Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 4
Athanasius — Select Works and Letters
SECTION 161
48. Attacks upon the Alexandrian Church.
48. Attacks upon the Alexandrian Church. Accordingly they urge on the Emperor, who first writes a menacing letter, which he sends to the Duke and the soldiers. The Notaries Diogenius and Hilarius [1671] , and certain Palatines with them, were the bearers of it; upon whose arrival those terrible and cruel outrages were committed…
2,294 wordsSECTION 16256. The great Church pillaged.
56. The great Church pillaged. After this, that they might fully execute the orders they had received (for this was what they earnestly desired, and what the Count and the Receiver-General instructed them to do), they seized upon the seats, the throne, and the table which was of wood [1693] , and the curtains [1694] of the Chur…
2,359 wordsSECTION 163[1671] Ap. Const. 22, 24, below, §81.
[1671] Ap. Const. 22, 24, below, §81. [1672] §31, &c. [1673] Is. xxvi. 20. [1674] kataskopou, ouk episkopos, vid. §45, note 6. [1675] [a.d. 350, cf. Gibbon Hist. ch. xviii. vol. ii. p. 378.] [1676] Apol. Ar. 87. [1677] George had been pork-contractor to the army, and had been detected in peculation. vid. de Syn. 37, note 3…
2,367 wordsSECTION 16468. Constantius worse than Saul, Ahab, and Pilate. His past conduct to his own relations.
68. Constantius worse than Saul, Ahab, and Pilate. His past conduct to his own relations. Ahab himself did not act so cruelly towards the priests of God, as this man has acted towards the Bishops. For he was at least pricked in his conscience, when Naboth had been murdered, and was afraid at the sight [1741] of Elijah, but this…
2,331 wordsSECTION 16575. Arrival of George at Alexandria, and proceedings of Constantius in Italy.
75. Arrival of George at Alexandria, and proceedings of Constantius in Italy. Again he transferred from Cappadocia to Milan one Auxentius [1769] , an intruder rather than a Christian, whom he commanded to stay there, after he had banished for his piety towards Christ Dionysius the Bishop of the place, a godly man. But this pers…
2,365 wordsSECTION 16681. The Second Protest [1806] .
81. The Second Protest [1806] . The people of the Catholic Church in Alexandria, which is under the government of the most Reverend Bishop Athanasius, make this public protest by those whose names are under-written. We have already protested against the nocturnal assault which was committed upon ourselves and the Lord's house;…
2,241 wordsSECTION 167Introduction to Four Discourses Against the Arians.
[1807] Ap. Ar. 73, note. [1808] i.e. Prætorian. [1809] Febr. 9. [1810] Ap. Const. 25; Ap. Fug. 24. [1811] Friday vid. Encyc. 4, note 9. [1812] i.e. more than 5,000, Ap. Fug. 24. [1813] strategou. There were two strategoi or duumvirs at the head of the police force at Alexandria; they are mentioned in the plural in Euseb. v…
2,202 wordsSECTION 168Chapter I.--Introduction. Reason for writing; certain persons indifferent about Arianism; Arians not Christians, because sectaries always take the name of their founder.
(Excursus B. On the Arian formula prin gennethenai ouk en.) ii. 1-82. b. Texts bearing on the creation' of the Son (viz. Heb. iii. 2; Acts ii. 36; Prov. viii. 22; the latter occupying §§18-82). iii. 1-25. g. Texts from the Fourth Gospel on the relation of the Son to the Father. iii. 26-58. d. Texts bearing more directly on th…
2,200 wordsSECTION 169[1827] de Decr. §§2, 24, 27.
[1827] de Decr. §§2, 24, 27. [1828] de Syn. §1. [1829] Vid. Hil. de Trin. viii. 28; Rom. i. 25. [1830] He seems to allude to Catholics being called Athanasians; vid. however next §. Two distinctions are drawn between such a title as applied to Catholics, and again to heretics, when they are taken by Catholics as a note agains…
2,258 wordsSECTION 170[1839] de Syn. §15. [where the metre of the Thalia is discussed in a note.]
[1839] de Syn. §15. [where the metre of the Thalia is discussed in a note.] [1840] de Syn. §18; Joel ii. 25. [1841] Ps. xxiv. 10. [1842] de Syn. 26, note 7, de Decr. 6, note 8. [1843] Vid. de Syn. 15, note 6. katalepsis was originally a Stoic word, and even when considered perfect, was, properly speaking, attributable only t…
2,204 wordsSECTION 171[1856] [A note on the intimate mutual connexion of all heresies is omitted here.]
