Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 3
Theodoret, Jerome, Gennadius & Rufinus — Historical Writings
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Chapter LI.
Chapter LI. Arabianus [2460] under the same emperor published certain small works relating to christian doctrine. [2460] Flourished about 196. Chapter LII. Judas, [2461] discussed at length the seventy weeks mentioned in Daniel and wrote a Chronography of former times which he brought up to the tenth year of Severus. He is c…
1,071 wordsSECTION 202Chapter LV.
Chapter LV. Ammonius, [2465] a talented man of great philosophical learning, was distinguished at Alexandria, at the same time. Among many and distinguished monuments of his genius, is the elaborate work which he composed On the harmony of Moses and Jesus, and the Gospel canons, which he worked out, and which Eusebius of Cæsare…
837 wordsSECTION 203Chapter LXII.
Chapter LXII. Alexander, [2476] bishop of Cappadocia, desiring to visit the Holy Land, came to Jerusalem, at the time when Narcissus, bishop of this city, already an old man, ruled the church. It was revealed to Narcissus and many of his clergy, that on the morning of the next day, a bishop would enter the city, who should be a…
718 wordsSECTION 204Chapter LXVII.
Chapter LXVII. Cyprian [2482] of Africa, at first was famous as a teacher of rhetoric, and afterwards on the persuasion of the presbyter Caecilius, from whom he received his surname, he became a Christian, and gave all his substance to the poor. Not long after he was inducted into the presbytery, and was also made bishop of Car…
756 wordsSECTION 205Chapter LXXII.
Chapter LXXII. Archelaus, [2491] bishop of Mesopotamia, composed in the Syriac language, a book of the discussion which he held with Manichaeus, when he came from Persia. This book, which is translated into Greek, is possessed by many. He flourished under the Emperor Probus, who succeeded Aurelianus and Tacitus. [2491] Flouri…
895 wordsSECTION 206Chapter LXXXI.
Chapter LXXXI. Eusebius [2503] bishop of Cæsarea in Palestine was diligent in the study of Divine Scriptures and with Pamphilus the martyr a most diligent investigator of the Holy Bible. He published a great number of volumes among which are the following: Demonstrations of the Gospel twenty books, Preparations for the Gospel f…
746 wordsSECTION 207Chapter LXXXVIII.
Chapter LXXXVIII. Anthony [2513] the monk, whose life Athanasius bishop of Alexandria wrote a long work upon, sent seven letters in Coptic to various monasteries, letters truly apostolic in idea and language, and which have been translated into Greek. The chief of these is To the Arsenoites. He flourished during the reign of Co…
755 wordsSECTION 208Chapter XCIX.
Chapter XCIX. Serapion, [2526] bishop of Thmuis, who on account of his cultivated genius was found worthy of the surname of Scholasticus, was the intimate friend of Anthony the monk, and published an excellent book Against the Manichaeans, also another On the titles of the Psalms, and valuable Epistles to different people. In t…
727 wordsSECTION 209Chapter CVIII.
Chapter CVIII. Phoebadius, [2538] bishop of Agen, in Gaul, published a book Against the Arians. There are said to be other works by him, which I have not yet read. He is still living, infirm with age. [2538] Bishop 358, died about 392. Chapter CIX. Didymus, [2539] of Alexandria, becoming blind while very young, and therefore…
709 wordsSECTION 210Chapter CXVII.
Chapter CXVII. Gregory, [2550] bishop of Nazianzen, a most eloquent man, and my instructor in the Scriptures, composed works, amounting in all to thirty thousand lines, among which are On the death of his brother Cæsarius, On charity, In praise of the Maccabees, In praise of Cyprian, In praise of Athanasius, In praise of Maximu…
714 wordsSECTION 211Chapter CXXVI.
Chapter CXXVI. Ambrose [2559] of Alexandria, pupil of Didymus, wrote a long work On doctrines against Apollinaris, and as some one has lately informed me, Commentaries on Job. He is still living. [2559] Died after 392. Chapter CXXVII. Maximus [2560] the philosopher, born at Alexandria, ordained bishop at Constantinople and d…
1,249 wordsSECTION 212Chapter I.
Chapter I. James, [2573] surnamed the Wise, was bishop of Nisibis the famous city of the Persians and one of the confessors under Maximinus the persecutor. He was also one of those who, in the Nicean council, by their opposition overthrew the Arian perversity of the Homoousia. That the blessed Jerome mentions this man in his Ch…
713 wordsSECTION 213Chapter IV.
Chapter IV. Vitellius [2578] the African, defending the Donatist schism wrote Why the servants of God are hated by the world, in which, except in speaking of us as persecutors, he published excellent doctrine. He wrote also Against the nations and against us as traditors of the Holy Scriptures in times of persecution, and wrote…
727 wordsSECTION 214Chapter X.
