Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 3
Theodoret, Jerome, Gennadius & Rufinus — Historical Writings
SECTION 161
"In fit bounds contain thy mighty mind;
"In fit bounds contain thy mighty mind; Benignity is best." I have thus written not as though giving you information, but to remind one who is much occupied, and I do so in remembrance of the law of the Lord, who says "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee…
2,254 wordsSECTION 162These and similar passages have been cut out of divine Scripture by Simon, Basilides, Valentinus, Bardesanes, Marcion, and the man who is na
These and similar passages have been cut out of divine Scripture by Simon, Basilides, Valentinus, Bardesanes, Marcion, and the man who is named after his maniacal heresy. [1834] So they style the Master Christ God only, and describe Him as having nothing human about Him, but appearing in imagination and appearance as man to men.…
2,276 wordsSECTION 163"No doubt has been raised about the matter, and we hold it wrong to condemn a man illustrious for many and various noble actions." In my opi
"No doubt has been raised about the matter, and we hold it wrong to condemn a man illustrious for many and various noble actions." In my opinion it is becoming to write in these terms. If your holiness holds any other view, let what seems good to you be done. I, as they suppose, have undergone one punishment, and am ready by God…
2,219 wordsSECTION 164[1869] Presumably Irenæus of Tyre.
[1869] Presumably Irenæus of Tyre. [1870] i.e., in 361. For Theodoret's account of the circumstances vide pp. 92, 93. [1871] Cyril wrote his IIIrd letter to Nestorius probably on Nov. 3, 430. "To the end of the letter were appended twelve articles' or chapters,' couched in the form of anathematisms against the various points o…
2,258 wordsSECTION 165[1884] His dogmatic epistles and his sermons. He is not known to have written any large treatise.
[1884] His dogmatic epistles and his sermons. He is not known to have written any large treatise. [1885] Dioscorus presided, and next him sat Julius of Puteoli, who in company with the presbyter Renatus, and the deacon Hilarius (successor to Leo in the papacy) had carried to Flavian the famous "tome" of Leo in June 449. Leo (Ep…
2,261 wordsSECTION 166Now the God of all said to the patriarch Abraham about Sodom and Gomorrah: "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is very great and because
Now the God of all said to the patriarch Abraham about Sodom and Gomorrah: "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is very great and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me; and if not, I will know." [1905] He knew quite well…
2,758 wordsSECTION 167I write thus not to inform you but to remind you. I have tried to be brief, but I fear I have transgressed the limits of a letter. I was how
I write thus not to inform you but to remind you. I have tried to be brief, but I fear I have transgressed the limits of a letter. I was however urged to write by the very reverend and godly presbyter and archimandrite Mecimas, who, in obedience to the law of love, has undertaken so long a journey, told us of your excellency's z…
2,663 wordsSECTION 168Very often it is not entire bodies that are buried, but only very small remains, yet nevertheless we speak of the body by the name that belo
Very often it is not entire bodies that are buried, but only very small remains, yet nevertheless we speak of the body by the name that belongs to the whole man. It was in this sense that the angel called the body of the Lord, "Lord," because it was the body of the Lord of the universe. Moreover the Lord Himself promised to give…
2,363 wordsSECTION 169[1965] This letter marks the change in the condition of affairs which followed on the death of Theodosius on July 29, 450, and the accession
[1965] This letter marks the change in the condition of affairs which followed on the death of Theodosius on July 29, 450, and the accession of Pulcheria and Marcian. Eutyches was exiled, the eunuch Chrysaphius banished and executed, and Theodoret recalled. It may be placed in the autumn of 450 or early in 451. The earlier lette…
2,246 wordsSECTION 170I make this request to your excellency, not because I long to see Cyrus again, for your lordship knows what a solitary town it is, and how I
