Commodian — Instructiones 46

Commodian · Instructiones · c. 250

I warn the faithful that brothers not take up hatreds: impious hatreds are counted to the fire for martyrs; the martyr is destroyed whose confession is such. Law is given the unjust so he can rein himself; thence washed, you likewise ought to be free of it. Twice you sin against God who stretch quarrels to a brother. From which you will not escape sin if you keep pursuing the old way. You are washed once — will you be able to be dipped again?

Latin

46 FIDELIBUS. Fideles admoneo, fratres ne odia tollant: Impia martyribus odia reputantur in ignem; Destruitur martyr, cuius est confessio talis, Lex iniquo datur, ut possit sese frenare; Inde lotus carere debes similiter et tu. Bis Deo peccas, qui lites fratri protendis. Unde non effugies peccatum prisce sectans. Semel es lotus, numquid poteris denuo mergi?

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