Commodian — Instructiones 24 (believe Christ)

How long, foolish man, will you refuse to know Christ? You avoid the rich field and cast seed on the barren. You want to stay in the wood where the robber lurks. Enter already now into the hall, so often invited: the harvest is already ripe, the time equally prepared — see, reap now, if you do not then regret it. Now, if you have nothing, gather; the vintage comes; the time of life is at hand for the believer in the time of death.

God’s first law is the foundation of the later law, and it marked you out that you should believe in the second law; and no less did it stun those from that law who were wise for themselves. Now become stunned and speak — believe in Christ — for the old testament proclaims concerning him. Now there is need to believe — only that the dead can rise in him and live for the whole time. Therefore if anyone refuses to believe these things will be, while he is beaten as guilty in the second death, I will sing in a few words in this little book what will come — for it can be known where the hope of life must be set. Still I urge you as soon as possible to believe in Christ.