The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Dissertation on the Books of Origen against Celsus, by Francis Cunningham
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 terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll 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
***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 [email protected]
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_.
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.
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
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 account of his writings to posterity, for they have otherwise perished.