Five Books in Reply to Marcion Because he pleased her wittingly;[82] The Second Epistle of Pope Fabian And as the former should not be admired by the latter, so the latter should not be; admired by the former: for as the conversation of the priests of the Lord ought to be something separate from the conversation of these others, so should they be separate from them also in the matter of litigation; "for the servant of the Lord ought not to strive."[6] Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul To ourselves even does the apostle allow the concupiscible quality. "If any man," says he, "desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work."[112] Tertullian On Exhortation to Chastity Thence, therefore, among us the prescript is more fully and more carefully laid down, that they who are chosen into the sacerdotal order must be men of one marriage;[35] Tertullian On Monogamy Come, now, you who think that an exceptional law of monogamy is made with reference to bishops, abandon withal your remaining disciplinary titles, which, together with monogamy, are ascribed to bishops.[92] Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes and bishops in the same, and describing in the places severally assigned to that purpose, in what manner and with what character the ministers of God ought to conduct themselves, of what repute the presbyters ought to be possessed, and how they should be constituted, and what manner of persons those also ought to be who desire the office of bishop.[648] Revelation of Paul And I said to the angel: Who is this, my lord? And he said to me: This whom thou seest was a bishop, and that name indeed he was well pleased to have; but in the goodness of God he did not walk, righteous judgment he did not judge, the widow and the orphan he did not pity, he was neither affectionate nor hospitable;[24] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XI And you will say the like in the case of him who seeks the office of a bishop for the sake of glory with men, or of flattery from men, or for the sake of the gain received from those who, coming over to the word, give in the name of piety; for a bishop of this kind at any rate does not "desire a good work,"[150] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIV The bishop, therefore, must be without reproach, the husbands of one wife, temperate,sober-minded,"[180] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III Quid autem ad haec dicunt, qui in legem invehuntur, et in matrimonium, quasi sit solum a lege concessum, non autem etiam in Novo Testamento? Quid ad has leges latas possunt dicere, qui sationem abhorrent et generationem? cure "episcopum" quoque, "qui domui recte praesit,"[229] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book II Such a one a bishop ought to be, who has been the "husband of one wife,"[14] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book VI We have already said, that a bishop, a presbyter, and a deacon, when they are constituted, must be but once married, whether their wives be alive or whether they be dead; and that it is not lawful for them, if they are unmarried when they are ordained, to be married afterwards; or if they be then married, to marry a second time, but to be content with that wife. which they had when they came to ordination.[86] The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity not misleaders; not "lovers of money; not malevolent."[140] Didache Appoint, therefore, for yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money,[130] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book II who also has herself had no other husband, "ruling well his own house."[15] Life and Passion of Cyprian by Pontius 3. The apostle's epistle says[3] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book II Let him therefore be sober, prudent, decent, firm, stable, not given to wine; no striker, but gentle; not a brawler, not covetous; "not a novice, test, being puffed up with pride, be fall into condemnation, and the snare of the devil: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abused."[13] The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Holy Apostles It is not right to ordain him bishop presently who is just come in from the Gentiles, and baptized; or from a wicked mode of life: for it is unjust that he who has not yet afforded any trial of himself should be a teacher of others, unless it anywhere happens by divine grace.[51] Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians and not of men. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued,[31] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII not even God could bind, in like manner, no Peter, whoever he may be; and if any one who is not a Peter, and does not possess the things here spoken of, imagines as a Peter that he will so bind on earth that the things bound are bound in heaven, and will so loose on earth that the things loosed are loosed in heaven, he is puffed up, not understanding the meaning of the Scriptures, and, being puffed up, has fallen into the ruin of the devil.[108] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIV ; and, in regard todeacons, "Let the deacons," he says, "be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and theirown houses well,"[181] Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III WE have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith.[2] while the Church is scattered throughout all the world, and the "pillar and ground"[143] Victorinus Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John And abridging in a short space his announcement, he thus says to Timothy: "That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the Church of the living God."[18] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book III for there is no necessity that the women should be seen by the men; but only in the laying on of hands the bishop shall anoint her head, as the priests and kings were formerly anointed, not because those which are now baptized are ordained priests, but as being Christians, or anointed, from Christ the Anointed, "a royal priesthood, and an holy nation, the Church of God, the pillar and ground of the marriage-chamber,"[52] The Letter of the Churches of Vienna and Lugdunum But in an exceeding degree did the whole wrath of mob, general, and soldiers fall on Sanctus, a deacon from Vienna, and on Maturus, a newly-enlightened but noble combatant, and on Attalus, a native of Pergamus, who had always been the Pillar[14] Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus reason He sent the Word, that He might be manifested to the world; and He, being despised by the people [of the Jews], was, when preached by the Apostles, believed on by the Gentiles.