Table Of ContentANF07. 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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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