Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 7
Cyril of Jerusalem & Gregory Nazianzen
SECTION 121
31. I was on a voyage from Alexandria to Greece over the Parthenian Sea. The voyage was quite unseasonable, undertaken in an Æginetan vessel
31. I was on a voyage from Alexandria to Greece over the Parthenian Sea. The voyage was quite unseasonable, undertaken in an Æginetan vessel, under the impulse of eager desire; for what specially induced me was that I had fallen in with a crew who were well known to me. After making some way on the voyage, a terrible storm came …
2,500 wordsSECTION 12237. From the same zeal proceeded his opposition to the heretics, when, with the aid of the Emperor's impiety, they made their expedition, in
37. From the same zeal proceeded his opposition to the heretics, when, with the aid of the Emperor's impiety, they made their expedition, in the hope of overpowering us also, and adding us to the number of the others whom they had, in almost all cases, succeeded in enslaving. For in this he afforded us no slight assistance, both…
2,201 wordsSECTION 123[3226] A document. Benoît (I. p. 179) gives reasons for believing that this was the creed of the council of Antioch, a.d. 363--which accepte
[3226] A document. Benoît (I. p. 179) gives reasons for believing that this was the creed of the council of Antioch, a.d. 363--which accepted the Creed of Nicæa, but explained it in terms capable of a semiarian construction. The "over zealous part" were the monks. [3227] Partner. S. Gregory had a considerable share in the expla…
2,373 wordsSECTION 1249. The duties of his office he discharged in the same spirit as that in which he had been preferred to it. For he did not at once, after tak
9. The duties of his office he discharged in the same spirit as that in which he had been preferred to it. For he did not at once, after taking possession of his throne, like men who have unexpectedly seized upon some sovereignty or inheritance, grow insolent from intoxication. This is the conduct of illegitimate and intrusive p…
2,281 wordsSECTION 12518. Such was the lot of Job: such at first sight his history. In reality it was a contest between virtue and envy: [3325] the one straining
18. Such was the lot of Job: such at first sight his history. In reality it was a contest between virtue and envy: [3325] the one straining every nerve to overcome the good, the other enduring everything, that it might abide unsubdued; the one striving to smooth the way for vice, by means of the chastisement of the upright, the …
2,361 wordsSECTION 12627. But when from this hurricane of unrighteousness, this corrupter of godliness, this precursor of the wicked one, such satisfaction had be
27. But when from this hurricane of unrighteousness, this corrupter of godliness, this precursor of the wicked one, such satisfaction had been exacted, in a way I cannot praise, for we must consider not what he ought to have suffered, but what we ought [3360] to do: exacted however it was, as the result of the public anger and e…
2,235 wordsSECTION 12735. This, however, is less admirable than his conduct. What wonder that he, who had already made actual ventures on behalf of the truth, sho
35. This, however, is less admirable than his conduct. What wonder that he, who had already made actual ventures on behalf of the truth, should confess it in writing? Yet this point I will add to what has been said, as it seems to me especially wonderful and cannot with impunity be passed over in a time so fertile in disagreemen…
2,146 wordsSECTION 128Introduction to the "Theological" Orations.
Introduction to the "Theological" Orations. "It has been said with truth," says the writer of the Article on Gregory of Nazianzus in the Dictionary of Christian Biography, "that these discourses would lose their chief charm in a translation....Critics have rivalled each other in the praises they have heaped upon them, but no pr…
2,468 wordsSECTION 129In the Fifth he deals with the doctrine of the Holy Ghost. The heresy of Arius was at first directly concerned only with the Person of our L
In the Fifth he deals with the doctrine of the Holy Ghost. The heresy of Arius was at first directly concerned only with the Person of our Lord, though not without a side-glance at that also of the Holy Ghost. The Council of Nicæa had confined itself to the first question, and its Creed ended with, "We believe in the Holy Ghost.…
2,390 wordsSECTION 130And you must not be astonished if I speak a language which is strange to you and contrary to your custom, who profess to know everything and
And you must not be astonished if I speak a language which is strange to you and contrary to your custom, who profess to know everything and to teach everything in a too impetuous and generous manner...not to pain you by saying ignorant and rash. III. Not to every one, my friends, does it belong to philosophize about God; not t…
2,550 wordsSECTION 131[3382] Jer. l. 31.
