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The Divine Institutes

Lactantius · c. 304–313 AD

22h 14m read
Ante-Nicene

Lactantius's seven-book Divine Institutes, a systematic Christian apologetic written in response to pagan philosophy and religion.

Table of Contents

1Of the False Worship of the Gods1Chap. I.—Of religion and wisdom2Chap. II.—That there is a providence in the affairs of men3Chap. III.—Whether the universe is governed by the power of one God or of many4Chap. IV.—That the one God was foretold even by the prophets5Chap. V.—Of the testimonies of poets and philosophers6Chap. VI.—Of divine testimonies, and of the Sibyls and their predictions7Chap. VII.—Concerning the testimonies of Apollo and the gods8Chap. VIII.—That God is without a body, nor does he need difference of sex for procreation9Chap. IX.—Of Hercules and his life and death10Chap. X.—Of the life and actions of Æsculapius, Apollo, Neptune, Mars, Castor and Pollux, Mercury and Bacchus11Chap. XI.—Of the origin, life, reign, name and death of Jupiter, and of Saturn and Uranus12Chap. XII.—That the stoics transfer the figments of the poets to a philosophical system13Chap. XIII.—How vain and trifling are the interpretations of the stoics respecting the gods, and in them concerning the origin of Jupiter, concerning Saturn and Ops14Chap. XIV.—What the sacred history of Euhemerus and Ennius teaches concerning the gods15Chap. XV.—How they who were men obtained the name of gods16Chap. XVI.—By what argument it is proved that those who are distinguished by a difference of sex cannot be gods17Chap. XVII.—Concerning the same opinion of the stoics, and concerning the hardships and disgraceful conduct of the gods18Chap. XVIII.—On the consecration of gods, on account of the benefits which they conferred upon men19Chap. XIX.—That it is impossible for any one to worship the true God together with false deities20Chap. XX.—Of the gods peculiar to the Romans, and their sacred rites21Chap. XXI.—Of certain deities peculiar to barbarians, and their sacred rites; and in like manner concerning the Romans22Chap. XXII.—Who was the author of the vanities before described in Italy among the Romans, and who among other nations23Chap. XXIII.—Of the ages of vain superstitions, and the times at which they commenced2Of the Origin of Error1Chap. I.—That forgetfulness of reason makes men ignorant of the true God, whom they worship in adversity and despise in prosperity2Chap. II.—What was the first cause of making images; of the true likeness of God, and the true worship of him3Chap. III.—That Cicero and other men of learning erred in not turning away the people from error4Chap. IV.—Of images, and the ornaments of temples, and the contempt in which they are held even by the heathens themselves5Chap. V.—That God only, the creator of all things, is to be worshipped, and not the elements or heavenly bodies; and the opinion of the stoics is refuted, who think that the stars and planets are gods6Chap. VI.—That neither the whole universe nor the elements are God, nor are they possessed of life7Chap. VII.—Of God, and the religious rites of the foolish; of avarice, and the authority of ancestors8Chap. VIII.—Of the use of reason in religion; and of dreams, auguries, oracles, and similar portents9Chap. IX.—Of the devil, the world, God, providence, man, and his wisdom10Chap. X.—Of the world, and its parts, the elements and seasons11Chap. XI.—Of living creatures, of man; Prometheus, Deucalion, the Parcæ12Chap. XII.—That animals were not produced spontaneously, but by a divine arrangement, of which God would have given us the knowledge, if it were advantageous for us to know It13Chap. XIII.—Why man is of two sexes; what is his first death, and what the second and of the fault and punishment of our first parents14Chap. XIV.—Of Noah the inventor of wine, who first had knowledge of the stars, and of the origin of false religions15Chap. XV.—Of the corruption of angels, and the two kinds of demons16Chap. XVI.