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not completely corrected. EWTN has corrected all discovered errors.)


ST. ATHANASIUS

TO THE BISHOPS OF EGYPT

[Oxford translation by Rev. M. Atkinson, revised by Rev. Archibald
Robertson, Principal of Bishop Hatfield's Hall, Durham, late fellow of
Trinity College, Oxford.]


AD EPISCOPOS AEGYPTI ET LIBYAE EPISTOLA ENCYCLICA

CHAPTER I.

1. Christ warned His followers against false prophets.

   ALL things whatsoever our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as Luke wrote,
'both hath done and taught[1],' He effected after having appeared for our
salvation; for He came, as John saith, 'not to condemn the world, but that
the world through Him might be saved[2].' And among the rest we have
especially to admire this instance of His goodness, that He was not silent
concerning those who should fight against us, but plainly told us
beforehand, that, when those things should come to pass, we might
straightway be found with minds established by His teaching. For He said,
'There shall arise false prophets and false Christs, and shall shew great
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, the very elect shall
be deceived. Behold, I have told you before[3].' Manifold indeed and beyond
human conception are the instructions and gifts of grace which He has laid
up in us; as the pattern of heavenly conversation, power against demons,
the adoption of sons, and that exceeding great and singular grace, the
knowledge of the Father and of the Word Himself, and the gift of the Holy
Ghost. But the mind of man is prone to evil exceedingly; moreover, our
adversary the devil, envying us the possession of such great blessings,
goeth about seeking to snatch away the seed of the word which is sown
within us. Wherefore as if by His prophetic warnings He would seal up His
instructions in our hearts as His own peculiar treasure, the Lord said,
'Take heed that no man deceive you: for many shall come in My name, saying,
I am he; and the time draweth near; and they shall deceive many: go ye not
therefore after them[4].' This is a great gift which the Word has bestowed
upon us, that we should not be deceived by appearances, but that, howsoever
these things are concealed, we should all the more distinguish them by the
grace of the Spirit. For whereas the inventor of wickedness and great
spirit of evil, the devil, is utterly hateful, and as soon as he shews
himself is rejected[5] of all men,--as a serpent, as a dragon, as a lion
seeking whom he may seize upon and devour,--therefore he conceals and
covers what he really is, and craftily personates that Name which all men
desire, so that deceiving by a false appearance, he may thenceforth fix
fast in his own chains those whom he has led astray. And as if one that
desired to kidnap the children of others during the absence of their
parents, should personate their appearance, and so putting a cheat on the
affections of the offspring, should carry them far away and destroy them;
in like manner this evil and wily spirit the devil, having no confidence in
himself, and knowing the love which men bear to the truth, personates its
appearance, and so spreads his own poison among those that follow after
him.

2. Satan pretending to be holy, is detected by the Christian.

   Thus he deceived Eve, not speaking his own, but artfully adopting the
words of God, and perverting their meaning. Thus he suggested evil to the
wife of Job, persuading her to feign affection for her husband, while he
taught her to blaspheme God. Thus does the crafty spirit mock men by false
displays, deluding and drawing each into his own pit of wickedness. When of
old he deceived the first man Adam, thinking that through him he should
have all men subject unto him, he exulted with great boldness and said, 'My
hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth
eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there is none that
shall escape me or speak against me[6].' But when the Lord came upon earth,
and the enemy made trial of His human Economy, being unable to deceive the
flesh which He had taken upon Him, from that time forth he, who promised
himself the occupation of the whole world, is for His sake mocked even by
children: that proud one is mocked as a sparrow[7]. For now the infant
child lays his hand upon the hole of the asp, and laughs at him that
deceived Eve[8]; and all that rightly believe in the Lord tread under foot
him that said, 'I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be
like the Most High[9].' Thus he suffers and is dishonoured; and although he
still ventures with shameless confidence to disguise himself, yet now,
wretched spirit, he is detected the rather by them that bear the Sign on
their foreheads[1]; yea, more, he is rejected of them, and is humbled, and
put to shame. For even if, now that he is a creeping serpent, he shall
transform himself into an angel of light, yet his deception will not profit
him; for we have been taught that 'though an angel from heaven preach unto
us any other gospel than that we have received, he is anathema.

       3. And although, again, he conceal his natural falsehood, and
pretend to speak truth with his lips; yet are we 'not ignorant of his
devices[3],' but are able to answer him in the words spoken by the Spirit
against him; 'But unto the ungodly, said God, why dose thou preach My
laws?' and, 'Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner[4].' For even
though he speak the truth, the deceiver is not worthy of credit. And
whereas Scripture shewed this, when relating his wicked artifices against
Eve in Paradise, so the Lord also reproved him,--first in the mount, when
He laid open 'the folds of his breast-plate[5],' and shewed who the crafty
spirit was, and proved that it was not one of the saints[6], but Satan that
was tempting Him. For He said, 'Get thee behind Me Satan; for it is
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve[7].' And again, when He put a curb in the mouths of the demons that
cried after Him from the tombs. For although what they said was true, and
they lied not then, saying, 'Thou art the Son of God,' and 'the Holy One of
Gods[8];' yet He would not that the truth should proceed from an unclean
mouth, and especially from such as them, lest under pretence thereof they
should mingle with it their own malicious devices, and sow these also while
men slept. Therefore He suffered them not to speak such words, neither
would He have us to suffer such, but hath charged us by His own mouth,
saying, 'Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps' clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves[9];' and by the mouth of His Holy
Apostles, 'Believe not every spirit[10].' Such is the method of our
adversary's operations; and of the like nature are all these inventions of
heresies, each of which has for the father of its own device the devil, who
changed and became a murderer and a liar from the beginning. But being
ashamed to profess his hateful name, they usurp the glorious Name of our
Saviour 'which is above every name[1],' and deck themselves out in the
language of Scripture, speaking indeed the words, but stealing away the
true meaning thereof; and so disguising by some artifice their false
inventions, they also become the murderers of those whom they have led
astray.

