The Epistle to Diogentus

So then I think that you have learnt sufficiently that the Christians do rightly in abstaining from the general silliness and deceit and fussiness and pride of the Jews. But do not suppose that you can learn from man the mystery of the Christians’ own religion.

For the distinction between Christians and[*](The true distinction of Christians) other men, is neither in country nor language nor customs.

For they do not dwell in cities in some place of their own, nor do they use any strange variety of dialect, nor practise an extraordinary kind of life.

This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the intellect or thought of busy men, nor are they the advocates of any human doctrine as some men are.

Yet while living in Greek and barbarian cities, according as each obtained his lot, and following the local customs, both in clothing and food and in the rest of life, they show forth the wonderful and confessedly strange character of the constitution of their own citizenship.

They dwell in their own fatherlands, but as if sojourners in them; they share all things as citizens, and suffer

They marry as all men, they bear children, but they do not expose their offspring.

They offer free hospitality, but guard their purity.

Their lot is cast in the flesh but they do not live after the flesh.

They pass their time upon the earth, but they have their citizenship in heaven.