Tertullian · a new plain-English translation from the original language
[1] Between these reefs and inlets, through these shoals and straits of idolatry, faith sails on, its sails filled by the Spirit of God — safe if careful, secure if alert. But for those swept overboard the deep is unswimmable, for those who run aground the wreck is inescapable, for those swallowed down the drowning in idolatry leaves no room to breathe. Whoever its waves choke, its every whirlpool sucks down to hell. [2] Let no one say: who can guard against it so safely? One would have to leave the world altogether. As if leaving were not a smaller price than standing an idolater in the world. Nothing could be easier than guarding against idolatry, if the fear of it sits at the head of one's mind. Whatever necessity you name is smaller, set against so great a danger. [3] For this reason the Holy Spirit, when the apostles then took counsel, loosened the bond and yoke laid on us, so that we might be free to avoid idolatry. This will be our law — light enough to be kept the more fully for it — the proper mark of Christians, by which we are recognized and tested by the pagans; this must be set before those approaching the faith and impressed on those entering it, so that those approaching may weigh it, those observing it may persevere, and those not observing it may write themselves off. [4] For we shall see whether, following the type of the ark, the raven and the kite and the wolf and the dog and the serpent will have a place in the church. Certainly the idol-worshipper has no place among the ark's foreshadowing creatures. No beast was cast as a figure standing for the idolater. What was not in the ark, let it not be in the church.