4. It profits not to receive part of Scripture, and reject part.

   For whence do Marcion and Manichaeus receive the Gospel while they
reject the Law? For the New Testament arose out of the Old, and bears
witness to the Old; if then they reject this, how can they receive what
proceeds from it? Thus Paul was an Apostle of the Gospel, 'which God
promised afore by His prophets in the holy Scriptures[3]:' and our Lord
Himself said, 'ye search the Scriptures, for they are they which testify of
Me[4].' How then shall they confess the Lord unless they first search the
Scriptures which are written concerning Him? And the disciples say that
they have found Him, 'of whom Moses and the Prophets did write[5].' And
what is the Law to the Sadducees if they receive not the Prophets[6]? For
God who gave the Law, Himself promised in the Law that He would raise up
Prophets also, so that the same is Lord both of the Law and of the
Prophets, and he that denies the one must of necessity deny the other also.
And again, what is the Old Testament to the Jews, unless they acknowledge
the Lord whose coming was expected according to it? For had they believed
the writings of Moses, they would have believed the words of the Lord; for
He said, 'He wrote of Me[7].' Moreover, what are the Scriptures to him  of
Samosata, who denies the Word of God and His incarnate Presence[9], which
is signified and declared both in the Old and New Testament? And of what
use are the Scriptures to the Arians also, and why do they bring them
forward, men who say that the Word of God is a creature, and like the
Gentiles 'serve the creature more than' God 'the Creator[1]?' Thus each of
these heresies, in respect of the peculiar impiety of its invention, has
nothing in common with the Scriptures. And their advocates are aware of
this, that the Scriptures are very much, or rather altogether, opposed to
the doctrines of every one of them; but for the sake of deceiving the more
simple sort (such as are those of whom it is written in the Proverbs, 'The
simple believeth every word[2]),' they pretend like their 'father the
devil[3]' to study and to quote the language of Scripture, in order that
they may appear by their words to have a fight belief, and so may persuade
their wretched followers to believe what is contrary to the Scriptures.
Assuredly in every one of these heresies the devil has thus disguised
himself, and has suggested to them words full of craftiness. The Lord spake
concerning them, that 'there shall arise false Christs and false prophets,
so that they shall deceive many[4].' Accordingly the devil has come,
speaking by each and saying, 'I am Christ, and the truth is with me;' and
he has made them, one and all, to be liars like himself. And strange it is,
that while all heresies are at variance with one another concerning the
mischievous inventions which each has framed, they are united together only
by the common purpose of lying[5]. For they have one and the same father
that has sown in them all the seeds, of falsehood. Wherefore the faithful
Christian and true disciple of the Gospel, having grace to discern
spiritual things, and having built the house of his faith upon a rock,
stands continually firm and secure from their deceits. But the simple
person, as I said before, that is not thoroughly grounded in knowledge,
such an one, considering only the words that are spoken and not perceiving
their meaning, is immediately drawn away by their wiles. Wherefore it is
good and needful for us to pray that we may receive the gift of discerning
spirits, so that every one may know, according to the precept of John, whom
he ought to reject, and whom to receive as friends and of the same faith.
Now one might write at great length concerning these things, if one desired
to go rate details respecting them; for the impiety and perverseness of
heresies will appear to be manifold and various, and the craft of the
deceivers to be very terrible. But since holy Scripture is of all things
most sufficient[6] for us, therefore recommending to those who desire to
know more of these matters, to read the Divine word, I now hasten to set
before you that which most claims attention, and for the sake of which
principally I have written these things.

5. Attempt of Arians to substitute a Creed for the Nicene.

   I heard during my sojourn in these parts[7] (and they were true and
orthodox brethren that informed me), that certain professors of Arian
opinions had met together, and drawn a confession of faith to their own
liking, and that they intend to send word to you, that you must either
subscribe to what pleases them, or rather to what the devil has inspired
them with, or in case of refusal must suffer banishment. They are indeed
already beginning to molest the Bishops of these parts; and thereby are
plainly manifesting their disposition. For inasmuch as they frame this
document only for the purpose of inflicting banishment or other
punishments, what does such conduct prove them to be, but enemies of the
Christians, and friends of the devil and his angels? and especially since
they spread abroad what they like contrary to the mind of that gracious
Prince, our most religious Emperor Constantius[8]. And this they do with
great craftiness, and, as appears to me, chiefly with two ends in view;
first, that by obtaining your subscriptions, they may seem to remove the
evil repute that rests upon the name of Arius, and may escape notice
themselves as if not professing his opinions; and again, that by putting
forth these statements they may cast a shade over the Council of Nicaea[9],
and the confession of faith which was then put forth against the Arian
heresy. But this proceeding does but prove the more plainly their own
maliciousness and heterodoxy. For had they believed aright, they would have
been satisfied with the confession put forth at Nicaea by the whole
Ecumenic Council; and had they considered themselves calumniated and
falsely called Arians, they ought not to have been so eager to innovate
upon what was written against Arius, lest what was directed against him
might seem to be aimed at them also. This, however, is not the course they
pursue, but they conduct the struggle in their own behalf, just as if they
were Arius. Observe how entirely they disregard the truth, and how
everything they say and do is for the sake of the Arian heresy. For in that
they dare to question those sound definitions of the faith, and take upon
themselves to produce others contrary to them, what else do they but accuse
the Fathers, and stand up in defence of that heresy which they opposed and
protested against? And what they now write proceeds not from any regard for
the truth, as I said before, but rather they do it as in mockery and by an
artifice, for the purpose of deceiving men; that by sending about their
letters they may engage the ears of the people to listen to these notions,
and so put off the time when they will be brought to trial; and that by
concealing their impiety from observation, they may have room to extend
their heresy, which, 'like a gangrene[10],' eats its way everywhere.

