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p. 252 Homily IV.

Chapter I.—Bernice’s Hospitality.

Thus I Clement, departing from Cæsarea Stratonis, together with Nicetas and Aquila, entered into Tyre of Phœnicia; 1030 and according to the injunction of Peter, who sent us, we lodged with Bernice, the daughter of Justa the Canaanitess.  She received us most joyfully; and striving with much honour towards me, and with affection towards Aquila and Nicetas, and speaking freely as a friend, through joy she treated us courteously, and hospitably urged us to take bodily refreshment.  Perceiving, therefore, that she was endeavouring to impose a short delay upon us, I said:  “You do well, indeed, to busy yourself in fulfilling the part of love; but the fear of our God must take the precedence of this.  For, having a combat on hand on behalf of many souls, we are afraid of preferring our own ease before their salvation.


Footnotes

252:1030

[In the Recognitions (iv. 1) mention is made of Clement and others accompanying Peter to Dora, Ptolemais, Tyre, Sidon, and Berytus (Beyrout), but no record is made of any discourses.  In Homilies IV.–VII. the details of this journey are given, but with variation in some particulars.  These Homilies are peculiar, in form, to this work; but much of the matter occurs in the Recognitions, in the final discussion with the father of Clement.—R.]


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