Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 3
Tertullian — Latin Christianity
SECTION 41
Chapter X.--Of Schoolmasters and Their Difficulties.
Chapter X.--Of Schoolmasters and Their Difficulties. Moreover, we must inquire likewise touching schoolmasters; nor only of them, but also all other professors of literature. Nay, on the contrary, we must not doubt that they are in affinity with manifold idolatry: first, in that it is necessary for them to preach the gods of th…
723 wordsSECTION 42Chapter XI.--Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades, However Gainful, to Be Avoided.
Chapter XI.--Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades, However Gainful, to Be Avoided. If we think over the rest of faults, tracing them from their generations, let us begin with covetousness, "a root of all evils," [230] wherewith, indeed, some having been ensnared, "have suffered shipwreck about faith." [2…
861 wordsSECTION 43Chapter XII.--Further Answers to the Plea, How Am I to Live?
Chapter XII.--Further Answers to the Plea, How Am I to Live? In vain do we flatter ourselves as to the necessities of human maintenance, if--after faith sealed [238] --we say, "I have no means to live?" [239] For here I will now answer more fully that abrupt proposition. It is advanced too late. For after the similitude of that…
1,294 wordsSECTION 44Chapter XIV.--Of Blasphemy. One of St. Paul's Sayings.
Chapter XIV.--Of Blasphemy. One of St. Paul's Sayings. But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear "the Name be blasphemed." Now the blasphemy which must quite be shunned by us in every way is, I take it,…
836 wordsSECTION 45Chapter XV.--Concerning Festivals in Honour of Emperors, Victories, and the Like. Examples of the Three Children and Daniel.
Chapter XV.--Concerning Festivals in Honour of Emperors, Victories, and the Like. Examples of the Three Children and Daniel. But "let your works shine," saith He; [276] but now all our shops and gates shine! You will now-a-days find more doors of heathens without lamps and laurel-wreaths than of Christians. What does the case s…
1,090 wordsSECTION 46Chapter XVI.--Concerning Private Festivals.
Chapter XVI.--Concerning Private Festivals. Touching the ceremonies, however, of private and social solemnities--as those of the white toga, of espousals, of nuptials, of name-givings--I should think no danger need be guarded against from the breath of the idolatry which is mixed up with them. For the causes are to be considere…
739 wordsSECTION 47Chapter XVIII.--Dress as Connected with Idolatry.
Chapter XVIII.--Dress as Connected with Idolatry. But we must now treat of the garb only and apparatus of office. There is a dress proper to every one, as well for daily use as for office and dignity. That famous purple, therefore, and the gold as an ornament of the neck, were, among the Egyptians and Babylonians, ensigns of di…
1,073 wordsSECTION 48Chapter XIX.--Concerning Military Service.
Chapter XIX.--Concerning Military Service. In that last section, decision may seem to have been given likewise concerning military service, which is between dignity and power. [314] But now inquiry is made about this point, whether a believer may turn himself unto military service, and whether the military may be admitted unto …
902 wordsSECTION 49Chapter XXI.--Of Silent Acquiescence in Heathen Formularies.
Chapter XXI.--Of Silent Acquiescence in Heathen Formularies. But it is a mark of timidity, when some other man binds you in the name of his gods, by the making of an oath, or by some other form of attestation, and you, for fear of discovery, [330] remain quiet. For you equally, by remaining quiet, affirm their majesty, by reaso…
729 wordsSECTION 50Chapter XXIII.--Written Contracts in the Name of Idols. Tacit Consent.
Chapter XXIII.--Written Contracts in the Name of Idols. Tacit Consent. But there is a certain species of that class, doubly sharpened in deed and word, and mischievous on either side, although it flatter you, as if it were free of danger in each; while it does not seem to be a deed, because it is not laid hold of as a word. In …
906 wordsSECTION 51Chapter XXIV.--General Conclusion.
Chapter XXIV.--General Conclusion. Amid these reefs and inlets, amid these shallows and straits of idolatry, Faith, her sails filled by the Spirit of God, navigates; safe if cautious, secure if intently watchful. But to such as are washed overboard is a deep whence is no out-swimming; to such as are run aground is inextricable …
1,008 wordsSECTION 52Chapter I.
Chapter I. Ye Servants of God, about to draw near to God, that you may make solemn consecration of yourselves to Him, [348] seek well to understand the condition of faith, the reasons of the Truth, the laws of Christian Discipline, which forbid among other sins of the world, the pleasures of the public shows. Ye who have testif…
1,529 wordsSECTION 53Chapter III.
