Pseudo-Clement

The Recognitions of Clement

Name: The Recognitions of Clement
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Author: Pseudo-Clement

Classic translation

4th c. · Apocrypha & Pseudepigrapha · English translation, 1890

128,535 words · 11 hr read· Accessible

Source edition: The Ante-Nicene Fathers (ed. Roberts & Donaldson, 1885)

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Introductory Notice
Preface
Book 1.
1. Clement’s Early History; Doubts
Chapter 2.—His Distress
3. His Dissatisfaction with the Schools of the Philosophers
Chapter 4.—His Increasing Disquiet
5. His Design to Test the Immortality of the Soul
Chapter 6.—Hears of Christ
7. Arrival of Barnabas at Rome
Chapter 8.—His Preaching
9. Clement’s Interposition on Behalf of Barnabas
Chapter 10.—Intercourse With Barnabas
Chapter 11.—Departure of Barnabas
12. Clement’s Arrival at Cæsarea, and Introduction to Peter
13. His Cordial Reception by Peter
Chapter 14.—His Account of Himself
15. Peter’s First Instruction: Causes of Ignorance
16. Instruction Continued: the True Prophet
17. Peter Requests Him to Be His Attendant
18. His Profiting by Peter’s Instruction
Chapter 19.—Peter's Satisfaction
20. Postponement of Discussion with Simon Magus
Chapter 21.—Advantage of the Delay
Chapter 22.—Repetition of Instructions
Chapter 23.—Repetition Continued
Chapter 24.—Repetition Continued
Chapter 25.—Repetition Continued
26. Friendship of God; How Secured
Chapter 27.—Account of the Creation
28. Account of the Creation Continued
Chapter 29.—The Giants: the Flood
Chapter 30.—Noah's Sons
Chapter 31.—World After the Flood
Chapter 32.—Abraham
Chapter 33.—Abraham: His Posterity
Chapter 34.—The Israelites in Egypt
Chapter 35.—The Exodus
36. Allowance of Sacrifice for a Time
Chapter 37.—The Holy Place
Chapter 38.—Sins of the Israelites
39. Baptism Instituted in Place of Sacrifices
40. Advent of the True Prophet
41. Rejection of the True Prophet
Chapter 42.—Call of the Gentiles
Chapter 43.—Success of the Gospel
Challenge by Caiaphas
45. The True Prophet: Why Called the Christ
Chapter 46.—Anointing
Chapter 47.—Adam Anointed a Prophet
48. The True Prophet, a Priest
Chapter 49.—Two Comings of Christ
50. His Rejection by the Jews
Chapter 51.—The Only Saviour
52. The Saints Before Christ’s Coming
Chapter 53.—Animosity of the Jews
Chapter 54.—Jewish Sects
Chapter 55.—Public Discussion
Chapter 56.—Sadducees Refuted
Chapter 57.—Samaritan Refuted
Chapter 58.—Scribes Refuted
Chapter 59.—Pharisees Refuted
Chapter 60.—Disciples of John Refuted
Chapter 61.—Caiaphas Answered
Chapter 62.—Foolishness of Preaching
Chapter 63.—Appeal to the Jews
Chapter 64.—Temple to Be Destroyed
Chapter 65.—Tumult Stilled by Gamaliel
Chapter 66.—Discussion Resumed
Chapter 67.—Speech of Gamaliel
Chapter 68.—The Rule of Faith
Chapter 69.—Two Comings of Christ
Chapter 70.—Tumult Raised by Saul
Chapter 71.—Flight to Jericho
Chapter 72.—Peter Sent to Cæsarea
Chapter 73.—Welcomed by Zacchæus
Chapter 74.—Simon Magus Challenges Peter
Book 2.