I make this request to your excellency, not because I long to see Cyrus again, for your lordship knows what a solitary town it is, and how I have somehow or other managed to conceal its ugliness by my great expenditure on all kinds of buildings, but to the end that what I preach may be shewn to be in agreement with apostolic doc…
2,228 wordsSECTION 171I entreat your piety to pray that I may not have my part among the wrong doers, but among them that suffer wrong on account of the truth of
I entreat your piety to pray that I may not have my part among the wrong doers, but among them that suffer wrong on account of the truth of the Gospels. [1992] John viii. 44 [1993] Matt. v. 11, 12 CXLIII. To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople. [1994] I have never seen your piety nor have we ever communicated by letter, but I hav…
2,239 wordsSECTION 172[2005] Matthew xxviii. 6
[2005] Matthew xxviii. 6 [2006] Damas. Epist. ad Paulinum. [2007] Leo Epist. ad Flavianum. [2008] Hebrews vi. 18 [2009] 2 Tim. ii. 13 [2010] 2 Tim. ii. 14 [2011] Matt. xxv. 23 CXLV. To the Monks of Constantinople. [2012] There is nothing new or surprising in the fact that the men who have made their tongues weapons again…
2,471 wordsSECTION 173He, too, who now rules great Rome and diffuses in all directions from the West the rays of right teaching, the most holy Leo, has expressed
He, too, who now rules great Rome and diffuses in all directions from the West the rays of right teaching, the most holy Leo, has expressed to me this distinctive mark of the faith in his own letters. All these have clearly taught that the only begotten Son of God and everlasting God, ineffably begotten of the Father, is one Son…
2,697 wordsSECTION 174According, then, to this extraordinary regulation the august name of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, ought to be omitted from the mystic
According, then, to this extraordinary regulation the august name of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, ought to be omitted from the mystic writings. But it is unnecessary to say more on this point. The opening of every one of his letters is distinguished by the divine Apostle with this address. At one time it is "Paul a servant…
2,467 wordsSECTION 175They who are blessed by the boons of God and have learnt to know these passages and others like them, kindled with warm love for their bount
They who are blessed by the boons of God and have learnt to know these passages and others like them, kindled with warm love for their bountiful Master, constantly carry on their lips this His dearest name and cry in the words of the Song of Songs "My beloved is mine and I am his;" "I sat down under his shadow with great delight…
2,205 wordsSECTION 176[2079] Luke ii. 11
[2079] Luke ii. 11 [2080] Gen. vi. 2 [2081] Exodus iv. 22 [2082] Deut. xxxii. 43, lxx. [2083] Is. i. 2 [2084] Psalm lxxxii. 6 [2085] Romans viii. 14-17 [2086] Gal. iv. 6, 7 [2087] Ephes. i. 4, 5. Observe the position of "in love" which agrees with the margin of R.V. [2088] Psalm l. 1, lxx. [2089] Psalm lxxxii. 6 [2090…
2,240 wordsSECTION 177CXLVIII in the Edition of Garnerius.
CXLVIII in the Edition of Garnerius. Is "the minute of the most holy bishop Cyril, delivered to Posidonius, when sent by him to Rome, in the matter of Nestorius." (Cyrill. Ep. XI. tom. lxxvii. 85.) CXLIX is "Copy of the Letter written by John, Bishop of Antioch, to Nestorius." This letter has sometimes been supposed to have b…
2,422 wordsSECTION 178That after the Incarnation He is spoken of as Man our Lord Himself teaches in His words to the Jews "Why go ye about to kill me?" "A man tha
That after the Incarnation He is spoken of as Man our Lord Himself teaches in His words to the Jews "Why go ye about to kill me?" "A man that hath told you the truth." [2174] And in the first Epistle to the Corinthians the blessed Paul writes "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead," [2175] an…
2,220 wordsSECTION 179Suppose the Christ to be God only, and to have taken the origin of His existence from the Virgin, then let the Virgin be styled and named on
Suppose the Christ to be God only, and to have taken the origin of His existence from the Virgin, then let the Virgin be styled and named only "Mother of God" as having given birth to a being divine by nature. But if the Christ is both God and man and was God from everlasting (inasmuch as He did not begin to exist, being co-eter…
