Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 7
Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus & Others
SECTION 161
[2599] Prov. xv. 1 (LXX.).
[2599] Prov. xv. 1 (LXX.). [2600] John xiii. 35. [2601] Prov. xix. 24. [2602] Eccles. iv. 5. [2603] Not in V. mss. Prov. xxiii. 21. [2604] Prov. xxiii. 31 (LXX.). The word translated "pestle" has also been rendered "upper room," and some suppose it corrupt. [2605] Lev. xix. 15; Ex. xxiii. 3. [2606] Deut. i. 17, xvi. 20. …
2,566 wordsSECTION 162For it is not equitable that thou, O bishop, who art the head, shouldst submit to the tail, that is, to some seditious person among the lait
For it is not equitable that thou, O bishop, who art the head, shouldst submit to the tail, that is, to some seditious person among the laity, to the destruction of another, but to God alone. For it is thy privilege to govern those under thee, but not to be governed by them. For neither does a son, who is subject by the course o…
2,544 wordsSECTION 163That a Shepherd Who is Careless of His Sheep Will Be Condemned, and that a Sheep Which Will Not Be Led by the Shepherd is to Be Punished.
That a Shepherd Who is Careless of His Sheep Will Be Condemned, and that a Sheep Which Will Not Be Led by the Shepherd is to Be Punished. XIX. Hear, O ye bishops; and hear, O ye of the laity, how God speaks: "I will judge between ram and ram, and between sheep and sheep." And He says to the shepherds: "Ye shall be judged for yo…
1,922 wordsSECTION 164XXII. It is also thy duty, O bishop, to have before thine eyes the examples of those that have gone before, and to apply them skilfully to t
XXII. It is also thy duty, O bishop, to have before thine eyes the examples of those that have gone before, and to apply them skilfully to the cases of those who want words of severity or of consolation. Besides, it is reasonable that in thy administration of justice thou shouldest follow the will of God; and as God deals with s…
2,218 wordsSECTION 165[2626] Matt. v. 11, 12.
[2626] Matt. v. 11, 12. [2627] This passage is not found in Scripture. Some compare Jas. i. 12 and Heb. xii. 8. [2628] Matt. xxiii. 3. [2629] Deut. xvi. 20, i. 17. [2630] Ex. xxiii. 7, LXX. [2631] Ex. xxiii. 8. [2632] Deut. xxvii. 25, xvi. 19, xvii. 7. [2633] Prov. xxii. 10. [2634] 1 Sam. xv. [2635] 1 Sam. ii. [2636] M…
2,611 wordsSECTION 166Of an Entertainment, and After What Manner Each Distinct Order of the Clergy is to Be Treated by Those Who Invite Them to It.
Of an Entertainment, and After What Manner Each Distinct Order of the Clergy is to Be Treated by Those Who Invite Them to It. XXVIII. If any determine to invite elder women to an entertainment of love, or a feast, as our Saviour calls it, [2734] let them most frequently send to such a one whom the deacons know to be in distress…
2,512 wordsSECTION 167[2710] Luke x. 7.
[2710] Luke x. 7. [2711] Ezek. xxxiv. 3. [2712] Isa. v. 8. [2713] Lev. xix. 18. [2714] Deut. xxv. 4; 1 Cor. ix. 9. [2715] Isa. liii. 4. [2716] Isa. liii. 12. [2717] Num. xviii. 1. [2718] Num. xviii. 8, etc. [2719] Num. xviii. 12, etc. [2720] Ex. xix. 5, 6. [2721] Heb. xii. 23. [2722] 1 Pet. ii. 9. [2723] Inserted fr…
2,393 wordsSECTION 168After What Manner False Accusers are to Be Punished.
After What Manner False Accusers are to Be Punished. XLIII. Thou shalt therefore cast him out of the congregation as a murderer of his brother. Some time afterwards, if he says that he repents, mortify him with fastings, and afterwards ye shall lay your hands upon him and receive him, but still securing him, that he does not di…
2,388 wordsSECTION 169That Former Offences Do Sometimes Render After Accusations Credible.
That Former Offences Do Sometimes Render After Accusations Credible. L. For if he has been before addicted to wicked works, the accusations which are now brought against him will thence in some measure appear to be true, unless justice do plainly plead for him. For it may be, that though he had formerly been an offender, yet th…
2,204 wordsSECTION 170[2807] Ex. xxiii. 2.
