Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 9
Hilary of Poitiers & John of Damascus
SECTION 121
36. Hence the Apostle, to make his explanation of this Mystery complete, after saying that death is the last enemy to be conquered, adds: Bu
36. Hence the Apostle, to make his explanation of this Mystery complete, after saying that death is the last enemy to be conquered, adds: But when He saith, All things are put in subjection except Him, Who did subject all things to Him, then must He be subjected to Him, that did subject all things to Him, that God may be all in …
2,351 wordsSECTION 12245. But the Apostle does not neglect to say with what manner of confession we should bear witness of God. O the depth of the riches both of
45. But the Apostle does not neglect to say with what manner of confession we should bear witness of God. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past tracing out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? Or who ha…
2,209 wordsSECTION 123Book XII.
[1302] St. Matt. xi. 27. [1303] Mal. iii. 6. [1304] Col. iii. 9, 10. Book XII. 1. At length, with the Holy Ghost speeding our way, we are approaching the safe, calm harbour of a firm faith. We are in the position of men, long tossed about by sea and wind, to whom it very often happens, that while great heaped-up waves delay …
2,296 wordsSECTION 12410. Therefore since heart is put for desire, and eyes for sight, and hands for work achieved,--and yet, without in any way being made up of
10. Therefore since heart is put for desire, and eyes for sight, and hands for work achieved,--and yet, without in any way being made up of parts, God desires and foresees and acts, these same operations being expressed by the words heart, and eyes, and hand,--is not the meaning of the phrase that He begat from the womb an asser…
2,316 wordsSECTION 12520. But the blessed Apostle Paul, taking precaution against this, as we have often shewn, warned us to be on our guard, saying: Take heed le
20. But the blessed Apostle Paul, taking precaution against this, as we have often shewn, warned us to be on our guard, saying: Take heed lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ, in Whom dwelleth all the fuln…
2,257 wordsSECTION 12628. We may grant that for anything to be born before times eternal is not the way of human nature, nor a matter which we can understand; and
28. We may grant that for anything to be born before times eternal is not the way of human nature, nor a matter which we can understand; and yet in this we believe God's declarations about Himself. How then does the infidelity of our own day assert, according to the conceptions of human intelligence, that that had no existence b…
2,351 wordsSECTION 12739. But the voice of God, our instruction in true wisdom, speaks what is perfect, and expresses the absolute truth, when it teaches that its
39. But the voice of God, our instruction in true wisdom, speaks what is perfect, and expresses the absolute truth, when it teaches that itself is prior not merely to things of time, but even to things infinite. For when the heaven was being prepared, it was present with God. Is the preparation of the heaven an act of God within…
2,241 wordsSECTION 12846. And so let us see for what ways of God, and for what works of God, Wisdom was created from the commencement of the ages, though born of
46. And so let us see for what ways of God, and for what works of God, Wisdom was created from the commencement of the ages, though born of God before all ages. Adam heard the voice of One walking in Paradise. Do you think that His approach could have been heard, had He not assumed the guise of a created being? Is not the fact, …
2,429 wordsSECTION 12954. His birth is before times eternal. If anything exist which precedes eternity, it will be something which, when eternity is comprehended,
54. His birth is before times eternal. If anything exist which precedes eternity, it will be something which, when eternity is comprehended, still eludes comprehension. And this something is Thine, and is Thy Only-begotten; no portion, nor extension, nor any empty name devised to suit some theory of Thy mode of action. He is the…
1,216 wordsSECTION 130Introduction to the Homilies on Psalms I., LIII., CXXX.
