Recognitions of Clement on Idolatry and Baptism

Clement of Alexandria traveled from Caesarea to Tripolis and on the way halted at Dora. Many follow "Peter" on the way and finally halted at the house of Maro who could house 500 men in asssembly. Clement teaches what he knew that Peter would have preached or what had been written already. We begin in the section having to do with the universal record that Satan taught mankind how to use music to damage the spirit and take the worship away from God. Demons are ignorant minds or false teachers who are truly agents of Satan but who transform themselves into angels of light. The transformation is supernatural and people love and worship them more than God Himself.

This sermon also speaks of the meaning of baptism as the only way one can acquire the "clothing" of Christ so that God sees Him and not our "old man." The clothing is the wedding garment.

Book IV. --------

Chapter I.-Halt at Dora.

Having set out from Caesarea on the way to Tripolis, we made our first stoppage at a small town called Dora, because it was not far distant; and almost all those who had believed through the preaching of Peter could scarcely bear to be separated from him, but walked along with us, again and again gazing upon him, again and again embracing him, again and again conversing with him, until we came to the inn. On the following day we came to Ptolemais, where we stayed ten days; and when a considerable number had received the word of God, we signified to some of them who seemed particularly attentive, and wished to detain us longer for the sake of instruction, that they might, if so disposed, follow us to Tripolis. We acted in the same way at Tyre, and Sidon, and Berytus, and announced to those who desired to hear further discourses, that we were to spend the winter at Tripolis. (Note 1) Therefore, as all those who were anxious followed Peter from each city, we were a great multitude of elect ones when we entered into Tripolis. On our arrival, the brethren who had been sent before met us before the gates of the city; and taking us under their charge, conducted us to the various lodgings which they bad prepared. Then there arose a commotion in the city, and a great assemblage of persons desirous to see Peter. ["Maroones," Homily VIII. I.-R.]

Note 1 [In books iv.-vi. the scene is laid at Tripolis. The same city is the locality to which Homilies viii.-xi. are assigned. The intervening portion (Homilies IV.-VII.) gives the details of the journey here alluded to, telling of various discourses at Tyre. Some of the matter of these discourses occurs in the Recognitions, but under different circumstances The heathen disputants are not the same.

The parallelisms of the portions assigned to Tripolis are as follows: book iv. has its counterpart. In Homily viii. and in much of Homily IX book v. has a parallel in Homily X. and it, parts of XI.: book vi in its general outline resembles Homily XI.

The discourses of the Apostle as given in the Recognitions are more orderly and logical than those in the Homilies, The views presented differ somewhat, in accordance with the general character of the two works. Much of the matter in the Recognitions occurs In a different order in the Homilies but the internal evidence seems to point to the priority of the former. Both might be different manipulations of a common documentary source, but that theory is not necessarily applicable to these portions of the literature.-R.]

Chapter II.-Reception in the House of Maro.

And when we had come to the house of Maro, in which preparation had been made for Peter, he turned to the crowd, and told them that he would address them the day after to-morrow. Therefore the brethren who had been sent before assigned lodgings to all who had come with us. Then, when Peter had entered into the house of Maro, and was asked to partake of food, he answered that he would by no means do so, until he had ascertained whether all those that had accompanied him were provided with lodgings. Then he learned from the brethren who had been sent before, that the citizens had received them not only hospitably, but with all kindness, by reason of their love towards Peter; so much so, that several were disappointed because there were no guests for them; for that all had made such preparations, that even if many more had come, there would still have been a deficiency of guests for the hosts, not of hosts for the guests.

Chapter III.-Simon's Flight.

Thereupon Peter was greatly delighted, and praised the brethren, and blessed them, and requested them to remain with him. Then, when he had bathed in the sea, and had taken food, he went to sleep in the evening; and rising, as usual, at cock-crow, while the evening light was still burning, he found us all awake. Now there were in all sixteen of us, viz. Peter and I, Clement, Niceta and Aquila, and those twelve who had preceded us. [Comp. Homily VIII. 3.-R.] Saluting us, then, as was his wont, Peter said: "Since we are not taken up with others to-day, let us be taken up with ourselves. I shall tell you what took place at Caesarea after your departure, and you shall tell us of the doings of Simon here." And while the conversation was going on on these subjects, at daybreak some of the members of the family came in and told Peter that Simon, when he heard of Peter's arrival, departed in the night, on the way to Syria. They also stated that the crowds thought that the day which he had said was to intervene was a very long time for their affection, and that they were standing in impatience before the gate, conversing among themselves about those things which they wished to hear, and that they hoped that they should by all means see him before the time appointed; and that as the day became lighter the multitudes were increasing, and that they were trusting confidently, whatever they might be presuming upon, that they should hear a discourse from him. "Now then "said they "instruct us to tell them what seems good to you; for it is absurd that so great a multitude should have come together, and should depart with sadness, through no answer being returned to them. For they will not consider that it is they that have not waited for; the appointed day but rather they will think that you are slighting them."

Chapter IV.-The Harvest Plenteous,

Then Peter, filled with admiration, said : [With chaps. 4-11 compare Homily VIII. 4-11. The correspondence is quite close.-R.] "You see, brethren, how every word of the Lord spoken prophetically is fulfilled. For I remember that He said, `The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the labourers are few; ask therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send out labourers into His harvest.' [Matt. ix. 37, 38.] Behold, therefore, the things which are foretold in a mystery are fulfilled. But whereas He said also,

`Many shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and shall recline in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; ' [Luke xiii. 29; Matt. viii. 11.]

this also is, as yon see, in like manner fulfilled. Wherefore I entreat you, my fellow-servants and helpers, that you would learn diligently the order of preaching, and the ways of absolutions, that ye may be able to save the souls of men, which by the secret power of God acknowledge whom they ought to love, even before they are taught.

For you see that these men, like good servants, long for him whom they expect to announce to them the coming of their Lord, that they may be able to fulfil His will when they have learned it.

The desire, therefore, of hearing the word of God, and inquiring into His will, they have from God; and this is the beginning of the gift of God, which is given to the Gentiles, that by this they may be able to receive the doctrine of truth.

