Chapter I: Preface: To the First Edition

The considerations which induced me to undertake this monograph are mentioned in the introductory chapter. How far the design there indicated has been satisfactorily fulfilled, it is for others to decide. I am of course conscious of defects, for every workman’s ideal aim should be higher than what he can actually accomplish. The work has incurred a certain risk from having been once or twice suspended for a considerable period; but I have always returned to it with increased interest and pleasure, nor can I charge myself with having wittingly bestowed less pains on one part than another. I have endeavoured to make it a trustworthy narrative by drawing from the most original sources to which I could gain access; and where, as in those portions which touch on secular history, the lead of general historians, such as Gibbon or De Broglie has been followed, I have, as far as possible, consulted the authorities to which they refer. To modern authors from whom I have derived valuable assistance for special parts of the work, such as M. Amédée Thierry and Dr. Foerster, my obligations are acknowledged in their proper place.

Neander’s Life of St. Chrysostom has, of course, throughout been frequently consulted. It is marked by the customary merits and defects of that historian. It is full of research, information, thought, and refined religious sentiment; but he fails to bring out strongly the personality of his subject. We have abundance of Chrysostom’s sayings and opinions, but somehow too little of Chrysostom himself. The fact is that Neander seems always to be thinking more of those views and theories about the growth of Christian doctrine and the Church, which he wishes to impress upon men’s minds, than of the person about whom he is writing. Thus, the subject of his biography becomes too much a mere vehicle for conveying Neander’s own opinions, and the personality of the character fades away in proportion. Some passages in the life of his subject are related at inordinate length; others, because less illustrative of Neander’s views, are imperfectly sketched, if not omitted.

In extracts from the works of Chrysostom, the somewhat difficult question of the comparative advantages of translation and paraphrase has been decided, on the whole, in favour of the latter. The condensation of matter gained by a paraphrase is an important, indeed necessary, object, if many specimens are to be given from such a very voluminous author as Chrysostom. A careful endeavour, at the same time, has been made to render faithfully the general sense of the original; and wherever the peculiar beauty of the language or the importance of the subject seemed to demand it, a translation has been given.

From an early date in the sixteenth century down to the present time the works of Chrysostom have occupied the attention of learned editors. The first attempts, after the invention of printing, were mainly confined to Latin translations of different portions. Afterwards appeared—

(1.) In 1529 the Greek text of the Homilies on St. Paul, published at Vienna, “typis Stephani et fratrum,” with a preface by Maximus Donatus. This was followed by the Commentaries on the New Testament, published by Commelin, a printer at Heidelberg, four vols. folio, A.D. 1591-1602.

(2.) In 1612 appeared a magnificent edition of the whole works, in eight thick folio volumes, printed at Eton, and prepared by Sir Henry Savile. Savile, born in 1549, was equally distinguished for his knowledge of mathematics and Greek, in which he acted for a time as tutor to Queen Elizabeth. He became Warden of Merton in 1585, and Provost of Eton in 1596. Promotion in Church and State was offered to him by James I., but declined, though he accepted a knighthood in 1604. His only son died about that time, and he devoted his fortune henceforth entirely to the promotion of learning. The Savilian Professorships of Geometry and Astronomy in Oxford were founded by him, and a library furnished with mathematical books for the use of his Professors. He spared no labour or expense to make his edition of St. Chrysostom handsome and complete. He personally examined most of the great libraries in Europe for mss., and, through the kindness of English ambassadors and eminent men of learning abroad, his copyists were admitted to the libraries of Paris, Basle, Augsburg, Munich, Vienna, and other cities. He used the Commelinian edition as his printer’s copy, carefully compared with five mss., the various readings of which are marked (by a not very distinct plan) in the margin. The chief value of the work consists in the prefaces and notes, contributed some of them by Casaubon and other learned men, though by far the best are Savile’s own. The whole cost of bringing out this grand edition is said to have been £8000. Savile’s wife was so jealous of her husband’s attachment to the work that she threatened to burn it.

(3.) Meanwhile, Fronton le Duc, a French Jesuit, had been labouring independently, but in most amicable intercourse with Savile, not only to edit the works of Chrysostom complete, but accompanied by a Latin translation, which he supplied himself for those pieces of which he failed to find any good one already existing. His death arrested the work, which was taken up, after a time, by the two brothers, Frederick and Claude Morel, and completed by the latter in 1633. It was published in Paris in 1636, in twelve large folio volumes. The Commelinian was again used as the printer’s copy, with fewer alterations than in the edition of Savile.