Introduction
Chapter 1.—Power of Habit
Chapter 2.—Curtailment of Sleep
Chapter 3.—Need of Caution
4. Prudence in Dealing with Opponents
5. Simon Magus, a Formidable Antagonist
Chapter 6.—Simon Magus: His Wickedness
Chapter 7.—Simon Magus: His History
Chapter 8.—Simon Magus: His History
Chapter 9.—Simon Magus: His Profession
Chapter 10.—Simon Magus: His Deception
11. Simon Magus, at the Head of the Sect of Dositheus
Chapter 12.—Simon Magus and Luna
13. Simon Magus: Secret of His Magic
14. Simon Magus, Professes to Be God
15. Simon Magus, Professed to Have Made a Boy of Air
16. Simon Magus: Hopelessness of His Case
Chapter 17.—Men Enemies to God
Chapter 18.—Responsibility of Men
Chapter 19.—Disputation Begun
20. The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
21. Righteousness the Way to the Kingdom
Chapter 22.—Righteousness; What It Is
Chapter 23.—Simon Refuses Peace
Chapter 24.—Peter's Explanation
25. Principles on Which the Discussion Should Be Conducted
Chapter 26.—Simon's Interruption
Chapter 27.—Questions and Answers
28. Consistency of Christ’s Teaching
Chapter 29.—Peace and Strife
30. Peace to the Sons of Peace
Chapter 31.—Peace and War
Chapter 32.—Simon's Challenge
Chapter 33.—Authority
Chapter 34.—Order of Proof
35. How Error Cannot Stand with Truth
Chapter 36.—Altercation
Chapter 37.—Simon's Subtlety
Chapter 38.—Simon's Creed
Chapter 39.—Argument for Polytheism
Chapter 40.—Peter's Answer
Chapter 41.—The Answer, Continued
Chapter 42.—Guardian Angels
Chapter 43.—No God But Jehovah
44. The Serpent, the Author of Polytheism
Chapter 45.—Polytheism Inexcusable
Christ Acknowledged the God of the Jews
Chapter 47.—Simon's Cavil
Chapter 48.—Peter's Answer
Chapter 49.—The Supreme Light
Chapter 50.—Simon's Presumption
Chapter 51.—The Sixth Sense
Chapter 52.—Reductio Ad Absurdum
Chapter 53.—Simon's Blasphemy
54. How Simon Learned from the Law What the Law Does Not Teach
55. Simon’s Objections Turned Against Himself
56. No God Above the Creator
Chapter 57.—Simon's Inconsistency
Chapter 58.—Simon's God Unjust
Chapter 59.—The Creator Our Father
60. The Creator the Supreme God
Chapter 61.—Imagination
62. Peter’s Experience of Imagination
Chapter 63.—Peter's Reverie
Chapter 64.—Andrew's Rebuke
Chapter 65.—Fallacy of Imagination
Chapter 66.—Existence and Conception
67. The Law Teaches of Immensity
68. The Visible and the Invisible Heaven
Chapter 69.—Faith and Reason
Chapter 70.—Adjournment
Chapter 71.—Separation From the Unclean
Chapter 72.—The Remedy
Book 3.
Chapter 1.—Pearls Before Swine
Chapter 12.—Second Day's Discussion
Chapter 13.—Simon a Seducer
14. Simon Claims the Fulfilment of Peter’s Promise
Chapter 15.—Simon's Arrogance
Chapter 16.—Existence of Evil
Chapter 17.—Not Admitted by All
18. Manner of Conducting the Discussion
Chapter 19.—Desire of Instruction
Chapter 20.—Common Principles
Chapter 21.—Freedom of the Will
Chapter 22.—Responsibility
Chapter 23.—Origin of Evil
24. God the Author of Good, Not of Evil
25. “Who Hath Resisted His Will?”
Chapter 26.—No Goodness Without Liberty
27. The Visible Heaven: Why Made
Chapter 28.—Why to Be Dissolved
29. Corruptible and Temporary Things Made by the Incorruptible and Eternal
30. How the Pure in Heart See God
Chapter 31.—Diligence in Study
Chapter 32.—Peter's Private Instruction
Chapter 33.—Learners and Cavillers
34. Against Order is Against Reason
Chapter 35.—Learning Before Teaching
36. Self-Evidence of the Truth
37. God Righteous as Well as Good
38. God’s Justice Shown at the Day of Judgment
Chapter 39.—Immortality of the Soul
40. Proved by the Success of the Wicked in This Life
Chapter 41.—Cavils of Simon
42. “Full of All Subtlety and All Mischief.”
Chapter 43.—Simon's Subterfuges
Chapter 44.—Sight or Hearing?
