A View of Antiquity Presented, Part 4
Clemens Alexendrinus.
§ 1. HE Stiles himself Titus Flavius Clemens: for with this inscription were his books of Stromes extant in Eusebius his time:Lib. 6. c. 12. Biblioth. num. 111. and so also had Photius found in a very old Copy, as he saith, those books of his Entituled.
What country man he was by birth is somewhat uncertain:Cent. 2. c. 10. Patria …uit Atheniensis. Baro. ad an. 196. § 22. Communis quaedam Institutionis & eruditionis officina. Diodor. Sicul. biblioth. lib. 13. Lib. de Academ. c. 1. haeres. 32. Nobilissimum orbiterrarum gymnasium. Cicero. in epist. famil. l. 4. Ep. 12. only it is conjectured that he was born in Athens, that City so much famed for Learning throughout the world; where was the first Academy, or Schools of Learning known by that name, which since is become the common appellation of places of that nature. Academiae nomen Athenis primùm inclaruisse apud omnes▪ fermè authores convenit, inquit Iunius. Epiphonius therefore speaking of him: some, saith he, call him Clemens of Alexandria, others of Athens; this latter being the place of his birth, as the former of his breeding and most abode: and as in the one he drew his first breath, so in the other having spent the most of it, he breathed out his last.
Being exceedingly desirous of learning and knowledge, he spent his first time of study in Greece; from whence going Eastward, he came into Palestine, Cent. 2. c. 10.and lastly from thence into Egypt, setling in the famous School of Alexandria, wherein he continued the remainder of his time, either as a Scholar in learning, or as a Doctor in teaching: Whence he got that name by which to this day he is commonly call'd and known, viz. Baron. ad. an. 169. § 23.of Clemens, not the Athenian, but the Alexandrian.
In this place he was first an Auditour of Pantaenus, (when or how he was converted to Christianity is uncertain,) a man very eminent both for his life and learning and this both Sacred and Secular; who being at first a Philosopher of the Sect of the Stoicks,Hieronym. in Catalog. Rhenan. in Tertul. lib. De poenitent. ex Euseb. l. 6. c. 5. and afterward converted unto Christianity, was the first after the Apostles who there exercised the Office of Magister foreign, or instructour of the Catechumens, and Governour of the School or Academy,Epist. 24. Doctor Audientium (as Cyprian calls this Officer) the Catechist; unto which function he was called by Demetrius, the then Bishop of that place: whose work it was to open and Interpret the Scriptures, to instruct the Catechumens or young believers in the grounds and principles of Christianity,Cent. 2. c. 10. and to refute Ethnick and heretical opinions; which they used to do not in Sermons and Homelies, but in a Scholastical manner: their Auditors being not only such as were newly converted from heathenism, but also the children of believers grown up to years of understanding,Of these Schools. see Hospin. de orig. templor. cap. 5. specially such as were intended for Ecclesiastical imployments:
Accordingly not only were the principles of Religion taught, and the Sacred Scriptures expounded in these Christian Schools,Cent. 2. c. 7. Hospin. ibid. Cent. 1. l. 2. cap. 2. (whereof this at Alexandria is conceived to have been the first and most famous: being founded by Mark the Evangelist, who planted the first Church in that City) but those who were trained up in them did also apply themselves to the study of the liberal arts and languages: in which regard Alexandria is by Gregory Nazianzen in his Oration in the praise of Caesarius, Orat. 24.called foreign the shop of all kind of learning.De benefic. lib. 1. c. 15. Of these Schools Duarenus gives us this account: Fuerunt, inquit, antiquitùs Ecclesiasticae scholae, ad clèrìcorum & aliorum egentium eruditionem institutae: quibus scholis praeficiebantur magistri qui non literas modò sacras, sed Grammaticam etiam & liberales disciplinas docerent. Erat igitur hoc munus a pastoris officio distinctum & separatum. Hence it is conceived our Universities took their Original in this Town (viz. Alexandria) Gautenus, Geograph.(saith Heylin) (he should have said, Pantenus) read Divinity and Philosophy, An. 180. from whom it is thought, that the Orders of instituting Universities first began in Christendom. Thus did the Ancients deem the liberal Arts to be of great use, and very requisite to the preservation of the purity of Religion;Cent. 3. c. 10 for which end Origen exhorted his Scholars to the diligent study of them, affirming them to be very needful both for disputations, and also the explication of the Sacred Scriptures: And it is evident that the most famous Fathers of the Church did much excel therein, being richly furnished with the knowledg of them.
Clemens having here spent some time in these kind of studies with great proficiency, was at length made Presbyter of this Church;Hieronym. in Catalog. Magister illius Ecclesi. Ruffin. in Apolog. pro Origine. Baron. ad an. 196. § 23. and after a while; Pantenus dying, he was esteemed worthy to succeed him in the Office of Doctor or Moderator of that School; in which imployment he continued long, even unto the end of his days, managing it with much industry and prudence to the great benefit and advantage of those that attended upon him, and gaining general applause and approbation.
