Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 3
Tertullian — Latin Christianity
SECTION 401
Chapter VII.--Tatian, Cataphrygians, Cataproclans, Catæschinetans.
Chapter VII.--Tatian, Cataphrygians, Cataproclans, Catæschinetans. To all these heretics is added one Tatian, a brother-heretic. This man was Justin Martyr's disciple. After Justin's death he began to cherish different opinions from his. For he wholly savours of Valentinus; adding this, that Adam cannot even attain salvation: a…
790 wordsSECTION 402Chapter I.--Of Heathen Repentance.
Chapter I.--Of Heathen Repentance. Repentance, men understand, so far as nature is able, to be an emotion of the mind arising from disgust [8421] at some previously cherished worse sentiment: that kind of men I mean which even we ourselves were in days gone by--blind, without the Lord's light. From the reason of repentance, how…
1,216 wordsSECTION 403Chapter III.--Sins May Be Divided into Corporeal and Spiritual. Both Equally Subject, If Not to Human, Yet to Divine Investigation and Punishment. [8433]
Chapter III.--Sins May Be Divided into Corporeal and Spiritual. Both Equally Subject, If Not to Human, Yet to Divine Investigation and Punishment. [8433] What things, then, they be for which repentance seems just and due--that is, what things are to be set down under the head of sin--the occasion indeed demands that I should no…
996 wordsSECTION 404Chapter IV.--Repentance Applicable to All the Kinds of Sin. To Be Practised Not Only, Nor Chiefly, for the Good It Brings, But Because God Commands It.
Chapter IV.--Repentance Applicable to All the Kinds of Sin. To Be Practised Not Only, Nor Chiefly, for the Good It Brings, But Because God Commands It. To all sins, then, committed whether by flesh or spirit, whether by deed or will, the same God who has destined penalty by means of judgment, has withal engaged to grant pardon …
1,392 wordsSECTION 405Chapter VI.--Baptism Not to Be Presumptously Received. It Requires Preceding Repentance, Manifested by Amendment of Life.
Chapter VI.--Baptism Not to Be Presumptously Received. It Requires Preceding Repentance, Manifested by Amendment of Life. Whatever, then, our poor ability has attempted to suggest with reference to laying hold of repentance once for all, and perpetually retaining it, does indeed bear upon all who are given up to the Lord, as be…
1,347 wordsSECTION 406Chapter VII.--Of Repentance, in the Case of Such as Have Lapsed After Baptism.
Chapter VII.--Of Repentance, in the Case of Such as Have Lapsed After Baptism. So long, Lord Christ, may the blessing of learning or hearing concerning the discipline of repentance be granted to Thy servants, as is likewise behoves them, while learners, [8480] not to sin; in other words, may they thereafter know nothing of repe…
832 wordsSECTION 407Chapter VIII.--Examples from Scripture to Prove the Lord's Willingness to Pardon.
Chapter VIII.--Examples from Scripture to Prove the Lord's Willingness to Pardon. This if you doubt, unravel [8489] the meaning of "what the Spirit saith to the churches." [8490] He imputes to the Ephesians "forsaken love;" [8491] reproaches the Thyatirenes with "fornication," and "eating of things sacrificed to idols;" [8492] …
1,051 wordsSECTION 408Chapter X.--Of Men's Shrinking from This Second Repentance and Exomologesis, and of the Unreasonableness of Such Shrinking.
Chapter X.--Of Men's Shrinking from This Second Repentance and Exomologesis, and of the Unreasonableness of Such Shrinking. Yet most men either shun this work, as being a public exposure [8512] of themselves, or else defer it from day to day. I presume (as being) more mindful of modesty than of salvation; just like men who, hav…
960 wordsSECTION 409Chapter XII.--Final Considerations to Induce to Exomologesis.
Chapter XII.--Final Considerations to Induce to Exomologesis. If you shrink back from exomologesis, consider in your heart the hell, [8525] which exomologesis will extinguish for you; and imagine first the magnitude of the penalty, that you may not hesitate about the adoption of the remedy. What do we esteem that treasure-house…
1,905 wordsSECTION 410Chapter I.--Introduction. Origin of the Treatise.