   6. Accordingly they disturb and disorder everything, and yet not even
thus are they satisfied with their own proceedings. For every year, as if
they were going to draw up a contract, they meet together and pretend to
write about the faith, whereby they expose themselves the more to ridicule
and disgrace, because their expositions are rejected, not by others, but by
themselves. For had they had any confidence in their previous statements,
they would not have desired to draw up others; nor again, leaving these
last, would they now have set down the one in question, which no doubt true
to their custom they will again alter, after a very short interval, and as
soon as they shall find a pretence for their customary plotting against
certain persons. For when they have a design against any, then it is that
they make a great show of writing about the faith; that, as Pilate washed
his hands, so they by writing may destroy those who rightly believe in
Christ, hoping that, as making definitions about the faith, they may
appear, as I have repeatedly said, to be free from the charge of false
doctrine. But they will not be able to hide themselves, nor to escape; for
they continually become their own accusers even while they defend
themselves. Justly so, since instead of answering those who bring proof
against them, they do but persuade themselves to believe whatever they
wish. And when is an acquittal obtained, upon the criminal becoming his own
judge? Hence it is that they are always writing, and always altering their
own previous statements, and thus they shew an uncertain faith[1],' or
rather a manifest unbelief and perverseness. And this, it appears to me,
must needs be the case with them; for since, having fallen away from the
truth, and desiring to overthrow that sound confession of faith which was
drawn up at Nicaea, they have, in the language of Scripture, 'loved to
wander, and have not refrained their feet[2];' therefore, like Jerusalem of
old, they labour and toil in their changes, sometimes writing one thing,
and sometimes another, but only for the sake of gaining time, and that they
may continue enemies of Christ, and deceivers of mankind.

7. The party of Acacius really Arians.

   Who, then, that has any rear regard for truth, will be willing to
suffer these men any longer? who will not justly reject their writing? who
will not denounce their audacity, that being but few[3] in number, they
would have their decisions to prevail over everything, and as desiring the
supremacy of their own meetings, held in comers and suspicious in their
circumstances, would forcibly cancel the decrees of an uncorrupt, pure, and
Ecumenic Council? Men who have been promoted by Eusebius and his fellows
for advocating this Antichristian heresy, venture to define articles of
faith, and while they ought to be brought to judgment as criminals, like
Caiaphas, they take upon themselves. to judge. They compose a Thalia, and
would have it received as a standard of faith, while they are not yet
themselves determined what they believe. Who does not know that Secundus[4]
of Pentapolis, who was several times degraded long ago, was received by
them for the sake of the Arian madness; and that George[5], now of
Laodicea, and Leontius the Eunuch, and before him Stephanus, and Theodorus
of Heraclea[6], were promoted by them? Ursacius and Valens also, who from
the first were instructed by Arius as young men[7], though they had been
formerly degraded from the Priesthood, afterwards got the title of Bishops
on account of their impiety; as did also Acacius, Patrophilus[8], and
Narcissus, who have been most forward in all manner of impiety. These were
degraded in the great Synod of Sardica; Eustathius also now of Sebastea,
Demophilus and Germinius[9], Eudoxius, and Basil, who are supporters of
that impiety, were advanced in the same manner. Of Cecropius[10], and him
they called Auxentius, and of Epictetus[11] the impostor, it were
superfluous for me to speak, since it is manifest to all men, in what
manner, on what pretexts, and by what enemies of ours these were promoted,
that they might bring their false charges against the orthodox Bishops who
were the objects of their designs. For although they resided at the
distance of eighty posts, and were unknown to the people, yet on the ground
of their impiety they purchased for themselves the title of Bishop. For the
same reason also they have now[1] hired one George of Cappadocia, whom they
wish to impose upon you. But no respect is due to him any more than to the
rest; for there is a report in these parts that he is not even a Christian,
but is devoted to the worship of idols; and he has a hangman's temper[2].
And this person, such as he is described to be, they have taken into their
ranks, that they may be able to injure, to plunder, and to slay; for in
these things he is a great proficient, but is ignorant of the very
principles of the Christian faith.

8. Words are bad, though Scriptural, which proceed from bad men.

   Such are the machinations of these men against the truth: but their
designs are manifest to all the world, though they attempt in ten thousand
ways, like eels, to elude the grasp, and to escape detection as enemies of
Christ. Wherefore I beseech you, let no one among you be deceived, no one
seduced by them; rather, considering that a sort of judaical impiety is
invading the Christian faith, be ye all zealous for the Lord; hold fast,
every one, the faith we have received from the Fathers, which they who
assembled at Nicaea recorded in writing, and endure not those who endeavour
to innovate thereon. And however they may write phrases out of the
Scripture, endure not their writings; however they may speak the language
of the orthodox, yet attend not to what they say; for they speak not with
an upright mind, but putting on such language like sheeps' clothing, in
their hearts they think with Arius, after the manner of the devil, who is
the author of all heresies. For he too made use of the words of Scripture,
but was put to silence by our Saviour. For if he had indeed meant them as
he used them, he would not have fallen from heaven; but now having fallen
through his pride, he artfully dissembles in his speech, and oftentimes
maliciously endeavours to lead men astray by the subtleties and sophistries
of the Gentiles. Had these expositions of theirs proceeded from the
orthodox, from such as the great Confessor Hosius, and Maximinus[3] of
Gaul, or his successor[3a], or from such as Philogonius and Eustathius[4],
Bishops of the East[5], or Julius and Liberius of Rome, or Cyriacus of
Moesia[6], or Pistus and Aristaeus of Greece, or Silvester and Protogenes
of Dacia, or Leontius and Eupsychius of Cappadocia, or Caecilianus of
Africa, or Eustorgius of Italy, or Capito of Sicily, or Macarius of
Jerusalem, or Alexander of Constantinople, or Paederos of Heraclea, or
those great Bishops Meletius, Basil, and Longianus, and the rest from
Armenia and Pontus, or Lupus and Amphion from Cilicia, or James[6a] and the
rest from Mesopotamia, or our own blessed Alexander, with others of the
same opinions as these;--there would then have been nothing to suspect in
their statements, for the character of apostolical men is sincere and
incapable of fraud.

