Table Of Content

ANF07. Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius,Venantius, Asterius,Victorinus, Dionysi- us, Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily, and Liturgies Author(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Publisher: Grand Rapids,MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Originally printed in 1885, the ten-volume set, Ante-Nicene Fathers, brings together the work of early Christian thinkers. In particular, it brings together the writings of the early Church fathers prior to the fourth century Nicene Creed.These volumes are noteworthy for their inclusion of entire texts, and not simply fragments or excerpts from these great writings. The translations are fairly literal, providing both readers and scholars with a good approximation of the originals.This volume has Church fathers from both the third and fourth century.These writings were heavily influential on the early Church, and for good reason, as they are inspirational and encouraging.These volumes also come with many useful notes, providing the reader with new levels of understanding. Overall, Ante-Nicene Fathers, or any part of it, is a welcome addition to one's reading list. Tim Perrine CCEL Staff Writer Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature. Fathers of the Church, etc. i Contents Title Page 1 Introductory Notice 2 Lactantius 4 Introductory Notice to Lactantius. 5 The Divine Institutes 11 Book I. Of the False Worship of the Gods 12 Preface.—Of what great value the knowledge of the truth is and always has 13 been Chap. I.—Of religion and wisdom 15 Chap. II.—That there is a providence in the affairs of men 17 Chap. III.—Whether the universe is governed by the power of one God or of 18 many Chap. IV.—That the one God was foretold even by the prophets 21 Chap. V.—Of the testimonies of poets and philosophers 22 Chap. VI.—Of divine testimonies, and of the Sibyls and their predictions 26 Chap. VII.—Concerning the testimonies of Apollo and the gods 30 Chap. VIII.—That God is without a body, nor does he need difference of sex 32 for procreation Chap. IX.—Of Hercules and his life and death 34 Chap. X.—Of the life and actions of Æsculapius, Apollo, Neptune, Mars, 36 Castor and Pollux, Mercury and Bacchus Chap. XI.—Of the origin, life, reign, name and death of Jupiter, and of Saturn 38 and Uranus Chap. XII.—That the stoics transfer the figments of the poets to a philosophical 45 system Chap. XIII.—How vain and trifling are the interpretations of the stoics 47 respecting the gods, and in them concerning the origin of Jupiter, concerning Saturn and Ops ii Chap. XIV.—What the sacred history of Euhemerus and Ennius teaches 50 concerning the gods Chap. XV.—How they who were men obtained the name of gods 52 Chap. XVI.—By what argument it is proved that those who are distinguished 56 by a difference of sex cannot be gods Chap. XVII.—Concerning the same opinion of the stoics, and concerning the 58 hardships and disgraceful conduct of the gods Chap. XVIII.—On the consecration of gods, on account of the benefits which 61 they conferred upon men Chap. XIX.—That it is impossible for any one to worship the true God together 64 with false deities Chap. XX.—Of the gods peculiar to the Romans, and their sacred rites 65 Chap. XXI.—Of certain deities peculiar to barbarians, and their sacred rites; 69 and in like manner concerning the Romans Chap. XXII.—Who was the author of the vanities before described in Italy 75 among the Romans, and who among other nations Chap. XXIII.—Of the ages of vain superstitions, and the times at which they 78 commenced Book II. Of the Origin of Error 79 Chap. I.—That forgetfulness of reason makes men ignorant of the true God, 80 whom they worship in adversity and despise in prosperity Chap. II.—What was the first cause of making images; of the true likeness of 83 God, and the true worship of him Chap. III.—That Cicero and other men of learning erred in not turning away 86 the people from error Chap. IV.