. 9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are [[shepherd]]s that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his [[gain]], from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.</Ref> will go into [[captivity]].<Ref>[[Revelation 13]]:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the [[faith]] of the [[saints]].</Ref> ]]

== The Sabbath ==

<blockquote>'' "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8)''</blockquote>

There are many levels to the meaning of the Sabbath. The first Sabbath was really about seven days and the pattern they established according to the ways of God.

* Is the commandment about a day?
** Or is the commandment about a way?
* Is it telling us a numerical pattern?
** Or a moral precept and principle?
* Is the law defined by the ritual and form?
** Is the law spiritual?
* Do you keep the law according to the letter?
** But deny [[The Way]] of the [[Spiritual|spirit]] giving life?

Is [[the way]] of the [[Sabbath]] about what you do on the Sabbath or more about what you do the other 6 days and the order in which you do them?

<blockquote>'' "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:" ([[Exodus 20]]:9)''</blockquote>

Is the pattern about working first 6 days and then taking a day of rest or merely not working on the 7th day?

'''What keeps the Sabbath holy?'''

There is a religious controversy concerning Saturday verses Sunday that has simply divided people seeking the truth about the [[early Church]].

Which one is the true day of worship and what does that mean to [[worship]] on a day?

There was the beginning of a shift from the seventh day of the week to the first day of the week back when [[Constantine]] hired [[Eusebius]] to create a uniform doctrine. Was that the [[Doctrine of Jesus]] or was it to become part of the [[doctrines of men]]?

<blockquote>'' "All things whatsoever that it was the duty to do on the Sabbath, these we have transferred to the Lord’s Day."<Ref>Eusebius’s Commentary on Psalms 92, quoted in Cox’s Sabbath literature, Vol I, p.361. </Ref>''</blockquote>

This idea expressed by Eusebius is not the same as what we see being stated by Justin in his apology of the faith more than a century and a half earlier.

<blockquote>'' “But Sunday is the day on which we hold our common assembly because it is the first day on which God, having wrought change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.”<Ref> Justin Martyr's First Apology, Ante-Nicean Christian Library, (Boston 1887) p. 187 Chapter 67.</Ref>''</blockquote>

== Sabbath Blessed ==

{{#ev:youtube|jZHeDUjDe5Y|300|right|Sabbath is a way not a day. Time 3:28}}

The Sabbath was not a day of common assembly but a day of rest. When Justin's common assemblies were gathered on the first day of the week they came to do the work of the kingdom, not rest from work. Most Christians in those days did take the Sabbath as their day of rest but they met often on Sunday.

Christians were doing things much different than we see [[Modern Christians]] doing today. There choice to follow Christ went much deeper, changing their lives in every aspect.

The Christians were either cast out of or simply did not partake of the [[welfare]] offered by the [[Pharisees]] or by [[Rome]] or any of the 127 countries that had built the [[Temples|Temple at Ephesus]], which operated as a [[world]] bank and underwriter of many of these [[Welfare|social welfare]] systems of that day.

The leaders of those governments did call themselves [[Benefactors]] but they exercised authority one over the other.<Ref>Luke 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so..." [[Matthew 20]]:25, [[Mark 10]]:42 </Ref>

The [[early Church]] knew that the [[welfare]] offered by the [[World|world]] was a [[Snare|snare]] and a trap. <Ref>Psalms 69:22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
 Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:</Ref>

All those nations were in debt because they were not Sabbath keepers. They borrowed against the future to take their rest before they worked. Yes the Sabbath is about debt and avoiding it. It is about not letting the sun set on a debt or becoming a [[surety]] for debt.

If people are [[slothful]] in the way they will and should be under [[Tribute]].

Their ministers in the early Church were the good shepherds in those days. Men of [[faith]] and service who kept the people from becoming entangled in the [[bondage]] of the [[world]]. Since the church was in the ''[[world]] but not of it'', there was work to be done out of love for one another. The Church's duties to the people included servicing that love of the people for one another in a [[Daily ministration]] so that no Christian had to pray at the table of kings and rulers who forced the contributions of the people.

Christians did not apply for or desire access to the [[welfare]] system of [[Rome]], the ''alimenta''. There had been a complex and growing system of welfare for its citizens for centuries, financed by taking from one group or class of people for the benefit of another. By the time of Septimius Severus (193-211) the emperor restored free medical care for everyone in the Roman empire. But the Christians would not apply for they prayed to the Father in heaven not in [[Rome]].

The Christian Church distributed food to the needy of their congregation during shortages, healed the sick and carried the welfare of their [[Eucharist|eucharist]] to those who could not make it to the assembly. This was all done through [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]]. The intimacy of their network made this system far more efficient and nurtured the bonds of love that would sustain them during the decline and fall of the empire.

The [[modern Church]] no longer takes [[care]] of their needy through [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]]. Ministers often still want the support of the people but they do not [[care]] for the people in the way the early Church did.

In fact in this day of [[Socialism|socialism]] they are the first one to send the people to the [[benefactors]] who [[exercise authority]].<Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref> They have watered down the gospel instead of [[Baptism|baptizing]] them as John.<Ref>[[Luke 3]]:10 "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." </Ref>

{{#ev:youtube|XPOYBltlZ6Y|300|right|The [[benefactors]] who [[exercise authority]].<Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref> now through [[covetous practices]] have made the people [[merchandise]] and [[cursed children]] because they provide those [[benefits]] and [[dainties]] of [[rulers]] which has always been a [[snare]] and a [[trap]].<Ref name="snaretrap">{{snaretrap}}</Ref> https://youtu.be/XPOYBltlZ6Y ~6:12 min}}

There were many new Christians under the command of [[Constantine]] who got baptized. Unfortunately these Christians did not repent and get baptized but brought with them many of their ways. Some of these ways included those practiced in the temples of Mithra. "It would seem the Christians adopted Sunday as their chief day of worship instead of the Jewish Sabbath from the Mithraic cult" <Ref> H.G. Wells says of this ''theocrasia'', The Outline of History, p. 543. </Ref>

== Two Days ==

One of the major stumbling blocks of Sabbath vs. Sunday is that no none understand the purpose of either. These two days represent a practical message concerning the ways of God and what it means to [[Worship]] Him. God did not just make up the [[Ten Commandments]] to keep us busy or test our religious convictions.

In opposition to a custom creeping into the life of the early Christians who were sometimes neglecting the Sabbath some early Church writers spoke in favor of the practice. Irenaeus who advocated the practice of Sabbath keeping wrote:

<blockquote>'' “For He Christ did not make void, but fulfilled the law” referring to the Ten Commandments.<Ref> Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Vol 1 Ante-Nicean Christian Library, (Boston, 1997) p. 471. </Ref>''</blockquote>

Hidden in the ritual or religious rites of working six days and then taking a day of rest afterwards, there is a clue to the ways of God. God is a mystery to those who do not know Him. Those who could see with the spiritual eyes of Christ will see the ''secret of the Sabbath''.

Do we rest and then work or work and then rest? Do we earn and then have or have and then owe? There is an order in the universe of cause and effect and if we back the principles of that order we swim against the tide of creation.

It was avarice and sloth as opposed to due diligence that brings us into delinquencies of God's guideposts called the Commandments.

We want what we want now before we have worked to have it. We want to be paid before we deliver or produced. We want the benefit before our own benevolence is manifest. This is contrary to the Sabbath principle and is revealed in our [[covet]]ousness. It is the covetousness of the people for the people's goods by which the people are brought back into into [[bondage]]. <Ref>2 Peter 2:18 "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." (see also 2 Peter 2:3, Jude 1:16) </Ref> That desiring the benefit from the work that others do is what makes us [[Merchandise]] and [[Curse children|curses our children]].

The [[Sabbath]] of rest is the day after the work is done, not before. To argue or debate which day is the Sabbath without this precept is to unmoor the symbol of God's way from the Spirit of His plan.

<blockquote>'' “When a symbol unmoors itself from what it symbolizes, it loses meaning. It becomes ineffective” —Albert Einstein''</blockquote>

== Calendar psychosis ==

Calendars fall into three types:
#Lunisolar
#Solar
#Lunar

Besides calendars with "years" of fixed length, with no intercalation. Most pre-modern calendars are lunisolar. The Islamic and some Buddhist calendars are lunar, while most modern calendars are solar, based on either the Julian or the Gregorian calendars.

There can be sub-types like the Sidereal solar calendars that also uses the stars and constellations of the Zodiac.

When the sun is reckoned with the equinox and the crossing of the celestial equator the seasons are synchronized with the declination of the sun. That calendar is called a ''tropical solar calendar''.

Gregorian, Julian, Coptic calendars fall in this category. A typical lunisolar calendar has a year made up of a whole number of lunar months, it can't indicate the position of Earth on its revolution around the sun as well as a pure solar calendar can.

The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar and some Jews like the [[Pharisees]] used lunar calendars. Today some Christians and of course messianic Jews are beginning to use the Lunar calendar. It sets them a part and gives them a sense of identity and a feeling of separation from the world.

The truth early Israel used all these calendars. They were great navigators as the sea kings but to determine feats they used the Lunar calendar so they would have the benefit of a full moon at the festivals.

So why do people latch on to odd calendars?

I have never fully pursued the [[Calendar issue]].

We will explain that........... coming

== A day of Covetousness ==

It was man's desire for benefits and advantage at the expense of his neighbor that seduced him into making agreements that became a trap and a snare. <Ref>[[Exodus 16]]:3, Ex 20:17, 23:32, 34:12..; Jude 10:14; 1 Sa 8:18; Psalms 69:22; 91:3; 106:36; 119:110; 124:7; Pr 1:10-33, 23:1..; Ez 11:1-11; [[Jeremiah 11]]:12; Zechariah 14:21; Micah 3:1-5; Ro 13:9, Mr 7:22, Mt 5:34, Ja 5:12; Gal 5:15; 2 Peter 2:20.</Ref>

The greed, [[covet]]ousness, and [[sloth]] of the people brought men back into an entanglement in the [[world]] which does not believe in [[the way]]s of Christ. This is done by [[consent]] through agreements which often [[entangled]] men in a [[yoke of bondage]] through debt. <Ref>[[2 Corinthians 6]]:16 "And what agreement hath the temple of God with [[idols]]? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (see also [[Galatians 5]]:1, [[2 Peter 2]]:20)</Ref>

Once our greed and sloth has enticed us to strike hands as a [[surety]] for debt by our prayer and applications for the [[dainties]] of rulers we are soon sealed in debt because we abandoned the precept of the [[Sabbath]] to work first.

Nothing will save us, or our children unless we [[repent]] and learn to [[forgive]] those owe to provide us with security and [[benefits]] by that same agreement.<Ref>[[Proverbs 22]]:7-8; [[Proverbs 23]]; Matthew 10:8; 18:23-5; Luke 6:37; 11:4; 17:3 Romans 8:32; 13:8; </Ref>

Besides Irenaeus, [[Tertullian]] also spoke of Jesus rightly restoring the [[Sabbath]] to its proper meaning and function:

<blockquote>'' “Thus Christ did not at all rescind the [[Sabbath]]. He kept the law (Ten Commandments) thereof . . . He restored to the [[Sabbath]] the works for were proper for it."<Ref>Tertullian, Book IV, Chap 12, Vol 3 Ante-Nicean Christian Library, (Boston, 1997) p. 362.</Ref>''</blockquote>

In 364 the Council of Laodicea added canon to its church by stating that:

<blockquote>
'' "Christians shall not judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day..."''
</blockquote>

Most Christians continued to keep the [[Sabbath]] but this new group was more comfortable with the rituals of their earlier religion.

{{Template:Nav-Economy}}

== Constantine's Day ==

Constantine did not like the Jews at all. He banished their Rabbis and made it illegal for Christians and Jews to marry. He also banished anyone, under threat of death, if they did not believe in his refined form of Christianity. This is so far from what Jesus preached it is amazing that anyone could imagine that he was a Christian at all.

Over 30 years before Christ was born Octavian became Caesar Augustus. He had formed his first army by 19 and won accolades of praise his whole life.

He also gave away billions of ''sesterces'' and millions of ''denarii'' (Roman silver coins) to the needy over his long career, built many temples, and occasionally fed half of Rome out of his own pocket. As with the generals before him he was expected to contribute part of his spoils and profits to the public welfare by commissioning new buildings that would serve the people. Through this philanthropy, the Caesars were often given the title of ''Pontifex maximus'', the chief priest of the state religion. Constantine assumed that title when he began to form a new Christian Church.

To entice and ensure the enthusiasm of his faithful he bestowed upon those cooperative souls and churches land, buildings, privileges and thousands of pounds of silver in the form of altars and coin.

=== Rome was originally a republic. ===

The population had a keen sense of law, judgment, mercy and even faith. In a government of freemen charity and honor are not only essential elements of society they are esteemed and expected. For centuries Roman poor were cared for by the free will offerings of the people in a network of intimate congregations of what the Romans called hearths.

The rise of leaders of extreme wealth allowed a relatively new element of roman society to be seduced, if not bribed, to relinquish more and more power into the hands of these benevolent leaders. The influx of affluence and foreign laborers and foreign ideals changed the character of Rome itself. With the increase of socialism and sloth amongst the citizenry the ancient centers of their [[religion]] became more elaborate and less practical, less moral and more superstitious.

When the people forsook the lifeblood of a free society, freewill [[charity]], in exchange for welfare schemes enforced by civil government, the nature of their society changed, and with that change, their religion also was altered. The charity and hope that had nurtured the love and gratitude of a caring [[community]] withered and died. [[Feasts|Feast]] and celebrations that once punctuated the seasons of caring and common welfare became ''Bacchus'' events of self-indulgence and revelry. <Ref>Like Christmas the "great anniversary [[Feasts|feast]], or Saturnalia, Dec. 17... Seneca says all Rome went mad at this festive season. A great public sacrifice took place on the [[Feasts|feast]]-day...Then followed all manner of hospitalities and gift-givings, including little figures made of pastry. During this season masters and slaves treated one another on absolute equality, and everyone partook of the family sucking-pig."</Ref>

What were the [[feasts]] really all about.

This path was no different than that of the Jews. The temples, robes and religious objects changed, the names, chants and incantations changed but the precepts were the same. The Corban of the Jews made the word of God to none effect and the Qorban of Rome neutralized their society as it halted. declined and failed. Both words meant the sacrifices of the people but when the sacrifices were no longer free neither could the people be free.

=== What does all this have to do with the Sabbath? ===

The Sabbath is as much about working six days as it is about taking that deserved and earned rest. It is the natural order and respect for God and His ways. One does not take his rest before he labors. That is the nature of debt. If one spends his money before he earns it he will become a slave to the lender. The rites and rituals of God's society are compatible with the character of God. To alter the nature of His plan will alter us. The Sabbath was made for man, to teach him the ways of God.

The same is true of giving and receiving. If what you receive in the form of or under the guise of charity is not freely given then it is not charity blessed by God. In fact, it would make the word of God to none effect. It would curse society.

For something to be Sabbath blessed one would have to earn it first. Taking off Saturday or Sunday by itself makes no difference. It is the precepts of God we must adhere to not the names and labels we place on them.

<blockquote>'' "Augustus (the first Emperor) was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still enjoyed their ancient freedom."<Ref>Chapter 3, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon.</Ref>''</blockquote>

The [[temples]] not only housed government records, private contracts but were also the place for birth registration. This was to insure your eligibility for benefits from such [[welfare]] programs like ''annona'' and ''[[alimenta]]''.<Ref name="alimenta"> These was a welfare programs in the form of social [[welfare]] for the people including the youth.
It provided general funds, as well as food and subsidized education. Roman welfare program that existed from around 98 AD to 272 AD. According to most modern historians, including Nerva biographers Nathan Elkins and John Grainger, it was initiated by emperor Nerva and expanded by [[Trajan]]. The Aliamenta was next to the Temple of Juno Moneta the mint, on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. The Temple of Saturn, in the Forum Romanum, served as the treasury and registry of birth records.. See [[Temples]].</Ref>The temples of Rome were public buildings offering benefits, first by free will offerings but eventually by compelled offerings.

The Pharisees, who were also fond of mindless rituals with great swelling words of vanity delivered the people into systems of forced sacrifice. They lifted the people up with guarantees of salvation through being the children of Abraham and being God's people while they picked the flesh from their bones through systems of [[Corban]] that made the word of God to none effect. Modern Christendom is not much different. They profess Christ with their lips but they do not serve one another by faith and charity, much less hope and love.

Taking a [[Sabbath]], a day of rest, can be very beneficial. Wives cook on Friday... And take a humble rest upon the Sabbath with their family. Some read the Bible, listen to music, fall asleep with a good book on their chest, just take a rest. This can be physically important especially for those who live working lives. A Sabbath allows the body to catch up on its cleansing efforts of the flesh and likely the Spirit... It is offered to us to restore us after our week of labor and work.

<blockquote>'' "And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:" (Mark 2:27)''</blockquote>

But the Sabbath is much more. Resting on the Sabbath by itself does not make the day holy. The ritual of the day will not get you into the Kingdom but there is a message sent to us within the form of the ritual.

== First a Hebrew lesson ==

Hebrew is very unique in that each letter has a meaning and each root word (3 letters) can be changed by adding another letter. It is a little like Chinese but not superimposed although some letters are actually composed of others. Even the order of the letters adds to the meaning. In Ezekiel, the Mark of God in the foreheads was the Hebrew letter tav (ת).

<blockquote>'' "And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." (Ezekiel 9:4)''</blockquote>

The taw or tav which during some of the history of the language looked similar to a small ''n''. It has several meanings on several levels as all the letters of the Hebrew Alef-beit. It means faith, it stands for the Sabbath, as a day, and has a value of 400. If you put the tav in combination with other letters you get different meanings. Alef mem tav or "emet" (תמא) means truth. I am the TRUTH.

The taw is also the last letter of the alef beit, and the alef is the first. If Jesus were to say I am the alef and the taw... the first and the last this could have extensive meaning in the Hebrew far beyond the Greek.

Alef (א) is composed of two letters of Hebrew and looks like a fancy N. It is two yods one above and one below reversed divided by a vav . This has to do with man created in the image of God. Mem is the letter for water which also means fountain and water has to do with spirit and or with the flow of something. The Hebrew word Emet is telling you how this connection is fulfilled. This is the meaning of the word TRUTH.

<blockquote>'' "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)''</blockquote>

On one level truth is about not lying, but on another, it is far more meaningful. Most lies are the result of leaving out a part of the truth rather than stating something that is directly incorrect..

Also, Hebrew is read from right to left so depending on where you are at the tav comes first.

We won't go into mem here more than to repeat that it has to do with ''water, flow, life, gift,'' and ''[[Baptism]]'' in a spiritual sense.

See [http://www.hisholychurch.net/declarations/baptism/baptism.php Baptism, The Ritual and The Jurisdiction]

== FAITH marks the spot ==

<blockquote>'' "And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." (1 John 5:8)''</blockquote>

This is not pie in the sky good feeling religious mumbo jumbo but a real power that moves in a life. Plutonium doesn't look like much in a small amount but put enough together and in an instant something happen. Pentecost was kind of a spiritual critical mass.

<blockquote>'' "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and (of) the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)''</blockquote>

The point is that faith is the key, it is the Sabbath, it is what brings us to rest. All my life there was a splinter in my brain that kept saying that something wasn't right. Most people think the problem is the splinter, but the splinter is what is left of the truth. The rest is the delusion of the world, the Matrix of our own deception. Let go of the delusion and trust in God and things will start to unfold answers will come and the rest or peace of the LORD allows us to walk on the raging seas of this world without being tossed to and fro.

Faith is the door we must pass through. The cross is an ancient tav according to Roman literature. It was some times also written as an X. In the Sanskrit, this was also true, but Sanskrit comes from the Asuras who were the "traffickers" of the Indus Valley, merchants of men, from whom [[Abraham|Abram]] fled when he went to Ur.

The Canaanite are of the same ilk, for that word also means merchants, traffickers e.g. commerce. The tav was a door to [[Abraham]] but the Asuras blocked the way of faith with their Sanskrit X just as the traveling merchants of men's souls do today. X marks the spot where you sign. And their unholy priest block the door of your minds with a "cross", delivering you into bondage.

<blockquote>'' "But woe unto you, scribes and [[Pharisees]], hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in (yourselves), neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (Matthew 23:13)''</blockquote>

[http://www.hisholychurch.org/study/history/2merchantmen.php '''The Merchants of Men, Canaan''']

Faith and the tav (מ) which is its symbol is to be a door, [[The Way]]. Faith is the rock upon which He shall build the house of the called out, the "oikidomes ekklesia" (oikidomes [[ekklesia]]). It might be interesting to know that some of the New Testament was originally written in a form of Hebrew and there are copies still in existence. At least some of them are still hidden from the public down in the "graves"...? The same is true of an Ark of the Covenant. There is one Ark that has been hidden in the Grave of the ancients. But that is another story.

In Hebrew Truth is emet ...aleph mem tav (תמא) , union with God (walk with him), flowing in spirit, faith.

Sabbath in Hebrew is tav beit shinn. ... faith, purpose or household, revelation.

<blockquote>'' " Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:" (Exodus 20:9)''</blockquote>

The ways of Babylon were and are to take your rest and then owe thy work, your labor... this is opposed to the Sabbath which is to do the work, do the will of the household and rest therein. You can take every Saturday off and be far from this. You can limit your steps on the Sabbath and never keep it holy. You could count your moons and months and days and never rest in the faith of the Lord or in his way.

<blockquote>'' "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute." (Proverbs 12:24)''</blockquote>

A Babylonian is often a workaholic who thinks that by his own will or effort he will succeed according to his own purpose.

<blockquote>'' "And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that (are) with thee (are) too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me." (Judges 7:2)''</blockquote>

If we are going to be one with God we must have His purpose and we must have it with humility and service. God is not a rebel and we must conform to His character. It is His will and not our own. It is His will done in His way... we must [[love]] that way.

<blockquote>'' "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)''</blockquote>

The Sabbath includes the idea of faith, which is the mark of God, when it is real faith we live by and not our own knowledge, strength and proud hand then we may have faith in God. Most men have faith in their government or their 401K or their stuff or their pension... These are all works of our own hands. But who has faith in God?

<blockquote>'' "And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." (Ezekiel 9:4)''</blockquote>

That word "mark" is the tav (faith) with a vav as a "connection to a realm". You make your day holy more by working the 6 in faith than you do by merely taking the day off.

Do not make days magical in your mind nor think words, incantations and chants will keep you from the wicked or the wicked from you. Seek the Spirit of God ... seek His realm... His Jerusalem (Double Peace). Let us dwell in the place where God prevails (Israel).

=== There are two houses in this world, two kingdoms. ===

It is not about days or mountains or temples of stone, altars of dirt nor is it about holy names or words and the keeping of special days. It is about the precepts and virtue of the creator who is a Father to us when we are sons and daughters according to His Character, His Name.

It is about the Spirit of God living in you and working and being in the world but of the Spirit of the Father in Heaven. We are to manifest that spirit and in truth, edifying His kingdom, His realm in this world and not create more religions that bind men to days and words, jurisdictions and rituals.

These things should follow men as men follow God. If men follow those things they will divide themselves from each other and from God in that pursuit of pride. Do not worship the ritual and the ceremony and forget the weightier things like love and mercy, law and justice.

<blockquote>'' "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the ''weightier matters'' of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." (Matthew 23:23)''</blockquote>

Seek first the kingdom of Heaven which is at hand and the righteousness of God which he teaches us in our hearts and in our minds the the revolution of His presence by His Holy Spirit.

The Sabbath day stands for faith, but it is not faith. Faith is the Sabbath realized. If you just keep the day, but don't live your faith then all you have is a day off and you may be far off from God. Faith is the mark of God, placed in your mind by your conformity to His Spirit, but faith alone does not lead you to the alef, a relationship with God. God comes to you by His grace as you turn around and return to serve His purposes. Faith alone maybe in false gods created by false teachers and that will change you in the image of those man created gods. Faith in the God will change you according to His Character. Faith like love, and charity is not something you have and keep. It is an utility. It is in motion like electricity.

<blockquote>'' "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:20, 26)''</blockquote>

One must take his faith to the next level or step e.g. Mem..(מ). water... The flow of the spirit into the world... The word made flesh in you and therefore in the world.... The manifestation of Christ... The anointing of the Holy Spirit..

In History we have come to the time of the tav mem aleph. Again on another level. This is marked in the Heaven as the age of Aquarius, the water bearer. In the Bible they talk of the latter rain. Even Pentecost was a shadow of things to come.

Many things are coming for us all. What we call good or bad depends on us and our true relationship with God. Those are words easy to say but not always easy to understand their depth.

<blockquote>'' "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; in so much that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." ([[Matthew 24]]:24)''</blockquote>

== This is done already. ==

<blockquote>'' "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;" (Luke 21:25)''</blockquote>

Distress in this quote is from ''sunoche'' which means to hold together, as in uniting.

Upon earth a union of nations more complete than the Pax Romana.

Seas are people and the people of the world are headed for some rough times and they will need faith to get through and they will need to share their faith with those who do not have as much. In the charity of that sharing more will be provided.

The Sabbath is your day of faith. It is '''not''' faith in a day.

Sabbath rest and Assemblies BlogTalkRadio 29:10 
http://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/BTSabbath1374495.mp3

Sabbath of Faith on FirstAmendmentRadio 49:10 
http://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/Sabbath.mp3 
Sabbath and ways of Faith on Talkshoe 37:43 
http://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/TSsabbath.mp3

Networking the Network 25:34 
http://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/TSNetwork.mp3

This article started partly in relation to someone quoting Isaiah 24 which has nothing to do with the planet being uninhabitable.

Isaiah 24 and More
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/isaiah24.php

==Footnotes==
<references />

'''Article on the Sabbath of Faith''' 
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/sabbath.php

12/11/2010 '''The Sabbath''' 
http://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-101211.mp3 
'''Keys of the Kingdom radio broadcast''' December 11, 2010 
Look at your calendar, Don't ask the [[Pharisees]], they got it wrong, Moses in agreement with Christ, [[Bible]] is a tool - not the source, Resting, Eusubius and Constantine, Pontifex maximus, Baptism without repentance, A "way" for rulers, Sunday and common assembly, Meaning behind Sabbath, Eucharist, Acts of Marcus Auerlius, Why were Christians persecuted?, WWJD - Mimic that, Asking government to take from your neighbor = not OK, Welfare = not OK, Social Security = not OK, Public Schools = not OK, Socialism = not OK, Instead seek the Kingdom and His righteousness, Debt then work is anti-sabbath - work first, then spend, 1st day assembly - what needs to be done?, Community by love knows where the needs are, Saved by faith, judged by works, Agustus and the Senate, Details of the Roman republic, Family is key!, Then the decline, Apotheos, Now we have abandoned the way of Christ, Proverbs quotes, Repent!, The path of Israel, to the early Church, Strengthening the poor, What to do about it, Spirit + water + blood, God's spirit in you, Will you see?

7/16/11 '''What Was the Early Church Doing?''' 
http://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-110716.mp3 
Keys of the Kingdom radio broadcast July 16, 2011 
Many hands=light work. Radio syndication. Understand bible through it's context and context of history. I.D. - no guarantee if it's not who you are. People's needs haven't changed - NetWORKING is still the answer. Bible/History = Record of our lives. The PRICE of FREEdom. You DO NOT own YOUR property. "Worship" defined. CoR's are loving your neighbor. Summer Lake Retreat and how benefits. Training our children and REtraining ourselves. Preaching, yes; but DOing too. Dividing the Word and the bread (same thing). Build the net you want to catch YOU. Kingdom-iters vs. Congregation-alism. The World fears - this! "World-hood" watch. Paul's appeal to Rome (Luke 12:11) was a BIG help. The Nature of Christ - in you - is the answer to all your questions. Who will care for your children when you canNOT - "choose this day." Lawful legal records matter. Love=sharing=love. Walking toward kingdom=DOing kingdom things. Calendars are crutches. The Beast's uniform. Perfect Law = taxing yourself. Begin seeking from where you're at. Providing more than a token. Seeking = DOing - with whom, to whom. Kingdom thinking. We are NOT His holy church. Sabbath ORDER - rest AFTER laboring. Focus is service, NOT survival. One person is NOT a congregation. Live wires stay plugged in.

{{Template:Gregory-info‎}}

[[Category:Articles]]

[[Category:Topics]]

[[Category:Words]]

Pathopolitics

2026-09-04T00:41:14Z

Wiki1:

[[Pathopolitics]] is a relatively rare academic neologism that combines pathos (feeling, suffering, or pathology) with politics.

While it is not a single established theory with one agreed definition; different scholars use it to name distinct but related ideas about how suffering, emotion, disease, and power intersect.

[[Pathopolitics]] is said to be a form of governance that uses the deliberate creation of suffering, stress, and, in some cases, disease (pathologies) to control or exclude specific populations because they see themselves as a superior group or collective.

Its etymological origin is derived from the Greek ''pathos'' (πάθος), meaning "suffering" or "disease," and ''politikos'' (πολιτικός), meaning "pertaining to state or politics". The State is the institution of the [[collective]].

Modern academic like Mariella Pandolfi sees the intersection of humanitarian aid, international relations, and military intervention from within the crowd of academia. Pandolfi empathetically states "Pathopolitics, as I argued in this essay, is the corporate politics of strategic distribution of pathologies and suffering. Drug companies develop and manufacture technologies to be used to remedy or prevent pathologies. Nevertheless, they strengthen the existing pathologies, or create new ones, by making these technologies accessible only to a few." Her empathetic approach saw "Remdesivir, also developed with US government funding, promised hope against the novel Coronavirus" while in fact it did more harm than good. Unbridled empathy is a tool used to control the [[Crowd psychology|crowd]].

But in the 1920s [[Crowd psychology|Crowd Psychology]] and [[Nationalism]] was influenced by people like Gustave Le Bon who held the view that political actions of "the [[masses]]" ([[collective]] crowds) was a "dark side" or a psychological disease affecting modern society, often linked with [[nationalism]] and [[racism]].

The "Pathological" State was framed into political movements where the [[collective]] group felt a superiority fueled by ideology, status, race or religion, including [[socialism]], [[communism]] or even populism.

Pathocracy is a rule by people with severe personality disorders ([[Psychosis|psychopathy]], [[Narcissists|narcissism]], etc.).

These view grow where their is jealousy and envy or [[vain]] [[pride]] that comes with personal social or economic achievement without the influence of grace or [[Divine will]].

When the [[masses]] stray from a [[daily ministration]] of the needy through [[fervent charity]] into the practices of political systems of [[legal charity]] the [[heart and mind|hearts and minds]] of society are altered by the [[means and methods]] they [[choose]].

Gustave Le Bon saw the psychological crowd allowed anonymity that produced a loss of or separation from personal responsibility. With that separation from individual responsibility, the [[Mass Formation Psychosis|formation of a mass psychosis]] became a ''contagion'' and their ''suggestibility'' through emotions of fear, anger, and revenge turned the mob into [[perfect savages]].

The ''anonymity'' within the emotional bubble of the ''[[collective]]'' provides a substitute for the rational thought of the individual a feeling of invincibility despite the imagined loss of personal responsibility. An individual becomes primitive, unreasoning, and emotional but justified with the support from that moving crowd of '''[[perfect savages]]'''.

Pathopolitics

2026-09-04T00:31:41Z

Wiki1:

[[Pathopolitics]] is said to be a form of governance that uses the deliberate creation of suffering, stress, and, in some cases, disease (pathologies) to control or exclude specific populations because they see themselves as a superior group or collective.

Its etymological origin is derived from the Greek ''pathos'' (πάθος), meaning "suffering" or "disease," and ''politikos'' (πολιτικός), meaning "pertaining to state or politics". The State is the institution of the [[collective]].

Modern academic like Mariella Pandolfi sees the intersection of humanitarian aid, international relations, and military intervention from within the crowd of academia. Pandolfi empathetically states "Pathopolitics, as I argued in this essay, is the corporate politics of strategic distribution of pathologies and suffering. Drug companies develop and manufacture technologies to be used to remedy or prevent pathologies. Nevertheless, they strengthen the existing pathologies, or create new ones, by making these technologies accessible only to a few." Her empathetic approach saw "Remdesivir, also developed with US government funding, promised hope against the novel Coronavirus" while in fact it did more harm than good. Unbridled empathy is a tool used to control the [[Crowd psychology|crowd]].

But in the 1920s [[Crowd psychology|Crowd Psychology]] and [[Nationalism]] was influenced by people like Gustave Le Bon who held the view that political actions of "the [[masses]]" ([[collective]] crowds) was a "dark side" or a psychological disease affecting modern society, often linked with [[nationalism]] and [[racism]].

The "Pathological" State was framed into political movements where the [[collective]] group felt a superiority fueled by ideology, status, race or religion, including [[socialism]], [[communism]] or even populism.

These view grow where their is jealousy and envy or [[vain]] [[pride]] that comes with personal social or economic achievement without the influence of grace or [[Divine will]].

When the [[masses]] stray from a [[daily ministration]] of the needy through [[fervent charity]] into the practices of political systems of [[legal charity]] the [[heart and mind|hearts and minds]] of society are altered by the [[means and methods]] they [[choose]].

Gustave Le Bon saw the psychological crowd allowed anonymity that produced a loss of or separation from personal responsibility. With that separation from individual responsibility, the [[Mass Formation Psychosis|formation of a mass psychosis]] became a ''contagion'' and their ''suggestibility'' through emotions of fear, anger, and revenge turned the mob into [[perfect savages]].

The ''anonymity'' within the emotional bubble of the ''[[collective]]'' provides a substitute for the rational thought of the individual a feeling of invincibility despite the imagined loss of personal responsibility. An individual becomes primitive, unreasoning, and emotional but justified with the support from that moving crowd of '''[[perfect savages]]'''.

Sharia

2026-09-04T00:29:32Z

Wiki1: /* Shariah Law */

== Shariah Law==

Sharia is said to be a body of ''religious law'' that form an [[Islam|Islamic]] tradition based on scriptures of Islam, particularly the Quran and hadith. It supposedly refers to immutable, intangible divine law.

It claims to act as a code for living that all Muslims must adhere to, including prayers, fasting, and donations to the poor, etc. It has been stated that it aims to help Muslims understand how they should lead every aspect of their lives according to God's wishes.

=== The Path ===

Sharia (Arabic: sharīʿah, often spelled Shariah) means “the path” or “the path to the watering place.” What was first known as Christianity was also called [[The way|The Way]].

If Shariah means ''[[Pathopolitics|the path]]'' and Christianity was called [[the way]] are they compatible, divergent, or even opposites?

In Islam it refers to the body of religious, moral, and legal guidance that Muslims believe God revealed to regulate belief, worship, personal conduct, family life, commerce, and—in some interpretations—public law and governance of a nation.

Civil law is usually based on written codes that grew out of Roman law. But it can refer to private-law of any system that deals with disputes between individuals rather than Criminal law of a state.

While, some will say Sharia law does not belong to the civil-law family, it can supply rules for civil (private) disputes and can be allowed to sit alongside other civil-law codes and even supercede them. It is simpley not considered a "species of civil law".

For this reason "Legal Systems" of law such as civil law, common law, religious or ecclesiastical law, customary law, and other mixed systems maybe considered distinct from the unique category known as Islamic law, such as Shariah Law.

Its primary sources as the Quran and Sunnah, as interpreted through clerics who claim it has a divine-origin therefore claims it is supreme to man made laws.

So, it is clearly not simply "religious" even though it includes "ritual, ethical, and conscience-based rules, but it also serves as both criminal and private law.

Sharia’s scope is therefore wider than typical Western civil or criminal codes and does not advocate equal application of the law or justice to all.

It does claim to address the relationships with God, neighbors, the state, and even one’s own conscience, covering worship, family, contracts, inheritance, and certain criminal penalties or the lack of them for known crimes in the world such as false oaths, robbery, or rape, even murder.

This inequality of penalties and the application of Shariah law seems to conflict with many previous principles of law.

* 2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

It should be very clear that those who follow the command to terrorize the unbeliever do not follow the God of the prophets of Abraham, Moses, or Jesus as recorder in the Book, aka The Bible.

Therefore no one who believe in the way expressed in the Book should be yoked with those who advocate Shariah Law.

There are five distinct categories: obligatory, recommended, permitted, discouraged, and forbidden.

Sharia

2026-09-04T00:04:18Z

Wiki1:

== Shariah Law==

Sharia is said to be a body of ''religious law'' that form an [[Islam|Islamic]] tradition based on scriptures of Islam, particularly the Quran and hadith. It supposedly refers to immutable, intangible divine law.

It claims to act as a code for living that all Muslims must adhere to, including prayers, fasting, and donations to the poor, etc. It has been stated that it aims to help Muslims understand how they should lead every aspect of their lives according to God's wishes.

Sharia (Arabic: sharīʿah, often spelled Shariah) means “the path” or “the path to the watering place.” In Islam it refers to the body of religious, moral, and legal guidance that Muslims believe God revealed to regulate belief, worship, personal conduct, family life, commerce, and—in some interpretations—public law and governance of a nation.

Civil law is usually based on written codes that grew out of Roman law. But it can refer to private-law of any system that deals with disputes between individuals rather than Criminal law of a state.

While, some will say Sharia law does not belong to the civil-law family, it can supply rules for civil (private) disputes and can be allowed to sit alongside other civil-law codes and even supercede them. It is simpley not considered a "species of civil law".

For this reason "Legal Systems" of law such as civil law, common law, religious or ecclesiastical law, customary law, and other mixed systems maybe considered distinct from the unique category known as Islamic law, such as Shariah Law.

Its primary sources as the Quran and Sunnah, as interpreted through clerics who claim it has a divine-origin therefore claims it is supreme to man made laws.

So, it is clearly not simply "religious" even though it includes "ritual, ethical, and conscience-based rules, but it also serves as both criminal and private law.

Sharia’s scope is therefore wider than typical Western civil or criminal codes and does not advocate equal application of the law or justice to all.

It does claim to address the relationships with God, neighbors, the state, and even one’s own conscience, covering worship, family, contracts, inheritance, and certain criminal penalties or the lack of them for known crimes in the world such as false oaths, robbery, or rape, even murder.

This inequality of penalties and the application of Shariah law seems to conflict with many previous principles of law.

* 2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

It should be very clear that those who follow the command to terrorize the unbeliever do not follow the God of the prophets of Abraham, Moses, or Jesus as recorder in the Book, aka The Bible.

Therefore no one who believe in the way expressed in the Book should be yoked with those who advocate Shariah Law.

There are five distinct categories: obligatory, recommended, permitted, discouraged, and forbidden.

Demiurge

2026-09-02T08:30:21Z

Wiki1:

== What was a Demiurge ==

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally from two Greek words '''dêmos''' (δῆμος) meaning '''"people"''' and -εργ- '''ergon''' (ἔργον) meaning to '''"work"''' from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. '''In ancient Athenian''' would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref> or in the Vocative - Vocative δημῐουργέ<ref>In Classical Attic Greek, the vocative δημῐουργέ is pronounced - DAY-mee-oor-GEH, (IPA: /dɛː.mi.u.r.ɡé/)</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's monologue by Timaeus of Locri, <ref>c. 360 BCE</ref> who was a Pythagorean philosopher, who explains the creation of the universe by way of a ''divine Demiurge'' this ''divine craftsman'' who fashions the [[Kosmos]] by imposing mathematics upon ''pre-existing matter''. Eventually, the writers who are said to have formulated [[Gnosticism]]<ref>1st–3rd c. CE</ref> saw a demiurge as a subordinate to the true Creator and was considered often as a more malevolent creator deity or one of the gods many of Paul and distinct from the supreme God and often contrary to the [[Will of God]].

Clementine writes that the "statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]])" Therefore a demiurge is not ''The God of Heaven'' as in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. This conforms to "Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]]" but did they mean created or refashioned and became a ruler with his own dominion of his [[Kosmos]] or [[world]].

=== As adversary ===
The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref> after Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]].

If a [[Demiurge]], this divine craftsman who fashions, is he working on behalf of the Divine Designer of Heaven and earth or is he redesigning in his own image and for his own purpose.

Will his changes give life or take it away. Will it protect the dominion granted by God or will it undermine His [[Divine Will]]?

=== Power by consent ===

While an entity may come in the name or character of God those who report his divine intent may alter his original purpose for their own, deceiving many<Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref> which has been the nature of the [[Satan|adversary]]<Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref> from the beginning.<Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref>

A [[Demiurge]] will see some form of agreement or consent in som form. It will offer a gift, protection, religious talismans or secret knowledge or special ritual, affirmation or confirmation.

These indulgences open doors but also limit access to the true [[Comforter]].

Participation may draw energy, grant access permission, and control.

== Other source ==

The [[tree of knowledge]] is a source but the [[tree of life|tree of life]] is a source also.

The [[tree of life|tree of life]] is a source of light or life, The '''Comforter''', or Holy Spirit.

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===

"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Who puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was concealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the knowledge of the secrets, lay with them."<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

=== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES ===

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affection for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain even it steadfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), he will welcome me, since he is good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father, influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incomparably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated 'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

==Footnotes ==

Demiurge

2026-09-02T08:18:17Z

Wiki1: /* What was a Demiurge */

== What was a Demiurge ==

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally from two Greek words '''dêmos''' (δῆμος) meaning '''"people"''' and -εργ- '''ergon''' (ἔργον) meaning to '''"work"''' from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. '''In ancient Athenian''' would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref> or in the Vocative - Vocative δημῐουργέ<ref>In Classical Attic Greek, the vocative δημῐουργέ is pronounced - DAY-mee-oor-GEH, (IPA: /dɛː.mi.u.r.ɡé/)</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's monologue by Timaeus of Locri, <ref>c. 360 BCE</ref> who was a Pythagorean philosopher, who explains the creation of the universe by way of a ''divine Demiurge'' this ''divine craftsman'' who fashions the [[Kosmos]] by imposing mathematics upon ''pre-existing matter''. Eventually, the writers who are said to have formulated [[Gnosticism]]<ref>1st–3rd c. CE</ref> saw a demiurge as a subordinate to the true Creator and was considered often as a more malevolent creator deity or one of the gods many of Paul and distinct from the supreme God and often contrary to the [[Will of God]].

Clementine writes that the "statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]])" Therefore a demiurge is not ''The God of Heaven'' as in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. This conforms to "Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]]" but did they mean created or refashioned and became a ruler with his own dominion of his [[Kosmos]] or [[world]].

=== As adversary ===
The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref> after Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]].

If a [[Demiurge]], this divine craftsman who fashions, is he working on behalf of the Divine Designer of Heaven and earth or is he redesigning in his own image and for his own purpose.

Will his changes give life or take it away. Will it protect the dominion granted by God or will it undermine His [[Divine Will]]?

=== Power by consent ===

While an entity may come in the name or character of God those who report his divine intent may alter his original purpose for their own, deceiving many<Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref> which has been the nature of the [[Satan|adversary]]<Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref> from the beginning.<Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref>

== Other source ==

The [[tree of knowledge]] is a source but the [[tree of life|tree of life]] is a source also.

The [[tree of life|tree of life]] is a source of light or life, The '''Comforter''', or Holy Spirit.

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===

"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Who puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was concealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the knowledge of the secrets, lay with them."<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

=== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES ===

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affection for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain even it steadfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), he will welcome me, since he is good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father, influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incomparably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated 'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

==Footnotes ==

Demiurge

2026-09-02T07:55:20Z

Wiki1: /* 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. */

== What was a Demiurge ==

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally from two Greek words dêmos (δῆμος) meaning "people" and -εργ- ergon (ἔργον) meaning to "work" from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. In ancient Athenian would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref> or in the Vocative - Vocative δημῐουργέ<ref>In Classical Attic Greek, the vocative δημῐουργέ is pronounced - DAY-mee-oor-GEH, (IPA: /dɛː.mi.u.r.ɡé/)</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's monologue by Timaeus of Locri, <ref>c. 360 BCE</ref> who was a Pythagorean philosopher, who explains the creation of the universe by way of a ''divine Demiurge'' this ''divine craftsman'' who fashions the [[Kosmos]] by imposing mathematics upon ''pre-existing matter''. Eventually, the writers who are said to have formulated [[Gnosticism]]<ref>1st–3rd c. CE</ref> saw a demiurge as a subordinate to the true Creator and was considered often as a more malevolent creator deity or one of the gods many of Paul and distinct from the supreme God and often contrary to the [[Will of God]].

Clementine writes that the "statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]])" Therefore a demiurge is not ''The God of Heaven'' as in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. This conforms to "Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]]" but did they mean created or refashioned and became a ruler with his own dominion of his [[Kosmos]] or [[world]].

The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref> after Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]].

If a Demiurge this divine craftsman who fashions is he working on behalf of the Divine designer of Heaven and earth or is he redesigning in his own image and for his own purpose.

Will his changes give life or take it away. Will it protect the dominion granted by God or will it undermine His [[Divine Will]]?

While an entity may come in the name or character of God those who report his divine intent may alter his original purpose for their own, deceiving many<Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref> which has been the nature of the [[Satan|adversary]]<Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref> from the beginning.<Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref>

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===

"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Who puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was concealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the knowledge of the secrets, lay with them."<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

=== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES ===

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affection for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain even it steadfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), he will welcome me, since he is good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father, influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incomparably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated 'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

==Footnotes ==

Template:Fsequence

2026-09-01T22:35:27Z

Wiki1: /* Tytler Cycle */

[[File:Tytler.jpg|thumb|Liberty cannot long live where [[apathy]] is nurtured by complacency and a dependence upon [[legal charity]] of the State. How do people avoid the [[Fatal Sequence]] of the [[Tytler Cycle]] of society? Tytler's Cycle was understood by [[Polybius]] and its effect upon the [[masses]] a 150 years before Christ. Yet, things the should not be forgotten have often be ignored until it is forgotten. This has been described as the blind leading the blind.<Ref name="Blindlead'">{{Blindlead}}</Ref> In If the [[Faith]] in [[Christ]] we may claim is not sought in [[spirit and truth|spirit and in truth]], turning that claim to faith into actions of [[heart and mind]] <Ref name="c-heart">{{c-heart}}</Ref> we an our society will take a turn down the covetous road to [[Degenerate|degeneration]] and [[destruction]]. Our ''cities of faith''<Ref name="cityright">{{cityright}}</Ref> will become a [[city of blood]].<Ref name="cityblood">{{cityblood}}</Ref> Seeking the [[Kingdom of God]] begins with [[repentance]], which includes a willingness to see our [[unrighteousness]], our own [[sloth]] and [[avarice]] and [[covetous practices]], and actively [[seek]]ing the righteousness of God in all things while remaining ''friends with the [[Mammon|mammon of unrighteousness]]'' if we find ourselves [[entangled]] again in the [[yoke of bondage]]. ]]

== Fatal Sequence ==

There are [[Fatal Sequence|fatal consequences]] for every society and community, or peoples and nations when there is an increase of affluences that leads to apathy. If their culture allows critical elements of society to diminish such as the primary [[virtue|virtues]]<Ref name="hvirtue">The Seven Virtues of creation: [[Faith]], [[Hope]], [[Charity]], [[Fortitude]], [[righteousness]], [[Temperance]], [[Prudence]], and according to Paul charity is the greatest.</Ref> of mankind as an individual such as to fail in the [[care]] and provision for those other members of mankind, particularly those who are in true need and want then the sequences that bring life are interrupted.

This often first begins to occur in times of affluence and prosperity when the heart first begins to think more of our own wants, desires, and comfort rather than the difficulties, struggles, and needs of our neighbors and even our own [[family]].

[[Society]] will often attempt to provide some form of [[social welfare]] or [[social safety net]] for their society, but the ''means and methods'' of those [[Nimrod|provisions]] of [[care]] will determine the fate of the [[individual]] and the [[masses]].

=== Sacred means and methods ===

The Bible has shown us how we move from [[bondage]] to [[liberty]] and [[Warnings|warns]] us to not pursue certain [[Covetous practices|practices]] called [[unrighteous]].

The people must choose daily to fervently cultivate a culture of love and care to prevent or reverse the [[Fatal Sequence]] in their own society that falls to the [[wantonness]] and [[avarice]] by ''the way'' of [[sloth]] and [[apathy]] in attending to the [[weightier matters]] and returns mankind back to [[bondage]].

=== Government ways ===

There is not just [[one form of government]] but there are many just as, according to Paul, there are "[[gods]] many".

The [[Kingdom of God]] is [[The Way]] to become a free people and maintain that [[liberty]] under the [[righteousness]] of God.'''<Ref name="Johnwy">{{Johnwy}}</Ref>

The [[polity]] of "nations" is said to always progress through the [[Tytler Cycle]] from liberty to a "[[Fatal Sequence]]" of events when a people born in the natural state of liberty will at some point find themselves in a state of [[bondage]].

=== Tytler Cycle ===

Alexander Tytler outlines this cycle as:
#. From [[bondage]] to spiritual [[faith]];
#. From [[Faithful|spiritual faith]] to great courage;
#. From courage to [[liberty]];
#. From [[liberty]] to abundance;
#. From '''abundance to selfishness;'''
#. From [[selfishness]] to complacency;
#. From complacency to apathy;
#. From dependence back into [[bondage]]."<Ref name="fatal">The "Tytler Cycle" or "Fatal Sequence" [https://www.hisholychurch.org/audio/20241221politytytler.mp3 (Audio)] established by [[Alexander Fraser Tytler]]. </Ref>

=== Natural wrath ===

The sequence seem to be a natural consequenc of choice and practices within society. '''In that ''[[Fatal Sequence]]'' there is actual rejection of [[Divine Will|the Divine Will of the God of Nature]].'''<Ref name="rejectgd">{{rejectgd}}</Ref>

Another way to describe natural consequences is the [[wrath of God]].

'''What is the evidence''' that the people have or have not rejected that God of Creation, His [[Right Reason]], and the [[Doctrine of Jesus|teachings of Jesus]]?<Ref name="keepcom">{{keepcom}}</Ref>

'''Do [[modern Christians]]''', who say they [[love]] Christ,<Ref name="lord2">{{lord2}}</Ref> do contrary to [[keep my commandments|His commandments]]?

What [[elements]] of the modern [[world]] might cause the [[masses]] to [[degenerate]] so the move to a fate of subjection and [[bondage]]?

Is there a [[snare|snare and a trap]] that we have been warned about in the Biblical text?

Have we been warned about developing an [[appetite]] for the [[dainties|dainties]] of [[rulers]]?

** '''How does the [[Polity]] and politics of His [[Kingdom of God]]''' disrupt the "[[Alexander Fraser Tytler|Tytler Fatal Sequence]]"? 
* '''The Tytler Cycle point of that fatal Sequence''' begins at '''From abundance to selfishness'''. 
* '''An [[appetite]] for [[benefits]]''' and the habit of receiving them from men who [[exercise authority]] has always been a [[snare|snare and a trap]] which starves compassion and feeds [[selfishness]]; 
* '''Without a [[Daily ministration|daily]] practice of a voluntary [[sacrifice]]''' of [[love]] of neighbor through the exercise of [[fervent charity]] the [[masses|people as a whole]] become accustomed to ''complacency''.

* '''If the cost of this ''[[selfishness]] and complacency''''' is not realized in timely fashion, leads to a [[strong delusion]] which replaces the [[Truth]] and soon a [[lie]] will be believed.<Ref name="believelie">{{believelie}}</Ref> 
* '''The failure of societies often begins''' with a decent into [[democracy]].<Ref name="demofail">{{demofail}}</Ref> Both [[Rome]] and [[Israel]] began as [[republic|republics]] with [[no king]] or [[emperor|emperors]]. 
* '''Dependence upon [[Schools as Tools|an educational system]] provided by [[force]]d contributions''' [[The Reece Committee|can alter our view of history]] leaving each generation in the dark about what got the people to the state of ''liberty and abundance''; 
* '''This movement from the light to [[darkness]]''' sears the [[Conscience#A_seared_conscience|conscience]]<Ref name="Searedc">{{Searedc}}</Ref> as the mind and soul of each successive generation [[degenerate|degenerates]]<Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref>. 
* '''In the ensuing [[darkness]]''' of that [[lie]] accepted by the people who believe a [[lie]] their [[appetite]] for [[benefits]] grows and they become ''accustomed'' to living at [[covetous practices|the expense of others]] the despots and [[tyrants]] rise; 

* '''The [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], and [[Caesar]] of the [[world]]''' alleviates the consequences of that [[sloth]] and [[Selfishness|self-indulgence]] until the people return to [[The Mire|the mire]] of the [[bondage of Egypt]]. 

* '''The mere lack of [[Self-Sacrifice|self-sacrifice]]''' through a practice of voluntary and [[fervent charity]] will allow an inflammation, if not an infection, of the soul and body which [[degenerate|degenerates]] the heart of [[individual]] courage fails, the [[Spiritual Contract|spiritual faith]] in the [[community]] decays, and [[society]] of [[faith]] is strangled and suffocated by [[Emotional Socialism|emotions]], [[ideology]], and denial of the power<Ref name="denial">{{denial}}</Ref> to live by that [[faith]] of the [[Spirit and Truth|Spirit]]. 
* '''The implementation of [[legal charity]]''' institutes [[Apathy|apathy]] and [[sloth]] into the life [[Cities of blood|blood of the city]] and the [[heart and mind]] of the [[masses]] where [[care]] is [[strangle]]d and suffocated in a sea of complacency to apathy. 
* '''The sin of [[Sodom]]''' came during their time of ''abundance'' or ''affluence''<Ref name="shalvah62">{{07962}}</Ref> where its rulers established a polity of a "State" where members were dependent upon a [[welfare]] at [[tables]] funded through the [[civil law]]. 
* '''The [[masses]] with their [[appetite]] for the [[dainties]]''' of [[rulers]] provided at the expense of neighbors put scales on their eyes until they are blind. 
* '''This [[Covetous practices|practice]] has always produced a [[Blindlead|blindness]]''' of [[Conscience#A_seared_conscience|conscience]]<Ref name="Searedc">{{Searedc}}</Ref> and a [[Degenerate|degeneration]] of the [[masses]].<Ref>"Behold, this was the [[iniquity]] of thy sister [[Sodom]], [[pride]], fulness of [[bread]], and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." [[Ezekiel 16]]:49 </Ref>  
'''Article X Prime directive''' '''The prime directive''' * Jesus the [[Christ]] revealed '''the problem and the [[salvation|solution]]''' in his [[Gospel of the kingdom]].<Ref name="probsave">{{probsave}} </Ref> * '''[[Guidelines of His Church|Policy]] of [[Christ]] defines an [[intentional community]]''', a deliberate [[The way|way to live]], expressed in His directives and defined in the [[doctrine of Jesus]] to guide the choices of mankind in his pursuit of the [[righteousness]] of God through His [[Word of God|word]] anď [[Right Reason]]. * "[[Declaration of Independence|A decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel]]" the people to make ''a statement of intent'' in accordance to a procedure or protocol His [[righteousness]].
 * '''Policies are generally adopted by a governance body''' within an organization. '''[[Peculiar people|A Peculiar Polity]]''' * A [[polity]] can be any group of ''people organized for governance'', such as the board of a corporation, the government of a country, or '''simply people who organize themselves to conduct their own ''public affairs''.''' * That was what the [[early Church]] was doing. They would not depend on the ''abundance'' of the government [[tables]] of [[Rome]]. They took [[care]] of one another in time of need. This is what Paul was doing in [[Acts]] where he attended to the ''civil affairs''<Ref>[[Philippians 1]]:27 "Only let your [[conversation]] be <[[4176]]-[[politeuomai]]> as it becometh the gospel of [[Christ]]: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the [[faith]] of the gospel;"</Ref> of the Christian society.<Ref>[[Acts 2]]:46 "And they, continuing [[Daily bread|daily]] with one [[accord]] in the temple, and [[free bread|breaking bread]] from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"</Ref> 
* The Policy of the '''Polity of Christ''' is equal to and in conformity with to '''[[The Way]]''' of Christ, [[Corban of Christ|His Corban]], and the real [[Moses]] and [[Abraham]] which is what we see in Acts and the epistles.

Revile

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Wiki1:

== Revile-slight-belittle ==

[[Exodus 22]]:28 '''Thou shalt''' not<[[לֹ03808|לֹ֣א]]> '''revile''' <תְקַלֵּ֑ל qalal [[07043]]>'''<Ref name="qalal">{{07043}}</Ref> the gods, nor [[curse]]<[[0779|תָאֹֽר]] > the ruler of thy people.

The root קָלַל ([[Kuf]][[Double Lamed]]) carries the idea of lightness in weight or status, and from that core meaning develops four dominant nuances:
: 1) something easy or slight,
: 2) treating a person or thing with contempt,
: 3) uttering a curse or imprecation,
: 4) swiftness or rapid motion.
These senses overlap in that whatever is “light” may be regarded as trivial, despised, or quickly passed over.

Human contempt rejects the honor bestowed by the Creator by natures law <ref>Cursing reduces another’s dignity to “nothing.” The command “Honor your father and mother” is guarded by severe penalties for the opposite behavior:
* [[Exodus 21]]:17: “Whoever curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.”
* [[Leviticus 19]]:14: “You shall not curse the deaf…”—the vulnerable are shielded.
* [[Numbers 22]] (five occurrences) highlights Balaam’s futile attempt to curse those whom God has blessed, reinforcing [[Genesis 12]]:3, “I will curse those who curse you.”</ref>, and thus reveals unbelief in the nature of [[the way]] of God and His [[righteousness]].

If you will not obey or honor your natural Father will you obey your Father in Heaven?<ref>Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.</ref>

Even though we are told to ''call no man [[Father]]'' by Christ meaning putting the ''[[Fathers]] of the earth'' over us by the many [[means and methods]] by which man often returns to [[bondage]] under [[rulers]]. This is by the processes of [[covetous practices]], [[CCC|contracts, covenants and constitutions]] when people develop an [[appetite]] for the [[benefits]] of their [[tables]] said to be for your [[welfare]] but are actually a [[snare|snare and a trap]] which often reduce men and women to [[human resources]]. If we do we should honor those legal bonds.

The contrast between “heavy” honor (kabod) and “light” contempt (qalal) recurs throughout the canon of scripture.

It appears about eighty-two times, with concentrations in Torah (especially legal texts supposedly on cursing), in the narratives of Samuel–Kings, and in prophetic indictments. Less frequent but theologically rich appearances occur in Psalms and Proverbs.
<blockquote>

[[Genesis 8]]:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated <הֲקַ֣לּוּ 07043> from off the face of the ground;

[[Genesis 8]]:11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth [was] an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were '''abated''' <[[07043]] קַ֥לּוּ> from off the earth.
</blockquote>
In both occurrences above we see a single Lamed rather than the [[Double Lamed]] which is found in the root. But instead we see a [[Nun]] in the place of the second [[Lamed]].

<blockquote>

[[Genesis 8]]:21 And the LORD smelled a [[sweet savour]]; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again '''[[curse]]''' <07043> the ground any more for man s sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

[[Genesis 12]]:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that '''[[curse]]th''' <07043> thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

[[Genesis 16]]:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was '''despised''' <07043> in her eyes.

[[Genesis 16]]:5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong [be] upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised <07043> in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

Exodus 18:22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, [that] every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier <07043> for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.

[[Exodus 21]]:17 And he that '''curseth''' <07043> his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

[[Exodus 22]]:28 '''Thou shalt not revile <07043>''' the [[gods]], nor curse the ruler of thy people.

[[Leviticus 19]]:14 Thou shalt not curse <07043> the deaf, nor put a [[stumblingblock]] before the [[Blind|blind]], but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.

[[Leviticus 20]]:9 For every one that '''curseth''' <07043> his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath '''cursed''' <07043> his father or his mother; his blood [shall be] upon him.

[[Leviticus 24]]:11 And the Israelitish woman s son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed <07043>. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother s name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

[[Leviticus 24]]:14 Bring forth him that hath cursed <07043> without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth <07043> his God shall bear his sin.

[[Leviticus 24]]:23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed <07043> out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded [[Moses]].

[[Psalms 32]]:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

[[Deuteronomy 23]]:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse <07043> thee.

[[Joshua 24]]:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse <07043> you:

[[Judges 9]]:27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode [the grapes], and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed <07043> Abimelech.

[[1 Samuel 2]]:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed <07043>.

1 Samuel 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile <07043>, and he restrained them not.

1 Samuel 6:5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten <07043> his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

1 Samuel 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed <07043> David by his gods.

1 Samuel 18:23 And Saul s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you [a] light <07043> [thing] to be a king s son in law, seeing that I [am] a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

2 Samuel 1:23 Saul and Jonathan [were] lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter <07043> than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile <07043> than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

2 Samuel 16:5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name [was] Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed <07043> still as he came.

2 Samuel 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed <07043>, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

2 Samuel 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse <07043> my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

2 Samuel 16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse <07043>, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse <07043> David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

2 Samuel 16:11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now [may this] Benjamite [do it]? let him alone, and let him curse <07043>; for the LORD hath bidden him.

2 Samuel 16:13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill s side over against him, and cursed <07043> as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

2 Samuel 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed <07043> the LORD S anointed?

2 Samuel 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more [right] in David than ye: why then did ye despise <07043> us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

1 Kings 2:8 And, behold, [thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed <07043> me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

1 Kings 12:4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter <07043>, and we will serve thee.

1 Kings 12:9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make <07043> the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter <07043>?

1 Kings 12:10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou [it] lighter <07043> unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little [finger] shall be thicker than my father s loins.

1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing <07043> for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

2 Kings 2:24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed <07043> them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
2 Kings 3:18 And this is [but] a light thing <07043> in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing <07043> for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

2 Chronicles 10:4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease <07043> thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

2 Chronicles 10:9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease <07043> somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

2 Chronicles 10:10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou [it] somewhat lighter <07043> for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little [finger] shall be thicker than my father s loins.

Nehemiah 13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse <07043> them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Nehemiah 13:25 And I contended with them, and cursed <07043> them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed <07043> his day.

Job 7:6 My days are swifter <07043> than a weaver s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter <07043> than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

Job 24:18 He [is] swift as the waters; their portion is cursed <07043> in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile <07043>; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Psalms 37:22 For [such as be] blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and [they that be] cursed <07043> of him shall be cut off.

Psalms 62:4 They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse <07043> inwardly. Selah.

Psalms 109:28 Let them curse <07043>, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy <07043> unto him that understandeth.

Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth <07043> his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Proverbs 30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse <07043> thee, and thou be found guilty.

Proverbs 30:11 [There is] a generation [that] curseth <07043> their father, and doth not bless their mother.

Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse <07043> thee:

Ecclesiastes 7:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed <07043> others.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet <07043> the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse <07043> not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse <07043> not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Isaiah 8:21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse <07043> their king and their God, and look upward.

Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless the dimness [shall] not [be] such as [was] in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted <07043> the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict [her by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

Isaiah 23:9 The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, [and] to bring into contempt <07043> all the honourable of the earth.

Isaiah 30:16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift <07043>.

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing <07043> that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isaiah 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed <07043>.

Jeremiah 4:13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots [shall be] as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter <07043> than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Jeremiah 4:24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly <07043>.

Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly <07043>, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

Jeremiah 8:11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly <07043>, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

Jeremiah 15:10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; [yet] every one of them doth curse <07043> me.

Ezekiel 8:17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing <07043> to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

Ezekiel 21:21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made [his] arrows bright <07043>, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.

Ezekiel 22:7 In thee have they set light <07043> by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.

Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten <07043> [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Nahum 1:14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, [that] no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile <07043>.

Habakkuk 1:8 Their horses also are swifter <07043> than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle [that] hasteth to eat.

</blockquote>

----
Psalms 82:1 ¶ «A Psalm of Asaph.» God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Psalms 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the '''wicked'''? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
: 6 ¶ '''I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High.''' 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Psalms 138:1 ¶ «[A Psalm] of David.» I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, '''Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?''' 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Exodus 21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.

1 Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and [some] bade [me] kill thee: but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD’S anointed.

1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Romans 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Titus 3:1 ¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

1 Peter 2:17 Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

2 Peter 2:10 ¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Jude 1:8 ¶ Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Template:Islam

2026-09-01T01:40:40Z

Wiki1: /* Freedom of Religion */

== Islam, Muslim, Moslem ==

'''[[Muslim]]s''' are people who adhere to [[Islam]], a monotheistic religion claiming to belong to the [[Abraham|Abrahamic]] tradition. They consider the Quran (Koran), the foundational religious text of [[Islam]], to be the verbatim word of the God of '''[[Abraham]]'''.

Modern [[Islam]]ic followers and institutions betray the God of [[Abraham]] and [[Moses]] through their political agenda. Their political goals and ideological tactics are often interpreted more as those of [[Nimrod]] and [[Babylon]].

The meaning of '''[[Moslem|MOSLEM]]''' is formerly a common term but often considered old-fashioned, increasingly rare, and by some it may be considered offensive variant of [[Muslim]].

'''[[Islam]]ic''' teachings on violence are said to be "complex and multifaceted, emphasizing that violence is not inherent to the religion but is permitted" "primarily for self-defense and justice." This claim does not appear to be supported by its historical record.

== Conflict within Religion ==

Any attempt to [[force]] your [[religion]] on others which has been common during the history of [[Islam]] by threat of death or taxation of non-Muslim citizens would be an attack on the fundamental right of [[Freedom of Religion|freedom of religion]].

Tens of thousands of religious people are being murdered by [[Moslem|Moslems]] who are a political movement which accepts [[Force and violence]] to spread their agenda to the [[masses]].

They, like many [[modern Christians]] do not practice [[pure religion]] ''unspotted'' by the [[world]]. This often is because they are more concerned about their [[Rituals and ceremonies|rites and rituals]] of
the [[doctrines of men]] than the endowed [[Rights]] and [[righteousness]] of God

This political movement is often disguised as a [[religion]] that allows many [[Covetous practices|practices]] not practiced by [[Abraham]] and forbidden by [[Moses]], but who are both proclaimed as [[prophets]].

While, every [[Moslem]] does not murder and some may be ''very fine people'' they often do not contain the murderous extremist who also claim that [[Allegiance and Faith|faith/allegiance]] based political movement.

=== Freedom of Religion ===

The U.S. Constitution does not grant a right to violently overthrow the government and prohibits the establishment of a state [[religion]], which is the goal of many Moslems.

The [[Declaration of Independence]] states that when a government becomes destructive of the people's rights, it is their right and duty to alter or abolish it. If a religion wants to take away the right of the people we may abolish it, not because it is a religion but it departs from a religion and becomes something else that is violence against the rights of the people. Title 18 U.S.C. § 2383 makes it a crime to incite, assist with, or participate in a rebellion or insurrection against U.S. laws and authority and 18 U.S.C. § 2385 criminalizes advocating, abetting, advising, or teaching the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing the U.S. government by force or violence, or organizing groups that promote such overthrow.

Any religion that prohibits [[freedom of speech]] would be fundamentally opposed to the [[Constitution of the United States]].

=== Call to prayer ===

An online poll asked the question:

"IF A BILL WERE INTRODUCED TO BAN THE MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER FROM PUBLIC SPACES, HOW STRONGLY WOULD YOU SUPPORT IT?"

There is [[freedom of Religion]] in America just like there is [[freedom of speech|freedom of Speech]]. Both have limits.

Promoting in word or deed the violent overthrow of of a national government is crime. In the U.S. government as a serious federal crime under laws like 18 U.S.C. § 2385 (Advocating overthrow of Government) and 18 U.S.C. § 2383 (Rebellion or Insurrection), it punishable by fines and imprisonment, including "incitement" – Legally, incitement involves encouraging, urging, or persuading someone to commit a crime, acting as an inchoate offense (a crime that can be punished even if the intended crime doesn't happen). In the U.S., especially under the Brandenburg v. Ohio standard, punishable speech requires advocacy of imminent lawless action with a high likelihood it will occur, not just abstract ideas or beliefs, though specific laws target inciting riots or violence.

Then there is Seditious Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2384): If two or more people conspire to overthrow, put down, or destroy by force the government of the United States, or to levy war against it, or to oppose its authority by force, they commit seditious conspiracy. This crime carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

18 U.S.C. § 2385 (Advocating overthrow of Government): Makes it illegal to knowingly or willfully advocate for overthrowing the government by force or violence, or to print/publish such advocacy.

No one should limit a call to prayer and freedom of religion bot no religion should advocate the overthrow of a legitimate national Government if it does they are making call to crime not to prayer.

=== Daniel Haqiqatjou ===

Some one thought Daniel Haqiqatjou could shed light on the real problems of the world. So I looked him up.

Daniel Reza Haghighat Jou has fallen into the classic blunder of misidentifying the movement of history by looking at the personalty of the actors.

Daniel Reza has a very poor understanding of history based on the articles published at his website.

His books premise of '''modernism being the religion of the colonizer''' would be funny except for the imperialistic tactiMuslim the Muslim colonizers over the centuries.

He complains about the imperialists who ''bomb and occupy the Muslim world'' when the Muslims world would not even exist without the Islamic imperialism which used the swords and scimitars by which they spread their religion and politics creating what Daniel calls the Muslim world.

The vast block of Islamic nations were not born from the ''logos of Mohamed'' but the conquest and brutality of his blood thirsty armies.

From Medina to Badr Mohamed used force to compell his converts while Jesus used [[Love thy neighbour|love]], the [[word of God]] and a [[network]] of [[service]].

Jesus came to set the captive free while Mohamed came to subjugate, enslave and kill.

Their armies were supported by the spoils of those they murdered, robbed, and enslaved by the millions. And they collected the burdensome Jizya which forced the lukewarm to convert. Those who converted who would serve as His militant missionaries would often pay the Jizya if they did not serve.

From the beginning the ir governments were by heavy tribute taxes like iltizam. That was replaced by more modern systems like income tax and corporate profit taxes. They also have a Wealth Tax (Zakat) on everything you own. This included property tax. These taxes came through the spirit of Nimrod. Gavin Newsom and the California legislature has been recently advocating such a tax. While none of these taxes were found in the Israel of Moses they do exist in in some form in almost every "principality" where the Spirit of Nimrod thrives including all Muslim countries and modern governments including modern Israel.

So, Modernism is not just the religion of secularists subjugating Muslims around the world it is actually "Nimrodism". The Spirit of Nimrod creeps into every society that is slothful in the ways of righteousness and the people are willing to engage in covetous practices to obtain their security from fear. They do this at the expense of their fellowman and their own soul.

Fortunately we have to witnessed as to the way of God the saves souls and sets the captive free.

But in their pride they have become blind to the meaning of the text and abandoned the means of God's government so they have become blind and follow the blind.

Muhammad or Machmad was inspired by a being that appeared as an angel of light in a dark cave. Later scribe would write down his teachings.

Unfortunately I have not found the Song of Moses nor the [[Song of the Lamb]] in the text of the Koran, nor the [[perfect law of liberty]].

What I do find is the rituals and ceremonies that allow those who find pride in their [[doctrines of men]] which allows them to bow to the [[principalities]] of the [[world]] and serve them. While they will continue to justify their own sloth, selfishness and sin.

Template:Cicero

2026-08-30T06:10:51Z

Wiki1:

[[Marcus Tullius Cicero]] born 106 BC, died 43 BC in Alpino, Italy, was a Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul, and constitutionalist. Cause of death: Beheaded by order of Mark Anthony.

* [[Marcus Tullius Cicero]] wrote<ref>Cicero did write about wealth, greed, and public duty (especially in De Officiis and the Paradoxa Stoicorum), but Cicero did write about wealth, greed, and public duty (especially in De Officiis and the Paradoxa Stoicorum), but not the modern meme "The poor work and work 
The rich exploit the poor 
The soldier protects both..." It appears to be an invention of pseudo intellectual leftists like the "Occupy" movement.</ref>, "The evil was not in the [[bread and circuses]], per se, but in the willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men for full bellies and the excitement of the games which would serve to distract them from the other human hungers which bread and circuses can never appease."

"That the man who first ruined the Roman people twas he who first gave them treats and gratuities" Life of Coriolanus (c. 100 AD., [[Plutarch]]

Man was given dominion over the earth and those things that creep upon it, fly above it or swim in its waters, but not over one another. The history of mankind demonstrates the "willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men".

: “The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations, and benefits.” [[Plutarch]]

The [[Bible]] was mostly about how to govern yourselves and not go under other [[world|governments of men]].

All the [[prophets]] of [[God]], [[Christ]], and the [[Apostles]] have been [[warnings|warning]] the people from the beginning not [[Knife|eat with rulers]] or go to those "[[Fathers]] of the earth" who call themselves "[[benefactors]] but "[[exercise authority]]" one over the other to provide social [[welfare State]].

Those [[benefits]] are the "[[wages of unrighteousness]]" of a [[table]] of "[[dainties]]" from which we should not eat for it is a "[[snare]]".

Those"[[dainties|deceitful meats]]" which are provided through "[[covetous practices]]" will make us "[[merchandise]]“ and "[[curse children]]".

All the problems of the [[world]] today can be traced back to the fact [[False religion|modern religions]] ignore [[Ten Commandments|the commandments]] and not to ''[[covet]] your neighbor's goods'', make [[CCC|covenants]] with other [[gods]], bow [[employ|down and serve them]] to "sell their rights as free men for full bellies", nor [[Sabbath|borrow against the future]] and be [[slothful]] in [[the way]]s of [[righteousness]].

* “True law is [[right reason]] in agreement with nature; it is of universal application, unchanging and everlasting; it summons to duty by its commands, and averts from wrongdoing by its prohibitions… It is a sin to try to alter this law, nor is it allowable to repeal any part of it, and it is impossible to abolish it entirely. We cannot be freed from its obligations by senate or people, and we need not look outside ourselves for an expounder or interpreter of it. And there will not be different laws at [[Rome]] and at Athens, or different laws now and in the future, but one eternal and unchangeable law will be valid for all nations and at all times, and there will be one master and ruler, that is [[God]], over us all, for he is the author of this law, its promulgator and its enforcing judge. Whoever is disobedient is fleeing from himself and denying his human nature, and by reason of this very fact he will suffer the worst punishment.” – [[Marcus Tullius Cicero]]

It is not [[right reason]] that one man or a group of men can take away or even [[covet|desire to take away]] the rights of others without bringing their own rights in jeopardy. It is the tyrant in every man's soul that gives rise to the tyranny of the [[world]] in which they live. As [[Polybius]] wrote before Cicero was born: {{masses}}

: "Justice consists in doing no injury to men; decency in giving them no offense." [[Marcus Tullius Cicero]]

[[Biting one another]] to to satisfy our [[appetite]]s and desires will surely get every man devoured by his own [[wantonness]].

: "A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to is victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear." [[Marcus Tullius Cicero]]

The real treason of society is when every man [[Covet|covets]] his neighbor's goods and seek to [[Benefits|benefit]] at his neighbor's expense. When every man betrays his neighbor by desiring their government to take from their neighbor so that he may benefit that nation has doomed itself and its citizen all become [[Workers of Iniquity]].

There are many worthy quotes from [[Cicero]] but sometimes they may be misused like, "Fuit mirificâ vigilantiâ qui toto suo consulatu somnum non vidit.""He was of wonderful vigilance, who did not sleep during his entire consulship." This was used by '''The Pulpit Commentary''' which struggle to make sense of [[Ecclesiastes 8]]:16.

== Whose blame ==

[https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-220910.mp3 Download Recording ] <html><audio controls src="https://keysofthekingdom.info/KOK-220910.mp3"></audio></html>

"To not know what occurred before you were born is to a forever remain a child. "
-Marcus Tullius Cicero

"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions and laughed delightedly at his [[licentiousness]] and thought it very superior of him to acquire vast amounts of gold illicitly. Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new, wonderful good society' which shall now be Rome's, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious." From a speech given in 1965 by Florida Supreme Court Justice Millard F. Caldwell at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. These words are often attributed to Marcus Tullius Cicero as a literal quote but are more likely a summation of opinions expressed by
Marcus Cicero.

Marcus Tullius Cicero also said, "The evil was not in the bread and circuses, per se, but in the willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men for full bellies and the excitement of the games which would serve to distract them from the other human hungers which bread and circuses can never appease."

This is why all the prophets and Christ warned that we are to not go to the men who "exercise authority" for their "dainties" to obtain any of our welfare or benefits and certainly not at the expense of others.

All the problems of the world today can be traced back to the fact modern religions ignore the commandment not to covet your neighbors' good and are to often slothful in the ways of righteousness.

"Nothing so absurd can be said that some philosopher had not said it." (Latin: Sed nescio quo modo nihil tam absurde dici potest quod non dicatur ab aliquo philosophorum) (II, 119)

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."
Marcus Tullius Cicero

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
Cicero

== Six mistakes ==

"Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century:

1 Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others;

2 Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected;

3 Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it;

4 Refusing to set aside trivial preferences;

5 Neglecting development and refinement of the mind;

6 Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.
[[Marcus Tullius Cicero
]]

"Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book."
[[Cicero]]. M Tullius

"Not for ourselves alone are we born." Non nobis solum nati sumus.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

"For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked."
[[Marcus Tullius Cicero]].

Appetite

2026-08-30T02:51:59Z

Wiki1: /* Appetite */

[[File:Wantonness.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Polybius]] and the [[Bible]] warned that an [[appetite]] for the [[dainties]] of [[rulers]] at the expense of others is a [[covetous practices]] makes the people [[human resources]]. https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Appetite That same appetite would lead to the [[bondage of Egypt]], [[tribute]], [[taxation]], and the [[Degenerate|degeneration]] of societies like [[Cain]]'s [[city-state|city state]], [[Nimrod]]'s [[Babylon]] and [[Caesar]]'s [[Rome]]. [[Wantonness]] is a self-indulgent [[appetite]] and desire for things at the [[covet|expense of others]]. It may lead to [[Bite|biting one another]] to obtain [[benefits]] where the [[One purse#Civic Flesh pots|city is the caldron]]. ]]

== Appetite ==

An [[appetite]] is "a strong desire or liking for something.
"an unquenchable appetite for life" with synonyms: craving, longing, yearning, hankering, hunger, thirst, passion;"

An [[appetite]] can be a good thing but over eating can be bad for you. Gluttony is the result of an appetite for more than you need. It is an excess of filling yourself because if you do not eat you feel you are missing something that you think more food can fill or replace. The addiction to consuming what you do not need is often overcome by seeing what you are trying to replace with food that may be missing in your life.

We might have "an unquenchable appetite for life" but if the life we desire belongs to someone else our [[appetite]] can become evil and destructive. If you think it is okay to take the life of others then your own life will be forfeited in a new process of your own making. This is because as you judge so shall you be judged.

[[Polybius]] wrote over 2100 years ago, "The masses continue with an [[appetite]] for [[benefits]] and the habit of receiving them by way of a rule of [[force]] and violence. The people, having grown accustomed to feed at the [[Covetous Practices|expense of others]] and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others... institute the rule of violence; and now uniting their forces massacre, banish, and plunder,<Ref>[[Luke 16]]:16 The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.</Ref> until they degenerate again into [[perfect savages]] and find once more a master and monarch."

'''[[Polybius]] believed "All [[Democracy|democracies]] fail"''' because of the appetite of the people for benefits at the expense of their neighbor.<Ref>"But when a new generation arises and the [[democracy]] falls into the hands of the grandchildren of its founders, they have become so accustomed to freedom and equality that they no longer value them, and begin to aim at pre-eminence; and it is chiefly those of ample fortune who fall into this error. 6 So when they begin to lust for power and cannot attain it through themselves or their own good qualities, they ruin their estates, tempting and corrupting the people in every possible way. 7 And hence when by their [[foolish]] thirst for reputation they have created among the masses an appetite for gifts and the habit of receiving them, [[democracy]] in its turn is abolished and changes into a rule of force and violence. 8 For the people, having grown accustomed to feed at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others, as soon as they find a leader who is enterprising but is excluded from the houses of office by his penury, institute the rule of violence; 9 and now uniting their forces massacre, banish, and plunder, until they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch" [[Polybius]]: The Histories (composed at Rome around 130 BC)[https://factystaff.richmond.edu/~wstevens/FYStexts/Polybius6.pdf Fragments of Book VI], p289 </Ref>

Long before that [[Proverbs 23]]:1 warned all that "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: 2 And put a [[knife]] to thy throat, if thou be a man given to [[appetite]]. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat."

When men ''institute the rule of violence and become accustomed to feeding at the [[public religion|public trough]] at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others...'' the [[Kingdom of God]] "suffeth violence" <Ref>[[Matthew 11]]:12 And from the days of [[John the Baptist]] until now the [[kingdom of heaven]] suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. </Ref> What should have been for your [[welfare]] becomes a [[snare]]. The only solution or salvation from that ensuing bondage is to repent and seek the [[Kingdom of God]] and His [[righteousness]] which is a system of [[daily ministration]] through a [[network]] of [[faith]] [[hope]] and a [[charity]] function through the [[perfect law of liberty]] where every man attends to the [[weightier matters]].

If we are [[biting one another|biting our neighbor]] through governments of the [[world]] who force the contributions of the people then we will be devoured and [[snare]]d until liberty will be destroyed.<Ref>'''“The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations, and [[benefits]].”''' [[Plutarch]]</Ref> This [[appetite]] is an [[addiction]] that is overcome by repentance and the seeking of a [[network]] that comes together [[daily ministration|daily]] in [[charitable practices]].

{{Regulate}}

{{Wantonness}}

{{Template:Network}}

== Footnotes ==
<references />

{{Template:Gregory-info‎}}

[[Category:Words]]

Howard Zinn

2026-08-29T23:18:20Z

Wiki1:

[[File:Zinn.jpg|thumb|https://www.zinnedproject.org/about/howard-zinn/ [Howard Zinn's] writings still offer an activist view of history for those who want to see the history of the world through his revisionist eyes. Howard Zinn openly admitted to having a bias, famously arguing that it is impossible for any historian to be completely objective. He believed that all historical writing chooses a side, and he deliberately chose the perspective of the what he calls oppressed rather than those who had authority, justified or not. Critics, including both conservative commentators and mainstream liberal historians, argue that this deliberate stance resulted in significant flaws in his scholarship. His selective use of facts, omission of context, and lack of original research allows him to be labeled as something other than historian, but his cynical narrative: lack of footnotes makes him a propagandist with an agenda. He described his own writings as a weapon for "social change". That change when understood is divisive and destructive. This is why many critics, including prominent historians, categorize his writing as pure "political propaganda" rather than objective history. ]]

== Howard Zinn ==

Howard Zinn was an American historian, playwright, and socialist born on August 24, 1922 and died January 27, 2010. Zinn wrote over twenty books, including the influential ''A People's History of the United States'' and ''A Young People's History of the United States''. Zinn's books met with considerable criticism from established historians but he would go on to collaborate with other activists to present their view of history and politics.

== Collaborated ==

Zinn collaborated with Anthony Arnove in publishing a collection of hundreds of source documents titled ''Voices of a People's History of the United States''. Writer Aaron Sarver observes, "Voices is a vast anthology that tells heartbreaking and uplifting stories of American history." Sarver would note, "one of the few concessions Kazin [a critic of Zinn's writings] made was his approval of Zinn punctuating 'his narrative with hundreds of quotes from slaves and Populists, anonymous wage-earners and ... articulate radicals'".<Ref> Aaron Sarver, The Secret History", In These Times, 16 September 2005</Ref> Zinn's introductions to each piece, and the choice of whose voice you will hear clearly expresses the political agenda of the authors for those who know the rest of the story and the often missing social and historical contexts.

Zinn also worked with Mike Konopacki and Paul Buhle on creating A People's History of American Empire, a graphic novel that covers various historic subjects. Targetting the minds of youth with their socialist agenda is a common theme of many of his supporters.

A historian with an agenda, like news reporters with an agenda, can create a false narrative by leaving out inconvenient facts and reports from other points of view. To know the whole truth one needs to know the whole story which comes from hearing more than one view. One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. People are not noble simply because they are oppressed, nor are they villains simply because they are successful.

Some of the best historical books were I have read were written more than a hundred years ago but I still take the time to read actual accounts of those people who lived history. Even their view may be biased by their prejudices which is why you read and study a variety of original sourced opinions and testimony. The modern public educational system has used its monopoly to spread a view of history that is more than skewed. By the [[Schools as Tools|omission of events and first-hand reports and sometimes the willful coercion of facts and events]], it is easy to give unsuspecting minds a false view of history so that they might believe a lie.

: '''"One has to belong to the intelligentsia to believe things like that: no ordinary man could be such a fool."''' George Orwell, 1945, Notes on Nationalism.

== Historian of historians==

The "Historian of historians", [[Polybius]] warned that this philosophy where the ''masses'' have "an appetite for benefits and the habit of receiving them by way of a rule of force and violence" will "degenerate again into [[perfect savages]] and find once more a master" and a ruler. Human nature will cause a decline in certain noble aspects of a healthy and functioning community within society without the regular practice of [[fervent charity]]. With this decline in the character of the individual, the spirit of tyranny will creep into the minds and the hearts of the people and into the general society until subsequent generations forget the wisdom of their own success.

[[Early Christians]] knew this because both [[Jesus]] and [[John the Baptist]] taught that you had to care for the needy of society through aq network of charity without the use of force if you wanted to be free as a society. [[Plutarch]] another historian knew that ''the greatest destroyer of freedom in a nation is he who spreads amongst them gifts gratuities and benefits''.

No good and thorough historian would not know these truths unless they did not want to know them, hence the [[Cognitive dissonance|cognitive disonance]].

Howard was a revisionist and certainly many historians, like news reporters, often display bias in the accumulation of facts and information concerning both present and past events. While there is clear evidence of bias in the reporting of history by academics Zinn's own political and personal prejudice and blindness certainly biased his account of history.

Only when the people are willing to hear and tell the whole truth shall we the people be able to provide for it.

{{history story}}

== Critics ==

While there was a [[Schools as Tools|bias taught in history from the early part of the 20th century]] and there was a need for revision, that need could only be met honestly by a willingness to see the whole truth. The idea that all wealthy people are villains and monsters or that America is hated by everyone around the world<Ref>"That America is not a better place—that it finds itself almost globally despised, mired in war, self-doubt and random violence—is also a fact, of course, but not one that Zinn's brand of history seems equal to. His stick-figure pageant of capitalist cupidity can account, in its fashion, for terrorism—as when, in the second volume, subtitled "Class Struggle to the War on Terror," he notes that Sept. 11 was an assault on "symbols of American wealth and power"—but it doesn't address the themes of religious zealotry, technological change and cultural confusion that animate what I was taught in high school to label "current events" but that contemporary students may as well just call "the weirdness." The line from Columbus to Columbine, from the first Independence Day to the Internet, and from the Boston Tea Party to Baghdad is a wandering line, not a party line. As for the "new possibilities" it points to, I can't see them clearly." Novelist Walter Kirn wrote in The New York Times Book Review in a review of A Young People's History Of The United States, volumes 1 and 2.</Ref> is false.

"Professional historians have often viewed Zinn's work with exasperation or condescension, and Zinn was no innocent in the dynamic. I stood against the wall for a Zinn talk at the University of Oregon around the time of the 1992 Columbus Quincentenary. Listening to Zinn, one would have thought historians still considered Samuel Eliot Morison's 1955 book on Columbus to be definitive. The crowd lapped it up, but Zinn knew better. He missed a chance to explain how the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s have transformed the writing and teaching of history, how his People's History did not spring out of thin air but was an effort to synthesize a widely shared shift in historical sensibilities. Zinn's historical theorizing, conflating objectivity with neutrality and position with bias, was no better." <Ref name="phelps">Christopher Phelps, associate professor of American studies in the School of American and Canadian Studies at the University of Nottingham in The Chronicle of Higher Education.</Ref>
Michael Kazin a history professor at Georgetown University saw "the book as an overly simplistic narrative of elite villains and oppressed people" with no attempt to define the individuals within that history.

Columbus was not commemorated because evil men came with him or after him but because he had the courage to explore the possibilities. He was man. Like us all, containing both good and bad, he struggled. Some saw him as a threat and a destroyer but to others he was a savior.

----
<blockquote>
The Aztecs were oppressing, enslaving, and killing people by the tens of thousands<Ref name="aztec">"Some post-conquest sources report that at the re-consecration of Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan in 1487, the Aztecs sacrificed about 80,400 prisoners over the course of four days. This number is considered by Ross Hassig, author of Aztec Warfare, to be an exaggeration. Hassig states "between 10,000 and 80,400 persons" were sacrificed in the ceremony." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice_in_Aztec_culture#Scope_of_Human_Sacrifice_In_Aztec_Culture Wikipedia]</Ref> because they had the power to do so until the Spanish came with more power. Thanks to Columbus, who may have been an answer to these victims' prayers that abuse ended. The Aztecs were only defeated because of thousands of natives including the their Tlaxcaltec warrior allies chose to help the Spanish in order to defeat their oppressors. But oppression is a product of both power and sloth, without [[repent]]ance there will always be a new holocausts in another generation. <Ref>See [[Native American Confederacy]]</Ref>
</blockquote>

"Professors Michael Kazin and Michael Kammen condemn the book as a black-and-white story of elite villains and oppressed victims, a story that robs American history of its depth and intricacy and leaves nothing but an empty text simplified to the level of propaganda."<Ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_People%27s_History_of_the_United_States Wikipedia]</Ref>

"The ironic effect of such portraits of rulers is to rob 'the people' of cultural richness and variety, characteristics that might gain the respect and not just the sympathy of contemporary readers. For Zinn, ordinary Americans seem to live only to fight the rich and haughty and, inevitably, to be fooled by them." Michael Kazin

== Conflict of terms ==

While Zinn described himself as "something of an anarchist, something of a socialist. Maybe a democratic socialist". Yet, these labeled concepts are actually in conflict with each other and even dramatically and diametrically opposed.

[[Socialism]] is defined as a, ''"political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated"'' not by the individuals of society but by the collective. As a ''political and economic theory'' it may seem utopian as described by some academics but any historian who honestly examins the known facts of its historical record from the "[[free bread]]" of [[Rome]] to the collectivization of Lenon and Stalin's Russia or Mao's China should be repulsed by any casual praise of the socialists philosophy much less the advocacy of socialism.

[[Anarchism]] is a political philosophy which considers an authoritarian state or ''rulers'' undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, and instead promotes a society without rulers. Socialism is never without rulers whether it is the collective as a whole or those whom the collective elect.

While democratic [[socialism]] may exist on a small scale it will almost inevitably lead to the centralization of power. Socialism is a philosophy that includes a redistribution of wealth that is always accomplished by and through political authority which rules over the people by [[force]]. The fact that socialism claims to be democratic only means that 51% of the people can take what the other 49% produce.

While Mr. Zinn seemed to have a better understanding of [[anarchism]]<Ref>"[[Transcendentalism]] is, we might say, an early form of anarchism. The Transcendentalists also did not call themselves anarchists, but there are anarchist ideas in their thinking and in their literature. They were all suspicious of authority. We might say that the Transcendentalism played a role in creating an atmosphere of skepticism towards authority, towards government." Howard Zinn</Ref> than he did of [[socialism]], any historian that advocates almost every form of socialism would have to be suffering from a severe case of [[Cognitive dissonance|cognitive dissonance]] or historical dysphoria.

What Howard would not claim himself to be is a capitalist except when it came to selling his books. He, like many who swallowed the lie of socialism, failed to understand the wisdom of [[capitalism]] nor its roll in the prosperity of societies throughout history. He actually said that capitalism has always been a failure for the poor and is now failing the middle class.<Ref>"Capitalism has always been a failure for the lower classes. It is now beginning to fail for the middle classes." Howard Zinn</Ref>

If we examine the definition of [[capitalism]] without hate, prejudice and preconceived notions we can see that it is not a political system. Capitalism is merely an economic system based on individual ownership, control, and operation of the means of production. Socialism is a political system and an economic system in which the political power will exercise the authority to redistribute that production. In [[Capitalism]], there is also a redistribution of wealth but the only authority in that process is held by the same individual ho produced it.

Capitalism does "reward virtue" while modern Socialism reward the lack of both virtue and industry.

<blockquote>
"History suggests that [[capitalism]] is a necessary condition for political freedom. Clearly it is not a sufficient condition." Milton Friedman
</blockquote>

Rome rose to prominence and wealth in a republic by way of capitalism and declined under the [[free bread]] and [[welfare]] of [[socialism]] which led to despotism.

Originally capitalism was defined as, "an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth." <Ref>Origin of capitalism. 1850-1855.</Ref> It was not until the 14th Amendment that a corporation obtained the status of "person" through a political system.

Zinn's attempts to demonize capitalism as an immoral system shows either his ignorance or prejudice or both.<Ref>"Yes, we're dreamers. We want it all. We want a peaceful world. We want an egalitarian world. We don't want war. We don't want capitalism. We want a decent society." Howard Zinn</Ref>

Again capitalism is not a political system but it is often blamed for the politics in which it struggles to exist. Zinn advocated [[democracy]]<Ref>"If democracy were to be given any meaning, if it were to go beyond the limits of capitalism and nationalism, this would not come, if history were any guide, from the top. It would come through citizen's movements, educating, organizing, agitating, striking, boycotting, demonstrating, threatening those in power with disruption of the stability they needed." Howard Zinn</Ref> because Karl Marx was adamant that “Democracy is the road to socialism” which is where Zinn was taking is readers.

For anyone to desire [[socialism]] or any of the socialist schemes of redistribution of wealth by [[force]] it is required that they already mentally and morally accept the idea that it is okay, even virtuous, to covet your neighbor's goods. Of course, to do so abdicates all hope for salvation in [[Was_Jesus_a_socialist|Christ who was not a socialist]] and [[Corban|condemned its schemes]] and [[covetous practices|practices]].

Peter says it would make them [[merchandise]] and [[curse children]] while Paul said it was a [[snare]]. [[One purse|Proverbs tells us it runs toward death]] and the history of [[communism]], the despotic offspring of [[socialism]], should be proof to all real students of history.

Christ was clear about many professing Christian actually being [[workers of iniquity]]. The [[modern Christians]] may not be real Christians if they accept the prejudices of Zinn's version of history which feeds hate and prejudice and the greed of socialism as if it was a [[Social virtues|social virtue]].

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== Footnotes ==

<references />

[[Category:People]]

Template:2 Thessalonians 2

2026-08-29T15:30:46Z

Wiki1: /* 2 Thessalonians 2 */

== 2 Thessalonians 2 ==

<blockquote>
1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together<Ref>{{1997}}</Ref> unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken<Ref name="saleuo">{{4531}}</Ref> in mind, or be troubled,<Ref name="throeo">{{2360}}</Ref> neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for ''that day shall not come'', except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son<Ref name="huios">{{5207}}</Ref> of perdition<Ref name="apoleia">{{684}}</Ref>;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is [[worship]]ped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
| '''Comments Chapter 2'''
|-
| This warning in [[2 Thessalonians]] chapter 2 of being ''deceived'' or ''troubled'' in the mind is about a conflict while waiting for the day of [[Christ]], the [[anoint]]ing of our hearts and minds as priest [[faith]] and not [[fear]]<Ref>[[1 Samuel 2]]:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.</Ref>, is at hand for all of us who continue in the way and gather together as Jesus [[commanded]].
|-
| Understanding the [[Christian conflict]] with [[Rome]] and its government supported [[Temples]], the teachings of God concerning the error in the thinking and practices of the [[Nicolaitan]] and [[Balaam]] can help us grasp the difference between [[Pure Religion]] and [[public religion]] which like the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] ''makes the word of God to none effect.''
|-
| Understanding also the "mystery of iniquity" in verse 6 of who the [[workers of iniquity]] are, what the [[wages of unrighteousness]] consists of, and the difference between the [[mammon]] of [[righteousness]] and [[unrighteousness]] which includes the praying to the ''[[fathers]] of the earth'' for our [[daily bread]] and our [[Father]] in Heaven may challenge our delusions the [[wantonness]] and deceivableness of the systems of the [[world]] that operate by way of [[force]], [[fear]] and [[fealty]] and the [[Kingdom of God]] that operates by [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]] through the [[perfect law of liberty]].
|-
| Can we refuse to see these differences and the conflict with the [[covetous practices]] of [[modern Christians]] and the [[love]] and [[charity]] of the [[early Christians]]? If we follow the [[Modern Church]] rather than [[The Way]] of [[Christ]] and the [[early Church]] shall we not be made blind?
|-
| [https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3 Download Recording 2 Thessalonian 2 Keys] or press play <html><audio controls src="https://www.hisholychurch.net/audio/20201212importantkeys.mp3"></audio></html>
|-
|}
<blockquote>

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery<Ref name="musterion">{{3466}}</Ref> of [[iniquity]] doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of [[the way]].

8 And then shall that [[Wicked]] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 ''Even him'', whose coming is after the working of [[Satan]] with all power<Ref name="dunamis">{{1411}}</Ref> and signs<Ref name="semeion">{{4592}}</Ref> and lying<Ref name="pseudos">{{5579}}</Ref> wonders<Ref name="teras">{{5059}}</Ref>,

10 "And with all deceivableness<Ref name="apate">{{539}}</Ref> of [[unrighteousness]]<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref> in them that perish; because they received not the [[love]] of the [[truth]]<Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>, that they [[might be saved]]. <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

11 And for this cause God shall send them [[strong delusion]], that they should believe a [[lie]]:

12 That they all might be damned<Ref name="krino">{{2919}}</Ref> who believed not the [[truth]], but had pleasure<Ref name="eudokeo">{{2106}}</Ref> in [[reward of unrighteousness|unrighteousness]].<Ref name="adikia">{{93}}</Ref>"

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth<Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>:
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.<Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast<Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>, and hold the traditions<Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref> which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
</blockquote>

Religious organization

2026-08-28T15:23:18Z

Wiki1: /* Definitions and entities */

== Definitions and entities==

[[File:Typentity.jpg|350px|thumb|right|<center>'''IRS Form SS-4 Application for Employer Identification Number ( For use by... churches)''' </center>]]

The IRS, which is a part of the treasury Department of the United States government, does not provide a single, rigid statutory definition for a "religious organization" or a "church" in the Internal Revenue Code, largely to avoid violating the First Amendment of the US [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]].

The same would be sufficiently true of a Non-Profit entity and an Unincorporated association as an entity that do not qualify as a Church. According to the IRS Form SS-4 which is the '''Application for Employer Identification Number''' clearly issues an EIN based on the entity Type listed as a '''"Church or church-controlled organization"''' which would include an [[Integrated Auxiliary|integrated Church auxiliary]].

Under the IRS "Type" classification the rules and guidance for church-controlled organizations are found in the IRS Publication 1828, '''Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations'''. The IRS "rules and guidance" related to "church-controlled organizations" are similar but not identical to those provided to the IRS for "churches and church-controlled organizations" and "Religious Organizations" because theY are different types of "legal entities".

=== Religious organization vs Church ===

A '''[[religious organization]]''' is any entity organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes that qualifies for tax-exempt status under IRC Section 501(c)(3).

One major distinction between [[religious organization|religious organizations]] and Churches is, "Unlike churches, religious organizations that wish to be tax exempt generally must apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status unless their gross receipts do not normally exceed $5,000 annually."<ref>"Unlike churches, religious organizations", Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations Publication 1828 (Rev. 8-2015), "Religious Organizations ", page 3</ref>

There are many exceptions, distinctions, and differences between the Church as an entity and an entity identified or listed as a [[Religious organization]].

<blockquote>
:"'''With the exception of the special rules for church audits, the use of the term church throughout this publication also includes conventions and associations of churches as well as [[Integrated Auxiliary|integrated auxiliaries]] of a church."'''
: '''"Because special tax rules apply to churches, it’s important to distinguish churches from other religious organizations."'''<ref>'''"special tax rules apply to churches"''', Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations Publication 1828 (Rev. 8-2015) Catalog Number 21096G Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service. '''Introduction'''.</ref>
</blockquote>

To qualify, the [[religious organization]] must demonstrate that its beliefs are sincerely held and its practices are not illegal or contrary to public policy. Unlike churches, these organizations must apply to the IRS (using Form 1023 or 1023-EZ) to receive formal recognition of their tax-exempt status.

The IRS states that churches are exempt by law in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 508(c)(1)(A) and reiterates this in IRS Publication 1828 <ref>'''"Churches that meet the requirements of IRC Section 501(c)(3) are automatically
considered tax exempt and are not required to apply for and obtain recognition of tax-exempt status from the IRS."''' Recognition of Tax-Exempt Status, page 2, Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations Publication 1828 (Rev. 8-2015).</ref>

=== Non-Profit entity vs The Church===

From the perspective of the IRS and US law, the distinction between a Non-Profit entity (specifically a standard 501(c)(3) organization) and a Church lies primarily in how tax-exempt status is acquired, reporting obligations, and regulatory oversight. While both are tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), churches receive unique statutory status.

Non-Profit Entities: Must apply to the IRS by filing Form 1023 and receive a formal determination letter to be recognized as tax-exempt so that donors may be certain their contributions are deductible.

Churches are automatically tax-exempt by operation of law under IRC Section 508(c)(1)(A). They are not required to apply for recognition or obtain a determination letter to be considered 501(c)(3) organizations. If a group meets the IRS criteria of a "church," it is exempt from day one.

===An unincorporated association vs a Church ===

A "church" is a specific type of organization defined by its religious function, while an "unincorporated association" is a ''legal structure''.

The IRS identifies a "church" based on its religious activities and characteristics (see 14-point test), regardless of its legal structure.

The IRS treats an unincorporated association as a "corporation" for federal tax purposes.<ref>See IRC Section 7701(a)(3) and Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-2</ref>

As an entity an [[unincorporated association]] must apply for 501(c)(3) but not a church. So a Church is not the same as an entity identified as an [[unincorporated association]].

== From a Church view ==

The Church may differ from [[religious organization]]s and are mandatorily exempt from registration requirements. A "religious organization" is legally defined as an entity whose primary purpose is the study or advancement of religion. Seeing that [[religion]]<Ref name="religious">{{religious}}</Ref> is only mentioned one time in the Bible in a good sense, as [[Pure Religion]] in [[James 1]]<Ref name="religious">{{religious}}</Ref>, the primary purpose of the Church cannot be [[Religion]] alone, as it is defined today.

The term [[religion]] has often changed over the years and to suggest that the Church is primarily a [[religious organization]] would be deceptive if not dishonest.

[[Religious organization]] can include a variety of churches, mosques, [[synagogue|synagogues]], and other institutions that exist to support and manage the practice of different sets of beliefs but is often used as a very broad term to encompass non-church public charities like NGOs and other corporations of the state.

There are states may consider that certain "church trust" that hold property for charitable purposes ''may still'' be required to register with the Department of Justice. But not all will or can be required.

== Church vs [[Religion|Religious Organization]] ==

[http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/ThatWordnwv.php Religion] use to mean the performance of your duty to God and your fellow man.

Specifically as an institution the [[Church]] does not include the [[Congregations|congregations]] of the people except in the ''most general sense''.

The life blood of the Church flows from the heart and mind of the elders of the congregations and also from the minister they choose. The kingdom of God manifests itself in the actions of the faithful but resides as a spirit of intent with those hearts and minds. If the Holy Spirit of Christ does not dwell in you then you will not feel a need to gather to serve as Christ came to serve.

The Church is [[Church legally defined|legally defined]] as "one form of government".
[[File:Pentecost.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Pentecost]] was a time to organize congregations through a [[charitable practices|Charitable]] network of ministers in patterns of [[tens]] turning [[free assemblies]] into a [[Kingdom of God]] at hand.]]
The Church is "[[Body of Christ|established by Jesus Christ]]".

Its purpose includes "to receive, preserve, and propagate His doctrines and ordinances.”

The [[Church]] is not of the [[World|world]].

The term ''[[Religion|religious]] organization'' is not treated the same as the term Church in modern law. An '''organization''' seeking to meet the '''[[Religion|religious]]''' purposes test has become something other than a Church. The purpose and mission of the Church was [[Religion|religious]]. The Church is a ''[[Religion|religious]] organization'' but it is not an entity of the State but is established by Christ which makes it excluded and separate from the state.

But when men began to alter the purposes of the Church they stop being the Church "founded and established by Jesus Christ".

Department of Revenue and the I.R.S. state:

“In order to determine whether recognition of exemption should appropriately be extended to an organization seeking to meet the [[Religion|religious]] purposes test of section 501c(3), the Internal Revenue Service maintains two basic guidelines:

#) That the particular [[Religion|religious]] beliefs of the organization are truly and sincerely held, and
#) That the practices and rituals associated with the organization’s [[Religion|religious]] belief or creed are not illegal or contrary to clearly defined public policy.”<Ref>Department of the Treasury, I.R.S., Pub. 557 Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization. Chapt. 3 Page 14.</Ref>

On the same page of that publication, we see phrases like, “If you are organized to operate a home for the aged, the following information must be submitted:” Or if you are a scientific organization, “You must show…” etc. But for [[Religion|religious]] organizations, there are only ‘two basic guidelines’ which are merely ‘maintained’ by the Internal Revenue Service. These mere guidelines are maintained only ‘to determine whether recognition of exemption should appropriately be extended to an organization seeking to meet the religious purposes test.’

{{#ev:youtube|KsXUOHKh3pg|320|right|The Church, in His Salvation, is the Solution
Summary of the Nimrod to Now Video Series:10-10 7:53
Gods plan verses man's plan. Summing up... the Gospel of the Kingdom...}}

== Footnotes ==

Template:Fnotes

2026-08-28T06:05:43Z

Wiki1: /* N */

== Foot NOTES ==

=== A ===

Abide in me '''Abideme''' in the light or darkness [[Abideme]] <nowiki><Ref name="Abideme">{{Abideme}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Abideme">{{Abideme}}</Ref>

'''Abomination''' [[abom-nation]] <nowiki><Ref name="abom-nation">{{abom-nation}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="abom-nation">{{abom-nation}}</Ref>

'''Alabasta jar''' [[alabastaj]] <nowiki><Ref name="alabastaj">{{alabastaj}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="alabastaj">{{alabastaj}}</Ref>

'''almighty'' [[almighty]] <nowiki><Ref name="almighty">{{almighty}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="almighty">{{almighty}}</Ref>

'''[[Sacred Purpose Altar|Sacred purpose Altars]] of trust''' [[sacredaltar]] <nowiki><Ref name="sacredaltar">{{sacredaltar}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="sacredaltar">{{sacredaltar}}</Ref>

'''Altars of sacrifices''' [[Altarss|altarss]] <nowiki><Ref name="altarss">{{altarss}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="altarss">{{altarss}}</Ref>

a brother '''cry anguish''' We would not hear and God will laugh at your calamity; '''judge''' [[cryanguish]]
<nowiki><Ref name="cryanguish">{{cryanguish}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cryanguish">{{cryanguish}}</Ref>

'''adulterated''' [[adulterated]] <nowiki><Ref name="adulterated">{{adulterated}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="adulterated">{{adulterated}}</Ref>

'''Ancient''' [[ancientN]] <nowiki><Ref name="ancientN">{{ancientN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ancientN">{{ancientN}}</Ref>

'''Anothking''' [[Anothking]] <nowiki><Ref name="Anothking">{{Anothking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Anothking">{{Anothking}}</Ref>

'''Appointk''' [[Appointk]] <nowiki><Ref name="Appointk">{{Appointk}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Appointk">{{Appointk}}</Ref>

FULL '''Armour''' [[armourf]] <nowiki><Ref name="armourf">{{armourf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="armourf">{{armourf}}</Ref>

=== B ===

'''Water ritual of John vs Spirit and fire of Jesus''' [[baptizewtr]] <nowiki><Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref>

'''Water ritual unto repentance vs Spirit and fire of salvation''' not [[the way]] [[waterbap]] <nowiki><Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref>

'''Barren wombs''' [[barrenwo]] <nowiki><Ref name="barrenwo">{{barrenwo}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="barrenwo">{{barrenwo}}</Ref>

'''Beasts in the Bible''' [[beastsbib]] <nowiki><Ref name="beastsbib">{{beastsbib}}</Ref></nowiki>
<Ref name="beastsbib">{{beastsbib}}</Ref>

Why '''Believe a lie''' [[believelie]] <nowiki><Ref name="believelie">{{believelie}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="believelie">{{believelie}}</Ref>

'''Beloved Son''' [[Belovedson|belovedson]] <nowiki><Ref name="belovedson">{{belovedson}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="belovedson">{{belovedson}}</Ref>

'''Benevolence''' [[Benevolenceq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Benevolenceq">{{Benevolenceq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Benevolenceq">{{Benevolenceq}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Bejudged]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Bejudged">{{Bejudged}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bejudged">{{Bejudged}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Bindings]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Bindings">{{Bindings}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bindings">{{Bindings}}</Ref>

'''Bishops and deacons''' [[Bishdeac]] <nowiki><Ref name="Bishdeac'">{{Bishdeac}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bishdeac">{{Bishdeac}}</Ref>

'''[[Blaspheme]]''' [[blasNT]] <nowiki><Ref name="blasNT">{{blasNT}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="blasNT">{{blasNT}}</Ref>

'''[[blesNT|Bless]]''' [[blesNT]] <nowiki><Ref name="blesNT">{{blesNT}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="blesNT">{{blesNT}}</Ref>

'''Blind leading''' <nowiki><Ref name="Blindlead'">{{Blindlead}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Blindlead">{{Blindlead}}</Ref>

'''The bloody cities''' [[bloody]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloody'">{{bloody}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloody">{{bloody}}</Ref>

'''Innocent blood''' [[inblood]] <nowiki><Ref name="inblood'">{{inblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="inblood'">{{inblood}}</Ref>

'''Dividing bread''' [[Breaddiv|breaddiv]] <nowiki><Ref name="breaddiv">{{breaddiv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breaddiv">{{breaddiv}}</Ref>

'''The waved breast offering ''' [[breastoffer]] <nowiki><Ref name="breastoffer">{{breastoffer}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breastoffer">{{breastoffer}}</Ref>

'''Breath spirit''' [[breathspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref>

'''the bride''' <nowiki><Ref name="thebride">{{thebride}}</Ref> </nowiki><Ref name="thebride">{{thebride}}</Ref>

'''Broad is the way''' [[broadway]] <nowiki><Ref name="broadway">{{broadway}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="broadway">{{broadway}}</Ref>

lade men with '''burdens grievous''' [[gburdens]] <nowiki><Ref name="gburden'">{{gburden}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gburden">{{gburden}}</Ref>

'''My burden ''' [[lBurden]] <nowiki><Ref name="lBurden'">{{lBurden}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="lBurden">{{lBurden}}</Ref>

'''The bait and the Bondage ''' [[Baitbond]] <nowiki><Ref name="Baitbond'">{{Baitbond}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Baitbond">{{Baitbond}}</Ref>

'''Bondage of Egypt ''' [[Bondageq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Bondageq'">{{Bondageq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bondageq">{{Bondageq}}</Ref>

'''Born again ''' [[Bornagain]] <nowiki><Ref name="Bornagain'">{{Bornagain}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bornagain">{{Bornagain}}</Ref>

=== C ===

''' [[Canaan]]''' [[Canaanblood]] <nowiki><Ref name="Canaanblood">{{Canaanblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Canaanblood">{{Canaanblood}}</Ref>

''' Careless''' [[careless]] <nowiki><Ref name="Careless">{{Careless}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Careless">{{Careless}}</Ref>

'''First [[Capitalism]]''' [[Template:Fstcapital]] <nowiki><Ref name="Fstcapital">{{Fstcapital}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Fstcapital">{{Fstcapital}}</Ref>

'''Kingdom [[Capitalism]]''' [[Template:Kingscapital]] <nowiki><Ref name="Kingscapital">{{Kingscapital}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Kingscapital">{{Kingscapital}}</Ref>

'''Pseudo-[[Capitalism]]''' [[Pseudocap]] <nowiki><Ref name="Pseudocap">{{Pseudocap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Pseudocap">{{Pseudocap}}</Ref>
<Ref name="Pseudocap">{{Pseudocap}}</Ref>

''' Captive''' [[template:Captiven]] <nowiki><Ref name="Captiven">{{Captiven}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Captiven">{{Captiven}}</Ref>

'''Charity only''' [[Charity]] <nowiki><Ref name="charity">{{charityo}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="charityo">{{charityo}}</Ref>

'''Church early and modern ''' [[xchurches]] <nowiki><Ref name="xchurches">{{xchurches}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="xchurches">{{xchurches}}</Ref>

''' [[Circumcise]] heart''' [[c-heart]] <nowiki><Ref name="c-heart">{{c-heart}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="c-heart">{{c-heart}}</Ref>

'''Cities of blood [[template:cityblood]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="cityblood">{{cityblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cityblood">{{cityblood}}</Ref>

'''The bloody cities''' [[bloody]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloody'">{{bloody}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloody">{{bloody}}</Ref>

'''Cities of righteousness [[template:cityright]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="cityright">{{cityright}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cityright">{{cityright}}</Ref>

'''Colts [[template:colts]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="colts">{{colts}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="colts">{{colts}}</Ref>

'''Consent not''' [[Consentnot]] <nowiki><Ref name="Consentnot">{{Consentnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Consentnot">{{Consentnot}}</Ref>

'''Corban of blood''' [[corbanbld]] <nowiki><Ref name="corbanbld">{{corbanbld}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="corbanbld">{{corbanbld}}</Ref>

'''Commanded to congregate''' [[comcon]] <nowiki><Ref name="comcon">{{comcon}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="comcon">{{comcon}}</Ref>

Doeth Contrary [[docontrary]] <nowiki><Ref name="docontrary">{{docontrary}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="docontrary">{{docontrary}}</Ref>

'''Come into kingdom''' [[comeinto]] <nowiki><Ref name="comeinto">{{comeinto}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="comeinto">{{comeinto}}</Ref>

'''Comforter''' [[ComforterN]] <nowiki><Ref name="ComforterN">{{ComforterN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ComforterN">{{ComforterN}}</Ref>

Breath spirit [[breathspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref>

=== Concordance links ===

'''[[Concordance|Combined Old and New Testament Concordances]]''' 
[[Old Testament Concordance]] 
[[New Testament Concordance]] 

[[Old Testament footnote codes]] 
[[New Testament footnote codes]] 
https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Template:Cclinks

[[Template:korrupt]] '''Corruption''' <nowiki><Ref name="korrupt">{{korrupt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="korrupt">{{korrupt}}</Ref>

'''Covet not''' [[covetnot]] <nowiki><Ref name="covetnot">{{covetnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="covetnot">{{covetnot}}</Ref>

Jesus'''covet''' <nowiki><Ref name="jesuscovet">{{jesuscovet}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="jesuscovet">{{jesuscovet}}</Ref>

=== D ===

'''Daily ministration''' [[template:daymin]] <nowiki><Ref name="daymin">{{daymin}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="daymin">{{daymin}}</Ref>

'''darkness and light''' [[template:darkened]] <nowiki><Ref name="darkened">{{darkened}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="darkened">{{darkened}}</Ref>

''' Taste death''' [[tastedth]] <nowiki><Ref name="tastedth">{{tastedth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tastedth">{{tastedth}}</Ref>.

''' deceived''' [[mandeceived]] <nowiki><Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref>.

''' deceived in OT''' [[mandeceivot]] <nowiki><Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref>.

''' delayeth''' [[template:delayeth]] <nowiki><Ref name="delayeth">{{delayeth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="delayeth">{{delayeth}}</Ref>.

''' Deny''' [[template:denial]] <nowiki><Ref name="denial">{{denial}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="denial">{{denial}}</Ref>.

'''Democracy''' "all '''[[Democracy|democracies]] fail"''' [[template:demofail]] <nowiki><Ref name="demofail">{{demofail}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="demofail">{{demofail}}</Ref>.

'''Devour and be devoured''' '''[[Templat:bitedevour]] "''' [[template:demofail]] <nowiki><Ref name="bitedevour">{{bitedevour}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bitedevour">{{bitedevour}}</Ref>.
<Ref name="bitedevour"> </Ref>

'''Divide''' [[dividel]] <nowiki><Ref name="dividel">{{dividel}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="dividel">{{dividel}} </Ref>

'''[[Doeth]]''' and not do [[doethv]] <nowiki><Ref name="doethv">{{doethv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="doethv">{{doethv}}</Ref>

do '''works''' '''[[doworks]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="doworks">{{doworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="doworks">{{doworks}}</Ref>

'''According to works''' [[accworks]] <nowiki><Ref name="accworks">{{accworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="accworks">{{accworks}}</Ref>

dead '''works''' '''[[deadworks]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="deadworks">{{deadworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="deadworks">{{deadworks}}</Ref>

'''Disadvantage of Benefactors''' '''[[disbene]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="disbene">{{disbene}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="disbene">{{disbene}}</Ref>

Door '''works''' '''[[doorw]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="doorw">{{doorw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="doorw">{{doorw}}</Ref>

By '''works''' '''[[byworks]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="byworks">{{byworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="byworks">{{byworks}}</Ref>

'''Door Christ''' '''[[doorCH]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="doorCH">{{doorCH}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref <Ref name="doorCH">{{doorCH}}</Ref>

'''Dreams''' '''[[dreamFN]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="dreamFN">{{dreamFN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref <Ref name="dreamFN">{{dreamFN}}</Ref>

The epistles '''doeth and ''[[ep-doeth|doeth not]]''''' the will of God <nowiki><Ref name="ep-doeth">{{ep-doeth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ep-doeth">{{ep-doeth}}</Ref>

=== E ===

Eat and [[bite]] '''[[eatbite]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="eatbite">{{eatbite}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="eatbite">{{eatbite}}</Ref>

Eat and drink in the kingdom '''[[dideat]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="dideat">{{dideat}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="dideat">{{dideat}}</Ref>

Ministers eat '''eat of the tithe''' [[eattithe]] <nowiki><Ref name="eattithe">{{eattithe}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="eattithe">{{eattithe}}</Ref>

'''Effectual doer''' [[effctdo]] <nowiki><Ref name="effctdo">{{effctdo}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="effctdo">{{effctdo}}</Ref>

'''Employ vs Enslave''' [[template:employq]] <nowiki><Ref name="employq">{{employq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="employq">{{employq}}</Ref>

'''all men are [[Endow|endow]]ed by their Creator''' [[Endownt|endownt]] <nowiki><Ref name="endownt">{{endownt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="endownt">{{endownt}}</Ref>

'''endureth''' [[Template:endrit]] <nowiki><Ref name="endrit">{{endrit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="endrit">{{endrit}}</Ref>

'''No entanglement ''' [[Template:noentangl]] <nowiki><Ref name="noentangl">{{noentangl}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="noentangl">{{noentangl}}</Ref>

The way of '''Error''' of Baalam [[Template:Errorbn]] <nowiki><Ref name="Errorbn">{{Errorbn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Errorbn">{{Errorbn}}</Ref>

'''[[Balaam]] and [[Babylon]]''' [[Template:Balbabyl]] <nowiki><Ref name="Balbabyl">{{Balbabyl}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Balbabyl">{{Balbabyl}}</Ref>

'''Eternal life''' [[eternlife]] <nowiki><Ref name="eternlife">{{eternlife}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="eternlife">{{eternlife}}</Ref>

'''[[Exercise authority]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref>

===F===

'''Faint not''' [[faintn]] <nowiki><Ref name="faintn">{{faintn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="faintn">{{faintn}}</Ref>

'''False Faith''' [[Falsefaith]] <nowiki><Ref name="Falsefaith">{{Falsefaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Falsefaith">{{Falsefaith}}</Ref>

'''False of righteousness''' [[rightfaith]] <nowiki><Ref name="rightfaith">{{rightfaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="rightfaith">{{rightfaith}}</Ref>

'''False Christs''' [[falsechrist]] <nowiki><Ref name="falsechrist">{{falsechrist}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="falsechrist">{{falsechrist}}</Ref>

'''End of family''' [[endfam]] <nowiki><Ref name="endfam">{{endfam}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="endfam">{{endfam}}</Ref>

'''Return to family''' [[retfam]] <nowiki><Ref name="retfam">{{retfam}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="retfam">{{retfam}}</Ref>

'''fasting''' [[fastng]] <nowiki><Ref name="fastng">{{fastng}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fastng">{{fastng}}</Ref>

'''fast and pray''' [[fastpr]] <nowiki><Ref name="fastpr">{{fastpr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fastpr">{{fastpr}}</Ref>

'''Fathers who are rulers''' [[fatherruler]] <nowiki><Ref name="fatherruler">{{fatherruler}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fatherruler">{{fatherruler}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Feast]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="feast">{{feast}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="feast">{{feast}}</Ref>

'''[[feigned words]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="feignedword">{{feignedword}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="feignedword">{{feignedword}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Fifthpart]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="fifthpart">{{fifthpart}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fifthpart">{{fifthpart}}</Ref>

'''[[Fire]] and [[light]]''' '''[[Firelight]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="firelight">{{firelight}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="firelight">{{firelight}}</Ref>

'''consuming [[fire]]''' '''[[cfire]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="cfire">{{cfire}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cfire">{{cfire}}</Ref>

'''First will be last [[firstlast]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="firstlast">{{firstlast}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="firstlast">{{firstlast}}</Ref>

'''flesh and spirit''' [[fleshspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="fleshspirit'">{{fleshspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fleshspirit'">{{fleshspirit}}</Ref>

'''Blood and spirit''' [[bloodspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloodspirit'">{{bloodspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloodspirit'">{{bloodspirit}}</Ref>

'''Blood and Soul''' [[bloodsoul]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloodsoul'">{{bloodsoul}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloodsoul'">{{bloodsoul}}</Ref>

'''[[Flesh pots]] and [[caldron]]s''' '''[[fleshpot]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="fleshpot">{{fleshpot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fleshpot">{{fleshpot}}</Ref>

Eat my '''flesh''' drink my blood. [[fleshblood]] <nowiki><Ref name="fleshblood'">{{fleshblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fleshblood'">{{fleshblood}}</Ref>

'''Forbearance''' [[Forbearanceq]] [[Template:Forbearanceq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Forbearanceq">{{Forbearanceq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Forbearanceq">{{Forbearanceq}}</Ref>

'''Forgiveness is Divine''' [[divineforgive]] <nowiki><Ref name="divineforgive">{{divineforgive}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="divineforgive">{{divineforgive}}</Ref>

'''Kingdoms of force''' [[forceking]] [[Template:forceking]] <nowiki><Ref name="forceking">{{forceking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="forceking">{{forceking}}</Ref>

'''Forgotten and rejected'''
'''[[Template:Forgotten]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Forgotten">{{Forgotten}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Forgotten">{{Forgotten}}</Ref>

'''Fornication, adultery and idolatry'''
'''[[Template:fornidols]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="fornidols">{{fornidols}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fornidols">{{fornidols}}</Ref>

[[Template:Freewillo]]
'''Freewill'''offering <nowiki><Ref name="Freewillo">{{Freewillo}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Freewillo">{{Freewillo}}</Ref>

'''Freedom is the right to choose'''<nowiki> <Ref name="archy">{{Archy}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="archy">{{Archy}}</Ref>

'''From me''' [[from me]] ''but have '''removed their heart''' far from me'' <nowiki> <Ref name="fromme">{{fromme}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fromme">{{fromme}}</Ref>

[[Fruit of righteousness]] [[fruitright]] <nowiki> <Ref name="fruitright">{{fruitright}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fruitright">{{fruitright}}</Ref>

=== G ===

'''Garments''' [[Template:GarmentFN]] <nowiki><Ref name="GarmentFN">{{GarmentFN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="GarmentFN">{{GarmentFN}}</Ref>

'''Geneology''' [[Template:geneologies]] <nowiki><Ref name="geneologies">{{geneologies}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="geneologies">{{geneologies}}</Ref>

'''Generation to generation''' [[Template:gentogen]] <nowiki><Ref name="gentogen">{{gentogen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gentogen">{{gentogen}}</Ref>

'''Give to the Priests''' [[Template:givepriest]] <nowiki><Ref name="givepriest'">{{givepriest}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="givepriest">{{givepriest}}</Ref>

'''Give life''' [[Template:givelife]] <nowiki><Ref name="givelife'">{{givelife}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="givelife">{{givelife}}</Ref>

General gifts and gratuities '''destroyed''' liberty <nowiki><Ref name="desliberty">{{desliberty}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="desliberty">{{desliberty}}</Ref>

'''Pagans''' on gifts and gratuities '''[[pdestroyed]]''' liberty <nowiki><Ref name="pdesliberty">{{pdesliberty}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="pdesliberty">{{pdesliberty}}</Ref>

'''Gifts of faith '''[[giftfaith]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="giftfaith">{{giftfaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="giftfaith">{{giftfaith}}</Ref>

'''gnashing ''' liberty <nowiki><Ref name="gnash">{{gnash}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gnash">{{gnash}}</Ref>

'''Gentiles grafted''' [[graftgentile]] <nowiki><Ref name="graftgentile">{{graftgentile}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="graftgentile">{{graftgentile}}</Ref>

'''God Same''' [[Godsame]] <nowiki><Ref name="Godsame">{{Godsame}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Godsame">{{Godsame}}</Ref>

'''Good Stewart''' [[Goodstew]][[Template:Goodstew]] <nowiki><Ref name="Goodstew">{{Goodstew}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Goodstew">{{Goodstew}}</Ref>

'''Greedy of gain''' [[Template:greedyg]] <nowiki><Ref name="greedyg'">{{greedyg}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="greedyg">{{greedyg}}</Ref>

God hates [[godhate]] <nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref>

One God [[onegod]] <nowiki> <Ref name="onegod">{{onegod}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="onegod">{{onegod}}</Ref>

'''Ye gods''' [[yegods]] <nowiki><Ref name="yegods">{{yegods}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="yegods">{{yegods}}</Ref>

How do the '''[[gospels]] differ'''? <nowiki><Ref name="gospels">{{gospels}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gospels">{{gospels}}</Ref>

'''Preach the gospel of the kingdom''' [[gospking]]? <nowiki><Ref name="gospking">{{gospking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gospking">{{gospking}}</Ref>

God hates [[godhate]] <nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref>

===H===

'''Habitation''' [[habitaNT]]<nowiki><Ref name="habitaNT">{{habitaNT}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="habitaNT">{{habitaNT}}</Ref>

'''Handwritting of ordinance''' Not [[Template:Handwrit]]. <nowiki><Ref name="Handwrit">{{Handwrit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Handwrit">{{Handwrit}}</Ref>

'''Hardness''' [[Template:hardss]]. <nowiki><Ref name="hardss">{{hardss}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hardss">{{hardss}}</Ref>

'''Healing''' [[Template:healt]]. <nowiki><Ref name="healt">{{healt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="healt">{{healt}}</Ref>

SHEEP '''hear my voice''' [[sheephrvc]] '''[[Template:sheephrvc]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref>

'''See and hear my voice''' [[seehear]]'''[[Template:seehear]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="seehear">{{seehear}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seehear">{{seehear}}</Ref>

'''Heresies''' [[Damheresies]]'''[[Template:Damheresies]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Damheresies">{{Damheresies}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Damheresies">{{Damheresies}}</Ref>

'''NoHands''' built with hands?<nowiki><Ref name="nohands">{{nohands}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="nohands">{{nohands}}</Ref>

'''Notworld''' Not of this world. <nowiki><Ref name="Notworld">{{Notworld}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Notworld">{{Notworld}}</Ref>

Write on '''heart''' ''[[Writeheart]]'' <nowiki><Ref name="Writeheart">{{Writeheart}}</Ref></nowiki><Ref name="Writeheart">{{Writeheart}}</Ref>

'''Heart and mind''' <nowiki><Ref name="heartmind">{{heartmind}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="heartmind">{{heartmind}}</Ref>

'''hearsee''' <nowiki><Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref>

'''[[Hierarchy]]''' of service [[hierserveth]] <nowiki><Ref name="serveth">{{serveth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="serveth">{{serveth}}</Ref>

'''Be partakers of the Holy Ghost only''' [[holyspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="holyspirit">{{holyspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="holyspirit">{{holyspirit}}</Ref>

'''[[Honour]] Father and Mother''' [[honorfm]] <nowiki><Ref name="honorfm">{{honorfm}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="honorfm">{{honorfm}}</Ref>

'''A trust of hope''' [[hopetrust]] <nowiki><Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref>

'''hypocrisy''' [[hypocri]] of the profane <nowiki><Ref name="hypocri">{{hypocri}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hypocri">{{hypocri}}</Ref>

'''hosanna''' [[hosan]] <nowiki><Ref name="hosan">{{hosan}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hosan">{{hosan}}</Ref>

=== I ===

'''inherit not''' [[inheritnot]] <nowiki><Ref name="inheritnot">{{inheritnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="inheritnot">{{inheritnot}}</Ref>

covetousness is '''idolatry''' [[Isidolatry]]
<nowiki><Ref name="Isidolatry">{{Isidolatry}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Isidolatry">{{Isidolatry}}</Ref>

=== K ===

'''Keep commandments''' [[Template:keepcom]]
<nowiki><Ref name="keepcom">{{keepcom}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="keepcom">{{keepcom}}</Ref>

'''Keys of the kingdom''' [[Template:keysking]]
<nowiki><Ref name="keysking">{{keysking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="keysking">{{keysking}}</Ref>

'''kicked out''' [[Template:kickedout]]
<nowiki><Ref name="kickedout">{{kickedout}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kickedout">{{kickedout}}</Ref>

'''Kingdom is like''' [[Template:kingdomlike]]
<nowiki><Ref name="kingdomlike">{{kingdomlike}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kingdomlike">{{kingdomlike}}</Ref>

'''kingdomnow''' [[Template:kingdomnow]] <nowiki><Ref name="kingdomnow">{{kingdomnow}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="kingdomnow">{{kingdomnow}}</Ref>

'''King of The Jews''' [[kingjews]] <nowiki><Ref name="kingjews">{{kingjews}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="kingjews">{{kingjews}}</Ref>

'''King of Kings''' <nowiki><Ref name="kings">{{kings}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kings">{{kings}}</Ref>

'''Knowledge lack''' [[lacknow]] <nowiki><Ref name="lacknow">{{lacknow}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="lacknow">{{lacknow}}</Ref>

'''Knowledge Forbidden no more'''
'''Knowledge lack''' [[Forbidknow]] <nowiki><Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

=== L ===

'''Perfect law of liberty''' [[perflaw]] <nowiki><Ref name="perflaw">{{perflaw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="perflaw">{{perflaw}}</Ref>

'''Leaders''' [[Leadersn]] <nowiki><Ref name="Leadersn">{{Leadersn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Leadersn">{{Leadersn}}</Ref>

'''[[Legal title]]''' [[legtit]] <nowiki><Ref name="legtit">{{legtit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="legtit">{{legtit}}</Ref>

'''the [[light]] not [[darkness]]''' [[thelight]] <nowiki><Ref name="thelight">{{thelight}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="thelight">{{thelight}}</Ref>

'''Little faith''' [[Little faith]] <nowiki><Ref name="littlef">{{littlef}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="littlef">{{littlef}}</Ref>

'''Living and lively ''' eternal [[livef]] <nowiki><Ref name="livef">{{livef}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="livef">{{livef}}</Ref>

'''Loaves and fishes ''' [[loavfish]] <nowiki><Ref name="loavfish">{{loavfish}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="loavfish">{{loavfish}}</Ref>

'''Love God and neighbor''' Not every one many reprobate,2 commanments
<nowiki><Ref name="Lovegn">{{Lovegn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Lovegn">{{Lovegn}}</Ref>

'''Love and obey'''
<nowiki><Ref name="loveobey">{{loveobey}}</Ref> </nowiki><Ref name="loveobey">{{loveobey}}</Ref>

'''Leaven''' [[leavenp]] Moses and Christ warned concerning [[leaven]].<nowiki><Ref name="leavenp">{{leavenp}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="leavenp">{{leavenp}}</Ref>

'''Leaven beware''' [[bewarelev]] <nowiki><Ref name="bewarelev">{{bewarelev}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="bewarelev">{{bewarelev}}</Ref>

[[Free bread]] of the state is the Social Insurance [[Template:insuress]] <nowiki><Ref name="insuress">{{insuress}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="insuress">{{insuress}}</Ref>

'''[[Levites]] are mine''' Levites called to serve [[Levitemine|levitemine]] <nowiki><Ref name="levitemine">{{levitemine}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="levitemine">{{levitemine}}</Ref>

'''Light of the world''' light come into the world [[lightnt]] <nowiki><Ref name="lightnt">{{lightnt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="lightnt">{{lightnt}}</Ref>

Lord, lord '''Say [[lord2|Lord, Lord]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="lord2">{{lord2}}</Ref></nowiki><Ref name="lord2">{{lord2}}</Ref>

===M===
'''Making war''' [[Makewar]] <nowiki><Ref name="makewar">{{makewar}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="makewar">{{makewar}}</Ref>

'''Masters not two''' [[Onemaster|onemaster]] <nowiki><Ref name="onemaster">{{onemaster}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="onemaster">{{onemaster}}</Ref>

'''Mammon''' of '''unright''eousness'''''<nowiki><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref>

'''Mary Magdalene''' [[MaryMagdalene]] <nowiki><Ref name="MaryMagdalene">{{MaryMagdalene}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="MaryMagdalene">{{MaryMagdalene}}</Ref>

'''Make no covenants''' [[Template:makeno]] <nowiki><Ref name="makeno">{{makeno}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="makeno">{{makeno}}</Ref>

'''Marks''' [[Template:marks]] <nowiki><Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref>

'''Marks''' [[Template:marks]] <nowiki><Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref>

'''Meat and blood''' [[meatbld]] <nowiki><Ref name="meatbld">{{meatbld}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="meatbld">{{meatbld}}</Ref>

'''Melchizedeck''' [[melchft]] <nowiki><Ref name="melchft">{{melchft}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="melchft">{{melchft}}</Ref>

'''Merchandise''' [[merchft]] <nowiki><Ref name="merchft">{{merchft}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="merchft">{{merchft}}</Ref>

'''Sacrifice of [[mercy]]''' [[Template:mercsac]] <nowiki><Ref name="mercsac">{{mercsac}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mercsac">{{mercsac}}</Ref>

'''Public Servants of Christ''' [[publicservch]] <nowiki><Ref name="publicservch">{{publicservch}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="publicservch">{{publicservch}}</Ref>

'''MONEYCHANGERS''' ''' [[Moneychang]]''' [[Template:Moneychang]] <nowiki><Ref name="Moneychang">{{Moneychang}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Moneychang">{{Moneychang}}</Ref>

'''Money payment''' ''' [[moneypay]]''' [[Template:moneypay]] <nowiki><Ref name="moneypay">{{moneypay}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="moneypay">{{moneypay}}</Ref>

* Pay silver
'''Pay substance''' [[Paysilv]] <nowiki><Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref>

'''Just money and measures''' [[jmeasure]] <nowiki><Ref name="jmeasure">{{jmeasure}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="jmeasure">{{jmeasure}}</Ref>

supreme moral authority <nowiki><Ref name="suprmoral">{{suprmoral}} </Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="suprmoral">{{suprmoral}} </Ref>

'''Believed Moses ''' [[Template:Knewmose]] <nowiki><Ref name="knewmose">{{knewmose}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="knewmose">{{knewmose}}</Ref>

'''KNOW Moses''' [[kmoses]] <nowiki><Ref name="kmoses">{{kmoses}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kmoses">{{kmoses}}</Ref>

=== N ===

'''My name''' [[myname]] <nowiki><Ref name="mynam'''e">{{myname}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="myname">{{myname}}</Ref>

'''God of All Nations''' [[allnations]] <nowiki><Ref name="allnations">{{allnations}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="allnations">{{allnations}}</Ref>

'''My sheep''' [[mysheep]] <nowiki><Ref name="mysheep">{{mysheep}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mysheep">{{mysheep}}</Ref>

'''notherit''' <nowiki><Ref name="notherit">{{notherit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="notherit">{{notherit}}</Ref>

=== O===

'''Obey unto faith''' [[obeyfaith]] <nowiki><Ref name="obeyfaith">{{obeyfaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="obeyfaith">{{obeyfaith}}</Ref>

'''objection''' to the constitution [[objectccc]] <nowiki><Ref name="objectccc">{{objectccc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="objectccc">{{objectccc}}</Ref>

'''Subjects Obey''' [[Subjectobey]] <nowiki><Ref name="Subjectobey">{{Subjectobey}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Subjectobey">{{Subjectobey}}</Ref>

'''not oppress''' [[notoppress]] <nowiki><Ref name="notoppress">{{notoppress}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="notoppress">{{notoppress}}</Ref>

===P===

Pay silver
'''Pay substance''' [[Paysilv]] <nowiki><Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref>

'''Keep peace''' [[kpeacen]] <nowiki><Ref name="kpeacen">{{kpeacen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kpeacen">{{kpeacen}}</Ref>

'''No peace''' [[nopeace]] <nowiki><Ref name="nopeace">{{nopeace}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="nopeace">{{nopeace}}</Ref>

'''prince peace''' [[ppeacen]] <nowiki><Ref name="ppeacen">{{ppeacen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ppeacen">{{ppeacen}}</Ref>

'''Perfection''' [[Perfectq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Perfectq">{{Perfectq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Perfectq">{{Perfectq}}</Ref>

'''Persevere''' [[Template:Persevereq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Persevereq">{{Persevereq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Persevereq">{{Persevereq}}</Ref>

'''[[Respecter of persons]]''' [[Template:Respectperson]] <nowiki><Ref name="Respectperson">{{Respectperson}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Respectperson">{{Respectperson}}</Ref>

'''[[Principalities]]''' [[Template:Principal]] <nowiki><Ref name="Principal">{{Principal}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Principal">{{Principal}}</Ref>

'''Posses''' [[Template:Posses]] <nowiki><Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref>

'''Possesed''' [[Template:Possesed]] <nowiki><Ref name="Possesed">{{Possesed}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Possesed">{{Possesed}}</Ref>

'''Posses''' [[Template:Posses]] <nowiki><Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref>

'''potestas''' [[lpotestas]] <nowiki><Ref name="lpotestas">{{lpotestas}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="lpotestas">{{lpotestas}}</Ref>

'''Power corrupts'''. [[powercorupt]] <nowiki><Ref name="powercorupt">{{powercorupt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="powercorupt">{{powercorupt}}</Ref>

'''High Priest''' [[Highpriest|highpriest]] <nowiki><Ref name="highpriest">{{highpriest}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="highpriest">{{highpriest}}</Ref>

'''Priest and king''' [[priestking]] <nowiki><Ref name="priestking">{{priestking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="priestking">{{priestking}}</Ref>

'''Priest to nations''' [[priestnation]] <nowiki><Ref name="priestnation">{{priestnation}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="priestnation">{{priestnation}}</Ref>

[[Piety]] <Ref name="piety">[[Piety]] is often defined today as ''a devotion to God or to religious practices'' but ''piety'' has been defined as the ''duty''. Those who obey God are devoted to Him, those who do not do what He says are not devoted to God.</Ref>

'''New prophet''' [[newprophet]] <nowiki><Ref name="newprophet">{{newprophet}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="newprophet">{{newprophet}}</Ref>

'''Prove all things''' [[provetest]] <nowiki><Ref name="provetest">{{provetest}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="provetest">{{provetest}}</Ref>

[[Polybius]] quote on '''[[massesnf|masses]]''' no footnotes <nowiki><Ref name="massesnf">{{massesnf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="massesnf">{{massesnf}}</Ref>

[[Polybius]] quote on '''[[massesnn|masses]]''' no notes <nowiki><Ref name="massesnn">{{massesnn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="massesnn">{{massesnn}}</Ref>

'''out of our mouth''' [[outmouth]] <nowiki><Ref name="outmouth">{{outmouth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="outmouth">{{outmouth}}</Ref>

'''Pernicious ways''' <nowiki><Ref name="pernicway">{{pernicway}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="pernicway">{{pernicway}}</Ref>

Sell '''Property''' [[properpov]] <nowiki><Ref name="properpov">{{properpov}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="properpov">{{properpov}}</Ref>

'''Prodigal Son''' [[Prodson]] <nowiki><Ref name="Prodson">{{Prodson}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Prodson">{{Prodson}}</Ref>

'''[[One purse]]''' [[civpurse]] <nowiki><Ref name="civpurse">{{civpurse}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="civpurse">{{civpurse}}</Ref>

=== Q ===
'''Quick to judge''' [[Quickjudg]] <nowiki><Ref name="Quickjudg">{{Quickjudg}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Quickjudg">{{Quickjudg}}</Ref>

=== R ===

'''Rejected God''' [[rejectgd]] <nowiki><Ref name="rejectgd">{{rejectgd}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="rejectgd">{{rejectgd}}</Ref>

'''Ransom kafar''' [[Ransomkfr]] <nowiki><Ref name="Ransomkfr">{{Ransomkfr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Ransomkfr">{{Ransomkfr}}</Ref>

'''religious''' religion <nowiki><Ref name="religious">{{religious}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="religious">{{religious}}</Ref>

'''Repent''' [[repentn]] <nowiki><Ref name="repentn">{{repentn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="repentn">{{repentn}}</Ref>

'''Repent not''' [[norepent]] <nowiki><Ref name="norepent">{{norepent}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="norepent">{{norepent}}</Ref>

'''respecter of persons''' [[respectq]] <nowiki><Ref name="respectq">{{respectq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="respectq">{{respectq}}</Ref>

'''return everyman''' [[returnman]] <nowiki><Ref name="returnman">{{returnman}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="returnman">{{returnman}}</Ref>

'''Water ritual of John vs Spirit and fire of Jesus''' [[baptizewtr]] <nowiki><Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref>

'''Water ritual unto repentance vs Spirit and fire of salvation''' not [[the way]] [[waterbap]] <nowiki><Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref>

'''Ritual Sacrifice''' is not [[the way]] [[ritualsac]] <nowiki><Ref name="ritualsac">{{ritualsac}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ritualsac">{{ritualsac}}</Ref>

'''Robbers''' <nowiki><Ref name="Robbers">{{Robbers}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Robbers">{{Robbers}}</Ref>

'''Robe notes''' [[Roben]] <nowiki><Ref name="Roben">{{Roben}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Roben">{{Roben}}</Ref>

'''Ruin notes''' [[ruinN]] <nowiki><Ref name="ruinN">{{ruinN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ruinN">{{ruinN}}</Ref>

"'''precept''' upon precept".<nowiki><Ref name="isa28">{{isa28}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="isa28">{{isa28}}</Ref>

(priest and king) [[baptize not]] <nowiki><Ref name="baptizednot">{{baptizednot}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="baptizednot">{{baptizednot}}</Ref>

===S===

'''Sabbath day''' [[sabday]] <nowiki><Ref name="sabday">{{sabday}} </Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sabday">{{sabday}} </Ref>

'''Way of Satan''' [[satanway]] <nowiki><Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref>

'''Might be saved''' [[mightsav]] <nowiki><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

'''Who can be saved''' [[besaved]] <nowiki><Ref name="besaved">{{besaved}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="besaved">{{besaved}}</Ref>

'''Seat of Moses ''' [[seatm]] <nowiki><Ref name="seatm">{{besaved}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seatm">{{seatm}}</Ref>

'''[[Sanhedrin]]''' [[sanhedrin70]] <nowiki><Ref name="sanhedrin70">{{sanhedrin70}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sanhedrin70">{{sanhedrin70}}</Ref>

'''[[Sanhedrin]] given power''' [[sanhedrinpwr]] <nowiki><Ref name="sanhedrinpwr">{{sanhedrinpwr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sanhedrinpwr">{{sanhedrinpwr}}</Ref>

'''Scripture''' [[scriptint]] <nowiki><Ref name="scriptint">{{scriptint}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="scriptint">{{scriptint}}</Ref>

'''Seared conscience ''' Searedc '''[[Searedc]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Searedc">{{Searedc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Searedc">{{Searedc}}</Ref>

'''ShearSHEEP ''' [[shearshp]] '''[[Template:shearshp]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="shearshp">{{shearshp}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="shearshp">{{shearshp}}</Ref>

'''seething a kid in milk''''''[[Template:seethe]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="seethe">{{seethe}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seethe">{{seethe}}</Ref>

'''Seed of Abraham''' [[seedA]] <nowiki><Ref name="seedA">{{seedA}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seedA">{{seedA}}</Ref>

'''Sent by God''' [[sentby]] <nowiki><Ref name="sentby">{{sentby}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sentby">{{sentby}}</Ref>

'''Seven men''' [[Sevenmen]] <nowiki><Ref name="Sevenmen">{{Sevenmen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sevenmen">{{Sevenmen}}</Ref>

'''shamed''' shaming <nowiki><Ref name="shamed">{{shamed}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="shamed">{{shamed}}</Ref>

'''He Sighed''' '''[[Template:sighd]]'''
<nowiki><Ref name="sighd">{{sighd}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sighd">{{sighd}}</Ref>

'''Sin of Sodom''''''[[Template:sinsodm]]'''
<nowiki><Ref name="Sinsodm">{{Sinsodm}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sinsodm">{{Sinsodm}}</Ref>

'''Sit in darkness''' [[sitdark]] <nowiki><Ref name="sitdark">{{sitdark}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sitdark">{{sitdark}}</Ref>

'''SHEEP hear my voice''' [[sheephrvc]]'''[[Template:sheephrvc]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref>

'''[[Slothful]]''' [[Template:slothn]] <nowiki><Ref name="slothn">{{slothn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="slothn">{{slothn}}</Ref>

'''[[Snare]]''' [[Template:snaretrap]] <nowiki><Ref name="snaretrap">{{snaretrap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="snaretrap">{{snaretrap}}</Ref>

'''Jesus spat'''<nowiki><Ref name="spatdna">{{spatdna}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="spatdna">{{spatdna}}</Ref>

'''Sovereignty''' [[Sovergn]] <nowiki><Ref name="Sovergn">{{Sovergn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sovergn">{{Sovergn}}</Ref>

'''Spiritual law is truth''' [[Spiritlaw]] <nowiki><Ref name="Spiritlaw">{{Spiritlaw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Spiritlaw">{{Spiritlaw}}</Ref>

'''Separate Spirit''' of Self-rule by revelation [[sepspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="sepspirit">{{sepspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sepspirit">{{sepspirit}}</Ref>

'''Son of God''' [[songod]] <nowiki><Ref name="songod">{{songod}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="songod">{{songod}}</Ref>

'''One Spirit''' [[onespirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="onespirit">{{onespirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="onespirit">{{onespirit}}</Ref>

'''Spirit of truth''' [[Spirittruth]] <nowiki><Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>

'''Spotted and unspotted [[Spotsq]]''' [[Template:Spotsq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Spotsq">{{Spotsq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Spotsq">{{Spotsq}}</Ref>

'''Be still''' [[bestill]] <nowiki><Ref name="bestill">{{bestill}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bestill">{{bestill}}</Ref>

'''Stand fast''' [[standfast]] <nowiki><Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>

'''"Study"''' '''[[Template:studystrive]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="studystrive">{{studystrive}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="studystrive">{{studystrive}}</Ref>

'''"Strive seek etc"''' '''[[Template:seekstrive]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="seekstrive">{{seekstrive}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seekstrive">{{seekstrive}}</Ref>

'''"strange women"''' of Proverbs? '''[[Template:strangewoman]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="strangewoman">{{strangewoman}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="strangewoman">{{strangewoman}}</Ref>

'''"strangled"''' ? '''[[Template:strangledbl]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="strangledbl">{{strangledbl}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="strangledbl">{{strangledbl}}</Ref>

'''"Stumblingblock"''' ? '''[[Stumbleblock]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Stumbleblock">{{Stumbleblock}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Stumbleblock">{{Stumbleblock}}</Ref>

'''"Sighn in the Sun"''' '''[[Template:sunsigns]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="sunsigns">{{sunsigns}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sunsigns">{{sunsigns}}</Ref>

[[Swear not]] '''[[Template:noswear]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="noswear">{{noswear}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="noswear">{{noswear}}</Ref>

'''Sword''' '''[[Template:2Swords]]'''<nowiki><Ref name="2Swords">{{2Swords}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="2Swords">{{2Swords}}</Ref>

'''Sycomore''' '''[[Sycomor]]'''<nowiki><Ref name="Sycomor">{{Sycomor}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sycomor">{{Sycomor}}</Ref>

===T===

[[Tables]] '''[[Template:2tables]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="2tables">{{2tables}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="2tables">{{2tables}}</Ref>

'''Take [[the way]]''' of Christ '''[[Template:takeaw]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="takeaw">{{takeaw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="takeaw">{{takeaw}}</Ref>

'''Taken''' '''[[Template:ktaken]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="ktaken">{{ktaken}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ktaken">{{ktaken}}</Ref>

'''Teach ''' '''[[Template:teachF]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="teachF">{{teachF}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="teachF">{{teachF}}</Ref>

'''Temple built''' '''[[Template:Templebuilt]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Templebuilt">{{Templebuilt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Templebuilt">{{Templebuilt}}</Ref>

'''every man in his tent door''' '''[[Template:Tentdoor]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Tentdoor">{{Tentdoor}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Tentdoor">{{Tentdoor}}</Ref>

'''tens pattern''' [[tenspatrn]] <nowiki><Ref name="tenspatrn">{{tenspatrn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tenspatrn">{{tenspatrn}}</Ref>

'''kingdom protections pattern''' [[theifrobber]] <nowiki><Ref name="theifrobber">{{theifrobber}}</Ref> </nowiki> <<ref name="theifrobber">{{theifrobber}}</ref>

'''Tickling the ears of the people ''' [[tickears]] <nowiki><Ref name="tickears">{{tickears}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tickears">{{tickears}}</Ref>

'''Torah vs Torat ''' [[toratnt]] <nowiki><Ref name="toratnt">{{toratnt}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="toratnt">{{toratnt}}</Ref>

'''The way truth and light''' '''[[Template:waytrlight]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="waytrlight">{{waytrlight}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waytrlight">{{waytrlight}}</Ref>

'''[[thanksgiving]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="thanksweb">{{thanksweb}}</ref></nowiki> <Ref name="thanksweb">{{thanksweb}}</ref>

'''things spoken''' '''[[Template:thingsspoken]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="thingsspoken">{{thingsspoken}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="thingsspoken">{{thingsspoken}}</Ref>

'''Three priests''' '''[[Template:threeprst]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="threeprst">{{threeprst}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="threeprst">{{threeprst}}</Ref>

'''Tormented''' '''[[Template:tormentf]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="tormentf">{{tormentf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tormentf">{{tormentf}}</Ref>

'''Tossed with doctrine''' <nowiki><Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref>

'''[[Tradition|Traditions]]''' '''[[Template:trads]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref>

'''Transfiguration''' '''[[Template:transf]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="transf">{{transf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="transf">{{transf}}</Ref>

'''[[treasury]] of the heart''' '''[[treasf]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="treasf">{{treasf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="treasf">{{treasf}}</Ref>

'''the trial of Jesus''' [[thetrial]] <nowiki><Ref name="thetrial">{{thetrial}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="thetrial">{{thetrial}}</Ref>

'''Elements of a trust''' [[elemtrust]] <nowiki><Ref name="elemtrust">{{elemtrust}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="elemtrust">{{elemtrust}}</Ref>

'''A trust of hope''' [[hopetrust]] <nowiki><Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref>

'''Turn away''' '''[[Template:turnawa]]'''<nowiki><Ref name="turnawa">{{turnawa}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="turnawa">{{turnawa}}</Ref>

'''Touch not''' '''[[Template:Touchnot]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Touchnot">{{Touchnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Touchnot">{{Touchnot}}</Ref>

'''Tossed''' '''[[Template:tofro]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref>

'''Tree of life''' '''[[Template:treelife]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="treelife">{{treelife}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="treelife">{{treelife}}</Ref>

'''[[TempleTax|Temple Tax]] collectors of [[tribute]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="TempleTax">{{TempleTax}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="TempleTax">{{TempleTax}}</Ref>

'''No truth''' in them.<nowiki><Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>

'''[[Tribute]] as MemSamech''' appear [[MemSamechappear]] <nowiki><Ref name="MemSamechappear">{{MemSamechappear}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="MemSamechappear">{{MemSamechappear}}</Ref>

* Coded text - <nowiki>"Jesus saith unto him, ''' I am<Ref name="iam">{{iam}}</Ref> [[the way]], the [[truth]]<Ref name="thetruth">{{thetruth}}</Ref>, and the [[life]]:<Ref name="thelife">{{thelife}}</Ref> no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'''" [[John 14]]:6</nowiki>
: '''[[The Way]]''' "Jesus saith unto him, ''' I am<Ref name="iam">{{iam}}</Ref> [[the way]], the [[truth]]<Ref name="thetruth">{{thetruth}}</Ref>, and the [[life]]:<Ref name="thelife">{{thelife}}</Ref> no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'''" [[John 14]]:6

'''upside down''' [[upsided]] <nowiki><Ref name="upsided">{{upsided}} </Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="upsided">{{upsided}} </Ref>

'''[[virtue|Virtue]]''' [[listvirt]] <nowiki><Ref name="listvirt">{{listvirt}} </Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="listvirt">{{listvirt}} </Ref>

Heavenly [[virtue|virtues]] <nowiki><Ref name="hvirtue">{{hvirtue}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hvirtue">{{hvirtue}}</Ref>

===W===

'''wait upon the Lord'''. [[waitlord]] <nowiki><Ref name="waitlord">{{waitlord}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waitlord">{{waitlord}}</Ref>

'''Watch and Pray'''. [[watchpra]] <nowiki><Ref name="watchpra">{{watchpra}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="watchpra">{{watchpra}}</Ref>

Whole Truth <nowiki><Ref name="wtruth">{{wtruth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="wtruth">{{wtruth}}</Ref>

'''Wolves''' [[bwolves]] <nowiki><Ref name="bwolves">{{bwolves}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bwolves">{{bwolves}}</Ref>

'''Workers of Iniquity.''' '''[[workiniquity]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="workiniquity">{{workiniquity}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="workiniquity">{{workiniquity}}</Ref>

'''Of this world. ''' '''[[ofthisworld]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="ofthisworld">{{ofthisworld}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="ofthisworld">{{ofthisworld}}</Ref>

'''Will not work''' '''[[notwork]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="notwork">{{notwork}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="notwork">{{notwork}}</Ref>

'''Worship as service.''' '''[[worshipserve]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="worshipserve">{{worshipserve}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="worshipserve">{{worshipserve}}</Ref>

'''Worship whom''' '''[[worshipwho]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="worshipwho">{{worshipwho}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="worshipwho">{{worshipwho}}</Ref>

''[[weightier matters]] '' [[weightmat]] <nowiki><Ref name="weightmat">{{weightmat}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="weightmat">{{weightmat}}</Ref>

'''Write heart and mind''' [[writeq]] <nowiki><Ref name="writeq">{{writeq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="writeq">{{writeq}}</Ref>

''[[worship]]er''<nowiki><Ref name="worshipnt">{{Worshipnt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="worshipnt">{{Worshipnt}}</Ref>

'''John Wyclyff''' [[Johnwy]] <nowiki><Ref name="Johnwy">{{Johnwy}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Johnwy">{{Johnwy}}</Ref>

'''emptyvanity''' evanity <nowiki><Ref name="evanity">{{evanity}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="evanity">{{evanity}}</Ref>

The '''picture of calf''' centered <nowiki>{{Template:Sinincampcent}}</nowiki> right <nowiki>{{sinincamp}}</nowiki> {{sinincamp}}

'''[[Zion]]''' [[ZionFN|zionFN]] <nowiki><Ref name="zionFN>{{zionFN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="zionFN>{{zionFN}}</Ref>

[[Concordance]]

== Connecting the dots Audio files ==
 {{condotsaud}}

Template:Fnotes

2026-08-28T05:21:15Z

Wiki1: /* M */

== Foot NOTES ==

=== A ===

Abide in me '''Abideme''' in the light or darkness [[Abideme]] <nowiki><Ref name="Abideme">{{Abideme}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Abideme">{{Abideme}}</Ref>

'''Abomination''' [[abom-nation]] <nowiki><Ref name="abom-nation">{{abom-nation}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="abom-nation">{{abom-nation}}</Ref>

'''Alabasta jar''' [[alabastaj]] <nowiki><Ref name="alabastaj">{{alabastaj}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="alabastaj">{{alabastaj}}</Ref>

'''almighty'' [[almighty]] <nowiki><Ref name="almighty">{{almighty}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="almighty">{{almighty}}</Ref>

'''[[Sacred Purpose Altar|Sacred purpose Altars]] of trust''' [[sacredaltar]] <nowiki><Ref name="sacredaltar">{{sacredaltar}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="sacredaltar">{{sacredaltar}}</Ref>

'''Altars of sacrifices''' [[Altarss|altarss]] <nowiki><Ref name="altarss">{{altarss}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="altarss">{{altarss}}</Ref>

a brother '''cry anguish''' We would not hear and God will laugh at your calamity; '''judge''' [[cryanguish]]
<nowiki><Ref name="cryanguish">{{cryanguish}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cryanguish">{{cryanguish}}</Ref>

'''adulterated''' [[adulterated]] <nowiki><Ref name="adulterated">{{adulterated}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="adulterated">{{adulterated}}</Ref>

'''Ancient''' [[ancientN]] <nowiki><Ref name="ancientN">{{ancientN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ancientN">{{ancientN}}</Ref>

'''Anothking''' [[Anothking]] <nowiki><Ref name="Anothking">{{Anothking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Anothking">{{Anothking}}</Ref>

'''Appointk''' [[Appointk]] <nowiki><Ref name="Appointk">{{Appointk}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Appointk">{{Appointk}}</Ref>

FULL '''Armour''' [[armourf]] <nowiki><Ref name="armourf">{{armourf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="armourf">{{armourf}}</Ref>

=== B ===

'''Water ritual of John vs Spirit and fire of Jesus''' [[baptizewtr]] <nowiki><Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref>

'''Water ritual unto repentance vs Spirit and fire of salvation''' not [[the way]] [[waterbap]] <nowiki><Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref>

'''Barren wombs''' [[barrenwo]] <nowiki><Ref name="barrenwo">{{barrenwo}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="barrenwo">{{barrenwo}}</Ref>

'''Beasts in the Bible''' [[beastsbib]] <nowiki><Ref name="beastsbib">{{beastsbib}}</Ref></nowiki>
<Ref name="beastsbib">{{beastsbib}}</Ref>

Why '''Believe a lie''' [[believelie]] <nowiki><Ref name="believelie">{{believelie}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="believelie">{{believelie}}</Ref>

'''Beloved Son''' [[Belovedson|belovedson]] <nowiki><Ref name="belovedson">{{belovedson}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="belovedson">{{belovedson}}</Ref>

'''Benevolence''' [[Benevolenceq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Benevolenceq">{{Benevolenceq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Benevolenceq">{{Benevolenceq}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Bejudged]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Bejudged">{{Bejudged}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bejudged">{{Bejudged}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Bindings]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Bindings">{{Bindings}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bindings">{{Bindings}}</Ref>

'''Bishops and deacons''' [[Bishdeac]] <nowiki><Ref name="Bishdeac'">{{Bishdeac}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bishdeac">{{Bishdeac}}</Ref>

'''[[Blaspheme]]''' [[blasNT]] <nowiki><Ref name="blasNT">{{blasNT}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="blasNT">{{blasNT}}</Ref>

'''[[blesNT|Bless]]''' [[blesNT]] <nowiki><Ref name="blesNT">{{blesNT}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="blesNT">{{blesNT}}</Ref>

'''Blind leading''' <nowiki><Ref name="Blindlead'">{{Blindlead}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Blindlead">{{Blindlead}}</Ref>

'''The bloody cities''' [[bloody]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloody'">{{bloody}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloody">{{bloody}}</Ref>

'''Innocent blood''' [[inblood]] <nowiki><Ref name="inblood'">{{inblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="inblood'">{{inblood}}</Ref>

'''Dividing bread''' [[Breaddiv|breaddiv]] <nowiki><Ref name="breaddiv">{{breaddiv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breaddiv">{{breaddiv}}</Ref>

'''The waved breast offering ''' [[breastoffer]] <nowiki><Ref name="breastoffer">{{breastoffer}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breastoffer">{{breastoffer}}</Ref>

'''Breath spirit''' [[breathspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref>

'''the bride''' <nowiki><Ref name="thebride">{{thebride}}</Ref> </nowiki><Ref name="thebride">{{thebride}}</Ref>

'''Broad is the way''' [[broadway]] <nowiki><Ref name="broadway">{{broadway}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="broadway">{{broadway}}</Ref>

lade men with '''burdens grievous''' [[gburdens]] <nowiki><Ref name="gburden'">{{gburden}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gburden">{{gburden}}</Ref>

'''My burden ''' [[lBurden]] <nowiki><Ref name="lBurden'">{{lBurden}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="lBurden">{{lBurden}}</Ref>

'''The bait and the Bondage ''' [[Baitbond]] <nowiki><Ref name="Baitbond'">{{Baitbond}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Baitbond">{{Baitbond}}</Ref>

'''Bondage of Egypt ''' [[Bondageq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Bondageq'">{{Bondageq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bondageq">{{Bondageq}}</Ref>

'''Born again ''' [[Bornagain]] <nowiki><Ref name="Bornagain'">{{Bornagain}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Bornagain">{{Bornagain}}</Ref>

=== C ===

''' [[Canaan]]''' [[Canaanblood]] <nowiki><Ref name="Canaanblood">{{Canaanblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Canaanblood">{{Canaanblood}}</Ref>

''' Careless''' [[careless]] <nowiki><Ref name="Careless">{{Careless}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Careless">{{Careless}}</Ref>

'''First [[Capitalism]]''' [[Template:Fstcapital]] <nowiki><Ref name="Fstcapital">{{Fstcapital}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Fstcapital">{{Fstcapital}}</Ref>

'''Kingdom [[Capitalism]]''' [[Template:Kingscapital]] <nowiki><Ref name="Kingscapital">{{Kingscapital}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Kingscapital">{{Kingscapital}}</Ref>

'''Pseudo-[[Capitalism]]''' [[Pseudocap]] <nowiki><Ref name="Pseudocap">{{Pseudocap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Pseudocap">{{Pseudocap}}</Ref>
<Ref name="Pseudocap">{{Pseudocap}}</Ref>

''' Captive''' [[template:Captiven]] <nowiki><Ref name="Captiven">{{Captiven}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Captiven">{{Captiven}}</Ref>

'''Charity only''' [[Charity]] <nowiki><Ref name="charity">{{charityo}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="charityo">{{charityo}}</Ref>

'''Church early and modern ''' [[xchurches]] <nowiki><Ref name="xchurches">{{xchurches}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="xchurches">{{xchurches}}</Ref>

''' [[Circumcise]] heart''' [[c-heart]] <nowiki><Ref name="c-heart">{{c-heart}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="c-heart">{{c-heart}}</Ref>

'''Cities of blood [[template:cityblood]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="cityblood">{{cityblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cityblood">{{cityblood}}</Ref>

'''The bloody cities''' [[bloody]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloody'">{{bloody}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloody">{{bloody}}</Ref>

'''Cities of righteousness [[template:cityright]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="cityright">{{cityright}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cityright">{{cityright}}</Ref>

'''Colts [[template:colts]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="colts">{{colts}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="colts">{{colts}}</Ref>

'''Consent not''' [[Consentnot]] <nowiki><Ref name="Consentnot">{{Consentnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Consentnot">{{Consentnot}}</Ref>

'''Corban of blood''' [[corbanbld]] <nowiki><Ref name="corbanbld">{{corbanbld}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="corbanbld">{{corbanbld}}</Ref>

'''Commanded to congregate''' [[comcon]] <nowiki><Ref name="comcon">{{comcon}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="comcon">{{comcon}}</Ref>

Doeth Contrary [[docontrary]] <nowiki><Ref name="docontrary">{{docontrary}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="docontrary">{{docontrary}}</Ref>

'''Come into kingdom''' [[comeinto]] <nowiki><Ref name="comeinto">{{comeinto}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="comeinto">{{comeinto}}</Ref>

'''Comforter''' [[ComforterN]] <nowiki><Ref name="ComforterN">{{ComforterN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ComforterN">{{ComforterN}}</Ref>

Breath spirit [[breathspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="breathspirit">{{breathspirit}}</Ref>

=== Concordance links ===

'''[[Concordance|Combined Old and New Testament Concordances]]''' 
[[Old Testament Concordance]] 
[[New Testament Concordance]] 

[[Old Testament footnote codes]] 
[[New Testament footnote codes]] 
https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Template:Cclinks

[[Template:korrupt]] '''Corruption''' <nowiki><Ref name="korrupt">{{korrupt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="korrupt">{{korrupt}}</Ref>

'''Covet not''' [[covetnot]] <nowiki><Ref name="covetnot">{{covetnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="covetnot">{{covetnot}}</Ref>

Jesus'''covet''' <nowiki><Ref name="jesuscovet">{{jesuscovet}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="jesuscovet">{{jesuscovet}}</Ref>

=== D ===

'''Daily ministration''' [[template:daymin]] <nowiki><Ref name="daymin">{{daymin}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="daymin">{{daymin}}</Ref>

'''darkness and light''' [[template:darkened]] <nowiki><Ref name="darkened">{{darkened}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="darkened">{{darkened}}</Ref>

''' Taste death''' [[tastedth]] <nowiki><Ref name="tastedth">{{tastedth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tastedth">{{tastedth}}</Ref>.

''' deceived''' [[mandeceived]] <nowiki><Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref>.

''' deceived in OT''' [[mandeceivot]] <nowiki><Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref>.

''' delayeth''' [[template:delayeth]] <nowiki><Ref name="delayeth">{{delayeth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="delayeth">{{delayeth}}</Ref>.

''' Deny''' [[template:denial]] <nowiki><Ref name="denial">{{denial}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="denial">{{denial}}</Ref>.

'''Democracy''' "all '''[[Democracy|democracies]] fail"''' [[template:demofail]] <nowiki><Ref name="demofail">{{demofail}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="demofail">{{demofail}}</Ref>.

