THOSE WHO OFFERED THEMSELVES FOR MARTYRDOM
REPROVED.
When, again, He says, “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye
to the other.”[566] He does not advise flight, as if persecution were
an evil thing; nor does He enjoin them by flight to avoid death, as if
in dread of it, but wishes us neither to be the authors nor abettors
of any evil to any one, either to ourselves or the persecutor and
murderer. For He, in a way, bids us take care of ourselves. But he
who disobeys is rash and foolhardy. If he who kills a man of God sins
against God, he also who presents himself before the judgment-seat
becomes guilty of his death. And such is also the case with him who
does not avoid persecution, but out of daring presents himself for
capture. Such a one, as far as in him lies, becomes an accomplice in
the crime of the persecutor. And if he also uses provocation, he is
wholly guilty, challenging the wild beast. And similarly, if he afford
any cause for conflict or punishment, or retribution or enmity, he
gives occasion for persecution. Wherefore, then, we are enjoined not
to cling to anything that belongs to this life; but “to him that takes
our cloak to give our coat,” not only that we may continue destitute
of inordinate affection, but that we may not by retaliating make our
persecutors savage against ourselves, and stir them up to blaspheme the
name.