Chapter I.--Introduction. Origin of the Treatise. Happy is our [8542] sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life! A treatise on this matter will not be superfluous; instructing not only such as are just becoming formed (in the faith), but them who…
727 wordsSECTION 411Chapter III.--Water Chosen as a Vehicle of Divine Operation and Wherefore. Its Prominence First of All in Creation.
Chapter III.--Water Chosen as a Vehicle of Divine Operation and Wherefore. Its Prominence First of All in Creation. Mindful of this declaration as of a conclusive prescript, we nevertheless proceed to treat the question, "How foolish and impossible it is to be formed anew by water. In what respect, pray, has this material subst…
1,111 wordsSECTION 412Chapter V.--Use Made of Water by the Heathen. Type of the Angel at the Pool of Bethsaida. [8568]
Chapter V.--Use Made of Water by the Heathen. Type of the Angel at the Pool of Bethsaida. [8568] "Well, but the nations, who are strangers to all understanding of spiritual powers, ascribe to their idols the imbuing of waters with the self-same efficacy." (So they do) but they cheat themselves with waters which are widowed. [85…
810 wordsSECTION 413Chapter VI.--The Angel the Forerunner of the Holy Spirit. Meaning Contained in the Baptismal Formula.
Chapter VI.--The Angel the Forerunner of the Holy Spirit. Meaning Contained in the Baptismal Formula. Not that in [8584] the waters we obtain the Holy Spirit; but in the water, under (the witness of) the angel, we are cleansed, and prepared for the Holy Spirit. In this case also a type has preceded; for thus was John beforehand…
1,151 wordsSECTION 414Chapter IX.--Types of the Red Sea, and the Water from the Rock.
Chapter IX.--Types of the Red Sea, and the Water from the Rock. How many, therefore, are the pleas [8617] of nature, how many the privileges of grace, how many the solemnities of discipline, the figures, the preparations, the prayers, which have ordained the sanctity of water? First, indeed, when the people, set unconditionally…
1,149 wordsSECTION 415Chapter XI.--Answer to the Objection that "The Lord Did Not Baptize."
Chapter XI.--Answer to the Objection that "The Lord Did Not Baptize." "But behold, "say some, "the Lord came, and baptized not; for we read, And yet He used not to baptize, but His disciples!'" [8654] As if, in truth, John had preached that He would baptize with His own hands! Of course, his words are not so to be understood, b…
1,305 wordsSECTION 416Chapter XIII.--Another Objection: Abraham Pleased God Without Being Baptized. Answer Thereto. Old Things Must Give Place to New, and Baptism is Now a Law.
Chapter XIII.--Another Objection: Abraham Pleased God Without Being Baptized. Answer Thereto. Old Things Must Give Place to New, and Baptism is Now a Law. Here, then, those miscreants [8678] provoke questions. And so they say, "Baptism is not necessary for them to whom faith is sufficient; for withal, Abraham pleased God by a s…
1,006 wordsSECTION 417Chapter XVI.--Of the Second Baptism--With Blood.
Chapter XVI.--Of the Second Baptism--With Blood. We have indeed, likewise, a second font, [8699] (itself withal one with the former,) of blood, to wit; concerning which the Lord said, "I have to be baptized with a baptism," [8700] when He had been baptized already. For He had come "by means of water and blood," [8701] just as J…
791 wordsSECTION 418Chapter XVIII.--Of the Persons to Whom, and the Time When, Baptism is to Be Administered.
Chapter XVIII.--Of the Persons to Whom, and the Time When, Baptism is to Be Administered. But they whose office it is, know that baptism is not rashly to be administered. "Give to every one who beggeth thee," [8722] has a reference of its own, appertaining especially to almsgiving. On the contrary, this precept is rather to be …
801 wordsSECTION 419Chapter XIX.--Of the Times Most Suitable for Baptism.
