Clement, as is apparent from his writings, was extensively acquainted with profane literature.  But he formed quite too high an estimate of the value of the heathen philosophy, whilst he allegorized Scripture in a way as dangerous as it was absurd.  By the serpent which deceived Eve, according to Clement, “pleasure, an earthly vice which creeps upon the belly, is allegorically represented.” [374:1] Moses, speaking allegorically, if we may believe this writer, called the Divine Wisdom the tree of life planted in paradise; by which paradise we may understand the world, in which all the works of creation were called into being. [374:2] He even interprets the ten commandments allegorically.  Thus, by adultery, he understands a departure from the true knowledge of the Most High, and by murder, a violation of the truth respecting God and His eternal existence. [374:3] It is easy to see how Scripture, by such a system of interpretation, might be tortured into a witness for any extravagance.

In the early part of the third century Hippolytus of Portus exerted much influence by his writings.  It was long believed that, with the exception of some fragments and a few tracts of little consequence, the works of this father had ceased to exist; but, as stated in a preceding chapter, [374:4] one of his most important publications, the “Philosophumena, or Refutation of all Heresies,” has been recently recovered.  The re-appearance of this production after so many centuries of oblivion is an extraordinary fact; and its testimony relative to historical transactions of deep interest connected with the early Church of Rome, has created quite a sensation among the students of ecclesiastical literature.

Hippolytus was the disciple of Irenaeus, and one of the soundest theologians of his generation.  His works, which are written in Greek, illustrate his learning, his acuteness, and his eloquence.  His views on some matters of ecclesiastical discipline were, indeed, too rigid; and, by a writer of the fifth century, [375:1] he has been described as an abettor of Novatianism; but his zeal and piety are universally admitted.  He is said to have lost his life in the cause of Christianity; and though he attests the heretical teaching of two of her chief pastors, the Church of Rome still honours him as a saint and a martyr.

Minucius Felix was the contemporary of Hippolytus.  He was a Roman lawyer, and a convert from paganism.  In his Dialogue, entitled “Octavius,” the respective merits of Christianity and heathenism are discussed with much vivacity.  In point of style this little work is surpassed by none of the ecclesiastical writings of the period.