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On the Theophania

Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843

The First Book of Eusebius of Cæsarea on the Divine Manifestation.
The company too of the Polytheïsts, on the other hand, set in order against the …
In conformity with these (considerations) also, we make this same (Being) the (efficient)…
Thus, and more particularly,—before these visible ornaments which are (but) the bodies of…
For it was impossible that this perishable being of bodies, and this Nature of reasonable…
The proof then, of this conclusion is obvious. For, if those which we usually term the …
And, Who is He that has caused water, the nature of which is to run downwards, to take an…
And, Who is He that has so constrained the power of fire, that it shall insinuate itself …
And, Who has attempered this cold air with the power of heat; has released these from …
Who is He that has distinguished the race subject to mortality with the character of …
Who is He that has so formed the Male, fashioned the Female, and associated them both as …
Who is He that changes this fluent generating seed from its fluid, perishing, and …
Who is He that performs even to this time all these things, and innumerable others beyond…
Who is He that daily and hourly, secretly and by a power that is invisible, effects the …
But, the efficient Cause of all things is justly said to be that worker of miracles, the …
This selfsame Word of God too brought himself down also upon the earth, and (there) set …
This selfsame Word of God also immerged even into the depths of the sea, and determined …
The selfsame also completes, by the effectuating art of nature, those (beings) which are …
But why need I take upon myself to discuss the powers of the Word of God? or, venture …
Others indeed name this same (Being) Universal nature; others, the Universal soul; …
The Divine doctrine, however, declares that He who is above all that is good, the same is…
But He, as a king within the concealment and privacy in which He is incomprehensible, …
He therefore, by whom are all things, the Word of God, proceeded forth from above, from …
To some he gives the comforts of a mortal and temporary life; to others, that they may …
This is the common Saviour of all, on whose account this universal essence is productive,…
Those therefore who follow many Gods, commit, as children in soul, a grievous mistake …
Much worse than this would he be, who would also imagine that this entirely made …
This sensible world is therefore, not unlike the lyre of many strings, consisting of many…
But the Divine Word has not been constituted of parts, nor has it been compounded of any …
Do you not see with your eyes, that one heaven surrounds the whole world? and that many …
Because too, there is in man (but) one Soul and one reasoning faculty, and this at the …
So also, of this universal world which is one, consisting nevertheless of many parts, it …
So also the light of the Sun is one; yet, by its one incidence, it at once illuminates …
So likewise the word of God, the King of all, He who is extended throughout all, is in …
Such therefore, is the common Saviour of all, the Word of the God of all, of whom one …
This (universe) then, partakes of two natures; of the essence which is more excellent and…
This same therefore, which has been fabricated out of matter, and (material) bodies; …
As it is with these things, (so) one is the generating, intelligent, and rational Essence…
And to the honouring of Him are all, whether the rulers or the ruled in every house and …
And again, they named (as gods) for themselves, these very powers, contenders and rebels …
With these (words) therefore, he leads over against and along with the companies that are…
How then, after (the detail of) these things could it be becoming, that the element of …
Thus therefore, the Word of God, the Maker of all things, fills, with His seed of …
These things then being such, let us now again approach our subject afresh, as already …
The flocks too, and herds, (and) again, all sorts of possession (in animals), are given …
In representations not unlike these therefore, does the Word, the instructor of all …
It is this rational species alone, beloved of God, of those that are on earth, respecting…
Man alone therefore, of those that are on the earth,—he who is in the image of God, …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, is not to be persuaded to take up his …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, considers not of (his) provision after the …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, has, by means of rule and reason, …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, preserving (in himself) the model of …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, evincing within himself the image of …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, will confide his life to the small …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, has discovered the doctrines of astronomy: …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, is viewed (as) the assistant of nature; has …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, not having arrived at the manner of …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, collects together, by (his) rational …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, bears about him, by means of his memory, the …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, duly regulates the voice of the …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, is, in his works, like unto God who is over …
This (being) alone, of those that are on the earth, will imitate on the earth whereon he …
Man alone, of those that are on the earth, can, by means of words not to be uttered, of …
Man alone shews of what kind the superiority of (his) intellectual and incorporeal being …
This alone, of the animals that are on the earth, partaking of the divine inbreathing, is…
This (animal) alone recognizes in every thing, something greater and more excellent than …
This (being) alone has arisen (to be) the spectator of the great works of the Word of …
The testimonies to all these things, does that word of the doctrine and erudition which …
For if this rational animal,—this, who has become partaker in all this superiority; this,…
If however, many are so foolish as to be attached to the lusts that are here, that they …
But, if any unnatural contortion should happen to that which is conceived in the womb, so…
As are these things, so is he who passes the life which is human on earth, differing in …
He therefore, who, in the example (above) was, as an infant conceived in the womb, in …
You will perceive therefore, the greatness of the complete state of man’s superiority, …
If then the child, when brought up to the (full) stature of his nature, and supplied with…
For, just as the form (assigned) to the seed which falls upon the earth, is given for …
So also is the nature of the rational faculty, which is in man, (circumstanced), that it …
All these things having been said for the purpose of shewing, that the essence which is …
On these accounts therefore, a mighty Saviour, greater than any son of man, was evidently…