9. For such words do but serve as their cloak.

   But when they proceed from those who are hired to advocate the cause of
heresy, and since, according to the divine proverb, 'The words of the
wicked are to lie in wait,' and 'The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil
things,' and 'The counsels of the wicked are deceit[7]:' it becomes us to
watch and be sober, brethren, as the Lord has said, lest any deception
arise from subtlety of speech and craftiness; lest any one come and pretend
to say, 'I preach Christ,' and after a little while he be found to be
Antichrist. These indeed are Antichrists, whosoever come to you in the
cause of the Arian madness. For what defect is there among you, that any
one need to come to you from without? Or, of what do the Churches of Egypt
and Libya and Alexandria stand so much in need, that these men should make
a purchases of the Episcopate instead of wood and goods, and intrude into
Churches which do not belong to them? Who is not aware, who does not
perceive clearly, that they do all this in order to support their impiety?
Wherefore although they should make themselves dumb, or although they
should bind on their garments larger borders than the Pharisees, and pour
themselves forth in long speeches, and practise the tones of their
voice[9], they ought not to be believed; for it is not the mode of
speaking, but the intentions of the heart and a godly conversation that
recommend the faithful Christian. And thus the Sadducees and Herodians,
although they have the law in their mouths, were put to rebuke by our
Saviour, who said unto them, 'Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor
the power of God[10]:' and all men witnessed the exposure of those who
pretended to quote the words of the Law, as being in their minds heretics
and enemies of God[11]. Others indeed they deceived by these professions,
but when our Lord became man they were not able to deceive Him; 'for the
Word was made Flesh,' who 'knoweth the thoughts of men that they are vain.'
Thus He exposed the carping of the Jews, saying, 'If God were your Father,
ye would love Me, for I proceeded forth from the Father, and am come to
you[1].' In like manner these men seem now to act; for they disguise their
real sentiments, and then make use of the language of Scripture for their
writings, which they hold forth as a bait for the ignorant, that they may
inveigle them into their own wickedness.

10. They ought first to condemn Arius, if they are to be heard.

   Consider, whether this be not so. If, when there is no reason for their
doing so, they write confessions of faith, it is a superfluous, and perhaps
also a mischievous proceeding, because, when there is no enquiry, they
offer occasion for controversy of words, and unsettle the simple hearts of
the brethren, disseminating among them such notions as have never entered
into their minds. And if they are attempting to write a defence of
themselves in regard to the Arian heresy, they ought first to have removed
the seeds of those evils which have sprung up, and to have proscribed those
who produced them, and then in the room of former statements to set forth
others which are sound; or else let them openly vindicate the opinions of
Arius, that they may no longer covertly but openly shew themselves enemies
of Christ, and that all men may fly from them as from the face of a
serpent. But now they keep back those opinions, and for a pretence write on
other matters; just as if a surgeon, when summoned to attend a person
wounded and suffering, should upon coming in to him say not a word
concerning his wounds, but proceed to discourse about his sound limbs. Such
an one would be chargeable with utter stupidity, for saying nothing on the
matter for which he came, but discoursing on those other points in which he
was not needed. Yet just in the same manner these men omit those matters
which concern their heresy, and take upon themselves to write on other
subjects; whereas if they had any regard for the Faith, or any love for
Christ, they ought first to have removed out of the way those blasphemous
expressions uttered against Him, and then in the room of them to speak and
to write the sound words. But this they neither do themselves, nor permit
those that desire to do so, whether it be from ignorance, or through craft
and artifice.

11. No profit to do right in one may, if we do wrong in another.

   If they do this from ignorance they must be charged with rashness,
because they affirm positively concerning things that they know not; but if
they dissemble knowingly, their condemnation is the greater, because while
they overlook nothing in consulting for their own interests, in writing
about faith in our Lord they make a mockery, and do anything rather than
speak the truth; they keep back those particulars respecting which their
heresy is accused, and merely bring forward the language of the Scriptures.
Now this is a manifest theft of the truth, and a practice full of all
iniquity; and so I am sure your piety will readily perceive it to be from
the following illustrations. No person being accused of adultery defends
himself as innocent of theft; nor would any one in prosecuting a charge of
murder suffer the accused parties to defend themselves by saying, 'We have
not committed perjury, but have preserved the deposit which was entrusted
to us.' This would be mere child's play, instead of a refutation of the
charge and a demonstration of the truth. For what has murder to do with a
deposit, or adultery with theft? The vices are indeed related to each other
as proceeding from the same heart; yet in respect to the refutation of an
alleged offence, they have no connection with each other. Accordingly as it
is written in the Book of Joshua the son of Nun, when Achan was charged
with theft, he did not excuse himself with the plea of his zeal in the
wars; but being convicted of the offence was stoned by all the people. And
when Saul was charged with negligence and a breach of the law, he did not
benefit his cause by alleging his conduct on other matters[3]. For a
defence on one count will not operate to obtain an acquittal on another
count; but if all things should be done according to law and justice, a man
must defend himself in those particulars wherein he is accused, and must
either disprove the past, or else confess it with the promise that he will
desist, and do so no more. But if he is guilty of the crime, and will not
confess, but in order to conceal the truth speaks on other points instead
of the one in question, he shews plainly that he has acted amiss, nay, and
is conscious of his delinquency. But what need of many words, seeing that
these persons are themselves accusers of the Arian heresy? For since they
have not the boldness to speak out, but conceal their blasphemous
expressions, it is plain that they know that this heresy is separate and
alien from the truth. But since they themselves conceal it and are afraid
to speak, it is necessary for me to strip off the veil from their impiety,
and to expose the heresy to public view, knowing as I do the statements
which Arius and his fellows formerly made, and how they were cast out of
the Church, and degraded from the Clergy. But here first I ask for
pardon[4] of the foul words which I am about to produce, since I use them,
not because I thus think, but in order to convict the heretics.

CHAPTER II.

