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| Chapter X.—Those Who Offered Themselves for Martyrdom Reproved.
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Chapter X.—Those Who Offered Themselves for Martyrdom Reproved.
When, again, He says, “When they persecute you
in this city, flee ye to the other,”2792
He does not advise flight,
as if persecution were an evil thing; nor does He enjoin them by flight
to avoid death, as if in dread of it, but wishes us neither to be the
authors nor abettors of any evil to any one, either to ourselves or
the persecutor and murderer. For He, in a way, bids us take care of
ourselves. But he who disobeys is rash and foolhardy. If he who kills
a man of God sins against God, he also who presents himself before the
judgment-seat becomes guilty of his death. And such is also the case with
him who does not avoid persecution, but out of daring presents himself
for capture. Such a one, as far as in him lies, becomes an accomplice
in the crime of the persecutor. And if he also uses provocation, he
is wholly guilty, challenging the wild beast. And similarly, if he
afford any cause for conflict or punishment, or retribution or enmity,
he gives occasion for persecution. Wherefore, then, we are enjoined not
to cling to anything that belongs to this life; but “to him that
takes our cloak to give our coat,” not only that we may continue
destitute of inordinate affection, but that we may not by retaliating
make our persecutors savage against ourselves, and stir them up to
blaspheme the name.2793
| 2793
[An excellent rendering, which the Latin translator misses (see ed. Migne,
ad loc.), the reference being to Jas. ii. 7.] | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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