—Of images, and the ornaments of temples, and the contempt in 90 which they are held even by the heathens themselves Chap. V.—That God only, the creator of all things, is to be worshipped, and 95 not the elements or heavenly bodies; and the opinion of the stoics is refuted, who think that the stars and planets are gods Chap. VI.—That neither the whole universe nor the elements are God, nor 99 are they possessed of life Chap. VII.—Of God, and the religious rites of the foolish; of avarice, and the 101 authority of ancestors Chap. VIII.—Of the use of reason in religion; and of dreams, auguries, oracles, 104 and similar portents iii Chap. IX.—Of the devil, the world, God, providence, man, and his wisdom 107 Chap. X.—Of the world, and its parts, the elements and seasons 116 Chap. XI.—Of living creatures, of man; Prometheus, Deucalion, the Parcæ 119 Chap. XII.—That animals were not produced spontaneously, but by a divine 123 arrangement, of which God would have given us the knowledge, if it were advantageous for us to know It Chap. XIII.—Why man is of two sexes; what is his first death, and what the 126 second and of the fault and punishment of our first parents Chap. XIV.—Of Noah the inventor of wine, who first had knowledge of the 130 stars, and of the origin of false religions Chap. XV.—Of the corruption of angels, and the two kinds of demons 133 Chap. XVI.—That demons have no power over those who are established in 135 the faith Chap. XVII.—That astrology, soothsaying, and similar arts are the invention 136 of demons Chap. XVIII.—Of the patience and vengeance of God, the worship of demons, 139 and false religions Chap. XIX.—Of the worship of images and earthly objects 141 Chap. XX.—Of philosophy and the truth 142 Book III. Of the False Wisdom of the Philosophers 143 Chap. I.—A comparison of the truth with eloquence: why the philosophers 144 did not attain to it. Of the simple style of the scriptures Chap. II.—Of philosophy, and how vain was its occupation in setting forth 146 the truth Chap. III.—Of what subjects philosophy consists, and who was the chief 148 founder of the academic sect Chap. IV.—That knowledge is taken away by Socrates, and conjecture by 150 Zeno Chap. V.—That the knowledge of many things is necessary 152 Chap. VI.—Of wisdom, and the academics, and natural philosophy 153 Chap. VII.—Of moral philosophy, and the chief good 155 Chap. VIII.—Of the chief good, and the pleasures of the soul and body, and 156 of virtue Chap. IX.—Of the chief good, and the worship of the true God, and a refutation 160 of Anaxagoras iv Chap. X.—It is the peculiar property of man to know and worship God 162 Chap. XI.—Of religion, wisdom, and the chief good 164 Chap. XII.—Of the twofold conflict of body and soul; and of desiring virtue 166 on account of eternal life Chap. XIII.—Of the immortality of the soul, and of wisdom, philosophy, and 169 eloquence Chap. XIV.—That Lucretius and others have erred, and Cicero himself, in 171 fixing the origin of wisdom Chap. XV.—The error of Seneca in philosophy, and how the speech of 174 philosophers is at variance with their life Chap. XVI.—That the philosophers who give good instructions live badly, by 177 the testimony of Cicero; therefore we should not so much devote ourselves to the study of philosophy as to wisdom Chap. XVII.—He passes from philosophy to the philosophers, beginning with 180 Epicurus; and how he regarded Leucippus and Democritus as authors of error Chap. XVIII.—The Pythagoreans and Stoics, while they hold the immortality 185 of the soul, foolishly persuade a voluntary death Chap. XIX.—Cicero and others of the wisest men teach the immortality of 188 the soul, but in an unbelieving manner; and that a good or an evil death must be weighed from the previous life Chap. XX.—Socrates had more knowledge in philosophy than other men, 191 although in many things he acted foolishly Chap. XXI.—Of the system of Plato, which would lead to the overthrow of 193 states Chap. XXII.—Of the precepts of Plato, and censures of the same 195 Chap. XXIII.—Of the errors of certain philosophers, and of the sun and moon 197 Chap. XXIV.