§ 2. He was a man of admirable and choice endowments of nature,Cent. 2. c 10. of an acute wit, & most tenacious memory, which he imployed and improved to the uttermost, sparing neither industry nor travail for the attaining of learning and knowledge, which he was very greatly desirous, yea greedy of; for which cause he betook him to the Schools of those men in divers provinces and countries,Baron. ib. who were most eminent and famous, drawing from them what he found to be best, and might most advantage him in that which he sought for. Nor did he attend only upon the living, but also applied himself unto and consulted with the dead, diligently and judiciously perusing the Monuments of men learned in every kind that went before him: as well Heathen (Poets, Philosophers, Historians, whether Greeks or Barbarians) as Christian; as his works full stuft with multiplicity of Authors and variety of reading do amply testifie.Hieronym. in Catalog. By this means did he attain unto a great height and more then Ordinary measure of learning,Chemnit. examen. par. 1. Baron ad. an. 196. § 22. Ep. 84. Mag. Idem. in Catalog. Trithem. de script. Bergoma. supplem. chron. Nicet. Coniat. Orthodox. l. 3. cap. 10. both Divine and Humane; so that in all Antiquity he was accounted Vir celeberrimus, most renowned; Clarissimus horum temporum Ecclesiasticus tractator; and in the judgment of Ierom (than which what more accurate?) the most Learned of all the Ancients: in whose books, saith he, what is there to be found unlearned? yea, what not extracted out of the very bowels of Philosophy? they are full fraught with Learning and Eloquence. Hence he is adorned by others with the titles of an egregious, most Learned and most eloquent man; an holy man, & who exceeds all others in his skill and cunning in many things,Casaub. exercitat. 1. In praefat. ad annotat. in Clem. Contra Julian. l. 10. of notable and almost incredible knowledge (saith Gentian Hervet. in Epist. ante Paedagogum) in whom it so abounds, that he cannot be drawn dry, briefly he is, saith Heinsius, penu eruditionis & scientiae, a full store-house and plentiful magazine of Learning and knowledge; so that Cyril (who was afterward Bishop of the same City, where our Clement was Presbyter and Professor) calls him, foreign, an eloquent man, endued with multiplicity of knowledge, one that dived so far into the writings of the Greeks, as few of those had done, who went before him.
His piety and zeal for the honour of God and the advancement of Christian Religion,Cent. 2. c. 10▪ Trithem. descript. Euseb. l. 6. c. 13. were no less than his Learning; being a devout, and holy Man: For he was serviceable not only to the Church of Alexandria (whereunto he stood in special relation) but went from thence unto the Churches of Ierusalem and Antioch, who, by his preaching among them, were not a little advantaged, some being edified and confirmed in the Faith of Christ, and others recovered from their errours, who had been seduced by false teachers. Somewhat this way sounds the testimony concerning him of Alexander at that time Bishop of Ierusalem, in his congratulatory Epistle unto the Church of Antioch: Hieronym. in Catalog.These lines, saith he, I send unto you by Clement the blessed Presbyter, whom ye also know, and shall now more fully recognize; who coming hither by the providence and visitation of God, hath confirmed and increased the Church of the Lord. Thus as a faithful servant and steward, did he diligently lay out, and imploy the talents that he had received, for the advantage of his Lord and Master, who had intrusted him with them.
He likewise greatly improved both the Learning and Life of his Master Pantenus, (who was a pious and a prudent man) receiving from him not only instructions as a Doctor, for his information, but also an example and pattern, as a president, for his imitation,Lib. 4. c. 33. for (saith Nicephorus) as he succeeded him in his place and imployment, so did he also tread in his steps, and observed the same manner and method both in his life and lectures.
§. 3. He was exceeding useful unto the Church of Christ as well by his pen, as by his preaching: for being a man of singular and more than ordinary abilities he wrote divers books, wherein he transmitted unto posterity the doctrines which he had received and taught, and vigorously asserted and maintained the truth against the adversaries and opposers of it. Of which writings many are lost through the injury of time and neglect of succeeding ages; and some are remaining unto this day.
Of the first sort, are such as these, by Ierom and Eusebius;
1. A Commentary de Paschate: In Catalog. Lib. 6. c. 12.which, saith Eusebius, he composed at the instance of some friends who earnestly desired that he would commit to writing for the benefit of posterity, those things which he had heard and received from the Ancient Presbyters. In which book he remembers Melito, Irenaeus, and certain others whose expositions he inserts and makes use of.
2. A book thus intituled, Quis dives salvetur. So Eusebius; or as Ierom; Quisnam dives ille sit, Lib. 4. c. 33. Apparat.qui salvetur. A Treatise Learnedly composed, saith Nicephorus, and worthy to be perused: whence, saith Possevine, Eusebius took that famous story of the Young man, by the Apostle Iohn recommended to the care of a certain Bishop; who afterward became very debaucht and gave himself to all kind of vice, but was again by the same Apostle in an admirable manner recalled and recovered: who so list may read this story at large in Eusebius, li…. 3. cap. 21.
3. His disputations of Fasting:Ibid. which (as also the following) Nicephorus calls Homilies. Honorius Augusto dunensis divides the title; but amiss: setting down as two distinct Books,Honor. August. de Script. Eccles. cap. 39. De Iojunio unus: De Disceptatione unus: contrary to Ierome, whose catalogue (with some others he epitomized:) Trithemius also is guilty of the same errour.
4. De Obtrectatione, or of slander.
5. An exhortatory unto patience, composed for such as were newly baptized.
6. Of the Canons of the Church, or an Ecclesiastical Canon, and against those who follow the errour of the Jews; which Book, foreign,De Script. Eccles. Cent. 2. cap. 10. he peculiarly dedicated it unto Alexander, Bishop of Ierusalem: Trithemius and the Centurists make these two distinct Books, wherein they may be presumed to be mistaken, seeing herein they differ from Eusebius and Ierom: the latter of the two the Centurists entitle thus: Of those who in the Scriptures follow the sence of the Jews.
