Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 12
Leo the Great & Gregory the Great
SECTION 81
[747] Sacramentum (as usual). I would venture to urge that Bright is hardly justified in interpreting this as "sacred observance" here, unle
[747] Sacramentum (as usual). I would venture to urge that Bright is hardly justified in interpreting this as "sacred observance" here, unless I have misunderstood his note 8. Surely Leo means, the facts and details and consequences arising from the mystery of the Incarnation are well known to you. This agrees better with the co…
2,445 wordsSECTION 82[764] Cf. Serm. XXIII., chap. 4.
[764] Cf. Serm. XXIII., chap. 4. [765] Instrumentis (lit. materials, stock-in-trade). [766] Gen. xxii. 18. [767] Ps. xxxi. 14. [768] Is. vii. 14. [769] Is. xi. 1; in the interpretation that follows there is apparently play on the rod (virga) and the virgin (virgo). [770] Cf. 1 Cor. xv. 45, and Gen. ii. 7. [771] Gen. iii. …
2,329 wordsSECTION 83[787] Nova etiam in elementis luce radiante, the phrase seems to point to an early service as the time of delivering this sermon (possibly t
[787] Nova etiam in elementis luce radiante, the phrase seems to point to an early service as the time of delivering this sermon (possibly the missa in gallicantu). [788] Apud Dominicorum præsules gregum hodie evangelizandi forma præcondita est. This clause has been taken to be an allusion to the reciting of the angelic hymn Gl…
2,258 wordsSECTION 84[808] Intonuit, no doubt a reference to the name of Boanerges (sons of thunder) which he shared with his brother James (S. Mark iii. 17).
[808] Intonuit, no doubt a reference to the name of Boanerges (sons of thunder) which he shared with his brother James (S. Mark iii. 17). [809] S. John i. 1-3, 14. [810] S. John i. 1-3, 14. [811] S. John xiv. 28, and x. 30. [812] S. John xiv. 28, and x. 30. [813] Et nunquam virginitate caritura, cf. Letter XXVIII. (Tome) ch…
2,277 wordsSECTION 85VII. The fulness of the Godhead is imparted to the Body (the Church) through the Head, (Christ).
VII. The fulness of the Godhead is imparted to the Body (the Church) through the Head, (Christ). Meditate, dearly beloved on these things with devout hearts, and be always mindful of the apostle's injunction, who admonishes all men, saying, "See lest any one deceive you through philosophy and vain deceit according to the tradit…
2,341 wordsSECTION 86III. The chosen race is no longer the Jews, but believers of every nation.
III. The chosen race is no longer the Jews, but believers of every nation. And so they enter the chief city of the Kingdom of Judæa, and in the royal city ask that He should be shown them Whom they had learnt was begotten to be King. Herod is perturbed: he fears for his safety, he trembles for his power, he asks of the priests …
2,252 wordsSECTION 87III. The perseverance of the Magi has led to the most important results.
III. The perseverance of the Magi has led to the most important results. Led then, dearly beloved, into Bethlehem by obeying the guidance of the star, the wise men "rejoiced with very great joy," as the evangelist has told us: "and entering the house, found the child with Mary, His mother; and falling down they worshipped Him; …
2,442 wordsSECTION 88III. The cessation of active persecution does not do away with the need of continued vigilance: Satan has only changed his tactics.
III. The cessation of active persecution does not do away with the need of continued vigilance: Satan has only changed his tactics. Such courage as this, dearly-beloved, we do not believe to have been needful only at those times in which the kings of the world and all the powers of the age were raging against God's people in an…
2,255 wordsSECTION 89V. Abstinence not only from food but from other evil desires, especially from wrath, is required in Lent.
V. Abstinence not only from food but from other evil desires, especially from wrath, is required in Lent. Relying, therefore, dearly-beloved, on these arms, let us enter actively and fearlessly on the contest set before us: so that in this fasting struggle we may not rest satisfied with only this end, that we should think absti…
2,200 wordsSECTION 90I. The Lenten fast an opportunity for restoring our purity.
I. The Lenten fast an opportunity for restoring our purity. In proposing to preach this most holy and important fast to you, dearly beloved, how shall I begin more fitly than by quoting the words of the Apostle, in whom Christ Himself was speaking, and by reminding you of what we have read [921] : "behold, now is the acceptable…
2,632 wordsSECTION 91II. All the actions of Christ reveal the presence of the twofold nature.
