in matters that bear upon salvation. *** 2 You have looked
CLEMENT OF RoME
the rods, and it was found that the rod of Aaron had not only put forth buds but also borne fruit. 6 What do you think, brethren? Did not Moses know the outcome beforehand?
He certainly did know it; but he acted in this manner to prevent any insubordination in Israel, so that the name of the true and only God ** might be glorified. 'To Him be the glory forever and evermore. Amen.
44, Our Apostles, too, were given to understand by our Lord Jesus Christ that the office of the bishop *"' would give rise to intrigues.
2 For this reason, equipped as they were with perfect foreknowledge, they appointed the men mentioned before, and afterwards laid down a rule once for all to this effect: when these men die, other approved men shall succeed to their sacred ministry. 3 Consequently, we deem it an injustice to eject from the sacred ministry the persons who were appointed either by them, or later, with the consent of the whole Church, by other men in high repute and have ministered to the flock of Christ faultlessly, humbly, quietly and unselfishly, and have moreover, over a long period of time, earned the esteem of all. 4 Indeed, it will be no small sin for us if we oust men who have irreproachably and piously offered the sacrifices proper to the episcopate. 5 Happy the presbyters who have before now completed life's journey and taken their departure in mature age and laden with fruit!
They, surely, do not have to fear that anyone will dislodge them from the place built for them.**® 6 Yes, we see that you removed some, their good conduct notwithstanding, from the sacred ministry on which their faultless discharge had shed lustre.
45. You are given to wrangling, brethren, and are jealous in matters that bear upon salvation. ***
2 You have looked