Chapter 45.—A Home-Thrust
Chapter 46.—Simon's Rage
Chapter 47.—Simon's Vaunt
48. Attempts to Create a Disturbance
Chapter 49.—Simon's Retreat
Chapter 50.—Peter's Benediction
Chapter 51.—Peter's Accessibility
Chapter 52.—False Signs and Miracles
53. Self-Love the Foundation of Goodness
54. God to Be Supremely Loved
55. Ten Commandments Corresponding to the Plagues of Egypt
56. Simon Resisted Peter, as the Magicians Moses
Chapter 57.—Miracles of the Magicians
Chapter 58.—Truth Veiled With Love
59. Good and Evil in Pairs
Chapter 60.—Uselessness of Pretended Miracles
Chapter 61.—Ten Pairs
Chapter 62.—The Christian Life
63. A Deserter from Simon’s Camp
64. Declaration of Simon’s Wickedness
65. Peter Resolves to Follow Simon
66. Zacchæus Made Bishop of Cæsarea; Presbyters and Deacons Ordained
Chapter 67.—Invitation to Baptism
Chapter 68.—Twelve Sent Before Him
69. Arrangements Approved by All the Brethren
Chapter 70.—Departure of the Twelve
71. Peter Prepares the Cæsareans for His Departure
72. More Than Ten Thousand Baptized
Chapter 73.—Tidings of Simon
Chapter 74.—Farewell to Cæsarea
75. Contents of Clement’s Despatches to James
Book 4.
Chapter 1.—Halt at Dora
2. Reception in the House of Maro
Chapter 3.—Simon's Flight
Chapter 4.—The Harvest Plenteous
Chapter 5.—Moses and Christ
Chapter 6.—A Congregation
Chapter 7.—The Sick Healed
Chapter 8.—Providence Vindicated
9. State of Innocence a State of Enjoyment
10. Sin the Cause of Suffering
Chapter 11.—Suffering Salutary
Chapter 12.—Translation of Enoch
Chapter 13.—Origin of Idolatry
14. God Both Good and Righteous
15. How Demons Get Power Over Men
16. Why They Wish to Possess Men
17. The Gospel Gives Power Over Demons
18. This Power in Proportion to Faith
Chapter 19.—Demons Incite to Idolatry
Chapter 20.—Folly of Idolatry
Chapter 21.—Heathen Oracles
22. Why They Sometimes Come True
Chapter 23.—Evil Not in Substance
Chapter 24.—Why God Permits Evil
25. Evil Beings Turned to Good Account
Chapter 26.—Evil Angels Seducers
Chapter 27.—Ham the First Magician
Chapter 28.—Tower of Babel
29. Fire-Worship of the Persians
Chapter 30.—Hero-Worship
31. Idolatry Led to All Immorality
Chapter 32.—Invitation
33. The Weakest Christian More Powerful Than the Strongest Demon
Chapter 34.—Temptation of Christ
Chapter 35.—False Apostles
Chapter 36.—The Garments Unspotted
Chapter 37.—The Congregation Dismissed
Book 5.
Chapter 1.—Peter's Salutation
2. Suffering the Effect of Sin
Chapter 3.—Faith and Unbelief
4. Ignorance the Mother of Evils
Chapter 5.—Advantages of Knowledge
Chapter 6.—Free-Will
Chapter 7.—Responsibility of Knowledge
8. Desires of the Flesh to Be Subdued
Chapter 9.—The Two Kingdoms
Chapter 10.—Jesus the True Prophet
11. The Expectation of the Gentiles
Chapter 12.—Call of the Gentiles
Chapter 13.—Invitation of the Gentiles
Chapter 14.—Idols Unprofitable
Chapter 15.—Folly of Idolatry
16. God Alone a Fit Object of Worship
17. Suggestions of the Old Serpent
Chapter 18.—His First Suggestion
Chapter 19.—His Second Suggestion
Chapter 20.—Egyptian Idolatry
21. Egyptian Idolatry More Reasonable Than Others
Chapter 22.—Second Suggestion Continued
Chapter 23.—Third Suggestion
Chapter 24.—Fourth Suggestion
Chapter 25.—Fifth Suggestion
Chapter 26.—Sixth Suggestion
27. Creatures Take Vengeance on Sinners
Chapter 28.—Eternity of Punishments
29. God’s Care of Human Things
30. Religion of Fathers to Be Abandoned
Chapter 31.—Paganism, Its Enormities
32. True Religion Calls to Sobriety and Modesty
Chapter 33.—Origin of Impiety
34. Who are Worshippers of God?
Chapter 35.—Judgment to Come
Chapter 36.—Conclusion of Discourse
Book 6.
1. Book 6. Diligence in Study
2. Much to Be Done in a Little Time
Chapter 3.—Righteous Anger
4. Not Peace, But a Sword
Chapter 5.—How the Fight Begins
6. God to Be Loved More Than Parents
7. The Earth Made for Men
Chapter 8.—Necessity of Baptism
Chapter 9.—Use of Baptism
Chapter 10.—Necessity of Good Works
Chapter 11.—Inward and Outward Cleansing
Chapter 12.—Importance of Chastity
Chapter 13.—Superiority of Christian Morality
Chapter 14.—Knowledge Enhances Responsibility
15. Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, and Widows Ordained at Tripolis
Book 7.
