Letters & Polemics (CSEL) 64 part 12/15

We have afflicted our souls, and you take no knowledge? Behold, in the days of your fasting your own wills are found, and you afflict all who are subject to you. Do you fast for strifes and quarrels, and to smite your neighbour wrongfully? And why do you fast to me, that your voice may be heard this day in outcry? This is not the fast that I have chosen, says the Lord, that a man should afflict his own soul. Not even if you bend your neck down like a hoop, and spread sackcloth and ashes under you, not even so shall you call it an acceptable fast. Such a fast I have not chosen, says the Lord; but loose every bond of iniquity, dissolve the obligations of oppressive contracts, let the broken go free unto rest, and break asunder every unjust bond.

Break your bread to the hungry, and bring the poor who are without shelter into your house. When you see the naked, clothe him, and do not despise those of your own seed. Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your healing shall speedily arise, and righteousness shall go before you, and the majesty of God shall surround you. Then shall you cry, and the Lord shall hear you; while you are yet speaking, he shall say: Behold, here I am. If you take away from you the bond of iniquity and the obligation and the word of murmuring, and give your bread to the hungry from the heart, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall your light rise in darkness, and your darkness shall be to you as noonday. And your God shall be with you always, and you shall be satisfied according as your soul desires.

And your bones shall grow fat, and shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. And your waste places shall be built, and your foundations shall be everlasting for ever and ever. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: But when you fast, be not like the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to be fasting. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that you may not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in heaven; and your Father, who sees in secret, shall reward you. LXXXVI. THAT A MAN OUGHT, AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF THE ANT AND THE BEE, TO WORK WITHOUT SLOTH THE THINGS THAT ARE GOOD.

In Proverbs: Go to the ant, O sluggard, and observe her ways with emulation, and be wiser than she; for although she has no field to possess, nor anyone to compel her, nor is under a master, how she prepares her food in summer, and makes an abundant storing in the harvest! Or go to the bee, and learn how industrious she is, and what holy work she performs; whose labours kings and common men bring to their health; she is welcome to all and glorious, and though feeble in strength, she has been brought forth exalting wisdom. How long, O sluggard, will you lie down? When will you rise from sleep? You sleep a little, you sit a little, you slumber a little, a little you fold your arms upon your breast:

then poverty shall come upon you like an evil traveller, and want like a good runner. But if you are diligent, your harvest shall come to you like a fountain, and want shall flee from you like a good runner. Likewise there: Fear casts down the sluggard, and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. Likewise there: The sluggard when rebuked is not ashamed; likewise he who borrows wheat in the harvest. Likewise there: Desires kill the sluggard, for his hands refuse to do anything. Likewise there: The sluggard seeks occasions and says: There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets. Likewise there: As a door turns on its hinge, so does the sluggard on his bed. Likewise there: The sluggard seems wiser to himself than one who brings back a message in fullness.

Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and everyone speaks of his contemptibleness. The sluggard is pelted with cow-dung, and everyone who touches him shakes his hands. LXXXVII. THAT THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD ARE TO BE PROCLAIMED WITHOUT FEAR OF MEN. In the prophet Ezekiel: And you, son of man, do not fear them, neither be afraid at their face, for they shall rage and gather against you round about. Do not fear their words, and be not afraid at their face, for it is a provoking house. Likewise there: Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and I will strengthen your firmness against their contentions, and your firmness shall be stronger than rock. Likewise there:

And do not fear them, neither be terrified at their face, for it is a provoking house. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach upon the housetops and in the streets. And do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. LXXXVIII. ON THE FOOL. In Proverbs: A foolish and wicked man goes in ways that are not good; he winks with his eye and makes signs with his foot. Likewise there: A foolish man devises evils for himself, and treasures up fire in his own lips. Likewise there: Faithful lips do not befit a fool, nor lying lips the just. Likewise there:

