Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 6
Jerome — Principal Works
SECTION 81
Letter LXII. To Tranquillinus.
Letter LXII. To Tranquillinus. Tranquillinus, one of Jerome's Roman friends, had written (1) to tell him of the stand that Oceanus was making against the Origenists at Rome, and (2) to ask whether any parts of Origen's works might be studied with safety and profit. Jerome welcomes the tidings about Oceanus and answers the quest…
900 wordsSECTION 82Letter LXIV. To Fabiola.
Letter LXIV. To Fabiola. Fabiola's visit to Bethlehem had been shortened by the threatened invasion of the Huns which compelled Jerome and his friends to take refuge for a time on the seaboard of Palestine. Fabiola here took leave of her companions and set sail for Italy, but not until Jerome had completed this letter for her u…
2,298 wordsSECTION 837. A pearl will shine in the midst of squalor and a gem of the first water will sparkle in the mire. This is what the Lord promised when He
7. A pearl will shine in the midst of squalor and a gem of the first water will sparkle in the mire. This is what the Lord promised when He said: "Them that honour me I will honour." [1945] Others may understand this of the future when sorrow shall be turned into joy and when, although the world shall pass away, the saints shall…
2,424 wordsSECTION 8413. That you, the leader of the patrician order, first set the example of turning monk should not be to you an occasion of boasting but rath
13. That you, the leader of the patrician order, first set the example of turning monk should not be to you an occasion of boasting but rather one of humility, knowing as you do that the Son of God became the Son of man. However low you may abase yourself, you cannot be more lowly than Christ. Even supposing that you walk barefo…
1,168 wordsSECTION 85Letter LXVII. From Augustine.
Letter LXVII. From Augustine. Jerome having written him a short letter (no longer extant) Augustine now replies. He speaks with approval of Jerome's treatise On Famous Men, incorrectly called the Epitaph (see Letter CXII. §3). He also repeats his objections to Jerome's account of the quarrel between Paul and Peter at Antioch an…
1,293 wordsSECTION 86Letter LXIX. To Oceanus.
Letter LXIX. To Oceanus. Oceanus, a Roman nobleman zealous for the faith, had asked Jerome to back him in a protest against Carterius a Spanish bishop who contrary to the apostolic rule that a bishop is to be "the husband of one wife" had married a second time. Jerome refuses to take the line suggested on the ground that Carter…
2,555 wordsSECTION 875. What the true effect of baptism is, and what is the real grace conveyed by water hallowed in Christ, I will presently tell you; meantime
5. What the true effect of baptism is, and what is the real grace conveyed by water hallowed in Christ, I will presently tell you; meantime I will deal with this argument as it deserves. An ill knot,' says the common proverb, requires but an ill wedge to split it.' The text quoted by the objector, "a bishop must be the husband o…
2,347 wordsSECTION 888. Before I make an end of dictating (for I perceive that I have already exceeded the just limits of a letter) I wish to give a brief explan
8. Before I make an end of dictating (for I perceive that I have already exceeded the just limits of a letter) I wish to give a brief explanation of the previous verses of the epistle in which the apostle describes the life of him that is to be made a bishop. We shall thus recognize him as Doctor of the Nations [2103] not only f…
2,202 wordsSECTION 89Letter LXX. To Magnus an Orator of Rome.
[2062] Ps. lxxiv. 13, 14 LXX. [2063] Deut. viii. 15. [2064] hudrophobous et lymphaticos faciunt. [2065] Exod. xv. 23-27; Luke x. i. [2066] Gen. xxvi. 15, 18. [2067] Gen. xxi. 31. [2068] 1 Kings i. 38; 2 Chron. xxxii. 30. [2069] Gen. xxiv. 15, 16. [2070] Gen. xxix. 10, 11. [2071] Gen. xxvii. 36. [2072] Exod. ii. 16, 17.…
2,275 wordsSECTION 906. You must not adopt the mistaken opinion, that while in dealing with the Gentiles one may appeal to their literature in all other discussi
6. You must not adopt the mistaken opinion, that while in dealing with the Gentiles one may appeal to their literature in all other discussions one ought to ignore it; for almost all the books of all these writers--except those who like Epicurus [2200] are no scholars--are extremely full of erudition and philosophy. I incline in…
1,385 wordsSECTION 91Letter LXXI. To Lucinius.
