Divine Institutes 7.26.1–7.27.16
Latin text: CSEL 19 (Latin text: S. Brandt (CSEL 19, 1890), digitized by Open Greek and Latin, University of Leipzig (csel-dev), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7 (1886).
Divine 7, chapter 26
7.26.1CSEL 19:665
Diximus paulo ante in principio regni sancti fore ut a deo princeps daemonum uinciatur. sed idem, cum mille anni regni hoc est septem milia coeperint terminari, soluetur denuo et custodia emissus exibit atque omnes gentes quae tunc erunt sub dicione iustorum concitabit, ut inferant bellum sanctae ciuitati. et colligetur ex omni orbe terrae innumerabilis populus nationum et obsidebit et circumdabit ciuitatem.
We said a little before that at the beginning of the holy kingdom the prince of demons would be bound by God. But when the thousand years of the kingdom, that is, seven thousand years, begin to come to an end, he will be loosed again and, released from custody, will go out and stir up all the nations then under the rule of the just to make war on the holy city. And an innumerable people of nations will be gathered from the whole world and will besiege and surround the city.
Rev 20:7 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 20:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 20:9 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: At the end of the millennium the devil is loosed and besieges the holy city.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.1 (CSEL 19:665; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.2CSEL 19:665–666
tum ueniet nouissima ira dei super gentes, et debellabit eas usque ad unum. ac primum concutiet terram quam ualidissime et a motu eius scindentur montes Syriae et subsident ualles in abruptum et muri omnium ciuitatum concident. et statuet deus solem triduo ne occidat et inflammabit eum, et descendet aestus nimius et adustio magna super perduelles et impios populos et imbres sulphuris et grandines lapidum et guttae ignis, et liquescent spiritus eorum in calore et corpora conterentur in grandine et ipsi se inuicem gladio ferient: et replebuntur montes cadaueribus et campi operientur ossibus.
Then the last wrath of God will come upon the nations, and he will destroy them to the last man. First he will shake the earth most violently, and by its motion the mountains of Syria will be split, the valleys will sink into chasms, and the walls of all cities will fall. And God will make the sun stand still for three days so that it does not set, and will set it ablaze, and excessive heat and great burning will come down on the rebellious and impious peoples, with showers of sulfur, hailstones, and drops of fire; and their spirits will melt in the heat and their bodies be crushed by the hail, and they will strike one another with the sword; and the mountains will be filled with corpses and the fields covered with bones.
Ezek 38:19 (allusion, high confidence) · Ezek 38:22 (allusion, high confidence) · Ezek 38:21 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God's final wrath destroys the besieging nations.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.2 (CSEL 19:665–666; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.3CSEL 19:666
populus autem dei tribus illis diebus sub concauis terrae occultabitur, donec ira dei aduersus gentes et extremum iudicium terminetur.
But the people of God will be hidden in the hollows of the earth during those three days, until the wrath of God against the nations and the final judgment is ended.
Isa 26:20 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God's people hide for three days.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR: n for u): extremum indicium → extremum iudicium.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.3 (CSEL 19:666; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.4CSEL 19:666
tunc exibunt iusti de latebris suis et inuenient omnia cadaueribus atque ossibus tecta. sed et genus omne impiorum radicitus interibit nec erit in hoc mundo ulla iam natio amplius praeter solam gentem dei. tum per annos septem perpetes intactae erunt siluae nec excidetur de montibus lignum, sed arma gentium comburentur, et iam non erit bellum, sed pax ac requies sempiterna.
Then the just will come out of their hiding places and find everything covered with corpses and bones. And the whole race of the impious will perish root and branch, and there will no longer be any nation in this world except the one nation of God. Then for seven continuous years the forests will be untouched and no wood will be cut from the mountains, but the weapons of the nations will be burned; and there will no longer be war, but everlasting peace and rest.
Ezek 39:9 (allusion, high confidence) · Ezek 39:10 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The impious perish; for seven years their weapons are burned.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR dropped a letter): latebus → latebris.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.4 (CSEL 19:666; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.5CSEL 19:666
cum uero conpleti fuerint mille anni, renouabitur mundus a deo et caelum conplicabitur et terra mutabitur. et transformabit deus homines in similitudinem angelorum et erunt candidi sicut nix et uersabuntur semper in conspectu omnipotentis et domino suo sacrificabunt et seruient in aeternum.
