{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/008/0081049.htm","path":"chr/ecf/008/0081049.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/008/0081049.htm","text":"Chapter IX.\u2014Possessions are Transgressions.\n\u201cWill you be so good as to explain this matter also? I remember Clement saying to me, that we suffer injuries and afflictions for the forgiveness of our sins.\u201d Peter said: \u201cThis is quite correct. For we, who have chosen the future things, in so far as we possess more goods than these, whether they be clothing, or food or drink, or any other thing, possess sins, because we ought not to have anything, as I explained to you a little ago. To all of us possessions are sins. 1243 The deprivation of these, in whatever way it may take place, is the removal of sins.\u201d And our father said: \u201cThat seems reasonable, as you explained that these were the two boundary lines of the two kings, and 1244 that it was in the power of each to choose whatever he wished of what was under their authority. But why are the afflictions sent, or 1245 do we suffer them justly?\u201d And Peter said: \u201cMost justly; for since the boundary line of the saved is, as I said, that no one should possess anything, but since many have many possessions, or in other words sins, for this reason the exceeding love of God sends afflictions on those who do not act in purity of heart, that on account of their having some measure of the love of God, they might, by temporary inflictions, be saved from eternal punishments.\u201d\nOne ms. inserts before the sentence: \u201cFor if in all of us possessions are wont to occasion sins in those who have them.\u201d\n311:1244\nWe have adopted Wieseler\u2019s emendation of \u03c4\u1f70 into \u03ba\u03b1\u03af.\n311:1245","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VIII: Pseudo-Clementine Literature.: Chapter IX","type":"page"}