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.

Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ, and let us

know that it is precious to his Father,[*](The Greek MSS. insert his God, but in different places, and the evidence of the versions confirms Lightfoot’s view that the words are interpolated.) because it was poured out for our salvation, and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.

Let us review all the generations, and let us learn that in generation after generation the Master has given a place of repentance to those who will turn to him.

Noah preached repentance and those who obeyed[*](Noah) were saved.

Jonah foretold destruction to the[*](Jonah and the Ninevites) men of Nineveh, but when they repented they received forgiveness of their sins from God in answer to their prayer, and gained salvation, though they were aliens to God.

The ministers of the grace of God spoke[*](Repentance in the Prophets) through the Holy Spirit concerning repentance,

and even the Master of the universe himself spoke with an oath concerning repentance; For as I live, said the Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner so much as his repentance, and he added a gracious declaration,

Repent, O house of Israel, from your iniquity. Say to the sons of my people. If your sins reach from the earth to Heaven, and if they be redder than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth, and ye turn to me with all your hearts and say ‘Father,’ I will listen to you as a holy people.[*](The origin of this quotation is obscure: possibly Clement’s text of Ezekiel was different from ours and really contained it.)