Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 1
The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr & Irenaeus
SECTION 1
Edinburgh series of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, will be found a library somewhat complete in itself. The Apostolic Fathers and those associated
Edinburgh series of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, will be found a library somewhat complete in itself. The Apostolic Fathers and those associated with them in the third generation, are here placed together in a handbook, which, with the inestimable Scriptures, supplies a succinct autobiography of the Spouse of Christ for the first tw…
2,205 wordsSECTION 2The first Epistle, bearing the name of Clement, has been preserved to us in a single manuscript only. Though very frequently referred to by
The first Epistle, bearing the name of Clement, has been preserved to us in a single manuscript only. Though very frequently referred to by ancient Christian writers, it remained unknown to the scholars of Western Europe until happily discovered in the Alexandrian manuscript. This ms. of the Sacred Scriptures (known and generall…
896 wordsSECTION 3Chapter I.--The salutation. Praise of the Corinthians before the breaking forth of schism among them.
Chapter I.--The salutation. Praise of the Corinthians before the breaking forth of schism among them. The Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from Almighty God throug…
884 wordsSECTION 4Chapter IV.--Many evils have already flowed from this source in ancient times.
Chapter IV.--Many evils have already flowed from this source in ancient times. For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his o…
774 wordsSECTION 5Chapter VI.--Continuation. Several other martyrs.
Chapter VI.--Continuation. Several other martyrs. To these men who spent their lives in the practice of holiness, there is to be added a great multitude of the elect, who, having through envy endured many indignities and tortures, furnished us with a most excellent example. Through envy, those women, the Danaids [32] and Dircæ,…
819 wordsSECTION 6Chapter X.--Continuation of the above.
Chapter X.--Continuation of the above. Abraham, styled "the friend," [45] was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family…
879 wordsSECTION 7Chapter XIII.--An exhortation to humility.
Chapter XIII.--An exhortation to humility. Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit saith, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his …
1,336 wordsSECTION 8Chapter XVII.--The saints as examples of humility.
Chapter XVII.--The saints as examples of humility. Let us be imitators also of those who in goat-skins and sheep-skins [72] went about proclaiming the coming of Christ; I mean Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel among the prophets, with those others to whom a like testimony is borne [in Scripture]. Abraham was specially honoured, and w…
810 wordsSECTION 9Chapter XX.--The peace and harmony of the universe.
Chapter XX.--The peace and harmony of the universe. The heavens, revolving under His government, are subject to Him in peace. Day and night run the course appointed by Him, in no wise hindering each other. The sun and moon, with the companies of the stars, roll on in harmony according to His command, within their prescribed lim…
846 wordsSECTION 10Chapter XXIII.--Be humble, and believe that Christ will come again.
Chapter XXIII.--Be humble, and believe that Christ will come again. The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favours upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted [98] …
827 wordsSECTION 11Chapter XXVII.--In the hope of the resurrection, let us cleave to the omnipotent and omniscient God.
Chapter XXVII.--In the hope of the resurrection, let us cleave to the omnipotent and omniscient God. Having then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to …
833 wordsSECTION 12Chapter XXXI.--Let us see by what means we may obtain the divine blessing.
Chapter XXXI.--Let us see by what means we may obtain the divine blessing. Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider what are the means [124] of possessing it. Let us think [125] over the things which have taken place from the beginning. For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? was it not because he wrought righte…
721 wordsSECTION 13Chapter XXXIV.--Great is the reward of good works with God. Joined together in harmony, let us implore that reward from Him.
Chapter XXXIV.--Great is the reward of good works with God. Joined together in harmony, let us implore that reward from Him. The good servant [139] receives the bread of his labour with confidence; the lazy and slothful cannot look his employer in the face. It is requisite, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of well-d…
727 wordsSECTION 14Chapter XXXVI.--All blessings are given to us through Christ.
Chapter XXXVI.--All blessings are given to us through Christ. This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Saviour, [153] even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our infirmity. By Him we look up to the heights of heaven. By Him we behold, as in a glass, His immaculate and most excel…
758 wordsSECTION 15Chapter XXXIX.--There is no reason for self-conceit.