2,355 wordsSECTION 180This is the doctrine delivered to us by the divine prophets; this is the doctrine of the company of the holy apostles; this is the doctrine
This is the doctrine delivered to us by the divine prophets; this is the doctrine of the company of the holy apostles; this is the doctrine of the great saints of the East and of the West; of the far-famed Ignatius, who received his archpriesthood by the right hand of the great Peter, and for the sake of his confession of Christ…
2,341 wordsSECTION 181They have shut the churches and the martyrs' shrines; they have forbidden the celebration of the holy feast of Pentecost; besides this they
They have shut the churches and the martyrs' shrines; they have forbidden the celebration of the holy feast of Pentecost; besides this they have sent the minions of their disorderly despotism into bishops' private houses, uttering shocking threats, and forcing them to affix their signatures to illegal acts. We therefore consider…
2,322 wordsSECTION 182We therefore beg your holiness to pray the Lord Christ to help us to be able to confirm the faith of the holy Fathers, and to pluck up by th
We therefore beg your holiness to pray the Lord Christ to help us to be able to confirm the faith of the holy Fathers, and to pluck up by the roots these Chapters which have sprouted to the damage of the Church. We implore your holiness to think and act with us, and to abide in your ready devotion to the orthodox faith. When thi…
2,359 wordsSECTION 183The dispatch of your piety was read a second time by the most honourable Count Candidianus, ordering that the questions recently raised be e
The dispatch of your piety was read a second time by the most honourable Count Candidianus, ordering that the questions recently raised be examined in a quiet and brotherly manner. When however all the pious bishops were assembling, the reading had no effect. Then came the noble Palladius Magistrianus, bringing another dispatch…
2,483 wordsSECTION 184[2282] Dated by Garnerius at the end of September or beginning of October 431, before the order had been given for the withdrawal of the Eas
[2282] Dated by Garnerius at the end of September or beginning of October 431, before the order had been given for the withdrawal of the Easterns and the entry of the other party to consecrate a bishop. [2283] cf. 2 Tim. iv. 1 [2284] Phil. ii. 21 [2285] i.e. Nestorius. CLXX. Letter of certain Easterns, who had been sent to C…
2,276 wordsSECTION 185[2296] This Letter appears to be that of the Euphratensian synod. ("probat prmum hæc vox en koino, in conventu: deinde pluralis numerus ubiq
[2296] This Letter appears to be that of the Euphratensian synod. ("probat prmum hæc vox en koino, in conventu: deinde pluralis numerus ubique positus." Garnerius.) Garnerius would date it during the negotiations for reconciliation, when John of Antioch visited Acacius at Beroea, after the Orientals had accepted Cyril's formula …
2,330 wordsSECTION 186[2312] This letter is inserted in the Act. Synod. (vide Mans. ix. 295) as addressed to John, but Garnerius, with general acceptance, has sub
[2312] This letter is inserted in the Act. Synod. (vide Mans. ix. 295) as addressed to John, but Garnerius, with general acceptance, has substituted Domnus. Its genuineness was contested by Baronius (an. vi. 23) not only on the ground of its ascription to John who predeceased Cyril four years; but also because its expressions ar…
2,242 wordsSECTION 1872. Literature on the writers mentioned by Jerome and Gennadius. Any one who cares to follow up in English the study of any of the writers me
2. Literature on the writers mentioned by Jerome and Gennadius. Any one who cares to follow up in English the study of any of the writers mentioned in the Lives of illustrious men will find tools therefor: 1. For the earlier writers to the time of Eusebius, Eusebius Church History tr. M'Giffert (N. Y. Chr. Lit. Co.) notes. 2. Fo…
1,917 wordsSECTION 188Preface.
Preface. You have urged me, Dexter, [2320] to follow the example of Tranquillus [2321] in giving a systematic account of ecclesiastical writers, and to do for our writers what he did for the illustrious men of letters among the Gentiles, namely, to briefly set before you all those who have published [2322] any memorable writing…
1,240 wordsSECTION 189Chapter I.