[2807] Ex. xxiii. 2. [2808] Prov. xxvi. 17. [2809] Susanna 48. [2810] Matt. v. 22. [2811] Eph. iv. 26. [2812] Ps. iv. 4. [2813] Prov. xii. 28, LXX. [2814] Matt. v. 23, 24. [2815] Lev. xix. 17. [2816] Deut. xxiii. 7. [2817] Ps. vii. 4. [2818] Isa. lviii. 6. [2819] Matt. xviii. 22. [2820] Zech. viii. 17. [2821] Matt.…
2,538 wordsSECTION 171That We Must Not Prefer the Affairs of This Life to Those Which Concern the Worship of God.
That We Must Not Prefer the Affairs of This Life to Those Which Concern the Worship of God. LXI. But if any one allege the pretence of his own work, and so is a despiser, "offering pretences for his sins," let such a one know that the trades of the faithful are works by the by, but the worship of God is their great work. Follow…
1,952 wordsSECTION 172Book III.
Book III. Sec. I.--Concerning Widows. The Age at Which Widows Should Be Chosen. I. Choose your "widows not under sixty years of age," [2869] that in some measure the suspicion of a second marriage may be prevented by their age. But if you admit one younger into the order of widows, and she cannot bear her widowhood in her you…
2,486 wordsSECTION 173The widows therefore ought to be grave, obedient to their bishops, and their presbyters, and their deacons, and besides these to the deacone
The widows therefore ought to be grave, obedient to their bishops, and their presbyters, and their deacons, and besides these to the deaconesses, with piety, reverence, and fear; not usurping authority, nor desiring to do anything beyond the constitution without the consent of the deacon: as, suppose, the going to any one to eat…
2,200 wordsSECTION 174[2917] Prov. xxvi. 27.
[2917] Prov. xxvi. 27. [2918] Tob. iv. 16. Sec. II.--On Deacons and Deaconesses, the Rest of the Clergy, and on Baptism. Let not therefore either a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon, or any one else of the sacerdotal catalogue, defile his tongue with calumny, lest he inherit a curse instead of a blessing; and let it also be…
1,513 wordsSECTION 175Book IV.
Book IV. Sec. I.--On Helping the Poor. Those Who Have No Children Should Adopt Orphans, and Treat Them as Their Own Children. I. When any Christian becomes an orphan, whether it be a young man or a maid, it is good that some one of the brethren who is without a child should take the young man, and esteem him in the place of a…
2,358 wordsSECTION 176[2933] Isa. i. 7.
[2933] Isa. i. 7. [2934] Acts xx. 35. [2935] [The early Church had a constant struggle with professional paupers. This entire book is a valuable contribution to social ethics. The problems of to-day confronted the Church then. Few wiser counsels have been recorded.--R.] [2936] Job xx. 18, LXX.; Prov. xi. 4. [2937] Job xx. 15…
1,091 wordsSECTION 177Book V.
Book V. Sec. I.--Concerning the Martyrs. That It is Reasonable for the Faithful to Supply the Wants of Those Who are Afflicted for the Sake of Christ by the Unbelievers, According to the Constitution of the Lord. I. If any Christian, on account of the name of Christ, and love and faith towards God, be condemned by the ungodly…
2,472 wordsSECTION 178Several Demonstrations Concerning the Resurrection, Concerning the Sibyl, and What the Stoics Say Concerning the Bird Called the Phoenix.
Several Demonstrations Concerning the Resurrection, Concerning the Sibyl, and What the Stoics Say Concerning the Bird Called the Phoenix. VII. For the Almighty God Himself will raise us up through our Lord Jesus Christ, according to His infallible promise, and grant us a resurrection with all those that have slept from the begi…
2,333 wordsSECTION 179Concerning James the Brother of the Lord, and Stephen the First Martyr.
Concerning James the Brother of the Lord, and Stephen the First Martyr. VIII. Now concerning the martyrs, we say to you that they are to be had in all honour with you, as we honour the blessed James the bishop, and the holy Stephen our fellow-servant. For these are reckoned blessed by God, and are honoured by holy men, who were…
3,152 wordsSECTION 180Of the Great Week, and on What Account They Enjoin Us to Fast on Wednesday and Friday.
