Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 9
Hilary of Poitiers & John of Damascus
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A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF2-09. Hilary of Poitiers, John of Damascus Creator(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Print Basis: Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1898 Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Classic; Proofed; Early Church LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature. Fathers of the Church, etc. A SELECT LIBR…
1,632 wordsSECTION 2Introduction.
Introduction. ------------------------ Chapter I.--The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts w…
2,503 wordsSECTION 3It was, then, as a man of mature age, of literary skill and philosophical training, that Hilary approached Christianity. He had been drawn t
It was, then, as a man of mature age, of literary skill and philosophical training, that Hilary approached Christianity. He had been drawn towards the Faith by desire for a truth which he had not found in philosophy; and his conviction that this truth was Christianity was established by independent study of Scripture, not by int…
2,680 wordsSECTION 4About the year 350 Hilary was consecrated Bishop of Poitiers. So we may infer from his own words [35] that he had been a good while regenera
About the year 350 Hilary was consecrated Bishop of Poitiers. So we may infer from his own words [35] that he had been a good while regenerate, and for some little time a bishop, on the eve of his exile in 356 a.d. Whether, like Ambrose, he was raised directly from lay life to the Episcopate cannot be known. It is at least possi…
2,387 wordsSECTION 5The time had now come for Hilary, holding these views of Arianism and of the Faith, to take an active part in the conflict. We have seen tha
The time had now come for Hilary, holding these views of Arianism and of the Faith, to take an active part in the conflict. We have seen that he was not at Milan; he was therefore not personally compromised, but the honour of the Church compelled him to move. He exerted himself to induce the bishops of Gaul to withdraw from comm…
2,693 wordsSECTION 6With these affinities, with an adequate knowledge of the Greek language and a strong sympathy, as well as a great familiarity, with Greek mo
With these affinities, with an adequate knowledge of the Greek language and a strong sympathy, as well as a great familiarity, with Greek modes of thought, Hilary found himself in the summer of the year 356 an exile in Asia Minor. It was exile in the most favourable circumstances. He was still bishop of Poitiers, recognised as s…
2,596 wordsSECTION 7But the times were not ripe for an understanding between East and West, and the Asiatics in whom Hilary had put his trust were not, and did
But the times were not ripe for an understanding between East and West, and the Asiatics in whom Hilary had put his trust were not, and did not deserve to be, the restorers of the Church. Their victory had been complete, but the Emperor was inconstant and their adversaries were men of talent, who had once guided his counsels and…
2,443 wordsSECTION 8In this address, to which we cannot wonder that Constantius made no response, there is much that is remarkable. There is no doubt that Hilar
In this address, to which we cannot wonder that Constantius made no response, there is much that is remarkable. There is no doubt that Hilary's exile had been a political measure, and that the Emperor, in this as in the numerous other cases of the same kind, had acted deliberately and with full knowledge of the circumstances in …
1,547 wordsSECTION 9The book begins with an animated summons to resistance:--The time for speech is come, the time of silence past. Let us look for Christ's com
The book begins with an animated summons to resistance:--The time for speech is come, the time of silence past. Let us look for Christ's coming, for Antichrist is already in power. Let the shepherds cry aloud, for the hirelings are fled. Let us lay down our lives for the sheep, for the thieves have entered in and the ravening li…
2,397 wordsSECTION 10The historical statements of the Invective, as has been said, cannot always be verified. The account of the Synod of Seleucia is, however, u
