Clement of Alexandria: STROMATA (MISCELLANIES), Part III, Complete

Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson.

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Chapter III.--The Objects of Faith and Hope Perceived by the Mind Alone.

For he who hopes, as he who believes, sees intellectual objects and future things with the mind. If, then, we affirm that aught is just, and affirm it to be good, and we also say that truth is something, yet we have never seen any of such objects with our eyes, but with our mind alone. Now the Word of God says, "I am the truth." [2976] The Word is then to be contemplated by the mind. "Do you aver," it was said, [2977] "that there are any true philosophers?" "Yes," said I, "those who love to contemplate the truth." In the Phoedrus also, Plato, speaking of the truth, shows it as an idea. Now an idea is a conception of God; and this the barbarians have termed the Word of God. The words are as follow: "For one must then dare to speak the truth, especially in speaking of the truth. For the essence of the soul, being colourless, formless, and intangible, is visible only to God, [2978] its guide." Now the Word issuing forth was the cause of creation; then also he generated himself, "when the Word had become flesh," [2979] that He might be seen. The righteous man will seek the discovery that flows from love, to which if he hastes he prospers. For it is said, "To him that knocketh, it shall be opened: ask, and it shall be given to you." [2980] "For the violent that storm the kingdom" [2981] are not so in disputatious speeches; but by continuance in a right life and unceasing prayers, are said "to take it by force," wiping away the blots left by their previous sins.

[2976] John xiv. 6.

[2977] By Plato.

[2978] In Plato we have no instead of Theo.

[2979] John i. 14.

[2980] Matt. vii. 7.

[2981] Matt. xi. 12.

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