Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 70

LXX.&#8212;I Speak to the Elder-Born.

The time demands that I alone should speak to you truth.

He is often admonished by one word which many refuse.&#160; I wish you to turn your hatred against me alone, that the hearts of all may tremble at the tempter.&#160; Look to the saying that truly begets hatred, (and consider) how many things I have lately indeed foretold concerning a delusive peace, while, alas, the enticing seducer has come upon you unawares, and because ye have not known how that his wiles were imminent, ye have perished; ye work absolutely bitter things, but that is itself the characteristic of the world; not any one for whom ye intercede acts for nothing.&#160; He who takes refuge from your fire, plunges in the whirlpool.&#160; Then the wretch, stripped naked, seeks assistance from you.&#160; The judges themselves shudder at your frauds&#8230;of a shorter title, I should not labour at so many lines.&#160; Ye who teach, look upon those to whom ye willingly tend, when for yourselves ye both receive banquets and feed upon them.&#160; For those things are ye already almost entering the foundations of the earth.