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The Stromata, or Miscellanies

Clement of Alexandria

Book 1 · Chapter 12

About this work

A wide-ranging collection on faith, knowledge, philosophy, Scripture, ethics, and Christian maturity that intentionally mixes subjects while portraying the ideal Christian knower formed through disciplined inquiry.

Author: Clement of Alexandria
Date: c. AD 195–215
Origin: Alexandria
Genre: Theological Treatise

Chapter XII.—The Mysteries of the Faith Not to Be Divulged to All.

But since this tradition is not published alone

‹ Book 1 · Chapter 11 Book 1 · Chapter 13 ›

for

him

who

perceives

the

magnificence

of

the

word

;

it

is

requisite

,

therefore

,

to

hide

in

a

mystery

the

wisdom

spoken

,

which

the

Son

of

God

taught

.

Now

,

therefore

,

Isaiah

the

prophet

has

his

tongue

purified

by

fire

,

so

that

he

may

be

able

to

tell

the

vision

.

And

we

must

purify

not

the

tongue

alone

,

but

also

the

ears

,

if

we

attempt

to

be

partakers

of

the

truth

.

Such were the impediments in the way of my writing. And even now I fear, as it is said, “to cast the pearls before swine, lest they tread them under foot, and turn and rend us.” For it is difficult to exhibit the really pure and transparent words respecting the true light, to swinish and untrained hearers. For scarcely could anything which they could hear be more ludicrous than these to the multitude; nor any subjects

on the other hand more admirable or more inspiring to those of noble nature. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him.” But the wise do not utter with their mouth what they reason in council. “But what ye hear in the ear,” says the Lord, “proclaim upon the houses;” bidding them receive the secret traditions of the true knowledge, and expound them aloft and conspicuously; and as we have heard in the ear, so to deliver them to whom it is requisite; but not enjoining us to communicate to all without distinction, what is said to them in parables. But there is only a delineation in the memoranda, which have the truth sowed sparse and broadcast, that it may escape the notice of those who pick up seeds like jackdaws; but when they find a good husbandman, each one of them will germinate and produce corn.

Notes

144
Matt. vii. 6.
145
1 Cor. ii. 14.
146
Matt. x. 27.
147
[See Elucidation X., infra.]
148
[A word (sparse) hitherto branded as an “Americanism.”]