Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 7
Cyril of Jerusalem & Gregory Nazianzen
SECTION 161
[3949] Jer. iv. 3.
[3949] Jer. iv. 3. [3950] Prov. xi. 18. [3951] 2 Cor. ii. 6. [3952] The sense of Person (here prosopon), which is the usual post-Nicene equivalent of hupostasis, was by no means generally attached to that word during the first Four Centuries, though here and there there are traces of such a use. Throughout the Arian controver…
2,351 wordsSECTION 162IV. And as Christ the Giver of it is called by many various names, so too is this Gift, whether it is from the exceeding gladness of its nat
IV. And as Christ the Giver of it is called by many various names, so too is this Gift, whether it is from the exceeding gladness of its nature (as those who are very fond of a thing take pleasure in using its name), or that the great variety of its benefits has reacted for us upon its names. We call it, the Gift, the Grace, Bap…
2,594 wordsSECTION 163XII. Why wait for a fever to bring you this blessing, and refuse it from God? Why will you have it through lapse of time, and not through re
XII. Why wait for a fever to bring you this blessing, and refuse it from God? Why will you have it through lapse of time, and not through reason? Why will you owe it to a plotting friend, and not to a saving desire? Why will you receive it of force and not of free will; of necessity rather than of liberty? Why must you hear of y…
2,615 wordsSECTION 164XX. But some will say, What shall I gain, if, when I am preoccupied by baptism, and have cut off myself by my haste from the pleasures of li
XX. But some will say, What shall I gain, if, when I am preoccupied by baptism, and have cut off myself by my haste from the pleasures of life, when it was in my power to give the reins to pleasure, and then to obtain grace? For the labourers in the vineyard who had worked the longest time gained nothing thereby, for equal wages…
2,331 wordsSECTION 165XXVI. Let nothing hinder you from going on, nor draw you away from your readiness. While your desire is still vehement, seize upon that whic
XXVI. Let nothing hinder you from going on, nor draw you away from your readiness. While your desire is still vehement, seize upon that which you desire. While the iron is hot, let it be tempered by the cold water, lest anything should happen in the interval, and put an end to your desire. I am Philip; do you be Candace's Eunuch…
2,323 wordsSECTION 166XXXII. Let the laver be not for your body only, but also for the image of God in you; not merely a washing away of sins in you, but also a c
XXXII. Let the laver be not for your body only, but also for the image of God in you; not merely a washing away of sins in you, but also a correction of your temper; let it not only wash away the old filth, but let it purify the fountainhead. Let it not only move you to honourable acquisition, but let it teach you also honourabl…
2,420 wordsSECTION 167XXXIX. And in addition to what has been said, it is good with our head cleansed, as the head which is the workshop of the senses is cleansed
XXXIX. And in addition to what has been said, it is good with our head cleansed, as the head which is the workshop of the senses is cleansed, to hold fast the Head of Christ, [4168] from which the whole body is fitly joined together and compacted; and to cast down our sin that exalted itself, when it would exalt us above our bet…
2,533 wordsSECTION 168XLVI. But one thing more I preach unto you. The Station in which you shall presently stand after your Baptism before the Great Sanctuary [42
XLVI. But one thing more I preach unto you. The Station in which you shall presently stand after your Baptism before the Great Sanctuary [4203] is a foretype of the future glory. The Psalmody with which you will be received is a prelude to the Psalmody of Heaven; the lamps which you will kindle are a Sacrament of the illuminatio…
2,200 wordsSECTION 169[4157] Ib. li. 8.
[4157] Ib. li. 8. [4158] Ib. lvii. 4; lii. 2. [4159] Ib. x. 7. [4160] 1 Cor. ii. 7. [4161] Acts ii. 3. [4162] Isa. iii. 34. [4163] Cant. i. 3. [4164] John xx. 28. [4165] Quia gula est parens immunditiæ et luxuriæ. [4166] Ps. xxxiv. 8. [4167] Ps. cxix. 103. [4168] Ephes. iv. 16. [4169] 1 Tim. ii. 8. [4170] Ps. ii. 12…
2,474 wordsSECTION 170V. We are keeping the feast of Pentecost and of the Coming of the Spirit, and the appointed time of the Promise, and the fulfilment of our h
V. We are keeping the feast of Pentecost and of the Coming of the Spirit, and the appointed time of the Promise, and the fulfilment of our hope. And how great, how august, is the Mystery. The dispensations of the Body of Christ are ended; or rather, what belongs to His Bodily Advent (for I hesitate to say the Dispensation of His…
2,531 wordsSECTION 171XIII. This was proclaimed by the Prophets in such passages as the following:--The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; [4253] and, There shall res
XIII. This was proclaimed by the Prophets in such passages as the following:--The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; [4253] and, There shall rest upon Him Seven Spirits; and The Spirit of the Lord descended and led them; [4254] and The spirit of Knowledge filling Bezaleel, [4255] the Master-builder of the Tabernacle; and, The Spirit…
2,465 wordsSECTION 172[4217] Ps. lxxix. 12.
