Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 8
The Twelve Patriarchs, Apocrypha, Clementine Homilies & More
SECTION 481
And they ministered with him in the church which Addæus had built at the word and command of Abgar the king, being furnished with supplies b
And they ministered with him in the church which Addæus had built at the word and command of Abgar the king, being furnished with supplies by the king and his nobles, partly for the house of God, and partly for the supply of the poor. Moreover, much people day by day assembled and came to the prayers of the service, and to the r…
2,203 wordsSECTION 482He too, with the same ordination which he had received from him, made Priests and Guides in the whole of this country of Mesopotamia. For th
He too, with the same ordination which he had received from him, made Priests and Guides in the whole of this country of Mesopotamia. For they also, in like manner as Addæus the apostle, held fast his word, and listened to and received it, as good and faithful successors of the apostle of the adorable Christ. But silver and gold…
2,203 wordsSECTION 483[3013] The "soft clothing" of Matt. xi. 8, where the Peshito and the "Ancient Recension" have the same word as appears here. Cureton renders
[3013] The "soft clothing" of Matt. xi. 8, where the Peshito and the "Ancient Recension" have the same word as appears here. Cureton renders it "silk," but remarks: "It would appear to be cotton or muslin, lana xylina, not bombycina." [The word clothing, with the Peshito and, should be credited to the translator.] [3014] The te…
2,352 wordsSECTION 484And, whilst Simon Cephas was saying these things to his fellow-apostles, and putting them in remembrance, a mysterious voice was heard by th
And, whilst Simon Cephas was saying these things to his fellow-apostles, and putting them in remembrance, a mysterious voice was heard by them, and a sweet odour, which was strange to the world, breathed upon them; [3063] and tongues of fire, between the voice and the odour, came down from heaven [3064] towards them, and alighte…
2,600 wordsSECTION 4851. Jerusalem received the ordination to the priesthood, as did all the country of Palestine, and the parts occupied by the Samaritans, and t
1. Jerusalem received the ordination to the priesthood, as did all the country of Palestine, and the parts occupied by the Samaritans, and the parts occupied by the Philistines, and the country of the Arabians, and of Phoenicia, and the people of Cæsarea, from James, who was ruler and guide in the church of the apostles which wa…
2,218 wordsSECTION 486[3124] C. adds, "crucifying him on a cross." C. also adds, "Here endeth the treatise of Addæus the apostle."
[3124] C. adds, "crucifying him on a cross." C. also adds, "Here endeth the treatise of Addæus the apostle." Ancient Syriac Documents. ------------------------ [3125] The Teaching of Simon Cephas [3126] in the City of Rome. [3127] In the third [3128] year of Claudius Cæsar, Simon Cephas departed from Antioch to go to Rome. A…
2,225 wordsSECTION 487[3128] The reading of the ms. is "thirtieth."
[3128] The reading of the ms. is "thirtieth." [3129] From this place to "the light" (last line of text on this page), A. is lost, and the text has been supplied from B. [3130] The ms. gives, "clad in the white." [3131] Lit. "His marvellous helps."--Tr. [See p. 652, supra.] [3132] [Mark i. 16-17. Compare Jer. xvi. 16.] [3133…
2,206 wordsSECTION 488But Lysanias, [3167] the judge of the country, when he heard [3168] that Sharbil had done this, [3169] sent by night [3170] and carried him
But Lysanias, [3167] the judge of the country, when he heard [3168] that Sharbil had done this, [3169] sent by night [3170] and carried him off from the church. And there went up with him many Christians. And he sat down, to hear him and to judge him, before the altar which is in the middle of the town, where he used to sacrific…
2,259 wordsSECTION 489The judge said: Thou art not the man to call others to account for [3182] these things; but from thyself a strict account is demanded, as to
The judge said: Thou art not the man to call others to account for [3182] these things; but from thyself a strict account is demanded, as to the cause for which thou hast renounced the gods, and refusest to offer them incense like thy fellow-priests. Sharbil said: Death on account of this is true life: those who confess the Kin…
2,222 wordsSECTION 490And they tore him with combs upon his cheeks, and between the nails which were driven into them.