But when the thousand years are completed, the world will be renewed by God, the sky will be folded up, and the earth changed. And God will transform human beings into the likeness of angels, and they will be white as snow and will always be in the sight of the Almighty, and will sacrifice to their Lord and serve him forever.
Isa 34:4 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rev 21:1 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 22:30 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rev 7:15 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: After the millennium the world is renewed and the just become like angels.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.5 (CSEL 19:666; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.6CSEL 19:666
eodem tempore fiet secunda illa et publica omnium resurrectio, in qua excitabuntur iniusti ad cruciatus sempiternos. hi sunt qui manu facta coluerunt, qui dominum mundi ac parentem uel nescierunt uel abnegauerunt.
At the same time that second and general resurrection of all will take place, in which the unjust will be raised to everlasting torments. These are those who worshipped things made by hand, who either did not know or denied the Lord and Parent of the world.
Rev 20:12 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 20:13 (allusion, high confidence) · John 5:29 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The second, general resurrection raises the unjust to eternal torment.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.6 (CSEL 19:666; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.7CSEL 19:666–667
sed et dominus illorum cum ministris suis conprehendetur ad poenamque damnabitur, cum quo pariter omnis turba impiorum pro suis facinoribus in conspectu angelorum atque iustorum perpetuo igni cremabitur in aeternum.
And their lord too, with his ministers, will be seized and condemned to punishment; and together with him the whole crowd of the impious, for their crimes, will be burned in the sight of the angels and the just with perpetual fire forever.
Rev 20:10 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 25:41 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rev 14:10 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The devil and the impious are burned forever.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.7 (CSEL 19:666–667; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.8CSEL 19:667
haec est doctrina sanctorum prophetarum, quam Christiani sequimur, haec nostra sapientia, quam isti qui uel fragilia colunt uel inanem philosophiam tuentur, tamquam stultitiam uanitatemque derident, quia nos defendere hanc publice atque adserere non solemus, deo iubente ut quieti ac silentes arcanum eius in abdito atque intra nostram conscientiam teneamus nec aduersus istos ueri profanos, qui non discendi, sed arguendi atque inludendi gratia inclementer deum ac religionem eius inpugnant, pertinaci contentione certemus.
This is the teaching of the holy prophets, which we Christians follow; this is our wisdom, which those who either worship fragile things or defend an empty philosophy mock as folly and vanity, because we are not accustomed to defend and assert it publicly, since God commands us, quiet and silent, to keep his secret hidden and within our own conscience, and not to contend in stubborn dispute with these profane enemies of truth, who attack God and his religion harshly not in order to learn but to accuse and mock.
Matt 7:6 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Christians keep this teaching quietly and do not dispute with scoffers.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.8 (CSEL 19:667; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.9CSEL 19:667
abscondi enim tegique mysterium quam fidelissime oportet, maxime a nobis, qui nomen fidei gerimus.
For the mystery must be hidden and covered as faithfully as possible, above all by us, who bear the name of faith.
Notes and citation
Summary: The mystery must be guarded.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.9 (CSEL 19:667; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.26.10CSEL 19:667
uerum illi hanc taciturnitatem nostram ueluti malam conscientiam criminantur: unde etiam quasdam exsecrabiles opiniones de pudicis et innocentibus fingunt et libenter iis quae finxerint credunt.
But they accuse this silence of ours as a bad conscience; and from this they even invent certain abominable rumors about chaste and innocent people, and gladly believe what they have invented.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: Christian reticence gives rise to slanders.
- The rumors of incest and cannibalism brought against Christians.
