1-15-2013-PATRISTIC QUOTATIONS FROM AD DAYS-PART 3
"REMARKS"
AGAIN, ANOTHER PART OF THESE GREAT AND SPIRITUAL QUOTATIONS FROM SOME OF CHRISTIANITIES GREAT PREACHERS AND MARTYRS.
HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THESE, AS MUCH AS I ENJOY SHARING THEM WITH YOU?
*******************************DEATH**************************
"THAT DEATH IS NOT TO BE JUDGED AN EVIL, WHICH IS THE END OF A GOOD LIFE; FOR DEATH BECOMES EVIL, ONLY BY THE RETRIBUTION, WHICH FOLLOWS IT.THEY, THEN, WHO ARE DESTINED TO DIE, NEED NOT BE CAREFUL TO INQUIRE WHAT DEATH THEY ARE TO DIE, BUT, INTO WHAT PLACE, DEATH WILL USHER THEM."
*AUGUSTINE*
"IF WE MEDITATE ON THE FACT THAT GOD DID NOT MAKE DEATH, BUT ONLY AFTER MAN FELL INTO THE DISGRACE OF GUILT AND DECEPTION, DID GOD DECREE THE SENTENCE THAT EARTH, SHOULD RETURN TO EARTH, WE SHALL DISCOVER THAT DEATH, IS THE END OF SIN; AND IF WE WERE TO LIVE LONGER, OUR GUILT WOULD ONLY BE THE GREATER."
*AMBROSE OF MILAN*
"DEATH, BEGINS AT DEATH."
*GREGORY OF NYSSA AND BROTHER ELLIOTT*
"LIVE WELL, THAT YOU MAY NOT DIE ILL."
*AUGUSTINE*
"IT IS NOT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANCE, THAT IN NO PASSAGE OF THE HOLY CANONICAL BOOKS, THERE CAN BE FOUND, EITHER DIVINE PRECEPT, OR PERMISSION, TO TAKE AWAY YOUR OWN LIFE."
*AUGUSTINE*
"THAT WHICH YOU THINK IS DEATH, IS ONLY A DEPARTURE."
*TERTULLIAN*
***********************DEATH OF CHRIST**************
"IF YOU ARE AN UNBELIEVER WHEN YOU DIE, CHRIST DID NOT DIE FOR YOU."
*AMBROSE OF MILAN*
"I SEEK AND FIND, THAT CHRIST JESUS DIED FOR ALL, BUT NOT FOR GOD."
*ORIGEN*
"NOT ONE REASON, BUT MANY. FIRST, THAT HE MIGHT HAVE DOMINION OVER THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. SECOND, SO THAT, BY BEING SACRIFICED FOR US AND BECOMING A CURSED THING, ON OUR BEHALF., HE MIGHT WIPE AWAY OUR SINS. THIRDLY, SO THAT HE MIGHT BE OFFERED TO THE GOD OF ALL, ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE WORLD. FOURTH, SO THAT HE MIGHT HIMSELF, WITH SECRET WORDS, BRING ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DEMONIACAL WORKINGS, WHICH LEAD SO MANY ASTRAY. FIFTH IS THIS: SO THAT HOLDING OUT TO HIS ACQUAINTANCES AND DISCIPLES, THE HOPE OF LIFE WITH GOD, AFTER DEATH.......HE MIGHT BRING ON TO COMPLETION, THOSE ALREADY MORE WILLING AND THOSE OF GREATER COURAGE; AND SO THAT WITH HIS REJECTION, HE MIGHT PROCLAIM A RELIGIOUS POLITY TO ALL, TO GREEKS AND TO BARBARIANS ALIKE."
*EUSEBIUS*
***********************DEPRAVITY**************************
"UNLESS WE ARE ASSISTED FROM ABOVE, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO RIGHT, AT ANYTIME."
*JOHN CHRYSOSTOM*
*************************DEVIL**********************************
"AVOID THE ENVENOMED TONGUE OF THE DEVIL, WHO FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD.........LIES, THAT HE MAY DECEIVE, CAJOLES, THAT HE MAY INJURE, PROMISES GOOD, THAT HE MAY GIVE EVIL, PROMISES LIFE, THAT HE MAY PUT TO DEATH."
*CYPRIAN*
"THE ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST US, EXCEPT GOD SHALL PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED IT."
