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Tertullian Quotes
155–240
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (c. 155 – c. 240) was a theologian in the early Christian church, known for his powerful denunciations of many influences he considered heretical, including the widespread admiration of pagan philosophers and Gnostic ideas. Later in life Tertullian defended Montanism, a belief that was later declared heretical.
Also known as: Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, Tertullianus
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It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion.
The principal crime of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry.
They converse as those who know that God hears.
See how these Christians love one another.
Demons are the magistrates of this world: they bear the fasces … One soul cannot be due to two masters—God and Cæsar.
They have the knack of persuading men before instructing them; although truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by first persuading.
Truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by persuading.
Shall he carry a flag, too, hostile to Christ?
The fact is certain because it is impossible.
In pursuit of gain, men have begun to consider their violence an article to be bought and sold.
We multiply whenever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed.
For it makes no difference whether a man have had two wives singly, or whether individuals (taken) at the same time have made two. The number of (the individuals) conjoined and separate is the same.
The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
But everything which is against nature deserves to be branded as monstrous among all men; but with us it is to be condemned also as sacrilege against God, the Lord and Creator of nature.
But overlooking the divine exhortations, they act rather upon that Greek verse of worldly significance, "He who flees will fight again," and that perhaps to betake himself again to flight.
Nec alii obest aut prodest alterius religio.
Herein also you ought to recognise the Paraclete in His character of Comforter, in that He excuses your infirmity from (the stringency of) an absolute continence.
But the Christian verity has distinctly declared this principle, “God is not, if He is not one;” because we more properly believe that that has no existence which is not as it ought to be.
We [Christians] have no pressing inducement to take part in your public meetings; nor is there anything more entirely foreign to us than affairs of state. We acknowledge one all-embracing commonwealth—the world.
When God's Spirit descends, then Patience accompanies Him indivisibly.
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