[1856] [A note on the intimate mutual connexion of all heresies is omitted here.] [1857] Joh. xix. 15. [1858] de Decr. 7, note 2. [1859] dorodokoi, and so kerdos tes philochrematias, infr. §53. He mentions prostasias philon, §10. And so S. Hilary speaks of the exemptions from taxes which Constantius granted the Clergy as a br…
2,350 wordsSECTION 172[1882] Ps. ii. 1.
[1882] Ps. ii. 1. [1883] John i. 1. [1884] Rev. i. 4. tade legei. [On legei, &c., in citations, see Lightf. on Gal. iii. 16, Winer, Gram. §58, 9 g, Grimm-Thayer, s.v. II. 1. e.] [1885] Rom. ix. 5. [1886] Ib. i. 20. [1887] 1 Cor. i. 24. Athan. has so interpreted this text supr. de Decr. 15. It was either a received interpret…
2,260 wordsSECTION 173[1914] This was an objection urged by Eunomius, cf. de Syn. 51, note 8. It is implied also in the Apology of the former, §24, and in Basil.
[1914] This was an objection urged by Eunomius, cf. de Syn. 51, note 8. It is implied also in the Apology of the former, §24, and in Basil. contr. Eunom. ii. 28. Aetius was in Alexandria with George of Cappadocia, a.d. 356-8, and Athan. wrote these Discourses in the latter year, as the de Syn. at the end of the next. It is proba…
2,472 wordsSECTION 17420. When then was God without that which is proper to Him? or how can a man consider that which is proper, as foreign and alien in essence?
20. When then was God without that which is proper to Him? or how can a man consider that which is proper, as foreign and alien in essence? for other things, according to the nature of things originate, are without likeness in essence with the Maker; but are external to Him, made by the Word at His grace and will, and thus admit…
2,441 wordsSECTION 175Chapter VII.--Objections to the Foregoing Proof. Whether, in the generation of the Son, God made One that was already, or One that was not.
[1966] Ep. Eus. 7, de Decr. 11, note 8. [1967] kurios, de Decr. 11, note 6. Elsewhere Athan. says, The Father being one and only is Father of a Son one and only; and in the instance of Godhead only have the names Father and Son stay, and are ever; for of men if any one be called father, yet he has been son of another; and if he…
2,240 wordsSECTION 176[1971] Rom. i. 23, and §2.
[1971] Rom. i. 23, and §2. [1972] De Decr. § 11, esp. note 6. [1973] De Decr. 31, note 5 [1974] Eph. iii. 15. [1975] John i. 1. [1976] Heb. i. 3. [1977] Rom. ix. 5. [1978] Vid. Basil, contr. Eunom. ii. 17. [1979] This cautious and reverent way of speaking is a characteristic of S. Athanasius, ad Serap. i. 1. vid. ii. ini…
2,265 wordsSECTION 177[1985] [But see Or. iii. 65, note 2.]
[1985] [But see Or. iii. 65, note 2.] [1986] S. Athanasius's doctrine is, that, God containing in Himself all perfection, whatever is excellent in one created thing above another, is found in its perfection in Him. If then such generation as radiance from light is more perfect than that of children from parents, that belongs, a…
2,267 wordsSECTION 17834. Therefore it is more pious and more accurate to signify God from the Son and call Him Father, than to name Him from His works only and c
34. Therefore it is more pious and more accurate to signify God from the Son and call Him Father, than to name Him from His works only and call Him Unoriginate [2008] . For the latter title, as I have said, does nothing more than signify all the works, individually and collectively, which have come to be at the will of God throu…
1,146 wordsSECTION 179Chapter X.--Objections Continued. How the Word has free will, yet without being alterable. He is unalterable because the Image of the Father, proved from texts.
Chapter X.--Objections Continued. How the Word has free will, yet without being alterable. He is unalterable because the Image of the Father, proved from texts. 35. As to their question whether the Word is alterable [2013] , it is superfluous to examine it; it is enough simply to write down what they say, and so to shew its dar…
2,241 wordsSECTION 18039. Therefore He was not man, and then became God, but He was God, and then became man, and that to deify us [2035] . Since, if when He beca
39. Therefore He was not man, and then became God, but He was God, and then became man, and that to deify us [2035] . Since, if when He became man, only then He was called Son and God, but before He became man, God called the ancient people sons, and made Moses a god of Pharaoh (and Scripture says of many, God standeth in the co…
2,288 wordsSECTION 18144. This then I consider the sense of this passage, and that, a very ecclesiastical sense [2068] . However, there is another way in which on
44. This then I consider the sense of this passage, and that, a very ecclesiastical sense [2068] . However, there is another way in which one might remark upon it, giving the same sense in a parallel way; viz. that, though it does not speak of the exaltation of the Word Himself, so far as He is Word [2069] (for He is, as was jus…
2,358 wordsSECTION 182[2065] John i. 9.
