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Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

St Irenaeus of Lyons, tr. Robinson, 1920

Chapter 55

He calls Him Wonderful Counsellor, meaning of the Father: whereby it is declared that the Father works all things together with Him; as is contained in the first book of Moses which is entitled Genesis: And God said, Let us make man1 after our image and likeness. For there is seen in this place the Father speaking to the Son,2 the Wonderful Counsellor of the Father. Moreover He is also our Counsellor, giving advice; not compelling as God,3 even though He is Mighty God, (as) he says; but giving advice that we should forsake ignorance and acquire knowledge, and depart from error and come to the truth, and put away corruption and receive incorruption.

Notes

  1. Gen. i. 26.
  2. V, xv. 4: “Cum quo et loquebatur Pater: Faciamus,” etc.: cf. IV, xxxiv. 1. Cf. Barn. V, 5.
  3. V, i. 1: “non cum vi . . . sed secundum suadelam . . . suadentem, non vim inferentem:” cf. IV, lix. 1: Βία θεῷ οὐ πρόσεστιν· ἀγαθὴ δὲ γνώμη πάντοτε συμπάρεστιν αὐτῷ: lx. 1: ἀλλὰ μὴ βιαζομένου. Compare Ep. ad Diognetum 7: ὡς πείθων, οὐ βιαζόμενος· βία γὰρ οὐ πρόσεστι τῷ θεῷ.

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