THE
translations of
The Writings of the Fathers down to a.d. 325
ORIGINAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN EDITION
ALLAN MENZIES, D.D.,
professor of biblical criticism in st. mary's college, st. andrews, scotland.
EDITOR
FIFTH EDITION
VOLUME X
THE GOSPEL OF PETER, THE DIATESSARON OF TATIAN, THE APOCALYPSE OF PETER, THE VISIO PAULI, THE APOCALYPSES OF THE VIRGIN AND SEDRACH, THE TESTAMENT OF ABRAHAM, THE ACTS OF XANTHIPPE AND POLYXENA, THE NARRATIVE OF ZOSIMUS, THE APOLOGY OF ARISTIDES, THE EPISTLES OF CLEMENT (COMPLETE TEXT), ORIGEN'S COMMENTARY ON JOHN, BOOKS I-X, AND COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW, BOOKS I, II, AND X-XIV.
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T&T CLARK
Edinburgh
Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing company
Grand Rapids, Michigan
NAMES OF TRANSLATORS
J. Armitage Robinson, B.D., Noririsian Professor of Divinity, Cambridge, Editor of Texts and Studies
The Gospel of Peter
The Passion of the Scillitian Martyrs
Andrew Rutherford, B.D.
The Gospel of Peter (Introduction and Synoptical Table)
The Apocalypse of Peter
Visio Pauli
Amocalypse of Maria Virgo
Apocalypse of Sedrach
The Passion of the Scillitian Martyrs (Introduction)
Rev. Hope W. Hogg, B.D.
The Diatessaron of Tatian
W.A. Craigie, M.A, B.A *Oxon.), Assistant in Humanity, St. Andrews University
The Testament of Abraham
The Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena
The Narrative of Zosimus
Rev. John Keith, B.D., Minister of Largs, Aryshire
The Epistles of Clement
Rev. D.M. Kay, B.Sc., B.D., Assistant in Semitic Languages, Edinburgh University
The Apology of Aristides
Allan Menzies, D.D., Professor of Biblical Criticism, St. Andrews University
Epistle to Gregory
Origen's Commentary on John
Rev. John Patrick, D.D., Minister of Greenside, Edinburgh
Origen's Commentary on Matthew
Volume X
Preface
Works Connected with the Gospels
Introduction to the Gospel of Peter
The Gospel According to Peter
Synoptical Table of the Four Canonical Gospels and the Gospel According to Peter
The Diatessaron of Tatian
Introduction to the Diatessaron of Tatian
Introductory Notes
Subscriptions
Apocalypses and Romances
Introduction to the Revelation of Peter
The Apocalypse of Peter
Introduction to the Vision of Paul
The Vision of Paul
The Apocalypse of the Virgin
The Apocalypse of the Holy Mother of God Concerning the Chastisements
Introductory Notice to the Apocalypse of Sedrach
The Apocalypse of Sedrach
Introduction to the Testament of Abraham
The Testament of Abraham
Introduction to the Acts of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca
Life and Conduct of the Holy Women Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca
Introduction to the Narrative of Zosimus
The Narrative of Zosimus Concerning the Life of the Blessed
The Epistles of Clement
Introductory Notice to 1st Clement
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
Introductory Notice
The Second Epistle of Clement
The Apology of Aristides
Introduction
Introduction to the Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs
The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs
Origen
Introduction
Letter of Origen to Gregory
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John
Book I
Book II
Fragments of the Fourth Book
From the Fifth Book
Sixth Book
Tenth Book
Introduction to the Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew
From the Second Book of the Commentary on the Gospel According to Matthew
Book II
Book X
Book XI
Book XII
Book XIII
Book XIV
Preface
The Ante-nicene Fathers,1 which seemed many years ago to have completed its task, now presents itself once more and ventures to solicit the renewal of the favour with which it was formerly received by the theological world. The publishers and the editor, who now stands, he well knows how unworthily, in the place of Principal Donaldson and Professor Roberts, believe that the volume now added to the series will be found most interesting in itself and not unworthy to stand beside its predecessors.
This volume consists of two distinct parts. The first is a collection of recently discovered additions to early Christian literature. The period which has elapsed since the last volumes of this series were published has been singularly rich in such discoveries. A portion of a gospel has been recovered which was read in the latter part of the second century in certain Christian churches and purports to be the work of the Apostle Peter. A harmony of the four canonical gospels has also been brought to our knowledge, which was made in the same century, and which, in a considerable district of Eastern Christendom, supplanted these gospels themselves. Another work bearing the name of the Apostle Peter, his Apocalypse, which once appeared to have some claim to a place in the canon, has also been found. The Epistles of Clement, which formerly broke off abruptly, have recovered their concluding portions, and the earliest public appeal to the head of the state on behalf of christianity is also now in our possession. The circumstances of these various discoveries, and also of others of a similar nature, are stated in the introductions prefixed by the writers in this volume to the various pieces, and it will be seen that scholars of many lands have taken part in them. English scholarship, it is well known, has distinguished itself highly in this field. Many of the pieces now given first saw the light in the Cambridge Texts and Studies, a publication of singular interest and enduring value, without which the present volume would not have come into existence. The editor of the Texts and Studies, Professor Armitage Robinson, has taken a very kind interest in the present publication and has himself contributed translations of two pieces.
The history of the discussions awakened by these discoveries cannot yet be written, but it is not too early to place the English reader in possession of the documents thus restored to the Christian community. The reader of former volumes of The Ante-Nicene Fathers has already become acquainted with a number of uncanonical gospels, of apocalypses, and of early Christian apologies. In each of these classes of Christian literature he is now presented with pieces not less interesting than any known before. A glance at the table of contents will show the principle according to which the various works have been arranged. It may be stated that the Diatessaron of Tatian is here for the first time translated into English from the Arabic.
The second part of this volume contains portions of two of the most important commentaries of Origen. When The Ante-nicene Fathers came to a close it was felt that more should have been done for a father who occupies a position of such singular importance in the history both of Scripture exegesis and of Christian thought. It is believed that the present translations will be welcomed by many who feel that growing interest in Origen which now appears in many quarters, and that they will be acceptable to all who care to know the varieties of treatment the Scriptures have met with in the church.