7. foreign, Eight Books of Dispositions, Informations or Institutions: (fetching the name haply from 2 Tim. 1. 13.Cent. ibid. Sixt. Senens. lib. 4. foreign) wherein he goeth over the whole body of the Scriptures in a brief Commentary or compendious explanation of them,P…otius in Biblioth. Numb. 111. if not rather some special places of both Testaments, the scope of the whole work seeming to be an interpretation of Genesis, Exodus, the Psalms, the Epistles of Paul, and those called Catholical, and lastly of the Book called Ecclesiasticus: yea, he omits not some of those that are Ap…cryphal, altogether and generally rejected,Cent. ibid. Nicephor. lib. 4. cap. 33. … it. in Clement. viz. the Revelation under the name of Peter, and the Epistle of Barnabas. Heinsius gives us this account of them: These Books (saith he) as the Inscription teacheth us, did contain an institution or delineation of the Doctrine of Christianity; not so much methodical, dogmatical and artificial, as free and bound up or restrained by no rules; for he interpreted divers places of the Sacred Scriptures, out of which without doubt he gathered a Body of Doctrine.In Biblioth. num. 19. The want of these Books cannot be accounted any great loss, if the report of Photius concerning them be a truth: For (saith he) although in some things he seems to be Orthodox and sound in his judgment, yet in others he discourseth altogether fabulously and impiously: as in asserting the matter whereof the world was made to be eternal, in ranking Christ among the number of things created, in mentioning with allowance and approbation the Pythagorean foreign, or transmigration of Souls; and that many worlds were before Adam, that the word was not truly made flesh, but only seemed so to be, together with very many such like passages, withal adding (as admiring and amazed that such an one as Clement should be the author of them) all which, either he himself, or else some other under his name blasphemously uttereth,In edit. Clement. in not. ad mar. in apparat. which latter (saith Andrew Scho…tus and Possevine) is the more likely; for the Arrians had corrupted his writings, as Ruffine reporteth in his Apology for Origen; and the Doctrine contained in his other Books is more sound and orthodox.Photius. Biblioth. numb. 110. Cent. cap. 10.
Besides these, there is elsewhere mention of the following Treatises.
8. Of the Resurrection.
9. Of Continence.
10. Of Marriage: of these three he himself speaks in his Books of Stromes; and particularly of the last in his Paedagogus, lib. 3. cap. 8. where we have a summary of the contents of it, viz. how the Wife ought to live with her Husband, of the Administration of the Government of the Family, the use of Servants, and what things ought to be done by her apart, of the time of Marriage, and of those things which appertain to women.
11. Sozomen saith that he compiled an History:Lib. 1. cap. 1. and indeed Suidas makes mention of one Clemens foreign, the Historian, who wrote of the Roman Kings and Emperours: but Baronius supposeth they meant not this but another Clement; and the truth is they both speak of a Clement indefinitely, without any addition of the Alexandrian, or otherwise.
12. Many Epistles.Trithem. de Script. Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 12.
13. He also promised a Commentary upon Genesis, which accordingly he clearly and entirely performed upon the whole Book, as some do affirm, whom herein (saith Sixtus Senensis) I will neither give credit unto,Biblioth. lib. …. nor gainsay.
Of the second sort of his Books, viz. those remaining and commonly received at this day, are only the three following.
1. foreign, his admonition or exhortation unto the Gentiles,In catalog. adversus Gentes, liber unus, saith Ierom.
2. foreign, his Schoolmaster, comprised in three Books.
3. foreign, Eight Books of Stromes, a work variously woven after the manner of Tapestry, mixed with testimonies taken out of the Sacred Scriptures, as also Poets, Philosophers and Historians,Nicephor. l…b. 4. cap. 33. whence he got the name of foreign, contextor, or the Weaver. He himself gives the reason of the name, and why these Books were so entituled by him:Strom. lib. 4. Est in exiguo quidem spacio (inquit) multa genitalis copia semine eorum dogmotum quae comprehenduntur in hoc opere, tanquam ager omnibus herbis plenus. Vnde etiam propriam habent inscriptionem stromata commentariorum, &c. Again, Permixtim nobis instar prati variata est stromatum descriptio: Strom. lib. 6.foreign Of its proper and primitive signification the most learned Casaubon gives us this account;In Animadvers. in Athenaeum. lib. 1. cap. 4. Solitos veteres stragulam vestem pellibus involvere, & loris constringere, etiam Iurisconsulti testes sunt—Constat autem ex-veterum lectione, & stragula superiora, & involucrum istud, quod antiquiores foreign, recentiores foreign vocarunt, var…s coloribus distincta ferè fuisse. Inde translatae eae dictiones ad res significandas varietate insignes: cujusmodi fuit piscis foreign dictus ob coloris aurei virgas per totum illius corpus productas, inquit Athenaeus, lib. 7. Similiter & viri docti excerpta sua ex variis auctoribus, aut propria etiam scripta, sed veterum referta testimoniis, soliti foreign vel foreign appellare, ut Clemens Alexandrinus, &c. Those Books and Commentaries (saith Martianus Victorinus) men call Stromata, Schol. in Hieronym. Epist. 65.which contain in them variety of matter, because Carpets and Garments of this, compounded of divers colours and Histories, were so interwoven.In vitâ Origen. biblioth. lib 3. The name foreign (saith Eras…ns) is taken from pictured Carpets or Tapestry. Also Sixtus Senensis thus; a Rapsody, which some call Stroma, or a stromatical exposition, is an exposition made up of a composition out of divers Authors. And in very deed such are Clemens his Commentaries or Stromes, which contain so great and innumerable riches of all kind of Learning (saith Gentian Heroet) that there is no one who is endued with any Arts and Sciences,In Epist. ante Strom. but may receive from him exceeding great profit. Yea (saith the learned Daille) what can you name more mixed and fuller of variety than Clemens his Stromata, Treat. of the right use of the Fathers. lib. 1.as he calls them, and his other works; which are throughout interlaced with Historical Allusions, Opinions, Sentences and Proverbs out of all sorts of Writers, both sacred and profane, being here heightened with rich lightsome colours, there shaded with darkness, in such sort as that it is a vain thing for an ignorant person to hope ever to reach his meaning? For which cause Casaubon quoting a passage of these Books, doth it after this manner:Exercitat. 1. ad apparat. Annal. Baron. Sic ait Clemens Alexandrinus, lib. 7. foreign, centonum, which we may well call varias lectiones.