The historical statements of the Invective, as has been said, cannot always be verified. The account of the Synod of Seleucia is, however, unjust to Constantius. It was the free expression of the belief of Asia, and if heretics were present by command of the Emperor, an overwhelming majority, more or less orthodox, were present …
2,444 wordsSECTION 11In the beginning of the fourth book Hilary refers back to the proof furnished in the previous books, written some time ago, of the Scriptura
In the beginning of the fourth book Hilary refers back to the proof furnished in the previous books, written some time ago, of the Scriptural character of his faith and of the unscriptural nature of all the heresies. Setting aside the first book, which does not correspond to this description, we find what he describes in the sec…
2,927 wordsSECTION 12The same attention which Hilary demands from his readers has obviously been bestowed upon the work by himself. It is the selected and compre
The same attention which Hilary demands from his readers has obviously been bestowed upon the work by himself. It is the selected and compressed result not only of his general study of theology, but of his familiarity with the literature and the many phases of the great Arian controversy [94] . And he makes it clear that he is e…
2,673 wordsSECTION 13These events happened before Julian left the country, in the middle of the summer of 361, on his march against Constantius; or at least, if
These events happened before Julian left the country, in the middle of the summer of 361, on his march against Constantius; or at least, if the actual proceedings were subsequent to his departure, they must have quickly followed it, for his sanction was necessary, and when that was obtained there was no motive for delay. And now…
2,403 wordsSECTION 14A comparison of the two writers shews the closeness of their relation, and if we had Origen's complete Homilies, and not mere excerpts, the
A comparison of the two writers shews the closeness of their relation, and if we had Origen's complete Homilies, and not mere excerpts, the debt of Hilary would certainly be still more manifest. For the compilers of Catenæ have naturally selected what was best in Origen, and most suited for short extracts; his eccentricities hav…
2,291 wordsSECTION 15Hilary's own opinion concerning the use of hymns can best be learnt from his Homilies of Psalms 64 and 65. In the former (§ 12) the Church's
Hilary's own opinion concerning the use of hymns can best be learnt from his Homilies of Psalms 64 and 65. In the former (§ 12) the Church's delightful exercise of singing hymns at morning and evening is one of the chief tokens which she has of God's mercy towards her. In the latter (§ 1) we are told that sacred song requires th…
2,207 wordsSECTION 16But Hilary, silenced in the city, exerted himself at court. With urgent importunity, he tells us, he pressed his charges against Auxentius,
But Hilary, silenced in the city, exerted himself at court. With urgent importunity, he tells us, he pressed his charges against Auxentius, and induced the Emperor to appoint a commission to consider them. In due time this commission met. It consisted of two lay officials, with some ten' bishops as assessors [140] . Hilary and E…
2,583 wordsSECTION 17These are the concluding words of Hilary's last public utterance. We see him again giving an unreserved adhesion, in word as well as in hear
These are the concluding words of Hilary's last public utterance. We see him again giving an unreserved adhesion, in word as well as in heart, to the Nicene confession. It was the course dictated by policy as well as by conviction. His cautious language in earlier days had done good service to the Church in the East, and had mad…
2,421 wordsSECTION 18We have now reached the end of Hilary's life. Sulpicius Severus [145] tells us that he died in the sixth year from his return. He had probab
We have now reached the end of Hilary's life. Sulpicius Severus [145] tells us that he died in the sixth year from his return. He had probably reached Poitiers early in the year 361; we have seen that the latest event recorded in the fragments of his history must have come to his knowledge early in 367. There is no reason to dou…
2,208 wordsSECTION 19[79] E.g. x. 54 in.
