|
HOME | GREEK LANGUAGE | LIBRARIES | BLOG | HELP | SEARCH | FREEWARE | BOOKSTORE |
|
|
Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson.
Clement of Alexandria in Print
|
This Part: 128 Pages
Page 14
Now stupidity is the cause of ignorance. And it appears to me that it is the vaunt of a boastful soul, though of one with a good conscience, to exclaim against what happens through circumstances:--
"Therefore let them do what they may; [3405]
For it shall be well with me; and Right
Shall be my ally, and I shall not be caught doing evil."
But such a good conscience preserves sanctity towards God and justice towards men; keeping the soul pure with grave thoughts, and pure words, and just deeds. By thus receiving the Lord's power, the soul studies to be God; regarding nothing bad but ignorance, and action contrary to right reason. And giving thanks always for all things to God, by righteous hearing and divine reading, by true investigation, by holy oblation, by blessed prayer; lauding, hymning, blessing, praising, such a soul is never at any time separated from God. [3406] Rightly then is it said, "And they who trust in Him shall understand the truth, and those faithful in love shall abide by Him." [3407] You see what statements Wisdom makes about the Gnostics.
Conformably, therefore, there are various abodes, according to the worth of those who have believed. [3408] To the point Solomon says, "For there shall be given to him the choice grace of faith, and a more pleasant lot in the temple of the Lord." [3409] For the comparative shows that there are lower parts in the temple of God, which is the whole Church. And the superlative remains to be conceived, where the Lord is. These chosen abodes, which are three, are indicated by the numbers in the Gospel--the thirty, the sixty, the hundred. [3410] And the perfect inheritance belongs to those who attain to "a perfect man," according to the image of the Lord. And the likeness is not, as some imagine, that of the human form; for this consideration is impious. Nor is the likeness to the first cause that which consists in virtue. For this utterance is also impious, being that of those who have imagined that virtue in man and in the sovereign God is the same. "Thou hast supposed iniquity," He says, "[in imagining] that I will be like to thee." [3411] But "it is enough for the disciple to become as the Master," [3412] saith the Master. To the likeness of God, then, he that is introduced into adoption and the friendship of God, to the just inheritance of the lords and gods is brought; if he be perfected, according to the Gospel, as the Lord Himself taught.
[3405] From the Acharneis of Aristophanes, quoted also by Cicero; with various readings in each. Heinsius substitutes palamasthon for palamasthai of the text.
[3406] [Bunsen, Hippol., iii. p. 141.]
[3407] Wisd. iii. 9.
[3408] [1 Cor. xv. 41.]
[3409] Wisd. iii. 14.
[3410] Matt. xiii. 8.
[3411] Ps. l. 21.
[3412] Matt. xxv. 10.
|
Clement of Alexandria Home Page
Elpenor's Greek Forum : Post a question / Start a discussion |
Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/clement-alexandria/stromata-5.asp?pg=14
