Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 37

XXXVI.&#8212;Of the Foolishness of the Cross.

I have spoken of the twofold sign whence death proceeded, and again I have said that thence life frequently proceeds; but the cross has become foolishness to an adulterous people.&#160; The awful King of eternity shadows forth these things by the cross, that they may now believe on Him. &#160; O fools, that live in death!&#160; Cain slew his younger brother by the invention of wickedness.&#160; Thence the sons of Enoch are said to be the race of Cain.&#160; Then the evil people increased in the world, which never transfers souls to God.&#160; To believe the cross came to be a dread, and they say that they live righteously.&#160; The first law was in the tree; and thence, too, the second.&#160; And thence the second law first of all overcame the terrible law with peace. &#160; Lifted up, they have rushed into vain prevarications.&#160; They are unwilling to acknowledge the Lord pierced with nails; but when His judgment shall come, they will then discern Him.&#160; But the race of Abel already believes on a merciful Christ.