[3382] Jer. l. 31. [3383] 2 Tim. iv. 3. [3384] Ib. ii. 16. [3385] Rom. ix. 28. [3386] S. Paul is called a disciple of the fishermen, as having been in some sense their follower (though in fact he was never a literal disciple of any of them); and their teacher as having taught such Successors of the Apostles as SS. Timothy an…
2,204 wordsSECTION 132VI. Now our very eyes and the Law of Nature teach us that God exists and that He is the Efficient and Maintaining Cause of all things: our e
VI. Now our very eyes and the Law of Nature teach us that God exists and that He is the Efficient and Maintaining Cause of all things: our eyes, because they fall on visible objects, and see them in beautiful stability and progress, immovably moving and revolving if I may so say; natural Law, because through these visible things…
2,410 wordsSECTION 133XIII. This will be made clear to you as follows:--Are not Spirit, and Fire, and Light, Love, and Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Mind and Rea
XIII. This will be made clear to you as follows:--Are not Spirit, and Fire, and Light, Love, and Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Mind and Reason, and the like, the names of the First Nature? What then? Can you conceive of Spirit apart from motion and diffusion; or of Fire without its fuel and its upward motion, and its proper col…
2,398 wordsSECTION 134XXI. The truth then, and the whole Word is full of difficulty and obscurity; and as it were with a small instrument we are undertaking a gre
XXI. The truth then, and the whole Word is full of difficulty and obscurity; and as it were with a small instrument we are undertaking a great work, when with merely human wisdom we pursue the knowledge of the Self-existent, and in company with, or not apart from, the senses, by which we are borne hither and thither, and led int…
2,265 wordsSECTION 135XXVII. And with respect to the Sea even if I did not marvel at its greatness, yet I should have marvelled at its gentleness, in that althoug
XXVII. And with respect to the Sea even if I did not marvel at its greatness, yet I should have marvelled at its gentleness, in that although loose it stands within its boundaries; and if not at its gentleness, yet surely at its greatness; but since I marvel at both, I will praise the Power that is in both. What collected it? Wh…
2,206 wordsSECTION 136[3416] Jerem. iv. 3.
[3416] Jerem. iv. 3. [3417] Matt. xiii. 7. [3418] Isa. xxviii. 25. [3419] Exod. xxiv. 1. [3420] Ib. xix. 14. [3421] Ib. xix. 16-18. [3422] Jer. xiii. 23. [3423] 1 Pet. v. 8. [3424] Matt. vii. 6. [3425] Arabian: So the LXX. renders the word which in A.V. Jer. v. 6, is translated "of the evening," and in the Vulg. "at eve…
2,364 wordsSECTION 137V. Who then is that Father Who had no beginning? One Whose very Existence had no beginning; for one whose existence had a beginning must als
V. Who then is that Father Who had no beginning? One Whose very Existence had no beginning; for one whose existence had a beginning must also have begun to be a Father. He did not then become a Father after He began to be, for His being had no beginning. And He is Father in the absolute sense, for He is not also Son; just as the…
2,303 wordsSECTION 138XI. They do not however assert this, for these qualities are common also to other beings. But God's Essence is that which belongs to God alo
XI. They do not however assert this, for these qualities are common also to other beings. But God's Essence is that which belongs to God alone, and is proper to Him. But they, who consider matter and form to be unbegotten, would not allow that to be unbegotten is the property of God alone (for we must cast away even further the …
2,440 wordsSECTION 139But in opposition to all these, do you reckon up for me the expressions which make for your ignorant arrogance, such as "My God and your God
But in opposition to all these, do you reckon up for me the expressions which make for your ignorant arrogance, such as "My God and your God," [3535] or greater, or created, or made, or sanctified; [3536] Add, if you like, Servant [3537] and Obedient [3538] and Gave [3539] and Learnt, [3540] and was commanded, [3541] was sent, […