(4.) We now come to the great Benedictine edition, prepared under the care of Bernard de Montfaucon, who deserted the profession of arms at the age of twenty to become, as a member of the brotherhood of St Maur, one of the most marvellously industrious workers in literature that the world has ever seen. In 1698, when the Benedictines had completed their editions of SS. Augustine and Athanasius, they began to prepare for an edition of Chrysostom, which they had intended to do for more than thirty years. Montfaucon was sent to Italy, where he spent three years in examining libraries; and, on his return, obtained leave from the presidents of the congregation to employ four or five of the brethren in collating mss. in the Royal Library at Paris, and in those of Colbert and Coislin. Their labours extended over thirteen years; more than 300 MSS., containing different portions of Chrysostom’s works, having been discovered in those libraries. Montfaucon, meanwhile, corresponded with learned men in all parts of Europe, in order to procure materials and further collations. His correspondents in England were Potter, Bishop of Oxford, Bentley, and Needham; and in Ireland, Godwin, Bishop of Kilmore. The result was that, after more than twenty years of incessant toil, Montfaucon produced an edition, in which several pieces saw the light for the first time, and others, imperfect in previous editions, were presented entire. The text after all is the least satisfactory part of the work. Mr. Field has discovered that the eight principal MSS. employed were not very carefully collated, and that, though Savile’s text is extremely praised, that of Morel, by a curious inconsistency, is most closely followed, which is little more than a reproduction of the original Commelinian. The main value of the edition consists in the prefaces, written by Montfaucon to every set of homilies and every treatise, in which the chronology, contents, and character of the composition are most fully and ably discussed. The chronological arrangement also of the pieces is a great improvement on the editions of Savile and Fronton le Duc, who had made no attempt of that kind. The last volume, the thirteenth, contains a life of St Chrysostom, a most copious index, and dissertations on the doctrine, discipline, and heresies prevalent in his age, illustrated by notices collected from his works. On the whole, the edition must be pronounced a marvellous monument of ability and industry, especially when it is considered that at the date of its completion, 1738, Montfaucon was eighty-three years of age, and had been engaged for upwards of fifty years in literary work of a most laborious description. He died in 1741.

(5.) The last edition, which leaves little or nothing to be desired, is that which I have used in preparing this volume—the Abbé Migne’s, in 13 vols., Paris, 1863. It is substantially a reproduction of the Benedictine, in a rather less cumbrous size, and embodies some of the best corrections, notes, and prefaces of modern commentators, especially those of Mr. Field to the Homilies of St. Matthew, and some by the learned editor himself.

A brief sketch of the principal forms in which Chrysostom’s works have appeared seemed an appropriate introduction to the history of the man himself. If the perusal of that history shall afford to readers half as much interest, pleasure, and instruction as I have myself derived from the composition of it, I shall feel amply rewarded for my labour; and I gladly take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to my father-in-law for originally suggesting a work of this kind, and to many friends, and especially my wife, for constant encouragement, without which a mixture of indolence and diffidence might have prevented the completion of my design.

DENSWORTH COTTAGE, CHICHESTER,
_All Saints Day 1871_.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE

Introductory, 1

CHAPTER II.

From his Birth to his Appointment to the Office of
Reader, A.D. 345 or A.D. 347 to A.D. 370, 9

CHAPTER III.

Commencement of ascetic life-Study under
Diodorus—Formation of an ascetic Brotherhood—The Letters
to Theodore, A.D. 370, 24

CHAPTER IV.

Chrysostom evades forcible Ordination to a Bishopric—The
Treatise “On the Priesthood.” A.D. 370, 371, 40

CHAPTER V.

Narrow Escape from Persecution—His Entrance into a
Monastery—The Monasticism of the East. A.D. 372, 57

CHAPTER VI.

Works produced during his monastic life—The letters to
Demetrius and Stelechius—Treatises addressed to the
Opponents of Monasticism—Letter to Stagirius, 69

CHAPTER VII.

Ordination as Deacon—Description of Antioch—Works
composed during his Diaconate. A.D. 381-386, 86

CHAPTER VIII.

Ordination to the Priesthood by Flavian—Inaugural
Discourse in the Cathedral—Homilies against the
Arians—Animadversions on the Chariot Races, A.D. 386, 103

CHAPTER IX.

Homilies against Pagans and Jews—Condition of the Jews in
Antioch—Judaising Christians—Homilies on Christmas Day
and New Year’s Day—Censure of Pagan Superstitions. A.D.
386, 387, 120

CHAPTER X.