1. The Second Book against the Philosophers.
But again, that the cause of the Divine manifestation of the common Saviour of all among …
For, it was not as some disease which (lay) on man, and was mighty as opposed to every …
But also, to matter warm and cold, wet and dry, to the very waters, the earth, the air …
But, they also made Gods of the earthy nature of the fruits of the earth, and of the …
But, they hesitated not to call the cogitative faculty of their minds, and their reason, …
But, increasing in manifold impiety and the excess of wickedness, they made themselves …
But, they also prostrated themselves to that which was born of the human body, and to the…
But, they also honoured with the Reverend name, every species of irrational animal, and …
But, they also cut down trees, and hewed the rocks: the metals too of the earth, brass, …
But, they also ministered, by means of libations and the fumes of sacrifices, to the evil…
But, they also drew over to themselves, by means of the ties of those who used abominable…
The whole of the Egyptians, therefore, at once with the Phenicians and the Greeks, (thus)…
Nor was it this only, but also, from the speeches which they made about their Gods, they …
Nor was it this only, but also, the very men who rejected the gods mentioned (above), …
Nor was it this alone, but they also subverted the common mind of all, placing under an …
Nor was it this alone, but they also ran as herds into the midst of the theatres, old and…
Nor was it this only, but they also built seminaries of the precepts of ungodliness both …
Much therefore, on account of all these things, was God the Saviour and (only) helper, …
Others too, fixed the limits of Providence as far off as the moon; the company of those …
Others also, besides these who boasted themselves (as being) the best of Philosophers, …
The descendants however, of the Philosophers, who were named the “primitive (students of)…
Others however, exclusive of these, determined the reverse of all those mentioned;—that …
Plato alone, of all the Greeks, (as) it seems to me, adhered more eminently to (the true)…
He also established (it) justly and well, that the heavens, the sun, the moon, the stars,…
He also affirmed of the essence of the soul, that it is incorporeal and foreign to …
“Let us render honour, neither to that (heavenly body) which is of the year, nor to that …
This man moreover, now calls the Divine Word, the Father, the Lord of all, and also …
“This Epistle, all you who consist of three should read, particularly in society: but, if…
This (philosopher) also taught, that there was a just Judgment of God, and that He would …
“To speak of the other Demons, and to know their power, is too great for us. We assent …
You (now) view the very Philosopher—who is from above, and of the exemplars that are …
“What is that which always is, but that it might exist, has no being? And it is this same…
This selfsame Combatant therefore, now honours this identical (something,)—this which …
You perceive therefore, that he advises it as proper, that we should adhere to error! …
“For there is neither law, nor any one ordinance superior to erudition; nor is it just, …
How then can you, O Philosopher! be moved by death after these expressions? or, draw near…
Of the Earth, you say, and the Heavens, the Ocean and Tethys were the progeny: and again,…
“The same great Jupiter therefore, drove and guided the flying chariot in the heavens, …
But, I know not whence Jupiter is to be viewed, after these (viz.) the Earth, the Sea, …
Do you observe then, how this man goes on stating,—stating too not things that are not …
The Peripatetics too, so attached themselves to a belief, similar to that of the …
The Stoïcs again, who taught that all was body, and that this sensible world alone was …
He however (i. e. Plato) determined, as by divine revelation, what that is “which exists …
“Gods of the Gods, of whom I am the Creator: every thing therefore, that has been bound …
