Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 7
Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus & Others
SECTION 81
[1264] Conscium.
[1264] Conscium. [1265] De Offic., iii. 10. [1266] Ibid., iii. 19. [1267] Februis, a word used in the Sabine language for purgations. Others read "fibris," entrails, offered in sacrifice. [1268] There is an allusion to the altar of Hercules, called "ara maxima." [Christian philosophy is heard at last among Latins.] [1269] Q…
1,167 wordsSECTION 82Book VII.
Book VII. Of a Happy Life. Chap. I.--Of the World, and Those Who are About to Believe, and Those Who are Not; And in This the Censure of the Faithless. It is well: the foundations are laid, as the illustrious orator says. But we have not only laid the foundations, which might be firm and suitable for the support of the work; …
2,263 wordsSECTION 83[1293] Decurso temporum spatio. A metaphor taken from the chariot course; spatium being used for the length of the course, between the metæ,
[1293] Decurso temporum spatio. A metaphor taken from the chariot course; spatium being used for the length of the course, between the metæ, or goals. [1294] Ter., Phorm., v. 2. [1295] Assumptio: often used for the minor proposition in a syllogism. [1296] Tusc. Disp., i. 41. Chap. III.--Of Nature, and of the World; And a Cen…
2,519 wordsSECTION 84For wisdom has been given to him on this account, that, knowing the nature of good and evil things, he may exercise the force of his reason
For wisdom has been given to him on this account, that, knowing the nature of good and evil things, he may exercise the force of his reason in seeking the good and avoiding the evil. For because wisdom was not given to the other animals, they were both defended with natural clothing and were armed; but in the place of all these …
2,430 wordsSECTION 85N.B.--The following paragraphs to the end of the chapter are wanting many mss., and it is very doubtful whether they were written by Lactant
N.B.--The following paragraphs to the end of the chapter are wanting many mss., and it is very doubtful whether they were written by Lactantius. Nor can any one shelter himself under the pretext that the fault belongs to Him who made both good and evil. For why did He will that evil should exist if He hated it? Why did He not m…
2,456 wordsSECTION 86[1337] Circumscriptione.
[1337] Circumscriptione. [1338] Revolvantur. Others read "resolvantur." Chap. VII.--Of the Variety of Philosophers, and Their Truth. And because the philosophers did not comprehend this main point, they were neither able to comprehend truth, although they for the most part both saw and explained those things of which the main…
2,456 wordsSECTION 87The gift of virtue also to man alone is a great proof that souls are immortal. For this will not be in accordance with nature if the soul is
The gift of virtue also to man alone is a great proof that souls are immortal. For this will not be in accordance with nature if the soul is extinguished; for it is injurious to this present life. For that earthly life, which we lead in common with dumb animals, both seeks pleasure, by the varied and agreeable fruits of which it…
2,550 wordsSECTION 88But the soul, he says, is also subject to pain and grief, and loses its senses through drunkenness, whence it is evidently frail and mortal.