[79] E.g. x. 54 in. [80] viii. 1, x. 4. [81] This heresy is not even mentioned in xii. 6, where the opening was obvious. [82] Dr. Gwatkin, Studies of Arianism, p. 226. [83] Cf. Gore's Dissertations, p. 134. [84] St. Luke xxii. 32, where edeethen is translated as a passive. Christ is entreated for Peter. There seems to be no…
2,420 wordsSECTION 20Chapter II.--The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
[145] Chron. ii. 45. Chapter II.--The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers. This Chapter offers no more than a tentative and imperfect outline of the theology of St. Hilary; it is an essay, not a monograph. Little attempt will be made to estimate the value of his opinions from the point of view of modern thought; little will be …
2,304 wordsSECTION 21Though Hilary was not its inventor, and was forced by the large part played by Old Testament exegesis in the Arian controversy to employ it,
Though Hilary was not its inventor, and was forced by the large part played by Old Testament exegesis in the Arian controversy to employ it, whether he would or not [168] , yet it is certain that his hearty, though not indiscriminate [169] , acceptance of the method led to its general adoption in the West. Tertullian and Cyprian…
3,016 wordsSECTION 22But, notwithstanding this unity, there is a true numerical duality of Person. Sabellius, we must remember, had held for two generations the
But, notwithstanding this unity, there is a true numerical duality of Person. Sabellius, we must remember, had held for two generations the pre-eminence among heretics. To the Greek-speaking world outside Egypt the error which he and Paul of Samosata had taught, that God is one Person, was still the most dangerous of falsehoods;…
2,243 wordsSECTION 23But the incarnate Christ is as truly man as He is truly God. We have seen that He is created in the body'; and Hilary constantly insists tha
But the incarnate Christ is as truly man as He is truly God. We have seen that He is created in the body'; and Hilary constantly insists that His humanity is neither fictitious nor different in kind from ours [216] . We must therefore consider what is the constitution of man. He is, so Hilary teaches, a physically composite bein…
2,297 wordsSECTION 24Thus in Him God is united with man; these two natures form the elements' or parts' of one Person [248] . The Godhead is superposed upon the
Thus in Him God is united with man; these two natures form the elements' or parts' of one Person [248] . The Godhead is superposed upon the manhood; or, as Hilary prefers to say, the manhood is assumed by Christ [249] . And these two natures are not confused [250] , but simultaneously coexist in Him as the Son of Man [251] . The…
2,344 wordsSECTION 25It is obvious that Hilary's theory offers a perfect defence against the two dangers of the day, Arianism and Apollinarianism. The tables are
It is obvious that Hilary's theory offers a perfect defence against the two dangers of the day, Arianism and Apollinarianism. The tables are turned upon the former by emphatic insistence upon the power manifested in the humiliation and suffering of Christ. That He, being what He was, should be able to place Himself in such circu…
2,318 wordsSECTION 26It was on behalf of mankind that this great sacrifice was made by the Son. While it separated Him from the Father, it united Him to men. We
It was on behalf of mankind that this great sacrifice was made by the Son. While it separated Him from the Father, it united Him to men. We must now consider what was the spiritual constitution of the humanity which He assumed, as we have already considered the physical Man, as we saw (p. lxix.) is constituted of body and soul, …
1,990 wordsSECTION 27But before we approach the practical theology of Hilary something must be said of his teaching concerning the Third Person of the Trinity. T
But before we approach the practical theology of Hilary something must be said of his teaching concerning the Third Person of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is little developed in his writings. The cause was, in part, his sympathy with Eastern thought. The West, in this as in some other respects, was in advance of …
2,356 wordsSECTION 28Against these, the expressions of Hilary's usual opinion, must be set others in which he anticipates the language of St. Augustine in the Pe
Against these, the expressions of Hilary's usual opinion, must be set others in which he anticipates the language of St. Augustine in the Pelagian controversy. But certain deductions must be made, before we can rightly judge the weight of his testimony on the side of original sin. Passages where he is merely amplifying the words…
2,569 wordsSECTION 29The Christian life is thus a life of hope and of high possibilities. But Hilary frankly and often recognises the serious short-comings of th
The Christian life is thus a life of hope and of high possibilities. But Hilary frankly and often recognises the serious short-comings of the average believers of his day [408] . Sometimes, in his zeal for their improvement and in the wish to encourage his flock, he even seems to condone their faults, venturing to ascribe to God…
2,245 wordsSECTION 30There still remains to be considered Hilary's account of the future state. The human soul, being created after the image of God, is imperish
There still remains to be considered Hilary's account of the future state. The human soul, being created after the image of God, is imperishable; resurrection is as inevitable as death [436] . And the resurrection will be in the body, for good and bad alike. The body of the good will be glorified, like that of Christ; its substa…
2,232 wordsSECTION 31[146] Those which have been in constant use in the preparation of this chapter have been an excellent article by Th. Förster in the Theologi
[146] Those which have been in constant use in the preparation of this chapter have been an excellent article by Th. Förster in the Theologische Studien und Kritiken for 1888, p. 645 ff., and two full and valuable papers by Dr. Baltzer on the Theologie and Christologie of Hilary in the Programm of the Rottweil Gymnasium for 1879…
2,209 wordsSECTION 32[242] Trin. ix. 38 in., and especially ib. 39. The unity of glory departed through His obedience in the Dispensation.