Letter LXXI. To Lucinius. Lucinius was a wealthy Spaniard of Bætica who in conformity with the ascetic ideas of his time had made a vow of continence with his wife Theodora. Being much interested in the study of scripture he proposed to visit Bethlehem, and in a.d. 397 sent several scribes thither to transcribe for him Jerome's…
2,344 wordsSECTION 92Letter LXXII. To Vitalis.
[2202] Ps. lv. 6. PBV. [2203] Cant. iii. 1. [2204] Matt. viii. 11. [2205] Acts x. 1. [2206] Rom. xv. 24. [2207] Italy. [2208] Rom. xv. 19. [2209] Acts xxviii. 30. [2210] Utriusque instrumenti æternam domum. The twofold record' is that of the old and new testaments both of which speak of the church under the figure of a h…
736 wordsSECTION 93Letter LXXIV. To Rufinus of Rome.
Letter LXXIV. To Rufinus of Rome. Rufinus, a Roman Presbyter (to be carefully distinguished from Rufinus of Aquileia and Rufinus the Syrian), had written to Jerome for an explanation of the judgment of Solomon (1 Kings iii. 16-28). This Jerome gives at length, treating the narrative as a parable and making the false and true mo…
2,121 wordsSECTION 94Letter LXXVI. To Abigaus.
Letter LXXVI. To Abigaus. Abigaus the recipient of this letter was a blind presbyter of Bætica in Spain. He had asked the help of Jerome's prayers in his struggles with evil and Jerome now writes to cheer and to console him. He concludes his remarks by commending to his especial care the widow Theodora. The letter should be com…
966 wordsSECTION 95Letter LXXVII. To Oceanus.
Letter LXXVII. To Oceanus. The eulogy of Fabiola whose restless life had come to an end in 399 a.d. Jerome tells the story of her sin and of her penitence (for which see Letter LV.), of the hospital established by her at Portus, of her visit to Bethlehem, and of her earnestness in the study of scripture. He relates how he wrote…
2,626 wordsSECTION 96Not with a hundred tongues or throat of bronze
Not with a hundred tongues or throat of bronze Could I exhaust the forms of fell disease [2358] which Fabiola so wonderfully alleviated in the suffering poor that many of the healthy fell to envying the sick. However she showed the same liberality towards the clergy and monks and virgins. Was there a monastery which was not su…
2,230 wordsSECTION 97Letter LXXVIII. To Fabiola.
[2334] Joh. xviii. 15-27; xxi. 15-17. [2335] Ex. xxxii. 30-35. [2336] 2 Sam. xii. 16. [2337] Ps. li. 4, 12. [2338] 1 Kings xxi. 25. [2339] 1 Kings xxi. 19, 21. [2340] 1 Kings xxi. 27. [2341] 1 Kings xxi. 28, 29. [2342] 2 Chr. xxxiii. 12, 13. [2343] Jon. iii. 5-10. [2344] Luke xviii. 13. [2345] Rigourists who denied th…
2,332 wordsSECTION 985. It must not, however, be supposed that I praise Nebridius only for his liberality in alms-giving, although we are taught the great import
5. It must not, however, be supposed that I praise Nebridius only for his liberality in alms-giving, although we are taught the great importance of this in the words: "water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins." [2421] I will pass on now to his other virtues each one of which is to be found but in f…
2,288 wordsSECTION 99From faults no mortal man is wholly free;
From faults no mortal man is wholly free; The best is he who has but few of them. [2461] And, to quote the same poet, At moles men cavil when they mark fair skins. [2462] To the same effect in different words the prophet says:--"I am so troubled that I cannot speak," [2463] and in the same book, "Be ye angry and sin not." [2…
1,600 wordsSECTION 100Letter LXXX. From Rufinus to Macarius.
Letter LXXX. From Rufinus to Macarius. Rufinus on his return from Bethlehem to Rome published a Latin version of Origen's treatise peri 'Archon, On First Principles. To this he prefixed the preface which is here printed among Jerome's letters. Professing to take as his model Jerome's own translations of Origen's commentaries wh…
1,254 wordsSECTION 101Letter LXXXI. To Rufinus.