12. Arian statements.

   Now the Bishop Alexander of blessed memory east Arius out of the Church
for holding and maintaining the following opinions: 'God was not always a
Father: The Son was not always: But whereas all things were made out of
nothing, the Son of God also was made out of nothing: And since all things
are creatures, He also is a creature and a thing made: And since all things
once were not, but were afterwards made, there was a time when the Word of
God Himself was not; and He was not before He was begotten, but He had a
beginning of existence: For He has then originated when God has chosen to
produce Him: For He also is one among the rest of His works. And since He
is by nature changeable, and only continues good because He chooses by His
own free will, He is capable of being changed, as are all other things,
whenever He wishes. And therefore God, as foreknowing that He would be
good, gave Him by anticipation that glory which He would have obtained
afterwards by His virtue; and He is now become good by His works which God
foreknew.' Accordingly they say, that Christ is not truly God, but that He
is called God on account of His participation in God's nature, as are all
other creatures. And they add, that He is not that Word which is by nature
in the Father, and is proper to His Essence, nor is He His proper wisdom by
which He made this world; but that there is another Word  which is properly
in the Father, and another Wisdom which is properly in the Father, by which
Wisdom also He made this Word; and that the Lord Himself is called the Word
(Reason) conceptually in regard of things endued with reason, and is called
Wisdom conceptually in regard of things endued with wisdom. Nay, they say
that as all things are in essence separate and alien from the Father, so He
also is in all respects separate and alien from the essence of the Father,
and properly belongs to things made and created, and is one of them; for He
is a creature, and a thing made, and a work. Again, they say[6] that God
did not create us for His sake, but Him for our sakes. For they say, 'God
was alone, and the Word was not with Him, but afterwards when He would
produce us, then He made Him; and from the time He was made, He called Him
the Word, and the Son, and the Wisdom, in order that He might create us by
Him. And as all things subsisted by the will of God, and did not exist
before; so He also was made by the will of God, and did not exist before.
For the Word is not the proper and natural Offspring of the Father, but has
Himself originated by grace: for God who existed made by His will the Son
who did not exist, by which will also He made all things, and produced, and
created, and willed them to come into being.' Moreover they say also, that
Christ is not the natural and true power of God; but as the locust and the
cankerworm are called a power[7], so also He is called the power of the
Father. Furthermore he said, that the Father is secret from the Son, and
that the Son can neither see nor know the Father perfectly and exactly. For
having a beginning of existence, He cannot know Him that is without
beginning; but what He knows and sees, He knows and sees in a measure
proportionate to His own measure, as we also know and see in proportion to
our powers. And he added also, that the Son not only does not know His own
Father exactly, but that He does not even know His own essence.

13. Arguments from Scripture against Arian statements.

   For maintaining these and the like opinions Arius was declared a
heretic; for myself, while I have merely been writing them down, I have
been cleansing myself by thinking of the contrary doctrines, and by holding
fast the sense of the true faith. For the Bishops who all assembled from
all parts at the Council of Nicaea, began to hold their ears at these
statements, and all with one voice condemned this heresy on account of
them, and anathematized it, declaring it to be alien and estranged from the
faith of the Church. It was no compulsion which led the judges to this
decision, but they all deliberately vindicated the truth[8]: and they did
so justly and rightly. For infidelity is coming in through these men, or
rather a Judaism counter to the Scriptures, which has dose upon it Gentile
superstition, so that he who holds these opinions can no longer be even
called a Christian, for they are all contrary to the Scriptures. John, for
instance, saith, 'In the beginning was the Word[9];' but these men say, 'He
was not, before He was begotten.' And again he wrote, 'And we are in Him
that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ; this is the true God, and
eternal life[10];' but these men, as if in contradiction to this, allege
that Christ is not the true God, but that He is only called God, as are
other creatures, in regard of His participation in the divine nature. And
the Apostle blames the Gentiles, because they worship the creatures,
saying, 'They served the creature more than' God 'the Creator[1].' But if
these men say that the Lord is a creature, and worship Him as a creature,
how do they differ from the Gentiles? If they hold this opinion, is not
this passage also against them; and does not the blessed Paul write as
blaming them? The Lord also says, 'I and My Father are One:' and 'He that
hath seen Me, hath seen the Father[2];' and the Apostle who was sent by Him
to preach, writes, 'Who being the Brightness of His glory, and the express
Image of His Persons[3].' But these men dare to separate them, and to say
that He is alien from the essence and eternity of the Father; and impiously
to represent Him as changeable, not perceiving, that by speaking thus, they
make Him to be, not one with the Father, but one with created things. Who
does not see, that the brightness cannot be separated from the light, but
that it is by nature proper to it, and co-existent with it, and is not
produced after it? Again, when the Father says, 'This is My beloved Son 4,'
and when the Scriptures say that 'He is the Word' of the Father, by whom
'the heavens were established[5],' and in short, 'All things were made by
Him[6];' these inventors of new doctrines and fictions represent that there
is another Word, and another Wisdom of the Father, and that He is only
called the Word and the Wisdom conceptually on account of things endued
with reason, while they perceive not the absurdity of this.

14. Arguments from Scripture against Arian statements.

   But if He be styled the Word and the Wisdom by a fiction on our
account, what He really is they cannot tell[7]. For if the Scriptures
affirm that the Lord is both these, and yet these men will not allow Him to
be so, it is plain that in their godless opposition to the Scriptures they
would deny His existence altogether. The faithful are able to conclude this
truth both from the voice of the Father Himself, and from the Angels that
worshipped Him, and from the Saints that have written concerning Him; but
these men, as they have not a pure mind, and cannot bear to hear the words
of divine men who teach of God, may be able to learn something even from
the devils who resemble them, for they spoke of Him, not as if there were
many besides, but, as knowing Him alone, they said, 'Thou art the Holy One
of God,' and 'the Son of Gods[8].' He also who suggested to them this
heresy, while tempting Him, in the mount, said not, 'If Thou also be a Son
of God,' as though there were others besides Him, but, 'If Thou be the[8a]
Son of God,' as being the only one. But as the Gentiles, having fallen from
the notion of one God, have sunk into polytheism, so these wonderful men,
not believing that the Word of the Father is one, have come to adopt the
idea of many words, and they deny Him that is really God and the true Word,
and have dared to conceive of Him as a creature, not perceiving how full of
impiety is the thought. For if He be a creature, how is He at the same time
the Creator of creatures? or how the Son and the Wisdom and the Word? For
the Word is not created, but begotten; and a creature is not a Son, but a
production. And if all creatures were made by Him, and He is also a
creature, then by whom was He made? Things made must of necessity originate
through some one; as in fact they have originated through the Word; because
He was not Himself a thing made, but the Word of the Father. And again, if
there be another wisdom in the Father beside the Lord, then Wisdom has
originated in wisdom: and if the Word of God be the Wisdom of God, then the
Word has originated in a word: and if the Son be he Word of God, then the
Son must have been made in the Son.