Chapter V.-Moses and Christ.

"For so also it was given to the people of the Hebrews from the beginning, that they should love Moses, and believe his word; whence also it is written:

`The people believed God, and Moses His servant. [Ex. xiv. 31.] What, therefore, was of peculiar gift from God toward the nation of the Hebrews, we see now to be given also to those who are called from among the Gentiles to the faith.

But the method of works is put into the power and will of every one, and this is their own; but to have an affection towards a teacher of truth. this is a gift of the heavenly Father.

But salvation is in this, that you do His will of whom you have conceived a love and affection through the gift of God; lest that saying of His be addressed to you which He spoke, `

Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?' [ Luke vi. 46.]

It is therefore the peculiar gift bestowed by God upon the Hebrews, that they believe Moses; and the peculiar gift bestowed upon the Gentiles is that they love Jesus. For this also the Master intimated, when He said, `I will confess' to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast concealed these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes. [ Matt. xi. 25, [Luke x. 21; comp. Homily XVIII. 15-17.-R.]

By which it is certainly declared, that the people of the Hebrews, who were instructed out of the law, did not know Him; but the people of the Gentiles have acknowledged Jesus, and venerate Him; on which account also they shall be saved, not only acknowledging Him, but also doing His will. But he who is of the Gentiles, and who has it of God to believe Moses, ought also to have it of his own purpose to love Jesus also. And again, the Hebrew, who has it of God to believe Moses, ought to have it also of his own purpose to believe in Jesus; so that each of them, having in himself something of the divine gift, and something of his own exertion, may be perfect by both. For concerning such an one our Lord spoke, as of a rich man, `Who brings forth from his treasures things new and old.' [Matt. xiii. 52.]

Chapter VI.-A Congregation.

"But enough has been said of these things for time presses, and the religious devotion of the people invites us to address them." And when he had thus spoken, he asked where there was a suitable place for discussion.

And Maro said: "I have a very spacious hall [Aedes, in the singular, probably a temple.] which can hold more than five hundred men, and there is also a garden within the house; or if it please you to be in some public place, all would prefer it, for there is nobody who does not desire at least to see your face."

Then Peter said: "Show me the hall, or the garden." And when he had seen the hall, he went in to see the garden also; and suddenly the whole multitude, as if some one had called them, rushed into the house, and thence broke through into the garden, where Peter was already standing, selecting a fit place for discussion.

Chapter VII.-The Sick Healed.

But when he saw that the crowds had, like the waters of a great river, poured over the narrow passage, he mounted upon a pillar which happened to stand near the wall of the garden, and first saluted the people in a religious manner.

But some of those who were present, and who had been for a long time distressed by demons, threw themselves on the ground, while the unclean spirits entreated that they might be allowed but for one day to remain in the bodies that they had taken possession of. But Peter rebuked them, and commanded them to depart; and they went out without delay. After these, others who had been afflicted with long-standing sicknesses asked Peter that they might receive healing; and he promised that he would entreat the Lord for them as soon as his discourse of instruction was completed. But as soon as he promised, they were freed from their sicknesses; [In Homilies VIII. 8, 24, IX. 24, the healing takes place after the dtscourses.-R. ] and he ordered them to sit down apart, with those who had been freed from the demons, as after the fatigue of labour. Meantime, while this was going on, a vast multitude assembled, attracted not only by the desire of hearing Peter, but also by the report of the cures which had been accomplished. But Peter, beckoning with his hand to the people to he still, and settling the crowds in tranquillity, began to address them as follows:-

Chapter VIII.-Providence Vindicated

"It seems to me necessary, at the outset of a discourse concerning the true worship of God, first of all to instruct those who have not as yet acquired any knowledge of the subject, that throughout the divine providence must be maintained to be without blame, by which the world is ruled and governed. Moreover, the reason of the present undertaking, and the occasion offered by those whom the power of God has healed, suggest this subject for a beginning, viz.

to show that for good reason very many persons are possessed of demons, that so the justice of God may appear.

For ignorance will be found to be the mother of almost all evils. But now let us come to the reason.

Chapter IX.-State of Innocence a State of Enjoyment.

"When God had made man after His own image and likeness, He grafted into His work a certain breathing and odour of His divinity, that so men, being made partakers of His Only-begotten, might through Him be also friends of God and sons of adoption.

Instruments were idols or the homes of the gods. They were and are often made in the form of a female body: the sound ISSUES from one end of a flute when you BLOW the other end. Voodoo types made their drums out of ANIMALS WHICH HAD DIED OF THEMSELVES. They "baptized" them and kept them in their own little "holy temple." Catholics baptized bells and modern peope DEDICATE their pipe organs.

All pagans believed (or pretended to believe) that the gods spoke from musical instruments. Therefore, Habakkuk asks:

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Habakkuk 2:18

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. Habakkuk 2:19

But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20

Whence also He Himself, as the true Prophet, knowing with what actions the Father is pleased, instructed them in what way they might obtain that privilege.

At that time, therefore, there was among men only one worship of God-a pure mind and an uncorrupted spirit.
And for this reason every creature kept an inviolable covenant with the human race.
For by reason of their reverence of the Creator, no sickness, or bodily disorder, or corruption of food, had power over them;
whence it came to pass, that a life of a thousand years did not fall into the frailty of old age.

Chapter X.-Sin the Cause of Suffering.

"But when men, leading a life void of distress, began to think that

the continuance of good things was granted them
not by the divine bounty, but by the chance of things,
and to accept as a debt of nature, not as a gift of God's goodness,
their enjoyment without any exertion of the delights of the divine complaisance,-
men, being led by these things into contrary and impious thoughts, came at last, at the instigation of idleness,

to think that the life of gods was theirs by nature,
without any labours or merits on their part.
Hence they go from bad to worse, to believe that neither is the world governed by the providence of God, nor is there any place for virtues,

since they knew that they themselves possessed the fulness of ease and delights, without the assignment of any works previously,

and without any labours were treated as the friends of God. grace

Chapter XI.-Suffering Salutary.