- ANF 7 prints an address to Constantine after this section, found in part of the manuscript tradition; it is not in the text translated here.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.26.10 (CSEL 19:667; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-26-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
Divine 7, chapter 27
7.27.1CSEL 19:667
Quoniam decursis propositi operis septem spatiis ad metam peruecti sumus, superest ut exhortemur omnes ad suscipiendam cum uera religione sapientiam, cuius uis et officium in eo uertitur, ut contemptis terrestribus et abiectis erroribus quibus antea tenebamur, fragilibus seruientes et fragilia concupiscentes, ad aeterna caelestis thesauri praemia derigamur: quae ut capere possimus, quam primum omittendae sunt huius praesentis uitae inlicibiles uoluptates, quae animas hominum perniciosa suauitate deleniunt.
Since, having run the seven laps of the course we set out, we have reached the goal, it remains to exhort all to take up wisdom together with true religion, whose force and task lie in this: that, despising earthly things and casting off the errors by which we were formerly held, serving fragile things and desiring fragile things, we may be directed toward the eternal rewards of the heavenly treasure. So that we may receive these, the enticing pleasures of this present life, which soothe human souls with a ruinous sweetness, must be abandoned as soon as possible.
Matt 6:20 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Final exhortation: seek the heavenly treasure.
- The seven books are compared to the seven laps of a chariot race.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.1 (CSEL 19:667; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.2CSEL 19:667–669
quanta felicitas aestimanda est subtractum his labibus terrae proficisci ad illum aequissimum iudicem parentemque indulgentissimum, qui pro laboribus requiem, pro morte uitam, pro tenebris claritatem, pro terrenis ac breuibus bonis aeterna et caelestia largiatur: cum qua mercede acerbitates ac miseriae quas perpetimur in hoc mundo facientes opera iustitiae, conferri et coaequari nullo modo possunt
How great a happiness it must be thought, taken away from these stains of earth, to set out to that most just Judge and most indulgent Parent, who grants rest for labors, life for death, brightness for darkness, eternal and heavenly goods for earthly and brief ones; with which reward the bitternesses and miseries we endure in this world while doing the works of justice can in no way be compared or equated.
Rom 8:18 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Heaven's reward far outweighs present sufferings.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (stray colon): aestimanda: est → aestimanda est.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.2 (CSEL 19:667–669; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.3CSEL 19:669
proinde si sapientes, si beati esse uolumus, cogitanda et proponenda sunt nobis non tantum Terentiana illa: molendum esse usque in pistrino, uapulandum, habendae compedes, sed his multo atrociora, carcer catenae tormenta patienda, sustinendi dolores, mors denique ipsa et suscipienda est et ferenda, cum liqueat conscientiae nostrae nec fragilem istam uoluptatem sine poena nec uirtutem sine diuino praemio fore.
So if we want to be wise and blessed, we must consider and set before ourselves not only those words of Terence, "one must grind on in the mill, be beaten, wear fetters," but things much more dreadful than these: prison, chains, and tortures must be endured, pains borne, and finally death itself undergone and suffered, since it is clear to our conscience that neither will that fragile pleasure be without punishment nor virtue without divine reward.
Notes and citation
Summary: The wise must be ready to suffer even death.
- Terence, Phormio 249–250.
Extrabiblical texts: Terence, Phorm. 249-250 (Terence; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.3 (CSEL 19:669; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.4CSEL 19:669
uniuersos igitur oportet operam dare, ut uel se quam primum ad rectam uiam dirigant uel susceptis operatisque uirtutibus et huius uitae laboribus patienter exactis consolatorem deum habere mereantur.
So all must strive either to direct themselves as soon as possible onto the right road, or, having taken up and practiced the virtues and patiently completed the labors of this life, to deserve to have God as their consoler.
Notes and citation
Summary: All must take the right road or persevere in it.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR: n for ri): pnmum → primum.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.4 (CSEL 19:669; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.5CSEL 19:669–670
pater enim noster ac dominus, qui condidit firmauitque caelum, qui solem cum ceteris sideribus induxit, qui libratam magnitudine sua terram uallauit montibus, mari circumdedit amnibusque distinxit et quidquid est in hoc opere mundi conflauit ac perfecit e nihilo, perspectis erroribus hominum ducem misit qui nobis iustitiae uiam panderet.