2,285 wordsSECTION 140[3556] cf. S. Leo, Serm. xxi., De Nativ. Dei, c. ii. "Remaining what He was, and putting on what He was not, He united the true form of a se
[3556] cf. S. Leo, Serm. xxi., De Nativ. Dei, c. ii. "Remaining what He was, and putting on what He was not, He united the true form of a servant to that form in which He was equal to God the Father, and combined both natures in a union so close that the lower was not consumed by receiving glory, nor the higher lessened by assum…
2,392 wordsSECTION 141VI. The same consideration applies to another passage, "He learnt obedience by the things which He suffered," [3620] and to His "strong cryi
VI. The same consideration applies to another passage, "He learnt obedience by the things which He suffered," [3620] and to His "strong crying and tears," and His "Entreaties," and His "being heard," and His" Reverence," all of which He wonderfully wrought out, like a drama whose plot was devised on our behalf. For in His charac…
2,536 wordsSECTION 142XIII. The eighth passage is, That they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent; [3660] and There is none good
XIII. The eighth passage is, That they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent; [3660] and There is none good save one, that is, God. [3661] The solution of this appears to me very easy. For if you attribute this only to the Father, where will you place the Very Truth? For if you conceive in this m…
2,716 wordsSECTION 143XXI. These names however are still common to Him Who is above us, and to Him Who came for our sake. But others are peculiarly our own, and b
XXI. These names however are still common to Him Who is above us, and to Him Who came for our sake. But others are peculiarly our own, and belong to that nature which He assumed. So He is called Man, not only that through His Body He may be apprehended by embodied creatures, whereas otherwise this would be impossible because of …
2,258 wordsSECTION 144IV. If ever there was a time when the Father was not, then there was a time when the Son was not. If ever there was a time when the Son was
IV. If ever there was a time when the Father was not, then there was a time when the Son was not. If ever there was a time when the Son was not, then there was a time when the Spirit was not. If the One was from the beginning, then the Three were so too. If you throw down the One, I am bold to assert that you do not set up the o…
2,343 wordsSECTION 145XII. But, he says, who in ancient or modern times ever worshipped the Spirit? Who ever prayed to Him? Where is it written that we ought to w
XII. But, he says, who in ancient or modern times ever worshipped the Spirit? Who ever prayed to Him? Where is it written that we ought to worship Him, or to pray to Him, and whence have you derived this tenet of yours? We will give the more perfect reason hereafter, when we discuss the question of the unwritten; for the present…
2,308 wordsSECTION 146XX. I will look also at this further point, which is not without its bearing on the subject. One and One added together make Two; and Two re
XX. I will look also at this further point, which is not without its bearing on the subject. One and One added together make Two; and Two resolved again becomes One and One, as is perfectly evident. If, however, elements which are added together must, as your theory requires, be consubstantial, and those which are separate be he…
2,365 wordsSECTION 147XXVIII. This, then, is my position with regard to these things, and I hope it may be always my position, and that of whosoever is dear to me
XXVIII. This, then, is my position with regard to these things, and I hope it may be always my position, and that of whosoever is dear to me; to worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, Three Persons, One Godhead, undivided in honour and glory and substance and kingdom, as one of our own inspired philosophers…
2,223 wordsSECTION 148[3710] Isa. viii. 19.