Was it not therefore, lapsing far from soundness of mind, that he, who spoke so orderly …
But, What necessity can there now be, that I should bring to light, how the wise men …
“And behold! the conflict between them might be assimilated to that of Giants, because of…
Nevertheless, Plato himself said these things either against the Philosophers who were …
How was it then?—How, that those who contended about these things, had no God; when, …
But, if those who have been mentioned, were really Gods; Why was it, that the …
Thus these (Philosophers) became in (appearance) what they (really) were not: besides, …
And again, all had been led to such a state of insanity, that they even sacrificed their …
For, the Phœnicians annually sacrificed (some of) their friends, and their only children …
In the (place) also which is now called Salamis, but formerly Coronéa, was a man …
The law too, whereby men were sacrificed in Heliopolis (a city) of Egypt, was abrogated …
Men were also sacrificed to Juno, and were chosen just as immaculate calves were sought …
They also sacrificed a man to the Omadian Bacchus in Chios, when they had torn him (to …
The Lacedemonians also, as Apollodorus affirms, sacrificed a man to Mars! The Phœnicians …
Ister also says, in (the) collection of select sacrifices, that the Curetes formerly …
A Virgin was also annually sacrificed to Minerva, in Laodicea of Syria; but now a hart is.
The Carthaginians also, who were of Libya, made the same sacrifice; which Iphicrates …
Philarchus too has left it on record, that all the Greeks commonly sacrificed men, before…
But I omit the Thracians and Scythians; and also the Athenians, who put to death the …
And thus, in these (distresses) of soul were all men, in every place: nor, was it enough …
The Jews therefore, immediately after the egress from Egypt by Moses, when they had come …
Not unlike these too, did those suffer who resided in Arabia: for, among these also, …
If however, these things are not known to all; yet Who, of those that are fond of reading…
But, if you wish to investigate things more ancient than these, contemplate with your …
One of two things is, therefore (the case): Either, they were nothing; and it was …
It is time therefore, that we enquire whether the wars and contentions—not of enemies, …
For, if they were no Gods, and in their nature by no means superior to ourselves, but, …
How then;—for good men would have done this, had they happened (to be circumstanced as …
But, if they advance a superintending fate, such as to take hold of every thing, and even…
But in this were these astonishing (Deities) caught, that they had not the power to help …
But now in our times, every anxiety about the Beings just mentioned has suddenly lost its…
But, Why should any one say that these are things of recent occurrence? since, as far …
Thus therefore, during this same time, were things brought to pass one after another in …
Those too who were thought to be Gods, who gave out divinations, and foreknowledge (of …
What Diviner then, or Enchanter? What Demi-god, Demon, or God, has foreshewn by …
And hence we may perceive why appointments, the character of which was varying, subverted…
Thus therefore, had the whole human race been led on to the last stage of brutality, so …
What, then, was it right that the Word, the Father of rational beings, the Saviour of …
How then, after (the occurrence) of these things, could it have been becoming, that the …
It is likely therefore, that the compassionate Word of God would, as a good Shepherd, …
Because then (men) had, by a perversion which was not good (growing) out of their …
And again also, when they believed in these Gods, who had (virtually) confessed by their …
The Temple of Diana too at Ephesus, came to (its) destruction three several times. On one…
They have recorded moreover, that the Temple of Juno in Argus was destroyed on one …
It is also said, that on one occasion, lightning struck the statue of Jupiter in Olympia.