Chapter 1.—Journey From Tripolis
2. Disciples Divided into Two Bands
Chapter 3.—Order of March
4. Clement’s Joy at Remaining with Peter
5. Clement’s Affection for Peter
6. Peter’s Simplicity of Life
Chapter 7.—Peter's Humility
Chapter 8.—Clement's Family History
9. Disappearance of His Mother and Brothers
Chapter 10.—Disappearance of His Father
11. Different Effects of Suffering on Heathens and Christians
Chapter 12.—Excursion to Aradus
Chapter 13.—The Beggar Woman
Chapter 14.—The Woman's Grief
Chapter 15.—The Woman's Story
16. The Woman’s Story Continued
17. The Woman’s Story Continued
18. The Woman’s Story Continued
19. Peter’s Reflections on the Story
20. Peter’s Statement to the Woman
Chapter 21.—A Discovery
Chapter 22.—A Happy Meeting
Chapter 23.—A Miracle
Chapter 24.—Departure From Aradus
Chapter 25.—Journeyings
Chapter 26.—Recapitulation
Chapter 27.—Recapitulation Continued
Chapter 28.—More Recognitions
Chapter 29.—“Nothing Common or Unclean.”
Chapter 30.—“Who Can Forbid Water?”
Chapter 31.—Too Much Joy
32. “He Bringeth Them Unto Their Desired Haven.”
Chapter 33.—Another Wreck Prevented
34. Baptism Must Be Preceded by Fasting
35. Desiring the Salvation of Others
Chapter 36.—The Sons' Pleading
Chapter 37.—Peter Inexorable
Chapter 38.—Reward of Chastity
Book 8.
Chapter 1.—The Old Workman
Chapter 2.—Genesis
Chapter 3.—A Friendly Conference
Chapter 4.—The Question Stated
Chapter 5.—Freedom of Discussion Allowed
6. The Other Side of the Question Stated
Chapter 7.—The Way Cleared
Chapter 8.—Instincts
Chapter 9.—Simple and Compound
Chapter 10.—Creation Implies Providence
Chapter 11.—General or Special Providence
Chapter 12.—Prayer Inconsistent With Genesis
Chapter 13.—A Creator Necessary
Chapter 14.—Mode of Creation
Chapter 15.—Theories of Creation
16. The World Made of Nothing by a Creator
Chapter 17.—Doctrine of Atoms Untenable
18. The Concourse of Atoms Could Not Make the World
19. More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory
Chapter 20.—Plato's Testimony
Chapter 21.—Mechanical Theory
Chapter 22.—Motions of the Stars
Chapter 23.—Providence in Earthly Things
Chapter 24.—Rivers and Seas
Chapter 25.—Plants and Animals
Chapter 26.—Germination of Seeds
Chapter 27.—Power of Water
Chapter 28.—The Human Body
Chapter 29.—Symmetry of the Body
Chapter 30.—Breath and Blood
Chapter 31.—The Intestines
Chapter 32.—Generation
Chapter 33.—Correspondences in Creation
34. Time of Making the World
Chapter 35.—A Contest of Hospitality
Chapter 36.—Arrangements for To-Morrow
37. “The Form of Sound Words, Which Ye Have Heard of Me.”
38. The Chief Man’s House
39. Recapitulation of Yesterday’s Argument
Chapter 40.—Genesis
Chapter 41.—The Rainbow
Chapter 42.—Types and Forms
43. Things Apparently Useless and Vile Made by God
Chapter 44.—Ordinate and Inordinate
45. Motions of the Sun and Moon
46. Sun and Moon Ministers Both of Good and Evil
Chastisements on the Righteous and the Wicked
Chastisements for Sins
Chapter 49.—God's Precepts Despised
Chapter 50.—The Flood
51. Evils Brought in by Sin
52. “No Rose Without Its Thorn.”
53. Everything Has Its Corresponding Contrary
Chapter 54.—An Illustration
Chapter 55.—The Two Kingdoms
Chapter 56.—Origin of Evil
Chapter 57.—The Old Man Unconvinced
58. Sitting in Judgment Upon God
Chapter 59.—The True Prophet
60. His Deliverances Not to Be Questioned
Chapter 61.—Ignorance of the Philosophers
Chapter 62.—End of the Conference
Book 9.