[242] Trin. ix. 38 in., and especially ib. 39. The unity of glory departed through His obedience in the Dispensation. [243] Trin. xi. 48; cf. the end of this section and xii. 6. [244] Cf. Baltzer, Christologie, p. 10 f., Schwane, p. 272 f. Other explanations which have been suggested are quite inadmissible. Dorner, p. 407, tak…
2,203 wordsSECTION 33[353] Ib. cxix. 19 (12).
[353] Ib. cxix. 19 (12). [354] Ib. lxviii. 9. [355] E.g. ib. cxviii., Aleph, 8, lii. 12. Natura infirmitatis is a favourite phrase. [356] E.g. ib. lii. 9, cxviii., Gimel, 12, Vau, 6. [357] Ib. cxviii. Daleth, 8; cf. He, 16. [358] Ib. lii. 12. [359] Ib. lxviii. 22, based on St. Matt. x. 15. [360] Ib. lii. 11, 12. [361] E.…
1,432 wordsSECTION 34Introduction to the Treatise De Synodis.
Introduction to the Treatise De Synodis. ------------------------ Hilary had taken no part in the Synod held at Ancyra in the spring of a.d. 358, but he had been made acquainted with its decisions and even with the anathemas which the legates of that Synod concealed at Sirmium. He saw that these decisions marked an approach. T…
2,443 wordsSECTION 353. You awaited the noble triumph of a holy and steadfast perseverance without yielding to the threats, the powers and the assaults of Saturn
3. You awaited the noble triumph of a holy and steadfast perseverance without yielding to the threats, the powers and the assaults of Saturninus: and when all the waves of awakening blasphemy struggled against God, you who still remain with me faithful in Christ did not give way when threatened with the onset of heresy, and now …
2,267 wordsSECTION 36I. "If any one hearing that the Son is the image of the invisible God, says that the image of God is the same as the invisible God, as thoug
I. "If any one hearing that the Son is the image of the invisible God, says that the image of God is the same as the invisible God, as though refusing to confess that He is truly Son: let him be anathema." 13. Hereby is excluded the assertion of those who wish to represent the relationship of Father and Son as a matter of names…
2,234 wordsSECTION 37VIII. "And if any one understanding that the Son is like in essence to Him whose Son He is admitted to be, says that the Son is the same as
VIII. "And if any one understanding that the Son is like in essence to Him whose Son He is admitted to be, says that the Son is the same as the Father, or part of the Father, or that it is through an emanation or any such passion as is necessary for the procreation of corporeal children that the incorporeal Son draws His life fr…
2,374 wordsSECTION 38"And in the Holy Ghost, who was given to them that believe, to comfort, sanctify and perfect, even as our Lord Jesus Christ ordained His dis
"And in the Holy Ghost, who was given to them that believe, to comfort, sanctify and perfect, even as our Lord Jesus Christ ordained His disciples, saying, Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [473] , manifestly, that is, of a Father who is truly Father, an…
2,223 wordsSECTION 39"And in His only Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the Father before all ages, God of God, Light of Light, through whom all things
"And in His only Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the Father before all ages, God of God, Light of Light, through whom all things were made in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible. Who is the Word and Wisdom and Might and Life and true Light: who in the last days for our sake took a body, And was born of the holy…
2,251 wordsSECTION 40VIII. "If any man says that the Son is the internal or uttered Word of God: let him be anathema."
VIII. "If any man says that the Son is the internal or uttered Word of God: let him be anathema." 46. Heretics, destroying as far as in them lies the Son of God, confess Him to be only the word, going forth as an utterance from the speaker's lips and the unembodied sound of an impersonal voice: so that God the Father has as Son…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.