Chapter III. Fortified by this knowledge against heathen views, let us rather turn to the unworthy reasonings of our own people; for the faith of some, either too simple or too scrupulous, demands direct authority from Scripture for giving up the shows, and holds out that the matter is a doubtful one, because such abstinence is…
784 wordsSECTION 54Chapter V.
Chapter V. In the matter of their origins, as these are somewhat obscure and but little known to many among us, our investigations must go back to a remote antiquity, and our authorities be none other than books of heathen literature. Various authors are extant who have published works on the subject. The origin of the games as…
784 wordsSECTION 55Chapter VII.
Chapter VII. The two kinds of public games, then, have one origin; and they have common names, as owning the same parentage. So, too, as they are equally tainted with the sin of idolatry, their foundress, they must needs be like each other in their pomp. But the more ambitious preliminary display of the circus games to which th…
878 wordsSECTION 56Chapter IX.
Chapter IX. Now as to the kind of performances peculiar to the circus exhibitions. In former days equestrianism was practised in a simple way on horseback, and certainly its ordinary use had nothing sinful in it; but when it was dragged into the games, it passed from the service of God into the employment of demons. Accordingly…
1,066 wordsSECTION 57Chapter XI.
Chapter XI. In fulfilment of our plan, let us now go on to consider the combats. Their origin is akin to that of the games (ludi). Hence they are kept as either sacred or funereal, as they have been instituted in honour of the idol-gods of the nations or of the dead. Thus, too, they are called Olympian in honour of Jupiter, kno…
709 wordsSECTION 58Chapter XIII.
Chapter XIII. We have, I think, faithfully carried out our plan of showing in how many different ways the sin of idolatry clings to the shows, in respect of their origins, their titles, their equipments, their places of celebration, their arts; and we may hold it as a thing beyond all doubt, that for us who have twice [360] ren…
848 wordsSECTION 59Chapter XVI.
Chapter XVI. Since, then, all passionate excitement is forbidden us, we are debarred from every kind of spectacle, and especially from the circus, where such excitement presides as in its proper element. See the people coming to it already under strong emotion, already tumultuous, already passion-blind, already agitated about t…
843 wordsSECTION 60Chapter XVIII.
Chapter XVIII. But if you argue that the racecourse is mentioned in Scripture, I grant it at once. But you will not refuse to admit that the things which are done there are not for you to look upon: the blows, and kicks, and cuffs, and all the recklessness of hand, and everything like that disfiguration of the human countenance…
853 wordsSECTION 61Chapter XXI.
Chapter XXI. The heathen, who have not a full revelation of the truth, for they are not taught of God, hold a thing evil and good as it suits self-will and passion, making that which is good in one place evil in another, and that which is evil in one place in another good. So it strangely happens, that the same man who can scar…
965 wordsSECTION 62Chapter XXIV.
Chapter XXIV. In how many other ways shall we yet further show that nothing which is peculiar to the shows has God's approval, or without that approval is becoming in God's servants? If we have succeeded in making it plain that they were instituted entirely for the devil's sake, and have been got up entirely with the devil's th…
758 wordsSECTION 63Chapter XXVII.
Chapter XXVII. We ought to detest these heathen meetings and assemblies, if on no other account than that there God's name is blasphemed--that there the cry "To the lions!" is daily raised against us [373] --that from thence persecuting decrees are wont to emanate, and temptations are sent forth. What will you do if you are cau…
875 wordsSECTION 64Chapter XXX.
Chapter XXX. But what a spectacle is that fast-approaching advent [377] of our Lord, now owned by all, now highly exalted, now a triumphant One! What that exultation of the angelic hosts! What the glory of the rising saints! What the kingdom of the just thereafter! What the city New Jerusalem! [378] Yes, and there are other sig…
1,392 wordsSECTION 65Chapter II.
Chapter II. I affirm that not one of the Faithful has ever a crown upon his head, except at a time of trial. That is the case with all, from catechumens to confessors and martyrs, [385] or (as the case may be) deniers. Consider, then, whence the custom about which we are now chiefly inquiring got its authority. But when the que…
980 wordsSECTION 66Chapter IV.
Chapter IV. If, for these and other such rules, you insist upon having positive Scripture injunction, you will find none. Tradition will be held forth to you as the originator of them, custom as their strengthener, and faith as their observer. That reason will support tradition, and custom, and faith, you will either yourself p…
771 wordsSECTION 67Chapter V.
Chapter V. The argument for Christian practices becomes all the stronger, when also nature, which is the first rule of all, supports them. Well, she is the first who lays it down that a crown does not become the head. But I think ours is the God of nature, who fashioned man; and, that he might desire, (appreciate, become partak…
868 wordsSECTION 68Chapter VII.
