Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 5
Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius & Novatian
SECTION 121
49. He discharged upon them the wrath of His anger;--anger, and wrath, and tribulation, a visitation by evil angels.
49. He discharged upon them the wrath of His anger;--anger, and wrath, and tribulation, a visitation by evil angels. Under anger, wrath, and tribulation, he intended bitter punishments; for God is without passion. And by anger you will understand the lesser penalties, and by wrath the greater, and by tribulation the greatest. […
2,374 wordsSECTION 122[1247] "The eye that mocketh at his father, and dishonours the old age of his mother." That is to say, one that blasphemes God and despises
[1247] "The eye that mocketh at his father, and dishonours the old age of his mother." That is to say, one that blasphemes God and despises the mother of Christ, the wisdom of God,--his eyes may ravens from the caves tear out, i.e., him may unclean and wicked spirits deprive of the clear eye of gladness; and may the young eagles…
2,217 wordsSECTION 123[1270] Simon de Magistris, in his Acta Martyr. Ostiens., p. 274 adduces the following fragment in Latin and Syriac, from a Vatican codex, an
[1270] Simon de Magistris, in his Acta Martyr. Ostiens., p. 274 adduces the following fragment in Latin and Syriac, from a Vatican codex, and prefaces it with these words: Hippolytus wrote on the Song of Solomon, and showed that thus early did God the Word seek His pleasure in the Church gathered from among the Gentiles, and esp…
988 wordsSECTION 124Preface by the most holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome. [1285]
Preface by the most holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome. [1285] As I wish to give an accurate account of the times of the captivity of the children of Israel in Babylon, and to discuss the prophecies contained in the visions of the blessed Daniel, (as well as) his manner of life from his boyhood in Babylon, I too shall proceed to…
2,261 wordsSECTION 1257. Since, then, the Persians held the mastery for 330 years, [1302] and after them the Greeks, who were yet more glorious, held it for 300 y
7. Since, then, the Persians held the mastery for 330 years, [1302] and after them the Greeks, who were yet more glorious, held it for 300 years, of necessity the fourth beast, as being strong and mightier than all that were before it, will reign 500 years. When the times are fulfilled, and the ten horns spring from the beast in…
2,234 wordsSECTION 12622. For when the threescore and two weeks are fulfilled, and Christ is come, and the Gospel is preached in every place, the times being then
22. For when the threescore and two weeks are fulfilled, and Christ is come, and the Gospel is preached in every place, the times being then accomplished, there will remain only one week, the last, in which Elias will appear, and Enoch, and in the midst of it the abomination of desolation will be manifested, [1316] viz., Antichr…
2,202 wordsSECTION 12739. Thus, then, does the prophet set forth these things concerning the Antichrist, who shall be shameless, a war-maker, and despot, who, exa
39. Thus, then, does the prophet set forth these things concerning the Antichrist, who shall be shameless, a war-maker, and despot, who, exalting himself above all kings and above every god, shall build the city of Jerusalem, and restore the sanctuary. Him the impious will worship as God, and will bend to him the knee, thinking …
2,203 wordsSECTION 12814. "Arioch, the captain of the king's guard" (literally, "the chief slaughterer or cook"). For as the cook slays all animals and cooks them
14. "Arioch, the captain of the king's guard" (literally, "the chief slaughterer or cook"). For as the cook slays all animals and cooks them, of a similar nature was his occupation. And the rulers of the world slay men, butchering them like brute beasts. 23. "Because Thou hast given me wisdom and might." We ought therefore to m…
2,217 wordsSECTION 12993 (i.e., 26). "And he said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego." The three youths he thus called by name. But he found no name by which to cal
93 (i.e., 26). "And he said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego." The three youths he thus called by name. But he found no name by which to call the fourth. For He was not yet that Jesus born of the Virgin. 97 (i.e., 30). "Then the king promoted," etc. For as they honoured God by giving themselves up to death, so, too, they were t…
2,239 wordsSECTION 1309. "The words are closed up and sealed." For as a man cannot tell what God has prepared for the saints; for neither has eye seen nor ear hea
9. "The words are closed up and sealed." For as a man cannot tell what God has prepared for the saints; for neither has eye seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man (to conceive) these things, into which even the saints, too, shall then eagerly desire to look; so He said to him, "For the words are sealed unti…
2,202 wordsSECTION 13123. "It is better for me not to do it." For it is better to die by the hand of wicked men and live with God, than, by consenting to them, to
23. "It is better for me not to do it." For it is better to die by the hand of wicked men and live with God, than, by consenting to them, to be delivered from them and fall into the hands of God. 24. "And Susannah cried with a loud voice." And to whom did Susannah cry but to God? as Isaiah says: "Then shalt thou call, and the L…
1,309 wordsSECTION 132Preface.