II. All the actions of Christ reveal the presence of the twofold nature. And so, dearly-beloved, when in reading or hearing the Gospel you find certain things in our Lord Jesus Christ subjected to injuries and certain things illumined by miracles, in such a way that in the same Person now the Humanity appears, and now the Divin…
2,547 wordsSECTION 92V. Forgiveness of our own sins requires that we should forgive others.
V. Forgiveness of our own sins requires that we should forgive others. But because, as it is written, "in many things we all stumble [951] ," let the feeling of mercy be first aroused and the faults of others against us be forgotten; that we may not violate by any love of revenge that most holy compact, to which we bind ourselv…
2,531 wordsSECTION 93VII. Who it is we have to hear.
VII. Who it is we have to hear. "Hear ye Him," therefore, unhesitatingly, in Whom I am throughout well pleased, and by Whose preaching I am manifested, by Whose humiliation I am glorified; because He is "the Truth and the Life [971] ," He is My "Power and Wisdom [972] ." "Hear ye Him," Whom the mysteries of the Law have foretol…
2,236 wordsSECTION 94[973] This passage from "both form" down to "race" is repeated almost word for word in Lett. XXVIII. (The Tome), chap. 4.
[973] This passage from "both form" down to "race" is repeated almost word for word in Lett. XXVIII. (The Tome), chap. 4. [974] S. Luke xix. 10. [975] Ps. lxxviii. 39. [976] 2 Cor. v. 19. [977] Is. xxxv. 5, 6. [978] S. Matt. xxvi. 38, 39. [979] S. Matt. xxvi. 38, 39. [980] Cf. S. Matt. xxvi. 53. The whole of this wonderfu…
2,308 wordsSECTION 95III. Jesus instituting the Blessed Sacrament showed mercy to the traitor Judas to the last.
III. Jesus instituting the Blessed Sacrament showed mercy to the traitor Judas to the last. But Jesus, sure of His purpose and undaunted in carrying out His Father's will, fulfilled the New Testament and founded a new Passover. For while the disciples were lying down with Him at the mystic Supper, and when discussion was procee…
2,406 wordsSECTION 96IV. Christ bearing His own cross is an eternal lesson to the Church.
IV. Christ bearing His own cross is an eternal lesson to the Church. And so the Lord was handed over to their savage wishes, and in mockery of His kingly state, ordered to be the bearer of His own instrument of death, that what Isaiah the prophet foresaw might be fulfilled, saying, "Behold a Child is born, and a Son is given to…
2,303 wordsSECTION 97III. The Devil's devices were turned against himself.
III. The Devil's devices were turned against himself. And in order that He might set the human race free from the bonds of deadly transgression, He hid the power of His majesty from the raging devil, and opposed him with our frail and humble nature. For if the cruel and proud foe could have known the counsel of God's mercy, he …
2,480 wordsSECTION 98VII. The good works of Christians are only part of Christ's good works.
VII. The good works of Christians are only part of Christ's good works. This change, dearly-beloved, is the handiwork of the Most High [1061] , Who "worketh all things in all," so that by the good manner of life observed in each one of the faithful, we know Him to be the Author of all just works, and give thanks to God's mercy,…
2,247 wordsSECTION 99VII. Christ cry of "Forsaken" on the cross was to teach us the insufficiency of the human nature without the Divine.
VII. Christ cry of "Forsaken" on the cross was to teach us the insufficiency of the human nature without the Divine. Hence it is that the Lord Jesus Christ, our Head, representing all the members of His body in Himself, and speaking for those whom He was redeeming in the punishment of the cross, uttered that cry which He had on…
2,200 wordsSECTION 100[1082] Quæ vero illic vitæ intercessio sentienda est, ubi anima et potestate est emissa et potestate revocata? If we adopt Quesnel's conject
[1082] Quæ vero illic vitæ intercessio sentienda est, ubi anima et potestate est emissa et potestate revocata? If we adopt Quesnel's conjecture intercisio for intercessio the meaning is I suppose, "What cutting off of the thread of life is conceivable in His case Who &c.?" [1083] Rom. viii. 32. [1084] Eph. v. 2, and 25, 29. […
2,208 wordsSECTION 101[1099] From this point to the end of the chapter the language is almost identical with a passage in Letter XXVIII. (Tome), chap. 5.