[4217] Ps. lxxix. 12. [4218] Prov. ix. i. [4219] Zech. iii. 9. [4220] Ps. cxix. 164. [4221] 1 Sam. ii. 5. [4222] Peninnah who had "many" children is called Imperfect in her children, because Many is an indefinite word; where Hannah's one child Samuel was so perfect a man that he was as it were seven to his mother. For Seven…
2,505 wordsSECTION 1734. To return to my original startingpoint. This was my field, when it was small and poor, unworthy not only of God, Who has been, and is cul
4. To return to my original startingpoint. This was my field, when it was small and poor, unworthy not only of God, Who has been, and is cultivating the whole world with the fair seeds and doctrines of piety, but, apparently, even of any poor and needy man of slender means. Nay it did not deserve to be called a field, requiring …
2,349 wordsSECTION 17413. Would you have me say something still more venturesome? Do you see the tongues of the enemy made gentle, and those who made war upon the
13. Would you have me say something still more venturesome? Do you see the tongues of the enemy made gentle, and those who made war upon the Godhead against me tranquillised? This also is the result of our Spirit, of our husbandry. For we are not undisciplined in our exercise of discipline, nor do we hurl insults, as many do, wh…
2,414 wordsSECTION 17521. What more need be said? But how can I bear this holy war? For there has been said to be a holy, as well as a Persian, war. [4376] How sh
21. What more need be said? But how can I bear this holy war? For there has been said to be a holy, as well as a Persian, war. [4376] How shall I unite and join together the hostile occupants of sees, and hostile pastors, and the people broken up along with, and opposed to them, as if by some chasms caused by earthquakes between…
2,201 wordsSECTION 176[4308] Hos. ix. 10 (LXX.).
[4308] Hos. ix. 10 (LXX.). [4309] Isai. lxv. 8. [4310] Ib. xxx. 17. [4311] 1 Sam. ii. 6 sqq. [4312] Amos v. 8. [4313] 1 Kings xviii. 42. [4314] S. James v. 16, 17. [4315] Ps. cxlvii. 6. [4316] Exod. iii. 7. [4317] Ps. cxxxvi. 12. [4318] Ib. lxxvii. 20. [4319] Gen. xxxvii. 28. [4320] Exod. xii. 37. [4321] Gen. xlix. …
2,282 wordsSECTION 1776. But since their strife must needs be lawful, and the law of martyrdom alike forbids us voluntarily to go to meet it (in consideration for
6. But since their strife must needs be lawful, and the law of martyrdom alike forbids us voluntarily to go to meet it (in consideration for the persecutors, and for the weak) or to shrink from it if it comes upon us; for the former shows foolhardiness, the latter cowardice; in this respect they paid due honour to the Lawgiver; …
2,539 wordsSECTION 17814. Thence to Byzantium, the imperial city of the East, for it was distinguished by the eminence of its rhetorical and philosophic teachers,
14. Thence to Byzantium, the imperial city of the East, for it was distinguished by the eminence of its rhetorical and philosophic teachers, whose most valuable lessons he soon assimilated by the quickness and force of his powers: thence he was sent by God, and by his generous craving for culture, to Athens the home of letters. …
2,218 wordsSECTION 17921. Two ways were known to us, the first of greater value, the second of smaller consequence: the one leading to our sacred buildings and th
21. Two ways were known to us, the first of greater value, the second of smaller consequence: the one leading to our sacred buildings and the teachers there, the other to secular instructors. All others we left to those who would pursue them--to feasts, theatres, meetings, banquets. For nothing is in my opinion of value, save th…
2,205 wordsSECTION 18028. There arose a disagreement between him and his predecessor [4442] in the rule over this Church: its source and character it is best to p
28. There arose a disagreement between him and his predecessor [4442] in the rule over this Church: its source and character it is best to pass over in silence, yet it arose. He was a man in other respects far from ignoble, and admirable for his piety, as was proved by the persecution of that time, and the opposition to him, yet…
2,269 wordsSECTION 18136. Such was our young furnisher of corn, and second Joseph: though of him we can say somewhat more. For the one made a gain from the famine
36. Such was our young furnisher of corn, and second Joseph: though of him we can say somewhat more. For the one made a gain from the famine, and bought up Egypt [4469] in his philanthropy, by managing the time of plenty with a view to the time of famine, turning to account the dreams of others for that purpose. But the other's …
2,366 wordsSECTION 18246. Furious indeed were his first acts of wantonness, more furious still his final efforts against us. What shall I speak of first? Exiles,
46. Furious indeed were his first acts of wantonness, more furious still his final efforts against us. What shall I speak of first? Exiles, banishments, confiscations, open and secret plots, persuasion, where time allowed, violence, where persuasion was impossible. Those who clung to the orthodox faith, as we did, were extruded …