But the soul, he says, is also subject to pain and grief, and loses its senses through drunkenness, whence it is evidently frail and mortal. On this account, therefore, virtue and wisdom are necessary, that both grief, which is contracted by the suffering and the sight of unworthy objects, may be repelled by fortitude, and that …
2,393 wordsSECTION 89Therefore, since all the works of God were completed in six days, the world must continue in its present state through six ages, that is, si
Therefore, since all the works of God were completed in six days, the world must continue in its present state through six ages, that is, six thousand years. For the great day of God is limited by a circle of a thousand years, as the prophet shows, who says [1388] "In Thy sight, O Lord, a thousand years are as one day." And as G…
2,405 wordsSECTION 90And that nothing may be wanting to the evils of men and the earth, the trumpet shall be heard from heaven, which the Sibyl foretells in this
And that nothing may be wanting to the evils of men and the earth, the trumpet shall be heard from heaven, which the Sibyl foretells in this manner:-- "The trumpet from heaven shall utter its wailing voice." And then all shall tremble and quake at that mournful sound. [1400] But then, through the anger of God against the men w…
2,323 wordsSECTION 91This question or argument is thus met by the Stoics: that the souls of men continue to exist, and are not annihilated [1409] by the interven
This question or argument is thus met by the Stoics: that the souls of men continue to exist, and are not annihilated [1409] by the intervention of death: that the souls, moreover, of those who have been just, being pure, and incapable of suffering, and happy, return to the heavenly abodes from which they had their origin, or ar…
2,378 wordsSECTION 92"For the whole race of mortals is hard to be believed; but when the judgment of the world and of mortals shall now come, which God Himself s
"For the whole race of mortals is hard to be believed; but when the judgment of the world and of mortals shall now come, which God Himself shall institute, judging the impious and the holy at the same time, then at length He shall send the wicked to darkness in fire. But as many as are holy shall live again on the earth, God giv…
2,327 wordsSECTION 93This is the doctrine of the holy prophets which we Christians follow; this is our wisdom, which they who worship frail objects, or maintain
This is the doctrine of the holy prophets which we Christians follow; this is our wisdom, which they who worship frail objects, or maintain an empty philosophy, deride as folly and vanity, because we are not accustomed to defend and assert it in public, since God orders us in quietness and silence to hide His secret, and to keep…
2,250 wordsSECTION 94[1445] [A specimen of the abridgments made by authors and editors, owing to the great expense of books in manuscript. They have been sources
[1445] [A specimen of the abridgments made by authors and editors, owing to the great expense of books in manuscript. They have been sources of great injury to literature.] [1446] [We have here only a fragment of the Epitome The rest is lost.] [1447] [Christian morals were now to be taught openly in schools: hence the need of …
2,206 wordsSECTION 95Castor and Pollux carried off the brides of others, but not with impunity, to whose death and burial Homer bears witness, not with poetical,
Castor and Pollux carried off the brides of others, but not with impunity, to whose death and burial Homer bears witness, not with poetical, but simple faith. Mercurius, who was the father of Androgynus by his intrigue with Venus, deserved to be a god, because he invented the lyre and the palæstra. Father Bacchus, after subduing…
2,260 wordsSECTION 96[1470] Terriculas. There is another reading, "terricolas." See note at Institutes, book i. ch. 22 [140]p. 38, supra.
[1470] Terriculas. There is another reading, "terricolas." See note at Institutes, book i. ch. 22 [140]p. 38, supra. [1471] See preceding note and reference. [1472] Comparari. Others read "compatari." Chap. XXIII.--Of the Gods and Sacred Rites of the Barbarians. We have spoken respecting the gods: now we will speak of the ri…
2,391 wordsSECTION 97But when God saw this, He sent His angels to instruct the race of men, and to protect them from all evil. He gave these a command to abstain
But when God saw this, He sent His angels to instruct the race of men, and to protect them from all evil. He gave these a command to abstain from earthly things, lest, being polluted by any taint, they should be deprived of the honour of angels. But that wily accuser, while they tarried among men, allured these also to pleasures…
2,323 wordsSECTION 98[1494] i.e., philosophy.
[1494] i.e., philosophy. Chap. XXXIII.--What is the Chief Good to Be Sought in Life. What is the chief good must be an object of inquiry, that our whole life and actions may be directed to it. When inquiry is made respecting the chief good of man, it ought to be settled to be of such a kind, first, that it have reference to ma…
2,414 wordsSECTION 99[1502] [Other and more creditable explanations are given. Socrates recognized the rites of his countrymen. See Tayler Lewis in a noble chapt
[1502] [Other and more creditable explanations are given. Socrates recognized the rites of his countrymen. See Tayler Lewis in a noble chapter, Plato, etc., p. 250.] Chap. XXXVIII.--Of Plato, Whose Doctrine Approaches More Nearly to the Truth. His disciple Plato, whom Tully speaks of as the god of philosophers, alone of all so…
2,652 wordsSECTION 100[1518] Per successiones.
[1518] Per successiones. [1519] Potissimum. [1520] Hæredibus abdicatis. Chap. XLIV.--The Twofold Nativity of Christ is Proved from the Prophets. That these things should thus take place as I have set them forth, the prophets had before predicted. In the writings of Solomon it is thus written: [1521] "The womb of a virgin was…
2,202 wordsSECTION 101Chap. XLVIII.--Of the Disinheriting of the Jews, and the Adoption of the Gentiles.
