Today we begin to take our Lenten readings from the early Church Fathers writings: Clement of Rome: Bishop of Rome, end of first century. — EDITION:}. B. Lightfoot in The Apostolic Fathers (ed. J. R. Harmer, 1891). I. The Person and Work of Christ (a) The Pattern of Humility Christ is with those of humble mind, not with those who exalt themselves over his flock. The sceptre of the majesty of God, that is, our Lord Jesus Christ, did not come with the pride of pretension and arrogance — though he had the power — but in humility of mind, just as the Holy Spirit said of him: ‘Lord, who has believed our report? . . .’ [Isa. liii. I-I2 and Ps. xxi (22) 5-8).1 You see, beloved brothers, what is the pattern given to us; for if the Lord was thus humble in mind, how are we to behave, when we through him have come under the yoke of grace? [First] Epistle to the Corinthians, xvi (b) Enlightenment [Ps. ι is quoted, ending, ‘The sacrifice of praise will glorify me, and there is the way by which I shall show him the salvation of God] This is the way, beloved, in which we found our salvation, Jesus Christ, the high priest2 of our offerings, the protector and helper of our weakness. Through him let us gaze fixedly into the heights of heaven.3 Through him we see as in a mirror4 the spotless and excellent face of God: through him the eyes of our hearts were opened: through him our senseless and darkened mind springs up to the light: through him the Ruler willed that we should taste the immortal knowledge . . . [Heb. i. 3, 4, 7, 5, 13] Ibid, xxxvi (c) A Sacrifice for Us In love the Ruler took us to himself. Because of the love he had towards us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave his blood for us by the will of God, his flesh for our flesh, his life for our lives. Ibid, xlix (d) The Chance of Repentance Let us fix our gaze on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to his Father, because it was shed for our salvation and offered the grace of repentance to the whole world. Let us pass in review all the generations and learn that from generation to generation the Lord has given a chance of repentance to those who are willing to turn to him ... [e.g. Noah and Nineveh] [First] Epistle to the Corinthians, vii The ministers of Gods grace [sc. the prophets] have spoken through the Holy Spirit about repentance . . . [quotations from Ezekiel and Isaiah] Ibid. viii. ι [The story ofRahab]. By the scarlet thread they showed prophetically that through the blood of the Lord there shall be redemption for all those who believe and hope in God .. . Ibid, xii II. Sanctification — Justification (a) By Works Since we are the portion of the Holy one let us practise what belongs to holiness. . . . Let us put on concord, being humble in mind, disciplined, keeping ourselves from gossip and slander, being justified by works, not words. . . Ibid, xxx (b) By Faith They all [sc. the patriarchs] were honoured and glorified, not through themselves or their works or their righteous behaviour, but through Gods will. And we also, who have been called in Christ Jesus through his will, are not justified through ourselves or through our own wisdom or understanding or piety, or our actions done in holiness of heart, but through faith, for it is through faith that Almighty God has justified all men that have been from the beginning of time: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Ibid, xxxii III. The Holy Spirit and the Trinity The doctrine of the Spirit is only inchoate. There are these passing references: A full out-pouring of the Holy Spirit came upon [you] all... Ibid. ii. 2 Have we not one God and one Christ and one Spirit of Grace shed upon us? Ibid. xJvi. 6 As God lives and the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and the Holy Spirit, the faith and hope of the elect. . . Ibid. Ivii. 2 The ministers of Gods grace [sc. the Ο. Τ. prophets] spoke through the Holy Spirit about repentance . . . Ibid. viii. ι You will give us joy and gladness if you obey what we have written through the Holy Spirit. . . Ibid. Ixiii. 2 There is no reference to ecstatic manifestation nor to Christian prophets such as we find in Pauls first letter to Corinth. The Holy Spirit inspires godly men under the old and the new dispensations. IV. The Church and Ministry (a) Christs Army Let us therefore, brethren, enthusiastically accept military service, in obedience to his perfect commands. Let us observe those who serve in the army under our military authorities, and note their discipline, their readiness, their obedience in carrying out orders. Not all of them are prefects, or tribunes, or centurions, or commanders of fifty, and so on; but each man in his rank carries out the orders of the emperor or the leaders. ‘The great cannot exist without the small, nor the small without the great’ . . . [based on ι Cor. xii. 12-26] Ibid, xxvii (b) Spiritual Gifts Let our whole body be preserved in Christ Jesus, and let each man be subject to his neighbour, as he has had his place assigned by his spiritual gift. Let the strong not neglect the weak; let the weak respect the strong. . . . Let the pure in flesh [sc. the ascetic] refrain from boasting of it, knowing that it is Another who supplies his self-discipline. Let us consider, brethren, of what stuff