Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 3
Augustine — Trinity, Doctrinal & Moral Treatises
SECTION 1
A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF1-03. On the Holy Trinity; Doctrinal Treatises; Moral Treatises Creator(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Print Basis: New York: The Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1890 Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Proofed; Early Church LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature. F…
828 wordsSECTION 2Preface.
Preface. I. Doctrinal Treatises of St. Augustin. On the Holy Trinity Translated by the Rev. Arthur West Haddan, B.D. Revised and annotate, together with an introductory essay, by the Rev. Professor W. G. T. Shedd, D.D. The Enchiridion Translated by Professor J. F. Shaw. On the Catechising of the Uninstructed. Translated…
2,419 wordsSECTION 3The second, or speculative division of the work, is that which will be most foreign to the thinking of some trinitarians. In it they will fi
The second, or speculative division of the work, is that which will be most foreign to the thinking of some trinitarians. In it they will find what seems to them to be a philosophy, rather than an interpretation of the word of God. We shall, therefore, in this introductory essay, specify some of the advantages, as it seems to us…
2,310 wordsSECTION 4"O Light Eterne, sole in thyself that dwellest,
"O Light Eterne, sole in thyself that dwellest, Sole knowest thyself, and known unto thyself, And knowing, lovest and smilest on thyself!"--Dante: Paradise xxxiii. 125. While, however, this analogue from the conditions of finite personality approaches nearer to the eternal distinctions in the Godhead than does that ternary wh…
2,330 wordsSECTION 5It remains to say, that the translation here printed was made about four years since by a friend of the writer of this preface, and that the
It remains to say, that the translation here printed was made about four years since by a friend of the writer of this preface, and that the latter's share in the work has been that of thoroughly revising and correcting it, and of seeing it through the press. He is therefore answerable for the work as now published. A. W. Hadda…
706 wordsSECTION 6Book I.
Book I. ------------------------ In which the unity and equality of the supreme Trinity is established from the sacred Scriptures, and some texts alleged against the equality of the Son are explained. Chapter 1.--This Work is Written Against Those Who Sophistically Assail the Faith of the Trinity, Through Misuse of Reason. Th…
1,583 wordsSECTION 7Chapter 2.--In What Manner This Work Proposes to Discourse Concerning the Trinity.
Chapter 2.--In What Manner This Work Proposes to Discourse Concerning the Trinity. 4. Wherefore, our Lord God helping, we will undertake to render, as far as we are able, that very account which they so importunately demand: viz., that the Trinity is the one and only and true God, and also how the Father, the Son, and the Holy …
1,401 wordsSECTION 8Chapter 4.--What the Doctrine of the Catholic Faith is Concerning the Trinity.
Chapter 4.--What the Doctrine of the Catholic Faith is Concerning the Trinity. 7. All those Catholic expounders of the divine Scriptures, both Old and New, whom I have been able to read, who have written before me concerning the Trinity, Who is God, have purposed to teach, according to the Scriptures, this doctrine, that the Fa…
2,713 wordsSECTION 913. Similar evidence has been collected also concerning the Holy Spirit, of which those who have discussed the subject before ourselves have
13. Similar evidence has been collected also concerning the Holy Spirit, of which those who have discussed the subject before ourselves have most fully availed themselves, that He too is God, and not a creature. But if not a creature, then not only God (for men likewise are called gods [51] ), but also very God; and therefore ab…
984 wordsSECTION 10Chapter 7.--In What Manner the Son is Less Than the Father, and Than Himself.
Chapter 7.--In What Manner the Son is Less Than the Father, and Than Himself. 14. In these and like testimonies of the divine Scriptures, by free use of which, as I have said, our predecessors exploded such sophistries or errors of the heretics, the unity and equality of the Trinity are intimated to our faith. But because, on a…
2,645 wordsSECTION 1118. Neither is the Spirit of either thence excluded, that is, the Spirit of the Father and of the Son; which Holy Spirit is specially called
18. Neither is the Spirit of either thence excluded, that is, the Spirit of the Father and of the Son; which Holy Spirit is specially called "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive." [95] For to have the fruition of God the Trinity, after whose image we are made, is indeed the fullness of our joy, than which there is…
718 wordsSECTION 12Chapter 9.--All are Sometimes Understood in One Person.
Chapter 9.--All are Sometimes Understood in One Person. But this is said, not on account of any inequality of the Word of God and of the Holy Spirit, but as though the presence of the Son of man with them would be a hindrance to the coming of Him, who was not less, because He did not "empty Himself, taking upon Him the form of …
2,386 wordsSECTION 13Chapter 11.--By What Rule in the Scriptures It is Understood that the Son is Now Equal and Now Less.
