The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Clemens Romanus (Clement of Rome)

Clement of Rome. The Apostolic Fathers, Volume 1. Lake, Kirsopp, editor. London: William Heinemann Ltd.; New York: The Macmillan Company, 1912.

And you were all humble-minded and in no wise arrogant, yielding subjection rather than demanding it, giving more gladly than receiving, satisfied with the provision of Christ, and paying attention to his words you stored them up carefully in your hearts, and kept his sufferings before your eyes.

Thus a profound and rich peace was given to all, you had an insatiable desire to do good, and the Holy Spirit was poured out in abundance on you all.

You were full of holy plans, and with pious confidence you stretched out your hands to Almighty God in a passion of goodness, beseeching him to be merciful towards any unwilling sin.

Day and night you strove on behalf of the whole brotherhood

that the number of his elect should be saved with mercy and compassion.[*](The MS. reading means conscience, which gives no sense. There is also a variant in the previous word: the inferior MS. (C) reads fear instead of mercy.)

You were sincere and innocent, and bore no malice to one another.

All sedition and all schism was abominable to you. You mourned over the transgressions of your neighbours; you judged their shortcomings as your own.

You were without regret in every act of kindness, ready unto every good work.

You were adorned by your virtuous and honourable citizenship and did all things in the fear of God.[*](God is found only in L; the other authorities have his fear, but the meaning is plain.) The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were written on the tables of your heart.