Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 2
Fathers of the Second Century
SECTION 201
Chapter XXV.--Plato an Imitator of Moses in Framing Laws.
Chapter XXV.--Plato an Imitator of Moses in Framing Laws. Plato the philosopher, aided in legislation by the books of Moses, censured the polity of Minos, and that of Lycurgus, as having bravery alone as their aim; while he praised as more seemly the polity which expresses some one thing, and directs according to one precept. F…
1,288 wordsSECTION 202Chapter XXVII.--The Law, Even in Correcting and Punishing, Aims at the Good of Men.
Chapter XXVII.--The Law, Even in Correcting and Punishing, Aims at the Good of Men. Let no, one then, run down law, as if, on account of the penalty, it were not beautiful and good. For shall he who drives away bodily disease appear a benefactor; and shall not he who attempts to deliver the soul from iniquity, as much more appe…
1,115 wordsSECTION 203Chapter XXVIII.--The Fourfold Division of the Mosaic Law.
Chapter XXVIII.--The Fourfold Division of the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic philosophy is accordingly divided into four parts,--into the historic, and that which is specially called the legislative, which two properly belong to an ethical treatise; and the third, that which relates to sacrifice, which belongs to physical science; and …
2,243 wordsSECTION 204III.
III. (Tradition. [2148] ) The apostles distinguish between vain traditions of the Jews, and their own Christian paradoseisthe tradita apostolica (2 Tim. i. 13, 14; 2 Tim. ii. 2; 1 Cor. xi. 2; 2 Thess. iii. 6; 1 Cor. v. 8; 1 Cor. xvi. 2). Among these were (1) the authentication of their own Scriptures; (2) certain "forms of sou…
2,223 wordsSECTION 205Book II.
The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book II. Chapter I.--Introductory. [2153] As Scripture has called the Greeks pilferers of the Barbarian [2154] philosophy, it will next have to be considered how this may be briefly demonstrated. For we shall not only show that they have imitated and copied the marvels recorded in our books; but…
835 wordsSECTION 206Chapter II.--The Knowledge of God Can Be Attained Only Through Faith.
Chapter II.--The Knowledge of God Can Be Attained Only Through Faith. "Be not elated on account of thy wisdom," say the Proverbs. "In all thy ways acknowledge her, that she may direct thy ways, and that thy foot may not stumble." By these remarks he means to show that our deeds ought to be conformable to reason, and to manifest…
1,399 wordsSECTION 207Chapter III.--Faith Not a Product of Nature.
Chapter III.--Faith Not a Product of Nature. Now the followers of Basilides regard faith as natural, as they also refer it to choice, [representing it] as finding ideas by intellectual comprehension without demonstration; while the followers of Valentinus assign faith to us, the simple, but will have it that knowledge springs u…
2,044 wordsSECTION 208Chapter V.--He Proves by Several Examples that the Greeks Drew from the Sacred Writers.
Chapter V.--He Proves by Several Examples that the Greeks Drew from the Sacred Writers. Accordingly all those above-mentioned dogmas appear to have been transmitted from Moses the great to the Greeks. That all things belong to the wise man, is taught in these words: "And because God hath showed me mercy, I have all things." [21…
1,420 wordsSECTION 209Chapter VI.--The Excellence and Utility of Faith.
Chapter VI.--The Excellence and Utility of Faith. "Lord, who hath believed our report?" [2212] Isaiah says. For "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," saith the apostle. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe on Him whom they have not heard? And how shall …
1,612 wordsSECTION 210Chapter VII.--The Utility of Fear. Objections Answered.
Chapter VII.--The Utility of Fear. Objections Answered. Those, who denounce fear, assail the law; and if the law, plainly also God, who gave the law. For these three elements are of necessity presented in the subject on hand: the ruler, his administration, and the ruled. If, then, according to hypothesis, they abolish the law; …
1,002 wordsSECTION 211Chapter VIII.--The Vagaries of Basilides and Valentinus as to Fear Being the Cause of Things.
