Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 3
Theodoret, Jerome, Gennadius & Rufinus — Historical Writings
SECTION 121
[1114] Mat. xxvi. 28
[1114] Mat. xxvi. 28 [1115] John xix. 34 [1116] Cont. Hær. iii. 32. [1117] Rom. v. 19 [1118] Cont. Hær. iii. 20. [1119] Ps. lxxxii. 67 [1120] Cont. Hær. iii. 21. [1121] Vide note on page 72. [1122] Adv. Hær. iii. 26. The allusion is to the gnostics and mainly to Valentinus and his school who imagined seven heavens, and a…
2,225 wordsSECTION 122Eran.--By no means.
Eran.--By no means. Orth.--Do not some acknowledge the godhead alone, and some the manhood alone? Eran.--Yes. Orth.--And some but a part of the manhood? Eran.--I think so. But it will be well for us to lay down the names of the holders of these different opinions, that the point under discussion may be made plainer. Orth.--…
2,249 wordsSECTION 123Eran.--Certainly not.
Eran.--Certainly not. Orth.--Why? Eran.--He was born of the holy Virgin alone. Orth.--He is therefore properly styled "without father"? Eran.--True. Orth.--Do you say that according to the divine Nature He had a mother? Eran.--Certainly not. Orth.--For He was begotten of the Father alone before the ages? Eran.--Agreed. …
2,295 wordsSECTION 124Eran.--He put up with this style of address before the resurrection in condescension to the weakness of them that had not yet properly belie
Eran.--He put up with this style of address before the resurrection in condescension to the weakness of them that had not yet properly believed. But after the resurrection these names are needless. Orth.--Where shall we rank the blessed Paul? among the perfect or the imperfect? Eran.--It is wrong to joke about serious things. …
2,250 wordsSECTION 125Eran.--If the proper qualities of the natures remain distinct, how does the soul together with the body crave for food?
Eran.--If the proper qualities of the natures remain distinct, how does the soul together with the body crave for food? Orth.--The soul does not crave for food. How could it when it is immortal? But the body, which derives its vital force from the soul, feels its need, and desires to receive what is lacking. So after toil it lo…
2,260 wordsSECTION 126Eran.--Who in the world ever heard of an unmixed mixture?
Eran.--Who in the world ever heard of an unmixed mixture? Orth.--I shall endeavour to make you admit this. Eran.--Should what you are about to advance prove true we will not oppose the truth. Orth.--Answer then, dissenting or assenting as the argument may seem good to you. Eran.--I will answer. Orth.--Does the light at its …
2,206 wordsSECTION 127Orth.--In its incorruption and its immortality they too will share. Moreover in its glory they will participate, as says the Apostle, "If so
Orth.--In its incorruption and its immortality they too will share. Moreover in its glory they will participate, as says the Apostle, "If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." [1296] It is in quantity that the vast difference may be found, a difference as great as between sun and stars, or rathe…
2,256 wordsSECTION 128Of the same from his work on Psalm XXIV.:--
Of the same from his work on Psalm XXIV.:-- "He comes to the heavenly gates, angels travel with Him and the gates of the heavens are shut. For He hath not yet ascended into heaven. Now first to the heavenly powers flesh appears ascending. The Word then goes forth to the powers from the angels that speed before the Lord and Savi…
2,270 wordsSECTION 129Of the same: [1336] --
Of the same: [1336] -- "If then the flesh of all was in Christ or hath been in Christ subject to wrongs, how can it be held to be of one essence with the Godhead? For if the Word and the flesh which derives its nature from earth are of one essence, then the Word and the soul which He took in its perfection are of one essence, f…
2,202 wordsSECTION 130Of the same from the same work:--
Of the same from the same work:-- "Being by the right hand of God exalted.' [1363] Who then was exalted? The lowly or the most high? And what is the lowly if it be not the human? And what is the most high save the divine? But God being most high needs no exaltation, and so the Apostle says that the human is exalted, exalted tha…
