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ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.i-p1 | This
volume, containing the equivalent of three volumes of the Edinburgh
series of the Ante-Nicene
Fathers, will be found a library somewhat complete in itself. The
Apostolic Fathers and those associated with them in the third generation,
are here placed together in a handbook, which, with the inestimable
Scriptures, s... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.i-p2 | The American Editor has performed the humble task of
ushering these works into American use, with scanty contributions of his
own. Such was the understanding with the public: they were to be
presented with the Edinburgh series, free from appreciable colour or
alloy. His duty was (1) to give historic arrangement to the ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.i-p3 | In performing this task, under the pressure of a
virtual obligation to issue the first volume in the first month of the
new year, the Editor has relied upon the kindly aid of an able friend, as
typographical corrector of the Edinburgh sheets. It is only necessary to
add, that he has bracketed all his own notes, so as t... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.i-p7 | The Ante-Nicene
Christian Library is meant to comprise translations into English
of all the extant works of the Fathers down to the date of the first
General Council held at Nice in a.d. 325. The sole provisional
exception is that of the more bulky writings of Origen. It is intended at
present only to embrace in the sc... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.i-p8 | The present volume has been translated by the
Editors. Their object
has been to place the English reader as nearly as possible on a footing
of equality with those who are able to read the original. With this view
they have for the most part leaned towards literal exactness; and
wherever any considerable departure from ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.ii-p1 | [a.d.
100–200.] The Apostolic
Fathers are here understood as filling up the second century of
our era. Irenæus, it is true, is rather of the sub-apostolic period;
but, as the disciple of Polycarp, he ought not to be dissociated from
that Father’s company. We thus find ourselves conducted, by this
goodly fellowship of w... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.ii-p2 | And what had become of the disciples who were the
first-fruits of the apostolic ministry? St. Paul had said, “The
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also.” How was this injunction realized? St. Peter’s
touching words come to mind, “I will endeavour that ye may be able
after my decease t... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.ii-p3 | Their very mistakes enable us to attach a higher value
to the superiority of inspired writers. They were not wiser than the
naturalists of their day who taught them the history of the Phœnix and
other fables; but nothing of this sort is found in Scripture. The Fathers
are inferior in kind as well as in degree; yet thei... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p1 | [a.d. 30–100.] Clement was probably a Gentile
and a Roman. He seems to have been at Philippi with St. Paul (a.d. 57) when that first-born of
the Western churches was passing through great trials of faith. There,
with holy women and others, he ministered to the apostle and to the
saints. As this city was a Roman colony,... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p2 | A co-presbyter with Linus and Cletus, he succeeded them
in the government of the Roman Church. I have reluctantly adopted the
opinion that his Epistle was written near the close of his life, and not
just after the persecution of Nero. It is not improbable that Linus and
Cletus both perished in that fiery trial, and tha... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p3 | Clement fell asleep, probably soon after he despatched
his letter. It is the legacy of one who reflects the apostolic age in all
the beauty and evangelical truth which were the first-fruits of the
Spirit’s presence with the Church. He shares with others the
aureole of glory attributed by St. Paul (Phil. iv.
