Title Page
Translator's Preface.
Prolegomena to St. Ambrose.
I.--Literature.
II. Notes on Secular and Church History During the Latter Part of the Fourth Century.
III. Historical Summary and Chronological Tables.
IV. On the Doctrine of St. Ambrose.
V. Life of St. Ambrose.
VI. Writings of St. Ambrose.
On the Duties of the Clergy.
Introduction.
Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy. by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I.
Chapter I. A Bishop's special office is to teach; St.…
Chapter II. Manifold dangers are incurred by speaking; the remedy for which Scripture shows to consist in…
Chapter III. Silence should not remain unbroken, nor should it arise from idleness.…
Chapter IV. The same care must be taken that our speech proceed not from evil passions…
Chapter V. We must guard also against a visible enemy when he incites us by silence…
Chapter VI. In this matter we must imitate David's silence and humility…
Chapter VII. How admirably Ps.…
Chapter VIII. The word "Duty" has been often used both by philosophers and in the holy Scriptures…
Chapter IX. A duty is to be chosen from what is virtuous…
Chapter X. What is seemly is often found in the sacred writings long before it appears in…
Chapter XI. It is proved by the witness of Scripture that all duty is either "ordinary" or…
Chapter XII. To prevent any one from being checked in the exercise of mercy…
Chapter XIII. The ideas of those philosophers are refuted who deny to God the care of the…
Chapter XIV. Nothing escapes God's knowledge.…
Chapter XV. Those who are dissatisfied with the fact that the good receive evil…
Chapter XVI. To confirm what has been said above about rewards and punishments…
Chapter XVII. The duties of youth, and examples suitable to that age…
Chapter XVIII. On the different functions of modesty.…
Chapter XIX. How should seemliness be represented by a speaker? Does beauty add anything to virtue…
Chapter XX. If we are to preserve our modesty we must avoid fellowship with profligate men…
Chapter XXI. We must guard against anger, before it arises; if it has already arisen we must…
Chapter XXII. On reflection and passion, and on observing propriety of speech…
Chapter XXIII. Jests, although at times they may be quite proper…
Chapter XXIV. There are three things to be noticed in the actions of our life.…
Chapter XXV. A reason is given why this book did not open with a discussion of the…
Chapter XXVI. In investigating the truth the philosophers have broken through their own rules.…
Chapter XXVII. The first source of duty is prudence, from whence spring three other virtues…
Chapter XXVIII. A community rests upon justice and good-will.…
Chapter XXIX. Justice should be observed even in war and with enemies.…
Chapter XXX. On kindness and its several parts, namely, good-will and liberality.…
Chapter XXXI. A kindness received should be returned with a freer hand.…
Chapter XXXII. After saying what return must be made for the service of the above-mentioned feast…
Chapter XXXIII. Good-will exists especially in the Church, and nourishes kindred virtues.…
Chapter XXXIV. Some other advantages of goodwill are here enumerated.…
Chapter XXXV. On fortitude.…
Chapter XXXVI. One of the duties of fortitude is to keep the weak from receiving injury…
Chapter XXXVII. An even mind should be preserved in adversity as well as in prosperity.…
Chapter XXXVIII. We must strengthen the mind against troubles to come…
Chapter XXXIX. One must show fortitude in fighting against all vices…
Chapter XL. Courage in war was not wanting in our forefathers…
Chapter XLI. After praising Judas' and Jonathan's loftiness of mind, the constancy of the martyrs in their…
Chapter XLII. The powers that be are not needlessly to be irritated.…
Chapter XLIII. On temperance and its chief parts, especially tranquillity of mind and moderation…
Chapter XLIV. Every one ought to apply himself to the duties suited to his character.…
Chapter XLV. On what is noble and virtuous, and what the difference between them is…
Chapter XLVI. A twofold division of what is seemly is given.…
Chapter XLVII. What is seemly should always shine forth in our life.…
Chapter XLVIII. The argument for restraining anger is given again.…
Chapter XLIX. We must reserve the likeness of the virtues in ourselves.…
Chapter L. The Levites ought to be utterly free from all earthly desires.…
Book II.