Chapter I. Simon Peter [2337] the son of John, from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, brother of Andrew the apostle, and himself chief of the apostles, after having been bishop of the church of Antioch and having preached to the Dispersion [2338] --the believers in circumcision, [2339] in Pontus, Galatia, Cap…
1,162 wordsSECTION 190Chapter III.
Chapter III. Matthew, [2349] also called Levi, apostle and aforetimes publican, composed a gospel of Christ at first published in Judea in Hebrew [2350] for the sake of those of the circumcision who believed, but this was afterwards translated into Greek though by what author is uncertain. The Hebrew itself has been preserved u…
1,153 wordsSECTION 191Chapter VI.
Chapter VI. Barnabas [2364] the Cyprian, also called Joseph the Levite, ordained apostle to the Gentiles with Paul, wrote one Epistle, valuable for the edification of the church, which is reckoned among the apocryphal writings. He afterwards separated from Paul on account of John, a disciple also called Mark, [2365] none the le…
882 wordsSECTION 192Chapter IX.
Chapter IX. John, [2381] the apostle whom Jesus most loved, the son of Zebedee and brother of James, the apostle whom Herod, after our Lord's passion, beheaded, most recently of all the evangelists wrote a Gospel, at the request of the bishops of Asia, against Cerinthus and other heretics and especially against the then growing…
724 wordsSECTION 193Chapter XI.
Chapter XI. Philo [2391] the Jew, an Alexandrian of the priestly class, is placed by us among the ecclesiastical writers on the ground that, writing a book concerning the first church of Mark the evangelist at Alexandria, he writes to our praise, declaring not only that they were there, but also that they were in many provinces…
990 wordsSECTION 194Chapter XIV.
Chapter XIV. Justus, [2399] [2400] of Tiberias of the province Galilee, also attempted to write a History of Jewish affairs and certain brief Commentaries on the Scriptures but Josephus convicts him of falsehood. It is known that he wrote at the same time as Josephus himself. [2399] Flourished 100. [2400] Justusa 21 10 Fabr. …
881 wordsSECTION 195Chapter XVII.
Chapter XVII. Polycarp [2409] disciple of the apostle John and by him ordained bishop of Smyrna was chief of all Asia, where he saw and had as teachers some of the apostles and of those who had seen the Lord. He, on account of certain questions concerning the day of the Passover, went to Rome in the time of the emperor Antoninu…
825 wordsSECTION 196Chapter XXII.
Chapter XXII. Hegesippus [2417] who lived at a period not far from the Apostolic age, writing a History of all ecclesiastical events from the passion of our Lord, down to his own period, and gathering many things useful to the reader, composed five volumes in simple style, trying to represent the style of speaking of those whos…
726 wordsSECTION 197Chapter XXV.
Chapter XXV. Theophilus, [2425] sixth bishop of the church of Antioch, in the reign of the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus composed a book Against Marcion, which is still extant, also three volumes To Autolycus and one Against the heresy of Hermogenes and other short and elegant treatises, well fitted for the edification of the …
806 wordsSECTION 198Chapter XXXIV.
Chapter XXXIV. Victor, [2436] thirteenth bishop of Rome, wrote, On the Paschal Controversy and some other small works. He ruled the church for ten years in the reign of the Emperor Severus. [2436] Bishop about 190 (or 185 according to others) died 202 or 197. Chapter XXXV. Irenæus, [2437] a presbyter under Pothinus the bisho…
725 wordsSECTION 199Chapter XXXVIII.
Chapter XXXVIII. Clemens, [2444] presbyter of the Alexandrian church, and a pupil of the Pantaenus mentioned above, led the theological school at Alexandria after the death of his master and was teacher of the Catechetes. He is the author of notable volumes, full of eloquence and learning, both in sacred Scripture and in secula…
787 wordsSECTION 200Chapter XLII.
Chapter XLII. Apollonius, [2451] a Roman senator under the emperor Commodus, having been denounced by a slave as a Christian, gained permission to give a reason for his faith and wrote a remarkable volume which he read in the senate, yet none the less, by the will of the senate, he was beheaded for Christ by virtue of an ancien…
708 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.