Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 9
Hilary of Poitiers & John of Damascus
SECTION 41
XXV. "If any man says that the Son was born against the will of the Father: let him be anathema. For the Father was not forced against His o
XXV. "If any man says that the Son was born against the will of the Father: let him be anathema. For the Father was not forced against His own will, or induced against His will by any necessity of nature, to beget His Son; but as soon as He willed, before time and without passion He begat Him of Himself and shewed Him forth." 5…
2,373 wordsSECTION 4269. Therefore amid the numerous dangers which threaten the faith, brevity of words must be employed sparingly, lest what is piously meant be
69. Therefore amid the numerous dangers which threaten the faith, brevity of words must be employed sparingly, lest what is piously meant be thought to be impiously expressed, and a word be judged guilty of occasioning heresy when it has been used in conscientious and unsuspecting innocence. A Catholic about to state that the su…
2,381 wordsSECTION 4379. These are deceivers, I both fear and believe they are deceivers, beloved brethren; for they have ever deceived. This very document is ma
79. These are deceivers, I both fear and believe they are deceivers, beloved brethren; for they have ever deceived. This very document is marked by hypocrisy. They excuse themselves for having desired silence as to homoousion and homoiousion on the ground that they taught that the meaning of the words was identical. Rustic bisho…
2,436 wordsSECTION 4486. Some misunderstand homoousion; does that prevent me from understanding it? The Samosatene was wrong in using the word homoousion; does t
86. Some misunderstand homoousion; does that prevent me from understanding it? The Samosatene was wrong in using the word homoousion; does that make the Arians right in denying it? Eighty bishops once rejected it; but three hundred and eighteen recently accepted it. And for my own part I think the number sacred, for with such a …
2,244 wordsSECTION 45Introduction to the De Trinitate.
[482] Gen. i. 26. [483] Ib. xviii. 1. [484] Ib. xxxii. 26. [485] Ib. xix. 24. [486] Ps. cx. 1. [487] John x. 37. [488] Is. xliv. 6. [489] Eleusius is criticised by Socrates II. 40, for disliking any attempt at a repudiation of the "Dedication" creed of 341, although the "Dedication" creed was little better than a repudiat…
2,462 wordsSECTION 46Book VII. The Arians are adepts at concealing their meaning; at the use of Scripture terms in unscriptural senses (§ 1). They have already b
Book VII. The Arians are adepts at concealing their meaning; at the use of Scripture terms in unscriptural senses (§ 1). They have already been refuted by the proof that Christ is the true and coeternal Son; and Hilary now advances to the proof of the true Divinity of Christ, which is logically inseparable from His true Sonship …
2,199 wordsSECTION 47Book X. Theological differences are not the result of honest reasoning, but of reasoning distorted, as in the case of the Arians, by preconc
Book X. Theological differences are not the result of honest reasoning, but of reasoning distorted, as in the case of the Arians, by preconceived opinions, whose cause is sin and their result hypocrisy (§§ 1-3). Hilary has fallen on the evil times foretold by the Apostle; truth is banished and so is he, yet his sufferings do not…
2,354 wordsSECTION 48Book I.