Chapter I. Happiness in life is to be gained by living virtuously…
Chapter II. The different ideas of philosophers on the subject of happiness.…
Chapter III. The definition of blessedness as drawn from the Scriptures is considered and proved.…
Chapter IV. The same argument, namely, that blessedness is not lessened or added to by external matters…
Chapter V. Those things which are generally looked on as good are mostly hindrances to a blessed…
Chapter VI. On what is useful: not that which is advantageous…
Chapter VII. What is useful is the same as what is virtuous…
Chapter VIII. Nothing has greater effect in gaining good-will than giving advice…
Chapter IX. Though justice and prudence are inseparable, we must have respect to the ideas of people…
Chapter X. Men entrust their safety rather to a just than to a prudent man.…
Chapter XI. A third element which tends to gain any one's confidence is shown to have been…
Chapter XII. No one asks counsel from a man tainted with vice…
Chapter XIII. The beauty of wisdom is made plain by the divine testimony.…
Chapter XIV. Prudence is combined with all the virtues, especially with contempt of riches.…
Chapter XV. Of liberality.…
Chapter XVI. Due measure must be observed in liberality, that it may not be expended on worthless…
Chapter XVII. What virtues ought to exist in him whom we consult.…
Chapter XVIII. We learn from the fact of the separation of the ten tribes from King Rehoboam…
Chapter XIX. Many are won by justice and benevolence and courtesy…
Chapter XX. Familiarity with good men is very advantageous to all…
Chapter XXI. To defend the weak, or to help strangers, or to perform similar duties…
Chapter XXII. We must observe a right standard between too great mildness and excessive harshness.…
Chapter XXIII. The good faith of those who are easily bought over with money or flattery is…
Chapter XXIV. We must strive for preferment only by right means.…
Chapter XXV. Benefits should be conferred on the poor rather than on the rich…
Chapter XXVI. How long standing an evil love of money is…
Chapter XXVII. In contempt of money there is the pattern of justice…
Chapter XXVIII. Mercy must be freely shown even though it brings an odium of its own.…
Chapter XXIX. The property of widows or of all the faithful…
Chapter XXX. The ending of the book brings an exhortation to avoid ill-will…
Book III.
Chapter I. We are taught by David and Solomon how to take counsel with our own heart.…
Chapter II. The discussions among philosophers about the comparison between what is virtuous and what is useful…
Chapter III. The rule given about not seeking one's own gain is established…
Chapter IV. As it has been shown that he who injures another for the sake of his…
Chapter V. The upright does nothing that is contrary to duty…
Chapter VI. We ought not to allow the idea of profit to get hold of us.…
Chapter VII. Strangers must never be expelled the city in a time of famine.…
Chapter VIII. That those who put what is virtuous before what is useful are acceptable to God…
Chapter IX. Cheating and dishonest ways of making money are utterly unfit for clerics whose duty is…
Chapter X. We are warned not only in civil law, but also in the holy Scriptures…
Chapter XI. Having adduced examples of certain frauds found in a few passages of the rhetoricians…
Chapter XII. We may make no promise that is wrong, and if we have made an unjust…
Chapter XIII. Judith, after enduring many dangers for virtue's sake, gained very many and great benefits.…
Chapter XIV. How virtuous and useful was that which Elisha did.…
Chapter XV. After mentioning a noble action of the Romans, the writer shows from the deeds of…
Chapter XVI. After saying a few words about Tobit he demonstrates that Raguel surpassed the philosophers in…
Chapter XVII. With what virtuous feelings the fathers of old hid the sacred fires when on the…
Chapter XVIII. In the narration of that event already mentioned, and especially of the sacrifice offered by…
Chapter XIX. The crime committed by the inhabitants of Gibeah against the wife of a certain Levite…
Chapter XX. After the terrible siege of Samaria was ended in accordance with Elisha's prophecy…
Chapter XXI. Esther in danger of her life followed the grace of virtue…
Chapter XXII. Virtue must never be given up for the sake of a friend.…
Introduction to the Three Books of St. Ambrose on the Holy Spirit.
Three Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on the Holy Spirit. To the Emperor Gratian. Book I.
The choice of Gideon was a figure of our Lord's Incarnation, the
Chapter I. St. Ambrose commences his argument by complimenting the Emperor…
Chapter II. The words, "All things were made by Him," are not a proof that the Holy…
Chapter III. The statement of the Apostle, that all things are of the Father by the Son…
Chapter IV. The Holy Spirit is one and the same Who spake in the prophets and apostles…
Chapter V. The Holy Spirit, since He sanctifies creatures, is neither a creature nor subject to change.…
Chapter VI. Although we are baptized with water and the Spirit…
Chapter VII. The Holy Spirit is not a creature, seeing that He is infinite…
Chapter VIII. The Holy Spirit is given by God alone, yet not wholly to each person…
Chapter IX. The Holy Spirit is rightly called the ointment of Christ…
Chapter X. That the Spirit forgives sin is common to Him with the Father and the Son…
Chapter XI. The Spirit is sent to all, and passes not from place to place…
Chapter XII. The peace and grace of the Father, the Son…
Chapter XIII. St. Ambrose shows from the Scriptures that the Name of the Three Divine Persons is…
Chapter XIV. Each Person of the Trinity is said in the sacred writings to be Light.…
Chapter XV. The Holy Spirit is Life equally with the Father and the Son…
Chapter XVI. The Holy Spirit is that large river by which the mystical Jerusalem is watered.…
Book II.
Introduction.
Chapter I. The Spirit is the Lord and Power; and in this is not inferior to the…
Chapter II. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One in counsel.…
Chapter III. As to know the Father and the Son is life…
Chapter IV. The Holy Spirit gives life, not in a different way from the Father and the…
Chapter V. The Holy Spirit, as well as the Father and the Son…
Chapter VI. To those who object that according to the words of Amos the Spirit is created…
Chapter VII. The Holy Spirit is no less the author of spiritual creation or regeneration than the…
Chapter VIII. St. Ambrose examines and refutes the heretical argument that because God is said to be…
Chapter IX. A passage of St.…
Chapter X. Being about to prove that the will, the calling…
Chapter XI. We shall follow the example of Abdemelech, if we believe that the Son and Holy…
Chapter XII. After proof that the Spirit is the Giver of revelation equally with the Father and…
Chapter XIII. Prophecy was not only from the Father and the Son but also from the Spirit…
Book III.
