Commodian — Carmen de Duobus Populis 723–745

What do these presume, though they were urged, saying: From the whole people we are dearest to the Highest? Can a father’s murderer always, and the proud man in him, be dear or be called heir by right? How much more the Lord, for whom sons to be chosen excel! To the gentle, the humble, pupils full of obedience the goods are divided — not to the impious or to tyrants. The Jews had been openly adopted as sons, but in the testament the impious obtained the name. Let them reckon to themselves: Bloodstained by crime committed, how could they at all be partners of the goods? Why do they hiss at us, why envy us as heirs? They would have done good, and they were in the share bequeathed. Nor today do they keep silent, and they refuse to believe Christ, who had been foretold to them as saving by the law; about whom you already heard how the prophets were singing: That the Lord would come on the lands, whom the nations will adore. This one certainly they themselves warn us to recognize as the Highest, who renews man and grants former sins. For he himself also threatens the worshipers of gods: The one sacrificing to idols will perish in the second death. Whoever therefore follows gods fashioned in gold, silver or stone, wood or cast in bronze — ****** Dearest-to-God is not a murderer’s title. Goods go to the gentle; nations will adore the foretold Lord — refuse him and keep the second death.