'''Devour and be devoured''' '''[[Templat:bitedevour]] "''' [[template:demofail]] <nowiki><Ref name="bitedevour">{{bitedevour}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bitedevour">{{bitedevour}}</Ref>.
<Ref name="bitedevour"> </Ref>

'''Divide''' [[dividel]] <nowiki><Ref name="dividel">{{dividel}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="dividel">{{dividel}} </Ref>

'''[[Doeth]]''' and not do [[doethv]] <nowiki><Ref name="doethv">{{doethv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="doethv">{{doethv}}</Ref>

do '''works''' '''[[doworks]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="doworks">{{doworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="doworks">{{doworks}}</Ref>

'''According to works''' [[accworks]] <nowiki><Ref name="accworks">{{accworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="accworks">{{accworks}}</Ref>

dead '''works''' '''[[deadworks]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="deadworks">{{deadworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="deadworks">{{deadworks}}</Ref>

'''Disadvantage of Benefactors''' '''[[disbene]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="disbene">{{disbene}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="disbene">{{disbene}}</Ref>

Door '''works''' '''[[doorw]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="doorw">{{doorw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="doorw">{{doorw}}</Ref>

By '''works''' '''[[byworks]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="byworks">{{byworks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="byworks">{{byworks}}</Ref>

'''Door Christ''' '''[[doorCH]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="doorCH">{{doorCH}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref <Ref name="doorCH">{{doorCH}}</Ref>

'''Dreams''' '''[[dreamFN]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="dreamFN">{{dreamFN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref <Ref name="dreamFN">{{dreamFN}}</Ref>

The epistles '''doeth and ''[[ep-doeth|doeth not]]''''' the will of God <nowiki><Ref name="ep-doeth">{{ep-doeth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ep-doeth">{{ep-doeth}}</Ref>

=== E ===

Eat and [[bite]] '''[[eatbite]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="eatbite">{{eatbite}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="eatbite">{{eatbite}}</Ref>

Eat and drink in the kingdom '''[[dideat]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="dideat">{{dideat}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="dideat">{{dideat}}</Ref>

Ministers eat '''eat of the tithe''' [[eattithe]] <nowiki><Ref name="eattithe">{{eattithe}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="eattithe">{{eattithe}}</Ref>

'''Effectual doer''' [[effctdo]] <nowiki><Ref name="effctdo">{{effctdo}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="effctdo">{{effctdo}}</Ref>

'''Employ vs Enslave''' [[template:employq]] <nowiki><Ref name="employq">{{employq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="employq">{{employq}}</Ref>

'''all men are [[Endow|endow]]ed by their Creator''' [[Endownt|endownt]] <nowiki><Ref name="endownt">{{endownt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="endownt">{{endownt}}</Ref>

'''endureth''' [[Template:endrit]] <nowiki><Ref name="endrit">{{endrit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="endrit">{{endrit}}</Ref>

'''No entanglement ''' [[Template:noentangl]] <nowiki><Ref name="noentangl">{{noentangl}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="noentangl">{{noentangl}}</Ref>

The way of '''Error''' of Baalam [[Template:Errorbn]] <nowiki><Ref name="Errorbn">{{Errorbn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Errorbn">{{Errorbn}}</Ref>

'''[[Balaam]] and [[Babylon]]''' [[Template:Balbabyl]] <nowiki><Ref name="Balbabyl">{{Balbabyl}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Balbabyl">{{Balbabyl}}</Ref>

'''Eternal life''' [[eternlife]] <nowiki><Ref name="eternlife">{{eternlife}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="eternlife">{{eternlife}}</Ref>

'''[[Exercise authority]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref>

===F===

'''Faint not''' [[faintn]] <nowiki><Ref name="faintn">{{faintn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="faintn">{{faintn}}</Ref>

'''False Faith''' [[Falsefaith]] <nowiki><Ref name="Falsefaith">{{Falsefaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Falsefaith">{{Falsefaith}}</Ref>

'''False of righteousness''' [[rightfaith]] <nowiki><Ref name="rightfaith">{{rightfaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="rightfaith">{{rightfaith}}</Ref>

'''False Christs''' [[falsechrist]] <nowiki><Ref name="falsechrist">{{falsechrist}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="falsechrist">{{falsechrist}}</Ref>

'''End of family''' [[endfam]] <nowiki><Ref name="endfam">{{endfam}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="endfam">{{endfam}}</Ref>

'''Return to family''' [[retfam]] <nowiki><Ref name="retfam">{{retfam}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="retfam">{{retfam}}</Ref>

'''fasting''' [[fastng]] <nowiki><Ref name="fastng">{{fastng}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fastng">{{fastng}}</Ref>

'''fast and pray''' [[fastpr]] <nowiki><Ref name="fastpr">{{fastpr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fastpr">{{fastpr}}</Ref>

'''Fathers who are rulers''' [[fatherruler]] <nowiki><Ref name="fatherruler">{{fatherruler}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fatherruler">{{fatherruler}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Feast]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="feast">{{feast}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="feast">{{feast}}</Ref>

'''[[feigned words]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="feignedword">{{feignedword}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="feignedword">{{feignedword}}</Ref>

'''[[Template:Fifthpart]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="fifthpart">{{fifthpart}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fifthpart">{{fifthpart}}</Ref>

'''[[Fire]] and [[light]]''' '''[[Firelight]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="firelight">{{firelight}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="firelight">{{firelight}}</Ref>

'''consuming [[fire]]''' '''[[cfire]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="cfire">{{cfire}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="cfire">{{cfire}}</Ref>

'''First will be last [[firstlast]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="firstlast">{{firstlast}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="firstlast">{{firstlast}}</Ref>

'''flesh and spirit''' [[fleshspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="fleshspirit'">{{fleshspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fleshspirit'">{{fleshspirit}}</Ref>

'''Blood and spirit''' [[bloodspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloodspirit'">{{bloodspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloodspirit'">{{bloodspirit}}</Ref>

'''Blood and Soul''' [[bloodsoul]] <nowiki><Ref name="bloodsoul'">{{bloodsoul}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bloodsoul'">{{bloodsoul}}</Ref>

'''[[Flesh pots]] and [[caldron]]s''' '''[[fleshpot]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="fleshpot">{{fleshpot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fleshpot">{{fleshpot}}</Ref>

Eat my '''flesh''' drink my blood. [[fleshblood]] <nowiki><Ref name="fleshblood'">{{fleshblood}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fleshblood'">{{fleshblood}}</Ref>

'''Forbearance''' [[Forbearanceq]] [[Template:Forbearanceq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Forbearanceq">{{Forbearanceq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Forbearanceq">{{Forbearanceq}}</Ref>

'''Forgiveness is Divine''' [[divineforgive]] <nowiki><Ref name="divineforgive">{{divineforgive}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="divineforgive">{{divineforgive}}</Ref>

'''Kingdoms of force''' [[forceking]] [[Template:forceking]] <nowiki><Ref name="forceking">{{forceking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="forceking">{{forceking}}</Ref>

'''Forgotten and rejected'''
'''[[Template:Forgotten]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Forgotten">{{Forgotten}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Forgotten">{{Forgotten}}</Ref>

'''Fornication, adultery and idolatry'''
'''[[Template:fornidols]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="fornidols">{{fornidols}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fornidols">{{fornidols}}</Ref>

[[Template:Freewillo]]
'''Freewill'''offering <nowiki><Ref name="Freewillo">{{Freewillo}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Freewillo">{{Freewillo}}</Ref>

'''Freedom is the right to choose'''<nowiki> <Ref name="archy">{{Archy}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="archy">{{Archy}}</Ref>

'''From me''' [[from me]] ''but have '''removed their heart''' far from me'' <nowiki> <Ref name="fromme">{{fromme}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fromme">{{fromme}}</Ref>

[[Fruit of righteousness]] [[fruitright]] <nowiki> <Ref name="fruitright">{{fruitright}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="fruitright">{{fruitright}}</Ref>

=== G ===

'''Garments''' [[Template:GarmentFN]] <nowiki><Ref name="GarmentFN">{{GarmentFN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="GarmentFN">{{GarmentFN}}</Ref>

'''Geneology''' [[Template:geneologies]] <nowiki><Ref name="geneologies">{{geneologies}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="geneologies">{{geneologies}}</Ref>

'''Generation to generation''' [[Template:gentogen]] <nowiki><Ref name="gentogen">{{gentogen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gentogen">{{gentogen}}</Ref>

'''Give to the Priests''' [[Template:givepriest]] <nowiki><Ref name="givepriest'">{{givepriest}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="givepriest">{{givepriest}}</Ref>

'''Give life''' [[Template:givelife]] <nowiki><Ref name="givelife'">{{givelife}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="givelife">{{givelife}}</Ref>

General gifts and gratuities '''destroyed''' liberty <nowiki><Ref name="desliberty">{{desliberty}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="desliberty">{{desliberty}}</Ref>

'''Pagans''' on gifts and gratuities '''[[pdestroyed]]''' liberty <nowiki><Ref name="pdesliberty">{{pdesliberty}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="pdesliberty">{{pdesliberty}}</Ref>

'''Gifts of faith '''[[giftfaith]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="giftfaith">{{giftfaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="giftfaith">{{giftfaith}}</Ref>

'''gnashing ''' liberty <nowiki><Ref name="gnash">{{gnash}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gnash">{{gnash}}</Ref>

'''Gentiles grafted''' [[graftgentile]] <nowiki><Ref name="graftgentile">{{graftgentile}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="graftgentile">{{graftgentile}}</Ref>

'''God Same''' [[Godsame]] <nowiki><Ref name="Godsame">{{Godsame}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Godsame">{{Godsame}}</Ref>

'''Good Stewart''' [[Goodstew]][[Template:Goodstew]] <nowiki><Ref name="Goodstew">{{Goodstew}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Goodstew">{{Goodstew}}</Ref>

'''Greedy of gain''' [[Template:greedyg]] <nowiki><Ref name="greedyg'">{{greedyg}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="greedyg">{{greedyg}}</Ref>

God hates [[godhate]] <nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref>

One God [[onegod]] <nowiki> <Ref name="onegod">{{onegod}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="onegod">{{onegod}}</Ref>

'''Ye gods''' [[yegods]] <nowiki><Ref name="yegods">{{yegods}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="yegods">{{yegods}}</Ref>

How do the '''[[gospels]] differ'''? <nowiki><Ref name="gospels">{{gospels}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gospels">{{gospels}}</Ref>

'''Preach the gospel of the kingdom''' [[gospking]]? <nowiki><Ref name="gospking">{{gospking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="gospking">{{gospking}}</Ref>

God hates [[godhate]] <nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="godhate">{{godhate}}</Ref>

===H===

'''Habitation''' [[habitaNT]]<nowiki><Ref name="habitaNT">{{habitaNT}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="habitaNT">{{habitaNT}}</Ref>

'''Handwritting of ordinance''' Not [[Template:Handwrit]]. <nowiki><Ref name="Handwrit">{{Handwrit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Handwrit">{{Handwrit}}</Ref>

'''Hardness''' [[Template:hardss]]. <nowiki><Ref name="hardss">{{hardss}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hardss">{{hardss}}</Ref>

'''Healing''' [[Template:healt]]. <nowiki><Ref name="healt">{{healt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="healt">{{healt}}</Ref>

SHEEP '''hear my voice''' [[sheephrvc]] '''[[Template:sheephrvc]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref>

'''See and hear my voice''' [[seehear]]'''[[Template:seehear]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="seehear">{{seehear}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seehear">{{seehear}}</Ref>

'''Heresies''' [[Damheresies]]'''[[Template:Damheresies]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Damheresies">{{Damheresies}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Damheresies">{{Damheresies}}</Ref>

'''NoHands''' built with hands?<nowiki><Ref name="nohands">{{nohands}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="nohands">{{nohands}}</Ref>

'''Notworld''' Not of this world. <nowiki><Ref name="Notworld">{{Notworld}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Notworld">{{Notworld}}</Ref>

Write on '''heart''' ''[[Writeheart]]'' <nowiki><Ref name="Writeheart">{{Writeheart}}</Ref></nowiki><Ref name="Writeheart">{{Writeheart}}</Ref>

'''Heart and mind''' <nowiki><Ref name="heartmind">{{heartmind}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="heartmind">{{heartmind}}</Ref>

'''hearsee''' <nowiki><Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hearsee">{{hearsee}}</Ref>

'''[[Hierarchy]]''' of service [[hierserveth]] <nowiki><Ref name="serveth">{{serveth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="serveth">{{serveth}}</Ref>

'''Be partakers of the Holy Ghost only''' [[holyspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="holyspirit">{{holyspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="holyspirit">{{holyspirit}}</Ref>

'''[[Honour]] Father and Mother''' [[honorfm]] <nowiki><Ref name="honorfm">{{honorfm}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="honorfm">{{honorfm}}</Ref>

'''A trust of hope''' [[hopetrust]] <nowiki><Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref>

'''hypocrisy''' [[hypocri]] of the profane <nowiki><Ref name="hypocri">{{hypocri}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hypocri">{{hypocri}}</Ref>

'''hosanna''' [[hosan]] <nowiki><Ref name="hosan">{{hosan}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hosan">{{hosan}}</Ref>

=== I ===

'''inherit not''' [[inheritnot]] <nowiki><Ref name="inheritnot">{{inheritnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="inheritnot">{{inheritnot}}</Ref>

covetousness is '''idolatry''' [[Isidolatry]]
<nowiki><Ref name="Isidolatry">{{Isidolatry}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Isidolatry">{{Isidolatry}}</Ref>

=== K ===

'''Keep commandments''' [[Template:keepcom]]
<nowiki><Ref name="keepcom">{{keepcom}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="keepcom">{{keepcom}}</Ref>

'''Keys of the kingdom''' [[Template:keysking]]
<nowiki><Ref name="keysking">{{keysking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="keysking">{{keysking}}</Ref>

'''kicked out''' [[Template:kickedout]]
<nowiki><Ref name="kickedout">{{kickedout}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kickedout">{{kickedout}}</Ref>

'''Kingdom is like''' [[Template:kingdomlike]]
<nowiki><Ref name="kingdomlike">{{kingdomlike}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kingdomlike">{{kingdomlike}}</Ref>

'''kingdomnow''' [[Template:kingdomnow]] <nowiki><Ref name="kingdomnow">{{kingdomnow}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="kingdomnow">{{kingdomnow}}</Ref>

'''King of The Jews''' [[kingjews]] <nowiki><Ref name="kingjews">{{kingjews}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="kingjews">{{kingjews}}</Ref>

'''King of Kings''' <nowiki><Ref name="kings">{{kings}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kings">{{kings}}</Ref>

'''Knowledge lack''' [[lacknow]] <nowiki><Ref name="lacknow">{{lacknow}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="lacknow">{{lacknow}}</Ref>

'''Knowledge Forbidden no more'''
'''Knowledge lack''' [[Forbidknow]] <nowiki><Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="Forbidknow">{{Forbidknow}}</Ref>

=== L ===

'''Perfect law of liberty''' [[perflaw]] <nowiki><Ref name="perflaw">{{perflaw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="perflaw">{{perflaw}}</Ref>

'''Leaders''' [[Leadersn]] <nowiki><Ref name="Leadersn">{{Leadersn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Leadersn">{{Leadersn}}</Ref>

'''[[Legal title]]''' [[legtit]] <nowiki><Ref name="legtit">{{legtit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="legtit">{{legtit}}</Ref>

'''the [[light]] not [[darkness]]''' [[thelight]] <nowiki><Ref name="thelight">{{thelight}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="thelight">{{thelight}}</Ref>

'''Little faith''' [[Little faith]] <nowiki><Ref name="littlef">{{littlef}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="littlef">{{littlef}}</Ref>

'''Living and lively ''' eternal [[livef]] <nowiki><Ref name="livef">{{livef}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="livef">{{livef}}</Ref>

'''Loaves and fishes ''' [[loavfish]] <nowiki><Ref name="loavfish">{{loavfish}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="loavfish">{{loavfish}}</Ref>

'''Love God and neighbor''' Not every one many reprobate,2 commanments
<nowiki><Ref name="Lovegn">{{Lovegn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Lovegn">{{Lovegn}}</Ref>

'''Love and obey'''
<nowiki><Ref name="loveobey">{{loveobey}}</Ref> </nowiki><Ref name="loveobey">{{loveobey}}</Ref>

'''Leaven''' [[leavenp]] Moses and Christ warned concerning [[leaven]].<nowiki><Ref name="leavenp">{{leavenp}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="leavenp">{{leavenp}}</Ref>

'''Leaven beware''' [[bewarelev]] <nowiki><Ref name="bewarelev">{{bewarelev}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="bewarelev">{{bewarelev}}</Ref>

[[Free bread]] of the state is the Social Insurance [[Template:insuress]] <nowiki><Ref name="insuress">{{insuress}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="insuress">{{insuress}}</Ref>

'''[[Levites]] are mine''' Levites called to serve [[Levitemine|levitemine]] <nowiki><Ref name="levitemine">{{levitemine}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="levitemine">{{levitemine}}</Ref>

'''Light of the world''' light come into the world [[lightnt]] <nowiki><Ref name="lightnt">{{lightnt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="lightnt">{{lightnt}}</Ref>

Lord, lord '''Say [[lord2|Lord, Lord]] ''' <nowiki><Ref name="lord2">{{lord2}}</Ref></nowiki><Ref name="lord2">{{lord2}}</Ref>

===M===
'''Making war''' [[Makewar]] <nowiki><Ref name="makewar">{{makewar}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="makewar">{{makewar}}</Ref>

'''Masters not two''' [[Onemaster|onemaster]] <nowiki><Ref name="onemaster">{{onemaster}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="onemaster">{{onemaster}}</Ref>

'''Mammon''' of '''unright''eousness'''''<nowiki><Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="unright">{{unright}}</Ref>

'''Mary Magdalene''' [[MaryMagdalene]] <nowiki><Ref name="MaryMagdalene">{{MaryMagdalene}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="MaryMagdalene">{{MaryMagdalene}}</Ref>

'''Make no covenants''' [[Template:makeno]] <nowiki><Ref name="makeno">{{makeno}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="makeno">{{makeno}}</Ref>

'''Marks''' [[Template:marks]] <nowiki><Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref>

'''Marks''' [[Template:marks]] <nowiki><Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="marks">{{marks}}</Ref>

'''Meat and blood''' [[meatbld]] <nowiki><Ref name="meatbld">{{meatbld}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="meatbld">{{meatbld}}</Ref>

'''Melchizedeck''' [[melchft]] <nowiki><Ref name="melchft">{{melchft}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="melchft">{{melchft}}</Ref>

'''Merchandise''' [[merchft]] <nowiki><Ref name="merchft">{{merchft}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="merchft">{{merchft}}</Ref>

'''Sacrifice of [[mercy]]''' [[Template:mercsac]] <nowiki><Ref name="mercsac">{{mercsac}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mercsac">{{mercsac}}</Ref>

'''Public Servants of Christ''' [[publicservch]] <nowiki><Ref name="publicservch">{{publicservch}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="publicservch">{{publicservch}}</Ref>

'''MONEYCHANGERS''' ''' [[Moneychang]]''' [[Template:Moneychang]] <nowiki><Ref name="Moneychang">{{Moneychang}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Moneychang">{{Moneychang}}</Ref>

'''Money payment''' ''' [[moneypay]]''' [[Template:moneypay]] <nowiki><Ref name="moneypay">{{moneypay}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="moneypay">{{moneypay}}</Ref>

* Pay silver
'''Pay substance''' [[Paysilv]] <nowiki><Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref>

'''Just money and measures''' [[jmeasure]] <nowiki><Ref name="jmeasure">{{jmeasure}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="jmeasure">{{jmeasure}}</Ref>

supreme moral authority <nowiki><Ref name="suprmoral">{{suprmoral}} </Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="suprmoral">{{suprmoral}} </Ref>

'''Believed Moses ''' [[Template:Knewmose]] <nowiki><Ref name="knewmose">{{knewmose}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="knewmose">{{knewmose}}</Ref>

'''KNOW Moses''' [[kmoses]] <nowiki><Ref name="kmoses">{{kmoses}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kmoses">{{kmoses}}</Ref>

=== N ===

'''My name''' [[myname]] <nowiki><Ref name="myname">{{myname}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="myname">{{myname}}</Ref>

God of All Nations''' [[allnations]] <nowiki><Ref name="allnations">{{allnations}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="allnations">{{allnations}}</Ref>

'''My sheep''' [[mysheep]] <nowiki><Ref name="mysheep">{{mysheep}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mysheep">{{mysheep}}</Ref>

'''notherit''' <nowiki><Ref name="notherit">{{notherit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="notherit">{{notherit}}</Ref>

=== O===

'''Obey unto faith''' [[obeyfaith]] <nowiki><Ref name="obeyfaith">{{obeyfaith}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="obeyfaith">{{obeyfaith}}</Ref>

'''objection''' to the constitution [[objectccc]] <nowiki><Ref name="objectccc">{{objectccc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="objectccc">{{objectccc}}</Ref>

'''Subjects Obey''' [[Subjectobey]] <nowiki><Ref name="Subjectobey">{{Subjectobey}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Subjectobey">{{Subjectobey}}</Ref>

'''not oppress''' [[notoppress]] <nowiki><Ref name="notoppress">{{notoppress}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="notoppress">{{notoppress}}</Ref>

===P===

Pay silver
'''Pay substance''' [[Paysilv]] <nowiki><Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Paysilv">{{Paysilv}}</Ref>

'''Keep peace''' [[kpeacen]] <nowiki><Ref name="kpeacen">{{kpeacen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="kpeacen">{{kpeacen}}</Ref>

'''No peace''' [[nopeace]] <nowiki><Ref name="nopeace">{{nopeace}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="nopeace">{{nopeace}}</Ref>

'''prince peace''' [[ppeacen]] <nowiki><Ref name="ppeacen">{{ppeacen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ppeacen">{{ppeacen}}</Ref>

'''Perfection''' [[Perfectq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Perfectq">{{Perfectq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Perfectq">{{Perfectq}}</Ref>

'''Persevere''' [[Template:Persevereq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Persevereq">{{Persevereq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Persevereq">{{Persevereq}}</Ref>

'''[[Respecter of persons]]''' [[Template:Respectperson]] <nowiki><Ref name="Respectperson">{{Respectperson}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Respectperson">{{Respectperson}}</Ref>

'''[[Principalities]]''' [[Template:Principal]] <nowiki><Ref name="Principal">{{Principal}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Principal">{{Principal}}</Ref>

'''Posses''' [[Template:Posses]] <nowiki><Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref>

'''Possesed''' [[Template:Possesed]] <nowiki><Ref name="Possesed">{{Possesed}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Possesed">{{Possesed}}</Ref>

'''Posses''' [[Template:Posses]] <nowiki><Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Posses">{{Posses}}</Ref>

'''potestas''' [[lpotestas]] <nowiki><Ref name="lpotestas">{{lpotestas}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="lpotestas">{{lpotestas}}</Ref>

'''Power corrupts'''. [[powercorupt]] <nowiki><Ref name="powercorupt">{{powercorupt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="powercorupt">{{powercorupt}}</Ref>

'''High Priest''' [[Highpriest|highpriest]] <nowiki><Ref name="highpriest">{{highpriest}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="highpriest">{{highpriest}}</Ref>

'''Priest and king''' [[priestking]] <nowiki><Ref name="priestking">{{priestking}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="priestking">{{priestking}}</Ref>

'''Priest to nations''' [[priestnation]] <nowiki><Ref name="priestnation">{{priestnation}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="priestnation">{{priestnation}}</Ref>

[[Piety]] <Ref name="piety">[[Piety]] is often defined today as ''a devotion to God or to religious practices'' but ''piety'' has been defined as the ''duty''. Those who obey God are devoted to Him, those who do not do what He says are not devoted to God.</Ref>

'''New prophet''' [[newprophet]] <nowiki><Ref name="newprophet">{{newprophet}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="newprophet">{{newprophet}}</Ref>

'''Prove all things''' [[provetest]] <nowiki><Ref name="provetest">{{provetest}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="provetest">{{provetest}}</Ref>

[[Polybius]] quote on '''[[massesnf|masses]]''' no footnotes <nowiki><Ref name="massesnf">{{massesnf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="massesnf">{{massesnf}}</Ref>

[[Polybius]] quote on '''[[massesnn|masses]]''' no notes <nowiki><Ref name="massesnn">{{massesnn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="massesnn">{{massesnn}}</Ref>

'''out of our mouth''' [[outmouth]] <nowiki><Ref name="outmouth">{{outmouth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="outmouth">{{outmouth}}</Ref>

'''Pernicious ways''' <nowiki><Ref name="pernicway">{{pernicway}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="pernicway">{{pernicway}}</Ref>

Sell '''Property''' [[properpov]] <nowiki><Ref name="properpov">{{properpov}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="properpov">{{properpov}}</Ref>

'''Prodigal Son''' [[Prodson]] <nowiki><Ref name="Prodson">{{Prodson}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Prodson">{{Prodson}}</Ref>

'''[[One purse]]''' [[civpurse]] <nowiki><Ref name="civpurse">{{civpurse}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="civpurse">{{civpurse}}</Ref>

=== Q ===
'''Quick to judge''' [[Quickjudg]] <nowiki><Ref name="Quickjudg">{{Quickjudg}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Quickjudg">{{Quickjudg}}</Ref>

=== R ===

'''Rejected God''' [[rejectgd]] <nowiki><Ref name="rejectgd">{{rejectgd}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="rejectgd">{{rejectgd}}</Ref>

'''Ransom kafar''' [[Ransomkfr]] <nowiki><Ref name="Ransomkfr">{{Ransomkfr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Ransomkfr">{{Ransomkfr}}</Ref>

'''religious''' religion <nowiki><Ref name="religious">{{religious}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="religious">{{religious}}</Ref>

'''Repent''' [[repentn]] <nowiki><Ref name="repentn">{{repentn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="repentn">{{repentn}}</Ref>

'''Repent not''' [[norepent]] <nowiki><Ref name="norepent">{{norepent}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="norepent">{{norepent}}</Ref>

'''respecter of persons''' [[respectq]] <nowiki><Ref name="respectq">{{respectq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="respectq">{{respectq}}</Ref>

'''return everyman''' [[returnman]] <nowiki><Ref name="returnman">{{returnman}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="returnman">{{returnman}}</Ref>

'''Water ritual of John vs Spirit and fire of Jesus''' [[baptizewtr]] <nowiki><Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref>

'''Water ritual unto repentance vs Spirit and fire of salvation''' not [[the way]] [[waterbap]] <nowiki><Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waterbap">{{waterbap}}</Ref>

'''Ritual Sacrifice''' is not [[the way]] [[ritualsac]] <nowiki><Ref name="ritualsac">{{ritualsac}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ritualsac">{{ritualsac}}</Ref>

'''Robbers''' <nowiki><Ref name="Robbers">{{Robbers}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Robbers">{{Robbers}}</Ref>

'''Robe notes''' [[Roben]] <nowiki><Ref name="Roben">{{Roben}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Roben">{{Roben}}</Ref>

'''Ruin notes''' [[ruinN]] <nowiki><Ref name="ruinN">{{ruinN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ruinN">{{ruinN}}</Ref>

"'''precept''' upon precept".<nowiki><Ref name="isa28">{{isa28}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="isa28">{{isa28}}</Ref>

(priest and king) [[baptize not]] <nowiki><Ref name="baptizednot">{{baptizednot}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="baptizednot">{{baptizednot}}</Ref>

===S===

'''Sabbath day''' [[sabday]] <nowiki><Ref name="sabday">{{sabday}} </Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sabday">{{sabday}} </Ref>

'''Way of Satan''' [[satanway]] <nowiki><Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref>

'''Might be saved''' [[mightsav]] <nowiki><Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="mightsav">{{mightsav}}</Ref>

'''Who can be saved''' [[besaved]] <nowiki><Ref name="besaved">{{besaved}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="besaved">{{besaved}}</Ref>

'''Seat of Moses ''' [[seatm]] <nowiki><Ref name="seatm">{{besaved}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seatm">{{seatm}}</Ref>

'''[[Sanhedrin]]''' [[sanhedrin70]] <nowiki><Ref name="sanhedrin70">{{sanhedrin70}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sanhedrin70">{{sanhedrin70}}</Ref>

'''[[Sanhedrin]] given power''' [[sanhedrinpwr]] <nowiki><Ref name="sanhedrinpwr">{{sanhedrinpwr}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sanhedrinpwr">{{sanhedrinpwr}}</Ref>

'''Scripture''' [[scriptint]] <nowiki><Ref name="scriptint">{{scriptint}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="scriptint">{{scriptint}}</Ref>

'''Seared conscience ''' Searedc '''[[Searedc]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Searedc">{{Searedc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Searedc">{{Searedc}}</Ref>

'''ShearSHEEP ''' [[shearshp]] '''[[Template:shearshp]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="shearshp">{{shearshp}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="shearshp">{{shearshp}}</Ref>

'''seething a kid in milk''''''[[Template:seethe]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="seethe">{{seethe}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seethe">{{seethe}}</Ref>

'''Seed of Abraham''' [[seedA]] <nowiki><Ref name="seedA">{{seedA}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seedA">{{seedA}}</Ref>

'''Sent by God''' [[sentby]] <nowiki><Ref name="sentby">{{sentby}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sentby">{{sentby}}</Ref>

'''Seven men''' [[Sevenmen]] <nowiki><Ref name="Sevenmen">{{Sevenmen}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sevenmen">{{Sevenmen}}</Ref>

'''shamed''' shaming <nowiki><Ref name="shamed">{{shamed}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="shamed">{{shamed}}</Ref>

'''He Sighed''' '''[[Template:sighd]]'''
<nowiki><Ref name="sighd">{{sighd}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sighd">{{sighd}}</Ref>

'''Sin of Sodom''''''[[Template:sinsodm]]'''
<nowiki><Ref name="Sinsodm">{{Sinsodm}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sinsodm">{{Sinsodm}}</Ref>

'''Sit in darkness''' [[sitdark]] <nowiki><Ref name="sitdark">{{sitdark}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sitdark">{{sitdark}}</Ref>

'''SHEEP hear my voice''' [[sheephrvc]]'''[[Template:sheephrvc]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sheephrvc">{{sheephrvc}}</Ref>

'''[[Slothful]]''' [[Template:slothn]] <nowiki><Ref name="slothn">{{slothn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="slothn">{{slothn}}</Ref>

'''[[Snare]]''' [[Template:snaretrap]] <nowiki><Ref name="snaretrap">{{snaretrap}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="snaretrap">{{snaretrap}}</Ref>

'''Jesus spat'''<nowiki><Ref name="spatdna">{{spatdna}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="spatdna">{{spatdna}}</Ref>

'''Sovereignty''' [[Sovergn]] <nowiki><Ref name="Sovergn">{{Sovergn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sovergn">{{Sovergn}}</Ref>

'''Spiritual law is truth''' [[Spiritlaw]] <nowiki><Ref name="Spiritlaw">{{Spiritlaw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Spiritlaw">{{Spiritlaw}}</Ref>

'''Separate Spirit''' of Self-rule by revelation [[sepspirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="sepspirit">{{sepspirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sepspirit">{{sepspirit}}</Ref>

'''Son of God''' [[songod]] <nowiki><Ref name="songod">{{songod}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="songod">{{songod}}</Ref>

'''One Spirit''' [[onespirit]] <nowiki><Ref name="onespirit">{{onespirit}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="onespirit">{{onespirit}}</Ref>

'''Spirit of truth''' [[Spirittruth]] <nowiki><Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Spirittruth">{{Spirittruth}}</Ref>

'''Spotted and unspotted [[Spotsq]]''' [[Template:Spotsq]] <nowiki><Ref name="Spotsq">{{Spotsq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Spotsq">{{Spotsq}}</Ref>

'''Be still''' [[bestill]] <nowiki><Ref name="bestill">{{bestill}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bestill">{{bestill}}</Ref>

'''Stand fast''' [[standfast]] <nowiki><Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="standfast">{{standfast}}</Ref>

'''"Study"''' '''[[Template:studystrive]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="studystrive">{{studystrive}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="studystrive">{{studystrive}}</Ref>

'''"Strive seek etc"''' '''[[Template:seekstrive]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="seekstrive">{{seekstrive}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="seekstrive">{{seekstrive}}</Ref>

'''"strange women"''' of Proverbs? '''[[Template:strangewoman]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="strangewoman">{{strangewoman}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="strangewoman">{{strangewoman}}</Ref>

'''"strangled"''' ? '''[[Template:strangledbl]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="strangledbl">{{strangledbl}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="strangledbl">{{strangledbl}}</Ref>

'''"Stumblingblock"''' ? '''[[Stumbleblock]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Stumbleblock">{{Stumbleblock}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Stumbleblock">{{Stumbleblock}}</Ref>

'''"Sighn in the Sun"''' '''[[Template:sunsigns]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="sunsigns">{{sunsigns}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="sunsigns">{{sunsigns}}</Ref>

[[Swear not]] '''[[Template:noswear]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="noswear">{{noswear}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="noswear">{{noswear}}</Ref>

'''Sword''' '''[[Template:2Swords]]'''<nowiki><Ref name="2Swords">{{2Swords}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="2Swords">{{2Swords}}</Ref>

'''Sycomore''' '''[[Sycomor]]'''<nowiki><Ref name="Sycomor">{{Sycomor}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Sycomor">{{Sycomor}}</Ref>

===T===

[[Tables]] '''[[Template:2tables]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="2tables">{{2tables}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="2tables">{{2tables}}</Ref>

'''Take [[the way]]''' of Christ '''[[Template:takeaw]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="takeaw">{{takeaw}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="takeaw">{{takeaw}}</Ref>

'''Taken''' '''[[Template:ktaken]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="ktaken">{{ktaken}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="ktaken">{{ktaken}}</Ref>

'''Teach ''' '''[[Template:teachF]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="teachF">{{teachF}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="teachF">{{teachF}}</Ref>

'''Temple built''' '''[[Template:Templebuilt]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Templebuilt">{{Templebuilt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Templebuilt">{{Templebuilt}}</Ref>

'''every man in his tent door''' '''[[Template:Tentdoor]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Tentdoor">{{Tentdoor}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Tentdoor">{{Tentdoor}}</Ref>

'''tens pattern''' [[tenspatrn]] <nowiki><Ref name="tenspatrn">{{tenspatrn}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tenspatrn">{{tenspatrn}}</Ref>

'''kingdom protections pattern''' [[theifrobber]] <nowiki><Ref name="theifrobber">{{theifrobber}}</Ref> </nowiki> <<ref name="theifrobber">{{theifrobber}}</ref>

'''Tickling the ears of the people ''' [[tickears]] <nowiki><Ref name="tickears">{{tickears}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tickears">{{tickears}}</Ref>

'''Torah vs Torat ''' [[toratnt]] <nowiki><Ref name="toratnt">{{toratnt}}</Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="toratnt">{{toratnt}}</Ref>

'''The way truth and light''' '''[[Template:waytrlight]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="waytrlight">{{waytrlight}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waytrlight">{{waytrlight}}</Ref>

'''[[thanksgiving]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="thanksweb">{{thanksweb}}</ref></nowiki> <Ref name="thanksweb">{{thanksweb}}</ref>

'''things spoken''' '''[[Template:thingsspoken]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="thingsspoken">{{thingsspoken}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="thingsspoken">{{thingsspoken}}</Ref>

'''Three priests''' '''[[Template:threeprst]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="threeprst">{{threeprst}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="threeprst">{{threeprst}}</Ref>

'''Tormented''' '''[[Template:tormentf]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="tormentf">{{tormentf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tormentf">{{tormentf}}</Ref>

'''Tossed with doctrine''' <nowiki><Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref>

'''[[Tradition|Traditions]]''' '''[[Template:trads]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="trads">{{trads}}</Ref>

'''Transfiguration''' '''[[Template:transf]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="transf">{{transf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="transf">{{transf}}</Ref>

'''[[treasury]] of the heart''' '''[[treasf]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="treasf">{{treasf}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="treasf">{{treasf}}</Ref>

'''the trial of Jesus''' [[thetrial]] <nowiki><Ref name="thetrial">{{thetrial}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="thetrial">{{thetrial}}</Ref>

'''Elements of a trust''' [[elemtrust]] <nowiki><Ref name="elemtrust">{{elemtrust}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="elemtrust">{{elemtrust}}</Ref>

'''A trust of hope''' [[hopetrust]] <nowiki><Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hopetrust">{{hopetrust}}</Ref>

'''Turn away''' '''[[Template:turnawa]]'''<nowiki><Ref name="turnawa">{{turnawa}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="turnawa">{{turnawa}}</Ref>

'''Touch not''' '''[[Template:Touchnot]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="Touchnot">{{Touchnot}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Touchnot">{{Touchnot}}</Ref>

'''Tossed''' '''[[Template:tofro]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="tofro">{{tofro}}</Ref>

'''Tree of life''' '''[[Template:treelife]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="treelife">{{treelife}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="treelife">{{treelife}}</Ref>

'''[[TempleTax|Temple Tax]] collectors of [[tribute]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="TempleTax">{{TempleTax}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="TempleTax">{{TempleTax}}</Ref>

'''No truth''' in them.<nowiki><Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="notruth">{{notruth}}</Ref>

'''[[Tribute]] as MemSamech''' appear [[MemSamechappear]] <nowiki><Ref name="MemSamechappear">{{MemSamechappear}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="MemSamechappear">{{MemSamechappear}}</Ref>

* Coded text - <nowiki>"Jesus saith unto him, ''' I am<Ref name="iam">{{iam}}</Ref> [[the way]], the [[truth]]<Ref name="thetruth">{{thetruth}}</Ref>, and the [[life]]:<Ref name="thelife">{{thelife}}</Ref> no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'''" [[John 14]]:6</nowiki>
: '''[[The Way]]''' "Jesus saith unto him, ''' I am<Ref name="iam">{{iam}}</Ref> [[the way]], the [[truth]]<Ref name="thetruth">{{thetruth}}</Ref>, and the [[life]]:<Ref name="thelife">{{thelife}}</Ref> no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'''" [[John 14]]:6

'''upside down''' [[upsided]] <nowiki><Ref name="upsided">{{upsided}} </Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="upsided">{{upsided}} </Ref>

'''[[virtue|Virtue]]''' [[listvirt]] <nowiki><Ref name="listvirt">{{listvirt}} </Ref> </nowiki> <Ref name="listvirt">{{listvirt}} </Ref>

Heavenly [[virtue|virtues]] <nowiki><Ref name="hvirtue">{{hvirtue}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="hvirtue">{{hvirtue}}</Ref>

===W===

'''wait upon the Lord'''. [[waitlord]] <nowiki><Ref name="waitlord">{{waitlord}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="waitlord">{{waitlord}}</Ref>

'''Watch and Pray'''. [[watchpra]] <nowiki><Ref name="watchpra">{{watchpra}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="watchpra">{{watchpra}}</Ref>

Whole Truth <nowiki><Ref name="wtruth">{{wtruth}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="wtruth">{{wtruth}}</Ref>

'''Wolves''' [[bwolves]] <nowiki><Ref name="bwolves">{{bwolves}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="bwolves">{{bwolves}}</Ref>

'''Workers of Iniquity.''' '''[[workiniquity]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="workiniquity">{{workiniquity}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="workiniquity">{{workiniquity}}</Ref>

'''Of this world. ''' '''[[ofthisworld]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="ofthisworld">{{ofthisworld}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="ofthisworld">{{ofthisworld}}</Ref>

'''Will not work''' '''[[notwork]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="notwork">{{notwork}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="notwork">{{notwork}}</Ref>

'''Worship as service.''' '''[[worshipserve]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="worshipserve">{{worshipserve}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="worshipserve">{{worshipserve}}</Ref>

'''Worship whom''' '''[[worshipwho]]''' <nowiki><Ref name="worshipwho">{{worshipwho}}</Ref></nowiki>. <Ref name="worshipwho">{{worshipwho}}</Ref>

''[[weightier matters]] '' [[weightmat]] <nowiki><Ref name="weightmat">{{weightmat}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="weightmat">{{weightmat}}</Ref>

'''Write heart and mind''' [[writeq]] <nowiki><Ref name="writeq">{{writeq}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="writeq">{{writeq}}</Ref>

''[[worship]]er''<nowiki><Ref name="worshipnt">{{Worshipnt}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="worshipnt">{{Worshipnt}}</Ref>

'''John Wyclyff''' [[Johnwy]] <nowiki><Ref name="Johnwy">{{Johnwy}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="Johnwy">{{Johnwy}}</Ref>

'''emptyvanity''' evanity <nowiki><Ref name="evanity">{{evanity}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="evanity">{{evanity}}</Ref>

The '''picture of calf''' centered <nowiki>{{Template:Sinincampcent}}</nowiki> right <nowiki>{{sinincamp}}</nowiki> {{sinincamp}}

'''[[Zion]]''' [[ZionFN|zionFN]] <nowiki><Ref name="zionFN>{{zionFN}}</Ref></nowiki> <Ref name="zionFN>{{zionFN}}</Ref>

[[Concordance]]

== Connecting the dots Audio files ==
 {{condotsaud}}

Allnations

2026-08-28T05:21:03Z

Wiki1: Created page with "'''All Nations''' * Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" * Psalm 46:10 KJV [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

'''All Nations'''
* [[Matthew 28]]:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
* Psalm 46:10 KJV
[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Demiurge

2026-08-27T16:38:30Z

Wiki1: /* What was a Demiurge */

== What was a Demiurge ==

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally from two Greek words dêmos (δῆμος) meaning "people" and -εργ- ergon (ἔργον) meaning to "work" from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. In ancient Athenian would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref> or in the Vocative - Vocative δημῐουργέ<ref>In Classical Attic Greek, the vocative δημῐουργέ is pronounced - DAY-mee-oor-GEH, (IPA: /dɛː.mi.u.r.ɡé/)</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's monologue by Timaeus of Locri, <ref>c. 360 BCE</ref> who was a Pythagorean philosopher, who explains the creation of the universe by way of a ''divine Demiurge'' this ''divine craftsman'' who fashions the [[Kosmos]] by imposing mathematics upon ''pre-existing matter''. Eventually, the writers who are said to have formulated [[Gnosticism]]<ref>1st–3rd c. CE</ref> saw a demiurge as a subordinate to the true Creator and was considered often as a more malevolent creator deity or one of the gods many of Paul and distinct from the supreme God and often contrary to the [[Will of God]].

Clementine writes that the "statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]])" Therefore a demiurge is not ''The God of Heaven'' as in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. This conforms to "Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]]" but did they mean created or refashioned and became a ruler with his own dominion of his [[Kosmos]] or [[world]].

The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref> after Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]].

If a Demiurge this divine craftsman who fashions is he working on behalf of the Divine designer of Heaven and earth or is he redesigning in his own image and for his own purpose.

Will his changes give life or take it away. Will it protect the dominion granted by God or will it undermine His [[Divine Will]]?

While an entity may come in the name or character of God those who report his divine intent may alter his original purpose for their own, deceiving many<Ref name="mandeceived">{{mandeceived}}</Ref> which has been the nature of the [[Satan|adversary]]<Ref name="satanway">{{satanway}}</Ref> from the beginning.<Ref name="mandeceivot">{{mandeceivot}}</Ref>

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===

"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Who puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was concealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the knowledge of the secrets, lay with them."<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator (Demiurge), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

==Footnotes ==

Jerusalem

2026-08-27T16:31:11Z

Wiki1: /* Jerusalem */

== Jerusalem ==

[[Lamentations]] is a collection of 5 poetic laments for the decay of society that led to the destruction of [[Jerusalem]].

But what is Jerusalem?

Jerusalem means "double peace". If we seek God in [[spirit and truth|spirit and in truth]], in our [[Heart and mind|minds and our body, in our heart]] and in our [[Doers|words and our deeds]] we will find Jerusalem, if not we will loose it.

The ''deeds of the [[Nicolaitan]]'' and the error of [[Balaam]] are not compatible with [[the way]] of [[Jerusalem]] and lead to the [[destruction]] of Jerusalem.<Ref name="yerusalem">{{03389}}</Ref>

[[Gamaliel]] the Elderdied<ref> "Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and piety died out at the same time" Sotah 15:18</ref> twenty years before the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem but the temple was writing the terms of its own destruction before Christ came by departing from [[the way]] of the [[Corban of Moses]].

[[Moses]] had set the [[captive]] free and taught them [[the way]] of [[righteousness]] where no one [[covet]]ed their neighbors' goods through men ''who [[exercise authority]] one over the other''<Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref>, which is [[idolatry]] because it is a [[Covetous practices|covetous practice]].<Ref name="Isidolatry">{{Isidolatry}}</Ref>

They ate at the [[tables]] of [[rulers]] and developed an [[appetite]] for their [[dainties]] so that what should have been for their [[welfare]] had become a [[Snares and Traps|snare and a trap]].<Ref name="snaretrap">{{snaretrap}}</Ref>

[[Melchizedek]] was the [[righteous]] king of peace and Jesus was ''Called of God an high priest after the order of [[Melchisedec]].''<Ref name="melchft">{{melchft}}</Ref>

{{spirit}}

{{truth}}

{{Bible}}

[[Category:Bible places]]

[[Category:Definitions]]

[[Category:Words]]

Demiurge

2026-08-27T16:23:34Z

Wiki1:

== What was a Demiurge ==

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally from two Greek words dêmos (δῆμος) meaning "people" and -εργ- ergon (ἔργον) meaning to "work" from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. In ancient Athenian would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref> or in the Vocative - Vocative δημῐουργέ<ref>In Classical Attic Greek, the vocative δημῐουργέ is pronounced - DAY-mee-oor-GEH, (IPA: /dɛː.mi.u.r.ɡé/)</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's monologue by Timaeus of Locri, <ref>c. 360 BCE</ref> who was a Pythagorean philosopher, who explains the creation of the universe by way of a ''divine Demiurge'' this ''divine craftsman'' who fashions the [[Kosmos]] by imposing mathematics upon ''pre-existing matter''. Eventually, the writers who are said to have formulated [[Gnosticism]]<ref>1st–3rd c. CE</ref> saw a demiurge as a subordinate to the true Creator and was considered often as a more malevolent creator deity or one of the gods many of Paul and distinct from the supreme God and often contrary to the [[Will of God]].

Clementine writes that the "statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]])" Therefore a demiurge is not ''The God of Heaven'' as in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. This conforms to "Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]]" but did they mean created or refashioned and became a ruler with his own dominion of his [[Kosmos]] or [[world]].

The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref> after Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]].

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===

"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Who puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was concealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the knowledge of the secrets, lay with them."<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator (Demiurge), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

==Footnotes ==

Demiurge

2026-08-27T16:22:02Z

Wiki1:

== What was a Demiurge ==

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally from two Greek words dêmos (δῆμος) meaning "people" and -εργ- ergon (ἔργον) meaning to "work" from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. In ancient Athenian would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref> or in the Vocative - Vocative δημῐουργέ<ref>In Classical Attic Greek, the vocative δημῐουργέ is pronounced - DAY-mee-oor-GEH, (IPA: /dɛː.mi.u.r.ɡé/)</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's monologue by Timaeus of Locri, <ref>c. 360 BCE</ref> who was a Pythagorean philosopher, who explains the creation of the universe by way of a ''divine Demiurge'' this ''divine craftsman'' who fashions the [[Kosmos]] by imposing mathematics upon ''pre-existing matter''. Eventually, the writers who are said to have formulated [[Gnosticism]]<ref>1st–3rd c. CE</ref> saw a demiurge as a subordinate to the true Creator and was considered often as a more malevolent creator deity or one of the gods many of Paul and distinct from the supreme God and often contrary to the [[Will of God]].

Clementine writes that the "statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]])" Therefore a demiurge is not ''The God of Heaven'' as in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. This conforms to "Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]]" but did they mean created or refashioned and became a ruler with his own dominion of his [[Kosmos]] or [[world]].

The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref> after Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]].

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===

"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Who puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was concealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the knowledge of the secrets, lay with them."<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator (Demiurge), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

Temptations

2026-08-27T16:14:49Z

Wiki1:

[[File:jesustempted.jpg|right|thumb|350px|[[Jesus]] was '''[[Temptations|tempted]]''' by the [[principalities]] of the [[world]] as all men and ministers of men who hold [[power of choice]] by [[consent]]. We are often tempted by the [[exousia|power]] men give to men who [[exercise authority]] in systems of [[iniquity]]. “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” ― [[Plato]] [[Jesus]], as the [[Christ]], through His [[redemption]] gave the [[power to change|power of change]] back to mankind if they will [[repent]] and [[seek]] the [[kingdom of God]] and His [[righteousness]]. ]]

== The three temptations of Christ ==

The temptations of Christ are mentioned in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref>. After Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]], Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert of Judea. The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus.

There were three basic aspects of these temptations:
#. Use his power to turn "[[Stones]]" into bread for himself.
#. Offer power over the [[world]] from the Pinnacle of the "temple".
#. Use divine power to protect from falling from a high "Mountain".

And when he rejected the use of power for himself then after that he was ministered to by angels.

While his rejection of power over others echos a common theme<Ref>[[Genesis 4]]:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.[[Leviticus_25]]:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
: [[Judges 8]]:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
:: [[Judges_9]]:8-15; [[1 Samuel_8]]:5, [[1 Samuel_12]]:12; [[John_6]]:15
: [[Hebrews 11]]:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. </Ref> of the bible in Matthew, Jesus appears to cite at least three scriptures:
* [[Deuteronomy 8]]:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.,
* [[Deuteronomy 6]]:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name., and
* [[Deuteronomy 6]]:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

These all reference the sequence of the trials of Israel as they wandered in the desert. These, of course, are representing the metaphor that points to spiritual principles we may all face in our own lives.

The common [[modern Christian]] view thinks in terms of particular sins like ''gluttony'', <Ref> suggesting gluttony by offering a way to relieve Jesus' personal hunger. What it was really about was power to turn the stones of the altar of God into his own source of wealth and pomp.</Ref> ''avarice''<Ref>The adversary offering power over others, even the kingdoms of the [[world]]. Jesus received that power, but by another means and method which [[Modern Christians]] often do not understand. That power which is spiritual comes to others by that same means. Each minister must lay down their life, their ego, pride, fear, and ambition so they may pick up a more abundant spiritual driven life according to His purpose.</Ref>, and pride and ''hubris'' <Ref> hubris by suggesting that Jesus manipulate God and His angels by using them for his own personal advantage or purposes.</Ref>

The truth is Jesus was to be king of the world, but not like the kings who follow in the ways of [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Egypt|Pharaoh]], [[Saul]] and [[Rome|Caesars]] of the [[world]]. Evil wants people to look away from [[The Way]] of God and follow a different path of power and force, manipulation, and deception. He does not want you to empower others, but [[covet]] other peoples' liberty, their right to choose, bestowed by God upon the nature of mankind. God gave us choice, for without choice there is no love. Satan merely wants loyalty and obedience to his own will at the forfeiture of the will of others. This is where all three temptations meet [[The Way]]s of God and Satan depart.

=== "Stones" into bread ===

[[Stones]] of the [[altars]] and the temple of God were men [[called out]] to provide a service for a [[Kingdom of God|government of God]] that operated according to the [[perfect law of liberty]]. They were not to [[Exercises authority|exercise authority]] one over the other but be servants. Like the [[Levites]] these [[stones]] did not ''go up by steps''.<Ref>[[Exodus 20]]:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine [[altars|altar]], that thy [[Breeches|nakedness]] be not discovered thereon.</Ref> When the ministers of God begin to issue [[Ambrose|edicts and commands]] and lord it over one another they are turning the ''stones of the altar'' into bread for themselves.

There are Churches today that require that a portion of the offering goes up to another level of a [[hierarchy]] but while there is rank in the kingdom appointed by God it is based on being a greater servant a humble brother and not like the rulers of other systems of government.

=== Pinnacle of the "temple" ===

Like the forbidden "[[Levites#Not_by_Steps|going up by steps]]" the idea of being raised over others or their institution wreaks of personal lordship over others. The [[Temples]] were always to provide the [[righteous]] benefits of [[Pure Religion]] through [[freewill offerings]] but the [[Temples]] of the [[world]] used [[force]]. [[John the Baptist]] was a faithful High priest that said the people were to provide aid and benefits through [[charity]] rather than force. His temple was made of men who served and Jesus came for that purpose. His [[baptism]] would not be like that offered at [[Herod]]'s temple of power where the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] made the word of God to none effect.

There is a spiritual message about not entering into the competitive [[dialectic]] only becomes apparent to those who rise above judgment by forgiveness and love of Christ. There is a great temptation to look down on others who do not see what you see. There is obvious judgment and anger but there is also a more subtle judgment of those who want to war against our faith. They want to upset us, drag us into the fray of egotistical competition.

You must always return to the understanding that you are no one's savior. You are not the light unto the world. You can only ''walk in the Spirit'' if you walk with the God as an obedient and humble child giving all credit and glory to the Father.

=== A high Mountain ===

Mountains are people piled together in systems of men. George Slatyer Barrett viewed this third as a "...the old but ever new temptation to do evil that good may come; to justify the illegitimacy of the means by the greatness of the end."<Ref> Barrett, George, Slatyer. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ibMCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA48&dq=temptation+of+christ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MHxFVZjxO4qyyATipYD4CQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=temptation%20of%20christ&f=false The Temptation of Christ], Macniven & Wallace, Edinburgh, 1883</Ref>

That the mountain is a [[metaphor]] for a people brought together by the [[social contract]] with rulers like [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Pharaoh]], [[Saul]] and [[Caesar]]. The ''kingdoms of the [[world]]'' were the [[governments]] formed by incorporating constitutions and systems which ''promise liberty'' from the responsibility to love one another<Ref>[[2 Peter 2]]:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in [[bondage]]. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the [[world]] through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again [[elements|entangled]] therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of [[righteousness]], than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in [[the mire]].
</Ref> and instead set up [[covetous]] systems of [[socialism]] making the people [[merchandise|human resources]].

Being a ruler of the people is risky business. With great power comes great temptation but more important is with a little power comes more subtle temptation. Few good-hearted souls enter the realm of power with the desire to become a dictator. But to desire to rule over many or a few, by force or by cunning or by charisma is still the same sin.

One of the greatest tools of Satan is flattery. People who cannot be god will eek to be god makers. They will vote you into power, praise you, place you on an emotional pedestal. You must guard against others doing this to you and you must guard against you doing it to yourself. Again I repeat ''you are no one's savior. You are not the light unto the world. You can only [[walk in the Spirit]] if you walk with the God as an obedient and humble child giving all credit and glory to the Father.''

Rulers rise because every man falls to this same temptation of oppressing their neighbor rather than loving them until we see "The masses continue with an appetite for [[benefits]]... they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch." [[Polybius]].

The authoritarian state uses force and violence to become the [[Benefactors]] of the people. They force one class of citizen to provide for another. Christ forbid that type of government. He told us not to make the [http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/fatherabba.php Fathers of the earth] our [[Benefactors]].

[[Jesus]] was the [[Christ]], the ''anointed'', the Messiah the rightful and righteous king of the [[Kingdom of God]], but that kingdom does not look like or work like the kingdoms or governments of the [[world]] where men exercise authority one over the other or turn their neighbor into [[bread and circuses]] for their own [[wantonness]] and entertainment.

These three ideas or paths of temptations were always with Christ, and those who followed him stayed with Him as he did not fall to these temptations which are always with us.

There is the clear temptation to rule over others and turn people into [[merchandise|providers for our own benefit]], but there are more subtle ways of manipulating people, which we see in modern Churches and temples where men go up by steps to stand on pedestals of pomp and [[rite|ceremonies]].

A minister of God should never desire the loyalty of the people he serves. He is to lead them to God and keep himself separate. He should strive to keep himself independent of the people financially and emotionally.

Ultimately, there is the personal pride and hubris that comes from claiming to believe or boasting to be a [[Believer]] in God or Jesus, while not actually [[Doers|doing what He said to do]]. The [[Modern Christian]]s want to claim to believe, and they conclude God must save them, even though they do contrary to His will for them. They might quote Ephesians 2:8, 9 (" ... Not of works, lest any man should boast"), claiming faith is just believing, and they therefore contrive a basis of salvation on which they solidly stand (priding themselves in having "rightly divided the word of truth" [[2 Timothy 2]]:15).

----

----

== The Temptation of Ministers of Christ ==

The [[temptations]] of Jesus Christ are faced by every minister of Christ.

Jesus hoped that those who came to follow The Way of His ministry would learn to trust God and thereby become a brotherhood of righteousness. They would face the same temptation of exercising power over others by force or by crafts more subtle. Learning to [[trust]] in [[The Way]] would take every man to the corners of their own holy temple and to the bottom of their soul.

Modern societies have fallen prey to the same temptations Jesus faced; they have returned to the sin and mire of Babylon, Egypt, and [[Herod]]'s Judah. Jesus' Kingship was very controversial because He was restoring every man to his possession and to his family.<Ref>[[Leviticus 25]]:10 “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.”</Ref> The kingdom of God is a network of families coming together under the perfect law of liberty<Ref>James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”</Ref> binding themselves by faith, hope, and charity<Ref>[[1 Corinthians 13]]:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”</Ref>, rather than social contracts<Ref>[[Exodus 23]]:32 “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. [[Exodus 34]]:12 “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:” --- [[2 Corinthians 6]]:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. --- [[Matthew 5]]:34 “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:... for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” --- James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”</Ref> with civil [[benefactors]] who exercise authority one over the other.

The early Church did not pray to the [[Patronus]] of [[Rome]]<Ref>Title for Caesar, [[Patronus]] of Rome means Our [[Father]] who art in [[Rome]].</Ref> for mercy and justice nor free bread in times of need. Christian prayed to Our Father who art in Heaven<Ref>[[Matthew 6]]:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.... Give us this day our daily bread.”</Ref> for forgiveness as they showed forgiveness for others and shared their daily bread with others. Christian bread was contributed freely by the thanksgiving of Christ's faithful believers. Anyone who professed Christ was cast out of the social welfare system - [[Corban]] - of the Pharisees at [[Herod]]'s golden temple that made the word of God to none effect.

''Corban'' means sacrifice. It is also translated ''offering, oblation, offered, sacrifice,'' and ''treasury'' in the [[Bible]]. The purpose of the ''sacrifice'' was to care for the needy of society, which included anyone who did not have sufficient resources within their family to provide for a crisis. [[Corban]] has been a part of all governments and societies of man.

[[Corban]] was a religious [[Rite]] for the welfare of the people. Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, and Herod were benefactors in the provision of free bread by forcing the sacrifice, contributions, of the people.

The followers of Jesus the Christ also had provisions to care for the needy of their society. They accomplished this without the benefactors of the “world” which exercised authority over the contributions of the people. <Ref>Acts 11:29 “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:”</Ref> [[Pure Religion]] was providing for society in a way that was unspotted by the covetous authoritarianism of the “[[world]]”.

* “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so:” [[Luke 22]]:25. Also [[Matthew 20]]:25, [[Mark 10]]:42.

Early [[Rome]], the [[Republic]], depended entirely on the distribution of charity through the congregation of the family hearths. These networked families provided for the welfare needs of their society.

Public works projects, commercial ventures, and even war was financed through similar fund raising institutions or temples. This community in affluence and apathy eventually built temples to manage services on a centralized governmental scale with a broadened scope. By 70 B.C, a bread dole was decreed for distributing free bread to 40,000 adult males, which increased over the centuries to include over 300,000.

There was little need for individual charity with the government taking over this responsibility. Every year, 500,000,000 bushels of grain were imported from Egypt alone. This grain was stockpiled and redistributed daily from warehouses along Trajan’s dock covering over 160 acres. With these [[Food Stamps|massive government giveaway programs in place]], the local farmers needed to be subsidized and individual charity died from neglect.

As the [[republic]] moved away from voluntarism and [[charity]], the people were seduced by the temptation of easy entitlements offered by benefactors who exercised authority. The voluntary charitable network which had bound families together into a strong society were gradually replaced by an authoritarian system of bureaucrats who imposed a civil duty and legal obligation to contribute. A once titular leadership became law makers whose authority and power was soon centralized into the hands of one Caesar or dictator after another, until Rome declined and fell.

* “Protection draws to it subjection; subjection protection” <Ref>Protectio trahit subjectionem, subjectio protectionem. Coke, Littl. 65.</Ref>

* “The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and [[benefits]].” [[Plutarch]], 2000 years ago.

It has always been common practice to expand the power of government though the offer of [[social contract]]s and schemes to an acquiescing, if not [[consent]]ing, populous by enticing people with [[benefits]] and promises provided at the expense of their neighbors.

The Bible warns us concerning such foolishness. <Ref>[[Psalms 69]]:22, [[Romans 11]]:9, [[Exodus 20]]:17, [[Exodus 23]]:32, [[Exodus 34]]:15, [[Proverbs 1]]:10.., [[Proverbs 23]]:1-3, [[Romans 13]]:9, [[Mark 7]]:22, [[Matthew 5]]:34, [[James 5]]:12 </Ref> The unrighteous path is the unrighteous mammon. [[Mammon]] is not money, although money may represent a form of mammon.

[[Mammon]] is entrusted wealth<Ref>“[[Mammon]], an Aramaic word mamon “wealth” … derived from Ma’amon, something entrusted to safe keeping. Encyclopedia Britannica.</Ref>like the camp of the golden calf people deposit their wealth under the control of another. Jesus compares God and mammon as two masters, both requiring service and bestowing benefits and grace upon its faithful members. One will fail, the other is everlasting.

* “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.... If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous [[mammon]], who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?” [[Luke 16]]:9-11

Jesus also tells us to be faithful with the unrighteous [[mammon]], while we should pursue the righteous. We should not be cheating the present master while we are in the process of seeking the [[Kingdom of God]] and His [[Righteousness]].

* "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of [[temptations]], and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [dominion]. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of [[Balaam]] the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” [[2 Peter 2]]:

* "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called [[benefactors]]. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my [[temptations]]. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my [[Father]] hath appointed unto me; [[Luke 22]]:25

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<references />

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[[Category:Articles]]

[[Category:Words]]

Temptations

2026-08-27T16:14:06Z

Wiki1:

[[File:jesustempted.jpg|right|thumb|350px|[[Jesus]] was '''[[Temptations|tempted]]''' by the [[principalities]] of the [[world]] as all men and ministers of men who hold [[power of choice]] by [[consent]]. We are often tempted by the [[power]] men give to men who [[exercise authority]] in systems of [[iniquity]]. “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” ― [[Plato]] [[Jesus]], as the [[Christ]], through His [[redemption]] gave the [[power to change|power of change]] back to mankind if they will [[repent]] and [[seek]] the [[kingdom of God]] and His [[righteousness]]. ]]

== The three temptations of Christ ==

The temptations of Christ are mentioned in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref>. After Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]], Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert of Judea. The adversary we often call [[Satan]], who is classified as a [[Demiurge]] in other writings, tempted Jesus.

There were three basic aspects of these temptations:
#. Use his power to turn "[[Stones]]" into bread for himself.
#. Offer power over the [[world]] from the Pinnacle of the "temple".
#. Use divine power to protect from falling from a high "Mountain".

And when he rejected the use of power for himself then after that he was ministered to by angels.

While his rejection of power over others echos a common theme<Ref>[[Genesis 4]]:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.[[Leviticus_25]]:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
: [[Judges 8]]:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
:: [[Judges_9]]:8-15; [[1 Samuel_8]]:5, [[1 Samuel_12]]:12; [[John_6]]:15
: [[Hebrews 11]]:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. </Ref> of the bible in Matthew, Jesus appears to cite at least three scriptures:
* [[Deuteronomy 8]]:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.,
* [[Deuteronomy 6]]:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name., and
* [[Deuteronomy 6]]:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

These all reference the sequence of the trials of Israel as they wandered in the desert. These, of course, are representing the metaphor that points to spiritual principles we may all face in our own lives.

The common [[modern Christian]] view thinks in terms of particular sins like ''gluttony'', <Ref> suggesting gluttony by offering a way to relieve Jesus' personal hunger. What it was really about was power to turn the stones of the altar of God into his own source of wealth and pomp.</Ref> ''avarice''<Ref>The adversary offering power over others, even the kingdoms of the [[world]]. Jesus received that power, but by another means and method which [[Modern Christians]] often do not understand. That power which is spiritual comes to others by that same means. Each minister must lay down their life, their ego, pride, fear, and ambition so they may pick up a more abundant spiritual driven life according to His purpose.</Ref>, and pride and ''hubris'' <Ref> hubris by suggesting that Jesus manipulate God and His angels by using them for his own personal advantage or purposes.</Ref>

The truth is Jesus was to be king of the world, but not like the kings who follow in the ways of [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Egypt|Pharaoh]], [[Saul]] and [[Rome|Caesars]] of the [[world]]. Evil wants people to look away from [[The Way]] of God and follow a different path of power and force, manipulation, and deception. He does not want you to empower others, but [[covet]] other peoples' liberty, their right to choose, bestowed by God upon the nature of mankind. God gave us choice, for without choice there is no love. Satan merely wants loyalty and obedience to his own will at the forfeiture of the will of others. This is where all three temptations meet [[The Way]]s of God and Satan depart.

=== "Stones" into bread ===

[[Stones]] of the [[altars]] and the temple of God were men [[called out]] to provide a service for a [[Kingdom of God|government of God]] that operated according to the [[perfect law of liberty]]. They were not to [[Exercises authority|exercise authority]] one over the other but be servants. Like the [[Levites]] these [[stones]] did not ''go up by steps''.<Ref>[[Exodus 20]]:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine [[altars|altar]], that thy [[Breeches|nakedness]] be not discovered thereon.</Ref> When the ministers of God begin to issue [[Ambrose|edicts and commands]] and lord it over one another they are turning the ''stones of the altar'' into bread for themselves.

There are Churches today that require that a portion of the offering goes up to another level of a [[hierarchy]] but while there is rank in the kingdom appointed by God it is based on being a greater servant a humble brother and not like the rulers of other systems of government.

=== Pinnacle of the "temple" ===

Like the forbidden "[[Levites#Not_by_Steps|going up by steps]]" the idea of being raised over others or their institution wreaks of personal lordship over others. The [[Temples]] were always to provide the [[righteous]] benefits of [[Pure Religion]] through [[freewill offerings]] but the [[Temples]] of the [[world]] used [[force]]. [[John the Baptist]] was a faithful High priest that said the people were to provide aid and benefits through [[charity]] rather than force. His temple was made of men who served and Jesus came for that purpose. His [[baptism]] would not be like that offered at [[Herod]]'s temple of power where the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] made the word of God to none effect.

There is a spiritual message about not entering into the competitive [[dialectic]] only becomes apparent to those who rise above judgment by forgiveness and love of Christ. There is a great temptation to look down on others who do not see what you see. There is obvious judgment and anger but there is also a more subtle judgment of those who want to war against our faith. They want to upset us, drag us into the fray of egotistical competition.

You must always return to the understanding that you are no one's savior. You are not the light unto the world. You can only ''walk in the Spirit'' if you walk with the God as an obedient and humble child giving all credit and glory to the Father.

=== A high Mountain ===

Mountains are people piled together in systems of men. George Slatyer Barrett viewed this third as a "...the old but ever new temptation to do evil that good may come; to justify the illegitimacy of the means by the greatness of the end."<Ref> Barrett, George, Slatyer. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ibMCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA48&dq=temptation+of+christ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MHxFVZjxO4qyyATipYD4CQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=temptation%20of%20christ&f=false The Temptation of Christ], Macniven & Wallace, Edinburgh, 1883</Ref>

That the mountain is a [[metaphor]] for a people brought together by the [[social contract]] with rulers like [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Pharaoh]], [[Saul]] and [[Caesar]]. The ''kingdoms of the [[world]]'' were the [[governments]] formed by incorporating constitutions and systems which ''promise liberty'' from the responsibility to love one another<Ref>[[2 Peter 2]]:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in [[bondage]]. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the [[world]] through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again [[elements|entangled]] therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of [[righteousness]], than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in [[the mire]].
</Ref> and instead set up [[covetous]] systems of [[socialism]] making the people [[merchandise|human resources]].

Being a ruler of the people is risky business. With great power comes great temptation but more important is with a little power comes more subtle temptation. Few good-hearted souls enter the realm of power with the desire to become a dictator. But to desire to rule over many or a few, by force or by cunning or by charisma is still the same sin.

One of the greatest tools of Satan is flattery. People who cannot be god will eek to be god makers. They will vote you into power, praise you, place you on an emotional pedestal. You must guard against others doing this to you and you must guard against you doing it to yourself. Again I repeat ''you are no one's savior. You are not the light unto the world. You can only [[walk in the Spirit]] if you walk with the God as an obedient and humble child giving all credit and glory to the Father.''

Rulers rise because every man falls to this same temptation of oppressing their neighbor rather than loving them until we see "The masses continue with an appetite for [[benefits]]... they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch." [[Polybius]].

The authoritarian state uses force and violence to become the [[Benefactors]] of the people. They force one class of citizen to provide for another. Christ forbid that type of government. He told us not to make the [http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/fatherabba.php Fathers of the earth] our [[Benefactors]].

[[Jesus]] was the [[Christ]], the ''anointed'', the Messiah the rightful and righteous king of the [[Kingdom of God]], but that kingdom does not look like or work like the kingdoms or governments of the [[world]] where men exercise authority one over the other or turn their neighbor into [[bread and circuses]] for their own [[wantonness]] and entertainment.

These three ideas or paths of temptations were always with Christ, and those who followed him stayed with Him as he did not fall to these temptations which are always with us.

There is the clear temptation to rule over others and turn people into [[merchandise|providers for our own benefit]], but there are more subtle ways of manipulating people, which we see in modern Churches and temples where men go up by steps to stand on pedestals of pomp and [[rite|ceremonies]].

A minister of God should never desire the loyalty of the people he serves. He is to lead them to God and keep himself separate. He should strive to keep himself independent of the people financially and emotionally.

Ultimately, there is the personal pride and hubris that comes from claiming to believe or boasting to be a [[Believer]] in God or Jesus, while not actually [[Doers|doing what He said to do]]. The [[Modern Christian]]s want to claim to believe, and they conclude God must save them, even though they do contrary to His will for them. They might quote Ephesians 2:8, 9 (" ... Not of works, lest any man should boast"), claiming faith is just believing, and they therefore contrive a basis of salvation on which they solidly stand (priding themselves in having "rightly divided the word of truth" [[2 Timothy 2]]:15).

----

----

== The Temptation of Ministers of Christ ==

The [[temptations]] of Jesus Christ are faced by every minister of Christ.

Jesus hoped that those who came to follow The Way of His ministry would learn to trust God and thereby become a brotherhood of righteousness. They would face the same temptation of exercising power over others by force or by crafts more subtle. Learning to [[trust]] in [[The Way]] would take every man to the corners of their own holy temple and to the bottom of their soul.

Modern societies have fallen prey to the same temptations Jesus faced; they have returned to the sin and mire of Babylon, Egypt, and [[Herod]]'s Judah. Jesus' Kingship was very controversial because He was restoring every man to his possession and to his family.<Ref>[[Leviticus 25]]:10 “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.”</Ref> The kingdom of God is a network of families coming together under the perfect law of liberty<Ref>James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”</Ref> binding themselves by faith, hope, and charity<Ref>[[1 Corinthians 13]]:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”</Ref>, rather than social contracts<Ref>[[Exodus 23]]:32 “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. [[Exodus 34]]:12 “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:” --- [[2 Corinthians 6]]:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. --- [[Matthew 5]]:34 “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:... for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” --- James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”</Ref> with civil [[benefactors]] who exercise authority one over the other.

The early Church did not pray to the [[Patronus]] of [[Rome]]<Ref>Title for Caesar, [[Patronus]] of Rome means Our [[Father]] who art in [[Rome]].</Ref> for mercy and justice nor free bread in times of need. Christian prayed to Our Father who art in Heaven<Ref>[[Matthew 6]]:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.... Give us this day our daily bread.”</Ref> for forgiveness as they showed forgiveness for others and shared their daily bread with others. Christian bread was contributed freely by the thanksgiving of Christ's faithful believers. Anyone who professed Christ was cast out of the social welfare system - [[Corban]] - of the Pharisees at [[Herod]]'s golden temple that made the word of God to none effect.

''Corban'' means sacrifice. It is also translated ''offering, oblation, offered, sacrifice,'' and ''treasury'' in the [[Bible]]. The purpose of the ''sacrifice'' was to care for the needy of society, which included anyone who did not have sufficient resources within their family to provide for a crisis. [[Corban]] has been a part of all governments and societies of man.

[[Corban]] was a religious [[Rite]] for the welfare of the people. Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, and Herod were benefactors in the provision of free bread by forcing the sacrifice, contributions, of the people.

The followers of Jesus the Christ also had provisions to care for the needy of their society. They accomplished this without the benefactors of the “world” which exercised authority over the contributions of the people. <Ref>Acts 11:29 “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:”</Ref> [[Pure Religion]] was providing for society in a way that was unspotted by the covetous authoritarianism of the “[[world]]”.

* “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so:” [[Luke 22]]:25. Also [[Matthew 20]]:25, [[Mark 10]]:42.

Early [[Rome]], the [[Republic]], depended entirely on the distribution of charity through the congregation of the family hearths. These networked families provided for the welfare needs of their society.

Public works projects, commercial ventures, and even war was financed through similar fund raising institutions or temples. This community in affluence and apathy eventually built temples to manage services on a centralized governmental scale with a broadened scope. By 70 B.C, a bread dole was decreed for distributing free bread to 40,000 adult males, which increased over the centuries to include over 300,000.

There was little need for individual charity with the government taking over this responsibility. Every year, 500,000,000 bushels of grain were imported from Egypt alone. This grain was stockpiled and redistributed daily from warehouses along Trajan’s dock covering over 160 acres. With these [[Food Stamps|massive government giveaway programs in place]], the local farmers needed to be subsidized and individual charity died from neglect.

As the [[republic]] moved away from voluntarism and [[charity]], the people were seduced by the temptation of easy entitlements offered by benefactors who exercised authority. The voluntary charitable network which had bound families together into a strong society were gradually replaced by an authoritarian system of bureaucrats who imposed a civil duty and legal obligation to contribute. A once titular leadership became law makers whose authority and power was soon centralized into the hands of one Caesar or dictator after another, until Rome declined and fell.

* “Protection draws to it subjection; subjection protection” <Ref>Protectio trahit subjectionem, subjectio protectionem. Coke, Littl. 65.</Ref>

* “The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and [[benefits]].” [[Plutarch]], 2000 years ago.

It has always been common practice to expand the power of government though the offer of [[social contract]]s and schemes to an acquiescing, if not [[consent]]ing, populous by enticing people with [[benefits]] and promises provided at the expense of their neighbors.

The Bible warns us concerning such foolishness. <Ref>[[Psalms 69]]:22, [[Romans 11]]:9, [[Exodus 20]]:17, [[Exodus 23]]:32, [[Exodus 34]]:15, [[Proverbs 1]]:10.., [[Proverbs 23]]:1-3, [[Romans 13]]:9, [[Mark 7]]:22, [[Matthew 5]]:34, [[James 5]]:12 </Ref> The unrighteous path is the unrighteous mammon. [[Mammon]] is not money, although money may represent a form of mammon.

[[Mammon]] is entrusted wealth<Ref>“[[Mammon]], an Aramaic word mamon “wealth” … derived from Ma’amon, something entrusted to safe keeping. Encyclopedia Britannica.</Ref>like the camp of the golden calf people deposit their wealth under the control of another. Jesus compares God and mammon as two masters, both requiring service and bestowing benefits and grace upon its faithful members. One will fail, the other is everlasting.

* “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.... If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous [[mammon]], who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?” [[Luke 16]]:9-11

Jesus also tells us to be faithful with the unrighteous [[mammon]], while we should pursue the righteous. We should not be cheating the present master while we are in the process of seeking the [[Kingdom of God]] and His [[Righteousness]].

* "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of [[temptations]], and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [dominion]. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of [[Balaam]] the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” [[2 Peter 2]]:

* "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called [[benefactors]]. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my [[temptations]]. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my [[Father]] hath appointed unto me; [[Luke 22]]:25

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Temptations

2026-08-27T16:12:45Z

Wiki1: /* The three temptations of Christ */

[[File:jesustempted.jpg|right|thumb|350px|[[Jesus]] was '''[[Temptations|tempted]]''' by the [[principalities]] of the [[world]] as all men and ministers of men who hold [[power of choice]] by [[consent]]. We are often tempted by the [[power]] men give to men who [[exercise authority]] in systems of [[iniquity]]. “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” ― [[Plato]] [[Jesus]], as the [[Christ]], through His [[redemption]] gave the [[power to change|power of change]] back to mankind if they will [[repent]] and [[seek]] the [[kingdom of God]] and His [[righteousness]]. ]]

== The three temptations of Christ ==

The temptations of Christ are mentioned in the Gospels of [[Matthew 4]]:1-11,<ref>V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like a [[Demiurge]].</ref> [[Mark 1]]:12-13,<ref>[12] And [[2117|immediately]] the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.</ref> and [[Luke 4]]:1-13<ref>https://preparingyou.com/wiki/Luke_4#The_Temptation_of_the_Demiurge</ref>. After Jesus was baptized by [[John the Baptist]], Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert of Judea. The adversary we often call [[Satan]] tempted Jesus.

There were three basic aspects of these temptations:
#. Use his power to turn "[[Stones]]" into bread for himself.
#. Offer power over the [[world]] from the Pinnacle of the "temple".
#. Use divine power to protect from falling from a high "Mountain".

And when he rejected the use of power for himself then after that he was ministered to by angels.

While his rejection of power over others echos a common theme<Ref>[[Genesis 4]]:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.[[Leviticus_25]]:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
: [[Judges 8]]:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
:: [[Judges_9]]:8-15; [[1 Samuel_8]]:5, [[1 Samuel_12]]:12; [[John_6]]:15
: [[Hebrews 11]]:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. </Ref> of the bible in Matthew, Jesus appears to cite at least three scriptures:
* [[Deuteronomy 8]]:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.,
* [[Deuteronomy 6]]:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name., and
* [[Deuteronomy 6]]:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

These all reference the sequence of the trials of Israel as they wandered in the desert. These, of course, are representing the metaphor that points to spiritual principles we may all face in our own lives.

The common [[modern Christian]] view thinks in terms of particular sins like ''gluttony'', <Ref> suggesting gluttony by offering a way to relieve Jesus' personal hunger. What it was really about was power to turn the stones of the altar of God into his own source of wealth and pomp.</Ref> ''avarice''<Ref>The adversary offering power over others, even the kingdoms of the [[world]]. Jesus received that power, but by another means and method which [[Modern Christians]] often do not understand. That power which is spiritual comes to others by that same means. Each minister must lay down their life, their ego, pride, fear, and ambition so they may pick up a more abundant spiritual driven life according to His purpose.</Ref>, and pride and ''hubris'' <Ref> hubris by suggesting that Jesus manipulate God and His angels by using them for his own personal advantage or purposes.</Ref>

The truth is Jesus was to be king of the world, but not like the kings who follow in the ways of [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Egypt|Pharaoh]], [[Saul]] and [[Rome|Caesars]] of the [[world]]. Evil wants people to look away from [[The Way]] of God and follow a different path of power and force, manipulation, and deception. He does not want you to empower others, but [[covet]] other peoples' liberty, their right to choose, bestowed by God upon the nature of mankind. God gave us choice, for without choice there is no love. Satan merely wants loyalty and obedience to his own will at the forfeiture of the will of others. This is where all three temptations meet [[The Way]]s of God and Satan depart.

=== "Stones" into bread ===

[[Stones]] of the [[altars]] and the temple of God were men [[called out]] to provide a service for a [[Kingdom of God|government of God]] that operated according to the [[perfect law of liberty]]. They were not to [[Exercises authority|exercise authority]] one over the other but be servants. Like the [[Levites]] these [[stones]] did not ''go up by steps''.<Ref>[[Exodus 20]]:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine [[altars|altar]], that thy [[Breeches|nakedness]] be not discovered thereon.</Ref> When the ministers of God begin to issue [[Ambrose|edicts and commands]] and lord it over one another they are turning the ''stones of the altar'' into bread for themselves.

There are Churches today that require that a portion of the offering goes up to another level of a [[hierarchy]] but while there is rank in the kingdom appointed by God it is based on being a greater servant a humble brother and not like the rulers of other systems of government.

=== Pinnacle of the "temple" ===

Like the forbidden "[[Levites#Not_by_Steps|going up by steps]]" the idea of being raised over others or their institution wreaks of personal lordship over others. The [[Temples]] were always to provide the [[righteous]] benefits of [[Pure Religion]] through [[freewill offerings]] but the [[Temples]] of the [[world]] used [[force]]. [[John the Baptist]] was a faithful High priest that said the people were to provide aid and benefits through [[charity]] rather than force. His temple was made of men who served and Jesus came for that purpose. His [[baptism]] would not be like that offered at [[Herod]]'s temple of power where the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] made the word of God to none effect.

There is a spiritual message about not entering into the competitive [[dialectic]] only becomes apparent to those who rise above judgment by forgiveness and love of Christ. There is a great temptation to look down on others who do not see what you see. There is obvious judgment and anger but there is also a more subtle judgment of those who want to war against our faith. They want to upset us, drag us into the fray of egotistical competition.

You must always return to the understanding that you are no one's savior. You are not the light unto the world. You can only ''walk in the Spirit'' if you walk with the God as an obedient and humble child giving all credit and glory to the Father.

=== A high Mountain ===

Mountains are people piled together in systems of men. George Slatyer Barrett viewed this third as a "...the old but ever new temptation to do evil that good may come; to justify the illegitimacy of the means by the greatness of the end."<Ref> Barrett, George, Slatyer. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ibMCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA48&dq=temptation+of+christ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MHxFVZjxO4qyyATipYD4CQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=temptation%20of%20christ&f=false The Temptation of Christ], Macniven & Wallace, Edinburgh, 1883</Ref>

That the mountain is a [[metaphor]] for a people brought together by the [[social contract]] with rulers like [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Pharaoh]], [[Saul]] and [[Caesar]]. The ''kingdoms of the [[world]]'' were the [[governments]] formed by incorporating constitutions and systems which ''promise liberty'' from the responsibility to love one another<Ref>[[2 Peter 2]]:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in [[bondage]]. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the [[world]] through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again [[elements|entangled]] therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of [[righteousness]], than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in [[the mire]].
</Ref> and instead set up [[covetous]] systems of [[socialism]] making the people [[merchandise|human resources]].

Being a ruler of the people is risky business. With great power comes great temptation but more important is with a little power comes more subtle temptation. Few good-hearted souls enter the realm of power with the desire to become a dictator. But to desire to rule over many or a few, by force or by cunning or by charisma is still the same sin.

One of the greatest tools of Satan is flattery. People who cannot be god will eek to be god makers. They will vote you into power, praise you, place you on an emotional pedestal. You must guard against others doing this to you and you must guard against you doing it to yourself. Again I repeat ''you are no one's savior. You are not the light unto the world. You can only [[walk in the Spirit]] if you walk with the God as an obedient and humble child giving all credit and glory to the Father.''

Rulers rise because every man falls to this same temptation of oppressing their neighbor rather than loving them until we see "The masses continue with an appetite for [[benefits]]... they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch." [[Polybius]].

The authoritarian state uses force and violence to become the [[Benefactors]] of the people. They force one class of citizen to provide for another. Christ forbid that type of government. He told us not to make the [http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/fatherabba.php Fathers of the earth] our [[Benefactors]].

[[Jesus]] was the [[Christ]], the ''anointed'', the Messiah the rightful and righteous king of the [[Kingdom of God]], but that kingdom does not look like or work like the kingdoms or governments of the [[world]] where men exercise authority one over the other or turn their neighbor into [[bread and circuses]] for their own [[wantonness]] and entertainment.

These three ideas or paths of temptations were always with Christ, and those who followed him stayed with Him as he did not fall to these temptations which are always with us.

There is the clear temptation to rule over others and turn people into [[merchandise|providers for our own benefit]], but there are more subtle ways of manipulating people, which we see in modern Churches and temples where men go up by steps to stand on pedestals of pomp and [[rite|ceremonies]].

A minister of God should never desire the loyalty of the people he serves. He is to lead them to God and keep himself separate. He should strive to keep himself independent of the people financially and emotionally.

Ultimately, there is the personal pride and hubris that comes from claiming to believe or boasting to be a [[Believer]] in God or Jesus, while not actually [[Doers|doing what He said to do]]. The [[Modern Christian]]s want to claim to believe, and they conclude God must save them, even though they do contrary to His will for them. They might quote Ephesians 2:8, 9 (" ... Not of works, lest any man should boast"), claiming faith is just believing, and they therefore contrive a basis of salvation on which they solidly stand (priding themselves in having "rightly divided the word of truth" [[2 Timothy 2]]:15).

----

----

== The Temptation of Ministers of Christ ==

The [[temptations]] of Jesus Christ are faced by every minister of Christ.

Jesus hoped that those who came to follow The Way of His ministry would learn to trust God and thereby become a brotherhood of righteousness. They would face the same temptation of exercising power over others by force or by crafts more subtle. Learning to [[trust]] in [[The Way]] would take every man to the corners of their own holy temple and to the bottom of their soul.

Modern societies have fallen prey to the same temptations Jesus faced; they have returned to the sin and mire of Babylon, Egypt, and [[Herod]]'s Judah. Jesus' Kingship was very controversial because He was restoring every man to his possession and to his family.<Ref>[[Leviticus 25]]:10 “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.”</Ref> The kingdom of God is a network of families coming together under the perfect law of liberty<Ref>James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”</Ref> binding themselves by faith, hope, and charity<Ref>[[1 Corinthians 13]]:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”</Ref>, rather than social contracts<Ref>[[Exodus 23]]:32 “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. [[Exodus 34]]:12 “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:” --- [[2 Corinthians 6]]:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. --- [[Matthew 5]]:34 “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:... for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” --- James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”</Ref> with civil [[benefactors]] who exercise authority one over the other.

The early Church did not pray to the [[Patronus]] of [[Rome]]<Ref>Title for Caesar, [[Patronus]] of Rome means Our [[Father]] who art in [[Rome]].</Ref> for mercy and justice nor free bread in times of need. Christian prayed to Our Father who art in Heaven<Ref>[[Matthew 6]]:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.... Give us this day our daily bread.”</Ref> for forgiveness as they showed forgiveness for others and shared their daily bread with others. Christian bread was contributed freely by the thanksgiving of Christ's faithful believers. Anyone who professed Christ was cast out of the social welfare system - [[Corban]] - of the Pharisees at [[Herod]]'s golden temple that made the word of God to none effect.

''Corban'' means sacrifice. It is also translated ''offering, oblation, offered, sacrifice,'' and ''treasury'' in the [[Bible]]. The purpose of the ''sacrifice'' was to care for the needy of society, which included anyone who did not have sufficient resources within their family to provide for a crisis. [[Corban]] has been a part of all governments and societies of man.

[[Corban]] was a religious [[Rite]] for the welfare of the people. Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, and Herod were benefactors in the provision of free bread by forcing the sacrifice, contributions, of the people.

The followers of Jesus the Christ also had provisions to care for the needy of their society. They accomplished this without the benefactors of the “world” which exercised authority over the contributions of the people. <Ref>Acts 11:29 “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:”</Ref> [[Pure Religion]] was providing for society in a way that was unspotted by the covetous authoritarianism of the “[[world]]”.

* “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so:” [[Luke 22]]:25. Also [[Matthew 20]]:25, [[Mark 10]]:42.

Early [[Rome]], the [[Republic]], depended entirely on the distribution of charity through the congregation of the family hearths. These networked families provided for the welfare needs of their society.

Public works projects, commercial ventures, and even war was financed through similar fund raising institutions or temples. This community in affluence and apathy eventually built temples to manage services on a centralized governmental scale with a broadened scope. By 70 B.C, a bread dole was decreed for distributing free bread to 40,000 adult males, which increased over the centuries to include over 300,000.

There was little need for individual charity with the government taking over this responsibility. Every year, 500,000,000 bushels of grain were imported from Egypt alone. This grain was stockpiled and redistributed daily from warehouses along Trajan’s dock covering over 160 acres. With these [[Food Stamps|massive government giveaway programs in place]], the local farmers needed to be subsidized and individual charity died from neglect.

As the [[republic]] moved away from voluntarism and [[charity]], the people were seduced by the temptation of easy entitlements offered by benefactors who exercised authority. The voluntary charitable network which had bound families together into a strong society were gradually replaced by an authoritarian system of bureaucrats who imposed a civil duty and legal obligation to contribute. A once titular leadership became law makers whose authority and power was soon centralized into the hands of one Caesar or dictator after another, until Rome declined and fell.

* “Protection draws to it subjection; subjection protection” <Ref>Protectio trahit subjectionem, subjectio protectionem. Coke, Littl. 65.</Ref>

* “The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and [[benefits]].” [[Plutarch]], 2000 years ago.

It has always been common practice to expand the power of government though the offer of [[social contract]]s and schemes to an acquiescing, if not [[consent]]ing, populous by enticing people with [[benefits]] and promises provided at the expense of their neighbors.

The Bible warns us concerning such foolishness. <Ref>[[Psalms 69]]:22, [[Romans 11]]:9, [[Exodus 20]]:17, [[Exodus 23]]:32, [[Exodus 34]]:15, [[Proverbs 1]]:10.., [[Proverbs 23]]:1-3, [[Romans 13]]:9, [[Mark 7]]:22, [[Matthew 5]]:34, [[James 5]]:12 </Ref> The unrighteous path is the unrighteous mammon. [[Mammon]] is not money, although money may represent a form of mammon.

[[Mammon]] is entrusted wealth<Ref>“[[Mammon]], an Aramaic word mamon “wealth” … derived from Ma’amon, something entrusted to safe keeping. Encyclopedia Britannica.</Ref>like the camp of the golden calf people deposit their wealth under the control of another. Jesus compares God and mammon as two masters, both requiring service and bestowing benefits and grace upon its faithful members. One will fail, the other is everlasting.

* “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.... If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous [[mammon]], who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?” [[Luke 16]]:9-11

Jesus also tells us to be faithful with the unrighteous [[mammon]], while we should pursue the righteous. We should not be cheating the present master while we are in the process of seeking the [[Kingdom of God]] and His [[Righteousness]].

* "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of [[temptations]], and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [dominion]. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of [[Balaam]] the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” [[2 Peter 2]]:

* "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called [[benefactors]]. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my [[temptations]]. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my [[Father]] hath appointed unto me; [[Luke 22]]:25

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Luke 4

2026-08-27T16:09:59Z

Wiki1:

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|[[File:script-cor.jpg|thumb|center|250px|The two-volumes of Luke include both the [[Luke|Gospel of Luke]] and the [[Acts|Acts of the Aposles]]. The text of Luke-Act was used for instruction concerning [[The Way]]. The events show the record of an international [[network]] of [[ministers]] and a multinational intentional community of congregations bound by a common [[communion]] of [[fervent charity]]. As a [[peculiar people]] this [[kingdom of heaven]] consisted of intimate congregants of [[elders]] of [[family|families]] working together in the [[love]] of [[Christ]]. The [[early Church]] is seen providing emergency aid and [[welfare]] assistance in a [[daily ministration]] of [[Pure Religion]] through [[charity]] alone all over the Empire without the [[benefits]] of the [[legal charity]] and [[dainties]] of those [[benefactors]] of the [[world]] who [[exercise authority]]. The ideology that the use of [[force]] to compell the [[sacrifices]] of the [[citizen]] to provid the [[Social welfare]] of [[public religion]] [[degenerate]]s the [[masses]] and destroys [[liberty]].<Ref name="desliberty">{{desliberty}}</Ref> ]]
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== The Temptation of the [[Demiurge]] ==
[1] And Jesus being full of the [[Holy Ghost]] returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
[2] Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

=== The devil ===
[3] And the [[devil]] said unto him, If thou be the [[Son of God]], command this stone that it be made bread.
[4] And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
[5] And the [[devil]], taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
[6] And the [[devil]] said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

=== If thou will serve ===

[7] If thou therefore wilt [[worship]] me, all shall be thine.
[8] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, [[Satan]]: for it is written, '''Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.'''

[9] And he brought him to [[Jerusalem]], and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the [[Son of God]], cast thyself down from hence:
[10] For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
[11] And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[12] And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

=== The devil finished ===

[13] And when the [[devil]] had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
[14] And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
[15] And he taught in their [[synagogue|synagogues]], being glorified of all.
[16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
[17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

== The Spirit of the Lord ==

[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind<Ref name="Blindlead'">{{Blindlead}}</Ref>, to set at liberty them that are bruised<Ref name="returnman">{{returnman}}</Ref>,
[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

=== He closed the book ===

[20] And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
[21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
[22] And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

=== And the prophet said ===

[23] And he said unto them, '''Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.'''
[24] And he said, '''Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.'''
[25] '''But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;'''
[26] '''But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.'''

== Many lepers ==
[27] And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

=== Hid from their wrath ===

[28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with [[wrath]],
[29] And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
[30] But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

== To Capernaum ==

[31] And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
[32] And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
[33] And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
[34] Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

=== Jesus rebuked him ===

[35] And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
[36] And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

==The Fame ==

[37] And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
[38] And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
[39] And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
[40] Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

=== Devils came out ===

[41] And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the [[Son of God]]. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
[42] And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
[43] And he said unto them, I must preach the [[kingdom of God]] to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
[44] And he preached in the [[synagogue|synagogues]] of Galilee.

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Mark 1

2026-08-27T15:57:18Z

Wiki1: /* The wilderness */

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| [[File:script-cor.jpg|center|250px|thumb|The earliest written gospel material was anonymous but attributed to a man named [[Mark]].]]
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| '''V1''' As the [[Christ]], Jesus was the [[righteous]] king of [[peace]] like [[Melchizedek]] and therefore also was called the [[Son of God]]. And he would tell is that we should ''call no man [[Father]]'' and only pray to our common ''Creator Father'' in heaven.
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| '''V2''' [[The way|The Way]] was different than the way of the [[world]] because of the ''means and methods'' employed.
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| '''V3''' Cross reference [[Isaiah 40]]:3 "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye [[the way]] of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."; [[Matthew 3]]:3 "For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, '''The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye [[the way]] of the Lord, make his paths straight."''' ; [[Mark 1]]:3; [[Luke 3]]:3-6; [[John 1]]:23.
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| Concerning "prepare": [[Isaiah_57]]:14-15; [[Malachi_3]]:1; [[Luke_1]]:17, [[Luke_1]]:76
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| '''V5''' Suddenly John is out there and people were coming to hear and be receive his [[Baptism]] rather than [[Herod]] and the [[pharisees]] back in [[Jerusalem]].
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| '''V6''' in [[Matthew 3]]:4 we see John's "raiment of camel's hair" was likely made of Bactrian camel's hair which was common in [[Parthia]], the hereditary enemy of [[Rome]]. And there was "a leathern girdle about his loins" also suggests Parthian priest<Ref>The [[Parthia]]n Empire stretched from central Asia to Mesopotamia, and from the Caucasus to the Persian Gulf, and kept Roman expansionism in check for roughly 400 Years.</Ref> who was known to wear a "'''Hemyan'''" belt. <Ref>"Geo Widengren distinguishes between the [[Parthia]]n '''kamar''', a sword or tunic belt, and the '''hemyān''', or sacred girdle worn by priests (Widengren, p. 254)." “BELTS,” Encyclopaedia Iranica, IV/2, pp. 130-136.</Ref> Also the idea of "his meat was locusts and wild honey" is not about eating bugs but [[Carob]].<Ref>The eastern Mediterranean region has a tree, cultivated from the pea family (Fabaceae), called Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) produces an edible pod identified as a "[[locust]]" bean or what is called "St. John's bread". So, carob was not a bug and the honey may be what was called "date honey".</Ref>
 '''The wise men''' of [[Matthew 2]] seems to be the Megistanes<Ref>[[Matthew 2]]:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great <[[3173]]> joy. 
[[Matthew 4]]:16 The people which sat in [[darkness]] saw great <[[3173]]> light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.</Ref> who saw Jesus as the descendent of Phares, King David, and Matthan the technical heir to the [[Parthia]]n throne. Soba was said to be the daughter of Matthan and mother of Elisabeth, who was the mother of [[John the Baptist]]. This also made Joseph "Mary’s first cousin, once removed, as they shared the same grandfather, [[Matthan]]" See ([[Matthew 1]]:15)This made them descended from both Judean and [[Parthia]]n royalty." See [[Jesus]]
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| '''V7''' He says there is another that comes mightier<Ref name="ischuros">{{2478}}</Ref>date
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| The water Baptismwasan outward symbol of changing from the way of the [[world]] to [[The way|The Way]] of the [[Christ]] and His [[Logos]] which is the ''word''.
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| '''V10-12''' After his [[Baptism]] and the arrival of the [[Holy Spirit]] like a dove he moved by its leading.
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| '''V13''' In the wilderness forty days there were '''[[Temptations]]''' by someone called [[Satan]]
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| '''V14-15'''John is put in prison and Jesus says, '''time is fulfilled, and the [[kingdom of God]] is at hand''' and people need to [[Repent|think different]] than [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], the wicked [[Pharaoh]], [[Caesar]], [[FDR]] or [[LBJ]] and other [[rulers]] ''who will call themselves [[Benefactors]] but [[exercise authority]].''
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| '''V18-19''' Jesus Calls his disciples
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| '''V20''' In Capernaum he preached an ''astonishing<Ref name="ekplesso">{{1605}}</Ref> doctrine'' with ''authority''<Ref name="exousia">{{1849}}</Ref> See [[Romans 13]].
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| '''V24''' An unclean spirit "Cried out"<Ref name="anakrazo">{{349}}</Ref>
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| '''V24-26''' The Holy One<Ref name="hagios">{{40}}</Ref> of God Is ''separated to God'' with the ''characteristic of God'' and ''wrenched''<Ref name="sparasso">{{4682}}</Ref> the spirit from the man.
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|'''V30-34'''Peter's mother-in-law is healed.
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| '''V35-39''' After Jesus [[Prayer|prayed]] in a solitary place He is lead to go out through Galilee. The [[disciples]] had too look for him... [[Seek]] him.
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|'''V40-45'' the approach and healing of the leper. He was told to ''say nothing to any man'' but the high priest but he disobeyed because he had not truly [[repent]]ed yet.
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== The gospel of Jesus ==

[1] The beginning of the gospel of [[ Christ|Jesus Christ]], the [[Son of God]];

[2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare [[The Way|thy way]]<Ref name="hodos">{{3598}}</Ref> before thee.

[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye [[the way]] of the Lord, make his paths<Ref name="tribos">{{5147}}</Ref> straight.

[4] [[John the Baptist|John did baptize]] in the wilderness, and preach the [[baptism]] of [[repentance]] for the remission<Ref name="aphesis">{{859}}</Ref> of [[sin]]s.

=== Priest of Parthia ===

[5] And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of [[Jerusalem]], and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, [[confess]]ing their [[sin]]s.

[6] And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat [[locust|locusts]] and wild honey;

=== Not worthy ===

[7] And preached, saying, '''There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.'''

[8] '''I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the [[Holy Ghost]].'''<Ref name="baptizewtr">{{baptizewtr}}</Ref>

[9] And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from ''[[Nazareth]]'' of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

== Out of the water ==

[10] And straightway<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

[11] And there came a voice from heaven, saying,''' Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'''

== The wilderness ==

[12] And immediately<Ref name="euthus">{{2117}}</Ref> the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [[Temptations|tempted]] of [[Satan]]<ref>See [[Demiurge]].</ref>; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

== John in prison ==

[14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the [[kingdom of God]]<Ref name="gospking">{{gospking}}</Ref>,

[15] And saying, '''The time is fulfilled, and the [[kingdom of God]] is at hand: [[repent]]<Ref name="repentn">{{repentn}}</Ref> ye, and believe the gospel.'''

== Walked by the sea ==

[16] Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

[17] And Jesus said unto them, '''Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.'''

[18] And straightway<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> they forsook their nets, and followed him.

[19] And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

[20] And straightway<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

== Capernaum ==

[21] And they went into Capernaum; and straightway<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> on the [[sabbath]] day he entered into the [[synagogue]], and taught.

[22] And they were astonished at [[Doctrine of Jesus|his doctrine]]: for he taught them as one that had authority<Ref name="exousia">{{1849}}</Ref>, and not as the [[scribe|scribes]].

=== Unclean spirit ===

[23] And there was in their [[synagogue]] a man with an unclean<Ref name="akathartos">{{169}}</Ref> spirit; and he cried out<Ref name="anakrazo">{{349}}</Ref>,

[24] Saying, ''Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of [[Nazareth]]? art thou come to destroy<Ref name="apollumi">{{622}}</Ref> us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One<Ref name="hagios">{{40}}</Ref> of God.''

[25] And Jesus rebuked<Ref name="epitimao">{{2008}}</Ref> him, saying, '''Hold thy peace, and come out of him.'''

[26] And when the unclean spirit had torn<Ref name="sparasso">{{4682}}</Ref> him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

=== Amazed ===

[27] And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, '''What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority<Ref name="exousia">{{1849}}</Ref> commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.'''

=== Fame spread ===

[28] And immediately<Ref name="euthus">{{2117}}</Ref> his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

[29] And forthwith<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref>, when they were come out of the [[synagogue]], they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

=== Simon's mother ===

[30] But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> they tell him of her.

[31] And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

[32] And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.<Ref name="daimonizomai">{{1139}}</Ref>

[33] And all the city was gathered together at the door.

[34] And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

=== In the morning ===

[35] And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there [[Prayer|prayed]].

[36] And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

[37] And when they had found him, they said unto him, '''All men seek for thee.'''

[38] And he said unto them, '''Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.'''

[39] And he preached in their [[synagogue]]s throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

== A leper ==

[40] And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, '''If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.'''

[41] And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, '''I will; be thou clean.'''

[42] And as soon as he had spoken, immediately<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

[43] And he straitly charged<Ref name="embrimaomai">{{1690}}</Ref> him, and forthwith<Ref name="eutheos">{{2112}}</Ref> sent him away;

[44] And saith unto him, '''See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which [[Moses]] commanded, for a testimony unto them.'''

[45] But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. 

 
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Matthew 4

2026-08-27T15:55:02Z

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|[[File:matthew.jpg|center|thumb|Matthew's writings of the [[Gospel of the kingdom]] were inspired. But what do they really tell us in the context of the times and the precepts of the [[kingdom of God]]?]]
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| Led by the Spirit to be [[temptations|tempted]].
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| V3 [[stones]] turned into bread for whom? Were these stones living stones?
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| V4 The desire for [[free bread]] especially through [[covetous practices]] at the expense of your neighbor is the root cause of corruption of man and often is made manifest through [[legal charity]] and men who [[exercise authority]].
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|'''"The [[evil]] was not in the [[free bread|bread and circuses]], per se, but in the willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men for full bellies and the excitement of the games which would serve to distract them from the other human hungers which [[bread and circuses]] can never appease."''' Marcus Tullius [[Cicero]] 
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| Understanding the metaphor of "[[stones]] being made into [[daily bread|bread]]" is easier if we understand that the [[Altars]] of [[clay and stone]] were a form of the [[social safety net]] dependent upon [[freewill offerings]] of the Old Testament and what the New Testament calls [[charity]]. Those [[altars]] of [[Pure Religion]] promoted by [[Abraham]] and [[Moses]] were used by society according to the perfect law of liberty ''[[Romans 13|letting every soul remain subject to the higher liberty]]'' to avoid the [[covetous practices]], [[wages of unrighteousness]] which are the [[snare]] of [[legal charity]]. and the structure of government intended by God, the [[Son of God]], and [[Moses]], which was a form of the ancient [[Libera res publica]].
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| [[Augustus Caesar]], who also was called the [[Son of God]], campaigned on the political platform of a "return to the [[republic]]" and "family values". Yet, he continued with the plunder of national neighbors and the funding of [[legal charity]] through their public [[temples]] until the '''[[masses]]''' developed an [[appetite]] for [[benefits]] becoming ''accustomed to living at the expense of others and depending for their livelihood on the property of others''. This of course as predicted by [[Polybius]] and other prophets began to [[degenerate]] the people.
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|V11 The [[devil]] who tempted him possessed a [[world]] with a dominion like the [[Demiurge]].
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| Jesus will foretell the taking of the kingdom from the [[pharisees]] in [[Matthew 21]]<Ref>[[Matthew 21]]:43 Therefore say I unto you, The [[kingdom of God]] shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the [[fruit]]s thereof.</Ref>
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| '''Questions'''
|-
| What does it mean to [[worship]]?
|-
| How did the [[Rabbinical Baptism]] of the ancients, the [[baptism]] of [[Herod]] differ from the baptism of John and Jesus at [[Pentecost]]?
|-
| Was the ministry of Jesus one of [[Pure Religion]]?
|-
| What is [[public religion]] overseen by [[Caesar]] who is also called the "[[Son of God]]" and the [[Father]] of [[Rome]] who was the [[Patronus]]?
|-
| [[Was Jesus rich]] like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8?<Ref>[[2 Corinthians 8]]:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord [[Jesus]] [[Christ]], that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty<[[4432]]> might be rich.</Ref>
|-
| [[Religion]] was how you [[social safety net|provide for the needy of society]] through our duty to [[love]] our neighbor and [[Pure Religion]] was [[care|caring]] without the [[free bread]] offered through the [[temples]] of the "[[world]]" of [[Rome]]. Was [[public religion]] the [[covetous practices]] forbidden by [[Moses]]<Ref name="covetnot">{{covetnot}}</Ref> and [[Christ]]<Ref name="jesuscovet">{{jesuscovet}}</Ref>.
|-
| Were the systems of [[Corban]] of [[Herod]], the [[Pharisees]], and the [[free bread]] of [[Caesar]] were like the system of [[FDR]] and [[LBJ]]?
|-
| Was [[Nazareth]] a place or a [[polis]] of the [[Essenes]]?
|}

== The Temptation of Jesus ==

[1] Then was Jesus led<Ref name="anago">{{321}}</Ref> up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

=== Stones to bread ===

[3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the [[Son of God]], command that these stones be made bread.

[[Matthew 4]]:4 But he answered and said, '''It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'''

=== Do not tempt God ===

[5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the [[Son of God]], cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, '''It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.''' 

=== Worship God ===

[8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the [[world]], and the glory of them;

[9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and [[worship]] me.

[10] Then saith Jesus unto him, '''Get thee hence, [[Satan]]: for it is written, Thou shalt [[worship]] the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.''' <Ref name="onemaster">{{onemaster}}</Ref>

[11] Then the [[Demiurge|devil]] leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

== Jesus Begins His Ministry ==

[12] Now when Jesus had heard that [[John the Baptist|John]] was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

[13] And leaving [[Nazareth]], he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

[14] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

[15] The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

[16] The people which sat in darkness<Ref name="darkened">{{darkened}}</Ref> saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

[17] From that time [[Jesus]] began to preach, and to say, '''[[Repent]]<Ref name="repentn">{{repentn}}</Ref>: for the [[kingdom of heaven]] is at hand.'''<Ref name="kingdomnow">{{kingdomnow}}</Ref>

== Jesus Calls the First Disciples ==

[18] And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

[19] And he saith unto them, '''Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'''

[20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

[21] And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

[22] And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

== Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds ==

[23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their [[synagogue]]s, and preaching the [[gospel of the kingdom]]<Ref name="gospking">{{gospking}}</Ref>, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

[24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

[25] And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. 
 
{{Template:Matthew}}

{{Template:Bible}}

{{Template:Religion}}

[[Category:Matthew]]

Demiurge

2026-08-27T14:55:31Z

Wiki1:

The term demiurge entered the English language in the 1600's through that Latin ''demiurgus''. It was originally rom two Greek words dêmos (δῆμος) meaning "people" and -εργ- ergon (ἔργον) meaning to "work" from ''werg''- "to do". In Classical Attic Greek (5th century BCE), the word δημιουργός (pronounced: DAY-mee-oor-GOS<ref>or with International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) /dɛː.mi.uːr.ɡós/. In ancient Athenian would have said something like "day-MEE-oor-gos" — quite different from the English form.</ref>

Homer<ref>8th c. BCE</ref> used the word as a ''skilled public worker'', including people from ''soothsayers'' to ''physician'' or even a ''carpenter'' but By the 5th century BC we find Classical Athens using it to refer to ''a magistrate'' or any ''civic official'' of the [[bureaucracy]]. In Plato's Timaeus (c. 360 BCE) — the divine craftsman who fashions the cosmos from pre-existing matter

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===
"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Tvho puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was con- cealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement ; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and^]"<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator (Demiurge), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

Gnosticism

2026-08-26T18:43:15Z

Wiki1:

== Knowing the Gnostic ==

A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the [[redemption]] of the human spirit."

But we know that the modern definition [[Religion]] has changed so I imagine that all that was labeled Gnostic was not the same.

The truth is that Gnosticism has resulted in numerous debates and countless interpretation for 2000 years. The complex nature of Gnostic teachings are not only complex but often cryptic, even secretive.

Couple that with the fact that much of what we know about Gnosticism has commonly come from critiques. So the question inevitably remains what was the early sectarian gnostic systems really all about. Was it a heretical ideology or did they have another way to say what Jesus was sharing and teaching?

==Opinions and heresies ==

In the "Adversus Haereses" (Against Heresies) by [[Irenaeus]] we hear that there were different sects of philosophy in the 2nd-century disparaging and even ridiculing [[gnosticism]]. Scholars have had to depend heavily on heresiologists and their hierarchical prejudices because of a lack of alternative sources.

Finding manuscripts near Nag Hammadi in 1945, however, gave us a cache of 4th-century Gnostic writing that allowed another round of ''debates and interpretation'' filtered through the prejudices both pros and cons of our modern view of ancient religions.

The texts would be translated orom the ancient Coptic language into English in 1977 did not relieve the difficulties but may have added to them.

One way to promote ones own view is to accuse others of something that is generally not understood but is accepted off hand as incorrect.

In doing away with the dualist [[Marcion]] it was common to label him a Gnostic. We see the same practice with the ''Founding Fathers'' who are often accused of being [[Deist]]s.

Opinion concerning doctrines of Christians ranged over a wide variety of teachings and speculations about the universe but it was the [[Doctrine of Jesus]] an their practice of [[Pure Religion]] according to the [[perfect law of liberty]] which made [[early Christians]] a [[peculiar people]] in [[Christian conflict|conflict]] with [[Rome]].

The Gospel of John contained wording and elements of the [[Doctrine of Jesus]]which was scene in the other gospels. If we take some of these words and phrases they could be isolated and construed as some form of Gnosticism not yet fully fabricated at that time. Or the Gnostics could be simply demonized because of other practices which did not fit well into their own ideologies and practices.

Conflicting opinions about Gnosticism appear to be an outgrowth of the [[Christian conflict]] between the new Church of [[Constantine]] and [[The Way]] of the [[early Church]] who chose not [[covet]] the [[dainties]] of those rulers like [[Constantine]] who [[exercise authority]] to provide [[free bread]] or other [[benefits]].

Once people begin to accept the [[lie]] that it is okay to [[covet]] their neighbors goods through men who [[exercise authority]] they will fill the need to create ''mysterious'' [[doctrines of men]] to establish a sense of self-righteousness and position of superiority to justify the persecution of any accused heretics which will bring a [[strong delusion]] to all the [[masses]].

Ideas about [[Wisdom]] or the [[Logos]] reach back to creation when God separated the light and [[darkness]], the water from the dryland and even Knowledge as information or revelation from the Holy Spirit of life.

== Hunters of heretics ==

[[Eusebius]] compiled the [[Bible]] while working for [[Constantine]] who not only brought in his only [[heresies]] but continued to persecute Christians through his newly appointed entourage of bishops like [[Ambrose]] among others elected thousands of a new Christian in movement that would bring its own [[apostasy]] of persecution, inquisitions, and heresy.

Before anyone attempts to understand the gnostic writings or even modern writings about Christ and His Church they need to unbiasedly examine the [[Gospel of the Kingdom]] and the [[Doctrine of Jesus]].

It is those [[Doctrine of Jesus]] which are the common denominators of Christianity and if we would keep His word there would not be thousands of [[denominations]].

One of the greatest heresies today is the acceptance of the [[covetous practices]] that are a [[snare]], makes men [[merchandise]], [[curse children]]. It is the [[modern Christians]] appetite for the [[dainties]] of the [[benefactors]] of the [[world]] who [[exercise authority]] to provide those [[wages of unrighteousness]] at the expense of their neighbor.

It was the practice of the [[Corban]] of the [[Pharisees]] that made the word of God to none effect and was in that [[covetous practices|covetous policy]] where we find the [[Christian conflict]] with [[Rome]] and why the [[Pharisees]] hated Christ.

[[FDR]] set up a similar system like that one set up by [[Herod]] but [[modern Christians]] again sit in darkness. The [[New Deal]] was the old deal of [[Cain]] and [[Nimrod]].

----

Gnostics did not call themselves Gnostics but appear to have been around long before Jesus and were probably unrelated to Christianity.

* Some interpret that they thought the "material world is bad and that the spiritual realm was good."
** Jesus said his kingdom was not of this [[world]] but of course the word [[world]] did not mean the material [[world]] as much as the organized political [[world|world]] of Pontius Pilate.
** We see in John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life."
** In 2 Corinthians 3:6 we see "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
** We can see this same emphases and superiority of Spirit over the material flesh in Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
**Romans 8:10, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."
** Which is repeated in Galatians 6:8, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

* People suggest that they considered the material world is under the control of evil.

* A "divine spark" is within some which provides redemption.
** Matthew 16:17, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
** John 1:13, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

* Salvation is through some sort of secret knowledge.

* God could not have created evil, which is the result of an inferior, blind, evil "god" or Archons who pretends to be God.

* If the "divine spark" is awakened we will be drawn toward the Pleroma or divine realm where God intended us to be.

Some think none of these ideas are either in the Old Testament or apostolic text which is why they were supposedly rejected by [[early Christians]].

[[Category:Topics]]

Demiurge

2026-08-26T17:25:31Z

Wiki1:

=== In the Gnostic writings ===

"A modern definition of [[Gnosticism]] is "a prominent heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the [[Demiurge|demiurge]], and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.""

=== In [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]] ===
"3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Tvho puts the matter into shape.
Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."<ref>256 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]].</ref>
----

"...and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First, then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of countless interpretations, '''you should have chosen the very dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and all who are under him.''' For, first, the statement can apply to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ, and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He is the Son of God." <ref> 283 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

----
"Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed."

"And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you. Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father in addition to Him who created the world. '''For it is possible that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself;''' because Isaiah^ says, ' I will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow, then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con- cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but revealed to babes ? '''And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) ignorant of them,''' if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was con- cealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement ; for He said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and^]"<ref>284 [[The Clementine Homilies|THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES]]</ref>

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

----

== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator (Demiurge), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

The Clementine Homilies

2026-08-26T17:25:03Z

Wiki1:

* [[Clement]]ine Homilies (H), consisting of 20 books and survives in the original Greek.
* [[Clement]]ine Recognitions (R), for which the original Greek has been lost but exists in a Latin translation produced by Tyrannius Rufinus in 406.

== The Clementine Homilies ==

EDINBUKGH: T. & T. CLAEK, 38, GEORGE STEEET.

MDCCCLXX.

BOOES I. TO V. HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED BY REV. THOMAS SMITH, D.D. ;

BOOKS VI.-XII. BY PETER PETERSON, M.A. ; AND BOOKS XIII.-XX. BY DR. DONALDSON.

TORONTO 5, CANADA.

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES.

PETER to James, the lord and bishop of the holy church under the Father of all, through Jesus Christ, wishes peace always.

Chap. i. — Doctrine of reserve.

Knowing, my brother, your eager desire after that which is for the advantage of us all, I beg and beseech you not to communicate to any one of the Gentiles the books of my preachings which I sent to you, nor to any one of our own tribe before trial ; but if any one has been proved and found worthy, then to commit them to him, after the manner in which Moses delivered <nowiki>[his books]</nowiki> to the Seventy who succeeded to his chair. Wherefore also the fruit of that caution appears even till now. For his countrymen keep the same rule of monarchy and polity everywhere, being unable in any way to think otherwise, or to be led out of the way of the much-indicating Scriptures. For, according to the rule delivered to them, they endeavour to correct the discordances of the Scriptures, if any one, haply not knowing the traditions, is confounded at the various utterances of the prophets.

Wherefore they charge no one to teach, unless he has first learned how the Scriptures must be used. And thus they have amongst them one God, one law, one hope.

Chap. ii. — Misrepresentation of Peter s doctrine.

In order, therefore, that the like may also happen to those among us as to these Seventy, give the books of my preachings to our brethren, with the like mystery of initiation, that they may indoctrinate those who wish to take part in teaching ; for
if it be not so done, our word of truth will be rent into many opinions. And this I know, not as being a prophet, but as already seeing the beginning of this very evil. For some from among the Gentiles have rejected my legal preaching, attaching themselves to certain lawless and trifling preaching of the man who is my enemy. And these things some have attempted while I am still alive, to transform my words by certain various interpretations, in order to the dissolution of the law ; as though I also myself were of such a mind, but did not freely proclaim it, which God forbid ! For such a thing
were to act in opposition to the law of God which was spoken by Moses, and was borne witness to by our Lord in respect of its eternal continuance ; for thus He spoke : " The heavens and the earth shall pass away, but one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law." ^ And this He has said, that all things might come to pass. But these men, professing, I know not how, to know my mind, undertake to explain my words, which they have heard of me, more intelligently than I who spoke them, telling their catechumens that this is my meaning, which indeed I never thought of. But if, while I
am still alive, they dare thus to misrepresent me, how much more will those who shall come after me dare to do so !

Chap. hi. — Initiation,

Therefore, that no such thing may happen, for this end
I have prayed and besought you not to communicate the
books of my preaching which I have sent you to any one,
whether of our own nation or of another nation, before
trial ; but if any one, having been tested, has been found
worthy, then to hand them over to him, according to the
initiation of Moses, by which he delivered [his books] to the
Seventy who succeeded to his chair; in order that thus
they may keep the faith, and everywhere deliver the rule of
truth, explaining all things after our tradition ; lest being
themselves dragged down by ignorance, being drawn into
error by conjectures after their mind, they bring others into
1 Mark xiii. 31 ; Matt. v. 18.

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES, 3

the like pit of destruction. Now the things that seemed good to me, I have fairly pointed out to you ; and what seems good to you, do you, my lord, becomingly perform. Farewell.

Chap. iv. — An adjuration concerning the receivers of the book

1. Therefore James, having read the epistle, sent for the elders ; and having read it to them, said : " Our Peter has strictly and becomingly charged us concerning the establishing of the truth, that we should not communicate the books of his preachings, which have been sent to us, to any one at random, but to one who is good and religious, and who wishes to teach, and who is circumcised, and faithful. And these are not all to be committed to him at once ; that, if he be found injudicious in the first, the others may not be entrusted to him. Wherefore let him be proved not less than

y^six years. And then according to the initiation of Moses, he [that is to deliver the books] should bring him to a river or a fountain, which is living water, where the regeneration of the righteous takes place, and should make him, not swear — for that is not lawful — but to stand by the water and adjure, as we ourselves, when we were regenerated, were made to do for the sake of not sinning.

2. " And let him say : ' I take to witness heaven, earth,
water, in which all things are comprehended, and in addition to
all these, that air also which pervades all things, and without
which I cannot breathe, that I shall always be obedient to
him who gives me the books of the preachings ; and those
same books which he may give me, I shall not communicate
to any one in any way, either by writing them, or giving them
in writing, or giving them to a writer, either myself or by
another, or through any other initiation, or trick, or method,
or by keeping them carelessly, or placing them before [any
one], or granting him permission [to see them], or in any
way or manner whatsoever communicating them to another ;
unless I shall ascertain one to be worthy, as I myself have
been judged, or even more so, and that after a probation of

i

4 EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES.

not less than six years ; but to one who is reh'gious and good,
chosen to teach, as I have received them, so I will commit
them, doing these things also according to the will of my
bishop.

3. " ^ But otherwise, though he were my son or my brother,
or my friend, or otherwise in any way pertaining to me by
kindred, if he be unworthy, that I will not vouchsafe the
favour to him, as is not meet ; and I shall neither be terrified
by plot nor mollified by gifts. But if even it should ever
seem to me that the books of the preachings given to me are
not true, I shall not so communicate them, but shall give them
back. And when I go abroad, I shall carry them with me,
whatever of them I happen to possess. But if I be not
minded to carry them about with me, I shall not suffer them
to be in my house, but shall deposit them with my bishop,
having the same faith, and setting out from the same persons
[as myself].^ But if it befall me to be sick, and in expecta-
tion of death, and if I be childless, I shall act in the same
manner. But if I die having a son who is not worthy, or not
yet capable, I shall act in the same manner. For I shall
deposit them with my bishop, in order that if my son, when
he grows up, be worthy of the trust, he may give them to
him as his father's bequest, according to the terms of this
engagement.

4. " ' And that I shall thus do, I ao;ain call to witness
heaven, earth, water, in which all things are enveloped, and
in addition to all these, the all-pervading air, without which
I cannot breathe, that I shall always be obedient to him who
giveth me these books of the preachings, and shall observe in
all things as I have engaged, or even something more. To me,
therefore, keeping this covenant, there shall be a part with the
holy ones ; but to me doing anything contrary to what I have
covenanted, may the universe be hostile to me, and the all-
pervading ether, and the God who is over all, to vrhom none
is superior, than whom none is greater. But if even I should
come to the acknowledgment of another God, I now swear

^ Unless the rccading be corrupt here, I suppose the reference must be
to episcopal succession.

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES. 5

by him also, be he or be he not, that I shall not do otherwise.
And in addition to all these things, if I shall lie, I shall be
accursed living and dying, and shall be punished with ever-
lasting punishment.'

" And after this, let him partake of bread and salt with
him who commits them to him."

Chap. v. — The adjuration accepted,

James having thus spoken, the elders were in an agony of
terror. Therefore James, perceiving that they were greatly
afraid, said : " Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. If we
should give the books to all indiscriminately, and they should
be corrupted by any daring men, or be perverted by interpre-
tations, as you have heard that some have already done, it will
remain even for those who really seek the truth, always to
wander in error. Wherefore it is better that they should
be with us, and that we should communicate them with all
the fore-mentioned care to those who wish to live piously,
and to save others. But if any one, after taking this adjura-
tion, shall act otherwise, he shall with good reason incur
eternal punishment. For why should not he who is the cause
of the destruction of others not be destroyed himself ? " The
elders, therefore, being pleased with the sentiments of James,
exclaimed, " Blessed be He who, as foreseeing all things, has
graciously appointed thee as our bishop;" and when they
had said this, we all rose up, and prayed to the Father and
God of all, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

=== EPISTLE or CLEMEXT TO JAMES ===

ILEMENT to James, the lord/ and the bishop of
bishops, who rules Jerusalem, the holy church
of the Hebrews, and the churches everywhere
excellently founded by the providence of God,

with the elders and deacons, and the rest of the brethren,

peace be always.

Chap. i. — Peter s martyrdom.

Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon, who, for the
sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his
doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the church, and
for this end was by Jesus Himself, with His truthful mouth,
named Peter, the first-fruits of our Lord, the first of the
apostles ; to whom first the Father revealed the Son ; whom
the Christ, with good reason, blessed ; the called, and elect,
and associate at table and in the journeyings [of Christ] ; the
excellent and approved disciple, who, as being fittest of all,
was commanded to enlighten the darker part of the world,
namely the West, and was enabled to accomplish it, — and
to what extent do I lengthen my discourse, not wishing to
indicate what is sad, which yet of necessity, though reluc-
tantly, I must tell you, — he himself, by reason of his im-
mense love towards men, having come as far as Rome, clearly
and publicly testifying, in opposition to the wicked one who
withstood him, that there is to be a good King over all
the world, while saving men by his God-inspired doctrine,

^ More probably *' the Lord's brother." So it must have been in the
text from which Rufinus translated.

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 7

himself, by violence, exchanged this present existence for
life.

Chap. ii. — Ordination of Clement,

But about that time, when he was about to die, the
brethren being assembled together, he suddenly seized my
hand, and rose up, and said in presence of the church :
" Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. Since, as I have
been taught by the Lord and Teacher Jesus Christ, whose
apostle I am, the day of my death is approaching, I lay hands
upon this Clement as your bishop ; and to him I entrust my
chair of discourse, even to him who has journeyed with me
from the beginning to the end, and thus has heard all my
homilies — who, in a word, having had a share in all my
trials, has been found stedfast in the faith ; whom I have
found, above all others, pious, philanthropic, pure, learned,
chaste, good, upright, large-hearted, and striving generously
to bear the ingratitude of some of the catechumens. Where-
fore I communicate to him the power of binding and loosing, ''^
so that with respect to everything which he shall ordain in
the earth, it shall be decreed in the heavens. For he shall k
bind what ought to be bound, and loose what ought to be
loosed, as knowing the rule of the church. Therefore hear
him, as knowing that he who grieves the president of the ^
truth, sins against Christ, and offends the Father of all.
Wherefore he shall not live ; and therefore it becomes him
who presides to hold the place of a physician, and not to
cherish the rage of an irrational beast."

Chap. hi. — Nolo episcopari.

While he thus spoke, I knelt to him, and entreated him,
declining the honour and the authority of the chair. But he
answered : " Concerning this matter do not ask me ; for it
has seemed to me to be good that thus it be, and all the more
if you decline it. For this chair has not need of a pre-
sumptuous man, ambitious of occupying it, but of one pious
in conduct and deeply skilled in the word [of God]. But show ^
me a better [than yourself], who has travelled more with

8 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

me, and has heard more of my discourses, and has learned
better the regulations of the church, and I shall not force you
to do well against your will. But it will not be in your power
to show me your superior ; for you are the choice first-fruits
of the multitudes saved through me. However, consider this
further, that if you do not undertake the administration of
the church, through fear of the danger of sin, you may be
sure that you sin more, when you have it in your power to
help the godly, who are, as it were, at sea and in danger,
and will not do so, providing only for your own interest, and
not for the common advantaf^e of all. But that it behoves
you altogether to undertake the danger, while I do not cease
to ask it of you for the help of all, you well understand.
The sooner, therefore, you consent, so much the sooner will
you relieve me from anxiety.

Chap. iv. — The recompense of the reward,

" But I myself also, O Clement, know the griefs and
anxieties, and dangers and reproaches, that are appointed you
from the uninstructed multitudes ; and these you will be
able to bear nobly, looking to the great reward of patience
bestowed on you by God. But also consider this fairly with
me : When has Christ need of your aid ? Now, when the
wicked one has sworn war aojainst His bride ; or in the time
to come, when He shall reign victorious, having no need of
further help ? Is it not evident to any one who has even
the least understanding, that it is now ? Therefore with all
good-will hasten in the time of the present necessity to do
battle on the side of this good King, whose character it is to
give great rewards after victory. Therefore take the over-
sight gladly ; and all the more in good time, because you
have learned from me the administration of the church, for
the safety of the brethren who have taken refuge with us.

Chap. v. — A charge.

" However, I wish, in the presence of all, to remind you, for
the sake of all, of the thinijs belon^ine; to the administration.
It becomes you, living without reproach, with the greatest

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 9

earnestness to shake off all the cares of life, being neither a
surety, nor an advocate, nor involved in any other secular
business. For Christ does not wish to appoint you either
a judge or an arbitrator in business, or negotiator of the
secular affairs of the present life, lest, being confined to
tlie present cares of men, you should not have leisure by the
word of truth to separate the good among men from the bad.
But let the disciples perform these offices to one another, and
not withdraw [you] from the discourses which are able to
save. For as it is wicked for you to undertake secular cares,
and to omit the doing of w^hat you have been commanded to
do, so it is sin for every layman, if they do not stand by one
another even in secular necessities. And if all do not under-
stand to take order that you be without care in respect of the
things in which you ought to be, let them learn it from the
deacons ; that you may have the care of the church always,
in order both to your administering it well, and to your hold-
inor forth the words of truth.

Chap. vi. — The duty of a hisliop,

"Now, if you were occupied with secular cares, you should
deceive both yourself and your hearers. For not being able,
on account of occupation, to point out the things that are
advantageous, both you should be punished, as not having
taught what was profitable, and they, not having learned,
should perish by reason of ignorance. Wherefore do you
indeed preside over them without occupation, so as to send
forth seasonably the words that are able to save them ; and so
let them listen to you, knowing that whatever the ambassador
of the truth shall bind upon earth is bound also in heaven,
and what he shall loose is loosed. But you shall bind what
ought to be bound, and loose what ought to be loosed. And
these, and such like, are the things that relate to you as
president.

Chap. vii. — Duties of preshyters.

f "And with respect to the presbyters, take these [instructions].
Above all things, let them join the young betimes in marriage,

10 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

anticipating the entanglements of youthful lusts. But neither
let them neglect the marriage of those who are already old ;
for lust is vigorous even in some old men. Lest, therefore,
fornication find a place among you, and bring upon you a
very pestilence, take precaution, and search, lest at any time
the fire of adultery be secretly kindled among you. For
j| adultery is a very terrible thing, even such that it holds the
second place in respect of punishment, the first being assigned
to those who are in error, even although they be chaste.
Wherefore do you, as elders of the church, exercise the
spouse of Christ to chastity (by the spouse I mean the body
of the church) ; for if she be apprehended to be chaste by
her royal Bridegroom, slie shall obtain the greatest honour ;
and you, as wedding guests, shall receive great commenda-
tion. But if she be caught having sinned, she herself indeed
shall be cast out; and you shall suffer punishment, if at any
time her sin has been through your negligence.

Chap. viii. — " Do good unto alU^

" Wherefore above all things be careful about chastity ; for
fornication has been marked out as a bitter thing in the
estimation of God. But there are many forms of fornica-
tion, as also Clement himself will explain to you. The first
is adultery, that a man should not enjoy his own wife alone,
or a woman not enjoy her own husband alone. If any one
be chaste, he is able also to be philanthropic, on account of
which he shall obtain eternal mercy. For as adultery is a
great evil, so philanthropy is the greatest good. Wherefore
love all your brethren with grave and compassionate eyes,
performing to orphans the part of parents, to widows that
of husbands, affording them sustenance with all kindliness,
arranging marriages for those who are in their prime, and
for those who are without a profession the means of necessary
support through employment ; giving work to the artificer, /
and alms to the incapable.

Chap. ix. — " Let hrotlierly love conthmer
^' But I know that ye will do these things if you fix love into

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 11

your minds ; and for its entrance there is one only fit means,
viz. the common partaking of food.^ Wherefore see to it that
ye be frequently one another's guests, as ye are able, that
you may not fail of it. For it is the cause of well-doing,
and well-doing of salvation. Therefore all of you present
your provisions in common to all your brethren in God,
knowing that, giving temporal things, you shall receive eter-
nal things. Much more feed the hungry, and give drink to
the thirsty, and clothing to the naked ; visit the sick ; show-
ing yourselves to those who are in prison, help them as ye
are able, and receive strangers into your houses with all
alacrity. However, not to speak in detail, philanthropy will
teach you to do everything that is good, as misanthropy
suggests ill-doing to those who will not be saved.

Chap. x. — " Whatsoever tilings are honest^

" Let the brethren who have causes to be settled not be
judged by the secular authorities; but let them by all means be
reconciled by the elders of the church, yielding ready obedi-
ence to them. Moreover, also, flee avarice, inasmuch as it is
able, under pretext of temporal gain, to deprive you of eternal
blessings. Carefully keep your balances, your measures,
your weights, and the things belonging to your traffic, just.
Be faithful with respect to your trusts. Moreover, you will
persevere in doing these things, and things similar to these,
until the end, if you have in your hearts an ineradicable remem-
brance of the judgment that is from God. For who would
sin, being persuaded that at the end of life there is a judg-
ment appointed of the righteous God, who only now is long-
suffering and good,^ that the good may in future enjoy for
ever unspeakable blessings ; but the sinners being found as
evil, shall obtain an eternity of unspeakable punishment.
And, indeed, that these things are so, it would be reasonable +-
to doubt, were it not that the Prophet of the truth has said
and sworn that it shall be.

1 Literally, " of salt."

2 The common reading would give " who alone is now long-sufFering ; "
but the change of a letter gives the reading which we have adopted.

12 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

Chap. xi. — Doubts to he satisfied.

" Wherefore, being disciples of the true Prophet, laying
aside double-mindedness, from which comes ill-doing, eagerly
undertake well-doing. But if any of you doubt concerning
the things which I have said are to be, let him confess it
without shame, if he cares for his own soul, and he shall be
satisfied by the president. But if he has believed rightly,
let his conversation be with confidence, as fleeing from the
great fire of condemnation, and entering into the eternal
fTQod kingdom of God.

== Chap. xii. — Duties of deacons ==

" Moreover let the deacons of the church, going about with
intelligence, be as eyes to the bishop, carefully inquiring into
the doings of each member of the church, [ascertaining] who
is about to sin, in order that, being arrested with admonition
by the president, he may haply not accomplish the sin. Let
them check the disorderly, that they may not desist from
assembling to hear the discourses, so that they may be able
to counteract by the word of truth those anxieties that fall
upon the heart from every side, by means of worldly casual-
ties and evil communications ; for if they long remain fallow,
they become fuel for the fire. And let them learn who are
suffering under bodily disease, and let them bring them to
the notice of the multitude who do not know of them, that
they may visit them, and supply their wants according to
the judgment of the president. Yea, though they do this
without his knowledge, they do nothing amiss. These things,
then, and things like to these, let the deacons attend to.

Chap. xiii. — Duties of catechists,

" Let the catechists instruct, being first instructed ; for it is
a work relatincr to the souls of men. For the teacher of the
word must accommodate himself to the various judgments of
the learners. The catechists must therefore be learned, and
unblameable, of much experience, and approved, as you will
know that Clement is, who is to be your instructor after me.

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 13

For it were too much for me now to go into details. How-
ever, if ye be of one mind, you shall be able to reach the
haven of rest, where is the peaceful city of the great King.

Chap. xiv. — Tlie vessel of the cliurcli.

^' For the whole business of the church is like unto a great
ship, bearing through a violent storm men who are of many
places, and who desire to inhabit the city of the good king-
dom. Let, therefore, God be your shipmaster ; and let the
pilot be likened to Christ, the mate^ to the bishop, the sailors
to the deacons, the midshipmen to the catechists, the multi-
tude of the brethren to the passengers, the w^orld to the sea ;
the foul winds to temptations, persecutions, and dangers; and
all manner of afflictions to the waves ; the land winds and
their squalls to the discourses of deceivers and false prophets ;
the promontories and rugged rocks to the judges in high
places threatening terrible things ; the meetings of two seas,
and the wild places, to unreasonable men and those who
doubt of the promises of truth. Let hypocrites be regarded
as like to pirates. Moreover, account the strong whirlpool,
and the Tartarean Charybdis, and murderous wrecks, and
deadly founderings, to be nought but sins. In order, there-
fore, that, sailing with a fair wind, you may safely reach the
haven of the hoped-for city, pray so as to be heard. But
prayers become audible by good deeds.

Chap. xv. — Incidents of the voyage,

" Let therefore the passengers remain quiet, sitting in their
own places, lest by disorder they occasion rolling or careenins;.
Let the midshipmen give heed to the fare. Let the deacons
neglect nothing with which they are entrusted ; let the pres-
byters, like sailors, studiously arrange what is needful for
e^ch one. Let the bishop, as the mate, wakef ully ponder the
w^ords of the pilot alone. Let Christ, even the Saviour, be
loved as the pilot, and alone believed in the matters of which
He speaks ; and let all pray to God for a prosperous voyage.

^ It is impossible to translate these terms very accurately. I suppose
the 'Trpapivg was rather the " bow-oarsman " in the galley.

14 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

Let those sailing expect every tribulation, as travelling over
a great and troubled sea, the world : sometimes, indeed,
disheartened, persecuted, dispersed, hungry, thirsty, naked,
hemmed in; and, again, sometimes united, congregated, at
rest; but also sea-sick, giddy, vomiting, that is, confessing
> sins, Hke disease-producing bile, — I mean the sins proceeding
from bitterness, and the evils accumulated from disorderly
lusts, by the confession of which, as by vomiting, you are
relieved of your disease, attaining healthful safety by means
of carefulness.

Chap. xvi. — The hisJwp's labours and reward.

" But know all of you that the bishop labours more than
you all ; because each of you suffers his own affliction, but he
his own and that of every one. Wherefore, O Clement, pre-
side as a helper to every one according to your ability, being
careful of the cares of all. Whence I know that in your
undertaking the administration, I do not confer, but receive, a
favour. But take courage and bear it generously, as know-
ing that God will recompense you when you enter the haven
of rest, the greatest of blessings, a reward that cannot be
taken from you, in proportion as you have undertaken more
labour for the safety of all. So that, if many of the brethren
should hate you on account of your lofty righteousness, their
hatred shall nothing hurt you, but the love of the righteous
God shall greatly benefit you. Therefore endeavour to shake
off the praise that arises from injustice, and to attain the
profitable praise that is from Christ on account of righteous
administration."

== Chap. xyii. — The peoples duties. ==

Having said this, and more than this, he looked again
upon the multitude, and said : " And you also, my beloved
brethren and fellow-servants, be subject to the president of
the truth in all things, knowing this, that he who grieves
him has not received Christ, with whose chair he has been
entrusted ; and he who has not received Christ shall be re-
garded as having despised the Father ; wherefore he shall be

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 15

cast out of the good kingdom. On this account, endeavour
to come to all the assemblies, lest as deserters you incur the
charge of sin through the disheartening of your captain.
Wherefore all of you think before all else of the things that
relate to him, knowing this, that the wicked one, being the
more hostile on account of every one of you, wars against him
alone. Do you therefore strive to live in affection towards
him, and in kindliness towards one another, and to obey him,
in order that both he may be comforted and you may be
saved.

Chap, xviii. — " As a heathen man and a publican^

" But some things also you ought of yourselves to consider,
on account of his not being able to speak openly by reason of
the plots. Such as : if he be hostile to any one, do not wait
for his speaking ; and do not take part with that man, but
prudently follow the bishop's will, being enemies to those to
whom he is an enemy, and not conversing with those with
whom he does not converse, in order that every one, desiring
to have you all as his friends, may be reconciled to him and
be saved, listening to his discourse. But if any one remain
a friend of those to whom he is an enemy, and speak to
those with whom he does not converse, he also himself is one
of those who would waste the church. For, being with you
in body, but not with you in judgment, he is against you ;
and is much worse than the open enemies from without, since
with seeming friendship he disperses those who are within."

Chap. xix. — Installation of Clement.

Having thus spoken, he laid his hands upon me in the pre-
sence of all, and compelled me to sit in his own chair. And
when I was seated, he immediately said to me : " I entreat
you, in the presence of all the brethren here, that whensoever
I depart from this life, as depart I must, you send to James
the brother of the Lord a brief account of your reasonings
from your boyhood, and how from the beginning until now
you have journeyed with me, hearing the discourses preached
by me in every city, and [seeing] my deeds. And then at the

16 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

end you will not fail to inform him of the manner of my
death, as I said before. For that event will not grieve him
very much, when he knows that I piously went through what
it behoved me to suffer. And he will get the greatest comfort
when he learns, that not an unlearned man, or one ignorant
of life-giving words, or not knowing the rule of the church,
shall be entrusted Avith the chair of the teacher after me.
For the discourse of a deceiver destroys the souls of the
multitudes who hear."

Chap. xx. — dementis obedience.

Whence I, my lord James, having promised as I was ordered,
have not failed to wTite in books by chapters the greater
part of his discourses in every city, which have been already
written to you, and sent by himself, as for a token ; and thus
I despatched them to you, inscribing them Clements Epitome
of the Popular Sermons of Peter, However, I shall begin to
set them forth, as I was ordered.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

HOMILY I.

Chap. i. — Boyish questionings.

CLEMENT, being a Koman citizen, even from
my earliest youtli was able to live chastely, my
mind from my boyhood drawing away the lust
that was in me to dejection and distress. For I
had a habit of reasoning — how originating I know not —
making frequent cogitations concerning death : When I die,
shall I neither exist, nor shall any one ever have any remem-
brance of me, while boundless time bears all things of all
men into forgetfulness ? and shall I then be without being, or
acquaintance with those who are ; neither knowing nor being
known, neither having been nor being ? And has the world
ever been made ? and was there anything before it w^as made ?
For if it has been always, it shall also continue to be ; but if
it has been made, it shall also be dissolved. And after its
dissolution, shall there ever be anything again, unless, perhaps,
silence and forgetfulness ? Or perhaps something shall be
which it is not possible now to conceive.

Chap. ii. — Good out of evil.

As I pondered without ceasing these and such like ques-
tions — I know not whence arisino- — I had such bitter 2;rief,
that, becoming pale, I wasted away; and, what was most
terrible, if at any time I wished to drive away this meditation
as unprofitable, my suffering became all the more severe ; and
I grieved over this, not knowing that I had a fair inmate,
even my thought, which was to be to me the cause of a blessed

B

18 THE CLEMENTi::sE HOMILIES.

immortality, as I afterwards knew by experience, and gave
thanks to God, the Lord of all. For it was by this thought,
which at first afflicted me, that I was compelled to come to
the search and the finding of things ; and then I pitied those
whom at first, through ignorance, I ventured to call blessed.

Chap. hi. — Perplexity.

From my boyhood, then, being [involved] in such reason-
ings, in order to learn something definite, I used to resort to the
schools of the philosophers. But nought else did I see than
the setting up and knocking down of doctrines, and strifes,
and seeking for victory, and the arts of syllogisms, and the
skiU of assumptions ; and sometimes one [opinion] prevailed,
— as, for example, that the soul is immortal, and sometimes
that it is mortal. If, therefore, at any time the doctrine pre-
vailed that it is immortal, I was glad ; and when the doctrine
prevailed that it is mortal, I was grieved. And again, I was
the more disheartened because I could not establish either
doctrine to my satisfaction. However, I perceived that the
opinions on subjects under discussion are taken as true or false,
according to their defenders, and do not appear as they really
are. Perceiving, therefore, now' that the acceptance does not
depend on the real nature of the subjects discussed, but that
opinions are proved to be true or false according to ability of
those who defend them, I was still more than ever at a loss in
regard of things. Wherefore I groaned from the depth of
my soul. For neither was I able to establish anything, nor
could I shake off the consideration of such things, though, as
I said before, I wished it. For although I frequently charged
myself to be at peace, in some way or other thoughts on these
subjects, accompanied with a feeling of pleasure, would come
into my mind.

Chap. iv. — More perplexity.

And again, living in doubt, I said to myself, Wliy do T
labour in vain, when the matter is clear, that if I lose exist-
ence when I die, it is not fitting that I should distress myself
now while I do exist ? Wherefore I shall reserve my grief

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 19

till that [day], when, ceasing to exist, I shall not be affected
with grief. But if I am to exist, what does it profit me now
to distress myself gratuitously ? And immediately after this
another reasoning assailed me ; for I said. Shall I not have
something worse to suffer then than that which distresses me
now, if I have not lived piously ; and shall I not be delivered
over, according to the doctrines of some philosophers, to
Pyriphlegethon and Tartarus, like Sisyphus, or Tityus, or
Ixion, or Tantalus, and be punished for ever in Hades?
But again I replied, saying : But there are no such things as
these. Yet again I taid : But if there be? Therefore, said J
I, since the matter is uncertain, the safer plan is for me ^
rather to live piously. But how shall I be able, for the sake
of righteousness, to subdue bodily pleasures, looking, as I do,
to an uncertain hope ? But I am neither fully persuaded
what is that righteous thing that is pleasing to God, nor do I
know whether the soul is immortal or mortal. Neither can
I find any well-established doctrine, nor can I abstain from
such debatings.

Chap. v. — A resolution.

What, then, am I to do, unless this? I shall go into
Egypt, and I shall become friendly with the hierophants of
the shrines, and with the prophets ; and I shall seek and find
a magician, and persuade him with large bribes to effect the
calling up of a soul, w^hich is called necromancy, as if I were
going to inquire of it concerning some business. And the
inquiry shall be for the purpose of learning whether the soul
is immortal. But the answer of the soul that it is immortal
shall not give me the knowledge from its speaking or my
hearing, but only from its being seen ; so that, seeing it with
my very eyes, I may have a self-sufficient and fit assurance,
from the very fact of its appearing, that it exists; and never
again shall the uncertain words of hearing be able to over-
turn the things which the eyes have made their own. How-
ever, I submitted this very plan to a certain companion who
was a philosopher ; and he counselled me not to venture upon
it, and that on many accounts. . " For if," said he, " the soul

20 THE CLEMENTI^'E HOMILIES.

shall not listen to the mamcian, vou will live with an evil
conscience, as havino; acted against the laws which forbid the
doing of these things. But if it shall listen to him, then,
besides your livinor T^'ith an evil conscience, I think that
matters of piety will not be promoted to you on account of
your making this attempt. For they say that the Deity is
anirrv with those who disturb souls after their release from
the body." ^ And I, when I heard this, became indeed more
backward to -undertake such a thing, but I did not abandon
my original plan ; but I was distressed, as being hindered in
the execution of it.

Chap. vi. — Tidings from Jadea.

And, not to discuss such matters to you in a long speech,
while I was occupied with such reasonings and doings, a
certain report, taking its rise in the spring-time, in the
reign of Tiberius Caesar, gradually grew everywhere, and
ran through the world as truly the good tidings of God,
beinfT unable to stifle the counsel of God in silence. There-
fore it everywhere became greater and louder, saying that
a certain One in Judea, beginning in the spring season,
was preaching to the Jews the kingdom of the invisible
God, and saying that whoever of them would reform his
manner of living should enjoy it. And in order that He
midit be believed that He uttered these thinn;s full of the
Godhead, He wrouo;ht many wonderful miracles and sic^ns
by His mere command, as having received power from God.
For He made the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the lame to
walk, raised up the bowed down, drove away every disease,
put to flight every demon ; and even scabbed lepers, by only
looking on Him from a distance, were sent away cured by
Him ; and the dead, being brought to Him, were raised ; and
there was nothinfj which He could not do. And as time
advanced, so much the greater, through the arrival of more
persons, and the stronger grew — I say not now the report,
but — the trnth of tho thing ; for now at length there were

I Tins rendering is from the text in the corresponding passage of the
Epitome de gestis S. Petri.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 21

meetings in various places for consultation and inquiry as to
who He might be that had appeared, and what was His purpose.

Chap. vii. — The gospel in Rome.

And then in the same year, in the autumn season, a certain
one, standing in a public place, cried and said, '^ Men of Rome,
hearken. The Son of God is come in Judea, proclaiming
eternal life to all who will, if they shall live according to the
counsel of the Father, wdio hath sent Him. Wherefore
change your manner of life from the worse to the better,
from things temporal to things eternal ; for know ye that
there is one God, who is in heaven, whose world ye unright-
eously dwell in before His righteous eyes. But if ye be
changed, and live according to His counsel, then, being born
into the other world, and becoming eternal, ye shall enjoy
His unspeakable good things. But if ye be unbelieving, your
souls, after the dissolution of the body, shall be thrown into
the place of fire, where, being punished eternally, they shall
repent of their unprofitable deeds. For every one, the term
of repentance is the present life." I therefore, when I heard
these things, was grieved, because no one among so great
multitudes, hearing such an announcement, said : I shall go
into Judea, that I may know if this man who tells us these
things speaks the truth, that the Son of God has come into
Judea, for the sake of a good and eternal hope, revealing the
will of the Father who sent Him. For it is no small matter
w^hich they say that He preaches : for He asserts that the souls
of some, being [themselves] immortal, shall enjoy eternal good
things ; and that those of others, being thrown into unquench-
able fire, shall be punished for ever.

Chap. viii. — Departure from Home.

While I spoke thus concerning others, I also lectured
myself, saying. Why do I blame others, being myself guilty
of the very same crime of heedlessness ? But I shall hasten
into Judea, having first arranged my affairs. And when I had
thus made up my mind, there occurred a long time of delay,
my worldly affairs being difficult to arrange. Therefore,

22 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

meditating further on the nature of life, that bj involving-^
men in hope it lays snares for those who are making haste,
yea, and how much time I had been robbed of while tossed
by hopes, and that we men die while thus occupied, I left all
my affairs as they were, and sped to Portus ; ^ and coming to
the harbour, and being taken on board a ship, I was borne by
adverse winds to Alexandria instead of Judea ; and being
detained there by stress of weather, I consorted with the
philosophers, and told them about the rumour and the sayings
of him who had appeared in Rome. And they answered that
indeed they knew nothing of him who had appeared in
Rome; but concerning Him who was born in Judea, and
who was said by the report to be the Son of God, they had
heard from many who had come from thence, and had learned
respecting all the wonderful things that He did with a word.

Chap. ix. — Preaching of Barnabas,

And when I said that I wished I could meet with some one
of those who had seen Him, they immediately brought me to
one, saying, " There is one here who not only is acquainted
with Him, but is also of that country, a Hebrew, by name
Barnabas, who says that he himself is one of His disciples ;
and hereabouts he resides, and readily announces to those who
will the terms of His promise." Then I went with them; and
when I came, I stood listenincr to his words with the crowd
that stood round him ; and I perceived that he was speaking
truth not with dialectic art, but was setting forth simply and
without preparation what he had heard and seen the mani-
fested Son of God do and say. And even from the crowd
who stood around him he produced many witnesses of the
miracles and discourses which he narrated.

Chap. X. — Cavils of the philosophers.

But while the multitudes were favourably disposed towards
the things that he so artlessly spoke, the philosophers, impelled

1 For iK'TTT.oy.uv "Wieseler proposes lK-/,'hi7:70)u, "that deceiving by hopes
it lays snares," etc.

2 Portus, the port of Rome. One MS. reads Trovrov, " the sea."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES 23

by their worldly learning, set upon laughing at him and
making sport of him, upbraiding and reproaching him with
excessive presumption, making use of the great armoury of
syllogisms. But he set aside their babbling, and did not
enter into their subtle questioning, but without embarrassment
went on with what he was saying. And then one of them
asked, Wherefore it was that a gnat, although it be so small,
and has six feet, has wings also; while an elephant, the largest
of beasts, is wingless, and has but four feet ? But he, after
the question had been put, resuming his discourse, which had
been interrupted, as though he had answered the question,
resumed his original discourse, only making use of this pre-
face after each interruption : " We have a commission only
to tell you the words and the w^ondrous doings of Him who
sent us ; and instead of logical demonstration, we present to
you many witnesses from amongst yourselves who stand by,
whose faces I remember, as living images. These sufficient
testimonies it is left to your choice to submit to, or to dis-
believe.-^ But I shall not cease to declare unto you what
is for your profit ; for to be silent were to me a loss, and to
disbelieve is ruin to you. But indeed I could give answers
to your frivolous questions, if you asked them through love
of truth. But the reason of the different structure of the
gnat and the elephant it is not fitting to tell to those who are
ignorant of the God of all."

Chap. xi. — Clemenis zeal.

When he said this, they all, as in concert, set up a shout
of laughter, trying to silence him and put him out, as a bar-
barous madman. But I, seeing this, and seized, I know not
how, with enthusiasm, could no longer keep silence with
righteous indignation, but boldly cried out, saying, " Well
has God ordained that His counsel should be incapable of
being received by you, foreseeing you to be unworthy, as
appears manifestly to such of those w^ho are now present as

^ We have here adopted a conjectural reading of Davis. The common
text is thus translated: "whose faces I remember, and who as being
living images are satisfactory testimonies. These it is left," etc.

24 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

have minds capable of judging. For whereas now heralds
of His counsel have been sent forth, not making a show of
grammatical art, but setting forth His will in simple and
inartificial words, so that whosoever hear can understand
what is spoken, and not with any invidious feeling, as
though unwilling to offer it to all ; you come here, and
besides your not understanding what is for your advantage,
to your own injury you laugh at the truth, which, to your
condemnation, consorts with the barbarians, and which you
will not entertain when it visits you, by reason of your
wickedness and the plainness of its Avords, lest you be con-
victed of being merely lovers of words, and not lovers of
truth and lovers of wisdom. How loner -sviH you be learnino;
to speak, who have not the power of speech?^ For many
sayings of yours are not worth one word. AVhat, then, will
your Grecian multitude say, being of one mind, if, as he
says, there shall be a judgment? ^'Why, O God, didst Thou
not proclaim to us Thy counsel ? " Shall you not, if you be
thought worthy of an answer at all, be told this ? " I, know-
ing before the foundation of the world all characters that
were to be, acted towards each one by anticipation according
to his deserts without making it known ; ' but wishing to give
full assurance to those who have fled to me that this is so, and
to explain why from the beginning, and in the first ages, I
did not suffer my counsel to be publicly proclaimed; I now, in
the end of the world," have sent heralds to proclaim my will,
and they are insulted and flouted by those who will not be
benefited, and who wilfully reject my friendship. Oh, great
wrong ! The preachers are exposed to danger even to the
loss of life,* and that by the men who are called to salvation.

Chap. xii. — Clement's rehuhe of the people.
" And this wrongful treatment of my heralds would have

^ The Vatican MS. and Epit. have " the power of speaking well."

2 Lit., ''I met each one beforehand secretly." The Latin has, ''unicui-
que prsevius occurri."

3 The Greek is /S/oy, "life."

* The Paris MS. reads (pOoi/ov, "envy," instead of (^6uov, "murder."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 25

been against all from the beginning, if from the beginning
the unworthy had been called to salvation. For that which
is now done wrongfully by these men serves to the vindica-
tion of my righteous foreknowledge, that it was well that I
did not choose from the beginning to expose uselessly to
public contempt the word which is worthy of honour ; but
determined to suppress it, as being honourable, not indeed
from those who were worthy from the beginning — for to
them also I imparted it — but from those, and such as those,
unworthy, as you see them to be, — those who hate me, and
who will not love themselves. And now, give over laughing
at this man, and hear me with respect to his announcement,
or let any one of the hearers who pleases answer. And do
not bark like vicious dogs, deafening with disorderly clamour
the ears of those who would be saved, ye unrighteous and
God-haters, and perverting the saving method to unbelief.
How shall you be able to obtain pardon, who scorn him who
is sent to speak to you of the Godhead of God? And this you
do towards a man whom you ought to have received on ac-
count of his good-will towards you, even if he did not speak
truth."

Chap. xiii. — Clement instructed hy Barnahas.

While I spake these words, and others to the same effect,
there arose a great excitement among the crowd ; and some,
as pitying Barnabas, sympathized with me ; but others, being
senseless, terribly gnashed their teeth against me. But, as
the evening had already come, I took Barnabas by the hand,
and by force conducted him, against his will, to my lodging,
and constrained him to remain there, lest some one might
lay hands on him. And having spent several days, and
instructed me briefly in the true doctrine, as well as he could
in a few days, he said that he should hasten into Judea for
the observance of the festival, and also because he wished for
the future to consort with those of his own nation.

Chap. xiv. — Departure of Barnahas.
But it plainly appeared to me that he was disconcerted.

26 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

For when I said to him, " Only set forth to me the words
which you have heard of the Man who has appeared, and I
will adorn them with my speech, and preach the counsel of
God ; and if you do so, within a few days I will sail with
you, for I greatly desire to go to the land of Judea, and
perhaps I shall dwell with you all my life ;" — when he heard
this, he answered : " If you wish to inquire into our affairs,
and to learn what is for your advantage, sail with me at
once. But if you will not, I shall now give you directions
to my house, and that of those whom you wish [to meet],
that when you choose to come you may find us. For I shall
set out to-morrow for my home." And when I saw that he
could not be prevailed upon, I went with him as far as the
harbour ; and having learned of him the directions which he
had promised to give me for finding the dwellings, I said to
him, " Were it not that to-morrow I am to recover a debt
that is due to me, I should straightway set sail with you.
But I shall soon overtake you." And having said this, and
having given him in charge to those who commanded the
ship, I returned grieving, remembering him as an excellent
and dear friend.

Chap. xv. — Introduction to Peter,

But having spent [some] days, and not having been able
to recover the whole debt, for the sake of speed I neglected
the balance, as being a hindrance, and myself also set sail
for Judea, and in fifteen days arrived at Csesarea Stratonis.
And when I had landed, and was seeking for a lodging,
I learned that one named Peter, who was the most esteemed
disciple of the Man who had appeared in Judea, and had done
signs and wonders, was going to have a verbal controversy
next day with Simon, a Samaritan of Gitthi. When I
heard this, I begged to be shown his lodging ; and as soon
as I learned it, I stood before the door. And those who
were in the house, seeing me, discussed the question who I
was, and whence I had come. And, behold, Barnabas came
out; and as soon as he saw me he embraced me, rejoicing
greatly, and weeping. And he took me by the hand, and

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 27

conducted me to where Peter was, saying to me, " This is
Peter, of whom I told you as being the greatest in the wis-
dom of God, and I have spoken to him of you continually.
Therefore enter freely,^ for I have told him your excellent
qualities, without falsehood ; and, at the same time, have
disclosed to him your intention, so that he himself also is
desirous to see you. Therefore I offer him a great gift when
by my hands I present you to him." Thus saying, he pre-
sented me, and said, " This, O Peter, is Clement."

Chap. xvi. — Peter s salutation.

Then the blessed man, springing forward as soon as he
heard my name, kissed me ; and making me sit down,
straightway said, " You acted nobly in entertaining Barna-
bas, a herald of the truth, to the honour of the living God,
being magnanimously not ashamed, nor fearing the resent-
ment of the rude multitude. Blessed shall yon be. For as
you thus with all honour enteilained the ambassador of the
truth, so also truth herself shall constitute you, who are a
stranger, a citizen of her own city. And thus you shall
greatly rejoice, because you have now lent a small favour ;
I mean the kindness of good words. You shall be heir of
blessings which are both eternal and cannot possibly be taken
from you. And do not trouble yourself to detail to me your
manner of life; for the veracious Barnabas has detailed to us
everything relating to you, making favourable mention of
you almost every day. And in order that I may tell to you
briefly, as to a genuine friend, what is in hand, travel with
us, unless anything hinders you, partaking of the words of
truth which I am going to speak from city to city, as far as
Rome itself. And if you wish [to say] anything, speak on."

Chap. xvii. — Questions propounded.

Then I set forth my purpose from the beginning, and how
I had spent myself upon difficult questions, and all the things

^ The text is corrupt. Dressel's reading is adopted in the text, being
based on Rufinus's translation. Some conjecture, " as you will know of
your own accord."

28 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that I disclosed to you at the outset, so that I need not write
the same thinors aorain. Then I said, "I hold myself in readi-
ness to journey ^Yith you ; for this, I know not how, I gladly
wish. However, I wish first to be convinced concernincr the •
truth, that I may know whether the soul is mortal or im-
mortal ; and whether, if it is eternal, it is to be judged con-
cerning the things which it hath done here. Also, whether
there is anything that is righteous and well-pleasing to God ;
and whether the world was made, and for what end it was
made ; and whether it shall be dissolved; and if it shall be
dissolved, whether it shall be made better, or shall not be at
all." And not to mention them in detail, I said that I wished
to learn these things, and things consequent upon these. And
to this he answered: "I shall shortly convey to you, O Clement,
the knowledge of the thincrs that are ; and even now listen.

Chap, xviii. — Causes of ignorance.

'' The will of God has been [kept] in obscurity in many
ways. In the first place, there is evil instruction, wicked
association, terrible society, unseemly discourses, wrongful
prejudice. Thereby is error, then fearlessness, unbelief,
fornication, covetousness, vainglory ; and ten thousand other
such evils, filling the world as a quantity of smoke fills a
house, have obscured the siHit of the men inhabitinfr the
world, and have not suffered them to look up and become
acquainted with God the Creator from the delineation [of
Himself which He has given], and to know what is pleasing
to Him. Wlierefore it behoves the lovers of trutli, crvinji
out inwardly from their breasts, to call for aid, with truth-
lovino; reason, that some one livini^ within the house^ which
is filled with smoke may approach and open the door, so that
the light of the sun which is without may be admitted into
the house, and the smoke of the fire which is within may be
driven out.

Chap. xix. — Tlie true Propliet.

" Now the Man who is the helper I call the true Prophet ;
^ A conjectural reading, " being without the house," seems preferable.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 29

and He alone is able to enlighten the souls of men, so that
with our own eyes we may be able to see the way of eternal
salvation. But otherwise it is impossible, as you also know,
since you said a little while ago that every doctrine is set
up and pulled down, and the same is thought true or false,
according to the power of him who advocates it ; so that doc-
trines do not appear as they are, but take the appearance of
beincp or not beincp truth or falsehood from those who advo-
cate them. On this account the whole business of religion
needed a true prophet, that he might tell us things that are,
as thev are, and how we must believe concernino; all thin^-s.
So that it is first necessary to test the prophet by every pro-
phetic sign, and having ascertained that he is true, thereafter
to believe him in everything, and not to sit in judgment upon
his several sayings, but to receive them as certain, being ac-
cepted indeed by seeming faith, yet by sure judgment. For by
our initial proof, and by strict inquiry on every side, all things
are received with right reason. Wherefore before all things
it is necessary to seek after the true Prophet, because with-
out Him it is impossible that any certainty can come to men."

Chap. xx. — Peter s satisfaction ivitJi Clement.

And, at the same time, he satisfied me by expounding to me
who He is, and how He is found, and holding Him forth to
me as truly to be found, showing that the truth is more mani-
fest to the ear by the discourse of the prophet than things
that are seen with the eye ; so that I was astonished, and
wondered that no one sees those thino-s which are sought
after by all, though they lie before him. However, having
written this discourse concerning the Prophet by his order,
he caused the volume to be despatched to you from Ca3sarea
Stratonis, saying that he had a charge from you to send you his
discourses and his acts year by year.-*- Thus, on the very first

^ The text is probably corrupt or defective. As it stands, grammati-
cally Peter writes tlie discourse and sends it, and yet " by liis order "
must also apply to Peter, The Recognitions make Clement write the
book and send it. The passage is deemed important, and is accordingly
discussed in Schliemann, p. 83; Hilgenfeld, p. 37 ; and Uhlhorn, p. 101.

30 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

day, beginning only concerning the prophet of the truth, he
confirmed me in every respect; and then he spoke thusc
"Henceforth give heed to the discussions that take place be-
tween me and those on the other side ; and even if I come off
at a disadvantage, I am not afraid of your ever doubting of
the truth that has been delivered to you, knowing well that
I seem to be beaten, but not the doctrine that has been
delivered to us by the Prophet. However, I hope not to come
off in our inquiries at a disadvantage with men who have
understanding — ^I mean lovers of truth, w4io are able to know
what discourses are specious, artificial, and pleasant, and what
are unartificial and simple, trusting only to the truth [that is
conveyed] through them."

Chap. xxt. — Unalterable conviction,

"When he had thus spoken, I answered : " Now do I thank
God ; for as I wished to be convinced, so He has vouchsafed
to me. However, so far as concerns me, be you so far with-
out anxiety that I shall never doubt ; so much so, that if you
yourself should ever wish to remove me from the prophetic
doctrine, you should not be able, so well do I know what I
have received. And do not think that it is a great thing
that I promise you that I shall never doubt ; for neither I
myself, nor any man who has heard your discourse concern-
ing the Prophet, can ever doubt of the true doctrine, having
first heard and understood what is the truth of the pro-
phetic announcement. Wherefore have confidence in the
God-willed dogma ; for every art of wickedness has been
conquered. For against prophecy, neither arts of discourses,
nor tricks of sophisms, nor syllogisms, nor any other con-
trivance, can prevail anything ; that is, if he who has heard
the true Prophet really is desirous of truth, and does not
give heed to aught else under pretext of truth. So that, my
lord Peter, be not disconcerted, as though you had presented
the greatest good to a senseless person ; for you have pre-
sented it to one sensible of the favour, and who cannot be
seduced from the truth that has been committed to him.
For I know that it is one of those things which one wishes

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 31

to receive quickly, and not to attain slowly. Therefore I
know that I should not despise, on account of the quickness
[with which I have got it], what has been committed to me,
what is incomparable, and what alone is safe."

Chap. xxii. — Tlianksgiving,

When I had thus spoken, Peter said : " I give thanks to
God, both for your salvation and for my satisfaction. For I
am truly pleased to know that you apprehend what is the
greatness of prophecy. Since, then, as you say, if I myself
should ever wish — which God forbid — to transfer you to
another doctrine, I shall not be able to persuade you, begin
from to-morrow to attend upon me in the discussions with
the adversaries. And to-morrow I have one with Simon
Magus." And having spoken thus, and he himself having
partaken of food in private, he ordered me also to partake ;
and having blessed the food, and having given thanks after
being satisfied, and having given me an account of this
matter, he went on to say : " May God grant you in all
things to be made like unto me, and having been baptized,
to partake of the same table with me." And having thus
spoken, he enjoined me to go to rest; for now indeed my
bodily nature demanded sleep.

== HOMILY II. ==

Chap. i. — Peter s attendants.

THEREFORE the next clay, I Clement, awakinir
from sleep before dawn, and learning that Peter
^Yas astir, and was conversing with his attendants
concerning the worship of God (there were six-
teen of them, and I have thought good to set forth their
names, as I subsequently learned them, that you may also
know who they were. The first of them was Zaccheus, who
was once a publican, and Sophonias his brother ; Joseph
and his foster-brother Michaias ; also Thomas and EHezer
the twins ; also -^neas and Lazarus the priests ; besides
also Elisaeus, and Benjamin the son of Saphrus ; as also
Rubilus and Zacharias the builders ; and Ananias and
Haggaeus the Jamminians ; and Nicetas and Aquila the
friends), — accordingly I went in and saluted him, and at
his request sat down.

Chap. ii. — A sound mind in a sound hody.

And he, breaking off the discourse in which he was en-
gaged, assured me, by way of apology, why he had not
awakened me that I mlMit hear his discourses, assi^^ninix as
the reason the discomfort of my voyage. As he wished this
to be dispelled,^ he had suffered me to sleep. "For," said
he, " whenever the soul is distracted concerning some bodily
want, it does not properly approach the instructions that are
presented to it. On this account I am not willing to con-
verse, either with those who are greatly grieving through some
calamity, or are immoderately angry, or are turned to the
frenzy of love, or are suffering under bodily exhaustion, or are
^ Literally, " to be boiled out of me."
32

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 33

distressed with the cares of life, or are harassed with any other
sufferings, whose soul, as I said, being downcast, and sympa-
thizing with the suffering body, occupies also its own intelli-
gence therewith.

Chap. hi. — Forevjamed is forearmed.

" And let it not be said, Is it not, then, proper to present
comforts and admonitions to those who are in any bad case?
To this I answer, that if, indeed, any one is able, let him
present them ; but if not, let him bide his time. For I know^
that all things have their proper season. Wherefore it is
proper to ply men with words which strengthen the soul in
anticipation of evil ; so that, if at any time any evil comes
upon them, the mind, being forearmed with the right argu-
ment, may be able to bear up under that which befalls it :
for then the mind knows in the crisis of the struo-ale to have
recourse to him who succoured it by good counsel.

Chap. iv. — A request.

^^ However, I have learned, O Clement, how that in x\lex-
andria Barnabas perfectly expounded to you the word respect-
ing prophecy. Was it not so?" I answered, "Yes, and
exceedino; well." Then Peter : " Therefore it is not neces-
sary now to occupy with the instructions which you know,
the time which may serve us for other instructions wliich
you do not know." Then said I : " You have rightly said,

Peter. But vouchsafe this to me, who purpose always to
attend upon you, continuously to expound to me, a delighted
hearer, the doctrine of the Prophet. For, apart from Him, as

1 learned from Barnabas, it is impossible to learn the truth."

Chap. y. — Excellence of the knoioledge of the true Propliet.

And Peter, being greatly pleased with this, answered :
"Already hath the rectifying process taken its end, as regards
you, knowing as you do the greatness of the infallible
prophecy, without which it is impossible for any one to
receive that which is supremely profitable. For of many

1 Eccles. iii. 1.

34 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and diverse blessings whicli are in the tilings which are or
which may be, the most blessed of all — whether it be eternal
life, or perpetual health, or a perfect understanding, or light,
or joy, or immortality, or whatever else there is or that can be
supremely good in the nature of things — cannot be possessed
without first knowing things as they are ; and this knowledge
cannot be otherwise obtained than by first becoming ac-
quainted w^ith the Prophet of the truth.

Chap. vi. — The true ProplieL

" Now the Prophet of the truth is He who always knows
all things — things past as they were, things present as they
are, things future as they shall be ; sinless, merciful, alone
entrusted w^ith the declaration of the truth. Read, and you
shall find that those [w^ere deceived]^ who thought that they
had found the truth of themselves. For this is peculiar to
the Prophet, to declare the truth, even as it is peculiar to the
sun to bring the day. Wherefore, as many as have even
desired to know the truth, but have not had the good fortune
to learn it from Him, have not found it, but have died seek-
ing it. For how can he find the truth who seeks it from his
own ignorance ? And even if he find it, he does not know
it, and passes it by as if it were not. Nor yet shall he be
able to obtain possession of the truth from another, who, in
like manner, promises to him knowledge from ignorance ;
excepting only the knowledge of morality and things of that
sort, which can be known through reason, which affords to
every one the knowledge that he ought not to wrong another,
through his not wishing [himself] to be wronged.

Chap. vii. — Unaided quest of truth profitless,

*^ All therefore who ever souo;ht the truth, trustinfr to them-
selves to be able to find it, fell into a snare. This is what
both the philosophers of the Greeks, and the more intelligent
of the barbarians, have suffered. For, applying themselves
to things visible, they have given decisions by conjecture on

^ ""Were deceived" is not in the text, but the sense demands that
some such expression should be supplied.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 35

things not apparent, thinking that that was truth which at
any time presented itself to them [as such]. For, like persons
who know the truth, they, still seeking the truth, reject some
of the suppositions that are presented to them, and lay hold
of others, as if they knew, while they do not know, what things
are true and what are false. And they dogmatize concerning
truth, even those who are seeking after truth, not knowing
that he who seeks truth cannot learn it from his own wander-
ing. For not even, as I said, can he recognise her when she
stands by him, since he is unacquainted with her.

Chap. viii. — Test of truth.

" And It IS by no means that which is true, but that which
is pleasing, which persuades every one who seeks to learn from
himself. Since, therefore, one thing is pleasing to one, and
another to another, one thing prevails over one as truth, and
another thino; over another. But the truth Is that which is
approved by the Prophet, not that which is pleasant to each
individual. For that which is one would be many, if the
pleasing were the true ; which Is impossible. Wherefore also
the Grecian philologers — rather than philosophers-^ — going
about matters by conjectures, have dogmatized much and
diversely, thinking that the apt sequence of hypotheses is
truth, not knowing that when they have assigned to them- ^/
selves false beginnings, their conclusion has corresponded with '
the beginning.

Chap. ix. — " The iveak things of the world.^^

" Whence a man ought to pass by all else, and commit
himself to the Prophet of the truth alone. And we are all
able to judge of Him, whether he is a prophet, even although
w^e be wholly unlearned, and novices in sophisms, and un-
skilled In geometry, and uninitiated in music. For God, as
caring for all, has made the discovery concerning Himself
easier to all, in order that neither the barbarians might be
powerless, nor the Greeks unable to find Him. Therefore
the discovery concerning Him is easy ; and thus it is :

^ (pih-ohoyat^ ov (pt\6ao(poi^ "lovers of words, not lovers of wisdom."

3G THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. x. — Test of the prophet

"If he is a Prophet, and is ahle to know how the world
was made, and the things that are in it, and the things that
shall be to the end, if He has foretold us anything, and we
have ascertained that it has been perfectly accomplished, we
easily believe that the things shall be v.-hich [He says] are to
be, from the things that have been already ; we believe Him,
I say, as not only knowing, but foreknowing. To whom then,
however limited an understanding he may have, does it not
appear, that it behoves us, with respect to the things that
are pleasing to God, to believe beyond all others Him who
bevond all men knows, even though He has not learned?
Wherefore, if anv one sliould be unwillinir to concede the
power of knowing the truth to such an one — I mean to Him
Avho has foreknowledge tlu'ough the divinity of the Spirit
that is in Him — conceding the power of knowing to any one
else, is he not void of understanding, in conceding to him
■who is no prophet, that power of knowing which he would
not concede to the Prophet ?

Crap. xi. — Ignorance, knowledge, foreknowledge,

" Wherefore, before all things, we must test the Prophet
with all judgment by means of the prophetic promise ; and
havino; ascertained Him to l)e the Prophet, we must undoubt-
ino;ly follow the other words of His teaching ; and having
confidence concerning things hoped for, we must conduct our-
selves according to the first judgment, knowing that He who
tells us these things has not a nature to lie. AYherefore, if
any of the things that are afterwards spoken by Him do not
appear to us to be well spoken, we must know that it is not
that it has been spoken amiss, but that it is that we have
not conceived it aright. For ignorance does not riixhtly
judge knowledge, and so neither is knowledge competent
truly to judge foreknowledge; but foreknowledge affords
knowledge to the ignorant.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 37

Chap. xii. — Doctrine of the true Prophet.

" Hence, O beloved Clement, if you would know the things
pertaining to God, you have to learn them from Him alone, "^
because He alone knows the truth. For if any one else
knows anything, he has received it from Him or from His
disciples. And this is His doctrine and true proclamation,
that there is one God, whose work the world is ; who being
altogether righteous, shall certainly at some time render to
every one according tc his deeds.

Chap. XIII. — Future reivards and punishments,

"For there is every necessity, that he who says that God
is by His nature righteous, should believe also that the
souls of men are immortal : for where would be Plis justice,
when some, having lived piously, have been evil-treated, and
sometimes violently cut off, while others who have been
wholly impious, and have indulged in luxurious living,
have died the common death of men? Since therefore,
without all contradiction, God who is good is also just. He
shall not otherwise be known to be just, unless the soul after
its separation from the body be immortal, so that the wicked
man, being in hell,^ as having here received his good things,
may there be punished for his sins ; and the good man, who
has been punished here for his sins, may then, as in tho
bosom of the righteous, be constituted an heir of good things.
Since therefore God is righteous, it is fully evident to us
that there is a judgment, and that souls are immortal.

Chap. xiv. — Righteousness and unrighteousness.

" But if any one, according to the opinion of this Simon the
Samaritan, will not admit that God is just, to whom then
can any one ascribe justice, or the possibility of it? For if
the Root of all have it not, there is every necessity to think
that it must be impossible to find it in human nature, whicli
is, as it were, the fruit. And if it is to be found in man, how
much more in God ! But if righteousness can be found no-

^ Lit. Hades.

38 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

where, neither in God nor in man, then neither can unri^ht-
eousness. But there is such a thincf as riMiteousness, for
unrighteousness takes its name from the existence of right-
eousness ; for it is called unrighteousness, when righteousness
is compared with it, and it is found to be opposite to it.

Chap. xv. — Pairs»

" Hence therefore God, teaching men with respect to the
truth of existing things, being Himself one, has distinguished
all principles into pairs and opposites,^ Himself being one
and sole God from the beginning, having made heaven and
earth, day and night, light and fire, sun and moon, life and
death. But man alone amongst these He made self-control-
ling, having a fitness to be either righteous or unrighteous.
To him also he hath varied the figures of combinations, placing
before him small things first, and great ones afterwards, such
as the world and eternitv. But the world that now is, is
temporary; that which shall be, is eternal. First is ignorance,
then knowledfre. So also has He arranfjed the leaders
of prophecy. For, since the present world is female, as a
mother bringing forth the souls of her children, but the
world to come is male, as a father receivinor his children
[from their mother], therefore in this world there come a
succession of prophets, as being sons of the world to come,
and having knowledge of men. And if pious men had under-
stood this mystery, they would never have gone astray, but
even now they should have known that Simon, who now en-
thralls all men, is a fellow-worker of error and deceit. Now,
the doctrine of the prophetic rule is as follows.

Chap. xvi. — Mans icays opposite to GocCs.

" As in the ben;inninf' God, who is one, like a nVht hand
and a left, made the heavens first and then the earth, so also
He constituted all the combinations in order ; but upon men
He no more does this, but varies all the combinations. For
whereas from Him the greater things come first, and the
inferior second, we find the opposite in men — the first worse,
^ Literally, "twofoldly and oppositely."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 39

and the second superior. Therefore from Adam, who was
made after the image of God, there sprang first the unright-
eous Cain, and then the righteous Abel. Again, from him
who amongst you is called Deucalion,^ two forms of spirits
were sent forth, the impure namely, and the pure, first the
black raven, and then the white dove. From Abraham also,
the patriarchs of our nation, two firsts^ sprang-^Ishmael first,
then Isaac, who was blessed of God. And from Isaac himself,
in like manner, there were again two — Esau the profane, and
Jacob the pious. So. first in birth, as the first born in the
world, was the high priest [Aaron], then the lawgiver [Moses].

Chap. xvii. — First the ivorse, then the better,

**In like manner, the combination with respect to Elias,
which behoved to have come, has been willingly put off to
another time, having determined to enjoy it conveniently
hereafter.^ Wherefore, also, he who was among those born of
woman came first ; then he who was among the sons of men
came second. It were possible, following this order, to perceive
to what series Simon belongs, who came before me to the Gen-
tiles, and to which I belong who have come after him, and have
come in upon him as light upon darkness, as knowledge upon
ignorance, as healing upon disease. And thus, as the true
Prophet has told us, a false prophet must first come from some
deceiver ; and then, in like manner, after the removal of the
holy place, the true gospel must be secretly sent abroad for
the rectification of the heresies that shall be. After this, also,
towards the end, Antichrist must first come, and then our
Jesus must be revealed to be indeed the Christ ; and after
this, the eternal light having sprung up, all the things of
darkness must disappear.

1 Noah.

2 For " first " Wieseler conjectures "different," — two different persons,
^ In this sentence the text is probahly corrupted. The general mean-
ing seems to be, that he does not enter fully at present into the subject
of Elias, or John the Baptist, the greatest of those born of woman, com-
ing first, and Christ, the greatest among the sons of men, coming after,
but that he will return to the subject on a fitting occasion.

40 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap, xyiit. — Mistake about Simon Magus,

" Since, then, as I said, some men do not know the rule of
combination, thence they do not know who is my precursor
Simon. For if he were known, he would not be believed ;
but now, not being known, he is improperly believed ; and
thouirh his deeds are those of a hater, he is loved ; and thousjli

O ' CI

an enemy, he is received as a friend ; and though he be
death, he is desired as a saviour ; and though fire, he is
esteemed as light ; and though a deceiver, he is believed as a
speaker of truth."

Then I Clement, when I heard this, said, " Who then, I
pray you, is this who is such a deceiver ? I should like to be
informed." Then said Peter : " If you wish to learn, it is in
your power to know it from those from whom I also got
accurate information on all points respecting him.

Chap. xtx. — Justa, a proselyte,

" There is amongst us one Justa, a Syro-Phoenician, by
race a Canaanite, whose daughter was oppressed with a griev-
ous disease. And she came to our Lord, crying out, and
entreatinfT that He would heal her daughter. But He, beinir
asked also by us, said, ' It is not lawful to heal the Gentiles,
who are like to doi^s on account of their usinij various^ meats
and practices, while the table in the kingdom has been given
to the sons of Israel.' But she. hearincr this, and beixirino:
to partake like a dog of the crumbs that fall from this table,
having changed what she was,^ by living like the sons of the
kingdom, she obtained healing for her daughter, as she asked.
For she bein^: a Gentile, and remainins; in the same course of
life. He would not have healed had she remained a Gentile,
;y on account of its not being lawful to heal her as a Gentile.^

^ For 'hiu(p6poig Duncker proposes dZiec(p6poi;, " meats witliout distinc-
tion."

2 That is, having ceased to be a Gentile, by abstaining from forbidden
foods.

^ There are several various readings in this sentence, and none of them
can be strictly construed ; but the general sense is obvious.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 41

Chap. xx. — Divorced for the faith»

" She, therefore, having taken up a manner of life accord-
ing to the law, was, with the daughter who had been healed,
driven out from her home by her husband, whose sentiments
were opposed to ours. But she, being faithful to her engage-
ments, and being in affluent circumstances, remained a widow
herself, but gave her daughter in m-arriage to a certain man
who was attached to the true faith, and who was poor. And,
abstaining from marringe for the sake of her daughter, she
bought two boys and educated them, and had them in place
of sons. And they being educated from their boyhood with
Simon Masjus, have learned all thinors concernino; him. For
such was their friendship, that they were associated with him
in all things in which he wished to unite with them.

Chap. xxi. — Justas adopted sons, associates ivith Simon,

" These men having fallen in with Zacclieus, who sojourned
here, and having received the word of truth from him, and
having repented of their former innovations, and immediately
denouncing Simon as being privy with him in all things, as
soon as I came to sojourn here, they came to me with their
foster-mother, being presented to me by him [Zaccheus], and
ever since they continue with me, enjoying instructions in the
truth." When Peter had said this, he sent for them, and
charged them that they should accurately relate to me all
things concerning Simon. And they, having called God to
witness that in nothing they would falsify, proceeded with
the relation.

Chap. xxii. — Doctrines of Simon,

First Aquila began to speak in this wise: *' Listen, O dearest
brother, that you may know accurately everything about this
man, whose he is, and what, and whence ; and what the
things are which he does, and how and why he does them.
This Simon is the son of Antonlus and Rachel, a Samaritan
by race, of the village of Gitthas, which is six schoeni distant
from the city. He having disciplined himself greatly in Alex-

<

42 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

andi'ia/ and being very powerful in magic, and being ambi-
tious, wishes to be accounted a certain supreme power, greater
even than the God who created the world. And sometimes
intimating that he is Christ, he styles himself the Standing One.
And this epithet he employs, as intimating that he shall always
stand, and as not having any cause of corruption so that his
body should fall. And he neither says that the God who
created the world is the Supreme, nor does he believe that
the dead will be raised. He rejects Jerusalem, and substitutes
Mount Gerizzim for it. Instead of our Christ, he proclaims
himself. The things of the law he explains by his own pre-
sumption ; and he says, indeed, that there is to be a judg-
ment, but he does not expect it. For if he were persuaded
that he shall be judged by God, he would not dare be
impious towards God Himself. Whence some not knowing
that, using religion as a cloak, he spoils the things of the
truth, and faithfully believing the hope and the judgment
which in some way he says are to be, are ruined.

Chap, xxiii. — Simon a disciple of tlte Baptist.

" But that he came to deal with the doctrines of religion
happened on this wise. There was one John, a day-baptist,^
who was also, according to the method of combination, the
forerunner of our Lord Jesus ; and as the Lord had twelve
apostles, bearing the number of the twelve months of the sun,
so also he [John] had thirty chief men, fulfilling the monthly
reckonino; of the moon, in which number was a certain woman
called Helena, that not even this might be without a dispensa-
tional significance. For a woman, being half a man, made
up the imperfect number of the triacontad ; as also in the
case of the moon, whose revolution does not make the com-
plete course of the month. But of these thirty, the first and
the most esteemed by John was Simon ; and the reason of
. his not belns chief after the death of John was as follows : —

1 The Vatican MS. adds, " which is in Egypt [or, on the Nile], in Greek
culture."
^ ^ A day-baptist is taken to mean " one who baptizes every day."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 43

Chap. xxiv. — Electioneering stratagems.

"He being absent in Egypt for the practice of magic, and
John being killed, Dositheus desiring the leadership, falsely
gave out that Simon was dead, and succeeded to the seat.
But Simon, returning not long after, and strenuously hold-
ing by the place as his own, when he met with Dositheus
did not demand the place, knowing that a man who has
attained power beyond his expectations cannot be removed
from it. Wherefore with pretended friendship he gives
himself for a while to the second place, under Dositheus.
But taking his place after a few days among the thirty
fellow-disciples, he began to malign Dositheus as not deliver-
ing the instructions correctly. And this he said that he
did, not through unwillingness to deliver them correctly, but
through ignorance. And on one occasion, Dositheus, per-
ceiving that this artful accusation of Simon was dissipating
the opinion of him with respect to many, so that they did
not think that he was the standino; one, came in a raoje to
the usual place of meeting, and finding Simon, struck him
with a staff. But it seemed to pass through the body of [
Simon as if he had been smoke. Thereupon Dositheus, j
being confounded, said to him, ' If you are the standing
one, I also will worship you.' Then Simon said that he
was ; and Dositheus, knowing that he himself was not the
standing one, fell down and worshipped ; and associating
himself with the twenty-nine chiefs, he raised Simon to his
own place of repute ; and thus, not many days after, Dosi- I
theus himself, while he (Simon) stood, fell down and died. ^

Chap. xxv. — Simon^s deceit.

" But Simon is going about in company with Helena, and
even till now, as you see, is stirring up the people. And he
says that he has brought down this Helena from the highest
heavens to the world ; being queen, as the all-bearing being,
and wisdom, for whose sake, says he, the Greeks and bar-
barians fought, having before their eyes but an image of

44 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

truth ; -^ for slie, who really is the truth, was then with the
chiefest god. Moreover, by cunningly explaining certain
things of this sort, made up from Grecian myths, he deceives
many ; especially as he performs many signal marvels, so that
if w^e did not know that he does these things by magic, we
ourselves should also have been deceived. But whereas we
were his fellow-labourers at the first, so long as he did such
things without doing wrong to the interests of religion ; now
that he has madly begun to attempt to deceive those who are
reliiiious, we have withdrawn from him.

Chap. xxvi. — His iciclcedness.

"For he even began to commit murder, as himself disclosed
to us, as a friend to friends, that, having separated the soul
of a child from its own body by horrid incantations, as his
assistant for the exhibition of anything that he pleased, and
having drawn the likeness of the boy, he has it set up in the
inner room where he sleeps, saying that he once formed the
boy of air, by divine arts, and having painted his likeness, he
gave him back again to the air. And he explains that he did
the deed thus. He says that the first soul of man, being turned
into the nature of heat, drew to itself, and sucked in the sur-
rounding air, after the fashion of a gourd ;" and then that he
changed it into water, when it was within the form of the
spirit ; and he said that he changed into the nature of blood
the air that was in it, which could not be poured out on
account of the consistency of the spirit, and that he made the
blood solidified into flesh ; then, the flesh being thus con-
solidated, that he exhibited a man not [made] from earth,
but from air. And thus, having persuaded himself that he
was able to make a new [sort of] man, he said that he re-
versed the chano;es, and ao;ain restored him to the air. And
when he told this to others, he was believed ; but by us who
were present at his ceremonies he was religiously disbelieved.

^ "We have here an allusion to the tradition that it was only an image
of Helen that was taken to Troy, and not the real Helen herself.
2 AVhich was used by the ancients as cupping-glasses are now used.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 45

Wherefore we denounced his impieties, and withdrew from
him."

Chap, xxvii. — His promises.

When Aquila had thus spoken, his brother Nicetas said :
" It is necessary, O Clement our brother, for me to mention
what has been left out by Aquila. For, in the first place,
God is witness that we assisted him in no impious work, but
that we looked on while he wrought ; and as loner as he did
harmless things, and exhibited them, we were also pleased.
But when, in order to deceive the godly, he said that he did,
by means of godhead, the things that were done by magic, we
no longer endured him, though he made us many promises,
especially that our statues should be thought worthy of [a
place in] the temple,'^ and that we should be thought to be
gods, and should be worshipped by the multitude, and should
be honoured by kings, and should be thought worthy of public
honours, and enriched with boundless wealth.

