I am fully persuaded, first, that the passage is an interpolation, never having come from the pen of Origen; and secondly, that, whoever were its author, it can be regarded only as an instance of those impassioned apostrophes, which are found in great variety in the addresses of ancient Christian orators.  But since some of the most respected writers of the Church of Rome have regarded it as genuine, and deemed it worthy of being cited in evidence, I feel it incumbent to state at length, for those readers who may desire to enter at once fully into the question, the reasons on which my judgment is founded; whilst others, who may perhaps consider the discussion of the several points here as too great an interruption to the general argument, may for the present pass this section, and reserve it for subsequent inquiry.

It will be, in the first place, necessary to quote the whole passage entire, however long; for the mere extract of that portion which is cited as Origen’s prayer to an {152} angel, might leave a false impression as to the real merits of the case.

“The heavens are opened.  The heavens were closed, and at the coming of Christ they were opened, IN ORDER THAT THEY BEING LAID OPEN THE HOLY GHOST MIGHT COME UPON HIM in the appearance of a dove.  For he could not come to us unless he had first descended on one who partook of his own nature.  Jesus ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, he received gifts for men.  He who descended is the same who ascended above all heavens, that he might fill all things; and he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and masters, for the perfecting of the saints.” [Vol. iii. p. 358.  Hom. i. in Ezek.]

“[The heavens were opened.  It is not enough for one heaven to be opened:  very many are opened, that not from one, but from all, angels may descend to those who are to be saved; angels who ascended and descended upon the Son of man, and came to him, and ministered to him.  Now the angels descended because Christ first descended, fearing to descend before the Lord of all powers and things commanded.  But when they saw the chieftain of the army of heaven dwelling in earthly places, then they entered through the opened road, following their Lord, and obeying his will, who distributes them as guardians of those that believe on his name.  Thou yesterday wast under a devil, to-day thou art under an angel.  Do not ye, saith the Lord, despise one of the least of those who are in the Church?  Verily, I say unto you, that their angels through all things see the face of the Father who is in heaven.  The angels attend on thy salvation; they were granted for the ministry of the Son of God, and {153} they say among themselves, If he descended, and descended into a body, if he is clothed in mortal flesh, and endured the cross, and died for man, why are we resting idle?  Why do we spare ourselves?  Haste away!  Let all of us angels descend from heaven!  Thus also