ORIGEN

PREFACE TO THE BOOKS

AGAINST CELSUS

1. (1) Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, when falsely accused, was silent; and when slandered, he answered nothing, (2) being persuaded that his whole life, and his deeds among the Jews, were superior to the voice that refuted the false witness and to the words that argued against the accusations. But you, O lover of God, Ambrosius, (3) I know not how you desired us to make an apology against the false witnesses in the writings of Celsus against the Christians, and the accusations against the faith of the churches in his book, as if there were not an evident refutation in the facts themselves, and in all the scriptures. (4)

1) R. in notes: "The eight books of Origen against Celsus were collated with eight manuscripts: the Royal, the Basle, the Julian—which is now in the cathedral church of Paris—two Vatican, and three Anglican. In the Royal codex, the title is: 'Of Origen the most wise against Celsus the most atheistic.' In others: 'Of Origen against Celsus.'" — Cf. Origen's Works, ed. Ruaeus, Vol. I, pp. 315 ff.
2) Royal Codex: "he answered."
3) Cf. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book VI, Chapter 22.
4) Thus all printed books (e.g., Spencer's editions) and manuscripts. Guietus preferred: "matters." R.