Chapter LIV. — He who is full of love will incur every loss, that peace may be restored to the Church.
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 [241] commands; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it." He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome [242] him. For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." [243] These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do.
[241] 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.]
Clement of Rome in Print
