Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 6
Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus & Others
SECTION 161
Chapter IX.--The Son of God, Who Ever Is, is To-Day Begotten in the Minds and Sense of the Faithful.
Chapter IX.--The Son of God, Who Ever Is, is To-Day Begotten in the Minds and Sense of the Faithful. Now, in perfect agreement and correspondence with what has been said, seems to be this which was spoken by the Father from above to Christ when He came to be baptized in the water of the Jordan, "Thou art my son: this day have I…
1,695 wordsSECTION 162Chapter XII.--Virgins are Called to the Imitation of the Church in the Wilderness Overcoming the Dragon.
Chapter XII.--Virgins are Called to the Imitation of the Church in the Wilderness Overcoming the Dragon. The Church, then, coming hither into this wilderness, a place unproductive of evils, is nourished, flying on the heavenward wings of virginity, which the Word called the "wings of great eagle," [2742] having conquered the se…
889 wordsSECTION 163Chapter XIV.--The Doctrine of Mathematicians Not Wholly to Be Despised, When They are Concerned About the Knowledge of the Stars; The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac Mythical Names.
Chapter XIV.--The Doctrine of Mathematicians Not Wholly to Be Despised, When They are Concerned About the Knowledge of the Stars; The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac Mythical Names. Thekla. Resuming then, let us first lay bare, in speaking of those things according to our power, the imposture of those who boast as though they alone …
811 wordsSECTION 164Chapter XV.--Arguments from the Novelty of Fate and Generation; That Golden Age, Early Men; Solid Arguments Against the Mathematicians.
Chapter XV.--Arguments from the Novelty of Fate and Generation; That Golden Age, Early Men; Solid Arguments Against the Mathematicians. If it were better, O wretched ones, that man should be subject to the star of his birth, than that he should not, why was not his generation and birth from the very time when the race of man be…
1,948 wordsSECTION 165Chapter XVII.--The Lust of the Flesh and Spirit: Vice and Virtue.
Chapter XVII.--The Lust of the Flesh and Spirit: Vice and Virtue. But why do I draw out my discourse to such length, spending the time with arguments, having set forth the things which are most necessary for persuasion, and to gain approval for that which is expedient; and having made manifest to all, by a few words, the incons…
1,552 wordsSECTION 166Chapter II.--Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory; Man Created Immortal: Death Brought in by Destructive Sin.
Chapter II.--Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory; Man Created Immortal: Death Brought in by Destructive Sin. And let these things be said for the sake of example, showing that the Jews have wonderfully fallen from the hope of future good, because they consider things present to be only signs of things already accomplished; …
1,752 wordsSECTION 167Chapter V.--The Mystery of the Tabernacles.
Chapter V.--The Mystery of the Tabernacles. Wherefore, above all other things, I say to those who love contests, and who are strong-minded, that without delay they should honour chastity, as a thing the most useful and glorious. For in the new and indissoluble creation, whoever shall not be found decorated with the boughs of ch…
914 wordsSECTION 168Chapter II.--The Allegory of the Trees Demanding a King, in the Book of Judges, [2780] Explained.
Chapter II.--The Allegory of the Trees Demanding a King, in the Book of Judges, [2780] Explained. But lest I should appear to some to be sophistical, and to conjecture these things from mere probabilities, and to babble, I will bring forward to you, O virgins, from the Old Testament, written prophecy from the Book of Judges, to…
774 wordsSECTION 169Chapter III.--The Bramble and the Agnos the Symbol of Chastity; The Four Gospels, that Is, Teachings or Laws, Instructing to Salvation.
Chapter III.--The Bramble and the Agnos the Symbol of Chastity; The Four Gospels, that Is, Teachings or Laws, Instructing to Salvation. Now the bramble commends chastity, for the bramble and the agnos is the same tree: by some it is called bramble, by others agnos. [2787] Perhaps it is because the plant is akin to virginity tha…
752 wordsSECTION 170Chapter V.--The Malignity of the Devil as an Imitator in All Things; Two Kinds of Fig-Trees and Vines.