Preface. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God. This is a transcript of the excellent law. But before beginning to give the transcript of the book of the law, it will be worth while to instruct you, O brother, as to its excellence, and the dignity of its disposition. Its first excellence is, that …
2,220 wordsSECTION 133And God enjoined him to strike the rattles three times every day, to wit, for the first time at early dawn, for the second time at mid-day,
And God enjoined him to strike the rattles three times every day, to wit, for the first time at early dawn, for the second time at mid-day, and for the third time at sunset. And it happened that, as soon as Noah had struck the rattles, the sons of Cain and the sons of Vahim ran up straightway to him, and he warned and alarmed t…
2,265 wordsSECTION 1342. As regards those which have no inscription, we must also inquire to whom we ought to ascribe them. For why is it that even the simplest i
2. As regards those which have no inscription, we must also inquire to whom we ought to ascribe them. For why is it that even the simplest inscription is wanting in them--such as the one which runs thus, "A psalm of David," or "Of David," without any addition? Now, my idea is, that wherever this inscription occurs alone, what is…
2,439 wordsSECTION 135[1376] Simon de Magistris, Acta Martyrum Ostiensium, Append., p. 439.
[1376] Simon de Magistris, Acta Martyrum Ostiensium, Append., p. 439. [1377] That is an attempt to express in Greek letters the Hebrew title, viz., sphr thls = Book of Praises [1378] [See vol. iii. pp. 94, 103.] [1379] Luke vii. 41. [Dan. viii. 13, (Margin.) "Palmoni," etc.] [1380] Gen. vi. 3. [1381] i.e., in our version th…
2,338 wordsSECTION 1364. For whereas the Word of God was without flesh, [1413] He took upon Himself the holy flesh by the holy Virgin, and prepared a robe which H
4. For whereas the Word of God was without flesh, [1413] He took upon Himself the holy flesh by the holy Virgin, and prepared a robe which He wove for Himself, like a bridegroom, in the sufferings of the cross, in order that by uniting His own power with our mortal body, and by mixing [1414] the incorruptible with the corruptibl…
2,354 wordsSECTION 13718. Ezekiel also speaks of him to the same effect, thus: "Thus saith the Lord God, Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I a
18. Ezekiel also speaks of him to the same effect, thus: "Thus saith the Lord God, Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the sea; yet art thou a man, and not God, (though) thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God. Art thou wiser than Daniel? Have the wise n…
2,201 wordsSECTION 13831. Which of you, then, shall I esteem more than thee? Yet Jeremiah, too, is stoned. But if I should esteem Jeremiah most, yet Daniel too ha
31. Which of you, then, shall I esteem more than thee? Yet Jeremiah, too, is stoned. But if I should esteem Jeremiah most, yet Daniel too has his testimony. Daniel, I commend thee above all; yet John too gives no false witness. With how many mouths and tongues would I praise you; or rather the Word who spake in you! Ye died with…
2,283 wordsSECTION 13943. With respect, then, to the particular judgment in the torments that are to come upon it in the last times by the hand of the tyrants who
43. With respect, then, to the particular judgment in the torments that are to come upon it in the last times by the hand of the tyrants who shall arise then, the clearest statement has been given in these passages. But it becomes us further diligently to examine and set forth the period at which these things shall come to pass,…
2,274 wordsSECTION 14051. But not to confine ourselves to these words and arguments alone, for the purpose of convincing those who love to study the oracles of Go
51. But not to confine ourselves to these words and arguments alone, for the purpose of convincing those who love to study the oracles of God, we shall demonstrate the matter by many other proofs. For Daniel says, "And these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon." [1511] Ammon …
2,321 wordsSECTION 14162. The Lord also says, "When ye shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then l
62. The Lord also says, "When ye shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, and let him which is on the housetop not come down to take his clothes; neither let him which is in the field return back to take anything …
2,228 wordsSECTION 142[1461] ophthalmophanos.
