Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 8
The Twelve Patriarchs, Apocrypha, Clementine Homilies & More
SECTION 161
Chapter XXXIII.--An Approaching Recognition.
Chapter XXXIII.--An Approaching Recognition. Then I answered: "How know you that she cohabited with her slave abroad, and died in his society?" Then the old man said: "I know it with perfect certainty; not indeed that she was married to the slave, as indeed I had not even discovered that she loved him. But after she was gone, m…
1,063 wordsSECTION 162Chapter XXXVII.--Another Recognition.
Chapter XXXVII.--Another Recognition. But while Peter was detailing these things in the hearing of the old man, in a narrative which was most pleasing to the crowd, so that the hearers wept through wonder at the events, and through compassion for sufferings incident to humanity, [854] my mother, hearing (I know not how) of the …
1,084 wordsSECTION 163Chapter II.--A Difficulty.
Chapter II.--A Difficulty. To this Niceta answered: "My lord Peter, I say nothing against your right and good counsels; but I wish to say one thing, that thereby I may learn something that I do not know. What if my father should die within the year during which you recommend that he should be put off? He will go down to hell he…
865 wordsSECTION 164Chapter V.--Good and Evil.
Chapter V.--Good and Evil. Then the old man said: "There is a saying very prevalent among the Greek philosophers, to the effect that there is in reality neither good nor evil in the life of man; but that men call things good or evil as they appear to them, prejudiced by the use and custom of life. For not even murder is really …
768 wordsSECTION 165Chapter VIII.--Admitted Evils.
Chapter VIII.--Admitted Evils. Then my father answered: "But as the harmfulness of an inharmonious conjunction of elements or stars is immediately betrayed, so ought also adultery to be immediately shown that it is an evil." Then I: "First tell me this, whether, as you yourself have confessed, evils are produced from incongruou…
877 wordsSECTION 166Chapter XI.--Test of Astrology.
Chapter XI.--Test of Astrology. Then I answered: "I shall therefore tell you, my father, what is the nature of mathematics, and do you act according to what I tell you. Go to a mathematician, [860] and tell him first that such and such evils have befallen you at such a time, and that you wish to learn of him whence, or how, or …
798 wordsSECTION 167Chapter XIV.--No Man Has Universal Knowledge.
Chapter XIV.--No Man Has Universal Knowledge. Then Peter said: "These things come not only from envy or indignation; but sometimes there is a bashfulness in some persons, lest haply they may not be able to answer fully the questions that may be proposed, and so they avoid the discovery of their want of skill. But no one ought t…
886 wordsSECTION 168Chapter XVIII.--Family of Saturn.
Chapter XVIII.--Family of Saturn. "Of all these, the first-born of the heaven took to wife the first-born of earth; the second the second, and in like manner all the rest. The first male, therefore, who had married the first female, was on her account drawn downwards; but the second female rose upwards, by reason of him to whom…
797 wordsSECTION 169Chapter XXI.--A Black Catalogue.
Chapter XXI.--A Black Catalogue. "Thus much of his incests; I shall now speak of his adulteries. He defiled Europa, the wife of Oceanus, of whom was born Dodonæus; Helen, the wife of Pandion, of whom Musæus; Eurynome, the wife of Asopus, of whom Ogygias; Hermione, the wife of Oceanus, of whom the Graces, Thalia, Euphrosyne, Agl…
878 wordsSECTION 170Chapter XXIV.--Folly of Polytheism.
Chapter XXIV.--Folly of Polytheism. "But also the sepulchres of his sons, who are regarded amongst these the Gentiles as gods, are openly pointed out, one in one place, and another in another: that of Mercury at Hermopolis; that of the Cyprian Venus at Cyprus; that of Mars in Thrace; that of Bacchus at Thebes, where he is said …
749 wordsSECTION 171Chapter XXVIII.--Buttresses of Gentilism.
Chapter XXVIII.--Buttresses of Gentilism. "But let us return to our purpose. What reason is there, yea, rather, what madness possesses the minds of men, that they worship and adore as a god, a man whom they not only know to be impious, wicked, profane--I mean Jupiter--incestuous, a parricide, an adulterer, but even proclaim him…
804 wordsSECTION 172Chapter XXXII.--Allegorical Interpretation.
Chapter XXXII.--Allegorical Interpretation. "She therefore (Rhea, or nature), it is said, produced, as it were, a certain bubble which had been collecting for a long time; and it being gradually collected from the spirit which was in the waters, swelled, and being for some time driven over the surface of matter, from which it h…
839 wordsSECTION 173Chapter XXXV.--Uselessness of These Allegories.
Chapter XXXV.--Uselessness of These Allegories. When Niceta had thus spoken, Aquila answered: [874] "Whoever he was that was the author and inventor of these things, he seems to me to have been very impious, since he covered over those things which seem to be pleasant and seemly, and made the ritual of his superstition to consi…
884 wordsSECTION 174Chapter XL.--Further Information Sought.