2,205 wordsSECTION 131"Lo He brought the first fruits of our nature to the Father and the Father Himself approved the gift, alike on account of the high dignity o
"Lo He brought the first fruits of our nature to the Father and the Father Himself approved the gift, alike on account of the high dignity of Him that bought it and of the faultlessness of the offering. He received it in His own hands, He made a chair of His own throne; nay more He seated it on His own right hand, let us then re…
2,231 wordsSECTION 132Of the same from his commentaries:--
Of the same from his commentaries:-- "The Father's Word, born of the Virgin, is named man, though being by nature God as partaking of flesh and blood like us [1404] for thus He was seen by men upon earth, without getting rid of His own nature, but assuming our Manhood perfect according to its own reason." Of the same concernin…
2,203 wordsSECTION 133[1207] Hebrews vii. 1, 2, 3
[1207] Hebrews vii. 1, 2, 3 [1208] Heb. vii. 3 [1209] The bearing of this on Theodoret's relation to Nestorianism will be observed. [1210] Is. liii. 8 [1211] Heb. vii. 6 [1212] Gen. i. 27 [1213] 1 Cor. xi. 7 [1214] Coloss. i. 15 [1215] Hebrews vii. 3 [1216] Gen. iv. 25 [1217] Gen. v. 5 [1218] Heb. vi. 20 [1219] 1 Tim…
2,415 wordsSECTION 134[1394] Phil. ii. 7
[1394] Phil. ii. 7 [1395] Tract 78. [1396] cf. p. 36. Here upostasis = person. [1397] Severianus, like Antiochus of Ptolemais, was moved to leave his remote diocese (Gabala is now Gibili, not far south of Latakia) to try his fortunes as a popular preacher at Constantinople: There he met with success, and was kindly treated by…
2,229 wordsSECTION 135Eran.--Had we said that he underwent the passion involuntarily, there would have been some just ground for the accusation which you bring ag
Eran.--Had we said that he underwent the passion involuntarily, there would have been some just ground for the accusation which you bring against us. But if the passion which is preached by us was spontaneous and the death voluntary, it becomes you, instead of accusing us, to praise the immensity of His love to man. For He suffe…
2,208 wordsSECTION 136Eran.--I think so.
Eran.--I think so. Orth.--But then you directly contradict the exclamation of the prophet "He fainteth not neither is weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." [1435] And a little further on "But they that wait upon the Lord shall rene…
2,252 wordsSECTION 137Eran.--You have gone through long discussions on this point, and have strengthened your argument by scriptural testimony, but if the passion
Eran.--You have gone through long discussions on this point, and have strengthened your argument by scriptural testimony, but if the passion was really of the flesh, how is it that when he praises the divine love to men, the Apostle exclaims, "He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all," [1453] what son does …
2,381 wordsSECTION 138Eran.--In the passages we have just now read the Apostle does not mention a body, but Christ the Saviour of us all. You have brought evidenc
Eran.--In the passages we have just now read the Apostle does not mention a body, but Christ the Saviour of us all. You have brought evidence against your own side, and wounded yourself with your own weapon. Orth.--You seem to have very quickly forgotten the long discourse in which I proved to you over and over again that the b…
2,283 wordsSECTION 139Orth.--If you have such a detestation of the divine words which preach the mystery of the incarnation, why, like Marcion and Valentinus and
Orth.--If you have such a detestation of the divine words which preach the mystery of the incarnation, why, like Marcion and Valentinus and Manes, do you not destroy texts of this kind? For this is what they have done. But if this seems to you rash and impious, do not turn the Lord's words into ridicule, but rather follow the Ap…
2,223 wordsSECTION 140Eran.--The Fathers said that the Son of God, Light of Light, of the substance of the Father, suffered and was crucified.