15. Arguments from Scripture against Arian statements.

   How is it that the Lord has said, 'I am in the Father, and the Father
in Me[9],' if there be another in the Father, by whom the Lord Himself also
was made? And how is it that John, passing over that other, relates of this
One, saying, 'All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any
thing made[10]?' If all things that were made by the will of God were made
by Him, how can He be Himself one of the things that were made? And when
the Apostle says, 'For whom are all things, and by whom are all things[1],'
how can these men say, that we were not made for Him, but He for us? If it
be so, He ought to have said, 'For whom the Word was made;' but He saith
not so, but, 'For whom are all things, and by whom are all things,' thus
proving these men to be heretical and false. But further, as they have had
the boldness to say that there is another Word in God, and since they
cannot bring any dear proof of this from the Scriptures, let them but shew
one work of His, or one work of the Father that was done without this Word;
so that they may seem to have some ground at least for their own idea. The
works of the true Word are manifest to all, so as for Him to be
contemplated by analogy from them. For as, when we see the creation, we
conceive of God as the Creator of it; so when we see that nothing is
without order therein, but that all things move and continue with order and
providence, we infer a Word of God who is over all and governs all. This
too the holy Scriptures testify, declaring that He is the Word of God, and
that 'all things were made by Him, and without Him was not any thing
made[2].' But of that other Word, of whom they speak, there is neither word
nor work that they have to shew. Nay, even the Father Himself, when He
says, 'This is My beloved Son[3],' signifies that besides Him there is none
other.

16. Arians parallel to the Manichees.

   It appears then that so far as these doctrines are concerned, these
wonderful men have now joined themselves to the Manichees. For these also
confess the existence of a good God, so far as the mere name goes, but they
are unable to point out any of His works either visible or invisible. But
inasmuch as they deny Him who is truly and indeed God, the Maker of heaven
and earth, and of all things invisible, they are mere inventors of fables.
And this appears to me to be the ease with these evil-minded men. They see
the works of the true Word who alone is in the Father, and yet they deny
Him, and make to themselves another Word[4], whose existence they are
unable to prove either by His Works or by the testimony of others. Unless
it be that they have adopted a fabulous notion of God, that He is a
composite being like man, speaking and then changing His words, and as a
man exercising understanding and wisdom; not perceiving to what absurdities
they are reduced by such an opinion. For if God has a succession of
words[5], they certainly must consider Him as a man. And if those words
proceed from Him and then vanish away, they are guilty of a greater
impiety, because they resolve into nothing what proceeds from the self-
existent God. If they conceive that God doth at all beget, it were surely
better and more religious to say that He is the begetter of One Word, who
is the fulness of His Godhead, in whom are hidden the treasures of all
knowledge[6], and that He is co-existent with His Father, and that all
things were made by Him; rather than to suppose God to be the Father of
many words which are nowhere to be found, or to represent Him who is simple
in His nature as compounded of many[7], and as being subject to human
passions and variable. Next whereas the Apostle says, 'Christ the power of
God and the wisdom of God[8],' these men reckon Him but as one among many
powers; nay, worse than this, they compare Him, transgressors as they are,
with the cankerworm and other irrational creatures which are sent by Him
for the punishment of men. Next, whereas the Lord says, 'No one knoweth the
Father, save the Son[9];' and again, 'Not that any man hath seen the Father
save He which is of the Father[10];' are not these indeed enemies of God
which say that the Father is neither seen nor known of the Son perfectly?
If the Lord says, 'As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the
Father[11]",' and if the Father knows not the Son partially, are they not
mad to say idly that the Son knows the Father only partially, and not
fully? Next, if the Son has a beginning of existence, and all things
likewise have a beginning, let them say, which is prior to the other. But
indeed they have nothing to say, neither can they with all their craft
prove such a beginning of the Word. For He is the true and proper Offspring
of the Father, and 'in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God[1].' For with regard to their assertion, that the
Son knows not His own essence, it is superfluous to reply to it, except
only so far as to condemn their madness; for how does not the Word know
Himself, when He imparts to all men the knowledge of His Father and of
Himself, and blames those who know not themselves?

17. Arguments from Scripture against Arian statements.

   But it is written[2], say they, 'The Lord created me in the beginning
of His ways for His works.' O untaught and insensate that ye are! He is
called also in the Scriptures, 'servant[3],' and 'son of a handmaid,' and
'lamb,' and 'sheep,' and it is said that He suffered toil, and thirst, and
was beaten, and has suffered pain. But there is plainly a reasonable ground
and cause[4], why such representations as these are given of Him in the
Scriptures; and it is because He became man and the Son of man, and took
upon Him the form of a servant, which is the human flesh: for 'the Word,'
says John, 'was made flesh[5].' And since He became man, no one ought to be
offended at such expressions; for it is proper to man to be created, and
born, and formed, to suffer toil and pain, to die and to rise again from
the dead. And as, being Word and Wisdom of the Father, He has all the
attributes of the Father, His eternity, and His unchangeableness, and the
being like Him in all respects and in all things[6], and is neither before
nor after, but co-existent with the Father, and is the very form[7] of the
Godhead, and is the Creator, and is not created: (for since He is in
essence like[8] the Father, He cannot be a creature, but must be the
Creator, as Himself hath said, 'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work 9:')
so being made man, and bearing our flesh, He is necessarily said to be
created and made, and that is proper to all flesh; however, these men, like
Jewish vintners, who mix their wine with water[1], debase the Word, and
subject His Godhead to their notions of created things. Wherefore the
Fathers were with reason and justice indignant, and anathematized this most
impious heresy; which these persons are now cautious of and keep back, as
being easy to be disproved and unsound in every part of it. These that I
have set down are but a few of the arguments which go to condemn their
doctrines; but if any one desires to enter more at large into the proof
against them, he will find that this heresy is not far removed from
heathenism, and that it is the lowest and the very dregs of all the other
heresies. These last are in error either concerning the body or the
incarnation of the Lord, falsifying the truth, some in one way and some in
another, or else they deny that the Lord has sojourned here at all, as the
Jews erroneously suppose. But this one alone more madly than the rest has
dared to assail the very Godhead, and to assert that the Word is not at
all, and that the Father was not always a father; so that one might
reasonably say that that Psalm was written against them; 'The fool hath
said in his heart, there is no God[2]. Corrupt are they, and become
abominable in their doings.'

