Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 3
Augustine — Trinity, Doctrinal & Moral Treatises
SECTION 201
Chapter 22.--Of the Six Ages of the World.
Chapter 22.--Of the Six Ages of the World. 39. "Five ages of the world, accordingly, having been now completed (there has entered the sixth). Of these ages the first is from the beginning of the human race, that is, from Adam, who was the first man that was made, down to Noah, who constructed the ark at the time of the flood. […
1,050 wordsSECTION 202Chapter 23.--Of the Mission of the Holy Ghost Fifty Days After Christ's Resurrection.
Chapter 23.--Of the Mission of the Holy Ghost Fifty Days After Christ's Resurrection. 41. "Thereafter, having confirmed the disciples, and having sojourned with them forty days, He ascended up into heaven, as these same persons were beholding Him. And on the completion of fifty days from His resurrection He sent to them the Hol…
1,251 wordsSECTION 203Chapter 24.--Of the Church in Its Likeness to a Vine Sprouting and Suffering Pruning.
Chapter 24.--Of the Church in Its Likeness to a Vine Sprouting and Suffering Pruning. 44. "But that vine, which was spreading forth its fruitful shoots throughout the circle of lands, according as had been prophesied with regard to it, and as had been foretold by the Lord Himself, sprouted all the more luxuriantly in proportion…
2,294 wordsSECTION 204Chapter 26.--Of the Formal Admission of the Catechumen, and of the Signs Therein Made Use of.
[1486] Sed ex te ipso crede. It may also = but, on your side, do you believe. [1487] Certisque ætatum incrementis, etc. [1488] Reading sicut non erat; for which, however, cum non erat also occurs = seeing He was able to make it when it was not. [1489] Corruptibilem corporis conditionem. But corruptibilis also occurs = the con…
1,257 wordsSECTION 205Chapter 27.--Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in Their Visible Fulfillment in the Church.
Chapter 27.--Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in Their Visible Fulfillment in the Church. 53. "For all those things, which at present you witness in the Church of God, and which you see to be taking place under the name of Christ throughout the whole world, were predicted long ages ago. And even as we read of them, so als…
2,363 wordsSECTION 206Chapter 1.--Of the Origin and Object of the Composition.
[Additional Note by the American Editor.] [Another English edition of this treatise De Fide et Symbolo was prepared by the Rev. Charles a. Heurtley, D.D., Margaret Professor of Divinity and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and published by Parker & Co., Oxford and London, 1886. The following text of the Apostles' Creed may be c…
774 wordsSECTION 207Chapter 2.--Of God and His Exclusive Eternity.
Chapter 2.--Of God and His Exclusive Eternity. 2. For certain parties have attempted to gain acceptance for the opinion that God the Father is not Almighty: not that they have been bold enough expressly to affirm this, but in their traditions they are convicted of entertaining and crediting such a notion. For when they affirm t…
922 wordsSECTION 208Chapter 3.--Of the Son of God, and His Peculiar Designation as the Word.
Chapter 3.--Of the Son of God, and His Peculiar Designation as the Word. --Since this is the case, I repeat, we believe also in Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Only-Begotten of the Father, that is to say, His Only Son, our Lord. This Word however, we ought not to apprehend merely in the sense in which we think of our own words…
815 wordsSECTION 209Chapter 4.--Of the Son of God as Neither Made by the Father Nor Less Than the Father, and of His Incarnation.
Chapter 4.--Of the Son of God as Neither Made by the Father Nor Less Than the Father, and of His Incarnation. 5. Wherefore The Only-Begotten Son of God was neither made by the Father; for, according to the word of an evangelist, "all things were made by Him:" [1541] nor begotten instantaneously; [1542] since God, who is eternal…
2,210 wordsSECTION 210Chapter 5.--Of Christ's Passion, Burial, and Resurrection.
[1550] Various editions give principium et caput Ecclesiæ est Christus = the beginning of His ways and the Head of the Church is Christ. [1551] For via certa others give via recta = a right way. [1552] Gen. iii. 5 [1553] Phil. ii. 6, 7 [1554] Per ejus primatum = by means of His standing as the Firstborn. We follow the Benedi…
985 wordsSECTION 211Chapter 7.--Of Christ's Session at the Father's Right Hand.