Chap, xxviii. — Fruitless counsel,

" These things, and things reckoned greater than these, he
promised us, on condition only that we should associate with
him, and keep silence as to the wickedness of his undertak-
ing, so that the scheme of his deceit might succeed. But
still we would not consent, but even counselled him to desist
from such madness, saying to him: 'We, O Simon, remember-
ing our friendship towards you from our childhood, and out
of affection for you, give you good counsel. Desist from this
attempt. You cannot be a God. Fear Him who is really
God. Know that you are a man, and that the time of your
life is short; and though you should get great riches, or
even become a kino;, few things accrue to the short time
of your life for enjoyment, and things wickedly gotten soon
flee away, and procure everlasting punishment for the adven-
turer. Wherefore we counsel you to fear God, by whom

^ The Vatican MS. and Epitome read, "tliat a shrine and statues should
be erected in lionour of us."

46 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

the soul of every one must be judged for the deeds that he
hath done here.'

Chap. xxix. — Immortality of the soul,

" When he heard this he laughed ; and when we asked
him why he laughed at us for giving him good counsel, he
answered : ^ I laugh at your foolish supposition, because you
believe that the soul of man is immortal.' Then I said :
' We do not wonder, O Simon, at your attempting to deceive
us, but we are confounded at the way in which you deceive
even yourself. Tell me, O Simon, even if no one else has
been fully convinced that the soul is immortal, at all events
you and we [ought to be so] : you as having separated one
from a human body, and conversed with it, and laid your
commands upon it; and we as having been present, and
heard your commands, and clearly witnessed [the performance
of] what was ordered.' Then said Simon : ' I know what
you mean ; but you know nothing of the matters concerning
which you reason.' Then said Nicetas: ^If you know, speak;
but if you do not know, do not suppose that we can be de-
ceived by your saying that you know, and that we do not.
For we are not so childish, that you can sow in us a shrewd
suspicion that we should think that you know some unutter-
able things, and so that you should take and hold us in sub-
jection, by holding us in restraint through means of desire.'

CllAP. XXX. — An argument.

" Then Simon said : ^ I am aware that you know that I
separated a soul from a human body ; but I know that you
are ignorant that it is not the soul of the dead person that
ministers to me, for it does not exist ; but a certain demon
works, pretending to be the soul.' Then said Nicetas :
^ Many incredible things we have heard in our lifetime, but
aught more senseless than this speech we do not expect ever
to hear. For if a demon pretends to be the soul of the dead
person, what is the use of the soul at all, tiiat it should be
separated from the body ? Were not we ourselves present,
and heard you conjuring the soul from the body ? And how

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 47

comes it that, when one Is conjured, another who is not con-
jured obeys, as if it were frightened? And you yourself,
when at any time we have asked you why the conferences
sometimes cease, did not you say that the soul, having ful-
filled the time upon earth which it was to have passed in
the body, goes to Hades ? And you added, that the souls of
those who commit suicide are not easily permitted to come,
because, having gone home into Hades, they are guarded.' "

Chap. xxxi. — A dilemma,

Nicetas having thus spoken, Aquila himself in turn said :
" This only should I wish to learn of you, Simon, whether
it is the soul or whether it is a demon that is conjured : w^iat
is it afraid of, that it does not despise the conjuration ? "
Then Simon said : '^ It knows that it should suffer punish-
ment if it were disobedient." Then said Aquila : " Therefore,
if the soul comes when conjured, there is also a judgment.
If, therefore, souls are immortal, assuredly there is also a
judgment. As you say, then, that those which are conjured
on wicked business are punished if they disobey, how are
you not afraid to compel them, when those that are com-
pelled are punished for disobedience ? For it is not wonder-
ful that you do not already suffer for your doings, seeing the
judgment has not yet come, when you are to suffer the
penalty of those deeds which you have compelled others to
do, and when that which has been done under compulsion
shall be pardoned, as having been out of respect for the oath
which led to the evil action." -^ And he hearing this was
enraged, and threatened death to us if we did not keep silence
as to his doings.

Chap, xxxii. — Simon^s prodigies.

Aquila having thus spoken, I Clement inquired : ^^ What,
then, are the prodigies that he works ? " And they told me
that he makes statues walk, and that he rolls himself on the
fire, and is not burnt ; and sometimes he flies ; and he makes

^ The Latin translates : "as having preferred the oath to the evil
action."

48 THE CLEMENTI2^E HOMILIES,

\ loaves of stones ; he becomes a serpent : lie transforms him-
self into a goat ; he becomes two-faced ; he changes him-

; self into gold ; he opens lockfast gates ; he melts iron ; at

' banquets he produces images of all manner of forms. In
his house he makes dishes be seen as borne of themselves to
wait upon him, no bearers being seen. I wondered when I

] heard them speak thus; but many bore witness that they

( had been present, and had seen such things.

Chap, xxxiii. — Doctrine of pairs.

Those things having been thus spoken, the excellent Peter
himself also proceeded to speak : '* You must perceive,
brethren, the truth of the rule of conjunction, from which
he who departs not cannot be misled. For since, as we
have said, we see all things in pairs and contraries, and as
the niijht is first, and then the dav ; and first iirnorance, then
knowledixe ; first disease, then healincr, so the things of error
come first into our life, then truth supervenes, as the physician
upon the disease. Therefore straightway, when our God-
loved nation was about to be ransomed from the oppression of
the Egyptians, first diseases were produced by means of the
rod turned into a serpent, which was given to Aaron, and then
remedies were superinduced by the prayers of Moses. And
now" also, when the Gentiles are abcut to be ransomed from
the superstition with respect to idols, wickedness, which
reigns over them, has by anticipation sent forth her ally like
another serpent, even this Simon whom you see, who works
wonders to astonish and deceive, not signs of healing to con-
vert and save. Wherefore it behoves you also from the
miracles that are done to judge the doers, what is the cha-
racter of the performer, and what that of the deed. If he do
unprofitable miracles, he is the agent of wickedness ; but if he
do profitable things, he is a leader of goodness.

Chap, xxxiv. — Useless and plulanthropic miracles,

" Those, then, are useless signs, which you say that Simon
did. But I say that the making statues walk, and rolling
himself on burnini^ coals, and becominfj a dragon, and beino-

THE CLEMEh'TINE HOMILIES. 40

changed into a goat, and flying in the air, and all such things,
not being for the healing of man, are of a nature to deceive
many. But the miracles of compassionate truth are philan-
thropic, such as you have heard that the Lord did, and that
I after Him accomplish by my prayers ; at which most of
you have been present, some being freed from all kinds of
diseases, and some from demons, some having their hands
restored, and some their feet, some recovering their eyesight,
and some their hearing, and whatever else a man can do,
being of a philanthropic spirit."

Chap. xxxv. — Discussion postponed.

When Peter had thus spoken, towards dawn Zaccheus
entered and saluted us, and said to Peter : " Simon puts off
» , the inquiry till to-morrow ; for to-day is his Sabbath, which
^ occurs at intervals of eleven days." To him Peter answered :
" Say to Simon, Whenever thou wishest ; and know thou
that we are always in readiness to meet thee, by divine pro-
vidence, when thou desirest." And Zaccheus hearing this,
went out to return the answer.

Chap, xxxvi. — All for the best.

But he (Peter) saw me disheartened, and asked the rea-
son ; and being told that it proceeded from no cause but the
postponement of the inquiry, he said : " He who has appre-
hended that the world is regulated by the good providence of
God, O beloved Clement, is not vexed by things howsoever
occurring, considering that things take their course advan-
tageously under the providence of the Ruler. Whence,
knowing that He is just, and living with a good conscience,
he knows how by right reason to shake off from his soul any
annoyance that befalls him, because, when complete, it must
come to some unknown good. Now then, let not Simon the
magician's postponement of the inquiry grieve you ; for
perhaps it has happened from the providence of God for
your profit. Wherefore I shall not scruple to speak to you
as being my special friend.

D

50 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. XXXVII. — Spies in the enemy's camp,

*^ Some of our people attend feignedly upon Simon as
companions, as if they %Yere persuaded by his most atheistic
error, in order that they may learn his purpose and disclose
it to us, so that we may be able to encounter this terrible
man on favourable terms. And now I have learned from
them what arguments he is going to employ in the discussion.
And knowing this, I give thanks to God on the one hand,
and I congratulate you on the other, on the postponement of
the discussion ; for you, being instructed by me before the
discussion, of the arguments that are to be used by him for
the destruction of the ignorant, will be able to listen with-
out danger of falling.

Chap, xxxviii. — Corruption of the law,

" For the Scriptures have had joined to them many false-
hoods against God on this account. The prophet Moses
having by the order of God delivered the law, with the ex-
planations, to certain chosen men, some seventy in number,
in order that they also might instruct such of the people as
chose, after a little the written law had added to it certain
falsehoods contrary to the law of God,-^ who made the heaven
and the earth, and all things in them ; the wicked one hav-
ing dared to work this for some righteous purpose. And this
took place in reason and judgment, that those might be con-
victed who should dare to listen to the things written against
God, and those who, through love towards Him, should not
only disbelieve the things spoken against Him, but should not
even endure to hear them at all, even if they should happen
to be true, judging it much safer to incur danger with
respect to religious faith, than to live with an evil conscience
on account of blasphemous words.

Chap, xxxix. — Tactics.

" Simon, therefore, as I learn, intends to come into public,
and to speak of those chapters against God that are added to
^ The Vatican iis. reads : " against the only God."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 51

the Scriptures, for the sake of temptation, that he may seduce
as many wretched ones as he can from the love of God. For
we do not wish to say in public that these chapters are added
to the Bible, since we should thereby perplex the unlearned
multitudes, and so accomplish the purpose of this wicked
Simon. For they not having yet the power of discerning,
would flee from us as impious ; or, as if not only the blas-
phemous chapters were false, they would even withdraw from
the word. Wherefore we are under a necessity of assent-
ing to the false chapters, and putting questions in return to
him concerning them, to draw him into a strait, and to give
in private an explanation of the chapters that are spoken
against God to the well-disposed after a trial of their faith ;
and of this there is but one way, and that a brief one. It is
this.

Chap. xl. — Preliminary instruction.

" Everything that is spoken or written against God is
false. But that we say this truly, not only for the sake of
reputation, but for the sake of truth, I shall convince you
when my discourse has proceeded a little further. Whence
you, my most beloved Clement, ought not to be sorry at
Simon's having interposed a day between this and the dis-
cussion. For to-day, before the discussion, you shall be
instructed concerning the chapters added to the Scriptures ;
and then in the discussion concerning the only one and good
God, the Maker also of the world, you ought not to be dis-
tracted. But in the discussion you will even wonder how
impious men, overlooking the multitudes of things that are
spoken in the Scriptures for God, and looking at those that
are spoken against Him, gladly bring these forward; and
thus the hearers, by reason of ignorance, believing the things
against God, become outcasts from His kingdom. Wherefore
you, by advantage of the postponement, learning the mystery
of the Scriptures, and gaining the [means of] not sinning
against God, will incomparably rejoice."

02 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xli. — Ashing for information^ not contradiction.

Then I Clement, hearing this, said : " Truly I rejoice, and
I give thanks to God, who in all things doeth well. How-
ever, he knows that I shall be able to think nothing other
than that all things are for God. Wherefore do not suppose
that I ask questions, as doubting the words concerning God,^
or those that are to be spoken, but rather that I may learn,
and so be able myself to instruct another who is ingenuously
willinfT to learn. Wherefore tell me what are the falsehoods
added to the Scriptures, and how it comes that they are really
false." Then Peter answered : " Even although you had not
asked me, I should have gone on in order, and afforded you
the exposition of these matters, as I promised. Learn, then,
how the Scriptures misrepresent Him in many respects, that
you may know when you happen upon them.

Chap. xlii. — Rigid notions of God essential to JioUness,

"But what I am going to tell you will be sufficient by way
of example. But I do not think, my dear Clement, that any
one who possesses ever so little love to God and ingenuous-
ness, will be able to take in, or even to hear, the things that
are spoken against Him. For how is it that he can have a
monarchic ^ soul, and be holy, who supposes that there are
many gods, and not one only ? But even if there be but one,
who will cherish zeal to be holy, that finds Him in many
defects, since he will hope that the Beginning of all things,
by reason of the defects of his ov;n nature, will not visit the
crimes of others ?

Chap, xliii. — A priori argument on the divine attributes,

" Wherefore, far be it from us to believe that the Lord of
all, who made the heaven and the earth, and all things that

^ The text has vtto, "by," which has been altered into vT^ip. Davis
would read gov, "by you."

2 Cotelerius doubts whether this expression means a soul ruhng over
his body, or a soul disposed to favour monarchical rule. The former
explanation seems to us the more probable.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 53

are In them, shares His government with others, or that He
lies. For if He lies, then who speaks truth ? Or that He
makes experiments as in ignorance ; for then who foreknows ?
And if He dehberates, and changes His purpose, who is per-
fect in understanding and permanent in design? If He envies,
who is above rivah'y? If He hardens hearts, who makes
wise ? If He makes bUnd and deaf, who has given sight and
hearing ? If He commits pilfering, who administers justice ?
If He mocks, who is sincere ? If He is weak, who is omni-
potent ? If He is unjust, who is just ? If He makes evil
things, who shall make good things ? If He does evil, who
shall do good ?

Chap. xliv. — The same continued,

"But if He desires the fruitful hill,^ whose then are all
things ? If He is false, who then is true ? If He dwells in a
tabernacle, who is without bounds ? If He is fond of fat, and
sacrifices, and offerings, and drink-offerings, who then is with-
out need, and who is holy, and pure, and perfect? If He is
pleased with candles and candlesticks, who then placed the
luminaries in heaven ? If He dwells in shadow, and dark-
ness, and storm, and smoke, who is the light that lightens the
universe ? If He comes with trumpets, and shoutings, and
darts, and arrows, who is the looked-for tranquillity of all ?
If He loves war, who then wishes peace ? If He makes evil
things, who makes good things ? If He is without affection,
who is a lover of men ? If He is not faithful to His pro-
mises, who shall be trusted ? If He loves the wicked, and
adulterers, and murderers, who shall be a just judge? If
He changes His mind, who is stedfast ? If He chooses evil
men, who then takes the part of the good ?

Chap. xlv. — How God is to he tJiouglit of,

^^ Wherefore, Clement, my son, beware of thinking otherwise
of God, than that He is the only God, and Lord, and Father,
good and righteous, the Creator, long-suffering, merciful, the
sustainer, the benefactor, ordaining love of men, counselling

^ Wieseler considers this corrupt, and amends : "if He desires more."

54 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

purity, immortal and making immortal, incomparable, dwell-
ing in the souls of the good, that cannot be contained and
yet is contained,-^ who has fixed the great world as a centre in
space, who has spread out the heavens and solidified the earth,
who has stored up the water, who has disposed the stars in
the sky, who has made the fountains flow in the earth, has
produced fruits, has raised up mountains, hath set bounds to
the sea, has ordered winds and blasts, who by the spirit of
counsel has kept safely the body comj)rehended in a bound-
less sea.

Chap. xlyi. — Judgment to come,

" This is our Judge, to whom it behoves us to look, and to
regulate our own souls, thinking all things in His favour,
speaking well of Him, persuaded that by His long-suffering
He brings to light the obstinacy of all, and is alone good.
And He, at the end of all, shall sit as a just Judge upon
every one of those who have attempted what they ought not."

Chap, xlvii. — A pertinent question,

Vf[\en I Clement heard this, I said, " Truly this is godli-
ness ; truly this is piety." And again I said : " I would learn,
therefore, why the Bible has written anything of this sort ?
For I remember that you said that it was for the conviction
of those who should dare to believe anything that was spoken
against God. But since you permit us, we venture to ask, at
your command : If any one, most beloved Peter, should
choose to say to us, ' The Scriptures are true, although to you
the things spoken against God seem to be false,^ how should
we answer him ?"

Chap, xlyiii. — A particular case.

Then Peter answered : " You speak well in your inquiry ;
for it will be for your safety. Therefore listen : Since there
are many things that are spoken by the Scriptures against

^ The Latin has here, "imperceptusetperceptus;" but Wieseler points
out that xupovcAsuog has reference to God's dwelling in the souls of the
good, and thus He is contained by them.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 55

God, as time presses on account of the evening, ask with
respect to any one matter that you please, and I will explain
it, showing that it is false, not only because it is spoken
against God, but because it is really false." Then I answered :
*' I wish to learn how, when the Scriptures say that God is
ignorant, you can show that He knows ? "

Chap. xlix. — Reductio ad ahsiirdum.

Then Peter answered : " You have presented us with a
matter that can easily be answered. However, listen, how
God is ignorant of nothing, but even foreknows. But first
answer me what I ask of you. He who wrote the Bible, and
told how the world was made, and said that God does not
foreknow, was he a man or not ?" Then I said : " He was a
man." Then Peter answered : " How, then, was it possible
for him, being a man, to know assuredly how the world w^as
made, and that God does not foreknow ? "

Chap. l. — A satisfactory ansiver.

Then I, already perceiving the explanation, smiled, and
said that he was a prophet. And Peter said ; " If, then, he
was a prophet, being a man, he was ignorant of nothing, by
reason of his having received foreknowledge from God ; how
then, should He, who gave to man the gift of foreknowledge,
being God, Himself be ignorant ?" And I said : " You have
spoken rightly." Then Peter said : " Come with me one step
further. It being acknowledged by us that God foreknows
all things, there is everj^ necessity that the scriptures are
false which say that He is ignorant, and those are true which
say that He knows." Then said I : "It must needs be so."

Chap. li. — WeigJi in the balance.

Then Peter said : " If, therefore, some of the Scriptures are
true and some false, with good reason said our Master, ^ Be
ye good money-changers,'^ inasmuch as in the Scriptures there

^ This is quoted three times in the Homilies as a saying of our Lord,
viz. here and in Homily iii. chap. 1., and Homily xviii. chap. xx. It is
probably taken from one of the apocryphal Gospels. In Homily xviii.

5G THE CLEMEXTISE HOMILIES.

are some true sayings and some spurious. And to those wlio
err by reason of the false scriptures He fitly showed the
cause of their error, saying, ^ Ye do therefore err, not knowing
the true things of the Scriptures ; ^ for this reason ye are
ignorant also of the power of God.' " Then said I : " [You
have spoken] very excellently."

Chap. lii. — Sins of the saints denied.

Tlien Peter answered: "Assuredly, with good reason, I
neither believe anything against God, nor against the just
men recorded in the law, taking for granted that they are
impious imaginations. For, as I am persuaded, neither was
Adam a transgressor, who was fashioned by the hands of
God ; nor was Noah drunken, who was found righteous
above all the world ; " nor did Abraham live with three wives
at once, who, on account of his sobriety, was thought worthy
of a numerous posterity ; nor did Jacob associate with four
— of whom two were sisters — who was the father of the twelve
tribes, and who intimated the coming of the presence of our
Master; nor was Moses a murderer, nor did he learn to judge
from an idolatrous priest — he who set forth the law^ of God
to all the w^orld, and for his right judgment has been testified
to as a faithful steward.

Chap. ltii. — Close of the conference,

"But of these and such like things I shall afford you an
explanation in due time. But for the rest, since, as you see,
the evening has come upon us, let what has been said be
enough for to-day. But wdienevcr you wish, and about
whatever you wish, ask boldly of us, and we shall gladly
explain it at once." Thus having spoken, he rose up. And
then, having partaken of food, we turned to sleep, for tlie
night had come upon us.

chap. XX. the meaning is shown to be, that as it is the part of a money-
changer to distinguish spurious coins from genuine, co it is the part of a
Christian to distinguish false statements from true,

^ A corruption of the texts, Matt. xxii. 29, Mark xii. 24.

2 Gen. vii. 1.

HOMILY III.

Chap. i. — Tlie morning of the discussion.

WO days, therefore, having elapsed, and while the
third was dawning, I Clement, and the rest of onr
companions, being roused about the second cock-
crowing, in order to the discussion with Simon,
found the lamp still alight, and Peter kneeling in prayer.
Therefore, having finished his supplication, and turning
round, and seeing us in readiness to hear, he said :

Chap. ii. — Simon s design,

" I w^sli you to know that those who, according to our
arrangement, associate with Simon that they may learn his
intentions, and submit them to us, so that we may be able to
cope with his variety of w^ickedness, these men have sent to
me, and informed me that Simon to-day is, as he arranged,
prepared to come before all, and show from the Scriptures
that He wdio made the heaven and the earth, and all things
in them, is not the Supreme God, but that there is another,
unknown and supreme, as being in an unspeakable manner
God of gods ; and that He sent two gods, one of whom is
he who made the w'orld, and the other he who gave the law.
And these things he contrives to say, that he may dissipate
the right faith of those who would w^orship the one and only
God who made heaven and earth.

Chap. hi. — His object.

" When 1 heard this, how was I not disheartened ! Where-
fore I wished you also, my brethren, wdio associate with me,
to know that I am beyond measure grieved in my soul, seeing
the wicked one awake for the temptation of men, and men

57

68 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

wholly indifferent about their own. salvation. For to those
from amongst the Gentiles who were about being persuaded
respecting the earthly images that they are no gods, he has
contrived to bring in opinions of many other gods, in order
that, if they cease from the polytheo-mania, they may be
deceived to speak otherwise, and even worse [than they now
do], against the sole government of God, so that they may
not yet value the truths connected with that monarchy, and
may never be able to obtain mercy. And for the sake of this
attempt Simon comes to do battle with us, armed with the
false chapters of the Scriptures. And what is more dread-
ful, he is not afraid to doo^matize thus aecainst the true God
from the prophets whom he does not [in fact] believe.

Chap. iv. — Snares laid for the Gentiles.

" And with us, indeed, who have had handed down from
our forefathers the worship of the God who made all thirigs,
and also the mystery of the books which are able to deceive,
he will not prevail; but with those from amongst the Gentiles
who have the polytheistic fancy bred in them, and who know
not the falsehoods of the Scriptures, he will prevail much.
And not only he ; but if any other shall recount to those from
among the Gentiles any vain, dreamlike, richly set out story
against God, he will be believed, because from their child-
hood their minds are accustomed to take in things spoken
against God. And few there shall be of them, as a few
out of a multitude, who through ingenuousness shall not be
willing so much as to hear an evil word against the God who
made all things. And to these alone from amongst the Gen-
tiles it shall be vouchsafed to be saved. Let not any one of
you, therefore, altogether complain of Simon, or of any one
else ; for nothing happens unjustly, since even the falsehoods
of Scripture are with good reason presented for a test."

Chap. v. — Use of errors.

Then I Clement, hearing this, said : " How say you, my
lord, that even the falsehoods of the Scriptures are set forth
happily for the proof of men?" And he answered: "The false-

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 59

hoods of the Scriptures have been permitted to be written
for a certain righteous reason, at the demand of eviL And
when I say happily, I mean this : In the account of God,
the wicked one, not loving God less than the good one, is
exceeded by the good in this one thing only, that he, not
pardoning those who are impious on account of ignorance,
through love towards that which is profound, desires the
destruction of the impious ; but the good one desires to
present them with a remedy. For the good one desires all
to be healed by repentrnce, but saves those only who know
God. But those who know Him not He does not heal : not
that He does not wish to do so, but because it is not lawful
to afford to those who, through want of judgment, are like to
irrational animals, the good things wdiich have been prepared
for the children of the kingdom.

Chap. vi. — Purgatory and hell.

" Such is the nature of the one and only God, who made the world, and who created us, and who has given us all things, that as long as any one is within the limit of piety, and does not blaspheme His [[Holy Spirit]], through His love towards him He brings the soul to Himself by reason of His love towards it. And although it be sinful, it is His nature to save it, after it has been suitably punished for the deeds it hath done. But if any one shall deny Him, or in any other way be guilty of impiety against Him, and then shall repent, he shall be punished indeed for the sins he hath committed against Him, but he shall be saved, because he turned and lived. And perhaps excessive piety and supplication shall even be delivered from punishment, ignorance being admitted as a reason for the pardon of sin after repentance.-^ But those
who do not repent shall be destroyed by the punishment of fire, even though in all other things they are most holy. But, as I said, at an appointed time a fifth ' part, being punished with eternal fire, shall be consumed. For they cannot endure for ever who have been impious against the one God.

^ The text manifestly corrupt.

2 Perhaps, rather, "the greater part."

GO THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. tit. — ^Mlat is impiety ?

" But impiety against Him is, in the matter of religion, to
die saying there is another God, whether superior or inferior,
or in any way saying that there is one besides Him who really
is. For He who truly is, is He whose form the body of man
bears ; for whose sake the heaven and all the stars, thoucrh in
their essence superior, submit to serve him who is in essence
inferior, on account of the form of the Ruler. So much has
God blessed man above all, in order that, loving the Bene-
factor in proportion to the multitude of His benefits, by means
of this love he may be saved for the world to come.

Chap. viii. — Wiles of the devil,

" Therefore the love of men towards God is sufncient for
salvation. And this the wicked one knows ; and while we
are hasteninfr to sow the love towards Him which makes im-
mortal in the souls of those who from amonn; the Gentiles are
ready to believe in the one and only God, this wicked one,
havincT sufficient armour acrainst the if^norant for their de-
struction, hastens to sow the supposition of many gods, or
at least of one greater, in order that men, conceiving and
being persuaded of what is not wisdom, may die, as in the
crime of adulterv, and be cast out from His kinijdom.

Chap. ix. — Uncertainty of the Scriptures,

'- Worthy, therefore, of rejection is every one who is willing
so much as to hear anything against the monarchy of God ;
but if any one dares to hear anything against God, as trust-
ing in the Scriptures, let him first of all consider with me that
if any one, as he pleases, form a dogma agreeable to himself,
and then carefully search the Scriptures, he will be able to
produce many testimonies from them in favour of the dogma
that he has formed. How, then, can confidence be placed in
them against God, when what every man -vishes is found in
them?

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 61

Chap. x. — Simons intention,

" Therefore Simon, who is going to discuss in public with
us to-morrow, is bold against the monarchy of God, wishing
to produce many statements from these Scriptures, to the
effect that there are many gods, and a certain one who is not
He who made this world, but who is superior to Him ; and,
at the same time, he is going to offer many scriptural proofs.
But we also can easily show many passages from them that
He who made the wo'dd alone is God, and that there is
none other besides Him. But if any one shall wish to speak
otherwise, he also shall be able to produce proofs from them
at his pleasure. For the Scriptures say all manner of things,
that no one of those who inquire ungratefully may find the
truth, but [simply] what he wishes to find, the truth being
reserved for the grateful ; now gratitude is to preserve our
love to Him who is the cause of our being.

Chap. xi. — Distinction between prediction and ]jrophecy .

" Whence it must before all things be known, that nowhere
can truth be found unless from a prophet of truth. But He is
a true Prophet, who always knows all things, and even the
thoughts of all men, who is without sin, as being convinced
respecting the judgment of God. Wherefore we ought not
simply to consider respecting His foreknowledge, but whether
His foreknowledge can stand, apart from other cause. For
physicians predict certain things, having the pulse of the
patient as matter submitted to them; and some predict by
means of having fowls, and some by having sacrifices, and
others by having many various matters submitted to them;
yet these are not prophets.

Chap. xii. — The same.

" But if any one should say that the foreknowledge [shown]
by these predictions is like to that foreknowledge which is
really implanted, he were much deceived. For he only
declares such things as being present, and that if he speaks
truth. However, even these things are serviceable to me, for

62 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

they establish that there is such a thing as foreknowledge.
But the foreknowledge of the one true Prophet does not only
know things present, but stretches out prophecy without limit
as far as the world to come, and needs nothing for its inter-
pretation, not prophesying darkly and ambiguously, so that
the things spoken would need another prophet for the inter-
pretation of them ; but clearly and simply, as our Master and
Prophet, by the inborn and ever-flowing Spirit, always knew
all things.

Chap. xiii. — Prophetic knowledge constant.

" Wherefore He confidently made statements respecting
things that are to be — I mean sufferings, places, limits. For,
being a faultless Prophet, and looking upon all things with the
boundless eye of His soul. He knows hidden things. But if
we should hold, as many do, that even the true Prophet, not
always, but sometimes, w'hen He has the Spirit, and through
it, foreknows, but when He has it not is ignorant, — if we
should suppose thus, we should deceive ourselves and mislead
others. For such a matter belongs to those w^ho are madly
inspired by the spirit of disorder — to those who are drunken
beside the altars, and are gorged with fat.

Chap. xiv. — Prophetic spirit constant.

" For if it were permitted to any one who will profess
prophecy to have it believed in the cases in which he was
found false, that then he had not the Holy Spirit of fore-
knowledge, it will be difficult to convict him of beincr a
false prophet ; for among the many things that he speaks,
a few come to pass, and then he is believed to have the
Spirit, although he speaks the first things last, and the last
first; speaks of past events as future, and future as already
past ; and also without sequence ; or things borrowed from
others and altered, and some that are lessened, unformed,
foolish, ambiguous, unseemly, obscure, proclaiming all un-
conscientiousness.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 63

Chap. xv. — Christ s lorophecies,

" But our Master did not prophesy after this fashion ; but,
as I have abeady said, being a prophet by an inborn and
ever-flowing Spirit, and knowing all things at all times. He
confidently set forth, plainly as I said before, sufferings,
places, appointed times, manners, limits. Accordingly, there-
fore, prophesying concerning the temple, He said : ' See ye
these buildings ? Verily I say to you. There shall not be left
here one stone upon another which shall not be taken away ;
and this generation shall not pass until the destruction begin.
For they shall come, and shall sit here, and shall besiege it,
and shall slay your children here.'^ And in like manner He
spoke in plain v^ords the things that were straightway to
happen, which we can now see with our eyes, in order that
the accomplishment might be among those to whom the vrord
was spoken. For the Prophet of truth utters the word of
proof in order to the faith of His hearers.

Chap. xvi. — Doctrine of conjunction,

" However, there are many proclaimers of error, having
one chief, even the chief of wickedness, just as the Prophet
of truth, being one, and being also the chief of piety, shall
in His own times have as His prophets all who are found
pure. But the chief cause of men being deceived is this,
their not understanding beforehand the doctrine of conjunc-
tion, v>^hich I shall not fail to expound to you in private
every day, summarily; for it were too long to speak in detail.
Be you therefore to me truth-loving judges of the things that
are spoken.

Chap. xvii. — Whether Adam had the Spirit,

" But I shall begin the statement now. God having made
all things, if any one will not allow to a man, fashioned by
His hands, to have possessed His great and Holy Spirit of
foreknowledge, how does not he greatly err who attributes it to
another born of a spurious stock ! And I do not think that
1 Matt. xxiv. 2, 34 ; Luke xix. 43.

C4 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

he ^Yill obtain pardon, though he be misled by spurious scrip-
ture to think dreadful things against the Father of all. For
he who insults the ima^e and the thincfs beloncrinc^ to the
eternal Kins, has the sin reckoned as committed airainst Him
in whose likeness the image was made. But then, says he, the
Divine Spirit left him when he sinned. In that case [the
Spirit] sinned along with him ; and how can he escape peril
who says this? But perhaps he received the Spirit after he
sinned. Then it is given to the unrighteous ; and where
is justice ? But it was afforded to the just and the unjust.
This were most unrighteous of all. Thus every falsehood,
though it be aided by ten thousand reasonings, must receive
its refutation, thouo;h after a lono; time.

Chap, xviir. — Adam not ignorant,

" Be not deceived. Our father was ignorant of nothing ;
since, indeed, even the law publicly current, though charg-
incr him with the crime of ignorance for the sake of the
unworthy, sends to him those desirous of knowledge, saying,
' Ask your father, and he will tell you ; your elders, and they
will declare to you.'-^ This father, these elders ought to be
inquired of. But you have not inquired whose is the time of
the kingdom, and whose is the seat of prophecy, though He
Himself points out Himself, saying, ' The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses' seat ; all things whatsoever they say
to you, hear them.'' Hear them, He said, as entrusted with
the key of the kingdom, which is knowledge, which alone can
open the gate of life, through which alone is the entrance to
eternal life. But truly, He says, they possess the key, but
those wishing to enter they do not suffer to do so.

Chap. xix. — Reign of Christ,

" On this account, I say. Pie Himself, rising from His seat
as a father for his children, proclaiming the things which
from the beginning were delivered in secret to the worthy,
extending mercy even to the Gentiles, and compassionating
the souls of all, neglected His own kindred. For He, being
^ Deut. xxxii. 7. ^ Matt. xxii. 2.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 65

thouglit worthy to be King of the world to come, [fights
against ^] him who, by predestination, has usurped the king-
dom that now is. And the thing which exceedingly grieved
Him is tliis, that by those very persons for whom, as for
sons, he did battle, He was assailed, on account of their igno-
rance. And yet He loved even those who hated Him, and
wept over the unbelieving, and blessed those who slandered
Him, and prayed for those who were in enmity against Him.^
And not only did He do this as a father, but also taught His
disciples to do the like, bearing themselves as towards brethren.^
This did our Father, this did our Prophet. This is reasonable,
that He should be King over His children ; that by the affec-
tion of a father towards his children, and the engrafted respect
of children towards their father, eternal peace might be pro-
duced. For when the good man reigneth, there is true joy
amono; those who are ruled over, on account of him who rules.

Chap. xx. — Christ the only Tvojyhet has appeared in different

ages,

" But give heed to my first discourse of the truth. If any
one do not allow the man fashioned by the hands of God to
have had the Holy Spirit of Christ, how is he not guilty of the
greatest impiety in allowing another born of an impure stock
to have it ? But he would act most piously, if he should not
allow to another to have it, but should say that he alone has
it, who has changed his forms and his names from the begin-
ning of the world, and so reappeared again and again in the
world, until coming upon his own times, and being anointed
with mercy for the works of God, he shall enjoy rest for
ever. His honour it is to bear rule and lordship over all
things, in air, earth, and waters. But in addition to these,
himself having made man, he had breath, the indescribable
garment of the soul, that he might be able to be immortal.

Chap. xxi. — The eating of the forbidden fruit denied,
" He himself being the only true prophet, fittingly gave

^ From a conjectural reading by Neander.

2 Matt, xxiii. 37 ; Luke xiii. 34 ; Luke xxiii. 34. ^ j^^tt. v. 44.

E

66 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

names to each animal, according to the merits of its nature,
as having made it. For if he gave a name to any one, that
was also the name of that which was made, being given by
him who made it.^ How, then, had he still need to partake of
a tree, that he might know what is good and what is evil, if
he was commanded not to eat of it? But this senseless men
believe, who think that a reasonless beast was more powerful
than the God who made these things.

Chap. xxii. — Male and female.

" But a companion was created along with him, a female
nature, much differing from him, as quality from substance,
as the moon from the sun, as fire from light. She, as a
female ruling the present world as her like,^ was entrusted
to be the first prophetess, announcing prophecy with all
amongst those born of woman.^ But the other, as the son
of man, being a male, prophesies better things to the world
to come as a male.

Chap, xxiii. — Tico kinds of prophecy,

" Let us then understand that there are two kinds of pro-
phecy:^ the one male; and let it be defined that the first, being
the male, has been ranked after the other in the order of'
advent ; but the second, being female, has been appointed to
come first in the advent of the pairs. This second, there-
fore, being amongst those born of woman, as the female
superintendent of this present world, wishes to be thought
masculine. Wherefore, stealing the seeds of the male, and
sowing them with her own seeds of the flesh, she brings
forth the fruits — that is, words — as wholly her own. And
she promises that she will give the present earthly riches as

^ Gen. ii. 20.

2 That is, tlie present world is female, and is under the rule of the
female ; the world to come is male, and is under the rule of the male.

3 The allusion is to the fact that John the Baptist is called the greatest
of those born of woman, while Christ is called the Son of man.

* Literally, " Let there be to us two genuine prophecies."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 67

a dowry, wishing to change the slow for the swift, the small
for the greater.

Chap. xxiv. — TJie prophetess a misleader.

" However, she, not only presuming to say and to hear that
there are many gods, but also believing herself to be one,
and in hope of being that which she had not a nature to be,
and throwing away what she had, and as a female being in
her courses at the offering of sacrifices, is stained with blood ;
and then she pollutes those who touch her. But when she
conceives and brings forth temporary kings, she stirs up
wars, shedding much blood ; and those who desire to learn
truth from her, by telling them all things contrary, and pre-
senting many and various services, she keeps them always
seeking and finding nothing, even until death. For from
the beginning a cause of death lies upon blind men ; for she,
prophesying deceit, and ambiguities, and obliquities, deceives
those who believe her.

Chap. xxv. — Cairis name and nature.

*' Hence the ambiguous name which she gave to her first-
born son, calling him Cain^ which has a capability of inter-
pretation in two ways ; for it is interpreted both possession
and envi/, as signifying that in the future he was to envy
either a woman, or possessions, or the love of the parents to-
wards her.-^ But if it be none of these, then it will befall
him to be called the possession. For she possessed him first,
which also was advantageous to him. For he was a murderer
and a liar, and with his sins was not willing to be at peace
with respect to the government. Moreover, those who came
forth by succession from him were the first adulterers. And
there were psalteries, and harps, and forgers of instruments
of war. Wherefore also the prophecy of his descendants
being full of adulterers and of psalteries, secretly by means
of pleasures excites to wars.

1 Qu. " towards Abel" ?

68 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xxvi. — Abel's name and nature.

" But he who amongst the sons of men had prophecy innate
to his soul as belonging to it, expressly, as being a male,
indicating the hopes of the world to come, called his own son
Abel, which without any ambiguity is translated grief. For
he assigns to his sons to grieve over their deceived brethren.
He does not deceive them when he promises them comfort in
the world to come. When he says that we must pray to one
only God, he neither himself speaks of gods, nor does he
believe another who speaks of them. He keeps the good
which he has, and increases more and more. He hates sacri-
fices, bloodshed, and libations ; he loves the chaste, the pure,
the holy. He quenches the fire of altars, represses wars,
teaches pious preachers wisdom, purges sins, sanctions mar-
riage, approves temperance, leads all to chastity, makes men
liberal, prescribes justice, seals those of them who are perfect,
publishes the word of peace, prophesies explicitly, speaks
decidedly, frequently makes mention of the eternal fire of
punishment, constantly announces the kingdom of God, indi-
cates heavenly riches, promises unfading glory, shows the
remission of sins by works. ,

Chap, xxvii. — The prophet and the p>rophetess.

" And what need is there to say more ? The male is
wholly truth, the female wholly falsehood. But he who is
born of the male and the female, in some things speaks truth,
in some falsehood. For the female, surrounding the white
seed of the male with her own blood, as with red fire, sustains
her own w^eakness with the extraneous supports of bones, and,
pleased with the temporary flower of flesh, and spoiling the
strength of the judgment by short pleasures, leads the greater
part into fornication, and thus deprives them of the coming
■excellent Bridegroom. For every person is a bride, whenever,
being sown with the true Prophet's whole word of truth, he
is enlif;^htened in his understandinor.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. m

Chap, xxviii. — Spiritual adultery.

" Wherefore, it is fitting to hear the one only Prophet of the
truth, knowing that the word that is sown by another bear-
ing the charge of fornication, is, as it were, cast out by the
Bridegroom from His kingdom. But to those who know the
mystery, death is also produced by spiritual adultery. For
whenever the soul is sown by others, then it is forsaken by
the Spirit, as guilty of fornication or adultery ; and so the
living body, the life-givmg Spirit being withdraw^n, is dissolved
into dust, and the rightful punishment of sin is suffered at
the time of the judgment by the soul, after the dissolution of
the body ; even as, among men, she w^ho is caught in adultery
is first cast out from the house, and then afterwards is con-
demned to punishment."

Chap. xxix. — The signal given.

While Peter was about to explain fully to us this mystic
word, Zaccheus came, saying : " Now indeed, O Peter, is the
time for you to go out and engage in the discussion ; for a
great crowd awaits you, packed together in the court ; and in
the midst of them stands Simon, like a war-chieftain attended
by his spearmen." And Peter, hearing this, ordered me to
withdraw for prayer, as not yet having received baptism for
salvation, and then said to those who were already perfected :
^' Let us rise and pray that God, by His unfailing mercies,
may help me striving for the salvation of the men whom He
has made." And having thus said, and having prayed,
he went out into the uncovered portion of the court, which
was a large space ; and there were many come together for
the purpose of seeing him, his pre-eminence having made
them more eagerly hasten to hear.

Chap. xxx. — Apostolic salutation.

Therefore, standing and seeing all the people gazing upon
him in profound silence, and Simon the magician standing in
the midst, he began to speak thus : " Peace be to all you who
are in readiness to give your right hands to the truth of God,

70 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

which, being His great and incomparable gift in the present
^yorld, He who sent us, being an infallible Prophet of that
which is supremely profitable, gave us in charge, by way of
salutation before our words of instruction, to announce to
you, in order that if there be any son of peace among you,
peace may take hold of him through our teaching ; but if
any of you will not receive it, then we, shaking off for a
testimony the road-dust of our feet, which we have borne
throuffh our toils, and brought to you that you may be saved,
will go to the abodes and the cities of others.^

Chap. xxxi. — Faith in God.

" And we tell you truly, it shall be more tolerable in the day
of judgment to dwell in the land of Sodom and Gomorrha,
than in the place of unbelief. In the first place, because
you have not preserved of yourselves what is reasonable ; in
the second place, because, hearing the things concerning us,
you have not come to us ; and in the third place, because
you have disbelieved us when we have come to you. Where-
fore, being concerned for you, we pray of our own accord that
our peace may come upon you. If therefore ye will have it,
you must readily promise not to do injustice, and generously
to bear wrong ; which the nature of man would not sustain,
unless it first received the knowledge of that which is
supremely profitable, which is to know the righteous nature
of Him who is over all, that He defends and avenges those
who are wronged, and does good for ever to the pious.

Chap, xxxii. — Invitation,

" Do you, therefore, as thankful servants of God, perceiving
of yourselves what is reasonable, take upon you the manner
of life that is pleasing to Him, that so, loving Him, and being
loved of Him, you may enjoy good for ever. For to Him
alone is it most possible to bestow it, who gave being to things
that were not, who created the heavens, settled the earth, set
bounds to the sea, stored up the things that are in Hades,
and filled all places with air.

1 Matt. X. 12 ; Mark vi. 11 ; Luke x. 5.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 71

Chap, xxxiii. — Works of creation.

" He alone turned into the four contrary elements^ the one,
first, simple substance. Thus combining them, He made of
them myriads of compounds, that, being turned into oppo-
site natures, and mingled, they might effect the pleasure of
life from the combination of contraries. In like manner, He
alone, having created races of angels and spirits by the^a^ of
His will, peopled the heavens ; as also He decked the visible
firmament with stars, to which also He assigned their paths
and arranged their courses. He compacted the earth for the
production of fruits. He set bounds to the sea, marking out
a dwelling-place on the dry land.^ He stores up the things
in Hades, designating it as the place of souls ; and He filled
all places with air, that all living creatures might be able to
breathe safely in order that they might live.

Chap, xxxiv. — Extent of creation.

" O the great hand of the wise God, which doeth all in all !
For a countless multitude of birds have been made by Him,
and those various, differing in all respects from one another ;
I mean in respect of their colours, beaks, talons, looks, senses,
voices, and all else. And how many different species of
plants, distinguished by boundless variety of colours, qualities,
and scents ! And how many animals on the land and in the
water, of which it were impossible to tell the figures, forms,
habitats, colour, food, senses, natures, multitude ! Then also
the multitude and height of mountains, the varieties of stones,
awful caverns, fountains, rivers, marshes, seas, harbours,
islands, forests, and all the inhabited world, and places unin-
habited !

Chap. xxxv. — " These are a part of His ways.^^

" And how many things besides are unknown, having eluded
the sagacity of men ! And of those that are within our

^ This is rather a paraphrase than a strict translation.
2 Various reading, " assigning it [the sea] as a habitation for aquatic
animals."

72 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

comprehension, who of mankind knows the limit ? I mean,
how the heaven rolls, how the stars are borne in their courses,
and what forms they have, and the subsistence of their being,^
and what are their ethereal paths. And whence the blasts
of winds are borne around, and have different energies ;
whence the fountains ceaselessly spring, and the rivers, being
ever flowing, run down into the sea, and neither is that
[fountain] emptied whence they come, nor do they fill that
[sea] whither they come ! How far reaches the unfathom-
able depth of the boundless Tartarus I Upon what the heaven
is upborne which encircles all ! How the clouds spring from
air, and are absorbed into air ! What is the nature of thunder
and lightning, snow, hail, mist, ice, storms, showers, hanging
clouds ! And how He makes plants and animals ! And these
things, with all accuracy, continually perfected in their count-
less varieties ! .

Chap, xxxvi. — Dominion over the creatures.

" Therefore, if any one shall accurately scan the whole with
reason, he shall find that God has made them for the sake of
man. For shower? fall for the sake of fruits, that man may
partake of them, and that animals maybe fed, that they may
be useful to n:ien. And the sun shines, that he may turn the
air into four seasons, and that each time may afford its
peculiar service to man. And the fountains spring, that
drink may be given to men. And, moreover, who is lord
over the creatures, so far as is possible ? Is it not man, who
has received wisdom to till the earth, to sail the sea ; to make
fishes, birds, and beasts his prey ; to investigate the course of
the stars, to mine the earth, to sail the sea, to build cities,
to define kingdoms, to ordain laws, to execute justice, to
know the invisible God, to be cognizant of the names of
angels, to drive away demons, to endeavour to cure diseases
by medicines, to find charms against poison-darting serpents,
to understand antipathies ?

^ Literally, " of their life," according to the idea prevalent of old, that
the heavenly bodies were living creatures.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 73

Chap, xxxvii. — " Whom to Jcnoiu is life eternal^

But if thou art thankful, O man, understanding that God
is thy benefactor in all things, thou mayest even be immortal,
the thinrrs that are made for thee havincr continuance through
thy gratitude. And now thou art able to become incorrupt-
ible, if thou acknowledge Him whom thou didst not know, if
thou love Him whom thou didst forsake, if thou pray to Him
alone wlio is able to punish or to save thy body and soul.
Wherefore, before all things, consider that no one shares His
rule, no one has a name in common with Him — that is, is
called God. For He alone is both called and is God. Nor
is it lawful to think that there is any other, or to call any
other by that name. And if any one should dare do so,
eternal punishment of soul is his."

Chap, xxxviii. — Simon's challenge.

When Peter had thus spoken, Simon, at the outside of the
crowd, cried aloud : " Why would you lie, and deceive the
unlearned multitude standing around you, persuading them
that it is unlawful to think that there are gods, and to call
them so, when the books that are current am on 2 the Jews
say that there are many gods ? And now I wish, in the
presence of all, to discuss with you from these books on the
necessity of thinking that there are gods ; first showing re-
specting him whom you call God, that he is not the supreme
and omnipotent [Being], inasmuch as he is without fore-
knowledge, imperfect, needy, not good, and underlying many
and innumerable grievous passions. Wherefore, when this
has been shown from the Scriptures, as I say, it follows
that there is another, not written of, foreknowing, perfect,
without want, good, removed from all grievous passions.
But he whom you call the Creator is subject to the opposite
[evils].

Chap, xxxix. — Defects ascribed to God.

" Therefore also Adam, being made at first after his likeness,
is created blind, and is said not to have knowledge of good or

74 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.'

evil, and is found a transgressor, and is driven out of para-
dise, and is punished ^yith death. In Uke manner also, he
who made him, because he sees not in all places, says with
reference to the overthrow of Sodom, ' Come, and let us go
down, and see whether they do according to their cry which
comes to me ; or if not, that I may know.' ^ Thus he shows
himself ignorant. And in his saying respecting Adam,
^ Let us drive him out, lest he put forth his hand and touch
the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever;'" in saying lest
he is icrnorant : and in drivincp him out lest he should eat and
live for ever, he is also envious. And whereas it is written
that "God^ repented that he had made man," this implies
both repentance and ignorance. For this reflection is a view
by which one, through ignorance, wishes to inquire into the
result of the things which he wills, or it is the act of one
repenting on account of the event not being according to his
expectation. And whereas it is written, ' And the Lord
smelled a scent of sweetness,' * it is the part of one in need ;
and his being pleased with the fat of flesh is the part of one
who is not good. But his tempting, as it is written, ' And
God did tempt Abraham,' ^ is the part of one who is wicked,
and who is ignorant of the issue of the experiment."

Chap. xl. — Peter s answer.

In like manner Simon, by taking many passages from the
Scriptures, seemed to show that God is subject to every
infirmity. And to this Peter said : " Does he who is evil, and
wholly wicked, love to accuse himself in the things in which
he sins ? Answer me this." Then said Simon : " He does
not." Then said Peter : '' How, then, can God be evil and
wicked, seeing that those evil things which have been com-
monly written regarding Him, have been added by His own
will !" Then said Simon : " It may be that the charge against
Him is written by another power, and not according to His
choice." Then said Peter : ^' Let us then, in the first place,
inquire into this. If, indeed. He has of His own will accused

1 Gen. xviii. 21. 2 Gen. iii. 22. » Gen. vi 6.

* Gen. viii. 21. ^ Gen. xxii. 1.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 75

Himself, as you formerly acknowledged, then He is not
wicked ; but if it is done by another power, it must be in-
quired and investigated with all energy who hath subjected
to all evils Him who alone is good."

Chap. xli. — " Status qucestionisJ*

Then said Simon : " You are manifestly avoiding the
hearing of the charge from the Scriptures against your God."
Then Peter : " You yourself appear to me to be doing this ;
for he who avoids the order of inquiry, does not wish a true
investigation to be made. Hence I, who proceed in an
orderly manner, and wish that the writer should first be con-
sidered, am manifestly desirous to walk in a straight path."
Then Simon : "First confess that if the things written against
the Creator are true, he is not above all, since, according
to the Scriptures, he is subject to all evil ; then afterwards
we shall inquire as to the writer." Then said Peter : " That
I may not seem to speak against your w^ant of order through
unwillingness to enter upon the investigation,^ I answer you.
I say that if the things wTitten against God are true, they do
not show that God is wicked." Then said Simon : " How
can you maintain that ? "

Chap. xlii. — Was Adam blind?

Then said Peter : " Because things are written opposite to
those sayings which speak evil of him ; wherefore neither the
one nor the other can be confirmed." Then Simon : " How,
then, is the truth to be ascertained, of those Scriptures that
say he is evil, or of those that say he is good 1 " Then Peter :
" Whatever sayings of the Scriptures are in harmony with
the creation that was made by Him are true, but whatever
are contrary to it are false." Then Simon said : " How can
you show that the Scriptures contradict themselves ? " And
Peter said : " You say that Adam was created blind, which
was not so ; for He would not have pointed out the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil to a blind man, and com-

^ The text of this passage in all the editions is meaningless. It be-
comes clear by a change of punctuation.

76 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

manded liim not to taste of it." Then said Simon : " He
meant that his mind was blind." Then Peter : " How could
he be blind in respect of his mind, who, before tasting of the
tree, in harmony with Him who made him, imposed appro-
priate names on all the animals ? " Then Simon : " If Adam
had foreknowledge, how did he not foreknow that the serpent
would deceive his wife ? " Then Peter : " If Adam had not
foreknowledge, how did he give names to the sons of men as
they were born with reference to their future doings, calling
the first Cain (which is interpreted ' envy'), who through
envy killed his brother Abel (which is interpreted ' grief ') ;
for his parents grieved over him, the first slain ?

Chap, xliii. — God's forehiowledge.

^^ But if Adam, being the work of God, had foreknowledge,
much more the God who created him. And that is false
which is written that God reflected, as if usino; reasonino^ on
account of ignorance ; and that the Lord tempted Abraham,
that He might know if he would endure it ; and that which
is written, ^ Let us go down, and see if they are doing accord-
ing to the cry of them which cometh to me ; and if not, that
1 may know.' And, not to extend my discourse too far,
whatever sayings ascribe ignorance to Him, or anything else
that is evil, being upset by other sayings which afiirm the
contrary, are proved to be false. But because He does indeed
foreknow. He says to Abraham, ' Thou shalt assuredly know
that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not their
own ; and they shall enslave them, and shall evil entreat them,
and humble them four hundred years. But the nation to
which they shall be in bondage will I judge, and after that
they shall come out hither with much property ; but thou
shalt depart to thy fathers with peace, being nourished in a
good old age ; and in the fourth generation they shall return
hither, for the sins of the Amorites are hitherto not filled up.'^

Chap. xliv. — God's decrees.

*' But what ? Does not Moses pre-intimate the sins of the

1 Gen. XV. 13-16.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 77

people, and predict their dispersion among the nations ? But
if He gave foreknowledge to Moses, how can it be that He
had it not Himself % But He has it. And if He has it, as
we have also shown, it is an extravagant saying that He
reflected, and that He repented, and that He went down to
see, and whatever else of this sort. Whatsoever things being
foreknown before they come to pass as about to befall, take
issue by a wise economy, without repentance.

Chap. xly. — Sacrifices,

" But that He is not pleased with sacrifices, is shovv^n by this,
that those who lusted after flesh were slain as soon as they
tasted it, and were consigned to a tomb, so that it was called
the grave of lusts.^ He then who at the first was displeased
with the slaughtering of animals, not wishing them to be
slain, did not ordain sacrifices as desiring them ; nor from the
beginning did He require them. For neither are sacrifices
accomplished without the slaughter of animals, nor can the
first-fruits be presented. But how is it possible for Him to
abide in darkness, and smoke, and storm (for this also is
written), who created a pure heaven, and created the sun to
give light to all, and assigned the invariable order of their
revolutions to innumerable stars % Thus, O Simon, the hand-
writing of God — I mean the heaven — shows the counsels of
Him who made it to be pure and stable.

Chap. xlvi. — DisjMragements of God

'^ Thus the sayings accusatory of the God who made the
heaven are both rendered void by the opposite sayings which
are alongside of them, and are refuted by the creation. For
they were not written by a prophetic hand. Wherefore
also they appear opposite to the hand of God, who made all
things." Then said Simon : " How can you show this ? "

Chap, xlvii. — Foreknowledge of Moses.

Then said Peter : " The law of God was given by Moses,
without writing, to seventy wise men, to be handed down,
^ That is, Kibroth-Hattaavali ; Num. xi. 34.

78 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that the government might be carried on by succession. But
after that Moses was taken up, it was written by some one,
but not by Moses. For in the law itself it is written, ' And
Moses died ; and they buried him near the house of Phogor,^
and no one knows his sepulchre till this day.' But how could
Moses write that Moses died? And whereas in the time
after Moses, about 500 years or thereabouts, it is found lying
in the temple which was built, and after about 500 years
more it is carried away, and being burnt in the time of
Nebuchadnezzar it is destroyed ; and thus being written after
Moses, and often lost, even this shows the foreknowledge of
Moses, because he, foreseeing its disappearance, did not write
it ; but those who wrote it, being convicted of ignorance
through their not foreseeing its disappearance, were not
prophets."

Chap, xlviii. — Test of truth.

Then said Simon : " Since, as you say, we must understand
the things concerning God by comparing them with the
creation, how is it possible to recognise the other things in
the law which are from the tradition of Moses, and are true,
and are mixed up with these falsehoods ? " Then Peter said :
" A certain verse has been recorded without controversy in
the written law, according to the providence of God, so as to
show clearly which of the things written are true and which
are false." Then said Simon : " Which is that ? Show it us."

Chap. xlix. — The true Prophet.

Then Peter said : " I shall tell you forthwith. It is written
in the first book of the law, towards the end : ' A ruler shall
not fail from Judah, nor a leader from his thighs, until He
come whose it is ; and He is the expectation of the nations.' ^
If, therefore, any one can apprehend Him who came after
the failure of ruler and leader from Judah, and who was to
be expected by the nations, he will be able by this verse
to recognise Him as truly having come ; ^ and believing His

^ Septuagint version of Deut. xxxiv. 8.

2 Gen. xUx. 10. ^ From the amended reading of Davis.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 79

teaching, lie will know what of the Scriptures are true and
what are false." Then said Simon : " I understand that you
speak of your Jesus as Him who was prophesied of by the
scripture. Therefore let it be granted that it is so. Tell
us, then, how he taught you to discriminate the Scriptures."

Chap. l. — His teaching concerning the Scriptures.

Then Peter : " As to the mixture of truth with falsehood, I
remember that on one occasion He, finding fault with the
Sadducees, said, ' Wherefore ye do err, not knowing the true
things of the Scriptures ; and on this account ye are ignorant
of the power of God.' ^ But if He cast up to them that they
knew not the true things of the Scriptures, it is manifest that
there are false things in them. And also, inasmuch as He
said, ' Be ye prudent money-changers,' ^ it is because there are
genuine and spurious words. And whereas He said, ^ Where-
fore do ye not perceive that which is reasonable in the Scrip-
tures ? ' He makes the understanding of him stronger who
voluntarily judges soundly.

Chap. li. — His teaching concerning the laiu,

" And His sending to the scribes and teachers of the exist-
ing Scriptures, as to those who knew the true things of the law
that then was, is well known. And also that He said, ' I am
not come to destroy the law,'^ and yet that He appeared to be
destroying it, is the part of one intimating that the things
which He destroyed did not belong to the law. And His say-
ing, ' The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but one jot
or one tittle shall not pass from the law,' ^ intimated that the
things which pass away before the heaven and the earth do
not belong to the law in reality.

Chap. lii. — Other sayings of Christ.
" Since, then, while the heaven and the earth still stand,

1 Matt. xxii. 29.

2 This is frequently quoted as a saying of Christ. It is probably from
one of the apocryphal gospels.

3 Matt. V. 17. 4 Matt. v. 18.

80 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

sacrifices heave passed away, and kingdoms, and prophecies
among those who are born of woman, and such like, as not
being ordinances of God; hence therefore He says, 'Every
plant which the heavenly Father has not planted shall be
rooted up.' ^ Wherefore He, being the true Prophet, said, ' I
am the gate of life ;' he who entereth through me entereth
into life,' there beino; no other teachincr able to save. Where-
fore also He cried, and said, ' Come unto me, all who labour,'^
that is, who are seeking the truth, and not finding it ; and
again, ' My sheep hear my voice ; '^ and elsewhere, ' Seek and
find,' " since the truth does not lie on the surface.

Chap. liii. — Other sayings of Christ.

"But also a witnessing voice was heard from heaven, saying,
^ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear
Him..'^ And in addition to this, willing to convict more fully
-of error the prophets from whom they asserted that they had
learned. He proclaimed that they died desiring the truth, but
not having learned it, saying, ' Many prophets and kings
desired to see what ye see, and to hear what you hear ; and
verily I say to you, they neither saw nor heard.' ' Still further
He said, ' I am he concerning whom Moses prophesied, say-
ing, A Prophet shall the Lord our God raise unto you of
your brethren, like unto me : Him hear in all things ; and
whosoever will not hear that Prophet shall die.' ^

Chap. lit. — Other sayings.

" Whence it is impossible without His teaching to attain
to savincj truth, thoucrh one seek it for ever where the thinij
that is sought is not. But it was, and is, in the word of our
Jesus. Accordingly, He, knowing the true things of the
law, said to the Sadducees, asking on what account Moses
permitted to marry seven, ' Moses gave you commandments
according to your hard-heartedness ; for from the beginning

1 ^fatt. XV. 13. 2 John x. 9. ^ ;^[att. xi. 28.

^ John x. 3. 5 ^xatt. vii. 7. « Matt. xvii. 5.

7 Matt. xiii. 17 ; Luke x. 24.

8 Deut. xviii. 15-19 ; Acts iii. 22, vii. 37.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 81

it was not so : for He who created man at first, made him
male and female.' ^

Chap. lv. — Teaching of Christ,

" But to those who think, as the Scriptures teach, that God
swears, He said, ' Let your yea be yea, and nay, nay ; for
what is more than these is of the evil one.' ^ And to those who
say that Abraham and Isaac and Jacob are dead, He said,
' God is not of the dead, but of the living.' ^ And to those
who suppose that God tempts, as the Scriptures say. He said,
' The tempter is the wicked one,'^ who also tempted Himself.
To those who suppose that God does not foreknow, He said,
' For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye need all these
things before ye ask Him.'^ And to those who believe, as
the Scriptures say, that He does not see all things. He said,
' Pray in secret, and your Father, who seeth secret things,
will reward you.' ^

Chap. lvi. — Teaching of Christ,

" And to those who think that He is not good, as the Scrip-
tures say. He said, ' From which of you shall his son ask bread,
and he will give him a stone ; or shall ask a fish, and he will
give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know to give
good gifts to your children, how much more shall your
heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him,
and to those who do His will V^ But to those who affirmed
that He was in the temple. He said, ' Swear not by heaven,
for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool
of His feet.'^ And to those who supposed that God is pleased
with sacrifices. He said, ' God wishes mercy, and not sacri-
fices ' ® — the knowledge of Himself, and not holocausts.

1 Matt. xix. 8 ; Mark x. 5. 2 Matt. v. 37.

s Matt. xxii. 32 ; Mark xii. 27 ; Luke xx. 38.

* Perhaps Matt. xiii. 39. ^ Matt. vi. 8, 32. ^ Matt. vi. 6.

7 Matt. vii. 9-11. 8 Matt. v. 34, 35.

9 Matt ix. 13, xii. 7.

82 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. lvii. — Teaching of Christ.

" But to those who are persuaded that He is evil, as the
Scriptures say, He said, ' Call not me good, for One [only]
is good.' ^ And again, ^ Be ye good and merciful, as your
Father in the heavens, who makes the sun rise on good
and evil men, and brings rain upon just and unjust.' ^ But
to those who were misled to imagine many gods, as the Scrip-
tures say. He said, ^ Hear, O Israel ; the Lord your God is
one Lord.' " ^

Chap, lviii. — Flight of Simon.

Therefore Simon, perceiving that Peter was driving him
to use the Scriptures as Jesus taught, was unwilling that
the discussion should go into the doctrine concerning God,
even although Peter had changed the discussion into question
and answer, as Simon himself asked. However, the discus-
sion occupied three days. And while the fourth was dawn-
ing, he set off darkling as far as Tyre of Phoenicia. And
not many days after, some of the precursors came and said to
Peter : ^' Simon is doing great miracles in Tyre, and disturb-
ing many of the people there ; and by many slanders he
has made you to be hated."

Chap. ijx. — Peter s resolution to follow.

Peter, hearing this, on the following night assembled the
multitude of hearers; and as soon as they were come together,
he said : " While I am going forth to the nations which
say that there are many gods, to teach and to preach that
God is one, who made heaven and earth, and all things
that are in them, in order that they may love Him and be
saved, evil has anticipated me, and by the very law of con-
junction has sent Simon before me, in order that these men,
if they shall cease to say that there are many gods, disowning
those upon earth that are called gods, may think that there
are many gods in heaven ; so that, not feeling the excellency

1 Matt. xix. 17 ; Mark x. 18 ; Luke xviii. 19.

2 Matt. V. 44, 45. ^ Mark xii. 29.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 83

of the monarchy, they may perish with eternal punishment.
And what is most dreadful, since true doctrine has incom-
parable power, he forestalls me with slanders, and persuades
them to this, not even at first to receive me ; lest he who is
the slanderer be convicted of being himself in reality a devil,
and the true doctrine be received and believed. Therefore
I must quickly catch him up, lest the false accusation,
through gaining time, wholly get hold of all men.

Chap. lx. — Successor to be appointed.

" Since, therefore, it is necessary to set apart some one
instead of me to fill my place, let us all with one consent
pray to God, that He would make manifest who amongst
us is the best, that, sitting in the chair of Christ, he may
piously rule His church. Who, then, shall be set apart *?
For by the counsel of God that man is set forth as blessed,
' whom his Lord shall appoint over the ministry of his fellow-
servants, to give them their meat in their season, not thinking
and saying in his heart. My Lord delayeth His coming, and
who shall not begin to beat his fellow-servants, eating and
drinking with harlots and drunkards. And the Lord of that
servant shall come in an hour when he doth not look for
Him, and in a day when he is not aware, and shall cut him
in sunder, and shall assign his unfaithful part with the
hypocrites.' ^

Chap. lxi. — Monarchy,

^^But if any one of those present, being able to instruct
the ignorance of men, shrink from it, thinking only of his
own ease, let him expect to hear this sentence : ^ O wicked
and slothful servant, thou oughtest to have given my money
to the exchangers, and I at my coming should have got my
own. Cast out the unprofitable servant into the outer dark-
ness.' ^ And with good reason ; ' for,' says He, ^ it is thine,
O man, to prove my words, as silver and money are proved
among the exchangers.'^ Therefore the multitude of the

1 Matt. xxiv. 45-50. 2 ji^fatt, ^y^ 27-30.

® Probably from an apocryphal gospel.

84 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

faithful ought to obej some one, that they may live in har-
mony. For that which tends to the government of one
person, in the form of monarchy, enables the subjects to
enjoy peace by means of good order ; but in case of all,
through desire of ruling, being unwilling to submit to one
only, they must altogether fall by reason of division.

Chap. lxii. — Obedience leads to peace,

^'But, further, let the things that are happening before your
eyes persuade you ; how wars are constantly arising through
there being now many kings all over the earth. For each
one holds the government of another as a pretext for war.
But if one were universal superior, he, having no reason why
he sliould make war, would have perpetual peace. In short,
therefore, to those who are thought worthy of eternal life,
God appoints one universal King in the world that shall then
be, that by means of monarchy there may be unfailing peace.
It behoves all, therefore, to follow some one as a leader,
honourinaj him as the ima^e of God ; and it behoves the
leader to be acquainted with the road that entereth into the
holy city.

Chap, lxiii. — ZaccJieus appointed.

" But of those who are present, whom shall I choose but
Zaccheus, to whom also the Lord went inland rested, judging
him worthy to be saved?" And having said this, he laid his
hand upon Zaccheus, who stood by, and forced him to sit
down in his own chair. But Zaccheus, falling at his feet,
begged that he would permit him to decline the rulership ;
promising, at the same time, and saying, " Whatever it be-
hoves the ruler to do, I will do ; only grant me not to have
this name : for I am afraid of assuminsj the name of the
rulership, for it teems with bitter envy and danger."

Chap. lxiv. — The bishopric.

Then Peter said : " If you are afraid of this, do not be
called rulery but the appointed one, the Lord having permitted

^ Luke xix. 5.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 85

jou to be so called, when He said, ^ Blessed is that man whom
his Lord shall ai^point to the ministry of his fellow-servants.' ^
But if you wish it to be altogether unknown that you have
authority of administration, you seem to me to be ignorant
that the acknowledged authority of the president has great
influence as regards the respect of the multitude. For every
one obeys him who has received authority, having conscience
as a great constraint. And are you not well aware that you
are not to rule as the rulers of the nations, but as a servant
ministering to them, as a father to the oppressed, visiting
them as a physician, guarding them as a shepherd, — in short,
taking all care for their salvation ? And do you think that
I am not aware what labours I compel you to undertake, desir-
ing you to be judged by multitudes whom it is impossible for
any one to please. But it is most possible for him who does
well to please God. Wherefore I entreat you to undertake it
heartily, by God, by Christ, for the salvation of the brethren,
for their ordering, and your own profit.

Chap. lxv. — Nolo episcopavL

" And consider this other thing, that in proportion as there
is labour and danger in ruling the church of Christ, so much
greater is the reward. And yet again the greater is also the
punishment to him who can, and refuses. I wish, therefore,
knowing that you are the best instructed of my attendants,
to turn to account those noble powers of judging with which
you have been entrusted by the Lord, in order that you may be
saluted with the Well done, good and faith/ id servant, and not
be found fault with, and declared liable to punishment, like
him who hid the one talent. But if you will not be appointed
a good guardian of the church, point out another in your
stead, more learned and more faithful than yourself. But
you cannot do this ; for you associated with the Lord, and
witnessed His marvellous doings, and learned the administra-
tion of the church,

1 Luke xii. 42.

86 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. lxvi. — Danger of disobedience.

" And your work is to order what things are proper ; and
that of the brethren is to submit, and not to disobey. There-
fore submitting they shall be saved, but disobeying they shall
be punished by the Lord, because the president is entrusted
with the place of Christ. Wherefore, indeed, honour or
contempt shown to the president is handed on to Christ,
and from Christ to God. And this I have said, that these
brethren may not be ignorant of the danger they incur by
disobedience to you, because whosoever disobeys your orders,
disobeys Christ ; and he who disobeys Christ offends God.

Chap, lxvii. — Duties of church office-hearers.

" It is necessary, therefore, that the church, as a city built
upon a hill, have an order approved of God, and good govern-
ment. In particular, let the bishop, as chief, be heard in the
things which he speaks ; and let the elders give heed that
the things ordered be done. Let the deacons, going about,
look after the bodies and the souls of the brethren, and
report to the bishop. Let all the rest of the brethren bear
wrong patiently ; but if they wish judgment to be given
concerning wrongs done to them, let them be reconciled in
presence of the elders ; and let the elders report the recon-
ciliation to the bishop.

Chap, lxviii. — " Marriage always honourahleJ*

" And let them inculcate marriage not only upon the
young, but also upon those advanced in years, lest burning
lust bring a plague upon the church by reason of whoredom
or adultery. For, above every other sin, the wickedness of
adultery is hated by God, because it not only destroys the j
person himself who sins, but those also who eat and associate jK
with him. For it is like the madness of a dog, because it
has the nature of communicating its own madness. For the i
sake of chastity, therefore, let not only the elders, but even ^
all, hasten to accomplish marriage. For the sin of him who
commits adultery necessarily comes upon all. Therefore, to

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 87

urge the brethren to be chaste, this is the first charity. For
it is the healing of the soul. For the nourishment of the
body is rest.

Chap, lxix. — " Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves

together^'

" But if you love your brethren, take nothing from them,
but share with them such things as ye have. Feed the
hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; visit
the sick ; so far as you can, help those in prison ; receive
strangers gladly into your own abodes ; hate no one. And
how you must be pious, your own mind will teach you, judg-
ing rightly. But before all else, if indeed I need say it to you,
come together frequently, if it were every hour, especially
on the appointed days of meeting. For if you do this, you
are within a w^all of safety. For disorderliness is the begin-
ning of perdition. Let no one therefore forsake the assembly
on the ground of envy towards a brother. For if any one of
you forsake the assembly, he shall be regarded as of those
who scatter the church of Christ, and shall be cast out with
adulterers. For as an adulterer, under the influence of the
spirit that is in him, he separates himself on some pretext,
and gives place to the wicked one against himself, — a sheep
for the stealing, as one found outside the fold.^

Chap. lxx. — " Hear the bishop"

. " However, hear your bishop, and do not weary of giving
all honour to him ; knowing that, by showing it to him, it is
borne to Christ, and from Christ it is borne to God ; and to
him who offers it, is requited manifold.^ Honour, therefore,
the throne of Christ. For you are commanded even to
honour the chair of Moses, and that although they who

^ There seems to be a corruption of the text here, but the general
meaning is evident enough.

2 There are several conjectural readings of this sentence. We have not
exactly followed any one of them, but have ventured on a conjecture of
our own.

88 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

occupy it are accounted sinners.-^ And now I have said
enough to you ; and I deem it superfluous to say to him how-
he is to Hve unblameably, since he is an approved disciple of
Him who taught me also.

Chap. lxxi. — Various duties of Christians.

" But, brethren, there are some things that you must not
wait to hear, but must consider of yourselves what is reason-
able. Zaccheus alone having given himself up wholly to
labour for you, and needing sustenance, and not being able
to attend to his own affairs, how can he procure necessary
support ? Is it not reasonable that you are to take fore-
thought for his living? not waiting for his asking you, for this is
the part of a beggar. But he will rather die of hunger than
submit to do this. And shall not you incur punishment, not
considering that the workman is worthy of his hire ? And
let no one say : Is, then, the word sold which was freely
given ? Far be it. For if any one has the means of living,
and takes anything, he sells the word ; but if he who has not
takes support in order to live — as the Lord also took at supper
and among His friends, having nothing, though He alone is
the owner of all things — he sins not. Therefore suitably
honour elders, catechists, useful deacons, widows who have
lived well, orphans as children of the church. But wher-
ever there is need of any provision for an emergency, con-
tribute all tocrether. Be kind one to another, not shrinkin£f
from the endurance of anything whatever for your own
salvation."

Chap, lxxii. — Ordination.

And having thus spoken, he placed his hand upon Zac-
cheus, saying, " O Thou Ruler and Lord of all. Father and
God, do Thou guard the shepherd with the flock. Thou art
the cause, Thou the power. We are that which is helped ;
Thou the helper, the physician, the saviour, the wall, the life,
the hope, the refuge, the joy, the expectation, the rest. In a
word, Thou art all things to us. In order to the eternal

^ Matt, xxiii. 2.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 89

attainment of salvation, do Thou co-operate, preserve, protect.
Thou canst do all things. For Thou art the Ruler of rulers,
the Lord of lords, the Governor of kings. Do Thou give
power to the president to loose what ought to be loosed, to
bind what ouscht to be bound. Do Thou make him wise.
Do Thou, as by His name, protect the church of Thy Christ
as a fair bride. For Thine is eternal glory. Praise to the
Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost to all ages. Amen."

Chap, lxxiii. — Baptisms.

And having thus spoken, he afterwards said : " Whoever
of you wish to be baptized, begin from to-morrow to fast,
and have hands laid upon you day by day, and inquire about
what matters you please. For I mean still to remain with
you ten days." And after three days, having begun to baptize,
he called me, and Aquila, and Nicetas, and said to us : '' As
I am going to set out for Tyre after seven days, I wish you
to go away this very day, and to lodge secretly with Bernice
the Canaanite, the daughter of Justa, and to learn from her,
and write accurately to me what Simon is about. For this
is of great consequence to me, that I may prepare myself
accordingly. Therefore depart straightway in peace." And
leaving him baptizing, as he commanded, we preceded him to
Tyre of Phoenicia.

HOMILY IV.

Chap. i. — Bemic^s hospitality,

.HITS I Clement, departing from Caesarea Stra-
tonis, together with Nicetas and Aquila, entered
into Tyre of Phoenicia ; and according to the in-
junction of Peter, who sent us, we lodged with
Bernice, the daughter of Justa the Canaanitess. She re-
ceived us most joyfully ; and striving with much honour
towards me, and with affection towards Aquila and Nicetas,
and speaking freely as a friend, through joy she treated us
courteously, and hospitably urged us to take bodily refresh-
ment. Perceiving, therefore, that she was endeavouring to
impose a short delay upon us, I said : " You do well, indeed,
to busy yourself in fulfilling the part of love ; but the fear
of our God must take the precedence of this. For, having a
combat on hand on behalf of many souls, we are afraid of
preferring our own ease before their salvation.

Chap. ii. — Simoris practices,

" For we hear that Simon the magician, being worsted at
Caesarea in the discussion with our lord JPeter, immediately
hastened hither, and is doing much mischief. For he is
slandering Peter, in opposition to truth, to all the adver-
sarijes, and stealing away the souls of the multitude. For
he being a magician, calls him a magician ; and he being a
deceiver, proclaims him as a deceiver. And although in the
discussions he was beaten in all points, and fled, yet he says
that he was victorious ; and he constantly charges them that
they ought not to listen to Peter, — as if, forsooth, he were

90

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 91

anxious that they may not be fascinated by a terrible
magician.

Chap. hi. — Object of the mission,

" Therefore our lord Peter, having learned these things,
has sent us to be investigators of the things that have been
told him ; that if they be so, we may write to him and let
him know, so that he may come and convict him face to face
of the accusations that he has uttered against him. Since,
therefore, danger on the part of many souls lies before us, on
this account we must neglect bodily rest for a short time ;
and we would learn truly from you who live here, whether
the things which we have heard be true. Now tell us
particularly."

Chap. iv. — Simons doings.

But Bernice, being asked, said : " These things are indeed
as you have heard ; and I will tell you other things respecting
this same Simon, which perhaps you do not know. For he
astonishes the whole city every day, by making spectres and
ghosts appear in the midst of the market-place ; and when
he walks abroad, statues move, and many shadows go before
him, which, he says, are souls of the dead. And many who
attempted to prove him an impostor he speedily reconciled to
him ; and afterwards, under pretence of a banquet, having
slain an ox, and given them to eat of it, he infected them
with various diseases, and subjected them to demons. And
in a word, having injured many, and being supposed to be
a god, he is both feared and honoured.

Chap. v. — Discretion the better part of valour,

" Wherefore I do not think that any one will be able to
quench such a fire as has been kindled. For no one doubts
his promises; but every one affirms that this is so. Wherefore,
lest you should expose yourselves to danger, I advise you not
to attempt anything against him until Peter come, who alone
shall be able to resist such a power, being the most esteemed
disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. For so much do I fear

92 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

this man, that if he had not elsewhere been vanquished in
disputing with my lord Peter, I should counsel you to per-
suade even Peter himself not to attempt to oppose Simon."

Chap. vi. — Simon^s departure.

Then I said : ^* If our lord Peter did not know that he
himself alone can prevail against this power, he would not
have sent us before him with orders to get information
secretly concerning Simon, and to wTite to him." Then, as
evening had come on, wx took supper,^ and went to sleep.
But in the morning, one of Bernice's friends came and said
that Simon had set sail for Sidon, and that he had left
behind him Appion Pleistonices,^ — a man of Alexandria, a
grammarian by profession, whom I knew as being a friend
of my father ; and a certain astrologer, Annubion the Dios-
politan, and Athenodorus the Athenian, attached to the doc-
trine of Epicurus. And we, having learned these things
concerning Simon, in the morning wrote and despatched a
letter to Peter, and went to take a walk.

Chap. vii. — Appion^ s salutation.

And Appion met us, not only with the two companions
just named, but with about thirty other men. And as soon
as he saw me, he saluted and kissed me, and said, " This is
Clement, of whose noble birth and liberal education I have
often told you ; for he, being related to the family of Tibe-
rius Caesar, and equipped with all Grecian learning, has been
seduced by a certain barbarian called Peter to speak and act
after the manner of the Jews. Wherefore I beg of you to
strive toiiether with me for the settin^j of him ricrht. And
in your presence I now ask him. Let him tell me, since he
thinks that he has devoted himself to piety, whether he is
not acting most impiously, in forsaking the customs of his
country, and falling away to those of the barbarians."

^ Literally, " partook of salt."

2 This epithet means, "the conqueror of very many." Suidas makes
Appion the son of Pleistonices.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 93

Chap. viii. — A challenge,

I answered : " I accept, indeed, your kindly affection
towards me, but I take exception to your ignorance. For
your affection is kindly, because you wish me to continue in
those [customs] which you consider to be good. But your
inaccurate knowledge strives to lay a snare for me, under the
guise of friendship." Then said Appion : '* Does it seem to
you to be ignorance, that one should observe the customs of
his fathers, and judge after the manner of the Greeks?"
Then I answered : " It behoves one who desires to be pious
not altoorether to observe the customs of his fathers ; but ta
observe them if they be pious, and to shake them off if they
be impious. For it is possible that one who is the son of an
impious father, if he wishes to be pious, should not desire
to follow the relioion of his father." ^ Then answered
Appion : " What then ? Do you say that your father was
a man of an evil life ? " Then said I : " He was not of an
evil life, but of an evil opinion." Then Appion : " I should
like to know what was his evil apprehension." Then said I r
" Because he believed the false and wicked myths of the
Greeks." Then Appion asked: "What are these false and
evil myths of the Greeks ? " Then I said : " The wrong
opinion concerning the gods, which, if you will bear with
me, you shall hear, with those who are desirous to learn.

Chap. ix. — Unworthy ends of philosophers,

" Wherefore, before beginning our conversation, let us now"
withdraw into some quieter place, and there I shall converse
with you. And the reason why I wish to speak privately is
this, because neither the multitude, nor even all the philo-
sophers, approach honestly to the judgment of things as they
are. For we know many, even of those who pride themselves
on their philosophy, who are vainglorious, or who have put
on the philosopher's robe for the sake of gain, and not for
the sake of virtue itself ; and they, if they do not find that

^ We have adopted tlie emendation of Wieseler, wlio reads asl2oia/nur:
for asiiu(7/^xTcc. He also proposes Uet (habit) instead of aifiaaf^ciTi. The
readings in the Mss. vary.

94 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

for which they take to philosophy, turn to mockery. There-
fore, on account of such as these, let us choose some place
fit for private conference."

Chap, x. — A cool retreat.

And a certain one amongst them — a rich man, and pos-
sessing a garden of evergreen plants^ — said : " Since it is very
hot, let us retire for a little from the city to my gardens."
Accordingly they went forth, and sat down in a place where
there were pure streams of cool water, and a green shade of
all sorts of trees. There I sat pleasantly, and the others
round about me ; and they being silent, instead of a verbal
request made to me, showed by their eager looks to me
that they required the proof of my assertion. And therefore
I proceeded to speak thus :

Chap. xi. — Truth and custom.

" There is a certain great difference, O men of Greece,
between truth and custom. For truth is found when it is
honestly sought ; but custom, w^iatsoever be the character of
the custom received, whether true or false, is strengthened
by itself without the exercise of judgment ; and he who has
received it is neither pleased with it as being true, nor grieved
with it as false. For such an one has believed not by judg-
ment, but by prejudice, resting his own hope on the opinion
of those who have lived before him on a mere peradventure.
And it is not easy to cast off the ancestral garment, though
it be shown to himself to be wholly foolish and ridiculous.

Chap. xii. — Genesis.

" Therefore I say that the whole learning of the Greeks is
a most dreadful fabrication of a wicked demon. For they
have introduced many gods of their own, and these wicked,
and subject to all kinds of passion ; so that he who wishes to
do the like things may not be ashamed, which belongs to a

^ The text liere is corrupt. If we adopt Lobeck's emendation of
'7:ct,y.yt.iw(jca<j into 'TTccfATr'kovGtoy^ the literal translation is, " possessing a
property around him continually rich in leaves."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 95

man, having as an example the wicked and unquiet lives of
the mythological gods. And through his not being ashamed,
such an one affords no hope of his repenting. And others
have introduced fate, which is called genesis, contrary to
which no one can suffer or do anything. This, therefore,
also is like to the first. For any one who thinks that no one
has aught to do or suffer contrary to genesis easily falls into
sin ; and having sinned, he does not repent of his impiety,
holding it as his apology that he was borne on by genesis to
do these things. And ps he cannot rectify genesis, he has no
reason to be ashamed of the sins he commits.

Chap. xiii. — Destiny.

" And others introduce an unforeseeing destiny, as if all
things revolved of their own accord, without the superintend-
ence of any master. But thus to think these things is, as
we have said, the most grievous of all opinions. For, as if
there were no one superintending and fore-judging and dis-
tributing to every one according to his deserving, they easily
do everything as they can through fearlessness. Therefore
those who have such opinions do not easily, or perhaps do not
at all, live virtuously ; for they do not foresee the danger
which might have the effect of converting them. But the
doctrine of the barbarous Jews, as you call them, is most
pious, introducing One as the Father and Creator of all this
world, by nature good and righteous ; good, indeed, as par-
doning sins to those who repent; but righteous, as visiting
to every one after repentance according to the worthiness of
his doings.

Chap. xiv. — " Doctrine according to godliness.^'

" This doctrine, even if it also be mythical, being pious,
would not be without advantage for this life. For every
one, in expectation of being judged by the all-seeing God,
receives the greater impulse towards virtue. But if the doc-
trine be also true, it withdraws him who has lived virtuously
from eternal punishment, and endows him with eternal and
unspeakable blessings from God.

9Q THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. xv. — Wickedness of the gods,

'' But I return to the foremost doctrine of the Greeks, that
^vhich states in stories^ that there are gods many, and subject
to all kinds of passions. And not to spend much time upon
things that are clear, referring to the impious deeds of every
one of those who are called gods, I could not tell all their
amours : those of Zeus and Poseidon, of Pluto and Apollo,
of Dionysus and Hercules, and of them all singly. And of
these you are yourselves not ignorant, and have been taught
their manners of life, being instructed in the Grecian learning,
that, as competitors with the gods, you might do like things.

Chap. xyi. — Wickedness of Jupiter,

'* But I shall begin with the most royal Zeus, whose father
Ivronos, having, as you say, devoured his own children, and
having shorn off the members of his father Uranus with a
sickle of adamant, showed to those who are zealous for the
mysteries of the gods an example of piety towards parents
and of love towards children. And Jupiter himself bound
his own father, and imprisoned him in Tartarus ; and he also
punishes the other gods.' And for those who wish to do
things not to be spoken of, he begat Metis, and devoured
her. But Metis was seed ; for it is impossible to devour a
child. And for an excuse to abusers of themselves with
mankind, he carries away Ganymedes. And as a helper of
adulterers in their adultery, he is often found an adulterer.
And to those who wish to commit incest with sisters, he sets
the example in his intercourse with his sisters Hera and
Demeter, and the heavenly Aphrodite, whom some call
Dodona." And to those who wish to commit incest with their
daughters, there is a wicked example from his story, in his
committing incest with Persephone. But in myriads of
instances he acted impiously, that by reason of his excessive

^ f/.vdo'Xo'/ovauv.

- "Wieseler proposes hlw^ instead of &iw<; ; and he punishes liis uncles
also, as in vi. 2, 21.

2 This is properly regarded as a mistake for Dione, or Didone, which is
another form of the name Dione.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 97

wickedness the fable of his being a god might be received by
impious men.

Chap. xvit. — " Tlieir makers are like unto them."

'^You would hold it reasonable for ignorant men to be
moderately indignant at these fancies. But what must we
say to the learned, some of whom, professing themselves to be
grammarians and sophists, affirm that these acts are worthy
of gods ? For, being themselves incontinent, they lay hold
of this mythical pretext ; and as imitators of the gods/ they
practise unseemly things with freedom.

Chap, xviii. — Second nature.

"On this account, they who live in the country sin much
less than they do, not having been indoctrinated in those
things in which they have been indoctrinated who dare do
these things, having learned from evil instruction to be impious.
For they who from their childhood learn letters by means of
such fables, w^hile their soul is yet pliant, engraft the impious
deeds of those who are called gods into their own minds ;
w^hence, when they are grown up, they ripen fruit, like evil
seeds cast into the soul. And what is worst of all, the rooted
impurities cannot be easily cut down, when they are perceived
to be bitter by them when they have attained to manhood.
For every one is pleased to remain in those habits which he
forms in childhood ; and thus, since custom is not much less
powerful than nature, they become difficult to be converted
to those good things which were not sown in their souls from
the beginning.

Chap. xix. — " Where ignorance is bliss J^

" Wherefore it behoves the young not to be satisfied with
those corrupting lessons, and those who are in their prime
should carefully avoid listening to the mythologies of the
Greeks. For lessons about their gods are much w^orse than
ignorance, as we have shown from the case of those dwelling
in the country, who sin less through their not having been
^ Lit. " of those who are superior or better."

98 THE CLEMEJ^TINE HOMILIES.

instructed by Greeks. Truly, such fables of theirs, and
spectacles, and books, ought to be shunned, and if it were
possible, even their cities. For those who are full of evil
learning, even with their breath infect as with madness those
who associate with them, with their own passions. And what is
worst, whoever is most instructed among them, is so much the
more turned from the judgment which is according to nature.

Chap. xx. — False theories of pldlosopliers.

" And some of those amongst them who even profess to be
philosophers, assert that such sins are indifferent, and say that
those who are indignant at such practices are senseless. For
they say that such things are not sins by nature, but have
been proscribed by laws made by wise men in early times,
through their knowing that men, through the instability of
their minds, being greatly agitated on these accounts, wage
war with one another; for which reason, wise men have
made laws to proscribe such things as sins. But this is a
ridiculous supposition. For how can they be other than sins,
which are the cause of tumults, and murders, and every con-
fusion? For do not shortenings of life-^ and many more evils
proceed from adultery ?

Chap. xxi. — Evils of adultery.

" But why, it is said, if a man is ignorant of his wife's being
an adulteress, is he not indignant, enraged, distracted? why does
he not make war ? Thus these things are not evil by nature,
but the unreasonable opinion of men make them terrible.
But I say, that even if these dreadful things do not occur,
it is usual for a woman, through association with an adulterer,
either to forsake her husband, or if she continue to live
with him, to plot against him, or to bestow upon the adulterer
the goods procured by the labour of her husband ; and hav-
ing conceived by the adulterer while her husband is absent,
to attempt the destruction of that which is in her womb,
through shame of conviction, and so to become a child-

■^ The Vatican MS. inserts here, " upturning of houses, magic practices,
deceptions, perplexities."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 99

murderer ; or even, while destroying it, to be destroyed along
■with it. But if while her husband is at home she conceives by
the adulterer and bears a child, the child when he grows up
does not know his father, and thinks that he is his father
who is not ; and thus he who is not the father, at his death
leaves his substance to the child of another. And how many
other evils naturally spring from adultery ! And the secret
evils we do not know. For as the mad dog destroys all that
he touches, infecting them with the unseen madness, so also
the hidden evil of adultery, though it be not known, effects
the cutting off of posterity.

Chap. xxii. — A, more excellent loay,

"But let us pass over this now. But this we all know, that
universally men are beyond measure enraged on account of
it, that wars have been waged, that there have been over-
throws of houses, and captures of cities, and myriads of other
evils. On this account I betook myself to the holy God and
law of the Jews, putting my faith in the well-assured conclu-
sion that the law has been assigned by the righteous judg-
ment of God, and that the soul must at some time receive
according to the desert of its deeds."

Chap, xxiii. — " Whither shall I go from Thy presence V

When I had thus spoken, Appion broke in upon my dis-
course. "What!" said he; "do not the laws of the Greeks
also forbid w^ickedness, and punish adulterers ? " Then said I :
" Then the gods of the Greeks, who acted contrary to the laws,
deserve punishment. But how shall I be able to restrain
myself, if I suppose that the gods themselves first practised
all wickednesses as well as adultery, and did not suffer punish-
ment ; whereas they ought the rather to have suffered, as not
being slaves to lust ? But if they were subject to it, how
were they gods?" Then Appion said : " Let us have in our
eye not the gods, but the judges ; and looking to them, we
shall be afraid to sin." Then I said : " This is not fitting,
O Appion : for he who has his eye upon men will dare to
sin, in hope of escaping detection ; but he who sets before his

100 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

soul the all-seeing God, knowing that he cannot escape His
notice; will refrain from sinning even in secret."

Chap. xxiv. — Allegory.

When Appion heard this, he said : " I knew, ever since I
heard that you were consorting with Jew^s, that you had
alienated your judgment. For it has been well said by some
one, ' Evil communications corrupt good manners.' " Then
saidi: "Therefore good communications correct evil manners."
And Appion said : " To-day I am fully satisfied to have
learned your position ; therefore I permitted you to speak
first. But to-morrow, in this place, if it is agreeable to you,
I will show, in the presence of these friends when they
meet, that our gods are neither adulterers, nor murderers,
nor corrupters of children, nor guilty of incest with sisters
or daughters. But the ancients, ^Yishing that only lovers of
learning should know the mysteries, veiled them with those
fables of which you have spoken. For they speak physiologi-
cally of boiling substance under the name of Zen, and of
time under that of Kronos, and of the ever-flowing nature of
water under that of Rhea. How^ever, as I have promised, I
shall to-morrow exhibit the truth of things, explaining them
one by one to you when you come together in the morning."
In reply to this I said : " To-morrow^, as you have promised,
so do. But now hear something in opposition to wdiat you
are going to say.

Chap. xxv. — An engagement for to-morrow.

'^If the doings of the gods, being good, have been veiled with
evil fables, the wickedness of him who w^ove the veil is shown
to have been great, because he concealed noble things with
evil narratives, that no one imitate them. But if they really
did things impious, they ought, on the contrary, to have veiled
them with good narratives, lest men, regarding them as their
superiors, should set about sinning in like manner." As I spoke
thus, those present were evidently beginning to be well-disposed
towards the words spoken by me; for they repeatedly and
earnestly asked me to come on the following day, and departed.

HOMILY V.

Chap. i. — Appion does not appear.
HE next day, therefore, in Tyre, as we had agreed,

I came to the quiet place, and there I found the
rest, with some others also. Then I saluted them.
But as I did not see Appion, I asked the reason
of his not being present; and some one said that he had
been unwell ever since last evening. Then, when I said that
it was reasonable that we should immediately set out to visit
him, almost all begged me first to discourse to them, and that
then we could go to see him. Therefore, as all were of one
opinion, I proceeded to say :

Chap. ii. — Clements previous hioivledge of Appion,

"Yesterday, when I left this, O friends, I confess that,
through much anxiety about the discussion that was to take
place with Appion, I was not able to get any sleep. And
while I was unable to sleep, I remembered a trick that I
played upon him in Rome. It was this. From my boy-
hood I Clement was a lover of truth, and a seeker of the
things that are profitable for the soul, and spending my
time in raising and refuting theories ; but being unable
to find anything perfect, through distress of mind I fell
sick. And while I w^as confined to bed Appion came to
Kome, and being my father's friend, he lodged with me ;
and hearing that I was in bed, he came to me, as being not
unacquainted with medicine, and inquired the cause of my
being in bed. But I, being aware that the man exceedingly
hated the Jews, as also that he had written many books
against them, and that he had formed a friendship with this

101

102 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Simon, not tlirougli desire of learning, but because he knew
that he was a Samaritan and a hater of the Jews, and that
he had come forth in opposition to the Jews, therefore he
had formed an alliance with him, that he might learn some-
thing from him against the Jews ; —

Chap. hi. — Clements inch

" I, knowing this before concerning Appion, as soon as he
asked me the cause of my sickness, answered feignedly, that
I was suffering and distressed in my mind after the manner
of young men. And to this he said, ^ My son, speak freely
as to a father: what is your soul's ailment?' And when I
again groaned feignedly, as being ashamed to speak of love,
by means of silence and down-looking I conveyed the im-
pression of wdiat I wished to intimate. But he, being per-
suaded that I w^as in love with a woman, said : ' There is
nothing in life which does not admit of help. For indeed
I myself, when I was young, being in love with a most
accomplished woman, not only thought it impossible to ob-
tain her, but did not even hope ever to address her. And
yet, having fallen in with a certain Egj'ptian who was
exceedingly well versed in magic, and having become his
friend, I disclosed to him my love, and not only did he
assist me in all that I wished, but, honouring me more
bountifully, he hesitated not to teach me an incantation by
means of which I obtained her ; and as soon as I had
obtained her, by means of his secret instruction, being per-
suaded by the liberality of my teacher, I was cured of love.

Chap. iv. — Appion s undertaking,

"'Whence, if you also suffer any such thing after the
manner of men, use freedom with me witli all security ; for
within seven days I shall put you fully in possession of her.'
When I heard this, looking at the object I had in view,
I said : ' Pardon me that I do not altogether believe in the
existence of magic ; for I have already tried many who have
made many promises, and have deceived me. However,
your undertaking influences me, and leads me to hope. But

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 103

when I think of the matter, I am afraid that the demons
are somethnes not subject to the magicians with respect to
the things that are commanded them.'

Chap. v. — Theory of magic.

" Then Appion said : ^ Admit that I know more of these
things than you do. However, that you may not think
that there is nothing in what you have heard from me in
reference to what you have said, I will tell you how the
demons are under ne-^essity to obey the magicians in the
matters about which they are commanded. For as it is
impossible for a soldier to contradict his general, and im-
possible for the generals themselves to disobey the king —
for if any one oppose those set over him, he is altogether
deserving of punishment — so it is impossible for the demons
not to serve the angels who are their generals ; and when they
are adjured by them, they yield trembling, well knowing that
if they disobey they shall be fully punished. But the angels
also themselves, being adjured by the magicians in the name
of their ruler, obey, lest, being found guilty of disobedience,
they be destroyed. For unless all things that are living and
rational foresaw vengeance from the ruler, confusion would
ensue, all revolting against one another.'

Chap. vi. — Scruples.

'' Then said I : ^ Are those things correct, then, which are
spoken by poets and philosophers, that in Hades the souls of
the wicked are judged and punished for their attempts ; such
as those of Ixion, and Tantalus, and Tityus, and Sisyphus,
and the daughters of Danaus, and as many others as have
been impious here ? And how, if these things are not so, is
it possible that magic can subsist?' Then he having told me
that these things are so in Hades, I asked him : ' Why are not
we ourselves afraid of magic, being persuaded of the punish-
ment in Hades for adultery ? For I do not admit that it is a
righteous thing to compel to adultery a woman who is unwil-
ling ; but if any one will engage to persuade her, I am ready
for that, besides confessing my thanks.'

104 THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. vii. — A distinction with a difference,

" Then Appion said: ^ Do you not think it is the same thinpf,
whether you obtain her by magic, or by deceiving her with
words ? ' Then said I : ' Not altoo-ether the same : for these
differ widely from one another. For he who constrains an
unwilling woman by the force of magic, subjects himself to
the most terrible punishment, as having plotted against a
chaste woman ; but he who persuades her with words, and
puts the choice in her own power and will, does not force
her. And I am of opinion, that he who has persuaded [a
woman] will not suffer so great punishment as he who has
forced her. Therefore, if you can persuade her, I shall be
thankful to you when I have obtained her ; but otherwise, I
had rather die than force her against her will.'

Chap. viii. — Flattery or nia.fjic.

'^Then Appion, being really puzzled, said: ^What am I to
say to you? For at one time, as one perturbed with love,
you pray to obtain her ; and anon, as if you loved her not, you
make more account of your fear than your desire : and you
think that if you can persuade her you shall be blameless, as
without sin ; but obtaining her by the power of magic, you will
incur punishment. But do you not know that it is the end
of every action that is judged, the fact that it has been com-
mitted, and that no account is made of the means by whicli
it has been effected? And if you commit adultery, being
enabled by magic, shall you be judged as having done
wickedly ; and if by persuasion, shall you be absolved from
sin in respect of the adultery ?' Then I said : * On account of
my love, there is a necessity for me to choose one or other of
the means that are available to procure the object of my love;
and I shall choose, as far as possible, to cajole her rather
than to use magic. But neither is it easy to persuade her by
flattery, for the woman is very much of a pliilosopher.'

Chap. ix. — A love-letter,
" Then Appion said : ' I am all the more hopeful to be able

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 105

to persuade her, as you wish, provided only we be able to
converse with her.' ' That/ said I, ^ is impossible.' Then
Appion asked if it were possible to send a letter to her.
Then I said : * That indeed may be done.' Then Appion
said : ' This very night I shall write a paper on encomiums of
adultery, which you shall get from me and despatch to her;
and I hope that she shall be persuaded, and consent.' Appion
accordingly wrote the paper, and gave it to me; audi thought
of it this very night, and I remembered that fortunately I
have it by me, along w'th other papers which I carry about
with me." Having thus spoken, I showed the paper to those
who were present, and read it to them as they wished to hear
it; and having read it, I said: ''This, O men, is the instruc-
tion of the Greeks, affording a bountiful licence to sin with-
out fear. The paper w^as as follows :

Chap. x. — The lover to tlie beloved one.

'•' Anonymously, on account of the laws of foolish men.
At the bidding of Love, the first-born of all, salutation : I
know that you are devoted to philosophy, and for the sake of
virtue you affect the life of the noble. But who are nobler
then the gods among all, and philosophers among men ?
For these alone know what works are good or evil by nature,
and what, not being so, are accounted so by the imposition of
laws. Now, then, some have supposed that the action which
is called adultery is evil, although it is in every respect good.
For it is by the appointment of Eros for the increase of life.
And Eros is the eldest of all the gods. For without Eros
there can be no mingling or generation either of elements, or
gods, or men, or irrational animals, or aught else. For we
are all instruments of Eros. He, by means of us, is the
fabricator of all that is begotten, the mind inhabiting our
souls. Hence it is not when we ourselves wish it, but when
we are ordered by him, that we desire to do his will. But if,
while we desire according to his will, we attempt to restrain
the desire for the sake of what is called chastity, what do we
do but the greatest impiety, when we oppose the oldest of all
gods and men ?

106 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xi. — " All undeanness with greediness. ^"^

" ^ But let all doors be opened to him, and let all baneful
and arbitrary laws be set aside, wliicli have been ordained by
fanatical men, who, under the power of senselessness, and
not willing to understand what is reasonable, and, moreover,
suspecting those wdio are called adulterers, are with good
reason mocked with arbitrary laws by Zeus himself, through
Minos and Rhadamanthus. For there is no restraining of
Eros dwelling in our souls ; for the passion of lovers is not
voluntary. Therefore Zeus himself, the giver of these laws,
approached myriads of women ; and, according to some wise
men, he sometimes had intercourse with human beings, as a
benefactor for the production of children. But in the case of
those to whom he knew^ that his beino; unknown would be a
favour,^ he changed his form, in order that he might neither
grieve them, nor seem to act in opposition to the laws given
by himself. It becomes you, therefore, who are debaters of
philosophy, for the sake of a good life, to imitate those who
are acknowledged to be the nobler, who have had sexual
intercourse ten thousand times.

Chap. xii. — Jupiter s amours,

" ' And not to spend the time to no purpose in giving more
examples, I shall begin with mentioning some embraces of
Zeus himself, the father of gods and men. For it is im-
possible to mention all, on account of their multitude. Hear,
therefore, the amours of this great Jupiter, which he con-
cealed by changing his form, on account of the fanaticism
of senseless men. For, in the first place, wishing to show
to wise men that adultery is no sin, when he was going to
marry, being, according to the multitude, knowingly an
adulterer, in his first marriage, but not being so in reality,
by means, as I said, of a seeming sin he accomplished a sin-
less marriage." For he married his own sister Hera, assum-

^ TVe have adopted the punctuation of AYiesclcr.

* I have no doubt that this is the general meaning ; but the text is
hopelessly corrupt.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 107

ing the likeness of a cuckoo's wing ; and of her were born
Hebe and Ilithyia. For he gave birth to Metis without copu-
lation with any one, as did also Hera to Vulcan.

Chap. xiii. — Jupiter'' s amours continued,

" ' Then he committed incest with his sister, who was born
of Kronos and Thalasse, after the dismemberment of Kronos,
and of whom were born Eros and Cypris, whom they call also
Dodone. Then, in the likeness of a satyr, he had intercourse
with Antiope the daughter of Nycteus, of whom were born
Amphion and Zethus. And he embraced Alcmene, the wife
of Amphitryon, in the form of her husband Amphitryon,
of whom was born Hercules. And, changed into an eagle,
he approached ^gina, the daughter of Asclepius, of whom
^acus was born. And in the form of a bear he lay with
Amalthea the daughter of Phocus ; and in a golden shower
he fell upon Danae, the daughter of Acrisius, of whom sprang
Perseus. He became wild as a lion to Callisto the daughter
of Lycaon, and begat Arcus the second. And with Europa
the daughter of Phoenix he had intercourse by means of a
bull, of whom sprang Minos, and Hhadamanthus, and Sar-
pedon ; and with Eurymedusa the daughter of Achelous,
changing himself into an ant, of whom was born Myrmidon.
With a nymph of Hersaeus, in the form of a vulture, from
whom sprang the wise men of old in Sicily. He came to
Juno the earth-born in Rhodes, and of her were born Pargseus,
Kronius, Kytis. And he deflowered Ossia, taking the like-
ness of her husband Phoenix, of whom Anchinous was born
to him. Of Nemesis the daughter of Thestius, who is also
thought to be Leda, he begot Helena, in the form of a swan
or goose; and again, in the form of a star, he produced Castor
and Polydeuces. With Lamia he was transformed into a
hoopoo.

Chap. xiv. — Jupiter s undisguised amours.

"^In the likeness of a shepherd he made Mnemosyne mother
of the Muses. Setting himself on fire, he married Semele,
the daughter of Cadmus, of whom he begat Dionysus. In

108 TEE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

the likeness of a drao;on he deflowered his daucrhter Per-
sephone, thought to be the wife of his brother Pluto. He
had intercourse with many other women without undergoing
any change in his form ; for the husbands had no ill-will to
him as if it were a sin, but knew well that in associating
with their wives he bountifully produced children for them,
bestowincr upon them the Hermeses, the Apollos, the Dionysi,
the Endymions, and others whom we have spoken of, most
excellent in beauty through his fatherhood.

Chap. xy. — Unnatural lusts.

" ' And not to spend the time in an endless exposition,
you will find numerous unions with Jupiter of all the gods.
But senseless men call these doings of the gods adulteries ;
even of those gods who did not refrain from the abuse of
males as disgraceful, but who practised even this as seemly.
For instance, Jupiter himself was in love with Ganymede ;
Poseidon with Pelops ; Apollo with Cinyras, Zacyinthus,
Hyacinthus, Phorbas, Hylas, Admetus, Cyparissus, Amyclas,
Troilus, Branchus the Tymnsean, Parus the Potnian, Orpheus;
Dionysus with Laonis, Ampelus, Hymxcngeus, Hermaphro-
dites, Achilles ; Asclepius with Hippolytus, and Hephaestus
with Peleus ; Pan with Daphnis ; Hermes with Perseus,
Chrysas, Theseus, Odrysus ; Hercules with Abderus, Dryops,
Jocastus, Philoctetes, Hylas, Polyphemus, Haemon, Chonus,
Eurystheus.

Chap. xvi. — Praise of unchastity,

" ' Thus have I in part set before you the amours of all the
more noted gods, beloved, that you may know that fanaticism
respecting this thing is confined to senseless men. There-
fore they are mortal, and spend their lives sadly, because
through their zeal they proclaim those things to be evil
which the gods esteem as excellent. Therefore for the
future you will be blessed, imitating the gods, and not men.
For men, seeing you preserving that which is thought to
be chastity, on account of what they themselves feel, praise

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 109

you indeed, but do not help you. But the gods, seeing you
like unto themselves, will both praise and help.

Chap. xvii. — The constellations.

" ^ For reckon to me how many mistresses they have re-
warded, some of whom they have placed among the stars ;
and of some they have blessed both the children and the asso-
ciates. Thus Zeus made Callisto a constellation, called the
Little Bear, which some also call the Dog's Tail. Poseidon also
placed the dolphin in the sky for the sake of Amphitrlte; and
he gave a place among the stars to Orion the son of Euryale,
the daughter of Minos, for the sake of his mother Euryale.
And Dionysus made a constellation of the crown of Ariadne,
and Zeus invested the eagle which assisted him in the rape
of Ganymede, and Ganymede himself with the honour of the
Water-pourer. Also he honoured the bull for the sake of
Europa ; and also having bestowed Castor, and Polydeuces,
and Helena upon Leda, he made them stars. Also Perseus
for the sake of Danae ; and Arcus for the sake of Callisto.
The virgin who also is Dice, for the sake of Themis ; and
Heracles for the sake of Alcmene. But I do not enlarge
further ; for it were long to tell particularly how many others
the gods have blessed for the sake of their many mistresses,
in their intercourse with human beings, which senseless men
repudiate as evil deeds, not knowing that pleasure is the great
advantaf^e amono^ men.

Chap, xviii. — The pldlosopliers advocates of adultery,

" ^ But why ? Do not the celebrated philosophers extol
pleasure, and have they not had intercourse with what women
they would ? Of these the first was that teacher of Greece,
of whom Phoebus himself said, " Of all men, Socrates is the
wisest." Does not he teach that in a well-regulated state
women should be common ? ^ and did he not conceal the fair
Alcibiades under his philosopher's gown ? And the Socratic
Antisthenes writes of the necessity of not abandoning what
is called adultery. And even his disciple Diogenes, did not
1 This from a marginal reading.

110 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

he freelj associate with Lais, for the hire of carrying her on
his shoulders in pubhc ? Does not Epicurus extol pleasure ?
Did not Aristippus anoint himself with perfumes, and devote
himself wholly to Aphrodite? Does not Zeno, intimating
indifference, say that the deity pervades all things, that it
may be known to the intelligent, that with whomsoever a man
has intercourse, it is as with himself ; and that it is super-
fluous to forbid what are called adulteries, or intercourse with
mother, or daughter, or sister, or children. And Chrysippus,
in his erotic epistles, makes mention of the statue in Argos,
representing Hera and Zeus in an obscene position.

Chap. xix. — Close of the love-letter.

" ^ I know that to those uninitiated in the truth these things
seem dreadful and most base ; but not so to the gods and the
philosophers of the Greeks, nor to those initiated in the
mysteries of Dionysus and Demeter. But above all these,
not to waste time in speaking of the lives of all the gods, and
all the philosophers, let the two chief be your marks — Zeus
the greatest of the gods, and Socrates of philosophic men.
And the other thmfrs which I have mentioned in this letter,
understand and attend to, that you may not grieve your
lover ; since, if you act contrarily to gods and heroes, you
will be judged wicked, and will subject yourself to fitting
punishment. But if you offer yourself to every lover, then,
as an imitator of the gods, you shall receive benefits from
them. For the rest, dearest one, remember what mysteries
I have disclosed to you, and inform me bj letter of your
choice. Fare thee well.'

Chap. xx. — The use made of it,

" I therefore, having received this billet from Appion, as
though I were really going to send it to a beloved one, pre-
tended as if she had written in answer to it ; and the next
day, when Appion came, I gave him the reply, as if from her,
as follows :

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. Ill

Chap. xxi. — Answer to Appioiis letter.

" ' I wonder how, when you commend me for wisdom, you
write to me as to a fool. For, wishing to persuade me to your
passion, you make use of examples from the mythologies of
the gods, that Eros is the eldest of all, as you sa}^, and above
all gods and men, not being afraid to [[blaspheme]], that you
might corrupt my soul and insult my body. For Eros is
not the leader of the gods, — he, I mean, who has to do with
lusts. For if he lusts willingly, he is himself his own suffer-
ing and punishment; and he who should suffer willingly could
not be a god. But if against his will he lust for copulation,
and, pervading our souls as through the members of our
bodies, is borne into intermeddling with our minds, then he
that impels him to love is greater than he. And again, he
who impels him, being himself impelled by another desire,
another greater than he is found impelling him. And thus
we come to an endless succession of lovers,^ which is im-
possible. Thus, neither is there an impeller nor an impelled ;
but it is the lustful passion of the lover himself, which is
increased by hope and diminished by despair.

Chap. xxii. — Lying fables,

" ' But those who will not subdue base lusts belie the gods,
that, by representing the gods as first doing the things which
they do, they may be set free from blame. For if those who
are called gods committed adulteries for the sake of begetting
children, and not through lasciviousness, why did they also
debauch males? But it is said they complimented their
mistresses by making them stars. Therefore before this were
there no stars, until such time as, by reason of wantonness^
the heaven was adorned with stars by adulterers ? And how
is it that the children of those who have been made stars are
punished in Hades, — Atlas loaded, Tantalus tortured with
thirst, Sisyphus pushing a stone, Tityus thrust through the
bowels, Ixion continually rolled round a wheel ? How is it
that these divine lovers made stars of the women whom they
defiled, but gave no such grace to these ?

^ I suspect it should rather be impellers, reading (pipoitrav for ipavray.

112 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap, xxiii. — The gods no gods,

^' ' They were not gods, then, but representations of tyrants.
For a certain tomb is shown among the Caucasian mountains,
not in heaven, but in earth, as that of Kronus, a barbarous
man and a devourer of children. Further, the tomb of the
lascivious Zeus, so famed in story, who in like manner de-
voured his own daughter Metis, is to be seen in Crete, and
those of Pluto and Poseidon in the Acherusian lake ; and that
of Helius in Astra, and of Selene in Carrse, of Hermes in
Hermopolis, of Ares in Thrace, of Aphrodite in Cyprus, of
Dionysus in Thebes, and of the rest in other places. At all
events, the tombs are shown of those that I have named : for
they were men, and in respect of these things, wicked men
and magicians. For else they should not have become despots
— I mean Zeus, renowned in story, and Dionysus — but that
by changing their forms they prevailed over whom they
pleased, for whatever pui'pose they designed.

Chap. xxiv. — If a principle he goody carry it out.

'* ^ But if we must emulate their lives, let us imitate not onlv
their adulteries, but also their banquets. For Kronus de-
voured his own children, and Zeus in like manner his own
daughter. And what must I say? Pelops served as a supper
for all the gods. Wherefore let us also, before unhal-
lowed marriages, perpetrate a supper like that of the gods ;
for thus the supper would be worthy of the marriages.
But this you would never consent to; no more will I to
adultery. Besides this, you threaten me with the anger of
Eros as of a powerful god. Eros is not a god, as I conceive
him, but a desire occurring from the temperament of the
livino- creature in order to the perpetuation of life, according
to the foresight of Him who worketh all things, that the
whole race may not fail, but by reason of pleasure another
may be produced out of the substance of one who shall die,
springing forth by lawful marriage, that he may know to
sustain his own father in old a^e. And this those born from
adultery cannot do, not having the nature of affection towards
those who have begotten them.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 113

Chap. xxv. — Better to marry than to hum,

" ^ Since, therefore, the erotic desire occurs for the sake of
continuation and legitimate increasing, as I have said, it be-
hoves parents providing for the chastity of their children to
anticipate the desire, by imbuing them with instruction by
means of chaste books, and to accustom them beforehand by
excellent discourses ; for custom is a second nature. And in
addition to this, frequently to remind them of the punish-
ments appointed by th'^ laws, that, using fear as a bridle,
they may not run on in wicked pleasures. And it behoves
them also, before the springing of the desire, to satisfy
the natural passion of puberty by marriage, first persuading
them not to look upon the beauty of another woman.

Chap. xxvi. — Close of the ansiver,

" ' For our mind, whenever it is impressed delightfully with
the image of a beloved one, always seeing the form as in a
mirror, is tormented by the recollection ; and if it do not
obtain its desire, it contrives ways of obtaining it ; but if it
do obtain it, it is rather increased, like fire having a supply
of wood, and especially when there is no fear impressed
upon the soul of the lover before the rise of passion. For
as water extinguishes fire, so fear is the extinguisher of un-
reasonable desire. Whence I, having learned from a cer-
tain Jew both to understand and to do the things that are
pleasing to God, am not to be entrapped into adultery by
your lying fables. But may God help you in your wish and
efforts to be chaste, and afford a remedy to your soul burning
with love.'

Chap, xxvii. — A reason for hatred,

" When Appion heard the pretended answer, he said : ^ Is it
without reason that I hate the Jews ? Here now some Jew
has fallen in with her, and has converted her to his religion,
and persuaded her to chastity, and it is henceforth impossible
that she ever have intercourse with another man ; for these
fellows, setting God before them as the universal inspector of

n

114 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

actions, are extremely persistent in chastity, as being unable
to be concealed from Him.'

Chap, xxviii. — The hoax confessed.

" When I heard this, I said to Appion : ' Now I shall confess
the truth to you. I was not enamoured of the woman, or of
any one else, my soul being exceedingly spent upon other de-
sires, and upon the investigation of true doctrines. And till
now, although I have examined many doctrines of philosophers,
I have inclined to none of them, excepting only that of the
Jews, — a certain merchant of theirs having sojourned here in
Eome, sellincj linen clothes, and a fortunate meetinrj havins
set simply before me the doctrine of the unity of God.'

Chap. xxix. — Appion s resentment.

" Then Appion, having heard from me the truth, with his
unreasonable hatred of the Jews, and neither knowing nor
wishing to know what their faith is, being senselessly angry,
forthwith quitted Eome in silence. And as this is my first
meeting with him since then, I naturally expect his anger in
consequence. However, I shall ask him in your presence
what he has to say concerning those who are called gods,
whose lives, fabled to be filled with all passions, are constantly
celebrated to the people, in order to their imitation ; while,
besides their human passions, as I have said, their graves are
also shown in different places."

Chap. xxx. — A discussion promised.

The others having heard these things from me, and de-
siring to learn what would ensue, accompanied me to visit
Appion. And we found him bathed, and sitting at a table
furnished. Wherefore we inquired but little into the matter
concerning the gods. But he, understanding, I suppose, our
wish, promised that next day he would have something to
say about the gods, and appointed to us the same place where
he would converse with us. And we, as soon as he had pro-
mised, thanked him, and departed, each one to his home.

HOMILY. VI.

Chap. i. — Clement meets Appion,

|ND on the third day, when I came with my friends
to the appointed place in Tyre, I found Appion
sitting between Anubion and Athenodorus, and
waiting for us, along with many other learned
men. But in no wise dismayed, I greeted them, and sat
down opposite Appion. And in a little he began to speak :

" I wish to start from the following point, and to come
with all speed at once to the question. Before you, my son
Clement, joined us, my friend Anubion here, and Atheno-
dorus, who yesterday were among those who heard you
discourse, were reporting to me what you said of the nume-
rous false accusations I brought against the gods when I
was visiting you in Rome, at the time you were shamming
love, how I charged them with paederasty, lasciviousness,
and numerous incests of all kinds. But, my son, you ought
to have known that I was not in earnest when I wrote such
things about the gods, but was concealing the truth, from
my love to you. That truth, however, if it so please you,
you may hear from me now.

Chap. ii. — The myths are not to be taken literally,

'' The wisest of the ancients, men who had by hard labour
learned all truth, kept the path of knowledge hid from those
who were unworthy and had no taste for lessons in divine
things. For it is not really true that from Ouranos and his
mother Ge were born twelve children, as the myth counts
them : six sons, Okeanos, Koios, Krios, Hyperion, Japetos,
Kronos ; and six daughters, Thea, Themis, Mnemosyne, De-
lia

116 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

meter, Tethys, and Rhea. Xor that Kronos, with the knife of
adamant, mutilated his father Ouranos, as you say, and threw
the part into the sea ; nor that Aphrodite sprang from the
drops of blood which flowed from it ; nor that Kronos asso-
ciated with Rhea, and devoured his first-begotten son Pluto,
because a certain savincp of Prometheus led him to fear that
a child born from him would wax stronger than himself, and
spoil him of his kingdom ; nor that he devoured in the same
way Poseidon, his second child ; nor that, when Zeus was
born next, his mother Rhea concealed him, and when Kronos
asked for him that he might devour him, gave him a stone
instead ; nor that this, when it was devoured, pressed those
who had been previously devoured, and forced them out, so
that Pluto, who was devoured first, came out first, and after
him Poseidon, and then Zeus ;^ nor that Zeus, as the story
goes, preserved by the wit of his mother, ascended into
heaven, and spoiled his father of the kingdom ; nor that he
punished his father's brothers ; nor that he came down to
lust after mortal women ; nor tliat he associated with his
sisters, and daughters, and sisters-in-law, and was guilty of
shameful paederasty ; nor that he devoured his daughter
Metis, in order that from her he micrht make Athene be born
out of his own brain (and from his thigh might bear Dio-
nysos,^ who is said to have been rent in pieces by the Titans) ;
nor that he held a feast at the marriage of Peleus and Thetis ;
nor that he excluded Eris (discord) from the marriage ; nor
that Eris on her part, thus dishonoured, contrived an occa-
sion of quarrelling and discord among the feasters : nor that
she took a golden apple from the gardens of the Hesperides,
and wrote on it ' For the fair.' And then they fable how
Hera, and Athena, and Aphrodite, found the apple, and
quarrelling about it, came to Zeus ; and he did not decide it
for them, but sent them by Hermes to the shepherd Paris, to

^ The passage seems to be corrupt.

- The common story about Dionysus is, that he ^vas the unborn son,
not of Metis, but of Semele. Wieseler supposes that some words have
fallen out, or that the latter part of the sentence is a careless interpo-
lation.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 117

be judged of tlieir beauty. But there was no sucli judging
of the goddesses ; nor did Paris give the apple to Aphrodite ;
nor did Aphrodite, being thus honoured, honour him in return,
by giving him Helen to wife. For the honour bestowed by
the goddess could never have furnished a pretext for a uni-
versal war, and that to the ruin of him who was honoured,
himself nearly related to the race of Aphrodite. But, my
son, as I said, such stories have a peculiar and philosophical
meaning, which can be allegorically set forth in such a way
that you yourself would listen with wonder." And I said,
" I beseech you not to torment me with delay." And he said,
" Do not be afraid ; for I shall lose no time, but commence
at once.

Chap. hi. — Appion proceeds to interpret the myths.

" There was once a time when nothing existed but chaos
and a confused mixture of orderless elements, which were as
yet simply heaped together. This nature testifies, and great
men have been of opinion that it was so. Of these great
men I shall bring forward to you him who excelled them all
in wisdom, Homer, where he says, with a reference to the
original confused mass, ' But may you all become water and
earth ; ' ^ implying that from these all things had their origin,
and that all things return to their first state, which is chaos,
when the watery and earthy subtances are separated. And
Hesiod in the Tlieogony says, ' Assuredly chaos was the very
first to come into being.' ^ Now, by ' come into being,' he
evidently means that chaos came into being, as having a
beginning, and did not always exist, without beginning.
And Orpheus likens chaos to an egg, in which was the con-
fused mixture of the primordial elements. This chaos, which
Orpheus calls an Qgg, is taken for granted by Hesiod, having
a beginning, produced from infinite matter, and originated in
the following way.

Chap. iv. — Origin of chaos.

^' This matter, of four kinds, and endowed with life, was
1 Iliad, vii. 99. 2 l. 116.

118 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

an entire infinite abyss, so to speak, in eternal stream, borne
about without order, and forming every now and then count-
less but ineffectual combinations (^Yhich therefore it dis-
solved again from want of order) ; ripe indeed, but not able
to be bound so as to generate a living creature. And once
it chanced that this infinite sea, which was thus by its own
nature driven about with a natural motion, flowed in an
orderly manner from the same to the same (back on itself),
like a whirlpool, mixing the substances in such a way that
from each -^ there flowed down the middle of the universe (as
in the funnel of a mould) precisely that which was most use-
ful and suitable for the generation of a living creature. This
was carried down by the all-carrying whirlpool, drew to itself
the surrounding spirit, and having been so conceived that it
was very fertile, formed a separate substance. For just as a
bubble is usually formed in water, so everything round about
contributed to the conception of this ball-like globe. Then
there came forth to the light, after it had been conceived
in itself, and was borne upwards by the divine spirit which
surrounded it,^ perhaps the greatest thing ever born ; a piece
of workmanship, so to speak, having life in it which had been
conceived from that entire infinite abyss, in shape like an ^ggy
and as swift as a bird.

Chap. v. — Kronos and Rhea explained.

'' Now you must think of Kronos as time {chronos\ and
Rhea as the flowing (rheon) of the watery substance. For
the whole body of matter was borne about for some time,
before it brought forth, like an egg, the sphere-like, all-
embracing heaven {ouranos), which at first was full of pro-
ductive marrow, so that it was able to produce out of itself
elements and colours of all sorts, while from the one substance
and the one colour it produced all kinds of forms. For as a
peacock's egg seems to have only one colour, while poten-
tially it has in it all the colours of the animal that is to be,

1 This is the emendation of Davisius. The Greek has si dKovarov ; the
Latin, " mirum in raodum."' Wieseler suggests i'^uKouTiarou.

2 This is Wieseler's emendation for " received.''

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 119

so tins living egg, conceived out of infinite matter, v^^lien
set in motion by the underlying and ever-flowing matter, pro-
duces many different forms. For within the circumference
a certain living creature, which is both male and female, is
formed by the skill of the indwelling divine spirit. This
Orpheus calls Phanes, because when it appeared (phaneis)
the universe shone forth from it, with the lustre of that most
glorious of the elements, fire, perfected in moisture. Nor is
this incredible, since in glowworms nature gives us to see a
moist light.

Chap. vi. — Phanes and Pluto.

" This ^gg, then, which was the first substance, growing
somewhat hot, was broken by the living creature within, and
then there took shape and came forth something ; ^ such as
Orpheus also speaks of, where he says, ' when the capacious
egg was broken,' ^ etc. And so by the mighty power of that
which appeared (phaneis) and came forth, the globe attained
coherency, and maintained order, while it itself took its seat,
as it were, on the summit of heaven, there in ineffable mys-
tery diffusing light through endless ages. But the productive
matter left inside the globe, separated the substances of all
things. For first its lower part, just like dregs, sank down-
wards of its own weight ; and this they called Pluto from
its gravity, and weight, and great quantity (polu) of under-
lying matter, styling it the king of Hades and the dead.

Chap. vii. — Poseidon^ Zeus, and Metis.

" When, then, they say that this primordial substance,
although most filthy and rough, was devoured by Kronos,
that is, time, this is to be understood in a physical sense, as
meaning that it sank downwards. And the water which
flowed together after this first sediment, and floated on the

^ Wieseler corrects to " some such being," etc. ; and below, " of him
who appeared," etc. ; and " he took his seat."

2 The first word of this quotation gives no sense, and has been omitted
in the translation. Lobeck suggests " at its prime ; " Hermann, " Hera-
capeian ; " Duentzer, "ancient;" and Wieseler, "white."

120 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

surface of the first substance, they called Poseidon. And then
what remained, the purest and noblest of all, for it was trans-
lucent fire, they called Zeus, from its glowing (zeousa) nature.
Now since fire ascends, this was not swallowed, and made to
descend by time or Kronos ; but, as I said, the fiery substance,
since it has life in it, and naturally ascends, flew right up into
the air, which from its purity is very intelligent. By his own
proper heat, then, Zeus — that is, the glowing substance —
draws up what is left in the underlying moisture, to wit, that
very strong ^ and divine spirit which they called Metis.

Chap. viii. — Pallas and Hem.

" And this, when it had reached the summit of the aether,
was devoured by it (moisture being mixed with heat, so to
say) ; and causing in it that ceaseless palpitation, it begat
intelligence, which they call Pallas from this palpitating
(pallesthai). And this is artistic wisdom, by which the sethe-
rial artificer wrought out the whole world. And from all-
pervading Zeus, that is, from this very hot aether, air (aer)
extends all the way to our earth ; and this they call Hera.
Wherefore, because it has come below the aether, which is
the purest substance (just as a woman, as regards purity, is
inferior), when the two \Yere compared to see which was the
better, she was rightly regarded as the sister of Zeus, in
respect of her origin from the same substance, but as his
spouse, as being inferior like a wife.

Chap. ix. — Artemis.

" And Ilera we understand to be a happy tempering
of the atmosphere, and therefore she is very fruitful ; but
Athena, as they call Pallas, was reckoned a virgin, because
on account of the intense heat she could produce nothing.
And in a similar fashion Artemis is explained : for her they
take as the lowest depth of air, and so they called her a
viriiin, because she could not bear any thin o; on account of
the extreme cold. And that troubled and drunken com-
position which arises from the upper and lower vapours
^ The Paris MS. has " very fine."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 121

they called Dionysus, as troubling the intellect. And the
water under the earth, which is in nature indeed one, but
which flows through all the paths of earth, and is divided
into many parts, they called Osiris, as being cut in pieces.
And they understand Adonis as favourable seasons. Aphro-
dite as coition and generation, Demeter as the earth, the
Girl (Proserpine) as seeds; and Dionysus some understand as
the vine.

Chap. x. — All such stories are allegorical,

"And I must ask you to think of all such stories as embody-
ing some such allegory. Look on Apollo as the wandering
Sun (joeri-polon), a son of Zeus, who was also called Mithras,
as completing the period of a year. And these said transfor-
mations of the all-pervading Zeus must be regarded as the
numerous changes of the seasons, while his numberless wives
you must understand to be years, or generations. For the
power which proceeds from the sether and passes through the
air unites with all the years and generations in turn, and
continually varies them, and so produces or destroys the
crops. And ripe fruits are called his children, the barrenness
of some seasons being referred to unlawful unions."

Chap. xi. — Clement has heard all this before»

While Appion was allegorizing in this way, I became
plunged in thought, and seemed not to be following what he
was saying. So he interrupted his discourse, and said to me,
" If you do not follow what I am saying, why should I speak
at all?" And I answered, "Do not suppose that I do not
understand what you say. I understand it thoroughly ; and
that the more that this is not the first time I have heard it.
And that you may know that I am not ignorant of these
things, I shall epitomize what you have said, and supply in
their order, as I have heard them from others, the allegorical
interpretations of those stories you have omitted." And
Appion said : " Do so."

122 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xii. — Epitome of Appion^s explanation.

And I answered : " I shall not at present speak particu-
larly of that living Qgg^ which was conceived by a happy
combination out of infinite matter, and from which, when
it was broken, the masculo-feminine Phanes leaped forth, as
some say. I say little about all that, up to the point when
this broken globe attained coherency, there being left in it
some of its marrow-like matter ; and I shall briefly run over
the description of what took place in it by the agency of this
matter, with all that followed. For from Kronos and Rhea
were born, as you say — that is, by time and matter — first
Pluto, who represents the sediment which settled down ; and
then Poseidon, the liquid substance in the middle,-^ which
floated over the heavier body below ; and the third child —
that is, Zeus — is the aether, and is highest of all. It was
not devoured ; but as it is a fiery power, and naturally
ascends, it flew up as with a bound to the very highest aether.

Chap. xiii. — Kronos and Aphrodite,

" And the bonds of Kronos are the binding together of
heaven and earth, as I have heard others allegorizing ; and
his mutilation is the separation and parting of the elements ;
for they all were severed and separated, according to their
respective natures, that each kind might be arranged by
itself. And time no longer begets anything ; but the things
which have been begotten of it, by a law of nature, produce
their successors. And the Aphrodite who emerged from the
sea is the fruitful substance which arises out of moisture,
with which the warm spirit mixing, causes that sexual desire,
and perfects the beauty of the world.

Chap. xiv. — Peleus and TJietis^ Prometheus^ AchilleSy
and Polyxena.

'' And the marriage banquet, at which Zeus held the feast
on the occasion of the marriage of the Nereid Thetis and
the beautiful Peleus, has in it this allegory, — that you may
^ This is "Wieseler's conjecture.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 123

know, Applon, that you are not the only one from whom I
have heard this sort of thing. Tlie banquet, then, is the
world, and the twelve are these heavenly props of the Fates,^
called the Zodiac. Prometheus is foresight (^prometheia), by
which all things arose : Peleus is clay (pelos)^ namely, that
which was collected'^ from the earth and mixed with Nereis,
or water, to produce man ; and from the mixing of the two,
i.e. water and earth, the first offspring was not begotten, but
fashioned complete, and called Achilles, because he never
put his lips (clieile) to the breast.^ Still in the bloom of life,
he is slain by an arrow while desiring to have Polyxena,
that is, something other than the truth, and foreign (xene) to
it, death stealing on him through a wound in his foot.

Chap. xv. — The judgment of Paris.

"Then Hera, and Athena, and Aphrodite, and Eris, and
the apple, and Hermes, and the judgment, and the shepherd,
have some such hidden meaning as the following : — Hera is
dignity ; Athena, manliness ; Aphrodite, pleasure ; Hermes,
language, which interprets (liermeneutiJws) thought ; the
shepherd Paris, unreasoned and brutish passion. Now if,
in the prime of life, reason, that shepherd of the soul, is
brutish, does not regard its own advantage, will have nothing
to do with manliness and temperance, chooses only pleasure,
and gives the prize to lust alone, bargaining that it is to
receive in return from lust what may delight it, — he who
thus judges incorrectly will choose pleasure to his own de-
struction and that of his friends. And Eris is jealous spite ;
and the golden apples of the Hesperides are perhaps riches,
by which occasionally even temperate persons like Hera are
seduced, and manly ones like Athena are made jealous, so
that they do things which do not become them, and the

^ The Latin takes "moira" in the sense of "district," and translates,
" these props of the districts of the sky."

2 This is Wieseler's conjecture for the reading of the mss., " con-
trived."

^ This is Schwegler's restoration of the passage. Davisius proposes,
" He is in the bloom of hfe, at which tune if any one desires," etc.

124 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

soul's beauty like Aphrodite is destroyed under the guise
of refinement. To speak briefly, in all men riches provoke
evil discord.

Chap. xvi. — Hercules.

^^ And Hercules, who slew the serpent which led and
guarded riches, is the true philosophical reason which, free
from all wickedness, wanders all over the world, visiting
the souls of men, and chastising all it meets, — namely, men
like fierce lions, or timid stags, or savage boars, or multi-
form hydras ; and so with all the other fabled labours of
Hercules, they all have a hidden reference to moral valour.
But these instances must suffice, for all our time would be
insufficient if we were to go over each one.

Chap. xvii. — They are hlameioorthy who invented such stories.

" Now, since these things can be clearly, profitably, and
without prejudice to piety, set forth in an open and straight-
forward manner, I wonder you call those men sensible and
wise who concealed them under crooked riddles, and overlaid
them with filthy stories, and thus, as if impelled by an evil
spirit, deceived almost all men. For either these things are
not riddles, but real crimes of the gods, in which case they
should not have been exposed to contempt, nor should these
their deeds have been set before men at all as models ; or
things falsely attributed to the gods Avere set forth in an alle-
gory, and then, Appion, they whom you call wise erred, in
that, by concealing under unworthy stories things in them-
selves worthy, they led men to sin, and that not without
dishonouring those whom they believed to be gods.

Chap, xviii. — The same.

" Wherefore do not suppose that they were wise men, but
rather evil spirits, who could cover honourable actions with
wicked stories, in order that they who wish to imitate their
betters may emulate these deeds of so-called gods, which
yesterday in my discourse I spoke so freely of, — -namely,
their parricides, their murders of their children, their incests

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 125

of all kinds, tlieir shameless adulteries and countless im-
purities. The most impious of them are tliose who wish
these stories to be believed, in order that they may not be
ashamed when they do the like. If they had been disposed
to act reverently, they ought, as I said a little ago, even if
the gods really did the things which are sung of them, to
have veiled their indecencies under more seemly stories, and
not, on the contrary, as you say they did, when the deeds
of the gods were honourable, clothed them in wicked and
indecent forms, which, 3ven when interpreted, can only be
understood by much labour; and when they were under-
stood by some, they indeed got for their much toil the
privilege of not being deceived, which they might have had
without the toil, while they who were deceived were utterly
ruined. (Those, however, who trace the allegories to a more
honourable source I do not object to ; as, for instance, those
who explain one allegory by saying that it was wisdom which
sprang from the head of Zeus.) On the whole, it seems to
me more probable that wicked men, robbing the gods of their
honour, ventured to promulgate these insulting stories.

Chap. xix. — None of these allegories are consistent.

" Nor do we find the poetical allegory about any of the gods
consistent with itself. To go no further than the fashioning
of the universe, the poets now say that nature was the first
cause of the whole creation, now that it was mind. For, say
they, the first moving and mixing of the elements came from
nature, but it was the foresight of mind which arranged them
in order. Even when they assert that it was nature which
fashioned the universe, being unable absolutely to demon-
strate this on account of the traces of desim in the work,
they inweave the foresight of mind in such a way that they
are able to entrap even the wisest. But we say to them : If
the world arose from self-moved nature, how did it ever take
proportion and shape, which cannot come but from a super-
intending wisdom, and can be comprehended only by know-
ledge, which alone can trace such things ? If, on the other
hand, it is by wisdom that all things subsist and maintain

126 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

order, how can it be that those things arose from self-moved
chance ?

Chap. xx. — These gods were really wiched magicians.

" Then those who chose to make dishonourable allegories of
divine things — as, for instance, that Metis was devoured by
Zeus — have fallen into a dilemma, because they did not see
that they who in these stories about the gods indirectly taught
physics, denied the very existence of the gods, resolving all
kinds of gods into mere allegorical representations of the various
substances of the universe. And so it is more likely that the
gods these persons celebrate were some sort of wicked magi-
cians, who were in reality wicked men, but by magic assumed
different shapes, committed adulteries, and took away life,
and thus to the men of old who did not understand masjic
seemed to be gods by the things they did ; and the bodies and
tombs of these men are to be seen in many towns.

Chap. xxi. — Tlieir graves are still to be seen,

'' For instance, as I have mentioned already, in the Cauca-
sian mountains there is shown the tomb of a certain Kronos, a
man, and a fierce monarch who slew his children. And the
son of this man, called Zeus, became worse [than his father] ;
and having by the power of magic been declared ruler of the
universe, he committed many adulteries, and inflicted punish-
ment on his father and uncles, and so died ; and the Cretans
show his tomb. And in Mesopotamia there lie buried a cer-
tain Helios at Atir, and a certain Selene at Carrhse. A
certain Hermes, a man, lies buried in Egypt; Ares in Thrace;
Aphrodite in Cyprus ; JEsculapius in Epidaurus ; and the
tombs of many other such persons are to be seen.

Chap. xxii. — Tlieir contemporaries, therefore^ did not look on

them as gods,

" Thus, to right thinking men, it is clear that they were
admitted to be mortals. And their contemporaries, knowing
that they were mortal, when they died paid them no more
heed ; and it was leno-th of time which clothed them with

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. Ul

the glory of gods. Nor need you wonder that they who
lived in the times of ^sculapius and Hercules were deceived,
or the contemporaries of Dionysus or any other of the men
of that time, when even Hector in Ilium, and Achilles in
the island of Leuce, are worshipped by the inhabitants of
those places ; and the Opuntines worship Patroclus, and the
Rhodians Alexander of Macedon.

Chap, xxiii. — The Egyptians fay divine Jionours to a man.

"Moreover, among the Egyptians even to the present day,
a man is worshipped as a god before his death. And this
truly is a small impiety, that the Egyptians give divine
honours to a man in his lifetime ; but what is of all things
most absurd is, that they worship birds and creeping things,
and all kinds of beasts. For the mass of men neither think
nor do anything with discretion. But look, I pray you, at
what is most disgraceful of all : he who is with them the
father of gods and men is said by them to have had inter-
course with Leda ; and many of them set up in public a
painting of this, writing above it the name Zeus. To punish
this insult, I could wish that they would paint their own pre-
sent king in such base embraces as they have dared to do
with Zeus, and set it up in public, that from the anger of a
temporary monarch, and him a mortal, they might learn to
render honour where it is due. This I say to you, not as
myself already knowing the true God ; but I am happy to
say that even if I do not know who is God, I think I at least
know clearly what God is.

Chap. xxiv. — What is not God.

" And first, then, the four original elements cannot be God,
because they have a cause. Nor can that mixing be God,
nor that compounding, nor that generating, nor that globe
which surrounds the visible universe ; nor the dregs which
flow together in Hades, nor the water which floats over them ;
nor the fiery substance, nor the air which extends from it to
our earth. For the four elements, if they lay outside one
another, could not have been mixed together so as to gene-

128 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

rate animal life without some great artificer. If they have
always been united, even in this case they are fitted together
by an artistic mind to what is requisite for the limbs and
parts of animals, that they may be able to preserve their
respective proportions, may have a clearly defined shape, and
that all the inward parts may attain the fitting coherency.
In the same way also the positions suitable for each are de-
termined, and that very beautifully, by the artificer mind.
To be brief, in all other things which a livincj creature must
have, this great being of the world is in no respect wanting.

Chap. xxv. — The universe is the product of mind,

'^ Thus we are shut up to the supposition that there is an
unbe2;otten artificer, who brought the elements toirether, if
they were separate ; or, if they were together, artistically
blended them so as to generate life, and perfected from all
one work. For it cannot be that a work which is completely
wise can be made without a mind which is greater than it.
Nor will it do to say that love is the artificer of all things, or
desire, or power, or any such thing. All these are liable to
change, and transient in their very nature. Nor can that be
God which is moved by another, much less what is altered
by time and nature, and can be annihilated."

Chap. xxvi. — Peter arrives from Ccesarea.

While I was saying these things to Appion, Peter drew
near from Csesarea, and in Tyre the people were flocking
together, hurrying to meet him and unite in an expression
of gratification at his visit. And Appion withdrew, accom-
panied by Anubion and Athenodorus only ; but the rest of
us hurried to meet Peter, and I was the first to greet him at
the gate, and I led him towards the inn. When w^e ar-
rived, we dismissed the people ; and when he deigned to ask
what had taken place, I concealed nothing, but told him of
Simon's slanders, and the monstrous shapes he had taken,
and all the diseases he had sent after the sacrificial feast,
and that some of the sick persons were still there in Tyre,
while others had gone on with Simon to Sidon just as I

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 129

arrived, hoping to be cured by him, but that I had heard
that none of them had been cured by him. I also told
Peter of the controversy I had had with Appion ; and he,
from his love to me, and desiring to encourage me, praised
and blessed me. Then, having supped, he betook himself
to the rest the fatigues of his journey rendered so necessary.

HOMILY YIL

Chap. i. — Peter addresses the 'people.

IND on the fourth dav of our stay in Tyre, Peter
went out about daybreak, and there met him not
a few of the dwellers round about, with very
many of the inhabitants of Tyre itself, who cried
out, and said, " God through you have mercy upon us, God
through you heal us ! " And Peter stood on a high stone,
that all might see him ; and having greeted them in a godly
manner, thus began ;

Chap. ii. — Reason of Simoris poioer.

^^ God, who created the heavens and the whole universe,
does not want occasion for the salvation of those who would
be saved. Wherefore let no one, in seeming evils, rashly
charge Him with unkindness to man. For men do not know
the issue of those things which happen to them, nay, suspect
that the result will be evil ; but God knows that they will
turn out well. So is it in the case of Simon. He is a
power of the left hand of God, and has authority to do
harm to those who know not God, so that he has been able
to involve you in diseases ; but by these very diseases, which
have been permitted to come upon you by the good provi-
dence of God, you, seeking and finding him who is able to
cure, have been compelled to submit to the will of God on
the occasion of the cure of the body, and to think of believ-
ing, in order that in this way you may have your souls as
well as your bodies in a healthy state.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 131

Chap. hi. — The remedy,

" Now I have been told, that after he had sacrificed an ox
he feasted you in the middle of the forum, and that you, being
carried away with much wine, made friends with not only the
evil demons, but their prince also, and that in this way the most
of you were seized by these sicknesses, unwittingly drawing
upon yourselves with your own hands the sword of destruc-
tion. For the demons would never have had power over you,
had not you first supped with their prince. For thus from
the beginning was a law laid by God, the Creator of all
things, on each of the two princes, him of the right hand and
him of the left, that neither should have power over any one
whom they might wish to benefit or to hurt, unless first he
had sat down at the same table with them. As, then, when
you partook of meat offered to idols, you became servants to
the prince of evil, in like manner, if you cease from these
things, and flee for refuge to God through the good Prince
of His right hand, honouring Him w^ithout sacrifices, by doing
whatsoever He wills, know of a truth that not only will your
bodies be healed, but your souls also will become healthy.
For He only, destroying with His left hand, can quicken with
His right ; He only can both smite and raise the fallen.

Chap. iv. — The golden rule,

*^ Wherefore, as then ye were deceived by the forerunner
Simon, and so became dead in your souls to God, and were
smitten in your bodies ; so now, if you repent, as I said, and
submit to those things which are well-pleasing to God, you
may get new strength to your bodies, and recover your soul's
health. And the things which are well-pleasing to God are
these : to pray to Him, to ask from Him, recognising that
He is the giver of all things, and gives with discriminating
law ; to abstain from the table of devils, not to taste dead
flesh, not to touch blood ; to be washed from all pollution ; and
the rest in one word, — as the God-fearing Jews have heard,

132 THE CLEMENTIXE HOMILIES.

do you also hear, and be of one mind in many bodies ; let each
man be minded to do to his neighbour those good things he
wishes for himself. And you may all find out what is good,
by holding some such conversation as the following with
yourselves : You would not like to be murdered ; do not
murder another man : you would not like your wife to be
seduced by another ; do not you commit adultery : you would
not like any of your things to be stolen from you ; steal
nothing from another. And so understanding by yourselves
what is reasonable, and doing it, you will become dear to
God, and will obtain healing ; otherwise in the life which now
is your bodies will be tormented, and in that which is to come
your souls will be punished."

Chap. v. — Peter departs for Sidon,

After Peter had spent a few days in teaching them in this
way, and in healing them, they were baptized. And after
that,^ all sat down together in the market-places in sackcloth
and ashes, grieving because of his other w^ondrous works, and
repenting their former sins. And when they of Sidon heard it,
they did likewise, and sent to beseech Peter, since they could
not come themselves for their diseases. And Peter did not
spend many days in Tyre ; but when he had instructed all its
inhabitants, and freed them from all manners of diseases,
and had founded a church, and set over it as bishop one of
the elders who w^ere with him, he departed for Sidon. But
when Simon heard that Peter was coming, he straightway
fled to Beyrout with Appion and his friends.

Chap. vi. — Peter in Sidon.

And as Peter entered Sidon, they brought many in couches,
and laid them before him. And he said to them : " Think
not, I pray you, that I can do anything to heal you, who

^ We have adopted Wieseler's emendation. The text may be trans-
lated thus : " And after that, among his other -wondrous deeds, all the
rest (who had not been baptized) sat down," etc.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 133

am a mortal man, myself subject to many evils. But I
shall not refuse to show you the way in which you must be
saved. For I have learned from the Prophet of truth the
conditions fore-ordained of God before the foundation of the
world ; that is to say, the evil deeds which if men do He has
ordained that they shall be injured by the prince of evil, and
in like manner the good deeds for which He has decreed
that they who have believed in Him as their Physician shall
have their bodies made whole, and their souls established in
safety.

Chap. vii. — The two paths,

" Knowing, then, these good and evil deeds, I make known
unto you as it were two paths, and I shall show you by which
travellers are lost and by which they are saved, being guided
of God. The path of the lost, then, is broad and very smooth —
it ruins them without troubling them ; but the path of the
saved is narrow, rugged, and in the end it saves, not without
much toil, those who have journeyed through it. And these
two paths are presided over by unbelief and faith ; and these
journey through the path of unbelief, those who have preferred
pleasure, on account of which they have forgotten the day of
judgment, doing that which is not pleasing to God, and not
caring to save their souls by the word, and have not anxiously
sought their own good. Truly they know not that the coun-
sels of God are not like men's counsels ; for, in the first
place. He knows the thoughts of all men, and all must give an
account not only of their actions, but also of their thoughts.
And their sin is much less who strive to understand well and
fail, than that of those w^ho do not at all strive after good
things. Because it has pleased God that he who errs in his
knowledge of good, as men count errors, should be saved
after being slightly punished. But they who have taken no
care at all to know the better way, even though they may
have done countless other good deeds, if they have not stood
in the service He has Himself appointed, come under the
charge of indifference, and are severely punished, and utterly
destroyed.

134 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. viii. — The service of GocCs appointment

" xA.nd this is the service He has appointed : To worship
Him only, and trust only in the Prophet of truth, and to
be baptized for the remission of sins, and thus by this pure
baptism to be born again unto God by saving water ; to ab-
stain from the table of devils, that is, from food offered to
idols, from dead carcases, from animals which have been
suffocated or caught by wild beasts, and from blood ; not to
live any longer impurely ; to wash after intercourse ; that the
women on their part should keep the law of purification ; that
all should be sober-minded, given to good works, refraining
from wronfT-doincr lookino; for eternal life from the all-
powerful God, and asking with prayer and continual suppli-
cation that they may win it." Such was Peter's counsel to
the men of Sidon also. And in few days many repented
and believed, and were healed. And Peter having founded
a church, and set over it as bishop one of the elders who were
with him, left Sidon.

Chap. ix. — Simon attacks Peter,

No sooner had he reached Beyrout than an earthquake took
place ; and the multitude, running to Peter, said, " Help us,
for v/e are afraid we shall all utterly perish." Then Simon
ventured, along with Appion and Anubion and Athenodorus,
and the rest of his companions, to cry out to the people against
Peter in public : " Flee, friends, from this man ! he is a magi-
cian ; trust us, he it was who caused this earthquake : he sent
us these diseases to terrify us, as if he were God Himself."
And many such false charges did Simon and his friends bring
against Peter, as one who could do things above human power.
But as soon as the people gave him a moment's quiet, Peter
with surprising boldness gave a little laugh, and said, "Friends,
I admit that I can do, God willing, what these men say ; and
more than that, I am ready, if you do not believe wdiat I say,
to overturn your city from top to bottom."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 135

CiiAP. X. — Simon is driven away.

And the people were afraid, and promised to do whatever
he should command. " Let none of you, then," said Peter,
^^ either hold conversation with these sorcerers, or have any-
thing to do wdth them." And as soon as the people heard
this concise command, they took up sticks, and pursued them
till they had driven them wholly out of the town. And they
who were sick and possessed with devils came and cast them-
selves at Peter's feet. And he seeing all this, and anxious
to free them from their terror, said to them :

Chap. xi. — The ivay of salvation,

" Were I able to cause earthquakes, and do all that I wish,
I assure you I would not destroy Simon and his friends
(for not to destroy men am I sent), but would make him my
friend, that he might no longer, by his slanders against my
preaching the truth, hinder the salvation of many. But if
you believe me, he himself is a magician ; he is a slanderer ;
he is a minister of evil to them who know not the truth.
Therefore he has power to bring diseases on sinners, having
the sinners themselves to help him in his power over them.
But I am a servant of God the Creator of all things, and a
disciple of His Prophet who is at His right hand. Wherefore
I, being His apostle, preach the truth : to serve a good man I
drive away diseases, for I am His second messenger, since first
the disease comes, but after that the healing. By that evil-
working magician, then, you were stricken with disease be-
cause you revolted from God. By me, if you believe on Him
ye shall be cured ; and so having had experience that He is
able, you may turn to good works, and have your souls saved."

Chap. xii. — Peter goes to Byhlus and Tripolis,

As he said these things, all fell on their knees before his
feet. And he, Hfting up his hands to heaven, prayed to God,

136 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and healed tliem all by his simple prayer alone. And he
remained not many days in Beyrout; but after he had
accustomed many to the service of the one God, and had
baptized them, and had set over them a bishop from the elders
who were with him, he went to Byblus. And when he came
there, and learned that Simon had not waited for them for a
day, but had gone straightway to Tripolis, he remained there
only a few days ; and after that he had healed not a few,
and exercised them in the Scriptures, he followed in Simon's
track to Tripolis, preferring to pursue him rather than flee
from him.

HOMILY VIII.

Chap. i. — Peters arrival at Tripolis,

OW, as Peter was entering Tripolis, the people
from Tyre and Siclon, Berytus and Byblas, who
were eager^ to get instructionj and many from
the neighbourhood, entered along with him ; and
not least were there gatherings of the multitudes from the city
itself wishing to see him. Therefore there met with us in the
suburbs the brethren who had been sent forth by him to
ascertain as well other particulars respecting the city, as the
proceedings of Simon, and to come and explain them. They
received him, and conducted him to the house of Maroones.

Chap. ii. — Peter s thoughtfulness.

But he, when he was at the very gate of his lodging,
turned round, and promised to the multitudes that after the
next day he would converse with them on the subject of
religion. And when he had gone in, the forerunners assigned
lodgings to those who had come with him. And the hosts
and the entertainers did not fall short of the desire of those
who sought hospitality. But Peter, knowing nothing of this,
being asked by us to partake of food, said that he would not
himself partake until those who had come with him were
settled. And on our assuring him that this was already
done, all having received them eagerly by reason of their
affection towards him, so that those were grieved beyond
measure who had no guests to entertain, — Peter hearing
this, and being pleased with their eager philanthropy, blessed
them and went out, and having bathed in the sea, partook of
^ Lit. : more willing to learn [than the others].
137

.138 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

food with tlie forerunners; and then, the evening having
come, he slppt.

Chap. hi. — A conversation interrupted.

But awaking about the second cock-crowing, he found us
astir. We were in all sixteen, viz. Peter himself, and I
Clement, Nicetas and Aquila, and the twelve who bad pre-
ceded us. Having therefore saluted us, he said, " To-daj,
not being occupied with those without, we are free to be
occupied with one another. Wherefore I shall tell you the
things that happened after your departure from Tyre ; and
do you minutely relate to me what have been the doings of
Simon here." While, therefore, we were answering one
another by narratives on either side, one of our friends
entered, and announced to Peter that Simon, learning of his
arrival, had set off for Syria, and that the multitudes, think-
ing this one night to be like a year's time, and not able to
wait for tlie appointment which he had made, were standing
before the doors conversing with one another in knots and
circles about the accusation brought by Simon, and how that,
having raised their expectations, and promised that he would
charge Peter when he came with many evils, he had fled by
night when he knew of his arrival. " However," said he,
'^ they are eager to hear you ; and I know not whence some
rumour has reached them to the effect that you are going to
address them to-day. In order, therefore, that they may not
when they are very tired be dismissed without reason, you
yourself know what it is proper for you to do."

Chap. iv. — Many called.

Then Peter, w^ondering at the eagerness of the multitudes,
ansvrered, " You see, brethren, how the words of our Lord
are manifestly fulfilled. For I remember His saying, * Many
shall come from the east and from the west, the north and
the south, and shall rechne on the bosoms- of Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob.' ^ 'But many,' said He also, 'are called,
but few chosen.'^ The coming, therefore, of these called
1 Matt. viii. 11 ; Luke xiil 29. ^ ^att. xx. 16.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 139

ones is fulfilled. But inasmuch as it is not of themselves,
but of God who has called them and caused them to come,
on this account alone they have no reward, since it is not of
themselves, but of Him who has wrought in them. But if,
after being called, they do things that are excellent, for this
is of themselves, then for this they shall have a reward.

Chap. v. — Faith the gift of God.

" For even the Hebrews who believe Moses, and do not
observe the things spokv^n by him, are not saved, unless they
observe the things that were spoken to them. For their
believing Moses was not of their own will, but of God, who
said to Moses, ' Behold, I come to thee in a pillar of cloud,
that the people may hear me speaking to thee, and may be-
lieve thee for ever.' "^ Since, therefore, both to the Hebrews
and to those who are called from the Gentiles, believing in
the teachers of truth is of God, while excellent actions are
left to every one to do by his own judgment, the reward is
righteously bestowed upon those who do welL For there
would have been no need of Moses, or of the coming of
Jesus, if of themselves they would have understood what is
reasonable. Neither is there salvation in believing in teachers
and callino; them lords.

Chap. yi. — Concealment and revelation,

" For on this account Jesus is concealed from the Jews, who
have taken Moses as their teacher, and Moses is hidden from
those who have believed Jesus. For, there being one teach-
ing by botli, God accepts him who has believed either of
these. But believing a teacher is for the sake of doing the
things spoken by God. And that this is so our Lord Him-
self says, ' I thank thee. Father of heaven and earth, because
Thou hast concealed these things from the wise and elder,
and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' ^ Thus God Him-
self has concealed a teacher from some, as foreknowing what
they ought to do, and has revealed him to others, wdio are
ignorant what they ought to do.

1 Ex. xix. 9. 2 ;^xatt. xi. 25.

UO THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. vii. — Moses and Christ,

" Neither, therefore, are the Hebrews condemned on ac-
count of their ignorance of Jesus, by reason of Him who has
concealed Him, if, doing the things [commanded] by Closes,
they do not hate Him whom they do not know. Neither are
those from among the Gentiles condemned, who know not
Moses on account of Him who hath concealed him, provided
that these also, doing the things spoken by Jesus, do not hate
Him whom they do not know. And some will not be profited
by calling the teachers lords, but not doing the works of
servants. For on this account our Jesus Himself said to
one who often called Him Lord, but did none of the things
which He prescribed, 'Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and
do not the things which I say ?'^ For it is not saying that
will profit any one, but doing. By all means, therefore, is
there need of good works. Moreover, if any one has been
thought worthy to recognise both as preaching one doctrine,
that man has been counted rich in God, understanding both
the old things as new in time, and the new things as old."

Chap. yiii. — A large congregation.

While Peter was thus speaking, the multitudes, as if they
had been called by some one, entered into the place where
Peter was. Then he, seeing a great multitude, like the
smooth current of a river gently flowing towards him, said
to Maroones, '^ Have you any place here that is better able
to contain the crowd?"' Then Maroones conducted him to
a garden-plot in the open air, and the multitudes followed.
But Peter, standing upon a base of a statue which was not
very high, as soon as he had saluted the multitude in pious
fashion, knowing that many of the crowd that stood by were
tormented with demons and many sufferings of long standing,
and [hearing them] shrieking with lamentation, and falling
down [before him] in supplication, rebuked them, and com-
manded them to hold their peace ; and promising healing to
them after the discourse, began to speak on this wise : —

1 Matt vii. 21.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 141

Chap. ix. — " Vindicate the icays of God to menP

" While beginning to discourse on the worship of God to
those who are altogether ignorant of everything, and whose
minds have been corrupted by the accusations of our adversary
Simon, I have thought it necessary first of all to speak of the
blamelessness of the God who hath made all things, starting
from the occasion seasonably afforded by Him according to
His providence, that it may be known how with good reason
many are held by many demons, and subjected to strange
sufferings, that in this the justice of God may appear ; and
that those who through ignorance blame Him, now may learn
by good speaking and well-doing what sentiments they ought
to hold, and recall themselves from their previous accusation,
assigning ignorance as the cause of their evil presumption,
in order that they may be pardoned.

Chap. X. — The original laiv,

" But thus the matter stands. The only good God having
made all things well, and having handed them over to man,
who was made after His image, he who had been made
breathing of the divinity of Him who made him, being a
true prophet and knowing all things, for the honour of the
Father who had given all things to him, and for the salvation
of the sons born of him, as a genuine father preserving his
affection towards the children born of him, and wishing;
them, for their advantage, to love God and be loved of Him,
showed them the way which leads to His friendship, teaching
them by what deeds of men the one God and Lord of all is
pleased ; and having exhibited to them the things that are
pleasing to Him, appointed a perpetual law to all, which
neither can be abrogated by enemies, nor is vitiated by any
impious one, nor is concealed in any place, but which can be
read by all. To them, therefore, by obedience to the law, all
things were in abundance, — the fairest of fruits, fulness of
years, freedom from grief and from disease, bestowed upon
them without fear, with all salubrity of the air.

142 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xi. — Cause of the fall of man,

"But thej, because they had at first no experience of
evils, being insensible to the gift of good things, were
turned to ingratitude by abundance of food and luxuries,
so that they even thought that there is no Providence^
since they had not by previous labour got good things as
the reward of righteousness, inasmuch as no one of them had
fallen into any suffering or disease, or any other necessity ;
so that, as is usual for men afflicted on account of wicked
transgression, they should look about for the God who is able
to heal them.^ But immediately after their despite, which
proceeded from fearlessness and secure luxury, a certain just
punishment met them, as following from a certain arranged
harmony, removing from them good things as having hurt
them, and introducing evil things instead, as advantageous.

Chap. xii. — MefamorpJwses of the angels,

" For of the spirits who inhabit the heaven, the angels who
dwell in the lowest region, being grieved at the ingratitude
of men to God, asked that they might come into the life of
men, that, really becoming men, by more intercourse they
might convict those who had acted ungratefully towards Him,
and might subject every one to adequate punishment. When,
therefore, their petition was granted, they metamorphosed
themselves into every nature ; for, being of a more godlike
substance, they are able easily to assume any form. So they
became precious stones, and goodly pearl, and the most
beauteous purple, and choice gold, and all matter that is held
in most esteem. And they fell into the hands of some, and
into the bosoms of others, and suffered themselves to be
stolen by them. They also changed themselves into beasts
and reptiles, and fishes and birds, and into whatsoever they
pleased. These things also the poets among yourselves, by
reason of fearlessness, sing, as they befell, attributing to one
the many and diverse doings of all.

^ The general meaning seems to bo as given ; but tlie text is un-
doubtedly corrupt, and scarcely intelligible.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 143

Chap. xiii. — TJie fall of the angels,

" But when, having assumed these forms, they convicted as
covetous those who stole them, and changed themselves into
the nature of men, in order that, living holily, and showing
the possibility of so living, they might subject the ungrateful
to punishment, yet having become in all respects men, they
also partook of human lust, and being brought under its sub-
jection they fell into cohabitation with women; and being
involved with them, and sunk in defilement and altogether
emptied of their first power, were unable to turn back to the
first purity of their proper nature, their members turned
away from their fiery substance '} for the fire itself, being
extinguished by the weight of lust, [and changed] into flesh,
they trode the impious path downward. For they them-
selves, being fettered with the bonds of flesh, were con-
strained and strongly bound ; wherefore they have no more
been able to ascend into the heavens.

Chap. xiv. — Tlieir discoveries.

" For after the intercourse, being asked to show what they
were before, and being no longer able to do so, on account of
their being unable to do aught else after their defilement, yet
wishing to please their mistresses, instead of themselves, they
showed the bowels ^ of the earth ; I mean, the choice metals,*
gold, brass, silver, iron, and the like, with all the most precious
stones. And along with these charmed stones, they delivered
the arts of the things pertaining to each, and imparted the
discovery of magic, and taught astronomy, and the powers of
roots, and whatever was impossible to be found out by the
human mind; also the melting of gold and silver, and the
like, and the various dyeing of garments. And all things, in
short, which are for the adornment and delight of women,
are the discoveries of these demons bound in fiesh.

^ The text is somewliat obscure ; but the following sentence shows this
to be the meaning of it.
^ Literally, " the marrow."
2 Literally, " the flowers of metals."

144 THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. xt. — The giants.

'' But from their unhallowed intercourse spurious men
sprang, much greater in stature than [ordinary] men, whom
they afterwards called giants : not those dragon-footed giants
who waged war against God, as those blasphemous myths of
the Greeks do sing, but wild in manners, and greater than
men in size, inasmuch as they were sprung of angels ; yet
less than angels, as they were born of women. Therefore
God, knowing that they were barbarized to brutality, and
that the world was not sufficient to satisfy them (for it was
created according to the proportion of men and human
use), that they might not through want of food turn, con-
trary to nature, to the eating of animals, and yet seem to
be blameless, as having ventured upon this through neces-
sity, the Almighty God rained manna upon them, suited to
their various tastes ; and they enjoyed all that they would.
But they, on account of their bastard nature, not being
pleased with purity of food, longed only after the taste of
blood. Wherefore they first tasted flesh.

Chap. xvi. — Cannibalism,

^' And the men who were with them there for the first time
were eager to do the like. Thus, althouo-h we are born neither
good nor bad, we become [one or the other] ; and having
formed habits, we are with difficulty drawn from them. But
when irrational animals fell short, these bastard men tasted
also human flesh. For it was not a long step to the con-
sumption of flesh like their own, having first tasted it in other
forms.

Chap. xvii. — The flood.

" But by the shedding of much blood, the pure air being
defiled with impure vapour, and sickening those who breathed
it, rendered them liable to diseases, so that thenceforth men
died prematurely. But the earth being by these means
greatly defiled, these first teemed with poison-darting and
deadly creatures. All things, therefore, going from bad to

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 145

worse, on account of these brutal demons, God wished to
cast them away like an evil leaven, lest each generation from
a wicked seed, being like to that before it, and equally impious,
should empty the world to come of saved men. And for
this purpose, having warned a certain righteous man, with
his three sons, together with their wives and their children,
to save themselves in an ark. He sent a deluge of water, that
all being destroyed, the purified world might be handed over
to him who was saved in the ark, in order to a second begin-
ning of life. And thus it came to pass.

Chap, xviii. — The laio to the survivors.

" Since, therefore, the souls of the deceased giants were
greater than human souls, inasmuch as they also excelled
their bodies, they, as being a new race, were called also by a
new name. And to those who survived in the world a law
was prescribed of God through an angel, how they should
live. For being bastards in race, of the fire of angels and
the blood of women, and therefore liable to desire a certain
race of their own, they were anticipated by a certain righteous
law. For a certain angel was sent to them by God, declar-
ing to them His will, and saying :

Chap. xix. — The law to the giants or demons.

^' ^ These things seem good to the all-seeing God, that you
lord it over no man ; that you trouble no one, unless any one
of his own accord subject himself to you, worshipping you,
and sacrificing and pouring libations, and partaking of your
table, or accomplishing aught else that they ought not, or
shedding blood, or tasting dead flesh, or filling themselves
with that which is torn of beasts, or that which is cut, or
that which is strangled, or aught else that is unclean. But
those who betake themselves to my law, you not only shall
not touch, but shall also do honour to, and shall flee from,
their presence. For whatsoever shall please them, being
just, respecting you, that you shall be constrained to suffer.
But if any of those who w^orship me go astray, either com-
mitting adultery, or practising magic, or living impurely, or

K

146 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

doing any other of the things which are not well-pleasing to
me, then they will have to suffer something at your hands or
those of others, according to my order. But upon them,
when they repent, I, judging of their repentance, whether
it he worthy of pardon or not, shall give sentence. These
things, therefore, ye ought to remember and to do, well
knowing that not even your thoughts shall be able to be
concealed from Him.'

Chap. xx. — Willing captives.

" Having charged them to this effect, the angel departed.
But you are still ignorant of this law, that every one who
worships demons, or sacrifices to them, or partakes with them
of their table, shall become subject to them and receive all
punishment from them, as being under wicked lords. And
you who, on account of ignorance of this [law], have been
corrupted beside their altars,-^ and have been satiated with
[food offered to] them, have come under their power, and
do not know how you have been in every way injured in
respect of your bodies. But you ought to know that the
demons have no power over any one, unless first he be their
table-companion ; since not even their chief can do anything
contrary to the law imposed upon them by God, wherefore
he has no power over any one w^ho does not worship him ;
but neither can any one receive from them any of the things
that he wishes, nor in anything be hurt by them, as you may
learn from the followino; statement.

Chap. xxi. — I^emptation of CJirist.

" For once the king of the present time came to our King
of rifrhteousness, usini^ no violence, for this w^as not in his
power, but inducing and persuading, because the being per-
suaded lies in the power of every one. Approaching him,
therefore, as being king of things present, he said to the King
of things future, ' All the kingdoms of the present world are
subject to me ; also the gold and the silver and all the luxury
of this world are under my power. Wherefore fall down

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 147

and worship me, and I will give jou all these things.' And
this he said, knowing that after He worshipped him he
would have power also over Him, and thus would rob Him
of the future glory and kingdom. But He, knowing all
things, not only did not worship him, but would not receive
aught of the things that were offered by him. For He
pledged Himself with those that are His, to the effect that it
is not lawful henceforth even to touch the things that are
given over to him. Therefore He answered and said, ^ Thou
shalt fear the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve.' ^

Chap. xxii. — The marriage supper.

" However, the king of the impious, striving to bring over
to his own counsel the King of the pious, and not being able,
ceased his efforts, undertaking to persecute Him for the re-
mainder of His life. But you, being ignorant of the fore-
ordained law, are under his power through evil deeds. Where-
fore you are polluted in body and soul, and in the present life
you are tyrannized over by sufferings and demons, but in that
which is to come you shall have your souls to be punished.
And this not you alone suffer through ignorance, but also
some of our nation, who by evil deeds having been brought
under the power of the prince of wickedness, like persons
invited to a supper by a father celebrating the marriage of his
son, have not obeyed.^ But instead of those who through
preoccupation disobeyed, the Father celebrating the marriage
of his Son, has ordered us, through the Prophet of the truth,
to come into the partings of the ways, that is, to you, and to
invest you with the clean wedding-garment, which is baptism,
which is for the remission of the sins done by you, and to
bring the good to the supper of God by repentance, although
at the first they were left out of the banquet.

Chap, xxiii. — The assembly dismissed,

^^ If, therefore, ye wish to be the vesture of the Divine
Spirit, hasten first to put off your base presumption, which is
^ Matt. iv. ; Luke iv. 2 [^f^tt. xxii.

148 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

an unclean spirit and a foul garment. And this you cannot
otherwise put off, than by being first baptized in good works.
And thus being pure in body and in soul, you shall enjoy the
future eternal kingdom. Therefore neither believe in idols,
nor partake with them of the impure table, nor commit mur-
der, nor adultery, nor hate those whom it is not right to hate,
nor steal, nor set upon any evil deeds ; since, being deprived
of the hope of future blessings in the present life, you shall
be subjected to evil demons and terrible sufferings, and in
the world to come you shall be punished with eternal fire.
Now, then, what has been said is enough for to-day. For
the rest, those of you who are afflicted with ailments remain
for healing ; and of the others, you wdio please go in peace."

Chap. xxiv. — The sick healed.

When he had thus spoken, all of them remained, some in
order to be healed, and others to see those who obtained
cures. But Peter, only laying his hands upon them, and
praying, healed them ; so that those wdio were straightaway
cured were exceeding glad, and those who looked on exceed-
ingly wondered, and blessed God, and believed with a firm
hope, and w^ith those who had been healed departed to their
own homes, having received a charge to meet early on the
following day. And when they had gone, Peter remained
there with his associates, and partook of food, and refreshed
himself with sleep.

HOMILY IX.

^ W9

Chap. i. — Peter s discourse resumed.

HEREFOEE on the next day, Peter going out
with his companions, and coming to the former
place, and taking his stand, proceeded to say :
" God having cut off by water all the impious
men of old, having found one alone amongst them all that
was pious, caused him to be saved in an ark, with his three
sons and their wives. Whence may be perceived that it is
His nature not to care for a multitude of wicked, nor to be
indifferent to the salvation of one pious. Therefore the
greatest impiety of all is forsaking the sole Lord of all, and
worshipping many, who are no gods, as if they were gods.

Chap. ii. — Monarchy and polyarchy.

"If, therefore, while I expound and show you that this is
the greatest sin, which is able to destroy you all, it occur to
your mind that you are not destroyed, being great multitudes,
you are deceived. For you have the example of the old
world deluged. And yet their sin was much less than that
which is chargeable against you. For they were wicked with
respect to their equals, murdering or committing adultery.
But you are wicked against the God of all, worshipping
lifeless images instead of Him or along with Him, and attri-
buting His divine name to every kind of senseless matter.
In the first place, therefore, you are unfortunate in not know-
ing the difference between monarchy and polyarchy — that
monarchy, on the one hand, is productive of concord, but
polyarchy is effective of wars. For unity does not fight with

149

150 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

itself, but multitude has occasion of undertaking battle one
against another.

Chap. hi. — Family of Noe,

" Therefore, straightway after the flood, Xoe continued
to live three hundred and fifty years with the multitude of
his descendants in concord, being a king according to the
image of the one God. But after his death many of his
descendants were ambitious of the kingdom, and being eager
to reign, each one considered how it might be effected ; and
one attempted it by war, another by deceit, another by per-
suasion, and one in one way and another in another; one
of whom was of the family of Ham, whose descendant was
Mestren, from whom the tribes of the Egyptians and Baby-
lonians and Persians were multiplied.

Chap. iv. — Zoroaster.

" Of this family there was born in due time a certain one,
who took up with magical practices, by name Nebrod, who
chose, giant-like, to devise things in opposition to God. Him
the Greeks have called Zoroaster. He, after the deluge, being
ambitious of sovereignty, and being a great magician, by
magical arts compelled the world-guiding star of the wicked
one who now rules, to the bestowal of the sovereignty [as a
gift] from him. But he,^ being a prince, and having authority
over him w^ho compelled him,^ wrathfully poured out the fire
of the kingdom, that he might both bring to allegiance, and
might punish him who at first constrained him.

Chap. v. — Hero-worship,

" Therefore the magician Nebrod, being destroyed by this
lightning falling on earth from heaven, for this circumstance
had his name changed to Zoroaster, on account of the living
(J^waav) stream of the star (acrrepov) being poured upon him.
But the unintellifrent amonn;st the men who then were, think-
ino; that throuMi the love of God his soul had been sent for

1 That is, I suppose, the wicked one.

2 I suppose Nimrod, or Zoroaster-

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 151

by llglitning, buried the remains of his body, and honoured
his burial-place with a temple among the Persians, where
the descent of the fire occurred, and worshipped him as a
god. By this example also, others there bury those who die
by lightning as beloved of God, and honour them with
temples, and erect statues of the dead in their o^vn forms.
Thence, in like manner, the rulers in different places were
emulous [of like honour], and very many of them honoured
the tombs of those who were beloved of them, though not
dying by lightning, with temples and statues, and lighted up
altars, and ordered them to be adored as gods. And long
after, by the lapse of time, they were thought by posterity to
be really gods.

Chap. vi. — Fire-iuorsMp,

**Thus, In this fashion, there ensued many partitions of
the one original kingdom. The Persians, first taking coals
from the lightning which fell from heaven, preserved them
by ordinary fuel, and honouring the heavenly fire as a god,
were honoured by the fire itself with the first kingdom, as its
first worshippers. After them the Babylonians, stealing coals
from the fire that was there, and conveying it safely to their
own home, and worshipping it, they themselves also reigned
in order. And the Egyptians, acting in like manner, and
calling the fire in their own dialect PhtJiae, which is trans-
lated Hephaistas or Osiris, he who first reigned amongst them
is called by its name. Those also who reigned in different
places, acting in this fashion, and making an image, and
kindling altars in honour of fire, most of them were excluded
from the kingdom.

Chap. VII. — Sacrificial orgies.

" But they did not cease to worship images, by reason of
the evil intelligence of the magicians, who found excuses for
them, which had power to constrain them to the foolish
worship. For, establishing these things by magical cere-
monies, they assigned them feasts from sacrifices, libations,
flutes, and shoutings, by means of which senseless men,

152 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

being deceived, and their kingdom being taken from them,
yet did not desist from the worship that they had taken up
with. To such an extent did they prefer error, on account
of its pleasantness, before truth. Tliey also howl after their
sacrificial surfeit, their soul from the depth, as it were by
dreams, forewarning them of the punishment that is to befall
such deeds of theirs.

Ch^vp. VIII. — The best merchandise.

" Many forms of worship, then, having passed away in the
world, we come, bringing to you, as good merchantmen, the
worship that has been handed down to us from our fathers,
and preserved ; showing you, as it were, the seeds of plants,
and placing them under your judgment and in your power.
Choose that which seems good unto you. If, therefore, ye
choose our wares, not only shall ye be able to escape demons,
and the sufferings which are inflicted by demons, but your-
selves also putting them to flight, and having them reduced
to make supplication to you, shall for ever enjoy future
blessincjs.

Chap. ix. — How demons get power over men.

" Since, on the other hand, you are oppressed by strange
sufferings inflicted by demons, on your removal from the body
you shall have your souls also punished for ever ; not indeed
by God's inflicting vengeance, but because such is the judg-
ment of evil deeds. For the demons, having power by means
of the food given to them, are admitted into your bodies by
your own hands ; and lying hid there for a long time, they
become blended with your souls. And through the carelessness
of those who think not, or even wish not, to help themselves,
upon the dissolution of their bodies, their souls being united
to the demon, are of necessity borne by it into whatever
places it pleases. And what is most terrible of all, when at
the end of all thinirs the demon is first consimicd to the
purifying fire, the soul which is mixed with it is under the
necessity of being horribly punished, and the demon of being
pleased. For the soul, being made of light, and not capable

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 153

of bearing the heterogeneous flame of fire, is tortured ; but
the demon, being in the substance of his own kind, is greatly
pleased, becoming the strong chain of the soul that he has
swallowed up.

Chap. x. — How they are to he expelled.

" But the reason why the demons delight in entering into
men's bodies is this. Being spirits, and having desires after
meats and drinks, and sexual pleasures, but not being able
to partake of these by reason of their being spirits, and
wanting organs fitted for their enjoyment, they enter into
the bodies of men, in order that, getting organs to minister
to them, they may obtain the things that they wish, whether
it be meat, by means of men's teeth, or sexual pleasure, by
means of men's members. Hence, in order to the putting of
demons to flight, the most useful help is abstinence, and
fasting, and suffering of aflliction. For if they enter into
men's bodies for the sake of sharing [pleasures], it is manifest
that they are put to flight by suffering. But inasmuch as
some,-^ being of a more malignant kind, remain by the body
that is undergoing punishment, though they are punished
with it, therefore it is needful to have recourse to God bv
prayers and petitions, refraining from every occasion of im-
purity, that the hand of God may touch him for his cure, as
being pure and faithful.

Chap. xi. — U7ihelief the deinoi'Hs stronghold.

"But it is necessary in our prayers to acknowledge that we
have had recourse to God, and to bear witness, not to the
apathy, but to the slowness of the demon. For all things
are done to the believer, nothing to the unbeliever. There-
fore the demons themselves, knowing the amount of faith
of those of whom they take possession, measure their stay
proportionately. Wherefore they stay permanently with
the unbelieving, tarry for a while with the weak in faith ; but

^ The gender is here changed, but the sense shows tliat the reference
is still to the demons. I suppose the author forgot that in the preceding
sentences he liad written oo(.iu,oi^ig (masc.) and not ocayJvicc (neut.).

154 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

TN'ith those who thoroughly believe, and who do good, they
cannot remain even for a moment. For the soul being
turned by faith, as it were, into the nature of water, quenches
the demon as a spark of fire. The labour, therefore, of every
one is to be solicitous about the putting to flight of his own
demon. For, being mixed up with men's souls, they suggest
fo every one's mind desires after what things they please, in
order tliat he may neglect his salvation.

Chap. xii. — Theory of disease,

'•Whence many, not knowing how they are influenced,
consent to the evil thoughts suggested by the demons, as if
they were the reasoning of their own souls. Wherefore they
become less active to come to those wdio are able to save
them, and do not know that they themselves are held captive
by the deceiving demons. Therefore the demons who lurk
in their souls induce them to think that it is not a demon
that is distressing them, but a bodily disease, such as some
acrid matter, or bile, or phlegm, or excess of blood, or inflam-
mation of a membrane, or something else. But even if this
were so, the case would not be altered of its being a kind of
demon. For the universal and earthly soul, which enters
on account of all kinds of food, being taken to excess by over-
much food, is itself united to the spirit, as being cognate,
which is the soul of man ; and the material part of the food
being united to the body, is left as a dreadful poison to it.
"Wherefore in all respects moderation is excellent.

Chap. xiii. — Deceits of the demons.