—That demons have no power over those who are established in the faith17Chap. XVII.—That astrology, soothsaying, and similar arts are the invention of demons18Chap. XVIII.—Of the patience and vengeance of God, the worship of demons, and false religions19Chap. XIX.—Of the worship of images and earthly objects20Chap. XX.—Of philosophy and the truth3Of the False Wisdom of the Philosophers1Chap. I.—A comparison of the truth with eloquence: why the philosophers did not attain to it. Of the simple style of the scriptures2Chap. II.—Of philosophy, and how vain was its occupation in setting forth the truth3Chap. III.—Of what subjects philosophy consists, and who was the chief founder of the academic sect4Chap. IV.—That knowledge is taken away by Socrates, and conjecture by Zeno5Chap. V.—That the knowledge of many things is necessary6Chap. VI.—Of wisdom, and the academics, and natural philosophy7Chap. VII.—Of moral philosophy, and the chief good8Chap. VIII.—Of the chief good, and the pleasures of the soul and body, and of virtue9Chap. IX.—Of the chief good, and the worship of the true God, and a refutation of Anaxagoras10Chap. X.—It is the peculiar property of man to know and worship God11Chap. XI.—Of religion, wisdom, and the chief good12Chap. XII.—Of the twofold conflict of body and soul; and of desiring virtue on account of eternal life13Chap. XIII.—Of the immortality of the soul, and of wisdom, philosophy, and eloquence14Chap. XIV.—That Lucretius and others have erred, and Cicero himself, in fixing the origin of wisdom15Chap. XV.—The error of Seneca in philosophy, and how the speech of philosophers is at variance with their life16Chap. XVI.—That the philosophers who give good instructions live badly, by the testimony of Cicero; therefore we should not so much devote ourselves to the study of philosophy as to wisdom17Chap. XVII.—He passes from philosophy to the philosophers, beginning with Epicurus; and how he regarded Leucippus and Democritus as authors of error18Chap. XVIII.—The Pythagoreans and Stoics, while they hold the immortality of the soul, foolishly persuade a voluntary death19Chap. XIX.—Cicero and others of the wisest men teach the immortality of the soul, but in an unbelieving manner; and that a good or an evil death must be weighed from the previous life20Chap. XX.—Socrates had more knowledge in philosophy than other men, although in many things he acted foolishly21Chap. XXI.—Of the system of Plato, which would lead to the overthrow of states22Chap. XXII.—Of the precepts of Plato, and censures of the same23Chap. XXIII.—Of the errors of certain philosophers, and of the sun and moon24Chap. XXIV.—Of the antipodes, the heaven, and the stars25Chap. XXV.—Of learning philosophy, and what great qualifications are necessary for its pursuit26Chap. XXVI.—It is divine instruction only which bestows wisdom; and of what efficacy the law of God is27Chap. XXVII.—How little the precepts of philosophers contribute to true wisdom, which you will find in religion only28Chap. XXVIII.—Of true religion and of nature. whether fortune is a goddess, and of philosophy29Chap. XXIX.—Of fortune again, and virtue30Chap. XXX.—The conclusion of the things before spoken; and by what means we must pass from the vanity of the philosophers to true wisdom, and the knowledge of the true god, in which alone are virtue and happiness4Of True Wisdom and Religion1Chap. I.—Of the former religion of men, and how error was spread over every age, and of the seven wise men of Greece2Chap. II.—Where wisdom is to be found; why Pythagoras and Plato did not approach the Jews3Chap. III.—Wisdom and religion cannot be separated: the Lord of nature must necessarily be the Father of every one4Of wisdom likewise, and religion, and of the right of father and lord5Chap. V.—The oracles of the prophets must be looked into; and of their times, and the times of the judges and kings6Chap. VI.—Almighty God begat his Son; and the testimonies of the Sibyls and of Trismegistus concerning Him7Chap. VII.