we are made; out of what tomb and darkness our fashioner and creator brought us into his world, having prepared his benefits before we were born. Having all these things from him we ought in all respects to give him thanks; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Ibid, xxxviii (c) The Clergy and the Laity The Lord has commanded that the offerings and services should be performed with care, and done at the fixed times and seasons, not in a haphazard and irregular fashion. . . . The high priest has been given his own special services, the priests have been assigned their own place, and the Levites have their special ministrations enjoined on them. The layman is bound by the ordinances of the laity. [First] Epistle to the Corinthians, xl Let each one of you, my brothers, give thanks2 to God in his own order, with a good conscience, not transgressing the fixed rule of his service, and with solemn reverence. It is not in every place that the various sacrifices... are offered, but in Jerusalem only; and even there not in every place but before the shrine at the altar3 . . . Ibid, xli (d) The Apostles and their Successors The Apostles received the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus the Christ was sent from God. Thus Christ is from God, the Apostles from Christ: in both cases the process was orderly, and derived from the will of God. The Apostles received their instructions; they were filled with conviction through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with faith by the word of God; and they went out full of confidence in the Holy Spirit, preaching the gospel that the Kingdom of God was about to come. They preached in country and town, and appointed their first-fruits, after testing them by the Spirit, to be bishops4 and deacons of those who were going to believe. And this was no novelty, for indeed a long time ago the Scripture had mentioned bishops and deacons; for there is somewhere this passage: Ί will set up their bishops [overseers] in righteousness and their deacons [ministers] in faith.s (xliii) Is it any wonder if those who in Christ were entrusted by God with such a work appointed the aforesaid persons? Seeing that the blessed Moses also, ‘a faithful servant in all his house,’ noted down in the sacred books all that had been enjoined upon him... . For when jealousy arose about the priesthood and the tribes were disputing which of them should be adorned with that glorious name, he commanded the twelve tribal chiefs to bring rods inscribed with the name of each tribe . . . [The story of Aaron s rod, Num. xvii]. Do you suppose that Moses did not know beforehand what was going to happen? To be sure he knew it. But he acted thus to prevent disorder in Israel, that the name of the true and only Lord might be glorified: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (xliv) Our Apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife on the question of the bishops office. Therefore, for this reason, since they had complete foreknowledge, they appointed the aforesaid persons and later made further provision that if they1 should fall asleep, other tested men should succeed to their ministry [λα,τονργία]. Therefore, when men who were appointed by the Apostles, or afterwards by other men of repute, with the approval of the whole church, have done their service blamelessly to the flock of Christ with humility of heart, in a peaceful and gentlemanly way, and have had a good report from all sides for long periods, we consider it unjust to depose them from their ministry. For it will be no trivial sin on our part if we depose from the bishops office those who have in a blameless and holy manner offered the gifts.4 Happy the presbyters5 who have gone on their way before this, for they obtained a ripe and fruitful departure; since they need not fear that anyone should remove them from their appointed place. For we see that you have displaced certain men of honorable behavior from a ministry which they had honored without reproach. Ibid, xlii-xliv V. Liturgy Specimens of Liturgical Style Let us run towards the goal which from the beginning has been handed down to us, the goal which is peace; and let us fix our gaze on the Father and Creator of the whole universe, and let us cling to his splendid and superlative gifts of peace, and to his benefits. Let us see him in our mind, and contemplate with the eyes of the soul his forbearing will. Let us observe how unmoved by anger he is in relation to his whole creation. (xx) The heavens roll on under his direction and are subjected to him in peace. Day and night fulfil the course prescribed by him, without hindering each other. The Sun and moon and the chorus of stars revolve within their appointed limits according to his ordinance in peace, without any deviation. The earth brings forth according to his will at the proper seasons, and produces food in abundance for men and beasts and all things that exist upon the earth, without dispute and without altering any of his decrees. The unsearchable depths of the abysses and the inexplicable judgements of the underworld are held in constraint by the same ordinances. The basin of the boundless sea, gathered together, in accordance with his act of creation, ‘into its meeting-places,’ does not transgress