Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 7
Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus & Others
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ANTE-NICENE FATHERS
ANTE-NICENE FATHERS translations of The Writings of the Fathers down to a.d. 325 The Rev. Alexander Roberts, D.D., and James Donaldson, LL.D., EDITORS AMERICAN REPRINT OF THE EDINBURGH EDITION revised and chronologically arranged, with brief prefaces and occasional notes by A. Cleveland Coxe, D.D. T&T CLARK Edinburgh…
2,273 wordsSECTION 2The following is the Introductory Notice of the reverend translator: [9] --
The following is the Introductory Notice of the reverend translator: [9] -- Lactantius has always held a very high place among the Christian Fathers, not only on account of the subject-matter of his writings, but also on account of the varied erudition, the sweetness of expression, and the grace and elegance of style, by which …
2,266 wordsSECTION 3And we now commence this work under the auspices of your name, O mighty Emperor Constantine, who were the first of the Roman princes to repu
And we now commence this work under the auspices of your name, O mighty Emperor Constantine, who were the first of the Roman princes to repudiate errors, and to acknowledge and honour the majesty of the one and only true God. [22] For when that most happy day had shone upon the world, in which the Most High God raised you to the…
2,471 wordsSECTION 4But to say that the universe is governed by the will of many, is equivalent to a declaration that there are many minds in one body, since th
But to say that the universe is governed by the will of many, is equivalent to a declaration that there are many minds in one body, since there are many and various offices of the members, so that separate minds may be supposed to govern separate senses; and also the many affections, by which we are accustomed to be moved either…
2,330 wordsSECTION 5[29] proto'gonon.
[29] proto'gonon. [30] pha'neta, the appearer. [31] Æn., vi. 724. [32] Georg., iv. 221. [These passages seem borrowed from the Octavius of Minucius, cap. 19, vol. iv. p. 183.] [33] [Fabricatorem mundi, rerum opificem.] [34] [Concerning the Orphica, see vol. i. p. 178, [4]note 1, and pp. [5]279, [6]290. For Sibyllina, Ibid.,…
2,213 wordsSECTION 6"O harmony of the world, bearing light, all-wise demon."
"O harmony of the world, bearing light, all-wise demon." What therefore remains, except that by his own confession he is subject to the scourge of the true God and to everlasting punishment? For in another response he also said:-- "The demons who go about the earth and about the sea Without weariness, are subdued beneath the …
2,291 wordsSECTION 7What was the conduct of Jupiter, the father of all these, who in the customary prayer is styled [48] Most Excellent and Great? Is he not, fr
What was the conduct of Jupiter, the father of all these, who in the customary prayer is styled [48] Most Excellent and Great? Is he not, from his earliest childhood, proved to be impious, and almost a parricide, since he expelled his father from his kingdom, and banished him, and did not await his death though he was aged and w…
2,431 wordsSECTION 8The accounts of the poets, therefore, are true, but veiled with an outward covering and show. It is possible that Mount Olympus may have sup
The accounts of the poets, therefore, are true, but veiled with an outward covering and show. It is possible that Mount Olympus may have supplied the poets with the hint for saying that Jupiter obtained the kingdom of heaven, because Olympus is the common name both of the mountain and of heaven. But the same history informs us t…
2,390 wordsSECTION 9This also might have been ascribed to Vulcan, who indeed is supposed to be fire, and yet the poets did not mutilate him. It might also have
This also might have been ascribed to Vulcan, who indeed is supposed to be fire, and yet the poets did not mutilate him. It might also have been ascribed to the sun, in whom is the nature and cause of the productive powers. For without the fiery heat of the sun nothing could be born, or have increase; so that no other element ha…
2,379 wordsSECTION 10"Now with full cups libation pour
"Now with full cups libation pour To mighty Jove, whom all adore, Invoke Anchises' blessed soul." And he attributes to him not only immortality, but also power over the winds: [69] -- "Invoke the winds to speed our flight, And pray that he we hold so dear May take our offerings year by year, Soon as our promised town we r…
2,520 wordsSECTION 11Let us consider, if you please, the hardships of the unfortunate gods. Isis lost her son; Ceres her daughter; Latona, expelled and driven ab
Let us consider, if you please, the hardships of the unfortunate gods. Isis lost her son; Ceres her daughter; Latona, expelled and driven about over the earth, with difficulty found a small island [77] where she might bring forth. The mother of the gods both loved a beautiful youth, and also mutilated him when found in company w…
2,291 wordsSECTION 12Chap. xx.--of the gods peculiar to the Romans, and their sacred rites.