Chapter 7.--Of Christ's Session at the Father's Right Hand. 14. We believe also that He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father. This, however, is not to lead us to suppose that God the Father is, as it were, circumscribed by a human form, so that, when we think of Him, a right side or a left should suggest itself to the mind. …
2,292 wordsSECTION 21219. With respect to the Holy Spirit, however, there has not been as yet, on the part of learned and distinguished investigators of the Scrip
19. With respect to the Holy Spirit, however, there has not been as yet, on the part of learned and distinguished investigators of the Scriptures, a discussion of the subject full enough or careful enough to make it possible for us to obtain an intelligent conception of what also constitutes His special individuality (proprium):…
2,080 wordsSECTION 213Chapter 10.--Of the Catholic Church, the Remission of Sins, and the Resurrection of the Flesh.
Chapter 10.--Of the Catholic Church, the Remission of Sins, and the Resurrection of the Flesh. --Inasmuch, I repeat, as this is the case, we believe also in The Holy Church, [intending thereby] assuredly the Catholic. For both heretics and schismatics style their congregations churches. But heretics, in holding false opinions r…
2,204 wordsSECTION 2142. But, say they, those things which are in the mind, in that we can by the mind itself discern them, we have no need to know through the ey
2. But, say they, those things which are in the mind, in that we can by the mind itself discern them, we have no need to know through the eyes of the body; but those things, which you say unto us that we should believe, you neither point to without, that through the eyes of the body we may know them; nor are they within, in our …
2,225 wordsSECTION 215[1659] Gen. xxii. 18
[1659] Gen. xxii. 18 [1660] Is. vii. 14; Matt. i. 23 [1661] mss. "si"--"if." [1662] Semper [1663] Ps. xlv. 6-17 6. If this Queen ye see not, now rich also with royal progeny. If she see not that fulfilled which she heard to have been promised, she, unto whom it was said, "Hear, O daughter, and see." If she hath not left the…
2,459 wordsSECTION 216[1681] Codices
[1681] Codices [1682] Luke xxiii. 34 [1683] Ps. lxix. 21-23 [1684] Ps. lix. 11 10. Although, even if there went before no testimonies concerning Christ and the Church, whom ought it not to move unto belief, that the Divine brightness hath on a sudden shone on the human race, when we see, (the false gods now abandoned, and th…
2,405 wordsSECTION 217[1696] Cicero
[1696] Cicero 4. For you well know that the Manichees move the unlearned by finding fault with the Catholic Faith, and chiefly by rending in pieces and tearing the Old Testament: and they are utterly ignorant, how far [1697] these things are to be taken, and how drawn out they descend with profit into the veins and marrows of s…
2,734 wordsSECTION 218[1715] Ventilant
[1715] Ventilant [1716] Gal. v. 4 [1717] Beneficium [1718] Gal. iii. 24. in Christo. [1719] Ad verbum [1720] Vid. Retr. l. i. c. 14. n. l. "In this book I said, in which &c.' but I have otherwise explained those words of the Apostle Paul, and as far as I can see, or rather as is apparent from the plain state of the case, mu…
2,401 wordsSECTION 219[1726] Jacentibus
[1726] Jacentibus [1727] Subtilia [1728] Mediocri corde 14. But now I will proceed with what I have begun, if I can, and I will so treat with you, as not in the mean while to lay open the Catholic Faith, but, in order that they may search out its great mysteries, to show to those who have a care for their souls, hope of divin…
2,484 wordsSECTION 220[1732] i.e. Faustus. v. Conf. b. v. c. vi. § 10
[1732] i.e. Faustus. v. Conf. b. v. c. vi. § 10 [1733] i.e. S. Ambrose. v. Conf. b. v. c. xiii. xiv. § 23, 24, 25 21. This, you will say, is ridiculous, whereas all profess to hold and teach this: all heretics make this profession, I cannot deny it; but so, as that they promise to those whom they entice, that they will give th…
3,107 wordsSECTION 221[1737] cf. Retract. b. i. ch. xiv. 2. "I also said, For there are two &c.' In these words of mine if those who have already found' whom we h