'•' But some of the maleficent demons deceive in another
way. For at first they do not even show their existence, in
order that care may not be taken against them ; but in due
time, by means of anger, love, or some other affection, they
suddenly injure the body, by sword, or halter, or precipice,
or something else, and at last bring to punishment the de-
ceived souls of those who have been mixed up with them, as
we said, withdrawing into the purifying fire. But others,
who are deceived in another way, do not approach us, being

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 155

seduced by the instigations of maleficent demons, as if they
suffered these things at the hands of the gods themselves,
on account of their neglect of them, and were able to recon-
cile them by sacrifices, and that it is not needful to come to
us, but rather to flee from and hate us. And at the same
time "^ they hate and flee from those who have greater com-
passion for them, and who follow after them in order to do
good to them.

Chap. xiv. — More tricks.

" Therefore shunning and hating us they are deceived, not
knowing how it happens that they devise things opposed to
their health. For neither can we compel them against their
will to incline towards health, since now we have no such
power over them, nor are they able of themselves to under-
stand the evil instigation of the demon ; for they know not
whence these evil instigations are suggested to them. And
these are they whom the demons affright, appearing in such
forms as they please. And sometimes they prescribe reme-
dies for those who are diseased, and thus they receive divine
honours from those who have previously been deceiv^ed. And
they conceal from many that they are demons, but not from
us, who know their mystery, and why they do these things,
changing themselves in dreams against those over whom they
have power ; and w^hy they terrify some, and give oracular
responses to others, and demand sacrifices from them, and
command them to eat with them, that they may swallow up
their souls.

Chap. xv. — Test of idols,

" For as dire serpents draw sparrows to them by their
breath, so also these draw to their own will those who par-
take of their table, being mixed up with their understanding
by means of food and drink, changing themselves in dreams
according to the forms of the images, that they may increase
error. For the image is neither a living creature, nor has
it a divine spirit, but the demon that appeared abused the

^ Some read ovrog, thus.

156 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

form.^ How many, in like manner, have been seen by
others in dreams ; and when they have met one another
when awake, and compared them witli what they saw in.
their dream, they have not accorded : so that the dream is
not a manifestation, but is either the production of a demon
or of the soul, giving forms to present fears and desire. For
the soul, being struck witli fear, conceives forms in dreams.
But if you think that images, as being alive, can accomplish
such things, place them on a beam accurately balanced, and
place an equipoise in the other scale, then ask them to become
either heavier or lighter ; and if this be done, then they are
alive. But it does not so happen. But if it were so, this
would not prove them to be gods. For this might be accom-
plished by the finger of the demon. Even maggots move,
yet they are not called gods.

Chap. xvi. — Powers of the demons.

" But that the soul of each man embodies the forms of
demons after his own preconceptions, and that those who
are called gods do not appear, is manifest from the fact that
they do not appear to the Jews. But some one will sa}',
How then do they give oracular responses, forecasting future
things ? This also is false. But suppose it were true, this
does not prove them to be gods ; for it does not follow, if
anything prophesies, that it is a god. For pythons prophesy,
yet they are cast out by us as demons, and put to flight. But
some one will say. They work cures for some persons. It is
false. But suppose it were true, this is no proof of Godhead ;
for physicians also heal many, yet are not gods. But, says
one, physicians do not completely heal those of whom they
take charge, but these heal oracularly. But the demons know
the remedies that are suited to each disease. AVherefore,
being skilful physicians, and able to cure those diseases which
can be cured by men, and also being prophets, and knowing
when each disease is healed of itself, they so arrange their

^ The meaning is : " the idols or images of the heathen deities are not
living, but the demons adopt the forms of these images when they appear
to men in dreams."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 157

remedies that they may gain the credit of producing the

cure.

Chap. xvii. — Reasons lohy their deceits are not detected.

" For why do they oracularly foretell cures after a long
time ? And why, if they are almighty, do they not effect cures
without administering any medicine ? And for wdiat reason
do they prescribe remedies to some of those who pray to them,
while to some, and it may be more suitable cases, they give no
response ? Thus, whenever a cure is going to take place spon-
taneously, they promise, in order that they may get the credit
of the cure ; and others, having been sick, and having prayed,
and having recovered spontaneously, attributed the cure to
those whom they had invoked, and make offerings to them.
Those, however, who, after praying, have failed, are not able
to offer their sacrifices. But if the relatives of the dead, or
any of their children, inquired into the losses, you w^ould
find the failures to be more than the successes. But no
one who has been taken in by them is willing to exhibit an
accusation against them, through shame or fear ; but, on
the other hand, they conceal the crimes which they believe
them to be guilty of.

Chap, xviii. — Projos of the system,

" And how many also falsify the responses given and the
cures effected by them, and confirm them with an oath ! And
how many give themselves up to them for hire, undertaking
falsely to suffer certain things, and thus proclaiming their
suffering, and being restored by remedial means, they say that
they oracularly promised them healing, in order that they may
assign as the cause the senseless worship ! And how many
of these things were formerly done by magical art, in the
way of interpreting dreams, and divining! Yet in course
of time these things have disappeared. And how many are
there now, who, wishing to obtain such things, make use of
charms ! However, though a thing be prophetical or healing,
it is not dlvmc.

158 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xix. — Privileges of the baptized,

"For God is almlglitj. For He is good and righteous, now
long-suffering to all, that those who will, repenting of the evils
which they have done, and living well, may receive a worthy
reward in the day in which all things are judged. T\^here-
fore now begin to obey God by reason of good knowledge,
and to oppose your evil lusts and thoughts, that you may be
able to recover the original saving worship which was com-
mitted to humanity. For thus shall blessings straightway
spring up to you, which, when you receive, you will thence-
forth quit the trial of evils. But give thanks to the Giver ;
being kings for ever of unspeakable good things, with the
King of peace. But in the present life, washing in a flowing
river, or fountain, or even in the sea, with the thrice-blessed
invocation, you shall not only be able to drive away the spirits
which lurk in you ; but yourselves no longer sinning, and
undoubtlngly believing God, you shall drive out evil spirits
and dire demons, with terrible diseases, from others. And
sometimes they shall flee when you but look on them. For
they know those who have given themselves up to God.
Wherefore, honouring them, they flee affrighted, as you saw
yesterday, how, when after the address I delayed praying
for those who were suffering these maladies, through respect
towards the worship they cried out, not being able to endure
it for a short hour.

Chap. xx. — " N'ot almost, hut altogether such as I amJ*

" Do not then suppose that we do not fear demons on this
account, that we are of a different nature [from you]. For
we are of the same nature, but not of the same worship.
Wherefore, being not only much but altogether superior
to you, we do not grudge you becoming such [as we are] ;
but, on the other hand, counsel you, knowing that all these
[demons] beyond measure honour and fear those who are
reconciled to God.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 159

Chap. XXI. — Tlie demons subject to the believer.

" For, in like manner as the soldiers who are put under one
of Caesar's captains know to honour him who has received
authority on account of him who gave it, so that the com-
manders say to this one, Come, and he comes, and to another,
Go, and he goes ; so also he who has given himself to God,
being faithful, is heard when he only speaks to demons and
diseases ; and the demons give place, though they be much
stronger than they who command them. For with unspeak-
able power God subjects the mind of every one to whom He
pleases. For as many captains, with whole camps and cities,
fear Csesar, who is but a man, every one's heart being eager
to honour the image of all ; ^ for by the will of God, all things
being enslaved by fear, do not know the cause ; so also
all disease-producing spirits, being awed in some natural way,
honour and flee from him who has had recourse to God, and
who carries ric^ht faith as His ima^e in his heart.

Chap. xxii. — " Rather rejoice''

^^ But still, though all demons, with all diseases, flee before
you, you are not to rejoice in this only, but in that, through
grace, your names, as of the ever-living, are written in hea-
ven. Thus also the Divine Holy Spirit rejoices, because
man hath overcome death ; for the putting of the demons to
flight makes for the safety of another. But this we say, not
as denying that we ought to help others, but that we ought
not to be inflated by this and neglect ourselves. It happens,
also, that the demons flee before some wicked men by reason
of the honoured name, and both he who expels the demon
and he who witnesses it are deceived : he who expels him,
as if he were honoured on account of righteousness, not
knowing the wickedness of the demon. For he has at once
honoured the name, and by his flight has brought the wicked
man into a thought of his righteousness, and so deceived him

^ I prefer here the common text to any of the proposed emendations,
and suppose that the author represents Csesar, though but one man, as
the image or personification of the whole empire.

160 THE CLEME2^TIXE HOMILIES.

away from repentance. But the looker-on, associating with
the expeller as a pious man, hastens to a like manner of life,
and is ruined. Sometimes also they pretend to flee before
adjurations not made in the name of God, that they may
deceive men, and destroy them whom they will.

Chap, xxiii. — TJie sick healed.

^' This then we would have you know, that unless any one
of his own accord give himself over as a slave to demons, as I
said before, the demon has no power against him. Choosing,
therefore, to worship one God, and refraining from the table
of demons, and undertaking chastity with philanthropy and
righteousness, and being baptized with the thrice-blessed in-
vocation for the remission of sins, and devoting yourselves as
much as you can to the perfection of purity, you can escape
everlasting punishment, and be constituted heirs of eternal
blessings."

Having thus spoken, he ordered those to approach who
were distressed with diseases ; and thus many approached,
having come together through the experience of those who
had been healed yesterday. And he having laid his hands
upon them and prayed, and immediately healed them, and
having charged them and the others to come earlier, he
bathed and partook of food, and went to sleep.

HOMILY X.

Chap. i. — The third day in Tripolis.

jHEREFORE on the third day in Tripolis, Peter
rose early and went into the garden, where there
was a great water-reservoir, into which a full
stream of water constantly flowed. There hav-
ing bathed, and then having prayed, he sat down ; and per-
ceiving us sitting around and eagerly observing him, as
wishing to hear something from him, he said :

Chap. ii. — Ignorance and error.

" There seems to me to be a great difference between the
ignorant and the erring. For the ignorant man seems to
me to be like a man who does not wish to set out for a richly
stored city, through his not knowing the excellent things that
are there ; but the erring man to be like one who has learned
indeed the good things that are in the city, but who has
forsaken the highway in proceeding towards it, and so has
wandered. Thus, therefore, it seems to me that there is a
great difference between those who worship idols and those
who are faulty in the worship of God. For they who worship
idols are ignorant of eternal life, and therefore they do not
desire it ; for what they do not know, they cannot love.
But those who have chosen to worship one God, and who
have learned of the eternal life given to the good, if they
either believe or do anything 'different from what is pleasing
to God, are like to those who have gone out from the city of
punishment, and are desirous to come to the well-stored city,
and on the road have strayed from the right path."

L

1G2 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. hi. — Man the lord of all.

While he was thus discoursing to us, there entered one of
our people, who had been appointed to make the following
announcement to him, and said : ^' My lord Peter, there are
great multitudes standing before the doors." With his con-
sent, therefore, a great multitude entered. Then he rose up,
and stood on the basis, as he had done the day before ; and
having saluted them in religious fashion, he said : *' God
having formed the heaven and the earth, and having made
all things in them, as the true Prophet has said to us, man,
being made after the image and likeness of God, was
appointed to be ruler and lord of things, I say, in air and
earth and water, as may be known from the very fact that
by his intelligence he brings down the creatures that are in
the air, and brings up those that are in the deep, hunts those
that are on the earth, and that although they are much
greater in strength than he; I mean elephants, and lions,
and such like.

Chap. iv. — Faith and dutij.

" While, therefore, he was righteous, he was also superior
to all sufferings, as being unable by his immortal body to
have any experience of pain ; but when he sinned, as I
showed you yesterday and the day before, becoming as it
were the servant of sin, he became subject to all sufferings,
being by a righteous judgment deprived of all excellent
things. For it was not reasonable, the Giver having been
forsaken, that the gifts should remain with the ungrateful.
Whence, of His abundant mercy, in order to our receiving,
with the first, also future blessings, He sent His Prophet.
And the Prophet has given in charge to us to tell you what
you ought to think, and what to do. Choose, therefore ; and
this is in your power. What, therefore, you ought to think
is this, to worship the God who made all things ; whom if
you receive in your minds, you shall receive from Him,
along with the first excellent things, also the future eternal
blessings.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 163

Chap. v. — The fear of God.

" Therefore you shall be able to persuade yourselves with
respect to the things that are profitable, if, like charmers, you
say to the horrible serpent which lurks in your heart, ' The
Lord God thou shalt fear, and Him alone thou shalt serve.' ^
On every account it is advantageous to fear Him alone, not as
an unjust, but as a righteous God. For one fears an unjust
being, lest he be wrongfully destroyed, but a righteous one,
lest he be caught in sni and punished. You can therefore,
by fear towards Him, be freed from many hurtful fears.
For if you do not fear the one Lord and Maker of all, you
shall bo the slaves of all evils to your own hurt, I mean of
demons and diseases, and of everything that can in any way
hurt you.

Chap. vi. — Restoration of the divine image.

" Therefore approach with confidence to God, you who at
first were made to be rulers and lords of all things : ye who
have His image in your bodies, have in like manner the like-
ness of His judgment in your minds. Since, then, by acting
like irrational animals, you have lost the soul of man from
your soul, becoming like swine, you are the prey of demons.
If, therefore, you receive the law of God, you become men.
For it cannot be said to irrational animals, ^ Thou shalt not
kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal,'
and so forth. Therefore do not refuse, when invited, to
return to your first nobility ; for it is possible, if ye be con-
formed to God by good works. And being accounted to be
sons by reason of your likeness to Him, you shall be re-
instated as lords of all.

Chap. vii. — Unprofitahleness of idols,

*^ Begin, then, to divest yourselves of the injurious fear of
vain idols, that you may escape unrighteous bondage. For
they have become your masters, who even as servants are
unprofitable to you. I speak of the material of the lifeless

1 Matt. It. 10.

1G4 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

images, which are of no use to you as far as service is con-
cerned. For they neither hear nor see nor feel, nor can they
be moved. For is there any one of you who would like to
see as they see, and to hear as they hear, and to feel as they
feel, and to be moved as they are ? God forbid that such
a wrong should be done to any man bearing the image of
God, though he have lost His likeness.

Chap. viii. — No gods wJdch are made with hands.

" Therefore reduce your gods of gold and silver, or any
other material, to their original nature ; I mean into cups
and basins and all other utensils, such as may be useful to
you for service ; and those good things which were given you
at first shall be able to be restored. But perhaps you will
say. The laws of the emperors do not permit us to do this.
You say well that it is the law, and not the power of the
vain idols themselves, which is nothing. How, then, have
ye regarded them as gods, w?io are avenged by human laws,
guarded by dogs, kept by multitudes ? — and that if they are
of gold, or silver, or brass. For those of wood or earthen-
ware are preserved by their worthlessness, because no man
desires to steal a wooden or earthenware god ! So that your
gods are exposed to danger in proportion to the value of the
material of which they are made. How, then, can they be
gods, which are stolen, molten, weighed, guarded ?

Chap. ix. — " Eyes have they^ hut they see not,^^ etc.

" Oh the minds of wretched men, who fear things deader
than dead men ! For I cannot call them even dead, which
have never lived, unless they are the tombs of ancient men.
For sometimes a person, visiting unknown places, does not
know whether the temples which he sees are monuments of
dead men, or w^hether they belong to the so-called gods ; but
on inquiring and hearing that they belong to the gods, he
worships, without being ashamed that if he had not learned
on inquiring, he would have passed them by as the monument
of a dead man, on account of the strictness of the resem-
blance. However, it is not necessary that I should adduce

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 1G5

much proof in regard to sucli superstition. For it is easy for
any one who pleases to understand that it [an idol] is nothing,
unless there be any one who does not see. However, now at
least hear that it does not hear, and understand that it does
not understand. For the hands of a man who is dead made
it. If, then, the maker is dead, how can it be that that which
was made by him shall not be dissolved ? Why, then, do you
worship the work of a mortal which is altogether senseless ?
whereas those who have reason do not worship animals, nor do
they seek to propitiate the elements which have been made
by God, — I mean the heaven, the sun, the moon, lightning,
the sea, and all things in them, — rightly judging not to
worship the things that He has made, but to reverence the
[Maker and Sustainer of them. For in this they themselves
also rejoice, that no one ascribes to them the honour that
belongs to their Maker.

Chap. x. — Idolatry a delusion of the serpent,

^' For His alone is the excellent glory of being alone un-
created, while all else is created. As, therefore, it is the
prerogative of the uncreated to be God, so whatever is created
is not God indeed. Before all things, therefore, you ought
to consider the evil-working suggestion of the deceiving
serpent that is in you, which seduces you by the promise
of better reason, creeping from your brain to your spinal
marrow, and setting great value upon deceiving you.

Chap. xi. — Why the serpent tempts to sin.

" For he knows the original law, that if he bring you to
the persuasion of the so-called gods, so that you sin against
the one good of monarchy, your overthrow becomes a gain
to him. And that for this reason, because he being con-
demned eats earth, he has power to eat him who through
sin being dissolved into earth, has become earth, your souls
going into his belly of fire. In order, therefore, that you
may suffer these things, he suggests every thought to your
hurt.

166 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xii. — Ignorantia neminem excusat,

" For all the deceitful conceptions against the monarchy are
sown in your mind by him to your hurt. First, that you may
not hear the discourses of piety, and so drive away ignorance,
which is the occasion of evils, he ensnares you by a pretence
of knowledge, giving in the first instance, and using through-
out this presumption, which is to think and to be unhappily
advised, that if any one do not hear the word of piety, he is
not subject to judgments. Wherefore also some, being thus
deceived, are not willing to hear, that they may be ignorant,
not knowing that ignorance is of itself a sufficient deadly
drug. For if any one should take a deadly drug in ignor-
ance, does he not die ? So naturally sins destroy the sinner,
though he commit them in ignorance of what is right.

Chap. xiii. — Condemnation of the ignorant.

"But if judgment follows upon disobedience to instruction,
much more shall God destroy those who will not undertake
His w^orship. For he who will not learn, lest that should
make him subject to judgment, is already judged as knowing,
for he knew what he wdll not hear ; so that that imagination
avails nothing as an apology in presence of the heart-knowing
God. Wherefore avoid that cunning thought suggested by
the serpent to your minds. But if any one end this life in
real ignorance, this charge will lie against him, that, having
lived so long, he did not know who was the bestower of the
food supplied to him ; and as a senseless, and ungrateful, and
very unworthy servant, he is rejected from the kingdom of
God.

' Chap. xiv. — Polytheistic illustration.

" Again, the terrible serpent suggests this supposition to
you, to think and to say that very thing which most of you
do say ; viz.. We know that there is one Lord of all, but
there also are gods. For in like manner as there is one
Caesar, but he has under him procurators, proconsuls, pre-
fects, commanders of thousands, and of hundreds, and of
tens ; in the same way, there being one great God, as there

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 167

is one Caesar, there also, after the manner of inferior powers,
are gods, inferior indeed to Him, but ruling over us. Hear,
therefore, ye who have been led away by this conception as
by a terrible poison — I mean the evil conception of this
illustration — that you may know what is good and what is
evil. For you do not yet see it, nor do you look into the
things that you utter.

Chap. xv. — Its inconclusiveness.

*^ For if you say that, after the manner of Csesar, God has
subordinate powers — those, namely, which are called gods —
you do not thus go by your illustration. For if you went by
it, you must of necessity know that it is not lawful to give
the name of Caesar to another, whether he be consul, or pre-
fect, or captain, or any one else, and that he who gives such
a name shall not live, and he who takes it shall be cut off.
Thus, according to your own illustration, the name of God
must not be given to another; and he who is tempted either
to take or give it is destroyed. Now, if this insult of a man
induces punishment, much more they who call others gods
shall be subject to eternal punishment, as insulting God.
And with good reason ; because you subject to all the insult
that you can the name which it was committed to you to
honour, in order to His monarchy. For GoD is not properly
His name ; but you having in the meantime received it, insult
what has been given you, that it may be accounted as done
against the real name, according as you use that. But you
subject it to every kind of insult.

Chap. xvi. — Gods of the Egyptians,

" Therefore you ringleaders among the Egyptians, boasting
of meteorology, and promising to judge the natures of the
stars, by reason of the evil opinion lurking in them, subjected
that name to all manner of dishonour as far as in them lay.
For some of them taught the worship of an ox called Apis,
some that of a he-goat, some of a cat, some of a serpent ; yea,
even of a fish, and of onions, and rumblings in the stomach/

168 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and common sewers, and members of irrational animals, and
to myriads of other base abominations [they gave the name
of god]."

Chap. xvii. — TJie Egyptians' defence of tlieir system.

On Peter's saying this, the surrounding multitude laughed.
Then Peter said to the laucrhino; multitude : " You lauffh at
their proceedings, not knowing that you are yourselves much
more objects of ridicule to them. But you laugh at one
another's proceedings ; for, being led by evil custom into
deceit, you do not see your own. But I admit that you have
reason to laugh at the idols of the Egyptians, since they,
being rational, worship irrational animals, and these alto-
gether dying. But listen to what they say when they deride
you. AYe, they say, though we worship dying creatures, yet
still such as have once had life; but you reverence things that
never lived. And in addition to this, they say, We wish to
honour the form of the one God, but we cannot find out what
it is, and so we choose to give honour to every form. And
so, making some such statements as these, they think that
they judge more rightly than you do.

Chap, xviii. — Answer to the Egyptians.

" Wherefore answer them thus : You lie, for you do not
worship these things in honour of the true God, for then all
of you would worship every form ; not as ye do. For those
of you who suppose the onion to be the divinity, and those
wdio worship rumblings in the stomach, contend with one
another; and thus all in like manner preferring some one
thing, revile those that are preferred by others. And with
diverse judgments, one reverences one and another another
of the limbs of the same animal. Moreover, those of them
who still have a breath of rio;ht reason, beinir ashamed of the
manifest baseness, attempt to drive these things into allegories,
wishing by another vagary to establish their deadly error.
But we should confute the allegories, if we were there, the
foolish passion for which has prevailed to such an extent as to
constitute a great disease of the understanding. For it is not

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 1G9

necessary to appl}^ a plaster to a whole part of the body, but
to a diseased part. Since then, you, by your laughing at
the Egyptians, show that you are not affected with their
disease, with respect to your own disease it were reasonable
I should afford to you a present cure of your own malady.

Chap. xix. — GocC s peculiar attribute,

^^ He who would worship God ought before all things to
know what alone is peculiar to the nature of God, which
cannot pertain to anotner, that, looking at His peculiarity,
and not finding it in any other, he may not be seduced into
ascribing godhead to another. But this is peculiar to God,
that He alone is, as the Maker of all, so also the best of all.
That which makes is indeed superior in power to that which
is made ; that which is boundless is superior in magnitude to
that which is bounded : in respect of beauty, that which is
comeliest ; in respect of happiness, that which is most blessed;
in respect of understanding, that which is most perfect. And
in like manner, in other respects. He has incomparably the
pre-eminence. Since then, as I said, this very thing, viz. to
be the best of all, is peculiar to God, and the all-comprehend-
ing world was made by Him, none of the things made by
Him can come into equal comparison with Him.

Chap. xx. — Neither the world nor any of its parts can he God,

" But the world, not being incomparable and unsurpassable,
and altogether in all respects without defect, cannot be God.
But if the whole world cannot be God, in respect of its
having been made, how much more should not its parts be
reasonably called God ; I mean the parts that are by you
called gods, being made of gold and silver, brass and stone,
or of any other material whatsoever ; and they constructed by
mortal hand. However, let us further see how the terrible
serpent through man's mouth poisons those who are seduced
by his solicitations.

Chap. xxi. — Idols not animated hy the Divine Spirit,
" For many say, We do not worship the gold or the silver^

170 THE CLEMEKTIXE HOMILIES.

the wood or the stone, of the objects of our worship. For
we also know that these are nothing but lifeless matter, and
the art of mortal man. But the spirit that dwells in them,
that we call God. Behold the immorality of those who
speak thus ! For when that which appears is easily proved
to be nothing, they have recourse to the invisible, as not
being able to be convicted in respect of what is non-apparent.
However, they agree with us in part, that one half of their
images is not God, but senseless matter. It remains for
them to show how we are to believe that these ima£!:es have a
divine spirit. But they cannot prove to us that it is so, for
it is not so ; and we do not believe them [when they say that
they] have seen it. "\Ye shall afford them proofs that they
have not a divine spirit, that lovers of truth, hearing the
refutation of the thouglit that they are animated, may turn
away from the hurtful delusion.

Chap. xxii. — Confutation of idoI-icorsJiip.

^' In the first place, indeed, if you worship them as being
animated, why do you also worship the sepulchres of memor-
able men of old, who confessedly had no divine spirit? Thus
you do not at all speak truth respecting this. But if your
objects of worship were really animated, they would move of
themselves ; they would have a voice ; they would shake off
the spiders that are on them ; they would thrust forth those
that wish to surprise and to steal them ; they would easily
capture those who pilfer the offerings. But now they do
none of these tilings, but are guarded, like culprits, and espe-
cially the more costly of them, as we have already said. But
what ? Is it not so, that the rulers demand of you imposts
and taxes on their account, as if you were greatly benefited
by them ? But what ? Have they not often been taken as
plunder by enemies, and been broken and scattered ? And
do not the priests, more than the outside worshippers, carry
off many of the offerings, thus acknowledging the uselessness
of their worship ?

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 171

Chap, xxiii. — Folly of idolatry,

^^ Nay, it will be said ; but they are detected by their fore-
sight. It is false ; for how many of them have not been
detected ? And if on account of the capture of some it be
said that they have power, it is a mistake. For of those who
rob tombs, some are found out and some escape ; but it is not
by the power of the dead that those who are apprehended are
detected. And such ought to be our conclusion with respect
to those who steal and pilfer the gods. But it will be said,
The gods that are in them take no care of their images.
Why, then, do you tend them, wiping them, and washing
them, and scouring them, crowning them, and sacrificing to
them ? Wherefore agree with me that you act altogether
without right reason. For as you lament over the dead, so
you sacrifice and make libations to your gods.

Chap. xxiv. — Impotence of idols.

" Nor yet is that in harmony with the illustration of Caesar,
and of the powers under him, to call them administrators ;
whereas you take all care of them, as I said, tending your
images in every respect. For they, having no power, do
nothing. Wherefore tell us what do they administer? what
do they of that sort which rulers in different places do ? and
what influence do they exert, as the stars of God ? Do they
show anything like the sun, or do you light lamps before
them ? Are they able to bring showers, as the clouds bring
rain, — they which cannot even move themselves, unless men
carry them ? Do they make the earth fruitful to your
labours, these to whom you supply sacrifices ? Thus they
can do nothing.

Chap. xxv. — Servants hecome masters.

" But if they were able to do something, you should not be
right in calling them gods : for it is not right to call the
elements gods, by which good things are supplied ; but only
Him who ordereth them, to accomplish all things for our
use, and who commandeth them to be serviceable to man, —

172 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Him alone we call God in propriety of speechj whose bene-
ficence you do not perceive, but permit those elements to
rule over you which have been assigned to you as your
servants. And why should I speak of the elements, when
you not only have made and do worship lifeless images,
but deign to be subject to them in all respects as servants ?
Wherefore, by reason of your erroneous judgments, you
have become subject to demons. However, by acknowledg-
ment of God Himself, by good deeds you can again become
masters, and command the demons as slaves, and as sons of
God be constituted heirs of the eternal kingdom."

Chap. xxvi. — The sick healed.

Having said this, he ordered the demoniacs, and those
taken with diseases, to be brought to him ; and when they
were brought, he laid his hands on them, and prayed, and
dismissed them healed, reminding them and the rest of the
multitude to attend upon him there every day that he
should discourse. Then, when the others had withdrawn,
Peter bathed in the reservoir that was there, with those who
pleased ; and then ordering a table to be spread on the
ground under the thick foliage of the trees, for the sake
of shade, he ordered us each to recline, according to our
w^orth ; and thus we partook of food. Therefore having
blessed and having given thanks to God for tlie enjoyment,
according to the accustomed faith of tlie Hebrews ; and
there being still a long time before us, he permitted us to
ask him questions about whatever we pleased ; and thus,
though there were twenty of us putting questions to liim
all round, he satisfied every one. And now evening having
descended, we all went with him into the largest apartment
of the lodging, and there we all slept.

HOMILY XL

Chap. i. — Morning exercises,

HEREFORE on the fourth day at Tripolls, Peter
rising and finding us awake, saluted us and went
out to the reservoir, that he mio-ht bathe and
pray ; and we also did so after him. To us,
therefore, when we had prayed together, and were set down
before him, he gave a discourse touching the necessity of
purity. And when thereafter it was day, he permitted the
multitudes to enter. Then, when a great crowd had entered,
he saluted them according to custom, and began to speak.

Chap. ii. — '^ Giving all diligence^

" Inasmuch as, by long-continued neglect on your part, to
your own injury, your mind has caused to sprout many hurt-
ful conceptions about religion, and ye have become like land
fallow by the carelessness of the husbandman, you need a
long time for your purification, that your mind, receiving like
good seed the true word that is imparted to you, may not
choke it with evil cares, and render it unfruitful with respect
to works that are able to save you. Wherefore it behoves
those who are careful of their own salvation to hear more
constantly, that their sins which have been long multiplying
may, in the short time that remains, be matched with con-
stant care for their purification. Since, therefore, no one
knows the time of his end, hasten to pluck out the many
thorns of your hearts ; but not by little and little, for then
you cannot be purified, for you have been long fallow.

Chap. hi. — " Behold what indignation.^''
"But not otherwise will you endure to undertake much

174 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

care for your purification unless you be angry with yourselves^
and chastise yourselves for those things with which, as unpro-
fitable servants, you have been ensnared, consenting to your
evil lusts, that you may be able to let in your righteous
indignation upon your mind, as fire upon a fallow field. If,
therefore, ye have not righteous fire, I mean indignation,
against evil lusts, learn from what good things ye have been
seduced, and by whom ye have been deceived, and for what
punishment ye are prepared ; and thus, your mind being sober,
and kindled into indignation like fire by the teaching of Him
who sent us, may be able to consume the evil things of lust.
Believe me, that if you will, you can rectify all things.

Chap. iv. — The golden rule,

" Ye are the ima^e of the invisible God. Whence let not
those who would be pious say that idols are images of God,
and therefore that it is right to worship them. For the image
of God is man. He who wishes to be pious towards God
does good to man, because the body of man bears the image
of God. But all do not as yet bear His likeness, but the pure
mind of the good soul does. However, as we know that man
was made after the image and after the likeness of God, we
tell you to be pious towards him, that the favour may be
accounted as done to God, whose image he is. Therefore it
behoves you to give honour to the image of God, which is
man — in this wise ; food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty,
clothing to the naked, care to the sick, shelter to the stranger,
and visiting him who is in prison, to help him as you can.
And not to speak at length, whatever good things any one
wishes for himself, so let him afford to another in need, and
then a good reward can be reckoned to him as being pious
towards the image of God. And by like reason, if he will
not undertake to do these things, he shall be punished as
neMectinfj the imasie.

Chap. v. — Forasmuch as ye did it unto one of these.

" Can it therefore be said that, for the sake of piety
towards God, ye worship every form, while in all things ye

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 175

injure man who is really the image of God, committing mur-
der, adultery, stealing, and dishonouring him in many other
respects ? But you ought not to do even one evil thing on
account of which man is grieved. But now you do all things
on account of which man is disheartened, for wrong is also
distress. Wherefore you murder and spoil his goods, and
whatever else you know which you would not receive from
another. But you, being seduced by some malignant reptile
to malice, by the suggestion of polytheistic doctrine, are
impious towards the real image, w^hich is man, and think that
ye are pious towards senseless things.

Chap, VI. — Why God suffers objects of idolatry to subsist.

"But some say, Unless He wished these things to be, they
should not be, but He would take them away. But I say
this shall assuredly be the case, when all shall show their pre-
ference for Him, and thus there shall be a change of the
present world. However, if you wished him to act thus, so
that none of the things that are worshipped should subsist,
tell me what of existing things you have not w^orshipped.
Do not some of you worship the sun, and some the moon,
and some water, and some the earth, and some the mountains,
and some plants, and some seeds, and some also man, as in
Egypt ? Therefore God must have suffered nothing, not
even you, so that there should have been neither worshipped
nor w^orshipper. Truly this is what the terrible serpent
which lurks in you would have, and spares you not. But
so it shall not be. For it is not the thing that is worshipped
that sins ; for it suffers violence at the hands of him who will
worship it. For though unjust judgment is passed by all
men, yet not by God. For it is not just that the sufferer
and the disposer receive the same punishment, unless he
willingly receive the honour which belongs only to the Most
Honourable.

Chap. vii. — " Let both grow together till the harvest^

" But it will be said that the worshippers themselves ought
to be taken away by the true God, that others may not do it.

176 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

But you are not wiser than God, that you should give Him
counsel as one more prudent than He. He knows what He
does ; for He is long-suffering to all who are in impiety, as
a merciful and philanthropic father, knowing that impious
men become pious. And of those very worshippers of base
and senseless things, many becoming sober have ceased to
w^orship these things and to sin, and many Greeks have been
saved so as to pray to the true God.

== Chap. viii. — Liberty and necessity. ==

^'But, you say, God ought to have made us at first so that
we should not have thought at all of such things. You who
say this do not know what is free-will, and how it is possible
to be really good ; that he who is good by his own choice is
really good; but he who is made good by another under
necessity is not really good, because he is not w^hat he is by
his own choice. Since therefore every one's freedom con-
stitutes the true good, and shows the true evil, God has con-
trived that friendship or hostility should be in each man by
occasions. But no, it is said ; everything that we think He
makes ns to think. Stop ! Why do you [[blaspheme]] more
and more, in saying this ? For if we are under His influ-
ence in all that we think, you say that He is the cause of
fornications, lusts, avarice, and all blasphemy. Cease your
evil-speaking, ye -who ought to speak well of Him, and
to bestow all honour upon Him. And do not say that God
does not claim any honour ; for if He Himself claims nothing,
you ought to look to what is right, and to answer with thank-
ful voice Him who does you good in all things.

Chap. ix. — God a jealous God,

" But, you say, we do better when we are thankful at once
to Him and to all others. Now, when you say this, you do
not know the plot that is formed against you. For as, when
many physicians of no powder promise to cure one patient, one
who is really able to cure him does not apply his remedy,
considering that, if he should cure him, the others would get
the credit ; so also God does not do you good, when He is

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 177

asked along with many who can do nothing. What ! it will
be said, is God enraged at this, if, when He cures, another
gets the credit ? I answer : Although He be not indignant,
at all events He will not be an accomplice in deceit ; for
when He has conferred a benefit, the idol, which has done
nothing, is credited with the power. But also I say to you,
if he who crouches in adoration before senseless idols had not
been injured naturally, perhaps He (God) would have en-
dured even this. Wherefore watch ye that you may attain
to a reasonable understandino; on the matter of salvation.^
For God being without want, neither Himself needs anything,
nor receives hurt ; for it belongs to us to be profited or injured.
For in like manner as Csesar is neither hurt when he is evil
spoken of, nor profited when he is thanked, but safety accrues
to the renderer of thanks, and ruin to the evil-speaker, so they
who speak well of God indeed profit Him nothing, but save
themselves ; and in like manner, those who blaspheme Him
do not indeed injure Him, but themselves perish.

Chap. x. — The creatures avenge GodCs cause.

" But it will be said that the cases are not parallel between
God and man ; and I admit that they are not parallel : for
the punishment is greater to him who is guilty of impiety
against the greater, and less to him who sins against the less.
As, therefore, God is greatest of all, so he who is impious
against Him shall endure greater punishment, as sinning
against the greater ; not through His defending Himself with
His own hand, but the whole creation being indignant at
him, and naturally taking vengeance on him. For to the
blasphemer the sun will not give his light, nor the earth her
fruits, nor the fountain its water, nor in Hades shall he who
is there constituted prince give rest to the soul ; since even
now, while the constitution of the world subsists, the whole
creation is indignant at him. Wherefore neither do [the
clouds] afford sufficient rains, nor the earth fruits, whereby
many perish ; yea, even the air itself, inflamed with anger,

^ "We have adopted the reading of Codex 0. The reading in the others
is corrupt.

M

178 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is turned to pestilential courses. However, whatsoever good
things we enjoy, He of His mercy compels the creature to
our benefits. Still, against you who dishonour the Maker of
all, the whole creation is hostile.

Chap. xi. — Immortality of the soul.

" And though by the dissolution of the body you should
escape punishment, how shall you be able by corruption to
flee from your soul, which is incorruptible ? For the soul
even of the wicked is immortal, for whom it were better not
to have it incorruptible. For, being punished with endless
torture under unquenchable fire, and never dying, it can re-
ceive no end of its miseiy. But perhaps some one of you will
say, ^ You terrify us, O Peter.' Teach us then how we can
be silent [about these things, and yet] tell you things as they
are, for not otherwise can we tell vou them. But if we should
be silent, you should be ensnared by evils through ignor-
ance. But if we speak, we are suspected of terrifying you
with a false theory. How then shall we charm that wicked
[serpent] that lurks in your [soul], and subtilely insinuates
suspicions hostile to God, under the guise of love to God ?
Be reconciled with yourselves ; for in order to your salvation
recourse is to Him with well-doin^. Unreasonable lust in
you is hostile to God, for by conceit of wisdom it strengthens
ignorance.

Chap. xii. — Idols unprojltahle.

" But others say, God does not care for us. This also is
false. For if really He did not care. He would neither
cause His sun to rise on the good and the evil, nor send His
rain on the just and the unjust. But others say, We are
more pious [than you], since we worship both him and
images. I do not think, if one were to say to a king, ^ I
give you an equal share of honour with that which I give
to corpses and to worthless dung ' — I do not think that he
would profit by it. But some one will say, Do you call our
objects of worship dung? I say Yes, for you have made
them useless to yourselves by setting them aside for worship,

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 179

whereas their substance might perhaps have been serviceable
for some other purpose, or for the purpose of manure. But
now it is not useful even for this purpose, since you have
changed its shape and worship it. And how do you say
that you are more pious, you who are the most wicked of
all, who deserve destruction of your souls by this very one
incomparable sin, at the hands of Him who is true, if you
abide in it ? For as if any son having received many bene-
fits from his father, give to another, who is not his father,
the honour that is due to his father, he is certainly dis-
inherited; but if he live according to the judgment of his
father, and so thanks him for his kindnesses, he is with good
reason made the heir.

Chap. xiir. — Ao^guments in favour of idolatry ansiuered,

" But others say, We shall act impiously if we forsake
the objects of worship handed down to us by our fathers ;
for it is like the guarding of a deposit. But on this principle
the son of a robber or a debauchee ought not to be sober
and to choose the better part, lest he should act impiously,
and sin by doing differently from his parents ! How foolish,
then, are they who say, "We worship these things that we
may not be troublesome to Him ; as if God were troubled
by those who bless Him, and not troubled by those who
ungratefully blaspheme Him. Why is it, then, that when
there is a withholding of rain, you look only to heaven and
pour out prayers and supplications ; and when you obtain
it, you quickly forget? For when you have reaped your
harvest or gathered your vintage, you distribute your first-
fruits among those idols which are nothing, quickly forgetting
God your benefactor; and thus you go into groves and
temples, and offer sacrifices and feasts. Wherefore some of
you say, These things have been excellently devised for the
sake of good cheer and feasting.

Chap. xiv. — Heathen orgies,'

^^ Oh men without understanding ! Judge ye rightly of
■what is said. For if it were necessary to give one's self to

180 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

some pleasure for the refreshment of the body, whether were
it better to do so among the rivers and woods and groves,
where there are entertainments and conviviaUties and shady
places, or where there is the madness of demons, and cuttings
of hands, and emasculations, and fury and mania, and dis-
hevelling of hair, and shoutings and enthusiasms and bowl-
ings, and all those things which are done with hypocrisy for
the confounding of the unthinking, when you offer your
prescribed prayers and thanksgivings even to those who are
deader than the dead ?

Chap. xv. — Heatlien worsJnppers under the power of the

demon.

" And why do ye take pleasure in these doings ? Since the
serpent which lurks in you, which has sown in you fruitless
lust, wdll not tell you, I shall speak and put it on record.
Thus the case stands. According to the worship of God,
the proclamation is made to be sober, to be chaste, to restrain
passion, not to pilfer other men's goods, to live uprightly,
moderately, fearlessly, gently ; rather to restrain one's self in
necessities, than to supply his wants by wrongfully taking
away the property of another. But with the so-called gods
the reverse is done. And ye renounce some things [as done
by you], in order to the admiration of [your] righteousness ;
w^hereas, although you did all that you are commanded,
ignorance w^ith respect to God is alone sufficient for your
condemnation. But meeting together in the places which
you have dedicated to them, you delight in making yourselves
drunk, and you kindle your altars, of which the diffused
odour throucrh its influence attracts the blind and deaf
spirits to the place of their fumigation. And thus, of those
who are present, some are filled with inspirations, and some
with stranoje fiends, and some betake themselves to lascivious-
ness, and some to theft and murder. For the exhalation of
blood, and the libation of wine, satisfies even these unclean
spirits, which lurk within you and cause you to take plea-
sure in the things that are transacted there, and in dreams
surround you with false phantasies, and punish you with

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 181

myriads of diseases. For under the show of the so-called
sacred victims you are filled with dire demons, which, cunningly
concealing themselves, destroy you, so that you should not
understand the plot that is laid for you. For, under the
guise of some injury, or love, or anger, or grief, or strangling
you with a rope, or drowning you, or throwing you from a
precipice, or by suicide, or apoplexy, or some other disease,
they deprive you of life.

Chap. xvi. — All tilings ivork for good to them that love God.

" But no one of us can suffer such a thing ; but they
themselves are punished by us, when, having entered into any
one, they entreat us that they may go out slowly. But some
one will say perhaps, Even some of the worshippers of God
fall under such sufferings. I say that that is impossible. For
he is a worshipper of God, of whom I speak, who is truly
pious, not one who is such only in name, but who really per-
forms the deeds of the law that has been given him. If any
one acts impiously, he is not pious ; in like manner as, if he
who is of another tribe keeps the law, he is a Jew ; bat he
who does not keep it is a Greek. For the Jew believes God
and keeps the law, by which faith he removes also other
sufferings, though like mountains and heavy .^ But he who
keeps not the law is manifestly a deserter through not believ-
ing God ; and thus as no Jew, but a sinner, he is on account
of his sin brought into subjection to those sufferings which
are ordained for the punishment of sinners. For, by the
will of God prescribed at the beginning, punishment right-
eously follows those who worship Him on account of trans-
gressions ; and this is so, in order that, having reckoned with
them by punishment for sin as for a debt, he may set forth
those who have turned to Him pure in the universal judg-
ment. For as the wicked here enjoy luxury to the loss of
eternal blessings, so punishments are sent upon the Jews who
transgress for a settlement of accounts, that, expiating their
transgression here, they may there be set free from eternal
punishments.

^ Matt. xvii. 19.

182 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xvii. — Speaking the truth in love,

" But you cannot speak thus ; for you do not believe that
things are then as we say ; I mean, when there is a recom-
pense for all. And on this account, you being ignorant of
what is advantageous, are seduced by temporal pleasures
from taking hold of eternal things. ^^Tierefore we attempt
to make to you exhibitions of what is profitable, that, being
convinced of the promises that belong to piety, you may by
good deeds inherit with us the griefless world. Until then
you know us, do not be angry with us, as if we spoke falsely
of the good things which we desire for you. For the things
which are regarded by us as true and good, these we have
not scrupled to bring to you, but, on the contrary, have
hastened to make you fellow-heirs of good things, which we
have considered to be such. For thus it is necessary to
speak to the unbelievers. But that we really speak the truth
in what we say, you cannot know otherwise than by first
listenin cr with love of the truth.

Chap, xviii. — Charming of the serpent.

"Wherefore, as to the matter in hand, although in ten
thousand ways the serpent that lurks in you suggesting evil
reasonings and hindrances, wishes to ensnare you, therefore
so much the more ouc][ht ve to resist him, and to listen to us
assiduously. For it behoves you, consulting, as having been
grievously deceived, to know how he must be charmed. But
in no other way is it possible. But by charming I mean the
setting yourselves by reason in opposition to their evil coun-
sels, remembering that by promise of knowledge he brought
death into the world at the first.

Chap. xix. — Not peace^ hut a sword,

" Whence the Prophet of the truth, knowing that the world
was much in error, and seeing it ranged on the side of evil,
did not choose that there should be peace to it while it stood
in error. So that till the end he sets himself against all those
who are in concord with wickedness, setting [truth] over

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 183

against error, sending as it were fire upon those who are
sober, namely wrath against the seducer, which is hkened
to a sword,^ and by holding forth the word he destroys igno-
rance by knowledge, cutting, as it were, and separating the
living from the dead. Therefore, while wickedness is being
conquered by lawful knowledge, war has taken hold of all.
For the submissive son is, for the sake of salvation, separated
from the vmbelieving father, or the father from the son, or the
mother from the daughter, or the daughter from the mother,
and relatives from relatives, and friends from associates.

Chap. xx. — What if it he already kindled'^

" And let not any one say. How is this just, that parents
should be separated from their children, and children from
their parents ? It is just, even entirely. For if they re-
mained with them, and, after profiting them nothing, were
also destroyed along wath them, how is it not just that he
who wishes to be saved should be separated from him who
will not, but who wishes to destroy him along with himself.
Moreover, it is not those who judge better that wish to be
separated, but they wish to stay with them, and to profit
them by the exposition of better things ; and therefore the
unbelievers, not wishing to hearken to them, make war
against them, banishing, persecuting, hating them. But
those who suffer these things, pitying those who are ensnared
by ignorance, by the teaching of wisdom pray for those who
contrive evil against them, having learned that ignorance is
the cause of their sin. For the Teacher Himself, being
nailed to [the cross], prayed to the Father that the sin of
those who slew Him might be forgiven, saying, ^ Father,
forgive them their sins, for they know not what they do.' ^
They also therefore, being imitators of the Teacher in their
sufferings, pray for those who contrive them, as they have
been taught. Therefore they are not separated as hating
their parents, since they make constant prayers even for
those who are neither parents nor relatives, but enemies, and
strive to love them, as they have been commanded.
1 Matt. X. 34. 2 Luke xxiii. 34.

184 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xxi. — " If I he a father, where is my fearV

'' But tell me, how do you love your parents ? If, indeed,
you do it as always regarding what is right, I congratulate
you ; but if you love them as it happens, then not so, for
then you may on a small occasion become their enemies.
But if you love them intelligently, tell me, what are parents ?
You will say they are the sources of our being. Why, then,
do ye not love the [source of the] being of all things, if in-
deed you have with right understanding elected to do this ?
But you will now say again, we have not seen Him. Why,
then, do ye not seek for Him, but worship senseless things ?
But what ? If it were even difficult for you to know what
God is, you cannot fail to know what is not God, so as to
reason that God is not wood, nor stone, nor brass, nor any-
thing else made of corruptible matter.

Chap. xxii. — " The gods that have not made the heavens^

"For are not they graven with iron? And has not the
graving iron been softened by fire? And is not the fire itself
extinguished with water ? And has not the water its motion
from the spirit ? And has not the spirit the beginning of its
course from the God who hath made all things ? For thus said
the prophet Moses : ' In the beginning God made the heaven
and the earth. And the earth was unsightly, and unadorned ;
and darkness was over the deep : and the Spirit of God was
borne above the waters.' Which Spirit, at the bidding of
God, as it were His hand, makes all things, dividing light
from darkness, and after the invisible heaven spreading out
the visible, that the places above might be inhabited by the
angels of light, and those below by man, and all the creatures
that were made for his use.

Chap, xxiir. — '' To ichom much is given.^*

" For on thy account, O man, God commanded the water to
retire upon the face of the earth, that the earth might be able
to brinop forth fruits for thee. And He made water-courses,
that He might provide for thee fountains, and that river-beds

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 185

might be disclosed, that animals might teem forth ; in a word,
that He might furnish thee with all things. For is it not for
thee that the winds blow, and the rains fall, and the seasons
change for the production of fruits ? Moreover, it is for thee
that the sun and moon, with the other heavenly bodies, ac-
complish their risings and settings ; and rivers and pools, with
all fountains, serve thee. Whence to thee, O senseless one,
as the greater honour has been given, so for thee, ungrateful,
the greater punishment by fire has been prepared, because
thou wouldest not know Him whom it behoved thee before
all things to know.

Chap. xxiv. — " Born of water r

"And now from inferior things learn the cause of all,
reasoning that water makes all things, and water receives the
production of its movement from sj^irit, and the spirit has its
beginning from the God of all. And thus you ought to have
reasoned, in order that by reason you might attain to God,
that, knowing your origin, and being born again by the first-
born water, you may be constituted heir of the parents who
have begotten you to incorruption.

Chap. xxv. — Good works to he well done,

" Wherefore come readily, as a son to a father, that God
may assign ignorance as the cause of your sins. But if after
being called you will not, or delay, you shall be destroyed by
the just judgment of God, not being willed, through your not
willing. And do not think, though you were more pious than
all the pious that ever were, but if you be unbaptized, that
you shall ever obtain hope. For all the more, on this account,
you shall endure the greater punishment, because you have
done excellent works not excellently. For well-doing is ex-
cellent when it is done as God has commanded. But if you
will not be baptized according to His pleasure, you serve
your own will and oppose His counsel.

Chap. xxvi. — Baptism,
" But perhaps some one will say, What does it contribute to

186 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

piety to be baptized with water? In the first place, because
you do that which is pleasing to God; and in the second
place, being born again to God of water, by reason of fear
you change your first generation, which is of lust, and thus you
are able to obtain salvation. But otherwise it is impossible.
For thus the prophet has sworn to us, saying, " Verily I say to
you. Unless ye be regenerated by living water into the name
of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you shall not enter the king-
dom of heaven.-'- Wherefore approach. For there is there
something that is merciful from the beginning, borne upon
the water, and rescues from the future punishment those
who are baptized with the thrice-blessed invocation, offering
as gifts to God the good deeds of the baptized whenever they
are done after their baptism. Wherefore flee to the waters,
for this alone can quench the violence of fires. He who will
not now come to it still bears the spirit of strife, on account
of which he will not approach the living water for his own
salvation.

Chap, xxvii. — All need baptism.

^^ Therefore approach, be ye righteous or unrighteous. For
if you are righteous, baptism alone is lacking in order to sal-
vation. But if you are unrighteous, come to be baptized for
the remission of the sins formerly committed in ignorance.
And to the unrighteous man it remains that his well-doing
after baptism be according to the proportion of his [previous]
impiety. Wherefore, be ye righteous or unrighteous, hasten
to be born to God, because delay brings danger, on account
of the fore-appointment of death being unrevealed ; and show
by well-doing your likeness to the Father, who begetteth you
of water. As a lover of truth, honour the true God as your
Father. But His honour is that you live as He, being right-
eous, would have you live. And the will of the righteous
One is that you do no wrong. But wrong is murder,
hatred, envy, and such like ; and of these there are many
forms.

^ Altered from John iii. 5.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 187

Chap, xxviii. — Purification.

" However, it is necessary to add something to these things
which has not community wath man, but is peculiar to the
worship of God. I mean purification, not approaching to
a man's own wife when she is in separation, for so the law of
God commands. But what ? If purity be not added to the
service of God, you would roll pleasantly like the dung-flies.
Wherefore as man, having something more than the irrational
animals, namely, rationality, purify your hearts from evil by
heavenly reasoning, and wash your bodies in the bath. For
purification according to the truth is not that the purity of
the body precedes purification after the heart, but that purity
follows goodness. For our Teacher also, [dealing with]
certain of the Pharisees and Scribes among us, who are sepa-
rated, and as Scribes know the matters of the law more than
others, still He reproved them as hypocrites, because they
cleansed only the things that appear to men, but omitted
purity of heart and the things seen by God alone.

Chap. xxix. — Outward and inward purity,

'^Therefore He made use of this memorable expression,
speaking the truth with respect to the hypocrites of them,
not with respect to all. For to some He said that obedience
was to be rendered, because they were entrusted with the
chair of Moses. However, to the hypocrites he said, ' Woe
to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye make clean
the outside of the cup and the platter, but the inside is full
of filth. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the
cup and the platter, that their outsides may be clean also.'
And truly : for when the mind is enlightened by knowledge,
the disciple is able to be good, and thereupon purity follows ;
for from the understanding within a good care of the body
without is produced. As from negligence with respect to
the body, care of the understanding cannot be produced, so
the pure man can purify both that which is without and that
which is within. And he who, purifying the things without,

188 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

does it looking to tlie praise of men, and by the praise of
those who look on, he has nothing from God,

Chap. xxx. — '^ Wliatsoever things are pure^

" But who is there to whom it is not manifest that it is
better not to have intercourse with a woman in her separa-
tion, but purified and washed. And also after copulation it
is proper to wash. But if you grudge to do this, recall to
mind how you followed after the parts of purity when you
served senseless idols ; and be ashamed that now, when it is
necessary to attain, I say not more, but to attain the one and
whole of purity, you are more slothful. Consider, therefore.
Him who made you, and you will understand who He is that
casts upon you this sluggishness with respect to purity.

Chap. xxxi. — " What do ye more than others ? "

" But some one of you will say. Must we then do whatso-
ever things we did while we were idolaters ? I say to you,
Not all things ; but whatsoever you did well, you must do
now, and more : for whatsoever is well done in error hangs
upon truth, as if anything be ill done in the truth it is from
error. Receive, therefore, from all quarters the things that
are your own, and not those that are another's, and do not
say, If those who are in error do anything well we are not
bound to do it. For, on this principle, if any one who wor-
ships idols do not commit murder, we ought to commit
murder, because he who is in error does not commit it.

5

Chap, xxxii. — " To ivhoin much is given."

" Xo ; but rather, if those wdio are in error do not kill, let
us not be angry ; if he who is in error do not commit adul-
tery, let us not lust even in the smallest degree ; if he who
is in error loves him who loves him, let us love even those
who hate us ; if he who is in error lends to those who have,
let us [give] to those who have not. Unquestionably we
ought — we who hope to inherit eternal life — to do better
things than the good things that are done by those who
know only the present life, knowing that if their works, being

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 180

judged with ours in the day of judgment, be found equal in
goodness, we shall have shame, and they perdition, having
acted against themselves through error. And I say that we
shall be put to shame on this account, because we have not
done more than they, though w^e have known more than
they. And if we shall be put to shame if we show well-doing
equal to theirs, and no more, how much more if we show less
than their w^ell-doing %

Chap, xxxiii. — The queen of the south and the men of

Nineveh.

"But that indeed in the day of judgment the doings of those
w^ho have known the truth are compared with the good deeds
of those who have been in error, the unlying One Himself
has taught us, saying to those who neglected to come and
listen to Him, ' The queen of the south shall rise up with
this generation, and shall condemn it ; because she came
from the extremities of the earth to hear the wisdom of
Solomon : and behold, a greater than Solomon is here,'^ and
ye do not believe Him. And to those amongst the people
who would not repent at His preaching He said, ' The men
of Nineveh shall rise up with this generation and shall con-
demn it, for they heard and repented on the preaching of
Jonas : and behold, a greater is here, and no one believes.' ^
And thus, setting over against all their impiety those from
among the Gentiles who have done [well], in order to con-
demn those who, possessing the true religion, had not acted
so well as those who were in error, he exhorted those having
reason not only to do equally with the Gentiles whatsoever
things are excellent, but more than they. And this speech
has been suggested to me, taking occasion from the neces-
sity of respecting the separation, and of washing after
copulation, and of not denying such purity, though those
who are in error do the same, since those who in error do
well, without being saved, are for the condemnation of those
w^ho are in the worship of God, [and do ill] ; because their
1 Matt. xii. 42. 2 L^kg xi. 32.

190 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

respect for purity is through error, and not through the wor-
ship of the true Father and God of all."

Chap, xxxiv. — Peter^s daily worL

Having said this, he dismissed the multitudes ; and accord-
ing to his custom, having partaken of food with those dearest
to him, he went to rest. And thus doincp and discoui'sincr
day by day, he strongly buttressed the law of God, chal-
lenging the reputed gods with the reputed genesis, and
arcjuincp that there is no automatism, but that the world is
governed according to providence.

Chap. xxxv. — '• Beware of false propJiets.''^

Then after three months were fulfilled, he ordered me to
fast for several days, and then brought me to the fountains
that are near to the sea, and baptized me as in ever-flowing
water. Thus, therefore, when our brethren rejoiced at my
God-gifted regeneration, not many days after he turned to
the elders in presence of all the church, and charged them,
saying : " Our Lord and Prophet, who hath sent us, declared
to us that the wicked one, having disputed with Him forty
days, and having prevailed nothing against Him, promised
that he would send apostles from amongst his subjects, to
deceive. Wherefore, above all, remember to shun apostle or
teacher or prophet who does not first accurately compare
his preaching with [that of] James, who was called the
brother of my Lord, and to whom was entrusted to admini-
ster the church of the Hebrews in Jerusalem, — and that even
thouixh he come to you with witnesses;^ lest the wickedness

CD *! '

which disputed forty days with the Lord, and prevailed nothing,
should afterwards, like lightning falling from heaven upon
the earth, send a preacher to your injury, as now he has sent
Simon upon us, preaching, under pretence of the truth, in the
name of the Lord, and sowing error. Wherefore He who
liath sent us, said, ^ Many shall come to me in sheep's cloth-

^ A conjectural reading, -which, seems probahle, is, Unless he come to
you ^vith credentials, viz. from James.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 191

ing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits
je shall know them.'"

Chap, xxxvi. — Fareiuell to TripoUs,

Having spoken thus, he sent the harbingers into Antioch
of Syria, bidding them expect him there forthwith. Then
when they had gone, Peter having driven away diseases,
sufferings, and demons from great multitudes who were per-
suaded, and having baptized them in the fountains which are
near to the sea, and having celebrated^ the eucharist, and
having appointed Maroones, who had received him into his
house, and was now perfected, as their bishop, and having
set apart twelve elders, and having designated deacons, and
arranged matters relating to widows, and having discoursed
on the common good what was profitable for the ordering of
the church, and having counselled them to obey the bishop
Maroones, three months being now fulfilled, he bade those in
Tripolis of Phoenicia farewell, and took his journey to Antioch
of Sjria, all the people accompanying us with due honour.
^ Literally, " having broken."

HOMILY XII.

Chap. i. — Two hands,

HEREFORE starting from Tripolis of Phoenicia
to go to Antiocli of Syria, on the same day we
came to Orthasia, and there stayed. And on
account of its being near the city which we had
left, almost all having heard the preaching before, we stopped
there only one day, and set out to Antaradus. And as there
were many who journeyed with us, Peter, addressing Nicetus
and Aquila, said, " Inasmuch as the great crowd of those who
journey with us draws upon us no little envy as we enter city
after city, I have thought that we must of necessity arrange,
so that neither, on the one hand, these may be grieved at
being prevented from accompanying us, nor, on the other
hand, we, by being so conspicuous, may fall under the envy of
the wicked.^ Wherefore I wish you, Nicetus and Aquila, to
go before me in two separate bodies, and enter secretly into
the Gentile cities.

Chap. ii. — Love of preachers and their converts,

" I know, indeed, that you are distressed at being told to
do this, being separated from me by a space of two days. I
would have you know, therefore, that we the persuaders
love you the persuaded much more than you love us who
have persuaded you. Therefore loving one another as we do
by not unreasonably doing what we wish, let us provide, as
much as in us lies, for safety. For I prefer, as you also
know, [to go] into the more notable cities of the provinces,
and to remain some days, and discourse. And for the pre-
1 Literally, " of wickedness."
192

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 193

sent lead the way into the neighbouring Laodicea, and, after
two or three days, so far as it depends upon my choice, I
shall overtake you. And do you alone receive me at the
gates, on account of the confusion, that thus we may enter
along with you without tumult. And thence, in like manner,
after some days' stay, others in your stead will go forward by
turns to the places beyond, preparing lodgings for us."

Chap. hi. — Submission,

When Peter had tiius spoken they were compelled to
acquiesce, saying, ^' It does not altogether grieve us, my lord,
to do this on account of its being your command ; in the
first place, indeed, because you have been chosen by the pro-
vidence of God, as being worthy to think and counsel well in
all things ; and in addition to this, for the most part we
shall be separated from you only for two days by the neces-
sity of preceding you. And that were indeed a long time to
be without sight of thee, O Peter, did we not consider that
they will be more grieved who are sent much farther forward,
being ordered to wait for thee longer in every city, distressed
that they are longer deprived of the sight of thy longed-for
countenance. And we, though not less distressed than they,
make no opposition, because you order us to do it for profit."
Thus, having spoken, they went forward, having it in charge
that at the first stage they should address the accompanying
multitude that they should enter the cities apart from one
another.

Chap. iv. — Clements joy.

When, therefore, they had gone, I, Clement, rejoiced
greatly that he had ordered me to remain with himself. Then
I answered and said, '' I thank God that you have not sent
me away as you have done the others, as I should have died
of grief." But he said, '' But what? If there shall ever be
any necessity that you be sent away for the sake of teach-
ing, would you, on account of being separated for a little
while from me, and that for an advantageous purpose, would
you die for that ? Would you not rather impress upon

N

194 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

yourself the duty of bearing the things that are arranged
for you through necessity, and cheerfully submit? And do
you not know that friends are present with one another in
their memories, although they are separated bodily ; whereas
some, being bodily present, wander from their friends in
their souls, by reason of want of memory ? "

Chap. y. — Clemen-Cs ojffice of sei^ice.

Then I answered, " Do not think, my lord, that I should
endure that grief foolishly, but with some good reason. For
since I hold you, my lord, in place of all, father, mother,
brothers, relatives, you who are the means through God of
my having the saving truth, holding you in place of all, I
have the greatest consolation. And in addition to this, being
afraid of my natural youthful lust, I was concerned lest,
being left by you (being but a young man, and having now
such a resolution that it would be impossible to desert you
without incurring the anger of God,)^ I should be overcome
by lust. But since it is much better and safer for me to re-
main w^ith you, when my mind is with good reason set upon
venerating, therefore I pray that I may always remain with
you. Moreover, I remember you saying in Cgesarea, ^ If
any one wishes to journey with me, let him piously journey.'
And by piously you meant, that those who are devoted to the
worship of God should grieve no one in respect of God, such
as by leaving parents, an attached wife, or any others.^
Whence I am in all respects a fitting fellow-traveller for you,
to whom, if you would confer the greatest favour, you would
allow to perform the functions of a servant."

Chap. vi. — Peter^s frucjaliti/.

Then Peter, hearing, smiled and said, " What think you,
then, O Clement ? Do you not think that you are placed by
very necessity in the position of my servant ? For who else

^ Here the text is hopelessly corrupt, and the meaning can only be
guessed at.

2 I have ventured to make a very slight change on the reading here,
so as to bring out -what I suppose to be the sense.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 195

shall take care of those many splendid tunics, with all my
changes of rings and sandals ? And who shall make ready
those pleasant and artistic dainties, which, being so various,
need many skilful cooks, and all those things which are pro-
cured with great eagerness, and are prepared for the appetite
of effeminate men as for some great wild beast? However,
such a choice has occurred to you, perhaps, without you
understanding or knowing my manner of life, that I use
only bread and olives, and rarely pot-herbs ; and that this is
my only coat and cloaK which I wear ; and I have no need
of any of them, nor of aught else : for even in these I
abound. For my mind, seeing all the eternal good things
that are there, regards none of the things that are here.
However, I accept of your good will ; and I admire and com-
mend you, for that you, a man of refined habits, have so
easily submitted your manner of living to your necessities.
For we, from our childhood, both I and Andrew, my brother,
who is also my brother as respects God, not only being
brought up in the condition of orphans, but also accustomed
to labour through poverty and misfortune, easily bear the
discomforts of our present journeys. Whence, if you would
obey me, you would allow me, a working man, to fulfil the
part of a servant to you."

Chap. vii. — " Not to he ministered unto, hut to minister^

But I, when I heard this, fell a-trembling and weeping,
that such a word should be spoken by a man to whom all the
men of this generation are inferior in point of knowledge and
piety. But he, seeing me weeping, asked the cause of my
tears. Then I said, " In what have I sinned so that you have
spoken to me such a word ? " Then Peter answered, " If it
were wrong of me to speak of being your servant, you were
first in fault in asking to be mine." Then I said, " The cases
are not parallel ; for to do this indeed becomes me well ; but
it is terrible for you, the herald of God, and who savest our
souls, to do this to me." Then Peter answered, "I should agree
with you, but that ^ our Lord, who came for the salvation of
^ A negative particle seems to be dropped from the text»

196 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

all the world, being alone noble above all, submitted to tlie
condition of a servant, that He might persuade us not to be
ashamed to perform the ministrations of servants to our
brethren, however well-born we maj be." Then I said, " If
I think to overcome you in argument, I am foolish. How-
ever, I thank the providence of God, that 1 have been
thought worthy to have you instead of parents."

Chap. viii. — Family history.

Then Peter inquired, "Are you really, then, alone in your
family?" Then I answered, "There are indeed many and
great men, being of the kindred of Coesar. Wherefore
Caesar himself gave a wife of his own family to my father,
who was his foster-brother ; and of her three sons of us were
born, two before me, who were twins and very like each
other, as my father told me. But I scarcely know either
them or our mother, but bear about with me an obscure
Image of them, as through dreams. Islj mother's name
was Mattidin, and my father's, Faustin; and of my brothers
one was called Faastinus, and the other Faustinianus. Then
after I, their third son, was born, my mother saw a vision —
so my father told me — [which told her,] that unless she im-
mediately took away her twin sons, and left the city of Rome
for exile for twelve years, she and they must die by an all-
destructive fate.

Chap. ix. — The lost ones.

" Therefore my father, being fond of his children, supply-
ing them suitably for the journey with male and female
servants, put them on board ship, and sent them to Athens
with her to be educated, and kept me alone of his sons with
him for his comfort; and for this I am very thankful, that
the vision had not ordered me also to depart with my mother
from the city of Rome. Then, after the lapse of a year, my
father sent money to them to Athens, and at the same time
to learn how they did. But those who went on this errand
did not return. And in the third year, my father being dis-
tressed, sent others in like manner with supplies, and they

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 197

returned in the fourth year with the tidings that they had
seen neither my mother nor my brothers, nor had they ever
arrived at Athens, nor had they found any trace of any one
of those who set out with them.

Chap. x. — The seeker lost,

" Then my father, hearing this, and being stupefied with
excessive grief, and not knowing where to go in quest of
them, used to take me with him and go down to the harbour,
and inquire of many where any one of them had seen or
heard of a shipwreck four years ago. And one turned one
place, and another another. Then he inquired whether they
had seen the body of a woman with [two] children cast
ashore. And when they told him that they had seen many
corpses in many places, my father groaned at the informa-
tion. But, with his bowels yearning, he asked unreasonable
questions, that he might try to search so great an extent of
sea. However, he was pardonable, because, through affection
towards those whom he was seeking for, he fed on vain hopes.
And at last, placing me under guardians, and leaving me at
Home when I was twelve years old, he himself, weeping, went
down to the harbour, and went on board ship, and set out upon
the search. And from that day till this I have neither re-
ceived a letter from him, nor do I know whether he be alive
or dead. But I rather suspect that he is dead somewhere,
either overcome by grief, or perished by shipwreck. And the
proof of that is that it is now the twentieth year that I have
heard no true intelligence concerning him."

Chap. xt. — The ajflictions of the righteous.

But Peter, hearing this, wept through sympathy, and
immediately said to the gentlemen who were present : " If
any w^orshipper of God had suffered these things, such as
this man's father hath suffered, he would immediately have
assigned the cause of it to be his worship of God, ascribing
it to the wicked one. Thus also it is the lot of the wretched
Gentiles to suffer ; and we worshippers of God know it not.
But with good reason I call them wretched, because here

198 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

they are ensnared, and the hope that is thine they obtain
not. For those who in the worship of God suffer afflictions,
suffer them for the expiation of their transgressions."

Chap. xii. — A pleasure trip.

When Peter had spoken thus, a certain one amongst us
ventured to invite him, in the name of all, that next day,
early in the morning, he should sail to Aradus, an island
opposite, distant, I suppose, not quite thirty stadia, for the
purpose of seeing two pillars of vine-wood that were there,
and that were of very great girth. Therefore the indulgent
Peter consented, saying, " When you leave the boat, do not
go many of you together to see the things that you desire to
see ; for 1 do not wish that the attention of the inhabitants
should be turned to you." And so we sailed, and in short
time arrived at the island. Then landing from the boat,
we went to the place where the vine-wood pillars were, and
alono; with them we looked at several of the works of Phidius.

Chap. xiii. — A woman of a sorrowful spirit.

But Peter alone did not think it worth while to look at
the sifjhts that were there ; but noticinfr a certain woman
sitting outside before the doors, begging constantly for her
support, he said to her, " O woman, is any of your limbs
defective, that you submit to such disgrace — I mean that of
beo[fi;inor, — and do not rather work with the hands which God
has given you, and procure your daily food?" But she,
groaning, answered, " Would that I had hands able to work !
But now they retain only the form of hands, being dead
and rendered useless by my gnawing of them." Then Peter
asked her, " What is the cause of your suffering so terribly ?"
And she answered, " Weakness of soul ; and nought else.
For if I had the mind of a man, there was a precipice or
a pool whence I should have thrown myself, and have been
able to rest from my tormenting misfortunes."

Chap. xiv. — Balm in Gilead,
Then said Peter, " What then ? Do you suppose, O

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 199

woman, that those who destroy themselves are freed from
punishment ? Are not the souls of those who thus die
punished with a worse punishment in Hades for their
suicide?" But she said, "Would that I were persuaded
that souls are really found alive in Hades; then I should
love death, making light of the punishment, that I might
see, were it but for an hour, my longed-for sons!" Then
said Peter, " What is it that grieves you ? I should like to
know, O woman. For if you inform me, in return for this
favour, I shall satisfy you that souls live in Hades ; and
instead of precipice or pool, I. shall give you a drug, that
you may live and die without torment."

CiiAP. XV. — The womaiiLS stoi^.

Then the w^oman, not understanding what was spoken
ambiguously, being pleased with the promise, began to speak
thus : — " Were I to speak of my family and my country, I do
not suppose that I should be able to persuade any one. But
of what consequence is it to you to learn this, excepting only
the reason why in my anguish I have deadened my hands by
gnawing them ? Yet I shall give you an account of myself,
so far as it is in your power to hear it. I, being very nobly
born, by the arrangement of a certain man in authority, be-
came the wife of a man who was related to him. And first
I had twin sons, and afterwards another son. But my
husband's brother, being thoroughly mad, was enamoured
of wretched me, who exceedingly affected chastity. And
I, wishing neither to consent to my lover nor to expose to
my husband his brother's love of me, reasoned thus ; that I
may neither defile myself by the commission of adultery
nor disgrace my husband's bed, nor set brother at war with
brother, nor subject the whole family, which is a great one,
to the reproach of all, as I said. I reasoned that it was best
for me to leave the city for some time with my twin children,
until the impure love should cease of him who flattered me
to my disgrace. The other son, however, I left with his
father, to remain for a comfort to him.

200 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. XVI. — The shipwrech

" However, that matters might be thus arranged, I resolved
to fabricate a dream, to the effect that some one stood by me
by night, and thus spoke : ' O \Yoman, straightway leave the
city with your twin children for some time, until I shall
charge you to return hither again ; otherwise you forthwith
shall die miserably, with your husband and all your children.'
And so I did. For as soon as I told the false dream to my
husband, he being alarmed, sent me off by ship to Athens
with my two sons, and with slaves, maids, and abundance of
money, to educate the boys, until, said he, it shall please the
iiiver of the oracle that vou return to me. But, wretch that
I am, while sailing with my children, I was driven by the fury
of the winds into these regions, and the ship having gone to
pieces in the night, I was wrecked. And all the rest having
died, my unfortunate self alone was tossed by a great wave
and cast upon a rock ; and while I sat upon it in my misery,
I was prevented, by the hope of finding my children alive,
from throwing myself into the deep then, when I could easily
have done it, having my soul made drunk by the waves.

Chap. xvii. — The fruitless search.

" But when the day dawned, I shouted aloud, and howled
miserably, and looked around, seeking for the dead bodies of
my hapless children. Therefore the inhabitants took pity
on me, and seeing me naked, they first clothed me and then
sounded the deep, seeking for my children. And when they
found nothing of what they sought, some of the hospitable
women came to me to comfort me, and every one told her
own misfortunes, that I might obtain comfort from the
occurrences of similar misfortunes. But this only grieved
me the more ; for I said that I was not so wicked that I
could take comfort from the misfortunes of others. And so,
when many of them asked me to accept their hospitality, a
certain poor woman with much urgency constrained me to
come into her cottage, saying to me, ' Take courage, woman,
for my husband, who was a sailor, also died at sea, while ho

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 201

was still in the bloom of his youth ; and ever since, though
many have asked me in marriage, I have preferred living as
a widow, regretting the loss of my husband. But we shall
have in common whatever we can both earn with our hands.'

Chap, xviii. — Trouble upon trouble.

" And not to lengthen out unnecessary details, I went to
live with her, on account of her love to her husband. And
not long after, my hands were debilitated by my gnawing of
them ; and the woman who had taken me in, being wholly
seized by some malady, is confined in the house. Since then
the former compassion of the woman has declined, and I and
the woman of the house are both of us helpless. For a long
time I have sat here, as you see, begging ; and whatever I
get I convey to my fellow-sufferer for our support. Let this
suffice about my affairs. For the rest, what hinders your ful-
filling of your promise to give me the drug, that I may give
it to her also, who desires to die ; and thus I also, as you said,
shall be able to escape from life % "

Chap. xix. — Evasions,

While the woman thus spoke, Peter seemed to be in sus-
pense on account of many reasonings. But I came up and
said, ^' I have been going about seeking you for a long time.
And now, what is in hand ?" But Peter ordered me to lead
the way, and wait for him at the boat ; and because there was
no gainsaying when he commanded, I did as I was ordered.
But Peter, as he afterwards related the whole matter to me,
being struck in his heart with some slight suspicion, inquired
of the woman, saying, " Tell me, O woman, your family, and
your city, and the names of your children, and presently I
shall give you the drug." But she, being put under constraint,
and not wishing to speak, yet being eager to obtain the drug,
cunningly said one thing for another. And so she said that
she was an Ephesian, and her husband a Sicilian; and in
like manner she chanojed the names of the three children.

o

Then Peter, supposing that she spoke the truth, said, " Alas!
O woman, I thought that this day was to bring you great joy,

202 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

suspecting that you are a certain person of whom I was
thinking, and whose affairs I have heard and accurately
know." But she adjured him, saying, " Tell me, I entreat
of you, that I may know if there is among women any one
more wretched than myself."

Chap. xx. — Peter s account of the matter.

Then Peter, not knowing that she had spoken falsely,
through pity towards her, began to tell her the truth : " There
is a certain young man in attendance upon me, thirsting
after the discourses on religion, a Koman citizen, who told
me how that, having a father and two twin brothers, he has
lost sight of them all. For," says he, " my mother, as my
father related to me, having seen a vision, left the city Rome
for a time with her twin children, lest she should perish by
an evil fate, and having gone away with them, she cannot
be found ; and her husband, the young man's father, having
^one in search of her, he also cannot be found."

Chap. xxi. — A disclosure,

"While Peter thus spoke, the woman, who had listened atten-
tively, swooned away as if in stupor. But Peter approached
her, and caught hold of her, and exhorted her to restrain her-
self, persuading her to confess what was the matter with her.
But she, being powerless in the rest of her body, as through
intoxication, turned her [head] round, being able to sustain
the greatness of the hoped-for joy, and rubbing her face :
^' Where," said she, " is this youth ? " And he, now seeing
through the whole affair, said, " Tell me first ; for otherwise
you cannot see him." Then she earnestly said, " I am that
youth's mother." Then said Peter, "What is his name?"
And she said, " Clement." Then Peter said, " It is the
same, and he it was that spoke to me a little while ago, whom
I ordered to wait for me in the boat. And she, falHng at
Peter's feet, entreated him to make haste to come to the boat."
Then Peter, " If you will keep terms with me, I shall do so."
Then she said, "I will do anything; only show me my only
child. For I shall seem to see in him my two children who

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 203

died here." Then Peter said, " When ye see him, be quiet,
until we depart from the island." And she said, " I will."

Chap. xxii. — The lost found.

Peter, therefore, took her by the hand, and led her to the
boat. But I, when I saw him leading the woman by the hand,
laughed, and approaching, offered to lead her instead of him,
to his honour. But as soon as I touched her hand, she gave
a motherly shout, and embraced me violently, and eagerly
kissed me as her son. But I, being ignorant of the whole
affair, shook her off as a madwoman. But, through my
respect for Peter, I checked myself.

Chap, xxiii. — Reward of Iwspitality.

But Peter said, " Alas ! What are you doing, my son
Clement, shaking off your real mother ? " But I, when I
heard this, w^ept, and falling down by my mother, who had
fallen, I kissed her. For as soon as this was told me, I in
some way recalled her appearance indistinctly. Then great
crowds ran together to see the beggar woman, telling one
another that her son had recognised her, and that he was a
man of consideration. Then, when we would have straight-
way left the island with my mother, she said to us, " My
much longed-for son, it is right that I should bid farewell to
the woman who entertained me, who, being poor and wholly
debilitated, lies in the house." And Peter hearing this, and
all the multitude who stood by, admired the good disposition
of the woman. And immediately Peter ordered some persons
to go and bring the woman on her couch. And as soon as
the couch was brought and set down, Peter said, in the hear-
ing of the w^hole multitude, " If I be a herald of the truth, in
order to the faith of the bystanders, that they may know that
there is one God, who made the world, let her straightway
rise whole." And while Peter was still speaking, the woman
arose healed, and fell down before Peter, and kissed her dear
associate, and asked her what it all meant. Then she briefly
detailed to her the whole business of the recognition, to the
astonishment of the hearers. Then also my mother, seeing

204 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

her hostess cured, entreated that she herself also might
obtain healing. And his placing his hand upon her, cured
her also.

Chap. xxiv. — All well arranged.

And then Peter havinsj discoursed concerninfj God and
the service accorded to Him, he concluded as follows : '• If
any one "svishes to learn these things accurately, let him come
to Antioch, where I have resolved to remain some length of
time, and learn the things that pertain to his salvation. For
if you are familiar with leaving your country for the sake of
trading or of warfare, and coming to far-off places, you
should not be unwillincr to fjo three davs' iournev for the
sake of eternal salvation." Then, after the address of Peter,
I presented the woman who had been healed, in the presence
of all the multitude, with a thousand drachmas, for her sup-
port, giving her in charge to a certain good man, who was
the chief man of the city, and who of his own accord joy-
fully undertook the charge. Further, having distributed
money amongst many other women, and thanked those who
at any time had comforted my mother, 1 sailed away to
Antaradus, along with my mother, and Peter, and the rest
of our companions ; and thus we proceeded to our lodging.

Chap. xxv. — Philanthropy and friendship.

And when we were arrived and had partaken of food, and
given thanks according to our custom, there being still time,
I said to Peter : " My lord Peter, my mother has done a
work of philanthropy in remembering the woman her hostess."
And Peter answered, " Have you indeed, O Clement, thought
truly that your mother did a work of philanthropy in respect
of her treatment of the woman who took her in after her
shipwreck, or have you spoken this word by way of greatly
complimenting your mother? But if you spoke truly, and
not by way of compliment, you seem to me not to know
what the greatness of philanthropy is, which is affection
towards any one whatever in respect of his being a man,
apart from physical persuasion. But not even do I venture

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 205

to call the hostess who received your mother after her ship-
wreck, philanthropic ; for she was impelled by pity, and
persuaded to become the benefactress of a woman who had
been shipwrecked, who was grieving for her children, — a
stranger, naked, destitute, and greatly deploring her misfor-
tunes. When, therefore, she was in such circumstances, who
that saw her, though he were impious, could but pity her?
So that it does not seem to me that even the stranger-receiv-
ing woman did a work of philanthropy, but to have been
moved to assist her by pity for her innumerable misfortunes.
And how much more is it true of your mother, that when
she was in prosperous circumstances and requited her hostess,
she did a deed, not of philanthropy, but of friendship ! for
there is much difference between friendship and philanthropy,
because friendship springs from requital. But philanthropy,
apart from physical persuasion, loves and benefits every man
as he is a man. If, therefore, while she pitied her hostess,
she also pitied and did good to her enemies who have wronged
her, she would be philanthropic ; but if, on one account she
is friendly or hostile, and on another account is hostile or
friendly, such an one is the friend or enemy of some quality,
not of man as man."

Chap. xxvi. — What is pldlanthropy ?

Then I answered, " Do you not think, then, that even the
stranger - receiver was philanthropic, who did good to a
stranger whom she did not know?" Then Peter said, '^Com-
passionate, indeed, I can call her, but I dare not call her
philanthropic, just as I cannot call a mother philoteknic, for
she is prevailed on to have an affection for them by her
pangs, and by her rearing of them. As the lover also is grati-
fied by the company and enjoyment of his mistress, and the
friend by return of friendship, so also the compassionate man
by misfortune. However the compassionate man is near to the
philanthropic, in that he is impelled, apart from hunting after
the receipt of anything, to do the kindness. But he is not yet
philanthropic." Then I said, " By what deeds, then, can any
one be philanthropic ? " And Peter answered, " Since I see

206 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that you are eager to hear -vvhat is the work of philanthropy,
I shall not object to telling you. He is the philanthropic
man who does good even to his enemies. And that it is so,
listen : Philanthropy is masculo-feminine ; and the feminine
part of it is called compassion^ and the male part is named
love to our neighbour. But every man is neighbour to every
man, and not merely this man or that ; for the good and the
bad, the friend and the enemy, are alike men. It behoves,
therefore, him who practises philanthropy to be an imitator of
God, doing good to the righteous and the unrighteous, as
God Himself vouchsafes His sun and His heavens to all in
the present world. But if you will do good to the good, but not
to the e^^l, or even will punish them, you undertake to do the
work of a judge, you do not strive to hold by philanthropy.'*-

Chap, xxyii. — Wlw can judge ?

Then I said, '^ Then even God, who, as you teach us, is at
some time to judge, is not philanthropic." Then said Peter,
" You assert a contradiction ; for because He shall judge, on
that very account He is philanthropic. For he who loves
and compassionates those who have been wronged, avenges
those who have wronged them." Then I said, " If, then, I also
do good to the good, and punish the wrong-doers in respect
of their injuring men, am I not philanthropic ?" And Peter
answered, "If along with knowledge^ you had also authority to
judge, you would do this rightly on account of your having
received authority to judge those whom God made, and on
account of your knowledge infallibly justifying some as the
rifrhteous, and condemninrr some as unricfhteous." Then I
said, " You have spoken rightly and truly ; for it is impossible
for any one who has not knowledge to judge rightly. For
sometimes some persons seem good, though they perpetrate
wickedness in secret, and some good persons are conceived
to be bad throuf^h the accusation of their enemies. But even

o

^ The vrord repeatedly rendered knowledge and once omniscience in
this passage, properly signifies foreknowledge. The argument shows
clearly that it means omniscience, of which foreknowledge is the most
signal manifestation.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 207

if one judges, having the power of torturing and examining,
not even so should he altogether judge righteously. For
some persons, being murderers, have sustained the tortures,
and have come off as innocent ; while others, being innocent,
have not been able to sustain the tortures, but have confessed
falsely against themselves, and have been punished as guilty.'*

Chap. XXVIII. — Difficulty of judging.

Then said Peter, " These things are ordinary : now hear
what is greater. Ther3 are some men whose sins or good
deeds are partly their own, and partly those of others ; but
it is right that each one be punished for his own sins, and
rewarded for his own merits. But it is impossible for any
one except a prophet, who alone has omniscience, to know
with respect to the things that are done by any one, which
are his own, and which are not ; for all are seen as done by
him." Then I said, "I would learn how some of men's
wrong-doings or right-doings are their own, and some belong
to others."

Chap. xxix. — Sufferings of the good.

Then Peter answered, " The prophet of the truth has
said, ' Good things must needs come, and blessed, said he, is
he by whom they come ; in like manner evil things must
needs come, but woe to him through whom they come.'^
But if evil things come by means of evil men, and good things
are brought by good men, it must needs be in each man as
his own to be either good or bad, and proceeding from what
he has proposed, in order to the coming of the subsequent good
or evil,^ which, being of his own choice, are not arranged by
the providence of God to come from him. This being so, this
is the judgment of God, that he who, as by a combat, comes
through all misfortune and is found blameless, he is deemed
worthy of eternal life ; for those who by their own will con-
tinue in goodness, are tempted by those who continue in evil
by their own will, being persecuted, hated, slandered, plotted

^ An incorrect quotation from Matt, xviii., Luke xvii.
2 This from a various reading.

208 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

against, struck, cheated, accused, tortured, disgraced, — suffer-
ing all these things by which it seems reasonable that they
should be enraged and stirred up to vengeance.

Chap. xxx. — Offences must come.

"But the Master knowing that those who wrongfully do
these things are guilty by means of their former sins, and
that the spirit of wickedness works these things by means of
the guilty, has counselled to compassionate men, as they are
men, and as being the instruments of wickedness through
sin ; [and this counsel] He has given to His disciples as claim-
ing philanthropy, and, as much as in us lies, to absolve the
wrong-doers from condemnation, that, as it were, the .tem-
perate may help the drunken, by prayers, fastings, and bene-
dictions, not resisting, not avenging, lest they should compel
them to sin more. For when a person is condemned by any
one to suffer, it is not reasonable for him to be angry with
him by whose means the suffering comes ; for he ought to
reason, that if he had not ill-used him, yet because he was to
be ill-used, he must have suffered it by means of another.
Why, then, should I be angry with the dispenser, when I was
condemned at all events to suffer? But yet, further: if we
do these same things to the evil on pretence of revenge, we
who are good do the very things which the evil do, except-
ing that they do them first, and we second ; and, as I said, we
ought not to be angry, as knowing that in the providence of
God, the evil punish the good. Those, therefore, who are
bitter against their punishers, sin, as disdaining the messen-
gers of God ; but those who honour them, and set them-
selves in opposition to those who think to injure them,^ are
pious towards God who has thus decreed."

CiiAP. XXXI. — " Howheit, they meant it nct!^

To this I answered, ^' Those, therefore, who do wrong are

not guilty, because they wrong the just by the judgment of

God." Then Peter said, " They indeed sin greatly, for

they have given themselves to sin. Wherefore knowing this,

^ That is, I suppose, who render good for evil.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 209

[God] chooses from among tliem [some] to punish those who
righteously repented of their former sins, that the evil things
done by the just before their repentance may be remitted
through this punishment. But to the wicked who punish
and desire to ill-use them, and will not repent, it is permitted
to ill-use the righteous for the filling up of their own punish-
ment. For without the will of God, not even a sparrow can
fall into a girn.^ Thus even the hairs of the righteous are
numbered by God.

Chap, xxxii. — The golden rule,

" But he is rio;hteous who for the sake of what is reasonable
fights with nature. For example, it is natural to all to love
those who love them. But the righteous man tries also to
love his enemies and to bless those who slander him, and even
to pray for his enemies, and to compassionate those who do
him wrong. Wherefore also he refrains from doing wrong,
and blesses those who curse him, pardons those who strike
him, and submits to those who persecute him, and salutes
those w^ho do not salute him, shares such things as he has
with those who have not, persuades him that is angry with
him, conciliates his enemy, exhorts the disobedient, instructs
the unbelieving, comforts the mourner ; being distressed, he
endures ; being ungratefully treated, he is not angry. But
having devoted himself to love his neighbour as himself, he
is not afraid of poverty, but becomes poor by sharing his
possessions with those who have none. But neither does he
punish the sinner. For he who loves his neighbour as him-
self, as he knows that when he has sinned he does not wish
to be punished, so neither does he punish those wdio sin.
And as he washes to be praised, and blessed, and honoured,
and to have all his sins forgiven, thus he does to his neigh-
bour, loving him as himself.^ In one word, what he wishes
for himself, he wishes also for his neighbour. For this is the
law of God and of the prophets f this is the doctrine of truth.
And this perfect love towards every man is the male part of
philanthropy, but the female part of it is compassion ; that

1 See Luke xii. 6, 7. 2 ;^Xatt. xxii. 39. » Matt. vii. 12.

O

210 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is, to feed the hungry/ to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe
the naked, to visit the sick, to take in the stranger, to show
herself to, and help to the utmost of her power, him who is in
prison, and, in short, to have compassion on him who is in
misfortune."

Chap, xxxiii. — Fear and love.

But I, hearing this, said : " These things, indeed, it is im-
possible to do ; but to do good to enemies, bearing all their
insolences, I do not think can possibly be in human nature."
Then Peter answered: "You have said truly; for philan-
thropy, being the cause of immortality, is given for much."
Then I said, " How then is it possible to get it in the mind V
Then Peter answered : " O beloved Clement, the way to get
it is this : if any one be persuaded that enemies, ill-using
for a time those whom they hate, become the cause to them
of deliverances from eternal punishment ; and forthwith he
will ardently love them as benefactors. But the way to get
it, O dear Clement, is but one, which is the fear of God.
For he who fears God cannot indeed from the first love his
neighbour as himself ; for such an order does not occur to
the soul. But by the fear of God he is able to do the things
of those who love ; and thus, while he does the deeds of love,
the bride Love is, as it were, brought to the bridegroom Fear,
And thus this bride, bringing forth philanthropic thoughts,
makes her possessor immortal, as an accurate image of God,
which cannot be subject in its nature to corruption." Thus
while he expounded to us the doctrine of philanthropy, the
evening having set in, we turned to sleep.

1 Matt. XXV. 35, 36.

HOMILY XIII.

Chap. i. — Journey to Laodicea,

OW at break of clay Peter entered, and said :
" Clement, and his mother Mattidia, and my
wife, must take their seats immediately on the
waggon." And so they did straightway. And
as we were hastening along the road to Balanaeas, my mother
asked me how my father was ; and I said : " My father
went in search of you, and of my twin brothers Faustinus
and Faustinianus, and is now nowhere to be found. But I
fancy he must have died long ago, either perishing by ship-
wreck, or losing his way,^ or wasted away by grief." When
she heard this, she burst into tears, and groaned through
grief ; but the joy which she felt at finding me, mitigated
in some degree the painfulness of her recollections. And so
we all went down together to Balansese. And on the follow-
ing day we went to Paltus, and from that to Gabala ; and
on the next day we reached Laodicea. And, lo ! before the
gates of the city Nicetas and Aquila met us, and embracing
us, brought us to our lodging. Now Peter, seeing that the
city was beautiful and great, said : " It is worth our while to
stay here for some days ; for, generally speaking, a populous
place is most capable of yielding us those whom w^e seek." ^
Nicetas and Aquila asked me who that strange woman was ;
and I said : " My mother, whom God, through my lord
Peter, has granted me to recognise."

^ Cotelerius conjectured Gipuykurcc for aCpxT^surct — "being slain on
our journey."

2 The first Epitome explains "those whom we seek" as those who
are worthy to share in Christ or in Christ's gospel.

211

212 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. ii. — Peter relates to Nicetas and Aquila the Idstory
of Clement and liis family.

On my saying this, Peter gave them a summary account
of all the incidents, — how, when they had gone on before, I
Clement had explained to him my descent, the journey
undertaken by my mother with her twin children on the
false pretext of the dream ; and furthermore, the journey
undertaken by my father in search of her ; and then how
Peter himself, after hearing this, went into the island, met
with the woman, saw her begging, and asked the reason of
her so doincr; and then ascertained who she was, and her mode
of life, and the feicjned dream, and the names of her children
— that is, the name borne by me, who was left with my father,
and the names of the twin children who travelled along with
her, and who, she supposed, had perished in the deep.

Chap. hi. — Recognition of Nicetas and Aquila.

Now when this summary narrative had been given by
Peter, Nicetas and Aquila in amazement said : " Is this
indeed true, O Kuler and Lord of the universe, or is it a
dream?" And Peter said: ^'Unless we are asleep, it cer-
tainly is true." On this they waited for a little in deep
meditation, and then said : '^ We are Faustinus and Faus-
tinianus. From the commencement of your conversation
we looked at each other, and conjectured much with regard
to ourselves, whether what was said had reference to us or
not ; for we reflected that many coincidences take place in
life. Wherefore we remained silent while our hearts beat
fast. But when you came to the end of your narrative, we
saw clearly^ that your statements referred to us, and then
we avowed wdio we were." And on saying this, bathed in
tears, they rushed in to see their mother ; and although they
found her asleep, they were yet anxious to embrace her.
But Peter forbade them, saying : " Let me bring you and
present you to your mother, lest she should, in consequence

^ The text is somewhat doubtful. "We have given the meaning con-
tained in the first Epitome.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 213

of her great and sudden joy, lose her reason, as she is slum-
bering, and her spirit is held fast by sleep."

Chap. iv. — The mother must not tahe food with her son.
The reason stated.

As soon as my mother had enough of sleep, she awoke,
and Peter at once began first to talk to her of [true] piety,
saying : " I wish you to know, O woman, the course of life
involved in our religion.^ AVe worship one God, who made
the world which you see ; and we keep His law, which has
for its chief injunctions to worship Him alone, and to hallow
His name, and to honour our parents, and to be chaste, and
to live piously. In addition to this, we do not live with all
indiscriminately ; nor do we take our food from the same
table as Gentiles, inasmuch as we cannot eat aloncj with
them, because they live impurely. But when we have per-
suaded them to have true thoughts, and to follow a right
course of action, and have baptized them with a thrice
blessed invocation, then we dwell with them. For not even
if it were our father, or mother, or wife, or child, or brother,
or any other one having a claim by nature on our affection,
can we venture to take our meals with him ; for our religion
compels us to make a distinction. Do not, therefore, regard
it as an insult if your son does not take his food along with
you, until you come to have the same opinions and adopt the
same course of conduct as he follows."

Chap. y. — Mattidia wishes to he baptized.

When she heard this, she said : ^' What, then, prevents me
from being baptized this day ? for before I saw you I turned
away from the so-called gods, induced by the thought that,
though I sacrificed much to them almost every day, they did
not aid me in my necessities. And with regard to adultery,
what need I say ? for not even when I was rich was I be-
trayed into this sin by luxury, and the poverty which suc-
ceeded has been unable to force me into it, since I cling to

214 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

my chastity as constituting the greatest beauty/ on account
of which I fell into so great distress. But I do not at all
imagine that you, my lord Peter, are ignorant that the
greatest temptation^ arises when everything looks bright.
And therefore, if I was chaste in my prosperity, I do not in
my despondency give myself up to pleasures. Yea, indeed,
you are not to suppose that my soul has now been freed from
distress, although it has received some measure of consolation
by the recognition of Clement. For the gloom which I feel
in consequence of the loss of my two children rushes in upon
me, and throws its shadow to some extent over my joy ; for
I am grieved, not so much because they perished in the sea,
but because they were destroyed, both soul and body, with-
out possessing true^ piety towards God. Moreover, my
husband, their father, as I have learned from Clement, went
away in search of me and his sons, and for so many years
has not been heard of ; and, without doubt, he must have
died. For the miserable man, loving me as he did in chas-
tity, was fond of his children ; and therefore the old man,
deprived of all of us who were dear to him above everything
else, died utterly broken-hearted."

Chap. yi. — The sons reveal themselves to the mother.

The sons, on hearing their mother thus speak, could no
lonfrer, in obedience to the exhortation of Peter, restrain
themselves, but rising up, they clasped her in their arms,
showering down upon her tears and kisses. But she said :
"What is the meanincr of this?" And Peter answered:
" Courageously summon up your spirits, O woman, that you
may enjoy your children; for these are Faustinus and Faus-
tinianus, your sons, who, you said, had perished in the deep.
For how they are alive, after they had in your opinion died

^ One lis. and the first Epitome read, "as being the greatest bless-
ing."

2 Lit., " desire."

^ The Greek has, " apart from divine piety towards God." As
Wieseler remarks, the epithet "divine" is corrupt. The meaning may
be, " without having known the proper mode of worshipping God."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 215

on that most disastrous niglit, and how one of them now
bears the name of Nicetas, and the other that of Aquila,
they will themselves be able to tell you ; for we, as well as
you, have yet to learn this." When Peter thus spoke, my
mother fainted away through her excessive joy, and was like
to die. But when we had revived her she sat up, and
coming to herself, she said : '' Be so good, my darling chil-
dren, as tell us what happened to you after that disastrous
night."

Chap. vii. — Nicetas tells what befell Mm,

And Nicetas, who in future is to be called Faustinus,
began to speak, " On that very night when, as you know,
the ship went to pieces, we were taken up by some men, who
did not fear to follow the profession of robbers on the deep.
They placed us in a boat, and brought us along the coast,
sometimes rowing and sometimes sending for provisions, and
at length took us to Csesarea Stratonis,-"- and there tormented
us by hunger, fear, and blows, that we might not reck-
lessly disclose anything which they did not wish us to tell ;
and, moreover, changing our names, they succeeded in sell-
ing us. Now the woman who bought us was a proselyte of
the Jews, an altogether worthy person, of the name of Justa.
She adopted us as her own children, and zealously brought
us up in all the learning of the Greeks. But we, becoming
discreet with our years, were strongly attached to her religion,
and we paid good heed to our culture, in order that, disputing
with the other nations, we might be able to convince them
of their error. We also made an accurate study of the doc-
trines of the philosophers, especially the most atheistic, — I

^ This clause, literally translated, is, "and sometimes impelling it with
oars, they brought us along the land ; and sometimes sending for pro-
visions, they conveyed us to Caesarea Stratonis." The Latin translator
renders "to land," not "along the land." The passage assumes a dif-
ferent form in the Eecognitions, the first Epitome, and the second Epi-
tome ; and there is, no doubt, some corruption in the text. The text has
'hccKpuQi/Toig^ which makes no sense. We have adopted the rendering
given in the Recognitions. Various attempts have been made to amend
the word.

216 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

mean those of Epicurus and Pyrrho, — in order that we might
be the better able to refute them.

Chap. viii. — Nicetas like to be deceived hy Simon Magus.

*' We were brought up along with one Simon, a magician ;
and in consequence of our friendly intercourse with him, we
were in danger of being led astray. Now there is a report
in regard to some man, that, when he appears, the mass of
those who have been pious are to live free from death and
pain in his kingdom. This matter, however, mother, will
be explained more fully at the proper time. But when we
were going to be led astray by Simon, a friend of our lord
Peter, by name Zacchgeus, came to us and warned us not to
be led astray by the magician ; and when Peter came, he
broufTht us to him that he mi^ht (Ave, us full information,
and convince us in regard to those matters that related to
piety. Wherefore we beseech you, mother, to partake of
those blessings which have been vouchsafed to us, that we
may unite around the same table ! •'• This, then, is the reason,
mother, why you thought we were dead. On that disastrous
niglit we had been taken up in the sea by pirates, but you
supposed that we had perished."

Chap. ix. — The mother legs haptism for herself and

her hostess.

"When Faustinus had said this, our mother fell down at
Peter's feet, begging and entreating him to send for her and
her hostess, and baptize them immediately, in order that,
says she, not a single day may pass after the recovery of my
children, without my taking food with them. When we
united with our mother in making the same request, Peter
said : " What can you imagine ? Am I alone heartless, so
as not to wish that you should take your meals with your
mother, baptizing her this very day? But yet it is incum-
bent on her to fast one day before she be baptized. And it
is only one day, because, in her simplicity, she said some-
thinrr in her own behalf, which I looked on as a sufficient

^ Lit., " that we may be able to partake of common salt and table."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 217

indication of her faith ; otherwise, her purification must have
lasted many days."

Chap. x. — Mattidia values baptism aright.

And I said : " Tell us what it was that she said which
made her faith manifest." And Peter said : " Her request
that her hostess and benefactress should be baptized along
with her. For she would not have besought this to be
granted to her whom she loves, had she not herself first felt
that baptism was a great gift. And for this reason I con-
demn many that, after being baptized, and asserting that they
have faith, they yet do nothing worthy of faith ; nor do they
urge those whom they love — I mean their wives, or sons, or
friends — to be baptized.^ For if they had believed that God
grants eternal life with good works on the acceptance of
baptism,^ they without delay would urge those whom they
loved to be baptized. But some one of you will say, ' They
do love them, and care for them.' That is nonsense. For
do they not, most assuredly, when they see them sick, or led
away along the road that ends in death, or enduring any
other trial, lament over them and pity them ? So, if they
believed that eternal fire awaits those who worship not God,
they would not cease admonishing them, or being in deep
distress for them as unbelievers, if they saw them disobedient,
being fully assured that punishment awaits them. But now
I shall send for the hostess, and question her as to whether
she deliberately accepts the law which is proclaimed through
us ;^ and so, according to her state of mind, shall we do what
ought to be done.

Chap. xi. — Mattidia has unintentionally fasted one day.

^' But since your mother has real confidence in the efficacy
of baptism,^ let her fast at least one day before her baptism."

1 Lit., " to this."

2 l^< ru ^ccTtTlay.cxnri ; lit., " on the condition of baptism."

2 Lit., "the law which, is by means of us." But the Epitomes, and a
various reading in Cotelerius, give " our law."

* Lit., " since your mother is faithfully disposed in regard to baptism."

218 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

But she swore : " During the two past clays, while I related to
the wonian ^ all the events connected with the recop-nition, I
could not, in consequence of my excessive joy, partake of food ;
only yesterday I took a little water." Peter's wife bore testi-
mony to her statement with an oath, saying : " In truth she
did not taste anything." And Aquila, who must rather be
called Faustinianus^ in future, said : ^' There is nothinor, there-
fore, to prevent her being baptized." And Peter, smiling,
replied : " But that is not a baptismal fast which has not taken
place on account of the baptism itself." And Faustinus
answered : ^' Perhaps God, not wishing to separate our mother
a single day after our recognition from our table, has arranged
beforehand the fast. For as she was chaste in the times of
her ignorance, doing what the true religion inculcated,^ so
even now perhaps God has arranged that she should fast one
day before for the sake of the true baptism, that, from the
first day of her recognising us, she might take her meals
along with us."

Chap. XII. — The difficulty solved.

And Peter said : '^ Let not wickedness have dominion over
us, finding a pretext in Providence and your affection for
your mother ; but rather abide this day in your fast, and I
shall join you in it, and to-morrow she will be baptized. And,
besides, this hour of the day is not suitable for baptism."
Then we all ao^reed that it should be so.

Chap. xiii. — Peter on chastity.

That same evening we all enjoyed the benefit of Peter's
instruction. Taking occasion by what had happened to our
mother, he showed us how the results of chastity are good,
while those of adultery are disastrous, and naturally bring
destruction on the whole race, if not speedily, at all events
slowly. '' And to such an extent," he says, " do deeds of

^ The second Epitome makes her the wife of Peter : a various reading
mentions also her hostess.

2 Dressel strangely prefers the reading " Faustinus."
^ Lit., " doing what was becoming to the truth."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 219

chastity please God, that in this life He bestows some small
favour on account of it, even on those who are in error ; for
salvation in the other world is granted only to those who have
been baptized on account of their trust "^ in Him, and who
act chastely and righteously. This ye yourselves have seen
in the case of your mother, that the results of chastity are in
the end good. For perhaps she would have been cut off if
she had committed adultery ; but God took pity on her for
having behaved chastely, rescued her from the death that
threatened her, and restored to her her lost children.

Chap. xiv. — Peter^s speech continued,

" But some one will say, ^ How many have perished on
account of chastity ? ' Yes ; but it was because they did not
perceive the danger. For the woman who perceives that she is
in love with any one, or is beloved by any one, should imme-
diately shun all association with him as she would shun a blaz-
ing fire or a mad dog. And this is exactly what your mother
did, for she really loved chastity as a blessing : wherefore she
was preserved, and, along with you, obtained the full know-
ledo;e of the everlastinc^ kino;dom. The woman who wishes
to be chaste, ought to know that she is envied by wickedness,
and that because of love many lie in wait for her. If, then,
she remain holy through a stedfast persistence in chastity,
she w'ill gain the victory over all temptations, and be saved ;
whereas, even if she were to do all that is right, and yet
should once commit the sin of adultery, she must be punished^
as said the prophet.

Chap. xv. — Peter s speech continued.

" The chaste wife, doing the will of God, is a good remi-
niscence of His first creation ; for God, being one, created
one woman for one man. She is also still more chaste if she
does not forget her own creation, and has future punishment
before her eyes, and is not ignorant of the loss of eternal
blessings. The chaste woman takes pleasure in those who
wish to be saved, and is a pious example to the pious, for she

iLit., "hope."

220 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is the model of a good life. She who wishes to be chaste,
cuts off all occasions for slander ; but if she be slandered as
by an enemy, though affording him no pretext, she is blessed
and avenged by God. The chaste woman longs for God,
loves God, pleases God, glorifies God ; and to men she
affords no occasion for slander. The chaste woman perfumes
the church with her good reputation, and glorifies it by her
piety. She is, moreover, the praise of her teachers, and a
helper to them in their chastity.-^

Chap. xvi. — Peter s speech continued,

" The chaste woman is adorned with the Son of God as
with a bridegroom. She is clothed with holy light. Her
beauty lies in a well-regulated soul ; and she is fragrant with
ointment, even with a good reputation. She is arrayed in
beautiful vesture, even in modesty. She wears about her
precious pearls, even chaste words. And she is radiant, for^
her mind has been brilliantly lighted up. Into a beautiful
mirror does she look, for she looks into God. Beautiful
cosmetics^ does she use, namely, the fear of God, with which
she admonishes her soul. Beautiful is the woman, not be-
cause she has chains of gold on her,* but because she has
been set free from transient lusts. The chaste woman is
greatly desired by the great King ;^ she has been wooed,
watched, and loved by Him. The chaste woman does not
furnish occasions for being desired, except by her own hus-
band. The chaste woman is grieved when she is desired by
another. The chaste woman loves her husband from the
heart, embraces, soothes, and pleases him, acts the slave to
him, and is obedient to him in all things, except when she
would be disobedient to God. For she who obeys God is

^ The Greek is uvrolg ca^Ppouovai. The Latin translator and Lehmann
(^Die Clementinischen Schri/tev, Gotha 1869) render, "to those who are
chaste, i.e. love or practise chastity," as if the reading were to7;
ac>i(^povov(Ji.

2 Lit., " when." '

" KoatAu — properly ornaments ; but here a peculiar meaning is evidently
required.

* Lit., " as being chained with gold." ^ Ps. xlv. IL

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 221

without the aid of watchmen chaste in soul and pure in
body.

Chap. xvii. — Peter s speech continued,

'■'• Foolish, therefore, is every husband who separates his wife
from the fear of God ; for she who does not fear God is not
afraid of her husband. If she fear not God, who sees what
is invisible, how will she be chaste in her unseen choice ? ^
And how will she be chaste, who does not come to the
assemblv to hear chaste- makinoj words? And how could she
obtain admonition? And how will she be chaste W'ithout
watchmen, if she be not informed in regard to the coming
judgment of God, and if she be not fully assured that eternal
punishment is the penalty for the slight pleasure ? Where-
fore, on the other hand, compel her even against her will
always to come to hear the chaste-making word, yea, coax
her to do so.

Chap, xviii. — Peter'' s speech continued,

^' Much better is it if you will take her by the hand and
come, in order that you yourself may become chaste ; for you
will desire to become chaste, that you may experience the
full fruition of a holy marriage, and you will not scruple, if
you desire it, to become a father,^ to love your own children,
and to be loved by your own children. He who wishes to
have a chaste wife is also himself chaste, gives her what is
due to a wife, takes his meals with her, keeps company with
her, goes with her to the word that makes chaste, does not
grieve her, does not rashly quarrel with her, does not make
himself hateful to her, furnishes her with all the good things
he can, and when he has them not, he makes up the deficiency

^ " In her unseen choice " means, in what course of conduct she really
prefers in her heart. This reading occurs in one MS, ; in the other MS.
it is corrupt. Schwegler amended it into, " How shall she be chaste
towards him who does not see [what is invisible] ? " and the emendation
is adopted by Dressel.

^ There seems to be some corruption in this clause. Literally it is,
" and you will not scruple, if you love, I mean, to become a father."

222 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

by caresses. The chaste wife does not expect to be caressed,
recognises her husband as her lord, bears his poverty when
he is poor, is hungry with him when he is hungry, travels
with him when he travels, consoles him when he is grieved,
and if she have a large -^ dowry, is subject to him as if she
had nothing at all. But if the husband have a poor W'ife,
let him reckon her chastity a great dowry. The chaste wife
is temperate in her eating and drinking, in order that the
weariness of the body, thus pampered, may not drag the soul
down to unlawful desires. Moreover, she never assuredly
remains alone with young men, and she suspects^ the old;
she turns away from disorderly laughter, gives herself up to
God alone ; she is not led astray ; she delights in listening to
holy words, but turns away from those which are not spoken
to produce chastity.

Chap. xix. — Peter s speech ended.

" God is my w^itness : one adultery is as bad as many
murders ; and what is terrible in it is this, that the fearf ul-
ness and impiety of its murders are not seen. For, when
blood is shed, the dead body remains lying, and all are struck
by the terrible nature of the occurrence. But the murders
of the soul caused by adultery, though they are more fright-
ful, yet, since they are not seen by men, do not make the
daring a whit less eager in their impulse. Know, O man,
whose breath it is that thou hast to keep thee in life, and
thou shalt not wish that it be polluted. By adultery alone
is the breath of God polluted. And therefore it drags him
•who has polluted it into the fire ; for it hastens to deliver up
hs insulter to everlasting punishment."

Chap. xx. — Feter addresses Mattidia.

While Peter was saying this, he saw the good and chaste
Mattidia w^eeping for joy ; but thinking that she was grieved
at having suffered so much in past times, he said : "" Take

^ Lit., " larger" [than usual].

^ {fTTOTTiVii. The Latin translator and Lehmann render " respects "
or " reveres."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 223

courage, O woman ; for while many have suffered many
evils on account of adultery, you have suffered on account
of chastity, and therefore you did not die. But if you had
died, your soul would have been saved. You left your
native city of Eome on account of chastity, but through it
you found the truth, the diadem of the eternal kingdom.
You underwent danger in the deep, but you did not die ;
and even if you had died, the deep itself would have proved
to you, dying on account of chastity, a baptism for the salva-
tion of your souL Yoa were deprived of your children for
a Httle ; but these, the true offspring of your husband, have
been found in better circumstances. When starving, you
begged for food, but you did not defile your body by forni-
cation. You exposed your body to torture, but you saved
your soul; you fled from the adulterer, that you might
not defile the couch of your husband : but, on account of
your chastity, God, who knows your flight, will fill up the
place of your husband. Grieved and left desolate, you were
for a short time deprived of husband and children, but all
these you must have been deprived of, some time or other,
by death, the preordained lot of man. But better is it that
you were willingly deprived of them on account of chastity,
than that you should have perished unwillingly after a time,
simply on account of sins.

Chap. xxi. — The same subject continued.

"Much better is it, then, that your first circumstances
should be distressing. For when this is the case, they do
not so deeply grieve you, because you hope that they will
pass away, and they yield joy through the expectation of
better circumstances. But, above all, I wish you to know
how much chastity is pleasing to God. The chaste woman
is God's choice, God's good pleasure, God's glory, God's
child. So great a blessing is chastity,^ that if there had not
been a law that not even a righteous person should enter
into the kingdom of God unbaptized, perhaps even the erring
Gentiles might have been saved solely on account of chastity.
Therefore I am exceedingly sorry for those erring ones
who are chaste because they shrink from baptism — thus
choosing" to be chaste without good hope. Wherefore they
are not saved ; for the decree of God is clearly set down,
that an unbaptized person cannot enter into His kingdom."
When he said this, and much more, we turned to sleep.

HOMILY XIV.

Chap. i. — Mattidia is baptized in the sea,

ITCH earlier than usual Peter awoke, and came to
us, and awaking us, said: "Let Faustinas and
Faustinianus, along with Clement and the house-
hold, accompany me, that we may go to some
sheltered spot by the sea, and there be able to baptize her
without attracting observation." Accordingly, when we had
come to the sea-shore, he baptized her between some rocks,
which supplied a place at once free from wind and dust.^
But we brothers, along with our brother and some others,
retired because of the women and bathed, and coming again
to the women, we took them along with us, and thus we
went to a secret place and prayed. Then Peter, on account
of the multitude, sent the women on before, ordering them
to go to their lodging by another way, and he permitted us
alone of the men to accompany our mother and the rest of
the women.^ We went then to our lodging, and while
waiting for Peter's arrival, we conversed with each other.
Peter came several hours after, and breaking the bread for
the eucharist,^ and putting salt upon it, he gave it first to
our mother, and, after her, to us her sons. And thus we
took food along with her, and blessed God.

^ Lit., " tranquil and clean."

2 "We have adopted an emendation of Schwegler's. The MSS. read
cither "these" or " the same" for " the rest of."

^ The words " for the eucharist" might be translated " after thanks-
giving." But it is much the same which, for the eucharist is plainly-
meant. The Epitomes have it : " taking the bread, giving thanks,
blessing, and consecrating it, he gave it ; " but no mention is made of
salt.

226 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. ii. — The reason of Peter^s lateness.

Then, at length, Peter seeing that the multitude had
entered, sat down, and bidding us sit down beside him, he
related first of all why he had sent us on before him after
the baptism, and why he himself had been late in returning.
He said that the following was the reason : " At the time
that you came up," ^ he says, " an old man, a workman,
entered along wath you, concealing himself out of curiosity.
He had watched us before, as he himself afterwards confessed,
in order to see what we were doing when we entered into the
sheltered place, and then he came out secretly and followed
us. And coming up to me at a convenient place, and address-
ing me, he said, ' For a long time 1 have been following you
and wishing to talk with you, but I was afraid that you might
be angry with me, as if I were instigated by curiosity ; but
now I shall tell you, if you please, what I think is the truth.'
And I replied, * Tell us what you think is good, and we shall
approve your conduct, even should what you say not be really
good, since w^ith a good purpose you have been anxious to
state what you deem to be good.'

Chap. hi. — The old man does not believe in God or Provi-
dence.

" The old man began to speak as follows : ^ When I saw
you after you had bathed in the sea retire into the secret
place, I went up and secretly watched what might be your
object in entering into a secret place, and when I saw you
pray, I retired;^ but taking pity on you, I waited that I
might speak with you when you came out, and prevail on
you not to be led astray. For there is neither God nor pro-
vidence ; but all things are subject to Genesis.^ Of this I
am fully assured in consequence of what I have myself

^ "We have adopted an emendation of "WieselerV. The text has, "at

the time that you went away."

2 TVieseler thinks that the reading should be : "I did not retire."
^ Genesis is destiny determined by the stars which rule at each man's

birth.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 227

endured, having for a long time made a careful study of the
science.^ Do not therefore be deceived, my child. For
whether you pray or not, you must endure what is assigned
to you by Genesis. For if prayers could have done anything
or any good, I myself should now be in better circumstances.
And now, unless my needy garments mislead you, you will
not refuse to believe what I say. I was once in affluent
circumstances ; I sacrificed much to the gods, I gave liberally
to the needy ; and yet, though I prayed and acted piously, I
was not able to escape my destiny.' And I said : ^ What
are the calamities you have endured ? ' And he answered :
' I need not tell you now ; perhaps at the end you shall
learn Vv^ho I am, and who are my parents, and into what
straitened circumstances I have fallen. But at present I
wish you to become fully assured that everything is subject
to Genesis.'

Chap. iv. — Peter s arguments against Genesis,

" And I said : ^ If all things are subject to Genesis, and
you are fully convinced that this is the case, your thoughts
and advice are contrary to your own opinion.^ For if it is
impossible even to think in opposition to Genesis, why do you
toil in vain, advising me to do what cannot be done ? Yea,
moreover, even if Genesis subsists, do not make haste to pre-
vail on me not to worship Him who is also Lord of the stars,
by whose wish that a thing should not take place, that thing
becomes an impossibility. For always that which is subject
must obey that which rules. As far, however, as the worship
of the common gods is concerned, that is superfluous, if
Genesis has sway. For neither does anything happen con-
trary to what seems good to fate, nor are they themselves
able to do anything, since they are subject to their own uni-
versal Genesis. If Genesis exists, there is this objection to
it, that that which is not first has the rule ; or [in other

^ [^a.6n(^oc,^ mathematical science specially, which was closely connected
with astrology.

^ Lit., " thinking you counsel what is contrary to yourself."

228 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

words] the uncreated cannot be subject, for tlie uncreated,
as being uncreated, has nothing that is older than itself.' ^

Chap. v. — Practical refutation of Genesis,

^^ While we were thus talking, a great multitude gathered
round us. And then I looked to the multitude, and said :
^ I and my tribe have had handed down to us from our an-
cestors the worship of God, and we have a commandment to
give no heed to Genesis, I mean to the science of astrology ;
and therefore I gave no attention to it. For this reason I
have no skill in astrology, but I shall state that in which I
have skill. Since I am unable to refute Genesis by an
appeal to the science which relates to Genesis, I wish to
prove in another way that the affairs [of this world] are
managed by a providence, and that each one will receive
reward or punishment according to his actions. Whether
he shall do so now or hereafter, is a matter of no conse-
quence to me ; all I affirm is, that each one without doubt
will reap the fruit of his deeds. The proof that there is no
Genesis is this. If any one of you present has been deprived
of eyes, or has his hand maimed, or his foot lame, or some
other part of the body wrong, and if it is utterly incurable,
and entirely beyond the range of the medical profession, — a
case, indeed, which not even the astrologers profess to cure,
for no such cure has taken place within the lapse of a vast
period, — yet I praying to God will cure it,^ although ^ it could
never have been set right by Genesis. Since this is so, do
not they sin who [[blaspheme]] the God that fashioned all
things?' And the old man answered : ' Is it then blasphemy
to say that all things are subject to Genesis ?' And I replied :
^ Most certainly it is. For if all the sins of men, and all their

* ^ The argument here is obscure. Probably what is intended is as follows : Genesis means origination, coming into being. Origination cannot be the ruling power, for there must be something unoriginated which has given rise to the origination. The origination, therefore, as not being first, cannot have sway, and it must itself be subject to that which is unoriginated.

: 2 "We have adopted the reading given in the two Epitomes.
: «Lit., "when."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 229

acts of impiety and licentiousness, owe their origin to the stars,
and if the stars have been appointed by God to do this work,
so as to be the efficient causes of all evils, then the sins of all
are traced up to Him who placed Genesis ^ in the stars.'

Chap. vi. — The old man opposes Ids personal experience to the argument of Peter,

" And the old man answered : ^ You have spoken truly ,^ and
yet, notwithstanding all your incomparable demonstration,
I am prevented from yielding assent by my own personal
knowledge. For I was an astrologer, and dwelt first at Rome ;
and then forming a friendship with one who was of the
family of Caesar, I ascertained accurately the genesis of him-
self and his wife. And tracing their history, I find all the
deeds actually accomplished in exact accordance with their
genesis, and therefore I cannot yield to your argument.
For the arrangement^ of her genesis was that which makes
women commit adultery, fall in love with their own slaves,
and perish abroad in the water. And this actually took
place ; for she fell in love with her own slave, and not being
able to bear the reproach, she fled with him, hurried to a
foreign land, shared his bed, and perished in the sea.'

Chap. vii. — The old man tells his story.

" And I answered : * How then do you know that she who
fled and took up her residence in a foreign land married the
slave, and marrying him died?' And the old man said : ' I
am quite sure that this is true, not indeed that she married
him, for I did not know even that she fell in love with him ;
»but after her departure, a brother of her husband's told me
the whole story of her passion, and how he acted as an
honourable man, and did not, as being his brother, wish to
pollute his couch, and how she the wretched woman (for she
is not blameable, inasmuch as she was compelled to do and
suffer all this in consequence of Genesis) longed for him, and

1 That is, the power of origination.

2 One MS. adds " greatly," and an Epitome " great things."

3 That is, the position of the stars at her birth.

230 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

yet stood in awe of him and liis reproaches, and how she
devised a dream, whether true or false I cannot tell ; for he
stated that she said, " Some one in a vision stood by me, and
ordered me to leave the city of the Romans immediately
\\ith my children." But her husband being anxious that
she should be saved with his sons, sent them immediately to
Athens for their education, accompanied by their mother
and slaves, while he kept the third and youngest son with
himself, for he who gave the warning in the dream permitted
this son to remain with his father. And when a long time
had elapsed, during which^ he received no letters from her, he
himself sent frequently to Athens, and at length took me, as
the truest of all his friends, and went in search of her. And
much did I exert mvself aloncr with him in the course of our
travels with all eagerness ; for I remembered that, in the old
times of his prosperity, he had given me a share of all he
had, and loved me above all his friends. At length we set
sail from Rome itself, and so we arrived in these parts of
Syria, and we landed at Seleucia, and not many days after
we had landed he died of a broken heart. But I came here,
and have procured my livelihood from that day till this by
the work of my hands.'

Chap. yiii. — The old man gives information in regard to
Fanstus the father of Clement.

" When the old man had thus spoken, I knew from what he
said that the old man who he stated had died, was no other
than your father. I did not wish, however, to communicate
your circumstances to him until I should confer with you.
But I ascertained where his lodging was, and I pointed out
mine to him ; and to make sure [that my conjecture was
right], I put this one question to him : ^ What was the name
of the old man?' And he said, ^Faustus.' ^And what
were the names of his twin sons?' And he answered,
^ Faustinus and Faustinianus.' ' What was the name of
the third son?' He said, ^Clement.' ^ What was their
mother's name?' He said, ^ Mattidia.' Accordingly, from
^ We have inserted ug from the Epitomes.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 231

compassion, I slied tears along with him, and, dismissing the
multitudes, I came to you, in order that I might take counsel
with you after we had partaken of food^ together. But I
did not wish to disclose the matter to you before we had
partaken of food, lest perchance you should be overcome by
sorrow, and continue sad on the day of baptism, when even
angels rejoice." At these statements of Peter we all fell a
weeping along with our mother. But he beholding us in tears,
said : " Now let each one of you, through fear of God, bear
bravely what has been said ; for certainly it w^as not to-day
that your father died, but long ago, as you conjecturing said."

Chap. ix. — Faustus himself appears.

When Peter said this, our mother could no longer endure
it, but cried out, " Alas ! my husband ! loving us, you died
by your own decision,^ while we are still alive, see the light,
and have just partaken of food." This one scream had not
yet ceased, when, lo ! the old man came in, and at the same
time wishing to inquire into the cause of the cry, he looked
on the woman and said, '' What does this mean ? Whom do I
see?" And going up to her, and looking at her, and being
looked at more carefully, he embraced her. But they were
like to die through the sudden joy, and wishing to speak to
each other, they could not get the power in consequence of
their unsatisfied joy, for they were seized with speechlessness.
But not long after, our mother said to him : " I now have
you, Faustus, in every way the dearest being to me. How
then are you alive, when we heard a short time ago that you
were dead *? But these are our sons, Faustinus, Faustinianus,
and Clement." And when she said this, we all three fell on
him, and kissed him, and in rather an indistinct way we re-
called his form to our memory.

Chap. x. — Faustus explains Ids narrative to Peter.

Peter seeing this, said : '' Are you Faustus, the husband of

iLit., "of salt."

- Lit., "you died by a judgmeut ; " but it is thought that Kpiast is
corrupt.

232 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

this woman, and the father of her children ? " And he said:
^' I am." And Peter said : '' How, then, did you relate to me
your own history as if it were another's ; telling me of your
toils, and sorrow, and burial ? " And our father answered :
'■'- Being of the family of Caesar, and not wishing to be dis-
covered, I devised the narrative in another's name, in order that
it might not be perceived who I was. For I knew that, if I
were recognised, the governors in the place would learn this,
and recall me to gratify Caesar, and would bestow upon me
that former prosperity to which I had formerly bidden adieu
with all the resolution I could summon. For I could not
give myself up to a luxurious life when I had pronounced the
strongest condemnation on myself, because 1 believed that I
had been the cause of death to those who were loved by me."^

Chap. xi. — Discussion on Genesis.

And Peter said : " You did this according to your resolu-
tion. But in regard to Genesis, were you merely playing a
part when you affirmed it, or were you in earnest in assert-
ing that it existed ? " Our father said : " I will not speak
falsely to you. I was in earnest when I maintained that
Genesis existed. For I am not uninitiated in the science ;
on the contrary, I associated with one who is the best of the
astrologers, an Egyptian of the name of Annubion, who be-
came my friend in the commencement of my travels, and
disclosed to me the death of my wife and children." And
Peter said : " Are you not now convinced by facts, that the
doctrine of Genesis has no firm foundation ? " And my
father answered : " I must lay before you all the ideas that
occur to my mind, that listening to them I may understand
your refutation of them.^ I know, indeed, that astrologers
both make many mistakes, and frequently speak the truth.

^ Lit., " Having judged the greatest things in regard to those who
were loved by me, as having died." The text is doubtful ; for the first
Epitome has something quite different.

2 Here mss. and Epitomes differ in their readings. The text adopted
seems a combination of two ideas: "that you may listen and refute
them, and that I may thus learn the truth."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 233

I suspect, therefore, that they speak the truth so far as they
are accurately acquainted with the science, and that their
mistakes are the result of ignorance ; so that I conjecture
that the science has a firm foundation, but that the astro-
logers themselves speak what is false solely on account of
ignorance, because they cannot know all things with abso-
lute^ accuracy." And Peter answered : " Consider" whether
their speaking of the truth is not accidental, and whether
they do not make their declarations without knowing the
matters accurately. For it must by all means happen that,
when many prophecies are uttered, some of them should
come true." And the old man said : " How, then, is it pos-
sible to be fully convinced of this, whether the science of
Genesis has a sure foundation or not ? "

Chap. xii. — Clement tmdertalces the discussion.

When both were silent, I said : " Since I know accurately
the science, but our lord and our father are not in this con-
dition, I should like if Annubion himself were here, to have
a discussion with him in the presence of my father. For
thus would the matter be able to become public, when one
practically acquainted with the subject has held the discus-
sion with one equally informed."^ And our father answered:
" Where, then, is it possible to fall in with Annubion ? '*
And Peter said : " In Antioch, for I learn that Simon Magus
is there, whose inseparable companion Annubion is. When,
then, we go there, if we come upon them, the discussion can
take place." And so, when we had discussed many subjects,
and rejoiced at the recognition and given thanks to God,
evening came down upon us, and we turned to sleep.

1 We have adopted the reading of Codex 0, 'ttuutu;. The other MS.
reads, " that all cannot know all things accurately."

2 The MSS. read oIttsxs, " hold back." The reading of the text is
in an Epitome.

3 Lit., " when artist has had discussion with fellow-artist."

HOMILY XV.

Chap. i. — Peter icishes to convert Faustus. 4

T break of clay our father, \yith our mother and
his three sons, entered the place where Peter
was, and accosting him, sat down. Then we also
did the same at his request ; and Peter looking
at our father, said : " I am anxious that you should become
of the same mind as your wife and children, in order that
here you may live along with them, and in the other world,^
after the separation of the soul from the body, you will con-
tinue to be with them free from sorrow. For does it not
grieve you exceedingly that you should not associate with
each other?" And my father said: "Most assuredly."
And Peter said : " If, then, separation from each other
here gives you pain, and if without doubt the penalty awaits
you that after death you should not be with each other, how
much greater will your grief be that you, a wise man, should be
separated from your own family on account of your opinions?
They, too, must^ feel the more distressed from the conscious-
ness that eternal punishment awaits you because you entertain
different opinions from theirs, and deny the established truth." ^

Chap. ii. — Reason for listening to Peter s arguments.
Our father said : '• But it is not the case, my very dear

^Lit., "there/'

- We have inserted a Bs?, probably omitted on account of the pre-
vious OS.

^ The words are peculiar. Lit., " eternal punishment awaits you think-
ing other things, through denial of the fixed dogma" Qinrov loyfiotro;).
The Latin translator gives : " ob veri dograatis ncgationem."

231

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 235

friend, that souls are punished in Hades, for the soul is dis-
solved into air as soon as it leaves the body." And Peter
said : '' Until we convince you in regard to this point, answer
me, does it not appear to you that you are not grieved as
having no faith in a [future] punishment, but they who have
full faith in it must be vexed in regard to you?" And our
father said : " You speak sense." And Peter said : " Why,
then, will you not free them from the greatest grief they can
have in regard to you by agreeing to their religion, not, I
mean, through dread, but through kindly feeling, listening
and judging about what is said by me, whether it be so or
not ? and if the truth is as we state it, then here you will
€njoy life with those who are dearest to you, and in the other
world you will have rest with them ; but if, in examining the
arguments, you show that what is stated by us is a fictitious
story,^ you will thus be doing good service, for you will have
your friends on your side, and you will put an end to their lean-
ing upon false hopes, and you will free them from false fears."

Chap. hi. — Obstacles to faith.

And our father said : ^' There is evidently much reason
in what you say." And Peter said : " What is it, then, tha t
prevents you from coming to our faith? Tell me, that we
may begin our discussion with it. For many are the hin-
drances. The faithful are hindered by occupation with mer-
chandise, or public business, or the cultivation of the soil, or
cares, and such like ; the unbelievers, of whom you also are
one, are hindered by ideas such as that the gods, which do
not exist, really exist, or that all things are subject to Genesis,
or chance,^ or that souls are mortal, or that our doctrines are
false because there is no providence.

Chap. iv. — Providence seen in the events of the life of Faustus

and his family,

" But I maintain, from what has happened to you, that all
things are managed by the providence of God, and that your
separation from your family for so many years was providen-

^ [,<.v66v xivcc i/zsyo'^. 2 Properly, self-action.

236 . THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

tlal ; ^ for since, if they bad been with you, they perbaps
would not bave listened to tbe doctrines of the true religion,
it was arranged that your children should travel w^ith their
mother, should be shipwrecked, should be supposed to bave
perished, and should be sold ; ^ moreover, that they should
be educated in the learning of the Greeks, especially in the
atheistic doctrines, in order that, as being acquainted with
them, they might be the better able to refute them ; and in
addition to this, that they should become attached to the true
religion, and be enabled to be united with me, so as to help
me in my preaching ; furthermore, that their brother Clement
should meet in the same place, and that thus his mother
should be recognised, and through her cure ^ should be fully
convinced of the right w^orship of God ; * that after no long
interval the twins should recognise and be recognised, and
the other day should fall in with you, and that you should
receive back your own. I do not think, then, that such a
speedy filling in of circumstances, coming as it were from
all quarters, so as to accomplish one design, could have hap-
pened without the direction of Providence."

Chap. y. — Difference between the true religion and pliilosophy ,

And our father began to say : '' Do not suppose, my dearest
Peter, that I am not thinking of the doctrines preached by
you. I was thinking of them. But during the past night,
when Clement urged me earnestly to give in my adhesion to
the truth preached by you, I at last answered, ' Why should
I ? for what new commandment can any one give more than
what the ancients urged us to obey ? ' And he, with a gentle
smile, said, ^ There is a great difference, father, between
the doctrines of the true religion and those of philosophy ;
for the true religion receives its proof from prophecy, while

^ "We have adopted a reading suggested by the second Epitome.

2 The word d'Trpccuicct is corrupt. "We have adopted the emendation
rrpua/;. The word is not given in the iis. 0, nor in the Epitomes.

" vTTo dspxTTucc;, which Cotelerius transhites recuperata sanitate.

* Lit., " convinced of the Godhead." '' Godhead" is omitted in the
Epitomes.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 237

philosophyj furnishing us with beautiful sentences, seems to
present its proofs from conjecture.' On saying this, he took
an instance, and set before us the doctrine of philanthropy,^
which you had explained to him,^ which rather appeared to
me to be very unjust. And I shall tell you how. He alleged
that it was right to present to him who strikes you on the one
cheek the other ^ also, and to give to him who takes away
your cloak your tunic also, and to go two miles with him who
compels you to go one, and such like."

Chap. vi. — The love of man.

And Peter answered ; " You have deemed unjust what is
most just. If you are inclined, will you listen to me ? "
And my father said: " With all my heart." And Peter said:
" What is your opinion ? Suppose that there were two
kings, enemies to each other, and having their countries cut
off from each other ; and suppose that some one of the sub-
jects of one of them were to be caught in the country of the
other, and to incur the penalty of death on this account : now
if he were let off from the punishment by receiving a blow
instead of death, is it not plain that he who let him off is a
lover of man ? " And our father said : ^' Most certainly."
And Peter said : " Now suppose that this same person were
to steal from some one something belonging to him or to
another ; and if when caught he were to pay double, instead
of suffering the punishment that was due to him, namely,
paying four times the amount, and being also put to death,
as having been caught in the territories of the enemy ; is it

^ Or " love of man" in all its phases — kindliness, gentleness, humanity,
etc.

2 Horn. xii. 25 ff.

^ Matt. V. 39-41 ; Luke vi. 29. The -writer of the Homilies changes
the word ;)(;jr&li'oe, " tunic," of the New Testament into fAoi,(p6piov^ which
Suicer describes " a covering for the head, neck, and shoulders, used
by women." Wieseler is in doubt whether the writer of the Homilies
uses /^ct(p6piou as equivalent to xnuvcc, or whether he intentionally
changed the word, for the person who lost both cloak and tunic would
be naked altogether ; and this, the writer may have imagined, Christ
would not have commanded.

238 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

not your opinion that lie who accepts double, and lets him off
from the penalty of death, is a lover of man ? " And our
father said : " He certainly seems so." And Peter said :
''- Why then ? Is it not the duty of him who is in the king-
dom of another, and that, too, a hostile and wicked monarch,
to be pleasing to alP for the sake of life, and when force is
applied to him, to yield still more, to accost those who do
not accost him, to reconcile enemies, not to quarrel with
those who are angry, to give his own property freely to all
who ask, and such like ? " And our father said : " He should
with reason endure all things rather, if he prefers life to
them."

Chap. vii. — Tlie explanation of a parahle ; the present and

the future life.

And Peter ^ said : " Are not those, then, who you said re-
ceived injustice, themselves transgressors, inasmuch as they
are in the kingdom of the other, and is it not by overreach-
ing that they have obtained all they possess ? while those
who are thought to act unjustly are conferring a favour on
each subject of the hostile kingdom, so far as they permit
him to have property. For these possessions belong to those
who have chosen the present.^ And they are so far kind as
to permit the others to live. This, then, is the parable ; now
listen to the actual truth. The prophet of the truth who
appeared [on earth] taught us that the Maker and God of
all gave two kingdoms to two,* good and evil ; granting to the
evil the sovereignty over the present world along with law,
so that he [it] should have the right to punish those who act

iLit., "to flatter."

2 The following words would be more appropriately put in the mouth
of the father, as is done in fact by the Epitomes. Peter's address would
commence, " And the parable is." The Epitomes differ much from each
other and the text, and there seems to be confusion in the text.

^ This sentence would be more appropriate in the explanation of the
parable.

^ The Greek leaves it uncertain whether it is two persons or two
things, — whether it is a good being and an evil being, or good and
evil. Afterwards, a good being and an evil are distinctly introduced.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 23D

unjustly ; but to the good He gave the eternal ^ age to come.
But He made each man free with the power to give himself
up to whatsoever he prefers, either to the present evil or the
future good. Those men who choose the present have power
to be rich, to revel in luxury, to indulge in pleasures, and to
do whatever they can. For they will possess none of the
future goods. But those who have determined to accept the
blessings of the future reign have no right to regard as their
own the things that are here, since they belong to a foreign
king, with the exception only of water and bread, and those
things procured with sweat to maintain life (for it is not
lawful for them to commit suicide),^ and also one garment,
for tliey are not permitted to go naked on account of the all-
seeincT ^ Heaven.

o

Chap. viii. — The 'present and the future,

^^ If, then, you wish to have an accurate account of the
matter, listen. Those of whom you said a little before that
they receive injustice, rather act unjustly themselves ; for
they who have chosen the future blessings, live along with the
bad in the present world, having many enjoyments the same
as the bad, — such as life itself, light, bread, water, clothing,
and others of a like nature. But they who are thought by
you to act unjustly, shall not live with the good men in* the
coming age." And our father replied to this : " Now when
you have convinced me that those who act unjustly suffer
injustice themselves, while those who suffer injustice have by
far the advantage, the whole affair seems to me still more
the most unjust of transactions ; for those who seem to act
unjustly grant many things to those who have chosen the
future blessings, but those who seem to receive injustice do
themselves commit injustice, because they do not give in the
other world, to those who have given them blessings here, the
same advantages v/hich these gave to them." And Peter

^ The word dilio;, properly and strictly " eternal," is used.

2 Lit., " to die willingly."

3 We have adopted an obvious emendation, 'Trxurse. for iravTog.
* "We have translated Schweder's emendation. He inserted h.

240 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

said: "This is not unjust at all, because each one has the
power to choose the present or the future goods, whether
they be small or great. He who chooses by his own indivi-
dual judgment and wish, receives no injustice, — I mean, not
even should his choice rest on what is small, since the great
lay within his choice, as in fact did also the small." And
our father said : " You are right ; for it has been said by
one of the wise men of the Greeks, ' The blame rests with
those who chose — God is blameless.' ^

Chap. ix. — Possessions are transgressions,

" Will you be so good as to explain this matter also ? I
remember Clement saying to me, that we suffer injuries
and afflictions for the forgiveness of our sins." Peter said :
" This is quite correct. For we, who have chosen the future
things, in so far as we possess more goods than these, whether
they be clothing, or food or drink, or any other thing, possess
sins, because we ought not to have anything, as I explained
to you a little ago. To all of us possessions are sins."^ The
deprivation of these, in whatever way it may take place, is
the removal of sins." And our father said : *' That seems
reasonable, as you explained that these were the two boun-
dary lines of the two kings, and^ that it was in the power of
each to choose whatever he wished of what was under their
authority. But why are the afflictions sent, or* do we suffer
them justly?" And Peter said : "Most justly ; for since the
boundary line of the saved is, as I said, that no one should
possess anything, but since many have many possessions, or
in other words sins, for this reason the exceeding love of
God sends afflictions on those who do not act in purity of
heart, that on account of their having some measure of the
love of God, they might, by temporary inflictions, be saved
from eternal punishments."

1 Plato, Rep. X. 617 E.

2 One MS. inserts before this sentence : " For if in all of us possessions
are wont to occasion sins in those who have them."

2 We have adopted AYieseler's emendation of roc. into kolI.
* "We have clianged il into jJ.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 241

Chap. x. — Poverty not necessarily righteous.

And our father said : " How then is this ? Do we not
see many impious men poor? Then do these belong to the
saved on this account ? '' And Peter said : " Not at all ;
for that poverty is not acceptable which longs for what it
ought not. So that some are rich as far as their choice goes,
though poor in actual wealth, and they are punished because
they desire to have more. But one is not unquestionably
righteous because he happens to be poor. For he can be a
beggar as far as actual wealth is concerned, but he may
desire and even do what above everything he ought not to
do. Thus he may worship idols, or be a blasphemer or
fornicator, or he may live indiscriminately, or perjure him-
self, or lie, or live the life of an unbeliever. But our teacher
pronounced the faithful poor blessed '} and he did so, not
because they had given anything, for they had nothing, but
because they were not to be condemned, as having done no
sin, simply because they gave no alms, because they had
nothing to give." And our father said : ^* In good truth all
seems to go right as far as the subject of discussion is con-
cerned ; wherefore I have resolved to listen to the whole of
your argument in regular order."

Chap. xi. — Exposition of the true [[religion]] promised.

And Peter said : '•* Since, then, you are eager henceforth to
learn what relates to our religion, I ought to explain it in order,
beginning with God Himself, and showing that we ought to
call Him alone God, and that we ought neither to speak of the
others as gods nor deem them such, and that he who acts con-
trary to this will be punished eternally, as having shown the
greatest impiety to Him who is the Lord of all." And saying
this, he laid his hands on those who were vexed by afflictions,
and were diseased, and possessed by demons ; and, praying, he
healed them, and dismissed the multitudes. And then entering
in this way, he partook of his usual food, and went to sleep.

^ Matt. V. 3. The Epitomes run thus : " Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son
of the living God, said." And then they quote the words of our Gospel.

Q HOMILY X Y I.

Chap. i. — Simon wishes to discuss with Peter the unity of God,

'T break of day Peter went out, and reaching the
place where he was wont to discourse, he saw a
great muUitude assembled. At the very time
when he was going to discourse, one of his
deacons entered, and said : " Simon has come from Antioch,
starting as soon as it was evening, having learned that you
promised to speak on the unity ^ of God ; and he is ready,
along with Athenodorus the Epicurean, to come to hear your
speech, in order that he may publicly oppose all the argu-
ments ever adduced by you for the unity of God." Just as
the deacon said this, lo ! Simon himself entered, accompanied
by Athenodorus and some other friends. And before Peter
spoke at all, he took the first word, and said :

Chap. ii. — The same subject continued.

^' I heard that you promised yesterday to Faustus to prove
this day, giving out your arguments in regular order, and
bemnninfr with Him who is Lord of the universe, that we
ought to say that He alone is God, and that we ought neither
to say nor to think that there are other gods, because he
that acts contrary to this will be punished eternally. But,
above all, I am truly amazed at your madness in hoping to
convert a wise man, and one far advanced in years, to your
state of mind. But you will not succeed in your designs ;
and all the more that I am present, and can thoroughly refute

^ The word properly signifies the "sole government or monarchy of God," It means that God alone is ruler.

242

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 243

your false arguments. For perhaps, if I had not been pre-
sent, the wise old man might have been led astray, because
he has no critical acquaintance^ with the books publicly
believed in amongst the Jews.^ At present I shall omit
much, in order that I may the more speedily refute that
which you have promised to prove. Wherefore begin to
speak what you promised to say before us, who know the
Scriptures. But if, fearing our refutation, you are unwilling
to fulfil your promise in our presence, this of itself will be
sufficient proof that you are wrong, because you did not ven-
ture to speak in the presence of those who know the Scrip-
tures. And now, wdiy should I wait till you tell me, when I
have a most satisfactory witness of your promise in the old
man who is present ? " And, saying this, he looked to my
father, and said : ^' Tell me, most excellent of all men, is not
this the man w^ho promised to prove to you to-day that God
is one, and that we ought not to say or think that there is
any other god, and that he who acts contrary to this will be
punished eternally, as committing the most heinous sin ? Do
you, then, refuse to reply to me ? "

Chap. hi. — The mode of the discussion.

And our father said : " Well might you have demanded
testimony from me, Simon, if Peter had first denied [that he
had made the promise]. But now I shall feel no shame in
saying what I am bound to say. I think that you wish to
enter on the discussion inflamed with anger. Now this is
a state of mind in which it is improper for you to speak and
for us to listen to you ; for we are no longer being helped on
to the truth, but we are watching the progress of a contest.
And now, having learned from Hellenic culture how those
who seek [the truth] ought to act, I shall remind you. Let

^ TOiu TTccpx ^lov^ocioi; ^yiuoai'cc TrBTnarsv/zhcou i3i/3iXa'j. The literal trans-
lation, given in the text, means that the Jews as a community believed
in these books as speaking the truth. Cotelerius translates : " the books
which were publicly entrusted to the Jews." One MS. reads, 'TrsTrtara-
fiivcju, which might mean, " deemed trustworthy among the Jews."

244 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

each of you give an exposition of his own opinion/ and let
the right of speech pass from the one to the other.^ For if
Peter alone should wish to expound his thought, but you
should be silent as to yours, it is possible that some argument
adduced by you might crush both your and his opinion ; and
both of yoUj though defeated by this argument, would not
appear defeated, but only the one who expounded his opinion ;
while he who did not expound his, though equally defeated,
would not appear defeated, but would even be thought to
have conquered." And Simon answered : " I will do as you
say ; but I am afraid lest you do not turn out a truth-loving
judge, as you have been already prejudiced by his argu-
ments."

Chap. iv. — The prejudices of Faustus rather on the side of
Simon than on that of Peter,

Our father answered : ^' Do not compel me to agree with
you without any exercise of my judgment in order that I
may seem to be a truth-loving judge ; but if you wish me to
tell you the truth, my prepossessions are rather on the side
of your opinions." And Simon said : " How is this the
case, when you do not know what my opinions are ? " And
our father said : ^' It is easy to know this, and I will tell you
how. You promised that you would convict Peter of error
in maintaining the unity of God ; but if one undertakes to
convict of error him who maintains the unity of God, it is
perfectly plain that he, as being in the right,^ does not hold
the same opinion. For if he holds the same opinion as the
man who is thoroughly in error, then he himself is in error; but
if he gives his proofs holding opposite opinions, then he is in
the right. Not well * then do you assert that he who main-

^ One MS. and an Epitome have : " And you must address your argu-
ments to another who acts as judge."

^ The words translated "error," -J/sva/acc^ and "to be in the right,"
u'hrtds'Jitv, are, properly rendered, "falsehood," and " to speak the truth."

* The Mss. read : " not otherwise." The reading of the text is found
in an Epitome.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 245

tains the unity of God is wrong, unless you believe that there
are many gods. Now I maintain that there are many gods.
Holding, therefore, the same opinion as you before the dis-
cussion, I am prepossessed rather in your favour. For this
reason you ought to have no anxiety in regard to me, but
Peter ought, for I still hold opinions contrary to his. And
so after your discussion I hope that, as a truth-loving judge,
who has stripped himself of his prepossessions, I shall agree
to that doctrine which gains the victory." When my father
said this, a murmur of applause burst insensibly from the
multitudes because my father had thus spoken.

Chap, v.^ — Peter commences the discussion.

Peter then said : '' I am ready to do as the umpire of our
discussion has said ; and straightway without any delay I
shall set forth my opinion in regard to God. I then assert
that there is one God who made the heavens and the earth,
and all things that are in them. And it is not right to say
or to think that there is any other." And Simon said :
" But I maintain that the Scriptures believed in amongst
the Jews say that there are many gods, and that God is not
angry at this, because He has Himself spoken of many gods
in His Scriptures.

Chap. vi. — Simon appeals to the Old Testament to prove that there are many gods,

" For instance, in the very first words of the law, He evi-
dently speaks of them as being like even unto Himself. For
thus it is written, that, when the first man received a command-
ment from God to eat of every tree that was in the garden,^
but not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
the serpent having persuaded them by means of the woman,
through the promise that they would become gods, made
them look up ; ^ and then, when they had thus looked up,

^ TTupxhiaa, "paradise." Gen. ii. 16, 17.

2 duoi.(i'Ki-^cx,i. It signifies either to look up, or to recover one's sight.
Possibly the second meaning is the one intended here, corresponding to
the words of our version : " Then your eyes shall be opened."

246 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

God said,-^ ^ Behold, Adam is become as one of us/ When,
then, the serpent said,^ * Ye shall be as gods/ he plainly
speaks in the belief that gods exist ; all the more as God
also added His testimony, saying, ' Behold, Adam is become
as one of us.' The serpent, then, who said that there are
many gods, did not speak falsely. Again, the scripture,^
* Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the rulers of thy
people,' points out many gods vrhom it does not wish even
to be cursed. But it is also somewhere else written,'* ' Did
another god dare to enter and take him a nation from the
midst of [another] nation, as did I the Lord God ? ' When
He says, ' Did another God dare ? ' He speaks on the sup-
position that other gods exist. And elsewhere : ^ ' Let the
gods that have not made the heavens and the earth perish ; '
as if those who had made them were not to perish. And
in another place, when it says,^ 'Take heed to thyself lest
thou go and serve other gods whom thy fathers knew not,'
it speaks as if other gods existed whom they were not to
follow. And again : ^ ' The names of other gods shall not
ascend upon thy lips.' Here it mentions many gods whose
names it does not wish to be uttered. And again it is
written,^ ^ Thy God is the Lord, He is God of gods.' And
again : ^ ^ Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods?*
And again :^^ ' God is Lord of gods.' And again i^^ 'God
stood in the assembly of gods : He judgeth among the
o-ods.' Wherefore I wonder how, when there are so manv
passages in writing which testify that there are many gods,
you have asserted that we ought neither to say nor to think
that there are many. Finally, if you have anything to say
a^rainst what has been spoken so distinctly, say it in the pre-
sence of all."

1 Gen. iii. 22. ^ Gen. iii. 5. ^ Ex. xxii. 28.

* Deut. iv. 34. - ^ Jer. x. 11. ^ Deut. xiii. 6.

7 Josh, xxiii. 7, Sept. « Deut. x. 17.

» Ts. XXXV. 10, Ixxxvi. 8. ^^ Fs. 1. 1. ^^ Ps. Ixxxii. 1.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 247

Chap. vii. — Peter appeals to the Old Testament to prove the

unity of God,

And Peter said : " I shall reply briefly to what you have
said. The law, which frequently speaks of gods, itself says
to the Jewish multitude,^ ' Behold, the heaven of heavens is
the Lord's thy God, with all that therein is ; ' implying that,
even if there are gods, they are under Him, that is, under the
God of the Jews. And again : ^ ' The Lord thy God, He is
God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, and there
is none other except Him.' And somewhere else the Scrip-
ture says to the Jewish multitude,^ ' The Lord your God is
God of gods;' so that, even if there are gods, they are under
the God of the Jews. And somewhere else the Scripture says
in regard to Him,* ^ God, the great and true, who regardeth
not persons, nor taketh reward, He doth execute the judg-
ment of the fatherless and widow.' The Scripture, in calling
the God of the Jews great and true, and executing judg-
ment, marked out the others as small, and not true. But
also somewhere else the Scripture says,^ ^ As I live, saitli
the Lord, there is no other God but me. I am the first, I am
after this ; except me there is no God.' And again :^ * Thou
shalt fear the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.'
And again:^ ^Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord.'
And many passages besides seal with an oath that God is
one, and except Him there is no God. "Whence I wonder
how, when so many passages testify that there is one God, you
say that there are many."

Chap. viii. — Simon and Peter continue the discussion.

And Simon said : ^' My original stipulation with you was
that I should prove from the Scriptures that you were wrong
in maintaining that we ought not to speak of many gods.
Accordingly I adduced many written passages to show that
the divine Scriptures themselves speak of many gods." And

1 Deut. X. 14. 2 j)e^t. iv. 39. ^ D^ut. x. 17.

* Deut. X. 17. •• Isa. xlix. 18, xlv. 21, xliv. G.

« Deut. vi. 13. 7 Deut. vi. 4.

248 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Peter said : " Those very Scriptures wliicli speak of many
gods, also exhorted us, saying, ' The names of other gods
shall not ascend upon thy lips.'-"^ Thus, Simon, I did not
speak contrary to what was written." And Simon said : " Do
you, Peter, listen to what I have to say. You seem to me
to sin in speaking against them,^ when the Scripture says,^
' Thou shalt not revile [the gods], nor curse the rulers of thy
people.' " And Peter said : ^' I am not sinning, Simon, in
pointing out their destruction according to the Scriptures ;
for thus it is written : ^ ' Let the gods who did not make the
heavens and the earth perish.' And He said thus, not as
though some had made the heavens and were not to perish,
as you interpreted the passage. For it is plainly declared
that He who made them is one in the very first part of Scrip-
ture : ^ ^ In the beginnincj God created the heaven and the
earth.' And it did not say, Uhe gods.' And somewhere
else it says,^ ' And the firmament showeth His handiw^ork.'
And in another place it is written,'^ 'The heavens themselves
shall perish, but Thou shalt remain for ever.' "

Chap. ix. — Simon tries to show that the Scriptures contradict themselves.

And Simon said : " I adduced clear passages from the
Scriptures to prove that there are many gods ; and you, in
reply, brought forward as many or more from the same
Scriptures, showing that God is one, and He the God of the
Jews. And when I said that we ought not to revile gods,
you proceeded to show that He who created is one, because
those who did not create will perish. And in reply to my
assertion that we ought to maintain that there are gods, be-
cause the Scriptures also say so, you showed that we ought
not to utter their names, because the same Scripture tells us
not to utter the names of other gods. Since, then, these very

^ Josh, xxiii. 7 in the Septuagint. ^ Namely, the gods.

2 Ex. xxii. 28. The MSS. omit kovg, though they insert it in the
passage as quoted a little before this. One MS. reads "the ruler"
with our version.

4 Jer. X. 11. s Gen. i. 1. « Ps. xbc. 1. ' Ps. cii. 26, 27. *

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 249

Scriptures say at one time that there are many gods, and at
another that there is only one ; and sometimes that they
ought not to be reviled, and at other times that they ought ;
what conclusion ought we to come to in consequence of this,
but that the Scriptures themselves lead us astray?"

Chap. x. — Peter s explanation of the apparent contradictions

of Scripture.

And Peter said : ^' They do not lead astray, but convict
and bring to light the evil disposition against God which
lurks like a serpent in each one. For the Scriptures lie
before each one like many divers types. Each one, then,
has his own disposition like wax, and examining the Scrip-
tures and finding everything in them, he moulds his idea of
God according to his wish, laying upon them, as I said, his
own disposition, wdiich is like wax. Since, then, each one
finds in the Scriptures whatever opinion he wishes to have
in regard to God, for this reason he [Simon] moulds from
them the forms'^ of many gods, while we moulded the form
of Plim who truly exists, comincr to the knowledge of the true
type from our own shape.^ For assuredly the soul within
us is clothed with His image for immortality. If I abandon
the parent of this soul, it also will abandon me to just judg-
ment, making known the injustice by the very act of daring ; ^
and as coming from one who is just, it will justly abandon
me ; and so, as far as the soul is concerned, I shall, after
punishment, be destroyed, having abandoned the help that
comes from it. But if there is another [god], first let him
put on another form, another shape, in order that by the new
shape of the body I may recognise the new god. But if he
should change the shape, does he thereby change the sub-
stance of the soul ? But if he should change it also, then
I am no longer myself, having become another both in shape
and in substance. Let him, therefore, create others, if there

2 Probably rc'h^'/iy.ccTi should be changed into opf^Yjf/.ccn^ or some such
•vyord : making known that an act of injustice has been committed by
taking its departure.

250 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is another. But there is not. For if there had been, he
would have created. But since he has not created, then let
him, as non-existent, leave him who is really existent.^ For
he is nobody,^ except only in the opinion of Simon. I do
not accept of any other god but Him alone who created me."

Chap. xt. — Gen. i. 26 appealed to hy Simon,

And Simon said : '' Since I see that you frequently speak
of the God who created you, learn from me how you are
impious even to Him. For there are evidently two who
created, as the Scripture says :^ ^ And God said, Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness.' Now ' let us make*
implies two or more ; certainly not one only."

Chap. xit. — Peter s eocplanation of the passage.

And Peter answered : " One is He who said to His Wisdom,
' Let us make man.' But His Wisdom* was that with which
He Himself always rejoiced^ as with His own spirit. It is
united as soul to God, but it is extended by Him, as hand,
fashioning the universe. On this account, also, one man
was made, and from him went forth also the female. And
being a unity generlcally, it is yet a duality, for by expansion
and contraction the unity is thought to be a duality. So
that I act rightly in offering up all the honour to one God as
to parents." And Simon said : " What then ? Even if the
Scriptures say that there are other gods, will you not accept
the opinion?"

Chap. xiii. — Tlie contradictions of the Scriptures intended to
try those who read them.

And Peter answered : " If the Scriptures or prophets speak

1 This might possibly he translated, "let him leave him who exists to
him who exists ; " i.e. let him leave the real God to man, who really exists.

2 Wieseler proposes, " for he exists to no one." ^ Gen. i. 26.

* This is the only passage in the Homilies relating to the ao:piec. The
text is in some parts corrupt. It is critically discussed by Uhlhorn,
some of whose emendations are adopted by Dressel and translated here.

« Prov. viii. 30.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 251

of gods, they do so to try those who hear. For thus it is
written :-^ ^If there arise among you a prophet, giving signs
and wonders, and that sign and wonder shall then come to
pass, and he say to thee, Let us go after and worship other
gods which thy fathers have not known, ye^ shall not hearken
to the words of that prophet ; let thy hands be among the
first to stone him. For he hath tried to turn thee from
the Lord thy God. But if thou say in thy heart, How did
he do that sign or wonder? thou shalt surely know that he
who tried thee, tried thee to see if thou dost fear the Lord
thy God.' The words * he who tried thee, tried thee,' have
reference to the earliest times ; ^ but it appears to be other-
wise after the removal to Babylon. For God, who knows all
things, would not, as can be proved by many arguments, try
in order that He Himself might know, for He foreknows all
things. But, if you like, let us discuss this point, and I shall
show that God foreknows. But it has been proved that the
opinion is false that He does not know, and that this was
written to try us. Thus we, Simon, can be led astray*
neither by the Scriptures nor by any one else ; nor are we
deceived into the admission of many gods, nor do we agree
to any statement that is made against God.

Chap. xiv. — Other beings called gods.

" For we ourselves also know that angels are called gods by
the Scriptures, — as, for instance, He who spake at the bush,
and wrestled with Jacob, — and the name is likewise applied
to Him who is born Emmanuel, and who is called the mi^htv
God.^ Yea, even Moses became a god to Pharaoh, though

1 Deut. xiii. 1 ff.

2 The change from the singular to the plural is in the Greek.

^ Lit., " But it had been said that he who tried, tried." The idea seems
to be, Before the removal to Babylon true prophets tested the people
by urging them to worship these gods ; but after that event false pro-
phets arose who really wished to seduce the Jews from the worship of
the true God.

* Lit., "nor can we be made to stumble from the Scriptures nor by
any one else [or anything else]."

^ Isa. ix. 6.

252 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

iu reality he was a man. The same is the case also with the
idols of the Gentiles. But we have but one God, one who
made creation and arranged the universe, whose Son is the
Christ. Obeying Christ,-'- we learn to know what is false
from the Scriptures. Moreover, being furnished by our an-
cestors with the truths of the Scriptures, we know that there
is only one who has made the heavens and the earth, the
God of the Jews, and of all who choose to worship Him.
Our fathers, with pious thought, setting down a fixed belief
in Him as the true God, handed down this belief to us, that
we may know that if anything is said against God, it is a
falsehood. I shall add this remark over and above what I
need say : If the case be not as I have said, then may I, and
all who love the truth, incur danger in regard to the praise
of the God who made us."

Chap. xv. — Christ not God, hilt the Son of God,

W^hen Simon heard this, he said : " Since you say that we
ought not to believe even the prophet that gives signs and
wonders if he say that there is another god, and that you
know that he even incurs the penalty of death, therefore
your teacher also was with reason cut off for having given
sirrns and wonders." And Peter answered : " Our Lord
neither asserted that there were gods except the Creator
of all, nor did He proclaim Himself to be God, but He
with reason pronounced blessed him who called Him the Son
of that God who has arrano;ed the universe." And Simon
answered: "Does it not seem to you, then, that he who
comes from God is God ? " And Peter said : " Tell us how
tliis is possible ; for we cannot affirm this, because we did not
hear it from Him.

Chap. xvi. — The unhegotten and the begotten necessaiily
different from each other.

" In addition to this, it is the peculiarity of the Father not
to have been begotten, but of the Son to have been begotten ;
but what is begotten cannot be compared with that which is
^ Lit., " whom obeying :" the " -whom " might refer to God.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 253

unbegotten or self-begotten." And Simon said: ^'Is it not
the same on account of its origin ? " ^ And Peter said : '^ Pie
who is not the same in all respects as some one, cannot have
all the same appellations applied to him as that person." And
Simon said : "• This is to assert, not to prove." And Peter
said : " Why, do you not see that if ^ the one happens to be
self-begotten or unbegotten, they cannot be called the same ;
nor can it be asserted of him who has been begotten that
he is of the same substance as he is who has begotten him ?
Learn this also : The bodies of men have immortal souls,
which have been clothed with the breath of God ; and having
come forth from God, they are of the same substance, but
they are not gods. But if they are gods, then in this way
the souls of all men, both those who have died, and those
who are alive, and those who shall come into being, are gods.
But if in a spirit of controversy you maintain that these also
are gods, what great matter is it, then, for Christ to be called
God ? for He has only what all have.

Chap. xvii. — The nature of God.

^^ We call Him God whose peculiar attributes cannot
belong to the nature of any other ; for, as He is called the
Unbounded because He is boundless on every side, it must of
necessity be the case that it is no other one's peculiar attri-
bute to be called unbounded, as another cannot in like manner
be boundless. But if any one says that it is possible, he is
wrong ; for two things boundless on every side cannot co-
exist, for the one is bounded by the other. Thus it is in
the nature^ of things that the unbegotten is one. But if he
possesses a figure, even in this case the figure is one and in-
comparable.* AVherefore He is called the Most High, be-

^ The word yimaig, "arising, coming into being," is here used, not
yhvYiai;, " begetting." The idea fully expressed is : "Is not that which
is begotten identical in essence with that which begets it?"

^ We have inserted si. The passage is amended in various ways ; this
seems to be the simplest.

2 Lit., " thus it is nature."

^ We have adopted an emendation here. The text has: " Even thus
the incomparable is one."

254 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

cause, being higher than all, He has the universe subject to Him."

Chap, xviii. — The name of God.

And Simon said : ^'Is this word ' God' His ineffable name,
which all use, because you maintain so strongl}^ in regard to
a name that it cannot be given to another?" And Peter
said : '' I know that this is not His ineffable name, but one
which is given by agreement among men ; but if you give
it to another, you will also assign to this other that which is
not used ; and that, too, deliberately .•'■ The name which is
used is the forerunner of that which is not used. In this
way insolence is attributed even to that which has not yet
been spoken, just as honour paid to that which is known is
handed on to that which has not yet been known."

Chap. xix. — Tlie shape of God in man.

And Simon said : '' I should like to know, Peter, if you
really believe that the shape of man has been moulded after
the shape of God."^ And Peter said : '• I am really quite
certain, Simon, that this is the case." And Simon said :
*' How can death dissolve the body, impressed as it has thus
been with the greatest seal ?" And Peter said : ^' It is the
shape of the just God. When, then, the body begins to act
unjustly, the form which is in it takes to flight, and thus the
body is dissolved, by the shape disappearing, in order that an
unjust body may not have the shape of the just God. The
dissolution, however, does not take place in regard to the
seal, but in regard to the sealed body. But that which is
sealed is not dissolved without Him who sealed it. And thus
it is not permitted to die without judgment." And Simon
said : ^^ What necessity was there to give the shape of such
a being to man, who was raised from the earth?" And
Peter said : " This was done because of the love of God,
who made man. For while, as far as substance is concerned,

^ "Wieseler proposes to join this clause mtli the followiDg: " And in
point of choice the name which."
2 Lit., "of that one, of Him."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 255

all things are superior to the flesh of man, — I mean the ether,
the sun, the moon, the stars, the air, the water, the fire — in
a word, all the other things which have been made for the
service of man, — yet, though superior in substance, they
willingly endure to serve the inferior in substance, because
of the shape of the superior. For as they who honour the
clay image of a king have paid honour to the king himself,
whose shape the clay happens to have, so the whole creation
with joy serves man, who is made from earth, looking to the
honour thus paid to Gcd.

Chap. xx. — The character of God.

'' Behold, then, the character of that God to wdiom you,
Simon, wish to persuade us to be ungrateful, and the earth
continues to bear you, perhaps wishing to see who will ven-
ture to entertain similar opinions to yours. For you w^ere
the first to dare what no other dared : you were the first to
utter what we first heard. We first and alone have seen
the boundless long-suffering of God in bearing with such
great impiety as yours, and that God no other than the
Creator of the world, against whom you have dared to act
impiously. And yet openings of the earth took not place,
and fire was not sent down from heaven and went not forth
to burn up men, and rain was not poured out,-^ and a multi-
tude of beasts was not sent from the thickets, and upon us
ourselves the destructive wrath of God did not begin to show
itself, on account of one wdio sinned the sin, as it were, of
spiritual adultery, which is worse than the carnal. For it is
not God the Creator of heaven and earth that in former
times punished sins, since now, when He is blasphemed in
the highest degree, He would inflict the severest punish-
ment.^ But, on the contrary, He is long-suffering, calls to

-^ One MS. reads, " was not restrained."

^ We have inserted «v, and suppose the sentence to be ironical. The
meaning might be the same without civ. The text of Dressel is as fol-
lows : " For is not He who then punished the sins God, Creator of
heaven and earth ; since even now, being blasphemed in the highest
degree, He punished it in the highest degree ? "

256 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

repentance, having the arrows which end in the destruction
of the impious laid up in His treasures, which He will dis-
charge like living animals when He shall sit down to give
judgment to those that are His.^ Wherefore let us fear the
just God, whose shape the body of man bears for honour.'*'

Chap. xxi. — Simon j^^'omises to appeal to the teaching of
Christ, Peter dismisses the multitudes.

When Peter said this, Simon answered : " Since I see you
skilfully hinting that what is written in the books" against
the framer^ [of the world] does not happen to be true,
to-morrow I shall show, from the discourses of your teacher,
that he asserted that the framer [of the world] was not the
highest God." And when Simon said this, he went out.
But Peter said to the assembled multitudes : " If Simon can
do no other injury to us in regard to God, he at least pre-
vents you from listening to the words that can purify the
soul." On Peter saying this, much whispering arose amongst
the crowds, saying, " What necessity is there for permitting
him to come in here, and utter his blasphemies against God?"
And Peter heard, and said, " AYould that the doctrines
against God which are intended to try men"^ went no further
than Simon ! For there will be, as the Lord said, false
apostles,^ false prophets, heresies, desires for supremacy, who,
as I conjecture, finding their beginning in Simon, who blas-
phemes God, will work together in the assertion of the same
opinions against God as those of Simon." And saying this
with tears, he summoned the multitudes to him bv his hand ;
and when they came, he laid his hands upon them and prayed,
and then dismissed them, telling them to come at an earlier
hour next day. Saying this, and groaning, he entered and
went to sleep, without taking food.

1 Cotelerius translates : " to His enemies." - i.e. the Scriptures.

3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of
nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Tvho puts the matter
into shape.

* Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."

^ Comp. Matt. xxiv. 24.

HOMILY XVII,

Chap. i. — Simon comes to Peter.

HE next day, therefore, as Peter was to hold a dis-
cussion with Simon, he rose earlier than usual
and prayed. On ceasing to pray, Zacchseus came
in, and said : " Simon is seated without, discours-
ing with ahout thirty of his own special followers." And
Peter said : " Let him talk until the multitude assemble, and
then let us begin the discussion in the following way. We
shall hear all that has been said by him, and having fitted our
reply to this, we shall go out and discourse." And assuredly
so it happened. Zacchasus, therefore, went out, and not long
after entered again, and communicated to Peter the discourse
delivered by Simon against him.^

Chap. ii. — Simoiis speech against Peter.

Now he said : " He accuses you, Peter, of being the ser-
vant of wickedness, of having great powder in magic, and as
charming the souls of men in a way worse than idolatry.
To prove that you are a magician, he seemed to me to adduce
the following evidence, saying : ^ I am conscious of this, that
when I come to hold a discussion with him, I do not remem-
ber a single word of what I have been meditating on by
myself. For while he is discoursing, and my mind is engaged
in recollecting what it is that I thought of saying on coming
to a conference with him, I do not hear anything whatsoever
of what he is saying. Now, since I do not experience this
in the presence of any other than in his alone, is it not
plain that I am under the influence of his magic ? And as
^ The text has : " against Peter."
R

258 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

to Ills doctrines being worse than those of idolatry, I can
make that quite clear to any one who has understanding.
For there is no other benefit than this, that the soul should
be freed from images^ of every kind. For when the soul
brings an image before its eye, it is bound by fear, and it
pines away through anxiety lest it should suffer some cala-
mity ; and being altered, it falls under the influence of a
demon ; and being under his influence, it seems to the mass
to be wise.

Chap. hi. — Simoiis accusation of Peter.

" 'Peter does this to you while promising to make you wise.
For, under the pretext of proclaiming one God, he seems to
free you from many lifeless images, which do not at all injure
those who w^orship them, because they are seen by the eyes
themselves to be made of stone, or brass, or gold, or of some
other lifeless material. Wherefore the soul, because it knows
that what is seen is nothing, cannot be spell-bound by fear in
an equal degree by means of what is visible. But looking to
a terrible God through the influence of deceptive teaching, it
has all its natural foundations overturned. And I say this,
not because I exhort you to worship images, but because
Peter, seeming to free your souls from terrible images,^ drives
mad the mind of each one of you by a more terrible image,
introducing God in a shape, and that, too, a God extremely
just, — an image which is accompanied by what is terrible and
awful to the contemplative soul, by that which can entirely
destroy the enerory of a sound mind. For the mind, when in
the midst of such a storm, is like the depth stirred by a violent
wind, perturbed and darkened. Wherefore, if he comes to
benefit you, let him not, while seeming to dissolve your fears
which gently proceed from lifeless shapes, introduce in their
stead the terrible shape of God. But has God a shape? If
He has. He possesses a figure. And if He has a figure, how
is He not limited ? And if limited, He is in space. But if
He is in space, He is less than the space which encloses Him.
And if less than anything, how is He greater than all, or

^ iihuT^av, idols. ^ ihau.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 259

superior to all, or the highest of all? This, theiij is the state
of the case.

Chap. iv. — It is asserted that Chrises teaching is different

from Peter s.

" ^ And that he does not really believe even the doctrines
proclaimed by his teacher is evident, for he proclaims doctrines
opposite to his. For he said to some one, as I learn/ '-' Call
me not good, for the good is one." Now, in speaking of the
good one, he no longer speaks of that just one,^ whom the
Scriptures proclaim, who kills and makes alive, — kills those
who sin, and makes alive those who live according to His
will. But that he did not really call Him who is the framer
of the world good, is plain to any one who can reflect. For
the framer of the world was known to Adam whom He had
made, and to Enoch who pleased Him, and to Noah who was
seen to be just by Him ; likewise to Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob ; also to Moses, and the people, and the whole world.
But Jesus, the teacher of Peter himself, came and said,^ " No
one knew the Father except the Son, as no one knoweth ^ even
the Son except the Father, and those to whom the Son may
wish to reveal Him." If, then, it was the Son himself who was
present, it was from the time of his appearance that he began
to reveal to those to whom he wished, Him who was unknown
to all. And thus the Father was unknown to all who lived
before him, and could not thus be He who was known to all.

Chap. v. — Jesus inconsistent in his teaching,

" ^ In saying this, Jesus is consistent not even with himself.
For sometimes by other utterances, taken from the Scriptures,
he presents God as being terrible and just, saying,^ " Fear
not him who killeth the body, but can do nothing to the
soul; but fear Him who is able to cast both body and soul into
the geenna of fire. Yea, I say unto you, fear Him." But

1 Matt. six. 17.

2 The Gnostic distinction between the God who is just and the God
who is good, is here insisted on.

3 Matt. xi. 27. * One MS. reads, " saw." ^ Matt. x. 28.

260 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that he asserted that He is really to be feared as being a just
God, to whom he says those who receive injustice cry, is
shown in a parable of which he gives the interpretation,
saying : ^ " If, then, the unjust judge did so, because he was
continually entreated, how much more will the Father avenge
those who cry to Him day and night? Or do you think
that, because He bears long with them, He will not do it?
Yea, I say to you, He will do it, and that speedily." Now
he who speaks of God as an avenging and rewarding God,
presents Him as naturally just, and not as good. Moreover
he gives thanks to the Lord of heaven and earth.^ But if
He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is acknowledged to be
the framer of the world, and if framer, then He is just.
When, therefore, he sometimes calls Him good and some-
times just, he is not consistent with himself in this point.
But his wise disciple maintained yesterday a third point, that
real sight^ is more satisfactory than vision, not knowing that
real sight can be human, but that vision confessedly proceeds
from divinity.'

Chap. yi. — Peter goes out to answer Simon,

" These and such like were the statements, Peter, which
Simon addressed to the multitudes while he stood outside ;
and he seems to me to be disturbing the minds of the greater
number. AYherefore go forth immediately, and by the
power of truth break down his false statements." When
Zacchseus said this, Peter prayed after his usual manner and
went out, and standing in the place where he spoke the day
before, and saluting the multitudes according to the custom
enjoined by his religion, he began to speak as follows : " Our
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true prophet (as I shall prove
conclusively at the proper time), made concise declarations in
regard to those matters that relate to the truth, for these two

1 Luke xviii. 6. ^ ;Matt. xi. 25.

^ The Mss. read vApynciv^ "activit}'." Clcricus amended it into hup-
yiictu^ which means, vision or sight in plain open day with one's own
eyes, in opposition to the other word oVr^c-Zcc, vision in sleep, or ecstasy,
or some similar unusual state.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 261

reasons : first, because He was in the habit of addressing the
pious, who had knowledge enough to enable them to believe the
opinions uttered by Him by way of declaration ; for His state-
ments were not strange to their usual mode of thought ; and in
the second place, because, having a limited time assigned Him
for preaching, He did not employ the method of demonstra-
tion in order that He might not spend all His limited time
in arguments, for in this way it might happen that He would
be fully occupied in giving the solutions of a few problems
which might be understood by mental exertion, while He
would not have given us to any great extent^ those state-
ments which relate to the truth. Accordingly He stated any
opinions He wished, as to a people who were able to under-
stand Him, to whom we also belong, who, whenever we did
not understand anything of what had been said by Him, —
a thing which rarely happened, — inquired of Him privately,
that nothing said by Him might be unintelligible to us.

Chap. vii. — Man in the shape of God.

" Knowing therefore that we knew all that was spoken
by Him, and that we could supply the proofs, He sent us
to the ignorant Gentiles to baptize them for remission of
sins,^ and commanded us to teach them first. Of His com-
mandments this is the first and great one, to fear the Lord
God, and to serve Him only. But He meant us to fear
that God whose angels they are who are the angels of the
least of the faithful amongst us,^ and who stand in heaven
continually beholding the face of the Father. For He has
shape, and He has every limb primarily and solely for beauty's
sake, and not for use. For He has not eyes that He may see
with them ; for He sees on every side, since He is incompar-
ably more brilliant in His body than the visual spirit which is
in us, and He is more splendid than everything, so that in
comparison with Him the light of the sun may be reckoned
as darkness. Nor has He ears that He may hear ; for He
hears, perceives, moves, energizes, acts on every side. But
He has the most beautiful shape on account of man, that the

^ Lit., "to a greater extent." ^ Matt, xxviii. 19. ^ Matt» xviii. 10.

2G2 THE CLEMENTIXE HOMILIES.

pure in heart^ may be able to see Him, that they may rejoice
because they suffered. For He moulded man in His ovrn
shape as in the grandest seal, in order that he may be the
ruler and lord of all, and that all may be subject to him.
Wherefore, judging that He is the universe, and that man
is His image (for He is Himself invisible, but His image
man is visible), the man who wishes to worship Him honours
His visible image, which is man. Whatsoever therefore any
one does to man, be it good or bad, is regarded as being done
to Him. Wherefore the judgment which proceeds from
Him shall go before, giving to every one according to his
merits. For He avenges His own shape.

Chap. yiii. — God^s figure: Simons ohjection ilierefrom

refuted.

^'But some one will say. If He has shape, then He has
figure also, and is in space ; but if He is in space, and is, as
being less, enclosed by it, how is He great above everything ?
How can He be everywhere if He has figure ? The first re-
mark I have to make to him who urges these objections is
this : The Scriptures persuade us to have such sentiments and
to believe such statements in regard to Him ; and we know
that their declarations are true, for witness is borne to them
by our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose orders we are bound to
afford proofs to you that such is the case. But first I shall
speak of space. The space of God is the non-existent, but
God is that which exists. But that which is non-existent
cannot be compared with that wdiich is existent. For how
can space be existent? unless it be a second space, such as
heaven, earth, water, air, and if there is any other body that
fills up the vacuity, which is called vacuity on this account,
that it is nothing. For 'nothing' is its more appropriate name.
For what is that which is called vacuity but as it were a
vessel which contains nothing, except the vessel itself ? But
being vacuity, it is not itself space ; but space is that in which
vacuity itself is, if indeed it is the vessel. For it must be the
case that that which exists is in that which does not exist.

1 Matt. v. 8.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 263

But by this which is non-existent I mean that which is called
by some, space, which is nothing. But being nothing, how
can it be compared with that which is, except by expressing
the contrary, and saying that it is that which does not exist,
^nd that that which does not exist is called space ? But even
if it were something, there are many examples which I have
at hand, but I shall content myself with one only, to show
that that which encloses is not unquestionably superior to
that which is enclosed. The sun is a circular figure, and is
entirely enclosed by air, yet it lightens up the air, it warms it,
it divides it ; and if the sun be away from it, it is enveloped
in darkness ; and from whatsoever part of it the sun is re-
moved, it becomes cold as if it were dead; but again it is
illuminated by its rising, and when it has been warmed up
by it, it is adorned with still greater beauty. And it does
this by giving a share of itself, though it has its substance
limited. What, then, is there to prevent God, as being the
Framer and Lord of this and everything else, from possessing
figure and shape and beauty, and having the communication
of these qualities proceeding from Himself extended in-
finitely ?