Introduction to the Homilies on Psalms I., LIII., CXXX. ------------------------ Some account of St. Hilary's Homilies on the Psalms has already been given in the Introduction to this volume, pp. xl.-xlv. A few words remain to be said concerning his principle of exposition. This may be gathered from his own statement in the fi…
2,269 wordsSECTION 131Not every man that is a sinner is also undutiful: but the undutiful man cannot fail to be a sinner. Let us take an instance from general exp
Not every man that is a sinner is also undutiful: but the undutiful man cannot fail to be a sinner. Let us take an instance from general experience. Sons, though they be drunken and profligate and spendthrift, can yet love their fathers; and with all these vices, and, therefore, not free from guilt, may yet be free from undutifu…
2,473 wordsSECTION 132This man then will be happy like that tree, when at length he stands surrounded by the glory of God, being made like unto the Lord.
This man then will be happy like that tree, when at length he stands surrounded by the glory of God, being made like unto the Lord. 16. But the leaf of this tree shall not fall off. There is no ground for wonder that its leaves do not fall off, seeing that its fruits will not drop to the ground, either because they are forced o…
2,311 wordsSECTION 133God certainly was not ignorant of the faith of Abraham, which He had already reckoned to him for righteousness when he believed about the bi
God certainly was not ignorant of the faith of Abraham, which He had already reckoned to him for righteousness when he believed about the birth of Isaac: but now because he had given a signal instance of his fear in offering his son, he is at last known, approved, rendered worthy of being not unknown. It is in this way then that…
2,429 wordsSECTION 1348. Now they were strangers that rose up against Him. For these are no sons of Abraham, nor sons of God, but a brood of vipers, servants of s
8. Now they were strangers that rose up against Him. For these are no sons of Abraham, nor sons of God, but a brood of vipers, servants of sin, a Canaanitish seed, their father an Amorite and their mother a daughter of Heth, inheriting diabolical desires from the devil their parent. Further it is the violent that seek after His …
2,229 wordsSECTION 1352. Neither have Mine eyes been lifted up. The strict sense of the Greek here conveys a different meaning; oude emeteoristhesan hoi ophthalmo
2. Neither have Mine eyes been lifted up. The strict sense of the Greek here conveys a different meaning; oude emeteoristhesan hoi ophthalmoi mou, that is, have not been lifted up from one object to look on another. Yet the eyes must be lifted up in obedience to the Prophet's words: Lift up your eyes and see who hath displayed a…
2,413 wordsSECTION 136Book I.
The book "Concerning the Orthodox Faith" Donatus Veronensis caused to be printed at Verona first in Greek only, and presented it to Clement the Seventh in the year 1531. Not till the year 1548 did he produce a version containing both the Greek and Latin, and again in the year 1575. Next, in the year 1577, Jacobus Billy published…
1,161 wordsSECTION 137Chapter III.--Proof that there is a God.
Chapter III.--Proof that there is a God. That there is a God, then, is no matter of doubt to those who receive the Holy Scriptures, the Old Testament, I mean, and the New; nor indeed to most of the Greeks. For, as we said [1423] , the knowledge of the existence of God is implanted in us by nature. But since the wickedness of th…
962 wordsSECTION 138Chapter IV.--Concerning the nature of Deity: that it is incomprehensible.
Chapter IV.--Concerning the nature of Deity: that it is incomprehensible. It is plain, then, that there is a God. But what He is in His essence and nature is absolutely incomprehensible and unknowable. For it is evident that He is incorporeal [1436] . For how could that possess body which is infinite, and boundless, and formles…
1,039 wordsSECTION 139Chapter V.--Proof that God is one and not many.
Chapter V.--Proof that God is one and not many. We have, then, adequately demonstrated that there is a God, and that His essence is incomprehensible. But that God is one [1453] and not many is no matter of doubt to those who believe in the Holy Scriptures. For the Lord says in the beginning of the Law: I am the Lord thy God, wh…
967 wordsSECTION 140Chapter VII.--Concerning the Holy Spirit, a reasoned proof.
Chapter VII.--Concerning the Holy Spirit, a reasoned proof. Moreover the Word must also possess Spirit [1469] . For in fact even our word is not destitute of spirit; but in our case the spirit is something different from our essence [1470] . For there is an attraction and movement of the air which is drawn in and poured forth t…
1,075 wordsSECTION 141Chapter VIII.--Concerning the Holy Trinity.