Chapter XIX.--Of the Times Most Suitable for Baptism. The Passover affords a more than usually solemn day for baptism; when, withal, the Lord's passion, in which we are baptized, was completed. Nor will it be incongruous to interpret figuratively the fact that, when the Lord was about to celebrate the last Passover, He said to …
1,118 wordsSECTION 420Chapter I.--General Introduction. [8760]
Chapter I.--General Introduction. [8760] The Spirit of God, and the Word of God, and the Reason of God--Word of Reason, and Reason and Spirit of Word--Jesus Christ our Lord, namely, who is both the one and the other, [8761] --has determined for us, the disciples of the New Testament, a new form of prayer; for in this particular…
748 wordsSECTION 421Chapter II.--The First Clause.
Chapter II.--The First Clause. The prayer begins with a testimony to God, and with the reward of faith, when we say, "Our Father who art in the heavens;" for (in so saying), we at once pray to God, and commend faith, whose reward this appellation is. It is written, "To them who believed on Him He gave power to be called sons of…
1,127 wordsSECTION 422Chapter V.--The Fourth Clause.
Chapter V.--The Fourth Clause. "Thy kingdom come" has also reference to that whereto "Thy will be done" refers--in us, that is. For when does God not reign, in whose hand is the heart of all kings? [8790] But whatever we wish for ourselves we augur for Him, and to Him we attribute what from Him we expect. And so, if the manifes…
776 wordsSECTION 423Chapter VII.--The Sixth Clause.
Chapter VII.--The Sixth Clause. It was suitable that, after contemplating the liberality of God, [8808] we should likewise address His clemency. For what will aliments [8809] profit us, if we are really consigned to them, as it were a bull destined for a victim? [8810] The Lord knew Himself to be the only guiltless One, and so …
728 wordsSECTION 424Chapter IX.--Recapitulation. [8823]
Chapter IX.--Recapitulation. [8823] In summaries of so few words, how many utterances of the prophets, the Gospels, the apostles--how many discourses, examples, parables of the Lord, are touched on! How many duties are simultaneously discharged! The honour of God in the "Father;" the testimony of faith in the "Name;" the offeri…
791 wordsSECTION 425Chapter XIII.--Of Washing the Hands.
Chapter XIII.--Of Washing the Hands. But what reason is there in going to prayer with hands indeed washed, but the spirit foul?--inasmuch as to our hands themselves spiritual purities are necessary, that they may be "lifted up pure" [8841] from falsehood, from murder, from cruelty, from poisonings, [8842] from idolatry, and all…
976 wordsSECTION 426Chapter XVII.--Of Elevated Hands.
Chapter XVII.--Of Elevated Hands. But we more commend our prayers to God when we pray with modesty and humility, with not even our hands too loftily elevated, but elevated temperately and becomingly; and not even our countenance over-boldly uplifted. For that publican who prayed with humility and dejection not merely in his sup…
732 wordsSECTION 427Chapter XX.--Of Women's Dress.
Chapter XX.--Of Women's Dress. So far, however, as regards the dress of women, the variety of observance compels us--men of no consideration whatever--to treat, presumptuously indeed, after the most holy apostle, [8871] except in so far as it will not be presumptuously if we treat the subject in accordance with the apostle. Tou…
2,222 wordsSECTION 428Chapter XXIII.--Of Kneeling.
[8914] Gen. xxiv. 64, 65. Chapter XXIII.--Of Kneeling. In the matter of kneeling also prayer is subject to diversity of observance, through the act of some few who abstain from kneeling on the Sabbath; and since this dissension is particularly on its trial before the churches, the Lord will give His grace that the dissentients…
846 wordsSECTION 429Chapter XXVI.--Of the Parting of Brethren.
Chapter XXVI.--Of the Parting of Brethren. You will not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer.--"Have you seen," says Scripture, "a brother? you have seen your Lord;" [8931] --especially "a stranger," lest perhaps he be "an angel." But again, when received yourself by brethren, you will not make [8932] ear…
1,219 wordsSECTION 430Chapter I.