Chap. XLVIII.--Of the Disinheriting of the Jews, and the Adoption of the Gentiles. Since, therefore, He sits at the right hand of God, about to tread down His enemies, who tortured Him, when He shall come to judge the world, it is evident that no hope remains to the Jews, unless, turning themselves to repentance, and being clea…
2,466 wordsSECTION 102Chap. LIV.--Of the Freedom of Religion in the Worship of God.
Chap. LIV.--Of the Freedom of Religion in the Worship of God. These things may indeed be said with justice. But who will hear, when men of furious and unbridled spirit think that their authority is diminished if there is any freedom in the affairs of men? But it is religion alone in which freedom has placed its dwelling. For it…
2,394 wordsSECTION 103Chap. LIX.--Of the Ways of Life, and the First Times of the World.
Chap. LIX.--Of the Ways of Life, and the First Times of the World. That there are two ways [1577] of human life was unknown neither to philosophers nor to poets, but both introduced them in a different manner. The philosophers wished the one to be the way of industry, the other of idleness; but in this respect they were less co…
2,400 wordsSECTION 104[1585] Mimus corruptelarum disciplina est.
[1585] Mimus corruptelarum disciplina est. [1586] Per imaginem. Chap. LXIV.--The Passions are to Be Subdued, and We Must Abstain from Forbidden Things. Let virtue alone please us, whose reward is immortal when it has conquered pleasure. But when the passions have been overcome and pleasures subdued labour in suppressing other…
2,347 wordsSECTION 105[1591] Summam. Lactantius uses this word to express a compendious summary of divine mysteries.
[1591] Summam. Lactantius uses this word to express a compendious summary of divine mysteries. [1592] Semina principalia. [1593] Ex rebus. [1594] Aliquâ ratione. [1595] Perpetuo, i.e., without intermission. Chap. LXVIII.--Of the World, Man, and the Providence of God. Let us therefore consider what was the plan of making th…
2,637 wordsSECTION 106[1603] [See Hippolytus , vol. v. pp. [152]190-250.]
[1603] [See Hippolytus , vol. v. pp. [152]190-250.] Chap. LXXII.--Of Christ Descending from Heaven to the General Judgment, and of the Millenarian Reign. [1604] Then the heaven shall be opened in a tempest, [1605] and Christ shall descend with great power, and there shall go before Him a fiery brightness and a countless host o…
2,389 wordsSECTION 107Finally, and to close the subject, the reader will readily forgive me for introducing the following citations from the "Warburton Lecture" o
Finally, and to close the subject, the reader will readily forgive me for introducing the following citations from the "Warburton Lecture" of Dr. Edersheim, on Prophecy and History [1623] in Relation to the Messiah Discussing the pseudepigraphic writings (in Lecture Eleventh), he says as follows: [1624] -- "The Sibylline oracle…
2,250 wordsSECTION 108Chap. IV.--Of God and His Affections, and the Censure of Epicurus.