Chap. xx.--of the gods peculiar to the Romans, and their sacred rites. I now come to the superstitions peculiar to the Romans, since I have spoken of those which are common. The wolf, the nurse of Romulus, was invested with divine honours. And I could endure this, if it had been the animal itself whose figure she bears. Livy re…
2,543 wordsSECTION 13The Vestal virgins make these sacred offerings, as the same poet says: [91] "Then also a virgin is accustomed to cast from the wooden bridge
The Vestal virgins make these sacred offerings, as the same poet says: [91] "Then also a virgin is accustomed to cast from the wooden bridge the images of ancient men made from rushes." For I cannot find language to speak of the infants who were immolated to the same Saturn, on account of his hatred of Jupiter. To think that me…
2,218 wordsSECTION 14Who that is possessed of any sense would not laugh at these mockeries, when he sees that men, as though bereft of intelligence, do those thi
Who that is possessed of any sense would not laugh at these mockeries, when he sees that men, as though bereft of intelligence, do those things seriously, which if any one should do in sport, he would appear too full of sport and folly? [88] Or, lights. The oracle is ambiguous, since the word phos signifies a man, and also ligh…
2,244 wordsSECTION 15Book II.
[108] Theophilus was bishop of Antioch in the latter part of the second century. He was originally a heathen, and was converted to Christianity, as he tells us, by the reading of the Scriptures. [See vol. ii. pp. [21]87 and [22]120, this series.] [109] De Temporibus. Among the extant works of Theophilus there is not any with th…
2,206 wordsSECTION 16Man, therefore, is to be regarded as the parent of these images; for they were produced by his instrumentality, and through him they first h
Man, therefore, is to be regarded as the parent of these images; for they were produced by his instrumentality, and through him they first had shape, figure, and beauty. Therefore he who made them is superior to the objects which were made. And yet no one looks up to the Maker Himself, or reverences Him: he fears the things whic…
2,458 wordsSECTION 17[129] Fill up and complete the outline which he has conceived.
[129] Fill up and complete the outline which he has conceived. [130] Lactantius charges Cicero with want of courage, in being unwilling to declare the truth to the Romans, lest he should incur the peril of death. The fortitude with which Socrates underwent death, when condemned by the Athenians, is related by Xenophon and Plato…
2,287 wordsSECTION 18[141] Horat., 1 Serm. 8. 1.
[141] Horat., 1 Serm. 8. 1. [142] The wood of the fig-tree is proverbially used to denote that which is worthless and contemptible. [143] The Georgics, which are much more elaborately finished than the other works of Virgil. [144] Priapus was especially worshipped at Lampsacus on the Hellespont; hence he is styled Hellesponti…
2,987 wordsSECTION 19[168] Is subservient to.
[168] Is subservient to. [169] Lactantius speaks after the manner of Cicero, and uses the word proposition to express that which logicians call the major proposition, as containing the major term: the word assumption expresses that which is called the minor proposition, as containing the minor term. [170] Thus Cicero, De Finib…
2,478 wordsSECTION 20[185] Pro virili portione. The phrase properly denotes the share that falls to a person in the division of an inheritance, hence equality.