Chapter VIII.--The Vagaries of Basilides and Valentinus as to Fear Being the Cause of Things. Here the followers of Basilides, interpreting this expression, say, "that the Prince, [2237] having heard the speech of the Spirit, who was being ministered to, was struck with amazement both with the voice and the vision, having had g…
1,141 wordsSECTION 212Chapter IX.--The Connection of the Christian Virtues.
Chapter IX.--The Connection of the Christian Virtues. Such a fear, accordingly, leads to repentance and hope. Now hope is the expectation of good things, or an expectation sanguine of absent good; and favourable circumstances are assumed in order to good hope, which we have learned leads on to love. Now love turns out to be con…
1,253 wordsSECTION 213Chapter X.--To What the Philosopher Applies Himself.
Chapter X.--To What the Philosopher Applies Himself. These three things, therefore, our philosopher attaches himself to: first, speculation; second, the performance of the precepts; third, the forming of good men;--which, concurring, form the Gnostic. Whichever of these is wanting, the elements of knowledge limp. Whence the Scr…
1,522 wordsSECTION 214Chapter XII.--Twofold Faith.
Chapter XII.--Twofold Faith. Faith as also Time being double, we shall find virtues in pairs both dwelling together. For memory is related to past time, hope to future. We believe that what is past did, and that what is future will take place. And, on the other hand, we love, persuaded by faith that the past was as it was, and …
1,533 wordsSECTION 215Chapter XIV.--How a Thing May Be Involuntary.
Chapter XIV.--How a Thing May Be Involuntary. What is involuntary is not matter for judgment. But this is twofold,--what is done in ignorance, and what is done through necessity. For how will you judge concerning those who are said to sin in involuntary modes? For either one knew not himself, as Cleomenes and Athamas, who were …
2,210 wordsSECTION 216Chapter XVI.--How We are to Explain the Passages of Scripture Which Ascribe to God Human Affections.
[2318] Luke x. 27, etc. [2319] John. xv. 11, 12. [2320] chrestos instread of christos which is in the text. [2321] Ps. cviii. 8, cxi. 4. [2322] Ex. x. 28, xxxiv. 12; Deut. iv. 9. [2323] Prob. Ecclus. iii. 29. [2324] Prov. iii. 7. [2325] Ecclus. i. 27. Chapter XVI.--How We are to Explain the Passages of Scripture Which As…
808 wordsSECTION 217Chapter XVII.--On the Various Kinds of Knowledge.
Chapter XVII.--On the Various Kinds of Knowledge. As, then, Knowledge (episteme) is an intellectual state, from which results the act of knowing, and becomes apprehension irrefragable by reason; so also ignorance is a receding impression, which can be dislodged by reason. And that which is overthrown as well as that which is el…
2,297 wordsSECTION 218Now love is conceived in many ways, in the form of meekness, of mildness, of patience, of liberality, of freedom from envy, of absence of ha
Now love is conceived in many ways, in the form of meekness, of mildness, of patience, of liberality, of freedom from envy, of absence of hatred, of forgetfulness of injuries. In all it is incapable of being divided or distinguished: its nature is to communicate. Again, it is said, "If you see the beast of your relatives, or fri…
2,160 wordsSECTION 219Chapter XIX.--The True Gnostic is an Imitator of God, Especially in Beneficence.
Chapter XIX.--The True Gnostic is an Imitator of God, Especially in Beneficence. He is the Gnostic, who is after the image and likeness of God, who imitates God as far as possible, deficient in none of the things which contribute to the likeness as far as compatible, practising self-restraint and endurance, living righteously, …
1,311 wordsSECTION 220Chapter XX.--The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
Chapter XX.--The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint. Endurance also itself forces its way to the divine likeness, reaping as its fruit impassibility through patience, if what is related of Ananias be kept in mind; who belonged to a number, of whom Daniel the prophet, filled with divine faith, was one. Daniel dwe…
2,292 wordsSECTION 221He says, then, that sinners exercise activities appropriate to demons; but he does not say that the spirits themselves dwell in the soul of
He says, then, that sinners exercise activities appropriate to demons; but he does not say that the spirits themselves dwell in the soul of the unbeliever. Wherefore he also adds, "See that the temple of the Lord be gloriously built. Learn, having received remission of sins; and having set our hope on the Name, let us become new…
1,856 wordsSECTION 222Chapter XXI.--Opinions of Various Philosophers on the Chief Good.