3), “His na... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p4 | The plan of this publication does not permit the
restoration, in this volume, of the recently discovered portions of his
work. It is the purpose of the editor to present this, however, with
other recently discovered relics of primitive antiquity, in a
supplementary volume, should the
undertaking meet with
sufficient... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p6 | The first
Epistle, bearing the name of Clement, has been preserved to us in a
single manuscript only. Though very frequently referred to by ancient
Christian writers, it remained unknown to the scholars of Western Europe
until happily discovered in the Alexandrian manuscript. This ms. of the Sacred Scriptures
(known an... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p7 | Who the Clement was to whom these writings are
ascribed, cannot with absolute certainty be determined. The general
opinion is, that he is the same as the person of that name referred to by
St. Paul (Phil. iv. 3). The writings themselves
contain no statement as to their author. The first, and by far the longer
of them, ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p8 | The date of this Epistle has been the subject of
considerable controversy. It is clear from the writing itself that it was
composed soon after some persecution (chap. i.) which the Roman Church
had endured; and the only question is, whether we are to fix upon the
persecution under Nero or Domitian. If the former, the d... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p9 | This Epistle was held in very great esteem by the early
Church. The account given of it by Eusebius (Hist. Eccl., iii. 16)
is as follows: “There is one acknowledged Epistle of this Clement
(whom he has just identified with the friend of St. Paul), great and
admirable, which he wrote in the name of the Church of Rome to... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.i-p10 | [N.B.—A sufficient guide to the recent
literature of the Clementine mss. and discoveries may be found
in The Princeton Review, 1877, p. 325, also in Bishop
Wordsworth’s succinct but learned Church History to the Council
of Nicæa, p. 84. The invaluable edition of the Patres
Apostolici, by Jacobson (Oxford, 1840), with a... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.i-p1 | The Church of God which sojourns
at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to them that are
called and sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace unto you, and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be
multiplied. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.i-p2 | Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive
calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have
been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting
which you consulted us; and especially to that
shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God,
which ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.i-p3 |
[Note the fact that the Corinthians asked this of their brethren,
the personal friends of their apostle St. Paul. Clement’s own name
does not appear in this Epistle.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.ii-p1 | Moreover, ye were all distinguished by humility, and
were in no respect puffed up with pride, but yielded obedience rather
than extorted it, and were more willing to give than to receive. Content with the provision which God had made for you, and
carefully attending to His words, ye were inwardly filled with His doctri... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.ii-p4 | Literally, “ye embraced
it in your bowels.” [Concerning the complaints of Photius (ninth
century) against Clement, see Bull’s Defensio Fidei Nicænæ,
Works, vol. v. p. 132.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.ii-p6 | So, in the ms., but many have suspected that
the text is here corrupt. Perhaps the best emendation is that which
substitutes συναισθήσεως,
“compassion,” for συνειδήσεως,
“conscience.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.iii-p1 | Every kind of honour and
happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was
fulfilled that which is written, “My beloved did eat and drink, and
was enlarged and became fat, and kicked.” Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution
and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against the
hon... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.iv-p1 | For
thus it is written: “And it came to pass after certain days, that
Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel
also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And
God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices
He did not regard. And Cain was ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.iv-p2 | Gen. iv. 3–8.
The writer here, as always, follows the reading of the Septuagint, which
in this passage both alters and adds to the Hebrew text. We have given
the rendering approved by the best critics; but some prefer to translate,
as in our English version, “unto thee shall be his desire, and thou
shalt rule over him... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.v-p1 | But
not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent
spiritual heroes. Let us
take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and
jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have
been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes
the illustrious ap... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.v-p4 |
Literally, “good.” [The martyrdom of St. Peter is all that is
thus connected with his arrival in Rome. His numerous labours were
restricted to the Circumcision.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.v-p8 | That is, under
Tigellinus and Sabinus, in the last year of the Emperor Nero; but some
think Helius and Polycletus are referred to; and others, both here and in the
preceding sentence, regard the words as denoting simply the
witness borne by Peter and Paul to the truth of the gospel before
the rulers of the earth. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.vi-p1 | To these men who spent their
lives in the practice of holiness, there is to be added a great multitude
of the elect, who, having through envy endured many indignities and
tortures, furnished us with a most excellent example. Through envy, those women, the
Danaids and Dircæ, being persecuted,
after they had suffered ter... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.vi-p2 | Some suppose
these to have been the names of two eminent female martyrs under Nero;
others regard the clause as an interpolation. [Many ingenious conjectures
might be cited; but see Jacobson’s valuable note, Patres
Apostol., vol. i. p. 30.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.vii-p1 | These things, beloved, we write
unto you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind
ourselves. For we are struggling on the same arena, and the same conflict