Chapter XL.--Further Information Sought. When Peter had thus said, I Clement asked Niceta that he would explain to us, for the sake of instruction, some things concerning the allegories of the Gentiles, which he had carefully studied; "for," said I, "it is useful that when we dispute with the Gentiles, we should not be unacquai…
878 wordsSECTION 175Chapter XLIII.--A Word of Exhortation.
Chapter XLIII.--A Word of Exhortation. And when he had said this, he looked to our father, and said: "You therefore, old man, if indeed you care for your soul's safety, that when you desire to be separated from the body, it may, in consequence of this short conversion, find eternal rest, ask about whatever you please, and seek …
787 wordsSECTION 176Chapter XLVII.--"A Faithful Saying, and Worthy of All Acceptation."
Chapter XLVII.--"A Faithful Saying, and Worthy of All Acceptation." "But if any one desires to learn exactly the truth of our preaching, let him come to hear, and let him ascertain what the true Prophet is; and then at length all doubtfulness will cease to him, unless with obstinate mind he resist those things which he finds to…
964 wordsSECTION 177Chapter LI.--Christ the True Prophet.
Chapter LI.--Christ the True Prophet. "Then, besides, of what sort is that which some of the philosophers have presumed to speak even concerning God, though they are mortal, and can only speak by opinion concerning invisible things, or concerning the origin of the world, since they were not present when it was made, or concerni…
901 wordsSECTION 178Chapter LIV.--Excitement in Antioch.
Chapter LIV.--Excitement in Antioch. And while he was thus speaking, one of those returned who had gone before to Antioch, and said to Peter: "I wish you to know, my lord Peter, that Simon at Antioch, doing many signs and prodigies in public, has inculcated upon the people nothing but what tends to excite hatred against you, ca…
778 wordsSECTION 179Chapter LVIII.--How It All Happened.
Chapter LVIII.--How It All Happened. Then, turning to my father, he said: "I gave you leave to salute Appion and Anubion, who, you said, were your friends from boyhood, but not that you should speak with Simon." Then my father said: "I confess I have sinned." Then said Anubion: "I also with him beg and entreat of you to pardon …
755 wordsSECTION 180Chapter LXI.--A Mine Dug.
Chapter LXI.--A Mine Dug. "When therefore you come with them to Antioch, as you will be thought to be Simon, stand in a public place, and proclaim your repentance, and say: I Simon declare to you, and confess that all that I said concerning Peter was false: for he is neither a seducer, nor a magician, nor a murderer, nor any of…
722 wordsSECTION 181Chapter LXIV.--A Competition in Lying.
Chapter LXIV.--A Competition in Lying. When Appion heard this, and those who were with him, they raised a great howling, saying: "Why have you done this? Why did you not receive him?" And when Athenodorus was going to tell me that it was my father Faustinianus himself, Appion prevented him, and said: "We have learned from some …
819 wordsSECTION 182Chapter LXVII.--Faustinianus is Himself Again.
Chapter LXVII.--Faustinianus is Himself Again. Whilst he made these and similar statements, the people began to curse him, and to weep and lament because they had sinned against Peter, believing him to be a magician or wicked man. But the same day, at evening, Faustinianus had his own face restored to him, and the appearance of…
713 wordsSECTION 183Chapter LXXI.--Success.
Chapter LXXI.--Success. So great grace of His power did the Holy Spirit show on that day, that all, from the least to the greatest, with one voice confessed the Lord; and not to delay you with many words, within seven days, more than ten thousand men, believing in God, were baptized and consecrated by sanctification: so that Th…
836 wordsSECTION 184Epistle of Peter to James.
Epistle of Peter to James. ------------------------ Peter to James, the lord and bishop of the holy Church, under the Father of all, through Jesus Christ, wishes peace always. [889] Chapter I.--Doctrine of Reserve. Knowing, my brother, your eager desire after that which is for the advantage of us all, I beg and beseech you n…
759 wordsSECTION 185Chapter IV.--An Adjuration Concerning the Receivers of the Book.
Chapter IV.--An Adjuration Concerning the Receivers of the Book. 1. Therefore James, having read the epistle, sent for the elders; and having read it to them, said: "Our Peter has strictly and becomingly charged us concerning the establishing of the truth, that we should not communicate the books of his preachings, which have b…
854 wordsSECTION 186Chapter V.--The Adjuration Accepted.
Chapter V.--The Adjuration Accepted. James having thus spoken, the elders were in an agony of terror. Therefore James, perceiving that they were greatly afraid, said: "Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. If we should give the books to all indiscriminately, and they should be corrupted by any daring men, or be perverted by in…
781 wordsSECTION 187Chapter III.--Nolo Episcopari.