Chapter XXI.--Opinions of Various Philosophers on the Chief Good. Epicurus, in placing happiness in not being hungry, or thirsty, or cold, uttered that godlike word, saying impiously that he would fight in these points even with Father Jove; teaching, as if it were the case of pigs that live in filth and not that of rational ph…
1,017 wordsSECTION 223Chapter XXII.--Plato's Opinion, that the Chief Good Consists in Assimilation to God, and Its Agreement with Scripture.
Chapter XXII.--Plato's Opinion, that the Chief Good Consists in Assimilation to God, and Its Agreement with Scripture. Further, Plato the philosopher says that the end is twofold: that which is communicable, and exists first in the ideal forms themselves, which he also calls "the good;" and that which partakes of it, and receiv…
1,426 wordsSECTION 224Chapter XXIII.--On Marriage.
Chapter XXIII.--On Marriage. Since pleasure and lust seem to fall under marriage, it must also be treated of. Marriage is the first conjunction of man and woman for the procreation of legitimate children. [2421] Accordingly Menander the comic poet says:-- "For the begetting of legitimate children, I give thee my daughter." W…
2,334 wordsSECTION 225Book III. [2440]
II. (See p. 352, note 9.) Monos ho sophos eleupheros. Stier, in his comments [2437] on St. John (viii. 32-36), may well be compared with this chapter of Clement's. The eighteenth chapter of this book must also be kept in view if we would do full justice to the true position of Clement, who recognises nothing in heathen philoso…
2,480 wordsSECTION 226Deflevi et luxi, insolitum cernens miser orbem.
Deflevi et luxi, insolitum cernens miser orbem. Et amplius:-- Mortua nam ex vivis fecit, species commutans. Et rursus:-- Hei mihi! quam infelix horninure genus atque misellum Litibus ex quantis prognati et planctibus estis? Dicit autem Sibylla quoque:-- Mortales homines, caro qui tantum, et nihil estis; Similiter atque p…
3,118 wordsSECTION 227Caput V.--Duo Genera Hæreticorum Notat: Prius Illorum Qui Omnia Omnibus Licere Pronuntiant, Quos Refutat.
Caput V.--Duo Genera Hæreticorum Notat: Prius Illorum Qui Omnia Omnibus Licere Pronuntiant, Quos Refutat. Ne ergo hunc locum ungue amplius fodicantes plurium absurdalum hæresium meminerimus; nec rursus dum in singulis adversus unamquamque dicere necesse habemus, propterea pudore afficiamur, et nimis prolixos hos faciamus commen…
2,217 wordsSECTION 228Quomodo autem fuerit is qui petit et accipit, et is qui mutuatur, si nullus sit qui habeat etdet mutuo? Quid vero? quando dicit Dominus: "Es
Quomodo autem fuerit is qui petit et accipit, et is qui mutuatur, si nullus sit qui habeat etdet mutuo? Quid vero? quando dicit Dominus: "Esurivi, et me pavistis; sitii, et potum mihi dedistis; hospes cram, et me collegistis; nudus, et me vestiistis;" [2517] deinde subjungit: "Quatenus fecistis uni horum minimorum, mihi fecistis…
2,162 wordsSECTION 229His sic ostensis, age Scripturas, quæ adversantur sophistis hæreticis, jam adducamus, et regulam continentiæ secundum logon seu rationem obs
His sic ostensis, age Scripturas, quæ adversantur sophistis hæreticis, jam adducamus, et regulam continentiæ secundum logon seu rationem observandam declaremus. Qui vero intelligit, quæ Scriptura cuique hæresi contraria sit, cam tempestive adhibendo refutabit eos, qui dogmata mandatis contraria fingunt. Atque ut ab alto rem repe…
3,114 wordsSECTION 230Caput XIII.--Julii Cassiani Hæretici Verbis Respondet; Item Loco Quem Ex Evangelio Apocrypho Idem Adduxerat.