[1737] cf. Retract. b. i. ch. xiv. 2. "I also said, For there are two &c.' In these words of mine if those who have already found' whom we have said to be now in possession,' are in such sort understood to be most happy,' as that they are so not in this life, but in that we hope for, and aim at by the path of faith, the meaning …
2,309 wordsSECTION 22230. Wherefore that heretic, (inasmuch as our discourse is of those who wish to be called Christians,) I ask you, what reason he alleges to m
30. Wherefore that heretic, (inasmuch as our discourse is of those who wish to be called Christians,) I ask you, what reason he alleges to me? What is there whereby for him to call me back from believing, as if from rashness? If he bid me believe nothing; I believe not that this very true religion hath any existence in human aff…
2,655 wordsSECTION 223[1754] cf. Retract. b. i. c. 14. 5. "In another place, where I had made mention of the miracles, which our Lord Jesus did, while He was here
[1754] cf. Retract. b. i. c. 14. 5. "In another place, where I had made mention of the miracles, which our Lord Jesus did, while He was here in the Flesh, I added, saying, Why, say you, do not those things take place now?' and I answered, Because they would not move unless they were wonderful, and if they were usual they would n…
2,226 wordsSECTION 224[1765] 2 Tim. ii. 13
[1765] 2 Tim. ii. 13 [1766] Gen. i-iii [1767] Princeps 3. For this reason we believe also in His Son, that is to say, God the Father Almighty's, "His Only Son, our Lord." When thou hearest of the Only Son of God, acknowledge Him God. For it could not be that God's Only Son should not be God. What He is, the same did He beget,…
2,239 wordsSECTION 225[1779] Rom. vi. 9
[1779] Rom. vi. 9 10. Scripture saith, "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord." [1780] When we read what great trials Job endured, it makes one shudder, it makes one shrink, it makes one quake. And what did he receive? The double of what he had lost. Let not a man therefore with an eye to tempo…
2,252 wordsSECTION 226[1795] Charitas
[1795] Charitas [1796] 1 Cor. vi. 19 [1797] Acts vii. 47, 48 [1798] 1 Cor. xii. 24 [1799] Matt. vi. 30 [1800] 1 Cor. xv. 36-38 14. It follows after commendation of the Trinity, "The Holy Church." God is pointed out, and His temple. "For the temple of God is holy," says the Apostle, "which (temple) are ye." [1801] This same…
2,416 wordsSECTION 227[1813] Matt. xxiii. 26
[1813] Matt. xxiii. 26 [1814] Matt. xv. 11 [1815] Matt. xv. 17-20 [1816] Ps. xiv. 1 [1817] Rom. vi. 12, 13 5. And on this account that, which, the parts that beget being bridled by modesty, is most chiefly and properly to be called Continence, is violated by no transgression, if the higher Continence, concerning which we ha…
2,753 wordsSECTION 228[1839] John i. 14
[1839] John i. 14 [1840] Luke iii. 6 [1841] Ps. lxv. 2 [1842] John xvii. 2 [1843] Rom. iii. 20 [1844] Gal. ii. 16 [1845] 1 Cor. iii. 3 [1846] 1 Cor. iii. 5 [1847] Rom. xiii. 1 [1848] Gen. xlvi. 27 [1849] Rom. viii. 13 [1850] John viii. 44 12. When, therefore, you hear it said, "Sin shall not reign over you;" [1851] h…
2,694 wordsSECTION 229[1864] Gal. v. 16, 17
[1864] Gal. v. 16, 17 [1865] Ps. ciii. 2, 3 [1866] Matt. vi. 12, 13 [1867] James i. 14 [1868] Ps. xli. 4 [1869] Vitiasset 19. For the flesh lusts after nothing save through the soul, but the flesh is said to lust against the spirit, when the soul with fleshly lust wrestles against the spirit. This whole are we: and the fle…
2,430 wordsSECTION 230[1889] Eph. v. 22-28
[1889] Eph. v. 22-28 24. If what we have made mention of out of the Apostolic Epistles seem to you to fall short of an answer, hear yet others, if ye have ears. What saith the utterly mad Manichæan of the Flesh of Christ? That it was not true, but false. What saith the blessed Apostle to this? "Remember that Christ Jesus rose a…
2,303 wordsSECTION 231[1911] 1 Cor. vii. 6
[1911] 1 Cor. vii. 6 28. Far be it therefore that we say of continence, of which Scripture saith. "And this very thing was wisdom, to know whose gift it was," [1912] that even they possess it, who, by containing, either serve errors, or overcome any lesser desires for this purpose, that they may fulfill others, by the greatness…
2,372 wordsSECTION 232NOTICE.
