Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 2
Fathers of the Second Century
SECTION 281
Chapter VI.--The Gospel Was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades. [3261]
Chapter VI.--The Gospel Was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades. [3261] But as the proclamation [of the Gospel] has come now at the fit time, so also at the fit time were the Law and the Prophets given to the Barbarians, and Philosophy to the Greeks, to fit their ears for the Gospel. "Therefore," says the Lord who delivered …
2,267 wordsSECTION 282Chapter VII.--What True Philosophy Is, and Whence So Called.
[3261] [The ideas on which our author bases his views of Christ's descent into the invisible world, are well expounded by Kaye, p. 189.] [3262] Matt. xxiii. 4; Luke xi. 46. [3263] Matt. ix. 22, etc. [3264] The passage which seems to be alluded to here is Job xxviii. 22, "Destruction and Death say, We have heard the fame there…
1,938 wordsSECTION 283Chapter VIII.--Philosophy is Knowledge Given by God.
Chapter VIII.--Philosophy is Knowledge Given by God. For Paul too, in the Epistles, plainly does not disparage philosophy; but deems it unworthy of the man who has attained to the elevation of the Gnostic, any more to go back to the Hellenic "philosophy," figuratively calling it "the rudiments of this world," [3305] as being mo…
1,821 wordsSECTION 284Chapter IX.--The Gnostic Free of All Perturbations of the Soul.
Chapter IX.--The Gnostic Free of All Perturbations of the Soul. The Gnostic is such, that he is subject only to the affections that exist for the maintenance of the body, such as hunger, thirst, and the like. But in the case of the Saviour, it were ludicrous [to suppose] that the body, as a body, demanded the necessary aids in …
1,964 wordsSECTION 285Chapter X.--The Gnostic Avails Himself of the Help of All Human Knowledge.
Chapter X.--The Gnostic Avails Himself of the Help of All Human Knowledge. For to him knowledge (gnosis) is the principal thing. Consequently, therefore, he applies to the subjects that are a training for knowledge, taking from each branch of study its contribution to the truth. Prosecuting, then, the proportion of harmonies in…
875 wordsSECTION 286Chapter XI.--The Mystical Meanings in the Proportions of Numbers, Geometrical Ratios, and Music.
Chapter XI.--The Mystical Meanings in the Proportions of Numbers, Geometrical Ratios, and Music. As then in astronomy we have Abraham as an instance, so also in arithmetic we have the same Abraham. "For, hearing that Lot was taken captive, and having numbered his own servants, born in his house, 318 (tie [3334] )," he defeats a…
2,275 wordsSECTION 287Chapter XII.--Human Nature Possesses an Adaptation for Perfection; The Gnostic Alone Attains It.
I pass over in silence at present the parable which says in the Gospel: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who cast a net into the sea and out of the multitude of the fishes caught, makes a selection of the better ones." [3362] And now the wisdom which we possess announces the four virtues [3363] in such a way as to show that…
2,214 wordsSECTION 288Chapter XIII.--Degrees of Glory in Heaven Corresponding with the Dignities of the Church Below.
And as in the case of Moses, from his righteous conduct, and from his uninterrupted intercourse with God, who spoke to him, a kind of glorified hue settled on his face; so also a divine power of goodness clinging to the righteous soul in contemplation and in prophecy, and in the exercise of the function of governing, impresses o…
981 wordsSECTION 289Chapter XIV.--Degrees of Glory in Heaven.
Chapter XIV.--Degrees of Glory in Heaven. Such, according to David, "rest in the holy hill of God," [3389] in the Church far on high, in which are gathered the philosophers of God, "who are Israelites indeed, who are pure in heart, in whom there is no guile;" [3390] who do not remain in the seventh seat, the place of rest, but …
1,772 wordsSECTION 290Chapter XV.--Different Degrees of Knowledge.
Chapter XV.--Different Degrees of Knowledge. The Gnostic, then, is impressed with the closest likeness, that is, with the mind of the Master; which He being possessed of, commanded and recommended to His disciples and to the prudent. Comprehending this, as He who taught wished, and receiving it in its grand sense, he teaches wo…
2,428 wordsSECTION 291Reasons for the meaning of Scripture being veiled.
