Jesus Christ
Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians worship as the Son of God.
c. 4 BCE – c. 30 CE
The Plague as a Test: A Bishop's Sermon at Carthage
Cyprian, "On the Mortality" (De mortalitate), sections 8–20 · c. 252–253 (during the epidemic at Carthage)
contra tot inpetus uastitatis et mortis inconcussis animi uirtutibus congredi quanta pectoris magnitudo est, quanta sublimitas in ruinis humani generis stare rectum nec cum eis quibus spes in Deum nulla est iacere prostratum et gratulari magis et temporis munus amplecti, quod dum nostram fidem firmiter promimus et labore tolerato ad ‖306‖ Christum per angustam Christi uiam pergimus, praemium uiae eius et fidei ipso iudicante capiamus.
What greatness of heart it takes to meet so many attacks of ruin and death with a mind that does not waver! What nobility, to stand upright among the ruins of the human race, instead of lying flat on the ground beside those for whom there is no hope in God! Rather, we should rejoice and welcome the gift this time brings. The gift is this: by firmly showing our faith, bearing our hardships, and pressing on to Christ along Christ's narrow way, we may win the reward of his way and of our faith, with Christ himself as our judge.
mori timeat qui non Christi cruce et passione censetur.
Let him fear to die who has not been counted as Christ's through his cross and suffering.
mortalitas ista Iudaeis et gentibus et Christi hostibus pestis est, Dei seruis salutaris excessus est.
This mortality is a plague to the Jews and the pagans and the enemies of Christ; to the servants of God it is a departure that brings salvation.