[1461] ophthalmophanos. [1462] Rev. xvii. 9. [1463] For hupo pollon Combefisius has hupo laon = by peoples. [1464] Isa. i. 7, 8. [1465] 2 Tim. iv. 8. [1466] Dan. vii. 4. [1467] For plasas Gudius proposes hagiasas (sanctified) or kalesas (called). [1468] Jer. i. 5. [1469] Dan. viii. 2-8. [1470] Dan. vii. 6. [1471] For a…
2,207 wordsSECTION 1438. What sayest thou to this, O Jew? It is neither Matthew nor Paul that saith these things, but David, thine anointed, who awards and declar
8. What sayest thou to this, O Jew? It is neither Matthew nor Paul that saith these things, but David, thine anointed, who awards and declares these terrible sentences on account of Christ. And like the great Job, addressing you who speak against the righteous and true, he says, "Thou didst barter the Christ like a slave, thou d…
2,277 wordsSECTION 144------------------------
------------------------ [1579] Gallandi, Vet. Patr., ii. 451. Two fragments of this discourse are extant also in the Parallela Damascenica Rupefucaldina, pp. 755, 789. [Compare Justin, vol. i. p. 273; Tatian, ii. 65; Athenagoras, 130, and Clement passim; vol. iii. Tertullian, 129; Origen, iv. p. 412. This is a fragment from Hi…
2,210 wordsSECTION 1455. But what is meant, says he, in the other passage: "This is God, and there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of Him?" [1624]
5. But what is meant, says he, in the other passage: "This is God, and there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of Him?" [1624] That said he rightly. For in comparison of the Father who shall be accounted of? But he says: "This is our God; there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of Him. He hath found out…
2,424 wordsSECTION 14613. Now Jeremiah says, "Who hath stood in the counsel [1668] of the Lord, and hath perceived His Word?" [1669] But the Word of God alone is
13. Now Jeremiah says, "Who hath stood in the counsel [1668] of the Lord, and hath perceived His Word?" [1669] But the Word of God alone is visible, while the word of man is audible. When he speaks of seeing the Word, I must believe that this visible (Word) has been sent. And there was none other (sent) but the Word. And that He…
2,317 wordsSECTION 147------------------------
------------------------ [1603] Gallandi, p. 454. [1604] That Noetus was a native of Smyrna is mentioned also by Theodoret, book iii. Hæret Fab., c. iii., and Damascenus, sec. lvii. (who is accustomed to follow Epiphanius); and yet in Epiphanius, Hæres., 57, we read that Noetus was an Asian of the city of Ephesus ('Asianon tes…
2,675 wordsSECTION 148[1711] kata stoicheion. The Latin title in the version of Anastasius renders it "ex sermone qui est per elementum."
