Epistle VIII.86    Oxford ed.; Ep. x. a.d. 250.

To the Martyrs and Confessors.

Argument.—Cyprian, Commending the African Martyrs Marvellously for Their Constancy, Urges Them to Perseverance by the Example of Their Colleague Mappalicus.

Cyprian to the martyrs and confessors in Christ our Lord and in God the Father, everlasting salvation. I gladly rejoice and am thankful, most brave and blessed brethren, at hearing of your faith and virtue, wherein the Church, our Mother, glories.  Lately, indeed, she gloried, when, in consequence of an enduring confession, that punishment was undergone which drove the confessors of Christ into exile; yet the present confession is so much the more illustrious and greater in honour as it is braver in suffering. The combat has increased, and the glory of the combatants has increased also. Nor were you kept back from the struggle by fear of tortures, but by the very tortures themselves you were more and more stimulated to the conflict; bravely and firmly you have returned with ready devotion, to contend in the extremest contest. Of you I find that some are already crowned, while some are even now within reach of the crown of victory; but all whom the danger has shut up in a glorious company are animated to carry on the struggle with an equal and common warmth of virtue, as it behoves the soldiers of Christ in the divine camp: that no allurements may deceive the incorruptible stedfastness of your faith, no threats terrify you, no sufferings or tortures overcome you, because “greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world;”87    1 John iv. 4. nor is the earthly punishment able to do more towards casting down, than is the divine protection towards lifting up. This truth is proved by the glorious struggle of the brethren, who, having become leaders to the rest in overcoming their tortures, afforded an example of virtue and faith, contending in the strife, until the strife yielded, being overcome. With what praises can I commend you, most courageous brethren? With what vocal proclamation can I extol the strength of your heart and the perseverance of your faith? You have borne the sharpest examination by torture, even unto the glorious consummation, and have not yielded to sufferings, but rather the sufferings have given way to you. The end of torments, which the tortures themselves did not give, the crown has given. The examination by torture waxing severer, continued for a long time to this result, not to overthrow the stedfast faith, but to send the men of God more quickly to the Lord. The multitude of those who were present saw with admiration the heavenly contest,—the contest of God, the spiritual contest, the battle of Christ,—saw that His servants stood with free voice, with unyielding mind, with divine virtue—bare, indeed, of weapons of this world, but believing and armed with the weapons of faith. The tortured stood more brave than the torturers; and the limbs, beaten and torn as they were, overcame the hooks that bent and tore them. The scourge, often repeated with all its rage, could not conquer invincible faith, even although the membrane which enclosed the entrails were broken, and it was no longer the limbs but the wounds of the servants of God that were tortured. Blood was flowing which might quench the blaze of persecution, which might subdue the flames of Gehenna with its glorious gore.88    [There is in the church of S. Stefano Rotondo at Rome a series of delineations of the sufferings of the early martyrs, poorly executed, and too horrible to contemplate; but it all answers to these words of our author. See Ep. xxxiv. infra.] Oh, what a spectacle was that to the Lord,—how sublime, how great, how acceptable to the eyes of God in the allegiance and devotion of His soldiers! As it is written in the Psalms, when the Holy Spirit at once speaks to us and warns us: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”89    Ps. cxvi. 15. Precious is the death which has bought immortality at the cost of its blood, which has received the crown from the consummation of its virtues. How did Christ rejoice therein! How willingly did He both fight and conquer in such servants of His, as the protector of their faith, and giving to believers as much as he who taketh believes that he receives! He was present at His own contest; He lifted up, strengthened, animated the champions and assertors of His name. And He who once conquered death on our behalf, always conquers it in us.  “When they,” says He, “deliver you up, take no thought what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”90    Matt. x. 19, 20. The present struggle has afforded a proof of this saying. A voice filled with the Holy Spirit broke forth from the martyr’s mouth when the most blessed Mappalicus said to the proconsul in the midst of his torments, “You shall see a contest to-morrow.” And that which he said with the testimony of virtue and faith, the Lord fulfilled. A heavenly contest was exhibited, and the servant of God was crowned in the struggle of the promised fight. This is the contest which the prophet Isaiah of old predicted, saying, “It shall be no light contest for you with men, since God appoints the struggle.”91    Isa. vii. 13; vide Lam. iii. 26. And in order to show what this struggle would be, he added the words, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and ye shall call His name Emmanuel.”92    Isa. vii. 14. This is the struggle of our faith in which we engage, in which we conquer, in which we are crowned.  This is the struggle which the blessed Apostle Paul has shown to us, in which it behoves us to run and to attain the crown of glory.  “Do ye not know,” says he, “that they which run in a race, run all indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.” “Now they do it that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.”93    1 Cor. ix. 24, 25. Moreover, setting forth his own struggle, and declaring that he himself should soon be a sacrifice for the Lord’s sake, he says, “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my assumption is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”94    2 Tim. iv. 6–8. This fight, therefore, predicted of old by the prophets, begun by the Lord, waged by the apostles, Mappalicus promised again to the proconsul in his own name and that of his colleagues. Nor did the faithful voice deceive in his promise; he exhibited the fight to which he had pledged himself, and he received the reward which he deserved. I not only beseech but exhort the rest of you, that you all should follow that martyr now most blessed, and the other partners of that engagement,—soldiers and comrades, stedfast in faith, patient in suffering, victors in tortures,—that those who are united at once by the bond of confession, and the entertainment of a dungeon, may also be united in the consummation of their virtue and a celestial crown; that you by your joy may dry the tears of our Mother, the Church, who mourns over the wreck and death of very many; and that you may confirm, by the provocation of your example, the stedfastness of others who stand also. If the battle shall call you out, if the day of your contest shall come engage bravely, fight with constancy, as knowing that you are fighting under the eyes of a present Lord, that you are attaining by the confession of His name to His own glory; who is not such a one as that He only looks on His servants, but He Himself also wrestles in us, Himself is engaged,—Himself also in the struggles of our conflict not only crowns, but is crowned. But if before the day of your contest, of the mercy of God, peace shall supervene, let there still remain to you the sound will and the glorious conscience.95    [He contemplates the peace promised in Ep. viii. supra. But note the indomitable spirit with which, for successive ages, the Church supplied her martyrs.  Heb. xi. 36, 37.] Nor let any one of you be saddened as if he were inferior to those who before you have suffered tortures, have overcome the world and trodden it under foot, and so have come to the Lord by a glorious road. For the Lord is the “searcher out of the reins and the hearts.”96    Rev. ii. 23. He looks through secret things, and beholds that which is concealed.  In order to merit the crown from Him, His own testimony alone is sufficient, who will judge us. Therefore, beloved brethren, either case is equally lofty and illustrious,—the former more secure, to wit, to hasten to the Lord with the consummation of our victory,—the latter more joyous; a leave of absence, after glory, being received to flourish in the praises of the Church. O blessed Church of ours, which the honour of the divine condescension illuminates, which in our own times the glorious blood of martyrs renders illustrious! She was white before in the works of the brethren; now she has become purple in the blood of the martyrs.  Among her flowers are wanting neither roses nor lilies. Now let each one strive for the largest dignity of either honour. Let them receive crowns, either white, as of labours, or of purple, as of suffering. In the heavenly camp both peace and strife have their own flowers, with which the soldier of Christ may be crowned for glory. I bid you, most brave and beloved brethren, always heartily farewell in the Lord; and have me in remembrance. Fare ye well.

EPISTOLA VIII. (Eras., II, 6; Pamel., IX; Rig., Baluz., Paris., VIII; Oxon. Lips., X.)AD MARTYRES ET CONFESSORES.

ARGUMENTUM.---Martyres Africae Cyprianus miris modis a constantia commendans, invitat ad perseverantiam, exemplo Mappalici eorum collegae.