Caput XIII.--Julii Cassiani Hæretici Verbis Respondet; Item Loco Quem Ex Evangelio Apocrypho Idem Adduxerat. Talibus argumentis utitur quoque Julius Cassianus, [2607] qui fixit princeps sectæ Docetarum. Inopere ceete De continentia, vel De castitate, his verbis dicit: "Nec dicat aliquis, quod quoniam talia habemus membra, ut al…
2,885 wordsSECTION 231Elucidations.
Elucidations. I. (See p. 381, [55]cap. i.) In his third book, Clement exposes the Basilidians and others who perverted the rule of our Lord, which permissively, but not as of obligation, called some to the self-regimen of a single life, on condition of their possessing the singular gift requisite to the same. True continence,…
2,255 wordsSECTION 232XIII.
XIII. (See p. 396, note 5.) The melancholy example of Tatian is next instanced, in his departures from orthodox encraty. Against poor Tatian's garrulity, he proves the sanctity of marriage, alike in the New and the Old Testaments. A curious argument he adduces against the ceremonial washing prescribed by the law (Lev. xv. 18),…
872 wordsSECTION 233XVIII.
XVIII. The Commentaria of Le Nourry have been my guide to the brief analysis of these Elucidations, though I have not always allowed the learned Benedictine to dictate an opinion, or to control my sense of our author's argument. [2675] See vol. i. p. 332, note 4, this series. [2676] See the touching story of St. Peter's words…
1,425 wordsSECTION 234Book IV.
Book IV. Chapter I.--Order of Contents. It will follow, I think, that I should treat of martyrdom, and of who the perfect man is. With these points shall be included what follows in accordance with the demands of the points to be spoken about, and how both bond and free must equally philosophize, whether male or female in sex.…
1,024 wordsSECTION 235Chapter III.--The True Excellence of Man.
Chapter III.--The True Excellence of Man. The most of men have a disposition unstable and heedless, like the nature of storms. "Want of faith has done many good things, and faith evil things." And Epicharmus says, "Don't forget to exercise incredulity; for it is the sinews of the soul." Now, to disbelieve truth brings death, as…
1,127 wordsSECTION 236Chapter IV.--The Praises of Martyrdom.
Chapter IV.--The Praises of Martyrdom. Whence, as is reasonable, the gnostic, when galled, obeys easily, and gives up his body to him who asks; and, previously divesting himself of the affections of this carcase, not insulting the tempter, but rather, in my opinion, training him and convincing him,-- "From what honour and what…
1,103 wordsSECTION 237Chapter V.--On Contempt for Pain, Poverty, and Other External Things.
Chapter V.--On Contempt for Pain, Poverty, and Other External Things. Fit objects for admiration are the Stoics, who say that the soul is not affected by the body, either to vice by disease, or to virtue by health; but both these things, they say, are indifferent. And indeed Job, through exceeding continence, and excellence of …
816 wordsSECTION 238Chapter VI.--Some Points in the Beatitudes.
Chapter VI.--Some Points in the Beatitudes. Our holy Saviour applied poverty and riches, and the like, both to spiritual things and objects of sense. For when He said, "Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake," [2702] He clearly taught us in every circumstance to seek for the martyr who, if poor for righteo…
2,717 wordsSECTION 239Chapter VII.--The Blessedness of the Martyr.
"Blessed, then, are the peacemakers," [2734] who have subdued and tamed the law which wars against the disposition of the mind, the menaces of anger, and the baits of lust, and the other passions which war against the reason; who, having lived in the knowledge both of good works and true reason, shall be reinstated in adoption, …
2,210 wordsSECTION 240And all the rest which we know by names."
And all the rest which we know by names." To the multitude, then, this vain labour is desirable. But to us the apostle says, "Now we know this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." [2757] Does not the apostle then plainly add the following, to…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.