250 TREATISES ATTRIBUTED TO CYPRIAN. why, as if livingin the world, do ye make distinctions?"1 Because,dearestbrethren,we who bear the rewardsofresur rection,who seekforthe day of judgment, who, in fine,are trustingthatwe shallreignwith Christ,ought to be deadto the world. For you can neitherdesiremartyrdom tillyou have firsthated the world,nor attainto God's reward unless you have loved Christ. And he who lovesChristdoesnot lovethe world. For Christwas given up by the world,even as the world alsowas given up by Christ; as it iswritten, " The world is crucifiedunto me, and I unto the world."1 The world has been an objectof affectionto none whom the Lord has not previouslycondemned ; nor could he enjoy eternalsalvationwho has gloriedin the lifeof the world. That isthevery voiceof Christ,who says: taHe thatlovetli hislifein thisworld, shallloseitin the world to.come ; but he thathatethhislifein thisworld,shallfinditin theworld to come."3 Moreover, also,the ApostlePaul says: " Be ye imitatorsof me, as I also am of Christ."4 And the same elsewheresays: " I wish thatallof you, if itwere possible, shouldbe imitatorsof me." * 29. He said thiswho suffered,and who sufferedforthis cause,that he might imitatethe Lord ; and assuredlyhe wished us alsoto sufferfor thiscause,that through him we might imitateChrist. If thou artrighteous,and believestin God, why fearestthou to shed thy bloodforHim whom thou knowest to have so often sufferedfor thee? In IsaiahHe was sawn asunder,in Abel He was slain,in Isaac He was offeredup, in Joseph He was sold intoslavery,in man He was crucified.And I say nothing of other matters,suchas neithermy discourseis able to tellnor my mind to bear. My consciousnessis overcome by the example of His humi lity; and when it considerswhat things befellwhen He suffered,it marvels that He should sufferon whose behalf allthingsquaked. The day fledinto the night; the light gave up allthingsintodarkness; and itsmass being inclined backwards and forwards,the whole earth was jarred,and 1 Col.ii.20; " decernitis." * Gal.vi.14. 8Matt.x.89. 4 1 Cor.vi.4. * 1 Cor.vii.7.