{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/009/0090168.htm","path":"chr/ecf/009/0090168.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/009/0090168.htm","text":"Chapter VI.\u2014The Present and Future Worlds are Enemies to Each Other.\nNow the Lord declares, \u201cNo servant can serve two masters.\u201d 4360 If we desire, then, to serve both God and mammon, it will be unprofitable for us. \u201cFor what will it profit if a man gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?\u201d 4361 This world and the next are two enemies. The one urges 4362 to adultery and corruption, avarice and deceit; the other bids farewell to these things. We cannot, therefore, be the friends of both; and it behoves us, by renouncing the one, to make sure 4363 of the other. Let us reckon 4364 that it is better to hate the things present, since they are trifling, and transient, and corruptible; and to love those [which are to come,] as being good and incorruptible. For if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; otherwise, nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment, if we disobey His commandments. For thus also saith the Scripture in Ezekiel, \u201cIf Noah, Job, and Daniel should rise up, they should not deliver their children in captivity.\u201d 4365 Now, if men so eminently righteous are not able by their righteousness to deliver their children, how 4366 can we hope to enter into the royal residence 4367 of God unless we keep our baptism holy and undefiled? Or who shall be our advocate, p. 253 unless we be found possessed of works of holiness and righteousness?\nMatt. xvi. 26. I. omits \u1f45\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd (whole).\n252:4362 252:4363 252:4364 252:4365 252:4366\nLiterally, \u201cwith what confidence shall we.\u201d\n252:4367\nWake translates \u201ckingdom,\u201d as if the reading had been \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03bd ; but the ms. has \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03af\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd, \u201cpalace.\u201d","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol IX: The Epistles of Clement.: Chapter VI","type":"page"}