Chapter I. Not only were the prophets and apostles sent by the Spirit…
Chapter II. The Son and the Spirit are alike given; whence not subjection but one Godhead is…
Chapter III. The same Unity may also be recognized from the fact that the Spirit is called…
Chapter IV. To those who contend that the Spirit because He is called the Finger is less…
Chapter V. The writer sums up the argument he had commenced…
Chapter VI. The Spirit rebukes just as do the Father and the Son…
Chapter VII. The Son Himself does not judge or punish without the Spirit…
Chapter VIII. The aforesaid unity is proved hereby, that as the Father is said to be grieved…
Chapter IX. That the Holy Spirit is provoked is proved by the words of St.…
Chapter X. The Divinity of the Holy Spirit is supported by a passage of St.…
Chapter XI. The objection has been made, that the words of St.…
Chapter XII. From the fact that St.…
Chapter XIII. To those who object that Catholics, when they ascribe Godhead to the Holy Spirit…
Chapter XIV. Besides the evidence adduced above, other passages can be brought to prove the sovereignty of…
Chapter XV. Though the Spirit be called Lord, three Lords are not thereby implied…
Chapter XVI. The Father is holy, and likewise the Son and the Spirit…
Chapter XVII. St. Ambrose shows by instances that the places in which those words were spoken help…
Chapter XVIII. As he purposes to establish the Godhead of the Holy Spirit by the points already…
Chapter XIX. Having proved above that the Spirit abides and speaks in the prophets…
Chapter XX. The river flowing from the Throne of God is a figure of the Holy Spirit…
Chapter XXI. Isaiah was sent by the Spirit, and accordingly the same Spirit was seen by him.…
Chapter XXII. In proof of the Unity in Trinity the passage of Isaiah which has been cited…
The Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on the Decease of His Brother Satyrus.
Introduction.
The Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on the Decease of His Brother Satyrus.
Book I.
Book II.
Exposition of the Christian Faith.
Preface.
Prefatory Note.
St. Ambrose's Exposition of the Christian Faith. Book I.
Prologue.
Chapter I. The author distinguishes the faith from the errors of Pagans…
Chapter II. The Emperor is exhorted to display zeal in the Faith.…
Chapter III. By evidence gathered from Scripture the unity of Father and Son is proved…
Chapter IV. The Unity of God is necessarily implied in the order of Nature…
Chapter V. The various blasphemies uttered by the Arians against Christ are cited.…
Chapter VI. By way of leading up to his proof that Christ is not different from the…
Chapter VII. The likeness of Christ to the Father is asserted on the authority of St.…
Chapter VIII. The likeness of the Son to the Father being proved…
Chapter IX. St. Ambrose questions the heretics and exhibits their answer…
Chapter X. Christ's eternity being proved from the Apostle's teaching, St.…
Chapter XI. It cannot be proved from Scripture that the Father existed before the Son…
Chapter XII. Further objections to the Godhead of the Son are met by the same answer --…
Chapter XIII. Discussion of the Divine Generation is continued.…
Chapter XIV. That the Son of God is not a created being is proved by the following…
Chapter XV. An explanation of Acts ii.…
Chapter XVI. The Arians blaspheme Christ, if by the words "created" and "begotten" they mean and understand…
Chapter XVII. That Christ is very God is proved from the fact that He is God's own…
Chapter XVIII. The errors of the Arians are mentioned in the Nicene Definition of the Faith…
Chapter XIX. Arius is charged with the first of the above-mentioned errors…
Chapter XX. St. Ambrose declares his desire that some angel would fly to him to purify him…
Book II.
Introduction.
Chapter I. "There is none good but one, that is, God…
Chapter II. The goodness of the Son of God is proved from His works…
Chapter III. Forasmuch as God is One, the Son of God is God…
Chapter IV. The omnipotence of the Son of God, demonstrated on the authority of the Old and…
Chapter V. Certain passages from Scripture, urged against the Omnipotence of Christ…
Chapter VI. The passages of Scripture above cited are taken as an occasion for a digression…
Chapter VII. The resolution of the difficulty set forth for consideration is again taken in hand.…
Chapter VIII. Christ's saying, "The Father is greater than I," is explained in accordance with the principle…
Chapter IX. The objection that the Son, being sent by the Father…
Chapter X. The objection taken on the ground of the Son's obedience is disproved…
Chapter XI. The purpose and healing effects of the Incarnation.…
Chapter XII. Do the Catholics or the Arians take the better course to assure themselves of the…
Chapter XIII. The wicked and dishonourable opinions held by Arians, Sabellians…
Chapter XIV. The sentence of the Judge is set forth, the counterpleas of the opposers are considered…
Chapter XV. St. Ambrose deprecates any praise of his own merits…
Chapter XVI. St. Ambrose assures Gratian of victory, declaring that it has been foretold in the prophecies…
Links