18. If the Arians felt they were right, they would speak openly.

   'But,' say they, 'we are strong, and are able to defend our heresy by
our many devices.' They would have a better answer to give, if they were
able to defend it, not by artifice nor by Gentile sophisms, but by the
simplicity of their faith. If however they have confidence in it, and know
it to be in accordance with the doctrines of the Church, let them openly
express their sentiments; for no man when he hath lighted a candle putteth
it under the bushel[3], but on the candlestick, and so it gives light to
all that come in. If therefore they are able to defend it, let them record
in writing the opinions above imputed to them, and expose their heresy bare
to the view of all men, as they would a candle, and let them openly accuse
the Bishop Alexander, of blessed memory, as having unjustly ejected[4]
Arius for professing these opinions; and let them blame the Council of
Nicaea for putting forth a written confession of the true faith in place of
their impiety. But they will not do this, I am sure, for they are not so
ignorant of the evil nature of those notions which they have invented and
are ambitious of sowing abroad; but they know well enough, that although
they may at first lead astray the simple by vain deceit, yet their
imaginations will soon be extinguished, 'as the light of the
ungodly[4][a],' and themselves branded everywhere as enemies of the Truth.
Therefore although they do all things foolishly, and speak as fools, yet in
this at least they have acted wisely, as 'children of this world[5],'
hiding their candle under the bushel, that it may be supposed to give
light, and lest, if it appear, it be condemned and extinguished. Thus when
Arius himself, the author of the heresy, and the associate of Eusebius, was
summoned through the interest of Eusebius and his fellows to appear before
Constantine Augustus of blessed memory[6], and was required to present a
written declaration of his faith, the wily man wrote one, but kept out of
sight the peculiar expressions of his impiety, and pretended, as the Devil
did, to quote the simple words of Scripture, just as they are written. And
when the blessed Constantine said to him, 'If thou holdest no other
opinions in thy mind besides these, take the Truth to witness for thee; the
Lord is thy avenger if thou swear falsely:' the unfortunate man swore that
he held no other and that be had never either spoken or thought otherwise
than as he had now written. But as soon as he went out he dropped down, as
if paying the penalty of his crime, and 'falling headlong burst asunder in
the midst[7].'

19. Significance of the death of Arius.

   Death, it is true, is the common end of all men, and we ought not to
insult the dead, though he be an enemy, for it is uncertain whether the
same event may not happen to ourselves before evening. But the end of Arius
was not after an ordinary manner, and therefore it deserves to be related.
Eusebius and his fellows threatening to bring him into the Church,
Alexander, the Bishop of Constantinople, resisted them; but Arius trusted
to the violence and menace of Eusebius. It was the Sabbath, and he expected
to join communion on the following day. There was therefore a great
struggle between them; the others threatening, Alexander praying. But the
Lord being judge of the case, decided against the unjust party: for the sun
had not set, when the necessities of nature compelled him to that place,
where he fell down, and was forthwith deprived of communion with the Church
and of his life together. The blessed Constantine hearing of this at once,
was struck with wonder to find him thus convicted of perjury. And indeed it
was then evident to all that the threats of Eusebius and his fellows had
proved of no avail and the hope of Arius had become vain. It was shewn too
that the Arian madness was rejected from communion by our Saviour both here
and in the Church of the first-born in heaven. Now who will not wonder to
see the unrighteous ambition of these men, whom the Lord has condemned;--to
see them vindicating the heresy which the Lord has pronounced excommunicate
(since He did not suffer its author to enter into the Church), and not
fearing that which is written, but attempting impossible things? 'For the
Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it[8]?' and whom God
hath condemned, who shall justify? Let them however in defence of their own
imaginations write what they please; but do you, brethren, as 'bearing the
vessels of the Lord[9],' and vindicating the doctrines of the Church,
examine this matter, I beseech you; and if they write in other terms than
those above recorded as the language of Arius, then condemn them as
hypocrites, who hide the poison of their opinions, and like the serpent
flatter with the words of their lips. For, though they thus write, they
have associated with them those who were formerly rejected with Arius, such
as Secundus of Pentapolis, and the clergy who were convicted at Alexandria;
and they write to them in Alexandria. But what is most astonishing, they
have caused us and our friends to be persecuted, although the most
religious Emperor Constantine sent us back in peace to our country and
Church, and shewed his concern for the harmony of the people. But now they
have caused the Churches to be given up to these men, thus proving to all
that for their sake the whole conspiracy against us and the rest has been
carried on from the beginning.

20. While they are friends of Arius, in vain their moderate words.

   Now while such is their conduct, how can they claim credit for what
they write? Had the opinions they have put in writing been orthodox, they
would have expunged from their list of books the Thalia of Arius, and have
rejected the scions of the heresy, viz. those disciples of Arius, and the
partners of his impiety and his punishment. But since they do not renounce
these, it is manifest to all that their sentiments are not orthodox, though
they write them over ten thousand times[1]. Wherefore it becomes us to
watch, lest some deception be conveyed under the clothing of their phrases,
and they lead away certain from the true faith. And if they venture to
advance the opinions of Arius, when they see themselves proceeding in a
prosperous course, nothing remains for us but to use great boldness of
speech, remembering the predictions of the Apostle, which he wrote to
forewarn us of such like heresies, and which it becomes us to repeat. For
we know that, as it is written, 'in the latter times some shall depart from
the sound faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils,
that turn from the truth[2];' and, 'as many as will live godly in Christ
shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving and being deceived.' But none of these things shall
prevail over us, nor 'separate us from the love of Christ[3],' though the
heretics threaten us with death. For we are Christians, not Arians[4];
would that they too, who have written these things, had not embraced the
doctrines of Arius! Yea, brethren, there is need now of such boldness of
speech; for we have not received 'the spirit of bondage again to fear[5],'
but God hath called us 'to liberty[6].' And it were indeed disgraceful to
us, most disgraceful, were we on account of Arius or of those who embrace
and advocate his sentiments, to destroy the faith which we have received
from our Saviour through His Apostles. Already very many in these parts,
perceiving the craftiness of these writers, are ready even unto blood to
oppose their wiles, especially since they have heard of your firmness. And
seeing that the refutation of the heresy has gone forth from you[7], and it
has been drawn forth from its concealment, like a serpent from his hole,
the Child that Herod sought to destroy is preserved among you, and the
Truth lives in you, and the Faith thrives among you.