"By the most righteous judgment of God, therefore, labours and afflictions are assigned as a remedy to men languishing in the vanity of such thoughts. And when labour and tribulations came upon them, they were excluded from the place of delights and amenity.

Also the earth began to produce nothing to them without labour; and then men's thoughts being turned in them, they were warned to seek the aid of their Creator, and by prayers and vows to ask for the divine protection.

And thus it came to pass, that the worship of God, which they had neglected by reason of their prosperity, they recovered through their adversity;

and their thoughts towards God, which indulgence had perverted, affliction corrected.

So therefore the divine providence, seeing that this was more profitable to man, removed from them the ways of benignity and abundance, as being hurtful, and introduced the way of vexation and tribulation.

[In Homily VIII. 12-16 there is inserted a curious account of the fall of man and angels, and of a race of giants.-R.]

Chapter XII.-Translation of Enoch.

"But [Chap. 12 has no exact parallel in the Homilies, but Homily VIII. 17 resembles it.-R.] that He might show that these things were done on account of the ungrateful, He translated to immortality a certain one of the first race of men, because He saw that he was not unmindful of His grace, and because he hoped to call on the name of God; [The writer means, that insult is offered to that name which belongs to God alone by giving it to others, and thus placing it in a position which is unjust to it.]

while the rest, who were so ungrateful that they could not be amended and corrected even by labours and tribulations, were condemned to a terrible death.

Yet amongst them also He found a certain one, who was righteous with his house, [Gen. vi. 9.] whom He preserved, having enjoined him to build an ark, in which he and those who were commanded to go with him might escape, when all things should be destroyed by a deluge: in order that, the wicked being cut off by the overflow of waters, the world might receive a purification; and he who had been preserved for the continuance of the race, being purified by water, might anew repair the world.

The Books of Enoch were, in part, considered inspired and were quoted by Jude to make the specific point about music being Satan's weapon of choice to lead people astray from god and His word. This had been the cause of the people ignoring God.

The result would be, according to Jude and Enoch and many other writers, that God would come with ten thousand of his saints or angels to execute judgment on Satan's agents who deceive with music.

Job wrote about the oldest, perhaps Chaldean, worship known to mankind:

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Job 21:7
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Job 21: 8
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Job 21: 9
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. Job 21: 10

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. Job 21: 11
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. Job 21: 12
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Job 21: 13

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Job 21: 14

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Job 21: 15

Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. Job 21: 16

Chapter XIII.-Origin of Idolatry.

See The Sons of God.

See Alexander Hislop The Great Red Dragon

"But when all these things were done, men turned again to impiety; [There is a similar chapter in Homily IX. 7, but in a discourse: on the following day.-R.] and on this account a law was given by God to instruct them in the manner of living.

But in process of time, the worship of God and righteousness were corrupted by the unbelieving and the wicked, as we shall show more fully by and by.

Moreover, perverse and erratic religions were introduced, to which the greater part of men gave themselves up,

by occasion of holidays and solemnities, instituting drinkings and banquets,
following pipes, and flutes, and harps, and diverse kinds of musical instruments, and indulging themselves in all kinds of drunkenness and luxury.

Hence every kind of error took rise; hence they invented groves and altars, fillets and victims, and after drunkenness they were agitated as if with mad emotions.

By this means power was given to the demons to enter into minds of this sort, so that they seemed to lead insane dances and to rave like Bacchanalians; hence were invented the gnashing of teeth, and bellowing from the depth of their bowels; hence a terrible countenance and a fierce aspect in men, so that he whom drunkenness had subverted and a demon had instigated, was believed by the deceived and the erring to be filled with the Deity.

Chapter VII.-Sacrificial Orgies.

"But they did not cease to worship images, by reason of the evil intelligence of the magicians, who found excuses for them, which had power to constrain them to the foolish worship For, establishing this things by magical ceremonies, they assigned them feasts from sacrifices, libations, flutes, and shoutings,

by means of which senseless men, being deceived, and their kingdom being taken from them, yet did not desist from the worship that they had taken up with.

To such an extent did they prefer error, on account of its pleasantness, before truth.

They also howl after their sacrificial surfeit, their soul from the depth, as it were by dreams, forewarning them of the punishment that is to befall such deeds of theirs.

Chapter XIV.-God Both Good and Righteous.

"Hence, since so many false and erratic religions have been introduced into the world, [With chaps. 14-22 compare Homily IX. 8-18. The general outline is the same, and the resemblances quite close in the larger part of both passages.-R.]

we have been sent, as good merchants, bringing unto you the worship of the true God,

handed down from the fathers, and preserved;
as the seeds of which we scatter these words amongst you, and place it in your choice to choose what seems to you to be right.

For if you receive those things which we bring you,

you shall not only be able yourselves to escape the incursions of the demon,
but also to drive them away from others; and at the same time you shall obtain the rewards of eternal good things.

But those who shall refuse to receive those things which are spoken by us, shall be subject in the present life to diverse demons and disorders of sicknesses,

and their souls after their departure from the body shall be tormented for ever.

For God is not only good, but also just; for if He were always good, and never just to render to every one according to his deeds, goodness would be found to be injustice. For it were injustice if the impious and the pious were treated by Him alike.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luke 8:11

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12

Airo (g142) ah'ee-ro; a prim. verb; to lift; by impl. to take up or away; fig. to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); spec. to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Heb. [comp. 5375] to expiate sin: - away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).

H5375 is referenced here:

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. Am 5:23

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Am.5:26

The Statement: "these praise teams provide an atmosphere in our assemblies where people can encounter God" is a direct claim that by "lifting up the voice" the team can bring you into contact with God.

However, music is universally the cause and MARK that "we don't want to hear your Words."

Therefore, praise teams or any diversion does the work of the Devil in plucking up the Word of Christ "as it has been taught."