For our Father and Lord, who established and made firm the heaven, who brought in the sun with the other stars, who, having balanced the earth by his greatness, walled it with mountains, surrounded it with the sea, and divided it with rivers, and who produced and perfected out of nothing whatever is in this work of the world, having seen the errors of men, sent a guide to open for us the way of justice.
Notes and citation
Summary: God the Creator sent a guide to show the way of justice.
- The guide is Christ.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.5 (CSEL 19:669–670; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.6CSEL 19:670
hunc sequamur omnes, hunc audiamus, huic deuotissime pareamus, quoniam solus, ut ait Lucretius, ueridicis hominum purgauit pectora dictis et finem statuit cuppedinis atque timoris exposuitque bonum summum, quo tendimus omnes, quid foret, atque uiam monstrauit, limite paruo qua possemus ad id recto contendere cursu.
Let us all follow him, listen to him, and obey him most devotedly, since he alone, as Lucretius says, "cleansed human hearts with truthful words, set a limit to desire and fear, and set out what the highest good is toward which we all strive, and showed the way by which, along a narrow path, we might strive toward it on a straight course."
Notes and citation
Summary: Christ alone, in Lucretius's words, showed the way to the highest good.
- Lucretius, On the Nature of Things 6.24–28, written of Epicurus and applied by the author to Christ.
Extrabiblical texts: Lucretius, 6.24-28 (Lucretius, On the Nature of Things; quotation)
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.6 (CSEL 19:670; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.7CSEL 19:670
nec monstrauit tantum, sed etiam praecessit, ne quis difficultatis gratia iter uirtutis horreret. deseratur si fieri potest uia perditionis et fraudis, in qua mors uoluptatis inlecebris adoperta celatur.
Nor did he only show it, but also went before, so that no one might shrink from the road of virtue because of its difficulty. Let the way of perdition and deceit be abandoned, if possible, in which death lies hidden, covered by the enticements of pleasure.
Heb 12:2 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Christ went ahead on the road of virtue.
Topics: Christology, Ethics
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.7 (CSEL 19:670; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.8CSEL 19:670
et quanto quisque annis in senectutem uergentibus adpropinquare cernit illum diem quo sit ei ex hac uita demigrandum, cogitet quam purus abscedat, quam innocens ad iudicem ueniat, non ut faciunt quidam caecis mentibus nixi, qui iam deficientibus corporis uiribus in hoc admonentur instantis ultimae necessitatis, ut cupidius et ardentius hauriendis libidinibus intendant.
And the more anyone, as his years tend toward old age, sees that day approaching on which he must depart from this life, let him consider how pure he may depart, how innocent he may come to the Judge; not as some do, relying on blind minds, who, as their bodily strength fails, are prompted by the approach of the final necessity to devote themselves more greedily and ardently to draining their lusts.
Notes and citation
Summary: The old should prepare to meet the Judge in purity.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.8 (CSEL 19:670; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.9CSEL 19:670–671
qua ex uoragine liberet se quisque, dum licet, dum facultas adest, seque ad deum tota mente conuertat, ut illum diem securus expectet, quo praeses dominusque mundi deus de singulorum factis et cogitationibus iudicabit. quaecumque hic expetuntur, non tantum neglegat, sed et fugiat potioremque animam suam iudicet quam bona ista fallacia, quorum incerta et caduca possessio est:
Let each free himself from this abyss while he may, while the opportunity is present, and turn to God with his whole mind, so that he may await without fear that day on which God, the ruler and Lord of the world, will judge the deeds and thoughts of each. Whatever is sought here, let him not only neglect but also flee, and judge his soul more valuable than these deceptive goods, whose possession is uncertain and perishable:
Matt 16:26 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Turn to God before the day of judgment.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.9 (CSEL 19:670–671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.10CSEL 19:671
migrant enim cotidie et multo uelocius exeunt quam intrauerant et tamen, si nobis usque ad ultimum liceat istis frui, aliis certe relinquenda sunt. nihil nobiscum ferre possumus nisi uitam bene atque innocenter actam.
for they move away daily and go out much faster than they came in; and even if we are allowed to enjoy them to the end, they must certainly be left to others. We can take nothing with us except a life lived well and innocently.
