Commodian — Instructiones 30

Consider Solomon’s sayings, all you judges — how with one word he pulls you down: gifts and presents corrupt all judges! Thence follows: you always love the giver; when a cause is sought, an unjust cause carries the victory. I here am innocent, nor do I, a little one, accuse you — let Solomon take up the open charge. “But your god is the belly, and rewards are laws.” Paul the apostle suggests this, not I a flea. If place or time favors or a person advances, be judge of yourself. Why are you lifted from that? You blaspheme, untaught: from whose bounty you live, in such frailty you never look back. By rank and greedy gain you presume on fortune; you have no law, nor do you count yourself worthy in prosperity — though you may dine in gold with a piping crowd always. If you have not adored the crucified Lord, you have perished. Place and time and person are given you — now if you believe; if not, you will fear for that. Temper yourself to Christ and lay the neck down to him: that honor remains and the whole trust of things. When time flatters you now, be more wary, not foreseeing the last of the fates that must meet you. Without Christ you never even manage to have lived.