Chapter X. Macarius, [2587] the Egyptian monk, distinguished for his miracles and virtues, wrote one letter which was addressed to the younger men of his profession. In this he taught them that he could serve God perfectly who, knowing the condition of his creation, should devote himself to all labours, and by wrestling against…
820 wordsSECTION 215Chapter XIV.
Chapter XIV. Audentius, [2595] bishop of Spain, wrote a book against the Manicheans, Sabellians and Arians and very particularly against the Photinians who are now called Bonosiacians. This book he entitled On faith against heretics, and in it he showed the Son to have been coeternal with the Father and that He did not receive …
735 wordsSECTION 216Chapter XVIII.
Chapter XVIII. Tichonius, [2601] an African by nationality was, it is said, sufficiently learned in sacred literature, not wholly unacquainted with secular literature and zealous in ecclesiastical affairs. He wrote books On internal war and Expositions of various causes in which for the defence of his friends, he cites the anci…
779 wordsSECTION 217Chapter XXII.
Chapter XXII. Niceas, [2610] [2611] bishop of the city of Romatia, composed, in simple and clear language, six books of Instruction for neophites. The first of these contains, How candidates who seek to obtain grace of baptism ought to act, the second, On the errors of relationship, in which he relates that not far from his own…
722 wordsSECTION 218Chapter XXVII.
Chapter XXVII. Ursinus [2618] the monk wrote against those who say that heretics should be rebaptized, teaching [2619] that it is not legitimate nor honouring God, that those should be rebaptized who have been baptized either in the name of Christ alone or in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, though …
764 wordsSECTION 219Chapter XXXV.
Chapter XXXV. Eusebius [2631] wrote On the mystery of our Lord's cross and the faithfulness of the apostles, and especially of Peter, gained by virtue of the cross. [2631] Bishop of Milan 451, died 462. Chapter XXXVI. Vigilantius, [2632] a citizen of Gaul, had the church of Barcelona. He wrote also with some zeal for religio…
808 wordsSECTION 220Chapter XLI.
Chapter XLI. Maximus, [2643] bishop of the church at Turin, a man fairly industrious in the study of the Holy Scripture, and good at teaching the people extemporaneously, composed treatises In praise of the apostles and John the Baptist, and a Homily on all the martyrs. Moreover he wrote many acute comments on passages from the…
742 wordsSECTION 221Chapter XLVII.
Chapter XLVII. Lucianus [2653] the presbyter, a holy man to whom, at the time when Honorius and Theodosius were Emperors, God revealed the place of the sepulchre and the remains of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, wrote out that revelation in Greek, addressing it to all the churches. [2653] Lucianus of Caphargamala, flourished 4…
778 wordsSECTION 222Chapter LVI.
Chapter LVI. Theodotus, [2668] ^[2669] bishop of Ancyra in Galatia, while at [2670] Ephesus, wrote against Nestorius a work of defence and refutation, [2671] written, to be sure, in dialectic style, but interwoven with passages from the Holy Scriptures. His method was to make statements and then quote proof texts from the Scrip…
854 wordsSECTION 223Chapter LXIII.
Chapter LXIII. Philip, [2682] the presbyter Jerome's best pupil, published a Commentary on Job, written in an unaffected style. I have read his Familiar letters, exceedingly witty, exhorting the endurance of poverty and sufferings. He died in the reign of Martianus and Avitus. [2682] Died about 455. Chapter LXIV. Eucherius, …
709 wordsSECTION 224Chapter LXX.
Chapter LXX. Hilary, [2691] bishop of the church at Arles, a man learned in Holy Scriptures, was devoted to poverty, and earnestly anxious to live in narrow circumstances, not only in religiousness of mind, but also in labour of body. To secure this estate of poverty, this man of noble race and very differently brought up, enga…
705 wordsSECTION 225Chapter LXXV.
Chapter LXXV. Peter, [2703] presbyter of the church at Edessa, a famous preacher, wrote Treatises on various subjects, and Hymns after the manner of Saint Ephrem, the deacon. [2703] Flourished 450. Chapter LXXVI. Paul [2704] the presbyter, a Pannonian by nationality, as I learned from his own mouth, wrote On preserving virgi…
739 wordsSECTION 226Chapter LXXXII.
Chapter LXXXII. Cyrus, [2717] an Alexandrian by race, and a physician by profession, at first a philosopher then a monk, an expert speaker, at first wrote elegantly and powerfully against Nestorius, but afterwards, since he began to inveigh against him too intemperately [2718] and dealt in syllogism rather than Scripture, he be…
1,082 wordsSECTION 227Chapter LXXXVII.
Chapter LXXXVII. Servus Dei [2728] the bishop, wrote against those who say that Christ while living in this world did not see the Father with his eyes of flesh--But after his resurrection from the dead and his ascension into heaven when he had been translated into the glory of God the Father as in reward so to speak to him for …
755 wordsSECTION 228Chapter XCII.
Chapter XCII. [Sidonius [2738] bishop of the Arverni wrote several acceptable works and being a man sound in doctrine as well as thoroughly imbued with divine and human learning and a man of commanding genius wrote a considerable volume of letters to different persons written in various metres or in prose and this showed his ab…
826 wordsSECTION 229Chapter XCVIII.