The MARK of a Son is that Jesus spoke only what He heard from the Father. Paul commands the same thing for the churches because (1) the word is inspired and (2) to permit self-speak opens up the process for the Devil to pluck seed.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matthew 11:27

Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The heavy lading was from the clergy whom Jesus identified as a "den of vipers" and children of their father, Satan. Their method of substituting their own words did the same musical work of Satan. Laden is:

Phortizo (g5412) for-tid'-zo; from 5414; to load up (prop. as aa vessel or animal), i.e. (fig.) to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety): - lade, be heavy laden.

Phoros (g5411) for'-os; from 5342; a load (as borne,) i.e. (fig.) a tax (prop. an individ. assessment on persons or property; whereas 5056 is usually a gen. toll on goods or travel): - tribute.

Epôidos , on, epaidô
A. singing to or over, using songs or charms to heal wounds, epôidoi muthoi Pl.Lg.903b .
b. Subst., enchanter, e. kai goês E.Hipp. 1038 (but goês e. Ba.234): c. gen., a charm for or against,
c. c. dat., assisting, profitable,
2. Pass., sung to music, phônai Plu.2.622d ; fit for singing, poiêtikên e. parechein S.E.M.6.16 . 2. epôidos, ho, verse or passage returning at intervals, in Alcaics and Sapphics, D.H.Comp.19 ; chorus, burden

Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28

Anapauo (g373) an-up-ow'-o; from 303 and 3973; (reflex.) to repose (lit. or fig. [be exempt], remain); by impl. to refresh: - take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.

The Greek PAUO: is an almost dedicated word meaning: "Stop the preaching, stop the singing, stop the singing, stop the enchanting or soothsaying."

Laden is:	Impure Religion is:
Phortizo (g5412) for-tid'-zo; from 5414; to load up (prop. as aa vessel or animal), i.e. (fig.) to overburden with ceremony or spiritual anxiety: - lade, be heavy laden.	Threskeia (g2356) thrace-ki'-ah; from a der. of 2357; ceremonial observance: - religion, worshipping

See how Ham was involved below

Chapter XV.-How Demons Get Power Over Men.

"Therefore demons, as we have just said, when once they have been able, by means of opportunities afforded them,

to convey themselves through base and evil actions into the bodies of men, if they remain in them a long time through their own negligence,

because they do not seek after what is profitable to their souls, they necessarily compel them for the future to fulfil the desires of the demons who dwell in them.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Matthew 12:43

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Matthew 12:44

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matthew 12:45

But what is worst of all, at the end of the world, when that demon shall be consigned to eternal fire,

of necessity the soul also which obeyed him, shall with him be tortured in eternal fires, together with its body which it hath polluted.

Chapter XVI.-Why They Wish to Possess Men.

"Now that the demons are desirous of occupying the bodies of men, this is the reason. They are spirits baring their purpose turned to wickedness. Therefore by immoderate eating and drinking, and lust, they urge men on to sin, but only those who entertain the purpose of sinning, who,

while they seem simply desirous of satisfying the necessary cravings of nature,

give opportunity to the demons to enter into them, because through excess they do not maintain moderation.

For as long as the measure of nature is kept, and legitimate moderation is preserved, the mercy of God does not give them liberty to enter into men.

But when either the mind falls into impiety, or the body is filled with immoderate meat or drink, then, as if invited by the will and purpose of those who thus neglect themselves, they receive power as against those who have broken the law imposed by God.

Amos in chapters 5 and 6 identify music and feasting as a religious festival. It was: it was the feast with and for dead ancestors. Isaiah 5 also warns about the connection between music and banqueting. Clement has just identified erratic religions in which feasts were almost always religious festivals.

by occasion of holidays and solemnities, instituting drinkings and banquets,
following pipes, and flutes, and harps, and diverse kinds of musical instruments, and indulging themselves in all kinds of drunkenness and luxury.

Rather than being real beings, these demons were the spirits or powers within people to seduce others. The method was often wine, women and song.

Chapter XVII.-The Gospel Gives Power Over Demons.

"You see, then, how important is the acknowledgment of God, and the observance of the divine religion, which not only protects those who believe from the assaults of the demon, but also gives them command over those who rule over others.

And therefore it is necessary for you, who are of the Gentiles, to betake yourselves to God, and to keep yourselves from all uncleanness, that the demons may be expelled, and God may dwell in you And at the same time, by prayers, commit yourselves to God, and call for His aid against the impudence of the demons; for `whatever things ye ask, believing, ye shall receive.' [Matt. xxi. 22. ]

But even the demons themselves, in proportion as they see faith grow in a man, in that proportion they depart from him, residing only in that part in which something of infidelity still remains;

but from those who believe with full faith, they depart without any delay.
For when a soul has come to the faith of God, it obtains the virtue of heavenly water, by which it extinguishes the demon like a spark of fire.

Chapter XVII.-This Power in Proportion to Faith.

"There is therefore a measure of faith, which, if it be perfect, drives the demon perfectly from the soul; but if it has any defect, something on the part of the demon still remains in the portion of infidelity;

and it is the greatest difficulty for the soul to understand when or how, whether fully or less fully, the demon has been expelled from it.
For if he remains in any quarter, when he gets an opportunity, he suggests thoughts to men's hearts; and they, not knowing whence they come, believe the suggestions of the demons, as if they were the perceptions of their own souls.

Thus they suggest to some to follow pleasure by occasion of bodily necessity; they excuse the passionateness of others by excess of gall;

they colour over the madness of others by the vehemence of melancholy; and even extenuate the folly of some as the result of abundance of phlegm. But even if this were so, still none of these could be hurtful to the body, except from the excess of meats and drinks; because, when these are taken in excessive quantities, their abundance, which the natural warmth is not sufficient to digest, curdles into a sort of poison, and it, flowing through the bowels and all the veins like a common sewer, renders the motions of the body unhealthy and base. Wherefore moderation is to be attained in all things, that neither may place be given to demons, nor the soul, being possessed by them, be delivered along with them to be tormented in eternalfires.

Chapter XIX.-Demons Incite to Idolatry.