*CYPRIAN*
**************************DISCIPLINE***********************
'WHAT BENEFITS THE BODY IS CALLED MEDICINE; WHAT BENEFITS THE SOUL, DISCIPLINE."
*AUGUSTINE*
"DISCIPLINE, THEN, AS FAR AS WE CAN GATHER FROM SCRIPTURES, INCLUDES TWO THINGS, RESTRAINT AND INSTRUCTION. RESTRAINT, IMPLIES FEAR, AND INSTRUCTION, LOVE."
*AUGUSTINE*
*********************************DIVORCE********************
"WHEN A CHRISTIAN HUSBAND HAS BECOME UNACCEPTABLE TO A WIFE, AND SHE GIVES HIM THE CHOICE OF SEPARATION FROM HER, OR FROM CHRIST...............THE ADVISE OF THE APOSTLE IS OUR GUIDE. IF THE UNBELIEVER REFUSES TO REMAIN WITH A BELIEVING SPOUSE, LET THE BELIEVER RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS FREE, LET HIM NOT REGARD HIMSELF AS IN SERVITUDE, SO AS TO GIVE UP EVEN THE FAITH, RATHER THAN TO LOSE AN UNBELIEVING SPOUSE."
*AUGUSTINE*
"HE IS AN ADULTERER, WHO MARRIED A WOMAN, DIVORCED FROM HER HUSBAND, OR WHO DIVORCED A WIFE, ON ACCOUNT OF ANY CRIMES, EXCEPT FOR ADULTERY."
*LACTANTIUS*
"THE MAN WHO WITHHOLDS HIMSELF FROM HIS WIFE, OFTEN TIMES, MAKES HER AN ADULTERESS, WHEN HE DOES NOT SATISFY HER DESIRES, EVEN THOUGH HE WITHHOLD'S HIMSELF UNDER THE APPEARANCE OF GREATER GRAVITY AND SELF CONTROL. AND PERHAPS THIS MAN WHO, SO FAR AS IT RESTS WITH HIM, MAKES HER AN ADULTERESS, BY NOT SATISFYING HER DESIRES, IS MORE CULPABLE, THAN ONE WHO HAS DIVORCED HIS WIFE, FOR REASONS OTHER THAN FORNICATION.'
*ORIGEN*
"NOR IS IT ALLOWED FOR ONE SPOUSE TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE OTHER, EXCEPT FOR FORNICATION."
*AUGUSTINE*
"THE LORDS DECLARATION ABOUT THE PROHIBITION OF DEPARTING FROM A MARRIAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE REASON OF FORNICATION, CONSISTENT WITH ITS MEANING, APPLIES EQUALLY TO MEN, AND TO WOMEN.
*BASIL THE GREAT*
"BUT IF AN UNBELIEVER DEPARTS, LET HIM DEPART. HE PROTECTS THE DESIGN OF RELIGION, BY HIS PRIOR ASSERTION, THAT CHRISTIANS MAY NOT FORSAKE THEIR SPOUSES."
*AMBROSE OF MILAN*
"FOR THERE IS ONE THING WHICH IS COMMANDED, ANOTHER RESPECTING WHICH ADVISE IS GIVEN, ANOTHER STILL WHICH IS ALLOWED. A WIFE IS COMMANDED NOT TO DEPART FROM HER HUSBAND; AND IF SHE DEPARTS, TO REMAIN UNMARRIED , OR TO BE RECONCILED TO HER HUSBAND: THEREFORE, IT IS NOT ALLOWABLE FOR HER TO ACT OTHERWISE. BUT, A BELIEVING HUSBAND IS ADVISED, IF HE HAS AN UNBELIEVING WIFE, WHO IS PLEASED TO LIVE WITH HIM, NOT TO PUT HER AWAY; THEREFORE, IT IS ALLOWABLE TO PUT HER AWAY, BECAUSE IT IS NO COMMAND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD NOT PUT HER AWAY, BUT AN ADVISE OF THE APOSTLE."
*AUGUSTINE*
"IF AN UNBELIEVER DEPARTS OUT OF HATRED OF GOD, THE BELIEVER IS NOT GUILTY OF HAVING DISSOLVED THE MARRIAGE; FOR THE HONOR OF GOD, IS GREATER THAN THAT OF MATRIMONY...........THERE IS NO REVERENCE OWED TO A MARRIAGE, WITH A PERSON WHO HAD A HORROR FOR THE "AUTHOR" OF MARRIAGE."