Chapter XXXIX.--There is no reason for self-conceit. Foolish and inconsiderate men, who have neither wisdom [170] nor instruction, mock and deride us, being eager to exalt themselves in their own conceits. For what can a mortal man do? or what strength is there in one made out of the dust? For it is written, "There was no shape…
923 wordsSECTION 16Chapter XLIII.--Moses of old stilled the contention which arose concerning the priestly dignity.
Chapter XLIII.--Moses of old stilled the contention which arose concerning the priestly dignity. And what wonder is it if those in Christ who were entrusted with such a duty by God, appointed those [ministers] before mentioned, when the blessed Moses also, "a faithful servant in all his house," [186] noted down in the sacred bo…
978 wordsSECTION 17Chapter XLVI.--Let us cleave to the righteous: your strife is pernicious.
Chapter XLVI.--Let us cleave to the righteous: your strife is pernicious. Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we should follow; [201] since it is written, "Cleave to the holy, for those that cleave to them shall [themselves] be made holy." [202] And again, in another place, [the Scripture] saith, "With a harmle…
853 wordsSECTION 18Chapter XLIX.--The praise of love.
Chapter XLIX.--The praise of love. Let him who has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude …
802 wordsSECTION 19Chapter LIII.--The love of Moses towards his people.
Chapter LIII.--The love of Moses towards his people. Ye understand, beloved, ye understand well the Sacred Scriptures, and ye have looked very earnestly into the oracles of God. Call then these things to your remembrance. When Moses went up into the mount, and abode there, with fasting and humiliation, forty days and forty nigh…
1,151 wordsSECTION 20Chapter LVII.--Let the authors of sedition submit themselves.
Chapter LVII.--Let the authors of sedition submit themselves. Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is b…
1,630 wordsSECTION 21Chapter I.--Occasion of the epistle.
Chapter I.--Occasion of the epistle. Since I see thee, most excellent Diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping God prevalent among the Christians, and inquiring very carefully and earnestly concerning them, what God they trust in, and what form of religion they observe, [264] so as all to look down upon …
895 wordsSECTION 22Chapter III.--Superstitions of the Jews.
Chapter III.--Superstitions of the Jews. And next, I imagine that you are most desirous of hearing something on this point, that the Christians do not observe the same forms of divine worship as do the Jews. The Jews, then, if they abstain from the kind of service above described, and deem it proper to worship one God as being …
707 wordsSECTION 23Chapter V.--The manners of the Christians.
Chapter V.--The manners of the Christians. For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct wh…
719 wordsSECTION 24Chapter VII.--The manifestation of Christ.
Chapter VII.--The manifestation of Christ. For, as I said, this was no mere earthly invention which was delivered to them, nor is it a mere human system of opinion, which they judge it right to preserve so carefully, nor has a dispensation of mere human mysteries been committed to them, but truly God Himself, who is almighty, t…
928 wordsSECTION 25Chapter IX.--Why the Son was sent so late.
Chapter IX.--Why the Son was sent so late. As long then as the former time [309] endured, He permitted us to be borne along by unruly impulses, being drawn away by the desire of pleasure and various lusts. This was not that He at all delighted in our sins, but that He simply endured them; nor that He approved the time of workin…
1,017 wordsSECTION 26Chapter XI.--These things are worthy to be known and believed.
Chapter XI.--These things are worthy to be known and believed. I do not speak of things strange to me, nor do I aim at anything inconsistent with right reason; [319] but having been a disciple of the Apostles, I am become a teacher of the Gentiles. I minister the things delivered to me to those that are disciples worthy of the …
1,766 wordsSECTION 27Chapter I.--Praise of the Philippians.
Chapter I.--Praise of the Philippians. I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example [339] of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect…
747 wordsSECTION 28Chapter IV.--Various exhortations.
