Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 13
Gregory the Great, Ephraim Syrus & Aphrahat
SECTION 121
"Our craft praises Thee, Who art our glory. Make Thou the yoke which is light, yea easy, for them that bear it; make the measure, in which t
"Our craft praises Thee, Who art our glory. Make Thou the yoke which is light, yea easy, for them that bear it; make the measure, in which there can be no falseness, which is full of Truth; yea, devise and make measures [453] by righteousness; that he that is vile may be accused thereby, and he that is perfect, may be acquitted …
2,210 wordsSECTION 122Hannah also embraced Samuel; for Thy righteousness was hidden in him who hewed in pieces Agag as [a type] of the wicked one. He wept over Sa
Hannah also embraced Samuel; for Thy righteousness was hidden in him who hewed in pieces Agag as [a type] of the wicked one. He wept over Saul, because Thy goodness also was shadowed forth in him. [464] How meek art Thou! How mighty art Thou, O Child! [465] Thy judgment is mighty, Thy love is sweet! Who can stand against Thee? …
2,202 wordsSECTION 123The woman ministers before the man, because he is her head. Joseph rose to minister before his Lord, Who was in Mary. The priest ministered
The woman ministers before the man, because he is her head. Joseph rose to minister before his Lord, Who was in Mary. The priest ministered before Thy ark by reason of Thy holiness. Moses carried the tables of stone which the Lord wrote, and Joseph bare about the pure Tablet in whom the Son of the Creator was dwelling. The tabl…
2,243 wordsSECTION 12428. In the twenty-fourth year, let the Treasury praise the Son. The treasures marvelled at the Lord of treasures, when in the house of the p
28. In the twenty-fourth year, let the Treasury praise the Son. The treasures marvelled at the Lord of treasures, when in the house of the poor He was increasing, Who made Himself poor that He might enrich all. [499] Blessed be Thy rule! 29. In the twenty-fifth year, let Isaac praise the Son, for by His goodness he was rescued …
2,205 wordsSECTION 1258. The months wore three crowns, and crowned Him in His triumphs.--Blessed is the Sun for His Birth, and for His Resurrection desired,--and
8. The months wore three crowns, and crowned Him in His triumphs.--Blessed is the Sun for His Birth, and for His Resurrection desired,--and for His Ascension blessed; the months have borne Him crowns. R., Blessed be He Who has triumphed in His months! 9. Unveil and make glad thy face, O Creature, in our feast.--Let the Church …
2,201 wordsSECTION 126R., Blessed be Thy Birth which has stirred up all!
R., Blessed be Thy Birth which has stirred up all! 11. The bosom of Mary amazes me, that it sufficed for Thee, Lord, and embraced Thee.--All creation were too small, to conceal Thy Majesty;--Heaven and earth too narrow, to be in the likeness of wings, [506] to cover Thy Godhead.--Too small for Thee was the bosom of earth; great…
2,256 wordsSECTION 12710. Blessed art thou, O Church, in ten blessings,--which our Lord has given as a mystery complete:--for on ten all the numbers hang, therefo
10. Blessed art thou, O Church, in ten blessings,--which our Lord has given as a mystery complete:--for on ten all the numbers hang, therefore art thou perfect by ten blessings.--Blessed thy crowns that are twined--with all blessings mixed in every crown!--O blessed one,--with every blessing crowned, on me too send thy blessing!…
2,237 wordsSECTION 1286. In the second year let the Seraphin multiply thanksgiving with us;--they who cried "Holy" to the Son, and turned and saw Him--among unbel
6. In the second year let the Seraphin multiply thanksgiving with us;--they who cried "Holy" to the Son, and turned and saw Him--among unbelievers put to shame.--He endured scorn and taught us glory; to Him be glory given! 7. In the third year let Michael and his hosts give thanks with us;--they who were wont to serve the Son o…
2,210 wordsSECTION 12919. The vessel moulded of clay, gains beauty from the water, receives strength from the fire; but if it slips it is ruined, it cannot be afr
19. The vessel moulded of clay, gains beauty from the water, receives strength from the fire; but if it slips it is ruined, it cannot be afresh renewed. Ye are vessels of grace; be ye ware of it, even of justice, for it grants not two renewals. 20. How like are ye in comparison, with the Prophet whom the fish yielded up! The De…