The excellency and usefulness of all three,In Epist. ante opera Clem. is thus fully and at large set forth by Gentian Heroet, who among others translated them into Latine. Of how great utility (saith he) this ancient Father may be, doth from hence evidently appear: Are there some that are delighted with the most ancient Histories? Let them read Clement, who retained them all so exactly, that none of these things which were done throughout the world, seem to have escaped his knowledge. Are there who reverence the Verses of the old Poets, and certain divine answers of the Oracles? These must needs have Clement in very high esteem, who citeth the testimonies of very many Poets, whose works are at this day utterly lost and perished. Are there, who would fain know and acquaint themselves with the ancient Rites and Ceremonies observed in or about the sacrifices of the Gods? Let such betake them unto Clement, who so unfolds all those abominable mysteries, that if any one among Christians do yet praise and admire those old Heathenish Ordinances and Customs (and would to God there were none that did so) he will forthwith (unless he be more stupid than a stone) upon the reading of Clement cast away every fond opinion of those false Gods, and must needs be ashamed of the madness of those who aforetime did worship them. Would any know the decrees or opinions of the old Philosophers? Let them view Clement, who so delivers and describes the original of all Philosophy, together with the several Sects, Successions and Maxims of all Philosophers; that seeing a man so singularly learned hath preferred Christian Philosophy (or Religion) before all other; they will be forced (though unwilling) to confess that this is plainly divine, and in very deed inspired and published from God. Have any a mind to understand what were the Doctrines of those Hereticks, who in its infancy and first rise disquieted the Church of God? They may hear them by Clement explicated and confuted. Are any willing to have evil and corrupt manners corrected and amended? There is none that inveighs against vice more sharply, none that better exhorts unto vertue, none that shews the way how men should order and lead their lives more exactly then Clement doth. An encomium large enough to invite the most curious Reader, seeing there is such choice fare, and variety of dishes for his entertainment.
There is observable in these works of his fore-named, an admirable order and method, purposely intended by himself; which shews the mutual aspect and close connexion of the one unto the other;Heinsius in annotat. in Clement. So that even herein he is mysterious, and Pythagorical. For,
1. In the first, he sets forth the vanity of Heathenish Idolatry;Scultet. in Maedull. by arguments drawn from the original and matter of their gods, and the judgement of the more sound Ethnicks; who, though unwillingly, yet acknowledged their errour: Also from the vanity of their Temples and Images: and in the end exhorteth unto the profession of Christianity and Worship of the one only God,Heinsius in annotat. which may not unfitly be called foreign, or a purgation of such as would become Christians from Heathenish superstitions.
2. In the second, viz. his Paedagogus; he teacheth, that the Son of God is our Schoolmaster,Ibid. and what the manners of Christians ought to be. This is foreign: the initiation or catechising of the new Convert to Christianity, wherein he omits no part of a Christian life, which he doth not adorn with wonderful Wisdom and Learning.Possevin. in apparat.
3. In the third,Libri stromateon octo sunt, adversus Paganos atque haereses pugnath instituentes. Photius. num. 3. Heb. 5. 14. viz. his Stromes, there is great variety and plenty of matter, fetched both from the sacred Scriptures and prophane Authors; for the more perfect instruction of those who had been initiated; as setting strong meat before such as were of perfect or riper age, and had their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. And it may be called, foreign, sive foreign ad sacra maxima, supremam dei notionem & aeternam contemplationem admissio: H…i…s. ibid.an admission unto the high and hidden Mysteries of Christianity.
Concerning this last, take a hint of these two things:
1. That herein he tyeth not himself unto any exact method or order, but is somewhat confused and abstruse: for so he himself confesseth, rendring the Reason why he did so, viz. Strom. lib. 7.he therefore dispersed the Doctrines that excite unto true knowledge here and there, that they might not easily be found out by any that are not initiated into these mysteries: therefore, saith he, neque ordinem neque dictionem spectant libri Stromaton; Strom. lib. 1.the Books of Stromes respect neither order, nor words: So that here, it seems he was curious in neither. Again, foreign.Strom. lib. 6. these Books being as a body composed of variety of Learning, will artificially conceal the seeds of knowledge: Wherein things as they occasionally offered themselves and came into his mind, are scattered up and down, as a Meadow is variously deckt and adorned. And this seems to have been the manner of the Ancients: in so doing (saith Peter Halliox) Clemens imitated Dyonisius Areopagita, Quest. 2. de vitâ & opibus Dionys. Areopagit.viz. in that he voluntarily and on purpose wrote his Books somewhat obscurely, and would hide the seeds of knowledge, and sometimes makes use of new words: to the end that, (as in hunting) the truth being found with much pains, might be the more sweet and acceptable, as also that it might be the more remote and secure from the scorn and cavils of petulant men, who apprehend not holy things.Contra Celsni. pag. 774. Yea, (saith Origen) using such obscurity, he did herein as the Prophets were wont to do. To which let me only add the account which he himself gives of his end in compiling these Books; his words are, as rendred in the Parisian Edition; Non est hoc opus Scriptura artificiosè comparata ad ostentationem, Strom. lib. 1.sed mihi ad senectutem reconduntur monimenta, oblivionis medicamentum verè image & adumbratio evidentium & anim… tarum illarum orationum, quas dignus hahitus sum qui audirem, & virorum beatorum quique reverà erant maximi precii & aestimationis.