Chapter VIII.--Concerning the Holy Trinity. We believe, then, in One God, one beginning [1487] , having no beginning, uncreate, unbegotten, imperishable and immortal, everlasting, infinite, uncircumscribed, boundless, of infinite power, simple, uncompound, incorporeal, without flux, passionless, unchangeable, unalterable, unsee…
2,493 wordsSECTION 142Likewise we believe also in one Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life: Who proceedeth from the Father and resteth in the Son: the object o
Likewise we believe also in one Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life: Who proceedeth from the Father and resteth in the Son: the object of equal adoration and glorification with the Father and Son, since He is co-essential and co-eternal [1544] : the Spirit of God, direct, authoritative [1545] , the fountain of wisdom, and li…
2,282 wordsSECTION 143[1504] Greg. Naz., Orat. 35.
[1504] Greg. Naz., Orat. 35. [1505] Cyril, Thesaurus, assert. 4 and 5. [1506] Ibid., assert. 6. [1507] Ibid., assert. 4. [1508] Greg. Naz., Orat. 29. [1509] Text, anomoion pantelos, variant, anomoion pantelos kat' ousian, cf. also Cyrill. [1510] Greg. Naz., Orat. 29 and 35. [1511] On this distinction between generation an…
1,352 wordsSECTION 144Chapter IX.--Concerning what is affirmed about God.
Chapter IX.--Concerning what is affirmed about God. The Deity is simple and uncompound. But that which is composed of many and different elements is compound. If, then, we should speak of the qualities of being uncreate and without beginning and incorporeal and immortal and everlasting and good and creative and so forth as esse…
1,037 wordsSECTION 145Chapter XI.--Concerning what is affirmed about God as though He had body.
Chapter XI.--Concerning what is affirmed about God as though He had body. Since we find many terms used symbolically in the Scriptures concerning God which are more applicable to that which has body, we should recognise that it is quite impossible for us men clothed about with this dense covering of flesh to understand or speak…
2,176 wordsSECTION 146Chapter XIII.--Concerning the place of God: and that the Deity alone is uncircumscribed.
Chapter XIII.--Concerning the place of God: and that the Deity alone is uncircumscribed. Bodily place is the limit of that which contains, by which that which is contained is contained [1615] : for example, the air contains but the body is contained [1616] . But it is not the whole of the containing air which is the place of th…
1,633 wordsSECTION 147Chapter XIV.--The properties of the divine nature.
Chapter XIV.--The properties of the divine nature. Uncreate, without beginning, immortal, infinite, eternal, immaterial [1634] , good, creative, just, enlightening, immutable, passionless, uncircumscribed, immeasurable, unlimited, undefined, unseen, unthinkable, wanting in nothing, being His own rule and authority, all-ruling, …
1,099 wordsSECTION 148Chapter II.--Concerning the creation.
Chapter II.--Concerning the creation. Since, then, God, Who is good and more than good, did not find satisfaction in self-contemplation, but in His exceeding goodness wished certain things to come into existence which would enjoy His benefits and share in His goodness, He brought all things out of nothing into being and created…
1,488 wordsSECTION 149Chapter IV.--Concerning the devil and demons.
Chapter IV.--Concerning the devil and demons. He who from among these angelic powers was set over [1670] the earthly realm, and into whose hands God committed the guardianship of the earth, was not made wicked in nature but was good, and made for good ends, and received from his Creator no trace whatever of evil in himself. But…
2,202 wordsSECTION 150Chapter VII.--Concerning light, fire, the luminaries, sun, moon and stars.
