Sitting in Judgment Upon God.
2777.
When Aquila had thus spoken, then I Clement said:
Tomorrow, my father, you shall speak as you please, and we will gladly hear you;
for I suppose it will also be gratifying to you that you have to do with those who are not ignorant of the science which you profess.
2778.
When, therefore, it had been settled between the old man and me,
that on the following day we should hold a discussion on the subject of Genesis
— whether all things are done under its influence,
or there be anything in us which is not done by Genesis, but by the judgment of the mind—
Peter rose up, and began to speak to the following effect:
2779.
To me it is exceedingly wonderful, that things which can easily be found out men make difficult by recondite thoughts and words; and those especially who think themselves wise, and who, wishing to comprehend the will of God, treat God as if He were a man, yea, as if He were something less than a man:
for no one can know the purpose or mind of a man unless he himself reveal his thoughts; and neither can any one learn a profession unless he be for a long time instructed by a master.
2780.
How much more must it be, that no one can know the mind or the work of the invisible and incomprehensible God, unless He Himself send a prophet to declare His purpose,
and expound the way of His creation, so far as it is lawful for men to learn it!
2781.
Hence I think it ridiculous when men judge of the power of God in natural ways, and think that this is possible and that impossible to Him, or this greater and that less, while they are ignorant of everything; who, being unrighteous men, judge the righteous God; unskilled, judge the contriver; corrupt, judge the incorruptible; creatures, judge the Creator.
Jesus, the True Prophet.
2782.
Yet I would not have you think, that in saying this I take away the power of judging concerning things;
yet I give counsel that no one walk through devious places, and rush into errors without end.
2783.
And therefore I advise not only wise men, but indeed all men who have a desire of knowing what is advantageous to them, that they seek after the true Prophet;
for it is He alone who knows all things, and who knows what and how every man is seeking.
2784.
For He is within the mind of every one of us, but in those who have no desire of the knowledge of God and His righteousness, He is inoperative;
yet He works in those who seek after that which is profitable to their souls, and kindles in them the light of knowledge.
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2785.
Wherefore seek Him first of all; and if you do not find Him, expect not that you shall learn anything from any other. But He is soon found by those who diligently seek Him through love of the truth, and whose souls are not taken possession of by wickedness.
2786.
For He is present with those who desire Him in the innocency of their spirits, who bear patiently, and draw sighs from the bottom of their hearts through love of the truth;
yet He deserts malevolent minds, because as a prophet He knows the thoughts of every one.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:4
2787.
And therefore let no one think that he can find Him by his own wisdom, unless, as we have said, he empty his mind of all wickedness, and conceive a pure and faithful desire to know Him.
2788.
For when any one has so prepared himself, He Himself as a prophet, seeing a mind prepared for Him, of His own accord offers Himself to his knowledge.
His Deliverances Not to Be Questioned.
2789.
Therefore, if any one wishes to learn all things, he cannot do it by discussing them one by one;
for, being mortal, he shall not be able to trace the counsel of God, and to scan immensity itself.
2790.
Yet if, as we have said, he desires to learn all things, let him seek after the true Prophet;
and when he has found Him, let him not treat with Him by questions and disputations and arguments;
yet if He has given any response, or pronounced any judgment, it cannot be doubted that this is certain.
2791.
And therefore, before all things, let the true Prophet be sought, and His words be laid hold of.
2792.
In respect to these this only should be discussed by every one,
that he may satisfy himself if they are truly His prophetic words;
that is, if they contain undoubted faith of things to come,
if they mark out definite times,
if they preserve the order of things,
if they do not relate as last those things which are first, nor as first those things which were done last,
if they contain nothing subtle,
nothing composed by magic art to deceive,
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or if they have not transferred to themselves things which were revealed to others,
and have mixed them with falsehoods.
2793.
And when, all these things having been discussed by right judgment, it is established that they are prophetic words, so they ought to be at once believed concerning all things on which they have spoken and answered.
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