[185] Pro virili portione. The phrase properly denotes the share that falls to a person in the division of an inheritance, hence equality. [186] It cannot be forestalled or preoccupied. [187] Majores. There is a play upon the words for ancestors and descendants in Latin which our translation does not reproduce. The word transl…
2,606 wordsSECTION 21But now the conclusion, with which Tully finished the sentiment, is much more absurd. [228] "But if matter," he says, "was not made by God,
But now the conclusion, with which Tully finished the sentiment, is much more absurd. [228] "But if matter," he says, "was not made by God, the earth indeed, and water, and air, and fire, were not made by God." How skilfully he avoided the danger! For he stated the former point as though it required no proof, whereas it was much…
2,619 wordsSECTION 22And even in the making of these God had regard to the future; for He made them so, that a representation of true religion and of false super
And even in the making of these God had regard to the future; for He made them so, that a representation of true religion and of false superstitions might be shown from these. For as the sun, which rises daily, although it is but one,--from which Cicero would have it appear that it was called Sol, [251] because the stars are obs…
2,534 wordsSECTION 23[262] By species.
[262] By species. [263] Jumenta, "beasts of burthen," as though derived from juvo, "to aid." [264] Homo, "man," from humus, "the ground." [P. 56, supra ] [265] This image, or likeness of God, in which man was originally created, is truly described not by Plato, but by St. Paul: 2 Cor. iv. 6; Col. iii. 10; Eph. iv. 24. [266] …
2,702 wordsSECTION 24[288] i.e., man.
[288] i.e., man. [289] It was necessary to remove ambiguity from the heathen, to whom the word death conveys no such meaning. In the sacred writings the departure of the soul from the body is often spoken of as sleep, or rest. Thus Lazarus is said to sleep. 1 Thess. iv. 14, "Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him,"--a…
2,284 wordsSECTION 25Chap. XVI.--That Demons Have No Power Over Those Who are Established in the Faith.
Chap. XVI.--That Demons Have No Power Over Those Who are Established in the Faith. And the nature of all these deceits [328] is obscure to those who are without the truth. For they think that those demons profit them when they cease to injure, whereas they have no power except to injure. [329] Some one may perchance say that th…
2,298 wordsSECTION 26I have shown that the religious rites of the gods are vain in a threefold manner: In the first place, because those images which are worship
I have shown that the religious rites of the gods are vain in a threefold manner: In the first place, because those images which are worshipped are representations of men who are dead; and that is a wrong and inconsistent thing, that the image of a man should be worshipped by the image of God, for that which worships is lower an…
1,374 wordsSECTION 27Book III.
Book III. Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. I.--A Comparison of the Truth with Eloquence: Why the Philosophers Did Not Attain to It. Of the Simple Style of the Scriptures. Since it is supposed that the truth still lies hidden in obscurity--either through the error and ignorance of the common people, who are the slave…
2,464 wordsSECTION 28[374] It is evident that the Academy took its rise from the doctrine of Socrates. Plato, the disciple of Socrates, founded the Academy. Howe
[374] It is evident that the Academy took its rise from the doctrine of Socrates. Plato, the disciple of Socrates, founded the Academy. However excellent their system may appear to many, the opinion of Carneades the Stoic seems just, who said that "the wise man who is about to conjecture is about to err, for he who conjectures k…
2,217 wordsSECTION 29[380] The master of ignorance.
[380] The master of ignorance. [381] Erutam. [382] The New Academy. [383] In Greek, asu'staton, "without consistency, not holding together;" in Latin, "instabile" or "inconstans." [384] Versutus, one who turns and shifts. Chap. VII.--Of Moral Philosophy, and the Chief Good. Let us now pass to the other part of philosophy, …
2,718 wordsSECTION 30[387] Rationem, "the plan or method of his condition."