"There is also another error of the demons, which they suggest to the senses of men, that they should think that those things which they suffer, they suffer from such as are called gods, in order that thereby,

offering sacrifices and gifts, as if to propitiate them, they may strengthen the worship of false religion, and avoid us who are interested in their salvation, that they may be freed from error; but this they do, as I have said, not knowing that these thing are suggested to them by demons, for fear they should be saved. It is therefore in the power of every one, since man has been made possessed of free-will, whether he shall hear us to life, or the demons to destruction.

In the New Testament, demons or satans use human agents. While being evil they have the power to appear holy. Their methods are to use threats or to promise that "if you will honor me by attending my group you will be cured of all manner of ills -- or they will be tolerated." Some even propose to use instrumental or vocal "facilitators" or mediators to lead you into the presence of God. Clement claims that they are demons in disguise:

Also to some, the demons, appearing visibly under various figures, sometimes throw out threats, sometimes promise relief from sufferings,

that they may instil into those whom they deceive the opinion of their being gods,
and that it may not be known that they are demons.

But they are not concealed from us, who know the mysteries of the creation, and for what reason it is permitted to the demons to do those things in the present world;

how it is allowed them to transform themselves into what figures they please, and to suggest evil thoughts, and to convey themselves, by means of meats and of drink consecrated to them, into the minds or bodies of those who partake of it,
and to concoct vain dreams to further the worship of some idol. (Usually human)

Chapter XX.-Folly of Idolatry.

"And yet who can be found so senseless as to be persuaded to worship an idol, whether it be made of gold or of any other metal? To whom is it not manifest that the metal is just that which the artificer pleased?

How then can the divinity be thought to be in that which would not be at all unless the artificer had pleased?
Or how can they hope that future things should be declared to them by that in which there is no perception of present things?

Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of mens blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. Habakkuk 2:8

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil Habakkuk 2:9

Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. Habakkuk 2:10

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness Habakkuk 2:15

Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lords right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. Habakkuk 2:16

All pagans believed (or pretended to believe) that the gods spoke from musical instruments. Therefore, Habakkuk asks:

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Habakkuk 2:18

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. Habakkuk 2:19

But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20

For although they should divine something, they should not straightway be held to be gods; for divination is one thing, divinity is another.

For the Pythons also seem to divine, yet they are not gods; and, in short, they are driven out of men by Christians. And how can that be God which is put to flight by a man? But perhaps you will say, What as to their effecting cures, and their showing how one can be cured? On this principle, physicians ought also to be worshipped as gods, for they cure many; and in proportion as any one is more skilful, the more he will cure.

Chapter XXI.-Heathen Oracles. See Alexander the Oracle Monger

Apollyon or Abbadon are names for Apollo who had a "money tree" oracle at Delphi. Paul alludes to this "uncovered prophesying by women" and indites the ancient Chaldean "familiar spirits" which had been updated from empty, polluted wineskins to large bronze echo chambers and ringing bells.

"Whence it is evident that they since they are demoniac spirits, know some things both more quickly and more perfectly than men; for they are not retarded in their learning by the heaviness of a body. And therefore they, as being spirits, know without delay and without difficulty what physicians attain after a long time and by much labour.

It is not wonderful, therefore, if they know somewhat more than men do; but this is to be observed,

that what they know they do not employ for the salvation of souls,
but for the deception of them, that by means of it
they may indoctrinate them in the worship of false religion.

But God, that the error of so great deception might not be concealed, and that He Himself might not seem to be a cause of error in permitting them so great licence to deceive men by divinations, and cures, and dreams,

has of His mercy furnished men with a remedy, and has made the distinction of falsehood and truth patent to those who desire to know.

This, therefore, is that distinction: what is spoken by the true God, whether by prophets or by diverse visions, is always true; but what is foretold by demons is not always true.

It is therefore an evident sign that those things are not spoken by the true God, in which at any time there is falsehood; for in truth there is never falsehood.

But in the case of those who speak falsehoods, there may occasionally be a slight mixture of truth, to give as it were seasoning to the falsehoods.

Chapter XXII.-Why They Sometimes Come True.

"But if any one say, What is the use of this, that they should be permitted even sometimes to speak truth, and thereby so much error be introduced amongst men? let him take this for answer: If they had never been allowed to speak any truth, then they would not foretell anything at all; while if they did not foretell, they would not be known to be demons. But if demons were not known to be in this world, the cause of our struggle and contest would be concealed from us, and we should suffer openly what was done in secret, that is, if the power were granted to them of only acting against us, and not of speaking. But now, since they sometimes speak truth, and sometimes falsehood, we ought to acknowledge, as I have said, that their responses are of demons, and not of God, with whom there is never falsehood.

Chapter XXIII.-Evil Not in Substance.

"But if any one, proceeding more curiously, inquire: What then was the use of God's making these evil things, which should have so great a tendency to subvert the minds of men?

[Chaps. 23-26 have no exact parallel in the Homilies; comp. book in 16-26 The questions of the origin of evil and of free-will are more fully treated in the Recognitions.-R.]

To one proposing such a question, we answer that we must first of all inquire whether there is any evil in substance. And although it would be sufficient to say to him that it is not suitable that the creature judge the Creator, but that to judge the work of another belongs to him who is either of equal skill or equal power;

yet, to come directly to the point, we say absolutely that there is no evil in substance. But if this be so, then the Creator of substance is vainly blamed.

Chapter XXIV.-Why God Permits Evil.

"But you will meet me by saying, Even if it has come to this through freedom of will, was the Creator ignorant that those whom He created would fall away into evil? He ought therefore not to have created those who, He foresaw, would deviate from the path of righteousness. Now we tell those who ask such questions, that the purpose of assertions of the sort made by us is to show why the wickedness of those who as yet were not, did not prevail over the goodness of the Creator.

[There is considerable variety of reading in this sentence, and the precise meaning is somewhat obscure. The general sense, however, is sufficiently evident, that if God had refrained from creating those who He foresaw, would fall into evil, this would have been to subject His goodness co their evil.]

Note: "What if God had refrained from creating those who He foresaw, would fall into evil, this would have been to subject His goodness to their evil."]