[1695] Greg. Nyss. de opif. Hom. [1696] Gen. i. 8. [1697] 2 Cor. xii. 2. [1698] Ps. cxlviii. 4. [1699] Plato, Tim. [1700] Basil, Hom. 1 and 3, in Hexaëmeron. [1701] Just., quæst. 93. [1702] Ps. cii. 26. [1703] Apoc. xxi. 1. [1704] Cf. August., Retract. ii. 2. [1705] Basil, Hom. 13, in Hexaëmeron. [1706] Ps. xcvi. 11. …
2,236 wordsSECTION 151The eclipse of the moon, on the other hand, is due to the shadow the earth casts on it when it is a fifteen days' moon and the sun and moon
The eclipse of the moon, on the other hand, is due to the shadow the earth casts on it when it is a fifteen days' moon and the sun and moon happen to be at the opposite poles of the highest circle, the sun being under the earth and the moon above the earth. For the earth casts a shadow and the sun's light is prevented from illum…
857 wordsSECTION 152Chapter VIII.--Concerning air and winds.
Chapter VIII.--Concerning air and winds. Air is the most subtle element, and is moist and warm: heavier, indeed, than fire: but lighter than earth and water: it is the cause of respiration and voice: it is colourless, that is, it has no colour by nature: it is clear and transparent, for it is capable of receiving light: it mini…
1,817 wordsSECTION 153Chapter X.--Concerning earth and its products.
Chapter X.--Concerning earth and its products. The earth is one of the four elements, dry, cold, heavy, motionless, brought into being by God, out of nothing on the first day. For in the beginning, he said, God created the heaven and the earth [1757] : but the seat and foundation of the earth no man has been able to declare. So…
1,018 wordsSECTION 154Chapter XI.--Concerning Paradise.
Chapter XI.--Concerning Paradise. Now when God was about to fashion man out of the visible and invisible creation in His own image and likeness to reign as king and ruler over all the earth and all that it contains, He first made for him, so to speak, a kingdom in which he should live a life of happiness and prosperity [1772] .…
1,497 wordsSECTION 155Chapter XII.--Concerning Man.
Chapter XII.--Concerning Man. In this way, then, God brought into existence mental essence [1794] , by which I mean, angels and all the heavenly orders. For these clearly have a mental and incorporeal nature: "incorporeal" I mean in comparison with the denseness of matter. For the Deity alone in reality is immaterial and incorp…
2,204 wordsSECTION 156Chapter XIII.--Concerning Pleasures.
[1816] Supplying the word phutikon from Nemesius. [1817] Nemes., ch. 23. Chapter XIII.--Concerning Pleasures. There are pleasures of the soul and pleasures of the body. The pleasures of the soul are those which are the exclusive possession of the soul, such as the pleasures of learning and contemplation. The pleasures of the …
841 wordsSECTION 157Chapter XVII.--Concerning Imagination.
Chapter XVII.--Concerning Imagination. Imagination [1831] is a faculty of the unreasoning part of the soul. It is through the organs of sense that it is brought into action, and it is spoken of as sensation. And further, what is imagined [1832] and perceived is that which comes within the scope of the faculty of imagination and…
991 wordsSECTION 158Chapter XIX.--Concerning Thought.
Chapter XIX.--Concerning Thought. The faculty of thought deals with judgments and assents, and impulse to action and disinclinations, and escapes from action: and more especially with thoughts connected with what is thinkable, and the virtues and the different branches of learning, and the theories of the arts and matters of co…
2,461 wordsSECTION 159Chapter XXIII.--Concerning Energy.
Further note, that will (thelesis) and wish (boulesis) are two different things: also the object of will (to theleton) and the capacity for will (theletikon), and the subject that exercises will (ho thelon), are all different. For will is just the simple faculty of willing, whereas wish is will directed to some definite object. …
837 wordsSECTION 160Chapter XXIV.--Concerning what is Voluntary and what is Involuntary.
Chapter XXIV.--Concerning what is Voluntary and what is Involuntary. The voluntary [1868] implies a certain definite action, and so-called involuntariness also implies a certain definite action. Further, many attribute true involuntariness not only to suffering, but even to action. We must then understand action to be rational …
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.