Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 1, Vol. 10 (Chrysostom: Homilies on Matthew)

87. To Segatius [more probably Phæbadius], Bishop of Agens, and Delphinus, Bishop of Bordeaux. Polybius, mentioned in the letter, was proconsul of Africa between A.D. 380 and 390.
88. To Atticus. Commendation of Priscus.
89. To Alypius. Acknowledgment of letters.
90. To Antonius. On the mutual affection between himself and St. Ambrose.
91. To Candidianus, probably a fellow-bishop. A letter of affection.

VI. HYMNS.

During the persecutions instigated by the Arian Follower of Arius, who taught that Christ was a created being. Empress Justina (A.D. 385–386), referred to in his 20th letter, St. Ambrose and the faithful spent the whole night in the basilica, and the holy Bishop kept the people occupied by singing psalms and hymns. A large number of hymns have been attributed to St. Ambrose, though some editors have reduced this to twelve, of which only four are certainly his compositions:
1. Eterne rerum Conditor ("Eternal Creator of the World"), mentioned by St. Augustine in his Retractions and by St. Ambrose himself in Hexaemeron. This hymn is still used at Lauds on Sunday.
2. Deus Creator omnium ("God, Creator of all"). Quoted by St. Augustine in his Confessions.
3. Jam surgit hora tertia ("Now the third hour rises"). Also quoted by St. Augustine.
4. Veni Redemptor gentium ("Come, Redeemer of the nations"). A Christmas hymn quoted by Pope Celestine in A.D. 430 in a sermon against the Nestorians preached before a synod in Rome, and by other writers.
Of other hymns, one beginning Illuminans Altissimus is quoted by Cassiodorus as an Epiphany hymn by St. Ambrose, and the same author refers to another, Orabo mente Dominum. The Benedictine editors accept six other hymns, but they are supported by no authority prior to the Venerable Bede.

VII. DOUBTFUL AND SPURIOUS WORKS.

This volume cannot cover the arguments needed for a critical examination of works that are doubtful or certainly spurious, but their names may be listed and conclusions stated:
1. Five books on the Jewish war, usually attributed to Hegesippus. This is a Latin translation and partial condensation of Josephus's well-known work. Ihm, a thorough student of St. Ambrose, is inclined to maintain after careful examination that this is indeed the work of St. Ambrose.
2. De lege Dei ("On the Law of God"). This treatise, a summary of Roman law in the fourth century compared with the law of Moses, is ascribed to St. Ambrose in a translation published by Mai, who says Ambrose undertook the work at Theodosius's command. There will likely always be doubt regarding its authenticity.
3. Among works that are more or less doubtful is De Sacramentis, admitted by the Benedictines but rejected—apparently on sufficient grounds—by Ihm.
4. Apologia David altera ("The Second Apology of David"). Suspected by Erasmus, Tillemont, and Ihm.
5. De lapsu Virginis consecratae ("On the Fall of a Consecrated Virgin"). A harsh castigation of a fallen virgin and her seducer. The treatise seems to have been written by a Bishop of Nicetas, and a manuscript at the Vatican mentions it as having been revised by St. Ambrose.
6. There are three brief addresses attributed to St. Ambrose regarding the command to sell all and give to the poor. The content resembles St. Ambrose, but the diction and style do not.

VIII. LOST WRITINGS OF ST. AMBROSE.

1. Expositio Isaiae prophetae ("Exposition of the Prophet Isaiah"), referred to by St. Augustine and St. Ambrose.
2. Liber de Sacramento regenerationis sive de philosophia ("Book on the Sacrament of Regeneration or Philosophy"), referred to by St. Augustine.
3. Libellus ad Pansophium puerum ("Booklet to the boy Pansophius"), written A.D. 393–394, according to Paulinus in his life of St. Ambrose.
4. Libri quatuor regnorum ("Four Books of Kingdoms"), referred to in the introduction to the work on the Jewish war.
5. Expositio fidei ("Exposition of the Faith"), quoted by Theodoret and others as a writing of St. Ambrose.