2. The eighth Book of Stromes is different from the rest.
1. In the bulk of it:Heins. in Annotat. being shorter then the fore-going; whence it appears not to be an entire book.
2. In the Inscription thereof: fo… in some copies it hath this Title,In Biblioth. saith Photius, Quis dives salveter: (of which before) and begins with these words, Qui laudatorias or ationes: in other Copies it is thus inscribed, Stromat…n Octavus, as the other seven, and begins with the same words, which the now extant eighth book doth; Sed neque antiquissimi Philosophi.
3. In the subject thereof, or matter contained and handled in it: for the seven preceding books are altogether Theological, but this wholly Logical;In Medul. nihil continet (inquit Scultetus) Theologicum, sed de syllogismis argumentisque logicis quasdam praeceptiunculas) wherein there are some things unsound, though not so many as in his foreign or institutions:In Annotat. so far Photius. Heinsius supposeth that this may be a fragment, taken out of his Institutions, to which some things contained in them that were not sound did stick: so that he conceives this book was long lost, and that now a part of the institutions hath invaded the place thereof: Which haply may be the reason,Chron. tom. 2. lib. 2. cap. 27. wherefore Freculphus reckons the books of Stromes to be but seven. This I thought good to intimate, and so to leave it unto the discreet Reader, to judge and make what use of it he can.
That small Commentary set forth by Bigne, which he calls adumbrationes or shadowings (Baronius gives them the name of breves notae, Biblioth. patrum, tom. 1. Ad an. 196. §. 24.short notes) upon some of the Catholical Epistles, viz. The Epistle of Peter, the Epistle of Iude, and the first and second of Iohn (and the truth is, they give but little light into those Scriptures) though they bear the Title of this ancient Father, yet in all likelyhood are they none of his;Rivet. Crit. Sac. for neither Eusebius nor Ierom make any mention of them; only Cassiodorus affirms it, and that it is done in an Attick or Elegant stile; wherein many things are spoken subtily indeed, but not so warily as they should have been. Probable it is that these notes also were by some one taken out of his Institutions. For these are said to contain in them an explanation of a great part of the sacred Scriptures, and particularly of the Catholical Epistles.
§ 4. For the stile that he useth 'tis elegant and full of gravity: both Ierom and Cyril commend in him his eloquence; and Trithemius stiles him Eloquentissimus, a most eloquent Man: It's conceived that he was born in Athens, and consequently it is likely that there also he had his first Education, and the Language of the place, which was of all other the best and finest.Lib. de An… mâ. Athenis (inquit Tertullianus) sapiendi dicendi que acutissimos nasci relatum est: In Athens are born the most acute men, for Wisdom and Speech: Athens being famous for Eloquence,Rhodig. Iect. antiq. lib. 18. cap. 1. as was Sparta for Arms. His Books of the School-master (saith Photius) are nothing like unto his Institutions or foreign:Biblioth. num. 110. for besides that they have not in them any of those sottish and blasphemous opinions, which were to be found in the other; the very phrase is more florid and rhetorical, rising to a certain well temper'd gravity mixed with sweetness. Such was the Attick Dialect:Ibid. cap. 25. Atticorum aures teretes ad quas qui se accommodat is existimandus est Atticè dicere (inquit Rhodiginus. Erasm. adag.) ut nil sentiatur insolens, nil ineptum; omnia ornata, gravia, copiosa: Whence grew that adage; foreign, pr…venustâ lepidâ que oratione.
§ 5. Those excellent Monuments of his own extant, may not unfitly be compared unto a pleasant Garden, richly furnished with great variety of the choicest herbs and flowers: wherein the judicious Reader may with much contentment recreate himself, and be thence abundantly stored both for his profit and delight. I shall gather and present you with a view for an invitation.
1. Concerning the Holy Scriptures he speaks very venerably, plainly asserting the Divine authority, perspicuity and perfection of them thus:
We make use (saith he) of the Scriptures for the finding out and judging of the truth of things:Strom. lib. …. foreign. Now whatsoever is judged, is not believed before it be judged; wherefore neither is that a principle, that needs to be judged. If it be not enough to affirm what seems to be a truth, but that a proof of what is spoken be requisite, we expect not the Testimony of men, but we prove what is inquired after by the Voice of the Lord, which is more worthy to be believed than any demonstration, or rather is the only demonstration. Again, as in war, that order is not to be foresaken, which the Commander hath given to the Soldier: So neither is that order to be forsaken, that the word hath prescribed to us,foreign. which we have received as the Prince or Moderator both of knowledge and practice.
2. To believe in Christ,Strom. lib. 4. is to be made one with him and inseparably united to him: Not to believe is to doubt, and to be divided and at distance from him.
Faith is a voluntary anticipation (or aforehand taking hold of what is promised) a pious assent:foreign, Hesychius. the substance of things hoped for, and argument of things not seen. Others; an uniting assent unto things not apparent;Strom. lib. 2. a demonstration, or manifest assent unto a thing not known.
3. The whole life of a godly man is,Strom. lib. 7. as it were, a certain holy and solemn festival day: his Sacrifices are Prayers and Praises, and the reading of the Scriptures before his repast; as also Psalms and Hymns while he is at meat: likewise before he goeth to rest, yea, and in the night to Prayers again. By these he unites and joyns himself unto the Quire of Heaven. But doth he know no other Sacrifices? Yes; namely, the largess of instruction, and relief of the poor.foreign.