On the Trinity. ------------------------ Book I. 1. When I was seeking an employment adequate to the powers of human life and righteous in itself, whether prompted by nature or suggested by the researches of the wise, whereby I might attain to some result worthy of that Divine gift of understanding which has been given us, ma…
2,340 wordsSECTION 4910. Yet my soul was weighed down with fear both for itself and for the body. It retained a firm conviction, and a devout loyalty to the true
10. Yet my soul was weighed down with fear both for itself and for the body. It retained a firm conviction, and a devout loyalty to the true faith concerning God, but had come to harbour a deep anxiety concerning itself and the bodily dwelling which must, it thought, share its destruction. While in this state, in addition to its…
2,256 wordsSECTION 5017. My soul has been burning to answer these insane attacks. I call to mind that the very centre of a saving faith is the belief not merely
17. My soul has been burning to answer these insane attacks. I call to mind that the very centre of a saving faith is the belief not merely in God, but in God as a Father; not merely in Christ, but in Christ as the Son of God; in Him, not as a creature, but as God the Creator, born of God. My prime object is by the clear asserti…
2,405 wordsSECTION 5129. In matters essential to salvation it is not enough to advance the proofs which faith supplies and finds sufficient. Arguments which we h
29. In matters essential to salvation it is not enough to advance the proofs which faith supplies and finds sufficient. Arguments which we have not tested may delude us into a misapprehension of the meaning of our own words, unless we take the offensive by exposing the hollowness of the enemy's proofs, and so establish our own f…
2,236 wordsSECTION 5235. Ignorance of prophetic diction and unskilfulness in interpreting Scripture has led them into a perversion of the point and meaning of th
35. Ignorance of prophetic diction and unskilfulness in interpreting Scripture has led them into a perversion of the point and meaning of the passage, The Lord created Me for a beginning of His ways for His works [553] . They labour to establish from it that Christ is created, rather than born, as God, and hence partakes the nat…
1,168 wordsSECTION 53Book II.
Book II. 1. Believers have always found their satisfaction in that Divine utterance, which our ears heard recited from the Gospel at the moment when that Power, which is its attestation, was bestowed upon us:--Go now and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching…
2,245 wordsSECTION 548. We have now exchanged the perils of a harbourless coast for the storms of the open sea. We can neither safely advance nor safely retreat,
8. We have now exchanged the perils of a harbourless coast for the storms of the open sea. We can neither safely advance nor safely retreat, yet the way that lies before us has greater hardships than that which lies behind. The Father is what He is, and as He is manifested, so we must believe. The mind shrinks in dread from trea…
2,323 wordsSECTION 5517. We are still waiting, Fisherman, for your full description of the Word. He was in the beginning, it may be said, but perhaps He was not
17. We are still waiting, Fisherman, for your full description of the Word. He was in the beginning, it may be said, but perhaps He was not before the beginning. To this also I will furnish a reply on my Fisherman's behalf. The Word could not be other than He was; that was is unconditional and unlimited. But what says the Fisher…
2,295 wordsSECTION 5627. And now let us consider the glory which accompanies the birth, the wailing and the cradle. The Angel tells Joseph that the Virgin shall
27. And now let us consider the glory which accompanies the birth, the wailing and the cradle. The Angel tells Joseph that the Virgin shall bear a Son, and that Son shall be named Emmanuel, that is, God with us. The Spirit foretells it through the prophet, the Angel bears witness; He that is born is God with us. The light of a n…
2,278 wordsSECTION 57[556] St. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20.
[556] St. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. [557] Reading non antea. [558] Cf. St. Matt. xi. 27. [559] Reading a se, instead of alter. [560] This is merely a verbal paradox, to illustrate the inadequacy of language to treat of God. God is ex hypothesi author of all things, and contains all things in Himself. But the negative term immort…
773 wordsSECTION 58Book III.
Book III. 1. The words of the Lord, I in the Father, and the Father in Me [635] , confuse many minds, and not unnaturally, for the powers of human reason cannot provide them with any intelligible meaning. It seems impossible that one object should be both within and without another, or that (since it is laid down that the Being…
2,665 wordsSECTION 5911. And next? The centurion of the cohort, the guardian of the cross, cries out, Truly this was the Son of God [645] . Creation is set free
11. And next? The centurion of the cohort, the guardian of the cross, cries out, Truly this was the Son of God [645] . Creation is set free by the mediation of this Sin-offering; the very rocks lose their solidity and strength. They who had nailed Him to the cross confess that truly this is the Son of God. The outcome justifies …
2,404 wordsSECTION 6019. You ask what was the manner in which, as the Spirit teaches, the Son was born? I will put a question to you as to things corporal. I ask
19. You ask what was the manner in which, as the Spirit teaches, the Son was born? I will put a question to you as to things corporal. I ask not in what manner He was born of a virgin; I ask only whether her flesh, in the course of bringing His flesh to readiness for birth, suffered any loss. Assuredly she did not conceive Him i…
2,263 wordsSECTION 6125. Hence the Apostle, familiar with the narrow assumption of human thought that what it does not know is not truth, says that he does not s
25. Hence the Apostle, familiar with the narrow assumption of human thought that what it does not know is not truth, says that he does not speak in the language of knowledge, lest his preaching should be in vain. To save himself from being regarded as a preacher of foolishness he adds that the word of the cross is foolishness to…
892 wordsSECTION 62Book IV.