2,309 wordsSECTION 18356. The assessor of a judge was attempting to force into a distasteful marriage a lady of high birth whose husband was but recently dead. At
56. The assessor of a judge was attempting to force into a distasteful marriage a lady of high birth whose husband was but recently dead. At a loss to escape from this high-handed treatment, she resorted to a device no less prudent than daring. She fled to the holy table, and placed herself under the protection of God against ou…
2,519 wordsSECTION 18463. What more? A noble thing is philanthropy, and the support of the poor, and the assistance of human weakness. Go forth a little way from
63. What more? A noble thing is philanthropy, and the support of the poor, and the assistance of human weakness. Go forth a little way from the city, and behold the new city, [4512] the storehouse of piety, the common treasury of the wealthy, in which the superfluities of their wealth, aye, and even their necessaries, are stored…
2,424 wordsSECTION 18569. That he, no less than any other, acknowledged that the Spirit is God, is plain from his often having publicly preached this truth, whene
69. That he, no less than any other, acknowledged that the Spirit is God, is plain from his often having publicly preached this truth, whenever opportunity offered, and eagerly confessed it when questioned in private. But he made it more clear in his conversations with me, from whom he concealed nothing during our conferences up…
2,264 wordsSECTION 18677. So great was his virtue, and the eminence of his fame, that many of his minor characteristics, nay, even his physical defects, have been
77. So great was his virtue, and the eminence of his fame, that many of his minor characteristics, nay, even his physical defects, have been assumed by others with a view to notoriety. For instance his paleness, his beard, his gait, his thoughtful, and generally meditative, hesitation in speaking, which, in the ill-judged, incon…
2,241 wordsSECTION 187[4453] Jer. i. 18.
[4453] Jer. i. 18. [4454] Ib. xxiii. 29. [4455] Ps. cxviii. 12. [4456] Legislation. Cf. § 30. [4457] Prayers. The liturgy of S. Basil together with that of S. Chrysostom are still the authorized liturgies of the Eastern Church. [4458] Prov. xix. 17. [4459] Ib. xi. 26. [4460] Exod. xvi. 15. [4461] Ps. lxxviii. 24. [4462]…
2,451 wordsSECTION 188V. But since this movement of Self-contemplation alone could not satisfy Goodness, but Good must be poured out and go forth beyond Itself, t
V. But since this movement of Self-contemplation alone could not satisfy Goodness, but Good must be poured out and go forth beyond Itself, to multiply the objects of Its beneficence (for this was essential to the highest Goodness), He first conceived the Angelic and Heavenly Powers. And this conception was a work fulfilled by Hi…
2,204 wordsSECTION 189XII. But we, standing midway between those whose minds are utterly dense on the one side, and on the other those who are very contemplative
XII. But we, standing midway between those whose minds are utterly dense on the one side, and on the other those who are very contemplative and exalted, that we may neither remain quite idle and immovable, nor yet be more busy than we ought, and fall short of and be estranged from our purpose--for the former course is Jewish and…
2,225 wordsSECTION 190XVIII. And let the loins of the unreasoning animals be unbound and loose, for they have not the gift of reason which can overcome pleasure (
XVIII. And let the loins of the unreasoning animals be unbound and loose, for they have not the gift of reason which can overcome pleasure (it is not needful to say that even they know the limit of natural movement). But let that part of your being which is the seat of passion, and which neighs, [4623] as Holy Scripture calls it…
2,368 wordsSECTION 191XXV. And if He ascend up into Heaven, [4676] ascend with Him. Be one of those angels who escort Him, or one of those who receive Him. Bid th
XXV. And if He ascend up into Heaven, [4676] ascend with Him. Be one of those angels who escort Him, or one of those who receive Him. Bid the gates be lifted up, [4677] or be made higher, that they may receive Him, exalted after His Passion. Answer to those who are in doubt because He bears up with Him His body and the tokens of…
2,241 wordsSECTION 192[4606] Christ is "a blessed crown of goodness" according to the saying of David, Thou shalt bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness (P
[4606] Christ is "a blessed crown of goodness" according to the saying of David, Thou shalt bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness (Ps. lxv. 11). The idea of a year is taken from the Sun; that of the crown from the year (for the year is a circle guarded with four seasons), and from the circle again equality. Therefore the…
989 wordsSECTION 193Letters on the Apollinarian Controversy.
