guard you beforehand from those beasts in the shape of men, whom you must not only not receive, but, if it be possible, not even meet with; only you must pray to God for them, if by any means they may be brought to repentance, which, however, will be very difficult. Yet Jesus Christ, who is our true life, has the power of [effecting] this. But if these things were done by our Lord only in appearance, then am I also only in appearance bound. And why have I also surrendered myself to death, to fire, to the sword, to the wild beasts? But, [in fact,] he who is near to the sword is near to God; he that is among the wild beasts is in company with God; provided only he be so in the name of Jesus Christ. I undergo all these things that I may suffer together with Him,1001 1001
Anf-03 vi.iv.xxvi Pg 3
I have ventured to turn the first part of the sentence into a question. What “scripture” this may be, no one knows. [It seems to me a clear reference to Matt. xxv. 38, amplified by the 45th verse, in a way not unusual with our author.] Perhaps, in addition to the passages in Gen. xviii. and Heb. xiii. 2, to which the editors naturally refer, Tertullian may allude to such passages as Mark. ix. 37; Matt. xxv. 40, 45. [Christo in pauperibus.]
—especially “a stranger,” lest perhaps he be “an angel.” But again, when received yourself by brethren, you will not make8932 8932 I have followed Routh’s conjecture, “feceris” for “fecerit,” which Oehler does not even notice.
earthly refreshments prior to heavenly, for your faith will forthwith be judged. Or else how will you—according to the precept8933 8933
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 3
VERSE (20) - Ge 17:1; 18:4 2Ch 25:9 Jer 32:17,27 Da 3:17; 6:20 Mt 3:9