21. To make a stand for the Faith equivalent to martyrdom.

   Wherefore I exhort you, keeping in your hands the confession which was
framed by the Fathers at Nicaea, and defending it with great zeal and
confidence in the Lord, be ensamples to the brethren everywhere, and shew
them that a struggle is now before us in support of the Truth against
heresy, and that the wiles of the enemy are various. For the proof of a
martyr lies  not only in refusing to burn incense to idols; but to refuse
to deny the Faith is also an illustrious testimony of a good conscience.
And not only those who turned aside unto idols were condemned as aliens,
but those also who betrayed the Truth. Thus Judas was degraded from the
Apostolical office, not because he sacrificed to idols, but because he
proved a traitor; and Hymenaeus and Alexander fell away not by betaking
themselves to the service of idols, but because they 'made shipwreck
concerning the faith[9].' On the other hand, the Patriarch Abraham received
the crown, not because he suffered death, but because he was faithful unto
God; and the other Saints, of whom Paul speaks[10], Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephtha, David and Samuel, and the rest, were not made perfect by the
shedding of their blood, but by faith they were justified; and to this day
they are the objects of our admiration, as being ready even to suffer death
for piety towards the Lord. And if one may add an instance from our own
country, ye know how the blessed Alexander contended even unto death
against this heresy, and what great afflictions and labours, old man as he
was, he sustained, until in extreme age he also was gathered to his
fathers. And how many beside have undergone great toil, in their teachings
against this impiety, and now enjoy in Christ the glorious reward of their
confession! Wherefore, let us also, considering that this struggle is for
our all, and that the choice is now before us, either to deny or to
preserve the faith, let us also make it our earnest care and aim to guard
what we have received, taking as our instruction the Confession drawn up at
Nicaea, and let us turn away from novelties, and teach our people not to
give heed to seducing spirits[1],' but altogether to withdraw from the
impiety of the Arian madmen, and from the coalition which the Meletians
have made with them.

22. Coalition of sordid Meletians with insane Arians.

   For you perceive how, though they were formerly at variance with one
another, they have now, like Herod and Pontius, agreed together in order to
blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ. And for this they truly deserve the hatred
of every man, because they were at enmity with one another on private
grounds, but have now become friends and join hands, in their hostility to
the Truth and their impiety towards God. Nay, they are content to do or
suffer anything, however contrary to their principles, for the satisfaction
of securing their several aims; the Meletians for the sake of pre-eminence
and the mad love of money, and the Arian madmen for their own impiety. And
thus by this coalition they are able to assist one another in their
malicious designs, while the Meletians put on the impiety of the Arians,
and the Arians from their own wickedness concur in their baseness, so that
by thus mingling together their respective crimes, like the cup of
Babylon[1][a], they may carry on their plots against the orthodox
worshippers of our Lord Jesus Christ. The wickedness and falsehood of the
Meletians were indeed even before this evident unto all men; so too the
impiety and godless heresy of the Arians have long been known everywhere
and to all; for the period of their existence has not been a short one. The
former became schismatics five and fifty years ago, and it is thirty-six
years since the latter were pronounced heretics[2], and they were rejected
from the Church by the judgment of the whole Ecumenic Council. But by their
present proceedings they have proved at length, even to those who seem
openly to favour them, that they have carried on their designs against me
and the rest of the orthodox Bishops from the very first solely for the
sake of advancing their own impious heresy. For observe, that which was
long ago the great object of Eusebius and his fellows is now brought about.
They have caused the Churches to be snatched out of our hands, they have
banished as they pleased, the Bishops and Presbyters who refused to
communicate with them; and the people who withdrew from them they have
excluded from the Churches, which they have given up into the hands of the
Arians who were condemned so long ago, so that with the assistance of the
hypocrisy of the Meletians they can without fear pour forth in them their
impious language, and make ready, as they think, the way of deceit for
Antichrist[3], who sowed among them the seeds of this heresy.

23. Conclusion.

   Let them however thus dream and imagine vain things. We know that when
our gracious Emperor shall hear of it, he will put a stop to their
wickedness, and they will not continue long, but according to the words of
Scripture, 'the hearts of the impious shall quickly fail them[4].' But let
us, as it is written, 'put on the words of holy Scripture[5],' and resist
them as apostates who would set up fanaticism in the house of the Lord. And
let us not fear the death of the body, nor let us emulate their ways; but
let the word of Truth be preferred before all things. We also, as you all
know, were formerly required[6] by Eusebius and his fellows either to put
on their impiety, or to expect their hostility; but we would not engage
ourselves with them, but chose rather to be persecuted by them, than to
imitate the conduct of Judas. And assuredly they have done what they
threatened; for after the manner of Jezebel, they engaged the treacherous
Meletians to assist them, knowing how the latter resisted the blessed
martyr Peter, and after him the great Achillas, and then Alexander, of
blessed memory, in order that, as being practised in such matters, the
Meletians might pretend against us also whatever might be suggested to
them, while Eusebius and his fellows gave them an opening for persecuting
and for seeking to kill me. For this is what they thirst after; and they
continue to this day to desire to shed my blood. But of these things I have
no care; for I know and am persuaded that they who endure shall receive a
reward from our Saviour; and that ye also, if ye endure as the Fathers did,
and shew yourselves examples to the people, and overthrow these strange and
alien devices of impious men, shall be able to glory, and say, We have
'kept the Faith[7];' and ye shall receive the 'crown of life,' which God
'hath promised to them that love Him[8].' And God grant that I also
together with you may inherit the promises, which, were given, not to Paul
only, but also to all them that 'have loved the appearing[9]' of our Lord,
and Saviour, and God, and universal King, Jesus Christ; through whom to the
Father be glory and dominion in the Holy Spirit, both now and for ever,
world without end[10]. Amen.


Taken from "The Early Church Fathers and Other Works" originally published
by Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. in English in Edinburgh, Scotland, beginning in
1867. (LNPF II/IV, Schaff and Wace). The digital version is by The
Electronic Bible Society, P.O. Box 701356, Dallas, TX 75370, 214-407-WORD.

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