Of the Great Week, and on What Account They Enjoin Us to Fast on Wednesday and Friday. XV. He therefore charged us Himself to fast these six days on account of the impiety and transgression of the Jews, commanding us withal to bewail over them, and lament for their perdition. For even He Himself "wept over them, because they kn…
2,306 wordsSECTION 181A Prophetic Prediction Concerning Christ Jesus.
A Prophetic Prediction Concerning Christ Jesus. XX. For even now, on the tenth day of the month Gorpiæus, when they assemble together, they read the Lamentations of Jeremiah, in which it is said, "The Spirit before our face, Christ the Lord was taken in their destructions;" [3131] and Baruch, in whom it is written, "This is our…
1,712 wordsSECTION 182Book VI.
Book VI. Sec. I.--On Heresies. Who They Were that Ventured to Make Schisms, and Did Not Escape Punishment. I. Above all things, O bishop, avoid the sad and dangerous and most atheistical heresies, eschewing them as fire that burns those that come near to it. Avoid also schisms: for it is neither lawful to turn one's mind towa…
2,594 wordsSECTION 183Who Were the Successors of Simon's Impiety, and What Heresies They Set Up.
Who Were the Successors of Simon's Impiety, and What Heresies They Set Up. VIII. But when we went forth among the Gentiles to preach the word of life, then the devil wrought in the people to send after us false apostles to the corrupting of the word; and they sent forth one Cleobius, and joined him with Simon, and these became …
2,818 wordsSECTION 184That We Must Separate from Heretics.
That We Must Separate from Heretics. XIII. But after a long time we visited the brethren, and confirmed them with the word of piety, and charged them to avoid those who, under the name of Christ and Moses, war against Christ and Moses, and in the clothing of sheep hide the wolf. For these are false Christs, and false prophets, …
2,237 wordsSECTION 185[3207] Gen. i. 31.
[3207] Gen. i. 31. [3208] Gen xlix. 10. [3209] Gen. xlix. 9 [3210] Isa. xi. 1, ix. 6 [3211] Acts xv [3212] Ps. cix. 8; Acts i. 20. [The name common to apostles and elders.] [3213] Acts xv. 1. [3214] Acts. xv. 7, 8. [3215] Acts x. [3216] Acts x. 13, etc. [3217] Joel ii. 32 [3218] Ps. xxii. 27, 28 [3219] Acts xi. 15, x…
2,255 wordsSECTION 186How Christ Became a Fulfiller of the Law, and What Parts of It He Put a Period To, or Changed, or Transferred.
How Christ Became a Fulfiller of the Law, and What Parts of It He Put a Period To, or Changed, or Transferred. XXIII. For He did not take away the law of nature, but confirmed it. For He that said in the law, "The Lord thy God is one Lord;" [3291] the same says in the Gospel, "That they might know Thee, the only true God." [329…
2,215 wordsSECTION 187Of the Love of Boys, Adultery, and Fornication.
Of the Love of Boys, Adultery, and Fornication. XXVIII. But we do not say so of that mixture that is contrary to nature, or of any unlawful practice; for such are enmity to God. For the sin of Sodom is contrary to nature, as is also that with brute beasts. But adultery and fornication are against the law; the one whereof is imp…
1,782 wordsSECTION 188Book VII.
Book VII. Concerning the Christian Life, and the Eucharist, and the Initiation into Christ. Sec. I.--On the Two Ways, [3343] --The Way of Life and the Way of Death. That There are Two Ways,--The One Natural, of Life, and the Other Introduced Afterwards, of Death; And that the Former is from God, and the Latter of Error, from …
2,254 wordsSECTION 189How Masters Ought to Behave Themselves to Their Servants, and How Servants Ought to Be Subject.
How Masters Ought to Behave Themselves to Their Servants, and How Servants Ought to Be Subject. XIII. Thou shall not command thy man-servant, or thy maid-servant, who trust in the same God, with bitterness of soul, lest they groan against thee, and wrath be upon thee from God. And, ye servants, "be subject to your masters," [34…
2,246 wordsSECTION 190A Mystical Thanksgiving.
A Mystical Thanksgiving. XXXV. Be ye always thankful, as faithful and honest servants; and concerning the eucharistical thanksgiving say thus: [3455] We thank Thee, our Father, for that life which Thou hast made known to us by Jesus Thy Son, by whom Thou madest all things, and takest care of the whole world; whom Thou hast sent…
2,622 wordsSECTION 191A Prayer, with Thanksgiving, Declarative of God's Providence Over the Beings He Has Made.