The Roman histories likewise inform us, that the Temple of Vesta which is in Rome, and …
And again, on one occasion, lightning fell from heaven on that which is called by them …
With all these modes of discipline therefore, has the Providence which is over all, the …
Because then, great would be the change for the better in every one, upon human life’s …
So likewise the common Saviour of all, as the Shepherd and Physician of His rational …
He again as a good Father, thus also afforded instruction to the foolish; for He imparted…
Because therefore, the life of man had henceforward undergone a change, by means of these…
1. The Third Book of (Eusebius) of Cæsarea.
But (now), two great Powers sprung fully up, as (it were) out of one stream; and they …
These things were foretold in the language of the Hebrews, (and) have been published a …
Who, of those that ever existed, is the mortal man, King, Philosopher, Lawgiver, or …
Now, What can he have to say on this matter, who dares to oppose the truth; since the …
What mortal nature has ever appeared, which appointed like Him, by word only and not in …
Who, of those who have been praised for the wisdom of their observances, has ever so …
What mortal man, of all the Princes at once, and Kings, and Armies, and Companies, and …
And, Who is that other (person) who, since the life of man was set up, ever sought to …
Who ever set about to teach, and, after he had so engaged himself, brought, as in this …
What other person ever arose (as the sun) with his rational light to the souls of men, …
What other, excepting our Saviour, persuaded the Egyptians,—more attached as they were to…
And Who invisibly, and by the powerful means and force of his doctrine which was every …
What other (person) moreover, has, like this our Saviour, given such power to those who …
What other too, except Him alone, has granted to those who draw near to Him, that they …
Who moreover, tacitly, and by means of His invisible power, has abolished those …
Since then, all these are clear proofs confirming the divine power of the Saviour of us …
The Race therefore which contended with God, disturbed the life of man, and introduced, …
This mortal nature therefore, and again that which has no proper existence, is (as) …
Some of the contenders with God did, but a little while ago, rebelliously, forcibly, and …
He then, even after all these storms of persecution, did, by means of sharp calamities …
Who moreover persuaded women, multitudes of children, and of men, voluntarily to suffer …
And, Who taught men, barbarian and rustic, as well as women, children, and innumerable …
But, let us dismiss these things, and let us otherwise approach him whose mind is (as) …
What other, of those preached of from ancient times, ever did like Him who is called God …
Or, Who so suddenly appeared as an executor of vengeance against those who dared to …
And Who, like this our Saviour, has clearly foretold the things that respected the …
And this also, that He should change men poor and rustic, from the occupation of fishing,…
And, How does it appear to thee, that He should foretel what was about to take place? and…
And this also, that He should so prepare them, that they should voluntarily suffer? and, …
Nor was it only, that He impressed on the souls of those who (immediately) followed Him …
Besides, Which of the kings ever remained prosperous in his rule, throughout all this …
But, the chief of all the things that have been mentioned, is that peace which was, by …
What God or Hero is it, that has ever so fully arisen (like the sun) and given light from…
What God or Hero is it, who ever contended with all the gods and heroes both of the …
What God or Hero was it, who ever delivered to all nations dwelling on the great element …
What God or Hero was it who, when they so made war with him, set up, as our (Saviour) has…
This is strange indeed, and something not to be imagined; at any period too, it must be a…
These acts, therefore,—pertaining to salvation, and advantageous to the world, and to the…
Thus therefore, the only (begotten) Word of God, who availed Himself of a human …
Let any one therefore who will, take up the true faith, together with the open proof of …
This His death therefore, which has been made public, was (so) accompanied by the …
For said (the Evangelist,) “He cried out greatly, and gave up His Spirit to His Father: …
Having then, delivered representations of this sort respecting His own death, He effected…
Now, What can be wanting after these things, except that we should state the cause of …
For, if He had done otherwise,—after His dealings among men,—so as not to have been seen,…
Nor could He have done any thing, which it was right He should do, as being the Life, the…
Nor, could those things which He did against the Demons, (or) in His contention with …
49. Nor could it have been known, where He remained.
Nor could it have been believed by those, to whom He had not delivered (it);—nor had it …
Nor, could He have delivered mortality from its own (mortal) nature.
Nor, could He have persuaded His disciples to despise death.