[108] John xvi. 22 [109] Luke x. 30-42 [110] Rom. viii. 26 [111] Ps. xxvii. 4 [112] [The redeemed must forever stand in the relation of redeemed sinners to their Redeemer. Thus standing, they will forever need Christ's sacrifice and intercession in respect to their past sins in this earthly state. But as in the heavenly stat…
2,800 wordsSECTION 1427. I ask, therefore, how we are to understand, "I will not judge him; but the Word which I have spoken shall judge him:" which appears from
27. I ask, therefore, how we are to understand, "I will not judge him; but the Word which I have spoken shall judge him:" which appears from what follows to be so said, as if He would say, I will not judge; but the Word of the Father will judge. But the Word of the Father is the Son of God Himself. Is it to be so understood: I w…
2,834 wordsSECTION 1531. He is "good," according to that sight, according to which God appears to the pure in heart; for "truly God is good unto Israel even to s
31. He is "good," according to that sight, according to which God appears to the pure in heart; for "truly God is good unto Israel even to such as are of a clean heart." [190] But when the wicked shall see the Judge, He will not seem good to them; because they will not rejoice in their heart to see Him, but all "kindreds of the …
1,643 wordsSECTION 16Book II.
Book II. ------------------------ Augustin pursues his defense of the equality of the Trinity; and in treating of the sending of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and of the various appearances of God, demonstrates that He who is sent is not therefore less than He who sends, because the one has sent, the other has been sent; but…
1,786 wordsSECTION 17Chapter 2.--That Some Ways of Speaking Concerning the Son are to Be Understood According to Either Rule.
Chapter 2.--That Some Ways of Speaking Concerning the Son are to Be Understood According to Either Rule. 4. There are, then, some things in the sacred books, as I began by saying, so put, that it is doubtful to which they are to be referred: whether to that rule whereby the Son is less on account of His having taken the creatur…
851 wordsSECTION 18Chapter 4.--The Glorification of the Son by the Father Does Not Prove Inequality.
Chapter 4.--The Glorification of the Son by the Father Does Not Prove Inequality. 6. But here also let them wake up if they can, who have thought this, too, to be a testimony on their side, to show that the Father is greater than the Son, because the Son hath said, "Father, glorify me." Why, the Holy Spirit also glorifies Him. …
2,201 wordsSECTION 19Chapter 6.--The Creature is Not So Taken by the Holy Spirit as Flesh is by the Word.
[244] Acts ii. 2-4 Chapter 6.--The Creature is Not So Taken by the Holy Spirit as Flesh is by the Word. 11. It is, then, for this reason nowhere written, that the Father is greater than the Holy Spirit, or that the Holy Spirit is less than God the Father, because the creature in which the Holy Spirit was to appear was not take…
1,163 wordsSECTION 20Chapter 7.--A Doubt Raised About Divine Appearances.
Chapter 7.--A Doubt Raised About Divine Appearances. 12. The Holy Spirit, then, is also said to be sent, on account of these corporeal forms which came into existence in time, in order to signify and manifest Him, as He must needs be manifested, to human senses; yet He is not said to be less than the Father, as the Son, because…
997 wordsSECTION 21Chapter 9.--Against Those Who Believed the Father Only to Be Immortal and Invisible. The Truth to Be Sought by Peaceful Study.
Chapter 9.--Against Those Who Believed the Father Only to Be Immortal and Invisible. The Truth to Be Sought by Peaceful Study. 15. But they who will have these texts understood only of the Father, and not of the Son or the Holy Spirit, declare the Son to be visible, not by having taken flesh of the Virgin, but aforetime also in…
2,545 wordsSECTION 22Chapter 11.--Of the Same Appearance.
[267] Gen. iii. 8-10 [268] Gen. iii. 7 [269] Gen. iv. 14 [270] Matt. xvii. 5 [271] Matt. iii. 17 [272] John xii. 28 [273] Matt. iii. 17 [274] Gen. xii. 1, 7 [275] 1 Cor viii. 5, 6 [276] Ps. ii. 7 [277] Ps. cx. 1 [278] 2 Cor. iii. 17 [279] Deut. vi. 13 [280] Gen. xviii Chapter 11.--Of the Same Appearance. 20. That …
1,345 wordsSECTION 23Chapter 13.--The Appearance in the Bush.
Chapter 13.--The Appearance in the Bush. 23. But when Moses was sent to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, it is written that the Lord appeared to him thus: "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, ev…
834 wordsSECTION 24Chapter 14.--Of the Appearance in the Pillar of Cloud and of Fire.
Chapter 14.--Of the Appearance in the Pillar of Cloud and of Fire. 24. Also in the going forth of the children of Israel from Egypt it is written, "And the Lord went before them, by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of…
1,188 wordsSECTION 25Chapter 16.--In What Manner Moses Saw God.
Chapter 16.--In What Manner Moses Saw God. 26. There is yet another difficulty which troubles most people, viz. that it is written, "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend;" whereas a little after, the same Moses says, "Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show m…
2,302 wordsSECTION 26Chapter 18.--The Vision of Daniel.
32. Wherefore, if in those words which were spoken in Exodus, and in all those corporeal appearances, the Lord Jesus Christ was manifested; or if in some cases Christ was manifested, as the consideration of this passage persuades us, in others the Holy Spirit, as that which we have said above admonishes us; at any rate no such r…
1,564 wordsSECTION 27Book III.
