Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 9
Hilary of Poitiers & John of Damascus
SECTION 81
52. If this witness of the voyagers seem inconclusive to you because they were Apostles,--though to me it comes with the greater weight for
52. If this witness of the voyagers seem inconclusive to you because they were Apostles,--though to me it comes with the greater weight for the same reason, though it surprises me the less,--accept at any rate a corroboration given by the Gentiles. Hear how the soldier of the Roman cohort, one of the stern guard around the Cross…
717 wordsSECTION 82Book VII.
Book VII. 1. This is the seventh book of our treatise against the wild extravagance of modern heresy. In order of place it must follow its predecessors; in order of importance, as an exposition of the mysteries of the right faith, it precedes and excels them all. I am well aware how hard and steep is the path of evangelical ins…
2,574 wordsSECTION 837. Again, how glorious a victory for our faith is that in which Ebion--in other words, Photinus--both wins the day and loses it! He castigat
7. Again, how glorious a victory for our faith is that in which Ebion--in other words, Photinus--both wins the day and loses it! He castigates Sabellius for denying that the Son of God is Man, and in his turn has to submit to the reproaches of Arian fanatics for failing to see that this Man is the Son of God. Against Sabellius h…
2,244 wordsSECTION 8413. Thus the name which expresses His nature proves the truth of our confession of the faith. For the name, which indicates any single subst
13. Thus the name which expresses His nature proves the truth of our confession of the faith. For the name, which indicates any single substance, points out also any other substance of the same kind; and, in this instance, there are not two substances but one substance, of the one kind. For the Son of God is God; this is the tru…
2,814 wordsSECTION 8520. And next, lest it should seem that to give life to whom He will is not within the power of One Who has been truly born, but is only the
20. And next, lest it should seem that to give life to whom He will is not within the power of One Who has been truly born, but is only the prerogative of ingenerate Omnipotence, He hastens to add, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath given all judgment to the Son. The statement that all judgment is given teaches both His bir…
2,254 wordsSECTION 8624. The mystery contained in those words, I and the Father are One, moves you to wrath. The Jew answered, Thou, being a man makest Thyself G
24. The mystery contained in those words, I and the Father are One, moves you to wrath. The Jew answered, Thou, being a man makest Thyself God; your blasphemy is a match for his:--Thou, being a creature, makest Thyself God.' You say, in effect, Thou art not a Son by birth, Thou art not God in truth; Thou art a creature, excellin…
2,458 wordsSECTION 8729. Another analogy which casts some light upon the meaning of the faith is that of fire as containing fire in itself and as abiding in fire
29. Another analogy which casts some light upon the meaning of the faith is that of fire as containing fire in itself and as abiding in fire. Fire contains the brightness of light, the heat which is its essential nature, the property of destroying by combustion the flickering inconstancy of flame. Yet all the while it is fire, a…
2,339 wordsSECTION 8836. And therefore the Lord answered Philip thus;--Have I been so long time with you, and ye have not known Me, Philip? He rebukes the Apostl
36. And therefore the Lord answered Philip thus;--Have I been so long time with you, and ye have not known Me, Philip? He rebukes the Apostle for defective knowledge of Himself; for previously He had said that when He was known the Father was known also. But what is the meaning of this complaint that for so long they had not kno…
2,545 wordsSECTION 89Book VIII.