Nor, could He have established a hope of the life that is with God after death, with …
Nor, could He have fulfilled the promises of His own words; nor have given to the …
Nor, could He have overcome in the last conflict of all, which was opposed to the death …
These things have been said in parables and mystically, on the conflict which (took …
Because then, the Saviour of us all had completed the conflict which was opposed to these…
This therefore was the first cause. The second was, to shew that the Divine power resided…
The third cause of (His) death was, the redemption that is (taught) in hidden (mystical) …
After the things which have been said, the latter was the great cause of (His) death, …
For death had been, from ancient times, fearful to all men as the destroyer of our mortal…
What things then came to pass after these, as to their being (actually) performed, it is …
Hence indeed, originated the care of mankind for the life which is holy and pure, and the…
Henceforward therefore, men became so instructed in the heavenly doctrine, and the …
Nor did he, who had been instructed in the new doctrine, again imagine as formerly, that …
Nor is he as formerly, a slave to his own lusts; nor is he overcome by the baser desires:…
Nor will he again as formerly, venerate the Interpreter of his own soul, or dare to call …
Nor again as in former times, does he,—who has subscribed to the one who alone is …
Nor again as in former times, will he revere inanimate Idols. Nor will he honour the …
Nor will he again as in former times, express terror at the images of evil Demons, nor at…
Nor will he as formerly, again pollute himself with libations, fumes, blood, and …
Nor again will he, who has been taught by the words of his Saviour, to “mortify his …
Nor again will he,—who has subscribed to the only One who is above all, the life-giving …
With all these instructions of righteousness therefore, will he be armed who has been …
Hence it is, that this rational race of man,—since it has been its lot to reside on the …
Hence, places of instruction have been established throughout the whole creation of man; …
Hence, in every city and place, congregations (assembled) from among all, ascribe, in …
Hence, the hymns which are suitable to the assemblies of Angels in heaven, even the race …
Those genealogies of the Demons, and stories about the Gods, which are now superannuated,…
The deeds therefore, pertaining to Redemption and affording aid to the world, as to the …
1. The Fourth Book (of Eusebius) of Cæsarea.
A certain man, illustrious from (his) service to the rule and power of the Romans, was in…
With so much power therefore, did the word of our Saviour go forth, and shewed so much …
Instead then, of that one Chiliarch who drew near to our Saviour at that period, a number…
Also, how those very persons who confess Him who has arisen from the seed of Abraham, and…
Thou wilt learn moreover, from the writings of His Disciples,—that it was by their means …
Art thou desirous then, of hearing a third declaration of the Divine word, which foretold…
In that He foretold at the outset to His Disciples, that He would make them Fishers of…
On the conversion of all nations to God. From the Gospel of Luke.
How His acts should be heard, and preached of, throughout the whole world. From the…
How He mentioned His church by name, when yet it had no existence: and how He declared,…
On the divisions which are in Houses and Families up to this time, on account of His…
On the things which He prophesied against the Jewish people in parables. From the Gospel…
The parable then, spoken by our Saviour, was so like to that of the Prophet, that it was …
On the rejection of the Jews at once, and the calling of the Gentiles: also on those who…
Now the Parable before our eyes, obviously introduces the familiar feast, and bringing …
Again, on the rejection of the Jewish people. From the Gospel of Matthew.
18. On the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem.
19. On the taking of the City. From the Gospel of Luke.
Again, on the reduction of the City. From the Gospel of Luke.
21. From the sixth Book of Josephus.
22. From the fifth Book of Josephus.
Again, on the laws of the Jews, (viz.) that they should no more be observed, either on…
On the people which should be set up out of foreign nations, by means of his teaching.…
How His death was the cause of the redemption of many. From the Gospel of John.
How Simon the chief of the Disciples, should, like his Master, be given up to…
How He foretold to the rest of His Disciples, the persecutions which were about to arise…
How those also who were equals should arise, and persecute each other, in the times of…
On those who should impurely collect themselves into His Church, and on the punishment…
How Impostors and Seducers should invest themselves with His Doctrine, and formally…
How even He and His Disciples should be thought to have taken men, by means of Magicians,…
On those who should remain in complete holiness in His Church, and in the life…
On the distinction of those who should not worthily receive the seed of His doctrine.…
On the teaching of Heterodoxy, which should be sown together with His word in the souls…
On those who should falsely name themselves the Christ. From the Gospel of Matthew.