Chapter VII. Let these dealers in crowns then recognize in the meantime the authority of Nature, on the ground of a common sense as human beings, and the certifications of their peculiar religion, as, according to the last chapter, worshippers of the God of nature; and, as it were, thus over and above what is required, let them…
897 wordsSECTION 69Chapter VIII.
Chapter VIII. Hold fast in the meantime this persuasion, while I examine a question which comes in our way. For I already hear it is said, that many other things as well as crowns have been invented by those whom the world believes to be gods, and that they are notwithstanding to be met with both in our present usages and in th…
896 wordsSECTION 70Chapter X.
Chapter X. So, when you allege that the ornaments of the heathen deities are found no less with God, with the object of claiming among these for general use the head-crown, you already lay it down for yourself, that we must not have among us, as a thing whose use we are to share with others, what is not to be found in the servi…
1,041 wordsSECTION 71Chapter XI.
Chapter XI. To begin with the real ground of the military crown, I think we must first inquire whether warfare is proper at all for Christians. What sense is there in discussing the merely accidental, when that on which it rests is to be condemned? Do we believe it lawful for a human oath [417] to be superadded to one divine, f…
1,089 wordsSECTION 72Chapter XII.
Chapter XII. But I first say a word also about the crown itself. This laurel one is sacred to Apollo or Bacchus--to the former as the god of archery, to the latter as the god of triumphs. In like manner Claudius teaches; when he tells us that soldiers are wont too to be wreathed in myrtle. For the myrtle belongs to Venus, the m…
1,492 wordsSECTION 73Chapter XIV.
Chapter XIV. Much less may the Christian put the service of idolatry on his own head--nay, I might have said, upon Christ, since Christ is the Head of the Christian man--(for his head) is as free as even Christ is, under no obligation to wear a covering, not to say a band. But even the head which is bound to have the veil, I me…
1,515 wordsSECTION 74Chapter I.
Chapter I. We are not in any great perturbation or alarm about the persecutions we suffer from the ignorance of men; for we have attached ourselves to this sect, fully accepting the terms of its covenant, so that, as men whose very lives are not their own, we engage in these conflicts, our desire being to obtain God's promised …
1,027 wordsSECTION 75Chapter III.
Chapter III. However, as we have already remarked, it cannot but distress us that no state shall bear unpunished the guilt of shedding Christian blood; as you see, indeed, in what took place during the presidency of Hilarian, for when there had been some agitation about places of sepulture for our dead, and the cry arose, "No a…
1,354 wordsSECTION 76Chapter V.
Chapter V. Your cruelty is our glory. Only see you to it, that in having such things as these to endure, we do not feel ourselves constrained to rush forth to the combat, if only to prove that we have no dread of them, but on the contrary, even invite their infliction. When Arrius Antoninus was driving things hard in Asia, the …
705 wordsSECTION 77Chapter I. [459] --The Hatred Felt by the Heathen Against the Christians is Unjust, Because Based on Culpable Ignorance.
Chapter I. [459] --The Hatred Felt by the Heathen Against the Christians is Unjust, Because Based on Culpable Ignorance. One proof of that ignorance of yours, which condemns [460] whilst it excuses [461] your injustice, is at once apparent in the fact, that all who once shared in your ignorance and hatred (of the Christian reli…
1,784 wordsSECTION 78Chapter III. [487] --The Great Offence in the Christians Lies in Their Very Name. The Name Vindicated.
Chapter III. [487] --The Great Offence in the Christians Lies in Their Very Name. The Name Vindicated. Since, therefore, you who are in other cases most scrupulous and persevering in investigating charges of far less serious import, relinquish your care in cases like ours, which are so horrible, and of such surpassing sin that …
738 wordsSECTION 79Chapter IV. [502] --The Truth Hated in the Christians; So in Measure Was It, of Old, in Socrates. The Virtues of the Christians.
Chapter IV. [502] --The Truth Hated in the Christians; So in Measure Was It, of Old, in Socrates. The Virtues of the Christians. But the sect, you say, is punished in the name of its founder. Now in the first place it is, no doubt, a fair and usual custom that a sect should be marked out by the name of its founder, since philos…
1,077 wordsSECTION 80Chapter V. [522] --The Inconsistent Life of Any False Christian No More Condemns True Disciples of Christ, Than a Passing Cloud Obscures a Summer Sky.
Chapter V. [522] --The Inconsistent Life of Any False Christian No More Condemns True Disciples of Christ, Than a Passing Cloud Obscures a Summer Sky. As to your saying of us that we are a most shameful set, and utterly steeped in luxury, avarice, and depravity, we will not deny that this is true of some. It is, however, a suff…
997 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.