is assigned to both of us. Wherefore let us give up vain and fruitless
cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy
callin... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.viii-p1 | The
ministers of the grace of God have, by the Holy Spirit, spoken of
repentance; and the Lord of all things has himself declared with an oath
regarding it, “As I live, saith the Lord, I desire not the death of
the sinner, but rather his repentance;” adding, moreover, this gracious declaration, “Repent, O
house of Isra... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.ix-p1 | Wherefore, let us yield obedience to His
excellent and glorious will; and imploring His mercy and loving-kindness,
while we forsake all fruitless labours, and strife, and envy, which leads to
death, let us turn and have recourse to His compassions. Let us
stedfastly contemplate those who have perfectly ministered to Hi... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.x-p1 | Abraham, styled “the
friend,” was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered
obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out
from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father’s
house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family,
and an insignificant house, he mi... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xi-p1 | On account of his
hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved out of Sodom when all the
country round was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus
making it manifest that He does not forsake those that hope in Him, but
gives up such as depart from Him to punishment and torture. For Lot’s wife, who went forth... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xii-p1 | On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the
harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to
Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they were come to spy
out their land, and sent men to seize them, in order that, when taken,
they might be put to death. But the hospitable Rahab ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xii-p3 | Others of the
Fathers adopt the same allegorical interpretation, e.g., Justin Mar.,
Dial. c. Tryph., n. 111; Irenæus, Adv. Hær., iv. 20. [The
whole matter of symbolism under the law must be more thoroughly studied
if we would account for such strong language as is here applied to a
poetical or rhetorical figure.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xiii-p1 | Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind,
laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry
feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy
Spirit saith, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither
let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man gl... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xiv-p1 | It is right and
holy therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those
who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable
emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger,
if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at
exciting strife a... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xv-p1 | Let us
cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not
to those who hypocritically profess to desire it. For [the Scripture]
saith in a certain place, “This people honoureth Me with their
lips, but their heart is far from Me.” And again: “They bless with their mouth, but curse with
their heart.”... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xvi-p1 | For Christ is
of those who are humble-minded, and not of those who exalt themselves
over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre of the majesty of God,
did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have
done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared
regarding Him. For He sa... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xvi-p2 | The Latin of
Cotelerius, adopted by Hefele and Dressel, translates this clause as
follows: “I will set free the wicked on account of His sepulchre,
and the rich on account of His death.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xvii-p1 | Let us be imitators also of those who in
goat-skins and sheep-skins went about
proclaiming the coming of Christ; I mean Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel
among the prophets, with those others to whom a like testimony is borne
[in Scripture]. Abraham was specially
honoured, and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xviii-p1 | But what shall we say concerning David, to whom
such testimony was borne, and of whom
God said, “I have found a man after Mine own heart, David the son
of Jesse; and in everlasting mercy have I anointed him?” Yet this very man saith to God, “Have
mercy on me, O Lord, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the
m... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xix-p1 | Thus the humility and godly submission of so
great and illustrious men have rendered not only us, but also all the
generations before us, better; even as many as have received His oracles
in fear and truth. Wherefore, having so many
great and glorious examples set before us, let us turn again to the
practice of that pe... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xx-p1 | The heavens, revolving under His government,
are subject to Him in peace. Day and night run the course appointed by
Him, in no wise hindering each other. The sun and moon, with the
companies of the stars, roll on in harmony according to His command,
within their prescribed limits, and without any deviation. The fruitfu... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxi-p1 | Take heed, beloved, lest
His many kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all. [For thus it must
be] unless we walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which
are good and well-pleasing in His sight. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place,
“The Spirit of the Lord is a candle searching the secret par... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxii-p1 | Now the faith which is in Christ
confirms all these [admonitions]. For He Himself by the Holy Ghost thus
addresses us: “Come, ye children, hearken unto Me; I will teach you
the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth to
see good days? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking
guile. ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxiii-p1 | The
all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards
those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favours upon
those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore let us not be
double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted up on account of His exceedingly
great and glorious gifts. Far f... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxiv-p1 | Let
us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there
shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus
Christ the first-fruits by raising Him from the dead. Let us
contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times taking
place. Day and night declare to us a resurre... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxv-p1 | Let us consider that
wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in Eastern lands,
that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird
which is called a phœnix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives
five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that
it must d... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxv-p2 | This fable respecting the phœnix is mentioned by
Herodotus (ii. 73) and by Pliny (Nat. Hist., x. 2) and is used as
above by Tertullian (De Resurr., §13) and by others of the
Fathers. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxvi-p1 | Do we
then deem it any great and wonderful thing for the Maker of all things to
raise up again those that have piously served Him in the assurance of a
good faith, when even by a bird He shows us the mightiness of His power
to fulfil His promise? For
[the Scripture] saith in a certain place, “Thou shalt raise me up,
an... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxvii-p1 | Having
then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His
promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie,
shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God,
except to lie. Let His faith therefore be stirred up again within us, and let us
consider that all thi... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxviii-p1 | Since then all things are seen
and heard [by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which
proceed from evil desires; so that, through His mercy, we may be protected
from the judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His
mighty hand? Or what world will receive any of those who run away from
H... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxix-p1 | Let us then draw near to Him with holiness of
spirit, lifting up pure and undefiled hands unto Him, loving our gracious
and merciful Father, who has made us partakers in the blessings of His
elect. For
thus it is written, “When the Most High divided the nations, when
He scattered the sons of Adam, He fixed the
bounds o... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxx-p1 | Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of
the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness,
avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together
with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and
execrable pride. “For God,” saith [the Scr... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxi-p1 | Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider
what are the means
of possessing it. Let us think over the
things which have taken place from the beginning. For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? was
it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith? Isaac, with perfect
confidence, as if knowing... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxii-p1 | Whosoever will candidly consider each
particular, will recognise the greatness of the gifts which were given by
him. For from him have sprung the priests and all the Levites who minister at the
altar of God. From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ
according to the flesh. From him [arose]
kings, princes, and... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxiii-p1 | What
shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and
cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should
be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness
of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all
Himself rejoices in His work... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxiv-p1 | The good servant receives the
bread of his labour with confidence; the lazy and slothful cannot look
his employer in the face. It is requisite, therefore, that we be prompt
in the practice of well-doing; for of Him are all things. And thus He
forewarns us: “Behold, the Lord [cometh], and His reward is before
His face, ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxv-p1 | How blessed and wonderful, beloved, are the gifts
of God! Life in immortality, splendour in righteousness, truth in perfect
confidence, faith in assurance,
self-control in holiness! And all these fall under the cognizance of our
understandings [now]; what then shall those things be which are prepared
for such as wait f... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxvi-p1 | This is the way, beloved, in which we find our
Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the
High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our
infirmity. By Him we look up to the heights of heaven. By Him we behold,
as in a glass, His immaculate and most excellent visage. By Him are the
eyes of our hearts opened. By H... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxvii-p1 | Let us then, men and brethren, with all energy act
the part of soldiers, in accordance with His holy commandments. Let us
consider those who serve under our generals, with what order, obedience,
and submissiveness they perform the things which are commanded them. All
are not prefects, nor commanders of a thousand, nor ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxviii-p1 | Let our whole body, then, be preserved in Christ
Jesus; and let every one be subject to his neighbour, according to the
special gift
bestowed upon him. Let the strong not despise the weak, and let the weak
show respect unto the strong. Let the rich man provide for the wants of
the poor; and let the poor man bless God, ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xxxix-p1 | Foolish and inconsiderate men, who have neither
wisdom nor instruction,
mock and deride us, being eager to exalt themselves in their own
conceits. For what can a mortal man do? or what strength is there in one
made out of the dust? For it is written, “There was no shape before
mine eyes, only I heard a sound, and a
voi... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xl-p1 | These
things therefore being manifest to us, and since we look into the depths
of the divine knowledge, it behoves us to do all things in [their proper]
order, which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times. He has enjoined offerings [to be presented] and
service to be performed [to Him], and that not thoug... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xli-p1 | Let every
one of you, brethren, give thanks to God in his own order, living in all
good conscience, with becoming gravity, and not going beyond the rule of
the ministry prescribed to him. Not in every place, brethren, are the
daily sacrifices offered, or the peace-offerings, or the sin-offerings
and the trespass-offeri... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xlii-p1 | The apostles have preached the
Gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus
Christ [has done so] from God.
Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both
these appointments, then, were
made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore
received their orders, and being ful... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xliii-p1 | And what wonder is it if those in Christ who
were entrusted with such a duty by God, appointed those [ministers]
before mentioned, when the blessed Moses also, “a faithful servant
in all his house,” noted down in the sacred books all the injunctions which were
given him, and when the other prophets also followed him, b... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xliv-p1 | Our apostles also
knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account
of the office
of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had
obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those
[ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these s... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xliv-p2 | Literally,
“on account of the title of the oversight.” Some understand
this to mean, “in regard to the dignity of the episcopate;”
and others simply, “on account of the oversight.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xliv-p3 | The meaning of this passage
is much controverted. Some render, “left a list of other approved
persons;” while others translate the unusual word ἐπινομή, which causes the difficulty, by “testamentary direction,” and many
others deem the text corrupt. We have given what seems the simplest
version of the text as it stand... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xlv-p1 | Ye are fond of
contention, brethren, and full of zeal about things which do not pertain
to salvation. Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the
true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in
them. There you will not find that the righteous were
cast ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xlvi-p1 | Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we
should follow; since it is written, “Cleave to the
holy, for those that cleave to them shall [themselves] be made
holy.” And again, in another place, [the Scripture]
saith, “With a harmless man thou shalt prove
thyself harmless, and with an elect man thou shalt be... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xlvii-p1 | Take up the epistle
of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when
the Gospel first began to be preached? Truly, under the
inspiration of the Spirit, he wrote to you
concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because even then parties had been formed among you. But that
inclination for one abo... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xlviii-p1 | Let us therefore, with all haste, put
an end to this [state of things]; and let us
fall down before the Lord, and beseech Him with tears, that He would
mercifully be reconciled to us, and
restore us to our former seemly and holy practice of brotherly love. For
[such conduct] is the gate of righteousness, which is set o... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.xlix-p1 | Let him who
has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the
[blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the
excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which
love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a
multitude of sins. Love beareth all ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.l-p1 | Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing is
love, and that there is no declaring its perfection. Who is fit to be
found in it, except such as God has vouchsafed to render so? Let us pray,
therefore, and implore of His mercy, that we may live blameless in love,
free from all human partialities for one above anot... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.li-p1 | Let us therefore implore forgiveness for all
those transgressions which through any [suggestion] of the adversary we
have committed. And those who have been the leaders of sedition and
disagreement ought to have respect to the common
hope. For such as live in fear and love would rather that they themselves
than their n... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lii-p1 | The Lord, brethren, stands in need of nothing; and He
desires nothing of any one, except that confession be made to Him. For,
says the elect David, “I will confess unto the Lord; and that will
please Him more than a young bullock that hath horns and hoofs. Let the
poor see it, and be glad.” And
again he saith, “Offer u... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.liii-p1 | Ye understand, beloved, ye understand
well the Sacred Scriptures, and ye have looked very earnestly into the
oracles of God. Call then these things to your remembrance. When Moses
went up into the mount, and abode there, with fasting and humiliation,
forty days and forty nights, the Lord said unto him, “Moses, Moses,
g... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.liv-p1 | Who then among you is
noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? Let him declare,
“If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have
arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever ye desire, and I will
do whatever the majority commands; only let the flock
of Christ live on terms of peace with the... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.liv-p2 |
Literally, “the multitude.” [Clement here puts words into the
mouth of the Corinthian presbyters. It has been strangely quoted to
strengthen a conjecture that he had humbly preferred Linus and Cletus
when first called to preside.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lv-p1 | To bring forward some
examples from among the heathen: Many kings and princes, in times of
pestilence, when they had been instructed by an oracle, have given
themselves up to death, in order that by their own blood they might
deliver their fellow-citizens [from destruction]. Many have gone forth
from their own cities, ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lvi-p1 | Let us then also pray for
those who have fallen into any sin, that meekness and humility may be
given to them, so that they may submit, not unto us, but to the will of
God. For in this way they shall secure a fruitful and perfect remembrance
from us, with sympathy for them, both in our prayers to God, and our
mention o... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lvii-p1 | Ye therefore, who laid the
foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and
receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts.
Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence
of your tongue. For it is better for you that ye should occupy a humble but hono... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lvii-p5 | Junius (Pat. Young), who examined the ms. before it was bound into its
present form, stated that a whole leaf was here lost. The next letters
that occur are ιπον, which have been
supposed to indicate εἶπον or ἔλιπον. Doubtless
some passages quoted by the ancients from the Epistle of Clement, and not
now found in it, o... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lviii-p1 | May God, who seeth all things, and who is the
Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of all flesh—who chose our Lord
Jesus Christ and us through Him to be a peculiar people—grant to every soul that
calleth upon His glorious and holy Name, faith, fear, peace, patience,
long-suffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to t... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lix-p1 | Send back speedily to us in peace and with joy these
our messengers to you: Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Bito, with
Fortunatus: that they may the sooner announce to us the peace and harmony
we so earnestly desire and long for [among you], and that we may the more
quickly rejoice over the good order re-established amon... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:ii.ii.lix-p4 | [Note St. Clement’s
frequent doxologies.] [N.B.—The language of Clement concerning
the Western progress of St. Paul (cap. v.) is our earliest postscript to
his Scripture biography. It is sufficient to refer the reader to the
great works of Conybeare and Howson, and of Mr. Lewin, on the Life and
Epistles of St. Paul. S... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p1 | [a.d. 130.] The anonymous author of this
Epistle gives himself the title (Mathetes) “a disciple of the Apostles,” and I venture to adopt it as his name. It
is about all we know of him, and it serves a useful end. I place his
letter here, as a sequel to the Clementine Epistle, for several reasons,
which I think scholars... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p3 | Mathetes was possibly a catechumen of St. Paul or of
one of the apostle’s associates. I assume that his correspondent
was the tutor of M. Aurelius. Placed just here, it fills a lacuna
in the series, and takes the place of the pseudo (second) Epistle of
Clement, which is now relegated to its proper place with the works
... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p4 | Altogether, the Epistle is a gem of purest ray; and,
while suggesting some difficulties as to interpretation and exposition,
it is practically clear as to argument and intent. Mathetes is, perhaps,
the first of the apologists. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p6 | The
following interesting and eloquent Epistle is anonymous, and we have no
clue whatever as to its author. For a considerable period after its
publication in 1592, it was generally ascribed to Justin Martyr. In
recent times Otto has inserted it among the works of that writer, but
Semisch and others contend that it can... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p7 | The names of Clement of Rome and of Apollos have both
been suggested as those of the probable author. Such opinions, however,
are pure fancies, which it is perhaps impossible to refute, but which
rest on nothing more than conjecture. Nor can a single word be said as to
the person named Diognetus, to whom the letter is ... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p8 | It is much to be regretted that the text is often so
very doubtful. Only three mss. of the Epistle, all probably
exhibiting the same original text, are known to exist; and in not a few
passages the readings are, in consequence, very defective and obscure.
But notwithstanding this drawback, and the difficulty of represe... | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.i-p9 | [N.B.—Interesting speculations concerning this
precious work may be seen in Bunsen’s Hippolytus and his
Age, vol. i. p. 188. The learned do not seem convinced by this
author, but I have adopted his suggestion as to Diognetus the tutor of M.
Aurelius.] | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:iii.ii.i-p1 | Since I see thee, most excellent
Diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping God
prevalent among the Christians, and inquiring very carefully and
earnestly concerning them, what God they trust in, and what form of
religion they observe, so as all to look down upon the world itself, and despise deat... | null |
End of preview. Expand in Data Studio
Dataset Card for ApostolicFathersQA
Dataset Summary
A dataset for evaluating retrieval from CCEL books.
Supported Tasks and Leaderboards
Dataset Structure
Data Instances
This dataset includes 3 subsets:
Corpus
The corpus is 2.29k paragraphs from The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. The text of all p tags is included as long as the text greater than 160 characters. See the included generate.ipynb notebook for specific details of the corpus filtering.
Here's an example:
{
"_id": "ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:i.i-p1",
"title": "",
"text": "This volume, containing the equivalent of three volumes..."
}
The title field is always blank, but included to match the data format used by BIER and MTEB.
Queries
Queries are questions related to certain paragraphs in the corpus. They are formatted as follows:
{
"_id": "cain",
"title": "",
"text": "What did the apostolic fathers have to say about Cain and Abel?"
}
qrels
The final qrels subset links the corpus to queries. It is formatted as follows:
{
"query-id": "cain",
"corpus-id":, "ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xii-p4",
"score": 1
}
Data Fields
_id: A uniqie identifier matching the CCEL paragraphs dataset for corpus paragraphs.title: An empty string.query-id: Unique id of a querycorpus-id: Unique id of a paragraph from the corpusscore: A score for this pair
Data Splits
There is currently only a single split. It is expected that this dataset will be primarily used for evaluation rather than training.
Dataset Creation
Source Data
Initial Data Collection and Normalization
The source data consists of freely licensed works from the CCEL.
Who are the source language producers?
This data has numerous authors. All are human. Dates of authorship vary and span several millenia.
Personal and Sensitive Information
There should be no personally identifiable information for living humans in this dataset.
Considerations for Using the Data
Social Impact of Dataset
This dataset provides opportunities for ongoing research and exploration of classic Christian literature.
Discussion of Biases
This dataset is biased towards classical Christian beliefs and perspectives.
Additional Information
Dataset Curators
The source dataset was curated and maintained by the numerous contributors to the CCEL.
Licensing Information
ApostolicFathersQA is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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