And they tore him with combs upon his cheeks, and between the nails which were driven into them. Sharbil said: I will not obey the emperors, who command that to be worshipped and honoured which is not of the nature of God, and is not God in its nature, but is the work of him that made it. The judge said: Like as the emperors w…
2,272 wordsSECTION 491Here end the Acts of Sharbil the confessor.
Here end the Acts of Sharbil the confessor. ------------------------ [3147] There are twomss. from which this piece is taken. The first is Cod. Add. 14,644, fol. 72 vers. This, which is referred to as A., has been copied exactly, except that a few manifest errors have been corrected and some deficiencies supplied from the othe…
2,214 wordsSECTION 492Barsamya said: I was assuredly [3214] made a shepherd of men, not for the sake of those only who are found, but also for the sake of those w
Barsamya said: I was assuredly [3214] made a shepherd of men, not for the sake of those only who are found, but also for the sake of those who have strayed from the fold of truth, and become food for the wolves of paganism; and, had I not sought to make Sharbil a disciple, at my hands would his blood have been required; and, if …
2,420 wordsSECTION 493Here endeth the martyrdom of Barsamya, bishop of Edessa.
Here endeth the martyrdom of Barsamya, bishop of Edessa. ------------------------ [3209] This is taken from the ms. cited as B. in the Acts of Sharbil. There is an Armenian version or extract of this still in existence: see Dr. Alishan's letter referred to on p. 665. [See elucidation, p. 689, infra.] [3210] This is a mistake …
2,309 wordsSECTION 494And the governor hastily commanded, and they brought in Habib before him. The officers said: Lo! he standeth before thine Excellency,
And the governor hastily commanded, and they brought in Habib before him. The officers said: Lo! he standeth before thine Excellency, And he began to question him thus, and said to him: What is thy name? And whence art thou? And what art thou? He said to him: My name is Habib, and I am from the village of Telzeha, and I have b…
2,288 wordsSECTION 495And, when he was arrived at the place where they were going to burn him, he stood up and prayed, as did all those who came out with him; and
And, when he was arrived at the place where they were going to burn him, he stood up and prayed, as did all those who came out with him; and he said: "O King Christ, since Thine is this world, and Thine the world to come, behold and see, that, while I might have fled from these afflictions, I did not flee, in order that I might …
2,469 wordsSECTION 496On hearing this, the governor gave orders to Anovitus the jailor to put them in very safe keeping. For the mind which is naturally inclined
On hearing this, the governor gave orders to Anovitus the jailor to put them in very safe keeping. For the mind which is naturally inclined to evil cannot bear the truth, any more than diseased eyes the bright beams of the sun. And, when he had done as he was commanded, and the martyrs were in prison, where many other saints als…
2,336 wordsSECTION 497Again the governor said: It is not that you may reckon up your saints, as you call them, that I bear so patiently with you, but that, by cha
Again the governor said: It is not that you may reckon up your saints, as you call them, that I bear so patiently with you, but that, by changing your resolution and yielding to the emperor's commands, you may be rescued from a very bitter death. For, if you behave with such excessive daring and arrogance, what can you expect bu…
2,334 wordsSECTION 498[3291] This extract is taken from the edition, in two volumes, printed at Paris, of which the following is the title: MOÏSE, DE KHORÈNE, aut
[3291] This extract is taken from the edition, in two volumes, printed at Paris, of which the following is the title: MOÏSE, DE KHORÈNE, auteur du Ve Siècle: HISTOIRE D'ARMÉNIE, texte Arménien et traduction Francaise, avec notes explicatives et précis historiques sur l'Arménie, par P. E. Le Vaillant de Florival. [3292] Book ii.…
2,209 wordsSECTION 499"I know that nothing is unknown to your Majesty, but, as your friend, I would make you better acquainted with the facts by writing. The Jews
"I know that nothing is unknown to your Majesty, but, as your friend, I would make you better acquainted with the facts by writing. The Jews who dwell in the cantons of Palestine have crucified Jesus: Jesus without sin, Jesus after so many acts of kindness, so many wonders and miracles wrought for their good, even to the raising…
2,035 wordsSECTION 500Homily on Habib the Martyr, Composed by Mar Jacob. [3303]
Homily on Habib the Martyr, Composed by Mar Jacob. [3303] Habib the martyr, clad in flame, hath called to me out of the fire, That for him likewise I should fashion an image of beauty among the glorious. Comrade of conquerors, lo! he beckoneth to me out of the burning, That, as for the glory of his Lord, I should sing concer…
2,215 wordsSECTION 501In the pathway of death had he set his face to walk,
In the pathway of death had he set his face to walk, And what could he desire to find in it but sufferings? The fire of sacrifice [3322] was betrothed to him, and for her did he look; And she on her part sent him combs, and stripes, and pains, to taste. All the while that she was coming, she sent him sufferings, that by mean…
2,223 wordsSECTION 502[3309] A corruption of the word sampsera is used here. It is said by Josephus, Antiq., xx. 2, 3, to have been the name given by the Assyrian
[3309] A corruption of the word sampsera is used here. It is said by Josephus, Antiq., xx. 2, 3, to have been the name given by the Assyrians to some kind of sword. Suidas mentions it as a barbarian word for spathe, a broadsword. Cureton's "scimetar" would be preferable, as being somewhat more distinctive, if it appeared that a …
2,204 wordsSECTION 503To that meeting-place for them all, the life of the new world.
