Extant Fragments.

 Containing Various Sections of the Works.

 The Works of Dionysius.

 From the Books on Nature.

 I. In Opposition to Those of the School of Epicurus Who Deny the Existence of a Providence, and Refer the Constitution of the Universe to Atomic Bodie

 II. A Refutation of This Dogma on the Ground of Familiar Human Analogies.

 III. A Refutation on the Ground of the Constitution of the Universe.

 IV. A Refutation of the Same on the Grounds of the Human Constitution.

 V. That to Work is Not a Matter of Pain and Weariness to God.

 These certainly are not to be deemed pious who hold that matter is ungenerated, while they allow, indeed, that it is brought under the hand of God so

 Epistle to Dionysius Bishop of Rome.

 From the First Book.

 From the Same First Book.

 From the Same First Book.

 From the Second Book.

 From the Same Second Book.

 From the Same Second Book.

 From the Third Book.

 From the Fourth Book.

 About the Middle of the Treatise.

 And Again:

 The Conclusion of the Entire Treatise.

 The Epistle to Bishop Basilides.

 Canon I.

 Canon II.

 Canon III.

 Canon IV.

 Containing Epistles, or Fragments of Epistles.

 Part II.—Containing Epistles, or Fragments of Epistles.

 Dionysius to Novatus his brother, greeting. If you were carried on against your will, as you say, you will show that such has been the case by your vo

 1. The persecution with us did not commence with the imperial edict, but preceded it by a whole year. And a certain prophet and poet, an enemy to this

 In addition to all these, he writes likewise to Cornelius at Rome after receiving his Epistle against Novatus. And in that letter he also shows that h

 Understand, however, my brother, that all the churches located in the east, and also in remoter districts,

 1. Previously, indeed, (Stephen) had written letters about Helanus and Firmilianus, and about all who were established throughout Cilicia and Cappadoc

 I indeed gave attention to reading the books and carefully studying the traditions of heretics, to the extent indeed of corrupting my soul with their

 For we rightly repulse Novatian, who has rent the Church, and has drawn away some of the brethren to impiety and blasphemies who has brought into the

 For truly, brother, I have need of advice, and I crave your judgment, lest perchance I should be mistaken upon the matters which in such wise happen t

 1. Now I speak also before God, and He knoweth that I lie not: it was not by my own choice, neither was it without divine instruction, that I took to

 1. But Gallus did not understand the wickedness of Decius, nor did he note beforehand what it was that wrought his ruin. But he stumbled at the very s

 1. To other men, indeed, the present state of matters would not appear to offer a fit season for a festival: and this certainly is no festal time to t

 1. But what wonder should there be if I find it difficult to communicate by letter with those who are settled in remote districts, when it seems beyon

 Love is altogether and for ever on the alert, and casts about to do some good even to one who is unwilling to receive it. And many a time the man who

 Elucidations.

Epistle VI.—To Sixtus, Bishop.229 Fragments of a second epistle of Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, or of the treatise which was inscribed the “Elenchus et Apologia.” [A former epistle was written when Dionysius (of Rome) was a presbyter.] Dionysius mentions letters that had been written by him as well to the Presbyters Dionysius and Philemon as to Stephen, on the baptism of heretics and on the Sabellian heresy.

1. Previously, indeed, (Stephen) had written letters about Helanus and Firmilianus, and about all who were established throughout Cilicia and Cappadocia, and all the neighbouring provinces, giving them to understand that for that same reason he would depart from their communion, because they rebaptized heretics. And consider the seriousness of the matter. For, indeed, in the most considerable councils of the bishops, as I hear, it has been decreed that they who come from heresy should first be trained in Catholic doctrine, and then should be cleansed by baptism from the filth of the old and impure leaven. Asking and calling him to witness on all these matters, I sent letters.

And a little after Dionysius proceeds:—

2. And, moreover, to our beloved co-presbyters Dionysius and Philemon, who before agreed with Stephen, and had written to me about the same matters, I wrote previously in few words, but now I have written again more at length.

In the same letter, says Eusebius,230 And in what follows (says Athanasius) he professes that Christ is always, as being the Word, and the Wisdom, and the Power. Lib. vii. ch. 6. he informs Xystus231 Prov. viii. 30. [i.e., Sixtus II.] of the Sabellian heretics, that they were gaining ground at that time, in these words:—

3. For since of the doctrine, which lately has been set on foot at Ptolemais, a city of Pentapolis, impious and full of blasphemy against Almighty God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; full of unbelief and perfidy towards His only begotten Son and the first-born of every creature, the Word made man, and which takes away the perception of the Holy Spirit,—on either side both letters were brought to me, and brethren had come to discuss it, setting forth more plainly as much as by God’s gift I was able,—I wrote certain letters, copies of which I have sent to thee.