Testimonia

{"author":null,"backreferences":[{"context_html":"<p class=\"c005\">He next proceeds to recommend, that in adopting opinions\r\nwe should follow reason and a rational guide,<a id=\"r1147\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f1147\"><sup>[1147]</sup></a> since he who\r\nassents to opinions without following this course is very liable\r\nto be deceived. And he compares inconsiderate believers to\r\nMetragyrtæ, and soothsayers, and Mithræ, and Sabbadians,\r\nand to anything else that one may fall in with, and to the\r\nphantoms of Hecate, or any other demon or demons. For\r\nas amongst such persons are frequently to be found wicked\r\nmen, who, taking advantage of the ignorance of those who\r\nare easily deceived, lead them away whither they will, so also,\r\nhe says, is the case among Christians. And he asserts that\r\ncertain persons who do not wish either to give or receive a\r\nreason for their belief, keep repeating, “Do not examine,\r\nbut believe!” and, “Your faith will save you!” And he\r\nalleges that such also say, “The wisdom of this life is bad,\r\nbut that foolishness is a good thing!” To which we have\r\nto answer, that if it were possible for all to leave the business\r\nof life, and devote themselves to philosophy, no other method\r\nought to be adopted by any one, but this alone. For in the\r\nChristian system also it will be found that there is, not to\r\nspeak at all arrogantly, at least as much of investigation into\r\narticles of belief, and of explanation of dark sayings, occurring\r\nin the prophetical writings, and of the parables in the\r\nGospels, and of countless other things, which either were\r\nnarrated or enacted with a symbolical signification,<a id=\"r1148\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f1148\"><sup>[1148]</sup></a> [as is\r\nthe case with other systems]. But since the course alluded\r\n<span class=\"pageno\" id=\"Page_406\">406</span>to is impossible, partly on account of the necessities of life,\r\npartly on account of the weakness of men, as only a very\r\nfew individuals devote themselves earnestly to study,<a id=\"r1149\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f1149\"><sup>[1149]</sup></a> what\r\nbetter method could be devised with a view of assisting the\r\nmultitude, than that which was delivered by Jesus to the\r\nheathen? And let us inquire, with respect to the great\r\nmultitude of believers, who have washed away the mire of\r\nwickedness in which they formerly wallowed, whether it\r\nwere better for them to believe without a reason, and [so] to\r\nhave become reformed and improved in their habits, through\r\nthe belief that men are chastised for sins, and honoured\r\nfor good works; or not to have allowed themselves to be converted\r\non the strength of mere faith, but [to have waited]\r\nuntil they could give themselves to a thorough examination\r\nof the [necessary] reasons. For it is manifest that, [on such\r\na plan], all men, with very few exceptions, would not obtain\r\nthis [amelioration of conduct] which they have obtained\r\nthrough a simple faith, but would continue to remain in the\r\npractice of a wicked life. Now, whatever other evidence\r\ncan be furnished of the fact, that it was not without divine\r\nintervention that the philanthropic scheme of Christianity\r\nwas introduced among men, this also must be added. For a\r\npious man will not believe that even a physician of the body,\r\nwho restores the sick to better health, could take up his abode\r\nin any city or country without divine permission, since no\r\ngood happens to men without the help of God. And if he\r\nwho has cured the <i>bodies</i> of many, or restored them to better\r\nhealth, does not effect his cures without the help of God,\r\nhow much more He who has healed the <i>souls</i> of many,\r\nand has turned them [to virtue], and improved their nature,\r\nand attached them to God who is over all things, and taught\r\nthem to refer every action to His good pleasure, and to shun\r\nall that is displeasing to Him, even to the least of their words\r\nor deeds, or even of the thoughts of their hearts?</p>","headings":["The Writings of Origen, Vol. 1 of 2","ORIGEN CONTRA CELSUM.","ORIGEN AGAINST CELSUS. BOOK I.","Chapter IX."],"marker_anchor":null,"paragraph_id":"pg70561-paragraph-407"}],"canonical_references":[],"date_end":null,"date_start":null,"deduplication_fingerprint":"7d369b390a6286cd010484933937bc003048baa45dc26488f5e3f75e7deb81d2","edition_title":"The writings of Origen, Vol. 1 (of 2)","edition_translators":["Frederick Crombie"],"edition_year":1869,"explicit_reference_candidates":[],"headings":[],"id":"pg70561-f1149","license_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html","public_import_allowed":false,"record_kind":"original-editor-translator-note","review_required":["work and recension attribution","original-work chronology","Bible reference numbering and citation kind","English edition rights and attribution"],"review_status":"needs_review","rights_evidence":"Project Gutenberg metadata: Public domain in the USA. Existing 1869 English translation; translator died 1889. Electronic transcription subject to Project Gutenberg reuse terms.","source_anchor":"f1149","source_ebook":70561,"source_html":"<div class=\"footnote\" id=\"f1149\">\n<p class=\"c006\"><span class=\"label\"><a class=\"pginternal\" href=\"#r1149\">1149</a>.  </span><span lang=\"grc\">σφόδρα ὀλίγων ἐπὶ τὸν λόγον ᾀττόντων.</span></p>\n</div>","source_sha256":"de125e213d16053354f22b34a1c8d477ac23f201e660e4f4841b2ed7e05bb367","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/70561/pg70561-images.html#f1149","text_sha256":"defef30ad28988f7848026fa3fe30bc763845cc0298d5137ca54da60f6ee4d5f","verified":false,"work_id":null}

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