Chap. ix. — God the centre or heart of the universe,

^' One, then, is the God who truly exists, who presides in a
superior shape, being the heart of that which is above and
that which is below twice,^ which sends forth from Him as
from a centre the life-giving and incorporeal power ; the
whole universe with the stars and regions^ of the heaven, the
air, the fire, and if anything else exists, is proved to be a sub-
stance infinite in height, boundless in depth, immeasurable
in breadth, extendin£j the life-mvino; and wise nature from
Him over three infinites.^ It must be, therefore, that this

^ The whole of this chapter is full of corruptions ; " twice" occurs in
one MS. Various attempts have been made to amend the passage.

2 An emendation.

2 The text is corrupt. We have translated Itt ccTrslpovg rpug. Some
think " three" should be omitted. The three infinites are in respect of
height, depth, and breadth.

2G4 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

infinite which proceeds from Him on every side exists,-^
having as its heart Him who is above all, and who thus
possesses figure ; for wherever He be, He is as it were in
the centre of the infinite, being the limit of the universe.
And the extensions taking their rise with Him, possess the
nature of six infinites ; of whom the one taking its rise
with Him penetrates^ into the height above, another into
the depth below, another to the right hand, another to the
left, another in front, and another behind ; to whom He
Himself, looking as to a number that is equal on every
side,^ completes the world in six temporal intervals,* Himself
being the rest,'^ and having the infinite age to come as His
imaire, beincp the bemnnino; and the end. For in Him the
six infinites end, and from Him they receive their extension
to infinity.

Chap. x. — The nature and shape of God.

" This is the mystery of the hebdomad. For He Himself
is the rest of the whole who grants Himself as a rest to those
who imitate His greatness within their little measure. For
He is alone, sometimes comprehensible, sometimes incom-
prehensible, [sometimes limitable,^] sometimes illimitable,
having extensions which proceed from Him into infinity.
For thus He is comprehensible and incomprehensible, near
and far, being here and there, as being the only existent one,
and as giving a share of that mind which is infinite on every
hand, in consequence of which souls breathe and possess
life ;^ and if they be separated from the body and be found
with a longing for Him, they are borne along into His

^ As punctuated in Dressel, this reads, "that the infinite is the heart.'*

2 The emendation of the transcriber of one of the MSS.

3 This refers to the following mode of exhibiting the number : . .
Avhere each side presents the number three. • • •

■* The creation of the world in six days.

^ The seventh day on which God rested, the type of the rest of the
future age. See Epistle of Barnahas, c. xv.

^ The words wathin brackets are inserted by conjecture. " Sometimes
incomprehensible, sometimes illimitable," occur only in one MS.

' We have adopted Wieseler's suggestions.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 265

bosorrij as in the winter time the mists of the mountains,
attracted by the rays of the sun, are borne along Immortal^
to it. What affection ought therefore to arise within us if we
gaze with our mind on His beautiful shape ! But otherwise
it is absurd [to speak of beauty]. For beauty cannot exist
apart from shape ; nor can one be attracted to the love of God,
nor even deem that he can see Him, if God has no form.

Chap. xi. — The fear of God,

" But some who are strangers to the truth, and who give
their energies to the service of evil, on pretext of glorifying
God, say that He has no figure, in order that, being shapeless
and formless, He may be visible to no one, so as not to be
longed for. For the mind, not seeing the form of God, is
empty of Him. But how can any one pray if he has no one
to whom he may flee for refuge, on whom he may lean ?
For if he meets with no resistance, he falls out into vacuity.
Yea, says he, we ought not to fear God, but to love Him. I
agree ; but the consciousness of having done well in each
good act will accomplish this. Now well-doing proceeds from
fearing. But fear, says he, strikes death into the soul.
Nay, but I affirm that it does not strike death, but awakens
the soul, and converts it. And perhaps the injunction not
to fear God might be right, if we men did not fear many
other things ; such, for instance, as plots against us by those
who are like us, and wild beasts, serpents, diseases, sufferings,
demons, and a thousand other ills. Let him, then, who asks
us not to fear God, rescue us from these, that we may not
fear them ; but if he cannot, why should he grudge that we
should be delivered from a thousand fears by one fear, the
fear of the Just One, and that it should be possible by a
slight ^ faith In Him to remove a thousand afflictions from
ourselves and otherSj and receive instead an exchange of

1 This word is justly suspected. The passage is in other respects
corrupt.

2 The word " slight" is not used in reference to the character of the
faith, but to indicate that the act of faith is a small act compared with
the results that flow from it.

2GQ THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

blessings, and that, doing no ill in consequence of fear of
the God ^yho sees everything, we should continue in peace
even in the present life.

Chap. xii. — The fear and love of God,

" Thus, then, grateful service to Him who is truly Lord,
renders us free from service to all other masters.^ If, then,
it is possible for any one to be free from sin without fearing
God, let him not fear ; for under the influence of love to
Him one cannot do what is displeasing to Him. For, on the
one hand, it is written that we are to fear Him, and we have
been commanded to love Him, in order that each of us may
use that prescription which is suitable to his constitution.
Fear Him, therefore, because He is just ; but whether you
fear Him or love Him, sin not. And may it be the case that
any one who fears Him shall be able to gain the victory
over unlawful desires, shall not lust after what belongs to
others, shall practise kindness, shall be sober, and act justly !
For I see some who are imperfect in their fear of Plim
sinning very much. Let us therefore fear God, not only
because He is just ; for it is through pity for those who have
received injustice that He inflicts punishment on those who
have done the injustice. As water therefore quenches fire,
so does fear extinguish the desire for evil practices. He who
teaches fearlessness does not himself fear ; but he who does
not fear, does not believe that there will be a judgment,
strengthens his lusts, acts as a magician, and accuses others
of the deeds which he himself does."

CiiAP. XIII. — The evidence of the senses contrasted with that
from supernatural vision.

Simon, on hearing this, interrupted him, and said : ''I know
against whom you are making these remarks ; but in order
that I may not spend any time in discussing subjects which
I do not wish to discuss, repeating the same statements to
refute you, reply to that which is concisely stated by us.
You professed that you had well understood the doctrines and
^ We have adopted an emendation of a passage which is plainly corrupt.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 267

deeds^ of your teacher because you saw them before you with
your own eyes,^ and heard them with your own ears, and that
it is not possible for any other to have anything similar by
vision or apparition. But I shall show that this is false. He
who hears any one with his own ears, is not altogether fully
assured of the truth of what is said ; for his mind has to con-
sider whether he is wrong or not, inasmuch as he is a man as
far as appearance goes. But apparition not merely presents
an object to view, but inspires him who sees it with confi-
dence, for it comes from God. Now reply first to this."

Chap. xiv. — The evidence of the senses more trustioorthy than
that of supernatural vision.

And Peter said : " You proposed to speak to one point,
you replied to another.^ For your proposition was, that one
is better able to know more fully, [and to attain confidence,^]
when he hears in consequence of an apparition, than when
he hears with his own ears ; but when you set about the
matter, you were for persuading us that he who hears
through an apparition is surer than he who hears with his
own ears. Finally, you alleged that, on this account, you
knew more satisfactorily the doctrines of Jesus than I do,
because you heard His words through an apparition. But I
shall reply to the proposition you made at the beginning.
The prophet, because he is a prophet, having first given cer-
tain information with regard to what is objectively^ said

^ Doctrines and deeds ; lit., the things of your teacher.

^ The MSS. have here hipyiicc, " activity." This has been amended
into ivocpyilcc^ "with plainness, with distinctness." ''Eyxpynx is used
throughout in opposition to oTirruala.^ opx^a, and euvTn/iou, and means the
act of seeing and hearing by our own senses in plain daylight, when to
doubt the fact observed is to doubt the senses ; o'lnocaia, is apparition
or vision in ecstasy, or some extraordinary way but that of sleep ; opocf^cc
and iuv-TTuiQu are restricted to visions in sleep. The last term implies
this. The first means simply " a thing seen."

^ Probably it should be a.Tna'hi'ja instead of ccTrsKpiucoj " you turned
aside to another."

^ The words inserted in brackets are inserted conjecturally, to fill up
a lacuna in the best MS.

^ ivupycjgj " with reference to things palpable to our senses."

268 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

by liim, is believed with confidence ; and being known be-
forehand to be a true prophet, and being examined and
questioned as the disciple wishes, he replies : But he who
trusts to apparition or vision and dream is insecure. For he
does not know to whom he is trusting. For it is possible
either that he may be an evil demon or a deceptive spirit,
pretending in his speeches to be what he is not. But if any
one should wish to inquire of him who he is who has ap-
peared, he can say to himself whatever he likes. And thus,
gleaming forth like a wicked one, and remaining as long as
he likes, he is at length extIno;uished, not remaining with the
questioner so long as he wished him to do for the purpose of
consulting him. For any one that sees by means of dreams
cannot inquire about whatever he may wish. For reflection
is not in the special power of one who is asleep. Hence we,
desiring to have information in regard to something in our
waking hours, inquire about something else in our dreams ;
or without inquiring, we hear about matters that do not con-
cern us, and awaking from sleep we are dispirited because
we have neither heard nor inquired about those matters
which we were eager to know."

Chap. xv. — The evidence from dreams discussed.

And Simon said: "If you maintain that apparitions do
not always reveal the truth, yet for all that, visions and
dreams, being God-sent, do not speak falsely in regard to
those matters which they wish to tell." And Peter said :
" You were right in saying that, being God-sent, they do
not speak falsely. But it is uncertain if he who sees has
seen a God-sent dream." And Simon said : " If he who has
had the vision is just, he has seen a true vision." And
Peter said : " You were right. But who is just, if he stands
in need of a vision that he may learn what he ought to learn,
and do what he ought to do ? " And Simon said : '' Grant
me this, that the just man alone can see a true vision, and I
shall then reply to that other point. For I have come to the
conclusion that an impious man does not see a true dream."
And Peter said: "This is false; and I can prove it both

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 269

apart from Scripture and by Scripture ; but I do not under-
take to persuade you. For the man who is inclined to fall
in love with a bad woman, does not change his mind so as to
care for a lawful union with another woman in every respect
good; but sometimes they love the worse woman through
prepossessions, though they are conscious that there is
another who is more excellent. And you are ignorant, in
consequence of some such state of mind." And Simon said:
*^ Dismiss this subject, and discuss the matter on which you
promised to speak. For it seems to me impossible that
impious men should receive dreams from God in any way
whatever."

Chap. xvi. — None hut evil demons appear to the impious.

And Peter said : " I remember that I promised to prove
this point, and to give my proofs in regard to it from Scrip-
ture and apart from Scripture. And now listen to what I
say. We know that there are many (if you will pardon me
the statement ; and if you don't, I can appeal to those who
are present as judges) who worship idols, commit adultery,
and sin in every way, and yet they see true visions and
dreams, and some of them have also apparitions of demons.
For I maintain that the eyes of mortals cannot see the incor-
poreal form of the Father or Son, because it is illumined by
exceeding great light. Wherefore it is not because God
envies, but because He pities, that He cannot be seen by
man who has been turned into flesh. For he who sees
[God] cannot live. For the excess of light dissolves the
flesh of him who sees ; unless by the secret power of God
the flesh be changed into the nature of light, so that it can
see light, or the substance of light be changed into flesh,
so that it can be seen by flesh. For the power to see the
Father, without undergoing any change, belongs to the Son
alone. But the just shall also in like manner behold God ;^
for in the resurrection of the dead, when they have been

^ We have translated a bold conjecture. The text has, " The just not
in like manner," without any verb, which Schwegler amended: "To
the just this power does not belong in like manner."

270 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

changed, as far as their bodies are concerned, into light^
and become like the angels, they shall be able to see Him.
Finally, then, if any angel be sent that he may be seen by a
man, he is changed into flesh, that he may be able to be
seen by flesh. For no one can see the incorporeal power
not only of the Son, but not even of an angel. But if one
sees an apparition, he should know that this is the apparition
of an evil demon.

Chap. xyii. — The impious see true dreams and visions.

'^ But it is manifest that the impious see true visions and
dreams, and I can prove it from Scripture. Finally, then, it
is written in the law, how Abimelech, who was impious,
wished to defile the wife of just Abraham by intercourse, and
how he heard the commandment from God in his sleep, as
the Scripture saith, not to touch her,^ because she was dwell-
ing with her husband. Pharaoh, also an impious man, saw
a dream in refjard to the fulness and thinness of the ears of
corn,^ to whom Joseph said, when he gave the interpretation,
that the dream had come from God.^ Nebuchadnezzar, who
worshipped images, and ordered those who worshipped God
to be cast into fire, saw a dream* extending over the wdiole
age of the world.^ And let no one say, ^ No one who is
impious sees a vision when awake.' That is false. Nebu-
chadnezzar himself, havini:^ ordered three men to be cast into
fire, saw a fourth when he looked into the furnace, and said,
^ I see the fourth as the Son of God.' ^ And nevertheless,
though they saw apparitions, visions, and dreams, they were
impious. Thus, we cannot infer with absolute certainty that
the man who has seen visions, and dreams, and apparitions,
is undoubtedly pious. For in the case of the pious man,
the truth gushes up natural and pure^ in his mind, not
worked up through dreams, but granted to the good through
intellifzence.

1 Gen. XX. 3. ^ Qen. xU, g, 3 Qcn. xli. 25. ^ Dan. ii. 31.

^ Lit., of the whole length of the age. ^ Dan. iii. 25.

^ "We have amended this passage. The text applies the words " natu-
ral [or innate] and pure " to the mind.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 271

Chap, xviii. — The nature of revelation,

" Thus to me also was the Son revealed by the Father,
Wherefore I know what is the meaning of revelation, having
learned it in my own case. For at the very time when the
Lord said, ^ Who do they say that I am ? ' ^ and when I
heard one saying one thing of Him, and another another,
it came into my heart to say (and I know not, therefore, how
I said it), ^ Thou art the Son of the living God.' ^ But He,
pronouncing me blesseJ, pointed out to me that it was the
Father who had revealed it to me; and from this time I learned
that revelation is knowledge gained without instruction, and
without apparition and dreams. And this is indeed the case.
For in the [soul ^] which has been placed in us by * God,
there is all the truth ; but it is covered and revealed by the
hand of God, who works so far as each one through his
knowledge deserves.^ But the declaration of anything by
means of apparitions and dreams from without is a proof, not
that it comes from revelation, but from wrath. Finally, then,
it is written in the law, that God, being angry, said to Aaron
and Miriam,^ ' If a prophet arise from amongst you, I shall
make myself known to him through visions and dreams, but
not so as to my servant Moses ; because I shall speak to him
in an [outward] appearance, and not through dreams, just as
one will speak to his own friend.' You see how the state-
ments of wrath are made through visions and dreams, but
the statements to a friend are made face to face, in [outward]
appearance, and not through riddles and visions and dreams,
as to an enemy.

1 Matt. xvi. 13. 2 Matt. xvi. 16.

^ This word is not in the text. Schliemann proposed the word
"heart." Possibly "breath" or "spirit" may be the lost word. See
above.

4 u gyn should properly be " from."

^ Lit., " who produces according to the merit of each one knowing."
Cotelerius translated, "who, knowing the merit of each man, does to
him according to it." The idea seems to be, that God uncovers the
truth hidden in the soul to each man according to his deserts.

^ Num. xii. 6 ; Ex. xxxiii. 11,

272 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xix. — Opposition to Peter unreasonable,

^' If, then, our Jesus appeared to you in a vision, made
Himself known to you, and spoke to you, it was as one wdio
is enraged with an adversary ; and this is the reason why it
was through visions and dreams, or through revelations that
were from without, that He spoke to you. But can any one
be rendered fit for instruction through apparitions ? And
if you will say, ' It is possible,' then I ask, ' Why did our
teacher abide and discourse a whole year to those who were
awake?' And how are we to believe your word, when you
tell us that He appeared to you ? And how did He appear
to you, when you entertain opinions contrary to His teaching ?
But if you were seen and taught by Him, and became His
apostle for a single hour, proclaim His utterances, interpret
His sayings, love His apostles, contend not with me who
companied with Him. For in direct opposition to me, who
am a firm rock, the foundation of the church/ you now
stand. If you were not opposed to me, you w^ould not accuse
me, and revile the truth proclaimed by me, in order that I
may not be believed when I state what I myself have heard
with my own ears from the Lord, as if I were evidently a
person that was condemned and in bad repute.^ But if you
say that I am condemned, you bring an accusation against
God, wdio revealed the Christ to me, and you inveigh against
Him who pronounced me blessed on account of the revela-
tion. But if, indeed, you really wish to work in the cause of
truth, learn first of all from us what we have learned from
Him, and, becoming a disciple of the truth, become a fellow-
worker with us."

Chap. xx. — Another sulject for discussion proposed.

When Simon heard this, he said : " Far be it from me to
become his or your disciple. For I am not ignorant of what
I ought to know ; but the inquiries which I made as a learner

1 Matt. xvi. 18.

^ ^Ve have adopted an emendation of Scliwegler's. The text reads,
" in good repute."

• THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 273

were made that I may see if you can prove that actual sight
is more distinct than apparition.^ But you spoke according to
your own pleasure ; you did not prove. And now, to-morrow
I shall come to your opinions in regard to God, whom you
affirmed to be the framer of the world ; and in my discus-
sion with you, I shall show that he is not the highest, nor
good, and that your teacher made the same statements as I
now do ; and I shall prove that you have not understood
him." On saying this he went away, not wishing to listen
to what might be said lO the propositions which he had laid
down.

1 This passage is corrupt in the text. Dressel reads, " that activity is
more distinct than apparition." By activity would be meant, " acting
while one is awake, and in full possession of liis senses ; " and thus the
meaniDg would be nearly the same as in our translation.

HOMILY XVIII.

Chap. i. — Simon maintains that the framer of the icorld is
not the highest God.

T break of daj, when Peter went forth to discourse,
Simon anticipated him, and said : ^^ When I went
away yesterday, I promised to you to return to-
day, and in a discussion show that he who framed
the world is not the highest God, but that the highest God
is another who alone is good, and who has remained un-
known up to this time. At once, then, state to me whether
you maintain that the framer of the world is the same as the
lawgiver or not ? If, then, he is the lawgiver, he is just ;
but if he is just, he is not good. But if he is not good,
then it was another that Jesus proclaimed, when he said,^
' Do not call me good ; for one is good, the Father who is in
the heavens.' Now a lawgiver cannot be both just and
good, for these qualities do not harmonize." And Peter
said : '•^ First tell us what are the actions which in your
opinion constitute a person good, and what are those which
constitute him just, in order that thus we may address our
words to the same mark." And Simon said : ^' Do you state
first what in your opinion is goodness, and what justice."

Chap. ii. — Definition of goodness and justice.

And Peter said : '' That I may not waste my time in
contentious discussions, while I make the fair demand that
you should give answers to my propositions, I shall myself
answer those questions which I put, as is your wish. I then
affirm that the man who bestows^ [goods] is good, just as I
see the Framer of the world doing when He gives the sun

1 Matt. xix. 17.

^ There is a lacuna in one of the MSS. here, which is supplied in various
ways. We have inserted the word " goods."

274

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 275

to the good, and the rain to the just and unjust." And
Simon said : " It is most unjust that he should give the
same things to the just and the unjust." And Peter said :
" Do you, then, in your turn state to us what course of con-
duct would constitute Him good." And Simon said : " It is
you that must state this." And Peter said : " I will. He
who gives the same things to the good and just, and also to
the evil and unjust, is not even just according to you ; but you
would with reason call Him just if He gave goods to the good
and evils to the evil. What course of conduct, then, would
He adopt, if He does not adopt the plan of giving things
temporal to the evil, if perchance they should be converted,
and things eternal to the good, if at least they remain [good]?
And thus by giving to all, but by gratifying the more ex-
cellent,^ His justice is good ; and all the more long-suffering
in this, that to sinners who repent He freely grants forgive-
ness of their sins, and to those who have acted well He
assigns even eternal life. But judging at last, and giving to
each one what he deserves. He is just. If, then, this is right,
confess it ; but if it appears to you not to be right, refute it."

Chap. hi. — God both good and just.

And Simon said : " I said once for all, ^ Every lawgiver,
looking to justice, is just.' " And Peter said : " If it is the
part of him who is good not to lay down a law, but of him
who is just to lay down a law, in this way the Framer of the
world is both good and just. He is good, inasmuch as it is
plain that He did not lay down a law in writing from the
times of Adam to Moses ; but inasmuch as He had a written
law from Moses to the present times,^ He is just also." And
Simon said : ^' Prove to me from the utterances of your
teacher that it is within the power of the same man to be
good and just ; for to me it seems impossible that the law-

^ This translation of Cotelerius is doubtful. More correctly it would
be, " by gratifying different people," which does not make sense.
Wieseler proposes, " by gratifying in different ways."

2 The text seems corrupt here. Literally it is, " from Moses to the
present times, as has been written, He is just also."

276 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

giver who is good should also be just." And Peter said :
'• I shall explain to you how goodness itself is just. Our
teacher Himself first said to the Pharisee who asked Him,-^
'What shall I do to inherit eternal life?' ' Do not call me
good ; for one is good, even the Father who is in the
heavens;' and straightway He introduced these words, 'But
if thou shalt wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.'
And when he said, 'What commandments?' He pointed
him to those of the law. Now He would not, if He were
indicating some other good being, have referred him to the
commandments of the Just One. That indeed justice and
goodness are different I allow, but you do not know that it
is within the power of the same being to be good and just.
For He is good, in that He is now long-suffering with the
penitent, and welcomes them ; but just, when acting as judge
He will give to every one according to his deserts."

CiiAP. IV. — The unrevealed God.

And Simon said : " How, then, if the framer of the world,
who also fashioned Adam, was known, and known too by
those who were just according to the law, and moreover by
the just and unjust, and the whole world, does your teacher,
coming after all these, say,^ 'No one has known the Father
but the Son, even as no one knoweth the Son but the Father,
and those to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him?' But
he w^ould not have made this statement, had he not proclaimed
a Father who was still unrevealed, whom the law speaks of
as the highest, and who has not given any utterance either
good or bad (as Jeremiah testifies in the Lamentations^) ; who
also, limiting the nations to seventy languages, according to
the number of the sons of Israel who entered Egypt, and
accordinn" to the boundaries of these nations, crave to his own
Son, who is also called Lord, and who brought into order
the heaven and the earth, the Hebrews as his portion, and
defined him to be God of gods, that is, of the gods who re-
ceived the other nations as their portions. Laws, therefore,

^ Luke xviii. 19 ; Matt. xix. 17.

2 Matt. xi. 27. s Lam. iii. 38.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 211

proceeded from all the so-called gods to their own divisions,
which consist of the other nations. In like manner also
from the Son of the Lord of all came forth the law which is
established among the Hebrews. And this state of matters
was determined on, that if any one should seek refuge in the
law of any one, he should belong to the division of him
whose law he undertook to obey. No one knew the highest
Father, who was unrevealed, just as they did not know that
his Son was his Son. Accordingly at this moment you
yourself, in assigning che special attributes of the unrevealed
Most High to the Son, do not know that he is the Son, being
the Father of Jesus, who with you is called the Christ."

Chap. v. — Peter doubts Simon^s lionesty.

When Simon had made these statements, Peter said to
him : " Can you call to witness that these are your beliefs
that being Himself, — I do not mean Him whom you speak
of now as being unrevealed, but Him in whom you believe,
though you do not confess Him ? For you are talking non-
sense when you define one thing instead of another. Where-
fore, if you call Him to witness that you believe what you
say, I shall answer you. But if you continue discussing
with me what you do not believe, you compel me to strike
the empty air." And Simon said : " It is from some of your
own disciples that I have heard [that this is the truth ^]."
And Peter said : " Do not bear false witness ? " And Simon
said : ^' Do not rebuke me, most insolent man." And Peter
said : " So long as you do not tell who it was who said so,
[I affirm that] you are a liar." And Simon said : " Suppose
that I myself have got up these doctrines, or that I heard
them from some other, give me your answer to them. For
if they cannot be overturned, then I have learned that this
is the truth." And Peter said : " If it is a human invention,
I will not reply to it ; but if you are held fast by the sup-
position that it is the truth, acknowledge to me that this is
the case, and I can then myself say something in regard to

^ The words in brackets are inserted to fill up a lacuna which occurs
here in the Vatican MS.

278 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

the matter." And Simon said : " Once for all, then, these
doctrines seem to me to be true. Give me your reply, if you
have aught to say against them."

Chap. vi. — TJie nature of revelation.

And Peter said : " If this is the case, you are acting most
impiously. For if it belongs to the Son, who arranged
heaven and earth, to reveal His unrevealed Father to whom-
soever He wishes, you are, as I said, acting most impiously
in revealing Him to those to whom He has not revealed
Him." And Simon said : " But he himself wishes me to
reveal him." And Peter said : " You do not understand
w^hat I mean, Simon. But listen and understand. When
it is said that the Son will reveal Him to whom He wishes, it
is meant that such an one is to learn of Him not by instruc-
tion, but by revelation only. For it is revelation when that
which lies secretly veiled in all the hearts of men is revealed
[unveiled] by His [God's] own will without any utterance.
And thus knowledge comes to one, not because he has been
instructed, but because he has understood. And yet the
person who understands it cannot demonstrate it to another,
since he did not himself receive it by instruction ; nor can he
reveal it, since he is not himself the Son, unless he maintains
that he is himself the Son. But you are not the standing
Son. For if you were the Son, assuredly you would know
those who are worthy of such a revelation. But you do not
know them. For if you knew them, you would do as they
do who know."

Chap. vii. — Simon confesses his ignorance.

And Simon said : " I confess I have not understood what
you mean by the expression, * You would do as they do who
know.' " And Peter said : ^' If you have not understood it,
then you cannot know the mind of every one ; and if you are
ignorant of this, then you do not know those who are worthy
of the revelation. You are not the Son, for ^ the Son knows.
Wherefore He reveals [Him] to whomsoever He vrishes, be-

1 The Greek has "but."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 279

cause they are worthy." And Simon said : " Be not deceived.
I know those who are worthy, and I am not the Son. And
yet I have not understood what meaning you attach to the
wordsj ^ He reveals [Him] to whomsoever He wishes.' But
I said that I did not understand it, not because I did not
know it, but because I knew that those who were present
did not understand it, in order that you may state it more
distinctly, so that they may perceive what are the reasons
why we are carrying on this discussion." And Peter said :
"I cannot state the matter more clearly: explain what mean-
ing you have attached to the words." And Simon said :
"There is no necessity why I should state your opinions."
And Peter said : *' You evidently, Simon, do not understand
it, and yet you do not wish to confess, that you may not be
detected in your ignorance, and thus be proved not to be the
standing Son. For you hint this, though you do not wish
to state it plainly ; and, indeed, I who am not a prophet, but
a disciple of the true Prophet, know well from the hints you
have given what your wishes are. For you, though you do
not understand even what is distinctly said, wish to call your-
self son in opposition to us." And Simon said : " I will
remove every pretext from you. I confess I do not under-
stand what can be the meaning of the statement, ' The Son.
reveals [Him] to whomsoever He wishes.' State therefore
what is its meaning more distinctly."

Chap. yiii. — TJie work of revelation belongs to the Son alone.

And Peter said : ^' Since, at least in appearance, you have
confessed that you do not understand it, reply to the question
1 put to you, and you will learn the meaning of the statement.
Tell me, do you maintain that the Son, whoever he be, is
just, or that he is not just ? " And Simon said : " I maintain
that he is most just." And Peter said : " Seeing He is just,
why does He not make the revelation to all, but only to those
to whom He wishes?" And Simon said: "Because, being
just, he wishes to make the revelation only to the worthy."
And Peter said : " Must He not therefore know the mind of
each one, in order that He may make the revelation to the

280 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

worthy?'' And Simon said: "Of course he must." And
Peter said : " With reason, therefore, has the work of giving
the revelation been confined to Him alone, for He alone knows
the mind of every one ; and it has not been given to you,
who are not able to understand even that which is stated
by us."

Chap. ix. — How Simon hears his exposure.

When Peter said this, the multitudes applauded. But
Simon, being thus exposed,^ blushed through shame, and
rubbing his forehead, said : " Well, then, do they declare that
I, a magician, yea, even I who syllogize, am conquered by
Peter ? It is not so. But if one should syllogize, though
carried away and conquered, he still retains the truth that is
in him. For the weakness in the defender is not identical
with the truth in the conquered man.^ But I assure you
that I have judged all those who are bystanders worthy to
know the unrevealed Father. Wherefore, because I publicly
reveal him to them, you yourself, through envy, are angry
with me who wish to confer a benefit on them."

Chap. x. — Peter s reply to Simon.

And Peter said : " Since you have thus spoken to please
the multitudes who are present, I shall speak to them, not
to please them, but to tell them the truth. Tell me how
you know all those who are present to be worthy, when not
■even one of them agreed with your exposition of the subject;

1 Lit., " caught in the act."

^ This passage is deemed corrupt by commentators. We have made
no change in the reading of the MSS., except that of vvjiK-fii^ivftv into
vi'jiKY.yAvo;^ and perhaps even this is unnecessary. The last sentence
means : "A man may overcome the weakness of his adversary ; but he
does not therefore strip him of the truth, which he possesses even when
he is conquered." The Latin translation of Cotelerius, with some
emendations from later editors, yields this: "But they say that I, a
magician, am not merely conquered by Peter, but reduced to straits
by his reasonings. But not even though one be reduced to straits by
reasonings, has he the truth which is in him conquered. For the weak-
ness of the defender is not the truth of the conqueror."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 281

for the giving of applause to me in opposition to you is not
the act of those who agree with you, but of those who agree
with me, to whom they gave the applause for having spoken
the truth. But since God, who is just, judges the mind of
each one — a doctrine which you affirm to be true — He would
not have wished this to be given through the left hand to those
on the right hand, exactly as the man who receives anything
from a robber is himself guilty. So that, on this account,
He did not wish them to receive what is brought by you ; but
they are to receive the revelation through the Son, who has
been set apart for this work. For to whom is it reasonable
that the Father should give a revelation, but to His only Son,
because He knows Him to be worthy of such a revelation ?
And so this is a matter which one cannot teach or be taught,
but it must be revealed by the ineffable hand to him who is
worthy to know it."

Chap. xi. — Simon professes to utter his real sentiments.

And Simon said : " It contributes much to victory, if
the man who wars uses his own weapons; for what one
loves he can in real earnest defend, and that which is
defended with genuine earnestness has no ordinary power
in it. Wherefore in future I shall lay before you my real
opinions. I maintain that there is some unrevealed power,
unknown to all, even to the Creator himself, as Jesus him-
self has also declared, though he did not know what he
said. For wlien one talks a great deal he sometimes hits
the truth, not knowing what he is saying. I am referring
to the statement which he uttered, ' No one knows the
Father.'" And Peter said: "Do not any longer profess
that you know His doctrines." And Simon said : '' I do not
profess to believe his doctrines ; but I am discussing points
in which he was by accident right." And Peter said :
" Not to give you any pretext for escape, I shall carry on
the discussion with you in the way you wish. At the same
time, I call all to witness that you do not yet believe the
statement which you just now made. For I know your
opinions. And in order that you may not imagine that I

282 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

am not speaking the truth, I shall expound your opinions,
that you may know that you are discussing with one who is
well acquainted with them.

Chap. xii. — Simoiis opinions expounded hj Peter.

"We, Simon, do not assert that from the great power,
which is also called the dominant ^ power, two angels were
sent forth, the one to create the world, the other to give the
law; nor that each one when he came proclaimed himself, on
account of what he had done, as the sole creator ; nor that
there is one who stands, will stand, and is opposed.^ Learn
how you disbelieve even in respect to this subject. If you say
that there is an unrevealed power, that power is full of igno-
rance. For it did not foreknow the inaratitude of the anirels
who were sent by it." And Simon became exceedingly angry
w^ith Peter for saying this, and interrupted his discourse, say-
ing: "AVhat nonsense is this you speak, you daring and most
impudent of men, revealing plainly before the multitudes the
secret doctrines, so that they can be easily learned ? '* And
Peter said : " Why do you grudge that the present audience
should receive benefit?" And Simon said: " Do you then
allow^ that such knowledge is a benefit?" And Peter said:
"I allowMt: for the knowledge of a false doctrine is beneficial,
inasmuch as you do not fall into it because of ignorance."
And Simon said : " You are evidently not able to reply to
the propositions I laid before you. I maintain that even your
teacher affirms that there is some Father unrevealed."

Chap. xiii. — Peter s explanation of the passage.

And Peter said : " I shall reply to that which you wish me
to speak of, — namely, the passage, ' No one knows the Father
but the Son, nor does any one know the Son but the Father,

^ Kvpl».

^ The text is corrupt. Various emendations have been proposed, none
of which are satisfactory. Uhlhorn proposes, "that there is a standing
one, one who will stand. You who are opposed, learn how you dis-
believe, and that this subject which you say is the power unrevealed is
full of ignorance." P. 283, note.

== THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 283 ==

and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First,
then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of
countless interpretations, you should have chosen the very
dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made
in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and
all who are under him. For, first, the statement can apply
to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ,
and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He
is the Son of God. Wherefore it is appropriately said, ^ No
one knows the Father,' since, instead of God, they affirmed
David to be His father ; and the additional remark, that no
one knows even the Son, is quite correct, since they did not
know that He was the Son. The statement also, ^to whom-
soever the Son may wish to reveal Him,' is also correct ; for
He, being the Son from the beginning, was alone appointed
to give the revelation to those to whom He wishes to give it.
And thus the first man (protoplast) Adam must have heard
of Him ; and Enoch, who pleased [God], must have known
Him ; and Noah, the righteous one, must have become
acquainted with Him ; and Abraam His friend must have
understood Him ; and Isaac must have perceived Him ; and
Jacob, who wrestled with Him, must have believed in Him ;
and the revelation must have been given to all among the
people who were worthy.

Chap. xiv. — Simon refuted.

" But if, as you say, it will be possible to know Him, be-
cause He is now revealed to all through Jesus,-^ are you not
stating what is most unjust, when you say that these men
did not know Him, who were the seven pillars of the world,
and who were able to please the most just God, and that so
many now from all nations who w^ere impious know Him in
every respect ? Were not those who were superior to every
one not deemed worthy to know Him ? ^ And how can that
be good which is not just ? unless you wish to give the name

^ The text is corrupt. TVe have placed Itoi ro after dliuxi.
2 Another reading is: "Were not those deemed better worthy than
any one else to know Him ? "

== 284 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

of ^ good,' not to him who does good to those who act justly,
but to him who loves the unjust, even though they do not
believe, and reveals to them the secrets which he would not
reveal to the just. But such conduct is befitting neither in
one who is good nor just, but in one who has come to hate
the pious. Are not you, Simon, the standing one, who
have the boldness to make these statements which never have
been so made before? "

=== Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed. ===

And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own
teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth,
that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to
suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in
which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if
it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you.
Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was
concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could
not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father
in addition to Him who created the world. For it is possible
that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of
the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself ; because Isaiah^ says, ' I
will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things
concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow,
then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con-
cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but
revealed to babes ? And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]])
ignorant of them, if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of
them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was con-
cealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement ; for He
said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and^]

1 Matt. xi. 9o.

2 The passage does not occur in Isaiah, but in Ps. Ixxviii. 2. The words
are quoted not from the Septuagint, but from the Gospel of Matthew
(xiii. 35), where in some MSS. they are attributed to Isaiah. See Uhl-
horn, p. 119.

^ The words in brackets are omitted in the Jiss. ; but the context
leaves no doubt that they were once in the text.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 285

hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word ^ Thoii
hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to
them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the
knowledge of the secrets, lay with them.

Chap. xvi. — Tliese things hidden justly from the wise.

"And do not say He acted impiously towards the wise
in hiding these things from them. Far be such a supposi-
tion from us. For He did not act impiously ; but since they
hid the knowledge of the kingdom,^ and neither themselves
entered nor allowed those who wished to enter, on this
account, and justly, inasmuch as they hid the ways from
those who wished, were in like manner the secrets hidden
from them, in order that they themselves might experience
what they had done to others, and with what measure they
had measured, an equal measure might be meted out to
them.^ For to him who is w^orthy to know, is due that which
he does not know ; but from him who is not worthy, even
should he seem to have anything, it is taken away,^ even if
he be wise in other matters ; and it is given to the worthy,
even should they be babes as far as the times of their dis-
cipleship are concerned.

Chap. xvii. — The way to the kingdom not concealed from, the

Israelites,

" But if one shall say nothing was concealed from the sons
of Israel, because it is written,^ ' Nothing escaped thy notice,
O Israel (for do not say, O Jacob, The way is hid from me),'
he ought to understand that the things that belong to the
kingdom had been hid from them, but that the way that leads
to the kingdom, that is, the mode of life, had not been hid
from them. Wherefore it is that He says, * For say not that
the way has been hid from me.' But by the way is meant
the mode of life ; for Moses says,^ ^ Behold, I have set before
thy face the way of life and the way of death.' And the
Teacher spoke in harmony with this :^ * Enter ye through the

1 Luke xi. 52. 2 T^^^tt. vii. 2. » L^^e viii. 18.

•* Isa. xl. 26, 27. « Beut. xxx. 15. ^ Matt. vii. 13, 14.

286 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

strait and narrow way, through which ye shall enter into life.'
And somewhere else, when one asked Him,^ ' What shall I
do to inherit eternal life 1 ' He pointed out to him the com-
mandments of the law.

Chap, xviii. — Isaiah i. 3 explained,

" From the circumstance that Isaiah said, in the person of
God/ ' But Israel hath not known me, and the people hath
not understood me,' it is not to be inferred that Isaiah in-
dicated another God besides Him who is known ;^ but he
meant that the known God was in another sense unknown,
because the people sinned, being ignorant of the just cha-
racter of the known God, and imagined that they would not
be punished by the good God. Wherefore, after he said,
' But Israel hath not known me, and the people hath not
understood me,' he adds, ^ Alas ! a sinful nation, a people
laden with sins.' For, not being afraid, in consequence of
their ignorance of His justice, as I said, they became laden
with sins, supposing that He was merely good, and would not
therefore punish them for their sins.

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of immaculate that
there would be no judgment^ because of Pious goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expressions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

"* "We have adopted the Latin translation here, as giving the meaning
■Which was intended by the writer ; but the Greek will scarcely admit
of such a translation. Probably the text is corrupt, or something is
omitted. The literal translation is, "in consequence of the unjudging
supposition on account of the goodness."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 287

themselves did things like to what their God did, and thus
sinning, asserted that they were acting piously. Where-
fore it was impossible for them to change to the better, and
when warned they took no heed. For they were not afraid,
since they became like their God through such actions.

Chap. xx. — Some 'parts of the Old Testament luritten to

try us,

" But one might with good reason maintain that it was
with reference to those ./ho thought Him to be such that the
statement was made, 'No one knoweth the Father but the
Son, as no one knoweth even the Son, but the Father.' And
reasonably. For if they had known, they would not have
sinned, by trusting to the books written against God, really
for the purpose of trying. But somewhere also He says,
wishing to exhibit the cause of their error more distinctly to
them, ' On this account ye do err, not knowing the true
things of the Scriptures, on which account ye are ignorant
also of the power of God.' ■"■ Wherefore every man who
wishes to be saved must become, as the Teacher said, a judge
of the books written to try us. For thus He spake : ^ Be-
come experienced bankers.' Now the need of bankers arises
from the circumstance that the spurious is mixed up with
the genuine."

Chap. xxi. — Simon^s astonishment at Peter s treatment of

the Scriptures.

When Peter said this, Simon pretended to be utterly
astonished at what was said in regard to the Scriptures ; and
as if in great agitation, he said : ^' Far be it from me, and
those who love me, to listen to your discourses. And,
indeed, as long as I did not know that you held these
opinions in regard to the Scriptures, I endured you, and dis-
cussed with you ; but now I retire. Indeed, I ought at the
first to have withdrawn, because I heard you say, ' I, for
my part, believe no one who says anything against Him who
created the world, neither angels, nor prophets, nor Scrip-

1 Mark xii, 24.

== 288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. ==

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

=== Chap. xxii. — Peter worships one God ===
,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 289

reasonable. Thus, even if you find one who is superior to
Him, he knows that you will one day abandon him ; and the
more so that he has not been your father, since you have
abandoned Him who was really your Father.

Chap, xxiii. — Simon retires.

" But you will say, ' He knows that there is no other above
him, and on this account he cannot be abandoned.' Thanks,
then, to there being no other ; but He knows that the state
of your mind is one inchned to ingratitude. But if, knowing
you to be ungrateful, He welcomes you, and knowing me to
be grateful. He does not receive me. He is inconsiderate,
according to your own assertion, and does not act reasonably.
And thus, Simon, you are not aware that you are the servant
of wickedness." And Simon answered : "Whence, then, has
evil arisen ? tell us." And Peter said : " Since to-day you
were the first to go out, and you declared that you would not
in future listen to me as being a blasphemer, come to-mor-
row, if indeed you wish to learn, and I shall explain the
matter to you, and I will permit you to ask me any questions
you like, without any dispute." And Simon said ; " I shall
do as shall seem good to me." And saying this, he went
away. Now, none of those who entered along with him
went out along with him ; but, falling at Peter's feet, they
begged that they might be pardoned for having been car-
ried away with Simon, and on repenting, to be welcomed.
But Peter, admitting those persons who repented, and the
rest of the multitudes, laid his hands upon them, praying,
and healing those who were sick amongst them ; and thus
dismissing them, he urged them to return early about dawn.
And saying this, and going in with his intimate friends, he
made the usual preparations for immediate repose, for it was
now evening.

HOMILY XIX.

Chap. i. — Simon undertakes to prove that the Creator of ike
world is not blameless.

HE next day Peter came forth earlier than usual;
and seeing Simon with many others waiting for
him, he saluted the multitude, and began to dis-
course. But no sooner did he begin than Simon
interrupted him, and said : ^' Pass by these long introduc-
tions of yours, and answer directly the questions I put to you.
Since I perceive that you ^ (as I know from what I heard at
the beginning, that you have no other purpose, than by every
contrivance to show that the Creator himself is alone the
blameless God), — since, as I said, I perceive that you have
such a decided desire to maintain this, that you venture to
declare to be false some portions of the Scriptures that clearly
speak against him, for this reason I have determined to-day
to prove that it is impossible that he, being the Creator of
all, should be blameless. But this proof I can now begin, if
you reply to the questions which I put to you.

Chap. ir. — The existence of the devil affirmed.

" Do you maintain that there is any prince of evil or not ?
For if you say that there is not, I can prove to you from
many statements, and those too of your teacher, that there
is ; but if you honestly allow that the evil one exists, then
I shall speak in accordance with this belief." And Peter
said : " It is impossible for me to deny the assertion of my
Teacher. Wherefore I allow that the evil one exists, be-
cause my Teacher, who spoke the truth in all things, has

^ This passage is corrupt. "Wieseler has proposed to amend it by a bold
transposition of the clauses. "We make one slight alteration in the text.

290

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 291

frequently asserted that he exists. For instance, then, he
acknowledges that he conversed with Him, and tempted Him
for forty days.^ And I know that He has said somewhere
else, ' If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against him-
self : how then is his kingdom to stand ?' ^ And He pointed
out that He saw the evil one like lightning falling down
from heaven.^ And elsewhere He said, * He who sowed the
bad seed is the devil.' ^ And again, 'Give no pretext to
the evil one.' ^ Moreover, in giving advice. He said, ' Let
your yea be yea, and your nay nay ; for what is more than
these is of the evil one.' ^ Also, in the prayer which He
delivered to us, we have it said, ' Deliver us from the
evil one.' ^ And in another place. He promised that He
would say to those who are impious, ^ Go ye into outer dark-
ness, which the Father prepared for the devil and his angels.' ^
And not to prolong this statement further, I know that my
Teacher often said that there is an evil one. Wherefore
I also agree in thinking that he exists. If, then, in future
you have anything to say in accordance with this belief, say
it, as you promised."

Chap. hi. — Peter refuses to discuss certain questions in
regard to the devil.

And Simon said : " Since, then, you have honestly con-
fessed, on the testimony of the Scriptures, that the evil one
exists, state to us how he has come into existence, if indeed
he has come into existence, and by whom, and why." And
Peter said : " Pardon me, Simon, if I do not dare to affirm
what has not been written. But if you say that it has been
written, prove it. But if, since it has not been written, you
cannot prove it, why should we run risk in stating our
opinions in regard to what has not been written ? For if we
discourse too daringly in regard to God, it is either because

1 Mark i. 13. 2 lyiatt. xii. 26.

3 Luke X. 18. 4 Matt. xiii. 39.

^ This passage is not found in the New Testament. It resembles
Eph. iv. 27.
6 Matt. V. 37 ; Jas. v. 12. ^ Matt. vi. 13. ^ Matt. xxv. 41.

292 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

we do not believe that we shall be judged, or that we
shall be judged only in respect to that which we do, but
not also in regard to what we believe and speak." ^ But
Simon, understanding that Peter referred to his own mad-
ness, said : ^' Permit me to run the risk ; but do not you
make what you assert to be blasphemy a pretext for retir-
ing. For I perceive that you wish to withdraw, in order
that you may escape refutation before the masses, sometimes
as if you were afraid to listen to blasphemies, and at other
times by maintaining that, as nothing has been written as
to how, and by whom, and why the evil one came into
existence, we ought not to dare to assert more than the
Scripture. Wherefore also as a pious man you affirm this
only, that he exists. But by these contrivances you deceive
yourself, not knowing that, if it is blasphemy to inquire
accurately regarding the evil one, the blame rests with me,
the accuser, and not with you, the defender of God. And
if the subject inquired into is not in Scripture,^ and on this
account you do not wish to inquire into it, there are some
satisfactory methods which can prove to you what is sought
not less effectively than the Scriptures. For instance, must
it not be the case that the evil one, who you assert exists, is
either oricrinated or unoriirinated?"^

Chap. it. — Suppositions in regard to the deviVs origin.

And Peter said : '' It must be so." And Simon : " There-
fore, if he is originated, he has been made by that very God
who made all things, being either born as an animal, or sent
forth substantially, and resulting from an external mixture
[of elements]. For either* the matter, being living or lifeless,

^ This passage is probably corrupt. "We have adopted the readings of
Cotelerius — ij, ^, instead of d and [^vi.

2 Lit., "unwritten."

^ The words yivvt-og and dyivr-o; are difficult to translate. The first
means one who has somehow or other come into being ; the second, one
who has never come into being, but has always been. The Mss. con-
found yiur,r6g with yi'j'jY,-6c^ begotten, and dysuriTog with dyiuy/iTo;,
nnbegottcD.

* We have changed si into ij.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 293

from which he was made was outside of him/ or he came
into being through God Himself, or through his own self, or
he resulted from things non-existent, or he is a mere relative
thing, or he always existed. Having thus, as I think, clearly
pointed out all the possible ways by which we may find him,
in going along some one of these we must find him. We
must therefore go along each one of these in search of his
origin ; and when we find him who is his author, we must
j)erceive that he is to blame. Or how does the matter seem
to you ? "

Chap. v. — God not deserving of blame in permitting
the existence of the devil.

And Peter said : " It is my opinion that, even if it be
evident that he was made by God, the Creator who made
him should not be blamed ; for it might perchance be found
that the service he performs^ was an absolute necessity. But
if, on the other hand, it should be proved that he was not
created, inasmuch as he existed for ever, not even is the
Creator to be blamed in this respect, since He is better than
all [others], even if He has not been able to put an end to
a being who had no beginning, because his nature did not
admit of it ; or if, being able, He does not make away with
him, deeming it unjust to put an end to that which did not
receive a beginning, and pardoning that which was by nature
wicked, because he could not have become anything else,
even if he were to wish to do so.^ But if, wishing to do
good. He is not able, even in this case He is good in that He
has the will, though He has not the power ; and while He has
not the power, He is yet the most powerful of all, in that the
power is not left to another. But if there is some other that
is able, and yet does not accomplish it, it must be allowed
that, in so far as, being able, he does not accomplish it, he

1 By " Him" is understood God, though it may mean the devil.

2 Lit., "his usefulness was most necessary of all."

^ This sentence is obscure in the original. We have, with Wieseler^
read IttsI, omitting ccp)c}^. Instead of supplying /^t], we have turned
avyyvZuoci into the participle.

294 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is wicked in not putting an end to liim, as if he took pleasure
in the deeds done by him. But if not even he is able, then
he is better who, though unable, is yet not unwilling to
benefit us according to his ability."

Chap. vi. — Peter accuses Simon of being worse than the devil.

And Simon said : " When you have discussed all the sub-
jects which I have laid before you, I shall show you the
cause of evil. Then I shall also reply to what you have now
said, and prove that that God whom you affirm to be blame-
less is blameable." And Peter said : " Since I perceive from
what you say at the commencement that you are striving
after nothing else than to subject God, as being the author
of evil, to blame, I have resolved to go along with you all
the ways you like, and to prove that God is entirely free
from blame." And Simon said : " You say this as loving
God, whom you suppose you know ; but you are not right."
And Peter said : " But you, as being wicked, and hating
God whom you have not known, utter blasphemous words."
And Simon said : " Remember that you have likened me to
the author of evil." And Peter said : " I confess it, I was
wrong in comparing you to the evil one ; for I was compelled
to do so, because I have not found one who is your equal, or
worse than you. For this reason 1 likened you to the
evil one ; for you happen to be much more wicked than the
author of evil. For no one can prove that the evil one
spoke against God ; but all of us who are present see you
speaking daiingly against Him." And Simon said : *' He
who seeks the truth ought not to gratify any one in any
respect contrary to what is really true. For why does he
make the inquiry at all ? Why, I ask ? for I am not also
able, laying aside the accurate investigation of things, to
spend all my time in the praise of that God whom I do not
know."^

^ "We have adopted the pointing of Wieseler,

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 295

Chap. vii. — Peter suspects Simon of not believing even

in a God,

And Peter said : " You are not so blessed as to praise
Him, nor indeed can you do such a good deed as this ; for
then you would be full of Him. For thus said our Teacher,
who always spoke the truth ; ^ Out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaketh.' ^ Whence you, abounding in
evil purposes, through ignorance speak against the only good
God. And not yet suffering what you deserve to suffer for
the words which you have dared to utter,^ you either imagine
that there will be no judgment, or perchance you think that
there is not even a God. Whence, not comprehending such
long-suffering as His, you are moving on to still greater
madness." And Simon said : " Do not imagine that you
will frighten me into not investigating the truth of your
examples. For I am so eager for the truth, that for its sake
I will not shrink from undergoing danger. If, then, you
have anything to say in regard to the propositions made by
me at the commencement, say it now."

Chap. viii. — Peter undertakes to discuss the deviVs origin.

And Peter said : " Since you compel us, after we have made
accurate investigations into the contrivances of God, to ven-
ture to state them, and that, too, to men who are not able to
comprehend thoroughly the contrivances of their fellow-men,
for the sake at least of those who are present, I, instead of
remaining silent — a course which would be most pious — shall
discuss the subjects of which you wish me to speak. I agree
with you in believing that there is a prince of evil, of whose
origin the Scripture has ventured to say nothing either true
or false. But let us follow out the inquiry in many ways, as
to how he has come into existence, if it is the fact that he
has come into existence ; and of the opinions which present
themselves, let us select that which is most reverential, since,

1 Matt. xii. 34.

2 AVe have altered the punctuation. Editors connect this clause with
the previous sentence, and change ^ of the Mss. into g/.

296 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

in the case of probable opinions, that one is assumed with
confidence which [is based on the principle] that we ought to
attribute to God that which is more reverential ; and all the
more so, if, when all other suppositions are removed, there
still remains one which is adequate and involves less danger.-^
But I promise you, before I proceed with the investigation,
that every method in the investigation can show that God
alone is blameless.

Chap. ix. — Theories in regard to the origin of the deviL

" But, as you said, if the evil one is created, either he has
been beo-otten as an animal, or he has been sent forth sub-
stantially by Him," or he has been compounded externally,
or his will has arisen through composition ; or it happened
that he came into existence from things non-existent, without
composition and the will of God ; or he has been made by
God from that which in no manner and nowhere exists ; or the
matter, being lifeless or living, from which he has arisen was
outside of God ; or he fashioned himself, or he was made by
God, or he is a relative thing, or he ever existed : for we can-
not say that he does not exist, since we have agreed in thinking
that he does exist." And Simon said : '' Well have you dis-
tinfTuished all the methods of accounting for his existence in a
summary manner. Now it is my part to examine these various
ideas, and to show^ that the Creator is blameable. But it is
your business to prove, as you promised, that he is free from
all blame. But I wonder if you will be able. For, first, if
the devil has been begotten from God as an animal, the vice

^ This sentence is regarded as corrupt by TVieseler. T^'e have retained
the reading of the Paris MS., 6, and understand y.xiitSx'jsroci after it. As
would naturally be inserted after tccvtv), but it is not necessary. Kxfictp-
Snacdu is translated in the Latin pwgatis, which may mean the same
as in our translation if we take it in the sense of " washed away ; " but
y.cx,6ot.ipidiiaZ)'j would be a better reading. The translation of Cotelerius
gives, " Since this is reasonably assumed with firmness, — namely, that
it is right to give to God," etc.

2 The text here is evidently corrupt in many places. If the reading " by
him" is to be retained, we must suppose, with "Wieseler, that " by God"
is omitted in the previous clause. Probably it should be, " by himself."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 297

whicH Is Ill's is accordingly the same as that of him who sends
him forth." And Peter said : " Not at alh For we see
many men who are good the fathers of wicked children, and
others who are wicked the fathers of good children, and
others again who are wicked producing both good [and
wicked^] children, and others who are good having both
wicked and good children. For instance, the first man who
was created produced the unrighteous Cain and the righteous
Abel." To this Simon said : '' You are acting foolishly, in
using human example^ when discoursing about God." And
Peter said: "Speak you, then, to us about God without using
human examples, and yet so that what you say can be under-
stood ; but you are not able to do so.

Chap. x. — The absolute God entirely incompreliensihle by man,

" For instance, then, what did you say in the beginning ?
If the wicked one has been begotten of God, being of the
same substance as He, then God is wicked. But when I
showed you, from the example which you yourself adduced,
that wicked beings come from good, and good from wicked,
you did not admit the argument, for you said that the example
was a human one. Wherefore I now do not admit that the
term ^ being begotten ' ^ can be used with reference to God ;
for it is characteristic of man, and not of God, to beget.
Not only so ; but God cannot be good or evil, just or unjust.
Nor indeed can He have intelligence, or life, or any of the
other attributes which can exist in man ; for all these are
peculiar to man. And if we must not, in our investigations
in regard to God, give Him the good attributes which belong
to man, it is not possible for us to have any thought or make
any statement in regard to God ; but all we can do is to
investigate one point alone, — namely, what is His will which
He has Himself allowed us to apprehend, in order that, being
judged, we might be without excuse in regard to those laws
which we have not observed, though we knew them."

1 " And bad " is not in the MSS., but is required by the context.

2 The text is corrupt here. Literally it is, "I do not admit that God
has been begotten."

298 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xi. — Tlie application of the attributes of man to God.

And Simon, hearing this, said : " You will not force me
throuoh shame to remain silent in regard to His substance,
and to inquire into His will alone. For it is possible both to
think and to speak of His substance. I mean from the good
attributes that belong to man. For instance, life and death
are attributes of man ; but death is not an attribute of God,
but life, and eternal life. Furthermore, men may be both
evil and good ; but God can be only incom.parably good.
And, not to prolong the subject too much, the better attri-
butes of man are eternal attributes of God." And Peter
said : " Tell me, Simon, is it an attribute of man to beget
evil and good, and to do evil and good ? " And Simon said :
^' It is." And Peter said : " Since you made this assertion,
we must assign the better attributes of man to God ; and so,
while men beget evil and good, God can beget good only ; and
while men do evil and good, God rejoices only in doing good.
Thus, with regard [to God], we must either not predicate any
of the attributes of man and be silent, or it is reasonable that
we should assign the best of the good attributes to Him.
And thus He alone is the cause of all good things."

Chap. xii. — God produced the icicked one, hut not evil.

And Simon said : ^' If, then, God is the cause only of what
is good, what else can we think than that some other prin-
ciple begot the evil one ;^ or is evil unbegotten ?" And Peter
said : " No other power begot the wicked one, nor is evil un-
begotten, as I shall show in the conclusion ; for now my
object is to prove, as I promised in the commencement, that
God is blameless in every ^ respect. AVe have granted, then,
that God possesses in an incomparable way the better attri-
butes that belong to men. Wherefore also it is possible for
Him to have been the producer of the four substances, —
heat, I mean, and cold, moist and dry. These, as being at
first simple and unmixed, were naturally indifferent in their

1 " Evil " is not in the MSS. It is inserted from the next sentence.
* "Every" is inserted by a conjecture of Schwegler's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 299

desire;^ but being produced by God, and mixed externallj,
they would naturally become a living being, possessing the
free choice to destroy those who are evil. And thus, since all
things have been begotten from Him, the wicked one is from
no other source. Nor has he derived his evil from the God
who has created all things (with whom it is impossible that evil
should exist), because the substances w^ere produced by Him
in a state of indifference, and carefully separated from each
other ; and when they were externally blended through his
art, there arose through volition the desire for the destruc-
tion of the evil ones. But the good cannot be destroyed by
the evil that arose, even though it should wish to do so : for
it exercises its power only ^ against those who sin. Ignorant,
then, of the character of each, he^ makes his attempt against
him, and convicting him, he punishes him." And Simon
said : " God being able to mingle the elements, and to make
Plis mixtures so as to produce any dispositions that He may
wish, why did He not make the composition of each such as
that it would prefer what is good ? "

Chap. xiii. — God the maker of the devil.

And Peter said: "Now indeed our object is to show how and
by whom the evil one came into being, since he did come into
being; but we shall show if he came into being blamelessly,
when we have finished the subject now in hand. Then I shall
show how^ and on account of what he came into being, and I
shall fully convince you that his Creator is blameless."^ We
said, then, that the four substances were produced by God.
And thus, through the volition of Him who mingled them,
arose, as He wished, the choice of evils. For if it had arisen
contrary to His determination, or from some other substance
or cause, then God would not have had firmness of will : for
perchance, even though He should not wish it, leaders of evil
might continually arise, who would war against His wishes.

^ Lit.," naturally had their desire towards neither."

2 The Mss. have " by law." We have changed y6(/.u into y.ouov.

^ The devil is plainly mea:.it by the " he."

^ This passage is evidently corrupt. But it is not easy to amend it.

300 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

But it IS impossible that this should be the case. For no
living being, and especially one capable of giving guidance,
can arise from accident : for everything that is produced
must be produced by some one."

Chap, xi v. — Is matter eternal ?

And Simon said : " But what if matter, being coeval with
Him, and possessing equal power, produces as His foe leaders
who hinder His wishes ? " And Peter said : " If matter is
eternal, then it is the foe of no one : for that which exists
for ever is impassible, and what is impassible is blessed ;
but what is blessed cannot be receptive of hatred, since, on
account of its eternal creation,^ it does not fear that it will
be deprived of anything. But how does not matter rather
love the Creator, when ^ it evidently sends forth its fruits to
nourish all who are made by Him ? And how does it not
fear Him as superior, as trembling through earthquakes it
confesses, and as, though its billows ran high, yet, when the
Teacher was sailing on it and commanded a calm, it imme-
diately obeyed and became still? ^ What! did not the demons
go out through fear and respect for Him, and others of them
desired to enter into swine; but they first entreated Him
before going, plainly because they had no power to enter
even into swine without His permission ? " ^

Chap. xv. — Sin the cause of evil.

And Simon said: "But what if, being lifeless, it pos-
sesses a nature capable of producing what is evil and what
is good ? " And Peter said : " According to this statement,
it is neither good nor evil, because it does not act by free
choice, being lifeless and insensible. Wherefore it is pos-
sible to perceive distinctly in this matter, how, being lifeless,
it produces as if it were living ;^ and being insensible, it yet

^ Probably " eternity" should be read, instead of " eternal creation."

2 At this "vvord the MS. of Cotelerius breaks off ; and we have the rest
only in the Ottobonian MS., first edited by Dressel.

3 Matt, xxvii. 51, viii. 24. * Matt. viii. 31.

* Possibly the right reading is iix-d/v-ycov;, " it produces living beings."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 301

plainly fashions artistic shapes both in animals and plants."
And Simon said : " What ! if God Himself gave it life, is not
He, then, the cause of the evils vv^hich it produces?" And
Peter said : '•'• If God gave it life according to His own will,
then it is His Spirit that produces it, and no longer is it any-
thing hostile to God, or of equal power with Him ; or it is
impossible that everything made by Him is made according
as He wishes. But you will say, He Himself is the cause
of evil, since He Himself produces the evils through it.
What sort, then, are the evils of which you speak ? Poison-
ous serpents and deadly plants, or demons, or any other of
those things that can disturb men ? — which things would not
have been injurious had not man sinned, for which reason^
death came in. For if man were sinless, the poison of ser-
pents would have no effect, nor the activities of injurious
plants, nor would there be the disturbances of demons, nor
would man naturally have any other suffering ; but losing his
immortality on account of his sin, he has become, as I said,
capable of every suffering. But if you say. Why, then, was
the nature of man made at the beginning capable of death ?
I tell you, because of free-will ; for if we were not capable
of death, we could not, as being immortal, be punished on
account of our voluntary sin. And thus, on account of our
freedom from suffering, righteousness would be still more
weakened if we were wicked by choice ; for those who should
have evil purposes could not be punished, on account of their
being incapable of suffering.^

Chap. xvi. — Why the wiched one is entrusted with power.

And Simon said to this : ^^ I have one thing more to say in
regard to the wicked one. Assuredly, since God made him
out of nothing, he is in this respect wicked,^ especially since
he was able to make him good, by giving him at his creation
a nature in no way capable of selecting wickedness." And
Peter said : " The statement that He created him out of

^ Or, " on whose account." 2 tJi^q text is corrupt.

^ The MS. reads : "In this respect he who made him is wicked, who
gave existence to what was non-existent."

302 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

nothiDg, \^'ltll a power of choice, is like the statement we
have made above, that, having made such a constitution as
can rejoice in evils, He Himself appears to be the cause of
what took place. But since there is one explanation of both
statements, we shall show afterwards why it was that He made
him rejoice in the destruction of the wicked." And Simon
said : " If he made the ancjels also voluntary agents, and the
wicked one departed from a state of righteousness, why has he
been honoured with a post of command? Is it not plain that
he who thus honoured him takes pleasure in the wicked, in
that he has thus honoured him? " ^ And Peter said : ^' If God
set him by law, when he rebelled, to rule over those who were
like him, ordering him to inflict punishment on those who
sin, He is not unjust. But if it be the case that He has
honoured him even after his revolt. He w^ho honoured him
saw beforehand his usefulness ; for the honour is temporary,
and it is right that the wicked should be ruled by the wicked
one, and that sinners should be punished by him."

Chap. xvii. — The devil has not equal power with God.

And Simon said : '' If, then, he exists for ever, is not the
fact of the sole government [of God] thus destroyed, since
there is another power, namely, that concerned with matter^
which rules along with Him?" And Peter said: '^ If they
are different in their substances, they are different also in
their powers, and the superior rules the inferior. But if
they are of the same substance, then they are equal in
power, and they are in like manner good or bad. But it
is plain that they are not equal in power ; for the Creator
put matter into that shape of a world into which He willed
to put it. Is it then at all possible to maintain that it always
existed, being a substance ; and is not matter, as it were, the
storehouse of God? For it is not possible to maintain that
there was a time^ when God possessed nothing, but He always

^ The Greek is either nngrammatical or corrupt, but the sense is
evident.

- This passage is supposed by most to be defective, and various ■words
have been suggested to supply the lacuna.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 303

was the only ruler of it. Wherefore also He is an eternal
sole ruler ; ^ and on this account it would justly be said to
belong to Him who exists, and rules, and is [eternal^]." And
Simon said : " What then ? Did the wicked one make him-
self ? And was God good in such a way, that, knowing he
would be the cause of evil, he yet did not destroy him at his
origination, when he could have been destroyed, as not yet
being perfectly made ? For if he came into being suddenly
and complete, then on that account^ he is at war with the
Creator, as having ccme suddenly into being, possessed of
equal power with him."

Chap, xviii. — Is the devil a relation ?

And Peter said : " What you state is impossible ; for if
he came into existence by degrees. He could have cut him
off as a foe by His own free choice. And knowing before-
hand that he was coming into existence. He would not have
allowed him as a good, had He not known that by reason
of him what was useful was being brought into existence.*
And he could not have come into existence suddenly, com-
plete, of his own power. For he who did not exist could
not fashion himself ; and he neither could become complete
out of nothing, nor could any one justly say that he had
substance,^ so as always to be equal in power if he were
begotten." And Simon said: "Is he then a mere relation, and
in this way wicked?^ — being injurious, as water is injurious
to fire, but good for the seasonably thirsty land ; as iron is

^ Or, " monarch." But only two letters of the word are in the MS. ; the
rest is filled in by conjecture.

2 Supplied by conjecture.

^ Three words are struck out of the text of the MS. by all editors, as
being a repetition.

■* The editors punctuate differently, thus : " And knowing beforehand
that he was becoming not good. He would not have allowed him, unless
He knew that he would be useful to Himself." We suppose the reference
in the text to be to Gen. i. 31.

^ Or, " self -subsistence." We have supposed a transposition of the
words in the text. The text is without doubt corrupt.

® We have adopted an emendation of Lagarde's.

304 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

good for the cultivation of the land, but bad for murders ;
and lust is not evil in respect of marriage, but bad in respect
of adultery; as murder is an evil, but good for the murderer
so far as his purpose is concerned; and cheating is an evil, but
pleasant to the man who cheats ; and other things of a like
character are good and bad in like manner. In this way,
neither is evil evil, nor good good ; for the one produces the
other. For does not that which seems to be done injuriously
rejoice the doer, but punish the sufferer? And though it
seems unjust that a man should, out of self-love, gratify him-
self by every means in his power, to whom, on the other
hand, does it not seem unjust that a man should suffer severe
punishments at the hand of a just judge for having loved
himself?"

Chap. xix. — Some actions really imcked.

And Peter said : ''A man ought to punish himself through
self-restraint,^ when his lust wishes to hurry on to the injury
of another, knowing [that"] the wicked one can destroy the
wicked, for he has received power over them from the be-
ginning. And not yet is this an evil to those who have done
evil ; but that their souls should remain punished after the
destruction, you are right in thinking to be really harsh,
though the man who has been fore-ordained for evil should
say that it is right." AVherefore, as I said, we ought to avoid
doing injury* to another for the sake of a shortlived pleasure,
that we may not involve ourselves in eternal punishment for
the sake of a little pleasure." And Simon said : '' Is it the
case, then, that there is nothing either bad or good by nature,
but the difference arises through law and custom ? [For is
it not^] the habit of the Persians to marry their own mothers,
sisters, and daughters, while marriage with otlier women is

^ Dressel translates viriliter^ "manfully."
2 This word is supplied by conjecture.

^ This passage is hopelessly corrupt. "We have changed liKxia; into
iitKoiioig^ the verb, and tov 'Trpo^iapiaf^iuov into rov -Trpohiapiafiivov.

* We have adopted Wicseler's emendation of c^iZtKou into cchiKslv.

* This is a conjectural filling up of a blank.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 305

prohibited^ as most barbarous? Wherefore, if it is not
settled what things are evil, it is not possible for all to look
forward to the judgment of God." And Peter said : ^^ This
cannot hold; for it is plain to all that cohabitation with
mothers is abominable, even though the Persians, who are a
mere fraction of the whole, should under the effects of a bad
custom fail to see the iniquity of their abominable conduct.
Thus also the Britons publicly cohabit in the sight of all,
and are not ashamed ; and some men eat the flesh of others,
and feel no disgust ; aad others eat the flesh of dogs ; and
others practise other unmentionable deeds. Thus, then, we
ought not to form our judgments with a perception which
through habit has been perverted from its natural action.
For to be murdered is an evil, even if all were to deny it ;
for no one wishes to suffer it himself, and in the case of
theft ^ no one rejoices at his own punishment. If, then, no
one ^ were at all ever to confess that these are sins, it is right
even then to look forward of necessity to a judgment in
regard to sins." When Peter said this, Simon answered :
" Does this, then, seem to you to be the truth in regard to
the wicked one ? Tell me."

Chap xx. — Pain and death the result of sin.

And Peter said : " We remember that our Lord and
Teacher, commanding us, said, ' Keep the mysteries for me
and the sons of my house.' Wherefore also He explained
to His disciples privately the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven.* But to you who do battle with us, and examine
into nothing else but our statements, whether they be true or
false, it would be impious to state the hidden [truths]. But
that none of the bystanders may imagine that I am contriv-
ing excuses,^ because I am unable to reply to the assertions

1 This is partly conjecture, to fill up a blank.

2 The text is likely corrupt.

^ Uhlhorn changed ovu bog into ovleuog. We have changed kxI rpiTYi!^
into Kxl TOTS rviv. Various emendations have been proposed.
^ Mark iv. 34.

^ "We have adopted an emendation of Wieseler's.

U

306 TEE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

made by you, I shall answer you by first putting the ques-
tion, If there had been a state of painlessness, what is the
meaning of the statement, ^ The evil one was ? ' " And Simon
said : "- The words have no meanino;." And Peter : " Is then
evil the same as pain and death ?" And Simon : " It seems
so." And Peter said: '•'• Evil, then, does not exist always, yea,
it cannot even exist at all substantially ; for pain and death
belong to the class of accidents, neither of which can co-exist
with abiding strength. For what is pain but the interrup-
tion of harmony ? And what is death but the separation of
soul from body ? There is therefore no pain when there is
harmony. For death does not even at all belong to those
things which substantially exist : for death is nothing, as I
said, but the separation of soul from body ; and when this
takes place, the body, which is by nature incapable of sensa-
tion, is dissolved ; but the soul, being capable of sensation,
remains in life and exists substantially. Hence, when there
is harmony there is no pain, no death, no, not even deadly
plants nor poisonous reptiles, nor anything of such a nature
that its end is death. And hence, where immortality reigns,
all things will appear to have been made with reason. And
this will be the case w^hen, on account of righteousness, man
becomes immortal through the prevalence of the peaceful
reign of Christ, when his composition will be so well arranged
as not [to give rise^] to sharp impulses ; and his knowledge,
moreover, will be unerring, so as that he shall not [mistake^]
evil for good ; and he wdll suffer no pain, so that he will not
be mortal." ^

Chap. xxi. — TJie uses oflustj anger, grief.

And Simon said : " You were right in saying this ; but in
the present world does not man seem to you to be capable
of every kind of affection, — as, for instance, of lust, anger,
grief, and the like ? " And Peter said : " Yes, these belong
to the things that are accidental, not to those that always

^ The words in brackets supplied by conjecture.
^ This last sentence has two blanks, which are filled up by conjectures ;
and one emendation has been adopted.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 307

exist, and it will be found that they now occur with advan-
tage to the soul. For lust has, by the will of Him who created
all things well, been made to arise within the living being,
that, led by it to intercourse, he may increase humanity, from
a selection of which a multitude of superior beings arise who
are fit for eternal life. But if it w^ere not for lust, no one
would trouble himself with intercourse with his wife; but
now, for the sake of pleasure, and, as it were, gratifying him-
self, man carries out His will. Now, if a man uses lust for
lawful marriage, he does not act impiously ; but if he rushes
to adultery, he acts impiously, and he is punished because
he makes a bad use of a good ordinance. And in the same
way, anger has been made by God to be lighted up naturally
within us, in order that we may be induced by it to ward off
injuries. Yet if any one indulges it without restraint, he
acts unjustly; but if he uses it within due bounds, he does
what is right. Moreover, we are capable of grief, that we
may be moved with sympathy at the death of relatives, of a
wife, or children, or brothers, or parents, or friends, or some
others, since, if we were not capable of sympathy, we should
be inhuman. In like manner, all the other affections will be
found to be adapted for us, if at least the reason for their
existence ■'■ be considered."

Chap. xxii. — Sins of ignorance.

And Simon : " Why is it, then, that some die prematurely,
and periodical diseases arise ; and that there are, moreover,
attacks of demons, and of madness, and all other kinds of
afflictions which can greatly punish ? " And Peter said :
^^ Because men, following their own pleasure in all things,
cohabit without observing the proper times; and thus the
deposition of seed, taking place unseasonably, naturally pro-
duces a multitude of evils. For they ought to reflect, that
as a season has been fixed suitable for planting and sowing,^
so days have been appointed as appropriate for cohabitation,
which are carefully to be observed. Accordingly some one

^ We have adopted an emendation of Lagarde's.
2 Eccles. iii. 2.

308 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

well instructed in the doctrines tauMit bv Moses, findlnf]^
fault with the people for their sins, called them sons of the
new moons and the sabbaths.^ Yet in the beginning of the
world men lived long, and had no diseases. But when through
carelessness they neglected the observation of the proper
times, then the sons in succession cohabiting through in;nor-
ance at times when' they ought not, place their children
under innumerable afflictions. "Whence our Teacher, when
we inquired of Him^ in regard to the man who was blind
from his birth, and recovered his sight, if this man sinned,
or his parents, that he should be born blind, answered,
' Neither did he sin at all, nor his parents, but that the power
of God mi^ht be made manifest through him in healing the
sins of ignorance.' * And, in truth, such afflictions arise be-
cause of ignorance ; as, for instance, by not knowing when one
ought to cohabit with his wife, as if she be pure from her
discharge. Now the afflictions which you mentioned before
are the result of ignorance, and not, assuredly, of any wicked-
ness that has been perpetrated. Moreover, give me the man
who sins not, and I will show you the man who suffers not ;
and you will find that he not only does not suffer himself,
but that he is able ^ to heal others. For instance, Moses, on
account of his piety, continued free from suffering all his
life, and by his prayers he healed the Egyptians when they
suffered on account of their sins."

Chap, xxiit. — The inequalities of lot in human life.

And Simon said: " Let me grant that this is the case : does
not the inequality of lot amongst men seem to you most
unjust ? For one is in penury, another is rich ; one is sick,
another is in good health : and there are innumerable differ-
ences of a like character in human life." And Peter said :
^' Do you not perceive, Simon, that you are again shooting

^ Lit., " new moons that are according to the moon." Gal. iv. 10.
^ " At times when " is supplied by conjectm-e.
^ We have followed an emendation of Wieseler's.

* John ix. 2, 3.

* We have adopted an obvious emendation of Wieseler's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 309

your observations beyond the mark ? For while we were dis-
cussing evil, you have made a digression, and introduced the
question of the anomalies that appear in this world. But I
shall speak even to this point. The world is an instrument
artistically contrived, that for the male who is to exist eter-
nally, the female may bear eternal righteous sons. Now
they could not have been rendered perfectly pious here, had
there been no needy ones for them to help. In like manner
there are the sick, that they may have objects for their care.
And the other afflicaons admit of a like explanation."
And Simon said : " Are not those in humble circumstances
unfortunate ? for they are subjected to distress, that others
may bo made righteous." And Peter said : " If their humi-
liation were eternal, their misfortune would be very great.
But the humiliations and exaltations of men take place
according to lot ; and he who is not pleased with his lot can
appeal,-"^ and by trying his case according to law, he can
exchange his mode of life for another." And Simon said :
*' What do you mean by this lot and this appeal?" And
Peter said : " You are now demanding the exposition of
another topic ; but if you permit me, we can show you how,
being born again, and changing your origin, and living
according to law, you will obtain eternal salvation."

Chap. xxiv. — Simon rehuJced hy Faustus.

And Simon hearing this, said : " Do not imagine that,
wdien I, while questioning you, agreed with you in each
topic, I went to the next, as being fully assured of the truth
of the previous ; but I appeared to yield to your ignorance,
that you might go on to the next topic, in order that, becom-
ing acquainted with the whole range of your ignorance, I
might condemn you, not through mere conjecture, but from
full knowledge.^ Allow me now to retire for three days,
and I shall come back and show that you know nothing."
When Simon said this, and was on the point of going out, my

^ An emendation of "\Yieseler's.

^ The whole of this sentence is corrupt. "We have adopted the con-
jectures of Wieseler, though they are not entirely satisfactory.

310 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

father said : " Listen to me, Simon, for a moment, and then
go wherever you like. I remember that in the beginning,
before the discussion, you accused me of being prejudiced,
though as yet you had had no experience of me. But now,
having heard you discuss in turn, and judging that Peter
has the advantao;e, and now assicrnin^ to him the merit of
speaking the truth, do I appear to you to judge correctly,
and with knowledge ;^ or is it not so ? For if you should
say that I have judged correctly, but do not agree, then you
are plainly prejudiced, inasmuch as you do not wish to agree,
after confessing your defeat. But if I was not correct in
maintainincr that Peter has the advantacre in the discussion, do
you convince us how we have not judged correctly, or you
will cease ^ to discuss with him before all, since you will
always be defeated and agree, and in consequence your own
soul will suffer pain, condemned as you will be, and in dis-
grace, through your own conscience, even if you do not feel
shame before all the listeners as the greatest torture ; for we
have seen you conquered, in fact, and we have heard your
own lips confess it. Finally, therefore, I am of opinion that
you will not return to the discussion, as you promised ; but
that you may seem not to have been defeated,^ you have pro-
mised, when going away, that you will return.*'

Chap. XXV. — Simon retires. Sopkonias asks Peter to state
his real opinions in regard to evil.

And Simon hearing this, gnashed his teeth for rage, and
went away in silence. But Peter (for a considerable portion
of the day still remained) laid his hands on the large multi-
tude to heal them ; and having dismissed them, went into
the house with his more intimate friends, and sat down.
And one of his attendants, of the name of Sophonias, said :

^ Possibly sometliiDg is corrupt here. The words may be translated :
*' Is it not plain that I know how to judge correctly ?"

^ The MS. has, " do not cease." TTe have omitted fi'/j, and changed
'TTocvat] into Travail. "We have inserted the itci) after »7, changed into d
before ulosla^oci.

^ We have adopted an emendation of "Wieselcr's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 311

" Blessed is God, O Peter, who selected jou and instructed^
you for the comfort of the good. For, in truth, you dis-
cussed with Simon with dignity and great patience. But we
beg of you to discourse to us of evil ; for we expect that you
will state to us your own genuine belief in regard to it, —
not, however, at the present moment, but to-morrow, if it
seems good to you : for we spare you, because of the fatigue
you feel on account of your discussion." And Peter said :
" I wish you to knew, that he who does anything with
pleasure, finds rest in the very toils themselves ; but he who
does not do what he wishes, is rendered exceedingly weary
by the very rest he takes. Wherefore you confer on me
a great rest when you make me discourse on topics which
please me." Content, then, with his disposition, and sparing
him on account of his fatigue, we requested him to put the
discussion off till the night, when it was his custom to dis-
course to his genuine friends. And partaking of salt, we
turned to sleep.

^ An emendation of Wieseler's.

HOMILY XX.

Chap. i. — Peter is willing to gratify SopJionias,

N the night-time Peter rose up and wakened us,

1^ and then sat down in his usual way, and said :
^^^i a ^si^ j^e questions about anything you like."
And Sophonias was the first to begin to speak to
him : '• Will you explain to us who are eager to learn what is
the real truth in regard to evil ? " And Peter said : ^* I have
already explained it in the course of my discussion with Simon;
but because I stated the truth in regard to it in combination
with other topics, it was not altogether clearly put ; for many
topics that seem to be of equal weight with the truth afford
some kind of knowledo;e of the truth to the masses. So that,
if now I state what I formerly stated to Simon along with
many topics, do not imagine that you are [not^] honoured with
honour equal to his." And Sophonias said : '' You are right;
for if you now separate it for us from many of the topics that
were then discussed, you will make the truth more evident."

Chap. ii. — The two ages.

And Peter said : '' Listen, therefore, to the truth of the
harmony in regard to the evil one. God appointed two king-
doms, and established two ages, determining that the present
world should be given to the evil one, because it is small,
and passes quickly away ; but He promised to preserve for
the £cood one the a^e to come, as it will be o;reat and eternal.
Man, therefore. He created with free-will, and possessing
the capability of inclining to whatever actions he wishes.
And his body consists of three parts, deriving its origin from
^ " Not " is supplied by conjecture.
812

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 313

the female; for it has lust, anger, and grief, and what is con-
sequent on these. But the spirit not being uniform,^ but
consisting of three parts, derives its origin from the male ;
and it is capable of reasoning, knowledge, and fear, and what
is consequent on these. And each of these triads has one
root, so that man is a compound of two mixtures, the female
and the male. Wherefore also two ways have been laid be-
fore him — those of obedience and disobedience to law ; and
two kingdoms have been established, — the one called^ the
kingdom of heaven, and the other the kingdom of those who
are now kings upon earth. Also two kings have been
appointed, of whom the one is selected to rule by law over
the present and transitory world, and his composition is such
that he rejoices in the destruction of the wicked. But the
other and good ^ one, who is the King of the age to come,
loves the whole nature of man ; but not being able to have
boldness in the present world, he counsels what is advan-
tageous, like one who tries to conceal who he really is.

Chap. hi. — The work of the good one and of the evil one,

^' But of these two, [the one'^] acts violently towards the
other by the command of God. Moreover, each man has
power to obey whichever of them he pleases for the doing of
good or evil. But if any one chooses to do what is good, he
becomes the possession of the future good king ; but if any
one should do evil, he becomes the servant of the present evil
one, who, having received power over him by just judgment
on account of his sins, and wishing [to use it^] before the
coming age, rejoices in punishing him in the present life,
and thus by gratifying, as it were, his own private passion,
he accomplishes the will of God. But the other, being made
to rejoice in power over the righteous, when he finds a right-

^ A doubtful emendation of "Wieseler's for the senseless rpiroyvAg.
Possibly it may be for xpuroysus;, original, and is underived.
2 An obvious correction of the MS. is adopted.
2 We have changed uvrog into oiya^og.
* "One" is supplied by Dressel's conjecture.
^ The words in brackets are supplied by Dressel's conjecture.

314 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

eous man, is exceedingly glad, and saves him with eternal
life ; and he also, as if gratifying himself, traces the gratifica-
tion which he feels on account of these to God. Now it is
within the power of every unrighteous man to repent and be
saved ; and every righteous man may have to undergo punish-
ment for sins committed at the end of his career. Moreover,
these two leaders are the swift hands of God, eager to anti-
cipate Him so as to accomplish His will. But that this is so,
has been said even by the law in the person of God : ^ I will
kill, and I will make alive; I will strike, and I will heal.'^
For, in truth. He kills and makes alive. He kills through
the left hand, that is, through the evil one, who has been so
composed as to rejoice in afflicting the impious. And he
saves and benefits through the right hand, that is, through
the good one, who has been made to rejoice in the good deeds
and salvation of the righteous. Now these have not their
substances outside of God : for there is no other primal
source. Nor, indeed, have they been sent forth as animals
from God, for they were of the same mind with Him; nor
are they accidental,^ arising spontaneously in opposition to
His will, since thus the greatest exercise of His power would
have been destroyed. But from God have been sent forth
the four first elements — heat and cold, moist and dry. In
consequence of this. He is the father of every substance, but
not of the disposition ^ which may arise from the combina-
tion of the elements ; for when these were combined from
without, disposition was begotten in them as a child. The
wricked one, then, having serv^ed God blamelessly to the end
of the present world, can become good by a change in his
composition,'* since he assuredly is not of one uniform sub-
stance whose sole bent is towards sin. For not even more
does he do evil, although he is evil, since he has received
power to afflict lawfully."

^ Deut. xxxii. 39.

- We have adopted an obvious emendation of TViescler's.
^ We have changed ova-rt; into ov zvjt;.

■* "We have given a meaning to /xsruavyKpide!; not found in diction-
aries, but waiTantcd by etymology, and demanded by the sense.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 315

Chap. iv. — Men sin through ignorance.

When Peter said this, Micah, who was himself one of his
followers, asked : '' What, then, is the reason why men
sin ? " And Peter said : " It is because they are ignorant
that they will without doubt be punished for their evil deeds
when judgment takes place.^ For this reason they, having
lust, as I elsewhere said, for the continuance of life, gratify
it in any accidental way, it may be by the vitiation of boys,^
or by some other flattcxing sin. For in consequence of their
ignorance, as I said before, they are urged on through fear-
lessness to satisfy their lust in an unlawful manner. Where-
fore God is not evil, who has rightly placed lust within man,
that there may be a continuance of life, but they are most
impious who have used the good of lust badly. The same
considerations apply to anger also, that if one uses it right-
eously, as is within his power, he is pious ; but going be-
yond measure, and taking judgment to himself,'^ he is im-
pious."

Chap. v. — Sophonias maintains that God cannot loroduce
what is unlike Himself,

And Sophonias said again : " Your great patience, my
lord Peter, gives us boldness to ask you many questions
for the sake of accuracy. Wherefore we make our inquiries
with confidence in every direction. I remember, then, that
Simon said yesterday, in his discussion with you, that the
evil one, if he was born of God, possesses in consequence
the same substance as He does who sent him forth, and he
ought to have been good, and not wicked. But you answered
that this was not always the case, since many wicked sons
are born of good parents, as from Adam two unlike^ sons

^ Part of this is supplied by Dressel's conjecture.

2 There is a lacuna, which has been filled up in various ways. TVe
have supposed ^^ to be for ^j ^., possibly f^^rtpuu »j. Wieseler supposes
*' immature boys."

3 Dressel translates, " drawing judgment on himself."
"* An emendation of Wieseler's.

316 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

were begotten, one of whom was bad and the other good.
And when Simon found fault with you for having used
human examples, you answered that in this way we ought
not to admit that God begets at all ; for this also is a human
example. And I, Sophonias, admit that God begets ; but I
do not allow that He begets what is bad, even though the
good among men beget bad children. And do not imagine^
that I am without reason attributing to God some of the
qualities that distinguish men, and refusing to attribute
others, when I grant that He begets, but do not allow that
He begets what is unlike Himself. For men, as you might
expect, beget sons who are unlike them in their dispositions
for the following reason. Being composed of four parts,
they change their bodies variously, according to the various
changes of the year ; and thus, the appropriate change either
of increase or decrease taking place in the human body,
each season destroys the harmonious combination. Now,
when the combinations do not always remain exactly in the
same position, the seeds, having sometimes one combination,
sometimes another, are sent off ; and these are followed,
according to the combination belonging to the season, by
dispositions either good or bad. But in the case of God we
cannot suppose any such thing ; for, being unchangeable and
always existing, whenever He wishes to send forth, there is
an absolute necessity that what is sent forth should be in all
respects in the same position as that which has begotten, I
mean in regard to substance and disposition. But if any
one should wish to maintain that He is changeable, I do not
know how it is possible for him to maintain that He is im-
mortal."

Chap. yi. — GocPs power of changing Himself.

When Peter heard this, he thought for a little, and said ;
'•^ I do not think that any one can converse about evil with-
out doing the will of the evil one. Therefore knowing this,
I do not know what I shall do, whether I shall be silent or
speak. For if I be silent, I should incur the laughter of the
^ An emendation of "Wieselcr's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 317

multitude, because, professing to proclaim the truth, I am
ignorant of the explanation of vice. But if I should state
my opinion, I am afraid lest it be not at all pleasing to God
that we should seek after evil, for only seeking after good is
pleasing to Him. However, in my reply to the statements
of Sophonias, I shall make my ideas more plain. I then
aojree wdth him in thinkino; that we ou^ht not to attribute
to God all the qualities of men. For instance, men not
having bodies that are convertible are not converted ; but
they have a nature that admits of alteration by the lapse of
time through the seasons of the year. But this is not the
case with God; for through His inborn^ Spirit He becomes,
by a power which cannot be described, whatever body He
likes. And one can the more easily believe this, as the air,
which has received such a nature from Him, is converted
into dew by the incorporeal mind permeating it, and being
thickened becomes water, and water being compacted becomes
stone and earth, and stones through collision light up fire.
According to such^ a change and conversion, air becomes first
water, and ends in being fire through conversions, and the
moist is converted into its natural opposite. Why? Did not
God convert the rod of Moses into an animal, making it a
serpent,^ which He reconverted into a rod % And by means
of this very converted rod he converted the water of the
Nile* into blood, which again he reconverted into water.
Yea, even man, who is dust. He changed by the inbreathing^
of His breath ^ into flesh, and changed him back again into
dust.^ And was not Moses, '^ who himself was flesh, con-
verted into the grandest light, so that the sons of Israel
could not look him in the face ? Much more, then, is God
completely able to convert Himself into whatsoever He
wishes.

^ £fi(pvTov. 2 ■\Y'(3 have changed toiovtou into roixCryju,

3 Ex. iv. 3, 4. 4 Ex. vii. 19, 20. ^ Gen. ii. 7.

6 Eccles. iii. 20. ^ Ex. xxxiv. 29.

318 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. yii. — TJie objection answered^ that one cannot change

himself.

" But perhaps some one of you thinks that one may become
something under tlie influence of one, and another under the
influence of another, but no one can change himself into
whatever he wishes, and that it is the characteristic of one
who grows old, and who must die according to his nature,^
to change, but we ought not to entertain such thoughts of
immortal beings. For were not angels, who are free from
old age, and of a fiery substance,^ changed into flesh, — those,
for instance, who received the hospitality of Abraham,^ whose
feet men w^ashed, as if they were the feet of men of like
substance?^ Yea, moreover, with Jacob,^ who was a man,
there wrestled an angel, converted into flesh that he might
be able to come to close quarters with him. And, in like
manner, after he had wrestled by his own will, he was con-
verted into his own natural form ; and now, when he was
changed into fire, he did not burn up the broad sinew of
Jacob, but he inflamed it, and made him lame. Now, that
which cannot become anything else, wdiatever it may wish,
is mortal, inasmuch as it is subject to its own nature ; but
he who can become whatever he wishes, whenever he wishes,
is immortal, returning to a new condition, inasmuch as he
has control over his own nature. Wherefore much more
does the power of God change the substance of the body
into whatever He wishes, and whenever He wishes ; and by
the change that takes place ^ He sends forth what, on the one
hand, is of similar substance, but, on the other, is not of
equal power. Whatever, then, he who sends forth turns
into a different substance, that he can again turn back into
his own ; ^ but he who is sent forth, arising in consequence

^ One word of tHs is supplied conjecturally by Dressel.
- Gen. vi. 2. ^ Part of this is conjectural.

^ Gen. xviii. 4. ^ Gen. xxxii. 24.

^ AYc have adopted "Wieseler's emendation of ^wij into yAv.
"^ This passage is corrupt. We have changed on into o^n, and sup-
plied rpiTTU.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 319

of the change which proceeds from him, and being his child,
cannot become anything else without the will of him who
sent him forth, unless he wills it."

Chap. viii. — The origin of the good one different from
that of the evil one.

When Peter said this, Micah,-^ who was himself also one
of the companions that attended on him, said: "I also should
like to learn from you if the good one has been produced in
the same way that the evil one came into being. But if
they came into being in a similar manner, then they are
brothers in my opinion." And Peter said : " They have
not come into being in a similar way: for no doubt you
remember what I said in the beginning, that the substance
of the body of the wicked one, being fourfold in origin, was
carefully selected and sent forth by God ; but when it w^as
combined externally, according to the will of Him who sent
it forth, there arose, in consequence of the combination, the
disposition which rejoices in evils : ^ so that you may see that
the substance, fourfold in origin, which was sent forth by Him,
and which also always exists, is the child of God ; but that
the accidentally arising disposition which rejoices in evils has
supervened when the substance^ was combined externally by
him. And thus this disposition has not been begotten by God,
nor by any one else, nor indeed has it been sent forth by
Him, nor has it come forth spontaneously,^ nor did it always
exist, like the substance before the combination ; but it has
come on as an accident by external combination, according to
the will of God. And we have often said that it must be
so. But the good one having been begotten from the most
beautiful change of God, and not having arisen accidentally
through an external combination, is really His Son. Yet,

^ Dressel remarks that this cannot be the true reading. Some other
name mentioned in Hom. ii. c. 1 must be substituted here or in c. 4.

2 This passage is corrupt. "\Ye have adopted Wieseler's emendations
for the most part.

2 "We have read r^g- with "Wieseler for rig.

* Wieseler translates "accidentally."

320 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

since these doctrines are unwritten, and are confirmed to us
only by conjecture, let us by no means deem it as absolutely
certain that this is the true state of the case. For if we
act otherwise, our mind will cease from investigating the
truth, in the belief that it has already fully comprehended
it. Remember these things, therefore ; for I must not state
such things to all, but only to those who are found after
trial most trustworthy. Nor ought we rashly to maintain
such assertions towards each other, nor ought ye to dare to
speak as if you were accurately acquainted with the discovery
of secret truths, but you ought simply to reflect over them
in silence ; for in stating, perchance, that a matter is so,^ he
who says it w'ill err, and he will suffer punishment for having
dared to speak even to himself what has been honoured with
silence."

Chap. ix. — Why the wicked one is appointed over the wicked
hy the righteous God,

When Peter said this, Lazarus, who also was one of his
follow^ers, said : " Explain to us the harmony, how it can be
reasonable that the wicked one should be appointed by the
righteous God to be the punisher of the impious, and yet
should himself afterwards be sent into lower darkness alonfj
with his angels and with sinners : for I remember that the
Teacher Himself said this." ^ And Peter said : " I indeed
allow that the evil one does no evil, inasmuch as he is accom-
plishing the law given to him. And although he has an
evil disposition, yet through fear of God be does nothing
unjustly ; but, accusing the teachers of truth so as to entrap
the unwary, he is himself named the accuser (the devil).
But the statement of our unerring Teacher, that he and his
angels, along with the deluded sinners, shall go into lower
darkness, admits of the following explanation. The evil
one, having obtained the lot ^ of rejoicing in darkness accord-
ing to his composition, delights to go down to the darkness
of Tartarus alono: with ani^els who are his fellow-slaves ; for

^ We have changed ov-/, ug 'ix^y into oZra; 'iyjiv. ^ Matt. xxv. 41.
^ We have adopted an emendation of Wiescler's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 321

darkness is dear to fire. Bat the souls of men, being drops
of pure lightj are absorbed by the substance fire, which is
of a different class ; and not possessing a nature capable of
dying, they are punished according to their deserts. But if
he who is the leader of men ^ into vice is not sent into dark-
ness, as not rejoicing in it, then his composition, which re-
joices in evils, cannot be changed by another combination
into the disposition for good. And thus he will be adjudged
to be with the good,^ all the more because, having obtained a
composition which rejoices in evils, through fear of God he
has done nothing contrary to the decrees of the law of God.
And did not the Scripture by a mysterious hint ^ point out
by the statement^ that the rod of the high priest Aaron be-
came a serpent, and was again converted into a rod, that a
change in the composition of the wicked one would after-
wards take place ? "

Chap. x. — Why some believe, and others do not.

And after Lazarus, Joseph, wdio also was one of his fol-
lowers, said : " You have spoken all things rightly. Teach
me also this, as I am eager to know it, why, when you give
the same discourses to all, some believe and others disbelieve ? "
And Peter said : " It is because my discourses are not charms,
so that every one that hears them must without hesitation
believe them. The fact that some believe, and others do not,
points out to the intelligent the freedom of the will." And
when he said this, we all blessed him.

Chap. xi. — Arrival of Appion and Annuhion,

And as we were going to take our meals, some one ran in
and said : " Appion Pleistonices has just come with Annubion
from Antioch, and he is lodging with Simon." And my
father hearing this, and rejoicing, said to Peter : " If you
permit me, I shall go to salute Appion and Annubion, who

^ AYieseler's emendation.

2 We have changed dyccdog into dyu&olg,

^ An emendation of Wieseler's.

4 Ex. vii. 9.

X

322 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

have been my friends from cliildhood. For perchance
I shall persuade Aunubion to discuss genesis with Clement."
And Peter said : " I permit you, and I praise you for ful-
filling the duties of a friend. But now consider how in the
providence of God there come together from all quarters
considerations which contribute to your full assurance, ren-
dering the harmony complete. But I say this because the
arrival of Annubion happens advantageously for you." And
my father : " In truth, I see that this is the case." And say-
ing this, he went to Simon.

Chap. xii. — Faustus aiopears to his friends luith the face of

Simon.

Xow all of us who were with Peter asked each other ques-
tions the whole of the night, and continued awake, because
of the pleasure and joy we derived from what was said. But
when at length the dawn began to break, Peter, looking at
me and my brothers, said : " I am puzzled to think what
your father has been about." And just as he was saying
this, our father came in and caught Peter talking to us of
him ; and seeing him displeased, he accosted him, and ren-
dered an apology for having slept outside. But we were
amazed when we looked at him : for we saw the form of
Simon, but heard the voice of our father Faustus. And
when we were fleeing from him, and abhorring him, our
father was astonished at receivino; such harsh and hostile
treatment from us. But Peter alone saw his natural shape,
and said to us : " Why do you in horror turn away from
your own father?" But we and our mother said: "It is
Simon that we see before us, with the voice of our father."
And Peter said : " You recognise only his voice, which is
unaffected by magic ; but as my eyes also are unaffected by
magic, I can see his form as it really is, that he is not
Simon, but your father Faustus." Then, looking to my
father, he said : " It is not your own true form that is seen
by them, but that of Simon, our deadliest foe, and a most
impious man." ^

^ There are some blanks here, supplied from the Epitome.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 323

Chap. xiii. — The flight of Simon.

While Peter was thus talking, there entered one of those
who had gone before to Antioch, and who, commg back
from Antiochj said to Peter : '^ I wish you to know, my lord,
that Simon, by doing many miracles publicly in Antioch, and
calling you a magician and a juggler [and a murderer^], has
worked them up to such hatred against you, that every man
is eager to taste your very flesh if you should sojourn there.^
Wherefore we who wont before, along with our brethren
who were in pretence attached by you to Simon, seeing the
city raging wildly against you, met secretly and considered
what we ought to do. And assuredly, while we were in
great perplexity, Cornelius the centurion arrived, who had
been sent by the emperor to the governor of the province.
He was the person whom our Lord cured when he was
possessed of a demon in Csesarea. This man we sent for
secretly ; and informing him of the cause of our despond-
ency, we begged his help. He promised most readily that
he would alarm Simon, and make him take to flight, if we
should assist him in his effort. And when we all promised
that we should readily do everything, he said, ' I. shall spread
abroad the news ^ through many friends that I have secretly
come to apprehend him ; and I shall pretend that I am in
search of him, because the emperor, having put to death
many magicians, and having received information in regard
to him, has sent me to search him out, that he may punish
him as he punished the magicians before him; while those of
your party who are with him must report to him, as if they
had heard it from a secret source, that I have been sent to
apprehend him. And perchance when he hears it from

^ Supplied from Epitome. The passage in Epitome Second renders it
likely that the sentence ran : "But Simon, while doing many miracles
publicly in Antioch, did nothing else by his discourses than excite hatred
amongst them against you, and by calling you," etc.

2 This j)assage is amended principally according to Wieseler and the
Recognitions.

^ An emendation of "Wieseler's.

324 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

tliem, he will be alarmed and take to flight.' When, there-
fore, we had intended to do something else, nevertheless the
affair turned out in the following way. For when he heard
the news from many strangers who gratified him greatly by
secretly informing him, and also from our brethren who pre-
tended to be attached to him, and took it as the opinion of
his own followers, he resolved on retirin^j. And hasteninfr
away from Antioch, he has come here with Athenodorus, as
we have heard. Wherefore we advise you not yet to enter
that city, until we ascertain whether they can forget in his
absence the accusations which he brought aojainst vou."

O CD >J

Chap. xiy. — The change in the form of Faustus caused

by Simon,

When the person who had gone before gave this report,
Peter looked to my father, and said : '• You hear, Faustus ;
the change in your form has been caused by Simon the
magician, as is now evident. For, thinking that [a servant^]
of the emperor was seeking him to punish him, he became
afraid and fled, putting you into his own shape, that if you
were put to death, your children might have sorrow." W^hen
my father heard this, he wept and lamented, and said :
*' You have conjectured rightly, Peter. For Annubion, who
is my dear friend,^ hinted his design to me ; but I did not
believe him, [miserable man that I am,^] since I deserved to
suffer."

Chap. xv. — The repentance of Faustus,

When my father said this, after no long time [Annubion
came^] to us to announce to us the flight of Simon, and how
that very night he had hurried to Judea. And he found
our father wailing, and with lamentations saying : " Alas,
alas ! unhappy man ! I did not believe when I was told that
he was a mao;ician. Miserable man that 1 am ! I have been

^ Inserted by conjecture.

2 Part of this is supplied from the Recognitions.

"' Inserted from the Recognitions.

* These words are taken from the Recognitions,

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 325

recognised for one day by my wife and children, and have
speedily gone back to my previous sad condition when I was
still ignorant." And my mother lamenting, plucked her hair;
and we groaned in distress on account of the transformation
of our father, and could not comprehend what in tlie world
it could be. But Annubion stood speechless, seeing and
hearing these things ; while Peter said to us, his children, in
the presence of all: ^'Believe me, this is Faustus your father.
Wherefore I urge you to attend to him as being your father.
For God will vouchsafe some occasion for his putting off
the shape of Simon, and exhibiting again distinctly that of
your father." And saying this, and looking to my father,
he said : '• I permitted you to salute Appion and Annubion,
since you asserted that they were your friends from child-
hood, but I did not permit you to associate with the magician
Simon."

Chap. xvi. — Why Simon gave to Faustus Ids own

sliape.

And my father said : '' I have sinned ; I confess it." And
Annubion said : '' I also along with him beg you to forgive
the noble and good old man who has been deceived : for the
unfortunate man has been the sport of that notorious fellow.
But I shall tell you how it took place.-^ The good old man
came to salute us. But at that very hour we who were there
happened to be listening to Simon, who wished to run away
that night, for he had heard that some people had come to
Laodicea in search of him by the command of the emperor.
But as Faustus was entering, he [turned "] his own rage on
him, and thus addressed us : ^ Make him, when he comes,
share your meals ; and I will prepare an ointment, so that,
when he has supped, he may take some of it, and anoint
his face with it, and then he will appear to all to have my
shape. But I will anoint 3^ou with the juice '^ of some plant,

"^ An emendation of Dressel's.

2 Supplied by Dressel from the Ilecognitions.

^ An emendation of TVieseler's.

326 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and then vou "will not be deceived by his new-^ shape ; but to
all others Faustus will seem to be Simon.'

Chap. xvii. — Annuhions services to Faustus.

*' And while he stated this beforehand, I said, ^ What,
then, is the advantage you now expect to get from such a
contrivance ? ' And Simon said, ' First, those who seek me,
when they apprehend him, will give up the search after me.
But if he be executed by the hand of the emperor, very
great sorrow will fall upon his children, who left me, and
fleeing [to Peter], now aid him in his work.' And now, Peter,
I confess the truth to you : I was prevented by fear [of
Simon] from informing [Fau]stus of this. But Simon did
not even give us an opportunity for private conversation,
[lest] some one of us might reveal ^ to him the wicked design
of Simon. Simon then rose up in the middle of the night
and fled to Judea, convoyed by Appion and Athenodorus.
Then I pretended that I was sick, in order that, remaining
after they had gone, I might make Faustus go back imme-
diately to his own people, if by any chance he might be able,
by being concealed with you, to escape observation, lest, being
caught as Simon by those who were in search of Simon, he
might be put to death through the wrath of the emperor.
At the dead of night, therefore, I sent him away to you ;
and in my anxiety for him I came by night to see him, with
the intention of returning before those who convoyed Simon
should return." And looking to us, he said : " I, Annubion,
see the true shape of your father ; for I was anointed, as I
related to you before, by Simon himself, that the true shape
of Faustus might be seen by my eyes. Astonished, there-
fore, I exceedingly wonder at the magic power of Simon, in
that standing ^ you do not recognise your own father." And

^ MS. reads " empty." ^icseler proposed " new " or " assumed."

2 An emendation of Wieseler's. The parts within brackets are sup-
plied by conjecture.

3 TYe should have expected " standing near" or something similar, as
Wieseler remarks ; but the Latin of the Recognitions agrees with tho
Greek in having the simple " standing."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 827

while our father and our mother and we ourselves wept on
account of the calamity common to all of us, Annubion also
through sympathy wept with us.

Chap, xviii. — Peter promises to restore to Faustus Ids own

shape.

Then Peter promised to us to restore the shape of our
father, and he said to him : '•^ Faustus, you heard how
matters stand with us. When, therefore, the deceptive
shape which invests y)u has been useful to us, and you have
assisted us in doing what I shall tell you to do, then I shall
restore to you your true form, when you have first performed
my commands." And when my father said, " I shall do
everything that is in my power most willingly ; only restore
to my own people my own form ; " Peter answered, " You
yourself heard with your own ears how those who went before
me came back from Antioch, and said that Simon had been
there, and had strongly excited the multitudes against me by
calling me a magician and a murderer, a deceiver and a
juggler, to such an extent that all the people there were
eager to taste my flesh. You will do, then, as I tell you. You
will leave Clement with me, and you will go before us into
Antioch with your wife, and your sons Faustinus and Faus-
tinianus. And some others will accompany you whom I
deem capable of helping forward my design.

Chap. xix. — Peter^s instructions to Faustus,

" When [you are] with these in Antioch, while you look
like Simon, proclaim publicly your [repentance], saying, ^ I
Simon proclaim this to you : I confess ^ that all my state-
ments in regard to Peter are [utterly false ;^ for he is not] a
deceiver, nor a murderer, nor a juggler ; nor are any of the
evil things true which I, urged on by wrath, said previously
in regard to him, I myself therefore beg of you, I who have
been the cause of your hatred to him, cease from hating him ;
for he is the true apostle of the true Prophet that was sent

^ Amended according to Epitome.

2 Partly filled up from Epitome and Recognitions.

328 THE CLEMENTI^^E HOMILIES.

by God for the salvation of the world. T^rherefore also I
counsel you to believe what he preaches ; -^ for if you do not,
your whole city will be utterly destroyed. Now I wish you
to know for what reason I have made this confession to you.
This night angels of God scourged me, the impious one,
terribly, as being an enemy to the herald of the truth. I
beseech you, therefore, do not listen to me, even if I myself
should come at another time and attempt to say anything
against Peter. For I confess to you I am a magician, I am
a deceiver, I am a juggler. Yet perhaps it is possible for
me by repentance to wipe out the sins which were formerly
committed by me.' "

Chap. xx. — Faiistusj Ms u'ifej and sons, prepare to go to

Antioch.

When Peter suggested this, my father said : ^' I know
what you want ; wherefore take no trouble. For assuredly
I shall take good care, when I reach that place, to make such
statements in reo;ard to vou as I ouo;ht to make." And
Peter again suggested : " When, then, you perceive the city
chancrino; from its hatred of me, and loncrino^ to see me, send
information to me of this, and I shall come to you imme-
diately. And when I arrive there, that same day I shall
remove the strange shape which now invests you, and I shall
make your own unmistakeably visible to your own people
and to all others." Saying this, he made his sons, my bro-
thers, and our mother Mattidia to go along with him ; and
he also commanded some of his more intimate acquaintances
to accompany him. But my mother was"" unwilling to go
vv'ith him, and said : '• I seem to be an adulteress if I asso-
ciate with the shape of Simon ; but if I shall be compelled
to go along with him, it is impossible for me to recline
on the same couch with him.^ But I do not know if I

^ MS. reads, " I preach."

2 "We have changed iXta into Ci-Kz^ and added xal nin. according to the
Hccognxt'ions.

^ One word, Ti/pc^J?» is superfluous.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 329

shall be persuaded to go along with him." And while she
was very unwilling to go, Annubion urged her, saying :
^' Believe me and Peter, and the very voice itself, that this
is [Faustus] your husband, whom I love not less than you.
And I myself [will go^] along with him." When Annubion
said this, our mother promised to go with him.

Chap. xxi. — Appion and Atlienodorus return in quest of

Faustus.

But Peter said : " God arranges our affairs in a most
satisfactory manner;" for we have with us Annubion the
[astro] loger.'" For when w^e arriv^e at Antioch, he will in
future discourse regarding genesis, giving us his genuine
opinions as a friend." Now when, after midnight, our father
hurried with those whom Peter had ordered to go along
with him and with Annubion to Antioch, which was near,
early next day, before Peter went forth to discourse, Appion
and Atlienodorus, who had convoyed Simon, returned to
Laodicea in search of our father. But Peter, ascertaining
the fact, urged them to enter. And wdien they came in and
sat down, and said, " Where is Faustus % " Peter answered :
^' We know not ; for since the evening, when he went to
you, he has not been seen by his kinsmen. But yesterday
morninrj Simon came in search of him ; and when we made
no reply to him, something seemed to come over him,^ for he
called himself Faustus ; but not being believed, he wept and
lamented, and threatened to kill himself, and then rushed out
in the direction of the sea."

Chap. xxii. — AppAon and Atlienodorus return to

Simon,

When Appion and those who were with him heard this,
they howled and lamented, saying : " Why did you not

^ Supplied from tlie Recognitions.

2 We read iTrn'/ilnorccroc^ in harmony with the Recognitions.
^ Part within brackets supplied from Recognitions.
^ The Greek is probably corrupt here 5 but there can scarcely be a doubt
about the meaning.

330 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

receive him ? " And when at the same time Athenodorus
wished to say to me, "It was Faustus, your father ; " Appion
anticipated him, and said, " We learned from some one that
Simon, finding him, urged him [to go along with him^],
Faustus himself entreating him, since he did not wish to see
his sons after they had become Jews. And hearing this, we
came, for his own sake, in search of him. But since he is
not here, it is plain that he spake the truth who gave us the
information which w^e, hearing it from him, have given to
you." And I Clement, perceiving the design of Peter, that
he wished to beget a suspicion in them that he intended to
look out among them for the old man, that they might be
afraid and take to flight, assisted in his design, and said to
Appion : " Listen to me, my dearest Appion. We were
eager to give to him, as being our father, what we ourselves
deemed to be good. But if he himself did not wish to
receive it, but, on the contrary, fled from us in horror, I
shall make a somewhat harsh remark, ' Nor do we care for
him.' " And when I said this, they went away, as if irri-
tated by my savageness ; and, as we learned next day, they
went to Judea in the track of Simon.

Chap, xxiii. — Peter goes to Antiocli,

Now, when ten days had passed away, [there came one of
our people ^ from our father to announce to us how our father
[stood forward] publicly [in the] shape [of Simon], accusing
him ; ^ and how by praising Peter he had made the whole
city of Antioch long for him : and in consequence of this, all
said that they were eager to see him, and that there were
some who were angry with him as being Simon, on account
of their surpassing affection for Peter, and wished to lay
hands on Faustus, believing he was Simon. Wherefore he,
fearing that he might be put to death, had sent to request
Peter to come immediately if he wished to meet him alive,

1 This is supplied purely by conjecture.

2 Supplied from the Recognitions.

2 This part is restored by means of the Recognitions.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 831

and to appear at the proper time to the city, when it was at
the height of its longing for him. Peter, hearing this, called
the multitude together to deliberate, and appointed one of
his attendants bishop ; and having remained three days in
Laodicea baptizing and healing, he hastened to the neigh-
bouring city of Antioch. Amen.

INDEXES.

I.— TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE QUOTED.

Genesis.
i. 1, .
i. 26, .
ii. 7, .
ii. 16, 17,
ii. 20, .
iii. 5, .
iii. 22, .
vi. 2, .
vi. 6, .
vii. 1, .
viii. 21,
XV. 13-lG,
xviii. 4,
xviii. 21,
XX. 3, .
xxii. 1,
xxxii. 24,
xli. 6, .
xli. 25,
xlix. 10,

248
250
317
245

m

246

246

318

74

56

74

76

318

74

270

74

318

270

270

78

Exodus.

iv. 3, 4,
vii. 9, .
vii. 19, 20,
xix. 9, .
xxii. 28,
xxxiii. 11,
xxxiv. 29,

. 317
. 321
. 317
139
246, 248
. 271
. 317

Numbers.
xi. 34, .
xii. 6, .

77
271

Deuteronomy.

iv. 34,
iv. 39,
vi. 4,
vi. 13,
X. 14,
X. 17,

. 246

. 247
. 247
. 247
. 247
246, 247 bis

xiii. 1, etc.,
xiii. 6, .
xviii. 15-19,
XXX. 15,
xxxii. 7,
xxxii. 39,
xxxiv. 8,

251
246

SO
285

64
314

78

JOSIJUA.

xxiii. 7, . 247, 248

Psalms.
xix. 1, .
XXXV. 10,

xlv. 11,
1. 1, .
Ixxii. 1,
Ixxviii. 2,
Ixxxvi. 8,
cii. 26, 27,

Proverbs.
viii. 30,

Ecclesiastes.
iii. 1, .
iii. 2, .
iii. 20, .

Isaiah.

i. 3, ".

IV.,

ix. 6, .
xl. 26, 27,
xliv. 6,
xlv. 21,
xlix. 18,

248
246
220
246
246
284
246
248

250

33
307
317

286
147
251

285

247
247
247

Jeremiah.
X. 11, . . 246, 248

Lamentations.
iii. 38, . . . 276

333

Daniel.
ii. 31, . . . 270
iii. 25, . . . 270

Matthew.
iv.,

iv. 10, .
V. 3, .
V. 8, .
V. 17, .
V. 18, .
V. 34, 35,
V. 37, .
V. 39-41,
V. 44, .
V. 44, 45,
vi. 6, ,
vi. 8, 32,
vi. 13, .
vii. 2, .
vii. 7, .
vii. 9-11,
vii. 12,
vii. 13, 14,
vii. 21,

viii. 11,
viii. 24,
viii. 31,
ix. 13, .

X. 12, .
X. 28, .
X. 34, .
xi. 25, .
xi. 27, .
xi. 28, .
xii. 7, .
xii. 26,
xii. 34,
xii. 42,
xiii. 17,
xiii. 39,
XV. 13, .

147
163
241
262
79
2, 19
81
81, 291
237
65
82
81
81
291
285
80
81
209
215
140
138
300
300
81
70
259
183
139, 260, 284
259, 276
80
81
291
295
189
80
81, 291
. SO

334

THE CLE2IENTINE HOMILIES,

xvi. 13,
xvi. 16,
xvi. 18,
xvii. 5,
xvii, 19,
xviii. 7,
xviii. 10,
xix. 8, .
xix. 17,

82,

XX. 16, .
xxii. , .
xxii. 2,
xxii. 29,
xxii. 32,
xxii. 39,
xxiii. 2,
xxiii. 37,
xxiv. 2, 34,
xxiv. 24,
xxiv. 45-50,
XXV. 27-30,
XXV. 35, 36,
XXV. 41,
xxvii. 51,

271

271

272
80
181
207
261
81

259, 274,

276, 286

138

147

64

56, 79

81

209

88

65

63

256

82

82

210

291, 320

. 300

xxviii. 19,

!Mark.

i. 13, .
iii. 31, .
iv. 34, .
vi. 11, .
X. 5,
X. 18, .
xii. 24, .
xii. 27,.
xii. 29, .

Luke.

viii. 18,
X. 5,
X. 18, .
xi. 32, .
xi. 52, .
xii. 42,.
xiii. 29,
xiii. 34,
xvii. , .
xviii. 6,
xviii. IS,

. 261

. 291
2

. 305
. 70
. 81

. 82

5Q, 287

. 81

. 82

285

70

291

189

285

85

138

65

207

260

286

xviii. 19, . 82, 276

xix. 6, . . .84

xix. 43, . . 63

XX. 38, . . . 81

xxiii. 34, . 65, 183

JOH2f.

iii. 5, . . . 186

ix. 2, 3, . . 308

X. 3, . . .80

X. 9, . . .80

Acts.

iii. 22, . . . 80

vii. 37, . . 80

Galatians.

iv. 10, . . . 309

Ephesians.

iv. 27, . . . 291

James.

V. 12, . . . 29

II.— PEINCIPAL SUBJECTS.

Abel, his name and nature, 08.

Actions, wicked, to be avoided, 304.

Adam, liad lie the Spirit ? C3 ; was
not ignorant, G4.

Adultery, the evils of, 98, 99 ; advo-
cated by some philosophers, 109,
110.

Adultery, spiritual, 69.

Afflictions, the, of the righteous,
suffered for the remission of sins,
240.

Ages, the two, 312.

Allegory, the bad actions ascribed
to the gods attempted to be ex-
plained by, 100, 121 ; the inventors
of these stories of the gods blame-
worthy, 124.

Amours, the, of Jupiter, 106, 107.

Angels, the metamorphoses of, 142;
the fall of, and its cause, 143 ;
discoveries made by, 143 ; the
giant offspring of, 144 ; demons
sprung from the fallen, 145.

Antaradus, 192.

Annubion, 92, 321, 326.

Appion, meets and salutes Clement,
92 ; discussion with Clement, 93,
etc. ; previous acquaintance of
Clement with, and trick played
on, 101, 102, etc. ; second discus-
sion ^^-ith Clement, 115, etc. ; and
Annubion, 321, 326 ; in quest of
Faustus, and return to Peter, 329.

Aquila, declares the doctrine of
Simon Magus to Clement, 41, etc.;
and Nicetas deceived by Simon
Magus, but finding out his true
character, forsake him, 41, 44 ;
sent with Xicetas and Clement
to observe and report concerning
Simon, 89, 90 ; and Xicetas, re-
cognise each other as brothers,
212.

Ai'temis, 120.

Assembling together, the duty of,
87.

Athenodorus, 329.

Attendants of Peter, names of the,
32.

Attribute, the peculiar, of God, 169.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

335

Baptism, 89 ; for tlie remission of
sins, 134 ; the wedding garment,
147 ; in good works, 148 ; the use
of, 185, 186 ; all have need of, ISG.

Baptized, the privileges of the, 158.

Barnabas, preaches at Alexandria,

22 ; interrupted by the crowd, 22,

23 ; defended by Clement, 23-25 ;
instructs Clement, 25 ; leaves
Alexandria, 25, 26.

Bernice, the daughter of the Canaan-

itess, 89 ; receives Clement at

Tyre, 90 ; reports the doings of

Simon Magus, 90, 91.
Bishop, the duty of a, 9 ; labours

and reward of a, 14 ; to be heard

and obeyed, 86, 87.
Books, Christian, to be imparted to

tht initiated only, 1-4.
Born of water, 185.
Boyish questionings, the, of Clement,

17.

Cain, his name and nature, 67.

Cannibals, the first, 144.

Catechists, the duties of, 12.

Chaos, the origin of, 117, IIS.

Chaste woman, the, 220.

Chastity, 218-224.

Christ, the true prophet, 34, 01, 78 ;
hidden from the Jews, 139 ; and
Moses, 140 ; not God, but the Son
of God, 252.

Christ, His prophecies, 63.

Christ, the reign of, 64.

Christ, His teaching respecting the
interpretation of Scripture, 79-81.

Church, the, a ship, 13.

Church, duties of the members of
the, 88.

Church office-bearers, the duties of,
86.

Clement, epistle of, to James, 6, etc, ;
ordained by Peter his successor,
7-16 ; installation of, 15 ; his boyish
questioning — an autobiographic
sketch of, 17 ; his perplexities
arising from the teaching of philo-
sophers, 18, 19 ; his resolution,
19 ; hears good tidings out of
Judea, 20 ; the gospel reaches him
in Eome, 21 ; sets out for Judea,
but is driven by contrary winds
to Alexandria, 21, 22 ; meets with
Barnabas at Alexandria, 22 ; his
zeal in defence of Barnabas, 23-
25 ; is instructed in Christianity
by Barnabas, 25 ; introduced to
Peter, 26 ; Peter's salutation of.

27 ; questions proposed by, to
Peter, 27, 28 ; instructed by Peter,
28 ; Peter's satisfaction with, 29 ;
convinced of the truth of Chris-
tianity, 30 ; Peter's thanksgiving
on account of, 31 ; sent by Peter
to Tyre, to learn and report con-
cerning Simon Magus, 89, 90 ;
meets his friend Appion, and holds
a discussion with him, 92 ; relates
his previous acquaintance with
Appion, 101 ; and the successful
trick he pla3'ed on him, 101, 102,
etc. ; result of the trick he played
on Appion, 114; meets Appion
again for discussion, 115, etc. ;
the joy of, for being permitted by
Peter to remain with him, 193 ;
his office of service, 194 ; grief
because Peter speaks of being his
servant, 195 ; the family history
of, 196, 197 ; the mother of, her
story of herself and family, 198,
etc. ; introduced by Peter to his
mother, 203, etc. ; Peter relates
the history of, to Nicetas and
Aquila, 212 ; the father of, dis-
covered, 226, 229, 230, 231 ; under-
takes to discuss the subject of
genesis, 233.

Concealment and revelation, 139.

Conjunction, the doctrine of, 63.

Constellations, the, 109.

Contradictions of Scripture, 61, 74-
77, 249, 250. See Scripture.

Converts and preachers, their mutual
love, 192.

Creation, the works of, 71 ; the ex-
tent of, 71 ; boundless, 71, 72 ;
man's dominion over, 72.

Creatures, avengers of God's cause,
177.

Custom, a second nature, 97.

Custom and truth, 94.

Customs of one's country and fathers,
are they to be observed ? 93.

Deacons, the duties of, 12.

Demons, the subjection of, to angel
generals, 103 ; origin of, 143, 144,
145 ; the law given to, 145, 146 ;
how they enter men, 146 ; how
they get power over men, 152 ;
how they are expelled, 153 ; un-
belief the stronghold of, 153, 154 ;
deceits of, 154 ; tricks of, 155 ;
power of, 156 ; reasons why the
deceits of, are not detected, 157 ;
props of the system of, 159 ; the

oo\

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

baptized have power to drive a'^vay,
158 ; subject to believers, 159 ;
none but evil, appear to the im-
pious, 269.

Destiny, 95.

Devil, the, the existence of, asserted,
290 ; Peter refuses to discuss cer-
tain questions relating to, 291 ;
suppositions as to the origin of,
292 ; God is nob blameable for
permitting the existence of, 293 ;
Peter accuses Simon Magus of
being worse than, 294 ; theories
in regard to the origin of, 296 ;
the creation of, 299 ; why en-
trusted with power, 301 ; has not
equal power with God, .302 ; is
he a mere relation ? 303, 304.

Devil, the wiles of the, 60.

Discussion between Clement and
Appion, 103, etc., 115, etc. ; of
Peter with Simon Magus, 242, etc.

Disease, a theory of, 154.

Disobedience, the danger of, 86.

Doctrine according to godliness, the,
95.

Dositheus and Simon Magus, the
contest between, for pre-eminence.
43.

Dreams, evidence furnished by, dis-
cussed, 268 ; the impious see true
visions and, 270.

EGYPTLl^-s, gods of the, 167 ; their
defence of their system exposed,
168.

Eros, 105, 111, 112.

Errors, the use of, 58, 59.

Evil, sin the cause of, 300, 301.

Evil one, the. See Devil.

Faith, the gift of God, 130; ob-
stacles to, 235.

Faith and duty, 162.

Fall, the, of man, the cause of, 142 ;
of angels, 143.

Father, love to God as our, 184.

Father, no one knows the, how to
be understood, 282, 234.

Faustus, 226, 229, 230.

Fear and love, 210.

Fear of God, 163, 265 ; and love of,
266.

Female prophetess, the, 66 ; a de-
ceiver, 67.

Few shall be saved, 58.

Fire-worship, the origin of, 150, 151.

Flattery or magic, which the more
potent, 104.

Flesh, the, persons who first ate,

144.
Flood, the cause of the, 144.
Foreknowledge, 61.
Forewarned, forearmed, 33.
Fornication, 10.
Freedom, the, of man, 176.

Genesis, 94, 95 ; Peter's argument
against, 227 ; a practical refuta-
tion of, 228 ; discussion concern-
ing, 232, etc.

Giants, the, who ? 144.

God, what is not, 127.

God, good and just, 37 ; the ways
of, 38, 39 ; attributes of, 52, 53 ;
how to be thought of, 53, 54 ; His
works of creation, 70-72 ; the ex-
cellency of the knowledge of, 73 ;
the, of the Jews, 95 ; vindicated
as blameless, 141 ; peculiar attri-
butes of, 169 ; neither the world
nor any part of it to be considered
as being, 169 ; jealous, 176 ; crea-
tures avenge the cause of, 177 ;
the nature of, 253 ; the name of,
254 ; the shape of, in man, 254 ;
the character of, 255 ; man in the
shape of, 261 ; the figure of, 262 ;
the centre and heart of the uni-
verse, 263 ; the nature and shape
of, further noticed, 264 ; the fear
of, 265 ; the fear and love of, 266 ;
both good and just, 275 ; miscon-
ceptions respecting, in the Old
Testament, 286, 287 ; not blame-
able for permitting the existence
of the devil, 293 ; incomprehen-
sible, 297 ; produced the evil one,
but not evil, 208 ; the maker of
the devil, 299 ; His power of chang-
ing Himself, 316 ; not the author
of the evil one, so as He is of the
good one, 319 ; why He appoints
the evil one over the wicked,
320.

God, the Son of, 252.

God, the unrevealed, of Simon, 277.

Gods of the heathen, the, the wicked-
ness of, 96 ; evil influence of the
example of, 97 ; attempted ex-
planation of the bad actions
ascribed to, 100 ; not really gods,
112 ; imitation of, 112 ; really
wicked magicians, 126 ; graves of,

126 ; the contemporaries of, did
not look on them as being gods,

127 ; those which are made by
hands are not, 164 ; of the Egyp-

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

rtctrr

tians, 1G7 ; the, -whicli have not

made the heavens, 185.
Golden rule, the, 182, 174, 209.
Good, out of evil, 17.
Good, the sufferings of the, 2.17.
Good one, the, and the evil one, the

different origins of, 319.
Goodness and justice defined, 274,

275.

Ham. the family of, 150.

Helena and Simon Magus, 42 ; what

Simon says of, 43, 44.
Hell and purgatory, 59.
Hercules, 124.
Hero-worahip, 150.
Honesty, 11.
Hospitality, 201.
Human life, the inequalities of lot

in, 308.

Idolatry, a delusion of the serpent,
1G5 ; the folly of, 171 ; why God
suffers, 175.

Idols, the test of, 155, 15G ; the un-
profitableness of, 163, 178 ; not
animated by the Divine Spirit,
169 ; confutation of the worship
of, 170 ; folly of the worship of,
171 ; heathen worshippers of, under
the power of the demon, 180.

Ignorance and error, no excuse for
the sinner, IGG.

Ignorant, the, the condemnation of,
166.

Image of God, man made after the,
174.

Image of God, the, restoration to,
163.

Imitation of the gods, 97.

Immoral teaching of the Greeks, the,
illustrated, 101-105.

Immortality of the soul, Clement's
perplexities about, 18, 19 ; the
belief of, necessary to a knowledge
of God, 37 ; asserted by Peter,
178.

Impiety, what it is, GO.

Inequalities of lot in human life, 308.

Initiation, necessary before possess-
ing the privilege of reading Chris-
tian books, 2 ; mode of, 3 ; vow
and adjuration connected with,
3,4.

Israel, the way of knowledge re-
vealed to, 285 ; how ignorant of
God, 286.

James, the epistle of Peter to, 1, 2,

etc. ; epistle of Clement to, G,
etc.

Jealous God, a, God is, 176.

John the Baptist, Simon Magus for-
merly a disciple of, 42.

Judging, who qualified for, 206, 207.

Justa, the Syrophoenician woman,
the daughter of, 40, 41.

Jupiter, the wickedness of, 96 ; the
amours of, 106, 107.

King of the present time, the, and
the King of righteousness, 146,
147.

Kingdom, the way to, not concealed
from the Israelites, 285, 286.

Kronos, 98; and Eea, 118.

Laodicea, a journey to, 211.

Law, the original, 141.

Law, the, of the Old Testament,

the corruption of — not written by

Moses, 50.
Liberty and necessity, 176.
Life, human, inequalities of lot in

the, 308.
Love and fear, 210.
Love of God, 206.
Love of man, 237.
Love-letter, a, written by Appicn

for Clement, 105, etc. ; a reply

to. 111, etc.
Lust, anger, and grief, the uses of,

306.

Magic, the power of, 102, 103.

Male and female, 66.

Man, the original state of, 141 ; the

fall of, 142 ; the lord of all, 162 ;

in the shape of God, 263 ; as

created by God, 313 ; his power

to choose good or evil, 313, 314 ;

sins through ignorance, 315.
Marriage, urged on presbyters, 9,

10 ; always honourable, 86.
Marriage supper, the, 147.
Matter, is it eternal ? 300.
Mattidia, 196; the story of, 19?,

etc., 211 ; wishes to be baptized,

213 ; values baptism aright, 217 ;

unintentionally fasted one day,

217, 218 ; baptized in the scii,

225.
Meeting together, the duty of, urged

on Christians, 87.
Merchants, the best, 152.
Micah, question addressed by, to

Peter, 319.
Ministry, the support of the, 310.

338

TEE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Aliracles, useless and pliilaiitTiropic,
the, of Simon ]Magus, 48, 49.

Monarchy and polyarchy, 149.

Moses, how he delivered his writings,
70-72 ; the law not written by,
77, 78.

Moses and Christ, 140.

Myths, the heathen, not to be taken
literally, according to Appion,
115, etc., 117, etc., 120, 121 ; the
inventors of such vile, blame-
worthy, 124, 125.

Names, the giving of, to animals,
65, 66.

Xebrod, or Zoroaster, 150.

Isicetas, statement of, concerning
Simon Magus, 45-47 ; and Aquila,
recognise each other as brothers,
212 ; and relate what befell each
other, 215 ; near being deceived
by Simon Magus, 216.

Nineveh, the men of, 189.

Noah, 148 ; the family of, 150.

'^ Nolo episcopari" 85.

Oeediexce leads to peace, S4 ; danger

of the contrary, 86.
Offences must come, 208.
05icebearers in the church, the

duties of, 86.
Old Testament, misconceptions of

God in the, 286 ; some parts of,

written to try us, 287.
Order, God's, 38, 39.
Ordination, the, of Zacharias by

Peter, 88, 89.
Orgies, 151, 179, 180.
Orthasia, 192.

Patx and death, the result of sin,
305.

Pairs, the doctrine of, 38, 48, 66.

Paris, the judgment of, 123.

Paths, the two, 138.

Pallas and Hera, 120.

Peculiar attributes of God, the, 169.

Persians, the, fire-worshippers, 151.

Peter, the martyrdom of, 6 ; ordains
Clement his successor, 7, 8 ; his
charge to Clement, 9 ; Clement
tells of his introduction to, and
instruction b}^, 26-31 ; names of
the attendants of, *^2 ; tactics of,
in regard to Simon Magus, 50, 51 ;
meets Simon, 69 ; his discussion
with Simon, 73, etc. ; after the
flight of Simon, sends Clement to
Tyre to incLuire and report con-

cerning him, 89, 90; arrival of,
at Ceesaren, 128 ; addresses the
people at Tyre, 130 ; departs to
Sidon, 132 ; founds a church in
Sidon, 134 ; attacked by Simon,

134 ; goes to Byblus and Tripolis,

135 ; arrives at Tripoli?;, 137 ;
thoughtfulness of, 137, 138 ; his
third day in Tripolis, 161 ; at
Antaradus, 192; frugality of, 194;
journeys to Laodicea, 211 ; bap-
tizes Mattidia, 225 ; his discussion
with an old man, 226 ; wishes to
convert Faustus, 234 ; his discus-
sion with Simon respecting the
unity of God, 242 ; mode of the
discussion, 243 ; his reply to
Simon's appeal to the Old Testa-
ment, and other objections, 247,
etc. ; close of first day's discussion
with Simon, 256 ; second day's
discussion with Simon, 257, etc. ;
third day's discussion with Simon,
274 ; fourth day's discussion with
Simon, 290 ; Simon is confounded
by, and retires, 310 ; reply to the
questions of Sophonios, 312, etc. ;
promises to restore Faustus to his
own proper shape, 327 ; goes to
Antioch, 330.

Peter, epistle of, to James, 1, etc.

Phanes and Pluto, 119.

Philanthropy and friendship, 204 ;
what is philanthropy ? 205.

Philosophers, the unworthy ends of,
93 ; false and impious theories of,
98 ; advocates of adultery, 109,
110.

Philosophy and religion, the differ-
ence between, 236.

Polyarchy and monarchy, 149.

Polytheism, a sophistical illustra-
tion in favour of, exposed, 167,
etc.

Poseidon, Zeu?, and Metis, 119.

Possessions, sins, 240.

Poverty, not necessarily righteou?,
241.

Prediction and prophecy, the dis-
tinction between, 61.

Presbyters, the duties of the, 9.

Present, the, and the future, 239.

Prince, the, of the left hand, and
the, of the right hand of God,
130, 131.

Prophecies of Christ, 63.

Prophecy, two kinds of, QQ.

Prophet, the true, 34, 61, 78 ; all
may judge of the, 35 ; the test

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

339

of, SG ; doctrines of, 37 ; lias ap-
peared in different ages, G5.

Prophet and prophetess, the, CG,
68.

Prophetic knowledge, constant, 62.

Prophetic spirit, the, constant, 62.

Prophets, false, to be avoided, 190.

Punishment, reformatory, 181.

Purgatory and hell, 59.

Purification, 187.

Purity, outward and inward, 187,
188.

Queen of the South, the, ISC

Rkligton and philosophy, the dif-
ference between, 236.

Peserve, the doctrine of, 1.

Responsibility, 188, 189.

Pevelation, the nature of, 271, 278 ;
the work of, belongs to the Son,
279.

Pighteous, the, afflictions of, 197.

Pule, the golden, 209.

Sacrifices, 77.

Sacrificial orgies, 151.

Saved, the number of the, 58, 59.

Scripture, the, false and blasphe-
mous chapters added to, 50, 51,
52 ; misrepresentations of God in,
54, 55 ; some things in, false, and
some true, 55, 56 ; Simon makes
use of the alleged falsehoods of,
in argument with Peter, 58 ; use
of the falsehoods of, 58, 59 ; the
uncertainty of, 66 ; contradictions
of, 61, 74-77 ; how to discriminate
the true from the false in, 79-81 ;
Peter's explanation of contradic-
tions in, 249 ; the contradictions
in, intended to try the readers of,
250, etc.

Senses, the testimony of the, more
trustworthy than that of super-
natural vision, 267.

Service, the, which God requires,
134. ,

Serpent, the, idolatry, a delusion
of, 165 ; why he tempts to sin,
165 ; charming the, 182.

Sidon, Peter comes to, 132 ; Peter
preaches to the people of, 132,
133 ; Peter attacked there by
Simon, 134; Simon driven from,
135.

Simon Magus, mistakes about, 40 ;
the doctrines of, 41 ; once a dis-
ciple of the Baptist, 42 ; and

Dositheus, the contest between,
for precedence, 43 ; the wicked-
ness and knavish tricks of, 44 ;
statement of Nicetas respecting,
and counsel to, 45-47 ; proceed-
ings of, 4-7, etc. ; the design and
object of, exposed by Peter, 57 ;
comes to dispute with Peter, 69 ;
his discussion with Peter, 73, etc. ;
driven into a corner by Peter's
arguments, he quits the field, 82 ;
Clement sent to watch, and report
concerning, 89 ; tricks of, at Tyre,
91 ; reason of the power of, 138,
139 ; attacks Peter, 134 ; is driven
away, 135 ; departs from Tripolis
to Syria, 188; comes from Antioch
to discuss with Peter the unity
of God, 242 ; appeals to the Old
Testament to prove that there are
many gods, 245 ; tries to show
that the Scriptures contradict
themselves, 248 ; accuses Peter of
using magic, and of teaching doc-
trines difi'erent from those taught
by Christ, 257, 258 ; asserts that
Jesus is not consistent with Him-
self, 259, 260; asserts that the
Framer of the world is not the
highest God, 274 ; asserts an un-
revealed God, 277 ; the opinions
of, expounded and refuted by
Peter, 282, 283 ; retires from the
discussion, 289 ; is rebuked by
Faustus, 309 ; changes the face
of Faustus into the exact resem-
blance of his own, 322, 324, 325 ;
flight of, 323.

Sin, the cause of evil, 300, 301 ; the
cause of pain and death, 305.

Sins of ignorance, 307.

Son of God, the, 252.

Sophonias, his questions, and Peter's
replies to, 311, 312.

Soul, Clement's former perplexities
about the immortality of, 32, 33 ;
the belief of the immortality of,
necessary to correct views of God,
37 ; the immortality of, asserted
by Peter, 178.

Sound mind, a, in a sound body,
32, 33.

Spies in the enemy's camp, 50.

Standing One, the, 42.

Submission, 193.

"Sword, not peace, but a," 182,
183.

Syrophoenician woman, the story of,
amplified, 40, 41.

S40

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Tactics, the, of Peter against Simon

Magus, 50, 51.
Teaching, the, of Christ, 78-82.
Teaching, the immoral, of the Greeks,

illustrated, 101-105.
Temptation, the, of Christ, 147.
Traditions from our fathers, are

they to be followed ? 93.
Trick, the, of Clement upon Appion,

101-105.
Tripolis, Peter at, 137.
Truth, cannot be found by man left

to himself, 34 ; vain search of

philosophers for, 34, 35 ; taught

by the prophets, 35.
Truth and custom, 94.
Tyre, Peter at, 128 ; address to the

people of, 130.

Unity, the, of God, proved by
Peter from the Old Testament,
247, 250.

Universe, the, the product of mind,
128.

Unrevealed God, the, of Simon
Magus, 276.

Voyage, the, of the church, 13.

Water, born of, 185 ; baptized

with, 186, 187.
Way of salvation, the, 134.
Ways, the, of God, opposed toman's

ways, 38, 39.
Wicked actions to be avoided, 304.
Wicked one, the, why appointed

over the wicked by a righteous

God ? 320.
Wiles of the devil, the, 60.
Wise, the, divine things justlj'

hidden from, 285.
Woman, the, of sorrowful spirit,

198 ; her story, 199, etc.

Zaccheus, 41 ; appointed by Peter

his successor, 84, B5.
Zoroaster, 150.

----

----

http://www.compassionatespirit.com/Homilies/Homilies-TOC.htm

ANTE-NICENE CHRISTIAN LIBRARY:

TRANSLATIONS OF THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS DOWN TO A.D. 325.

EDITED BY THE REV. ALEXANDER ROBERTS, D.D., AND JAMES DONALDSON, LL.D.

VOL. XVIL

THE [[Clement|CLEMENT]]INE HOMILIES.
THE APOSTOLICAL CONSTITUTIONS.

EDINBURGH:
T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET. ' MDCCCLXX.

[[Category:Books]]

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The Clementine Homilies

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* [[Clement]]ine Homilies (H), consisting of 20 books and survives in the original Greek.
* [[Clement]]ine Recognitions (R), for which the original Greek has been lost but exists in a Latin translation produced by Tyrannius Rufinus in 406.

== The Clementine Homilies ==

EDINBUKGH: T. & T. CLAEK, 38, GEORGE STEEET.

MDCCCLXX.

BOOES I. TO V. HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED BY REV. THOMAS SMITH, D.D. ;

BOOKS VI.-XII. BY PETER PETERSON, M.A. ; AND BOOKS XIII.-XX. BY DR. DONALDSON.

TORONTO 5, CANADA.

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES.

PETER to James, the lord and bishop of the holy church under the Father of all, through Jesus Christ, wishes peace always.

Chap. i. — Doctrine of reserve.

Knowing, my brother, your eager desire after that which is for the advantage of us all, I beg and beseech you not to communicate to any one of the Gentiles the books of my preachings which I sent to you, nor to any one of our own tribe before trial ; but if any one has been proved and found worthy, then to commit them to him, after the manner in which Moses delivered <nowiki>[his books]</nowiki> to the Seventy who succeeded to his chair. Wherefore also the fruit of that caution appears even till now. For his countrymen keep the same rule of monarchy and polity everywhere, being unable in any way to think otherwise, or to be led out of the way of the much-indicating Scriptures. For, according to the rule delivered to them, they endeavour to correct the discordances of the Scriptures, if any one, haply not knowing the traditions, is confounded at the various utterances of the prophets.

Wherefore they charge no one to teach, unless he has first learned how the Scriptures must be used. And thus they have amongst them one God, one law, one hope.

Chap. ii. — Misrepresentation of Peter s doctrine.

In order, therefore, that the like may also happen to those among us as to these Seventy, give the books of my preachings to our brethren, with the like mystery of initiation, that they may indoctrinate those who wish to take part in teaching ; for
if it be not so done, our word of truth will be rent into many opinions. And this I know, not as being a prophet, but as already seeing the beginning of this very evil. For some from among the Gentiles have rejected my legal preaching, attaching themselves to certain lawless and trifling preaching of the man who is my enemy. And these things some have attempted while I am still alive, to transform my words by certain various interpretations, in order to the dissolution of the law ; as though I also myself were of such a mind, but did not freely proclaim it, which God forbid ! For such a thing
were to act in opposition to the law of God which was spoken by Moses, and was borne witness to by our Lord in respect of its eternal continuance ; for thus He spoke : " The heavens and the earth shall pass away, but one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law." ^ And this He has said, that all things might come to pass. But these men, professing, I know not how, to know my mind, undertake to explain my words, which they have heard of me, more intelligently than I who spoke them, telling their catechumens that this is my meaning, which indeed I never thought of. But if, while I
am still alive, they dare thus to misrepresent me, how much more will those who shall come after me dare to do so !

Chap. hi. — Initiation,

Therefore, that no such thing may happen, for this end
I have prayed and besought you not to communicate the
books of my preaching which I have sent you to any one,
whether of our own nation or of another nation, before
trial ; but if any one, having been tested, has been found
worthy, then to hand them over to him, according to the
initiation of Moses, by which he delivered [his books] to the
Seventy who succeeded to his chair; in order that thus
they may keep the faith, and everywhere deliver the rule of
truth, explaining all things after our tradition ; lest being
themselves dragged down by ignorance, being drawn into
error by conjectures after their mind, they bring others into
1 Mark xiii. 31 ; Matt. v. 18.

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES, 3

the like pit of destruction. Now the things that seemed good to me, I have fairly pointed out to you ; and what seems good to you, do you, my lord, becomingly perform. Farewell.

Chap. iv. — An adjuration concerning the receivers of the book

1. Therefore James, having read the epistle, sent for the elders ; and having read it to them, said : " Our Peter has strictly and becomingly charged us concerning the establishing of the truth, that we should not communicate the books of his preachings, which have been sent to us, to any one at random, but to one who is good and religious, and who wishes to teach, and who is circumcised, and faithful. And these are not all to be committed to him at once ; that, if he be found injudicious in the first, the others may not be entrusted to him. Wherefore let him be proved not less than

y^six years. And then according to the initiation of Moses, he [that is to deliver the books] should bring him to a river or a fountain, which is living water, where the regeneration of the righteous takes place, and should make him, not swear — for that is not lawful — but to stand by the water and adjure, as we ourselves, when we were regenerated, were made to do for the sake of not sinning.

2. " And let him say : ' I take to witness heaven, earth,
water, in which all things are comprehended, and in addition to
all these, that air also which pervades all things, and without
which I cannot breathe, that I shall always be obedient to
him who gives me the books of the preachings ; and those
same books which he may give me, I shall not communicate
to any one in any way, either by writing them, or giving them
in writing, or giving them to a writer, either myself or by
another, or through any other initiation, or trick, or method,
or by keeping them carelessly, or placing them before [any
one], or granting him permission [to see them], or in any
way or manner whatsoever communicating them to another ;
unless I shall ascertain one to be worthy, as I myself have
been judged, or even more so, and that after a probation of

i

4 EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES.

not less than six years ; but to one who is reh'gious and good,
chosen to teach, as I have received them, so I will commit
them, doing these things also according to the will of my
bishop.

3. " ^ But otherwise, though he were my son or my brother,
or my friend, or otherwise in any way pertaining to me by
kindred, if he be unworthy, that I will not vouchsafe the
favour to him, as is not meet ; and I shall neither be terrified
by plot nor mollified by gifts. But if even it should ever
seem to me that the books of the preachings given to me are
not true, I shall not so communicate them, but shall give them
back. And when I go abroad, I shall carry them with me,
whatever of them I happen to possess. But if I be not
minded to carry them about with me, I shall not suffer them
to be in my house, but shall deposit them with my bishop,
having the same faith, and setting out from the same persons
[as myself].^ But if it befall me to be sick, and in expecta-
tion of death, and if I be childless, I shall act in the same
manner. But if I die having a son who is not worthy, or not
yet capable, I shall act in the same manner. For I shall
deposit them with my bishop, in order that if my son, when
he grows up, be worthy of the trust, he may give them to
him as his father's bequest, according to the terms of this
engagement.

4. " ' And that I shall thus do, I ao;ain call to witness
heaven, earth, water, in which all things are enveloped, and
in addition to all these, the all-pervading air, without which
I cannot breathe, that I shall always be obedient to him who
giveth me these books of the preachings, and shall observe in
all things as I have engaged, or even something more. To me,
therefore, keeping this covenant, there shall be a part with the
holy ones ; but to me doing anything contrary to what I have
covenanted, may the universe be hostile to me, and the all-
pervading ether, and the God who is over all, to vrhom none
is superior, than whom none is greater. But if even I should
come to the acknowledgment of another God, I now swear

^ Unless the rccading be corrupt here, I suppose the reference must be
to episcopal succession.

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES. 5

by him also, be he or be he not, that I shall not do otherwise.
And in addition to all these things, if I shall lie, I shall be
accursed living and dying, and shall be punished with ever-
lasting punishment.'

" And after this, let him partake of bread and salt with
him who commits them to him."

Chap. v. — The adjuration accepted,

James having thus spoken, the elders were in an agony of
terror. Therefore James, perceiving that they were greatly
afraid, said : " Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. If we
should give the books to all indiscriminately, and they should
be corrupted by any daring men, or be perverted by interpre-
tations, as you have heard that some have already done, it will
remain even for those who really seek the truth, always to
wander in error. Wherefore it is better that they should
be with us, and that we should communicate them with all
the fore-mentioned care to those who wish to live piously,
and to save others. But if any one, after taking this adjura-
tion, shall act otherwise, he shall with good reason incur
eternal punishment. For why should not he who is the cause
of the destruction of others not be destroyed himself ? " The
elders, therefore, being pleased with the sentiments of James,
exclaimed, " Blessed be He who, as foreseeing all things, has
graciously appointed thee as our bishop;" and when they
had said this, we all rose up, and prayed to the Father and
God of all, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

=== EPISTLE or CLEMEXT TO JAMES ===

ILEMENT to James, the lord/ and the bishop of
bishops, who rules Jerusalem, the holy church
of the Hebrews, and the churches everywhere
excellently founded by the providence of God,

with the elders and deacons, and the rest of the brethren,

peace be always.

Chap. i. — Peter s martyrdom.

Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon, who, for the
sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his
doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the church, and
for this end was by Jesus Himself, with His truthful mouth,
named Peter, the first-fruits of our Lord, the first of the
apostles ; to whom first the Father revealed the Son ; whom
the Christ, with good reason, blessed ; the called, and elect,
and associate at table and in the journeyings [of Christ] ; the
excellent and approved disciple, who, as being fittest of all,
was commanded to enlighten the darker part of the world,
namely the West, and was enabled to accomplish it, — and
to what extent do I lengthen my discourse, not wishing to
indicate what is sad, which yet of necessity, though reluc-
tantly, I must tell you, — he himself, by reason of his im-
mense love towards men, having come as far as Rome, clearly
and publicly testifying, in opposition to the wicked one who
withstood him, that there is to be a good King over all
the world, while saving men by his God-inspired doctrine,

^ More probably *' the Lord's brother." So it must have been in the
text from which Rufinus translated.

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 7

himself, by violence, exchanged this present existence for
life.

Chap. ii. — Ordination of Clement,

But about that time, when he was about to die, the
brethren being assembled together, he suddenly seized my
hand, and rose up, and said in presence of the church :
" Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. Since, as I have
been taught by the Lord and Teacher Jesus Christ, whose
apostle I am, the day of my death is approaching, I lay hands
upon this Clement as your bishop ; and to him I entrust my
chair of discourse, even to him who has journeyed with me
from the beginning to the end, and thus has heard all my
homilies — who, in a word, having had a share in all my
trials, has been found stedfast in the faith ; whom I have
found, above all others, pious, philanthropic, pure, learned,
chaste, good, upright, large-hearted, and striving generously
to bear the ingratitude of some of the catechumens. Where-
fore I communicate to him the power of binding and loosing, ''^
so that with respect to everything which he shall ordain in
the earth, it shall be decreed in the heavens. For he shall k
bind what ought to be bound, and loose what ought to be
loosed, as knowing the rule of the church. Therefore hear
him, as knowing that he who grieves the president of the ^
truth, sins against Christ, and offends the Father of all.
Wherefore he shall not live ; and therefore it becomes him
who presides to hold the place of a physician, and not to
cherish the rage of an irrational beast."

Chap. hi. — Nolo episcopari.

While he thus spoke, I knelt to him, and entreated him,
declining the honour and the authority of the chair. But he
answered : " Concerning this matter do not ask me ; for it
has seemed to me to be good that thus it be, and all the more
if you decline it. For this chair has not need of a pre-
sumptuous man, ambitious of occupying it, but of one pious
in conduct and deeply skilled in the word [of God]. But show ^
me a better [than yourself], who has travelled more with

8 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

me, and has heard more of my discourses, and has learned
better the regulations of the church, and I shall not force you
to do well against your will. But it will not be in your power
to show me your superior ; for you are the choice first-fruits
of the multitudes saved through me. However, consider this
further, that if you do not undertake the administration of
the church, through fear of the danger of sin, you may be
sure that you sin more, when you have it in your power to
help the godly, who are, as it were, at sea and in danger,
and will not do so, providing only for your own interest, and
not for the common advantaf^e of all. But that it behoves
you altogether to undertake the danger, while I do not cease
to ask it of you for the help of all, you well understand.
The sooner, therefore, you consent, so much the sooner will
you relieve me from anxiety.

Chap. iv. — The recompense of the reward,

" But I myself also, O Clement, know the griefs and
anxieties, and dangers and reproaches, that are appointed you
from the uninstructed multitudes ; and these you will be
able to bear nobly, looking to the great reward of patience
bestowed on you by God. But also consider this fairly with
me : When has Christ need of your aid ? Now, when the
wicked one has sworn war aojainst His bride ; or in the time
to come, when He shall reign victorious, having no need of
further help ? Is it not evident to any one who has even
the least understanding, that it is now ? Therefore with all
good-will hasten in the time of the present necessity to do
battle on the side of this good King, whose character it is to
give great rewards after victory. Therefore take the over-
sight gladly ; and all the more in good time, because you
have learned from me the administration of the church, for
the safety of the brethren who have taken refuge with us.

Chap. v. — A charge.

" However, I wish, in the presence of all, to remind you, for
the sake of all, of the thinijs belon^ine; to the administration.
It becomes you, living without reproach, with the greatest

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 9

earnestness to shake off all the cares of life, being neither a
surety, nor an advocate, nor involved in any other secular
business. For Christ does not wish to appoint you either
a judge or an arbitrator in business, or negotiator of the
secular affairs of the present life, lest, being confined to
tlie present cares of men, you should not have leisure by the
word of truth to separate the good among men from the bad.
But let the disciples perform these offices to one another, and
not withdraw [you] from the discourses which are able to
save. For as it is wicked for you to undertake secular cares,
and to omit the doing of w^hat you have been commanded to
do, so it is sin for every layman, if they do not stand by one
another even in secular necessities. And if all do not under-
stand to take order that you be without care in respect of the
things in which you ought to be, let them learn it from the
deacons ; that you may have the care of the church always,
in order both to your administering it well, and to your hold-
inor forth the words of truth.

Chap. vi. — The duty of a hisliop,

"Now, if you were occupied with secular cares, you should
deceive both yourself and your hearers. For not being able,
on account of occupation, to point out the things that are
advantageous, both you should be punished, as not having
taught what was profitable, and they, not having learned,
should perish by reason of ignorance. Wherefore do you
indeed preside over them without occupation, so as to send
forth seasonably the words that are able to save them ; and so
let them listen to you, knowing that whatever the ambassador
of the truth shall bind upon earth is bound also in heaven,
and what he shall loose is loosed. But you shall bind what
ought to be bound, and loose what ought to be loosed. And
these, and such like, are the things that relate to you as
president.

Chap. vii. — Duties of preshyters.

f "And with respect to the presbyters, take these [instructions].
Above all things, let them join the young betimes in marriage,

10 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

anticipating the entanglements of youthful lusts. But neither
let them neglect the marriage of those who are already old ;
for lust is vigorous even in some old men. Lest, therefore,
fornication find a place among you, and bring upon you a
very pestilence, take precaution, and search, lest at any time
the fire of adultery be secretly kindled among you. For
j| adultery is a very terrible thing, even such that it holds the
second place in respect of punishment, the first being assigned
to those who are in error, even although they be chaste.
Wherefore do you, as elders of the church, exercise the
spouse of Christ to chastity (by the spouse I mean the body
of the church) ; for if she be apprehended to be chaste by
her royal Bridegroom, slie shall obtain the greatest honour ;
and you, as wedding guests, shall receive great commenda-
tion. But if she be caught having sinned, she herself indeed
shall be cast out; and you shall suffer punishment, if at any
time her sin has been through your negligence.

Chap. viii. — " Do good unto alU^

" Wherefore above all things be careful about chastity ; for
fornication has been marked out as a bitter thing in the
estimation of God. But there are many forms of fornica-
tion, as also Clement himself will explain to you. The first
is adultery, that a man should not enjoy his own wife alone,
or a woman not enjoy her own husband alone. If any one
be chaste, he is able also to be philanthropic, on account of
which he shall obtain eternal mercy. For as adultery is a
great evil, so philanthropy is the greatest good. Wherefore
love all your brethren with grave and compassionate eyes,
performing to orphans the part of parents, to widows that
of husbands, affording them sustenance with all kindliness,
arranging marriages for those who are in their prime, and
for those who are without a profession the means of necessary
support through employment ; giving work to the artificer, /
and alms to the incapable.

Chap. ix. — " Let hrotlierly love conthmer
^' But I know that ye will do these things if you fix love into

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 11

your minds ; and for its entrance there is one only fit means,
viz. the common partaking of food.^ Wherefore see to it that
ye be frequently one another's guests, as ye are able, that
you may not fail of it. For it is the cause of well-doing,
and well-doing of salvation. Therefore all of you present
your provisions in common to all your brethren in God,
knowing that, giving temporal things, you shall receive eter-
nal things. Much more feed the hungry, and give drink to
the thirsty, and clothing to the naked ; visit the sick ; show-
ing yourselves to those who are in prison, help them as ye
are able, and receive strangers into your houses with all
alacrity. However, not to speak in detail, philanthropy will
teach you to do everything that is good, as misanthropy
suggests ill-doing to those who will not be saved.

Chap. x. — " Whatsoever tilings are honest^

" Let the brethren who have causes to be settled not be
judged by the secular authorities; but let them by all means be
reconciled by the elders of the church, yielding ready obedi-
ence to them. Moreover, also, flee avarice, inasmuch as it is
able, under pretext of temporal gain, to deprive you of eternal
blessings. Carefully keep your balances, your measures,
your weights, and the things belonging to your traffic, just.
Be faithful with respect to your trusts. Moreover, you will
persevere in doing these things, and things similar to these,
until the end, if you have in your hearts an ineradicable remem-
brance of the judgment that is from God. For who would
sin, being persuaded that at the end of life there is a judg-
ment appointed of the righteous God, who only now is long-
suffering and good,^ that the good may in future enjoy for
ever unspeakable blessings ; but the sinners being found as
evil, shall obtain an eternity of unspeakable punishment.
And, indeed, that these things are so, it would be reasonable +-
to doubt, were it not that the Prophet of the truth has said
and sworn that it shall be.

1 Literally, " of salt."

2 The common reading would give " who alone is now long-sufFering ; "
but the change of a letter gives the reading which we have adopted.

12 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

Chap. xi. — Doubts to he satisfied.

" Wherefore, being disciples of the true Prophet, laying
aside double-mindedness, from which comes ill-doing, eagerly
undertake well-doing. But if any of you doubt concerning
the things which I have said are to be, let him confess it
without shame, if he cares for his own soul, and he shall be
satisfied by the president. But if he has believed rightly,
let his conversation be with confidence, as fleeing from the
great fire of condemnation, and entering into the eternal
fTQod kingdom of God.

== Chap. xii. — Duties of deacons ==

" Moreover let the deacons of the church, going about with
intelligence, be as eyes to the bishop, carefully inquiring into
the doings of each member of the church, [ascertaining] who
is about to sin, in order that, being arrested with admonition
by the president, he may haply not accomplish the sin. Let
them check the disorderly, that they may not desist from
assembling to hear the discourses, so that they may be able
to counteract by the word of truth those anxieties that fall
upon the heart from every side, by means of worldly casual-
ties and evil communications ; for if they long remain fallow,
they become fuel for the fire. And let them learn who are
suffering under bodily disease, and let them bring them to
the notice of the multitude who do not know of them, that
they may visit them, and supply their wants according to
the judgment of the president. Yea, though they do this
without his knowledge, they do nothing amiss. These things,
then, and things like to these, let the deacons attend to.

Chap. xiii. — Duties of catechists,

" Let the catechists instruct, being first instructed ; for it is
a work relatincr to the souls of men. For the teacher of the
word must accommodate himself to the various judgments of
the learners. The catechists must therefore be learned, and
unblameable, of much experience, and approved, as you will
know that Clement is, who is to be your instructor after me.

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 13

For it were too much for me now to go into details. How-
ever, if ye be of one mind, you shall be able to reach the
haven of rest, where is the peaceful city of the great King.

Chap. xiv. — Tlie vessel of the cliurcli.

^' For the whole business of the church is like unto a great
ship, bearing through a violent storm men who are of many
places, and who desire to inhabit the city of the good king-
dom. Let, therefore, God be your shipmaster ; and let the
pilot be likened to Christ, the mate^ to the bishop, the sailors
to the deacons, the midshipmen to the catechists, the multi-
tude of the brethren to the passengers, the w^orld to the sea ;
the foul winds to temptations, persecutions, and dangers; and
all manner of afflictions to the waves ; the land winds and
their squalls to the discourses of deceivers and false prophets ;
the promontories and rugged rocks to the judges in high
places threatening terrible things ; the meetings of two seas,
and the wild places, to unreasonable men and those who
doubt of the promises of truth. Let hypocrites be regarded
as like to pirates. Moreover, account the strong whirlpool,
and the Tartarean Charybdis, and murderous wrecks, and
deadly founderings, to be nought but sins. In order, there-
fore, that, sailing with a fair wind, you may safely reach the
haven of the hoped-for city, pray so as to be heard. But
prayers become audible by good deeds.

Chap. xv. — Incidents of the voyage,

" Let therefore the passengers remain quiet, sitting in their
own places, lest by disorder they occasion rolling or careenins;.
Let the midshipmen give heed to the fare. Let the deacons
neglect nothing with which they are entrusted ; let the pres-
byters, like sailors, studiously arrange what is needful for
e^ch one. Let the bishop, as the mate, wakef ully ponder the
w^ords of the pilot alone. Let Christ, even the Saviour, be
loved as the pilot, and alone believed in the matters of which
He speaks ; and let all pray to God for a prosperous voyage.

^ It is impossible to translate these terms very accurately. I suppose
the 'Trpapivg was rather the " bow-oarsman " in the galley.

14 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

Let those sailing expect every tribulation, as travelling over
a great and troubled sea, the world : sometimes, indeed,
disheartened, persecuted, dispersed, hungry, thirsty, naked,
hemmed in; and, again, sometimes united, congregated, at
rest; but also sea-sick, giddy, vomiting, that is, confessing
> sins, Hke disease-producing bile, — I mean the sins proceeding
from bitterness, and the evils accumulated from disorderly
lusts, by the confession of which, as by vomiting, you are
relieved of your disease, attaining healthful safety by means
of carefulness.

Chap. xvi. — The hisJwp's labours and reward.

" But know all of you that the bishop labours more than
you all ; because each of you suffers his own affliction, but he
his own and that of every one. Wherefore, O Clement, pre-
side as a helper to every one according to your ability, being
careful of the cares of all. Whence I know that in your
undertaking the administration, I do not confer, but receive, a
favour. But take courage and bear it generously, as know-
ing that God will recompense you when you enter the haven
of rest, the greatest of blessings, a reward that cannot be
taken from you, in proportion as you have undertaken more
labour for the safety of all. So that, if many of the brethren
should hate you on account of your lofty righteousness, their
hatred shall nothing hurt you, but the love of the righteous
God shall greatly benefit you. Therefore endeavour to shake
off the praise that arises from injustice, and to attain the
profitable praise that is from Christ on account of righteous
administration."

== Chap. xyii. — The peoples duties. ==

Having said this, and more than this, he looked again
upon the multitude, and said : " And you also, my beloved
brethren and fellow-servants, be subject to the president of
the truth in all things, knowing this, that he who grieves
him has not received Christ, with whose chair he has been
entrusted ; and he who has not received Christ shall be re-
garded as having despised the Father ; wherefore he shall be

EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES. 15

cast out of the good kingdom. On this account, endeavour
to come to all the assemblies, lest as deserters you incur the
charge of sin through the disheartening of your captain.
Wherefore all of you think before all else of the things that
relate to him, knowing this, that the wicked one, being the
more hostile on account of every one of you, wars against him
alone. Do you therefore strive to live in affection towards
him, and in kindliness towards one another, and to obey him,
in order that both he may be comforted and you may be
saved.

Chap, xviii. — " As a heathen man and a publican^

" But some things also you ought of yourselves to consider,
on account of his not being able to speak openly by reason of
the plots. Such as : if he be hostile to any one, do not wait
for his speaking ; and do not take part with that man, but
prudently follow the bishop's will, being enemies to those to
whom he is an enemy, and not conversing with those with
whom he does not converse, in order that every one, desiring
to have you all as his friends, may be reconciled to him and
be saved, listening to his discourse. But if any one remain
a friend of those to whom he is an enemy, and speak to
those with whom he does not converse, he also himself is one
of those who would waste the church. For, being with you
in body, but not with you in judgment, he is against you ;
and is much worse than the open enemies from without, since
with seeming friendship he disperses those who are within."

Chap. xix. — Installation of Clement.

Having thus spoken, he laid his hands upon me in the pre-
sence of all, and compelled me to sit in his own chair. And
when I was seated, he immediately said to me : " I entreat
you, in the presence of all the brethren here, that whensoever
I depart from this life, as depart I must, you send to James
the brother of the Lord a brief account of your reasonings
from your boyhood, and how from the beginning until now
you have journeyed with me, hearing the discourses preached
by me in every city, and [seeing] my deeds. And then at the

16 EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO JAMES.

end you will not fail to inform him of the manner of my
death, as I said before. For that event will not grieve him
very much, when he knows that I piously went through what
it behoved me to suffer. And he will get the greatest comfort
when he learns, that not an unlearned man, or one ignorant
of life-giving words, or not knowing the rule of the church,
shall be entrusted Avith the chair of the teacher after me.
For the discourse of a deceiver destroys the souls of the
multitudes who hear."

Chap. xx. — dementis obedience.

Whence I, my lord James, having promised as I was ordered,
have not failed to wTite in books by chapters the greater
part of his discourses in every city, which have been already
written to you, and sent by himself, as for a token ; and thus
I despatched them to you, inscribing them Clements Epitome
of the Popular Sermons of Peter, However, I shall begin to
set them forth, as I was ordered.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

HOMILY I.

Chap. i. — Boyish questionings.

CLEMENT, being a Koman citizen, even from
my earliest youtli was able to live chastely, my
mind from my boyhood drawing away the lust
that was in me to dejection and distress. For I
had a habit of reasoning — how originating I know not —
making frequent cogitations concerning death : When I die,
shall I neither exist, nor shall any one ever have any remem-
brance of me, while boundless time bears all things of all
men into forgetfulness ? and shall I then be without being, or
acquaintance with those who are ; neither knowing nor being
known, neither having been nor being ? And has the world
ever been made ? and was there anything before it w^as made ?
For if it has been always, it shall also continue to be ; but if
it has been made, it shall also be dissolved. And after its
dissolution, shall there ever be anything again, unless, perhaps,
silence and forgetfulness ? Or perhaps something shall be
which it is not possible now to conceive.

Chap. ii. — Good out of evil.

As I pondered without ceasing these and such like ques-
tions — I know not whence arisino- — I had such bitter 2;rief,
that, becoming pale, I wasted away; and, what was most
terrible, if at any time I wished to drive away this meditation
as unprofitable, my suffering became all the more severe ; and
I grieved over this, not knowing that I had a fair inmate,
even my thought, which was to be to me the cause of a blessed

B

18 THE CLEMENTi::sE HOMILIES.

immortality, as I afterwards knew by experience, and gave
thanks to God, the Lord of all. For it was by this thought,
which at first afflicted me, that I was compelled to come to
the search and the finding of things ; and then I pitied those
whom at first, through ignorance, I ventured to call blessed.

Chap. hi. — Perplexity.

From my boyhood, then, being [involved] in such reason-
ings, in order to learn something definite, I used to resort to the
schools of the philosophers. But nought else did I see than
the setting up and knocking down of doctrines, and strifes,
and seeking for victory, and the arts of syllogisms, and the
skiU of assumptions ; and sometimes one [opinion] prevailed,
— as, for example, that the soul is immortal, and sometimes
that it is mortal. If, therefore, at any time the doctrine pre-
vailed that it is immortal, I was glad ; and when the doctrine
prevailed that it is mortal, I was grieved. And again, I was
the more disheartened because I could not establish either
doctrine to my satisfaction. However, I perceived that the
opinions on subjects under discussion are taken as true or false,
according to their defenders, and do not appear as they really
are. Perceiving, therefore, now' that the acceptance does not
depend on the real nature of the subjects discussed, but that
opinions are proved to be true or false according to ability of
those who defend them, I was still more than ever at a loss in
regard of things. Wherefore I groaned from the depth of
my soul. For neither was I able to establish anything, nor
could I shake off the consideration of such things, though, as
I said before, I wished it. For although I frequently charged
myself to be at peace, in some way or other thoughts on these
subjects, accompanied with a feeling of pleasure, would come
into my mind.

Chap. iv. — More perplexity.

And again, living in doubt, I said to myself, Wliy do T
labour in vain, when the matter is clear, that if I lose exist-
ence when I die, it is not fitting that I should distress myself
now while I do exist ? Wherefore I shall reserve my grief

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 19

till that [day], when, ceasing to exist, I shall not be affected
with grief. But if I am to exist, what does it profit me now
to distress myself gratuitously ? And immediately after this
another reasoning assailed me ; for I said. Shall I not have
something worse to suffer then than that which distresses me
now, if I have not lived piously ; and shall I not be delivered
over, according to the doctrines of some philosophers, to
Pyriphlegethon and Tartarus, like Sisyphus, or Tityus, or
Ixion, or Tantalus, and be punished for ever in Hades?
But again I replied, saying : But there are no such things as
these. Yet again I taid : But if there be? Therefore, said J
I, since the matter is uncertain, the safer plan is for me ^
rather to live piously. But how shall I be able, for the sake
of righteousness, to subdue bodily pleasures, looking, as I do,
to an uncertain hope ? But I am neither fully persuaded
what is that righteous thing that is pleasing to God, nor do I
know whether the soul is immortal or mortal. Neither can
I find any well-established doctrine, nor can I abstain from
such debatings.

Chap. v. — A resolution.

What, then, am I to do, unless this? I shall go into
Egypt, and I shall become friendly with the hierophants of
the shrines, and with the prophets ; and I shall seek and find
a magician, and persuade him with large bribes to effect the
calling up of a soul, w^hich is called necromancy, as if I were
going to inquire of it concerning some business. And the
inquiry shall be for the purpose of learning whether the soul
is immortal. But the answer of the soul that it is immortal
shall not give me the knowledge from its speaking or my
hearing, but only from its being seen ; so that, seeing it with
my very eyes, I may have a self-sufficient and fit assurance,
from the very fact of its appearing, that it exists; and never
again shall the uncertain words of hearing be able to over-
turn the things which the eyes have made their own. How-
ever, I submitted this very plan to a certain companion who
was a philosopher ; and he counselled me not to venture upon
it, and that on many accounts. . " For if," said he, " the soul

20 THE CLEMENTI^'E HOMILIES.

shall not listen to the mamcian, vou will live with an evil
conscience, as havino; acted against the laws which forbid the
doing of these things. But if it shall listen to him, then,
besides your livinor T^'ith an evil conscience, I think that
matters of piety will not be promoted to you on account of
your making this attempt. For they say that the Deity is
anirrv with those who disturb souls after their release from
the body." ^ And I, when I heard this, became indeed more
backward to -undertake such a thing, but I did not abandon
my original plan ; but I was distressed, as being hindered in
the execution of it.

Chap. vi. — Tidings from Jadea.

And, not to discuss such matters to you in a long speech,
while I was occupied with such reasonings and doings, a
certain report, taking its rise in the spring-time, in the
reign of Tiberius Caesar, gradually grew everywhere, and
ran through the world as truly the good tidings of God,
beinfT unable to stifle the counsel of God in silence. There-
fore it everywhere became greater and louder, saying that
a certain One in Judea, beginning in the spring season,
was preaching to the Jews the kingdom of the invisible
God, and saying that whoever of them would reform his
manner of living should enjoy it. And in order that He
midit be believed that He uttered these thinn;s full of the
Godhead, He wrouo;ht many wonderful miracles and sic^ns
by His mere command, as having received power from God.
For He made the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the lame to
walk, raised up the bowed down, drove away every disease,
put to flight every demon ; and even scabbed lepers, by only
looking on Him from a distance, were sent away cured by
Him ; and the dead, being brought to Him, were raised ; and
there was nothinfj which He could not do. And as time
advanced, so much the greater, through the arrival of more
persons, and the stronger grew — I say not now the report,
but — the trnth of tho thing ; for now at length there were

I Tins rendering is from the text in the corresponding passage of the
Epitome de gestis S. Petri.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 21

meetings in various places for consultation and inquiry as to
who He might be that had appeared, and what was His purpose.

Chap. vii. — The gospel in Rome.

And then in the same year, in the autumn season, a certain
one, standing in a public place, cried and said, '^ Men of Rome,
hearken. The Son of God is come in Judea, proclaiming
eternal life to all who will, if they shall live according to the
counsel of the Father, wdio hath sent Him. Wherefore
change your manner of life from the worse to the better,
from things temporal to things eternal ; for know ye that
there is one God, who is in heaven, whose world ye unright-
eously dwell in before His righteous eyes. But if ye be
changed, and live according to His counsel, then, being born
into the other world, and becoming eternal, ye shall enjoy
His unspeakable good things. But if ye be unbelieving, your
souls, after the dissolution of the body, shall be thrown into
the place of fire, where, being punished eternally, they shall
repent of their unprofitable deeds. For every one, the term
of repentance is the present life." I therefore, when I heard
these things, was grieved, because no one among so great
multitudes, hearing such an announcement, said : I shall go
into Judea, that I may know if this man who tells us these
things speaks the truth, that the Son of God has come into
Judea, for the sake of a good and eternal hope, revealing the
will of the Father who sent Him. For it is no small matter
w^hich they say that He preaches : for He asserts that the souls
of some, being [themselves] immortal, shall enjoy eternal good
things ; and that those of others, being thrown into unquench-
able fire, shall be punished for ever.

Chap. viii. — Departure from Home.

While I spoke thus concerning others, I also lectured
myself, saying. Why do I blame others, being myself guilty
of the very same crime of heedlessness ? But I shall hasten
into Judea, having first arranged my affairs. And when I had
thus made up my mind, there occurred a long time of delay,
my worldly affairs being difficult to arrange. Therefore,

22 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

meditating further on the nature of life, that bj involving-^
men in hope it lays snares for those who are making haste,
yea, and how much time I had been robbed of while tossed
by hopes, and that we men die while thus occupied, I left all
my affairs as they were, and sped to Portus ; ^ and coming to
the harbour, and being taken on board a ship, I was borne by
adverse winds to Alexandria instead of Judea ; and being
detained there by stress of weather, I consorted with the
philosophers, and told them about the rumour and the sayings
of him who had appeared in Rome. And they answered that
indeed they knew nothing of him who had appeared in
Rome; but concerning Him who was born in Judea, and
who was said by the report to be the Son of God, they had
heard from many who had come from thence, and had learned
respecting all the wonderful things that He did with a word.

Chap. ix. — Preaching of Barnabas,

And when I said that I wished I could meet with some one
of those who had seen Him, they immediately brought me to
one, saying, " There is one here who not only is acquainted
with Him, but is also of that country, a Hebrew, by name
Barnabas, who says that he himself is one of His disciples ;
and hereabouts he resides, and readily announces to those who
will the terms of His promise." Then I went with them; and
when I came, I stood listenincr to his words with the crowd
that stood round him ; and I perceived that he was speaking
truth not with dialectic art, but was setting forth simply and
without preparation what he had heard and seen the mani-
fested Son of God do and say. And even from the crowd
who stood around him he produced many witnesses of the
miracles and discourses which he narrated.

Chap. X. — Cavils of the philosophers.

But while the multitudes were favourably disposed towards
the things that he so artlessly spoke, the philosophers, impelled

1 For iK'TTT.oy.uv "Wieseler proposes lK-/,'hi7:70)u, "that deceiving by hopes
it lays snares," etc.

2 Portus, the port of Rome. One MS. reads Trovrov, " the sea."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES 23

by their worldly learning, set upon laughing at him and
making sport of him, upbraiding and reproaching him with
excessive presumption, making use of the great armoury of
syllogisms. But he set aside their babbling, and did not
enter into their subtle questioning, but without embarrassment
went on with what he was saying. And then one of them
asked, Wherefore it was that a gnat, although it be so small,
and has six feet, has wings also; while an elephant, the largest
of beasts, is wingless, and has but four feet ? But he, after
the question had been put, resuming his discourse, which had
been interrupted, as though he had answered the question,
resumed his original discourse, only making use of this pre-
face after each interruption : " We have a commission only
to tell you the words and the w^ondrous doings of Him who
sent us ; and instead of logical demonstration, we present to
you many witnesses from amongst yourselves who stand by,
whose faces I remember, as living images. These sufficient
testimonies it is left to your choice to submit to, or to dis-
believe.-^ But I shall not cease to declare unto you what
is for your profit ; for to be silent were to me a loss, and to
disbelieve is ruin to you. But indeed I could give answers
to your frivolous questions, if you asked them through love
of truth. But the reason of the different structure of the
gnat and the elephant it is not fitting to tell to those who are
ignorant of the God of all."

Chap. xi. — Clemenis zeal.

When he said this, they all, as in concert, set up a shout
of laughter, trying to silence him and put him out, as a bar-
barous madman. But I, seeing this, and seized, I know not
how, with enthusiasm, could no longer keep silence with
righteous indignation, but boldly cried out, saying, " Well
has God ordained that His counsel should be incapable of
being received by you, foreseeing you to be unworthy, as
appears manifestly to such of those w^ho are now present as

^ We have here adopted a conjectural reading of Davis. The common
text is thus translated: "whose faces I remember, and who as being
living images are satisfactory testimonies. These it is left," etc.

24 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

have minds capable of judging. For whereas now heralds
of His counsel have been sent forth, not making a show of
grammatical art, but setting forth His will in simple and
inartificial words, so that whosoever hear can understand
what is spoken, and not with any invidious feeling, as
though unwilling to offer it to all ; you come here, and
besides your not understanding what is for your advantage,
to your own injury you laugh at the truth, which, to your
condemnation, consorts with the barbarians, and which you
will not entertain when it visits you, by reason of your
wickedness and the plainness of its Avords, lest you be con-
victed of being merely lovers of words, and not lovers of
truth and lovers of wisdom. How loner -sviH you be learnino;
to speak, who have not the power of speech?^ For many
sayings of yours are not worth one word. AVhat, then, will
your Grecian multitude say, being of one mind, if, as he
says, there shall be a judgment? ^'Why, O God, didst Thou
not proclaim to us Thy counsel ? " Shall you not, if you be
thought worthy of an answer at all, be told this ? " I, know-
ing before the foundation of the world all characters that
were to be, acted towards each one by anticipation according
to his deserts without making it known ; ' but wishing to give
full assurance to those who have fled to me that this is so, and
to explain why from the beginning, and in the first ages, I
did not suffer my counsel to be publicly proclaimed; I now, in
the end of the world," have sent heralds to proclaim my will,
and they are insulted and flouted by those who will not be
benefited, and who wilfully reject my friendship. Oh, great
wrong ! The preachers are exposed to danger even to the
loss of life,* and that by the men who are called to salvation.