Letter LXXXI. To Rufinus. A friendly letter of remonstrance written by Jerome to Rufinus on receipt of his version of the peri 'Archon see the preceding letter). Being sent in the first instance to Pammachius this latter treacherously suppressed it and thus put an end to all hope of the reconciliation of the two friends. The da…
2,288 wordsSECTION 1025. You see, do you not, that I shut my eyes to many things and touch upon others only in the most cursory manner, hinting at what I suppose
5. You see, do you not, that I shut my eyes to many things and touch upon others only in the most cursory manner, hinting at what I suppose rather than saying out what I think. I understand and approve your manoeuvres; [2520] how in the interests of the peace of the Church you stop your ears when you come within range of the Si…
2,725 wordsSECTION 103Letter LXXXIII. From Pammachius and Oceanus.
[2496] Joh. xiv. 27. [2497] Matt. v. 9. [2498] 1 Cor. iv. 21. [2499] Cf. Heb. xii. 18. [2500] Ps. cxxxii. 1, LXX. [2501] Matt. xi. 29. [2502] Rom. xii. 18. [2503] Jer. xi. 14, LXX. [2504] Matt. v. 23, 24. [2505] 1 Cor. xiv. 16, where in the Greek giving of thanks' is eucharist.' [2506] Matt. xxvi. 48, 49: the kiss of p…
759 wordsSECTION 104Letter LXXXIV. To Pammachius and Oceanus.
Letter LXXXIV. To Pammachius and Oceanus. A calm letter in which Jerome defines and justifies his own attitude towards Origen, but unduly minimizes his early enthusiasm for him. He admires him in the same way that Cyprian admired Tertullian but does not in any way adopt his errors. He then describes his own studies and recounts…
2,428 wordsSECTION 1056. The present is not a time to speak rhetorically against a perverse doctrine. Neither the rich vocabulary of Cicero nor the fervid eloquen
6. The present is not a time to speak rhetorically against a perverse doctrine. Neither the rich vocabulary of Cicero nor the fervid eloquence of Demosthenes could adequately convey the warmth of my feeling, were I to attempt to expose the quibbles by which these heretics, while verbally professing a belief in the resurrection, …
2,718 wordsSECTION 10611. This reply to your letter, my most loving brothers, I have dictated in all haste; and, overcoming my scruples, I have taken up my pen ag
11. This reply to your letter, my most loving brothers, I have dictated in all haste; and, overcoming my scruples, I have taken up my pen against a man whose ability I once eulogized. I would sooner, indeed, risk my reputation than my faith. My friends have placed me in the awkward dilemma that if I say nothing I shall be held g…
914 wordsSECTION 107Letter LXXXV. To Paulinus.
Letter LXXXV. To Paulinus. Paulinus had asked Jerome two questions, (1) how can certain passages of scripture (Exod. vii. 13; Rom. ix. 16) be reconciled with Free Will? and (2) Why are the children of believers said to be holy (1 Cor. vii. 14) apart from baptismal grace? For the first of these questions Jerome refers Paulinus t…
938 wordsSECTION 108Letter LXXXVI. To Theophilus.
Letter LXXXVI. To Theophilus. Jerome congratulates Theophilus on the success of his crusade against Origenism, and speaks of the good work done in Palestine by his emissaries Priscus and Eubulus. He then (by a singular change in his sentiments) asks Theophilus to forgive John of Jerusalem for having unwittingly received an exco…
1,033 wordsSECTION 109Letter LXXXIX. From Theophilus to Jerome.
Letter LXXXIX. From Theophilus to Jerome. This letter (probably earlier in date than the three preceding) commends to Jerome the monk Theodore, who, having come from Rome to declare the condemnation of Origenism by the church there, had visited the monasteries of Nitria now purged of heresy, and wished before returning to the W…
987 wordsSECTION 110Letter XCI. From Epiphanius to Jerome.