Chapter III.--Nolo Episcopari. While he thus spoke, I knelt to him, and entreated him, declining the honour and the authority of the chair. But he answered: "Concerning this matter do not ask me; for it has seemed to me to be good that thus it be, and all the more if you decline it. For this chair has not need of a presumptuous…
818 wordsSECTION 188Chapter VII.--Duties of Presbyters.
Chapter VII.--Duties of Presbyters. "And with respect to the presbyters, take these instructions. Above all things, let them join the young betimes in marriage, anticipating the entanglements of youthful lusts. But neither let them neglect the marriage of those who are already old; for lust is vigorous even in some old men. Les…
754 wordsSECTION 189Chapter XI.--Doubts to Be Satisfied.
Chapter XI.--Doubts to Be Satisfied. "Wherefore, being disciples of the true Prophet, laying aside double-mindedness, from which comes ill-doing, eagerly undertake well-doing. But if any of you doubt concerning the things which I have said are to be, let him confess it without shame, if he cares for his own soul, and he shall b…
783 wordsSECTION 190Chapter XVI.--The Bishop's Labours and Reward.
Chapter XVI.--The Bishop's Labours and Reward. "But know all of you that the bishop labours more than you all; because each of you suffers his own affliction, but he his own and that of every one. Wherefore, O Clement, preside as a helper to every one according to your ability, being careful of the cares of all. Whence I know t…
736 wordsSECTION 191Chapter XX.--Clement's Obedience.
Chapter XX.--Clement's Obedience. Whence I, my lord James, having promised as I was ordered, have not failed to write in books by chapters the greater part of his discourses in every city, which have been already written to you, and sent by himself, as for a token; and thus I despatched them to you, [899] inscribing them "Cleme…
755 wordsSECTION 192Chapter IV.--More Perplexity.
Chapter IV.--More Perplexity. And again, living in doubt, I said to myself, Why do I labour in vain, when the matter is clear, that if I lose existence when I die, it is not fitting that I should distress myself now while I do exist? Wherefore I shall reserve my grief till that day, when, ceasing to exist, I shall not be affect…
862 wordsSECTION 193Chapter VII.--The Gospel in Rome.
Chapter VII.--The Gospel in Rome. And then in the same year, in the autumn season, a certain one, standing in a public place, cried and said, "Men of Rome, hearken. The Son of God is come in Judæa, proclaiming eternal life to all who will, if they shall live according to the counsel of the Father, who hath sent Him. Wherefore c…
715 wordsSECTION 194Chapter X.--Cavils of the Philosophers.
Chapter X.--Cavils of the Philosophers. But while the multitudes were favourably disposed towards the things that he so artlessly spoke, the philosophers, impelled by their worldly learning, set upon laughing at him and making sport of him, upbraiding and reproaching him with excessive presumption, making use of the great armou…
777 wordsSECTION 195Chapter XII.--Clement's Rebuke of the People.
Chapter XII.--Clement's Rebuke of the People. "And this wrongful treatment of my heralds would have been against all from the beginning, if from the beginning the unworthy had been called to salvation. For that which is now done wrongfully by these men serves to the vindication of my righteous foreknowledge, that it was well th…
915 wordsSECTION 196Chapter XVI.--Peter's Salutation.
Chapter XVI.--Peter's Salutation. Then the blessed man, springing forward as soon as he heard my name, kissed me; and making me sit down, straightway said, "You acted nobly in entertaining Barnabas, a herald of the truth, to the honour of the living God, being magnanimously not ashamed, nor fearing the resentment of the rude mu…
847 wordsSECTION 197Chapter XX.--Peter's Satisfaction with Clement.
Chapter XX.--Peter's Satisfaction with Clement. And, at the same time, he satisfied me by expounding to me who He is, and how He is found, and holding Him forth to me as truly to be found, showing that the truth is more manifest to the ear by the discourse of the prophet than things that are seen with the eye; so that I was ast…
828 wordsSECTION 198Homily II.
Homily II. Chapter I.--Peter's Attendants. Therefore the next day, I Clement, awaking from sleep before dawn, and learning that Peter was astir, and was conversing with his attendants concerning the worship of God (there were sixteen of them, [917] and I have thought good to set forth their names, as I subsequently learned the…
720 wordsSECTION 199Chapter VI.--The True Prophet.
Chapter VI.--The True Prophet. "Now the Prophet of the truth is He who always knows all things--things past as they were, things present as they are, things future as they shall be; sinless, merciful, alone entrusted with the declaration of the truth. Read, and you shall find that those were deceived [920] who thought that they…
841 wordsSECTION 200Chapter XI.--Ignorance, Knowledge, Foreknowledge.
Chapter XI.--Ignorance, Knowledge, Foreknowledge. "Wherefore, before all things, we must test the Prophet with all judgment by means of the prophetic promise; and having ascertained Him to be the Prophet, we must undoubtingly follow the other words of His teaching; and having confidence concerning things hoped for, we must cond…
781 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.