For if, wishing to fill up the number and measure of His creation, He had been afraid of the wickedness of those who were to be, and like one who could find no other way of remedy and cure, except only this,

that He should refrain from His purpose of creating,
lest the wickedness of those who were to be should be ascribed to Him;

what else would this show but unworthy suffering and unseemly feebleness on the part of the Creator, who should so fear the actings of those who as yet were not, that He refrained from His purposed creation?

Chapter XXV.-Evil Beings Turned to Good Account.

"But, setting aside these things, let us consider this earnestly, that God the Creator of the universe, foreseeing the future differences of His creation, foresaw and provided diverse ranks and different offices to each of His creatures, according to the peculiar movements which were produced from freedom of will; so that while all men are of one substance in respect of the method of creation, there should yet be diversity in ranks and offices, according to the peculiar movements of minds, to be produced from liberty of will.

Therefore He foresaw that there would be faults in His creatures; and the method of His justice demanded that punishment should follow faults, for the sake of amendment.

It behoved, therefore, that there should be ministers of punishment, and yet that freedom of will should draw them into that order.

Moreover, those also must have enemies to conquer, who had undertaken the contests for the heavenly rewards.

Thus, therefore, neither are those things destitute of utility which are thought to be evil, since the conquered unwillingly acquire eternal rewards for those by whom they are conquered. But let this suffice on these points, for in process of time even more secret things shall be disclosed.

Chapter XXVI.-Evil Angels Seducers.

"Now therefore, since you do not yet understand how great darkness of ignorance surrounds you, meantime I wish to explain to you whence the worship of idols began in this world.

And by idols, I mean those lifeless images which you worship, whether made of wood, or earthenware, or stone, or brass, or any other metals: of these the beginning was in this wise.

Certain angels, having left the course of their proper order, began to favour the vices of men, [Comp. Homily VIII. 13.-R.] and in some measure to lend unworthy aid to their lust,

in order that by these means they might indulge their own pleasures the more; and then, that they might not seem to be inclined of their own accord to unworthy services,

taught men that demons could, by certain arts-that is, by magical invocations-be made to obey men;

and so, as from a furnace and workshop of wickedness, they filled the whole world with the smoke of impiety, the light of piety being withdrawn.

Chapter XXVII.-Ham the First Magician.

"For these and some other causes, a flood was brought upon the world, [With chaps. 27-31 compare Homily IX. 3-7. The resemblances are quite close. See also book i. 30, 31.-R.] as we have said already, and shall say again; and all who were upon the earth were destroyed, except the family of Noah, who survived, with his three sons and their wives.

One of these, by name Ham, unhappily discovered the magical act, and handed down the instruction of it to one of his sons, who was called Mesraim, from whom the race of the Egyptians and Babylonians and Persians are descended.

Him the nations who then existed called Zoroaster, [With chaps. 27-31 compare Homily IX. 3-7. The resemblances are quite close. See also book i. 30, 31.-R.] admiring him as the first author of the magic art; trader whose name also many books on this subject exist.

He therefore, being much and frequently intent upon the stars, and wishing to be esteemed a god among them,

began to draw forth, as it were, certain sparks from the stars, and to show them to men, in order that the rude and ignorant might be astonished, as with a miracle; and desiring to increase this estimation of him, he attempted these things again and again, until he was set on fire, and consumed by the demon himself, whom he accosted with too great importunity.

Chapter XXVIII.-Tower of Babel.

"But the foolish men who were then, whereas they ought to have abandoned the opinion which they bad conceived of him, inasmuch as they had seen it confuted by his mortal punishment, extolled him the more.

For raising a sepulchre to his honour, they went so far as to adore him as a friend of God, and one who had been removed to heaven in a chariot of lightning, and to worship him as if he were a living star.

Hence also his name was called Zoroaster after his death-that is, living star-by those who, after one generation, had been taught to speak the Greek language. In fine, by this example,

even now many worship those who have been struck with lightning, honouring them with sepulchres, and worshipping them as friends of God. But this man was born in the fourteenth generation, and died in the fifteenth, in which the tower was built, and the languages of men were divided into many.

See the nature of Babylonian Worship
See the similar story of Nimrod
See the Story of Enoch Beginning Here

Chapter XXIX.-Fire-Worship of the Persians. See Austen Layard's Description of Fire Worship with Music.

"First among whom is named a certain king Nimrod, the magic art having been handed down to him as by a flash, whom the Greeks, also called Ninus, and from whom the city of Nineveh took its name. Thus, therefore, diverse and erratic superstitions took their beginning from the magic art.

For, because it was difficult to draw away the human race from the love of God, and attach them to deaf and lifeless images,

the magicians made use of higher efforts, that men might be turned to erratic worship, by signs among the stars, and motions brought down as it were from heaven, and by the will of God.

And those who had been first deceived, collecting the ashes of Zoroaster,-who, as we have said, was burnt up by the indignation of the demon, to whom he had been too troublesome,-brought them to the Persians, that they might be preserved by them with perpetual watching, as divine fire fallen from heaven, and might be worshipped as a heavenly God.

Chapter XXX.-Hero-Worship.

"By a like example, other men in other places built temples, set up statues, instituted mysteries and ceremonies and sacrifices, to those whom they had admired, either for some arts or for virtue, or at least had held in very great affection;

and rejoiced, by means of all things belonging to gods, to hand down their fame to posterity; and that especially, because, as we have already said, they scented to be supported by some phantasies of magic art, so that by invocation of demons something seemed to be done and moved by them towards the deception of men.

To these they add also certain solemnities, and drunken banquets, in which men might with all freedom indulge; and demons, conveyed into them in the chariot of repletion, might be mixed with their very bowels, and holding a place there,

might bind the acts and thoughts of men to their own will. Such errors, then, having been introduced from the beginning, and having been aided by lust and drunkenness,

in which carnal men chiefly delight,

the religion of God, which consisted in continence and sobriety,
began to become rare amongst men, and to be well-nigh abolished.

"According to the system which Nimrod was the grand instrument in introducing, men were led to believe

that a real spiritual change of heart was unnecessary, and that so far as change was needful,
they could be regenerated by mere external means.