Chapter XCVIII. Pomerius [2750] the Mauritanian was ordained presbyter in Gaul. He composed a dialectical treatise in eight books On the nature of the soul and its properties, also one On the resurrection and its particular bearing for the faithful in this life and in general for all men, written in clear language and style, in…
2,391 wordsSECTION 230a.d. 397: He arrived in Italy, in company with Melania, early in the spring of 397. They were there received by Paulinus of Nola with great
a.d. 397: He arrived in Italy, in company with Melania, early in the spring of 397. They were there received by Paulinus of Nola with great honour. [2760] Melania went on at once to Rome; but Rufinus stopped at the monastery of Pinetum near Terracina. His welcome by the Abbot Urseius and the philosopher Macarius, and their reque…
2,273 wordsSECTION 231This translation of Numbers was his last work. He was at that time suffering in his eyes; and he died soon afterwards in Sicily, as we learn
This translation of Numbers was his last work. He was at that time suffering in his eyes; and he died soon afterwards in Sicily, as we learn from Jerome's malicious words "The Scorpion now lies underground between Enceladus and Porphyrion." [2768] The undying hatred of Jerome towards him has unduly lowered him in the estimation …
2,213 wordsSECTION 232The Translation of Origen's Commentary 36th, 37th and 38th Psalms is unquestionably by Rufinus; it is dedicated to Apronianus, and may have
The Translation of Origen's Commentary 36th, 37th and 38th Psalms is unquestionably by Rufinus; it is dedicated to Apronianus, and may have been written in Rome (Fontanini col. 188, beginning of ch. viii). The Preface is given by us in this volume. Fontanini also gives to Rufinus a Translation of Origen's Homilies on I Kings and…
1,383 wordsSECTION 233Preface to the Commentary on the Benedictions of the Twelve Patriarchs.
Preface to the Commentary on the Benedictions of the Twelve Patriarchs. -------------- Rufinus had arrived with Melania, in Italy, in the spring of 397, after a stay in the East of some 25 years. They had visited Paulinus at Nola, and had been entertained by him with the highest honours. Melania probably remained in Campania, …
1,432 wordsSECTION 234Preface to Book II.
Preface to Book II. Rufinus, as we see by his Preface to the former book, considered it unsatisfactory to expound the Blessing upon Judah apart from those on his brethren. Paulinus therefore, taking the occasion of their common friend Cerealis' journey to Rome, sends the following letter to induce Rufinus to expound the remaini…
2,307 wordsSECTION 235[2780] See the account in Rufinus' Apology I. 11.
[2780] See the account in Rufinus' Apology I. 11. [2781] The word may also mean On beginnings, or On Principalities and Powers: these ideas being connected together in the speculation of the Alexandrian theology. [2782] Daniel x. 11, ix. 23. The name Macarius means Blessed. [2783] Rom. x. 10 [2784] Matt. xii. 37 [2785] See …
2,877 wordsSECTION 236Such are the complaints which he made while still living, and while he was still able to detect the corruptions and falsifications which had
Such are the complaints which he made while still living, and while he was still able to detect the corruptions and falsifications which had been made in his books. There is another letter of his, in which I remember to have read a complaint of the falsifying of his writings; but I have not a copy of it at hand, otherwise I coul…
2,229 wordsSECTION 237Preface to the Translations of Origen's Books Peri 'Archon
[2789] The letter is headed "On the adulteration and corruption of his books; from the 4th book of the letters of Origen: a letter written to certain familiar friends at Alexandria." [2790] 1 Cor. vi. 10 [2791] 2 Thess. ii. 1-3 [2792] 1 Cor. xiv. 32 [2793] 1 Cor. xii. 13 [2794] Poictiers. [2795] There seem to be no means o…
1,619 wordsSECTION 238Preface to Book III. of the Peri 'Archon
Preface to Book III. of the Peri 'Archon ------------------------ Rufinus had now come to Rome. The translation of B. III. and IV. had been made probably at Pinetum early in 398. He was already aware of the strong feelings aroused by his Translation of B. I. and II., and he complains that parts of his work were obtained by Jer…
2,287 wordsSECTION 2397. Now as to another matter. I am told that objections have been raised against me because, forsooth, at the request of some of my brethren,
7. Now as to another matter. I am told that objections have been raised against me because, forsooth, at the request of some of my brethren, I translated certain works of Origen from Greek into Latin. I suppose that every one sees that it is only through ill will that this is made a matter of blame. For, if there is any offensiv…
2,546 wordsSECTION 240Book I.
In the main Jerome's defence was valid. But it demanded considerateness in his judges; and this quality was absent in himself. He judged Origen's opinions harshly, and spoke of his views as poisonous (Letter lxxxiv, 3); and, when we contrast the lenity of his former judgments on the same points with his present violence, it beco…
2,401 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.