4. The Sacred Scriptures are they,In protreptico. which make men holy like unto God. foreign.
5. This is to drink the Blood of Jesus,Paedagog. lib. 2. cap. 4. viz. to be made partaker of the incorruption of the Lord.
6. It's the greatest argument of Divine Providence,Strom. lib. 1. that the Lord permits not sin and vice, which had its rise from mans voluntary defection, to remain unprofitable, nor yet altogether hurtful: for it is the office of the divine wisdom, vertue and power, not only to do good (for this is (to say it once for all) the nature of God, as it is of fire to burn, and of light to illuminate) but also, and that chiefly, to bring that unto some good and profitable end and issue, that hath been devised by wicked men, and to use those things profitably, which seem to be evil. Again, nothing comes to pass without the will of the Lord of all: It remains therefore that we briefly say,Strom. lib. 4. that things of this Nature, (viz. persecutions, &c.) do come to pass, the Lord not letting or hindring them;foreign. for this only salves both the Divine Providence and Goodness: for we ought not to imagine that he doth effectually cause afflictions; far be it from us so to think; but we ought to perswade our selves, that he doth not hinder those who are the authors of them, but make use of the bold attempts of adversaries unto a good end.
7. God,Strom. lib. 6. who is good and gracious, chastiseth for three causes. 1. That he who is chastised may become better than he was. 2. That such as may or shall be saved, being admonished by Examples, may be prepared. 3. That he who is injured, may not be contemned, and apt (or exposed) to more injury.
8. Speaking of the several sorts of Officers in the Church,Strom. lib. 6. he makes mention only of those three commonly received, viz. Bishops, Elders and Deacons.
9. Reprehension is,foreign. as it were, a kind of Chirurgery of the affections of the Soul: and admonition is,foreign. as it were, a kind of dyet for the sick soul:Paedgog. lib. 1. cap. 8. which counselleth and adviseth unto those things that are to be taken; and forbids such as are to be forborn.
10. He calls pleasure foreign,Strom. lib. 6. the Metropolis, or principal seat of Vice.
11. As touching the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews (because I find it recorded by Eusebius, Euseb. lib, 6. cap. 13.Nicephorus and others,Niceph. lib. 4. cap. 33. I thought good not to omit it) he affirmeth it to be Pauls undoubtly (whom he calls foreign: the divine Apostle) and therefore written in the Hebrew Tongue,Strom. lib. 2. for the Hebrews sakes, but faithfully translated by Luke (who was the Disciple of Paul) and published unto the Gentiles or Greeks: and therefore we find in it the like phrase or manner of speech, as is used in the Acts of the Apostles. And that we have not the wonted superscription prefixed in this Epistle, viz. Paul an Apostle, &c. he gives this reason of it; For, saith he, writing unto the Hebrews, because of the ill opinion they had conceived of him, he very wisely concealed his name, left upon the sight thereof they should be dismayed, and refuse to read the Epistle: And also, (even as Macarius the Elder said) for as much as the Lord himself was the Messenger of the Almighty, and sent unto the Hebrews; Paul for modesties sake, or out of his humility being the Apostle of the Gentiles, wrote not himself the Apostle of the Hebrews, partly for the honour due to Christ, and partly also for that he being the Apostle of the Gentiles, did freely and boldly write unto the Hebrews,
12. Of the Order of the Evangelists according unto the tradition of the Elders,Euseb. Nic…ph. ibid. he thus writeth.
The Gospels which contain the Genealogies are placed and accounted the first, (viz. Matthew and Luke) The Gospel according to Mark was written upon this occasion; when Peter preached openly at Rome, and published the Gospel by lively voice; many of his Auditors entreated Mark (having been a hearer and follower of that Apostle a long time, and one that well remembred his words) to deliver unto them in writing such things as he had heard Peter Preach before; which thing, when Peter afterward understood to be done, though he had not given command that it should be done; yet being done, he forbad it not. Iohn last of all seeing in the other Evangelists the Humanity of Christ set forth at large, being intreated by the Disciples, and filled with the holy Ghost, he wrote chiefly of his Divinity.
13. By the Gnostick in our Author (in whom this term is freequently used) we are to understand the compleat and perfect Christian;Scultet. in Medull. whom he so stiles in opposition unto those foul Hereticks and false Christians, who for the excellency of knowledge, which they vainly boasted of,Augustin. de Heres. Heins. annotat. proudly assumed and appropriated unto themselves this name and title of Gnosticks or knowing men; by which they are commonly known: Against these he opposeth the true Gnostick, for the information and description of whom, he wrote his Books of Stromes; Lib. 6. ca. 12. in Biblioth.as the inscription set down by Eusebius, and more at large by Photius, doth more than intimate: though especially and particularly he discourseth upon this subject, in the sixth and seventh Books: wherein he treateth of the Affections, Science, Speech, Prayers, Love both to God and to the Truth, of the benignity, Sacrifices, and Contemplation of the true Gnostick. In which description he is so exact, that he therein shews rather what a one a Christian should be, than what any one is: there being no such example to be found; such as was the pourtraict of a wise man by the Stoicks, and of a commonwealth by Plato, whom herein our Author imitated.
