Manichees[1]. But upon the controversies of his own day he is silent. This does not come from enmity to the Greeks, for in Homily V (Of the Wars) he expresses at length his firm conviction, based upon the visions of Daniel, of the ultimate failure of the Persian attack upon the Empire[2]. Nor does it come from want of interest in theological discussion, as we may see from the very title of Homily XVII 'Of the Messiah, that He is the Son of God.' To this Homily we shall return presently, but we shall best do justice to Aphraates by starting in the order he has so carefully indicated. Instead of picking out the most definite or startling doctrinal passages, let us begin with Homily I On Faith[3]. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: in a doctrinal treatise that which is put first must in the eyes of the author be fundamental.
Faith, then, according to Aphraates, is like a building made of various materials of various colours.
- ↑ Aphr. iii 9.
- ↑ Aphr. v 6, 19, 24.
- ↑ This Homily is translated in full by Dr Gwynn, pp. 345—352. It has also been translated by Dr Budge in his edition of Philoxenus, vol. ii, pp. clxxv—clxxxvii.