Eran.--The Fathers said that the Son of God, Light of Light, of the substance of the Father, suffered and was crucified. Orth.--I have observed more than once that both the Divine and the human are ascribed to the one Person. It is in accordance with this position that the thrice blessed Fathers, after teaching how we should be…
2,264 wordsSECTION 141Of the same from the same work:--
Of the same from the same work:-- "But if the sun being a visible body, apprehended by the senses, endures everywhere such adverse influences without changing its order, or feeling any blow, be it small or great; can we suppose the incorporeal Wisdom to be defiled and to change its nature because its temple is nailed to the cro…
2,265 wordsSECTION 142Of the same from his Easter Discourse (Or. ii.):--
Of the same from his Easter Discourse (Or. ii.):-- "Who is this that cometh from Edom?' [1548] and from the earth, and how can the garments of the bloodless and bodiless be red as of one that treadeth in the wine-fat? Urge in reply the beauty of the garment of the body which suffered and was made beautiful in suffering, and was…
2,229 wordsSECTION 143See then how they whose husbandry is in the East and in the West, as well as in the South and in the North, have all been shewn by us to con
See then how they whose husbandry is in the East and in the West, as well as in the South and in the North, have all been shewn by us to condemn your vain heresy, and all openly to proclaim the impassibility of the divine Nature. See how both tongues, I mean both Greek and Latin, make one harmonious confession about the things o…
2,333 wordsSECTION 144You see the other sect of your teachers, in which you supposed that you had learnt the suffering of the Godhead of the only Begotten, abhors
You see the other sect of your teachers, in which you supposed that you had learnt the suffering of the Godhead of the only Begotten, abhors this blasphemy, preaches the impassibility of the Godhead, and quits the ranks of them who dare to attribute the passion to it. Eran.--Yes; I am astonished at the conflict, and I admire th…
2,317 wordsSECTION 1458. The illustrious Evangelist was desirous of explaining the glory of the only-begotten, but was unable to carry out his purpose. He therefo
8. The illustrious Evangelist was desirous of explaining the glory of the only-begotten, but was unable to carry out his purpose. He therefore shews it by His fellowship with the Father. For he says He is of that nature; just as though any one to persons beholding Joseph sunk in a slavery inconsistent with his rank, and unaware …
2,298 wordsSECTION 1462. "All things that the Father hath are mine" [1597] says the Master Christ, and one out of all is impassibility. If therefore as God He is
2. "All things that the Father hath are mine" [1597] says the Master Christ, and one out of all is impassibility. If therefore as God He is impassible, He suffered as man. For the divine nature does not undergo suffering. 3. The Lord said "the bread which I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world," [15…
1,433 wordsSECTION 147Letters of the Blessed Theodoret,
Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus. ------------------------ I. To an Unknown Correspondent. In the words of the prophet we find the wise hearer mentioned with the excellent councillor. [1609] I, however, send the book I have written on the divine Apostle, not as much to a wise hearer as to a just and clever j…
2,232 wordsSECTION 148IX. To an Anonymous Correspondent.
IX. To an Anonymous Correspondent. Your piety is annoyed and distressed at the sentence passed on me unjustly and without a trial. I am comforted that you are so feeling. Had I been justly condemned I should have been sorry at having given my judges reasonable grounds for what they have done, but, as it is, my conscience is qui…
2,310 wordsSECTION 149I am now compelled thus to write because my bonds [1636] do not suffer me to hasten to you, but your most God-loving and most holy bishop is
I am now compelled thus to write because my bonds [1636] do not suffer me to hasten to you, but your most God-loving and most holy bishop is able unaided to give all consolation to your very faithful soul by word and by deed, by sight and by communication of thought and by that spiritual and God-given wisdom of his whereby I tru…
2,282 wordsSECTION 150[1648] On praotes vide note on p. 254.
[1648] On praotes vide note on p. 254. XXI. To the Learned Eusebius. The disseminators of this great news, with the idea that it would be very distasteful to me, fancied that they might in this way annoy me. But I by God's grace welcomed the news, and await the event with pleasure. Indeed very grateful to me is any kind of tro…
2,311 wordsSECTION 151XXVI. Festal.
