Tertullian

“ If, however, you are acting for another, prythee tell us what you have ever conferred upon us that is simply your own, which it had become our duty to believe, seeing that you reproach us with ‘faithlessness,’ although up to this moment you show us no credentials. How long since did you begin to plead with us, that you are charging us with delay? Wherein have you borne with us, that you should even boast of your patience? The ass has only just arrived from Æsop’s well, and he is already braying. ”

“ But, behold, Christ takes [13] infants, and teaches how all ought to be like them, if they ever wish to be greater. [14] The Creator, on the contrary, [15] let loose bears against children, in order to avenge His prophet Elisha, who had been mocked by them. [16] This antithesis is impudent enough, since it throws together [17] things so different as infants [18] and children, [19] —an age still innocent, and one already capable of discretion—able to mock, if not to blaspheme. ”

“ And I, on the contrary, the severe rebuke [26] of Christ on His disciples, when they were for inflicting [27] a like visitation on that obscure village of the Samaritans. [28] The heretic, too, may discover that this gentleness of Christ was promised by the selfsame severest Judge. “He shall not contend,” says He, “nor shall His voice be heard in the street; a bruised reed shall He not crush, and smoking flax shall He not quench.” [29] Being of such a character, He was of course much the less disposed to burn men. ”