2,200 wordsSECTION 13014. Lo! mercy has dawned to-day;--and from bound to bound it stretches:--the sun has sunk and mercy has dawned.--Justice has drawn in her wr
14. Lo! mercy has dawned to-day;--and from bound to bound it stretches:--the sun has sunk and mercy has dawned.--Justice has drawn in her wrath; Grace has spread forth her love,--lo! she pardons and quickens freely. 15. The sheep that beforetime were in the fold--lo! they hasten forth to greet--the new lambs that have been adde…
2,202 wordsSECTION 13115. Hagar saw the spring of water,--and from it she gave drink to her forward son, him who became as a wild ass in the wilderness.--Instead
15. Hagar saw the spring of water,--and from it she gave drink to her forward son, him who became as a wild ass in the wilderness.--Instead of that fountain of water is Baptism.--In it are baptized the sons of Hagar,--and are become gentle and peaceful. Who has seen rams [515] like these,--that are yoked, lo! and labour--along w…
2,246 wordsSECTION 1327. The Prophet healed the waters that were unwholesome,--and cured the disease of the land that was barren,--so that its death was done away
7. The Prophet healed the waters that were unwholesome,--and cured the disease of the land that was barren,--so that its death was done away and its region resounded, for its offspring increased and its bosom was filled.--Greater is Thy grace, Lord, than Elisha's!--Multiply my lambs and my flocks--at the great stream of my fount…
2,219 wordsSECTION 13347. "I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word:--come to Baptism as Thy love constrains Thee!--The dust worships that whereunto he has attai
47. "I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word:--come to Baptism as Thy love constrains Thee!--The dust worships that whereunto he has attained,--that on Him Who fashioned him he should lay his hand." 48. The heavenly ranks were silent as they stood,--and the Bridegroom went down into Jordan;--the Holy One was baptized and stra…
2,229 wordsSECTION 134"The waves of the Son are full of blessings, and with mischiefs too. Have ye not seen, then, the waves of the sea, which if a ship should st
"The waves of the Son are full of blessings, and with mischiefs too. Have ye not seen, then, the waves of the sea, which if a ship should struggle with them would break her to pieces, and if she yield herself to them, and rebel not against them, then she is preserved? In the sea all the Egyptians were choked, though they scrutin…
2,237 wordsSECTION 135[534] Luke xxii. 42.
[534] Luke xxii. 42. [535] Zech. ii. 8. [536] Matt. xxi. 42. [537] Jer. viii. 7. [538] Is. i. 3. Hymn V. 1. O gift that camest up without price [539] with the diver! Thou laidest hold upon this visible light, that without price rises for the children of men: a parable of the hidden One that without price gives the hidden D…
2,203 wordsSECTION 136Instead of the sponge which was cankered with vinegar and wormwood, he gave prying, the whole of which is cankered with death. The gall whic
Instead of the sponge which was cankered with vinegar and wormwood, he gave prying, the whole of which is cankered with death. The gall which they gave Him did our Lord put away from Him; the subtle questioning, which the rebellious one hath given, to fools is sweet. 7. And at that time there were judges against them, [555] lo,…
2,563 wordsSECTION 1377. To Thee be glory who by Thy cross hast taken away the heathenism in which both circumcised and uncircumcised were caused to stumble! To T
7. To Thee be glory who by Thy cross hast taken away the heathenism in which both circumcised and uncircumcised were caused to stumble! To Thee be praise, the medicine of life, Who hast converted all that are baptised, to Him Who is life of all, and Lord of all! The lost that are found bless Thee; for by the finding of the lost,…
2,242 wordsSECTION 13816. Now the Pharisee made great preparations for our Lord in His banquet; and the sinful woman did but little things for Him there. Yet he b
16. Now the Pharisee made great preparations for our Lord in His banquet; and the sinful woman did but little things for Him there. Yet he by his great dainties displayed the smallness of his love to our Lord; but she by her tears displayed the greatness of her love to our Lord. Thus he that had invited Him to the great banquet …