XXVI. Festal. The fountains of the Lord's kindness are ever gushing forth with good things for them that believe; but some further good is conveyed by the celebrations which preserve the memory of the greatest of benefits to them that keep the feasts with more good will. We have just now celebrated the rites and enjoyed their b…
2,422 wordsSECTION 152[1676] i.e. of the Euphratensis.
[1676] i.e. of the Euphratensis. [1677] Colophon was one of the twelve Ionian cities founded by Mopsus on the coast of Asia Minor and was one of the claimants for being the birthplace of Homer. To put a colophon to anything became a proverbial expression for to put the crowning touch, to complete--from the fact according to Str…
2,201 wordsSECTION 153[1690] To the same Florentius is addressed the important letter LXXXIX wherein Theodoret defends himself from charges of heterodoxy. Before
[1690] To the same Florentius is addressed the important letter LXXXIX wherein Theodoret defends himself from charges of heterodoxy. Before 449 he had six times attained the high position of Prefect of the East. [1691] i.e. the ascetic mentioned in letter XLI. XLV. To the Patrician Anatolius. [1692] Your greatness knows full …
2,342 wordsSECTION 154[1703] Nomus was consul in 445.
[1703] Nomus was consul in 445. LIX. To Claudianus. [1704] Sincere friendships are neither dissolved by distance of place nor weakened by time. Time indeed inflicts indignities on our bodies, spoils them of the bloom of their beauty, and brings on old age; but of friendship he makes the beauty yet more blooming, ever kindling …
2,570 wordsSECTION 155[1715] On the seaboard of Cilicia, now Ayas. The date may be 443 or 444.
[1715] On the seaboard of Cilicia, now Ayas. The date may be 443 or 444. LXXI. To Zeno, [1716] General and Consul. Your fortitude rouses universal admiration, tempered as it is by gentleness and meekness, and exhibited to your household in kindliness, to your foes in boldness. These qualities indicate an admirable general. In …
2,267 wordsSECTION 156I have adduced these instances not as though anointing your piety for endurance and courage by the example of brute beasts, but to console m
I have adduced these instances not as though anointing your piety for endurance and courage by the example of brute beasts, but to console myself in my despondency, and to be assured that you will not leave Christ's flock without a shepherd when wolves make their attack, but will invoke the Lord of the flock to help you and will…
2,313 wordsSECTION 157[1751] cf. Epp. XLV. XCII. CXI. CXIX. CXXI. CXXXVIII.
Under these circumstances I beseech your lordship, if no order of the kind has really been issued, to let me know; but if the letter really comes from the victorious emperor, tell his pious majesty not readily to believe calumnies, nor give ear to accusers alone, but to demand an account from the accused. Though really the evide…
2,480 wordsSECTION 158I, on the contrary, am so far from holding this abominable opinion, that, on finding some of the holy fathers of the Nicene Council opposing
I, on the contrary, am so far from holding this abominable opinion, that, on finding some of the holy fathers of the Nicene Council opposing in their treatises the madness of Arius and forced in their struggle against their opponents to make too marked a distinction, I have objected, and refused to admit such distinction, for I …
2,214 wordsSECTION 159I and my household salute all thy brotherhood in piety in Christ.
I and my household salute all thy brotherhood in piety in Christ. [1765] Domnus succeeded his Uncle John at Antioch in 441. [1766] 2 Cor. xii. 11 [1767] The first formal insertion of the addition filioque is said to be in a Creed put forth at a council of Toledo about a.d. 400. At the third council of Toledo a.d. 589, the Nic…
2,377 wordsSECTION 160[1793] Domnus of Apamea is to be distinguished from Domnus II, bishop of Antioch the recipient of Letters XXXI, CX, CXII and CLXXX. He was p
[1793] Domnus of Apamea is to be distinguished from Domnus II, bishop of Antioch the recipient of Letters XXXI, CX, CXII and CLXXX. He was present at Chalcedon in 451. This letter may be placed in 448-9. [1794] Romans xii. 15. Observe the inversion. [1795] The action of the Osrhoene clergy here referred to is their accusation …
2,395 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.