Origen against Celsus translated from the original into English by James Bellamy ...

CHAP. LIII.

WHAT Absurdity is there then, in supposing, that our Saviour, being desirous to shew Mankind, what Sovereign Remedies he had, and was willing to apply to the distemper'd Souls of Men, shou'd make Choice of Per∣sons, that were notoriously wicked, and work such a sudden, and surprizing Change upon 'em, that by the Purity of their Lives, they became very ho∣nourable Examples to them, who were afterwards converted by their Mi∣nistry?

If they, who have reform'd their Manners, must be upbraided with the Crimes, which they formerly com∣mitted, then we may as well bring in a most heavy Charge against Phaedon himself, ev'n after he had devoted his Time, and Strength, to the Study of Philosophy, because History acquaints us, that Socrates took him, from a Place, where Debauchery was pra∣ctic'd, without Fear, or Regret, and put him upon rational, and learned

Studies, in which, in Process of Time, he was far from being a mean Profi∣cient.

We might also condemn Philosophy, it self, by Reason of the extravagant Courses, which Polemon the Successor of Zenocrates had formerly tak'n. But in Truth, this Consideration do's great∣ly brighten, and recommend their Cha∣racter, that by the Help of so Divine a Thing as Philosophy, they cou'd be brought to resolve on a virtuous, and severe Course of Life, in Spight of those bad Impressions, with which they were forc'd to struggle, and over which they did, with no small Diffi∣culty, obtain an honourable, and happy Conquest.

And I scarce know, whether the Greeks can produce any Instances of this kind, in any other Persons, besides Phaedon and Polemon, or at best, they can name but very few Persons, who ever left their Intemperance and Debauchery to apply their Minds, to the entertain∣ing, and useful Study of Philosophy.

But in the School of Christ, besides the twelve Apostles, who had the Honour to be contemporary with him, we see daily, a far greater Number of Persons, that become virtuous, and pious, and join in a Blessed Chorus, acknowledging, with the deepest shame, and Sorrow,

the many false, and almost fatal Steps, which formerly they took. We our selves (says the Apostle) were some∣times * 1.1 foolish, and disobedient, deceiv'd, serving diverse Lusts and Pleasures, living in Malice, and Envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the Kind∣ness, and Love of God our Saviour, to∣ward Man appear'd, not by Works of Righ∣teousness which we have done, but accor∣ding to his Mercy he sav'd us, by the Washing of Regeneration, and the Re∣newing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly. For as the Pro∣phetical Psalmist speaks, He sent his Word, and heal'd 'em, and deliver'd 'em * 1.2 from their Destructions. I might add, that Chrysippus, in a Book which he has writ, Entitul'd, The Art of Curing the Disorders of the Humane Passions, en∣deavours to lay down proper, and effectual Rules, for the Management of those, which disturb the Peace of the Mind, and to that end, he argues up∣on the Principles of several Sects of Philosophers, not examining, which of 'em are most agreeable to Truth, and has the following Words.

If, says he, Pleasure be esteem'd the chief Good, the Passions may, and ought thus to be cur'd, and if there be three Kinds of Good, they are to be cur'd after this different Manner.

Now they, who find Fault with the Christian Religion, do wilfully Neglect, to consider, how many unruly Passions are successfully govern'd by it, what a Stop it puts to that rapid Torrent of Vice, and Immorality, which is too visible in the World, and what extra∣vagant, savage, and ev'n Diabolical Tempers it has frequently, happily, and very suddenly conquer'd. Cer∣tainly, it ought to raise their Admira∣tion, and constrain 'em, to make the most thankful Acknowledgements to Almighty God, to consider, what vast, and apparent Advantage the Publick reaps, from those proper, and most ex∣cellent Methods, which our Saviour took, for the Reformation of Manners, and one wou'd think, that if they won't allow Christianity to be the True Religion; yet they must confess, that it conduces very much to the true In∣terest of Manking, and which is more, has an Immediate, and Principal Re∣gard to their better, and immortal Part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tit. iii. V. 3, 4.
• * 1.2

  Psal. cvii. V. 20.