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Cyprian
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Introductory Notice to Cyprian.
[4836] In place of reward, he sets before them not only security from the fear of Gehenna, but also the attainment of everlasting life, describing both alternatives briefly in a poetical manner. He points out, that to some, martyrdom serves as a crown, while to others who are baptized in their own blood, it serves as redemption. Finally, when from the Scriptures he has stirred up his readers to confession of the name of Christ, he asks them to remember him when the Lord begins to honour martyrdom in them, since the Lord is known not to deny such as they when they ask Him for anything.
[4837] “Habena;” but according to Baluzius “avena,” “an oatstraw.”
[4838] [Acts ix. 5. The principle is recognised in the words, “Ye did it unto me,” where Christ identifies Himself with members of His body. Oh, the condescension! Heb. ii. 11.]
[4839] [Ps. lxiv. 3. The revilings of the multitude are reckoned by the Psalmist among the most cruel tortures of Christ; and we cannot doubt that the early Christians found the like cruelty of the heathen a daily martyrdom, before they came to their crowning passion. Compare Tertullian, vol. iii. p. 712.]
[4842] “Coguntur,” or “coquuntur,”—“are matured.”
[4843] [The heathen attributed this pestilence to the “atheism” of Christians, and hence persecuted them the more fiercely; and, as it was better to die by martyrdom than by the pestilence, he thus speaks. Death an advantage. Shaks., Hen. V., act. iv. sc. 1.]
[4845] Wisd. iii. 7.
[4846] [The sufferings of this life are here supposed to be retributive in the case of those who must be weaned from the world. Martyrs have weaned themselves, and go gladly to their rest.]
[4847] Ecclesiasticus 2.1.
[4849] [The terrible pictures in S. Stefano Rotondo (see p. 288, supra) might seem to have been taken from this graphic treatise. Can our faith and love be compared with that of these sufferers?]
[4850] [To me, these dramatic narrations of what was going on among the crowds that gazed upon the tortures of Christ’s witnesses, are very suggestive of the whole scene. Compare pp. 295–296, supra.]
[4851] Ecclesiasticus 2.4.
[4852] Or, “earth.”
[4853] Wisd. iii. 4.
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