Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II It says also, "I saw the souls of those that had witnessed, beneath the altar, and there was given to each a white robe."[229] Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul beheld plainly the souls of the martyrs.[51] How is it, then, that the region of Paradise, which as revealed to John in the Spirit lay under the altar,[319] Tertullian On the Resurrection of the Flesh In the Revelation of John, again, the order of these times is spread out to view, which "the souls of the martyrs" are taught to wait for beneath the altar, whilst they earnestly pray to be avenged and judged:[172] For unquestionably he, who has exhibited to our sight the martyrs' hitherto disembodied souls resting under the altar,[251] Tertullian Scorpiace Who, pray, are these so blessed conquerors, but martyrs in the strict sense of the word? For indeed theirs are the victories whose also are the fights; theirs, however, are the fights whose also is the blood. But the souls of the martyrs both peacefully rest in the meantime under the altar,[87] Five Books in Reply to Marcion Upon their slaughter.[253] Cyprian Treatise IX On the Advantage of Patience er the altar of God the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for their testimony; and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And there were given to them each white robes; and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until the number of their fellow-servants and brethren is fulfilled, who afterwards shall be slain after their example."[49] Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And unto every one of them were given white robes; and it was said to them, that they should rest still for a short time, until the number of their fellow-servants, and of their brethren, should be fulfilled, and they who shall afterwards be slain, after their example."[487] Pseudo-Cyprian On the Glory of Martyrdom Therefore, beloved brethren, although this is altogether of the Lord's promise and gift, and although it is given from on high, and is not received except by His will, and moreover, can neither be expressed in words nor described by speech, nor can be satisfied by any kind of powers of eloquence, still such will be your benevolence, such will be your charity and love, as to be mindful of me when the Lord shall begin to glorify martyrdom in your experience. That holy altar[33]