2,205 wordsSECTION 13922. But why instead of a stern reproof did our Lord speak a parable of persuasion to that Pharisee? He spoke the parable to him tenderly, th
22. But why instead of a stern reproof did our Lord speak a parable of persuasion to that Pharisee? He spoke the parable to him tenderly, that he, though froward, might unawares be enticed to correct his perversities. For the waters that are congealed by the force of a cold wind, the heat of the sun gently dissolves. So our Lord…
2,566 wordsSECTION 14030. Now if any one should say, "Was it not then possible for God [to bring it to pass] that Moses should look upon that glory and not be inj
30. Now if any one should say, "Was it not then possible for God [to bring it to pass] that Moses should look upon that glory and not be injured; and that Paul likewise should look upon the light and take no hurt?" Let him that says this understand that though it is possible for the power and overruling force of God, that the ey…
2,453 wordsSECTION 14136. For even though our Lord in His grace had beforetime brought the majesty of His Godhead into humility, yet afterwards in His justice He
36. For even though our Lord in His grace had beforetime brought the majesty of His Godhead into humility, yet afterwards in His justice He willed not again to bring back to humiliation the littleness of manhood which had been made great. But because it was necessary that the persecuting disciple should learn endurance of persec…
2,333 wordsSECTION 14243. Thou too, O Pharisee, athirst for blasphemy, what sawest thou in our Lord, to show that He was not a prophet? For lo! the things that be
43. Thou too, O Pharisee, athirst for blasphemy, what sawest thou in our Lord, to show that He was not a prophet? For lo! the things that belong to the Lord of the Prophets were seen in Him. For the gushing tears made haste to proclaim that they were shed as before God. The sorrowing kisses testified that they sought to win over…
2,589 wordsSECTION 14349. But inasmuch as Simeon endured to carry on his weak arms that Majesty which the creatures could not endure, it is evident that his weakn
49. But inasmuch as Simeon endured to carry on his weak arms that Majesty which the creatures could not endure, it is evident that his weakness was made strong by the strength which he carried. For at that time Simeon also along with all creatures was secretly upheld by the almighty strength of the Son. Now this is a marvel, tha…
2,356 wordsSECTION 1444. This is the first Commandment,--Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy soul, and with thy might according as thou ar
4. This is the first Commandment,--Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy soul, and with thy might according as thou art able. The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while th…
2,214 wordsSECTION 14512. Search not out the faults of men; reveal not the sin of thy fellow; the shortcomings of thy neighbours, in speech of the mouth repeat no
12. Search not out the faults of men; reveal not the sin of thy fellow; the shortcomings of thy neighbours, in speech of the mouth repeat not. Thou art not judge in creation, thou hast not dominion over the earth. If thou lovest righteousness, reprove thy soul and thyself. Be thou judge unto thine own sins, and chastener of thy …
2,305 wordsSECTION 1463. These things she inwardly said; then began she to do outwardly. She washed and put away from her eyes the dye that blinded them that saw
3. These things she inwardly said; then began she to do outwardly. She washed and put away from her eyes the dye that blinded them that saw it. And tears gushed forth from her eyes over that deadly eyepaint. [636] She drew off and cast from her hands the enticing bracelets of her youth. She put off and cast away from her body th…
2,339 wordsSECTION 14714. The sinful woman answered and said to him, even to Simon when he had ceased: "Thou surely art the guardian of the door, O thou that know
14. The sinful woman answered and said to him, even to Simon when he had ceased: "Thou surely art the guardian of the door, O thou that knowest things that are secret! I will propose the matter in the feast, and thou shalt be free from blame. And if there be any that wills me to come in, he will bid me and I will come in." Simon…
927 wordsSECTION 148Letter of an Inquirer.