To that meeting-place for them all, the life of the new world. They cared neither for possessions nor for houses, Nor for the advantages of this world, so full of evil. In the world of light was their heart bound captive with God, And to "that" country did they set their face to depart; And they looked to the sword, to come…
2,202 wordsSECTION 504Introduction
[3343] Lit. "purchase."--Tr. [3344] ***, though not in the lexicons, is the same word that appears in Castel as ***. [3345] Lit. "to the forms (schemata) of all afflictions."--Tr. [3346] This seems preferable to Cureton's "Ye are the stewards of (her) faith." The expression exactly corresponds in form to that in Luke xvi. 8 (…
2,426 wordsSECTION 505"Not so, however, with man: for, if everything ministered, who would be he that is ministered to? And, if everything were ministered to, who
"Not so, however, with man: for, if everything ministered, who would be he that is ministered to? And, if everything were ministered to, who would be he that ministered? In that case, too, there would not be one thing diverse from another: yet that which is one, and in which there is no diversity of parts, is a being [3368] whic…
2,252 wordsSECTION 506"What, therefore, is the nature of man? For, lo! all men differ one from another in their conduct and in their aims, [3397] and such only as
"What, therefore, is the nature of man? For, lo! all men differ one from another in their conduct and in their aims, [3397] and such only as are of [3398] one mind and of one purpose resemble one another. But those men who, up to the present moment, have been enticed by their appetites and governed by their anger, are resolved t…
2,274 wordsSECTION 507"Art thou," said Bardesan, "by the fact that all men are not governed alike, convinced that it is not from their nature that they do wrong?
"Art thou," said Bardesan, "by the fact that all men are not governed alike, convinced that it is not from their nature that they do wrong? Why, then, thou canst not possibly escape the conviction [3428] that neither also from Fate exclusively do they do wrong, if we are able to show thee that the sentence of the Fates and Poten…
2,402 wordsSECTION 508"Of these things, Father Bardesan," said I to him, "thou hast convinced us, and we know that they are true. But knowest thou that the astrol
"Of these things, Father Bardesan," said I to him, "thou hast convinced us, and we know that they are true. But knowest thou that the astrologers say that the earth is divided into seven portions, which are called Zones; and that over the said portions those seven stars have authority, each of them over one; and that in each one…
2,211 wordsSECTION 509[3374] Lit. "of their nature."
[3374] Lit. "of their nature." [3375] Lit. "the strength of their exactness," i.e., their exact (or complete) strength. Cureton has, "their force of energy." [3376] "being lessened," or "lowered." [3377] Lit. "do not take place by." [3378] Cureton renders, "have the use of his hands:" Merx gives "etwas erwirbt." [3379] Or "…
2,245 wordsSECTION 510What, again, are we to say concerning the delusion [3476] which has taken up its abode in the world? Both by reason of toil [3477] painful i
What, again, are we to say concerning the delusion [3476] which has taken up its abode in the world? Both by reason of toil [3477] painful is the journey through it, and by its agitations are we, like a reed by the force of the wind, bent now in this direction, now in that. For I have been amazed at many who cast away their chil…
2,209 wordsSECTION 511[3466] Lit. "Græcism."