Book IV. 1. The earlier books of this treatise, written some time ago, contain, I think, an invincible proof that we hold and profess the faith in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which is taught by the Evangelists and Apostles, and that no commerce is possible between us and the heretics, inasmuch as they deny unconditionally, ir…
2,333 wordsSECTION 639. Who can fail to observe that these statements are full of fraud and fallacy? Cleverly as issues have been confused and texts combined, ma
9. Who can fail to observe that these statements are full of fraud and fallacy? Cleverly as issues have been confused and texts combined, malice and folly is the character indelibly imprinted upon this laborious effort of cunning and clumsiness. For instance, among their points of faith they have included this, that they confess…
2,640 wordsSECTION 6417. When the world was complete and its inhabitant was to be created, the words spoken concerning him were, Let Us make man after Our image
17. When the world was complete and its inhabitant was to be created, the words spoken concerning him were, Let Us make man after Our image and likeness [696] . I ask you, Do you suppose that God spoke those words to Himself? Is it not obvious that He was addressing not Himself, but Another? If you reply that He was alone, then …
2,268 wordsSECTION 6525. In another instance the Scripture reveals through Abraham that it was God Who spoke. He receives the further promise of a son, Isaac. Af
25. In another instance the Scripture reveals through Abraham that it was God Who spoke. He receives the further promise of a son, Isaac. Afterwards there appear to him three men. Abraham, though he sees three, worships One, and acknowledges Him as Lord. Three were standing before him, Scripture says, but he knew well Which it w…
2,253 wordsSECTION 6633. Continue your study of the witness borne by Moses; mark how diligently he seizes every opportunity of proclaiming the Lord and God. You
33. Continue your study of the witness borne by Moses; mark how diligently he seizes every opportunity of proclaiming the Lord and God. You take note of the passage, Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is One [720] . Note also the words of that Divine song of his; See, See, that I am the Lord, and there is no God beside Me [721] . …
2,279 wordsSECTION 6740. Thus God is in God, and it is God in Whom God dwells. But how is There is no God beside Thee true, if God be within Him? Heretic! In sup
40. Thus God is in God, and it is God in Whom God dwells. But how is There is no God beside Thee true, if God be within Him? Heretic! In support of your confession of a solitary Father you employ the words, There is no God beside Me; what sense can you assign to the solemn declaration of God the Father, There is no God beside Th…
1,721 wordsSECTION 68Book V.
Book V. 1. Our reply, in the previous books, to the mad and blasphemous doctrines of the heretics has led us with open eyes into the difficulty that our readers incur an equal danger whether we refute our opponents, or whether we forbear. For while unbelief with boisterous irreverence was thrusting upon us the unity of God, a u…
2,426 wordsSECTION 699. But now let us continue our reading of this Scripture, to shew how the consistency of truth is unaffected by these dishonest objections.