—Of the name of Son, and whence he is called Jesus and Christ8Chap. VIII.—Of the birth of Jesus in the spirit and in the flesh: of spirits and the testimonies of prophets9Chap. IX.—Of the Word of God10Chap. X.—Of the advent of Jesus; Of the fortunes of the Jews, and their government, until the passion of the Lord11Chap. XI.—Of the cause of the incarnation of Christ12Chap. XII.—Of the birth of Jesus from the Virgin; of his life, death, and resurrection, and the testimonies of the prophets respecting these things13Chap. XIII.—Of Jesus, God and man; and the testimonies of the prophets concerning him14Chap. XIV.—Of the priesthood of Jesus foretold by the prophets15Chap. XV.—Of the life and miracles of Jesus, and testimonies concerning them16Chap. XVI.—Of the passion of Jesus Christ; that it was foretold17Chap. XVII.—Of the superstitions of the Jews, and their hatred against Jesus18Chap. XVIII.—Of the Lord’s passion, and that it was foretold19Chap. XIX.—Of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; and the predictions of these events20Chap. XX.—Of the departure of Jesus into Galilee after his resurrection; and of the two testaments, the old and the new21Chap. XXI.—Of the ascension of Jesus, and the foretelling of it; and of the preaching and actions of the disciples22Chap. XXII.—Arguments of unbelievers against the incarnation of Jesus23Chap. XXIII.—Of giving precepts, and acting24Chap. XXIV.—The overthrowing of the arguments above urged by way of objection25Chap. XXV.—Of the advent of Jesus in the flesh and spirit, that He might be mediator between God and man26Chap. XXVI.—Of the cross, and other tortures of Jesus, and of the figure of the lamb under the law27Chap. XXVII.—Of the wonders effected by the power of the cross, and of demons28Chap. XXVIII.—Of hope and true religion, and of superstition29Chap. XXIX.—Of the Christian religion, and of the union of Jesus with the Father30Chap. XXX.—Of avoiding heresies and superstitions, and what is the only true Catholic Church5Of Justice1Chap. I.—Of the non-condemnation of accused persons without a hearing of their cause; from what cause philosophers despised the sacred writings; of the first advocates of the Christian religion2Chap. II.—To what an extent the Christian truth has been assailed by rash men3Chap. III.—Of the truth of the Christian doctrine, and the vanity of its adversaries; and that Christ was not a magician4Chap. IV.—Why this work was published, and again of Tertullian and Cyprian5Chap. V.—there was true justice under Saturnus, but it was banished by Jupiter6Chap. VI.—After the banishment of justice, lust, unjust laws, daring, avarice, ambition, pride, impiety, and other vices reigned7Chap. VII.—Of the coming of Jesus, and its fruit; and of the virtues and vices of that age8Chap. VIII.—Of justice known to all, but not embraced; of the true temple of God, and of His worship, that all vices may be subdued9Chap. IX.—Of the crimes of the wicked, and the torture inflicted on the Christians10Chap. X.—Of false piety, and of false and true religion11Chap XI.—Of the cruelty of the heathens against the Christians12Chap. XII.—Of true virtue; and of the estimation of a good or bad citizen13Of the increase and the punishment of the Christians14Chap. XIV.—Of the fortitude of the Christians15Chap. XV.—Of folly, wisdom, piety, equity, and justice16Chap. XVI.—Of the duties of the just man, and the equity of Christians17Chap. XVII.—Of the equity, wisdom, and foolishness of Christians18Chap. XVIII.—Of justice, wisdom, and folly19Chap. XIX.—Of virtue and the tortures of Christians, and of the right of a father and master20Chap. XX.—Of the vanity and crimes, impious superstitions, and of the tortures of the Christians21Chap. XXI.—Of the worship of other gods and the true God, and of the animals which the Egyptians worshipped22Chap. XXII.—Of the rage of the demons against Christians, and the error of unbelievers23Chap. XXIII.