Tertullian

“ Who, then, could treat largely (enough) of the good of that patience which the Lord God, the Demonstrator and Acceptor of all good things, carried about in His own self? [15] To whom, again, would it be doubtful that every good thing ought, because it pertains [16] to God, to be earnestly pursued with the whole mind by such as pertain to God? ”

“ And yet we exact obedience [4] not from men only, who have the bond of their slavery under their chin, [5] or in any other legal way are debtors to obedience, [6] but even from cattle, [7] even from brutes; [8] understanding that they have been provided and delivered for our uses by the Lord. Shall, then, creatures which God makes subject to us be better than we in the discipline of obedience? [9] Finally, (the creatures) which obey, acknowledge their masters. Do we hesitate to listen diligently to Him to whom alone we are subjected—that is, the Lord? ”

“ Nor needs there more words on the exhibition of obedience [10] due from us to the Lord God; for the acknowledgment [11] of God understands what is incumbent on it. Lest, however, we seem to have inserted remarks on obedience [12] as something irrelevant, (let us remember) that obedience [13] itself is drawn from patience. Never does an impatient man render it, or a patient fail to find pleasure [14] in it. ”