The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity For such persons as these "have the appearance only of the fear of God, but the power of it they deny."[16] Pope Anterus The Epistle Now for both parties-namely, for those who endure a famine of the word of God, and for bishops who endure straits, when they are installed in other cities for the common good -no small degree of mercy is shown. And they who deny this, although they have the form of godliness, do yet deny the power thereof.[10]