Chapter V.--The Malignity of the Devil as an Imitator in All Things; Two Kinds of Fig-Trees and Vines. The fig-tree, as I said, from the sweetness and excellence of its fruit, being taken as a type of the delights of paradise, the devil, having beguiled the man by its imitations, led him captive, persuading him to conceal the n…
753 wordsSECTION 171Chapter VI.--The Mystery of the Vision of Zechariah.
Chapter VI.--The Mystery of the Vision of Zechariah. Moreover, Zechariah shows that the olive shadows forth the law of Moses, speaking thus: "And the angel that talked with me came again and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestic…
1,138 wordsSECTION 172Chapter II.--Thekla Singing Decorously a Hymn, the Rest of the Virgins Sing with Her; John the Baptist a Martyr to Chastity; The Church the Spouse of God, Pure and Virgin.
Chapter II.--Thekla Singing Decorously a Hymn, the Rest of the Virgins Sing with Her; John the Baptist a Martyr to Chastity; The Church the Spouse of God, Pure and Virgin. Theopatra said that Arete having said these things, commanded them all to rise, and, standing under the Agnos, to send up to the Lord in a becoming manner a …
2,206 wordsSECTION 173Euboulios. Stay now; for I think that from hence we shall the better go on to the discovery of what things are truly the best; and, tell me,
Euboulios. Stay now; for I think that from hence we shall the better go on to the discovery of what things are truly the best; and, tell me, do you call anyone a good pilot? Gregorion. I certainly do. Euboulios. Whether is it he that saves his vessel in great and perplexing storms, or is it he who does so in a breathless calm?…
2,312 wordsSECTION 174So, as I was investigating these things, I saw that the sunshine was departing, and the daylight failing, and that immediately darkness came
So, as I was investigating these things, I saw that the sunshine was departing, and the daylight failing, and that immediately darkness came on; and the sun was succeeded by the moon, who, at her first rising, was not of full size, but after advancing in her course presented a larger appearance. And I did not cease inquiring abo…
2,380 wordsSECTION 175If, then, under the supposition that matter is separate from created substances, you had said that it is uncreated, I should have said much
If, then, under the supposition that matter is separate from created substances, you had said that it is uncreated, I should have said much about it, to prove that it is impossible for it to be uncreated; but since you say that the question of the origin of evil is the cause of this supposition, it therefore seems to me right to…
2,278 wordsSECTION 176Now we must come to the examination of evils, and must necessarily inquire into the evils among men. As to these, are they forms of the prin
Now we must come to the examination of evils, and must necessarily inquire into the evils among men. As to these, are they forms of the principle of evil, or parts of it? If forms, evil will not have a separate existence distinct from them, because the species are to be sought for in the forms, and underlie them. But if this is …
2,306 wordsSECTION 177VI. But come now, since there is need of many examples in matters of this kind, let us examine them particularly from this point of view, wi
VI. But come now, since there is need of many examples in matters of this kind, let us examine them particularly from this point of view, without desisting till our argument ends in clearer explanation and proof. It appears, then, as if an eminent craftsman were to cast over again a noble image, wrought by himself of gold or oth…
2,700 wordsSECTION 178XIII. Since flesh was made to border on incorruption and corruption, being itself neither the one nor the other, and was overcome by corrupt
XIII. Since flesh was made to border on incorruption and corruption, being itself neither the one nor the other, and was overcome by corruption for the sake of pleasure, though it was the work and property of incorruption; therefore it became corruptible, and was laid in the dust of the earth. When, then, it was overcome by corr…
2,239 wordsSECTION 179IV. That man, with respect to his nature, is most truly said to be neither soul without body, nor, on the other hand, body without soul; but
IV. That man, with respect to his nature, is most truly said to be neither soul without body, nor, on the other hand, body without soul; but a being composed out of the union of soul and body into one form of the beautiful. But Origen said that the soul alone is man, as did Plato. V. That there is a difference between man and o…
2,709 wordsSECTION 180III. For the apostle here sets forth clearly, as I think, three laws: One in accordance with the good which is implanted in us, which clearl
III. For the apostle here sets forth clearly, as I think, three laws: One in accordance with the good which is implanted in us, which clearly he calls the law of the mind. One the law which arises from the assault of evil, and which often draws on the soul to lustful fancies, which, he says," wars against the law of the mind." […
2,365 wordsSECTION 181IX. Consider, he says, whether too the blessed John, when he says, "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delive
IX. Consider, he says, whether too the blessed John, when he says, "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them," [2948] does not mean the parts which are given up by the elements for the reconstruction of each one? By the sea is meant the moist element; by hell, [29…
2,376 wordsSECTION 182XX. The saint says at the end: The words, "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead a
XX. The saint says at the end: The words, "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living," [2962] must be taken as referring to souls and bodies; the souls being the living, as being immortal, and the bodies being dead. XXI. Since the body of man is more honourable th…
2,230 wordsSECTION 183III. Now consider it thus: "If, you say, the world was created later, not existing before, then we must change the passionless and unchangea
III. Now consider it thus: "If, you say, the world was created later, not existing before, then we must change the passionless and unchangeable God; for it must needs be, that he who did nothing before, but afterwards, passes from not doing to doing, changes and is altered." Then I said, "Did God rest from making the world, or n…
2,215 wordsSECTION 184[2985] See pp. 131, 132, edition of the London Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.