[59] Epistle of Barnabas Behold again: Jesus who was manifested, both by type and in the flesh,[181] Tertullian Against Marcion Book IV of our heretic. Now, that the very Lord Himself of all might, the Word and Spirit of the Father,[671] Origen Against Celsus Book III or did he himself obtain any advantage from the possession of such a power?-always supposing it to be conceded that these statements are not wholly inventions, but that the thing actually happened through the co-operation of some demon. But if it be recorded that my Jesus was received up into glory,[101] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III Jam de iis, qui matrimonium abhorrent, dicit beatus Paulus: "In novissimis diebus deficient quidam a fide, attendentes spiritibus erroris, et doctrinis daemoniorum, prohibentium nubere, abstinere a cibis."[67] erte "dicit Spiritus, quod in posterioribus temporibus deficient quidam a fide, attendentes spiritibus erroris, et doctrinis daemoniorum, in hypocrisi falsiloquorum, cauteriatam habentium conscientiam, et prohibentium nubere, abstinere a cibis quos Deus creavit ad participationem cum gratiarum actione fidelibus, et qui agnoverunt veritatem, quod omnis creatura Dei bona est, et nihil est rejiciendum quod sumitur cure gratiarum actione. Sanctificatur enim per verburn Dei et orationem? "[149] Tertullian The Prescription Against Heretics neither ought their existence to surprise us, for it was foretold that they should come to pass;[3] Tertullian On Monogamy What harshness, therefore, is here on our part, if we renounce (communion with) such as do not the will of God? What heresy, if we judge second marriage, as being unlawful, akin to adultery? For what is adultery but unlawful marriage? The apostle sets a brand upon those who were wont entirely to forbid marriage, who were wont at the same time to lay an interdict on meats which God has created.[106] Tertullian On Fasting And accordingly (they think) us to have been even then prenoted as "in the latest times departing from the faith, giving heed to spirits which seduce the world, having a conscience inburnt with doctrines of liars."[10] Origen de Principiis Book II what is advanced by us; and entertaining Unworthy ideas of His divinity, have delivered themselves over to errors and deceits, being depraved by a spirit of error, rather than instructed by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, according to the declaration of the apostle, "Following the doctrine of devils, forbidding to marry, to the destruction and ruin of many, and to abstain from meats, that by an ostentatious exhibition of stricter observance they may seduce the souls of the innocent."[110] Origen Against Celsus Book V Celsus appears to me to have misunderstood the statement of the apostle, which declares that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them who believe; "[199] Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book VIII certain will depart from sound doctrine, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, uttering falsehoods in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God has created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by the faithful, and those who know the truth; because every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."[46] A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity Of Him also he tells: "Now the Spirit speaketh plainly, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, doctrines of demons, who speak lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience cauterized."[261] Novation On the Jewish Meats abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them which believe and those who know God."[23] Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving."[357] Genuine Acts of Peter of Alexandria Behold with living voice I protest to you, that after my death men will arise in the Church speaking perverse things,[15] Alexander Epistles on the Arian Heresy Paul, too, having learnt these things from the Saviour, wrote, "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils which turn away from the truth."[64] Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II did she in this way indicate Pandora and these men having their consciences seared[134] The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Holy Apostles If any bishop, or presbyter, or deacon does not on festival days partake of flesh or wine, let him be deprived, as "having a seared conscience,"[28] Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I And since the demons assist the most wicked, the Saviour came for the destruction of evil men and of the demons, but for the salvation of the good. They declare also, that marriage and generation are from Satan.[287] Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II " And does not the ten-stringed psaltery indicate the Word Jesus, who is manifested by the element of the decad? And as it is befitting, before partaking of food, that we should bless the Creator of all; so also in drinking it is suitable to praise Him on partaking of His creatures.[106] Tertullian The Prescription Against Heretics Thus runs Hebion's heresy. Such also as "forbid to marry" he reproaches in his instructions to Timothy.[347] Tertullian Against Marcion Book I Now, whence comes this halving of salvation, if not from a failure of goodness? What could have been a better proof of a perfect goodness, than the recovery of the whole man to salvation? Totally damned by the Creator, he should have been totally restored by the most merciful god. I rather think that by Marcion's rule the body is baptized, is deprived of marriage,[311] Tertullian On Fasting -(the apostle, I say), that detester of such as, in like manner as they prohibit marrying, so bid us abstain from meats created by God.