Reasons for the meaning of Scripture being veiled. For many reasons, then, the Scriptures hide the sense. First, that we may become inquisitive, and be ever on the watch for the discovery of the words of salvation. Then it was not suitable for all to understand, so that they might not receive harm in consequence of taking in an…
1,894 wordsSECTION 292Chapter XVI.--Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue.
Chapter XVI.--Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue. Let the Decalogue be set forth cursorily by us as a specimen for gnostic exposition. The number "Ten." That ten is a sacred number, it is superfluous to say now. And if the tables that were written were the work of God, they will be found to exhibit physical creation. For by …
2,218 wordsSECTION 293And that the changes in the periods of life take place by sevens, the Elegies of Solon teach thus:--
And that the changes in the periods of life take place by sevens, the Elegies of Solon teach thus:-- "The child, while still an infant, in seven years, Produces and puts forth its fence of teeth; And when God seven years more completes, He shows of puberty's approach the signs; And in the third, the beard on growing cheek …
1,501 wordsSECTION 294Chapter XVII.--Philosophy Conveys Only an Imperfect Knowledge of God.
Chapter XVII.--Philosophy Conveys Only an Imperfect Knowledge of God. But, as appears, the philosophers of the Greeks, while naming God, do not know Him. But their philosophical speculations, according to Empedocles, "as passing over the tongue of the multitude, are poured out of mouths that know little of the whole." For as ar…
2,203 wordsSECTION 295Philosophy is not, then, the product of vice, since it makes men virtuous; it follows, then, that it is the work of God, whose work it is so
Philosophy is not, then, the product of vice, since it makes men virtuous; it follows, then, that it is the work of God, whose work it is solely to do good. And all things given by God are given and received well. Further, if the practice of philosophy does not belong to the wicked, but was accorded to the best of the Greeks, i…
857 wordsSECTION 296Chapter XVIII.--The Use of Philosophy to the Gnostic.
Chapter XVIII.--The Use of Philosophy to the Gnostic. Greek philosophy the recreation of the Gnostic. Now our Gnostic always occupies himself with the things of highest importance. But if at any time he has leisure and time for relaxation from what is of prime consequence, he applies himself to Hellenic philosophy in preferenc…
2,284 wordsSECTION 297Book VII.
VII. (The Gnostic, cap. xi. [118]p. 501.) The Gnostic "conjectures things future," i.e., by the Scriptures. "He shall show you things to come," said the Divine Master, speaking of the Blessed Comforter. To what extent did these ancients, in their esoteric conjectures, anticipate the conversion of the empire, and the evils that…
1,296 wordsSECTION 298Chapter II.--The Son the Ruler and Saviour of All.
Chapter II.--The Son the Ruler and Saviour of All. To know [3512] God is, then, the first step of faith; then, through confidence in the teaching of the Saviour, to consider the doing of wrong in any way as not suitable to the knowledge of God. So the best thing on earth is the most pious man; and the best thing in heaven, the…
2,154 wordsSECTION 299Chapter III.--The Gnostic Aims at the Nearest Likeness Possible to God and His Son.
Chapter III.--The Gnostic Aims at the Nearest Likeness Possible to God and His Son. Now I pass over other things in silence, glorifying the Lord. But I affirm that gnostic souls, that surpass in the grandeur of contemplation the mode of life of each of the holy ranks, among whom the blessed abodes of the gods are allotted by di…
2,208 wordsSECTION 300Chapter IV.--The Heathens Made Gods Like Themselves, Whence Springs All Superstition.
[3527] Matt. v. 8. [3528] Phil. iv. 18. [3529] Ps. li. 17, 19. [3530] Rom. vi. 6, 7; 2 Cor. x. 5; Eph. iv. 22-24; Col. iii. 8, 9, etc. [3531] John i. 3. [3532] kratein is hear supplied to complete the sense. [3533] antitassesthai is suggested instead of antitassetai of the text. [3534] ama is here, on the authority of a m…
1,382 wordsSECTION 301Chapter V.--The Holy Soul a More Excellent Temple Than Any Edifice Built by Man.