Chapter I. Blessed Martyrs Designate,--Along with the provision which our lady mother the Church from her bountiful breasts, and each brother out of his private means, makes for your bodily wants in the prison, accept also from me some contribution to your spiritual sustenance; for it is not good that the flesh be feasted and t…
1,143 wordsSECTION 431Chapter III.
Chapter III. Grant now, O blessed, that even to Christians the prison is unpleasant; yet we were called to the warfare of the living God in our very response to the sacramental words. Well, no soldier comes out to the campaign laden with luxuries, nor does he go to action from his comfortable chamber, but from the light and nar…
1,117 wordsSECTION 432Chapter V.
Chapter V. I leave out of account now the motive of glory. All these same cruel and painful conflicts, a mere vanity you find among men--in fact, a sort of mental disease--as trampled under foot. How many ease-lovers does the conceit of arms give to the sword? They actually go down to meet the very wild beasts in vain ambition;…
950 wordsSECTION 433Preface. [8974]
Preface. [8974] If ancient illustrations of faith which both testify to God's grace and tend to man's edification are collected in writing, so that by the perusal of them, as if by the reproduction of the facts, as well God may be honoured, as man may be strengthened; why should not new instances be also collected, that shall b…
2,470 wordsSECTION 4344. "Then, on the day on which we remained in fetters, [8990] this was shown to me. I saw that that place which I had formerly observed to be
4. "Then, on the day on which we remained in fetters, [8990] this was shown to me. I saw that that place which I had formerly observed to be in gloom was now bright; and Dinocrates, with a clean body well clad, was finding refreshment. And where there had been a wound, I saw a scar; and that pool which I had before seen, I saw n…
2,401 wordsSECTION 4353. Since then the Holy Spirit permitted, and by permitting willed, that the proceedings of that exhibition should be committed to writing, a
3. Since then the Holy Spirit permitted, and by permitting willed, that the proceedings of that exhibition should be committed to writing, although we are unworthy to complete the description of so great a glory; yet we obey as it were the command of the most blessed Perpetua, nay her sacred trust, and add one more testimony con…
1,984 wordsSECTION 436Chapter I.--Of Patience Generally; And Tertullian's Own Unworthiness to Treat of It.
Chapter I.--Of Patience Generally; And Tertullian's Own Unworthiness to Treat of It. I fully confess unto the Lord God that it has been rash enough, if not even impudent, in me to have dared compose a treatise on Patience, for practising which I am all unfit, being a man of no goodness; [9014] whereas it were becoming that such…
771 wordsSECTION 437Chapter III.--Jesus Christ in His Incarnation and Work a More Imitable Example Thereof.
Chapter III.--Jesus Christ in His Incarnation and Work a More Imitable Example Thereof. And this species of the divine patience indeed being, as it were, at a distance, may perhaps be esteemed as among "things too high for us;" [9026] but what is that which, in a certain way, has been grasped by hand [9027] among men openly on …
1,292 wordsSECTION 438Chapter V.--As God is the Author of Patience So the Devil is of Impatience.
Chapter V.--As God is the Author of Patience So the Devil is of Impatience. Nevertheless, the proceeding [9049] of a discussion on the necessaries of faith is not idle, because it is not unfruitful. In edification no loquacity is base, if it be base at any time. [9050] And so, if the discourse be concerning some particular good…
1,578 wordsSECTION 439Chapter VI.--Patience Both Antecedent and Subsequent to Faith.
Chapter VI.--Patience Both Antecedent and Subsequent to Faith. Accordingly it is patience which is both subsequent and antecedent to faith. In short, Abraham believed God, and was accredited by Him with righteousness; [9075] but it was patience which proved his faith, when he was bidden to immolate his son, with a view to (I wo…
1,158 wordsSECTION 440Chapter VIII.--Of Patience Under Personal Violence and Malediction.
Chapter VIII.--Of Patience Under Personal Violence and Malediction. We who carry about our very soul, our very body, exposed in this world [9094] to injury from all, and exhibit patience under that injury; shall we be hurt at the loss [9095] of less important things? [9096] Far from a servant of Christ be such a defilement as t…
982 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.