Quotes

Mary remained ever-virgin after the birth of Christ

But, as appears, many even down to our own time regard Mary, on account of the birth of her child, as having been in the puerperal state, although she was not. For some say that, after she brought forth, she was found, when examined, to be a virgin.

Now such to us are the Scriptures of the Lord, which gave birth to the truth and continue virgin, in the concealment of the mysteries of the truth. “And she brought forth, and yet brought not forth,” says the Scripture; as having conceived of herself, and not from conjunction. Wherefore the Scriptures have conceived to Gnostics; but the heresies, not having learned them, dismissed them as not having conceived.

Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book VII
Chapter XVI

A logoi of Matthew the Apostle

They say in the traditions that Matthew the apostle constantly said, that “if the neighbor of an elect man sin, the elect man has sinned. For had he conducted himself as the Word prescribes, his neighbor also would have been filled with such reverence for the life he led as not to sin.”

Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book VII
Chapter XIII

God inspires those who choose him

For, evidently in honor of their excellent nature and their holy choice, he inspires those who have made choice of a good life with strength for the rest of their salvation; exhorting some, and helping others, who of themselves have become worthy.

Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book VII
Chapter VII

The hours of prayer

Now, if some assign definite hours for prayer— as, for example, the third, and sixth, and ninth— yet the Gnostic prays throughout his whole life, endeavoring by prayer to have fellowship with God. And, briefly, having reached to this, he leaves behind him all that is of no service, as having now received the perfection of the man that acts by love. But the distribution of the hours into a threefold division, honored with as many prayers, those are acquainted with, who know the blessed triad of the holy abodes.

Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book VII
Chapter VII