[1711] kata stoicheion. The Latin title in the version of Anastasius renders it "ex sermone qui est per elementum." [1712] peri theologias. [1713] For Elikosthe Codex Regius et Colbertinus of Nicephorus prefers "Elikionos. Fabricius conjectures that we should read elikioto hairetikon, so that the title would be, Against Beron …
2,633 wordsSECTION 149------------------------
------------------------ [1766] idioma. [1767] heterophanous ousias. [1768] demiourgon. [1769] enousiosas. [1770] Or sensitive, aisthetikou. [1771] anoche paschon theotetos. [1772] gumnon somatos. [1773] amoiron drasas theotetos. [1774] kainoprepe tropon. [1775] to kat' ampho phusikos analloioton. [1776] eis pistosin.…
2,343 wordsSECTION 1509. This is the Spirit that at the beginning "moved upon the face of the waters;" [1826] by whom the world moves; by whom creation consists,
9. This is the Spirit that at the beginning "moved upon the face of the waters;" [1826] by whom the world moves; by whom creation consists, and all things have life; who also wrought mightily in the prophets, [1827] and descended in flight upon Christ. [1828] This is the Spirit that was given to the apostles in the form of fiery…
2,268 wordsSECTION 151[1860] From a second Oration on Daniel. In the tractate of Eustratius, a presbyter of the Church of Constantinople, "Against those who alleg
[1860] From a second Oration on Daniel. In the tractate of Eustratius, a presbyter of the Church of Constantinople, "Against those who allege that souls, as soon as they are released from the body, cease to act," ch. xix., as edited by Allatius in his work on the Continuous Harmony of the Western and the Eastern Church on the Do…
2,355 wordsSECTION 152[1886] Matt. v. 18.
[1886] Matt. v. 18. III. Where, then, ye friends of Christ, shall I begin? and with what shall I make my commencement, or what shall I expound? and what witness shall I adduce for the things spoken? But let us take those (viz., the prophets) with whom we began this discourse, and adduce them as credible witnesses, to confirm o…
2,297 wordsSECTION 153[1920] Unchangeable, aparatropon.
[1920] Unchangeable, aparatropon. [1921] Dan. ii. 31-35. XIII. Wherefore, bringing the visions of Daniel into conjunction with these, we shall make one narrative of the two, and show how true and consistent were the things seen in vision by the prophet with those which Nabuchodonosor saw beforehand. For the prophet speaks thu…
1,014 wordsSECTION 154XVIII.
XVIII. As the Lord Jesus Christ made His sojourn with us in the flesh (which He received) from the holy, immaculate Virgin, and took to Himself the tribe of Judah, and came forth from it, the Scripture declared His royal lineage in the word of Jacob, when in his benediction he addressed himself to his son in these terms: "Judah…
1,973 wordsSECTION 155XXIII.
XXIII. Above all, moreover, he will love the nation of the Jews. And with all these he will work signs and terrible wonders, false wonders and not true, in order to deceive his impious equals. For if it were possible, he would seduce even the elect [1957] from the love of Christ. But in his first steps he will be gentle, loveab…
990 wordsSECTION 156XXVII.
XXVII. Then, after all these things, the heavens will not give their dew, the clouds will not give their rain, the earth will refuse to yield its fruits, the sea shall be filled with stench, the rivers shall be dried up, the fish of the sea shall die, men shall perish of hunger and thirst; and father embracing son, and mother e…
1,224 wordsSECTION 157XXXII.
XXXII. But many who are hearers of the divine Scriptures, [1967] and have them in their hand, and keep them in mind with understanding, will escape his imposture. For they will see clearly through his insidious appearance and his deceitful imposture, and will flee from his hands, and betake themselves to the mountains, and hide…
829 wordsSECTION 158XXXVI.
XXXVI. As these things, therefore, of which we have spoken before are in the future, beloved, when the one week is divided into parts, and the abomination of desolation has arisen then, and the forerunners of the Lord have finished their proper course, and the whole world, in fine, comes to the consummation, what remains but th…
793 wordsSECTION 159XXXIX.
XXXIX. And why should we add many words concerning those who are sisted before the bar? Then the righteous shall shine forth like the sun, while the wicked shall be shown to be mute and gloomy. For both the righteous and the wicked shall be raised incorruptible: the righteous, to be honoured eternally, and to taste immortal joy…
970 wordsSECTION 160XLIII.
XLIII. Then shall the righteous answer, astonished at the mighty and wondrous fact that He, whom the hosts of angels cannot look upon openly, addresses them as friends, and shall cry out to Him, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? Master, [1999] when saw we Thee thirsty, and gave Thee drink? Thou Terrible One, [20…
894 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.