The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles Part 46

CHAPTER XVIII.

Clement therefore exhorts them to do everything orderly in the Church, as the only way to please G.o.d.

FOOLISH and unwise men, who have neither prudence, nor learning, may mock and deride us; being willing to set up themselves in their own conceits.

2 But what can a mortal man do? Or what strength is there in him that is made out of the dust?

3 For it is written, there was no shape before mine eyes; only I heard a sound and a voice.

4 For what? Shall man be pure before the Lord? Shall he be blameless in his works?

5 Behold, he trusteth not in his servants; and his angels he chargeth with folly.

6 Yes, the heaven is not clean in his sight, how much less they that dwell in houses of clay; of which also we ourselves were made?

7 He smote them as a moth: and from morning even unto the evening they endure not. Because they were not able to help themselves, they perished; he breathed upon them and they died, because they had no wisdom.

8 Call now if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the angels wilt thou look?

9 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth him that is in error.

10 I have seen the foolish taking root, but lo, their habitation was presently consumed.

11 Their children were far from safety, they perished at the gates of those who were lesser than themselves: and there was no man to help them.

12 For what was prepared for them, the righteous did eat; and they shall not be delivered from evil.

13 Seeing then these things are manifest unto us, it will behove us to take care that looking into the depths of the divine knowledge, we do all things in order, whatsoever our Lord has commanded us to do.

14 And particularly that we perform our offerings and service to G.o.d, at their appointed seasons for these he has commanded to be done, not rashly and disorderly, but at certain determinate times and hours.

15 And therefore he has ordained by his supreme will and authority, both where, and by what persons, they are to be performed; that so all things being piously done unto all well-pleasing, they may be acceptable unto him.

16 They therefore who make their offerings at the appointed seasons, are happy and accepted; because through obeying the commandments of the Lord, they are free from sin.

17 And the same care must be had of the persons that minister unto him.

18 For the chief-priest has his proper services; and to the priest their proper place is appointed; and to the Levites appertain their proper ministries; and the layman is confined within the bounds of what is commanded to laymen.

19 Let every one of you therefore, brethren, bless G.o.d in his proper station, with a good conscience, and with all gravity, not exceeding the rule of his service that is appointed to him.

20 The daily sacrifices are not offered everywhere; nor the peace- offerings, nor the sacrifices appointed for sins and transgressions; but only at Jerusalem: nor in any place there, but only at the altar before the temple; that which is offered being first diligently examined by the high-priest and the other minister we before mentioned.

21 They therefore who do any thing which is not agreeable to his will, are punished with death.

22 Consider, brethren, that by how much the better knowledge G.o.d has vouchsafed unto us, by so much the greater danger are we exposed to.

CHAPTER XIX.

The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church established by the Apostles, according to Christ's command, 7 after the example of Moses.

16 Therefore they who have been duly placed in the ministry according to their order, cannot without great sin be put out of it.

THE Apostles have preached to us from the Lord Jesus Christ Jesus Christ from G.o.d.

2 Christ therefore was sent by G.o.d, the Apostles by Christ; so both were orderly sent, according to the will of G.o.d.

3 For having received their command, and being thoroughly a.s.sured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and convinced by the word of G.o.d, with the fulness of the Holy Spirit, they went abroad, publishing, That the kingdom of G.o.d was at hand.

4 And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first fruits of their conversion to be bishops and ministers over such as should afterwards believe, having first proved them by the Spirit.

5 Nor was this any new thing; seeing that long before it was written concerning bishops and deacons.

6 For thus saith the Scripture, in a certain place; I will appoint their overseers in righteousness, and their ministers in faith.

7 And what wonder if they, to whom such a work was committed by G.o.d in Christ, established such officers as we before mentioned; when even that blessed and faithful servant in all his house, Moses, set down in the Holy Scriptures all things that were commanded him.

8 Whom also all the rest of the prophets followed, bearing witness with one consent to those things that were appointed by him.

9 For he, perceiving an emulation to arise among the tribes concerning the priesthood, and that there was a strife about it, which of them should be adorned with that glorious name; commanded their twelve captains to bring to him twelve rods; every tribe being written upon its rod, according to its name,

10 And he took them and bound them together, and sealed them with the seals of the twelve princes of the tribes: and laid them up in the tabernacle of witness, upon the table of G.o.d.

11 And when he had shut the door of the tabernacle, he sealed up the keys of it, in like manner as he had done the rods; and said unto them, Men and brethren, whichsoever tribe shall have its rod blossom, that tribe has G.o.d chosen to perform the office of a priest, and to minister unto him in holy things.

12 And when the morning was come, he called together all Israel, six hundred thousand men; and showed to the princes their seals and opened the tabernacle of witness; and brought forth the rods.

13 And the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed, but also to have fruit upon it.

14 What think you, beloved?

Did not Moses before know what should happen?

15 Yes verily: but to the end there might be no division, nor tumult in Israel, he did in this manner, that the name of the true and only G.o.d might be glorified; to whom be honour for ever and ever, Amen.

16 So likewise our Apostles knew by our Lord Jesus Christ, that there should contentions arise, upon account of the ministry.

17 And therefore having a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed persons, as we have before said, and then a gave direction, how, when they should die, other chosen and approved men should succeed in their ministry.

18 Wherefore we cannot think that those may justly be thrown out of their ministry, who were either appointed by them, or afterwards chosen by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole church; and who have with all lowliness and innocency ministered to the flock of Church, in peace, and without self-interest, and were for a long time commended by all.

19 For it would be no small sin in us, should we cast off those from their ministry, who holily and without blame fulfil the duties of it.

20 Blessed are those priests, who having finished their course before these times, have obtained a fruitful and perfect dissolution for they have no fear, lest any one should turn them out of the place which is now appointed for them.

21 But we see how you have put out some, who lived reputably among you, from the ministry, which by their innocence they had adorned.