—Of the antipodes, the heaven, and the stars 199 Chap. XXV.—Of learning philosophy, and what great qualifications are 201 necessary for its pursuit Chap. XXVI.—It is divine instruction only which bestows wisdom; and of 203 what efficacy the law of God is Chap. XXVII.—How little the precepts of philosophers contribute to true 205 wisdom, which you will find in religion only Chap. XXVIII.—Of true religion and of nature. whether fortune is a goddess, 207 and of philosophy v Chap. XXIX.—Of fortune again, and virtue 210 Chap. XXX.—The conclusion of the things before spoken; and by what means 213 we must pass from the vanity of the philosophers to true wisdom, and the knowledge of the true god, in which alone are virtue and happiness Book IV. Of True Wisdom and Religion 215 Chap. I.—Of the former religion of men, and how error was spread over every 216 age, and of the seven wise men of Greece Chap. II.—Where wisdom is to be found; why Pythagoras and Plato did not 218 approach the Jews Chap. III.—Wisdom and religion cannot be separated: the Lord of nature 219 must necessarily be the Father of every one Chapter IV.—Of wisdom likewise, and religion, and of the right of father and 222 lord Chap. V.—The oracles of the prophets must be looked into; and of their times, 224 and the times of the judges and kings Chap. VI.—Almighty God begat his Son; and the testimonies of the Sibyls 226 and of Trismegistus concerning Him Chap. VII.—Of the name of Son, and whence he is called Jesus and Christ 228 Chap. VIII.—Of the birth of Jesus in the spirit and in the flesh: of spirits and 230 the testimonies of prophets Chap. IX.—Of the Word of God 233 Chap. X.—Of the advent of Jesus; Of the fortunes of the Jews, and their 234 government, until the passion of the Lord Chap. XI.—Of the cause of the incarnation of Christ 237 Chap. XII.—Of the birth of Jesus from the Virgin; of his life, death, and 240 resurrection, and the testimonies of the prophets respecting these things Chap. XIII.—Of Jesus, God and man; and the testimonies of the prophets 243 concerning him Chap. XIV.—Of the priesthood of Jesus foretold by the prophets 247 Chap. XV.—Of the life and miracles of Jesus, and testimonies concerning 250 them Chap. XVI.—Of the passion of Jesus Christ; that it was foretold 254 Chap. XVII.—Of the superstitions of the Jews, and their hatred against Jesus 257 Chap. XVIII.—Of the Lord’s passion, and that it was foretold 261 vi Chap. XIX.—Of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; and the predictions 267 of these events Chap. XX.—Of the departure of Jesus into Galilee after his resurrection; and 269 of the two testaments, the old and the new Chap. XXI.—Of the ascension of Jesus, and the foretelling of it; and of the 271 preaching and actions of the disciples Chap. XXII.—Arguments of unbelievers against the incarnation of Jesus 272 Chap. XXIII.—Of giving precepts, and acting 273 Chap. XXIV.—The overthrowing of the arguments above urged by way of 275 objection Chap. XXV.—Of the advent of Jesus in the flesh and spirit, that He might be 278 mediator between God and man Chap. XXVI.—Of the cross, and other tortures of Jesus, and of the figure of 280 the lamb under the law Chap. XXVII.—Of the wonders effected by the power of the cross, and of 285 demons Chap. XXVIII.—Of hope and true religion, and of superstition 288 Chap. XXIX.—Of the Christian religion, and of the union of Jesus with the 291 Father Chap. XXX.—Of avoiding heresies and superstitions, and what is the only 293 true Catholic Church Book V. Of Justice 296 Chap. I.—Of the non-condemnation of accused persons without a hearing of 297 their cause; from what cause philosophers despised the sacred writings; of the first advocates of the Christian religion Chap. II.—To what an extent the Christian truth has been assailed by rash 301 men Chap. III.—Of the truth of the Christian doctrine, and the vanity of its 304 adversaries; and that Christ was not a magician Chap. IV.—Why this work was published, and again of Tertullian and Cyprian 307 Chap. V.