[845] The Epistola Arii ad Alexandrum; see Books iv. 12, vi. 5. [846] Cf. Lucan. IX. 696 ff. [847] Marcellus of Ancyra. [848] Arius. [849] Photinus of Sirmium. [850] 1 Cor. i. 27. [851] St. John xiv. 9. [852] Cf. Phil. ii. 6. [853] St. John x. 30. [854] Ib. xiv. 28. [855] St. John i. 1. [856] Exod. vii. 1. [857] Psal…
2,519 wordsSECTION 906. He clearly knows not wisdom who knows not God. And since Christ is Wisdom he must needs be beyond the pale of wisdom who knows not Christ
6. He clearly knows not wisdom who knows not God. And since Christ is Wisdom he must needs be beyond the pale of wisdom who knows not Christ or hates Him [894] . As, for instance, they do who will have it that the Lord of Glory, and King of the Universe, and Only-begotten God is a creature of God and not His Son, and in addition…
2,224 wordsSECTION 9115. Now how it is that we are in Him through the sacrament of the flesh and blood bestowed upon us, He Himself testifies, saying, And the wo
15. Now how it is that we are in Him through the sacrament of the flesh and blood bestowed upon us, He Himself testifies, saying, And the world will no longer see Me, but ye shall see Me; because I live ye shall live also; because I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you [905] . If He wished to indicate a mere unity of will…
2,217 wordsSECTION 9223. For I am aware that the Son of God is revealed under the title Spirit of God in order that we may understand the presence of the Father
23. For I am aware that the Son of God is revealed under the title Spirit of God in order that we may understand the presence of the Father in Him, and that the term Spirit of God may be employed to indicate Either, and that this is shewn not only on the authority of prophets but of evangelists also, when it is said, The Spirit …
2,240 wordsSECTION 9331. Now the blessed Apostle Paul in revealing the secret of these heavenly mysteries, most difficult to human comprehension, has preserved a
31. Now the blessed Apostle Paul in revealing the secret of these heavenly mysteries, most difficult to human comprehension, has preserved a clear enunciation and a carefully worded caution in order to shew that these diverse gifts are given through the Spirit and in the Spirit (for to be given through the Spirit and in the Spir…
2,501 wordsSECTION 9439. For whereas he has specially ascribed to God that all things are from Him, and he has assigned as a peculiar property to Christ, that al
39. For whereas he has specially ascribed to God that all things are from Him, and he has assigned as a peculiar property to Christ, that all things are through Him, and it is now the glory of God that from Him and through Him and in Him are all things; and whereas the Spirit of God is the same as the Spirit of Christ, or wherea…
2,353 wordsSECTION 9548. But there is no danger that the one faith will cease to be such through diversity in its preaching. The Evangelist had taught that our L
48. But there is no danger that the one faith will cease to be such through diversity in its preaching. The Evangelist had taught that our Lord said, He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father also [947] . But has Paul, the teacher of the Gentiles, forgotten or kept back the meaning of the Lord's words, when he says, Who is the …
2,341 wordsSECTION 96Book IX.
56. And if you would know what it is to dwell in bodily fashion,' understand what it is to speak in one that speaks, to be seen in one who is seen, to work in one who works, to be God in God, whole of whole, one of one; and thus learn what is meant by the fulness of God in bodily shape. Remember, too, that the Apostle does not k…
2,244 wordsSECTION 975. The Only-begotten God, therefore, when He was born man of the Virgin, and in the fulness of time was about in His own person to raise hum
5. The Only-begotten God, therefore, when He was born man of the Virgin, and in the fulness of time was about in His own person to raise humanity to divinity, always maintained this form of the Gospel teaching. He taught, namely, to believe Him the Son of God, and exhorted to preach Him the Son of Man; man saying and doing all t…
2,444 wordsSECTION 9813. It is this preaching of the double aspect of Christ's Person which the blessed Apostle emphasises. He points out in Christ His human inf
13. It is this preaching of the double aspect of Christ's Person which the blessed Apostle emphasises. He points out in Christ His human infirmity, and His divine power and nature. Thus to the Corinthians he writes, For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth through the power of God [982] , attributing His death…