[3466] Lit. "Græcism." [3467] The meaning probably is, that the maxims referred to lost their importance for him when he entered upon the new life of a Christian (so Cureton), or their importance to mankind when Christianity itself was born into the world. But why he did not substitute more distinctive Christian teaching is not…
2,414 wordsSECTION 512Wherefore, O men of Greece, seeing that your gods are grovelling like yourselves, and your heroes destitute of courage, [3519] as your drama
Wherefore, O men of Greece, seeing that your gods are grovelling like yourselves, and your heroes destitute of courage, [3519] as your dramas tell and your stories declare--then, again, what shall be said of the tribulations of Orestes; and the couch of Thyestes; and the foul taint in the family of Pelops; and concerning Danaus,…
2,250 wordsSECTION 513I have contented myself, therefore, with giving approximate order and continuity, on chronological grounds, to the series of names subjoined
I have contented myself, therefore, with giving approximate order and continuity, on chronological grounds, to the series of names subjoined. Bardesanes has been eliminated here, and placed more appropriately with the Syriac authors. The reader will find references which may aid him in seeking further information. Some of these …
2,382 wordsSECTION 514"But, notwithstanding this, I say that so long as a man does not hear, and so does not discern or understand that there is a Lord over these
"But, notwithstanding this, I say that so long as a man does not hear, and so does not discern or understand that there is a Lord over these creatures, he is not perhaps to be blamed: because no one finds fault with a blind man though he walk ever so badly. For, in the same manner as the blind, so men also, when they were seekin…
2,382 wordsSECTION 515"There is, therefore, nothing to hinder thee from changing thy evil manner of life, because thou art a free man; or from seeking and finding
"There is, therefore, nothing to hinder thee from changing thy evil manner of life, because thou art a free man; or from seeking and finding out who is the Lord of all; or from serving Him with all thy heart: because with Him there is no reluctance to give the knowledge of Himself to those that seek it, according to the measure …
2,210 wordsSECTION 516[3578] Lit. "hand."
[3578] Lit. "hand." [3579] Lit. "into an insult of God." So M. Renan, "in opprobrium Dei." Cureton, admitting that this may be the sense, renders, "an abomination of God," and refers to the circumstance that in Scripture an idol is frequently so spoken of. But *** is not used in such passages (it is either ***, or, less frequen…
2,206 wordsSECTION 517When Servilius Paulus was proconsul of Asia, at the time that Sagaris [3605] suffered martyrdom, there arose a great controversy at Laodicea
When Servilius Paulus was proconsul of Asia, at the time that Sagaris [3605] suffered martyrdom, there arose a great controversy at Laodicea concerning the time of the celebration of the Passover, which on that occasion had happened to fall at the proper season; [3606] and this treatise was then written. [3607] [3603] The follo…
2,216 wordsSECTION 518The smelling of the Lord--His delight in the prayers or works of the saints. In Genesis: "And the Lord smelled an odour of sweetness."
The smelling of the Lord--His delight in the prayers or works of the saints. In Genesis: "And the Lord smelled an odour of sweetness." The mouth of the Lord--His Son, or word addressed to men. In the prophet, "The mouth of the Lord hath spoken;" [3646] and elsewhere, "They provoked His mouth to anger." [3647] The tongue of the…
2,206 wordsSECTION 519And, when many were fully convinced by these words, and offered praise for the testimony of James, and said, "Hosanna to the son of David,"
And, when many were fully convinced by these words, and offered praise for the testimony of James, and said, "Hosanna to the son of David," then again the said Pharisees and scribes said to one another, "We have not done well in procuring this testimony to Jesus. But let us go up and throw him down, that they may be afraid, and …
2,208 wordsSECTION 520[3711] [Routh (also on Pinytus and Soter), R. S., p. 177. This series, vol. vi. p. 102, note 3. Note also Lightfoot, A. F., part ii. vol. ii
[3711] [Routh (also on Pinytus and Soter), R. S., p. 177. This series, vol. vi. p. 102, note 3. Note also Lightfoot, A. F., part ii. vol. ii. p. 192, note 1; and Westcott, Canon, p. 206.] [3712] [Comp. p. 758, note 8, supra. Also Ignatius, vol. i. p. 63, at note 2, this series.] [3713] mss. "planted." [3714] The text is evide…
2,297 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.