[1099] From this point to the end of the chapter the language is almost identical with a passage in Letter XXVIII. (Tome), chap. 5. [1100] 2 Cor. v. 16. It must be borne in mind that the application of the phrase after the flesh (kata sarka) is mistaken: S. Paul means "according to the ordinary view of man," as in Rom. viii. 1,…
2,326 wordsSECTION 102[1108] Cf. Serm. LXIII. 4, above: Salvator noster--et sacramentum condidit et exemplum: ut unum apprehenderent renascendo, alterum sequerent
[1108] Cf. Serm. LXIII. 4, above: Salvator noster--et sacramentum condidit et exemplum: ut unum apprehenderent renascendo, alterum sequerentur imitando. [1109] S. John xiv. 6. [1110] i.e. that both of the two natures in Christ should be ours, as he goes on to show. [1111] The words in brackets are of doubtful genuineness, and…
2,497 wordsSECTION 103V. We must despise earthly things and rise to things above, especially by active works of mercy and love.
V. We must despise earthly things and rise to things above, especially by active works of mercy and love. And so, dearly-beloved, let us rejoice with spiritual joy, and let us with gladness pay God worthy thanks and raise our hearts' eyes unimpeded to those heights where Christ is. Minds that have heard the call to be uplifted …
2,203 wordsSECTION 104[1142] For this statement of the doctrine of the Trinity, esp. in regard to the Twofold Procession of the Holy Ghost, cf. Lett. XV. chap. 2.
[1142] For this statement of the doctrine of the Trinity, esp. in regard to the Twofold Procession of the Holy Ghost, cf. Lett. XV. chap. 2. Bright quotes Swete's History of the Doctrine, p. 157. [1143] S. John xvi. 12-15. [1144] Cf. Serm. XXVIII. chap. 4, cum gradus in vera Divinitate esse non possit, and Serm. LXXII. chap. 5…
2,348 wordsSECTION 105II. The tempter is foiled in attacks upon those who have learnt these tactics.
II. The tempter is foiled in attacks upon those who have learnt these tactics. And so those teachers, who have instructed all the Church's sons by their examples and their traditions, began the rudiments of the Christian warfare with holy fasts, that, having to fight against spiritual wickednesses, they might take the armour of…
2,268 wordsSECTION 106[1167] i.e. Romulus (the traditional founder of Rome) murdered his brother, Remus.
[1167] i.e. Romulus (the traditional founder of Rome) murdered his brother, Remus. [1168] Cf. 1 Pet. ii. 9. [1169] Acts ix. 15. [1170] Ps. cxvi. 15. [1171] This is a commonplace with the Fathers: S. Augustine is esp. fond of it; Hurter quotes from him de catech. rud. chap. xxiv. and four times on the Psalms. Cf. Serm. XXXVI.…
2,266 wordsSECTION 107III. The September fast calls us in this public way to self-amendment.
III. The September fast calls us in this public way to self-amendment. To this unconquerable strength of unity, therefore, dearly-beloved, we are even now invited by the solemn Fast of the Seventh Month, that we may lift our souls to the Lord free from worldly cares and earthly concerns. And because, always needful as this ende…
2,455 wordsSECTION 108[1198] The observances of the seventh month, especially of the Day of Atonement, will be found in Lev. xxiii. 26-44, and Numbers xxix.
[1198] The observances of the seventh month, especially of the Day of Atonement, will be found in Lev. xxiii. 26-44, and Numbers xxix. [1199] Sc. by Adam. [1200] Generandi lege: others read generali lege, by the universal law. [1201] S. Matt. xxvi. 41; for this passage, cf. Serm. XIX. chaps. 1 and 2, and LXXVIII. chap. 2. [1…
2,247 wordsSECTION 109IV. The blessedness of mourning discussed.
