The works of Cyril are numerous, and chiefly on subjects connected with the Arian controversy, the incarnation, consubitantiality of the Son, and similar difficult points, which are involved in additional obscurity by an intricate perplexity of style and the use of barbarous Greek. The following are some of the principal treatises :—‘Theaau rus on the Trinity,' intended as a complete refutation of Arianism.
In 'Dialogues on the Incarnation,' Five Books agaiust Nestorius,' and in an ample Commentary on St. John's Gospel,' the same subject is continued. Ten books against Julian contain replies to that em• penes three books against the Gospels, which, if Cyril's quotations are faithful, were as weak and absurd as the answers. Seventeen books ' On Worship in Spirit and Truth,' show that all the Mosaical institutions were an allegory of the Gospel; "a proof," says Dr. Adam Clarke, "how Scripture may be tortured to say any thing." Thirteen books on the Pentateuch and the Prophets are written with a similar view. Thirty paschal Homilies, announcing, as customary at Alex andria, the time of Easter. Sixty-one Epistles nearly all relate to the Nestorian controversy. Cyril's 'Synodical Letter' contains twelve solemn curses against Nestorius, who as solemnly replied with twelve curses against Cyril. In a treatise against the Authropomorphites, or those Egyptian monks who taught that as man is made in the express image of his Maker, God has the form and substance of a human body Cyril reproves them for their gluttony and idleness, and answers with great metaphysical skill a series of perplexing queries, hut such as were most unworthy to be either asked or answered by Christian divines. Cyril throughout his works enforces the adoration of Mary
as the mother of God, and explicitly teaches the doctrine of transub stantiation, declaring that by taking the Lord's body we become con corporeal with God, being blended together like two portions of melted wax. "The history of none among the Christian fathers," says Dr. Adam Clarke, "is more disgraceful to the Christian character than that of St. Cyril of Alexandria—a man immoderately ambitious, violent, and headstrong ; a breeder of disturbances; haughty, impe rious, and as unfit for a bishop as a violent, bigoted, unskilful theolo gian could possibly be—but resolved th4 if the meek inherit the earth, the violent should have possession of the sees." The editio optima of the Opera Omnia' of Cyril is that in 7 tom. fol., Greek and Lat., Paris, 1633. Spanheim's edition of Julian's works contains Cyril's work against Julian.
(Clarke, Succession Sac. Lit., vol. ii. p. 137; Cave, ]list. Lit., vol. i.; ' nbi supra; Tillemont, tom. au. p. 272 ; Butler, Lives of I Saints; Cornier, torn. xiii. p. 241; Rivetus, Critic. Sac. ; Lard= ; Neander, &c.)