Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 10
Ambrose — Selected Works and Letters
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20. Whilst I was treating on this matter, tidings were brought me that the royal hangings were taken down, and the Basilica filled with peop
20. Whilst I was treating on this matter, tidings were brought me that the royal hangings were taken down, and the Basilica filled with people, who were calling for my presence, so I at once turned my discourse to this, and said: How high and how deep are the oracles of the Holy Spirit! We said at Matins, as you, brethren, remem…
1,531 wordsSECTION 282Letter XXI.
Letter XXI. St. Ambrose excuses himself for not having gone to the consistory when summoned, on the ground that in matters of faith no one but bishops could rightly judge, and that he was not contumacious because he would not suffer wrong to be done to his own order. And he adds that Auxentius would perhaps choose as judges eit…
2,422 wordsSECTION 2831. I see that you are unusually disturbed, and that you are closely watching me. I wonder what the reason is? Is it that you saw or heard th
1. I see that you are unusually disturbed, and that you are closely watching me. I wonder what the reason is? Is it that you saw or heard that I had received an imperial order at the hands of the tribunes, to the effect that I was to go hence, whither I would, and that all who wished might follow me? Were you afraid that I shoul…
2,214 wordsSECTION 28416. Many stated that assassins had been despatched, that the penalty of death had been decreed against me. I do not fear all that, nor am I
16. Many stated that assassins had been despatched, that the penalty of death had been decreed against me. I do not fear all that, nor am I going to desert my position here. Whither shall I go, when there is no spirit that is not filled with groans and tears; when throughout the Churches Catholic bishops are being expelled, or i…
2,352 wordsSECTION 28530. I recalled the people, and yet I did not escape their ill-will, which ill-will, however, I think we ought rather to tempt than fear. For
30. I recalled the people, and yet I did not escape their ill-will, which ill-will, however, I think we ought rather to tempt than fear. For why should we fear for the Name of Christ? Unless perchance I ought to be troubled because they say: "Ought not the Emperor to have one basilica, to which to go, and Ambrose wants to have m…
1,713 wordsSECTION 286Letter XXII.
Letter XXII. St. Ambrose in a letter to his sister gives an account of the finding of the bodies of SS. Gervasius and Protasius, and of his addresses to the people on that occasion. Preaching from Psalm xix., he allegorically expounded the "heavens" to represent the martyrs and apostles, and the "day" he takes to be their confe…
2,232 wordsSECTION 28717. They deny that the blind man received sight, but he denies not that he is healed. He says: I who could not see now see. He says: I cease
17. They deny that the blind man received sight, but he denies not that he is healed. He says: I who could not see now see. He says: I ceased to be blind, and proves it by the fact. They deny the benefit, who are unable to deny the fact. [3544] The man is known: so long as he was well he was employed in the public service; his n…
1,348 wordsSECTION 288Letter XL.
Letter XL. St. Ambrose begs Theodosius to listen to him, as he cannot be silent without great risk to both. He points out that Theodosius though God-fearing may be led astray, and points out that his decision respecting the restoration of the Jewish synagogue is full of peril, exposing the bishop to the danger of either acting …
2,363 wordsSECTION 28915. And certainly, if I were pleading according to the law of nations, I could tell how many of the Church's basilicas the Jews burnt in the
15. And certainly, if I were pleading according to the law of nations, I could tell how many of the Church's basilicas the Jews burnt in the time of the Emperor Julian: two at Damascus, one of which is scarcely now repaired, and this at the cost of the Church, not of the Synagogue; the other basilica still is a rough mass of sha…
2,217 wordsSECTION 290Letter XLI.
32. You forgave the Antiochians the insult offered to you; [3569] you have recalled the daughters of your enemy, and given them to be brought up by a relative; you sent sums of money to the mother of your enemy from your own treasury. This so great piety, this so great faith towards God, will be darkened by this deed. Do not you…
2,228 wordsSECTION 29112. And he pours water upon the feet of Christ, who purifies his conscience from the defilement of sin, for Christ walks in the breast of ea
12. And he pours water upon the feet of Christ, who purifies his conscience from the defilement of sin, for Christ walks in the breast of each. Take heed, then, not to have your conscience polluted, and so to begin to defile the feet of Christ. Take heed lest He encounter a thorn of wickedness in you, whereby as He walks in you …
2,288 wordsSECTION 292Letter LI.
27. When I came down from the pulpit, he said to me: "You spoke about me." I replied: "I dealt with matters intended for your benefit." Then he said: "I had indeed decided too harshly about the repairing of the synagogue by the bishop, but that has been rectified. The monks commit many crimes." Then Timasius the general began to…
2,215 wordsSECTION 29314. Lastly, I am writing with my own hand that which you alone may read. As I hope that the Lord will deliver me from all troubles, I have b
14. Lastly, I am writing with my own hand that which you alone may read. As I hope that the Lord will deliver me from all troubles, I have been warned, not by man, nor through man, but plainly by Himself that this is forbidden me. For when I was anxious, in the very night in which I was preparing to set out, you appeared to me i…
775 wordsSECTION 294Letter LVII.