A Prayer, with Thanksgiving, Declarative of God's Providence Over the Beings He Has Made. XXXV. Great art thou, O Lord Almighty, and great is Thy power, and of Thy understanding there is no number. Our Creator and Saviour, rich in benefits, long-suffering, and the bestower of mercy, who dost not take away Thy salvation from Thy…
2,247 wordsSECTION 192[3437] Isa. i. 19
[3437] Isa. i. 19 [3438] Gen. ix. 3 [3439] Deut. xv. 23 [3440] Matt. xv. 11 [3441] Mark vii. 22 [3442] Zech. ix. 17 [3443] Eccles. ii. 25, LXX. [3444] The words from "Wise Ezra" to "sorrowful" are not in one V. ms. [3445] Neh. viii. 10. [3446] 1 Cor. x. 20. [3447] [Comp., with this chapter, Teaching, chap. vii.--R.] […
2,381 wordsSECTION 193A Prayer for the New Fruits.
A Prayer for the New Fruits. XLV. But let him pray thus after the foregoing prayer, and say: O God Almighty, the Father of Thy Christ, Thy only begotten Son, give me a body undefiled, a heart pure, a mind watchful, an unerring knowledge, the influence of the Holy Ghost for the obtaining and assured enjoying of the truth, throug…
1,162 wordsSECTION 194Book VIII.
Book VIII. Concerning Gifts, and Ordinations, and the Ecclesiastical Canons. Sec. I.--On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts. On Whose Account the Powers of Miracles are Performed. I. Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour, delivered to us the great mystery of godliness, and called both Jews and Gentiles to the acknowledgment of the…
2,203 wordsSECTION 195[3578] Mal. i. 6
[3578] Mal. i. 6 [3579] Jer. xxix. 22 [3580] 1 Pet. v. 5 [3581] Acts [xi. 28;] xv. 32, xxi. 10 [3582] Ex. xv. 20. [3583] Judg. iv. 4. [3584] 2 Kings xxii. 14. [3585] Judith viii.. [3586] Luke i. and ii. [3587] Acts xxi. 9. [3588] [The compiler has forgotten that few of these had husbands, at least at the time when they…
2,297 wordsSECTION 196For the Energumens.
For the Energumens. VII. Thou, who hast bound the strong man, and spoiled all that was in his house, who hast given us power over serpents and scorpions to tread upon them, and upon all the power of the enemy; [3608] who hast delivered the serpent, that murderer of men, bound to us, as a sparrow to children, whom all things dre…
2,277 wordsSECTION 197The Constitution of James the Brother of John, the Son of Zebedee.
The Constitution of James the Brother of John, the Son of Zebedee. XII. And I James, [3635] the brother of John, the son of Zebedee, say, that the deacon shall immediately say, Let none of the catechumens, let none of the hearers, let none of the unbelievers, let none of the heterodox, stay here. You who have prayed the foregoi…
2,721 wordsSECTION 198Being mindful, therefore, of those things that He endured for our sakes, we give Thee thanks, O God Almighty, not in such a manner as we oug
Being mindful, therefore, of those things that He endured for our sakes, we give Thee thanks, O God Almighty, not in such a manner as we ought, but as we are able, and fulfil His constitution: "For in the same night that He was betrayed, He took bread" [3664] in His holy and undefiled hands, and, looking up to Thee His God and F…
2,240 wordsSECTION 199[3590] We have adopted the reading of one V. ms., apecharesato. It means more than is in the text--that God used the wicked in a way in whic
[3590] We have adopted the reading of one V. ms., apecharesato. It means more than is in the text--that God used the wicked in a way in which they would not be naturally used; lit., "abused," or "misused." The other mss. and the Coptic read apecharisato, "gave His gifts to the wicked for prophecy." Whiston has tried to make sens…
2,200 wordsSECTION 200XXIV. I, the same, make a constitution in regard to virgins: A virgin is not ordained, for we have no such command from the Lord; [3698] for
XXIV. I, the same, make a constitution in regard to virgins: A virgin is not ordained, for we have no such command from the Lord; [3698] for this is a state of voluntary trial, not for the reproach of marriage, but on account of leisure for piety. The Constitution of Lebbæus, Who Was Surnamed Thaddæus, Concerning Widows. XXV. …
2,311 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.