Persecution only strengthens the church

Your cruelty is our glory. But be careful: when we endure such things, it may look as though we are bursting forward for this one purpose only—to prove that we do not fear these things, but summon them of our own accord. When Arrius Antoninus was persecuting relentlessly in Asia, all the Christians of that city presented themselves before his tribunal of their own accord. Then, after ordering a few to be led away, he said to the rest, "O cowards, if you want to die, you have cliffs and ropes." If it should please you to have the same happen here, what will you do with so many thousands of people—so many men and women, of every sex, every age, every rank—offering themselves to you? How many fires, how many swords will be needed? What will Carthage itself suffer, to be decimated by you, when each person recognizes there his relatives, his household companions, when he sees there perhaps men of your own order, and married women, and all the leading persons, and the relatives or friends of your friends? Spare yourself, then, if not us. Spare Carthage, if not yourself. Spare the province, which once your intention became known has been made liable to extortions by soldiers and by each person's private enemies. We have no master except God alone. He is before you and cannot be hidden, but you can do nothing to him. As for those you think are your masters, they are human beings, and they too will die one day. Nor will this faith fail, which you should know is built up all the more when it seems to be cut down. For everyone who sees such great endurance, as if struck by some scruple, is inflamed to inquire what is at stake, and when he has learned the truth, he himself immediately follows.