{"id":1032,"date":"2021-01-23T10:34:35","date_gmt":"2021-01-23T18:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingthechurchfathers.wordpress.com\/?p=1032"},"modified":"2021-01-23T10:34:35","modified_gmt":"2021-01-23T18:34:35","slug":"tertullian-de-fuga-in-persecutione","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nemoslibrary.com\/patristics\/tertullian-de-fuga-in-persecutione\/","title":{"rendered":"Tertullian: De Fuga in Persecutione"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Paul] bids us shine as sons of light, not hide away out of sight as sons of darkness. He commands us to stand stedfast, certainly not to act an opposite part by fleeing; and to be girt, not to play the fugitive or oppose the Gospel. He points out weapons, too, which persons who intend to run away would not require. And among these he notes the shield too, that ye may be able to quench the darts of the devil, when doubtless ye resist him, and sustain his assaults in their utmost force.<\/p>\n

Accordingly John also teaches that we must lay down our lives for the brethren; much more, then, we must do it for the Lord. This cannot be fulfilled by those who flee. Finally, mindful of his own Revelation, in which he had heard the doom of the fearful,[1]<\/a> (and so) speaking from personal knowledge, he warns us that fear must be put away. \u201cThere is no fear,\u201d says he, \u201cin love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear has torment\u201d\u2014the fire of the lake, no doubt. \u201cHe that feareth is not perfect in love\u201d \u2014to wit, the love of God. And yet who will flee from persecution, but he who fears? Who will fear, but he who has not loved?<\/p>\n

Yes; and if you ask counsel of the Spirit, what does He approve more than that utterance of the Spirit? For, indeed, it incites all almost to go and offer themselves in martyrdom, not to flee from it; If you are exposed to public infamy, says he, it is for your good; for he who is not exposed to dishonour among men is sure to be so before the Lord. Do not be ashamed; righteousness brings you forth into the public gaze. Why should you be ashamed of gaining glory. The opportunity is given you when you are before the eyes of men. So also elsewhere: seek not to die on bridal beds, nor in miscarriages, nor in soft fevers, but to die the martyr\u2019s death, that He may be glorified who has suffered for you.
\n…
\nI had rather be one to be pitied than to be blushed for. More glorious is the soldier pierced with a javelin in battle, than he who has a safe skin as a fugitive. Do you fear man, O Christian?\u2014you who ought to be feared by the angels, since you are to judge angels; who ought to be feared by evil spirits, since you have received power also over evil spirits; who ought to be feared by the whole world, since by you, too, the world is judged. You are Christ-clothed, you who flee before the devil, since into Christ you have been baptized.<\/p>\n

Notes:<\/p>\n