[2985] See pp. 131, 132, edition of the London Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. methodius orations anf06 methodius-orations Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna On the Day that They Met in the Temple and Other Fragments /ccel/schaff/anf06.xi.viii.html Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna On the Day that They Met …
2,793 wordsSECTION 185V. Tremendous, verily, is the mystery connected with thee, O virgin mother, thou spiritual throne, glorified and made worthy of God. [3023]
V. Tremendous, verily, is the mystery connected with thee, O virgin mother, thou spiritual throne, glorified and made worthy of God. [3023] Thou hast brought forth, before the eyes of those in heaven and earth, a pre-eminent wonder. And it is a proof of this, and an irrefragable argument, that at the novelty of thy supernatural …
2,965 wordsSECTION 186IX. Let then, says he, what I have thus far said in brief, suffice for the present as my offering of thanks to God. But what shall I say to
IX. Let then, says he, what I have thus far said in brief, suffice for the present as my offering of thanks to God. But what shall I say to thee, O mother-virgin and virgin-mother? For the praise even of her who is not man's work exceeds the power of man. Wherefore the dimness of my poverty I will make bright with the splendour …
2,612 wordsSECTION 187XIII. But here, as in port, putting in the vessel that bears the ensign of the cross, let us reef the sails of our oration, in order that it
XIII. But here, as in port, putting in the vessel that bears the ensign of the cross, let us reef the sails of our oration, in order that it may be with itself commensurate. Only first, in as few words as possible, let us salute the city of the Great King [3096] together with the whole body of the Church, as being present with t…
2,732 wordsSECTION 188II. To-day, holy David rejoices with great joy, being by babes despoiled of his lyre, with whom also, in spirit, leading the dance, and rejo
II. To-day, holy David rejoices with great joy, being by babes despoiled of his lyre, with whom also, in spirit, leading the dance, and rejoicing together, as of old, before the ark of God, [3119] he mingles musical harmony, and sweetly lisps out in stammering voice, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Of whom sha…
2,225 wordsSECTION 189VI. But let us, beloved, return in our discourse to that point whence we digressed, exclaiming, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the
VI. But let us, beloved, return in our discourse to that point whence we digressed, exclaiming, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: that good and kind Shepherd, voluntarily to lay down His life for His sheep. That just as hunters take by a sheep the wolves that devour sheep, even so the Chief Shepherd, [3152] offe…
2,383 wordsSECTION 190[3172] Apud. Gretserum, De Sancta Cruce, p. 401, tom. ii. Nov. edit. Ratisb., 1754. [Concerning which I quote from Dupin as follows: "The Pè
[3172] Apud. Gretserum, De Sancta Cruce, p. 401, tom. ii. Nov. edit. Ratisb., 1754. [Concerning which I quote from Dupin as follows: "The Père Combefis has collected some other fragments, attributed to Methodius, cited by St. John Damascene and by Nicetas as drawn out of his books against Porphyry. But, besides that, we cannot d…
2,209 wordsSECTION 191[3187] [Abel.]