Chapter IV.--Various exhortations. "But the love of money is the root of all evils." [360] Knowing, therefore, that "as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out," [361] let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness; [362] and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the …
766 wordsSECTION 29Chapter VII.--Avoid the Docetæ, and persevere in fasting and prayer.
Chapter VII.--Avoid the Docetæ, and persevere in fasting and prayer. "For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;" [377] and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, [378] is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that ther…
1,026 wordsSECTION 30Chapter XII.--Exhortation to various graces.
Chapter XII.--Exhortation to various graces. For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted. [404] It is declared then in these Scriptures, "Be ye angry, and sin not," [405] and, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." [406] Happy is…
1,363 wordsSECTION 31Chapter I.--Subject of which we write.
Chapter I.--Subject of which we write. We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution, having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his martyrdom. For almost all the events that happened previously [to this one], took place that the Lor…
722 wordsSECTION 32Chapter V.--The departure and vision of Polycarp.
Chapter V.--The departure and vision of Polycarp. But the most admirable Polycarp, when he first heard [that he was sought for], was in no measure disturbed, but resolved to continue in the city. However, in deference to the wish of many, he was persuaded to leave it. He departed, therefore, to a country house not far distant f…
860 wordsSECTION 33Chapter IX.--Polycarp refuses to revile Christ.
Chapter IX.--Polycarp refuses to revile Christ. Now, as Polycarp was entering into the stadium, there came to him a voice from heaven, saying, "Be strong, and show thyself a man, O Polycarp!" No one saw who it was that spoke to him; but those of our brethren who were present heard the voice. And as he was brought forward, the t…
843 wordsSECTION 34Chapter XIII.--The funeral pile is erected.
Chapter XIII.--The funeral pile is erected. This, then, was carried into effect with greater speed than it was spoken, the multitudes immediately gathering together wood and fagots out of the shops and baths; the Jews especially, according to custom, eagerly assisting them in it. And when the funeral pile was ready, Polycarp, l…
804 wordsSECTION 35Chapter XVII.--The Christians are refused Polycarp's body.
Chapter XVII.--The Christians are refused Polycarp's body. But when the adversary of the race of the righteous, the envious, malicious, and wicked one, perceived the impressive [463] nature of his martyrdom, and [considered] the blameless life he had led from the beginning, and how he was now crowned with the wreath of immortal…
745 wordsSECTION 36Chapter XXI.--The date of the martyrdom.
Chapter XXI.--The date of the martyrdom. Now, the blessed Polycarp suffered martyrdom on the second day of the month Xanthicus just begun, [476] the seventh day before the Kalends of May, on the great Sabbath, at the eighth hour. [477] He was taken by Herod, Philip the Trallian being high priest, [478] Statius Quadratus being p…
2,443 wordsSECTION 37Had the somewhat sanguine hope thus expressed been realized, it would have been unnecessary for us to present to the English reader more tha
Had the somewhat sanguine hope thus expressed been realized, it would have been unnecessary for us to present to the English reader more than a translation of these three Syriac Epistles. But the Ignatian controversy is not yet settled. There are still those who hold that the balance of argument is in favour of the shorter Greek…
729 wordsSECTION 38Chapter I.--Praise of the Ephesians.
Chapter I.--Praise of the Ephesians. I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Being the followers [490] of God, and stirring up [491] yourselves by the blood of God, ye have perfectly accomplis…
867 wordsSECTION 39Chapter III.--Exhortations to unity.
Chapter III.--Exhortations to unity. I do not issue orders to you, as if I were some great person. For though I am bound for the name [of Christ], I am not yet perfect in Jesus Christ. For now I begin to be a disciple, and I speak to you as fellow-disciples with me. For it was needful for me to have been stirred up by you in fa…
1,206 wordsSECTION 40Chapter VI.--Have respect to the bishop as to Christ Himself.
Chapter VI.--Have respect to the bishop as to Christ Himself. Now the more any one sees the bishop keeping silence, [527] the more ought he to revere him. For we ought to receive every one whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household, [528] as we would do Him that sent him. It is manifest, therefore, that we shou…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.