Defensio Fidei Nicænæ: A Defense of the Nicene Creed, Out of the Extant ... - George Bull - Google Books

Books

CONTENTS

CHAPTERS OF EACH BOOK.

In which the occasion, design, and division of the entire

work are set forth

ON THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF THE SON BEFORE [HIS INCARNATION OF]

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, NAY RATHER BEFORE THE FOUNDATION

OF THE WORLD, AND ON THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE THROUGH

The Proposition stated: and the former part of it, viz. the pre-existence of

the Son before [His incarnation] of the blessed Virgin Mary, demon-

The second part of the proposition is established, respecting the pre-existence

of the Son before the foundation of the world, and the creation of all

things through Him

ON THE CONSUBSTANTIALITY OF THE SON.

The subject proposed. The word dμoovσios, "of one substance," explained

at length. The Nicene fathers cleared from the suspicion of em-

ploying new and strange language, in using this word to express the

true Godhead of the Son. The opposition between the council of

Antioch against Paul of Samosata, and the council of Nice against

Arius, reconciled. Proof that the term duoovσios, was not derived

from heretics. A brief review of the heads of the arguments, by which

the Antenicene doctors confirmed the consubstantiality

Page

The doctrine of the author of the epistle ascribed to Barnabas, of Hermas,

or the Shepherd, and of the martyr Ignatius, concerning the true

Divinity of the Son, set forth

Clement of Rome and Polycarp incidentally vindicated from the aspersions

of the author of the Irenicum, and of Sandius

Containing an exposition of the views of Justin Martyr, Athenagoras,

Tatian, and Theophilus of Antioch; with an incidental declaration of

the faith of Christians respecting the Holy Trinity, in the age of

Lucian, out of Lucian himself .

Setting forth the doctrine of Irenæus, concerning the Son of God, most

plainly confirmatory of the Nicene Creed

Containing exceedingly clear testimonies out of S. Clement of Alexandria,

concerning the true and supreme Divinity of the Son, and, further,

concerning the consubstantiality of the whole most Holy Trinity.

Wherein the doctrine of Tertullian, concerning the consubstantiality of the

Son, is shewn to coincide altogether with the Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed, on the article of the consubstantiality of the Son, is con-

firmed by the testimonies of the presbyter Caius, and of the celebrated

bishop and martyr S. Hippolytus

Wherein it is shewn fully and clearly that the doctrine of Origen concerning

the true Divinity of the Son of God was altogether catholic, and per-

fectly consonant with the Nicene Creed, especially from his work

against Celsus, which is undoubtedly genuine, and most free from cor-

ruption, and which was composed by him when in advanced age, and

with most exact care and attention

CONTENTS.

Concerning the faith and views of the martyr Cyprian, of Novatian, or the

author of a treatise on the Trinity among the works of Tertullian, and

of Theognostus .

In which is set forth the consent of the Dionysii of Rome and of Alex-

andria with the Nicene fathers.

On the opinion and faith of the very celebrated Gregory Thaumaturgus,

bishop of Neocæsarea in Pontus

xix

Wherein the opinion, touching the consubstantiality of the Son, of the six

bishops of the council of Antioch, who wrote an epistle to Paul of

Samosata, as well as of Pierius, Pamphilus, Lucian, Methodius, mar-

tyrs, is shewn to be catholic, and plainly consonant to the Nicene

The opinion and faith of Arnobius Afer and Lactantius, touching the true

divinity of the Son is declared. The second book on the consubstantiality

is wound up with a brief conclusion

DEFENCE

OF THE

NICENE CREED, &c.

INTRODUCTION.

IN WHICH THE OCCASION, DESIGN, AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE
ENTIRE WORK ARE SET FORTH.

1

[1]

INTROD. § 1.

1. THE first Ecumenical Council, which was held at Nice", has ever been regarded by all Catholics as of the highest authority and esteem, and indeed deservedly so. For never, since the death of the Apostles, has the Christian world beheld a synod with higher claims to be considered universal and free, or an assembly of bishops and prelates more august and holy. “ For at that council,” as Eusebius says”, “there were assembled out of all the Churches, which had filled the whole of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the very choicest from ' τὰ ἀκροamongst the ministers of God: and one sacred building, expanded as it were by the divine command, embraced at once within its compass both Syrians and Cilicians, Phonicians and Arabians, and Christians of Palestine; Egyptians too, Thebans and Libyans, and some who came out of Mesopotamia. A bishop also from Persia was present at the council, and even Scythia was not wanting to that company. Pontus also and Galatia, Pamphylia and Cap

a A.D. 325. Cave, Hist. Lit. Sec. Arian.-BoWYER.

* [Bp. Bull only gave the Latin of this extract; and the translation has been made according to that Latin; but it is thought best to add the Greek original. τῶν γοῦν ἐκκλησιῶν ἁπασῶν, αἱ τὴν Εὐρώπην ἅπασαν, Λιβύην τε καὶ τὴν ̓Ασίαν ἐπλήρουν, ὁμοῦ συνῆκτο τῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ λειτουργῶν τὰ ἀκροθίνια· εἷς

BULL.

B

τὲ οἶκος εὐκτήριος, ὥσπερ ἐκ Θεοῦ πλα-
τυνόμενος ἔνδον ἐχώρει κατὰ τὸ αὐτὸ
Σύρους ἅμα καὶ Κίλικας, Φοίνικάς τε καὶ
̓Αραβίους καὶ Παλαιστινοὺς καὶ ἐπὶ τού-
τοις Αἰγυπτίους, Θηβαίους, Λίβυας, τούς
τ ̓ ἐκ μέσης τῶν ποταμῶν ὁρμωμένους
ἤδη δὲ καὶ Πέρσης ἐπίσκοπος τῇ συνόδῳ
παρῆν· οὐδὲ Σκύθης ἀπελιμπάνετο τῆς
χορείας Πόντος τε καὶ Γαλατία καὶ
Παμφυλία, Καππαδοκία τε καὶ ̓Ασία καὶ

θίνια.

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