The Apostolic Fathers Vol. 1: Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Didache

that the number of his elect should be saved with mercy and compassion.The manuscript reading means "conscience," which gives no sense. There is also a variant in the previous word: the inferior manuscript (C) reads "fear" instead of "mercy." 5. You were sincere and innocent, and bore no malice to one another. 6. All sedition and all schism was abominable to you. You mourned over the transgressions of your neighbours; you judged their shortcomings as your own. 7. You were without regret in every act of kindness, "ready unto every good work." 8. You were adorned by your virtuous and honourable citizenship and did all things in the fear of God."God" is found only in L; the other authorities have "his fear," but the meaning is plain. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were "written on the tables of your heart."

III

The troubles at Corinth

1. All glory and enlargement was given to you, and that which was written was fulfilled, "My Beloved ate and drank, and he was enlarged and waxed fat and kicked." 2. From this arose jealousy and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. 3. Thus "the worthless" rose up "against those who were in honour," those of no reputation against the renowned, the foolish against the prudent, the "young against the old." 4. For this cause righteousness and peace are far removed, while each deserts the fear of God and the eye of faith in him has grown dim, and men walk neither in the ordinances of his commandments nor