Chap. xii. — Clement's rehuhe of the people.
" And this wrongful treatment of my heralds would have

^ The Vatican MS. and Epit. have " the power of speaking well."

2 Lit., ''I met each one beforehand secretly." The Latin has, ''unicui-
que prsevius occurri."

3 The Greek is /S/oy, "life."

* The Paris MS. reads (pOoi/ov, "envy," instead of (^6uov, "murder."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 25

been against all from the beginning, if from the beginning
the unworthy had been called to salvation. For that which
is now done wrongfully by these men serves to the vindica-
tion of my righteous foreknowledge, that it was well that I
did not choose from the beginning to expose uselessly to
public contempt the word which is worthy of honour ; but
determined to suppress it, as being honourable, not indeed
from those who were worthy from the beginning — for to
them also I imparted it — but from those, and such as those,
unworthy, as you see them to be, — those who hate me, and
who will not love themselves. And now, give over laughing
at this man, and hear me with respect to his announcement,
or let any one of the hearers who pleases answer. And do
not bark like vicious dogs, deafening with disorderly clamour
the ears of those who would be saved, ye unrighteous and
God-haters, and perverting the saving method to unbelief.
How shall you be able to obtain pardon, who scorn him who
is sent to speak to you of the Godhead of God? And this you
do towards a man whom you ought to have received on ac-
count of his good-will towards you, even if he did not speak
truth."

Chap. xiii. — Clement instructed hy Barnahas.

While I spake these words, and others to the same effect,
there arose a great excitement among the crowd ; and some,
as pitying Barnabas, sympathized with me ; but others, being
senseless, terribly gnashed their teeth against me. But, as
the evening had already come, I took Barnabas by the hand,
and by force conducted him, against his will, to my lodging,
and constrained him to remain there, lest some one might
lay hands on him. And having spent several days, and
instructed me briefly in the true doctrine, as well as he could
in a few days, he said that he should hasten into Judea for
the observance of the festival, and also because he wished for
the future to consort with those of his own nation.

Chap. xiv. — Departure of Barnahas.
But it plainly appeared to me that he was disconcerted.

26 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

For when I said to him, " Only set forth to me the words
which you have heard of the Man who has appeared, and I
will adorn them with my speech, and preach the counsel of
God ; and if you do so, within a few days I will sail with
you, for I greatly desire to go to the land of Judea, and
perhaps I shall dwell with you all my life ;" — when he heard
this, he answered : " If you wish to inquire into our affairs,
and to learn what is for your advantage, sail with me at
once. But if you will not, I shall now give you directions
to my house, and that of those whom you wish [to meet],
that when you choose to come you may find us. For I shall
set out to-morrow for my home." And when I saw that he
could not be prevailed upon, I went with him as far as the
harbour ; and having learned of him the directions which he
had promised to give me for finding the dwellings, I said to
him, " Were it not that to-morrow I am to recover a debt
that is due to me, I should straightway set sail with you.
But I shall soon overtake you." And having said this, and
having given him in charge to those who commanded the
ship, I returned grieving, remembering him as an excellent
and dear friend.

Chap. xv. — Introduction to Peter,

But having spent [some] days, and not having been able
to recover the whole debt, for the sake of speed I neglected
the balance, as being a hindrance, and myself also set sail
for Judea, and in fifteen days arrived at Csesarea Stratonis.
And when I had landed, and was seeking for a lodging,
I learned that one named Peter, who was the most esteemed
disciple of the Man who had appeared in Judea, and had done
signs and wonders, was going to have a verbal controversy
next day with Simon, a Samaritan of Gitthi. When I
heard this, I begged to be shown his lodging ; and as soon
as I learned it, I stood before the door. And those who
were in the house, seeing me, discussed the question who I
was, and whence I had come. And, behold, Barnabas came
out; and as soon as he saw me he embraced me, rejoicing
greatly, and weeping. And he took me by the hand, and

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 27

conducted me to where Peter was, saying to me, " This is
Peter, of whom I told you as being the greatest in the wis-
dom of God, and I have spoken to him of you continually.
Therefore enter freely,^ for I have told him your excellent
qualities, without falsehood ; and, at the same time, have
disclosed to him your intention, so that he himself also is
desirous to see you. Therefore I offer him a great gift when
by my hands I present you to him." Thus saying, he pre-
sented me, and said, " This, O Peter, is Clement."

Chap. xvi. — Peter s salutation.

Then the blessed man, springing forward as soon as he
heard my name, kissed me ; and making me sit down,
straightway said, " You acted nobly in entertaining Barna-
bas, a herald of the truth, to the honour of the living God,
being magnanimously not ashamed, nor fearing the resent-
ment of the rude multitude. Blessed shall yon be. For as
you thus with all honour enteilained the ambassador of the
truth, so also truth herself shall constitute you, who are a
stranger, a citizen of her own city. And thus you shall
greatly rejoice, because you have now lent a small favour ;
I mean the kindness of good words. You shall be heir of
blessings which are both eternal and cannot possibly be taken
from you. And do not trouble yourself to detail to me your
manner of life; for the veracious Barnabas has detailed to us
everything relating to you, making favourable mention of
you almost every day. And in order that I may tell to you
briefly, as to a genuine friend, what is in hand, travel with
us, unless anything hinders you, partaking of the words of
truth which I am going to speak from city to city, as far as
Rome itself. And if you wish [to say] anything, speak on."

Chap. xvii. — Questions propounded.

Then I set forth my purpose from the beginning, and how
I had spent myself upon difficult questions, and all the things

^ The text is corrupt. Dressel's reading is adopted in the text, being
based on Rufinus's translation. Some conjecture, " as you will know of
your own accord."

28 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that I disclosed to you at the outset, so that I need not write
the same thinors aorain. Then I said, "I hold myself in readi-
ness to journey ^Yith you ; for this, I know not how, I gladly
wish. However, I wish first to be convinced concernincr the •
truth, that I may know whether the soul is mortal or im-
mortal ; and whether, if it is eternal, it is to be judged con-
cerning the things which it hath done here. Also, whether
there is anything that is righteous and well-pleasing to God ;
and whether the world was made, and for what end it was
made ; and whether it shall be dissolved; and if it shall be
dissolved, whether it shall be made better, or shall not be at
all." And not to mention them in detail, I said that I wished
to learn these things, and things consequent upon these. And
to this he answered: "I shall shortly convey to you, O Clement,
the knowledge of the thincrs that are ; and even now listen.

Chap, xviii. — Causes of ignorance.

'' The will of God has been [kept] in obscurity in many
ways. In the first place, there is evil instruction, wicked
association, terrible society, unseemly discourses, wrongful
prejudice. Thereby is error, then fearlessness, unbelief,
fornication, covetousness, vainglory ; and ten thousand other
such evils, filling the world as a quantity of smoke fills a
house, have obscured the siHit of the men inhabitinfr the
world, and have not suffered them to look up and become
acquainted with God the Creator from the delineation [of
Himself which He has given], and to know what is pleasing
to Him. Wlierefore it behoves the lovers of trutli, crvinji
out inwardly from their breasts, to call for aid, with truth-
lovino; reason, that some one livini^ within the house^ which
is filled with smoke may approach and open the door, so that
the light of the sun which is without may be admitted into
the house, and the smoke of the fire which is within may be
driven out.

Chap. xix. — Tlie true Propliet.

" Now the Man who is the helper I call the true Prophet ;
^ A conjectural reading, " being without the house," seems preferable.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 29

and He alone is able to enlighten the souls of men, so that
with our own eyes we may be able to see the way of eternal
salvation. But otherwise it is impossible, as you also know,
since you said a little while ago that every doctrine is set
up and pulled down, and the same is thought true or false,
according to the power of him who advocates it ; so that doc-
trines do not appear as they are, but take the appearance of
beincp or not beincp truth or falsehood from those who advo-
cate them. On this account the whole business of religion
needed a true prophet, that he might tell us things that are,
as thev are, and how we must believe concernino; all thin^-s.
So that it is first necessary to test the prophet by every pro-
phetic sign, and having ascertained that he is true, thereafter
to believe him in everything, and not to sit in judgment upon
his several sayings, but to receive them as certain, being ac-
cepted indeed by seeming faith, yet by sure judgment. For by
our initial proof, and by strict inquiry on every side, all things
are received with right reason. Wherefore before all things
it is necessary to seek after the true Prophet, because with-
out Him it is impossible that any certainty can come to men."

Chap. xx. — Peter s satisfaction ivitJi Clement.

And, at the same time, he satisfied me by expounding to me
who He is, and how He is found, and holding Him forth to
me as truly to be found, showing that the truth is more mani-
fest to the ear by the discourse of the prophet than things
that are seen with the eye ; so that I was astonished, and
wondered that no one sees those thino-s which are sought
after by all, though they lie before him. However, having
written this discourse concerning the Prophet by his order,
he caused the volume to be despatched to you from Ca3sarea
Stratonis, saying that he had a charge from you to send you his
discourses and his acts year by year.-*- Thus, on the very first

^ The text is probably corrupt or defective. As it stands, grammati-
cally Peter writes tlie discourse and sends it, and yet " by liis order "
must also apply to Peter, The Recognitions make Clement write the
book and send it. The passage is deemed important, and is accordingly
discussed in Schliemann, p. 83; Hilgenfeld, p. 37 ; and Uhlhorn, p. 101.

30 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

day, beginning only concerning the prophet of the truth, he
confirmed me in every respect; and then he spoke thusc
"Henceforth give heed to the discussions that take place be-
tween me and those on the other side ; and even if I come off
at a disadvantage, I am not afraid of your ever doubting of
the truth that has been delivered to you, knowing well that
I seem to be beaten, but not the doctrine that has been
delivered to us by the Prophet. However, I hope not to come
off in our inquiries at a disadvantage with men who have
understanding — ^I mean lovers of truth, w4io are able to know
what discourses are specious, artificial, and pleasant, and what
are unartificial and simple, trusting only to the truth [that is
conveyed] through them."

Chap. xxt. — Unalterable conviction,

"When he had thus spoken, I answered : " Now do I thank
God ; for as I wished to be convinced, so He has vouchsafed
to me. However, so far as concerns me, be you so far with-
out anxiety that I shall never doubt ; so much so, that if you
yourself should ever wish to remove me from the prophetic
doctrine, you should not be able, so well do I know what I
have received. And do not think that it is a great thing
that I promise you that I shall never doubt ; for neither I
myself, nor any man who has heard your discourse concern-
ing the Prophet, can ever doubt of the true doctrine, having
first heard and understood what is the truth of the pro-
phetic announcement. Wherefore have confidence in the
God-willed dogma ; for every art of wickedness has been
conquered. For against prophecy, neither arts of discourses,
nor tricks of sophisms, nor syllogisms, nor any other con-
trivance, can prevail anything ; that is, if he who has heard
the true Prophet really is desirous of truth, and does not
give heed to aught else under pretext of truth. So that, my
lord Peter, be not disconcerted, as though you had presented
the greatest good to a senseless person ; for you have pre-
sented it to one sensible of the favour, and who cannot be
seduced from the truth that has been committed to him.
For I know that it is one of those things which one wishes

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 31

to receive quickly, and not to attain slowly. Therefore I
know that I should not despise, on account of the quickness
[with which I have got it], what has been committed to me,
what is incomparable, and what alone is safe."

Chap. xxii. — Tlianksgiving,

When I had thus spoken, Peter said : " I give thanks to
God, both for your salvation and for my satisfaction. For I
am truly pleased to know that you apprehend what is the
greatness of prophecy. Since, then, as you say, if I myself
should ever wish — which God forbid — to transfer you to
another doctrine, I shall not be able to persuade you, begin
from to-morrow to attend upon me in the discussions with
the adversaries. And to-morrow I have one with Simon
Magus." And having spoken thus, and he himself having
partaken of food in private, he ordered me also to partake ;
and having blessed the food, and having given thanks after
being satisfied, and having given me an account of this
matter, he went on to say : " May God grant you in all
things to be made like unto me, and having been baptized,
to partake of the same table with me." And having thus
spoken, he enjoined me to go to rest; for now indeed my
bodily nature demanded sleep.

== HOMILY II. ==

Chap. i. — Peter s attendants.

THEREFORE the next clay, I Clement, awakinir
from sleep before dawn, and learning that Peter
^Yas astir, and was conversing with his attendants
concerning the worship of God (there were six-
teen of them, and I have thought good to set forth their
names, as I subsequently learned them, that you may also
know who they were. The first of them was Zaccheus, who
was once a publican, and Sophonias his brother ; Joseph
and his foster-brother Michaias ; also Thomas and EHezer
the twins ; also -^neas and Lazarus the priests ; besides
also Elisaeus, and Benjamin the son of Saphrus ; as also
Rubilus and Zacharias the builders ; and Ananias and
Haggaeus the Jamminians ; and Nicetas and Aquila the
friends), — accordingly I went in and saluted him, and at
his request sat down.

Chap. ii. — A sound mind in a sound hody.

And he, breaking off the discourse in which he was en-
gaged, assured me, by way of apology, why he had not
awakened me that I mlMit hear his discourses, assi^^ninix as
the reason the discomfort of my voyage. As he wished this
to be dispelled,^ he had suffered me to sleep. "For," said
he, " whenever the soul is distracted concerning some bodily
want, it does not properly approach the instructions that are
presented to it. On this account I am not willing to con-
verse, either with those who are greatly grieving through some
calamity, or are immoderately angry, or are turned to the
frenzy of love, or are suffering under bodily exhaustion, or are
^ Literally, " to be boiled out of me."
32

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 33

distressed with the cares of life, or are harassed with any other
sufferings, whose soul, as I said, being downcast, and sympa-
thizing with the suffering body, occupies also its own intelli-
gence therewith.

Chap. hi. — Forevjamed is forearmed.

" And let it not be said, Is it not, then, proper to present
comforts and admonitions to those who are in any bad case?
To this I answer, that if, indeed, any one is able, let him
present them ; but if not, let him bide his time. For I know^
that all things have their proper season. Wherefore it is
proper to ply men with words which strengthen the soul in
anticipation of evil ; so that, if at any time any evil comes
upon them, the mind, being forearmed with the right argu-
ment, may be able to bear up under that which befalls it :
for then the mind knows in the crisis of the struo-ale to have
recourse to him who succoured it by good counsel.

Chap. iv. — A request.

^^ However, I have learned, O Clement, how that in x\lex-
andria Barnabas perfectly expounded to you the word respect-
ing prophecy. Was it not so?" I answered, "Yes, and
exceedino; well." Then Peter : " Therefore it is not neces-
sary now to occupy with the instructions which you know,
the time which may serve us for other instructions wliich
you do not know." Then said I : " You have rightly said,

Peter. But vouchsafe this to me, who purpose always to
attend upon you, continuously to expound to me, a delighted
hearer, the doctrine of the Prophet. For, apart from Him, as

1 learned from Barnabas, it is impossible to learn the truth."

Chap. y. — Excellence of the knoioledge of the true Propliet.

And Peter, being greatly pleased with this, answered :
"Already hath the rectifying process taken its end, as regards
you, knowing as you do the greatness of the infallible
prophecy, without which it is impossible for any one to
receive that which is supremely profitable. For of many

1 Eccles. iii. 1.

34 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and diverse blessings whicli are in the tilings which are or
which may be, the most blessed of all — whether it be eternal
life, or perpetual health, or a perfect understanding, or light,
or joy, or immortality, or whatever else there is or that can be
supremely good in the nature of things — cannot be possessed
without first knowing things as they are ; and this knowledge
cannot be otherwise obtained than by first becoming ac-
quainted w^ith the Prophet of the truth.

Chap. vi. — The true ProplieL

" Now the Prophet of the truth is He who always knows
all things — things past as they were, things present as they
are, things future as they shall be ; sinless, merciful, alone
entrusted w^ith the declaration of the truth. Read, and you
shall find that those [w^ere deceived]^ who thought that they
had found the truth of themselves. For this is peculiar to
the Prophet, to declare the truth, even as it is peculiar to the
sun to bring the day. Wherefore, as many as have even
desired to know the truth, but have not had the good fortune
to learn it from Him, have not found it, but have died seek-
ing it. For how can he find the truth who seeks it from his
own ignorance ? And even if he find it, he does not know
it, and passes it by as if it were not. Nor yet shall he be
able to obtain possession of the truth from another, who, in
like manner, promises to him knowledge from ignorance ;
excepting only the knowledge of morality and things of that
sort, which can be known through reason, which affords to
every one the knowledge that he ought not to wrong another,
through his not wishing [himself] to be wronged.

Chap. vii. — Unaided quest of truth profitless,

*^ All therefore who ever souo;ht the truth, trustinfr to them-
selves to be able to find it, fell into a snare. This is what
both the philosophers of the Greeks, and the more intelligent
of the barbarians, have suffered. For, applying themselves
to things visible, they have given decisions by conjecture on

^ ""Were deceived" is not in the text, but the sense demands that
some such expression should be supplied.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 35

things not apparent, thinking that that was truth which at
any time presented itself to them [as such]. For, like persons
who know the truth, they, still seeking the truth, reject some
of the suppositions that are presented to them, and lay hold
of others, as if they knew, while they do not know, what things
are true and what are false. And they dogmatize concerning
truth, even those who are seeking after truth, not knowing
that he who seeks truth cannot learn it from his own wander-
ing. For not even, as I said, can he recognise her when she
stands by him, since he is unacquainted with her.

Chap. viii. — Test of truth.

" And It IS by no means that which is true, but that which
is pleasing, which persuades every one who seeks to learn from
himself. Since, therefore, one thing is pleasing to one, and
another to another, one thing prevails over one as truth, and
another thino; over another. But the truth Is that which is
approved by the Prophet, not that which is pleasant to each
individual. For that which is one would be many, if the
pleasing were the true ; which Is impossible. Wherefore also
the Grecian philologers — rather than philosophers-^ — going
about matters by conjectures, have dogmatized much and
diversely, thinking that the apt sequence of hypotheses is
truth, not knowing that when they have assigned to them- ^/
selves false beginnings, their conclusion has corresponded with '
the beginning.

Chap. ix. — " The iveak things of the world.^^

" Whence a man ought to pass by all else, and commit
himself to the Prophet of the truth alone. And we are all
able to judge of Him, whether he is a prophet, even although
w^e be wholly unlearned, and novices in sophisms, and un-
skilled In geometry, and uninitiated in music. For God, as
caring for all, has made the discovery concerning Himself
easier to all, in order that neither the barbarians might be
powerless, nor the Greeks unable to find Him. Therefore
the discovery concerning Him is easy ; and thus it is :

^ (pih-ohoyat^ ov (pt\6ao(poi^ "lovers of words, not lovers of wisdom."

3G THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. x. — Test of the prophet

"If he is a Prophet, and is ahle to know how the world
was made, and the things that are in it, and the things that
shall be to the end, if He has foretold us anything, and we
have ascertained that it has been perfectly accomplished, we
easily believe that the things shall be v.-hich [He says] are to
be, from the things that have been already ; we believe Him,
I say, as not only knowing, but foreknowing. To whom then,
however limited an understanding he may have, does it not
appear, that it behoves us, with respect to the things that
are pleasing to God, to believe beyond all others Him who
bevond all men knows, even though He has not learned?
Wherefore, if anv one sliould be unwillinir to concede the
power of knowing the truth to such an one — I mean to Him
Avho has foreknowledge tlu'ough the divinity of the Spirit
that is in Him — conceding the power of knowing to any one
else, is he not void of understanding, in conceding to him
■who is no prophet, that power of knowing which he would
not concede to the Prophet ?

Crap. xi. — Ignorance, knowledge, foreknowledge,

" Wherefore, before all things, we must test the Prophet
with all judgment by means of the prophetic promise ; and
havino; ascertained Him to l)e the Prophet, we must undoubt-
ino;ly follow the other words of His teaching ; and having
confidence concerning things hoped for, we must conduct our-
selves according to the first judgment, knowing that He who
tells us these things has not a nature to lie. AYherefore, if
any of the things that are afterwards spoken by Him do not
appear to us to be well spoken, we must know that it is not
that it has been spoken amiss, but that it is that we have
not conceived it aright. For ignorance does not riixhtly
judge knowledge, and so neither is knowledge competent
truly to judge foreknowledge; but foreknowledge affords
knowledge to the ignorant.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 37

Chap. xii. — Doctrine of the true Prophet.

" Hence, O beloved Clement, if you would know the things
pertaining to God, you have to learn them from Him alone, "^
because He alone knows the truth. For if any one else
knows anything, he has received it from Him or from His
disciples. And this is His doctrine and true proclamation,
that there is one God, whose work the world is ; who being
altogether righteous, shall certainly at some time render to
every one according tc his deeds.

Chap. XIII. — Future reivards and punishments,

"For there is every necessity, that he who says that God
is by His nature righteous, should believe also that the
souls of men are immortal : for where would be Plis justice,
when some, having lived piously, have been evil-treated, and
sometimes violently cut off, while others who have been
wholly impious, and have indulged in luxurious living,
have died the common death of men? Since therefore,
without all contradiction, God who is good is also just. He
shall not otherwise be known to be just, unless the soul after
its separation from the body be immortal, so that the wicked
man, being in hell,^ as having here received his good things,
may there be punished for his sins ; and the good man, who
has been punished here for his sins, may then, as in tho
bosom of the righteous, be constituted an heir of good things.
Since therefore God is righteous, it is fully evident to us
that there is a judgment, and that souls are immortal.

Chap. xiv. — Righteousness and unrighteousness.

" But if any one, according to the opinion of this Simon the
Samaritan, will not admit that God is just, to whom then
can any one ascribe justice, or the possibility of it? For if
the Root of all have it not, there is every necessity to think
that it must be impossible to find it in human nature, whicli
is, as it were, the fruit. And if it is to be found in man, how
much more in God ! But if righteousness can be found no-

^ Lit. Hades.

38 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

where, neither in God nor in man, then neither can unri^ht-
eousness. But there is such a thincf as riMiteousness, for
unrighteousness takes its name from the existence of right-
eousness ; for it is called unrighteousness, when righteousness
is compared with it, and it is found to be opposite to it.

Chap. xv. — Pairs»

" Hence therefore God, teaching men with respect to the
truth of existing things, being Himself one, has distinguished
all principles into pairs and opposites,^ Himself being one
and sole God from the beginning, having made heaven and
earth, day and night, light and fire, sun and moon, life and
death. But man alone amongst these He made self-control-
ling, having a fitness to be either righteous or unrighteous.
To him also he hath varied the figures of combinations, placing
before him small things first, and great ones afterwards, such
as the world and eternitv. But the world that now is, is
temporary; that which shall be, is eternal. First is ignorance,
then knowledfre. So also has He arranfjed the leaders
of prophecy. For, since the present world is female, as a
mother bringing forth the souls of her children, but the
world to come is male, as a father receivinor his children
[from their mother], therefore in this world there come a
succession of prophets, as being sons of the world to come,
and having knowledge of men. And if pious men had under-
stood this mystery, they would never have gone astray, but
even now they should have known that Simon, who now en-
thralls all men, is a fellow-worker of error and deceit. Now,
the doctrine of the prophetic rule is as follows.

Chap. xvi. — Mans icays opposite to GocCs.

" As in the ben;inninf' God, who is one, like a nVht hand
and a left, made the heavens first and then the earth, so also
He constituted all the combinations in order ; but upon men
He no more does this, but varies all the combinations. For
whereas from Him the greater things come first, and the
inferior second, we find the opposite in men — the first worse,
^ Literally, "twofoldly and oppositely."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 39

and the second superior. Therefore from Adam, who was
made after the image of God, there sprang first the unright-
eous Cain, and then the righteous Abel. Again, from him
who amongst you is called Deucalion,^ two forms of spirits
were sent forth, the impure namely, and the pure, first the
black raven, and then the white dove. From Abraham also,
the patriarchs of our nation, two firsts^ sprang-^Ishmael first,
then Isaac, who was blessed of God. And from Isaac himself,
in like manner, there were again two — Esau the profane, and
Jacob the pious. So. first in birth, as the first born in the
world, was the high priest [Aaron], then the lawgiver [Moses].

Chap. xvii. — First the ivorse, then the better,

**In like manner, the combination with respect to Elias,
which behoved to have come, has been willingly put off to
another time, having determined to enjoy it conveniently
hereafter.^ Wherefore, also, he who was among those born of
woman came first ; then he who was among the sons of men
came second. It were possible, following this order, to perceive
to what series Simon belongs, who came before me to the Gen-
tiles, and to which I belong who have come after him, and have
come in upon him as light upon darkness, as knowledge upon
ignorance, as healing upon disease. And thus, as the true
Prophet has told us, a false prophet must first come from some
deceiver ; and then, in like manner, after the removal of the
holy place, the true gospel must be secretly sent abroad for
the rectification of the heresies that shall be. After this, also,
towards the end, Antichrist must first come, and then our
Jesus must be revealed to be indeed the Christ ; and after
this, the eternal light having sprung up, all the things of
darkness must disappear.

1 Noah.

2 For " first " Wieseler conjectures "different," — two different persons,
^ In this sentence the text is probahly corrupted. The general mean-
ing seems to be, that he does not enter fully at present into the subject
of Elias, or John the Baptist, the greatest of those born of woman, com-
ing first, and Christ, the greatest among the sons of men, coming after,
but that he will return to the subject on a fitting occasion.

40 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap, xyiit. — Mistake about Simon Magus,

" Since, then, as I said, some men do not know the rule of
combination, thence they do not know who is my precursor
Simon. For if he were known, he would not be believed ;
but now, not being known, he is improperly believed ; and
thouirh his deeds are those of a hater, he is loved ; and thousjli

O ' CI

an enemy, he is received as a friend ; and though he be
death, he is desired as a saviour ; and though fire, he is
esteemed as light ; and though a deceiver, he is believed as a
speaker of truth."

Then I Clement, when I heard this, said, " Who then, I
pray you, is this who is such a deceiver ? I should like to be
informed." Then said Peter : " If you wish to learn, it is in
your power to know it from those from whom I also got
accurate information on all points respecting him.

Chap. xtx. — Justa, a proselyte,

" There is amongst us one Justa, a Syro-Phoenician, by
race a Canaanite, whose daughter was oppressed with a griev-
ous disease. And she came to our Lord, crying out, and
entreatinfT that He would heal her daughter. But He, beinir
asked also by us, said, ' It is not lawful to heal the Gentiles,
who are like to doi^s on account of their usinij various^ meats
and practices, while the table in the kingdom has been given
to the sons of Israel.' But she. hearincr this, and beixirino:
to partake like a dog of the crumbs that fall from this table,
having changed what she was,^ by living like the sons of the
kingdom, she obtained healing for her daughter, as she asked.
For she bein^: a Gentile, and remainins; in the same course of
life. He would not have healed had she remained a Gentile,
;y on account of its not being lawful to heal her as a Gentile.^

^ For 'hiu(p6poig Duncker proposes dZiec(p6poi;, " meats witliout distinc-
tion."

2 That is, having ceased to be a Gentile, by abstaining from forbidden
foods.

^ There are several various readings in this sentence, and none of them
can be strictly construed ; but the general sense is obvious.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 41

Chap. xx. — Divorced for the faith»

" She, therefore, having taken up a manner of life accord-
ing to the law, was, with the daughter who had been healed,
driven out from her home by her husband, whose sentiments
were opposed to ours. But she, being faithful to her engage-
ments, and being in affluent circumstances, remained a widow
herself, but gave her daughter in m-arriage to a certain man
who was attached to the true faith, and who was poor. And,
abstaining from marringe for the sake of her daughter, she
bought two boys and educated them, and had them in place
of sons. And they being educated from their boyhood with
Simon Masjus, have learned all thinors concernino; him. For
such was their friendship, that they were associated with him
in all things in which he wished to unite with them.

Chap. xxi. — Justas adopted sons, associates ivith Simon,

" These men having fallen in with Zacclieus, who sojourned
here, and having received the word of truth from him, and
having repented of their former innovations, and immediately
denouncing Simon as being privy with him in all things, as
soon as I came to sojourn here, they came to me with their
foster-mother, being presented to me by him [Zaccheus], and
ever since they continue with me, enjoying instructions in the
truth." When Peter had said this, he sent for them, and
charged them that they should accurately relate to me all
things concerning Simon. And they, having called God to
witness that in nothing they would falsify, proceeded with
the relation.

Chap. xxii. — Doctrines of Simon,

First Aquila began to speak in this wise: *' Listen, O dearest
brother, that you may know accurately everything about this
man, whose he is, and what, and whence ; and what the
things are which he does, and how and why he does them.
This Simon is the son of Antonlus and Rachel, a Samaritan
by race, of the village of Gitthas, which is six schoeni distant
from the city. He having disciplined himself greatly in Alex-

<

42 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

andi'ia/ and being very powerful in magic, and being ambi-
tious, wishes to be accounted a certain supreme power, greater
even than the God who created the world. And sometimes
intimating that he is Christ, he styles himself the Standing One.
And this epithet he employs, as intimating that he shall always
stand, and as not having any cause of corruption so that his
body should fall. And he neither says that the God who
created the world is the Supreme, nor does he believe that
the dead will be raised. He rejects Jerusalem, and substitutes
Mount Gerizzim for it. Instead of our Christ, he proclaims
himself. The things of the law he explains by his own pre-
sumption ; and he says, indeed, that there is to be a judg-
ment, but he does not expect it. For if he were persuaded
that he shall be judged by God, he would not dare be
impious towards God Himself. Whence some not knowing
that, using religion as a cloak, he spoils the things of the
truth, and faithfully believing the hope and the judgment
which in some way he says are to be, are ruined.

Chap, xxiii. — Simon a disciple of tlte Baptist.

" But that he came to deal with the doctrines of religion
happened on this wise. There was one John, a day-baptist,^
who was also, according to the method of combination, the
forerunner of our Lord Jesus ; and as the Lord had twelve
apostles, bearing the number of the twelve months of the sun,
so also he [John] had thirty chief men, fulfilling the monthly
reckonino; of the moon, in which number was a certain woman
called Helena, that not even this might be without a dispensa-
tional significance. For a woman, being half a man, made
up the imperfect number of the triacontad ; as also in the
case of the moon, whose revolution does not make the com-
plete course of the month. But of these thirty, the first and
the most esteemed by John was Simon ; and the reason of
. his not belns chief after the death of John was as follows : —

1 The Vatican MS. adds, " which is in Egypt [or, on the Nile], in Greek
culture."
^ ^ A day-baptist is taken to mean " one who baptizes every day."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 43

Chap. xxiv. — Electioneering stratagems.

"He being absent in Egypt for the practice of magic, and
John being killed, Dositheus desiring the leadership, falsely
gave out that Simon was dead, and succeeded to the seat.
But Simon, returning not long after, and strenuously hold-
ing by the place as his own, when he met with Dositheus
did not demand the place, knowing that a man who has
attained power beyond his expectations cannot be removed
from it. Wherefore with pretended friendship he gives
himself for a while to the second place, under Dositheus.
But taking his place after a few days among the thirty
fellow-disciples, he began to malign Dositheus as not deliver-
ing the instructions correctly. And this he said that he
did, not through unwillingness to deliver them correctly, but
through ignorance. And on one occasion, Dositheus, per-
ceiving that this artful accusation of Simon was dissipating
the opinion of him with respect to many, so that they did
not think that he was the standino; one, came in a raoje to
the usual place of meeting, and finding Simon, struck him
with a staff. But it seemed to pass through the body of [
Simon as if he had been smoke. Thereupon Dositheus, j
being confounded, said to him, ' If you are the standing
one, I also will worship you.' Then Simon said that he
was ; and Dositheus, knowing that he himself was not the
standing one, fell down and worshipped ; and associating
himself with the twenty-nine chiefs, he raised Simon to his
own place of repute ; and thus, not many days after, Dosi- I
theus himself, while he (Simon) stood, fell down and died. ^

Chap. xxv. — Simon^s deceit.

" But Simon is going about in company with Helena, and
even till now, as you see, is stirring up the people. And he
says that he has brought down this Helena from the highest
heavens to the world ; being queen, as the all-bearing being,
and wisdom, for whose sake, says he, the Greeks and bar-
barians fought, having before their eyes but an image of

44 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

truth ; -^ for slie, who really is the truth, was then with the
chiefest god. Moreover, by cunningly explaining certain
things of this sort, made up from Grecian myths, he deceives
many ; especially as he performs many signal marvels, so that
if w^e did not know that he does these things by magic, we
ourselves should also have been deceived. But whereas we
were his fellow-labourers at the first, so long as he did such
things without doing wrong to the interests of religion ; now
that he has madly begun to attempt to deceive those who are
reliiiious, we have withdrawn from him.

Chap. xxvi. — His iciclcedness.

"For he even began to commit murder, as himself disclosed
to us, as a friend to friends, that, having separated the soul
of a child from its own body by horrid incantations, as his
assistant for the exhibition of anything that he pleased, and
having drawn the likeness of the boy, he has it set up in the
inner room where he sleeps, saying that he once formed the
boy of air, by divine arts, and having painted his likeness, he
gave him back again to the air. And he explains that he did
the deed thus. He says that the first soul of man, being turned
into the nature of heat, drew to itself, and sucked in the sur-
rounding air, after the fashion of a gourd ;" and then that he
changed it into water, when it was within the form of the
spirit ; and he said that he changed into the nature of blood
the air that was in it, which could not be poured out on
account of the consistency of the spirit, and that he made the
blood solidified into flesh ; then, the flesh being thus con-
solidated, that he exhibited a man not [made] from earth,
but from air. And thus, having persuaded himself that he
was able to make a new [sort of] man, he said that he re-
versed the chano;es, and ao;ain restored him to the air. And
when he told this to others, he was believed ; but by us who
were present at his ceremonies he was religiously disbelieved.

^ "We have here an allusion to the tradition that it was only an image
of Helen that was taken to Troy, and not the real Helen herself.
2 AVhich was used by the ancients as cupping-glasses are now used.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 45

Wherefore we denounced his impieties, and withdrew from
him."

Chap, xxvii. — His promises.

When Aquila had thus spoken, his brother Nicetas said :
" It is necessary, O Clement our brother, for me to mention
what has been left out by Aquila. For, in the first place,
God is witness that we assisted him in no impious work, but
that we looked on while he wrought ; and as loner as he did
harmless things, and exhibited them, we were also pleased.
But when, in order to deceive the godly, he said that he did,
by means of godhead, the things that were done by magic, we
no longer endured him, though he made us many promises,
especially that our statues should be thought worthy of [a
place in] the temple,'^ and that we should be thought to be
gods, and should be worshipped by the multitude, and should
be honoured by kings, and should be thought worthy of public
honours, and enriched with boundless wealth.

Chap, xxviii. — Fruitless counsel,

" These things, and things reckoned greater than these, he
promised us, on condition only that we should associate with
him, and keep silence as to the wickedness of his undertak-
ing, so that the scheme of his deceit might succeed. But
still we would not consent, but even counselled him to desist
from such madness, saying to him: 'We, O Simon, remember-
ing our friendship towards you from our childhood, and out
of affection for you, give you good counsel. Desist from this
attempt. You cannot be a God. Fear Him who is really
God. Know that you are a man, and that the time of your
life is short; and though you should get great riches, or
even become a kino;, few things accrue to the short time
of your life for enjoyment, and things wickedly gotten soon
flee away, and procure everlasting punishment for the adven-
turer. Wherefore we counsel you to fear God, by whom

^ The Vatican MS. and Epitome read, "tliat a shrine and statues should
be erected in lionour of us."

46 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

the soul of every one must be judged for the deeds that he
hath done here.'

Chap. xxix. — Immortality of the soul,

" When he heard this he laughed ; and when we asked
him why he laughed at us for giving him good counsel, he
answered : ^ I laugh at your foolish supposition, because you
believe that the soul of man is immortal.' Then I said :
' We do not wonder, O Simon, at your attempting to deceive
us, but we are confounded at the way in which you deceive
even yourself. Tell me, O Simon, even if no one else has
been fully convinced that the soul is immortal, at all events
you and we [ought to be so] : you as having separated one
from a human body, and conversed with it, and laid your
commands upon it; and we as having been present, and
heard your commands, and clearly witnessed [the performance
of] what was ordered.' Then said Simon : ' I know what
you mean ; but you know nothing of the matters concerning
which you reason.' Then said Nicetas: ^If you know, speak;
but if you do not know, do not suppose that we can be de-
ceived by your saying that you know, and that we do not.
For we are not so childish, that you can sow in us a shrewd
suspicion that we should think that you know some unutter-
able things, and so that you should take and hold us in sub-
jection, by holding us in restraint through means of desire.'

CllAP. XXX. — An argument.

" Then Simon said : ^ I am aware that you know that I
separated a soul from a human body ; but I know that you
are ignorant that it is not the soul of the dead person that
ministers to me, for it does not exist ; but a certain demon
works, pretending to be the soul.' Then said Nicetas :
^ Many incredible things we have heard in our lifetime, but
aught more senseless than this speech we do not expect ever
to hear. For if a demon pretends to be the soul of the dead
person, what is the use of the soul at all, tiiat it should be
separated from the body ? Were not we ourselves present,
and heard you conjuring the soul from the body ? And how

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 47

comes it that, when one Is conjured, another who is not con-
jured obeys, as if it were frightened? And you yourself,
when at any time we have asked you why the conferences
sometimes cease, did not you say that the soul, having ful-
filled the time upon earth which it was to have passed in
the body, goes to Hades ? And you added, that the souls of
those who commit suicide are not easily permitted to come,
because, having gone home into Hades, they are guarded.' "

Chap. xxxi. — A dilemma,

Nicetas having thus spoken, Aquila himself in turn said :
" This only should I wish to learn of you, Simon, whether
it is the soul or whether it is a demon that is conjured : w^iat
is it afraid of, that it does not despise the conjuration ? "
Then Simon said : '^ It knows that it should suffer punish-
ment if it were disobedient." Then said Aquila : " Therefore,
if the soul comes when conjured, there is also a judgment.
If, therefore, souls are immortal, assuredly there is also a
judgment. As you say, then, that those which are conjured
on wicked business are punished if they disobey, how are
you not afraid to compel them, when those that are com-
pelled are punished for disobedience ? For it is not wonder-
ful that you do not already suffer for your doings, seeing the
judgment has not yet come, when you are to suffer the
penalty of those deeds which you have compelled others to
do, and when that which has been done under compulsion
shall be pardoned, as having been out of respect for the oath
which led to the evil action." -^ And he hearing this was
enraged, and threatened death to us if we did not keep silence
as to his doings.

Chap, xxxii. — Simon^s prodigies.

Aquila having thus spoken, I Clement inquired : ^^ What,
then, are the prodigies that he works ? " And they told me
that he makes statues walk, and that he rolls himself on the
fire, and is not burnt ; and sometimes he flies ; and he makes

^ The Latin translates : "as having preferred the oath to the evil
action."

48 THE CLEMENTI2^E HOMILIES,

\ loaves of stones ; he becomes a serpent : lie transforms him-
self into a goat ; he becomes two-faced ; he changes him-

; self into gold ; he opens lockfast gates ; he melts iron ; at

' banquets he produces images of all manner of forms. In
his house he makes dishes be seen as borne of themselves to
wait upon him, no bearers being seen. I wondered when I

] heard them speak thus; but many bore witness that they

( had been present, and had seen such things.

Chap, xxxiii. — Doctrine of pairs.

Those things having been thus spoken, the excellent Peter
himself also proceeded to speak : '* You must perceive,
brethren, the truth of the rule of conjunction, from which
he who departs not cannot be misled. For since, as we
have said, we see all things in pairs and contraries, and as
the niijht is first, and then the dav ; and first iirnorance, then
knowledixe ; first disease, then healincr, so the things of error
come first into our life, then truth supervenes, as the physician
upon the disease. Therefore straightway, when our God-
loved nation was about to be ransomed from the oppression of
the Egyptians, first diseases were produced by means of the
rod turned into a serpent, which was given to Aaron, and then
remedies were superinduced by the prayers of Moses. And
now" also, when the Gentiles are abcut to be ransomed from
the superstition with respect to idols, wickedness, which
reigns over them, has by anticipation sent forth her ally like
another serpent, even this Simon whom you see, who works
wonders to astonish and deceive, not signs of healing to con-
vert and save. Wherefore it behoves you also from the
miracles that are done to judge the doers, what is the cha-
racter of the performer, and what that of the deed. If he do
unprofitable miracles, he is the agent of wickedness ; but if he
do profitable things, he is a leader of goodness.

Chap, xxxiv. — Useless and plulanthropic miracles,

" Those, then, are useless signs, which you say that Simon
did. But I say that the making statues walk, and rolling
himself on burnini^ coals, and becominfj a dragon, and beino-

THE CLEMEh'TINE HOMILIES. 40

changed into a goat, and flying in the air, and all such things,
not being for the healing of man, are of a nature to deceive
many. But the miracles of compassionate truth are philan-
thropic, such as you have heard that the Lord did, and that
I after Him accomplish by my prayers ; at which most of
you have been present, some being freed from all kinds of
diseases, and some from demons, some having their hands
restored, and some their feet, some recovering their eyesight,
and some their hearing, and whatever else a man can do,
being of a philanthropic spirit."

Chap. xxxv. — Discussion postponed.

When Peter had thus spoken, towards dawn Zaccheus
entered and saluted us, and said to Peter : " Simon puts off
» , the inquiry till to-morrow ; for to-day is his Sabbath, which
^ occurs at intervals of eleven days." To him Peter answered :
" Say to Simon, Whenever thou wishest ; and know thou
that we are always in readiness to meet thee, by divine pro-
vidence, when thou desirest." And Zaccheus hearing this,
went out to return the answer.

Chap, xxxvi. — All for the best.

But he (Peter) saw me disheartened, and asked the rea-
son ; and being told that it proceeded from no cause but the
postponement of the inquiry, he said : " He who has appre-
hended that the world is regulated by the good providence of
God, O beloved Clement, is not vexed by things howsoever
occurring, considering that things take their course advan-
tageously under the providence of the Ruler. Whence,
knowing that He is just, and living with a good conscience,
he knows how by right reason to shake off from his soul any
annoyance that befalls him, because, when complete, it must
come to some unknown good. Now then, let not Simon the
magician's postponement of the inquiry grieve you ; for
perhaps it has happened from the providence of God for
your profit. Wherefore I shall not scruple to speak to you
as being my special friend.

D

50 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. XXXVII. — Spies in the enemy's camp,

*^ Some of our people attend feignedly upon Simon as
companions, as if they %Yere persuaded by his most atheistic
error, in order that they may learn his purpose and disclose
it to us, so that we may be able to encounter this terrible
man on favourable terms. And now I have learned from
them what arguments he is going to employ in the discussion.
And knowing this, I give thanks to God on the one hand,
and I congratulate you on the other, on the postponement of
the discussion ; for you, being instructed by me before the
discussion, of the arguments that are to be used by him for
the destruction of the ignorant, will be able to listen with-
out danger of falling.

Chap, xxxviii. — Corruption of the law,

" For the Scriptures have had joined to them many false-
hoods against God on this account. The prophet Moses
having by the order of God delivered the law, with the ex-
planations, to certain chosen men, some seventy in number,
in order that they also might instruct such of the people as
chose, after a little the written law had added to it certain
falsehoods contrary to the law of God,-^ who made the heaven
and the earth, and all things in them ; the wicked one hav-
ing dared to work this for some righteous purpose. And this
took place in reason and judgment, that those might be con-
victed who should dare to listen to the things written against
God, and those who, through love towards Him, should not
only disbelieve the things spoken against Him, but should not
even endure to hear them at all, even if they should happen
to be true, judging it much safer to incur danger with
respect to religious faith, than to live with an evil conscience
on account of blasphemous words.

Chap, xxxix. — Tactics.

" Simon, therefore, as I learn, intends to come into public,
and to speak of those chapters against God that are added to
^ The Vatican iis. reads : " against the only God."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 51

the Scriptures, for the sake of temptation, that he may seduce
as many wretched ones as he can from the love of God. For
we do not wish to say in public that these chapters are added
to the Bible, since we should thereby perplex the unlearned
multitudes, and so accomplish the purpose of this wicked
Simon. For they not having yet the power of discerning,
would flee from us as impious ; or, as if not only the blas-
phemous chapters were false, they would even withdraw from
the word. Wherefore we are under a necessity of assent-
ing to the false chapters, and putting questions in return to
him concerning them, to draw him into a strait, and to give
in private an explanation of the chapters that are spoken
against God to the well-disposed after a trial of their faith ;
and of this there is but one way, and that a brief one. It is
this.

Chap. xl. — Preliminary instruction.

" Everything that is spoken or written against God is
false. But that we say this truly, not only for the sake of
reputation, but for the sake of truth, I shall convince you
when my discourse has proceeded a little further. Whence
you, my most beloved Clement, ought not to be sorry at
Simon's having interposed a day between this and the dis-
cussion. For to-day, before the discussion, you shall be
instructed concerning the chapters added to the Scriptures ;
and then in the discussion concerning the only one and good
God, the Maker also of the world, you ought not to be dis-
tracted. But in the discussion you will even wonder how
impious men, overlooking the multitudes of things that are
spoken in the Scriptures for God, and looking at those that
are spoken against Him, gladly bring these forward; and
thus the hearers, by reason of ignorance, believing the things
against God, become outcasts from His kingdom. Wherefore
you, by advantage of the postponement, learning the mystery
of the Scriptures, and gaining the [means of] not sinning
against God, will incomparably rejoice."

02 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xli. — Ashing for information^ not contradiction.

Then I Clement, hearing this, said : " Truly I rejoice, and
I give thanks to God, who in all things doeth well. How-
ever, he knows that I shall be able to think nothing other
than that all things are for God. Wherefore do not suppose
that I ask questions, as doubting the words concerning God,^
or those that are to be spoken, but rather that I may learn,
and so be able myself to instruct another who is ingenuously
willinfT to learn. Wherefore tell me what are the falsehoods
added to the Scriptures, and how it comes that they are really
false." Then Peter answered : " Even although you had not
asked me, I should have gone on in order, and afforded you
the exposition of these matters, as I promised. Learn, then,
how the Scriptures misrepresent Him in many respects, that
you may know when you happen upon them.

Chap. xlii. — Rigid notions of God essential to JioUness,

"But what I am going to tell you will be sufficient by way
of example. But I do not think, my dear Clement, that any
one who possesses ever so little love to God and ingenuous-
ness, will be able to take in, or even to hear, the things that
are spoken against Him. For how is it that he can have a
monarchic ^ soul, and be holy, who supposes that there are
many gods, and not one only ? But even if there be but one,
who will cherish zeal to be holy, that finds Him in many
defects, since he will hope that the Beginning of all things,
by reason of the defects of his ov;n nature, will not visit the
crimes of others ?

Chap, xliii. — A priori argument on the divine attributes,

" Wherefore, far be it from us to believe that the Lord of
all, who made the heaven and the earth, and all things that

^ The text has vtto, "by," which has been altered into vT^ip. Davis
would read gov, "by you."

2 Cotelerius doubts whether this expression means a soul ruhng over
his body, or a soul disposed to favour monarchical rule. The former
explanation seems to us the more probable.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 53

are In them, shares His government with others, or that He
lies. For if He lies, then who speaks truth ? Or that He
makes experiments as in ignorance ; for then who foreknows ?
And if He dehberates, and changes His purpose, who is per-
fect in understanding and permanent in design? If He envies,
who is above rivah'y? If He hardens hearts, who makes
wise ? If He makes bUnd and deaf, who has given sight and
hearing ? If He commits pilfering, who administers justice ?
If He mocks, who is sincere ? If He is weak, who is omni-
potent ? If He is unjust, who is just ? If He makes evil
things, who shall make good things ? If He does evil, who
shall do good ?

Chap. xliv. — The same continued,

"But if He desires the fruitful hill,^ whose then are all
things ? If He is false, who then is true ? If He dwells in a
tabernacle, who is without bounds ? If He is fond of fat, and
sacrifices, and offerings, and drink-offerings, who then is with-
out need, and who is holy, and pure, and perfect? If He is
pleased with candles and candlesticks, who then placed the
luminaries in heaven ? If He dwells in shadow, and dark-
ness, and storm, and smoke, who is the light that lightens the
universe ? If He comes with trumpets, and shoutings, and
darts, and arrows, who is the looked-for tranquillity of all ?
If He loves war, who then wishes peace ? If He makes evil
things, who makes good things ? If He is without affection,
who is a lover of men ? If He is not faithful to His pro-
mises, who shall be trusted ? If He loves the wicked, and
adulterers, and murderers, who shall be a just judge? If
He changes His mind, who is stedfast ? If He chooses evil
men, who then takes the part of the good ?

Chap. xlv. — How God is to he tJiouglit of,

^^ Wherefore, Clement, my son, beware of thinking otherwise
of God, than that He is the only God, and Lord, and Father,
good and righteous, the Creator, long-suffering, merciful, the
sustainer, the benefactor, ordaining love of men, counselling

^ Wieseler considers this corrupt, and amends : "if He desires more."

54 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

purity, immortal and making immortal, incomparable, dwell-
ing in the souls of the good, that cannot be contained and
yet is contained,-^ who has fixed the great world as a centre in
space, who has spread out the heavens and solidified the earth,
who has stored up the water, who has disposed the stars in
the sky, who has made the fountains flow in the earth, has
produced fruits, has raised up mountains, hath set bounds to
the sea, has ordered winds and blasts, who by the spirit of
counsel has kept safely the body comj)rehended in a bound-
less sea.

Chap. xlyi. — Judgment to come,

" This is our Judge, to whom it behoves us to look, and to
regulate our own souls, thinking all things in His favour,
speaking well of Him, persuaded that by His long-suffering
He brings to light the obstinacy of all, and is alone good.
And He, at the end of all, shall sit as a just Judge upon
every one of those who have attempted what they ought not."

Chap, xlvii. — A pertinent question,

Vf[\en I Clement heard this, I said, " Truly this is godli-
ness ; truly this is piety." And again I said : " I would learn,
therefore, why the Bible has written anything of this sort ?
For I remember that you said that it was for the conviction
of those who should dare to believe anything that was spoken
against God. But since you permit us, we venture to ask, at
your command : If any one, most beloved Peter, should
choose to say to us, ' The Scriptures are true, although to you
the things spoken against God seem to be false,^ how should
we answer him ?"

Chap, xlyiii. — A particular case.

Then Peter answered : " You speak well in your inquiry ;
for it will be for your safety. Therefore listen : Since there
are many things that are spoken by the Scriptures against

^ The Latin has here, "imperceptusetperceptus;" but Wieseler points
out that xupovcAsuog has reference to God's dwelling in the souls of the
good, and thus He is contained by them.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 55

God, as time presses on account of the evening, ask with
respect to any one matter that you please, and I will explain
it, showing that it is false, not only because it is spoken
against God, but because it is really false." Then I answered :
*' I wish to learn how, when the Scriptures say that God is
ignorant, you can show that He knows ? "

Chap. xlix. — Reductio ad ahsiirdum.

Then Peter answered : " You have presented us with a
matter that can easily be answered. However, listen, how
God is ignorant of nothing, but even foreknows. But first
answer me what I ask of you. He who wrote the Bible, and
told how the world was made, and said that God does not
foreknow, was he a man or not ?" Then I said : " He was a
man." Then Peter answered : " How, then, was it possible
for him, being a man, to know assuredly how the world w^as
made, and that God does not foreknow ? "

Chap. l. — A satisfactory ansiver.

Then I, already perceiving the explanation, smiled, and
said that he was a prophet. And Peter said ; " If, then, he
was a prophet, being a man, he was ignorant of nothing, by
reason of his having received foreknowledge from God ; how
then, should He, who gave to man the gift of foreknowledge,
being God, Himself be ignorant ?" And I said : " You have
spoken rightly." Then Peter said : " Come with me one step
further. It being acknowledged by us that God foreknows
all things, there is everj^ necessity that the scriptures are
false which say that He is ignorant, and those are true which
say that He knows." Then said I : "It must needs be so."

Chap. li. — WeigJi in the balance.

Then Peter said : " If, therefore, some of the Scriptures are
true and some false, with good reason said our Master, ^ Be
ye good money-changers,'^ inasmuch as in the Scriptures there

^ This is quoted three times in the Homilies as a saying of our Lord,
viz. here and in Homily iii. chap. 1., and Homily xviii. chap. xx. It is
probably taken from one of the apocryphal Gospels. In Homily xviii.

5G THE CLEMEXTISE HOMILIES.

are some true sayings and some spurious. And to those wlio
err by reason of the false scriptures He fitly showed the
cause of their error, saying, ^ Ye do therefore err, not knowing
the true things of the Scriptures ; ^ for this reason ye are
ignorant also of the power of God.' " Then said I : " [You
have spoken] very excellently."

Chap. lii. — Sins of the saints denied.

Tlien Peter answered: "Assuredly, with good reason, I
neither believe anything against God, nor against the just
men recorded in the law, taking for granted that they are
impious imaginations. For, as I am persuaded, neither was
Adam a transgressor, who was fashioned by the hands of
God ; nor was Noah drunken, who was found righteous
above all the world ; " nor did Abraham live with three wives
at once, who, on account of his sobriety, was thought worthy
of a numerous posterity ; nor did Jacob associate with four
— of whom two were sisters — who was the father of the twelve
tribes, and who intimated the coming of the presence of our
Master; nor was Moses a murderer, nor did he learn to judge
from an idolatrous priest — he who set forth the law^ of God
to all the w^orld, and for his right judgment has been testified
to as a faithful steward.

Chap. ltii. — Close of the conference,

"But of these and such like things I shall afford you an
explanation in due time. But for the rest, since, as you see,
the evening has come upon us, let what has been said be
enough for to-day. But wdienevcr you wish, and about
whatever you wish, ask boldly of us, and we shall gladly
explain it at once." Thus having spoken, he rose up. And
then, having partaken of food, we turned to sleep, for tlie
night had come upon us.

chap. XX. the meaning is shown to be, that as it is the part of a money-
changer to distinguish spurious coins from genuine, co it is the part of a
Christian to distinguish false statements from true,

^ A corruption of the texts, Matt. xxii. 29, Mark xii. 24.

2 Gen. vii. 1.

HOMILY III.

Chap. i. — Tlie morning of the discussion.

WO days, therefore, having elapsed, and while the
third was dawning, I Clement, and the rest of onr
companions, being roused about the second cock-
crowing, in order to the discussion with Simon,
found the lamp still alight, and Peter kneeling in prayer.
Therefore, having finished his supplication, and turning
round, and seeing us in readiness to hear, he said :

Chap. ii. — Simon s design,

" I w^sli you to know that those who, according to our
arrangement, associate with Simon that they may learn his
intentions, and submit them to us, so that we may be able to
cope with his variety of w^ickedness, these men have sent to
me, and informed me that Simon to-day is, as he arranged,
prepared to come before all, and show from the Scriptures
that He wdio made the heaven and the earth, and all things
in them, is not the Supreme God, but that there is another,
unknown and supreme, as being in an unspeakable manner
God of gods ; and that He sent two gods, one of whom is
he who made the w'orld, and the other he who gave the law.
And these things he contrives to say, that he may dissipate
the right faith of those who would w^orship the one and only
God who made heaven and earth.

Chap. hi. — His object.

" When 1 heard this, how was I not disheartened ! Where-
fore I wished you also, my brethren, wdio associate with me,
to know that I am beyond measure grieved in my soul, seeing
the wicked one awake for the temptation of men, and men

57

68 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

wholly indifferent about their own. salvation. For to those
from amongst the Gentiles who were about being persuaded
respecting the earthly images that they are no gods, he has
contrived to bring in opinions of many other gods, in order
that, if they cease from the polytheo-mania, they may be
deceived to speak otherwise, and even worse [than they now
do], against the sole government of God, so that they may
not yet value the truths connected with that monarchy, and
may never be able to obtain mercy. And for the sake of this
attempt Simon comes to do battle with us, armed with the
false chapters of the Scriptures. And what is more dread-
ful, he is not afraid to doo^matize thus aecainst the true God
from the prophets whom he does not [in fact] believe.

Chap. iv. — Snares laid for the Gentiles.

" And with us, indeed, who have had handed down from
our forefathers the worship of the God who made all thirigs,
and also the mystery of the books which are able to deceive,
he will not prevail; but with those from amongst the Gentiles
who have the polytheistic fancy bred in them, and who know
not the falsehoods of the Scriptures, he will prevail much.
And not only he ; but if any other shall recount to those from
among the Gentiles any vain, dreamlike, richly set out story
against God, he will be believed, because from their child-
hood their minds are accustomed to take in things spoken
against God. And few there shall be of them, as a few
out of a multitude, who through ingenuousness shall not be
willing so much as to hear an evil word against the God who
made all things. And to these alone from amongst the Gen-
tiles it shall be vouchsafed to be saved. Let not any one of
you, therefore, altogether complain of Simon, or of any one
else ; for nothing happens unjustly, since even the falsehoods
of Scripture are with good reason presented for a test."

Chap. v. — Use of errors.

Then I Clement, hearing this, said : " How say you, my
lord, that even the falsehoods of the Scriptures are set forth
happily for the proof of men?" And he answered: "The false-

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 59

hoods of the Scriptures have been permitted to be written
for a certain righteous reason, at the demand of eviL And
when I say happily, I mean this : In the account of God,
the wicked one, not loving God less than the good one, is
exceeded by the good in this one thing only, that he, not
pardoning those who are impious on account of ignorance,
through love towards that which is profound, desires the
destruction of the impious ; but the good one desires to
present them with a remedy. For the good one desires all
to be healed by repentrnce, but saves those only who know
God. But those who know Him not He does not heal : not
that He does not wish to do so, but because it is not lawful
to afford to those who, through want of judgment, are like to
irrational animals, the good things wdiich have been prepared
for the children of the kingdom.

Chap. vi. — Purgatory and hell.

" Such is the nature of the one and only God, who made the world, and who created us, and who has given us all things, that as long as any one is within the limit of piety, and does not blaspheme His [[Holy Spirit]], through His love towards him He brings the soul to Himself by reason of His love towards it. And although it be sinful, it is His nature to save it, after it has been suitably punished for the deeds it hath done. But if any one shall deny Him, or in any other way be guilty of impiety against Him, and then shall repent, he shall be punished indeed for the sins he hath committed against Him, but he shall be saved, because he turned and lived. And perhaps excessive piety and supplication shall even be delivered from punishment, ignorance being admitted as a reason for the pardon of sin after repentance.-^ But those
who do not repent shall be destroyed by the punishment of fire, even though in all other things they are most holy. But, as I said, at an appointed time a fifth ' part, being punished with eternal fire, shall be consumed. For they cannot endure for ever who have been impious against the one God.

^ The text manifestly corrupt.

2 Perhaps, rather, "the greater part."

GO THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. tit. — ^Mlat is impiety ?

" But impiety against Him is, in the matter of religion, to
die saying there is another God, whether superior or inferior,
or in any way saying that there is one besides Him who really
is. For He who truly is, is He whose form the body of man
bears ; for whose sake the heaven and all the stars, thoucrh in
their essence superior, submit to serve him who is in essence
inferior, on account of the form of the Ruler. So much has
God blessed man above all, in order that, loving the Bene-
factor in proportion to the multitude of His benefits, by means
of this love he may be saved for the world to come.

Chap. viii. — Wiles of the devil,

" Therefore the love of men towards God is sufncient for
salvation. And this the wicked one knows ; and while we
are hasteninfr to sow the love towards Him which makes im-
mortal in the souls of those who from amonn; the Gentiles are
ready to believe in the one and only God, this wicked one,
havincT sufficient armour acrainst the if^norant for their de-
struction, hastens to sow the supposition of many gods, or
at least of one greater, in order that men, conceiving and
being persuaded of what is not wisdom, may die, as in the
crime of adulterv, and be cast out from His kinijdom.

Chap. ix. — Uncertainty of the Scriptures,

'- Worthy, therefore, of rejection is every one who is willing
so much as to hear anything against the monarchy of God ;
but if any one dares to hear anything against God, as trust-
ing in the Scriptures, let him first of all consider with me that
if any one, as he pleases, form a dogma agreeable to himself,
and then carefully search the Scriptures, he will be able to
produce many testimonies from them in favour of the dogma
that he has formed. How, then, can confidence be placed in
them against God, when what every man -vishes is found in
them?

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 61

Chap. x. — Simons intention,

" Therefore Simon, who is going to discuss in public with
us to-morrow, is bold against the monarchy of God, wishing
to produce many statements from these Scriptures, to the
effect that there are many gods, and a certain one who is not
He who made this world, but who is superior to Him ; and,
at the same time, he is going to offer many scriptural proofs.
But we also can easily show many passages from them that
He who made the wo'dd alone is God, and that there is
none other besides Him. But if any one shall wish to speak
otherwise, he also shall be able to produce proofs from them
at his pleasure. For the Scriptures say all manner of things,
that no one of those who inquire ungratefully may find the
truth, but [simply] what he wishes to find, the truth being
reserved for the grateful ; now gratitude is to preserve our
love to Him who is the cause of our being.

Chap. xi. — Distinction between prediction and ]jrophecy .

" Whence it must before all things be known, that nowhere
can truth be found unless from a prophet of truth. But He is
a true Prophet, who always knows all things, and even the
thoughts of all men, who is without sin, as being convinced
respecting the judgment of God. Wherefore we ought not
simply to consider respecting His foreknowledge, but whether
His foreknowledge can stand, apart from other cause. For
physicians predict certain things, having the pulse of the
patient as matter submitted to them; and some predict by
means of having fowls, and some by having sacrifices, and
others by having many various matters submitted to them;
yet these are not prophets.

Chap. xii. — The same.

" But if any one should say that the foreknowledge [shown]
by these predictions is like to that foreknowledge which is
really implanted, he were much deceived. For he only
declares such things as being present, and that if he speaks
truth. However, even these things are serviceable to me, for

62 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

they establish that there is such a thing as foreknowledge.
But the foreknowledge of the one true Prophet does not only
know things present, but stretches out prophecy without limit
as far as the world to come, and needs nothing for its inter-
pretation, not prophesying darkly and ambiguously, so that
the things spoken would need another prophet for the inter-
pretation of them ; but clearly and simply, as our Master and
Prophet, by the inborn and ever-flowing Spirit, always knew
all things.

Chap. xiii. — Prophetic knowledge constant.

" Wherefore He confidently made statements respecting
things that are to be — I mean sufferings, places, limits. For,
being a faultless Prophet, and looking upon all things with the
boundless eye of His soul. He knows hidden things. But if
we should hold, as many do, that even the true Prophet, not
always, but sometimes, w'hen He has the Spirit, and through
it, foreknows, but when He has it not is ignorant, — if we
should suppose thus, we should deceive ourselves and mislead
others. For such a matter belongs to those w^ho are madly
inspired by the spirit of disorder — to those who are drunken
beside the altars, and are gorged with fat.

Chap. xiv. — Prophetic spirit constant.

" For if it were permitted to any one who will profess
prophecy to have it believed in the cases in which he was
found false, that then he had not the Holy Spirit of fore-
knowledge, it will be difficult to convict him of beincr a
false prophet ; for among the many things that he speaks,
a few come to pass, and then he is believed to have the
Spirit, although he speaks the first things last, and the last
first; speaks of past events as future, and future as already
past ; and also without sequence ; or things borrowed from
others and altered, and some that are lessened, unformed,
foolish, ambiguous, unseemly, obscure, proclaiming all un-
conscientiousness.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 63

Chap. xv. — Christ s lorophecies,

" But our Master did not prophesy after this fashion ; but,
as I have abeady said, being a prophet by an inborn and
ever-flowing Spirit, and knowing all things at all times. He
confidently set forth, plainly as I said before, sufferings,
places, appointed times, manners, limits. Accordingly, there-
fore, prophesying concerning the temple, He said : ' See ye
these buildings ? Verily I say to you. There shall not be left
here one stone upon another which shall not be taken away ;
and this generation shall not pass until the destruction begin.
For they shall come, and shall sit here, and shall besiege it,
and shall slay your children here.'^ And in like manner He
spoke in plain v^ords the things that were straightway to
happen, which we can now see with our eyes, in order that
the accomplishment might be among those to whom the vrord
was spoken. For the Prophet of truth utters the word of
proof in order to the faith of His hearers.

Chap. xvi. — Doctrine of conjunction,

" However, there are many proclaimers of error, having
one chief, even the chief of wickedness, just as the Prophet
of truth, being one, and being also the chief of piety, shall
in His own times have as His prophets all who are found
pure. But the chief cause of men being deceived is this,
their not understanding beforehand the doctrine of conjunc-
tion, v>^hich I shall not fail to expound to you in private
every day, summarily; for it were too long to speak in detail.
Be you therefore to me truth-loving judges of the things that
are spoken.

Chap. xvii. — Whether Adam had the Spirit,

" But I shall begin the statement now. God having made
all things, if any one will not allow to a man, fashioned by
His hands, to have possessed His great and Holy Spirit of
foreknowledge, how does not he greatly err who attributes it to
another born of a spurious stock ! And I do not think that
1 Matt. xxiv. 2, 34 ; Luke xix. 43.

C4 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

he ^Yill obtain pardon, though he be misled by spurious scrip-
ture to think dreadful things against the Father of all. For
he who insults the ima^e and the thincfs beloncrinc^ to the
eternal Kins, has the sin reckoned as committed airainst Him
in whose likeness the image was made. But then, says he, the
Divine Spirit left him when he sinned. In that case [the
Spirit] sinned along with him ; and how can he escape peril
who says this? But perhaps he received the Spirit after he
sinned. Then it is given to the unrighteous ; and where
is justice ? But it was afforded to the just and the unjust.
This were most unrighteous of all. Thus every falsehood,
though it be aided by ten thousand reasonings, must receive
its refutation, thouo;h after a lono; time.

Chap, xviir. — Adam not ignorant,

" Be not deceived. Our father was ignorant of nothing ;
since, indeed, even the law publicly current, though charg-
incr him with the crime of ignorance for the sake of the
unworthy, sends to him those desirous of knowledge, saying,
' Ask your father, and he will tell you ; your elders, and they
will declare to you.'-^ This father, these elders ought to be
inquired of. But you have not inquired whose is the time of
the kingdom, and whose is the seat of prophecy, though He
Himself points out Himself, saying, ' The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses' seat ; all things whatsoever they say
to you, hear them.'' Hear them, He said, as entrusted with
the key of the kingdom, which is knowledge, which alone can
open the gate of life, through which alone is the entrance to
eternal life. But truly, He says, they possess the key, but
those wishing to enter they do not suffer to do so.

Chap. xix. — Reign of Christ,

" On this account, I say. Pie Himself, rising from His seat
as a father for his children, proclaiming the things which
from the beginning were delivered in secret to the worthy,
extending mercy even to the Gentiles, and compassionating
the souls of all, neglected His own kindred. For He, being
^ Deut. xxxii. 7. ^ Matt. xxii. 2.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 65

thouglit worthy to be King of the world to come, [fights
against ^] him who, by predestination, has usurped the king-
dom that now is. And the thing which exceedingly grieved
Him is tliis, that by those very persons for whom, as for
sons, he did battle, He was assailed, on account of their igno-
rance. And yet He loved even those who hated Him, and
wept over the unbelieving, and blessed those who slandered
Him, and prayed for those who were in enmity against Him.^
And not only did He do this as a father, but also taught His
disciples to do the like, bearing themselves as towards brethren.^
This did our Father, this did our Prophet. This is reasonable,
that He should be King over His children ; that by the affec-
tion of a father towards his children, and the engrafted respect
of children towards their father, eternal peace might be pro-
duced. For when the good man reigneth, there is true joy
amono; those who are ruled over, on account of him who rules.

Chap. xx. — Christ the only Tvojyhet has appeared in different

ages,

" But give heed to my first discourse of the truth. If any
one do not allow the man fashioned by the hands of God to
have had the Holy Spirit of Christ, how is he not guilty of the
greatest impiety in allowing another born of an impure stock
to have it ? But he would act most piously, if he should not
allow to another to have it, but should say that he alone has
it, who has changed his forms and his names from the begin-
ning of the world, and so reappeared again and again in the
world, until coming upon his own times, and being anointed
with mercy for the works of God, he shall enjoy rest for
ever. His honour it is to bear rule and lordship over all
things, in air, earth, and waters. But in addition to these,
himself having made man, he had breath, the indescribable
garment of the soul, that he might be able to be immortal.

Chap. xxi. — The eating of the forbidden fruit denied,
" He himself being the only true prophet, fittingly gave

^ From a conjectural reading by Neander.

2 Matt, xxiii. 37 ; Luke xiii. 34 ; Luke xxiii. 34. ^ j^^tt. v. 44.

E

66 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

names to each animal, according to the merits of its nature,
as having made it. For if he gave a name to any one, that
was also the name of that which was made, being given by
him who made it.^ How, then, had he still need to partake of
a tree, that he might know what is good and what is evil, if
he was commanded not to eat of it? But this senseless men
believe, who think that a reasonless beast was more powerful
than the God who made these things.

Chap. xxii. — Male and female.

" But a companion was created along with him, a female
nature, much differing from him, as quality from substance,
as the moon from the sun, as fire from light. She, as a
female ruling the present world as her like,^ was entrusted
to be the first prophetess, announcing prophecy with all
amongst those born of woman.^ But the other, as the son
of man, being a male, prophesies better things to the world
to come as a male.

Chap, xxiii. — Tico kinds of prophecy,

" Let us then understand that there are two kinds of pro-
phecy:^ the one male; and let it be defined that the first, being
the male, has been ranked after the other in the order of'
advent ; but the second, being female, has been appointed to
come first in the advent of the pairs. This second, there-
fore, being amongst those born of woman, as the female
superintendent of this present world, wishes to be thought
masculine. Wherefore, stealing the seeds of the male, and
sowing them with her own seeds of the flesh, she brings
forth the fruits — that is, words — as wholly her own. And
she promises that she will give the present earthly riches as

^ Gen. ii. 20.

2 That is, tlie present world is female, and is under the rule of the
female ; the world to come is male, and is under the rule of the male.

3 The allusion is to the fact that John the Baptist is called the greatest
of those born of woman, while Christ is called the Son of man.

* Literally, " Let there be to us two genuine prophecies."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 67

a dowry, wishing to change the slow for the swift, the small
for the greater.

Chap. xxiv. — TJie prophetess a misleader.

" However, she, not only presuming to say and to hear that
there are many gods, but also believing herself to be one,
and in hope of being that which she had not a nature to be,
and throwing away what she had, and as a female being in
her courses at the offering of sacrifices, is stained with blood ;
and then she pollutes those who touch her. But when she
conceives and brings forth temporary kings, she stirs up
wars, shedding much blood ; and those who desire to learn
truth from her, by telling them all things contrary, and pre-
senting many and various services, she keeps them always
seeking and finding nothing, even until death. For from
the beginning a cause of death lies upon blind men ; for she,
prophesying deceit, and ambiguities, and obliquities, deceives
those who believe her.

Chap. xxv. — Cairis name and nature.

*' Hence the ambiguous name which she gave to her first-
born son, calling him Cain^ which has a capability of inter-
pretation in two ways ; for it is interpreted both possession
and envi/, as signifying that in the future he was to envy
either a woman, or possessions, or the love of the parents to-
wards her.-^ But if it be none of these, then it will befall
him to be called the possession. For she possessed him first,
which also was advantageous to him. For he was a murderer
and a liar, and with his sins was not willing to be at peace
with respect to the government. Moreover, those who came
forth by succession from him were the first adulterers. And
there were psalteries, and harps, and forgers of instruments
of war. Wherefore also the prophecy of his descendants
being full of adulterers and of psalteries, secretly by means
of pleasures excites to wars.

1 Qu. " towards Abel" ?

68 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xxvi. — Abel's name and nature.

" But he who amongst the sons of men had prophecy innate
to his soul as belonging to it, expressly, as being a male,
indicating the hopes of the world to come, called his own son
Abel, which without any ambiguity is translated grief. For
he assigns to his sons to grieve over their deceived brethren.
He does not deceive them when he promises them comfort in
the world to come. When he says that we must pray to one
only God, he neither himself speaks of gods, nor does he
believe another who speaks of them. He keeps the good
which he has, and increases more and more. He hates sacri-
fices, bloodshed, and libations ; he loves the chaste, the pure,
the holy. He quenches the fire of altars, represses wars,
teaches pious preachers wisdom, purges sins, sanctions mar-
riage, approves temperance, leads all to chastity, makes men
liberal, prescribes justice, seals those of them who are perfect,
publishes the word of peace, prophesies explicitly, speaks
decidedly, frequently makes mention of the eternal fire of
punishment, constantly announces the kingdom of God, indi-
cates heavenly riches, promises unfading glory, shows the
remission of sins by works. ,

Chap, xxvii. — The prophet and the p>rophetess.

" And what need is there to say more ? The male is
wholly truth, the female wholly falsehood. But he who is
born of the male and the female, in some things speaks truth,
in some falsehood. For the female, surrounding the white
seed of the male with her own blood, as with red fire, sustains
her own w^eakness with the extraneous supports of bones, and,
pleased with the temporary flower of flesh, and spoiling the
strength of the judgment by short pleasures, leads the greater
part into fornication, and thus deprives them of the coming
■excellent Bridegroom. For every person is a bride, whenever,
being sown with the true Prophet's whole word of truth, he
is enlif;^htened in his understandinor.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. m

Chap, xxviii. — Spiritual adultery.

" Wherefore, it is fitting to hear the one only Prophet of the
truth, knowing that the word that is sown by another bear-
ing the charge of fornication, is, as it were, cast out by the
Bridegroom from His kingdom. But to those who know the
mystery, death is also produced by spiritual adultery. For
whenever the soul is sown by others, then it is forsaken by
the Spirit, as guilty of fornication or adultery ; and so the
living body, the life-givmg Spirit being withdraw^n, is dissolved
into dust, and the rightful punishment of sin is suffered at
the time of the judgment by the soul, after the dissolution of
the body ; even as, among men, she w^ho is caught in adultery
is first cast out from the house, and then afterwards is con-
demned to punishment."

Chap. xxix. — The signal given.

While Peter was about to explain fully to us this mystic
word, Zaccheus came, saying : " Now indeed, O Peter, is the
time for you to go out and engage in the discussion ; for a
great crowd awaits you, packed together in the court ; and in
the midst of them stands Simon, like a war-chieftain attended
by his spearmen." And Peter, hearing this, ordered me to
withdraw for prayer, as not yet having received baptism for
salvation, and then said to those who were already perfected :
^' Let us rise and pray that God, by His unfailing mercies,
may help me striving for the salvation of the men whom He
has made." And having thus said, and having prayed,
he went out into the uncovered portion of the court, which
was a large space ; and there were many come together for
the purpose of seeing him, his pre-eminence having made
them more eagerly hasten to hear.

Chap. xxx. — Apostolic salutation.

Therefore, standing and seeing all the people gazing upon
him in profound silence, and Simon the magician standing in
the midst, he began to speak thus : " Peace be to all you who
are in readiness to give your right hands to the truth of God,

70 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

which, being His great and incomparable gift in the present
^yorld, He who sent us, being an infallible Prophet of that
which is supremely profitable, gave us in charge, by way of
salutation before our words of instruction, to announce to
you, in order that if there be any son of peace among you,
peace may take hold of him through our teaching ; but if
any of you will not receive it, then we, shaking off for a
testimony the road-dust of our feet, which we have borne
throuffh our toils, and brought to you that you may be saved,
will go to the abodes and the cities of others.^

Chap. xxxi. — Faith in God.

" And we tell you truly, it shall be more tolerable in the day
of judgment to dwell in the land of Sodom and Gomorrha,
than in the place of unbelief. In the first place, because
you have not preserved of yourselves what is reasonable ; in
the second place, because, hearing the things concerning us,
you have not come to us ; and in the third place, because
you have disbelieved us when we have come to you. Where-
fore, being concerned for you, we pray of our own accord that
our peace may come upon you. If therefore ye will have it,
you must readily promise not to do injustice, and generously
to bear wrong ; which the nature of man would not sustain,
unless it first received the knowledge of that which is
supremely profitable, which is to know the righteous nature
of Him who is over all, that He defends and avenges those
who are wronged, and does good for ever to the pious.

Chap, xxxii. — Invitation,

" Do you, therefore, as thankful servants of God, perceiving
of yourselves what is reasonable, take upon you the manner
of life that is pleasing to Him, that so, loving Him, and being
loved of Him, you may enjoy good for ever. For to Him
alone is it most possible to bestow it, who gave being to things
that were not, who created the heavens, settled the earth, set
bounds to the sea, stored up the things that are in Hades,
and filled all places with air.

1 Matt. X. 12 ; Mark vi. 11 ; Luke x. 5.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 71

Chap, xxxiii. — Works of creation.

" He alone turned into the four contrary elements^ the one,
first, simple substance. Thus combining them, He made of
them myriads of compounds, that, being turned into oppo-
site natures, and mingled, they might effect the pleasure of
life from the combination of contraries. In like manner, He
alone, having created races of angels and spirits by the^a^ of
His will, peopled the heavens ; as also He decked the visible
firmament with stars, to which also He assigned their paths
and arranged their courses. He compacted the earth for the
production of fruits. He set bounds to the sea, marking out
a dwelling-place on the dry land.^ He stores up the things
in Hades, designating it as the place of souls ; and He filled
all places with air, that all living creatures might be able to
breathe safely in order that they might live.

Chap, xxxiv. — Extent of creation.

" O the great hand of the wise God, which doeth all in all !
For a countless multitude of birds have been made by Him,
and those various, differing in all respects from one another ;
I mean in respect of their colours, beaks, talons, looks, senses,
voices, and all else. And how many different species of
plants, distinguished by boundless variety of colours, qualities,
and scents ! And how many animals on the land and in the
water, of which it were impossible to tell the figures, forms,
habitats, colour, food, senses, natures, multitude ! Then also
the multitude and height of mountains, the varieties of stones,
awful caverns, fountains, rivers, marshes, seas, harbours,
islands, forests, and all the inhabited world, and places unin-
habited !

Chap. xxxv. — " These are a part of His ways.^^

" And how many things besides are unknown, having eluded
the sagacity of men ! And of those that are within our

^ This is rather a paraphrase than a strict translation.
2 Various reading, " assigning it [the sea] as a habitation for aquatic
animals."

72 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

comprehension, who of mankind knows the limit ? I mean,
how the heaven rolls, how the stars are borne in their courses,
and what forms they have, and the subsistence of their being,^
and what are their ethereal paths. And whence the blasts
of winds are borne around, and have different energies ;
whence the fountains ceaselessly spring, and the rivers, being
ever flowing, run down into the sea, and neither is that
[fountain] emptied whence they come, nor do they fill that
[sea] whither they come ! How far reaches the unfathom-
able depth of the boundless Tartarus I Upon what the heaven
is upborne which encircles all ! How the clouds spring from
air, and are absorbed into air ! What is the nature of thunder
and lightning, snow, hail, mist, ice, storms, showers, hanging
clouds ! And how He makes plants and animals ! And these
things, with all accuracy, continually perfected in their count-
less varieties ! .

Chap, xxxvi. — Dominion over the creatures.

" Therefore, if any one shall accurately scan the whole with
reason, he shall find that God has made them for the sake of
man. For shower? fall for the sake of fruits, that man may
partake of them, and that animals maybe fed, that they may
be useful to n:ien. And the sun shines, that he may turn the
air into four seasons, and that each time may afford its
peculiar service to man. And the fountains spring, that
drink may be given to men. And, moreover, who is lord
over the creatures, so far as is possible ? Is it not man, who
has received wisdom to till the earth, to sail the sea ; to make
fishes, birds, and beasts his prey ; to investigate the course of
the stars, to mine the earth, to sail the sea, to build cities,
to define kingdoms, to ordain laws, to execute justice, to
know the invisible God, to be cognizant of the names of
angels, to drive away demons, to endeavour to cure diseases
by medicines, to find charms against poison-darting serpents,
to understand antipathies ?

^ Literally, " of their life," according to the idea prevalent of old, that
the heavenly bodies were living creatures.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 73

Chap, xxxvii. — " Whom to Jcnoiu is life eternal^

But if thou art thankful, O man, understanding that God
is thy benefactor in all things, thou mayest even be immortal,
the thinrrs that are made for thee havincr continuance through
thy gratitude. And now thou art able to become incorrupt-
ible, if thou acknowledge Him whom thou didst not know, if
thou love Him whom thou didst forsake, if thou pray to Him
alone wlio is able to punish or to save thy body and soul.
Wherefore, before all things, consider that no one shares His
rule, no one has a name in common with Him — that is, is
called God. For He alone is both called and is God. Nor
is it lawful to think that there is any other, or to call any
other by that name. And if any one should dare do so,
eternal punishment of soul is his."

Chap, xxxviii. — Simon's challenge.

When Peter had thus spoken, Simon, at the outside of the
crowd, cried aloud : " Why would you lie, and deceive the
unlearned multitude standing around you, persuading them
that it is unlawful to think that there are gods, and to call
them so, when the books that are current am on 2 the Jews
say that there are many gods ? And now I wish, in the
presence of all, to discuss with you from these books on the
necessity of thinking that there are gods ; first showing re-
specting him whom you call God, that he is not the supreme
and omnipotent [Being], inasmuch as he is without fore-
knowledge, imperfect, needy, not good, and underlying many
and innumerable grievous passions. Wherefore, when this
has been shown from the Scriptures, as I say, it follows
that there is another, not written of, foreknowing, perfect,
without want, good, removed from all grievous passions.
But he whom you call the Creator is subject to the opposite
[evils].

Chap, xxxix. — Defects ascribed to God.

" Therefore also Adam, being made at first after his likeness,
is created blind, and is said not to have knowledge of good or

74 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.'

evil, and is found a transgressor, and is driven out of para-
dise, and is punished ^yith death. In Uke manner also, he
who made him, because he sees not in all places, says with
reference to the overthrow of Sodom, ' Come, and let us go
down, and see whether they do according to their cry which
comes to me ; or if not, that I may know.' ^ Thus he shows
himself ignorant. And in his saying respecting Adam,
^ Let us drive him out, lest he put forth his hand and touch
the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever;'" in saying lest
he is icrnorant : and in drivincp him out lest he should eat and
live for ever, he is also envious. And whereas it is written
that "God^ repented that he had made man," this implies
both repentance and ignorance. For this reflection is a view
by which one, through ignorance, wishes to inquire into the
result of the things which he wills, or it is the act of one
repenting on account of the event not being according to his
expectation. And whereas it is written, ' And the Lord
smelled a scent of sweetness,' * it is the part of one in need ;
and his being pleased with the fat of flesh is the part of one
who is not good. But his tempting, as it is written, ' And
God did tempt Abraham,' ^ is the part of one who is wicked,
and who is ignorant of the issue of the experiment."

Chap. xl. — Peter s answer.

In like manner Simon, by taking many passages from the
Scriptures, seemed to show that God is subject to every
infirmity. And to this Peter said : " Does he who is evil, and
wholly wicked, love to accuse himself in the things in which
he sins ? Answer me this." Then said Simon : " He does
not." Then said Peter : '' How, then, can God be evil and
wicked, seeing that those evil things which have been com-
monly written regarding Him, have been added by His own
will !" Then said Simon : " It may be that the charge against
Him is written by another power, and not according to His
choice." Then said Peter : ^' Let us then, in the first place,
inquire into this. If, indeed. He has of His own will accused

1 Gen. xviii. 21. 2 Gen. iii. 22. » Gen. vi 6.

* Gen. viii. 21. ^ Gen. xxii. 1.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 75

Himself, as you formerly acknowledged, then He is not
wicked ; but if it is done by another power, it must be in-
quired and investigated with all energy who hath subjected
to all evils Him who alone is good."

Chap. xli. — " Status qucestionisJ*

Then said Simon : " You are manifestly avoiding the
hearing of the charge from the Scriptures against your God."
Then Peter : " You yourself appear to me to be doing this ;
for he who avoids the order of inquiry, does not wish a true
investigation to be made. Hence I, who proceed in an
orderly manner, and wish that the writer should first be con-
sidered, am manifestly desirous to walk in a straight path."
Then Simon : "First confess that if the things written against
the Creator are true, he is not above all, since, according
to the Scriptures, he is subject to all evil ; then afterwards
we shall inquire as to the writer." Then said Peter : " That
I may not seem to speak against your w^ant of order through
unwillingness to enter upon the investigation,^ I answer you.
I say that if the things wTitten against God are true, they do
not show that God is wicked." Then said Simon : " How
can you maintain that ? "

Chap. xlii. — Was Adam blind?

Then said Peter : " Because things are written opposite to
those sayings which speak evil of him ; wherefore neither the
one nor the other can be confirmed." Then Simon : " How,
then, is the truth to be ascertained, of those Scriptures that
say he is evil, or of those that say he is good 1 " Then Peter :
" Whatever sayings of the Scriptures are in harmony with
the creation that was made by Him are true, but whatever
are contrary to it are false." Then Simon said : " How can
you show that the Scriptures contradict themselves ? " And
Peter said : " You say that Adam was created blind, which
was not so ; for He would not have pointed out the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil to a blind man, and com-

^ The text of this passage in all the editions is meaningless. It be-
comes clear by a change of punctuation.

76 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

manded liim not to taste of it." Then said Simon : " He
meant that his mind was blind." Then Peter : " How could
he be blind in respect of his mind, who, before tasting of the
tree, in harmony with Him who made him, imposed appro-
priate names on all the animals ? " Then Simon : " If Adam
had foreknowledge, how did he not foreknow that the serpent
would deceive his wife ? " Then Peter : " If Adam had not
foreknowledge, how did he give names to the sons of men as
they were born with reference to their future doings, calling
the first Cain (which is interpreted ' envy'), who through
envy killed his brother Abel (which is interpreted ' grief ') ;
for his parents grieved over him, the first slain ?

Chap, xliii. — God's forehiowledge.

^^ But if Adam, being the work of God, had foreknowledge,
much more the God who created him. And that is false
which is written that God reflected, as if usino; reasonino^ on
account of ignorance ; and that the Lord tempted Abraham,
that He might know if he would endure it ; and that which
is written, ^ Let us go down, and see if they are doing accord-
ing to the cry of them which cometh to me ; and if not, that
1 may know.' And, not to extend my discourse too far,
whatever sayings ascribe ignorance to Him, or anything else
that is evil, being upset by other sayings which afiirm the
contrary, are proved to be false. But because He does indeed
foreknow. He says to Abraham, ' Thou shalt assuredly know
that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not their
own ; and they shall enslave them, and shall evil entreat them,
and humble them four hundred years. But the nation to
which they shall be in bondage will I judge, and after that
they shall come out hither with much property ; but thou
shalt depart to thy fathers with peace, being nourished in a
good old age ; and in the fourth generation they shall return
hither, for the sins of the Amorites are hitherto not filled up.'^

Chap. xliv. — God's decrees.

*' But what ? Does not Moses pre-intimate the sins of the

1 Gen. XV. 13-16.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 77

people, and predict their dispersion among the nations ? But
if He gave foreknowledge to Moses, how can it be that He
had it not Himself % But He has it. And if He has it, as
we have also shown, it is an extravagant saying that He
reflected, and that He repented, and that He went down to
see, and whatever else of this sort. Whatsoever things being
foreknown before they come to pass as about to befall, take
issue by a wise economy, without repentance.

Chap. xly. — Sacrifices,

" But that He is not pleased with sacrifices, is shovv^n by this,
that those who lusted after flesh were slain as soon as they
tasted it, and were consigned to a tomb, so that it was called
the grave of lusts.^ He then who at the first was displeased
with the slaughtering of animals, not wishing them to be
slain, did not ordain sacrifices as desiring them ; nor from the
beginning did He require them. For neither are sacrifices
accomplished without the slaughter of animals, nor can the
first-fruits be presented. But how is it possible for Him to
abide in darkness, and smoke, and storm (for this also is
written), who created a pure heaven, and created the sun to
give light to all, and assigned the invariable order of their
revolutions to innumerable stars % Thus, O Simon, the hand-
writing of God — I mean the heaven — shows the counsels of
Him who made it to be pure and stable.

Chap. xlvi. — DisjMragements of God

'^ Thus the sayings accusatory of the God who made the
heaven are both rendered void by the opposite sayings which
are alongside of them, and are refuted by the creation. For
they were not written by a prophetic hand. Wherefore
also they appear opposite to the hand of God, who made all
things." Then said Simon : " How can you show this ? "

Chap, xlvii. — Foreknowledge of Moses.

Then said Peter : " The law of God was given by Moses,
without writing, to seventy wise men, to be handed down,
^ That is, Kibroth-Hattaavali ; Num. xi. 34.

78 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that the government might be carried on by succession. But
after that Moses was taken up, it was written by some one,
but not by Moses. For in the law itself it is written, ' And
Moses died ; and they buried him near the house of Phogor,^
and no one knows his sepulchre till this day.' But how could
Moses write that Moses died? And whereas in the time
after Moses, about 500 years or thereabouts, it is found lying
in the temple which was built, and after about 500 years
more it is carried away, and being burnt in the time of
Nebuchadnezzar it is destroyed ; and thus being written after
Moses, and often lost, even this shows the foreknowledge of
Moses, because he, foreseeing its disappearance, did not write
it ; but those who wrote it, being convicted of ignorance
through their not foreseeing its disappearance, were not
prophets."

Chap, xlviii. — Test of truth.

Then said Simon : " Since, as you say, we must understand
the things concerning God by comparing them with the
creation, how is it possible to recognise the other things in
the law which are from the tradition of Moses, and are true,
and are mixed up with these falsehoods ? " Then Peter said :
" A certain verse has been recorded without controversy in
the written law, according to the providence of God, so as to
show clearly which of the things written are true and which
are false." Then said Simon : " Which is that ? Show it us."

Chap. xlix. — The true Prophet.

Then Peter said : " I shall tell you forthwith. It is written
in the first book of the law, towards the end : ' A ruler shall
not fail from Judah, nor a leader from his thighs, until He
come whose it is ; and He is the expectation of the nations.' ^
If, therefore, any one can apprehend Him who came after
the failure of ruler and leader from Judah, and who was to
be expected by the nations, he will be able by this verse
to recognise Him as truly having come ; ^ and believing His

^ Septuagint version of Deut. xxxiv. 8.

2 Gen. xUx. 10. ^ From the amended reading of Davis.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 79

teaching, lie will know what of the Scriptures are true and
what are false." Then said Simon : " I understand that you
speak of your Jesus as Him who was prophesied of by the
scripture. Therefore let it be granted that it is so. Tell
us, then, how he taught you to discriminate the Scriptures."

Chap. l. — His teaching concerning the Scriptures.

Then Peter : " As to the mixture of truth with falsehood, I
remember that on one occasion He, finding fault with the
Sadducees, said, ' Wherefore ye do err, not knowing the true
things of the Scriptures ; and on this account ye are ignorant
of the power of God.' ^ But if He cast up to them that they
knew not the true things of the Scriptures, it is manifest that
there are false things in them. And also, inasmuch as He
said, ' Be ye prudent money-changers,' ^ it is because there are
genuine and spurious words. And whereas He said, ^ Where-
fore do ye not perceive that which is reasonable in the Scrip-
tures ? ' He makes the understanding of him stronger who
voluntarily judges soundly.

Chap. li. — His teaching concerning the laiu,

" And His sending to the scribes and teachers of the exist-
ing Scriptures, as to those who knew the true things of the law
that then was, is well known. And also that He said, ' I am
not come to destroy the law,'^ and yet that He appeared to be
destroying it, is the part of one intimating that the things
which He destroyed did not belong to the law. And His say-
ing, ' The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but one jot
or one tittle shall not pass from the law,' ^ intimated that the
things which pass away before the heaven and the earth do
not belong to the law in reality.

Chap. lii. — Other sayings of Christ.
" Since, then, while the heaven and the earth still stand,

1 Matt. xxii. 29.

2 This is frequently quoted as a saying of Christ. It is probably from
one of the apocryphal gospels.

3 Matt. V. 17. 4 Matt. v. 18.

80 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

sacrifices heave passed away, and kingdoms, and prophecies
among those who are born of woman, and such like, as not
being ordinances of God; hence therefore He says, 'Every
plant which the heavenly Father has not planted shall be
rooted up.' ^ Wherefore He, being the true Prophet, said, ' I
am the gate of life ;' he who entereth through me entereth
into life,' there beino; no other teachincr able to save. Where-
fore also He cried, and said, ' Come unto me, all who labour,'^
that is, who are seeking the truth, and not finding it ; and
again, ' My sheep hear my voice ; '^ and elsewhere, ' Seek and
find,' " since the truth does not lie on the surface.

Chap. liii. — Other sayings of Christ.

"But also a witnessing voice was heard from heaven, saying,
^ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear
Him..'^ And in addition to this, willing to convict more fully
-of error the prophets from whom they asserted that they had
learned. He proclaimed that they died desiring the truth, but
not having learned it, saying, ' Many prophets and kings
desired to see what ye see, and to hear what you hear ; and
verily I say to you, they neither saw nor heard.' ' Still further
He said, ' I am he concerning whom Moses prophesied, say-
ing, A Prophet shall the Lord our God raise unto you of
your brethren, like unto me : Him hear in all things ; and
whosoever will not hear that Prophet shall die.' ^

Chap. lit. — Other sayings.

" Whence it is impossible without His teaching to attain
to savincj truth, thoucrh one seek it for ever where the thinij
that is sought is not. But it was, and is, in the word of our
Jesus. Accordingly, He, knowing the true things of the
law, said to the Sadducees, asking on what account Moses
permitted to marry seven, ' Moses gave you commandments
according to your hard-heartedness ; for from the beginning

1 ^fatt. XV. 13. 2 John x. 9. ^ ;^[att. xi. 28.

^ John x. 3. 5 ^xatt. vii. 7. « Matt. xvii. 5.

7 Matt. xiii. 17 ; Luke x. 24.

8 Deut. xviii. 15-19 ; Acts iii. 22, vii. 37.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 81

it was not so : for He who created man at first, made him
male and female.' ^

Chap. lv. — Teaching of Christ,

" But to those who think, as the Scriptures teach, that God
swears, He said, ' Let your yea be yea, and nay, nay ; for
what is more than these is of the evil one.' ^ And to those who
say that Abraham and Isaac and Jacob are dead, He said,
' God is not of the dead, but of the living.' ^ And to those
who suppose that God tempts, as the Scriptures say. He said,
' The tempter is the wicked one,'^ who also tempted Himself.
To those who suppose that God does not foreknow, He said,
' For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye need all these
things before ye ask Him.'^ And to those who believe, as
the Scriptures say, that He does not see all things. He said,
' Pray in secret, and your Father, who seeth secret things,
will reward you.' ^

Chap. lvi. — Teaching of Christ,

" And to those who think that He is not good, as the Scrip-
tures say. He said, ' From which of you shall his son ask bread,
and he will give him a stone ; or shall ask a fish, and he will
give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know to give
good gifts to your children, how much more shall your
heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him,
and to those who do His will V^ But to those who affirmed
that He was in the temple. He said, ' Swear not by heaven,
for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool
of His feet.'^ And to those who supposed that God is pleased
with sacrifices. He said, ' God wishes mercy, and not sacri-
fices ' ® — the knowledge of Himself, and not holocausts.

1 Matt. xix. 8 ; Mark x. 5. 2 Matt. v. 37.

s Matt. xxii. 32 ; Mark xii. 27 ; Luke xx. 38.

* Perhaps Matt. xiii. 39. ^ Matt. vi. 8, 32. ^ Matt. vi. 6.

7 Matt. vii. 9-11. 8 Matt. v. 34, 35.

9 Matt ix. 13, xii. 7.

82 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. lvii. — Teaching of Christ.

" But to those who are persuaded that He is evil, as the
Scriptures say, He said, ' Call not me good, for One [only]
is good.' ^ And again, ^ Be ye good and merciful, as your
Father in the heavens, who makes the sun rise on good
and evil men, and brings rain upon just and unjust.' ^ But
to those who were misled to imagine many gods, as the Scrip-
tures say. He said, ^ Hear, O Israel ; the Lord your God is
one Lord.' " ^

Chap, lviii. — Flight of Simon.

Therefore Simon, perceiving that Peter was driving him
to use the Scriptures as Jesus taught, was unwilling that
the discussion should go into the doctrine concerning God,
even although Peter had changed the discussion into question
and answer, as Simon himself asked. However, the discus-
sion occupied three days. And while the fourth was dawn-
ing, he set off darkling as far as Tyre of Phoenicia. And
not many days after, some of the precursors came and said to
Peter : ^' Simon is doing great miracles in Tyre, and disturb-
ing many of the people there ; and by many slanders he
has made you to be hated."

Chap. ijx. — Peter s resolution to follow.

Peter, hearing this, on the following night assembled the
multitude of hearers; and as soon as they were come together,
he said : " While I am going forth to the nations which
say that there are many gods, to teach and to preach that
God is one, who made heaven and earth, and all things
that are in them, in order that they may love Him and be
saved, evil has anticipated me, and by the very law of con-
junction has sent Simon before me, in order that these men,
if they shall cease to say that there are many gods, disowning
those upon earth that are called gods, may think that there
are many gods in heaven ; so that, not feeling the excellency

1 Matt. xix. 17 ; Mark x. 18 ; Luke xviii. 19.

2 Matt. V. 44, 45. ^ Mark xii. 29.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 83

of the monarchy, they may perish with eternal punishment.
And what is most dreadful, since true doctrine has incom-
parable power, he forestalls me with slanders, and persuades
them to this, not even at first to receive me ; lest he who is
the slanderer be convicted of being himself in reality a devil,
and the true doctrine be received and believed. Therefore
I must quickly catch him up, lest the false accusation,
through gaining time, wholly get hold of all men.

Chap. lx. — Successor to be appointed.

" Since, therefore, it is necessary to set apart some one
instead of me to fill my place, let us all with one consent
pray to God, that He would make manifest who amongst
us is the best, that, sitting in the chair of Christ, he may
piously rule His church. Who, then, shall be set apart *?
For by the counsel of God that man is set forth as blessed,
' whom his Lord shall appoint over the ministry of his fellow-
servants, to give them their meat in their season, not thinking
and saying in his heart. My Lord delayeth His coming, and
who shall not begin to beat his fellow-servants, eating and
drinking with harlots and drunkards. And the Lord of that
servant shall come in an hour when he doth not look for
Him, and in a day when he is not aware, and shall cut him
in sunder, and shall assign his unfaithful part with the
hypocrites.' ^

Chap. lxi. — Monarchy,

^^But if any one of those present, being able to instruct
the ignorance of men, shrink from it, thinking only of his
own ease, let him expect to hear this sentence : ^ O wicked
and slothful servant, thou oughtest to have given my money
to the exchangers, and I at my coming should have got my
own. Cast out the unprofitable servant into the outer dark-
ness.' ^ And with good reason ; ' for,' says He, ^ it is thine,
O man, to prove my words, as silver and money are proved
among the exchangers.'^ Therefore the multitude of the

1 Matt. xxiv. 45-50. 2 ji^fatt, ^y^ 27-30.

® Probably from an apocryphal gospel.

84 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

faithful ought to obej some one, that they may live in har-
mony. For that which tends to the government of one
person, in the form of monarchy, enables the subjects to
enjoy peace by means of good order ; but in case of all,
through desire of ruling, being unwilling to submit to one
only, they must altogether fall by reason of division.

Chap. lxii. — Obedience leads to peace,

^'But, further, let the things that are happening before your
eyes persuade you ; how wars are constantly arising through
there being now many kings all over the earth. For each
one holds the government of another as a pretext for war.
But if one were universal superior, he, having no reason why
he sliould make war, would have perpetual peace. In short,
therefore, to those who are thought worthy of eternal life,
God appoints one universal King in the world that shall then
be, that by means of monarchy there may be unfailing peace.
It behoves all, therefore, to follow some one as a leader,
honourinaj him as the ima^e of God ; and it behoves the
leader to be acquainted with the road that entereth into the
holy city.

Chap, lxiii. — ZaccJieus appointed.

" But of those who are present, whom shall I choose but
Zaccheus, to whom also the Lord went inland rested, judging
him worthy to be saved?" And having said this, he laid his
hand upon Zaccheus, who stood by, and forced him to sit
down in his own chair. But Zaccheus, falling at his feet,
begged that he would permit him to decline the rulership ;
promising, at the same time, and saying, " Whatever it be-
hoves the ruler to do, I will do ; only grant me not to have
this name : for I am afraid of assuminsj the name of the
rulership, for it teems with bitter envy and danger."

Chap. lxiv. — The bishopric.

Then Peter said : " If you are afraid of this, do not be
called rulery but the appointed one, the Lord having permitted

^ Luke xix. 5.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 85

jou to be so called, when He said, ^ Blessed is that man whom
his Lord shall ai^point to the ministry of his fellow-servants.' ^
But if you wish it to be altogether unknown that you have
authority of administration, you seem to me to be ignorant
that the acknowledged authority of the president has great
influence as regards the respect of the multitude. For every
one obeys him who has received authority, having conscience
as a great constraint. And are you not well aware that you
are not to rule as the rulers of the nations, but as a servant
ministering to them, as a father to the oppressed, visiting
them as a physician, guarding them as a shepherd, — in short,
taking all care for their salvation ? And do you think that
I am not aware what labours I compel you to undertake, desir-
ing you to be judged by multitudes whom it is impossible for
any one to please. But it is most possible for him who does
well to please God. Wherefore I entreat you to undertake it
heartily, by God, by Christ, for the salvation of the brethren,
for their ordering, and your own profit.

Chap. lxv. — Nolo episcopavL

" And consider this other thing, that in proportion as there
is labour and danger in ruling the church of Christ, so much
greater is the reward. And yet again the greater is also the
punishment to him who can, and refuses. I wish, therefore,
knowing that you are the best instructed of my attendants,
to turn to account those noble powers of judging with which
you have been entrusted by the Lord, in order that you may be
saluted with the Well done, good and faith/ id servant, and not
be found fault with, and declared liable to punishment, like
him who hid the one talent. But if you will not be appointed
a good guardian of the church, point out another in your
stead, more learned and more faithful than yourself. But
you cannot do this ; for you associated with the Lord, and
witnessed His marvellous doings, and learned the administra-
tion of the church,

1 Luke xii. 42.

86 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. lxvi. — Danger of disobedience.

" And your work is to order what things are proper ; and
that of the brethren is to submit, and not to disobey. There-
fore submitting they shall be saved, but disobeying they shall
be punished by the Lord, because the president is entrusted
with the place of Christ. Wherefore, indeed, honour or
contempt shown to the president is handed on to Christ,
and from Christ to God. And this I have said, that these
brethren may not be ignorant of the danger they incur by
disobedience to you, because whosoever disobeys your orders,
disobeys Christ ; and he who disobeys Christ offends God.

Chap, lxvii. — Duties of church office-hearers.

" It is necessary, therefore, that the church, as a city built
upon a hill, have an order approved of God, and good govern-
ment. In particular, let the bishop, as chief, be heard in the
things which he speaks ; and let the elders give heed that
the things ordered be done. Let the deacons, going about,
look after the bodies and the souls of the brethren, and
report to the bishop. Let all the rest of the brethren bear
wrong patiently ; but if they wish judgment to be given
concerning wrongs done to them, let them be reconciled in
presence of the elders ; and let the elders report the recon-
ciliation to the bishop.

Chap, lxviii. — " Marriage always honourahleJ*

" And let them inculcate marriage not only upon the
young, but also upon those advanced in years, lest burning
lust bring a plague upon the church by reason of whoredom
or adultery. For, above every other sin, the wickedness of
adultery is hated by God, because it not only destroys the j
person himself who sins, but those also who eat and associate jK
with him. For it is like the madness of a dog, because it
has the nature of communicating its own madness. For the i
sake of chastity, therefore, let not only the elders, but even ^
all, hasten to accomplish marriage. For the sin of him who
commits adultery necessarily comes upon all. Therefore, to

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 87

urge the brethren to be chaste, this is the first charity. For
it is the healing of the soul. For the nourishment of the
body is rest.

Chap, lxix. — " Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves

together^'

" But if you love your brethren, take nothing from them,
but share with them such things as ye have. Feed the
hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; visit
the sick ; so far as you can, help those in prison ; receive
strangers gladly into your own abodes ; hate no one. And
how you must be pious, your own mind will teach you, judg-
ing rightly. But before all else, if indeed I need say it to you,
come together frequently, if it were every hour, especially
on the appointed days of meeting. For if you do this, you
are within a w^all of safety. For disorderliness is the begin-
ning of perdition. Let no one therefore forsake the assembly
on the ground of envy towards a brother. For if any one of
you forsake the assembly, he shall be regarded as of those
who scatter the church of Christ, and shall be cast out with
adulterers. For as an adulterer, under the influence of the
spirit that is in him, he separates himself on some pretext,
and gives place to the wicked one against himself, — a sheep
for the stealing, as one found outside the fold.^

Chap. lxx. — " Hear the bishop"

. " However, hear your bishop, and do not weary of giving
all honour to him ; knowing that, by showing it to him, it is
borne to Christ, and from Christ it is borne to God ; and to
him who offers it, is requited manifold.^ Honour, therefore,
the throne of Christ. For you are commanded even to
honour the chair of Moses, and that although they who

^ There seems to be a corruption of the text here, but the general
meaning is evident enough.

2 There are several conjectural readings of this sentence. We have not
exactly followed any one of them, but have ventured on a conjecture of
our own.

88 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

occupy it are accounted sinners.-^ And now I have said
enough to you ; and I deem it superfluous to say to him how-
he is to Hve unblameably, since he is an approved disciple of
Him who taught me also.

Chap. lxxi. — Various duties of Christians.

" But, brethren, there are some things that you must not
wait to hear, but must consider of yourselves what is reason-
able. Zaccheus alone having given himself up wholly to
labour for you, and needing sustenance, and not being able
to attend to his own affairs, how can he procure necessary
support ? Is it not reasonable that you are to take fore-
thought for his living? not waiting for his asking you, for this is
the part of a beggar. But he will rather die of hunger than
submit to do this. And shall not you incur punishment, not
considering that the workman is worthy of his hire ? And
let no one say : Is, then, the word sold which was freely
given ? Far be it. For if any one has the means of living,
and takes anything, he sells the word ; but if he who has not
takes support in order to live — as the Lord also took at supper
and among His friends, having nothing, though He alone is
the owner of all things — he sins not. Therefore suitably
honour elders, catechists, useful deacons, widows who have
lived well, orphans as children of the church. But wher-
ever there is need of any provision for an emergency, con-
tribute all tocrether. Be kind one to another, not shrinkin£f
from the endurance of anything whatever for your own
salvation."

Chap, lxxii. — Ordination.

And having thus spoken, he placed his hand upon Zac-
cheus, saying, " O Thou Ruler and Lord of all. Father and
God, do Thou guard the shepherd with the flock. Thou art
the cause, Thou the power. We are that which is helped ;
Thou the helper, the physician, the saviour, the wall, the life,
the hope, the refuge, the joy, the expectation, the rest. In a
word, Thou art all things to us. In order to the eternal

^ Matt, xxiii. 2.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 89

attainment of salvation, do Thou co-operate, preserve, protect.
Thou canst do all things. For Thou art the Ruler of rulers,
the Lord of lords, the Governor of kings. Do Thou give
power to the president to loose what ought to be loosed, to
bind what ouscht to be bound. Do Thou make him wise.
Do Thou, as by His name, protect the church of Thy Christ
as a fair bride. For Thine is eternal glory. Praise to the
Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost to all ages. Amen."

Chap, lxxiii. — Baptisms.

And having thus spoken, he afterwards said : " Whoever
of you wish to be baptized, begin from to-morrow to fast,
and have hands laid upon you day by day, and inquire about
what matters you please. For I mean still to remain with
you ten days." And after three days, having begun to baptize,
he called me, and Aquila, and Nicetas, and said to us : '' As
I am going to set out for Tyre after seven days, I wish you
to go away this very day, and to lodge secretly with Bernice
the Canaanite, the daughter of Justa, and to learn from her,
and write accurately to me what Simon is about. For this
is of great consequence to me, that I may prepare myself
accordingly. Therefore depart straightway in peace." And
leaving him baptizing, as he commanded, we preceded him to
Tyre of Phoenicia.

HOMILY IV.

Chap. i. — Bemic^s hospitality,

.HITS I Clement, departing from Caesarea Stra-
tonis, together with Nicetas and Aquila, entered
into Tyre of Phoenicia ; and according to the in-
junction of Peter, who sent us, we lodged with
Bernice, the daughter of Justa the Canaanitess. She re-
ceived us most joyfully ; and striving with much honour
towards me, and with affection towards Aquila and Nicetas,
and speaking freely as a friend, through joy she treated us
courteously, and hospitably urged us to take bodily refresh-
ment. Perceiving, therefore, that she was endeavouring to
impose a short delay upon us, I said : " You do well, indeed,
to busy yourself in fulfilling the part of love ; but the fear
of our God must take the precedence of this. For, having a
combat on hand on behalf of many souls, we are afraid of
preferring our own ease before their salvation.

Chap. ii. — Simoris practices,

" For we hear that Simon the magician, being worsted at
Caesarea in the discussion with our lord JPeter, immediately
hastened hither, and is doing much mischief. For he is
slandering Peter, in opposition to truth, to all the adver-
sarijes, and stealing away the souls of the multitude. For
he being a magician, calls him a magician ; and he being a
deceiver, proclaims him as a deceiver. And although in the
discussions he was beaten in all points, and fled, yet he says
that he was victorious ; and he constantly charges them that
they ought not to listen to Peter, — as if, forsooth, he were

90

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 91

anxious that they may not be fascinated by a terrible
magician.

Chap. hi. — Object of the mission,

" Therefore our lord Peter, having learned these things,
has sent us to be investigators of the things that have been
told him ; that if they be so, we may write to him and let
him know, so that he may come and convict him face to face
of the accusations that he has uttered against him. Since,
therefore, danger on the part of many souls lies before us, on
this account we must neglect bodily rest for a short time ;
and we would learn truly from you who live here, whether
the things which we have heard be true. Now tell us
particularly."

Chap. iv. — Simons doings.

But Bernice, being asked, said : " These things are indeed
as you have heard ; and I will tell you other things respecting
this same Simon, which perhaps you do not know. For he
astonishes the whole city every day, by making spectres and
ghosts appear in the midst of the market-place ; and when
he walks abroad, statues move, and many shadows go before
him, which, he says, are souls of the dead. And many who
attempted to prove him an impostor he speedily reconciled to
him ; and afterwards, under pretence of a banquet, having
slain an ox, and given them to eat of it, he infected them
with various diseases, and subjected them to demons. And
in a word, having injured many, and being supposed to be
a god, he is both feared and honoured.

Chap. v. — Discretion the better part of valour,

" Wherefore I do not think that any one will be able to
quench such a fire as has been kindled. For no one doubts
his promises; but every one affirms that this is so. Wherefore,
lest you should expose yourselves to danger, I advise you not
to attempt anything against him until Peter come, who alone
shall be able to resist such a power, being the most esteemed
disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. For so much do I fear

92 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

this man, that if he had not elsewhere been vanquished in
disputing with my lord Peter, I should counsel you to per-
suade even Peter himself not to attempt to oppose Simon."

Chap. vi. — Simon^s departure.

Then I said : ^* If our lord Peter did not know that he
himself alone can prevail against this power, he would not
have sent us before him with orders to get information
secretly concerning Simon, and to wTite to him." Then, as
evening had come on, wx took supper,^ and went to sleep.
But in the morning, one of Bernice's friends came and said
that Simon had set sail for Sidon, and that he had left
behind him Appion Pleistonices,^ — a man of Alexandria, a
grammarian by profession, whom I knew as being a friend
of my father ; and a certain astrologer, Annubion the Dios-
politan, and Athenodorus the Athenian, attached to the doc-
trine of Epicurus. And we, having learned these things
concerning Simon, in the morning wrote and despatched a
letter to Peter, and went to take a walk.

Chap. vii. — Appion^ s salutation.

And Appion met us, not only with the two companions
just named, but with about thirty other men. And as soon
as he saw me, he saluted and kissed me, and said, " This is
Clement, of whose noble birth and liberal education I have
often told you ; for he, being related to the family of Tibe-
rius Caesar, and equipped with all Grecian learning, has been
seduced by a certain barbarian called Peter to speak and act
after the manner of the Jews. Wherefore I beg of you to
strive toiiether with me for the settin^j of him ricrht. And
in your presence I now ask him. Let him tell me, since he
thinks that he has devoted himself to piety, whether he is
not acting most impiously, in forsaking the customs of his
country, and falling away to those of the barbarians."

^ Literally, " partook of salt."

2 This epithet means, "the conqueror of very many." Suidas makes
Appion the son of Pleistonices.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 93

Chap. viii. — A challenge,

I answered : " I accept, indeed, your kindly affection
towards me, but I take exception to your ignorance. For
your affection is kindly, because you wish me to continue in
those [customs] which you consider to be good. But your
inaccurate knowledge strives to lay a snare for me, under the
guise of friendship." Then said Appion : '* Does it seem to
you to be ignorance, that one should observe the customs of
his fathers, and judge after the manner of the Greeks?"
Then I answered : " It behoves one who desires to be pious
not altoorether to observe the customs of his fathers ; but ta
observe them if they be pious, and to shake them off if they
be impious. For it is possible that one who is the son of an
impious father, if he wishes to be pious, should not desire
to follow the relioion of his father." ^ Then answered
Appion : " What then ? Do you say that your father was
a man of an evil life ? " Then said I : " He was not of an
evil life, but of an evil opinion." Then Appion : " I should
like to know what was his evil apprehension." Then said I r
" Because he believed the false and wicked myths of the
Greeks." Then Appion asked: "What are these false and
evil myths of the Greeks ? " Then I said : " The wrong
opinion concerning the gods, which, if you will bear with
me, you shall hear, with those who are desirous to learn.

Chap. ix. — Unworthy ends of philosophers,

" Wherefore, before beginning our conversation, let us now"
withdraw into some quieter place, and there I shall converse
with you. And the reason why I wish to speak privately is
this, because neither the multitude, nor even all the philo-
sophers, approach honestly to the judgment of things as they
are. For we know many, even of those who pride themselves
on their philosophy, who are vainglorious, or who have put
on the philosopher's robe for the sake of gain, and not for
the sake of virtue itself ; and they, if they do not find that

^ We have adopted tlie emendation of Wieseler, wlio reads asl2oia/nur:
for asiiu(7/^xTcc. He also proposes Uet (habit) instead of aifiaaf^ciTi. The
readings in the Mss. vary.

94 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

for which they take to philosophy, turn to mockery. There-
fore, on account of such as these, let us choose some place
fit for private conference."

Chap, x. — A cool retreat.

And a certain one amongst them — a rich man, and pos-
sessing a garden of evergreen plants^ — said : " Since it is very
hot, let us retire for a little from the city to my gardens."
Accordingly they went forth, and sat down in a place where
there were pure streams of cool water, and a green shade of
all sorts of trees. There I sat pleasantly, and the others
round about me ; and they being silent, instead of a verbal
request made to me, showed by their eager looks to me
that they required the proof of my assertion. And therefore
I proceeded to speak thus :

Chap. xi. — Truth and custom.

" There is a certain great difference, O men of Greece,
between truth and custom. For truth is found when it is
honestly sought ; but custom, w^iatsoever be the character of
the custom received, whether true or false, is strengthened
by itself without the exercise of judgment ; and he who has
received it is neither pleased with it as being true, nor grieved
with it as false. For such an one has believed not by judg-
ment, but by prejudice, resting his own hope on the opinion
of those who have lived before him on a mere peradventure.
And it is not easy to cast off the ancestral garment, though
it be shown to himself to be wholly foolish and ridiculous.

Chap. xii. — Genesis.

" Therefore I say that the whole learning of the Greeks is
a most dreadful fabrication of a wicked demon. For they
have introduced many gods of their own, and these wicked,
and subject to all kinds of passion ; so that he who wishes to
do the like things may not be ashamed, which belongs to a

^ The text liere is corrupt. If we adopt Lobeck's emendation of
'7:ct,y.yt.iw(jca<j into 'TTccfATr'kovGtoy^ the literal translation is, " possessing a
property around him continually rich in leaves."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 95

man, having as an example the wicked and unquiet lives of
the mythological gods. And through his not being ashamed,
such an one affords no hope of his repenting. And others
have introduced fate, which is called genesis, contrary to
which no one can suffer or do anything. This, therefore,
also is like to the first. For any one who thinks that no one
has aught to do or suffer contrary to genesis easily falls into
sin ; and having sinned, he does not repent of his impiety,
holding it as his apology that he was borne on by genesis to
do these things. And ps he cannot rectify genesis, he has no
reason to be ashamed of the sins he commits.

Chap. xiii. — Destiny.

" And others introduce an unforeseeing destiny, as if all
things revolved of their own accord, without the superintend-
ence of any master. But thus to think these things is, as
we have said, the most grievous of all opinions. For, as if
there were no one superintending and fore-judging and dis-
tributing to every one according to his deserving, they easily
do everything as they can through fearlessness. Therefore
those who have such opinions do not easily, or perhaps do not
at all, live virtuously ; for they do not foresee the danger
which might have the effect of converting them. But the
doctrine of the barbarous Jews, as you call them, is most
pious, introducing One as the Father and Creator of all this
world, by nature good and righteous ; good, indeed, as par-
doning sins to those who repent; but righteous, as visiting
to every one after repentance according to the worthiness of
his doings.

Chap. xiv. — " Doctrine according to godliness.^'

" This doctrine, even if it also be mythical, being pious,
would not be without advantage for this life. For every
one, in expectation of being judged by the all-seeing God,
receives the greater impulse towards virtue. But if the doc-
trine be also true, it withdraws him who has lived virtuously
from eternal punishment, and endows him with eternal and
unspeakable blessings from God.

9Q THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. xv. — Wickedness of the gods,

'' But I return to the foremost doctrine of the Greeks, that
^vhich states in stories^ that there are gods many, and subject
to all kinds of passions. And not to spend much time upon
things that are clear, referring to the impious deeds of every
one of those who are called gods, I could not tell all their
amours : those of Zeus and Poseidon, of Pluto and Apollo,
of Dionysus and Hercules, and of them all singly. And of
these you are yourselves not ignorant, and have been taught
their manners of life, being instructed in the Grecian learning,
that, as competitors with the gods, you might do like things.

Chap. xyi. — Wickedness of Jupiter,

'* But I shall begin with the most royal Zeus, whose father
Ivronos, having, as you say, devoured his own children, and
having shorn off the members of his father Uranus with a
sickle of adamant, showed to those who are zealous for the
mysteries of the gods an example of piety towards parents
and of love towards children. And Jupiter himself bound
his own father, and imprisoned him in Tartarus ; and he also
punishes the other gods.' And for those who wish to do
things not to be spoken of, he begat Metis, and devoured
her. But Metis was seed ; for it is impossible to devour a
child. And for an excuse to abusers of themselves with
mankind, he carries away Ganymedes. And as a helper of
adulterers in their adultery, he is often found an adulterer.
And to those who wish to commit incest with sisters, he sets
the example in his intercourse with his sisters Hera and
Demeter, and the heavenly Aphrodite, whom some call
Dodona." And to those who wish to commit incest with their
daughters, there is a wicked example from his story, in his
committing incest with Persephone. But in myriads of
instances he acted impiously, that by reason of his excessive

^ f/.vdo'Xo'/ovauv.

- "Wieseler proposes hlw^ instead of &iw<; ; and he punishes liis uncles
also, as in vi. 2, 21.

2 This is properly regarded as a mistake for Dione, or Didone, which is
another form of the name Dione.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 97

wickedness the fable of his being a god might be received by
impious men.

Chap. xvit. — " Tlieir makers are like unto them."

'^You would hold it reasonable for ignorant men to be
moderately indignant at these fancies. But what must we
say to the learned, some of whom, professing themselves to be
grammarians and sophists, affirm that these acts are worthy
of gods ? For, being themselves incontinent, they lay hold
of this mythical pretext ; and as imitators of the gods/ they
practise unseemly things with freedom.

Chap, xviii. — Second nature.

"On this account, they who live in the country sin much
less than they do, not having been indoctrinated in those
things in which they have been indoctrinated who dare do
these things, having learned from evil instruction to be impious.
For they who from their childhood learn letters by means of
such fables, w^hile their soul is yet pliant, engraft the impious
deeds of those who are called gods into their own minds ;
w^hence, when they are grown up, they ripen fruit, like evil
seeds cast into the soul. And what is worst of all, the rooted
impurities cannot be easily cut down, when they are perceived
to be bitter by them when they have attained to manhood.
For every one is pleased to remain in those habits which he
forms in childhood ; and thus, since custom is not much less
powerful than nature, they become difficult to be converted
to those good things which were not sown in their souls from
the beginning.

Chap. xix. — " Where ignorance is bliss J^

" Wherefore it behoves the young not to be satisfied with
those corrupting lessons, and those who are in their prime
should carefully avoid listening to the mythologies of the
Greeks. For lessons about their gods are much w^orse than
ignorance, as we have shown from the case of those dwelling
in the country, who sin less through their not having been
^ Lit. " of those who are superior or better."

98 THE CLEMEJ^TINE HOMILIES.

instructed by Greeks. Truly, such fables of theirs, and
spectacles, and books, ought to be shunned, and if it were
possible, even their cities. For those who are full of evil
learning, even with their breath infect as with madness those
who associate with them, with their own passions. And what is
worst, whoever is most instructed among them, is so much the
more turned from the judgment which is according to nature.

Chap. xx. — False theories of pldlosopliers.

" And some of those amongst them who even profess to be
philosophers, assert that such sins are indifferent, and say that
those who are indignant at such practices are senseless. For
they say that such things are not sins by nature, but have
been proscribed by laws made by wise men in early times,
through their knowing that men, through the instability of
their minds, being greatly agitated on these accounts, wage
war with one another; for which reason, wise men have
made laws to proscribe such things as sins. But this is a
ridiculous supposition. For how can they be other than sins,
which are the cause of tumults, and murders, and every con-
fusion? For do not shortenings of life-^ and many more evils
proceed from adultery ?

Chap. xxi. — Evils of adultery.

" But why, it is said, if a man is ignorant of his wife's being
an adulteress, is he not indignant, enraged, distracted? why does
he not make war ? Thus these things are not evil by nature,
but the unreasonable opinion of men make them terrible.
But I say, that even if these dreadful things do not occur,
it is usual for a woman, through association with an adulterer,
either to forsake her husband, or if she continue to live
with him, to plot against him, or to bestow upon the adulterer
the goods procured by the labour of her husband ; and hav-
ing conceived by the adulterer while her husband is absent,
to attempt the destruction of that which is in her womb,
through shame of conviction, and so to become a child-

■^ The Vatican MS. inserts here, " upturning of houses, magic practices,
deceptions, perplexities."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 99

murderer ; or even, while destroying it, to be destroyed along
■with it. But if while her husband is at home she conceives by
the adulterer and bears a child, the child when he grows up
does not know his father, and thinks that he is his father
who is not ; and thus he who is not the father, at his death
leaves his substance to the child of another. And how many
other evils naturally spring from adultery ! And the secret
evils we do not know. For as the mad dog destroys all that
he touches, infecting them with the unseen madness, so also
the hidden evil of adultery, though it be not known, effects
the cutting off of posterity.

Chap. xxii. — A, more excellent loay,

"But let us pass over this now. But this we all know, that
universally men are beyond measure enraged on account of
it, that wars have been waged, that there have been over-
throws of houses, and captures of cities, and myriads of other
evils. On this account I betook myself to the holy God and
law of the Jews, putting my faith in the well-assured conclu-
sion that the law has been assigned by the righteous judg-
ment of God, and that the soul must at some time receive
according to the desert of its deeds."

Chap, xxiii. — " Whither shall I go from Thy presence V

When I had thus spoken, Appion broke in upon my dis-
course. "What!" said he; "do not the laws of the Greeks
also forbid w^ickedness, and punish adulterers ? " Then said I :
" Then the gods of the Greeks, who acted contrary to the laws,
deserve punishment. But how shall I be able to restrain
myself, if I suppose that the gods themselves first practised
all wickednesses as well as adultery, and did not suffer punish-
ment ; whereas they ought the rather to have suffered, as not
being slaves to lust ? But if they were subject to it, how
were they gods?" Then Appion said : " Let us have in our
eye not the gods, but the judges ; and looking to them, we
shall be afraid to sin." Then I said : " This is not fitting,
O Appion : for he who has his eye upon men will dare to
sin, in hope of escaping detection ; but he who sets before his

100 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

soul the all-seeing God, knowing that he cannot escape His
notice; will refrain from sinning even in secret."

Chap. xxiv. — Allegory.

When Appion heard this, he said : " I knew, ever since I
heard that you were consorting with Jew^s, that you had
alienated your judgment. For it has been well said by some
one, ' Evil communications corrupt good manners.' " Then
saidi: "Therefore good communications correct evil manners."
And Appion said : " To-day I am fully satisfied to have
learned your position ; therefore I permitted you to speak
first. But to-morrow, in this place, if it is agreeable to you,
I will show, in the presence of these friends when they
meet, that our gods are neither adulterers, nor murderers,
nor corrupters of children, nor guilty of incest with sisters
or daughters. But the ancients, ^Yishing that only lovers of
learning should know the mysteries, veiled them with those
fables of which you have spoken. For they speak physiologi-
cally of boiling substance under the name of Zen, and of
time under that of Kronos, and of the ever-flowing nature of
water under that of Rhea. How^ever, as I have promised, I
shall to-morrow exhibit the truth of things, explaining them
one by one to you when you come together in the morning."
In reply to this I said : " To-morrow^, as you have promised,
so do. But now hear something in opposition to wdiat you
are going to say.

Chap. xxv. — An engagement for to-morrow.

'^If the doings of the gods, being good, have been veiled with
evil fables, the wickedness of him who w^ove the veil is shown
to have been great, because he concealed noble things with
evil narratives, that no one imitate them. But if they really
did things impious, they ought, on the contrary, to have veiled
them with good narratives, lest men, regarding them as their
superiors, should set about sinning in like manner." As I spoke
thus, those present were evidently beginning to be well-disposed
towards the words spoken by me; for they repeatedly and
earnestly asked me to come on the following day, and departed.

HOMILY V.

Chap. i. — Appion does not appear.
HE next day, therefore, in Tyre, as we had agreed,

I came to the quiet place, and there I found the
rest, with some others also. Then I saluted them.
But as I did not see Appion, I asked the reason
of his not being present; and some one said that he had
been unwell ever since last evening. Then, when I said that
it was reasonable that we should immediately set out to visit
him, almost all begged me first to discourse to them, and that
then we could go to see him. Therefore, as all were of one
opinion, I proceeded to say :

Chap. ii. — Clements previous hioivledge of Appion,

"Yesterday, when I left this, O friends, I confess that,
through much anxiety about the discussion that was to take
place with Appion, I was not able to get any sleep. And
while I was unable to sleep, I remembered a trick that I
played upon him in Rome. It was this. From my boy-
hood I Clement was a lover of truth, and a seeker of the
things that are profitable for the soul, and spending my
time in raising and refuting theories ; but being unable
to find anything perfect, through distress of mind I fell
sick. And while I w^as confined to bed Appion came to
Kome, and being my father's friend, he lodged with me ;
and hearing that I was in bed, he came to me, as being not
unacquainted with medicine, and inquired the cause of my
being in bed. But I, being aware that the man exceedingly
hated the Jews, as also that he had written many books
against them, and that he had formed a friendship with this

101

102 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Simon, not tlirougli desire of learning, but because he knew
that he was a Samaritan and a hater of the Jews, and that
he had come forth in opposition to the Jews, therefore he
had formed an alliance with him, that he might learn some-
thing from him against the Jews ; —

Chap. hi. — Clements inch

" I, knowing this before concerning Appion, as soon as he
asked me the cause of my sickness, answered feignedly, that
I was suffering and distressed in my mind after the manner
of young men. And to this he said, ^ My son, speak freely
as to a father: what is your soul's ailment?' And when I
again groaned feignedly, as being ashamed to speak of love,
by means of silence and down-looking I conveyed the im-
pression of wdiat I wished to intimate. But he, being per-
suaded that I w^as in love with a woman, said : ' There is
nothing in life which does not admit of help. For indeed
I myself, when I was young, being in love with a most
accomplished woman, not only thought it impossible to ob-
tain her, but did not even hope ever to address her. And
yet, having fallen in with a certain Egj'ptian who was
exceedingly well versed in magic, and having become his
friend, I disclosed to him my love, and not only did he
assist me in all that I wished, but, honouring me more
bountifully, he hesitated not to teach me an incantation by
means of which I obtained her ; and as soon as I had
obtained her, by means of his secret instruction, being per-
suaded by the liberality of my teacher, I was cured of love.

Chap. iv. — Appion s undertaking,

"'Whence, if you also suffer any such thing after the
manner of men, use freedom with me witli all security ; for
within seven days I shall put you fully in possession of her.'
When I heard this, looking at the object I had in view,
I said : ' Pardon me that I do not altogether believe in the
existence of magic ; for I have already tried many who have
made many promises, and have deceived me. However,
your undertaking influences me, and leads me to hope. But

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 103

when I think of the matter, I am afraid that the demons
are somethnes not subject to the magicians with respect to
the things that are commanded them.'

Chap. v. — Theory of magic.

" Then Appion said : ^ Admit that I know more of these
things than you do. However, that you may not think
that there is nothing in what you have heard from me in
reference to what you have said, I will tell you how the
demons are under ne-^essity to obey the magicians in the
matters about which they are commanded. For as it is
impossible for a soldier to contradict his general, and im-
possible for the generals themselves to disobey the king —
for if any one oppose those set over him, he is altogether
deserving of punishment — so it is impossible for the demons
not to serve the angels who are their generals ; and when they
are adjured by them, they yield trembling, well knowing that
if they disobey they shall be fully punished. But the angels
also themselves, being adjured by the magicians in the name
of their ruler, obey, lest, being found guilty of disobedience,
they be destroyed. For unless all things that are living and
rational foresaw vengeance from the ruler, confusion would
ensue, all revolting against one another.'

Chap. vi. — Scruples.

'' Then said I : ^ Are those things correct, then, which are
spoken by poets and philosophers, that in Hades the souls of
the wicked are judged and punished for their attempts ; such
as those of Ixion, and Tantalus, and Tityus, and Sisyphus,
and the daughters of Danaus, and as many others as have
been impious here ? And how, if these things are not so, is
it possible that magic can subsist?' Then he having told me
that these things are so in Hades, I asked him : ' Why are not
we ourselves afraid of magic, being persuaded of the punish-
ment in Hades for adultery ? For I do not admit that it is a
righteous thing to compel to adultery a woman who is unwil-
ling ; but if any one will engage to persuade her, I am ready
for that, besides confessing my thanks.'

104 THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. vii. — A distinction with a difference,

" Then Appion said: ^ Do you not think it is the same thinpf,
whether you obtain her by magic, or by deceiving her with
words ? ' Then said I : ' Not altoo-ether the same : for these
differ widely from one another. For he who constrains an
unwilling woman by the force of magic, subjects himself to
the most terrible punishment, as having plotted against a
chaste woman ; but he who persuades her with words, and
puts the choice in her own power and will, does not force
her. And I am of opinion, that he who has persuaded [a
woman] will not suffer so great punishment as he who has
forced her. Therefore, if you can persuade her, I shall be
thankful to you when I have obtained her ; but otherwise, I
had rather die than force her against her will.'

Chap. viii. — Flattery or nia.fjic.

'^Then Appion, being really puzzled, said: ^What am I to
say to you? For at one time, as one perturbed with love,
you pray to obtain her ; and anon, as if you loved her not, you
make more account of your fear than your desire : and you
think that if you can persuade her you shall be blameless, as
without sin ; but obtaining her by the power of magic, you will
incur punishment. But do you not know that it is the end
of every action that is judged, the fact that it has been com-
mitted, and that no account is made of the means by whicli
it has been effected? And if you commit adultery, being
enabled by magic, shall you be judged as having done
wickedly ; and if by persuasion, shall you be absolved from
sin in respect of the adultery ?' Then I said : * On account of
my love, there is a necessity for me to choose one or other of
the means that are available to procure the object of my love;
and I shall choose, as far as possible, to cajole her rather
than to use magic. But neither is it easy to persuade her by
flattery, for the woman is very much of a pliilosopher.'

Chap. ix. — A love-letter,
" Then Appion said : ' I am all the more hopeful to be able

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 105

to persuade her, as you wish, provided only we be able to
converse with her.' ' That/ said I, ^ is impossible.' Then
Appion asked if it were possible to send a letter to her.
Then I said : * That indeed may be done.' Then Appion
said : ' This very night I shall write a paper on encomiums of
adultery, which you shall get from me and despatch to her;
and I hope that she shall be persuaded, and consent.' Appion
accordingly wrote the paper, and gave it to me; audi thought
of it this very night, and I remembered that fortunately I
have it by me, along w'th other papers which I carry about
with me." Having thus spoken, I showed the paper to those
who were present, and read it to them as they wished to hear
it; and having read it, I said: ''This, O men, is the instruc-
tion of the Greeks, affording a bountiful licence to sin with-
out fear. The paper w^as as follows :

Chap. x. — The lover to tlie beloved one.

'•' Anonymously, on account of the laws of foolish men.
At the bidding of Love, the first-born of all, salutation : I
know that you are devoted to philosophy, and for the sake of
virtue you affect the life of the noble. But who are nobler
then the gods among all, and philosophers among men ?
For these alone know what works are good or evil by nature,
and what, not being so, are accounted so by the imposition of
laws. Now, then, some have supposed that the action which
is called adultery is evil, although it is in every respect good.
For it is by the appointment of Eros for the increase of life.
And Eros is the eldest of all the gods. For without Eros
there can be no mingling or generation either of elements, or
gods, or men, or irrational animals, or aught else. For we
are all instruments of Eros. He, by means of us, is the
fabricator of all that is begotten, the mind inhabiting our
souls. Hence it is not when we ourselves wish it, but when
we are ordered by him, that we desire to do his will. But if,
while we desire according to his will, we attempt to restrain
the desire for the sake of what is called chastity, what do we
do but the greatest impiety, when we oppose the oldest of all
gods and men ?

106 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xi. — " All undeanness with greediness. ^"^

" ^ But let all doors be opened to him, and let all baneful
and arbitrary laws be set aside, wliicli have been ordained by
fanatical men, who, under the power of senselessness, and
not willing to understand what is reasonable, and, moreover,
suspecting those wdio are called adulterers, are with good
reason mocked with arbitrary laws by Zeus himself, through
Minos and Rhadamanthus. For there is no restraining of
Eros dwelling in our souls ; for the passion of lovers is not
voluntary. Therefore Zeus himself, the giver of these laws,
approached myriads of women ; and, according to some wise
men, he sometimes had intercourse with human beings, as a
benefactor for the production of children. But in the case of
those to whom he knew^ that his beino; unknown would be a
favour,^ he changed his form, in order that he might neither
grieve them, nor seem to act in opposition to the laws given
by himself. It becomes you, therefore, who are debaters of
philosophy, for the sake of a good life, to imitate those who
are acknowledged to be the nobler, who have had sexual
intercourse ten thousand times.

Chap. xii. — Jupiter s amours,

" ' And not to spend the time to no purpose in giving more
examples, I shall begin with mentioning some embraces of
Zeus himself, the father of gods and men. For it is im-
possible to mention all, on account of their multitude. Hear,
therefore, the amours of this great Jupiter, which he con-
cealed by changing his form, on account of the fanaticism
of senseless men. For, in the first place, wishing to show
to wise men that adultery is no sin, when he was going to
marry, being, according to the multitude, knowingly an
adulterer, in his first marriage, but not being so in reality,
by means, as I said, of a seeming sin he accomplished a sin-
less marriage." For he married his own sister Hera, assum-

^ TVe have adopted the punctuation of AYiesclcr.

* I have no doubt that this is the general meaning ; but the text is
hopelessly corrupt.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 107

ing the likeness of a cuckoo's wing ; and of her were born
Hebe and Ilithyia. For he gave birth to Metis without copu-
lation with any one, as did also Hera to Vulcan.

Chap. xiii. — Jupiter'' s amours continued,

" ' Then he committed incest with his sister, who was born
of Kronos and Thalasse, after the dismemberment of Kronos,
and of whom were born Eros and Cypris, whom they call also
Dodone. Then, in the likeness of a satyr, he had intercourse
with Antiope the daughter of Nycteus, of whom were born
Amphion and Zethus. And he embraced Alcmene, the wife
of Amphitryon, in the form of her husband Amphitryon,
of whom was born Hercules. And, changed into an eagle,
he approached ^gina, the daughter of Asclepius, of whom
^acus was born. And in the form of a bear he lay with
Amalthea the daughter of Phocus ; and in a golden shower
he fell upon Danae, the daughter of Acrisius, of whom sprang
Perseus. He became wild as a lion to Callisto the daughter
of Lycaon, and begat Arcus the second. And with Europa
the daughter of Phoenix he had intercourse by means of a
bull, of whom sprang Minos, and Hhadamanthus, and Sar-
pedon ; and with Eurymedusa the daughter of Achelous,
changing himself into an ant, of whom was born Myrmidon.
With a nymph of Hersaeus, in the form of a vulture, from
whom sprang the wise men of old in Sicily. He came to
Juno the earth-born in Rhodes, and of her were born Pargseus,
Kronius, Kytis. And he deflowered Ossia, taking the like-
ness of her husband Phoenix, of whom Anchinous was born
to him. Of Nemesis the daughter of Thestius, who is also
thought to be Leda, he begot Helena, in the form of a swan
or goose; and again, in the form of a star, he produced Castor
and Polydeuces. With Lamia he was transformed into a
hoopoo.

Chap. xiv. — Jupiter s undisguised amours.

"^In the likeness of a shepherd he made Mnemosyne mother
of the Muses. Setting himself on fire, he married Semele,
the daughter of Cadmus, of whom he begat Dionysus. In

108 TEE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

the likeness of a drao;on he deflowered his daucrhter Per-
sephone, thought to be the wife of his brother Pluto. He
had intercourse with many other women without undergoing
any change in his form ; for the husbands had no ill-will to
him as if it were a sin, but knew well that in associating
with their wives he bountifully produced children for them,
bestowincr upon them the Hermeses, the Apollos, the Dionysi,
the Endymions, and others whom we have spoken of, most
excellent in beauty through his fatherhood.

Chap. xy. — Unnatural lusts.

" ' And not to spend the time in an endless exposition,
you will find numerous unions with Jupiter of all the gods.
But senseless men call these doings of the gods adulteries ;
even of those gods who did not refrain from the abuse of
males as disgraceful, but who practised even this as seemly.
For instance, Jupiter himself was in love with Ganymede ;
Poseidon with Pelops ; Apollo with Cinyras, Zacyinthus,
Hyacinthus, Phorbas, Hylas, Admetus, Cyparissus, Amyclas,
Troilus, Branchus the Tymnsean, Parus the Potnian, Orpheus;
Dionysus with Laonis, Ampelus, Hymxcngeus, Hermaphro-
dites, Achilles ; Asclepius with Hippolytus, and Hephaestus
with Peleus ; Pan with Daphnis ; Hermes with Perseus,
Chrysas, Theseus, Odrysus ; Hercules with Abderus, Dryops,
Jocastus, Philoctetes, Hylas, Polyphemus, Haemon, Chonus,
Eurystheus.

Chap. xvi. — Praise of unchastity,

" ' Thus have I in part set before you the amours of all the
more noted gods, beloved, that you may know that fanaticism
respecting this thing is confined to senseless men. There-
fore they are mortal, and spend their lives sadly, because
through their zeal they proclaim those things to be evil
which the gods esteem as excellent. Therefore for the
future you will be blessed, imitating the gods, and not men.
For men, seeing you preserving that which is thought to
be chastity, on account of what they themselves feel, praise

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 109

you indeed, but do not help you. But the gods, seeing you
like unto themselves, will both praise and help.

Chap. xvii. — The constellations.

" ^ For reckon to me how many mistresses they have re-
warded, some of whom they have placed among the stars ;
and of some they have blessed both the children and the asso-
ciates. Thus Zeus made Callisto a constellation, called the
Little Bear, which some also call the Dog's Tail. Poseidon also
placed the dolphin in the sky for the sake of Amphitrlte; and
he gave a place among the stars to Orion the son of Euryale,
the daughter of Minos, for the sake of his mother Euryale.
And Dionysus made a constellation of the crown of Ariadne,
and Zeus invested the eagle which assisted him in the rape
of Ganymede, and Ganymede himself with the honour of the
Water-pourer. Also he honoured the bull for the sake of
Europa ; and also having bestowed Castor, and Polydeuces,
and Helena upon Leda, he made them stars. Also Perseus
for the sake of Danae ; and Arcus for the sake of Callisto.
The virgin who also is Dice, for the sake of Themis ; and
Heracles for the sake of Alcmene. But I do not enlarge
further ; for it were long to tell particularly how many others
the gods have blessed for the sake of their many mistresses,
in their intercourse with human beings, which senseless men
repudiate as evil deeds, not knowing that pleasure is the great
advantaf^e amono^ men.

Chap, xviii. — The pldlosopliers advocates of adultery,

" ^ But why ? Do not the celebrated philosophers extol
pleasure, and have they not had intercourse with what women
they would ? Of these the first was that teacher of Greece,
of whom Phoebus himself said, " Of all men, Socrates is the
wisest." Does not he teach that in a well-regulated state
women should be common ? ^ and did he not conceal the fair
Alcibiades under his philosopher's gown ? And the Socratic
Antisthenes writes of the necessity of not abandoning what
is called adultery. And even his disciple Diogenes, did not
1 This from a marginal reading.

110 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

he freelj associate with Lais, for the hire of carrying her on
his shoulders in pubhc ? Does not Epicurus extol pleasure ?
Did not Aristippus anoint himself with perfumes, and devote
himself wholly to Aphrodite? Does not Zeno, intimating
indifference, say that the deity pervades all things, that it
may be known to the intelligent, that with whomsoever a man
has intercourse, it is as with himself ; and that it is super-
fluous to forbid what are called adulteries, or intercourse with
mother, or daughter, or sister, or children. And Chrysippus,
in his erotic epistles, makes mention of the statue in Argos,
representing Hera and Zeus in an obscene position.

Chap. xix. — Close of the love-letter.

" ^ I know that to those uninitiated in the truth these things
seem dreadful and most base ; but not so to the gods and the
philosophers of the Greeks, nor to those initiated in the
mysteries of Dionysus and Demeter. But above all these,
not to waste time in speaking of the lives of all the gods, and
all the philosophers, let the two chief be your marks — Zeus
the greatest of the gods, and Socrates of philosophic men.
And the other thmfrs which I have mentioned in this letter,
understand and attend to, that you may not grieve your
lover ; since, if you act contrarily to gods and heroes, you
will be judged wicked, and will subject yourself to fitting
punishment. But if you offer yourself to every lover, then,
as an imitator of the gods, you shall receive benefits from
them. For the rest, dearest one, remember what mysteries
I have disclosed to you, and inform me bj letter of your
choice. Fare thee well.'

Chap. xx. — The use made of it,

" I therefore, having received this billet from Appion, as
though I were really going to send it to a beloved one, pre-
tended as if she had written in answer to it ; and the next
day, when Appion came, I gave him the reply, as if from her,
as follows :

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. Ill

Chap. xxi. — Answer to Appioiis letter.

" ' I wonder how, when you commend me for wisdom, you
write to me as to a fool. For, wishing to persuade me to your
passion, you make use of examples from the mythologies of
the gods, that Eros is the eldest of all, as you sa}^, and above
all gods and men, not being afraid to [[blaspheme]], that you
might corrupt my soul and insult my body. For Eros is
not the leader of the gods, — he, I mean, who has to do with
lusts. For if he lusts willingly, he is himself his own suffer-
ing and punishment; and he who should suffer willingly could
not be a god. But if against his will he lust for copulation,
and, pervading our souls as through the members of our
bodies, is borne into intermeddling with our minds, then he
that impels him to love is greater than he. And again, he
who impels him, being himself impelled by another desire,
another greater than he is found impelling him. And thus
we come to an endless succession of lovers,^ which is im-
possible. Thus, neither is there an impeller nor an impelled ;
but it is the lustful passion of the lover himself, which is
increased by hope and diminished by despair.

Chap. xxii. — Lying fables,

" ' But those who will not subdue base lusts belie the gods,
that, by representing the gods as first doing the things which
they do, they may be set free from blame. For if those who
are called gods committed adulteries for the sake of begetting
children, and not through lasciviousness, why did they also
debauch males? But it is said they complimented their
mistresses by making them stars. Therefore before this were
there no stars, until such time as, by reason of wantonness^
the heaven was adorned with stars by adulterers ? And how
is it that the children of those who have been made stars are
punished in Hades, — Atlas loaded, Tantalus tortured with
thirst, Sisyphus pushing a stone, Tityus thrust through the
bowels, Ixion continually rolled round a wheel ? How is it
that these divine lovers made stars of the women whom they
defiled, but gave no such grace to these ?

^ I suspect it should rather be impellers, reading (pipoitrav for ipavray.

112 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap, xxiii. — The gods no gods,

^' ' They were not gods, then, but representations of tyrants.
For a certain tomb is shown among the Caucasian mountains,
not in heaven, but in earth, as that of Kronus, a barbarous
man and a devourer of children. Further, the tomb of the
lascivious Zeus, so famed in story, who in like manner de-
voured his own daughter Metis, is to be seen in Crete, and
those of Pluto and Poseidon in the Acherusian lake ; and that
of Helius in Astra, and of Selene in Carrse, of Hermes in
Hermopolis, of Ares in Thrace, of Aphrodite in Cyprus, of
Dionysus in Thebes, and of the rest in other places. At all
events, the tombs are shown of those that I have named : for
they were men, and in respect of these things, wicked men
and magicians. For else they should not have become despots
— I mean Zeus, renowned in story, and Dionysus — but that
by changing their forms they prevailed over whom they
pleased, for whatever pui'pose they designed.

Chap. xxiv. — If a principle he goody carry it out.

'* ^ But if we must emulate their lives, let us imitate not onlv
their adulteries, but also their banquets. For Kronus de-
voured his own children, and Zeus in like manner his own
daughter. And what must I say? Pelops served as a supper
for all the gods. Wherefore let us also, before unhal-
lowed marriages, perpetrate a supper like that of the gods ;
for thus the supper would be worthy of the marriages.
But this you would never consent to; no more will I to
adultery. Besides this, you threaten me with the anger of
Eros as of a powerful god. Eros is not a god, as I conceive
him, but a desire occurring from the temperament of the
livino- creature in order to the perpetuation of life, according
to the foresight of Him who worketh all things, that the
whole race may not fail, but by reason of pleasure another
may be produced out of the substance of one who shall die,
springing forth by lawful marriage, that he may know to
sustain his own father in old a^e. And this those born from
adultery cannot do, not having the nature of affection towards
those who have begotten them.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 113

Chap. xxv. — Better to marry than to hum,

" ^ Since, therefore, the erotic desire occurs for the sake of
continuation and legitimate increasing, as I have said, it be-
hoves parents providing for the chastity of their children to
anticipate the desire, by imbuing them with instruction by
means of chaste books, and to accustom them beforehand by
excellent discourses ; for custom is a second nature. And in
addition to this, frequently to remind them of the punish-
ments appointed by th'^ laws, that, using fear as a bridle,
they may not run on in wicked pleasures. And it behoves
them also, before the springing of the desire, to satisfy
the natural passion of puberty by marriage, first persuading
them not to look upon the beauty of another woman.

Chap. xxvi. — Close of the ansiver,

" ' For our mind, whenever it is impressed delightfully with
the image of a beloved one, always seeing the form as in a
mirror, is tormented by the recollection ; and if it do not
obtain its desire, it contrives ways of obtaining it ; but if it
do obtain it, it is rather increased, like fire having a supply
of wood, and especially when there is no fear impressed
upon the soul of the lover before the rise of passion. For
as water extinguishes fire, so fear is the extinguisher of un-
reasonable desire. Whence I, having learned from a cer-
tain Jew both to understand and to do the things that are
pleasing to God, am not to be entrapped into adultery by
your lying fables. But may God help you in your wish and
efforts to be chaste, and afford a remedy to your soul burning
with love.'

Chap, xxvii. — A reason for hatred,

" When Appion heard the pretended answer, he said : ^ Is it
without reason that I hate the Jews ? Here now some Jew
has fallen in with her, and has converted her to his religion,
and persuaded her to chastity, and it is henceforth impossible
that she ever have intercourse with another man ; for these
fellows, setting God before them as the universal inspector of

n

114 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

actions, are extremely persistent in chastity, as being unable
to be concealed from Him.'

Chap, xxviii. — The hoax confessed.

" When I heard this, I said to Appion : ' Now I shall confess
the truth to you. I was not enamoured of the woman, or of
any one else, my soul being exceedingly spent upon other de-
sires, and upon the investigation of true doctrines. And till
now, although I have examined many doctrines of philosophers,
I have inclined to none of them, excepting only that of the
Jews, — a certain merchant of theirs having sojourned here in
Eome, sellincj linen clothes, and a fortunate meetinrj havins
set simply before me the doctrine of the unity of God.'

Chap. xxix. — Appion s resentment.

" Then Appion, having heard from me the truth, with his
unreasonable hatred of the Jews, and neither knowing nor
wishing to know what their faith is, being senselessly angry,
forthwith quitted Eome in silence. And as this is my first
meeting with him since then, I naturally expect his anger in
consequence. However, I shall ask him in your presence
what he has to say concerning those who are called gods,
whose lives, fabled to be filled with all passions, are constantly
celebrated to the people, in order to their imitation ; while,
besides their human passions, as I have said, their graves are
also shown in different places."

Chap. xxx. — A discussion promised.

The others having heard these things from me, and de-
siring to learn what would ensue, accompanied me to visit
Appion. And we found him bathed, and sitting at a table
furnished. Wherefore we inquired but little into the matter
concerning the gods. But he, understanding, I suppose, our
wish, promised that next day he would have something to
say about the gods, and appointed to us the same place where
he would converse with us. And we, as soon as he had pro-
mised, thanked him, and departed, each one to his home.

HOMILY. VI.

Chap. i. — Clement meets Appion,

|ND on the third day, when I came with my friends
to the appointed place in Tyre, I found Appion
sitting between Anubion and Athenodorus, and
waiting for us, along with many other learned
men. But in no wise dismayed, I greeted them, and sat
down opposite Appion. And in a little he began to speak :

" I wish to start from the following point, and to come
with all speed at once to the question. Before you, my son
Clement, joined us, my friend Anubion here, and Atheno-
dorus, who yesterday were among those who heard you
discourse, were reporting to me what you said of the nume-
rous false accusations I brought against the gods when I
was visiting you in Rome, at the time you were shamming
love, how I charged them with paederasty, lasciviousness,
and numerous incests of all kinds. But, my son, you ought
to have known that I was not in earnest when I wrote such
things about the gods, but was concealing the truth, from
my love to you. That truth, however, if it so please you,
you may hear from me now.

Chap. ii. — The myths are not to be taken literally,

'' The wisest of the ancients, men who had by hard labour
learned all truth, kept the path of knowledge hid from those
who were unworthy and had no taste for lessons in divine
things. For it is not really true that from Ouranos and his
mother Ge were born twelve children, as the myth counts
them : six sons, Okeanos, Koios, Krios, Hyperion, Japetos,
Kronos ; and six daughters, Thea, Themis, Mnemosyne, De-
lia

116 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

meter, Tethys, and Rhea. Xor that Kronos, with the knife of
adamant, mutilated his father Ouranos, as you say, and threw
the part into the sea ; nor that Aphrodite sprang from the
drops of blood which flowed from it ; nor that Kronos asso-
ciated with Rhea, and devoured his first-begotten son Pluto,
because a certain savincp of Prometheus led him to fear that
a child born from him would wax stronger than himself, and
spoil him of his kingdom ; nor that he devoured in the same
way Poseidon, his second child ; nor that, when Zeus was
born next, his mother Rhea concealed him, and when Kronos
asked for him that he might devour him, gave him a stone
instead ; nor that this, when it was devoured, pressed those
who had been previously devoured, and forced them out, so
that Pluto, who was devoured first, came out first, and after
him Poseidon, and then Zeus ;^ nor that Zeus, as the story
goes, preserved by the wit of his mother, ascended into
heaven, and spoiled his father of the kingdom ; nor that he
punished his father's brothers ; nor that he came down to
lust after mortal women ; nor tliat he associated with his
sisters, and daughters, and sisters-in-law, and was guilty of
shameful paederasty ; nor that he devoured his daughter
Metis, in order that from her he micrht make Athene be born
out of his own brain (and from his thigh might bear Dio-
nysos,^ who is said to have been rent in pieces by the Titans) ;
nor that he held a feast at the marriage of Peleus and Thetis ;
nor that he excluded Eris (discord) from the marriage ; nor
that Eris on her part, thus dishonoured, contrived an occa-
sion of quarrelling and discord among the feasters : nor that
she took a golden apple from the gardens of the Hesperides,
and wrote on it ' For the fair.' And then they fable how
Hera, and Athena, and Aphrodite, found the apple, and
quarrelling about it, came to Zeus ; and he did not decide it
for them, but sent them by Hermes to the shepherd Paris, to

^ The passage seems to be corrupt.

- The common story about Dionysus is, that he ^vas the unborn son,
not of Metis, but of Semele. Wieseler supposes that some words have
fallen out, or that the latter part of the sentence is a careless interpo-
lation.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 117

be judged of tlieir beauty. But there was no sucli judging
of the goddesses ; nor did Paris give the apple to Aphrodite ;
nor did Aphrodite, being thus honoured, honour him in return,
by giving him Helen to wife. For the honour bestowed by
the goddess could never have furnished a pretext for a uni-
versal war, and that to the ruin of him who was honoured,
himself nearly related to the race of Aphrodite. But, my
son, as I said, such stories have a peculiar and philosophical
meaning, which can be allegorically set forth in such a way
that you yourself would listen with wonder." And I said,
" I beseech you not to torment me with delay." And he said,
" Do not be afraid ; for I shall lose no time, but commence
at once.

Chap. hi. — Appion proceeds to interpret the myths.

" There was once a time when nothing existed but chaos
and a confused mixture of orderless elements, which were as
yet simply heaped together. This nature testifies, and great
men have been of opinion that it was so. Of these great
men I shall bring forward to you him who excelled them all
in wisdom, Homer, where he says, with a reference to the
original confused mass, ' But may you all become water and
earth ; ' ^ implying that from these all things had their origin,
and that all things return to their first state, which is chaos,
when the watery and earthy subtances are separated. And
Hesiod in the Tlieogony says, ' Assuredly chaos was the very
first to come into being.' ^ Now, by ' come into being,' he
evidently means that chaos came into being, as having a
beginning, and did not always exist, without beginning.
And Orpheus likens chaos to an egg, in which was the con-
fused mixture of the primordial elements. This chaos, which
Orpheus calls an Qgg, is taken for granted by Hesiod, having
a beginning, produced from infinite matter, and originated in
the following way.

Chap. iv. — Origin of chaos.

^' This matter, of four kinds, and endowed with life, was
1 Iliad, vii. 99. 2 l. 116.

118 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

an entire infinite abyss, so to speak, in eternal stream, borne
about without order, and forming every now and then count-
less but ineffectual combinations (^Yhich therefore it dis-
solved again from want of order) ; ripe indeed, but not able
to be bound so as to generate a living creature. And once
it chanced that this infinite sea, which was thus by its own
nature driven about with a natural motion, flowed in an
orderly manner from the same to the same (back on itself),
like a whirlpool, mixing the substances in such a way that
from each -^ there flowed down the middle of the universe (as
in the funnel of a mould) precisely that which was most use-
ful and suitable for the generation of a living creature. This
was carried down by the all-carrying whirlpool, drew to itself
the surrounding spirit, and having been so conceived that it
was very fertile, formed a separate substance. For just as a
bubble is usually formed in water, so everything round about
contributed to the conception of this ball-like globe. Then
there came forth to the light, after it had been conceived
in itself, and was borne upwards by the divine spirit which
surrounded it,^ perhaps the greatest thing ever born ; a piece
of workmanship, so to speak, having life in it which had been
conceived from that entire infinite abyss, in shape like an ^ggy
and as swift as a bird.

Chap. v. — Kronos and Rhea explained.

'' Now you must think of Kronos as time {chronos\ and
Rhea as the flowing (rheon) of the watery substance. For
the whole body of matter was borne about for some time,
before it brought forth, like an egg, the sphere-like, all-
embracing heaven {ouranos), which at first was full of pro-
ductive marrow, so that it was able to produce out of itself
elements and colours of all sorts, while from the one substance
and the one colour it produced all kinds of forms. For as a
peacock's egg seems to have only one colour, while poten-
tially it has in it all the colours of the animal that is to be,

1 This is the emendation of Davisius. The Greek has si dKovarov ; the
Latin, " mirum in raodum."' Wieseler suggests i'^uKouTiarou.

2 This is Wieseler's emendation for " received.''

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 119

so tins living egg, conceived out of infinite matter, v^^lien
set in motion by the underlying and ever-flowing matter, pro-
duces many different forms. For within the circumference
a certain living creature, which is both male and female, is
formed by the skill of the indwelling divine spirit. This
Orpheus calls Phanes, because when it appeared (phaneis)
the universe shone forth from it, with the lustre of that most
glorious of the elements, fire, perfected in moisture. Nor is
this incredible, since in glowworms nature gives us to see a
moist light.

Chap. vi. — Phanes and Pluto.

" This ^gg, then, which was the first substance, growing
somewhat hot, was broken by the living creature within, and
then there took shape and came forth something ; ^ such as
Orpheus also speaks of, where he says, ' when the capacious
egg was broken,' ^ etc. And so by the mighty power of that
which appeared (phaneis) and came forth, the globe attained
coherency, and maintained order, while it itself took its seat,
as it were, on the summit of heaven, there in ineffable mys-
tery diffusing light through endless ages. But the productive
matter left inside the globe, separated the substances of all
things. For first its lower part, just like dregs, sank down-
wards of its own weight ; and this they called Pluto from
its gravity, and weight, and great quantity (polu) of under-
lying matter, styling it the king of Hades and the dead.

Chap. vii. — Poseidon^ Zeus, and Metis.

" When, then, they say that this primordial substance,
although most filthy and rough, was devoured by Kronos,
that is, time, this is to be understood in a physical sense, as
meaning that it sank downwards. And the water which
flowed together after this first sediment, and floated on the

^ Wieseler corrects to " some such being," etc. ; and below, " of him
who appeared," etc. ; and " he took his seat."

2 The first word of this quotation gives no sense, and has been omitted
in the translation. Lobeck suggests " at its prime ; " Hermann, " Hera-
capeian ; " Duentzer, "ancient;" and Wieseler, "white."

120 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

surface of the first substance, they called Poseidon. And then
what remained, the purest and noblest of all, for it was trans-
lucent fire, they called Zeus, from its glowing (zeousa) nature.
Now since fire ascends, this was not swallowed, and made to
descend by time or Kronos ; but, as I said, the fiery substance,
since it has life in it, and naturally ascends, flew right up into
the air, which from its purity is very intelligent. By his own
proper heat, then, Zeus — that is, the glowing substance —
draws up what is left in the underlying moisture, to wit, that
very strong ^ and divine spirit which they called Metis.

Chap. viii. — Pallas and Hem.

" And this, when it had reached the summit of the aether,
was devoured by it (moisture being mixed with heat, so to
say) ; and causing in it that ceaseless palpitation, it begat
intelligence, which they call Pallas from this palpitating
(pallesthai). And this is artistic wisdom, by which the sethe-
rial artificer wrought out the whole world. And from all-
pervading Zeus, that is, from this very hot aether, air (aer)
extends all the way to our earth ; and this they call Hera.
Wherefore, because it has come below the aether, which is
the purest substance (just as a woman, as regards purity, is
inferior), when the two \Yere compared to see which was the
better, she was rightly regarded as the sister of Zeus, in
respect of her origin from the same substance, but as his
spouse, as being inferior like a wife.

Chap. ix. — Artemis.

" And Ilera we understand to be a happy tempering
of the atmosphere, and therefore she is very fruitful ; but
Athena, as they call Pallas, was reckoned a virgin, because
on account of the intense heat she could produce nothing.
And in a similar fashion Artemis is explained : for her they
take as the lowest depth of air, and so they called her a
viriiin, because she could not bear any thin o; on account of
the extreme cold. And that troubled and drunken com-
position which arises from the upper and lower vapours
^ The Paris MS. has " very fine."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 121

they called Dionysus, as troubling the intellect. And the
water under the earth, which is in nature indeed one, but
which flows through all the paths of earth, and is divided
into many parts, they called Osiris, as being cut in pieces.
And they understand Adonis as favourable seasons. Aphro-
dite as coition and generation, Demeter as the earth, the
Girl (Proserpine) as seeds; and Dionysus some understand as
the vine.

Chap. x. — All such stories are allegorical,

"And I must ask you to think of all such stories as embody-
ing some such allegory. Look on Apollo as the wandering
Sun (joeri-polon), a son of Zeus, who was also called Mithras,
as completing the period of a year. And these said transfor-
mations of the all-pervading Zeus must be regarded as the
numerous changes of the seasons, while his numberless wives
you must understand to be years, or generations. For the
power which proceeds from the sether and passes through the
air unites with all the years and generations in turn, and
continually varies them, and so produces or destroys the
crops. And ripe fruits are called his children, the barrenness
of some seasons being referred to unlawful unions."

Chap. xi. — Clement has heard all this before»

While Appion was allegorizing in this way, I became
plunged in thought, and seemed not to be following what he
was saying. So he interrupted his discourse, and said to me,
" If you do not follow what I am saying, why should I speak
at all?" And I answered, "Do not suppose that I do not
understand what you say. I understand it thoroughly ; and
that the more that this is not the first time I have heard it.
And that you may know that I am not ignorant of these
things, I shall epitomize what you have said, and supply in
their order, as I have heard them from others, the allegorical
interpretations of those stories you have omitted." And
Appion said : " Do so."

122 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xii. — Epitome of Appion^s explanation.

And I answered : " I shall not at present speak particu-
larly of that living Qgg^ which was conceived by a happy
combination out of infinite matter, and from which, when
it was broken, the masculo-feminine Phanes leaped forth, as
some say. I say little about all that, up to the point when
this broken globe attained coherency, there being left in it
some of its marrow-like matter ; and I shall briefly run over
the description of what took place in it by the agency of this
matter, with all that followed. For from Kronos and Rhea
were born, as you say — that is, by time and matter — first
Pluto, who represents the sediment which settled down ; and
then Poseidon, the liquid substance in the middle,-^ which
floated over the heavier body below ; and the third child —
that is, Zeus — is the aether, and is highest of all. It was
not devoured ; but as it is a fiery power, and naturally
ascends, it flew up as with a bound to the very highest aether.

Chap. xiii. — Kronos and Aphrodite,

" And the bonds of Kronos are the binding together of
heaven and earth, as I have heard others allegorizing ; and
his mutilation is the separation and parting of the elements ;
for they all were severed and separated, according to their
respective natures, that each kind might be arranged by
itself. And time no longer begets anything ; but the things
which have been begotten of it, by a law of nature, produce
their successors. And the Aphrodite who emerged from the
sea is the fruitful substance which arises out of moisture,
with which the warm spirit mixing, causes that sexual desire,
and perfects the beauty of the world.

Chap. xiv. — Peleus and TJietis^ Prometheus^ AchilleSy
and Polyxena.

'' And the marriage banquet, at which Zeus held the feast
on the occasion of the marriage of the Nereid Thetis and
the beautiful Peleus, has in it this allegory, — that you may
^ This is "Wieseler's conjecture.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 123

know, Applon, that you are not the only one from whom I
have heard this sort of thing. Tlie banquet, then, is the
world, and the twelve are these heavenly props of the Fates,^
called the Zodiac. Prometheus is foresight (^prometheia), by
which all things arose : Peleus is clay (pelos)^ namely, that
which was collected'^ from the earth and mixed with Nereis,
or water, to produce man ; and from the mixing of the two,
i.e. water and earth, the first offspring was not begotten, but
fashioned complete, and called Achilles, because he never
put his lips (clieile) to the breast.^ Still in the bloom of life,
he is slain by an arrow while desiring to have Polyxena,
that is, something other than the truth, and foreign (xene) to
it, death stealing on him through a wound in his foot.

Chap. xv. — The judgment of Paris.

"Then Hera, and Athena, and Aphrodite, and Eris, and
the apple, and Hermes, and the judgment, and the shepherd,
have some such hidden meaning as the following : — Hera is
dignity ; Athena, manliness ; Aphrodite, pleasure ; Hermes,
language, which interprets (liermeneutiJws) thought ; the
shepherd Paris, unreasoned and brutish passion. Now if,
in the prime of life, reason, that shepherd of the soul, is
brutish, does not regard its own advantage, will have nothing
to do with manliness and temperance, chooses only pleasure,
and gives the prize to lust alone, bargaining that it is to
receive in return from lust what may delight it, — he who
thus judges incorrectly will choose pleasure to his own de-
struction and that of his friends. And Eris is jealous spite ;
and the golden apples of the Hesperides are perhaps riches,
by which occasionally even temperate persons like Hera are
seduced, and manly ones like Athena are made jealous, so
that they do things which do not become them, and the

^ The Latin takes "moira" in the sense of "district," and translates,
" these props of the districts of the sky."

2 This is Wieseler's conjecture for the reading of the mss., " con-
trived."

^ This is Schwegler's restoration of the passage. Davisius proposes,
" He is in the bloom of hfe, at which tune if any one desires," etc.

124 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

soul's beauty like Aphrodite is destroyed under the guise
of refinement. To speak briefly, in all men riches provoke
evil discord.

Chap. xvi. — Hercules.

^^ And Hercules, who slew the serpent which led and
guarded riches, is the true philosophical reason which, free
from all wickedness, wanders all over the world, visiting
the souls of men, and chastising all it meets, — namely, men
like fierce lions, or timid stags, or savage boars, or multi-
form hydras ; and so with all the other fabled labours of
Hercules, they all have a hidden reference to moral valour.
But these instances must suffice, for all our time would be
insufficient if we were to go over each one.

Chap. xvii. — They are hlameioorthy who invented such stories.

" Now, since these things can be clearly, profitably, and
without prejudice to piety, set forth in an open and straight-
forward manner, I wonder you call those men sensible and
wise who concealed them under crooked riddles, and overlaid
them with filthy stories, and thus, as if impelled by an evil
spirit, deceived almost all men. For either these things are
not riddles, but real crimes of the gods, in which case they
should not have been exposed to contempt, nor should these
their deeds have been set before men at all as models ; or
things falsely attributed to the gods Avere set forth in an alle-
gory, and then, Appion, they whom you call wise erred, in
that, by concealing under unworthy stories things in them-
selves worthy, they led men to sin, and that not without
dishonouring those whom they believed to be gods.

Chap, xviii. — The same.

" Wherefore do not suppose that they were wise men, but
rather evil spirits, who could cover honourable actions with
wicked stories, in order that they who wish to imitate their
betters may emulate these deeds of so-called gods, which
yesterday in my discourse I spoke so freely of, — -namely,
their parricides, their murders of their children, their incests

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 125

of all kinds, tlieir shameless adulteries and countless im-
purities. The most impious of them are tliose who wish
these stories to be believed, in order that they may not be
ashamed when they do the like. If they had been disposed
to act reverently, they ought, as I said a little ago, even if
the gods really did the things which are sung of them, to
have veiled their indecencies under more seemly stories, and
not, on the contrary, as you say they did, when the deeds
of the gods were honourable, clothed them in wicked and
indecent forms, which, 3ven when interpreted, can only be
understood by much labour; and when they were under-
stood by some, they indeed got for their much toil the
privilege of not being deceived, which they might have had
without the toil, while they who were deceived were utterly
ruined. (Those, however, who trace the allegories to a more
honourable source I do not object to ; as, for instance, those
who explain one allegory by saying that it was wisdom which
sprang from the head of Zeus.) On the whole, it seems to
me more probable that wicked men, robbing the gods of their
honour, ventured to promulgate these insulting stories.

Chap. xix. — None of these allegories are consistent.

" Nor do we find the poetical allegory about any of the gods
consistent with itself. To go no further than the fashioning
of the universe, the poets now say that nature was the first
cause of the whole creation, now that it was mind. For, say
they, the first moving and mixing of the elements came from
nature, but it was the foresight of mind which arranged them
in order. Even when they assert that it was nature which
fashioned the universe, being unable absolutely to demon-
strate this on account of the traces of desim in the work,
they inweave the foresight of mind in such a way that they
are able to entrap even the wisest. But we say to them : If
the world arose from self-moved nature, how did it ever take
proportion and shape, which cannot come but from a super-
intending wisdom, and can be comprehended only by know-
ledge, which alone can trace such things ? If, on the other
hand, it is by wisdom that all things subsist and maintain

126 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

order, how can it be that those things arose from self-moved
chance ?

Chap. xx. — These gods were really wiched magicians.

" Then those who chose to make dishonourable allegories of
divine things — as, for instance, that Metis was devoured by
Zeus — have fallen into a dilemma, because they did not see
that they who in these stories about the gods indirectly taught
physics, denied the very existence of the gods, resolving all
kinds of gods into mere allegorical representations of the various
substances of the universe. And so it is more likely that the
gods these persons celebrate were some sort of wicked magi-
cians, who were in reality wicked men, but by magic assumed
different shapes, committed adulteries, and took away life,
and thus to the men of old who did not understand masjic
seemed to be gods by the things they did ; and the bodies and
tombs of these men are to be seen in many towns.

Chap. xxi. — Tlieir graves are still to be seen,

'' For instance, as I have mentioned already, in the Cauca-
sian mountains there is shown the tomb of a certain Kronos, a
man, and a fierce monarch who slew his children. And the
son of this man, called Zeus, became worse [than his father] ;
and having by the power of magic been declared ruler of the
universe, he committed many adulteries, and inflicted punish-
ment on his father and uncles, and so died ; and the Cretans
show his tomb. And in Mesopotamia there lie buried a cer-
tain Helios at Atir, and a certain Selene at Carrhse. A
certain Hermes, a man, lies buried in Egypt; Ares in Thrace;
Aphrodite in Cyprus ; JEsculapius in Epidaurus ; and the
tombs of many other such persons are to be seen.

Chap. xxii. — Tlieir contemporaries, therefore^ did not look on

them as gods,

" Thus, to right thinking men, it is clear that they were
admitted to be mortals. And their contemporaries, knowing
that they were mortal, when they died paid them no more
heed ; and it was leno-th of time which clothed them with

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. Ul

the glory of gods. Nor need you wonder that they who
lived in the times of ^sculapius and Hercules were deceived,
or the contemporaries of Dionysus or any other of the men
of that time, when even Hector in Ilium, and Achilles in
the island of Leuce, are worshipped by the inhabitants of
those places ; and the Opuntines worship Patroclus, and the
Rhodians Alexander of Macedon.

Chap, xxiii. — The Egyptians fay divine Jionours to a man.

"Moreover, among the Egyptians even to the present day,
a man is worshipped as a god before his death. And this
truly is a small impiety, that the Egyptians give divine
honours to a man in his lifetime ; but what is of all things
most absurd is, that they worship birds and creeping things,
and all kinds of beasts. For the mass of men neither think
nor do anything with discretion. But look, I pray you, at
what is most disgraceful of all : he who is with them the
father of gods and men is said by them to have had inter-
course with Leda ; and many of them set up in public a
painting of this, writing above it the name Zeus. To punish
this insult, I could wish that they would paint their own pre-
sent king in such base embraces as they have dared to do
with Zeus, and set it up in public, that from the anger of a
temporary monarch, and him a mortal, they might learn to
render honour where it is due. This I say to you, not as
myself already knowing the true God ; but I am happy to
say that even if I do not know who is God, I think I at least
know clearly what God is.

Chap. xxiv. — What is not God.

" And first, then, the four original elements cannot be God,
because they have a cause. Nor can that mixing be God,
nor that compounding, nor that generating, nor that globe
which surrounds the visible universe ; nor the dregs which
flow together in Hades, nor the water which floats over them ;
nor the fiery substance, nor the air which extends from it to
our earth. For the four elements, if they lay outside one
another, could not have been mixed together so as to gene-

128 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

rate animal life without some great artificer. If they have
always been united, even in this case they are fitted together
by an artistic mind to what is requisite for the limbs and
parts of animals, that they may be able to preserve their
respective proportions, may have a clearly defined shape, and
that all the inward parts may attain the fitting coherency.
In the same way also the positions suitable for each are de-
termined, and that very beautifully, by the artificer mind.
To be brief, in all other things which a livincj creature must
have, this great being of the world is in no respect wanting.

Chap. xxv. — The universe is the product of mind,

'^ Thus we are shut up to the supposition that there is an
unbe2;otten artificer, who brought the elements toirether, if
they were separate ; or, if they were together, artistically
blended them so as to generate life, and perfected from all
one work. For it cannot be that a work which is completely
wise can be made without a mind which is greater than it.
Nor will it do to say that love is the artificer of all things, or
desire, or power, or any such thing. All these are liable to
change, and transient in their very nature. Nor can that be
God which is moved by another, much less what is altered
by time and nature, and can be annihilated."

Chap. xxvi. — Peter arrives from Ccesarea.

While I was saying these things to Appion, Peter drew
near from Csesarea, and in Tyre the people were flocking
together, hurrying to meet him and unite in an expression
of gratification at his visit. And Appion withdrew, accom-
panied by Anubion and Athenodorus only ; but the rest of
us hurried to meet Peter, and I was the first to greet him at
the gate, and I led him towards the inn. When w^e ar-
rived, we dismissed the people ; and when he deigned to ask
what had taken place, I concealed nothing, but told him of
Simon's slanders, and the monstrous shapes he had taken,
and all the diseases he had sent after the sacrificial feast,
and that some of the sick persons were still there in Tyre,
while others had gone on with Simon to Sidon just as I

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 129

arrived, hoping to be cured by him, but that I had heard
that none of them had been cured by him. I also told
Peter of the controversy I had had with Appion ; and he,
from his love to me, and desiring to encourage me, praised
and blessed me. Then, having supped, he betook himself
to the rest the fatigues of his journey rendered so necessary.

HOMILY YIL

Chap. i. — Peter addresses the 'people.

IND on the fourth dav of our stay in Tyre, Peter
went out about daybreak, and there met him not
a few of the dwellers round about, with very
many of the inhabitants of Tyre itself, who cried
out, and said, " God through you have mercy upon us, God
through you heal us ! " And Peter stood on a high stone,
that all might see him ; and having greeted them in a godly
manner, thus began ;

Chap. ii. — Reason of Simoris poioer.

^^ God, who created the heavens and the whole universe,
does not want occasion for the salvation of those who would
be saved. Wherefore let no one, in seeming evils, rashly
charge Him with unkindness to man. For men do not know
the issue of those things which happen to them, nay, suspect
that the result will be evil ; but God knows that they will
turn out well. So is it in the case of Simon. He is a
power of the left hand of God, and has authority to do
harm to those who know not God, so that he has been able
to involve you in diseases ; but by these very diseases, which
have been permitted to come upon you by the good provi-
dence of God, you, seeking and finding him who is able to
cure, have been compelled to submit to the will of God on
the occasion of the cure of the body, and to think of believ-
ing, in order that in this way you may have your souls as
well as your bodies in a healthy state.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 131

Chap. hi. — The remedy,

" Now I have been told, that after he had sacrificed an ox
he feasted you in the middle of the forum, and that you, being
carried away with much wine, made friends with not only the
evil demons, but their prince also, and that in this way the most
of you were seized by these sicknesses, unwittingly drawing
upon yourselves with your own hands the sword of destruc-
tion. For the demons would never have had power over you,
had not you first supped with their prince. For thus from
the beginning was a law laid by God, the Creator of all
things, on each of the two princes, him of the right hand and
him of the left, that neither should have power over any one
whom they might wish to benefit or to hurt, unless first he
had sat down at the same table with them. As, then, when
you partook of meat offered to idols, you became servants to
the prince of evil, in like manner, if you cease from these
things, and flee for refuge to God through the good Prince
of His right hand, honouring Him w^ithout sacrifices, by doing
whatsoever He wills, know of a truth that not only will your
bodies be healed, but your souls also will become healthy.
For He only, destroying with His left hand, can quicken with
His right ; He only can both smite and raise the fallen.