9. But now let us continue our reading of this Scripture, to shew how the consistency of truth is unaffected by these dishonest objections. The next words are, And God made man; after the image of God made He him. The image is in common; God made man after the image of God. I would ask him who denies that God's Son is true God, …
2,370 wordsSECTION 7018. But godless unbelief finds it very hard to apprehend the true faith. Their capacity for devotion has never been expanded by belief, and
18. But godless unbelief finds it very hard to apprehend the true faith. Their capacity for devotion has never been expanded by belief, and is too narrow to receive a full presentment of the truth. Hence the unbelieving soul cannot grasp the great work done by God in being born as Man to accomplish the salvation of mankind; in t…
2,219 wordsSECTION 7125. And now the time has come for us to put a stop to that cunning artifice of heresy, by which they pervert the devout and godly teachings
25. And now the time has come for us to put a stop to that cunning artifice of heresy, by which they pervert the devout and godly teachings of the Law into a support for their own godless delusion. They preface their denial of the Son of God with the words, Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is One; and then, because their blasphe…
2,218 wordsSECTION 7232. If heresy, in its folly and wickedness, shall attempt to entice the simple-minded and uninstructed away from the true belief that these
32. If heresy, in its folly and wickedness, shall attempt to entice the simple-minded and uninstructed away from the true belief that these words were spoken in reference to God the Son, by feigning that they are an utterance of God the Father concerning Himself, it shall hear sentence passed upon the lie by the Apostle and Teac…
2,391 wordsSECTION 73Book VI.
39. Jeremiah also, a prophet equally inspired, has taught that God the Only-begotten is of a nature one with that of God the Father. His words are:--This is our God, and there shall be none other likened unto Him, Who hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob His servant, and to Israel His beloved. Af…
2,319 wordsSECTION 749. For instance, these heretics would have it that the Son of God is not from God; that God was not born from God out of, and in, the nature
9. For instance, these heretics would have it that the Son of God is not from God; that God was not born from God out of, and in, the nature of God. To this end, when they have solemnly borne witness to "One God, alone true," they refrain from adding "The Father." And then, in order to escape from confessing one true Godhead of …
2,300 wordsSECTION 7514. And then again, after an interval designed to prepare us for what is coming, their heresy delivers this assault;--"While the Son, put fo
14. And then again, after an interval designed to prepare us for what is coming, their heresy delivers this assault;--"While the Son, put forth outside time, and created and established before the worlds, did not exist before He was born." This "He did not exist before He was born" is a form of words by which the heresy flatters…
2,366 wordsSECTION 7621. These are the men who have taught me the doctrines which I hold, and so deeply am I impregnated with their teaching that no antidote can
21. These are the men who have taught me the doctrines which I hold, and so deeply am I impregnated with their teaching that no antidote can release me from their influence. Forgive me, O God Almighty, my powerlessness to change, my willingness to die in this belief. These propagators of blasphemy, for so they seem to me, are a …
2,213 wordsSECTION 7727. The Son speaks thus:--For the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works which I do, bear witness of Me that the Fat
27. The Son speaks thus:--For the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works which I do, bear witness of Me that the Father hath sent Me ; and the Father Himself which hath sent Me hath borne witness of Me [800] . God the Only-begotten proves His Sonship by an appeal not only to the name, but to the power; th…
2,299 wordsSECTION 7832. In the order of our defence, as I have arranged it in my mind, this has seemed the most convenient place for proving that, thirdly [809]
32. In the order of our defence, as I have arranged it in my mind, this has seemed the most convenient place for proving that, thirdly [809] , the Apostles believed our Lord Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, not merely in name but in nature, not by adoption but by birth. It is true that there remain unmentioned many and most we…
2,420 wordsSECTION 7938. Do you think, wretched heretic of today, that Peter would have been the more blessed now, if he had said, Thou art Christ, God's perfect
38. Do you think, wretched heretic of today, that Peter would have been the more blessed now, if he had said, Thou art Christ, God's perfect creature, His handiwork, though excelling all His other works. Thy beginning was from nothing, and through the goodness of God, Who alone is good, the name of Son has been given Thee by ado…
2,219 wordsSECTION 8045. But now let us learn what is this faith concerning the Son of God, which the Apostle holds. For though there is no single discourse, amo
45. But now let us learn what is this faith concerning the Son of God, which the Apostle holds. For though there is no single discourse, among the many which he delivered concerning the Church's doctrine, in which he mentions the Father without also making confession of the Son, yet, in order to display the truth of the relation…
2,225 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.