Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 63

LXII.&#8212;To Him Who Wishes for Martyrdom.

Since, O son, thou desirest martyrdom, hear.&#160; Be thou such as Abel was, or such as Isaac himself, or Stephen, who chose for himself on the way the righteous life.&#160; Thou indeed desirest that which is a matter suited for the blessed.&#160; First of all, overcome the evil one with thy good acts by living well; and when He thy King shall see thee, be thou secure.&#160; It is His own time, and we are living for both; so that if war fails, the martyrs shall go in peace.&#160; Many indeed err who say, With our blood we have overcome the wicked one; and if he remains, they are unwilling to overcome.&#160; He perishes by lying in wait, and the wicked thus feels it; but he that is lawful does not feel the punishments applied.&#160; With exclamation and with eagerness beat thy breast with thy fists.&#160; Even now, if thou hast conquered by good deeds, thou art a martyr in Him.&#160; Thou, therefore, who seekest to extol martyrdom with thy word, in peace clothe thyself with good deeds, and be secure.