Tertullian Against Marcion Book IV that "whosoever preferred father or mother or brethren to the Word of God, was not a disciple worthy of Him."[730] Tertullian On Baptism fulfilled, before he heard it, that highest precept of the Lord, "He who prefers father or mother to me, is not worthy of me."[136] Tertullian On Prayer had commanded even Abraham to make a sacrifice of his son, for the sake not of tempting, but proving, his faith; in order through him to make an example for that precept of His, whereby He was, by and by, to enjoin that he should hold no pledges of affection dearer than God.[60] Tertullian De Fuga in Persecutione And then what does He allot to the fearful? "He who will value his life more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he who takes not up his cross and follows Me, cannot be My disciple."[29] Cyprian Epistle XXV For to this battle our Lord, as with the trumpet of His Gospel, stimulates us when He says, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth his own soul more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."[4] Cyprian Treatise VIII On Works and Alms recall the Christian from good and righteous works, that any one should fancy that he could be excused for the benefit of his children; since in spiritual expenditure we ought to think of Christ, who has declared that He receives them; and not prefer our fellow-servants, but the Lord, to our children, since He Himself instructs and warns us, saying, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."[48] Cyprian Treatise XI Exhortation to Martyrdom Addressed to Fortunatus In the Gospel the Lord speaks, and says: "He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not his cross and followeth me, is not worthy of me."[43] Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "He that loveth father or mother above me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter above me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not up his cross and followeth me, is not my disciple."[502] Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes to the number of twelve, whom He also named His apostles, He gave them this injunction, Leave father and mother, that you may be made worthy of me;[585] Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book V For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own souL? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? "[11]