Letter LVII. St. Ambrose informs the Emperor Eugenius why he was absent from Milan. He then proceeds to reprove him for his conduct with regard to heathen worship. This was, he says, the reason why he did not write sooner, and he promises that for the future he will treat him with the same freedom as the other emperors. Ambros…
1,643 wordsSECTION 295Letter LXI.
Letter LXI. St. Ambrose explains his absence from Milan on the arrival of the Emperor Theodosius after his victory over Eugenius, [3643] and after expressing his thankfulness for that success he promises obedience to the Emperor's will, and while commending his piety urges him to be merciful to the conquered. Ambrose, to the E…
747 wordsSECTION 296Letter LXII.
Letter LXII. St. Ambrose excuses himself for having omitted an opportunity of writing to the Emperor, but is now sending a letter by the hands of a deacon, requesting forgiveness for some of Eugenius' followers who had sought the protection of the Church, especially in consideration of the miraculous aid which had been vouchsaf…
2,244 wordsSECTION 29715. Wherefore also the Lord Jesus, wishing to make us more strong against the temptations of the devil, fasted when about to contend with hi
15. Wherefore also the Lord Jesus, wishing to make us more strong against the temptations of the devil, fasted when about to contend with him, that we might know that we can in no other way overcome the enticements of evil. Further, the devil himself hurled the first dart of his temptations from the quiver of pleasure, saying: "…
2,295 wordsSECTION 29836. And we ought to recognize what commendation of it the prophet, or rather Christ in the prophet, has uttered in a short verse; "A garden
36. And we ought to recognize what commendation of it the prophet, or rather Christ in the prophet, has uttered in a short verse; "A garden enclosed," says He, "is My sister, My spouse, a garden enclosed, a sealed fountain." [3698] Christ says this to the Church, which he desires to be a virgin, without spot, without a wrinkle. …
2,229 wordsSECTION 29953. Whereupon the Lord was angry and spoke to the whole congregation. The Lord considered and knew those that were His, and drew His saints
53. Whereupon the Lord was angry and spoke to the whole congregation. The Lord considered and knew those that were His, and drew His saints to Himself; and those whom He chose not, He did not draw to Himself. And the Lord commanded that Korah and all those who had risen up with him against Moses and Aaron the priests of the Lord…
2,239 wordsSECTION 30069. He confessed that he was overcome when he asked them to change their determination, but they thought their pen stronger than swords of i
69. He confessed that he was overcome when he asked them to change their determination, but they thought their pen stronger than swords of iron. Then it was unbelief which was wounded so that it fell, not the faith of the saints; they did not desire a tomb in their own country, for whom was reserved a home in the heavens. They w…
2,214 wordsSECTION 30186. Let no man suppose that because he is rich, more deference is to be paid him. In the Church he is rich who is rich in faith, for the fai
86. Let no man suppose that because he is rich, more deference is to be paid him. In the Church he is rich who is rich in faith, for the faithful has a whole world of riches. What wonder is it if the faithful possesses the world, who possesses the inheritance of Christ, which is of more value than the world? "Ye were redeemed wi…
2,281 wordsSECTION 302103. Do you then forgive injuries done to you that you may be children of Jacob. Be not provoked as was Esau. Imitate holy David, who as a g
103. Do you then forgive injuries done to you that you may be children of Jacob. Be not provoked as was Esau. Imitate holy David, who as a good master left us what we should follow, saying: "Instead of loving me they spake against me, but I prayed," [3793] and when he was reviled, he prayed. Prayer is a good shield, wherewith co…
2,206 wordsSECTION 303[3805] Ps. lxxxviii. [lxxxvii.] 4, 5.
[3805] Ps. lxxxviii. [lxxxvii.] 4, 5. [3806] 1 Pet. ii. 18. [3409] This is really in excess of the number which are now to be considered as fixed in date. Indexes Index of Scripture References Genesis [1]1:1 [2]1:1 [3]1:1-26 [4]1:2 [5]1:3 [6]1:3 [7]1:3-4 [8]1:4 [9]1:6 [10]1:6-7 [11]1:11 [12]1:26 [13]1:26 [14]1:26 [15]1:26 …
2,548 wordsSECTION 304Acts
Acts [2471]1:5 [2472]1:7 [2473]1:7 [2474]1:8 [2475]1:8 [2476]1:18 [2477]2:2 [2478]2:2-3 [2479]2:3 [2480]2:13 [2481]2:24 [2482]2:36 [2483]2:36 [2484]2:38 [2485]3:6 [2486]3:6 [2487]3:6 [2488]4:11-12 [2489]4:12 [2490]4:31 [2491]4:32 [2492]5:1-2 [2493]5:2 [2494]5:3 [2495]5:3-4 [2496]5:5 [2497]5:9 [2498]5:9 [2499]5:11 [2500]5:15-16 …
2,412 wordsSECTION 305This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org, generated on demand from ThML source.
This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org, generated on demand from ThML source. References 1. file:///ccel/s/schaff/npnf210/cache/npnf210.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iv.ii.iii.vi-p9.1 2. file:///ccel/s/schaff/npnf210/cache/npnf210.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=1&scrV=1…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.