—Of the justice and patience of the Christians24Chap. XXIV.—Of the divine vengeance inflicted on the torturers of the Christians6Of True Worship1Chap. I.—Of the worship of the true God, and of innocency, and of the worship of false Gods2Chap. II.—Of the worship of false gods and the true God3Chap. III.—Of the ways, and of vices and virtues; and of the rewards of heaven and the punishments of hell4Chap. IV.—Of the ways of life, of pleasures, also of the hardships of Christians5Chap. V.—Of false and true virtue; and of knowledge6Chap. VI.—Of the chief good and virtue, and or knowledge and righteousness7Chap. VII.—Of the Way of Error and of Truth: that It is Single, Narrow, and Steep, and Has God for Its Guide8Chap. VIII.—Of the errors of philosophers, and the variableness of law9Chap. IX.—Of the law and precept of god; of mercy, and the error of the philosophers10Chap. X.—Of religion towards God, and mercy towards men; and of the beginning of the world11Chap. XI.—Of the persons upon whom a benefit is to be conferred12Chap. XII.—Of the kinds of beneficence, and works of mercy13Chap. XIII.—Of repentance, of mercy, and the forgiveness of sins14Chap. XIV.—Of the affections, and the opinion of the Stoics respecting them; and of virtue, the vices, and mercy15Chap. XV.—Of the affections, and the opinion of the Peripatetics respecting them16Chap. XVI.—Of the affections, and the refutation of the opinion of the Peripatetics concerning them; what is the proper use of the affections, and what is a bad use of them17Chap. XVII.—Of the affections and their use; of patience, and the chief good of Christians18Chap. XVIII.—Of some commands of God, and of patience19Chap. XIX.—Of the affections and their use; and of the three furies20Chap. XX.—Of the senses, and their pleasures in the brutes and in man; and of pleasures of the eyes, and spectacles21Chap. XXI.—Of the pleasures of the ears, and of sacred literature22Chap. XXII.—Of the pleasures of taste and smell23Chap. XXIII.—De tactus voluptate et libidine, atque de matrimonio et continentiâ24Chap. XXIV.—Of repentance, of pardon, and the commands of God25Chap. XXV.—Of sacrifice, and of an offering worthy of God, and of the form of praising God7Of a Happy Life1Chap. I.—Of the world, and those who are about to believe, and those who are not; and in this the censure of the faithless2Chap. II.—Of the error of the philosophers, and of the divine wisdom, and of the golden age3Chap. III.—Of nature, and of the world; and a censure of the Stoics and Epicureans4Chap. IV.—That all things were created for some use, even those things which appear evil; on what account man enjoys reason in so frail a body5Chap. V.—Of the creation of man, and of the arrangement of the world, and of the chief good6Chap. VI.—Why the world and man were created. How unprofitable is the worship of false gods7Chap. VII.—Of the variety of philosophers, and their truth8Chap. VIII.—Of the immortality of the soul9Chap. IX.—Of the immortality of the soul, and of virtue10Chap. X.—Of vices and virtues, and of life and death11Chap. XI.—Of the last times, and of the soul and body12Chap. XII.—Of the soul and the body, and of their union and separation and return13Chap. XIII.—Of the soul, and the testimonies concerning its eternity14Chap. XIV.—Of the first and last times of the world15Chap. XV.—Of the devastation of the world and change of the empires16Chap. XVI.—Of the devastation of the world, and its prophetic omens17Chap. XVII.—Of the false prophet, and the hardships of the righteous, and his destruction18Chap. XVIII.—Of the fortunes of the world at the last time, and of the things foretold by the soothsayers19Chap. XIX.—Of the advent of Christ to judgment, and of the overcoming of the false prophet20Chap. XX.—Of the judgment of Christ, of Christians, and of the soul21Chap. XXI.—Of the torments and punishments of souls22Chap. XXII.—Of the error of the poets, and the return of the soul from the lower regions23Chap. XXIII.