Element also in a certayne place, to confirme that there was corruption of doctrine immediately after the Apostles time, alleageth the prouerb that there are fewe sonnes like their fathers.
I can finde no such thing in Clement, but the matter is not great whether he saye so or no. The argument is starke noughte: for if this followe, that we may take no example, paterne, or testimonie of gouernment, out of that time, bycause it was corrupte, then by the same reason muste we not take examples of any tyme, no not out of the Apostles time, bicause that was also corrupte as I haue saide. Your argumentes be passing strong, surely I maruaile with what boldnesse you write them.