2,349 wordsSECTION 9921. They are not, therefore, acquitted of blame for not recognising the testimony; for the works of Christ are the Father's testimony concer
21. They are not, therefore, acquitted of blame for not recognising the testimony; for the works of Christ are the Father's testimony concerning Him. Nor can they plead ignorance of the testimony on the ground that they had not heard the voice of the Testifier, nor seen His form, nor had His word abiding in them. For immediately…
2,327 wordsSECTION 10027. What room is any longer left for doubt? The Lord Himself proclaiming that the chief commandment of the law is to confess and love the on
27. What room is any longer left for doubt? The Lord Himself proclaiming that the chief commandment of the law is to confess and love the one Lord, proves Himself to be Lord not by words of His own, but by the Prophet's testimony, always signifying, however, that He is Lord, because He is the Son of God. By virtue of His birth H…
2,262 wordsSECTION 10135. Come, heretic, what will your fatuous doctrine instruct us to believe of Christ; Christ, Who dispenses eternal life, Who is glorified of
35. Come, heretic, what will your fatuous doctrine instruct us to believe of Christ; Christ, Who dispenses eternal life, Who is glorified of, and glorifies, the Father, Who overcame the world, Who, deserted, is not alone, but has the Father with Him, Who came out from God, and came from the Father? He is born with such divine po…
2,668 wordsSECTION 10242. The words of the Apostle's faith are a barrier against your reckless and frenzied profanity, which forbids you to turn the freedom of sp
42. The words of the Apostle's faith are a barrier against your reckless and frenzied profanity, which forbids you to turn the freedom of speculation into licence, and wander into error. Every tongue, he says, shall confess that Jesus is Lord in the glory of God the Father [1027] . The Father has glorified Him in Himself, theref…
2,415 wordsSECTION 10349. Connect with this that saying, which you lay hold of to support the imputation of infirmity, All that the Father giveth Me shall come un
49. Connect with this that saying, which you lay hold of to support the imputation of infirmity, All that the Father giveth Me shall come unto Me, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out; for I am come down from heaven not to do Mine own will, but the will of the Father that sent Me [1041] . But, perhaps you say, th…
2,416 wordsSECTION 10455. After the explanation that love is the source of this joy, because love rejoices that Jesus is to be confessed in the glory of God the F
55. After the explanation that love is the source of this joy, because love rejoices that Jesus is to be confessed in the glory of God the Father, He next expresses His claim to receive back that glory, in the words, For the prince of this world cometh, and he hath nothing in Me [1056] . The prince of this world hath nothing in …
2,449 wordsSECTION 10563. Whenever God says that He does not know, He professes ignorance indeed, but is not under the defect of ignorance. It is not because of t
63. Whenever God says that He does not know, He professes ignorance indeed, but is not under the defect of ignorance. It is not because of the infirmity of ignorance that He does not know, but because it is not yet the time to speak, or the divine Plan to act. Thus He says to Abraham, The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is full, and t…
2,403 wordsSECTION 10671. But perhaps it may be held to confirm the Son in His confession of ignorance that He says the Father alone knows. But unless He had plai
71. But perhaps it may be held to confirm the Son in His confession of ignorance that He says the Father alone knows. But unless He had plainly said that the Father alone knows, it would have been a matter of the greatest danger for our understanding, since we might have thought that He Himself did not know. For, since His ignor…
2,208 wordsSECTION 107[993] St. John xiv. 1.
[993] St. John xiv. 1. [994] i.e. such as Sabellius had taught by extending the unity of nature into a unity of person. There is a unity of nature in the Godhead, but a union of Persons. [995] St. John v. 36-38. [996] St. Matt. xvii. 5, the occasion of the Transfiguration. But the context shews that Hilary is referring to the…
1,087 wordsSECTION 108Book X.
