The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Dissertation on the Books of Origen against Celsus This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at gutenberg.telechargertorrent.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: A Dissertation on the Books of Origen against Celsus Author: Francis Cunningham Release date: May 9, 2016 [eBook #52032] Language: English Credits: Transcribed from the 1812 J. Smith edition by David Price *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DISSERTATION ON THE BOOKS OF ORIGEN AGAINST CELSUS *** Transcribed from the 1812 J. Smith edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org HULSEAN ESSAY _For_ 1811. * * * * * A DISSERTATION ON THE BOOKS _of_ ORIGEN _against_ CELSUS, WITH A VIEW TO ILLUSTRATE THE ARGUMENT AND POINT OUT THE EVIDENCE THEY AFFORD TO THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY. * * * * * _Published in pursuance of the Will of the Rev._ J. HULSE, _as having gained the_ ANNUAL PRIZE, _instituted by him in the University of Cambridge_. * * * * * BY FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM, OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE. * * * * * “Quippe in his (_nimirum Origenis contra Celsum libris_) communem Christianorum doctrinam, adversus instructissimum Religionis nostræ hostem propugnat: hi summo Auctoris studio maxima eruditione, elucubrati fuere.” _Bull._ _Def._ _Fid._ _Nic._ Cap. ix. Sec. 2. * * * * * CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED _by_ J. SMITH, PRINTER _to the_ UNIVERSITY; _AND SOLD BY DEIGHTON_, _CAMBRIDGE_; _AND RIVINGTONS_, _AND_ _HATCHARD_, _LONDON_. * * * * * 1812. * * * * * TO THE _Very Rev. the_ DEAN _of_ CARLISLE, PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, THE PRESIDENT, AND _To the Reverend and Learned_ THE FELLOWS _OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE_, THIS ESSAY IS DEDICATED AS A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND GRATITUDE BY THE AUTHOR. * * * * * CONTENTS. Page Introduction 1 CHAP. I. History and Writings of the Jews 5 CHAP. II. The Scriptures 12 CHAP. III. History of Christ 19 CHAP. IV. Miracles 24 CHAP. V. Character of the early Christians 33 CHAP. VI. Doctrines of the early Christians 39 CHAP. VII. Conclusion 49 INTRODUCTION. THE Book of Celsus, {1a} entitled “The True Discourse,” {1b} is supposed to have been written during the fifth persecution, {1c} in the reign of Marcus Antoninus, and in the one hundred and seventieth year of the Christian era. Of his history nothing is known, but that he was an epicurean philosopher, {1d} and a friend of Lucian, who inscribed a book {1e} to him. The object of his work was an attack upon Christianity, and as such, it is one of the most malignant and unreserved upon record. He is indebted to his opponents for bringing down any of his writings to posterity, for they have otherwise perished. Origen died in the year of our Lord {2a} two hundred and fifty-four. He undertook, at the request of Ambrose, {2b} to answer the work of Celsus, and “to leave no part without examination.” His Treatise is divided into eight books; but this division seems rather to be founded upon caprice, {2c} than upon any design of methodically discussing the argument. The reasonings of Celsus are discussed in the order in which they occur, which is without method, or connection. The extracts which are made by Origen from the works of his adversary are very copious, so much so, that, considering his object, of fully discussing every part of the original work, it is probable nothing of importance is omitted. The accuracy of the quotations of Origin is guaranteed both by his acknowledged veracity, {3a} and by the risk of refutation to which he would otherwise have exposed himself, from opponents who had the original writing in their hands. The work of Origen has been considered both by ancients and moderns, as a master-piece of eloquence and argument. Eusebius {3b} and Jerome {3c} have given it their highest approbation. Many of our own writers, {3d} and many more of the French, {3e} both Catholic and Protestant, have pronounced it to be the completest, and best written apology for the Christian Religion which has been bequeathed to us by the ancients. The want of order, both in the attack of Celsus, and the reply of Origen, renders it impracticable to follow, precisely in their steps. Time will be gained, and perspicuity promoted, by endeavouring to bring their perplexed argument into a more regular form. We shall therefore single out the main topics discussed by each, and by stating the objections of the one, and the replies of the other, strive to collect the evidence which each furnishes to the truth of Christianity. Taking the more prominent topics therefore, we shall consider in order; the History and Writings of the Jews—the Scriptures—the History of Christ—the Conduct and the Principles of the early Christians. After which it will be useful to sum up the evidence to Christianity, supplied by the whole argument. CHAP. I. HISTORY _and_ WRITINGS _of the_ JEWS. THE evidence in favour of Christianity, to be deduced from the history and writings of the Jews, is so important, that it was a primary object with Celsus, to render it nugatory. This he endeavours to effect, first, by disputing the antiquity of Moses; and secondly, by condemning his narration. We shall examine his statement on these points, and some important acknowledgments he makes, of the existence of the prophetic writings. He says that “the Jews, {5a} who were originally fugitive slaves from Egypt, pretended, on the authority of the Books of Moses, to a very ancient genealogy; {5b} that they lived together in a corner of Palestine, in profound ignorance; {5c} not having heard of the things long before celebrated by Hesiod, and many other men divinely inspired.” He then particularizes much of the history of Genesis, which he calls “an old woman’s story, full of impiety;” {6a} and asserts that “many of its facts are taken from the heathens.” To this Origen {6b} replies by referring to Josephus {6c} and Tatian {6d} for external proof of the history of the Jews: He affirms that they have all the evidence of their existence which other nations have, {6e} that they have records which others have not; {6f} that other nations are allowed to have existed who bear testimony to the Jews; {6g} that it would have been impossible for so small a band, to have opposed itself to the whole power of Egypt; that it must have changed its language; and that, in changing, it has not assumed one resembling the neighbouring nations. He then urges the wisdom of the Jewish Institutions; infers from their perfect preservation, the esteem in which they were held; and challenges a comparison, {7a} as to sublimity of doctrine, and purity of morals, with any other system, proposed to mankind. Celsus then notices many of the Old Testament characters: He ridicules the relation of “the Fall, {7b} the Deluge, Children born of old Persons, Brothers who kill each other, Mothers who deceive, the Sin of Lot, the Animosity of Esau, the Deceit of the Sons of Jacob, the History of Joseph,” &c. Origen replies that such facts alone are selected by Celsus from the writings of Moses, as supply a ground of attack; that the simplicity of his narration proves the integrity of its author; and he then apologizes for these causes of offence by the necessity of the case, he contrasts with them the greater profligacy of the heathen, or fancifully explains them upon the scheme of allegory. No direct ission of Celsus, relating to Jewish prophecy, is to be found. There are however many observations, which prove the coming of Christ to have been expected by the Jews, and this expectation must have been the result of prophecy. The remarks of Celsus, with regard to this topic, are of this kind. That the “Jews {8a} and Christians believe, that the Spirit of God had promised there would come a Saviour; but they could not agree, whether or no, he had already come;” {8b} that “the prophecies which the Christians apply to Christ refer equally to other persons;” {8c} that “others had lived who had applied the prophecies of Christ to themselves,” &c. &c. Thus he plainly its prophecies to have existed of some great person, who was to come;