Chap. iv. — The golden rule,

*^ Wherefore, as then ye were deceived by the forerunner
Simon, and so became dead in your souls to God, and were
smitten in your bodies ; so now, if you repent, as I said, and
submit to those things which are well-pleasing to God, you
may get new strength to your bodies, and recover your soul's
health. And the things which are well-pleasing to God are
these : to pray to Him, to ask from Him, recognising that
He is the giver of all things, and gives with discriminating
law ; to abstain from the table of devils, not to taste dead
flesh, not to touch blood ; to be washed from all pollution ; and
the rest in one word, — as the God-fearing Jews have heard,

132 THE CLEMENTIXE HOMILIES.

do you also hear, and be of one mind in many bodies ; let each
man be minded to do to his neighbour those good things he
wishes for himself. And you may all find out what is good,
by holding some such conversation as the following with
yourselves : You would not like to be murdered ; do not
murder another man : you would not like your wife to be
seduced by another ; do not you commit adultery : you would
not like any of your things to be stolen from you ; steal
nothing from another. And so understanding by yourselves
what is reasonable, and doing it, you will become dear to
God, and will obtain healing ; otherwise in the life which now
is your bodies will be tormented, and in that which is to come
your souls will be punished."

Chap. v. — Peter departs for Sidon,

After Peter had spent a few days in teaching them in this
way, and in healing them, they were baptized. And after
that,^ all sat down together in the market-places in sackcloth
and ashes, grieving because of his other w^ondrous works, and
repenting their former sins. And when they of Sidon heard it,
they did likewise, and sent to beseech Peter, since they could
not come themselves for their diseases. And Peter did not
spend many days in Tyre ; but when he had instructed all its
inhabitants, and freed them from all manners of diseases,
and had founded a church, and set over it as bishop one of
the elders who w^ere with him, he departed for Sidon. But
when Simon heard that Peter was coming, he straightway
fled to Beyrout with Appion and his friends.

Chap. vi. — Peter in Sidon.

And as Peter entered Sidon, they brought many in couches,
and laid them before him. And he said to them : " Think
not, I pray you, that I can do anything to heal you, who

^ We have adopted Wieseler's emendation. The text may be trans-
lated thus : " And after that, among his other -wondrous deeds, all the
rest (who had not been baptized) sat down," etc.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 133

am a mortal man, myself subject to many evils. But I
shall not refuse to show you the way in which you must be
saved. For I have learned from the Prophet of truth the
conditions fore-ordained of God before the foundation of the
world ; that is to say, the evil deeds which if men do He has
ordained that they shall be injured by the prince of evil, and
in like manner the good deeds for which He has decreed
that they who have believed in Him as their Physician shall
have their bodies made whole, and their souls established in
safety.

Chap. vii. — The two paths,

" Knowing, then, these good and evil deeds, I make known
unto you as it were two paths, and I shall show you by which
travellers are lost and by which they are saved, being guided
of God. The path of the lost, then, is broad and very smooth —
it ruins them without troubling them ; but the path of the
saved is narrow, rugged, and in the end it saves, not without
much toil, those who have journeyed through it. And these
two paths are presided over by unbelief and faith ; and these
journey through the path of unbelief, those who have preferred
pleasure, on account of which they have forgotten the day of
judgment, doing that which is not pleasing to God, and not
caring to save their souls by the word, and have not anxiously
sought their own good. Truly they know not that the coun-
sels of God are not like men's counsels ; for, in the first
place. He knows the thoughts of all men, and all must give an
account not only of their actions, but also of their thoughts.
And their sin is much less who strive to understand well and
fail, than that of those w^ho do not at all strive after good
things. Because it has pleased God that he who errs in his
knowledge of good, as men count errors, should be saved
after being slightly punished. But they who have taken no
care at all to know the better way, even though they may
have done countless other good deeds, if they have not stood
in the service He has Himself appointed, come under the
charge of indifference, and are severely punished, and utterly
destroyed.

134 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. viii. — The service of GocCs appointment

" xA.nd this is the service He has appointed : To worship
Him only, and trust only in the Prophet of truth, and to
be baptized for the remission of sins, and thus by this pure
baptism to be born again unto God by saving water ; to ab-
stain from the table of devils, that is, from food offered to
idols, from dead carcases, from animals which have been
suffocated or caught by wild beasts, and from blood ; not to
live any longer impurely ; to wash after intercourse ; that the
women on their part should keep the law of purification ; that
all should be sober-minded, given to good works, refraining
from wronfT-doincr lookino; for eternal life from the all-
powerful God, and asking with prayer and continual suppli-
cation that they may win it." Such was Peter's counsel to
the men of Sidon also. And in few days many repented
and believed, and were healed. And Peter having founded
a church, and set over it as bishop one of the elders who were
with him, left Sidon.

Chap. ix. — Simon attacks Peter,

No sooner had he reached Beyrout than an earthquake took
place ; and the multitude, running to Peter, said, " Help us,
for v/e are afraid we shall all utterly perish." Then Simon
ventured, along with Appion and Anubion and Athenodorus,
and the rest of his companions, to cry out to the people against
Peter in public : " Flee, friends, from this man ! he is a magi-
cian ; trust us, he it was who caused this earthquake : he sent
us these diseases to terrify us, as if he were God Himself."
And many such false charges did Simon and his friends bring
against Peter, as one who could do things above human power.
But as soon as the people gave him a moment's quiet, Peter
with surprising boldness gave a little laugh, and said, "Friends,
I admit that I can do, God willing, what these men say ; and
more than that, I am ready, if you do not believe wdiat I say,
to overturn your city from top to bottom."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 135

CiiAP. X. — Simon is driven away.

And the people were afraid, and promised to do whatever
he should command. " Let none of you, then," said Peter,
^^ either hold conversation with these sorcerers, or have any-
thing to do wdth them." And as soon as the people heard
this concise command, they took up sticks, and pursued them
till they had driven them wholly out of the town. And they
who were sick and possessed with devils came and cast them-
selves at Peter's feet. And he seeing all this, and anxious
to free them from their terror, said to them :

Chap. xi. — The ivay of salvation,

" Were I able to cause earthquakes, and do all that I wish,
I assure you I would not destroy Simon and his friends
(for not to destroy men am I sent), but would make him my
friend, that he might no longer, by his slanders against my
preaching the truth, hinder the salvation of many. But if
you believe me, he himself is a magician ; he is a slanderer ;
he is a minister of evil to them who know not the truth.
Therefore he has power to bring diseases on sinners, having
the sinners themselves to help him in his power over them.
But I am a servant of God the Creator of all things, and a
disciple of His Prophet who is at His right hand. Wherefore
I, being His apostle, preach the truth : to serve a good man I
drive away diseases, for I am His second messenger, since first
the disease comes, but after that the healing. By that evil-
working magician, then, you were stricken with disease be-
cause you revolted from God. By me, if you believe on Him
ye shall be cured ; and so having had experience that He is
able, you may turn to good works, and have your souls saved."

Chap. xii. — Peter goes to Byhlus and Tripolis,

As he said these things, all fell on their knees before his
feet. And he, Hfting up his hands to heaven, prayed to God,

136 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and healed tliem all by his simple prayer alone. And he
remained not many days in Beyrout; but after he had
accustomed many to the service of the one God, and had
baptized them, and had set over them a bishop from the elders
who were with him, he went to Byblus. And when he came
there, and learned that Simon had not waited for them for a
day, but had gone straightway to Tripolis, he remained there
only a few days ; and after that he had healed not a few,
and exercised them in the Scriptures, he followed in Simon's
track to Tripolis, preferring to pursue him rather than flee
from him.

HOMILY VIII.

Chap. i. — Peters arrival at Tripolis,

OW, as Peter was entering Tripolis, the people
from Tyre and Siclon, Berytus and Byblas, who
were eager^ to get instructionj and many from
the neighbourhood, entered along with him ; and
not least were there gatherings of the multitudes from the city
itself wishing to see him. Therefore there met with us in the
suburbs the brethren who had been sent forth by him to
ascertain as well other particulars respecting the city, as the
proceedings of Simon, and to come and explain them. They
received him, and conducted him to the house of Maroones.

Chap. ii. — Peter s thoughtfulness.

But he, when he was at the very gate of his lodging,
turned round, and promised to the multitudes that after the
next day he would converse with them on the subject of
religion. And when he had gone in, the forerunners assigned
lodgings to those who had come with him. And the hosts
and the entertainers did not fall short of the desire of those
who sought hospitality. But Peter, knowing nothing of this,
being asked by us to partake of food, said that he would not
himself partake until those who had come with him were
settled. And on our assuring him that this was already
done, all having received them eagerly by reason of their
affection towards him, so that those were grieved beyond
measure who had no guests to entertain, — Peter hearing
this, and being pleased with their eager philanthropy, blessed
them and went out, and having bathed in the sea, partook of
^ Lit. : more willing to learn [than the others].
137

.138 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

food with tlie forerunners; and then, the evening having
come, he slppt.

Chap. hi. — A conversation interrupted.

But awaking about the second cock-crowing, he found us
astir. We were in all sixteen, viz. Peter himself, and I
Clement, Nicetas and Aquila, and the twelve who bad pre-
ceded us. Having therefore saluted us, he said, " To-daj,
not being occupied with those without, we are free to be
occupied with one another. Wherefore I shall tell you the
things that happened after your departure from Tyre ; and
do you minutely relate to me what have been the doings of
Simon here." While, therefore, we were answering one
another by narratives on either side, one of our friends
entered, and announced to Peter that Simon, learning of his
arrival, had set off for Syria, and that the multitudes, think-
ing this one night to be like a year's time, and not able to
wait for tlie appointment which he had made, were standing
before the doors conversing with one another in knots and
circles about the accusation brought by Simon, and how that,
having raised their expectations, and promised that he would
charge Peter when he came with many evils, he had fled by
night when he knew of his arrival. " However," said he,
'^ they are eager to hear you ; and I know not whence some
rumour has reached them to the effect that you are going to
address them to-day. In order, therefore, that they may not
when they are very tired be dismissed without reason, you
yourself know what it is proper for you to do."

Chap. iv. — Many called.

Then Peter, w^ondering at the eagerness of the multitudes,
ansvrered, " You see, brethren, how the words of our Lord
are manifestly fulfilled. For I remember His saying, * Many
shall come from the east and from the west, the north and
the south, and shall rechne on the bosoms- of Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob.' ^ 'But many,' said He also, 'are called,
but few chosen.'^ The coming, therefore, of these called
1 Matt. viii. 11 ; Luke xiil 29. ^ ^att. xx. 16.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 139

ones is fulfilled. But inasmuch as it is not of themselves,
but of God who has called them and caused them to come,
on this account alone they have no reward, since it is not of
themselves, but of Him who has wrought in them. But if,
after being called, they do things that are excellent, for this
is of themselves, then for this they shall have a reward.

Chap. v. — Faith the gift of God.

" For even the Hebrews who believe Moses, and do not
observe the things spokv^n by him, are not saved, unless they
observe the things that were spoken to them. For their
believing Moses was not of their own will, but of God, who
said to Moses, ' Behold, I come to thee in a pillar of cloud,
that the people may hear me speaking to thee, and may be-
lieve thee for ever.' "^ Since, therefore, both to the Hebrews
and to those who are called from the Gentiles, believing in
the teachers of truth is of God, while excellent actions are
left to every one to do by his own judgment, the reward is
righteously bestowed upon those who do welL For there
would have been no need of Moses, or of the coming of
Jesus, if of themselves they would have understood what is
reasonable. Neither is there salvation in believing in teachers
and callino; them lords.

Chap. yi. — Concealment and revelation,

" For on this account Jesus is concealed from the Jews, who
have taken Moses as their teacher, and Moses is hidden from
those who have believed Jesus. For, there being one teach-
ing by botli, God accepts him who has believed either of
these. But believing a teacher is for the sake of doing the
things spoken by God. And that this is so our Lord Him-
self says, ' I thank thee. Father of heaven and earth, because
Thou hast concealed these things from the wise and elder,
and hast revealed them to sucking babes.' ^ Thus God Him-
self has concealed a teacher from some, as foreknowing what
they ought to do, and has revealed him to others, wdio are
ignorant what they ought to do.

1 Ex. xix. 9. 2 ;^xatt. xi. 25.

UO THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. vii. — Moses and Christ,

" Neither, therefore, are the Hebrews condemned on ac-
count of their ignorance of Jesus, by reason of Him who has
concealed Him, if, doing the things [commanded] by Closes,
they do not hate Him whom they do not know. Neither are
those from among the Gentiles condemned, who know not
Moses on account of Him who hath concealed him, provided
that these also, doing the things spoken by Jesus, do not hate
Him whom they do not know. And some will not be profited
by calling the teachers lords, but not doing the works of
servants. For on this account our Jesus Himself said to
one who often called Him Lord, but did none of the things
which He prescribed, 'Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and
do not the things which I say ?'^ For it is not saying that
will profit any one, but doing. By all means, therefore, is
there need of good works. Moreover, if any one has been
thought worthy to recognise both as preaching one doctrine,
that man has been counted rich in God, understanding both
the old things as new in time, and the new things as old."

Chap. yiii. — A large congregation.

While Peter was thus speaking, the multitudes, as if they
had been called by some one, entered into the place where
Peter was. Then he, seeing a great multitude, like the
smooth current of a river gently flowing towards him, said
to Maroones, '^ Have you any place here that is better able
to contain the crowd?"' Then Maroones conducted him to
a garden-plot in the open air, and the multitudes followed.
But Peter, standing upon a base of a statue which was not
very high, as soon as he had saluted the multitude in pious
fashion, knowing that many of the crowd that stood by were
tormented with demons and many sufferings of long standing,
and [hearing them] shrieking with lamentation, and falling
down [before him] in supplication, rebuked them, and com-
manded them to hold their peace ; and promising healing to
them after the discourse, began to speak on this wise : —

1 Matt vii. 21.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 141

Chap. ix. — " Vindicate the icays of God to menP

" While beginning to discourse on the worship of God to
those who are altogether ignorant of everything, and whose
minds have been corrupted by the accusations of our adversary
Simon, I have thought it necessary first of all to speak of the
blamelessness of the God who hath made all things, starting
from the occasion seasonably afforded by Him according to
His providence, that it may be known how with good reason
many are held by many demons, and subjected to strange
sufferings, that in this the justice of God may appear ; and
that those who through ignorance blame Him, now may learn
by good speaking and well-doing what sentiments they ought
to hold, and recall themselves from their previous accusation,
assigning ignorance as the cause of their evil presumption,
in order that they may be pardoned.

Chap. X. — The original laiv,

" But thus the matter stands. The only good God having
made all things well, and having handed them over to man,
who was made after His image, he who had been made
breathing of the divinity of Him who made him, being a
true prophet and knowing all things, for the honour of the
Father who had given all things to him, and for the salvation
of the sons born of him, as a genuine father preserving his
affection towards the children born of him, and wishing;
them, for their advantage, to love God and be loved of Him,
showed them the way which leads to His friendship, teaching
them by what deeds of men the one God and Lord of all is
pleased ; and having exhibited to them the things that are
pleasing to Him, appointed a perpetual law to all, which
neither can be abrogated by enemies, nor is vitiated by any
impious one, nor is concealed in any place, but which can be
read by all. To them, therefore, by obedience to the law, all
things were in abundance, — the fairest of fruits, fulness of
years, freedom from grief and from disease, bestowed upon
them without fear, with all salubrity of the air.

142 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xi. — Cause of the fall of man,

"But thej, because they had at first no experience of
evils, being insensible to the gift of good things, were
turned to ingratitude by abundance of food and luxuries,
so that they even thought that there is no Providence^
since they had not by previous labour got good things as
the reward of righteousness, inasmuch as no one of them had
fallen into any suffering or disease, or any other necessity ;
so that, as is usual for men afflicted on account of wicked
transgression, they should look about for the God who is able
to heal them.^ But immediately after their despite, which
proceeded from fearlessness and secure luxury, a certain just
punishment met them, as following from a certain arranged
harmony, removing from them good things as having hurt
them, and introducing evil things instead, as advantageous.

Chap. xii. — MefamorpJwses of the angels,

" For of the spirits who inhabit the heaven, the angels who
dwell in the lowest region, being grieved at the ingratitude
of men to God, asked that they might come into the life of
men, that, really becoming men, by more intercourse they
might convict those who had acted ungratefully towards Him,
and might subject every one to adequate punishment. When,
therefore, their petition was granted, they metamorphosed
themselves into every nature ; for, being of a more godlike
substance, they are able easily to assume any form. So they
became precious stones, and goodly pearl, and the most
beauteous purple, and choice gold, and all matter that is held
in most esteem. And they fell into the hands of some, and
into the bosoms of others, and suffered themselves to be
stolen by them. They also changed themselves into beasts
and reptiles, and fishes and birds, and into whatsoever they
pleased. These things also the poets among yourselves, by
reason of fearlessness, sing, as they befell, attributing to one
the many and diverse doings of all.

^ The general meaning seems to bo as given ; but tlie text is un-
doubtedly corrupt, and scarcely intelligible.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 143

Chap. xiii. — TJie fall of the angels,

" But when, having assumed these forms, they convicted as
covetous those who stole them, and changed themselves into
the nature of men, in order that, living holily, and showing
the possibility of so living, they might subject the ungrateful
to punishment, yet having become in all respects men, they
also partook of human lust, and being brought under its sub-
jection they fell into cohabitation with women; and being
involved with them, and sunk in defilement and altogether
emptied of their first power, were unable to turn back to the
first purity of their proper nature, their members turned
away from their fiery substance '} for the fire itself, being
extinguished by the weight of lust, [and changed] into flesh,
they trode the impious path downward. For they them-
selves, being fettered with the bonds of flesh, were con-
strained and strongly bound ; wherefore they have no more
been able to ascend into the heavens.

Chap. xiv. — Tlieir discoveries.

" For after the intercourse, being asked to show what they
were before, and being no longer able to do so, on account of
their being unable to do aught else after their defilement, yet
wishing to please their mistresses, instead of themselves, they
showed the bowels ^ of the earth ; I mean, the choice metals,*
gold, brass, silver, iron, and the like, with all the most precious
stones. And along with these charmed stones, they delivered
the arts of the things pertaining to each, and imparted the
discovery of magic, and taught astronomy, and the powers of
roots, and whatever was impossible to be found out by the
human mind; also the melting of gold and silver, and the
like, and the various dyeing of garments. And all things, in
short, which are for the adornment and delight of women,
are the discoveries of these demons bound in fiesh.

^ The text is somewliat obscure ; but the following sentence shows this
to be the meaning of it.
^ Literally, " the marrow."
2 Literally, " the flowers of metals."

144 THE CLEMEXTIXE HOMILIES.

Chap. xt. — The giants.

'' But from their unhallowed intercourse spurious men
sprang, much greater in stature than [ordinary] men, whom
they afterwards called giants : not those dragon-footed giants
who waged war against God, as those blasphemous myths of
the Greeks do sing, but wild in manners, and greater than
men in size, inasmuch as they were sprung of angels ; yet
less than angels, as they were born of women. Therefore
God, knowing that they were barbarized to brutality, and
that the world was not sufficient to satisfy them (for it was
created according to the proportion of men and human
use), that they might not through want of food turn, con-
trary to nature, to the eating of animals, and yet seem to
be blameless, as having ventured upon this through neces-
sity, the Almighty God rained manna upon them, suited to
their various tastes ; and they enjoyed all that they would.
But they, on account of their bastard nature, not being
pleased with purity of food, longed only after the taste of
blood. Wherefore they first tasted flesh.

Chap. xvi. — Cannibalism,

^' And the men who were with them there for the first time
were eager to do the like. Thus, althouo-h we are born neither
good nor bad, we become [one or the other] ; and having
formed habits, we are with difficulty drawn from them. But
when irrational animals fell short, these bastard men tasted
also human flesh. For it was not a long step to the con-
sumption of flesh like their own, having first tasted it in other
forms.

Chap. xvii. — The flood.

" But by the shedding of much blood, the pure air being
defiled with impure vapour, and sickening those who breathed
it, rendered them liable to diseases, so that thenceforth men
died prematurely. But the earth being by these means
greatly defiled, these first teemed with poison-darting and
deadly creatures. All things, therefore, going from bad to

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 145

worse, on account of these brutal demons, God wished to
cast them away like an evil leaven, lest each generation from
a wicked seed, being like to that before it, and equally impious,
should empty the world to come of saved men. And for
this purpose, having warned a certain righteous man, with
his three sons, together with their wives and their children,
to save themselves in an ark. He sent a deluge of water, that
all being destroyed, the purified world might be handed over
to him who was saved in the ark, in order to a second begin-
ning of life. And thus it came to pass.

Chap, xviii. — The laio to the survivors.

" Since, therefore, the souls of the deceased giants were
greater than human souls, inasmuch as they also excelled
their bodies, they, as being a new race, were called also by a
new name. And to those who survived in the world a law
was prescribed of God through an angel, how they should
live. For being bastards in race, of the fire of angels and
the blood of women, and therefore liable to desire a certain
race of their own, they were anticipated by a certain righteous
law. For a certain angel was sent to them by God, declar-
ing to them His will, and saying :

Chap. xix. — The law to the giants or demons.

^' ^ These things seem good to the all-seeing God, that you
lord it over no man ; that you trouble no one, unless any one
of his own accord subject himself to you, worshipping you,
and sacrificing and pouring libations, and partaking of your
table, or accomplishing aught else that they ought not, or
shedding blood, or tasting dead flesh, or filling themselves
with that which is torn of beasts, or that which is cut, or
that which is strangled, or aught else that is unclean. But
those who betake themselves to my law, you not only shall
not touch, but shall also do honour to, and shall flee from,
their presence. For whatsoever shall please them, being
just, respecting you, that you shall be constrained to suffer.
But if any of those who w^orship me go astray, either com-
mitting adultery, or practising magic, or living impurely, or

K

146 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

doing any other of the things which are not well-pleasing to
me, then they will have to suffer something at your hands or
those of others, according to my order. But upon them,
when they repent, I, judging of their repentance, whether
it he worthy of pardon or not, shall give sentence. These
things, therefore, ye ought to remember and to do, well
knowing that not even your thoughts shall be able to be
concealed from Him.'

Chap. xx. — Willing captives.

" Having charged them to this effect, the angel departed.
But you are still ignorant of this law, that every one who
worships demons, or sacrifices to them, or partakes with them
of their table, shall become subject to them and receive all
punishment from them, as being under wicked lords. And
you who, on account of ignorance of this [law], have been
corrupted beside their altars,-^ and have been satiated with
[food offered to] them, have come under their power, and
do not know how you have been in every way injured in
respect of your bodies. But you ought to know that the
demons have no power over any one, unless first he be their
table-companion ; since not even their chief can do anything
contrary to the law imposed upon them by God, wherefore
he has no power over any one w^ho does not worship him ;
but neither can any one receive from them any of the things
that he wishes, nor in anything be hurt by them, as you may
learn from the followino; statement.

Chap. xxi. — I^emptation of CJirist.

" For once the king of the present time came to our King
of rifrhteousness, usini^ no violence, for this w^as not in his
power, but inducing and persuading, because the being per-
suaded lies in the power of every one. Approaching him,
therefore, as being king of things present, he said to the King
of things future, ' All the kingdoms of the present world are
subject to me ; also the gold and the silver and all the luxury
of this world are under my power. Wherefore fall down

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 147

and worship me, and I will give jou all these things.' And
this he said, knowing that after He worshipped him he
would have power also over Him, and thus would rob Him
of the future glory and kingdom. But He, knowing all
things, not only did not worship him, but would not receive
aught of the things that were offered by him. For He
pledged Himself with those that are His, to the effect that it
is not lawful henceforth even to touch the things that are
given over to him. Therefore He answered and said, ^ Thou
shalt fear the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve.' ^

Chap. xxii. — The marriage supper.

" However, the king of the impious, striving to bring over
to his own counsel the King of the pious, and not being able,
ceased his efforts, undertaking to persecute Him for the re-
mainder of His life. But you, being ignorant of the fore-
ordained law, are under his power through evil deeds. Where-
fore you are polluted in body and soul, and in the present life
you are tyrannized over by sufferings and demons, but in that
which is to come you shall have your souls to be punished.
And this not you alone suffer through ignorance, but also
some of our nation, who by evil deeds having been brought
under the power of the prince of wickedness, like persons
invited to a supper by a father celebrating the marriage of his
son, have not obeyed.^ But instead of those who through
preoccupation disobeyed, the Father celebrating the marriage
of his Son, has ordered us, through the Prophet of the truth,
to come into the partings of the ways, that is, to you, and to
invest you with the clean wedding-garment, which is baptism,
which is for the remission of the sins done by you, and to
bring the good to the supper of God by repentance, although
at the first they were left out of the banquet.

Chap, xxiii. — The assembly dismissed,

^^ If, therefore, ye wish to be the vesture of the Divine
Spirit, hasten first to put off your base presumption, which is
^ Matt. iv. ; Luke iv. 2 [^f^tt. xxii.

148 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

an unclean spirit and a foul garment. And this you cannot
otherwise put off, than by being first baptized in good works.
And thus being pure in body and in soul, you shall enjoy the
future eternal kingdom. Therefore neither believe in idols,
nor partake with them of the impure table, nor commit mur-
der, nor adultery, nor hate those whom it is not right to hate,
nor steal, nor set upon any evil deeds ; since, being deprived
of the hope of future blessings in the present life, you shall
be subjected to evil demons and terrible sufferings, and in
the world to come you shall be punished with eternal fire.
Now, then, what has been said is enough for to-day. For
the rest, those of you who are afflicted with ailments remain
for healing ; and of the others, you wdio please go in peace."

Chap. xxiv. — The sick healed.

When he had thus spoken, all of them remained, some in
order to be healed, and others to see those who obtained
cures. But Peter, only laying his hands upon them, and
praying, healed them ; so that those wdio were straightaway
cured were exceeding glad, and those who looked on exceed-
ingly wondered, and blessed God, and believed with a firm
hope, and w^ith those who had been healed departed to their
own homes, having received a charge to meet early on the
following day. And when they had gone, Peter remained
there with his associates, and partook of food, and refreshed
himself with sleep.

HOMILY IX.

^ W9

Chap. i. — Peter s discourse resumed.

HEREFOEE on the next day, Peter going out
with his companions, and coming to the former
place, and taking his stand, proceeded to say :
" God having cut off by water all the impious
men of old, having found one alone amongst them all that
was pious, caused him to be saved in an ark, with his three
sons and their wives. Whence may be perceived that it is
His nature not to care for a multitude of wicked, nor to be
indifferent to the salvation of one pious. Therefore the
greatest impiety of all is forsaking the sole Lord of all, and
worshipping many, who are no gods, as if they were gods.

Chap. ii. — Monarchy and polyarchy.

"If, therefore, while I expound and show you that this is
the greatest sin, which is able to destroy you all, it occur to
your mind that you are not destroyed, being great multitudes,
you are deceived. For you have the example of the old
world deluged. And yet their sin was much less than that
which is chargeable against you. For they were wicked with
respect to their equals, murdering or committing adultery.
But you are wicked against the God of all, worshipping
lifeless images instead of Him or along with Him, and attri-
buting His divine name to every kind of senseless matter.
In the first place, therefore, you are unfortunate in not know-
ing the difference between monarchy and polyarchy — that
monarchy, on the one hand, is productive of concord, but
polyarchy is effective of wars. For unity does not fight with

149

150 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

itself, but multitude has occasion of undertaking battle one
against another.

Chap. hi. — Family of Noe,

" Therefore, straightway after the flood, Xoe continued
to live three hundred and fifty years with the multitude of
his descendants in concord, being a king according to the
image of the one God. But after his death many of his
descendants were ambitious of the kingdom, and being eager
to reign, each one considered how it might be effected ; and
one attempted it by war, another by deceit, another by per-
suasion, and one in one way and another in another; one
of whom was of the family of Ham, whose descendant was
Mestren, from whom the tribes of the Egyptians and Baby-
lonians and Persians were multiplied.

Chap. iv. — Zoroaster.

" Of this family there was born in due time a certain one,
who took up with magical practices, by name Nebrod, who
chose, giant-like, to devise things in opposition to God. Him
the Greeks have called Zoroaster. He, after the deluge, being
ambitious of sovereignty, and being a great magician, by
magical arts compelled the world-guiding star of the wicked
one who now rules, to the bestowal of the sovereignty [as a
gift] from him. But he,^ being a prince, and having authority
over him w^ho compelled him,^ wrathfully poured out the fire
of the kingdom, that he might both bring to allegiance, and
might punish him who at first constrained him.

Chap. v. — Hero-worship,

" Therefore the magician Nebrod, being destroyed by this
lightning falling on earth from heaven, for this circumstance
had his name changed to Zoroaster, on account of the living
(J^waav) stream of the star (acrrepov) being poured upon him.
But the unintellifrent amonn;st the men who then were, think-
ino; that throuMi the love of God his soul had been sent for

1 That is, I suppose, the wicked one.

2 I suppose Nimrod, or Zoroaster-

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 151

by llglitning, buried the remains of his body, and honoured
his burial-place with a temple among the Persians, where
the descent of the fire occurred, and worshipped him as a
god. By this example also, others there bury those who die
by lightning as beloved of God, and honour them with
temples, and erect statues of the dead in their o^vn forms.
Thence, in like manner, the rulers in different places were
emulous [of like honour], and very many of them honoured
the tombs of those who were beloved of them, though not
dying by lightning, with temples and statues, and lighted up
altars, and ordered them to be adored as gods. And long
after, by the lapse of time, they were thought by posterity to
be really gods.

Chap. vi. — Fire-iuorsMp,

**Thus, In this fashion, there ensued many partitions of
the one original kingdom. The Persians, first taking coals
from the lightning which fell from heaven, preserved them
by ordinary fuel, and honouring the heavenly fire as a god,
were honoured by the fire itself with the first kingdom, as its
first worshippers. After them the Babylonians, stealing coals
from the fire that was there, and conveying it safely to their
own home, and worshipping it, they themselves also reigned
in order. And the Egyptians, acting in like manner, and
calling the fire in their own dialect PhtJiae, which is trans-
lated Hephaistas or Osiris, he who first reigned amongst them
is called by its name. Those also who reigned in different
places, acting in this fashion, and making an image, and
kindling altars in honour of fire, most of them were excluded
from the kingdom.

Chap. VII. — Sacrificial orgies.

" But they did not cease to worship images, by reason of
the evil intelligence of the magicians, who found excuses for
them, which had power to constrain them to the foolish
worship. For, establishing these things by magical cere-
monies, they assigned them feasts from sacrifices, libations,
flutes, and shoutings, by means of which senseless men,

152 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

being deceived, and their kingdom being taken from them,
yet did not desist from the worship that they had taken up
with. To such an extent did they prefer error, on account
of its pleasantness, before truth. Tliey also howl after their
sacrificial surfeit, their soul from the depth, as it were by
dreams, forewarning them of the punishment that is to befall
such deeds of theirs.

Ch^vp. VIII. — The best merchandise.

" Many forms of worship, then, having passed away in the
world, we come, bringing to you, as good merchantmen, the
worship that has been handed down to us from our fathers,
and preserved ; showing you, as it were, the seeds of plants,
and placing them under your judgment and in your power.
Choose that which seems good unto you. If, therefore, ye
choose our wares, not only shall ye be able to escape demons,
and the sufferings which are inflicted by demons, but your-
selves also putting them to flight, and having them reduced
to make supplication to you, shall for ever enjoy future
blessincjs.

Chap. ix. — How demons get power over men.

" Since, on the other hand, you are oppressed by strange
sufferings inflicted by demons, on your removal from the body
you shall have your souls also punished for ever ; not indeed
by God's inflicting vengeance, but because such is the judg-
ment of evil deeds. For the demons, having power by means
of the food given to them, are admitted into your bodies by
your own hands ; and lying hid there for a long time, they
become blended with your souls. And through the carelessness
of those who think not, or even wish not, to help themselves,
upon the dissolution of their bodies, their souls being united
to the demon, are of necessity borne by it into whatever
places it pleases. And what is most terrible of all, when at
the end of all thinirs the demon is first consimicd to the
purifying fire, the soul which is mixed with it is under the
necessity of being horribly punished, and the demon of being
pleased. For the soul, being made of light, and not capable

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 153

of bearing the heterogeneous flame of fire, is tortured ; but
the demon, being in the substance of his own kind, is greatly
pleased, becoming the strong chain of the soul that he has
swallowed up.

Chap. x. — How they are to he expelled.

" But the reason why the demons delight in entering into
men's bodies is this. Being spirits, and having desires after
meats and drinks, and sexual pleasures, but not being able
to partake of these by reason of their being spirits, and
wanting organs fitted for their enjoyment, they enter into
the bodies of men, in order that, getting organs to minister
to them, they may obtain the things that they wish, whether
it be meat, by means of men's teeth, or sexual pleasure, by
means of men's members. Hence, in order to the putting of
demons to flight, the most useful help is abstinence, and
fasting, and suffering of aflliction. For if they enter into
men's bodies for the sake of sharing [pleasures], it is manifest
that they are put to flight by suffering. But inasmuch as
some,-^ being of a more malignant kind, remain by the body
that is undergoing punishment, though they are punished
with it, therefore it is needful to have recourse to God bv
prayers and petitions, refraining from every occasion of im-
purity, that the hand of God may touch him for his cure, as
being pure and faithful.

Chap. xi. — U7ihelief the deinoi'Hs stronghold.

"But it is necessary in our prayers to acknowledge that we
have had recourse to God, and to bear witness, not to the
apathy, but to the slowness of the demon. For all things
are done to the believer, nothing to the unbeliever. There-
fore the demons themselves, knowing the amount of faith
of those of whom they take possession, measure their stay
proportionately. Wherefore they stay permanently with
the unbelieving, tarry for a while with the weak in faith ; but

^ The gender is here changed, but the sense shows tliat the reference
is still to the demons. I suppose the author forgot that in the preceding
sentences he liad written oo(.iu,oi^ig (masc.) and not ocayJvicc (neut.).

154 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

TN'ith those who thoroughly believe, and who do good, they
cannot remain even for a moment. For the soul being
turned by faith, as it were, into the nature of water, quenches
the demon as a spark of fire. The labour, therefore, of every
one is to be solicitous about the putting to flight of his own
demon. For, being mixed up with men's souls, they suggest
fo every one's mind desires after what things they please, in
order tliat he may neglect his salvation.

Chap. xii. — Theory of disease,

'•Whence many, not knowing how they are influenced,
consent to the evil thoughts suggested by the demons, as if
they were the reasoning of their own souls. Wherefore they
become less active to come to those wdio are able to save
them, and do not know that they themselves are held captive
by the deceiving demons. Therefore the demons who lurk
in their souls induce them to think that it is not a demon
that is distressing them, but a bodily disease, such as some
acrid matter, or bile, or phlegm, or excess of blood, or inflam-
mation of a membrane, or something else. But even if this
were so, the case would not be altered of its being a kind of
demon. For the universal and earthly soul, which enters
on account of all kinds of food, being taken to excess by over-
much food, is itself united to the spirit, as being cognate,
which is the soul of man ; and the material part of the food
being united to the body, is left as a dreadful poison to it.
"Wherefore in all respects moderation is excellent.

Chap. xiii. — Deceits of the demons.

'•' But some of the maleficent demons deceive in another
way. For at first they do not even show their existence, in
order that care may not be taken against them ; but in due
time, by means of anger, love, or some other affection, they
suddenly injure the body, by sword, or halter, or precipice,
or something else, and at last bring to punishment the de-
ceived souls of those who have been mixed up with them, as
we said, withdrawing into the purifying fire. But others,
who are deceived in another way, do not approach us, being

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 155

seduced by the instigations of maleficent demons, as if they
suffered these things at the hands of the gods themselves,
on account of their neglect of them, and were able to recon-
cile them by sacrifices, and that it is not needful to come to
us, but rather to flee from and hate us. And at the same
time "^ they hate and flee from those who have greater com-
passion for them, and who follow after them in order to do
good to them.

Chap. xiv. — More tricks.

" Therefore shunning and hating us they are deceived, not
knowing how it happens that they devise things opposed to
their health. For neither can we compel them against their
will to incline towards health, since now we have no such
power over them, nor are they able of themselves to under-
stand the evil instigation of the demon ; for they know not
whence these evil instigations are suggested to them. And
these are they whom the demons affright, appearing in such
forms as they please. And sometimes they prescribe reme-
dies for those who are diseased, and thus they receive divine
honours from those who have previously been deceiv^ed. And
they conceal from many that they are demons, but not from
us, who know their mystery, and why they do these things,
changing themselves in dreams against those over whom they
have power ; and w^hy they terrify some, and give oracular
responses to others, and demand sacrifices from them, and
command them to eat with them, that they may swallow up
their souls.

Chap. xv. — Test of idols,

" For as dire serpents draw sparrows to them by their
breath, so also these draw to their own will those who par-
take of their table, being mixed up with their understanding
by means of food and drink, changing themselves in dreams
according to the forms of the images, that they may increase
error. For the image is neither a living creature, nor has
it a divine spirit, but the demon that appeared abused the

^ Some read ovrog, thus.

156 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

form.^ How many, in like manner, have been seen by
others in dreams ; and when they have met one another
when awake, and compared them witli what they saw in.
their dream, they have not accorded : so that the dream is
not a manifestation, but is either the production of a demon
or of the soul, giving forms to present fears and desire. For
the soul, being struck witli fear, conceives forms in dreams.
But if you think that images, as being alive, can accomplish
such things, place them on a beam accurately balanced, and
place an equipoise in the other scale, then ask them to become
either heavier or lighter ; and if this be done, then they are
alive. But it does not so happen. But if it were so, this
would not prove them to be gods. For this might be accom-
plished by the finger of the demon. Even maggots move,
yet they are not called gods.

Chap. xvi. — Powers of the demons.

" But that the soul of each man embodies the forms of
demons after his own preconceptions, and that those who
are called gods do not appear, is manifest from the fact that
they do not appear to the Jews. But some one will sa}',
How then do they give oracular responses, forecasting future
things ? This also is false. But suppose it were true, this
does not prove them to be gods ; for it does not follow, if
anything prophesies, that it is a god. For pythons prophesy,
yet they are cast out by us as demons, and put to flight. But
some one will say. They work cures for some persons. It is
false. But suppose it were true, this is no proof of Godhead ;
for physicians also heal many, yet are not gods. But, says
one, physicians do not completely heal those of whom they
take charge, but these heal oracularly. But the demons know
the remedies that are suited to each disease. AVherefore,
being skilful physicians, and able to cure those diseases which
can be cured by men, and also being prophets, and knowing
when each disease is healed of itself, they so arrange their

^ The meaning is : " the idols or images of the heathen deities are not
living, but the demons adopt the forms of these images when they appear
to men in dreams."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 157

remedies that they may gain the credit of producing the

cure.

Chap. xvii. — Reasons lohy their deceits are not detected.

" For why do they oracularly foretell cures after a long
time ? And why, if they are almighty, do they not effect cures
without administering any medicine ? And for wdiat reason
do they prescribe remedies to some of those who pray to them,
while to some, and it may be more suitable cases, they give no
response ? Thus, whenever a cure is going to take place spon-
taneously, they promise, in order that they may get the credit
of the cure ; and others, having been sick, and having prayed,
and having recovered spontaneously, attributed the cure to
those whom they had invoked, and make offerings to them.
Those, however, who, after praying, have failed, are not able
to offer their sacrifices. But if the relatives of the dead, or
any of their children, inquired into the losses, you w^ould
find the failures to be more than the successes. But no
one who has been taken in by them is willing to exhibit an
accusation against them, through shame or fear ; but, on
the other hand, they conceal the crimes which they believe
them to be guilty of.

Chap, xviii. — Projos of the system,

" And how many also falsify the responses given and the
cures effected by them, and confirm them with an oath ! And
how many give themselves up to them for hire, undertaking
falsely to suffer certain things, and thus proclaiming their
suffering, and being restored by remedial means, they say that
they oracularly promised them healing, in order that they may
assign as the cause the senseless worship ! And how many
of these things were formerly done by magical art, in the
way of interpreting dreams, and divining! Yet in course
of time these things have disappeared. And how many are
there now, who, wishing to obtain such things, make use of
charms ! However, though a thing be prophetical or healing,
it is not dlvmc.

158 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xix. — Privileges of the baptized,

"For God is almlglitj. For He is good and righteous, now
long-suffering to all, that those who will, repenting of the evils
which they have done, and living well, may receive a worthy
reward in the day in which all things are judged. T\^here-
fore now begin to obey God by reason of good knowledge,
and to oppose your evil lusts and thoughts, that you may be
able to recover the original saving worship which was com-
mitted to humanity. For thus shall blessings straightway
spring up to you, which, when you receive, you will thence-
forth quit the trial of evils. But give thanks to the Giver ;
being kings for ever of unspeakable good things, with the
King of peace. But in the present life, washing in a flowing
river, or fountain, or even in the sea, with the thrice-blessed
invocation, you shall not only be able to drive away the spirits
which lurk in you ; but yourselves no longer sinning, and
undoubtlngly believing God, you shall drive out evil spirits
and dire demons, with terrible diseases, from others. And
sometimes they shall flee when you but look on them. For
they know those who have given themselves up to God.
Wherefore, honouring them, they flee affrighted, as you saw
yesterday, how, when after the address I delayed praying
for those who were suffering these maladies, through respect
towards the worship they cried out, not being able to endure
it for a short hour.

Chap. xx. — " N'ot almost, hut altogether such as I amJ*

" Do not then suppose that we do not fear demons on this
account, that we are of a different nature [from you]. For
we are of the same nature, but not of the same worship.
Wherefore, being not only much but altogether superior
to you, we do not grudge you becoming such [as we are] ;
but, on the other hand, counsel you, knowing that all these
[demons] beyond measure honour and fear those who are
reconciled to God.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 159

Chap. XXI. — Tlie demons subject to the believer.

" For, in like manner as the soldiers who are put under one
of Caesar's captains know to honour him who has received
authority on account of him who gave it, so that the com-
manders say to this one, Come, and he comes, and to another,
Go, and he goes ; so also he who has given himself to God,
being faithful, is heard when he only speaks to demons and
diseases ; and the demons give place, though they be much
stronger than they who command them. For with unspeak-
able power God subjects the mind of every one to whom He
pleases. For as many captains, with whole camps and cities,
fear Csesar, who is but a man, every one's heart being eager
to honour the image of all ; ^ for by the will of God, all things
being enslaved by fear, do not know the cause ; so also
all disease-producing spirits, being awed in some natural way,
honour and flee from him who has had recourse to God, and
who carries ric^ht faith as His ima^e in his heart.

Chap. xxii. — " Rather rejoice''

^^ But still, though all demons, with all diseases, flee before
you, you are not to rejoice in this only, but in that, through
grace, your names, as of the ever-living, are written in hea-
ven. Thus also the Divine Holy Spirit rejoices, because
man hath overcome death ; for the putting of the demons to
flight makes for the safety of another. But this we say, not
as denying that we ought to help others, but that we ought
not to be inflated by this and neglect ourselves. It happens,
also, that the demons flee before some wicked men by reason
of the honoured name, and both he who expels the demon
and he who witnesses it are deceived : he who expels him,
as if he were honoured on account of righteousness, not
knowing the wickedness of the demon. For he has at once
honoured the name, and by his flight has brought the wicked
man into a thought of his righteousness, and so deceived him

^ I prefer here the common text to any of the proposed emendations,
and suppose that the author represents Csesar, though but one man, as
the image or personification of the whole empire.

160 THE CLEME2^TIXE HOMILIES.

away from repentance. But the looker-on, associating with
the expeller as a pious man, hastens to a like manner of life,
and is ruined. Sometimes also they pretend to flee before
adjurations not made in the name of God, that they may
deceive men, and destroy them whom they will.

Chap, xxiii. — TJie sick healed.

^' This then we would have you know, that unless any one
of his own accord give himself over as a slave to demons, as I
said before, the demon has no power against him. Choosing,
therefore, to worship one God, and refraining from the table
of demons, and undertaking chastity with philanthropy and
righteousness, and being baptized with the thrice-blessed in-
vocation for the remission of sins, and devoting yourselves as
much as you can to the perfection of purity, you can escape
everlasting punishment, and be constituted heirs of eternal
blessings."

Having thus spoken, he ordered those to approach who
were distressed with diseases ; and thus many approached,
having come together through the experience of those who
had been healed yesterday. And he having laid his hands
upon them and prayed, and immediately healed them, and
having charged them and the others to come earlier, he
bathed and partook of food, and went to sleep.

HOMILY X.

Chap. i. — The third day in Tripolis.

jHEREFORE on the third day in Tripolis, Peter
rose early and went into the garden, where there
was a great water-reservoir, into which a full
stream of water constantly flowed. There hav-
ing bathed, and then having prayed, he sat down ; and per-
ceiving us sitting around and eagerly observing him, as
wishing to hear something from him, he said :

Chap. ii. — Ignorance and error.

" There seems to me to be a great difference between the
ignorant and the erring. For the ignorant man seems to
me to be like a man who does not wish to set out for a richly
stored city, through his not knowing the excellent things that
are there ; but the erring man to be like one who has learned
indeed the good things that are in the city, but who has
forsaken the highway in proceeding towards it, and so has
wandered. Thus, therefore, it seems to me that there is a
great difference between those who worship idols and those
who are faulty in the worship of God. For they who worship
idols are ignorant of eternal life, and therefore they do not
desire it ; for what they do not know, they cannot love.
But those who have chosen to worship one God, and who
have learned of the eternal life given to the good, if they
either believe or do anything 'different from what is pleasing
to God, are like to those who have gone out from the city of
punishment, and are desirous to come to the well-stored city,
and on the road have strayed from the right path."

L

1G2 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. hi. — Man the lord of all.

While he was thus discoursing to us, there entered one of
our people, who had been appointed to make the following
announcement to him, and said : ^' My lord Peter, there are
great multitudes standing before the doors." With his con-
sent, therefore, a great multitude entered. Then he rose up,
and stood on the basis, as he had done the day before ; and
having saluted them in religious fashion, he said : *' God
having formed the heaven and the earth, and having made
all things in them, as the true Prophet has said to us, man,
being made after the image and likeness of God, was
appointed to be ruler and lord of things, I say, in air and
earth and water, as may be known from the very fact that
by his intelligence he brings down the creatures that are in
the air, and brings up those that are in the deep, hunts those
that are on the earth, and that although they are much
greater in strength than he; I mean elephants, and lions,
and such like.

Chap. iv. — Faith and dutij.

" While, therefore, he was righteous, he was also superior
to all sufferings, as being unable by his immortal body to
have any experience of pain ; but when he sinned, as I
showed you yesterday and the day before, becoming as it
were the servant of sin, he became subject to all sufferings,
being by a righteous judgment deprived of all excellent
things. For it was not reasonable, the Giver having been
forsaken, that the gifts should remain with the ungrateful.
Whence, of His abundant mercy, in order to our receiving,
with the first, also future blessings, He sent His Prophet.
And the Prophet has given in charge to us to tell you what
you ought to think, and what to do. Choose, therefore ; and
this is in your power. What, therefore, you ought to think
is this, to worship the God who made all things ; whom if
you receive in your minds, you shall receive from Him,
along with the first excellent things, also the future eternal
blessings.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 163

Chap. v. — The fear of God.

" Therefore you shall be able to persuade yourselves with
respect to the things that are profitable, if, like charmers, you
say to the horrible serpent which lurks in your heart, ' The
Lord God thou shalt fear, and Him alone thou shalt serve.' ^
On every account it is advantageous to fear Him alone, not as
an unjust, but as a righteous God. For one fears an unjust
being, lest he be wrongfully destroyed, but a righteous one,
lest he be caught in sni and punished. You can therefore,
by fear towards Him, be freed from many hurtful fears.
For if you do not fear the one Lord and Maker of all, you
shall bo the slaves of all evils to your own hurt, I mean of
demons and diseases, and of everything that can in any way
hurt you.

Chap. vi. — Restoration of the divine image.

" Therefore approach with confidence to God, you who at
first were made to be rulers and lords of all things : ye who
have His image in your bodies, have in like manner the like-
ness of His judgment in your minds. Since, then, by acting
like irrational animals, you have lost the soul of man from
your soul, becoming like swine, you are the prey of demons.
If, therefore, you receive the law of God, you become men.
For it cannot be said to irrational animals, ^ Thou shalt not
kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal,'
and so forth. Therefore do not refuse, when invited, to
return to your first nobility ; for it is possible, if ye be con-
formed to God by good works. And being accounted to be
sons by reason of your likeness to Him, you shall be re-
instated as lords of all.

Chap. vii. — Unprofitahleness of idols,

*^ Begin, then, to divest yourselves of the injurious fear of
vain idols, that you may escape unrighteous bondage. For
they have become your masters, who even as servants are
unprofitable to you. I speak of the material of the lifeless

1 Matt. It. 10.

1G4 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

images, which are of no use to you as far as service is con-
cerned. For they neither hear nor see nor feel, nor can they
be moved. For is there any one of you who would like to
see as they see, and to hear as they hear, and to feel as they
feel, and to be moved as they are ? God forbid that such
a wrong should be done to any man bearing the image of
God, though he have lost His likeness.

Chap. viii. — No gods wJdch are made with hands.

" Therefore reduce your gods of gold and silver, or any
other material, to their original nature ; I mean into cups
and basins and all other utensils, such as may be useful to
you for service ; and those good things which were given you
at first shall be able to be restored. But perhaps you will
say. The laws of the emperors do not permit us to do this.
You say well that it is the law, and not the power of the
vain idols themselves, which is nothing. How, then, have
ye regarded them as gods, w?io are avenged by human laws,
guarded by dogs, kept by multitudes ? — and that if they are
of gold, or silver, or brass. For those of wood or earthen-
ware are preserved by their worthlessness, because no man
desires to steal a wooden or earthenware god ! So that your
gods are exposed to danger in proportion to the value of the
material of which they are made. How, then, can they be
gods, which are stolen, molten, weighed, guarded ?

Chap. ix. — " Eyes have they^ hut they see not,^^ etc.

" Oh the minds of wretched men, who fear things deader
than dead men ! For I cannot call them even dead, which
have never lived, unless they are the tombs of ancient men.
For sometimes a person, visiting unknown places, does not
know whether the temples which he sees are monuments of
dead men, or w^hether they belong to the so-called gods ; but
on inquiring and hearing that they belong to the gods, he
worships, without being ashamed that if he had not learned
on inquiring, he would have passed them by as the monument
of a dead man, on account of the strictness of the resem-
blance. However, it is not necessary that I should adduce

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 1G5

much proof in regard to sucli superstition. For it is easy for
any one who pleases to understand that it [an idol] is nothing,
unless there be any one who does not see. However, now at
least hear that it does not hear, and understand that it does
not understand. For the hands of a man who is dead made
it. If, then, the maker is dead, how can it be that that which
was made by him shall not be dissolved ? Why, then, do you
worship the work of a mortal which is altogether senseless ?
whereas those who have reason do not worship animals, nor do
they seek to propitiate the elements which have been made
by God, — I mean the heaven, the sun, the moon, lightning,
the sea, and all things in them, — rightly judging not to
worship the things that He has made, but to reverence the
[Maker and Sustainer of them. For in this they themselves
also rejoice, that no one ascribes to them the honour that
belongs to their Maker.

Chap. x. — Idolatry a delusion of the serpent,

^' For His alone is the excellent glory of being alone un-
created, while all else is created. As, therefore, it is the
prerogative of the uncreated to be God, so whatever is created
is not God indeed. Before all things, therefore, you ought
to consider the evil-working suggestion of the deceiving
serpent that is in you, which seduces you by the promise
of better reason, creeping from your brain to your spinal
marrow, and setting great value upon deceiving you.

Chap. xi. — Why the serpent tempts to sin.

" For he knows the original law, that if he bring you to
the persuasion of the so-called gods, so that you sin against
the one good of monarchy, your overthrow becomes a gain
to him. And that for this reason, because he being con-
demned eats earth, he has power to eat him who through
sin being dissolved into earth, has become earth, your souls
going into his belly of fire. In order, therefore, that you
may suffer these things, he suggests every thought to your
hurt.

166 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xii. — Ignorantia neminem excusat,

" For all the deceitful conceptions against the monarchy are
sown in your mind by him to your hurt. First, that you may
not hear the discourses of piety, and so drive away ignorance,
which is the occasion of evils, he ensnares you by a pretence
of knowledge, giving in the first instance, and using through-
out this presumption, which is to think and to be unhappily
advised, that if any one do not hear the word of piety, he is
not subject to judgments. Wherefore also some, being thus
deceived, are not willing to hear, that they may be ignorant,
not knowing that ignorance is of itself a sufficient deadly
drug. For if any one should take a deadly drug in ignor-
ance, does he not die ? So naturally sins destroy the sinner,
though he commit them in ignorance of what is right.

Chap. xiii. — Condemnation of the ignorant.

"But if judgment follows upon disobedience to instruction,
much more shall God destroy those who will not undertake
His w^orship. For he who will not learn, lest that should
make him subject to judgment, is already judged as knowing,
for he knew what he wdll not hear ; so that that imagination
avails nothing as an apology in presence of the heart-knowing
God. Wherefore avoid that cunning thought suggested by
the serpent to your minds. But if any one end this life in
real ignorance, this charge will lie against him, that, having
lived so long, he did not know who was the bestower of the
food supplied to him ; and as a senseless, and ungrateful, and
very unworthy servant, he is rejected from the kingdom of
God.

' Chap. xiv. — Polytheistic illustration.

" Again, the terrible serpent suggests this supposition to
you, to think and to say that very thing which most of you
do say ; viz.. We know that there is one Lord of all, but
there also are gods. For in like manner as there is one
Caesar, but he has under him procurators, proconsuls, pre-
fects, commanders of thousands, and of hundreds, and of
tens ; in the same way, there being one great God, as there

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 167

is one Caesar, there also, after the manner of inferior powers,
are gods, inferior indeed to Him, but ruling over us. Hear,
therefore, ye who have been led away by this conception as
by a terrible poison — I mean the evil conception of this
illustration — that you may know what is good and what is
evil. For you do not yet see it, nor do you look into the
things that you utter.

Chap. xv. — Its inconclusiveness.

*^ For if you say that, after the manner of Csesar, God has
subordinate powers — those, namely, which are called gods —
you do not thus go by your illustration. For if you went by
it, you must of necessity know that it is not lawful to give
the name of Caesar to another, whether he be consul, or pre-
fect, or captain, or any one else, and that he who gives such
a name shall not live, and he who takes it shall be cut off.
Thus, according to your own illustration, the name of God
must not be given to another; and he who is tempted either
to take or give it is destroyed. Now, if this insult of a man
induces punishment, much more they who call others gods
shall be subject to eternal punishment, as insulting God.
And with good reason ; because you subject to all the insult
that you can the name which it was committed to you to
honour, in order to His monarchy. For GoD is not properly
His name ; but you having in the meantime received it, insult
what has been given you, that it may be accounted as done
against the real name, according as you use that. But you
subject it to every kind of insult.

Chap. xvi. — Gods of the Egyptians,

" Therefore you ringleaders among the Egyptians, boasting
of meteorology, and promising to judge the natures of the
stars, by reason of the evil opinion lurking in them, subjected
that name to all manner of dishonour as far as in them lay.
For some of them taught the worship of an ox called Apis,
some that of a he-goat, some of a cat, some of a serpent ; yea,
even of a fish, and of onions, and rumblings in the stomach/

168 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and common sewers, and members of irrational animals, and
to myriads of other base abominations [they gave the name
of god]."

Chap. xvii. — TJie Egyptians' defence of tlieir system.

On Peter's saying this, the surrounding multitude laughed.
Then Peter said to the laucrhino; multitude : " You lauffh at
their proceedings, not knowing that you are yourselves much
more objects of ridicule to them. But you laugh at one
another's proceedings ; for, being led by evil custom into
deceit, you do not see your own. But I admit that you have
reason to laugh at the idols of the Egyptians, since they,
being rational, worship irrational animals, and these alto-
gether dying. But listen to what they say when they deride
you. AYe, they say, though we worship dying creatures, yet
still such as have once had life; but you reverence things that
never lived. And in addition to this, they say, We wish to
honour the form of the one God, but we cannot find out what
it is, and so we choose to give honour to every form. And
so, making some such statements as these, they think that
they judge more rightly than you do.

Chap, xviii. — Answer to the Egyptians.

" Wherefore answer them thus : You lie, for you do not
worship these things in honour of the true God, for then all
of you would worship every form ; not as ye do. For those
of you who suppose the onion to be the divinity, and those
wdio worship rumblings in the stomach, contend with one
another; and thus all in like manner preferring some one
thing, revile those that are preferred by others. And with
diverse judgments, one reverences one and another another
of the limbs of the same animal. Moreover, those of them
who still have a breath of rio;ht reason, beinir ashamed of the
manifest baseness, attempt to drive these things into allegories,
wishing by another vagary to establish their deadly error.
But we should confute the allegories, if we were there, the
foolish passion for which has prevailed to such an extent as to
constitute a great disease of the understanding. For it is not

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 1G9

necessary to appl}^ a plaster to a whole part of the body, but
to a diseased part. Since then, you, by your laughing at
the Egyptians, show that you are not affected with their
disease, with respect to your own disease it were reasonable
I should afford to you a present cure of your own malady.

Chap. xix. — GocC s peculiar attribute,

^^ He who would worship God ought before all things to
know what alone is peculiar to the nature of God, which
cannot pertain to anotner, that, looking at His peculiarity,
and not finding it in any other, he may not be seduced into
ascribing godhead to another. But this is peculiar to God,
that He alone is, as the Maker of all, so also the best of all.
That which makes is indeed superior in power to that which
is made ; that which is boundless is superior in magnitude to
that which is bounded : in respect of beauty, that which is
comeliest ; in respect of happiness, that which is most blessed;
in respect of understanding, that which is most perfect. And
in like manner, in other respects. He has incomparably the
pre-eminence. Since then, as I said, this very thing, viz. to
be the best of all, is peculiar to God, and the all-comprehend-
ing world was made by Him, none of the things made by
Him can come into equal comparison with Him.

Chap. xx. — Neither the world nor any of its parts can he God,

" But the world, not being incomparable and unsurpassable,
and altogether in all respects without defect, cannot be God.
But if the whole world cannot be God, in respect of its
having been made, how much more should not its parts be
reasonably called God ; I mean the parts that are by you
called gods, being made of gold and silver, brass and stone,
or of any other material whatsoever ; and they constructed by
mortal hand. However, let us further see how the terrible
serpent through man's mouth poisons those who are seduced
by his solicitations.

Chap. xxi. — Idols not animated hy the Divine Spirit,
" For many say, We do not worship the gold or the silver^

170 THE CLEMEKTIXE HOMILIES.

the wood or the stone, of the objects of our worship. For
we also know that these are nothing but lifeless matter, and
the art of mortal man. But the spirit that dwells in them,
that we call God. Behold the immorality of those who
speak thus ! For when that which appears is easily proved
to be nothing, they have recourse to the invisible, as not
being able to be convicted in respect of what is non-apparent.
However, they agree with us in part, that one half of their
images is not God, but senseless matter. It remains for
them to show how we are to believe that these ima£!:es have a
divine spirit. But they cannot prove to us that it is so, for
it is not so ; and we do not believe them [when they say that
they] have seen it. "\Ye shall afford them proofs that they
have not a divine spirit, that lovers of truth, hearing the
refutation of the thouglit that they are animated, may turn
away from the hurtful delusion.

Chap. xxii. — Confutation of idoI-icorsJiip.

^' In the first place, indeed, if you worship them as being
animated, why do you also worship the sepulchres of memor-
able men of old, who confessedly had no divine spirit? Thus
you do not at all speak truth respecting this. But if your
objects of worship were really animated, they would move of
themselves ; they would have a voice ; they would shake off
the spiders that are on them ; they would thrust forth those
that wish to surprise and to steal them ; they would easily
capture those who pilfer the offerings. But now they do
none of these tilings, but are guarded, like culprits, and espe-
cially the more costly of them, as we have already said. But
what ? Is it not so, that the rulers demand of you imposts
and taxes on their account, as if you were greatly benefited
by them ? But what ? Have they not often been taken as
plunder by enemies, and been broken and scattered ? And
do not the priests, more than the outside worshippers, carry
off many of the offerings, thus acknowledging the uselessness
of their worship ?

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 171

Chap, xxiii. — Folly of idolatry,

^^ Nay, it will be said ; but they are detected by their fore-
sight. It is false ; for how many of them have not been
detected ? And if on account of the capture of some it be
said that they have power, it is a mistake. For of those who
rob tombs, some are found out and some escape ; but it is not
by the power of the dead that those who are apprehended are
detected. And such ought to be our conclusion with respect
to those who steal and pilfer the gods. But it will be said,
The gods that are in them take no care of their images.
Why, then, do you tend them, wiping them, and washing
them, and scouring them, crowning them, and sacrificing to
them ? Wherefore agree with me that you act altogether
without right reason. For as you lament over the dead, so
you sacrifice and make libations to your gods.

Chap. xxiv. — Impotence of idols.

" Nor yet is that in harmony with the illustration of Caesar,
and of the powers under him, to call them administrators ;
whereas you take all care of them, as I said, tending your
images in every respect. For they, having no power, do
nothing. Wherefore tell us what do they administer? what
do they of that sort which rulers in different places do ? and
what influence do they exert, as the stars of God ? Do they
show anything like the sun, or do you light lamps before
them ? Are they able to bring showers, as the clouds bring
rain, — they which cannot even move themselves, unless men
carry them ? Do they make the earth fruitful to your
labours, these to whom you supply sacrifices ? Thus they
can do nothing.

Chap. xxv. — Servants hecome masters.

" But if they were able to do something, you should not be
right in calling them gods : for it is not right to call the
elements gods, by which good things are supplied ; but only
Him who ordereth them, to accomplish all things for our
use, and who commandeth them to be serviceable to man, —

172 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Him alone we call God in propriety of speechj whose bene-
ficence you do not perceive, but permit those elements to
rule over you which have been assigned to you as your
servants. And why should I speak of the elements, when
you not only have made and do worship lifeless images,
but deign to be subject to them in all respects as servants ?
Wherefore, by reason of your erroneous judgments, you
have become subject to demons. However, by acknowledg-
ment of God Himself, by good deeds you can again become
masters, and command the demons as slaves, and as sons of
God be constituted heirs of the eternal kingdom."

Chap. xxvi. — The sick healed.

Having said this, he ordered the demoniacs, and those
taken with diseases, to be brought to him ; and when they
were brought, he laid his hands on them, and prayed, and
dismissed them healed, reminding them and the rest of the
multitude to attend upon him there every day that he
should discourse. Then, when the others had withdrawn,
Peter bathed in the reservoir that was there, with those who
pleased ; and then ordering a table to be spread on the
ground under the thick foliage of the trees, for the sake
of shade, he ordered us each to recline, according to our
w^orth ; and thus we partook of food. Therefore having
blessed and having given thanks to God for tlie enjoyment,
according to the accustomed faith of tlie Hebrews ; and
there being still a long time before us, he permitted us to
ask him questions about whatever we pleased ; and thus,
though there were twenty of us putting questions to liim
all round, he satisfied every one. And now evening having
descended, we all went with him into the largest apartment
of the lodging, and there we all slept.

HOMILY XL

Chap. i. — Morning exercises,

HEREFORE on the fourth day at Tripolls, Peter
rising and finding us awake, saluted us and went
out to the reservoir, that he mio-ht bathe and
pray ; and we also did so after him. To us,
therefore, when we had prayed together, and were set down
before him, he gave a discourse touching the necessity of
purity. And when thereafter it was day, he permitted the
multitudes to enter. Then, when a great crowd had entered,
he saluted them according to custom, and began to speak.

Chap. ii. — '^ Giving all diligence^

" Inasmuch as, by long-continued neglect on your part, to
your own injury, your mind has caused to sprout many hurt-
ful conceptions about religion, and ye have become like land
fallow by the carelessness of the husbandman, you need a
long time for your purification, that your mind, receiving like
good seed the true word that is imparted to you, may not
choke it with evil cares, and render it unfruitful with respect
to works that are able to save you. Wherefore it behoves
those who are careful of their own salvation to hear more
constantly, that their sins which have been long multiplying
may, in the short time that remains, be matched with con-
stant care for their purification. Since, therefore, no one
knows the time of his end, hasten to pluck out the many
thorns of your hearts ; but not by little and little, for then
you cannot be purified, for you have been long fallow.

Chap. hi. — " Behold what indignation.^''
"But not otherwise will you endure to undertake much

174 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

care for your purification unless you be angry with yourselves^
and chastise yourselves for those things with which, as unpro-
fitable servants, you have been ensnared, consenting to your
evil lusts, that you may be able to let in your righteous
indignation upon your mind, as fire upon a fallow field. If,
therefore, ye have not righteous fire, I mean indignation,
against evil lusts, learn from what good things ye have been
seduced, and by whom ye have been deceived, and for what
punishment ye are prepared ; and thus, your mind being sober,
and kindled into indignation like fire by the teaching of Him
who sent us, may be able to consume the evil things of lust.
Believe me, that if you will, you can rectify all things.

Chap. iv. — The golden rule,

" Ye are the ima^e of the invisible God. Whence let not
those who would be pious say that idols are images of God,
and therefore that it is right to worship them. For the image
of God is man. He who wishes to be pious towards God
does good to man, because the body of man bears the image
of God. But all do not as yet bear His likeness, but the pure
mind of the good soul does. However, as we know that man
was made after the image and after the likeness of God, we
tell you to be pious towards him, that the favour may be
accounted as done to God, whose image he is. Therefore it
behoves you to give honour to the image of God, which is
man — in this wise ; food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty,
clothing to the naked, care to the sick, shelter to the stranger,
and visiting him who is in prison, to help him as you can.
And not to speak at length, whatever good things any one
wishes for himself, so let him afford to another in need, and
then a good reward can be reckoned to him as being pious
towards the image of God. And by like reason, if he will
not undertake to do these things, he shall be punished as
neMectinfj the imasie.

Chap. v. — Forasmuch as ye did it unto one of these.

" Can it therefore be said that, for the sake of piety
towards God, ye worship every form, while in all things ye

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 175

injure man who is really the image of God, committing mur-
der, adultery, stealing, and dishonouring him in many other
respects ? But you ought not to do even one evil thing on
account of which man is grieved. But now you do all things
on account of which man is disheartened, for wrong is also
distress. Wherefore you murder and spoil his goods, and
whatever else you know which you would not receive from
another. But you, being seduced by some malignant reptile
to malice, by the suggestion of polytheistic doctrine, are
impious towards the real image, w^hich is man, and think that
ye are pious towards senseless things.

Chap, VI. — Why God suffers objects of idolatry to subsist.

"But some say, Unless He wished these things to be, they
should not be, but He would take them away. But I say
this shall assuredly be the case, when all shall show their pre-
ference for Him, and thus there shall be a change of the
present world. However, if you wished him to act thus, so
that none of the things that are worshipped should subsist,
tell me what of existing things you have not w^orshipped.
Do not some of you worship the sun, and some the moon,
and some water, and some the earth, and some the mountains,
and some plants, and some seeds, and some also man, as in
Egypt ? Therefore God must have suffered nothing, not
even you, so that there should have been neither worshipped
nor w^orshipper. Truly this is what the terrible serpent
which lurks in you would have, and spares you not. But
so it shall not be. For it is not the thing that is worshipped
that sins ; for it suffers violence at the hands of him who will
worship it. For though unjust judgment is passed by all
men, yet not by God. For it is not just that the sufferer
and the disposer receive the same punishment, unless he
willingly receive the honour which belongs only to the Most
Honourable.

Chap. vii. — " Let both grow together till the harvest^

" But it will be said that the worshippers themselves ought
to be taken away by the true God, that others may not do it.

176 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

But you are not wiser than God, that you should give Him
counsel as one more prudent than He. He knows what He
does ; for He is long-suffering to all who are in impiety, as
a merciful and philanthropic father, knowing that impious
men become pious. And of those very worshippers of base
and senseless things, many becoming sober have ceased to
w^orship these things and to sin, and many Greeks have been
saved so as to pray to the true God.

== Chap. viii. — Liberty and necessity. ==

^'But, you say, God ought to have made us at first so that
we should not have thought at all of such things. You who
say this do not know what is free-will, and how it is possible
to be really good ; that he who is good by his own choice is
really good; but he who is made good by another under
necessity is not really good, because he is not w^hat he is by
his own choice. Since therefore every one's freedom con-
stitutes the true good, and shows the true evil, God has con-
trived that friendship or hostility should be in each man by
occasions. But no, it is said ; everything that we think He
makes ns to think. Stop ! Why do you [[blaspheme]] more
and more, in saying this ? For if we are under His influ-
ence in all that we think, you say that He is the cause of
fornications, lusts, avarice, and all blasphemy. Cease your
evil-speaking, ye -who ought to speak well of Him, and
to bestow all honour upon Him. And do not say that God
does not claim any honour ; for if He Himself claims nothing,
you ought to look to what is right, and to answer with thank-
ful voice Him who does you good in all things.

Chap. ix. — God a jealous God,

" But, you say, we do better when we are thankful at once
to Him and to all others. Now, when you say this, you do
not know the plot that is formed against you. For as, when
many physicians of no powder promise to cure one patient, one
who is really able to cure him does not apply his remedy,
considering that, if he should cure him, the others would get
the credit ; so also God does not do you good, when He is

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 177

asked along with many who can do nothing. What ! it will
be said, is God enraged at this, if, when He cures, another
gets the credit ? I answer : Although He be not indignant,
at all events He will not be an accomplice in deceit ; for
when He has conferred a benefit, the idol, which has done
nothing, is credited with the power. But also I say to you,
if he who crouches in adoration before senseless idols had not
been injured naturally, perhaps He (God) would have en-
dured even this. Wherefore watch ye that you may attain
to a reasonable understandino; on the matter of salvation.^
For God being without want, neither Himself needs anything,
nor receives hurt ; for it belongs to us to be profited or injured.
For in like manner as Csesar is neither hurt when he is evil
spoken of, nor profited when he is thanked, but safety accrues
to the renderer of thanks, and ruin to the evil-speaker, so they
who speak well of God indeed profit Him nothing, but save
themselves ; and in like manner, those who blaspheme Him
do not indeed injure Him, but themselves perish.

Chap. x. — The creatures avenge GodCs cause.

" But it will be said that the cases are not parallel between
God and man ; and I admit that they are not parallel : for
the punishment is greater to him who is guilty of impiety
against the greater, and less to him who sins against the less.
As, therefore, God is greatest of all, so he who is impious
against Him shall endure greater punishment, as sinning
against the greater ; not through His defending Himself with
His own hand, but the whole creation being indignant at
him, and naturally taking vengeance on him. For to the
blasphemer the sun will not give his light, nor the earth her
fruits, nor the fountain its water, nor in Hades shall he who
is there constituted prince give rest to the soul ; since even
now, while the constitution of the world subsists, the whole
creation is indignant at him. Wherefore neither do [the
clouds] afford sufficient rains, nor the earth fruits, whereby
many perish ; yea, even the air itself, inflamed with anger,

^ "We have adopted the reading of Codex 0. The reading in the others
is corrupt.

M

178 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is turned to pestilential courses. However, whatsoever good
things we enjoy, He of His mercy compels the creature to
our benefits. Still, against you who dishonour the Maker of
all, the whole creation is hostile.

Chap. xi. — Immortality of the soul.

" And though by the dissolution of the body you should
escape punishment, how shall you be able by corruption to
flee from your soul, which is incorruptible ? For the soul
even of the wicked is immortal, for whom it were better not
to have it incorruptible. For, being punished with endless
torture under unquenchable fire, and never dying, it can re-
ceive no end of its miseiy. But perhaps some one of you will
say, ^ You terrify us, O Peter.' Teach us then how we can
be silent [about these things, and yet] tell you things as they
are, for not otherwise can we tell vou them. But if we should
be silent, you should be ensnared by evils through ignor-
ance. But if we speak, we are suspected of terrifying you
with a false theory. How then shall we charm that wicked
[serpent] that lurks in your [soul], and subtilely insinuates
suspicions hostile to God, under the guise of love to God ?
Be reconciled with yourselves ; for in order to your salvation
recourse is to Him with well-doin^. Unreasonable lust in
you is hostile to God, for by conceit of wisdom it strengthens
ignorance.

Chap. xii. — Idols unprojltahle.

" But others say, God does not care for us. This also is
false. For if really He did not care. He would neither
cause His sun to rise on the good and the evil, nor send His
rain on the just and the unjust. But others say, We are
more pious [than you], since we worship both him and
images. I do not think, if one were to say to a king, ^ I
give you an equal share of honour with that which I give
to corpses and to worthless dung ' — I do not think that he
would profit by it. But some one will say, Do you call our
objects of worship dung? I say Yes, for you have made
them useless to yourselves by setting them aside for worship,

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 179

whereas their substance might perhaps have been serviceable
for some other purpose, or for the purpose of manure. But
now it is not useful even for this purpose, since you have
changed its shape and worship it. And how do you say
that you are more pious, you who are the most wicked of
all, who deserve destruction of your souls by this very one
incomparable sin, at the hands of Him who is true, if you
abide in it ? For as if any son having received many bene-
fits from his father, give to another, who is not his father,
the honour that is due to his father, he is certainly dis-
inherited; but if he live according to the judgment of his
father, and so thanks him for his kindnesses, he is with good
reason made the heir.

Chap. xiir. — Ao^guments in favour of idolatry ansiuered,

" But others say, We shall act impiously if we forsake
the objects of worship handed down to us by our fathers ;
for it is like the guarding of a deposit. But on this principle
the son of a robber or a debauchee ought not to be sober
and to choose the better part, lest he should act impiously,
and sin by doing differently from his parents ! How foolish,
then, are they who say, "We worship these things that we
may not be troublesome to Him ; as if God were troubled
by those who bless Him, and not troubled by those who
ungratefully blaspheme Him. Why is it, then, that when
there is a withholding of rain, you look only to heaven and
pour out prayers and supplications ; and when you obtain
it, you quickly forget? For when you have reaped your
harvest or gathered your vintage, you distribute your first-
fruits among those idols which are nothing, quickly forgetting
God your benefactor; and thus you go into groves and
temples, and offer sacrifices and feasts. Wherefore some of
you say, These things have been excellently devised for the
sake of good cheer and feasting.

Chap. xiv. — Heathen orgies,'

^^ Oh men without understanding ! Judge ye rightly of
■what is said. For if it were necessary to give one's self to

180 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

some pleasure for the refreshment of the body, whether were
it better to do so among the rivers and woods and groves,
where there are entertainments and conviviaUties and shady
places, or where there is the madness of demons, and cuttings
of hands, and emasculations, and fury and mania, and dis-
hevelling of hair, and shoutings and enthusiasms and bowl-
ings, and all those things which are done with hypocrisy for
the confounding of the unthinking, when you offer your
prescribed prayers and thanksgivings even to those who are
deader than the dead ?

Chap. xv. — Heatlien worsJnppers under the power of the

demon.

" And why do ye take pleasure in these doings ? Since the
serpent which lurks in you, which has sown in you fruitless
lust, wdll not tell you, I shall speak and put it on record.
Thus the case stands. According to the worship of God,
the proclamation is made to be sober, to be chaste, to restrain
passion, not to pilfer other men's goods, to live uprightly,
moderately, fearlessly, gently ; rather to restrain one's self in
necessities, than to supply his wants by wrongfully taking
away the property of another. But with the so-called gods
the reverse is done. And ye renounce some things [as done
by you], in order to the admiration of [your] righteousness ;
w^hereas, although you did all that you are commanded,
ignorance w^ith respect to God is alone sufficient for your
condemnation. But meeting together in the places which
you have dedicated to them, you delight in making yourselves
drunk, and you kindle your altars, of which the diffused
odour throucrh its influence attracts the blind and deaf
spirits to the place of their fumigation. And thus, of those
who are present, some are filled with inspirations, and some
with stranoje fiends, and some betake themselves to lascivious-
ness, and some to theft and murder. For the exhalation of
blood, and the libation of wine, satisfies even these unclean
spirits, which lurk within you and cause you to take plea-
sure in the things that are transacted there, and in dreams
surround you with false phantasies, and punish you with

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 181

myriads of diseases. For under the show of the so-called
sacred victims you are filled with dire demons, which, cunningly
concealing themselves, destroy you, so that you should not
understand the plot that is laid for you. For, under the
guise of some injury, or love, or anger, or grief, or strangling
you with a rope, or drowning you, or throwing you from a
precipice, or by suicide, or apoplexy, or some other disease,
they deprive you of life.

Chap. xvi. — All tilings ivork for good to them that love God.

" But no one of us can suffer such a thing ; but they
themselves are punished by us, when, having entered into any
one, they entreat us that they may go out slowly. But some
one will say perhaps, Even some of the worshippers of God
fall under such sufferings. I say that that is impossible. For
he is a worshipper of God, of whom I speak, who is truly
pious, not one who is such only in name, but who really per-
forms the deeds of the law that has been given him. If any
one acts impiously, he is not pious ; in like manner as, if he
who is of another tribe keeps the law, he is a Jew ; bat he
who does not keep it is a Greek. For the Jew believes God
and keeps the law, by which faith he removes also other
sufferings, though like mountains and heavy .^ But he who
keeps not the law is manifestly a deserter through not believ-
ing God ; and thus as no Jew, but a sinner, he is on account
of his sin brought into subjection to those sufferings which
are ordained for the punishment of sinners. For, by the
will of God prescribed at the beginning, punishment right-
eously follows those who worship Him on account of trans-
gressions ; and this is so, in order that, having reckoned with
them by punishment for sin as for a debt, he may set forth
those who have turned to Him pure in the universal judg-
ment. For as the wicked here enjoy luxury to the loss of
eternal blessings, so punishments are sent upon the Jews who
transgress for a settlement of accounts, that, expiating their
transgression here, they may there be set free from eternal
punishments.

^ Matt. xvii. 19.

182 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xvii. — Speaking the truth in love,

" But you cannot speak thus ; for you do not believe that
things are then as we say ; I mean, when there is a recom-
pense for all. And on this account, you being ignorant of
what is advantageous, are seduced by temporal pleasures
from taking hold of eternal things. ^^Tierefore we attempt
to make to you exhibitions of what is profitable, that, being
convinced of the promises that belong to piety, you may by
good deeds inherit with us the griefless world. Until then
you know us, do not be angry with us, as if we spoke falsely
of the good things which we desire for you. For the things
which are regarded by us as true and good, these we have
not scrupled to bring to you, but, on the contrary, have
hastened to make you fellow-heirs of good things, which we
have considered to be such. For thus it is necessary to
speak to the unbelievers. But that we really speak the truth
in what we say, you cannot know otherwise than by first
listenin cr with love of the truth.

Chap, xviii. — Charming of the serpent.

"Wherefore, as to the matter in hand, although in ten
thousand ways the serpent that lurks in you suggesting evil
reasonings and hindrances, wishes to ensnare you, therefore
so much the more ouc][ht ve to resist him, and to listen to us
assiduously. For it behoves you, consulting, as having been
grievously deceived, to know how he must be charmed. But
in no other way is it possible. But by charming I mean the
setting yourselves by reason in opposition to their evil coun-
sels, remembering that by promise of knowledge he brought
death into the world at the first.

Chap. xix. — Not peace^ hut a sword,

" Whence the Prophet of the truth, knowing that the world
was much in error, and seeing it ranged on the side of evil,
did not choose that there should be peace to it while it stood
in error. So that till the end he sets himself against all those
who are in concord with wickedness, setting [truth] over

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 183

against error, sending as it were fire upon those who are
sober, namely wrath against the seducer, which is hkened
to a sword,^ and by holding forth the word he destroys igno-
rance by knowledge, cutting, as it were, and separating the
living from the dead. Therefore, while wickedness is being
conquered by lawful knowledge, war has taken hold of all.
For the submissive son is, for the sake of salvation, separated
from the vmbelieving father, or the father from the son, or the
mother from the daughter, or the daughter from the mother,
and relatives from relatives, and friends from associates.

Chap. xx. — What if it he already kindled'^

" And let not any one say. How is this just, that parents
should be separated from their children, and children from
their parents ? It is just, even entirely. For if they re-
mained with them, and, after profiting them nothing, were
also destroyed along wath them, how is it not just that he
who wishes to be saved should be separated from him who
will not, but who wishes to destroy him along with himself.
Moreover, it is not those who judge better that wish to be
separated, but they wish to stay with them, and to profit
them by the exposition of better things ; and therefore the
unbelievers, not wishing to hearken to them, make war
against them, banishing, persecuting, hating them. But
those who suffer these things, pitying those who are ensnared
by ignorance, by the teaching of wisdom pray for those who
contrive evil against them, having learned that ignorance is
the cause of their sin. For the Teacher Himself, being
nailed to [the cross], prayed to the Father that the sin of
those who slew Him might be forgiven, saying, ^ Father,
forgive them their sins, for they know not what they do.' ^
They also therefore, being imitators of the Teacher in their
sufferings, pray for those who contrive them, as they have
been taught. Therefore they are not separated as hating
their parents, since they make constant prayers even for
those who are neither parents nor relatives, but enemies, and
strive to love them, as they have been commanded.
1 Matt. X. 34. 2 Luke xxiii. 34.

184 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. xxi. — " If I he a father, where is my fearV

'' But tell me, how do you love your parents ? If, indeed,
you do it as always regarding what is right, I congratulate
you ; but if you love them as it happens, then not so, for
then you may on a small occasion become their enemies.
But if you love them intelligently, tell me, what are parents ?
You will say they are the sources of our being. Why, then,
do ye not love the [source of the] being of all things, if in-
deed you have with right understanding elected to do this ?
But you will now say again, we have not seen Him. Why,
then, do ye not seek for Him, but worship senseless things ?
But what ? If it were even difficult for you to know what
God is, you cannot fail to know what is not God, so as to
reason that God is not wood, nor stone, nor brass, nor any-
thing else made of corruptible matter.

Chap. xxii. — " The gods that have not made the heavens^

"For are not they graven with iron? And has not the
graving iron been softened by fire? And is not the fire itself
extinguished with water ? And has not the water its motion
from the spirit ? And has not the spirit the beginning of its
course from the God who hath made all things ? For thus said
the prophet Moses : ' In the beginning God made the heaven
and the earth. And the earth was unsightly, and unadorned ;
and darkness was over the deep : and the Spirit of God was
borne above the waters.' Which Spirit, at the bidding of
God, as it were His hand, makes all things, dividing light
from darkness, and after the invisible heaven spreading out
the visible, that the places above might be inhabited by the
angels of light, and those below by man, and all the creatures
that were made for his use.

Chap, xxiir. — '' To ichom much is given.^*

" For on thy account, O man, God commanded the water to
retire upon the face of the earth, that the earth might be able
to brinop forth fruits for thee. And He made water-courses,
that He might provide for thee fountains, and that river-beds

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 185

might be disclosed, that animals might teem forth ; in a word,
that He might furnish thee with all things. For is it not for
thee that the winds blow, and the rains fall, and the seasons
change for the production of fruits ? Moreover, it is for thee
that the sun and moon, with the other heavenly bodies, ac-
complish their risings and settings ; and rivers and pools, with
all fountains, serve thee. Whence to thee, O senseless one,
as the greater honour has been given, so for thee, ungrateful,
the greater punishment by fire has been prepared, because
thou wouldest not know Him whom it behoved thee before
all things to know.

Chap. xxiv. — " Born of water r

"And now from inferior things learn the cause of all,
reasoning that water makes all things, and water receives the
production of its movement from sj^irit, and the spirit has its
beginning from the God of all. And thus you ought to have
reasoned, in order that by reason you might attain to God,
that, knowing your origin, and being born again by the first-
born water, you may be constituted heir of the parents who
have begotten you to incorruption.

Chap. xxv. — Good works to he well done,

" Wherefore come readily, as a son to a father, that God
may assign ignorance as the cause of your sins. But if after
being called you will not, or delay, you shall be destroyed by
the just judgment of God, not being willed, through your not
willing. And do not think, though you were more pious than
all the pious that ever were, but if you be unbaptized, that
you shall ever obtain hope. For all the more, on this account,
you shall endure the greater punishment, because you have
done excellent works not excellently. For well-doing is ex-
cellent when it is done as God has commanded. But if you
will not be baptized according to His pleasure, you serve
your own will and oppose His counsel.

Chap. xxvi. — Baptism,
" But perhaps some one will say, What does it contribute to

186 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

piety to be baptized with water? In the first place, because
you do that which is pleasing to God; and in the second
place, being born again to God of water, by reason of fear
you change your first generation, which is of lust, and thus you
are able to obtain salvation. But otherwise it is impossible.
For thus the prophet has sworn to us, saying, " Verily I say to
you. Unless ye be regenerated by living water into the name
of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you shall not enter the king-
dom of heaven.-'- Wherefore approach. For there is there
something that is merciful from the beginning, borne upon
the water, and rescues from the future punishment those
who are baptized with the thrice-blessed invocation, offering
as gifts to God the good deeds of the baptized whenever they
are done after their baptism. Wherefore flee to the waters,
for this alone can quench the violence of fires. He who will
not now come to it still bears the spirit of strife, on account
of which he will not approach the living water for his own
salvation.

Chap, xxvii. — All need baptism.

^^ Therefore approach, be ye righteous or unrighteous. For
if you are righteous, baptism alone is lacking in order to sal-
vation. But if you are unrighteous, come to be baptized for
the remission of the sins formerly committed in ignorance.
And to the unrighteous man it remains that his well-doing
after baptism be according to the proportion of his [previous]
impiety. Wherefore, be ye righteous or unrighteous, hasten
to be born to God, because delay brings danger, on account
of the fore-appointment of death being unrevealed ; and show
by well-doing your likeness to the Father, who begetteth you
of water. As a lover of truth, honour the true God as your
Father. But His honour is that you live as He, being right-
eous, would have you live. And the will of the righteous
One is that you do no wrong. But wrong is murder,
hatred, envy, and such like ; and of these there are many
forms.

^ Altered from John iii. 5.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 187

Chap, xxviii. — Purification.

" However, it is necessary to add something to these things
which has not community wath man, but is peculiar to the
worship of God. I mean purification, not approaching to
a man's own wife when she is in separation, for so the law of
God commands. But what ? If purity be not added to the
service of God, you would roll pleasantly like the dung-flies.
Wherefore as man, having something more than the irrational
animals, namely, rationality, purify your hearts from evil by
heavenly reasoning, and wash your bodies in the bath. For
purification according to the truth is not that the purity of
the body precedes purification after the heart, but that purity
follows goodness. For our Teacher also, [dealing with]
certain of the Pharisees and Scribes among us, who are sepa-
rated, and as Scribes know the matters of the law more than
others, still He reproved them as hypocrites, because they
cleansed only the things that appear to men, but omitted
purity of heart and the things seen by God alone.

Chap. xxix. — Outward and inward purity,

'^Therefore He made use of this memorable expression,
speaking the truth with respect to the hypocrites of them,
not with respect to all. For to some He said that obedience
was to be rendered, because they were entrusted with the
chair of Moses. However, to the hypocrites he said, ' Woe
to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye make clean
the outside of the cup and the platter, but the inside is full
of filth. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the
cup and the platter, that their outsides may be clean also.'
And truly : for when the mind is enlightened by knowledge,
the disciple is able to be good, and thereupon purity follows ;
for from the understanding within a good care of the body
without is produced. As from negligence with respect to
the body, care of the understanding cannot be produced, so
the pure man can purify both that which is without and that
which is within. And he who, purifying the things without,

188 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

does it looking to tlie praise of men, and by the praise of
those who look on, he has nothing from God,

Chap. xxx. — '^ Wliatsoever things are pure^

" But who is there to whom it is not manifest that it is
better not to have intercourse with a woman in her separa-
tion, but purified and washed. And also after copulation it
is proper to wash. But if you grudge to do this, recall to
mind how you followed after the parts of purity when you
served senseless idols ; and be ashamed that now, when it is
necessary to attain, I say not more, but to attain the one and
whole of purity, you are more slothful. Consider, therefore.
Him who made you, and you will understand who He is that
casts upon you this sluggishness with respect to purity.

Chap. xxxi. — " What do ye more than others ? "

" But some one of you will say. Must we then do whatso-
ever things we did while we were idolaters ? I say to you,
Not all things ; but whatsoever you did well, you must do
now, and more : for whatsoever is well done in error hangs
upon truth, as if anything be ill done in the truth it is from
error. Receive, therefore, from all quarters the things that
are your own, and not those that are another's, and do not
say, If those who are in error do anything well we are not
bound to do it. For, on this principle, if any one who wor-
ships idols do not commit murder, we ought to commit
murder, because he who is in error does not commit it.

5

Chap, xxxii. — " To ivhoin much is given."

" Xo ; but rather, if those wdio are in error do not kill, let
us not be angry ; if he who is in error do not commit adul-
tery, let us not lust even in the smallest degree ; if he who
is in error loves him who loves him, let us love even those
who hate us ; if he who is in error lends to those who have,
let us [give] to those who have not. Unquestionably we
ought — we who hope to inherit eternal life — to do better
things than the good things that are done by those who
know only the present life, knowing that if their works, being

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 180

judged with ours in the day of judgment, be found equal in
goodness, we shall have shame, and they perdition, having
acted against themselves through error. And I say that we
shall be put to shame on this account, because we have not
done more than they, though w^e have known more than
they. And if we shall be put to shame if we show well-doing
equal to theirs, and no more, how much more if we show less
than their w^ell-doing %

Chap, xxxiii. — The queen of the south and the men of

Nineveh.

"But that indeed in the day of judgment the doings of those
w^ho have known the truth are compared with the good deeds
of those who have been in error, the unlying One Himself
has taught us, saying to those who neglected to come and
listen to Him, ' The queen of the south shall rise up with
this generation, and shall condemn it ; because she came
from the extremities of the earth to hear the wisdom of
Solomon : and behold, a greater than Solomon is here,'^ and
ye do not believe Him. And to those amongst the people
who would not repent at His preaching He said, ' The men
of Nineveh shall rise up with this generation and shall con-
demn it, for they heard and repented on the preaching of
Jonas : and behold, a greater is here, and no one believes.' ^
And thus, setting over against all their impiety those from
among the Gentiles who have done [well], in order to con-
demn those who, possessing the true religion, had not acted
so well as those who were in error, he exhorted those having
reason not only to do equally with the Gentiles whatsoever
things are excellent, but more than they. And this speech
has been suggested to me, taking occasion from the neces-
sity of respecting the separation, and of washing after
copulation, and of not denying such purity, though those
who are in error do the same, since those who in error do
well, without being saved, are for the condemnation of those
w^ho are in the worship of God, [and do ill] ; because their
1 Matt. xii. 42. 2 L^kg xi. 32.

190 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

respect for purity is through error, and not through the wor-
ship of the true Father and God of all."

Chap, xxxiv. — Peter^s daily worL

Having said this, he dismissed the multitudes ; and accord-
ing to his custom, having partaken of food with those dearest
to him, he went to rest. And thus doincp and discoui'sincr
day by day, he strongly buttressed the law of God, chal-
lenging the reputed gods with the reputed genesis, and
arcjuincp that there is no automatism, but that the world is
governed according to providence.

Chap. xxxv. — '• Beware of false propJiets.''^

Then after three months were fulfilled, he ordered me to
fast for several days, and then brought me to the fountains
that are near to the sea, and baptized me as in ever-flowing
water. Thus, therefore, when our brethren rejoiced at my
God-gifted regeneration, not many days after he turned to
the elders in presence of all the church, and charged them,
saying : " Our Lord and Prophet, who hath sent us, declared
to us that the wicked one, having disputed with Him forty
days, and having prevailed nothing against Him, promised
that he would send apostles from amongst his subjects, to
deceive. Wherefore, above all, remember to shun apostle or
teacher or prophet who does not first accurately compare
his preaching with [that of] James, who was called the
brother of my Lord, and to whom was entrusted to admini-
ster the church of the Hebrews in Jerusalem, — and that even
thouixh he come to you with witnesses;^ lest the wickedness

CD *! '

which disputed forty days with the Lord, and prevailed nothing,
should afterwards, like lightning falling from heaven upon
the earth, send a preacher to your injury, as now he has sent
Simon upon us, preaching, under pretence of the truth, in the
name of the Lord, and sowing error. Wherefore He who
liath sent us, said, ^ Many shall come to me in sheep's cloth-

^ A conjectural reading, -which, seems probahle, is, Unless he come to
you ^vith credentials, viz. from James.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 191

ing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits
je shall know them.'"

Chap, xxxvi. — Fareiuell to TripoUs,

Having spoken thus, he sent the harbingers into Antioch
of Syria, bidding them expect him there forthwith. Then
when they had gone, Peter having driven away diseases,
sufferings, and demons from great multitudes who were per-
suaded, and having baptized them in the fountains which are
near to the sea, and having celebrated^ the eucharist, and
having appointed Maroones, who had received him into his
house, and was now perfected, as their bishop, and having
set apart twelve elders, and having designated deacons, and
arranged matters relating to widows, and having discoursed
on the common good what was profitable for the ordering of
the church, and having counselled them to obey the bishop
Maroones, three months being now fulfilled, he bade those in
Tripolis of Phoenicia farewell, and took his journey to Antioch
of Sjria, all the people accompanying us with due honour.
^ Literally, " having broken."

HOMILY XII.

Chap. i. — Two hands,

HEREFORE starting from Tripolis of Phoenicia
to go to Antiocli of Syria, on the same day we
came to Orthasia, and there stayed. And on
account of its being near the city which we had
left, almost all having heard the preaching before, we stopped
there only one day, and set out to Antaradus. And as there
were many who journeyed with us, Peter, addressing Nicetus
and Aquila, said, " Inasmuch as the great crowd of those who
journey with us draws upon us no little envy as we enter city
after city, I have thought that we must of necessity arrange,
so that neither, on the one hand, these may be grieved at
being prevented from accompanying us, nor, on the other
hand, we, by being so conspicuous, may fall under the envy of
the wicked.^ Wherefore I wish you, Nicetus and Aquila, to
go before me in two separate bodies, and enter secretly into
the Gentile cities.

Chap. ii. — Love of preachers and their converts,

" I know, indeed, that you are distressed at being told to
do this, being separated from me by a space of two days. I
would have you know, therefore, that we the persuaders
love you the persuaded much more than you love us who
have persuaded you. Therefore loving one another as we do
by not unreasonably doing what we wish, let us provide, as
much as in us lies, for safety. For I prefer, as you also
know, [to go] into the more notable cities of the provinces,
and to remain some days, and discourse. And for the pre-
1 Literally, " of wickedness."
192

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 193

sent lead the way into the neighbouring Laodicea, and, after
two or three days, so far as it depends upon my choice, I
shall overtake you. And do you alone receive me at the
gates, on account of the confusion, that thus we may enter
along with you without tumult. And thence, in like manner,
after some days' stay, others in your stead will go forward by
turns to the places beyond, preparing lodgings for us."

Chap. hi. — Submission,

When Peter had tiius spoken they were compelled to
acquiesce, saying, ^' It does not altogether grieve us, my lord,
to do this on account of its being your command ; in the
first place, indeed, because you have been chosen by the pro-
vidence of God, as being worthy to think and counsel well in
all things ; and in addition to this, for the most part we
shall be separated from you only for two days by the neces-
sity of preceding you. And that were indeed a long time to
be without sight of thee, O Peter, did we not consider that
they will be more grieved who are sent much farther forward,
being ordered to wait for thee longer in every city, distressed
that they are longer deprived of the sight of thy longed-for
countenance. And we, though not less distressed than they,
make no opposition, because you order us to do it for profit."
Thus, having spoken, they went forward, having it in charge
that at the first stage they should address the accompanying
multitude that they should enter the cities apart from one
another.

Chap. iv. — Clements joy.

When, therefore, they had gone, I, Clement, rejoiced
greatly that he had ordered me to remain with himself. Then
I answered and said, '' I thank God that you have not sent
me away as you have done the others, as I should have died
of grief." But he said, '' But what? If there shall ever be
any necessity that you be sent away for the sake of teach-
ing, would you, on account of being separated for a little
while from me, and that for an advantageous purpose, would
you die for that ? Would you not rather impress upon

N

194 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

yourself the duty of bearing the things that are arranged
for you through necessity, and cheerfully submit? And do
you not know that friends are present with one another in
their memories, although they are separated bodily ; whereas
some, being bodily present, wander from their friends in
their souls, by reason of want of memory ? "

Chap. y. — Clemen-Cs ojffice of sei^ice.

Then I answered, " Do not think, my lord, that I should
endure that grief foolishly, but with some good reason. For
since I hold you, my lord, in place of all, father, mother,
brothers, relatives, you who are the means through God of
my having the saving truth, holding you in place of all, I
have the greatest consolation. And in addition to this, being
afraid of my natural youthful lust, I was concerned lest,
being left by you (being but a young man, and having now
such a resolution that it would be impossible to desert you
without incurring the anger of God,)^ I should be overcome
by lust. But since it is much better and safer for me to re-
main w^ith you, when my mind is with good reason set upon
venerating, therefore I pray that I may always remain with
you. Moreover, I remember you saying in Cgesarea, ^ If
any one wishes to journey with me, let him piously journey.'
And by piously you meant, that those who are devoted to the
worship of God should grieve no one in respect of God, such
as by leaving parents, an attached wife, or any others.^
Whence I am in all respects a fitting fellow-traveller for you,
to whom, if you would confer the greatest favour, you would
allow to perform the functions of a servant."

Chap. vi. — Peter^s frucjaliti/.

Then Peter, hearing, smiled and said, " What think you,
then, O Clement ? Do you not think that you are placed by
very necessity in the position of my servant ? For who else

^ Here the text is hopelessly corrupt, and the meaning can only be
guessed at.

2 I have ventured to make a very slight change on the reading here,
so as to bring out -what I suppose to be the sense.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 195

shall take care of those many splendid tunics, with all my
changes of rings and sandals ? And who shall make ready
those pleasant and artistic dainties, which, being so various,
need many skilful cooks, and all those things which are pro-
cured with great eagerness, and are prepared for the appetite
of effeminate men as for some great wild beast? However,
such a choice has occurred to you, perhaps, without you
understanding or knowing my manner of life, that I use
only bread and olives, and rarely pot-herbs ; and that this is
my only coat and cloaK which I wear ; and I have no need
of any of them, nor of aught else : for even in these I
abound. For my mind, seeing all the eternal good things
that are there, regards none of the things that are here.
However, I accept of your good will ; and I admire and com-
mend you, for that you, a man of refined habits, have so
easily submitted your manner of living to your necessities.
For we, from our childhood, both I and Andrew, my brother,
who is also my brother as respects God, not only being
brought up in the condition of orphans, but also accustomed
to labour through poverty and misfortune, easily bear the
discomforts of our present journeys. Whence, if you would
obey me, you would allow me, a working man, to fulfil the
part of a servant to you."

Chap. vii. — " Not to he ministered unto, hut to minister^

But I, when I heard this, fell a-trembling and weeping,
that such a word should be spoken by a man to whom all the
men of this generation are inferior in point of knowledge and
piety. But he, seeing me weeping, asked the cause of my
tears. Then I said, " In what have I sinned so that you have
spoken to me such a word ? " Then Peter answered, " If it
were wrong of me to speak of being your servant, you were
first in fault in asking to be mine." Then I said, " The cases
are not parallel ; for to do this indeed becomes me well ; but
it is terrible for you, the herald of God, and who savest our
souls, to do this to me." Then Peter answered, "I should agree
with you, but that ^ our Lord, who came for the salvation of
^ A negative particle seems to be dropped from the text»

196 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

all the world, being alone noble above all, submitted to tlie
condition of a servant, that He might persuade us not to be
ashamed to perform the ministrations of servants to our
brethren, however well-born we maj be." Then I said, " If
I think to overcome you in argument, I am foolish. How-
ever, I thank the providence of God, that 1 have been
thought worthy to have you instead of parents."

Chap. viii. — Family history.

Then Peter inquired, "Are you really, then, alone in your
family?" Then I answered, "There are indeed many and
great men, being of the kindred of Coesar. Wherefore
Caesar himself gave a wife of his own family to my father,
who was his foster-brother ; and of her three sons of us were
born, two before me, who were twins and very like each
other, as my father told me. But I scarcely know either
them or our mother, but bear about with me an obscure
Image of them, as through dreams. Islj mother's name
was Mattidin, and my father's, Faustin; and of my brothers
one was called Faastinus, and the other Faustinianus. Then
after I, their third son, was born, my mother saw a vision —
so my father told me — [which told her,] that unless she im-
mediately took away her twin sons, and left the city of Rome
for exile for twelve years, she and they must die by an all-
destructive fate.

Chap. ix. — The lost ones.

" Therefore my father, being fond of his children, supply-
ing them suitably for the journey with male and female
servants, put them on board ship, and sent them to Athens
with her to be educated, and kept me alone of his sons with
him for his comfort; and for this I am very thankful, that
the vision had not ordered me also to depart with my mother
from the city of Rome. Then, after the lapse of a year, my
father sent money to them to Athens, and at the same time
to learn how they did. But those who went on this errand
did not return. And in the third year, my father being dis-
tressed, sent others in like manner with supplies, and they

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 197

returned in the fourth year with the tidings that they had
seen neither my mother nor my brothers, nor had they ever
arrived at Athens, nor had they found any trace of any one
of those who set out with them.

Chap. x. — The seeker lost,

" Then my father, hearing this, and being stupefied with
excessive grief, and not knowing where to go in quest of
them, used to take me with him and go down to the harbour,
and inquire of many where any one of them had seen or
heard of a shipwreck four years ago. And one turned one
place, and another another. Then he inquired whether they
had seen the body of a woman with [two] children cast
ashore. And when they told him that they had seen many
corpses in many places, my father groaned at the informa-
tion. But, with his bowels yearning, he asked unreasonable
questions, that he might try to search so great an extent of
sea. However, he was pardonable, because, through affection
towards those whom he was seeking for, he fed on vain hopes.
And at last, placing me under guardians, and leaving me at
Home when I was twelve years old, he himself, weeping, went
down to the harbour, and went on board ship, and set out upon
the search. And from that day till this I have neither re-
ceived a letter from him, nor do I know whether he be alive
or dead. But I rather suspect that he is dead somewhere,
either overcome by grief, or perished by shipwreck. And the
proof of that is that it is now the twentieth year that I have
heard no true intelligence concerning him."

Chap. xt. — The ajflictions of the righteous.

But Peter, hearing this, wept through sympathy, and
immediately said to the gentlemen who were present : " If
any w^orshipper of God had suffered these things, such as
this man's father hath suffered, he would immediately have
assigned the cause of it to be his worship of God, ascribing
it to the wicked one. Thus also it is the lot of the wretched
Gentiles to suffer ; and we worshippers of God know it not.
But with good reason I call them wretched, because here

198 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

they are ensnared, and the hope that is thine they obtain
not. For those who in the worship of God suffer afflictions,
suffer them for the expiation of their transgressions."

Chap. xii. — A pleasure trip.

When Peter had spoken thus, a certain one amongst us
ventured to invite him, in the name of all, that next day,
early in the morning, he should sail to Aradus, an island
opposite, distant, I suppose, not quite thirty stadia, for the
purpose of seeing two pillars of vine-wood that were there,
and that were of very great girth. Therefore the indulgent
Peter consented, saying, " When you leave the boat, do not
go many of you together to see the things that you desire to
see ; for 1 do not wish that the attention of the inhabitants
should be turned to you." And so we sailed, and in short
time arrived at the island. Then landing from the boat,
we went to the place where the vine-wood pillars were, and
alono; with them we looked at several of the works of Phidius.

Chap. xiii. — A woman of a sorrowful spirit.

But Peter alone did not think it worth while to look at
the sifjhts that were there ; but noticinfr a certain woman
sitting outside before the doors, begging constantly for her
support, he said to her, " O woman, is any of your limbs
defective, that you submit to such disgrace — I mean that of
beo[fi;inor, — and do not rather work with the hands which God
has given you, and procure your daily food?" But she,
groaning, answered, " Would that I had hands able to work !
But now they retain only the form of hands, being dead
and rendered useless by my gnawing of them." Then Peter
asked her, " What is the cause of your suffering so terribly ?"
And she answered, " Weakness of soul ; and nought else.
For if I had the mind of a man, there was a precipice or
a pool whence I should have thrown myself, and have been
able to rest from my tormenting misfortunes."

Chap. xiv. — Balm in Gilead,
Then said Peter, " What then ? Do you suppose, O

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 199

woman, that those who destroy themselves are freed from
punishment ? Are not the souls of those who thus die
punished with a worse punishment in Hades for their
suicide?" But she said, "Would that I were persuaded
that souls are really found alive in Hades; then I should
love death, making light of the punishment, that I might
see, were it but for an hour, my longed-for sons!" Then
said Peter, " What is it that grieves you ? I should like to
know, O woman. For if you inform me, in return for this
favour, I shall satisfy you that souls live in Hades ; and
instead of precipice or pool, I. shall give you a drug, that
you may live and die without torment."

CiiAP. XV. — The womaiiLS stoi^.

Then the w^oman, not understanding what was spoken
ambiguously, being pleased with the promise, began to speak
thus : — " Were I to speak of my family and my country, I do
not suppose that I should be able to persuade any one. But
of what consequence is it to you to learn this, excepting only
the reason why in my anguish I have deadened my hands by
gnawing them ? Yet I shall give you an account of myself,
so far as it is in your power to hear it. I, being very nobly
born, by the arrangement of a certain man in authority, be-
came the wife of a man who was related to him. And first
I had twin sons, and afterwards another son. But my
husband's brother, being thoroughly mad, was enamoured
of wretched me, who exceedingly affected chastity. And
I, wishing neither to consent to my lover nor to expose to
my husband his brother's love of me, reasoned thus ; that I
may neither defile myself by the commission of adultery
nor disgrace my husband's bed, nor set brother at war with
brother, nor subject the whole family, which is a great one,
to the reproach of all, as I said. I reasoned that it was best
for me to leave the city for some time with my twin children,
until the impure love should cease of him who flattered me
to my disgrace. The other son, however, I left with his
father, to remain for a comfort to him.

200 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. XVI. — The shipwrech

" However, that matters might be thus arranged, I resolved
to fabricate a dream, to the effect that some one stood by me
by night, and thus spoke : ' O \Yoman, straightway leave the
city with your twin children for some time, until I shall
charge you to return hither again ; otherwise you forthwith
shall die miserably, with your husband and all your children.'
And so I did. For as soon as I told the false dream to my
husband, he being alarmed, sent me off by ship to Athens
with my two sons, and with slaves, maids, and abundance of
money, to educate the boys, until, said he, it shall please the
iiiver of the oracle that vou return to me. But, wretch that
I am, while sailing with my children, I was driven by the fury
of the winds into these regions, and the ship having gone to
pieces in the night, I was wrecked. And all the rest having
died, my unfortunate self alone was tossed by a great wave
and cast upon a rock ; and while I sat upon it in my misery,
I was prevented, by the hope of finding my children alive,
from throwing myself into the deep then, when I could easily
have done it, having my soul made drunk by the waves.

Chap. xvii. — The fruitless search.

" But when the day dawned, I shouted aloud, and howled
miserably, and looked around, seeking for the dead bodies of
my hapless children. Therefore the inhabitants took pity
on me, and seeing me naked, they first clothed me and then
sounded the deep, seeking for my children. And when they
found nothing of what they sought, some of the hospitable
women came to me to comfort me, and every one told her
own misfortunes, that I might obtain comfort from the
occurrences of similar misfortunes. But this only grieved
me the more ; for I said that I was not so wicked that I
could take comfort from the misfortunes of others. And so,
when many of them asked me to accept their hospitality, a
certain poor woman with much urgency constrained me to
come into her cottage, saying to me, ' Take courage, woman,
for my husband, who was a sailor, also died at sea, while ho

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 201

was still in the bloom of his youth ; and ever since, though
many have asked me in marriage, I have preferred living as
a widow, regretting the loss of my husband. But we shall
have in common whatever we can both earn with our hands.'

Chap, xviii. — Trouble upon trouble.

" And not to lengthen out unnecessary details, I went to
live with her, on account of her love to her husband. And
not long after, my hands were debilitated by my gnawing of
them ; and the woman who had taken me in, being wholly
seized by some malady, is confined in the house. Since then
the former compassion of the woman has declined, and I and
the woman of the house are both of us helpless. For a long
time I have sat here, as you see, begging ; and whatever I
get I convey to my fellow-sufferer for our support. Let this
suffice about my affairs. For the rest, what hinders your ful-
filling of your promise to give me the drug, that I may give
it to her also, who desires to die ; and thus I also, as you said,
shall be able to escape from life % "

Chap. xix. — Evasions,

While the woman thus spoke, Peter seemed to be in sus-
pense on account of many reasonings. But I came up and
said, ^' I have been going about seeking you for a long time.
And now, what is in hand ?" But Peter ordered me to lead
the way, and wait for him at the boat ; and because there was
no gainsaying when he commanded, I did as I was ordered.
But Peter, as he afterwards related the whole matter to me,
being struck in his heart with some slight suspicion, inquired
of the woman, saying, " Tell me, O woman, your family, and
your city, and the names of your children, and presently I
shall give you the drug." But she, being put under constraint,
and not wishing to speak, yet being eager to obtain the drug,
cunningly said one thing for another. And so she said that
she was an Ephesian, and her husband a Sicilian; and in
like manner she chanojed the names of the three children.

o

Then Peter, supposing that she spoke the truth, said, " Alas!
O woman, I thought that this day was to bring you great joy,

202 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

suspecting that you are a certain person of whom I was
thinking, and whose affairs I have heard and accurately
know." But she adjured him, saying, " Tell me, I entreat
of you, that I may know if there is among women any one
more wretched than myself."

Chap. xx. — Peter s account of the matter.

Then Peter, not knowing that she had spoken falsely,
through pity towards her, began to tell her the truth : " There
is a certain young man in attendance upon me, thirsting
after the discourses on religion, a Koman citizen, who told
me how that, having a father and two twin brothers, he has
lost sight of them all. For," says he, " my mother, as my
father related to me, having seen a vision, left the city Rome
for a time with her twin children, lest she should perish by
an evil fate, and having gone away with them, she cannot
be found ; and her husband, the young man's father, having
^one in search of her, he also cannot be found."

Chap. xxi. — A disclosure,

"While Peter thus spoke, the woman, who had listened atten-
tively, swooned away as if in stupor. But Peter approached
her, and caught hold of her, and exhorted her to restrain her-
self, persuading her to confess what was the matter with her.
But she, being powerless in the rest of her body, as through
intoxication, turned her [head] round, being able to sustain
the greatness of the hoped-for joy, and rubbing her face :
^' Where," said she, " is this youth ? " And he, now seeing
through the whole affair, said, " Tell me first ; for otherwise
you cannot see him." Then she earnestly said, " I am that
youth's mother." Then said Peter, "What is his name?"
And she said, " Clement." Then Peter said, " It is the
same, and he it was that spoke to me a little while ago, whom
I ordered to wait for me in the boat. And she, falHng at
Peter's feet, entreated him to make haste to come to the boat."
Then Peter, " If you will keep terms with me, I shall do so."
Then she said, "I will do anything; only show me my only
child. For I shall seem to see in him my two children who

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 203

died here." Then Peter said, " When ye see him, be quiet,
until we depart from the island." And she said, " I will."

Chap. xxii. — The lost found.

Peter, therefore, took her by the hand, and led her to the
boat. But I, when I saw him leading the woman by the hand,
laughed, and approaching, offered to lead her instead of him,
to his honour. But as soon as I touched her hand, she gave
a motherly shout, and embraced me violently, and eagerly
kissed me as her son. But I, being ignorant of the whole
affair, shook her off as a madwoman. But, through my
respect for Peter, I checked myself.

Chap, xxiii. — Reward of Iwspitality.

But Peter said, " Alas ! What are you doing, my son
Clement, shaking off your real mother ? " But I, when I
heard this, w^ept, and falling down by my mother, who had
fallen, I kissed her. For as soon as this was told me, I in
some way recalled her appearance indistinctly. Then great
crowds ran together to see the beggar woman, telling one
another that her son had recognised her, and that he was a
man of consideration. Then, when we would have straight-
way left the island with my mother, she said to us, " My
much longed-for son, it is right that I should bid farewell to
the woman who entertained me, who, being poor and wholly
debilitated, lies in the house." And Peter hearing this, and
all the multitude who stood by, admired the good disposition
of the woman. And immediately Peter ordered some persons
to go and bring the woman on her couch. And as soon as
the couch was brought and set down, Peter said, in the hear-
ing of the w^hole multitude, " If I be a herald of the truth, in
order to the faith of the bystanders, that they may know that
there is one God, who made the world, let her straightway
rise whole." And while Peter was still speaking, the woman
arose healed, and fell down before Peter, and kissed her dear
associate, and asked her what it all meant. Then she briefly
detailed to her the whole business of the recognition, to the
astonishment of the hearers. Then also my mother, seeing

204 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

her hostess cured, entreated that she herself also might
obtain healing. And his placing his hand upon her, cured
her also.

Chap. xxiv. — All well arranged.

And then Peter havinsj discoursed concerninfj God and
the service accorded to Him, he concluded as follows : '• If
any one "svishes to learn these things accurately, let him come
to Antioch, where I have resolved to remain some length of
time, and learn the things that pertain to his salvation. For
if you are familiar with leaving your country for the sake of
trading or of warfare, and coming to far-off places, you
should not be unwillincr to fjo three davs' iournev for the
sake of eternal salvation." Then, after the address of Peter,
I presented the woman who had been healed, in the presence
of all the multitude, with a thousand drachmas, for her sup-
port, giving her in charge to a certain good man, who was
the chief man of the city, and who of his own accord joy-
fully undertook the charge. Further, having distributed
money amongst many other women, and thanked those who
at any time had comforted my mother, 1 sailed away to
Antaradus, along with my mother, and Peter, and the rest
of our companions ; and thus we proceeded to our lodging.

Chap. xxv. — Philanthropy and friendship.

And when we were arrived and had partaken of food, and
given thanks according to our custom, there being still time,
I said to Peter : " My lord Peter, my mother has done a
work of philanthropy in remembering the woman her hostess."
And Peter answered, " Have you indeed, O Clement, thought
truly that your mother did a work of philanthropy in respect
of her treatment of the woman who took her in after her
shipwreck, or have you spoken this word by way of greatly
complimenting your mother? But if you spoke truly, and
not by way of compliment, you seem to me not to know
what the greatness of philanthropy is, which is affection
towards any one whatever in respect of his being a man,
apart from physical persuasion. But not even do I venture

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 205

to call the hostess who received your mother after her ship-
wreck, philanthropic ; for she was impelled by pity, and
persuaded to become the benefactress of a woman who had
been shipwrecked, who was grieving for her children, — a
stranger, naked, destitute, and greatly deploring her misfor-
tunes. When, therefore, she was in such circumstances, who
that saw her, though he were impious, could but pity her?
So that it does not seem to me that even the stranger-receiv-
ing woman did a work of philanthropy, but to have been
moved to assist her by pity for her innumerable misfortunes.
And how much more is it true of your mother, that when
she was in prosperous circumstances and requited her hostess,
she did a deed, not of philanthropy, but of friendship ! for
there is much difference between friendship and philanthropy,
because friendship springs from requital. But philanthropy,
apart from physical persuasion, loves and benefits every man
as he is a man. If, therefore, while she pitied her hostess,
she also pitied and did good to her enemies who have wronged
her, she would be philanthropic ; but if, on one account she
is friendly or hostile, and on another account is hostile or
friendly, such an one is the friend or enemy of some quality,
not of man as man."

Chap. xxvi. — What is pldlanthropy ?

Then I answered, " Do you not think, then, that even the
stranger - receiver was philanthropic, who did good to a
stranger whom she did not know?" Then Peter said, '^Com-
passionate, indeed, I can call her, but I dare not call her
philanthropic, just as I cannot call a mother philoteknic, for
she is prevailed on to have an affection for them by her
pangs, and by her rearing of them. As the lover also is grati-
fied by the company and enjoyment of his mistress, and the
friend by return of friendship, so also the compassionate man
by misfortune. However the compassionate man is near to the
philanthropic, in that he is impelled, apart from hunting after
the receipt of anything, to do the kindness. But he is not yet
philanthropic." Then I said, " By what deeds, then, can any
one be philanthropic ? " And Peter answered, " Since I see

206 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that you are eager to hear -vvhat is the work of philanthropy,
I shall not object to telling you. He is the philanthropic
man who does good even to his enemies. And that it is so,
listen : Philanthropy is masculo-feminine ; and the feminine
part of it is called compassion^ and the male part is named
love to our neighbour. But every man is neighbour to every
man, and not merely this man or that ; for the good and the
bad, the friend and the enemy, are alike men. It behoves,
therefore, him who practises philanthropy to be an imitator of
God, doing good to the righteous and the unrighteous, as
God Himself vouchsafes His sun and His heavens to all in
the present world. But if you will do good to the good, but not
to the e^^l, or even will punish them, you undertake to do the
work of a judge, you do not strive to hold by philanthropy.'*-

Chap, xxyii. — Wlw can judge ?

Then I said, '^ Then even God, who, as you teach us, is at
some time to judge, is not philanthropic." Then said Peter,
" You assert a contradiction ; for because He shall judge, on
that very account He is philanthropic. For he who loves
and compassionates those who have been wronged, avenges
those who have wronged them." Then I said, " If, then, I also
do good to the good, and punish the wrong-doers in respect
of their injuring men, am I not philanthropic ?" And Peter
answered, "If along with knowledge^ you had also authority to
judge, you would do this rightly on account of your having
received authority to judge those whom God made, and on
account of your knowledge infallibly justifying some as the
rifrhteous, and condemninrr some as unricfhteous." Then I
said, " You have spoken rightly and truly ; for it is impossible
for any one who has not knowledge to judge rightly. For
sometimes some persons seem good, though they perpetrate
wickedness in secret, and some good persons are conceived
to be bad throuf^h the accusation of their enemies. But even

o

^ The vrord repeatedly rendered knowledge and once omniscience in
this passage, properly signifies foreknowledge. The argument shows
clearly that it means omniscience, of which foreknowledge is the most
signal manifestation.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 207

if one judges, having the power of torturing and examining,
not even so should he altogether judge righteously. For
some persons, being murderers, have sustained the tortures,
and have come off as innocent ; while others, being innocent,
have not been able to sustain the tortures, but have confessed
falsely against themselves, and have been punished as guilty.'*

Chap. XXVIII. — Difficulty of judging.

Then said Peter, " These things are ordinary : now hear
what is greater. Ther3 are some men whose sins or good
deeds are partly their own, and partly those of others ; but
it is right that each one be punished for his own sins, and
rewarded for his own merits. But it is impossible for any
one except a prophet, who alone has omniscience, to know
with respect to the things that are done by any one, which
are his own, and which are not ; for all are seen as done by
him." Then I said, "I would learn how some of men's
wrong-doings or right-doings are their own, and some belong
to others."

Chap. xxix. — Sufferings of the good.

Then Peter answered, " The prophet of the truth has
said, ' Good things must needs come, and blessed, said he, is
he by whom they come ; in like manner evil things must
needs come, but woe to him through whom they come.'^
But if evil things come by means of evil men, and good things
are brought by good men, it must needs be in each man as
his own to be either good or bad, and proceeding from what
he has proposed, in order to the coming of the subsequent good
or evil,^ which, being of his own choice, are not arranged by
the providence of God to come from him. This being so, this
is the judgment of God, that he who, as by a combat, comes
through all misfortune and is found blameless, he is deemed
worthy of eternal life ; for those who by their own will con-
tinue in goodness, are tempted by those who continue in evil
by their own will, being persecuted, hated, slandered, plotted

^ An incorrect quotation from Matt, xviii., Luke xvii.
2 This from a various reading.

208 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

against, struck, cheated, accused, tortured, disgraced, — suffer-
ing all these things by which it seems reasonable that they
should be enraged and stirred up to vengeance.

Chap. xxx. — Offences must come.

"But the Master knowing that those who wrongfully do
these things are guilty by means of their former sins, and
that the spirit of wickedness works these things by means of
the guilty, has counselled to compassionate men, as they are
men, and as being the instruments of wickedness through
sin ; [and this counsel] He has given to His disciples as claim-
ing philanthropy, and, as much as in us lies, to absolve the
wrong-doers from condemnation, that, as it were, the .tem-
perate may help the drunken, by prayers, fastings, and bene-
dictions, not resisting, not avenging, lest they should compel
them to sin more. For when a person is condemned by any
one to suffer, it is not reasonable for him to be angry with
him by whose means the suffering comes ; for he ought to
reason, that if he had not ill-used him, yet because he was to
be ill-used, he must have suffered it by means of another.
Why, then, should I be angry with the dispenser, when I was
condemned at all events to suffer? But yet, further: if we
do these same things to the evil on pretence of revenge, we
who are good do the very things which the evil do, except-
ing that they do them first, and we second ; and, as I said, we
ought not to be angry, as knowing that in the providence of
God, the evil punish the good. Those, therefore, who are
bitter against their punishers, sin, as disdaining the messen-
gers of God ; but those who honour them, and set them-
selves in opposition to those who think to injure them,^ are
pious towards God who has thus decreed."

CiiAP. XXXI. — " Howheit, they meant it nct!^

To this I answered, ^' Those, therefore, who do wrong are

not guilty, because they wrong the just by the judgment of

God." Then Peter said, " They indeed sin greatly, for

they have given themselves to sin. Wherefore knowing this,

^ That is, I suppose, who render good for evil.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 209

[God] chooses from among tliem [some] to punish those who
righteously repented of their former sins, that the evil things
done by the just before their repentance may be remitted
through this punishment. But to the wicked who punish
and desire to ill-use them, and will not repent, it is permitted
to ill-use the righteous for the filling up of their own punish-
ment. For without the will of God, not even a sparrow can
fall into a girn.^ Thus even the hairs of the righteous are
numbered by God.

Chap, xxxii. — The golden rule,

" But he is rio;hteous who for the sake of what is reasonable
fights with nature. For example, it is natural to all to love
those who love them. But the righteous man tries also to
love his enemies and to bless those who slander him, and even
to pray for his enemies, and to compassionate those who do
him wrong. Wherefore also he refrains from doing wrong,
and blesses those who curse him, pardons those who strike
him, and submits to those who persecute him, and salutes
those w^ho do not salute him, shares such things as he has
with those who have not, persuades him that is angry with
him, conciliates his enemy, exhorts the disobedient, instructs
the unbelieving, comforts the mourner ; being distressed, he
endures ; being ungratefully treated, he is not angry. But
having devoted himself to love his neighbour as himself, he
is not afraid of poverty, but becomes poor by sharing his
possessions with those who have none. But neither does he
punish the sinner. For he who loves his neighbour as him-
self, as he knows that when he has sinned he does not wish
to be punished, so neither does he punish those wdio sin.
And as he washes to be praised, and blessed, and honoured,
and to have all his sins forgiven, thus he does to his neigh-
bour, loving him as himself.^ In one word, what he wishes
for himself, he wishes also for his neighbour. For this is the
law of God and of the prophets f this is the doctrine of truth.
And this perfect love towards every man is the male part of
philanthropy, but the female part of it is compassion ; that

1 See Luke xii. 6, 7. 2 ;^Xatt. xxii. 39. » Matt. vii. 12.

O

210 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is, to feed the hungry/ to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe
the naked, to visit the sick, to take in the stranger, to show
herself to, and help to the utmost of her power, him who is in
prison, and, in short, to have compassion on him who is in
misfortune."

Chap, xxxiii. — Fear and love.

But I, hearing this, said : " These things, indeed, it is im-
possible to do ; but to do good to enemies, bearing all their
insolences, I do not think can possibly be in human nature."
Then Peter answered: "You have said truly; for philan-
thropy, being the cause of immortality, is given for much."
Then I said, " How then is it possible to get it in the mind V
Then Peter answered : " O beloved Clement, the way to get
it is this : if any one be persuaded that enemies, ill-using
for a time those whom they hate, become the cause to them
of deliverances from eternal punishment ; and forthwith he
will ardently love them as benefactors. But the way to get
it, O dear Clement, is but one, which is the fear of God.
For he who fears God cannot indeed from the first love his
neighbour as himself ; for such an order does not occur to
the soul. But by the fear of God he is able to do the things
of those who love ; and thus, while he does the deeds of love,
the bride Love is, as it were, brought to the bridegroom Fear,
And thus this bride, bringing forth philanthropic thoughts,
makes her possessor immortal, as an accurate image of God,
which cannot be subject in its nature to corruption." Thus
while he expounded to us the doctrine of philanthropy, the
evening having set in, we turned to sleep.

1 Matt. XXV. 35, 36.

HOMILY XIII.

Chap. i. — Journey to Laodicea,

OW at break of clay Peter entered, and said :
" Clement, and his mother Mattidia, and my
wife, must take their seats immediately on the
waggon." And so they did straightway. And
as we were hastening along the road to Balanaeas, my mother
asked me how my father was ; and I said : " My father
went in search of you, and of my twin brothers Faustinus
and Faustinianus, and is now nowhere to be found. But I
fancy he must have died long ago, either perishing by ship-
wreck, or losing his way,^ or wasted away by grief." When
she heard this, she burst into tears, and groaned through
grief ; but the joy which she felt at finding me, mitigated
in some degree the painfulness of her recollections. And so
we all went down together to Balansese. And on the follow-
ing day we went to Paltus, and from that to Gabala ; and
on the next day we reached Laodicea. And, lo ! before the
gates of the city Nicetas and Aquila met us, and embracing
us, brought us to our lodging. Now Peter, seeing that the
city was beautiful and great, said : " It is worth our while to
stay here for some days ; for, generally speaking, a populous
place is most capable of yielding us those whom w^e seek." ^
Nicetas and Aquila asked me who that strange woman was ;
and I said : " My mother, whom God, through my lord
Peter, has granted me to recognise."

^ Cotelerius conjectured Gipuykurcc for aCpxT^surct — "being slain on
our journey."

2 The first Epitome explains "those whom we seek" as those who
are worthy to share in Christ or in Christ's gospel.

211

212 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. ii. — Peter relates to Nicetas and Aquila the Idstory
of Clement and liis family.

On my saying this, Peter gave them a summary account
of all the incidents, — how, when they had gone on before, I
Clement had explained to him my descent, the journey
undertaken by my mother with her twin children on the
false pretext of the dream ; and furthermore, the journey
undertaken by my father in search of her ; and then how
Peter himself, after hearing this, went into the island, met
with the woman, saw her begging, and asked the reason of
her so doincr; and then ascertained who she was, and her mode
of life, and the feicjned dream, and the names of her children
— that is, the name borne by me, who was left with my father,
and the names of the twin children who travelled along with
her, and who, she supposed, had perished in the deep.

Chap. hi. — Recognition of Nicetas and Aquila.

Now when this summary narrative had been given by
Peter, Nicetas and Aquila in amazement said : " Is this
indeed true, O Kuler and Lord of the universe, or is it a
dream?" And Peter said: ^'Unless we are asleep, it cer-
tainly is true." On this they waited for a little in deep
meditation, and then said : '^ We are Faustinus and Faus-
tinianus. From the commencement of your conversation
we looked at each other, and conjectured much with regard
to ourselves, whether what was said had reference to us or
not ; for we reflected that many coincidences take place in
life. Wherefore we remained silent while our hearts beat
fast. But when you came to the end of your narrative, we
saw clearly^ that your statements referred to us, and then
we avowed wdio we were." And on saying this, bathed in
tears, they rushed in to see their mother ; and although they
found her asleep, they were yet anxious to embrace her.
But Peter forbade them, saying : " Let me bring you and
present you to your mother, lest she should, in consequence

^ The text is somewhat doubtful. "We have given the meaning con-
tained in the first Epitome.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 213

of her great and sudden joy, lose her reason, as she is slum-
bering, and her spirit is held fast by sleep."

Chap. iv. — The mother must not tahe food with her son.
The reason stated.

As soon as my mother had enough of sleep, she awoke,
and Peter at once began first to talk to her of [true] piety,
saying : " I wish you to know, O woman, the course of life
involved in our religion.^ AVe worship one God, who made
the world which you see ; and we keep His law, which has
for its chief injunctions to worship Him alone, and to hallow
His name, and to honour our parents, and to be chaste, and
to live piously. In addition to this, we do not live with all
indiscriminately ; nor do we take our food from the same
table as Gentiles, inasmuch as we cannot eat aloncj with
them, because they live impurely. But when we have per-
suaded them to have true thoughts, and to follow a right
course of action, and have baptized them with a thrice
blessed invocation, then we dwell with them. For not even
if it were our father, or mother, or wife, or child, or brother,
or any other one having a claim by nature on our affection,
can we venture to take our meals with him ; for our religion
compels us to make a distinction. Do not, therefore, regard
it as an insult if your son does not take his food along with
you, until you come to have the same opinions and adopt the
same course of conduct as he follows."

Chap. y. — Mattidia wishes to he baptized.

When she heard this, she said : ^' What, then, prevents me
from being baptized this day ? for before I saw you I turned
away from the so-called gods, induced by the thought that,
though I sacrificed much to them almost every day, they did
not aid me in my necessities. And with regard to adultery,
what need I say ? for not even when I was rich was I be-
trayed into this sin by luxury, and the poverty which suc-
ceeded has been unable to force me into it, since I cling to

214 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

my chastity as constituting the greatest beauty/ on account
of which I fell into so great distress. But I do not at all
imagine that you, my lord Peter, are ignorant that the
greatest temptation^ arises when everything looks bright.
And therefore, if I was chaste in my prosperity, I do not in
my despondency give myself up to pleasures. Yea, indeed,
you are not to suppose that my soul has now been freed from
distress, although it has received some measure of consolation
by the recognition of Clement. For the gloom which I feel
in consequence of the loss of my two children rushes in upon
me, and throws its shadow to some extent over my joy ; for
I am grieved, not so much because they perished in the sea,
but because they were destroyed, both soul and body, with-
out possessing true^ piety towards God. Moreover, my
husband, their father, as I have learned from Clement, went
away in search of me and his sons, and for so many years
has not been heard of ; and, without doubt, he must have
died. For the miserable man, loving me as he did in chas-
tity, was fond of his children ; and therefore the old man,
deprived of all of us who were dear to him above everything
else, died utterly broken-hearted."

Chap. yi. — The sons reveal themselves to the mother.

The sons, on hearing their mother thus speak, could no
lonfrer, in obedience to the exhortation of Peter, restrain
themselves, but rising up, they clasped her in their arms,
showering down upon her tears and kisses. But she said :
"What is the meanincr of this?" And Peter answered:
" Courageously summon up your spirits, O woman, that you
may enjoy your children; for these are Faustinus and Faus-
tinianus, your sons, who, you said, had perished in the deep.
For how they are alive, after they had in your opinion died

^ One lis. and the first Epitome read, "as being the greatest bless-
ing."

2 Lit., " desire."

^ The Greek has, " apart from divine piety towards God." As
Wieseler remarks, the epithet "divine" is corrupt. The meaning may
be, " without having known the proper mode of worshipping God."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 215

on that most disastrous niglit, and how one of them now
bears the name of Nicetas, and the other that of Aquila,
they will themselves be able to tell you ; for we, as well as
you, have yet to learn this." When Peter thus spoke, my
mother fainted away through her excessive joy, and was like
to die. But when we had revived her she sat up, and
coming to herself, she said : '' Be so good, my darling chil-
dren, as tell us what happened to you after that disastrous
night."

Chap. vii. — Nicetas tells what befell Mm,

And Nicetas, who in future is to be called Faustinus,
began to speak, " On that very night when, as you know,
the ship went to pieces, we were taken up by some men, who
did not fear to follow the profession of robbers on the deep.
They placed us in a boat, and brought us along the coast,
sometimes rowing and sometimes sending for provisions, and
at length took us to Csesarea Stratonis,-"- and there tormented
us by hunger, fear, and blows, that we might not reck-
lessly disclose anything which they did not wish us to tell ;
and, moreover, changing our names, they succeeded in sell-
ing us. Now the woman who bought us was a proselyte of
the Jews, an altogether worthy person, of the name of Justa.
She adopted us as her own children, and zealously brought
us up in all the learning of the Greeks. But we, becoming
discreet with our years, were strongly attached to her religion,
and we paid good heed to our culture, in order that, disputing
with the other nations, we might be able to convince them
of their error. We also made an accurate study of the doc-
trines of the philosophers, especially the most atheistic, — I

^ This clause, literally translated, is, "and sometimes impelling it with
oars, they brought us along the land ; and sometimes sending for pro-
visions, they conveyed us to Caesarea Stratonis." The Latin translator
renders "to land," not "along the land." The passage assumes a dif-
ferent form in the Eecognitions, the first Epitome, and the second Epi-
tome ; and there is, no doubt, some corruption in the text. The text has
'hccKpuQi/Toig^ which makes no sense. We have adopted the rendering
given in the Recognitions. Various attempts have been made to amend
the word.

216 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

mean those of Epicurus and Pyrrho, — in order that we might
be the better able to refute them.

Chap. viii. — Nicetas like to be deceived hy Simon Magus.

*' We were brought up along with one Simon, a magician ;
and in consequence of our friendly intercourse with him, we
were in danger of being led astray. Now there is a report
in regard to some man, that, when he appears, the mass of
those who have been pious are to live free from death and
pain in his kingdom. This matter, however, mother, will
be explained more fully at the proper time. But when we
were going to be led astray by Simon, a friend of our lord
Peter, by name Zacchgeus, came to us and warned us not to
be led astray by the magician ; and when Peter came, he
broufTht us to him that he mi^ht (Ave, us full information,
and convince us in regard to those matters that related to
piety. Wherefore we beseech you, mother, to partake of
those blessings which have been vouchsafed to us, that we
may unite around the same table ! •'• This, then, is the reason,
mother, why you thought we were dead. On that disastrous
niglit we had been taken up in the sea by pirates, but you
supposed that we had perished."

Chap. ix. — The mother legs haptism for herself and

her hostess.

"When Faustinus had said this, our mother fell down at
Peter's feet, begging and entreating him to send for her and
her hostess, and baptize them immediately, in order that,
says she, not a single day may pass after the recovery of my
children, without my taking food with them. When we
united with our mother in making the same request, Peter
said : " What can you imagine ? Am I alone heartless, so
as not to wish that you should take your meals with your
mother, baptizing her this very day? But yet it is incum-
bent on her to fast one day before she be baptized. And it
is only one day, because, in her simplicity, she said some-
thinrr in her own behalf, which I looked on as a sufficient

^ Lit., " that we may be able to partake of common salt and table."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 217

indication of her faith ; otherwise, her purification must have
lasted many days."

Chap. x. — Mattidia values baptism aright.

And I said : " Tell us what it was that she said which
made her faith manifest." And Peter said : " Her request
that her hostess and benefactress should be baptized along
with her. For she would not have besought this to be
granted to her whom she loves, had she not herself first felt
that baptism was a great gift. And for this reason I con-
demn many that, after being baptized, and asserting that they
have faith, they yet do nothing worthy of faith ; nor do they
urge those whom they love — I mean their wives, or sons, or
friends — to be baptized.^ For if they had believed that God
grants eternal life with good works on the acceptance of
baptism,^ they without delay would urge those whom they
loved to be baptized. But some one of you will say, ' They
do love them, and care for them.' That is nonsense. For
do they not, most assuredly, when they see them sick, or led
away along the road that ends in death, or enduring any
other trial, lament over them and pity them ? So, if they
believed that eternal fire awaits those who worship not God,
they would not cease admonishing them, or being in deep
distress for them as unbelievers, if they saw them disobedient,
being fully assured that punishment awaits them. But now
I shall send for the hostess, and question her as to whether
she deliberately accepts the law which is proclaimed through
us ;^ and so, according to her state of mind, shall we do what
ought to be done.

Chap. xi. — Mattidia has unintentionally fasted one day.

^' But since your mother has real confidence in the efficacy
of baptism,^ let her fast at least one day before her baptism."

1 Lit., " to this."

2 l^< ru ^ccTtTlay.cxnri ; lit., " on the condition of baptism."

2 Lit., "the law which, is by means of us." But the Epitomes, and a
various reading in Cotelerius, give " our law."

* Lit., " since your mother is faithfully disposed in regard to baptism."

218 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

But she swore : " During the two past clays, while I related to
the wonian ^ all the events connected with the recop-nition, I
could not, in consequence of my excessive joy, partake of food ;
only yesterday I took a little water." Peter's wife bore testi-
mony to her statement with an oath, saying : " In truth she
did not taste anything." And Aquila, who must rather be
called Faustinianus^ in future, said : ^' There is nothinor, there-
fore, to prevent her being baptized." And Peter, smiling,
replied : " But that is not a baptismal fast which has not taken
place on account of the baptism itself." And Faustinus
answered : ^' Perhaps God, not wishing to separate our mother
a single day after our recognition from our table, has arranged
beforehand the fast. For as she was chaste in the times of
her ignorance, doing what the true religion inculcated,^ so
even now perhaps God has arranged that she should fast one
day before for the sake of the true baptism, that, from the
first day of her recognising us, she might take her meals
along with us."

Chap. XII. — The difficulty solved.

And Peter said : '^ Let not wickedness have dominion over
us, finding a pretext in Providence and your affection for
your mother ; but rather abide this day in your fast, and I
shall join you in it, and to-morrow she will be baptized. And,
besides, this hour of the day is not suitable for baptism."
Then we all ao^reed that it should be so.

Chap. xiii. — Peter on chastity.

That same evening we all enjoyed the benefit of Peter's
instruction. Taking occasion by what had happened to our
mother, he showed us how the results of chastity are good,
while those of adultery are disastrous, and naturally bring
destruction on the whole race, if not speedily, at all events
slowly. '' And to such an extent," he says, " do deeds of

^ The second Epitome makes her the wife of Peter : a various reading
mentions also her hostess.

2 Dressel strangely prefers the reading " Faustinus."
^ Lit., " doing what was becoming to the truth."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 219

chastity please God, that in this life He bestows some small
favour on account of it, even on those who are in error ; for
salvation in the other world is granted only to those who have
been baptized on account of their trust "^ in Him, and who
act chastely and righteously. This ye yourselves have seen
in the case of your mother, that the results of chastity are in
the end good. For perhaps she would have been cut off if
she had committed adultery ; but God took pity on her for
having behaved chastely, rescued her from the death that
threatened her, and restored to her her lost children.

Chap. xiv. — Peter^s speech continued,

" But some one will say, ^ How many have perished on
account of chastity ? ' Yes ; but it was because they did not
perceive the danger. For the woman who perceives that she is
in love with any one, or is beloved by any one, should imme-
diately shun all association with him as she would shun a blaz-
ing fire or a mad dog. And this is exactly what your mother
did, for she really loved chastity as a blessing : wherefore she
was preserved, and, along with you, obtained the full know-
ledo;e of the everlastinc^ kino;dom. The woman who wishes
to be chaste, ought to know that she is envied by wickedness,
and that because of love many lie in wait for her. If, then,
she remain holy through a stedfast persistence in chastity,
she w'ill gain the victory over all temptations, and be saved ;
whereas, even if she were to do all that is right, and yet
should once commit the sin of adultery, she must be punished^
as said the prophet.

Chap. xv. — Peter s speech continued.

" The chaste wife, doing the will of God, is a good remi-
niscence of His first creation ; for God, being one, created
one woman for one man. She is also still more chaste if she
does not forget her own creation, and has future punishment
before her eyes, and is not ignorant of the loss of eternal
blessings. The chaste woman takes pleasure in those who
wish to be saved, and is a pious example to the pious, for she

iLit., "hope."

220 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is the model of a good life. She who wishes to be chaste,
cuts off all occasions for slander ; but if she be slandered as
by an enemy, though affording him no pretext, she is blessed
and avenged by God. The chaste woman longs for God,
loves God, pleases God, glorifies God ; and to men she
affords no occasion for slander. The chaste woman perfumes
the church with her good reputation, and glorifies it by her
piety. She is, moreover, the praise of her teachers, and a
helper to them in their chastity.-^

Chap. xvi. — Peter s speech continued,

" The chaste woman is adorned with the Son of God as
with a bridegroom. She is clothed with holy light. Her
beauty lies in a well-regulated soul ; and she is fragrant with
ointment, even with a good reputation. She is arrayed in
beautiful vesture, even in modesty. She wears about her
precious pearls, even chaste words. And she is radiant, for^
her mind has been brilliantly lighted up. Into a beautiful
mirror does she look, for she looks into God. Beautiful
cosmetics^ does she use, namely, the fear of God, with which
she admonishes her soul. Beautiful is the woman, not be-
cause she has chains of gold on her,* but because she has
been set free from transient lusts. The chaste woman is
greatly desired by the great King ;^ she has been wooed,
watched, and loved by Him. The chaste woman does not
furnish occasions for being desired, except by her own hus-
band. The chaste woman is grieved when she is desired by
another. The chaste woman loves her husband from the
heart, embraces, soothes, and pleases him, acts the slave to
him, and is obedient to him in all things, except when she
would be disobedient to God. For she who obeys God is

^ The Greek is uvrolg ca^Ppouovai. The Latin translator and Lehmann
(^Die Clementinischen Schri/tev, Gotha 1869) render, "to those who are
chaste, i.e. love or practise chastity," as if the reading were to7;
ac>i(^povov(Ji.

2 Lit., " when." '

" KoatAu — properly ornaments ; but here a peculiar meaning is evidently
required.

* Lit., " as being chained with gold." ^ Ps. xlv. IL

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 221

without the aid of watchmen chaste in soul and pure in
body.

Chap. xvii. — Peter s speech continued,

'■'• Foolish, therefore, is every husband who separates his wife
from the fear of God ; for she who does not fear God is not
afraid of her husband. If she fear not God, who sees what
is invisible, how will she be chaste in her unseen choice ? ^
And how will she be chaste, who does not come to the
assemblv to hear chaste- makinoj words? And how could she
obtain admonition? And how will she be chaste W'ithout
watchmen, if she be not informed in regard to the coming
judgment of God, and if she be not fully assured that eternal
punishment is the penalty for the slight pleasure ? Where-
fore, on the other hand, compel her even against her will
always to come to hear the chaste-making word, yea, coax
her to do so.

Chap, xviii. — Peter'' s speech continued,

^' Much better is it if you will take her by the hand and
come, in order that you yourself may become chaste ; for you
will desire to become chaste, that you may experience the
full fruition of a holy marriage, and you will not scruple, if
you desire it, to become a father,^ to love your own children,
and to be loved by your own children. He who wishes to
have a chaste wife is also himself chaste, gives her what is
due to a wife, takes his meals with her, keeps company with
her, goes with her to the word that makes chaste, does not
grieve her, does not rashly quarrel with her, does not make
himself hateful to her, furnishes her with all the good things
he can, and when he has them not, he makes up the deficiency

^ " In her unseen choice " means, in what course of conduct she really
prefers in her heart. This reading occurs in one MS, ; in the other MS.
it is corrupt. Schwegler amended it into, " How shall she be chaste
towards him who does not see [what is invisible] ? " and the emendation
is adopted by Dressel.

^ There seems to be some corruption in this clause. Literally it is,
" and you will not scruple, if you love, I mean, to become a father."

222 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

by caresses. The chaste wife does not expect to be caressed,
recognises her husband as her lord, bears his poverty when
he is poor, is hungry with him when he is hungry, travels
with him when he travels, consoles him when he is grieved,
and if she have a large -^ dowry, is subject to him as if she
had nothing at all. But if the husband have a poor W'ife,
let him reckon her chastity a great dowry. The chaste wife
is temperate in her eating and drinking, in order that the
weariness of the body, thus pampered, may not drag the soul
down to unlawful desires. Moreover, she never assuredly
remains alone with young men, and she suspects^ the old;
she turns away from disorderly laughter, gives herself up to
God alone ; she is not led astray ; she delights in listening to
holy words, but turns away from those which are not spoken
to produce chastity.

Chap. xix. — Peter s speech ended.

" God is my w^itness : one adultery is as bad as many
murders ; and what is terrible in it is this, that the fearf ul-
ness and impiety of its murders are not seen. For, when
blood is shed, the dead body remains lying, and all are struck
by the terrible nature of the occurrence. But the murders
of the soul caused by adultery, though they are more fright-
ful, yet, since they are not seen by men, do not make the
daring a whit less eager in their impulse. Know, O man,
whose breath it is that thou hast to keep thee in life, and
thou shalt not wish that it be polluted. By adultery alone
is the breath of God polluted. And therefore it drags him
•who has polluted it into the fire ; for it hastens to deliver up
hs insulter to everlasting punishment."

Chap. xx. — Feter addresses Mattidia.

While Peter was saying this, he saw the good and chaste
Mattidia w^eeping for joy ; but thinking that she was grieved
at having suffered so much in past times, he said : "" Take

^ Lit., " larger" [than usual].

^ {fTTOTTiVii. The Latin translator and Lehmann render " respects "
or " reveres."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 223

courage, O woman ; for while many have suffered many
evils on account of adultery, you have suffered on account
of chastity, and therefore you did not die. But if you had
died, your soul would have been saved. You left your
native city of Eome on account of chastity, but through it
you found the truth, the diadem of the eternal kingdom.
You underwent danger in the deep, but you did not die ;
and even if you had died, the deep itself would have proved
to you, dying on account of chastity, a baptism for the salva-
tion of your souL Yoa were deprived of your children for
a Httle ; but these, the true offspring of your husband, have
been found in better circumstances. When starving, you
begged for food, but you did not defile your body by forni-
cation. You exposed your body to torture, but you saved
your soul; you fled from the adulterer, that you might
not defile the couch of your husband : but, on account of
your chastity, God, who knows your flight, will fill up the
place of your husband. Grieved and left desolate, you were
for a short time deprived of husband and children, but all
these you must have been deprived of, some time or other,
by death, the preordained lot of man. But better is it that
you were willingly deprived of them on account of chastity,
than that you should have perished unwillingly after a time,
simply on account of sins.

Chap. xxi. — The same subject continued.

"Much better is it, then, that your first circumstances
should be distressing. For when this is the case, they do
not so deeply grieve you, because you hope that they will
pass away, and they yield joy through the expectation of
better circumstances. But, above all, I wish you to know
how much chastity is pleasing to God. The chaste woman
is God's choice, God's good pleasure, God's glory, God's
child. So great a blessing is chastity,^ that if there had not
been a law that not even a righteous person should enter
into the kingdom of God unbaptized, perhaps even the erring
Gentiles might have been saved solely on account of chastity.
Therefore I am exceedingly sorry for those erring ones
who are chaste because they shrink from baptism — thus
choosing" to be chaste without good hope. Wherefore they
are not saved ; for the decree of God is clearly set down,
that an unbaptized person cannot enter into His kingdom."
When he said this, and much more, we turned to sleep.

HOMILY XIV.

Chap. i. — Mattidia is baptized in the sea,

ITCH earlier than usual Peter awoke, and came to
us, and awaking us, said: "Let Faustinas and
Faustinianus, along with Clement and the house-
hold, accompany me, that we may go to some
sheltered spot by the sea, and there be able to baptize her
without attracting observation." Accordingly, when we had
come to the sea-shore, he baptized her between some rocks,
which supplied a place at once free from wind and dust.^
But we brothers, along with our brother and some others,
retired because of the women and bathed, and coming again
to the women, we took them along with us, and thus we
went to a secret place and prayed. Then Peter, on account
of the multitude, sent the women on before, ordering them
to go to their lodging by another way, and he permitted us
alone of the men to accompany our mother and the rest of
the women.^ We went then to our lodging, and while
waiting for Peter's arrival, we conversed with each other.
Peter came several hours after, and breaking the bread for
the eucharist,^ and putting salt upon it, he gave it first to
our mother, and, after her, to us her sons. And thus we
took food along with her, and blessed God.

^ Lit., " tranquil and clean."

2 "We have adopted an emendation of Schwegler's. The MSS. read
cither "these" or " the same" for " the rest of."

^ The words " for the eucharist" might be translated " after thanks-
giving." But it is much the same which, for the eucharist is plainly-
meant. The Epitomes have it : " taking the bread, giving thanks,
blessing, and consecrating it, he gave it ; " but no mention is made of
salt.

226 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. ii. — The reason of Peter^s lateness.

Then, at length, Peter seeing that the multitude had
entered, sat down, and bidding us sit down beside him, he
related first of all why he had sent us on before him after
the baptism, and why he himself had been late in returning.
He said that the following was the reason : " At the time
that you came up," ^ he says, " an old man, a workman,
entered along wath you, concealing himself out of curiosity.
He had watched us before, as he himself afterwards confessed,
in order to see what we were doing when we entered into the
sheltered place, and then he came out secretly and followed
us. And coming up to me at a convenient place, and address-
ing me, he said, ' For a long time 1 have been following you
and wishing to talk with you, but I was afraid that you might
be angry with me, as if I were instigated by curiosity ; but
now I shall tell you, if you please, what I think is the truth.'
And I replied, * Tell us what you think is good, and we shall
approve your conduct, even should what you say not be really
good, since w^ith a good purpose you have been anxious to
state what you deem to be good.'

Chap. hi. — The old man does not believe in God or Provi-
dence.

" The old man began to speak as follows : ^ When I saw
you after you had bathed in the sea retire into the secret
place, I went up and secretly watched what might be your
object in entering into a secret place, and when I saw you
pray, I retired;^ but taking pity on you, I waited that I
might speak with you when you came out, and prevail on
you not to be led astray. For there is neither God nor pro-
vidence ; but all things are subject to Genesis.^ Of this I
am fully assured in consequence of what I have myself

^ "We have adopted an emendation of "WieselerV. The text has, "at

the time that you went away."

2 TVieseler thinks that the reading should be : "I did not retire."
^ Genesis is destiny determined by the stars which rule at each man's

birth.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 227

endured, having for a long time made a careful study of the
science.^ Do not therefore be deceived, my child. For
whether you pray or not, you must endure what is assigned
to you by Genesis. For if prayers could have done anything
or any good, I myself should now be in better circumstances.
And now, unless my needy garments mislead you, you will
not refuse to believe what I say. I was once in affluent
circumstances ; I sacrificed much to the gods, I gave liberally
to the needy ; and yet, though I prayed and acted piously, I
was not able to escape my destiny.' And I said : ^ What
are the calamities you have endured ? ' And he answered :
' I need not tell you now ; perhaps at the end you shall
learn Vv^ho I am, and who are my parents, and into what
straitened circumstances I have fallen. But at present I
wish you to become fully assured that everything is subject
to Genesis.'

Chap. iv. — Peter s arguments against Genesis,

" And I said : ^ If all things are subject to Genesis, and
you are fully convinced that this is the case, your thoughts
and advice are contrary to your own opinion.^ For if it is
impossible even to think in opposition to Genesis, why do you
toil in vain, advising me to do what cannot be done ? Yea,
moreover, even if Genesis subsists, do not make haste to pre-
vail on me not to worship Him who is also Lord of the stars,
by whose wish that a thing should not take place, that thing
becomes an impossibility. For always that which is subject
must obey that which rules. As far, however, as the worship
of the common gods is concerned, that is superfluous, if
Genesis has sway. For neither does anything happen con-
trary to what seems good to fate, nor are they themselves
able to do anything, since they are subject to their own uni-
versal Genesis. If Genesis exists, there is this objection to
it, that that which is not first has the rule ; or [in other

^ [^a.6n(^oc,^ mathematical science specially, which was closely connected
with astrology.

^ Lit., " thinking you counsel what is contrary to yourself."

228 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

words] the uncreated cannot be subject, for tlie uncreated,
as being uncreated, has nothing that is older than itself.' ^

Chap. v. — Practical refutation of Genesis,

^^ While we were thus talking, a great multitude gathered
round us. And then I looked to the multitude, and said :
^ I and my tribe have had handed down to us from our an-
cestors the worship of God, and we have a commandment to
give no heed to Genesis, I mean to the science of astrology ;
and therefore I gave no attention to it. For this reason I
have no skill in astrology, but I shall state that in which I
have skill. Since I am unable to refute Genesis by an
appeal to the science which relates to Genesis, I wish to
prove in another way that the affairs [of this world] are
managed by a providence, and that each one will receive
reward or punishment according to his actions. Whether
he shall do so now or hereafter, is a matter of no conse-
quence to me ; all I affirm is, that each one without doubt
will reap the fruit of his deeds. The proof that there is no
Genesis is this. If any one of you present has been deprived
of eyes, or has his hand maimed, or his foot lame, or some
other part of the body wrong, and if it is utterly incurable,
and entirely beyond the range of the medical profession, — a
case, indeed, which not even the astrologers profess to cure,
for no such cure has taken place within the lapse of a vast
period, — yet I praying to God will cure it,^ although ^ it could
never have been set right by Genesis. Since this is so, do
not they sin who [[blaspheme]] the God that fashioned all
things?' And the old man answered : ' Is it then blasphemy
to say that all things are subject to Genesis ?' And I replied :
^ Most certainly it is. For if all the sins of men, and all their

* ^ The argument here is obscure. Probably what is intended is as follows : Genesis means origination, coming into being. Origination cannot be the ruling power, for there must be something unoriginated which has given rise to the origination. The origination, therefore, as not being first, cannot have sway, and it must itself be subject to that which is unoriginated.

: 2 "We have adopted the reading given in the two Epitomes.
: «Lit., "when."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 229

acts of impiety and licentiousness, owe their origin to the stars,
and if the stars have been appointed by God to do this work,
so as to be the efficient causes of all evils, then the sins of all
are traced up to Him who placed Genesis ^ in the stars.'

Chap. vi. — The old man opposes Ids personal experience to the argument of Peter,

" And the old man answered : ^ You have spoken truly ,^ and
yet, notwithstanding all your incomparable demonstration,
I am prevented from yielding assent by my own personal
knowledge. For I was an astrologer, and dwelt first at Rome ;
and then forming a friendship with one who was of the
family of Caesar, I ascertained accurately the genesis of him-
self and his wife. And tracing their history, I find all the
deeds actually accomplished in exact accordance with their
genesis, and therefore I cannot yield to your argument.
For the arrangement^ of her genesis was that which makes
women commit adultery, fall in love with their own slaves,
and perish abroad in the water. And this actually took
place ; for she fell in love with her own slave, and not being
able to bear the reproach, she fled with him, hurried to a
foreign land, shared his bed, and perished in the sea.'

Chap. vii. — The old man tells his story.

" And I answered : * How then do you know that she who
fled and took up her residence in a foreign land married the
slave, and marrying him died?' And the old man said : ' I
am quite sure that this is true, not indeed that she married
him, for I did not know even that she fell in love with him ;
»but after her departure, a brother of her husband's told me
the whole story of her passion, and how he acted as an
honourable man, and did not, as being his brother, wish to
pollute his couch, and how she the wretched woman (for she
is not blameable, inasmuch as she was compelled to do and
suffer all this in consequence of Genesis) longed for him, and

1 That is, the power of origination.

2 One MS. adds " greatly," and an Epitome " great things."

3 That is, the position of the stars at her birth.

230 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

yet stood in awe of him and liis reproaches, and how she
devised a dream, whether true or false I cannot tell ; for he
stated that she said, " Some one in a vision stood by me, and
ordered me to leave the city of the Romans immediately
\\ith my children." But her husband being anxious that
she should be saved with his sons, sent them immediately to
Athens for their education, accompanied by their mother
and slaves, while he kept the third and youngest son with
himself, for he who gave the warning in the dream permitted
this son to remain with his father. And when a long time
had elapsed, during which^ he received no letters from her, he
himself sent frequently to Athens, and at length took me, as
the truest of all his friends, and went in search of her. And
much did I exert mvself aloncr with him in the course of our
travels with all eagerness ; for I remembered that, in the old
times of his prosperity, he had given me a share of all he
had, and loved me above all his friends. At length we set
sail from Rome itself, and so we arrived in these parts of
Syria, and we landed at Seleucia, and not many days after
we had landed he died of a broken heart. But I came here,
and have procured my livelihood from that day till this by
the work of my hands.'

Chap. yiii. — The old man gives information in regard to
Fanstus the father of Clement.

" When the old man had thus spoken, I knew from what he
said that the old man who he stated had died, was no other
than your father. I did not wish, however, to communicate
your circumstances to him until I should confer with you.
But I ascertained where his lodging was, and I pointed out
mine to him ; and to make sure [that my conjecture was
right], I put this one question to him : ^ What was the name
of the old man?' And he said, ^Faustus.' ^And what
were the names of his twin sons?' And he answered,
^ Faustinus and Faustinianus.' ' What was the name of
the third son?' He said, ^Clement.' ^ What was their
mother's name?' He said, ^ Mattidia.' Accordingly, from
^ We have inserted ug from the Epitomes.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 231

compassion, I slied tears along with him, and, dismissing the
multitudes, I came to you, in order that I might take counsel
with you after we had partaken of food^ together. But I
did not wish to disclose the matter to you before we had
partaken of food, lest perchance you should be overcome by
sorrow, and continue sad on the day of baptism, when even
angels rejoice." At these statements of Peter we all fell a
weeping along with our mother. But he beholding us in tears,
said : " Now let each one of you, through fear of God, bear
bravely what has been said ; for certainly it w^as not to-day
that your father died, but long ago, as you conjecturing said."

Chap. ix. — Faustus himself appears.

When Peter said this, our mother could no longer endure
it, but cried out, " Alas ! my husband ! loving us, you died
by your own decision,^ while we are still alive, see the light,
and have just partaken of food." This one scream had not
yet ceased, when, lo ! the old man came in, and at the same
time wishing to inquire into the cause of the cry, he looked
on the woman and said, '' What does this mean ? Whom do I
see?" And going up to her, and looking at her, and being
looked at more carefully, he embraced her. But they were
like to die through the sudden joy, and wishing to speak to
each other, they could not get the power in consequence of
their unsatisfied joy, for they were seized with speechlessness.
But not long after, our mother said to him : " I now have
you, Faustus, in every way the dearest being to me. How
then are you alive, when we heard a short time ago that you
were dead *? But these are our sons, Faustinus, Faustinianus,
and Clement." And when she said this, we all three fell on
him, and kissed him, and in rather an indistinct way we re-
called his form to our memory.

Chap. x. — Faustus explains Ids narrative to Peter.

Peter seeing this, said : '' Are you Faustus, the husband of

iLit., "of salt."

- Lit., "you died by a judgmeut ; " but it is thought that Kpiast is
corrupt.

232 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

this woman, and the father of her children ? " And he said:
^' I am." And Peter said : '' How, then, did you relate to me
your own history as if it were another's ; telling me of your
toils, and sorrow, and burial ? " And our father answered :
'■'- Being of the family of Caesar, and not wishing to be dis-
covered, I devised the narrative in another's name, in order that
it might not be perceived who I was. For I knew that, if I
were recognised, the governors in the place would learn this,
and recall me to gratify Caesar, and would bestow upon me
that former prosperity to which I had formerly bidden adieu
with all the resolution I could summon. For I could not
give myself up to a luxurious life when I had pronounced the
strongest condemnation on myself, because 1 believed that I
had been the cause of death to those who were loved by me."^

Chap. xi. — Discussion on Genesis.

And Peter said : " You did this according to your resolu-
tion. But in regard to Genesis, were you merely playing a
part when you affirmed it, or were you in earnest in assert-
ing that it existed ? " Our father said : " I will not speak
falsely to you. I was in earnest when I maintained that
Genesis existed. For I am not uninitiated in the science ;
on the contrary, I associated with one who is the best of the
astrologers, an Egyptian of the name of Annubion, who be-
came my friend in the commencement of my travels, and
disclosed to me the death of my wife and children." And
Peter said : " Are you not now convinced by facts, that the
doctrine of Genesis has no firm foundation ? " And my
father answered : " I must lay before you all the ideas that
occur to my mind, that listening to them I may understand
your refutation of them.^ I know, indeed, that astrologers
both make many mistakes, and frequently speak the truth.

^ Lit., " Having judged the greatest things in regard to those who
were loved by me, as having died." The text is doubtful ; for the first
Epitome has something quite different.

2 Here mss. and Epitomes differ in their readings. The text adopted
seems a combination of two ideas: "that you may listen and refute
them, and that I may thus learn the truth."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 233

I suspect, therefore, that they speak the truth so far as they
are accurately acquainted with the science, and that their
mistakes are the result of ignorance ; so that I conjecture
that the science has a firm foundation, but that the astro-
logers themselves speak what is false solely on account of
ignorance, because they cannot know all things with abso-
lute^ accuracy." And Peter answered : " Consider" whether
their speaking of the truth is not accidental, and whether
they do not make their declarations without knowing the
matters accurately. For it must by all means happen that,
when many prophecies are uttered, some of them should
come true." And the old man said : " How, then, is it pos-
sible to be fully convinced of this, whether the science of
Genesis has a sure foundation or not ? "

Chap. xii. — Clement tmdertalces the discussion.

When both were silent, I said : " Since I know accurately
the science, but our lord and our father are not in this con-
dition, I should like if Annubion himself were here, to have
a discussion with him in the presence of my father. For
thus would the matter be able to become public, when one
practically acquainted with the subject has held the discus-
sion with one equally informed."^ And our father answered:
" Where, then, is it possible to fall in with Annubion ? '*
And Peter said : " In Antioch, for I learn that Simon Magus
is there, whose inseparable companion Annubion is. When,
then, we go there, if we come upon them, the discussion can
take place." And so, when we had discussed many subjects,
and rejoiced at the recognition and given thanks to God,
evening came down upon us, and we turned to sleep.

1 We have adopted the reading of Codex 0, 'ttuutu;. The other MS.
reads, " that all cannot know all things accurately."

2 The MSS. read oIttsxs, " hold back." The reading of the text is
in an Epitome.

3 Lit., " when artist has had discussion with fellow-artist."

HOMILY XV.

Chap. i. — Peter icishes to convert Faustus. 4

T break of clay our father, \yith our mother and
his three sons, entered the place where Peter
was, and accosting him, sat down. Then we also
did the same at his request ; and Peter looking
at our father, said : " I am anxious that you should become
of the same mind as your wife and children, in order that
here you may live along with them, and in the other world,^
after the separation of the soul from the body, you will con-
tinue to be with them free from sorrow. For does it not
grieve you exceedingly that you should not associate with
each other?" And my father said: "Most assuredly."
And Peter said : " If, then, separation from each other
here gives you pain, and if without doubt the penalty awaits
you that after death you should not be with each other, how
much greater will your grief be that you, a wise man, should be
separated from your own family on account of your opinions?
They, too, must^ feel the more distressed from the conscious-
ness that eternal punishment awaits you because you entertain
different opinions from theirs, and deny the established truth." ^

Chap. ii. — Reason for listening to Peter s arguments.
Our father said : '• But it is not the case, my very dear

^Lit., "there/'

- We have inserted a Bs?, probably omitted on account of the pre-
vious OS.

^ The words are peculiar. Lit., " eternal punishment awaits you think-
ing other things, through denial of the fixed dogma" Qinrov loyfiotro;).
The Latin translator gives : " ob veri dograatis ncgationem."

231

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 235

friend, that souls are punished in Hades, for the soul is dis-
solved into air as soon as it leaves the body." And Peter
said : '' Until we convince you in regard to this point, answer
me, does it not appear to you that you are not grieved as
having no faith in a [future] punishment, but they who have
full faith in it must be vexed in regard to you?" And our
father said : " You speak sense." And Peter said : " Why,
then, will you not free them from the greatest grief they can
have in regard to you by agreeing to their religion, not, I
mean, through dread, but through kindly feeling, listening
and judging about what is said by me, whether it be so or
not ? and if the truth is as we state it, then here you will
€njoy life with those who are dearest to you, and in the other
world you will have rest with them ; but if, in examining the
arguments, you show that what is stated by us is a fictitious
story,^ you will thus be doing good service, for you will have
your friends on your side, and you will put an end to their lean-
ing upon false hopes, and you will free them from false fears."

Chap. hi. — Obstacles to faith.

And our father said : ^' There is evidently much reason
in what you say." And Peter said : " What is it, then, tha t
prevents you from coming to our faith? Tell me, that we
may begin our discussion with it. For many are the hin-
drances. The faithful are hindered by occupation with mer-
chandise, or public business, or the cultivation of the soil, or
cares, and such like ; the unbelievers, of whom you also are
one, are hindered by ideas such as that the gods, which do
not exist, really exist, or that all things are subject to Genesis,
or chance,^ or that souls are mortal, or that our doctrines are
false because there is no providence.

Chap. iv. — Providence seen in the events of the life of Faustus

and his family,

" But I maintain, from what has happened to you, that all
things are managed by the providence of God, and that your
separation from your family for so many years was providen-

^ [,<.v66v xivcc i/zsyo'^. 2 Properly, self-action.

236 . THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

tlal ; ^ for since, if they bad been with you, they perbaps
would not bave listened to tbe doctrines of the true religion,
it was arranged that your children should travel w^ith their
mother, should be shipwrecked, should be supposed to bave
perished, and should be sold ; ^ moreover, that they should
be educated in the learning of the Greeks, especially in the
atheistic doctrines, in order that, as being acquainted with
them, they might be the better able to refute them ; and in
addition to this, that they should become attached to the true
religion, and be enabled to be united with me, so as to help
me in my preaching ; furthermore, that their brother Clement
should meet in the same place, and that thus his mother
should be recognised, and through her cure ^ should be fully
convinced of the right w^orship of God ; * that after no long
interval the twins should recognise and be recognised, and
the other day should fall in with you, and that you should
receive back your own. I do not think, then, that such a
speedy filling in of circumstances, coming as it were from
all quarters, so as to accomplish one design, could have hap-
pened without the direction of Providence."

Chap. y. — Difference between the true religion and pliilosophy ,

And our father began to say : '' Do not suppose, my dearest
Peter, that I am not thinking of the doctrines preached by
you. I was thinking of them. But during the past night,
when Clement urged me earnestly to give in my adhesion to
the truth preached by you, I at last answered, ' Why should
I ? for what new commandment can any one give more than
what the ancients urged us to obey ? ' And he, with a gentle
smile, said, ^ There is a great difference, father, between
the doctrines of the true religion and those of philosophy ;
for the true religion receives its proof from prophecy, while

^ "We have adopted a reading suggested by the second Epitome.

2 The word d'Trpccuicct is corrupt. "We have adopted the emendation
rrpua/;. The word is not given in the iis. 0, nor in the Epitomes.

" vTTo dspxTTucc;, which Cotelerius transhites recuperata sanitate.

* Lit., " convinced of the Godhead." '' Godhead" is omitted in the
Epitomes.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 237

philosophyj furnishing us with beautiful sentences, seems to
present its proofs from conjecture.' On saying this, he took
an instance, and set before us the doctrine of philanthropy,^
which you had explained to him,^ which rather appeared to
me to be very unjust. And I shall tell you how. He alleged
that it was right to present to him who strikes you on the one
cheek the other ^ also, and to give to him who takes away
your cloak your tunic also, and to go two miles with him who
compels you to go one, and such like."

Chap. vi. — The love of man.

And Peter answered ; " You have deemed unjust what is
most just. If you are inclined, will you listen to me ? "
And my father said: " With all my heart." And Peter said:
" What is your opinion ? Suppose that there were two
kings, enemies to each other, and having their countries cut
off from each other ; and suppose that some one of the sub-
jects of one of them were to be caught in the country of the
other, and to incur the penalty of death on this account : now
if he were let off from the punishment by receiving a blow
instead of death, is it not plain that he who let him off is a
lover of man ? " And our father said : ^' Most certainly."
And Peter said : " Now suppose that this same person were
to steal from some one something belonging to him or to
another ; and if when caught he were to pay double, instead
of suffering the punishment that was due to him, namely,
paying four times the amount, and being also put to death,
as having been caught in the territories of the enemy ; is it

^ Or " love of man" in all its phases — kindliness, gentleness, humanity,
etc.

2 Horn. xii. 25 ff.

^ Matt. V. 39-41 ; Luke vi. 29. The -writer of the Homilies changes
the word ;)(;jr&li'oe, " tunic," of the New Testament into fAoi,(p6piov^ which
Suicer describes " a covering for the head, neck, and shoulders, used
by women." Wieseler is in doubt whether the writer of the Homilies
uses /^ct(p6piou as equivalent to xnuvcc, or whether he intentionally
changed the word, for the person who lost both cloak and tunic would
be naked altogether ; and this, the writer may have imagined, Christ
would not have commanded.

238 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

not your opinion that lie who accepts double, and lets him off
from the penalty of death, is a lover of man ? " And our
father said : " He certainly seems so." And Peter said :
''- Why then ? Is it not the duty of him who is in the king-
dom of another, and that, too, a hostile and wicked monarch,
to be pleasing to alP for the sake of life, and when force is
applied to him, to yield still more, to accost those who do
not accost him, to reconcile enemies, not to quarrel with
those who are angry, to give his own property freely to all
who ask, and such like ? " And our father said : " He should
with reason endure all things rather, if he prefers life to
them."

Chap. vii. — Tlie explanation of a parahle ; the present and

the future life.

And Peter ^ said : " Are not those, then, who you said re-
ceived injustice, themselves transgressors, inasmuch as they
are in the kingdom of the other, and is it not by overreach-
ing that they have obtained all they possess ? while those
who are thought to act unjustly are conferring a favour on
each subject of the hostile kingdom, so far as they permit
him to have property. For these possessions belong to those
who have chosen the present.^ And they are so far kind as
to permit the others to live. This, then, is the parable ; now
listen to the actual truth. The prophet of the truth who
appeared [on earth] taught us that the Maker and God of
all gave two kingdoms to two,* good and evil ; granting to the
evil the sovereignty over the present world along with law,
so that he [it] should have the right to punish those who act

iLit., "to flatter."

2 The following words would be more appropriately put in the mouth
of the father, as is done in fact by the Epitomes. Peter's address would
commence, " And the parable is." The Epitomes differ much from each
other and the text, and there seems to be confusion in the text.

^ This sentence would be more appropriate in the explanation of the
parable.

^ The Greek leaves it uncertain whether it is two persons or two
things, — whether it is a good being and an evil being, or good and
evil. Afterwards, a good being and an evil are distinctly introduced.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 23D

unjustly ; but to the good He gave the eternal ^ age to come.
But He made each man free with the power to give himself
up to whatsoever he prefers, either to the present evil or the
future good. Those men who choose the present have power
to be rich, to revel in luxury, to indulge in pleasures, and to
do whatever they can. For they will possess none of the
future goods. But those who have determined to accept the
blessings of the future reign have no right to regard as their
own the things that are here, since they belong to a foreign
king, with the exception only of water and bread, and those
things procured with sweat to maintain life (for it is not
lawful for them to commit suicide),^ and also one garment,
for tliey are not permitted to go naked on account of the all-
seeincT ^ Heaven.

o

Chap. viii. — The 'present and the future,

^^ If, then, you wish to have an accurate account of the
matter, listen. Those of whom you said a little before that
they receive injustice, rather act unjustly themselves ; for
they who have chosen the future blessings, live along with the
bad in the present world, having many enjoyments the same
as the bad, — such as life itself, light, bread, water, clothing,
and others of a like nature. But they who are thought by
you to act unjustly, shall not live with the good men in* the
coming age." And our father replied to this : " Now when
you have convinced me that those who act unjustly suffer
injustice themselves, while those who suffer injustice have by
far the advantage, the whole affair seems to me still more
the most unjust of transactions ; for those who seem to act
unjustly grant many things to those who have chosen the
future blessings, but those who seem to receive injustice do
themselves commit injustice, because they do not give in the
other world, to those who have given them blessings here, the
same advantages v/hich these gave to them." And Peter

^ The word dilio;, properly and strictly " eternal," is used.

2 Lit., " to die willingly."

3 We have adopted an obvious emendation, 'Trxurse. for iravTog.
* "We have translated Schweder's emendation. He inserted h.

240 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

said: "This is not unjust at all, because each one has the
power to choose the present or the future goods, whether
they be small or great. He who chooses by his own indivi-
dual judgment and wish, receives no injustice, — I mean, not
even should his choice rest on what is small, since the great
lay within his choice, as in fact did also the small." And
our father said : " You are right ; for it has been said by
one of the wise men of the Greeks, ' The blame rests with
those who chose — God is blameless.' ^

Chap. ix. — Possessions are transgressions,

" Will you be so good as to explain this matter also ? I
remember Clement saying to me, that we suffer injuries
and afflictions for the forgiveness of our sins." Peter said :
" This is quite correct. For we, who have chosen the future
things, in so far as we possess more goods than these, whether
they be clothing, or food or drink, or any other thing, possess
sins, because we ought not to have anything, as I explained
to you a little ago. To all of us possessions are sins."^ The
deprivation of these, in whatever way it may take place, is
the removal of sins." And our father said : *' That seems
reasonable, as you explained that these were the two boun-
dary lines of the two kings, and^ that it was in the power of
each to choose whatever he wished of what was under their
authority. But why are the afflictions sent, or* do we suffer
them justly?" And Peter said : "Most justly ; for since the
boundary line of the saved is, as I said, that no one should
possess anything, but since many have many possessions, or
in other words sins, for this reason the exceeding love of
God sends afflictions on those who do not act in purity of
heart, that on account of their having some measure of the
love of God, they might, by temporary inflictions, be saved
from eternal punishments."

1 Plato, Rep. X. 617 E.

2 One MS. inserts before this sentence : " For if in all of us possessions
are wont to occasion sins in those who have them."

2 We have adopted AYieseler's emendation of roc. into kolI.
* "We have clianged il into jJ.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 241

Chap. x. — Poverty not necessarily righteous.

And our father said : " How then is this ? Do we not
see many impious men poor? Then do these belong to the
saved on this account ? '' And Peter said : " Not at all ;
for that poverty is not acceptable which longs for what it
ought not. So that some are rich as far as their choice goes,
though poor in actual wealth, and they are punished because
they desire to have more. But one is not unquestionably
righteous because he happens to be poor. For he can be a
beggar as far as actual wealth is concerned, but he may
desire and even do what above everything he ought not to
do. Thus he may worship idols, or be a blasphemer or
fornicator, or he may live indiscriminately, or perjure him-
self, or lie, or live the life of an unbeliever. But our teacher
pronounced the faithful poor blessed '} and he did so, not
because they had given anything, for they had nothing, but
because they were not to be condemned, as having done no
sin, simply because they gave no alms, because they had
nothing to give." And our father said : ^* In good truth all
seems to go right as far as the subject of discussion is con-
cerned ; wherefore I have resolved to listen to the whole of
your argument in regular order."

Chap. xi. — Exposition of the true [[religion]] promised.

And Peter said : '•* Since, then, you are eager henceforth to
learn what relates to our religion, I ought to explain it in order,
beginning with God Himself, and showing that we ought to
call Him alone God, and that we ought neither to speak of the
others as gods nor deem them such, and that he who acts con-
trary to this will be punished eternally, as having shown the
greatest impiety to Him who is the Lord of all." And saying
this, he laid his hands on those who were vexed by afflictions,
and were diseased, and possessed by demons ; and, praying, he
healed them, and dismissed the multitudes. And then entering
in this way, he partook of his usual food, and went to sleep.

^ Matt. V. 3. The Epitomes run thus : " Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son
of the living God, said." And then they quote the words of our Gospel.

Q HOMILY X Y I.

Chap. i. — Simon wishes to discuss with Peter the unity of God,

'T break of day Peter went out, and reaching the
place where he was wont to discourse, he saw a
great muUitude assembled. At the very time
when he was going to discourse, one of his
deacons entered, and said : " Simon has come from Antioch,
starting as soon as it was evening, having learned that you
promised to speak on the unity ^ of God ; and he is ready,
along with Athenodorus the Epicurean, to come to hear your
speech, in order that he may publicly oppose all the argu-
ments ever adduced by you for the unity of God." Just as
the deacon said this, lo ! Simon himself entered, accompanied
by Athenodorus and some other friends. And before Peter
spoke at all, he took the first word, and said :

Chap. ii. — The same subject continued.

^' I heard that you promised yesterday to Faustus to prove
this day, giving out your arguments in regular order, and
bemnninfr with Him who is Lord of the universe, that we
ought to say that He alone is God, and that we ought neither
to say nor to think that there are other gods, because he
that acts contrary to this will be punished eternally. But,
above all, I am truly amazed at your madness in hoping to
convert a wise man, and one far advanced in years, to your
state of mind. But you will not succeed in your designs ;
and all the more that I am present, and can thoroughly refute

^ The word properly signifies the "sole government or monarchy of God," It means that God alone is ruler.

242

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 243

your false arguments. For perhaps, if I had not been pre-
sent, the wise old man might have been led astray, because
he has no critical acquaintance^ with the books publicly
believed in amongst the Jews.^ At present I shall omit
much, in order that I may the more speedily refute that
which you have promised to prove. Wherefore begin to
speak what you promised to say before us, who know the
Scriptures. But if, fearing our refutation, you are unwilling
to fulfil your promise in our presence, this of itself will be
sufficient proof that you are wrong, because you did not ven-
ture to speak in the presence of those who know the Scrip-
tures. And now, wdiy should I wait till you tell me, when I
have a most satisfactory witness of your promise in the old
man who is present ? " And, saying this, he looked to my
father, and said : ^' Tell me, most excellent of all men, is not
this the man w^ho promised to prove to you to-day that God
is one, and that we ought not to say or think that there is
any other god, and that he who acts contrary to this will be
punished eternally, as committing the most heinous sin ? Do
you, then, refuse to reply to me ? "

Chap. hi. — The mode of the discussion.