Book X. 1. It is manifest that there is nothing which men have ever said which is not liable to opposition. Where the will dissents the mind also dissents: under the bias of opposing judgment it joins battle, and denies the assertions to which it objects. Though every word we say be incontrovertible if gauged by the standard of…
2,235 wordsSECTION 10910. Now first of all, before we shew from these very texts, that He was subject to no infirmity of fear or sorrow on His own account, let us
10. Now first of all, before we shew from these very texts, that He was subject to no infirmity of fear or sorrow on His own account, let us ask, "What can we find for Him to fear, that the dread of an unendurable pain should have seized Him?" The objects of His fear, which they allege, are, I suppose, suffering and death. Now I…
2,300 wordsSECTION 11022. But as He by His own act assumed a body from the Virgin, so He assumed from Himself a soul; though even in ordinary human birth the soul
22. But as He by His own act assumed a body from the Virgin, so He assumed from Himself a soul; though even in ordinary human birth the soul is never derived from the parents. If, then, the Virgin received from God alone the flesh which she conceived, far more certain is it that the soul of that body can have come from God alone…
2,405 wordsSECTION 11129. But, perhaps, in their misguided and impious perversity, they infer His weakness from the fact that His soul was sorrowful unto death [1
29. But, perhaps, in their misguided and impious perversity, they infer His weakness from the fact that His soul was sorrowful unto death [1135] . It is not yet the time to blame you, heretic, for misunderstanding the passage. For the present I will only ask you, Why do you forget that when Judas went forth to betray Him, He sai…
2,282 wordsSECTION 11239. The Lord was sorrowful then unto death because in presence of the death, the earthquake, the darkened day, the rent veil, the opened gra
39. The Lord was sorrowful then unto death because in presence of the death, the earthquake, the darkened day, the rent veil, the opened graves, and the resurrection of the dead, the faith of the disciples would need to be established which had been so shaken by the terror of the night arrest, the scourging, the striking, the sp…
2,430 wordsSECTION 113For the reasons mentioned, He was esteemed stricken, smitten and afflicted.' He took the form of a servant: and man born of a Virgin' convey
For the reasons mentioned, He was esteemed stricken, smitten and afflicted.' He took the form of a servant: and man born of a Virgin' conveys to us the idea of One Whose nature felt pain when He suffered. But though He was wounded it was for our transgressions.' The wound was not the wound of His own transgressions: the sufferin…
2,335 wordsSECTION 11455. Again, how great a mystery of word and act it is that Christ wept, that His eyes filled with tears from the anguish of His mind [1191] .
55. Again, how great a mystery of word and act it is that Christ wept, that His eyes filled with tears from the anguish of His mind [1191] . Whence came this defect in His soul that sorrow should wring tears from His body? What bitter fate, what unendurable pain, could move to a flood of tears the Son of Man Who descended from h…
2,396 wordsSECTION 11565. The Apostle knew nothing else, and he determined to know nothing else: we men of feebler wit, and feebler faith, split up, divide and do
65. The Apostle knew nothing else, and he determined to know nothing else: we men of feebler wit, and feebler faith, split up, divide and double Jesus Christ, constituting ourselves judges of the unknown, and blaspheming the hidden mystery. For us Christ crucified is one, Christ the wisdom of God another: Christ Who was buried d…
2,492 wordsSECTION 116[1095] 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.
[1095] 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4. [1096] 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2. [1097] i.e. the Arians, who maintained that Jesus was created (creatura) and not God. [1098] Reading "exsulantibus" with the Benedictine Edition (Paris, 1693); Migne (Paris, 1844), "exultantibus." [1099] i.e. The generation of the second Person from the first Person of the Trin…
1,778 wordsSECTION 117Book XI.
Book XI. 1. The Apostle in his letter to the Ephesians, reviewing in its manifold aspects the full and perfect mystery of the Gospel, mingles with other instructions in the knowledge of God the following: As ye also were called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, and through…
2,792 wordsSECTION 11810. You credit with the weight of irresistible authority, heretic, that saying of the Lord, I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My Go
10. You credit with the weight of irresistible authority, heretic, that saying of the Lord, I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God [1233] . The same Father, you say, is His Father and ours, the same God His God and ours. He partakes, therefore, of our weakness, for in the possession of the same Father we …
2,352 wordsSECTION 11918. Time and the lapse of ages make no difference to a Spirit [1251] . Christ is one and the same Christ, whether in the body, or abiding by
18. Time and the lapse of ages make no difference to a Spirit [1251] . Christ is one and the same Christ, whether in the body, or abiding by the Spirit in the prophets. Speaking through the mouth of the holy Patriarch David, He says, Thy God, O God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows [1252] , which ref…
2,347 wordsSECTION 12027. Before going any further we must now enquire whether the end is a dissolution, or the delivering a forfeiture, or the subjection an enfe
27. Before going any further we must now enquire whether the end is a dissolution, or the delivering a forfeiture, or the subjection an enfeebling of Christ. And if we find that these are contraries, which cannot be connected as causes and effects, we shall be able to understand the words in the true sense in which they were spo…
2,368 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.