[9] Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book VII You forbid marriage, the procreation of children, (and) the abstaining from meats which God has created for participation by the faithful, and those that know the truth.[81] Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book IX , and each receives from these a sufficient portion. No one, however, tastes these before the priest utters a blessing,[72] Tertullian On the Apparel of Women Book II and (as we know) permitted? Are there not some who prohibit to themselves (the use of) the very "creature of God,"[93] Origen Against Celsus Book VIII When, therefore, we eat and drink and breathe to the glory of God, and act in all things according to what is right, we feast with no demons, but with divine angels: "For every creature is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."[67] Novation On the Jewish Meats Moreover, in another place: "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused which is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer."[22] for these pleasures, so as to rejoice in our food.[33] 2 Clement I read to you an entreaty[147] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XI and as nothing is pure to him who is defiled and unbelieving, not in itself, but because of his defilement and unbelief, so that which is sanctified through the word of God and prayer[137] Octavius of Minucius Felix "And, not content with this wild opinion, they add to it and associate with it old women's fables:[31] Arnobius Against the Heathen Book V eing uncovered, be dispersed in the bosom of the earth, did she indeed wash and anoint them with fragrant gums before wrapping and covering them with his dress? For whence could the violet's sweet scent have come had not the addition of those ointments modified the putrefying smell of the member? Pray, when you read such tales, do you not seem to yourselves to hear either girls at the loom wiling away their tedious working hours, or old women seeking diversions for credulous children,[92] Clement of Alexandria Exhortation to the Heathen What, then, is this knowledge? Godliness; and "godliness," according to Paul, "is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."[111] Dionysius Extant Fragments Part I On those, again, who pause and refresh themselves in the course as they are moved or as they are able, let us not press very hard:[158] Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians But ye, being full of the Holy Spirit, do nothing according to the flesh, but all things according to the Spirit. Ye are complete in Christ Jesus, "who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe."[57] Epistle of Ignatius to the Philippians [1] Clement of Alexandria Exhortation to the Heathen This recompense God cheerfully accepts; "for we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe."[112] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VI And to speak comprehensively, all benefit appertaining to life, in its highest reason, proceeding from the Sovereign God, the Father who is over all, is consummated by the Son, who also on this account "is the Saviour of all men," says the apostle, "but especially of those who believe."[302] Tertullian On Modesty `a Saviour of all men, most of all of believers.'[19] Origen Against Celsus Book IV and that He encourages us to a similar course of action, in order that we may become His sons, and teaches us to extend the benefits which we enjoy, so far as in our power, to all men? For He Himself is said to be the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe;[110] Origen Commentary on John Book VI "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for those of the whole world," since He is the Saviour of all men,[165] In that case what are we to make of the saying of the same disciple with regard to the Saviour, as the propitiation for sin? "If any man sin," we read, "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world? "Paul's dictum appears to me to be to the same effect, when he says,[181] Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians Timothy the Christ-bearer was young, but hear what his teacher writes to him: "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word and in conduct."[23] Epistle of Ignatius to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch [of the saints]; inquire after every one by name. "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example to the believers, both in word and conduct."[18] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV And again, to him who desires to become a Gnostic, it is written, "But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in purity."[146] Cyprian Epistle LXIV But if, further, he shall harass and provoke you with his insults, you must exercise against him the power of your dignity, by either deposing him or excommunicating him. For if the Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, said, "Let no man despise thy youth,"[12] Epistle of Ignatius to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch Give attention to reading,[9] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X The former parables He spoke to the multitudes; but this and the two which follow it, which are not parables but similitudes in relation to the kingdom of heaven, He seems to have spoken to the disciples when in the house. In regard to this and the next two, let him who "gives heed to reading"[20] We must endeavour, therefore, in every way to gather in our heart, "by giving heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching,"[83] Tertullian On Exhortation to Chastity If he is making prayer to the Lord, he is near heaven. If he is bending over the Scriptures, he is "wholly in them."[52] 2 Clement I think not that I counted trivial counsel concerning continence; following it, a man will not repent thereof, but will save both himself and me who counselled.[73] Origen Commentary on John Book II Is this the reason why the Apostle, after speaking of the supreme excellency of the life of God and being led to the highest expression about it, says about God (showing in this a true understanding of that saying, "I live, saith the Lord"); "who only hath immortality."[51]