A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

1632. Spartianus, Vita Severi, XVII. 1. (Scriptores HistoriæAugustæ. Ed. Peter, 1884; Preuschen, Analecta, I, 32.)The date of the following is A. D. 202.He forbade, under heavy penalties, any to become Jews. Hemade the same regulation in regard to Christians.(d) Tertullian. Apol., 39. (MSL, 1:534.)In the following, Christian assemblies, or churches, are representedas being a sort of friendly society, similar but superiorto those existing all over the Empire, common and toleratedamong the poorer members of society. The date of theApology is 197.Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchasemoney, as if our religion had its price. On the regular day in themonth, or when one prefers, each one makes a small donation;but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able; for no oneis compelled, but gives voluntarily. These gifts are, as it were,piety's deposit fund. For they are taken thence and spent, noton feasts and drinking-bouts, and thankless eating-houses, but tosupport and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys andgirls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confinedto the house, likewise the shipwrecked, and if there happen tobe any in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up inthe prisons for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God'sChurch, they become the nurslings of their confession. But it ismainly for such work of love that many place a brand upon us.See, they say, how they love one another!(e) The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas. (MSL, 3:51.) (Cf.Knopf, pp. 44-57.)