—Of the resurrection of the soul, and the proofs of this fact24Chap. XXIV.—Of the renewed world25Chap. XXV.—Of the last times, and of the city of Rome26Chap. XXVI.—Of the loosing of the devil, and of the second and greatest judgment27Chap. XXVII.—An encouragement and confirmation of the pious28The Epitome of the Divine Institutes29The Preface.—The plan and purport of the whole Epitome, and of the Institutions30Chap. I.—Of the divine providence31Chap. II.—That there is but one God, and that there cannot be more32Chap. III.—The testimonies of the poets concerning the one God33Chap. IV.—The testimonies of the philosophers to the unity of God34Chap. V.—That the prophetic women—that is, the Sibyls—declare that there is but one God35Chap. VI.—Since God is eternal and immortal, he does not stand in need of sex and succession36Chap. VII.—Of the wicked life and death of Hercules37Chap. VIII.—Of Æsculapius, Apollo, Mars, Castor and Pollux, and of Mercurius and Bacchus38Chap. IX.—Of the disgraceful deeds of the gods39Chap. X.—Of Jupiter, and his licentious life40Chap. XI.—The various emblems under which the poets veiled the turpitude of Jupiter41Chap. XII.—The poets do not invent all those things which relate to the gods42Chap. XIII.—The actions of Jupiter are related from the historian Euhemerus43Chap. XIV.—The actions of Saturnus and Uranus taken from the historians44Chap. XX.—Of the gods peculiar to the Romans45Chap. XXI.—Of the sacred rites of the Roman gods46Chap. XXII.—Of the sacred rites Introduced by Faunus and Numa47Chap. XXIII.—Of the Gods and sacred rites of the barbarians48Chap. XXIV.—Of the origin of sacred rites and superstitions49Chap. XXV.—Of the golden age, of images, and Prometheus, who first fashioned man50Chap. XXVI.—Of the worship of the elements and stars51Chap. XXVII.—Of the creation, sin, and punishment of man; and of angels, both good and bad52Chap. XXVIII.—Of the demons, and their evil practices53Chap. XXIX.—Of the patience and providence of God54Chap. XXX.—Of false wisdom55Chap. XXXI.—Of knowledge and supposition56Chap. XXXII.—Of the sects of philosophers, and their disagreement57Chap. XXXIII.—What is the chief good to be sought in life58Chap. XXXIV.—That men are born to justice59Chap. XXXV.—That immortality is the chief good60Chap. XXXVI.—Of the philosophers,—namely, Epicurus and Pythagoras61Chap. XXXVII.—Of Socrates and his contradiction62Chap. XXXVIII.—Of Plato, whose doctrine approaches more nearly to the truth63Chap. XXXIX.—Of various philosophers, and of the antipodes64Chap. XL.—Of the foolishness of the philosophers65Chap. XLI.—Of true religion and wisdom66Chap. XLII.—Of religious wisdom: the name of Christ known to none, except himself and his father67Chap. XLIII.—Of the name of Jesus Christ, and his twofold nativity68Chap. XLIV.—The twofold nativity of Christ is proved from the prophets69Chap. XLV.—The power and works of Christ are proved from the scriptures70Chap. XLVI.—It is proved from the prophets that the passion and death of Christ had been foretold71Chap. XLVII.—Of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sending of the apostles, and the ascension of the saviour into heaven72Chap. XLVIII.—Of the disinheriting of the Jews, and the adoption of the Gentiles73Chap. XLIX.—That God is one only74Chap. L.—Why God assumed a mortal body, and suffered death75Chap. LI.—Of the death of Christ on the cross76Chap. LII.—The hope of the salvation of men consists in the knowledge of the true God, and of the hatred of the heathens against the Christians77Chap. LIII.—The reasons of the hatred against the Christians are examined and refuted78Chap. LIV.—Of the freedom of religion in the worship of God79Chap. LV.—The heathens charge justice with impiety in following God80Chap. LVI.—Of justice, which is the worship of the true God81Chap. LVII.—Of wisdom and foolishness82Chap. LVIII.—Of the true worship of God, and sacrifice83Chap. LIX.—Of the ways of life, and the first times of the world84Chap. LX.—Of the duties of justice85Chap. LXI.