the barriers set round it, but does as he commanded it. The ocean which man cannot pass, and the worlds beyond it, are directed by the same ordinances of the Ruler. Spring and summer, autumn and winter give way to one another in peace. The winds in their different quarters fulfil their service unhindered in their proper season. Perpetual springs, created for enjoyment and health, unfailingly offer their breasts, designed to secure life for men. And the smallest of creatures meet in concord and peace. All those the great Creator and Ruler commanded to be in peace and concord; he benefits all, and especially he benefits us who have taken refuge in his mercies through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory and majesty for ever and ever. Amen. [First] Epistle to the Corinthians, xix-xx This chapter, with its solemn liturgical rhetoric, is probably based on the anaphora of the old Roman liturgy. The pattern of the thanksgiving is that of the ‘Clementine Liturgy’ of the Apostolic Constitutions, and the phrases in italics are found there (see Brightman, LiMrgies Eastern and Western, pp. 15, 16). The tone of the passage is Old Testament or Stoic rather than specifically Christian. Let us think of the whole host of angels, how they stand by and serve his will. For the Scripture says: ‘Ten thousand times ten thousand were doing service to him, and they cried out, Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth; the whole creation is full of his glory.’ Then let us, gathered together in awareness of our concord, as with one mouth shout earnestly to him that we may become sharers in his great and glorious promises. For the Scripture says, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, it has not entered mans heart, how many things God has prepared for those who patiently await him.’ Ibid, xxxiv This passage clearly has a liturgical reference, eij το αυτό σννα,χθέντϊζ — ‘gathered together,’ is technical for the Christian assembly — synaxis. The Christians of Rome and Corinth join in the Sanctus with ‘the whole company of heaven,’ as they ‘do their service’ (Xeirovpyovaiv — ‘liturgize’). [Grant to us Lord] that we may hope in thy name, the primal origin of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts to know thee . . . the only benefactor of spirits and God of all flesh . . . observer of mens works, helper of those in peril, saviour of the despairing, creator and overseer (επίσκοπος) of every spirit. Thou increasest the nations on earth, and didst choose out of all men those who love thee through Jesus Christ, thy beloved servant, through whom thou didst instruct, sanctify, honour us. We beseech thee, Master, to be our helper and protector. Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly; raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly; restore the wanderers of thy people; feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted . . . (Ix) . . . Thou who art righteous in judgment. . . good in the things that are seen and faithful among those who trust in thee, merciful and pitiful; forgive our sins and failings. . . . Grant concord and peace to us and all that dwell on the earth, as thou didst grant to our fathers, when they called upon thee in holiness, with faith and truth, so that we may be saved, being obedient to thy almighty and excellent name, and to our governors and rulers on earth. (Ixi) Thou, Master, hast given them the authority of kingship by thy magnificent and ineffable power, that we, recognizing the glory and honour which thou hast given them, may submit ourselves to them, in no way opposing thy will. Grant them, Lord, health, peace, concord, stability, that they may without stumbling administer the government which thou hast given them. For thou, heavenly Master, King of Ages, givest honour and glory to the sons of men, and authority over things that are on earth. Do thou, Lord, direct their counsel, according to what is good and well-pleasing in thy sight, that, administering in peace and gentleness with godliness the authority thou hast given them, they may obtain thy favour. Ο thou who alone canst do these good things for us, and things far exceeding these, we praise thee through the high-priest and protector of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and majesty to thee, both now and for all generations and for ever and ever. Amen. [First] Epistle to the Corinthians, lix-lxi VI. Eschatology (a) The End and the Judgement Let that passage of Scripture1 be far from applying to us, where it says: ‘Wretched are the double-minded who doubt in their soul, and say, We have heard these things also in our fathers’ time, and look, we have grown old and none of them has happened to us. Silly fools, compare yourselves to a tree. Take a vine: first it drops its leaves; then a shoot comes, then a leaf, then a flower, after that the sour fruit, then the fully ripe grapes.’ You see that in a short time the fruit of the tree reaches maturity. In truth his will shall be fulfilled quickly and suddenly. The Scripture bears witness, when it says: ‘He shall come quickly and not linger, and the Lord will come suddenly to his temple, even the Holy One whom you expect.’ Ibid, xxiii Since all things are seen and heard, let us fear him and abandon hideous desires for evil deeds, that we may be sheltered by his mercy from the coming judgements.3 For where can any of us escape from his mighty hand? What world will receive anyone who deserts from his service? For the Writing4 says in one place: ‘Where shall I go’ &c. . . . [Ps. cxxxix. 7 f.] Whither shall anyone go away, or where shall anyone run away from him who embraces the whole universe? Ibid. xxviii (b) The Resurrection: The Analogy of Nature Let us observe, beloved, how the Ruler is continually displaying the resurrection that will be, of which he made the first fruits when he raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Let us look, beloved, at the resurrection which happens regularly. Day and night show us a resurrection; the night goes to sleep, the day rises: the day departs, night comes on. Let us take the crops. How does the sowing happen, and in what way? ‘The sower went out’ and cast each of his seeds into the ground. These fall dry and bare on to the ground and decay. Then from the decay the mightiness of the Rulers providence raises them up, and many grow from the one and bear fruit. Ibid, xxiv (c) The Legend of the Phoenix Let us look at the marvellous sign which takes place in the East, in the district of Arabia. There is a bird called the phoenix. It is the only one of its kind, and it lives for five hundred years. And when it reaches the time of its dissolution, the time for it to die, it makes for itself a coffin of incense and myrrh and other spices, which when the time is up it enters and dies. But with the decay of its flesh a worm is produced, which is nourished from the moisture of the dead creature and grows wings. Then, when it has grown into a fine specimen, it takes up the coffin in which are the bones of its progenitor and flies with them from Arabia to Egypt, to the city called Hehopolis. And in the day-time, in view of all, it flies to the altar of the Sun and lays them on it, and then sets off back again. The priests then examine the records, and find that it has come after an interval of exactly five hundred years, (xxvi) Do we then think it a great marvel if the Creator of the universe is to effect the resurrection of those who served him in holiness with the confidence of a good faith, seeing that he shows us the magnificence of his promise even by a bird? . . . Ibid, xxv-xxvi The legend of the Phoenix is related in Herodotus ii. 73 and Tacitus, Annals, vi. 28. VII. The Christian Life How blessed and marvellous are the gifts of God, beloved. Life in immortality,1 splendour in righteousness, truth in boldness, faith in confidence, discipline in holiness: all these are in our understanding. What, then, are the things prepared for those endure? The Creator and Father of the Ages,2 the all-holy one himself knows their number and beauty1 . . . Ibid, xxxv VIII. Scripture and Gospel Let us be humble-minded, my brothers, and get rid of all conceit and vanity and foolishness and anger, and let us do as Scripture bids us; for the Holy Scripture says, ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, neither let the strong boast in his strength, nor the rich in his riches, but if a man boasts let him boast in the Lord, to seek him out and to do judgement and righteousness.’ Especially remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, which he spoke teaching kindness and forbearance.2 This is what he said: ‘Show mercy, that you may receive mercy; forgive, that you may be forgiven; as you treat others, so you will be treated; as you give, so will it be given to you; as you judge, so will you be judged; as you show kindness, so will kindness be shown to you. Measure for measure, you shall receive what you bestow.’ With this commandment and these instructions let us keep ourselves firm to proceed in obedience to his holy words, in humility of mind. For the Holy Word says: ‘Upon whom shall I look, except upon the man who is meek and quiet and trembles at my oracles.’ [First] Epistle to the Corinthians, xiii IX. Peter and Paul, Apostles and Martyrs Let us come to an end of those ancient examples [of jealous persecution], and come to the athletes of most recent times; let us take the noble examples of our generation. Through envy and jealousy the greatest and most righteous ‘pillars’ were persecuted and engaged in the contest unto death. Let us have the good Apostles before our eyes. Peter through wicked jealousy endured not one or two hardships but many, and after having thus borne witness went on to the place of glory which was his due. On account of envy and strife Paul gave an example of the prize of endurance: seven times imprisoned, driven into exile, stoned; he preached in the East and the West, and won noble renown for his faith. He taught righteousness to the whole world and went to the western limit of the earth.1 He bore witness before the rulers, and then passed out of the world and went on to the holy place, having proved himself the greatest pattern of endurance. (vi) With these men of holy life was assembled a great host of the elect,2 who suffered on account of envy, with many indignities and tortures, and have provided for us a most noble example. Ibid, v-vi
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:27:01 +0000
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