NOTICE. The Editors are, of course, aware of the danger there is in reading a treatise like the following in a spirit of idle curiosity, and they beg any reader who has not well assured himself that his aim is right and holy to abstain from perusing it. At the same time it must not be forgotten, that something far other than a …
2,700 wordsSECTION 233[1944] Nuptioe
[1944] Nuptioe [1945] Connubium [1946] Placuerit 6. Further, in the very case of the more immoderate requirement of the due of the flesh, which the Apostle enjoins not on them by way of command, but allows to them by way of leave, that they have intercourse also beside the cause of begetting children; although evil habits imp…
2,424 wordsSECTION 234[1962] 1 Tim. i. 5
[1962] 1 Tim. i. 5 [1963] 1 Cor. vii. 7 [1964] Ver. 29-34 [1965] 1 Cor. vii. 9 11. And yet not to these themselves is marriage a sin; which, if it were chosen in comparison of fornication, would be a less sin than fornication, and yet would be a sin. But now what shall we say against the most plain speech of the Apostle, say…
2,296 wordsSECTION 235[1981] Veniale
[1981] Veniale 17. That marriage can take place of persons first ill joined, an honest decree following after, is manifest. But a marriage once for all entered upon in the City of our God, where, even from the first union of the two, the man and the woman, marriage bears a certain sacramental character, can no way be dissolved …
2,563 wordsSECTION 236[1997] Gen. xxii. 12
[1997] Gen. xxii. 12 [1998] Gen. xxiv. 2-4 23. Nor, in that the Law orders a man to be purified even after intercourse with a wife, doth it show it to be sin: unless it be that which is allowed by way of pardon, which also, being in excess, hinders prayers. But, as the Law sets [1999] many things in sacraments and shadows of t…
2,211 wordsSECTION 23729. And there is this further, that men are not rightly compared with men in regard of some one good. For it may come to pass, that one hath
29. And there is this further, that men are not rightly compared with men in regard of some one good. For it may come to pass, that one hath not what another hath, but hath another thing, which must be esteemed of more value. The good of obedience is better than of continence. For marriage is in no place condemned by authority o…
2,431 wordsSECTION 238[2025] Rom. xi. 17, 18
[2025] Rom. xi. 17, 18 [2026] 1 Cor. vii. 9 [2027] Matt. xix. 12 2. This we have undertaken in our present discourse: may Christ help us, the Son of a virgin, and the Spouse of virgins, born after the flesh of a virgin womb, and wedded after the Spirit in virgin marriage. Whereas, therefore, the whole Church itself is a virgi…
2,295 wordsSECTION 239[2038] Matt. xix. 12; 1 Cor. vii. 9
[2038] Matt. xix. 12; 1 Cor. vii. 9 [2039] Muneri 10. For not even herein ought such as are married to compare themselves with the deserts of the continent, in that of them virgins are born: for this is not a good of marriage, but of nature: which was so ordered of God, as that of every sexual intercourse whatever of the two s…
2,236 wordsSECTION 24018. Wherefore I admonish both men and women who follow after perpetual continence and holy virginity, that they so set their own good before
18. Wherefore I admonish both men and women who follow after perpetual continence and holy virginity, that they so set their own good before marriage, as that they judge not marriage an evil: and that they understand that it was in no way of deceit, but of plain truth that it was said by the Apostle, "Whoso gives in marriage doe…
2,201 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.