{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/003/0030592.htm","path":"chr/ecf/003/0030592.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/003/0030592.htm","text":"Chapter X.\u2014Holy Scripture Magnifies the Flesh, as to Its Nature and Its Prospects.\nYou hold to the scriptures in which the flesh is disparaged; receive also those in which it is ennobled. You read whatever passage abases it; direct your eyes also to that which elevates it. \u201cAll flesh is grass.\u201d 7352 Well, but Isaiah was not content to say only this; but he also declared, \u201cAll flesh shall see the salvation of God.\u201d 7353 They notice God when He says in Genesis, \u201cMy Spirit shall not remain among these men, because they are flesh;\u201d 7354 but then He is also heard saying by Joel, \u201cI will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.\u201d 7355 Even the apostle ought not to be known for any one statement in which he is wont to reproach the flesh. For although he says that \u201cin his flesh dwelleth no good thing;\u201d 7356 although he affirms that \u201cthey who are in the flesh cannot please God,\u201d 7357 because \u201cthe flesh lusteth against the Spirit;\u201d 7358 yet in these and similar assertions which he makes, it is not the substance of the flesh, but its actions, which are censured. Moreover, we shall elsewhere 7359 take occasion to remark, that no reproaches can fairly be cast upon the flesh, without tending also to the castigation of the soul, which compels the flesh to do its bidding. However, let me meanwhile add that in the same passage Paul \u201ccarries about in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus;\u201d 7360 he also forbids our body to be profaned, as being \u201cthe temple of God;\u201d 7361 he makes our bodies \u201cthe members of Christ;\u201d 7362 and he exhorts us to exalt and \u201cglorify God in our body.\u201d 7363 If, therefore, the humiliations of the flesh thrust off its resurrection, why shall not its high prerogatives rather avail to bring it about?\u2014since it better suits the character of God to restore to salvation what for a while He rejected, than to surrender to perdition what He once approved.\nGen. vi. 3, Sept.\n552:7355 552:7356 552:7357 552:7358 552:7359 552:7360 552:7361 552:7362 552:7363","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol III: Tertullian: Part II: Holy S...","type":"page"}