14. He shews whence several Heresies have their several names.Strom. lib. 7. Some (saith he) take their names from the Authors of them; as from Valentinus, Marcion and Basilides; although they boast that they bring the opinion of Mathias: for both the Doctrine and Tradition of all the Apostles was one and the same: Some are named from the place; as the Peratici: Others from the Nation; as the Heresie of the Phrygians: Some from their profession; as the Encratitae, (because they abstained from Marriage, Wine, and the eating of Flesh) others from their proper opinions as the Docitae and Haematitae: foreign.Some from their hypotheses,foreign. and the things which they honoured; as those which are called Cainists and Ophiani: Others from those things which they nefariously perpetrated and dared; as those of the Simoniani, who are called Entychitae. Of which last Danaeus thus speaks: Canistae (qui ab amoribus turpissimis ita sunt appellati) fuerunt tetriores: Comment. in Augustin. de Haeres. cap. 1. § 2.quanquam Clement, strom. lib. 7. putat fuisse Eutychitas; sed errorem subesse in condicibus impressis, nemo qui aliorum de eisdem rebus scripta legerit, dubitabit.
15. In the first Book of Stromes, undertaking to demonstrate the antiquity of the Christian Religion; and that it was before the Philosophy of the Heathen; he proves that Moses (who flourished in the time of Inachus the King of the Argives) was more ancient than any of the Greek Poets, Philosophers, or Wise men, yea, most of their gods: to which end he sets down and reckons the times of the Kingdoms of the Jews, Persians, Macedonians and Romans: and so presents us with an exact and accurate Chronology from the time of Moses, unto the death of Emperour Commodus; in whose Successors reigns, viz. Lib. 6. cap. 5.Severus, (for Pertinax, who came between them, held the Empire but a few Months) he wrote these Books as Eusebius concludes: for thus he: Clemens writing his Books of Stromes, comprised in the first Volume a Chronicle, containing the times unto the death of Commodus; so that it is evident, (saith he) that he finished his Books under Severus.
16. He thus descants upon those words of Christ:Strom. lib. 4. Matth. 10. 23. When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: he doth not here perswade to fly, as if to suffer persecution were evil; nor doth he command us, fearing death to decline it by flight; but he wills us, that we be to none the authors or abettors of evil; he requires us to use caution: but he that obeys not, is audacious and rash, unadvisedly casting himself into manifest perils. Now if he that kills a man of God, doth sin against God; he also is guilty of that Murther, who offers himself to Judgement. And such a one shall he be accounted, that avoids not persecution, presumptuously offering himself to be taken. He it is, that as much as in him lyeth, helps forward the impiety of him that persecutes. Much like to this is that of Athanasius, Numb. 11. vid.
17. Behold,In protreptico. O man (saith he) for how small a matter the Lord doth give thee Land to till, Water to drink, another Water whereby to send forth, or export, and to return or import thy Commodities, Air wherein to breath, a House to cover thee from the injury of the weather, Fire wherewith to warm thee, and whereat to imploy thee, a World wherein to dwell: all these things so great, so many, thy Lord hath, as it were, rented out unto thee, at a very easie rate; a little Faith, a little Thanks, so it be true, so they be hearty: And most unkind thou, if thou denyest him that rent; the earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof: if then thou dost not acknowledge thy Lord being compassed round with his blessings; he will then say unto thee; Get thee out of my Land, and from out of my House; touch not my Water, partake not of my Fruits. If I have rented these out unto thee for so small a matter, a little thanks, and thou dost deny me that little; thou hast, in so doing, forfeited the whole, and I will require the forfeiture at thy hands.
§ 6. These and many such like excellent passages do his Writings abound with; but yet there are intermixed and scattered up and down,Gratian. part. 1. distinct. 15. … 19…. § 26. such things as are neither sound, nor sav…ry, which are therefore carefully to be heeded and avoided. In so much as for this cause Pope Gelas…us did providently require, (saith Baro…ius) that the works of this Clement should be branded with the note of Apocryphal:Because Lactantius deny…d the substance of the holy Ghost; quis mihi interdicere potest, ne legem institutionum ejus libros, quibus contra gentes scripsit fortissimè, quia superior sententia dete…tanda est. Hieronym. Epist. ad Pammach. & Oceanum, de errorib. Origen. wherein notwithstanding he may justly be accounted more wary than wise; for were this ground sufficient to reject the labours of the ancients, because among much good grain there is some chaff to be found, none of them would be remaining, or of any credit at this day. Let us rather sever the Gold from the Dross, than dam up the Mine, and let what's bad be suffer'd to continue for the sake of what is good and useful in them, rather than what's good be rejected for the bads sake. Nevertheless, it may not be amiss to give notice of what will not endure the test and trial; lest through inadvertency, and because of the antiquity and authority of the Author, that should be esteemed and taken up for sound and current, which upon examination will prove adulterate and unpassable. Of which sort are these that follow.
10. It is a ridiculous thing (saith be) to imagine,Strom. lib. 6. foreign that the Body of our Saviour, as a body, did stand in need of necessary aids and Ministries that it might continue: for he did eat not for his bodies sake, which was upheld by an holy Power; but lest it might occasion those with whom he conversed to think otherwise of him; as indeed afterward some were of opinion, that he appeared only in a Vision and Phantasm: For, to say it once for all, he was void of passion, being one whom no motion of affection could take hold of, neither pleasure nor grief. A strange and gross conceit▪ and directly contrary to clear Texts of Scripture.
2. That Christ ought to preach but one year only,Strom. lib. 1. he fondly gathered from, Luke 4. 19. he hath sent me, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord: and supposeth that he suffer'd in the thirtieth year of his age. Both which,Exercitat. 1. § 26. as his errours, Casaubo… maketh mention of; and how manifestly repugnant they both are to the History of the Evangelists, is obvious to every observing eye.