Letter XCI. From Epiphanius to Jerome. An exultant letter from Epiphanius in which he describes the success of his council (convened at the suggestion of Theophilus), sends Jerome a copy of its synodical letter. and urges him to go on with his work of translating into Latin documents bearing on the Origenistic controversy. Writ…
1,135 wordsSECTION 111Letter XCIII. From the Bishops of Palestine to Theophilus.
Letter XCIII. From the Bishops of Palestine to Theophilus. The synodical letter of the council of Jerusalem sent to Theophilus in reply to the preceding. The translation as before is due to Jerome. The following is an epitome: We have done all that you wished, and Palestine is almost wholly free from the taint of heresy. We wi…
1,944 wordsSECTION 112Letter XCVIII. From Theophilus.
Letter XCVIII. From Theophilus. A translation by Jerome of Theophilus's paschal letter for the year 402 a.d. Like that of the previous year (Letter XCVI.) it deals mainly with the heresies of Apollinarius and Origen. Letter XCIX. To Theophilus. Jerome forwards to Theophilus a translation of the latter's paschal letter for 404…
726 wordsSECTION 113Letter CIII. To Augustine.
Letter CIII. To Augustine. A letter of introduction in which Jerome commends the deacon Præsidius to the kind offices of Augustine. Written in 403 a.d. See Augustine, vol. i., Letter XXXIX. Letter CIV. From Augustine. In this letter Augustine (1) commends to Jerome the deacon Cyprian, (2) explains how it is that his first let…
2,418 wordsSECTION 1145. Let her very dress and garb remind her to Whom she is promised. Do not pierce her ears or paint her face consecrated to Christ with white
5. Let her very dress and garb remind her to Whom she is promised. Do not pierce her ears or paint her face consecrated to Christ with white lead or rouge. Do not hang gold or pearls about her neck or load her head with jewels, or by reddening her hair make it suggest the fires of gehenna. Let her pearls be of another kind and s…
2,416 wordsSECTION 11512. Let her treasures be not silks or gems but manuscripts of the holy scriptures; and in these let her think less of gilding, and Babylonia
12. Let her treasures be not silks or gems but manuscripts of the holy scriptures; and in these let her think less of gilding, and Babylonian parchment, and arabesque patterns, [2716] than of correctness and accurate punctuation. Let her begin by learning the psalter, and then let her gather rules of life out of the proverbs of …
1,753 wordsSECTION 116Letter CVIII. To Eustochium.
Letter CVIII. To Eustochium. This, one of the longest of Jerome's letters, was written to console Eustochium for the loss of her mother who had recently died. Jerome relates the story of Paula in detail; speaking first of her high birth, marriage, and social success at Rome, and then narrating her conversion and subsequent life…
2,289 wordsSECTION 117She stretched her dripping limbs upon the shore:
She stretched her dripping limbs upon the shore: Then sailed past Malea and Cythera's isle, The scattered Cyclades, and all the lands That narrow in the seas on every side. [2756] Then leaving Rhodes and Lycia behind her, she at last came in sight of Cyprus, where falling at the feet of the holy and venerable Epiphanius, she…
2,438 wordsSECTION 11812. I linger long in the land of the midday sun for it was there and then that the spouse found her bridegroom at rest [2829] and Joseph dra
12. I linger long in the land of the midday sun for it was there and then that the spouse found her bridegroom at rest [2829] and Joseph drank wine with his brothers once more. [2830] I will return to Jerusalem and, passing through Tekoa the home of Amos, [2831] I will look upon the glistening cross of Mount Olivet from which th…
2,543 wordsSECTION 11916. Many married ladies make it a habit to confer gifts upon their own trumpeters, and while they are extremely profuse to a few, withhold a
16. Many married ladies make it a habit to confer gifts upon their own trumpeters, and while they are extremely profuse to a few, withhold all help from the many. From this fault Paula was altogether free. She gave her money to each according as each had need, not ministering to self-indulgence but relieving want. No poor person…
2,321 wordsSECTION 12020. I shall now describe the order of her monastery and the method by which she turned the continence of saintly souls to her own profit. Sh
20. I shall now describe the order of her monastery and the method by which she turned the continence of saintly souls to her own profit. She sowed carnal things that she might reap spiritual things; [2947] she gave earthly things that she might receive heavenly things; she forewent things temporal that she might in their stead …
2,587 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.