Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/225

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TO THE ROMANS.
211
strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really be found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal.[1] "For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."[2] For our God, Jesus Christ, now that He is with[3] the Father, is all the more revealed [in His glory]. Christianity is not a thing[4] of silence only, but also of [manifest] greatness.

really found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. "For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."[2] The Christian is not the result[4] of persuasion, but of power.[5] When he is hated by the world, he is beloved of God. For says [the Scripture], "If ye were of this world, the world would love its own; but now ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it: continue in fellowship with me."[6]


Chap. iv.Allow me to fall a prey to the wild beasts.

I write to the churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of

I write to all the churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will

  1. Some read, "good."
  2. 2.0 2.1 2 Cor. iv. 18. This quotation is not found in the old Latin version of the shorter recension.
  3. Or, "in."
  4. 4.0 4.1 Literally, "work."
  5. The meaning is here doubtful.
  6. John xv. 19.