Letter of an Inquirer. 1. Beloved, I send thee inquiries and questions, for I am compelled to seek further instruction of thee on many points. Do not thou refuse to hear me. My spirit urges me to warn thee about many topics [647] that thou mayest unfold for me the spiritual perceptions of thy mind, and mayest show me of all tha…
2,287 wordsSECTION 14910. And also with reference to Christ was this (which follows) said. For he said that He was given as a light to all the Gentiles as the Pro
10. And also with reference to Christ was this (which follows) said. For he said that He was given as a light to all the Gentiles as the Prophet Isaiah said:--I have given Thee as a light to all the Gentiles, that Thou shouldest be My redemption to the ends of the earth. [680] And furthermore David also said;--Thy word is a lamp…
2,495 wordsSECTION 15018. Let us draw near then, my beloved, to faith, since its powers are so many. For faith raised up to the heavens (Enoch), and conquered the
18. Let us draw near then, my beloved, to faith, since its powers are so many. For faith raised up to the heavens (Enoch), and conquered the Deluge. It caused the barren to bring forth. It delivered from the sword. It raised up from the pit. It enriched the poor. It released the captives. It delivered the persecuted. It brought …
2,300 wordsSECTION 1516. Therefore, as for the ram, its horns are broken. And though its horns are broken, lo! it exalts and uplifts itself against the fourth bea
6. Therefore, as for the ram, its horns are broken. And though its horns are broken, lo! it exalts and uplifts itself against the fourth beast, that is strong and mighty and its teeth of iron and its hoofs of brass, and it shall devour and grind down, and trample with its feet whatsoever remaineth. [746] O Ram, whose horns are b…
2,397 wordsSECTION 15215. Again hear concerning the vision of the four beasts which Daniel saw coming up out of the sea and diverse one from another. This is the
15. Again hear concerning the vision of the four beasts which Daniel saw coming up out of the sea and diverse one from another. This is the appearance of them:--The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. And I saw that its wings were plucked away, and it stood up like a man upon its feet, and the heart of a man…
2,342 wordsSECTION 15323. And the holy People inherited an eternal Kingdom; the holy people who were chosen instead of the People. For He provoked them to jealous
23. And the holy People inherited an eternal Kingdom; the holy people who were chosen instead of the People. For He provoked them to jealousy with a people that was not a people. And with a foolish people He angered them. [817] And He set free the holy people. For lo! every covenant of God is freed from the burden of kings and p…
2,500 wordsSECTION 154Let us diligently ask for mercy, that we may receive whatsoever is necessary for us. Let us seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, [849] th
Let us diligently ask for mercy, that we may receive whatsoever is necessary for us. Let us seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, [849] that we may receive increase in the land. Let us think upon the things which are above, [850] on the heavenly things, and meditate on them, where Christ has been lifted up and exalted. But let…
2,461 wordsSECTION 1556. Therefore, brethren, because we know and have seen that from the beginning it was through woman that the adversary had access unto men, a
6. Therefore, brethren, because we know and have seen that from the beginning it was through woman that the adversary had access unto men, and to the end he will accomplish it by her--for she is the weapon of Satan, and through her he fights against the champions. Through her he makes music at every time, for she became as a har…
2,380 wordsSECTION 15611. And if anyone, whose conscience lacks knowledge, should dispute about this and say:--"Since Christ is one and His Father is one, how doe
11. And if anyone, whose conscience lacks knowledge, should dispute about this and say:--"Since Christ is one and His Father is one, how does Christ dwell, and His Father dwell, in faithful men? And how do righteous men become temples for God that He should dwell in them? If then it is thus, that to each several faithful man the…
2,226 wordsSECTION 15717. Therefore, my beloved, when the Holy Spirit departs from a man who has received it, until it returns and comes to him, then Satan draws
17. Therefore, my beloved, when the Holy Spirit departs from a man who has received it, until it returns and comes to him, then Satan draws near unto that man, to cause him to sin, and that the Holy Spirit may leave him altogether. For as long as the Spirit is with a man, Satan fears to come near him. And observe, my beloved, th…
2,284 wordsSECTION 1582. Whosoever reflects thus is foolish, and without knowledge. When the dead were brought in, they were something; and when they were there f
2. Whosoever reflects thus is foolish, and without knowledge. When the dead were brought in, they were something; and when they were there for a long time, they became nothing. And, when the time shall have come that the dead shall rise, that nothing shall become something according to its former nature, and a change shall be ad…
2,248 wordsSECTION 15910. And Moses again proclaimed clearly the Resurrection of the dead, for he said as from the mouth of his God:--It is I that cause to die an
10. And Moses again proclaimed clearly the Resurrection of the dead, for he said as from the mouth of his God:--It is I that cause to die and it is I that make alive. [983] Again also Hannah said thus in her prayer:--The Lord causeth to die and quickeneth; He bringeth down to Sheol and bringeth up (therefrom). [984] The Prophet …
2,212 wordsSECTION 16020. But our faith thus teaches, that when men fall asleep, they sleep this slumber without knowing good from evil. And the righteous look no
20. But our faith thus teaches, that when men fall asleep, they sleep this slumber without knowing good from evil. And the righteous look not forward to their promises, nor do the wicked look forward to their sentence of punishment, until the Judge come and separate those whose place is at His right hand from those whose place i…
2,543 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.