[3187] [Abel.] [3188] [Note the single procession. The formula of the Hebrews, however, above noted, supplies a type of the Filioque and the ab utroque in the true sense of those terms.] [3189] [Recur to chap. v. of The Banquet, p. 333, supra.] General Note. ------------------------ (Vexillas,--as they are called, p. 399.) …
2,235 wordsSECTION 192In strong contrast to the filthy indulgences with which paganism gratified its adherents, must have appeared the strict purity of life which
In strong contrast to the filthy indulgences with which paganism gratified its adherents, must have appeared the strict purity of life which was enjoined by Christianity and aimed at by its followers; and perhaps it was in such a place as Sicca that considerations of this nature would have most influence. There, too, the story o…
2,235 wordsSECTION 193Book I.
[3207] [Conf. Constantine's "vision."] [3208] Ep. lxii. ad Tranquill. [3209] Ep. xlix. ad Paulinum. [3210] Cf. book vii. cap. 36, note, and Ib. cap. 51, note, with the Appendix. [3211] Book iii. cap. 12, note. [3212] Cf. book vii., on sacrifices generally. [Proves nothing.] [3213] Book i. cap. 46, note. [3214] Book i. cap…
2,205 wordsSECTION 194[3252] Nourry thinks that reference is here made to the contests of gladiators and athletes with lions and other beasts in the circus. But i
[3252] Nourry thinks that reference is here made to the contests of gladiators and athletes with lions and other beasts in the circus. But it is more likely that the author is thinking of African tribes who were harassed by lions. Thus Ælian (de Nat Anim., xvii. 24) tells of a Libyan people, the Nomæi, who were entirely destroye…
2,260 wordsSECTION 195[3265] For qui durare Ursinus would read quiret durare; but this seems to have no ms. authority, though giving better sense and an easier co
[3265] For qui durare Ursinus would read quiret durare; but this seems to have no ms. authority, though giving better sense and an easier construction. 15. Sometimes, however, there were seasons of scarcity; yet they were relieved by times of plenty. Again, certain wars were carried on contrary to our wishes. [3266] But they we…
2,330 wordsSECTION 196Is Apollo, whether called Delian or Clarian, Didymean, Philesian, or Pythian, to be reckoned divine, who either knows not the Supreme Ruler,
Is Apollo, whether called Delian or Clarian, Didymean, Philesian, or Pythian, to be reckoned divine, who either knows not the Supreme Ruler, or who is not aware that He is entreated by us in daily prayers? And although he knew not the secrets of our hearts, and though he did not discover what we hold in our inmost thoughts, yet …
2,318 wordsSECTION 19733. Is there any human being who has not entered on the first day of his life with an idea of that Great Head? In whom has it not been impla
33. Is there any human being who has not entered on the first day of his life with an idea of that Great Head? In whom has it not been implanted by nature, on whom has it not been impressed, aye, stamped almost in his mother's womb even, in whom is there not a native instinct, that He is King and Lord, the ruler of all things th…
2,201 wordsSECTION 19839. But lately, O blindness, I worshipped images produced from the furnace, gods made on anvils and by hammers, the bones of elephants, pain
39. But lately, O blindness, I worshipped images produced from the furnace, gods made on anvils and by hammers, the bones of elephants, paintings, wreaths on aged trees; [3309] whenever I espied an anointed stone and one bedaubed with olive oil, as if some power resided in it I worshipped it, I addressed myself to it and begged …
2,218 wordsSECTION 199[3324] In the height of his indignation and contempt, the writer stops short and does not apply to his opponents any new epithet.
[3324] In the height of his indignation and contempt, the writer stops short and does not apply to his opponents any new epithet. [3325] This is contrasted with the mutterings and strange words used by the magicians. [3326] So the ms. according to Oehler, and seemingly Heraldus; but according to Orelli, the ms. reads immoderat…
2,236 wordsSECTION 20051. What say ye, O minds incredulous, stubborn, hardened? Did that great Jupiter Capitolinus of yours give to any human being power of this
51. What say ye, O minds incredulous, stubborn, hardened? Did that great Jupiter Capitolinus of yours give to any human being power of this kind? Did he endow with this right any priest of a curia, the Pontifex Maximus, nay, even the Dialis, in whose name he is revealed as the god of life? [3342] I shall not say, did he impart p…
2,401 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.