Book V - Snyder Bible

22
Book I
I Clement, who was born in the city of Rome, was from my
earliest age a lover of chastity; while the bent of my mind held
me bound as with chains of anxiety and sorrow. For a thought
that was in mewhence originating, I cannot tellconstantly
led me to think of my condition of mortality, and to discuss
such questions as these: Whether there be for me any life after
death, or whether I am to be wholly annihilated: whether I did
not exist before I was born, and whether there shall be no remembrance
of this life after death, and so the boundlessness
of time shall consign all things to oblivion and silence; so that
not only shall we cease to be, but there shall be no remembrance
that we have ever been. This also I revolved in my
mind: when the world was made, or what was before it was
made, or whether it has existed from eternity. For it seemed
certain, that if it had been made, it must be doomed to dissolution;
and if it be dissolved, what is to be afterwards? Unless, it
may be that all things shall be buried in oblivion and silence,
or something shall be, which the mind of man cannot now
conceive.
Chapter II: His Distress
While I was continually revolving in my mind these and
such like questions, suggested I know not how, I was pining
away wonderfully through excess of grief; and, what was
worse, if at any time I thought to cast aside such cares, as being
of little use, the waves of anxiety rose all the higher upon
me. For I had in me that most excellent companion, who
would not suffer me to restthe desire of immortality: for, as
the subsequent issue showed, and the grace of Almighty Yahweh
directed, this bent of mind led me to the quest of truth,
and the acknowledgment of the true light; and hence it came
to pass, that ere long I pitied those whom formerly in my ignorance
I believed to be blest.