Chap. IV.--Of God and His Affections, and the Censure of Epicurus. That which follows is concerning the school of Epicurus; that as there is no anger in God, so indeed there is no kindness. For when Epicurus thought that it was inconsistent with God to injure and to inflict harm, which for the most part arises from the affectio…
2,325 wordsSECTION 109And on this account there is no animal, as Cicero says, [1654] except man, which has any knowledge of God. For he alone is furnished with wi
And on this account there is no animal, as Cicero says, [1654] except man, which has any knowledge of God. For he alone is furnished with wisdom, so that he alone understands religion; and this is the chief or only difference between man and the dumb animals. For the other things which appear to be peculiar to man, even if there…
2,304 wordsSECTION 110Therefore that which is able to be cut off and torn away, will be able both to be seen and held. "These," he says, "flutter about with restl
Therefore that which is able to be cut off and torn away, will be able both to be seen and held. "These," he says, "flutter about with restless motions through empty space, and are carried hither and thither, just as we see little particles of dust in the sun when it has introduced its rays and light through a window. From these…
2,364 wordsSECTION 111But if this is true, it follows that we are derided by the wise men of old. But if they invented religion for the sake of deceiving us, and
But if this is true, it follows that we are derided by the wise men of old. But if they invented religion for the sake of deceiving us, and moreover of deceiving the whole human race, therefore they were not wise, because falsehood is not consistent with the character of the wise man. But grant that they were wise; what great su…
2,567 wordsSECTION 112They might then have answered with more conciseness and truth after this manner. When God had formed man as it were His own image, that whic
They might then have answered with more conciseness and truth after this manner. When God had formed man as it were His own image, that which was the completion of His workmanship, He breathed wisdom into him alone, so that he might bring all things into subjection to his own authority and government, and make use of all the adv…
2,305 wordsSECTION 113For it is not right that, when He sees such things, He should not be moved, and arise to take vengeance upon the wicked, and destroy the pes
For it is not right that, when He sees such things, He should not be moved, and arise to take vengeance upon the wicked, and destroy the pestilent and guilty, so as to promote the interests of all good men. Thus even in anger itself there is also contained a showing of kindness. [1737] Therefore the arguments are found to be emp…
2,536 wordsSECTION 114But they who are ignorant of the ends of good and evil things, as they employ sensual desire for the purposes of corruption and pleasure, in
But they who are ignorant of the ends of good and evil things, as they employ sensual desire for the purposes of corruption and pleasure, in the same manner make use of anger and passion for the inflicting of injury, while they are angry with those whom they regard with hatred. Therefore they are angry even with those who commit…
2,200 wordsSECTION 115[1773] Mentis impos, i.e., not having possession of his mind, opposed to "mentis compos." Some editions add, "in bile."
[1773] Mentis impos, i.e., not having possession of his mind, opposed to "mentis compos." Some editions add, "in bile." [1774] Ad præsens. [1775] As supposed to be the seat of the passions. [1776] [Ps. iv. 4, Vulgate, and Ephes., as below.] [1777] Rebus communibus. [1778] Temporalem. [1779] Præsentaneâ. The word is applied…
2,233 wordsSECTION 116[1787] Metam., i. 256.
[1787] Metam., i. 256. [1788] Moles operose laboret. [1789] Poenitentiâ factorum. [1790] eleei. Others read, o me'leui "O wretched." [1791] Vaniloquentia. [1792] Venerabilis. [1793] Hospitium, i.e., a place of hospitality. [1794] Familia, "a household of slaves." [1795] Officiosa, i.e., familia. [1796] Materia rerum. […
2,214 wordsSECTION 117And when they say these things they are believed to be very wise, because every one without consideration is displeased with his own conditi
And when they say these things they are believed to be very wise, because every one without consideration is displeased with his own condition; but I contend that they are never more foolish than when they say these things. [1820] For when I consider the condition of things, I understand that nothing ought to have been otherwise…
2,306 wordsSECTION 118Moreover, if death were appointed for a fixed age, man would become most arrogant, and would be destitute of all humanity. For almost all th
Moreover, if death were appointed for a fixed age, man would become most arrogant, and would be destitute of all humanity. For almost all the rights of humanity, by which we are united with one another, arise from fear and the consciousness of frailty. In short, all the more feeble and timid animals herd together, that, since th…
2,208 wordsSECTION 119[1838] Ratio. Nearly equivalent its this place to "providentia."
[1838] Ratio. Nearly equivalent its this place to "providentia." [1839] Summa. [Wisd. xi. 20.] [1840] [The amazing proportions imparted to all things created, in correspondence with their relations to man and to the earth, is beautifully hinted by our author.] [1841] [The snout of the elephant and the neck of the giraffe were…
2,201 wordsSECTION 120[1857] Hauriendis, from which "aures" is said to be formed.
[1857] Hauriendis, from which "aures" is said to be formed. [1858] Æneid, iv. 359. [The English verb bother (= both ear) is an amusing comment on the adaptation of ears to unwelcome voices.] [1859] Refulgentes. [1860] Imaginum incursione. [1861] According to some, "talc." [1862] iii. 368. [1863] Cum modo: "in a measured de…
2,200 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.