Survey of the first Decade of the Reign of Theodosius—His
Character—His Efforts for the Extirpation of Paganism
and Heresy—The Apologies of Symmachus and Libanius. A.D.
379-389, 139

CHAPTER XI.

The Sedition at Antioch—The Homilies on the Statues—The
Results of the Sedition, A.D. 387, 150

CHAPTER XII.

Illness of Chrysostom—Homilies on Festivals
of Saints and Martyrs—Character of these
Festivals—Pilgrimages—Reliques—Character of Peasant
Clergy in neighbourhood of Antioch. A.D. 387, 177

CHAPTER XIII.

Survey of Events between A.D. 387 and A.D. 397—Ambrose
and Theodosius—Revolt of Arbogastes—Death of
Theodosius—The Ministers of Arcadius—Rufinus and
Eutropius, 186

CHAPTER XIV.

Death of Nectarius, Archbishop of
Constantinople—Eager Competition for the See—Election
of Chrysostom—His compulsory Removal from
Antioch—Consecration—Reforms—Homilies on various
subjects—Missionary Projects, 212

CHAPTER XV.

The Fall of Eutropius—His Retreat to the Sanctuary of the
Church—Right of Sanctuary maintained by Chrysostom—Death
of Eutropius—Revolt of Gothic Commanders Tribigild and
Gaïnas—Demand of Gaïnas for an Arian Church refused by
Chrysostom—Defeat and Death of Gaïnas. A.D. 399-401, 240

CHAPTER XVI.

Chrysostom’s Visit to Asia—Deposition of six simoniacal
Bishops—Legitimate Extent of his Jurisdiction—Return to
Constantinople—Rupture and reconciliation with Severian,
bishop of Gabala—Chrysostom’s increasing unpopularity
with the Clergy and wealthy Laity—His Friends—Olympias
the Deaconess—Formation of hostile Factions, which invite
the aid of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria. A.D. 400,
401, 265

CHAPTER XVII.

Circumstances which led to the interference of Theophilus
with the affairs of Chrysostom—Controversy about the
Writings of Origen—Persecution by Theophilus of the Monks
called “The Tall Brethren”—Their Flight to Palestine—To
Constantinople—Their Reception by Chrysostom—Theophilus
summoned to Constantinople. A.D. 395-403, 286

CHAPTER XVIII.

Theophilus arrives in Constantinople—Organises a Cabal
against Chrysostom—The Synod of the Oak—Chrysostom
pronounced contumacious for Non-appearance and expelled
from the city—Earthquake—Recall of Chrysostom—Ovations on
his Return—Flight of Theophilus. A.D. 403, 306

CHAPTER XIX.

An Image of Eudoxia placed in front of the
Cathedral—Chrysostom denounces it—Anger of the
Empress—The enemy returns to the charge—Another Council
formed—Chrysostom confined to his Palace—Violent scene in
the Cathedral and other places—Chrysostom again expelled,
A.D. 403, 404, 326

CHAPTER XX.

Fury of the people at the removal of
Chrysostom—Destruction of the Cathedral Church and
Senate-house by Fire—Persecution of Chrysostom’s
followers—Fugitives to Rome—Letters of Innocent
to Theophilus—To the Clergy of Constantinople—To
Chrysostom—Deputation of Western Bishops to
Constantinople repulsed—Sufferings of the Eastern
Church—Triumph of the Cabal. A.D. 404, 405, 341

CHAPTER XXI.

Chrysostom ordered to be removed to Cucusus—Perils
encountered at Cæsarea—Hardships of the Journey—Reaches
Cucusus—Letters written there to Olympias and other
Friends. A.D. 404, 361

CHAPTER XXII.

Chrysostom’s Sufferings from the winter cold—Depredations
of the Isaurians—The Mission in Phœnicia—Letters to
Innocent and the Italian Bishops—Chrysostom’s enemies
obtain an order for his Removal to Pityus—He dies
at Comana, A.D. 407—Reception of his Reliques at
Constantinople, A.D. 438, 379

CHAPTER XXIII.

Survey of Chrysostom’s Theological Teaching—Practical
tone of his Works—Reason of this—Doctrine of
Man’s Nature—Original Sin—Grace—Free-will—How
far Chrysostom Pelagian—Language on the
Trinity—Atonement—Justification—The two Sacraments—No
trace of Confession, Purgatory, or Mariolatry—Relations
towards the Pope—Liturgy of Chrysostom—His character as a
Commentator—Views on Inspiration—His Preaching—Personal
Appearance—References to Greek Classical
Authors—Comparison with St. Augustine, 390

APPENDIX, 433

INDEX, 435

LIFE AND TIMES

OF

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM.