Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/Pseudo-Clementine Literature/The Clementine Homilies/Homily XIV/Chapter 3

Chapter III.&#8212;The Old Man Does Not Believe in God or Providence.

&#8220;The old man began to speak as follows:&#160; &#8216;When I saw you after you had bathed in the sea retire into the secret place, I went up and secretly watched what might be your object in entering into a secret place, and when I saw you pray, I retired; but taking pity on you, I waited that I might speak with you when you came out, and prevail on you not to be led astray.&#160; For there is neither God nor providence; but all things are subject to Genesis. &#160; Of this I am fully assured in consequence of what I have myself endured, having for a long time made a careful study of the science. &#160; Do not therefore be deceived, my child.&#160; For whether you pray or not, you must endure what is assigned to you by Genesis.&#160; For if prayers could have done anything or any good, I myself should now be in better circumstances.&#160; And now, unless my needy garments mislead you, you will not refuse to believe what I say.&#160; I was once in affluent circumstances; I sacrificed much to the gods, I gave liberally to the needy; and yet, though I prayed and acted piously, I was not able to escape my destiny.&#8217;&#160; And I said:&#160; &#8216;What are the calamities you have endured?&#8217;&#160; And he answered:&#160; &#8216;I need not tell you now; perhaps at the end you shall learn who I am, and who are my parents, and into what straitened circumstances I have fallen.&#160; But at present I wish you to become fully assured that everything is subject to Genesis.&#8217;