The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Wherefore let us not be double-minded, nor let our soul be fanciful concerning his excellent and glorious gifts.

Let this Scripture be far from us in which he says Wretched are the double-minded, who doubt in their soul and say We have heard these things even in the days of our fathers, and behold we have grown old, and none of these things has happened to us.

Oh, foolish men, compare yourself to a tree: take a vine, first it sheds its leaves, then there comes a bud, then a leaf, then a flower, and after this the unripe grape, then the full bunch.[*](This quotation which is also found in II. Clem. 11, 2, cannot be identified. Some think it is from the lost apocalypse of Eldad and Modad. Cf. Hermas, Vis. 2, 3.) See how in a little time the fruit of the tree comes to ripeness.

Truly his will shall be quickly and suddenly accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness that he shall come quickly and shall not tarry; and the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple, and the Holy One for whom ye look.

Let us consider, beloved, how the Master continually[*](The resurrection foreshadowed in Nature) proves to us that there will be a future resurrection, of which he has made the first-fruits, by raising the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

Let us look, beloved, at the resurrection which is taking place at its proper season.

Day and night show us a resurrection. The night sleeps, the day arises: the day departs, night comes on.

Let us take the crops: how and in what way does the

The sower went forth and cast each of the seeds into the ground,, and they fall on to the ground, parched and bare, and suffer decay; then from their decay the greatness of the providence of the Master raises them up, and from one grain more grow and bring forth fruit.