[387] Rationem, "the plan or method of his condition." [388] [Sus ille lutulentus. 2 Pet. ii. 22.] [389] They, i.e., the beasts of prey and the tame animals. [390] Virg., Georg., iii. 112, 102. [391] [De Finibus, book v. cap. 28.] [392] Literally, "since the nature of good things is placed on a steep ascent, that of evil th…
2,226 wordsSECTION 31Let us therefore seek something which is held forth to all. Is it virtue? It cannot be denied that virtue is a good, and undoubtedly a good
Let us therefore seek something which is held forth to all. Is it virtue? It cannot be denied that virtue is a good, and undoubtedly a good for all men. But if it cannot be happy because its power and nature consist in the endurance of evil, it assuredly is not the chief good. Let us seek something else. But nothing can be found…
2,209 wordsSECTION 32Chap. XIII.--Of the Immortality of the Soul, and of Wisdom, Philosophy, and Eloquence.
Chap. XIII.--Of the Immortality of the Soul, and of Wisdom, Philosophy, and Eloquence. The subject seems to require in this place, that since we have taught that immortality is the chief good, we should prove this also, that the soul is immortal. On which subject there is great disputation among philosophers; nor have they who …
2,221 wordsSECTION 33[412] A proverbial expression, denoting an accidental occurrence.
[412] A proverbial expression, denoting an accidental occurrence. [413] Book v. 6. [414] Book v. 51. [415] Ch. ii. [416] The allusion is to the punishment of parricides, who were sewed into a bag with an ape, a serpent, and a cock, and thus thrown into the sea. [417] If any one has approached her as a learner. [418] Marcus…
2,224 wordsSECTION 34And Seneca says: "There are not yet a thousand years since the beginnings of wisdom were undertaken." Therefore mankind for many generations
And Seneca says: "There are not yet a thousand years since the beginnings of wisdom were undertaken." Therefore mankind for many generations lived without system. In ridicule of which, Persius says: [429] -- "When wisdom came to the city, Together with pepper and palms;" as though wisdom had been introduced into the city toge…
2,431 wordsSECTION 35Although he does not say this in word, yet he teaches it in fact. For when he maintains that the wise man does everything for his own sake,
Although he does not say this in word, yet he teaches it in fact. For when he maintains that the wise man does everything for his own sake, he refers all things which he does to his own advantage. And thus he who hears these disgraceful things, will neither think that any good thing ought to be done, since the conferring of bene…
2,389 wordsSECTION 36What, then, shall we say, but that they are in error who either desire death as a good, or flee from life as an evil? unless they are most u
What, then, shall we say, but that they are in error who either desire death as a good, or flee from life as an evil? unless they are most unjust, who do not weigh the fewer evils against the greater number of blessings. For when they pass all their lives in a variety of the choicest gratifications, if any bitterness has chanced…
2,219 wordsSECTION 37But what motive did he advance for this most degrading advice? The state will be in harmony, and bound together with the bonds of mutual lov
But what motive did he advance for this most degrading advice? The state will be in harmony, and bound together with the bonds of mutual love, if all shall be the husbands, and fathers, and wives, and children of all. What a confusion of the human race is this? How is it possible for affection to be preserved where there is noth…
2,352 wordsSECTION 38But if you inquire from those who defend these marvellous fictions, why all things do not fall into that lower part of the heaven, they repl
But if you inquire from those who defend these marvellous fictions, why all things do not fall into that lower part of the heaven, they reply that such is the nature of things, that heavy bodies are borne to the middle, and that they are all joined together towards the middle, as we see spokes in a wheel; but that the bodies whi…
2,230 wordsSECTION 39"Who showed herself from the quarters of heaven." [481]
"Who showed herself from the quarters of heaven." [481] This is the reason why no one obeys their precepts; inasmuch as they either train men to vices, if they defend pleasure; or if they uphold virtue, they neither threaten sin with any punishment, except that of disgrace only, nor do they promise any reward to virtue, except …
2,242 wordsSECTION 40Wherefore let them not envy us, to whom God has revealed the truth: who, as we know that fortune is nothing, so also know that there is a wi
Wherefore let them not envy us, to whom God has revealed the truth: who, as we know that fortune is nothing, so also know that there is a wicked and crafty spirit who is unfriendly to the good, and the enemy of righteousness, who acts in opposition to God; the cause of whose enmity we have explained in the second book. [491] He …
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.