1 Tim 6:7 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: We take nothing with us but a good life.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.10 (CSEL 19:671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.11CSEL 19:671
ille ad deum copiosus, ille opulentus adueniet, cui adstabunt continentia misericordia patientia caritas fides. haec est hereditas nostra quae nec eripi cuiquam nec transferri ad alterum potest.
That one will come to God rich and wealthy, beside whom stand self-control, mercy, patience, love, and faith. This is our inheritance, which can neither be snatched from anyone nor transferred to another.
1 Pet 1:4 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Virtues are the true inheritance.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.11 (CSEL 19:671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.12CSEL 19:671
ecquis est qui haec bona parare et adquirere sibi uelit? ueniant qui esuriunt, ut caelesti cibo saturati sempiternam famem ponant, ueniant qui sitiunt, ut aquam salutarem de perenni fonte plenissimis faucibus trahant.
Is there anyone who wishes to prepare and acquire these goods for himself? Let those who hunger come, so that, filled with heavenly food, they may put away their hunger forever; let those who thirst come, so that they may draw the water of salvation from the everlasting spring with full throats.
Isa 55:1 (allusion, high confidence) · John 7:37 (allusion, medium confidence) · John 6:35 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Invitation to the hungry and thirsty.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.12 (CSEL 19:671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-12).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.13CSEL 19:671
hoc cibatu atque potu dei et caeci uidebunt et surdi audient et muti loquentur et clodi ambulabunt et stulti sapient et aegroti ualebunt et mortui reuiuescent.
By this food and drink of God the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dumb will speak, the lame will walk, the foolish will be wise, the sick will be well, and the dead will live again.
Isa 35:5 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 11:5 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God's food and drink heal and give life.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.13 (CSEL 19:671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-13).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.14CSEL 19:671
quisquis enim corruptelas terrae uirtute calcauerit, hunc arbiter ille summus et uerax ad uitam lucemque perpetuam suscitabit.
For whoever has trampled the corruptions of the earth by virtue, the highest and true Judge will raise to perpetual life and light.
Notes and citation
Summary: The virtuous will be raised to eternal life.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.14 (CSEL 19:671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-14).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.15CSEL 19:671
nemo diuitiis, nemo fascibus, nemo etiam regia potestate confidat: inmortalem ista non faciunt. nam quicumque rationem hominis abiecerit ac praesentia secutus in humum se ipse prostrauerit, tamquam desertor domini et imperatoris et patris sui punietur.
Let no one trust in riches, no one in the fasces, no one even in royal power: these do not make one immortal. For whoever has cast away the reason of man, followed present things, and prostrated himself on the ground will be punished as a deserter of his Lord, Commander, and Father.
1 Tim 6:17 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Wealth and power cannot make one immortal.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.15 (CSEL 19:671; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-15).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).
7.27.16CSEL 19:671–672
intendamus ergo iustitiae, quae nos inseparabilis comes ad deum sola perducet, et dum spiritus hos regit artus, infatigabilem militiam deo militemus, stationes uigiliasque celebremus, congrediamur cum hoste quem nouimus fortiter, ut uictores ac deuicto aduersario triumphantes praemium uirtutis quod ipse promisit a domino consequamur.
So let us strive for justice, which alone, as an inseparable companion, will lead us to God; and "while breath rules these limbs," let us serve God in tireless military service, keep our posts and watches, and engage bravely with the enemy we know, so that, as victors and triumphing over the conquered adversary, we may obtain from the Lord the reward of virtue which he himself has promised.
Eph 6:11 (echo, medium confidence) · 2 Tim 4:7 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Close: serve God as soldiers to win the promised reward.
- "While breath rules these limbs": Virgil, Aeneid 4.336.
Extrabiblical texts: Virgil, Aen. 4.336 (Virgil; quotation)
Topics: Ethics, Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Inst. 7.27.16 (CSEL 19:671–672; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-institutes/7-26-1/#p-7-27-16).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of Brandt, CSEL 19 (1890); made independently of existing English translations and compared afterwards with ANF 7 (which leaves 6.23 in Latin).