*AMBROSE OF MILAN*
**************************DRINK********************************
"FOR IF JESUS MADE WATER, WINE, AT THE MARRIAGE, HE DID NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO GET DRUNK."
*CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA*
"I PLACE NO LIMIT ON A DRUNKARD, BUT I PREFER A BEAST.
*COMMODIANUS*
"IT IS NOT PROPER THEREFORE, THAT BOYS AND GIRLS, SHOULD KEEP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AWAY FROM THIS MEDICINE(WINE). FOR IT IS NOT RIGHT TO POUR INTO THE BURNING SEASON OF LIFE, THE HOTTEST OF ALL LIQUIDS-WINE-ADDING, AS IT WERE, FIRE TO FIRE."
*CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA*
"USE A LITTLE WINE, SAYS THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY, WHO DRANK WATER, FOR THY STOMACHS SAKE, MOST PROPERLY APPLYING ITS AID, AS A STRENGTHENING TONIC, SUITABLE TO A SICKLY BODY.........AND SPECIFYING "A LITTLE", THAT THE REMEDY SHOULD, ON ACCOUNT OF ITS QUANTITY UNOBSERVED, CREATE THE NECESSITY FOR ANOTHER TREATMENT."
*CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA*
"PRIESTS GIVEN TO WINE, ARE BOTH CONDEMNED BY THE APOSTLE AND FORBIDDEN BY THE OLD LAW."
*JEROME*
"IT WAS THE CUSTOM OF WOMEN, TO KISS THEIR RELATIVES, THAT THEY MIGHT BE DETECTED, BY THEIR BREATH."
*TERTULLIAN*
"HE THAT LIVES IN PLEASURE, IS DEAD, WHILE HE LIVES AND HE THAT DRINKS HIMSELF DRUNK, IS NOT ONLY DEAD, BUT BURIED."
*JEROME*
"ONES HOUR OF DEBAUCHERY, MAKES NOAH UNCOVER HIS NAKEDNESS, WHICH THROUGH 60 YEARS OF SOBRIETY, HE HAD KEPT COVERED."
*JEROME*
"TO MANY, TOTAL ABSTINENCE, IS EASIER THAN, PERFECT MODERATION."
*AUGUSTINE*
"THE NATURAL, TEMPERATE, AND NECESSARY BEVERAGE, THEREFORE, FOR THE THIRSTY, IS WATER."
*CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA*
****************************ELECTION*****************
"IT WAS NOT BECAUSE WE DID BELIEVE, BUT SO THAT WE MIGHT BELIEVE, THAT HE CHOSE US."
*AUGUSTINE*
"FOR THE TERM PREDESTINATION, DOES NOT EXPRESS SOME COMPULSORY NECESSITY OF THE HUMAN WILL, BUT IT FORETELLS THE ETERNAL DISPOSITION, MERCIFUL AND JUST, OF A NATURE DIVINE."
*FULGENCE OF RUSPE*
"MAN IS NOT CONVERTED BECAUSE HE WILLS TO BE, BUT, HE WILLS TO BE, BECAUSE HE IS ORDAINED TO ELECTION."
*AUGUSTINE*
"GOD DOES NOT BRING TO PERFECTION OF DEED, ANYONE WHOM HE HAS NOT PREPARED BEFOREHAND, IN HIS ETERNAL AND UNCHANGEABLE WLL."
*FULGENCE OF RUSPE*
"THE APOSTLES DID NOT SAY, HE CHOSE US BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, SINCE WE WERE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH, BUT, RATHER: HE CHOSE US THAT WE SHOULD BE WHOLE AND WITHOUT BLEMISH."
*JEROME*
"WE MUST ADMIT THAT HUMAN UNDERSTANDING IS UNABLE TO FATHOM, THE DEPTHS OF GODS JUDGMENTS AND WE OUGHT NOT TO INQUIRE WHY, HE WHO WISHES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, DOES NOT IN FACT, SAVE ALL."
*PROSPER OF AQUITAINE*
"NO ONE COMES TO JESUS, UNLESS HE IS DRAWN. HE DRAWS ONE AND ANOTHER, HE DOES NOT DRAW. DO NOT TRY TO JUDGE WHY HE DRAWS ONE AND DOES NOT DRAW ANOTHER, IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ERR."
*AUGUSTINE*
"NOR SHALL HE WHO IS SAVED, BE SAVED AGAINST HIS WILL."
*CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA*
"JUST AS WE SPEAK CORRECTLY OF SOME TEACHER OF LITERATURE, WHO IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CITY, WHEN WE SAY OF HIM: HE TEACHES LITERATURE HERE TO EVERYONE, NOT BECAUSE ALL LEARN, BUT BECAUSE ALL WHO DO LEARN LITERATURE THERE, LEARN FROM HIM; SO TOO WE RIGHTLY SAY: GOD TEACHES ALL TO COME TO CHRIST, AND NET BECAUSE ALL DO COME, BUT BECAUSE NO ONE COMES IN ANY OTHER WAY.
*AUGUSTINE*
***********************EQUALITY****************************
"THEIR LAWS ARE UNEQUAL AND IRREGULAR. WHY DID THEY RESTRAIN THE WOMAN BUT INDULGE THE MAN? A WOMAN WHO PRACTICES EVIL AGAINST HER HUSBANDS BED, IS GUILTY OF ADULTERY AND FOR THE PENALITIES OF THE LAW ARE VERY SEVERE; BUT A HUSBAND COMMITTING FORNICATION AGAINST HIS WIFE, HAS NO ACCOUNT TO GIVE? I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS LEGISLATION, NOR DO I APPROVE THIS CUSTOM........THIS IS NOT HOW GOD ACTS. HE SAYS, HONOR YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER."
*GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS*
************************ESCHATOLOGY******************
"IN CONNECTION WITH THE LAST JUDGMENT, THE FOLLOWING EVENTS SHALL COME TO PASS, AS WE HAVE LEARNED: ELIAS, THE TISHBITE SHALL COME; THE JEWS SHALL BELIEVE; THE ANTICHRIST SHALL PERSECUTE; CHRIST SHALL JUDGE; THE DEAD SHALL RISE; THE GOOD AND THE WICKED SHALL BE SEPARATED; THE WORLD SHALL BE BURNED. ALL THESE THINGS WE BELIEVE SHALL COME TO PASS; BUT HOW, OR IN WHAT ORDER, HUMAN UNDERSTANDING CANNOT PERFECTLY TEACH US, BUT ONLY THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EVENTS THEMSELVES. MY OPINION, HOWEVER, IS THAT THEY WILL HAPPEN IN THE ORDER IN WHICH I HAVE RELATED THEM.
*AUGUSTINE*
"AND THEN WILL APPEAR THE SIGNS OF THE TRUTH. FIRST, THE SIGN SPREAD OUT IN THE HEAVENS; SECOND, THE SIGN OF THE SOUND OF TE TRUMPET; AND THIRD, THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.......THEN THE WORLD WILL SEE THE LORD COMING OUT OF THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."
*DIDACHE*
"TO THE ONE GROUP, HE DESIGNATES A KINGDOM, TO THE OTHER, DAMNATION, IN COMPANY WITH THE DEVIL. THERE IS NO ONE LEFT FOR A MIDDLE PLACE......SOME WILL BE ON THE RIGHT HAND, OTHERS WILL BE ON THE LEFT HAND: ANOTHER HAND I NEVER KNEW."
*AUGUSTINE*
****************************ETERNITY************************
"THERE IS NOTHING THERE THAT IS PAST, AS IF IT WERE NO LONGER; NOTHING THERE IS FUTURE, AS IF IT NOT YET WERE. THERE IS NOTHING THERE EXCEPT, "IS".
*AUGUSTINE*
****************************EVANGELISM******************
IF ANYONE FAIL TO TALK ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, THEY ARE TO ME, TOMBSTONES AND GRAVES OF THE DEAD."
*IGNATIUS*
*****************************EXCESS**************************
"ALL EXCESS IS FOOLISH AND FUTILE FOR TE SERVANTS OF GOD."
*HERMAS*
"WE MUST ALSO CHECK EXCESSIVE LAUGHTER, AND IMMODERATE TEARS."
*CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA*
"ALTHOUGH THE DEATH OF SONS, LEAVES GRIEF FOR THE HEART, YET IT IS NOT RIGHT EITHER TO GO FORTH IN BLACK GARMENTS, OR TO BEWAIL THEM. THE LORD PRUDENTLY SAYS, THAT YOU MUST GRIEVE WITH THE MIND, NOT WITH OUTWARD SHOW, WHICH IS FINISHED IN A WEEK."
*COMMODIANUS*