Chapter 1.—An Explanation
Chapter 2.—Preliminaries
Chapter 3.—Beginning of the Discussion
4. Why the Evil Prince Was Made
Chapter 5.—Necessity of Inequality
6. Arrangements of the World for the Exercise of Virtue
7. The Old and the New Birth
Chapter 8.—Uses of Evils
Chapter 9.—“Conceived in Sin.”
Chapter 10.—Tow Smeared With Pitch
Chapter 11.—Fear
Chapter 12.—Astrologers
Chapter 13.—Retribution Here or Hereafter
Chapter 14.—Knowledge Deadens Lusts
15. Fear of Men and of God
Chapter 16.—Imperfect Conviction
Chapter 17.—Astrological Lore
Chapter 18.—The Reply
Chapter 19.—Refutation of Astrology
Chapter 20.—Brahmans
Chapter 21.—Districts of Heaven
Chapter 22.—Customs of the Gelones
Chapter 23.—Manners of the Susidæ
24. Different Customs of Different Countries
25. Not Genesis, But Free-Will
Chapter 26.—Climates
Chapter 27.—Doctrine of “Climates” Untenable
Chapter 28.—Jewish Customs
29. The Gospel More Powerful Than “Genesis.”
30. “Genesis” Inconsistent with God’s Justice
Chapter 31.—Value of Knowledge
Chapter 32.—Stubborn Facts
Chapter 33.—An Approaching Recognition
34. The Other Side of the Story
Chapter 35.—Revelations
Chapter 36.—New Revelations
Chapter 37.—Another Recognition
Chapter 38.—“Angels Unawares.”
Book 10.
Chapter 1.—Probation
Chapter 2.—A Difficulty
Chapter 3.—A Suggestion
Chapter 4.—Free Inquiry
Chapter 5.—Good and Evil
Chapter 6.—Peter's Authority
Chapter 7.—Clement's Argument
Chapter 8.—Admitted Evils
9. Existence of Evil on Astrological Principles
Chapter 10.—How to Make Progress
Chapter 11.—Test of Astrology
12. Astrology Baffled by Free-Will
Chapter 13.—People Admitted
14. No Man Has Universal Knowledge
Chapter 15.—Clement's Disclosure
16. “Would that All God’s People Were Prophets.”
Chapter 17.—Gentile Cosmogony
Chapter 18.—Family of Saturn
Chapter 19.—Their Destinies
Chapter 20.—Doings of Jupiter
Chapter 21.—A Black Catalogue
Chapter 22.—Vile Transformation of Jupiter
Chapter 23.—Why a God?
Chapter 24.—Folly of Polytheism
Chapter 25.—Dead Men Deified
Chapter 26.—Metamorphoses
Chapter 27.—Inconsistency of Polytheists
Chapter 28.—Buttresses of Gentilism
Chapter 29.—Allegories
Chapter 30.—Cosmogony of Orpheus
Chapter 31.—Hesiod's Cosmogony
Chapter 32.—Allegorical Interpretation
Chapter 33.—Allegory of Jupiter, Etc
Chapter 34.—Other Allegories
Chapter 35.—Uselessness of These Allegories
Chapter 36.—The Allegories an Afterthought
Chapter 37.—Like Gods, Like Worshippers
Chapter 38.—Writings of the Poets
Chapter 39.—All for the Best
Chapter 40.—Further Information Sought
Chapter 41.—Explanation of Mythology
Chapter 42.—Interpretation of Scripture
Chapter 43.—A Word of Exhortation
Chapter 44.—Earnestness
Chapter 45.—All Ought to Repent
46. The Sure Word of Prophecy
47. “A Faithful Saying, and Worthy of All Acceptation.”
Chapter 48.—Errors of the Philosophers
Chapter 49.—God's Long-Suffering
50. Philosophers Not Benefactors of Men
Christ the True Prophet
Chapter 52.—Appion and Anubion
Chapter 53.—A Transformation
Chapter 54.—Excitement in Antioch
Chapter 55.—A Stratagem
56. Simon’s Design in the Transformation
Chapter 57.—Great Grief
Chapter 58.—How It All Happened
Chapter 59.—A Scene of Mourning
Chapter 60.—A Counterplot
Chapter 61.—A Mine Dug
Chapter 62.—A Case of Conscience
Chapter 63.—A Pious Fraud
Chapter 64.—A Competition in Lying
Chapter 65.—Success of the Plot
66. Truth Told by Lying Lips
Chapter 67.—Faustinianus is Himself Again
68. Peter’s Entry into Antioch
Chapter 69.—Peter's Thanksgiving
Chapter 70.—Miracles
Chapter 71.—Success
Chapter 72.—Happy Ending

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