Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xvii Pg 10
2 Sam. xii. 13.
which also restored the house of Israel as often as it condemned it, and addressed to it consolation no less frequently than reproof. Do not therefore look at God simply as Judge, but turn your attention also to examples of His conduct as the Most Good.2906 2906 Optimi.
Noting Him, as you do, when He takes vengeance, consider Him likewise when He shows mercy.2907 2907 Indulget.
In the scale, against His severity place His gentleness. When you shall have discovered both qualities to co-exist in the Creator, you will find in Him that very circumstance which induces you to think there is another God. Lastly, come and examine into His doctrine, discipline, precepts, and counsels. You will perhaps say that there are equally good prescriptions in human laws. But Moses and God existed before all your Lycurguses and Solons. There is not one after-age2908 2908 Posteritas.
which does not take from primitive sources. At any rate, my Creator did not learn from your God to issue such commandments as: Thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness; thou shalt not covet what is thy neighbour’s; honour thy father and thy mother; and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. To these prime counsels of innocence, chastity, and justice, and piety, are also added prescriptions of humanity, as when every seventh year slaves are released for liberty;2909 2909
Anf-03 v.iv.v.x Pg 13
2 Sam. xii. 13.
how king Ahab in like manner, the husband of Jezebel, guilty of idolatry and of the blood of Naboth, obtained pardon because of his repentance;3772 3772
Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 12
2 Sam. xii. 13.
—preferring, indeed, the sinner’s repentance to his death, of course because of His gracious attribute of mercy.5689 5689
Anf-03 vi.iii.xx Pg 4
Perhaps Tertullian is referring to Prov. xxviii. 13. If we confess now, we shall be forgiven, and not put to shame at the judgment day.
for we do at the same time both make satisfaction8746 8746 See de Orat. c. xxiii. ad fin., and the note there.
for our former sins, by mortification of our flesh and spirit, and lay beforehand the foundation of defences against the temptations which will closely follow. “Watch and pray,” saith (the Lord), “lest ye fall into temptation.”8747 8747
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 13
VERSE (23) - Ge 38:26 2Sa 12:13 2Ch 19:2,3 Job 34:31,32; 40:4,5 Pr 28:13