Chapter V.--The Holy Soul a More Excellent Temple Than Any Edifice Built by Man. For is it not the case that rightly and truly we do not circumscribe in any place that which cannot be circumscribed; nor do we shut up in temples made with hands that which contains all things? What work of builders, and stonecutters, and mechanic…
712 wordsSECTION 302Chapter VI.--Prayers and Praise from a Pure Mind, Ceaselessly Offered, Far Better Than Sacrifices.
Chapter VI.--Prayers and Praise from a Pure Mind, Ceaselessly Offered, Far Better Than Sacrifices. As, then, God is not circumscribed by place, neither is ever represented by the form of a living creature; so neither has He similar passions, nor has He wants like the creatures, so as to desire sacrifice, from hunger, by way of …
1,714 wordsSECTION 303Chapter VII.--What Sort of Prayer the Gnostic Employs, and How It is Heard by God.
Chapter VII.--What Sort of Prayer the Gnostic Employs, and How It is Heard by God. Now we are commanded to reverence and to honour the same one, being persuaded that He is Word, Saviour, and Leader, and by Him, the Father, not on special days, as some others, but doing this continually in our whole life, and in every way. Certa…
2,225 wordsSECTION 304And since the dawn is an image of the day of birth, and from that point the light which has shone forth at first from the darkness increases
And since the dawn is an image of the day of birth, and from that point the light which has shone forth at first from the darkness increases, there has also dawned on those involved in darkness a day of the knowledge of truth. In correspondence with the manner of the sun's rising, prayers are made looking towards the sunrise in …
2,205 wordsSECTION 305Chapter VIII.--The Gnostic So Addicted to Truth as Not to Need to Use an Oath.
Chapter VIII.--The Gnostic So Addicted to Truth as Not to Need to Use an Oath. The man of proved character in such piety is far from being apt to lie and to swear. For an oath is a decisive affirmation, with the taking of the divine name. For how can he, that is once faithful, show himself unfaithful, so as to require an oath; …
1,347 wordsSECTION 306Chapter X.--Steps to Perfection.
Chapter X.--Steps to Perfection. For knowledge (gnosis), to speak generally, a perfecting of man as man, is consummated by acquaintance with divine things, in character, life, and word, accordant and conformable to itself and to the divine Word. For by it faith is perfected, inasmuch as it is solely by it that the believer beco…
1,346 wordsSECTION 307Chapter XI.--Description of the Gnostic's Life.
Chapter XI.--Description of the Gnostic's Life. Respecting the universe, he conceives truly and grandly in virtue of his reception of divine teaching. Beginning, then, with admiration of the Creation, and affording of himself a proof of his capability for receiving knowledge, he becomes a ready pupil of the Lord. Directly on he…
2,256 wordsSECTION 308Chapter XII.--The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly Things.
[3598] [Others see the letter only, but the true Gnostic penetrates to the spirit, of the law.] [3599] [Here is no toleration of untruth. See p. 538, supra.] [3600] [The bearing of this beautiful anecdote upon clerical wedlock and the sanctity of the married life must be obvious.] [3601] [1 Cor. vii. 29. S.] [3602] [Brute br…
2,206 wordsSECTION 309The same holds of pleasure. For it is the highest achievement for one who has had trial of it, afterwards to abstain. For what great thing i
The same holds of pleasure. For it is the highest achievement for one who has had trial of it, afterwards to abstain. For what great thing is it, if a man restrains himself in what he knows not? He, in fulfilment of the precept, according to the Gospel, keeps the Lord's day, [3618] when he abandons an evil disposition, and assum…
2,012 wordsSECTION 310Chapter XIII.--Description of the Gnostic Continued.