0245C Cyprianus martyribus et confessoribus in Christo Domino nostro et in Deo Patre perpetuam salutem. Exulto laetus et gratulor, fortissimi ac beatissimi fratres, cognita fide ac virtute vestra, in quibus mater Ecclesia gloriatur. Gloriata est et nuper quidem cum confessione perstante suscepta poena est quae confessores Christi fecit, extorres. Confessio tamen 0246A praesens quanto in passione fortior, tanto clarior et major in honore est. Crevit pugna, crevit et pugnantium gloria. Nec retardati estis ab acie tormentorum metu, sed ipsis tormentis magis ac magis estis ad aciem provocati, fortes et stabiles ad maximi certaminis praelium prompta devotione redistis. Ex quibus quosdam jam comperi coronatos, quosdam vero ad coronam victoriae jam jamque proximos , universos autem quos agmine glorioso carcer inclusit, pari ac simili calore virtutis ad gerendum certamen animatos, sicut esse oportet in divinis castris milites Christi, ut incorruptam fidei firmitatem non blanditiae decipiant, non minae terreant, non cruciatus ac tormenta devincant, quia major est qui in nobis est quam qui est in hoc mundo (I Joan. IV, 4), nec 0246B plus ad dejiciendum potest terrena poena quam ad erigendum tutela divina. Probata res est certamine fratrum glorioso, qui, ad tormenta vincenda caeteris duces facti, exemplum virtutis ac fidei praebuerunt, congressi in acie donec acies succumberet victa. Quibus ego vos laudibus praedicem, fortissimi fratres? Robur pectoris vestri et perseverantiam fidei, quo praeconio vocis exornem? Tolerastis usque ad consummationem gloriae durissimam quaestionem, nec cessistis suppliciis, sed vobis potius supplicia cesserunt. Finem doloribus , quem tormenta non dabant, coronae dederunt. Quaestio gravior ad hoc diu perseveravit, non ut stantem fidem dejiceret, sed ut homines Dei ad Dominum velocius mitteret. Vidit admirans praesentium multitudo coeleste certamen, 0246C certamen Dei, certamen spiritale, praelium Christi , stetisse servos ejus voce libera, mente incorrupta, virtute divina, telis quidem saecularibus nudos, sed armis fidei credentes armatos . Steterunt torti torquentibus fortiores, et pulsantes ac laniantes ungulas pulsata ac laniata membra vicerunt. Inexpugnabilem fidem superare non potuit saeviens diu plaga repetita, quamvis, rupta compage viscerum, 0247A torquerentur in servis Dei jam non membra, sed vulnera. Fluebat sanguis qui incendium persecutionis extingueret, qui flammas et ignes gehennae glorioso cruore sopiret. O quale illud fuit spectaculum Domino, quam sublime, quam magnum, quam Dei oculis sacramento ac devotione militis ejus acceptum, sicut scriptum est in Psalmis, Spiritu sancto loquente ad nos pariter et monente: Pretiosa est in conspectu Domini mors justorum ejus (Psal. CXV, 15). Pretiosa mors haec est quae emit immortalitatem ¹⁷ pretio sui sanguinis quae accepit coronam de consummatione virtutis. Quam Iaetus illic Christus fuit! quam libens in talibus servis suis et pugnavit et vicit protector fidei, et dans credentibus tantum quantum se credit capere qui sumit! Certamini suo adfuit, praeliatores 0247B atque assertores sui nominis erexit, corroboravit, animavit. Et qui pro nobis mortem semel vicit, semper vincit in nobis. Cum vos, inquit, tradiderint, nolite cogitare quid loquamini: dabitur enim vobis in illa hora quid loquamini. Non enim vos estis qui loquimini, sed Spiritus Patris vestri qui loquitur in vobis (Matth. X, 19, 20). Documentum rei praesens praelium praebuit. Vox plena Spiritu sancto de martyris ore prorupit, cum Mappalicus beatissimus inter cruciatus suos proconsuli diceret: «Videbis cras agonem.» Et quod ille cum virtutis ac