"Looking at the subject in the light of the Bacchanalian orgies (Read Ephesus and Corinth), which, as the reader has seen, commemorated the history of Nimrod, it is evident that

he led mankind to seek their chief good in sensual enjoyment,

and showed them how they might enjoy the pleasures of sin, without any fear of the wrath of a holy God. (Voodoo, Rock, Boogie Woogie becomes Contemporary Christian Music)

"In his various expeditions he was always accompanied by troops of women; and by music and song, and games (ritual drama) and revelries, and everything that could please the natural hearts,

he commended himself to the good graces of mankind." (Hislop, Alexander, The Two Babylons, p. 55, Loizeaux Brothers)

Chapter XXXI.-Idolatry Led to All Immorality.

"For whereas at first, men worshipping a righteous and all-seeing God, neither dared sin nor do injury to their neighbours, being persuaded that God sees the actions and movements of every one;

when religious worship was directed to lifeless images, concerning which they were certain that they were incapable of hearing, or sight, or motion, they began to sin licentiously, and to go forward to every crime,

because they had no fear of suffering anything at the hands of those whom they worshipped as gods.

Hence the madness of wars burst out; hence plunderings, rapines, captivities, and liberty reduced to slavery; each one, as he could, satisfied his lust and his covetousness, although no power can satisfy covetousness.

For as fire, the more fuel it gets, is the more extensively kindled and strengthened, so also the madness of covetousness is made greater and more vehement by means of those things which it acquires.

And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. Rev 18:14

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Rev 18:22

Chapter XXXII.-Invitation.

"Wherefore begin now with better understanding to resist yourselves in those things which you do not rightly desire; [To chaps. 32, 33, a close parallel is found in Homily IX. 19-21.-R] if so be that you can in any way repair and restore in yourselves that purity of religion and innocence of life which at first were bestowed upon man by God, that thereby also the hope of immortal blessings may be restored to you. And give thanks to the bountiful Father of all, by Him whom He has constituted King of peace, and the treasury of unspeakable honours, that even at the present time your sins may be washed away with the water of the fountain, or river, or even sea: the threefold name of blessedness being called over you, that by it not only evil spirits may be driven out, if any dwell in you,

but also that, when you have forsaken your sins, and have with entire faith and entire purity of mind believed in God, you may drive out wicked spirits and demons from others also, and may be able to set others free from sufferings and sicknesses.

For the demons themselves know and acknowledge those who have given themselves up to God, and sometimes they are driven out by the mere presence of such, as you saw a little while ago,

how, when we had only addressed to you the word of salutation, straightway the demons, on account of their respect for our religion, began to cry out, and could not bear our presence even for a little.

Chapter XXXIII.-The Weakest Christian More Powerful Than the Strongest Demon.

"Is it, then, that we are of another and a superior nature, and that therefore the demons are afraid of us? Nay, we are of one and the same nature with you, but we differ in religion. But if you will also be like us, we do not grudge it, but rather we exhort you, and wish you to be assured, that when the same faith and religion and innocence of life shall be in you that is in us, you will have equal and the same power and virtue against demons, through God rewarding your faith.

For as he who has soldiers under him, although he may be inferior, and they superior to him in strength, yet 'says to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to another, Do this, and he doeth it; ' [Matt. viii. 9. [Luke vii. 8.-R.] and this he is able to do, not by his own power, but by the fear of Caesar;

so every faithful one commands the demons, although they seem to he much stronger than men, and that not by means of his own power, but by means of the power of God, who has put them in subjection. For even that which we have just spoken of, that Caesar is held in awe by all soldiers, and in every camp, and in his whole kingdom, though he is but one man, and perhaps feeble in respect of bodily strength, this is not effected but by the power of God, who inspires all with fear, that they may be subject to one.

Chapter XXXIV.-Temptation of Christ.

See how Judas would not triumph over Jesus (Psalm 41) where triumph over included blowing wind instruments and "making a joyful noise." Actually this was polluting Jesus.

"This we would have you know assuredly, that a demon has no power against a man, unless one voluntarily submit himself to his desires. [The close of this discourse chaps. 34-37, resembles that of the first at Tripolis, in Homily VIII. 21, 24. As already indicated much of Homily IX. finds a parallel in this book.-R.]

Whence even that one who is the prince of wickedness, approached Him who, as we have said, is appointed of God King of peace, tempting Him, and began to promise Him all the glory of the world; because he knew that when he had offered this to others, for the sake of deceiving them, they had worshipped him.

Therefore, impious as he was, and unmindful of himself, which indeed is the special peculiarity of wickedness, he presumed that he should be worshipped by Him by whom he knew that he was to be destroyed.

Therefore our Lord, confirming the worship of one God, answered him: `It is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve' [Matt. iv. 10. [Luke iv. 8.-R.]

And he, terrified by this answer, and fearing lest the true religion of the one and true God should be restored,

hastened straightway to send forth into this world false prophets, and false apostles, and false teachers,

who should speak indeed in the name of Christ,

but should accomplish the will of the demon.

Chapter XXXV.-False Apostles.

"Wherefore observe the greatest caution,

that you believe no teacher,

unless he bring from Jerusalem the testimonial of James the Lord's brother,

or of whosoever may come after him. [This is peculiar in this connection. There is, at least, a suggestion of anti-Pauline spirit in its teaching.-R. ?]

For no one, unless he has gone up thither, and there has been approved as a fit and faithful teacher for preaching the word of Christ,-

unless, I say, he brings a testimonial thence, is by any means to be received.

But let neither prophet nor apostle be looked for by you at this time, besides us.

For there is one true Prophet, whose words we twelve apostles preach; for He is the accepted year of God, having us apostles as His twelve months.

But for what reason the world itself was made, or what diversities have occurred in it, and why our Lord, coming for its restoration, has chosen and sent us twelve apostles, shall be explained more at length at another time.