On the events that should happen at the end of things. From the Gospel of Matthew.
These proofs of the Divine manifestation of our Saviour, which we have thus far seen, are…
1. The Fifth Book (of Eusebius) of Cæsarea.
Against those who suppose that the Christ of God was a magician and deceiver.
But the things pertaining to His form of doctrine were such as these.—Come then, let us …
If then those ancient friends of God,—those to whom (these) divinations have more …
But, let us also investigate this third (consideration). Was it then for this, that they …
We know too that we are, after these things, taught by Him that the world was made; and …
And, that after these things, He perseveringly admonished (men) of the judgment of God, …
When a magician associates his companions with the things of this vice, Like to what men …
Those too, who adhered to Him from the first, as well as those who afterwards received …
And thus indeed, neither was there (ever) any magician His Disciple, so as to be left …
But, that our discourse may not wander from Scripture, take the proof of these things …
“The greater part then of those who practised magic brought in their books, and burnt …
Such therefore were the Disciples of our Saviour, and such was the entire power of the …
Nor was it that men only were in this manner (attached) to Him, and became Philosophers; …
Come then, let us again try the matter thus,—You say of Him that He was a magician; and …
But, you say of Him that He had deceiving teachers, and that neither the sciences of the …
Which of the magicians is it, who ever projected that which our Saviour did? But, if one …
Let us again ask, after these things, Whether any one ever saw with his eyes, or learned …
Now, Is not the man whose mind is intent on magic only,—and is wholly addicted to things …
These things then, are directed (against) those who dare, with ungodly mouths, to …
Against those who do not believe the testimony of the Disciples of our Saviour,…
We may ask therefore, whether there is any thing—whatever it might be—against those who …
This is therefore, the leading, primary, and true reason. Let us then, also investigate …
Come then, let us now see,—if they really were such, —whether it was possible that could …
But let it be granted, that they honoured Him while He was yet with them, and had His …
If then, these Disciples of our Saviour were deceived and deceiving, I would add this …
How then could those, whose experience of their Master was, that He was vicious and a …
And after these things, His resurrection after the death which they had previously …
And Do these things appear to you as convincing? And, Can you so far persuade yourself, …
But they went not forth by compact, to this (work of) preaching respecting Him; nor did …
But, How can you say that they neither expected nor hoped, that they should suffer any …
And observe, If the things which they preached respecting Him were lies, and they had …
Now, Is not this replete with wonder, that men, who were deceivers and unlettered, …
Let it be considered then, that we have granted these things, by connivance at an unjust …
These things being then refuted, let us also consider the testimony of the Scriptures of …
And, when they attended to their Teacher, (Jesus) enjoined upon them the grievous things,…
As to Matthew the Apostle his former manner of life was not that which was excellent; on …
“And, when Jesus passed from thence, He saw a man sitting among the Tax-gatherers, whose …
You will also find that John is like Matthew (in this respect); for in his Epistle he …
Simon Peter moreover, did not so much as attempt the writing of a Gospel, on account of …
Of those therefore, who excused themselves from saying the things which would contribute …
But, Why should these have lied respecting their Lord? and have delivered down, in their …
If then, they appear to be lovers of truth in those grievous accounts (which they give) …
(The testimony) of Josephus respecting the Christ.
If therefore, as (this) author attests of Him, He was the doer of wonderful works, and …
You will also be made acquainted with the Divinity of His power, if you will consider of …
A man might therefore well stand in doubt, as to what the form of the doctrine of our …
But, let it be supposed that the persuasives now put forth were these, (viz.) that those …
I myself however, investigating for myself with effort, and in the love of truth, this …
Even you yourself see therefore, how this their word took effect; since even the Book of …
If then, they preached that He was God, and the Son of God, and that He was with the …
And this, and nothing else, is indeed the thing required, (viz.) by what power the …