Irenæus

Footnotes

Introductory Note to Irenæus Against Heresies

^[3796] Bishop Wordsworth inclines to the idea that the original Greek was ἱκανωτέραν ἀρχαιότητα, thus conceding that Irenæus was speaking of the greater antiquity of Rome as compared with other (Western) Churches. Even so, he shows that the argument of Irenæus is fatal to Roman pretensions, which admit of no such ideas as he advances, and no such freedom as that of his dealings with Rome.

^[3797] Nobody has more forcibly stated the argument of Irenæus than the Abbé Guettée, in his exhaustive work on the Papacy. I published a translation of this valuable historical epitome in New York (Carleton), 1867; but it is out of print. The original may be had in Paris (Fischbacher), No. 33 Rue de Seine.

Preface.

^[3798] [The reader who marvels at the tedious recitals must note this (1) as proof of the author’s practical wisdom, and (2) as evidence of his fidelity in what he exhibits.]

^[3799] Luke i. 2.

^[3800] 2 Tim. ii. 23.

^[3801] [The solemnity of the apostolic testimonies against the crop of tares that was to spring up receives great illustration from Irenæus. 1 John ii. 18.]

^[3802] [2 Pet. ii. 19.]

^[3803] [Rev. xii. 9. A little essay, Messias and Anti-Messias, by the Rev. C. I. Black, London (Masters, 1847), is commended to those who need light on this very mysterious subject.]

^[3804] Gen. i. 26.

Chapter I.—The Lord acknowledged but one God and Father.

^[3805] See iii. 6, 1.

^[3806] [St.John xvii. 3.]

^[3807] Matt. xxiii. 9.

Chapter II.—Proofs from the plain testimony of Moses, and of the other prophets, whose words are the words of Christ, that there is but one God, the founder of the world, whom Our Lord preached, and whom He called His Father.

^[3808] Deut. xxxii. 1.

^[3809] Ps. 124:8.

^[3810] Isa. i. 2.

^[3811] Isa. xlii. 5.

^[3812] Matt. xi. 25;Luke x. 21.

^[3813] Deut. vi. 4.