3. He is of the mind, that Jesus Christ descended into Hell for this cause, that he might preach the Gospel unto the dead,Strom. lib. 6. and that these are the bodies spoken of, Matth. 27. 53. 53. that arose at the time of Christ's passion, that they might be translated unto … better place. Yea, that the Apostles, as well as the Lord himself,Ibid. did preach the Gospel unto those that were dead. Chemnitius thus reports it:In examin. parte 1. detradit. Clemens Alexandrinus (inquit) multa citat ex apocryphis, quibus peregri…s dogmata stabilire conatur: Vt ex libro Pastoris Hermae probat Apostolos post mortem praedicasse illis qui anteà in infidelitate mortui fuer…nt, & illos conversos vivificasse. He thought that no man was saved before the coming of Christ, but that those who lived piously and righteously by the Law, or by philosophy were accounted righteous,foreign. yet wanted Faith: wherefore in Hell they expected the coming of Christ, and the Apostles, and that by their preaching they were converted to the Faith, and so saved.
4. He frequently asserteth the freedom of man's will in spirituals.In protreptico. e.g. Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven, if directing or turning your free-will unto God, you will believe only, and follow that short way that is preached unto.foreign. Again, neither praises nor dispraises, neither honours or rewards, nor punishments are just, if the soul have not free power to desire, and to abstain. Also, because it is in our power to obey or not to obey;foreign. that none may pretend ignorance, the divine word gives a just call unto all;Strom. lib. 2. and requires what every one is enabled to perform. Lastly, defection, going back, and disobedience are in our power as is also obedience.Ibid. And in this particular he erred not alone, the two immediately preceding, and divers other of the Ancients being of the same judgement; the ground whereof may be conceived to be this, because many of them had been in their first years brought up in the study of Philosophy,Ce…t. 2. cap. 4. and of Philosophers being converted, became Christians; this made them attribute so much, even too much unto Philosophy, which proved the occasion of many errours in them:Lib. advers. H…rmogen. Hence it is that Tertullian calls Philosophers Patriarchas haereticorum: and Rhen…nus having shewn of how great advantage the Philosophy of Platonicks was unto Valentinus (who had been of that Sect) in the hatching of his wild and sottish Heresies;In argumen. lib. Tertull. advers. Valentinian. breaks out into these words; See (saith he) how great mischief Philosophy hath always done unto Christianity, well therefore might the Apostle so caution the Colossians; Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. Coloss. 2. 8.Ierom also exercising some errours of his,Epist. ad Pammac…. & Oceanu… de orrorib. Orig. wherein he had followed Origen, thus pleads for himself; Fae me, inquit, errasse in adolescentiâ & philosophorum, i.e. gentilium studiis eruditum,Patrum nonnulli sunt, qui pro eâ quâ imbuti fuerunt adolescentes in Scholis ethnicorum Philosophiâ naturae viribus plus aequo tribu…t. Arrowsm. Tactic. lib. 2. cap. 2. § 2. in principio fidei d… mata ignorasse Christiana, & hoc putasse in Apostolis, quod in Pythagorâ & Platone, … Empedocle legeram. Cur parvuli in Christo, … lactentis errorem sequimini? Cur ab eo imputatem discitis, qui necdum pietatem noverat… Secunda post naufragium tabula est, culp… simpliciter confiteri. Imitati estis errantem, imitamini & correctum. Erravimus juven…, emendemur senes, &c. Now among other things Philosophy doth beyond measure advance the power of mans will and natur… abilities:Cent. 2. cap. 10. and this opinion drew on withi… the extenuation of Original sin, and the depravation of the Doctrine of the Merit of Christ; into both which this Father among the rest was but meanly insighted. And this may be the reason why the Reverend Cal… stiles that Doctrine of Free-will,Comment. in Rom. 8. 7. Heatheni… Philosophy: Procul sit (inquit) à Christi… pectore illa de arbitrii libertate Gentilis Phil… sophia.
5. He affirms, that because the … hath Free-will,Strom. lib. 1. he may repent: which saying of his seems to have been the occasion … that errour in Origen his Scholar, that the Devils might be saved;Cent. 2. cap. 5. as both the Cent… rists, and also Gentian Heroet conceive; who in his Education hath this Note in the M… gin upon these words of Clement; hinc … Origenis.
7. He also phansied,Strom. lib. 3. & 5. that some of the A… gels were incontinent, and being overcome with lust, they descended and disclose… many secrets unto those woman with whom they fell in love, and whatsoever things came to their knowledge, which the other Angels conceal'd, and reserved unto the coming of the Lord.
Besides these there are some other things wherein he is judged to be both unsound and uncertain; sometimes affirming one thing, sometimes another; as concerning the Baptism of Hereticks, which he seems altogether to condemn: Also, that second Marriages have imperfection in them, and are not without sin, yea, are little better than fornication; contrary to that express Text. 1 Timoth. 5. 14. I will that the younger women (viz.Cent. 2. cap. 4. Widows, verse 11.) marry. Likewise, concerning good works, perfection and repentance, he seems sometimes to contradict himself, and vents very dangerous opinions: adeò in multis articulis lubricus est, ac saepenumerò sibi contradicit, ut quid constanti sententiâ affirmet, vix interdum agnoseas.
§ 7. How long this Father lived, as also when, where and how he ended his days is very uncertain: Histories being silent herein: only probable it is that he attained unto many years, and continued long after the death of his Master Pantaenus: For it seems that he compiled his Book,Cent. 2. cap. 10. both of Stromes and Informations or Institutions (if not all the rest) after that time, seeing he mentions him as dead, and some good while before: as also that he had through length of time forgotten many of those things, which he ha… heard from him. He flourished (saith I… rom) under the Emperour Severus and Autoninus Caracalla: and (as some report) … ended his Pilgrimage by a natural death … Alexandria, In Catalog.where he had long taught; dying▪ In a good old age, and full of days, em… annum 195.