Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series, Volume VII

Top Highlights

“But the scope of our art is to provide the soul with wings, to rescue it from the world and give it to God, and to watch over that which is in His image,⁷ if it abides, to take it by the hand, if it is in danger, or restore it, if ruined, to make Christ to dwell in the heart⁸ by the Spirit: and, in short, to deify, and bestow heavenly bliss upon, one who belongs to the heavenly host.” (Page 209)

“To give you the explanation in one sentence. What is lofty you are to apply to the Godhead, and to that Nature in Him which is superior to sufferings and incorporeal; but all that is lowly to the composite condition³² of Him who for your sakes made Himself of no reputation and was Incarnate—yes, for it is no worse thing to say, was made Man, and afterwards was also exalted.” (Pages 307–308)

“I did not, nor do I now, think myself qualified to rule a flock or herd, or to have authority over the souls of men.” (Page 207)

“For if He is not to be worshipped, how can He deify me by Baptism? but if He is to be worshipped, surely He is an Object of adoration, and if an Object of adoration He must be God; the one is linked to the other, a truly golden and saving chain. And indeed from the Spirit comes our New Birth, and from the New Birth our new creation, and from the new creation our deeper knowledge of the dignity of Him from Whom it is derived.” (Page 327)

“This, then, is my position with regard to these things, and I hope it may be always my position, and that of whosoever is dear to me; to worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, Three Persons, One Godhead, undivided in honour and glory and substance and kingdom, as one of our own inspired philosophers¹ not long departed shewed.” (Pages 326–327)