[2065] John i. 9. [2066] prokopes internal advance,' Luke ii. 52. [2067] eugenous [2068] ekklesiastikos, vid. Serap. iv. 15. contr. Gent. 6. 7. 33. [2069] Orat. ii. §8. [2070] Eph. iv. 10, but anastas for anabas. [2071] John i. 14. [2072] In Apoll. i. 2. [2073] It was a point in controversy with the extreme Monophysites,…
2,585 wordsSECTION 18350. What is there to wonder at, what to disbelieve, if the Lord who gives the Spirit, is here said Himself to be anointed with the Spirit, a
50. What is there to wonder at, what to disbelieve, if the Lord who gives the Spirit, is here said Himself to be anointed with the Spirit, at a time when, necessity requiring it, He did not refuse in respect of His manhood to call Himself inferior to the Spirit? For the Jews saying that He cast out devils in Beelzebub, He answer…
2,228 wordsSECTION 184[2100] John xvii. 22.
[2100] John xvii. 22. [2101] Cyril, Thesaur. 20. p. 197. [2102] §51, note 1. [2103] angelon men parabanton, anthropon de parakousanton. vid. infr. §51. init. Cf. ad Afr. 7. vid. de Decr. 19, note 3. infr. Orat. ii. iii. Cyril. in Joann. lib. v. 2. On the subject of the sins of Angels, vid. Huet. Origen. ii. 5. §16. Petav. Dog…
2,415 wordsSECTION 185(5.) If moreover, baffled so far, they should still violently insist that the language is that of comparison, and that comparison in consequ
(5.) If moreover, baffled so far, they should still violently insist that the language is that of comparison, and that comparison in consequence implies oneness of kind, so that the Son is of the nature of Angels, they will in the first place incur the disgrace of rivalling and repeating what Valentinus held, and Carpocrates, an…
2,282 wordsSECTION 186(11.) What has been already said ought to shame those persons who are fighting against the very truth; however, if, because it is written, b
(11.) What has been already said ought to shame those persons who are fighting against the very truth; however, if, because it is written, become better,' they refuse to understand become,' as used of the Son, as has been and is [2202] ;' or again as referring to the better covenant having come to be [2203] , as we have said, bu…
2,206 wordsSECTION 187It was observed on p. 75, note 4(b), that there were two clauses in the Nicene Anathema which required explanation. One of them, ex heteras
It was observed on p. 75, note 4(b), that there were two clauses in the Nicene Anathema which required explanation. One of them, ex heteras hupostaseos e ousias, has been discussed in the Excursus, pp. 77-82; the other, prin gennethenai ouk en, shall be considered now. Bishop Bull has suggested a very ingenious interpretation o…
2,255 wordsSECTION 1886. If there are passages in Athanasius which seem to favour the opposite interpretation, that is, to imply that the Catholics held or allowe
6. If there are passages in Athanasius which seem to favour the opposite interpretation, that is, to imply that the Catholics held or allowed, as Bp. Bull considers, that before His generation, He was,' they admit of an explanation. E.g. "How is He not in the number of the creatures, if, as they say, He was not before His genera…
2,232 wordsSECTION 189[2209] Waterland expresses the view here taken, and not Bishop Bull's; vol. i. p. 114. Bull's language, on the other hand, is very strong: S
[2209] Waterland expresses the view here taken, and not Bishop Bull's; vol. i. p. 114. Bull's language, on the other hand, is very strong: Sæpe olim, ut verum ingenue fateai, animum meum subiit admiratio, quid effato isto, Filius priusquam nasceretur, non erat,' sibi voluerint Ariani. De nativitate Christi ex beatissima Virgine …
2,316 wordsSECTION 1905. This being so [2244] , when persons ask whether the Lord is a creature or work, it is proper to ask of them this first, whether He is Son
5. This being so [2244] , when persons ask whether the Lord is a creature or work, it is proper to ask of them this first, whether He is Son and Word and Wisdom. For if this is shewn, the surmise about work and creation falls to the ground at once and is ended. For a work could never be Son and Word; nor could the Son be a work.…
2,208 wordsSECTION 19110. Now the so-called gods of the Greeks, unworthy the name, are faithful neither in their essence nor in their promises; for the same are n
10. Now the so-called gods of the Greeks, unworthy the name, are faithful neither in their essence nor in their promises; for the same are not everywhere, nay, the local deities come to nought in course of time, and undergo a natural dissolution; wherefore the Word cries out against them, that faith is not strong in them,' but t…
2,202 wordsSECTION 192[2267] Heb. xiii. 8.