Chapter XIII.--Description of the Gnostic Continued. He never remembers those who have sinned against him, but forgives them. Wherefore also he righteously prays, saying, "Forgive us; for we also forgive." [3637] For this also is one of the things which God wishes, to covet nothing, to hate no one. For all men are the work of o…
933 wordsSECTION 311Chapter XIV.--Description of the Gnostic Furnished by an Exposition of 1 Cor. vi. 1, Etc.
Chapter XIV.--Description of the Gnostic Furnished by an Exposition of 1 Cor. vi. 1, Etc. Now, of what I may call the passionlessness which we attribute to the Gnostic (in which the perfection of the believer, "advancing by love, comes to a perfect man, to the measure of full stature," [3645] by being assimilated to God, and by…
1,665 wordsSECTION 312Chapter XV.--The Objection to Join the Church on Account of the Diversity of Heresies Answered.
Chapter XV.--The Objection to Join the Church on Account of the Diversity of Heresies Answered. Since it comes next to reply to the objections alleged against us by Greeks and Jews; and since, in some of the questions previously discussed, the sects also who adhere to other teaching give their help, it will be well first to cle…
1,249 wordsSECTION 313Chapter XVI.--Scripture the Criterion by Which Truth and Heresy are Distinguished. [3664]
Chapter XVI.--Scripture the Criterion by Which Truth and Heresy are Distinguished. [3664] But those who are ready to toil in the most excellent pursuits, will not desist from the search after truth, till they get the demonstration from the Scriptures themselves. There are certain criteria common to men, as the senses; and othe…
2,309 wordsSECTION 314Accordingly, those fall from this eminence who follow not God whither He leads. And He leads us in the inspired Scriptures.
Accordingly, those fall from this eminence who follow not God whither He leads. And He leads us in the inspired Scriptures. Though men's actions are ten thousand in number, the sources of all sin are but two, ignorance and inability. And both depend on ourselves; inasmuch as we will not learn, nor, on the other hand, restrain l…
1,535 wordsSECTION 315Chapter XVII.--The Tradition of the Church Prior to that of the Heresies.
Chapter XVII.--The Tradition of the Church Prior to that of the Heresies. Those, then, that adhere to impious words, and dictate them to others, inasmuch as they do not make a right but a perverse use of the divine words, neither themselves enter into the kingdom of heaven, nor permit those whom they have deluded to attain the …
1,093 wordsSECTION 316Chapter XVIII--The Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Animals in the Law Symbolical of the Distinction Between the Church, and Jews, and Heretics.
Chapter XVIII--The Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Animals in the Law Symbolical of the Distinction Between the Church, and Jews, and Heretics. After showing a little peep-hole to those who love to contemplate the Church from the law of sacrifices respecting clean and unclean animals (inasmuch as thus the common Jews and …
1,593 wordsSECTION 317Book VIII.
Book VIII. Chapter I.--The Object of Philosophical and Theological Inquiry--The Discovery of Truth. [3703] But the most ancient of the philosophers were not carried away to disputing and doubting, much less are we, who are attached to the really true philosophy, on whom the Scripture enjoins examination and investigation. For …
844 wordsSECTION 318Chapter III.--Demonstration Defined.
Chapter III.--Demonstration Defined. Similarly, also, all men will admit that demonstration is discourse, [3705] agreeable to reason, producing belief in points disputed, from points admitted. Now, not only demonstration and belief and knowledge, but foreknowledge also, are used in a twofold manner. There is that which is scie…
1,107 wordsSECTION 319Chapter IV.--To Prevent Ambiguity, We Must Begin with Clear Definition.
Chapter IV.--To Prevent Ambiguity, We Must Begin with Clear Definition. For every question is solved from pre-existing knowledge. And the knowledge pre-existing of each object of investigation is sometimes merely of the essence, while its functions are unknown (as of stones, and plants, and animals, of whose operations we are i…
1,703 wordsSECTION 320Chapter V.--Application of Demonstration to Sceptical Suspense of Judgment.
Chapter V.--Application of Demonstration to Sceptical Suspense of Judgment. Now the same treatment which applies to demonstration applies also to the following question. Some, for instance, say that there cannot be several originating causes for one animal. It is impossible that there can be several homogeneous originating cau…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.