—Of the passions86Chap. LXII.—Of restraining the pleasures of the senses87Chap. LXIII.—That shows are most powerful to corrupt the minds88Chap. LXIV.—The passions are to be subdued, and we must abstain from forbidden things89Chap. LXV.—Precepts about those things which are commanded, and of pity90Chap. LXVI.—Of faith in religion, and of fortitude91Chap. LXVII.—Of repentance, the immortality of the soul, and of providence92Chap. LXVIII.—Of the world, man, and the providence of God93Chap. LXIX.—That the world was made on account of man, and man on account of God94Chap. LXX.—The immortality of the soul is confirmed95Chap. LXXI.—Of the last times96Chap. LXXII.—Of Christ descending from heaven to the general judgment, and of the millenarian reign97Chap. LXXIII.—The hope of safety is in the religion and worship of God98Chap. I.—Of divine and human wisdom99Chap. II.—Of the truth and its steps, and of God100Chap. III.—Of the good and evil things in human affairs, and of their author101Chap. IV.—Of God and his affections, and the censure of Epicurus102Chap. V.—The opinion of the Stoics concerning God; of His anger and kindness103Chap. VI.—That God is angry104Chap. VII.—Of man, and the brute animals, and religion105Chap. VIII.—Of Religion106Chap. IX.—Of the providence of God, and of opinions opposed to it107Chap. X.—Of the origin of the world, and the nature of affairs, and the providence of God108Chap. XI.—Of God, and that the one God, and by whose providence the world is governed and exists109Chap. XII.—Of religion and the fear of God110Chap. XIII.—Of the advantage and use of the world and of the seasons111Chap. XIV.—Why God made man112Chap. XV.—Whence sins extended to man113Chap. XVI.—Of God, and his anger and affections114Chap. XVII.—Of God, His care and anger115Chap. XVIII.—Of the punishment of faults, that it cannot take place without anger116Chap. XIX.—Of the soul and body, and of providence117Chap. XX.—Of offences, and the mercy of God118Chap. XXI.—Of the anger of God and man119Chap. XXII.—Of sins, and the verses of the Sibyls respecting them recited120Chap. XXIII.—Of the anger of God and the punishment of sins, and a recital of the verses of the Sibyls respecting it; and, moreover, a reproof and exhortation121Chap. I.—The introduction, and exhortation to Demetrianus122Chap. II.—Of the production of the beasts and of man123Chap. III.—Of the condition of the beasts and man124Chap. IV.—Of the weakness of man125Chap. V.—Of the figures and limbs of animals126Chap. VI.—Of the error of Epicurus, and of the limbs and their use127Chap. VII.—Of all the parts of the body128Chap. VIII.—Of the parts of man: the eyes and ears129Chap. IX.—Of the senses and their power130Chap. X.—Of the outer limbs of man, and their use131Chap. XI.—Of the intestines in man, and their use132Chap. XII.—De utero, et conceptione atque sexibus133Chap. XIII.—Of the lower members134Chap. XIV.—Of the unknown purpose of some of the intestines135Chap. XV.—Of the voice136Chap. XVI.—Of the mind and its seat137Chap. XVII.—Of the soul, and the opinion of philosophers concerning it138Chap. XVIII.—Of the soul and the mind, and their affections139Chap. XIX.—Of the soul, and it given by God140Chap. XX.—Of himself and the truth141Chap. I142Chap. II143Chap. III144Chap. IV145Chap. V146Chap. VI147Chap. VII148Chap. VIII149Chap. IX150Chap. X151Chap. XI152Chap. XII153Chap. XIII154Chap. XIV155Chap. XV156Chap. XVI157Chap. XVII158Chap. XVIII159Chap. XIX160Chap. XX161Chap. XXI162Chap. XXII163Chap. XXIII164Chap. XXIV165Chap. XXV166Chap. XXVI167Chap. XXVII168Chap. XXVIII169Chap. XXIX170Chap. XXX171Chap. XXXI172Chap. XXXII173Chap. XXXIII174Chap. XXXIV175Chap. XXXV176Chap. XXXVI177Chap. XXXVII178Chap. XXXVIII179Chap. XXXIX180Chap. XL181Chap. XLI182Chap. XLII183Chap. XLIII184Chap. XLIV185Chap. XLV186Chap. XLVI187Chap. XLVII188Chap. XLVIII189Chap. XLIX190Chap. L191Chap. LI192Chap. LII193Fragments of Lactantius194The Phœnix195A Poem on the Passion of the Lord196General Note