Cyprian

Footnotes

^[3451] Most editors read, “Castor and Pollux.”

^[3452] Latebra.

^[3453] [“Litteras imprimere…signare nummos.” How could the art of printing have failed to follow such inventions and such words? Every coin was a hint of the printer’s art. God only could have restrained the invention till the set time. Dan. xii. 4.]

^[3454] According to some readings, the words “an old man” are omitted.

^[3455] The readings here vary much. The first part of the sentence is found in Minucius Felix, c. 21. [Vol. iv. p. 185.]

^[3456] The following passage, accepted in some editions, is of doubtful authenticity: “To such an extent, indeed, were feigned the names of gods among the Romans, that there is even among them a god, Viduus, who widows the body from the soul—who, as being sad and funereal, is not kept within the walls, but placed outside; but who nevertheless, in that he is excluded, is rather condemned by the Roman religion than worshipped. There is also Scansus, so called from ascents, and Forculus from doors, and Limentinus from thresholds, and Cardea from hinges, and Orbona from bereavement.”

^[3457] “Parricida.”

^[3458] [2 Tim. iii. 13. See vol. iii. 68.]

^[3459] [Vol. iii. p. 111; also other apologists.]

^[3460] [See vol. iii. p 179 elucidation.]

^[3461] [Ps. lix. 11; and see p. 202, supra.]

^[3462] “Of greater obedience and of stronger faith” is a varied reading here.

^[3463] Some add, “and discipline.”

^[3464] “With the co-operation of the Holy Spirit,” is perhaps a more probable reading. [See vol. iii. p. 609.]

^[3465] [See Treatise xii. book ii. secs. 13 and 28, infra.]

^[3466] “Set upon Him and” is here interpolated by some.

^[3467] [John x. 18. See Pearson, Creed, art. v. p. 424.]

Treatise VII. On the Mortality.

^[3468] Eusebius in his Chronicon makes mention of the occasion on which Cyprian wrote this treatise, saying, “A pestilent disease took possession of many provinces of the whole world, and especially Alexandria and Egypt; as Dionysius writes, and the treatise of Cyprian ‘concerning the Mortality’ bears witness.” a.d. 252.

^[3469] He says: “By whom were Christians,—grieved with excessive fondness at the loss of their friends, or what is of more consequence, with their decrease of faith,—comforted with the hope of things to come?” [See p. 269, supra.]

^[3470] Then to the tacit objection that by this mortality they would be deprived of martyrdom, he replies that martyrdom is not in our power, and that even the spirit that is ready for martyrdom is crowned by God the judge. Finally, he tells them that the dead must not be bewailed in such a matter as that we should become a stumbling-block to the Gentiles, as if we were without the hope of a resurrection. But if also the day of our summons should come, we must depart hence with a glad mind to the Lord, especially since we are departing to our country, where the large number of those dear to us are waiting for us: a dense and abundant multitude are longing for us, who, being already secure of their own immortality, are still solicitous about our salvation.

^[3471] Some read “breathes.”

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