Letters on the Apollinarian Controversy. ------------------------ Introduction. The circumstances which called forth the two letters to Cledonius have already been described in the first section of the General Prolegomena, and it will not be necessary here to add much to what was there said. In the letter to Nectarius, his ow…
2,450 wordsSECTION 194If any should say that it wrought in Him by grace as in a Prophet, but was not and is not united with Him in Essence--let him be empty of th
If any should say that it wrought in Him by grace as in a Prophet, but was not and is not united with Him in Essence--let him be empty of the Higher Energy, or rather full of the opposite. If any worship not the Crucified, let him be Anathema and be numbered among the Deicides. If any assert that He was made perfect by works, or…
2,297 wordsSECTION 195But there is a matter which is graver than these, a special point which it is necessary that I should not pass over. I would they were even
But there is a matter which is graver than these, a special point which it is necessary that I should not pass over. I would they were even cut off that trouble you, [4718] and would reintroduce a second Judaism, and a second circumcision, and a second system of sacrifices. For if this be done, what hinders Christ also being bor…
2,364 wordsSECTION 196[4723] Vitalius or Vitalis was one of the principal followers of Apollinarius, and by him was consecrated schismatical Bishop of Antioch, wh
[4723] Vitalius or Vitalis was one of the principal followers of Apollinarius, and by him was consecrated schismatical Bishop of Antioch, where, while yet orthodox, he had been ordained a priest by Meletius. But he quarrelled with his Bishop through jealousy of another priest, and then fell under the influence of Apollinarius. H…
2,261 wordsSECTION 197Ep. VIII.
[4733] Job xxix. 2. [4734] 1 Cor. iii. 6. [4735] Num. xvii. 8, 10. Ep. VIII. (Written to S. Basil shortly after his Ordination as Priest, probably toward the end of a.d. 362.) I approve the beginning of your letter; but what is there of yours that I do not approve? And you are convicted of having written just like me; [4736…
2,242 wordsSECTION 198I believe that there are others among you worthy of the Primacy, both because of the greatness of your city, and because it has been governe
I believe that there are others among you worthy of the Primacy, both because of the greatness of your city, and because it has been governed in times past so excellently and by such great men; but there is one man among you to whom I cannot prefer any, our son well beloved of God, Basil the Priest (I speak before God as my witn…
2,635 wordsSECTION 199Ep. XLIX. To Basil. (The Praises of Quiet.)
Ep. XLIX. To Basil. (The Praises of Quiet.) You accuse me of laziness and idleness, because I did not accept your Sasima, and because I have not bestirred myself like a Bishop, and do not arm you against each other like a bone thrown into the midst of dogs. My greatest business always is to keep free from business. And to give …
2,220 wordsSECTION 200Division III.
Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. §1. Letters to His Brother Cæsarius. Ep. VII. (On the death of the Emperor Constantius the undisputed succession devolved on his cousin Julian the Apostate, who at once began to employ all the power of the Empire to discourage, while not absolutely persecuting, Christianity, and to restor…
1,242 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.