Meantime He has commanded us to go forth to preach, and to invite you to the supper of the heavenly King, which the Father hath prepared for the marriage of His Son,

and that we should give you wedding garments, that is, the grace of baptism; [Matt. xxii. 2-14.]
which whosoever obtains, as a spotless robe with which he is to enter to the supper of the King, ought to beware that it be not in any part of it stained with sin, and so he be rejected as unworthy and reprobate.

The authentic Peter had heard:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mk 16:15

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mk 16:16

Clement sees baptism as the new garment which those invited to the marriage must wear. The Jews "rejected the counsel of God for their lives" by refusing the baptism of John the Baptism:

And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Mt.22:3

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. Matt 22:10

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: Matt 22:11

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Matt 22:12

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 22:13

There are two forms of baptism: water for the wheat and fire for the weeds:

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Luke 3:16

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. Luke 3:17

Katakaio (g2619) kat-ak-ah'ee-o; from 2596 and 2545; to burn down (to the ground), i.e. consume wholly: - burn (up, utterly).

Therefore, the baptism Fire is to burn away the chaff.

Those "damned" for refusing baptism when offered are:

Katarino (g2632) kat-ak-ree'-no; from 2596 and 2919; to judge against, i.e. sentence: - condemn, damn.

People overwhelmingly repudiate the God-instilled merit of baptism and that is prophesied:

For many are called, but few are chosen. Matt 22:14

What is the garment needed to get into the wedding feast:

Enduma (g1742) en'-doo-mah; from 1746; apparel (espec. the outer robe): - clothing, garment, raiment.

Enduo (g1746) en-doo'-o; from 1722 and 1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fig.): - array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Ga.3:27

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:27NIV

Chapter XXXVI.-The Garments Unspotted.

"But the ways in which this garment may be spotted are these:

If any one withdraw from God the Father and Creator of all, receiving another teacher besides Christ,

who alone is the faithful and true Prophet, and who has sent us twelve apostles to preach the word;

if any one think otherwise than worthily of the substance of the Godhead, which excels all things;-these are the things which even fatally pollute the garment of baptism.

But the things which pollute it in actions are these: murders, adulteries, hatreds, avarice, evil ambition.

And the things which pollute at once the soul and the body are these: to partake of the table of demons, that is, to taste things sacrificed, or blood, or a carcase which is strangled, and if there be aught else which has been offered to demons.

[In Homily VII. 8 a similar injunction is given, at Sidon. The language in both places recalls Acts xv. 20 and 1 Cor. x. 21. But most of the chapter is peculiar to the Recognitions.-R.]

Be this therefore the first step to you of three; which step brings forth thirty commands, and the second sixty, and the third a hundred, ] as we shall expound more fully to you at another time."

[Matt xiii. 23. [Comp. Mark iv. 8, 20 where the order of the numbers corresponds with that of the Recognitions. The interpretation is a fanciful one, indicating not only Judaistic legalism, but the notion of esoteric teaching. The passage shows Ebtonitic tendencies.-R.]

Clement as "Peter" quotes Paul saying of the Israelites in the Wilderness:

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. 1 Cor 10:20

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. 1 Cor 10:21

"All altars, all sacrifices, and all worship that are not intended to serve the true God are thus actually though not necessarily consciously and intentionally devoted to these demons. As these wicked angels, under the leadership of Satan, rule the entire evil world, so in particular they are the originators of the spiritual darkness of which idolatry is the most terrible evidence. Hence all idol sacrifices, whatever the pagan ideas concerning them may be, are really sacrifices unto devils." (Lenski, on 1 Cor. p. 415).

Of the word demon: "It is used in the Septuagint, Deut. 32:17, to translate the Hebrew word which seems, originally, to have meant a supernatural being inferior to the gods proper, applied among the Assyrians to the bull deities which guarded the entrances to temples and palaces." (Vincent, p. 244)

The Israelites had the value of the shed blood of Christ in the Passover lamb. They had turned away from Egypt and by faith were "baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." They received many "gifts of the Spirit"

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Cor 10:4

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 1 Cor 10:5

Overthrown is from the Greek:

Katastronnumi (g2693) kat-as-trone'-noo-mee; from 2596 and 4766; to strew down, i.e. (by impl.) to prostrate (slay): - overthrow.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Cor 10:6

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 1 Cor 10:7

"Rising up to Play" was playing instruments in a ritual drama and was mocking Jehovah God as they rejected Him and worshiped Apis. Elsewhere we see that this was seduction, the theme of all ancient worship with music:

"The triumphal hymn of Moses had unquestionably a religious character about it; but the employment of music in religious services, though idolatrous, is more distinctly marked in the festivities which attended the erection of the golden calf." (Smith's Bible Dictionary, Music, p. 589).

"They sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. They practiced rites in which they made themselves naked, perhaps similar to those which were carried out by naked Babylonian priests." (Woodrow, p. 158)

"In the New Testament there is nowhere any emphasis laid on the musical form of the hymns; and in particular none on instrumental accompaniment whereas this is significantly paganism." (Delling, Gerhard, Worship in the New Testament, trans. Percy Scott Phil. Westminster press, 1962, p. 86).

Chapter XXXVII.-The Congregation Dismissed.

When he had thus spoken, and had charged them to come to the same place in good time on the following day, he dismissed the crowds; and when they were unwilling to depart, Peter said to them: "Do me this favour on account of the fatigue of yesterday's journey; and now go away. and meet in good time to-morrow." And so they departed with joy.

But Peter, commanding me to withdraw a little for the purpose of prayer, Clement, being not yet baptized, is represented as not permitted to join with the disciples, even in prayer. afterwards ordered the couches to be spread in the part of the garden which was covered with shade; and every one, according to custom, recognising the place of his own rank, we took food. Then, as there was still some portion of the day left, he conversed with us concerning the Lord's miracles; and when evening was come, he entered his bed-chamber and went to sleep.

[Comp. i. 19, ii. 70-72. This separation is indicated in the Homilies, but more emphasis is placed upon it in the Recognitions.-R.]

See Alfred Edersheim explain that public prayer was not in the Law of Moses but was brought from Babylon.

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