{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/003/0030746.htm","path":"chr/ecf/003/0030746.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/003/0030746.htm","text":"p. 682 Chapter II.\u2014The First Clause.\nThe prayer begins with a testimony to God, and with the reward of faith, when we say, \u201cOur Father who art in the heavens;\u201d for (in so saying), we at once pray to God, and commend faith, whose reward this appellation is. It is written, \u201cTo them who believed on Him He gave power to be called sons of God.\u201d 8768 However, our Lord very frequently proclaimed God as a Father to us; nay, even gave a precept \u201cthat we call no one on earth father, but the Father whom we have in the heavens:\u201d 8769 and so, in thus praying, we are likewise obeying the precept. Happy they who recognize their Father! This is the reproach that is brought against Israel, to which the Spirit attests heaven and earth, saying, \u201cI have begotten sons, and they have not recognized me.\u201d 8770 Moreover, in saying \u201cFather,\u201d we also call Him \u201cGod.\u201d That appellation is one both of filial duty and of power. Again, in the Father the Son is invoked; \u201cfor I,\u201d saith He, \u201cand the Father are One.\u201d 8771 Nor is even our mother the Church passed by, if, that is, in the Father and the Son is recognized the mother, from whom arises the name both of Father and of Son. In one general term, then, or word, we both honour God, together with His own, 8772 and are mindful of the precept, and set a mark on such as have forgotten their Father.\n\u201ci.e., together with the Son and the Holy Spirit\u201d (Oehler); \u201cHis Son and His church\u201d (Dodgson).","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol III: Tertullian: Part III: The F...","type":"page"}