But they did not obtain the object of their wish, and at the same time lost their labour and industry; because the truth, that is the secret of the Most High God, who created all things, cannot be attained by our own ability and perceptions. Otherwise there would be no difference between God and man, if human thought could reach to the counsels and arrangements of that eternal majesty. And because it was impossible that the divine method of procedure should become known to man by his own efforts, God did not suffer man any longer to err in search … Continue reading Truth can not be attained

And we now commence this work under the auspices of your name, O mighty Emperor Constantine, who were the first of the Roman princes to repudiate errors, and to acknowledge and honour the majesty of the one and only true God. For when that most happy day had shone upon the world, in which the Most High God raised you to the prosperous height of power, you entered upon a dominion which was salutary and desirable for all, with an excellent beginning, when, restoring justice which had been overthrown and taken away, you expiated the most shameful deed of others. … Continue reading We shall speak of hope

Continue reading A monstrous act

Does it not occur to you to reflect and to examine in whose domain you live? on whose property you are? whose is that earth which you till?11 whose is that air which you inhale, and return again in breathing? whose fountains do you abundantly enjoy? whose water? who has regulated the blasts of the wind? who has contrived the watery clouds? who has discriminated the productive powers of seeds by special characteristics? Does Apollo give you rain? Does Mercury send yon water from heaven? Has Æsculapius, Hercules, or Diana devised the plan of showers and of storms? And how … Continue reading Grant pardon

Continue reading Thankfully

In truth, our evil comes out of our want of resemblance to God, and our ignorance of Him; and, on the other hand, our great good consists in our resemblance to Him. And, therefore, our conversion and faith in the Being who is incorruptible and divine, seems to be truly our proper good, and ignorance and disregard of Him our evil; if, at least, those things which are produced in us and of us, being the evil effects of sin, are to be considered ours. Methodius of Olympus. 1886. “Fragments.” In Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the … Continue reading Unless you believe

This, in truth, must be called most excellent and praiseworthy, which God Himself considers excellent, even if it be despised and scoffed at by all. For things are not what men think them to be. Methodius of Olympus. 1886. “Fragments.” In Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius, edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, translated by William R. Clark, 6:382. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Continue reading They are what God says they are

“Let the glory of Yahweh endure forever; Let Yahweh be glad in His works; He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to Yahweh throughout my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Let my musing be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in Yahweh.” Psalm 104:31–34 We love Hom because He first loved us! While we were yet sinners He died for us! “As for me, I shall be glad in Yahweh” and may His glory endure forever! And … Continue reading Not decided by the stars