And our father said : " Well might you have demanded
testimony from me, Simon, if Peter had first denied [that he
had made the promise]. But now I shall feel no shame in
saying what I am bound to say. I think that you wish to
enter on the discussion inflamed with anger. Now this is
a state of mind in which it is improper for you to speak and
for us to listen to you ; for we are no longer being helped on
to the truth, but we are watching the progress of a contest.
And now, having learned from Hellenic culture how those
who seek [the truth] ought to act, I shall remind you. Let

^ TOiu TTccpx ^lov^ocioi; ^yiuoai'cc TrBTnarsv/zhcou i3i/3iXa'j. The literal trans-
lation, given in the text, means that the Jews as a community believed
in these books as speaking the truth. Cotelerius translates : " the books
which were publicly entrusted to the Jews." One MS. reads, 'TrsTrtara-
fiivcju, which might mean, " deemed trustworthy among the Jews."

244 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

each of you give an exposition of his own opinion/ and let
the right of speech pass from the one to the other.^ For if
Peter alone should wish to expound his thought, but you
should be silent as to yours, it is possible that some argument
adduced by you might crush both your and his opinion ; and
both of yoUj though defeated by this argument, would not
appear defeated, but only the one who expounded his opinion ;
while he who did not expound his, though equally defeated,
would not appear defeated, but would even be thought to
have conquered." And Simon answered : " I will do as you
say ; but I am afraid lest you do not turn out a truth-loving
judge, as you have been already prejudiced by his argu-
ments."

Chap. iv. — The prejudices of Faustus rather on the side of
Simon than on that of Peter,

Our father answered : ^' Do not compel me to agree with
you without any exercise of my judgment in order that I
may seem to be a truth-loving judge ; but if you wish me to
tell you the truth, my prepossessions are rather on the side
of your opinions." And Simon said : " How is this the
case, when you do not know what my opinions are ? " And
our father said : ^' It is easy to know this, and I will tell you
how. You promised that you would convict Peter of error
in maintaining the unity of God ; but if one undertakes to
convict of error him who maintains the unity of God, it is
perfectly plain that he, as being in the right,^ does not hold
the same opinion. For if he holds the same opinion as the
man who is thoroughly in error, then he himself is in error; but
if he gives his proofs holding opposite opinions, then he is in
the right. Not well * then do you assert that he who main-

^ One MS. and an Epitome have : " And you must address your argu-
ments to another who acts as judge."

^ The words translated "error," -J/sva/acc^ and "to be in the right,"
u'hrtds'Jitv, are, properly rendered, "falsehood," and " to speak the truth."

* The Mss. read : " not otherwise." The reading of the text is found
in an Epitome.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 245

tains the unity of God is wrong, unless you believe that there
are many gods. Now I maintain that there are many gods.
Holding, therefore, the same opinion as you before the dis-
cussion, I am prepossessed rather in your favour. For this
reason you ought to have no anxiety in regard to me, but
Peter ought, for I still hold opinions contrary to his. And
so after your discussion I hope that, as a truth-loving judge,
who has stripped himself of his prepossessions, I shall agree
to that doctrine which gains the victory." When my father
said this, a murmur of applause burst insensibly from the
multitudes because my father had thus spoken.

Chap, v.^ — Peter commences the discussion.

Peter then said : '' I am ready to do as the umpire of our
discussion has said ; and straightway without any delay I
shall set forth my opinion in regard to God. I then assert
that there is one God who made the heavens and the earth,
and all things that are in them. And it is not right to say
or to think that there is any other." And Simon said :
" But I maintain that the Scriptures believed in amongst
the Jews say that there are many gods, and that God is not
angry at this, because He has Himself spoken of many gods
in His Scriptures.

Chap. vi. — Simon appeals to the Old Testament to prove that there are many gods,

" For instance, in the very first words of the law, He evi-
dently speaks of them as being like even unto Himself. For
thus it is written, that, when the first man received a command-
ment from God to eat of every tree that was in the garden,^
but not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
the serpent having persuaded them by means of the woman,
through the promise that they would become gods, made
them look up ; ^ and then, when they had thus looked up,

^ TTupxhiaa, "paradise." Gen. ii. 16, 17.

2 duoi.(i'Ki-^cx,i. It signifies either to look up, or to recover one's sight.
Possibly the second meaning is the one intended here, corresponding to
the words of our version : " Then your eyes shall be opened."

246 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

God said,-^ ^ Behold, Adam is become as one of us/ When,
then, the serpent said,^ * Ye shall be as gods/ he plainly
speaks in the belief that gods exist ; all the more as God
also added His testimony, saying, ' Behold, Adam is become
as one of us.' The serpent, then, who said that there are
many gods, did not speak falsely. Again, the scripture,^
* Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the rulers of thy
people,' points out many gods vrhom it does not wish even
to be cursed. But it is also somewhere else written,'* ' Did
another god dare to enter and take him a nation from the
midst of [another] nation, as did I the Lord God ? ' When
He says, ' Did another God dare ? ' He speaks on the sup-
position that other gods exist. And elsewhere : ^ ' Let the
gods that have not made the heavens and the earth perish ; '
as if those who had made them were not to perish. And
in another place, when it says,^ 'Take heed to thyself lest
thou go and serve other gods whom thy fathers knew not,'
it speaks as if other gods existed whom they were not to
follow. And again : ^ ' The names of other gods shall not
ascend upon thy lips.' Here it mentions many gods whose
names it does not wish to be uttered. And again it is
written,^ ^ Thy God is the Lord, He is God of gods.' And
again : ^ ^ Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods?*
And again :^^ ' God is Lord of gods.' And again i^^ 'God
stood in the assembly of gods : He judgeth among the
o-ods.' Wherefore I wonder how, when there are so manv
passages in writing which testify that there are many gods,
you have asserted that we ought neither to say nor to think
that there are many. Finally, if you have anything to say
a^rainst what has been spoken so distinctly, say it in the pre-
sence of all."

1 Gen. iii. 22. ^ Gen. iii. 5. ^ Ex. xxii. 28.

* Deut. iv. 34. - ^ Jer. x. 11. ^ Deut. xiii. 6.

7 Josh, xxiii. 7, Sept. « Deut. x. 17.

» Ts. XXXV. 10, Ixxxvi. 8. ^^ Fs. 1. 1. ^^ Ps. Ixxxii. 1.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 247

Chap. vii. — Peter appeals to the Old Testament to prove the

unity of God,

And Peter said : " I shall reply briefly to what you have
said. The law, which frequently speaks of gods, itself says
to the Jewish multitude,^ ' Behold, the heaven of heavens is
the Lord's thy God, with all that therein is ; ' implying that,
even if there are gods, they are under Him, that is, under the
God of the Jews. And again : ^ ' The Lord thy God, He is
God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, and there
is none other except Him.' And somewhere else the Scrip-
ture says to the Jewish multitude,^ ' The Lord your God is
God of gods;' so that, even if there are gods, they are under
the God of the Jews. And somewhere else the Scripture says
in regard to Him,* ^ God, the great and true, who regardeth
not persons, nor taketh reward, He doth execute the judg-
ment of the fatherless and widow.' The Scripture, in calling
the God of the Jews great and true, and executing judg-
ment, marked out the others as small, and not true. But
also somewhere else the Scripture says,^ ^ As I live, saitli
the Lord, there is no other God but me. I am the first, I am
after this ; except me there is no God.' And again :^ * Thou
shalt fear the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.'
And again:^ ^Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord.'
And many passages besides seal with an oath that God is
one, and except Him there is no God. "Whence I wonder
how, when so many passages testify that there is one God, you
say that there are many."

Chap. viii. — Simon and Peter continue the discussion.

And Simon said : ^' My original stipulation with you was
that I should prove from the Scriptures that you were wrong
in maintaining that we ought not to speak of many gods.
Accordingly I adduced many written passages to show that
the divine Scriptures themselves speak of many gods." And

1 Deut. X. 14. 2 j)e^t. iv. 39. ^ D^ut. x. 17.

* Deut. X. 17. •• Isa. xlix. 18, xlv. 21, xliv. G.

« Deut. vi. 13. 7 Deut. vi. 4.

248 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Peter said : " Those very Scriptures wliicli speak of many
gods, also exhorted us, saying, ' The names of other gods
shall not ascend upon thy lips.'-"^ Thus, Simon, I did not
speak contrary to what was written." And Simon said : " Do
you, Peter, listen to what I have to say. You seem to me
to sin in speaking against them,^ when the Scripture says,^
' Thou shalt not revile [the gods], nor curse the rulers of thy
people.' " And Peter said : ^' I am not sinning, Simon, in
pointing out their destruction according to the Scriptures ;
for thus it is written : ^ ' Let the gods who did not make the
heavens and the earth perish.' And He said thus, not as
though some had made the heavens and were not to perish,
as you interpreted the passage. For it is plainly declared
that He who made them is one in the very first part of Scrip-
ture : ^ ^ In the beginnincj God created the heaven and the
earth.' And it did not say, Uhe gods.' And somewhere
else it says,^ ' And the firmament showeth His handiw^ork.'
And in another place it is written,'^ 'The heavens themselves
shall perish, but Thou shalt remain for ever.' "

Chap. ix. — Simon tries to show that the Scriptures contradict themselves.

And Simon said : " I adduced clear passages from the
Scriptures to prove that there are many gods ; and you, in
reply, brought forward as many or more from the same
Scriptures, showing that God is one, and He the God of the
Jews. And when I said that we ought not to revile gods,
you proceeded to show that He who created is one, because
those who did not create will perish. And in reply to my
assertion that we ought to maintain that there are gods, be-
cause the Scriptures also say so, you showed that we ought
not to utter their names, because the same Scripture tells us
not to utter the names of other gods. Since, then, these very

^ Josh, xxiii. 7 in the Septuagint. ^ Namely, the gods.

2 Ex. xxii. 28. The MSS. omit kovg, though they insert it in the
passage as quoted a little before this. One MS. reads "the ruler"
with our version.

4 Jer. X. 11. s Gen. i. 1. « Ps. xbc. 1. ' Ps. cii. 26, 27. *

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 249

Scriptures say at one time that there are many gods, and at
another that there is only one ; and sometimes that they
ought not to be reviled, and at other times that they ought ;
what conclusion ought we to come to in consequence of this,
but that the Scriptures themselves lead us astray?"

Chap. x. — Peter s explanation of the apparent contradictions

of Scripture.

And Peter said : ^' They do not lead astray, but convict
and bring to light the evil disposition against God which
lurks like a serpent in each one. For the Scriptures lie
before each one like many divers types. Each one, then,
has his own disposition like wax, and examining the Scrip-
tures and finding everything in them, he moulds his idea of
God according to his wish, laying upon them, as I said, his
own disposition, wdiich is like wax. Since, then, each one
finds in the Scriptures whatever opinion he wishes to have
in regard to God, for this reason he [Simon] moulds from
them the forms'^ of many gods, while we moulded the form
of Plim who truly exists, comincr to the knowledge of the true
type from our own shape.^ For assuredly the soul within
us is clothed with His image for immortality. If I abandon
the parent of this soul, it also will abandon me to just judg-
ment, making known the injustice by the very act of daring ; ^
and as coming from one who is just, it will justly abandon
me ; and so, as far as the soul is concerned, I shall, after
punishment, be destroyed, having abandoned the help that
comes from it. But if there is another [god], first let him
put on another form, another shape, in order that by the new
shape of the body I may recognise the new god. But if he
should change the shape, does he thereby change the sub-
stance of the soul ? But if he should change it also, then
I am no longer myself, having become another both in shape
and in substance. Let him, therefore, create others, if there

2 Probably rc'h^'/iy.ccTi should be changed into opf^Yjf/.ccn^ or some such
•vyord : making known that an act of injustice has been committed by
taking its departure.

250 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is another. But there is not. For if there had been, he
would have created. But since he has not created, then let
him, as non-existent, leave him who is really existent.^ For
he is nobody,^ except only in the opinion of Simon. I do
not accept of any other god but Him alone who created me."

Chap. xt. — Gen. i. 26 appealed to hy Simon,

And Simon said : '' Since I see that you frequently speak
of the God who created you, learn from me how you are
impious even to Him. For there are evidently two who
created, as the Scripture says :^ ^ And God said, Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness.' Now ' let us make*
implies two or more ; certainly not one only."

Chap. xit. — Peter s eocplanation of the passage.

And Peter answered : " One is He who said to His Wisdom,
' Let us make man.' But His Wisdom* was that with which
He Himself always rejoiced^ as with His own spirit. It is
united as soul to God, but it is extended by Him, as hand,
fashioning the universe. On this account, also, one man
was made, and from him went forth also the female. And
being a unity generlcally, it is yet a duality, for by expansion
and contraction the unity is thought to be a duality. So
that I act rightly in offering up all the honour to one God as
to parents." And Simon said : " What then ? Even if the
Scriptures say that there are other gods, will you not accept
the opinion?"

Chap. xiii. — Tlie contradictions of the Scriptures intended to
try those who read them.

And Peter answered : " If the Scriptures or prophets speak

1 This might possibly he translated, "let him leave him who exists to
him who exists ; " i.e. let him leave the real God to man, who really exists.

2 Wieseler proposes, " for he exists to no one." ^ Gen. i. 26.

* This is the only passage in the Homilies relating to the ao:piec. The
text is in some parts corrupt. It is critically discussed by Uhlhorn,
some of whose emendations are adopted by Dressel and translated here.

« Prov. viii. 30.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 251

of gods, they do so to try those who hear. For thus it is
written :-^ ^If there arise among you a prophet, giving signs
and wonders, and that sign and wonder shall then come to
pass, and he say to thee, Let us go after and worship other
gods which thy fathers have not known, ye^ shall not hearken
to the words of that prophet ; let thy hands be among the
first to stone him. For he hath tried to turn thee from
the Lord thy God. But if thou say in thy heart, How did
he do that sign or wonder? thou shalt surely know that he
who tried thee, tried thee to see if thou dost fear the Lord
thy God.' The words * he who tried thee, tried thee,' have
reference to the earliest times ; ^ but it appears to be other-
wise after the removal to Babylon. For God, who knows all
things, would not, as can be proved by many arguments, try
in order that He Himself might know, for He foreknows all
things. But, if you like, let us discuss this point, and I shall
show that God foreknows. But it has been proved that the
opinion is false that He does not know, and that this was
written to try us. Thus we, Simon, can be led astray*
neither by the Scriptures nor by any one else ; nor are we
deceived into the admission of many gods, nor do we agree
to any statement that is made against God.

Chap. xiv. — Other beings called gods.

" For we ourselves also know that angels are called gods by
the Scriptures, — as, for instance, He who spake at the bush,
and wrestled with Jacob, — and the name is likewise applied
to Him who is born Emmanuel, and who is called the mi^htv
God.^ Yea, even Moses became a god to Pharaoh, though

1 Deut. xiii. 1 ff.

2 The change from the singular to the plural is in the Greek.

^ Lit., " But it had been said that he who tried, tried." The idea seems
to be, Before the removal to Babylon true prophets tested the people
by urging them to worship these gods ; but after that event false pro-
phets arose who really wished to seduce the Jews from the worship of
the true God.

* Lit., "nor can we be made to stumble from the Scriptures nor by
any one else [or anything else]."

^ Isa. ix. 6.

252 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

iu reality he was a man. The same is the case also with the
idols of the Gentiles. But we have but one God, one who
made creation and arranged the universe, whose Son is the
Christ. Obeying Christ,-'- we learn to know what is false
from the Scriptures. Moreover, being furnished by our an-
cestors with the truths of the Scriptures, we know that there
is only one who has made the heavens and the earth, the
God of the Jews, and of all who choose to worship Him.
Our fathers, with pious thought, setting down a fixed belief
in Him as the true God, handed down this belief to us, that
we may know that if anything is said against God, it is a
falsehood. I shall add this remark over and above what I
need say : If the case be not as I have said, then may I, and
all who love the truth, incur danger in regard to the praise
of the God who made us."

Chap. xv. — Christ not God, hilt the Son of God,

W^hen Simon heard this, he said : " Since you say that we
ought not to believe even the prophet that gives signs and
wonders if he say that there is another god, and that you
know that he even incurs the penalty of death, therefore
your teacher also was with reason cut off for having given
sirrns and wonders." And Peter answered : " Our Lord
neither asserted that there were gods except the Creator
of all, nor did He proclaim Himself to be God, but He
with reason pronounced blessed him who called Him the Son
of that God who has arrano;ed the universe." And Simon
answered: "Does it not seem to you, then, that he who
comes from God is God ? " And Peter said : " Tell us how
tliis is possible ; for we cannot affirm this, because we did not
hear it from Him.

Chap. xvi. — The unhegotten and the begotten necessaiily
different from each other.

" In addition to this, it is the peculiarity of the Father not
to have been begotten, but of the Son to have been begotten ;
but what is begotten cannot be compared with that which is
^ Lit., " whom obeying :" the " -whom " might refer to God.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 253

unbegotten or self-begotten." And Simon said: ^'Is it not
the same on account of its origin ? " ^ And Peter said : '^ Pie
who is not the same in all respects as some one, cannot have
all the same appellations applied to him as that person." And
Simon said : "• This is to assert, not to prove." And Peter
said : " Why, do you not see that if ^ the one happens to be
self-begotten or unbegotten, they cannot be called the same ;
nor can it be asserted of him who has been begotten that
he is of the same substance as he is who has begotten him ?
Learn this also : The bodies of men have immortal souls,
which have been clothed with the breath of God ; and having
come forth from God, they are of the same substance, but
they are not gods. But if they are gods, then in this way
the souls of all men, both those who have died, and those
who are alive, and those who shall come into being, are gods.
But if in a spirit of controversy you maintain that these also
are gods, what great matter is it, then, for Christ to be called
God ? for He has only what all have.

Chap. xvii. — The nature of God.

^^ We call Him God whose peculiar attributes cannot
belong to the nature of any other ; for, as He is called the
Unbounded because He is boundless on every side, it must of
necessity be the case that it is no other one's peculiar attri-
bute to be called unbounded, as another cannot in like manner
be boundless. But if any one says that it is possible, he is
wrong ; for two things boundless on every side cannot co-
exist, for the one is bounded by the other. Thus it is in
the nature^ of things that the unbegotten is one. But if he
possesses a figure, even in this case the figure is one and in-
comparable.* AVherefore He is called the Most High, be-

^ The word yimaig, "arising, coming into being," is here used, not
yhvYiai;, " begetting." The idea fully expressed is : "Is not that which
is begotten identical in essence with that which begets it?"

^ We have inserted si. The passage is amended in various ways ; this
seems to be the simplest.

2 Lit., " thus it is nature."

^ We have adopted an emendation here. The text has: " Even thus
the incomparable is one."

254 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

cause, being higher than all, He has the universe subject to Him."

Chap, xviii. — The name of God.

And Simon said : ^'Is this word ' God' His ineffable name,
which all use, because you maintain so strongl}^ in regard to
a name that it cannot be given to another?" And Peter
said : '' I know that this is not His ineffable name, but one
which is given by agreement among men ; but if you give
it to another, you will also assign to this other that which is
not used ; and that, too, deliberately .•'■ The name which is
used is the forerunner of that which is not used. In this
way insolence is attributed even to that which has not yet
been spoken, just as honour paid to that which is known is
handed on to that which has not yet been known."

Chap. xix. — Tlie shape of God in man.

And Simon said : '' I should like to know, Peter, if you
really believe that the shape of man has been moulded after
the shape of God."^ And Peter said : '• I am really quite
certain, Simon, that this is the case." And Simon said :
*' How can death dissolve the body, impressed as it has thus
been with the greatest seal ?" And Peter said : ^' It is the
shape of the just God. When, then, the body begins to act
unjustly, the form which is in it takes to flight, and thus the
body is dissolved, by the shape disappearing, in order that an
unjust body may not have the shape of the just God. The
dissolution, however, does not take place in regard to the
seal, but in regard to the sealed body. But that which is
sealed is not dissolved without Him who sealed it. And thus
it is not permitted to die without judgment." And Simon
said : ^^ What necessity was there to give the shape of such
a being to man, who was raised from the earth?" And
Peter said : " This was done because of the love of God,
who made man. For while, as far as substance is concerned,

^ "Wieseler proposes to join this clause mtli the followiDg: " And in
point of choice the name which."
2 Lit., "of that one, of Him."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 255

all things are superior to the flesh of man, — I mean the ether,
the sun, the moon, the stars, the air, the water, the fire — in
a word, all the other things which have been made for the
service of man, — yet, though superior in substance, they
willingly endure to serve the inferior in substance, because
of the shape of the superior. For as they who honour the
clay image of a king have paid honour to the king himself,
whose shape the clay happens to have, so the whole creation
with joy serves man, who is made from earth, looking to the
honour thus paid to Gcd.

Chap. xx. — The character of God.

'' Behold, then, the character of that God to wdiom you,
Simon, wish to persuade us to be ungrateful, and the earth
continues to bear you, perhaps wishing to see who will ven-
ture to entertain similar opinions to yours. For you w^ere
the first to dare what no other dared : you were the first to
utter what we first heard. We first and alone have seen
the boundless long-suffering of God in bearing with such
great impiety as yours, and that God no other than the
Creator of the world, against whom you have dared to act
impiously. And yet openings of the earth took not place,
and fire was not sent down from heaven and went not forth
to burn up men, and rain was not poured out,-^ and a multi-
tude of beasts was not sent from the thickets, and upon us
ourselves the destructive wrath of God did not begin to show
itself, on account of one wdio sinned the sin, as it were, of
spiritual adultery, which is worse than the carnal. For it is
not God the Creator of heaven and earth that in former
times punished sins, since now, when He is blasphemed in
the highest degree, He would inflict the severest punish-
ment.^ But, on the contrary, He is long-suffering, calls to

-^ One MS. reads, " was not restrained."

^ We have inserted «v, and suppose the sentence to be ironical. The
meaning might be the same without civ. The text of Dressel is as fol-
lows : " For is not He who then punished the sins God, Creator of
heaven and earth ; since even now, being blasphemed in the highest
degree, He punished it in the highest degree ? "

256 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

repentance, having the arrows which end in the destruction
of the impious laid up in His treasures, which He will dis-
charge like living animals when He shall sit down to give
judgment to those that are His.^ Wherefore let us fear the
just God, whose shape the body of man bears for honour.'*'

Chap. xxi. — Simon j^^'omises to appeal to the teaching of
Christ, Peter dismisses the multitudes.

When Peter said this, Simon answered : " Since I see you
skilfully hinting that what is written in the books" against
the framer^ [of the world] does not happen to be true,
to-morrow I shall show, from the discourses of your teacher,
that he asserted that the framer [of the world] was not the
highest God." And when Simon said this, he went out.
But Peter said to the assembled multitudes : " If Simon can
do no other injury to us in regard to God, he at least pre-
vents you from listening to the words that can purify the
soul." On Peter saying this, much whispering arose amongst
the crowds, saying, " What necessity is there for permitting
him to come in here, and utter his blasphemies against God?"
And Peter heard, and said, " AYould that the doctrines
against God which are intended to try men"^ went no further
than Simon ! For there will be, as the Lord said, false
apostles,^ false prophets, heresies, desires for supremacy, who,
as I conjecture, finding their beginning in Simon, who blas-
phemes God, will work together in the assertion of the same
opinions against God as those of Simon." And saying this
with tears, he summoned the multitudes to him bv his hand ;
and when they came, he laid his hands upon them and prayed,
and then dismissed them, telling them to come at an earlier
hour next day. Saying this, and groaning, he entered and
went to sleep, without taking food.

1 Cotelerius translates : " to His enemies." - i.e. the Scriptures.

3 A distinction has to be made between the Creator, or maker out of
nothing, and the framer, or fashioner, or [[Demiurge]], Tvho puts the matter
into shape.

* Lit, " the word against Gol for the trial of men."

^ Comp. Matt. xxiv. 24.

HOMILY XVII,

Chap. i. — Simon comes to Peter.

HE next day, therefore, as Peter was to hold a dis-
cussion with Simon, he rose earlier than usual
and prayed. On ceasing to pray, Zacchseus came
in, and said : " Simon is seated without, discours-
ing with ahout thirty of his own special followers." And
Peter said : " Let him talk until the multitude assemble, and
then let us begin the discussion in the following way. We
shall hear all that has been said by him, and having fitted our
reply to this, we shall go out and discourse." And assuredly
so it happened. Zacchasus, therefore, went out, and not long
after entered again, and communicated to Peter the discourse
delivered by Simon against him.^

Chap. ii. — Simoiis speech against Peter.

Now he said : " He accuses you, Peter, of being the ser-
vant of wickedness, of having great powder in magic, and as
charming the souls of men in a way worse than idolatry.
To prove that you are a magician, he seemed to me to adduce
the following evidence, saying : ^ I am conscious of this, that
when I come to hold a discussion with him, I do not remem-
ber a single word of what I have been meditating on by
myself. For while he is discoursing, and my mind is engaged
in recollecting what it is that I thought of saying on coming
to a conference with him, I do not hear anything whatsoever
of what he is saying. Now, since I do not experience this
in the presence of any other than in his alone, is it not
plain that I am under the influence of his magic ? And as
^ The text has : " against Peter."
R

258 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

to Ills doctrines being worse than those of idolatry, I can
make that quite clear to any one who has understanding.
For there is no other benefit than this, that the soul should
be freed from images^ of every kind. For when the soul
brings an image before its eye, it is bound by fear, and it
pines away through anxiety lest it should suffer some cala-
mity ; and being altered, it falls under the influence of a
demon ; and being under his influence, it seems to the mass
to be wise.

Chap. hi. — Simoiis accusation of Peter.

" 'Peter does this to you while promising to make you wise.
For, under the pretext of proclaiming one God, he seems to
free you from many lifeless images, which do not at all injure
those who w^orship them, because they are seen by the eyes
themselves to be made of stone, or brass, or gold, or of some
other lifeless material. Wherefore the soul, because it knows
that what is seen is nothing, cannot be spell-bound by fear in
an equal degree by means of what is visible. But looking to
a terrible God through the influence of deceptive teaching, it
has all its natural foundations overturned. And I say this,
not because I exhort you to worship images, but because
Peter, seeming to free your souls from terrible images,^ drives
mad the mind of each one of you by a more terrible image,
introducing God in a shape, and that, too, a God extremely
just, — an image which is accompanied by what is terrible and
awful to the contemplative soul, by that which can entirely
destroy the enerory of a sound mind. For the mind, when in
the midst of such a storm, is like the depth stirred by a violent
wind, perturbed and darkened. Wherefore, if he comes to
benefit you, let him not, while seeming to dissolve your fears
which gently proceed from lifeless shapes, introduce in their
stead the terrible shape of God. But has God a shape? If
He has. He possesses a figure. And if He has a figure, how
is He not limited ? And if limited, He is in space. But if
He is in space, He is less than the space which encloses Him.
And if less than anything, how is He greater than all, or

^ iihuT^av, idols. ^ ihau.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 259

superior to all, or the highest of all? This, theiij is the state
of the case.

Chap. iv. — It is asserted that Chrises teaching is different

from Peter s.

" ^ And that he does not really believe even the doctrines
proclaimed by his teacher is evident, for he proclaims doctrines
opposite to his. For he said to some one, as I learn/ '-' Call
me not good, for the good is one." Now, in speaking of the
good one, he no longer speaks of that just one,^ whom the
Scriptures proclaim, who kills and makes alive, — kills those
who sin, and makes alive those who live according to His
will. But that he did not really call Him who is the framer
of the world good, is plain to any one who can reflect. For
the framer of the world was known to Adam whom He had
made, and to Enoch who pleased Him, and to Noah who was
seen to be just by Him ; likewise to Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob ; also to Moses, and the people, and the whole world.
But Jesus, the teacher of Peter himself, came and said,^ " No
one knew the Father except the Son, as no one knoweth ^ even
the Son except the Father, and those to whom the Son may
wish to reveal Him." If, then, it was the Son himself who was
present, it was from the time of his appearance that he began
to reveal to those to whom he wished, Him who was unknown
to all. And thus the Father was unknown to all who lived
before him, and could not thus be He who was known to all.

Chap. v. — Jesus inconsistent in his teaching,

" ^ In saying this, Jesus is consistent not even with himself.
For sometimes by other utterances, taken from the Scriptures,
he presents God as being terrible and just, saying,^ " Fear
not him who killeth the body, but can do nothing to the
soul; but fear Him who is able to cast both body and soul into
the geenna of fire. Yea, I say unto you, fear Him." But

1 Matt. six. 17.

2 The Gnostic distinction between the God who is just and the God
who is good, is here insisted on.

3 Matt. xi. 27. * One MS. reads, " saw." ^ Matt. x. 28.

260 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

that he asserted that He is really to be feared as being a just
God, to whom he says those who receive injustice cry, is
shown in a parable of which he gives the interpretation,
saying : ^ " If, then, the unjust judge did so, because he was
continually entreated, how much more will the Father avenge
those who cry to Him day and night? Or do you think
that, because He bears long with them, He will not do it?
Yea, I say to you, He will do it, and that speedily." Now
he who speaks of God as an avenging and rewarding God,
presents Him as naturally just, and not as good. Moreover
he gives thanks to the Lord of heaven and earth.^ But if
He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is acknowledged to be
the framer of the world, and if framer, then He is just.
When, therefore, he sometimes calls Him good and some-
times just, he is not consistent with himself in this point.
But his wise disciple maintained yesterday a third point, that
real sight^ is more satisfactory than vision, not knowing that
real sight can be human, but that vision confessedly proceeds
from divinity.'

Chap. yi. — Peter goes out to answer Simon,

" These and such like were the statements, Peter, which
Simon addressed to the multitudes while he stood outside ;
and he seems to me to be disturbing the minds of the greater
number. AYherefore go forth immediately, and by the
power of truth break down his false statements." When
Zacchseus said this, Peter prayed after his usual manner and
went out, and standing in the place where he spoke the day
before, and saluting the multitudes according to the custom
enjoined by his religion, he began to speak as follows : " Our
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true prophet (as I shall prove
conclusively at the proper time), made concise declarations in
regard to those matters that relate to the truth, for these two

1 Luke xviii. 6. ^ ;Matt. xi. 25.

^ The Mss. read vApynciv^ "activit}'." Clcricus amended it into hup-
yiictu^ which means, vision or sight in plain open day with one's own
eyes, in opposition to the other word oVr^c-Zcc, vision in sleep, or ecstasy,
or some similar unusual state.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 261

reasons : first, because He was in the habit of addressing the
pious, who had knowledge enough to enable them to believe the
opinions uttered by Him by way of declaration ; for His state-
ments were not strange to their usual mode of thought ; and in
the second place, because, having a limited time assigned Him
for preaching, He did not employ the method of demonstra-
tion in order that He might not spend all His limited time
in arguments, for in this way it might happen that He would
be fully occupied in giving the solutions of a few problems
which might be understood by mental exertion, while He
would not have given us to any great extent^ those state-
ments which relate to the truth. Accordingly He stated any
opinions He wished, as to a people who were able to under-
stand Him, to whom we also belong, who, whenever we did
not understand anything of what had been said by Him, —
a thing which rarely happened, — inquired of Him privately,
that nothing said by Him might be unintelligible to us.

Chap. vii. — Man in the shape of God.

" Knowing therefore that we knew all that was spoken
by Him, and that we could supply the proofs, He sent us
to the ignorant Gentiles to baptize them for remission of
sins,^ and commanded us to teach them first. Of His com-
mandments this is the first and great one, to fear the Lord
God, and to serve Him only. But He meant us to fear
that God whose angels they are who are the angels of the
least of the faithful amongst us,^ and who stand in heaven
continually beholding the face of the Father. For He has
shape, and He has every limb primarily and solely for beauty's
sake, and not for use. For He has not eyes that He may see
with them ; for He sees on every side, since He is incompar-
ably more brilliant in His body than the visual spirit which is
in us, and He is more splendid than everything, so that in
comparison with Him the light of the sun may be reckoned
as darkness. Nor has He ears that He may hear ; for He
hears, perceives, moves, energizes, acts on every side. But
He has the most beautiful shape on account of man, that the

^ Lit., "to a greater extent." ^ Matt, xxviii. 19. ^ Matt» xviii. 10.

2G2 THE CLEMENTIXE HOMILIES.

pure in heart^ may be able to see Him, that they may rejoice
because they suffered. For He moulded man in His ovrn
shape as in the grandest seal, in order that he may be the
ruler and lord of all, and that all may be subject to him.
Wherefore, judging that He is the universe, and that man
is His image (for He is Himself invisible, but His image
man is visible), the man who wishes to worship Him honours
His visible image, which is man. Whatsoever therefore any
one does to man, be it good or bad, is regarded as being done
to Him. Wherefore the judgment which proceeds from
Him shall go before, giving to every one according to his
merits. For He avenges His own shape.

Chap. yiii. — God^s figure: Simons ohjection ilierefrom

refuted.

^'But some one will say. If He has shape, then He has
figure also, and is in space ; but if He is in space, and is, as
being less, enclosed by it, how is He great above everything ?
How can He be everywhere if He has figure ? The first re-
mark I have to make to him who urges these objections is
this : The Scriptures persuade us to have such sentiments and
to believe such statements in regard to Him ; and we know
that their declarations are true, for witness is borne to them
by our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose orders we are bound to
afford proofs to you that such is the case. But first I shall
speak of space. The space of God is the non-existent, but
God is that which exists. But that which is non-existent
cannot be compared with that wdiich is existent. For how
can space be existent? unless it be a second space, such as
heaven, earth, water, air, and if there is any other body that
fills up the vacuity, which is called vacuity on this account,
that it is nothing. For 'nothing' is its more appropriate name.
For what is that which is called vacuity but as it were a
vessel which contains nothing, except the vessel itself ? But
being vacuity, it is not itself space ; but space is that in which
vacuity itself is, if indeed it is the vessel. For it must be the
case that that which exists is in that which does not exist.

1 Matt. v. 8.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 263

But by this which is non-existent I mean that which is called
by some, space, which is nothing. But being nothing, how
can it be compared with that which is, except by expressing
the contrary, and saying that it is that which does not exist,
^nd that that which does not exist is called space ? But even
if it were something, there are many examples which I have
at hand, but I shall content myself with one only, to show
that that which encloses is not unquestionably superior to
that which is enclosed. The sun is a circular figure, and is
entirely enclosed by air, yet it lightens up the air, it warms it,
it divides it ; and if the sun be away from it, it is enveloped
in darkness ; and from whatsoever part of it the sun is re-
moved, it becomes cold as if it were dead; but again it is
illuminated by its rising, and when it has been warmed up
by it, it is adorned with still greater beauty. And it does
this by giving a share of itself, though it has its substance
limited. What, then, is there to prevent God, as being the
Framer and Lord of this and everything else, from possessing
figure and shape and beauty, and having the communication
of these qualities proceeding from Himself extended in-
finitely ?

Chap. ix. — God the centre or heart of the universe,

^' One, then, is the God who truly exists, who presides in a
superior shape, being the heart of that which is above and
that which is below twice,^ which sends forth from Him as
from a centre the life-giving and incorporeal power ; the
whole universe with the stars and regions^ of the heaven, the
air, the fire, and if anything else exists, is proved to be a sub-
stance infinite in height, boundless in depth, immeasurable
in breadth, extendin£j the life-mvino; and wise nature from
Him over three infinites.^ It must be, therefore, that this

^ The whole of this chapter is full of corruptions ; " twice" occurs in
one MS. Various attempts have been made to amend the passage.

2 An emendation.

2 The text is corrupt. We have translated Itt ccTrslpovg rpug. Some
think " three" should be omitted. The three infinites are in respect of
height, depth, and breadth.

2G4 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

infinite which proceeds from Him on every side exists,-^
having as its heart Him who is above all, and who thus
possesses figure ; for wherever He be, He is as it were in
the centre of the infinite, being the limit of the universe.
And the extensions taking their rise with Him, possess the
nature of six infinites ; of whom the one taking its rise
with Him penetrates^ into the height above, another into
the depth below, another to the right hand, another to the
left, another in front, and another behind ; to whom He
Himself, looking as to a number that is equal on every
side,^ completes the world in six temporal intervals,* Himself
being the rest,'^ and having the infinite age to come as His
imaire, beincp the bemnnino; and the end. For in Him the
six infinites end, and from Him they receive their extension
to infinity.

Chap. x. — The nature and shape of God.

" This is the mystery of the hebdomad. For He Himself
is the rest of the whole who grants Himself as a rest to those
who imitate His greatness within their little measure. For
He is alone, sometimes comprehensible, sometimes incom-
prehensible, [sometimes limitable,^] sometimes illimitable,
having extensions which proceed from Him into infinity.
For thus He is comprehensible and incomprehensible, near
and far, being here and there, as being the only existent one,
and as giving a share of that mind which is infinite on every
hand, in consequence of which souls breathe and possess
life ;^ and if they be separated from the body and be found
with a longing for Him, they are borne along into His

^ As punctuated in Dressel, this reads, "that the infinite is the heart.'*

2 The emendation of the transcriber of one of the MSS.

3 This refers to the following mode of exhibiting the number : . .
Avhere each side presents the number three. • • •

■* The creation of the world in six days.

^ The seventh day on which God rested, the type of the rest of the
future age. See Epistle of Barnahas, c. xv.

^ The words wathin brackets are inserted by conjecture. " Sometimes
incomprehensible, sometimes illimitable," occur only in one MS.

' We have adopted Wieseler's suggestions.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 265

bosorrij as in the winter time the mists of the mountains,
attracted by the rays of the sun, are borne along Immortal^
to it. What affection ought therefore to arise within us if we
gaze with our mind on His beautiful shape ! But otherwise
it is absurd [to speak of beauty]. For beauty cannot exist
apart from shape ; nor can one be attracted to the love of God,
nor even deem that he can see Him, if God has no form.

Chap. xi. — The fear of God,

" But some who are strangers to the truth, and who give
their energies to the service of evil, on pretext of glorifying
God, say that He has no figure, in order that, being shapeless
and formless, He may be visible to no one, so as not to be
longed for. For the mind, not seeing the form of God, is
empty of Him. But how can any one pray if he has no one
to whom he may flee for refuge, on whom he may lean ?
For if he meets with no resistance, he falls out into vacuity.
Yea, says he, we ought not to fear God, but to love Him. I
agree ; but the consciousness of having done well in each
good act will accomplish this. Now well-doing proceeds from
fearing. But fear, says he, strikes death into the soul.
Nay, but I affirm that it does not strike death, but awakens
the soul, and converts it. And perhaps the injunction not
to fear God might be right, if we men did not fear many
other things ; such, for instance, as plots against us by those
who are like us, and wild beasts, serpents, diseases, sufferings,
demons, and a thousand other ills. Let him, then, who asks
us not to fear God, rescue us from these, that we may not
fear them ; but if he cannot, why should he grudge that we
should be delivered from a thousand fears by one fear, the
fear of the Just One, and that it should be possible by a
slight ^ faith In Him to remove a thousand afflictions from
ourselves and otherSj and receive instead an exchange of

1 This word is justly suspected. The passage is in other respects
corrupt.

2 The word " slight" is not used in reference to the character of the
faith, but to indicate that the act of faith is a small act compared with
the results that flow from it.

2GQ THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

blessings, and that, doing no ill in consequence of fear of
the God ^yho sees everything, we should continue in peace
even in the present life.

Chap. xii. — The fear and love of God,

" Thus, then, grateful service to Him who is truly Lord,
renders us free from service to all other masters.^ If, then,
it is possible for any one to be free from sin without fearing
God, let him not fear ; for under the influence of love to
Him one cannot do what is displeasing to Him. For, on the
one hand, it is written that we are to fear Him, and we have
been commanded to love Him, in order that each of us may
use that prescription which is suitable to his constitution.
Fear Him, therefore, because He is just ; but whether you
fear Him or love Him, sin not. And may it be the case that
any one who fears Him shall be able to gain the victory
over unlawful desires, shall not lust after what belongs to
others, shall practise kindness, shall be sober, and act justly !
For I see some who are imperfect in their fear of Plim
sinning very much. Let us therefore fear God, not only
because He is just ; for it is through pity for those who have
received injustice that He inflicts punishment on those who
have done the injustice. As water therefore quenches fire,
so does fear extinguish the desire for evil practices. He who
teaches fearlessness does not himself fear ; but he who does
not fear, does not believe that there will be a judgment,
strengthens his lusts, acts as a magician, and accuses others
of the deeds which he himself does."

CiiAP. XIII. — The evidence of the senses contrasted with that
from supernatural vision.

Simon, on hearing this, interrupted him, and said : ''I know
against whom you are making these remarks ; but in order
that I may not spend any time in discussing subjects which
I do not wish to discuss, repeating the same statements to
refute you, reply to that which is concisely stated by us.
You professed that you had well understood the doctrines and
^ We have adopted an emendation of a passage which is plainly corrupt.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 267

deeds^ of your teacher because you saw them before you with
your own eyes,^ and heard them with your own ears, and that
it is not possible for any other to have anything similar by
vision or apparition. But I shall show that this is false. He
who hears any one with his own ears, is not altogether fully
assured of the truth of what is said ; for his mind has to con-
sider whether he is wrong or not, inasmuch as he is a man as
far as appearance goes. But apparition not merely presents
an object to view, but inspires him who sees it with confi-
dence, for it comes from God. Now reply first to this."

Chap. xiv. — The evidence of the senses more trustioorthy than
that of supernatural vision.

And Peter said : " You proposed to speak to one point,
you replied to another.^ For your proposition was, that one
is better able to know more fully, [and to attain confidence,^]
when he hears in consequence of an apparition, than when
he hears with his own ears ; but when you set about the
matter, you were for persuading us that he who hears
through an apparition is surer than he who hears with his
own ears. Finally, you alleged that, on this account, you
knew more satisfactorily the doctrines of Jesus than I do,
because you heard His words through an apparition. But I
shall reply to the proposition you made at the beginning.
The prophet, because he is a prophet, having first given cer-
tain information with regard to what is objectively^ said

^ Doctrines and deeds ; lit., the things of your teacher.

^ The MSS. have here hipyiicc, " activity." This has been amended
into ivocpyilcc^ "with plainness, with distinctness." ''Eyxpynx is used
throughout in opposition to oTirruala.^ opx^a, and euvTn/iou, and means the
act of seeing and hearing by our own senses in plain daylight, when to
doubt the fact observed is to doubt the senses ; o'lnocaia, is apparition
or vision in ecstasy, or some extraordinary way but that of sleep ; opocf^cc
and iuv-TTuiQu are restricted to visions in sleep. The last term implies
this. The first means simply " a thing seen."

^ Probably it should be a.Tna'hi'ja instead of ccTrsKpiucoj " you turned
aside to another."

^ The words inserted in brackets are inserted conjecturally, to fill up
a lacuna in the best MS.

^ ivupycjgj " with reference to things palpable to our senses."

268 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

by liim, is believed with confidence ; and being known be-
forehand to be a true prophet, and being examined and
questioned as the disciple wishes, he replies : But he who
trusts to apparition or vision and dream is insecure. For he
does not know to whom he is trusting. For it is possible
either that he may be an evil demon or a deceptive spirit,
pretending in his speeches to be what he is not. But if any
one should wish to inquire of him who he is who has ap-
peared, he can say to himself whatever he likes. And thus,
gleaming forth like a wicked one, and remaining as long as
he likes, he is at length extIno;uished, not remaining with the
questioner so long as he wished him to do for the purpose of
consulting him. For any one that sees by means of dreams
cannot inquire about whatever he may wish. For reflection
is not in the special power of one who is asleep. Hence we,
desiring to have information in regard to something in our
waking hours, inquire about something else in our dreams ;
or without inquiring, we hear about matters that do not con-
cern us, and awaking from sleep we are dispirited because
we have neither heard nor inquired about those matters
which we were eager to know."

Chap. xv. — The evidence from dreams discussed.

And Simon said: "If you maintain that apparitions do
not always reveal the truth, yet for all that, visions and
dreams, being God-sent, do not speak falsely in regard to
those matters which they wish to tell." And Peter said :
" You were right in saying that, being God-sent, they do
not speak falsely. But it is uncertain if he who sees has
seen a God-sent dream." And Simon said : " If he who has
had the vision is just, he has seen a true vision." And
Peter said : " You were right. But who is just, if he stands
in need of a vision that he may learn what he ought to learn,
and do what he ought to do ? " And Simon said : '' Grant
me this, that the just man alone can see a true vision, and I
shall then reply to that other point. For I have come to the
conclusion that an impious man does not see a true dream."
And Peter said: "This is false; and I can prove it both

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 269

apart from Scripture and by Scripture ; but I do not under-
take to persuade you. For the man who is inclined to fall
in love with a bad woman, does not change his mind so as to
care for a lawful union with another woman in every respect
good; but sometimes they love the worse woman through
prepossessions, though they are conscious that there is
another who is more excellent. And you are ignorant, in
consequence of some such state of mind." And Simon said:
*^ Dismiss this subject, and discuss the matter on which you
promised to speak. For it seems to me impossible that
impious men should receive dreams from God in any way
whatever."

Chap. xvi. — None hut evil demons appear to the impious.

And Peter said : " I remember that I promised to prove
this point, and to give my proofs in regard to it from Scrip-
ture and apart from Scripture. And now listen to what I
say. We know that there are many (if you will pardon me
the statement ; and if you don't, I can appeal to those who
are present as judges) who worship idols, commit adultery,
and sin in every way, and yet they see true visions and
dreams, and some of them have also apparitions of demons.
For I maintain that the eyes of mortals cannot see the incor-
poreal form of the Father or Son, because it is illumined by
exceeding great light. Wherefore it is not because God
envies, but because He pities, that He cannot be seen by
man who has been turned into flesh. For he who sees
[God] cannot live. For the excess of light dissolves the
flesh of him who sees ; unless by the secret power of God
the flesh be changed into the nature of light, so that it can
see light, or the substance of light be changed into flesh,
so that it can be seen by flesh. For the power to see the
Father, without undergoing any change, belongs to the Son
alone. But the just shall also in like manner behold God ;^
for in the resurrection of the dead, when they have been

^ We have translated a bold conjecture. The text has, " The just not
in like manner," without any verb, which Schwegler amended: "To
the just this power does not belong in like manner."

270 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

changed, as far as their bodies are concerned, into light^
and become like the angels, they shall be able to see Him.
Finally, then, if any angel be sent that he may be seen by a
man, he is changed into flesh, that he may be able to be
seen by flesh. For no one can see the incorporeal power
not only of the Son, but not even of an angel. But if one
sees an apparition, he should know that this is the apparition
of an evil demon.

Chap. xyii. — The impious see true dreams and visions.

'^ But it is manifest that the impious see true visions and
dreams, and I can prove it from Scripture. Finally, then, it
is written in the law, how Abimelech, who was impious,
wished to defile the wife of just Abraham by intercourse, and
how he heard the commandment from God in his sleep, as
the Scripture saith, not to touch her,^ because she was dwell-
ing with her husband. Pharaoh, also an impious man, saw
a dream in refjard to the fulness and thinness of the ears of
corn,^ to whom Joseph said, when he gave the interpretation,
that the dream had come from God.^ Nebuchadnezzar, who
worshipped images, and ordered those who worshipped God
to be cast into fire, saw a dream* extending over the wdiole
age of the world.^ And let no one say, ^ No one who is
impious sees a vision when awake.' That is false. Nebu-
chadnezzar himself, havini:^ ordered three men to be cast into
fire, saw a fourth when he looked into the furnace, and said,
^ I see the fourth as the Son of God.' ^ And nevertheless,
though they saw apparitions, visions, and dreams, they were
impious. Thus, we cannot infer with absolute certainty that
the man who has seen visions, and dreams, and apparitions,
is undoubtedly pious. For in the case of the pious man,
the truth gushes up natural and pure^ in his mind, not
worked up through dreams, but granted to the good through
intellifzence.

1 Gen. XX. 3. ^ Qen. xU, g, 3 Qcn. xli. 25. ^ Dan. ii. 31.

^ Lit., of the whole length of the age. ^ Dan. iii. 25.

^ "We have amended this passage. The text applies the words " natu-
ral [or innate] and pure " to the mind.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 271

Chap, xviii. — The nature of revelation,

" Thus to me also was the Son revealed by the Father,
Wherefore I know what is the meaning of revelation, having
learned it in my own case. For at the very time when the
Lord said, ^ Who do they say that I am ? ' ^ and when I
heard one saying one thing of Him, and another another,
it came into my heart to say (and I know not, therefore, how
I said it), ^ Thou art the Son of the living God.' ^ But He,
pronouncing me blesseJ, pointed out to me that it was the
Father who had revealed it to me; and from this time I learned
that revelation is knowledge gained without instruction, and
without apparition and dreams. And this is indeed the case.
For in the [soul ^] which has been placed in us by * God,
there is all the truth ; but it is covered and revealed by the
hand of God, who works so far as each one through his
knowledge deserves.^ But the declaration of anything by
means of apparitions and dreams from without is a proof, not
that it comes from revelation, but from wrath. Finally, then,
it is written in the law, that God, being angry, said to Aaron
and Miriam,^ ' If a prophet arise from amongst you, I shall
make myself known to him through visions and dreams, but
not so as to my servant Moses ; because I shall speak to him
in an [outward] appearance, and not through dreams, just as
one will speak to his own friend.' You see how the state-
ments of wrath are made through visions and dreams, but
the statements to a friend are made face to face, in [outward]
appearance, and not through riddles and visions and dreams,
as to an enemy.

1 Matt. xvi. 13. 2 Matt. xvi. 16.

^ This word is not in the text. Schliemann proposed the word
"heart." Possibly "breath" or "spirit" may be the lost word. See
above.

4 u gyn should properly be " from."

^ Lit., " who produces according to the merit of each one knowing."
Cotelerius translated, "who, knowing the merit of each man, does to
him according to it." The idea seems to be, that God uncovers the
truth hidden in the soul to each man according to his deserts.

^ Num. xii. 6 ; Ex. xxxiii. 11,

272 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xix. — Opposition to Peter unreasonable,

^' If, then, our Jesus appeared to you in a vision, made
Himself known to you, and spoke to you, it was as one wdio
is enraged with an adversary ; and this is the reason why it
was through visions and dreams, or through revelations that
were from without, that He spoke to you. But can any one
be rendered fit for instruction through apparitions ? And
if you will say, ' It is possible,' then I ask, ' Why did our
teacher abide and discourse a whole year to those who were
awake?' And how are we to believe your word, when you
tell us that He appeared to you ? And how did He appear
to you, when you entertain opinions contrary to His teaching ?
But if you were seen and taught by Him, and became His
apostle for a single hour, proclaim His utterances, interpret
His sayings, love His apostles, contend not with me who
companied with Him. For in direct opposition to me, who
am a firm rock, the foundation of the church/ you now
stand. If you were not opposed to me, you w^ould not accuse
me, and revile the truth proclaimed by me, in order that I
may not be believed when I state what I myself have heard
with my own ears from the Lord, as if I were evidently a
person that was condemned and in bad repute.^ But if you
say that I am condemned, you bring an accusation against
God, wdio revealed the Christ to me, and you inveigh against
Him who pronounced me blessed on account of the revela-
tion. But if, indeed, you really wish to work in the cause of
truth, learn first of all from us what we have learned from
Him, and, becoming a disciple of the truth, become a fellow-
worker with us."

Chap. xx. — Another sulject for discussion proposed.

When Simon heard this, he said : " Far be it from me to
become his or your disciple. For I am not ignorant of what
I ought to know ; but the inquiries which I made as a learner

1 Matt. xvi. 18.

^ ^Ve have adopted an emendation of Scliwegler's. The text reads,
" in good repute."

• THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 273

were made that I may see if you can prove that actual sight
is more distinct than apparition.^ But you spoke according to
your own pleasure ; you did not prove. And now, to-morrow
I shall come to your opinions in regard to God, whom you
affirmed to be the framer of the world ; and in my discus-
sion with you, I shall show that he is not the highest, nor
good, and that your teacher made the same statements as I
now do ; and I shall prove that you have not understood
him." On saying this he went away, not wishing to listen
to what might be said lO the propositions which he had laid
down.

1 This passage is corrupt in the text. Dressel reads, " that activity is
more distinct than apparition." By activity would be meant, " acting
while one is awake, and in full possession of liis senses ; " and thus the
meaniDg would be nearly the same as in our translation.

HOMILY XVIII.

Chap. i. — Simon maintains that the framer of the icorld is
not the highest God.

T break of daj, when Peter went forth to discourse,
Simon anticipated him, and said : ^^ When I went
away yesterday, I promised to you to return to-
day, and in a discussion show that he who framed
the world is not the highest God, but that the highest God
is another who alone is good, and who has remained un-
known up to this time. At once, then, state to me whether
you maintain that the framer of the world is the same as the
lawgiver or not ? If, then, he is the lawgiver, he is just ;
but if he is just, he is not good. But if he is not good,
then it was another that Jesus proclaimed, when he said,^
' Do not call me good ; for one is good, the Father who is in
the heavens.' Now a lawgiver cannot be both just and
good, for these qualities do not harmonize." And Peter
said : '•^ First tell us what are the actions which in your
opinion constitute a person good, and what are those which
constitute him just, in order that thus we may address our
words to the same mark." And Simon said : ^' Do you state
first what in your opinion is goodness, and what justice."

Chap. ii. — Definition of goodness and justice.

And Peter said : '' That I may not waste my time in
contentious discussions, while I make the fair demand that
you should give answers to my propositions, I shall myself
answer those questions which I put, as is your wish. I then
affirm that the man who bestows^ [goods] is good, just as I
see the Framer of the world doing when He gives the sun

1 Matt. xix. 17.

^ There is a lacuna in one of the MSS. here, which is supplied in various
ways. We have inserted the word " goods."

274

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 275

to the good, and the rain to the just and unjust." And
Simon said : " It is most unjust that he should give the
same things to the just and the unjust." And Peter said :
" Do you, then, in your turn state to us what course of con-
duct would constitute Him good." And Simon said : " It is
you that must state this." And Peter said : " I will. He
who gives the same things to the good and just, and also to
the evil and unjust, is not even just according to you ; but you
would with reason call Him just if He gave goods to the good
and evils to the evil. What course of conduct, then, would
He adopt, if He does not adopt the plan of giving things
temporal to the evil, if perchance they should be converted,
and things eternal to the good, if at least they remain [good]?
And thus by giving to all, but by gratifying the more ex-
cellent,^ His justice is good ; and all the more long-suffering
in this, that to sinners who repent He freely grants forgive-
ness of their sins, and to those who have acted well He
assigns even eternal life. But judging at last, and giving to
each one what he deserves. He is just. If, then, this is right,
confess it ; but if it appears to you not to be right, refute it."

Chap. hi. — God both good and just.

And Simon said : " I said once for all, ^ Every lawgiver,
looking to justice, is just.' " And Peter said : " If it is the
part of him who is good not to lay down a law, but of him
who is just to lay down a law, in this way the Framer of the
world is both good and just. He is good, inasmuch as it is
plain that He did not lay down a law in writing from the
times of Adam to Moses ; but inasmuch as He had a written
law from Moses to the present times,^ He is just also." And
Simon said : ^' Prove to me from the utterances of your
teacher that it is within the power of the same man to be
good and just ; for to me it seems impossible that the law-

^ This translation of Cotelerius is doubtful. More correctly it would
be, " by gratifying different people," which does not make sense.
Wieseler proposes, " by gratifying in different ways."

2 The text seems corrupt here. Literally it is, " from Moses to the
present times, as has been written, He is just also."

276 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

giver who is good should also be just." And Peter said :
'• I shall explain to you how goodness itself is just. Our
teacher Himself first said to the Pharisee who asked Him,-^
'What shall I do to inherit eternal life?' ' Do not call me
good ; for one is good, even the Father who is in the
heavens;' and straightway He introduced these words, 'But
if thou shalt wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.'
And when he said, 'What commandments?' He pointed
him to those of the law. Now He would not, if He were
indicating some other good being, have referred him to the
commandments of the Just One. That indeed justice and
goodness are different I allow, but you do not know that it
is within the power of the same being to be good and just.
For He is good, in that He is now long-suffering with the
penitent, and welcomes them ; but just, when acting as judge
He will give to every one according to his deserts."

CiiAP. IV. — The unrevealed God.

And Simon said : " How, then, if the framer of the world,
who also fashioned Adam, was known, and known too by
those who were just according to the law, and moreover by
the just and unjust, and the whole world, does your teacher,
coming after all these, say,^ 'No one has known the Father
but the Son, even as no one knoweth the Son but the Father,
and those to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him?' But
he w^ould not have made this statement, had he not proclaimed
a Father who was still unrevealed, whom the law speaks of
as the highest, and who has not given any utterance either
good or bad (as Jeremiah testifies in the Lamentations^) ; who
also, limiting the nations to seventy languages, according to
the number of the sons of Israel who entered Egypt, and
accordinn" to the boundaries of these nations, crave to his own
Son, who is also called Lord, and who brought into order
the heaven and the earth, the Hebrews as his portion, and
defined him to be God of gods, that is, of the gods who re-
ceived the other nations as their portions. Laws, therefore,

^ Luke xviii. 19 ; Matt. xix. 17.

2 Matt. xi. 27. s Lam. iii. 38.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 211

proceeded from all the so-called gods to their own divisions,
which consist of the other nations. In like manner also
from the Son of the Lord of all came forth the law which is
established among the Hebrews. And this state of matters
was determined on, that if any one should seek refuge in the
law of any one, he should belong to the division of him
whose law he undertook to obey. No one knew the highest
Father, who was unrevealed, just as they did not know that
his Son was his Son. Accordingly at this moment you
yourself, in assigning che special attributes of the unrevealed
Most High to the Son, do not know that he is the Son, being
the Father of Jesus, who with you is called the Christ."

Chap. v. — Peter doubts Simon^s lionesty.

When Simon had made these statements, Peter said to
him : " Can you call to witness that these are your beliefs
that being Himself, — I do not mean Him whom you speak
of now as being unrevealed, but Him in whom you believe,
though you do not confess Him ? For you are talking non-
sense when you define one thing instead of another. Where-
fore, if you call Him to witness that you believe what you
say, I shall answer you. But if you continue discussing
with me what you do not believe, you compel me to strike
the empty air." And Simon said : " It is from some of your
own disciples that I have heard [that this is the truth ^]."
And Peter said : " Do not bear false witness ? " And Simon
said : ^' Do not rebuke me, most insolent man." And Peter
said : " So long as you do not tell who it was who said so,
[I affirm that] you are a liar." And Simon said : " Suppose
that I myself have got up these doctrines, or that I heard
them from some other, give me your answer to them. For
if they cannot be overturned, then I have learned that this
is the truth." And Peter said : " If it is a human invention,
I will not reply to it ; but if you are held fast by the sup-
position that it is the truth, acknowledge to me that this is
the case, and I can then myself say something in regard to

^ The words in brackets are inserted to fill up a lacuna which occurs
here in the Vatican MS.

278 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

the matter." And Simon said : " Once for all, then, these
doctrines seem to me to be true. Give me your reply, if you
have aught to say against them."

Chap. vi. — TJie nature of revelation.

And Peter said : " If this is the case, you are acting most
impiously. For if it belongs to the Son, who arranged
heaven and earth, to reveal His unrevealed Father to whom-
soever He wishes, you are, as I said, acting most impiously
in revealing Him to those to whom He has not revealed
Him." And Simon said : " But he himself wishes me to
reveal him." And Peter said : " You do not understand
w^hat I mean, Simon. But listen and understand. When
it is said that the Son will reveal Him to whom He wishes, it
is meant that such an one is to learn of Him not by instruc-
tion, but by revelation only. For it is revelation when that
which lies secretly veiled in all the hearts of men is revealed
[unveiled] by His [God's] own will without any utterance.
And thus knowledge comes to one, not because he has been
instructed, but because he has understood. And yet the
person who understands it cannot demonstrate it to another,
since he did not himself receive it by instruction ; nor can he
reveal it, since he is not himself the Son, unless he maintains
that he is himself the Son. But you are not the standing
Son. For if you were the Son, assuredly you would know
those who are worthy of such a revelation. But you do not
know them. For if you knew them, you would do as they
do who know."

Chap. vii. — Simon confesses his ignorance.

And Simon said : " I confess I have not understood what
you mean by the expression, * You would do as they do who
know.' " And Peter said : ^' If you have not understood it,
then you cannot know the mind of every one ; and if you are
ignorant of this, then you do not know those who are worthy
of the revelation. You are not the Son, for ^ the Son knows.
Wherefore He reveals [Him] to whomsoever He vrishes, be-

1 The Greek has "but."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 279

cause they are worthy." And Simon said : " Be not deceived.
I know those who are worthy, and I am not the Son. And
yet I have not understood what meaning you attach to the
wordsj ^ He reveals [Him] to whomsoever He wishes.' But
I said that I did not understand it, not because I did not
know it, but because I knew that those who were present
did not understand it, in order that you may state it more
distinctly, so that they may perceive what are the reasons
why we are carrying on this discussion." And Peter said :
"I cannot state the matter more clearly: explain what mean-
ing you have attached to the words." And Simon said :
"There is no necessity why I should state your opinions."
And Peter said : *' You evidently, Simon, do not understand
it, and yet you do not wish to confess, that you may not be
detected in your ignorance, and thus be proved not to be the
standing Son. For you hint this, though you do not wish
to state it plainly ; and, indeed, I who am not a prophet, but
a disciple of the true Prophet, know well from the hints you
have given what your wishes are. For you, though you do
not understand even what is distinctly said, wish to call your-
self son in opposition to us." And Simon said : " I will
remove every pretext from you. I confess I do not under-
stand what can be the meaning of the statement, ' The Son.
reveals [Him] to whomsoever He wishes.' State therefore
what is its meaning more distinctly."

Chap. yiii. — TJie work of revelation belongs to the Son alone.

And Peter said : ^' Since, at least in appearance, you have
confessed that you do not understand it, reply to the question
1 put to you, and you will learn the meaning of the statement.
Tell me, do you maintain that the Son, whoever he be, is
just, or that he is not just ? " And Simon said : " I maintain
that he is most just." And Peter said : " Seeing He is just,
why does He not make the revelation to all, but only to those
to whom He wishes?" And Simon said: "Because, being
just, he wishes to make the revelation only to the worthy."
And Peter said : " Must He not therefore know the mind of
each one, in order that He may make the revelation to the

280 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

worthy?'' And Simon said: "Of course he must." And
Peter said : " With reason, therefore, has the work of giving
the revelation been confined to Him alone, for He alone knows
the mind of every one ; and it has not been given to you,
who are not able to understand even that which is stated
by us."

Chap. ix. — How Simon hears his exposure.

When Peter said this, the multitudes applauded. But
Simon, being thus exposed,^ blushed through shame, and
rubbing his forehead, said : " Well, then, do they declare that
I, a magician, yea, even I who syllogize, am conquered by
Peter ? It is not so. But if one should syllogize, though
carried away and conquered, he still retains the truth that is
in him. For the weakness in the defender is not identical
with the truth in the conquered man.^ But I assure you
that I have judged all those who are bystanders worthy to
know the unrevealed Father. Wherefore, because I publicly
reveal him to them, you yourself, through envy, are angry
with me who wish to confer a benefit on them."

Chap. x. — Peter s reply to Simon.

And Peter said : " Since you have thus spoken to please
the multitudes who are present, I shall speak to them, not
to please them, but to tell them the truth. Tell me how
you know all those who are present to be worthy, when not
■even one of them agreed with your exposition of the subject;

1 Lit., " caught in the act."

^ This passage is deemed corrupt by commentators. We have made
no change in the reading of the MSS., except that of vvjiK-fii^ivftv into
vi'jiKY.yAvo;^ and perhaps even this is unnecessary. The last sentence
means : "A man may overcome the weakness of his adversary ; but he
does not therefore strip him of the truth, which he possesses even when
he is conquered." The Latin translation of Cotelerius, with some
emendations from later editors, yields this: "But they say that I, a
magician, am not merely conquered by Peter, but reduced to straits
by his reasonings. But not even though one be reduced to straits by
reasonings, has he the truth which is in him conquered. For the weak-
ness of the defender is not the truth of the conqueror."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 281

for the giving of applause to me in opposition to you is not
the act of those who agree with you, but of those who agree
with me, to whom they gave the applause for having spoken
the truth. But since God, who is just, judges the mind of
each one — a doctrine which you affirm to be true — He would
not have wished this to be given through the left hand to those
on the right hand, exactly as the man who receives anything
from a robber is himself guilty. So that, on this account,
He did not wish them to receive what is brought by you ; but
they are to receive the revelation through the Son, who has
been set apart for this work. For to whom is it reasonable
that the Father should give a revelation, but to His only Son,
because He knows Him to be worthy of such a revelation ?
And so this is a matter which one cannot teach or be taught,
but it must be revealed by the ineffable hand to him who is
worthy to know it."

Chap. xi. — Simon professes to utter his real sentiments.

And Simon said : " It contributes much to victory, if
the man who wars uses his own weapons; for what one
loves he can in real earnest defend, and that which is
defended with genuine earnestness has no ordinary power
in it. Wherefore in future I shall lay before you my real
opinions. I maintain that there is some unrevealed power,
unknown to all, even to the Creator himself, as Jesus him-
self has also declared, though he did not know what he
said. For wlien one talks a great deal he sometimes hits
the truth, not knowing what he is saying. I am referring
to the statement which he uttered, ' No one knows the
Father.'" And Peter said: "Do not any longer profess
that you know His doctrines." And Simon said : '' I do not
profess to believe his doctrines ; but I am discussing points
in which he was by accident right." And Peter said :
" Not to give you any pretext for escape, I shall carry on
the discussion with you in the way you wish. At the same
time, I call all to witness that you do not yet believe the
statement which you just now made. For I know your
opinions. And in order that you may not imagine that I

282 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

am not speaking the truth, I shall expound your opinions,
that you may know that you are discussing with one who is
well acquainted with them.

Chap. xii. — Simoiis opinions expounded hj Peter.

"We, Simon, do not assert that from the great power,
which is also called the dominant ^ power, two angels were
sent forth, the one to create the world, the other to give the
law; nor that each one when he came proclaimed himself, on
account of what he had done, as the sole creator ; nor that
there is one who stands, will stand, and is opposed.^ Learn
how you disbelieve even in respect to this subject. If you say
that there is an unrevealed power, that power is full of igno-
rance. For it did not foreknow the inaratitude of the anirels
who were sent by it." And Simon became exceedingly angry
w^ith Peter for saying this, and interrupted his discourse, say-
ing: "AVhat nonsense is this you speak, you daring and most
impudent of men, revealing plainly before the multitudes the
secret doctrines, so that they can be easily learned ? '* And
Peter said : " Why do you grudge that the present audience
should receive benefit?" And Simon said: " Do you then
allow^ that such knowledge is a benefit?" And Peter said:
"I allowMt: for the knowledge of a false doctrine is beneficial,
inasmuch as you do not fall into it because of ignorance."
And Simon said : " You are evidently not able to reply to
the propositions I laid before you. I maintain that even your
teacher affirms that there is some Father unrevealed."

Chap. xiii. — Peter s explanation of the passage.

And Peter said : " I shall reply to that which you wish me
to speak of, — namely, the passage, ' No one knows the Father
but the Son, nor does any one know the Son but the Father,

^ Kvpl».

^ The text is corrupt. Various emendations have been proposed, none
of which are satisfactory. Uhlhorn proposes, "that there is a standing
one, one who will stand. You who are opposed, learn how you dis-
believe, and that this subject which you say is the power unrevealed is
full of ignorance." P. 283, note.

== THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 283 ==

and they to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.' First,
then, I am astonished that, while this statement admits of
countless interpretations, you should have chosen the very
dangerous position of maintaining that the statement is made
in reference to the ignorance of the Creator ([[Demiurge]]), and
all who are under him. For, first, the statement can apply
to all the Jews who think that David is the father of Christ,
and that Christ himself is his son, and do not know that He
is the Son of God. Wherefore it is appropriately said, ^ No
one knows the Father,' since, instead of God, they affirmed
David to be His father ; and the additional remark, that no
one knows even the Son, is quite correct, since they did not
know that He was the Son. The statement also, ^to whom-
soever the Son may wish to reveal Him,' is also correct ; for
He, being the Son from the beginning, was alone appointed
to give the revelation to those to whom He wishes to give it.
And thus the first man (protoplast) Adam must have heard
of Him ; and Enoch, who pleased [God], must have known
Him ; and Noah, the righteous one, must have become
acquainted with Him ; and Abraam His friend must have
understood Him ; and Isaac must have perceived Him ; and
Jacob, who wrestled with Him, must have believed in Him ;
and the revelation must have been given to all among the
people who were worthy.

Chap. xiv. — Simon refuted.

" But if, as you say, it will be possible to know Him, be-
cause He is now revealed to all through Jesus,-^ are you not
stating what is most unjust, when you say that these men
did not know Him, who were the seven pillars of the world,
and who were able to please the most just God, and that so
many now from all nations who w^ere impious know Him in
every respect ? Were not those who were superior to every
one not deemed worthy to know Him ? ^ And how can that
be good which is not just ? unless you wish to give the name

^ The text is corrupt. TVe have placed Itoi ro after dliuxi.
2 Another reading is: "Were not those deemed better worthy than
any one else to know Him ? "

284 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

of ^ good,' not to him who does good to those who act justly,
but to him who loves the unjust, even though they do not
believe, and reveals to them the secrets which he would not
reveal to the just. But such conduct is befitting neither in
one who is good nor just, but in one who has come to hate
the pious. Are not you, Simon, the standing one, who
have the boldness to make these statements which never have
been so made before? "

Chap. xv. — Matthew xi. 25 discussed.

And Simon, being vexed at this, said: *^ Blame your own
teacher, who said, ' I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth,
that what was concealed from the wise. Thou hast revealed to
suckling babes.' "^ And Peter said : ^' This is not the way in
which the statement was made ; but I shall speak of it as if
it had been made in the way that has seemed good to you.
Our Lord, even if He had made this statement, ' What was
concealed from the wise, the Father revealed to babes,' could
not even thus be thought to point out another God and Father
in addition to Him who created the world. For it is possible
that the concealed things of which He spoke may be those of
the Creator ([[Demiurge]]) himself ; because Isaiah^ says, ' I
will open my mouth in parables, and I will belch forth things
concealed from the foundation of the world.' Do you allow,
then, that the prophet was not ignorant of the things con-
cealed, which Jesus says were concealed from the wise, but
revealed to babes ? And how was the Creator ([[Demiurge]])
ignorant of them, if his prophet Isaiah was not ignorant of
them ? But our Jesus did not in reality say ' what was con-
cealed,' but He said what seems a harsher statement ; for He
said, [' Thou hast concealed these things from the wise, and^]

1 Matt. xi. 9o.

2 The passage does not occur in Isaiah, but in Ps. Ixxviii. 2. The words
are quoted not from the Septuagint, but from the Gospel of Matthew
(xiii. 35), where in some MSS. they are attributed to Isaiah. See Uhl-
horn, p. 119.

^ The words in brackets are omitted in the Jiss. ; but the context
leaves no doubt that they were once in the text.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 285

hast revealed them to sucking babes.' Now the word ^ Thoii
hast concealed' implies that they had once been known to
them ; for the key of the kingdom of heaven, that is, the
knowledge of the secrets, lay with them.

Chap. xvi. — Tliese things hidden justly from the wise.

"And do not say He acted impiously towards the wise
in hiding these things from them. Far be such a supposi-
tion from us. For He did not act impiously ; but since they
hid the knowledge of the kingdom,^ and neither themselves
entered nor allowed those who wished to enter, on this
account, and justly, inasmuch as they hid the ways from
those who wished, were in like manner the secrets hidden
from them, in order that they themselves might experience
what they had done to others, and with what measure they
had measured, an equal measure might be meted out to
them.^ For to him who is w^orthy to know, is due that which
he does not know ; but from him who is not worthy, even
should he seem to have anything, it is taken away,^ even if
he be wise in other matters ; and it is given to the worthy,
even should they be babes as far as the times of their dis-
cipleship are concerned.

Chap. xvii. — The way to the kingdom not concealed from, the

Israelites,

" But if one shall say nothing was concealed from the sons
of Israel, because it is written,^ ' Nothing escaped thy notice,
O Israel (for do not say, O Jacob, The way is hid from me),'
he ought to understand that the things that belong to the
kingdom had been hid from them, but that the way that leads
to the kingdom, that is, the mode of life, had not been hid
from them. Wherefore it is that He says, * For say not that
the way has been hid from me.' But by the way is meant
the mode of life ; for Moses says,^ ^ Behold, I have set before
thy face the way of life and the way of death.' And the
Teacher spoke in harmony with this :^ * Enter ye through the

1 Luke xi. 52. 2 T^^^tt. vii. 2. » L^^e viii. 18.

•* Isa. xl. 26, 27. « Beut. xxx. 15. ^ Matt. vii. 13, 14.

286 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

strait and narrow way, through which ye shall enter into life.'
And somewhere else, when one asked Him,^ ' What shall I
do to inherit eternal life 1 ' He pointed out to him the com-
mandments of the law.

Chap, xviii. — Isaiah i. 3 explained,

" From the circumstance that Isaiah said, in the person of
God/ ' But Israel hath not known me, and the people hath
not understood me,' it is not to be inferred that Isaiah in-
dicated another God besides Him who is known ;^ but he
meant that the known God was in another sense unknown,
because the people sinned, being ignorant of the just cha-
racter of the known God, and imagined that they would not
be punished by the good God. Wherefore, after he said,
' But Israel hath not known me, and the people hath not
understood me,' he adds, ^ Alas ! a sinful nation, a people
laden with sins.' For, not being afraid, in consequence of
their ignorance of His justice, as I said, they became laden
with sins, supposing that He was merely good, and would not
therefore punish them for their sins.

=== Chap. xix. — Misconception of God in the Old Testament, ===

" And some sinned thus, on account of ima^inincr that
there would be no judgment^ because of Plis goodness. But
others took an opposite course. For, supposing the expres-
sions of the Scriptures which are against God, and are unjust
and false, to be true, they did not know His real divinity
and power. Therefore, in the belief that He was ignorant
and rejoiced in murder, and let off the wicked in consequence
of the gifts of sacrifices ; yea, moreover, that He deceived
and spake falsely, and did everything that is unjust, they

1 Luke xviii. 18 ; Matt. xix. 17. ^ ig^. i, 3.

2 Cotelerius' MS. inserts " the Creator" ([[Demiurge]]).

"* "We have adopted the Latin translation here, as giving the meaning
■Which was intended by the writer ; but the Greek will scarcely admit
of such a translation. Probably the text is corrupt, or something is
omitted. The literal translation is, "in consequence of the unjudging
supposition on account of the goodness."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 287

themselves did things like to what their God did, and thus
sinning, asserted that they were acting piously. Where-
fore it was impossible for them to change to the better, and
when warned they took no heed. For they were not afraid,
since they became like their God through such actions.

Chap. xx. — Some 'parts of the Old Testament luritten to

try us,

" But one might with good reason maintain that it was
with reference to those ./ho thought Him to be such that the
statement was made, 'No one knoweth the Father but the
Son, as no one knoweth even the Son, but the Father.' And
reasonably. For if they had known, they would not have
sinned, by trusting to the books written against God, really
for the purpose of trying. But somewhere also He says,
wishing to exhibit the cause of their error more distinctly to
them, ' On this account ye do err, not knowing the true
things of the Scriptures, on which account ye are ignorant
also of the power of God.' ■"■ Wherefore every man who
wishes to be saved must become, as the Teacher said, a judge
of the books written to try us. For thus He spake : ^ Be-
come experienced bankers.' Now the need of bankers arises
from the circumstance that the spurious is mixed up with
the genuine."

Chap. xxi. — Simon^s astonishment at Peter s treatment of

the Scriptures.

When Peter said this, Simon pretended to be utterly
astonished at what was said in regard to the Scriptures ; and
as if in great agitation, he said : ^' Far be it from me, and
those who love me, to listen to your discourses. And,
indeed, as long as I did not know that you held these
opinions in regard to the Scriptures, I endured you, and dis-
cussed with you ; but now I retire. Indeed, I ought at the
first to have withdrawn, because I heard you say, ' I, for
my part, believe no one who says anything against Him who
created the world, neither angels, nor prophets, nor Scrip-

1 Mark xii, 24.

288 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

tures, nor priests, nor teachers, nor any one else, even
though one should work signs and miracles, even though he
should lighten brilliantly in the air, or should make a revela-
tion through visions or through dreams.' Who, then, can
succeed in changing your mind, whether well or ill, so as
that you should hold opinions different from what you have
determined on, seeing that you abide so persistently and im-
moveably in your own decision ? "

Chap. xxii. — Peter worsldps one God,

When Simon said this, and was going to depart, Peter
said : " Listen to this one other remark, and then go where
you like." Whereupon Simon turned back and remained,
and Peter said : " I know how you were then astonished
when you heard me say, ^Whosoever says anything whatever
against God who created the world, I do not believe him.'
But listen now to something additional, and greater than this.
If God who created the world has in reality such a character
as the Scriptures assign Him, and if somehow or other He is
incomparably wicked, more wicked^ than either the Scrip-
tures were able to represent Him, or any other can even
conceive Him to be, nevertheless^ I shall not give up
worshipping Him alone, and doing His will. For I wish
you to know and to be convinced, that he wdio has not affec-
tion for his own Creator, can never have it towards another.
And if he has it towards another, he has it contrary to
nature, and he is ignorant that he has this passion for the
unjust from the evil one. Nor will he be able to retain
even it stedfastly. And, indeed, if there is another above
the Creator (Demiurge), he will welcome me, since he is
good, all the more that I love my own Father ; and he will
not welcome you, as he knows that you have abandoned
your own natural Creator : for I do not call Him Father,
influenced by a greater hope, and not caring for what is

^ " Incomparably wicked, more wicked than;" literally, "incompar-
ably wicked as."

^ The Greek has o'^o/w;, " in like manner." We have translated
'if/Mi.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 289

reasonable. Thus, even if you find one who is superior to
Him, he knows that you will one day abandon him ; and the
more so that he has not been your father, since you have
abandoned Him who was really your Father.

Chap, xxiii. — Simon retires.

" But you will say, ' He knows that there is no other above
him, and on this account he cannot be abandoned.' Thanks,
then, to there being no other ; but He knows that the state
of your mind is one inchned to ingratitude. But if, knowing
you to be ungrateful, He welcomes you, and knowing me to
be grateful. He does not receive me. He is inconsiderate,
according to your own assertion, and does not act reasonably.
And thus, Simon, you are not aware that you are the servant
of wickedness." And Simon answered : "Whence, then, has
evil arisen ? tell us." And Peter said : " Since to-day you
were the first to go out, and you declared that you would not
in future listen to me as being a blasphemer, come to-mor-
row, if indeed you wish to learn, and I shall explain the
matter to you, and I will permit you to ask me any questions
you like, without any dispute." And Simon said ; " I shall
do as shall seem good to me." And saying this, he went
away. Now, none of those who entered along with him
went out along with him ; but, falling at Peter's feet, they
begged that they might be pardoned for having been car-
ried away with Simon, and on repenting, to be welcomed.
But Peter, admitting those persons who repented, and the
rest of the multitudes, laid his hands upon them, praying,
and healing those who were sick amongst them ; and thus
dismissing them, he urged them to return early about dawn.
And saying this, and going in with his intimate friends, he
made the usual preparations for immediate repose, for it was
now evening.

HOMILY XIX.

Chap. i. — Simon undertakes to prove that the Creator of ike
world is not blameless.

HE next day Peter came forth earlier than usual;
and seeing Simon with many others waiting for
him, he saluted the multitude, and began to dis-
course. But no sooner did he begin than Simon
interrupted him, and said : ^' Pass by these long introduc-
tions of yours, and answer directly the questions I put to you.
Since I perceive that you ^ (as I know from what I heard at
the beginning, that you have no other purpose, than by every
contrivance to show that the Creator himself is alone the
blameless God), — since, as I said, I perceive that you have
such a decided desire to maintain this, that you venture to
declare to be false some portions of the Scriptures that clearly
speak against him, for this reason I have determined to-day
to prove that it is impossible that he, being the Creator of
all, should be blameless. But this proof I can now begin, if
you reply to the questions which I put to you.

Chap. ir. — The existence of the devil affirmed.

" Do you maintain that there is any prince of evil or not ?
For if you say that there is not, I can prove to you from
many statements, and those too of your teacher, that there
is ; but if you honestly allow that the evil one exists, then
I shall speak in accordance with this belief." And Peter
said : " It is impossible for me to deny the assertion of my
Teacher. Wherefore I allow that the evil one exists, be-
cause my Teacher, who spoke the truth in all things, has

^ This passage is corrupt. "Wieseler has proposed to amend it by a bold
transposition of the clauses. "We make one slight alteration in the text.

290

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 291

frequently asserted that he exists. For instance, then, he
acknowledges that he conversed with Him, and tempted Him
for forty days.^ And I know that He has said somewhere
else, ' If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against him-
self : how then is his kingdom to stand ?' ^ And He pointed
out that He saw the evil one like lightning falling down
from heaven.^ And elsewhere He said, * He who sowed the
bad seed is the devil.' ^ And again, 'Give no pretext to
the evil one.' ^ Moreover, in giving advice. He said, ' Let
your yea be yea, and your nay nay ; for what is more than
these is of the evil one.' ^ Also, in the prayer which He
delivered to us, we have it said, ' Deliver us from the
evil one.' ^ And in another place. He promised that He
would say to those who are impious, ^ Go ye into outer dark-
ness, which the Father prepared for the devil and his angels.' ^
And not to prolong this statement further, I know that my
Teacher often said that there is an evil one. Wherefore
I also agree in thinking that he exists. If, then, in future
you have anything to say in accordance with this belief, say
it, as you promised."

Chap. hi. — Peter refuses to discuss certain questions in
regard to the devil.

And Simon said : " Since, then, you have honestly con-
fessed, on the testimony of the Scriptures, that the evil one
exists, state to us how he has come into existence, if indeed
he has come into existence, and by whom, and why." And
Peter said : " Pardon me, Simon, if I do not dare to affirm
what has not been written. But if you say that it has been
written, prove it. But if, since it has not been written, you
cannot prove it, why should we run risk in stating our
opinions in regard to what has not been written ? For if we
discourse too daringly in regard to God, it is either because

1 Mark i. 13. 2 lyiatt. xii. 26.

3 Luke X. 18. 4 Matt. xiii. 39.

^ This passage is not found in the New Testament. It resembles
Eph. iv. 27.
6 Matt. V. 37 ; Jas. v. 12. ^ Matt. vi. 13. ^ Matt. xxv. 41.

292 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

we do not believe that we shall be judged, or that we
shall be judged only in respect to that which we do, but
not also in regard to what we believe and speak." ^ But
Simon, understanding that Peter referred to his own mad-
ness, said : ^' Permit me to run the risk ; but do not you
make what you assert to be blasphemy a pretext for retir-
ing. For I perceive that you wish to withdraw, in order
that you may escape refutation before the masses, sometimes
as if you were afraid to listen to blasphemies, and at other
times by maintaining that, as nothing has been written as
to how, and by whom, and why the evil one came into
existence, we ought not to dare to assert more than the
Scripture. Wherefore also as a pious man you affirm this
only, that he exists. But by these contrivances you deceive
yourself, not knowing that, if it is blasphemy to inquire
accurately regarding the evil one, the blame rests with me,
the accuser, and not with you, the defender of God. And
if the subject inquired into is not in Scripture,^ and on this
account you do not wish to inquire into it, there are some
satisfactory methods which can prove to you what is sought
not less effectively than the Scriptures. For instance, must
it not be the case that the evil one, who you assert exists, is
either oricrinated or unoriirinated?"^

Chap. it. — Suppositions in regard to the deviVs origin.

And Peter said : '' It must be so." And Simon : " There-
fore, if he is originated, he has been made by that very God
who made all things, being either born as an animal, or sent
forth substantially, and resulting from an external mixture
[of elements]. For either* the matter, being living or lifeless,

^ This passage is probably corrupt. "We have adopted the readings of
Cotelerius — ij, ^, instead of d and [^vi.

2 Lit., "unwritten."

^ The words yivvt-og and dyivr-o; are difficult to translate. The first
means one who has somehow or other come into being ; the second, one
who has never come into being, but has always been. The Mss. con-
found yiur,r6g with yi'j'jY,-6c^ begotten, and dysuriTog with dyiuy/iTo;,
nnbegottcD.

* We have changed si into ij.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 293

from which he was made was outside of him/ or he came
into being through God Himself, or through his own self, or
he resulted from things non-existent, or he is a mere relative
thing, or he always existed. Having thus, as I think, clearly
pointed out all the possible ways by which we may find him,
in going along some one of these we must find him. We
must therefore go along each one of these in search of his
origin ; and when we find him who is his author, we must
j)erceive that he is to blame. Or how does the matter seem
to you ? "

Chap. v. — God not deserving of blame in permitting
the existence of the devil.

And Peter said : " It is my opinion that, even if it be
evident that he was made by God, the Creator who made
him should not be blamed ; for it might perchance be found
that the service he performs^ was an absolute necessity. But
if, on the other hand, it should be proved that he was not
created, inasmuch as he existed for ever, not even is the
Creator to be blamed in this respect, since He is better than
all [others], even if He has not been able to put an end to
a being who had no beginning, because his nature did not
admit of it ; or if, being able, He does not make away with
him, deeming it unjust to put an end to that which did not
receive a beginning, and pardoning that which was by nature
wicked, because he could not have become anything else,
even if he were to wish to do so.^ But if, wishing to do
good. He is not able, even in this case He is good in that He
has the will, though He has not the power ; and while He has
not the power, He is yet the most powerful of all, in that the
power is not left to another. But if there is some other that
is able, and yet does not accomplish it, it must be allowed
that, in so far as, being able, he does not accomplish it, he

1 By " Him" is understood God, though it may mean the devil.

2 Lit., "his usefulness was most necessary of all."

^ This sentence is obscure in the original. We have, with Wieseler^
read IttsI, omitting ccp)c}^. Instead of supplying /^t], we have turned
avyyvZuoci into the participle.

294 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

is wicked in not putting an end to liim, as if he took pleasure
in the deeds done by him. But if not even he is able, then
he is better who, though unable, is yet not unwilling to
benefit us according to his ability."

Chap. vi. — Peter accuses Simon of being worse than the devil.

And Simon said : " When you have discussed all the sub-
jects which I have laid before you, I shall show you the
cause of evil. Then I shall also reply to what you have now
said, and prove that that God whom you affirm to be blame-
less is blameable." And Peter said : " Since I perceive from
what you say at the commencement that you are striving
after nothing else than to subject God, as being the author
of evil, to blame, I have resolved to go along with you all
the ways you like, and to prove that God is entirely free
from blame." And Simon said : " You say this as loving
God, whom you suppose you know ; but you are not right."
And Peter said : " But you, as being wicked, and hating
God whom you have not known, utter blasphemous words."
And Simon said : " Remember that you have likened me to
the author of evil." And Peter said : " I confess it, I was
wrong in comparing you to the evil one ; for I was compelled
to do so, because I have not found one who is your equal, or
worse than you. For this reason 1 likened you to the
evil one ; for you happen to be much more wicked than the
author of evil. For no one can prove that the evil one
spoke against God ; but all of us who are present see you
speaking daiingly against Him." And Simon said : *' He
who seeks the truth ought not to gratify any one in any
respect contrary to what is really true. For why does he
make the inquiry at all ? Why, I ask ? for I am not also
able, laying aside the accurate investigation of things, to
spend all my time in the praise of that God whom I do not
know."^

^ "We have adopted the pointing of Wieseler,

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 295

Chap. vii. — Peter suspects Simon of not believing even

in a God,

And Peter said : " You are not so blessed as to praise
Him, nor indeed can you do such a good deed as this ; for
then you would be full of Him. For thus said our Teacher,
who always spoke the truth ; ^ Out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaketh.' ^ Whence you, abounding in
evil purposes, through ignorance speak against the only good
God. And not yet suffering what you deserve to suffer for
the words which you have dared to utter,^ you either imagine
that there will be no judgment, or perchance you think that
there is not even a God. Whence, not comprehending such
long-suffering as His, you are moving on to still greater
madness." And Simon said : " Do not imagine that you
will frighten me into not investigating the truth of your
examples. For I am so eager for the truth, that for its sake
I will not shrink from undergoing danger. If, then, you
have anything to say in regard to the propositions made by
me at the commencement, say it now."

Chap. viii. — Peter undertakes to discuss the deviVs origin.

And Peter said : " Since you compel us, after we have made
accurate investigations into the contrivances of God, to ven-
ture to state them, and that, too, to men who are not able to
comprehend thoroughly the contrivances of their fellow-men,
for the sake at least of those who are present, I, instead of
remaining silent — a course which would be most pious — shall
discuss the subjects of which you wish me to speak. I agree
with you in believing that there is a prince of evil, of whose
origin the Scripture has ventured to say nothing either true
or false. But let us follow out the inquiry in many ways, as
to how he has come into existence, if it is the fact that he
has come into existence ; and of the opinions which present
themselves, let us select that which is most reverential, since,

1 Matt. xii. 34.

2 AVe have altered the punctuation. Editors connect this clause with
the previous sentence, and change ^ of the Mss. into g/.

296 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

in the case of probable opinions, that one is assumed with
confidence which [is based on the principle] that we ought to
attribute to God that which is more reverential ; and all the
more so, if, when all other suppositions are removed, there
still remains one which is adequate and involves less danger.-^
But I promise you, before I proceed with the investigation,
that every method in the investigation can show that God
alone is blameless.

Chap. ix. — Theories in regard to the origin of the deviL

" But, as you said, if the evil one is created, either he has
been beo-otten as an animal, or he has been sent forth sub-
stantially by Him," or he has been compounded externally,
or his will has arisen through composition ; or it happened
that he came into existence from things non-existent, without
composition and the will of God ; or he has been made by
God from that which in no manner and nowhere exists ; or the
matter, being lifeless or living, from which he has arisen was
outside of God ; or he fashioned himself, or he was made by
God, or he is a relative thing, or he ever existed : for we can-
not say that he does not exist, since we have agreed in thinking
that he does exist." And Simon said : '' Well have you dis-
tinfTuished all the methods of accounting for his existence in a
summary manner. Now it is my part to examine these various
ideas, and to show^ that the Creator is blameable. But it is
your business to prove, as you promised, that he is free from
all blame. But I wonder if you will be able. For, first, if
the devil has been begotten from God as an animal, the vice

^ This sentence is regarded as corrupt by TVieseler. T^'e have retained
the reading of the Paris MS., 6, and understand y.xiitSx'jsroci after it. As
would naturally be inserted after tccvtv), but it is not necessary. Kxfictp-
Snacdu is translated in the Latin pwgatis, which may mean the same
as in our translation if we take it in the sense of " washed away ; " but
y.cx,6ot.ipidiiaZ)'j would be a better reading. The translation of Cotelerius
gives, " Since this is reasonably assumed with firmness, — namely, that
it is right to give to God," etc.

2 The text here is evidently corrupt in many places. If the reading " by
him" is to be retained, we must suppose, with "Wieseler, that " by God"
is omitted in the previous clause. Probably it should be, " by himself."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 297

whicH Is Ill's is accordingly the same as that of him who sends
him forth." And Peter said : " Not at alh For we see
many men who are good the fathers of wicked children, and
others who are wicked the fathers of good children, and
others again who are wicked producing both good [and
wicked^] children, and others who are good having both
wicked and good children. For instance, the first man who
was created produced the unrighteous Cain and the righteous
Abel." To this Simon said : '' You are acting foolishly, in
using human example^ when discoursing about God." And
Peter said: "Speak you, then, to us about God without using
human examples, and yet so that what you say can be under-
stood ; but you are not able to do so.

Chap. x. — The absolute God entirely incompreliensihle by man,

" For instance, then, what did you say in the beginning ?
If the wicked one has been begotten of God, being of the
same substance as He, then God is wicked. But when I
showed you, from the example which you yourself adduced,
that wicked beings come from good, and good from wicked,
you did not admit the argument, for you said that the example
was a human one. Wherefore I now do not admit that the
term ^ being begotten ' ^ can be used with reference to God ;
for it is characteristic of man, and not of God, to beget.
Not only so ; but God cannot be good or evil, just or unjust.
Nor indeed can He have intelligence, or life, or any of the
other attributes which can exist in man ; for all these are
peculiar to man. And if we must not, in our investigations
in regard to God, give Him the good attributes which belong
to man, it is not possible for us to have any thought or make
any statement in regard to God ; but all we can do is to
investigate one point alone, — namely, what is His will which
He has Himself allowed us to apprehend, in order that, being
judged, we might be without excuse in regard to those laws
which we have not observed, though we knew them."

1 " And bad " is not in the MSS., but is required by the context.

2 The text is corrupt here. Literally it is, "I do not admit that God
has been begotten."

298 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

Chap. xi. — Tlie application of the attributes of man to God.

And Simon, hearing this, said : " You will not force me
throuoh shame to remain silent in regard to His substance,
and to inquire into His will alone. For it is possible both to
think and to speak of His substance. I mean from the good
attributes that belong to man. For instance, life and death
are attributes of man ; but death is not an attribute of God,
but life, and eternal life. Furthermore, men may be both
evil and good ; but God can be only incom.parably good.
And, not to prolong the subject too much, the better attri-
butes of man are eternal attributes of God." And Peter
said : " Tell me, Simon, is it an attribute of man to beget
evil and good, and to do evil and good ? " And Simon said :
^' It is." And Peter said : " Since you made this assertion,
we must assign the better attributes of man to God ; and so,
while men beget evil and good, God can beget good only ; and
while men do evil and good, God rejoices only in doing good.
Thus, with regard [to God], we must either not predicate any
of the attributes of man and be silent, or it is reasonable that
we should assign the best of the good attributes to Him.
And thus He alone is the cause of all good things."

Chap. xii. — God produced the icicked one, hut not evil.

And Simon said : ^' If, then, God is the cause only of what
is good, what else can we think than that some other prin-
ciple begot the evil one ;^ or is evil unbegotten ?" And Peter
said : " No other power begot the wicked one, nor is evil un-
begotten, as I shall show in the conclusion ; for now my
object is to prove, as I promised in the commencement, that
God is blameless in every ^ respect. AVe have granted, then,
that God possesses in an incomparable way the better attri-
butes that belong to men. Wherefore also it is possible for
Him to have been the producer of the four substances, —
heat, I mean, and cold, moist and dry. These, as being at
first simple and unmixed, were naturally indifferent in their

1 " Evil " is not in the MSS. It is inserted from the next sentence.
* "Every" is inserted by a conjecture of Schwegler's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 299

desire;^ but being produced by God, and mixed externallj,
they would naturally become a living being, possessing the
free choice to destroy those who are evil. And thus, since all
things have been begotten from Him, the wicked one is from
no other source. Nor has he derived his evil from the God
who has created all things (with whom it is impossible that evil
should exist), because the substances w^ere produced by Him
in a state of indifference, and carefully separated from each
other ; and when they were externally blended through his
art, there arose through volition the desire for the destruc-
tion of the evil ones. But the good cannot be destroyed by
the evil that arose, even though it should wish to do so : for
it exercises its power only ^ against those who sin. Ignorant,
then, of the character of each, he^ makes his attempt against
him, and convicting him, he punishes him." And Simon
said : " God being able to mingle the elements, and to make
Plis mixtures so as to produce any dispositions that He may
wish, why did He not make the composition of each such as
that it would prefer what is good ? "

Chap. xiii. — God the maker of the devil.

And Peter said: "Now indeed our object is to show how and
by whom the evil one came into being, since he did come into
being; but we shall show if he came into being blamelessly,
when we have finished the subject now in hand. Then I shall
show how^ and on account of what he came into being, and I
shall fully convince you that his Creator is blameless."^ We
said, then, that the four substances were produced by God.
And thus, through the volition of Him who mingled them,
arose, as He wished, the choice of evils. For if it had arisen
contrary to His determination, or from some other substance
or cause, then God would not have had firmness of will : for
perchance, even though He should not wish it, leaders of evil
might continually arise, who would war against His wishes.

^ Lit.," naturally had their desire towards neither."

2 The Mss. have " by law." We have changed y6(/.u into y.ouov.

^ The devil is plainly mea:.it by the " he."

^ This passage is evidently corrupt. But it is not easy to amend it.

300 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

But it IS impossible that this should be the case. For no
living being, and especially one capable of giving guidance,
can arise from accident : for everything that is produced
must be produced by some one."

Chap, xi v. — Is matter eternal ?

And Simon said : " But what if matter, being coeval with
Him, and possessing equal power, produces as His foe leaders
who hinder His wishes ? " And Peter said : " If matter is
eternal, then it is the foe of no one : for that which exists
for ever is impassible, and what is impassible is blessed ;
but what is blessed cannot be receptive of hatred, since, on
account of its eternal creation,^ it does not fear that it will
be deprived of anything. But how does not matter rather
love the Creator, when ^ it evidently sends forth its fruits to
nourish all who are made by Him ? And how does it not
fear Him as superior, as trembling through earthquakes it
confesses, and as, though its billows ran high, yet, when the
Teacher was sailing on it and commanded a calm, it imme-
diately obeyed and became still? ^ What! did not the demons
go out through fear and respect for Him, and others of them
desired to enter into swine; but they first entreated Him
before going, plainly because they had no power to enter
even into swine without His permission ? " ^

Chap. xv. — Sin the cause of evil.

And Simon said: "But what if, being lifeless, it pos-
sesses a nature capable of producing what is evil and what
is good ? " And Peter said : " According to this statement,
it is neither good nor evil, because it does not act by free
choice, being lifeless and insensible. Wherefore it is pos-
sible to perceive distinctly in this matter, how, being lifeless,
it produces as if it were living ;^ and being insensible, it yet

^ Probably " eternity" should be read, instead of " eternal creation."

2 At this "vvord the MS. of Cotelerius breaks off ; and we have the rest
only in the Ottobonian MS., first edited by Dressel.

3 Matt, xxvii. 51, viii. 24. * Matt. viii. 31.

* Possibly the right reading is iix-d/v-ycov;, " it produces living beings."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 301

plainly fashions artistic shapes both in animals and plants."
And Simon said : " What ! if God Himself gave it life, is not
He, then, the cause of the evils vv^hich it produces?" And
Peter said : '•'• If God gave it life according to His own will,
then it is His Spirit that produces it, and no longer is it any-
thing hostile to God, or of equal power with Him ; or it is
impossible that everything made by Him is made according
as He wishes. But you will say, He Himself is the cause
of evil, since He Himself produces the evils through it.
What sort, then, are the evils of which you speak ? Poison-
ous serpents and deadly plants, or demons, or any other of
those things that can disturb men ? — which things would not
have been injurious had not man sinned, for which reason^
death came in. For if man were sinless, the poison of ser-
pents would have no effect, nor the activities of injurious
plants, nor would there be the disturbances of demons, nor
would man naturally have any other suffering ; but losing his
immortality on account of his sin, he has become, as I said,
capable of every suffering. But if you say. Why, then, was
the nature of man made at the beginning capable of death ?
I tell you, because of free-will ; for if we were not capable
of death, we could not, as being immortal, be punished on
account of our voluntary sin. And thus, on account of our
freedom from suffering, righteousness would be still more
weakened if we were wicked by choice ; for those who should
have evil purposes could not be punished, on account of their
being incapable of suffering.^

Chap. xvi. — Why the wiched one is entrusted with power.

And Simon said to this : ^^ I have one thing more to say in
regard to the wicked one. Assuredly, since God made him
out of nothing, he is in this respect wicked,^ especially since
he was able to make him good, by giving him at his creation
a nature in no way capable of selecting wickedness." And
Peter said : " The statement that He created him out of

^ Or, " on whose account." 2 tJi^q text is corrupt.

^ The MS. reads : "In this respect he who made him is wicked, who
gave existence to what was non-existent."

302 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

nothiDg, \^'ltll a power of choice, is like the statement we
have made above, that, having made such a constitution as
can rejoice in evils, He Himself appears to be the cause of
what took place. But since there is one explanation of both
statements, we shall show afterwards why it was that He made
him rejoice in the destruction of the wicked." And Simon
said : " If he made the ancjels also voluntary agents, and the
wicked one departed from a state of righteousness, why has he
been honoured with a post of command? Is it not plain that
he who thus honoured him takes pleasure in the wicked, in
that he has thus honoured him? " ^ And Peter said : ^' If God
set him by law, when he rebelled, to rule over those who were
like him, ordering him to inflict punishment on those who
sin, He is not unjust. But if it be the case that He has
honoured him even after his revolt. He w^ho honoured him
saw beforehand his usefulness ; for the honour is temporary,
and it is right that the wicked should be ruled by the wicked
one, and that sinners should be punished by him."

Chap. xvii. — The devil has not equal power with God.

And Simon said : '' If, then, he exists for ever, is not the
fact of the sole government [of God] thus destroyed, since
there is another power, namely, that concerned with matter^
which rules along with Him?" And Peter said: '^ If they
are different in their substances, they are different also in
their powers, and the superior rules the inferior. But if
they are of the same substance, then they are equal in
power, and they are in like manner good or bad. But it
is plain that they are not equal in power ; for the Creator
put matter into that shape of a world into which He willed
to put it. Is it then at all possible to maintain that it always
existed, being a substance ; and is not matter, as it were, the
storehouse of God? For it is not possible to maintain that
there was a time^ when God possessed nothing, but He always

^ The Greek is either nngrammatical or corrupt, but the sense is
evident.

- This passage is supposed by most to be defective, and various ■words
have been suggested to supply the lacuna.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES, 303

was the only ruler of it. Wherefore also He is an eternal
sole ruler ; ^ and on this account it would justly be said to
belong to Him who exists, and rules, and is [eternal^]." And
Simon said : " What then ? Did the wicked one make him-
self ? And was God good in such a way, that, knowing he
would be the cause of evil, he yet did not destroy him at his
origination, when he could have been destroyed, as not yet
being perfectly made ? For if he came into being suddenly
and complete, then on that account^ he is at war with the
Creator, as having ccme suddenly into being, possessed of
equal power with him."

Chap, xviii. — Is the devil a relation ?

And Peter said : " What you state is impossible ; for if
he came into existence by degrees. He could have cut him
off as a foe by His own free choice. And knowing before-
hand that he was coming into existence. He would not have
allowed him as a good, had He not known that by reason
of him what was useful was being brought into existence.*
And he could not have come into existence suddenly, com-
plete, of his own power. For he who did not exist could
not fashion himself ; and he neither could become complete
out of nothing, nor could any one justly say that he had
substance,^ so as always to be equal in power if he were
begotten." And Simon said: "Is he then a mere relation, and
in this way wicked?^ — being injurious, as water is injurious
to fire, but good for the seasonably thirsty land ; as iron is

^ Or, " monarch." But only two letters of the word are in the MS. ; the
rest is filled in by conjecture.

2 Supplied by conjecture.

^ Three words are struck out of the text of the MS. by all editors, as
being a repetition.

■* The editors punctuate differently, thus : " And knowing beforehand
that he was becoming not good. He would not have allowed him, unless
He knew that he would be useful to Himself." We suppose the reference
in the text to be to Gen. i. 31.

^ Or, " self -subsistence." We have supposed a transposition of the
words in the text. The text is without doubt corrupt.

® We have adopted an emendation of Lagarde's.

304 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

good for the cultivation of the land, but bad for murders ;
and lust is not evil in respect of marriage, but bad in respect
of adultery; as murder is an evil, but good for the murderer
so far as his purpose is concerned; and cheating is an evil, but
pleasant to the man who cheats ; and other things of a like
character are good and bad in like manner. In this way,
neither is evil evil, nor good good ; for the one produces the
other. For does not that which seems to be done injuriously
rejoice the doer, but punish the sufferer? And though it
seems unjust that a man should, out of self-love, gratify him-
self by every means in his power, to whom, on the other
hand, does it not seem unjust that a man should suffer severe
punishments at the hand of a just judge for having loved
himself?"

Chap. xix. — Some actions really imcked.

And Peter said : ''A man ought to punish himself through
self-restraint,^ when his lust wishes to hurry on to the injury
of another, knowing [that"] the wicked one can destroy the
wicked, for he has received power over them from the be-
ginning. And not yet is this an evil to those who have done
evil ; but that their souls should remain punished after the
destruction, you are right in thinking to be really harsh,
though the man who has been fore-ordained for evil should
say that it is right." AVherefore, as I said, we ought to avoid
doing injury* to another for the sake of a shortlived pleasure,
that we may not involve ourselves in eternal punishment for
the sake of a little pleasure." And Simon said : '' Is it the
case, then, that there is nothing either bad or good by nature,
but the difference arises through law and custom ? [For is
it not^] the habit of the Persians to marry their own mothers,
sisters, and daughters, while marriage with otlier women is

^ Dressel translates viriliter^ "manfully."
2 This word is supplied by conjecture.

^ This passage is hopelessly corrupt. "We have changed liKxia; into
iitKoiioig^ the verb, and tov 'Trpo^iapiaf^iuov into rov -Trpohiapiafiivov.

* We have adopted Wicseler's emendation of c^iZtKou into cchiKslv.

* This is a conjectural filling up of a blank.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 305

prohibited^ as most barbarous? Wherefore, if it is not
settled what things are evil, it is not possible for all to look
forward to the judgment of God." And Peter said : ^^ This
cannot hold; for it is plain to all that cohabitation with
mothers is abominable, even though the Persians, who are a
mere fraction of the whole, should under the effects of a bad
custom fail to see the iniquity of their abominable conduct.
Thus also the Britons publicly cohabit in the sight of all,
and are not ashamed ; and some men eat the flesh of others,
and feel no disgust ; aad others eat the flesh of dogs ; and
others practise other unmentionable deeds. Thus, then, we
ought not to form our judgments with a perception which
through habit has been perverted from its natural action.
For to be murdered is an evil, even if all were to deny it ;
for no one wishes to suffer it himself, and in the case of
theft ^ no one rejoices at his own punishment. If, then, no
one ^ were at all ever to confess that these are sins, it is right
even then to look forward of necessity to a judgment in
regard to sins." When Peter said this, Simon answered :
" Does this, then, seem to you to be the truth in regard to
the wicked one ? Tell me."

Chap xx. — Pain and death the result of sin.

And Peter said : " We remember that our Lord and
Teacher, commanding us, said, ' Keep the mysteries for me
and the sons of my house.' Wherefore also He explained
to His disciples privately the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven.* But to you who do battle with us, and examine
into nothing else but our statements, whether they be true or
false, it would be impious to state the hidden [truths]. But
that none of the bystanders may imagine that I am contriv-
ing excuses,^ because I am unable to reply to the assertions

1 This is partly conjecture, to fill up a blank.

2 The text is likely corrupt.

^ Uhlhorn changed ovu bog into ovleuog. We have changed kxI rpiTYi!^
into Kxl TOTS rviv. Various emendations have been proposed.
^ Mark iv. 34.

^ "We have adopted an emendation of Wieseler's.

U

306 TEE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

made by you, I shall answer you by first putting the ques-
tion, If there had been a state of painlessness, what is the
meaning of the statement, ^ The evil one was ? ' " And Simon
said : "- The words have no meanino;." And Peter : " Is then
evil the same as pain and death ?" And Simon : " It seems
so." And Peter said: '•'• Evil, then, does not exist always, yea,
it cannot even exist at all substantially ; for pain and death
belong to the class of accidents, neither of which can co-exist
with abiding strength. For what is pain but the interrup-
tion of harmony ? And what is death but the separation of
soul from body ? There is therefore no pain when there is
harmony. For death does not even at all belong to those
things which substantially exist : for death is nothing, as I
said, but the separation of soul from body ; and when this
takes place, the body, which is by nature incapable of sensa-
tion, is dissolved ; but the soul, being capable of sensation,
remains in life and exists substantially. Hence, when there
is harmony there is no pain, no death, no, not even deadly
plants nor poisonous reptiles, nor anything of such a nature
that its end is death. And hence, where immortality reigns,
all things will appear to have been made with reason. And
this will be the case w^hen, on account of righteousness, man
becomes immortal through the prevalence of the peaceful
reign of Christ, when his composition will be so well arranged
as not [to give rise^] to sharp impulses ; and his knowledge,
moreover, will be unerring, so as that he shall not [mistake^]
evil for good ; and he wdll suffer no pain, so that he will not
be mortal." ^

Chap. xxi. — TJie uses oflustj anger, grief.

And Simon said : " You were right in saying this ; but in
the present world does not man seem to you to be capable
of every kind of affection, — as, for instance, of lust, anger,
grief, and the like ? " And Peter said : " Yes, these belong
to the things that are accidental, not to those that always

^ The words in brackets supplied by conjecture.
^ This last sentence has two blanks, which are filled up by conjectures ;
and one emendation has been adopted.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 307

exist, and it will be found that they now occur with advan-
tage to the soul. For lust has, by the will of Him who created
all things well, been made to arise within the living being,
that, led by it to intercourse, he may increase humanity, from
a selection of which a multitude of superior beings arise who
are fit for eternal life. But if it w^ere not for lust, no one
would trouble himself with intercourse with his wife; but
now, for the sake of pleasure, and, as it were, gratifying him-
self, man carries out His will. Now, if a man uses lust for
lawful marriage, he does not act impiously ; but if he rushes
to adultery, he acts impiously, and he is punished because
he makes a bad use of a good ordinance. And in the same
way, anger has been made by God to be lighted up naturally
within us, in order that we may be induced by it to ward off
injuries. Yet if any one indulges it without restraint, he
acts unjustly; but if he uses it within due bounds, he does
what is right. Moreover, we are capable of grief, that we
may be moved with sympathy at the death of relatives, of a
wife, or children, or brothers, or parents, or friends, or some
others, since, if we were not capable of sympathy, we should
be inhuman. In like manner, all the other affections will be
found to be adapted for us, if at least the reason for their
existence ■'■ be considered."

Chap. xxii. — Sins of ignorance.

And Simon : " Why is it, then, that some die prematurely,
and periodical diseases arise ; and that there are, moreover,
attacks of demons, and of madness, and all other kinds of
afflictions which can greatly punish ? " And Peter said :
^^ Because men, following their own pleasure in all things,
cohabit without observing the proper times; and thus the
deposition of seed, taking place unseasonably, naturally pro-
duces a multitude of evils. For they ought to reflect, that
as a season has been fixed suitable for planting and sowing,^
so days have been appointed as appropriate for cohabitation,
which are carefully to be observed. Accordingly some one

^ We have adopted an emendation of Lagarde's.
2 Eccles. iii. 2.

308 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

well instructed in the doctrines tauMit bv Moses, findlnf]^
fault with the people for their sins, called them sons of the
new moons and the sabbaths.^ Yet in the beginning of the
world men lived long, and had no diseases. But when through
carelessness they neglected the observation of the proper
times, then the sons in succession cohabiting through in;nor-
ance at times when' they ought not, place their children
under innumerable afflictions. "Whence our Teacher, when
we inquired of Him^ in regard to the man who was blind
from his birth, and recovered his sight, if this man sinned,
or his parents, that he should be born blind, answered,
' Neither did he sin at all, nor his parents, but that the power
of God mi^ht be made manifest through him in healing the
sins of ignorance.' * And, in truth, such afflictions arise be-
cause of ignorance ; as, for instance, by not knowing when one
ought to cohabit with his wife, as if she be pure from her
discharge. Now the afflictions which you mentioned before
are the result of ignorance, and not, assuredly, of any wicked-
ness that has been perpetrated. Moreover, give me the man
who sins not, and I will show you the man who suffers not ;
and you will find that he not only does not suffer himself,
but that he is able ^ to heal others. For instance, Moses, on
account of his piety, continued free from suffering all his
life, and by his prayers he healed the Egyptians when they
suffered on account of their sins."

Chap, xxiit. — The inequalities of lot in human life.

And Simon said: " Let me grant that this is the case : does
not the inequality of lot amongst men seem to you most
unjust ? For one is in penury, another is rich ; one is sick,
another is in good health : and there are innumerable differ-
ences of a like character in human life." And Peter said :
^' Do you not perceive, Simon, that you are again shooting

^ Lit., " new moons that are according to the moon." Gal. iv. 10.
^ " At times when " is supplied by conjectm-e.
^ We have followed an emendation of Wieseler's.

* John ix. 2, 3.

* We have adopted an obvious emendation of Wieseler's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 309

your observations beyond the mark ? For while we were dis-
cussing evil, you have made a digression, and introduced the
question of the anomalies that appear in this world. But I
shall speak even to this point. The world is an instrument
artistically contrived, that for the male who is to exist eter-
nally, the female may bear eternal righteous sons. Now
they could not have been rendered perfectly pious here, had
there been no needy ones for them to help. In like manner
there are the sick, that they may have objects for their care.
And the other afflicaons admit of a like explanation."
And Simon said : " Are not those in humble circumstances
unfortunate ? for they are subjected to distress, that others
may bo made righteous." And Peter said : " If their humi-
liation were eternal, their misfortune would be very great.
But the humiliations and exaltations of men take place
according to lot ; and he who is not pleased with his lot can
appeal,-"^ and by trying his case according to law, he can
exchange his mode of life for another." And Simon said :
*' What do you mean by this lot and this appeal?" And
Peter said : " You are now demanding the exposition of
another topic ; but if you permit me, we can show you how,
being born again, and changing your origin, and living
according to law, you will obtain eternal salvation."

Chap. xxiv. — Simon rehuJced hy Faustus.

And Simon hearing this, said : " Do not imagine that,
wdien I, while questioning you, agreed with you in each
topic, I went to the next, as being fully assured of the truth
of the previous ; but I appeared to yield to your ignorance,
that you might go on to the next topic, in order that, becom-
ing acquainted with the whole range of your ignorance, I
might condemn you, not through mere conjecture, but from
full knowledge.^ Allow me now to retire for three days,
and I shall come back and show that you know nothing."
When Simon said this, and was on the point of going out, my

^ An emendation of "\Yieseler's.

^ The whole of this sentence is corrupt. "We have adopted the con-
jectures of Wieseler, though they are not entirely satisfactory.

310 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

father said : " Listen to me, Simon, for a moment, and then
go wherever you like. I remember that in the beginning,
before the discussion, you accused me of being prejudiced,
though as yet you had had no experience of me. But now,
having heard you discuss in turn, and judging that Peter
has the advantao;e, and now assicrnin^ to him the merit of
speaking the truth, do I appear to you to judge correctly,
and with knowledge ;^ or is it not so ? For if you should
say that I have judged correctly, but do not agree, then you
are plainly prejudiced, inasmuch as you do not wish to agree,
after confessing your defeat. But if I was not correct in
maintainincr that Peter has the advantacre in the discussion, do
you convince us how we have not judged correctly, or you
will cease ^ to discuss with him before all, since you will
always be defeated and agree, and in consequence your own
soul will suffer pain, condemned as you will be, and in dis-
grace, through your own conscience, even if you do not feel
shame before all the listeners as the greatest torture ; for we
have seen you conquered, in fact, and we have heard your
own lips confess it. Finally, therefore, I am of opinion that
you will not return to the discussion, as you promised ; but
that you may seem not to have been defeated,^ you have pro-
mised, when going away, that you will return.*'

Chap. XXV. — Simon retires. Sopkonias asks Peter to state
his real opinions in regard to evil.

And Simon hearing this, gnashed his teeth for rage, and
went away in silence. But Peter (for a considerable portion
of the day still remained) laid his hands on the large multi-
tude to heal them ; and having dismissed them, went into
the house with his more intimate friends, and sat down.
And one of his attendants, of the name of Sophonias, said :

^ Possibly sometliiDg is corrupt here. The words may be translated :
*' Is it not plain that I know how to judge correctly ?"

^ The MS. has, " do not cease." TTe have omitted fi'/j, and changed
'TTocvat] into Travail. "We have inserted the itci) after »7, changed into d
before ulosla^oci.

^ We have adopted an emendation of "Wieselcr's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 311

" Blessed is God, O Peter, who selected jou and instructed^
you for the comfort of the good. For, in truth, you dis-
cussed with Simon with dignity and great patience. But we
beg of you to discourse to us of evil ; for we expect that you
will state to us your own genuine belief in regard to it, —
not, however, at the present moment, but to-morrow, if it
seems good to you : for we spare you, because of the fatigue
you feel on account of your discussion." And Peter said :
" I wish you to knew, that he who does anything with
pleasure, finds rest in the very toils themselves ; but he who
does not do what he wishes, is rendered exceedingly weary
by the very rest he takes. Wherefore you confer on me
a great rest when you make me discourse on topics which
please me." Content, then, with his disposition, and sparing
him on account of his fatigue, we requested him to put the
discussion off till the night, when it was his custom to dis-
course to his genuine friends. And partaking of salt, we
turned to sleep.

^ An emendation of Wieseler's.

HOMILY XX.

Chap. i. — Peter is willing to gratify SopJionias,

N the night-time Peter rose up and wakened us,

1^ and then sat down in his usual way, and said :
^^^i a ^si^ j^e questions about anything you like."
And Sophonias was the first to begin to speak to
him : '• Will you explain to us who are eager to learn what is
the real truth in regard to evil ? " And Peter said : ^* I have
already explained it in the course of my discussion with Simon;
but because I stated the truth in regard to it in combination
with other topics, it was not altogether clearly put ; for many
topics that seem to be of equal weight with the truth afford
some kind of knowledo;e of the truth to the masses. So that,
if now I state what I formerly stated to Simon along with
many topics, do not imagine that you are [not^] honoured with
honour equal to his." And Sophonias said : '' You are right;
for if you now separate it for us from many of the topics that
were then discussed, you will make the truth more evident."

Chap. ii. — The two ages.

And Peter said : '' Listen, therefore, to the truth of the
harmony in regard to the evil one. God appointed two king-
doms, and established two ages, determining that the present
world should be given to the evil one, because it is small,
and passes quickly away ; but He promised to preserve for
the £cood one the a^e to come, as it will be o;reat and eternal.
Man, therefore. He created with free-will, and possessing
the capability of inclining to whatever actions he wishes.
And his body consists of three parts, deriving its origin from
^ " Not " is supplied by conjecture.
812

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 313

the female; for it has lust, anger, and grief, and what is con-
sequent on these. But the spirit not being uniform,^ but
consisting of three parts, derives its origin from the male ;
and it is capable of reasoning, knowledge, and fear, and what
is consequent on these. And each of these triads has one
root, so that man is a compound of two mixtures, the female
and the male. Wherefore also two ways have been laid be-
fore him — those of obedience and disobedience to law ; and
two kingdoms have been established, — the one called^ the
kingdom of heaven, and the other the kingdom of those who
are now kings upon earth. Also two kings have been
appointed, of whom the one is selected to rule by law over
the present and transitory world, and his composition is such
that he rejoices in the destruction of the wicked. But the
other and good ^ one, who is the King of the age to come,
loves the whole nature of man ; but not being able to have
boldness in the present world, he counsels what is advan-
tageous, like one who tries to conceal who he really is.

Chap. hi. — The work of the good one and of the evil one,

^' But of these two, [the one'^] acts violently towards the
other by the command of God. Moreover, each man has
power to obey whichever of them he pleases for the doing of
good or evil. But if any one chooses to do what is good, he
becomes the possession of the future good king ; but if any
one should do evil, he becomes the servant of the present evil
one, who, having received power over him by just judgment
on account of his sins, and wishing [to use it^] before the
coming age, rejoices in punishing him in the present life,
and thus by gratifying, as it were, his own private passion,
he accomplishes the will of God. But the other, being made
to rejoice in power over the righteous, when he finds a right-

^ A doubtful emendation of "Wieseler's for the senseless rpiroyvAg.
Possibly it may be for xpuroysus;, original, and is underived.
2 An obvious correction of the MS. is adopted.
2 We have changed uvrog into oiya^og.
* "One" is supplied by Dressel's conjecture.
^ The words in brackets are supplied by Dressel's conjecture.

314 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

eous man, is exceedingly glad, and saves him with eternal
life ; and he also, as if gratifying himself, traces the gratifica-
tion which he feels on account of these to God. Now it is
within the power of every unrighteous man to repent and be
saved ; and every righteous man may have to undergo punish-
ment for sins committed at the end of his career. Moreover,
these two leaders are the swift hands of God, eager to anti-
cipate Him so as to accomplish His will. But that this is so,
has been said even by the law in the person of God : ^ I will
kill, and I will make alive; I will strike, and I will heal.'^
For, in truth. He kills and makes alive. He kills through
the left hand, that is, through the evil one, who has been so
composed as to rejoice in afflicting the impious. And he
saves and benefits through the right hand, that is, through
the good one, who has been made to rejoice in the good deeds
and salvation of the righteous. Now these have not their
substances outside of God : for there is no other primal
source. Nor, indeed, have they been sent forth as animals
from God, for they were of the same mind with Him; nor
are they accidental,^ arising spontaneously in opposition to
His will, since thus the greatest exercise of His power would
have been destroyed. But from God have been sent forth
the four first elements — heat and cold, moist and dry. In
consequence of this. He is the father of every substance, but
not of the disposition ^ which may arise from the combina-
tion of the elements ; for when these were combined from
without, disposition was begotten in them as a child. The
wricked one, then, having serv^ed God blamelessly to the end
of the present world, can become good by a change in his
composition,'* since he assuredly is not of one uniform sub-
stance whose sole bent is towards sin. For not even more
does he do evil, although he is evil, since he has received
power to afflict lawfully."

^ Deut. xxxii. 39.

- We have adopted an obvious emendation of TViescler's.
^ We have changed ova-rt; into ov zvjt;.

■* "We have given a meaning to /xsruavyKpide!; not found in diction-
aries, but waiTantcd by etymology, and demanded by the sense.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 315

Chap. iv. — Men sin through ignorance.

When Peter said this, Micah, who was himself one of his
followers, asked : '' What, then, is the reason why men
sin ? " And Peter said : " It is because they are ignorant
that they will without doubt be punished for their evil deeds
when judgment takes place.^ For this reason they, having
lust, as I elsewhere said, for the continuance of life, gratify
it in any accidental way, it may be by the vitiation of boys,^
or by some other flattcxing sin. For in consequence of their
ignorance, as I said before, they are urged on through fear-
lessness to satisfy their lust in an unlawful manner. Where-
fore God is not evil, who has rightly placed lust within man,
that there may be a continuance of life, but they are most
impious who have used the good of lust badly. The same
considerations apply to anger also, that if one uses it right-
eously, as is within his power, he is pious ; but going be-
yond measure, and taking judgment to himself,'^ he is im-
pious."

Chap. v. — Sophonias maintains that God cannot loroduce
what is unlike Himself,

And Sophonias said again : " Your great patience, my
lord Peter, gives us boldness to ask you many questions
for the sake of accuracy. Wherefore we make our inquiries
with confidence in every direction. I remember, then, that
Simon said yesterday, in his discussion with you, that the
evil one, if he was born of God, possesses in consequence
the same substance as He does who sent him forth, and he
ought to have been good, and not wicked. But you answered
that this was not always the case, since many wicked sons
are born of good parents, as from Adam two unlike^ sons

^ Part of this is supplied by Dressel's conjecture.

2 There is a lacuna, which has been filled up in various ways. TVe
have supposed ^^ to be for ^j ^., possibly f^^rtpuu »j. Wieseler supposes
*' immature boys."

3 Dressel translates, " drawing judgment on himself."
"* An emendation of Wieseler's.

316 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

were begotten, one of whom was bad and the other good.
And when Simon found fault with you for having used
human examples, you answered that in this way we ought
not to admit that God begets at all ; for this also is a human
example. And I, Sophonias, admit that God begets ; but I
do not allow that He begets what is bad, even though the
good among men beget bad children. And do not imagine^
that I am without reason attributing to God some of the
qualities that distinguish men, and refusing to attribute
others, when I grant that He begets, but do not allow that
He begets what is unlike Himself. For men, as you might
expect, beget sons who are unlike them in their dispositions
for the following reason. Being composed of four parts,
they change their bodies variously, according to the various
changes of the year ; and thus, the appropriate change either
of increase or decrease taking place in the human body,
each season destroys the harmonious combination. Now,
when the combinations do not always remain exactly in the
same position, the seeds, having sometimes one combination,
sometimes another, are sent off ; and these are followed,
according to the combination belonging to the season, by
dispositions either good or bad. But in the case of God we
cannot suppose any such thing ; for, being unchangeable and
always existing, whenever He wishes to send forth, there is
an absolute necessity that what is sent forth should be in all
respects in the same position as that which has begotten, I
mean in regard to substance and disposition. But if any
one should wish to maintain that He is changeable, I do not
know how it is possible for him to maintain that He is im-
mortal."

Chap. yi. — GocPs power of changing Himself.

When Peter heard this, he thought for a little, and said ;
'•^ I do not think that any one can converse about evil with-
out doing the will of the evil one. Therefore knowing this,
I do not know what I shall do, whether I shall be silent or
speak. For if I be silent, I should incur the laughter of the
^ An emendation of "Wieselcr's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 317

multitude, because, professing to proclaim the truth, I am
ignorant of the explanation of vice. But if I should state
my opinion, I am afraid lest it be not at all pleasing to God
that we should seek after evil, for only seeking after good is
pleasing to Him. However, in my reply to the statements
of Sophonias, I shall make my ideas more plain. I then
aojree wdth him in thinkino; that we ou^ht not to attribute
to God all the qualities of men. For instance, men not
having bodies that are convertible are not converted ; but
they have a nature that admits of alteration by the lapse of
time through the seasons of the year. But this is not the
case with God; for through His inborn^ Spirit He becomes,
by a power which cannot be described, whatever body He
likes. And one can the more easily believe this, as the air,
which has received such a nature from Him, is converted
into dew by the incorporeal mind permeating it, and being
thickened becomes water, and water being compacted becomes
stone and earth, and stones through collision light up fire.
According to such^ a change and conversion, air becomes first
water, and ends in being fire through conversions, and the
moist is converted into its natural opposite. Why? Did not
God convert the rod of Moses into an animal, making it a
serpent,^ which He reconverted into a rod % And by means
of this very converted rod he converted the water of the
Nile* into blood, which again he reconverted into water.
Yea, even man, who is dust. He changed by the inbreathing^
of His breath ^ into flesh, and changed him back again into
dust.^ And was not Moses, '^ who himself was flesh, con-
verted into the grandest light, so that the sons of Israel
could not look him in the face ? Much more, then, is God
completely able to convert Himself into whatsoever He
wishes.

^ £fi(pvTov. 2 ■\Y'(3 have changed toiovtou into roixCryju,

3 Ex. iv. 3, 4. 4 Ex. vii. 19, 20. ^ Gen. ii. 7.

6 Eccles. iii. 20. ^ Ex. xxxiv. 29.

318 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Chap. yii. — TJie objection answered^ that one cannot change

himself.

" But perhaps some one of you thinks that one may become
something under tlie influence of one, and another under the
influence of another, but no one can change himself into
whatever he wishes, and that it is the characteristic of one
who grows old, and who must die according to his nature,^
to change, but we ought not to entertain such thoughts of
immortal beings. For were not angels, who are free from
old age, and of a fiery substance,^ changed into flesh, — those,
for instance, who received the hospitality of Abraham,^ whose
feet men w^ashed, as if they were the feet of men of like
substance?^ Yea, moreover, with Jacob,^ who was a man,
there wrestled an angel, converted into flesh that he might
be able to come to close quarters with him. And, in like
manner, after he had wrestled by his own will, he was con-
verted into his own natural form ; and now, when he was
changed into fire, he did not burn up the broad sinew of
Jacob, but he inflamed it, and made him lame. Now, that
which cannot become anything else, wdiatever it may wish,
is mortal, inasmuch as it is subject to its own nature ; but
he who can become whatever he wishes, whenever he wishes,
is immortal, returning to a new condition, inasmuch as he
has control over his own nature. Wherefore much more
does the power of God change the substance of the body
into whatever He wishes, and whenever He wishes ; and by
the change that takes place ^ He sends forth what, on the one
hand, is of similar substance, but, on the other, is not of
equal power. Whatever, then, he who sends forth turns
into a different substance, that he can again turn back into
his own ; ^ but he who is sent forth, arising in consequence

^ One word of tHs is supplied conjecturally by Dressel.
- Gen. vi. 2. ^ Part of this is conjectural.

^ Gen. xviii. 4. ^ Gen. xxxii. 24.

^ AYc have adopted "Wieseler's emendation of ^wij into yAv.
"^ This passage is corrupt. We have changed on into o^n, and sup-
plied rpiTTU.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 319

of the change which proceeds from him, and being his child,
cannot become anything else without the will of him who
sent him forth, unless he wills it."

Chap. viii. — The origin of the good one different from
that of the evil one.

When Peter said this, Micah,-^ who was himself also one
of the companions that attended on him, said: "I also should
like to learn from you if the good one has been produced in
the same way that the evil one came into being. But if
they came into being in a similar manner, then they are
brothers in my opinion." And Peter said : " They have
not come into being in a similar way: for no doubt you
remember what I said in the beginning, that the substance
of the body of the wicked one, being fourfold in origin, was
carefully selected and sent forth by God ; but when it w^as
combined externally, according to the will of Him who sent
it forth, there arose, in consequence of the combination, the
disposition which rejoices in evils : ^ so that you may see that
the substance, fourfold in origin, which was sent forth by Him,
and which also always exists, is the child of God ; but that
the accidentally arising disposition which rejoices in evils has
supervened when the substance^ was combined externally by
him. And thus this disposition has not been begotten by God,
nor by any one else, nor indeed has it been sent forth by
Him, nor has it come forth spontaneously,^ nor did it always
exist, like the substance before the combination ; but it has
come on as an accident by external combination, according to
the will of God. And we have often said that it must be
so. But the good one having been begotten from the most
beautiful change of God, and not having arisen accidentally
through an external combination, is really His Son. Yet,

^ Dressel remarks that this cannot be the true reading. Some other
name mentioned in Hom. ii. c. 1 must be substituted here or in c. 4.

2 This passage is corrupt. "\Ye have adopted Wieseler's emendations
for the most part.

2 "We have read r^g- with "Wieseler for rig.

* Wieseler translates "accidentally."

320 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

since these doctrines are unwritten, and are confirmed to us
only by conjecture, let us by no means deem it as absolutely
certain that this is the true state of the case. For if we
act otherwise, our mind will cease from investigating the
truth, in the belief that it has already fully comprehended
it. Remember these things, therefore ; for I must not state
such things to all, but only to those who are found after
trial most trustworthy. Nor ought we rashly to maintain
such assertions towards each other, nor ought ye to dare to
speak as if you were accurately acquainted with the discovery
of secret truths, but you ought simply to reflect over them
in silence ; for in stating, perchance, that a matter is so,^ he
who says it w'ill err, and he will suffer punishment for having
dared to speak even to himself what has been honoured with
silence."

Chap. ix. — Why the wicked one is appointed over the wicked
hy the righteous God,

When Peter said this, Lazarus, who also was one of his
follow^ers, said : " Explain to us the harmony, how it can be
reasonable that the wicked one should be appointed by the
righteous God to be the punisher of the impious, and yet
should himself afterwards be sent into lower darkness alonfj
with his angels and with sinners : for I remember that the
Teacher Himself said this." ^ And Peter said : " I indeed
allow that the evil one does no evil, inasmuch as he is accom-
plishing the law given to him. And although he has an
evil disposition, yet through fear of God be does nothing
unjustly ; but, accusing the teachers of truth so as to entrap
the unwary, he is himself named the accuser (the devil).
But the statement of our unerring Teacher, that he and his
angels, along with the deluded sinners, shall go into lower
darkness, admits of the following explanation. The evil
one, having obtained the lot ^ of rejoicing in darkness accord-
ing to his composition, delights to go down to the darkness
of Tartarus alono: with ani^els who are his fellow-slaves ; for

^ We have changed ov-/, ug 'ix^y into oZra; 'iyjiv. ^ Matt. xxv. 41.
^ We have adopted an emendation of Wiescler's.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 321

darkness is dear to fire. Bat the souls of men, being drops
of pure lightj are absorbed by the substance fire, which is
of a different class ; and not possessing a nature capable of
dying, they are punished according to their deserts. But if
he who is the leader of men ^ into vice is not sent into dark-
ness, as not rejoicing in it, then his composition, which re-
joices in evils, cannot be changed by another combination
into the disposition for good. And thus he will be adjudged
to be with the good,^ all the more because, having obtained a
composition which rejoices in evils, through fear of God he
has done nothing contrary to the decrees of the law of God.
And did not the Scripture by a mysterious hint ^ point out
by the statement^ that the rod of the high priest Aaron be-
came a serpent, and was again converted into a rod, that a
change in the composition of the wicked one would after-
wards take place ? "

Chap. x. — Why some believe, and others do not.

And after Lazarus, Joseph, wdio also was one of his fol-
lowers, said : " You have spoken all things rightly. Teach
me also this, as I am eager to know it, why, when you give
the same discourses to all, some believe and others disbelieve ? "
And Peter said : " It is because my discourses are not charms,
so that every one that hears them must without hesitation
believe them. The fact that some believe, and others do not,
points out to the intelligent the freedom of the will." And
when he said this, we all blessed him.

Chap. xi. — Arrival of Appion and Annuhion,

And as we were going to take our meals, some one ran in
and said : " Appion Pleistonices has just come with Annubion
from Antioch, and he is lodging with Simon." And my
father hearing this, and rejoicing, said to Peter : " If you
permit me, I shall go to salute Appion and Annubion, who

^ AYieseler's emendation.

2 We have changed dyccdog into dyu&olg,

^ An emendation of Wieseler's.

4 Ex. vii. 9.

X

322 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

have been my friends from cliildhood. For perchance
I shall persuade Aunubion to discuss genesis with Clement."
And Peter said : " I permit you, and I praise you for ful-
filling the duties of a friend. But now consider how in the
providence of God there come together from all quarters
considerations which contribute to your full assurance, ren-
dering the harmony complete. But I say this because the
arrival of Annubion happens advantageously for you." And
my father : " In truth, I see that this is the case." And say-
ing this, he went to Simon.

Chap. xii. — Faustus aiopears to his friends luith the face of

Simon.

Xow all of us who were with Peter asked each other ques-
tions the whole of the night, and continued awake, because
of the pleasure and joy we derived from what was said. But
when at length the dawn began to break, Peter, looking at
me and my brothers, said : " I am puzzled to think what
your father has been about." And just as he was saying
this, our father came in and caught Peter talking to us of
him ; and seeing him displeased, he accosted him, and ren-
dered an apology for having slept outside. But we were
amazed when we looked at him : for we saw the form of
Simon, but heard the voice of our father Faustus. And
when we were fleeing from him, and abhorring him, our
father was astonished at receivino; such harsh and hostile
treatment from us. But Peter alone saw his natural shape,
and said to us : " Why do you in horror turn away from
your own father?" But we and our mother said: "It is
Simon that we see before us, with the voice of our father."
And Peter said : " You recognise only his voice, which is
unaffected by magic ; but as my eyes also are unaffected by
magic, I can see his form as it really is, that he is not
Simon, but your father Faustus." Then, looking to my
father, he said : " It is not your own true form that is seen
by them, but that of Simon, our deadliest foe, and a most
impious man." ^

^ There are some blanks here, supplied from the Epitome.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 323

Chap. xiii. — The flight of Simon.

While Peter was thus talking, there entered one of those
who had gone before to Antioch, and who, commg back
from Antiochj said to Peter : '^ I wish you to know, my lord,
that Simon, by doing many miracles publicly in Antioch, and
calling you a magician and a juggler [and a murderer^], has
worked them up to such hatred against you, that every man
is eager to taste your very flesh if you should sojourn there.^
Wherefore we who wont before, along with our brethren
who were in pretence attached by you to Simon, seeing the
city raging wildly against you, met secretly and considered
what we ought to do. And assuredly, while we were in
great perplexity, Cornelius the centurion arrived, who had
been sent by the emperor to the governor of the province.
He was the person whom our Lord cured when he was
possessed of a demon in Csesarea. This man we sent for
secretly ; and informing him of the cause of our despond-
ency, we begged his help. He promised most readily that
he would alarm Simon, and make him take to flight, if we
should assist him in his effort. And when we all promised
that we should readily do everything, he said, ' I. shall spread
abroad the news ^ through many friends that I have secretly
come to apprehend him ; and I shall pretend that I am in
search of him, because the emperor, having put to death
many magicians, and having received information in regard
to him, has sent me to search him out, that he may punish
him as he punished the magicians before him; while those of
your party who are with him must report to him, as if they
had heard it from a secret source, that I have been sent to
apprehend him. And perchance when he hears it from

^ Supplied from Epitome. The passage in Epitome Second renders it
likely that the sentence ran : "But Simon, while doing many miracles
publicly in Antioch, did nothing else by his discourses than excite hatred
amongst them against you, and by calling you," etc.

2 This j)assage is amended principally according to Wieseler and the
Recognitions.

^ An emendation of "Wieseler's.

324 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

tliem, he will be alarmed and take to flight.' When, there-
fore, we had intended to do something else, nevertheless the
affair turned out in the following way. For when he heard
the news from many strangers who gratified him greatly by
secretly informing him, and also from our brethren who pre-
tended to be attached to him, and took it as the opinion of
his own followers, he resolved on retirin^j. And hasteninfr
away from Antioch, he has come here with Athenodorus, as
we have heard. Wherefore we advise you not yet to enter
that city, until we ascertain whether they can forget in his
absence the accusations which he brought aojainst vou."

O CD >J

Chap. xiy. — The change in the form of Faustus caused

by Simon,

When the person who had gone before gave this report,
Peter looked to my father, and said : '• You hear, Faustus ;
the change in your form has been caused by Simon the
magician, as is now evident. For, thinking that [a servant^]
of the emperor was seeking him to punish him, he became
afraid and fled, putting you into his own shape, that if you
were put to death, your children might have sorrow." W^hen
my father heard this, he wept and lamented, and said :
*' You have conjectured rightly, Peter. For Annubion, who
is my dear friend,^ hinted his design to me ; but I did not
believe him, [miserable man that I am,^] since I deserved to
suffer."

Chap. xv. — The repentance of Faustus,

When my father said this, after no long time [Annubion
came^] to us to announce to us the flight of Simon, and how
that very night he had hurried to Judea. And he found
our father wailing, and with lamentations saying : " Alas,
alas ! unhappy man ! I did not believe when I was told that
he was a mao;ician. Miserable man that 1 am ! I have been

^ Inserted by conjecture.

2 Part of this is supplied from the Recognitions.

"' Inserted from the Recognitions.

* These words are taken from the Recognitions,

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 325

recognised for one day by my wife and children, and have
speedily gone back to my previous sad condition when I was
still ignorant." And my mother lamenting, plucked her hair;
and we groaned in distress on account of the transformation
of our father, and could not comprehend what in tlie world
it could be. But Annubion stood speechless, seeing and
hearing these things ; while Peter said to us, his children, in
the presence of all: ^'Believe me, this is Faustus your father.
Wherefore I urge you to attend to him as being your father.
For God will vouchsafe some occasion for his putting off
the shape of Simon, and exhibiting again distinctly that of
your father." And saying this, and looking to my father,
he said : '• I permitted you to salute Appion and Annubion,
since you asserted that they were your friends from child-
hood, but I did not permit you to associate with the magician
Simon."

Chap. xvi. — Why Simon gave to Faustus Ids own

sliape.

And my father said : '' I have sinned ; I confess it." And
Annubion said : '' I also along with him beg you to forgive
the noble and good old man who has been deceived : for the
unfortunate man has been the sport of that notorious fellow.
But I shall tell you how it took place.-^ The good old man
came to salute us. But at that very hour we who were there
happened to be listening to Simon, who wished to run away
that night, for he had heard that some people had come to
Laodicea in search of him by the command of the emperor.
But as Faustus was entering, he [turned "] his own rage on
him, and thus addressed us : ^ Make him, when he comes,
share your meals ; and I will prepare an ointment, so that,
when he has supped, he may take some of it, and anoint
his face with it, and then he will appear to all to have my
shape. But I will anoint 3^ou with the juice '^ of some plant,

"^ An emendation of Dressel's.

2 Supplied by Dressel from the Ilecognitions.

^ An emendation of TVieseler's.

326 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

and then vou "will not be deceived by his new-^ shape ; but to
all others Faustus will seem to be Simon.'

Chap. xvii. — Annuhions services to Faustus.

*' And while he stated this beforehand, I said, ^ What,
then, is the advantage you now expect to get from such a
contrivance ? ' And Simon said, ' First, those who seek me,
when they apprehend him, will give up the search after me.
But if he be executed by the hand of the emperor, very
great sorrow will fall upon his children, who left me, and
fleeing [to Peter], now aid him in his work.' And now, Peter,
I confess the truth to you : I was prevented by fear [of
Simon] from informing [Fau]stus of this. But Simon did
not even give us an opportunity for private conversation,
[lest] some one of us might reveal ^ to him the wicked design
of Simon. Simon then rose up in the middle of the night
and fled to Judea, convoyed by Appion and Athenodorus.
Then I pretended that I was sick, in order that, remaining
after they had gone, I might make Faustus go back imme-
diately to his own people, if by any chance he might be able,
by being concealed with you, to escape observation, lest, being
caught as Simon by those who were in search of Simon, he
might be put to death through the wrath of the emperor.
At the dead of night, therefore, I sent him away to you ;
and in my anxiety for him I came by night to see him, with
the intention of returning before those who convoyed Simon
should return." And looking to us, he said : " I, Annubion,
see the true shape of your father ; for I was anointed, as I
related to you before, by Simon himself, that the true shape
of Faustus might be seen by my eyes. Astonished, there-
fore, I exceedingly wonder at the magic power of Simon, in
that standing ^ you do not recognise your own father." And

^ MS. reads " empty." ^icseler proposed " new " or " assumed."

2 An emendation of Wieseler's. The parts within brackets are sup-
plied by conjecture.

3 TYe should have expected " standing near" or something similar, as
Wieseler remarks ; but the Latin of the Recognitions agrees with tho
Greek in having the simple " standing."

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 827

while our father and our mother and we ourselves wept on
account of the calamity common to all of us, Annubion also
through sympathy wept with us.

Chap, xviii. — Peter promises to restore to Faustus Ids own

shape.

Then Peter promised to us to restore the shape of our
father, and he said to him : '•^ Faustus, you heard how
matters stand with us. When, therefore, the deceptive
shape which invests y)u has been useful to us, and you have
assisted us in doing what I shall tell you to do, then I shall
restore to you your true form, when you have first performed
my commands." And when my father said, " I shall do
everything that is in my power most willingly ; only restore
to my own people my own form ; " Peter answered, " You
yourself heard with your own ears how those who went before
me came back from Antioch, and said that Simon had been
there, and had strongly excited the multitudes against me by
calling me a magician and a murderer, a deceiver and a
juggler, to such an extent that all the people there were
eager to taste my flesh. You will do, then, as I tell you. You
will leave Clement with me, and you will go before us into
Antioch with your wife, and your sons Faustinus and Faus-
tinianus. And some others will accompany you whom I
deem capable of helping forward my design.

Chap. xix. — Peter^s instructions to Faustus,

" When [you are] with these in Antioch, while you look
like Simon, proclaim publicly your [repentance], saying, ^ I
Simon proclaim this to you : I confess ^ that all my state-
ments in regard to Peter are [utterly false ;^ for he is not] a
deceiver, nor a murderer, nor a juggler ; nor are any of the
evil things true which I, urged on by wrath, said previously
in regard to him, I myself therefore beg of you, I who have
been the cause of your hatred to him, cease from hating him ;
for he is the true apostle of the true Prophet that was sent

^ Amended according to Epitome.

2 Partly filled up from Epitome and Recognitions.

328 THE CLEMENTI^^E HOMILIES.

by God for the salvation of the world. T^rherefore also I
counsel you to believe what he preaches ; -^ for if you do not,
your whole city will be utterly destroyed. Now I wish you
to know for what reason I have made this confession to you.
This night angels of God scourged me, the impious one,
terribly, as being an enemy to the herald of the truth. I
beseech you, therefore, do not listen to me, even if I myself
should come at another time and attempt to say anything
against Peter. For I confess to you I am a magician, I am
a deceiver, I am a juggler. Yet perhaps it is possible for
me by repentance to wipe out the sins which were formerly
committed by me.' "

Chap. xx. — Faiistusj Ms u'ifej and sons, prepare to go to

Antioch.

When Peter suggested this, my father said : ^' I know
what you want ; wherefore take no trouble. For assuredly
I shall take good care, when I reach that place, to make such
statements in reo;ard to vou as I ouo;ht to make." And
Peter again suggested : " When, then, you perceive the city
chancrino; from its hatred of me, and loncrino^ to see me, send
information to me of this, and I shall come to you imme-
diately. And when I arrive there, that same day I shall
remove the strange shape which now invests you, and I shall
make your own unmistakeably visible to your own people
and to all others." Saying this, he made his sons, my bro-
thers, and our mother Mattidia to go along with him ; and
he also commanded some of his more intimate acquaintances
to accompany him. But my mother was"" unwilling to go
vv'ith him, and said : '• I seem to be an adulteress if I asso-
ciate with the shape of Simon ; but if I shall be compelled
to go along with him, it is impossible for me to recline
on the same couch with him.^ But I do not know if I

^ MS. reads, " I preach."

2 "We have changed iXta into Ci-Kz^ and added xal nin. according to the
Hccognxt'ions.

^ One word, Ti/pc^J?» is superfluous.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 329

shall be persuaded to go along with him." And while she
was very unwilling to go, Annubion urged her, saying :
^' Believe me and Peter, and the very voice itself, that this
is [Faustus] your husband, whom I love not less than you.
And I myself [will go^] along with him." When Annubion
said this, our mother promised to go with him.

Chap. xxi. — Appion and Atlienodorus return in quest of

Faustus.

But Peter said : " God arranges our affairs in a most
satisfactory manner;" for we have with us Annubion the
[astro] loger.'" For when w^e arriv^e at Antioch, he will in
future discourse regarding genesis, giving us his genuine
opinions as a friend." Now when, after midnight, our father
hurried with those whom Peter had ordered to go along
with him and with Annubion to Antioch, which was near,
early next day, before Peter went forth to discourse, Appion
and Atlienodorus, who had convoyed Simon, returned to
Laodicea in search of our father. But Peter, ascertaining
the fact, urged them to enter. And wdien they came in and
sat down, and said, " Where is Faustus % " Peter answered :
^' We know not ; for since the evening, when he went to
you, he has not been seen by his kinsmen. But yesterday
morninrj Simon came in search of him ; and when we made
no reply to him, something seemed to come over him,^ for he
called himself Faustus ; but not being believed, he wept and
lamented, and threatened to kill himself, and then rushed out
in the direction of the sea."

Chap. xxii. — AppAon and Atlienodorus return to

Simon,

When Appion and those who were with him heard this,
they howled and lamented, saying : " Why did you not

^ Supplied from tlie Recognitions.

2 We read iTrn'/ilnorccroc^ in harmony with the Recognitions.
^ Part within brackets supplied from Recognitions.
^ The Greek is probably corrupt here 5 but there can scarcely be a doubt
about the meaning.

330 THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

receive him ? " And when at the same time Athenodorus
wished to say to me, "It was Faustus, your father ; " Appion
anticipated him, and said, " We learned from some one that
Simon, finding him, urged him [to go along with him^],
Faustus himself entreating him, since he did not wish to see
his sons after they had become Jews. And hearing this, we
came, for his own sake, in search of him. But since he is
not here, it is plain that he spake the truth who gave us the
information which w^e, hearing it from him, have given to
you." And I Clement, perceiving the design of Peter, that
he wished to beget a suspicion in them that he intended to
look out among them for the old man, that they might be
afraid and take to flight, assisted in his design, and said to
Appion : " Listen to me, my dearest Appion. We were
eager to give to him, as being our father, what we ourselves
deemed to be good. But if he himself did not wish to
receive it, but, on the contrary, fled from us in horror, I
shall make a somewhat harsh remark, ' Nor do we care for
him.' " And when I said this, they went away, as if irri-
tated by my savageness ; and, as we learned next day, they
went to Judea in the track of Simon.

Chap, xxiii. — Peter goes to Antiocli,

Now, when ten days had passed away, [there came one of
our people ^ from our father to announce to us how our father
[stood forward] publicly [in the] shape [of Simon], accusing
him ; ^ and how by praising Peter he had made the whole
city of Antioch long for him : and in consequence of this, all
said that they were eager to see him, and that there were
some who were angry with him as being Simon, on account
of their surpassing affection for Peter, and wished to lay
hands on Faustus, believing he was Simon. Wherefore he,
fearing that he might be put to death, had sent to request
Peter to come immediately if he wished to meet him alive,

1 This is supplied purely by conjecture.

2 Supplied from the Recognitions.

2 This part is restored by means of the Recognitions.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES. 831

and to appear at the proper time to the city, when it was at
the height of its longing for him. Peter, hearing this, called
the multitude together to deliberate, and appointed one of
his attendants bishop ; and having remained three days in
Laodicea baptizing and healing, he hastened to the neigh-
bouring city of Antioch. Amen.

INDEXES.

I.— TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE QUOTED.

Genesis.
i. 1, .
i. 26, .
ii. 7, .
ii. 16, 17,
ii. 20, .
iii. 5, .
iii. 22, .
vi. 2, .
vi. 6, .
vii. 1, .
viii. 21,
XV. 13-lG,
xviii. 4,
xviii. 21,
XX. 3, .
xxii. 1,
xxxii. 24,
xli. 6, .
xli. 25,
xlix. 10,

248
250
317
245

m

246

246

318

74

56

74

76

318

74

270

74

318

270

270

78

Exodus.

iv. 3, 4,
vii. 9, .
vii. 19, 20,
xix. 9, .
xxii. 28,
xxxiii. 11,
xxxiv. 29,

. 317
. 321
. 317
139
246, 248
. 271
. 317

Numbers.
xi. 34, .
xii. 6, .

77
271

Deuteronomy.

iv. 34,
iv. 39,
vi. 4,
vi. 13,
X. 14,
X. 17,

. 246

. 247
. 247
. 247
. 247
246, 247 bis

xiii. 1, etc.,
xiii. 6, .
xviii. 15-19,
XXX. 15,
xxxii. 7,
xxxii. 39,
xxxiv. 8,

251
246

SO
285

64
314

78

JOSIJUA.

xxiii. 7, . 247, 248

Psalms.
xix. 1, .
XXXV. 10,

xlv. 11,
1. 1, .
Ixxii. 1,
Ixxviii. 2,
Ixxxvi. 8,
cii. 26, 27,

Proverbs.
viii. 30,

Ecclesiastes.
iii. 1, .
iii. 2, .
iii. 20, .

Isaiah.

i. 3, ".

IV.,

ix. 6, .
xl. 26, 27,
xliv. 6,
xlv. 21,
xlix. 18,

248
246
220
246
246
284
246
248

250

33
307
317

286
147
251

285

247
247
247

Jeremiah.
X. 11, . . 246, 248

Lamentations.
iii. 38, . . . 276

333

Daniel.
ii. 31, . . . 270
iii. 25, . . . 270

Matthew.
iv.,

iv. 10, .
V. 3, .
V. 8, .
V. 17, .
V. 18, .
V. 34, 35,
V. 37, .
V. 39-41,
V. 44, .
V. 44, 45,
vi. 6, ,
vi. 8, 32,
vi. 13, .
vii. 2, .
vii. 7, .
vii. 9-11,
vii. 12,
vii. 13, 14,
vii. 21,

viii. 11,
viii. 24,
viii. 31,
ix. 13, .

X. 12, .
X. 28, .
X. 34, .
xi. 25, .
xi. 27, .
xi. 28, .
xii. 7, .
xii. 26,
xii. 34,
xii. 42,
xiii. 17,
xiii. 39,
XV. 13, .

147
163
241
262
79
2, 19
81
81, 291
237
65
82
81
81
291
285
80
81
209
215
140
138
300
300
81
70
259
183
139, 260, 284
259, 276
80
81
291
295
189
80
81, 291
. SO

334

THE CLE2IENTINE HOMILIES,

xvi. 13,
xvi. 16,
xvi. 18,
xvii. 5,
xvii, 19,
xviii. 7,
xviii. 10,
xix. 8, .
xix. 17,

82,

XX. 16, .
xxii. , .
xxii. 2,
xxii. 29,
xxii. 32,
xxii. 39,
xxiii. 2,
xxiii. 37,
xxiv. 2, 34,
xxiv. 24,
xxiv. 45-50,
XXV. 27-30,
XXV. 35, 36,
XXV. 41,
xxvii. 51,

271

271

272
80
181
207
261
81

259, 274,

276, 286

138

147

64

56, 79

81

209

88

65

63

256

82

82

210

291, 320

. 300

xxviii. 19,

!Mark.

i. 13, .
iii. 31, .
iv. 34, .
vi. 11, .
X. 5,
X. 18, .
xii. 24, .
xii. 27,.
xii. 29, .

Luke.

viii. 18,
X. 5,
X. 18, .
xi. 32, .
xi. 52, .
xii. 42,.
xiii. 29,
xiii. 34,
xvii. , .
xviii. 6,
xviii. IS,

. 261

. 291
2

. 305
. 70
. 81

. 82

5Q, 287

. 81

. 82

285

70

291

189

285

85

138

65

207

260

286

xviii. 19, . 82, 276

xix. 6, . . .84

xix. 43, . . 63

XX. 38, . . . 81

xxiii. 34, . 65, 183

JOH2f.

iii. 5, . . . 186

ix. 2, 3, . . 308

X. 3, . . .80

X. 9, . . .80

Acts.

iii. 22, . . . 80

vii. 37, . . 80

Galatians.

iv. 10, . . . 309

Ephesians.

iv. 27, . . . 291

James.

V. 12, . . . 29

II.— PEINCIPAL SUBJECTS.

Abel, his name and nature, 08.

Actions, wicked, to be avoided, 304.

Adam, liad lie the Spirit ? C3 ; was
not ignorant, G4.

Adultery, the evils of, 98, 99 ; advo-
cated by some philosophers, 109,
110.

Adultery, spiritual, 69.

Afflictions, the, of the righteous,
suffered for the remission of sins,
240.

Ages, the two, 312.

Allegory, the bad actions ascribed
to the gods attempted to be ex-
plained by, 100, 121 ; the inventors
of these stories of the gods blame-
worthy, 124.

Amours, the, of Jupiter, 106, 107.

Angels, the metamorphoses of, 142;
the fall of, and its cause, 143 ;
discoveries made by, 143 ; the
giant offspring of, 144 ; demons
sprung from the fallen, 145.

Antaradus, 192.

Annubion, 92, 321, 326.

Appion, meets and salutes Clement,
92 ; discussion with Clement, 93,
etc. ; previous acquaintance of
Clement with, and trick played
on, 101, 102, etc. ; second discus-
sion ^^-ith Clement, 115, etc. ; and
Annubion, 321, 326 ; in quest of
Faustus, and return to Peter, 329.

Aquila, declares the doctrine of
Simon Magus to Clement, 41, etc.;
and Nicetas deceived by Simon
Magus, but finding out his true
character, forsake him, 41, 44 ;
sent with Xicetas and Clement
to observe and report concerning
Simon, 89, 90 ; and Xicetas, re-
cognise each other as brothers,
212.

Ai'temis, 120.

Assembling together, the duty of,
87.

Athenodorus, 329.

Attendants of Peter, names of the,
32.

Attribute, the peculiar, of God, 169.

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

335

Baptism, 89 ; for tlie remission of
sins, 134 ; the wedding garment,
147 ; in good works, 148 ; the use
of, 185, 186 ; all have need of, ISG.

Baptized, the privileges of the, 158.

Barnabas, preaches at Alexandria,

22 ; interrupted by the crowd, 22,

23 ; defended by Clement, 23-25 ;
instructs Clement, 25 ; leaves
Alexandria, 25, 26.

Bernice, the daughter of the Canaan-

itess, 89 ; receives Clement at

Tyre, 90 ; reports the doings of

Simon Magus, 90, 91.
Bishop, the duty of a, 9 ; labours

and reward of a, 14 ; to be heard

and obeyed, 86, 87.
Books, Christian, to be imparted to

tht initiated only, 1-4.
Born of water, 185.
Boyish questionings, the, of Clement,

17.

Cain, his name and nature, 67.

Cannibals, the first, 144.

Catechists, the duties of, 12.

Chaos, the origin of, 117, IIS.

Chaste woman, the, 220.

Chastity, 218-224.

Christ, the true prophet, 34, 01, 78 ;
hidden from the Jews, 139 ; and
Moses, 140 ; not God, but the Son
of God, 252.

Christ, His prophecies, 63.

Christ, the reign of, 64.

Christ, His teaching respecting the
interpretation of Scripture, 79-81.

Church, the, a ship, 13.

Church, duties of the members of
the, 88.

Church office-bearers, the duties of,
86.

Clement, epistle of, to James, 6, etc, ;
ordained by Peter his successor,
7-16 ; installation of, 15 ; his boyish
questioning — an autobiographic
sketch of, 17 ; his perplexities
arising from the teaching of philo-
sophers, 18, 19 ; his resolution,
19 ; hears good tidings out of
Judea, 20 ; the gospel reaches him
in Eome, 21 ; sets out for Judea,
but is driven by contrary winds
to Alexandria, 21, 22 ; meets with
Barnabas at Alexandria, 22 ; his
zeal in defence of Barnabas, 23-
25 ; is instructed in Christianity
by Barnabas, 25 ; introduced to
Peter, 26 ; Peter's salutation of.

27 ; questions proposed by, to
Peter, 27, 28 ; instructed by Peter,
28 ; Peter's satisfaction with, 29 ;
convinced of the truth of Chris-
tianity, 30 ; Peter's thanksgiving
on account of, 31 ; sent by Peter
to Tyre, to learn and report con-
cerning Simon Magus, 89, 90 ;
meets his friend Appion, and holds
a discussion with him, 92 ; relates
his previous acquaintance with
Appion, 101 ; and the successful
trick he pla3'ed on him, 101, 102,
etc. ; result of the trick he played
on Appion, 114; meets Appion
again for discussion, 115, etc. ;
the joy of, for being permitted by
Peter to remain with him, 193 ;
his office of service, 194 ; grief
because Peter speaks of being his
servant, 195 ; the family history
of, 196, 197 ; the mother of, her
story of herself and family, 198,
etc. ; introduced by Peter to his
mother, 203, etc. ; Peter relates
the history of, to Nicetas and
Aquila, 212 ; the father of, dis-
covered, 226, 229, 230, 231 ; under-
takes to discuss the subject of
genesis, 233.

Concealment and revelation, 139.

Conjunction, the doctrine of, 63.

Constellations, the, 109.

Contradictions of Scripture, 61, 74-
77, 249, 250. See Scripture.

Converts and preachers, their mutual
love, 192.

Creation, the works of, 71 ; the ex-
tent of, 71 ; boundless, 71, 72 ;
man's dominion over, 72.

Creatures, avengers of God's cause,
177.

Custom, a second nature, 97.

Custom and truth, 94.

Customs of one's country and fathers,
are they to be observed ? 93.

Deacons, the duties of, 12.

Demons, the subjection of, to angel
generals, 103 ; origin of, 143, 144,
145 ; the law given to, 145, 146 ;
how they enter men, 146 ; how
they get power over men, 152 ;
how they are expelled, 153 ; un-
belief the stronghold of, 153, 154 ;
deceits of, 154 ; tricks of, 155 ;
power of, 156 ; reasons why the
deceits of, are not detected, 157 ;
props of the system of, 159 ; the

oo\

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

baptized have power to drive a'^vay,
158 ; subject to believers, 159 ;
none but evil, appear to the im-
pious, 269.

Destiny, 95.

Devil, the, the existence of, asserted,
290 ; Peter refuses to discuss cer-
tain questions relating to, 291 ;
suppositions as to the origin of,
292 ; God is nob blameable for
permitting the existence of, 293 ;
Peter accuses Simon Magus of
being worse than, 294 ; theories
in regard to the origin of, 296 ;
the creation of, 299 ; why en-
trusted with power, 301 ; has not
equal power with God, .302 ; is
he a mere relation ? 303, 304.

Devil, the wiles of the, 60.

Discussion between Clement and
Appion, 103, etc., 115, etc. ; of
Peter with Simon Magus, 242, etc.

Disease, a theory of, 154.

Disobedience, the danger of, 86.

Doctrine according to godliness, the,
95.

Dositheus and Simon Magus, the
contest between, for pre-eminence.
43.

Dreams, evidence furnished by, dis-
cussed, 268 ; the impious see true
visions and, 270.

EGYPTLl^-s, gods of the, 167 ; their
defence of their system exposed,
168.

Eros, 105, 111, 112.

Errors, the use of, 58, 59.

Evil, sin the cause of, 300, 301.

Evil one, the. See Devil.

Faith, the gift of God, 130; ob-
stacles to, 235.

Faith and duty, 162.

Fall, the, of man, the cause of, 142 ;
of angels, 143.

Father, love to God as our, 184.

Father, no one knows the, how to
be understood, 282, 234.

Faustus, 226, 229, 230.

Fear and love, 210.

Fear of God, 163, 265 ; and love of,
266.

Female prophetess, the, 66 ; a de-
ceiver, 67.

Few shall be saved, 58.

Fire-worship, the origin of, 150, 151.

Flattery or magic, which the more
potent, 104.

Flesh, the, persons who first ate,

144.
Flood, the cause of the, 144.
Foreknowledge, 61.
Forewarned, forearmed, 33.
Fornication, 10.
Freedom, the, of man, 176.

Genesis, 94, 95 ; Peter's argument
against, 227 ; a practical refuta-
tion of, 228 ; discussion concern-
ing, 232, etc.

Giants, the, who ? 144.

God, what is not, 127.

God, good and just, 37 ; the ways
of, 38, 39 ; attributes of, 52, 53 ;
how to be thought of, 53, 54 ; His
works of creation, 70-72 ; the ex-
cellency of the knowledge of, 73 ;
the, of the Jews, 95 ; vindicated
as blameless, 141 ; peculiar attri-
butes of, 169 ; neither the world
nor any part of it to be considered
as being, 169 ; jealous, 176 ; crea-
tures avenge the cause of, 177 ;
the nature of, 253 ; the name of,
254 ; the shape of, in man, 254 ;
the character of, 255 ; man in the
shape of, 261 ; the figure of, 262 ;
the centre and heart of the uni-
verse, 263 ; the nature and shape
of, further noticed, 264 ; the fear
of, 265 ; the fear and love of, 266 ;
both good and just, 275 ; miscon-
ceptions respecting, in the Old
Testament, 286, 287 ; not blame-
able for permitting the existence
of the devil, 293 ; incomprehen-
sible, 297 ; produced the evil one,
but not evil, 208 ; the maker of
the devil, 299 ; His power of chang-
ing Himself, 316 ; not the author
of the evil one, so as He is of the
good one, 319 ; why He appoints
the evil one over the wicked,
320.

God, the Son of, 252.

God, the unrevealed, of Simon, 277.

Gods of the heathen, the, the wicked-
ness of, 96 ; evil influence of the
example of, 97 ; attempted ex-
planation of the bad actions
ascribed to, 100 ; not really gods,
112 ; imitation of, 112 ; really
wicked magicians, 126 ; graves of,

126 ; the contemporaries of, did
not look on them as being gods,

127 ; those which are made by
hands are not, 164 ; of the Egyp-

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

rtctrr

tians, 1G7 ; the, -whicli have not

made the heavens, 185.
Golden rule, the, 182, 174, 209.
Good, out of evil, 17.
Good, the sufferings of the, 2.17.
Good one, the, and the evil one, the

different origins of, 319.
Goodness and justice defined, 274,

275.

Ham. the family of, 150.

Helena and Simon Magus, 42 ; what

Simon says of, 43, 44.
Hell and purgatory, 59.
Hercules, 124.
Hero-worahip, 150.
Honesty, 11.
Hospitality, 201.
Human life, the inequalities of lot

in, 308.

Idolatry, a delusion of the serpent,
1G5 ; the folly of, 171 ; why God
suffers, 175.

Idols, the test of, 155, 15G ; the un-
profitableness of, 163, 178 ; not
animated by the Divine Spirit,
169 ; confutation of the worship
of, 170 ; folly of the worship of,
171 ; heathen worshippers of, under
the power of the demon, 180.

Ignorance and error, no excuse for
the sinner, IGG.

Ignorant, the, the condemnation of,
166.

Image of God, man made after the,
174.

Image of God, the, restoration to,
163.

Imitation of the gods, 97.

Immoral teaching of the Greeks, the,
illustrated, 101-105.

Immortality of the soul, Clement's
perplexities about, 18, 19 ; the
belief of, necessary to a knowledge
of God, 37 ; asserted by Peter,
178.

Impiety, what it is, GO.

Inequalities of lot in human life, 308.

Initiation, necessary before possess-
ing the privilege of reading Chris-
tian books, 2 ; mode of, 3 ; vow
and adjuration connected with,
3,4.

Israel, the way of knowledge re-
vealed to, 285 ; how ignorant of
God, 286.

James, the epistle of Peter to, 1, 2,

etc. ; epistle of Clement to, G,
etc.

Jealous God, a, God is, 176.

John the Baptist, Simon Magus for-
merly a disciple of, 42.

Judging, who qualified for, 206, 207.

Justa, the Syrophoenician woman,
the daughter of, 40, 41.

Jupiter, the wickedness of, 96 ; the
amours of, 106, 107.

King of the present time, the, and
the King of righteousness, 146,
147.

Kingdom, the way to, not concealed
from the Israelites, 285, 286.

Kronos, 98; and Eea, 118.

Laodicea, a journey to, 211.

Law, the original, 141.

Law, the, of the Old Testament,

the corruption of — not written by

Moses, 50.
Liberty and necessity, 176.
Life, human, inequalities of lot in

the, 308.
Love and fear, 210.
Love of God, 206.
Love of man, 237.
Love-letter, a, written by Appicn

for Clement, 105, etc. ; a reply

to. 111, etc.
Lust, anger, and grief, the uses of,

306.

Magic, the power of, 102, 103.

Male and female, 66.

Man, the original state of, 141 ; the

fall of, 142 ; the lord of all, 162 ;

in the shape of God, 263 ; as

created by God, 313 ; his power

to choose good or evil, 313, 314 ;

sins through ignorance, 315.
Marriage, urged on presbyters, 9,

10 ; always honourable, 86.
Marriage supper, the, 147.
Matter, is it eternal ? 300.
Mattidia, 196; the story of, 19?,

etc., 211 ; wishes to be baptized,

213 ; values baptism aright, 217 ;

unintentionally fasted one day,

217, 218 ; baptized in the scii,

225.
Meeting together, the duty of, urged

on Christians, 87.
Merchants, the best, 152.
Micah, question addressed by, to

Peter, 319.
Ministry, the support of the, 310.

338

TEE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Aliracles, useless and pliilaiitTiropic,
the, of Simon ]Magus, 48, 49.

Monarchy and polyarchy, 149.

Moses, how he delivered his writings,
70-72 ; the law not written by,
77, 78.

Moses and Christ, 140.

Myths, the heathen, not to be taken
literally, according to Appion,
115, etc., 117, etc., 120, 121 ; the
inventors of such vile, blame-
worthy, 124, 125.

Names, the giving of, to animals,
65, 66.

Xebrod, or Zoroaster, 150.

Isicetas, statement of, concerning
Simon Magus, 45-47 ; and Aquila,
recognise each other as brothers,
212 ; and relate what befell each
other, 215 ; near being deceived
by Simon Magus, 216.

Nineveh, the men of, 189.

Noah, 148 ; the family of, 150.

'^ Nolo episcopari" 85.

Oeediexce leads to peace, S4 ; danger

of the contrary, 86.
Offences must come, 208.
05icebearers in the church, the

duties of, 86.
Old Testament, misconceptions of

God in the, 286 ; some parts of,

written to try us, 287.
Order, God's, 38, 39.
Ordination, the, of Zacharias by

Peter, 88, 89.
Orgies, 151, 179, 180.
Orthasia, 192.

Patx and death, the result of sin,
305.

Pairs, the doctrine of, 38, 48, 66.

Paris, the judgment of, 123.

Paths, the two, 138.

Pallas and Hera, 120.

Peculiar attributes of God, the, 169.

Persians, the, fire-worshippers, 151.

Peter, the martyrdom of, 6 ; ordains
Clement his successor, 7, 8 ; his
charge to Clement, 9 ; Clement
tells of his introduction to, and
instruction b}^, 26-31 ; names of
the attendants of, *^2 ; tactics of,
in regard to Simon Magus, 50, 51 ;
meets Simon, 69 ; his discussion
with Simon, 73, etc. ; after the
flight of Simon, sends Clement to
Tyre to incLuire and report con-

cerning him, 89, 90; arrival of,
at Ceesaren, 128 ; addresses the
people at Tyre, 130 ; departs to
Sidon, 132 ; founds a church in
Sidon, 134 ; attacked by Simon,

134 ; goes to Byblus and Tripolis,

135 ; arrives at Tripoli?;, 137 ;
thoughtfulness of, 137, 138 ; his
third day in Tripolis, 161 ; at
Antaradus, 192; frugality of, 194;
journeys to Laodicea, 211 ; bap-
tizes Mattidia, 225 ; his discussion
with an old man, 226 ; wishes to
convert Faustus, 234 ; his discus-
sion with Simon respecting the
unity of God, 242 ; mode of the
discussion, 243 ; his reply to
Simon's appeal to the Old Testa-
ment, and other objections, 247,
etc. ; close of first day's discussion
with Simon, 256 ; second day's
discussion with Simon, 257, etc. ;
third day's discussion with Simon,
274 ; fourth day's discussion with
Simon, 290 ; Simon is confounded
by, and retires, 310 ; reply to the
questions of Sophonios, 312, etc. ;
promises to restore Faustus to his
own proper shape, 327 ; goes to
Antioch, 330.

Peter, epistle of, to James, 1, etc.

Phanes and Pluto, 119.

Philanthropy and friendship, 204 ;
what is philanthropy ? 205.

Philosophers, the unworthy ends of,
93 ; false and impious theories of,
98 ; advocates of adultery, 109,
110.

Philosophy and religion, the differ-
ence between, 236.

Polyarchy and monarchy, 149.

Polytheism, a sophistical illustra-
tion in favour of, exposed, 167,
etc.

Poseidon, Zeu?, and Metis, 119.

Possessions, sins, 240.

Poverty, not necessarily righteou?,
241.

Prediction and prophecy, the dis-
tinction between, 61.

Presbyters, the duties of the, 9.

Present, the, and the future, 239.

Prince, the, of the left hand, and
the, of the right hand of God,
130, 131.

Prophecies of Christ, 63.

Prophecy, two kinds of, QQ.

Prophet, the true, 34, 61, 78 ; all
may judge of the, 35 ; the test

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES,

339

of, SG ; doctrines of, 37 ; lias ap-
peared in different ages, G5.

Prophet and prophetess, the, CG,
68.

Prophetic knowledge, constant, 62.

Prophetic spirit, the, constant, 62.

Prophets, false, to be avoided, 190.

Punishment, reformatory, 181.

Purgatory and hell, 59.

Purification, 187.

Purity, outward and inward, 187,
188.

Queen of the South, the, ISC

Rkligton and philosophy, the dif-
ference between, 236.

Peserve, the doctrine of, 1.

Responsibility, 188, 189.

Pevelation, the nature of, 271, 278 ;
the work of, belongs to the Son,
279.

Pighteous, the, afflictions of, 197.

Pule, the golden, 209.

Sacrifices, 77.

Sacrificial orgies, 151.

Saved, the number of the, 58, 59.

Scripture, the, false and blasphe-
mous chapters added to, 50, 51,
52 ; misrepresentations of God in,
54, 55 ; some things in, false, and
some true, 55, 56 ; Simon makes
use of the alleged falsehoods of,
in argument with Peter, 58 ; use
of the falsehoods of, 58, 59 ; the
uncertainty of, 66 ; contradictions
of, 61, 74-77 ; how to discriminate
the true from the false in, 79-81 ;
Peter's explanation of contradic-
tions in, 249 ; the contradictions
in, intended to try the readers of,
250, etc.

Senses, the testimony of the, more
trustworthy than that of super-
natural vision, 267.

Service, the, which God requires,
134. ,

Serpent, the, idolatry, a delusion
of, 165 ; why he tempts to sin,
165 ; charming the, 182.

Sidon, Peter comes to, 132 ; Peter
preaches to the people of, 132,
133 ; Peter attacked there by
Simon, 134; Simon driven from,
135.

Simon Magus, mistakes about, 40 ;
the doctrines of, 41 ; once a dis-
ciple of the Baptist, 42 ; and

Dositheus, the contest between,
for precedence, 43 ; the wicked-
ness and knavish tricks of, 44 ;
statement of Nicetas respecting,
and counsel to, 45-47 ; proceed-
ings of, 4-7, etc. ; the design and
object of, exposed by Peter, 57 ;
comes to dispute with Peter, 69 ;
his discussion with Peter, 73, etc. ;
driven into a corner by Peter's
arguments, he quits the field, 82 ;
Clement sent to watch, and report
concerning, 89 ; tricks of, at Tyre,
91 ; reason of the power of, 138,
139 ; attacks Peter, 134 ; is driven
away, 135 ; departs from Tripolis
to Syria, 188; comes from Antioch
to discuss with Peter the unity
of God, 242 ; appeals to the Old
Testament to prove that there are
many gods, 245 ; tries to show
that the Scriptures contradict
themselves, 248 ; accuses Peter of
using magic, and of teaching doc-
trines difi'erent from those taught
by Christ, 257, 258 ; asserts that
Jesus is not consistent with Him-
self, 259, 260; asserts that the
Framer of the world is not the
highest God, 274 ; asserts an un-
revealed God, 277 ; the opinions
of, expounded and refuted by
Peter, 282, 283 ; retires from the
discussion, 289 ; is rebuked by
Faustus, 309 ; changes the face
of Faustus into the exact resem-
blance of his own, 322, 324, 325 ;
flight of, 323.

Sin, the cause of evil, 300, 301 ; the
cause of pain and death, 305.

Sins of ignorance, 307.

Son of God, the, 252.

Sophonias, his questions, and Peter's
replies to, 311, 312.

Soul, Clement's former perplexities
about the immortality of, 32, 33 ;
the belief of the immortality of,
necessary to correct views of God,
37 ; the immortality of, asserted
by Peter, 178.

Sound mind, a, in a sound body,
32, 33.

Spies in the enemy's camp, 50.

Standing One, the, 42.

Submission, 193.

"Sword, not peace, but a," 182,
183.

Syrophoenician woman, the story of,
amplified, 40, 41.

S40

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES.

Tactics, the, of Peter against Simon

Magus, 50, 51.
Teaching, the, of Christ, 78-82.
Teaching, the immoral, of the Greeks,

illustrated, 101-105.
Temptation, the, of Christ, 147.
Traditions from our fathers, are

they to be followed ? 93.
Trick, the, of Clement upon Appion,

101-105.
Tripolis, Peter at, 137.
Truth, cannot be found by man left

to himself, 34 ; vain search of

philosophers for, 34, 35 ; taught

by the prophets, 35.
Truth and custom, 94.
Tyre, Peter at, 128 ; address to the

people of, 130.

Unity, the, of God, proved by
Peter from the Old Testament,
247, 250.

Universe, the, the product of mind,
128.

Unrevealed God, the, of Simon
Magus, 276.

Voyage, the, of the church, 13.

Water, born of, 185 ; baptized

with, 186, 187.
Way of salvation, the, 134.
Ways, the, of God, opposed toman's

ways, 38, 39.
Wicked actions to be avoided, 304.
Wicked one, the, why appointed

over the wicked by a righteous

God ? 320.
Wiles of the devil, the, 60.
Wise, the, divine things justlj'

hidden from, 285.
Woman, the, of sorrowful spirit,

198 ; her story, 199, etc.

Zaccheus, 41 ; appointed by Peter

his successor, 84, B5.
Zoroaster, 150.

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http://www.compassionatespirit.com/Homilies/Homilies-TOC.htm

ANTE-NICENE CHRISTIAN LIBRARY:

TRANSLATIONS OF THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS DOWN TO A.D. 325.

EDITED BY THE REV. ALEXANDER ROBERTS, D.D., AND JAMES DONALDSON, LL.D.

VOL. XVIL

THE [[Clement|CLEMENT]]INE HOMILIES.
THE APOSTOLICAL CONSTITUTIONS.

EDINBURGH:
T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET. ' MDCCCLXX.

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