—there was true justice under Saturnus, but it was banished by Jupiter 309 Chap. VI.—After the banishment of justice, lust, unjust laws, daring, avarice, 312 ambition, pride, impiety, and other vices reigned Chap. VII.—Of the coming of Jesus, and its fruit; and of the virtues and vices 314 of that age vii Chap. VIII.—Of justice known to all, but not embraced; of the true temple of 316 God, and of His worship, that all vices may be subdued Chap. IX.—Of the crimes of the wicked, and the torture inflicted on the 318 Christians Chap. X.—Of false piety, and of false and true religion 322 Chap XI.—Of the cruelty of the heathens against the Christians 325 Chap. XII.—Of true virtue; and of the estimation of a good or bad citizen 327 Chapter XIII.—Of the increase and the punishment of the Christians. 329 Chap. XIV.—Of the fortitude of the Christians 331 Chap. XV.—Of folly, wisdom, piety, equity, and justice 332 Chap. XVI.—Of the duties of the just man, and the equity of Christians 334 Chap. XVII.—Of the equity, wisdom, and foolishness of Christians 336 Chap. XVIII.—Of justice, wisdom, and folly 338 Chap. XIX.—Of virtue and the tortures of Christians, and of the right of a 342 father and master Chap. XX.—Of the vanity and crimes, impious superstitions, and of the 344 tortures of the Christians Chap. XXI.—Of the worship of other gods and the true God, and of the animals 349 which the Egyptians worshipped Chap. XXII.—Of the rage of the demons against Christians, and the error of 351 unbelievers Chap. XXIII.—Of the justice and patience of the Christians 353 Chap. XXIV.—Of the divine vengeance inflicted on the torturers of the 356 Christians Book VI. Of True Worship 357 Chap. I.—Of the worship of the true God, and of innocency, and of the worship 358 of false Gods Chap. II.—Of the worship of false gods and the true God 360 Chap. III.—Of the ways, and of vices and virtues; and of the rewards of heaven 362 and the punishments of hell Chap. IV.—Of the ways of life, of pleasures, also of the hardships of Christians 365 Chap. V.—Of false and true virtue; and of knowledge 368 Chap. VI.—Of the chief good and virtue, and or knowledge and righteousness 371 viii Chap. VII.—Of the Way of Error and of Truth: that It is Single, Narrow, and 375 Steep, and Has God for Its Guide Chap. VIII.—Of the errors of philosophers, and the variableness of law 377 Chap. IX.—Of the law and precept of god; of mercy, and the error of the 379 philosophers Chap. X.—Of religion towards God, and mercy towards men; and of the 382 beginning of the world Chap. XI.—Of the persons upon whom a benefit is to be conferred 385 Chap. XII.—Of the kinds of beneficence, and works of mercy 389 Chap. XIII.—Of repentance, of mercy, and the forgiveness of sins 394 Chap. XIV.—Of the affections, and the opinion of the Stoics respecting them; 396 and of virtue, the vices, and mercy Chap. XV.—Of the affections, and the opinion of the Peripatetics respecting 398 them Chap. XVI.—Of the affections, and the refutation of the opinion of the 401 Peripatetics concerning them; what is the proper use of the affections, and what is a bad use of them Chap. XVII.—Of the affections and their use; of patience, and the chief good 403 of Christians Chap. XVIII.—Of some commands of God, and of patience 406 Chap. XIX.—Of the affections and their use; and of the three furies 410 Chap. XX.—Of the senses, and their pleasures in the brutes and in man; and 412 of pleasures of the eyes, and spectacles Chap. XXI.—Of the pleasures of the ears, and of sacred literature 416 Chap. XXII.—Of the pleasures of taste and smell 417 Chap. XXIII.—De tactus voluptate et libidine, atque de matrimonio et 418 continentiâ Chap. XXIV.—Of repentance, of pardon, and the commands of God 421 Chap. XXV.—Of sacrifice, and of an offering worthy of God, and of the form 425 of praising God Book VII. Of a Happy Life 427 Chap. I.—Of the world, and those who are about to believe, and those who 428 are not; and in this the censure of the faithless Chap. II.—Of the error of the philosophers, and of the divine wisdom, and 432 of the golden age ix