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A Series of Lessons in Mystic Christianity1074
by taking them in a wrong sense; and, as the proverb says, we should be
found ‘reaching a sword to a child.’ For it is impossible that what has been
written should not escape, although remaining published by me. But being
always revolved, using the one only voice, that of writing, they answer
nothing to him that makes inquiries beyond what is written; for they require
of necessity the aid of someone, either of him who wrote or of someone
else, who walked in his footsteps. Some things my treatise will hint; on some
it will linger; some it will merely mention. It will try to speak imperceptibly,
to exhibit secretly, and to demonstrate silently.” (The Stromata of St. Clement)
St. Clement, in the same work from which the above quotation was taken,
has a chapter entitled “The Mysteries of the Faith, not to be Divulged to
all.” In it he states that inasmuch as his writings might be seen by all men, the
unwise as well as the wise, “it is requisite, therefore, to hide in a Mystery
the wisdom spoken, in which the Son of God is taught.” He then adds, “For
it is difficult to exhibit the really pure and transparent words to swinish and
untrained hearers. For scarcely could anything which they could bear be
more ludicrous than these to the multitude; nor any subjects on the other
hand more admirable or more inspiring to those of noble nature. But the
wise do not utter with their mouths what they reason in council. ‘But what
ye hear in the ear,’ said the Lord, ‘proclaim upon the houses; bidding them
receive the secret traditions of the true knowledge, and expound them aloft
and conspicuously; and as we have said in the ear, so to deliver them to
whom it is requisite; but not enjoining us to communicate to all without
distinction what is said to them in parables. But there is only a delineation
in the memoranda, which have the truth sown sparse and broadcast, that it
may escape the notice of those who pick up seeds like jackdaws; but when
they find a good husbandman, each of them will germinate and will produce
corn.”
“Those who are still blind and dumb, not having understanding, or the
undazzled and keen vision of the contemplative soul, must stand outside of
the divine choir. Wherefore, in accordance with the method of concealment,