[2267] Heb. xiii. 8. [2268] Heb. iii. 5, 6. [2269] Here is a protest beforehand against the Monophysite doctrine, but such anticipations of various heresies are too frequent, as we proceed, to require or bear notice. [2270] theos en sarki, vid. logos en s. iii. 54. a. th. en somati, ii. 12. c. 15. a. l. en som. Sent. D. 8 fin…
2,707 wordsSECTION 19317. The Jews then, most of them [2302] , hearing this, came to themselves and forthwith acknowledged the Christ, as it is written in the Act
17. The Jews then, most of them [2302] , hearing this, came to themselves and forthwith acknowledged the Christ, as it is written in the Acts. But, the Ario-maniacs on the contrary choose to remain Jews, and to contend with Peter; so let us proceed to place before them some parallel phrases; perhaps it may have some effect upon …
2,327 wordsSECTION 19421. But if what the Father worketh, that the Son worketh also [2335] , and what the Son createth, that is the creation of the Father, and ye
21. But if what the Father worketh, that the Son worketh also [2335] , and what the Son createth, that is the creation of the Father, and yet the Son be the Father's work or creature, then either He will work His own self, and will be His own creator (since what the Father worketh is the Son's work also), which is absurd and imp…
2,283 wordsSECTION 195[2329] 21, note 2.
[2329] 21, note 2. [2330] Ps. xix. 1. [2331] 1 Esdr. iv. 36. [2332] John xiv. 6. [2333] Prov. viii. 30, LXX. [2334] John v. 17. [2335] Orat. iii. 11. note. [2336] poietikon aition, also, infr. 27. and Orat. iii. 14. and contr. Gent. 9 init. No creature can create, vid. e.g. about Angels, August. de Civ. Dei xii. 24. de Tr…
2,528 wordsSECTION 19628. Behold there are many lights, and not the sun only, nor the moon only, but each is one in essence, and yet the service of all is one and
28. Behold there are many lights, and not the sun only, nor the moon only, but each is one in essence, and yet the service of all is one and common; and what each lacks, is supplied by the other, and the office of lighting is performed by all [2377] . Thus the sun has authority to shine throughout the day and no more; and the mo…
2,409 wordsSECTION 19732. It is plain from this that the Arians are not fighting with us about their heresy; but while they pretend us, their real fight is agains
32. It is plain from this that the Arians are not fighting with us about their heresy; but while they pretend us, their real fight is against the Godhead Itself. For if the voice were ours which says, This it My Son [2410] ,' small were our complaint of them; but if it is the Father's voice, and the disciples heard it, and the S…
2,229 wordsSECTION 19837. Wherefore I am in wonder how, whereas God is One, these men introduce, after their private notions, many images and wisdoms and words [2
37. Wherefore I am in wonder how, whereas God is One, these men introduce, after their private notions, many images and wisdoms and words [2449] , and say that the Father's proper and natural Word is other than the Son, by whom He even made the Son [2450] and that He who is really Son is but notionally [2451] called Word, as vin…
2,574 wordsSECTION 19943. There are many other heresies too, which use the words only, but not in a right sense, as I have said, nor with sound faith [2486] , and
43. There are many other heresies too, which use the words only, but not in a right sense, as I have said, nor with sound faith [2486] , and in consequence the water which they administer is unprofitable, as deficient in piety, so that he who is sprinkled [2487] by them is rather polluted [2488] by irreligion than redeemed. So G…
2,242 wordsSECTION 200[2459] §19.
[2459] §19. [2460] The Anomoean in Max. Dial. i. a. urges against the Catholic that, if the Son exists in the Father, God is compound. Athan. here retorts that Asterius speaks of Wisdom as a really existing thing in the Divine Mind. Vid. next note. [2461] On this subject vid. Orat. iv. n. 2. Nothing is more remarkable than the…
2,465 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.