IV. The blessedness of mourning discussed. After the assertion of this most happy humility, the Lord hath added, saying, "Blessed are they which mourn, for they shall be comforted [1233] ." This mourning, beloved, to which eternal comforting is promised, is not the same as the affliction of this world: nor do those laments whic…
1,834 wordsSECTION 110Book of Pastoral Rule,
Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, OF GREGORY THE GREAT BISHOP OF ROME, Translated, with Introduction, Notes, and Indices, by the REV. jAMES bARMBY, d.d., vICAR OF nORTHALLERTON, yORKSHIRE. Prefatory Note. ------------------------ The Text followed in these Translations is the Benedictine one, as given by …
2,508 wordsSECTION 111With regard to the state of things in the ecclesiastical sphere during Gregory's popedom, it may be observed first, that there was now a com
With regard to the state of things in the ecclesiastical sphere during Gregory's popedom, it may be observed first, that there was now a comparative cessation for a time of controversial warfare. The battle no longer raged over Arian, Nestorian, Monophysite, or Pelagian heresies; the Monothelitic controversy had not yet begun. C…
2,593 wordsSECTION 112[There is indeed a passage in one of Gregory's Epistles (II. 52) which has been taken to imply a claim to jurisdiction over them. (See note
[There is indeed a passage in one of Gregory's Epistles (II. 52) which has been taken to imply a claim to jurisdiction over them. (See note on passage in Migne's Patrologia.) Natalis, bishop of Salona, had disregarded the admonitions of two successive bishops of Rome; and Gregory writes to him, "Quod si quilibet ex quatuor patri…
2,226 wordsSECTION 113"By their example (he writes in his Introduction to the Magna Moralia, above referred to) I was bound, as it were by the cable of an anchor,
"By their example (he writes in his Introduction to the Magna Moralia, above referred to) I was bound, as it were by the cable of an anchor, when tossing in the incessant buffeting of secular affairs, to the placid shore of prayer. For to their society, as to the bosom of a most safe harbour, I fled for escape from the rollings …
1,315 wordsSECTION 114Book I. Indiction IX. (a.d. 590-1.)
Book I. Indiction IX. (a.d. 590-1.) This first book introduces us at once to a view of the new pope's immediate vigilance and activity in affairs secular and sacred that demanded his attention. (1.) We find him providing without delay for the efficient and just management of the patrimony of St. Peter, which has been spoken of …
878 wordsSECTION 115Book II. Indiction X. (a.d. 591-2.)
Book II. Indiction X. (a.d. 591-2.) (1.) We meet in this book with the first allusion to the operations of the Lombards in Italy (Ep. 3); and hence this may be a suitable place for giving a brief sketch of Gregory's dealings with regard to them in the light thrown on the subject by his epistles. The Lombard King, Agilulf (as ha…
1,490 wordsSECTION 116Book III. Indiction XI. (a.d. 592-3).
Book III. Indiction XI. (a.d. 592-3). The following notable incidents are referred to in this Book : (1.) Two instances of the authority exercised (as above said) over the Illyrian Churches being, for a time at least, resisted or disregarded, and of the support of the Emperor being sought, and more or less obtained, in such re…
751 wordsSECTION 117Book V. Indiction XIII. (a.d. 594-5).
Book V. Indiction XIII. (a.d. 594-5). (1.) This year is memorable for the commencement of Gregory's earnest protest, continued through his subsequent life, against the title of OEcumenical, or Universal, Bishop (or Patriarch) assumed by the Patriarch of Constantinople. The title itself was not a new one. It appears to have been…
2,187 wordsSECTION 118Book VI. Indiction XIV. (a.d. 595-6).
Book VI. Indiction XIV. (a.d. 595-6). (1) This year is memorable for the mission of Augustine to England, the progress of which, as indicated by the epistles, may be summarized as follows. The missionaries having left Rome, probably in the early spring of the year 596, and proceeded as far as the South coast of France, and havi…
1,064 wordsSECTION 119Book VII. Indiction XV. (a.d. 596-7), and Book VIII. Indiction I. (a.d. 597-8).
Book VII. Indiction XV. (a.d. 596-7), and Book VIII. Indiction I. (a.d. 597-8). Though no historical events of importance come for the first time before our notice in these books, attention may be drawn (1) to Gregory's policy of protecting monasteries from episcopal domination (VII. 12, 43; VIII. 15); (2) his sanction of the s…
1,324 wordsSECTION 120Book XIV. Indiction VII. (a.d. 603-4.)
Book XIV. Indiction VII. (a.d. 603-4.) In the course of this indiction (on the 12th of March, a.d. 604) Gregory died. The seventeen Epistles assigned to this last half-year of his life (one of which is dated December) shew no abatement of his care for all the Churches, or his activity in correspondence, notwithstanding his exce…
1,587 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.