fidei testimonio dixit, Dominus implevit. Agon coelestis exhibitus , et Dei servus in agonis promissi certamine coronatus 0248A est. Hic est agon quem propheta Esaias ante praedixit dicens: Non pusillum vobis certamen cum hominibus, quoniam Deus praestat agonem (Isa. VII, 13)? Et, ut ostenderet quis hic agon futurus esset, addidit dicens: Ecce virgo in uterumaccipiet et pariet filium, et vocabitis nomen ejus Emmanuel (Ibid. 14). Hic est agon fidei nostrae qua congredimur, qua vincimus, qua coronamur. Hic est agon quem nobis ostendit beatus Paulus apostolus, in quo oportet nos currere et ad coronam gloriae pervenire: Nescitis, inquit, quia qui in stadio currunt, omnes quidem currunt, unus tamen accipit palmam? Sic currite ut occupetis. Et illi quidem ut corruptibilem coronam accipiant, nos autem incorruptam (I Cor. IX, 24, 25). Item suum certamen ostendens, et hostiam se Domini cito futurum esse promittens, 0248B ait: Ego jam libor, et tempus instat assumptionis meae. Bonum agonem certavi, cursum perfeci, fidem servavi. Jam superest mihi corona justitiae, quam mihi reddet Dominus in illa die, ille justus judex, non solum autem mihi, sed et omnibus qui diligunt adventum ejus (II Tim. IV, 6-8). Hunc igitur agonem per Prophetas ante praedictum, per Dominum commissum, per Apostolos gestum, Mappalicus suo et collegarum suorum nomine proconsuli repromisit. Nec fefellit in promisso suo vox fidelis: pugnam quam spopondit exhibuit, et palmam quam meruit accepit. Istum nunc beatissimum martyrem, et alios participes ejusdem congressionis, milites et comites in fide stabiles, in dolore 0249A patientes, in quaestione victores ut caeteri quoque sectemini et opto pariter et exhortor; ut quos vinculum confessionis et hospitium carceris simul junxit jungat etiam consummatio virtutis et corona coelestis, ut lacrymas matris Ecclesiae, quae plangit ruinas et funera plurimorum, vos vestra laetitia tergeatis, et caeterorum quoque stantium firmitatem vestri exempli provocatione solidetis. Si vos acies vocaverit , si certaminis vestri dies venerit, militate fortiter, dimicate constanter, scientes vos sub oculis praesentis Domini dimicare, confessione nominis ejus ad ipsius gloriam pervenire; qui non sic est ut servos suos tantum spectet, sed et ipse luctatur in nobis, ipse congreditur, ipse in certamine agonis nostri et coronat pariter et coronatur. Quod si ante diem certaminis 0249B vestri, de indulgentia Domini, pax supervenerit, vobis tamen maneat voluntas integra et conscientia gloriosa. Nec contristetur aliquis ex vobis quasi illis minor sit qui ante vos tormenta perpessi, victo et calcato saeculo, ad Dominum glorioso itinere venerunt. Dominus scrutator est renis et cordis, arcana perspicit et intuetur occulta. Ad coronam de eo promerendam sufficit ipsius testimonium solum ¹⁸ qui judicaturus est. Ergo utraque res, fratres charissimi, sublimis pariter et illustris: illa securior, ad Dominum victoriae consummatione properare; haec laetior, accepto post gloriam commeatu in Ecclesiae laude florere. O beatam Ecclesiam nostram, quam sic honor divinae dignationis illuminat, quam temporibus nostris gloriosus martyrum sanguis 0249C illustrat! Erat ante in operibus fratrum candida, nunc facta est in martyrum cruore purpurea: floribus ejus nec lilia nec rosae desunt. Certent nunc singuli ad utriusque honoris amplissimam dignitatem. Accipiant coronas vel de opere candidas, vel de passione purpureas. 0250A In coelestibus castris et pax et acies habent flores suos, quibus miles Christi ob gloriam coronetur. Opto vos, fortissimi ac beatissimi fratres, semper in Domino bene valere et nostri meminisse. Valete.