[3710] Isa. viii. 19. [3711] i.e. the Phoenix. Hdt., ii. 37. [3712] John iv. 24. [3713] Rom. viii. 26. [3714] 1 Cor. xiv. 15. [3715] John i. 2. [3716] "Similarly it is clear concerning the Angels, that they have a being incapable of change, so far as pertains to their nature, with a capacity of change as to choice, and of …
2,384 wordsSECTION 149VII. Why do you not also mention the convenience of the site, and what I may call the contest between land and sea as to which owns the City
VII. Why do you not also mention the convenience of the site, and what I may call the contest between land and sea as to which owns the City, and which adorns our Royal City with all their good things? This then is our crime, that while you are great and splendid, we are small and come from a small place? Many others do you this…
2,432 wordsSECTION 150XVI. These I call by name (for they are not nameless like the stars which are numbered and have names), [3778] and they follow me, for I rea
XVI. These I call by name (for they are not nameless like the stars which are numbered and have names), [3778] and they follow me, for I rear them up beside the waters of rest; and they follow every such shepherd, whose voice they love to hear, as you see; but a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they…
2,337 wordsSECTION 151III. Such was Joseph your Superintendent of corn measures, whom I may call ours also; who by his surpassing wisdom was able both to foresee
III. Such was Joseph your Superintendent of corn measures, whom I may call ours also; who by his surpassing wisdom was able both to foresee the famine and to cure it by decrees of government, healing the ill-favoured and starving kine by means of the fair and fat. [3793] And indeed you may understand by Joseph which you will, ei…
2,318 wordsSECTION 152XIII. To sum up my discourse:--Glorify Him with the Cherubim, who unite the Three Holies into One Lord, [3803] and so far indicate the Prima
XIII. To sum up my discourse:--Glorify Him with the Cherubim, who unite the Three Holies into One Lord, [3803] and so far indicate the Primal Substance as their wings open to the diligent. With David be enlightened, who said to the Light, In Thy Light shall we see Light, [3804] that is, in the Spirit we shall see the Son; and wh…
2,329 wordsSECTION 153VII. How then dost thou demand Chastity, while thou dost not thyself observe it? How dost thou demand that which thou dost not give? How, th
VII. How then dost thou demand Chastity, while thou dost not thyself observe it? How dost thou demand that which thou dost not give? How, though thou art equally a body, dost thou legislate unequally? If thou enquire into the worse--The Woman Sinned, and so did Adam. [3819] The serpent deceived them both; and one was not found t…
2,269 wordsSECTION 154XV. I fear lest some monstrous reasoning may come in, as of the soul having lived elsewhere, and then having been bound to this body, and th
XV. I fear lest some monstrous reasoning may come in, as of the soul having lived elsewhere, and then having been bound to this body, and that it is from that other life that some receive the gift of prophecy, and others are condemned, namely, those who lived badly. But since such a conception is too absurd, and contrary to the …
2,298 wordsSECTION 155The Oration is thus analysed by Abbe Benoît:
The Oration is thus analysed by Abbe Benoît: "After an exordium which is full of the enthusiasm and joy which such a subject naturally inspires the Orator recommends his hearers to celebrate the Festival by a pious gladness, and by hearing the Word of God; and not as the heathen celebrated their feasts, by profane amusements an…
2,340 wordsSECTION 156X. Thus, then, and for these reasons, He gave being to the world of thought, as far as I can reason upon these matters, and estimate great t
X. Thus, then, and for these reasons, He gave being to the world of thought, as far as I can reason upon these matters, and estimate great things in my own poor language. Then when His first creation was in good order, He conceives a second world, material and visible; and this a system and compound of earth and sky, and all tha…
2,300 wordsSECTION 157XVI. A little later on you will see Jesus submitting to be purified in the River Jordan for my Purification, or rather, sanctifying the wate
XVI. A little later on you will see Jesus submitting to be purified in the River Jordan for my Purification, or rather, sanctifying the waters by His Purification (for indeed He had no need of purification Who taketh away the sin of the world) and the heavens cleft asunder, and witness borne to him by the Spirit That is of one n…
2,311 wordsSECTION 158[3884] Matt. iii. 13, 17.
[3884] Matt. iii. 13, 17. [3885] Ib. iv. 1-11. [3886] Ib. iv. 23. [3887] Nicetas distinguishes between Nosos and Malakia, saying that the first is actual disease, and the second the premonitory failing of health which prognosticates a disease. And, so he says, in reference to the soul, Nosos is actual sin, while Malakia is th…
2,351 wordsSECTION 159IX. Wherefore we must purify ourselves first, and then approach this converse with the Pure; unless we would have the same experience as Isr
IX. Wherefore we must purify ourselves first, and then approach this converse with the Pure; unless we would have the same experience as Israel, [3938] who could not endure the glory of the face of Moses, and therefore asked for a veil; [3939] or else would feel and say with Manoah "We are undone O wife, we have seen God," [3940…
2,542 wordsSECTION 160XVI. But further--Jesus goeth up out of the water...for with Himself He carries up the world...and sees the heaven opened which Adam had shu
XVI. But further--Jesus goeth up out of the water...for with Himself He carries up the world...and sees the heaven opened which Adam had shut against himself and all his posterity, [3980] as the gates of Paradise by the flaming sword. And the Spirit bears witness to His Godhead, for he descends upon One that is like Him, as does…
2,201 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.