Book III. ------------------------ The question is discussed with respect to the appearances of God spoken of in the previous book, which were made under bodily forms, whether only a creature was formed, for the purpose of manifesting God to human sight in such way as He at each time judged fitting; or whether angels, already …
1,534 wordsSECTION 28Chapter 1.--What is to Be Said Thereupon.
Chapter 1.--What is to Be Said Thereupon. 4. Let us, then, continue our inquiry now in order. For under the second head in that division the question occurred, whether the creature was formed for that work only, wherein God, in such way as He then judged it to be fitting, might be manifested to human sight; or whether angels, w…
1,276 wordsSECTION 29Chapter 3.--Of the Same Argument.
Chapter 3.--Of the Same Argument. Let us take, then, the case of a wise man, such that his rational soul is already partaker of the unchangeable and eternal truth, so that he consults it about all his actions, nor does anything at all, which he does not by it know ought to be done, in order that by being subject to it and obeyi…
1,326 wordsSECTION 30Chapter 5.--Why Miracles are Not Usual Works.
Chapter 5.--Why Miracles are Not Usual Works. 11. For since the divine power administers the whole spiritual and corporeal creature, the waters of the sea are summoned and poured out upon the face of the earth on certain days of every year. But when this was done at the prayer of the holy Elijah; because so continued and long a…
957 wordsSECTION 31Chapter 8.--God Alone Creates Those Things Which are Changed by Magic Art.
Chapter 8.--God Alone Creates Those Things Which are Changed by Magic Art. 13. Yet it is not on this account to be thought that the matter of visible things is subservient to the bidding of those wicked angels; but rather to that of God, by whom this power is given, just so far as He, who is unchangeable, determines in His loft…
1,561 wordsSECTION 32Chapter 9.--The Original Cause of All Things is from God.
Chapter 9.--The Original Cause of All Things is from God. 16. For it is one thing to make and administer the creature from the innermost and highest turning-point of causation, which He alone does who is God the Creator; but quite another thing to apply some operation from without in proportion to the strength and faculties ass…
1,204 wordsSECTION 33Chapter 10.--In How Many Ways the Creature is to Be Taken by Way of Sign. The Eucharist.
Chapter 10.--In How Many Ways the Creature is to Be Taken by Way of Sign. The Eucharist. Excepting, therefore, all these things as I just now said, there are some also of another kind; which, although from the same corporeal substance, are yet brought within reach of our senses in order to announce something from God, and these…
2,321 wordsSECTION 3423. But some one may say, Why then is it written, "The Lord said to Moses;" and not, rather, The angel said to Moses? Because, when the crie
23. But some one may say, Why then is it written, "The Lord said to Moses;" and not, rather, The angel said to Moses? Because, when the crier proclaims the words of the judge, it is not usually written in the record, so and so the crier said, but so and so the judge. In like manner also, when the holy prophet speaks, although we…
2,326 wordsSECTION 35Book IV.
[412] ["Substance," from sub stans, is a passive term, denoting latent and potential being. "Essence," from esse, is an active term, denoting energetic being. The schoolmen, as Augustin does here, preferred the latter term to the former, though employing both to designate the divine nature.--W.G.T.S.] [413] Rom. xii. 3 [414] 2…
980 wordsSECTION 36Chapter 1.--We are Made Perfect by Acknowledgement of Our Own Weakness. The Incarnate Word Dispels Our Darkness.
Chapter 1.--We are Made Perfect by Acknowledgement of Our Own Weakness. The Incarnate Word Dispels Our Darkness. 2. But since we are exiled from the unchangeable joy, yet neither cut off nor torn away from it so that we should not seek eternity, truth, blessedness, even in those changeable and temporal things (for we wish neith…
920 wordsSECTION 37Chapter 2.--How We are Rendered Apt for the Perception of Truth Through the Incarnate Word.
Chapter 2.--How We are Rendered Apt for the Perception of Truth Through the Incarnate Word. 4. But "the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." Now the "darkness" is the foolish minds of men, made blind by vicious desires and unbelief. And that the Word, by whom all things were made, might care for the…
2,209 wordsSECTION 387. Now this ratio of the single to the double arises, no doubt, from the ternary number, since one added to two makes three; but the whole w
7. Now this ratio of the single to the double arises, no doubt, from the ternary number, since one added to two makes three; but the whole which these make reaches to the senary, for one and two and three make six. And this number is on that account called perfect, because it is completed in its own parts: for it has these three…
871 wordsSECTION 39Chapter 5.--The Number Six is Also Commended in the Building Up of the Body of Christ and of the Temple at Jerusalem.
Chapter 5.--The Number Six is Also Commended in the Building Up of the Body of Christ and of the Temple at Jerusalem. 9. And not without reason is the number six understood to be put for a year in the building up of the body of the Lord, as a figure of which He said that He would raise up in three days the temple destroyed by t…
1,109 wordsSECTION 40Chapter 7.--In What Manner We are Gathered from Many into One Through One Mediator.
Chapter 7.--In What Manner We are Gathered from Many into One Through One Mediator. 11. This mystery, this sacrifice, this priest, this God, before He was sent and came, being made of a woman--of Him, all those things which appeared to our fathers in a sacred and mystical way by angelical miracles, or which were done by the fat…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.