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To Scapula

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 whole Christians of the province, in one united band, presented themselves before his judgment-seat; on which, ordering a few to be led forth to execution, he said to the rest, "O miserable men, if you wish to die, you have precipices or halters." If we should take it into our heads to do the same thing here, what will you make of so many thousands, of such a multitude of men and women, persons of every sex and every age and every rank, when they present themselves before you? How many fires, how many swords will be required? What will be the anguish of Carthage itself, which you will have to decimate, ¹ as each one recognises there his relatives and companions, as he sees there it may be men of your own order, and noble ladies, and all the leading persons of the city, and either kinsmen or friends of those of your own circle? Spare thyself, if not us poor Christians! Spare Carthage, if not thyself! Spare the province, which the indication of your purpose has subjected to the threats and extortions at once of the soldiers and of private enemies.

We have no master but God. He is before you, and cannot be hidden from you, but to Him you can do no injury. But those whom you regard as masters are only men, and one day they themselves must die. Yet still this community will be undying, for be assured that just in the time of its seeming overthrow it is built up into greater power. For all who witness the noble patience of its martyrs, as struck with misgivings, are inflamed with desire to examine into the matter in question; ² and as soon as they come to know the truth, they straightway enrol themselves its disciples.

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Ad Scapulam

V.

[1] Crudelitas uestra gloria est nostra. Vide tantum ne hoc ipso, quod talia sustinemus, ad hoc solum uideamur erumpere, ut hoc ipsum probemus, nos haec non timere, sed ultro uocare. Arrius Antoninus in Asia cum persequeretur instanter, omnes illius ciuitatis Christiani ante tribunalia eius se manu facta obtulerunt. Tum ille, paucis duci iussis, reliquis ait: Ὦ δεῖλοι, εἰ θέλετε ἀποθνήσκειν, κρημνοὺς ἢ βρόχους ἔχετε. [2] Hoc si placuerit et hic fieri, quid facies de tantis milibus hominum, tot uiris ac feminis, omnis sexus, omnis aetatis, omnis dignitatis, offerentibus se tibi? Quantis ignibus, quantis gladiis opus erit! Quid ipse Carthago passura est, decimata a te, cum propinquos, cum contubernales suos illic unusquisque cognouerit, cum uiderit illic fortasse et tui ordinis uiros et matronas, et principales quasque personas, et amicorum tuorum uel propinquos uel amicos? [3] Parce ergo tibi, si non nobis. Parce Carthagini, si non tibi. Parce prouinciae, quae uisa intentione tua obnoxia facta est concussionibus et militum et inimicorum suorum cuiusque. [4] Magistrum neminem habemus, nisi solum Deum. Hic ante te est, nec abscondi potest, sed cui nihil facere possis. Ceterum quos putas tibi magistros, homines sunt et ipsi morituri quandoque. Nec tamen deficiet haec secta, quam tunc magis aedificari scias, cum caedi uidetur. Quisque enim tantam tolerantiam spectans, ut aliquo scrupulo percussus et inquirere accenditur, quid sit in causa, et ubi cognouerit ueritatem et ipse statim sequitur.