Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1 (Justin Martyr, Tatian) (1913) - Page 25

CHAP. VII. — AN EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE.

These things, beloved, we write to you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves. For we are struggling in the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both of us. Therefore, let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, 1 Pet. 1:19 which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us look back to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted to Him. Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved. Gen. 7; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:5 Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; Jonah 3 but they, repenting of their sins, appeased God by prayer and obtained salvation, even though they were outsiders to the covenant of God.

CHAP. VIII. — CONTINUATION RESPECTING REPENTANCE.

The ministers of the grace of God have, by the Holy Spirit, spoken of repentance; and the Lord of all things has Himself declared with an oath regarding it: "As I live, says the Lord, I desire not the death of the sinner, but rather his repentance;" Ezek. 33:11 adding, moreover, this gracious declaration: "Repent, O house of Israel, of your iniquity. Ezek. 18:30 Say to the children of My people, Though your sins reach from earth to heaven, and though they be redder than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth, yet if you turn to Me with your whole heart and say, 'Father!' I will listen to you as to a holy people." These specific words are not found in the Bible, though they are quoted by Clement of Alexandria as if from Ezekiel. And in another place He speaks thus: "Wash yourselves and become clean; put away the wickedness of your souls from before My eyes; cease from your evil ways, and learn to do well; seek out judgment, deliver the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and see that justice is done to the widow; and come, and let us reason together. Though your sins be like crimson, I will make them white as snow; though they be like scarlet, I will whiten them like wool. And if you be willing and obey Me, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and will not listen to Me, the sword shall devour you, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken these things." Isa. 1:16–20 Desiring, therefore, that all His beloved should be partakers of repentance, He has, by His almighty will, established these declarations.

CHAP. IX. — EXAMPLES OF THE SAINTS.

Therefore, let us yield obedience to His excellent and glorious will; and imploring His mercy and loving-kindness, while we forsake all fruitless labors, Some read "vain talk." strife, and envy—which leads to death—let us turn and have recourse to His compassions. Let us steadfastly contemplate those who have perfectly ministered to His excellent glory. Let us take, for instance, Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was taken up to God, and death was never known to happen to him. Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5 Noah, being found faithful, preached regeneration to the world through his ministry; and the Lord saved by him the animals which, with one accord, entered into the ark.

CHAP. X. — CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE.

Abraham, styled "the friend," Isa. 41:8; 2 Chron. 20:7; James 2:23 was found faithful because he rendered obedience to the words of God. In the exercise of obedience, he went out from his own country, from his kindred, and from his father's house, so that by forsaking a small territory, a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, "Get yourself out from your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, into the land which I shall show you. And I will make you a great nation, and will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be blessed. And I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you; and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen. 12:1–3 And again, upon his departing from Lot, God said to him, "Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you now are, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed forever. And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered." Gen. 13:14–16 And again, the Scripture says, "God brought forth Abram and spoke to him, 'Look up now to heaven, and count the stars if you be able to number them; so shall your seed be.' And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." Gen. 15:5–6; Rom. 4:3 On account of his faith and hospitality, a son was given him in his old age.