Why do riches abound to a fool? For a senseless man cannot possess wisdom. Likewise there: A foolish son is a grief to his father, and a sorrow to his mother. Likewise there: He in whom sense is lacking does not desire wisdom, for he is rather led by imprudence. Likewise there: The mouth of a foolish man is his own destruction, and his lips are a snare to his own soul. Likewise there: The folly of a man ruins his ways, but he blames the Lord in his heart. Likewise there: Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, but the rod and discipline are far from it. Likewise there: A stone is heavy, and sand hard to bear, but a fool's wrath is heavier than both. Likewise there: A senseless man is like a field, and a man who lacks prudence is like a vineyard:

if you leave it, it will be filled with thorns and will turn to weeds, and it will become a desert, and the fences of its walls will be dug up. Likewise there: As a dog when he returns to his vomit becomes hateful, so is the fool who by his own malice turns back into his sins. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Do not take counsel with fools, for they cannot keep a secret. Likewise there: He who is diminished in heart thinks vain things, and an imprudent and erring man thinks foolish things. Likewise there: From the mouth of a fool a parable is unbecoming, for he does not utter it in its season. Likewise there: The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and it will hold no knowledge. Wisdom is a closed house to a fool, and the knowledge of the senseless is unutterable words. Likewise there:

Instruction is like fetters on the feet of fools, and like a bond on the right hand. A fool lifts up his voice in laughter, but a wise man will scarcely laugh quietly. Likewise there: The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart. Likewise there: Sand and salt and a lump of iron are easier to carry than an imprudent, foolish, and impious man. Likewise there: The clothing of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and a man's gait declare concerning him. Likewise there: The heart of a fool is like the wheel of a cart, and his thoughts turn like a rolling axle. Likewise there: He who teaches wisdom to a fool is like one who glues together a potsherd. Likewise there: The tale of a fool is like a burden on a journey. Threats grieve the heart of the wise man; but the fool is scourged and does not feel it.

He who teaches a foolish child does violence to equity. Likewise in Proverbs: In laughter a fool commits wicked deeds. Likewise there: Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of contumely, but the lips of the wise preserve them. Likewise there: All things are contrary to the senseless man, but the lips of wisdom are the weapons of understanding. Likewise there: A wise man by fearing turns aside from evil, but a fool trusting in himself mingles with the wicked; and the fool shall be servant to the prudent. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: For the fool will speak foolish things, and his heart understands vain things, so that he may accomplish iniquity and speak error against the Lord, to scatter hungry souls, and to make empty the souls that thirst.

For the counsel of the wicked has devised unjust things: to destroy the lowly with wicked words and to scatter the words of the humble in judgment. But the godly have devised justice, and this counsel shall stand. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: 'The gift of a fool shall do you no good, for his eyes are sevenfold. He gives little and reproaches much, and the opening of his mouth is a blast of wind.' 89. THAT WRATH IS TO BE LAID ASIDE. In Proverbs: 'Every simple soul is blessed, but the passionate or wrathful man does not act honorably.' Likewise there: 'The fool on that very same day declares his anger, but the shrewd man conceals his own disgrace.' Likewise there: 'The wrathful man acts without counsel, but the prudent man endures much.' Likewise there:

'Anger destroys even the wise, but a humble answer turns away wrath.' Likewise there: 'A wrathful man stirs up quarrels, but the patient man calms even those to come.' Likewise there: 'Do not be a friend to a passionate man, and do not keep company with a wrathful man, lest perhaps you learn his ways and take a snare for your own soul.' Likewise there: 'The fool pours out all his anger, but the wise man dispenses it by portions.' Likewise there: 'A passionate man digs up strife, but a wrathful man heaps up sins.' Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: 'A wrathful man kindles quarrels, and a sinful man troubles friends and sows slander among those who are at peace.' Likewise there: 'Envy and wrath shorten one's days, and anxious thought brings on old age before its time.' Likewise in Ecclesiastes:

'Do not be quick in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.' Likewise the Apostle to the Ephesians: 'Be angry, and do not sin; let not the sun go down upon your wrath.' Likewise there: 'Let all bitterness and wrath and indignation and clamor and blasphemy be put away from you, together with all malice.' Likewise there: 'But now put away from yourselves all anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, and much speaking.' Likewise James the Apostle: 'Let every man be swift to hear and slow to speak, slow to anger; for the wrath of man does not work the justice of God.' Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: 'Whoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the council.'

'But whoever says, You fool, shall be liable to the fire of Gehenna.' 90. THAT A MAN IS SAID TO BE OF THAT KIND OR NATURE MADE BY GOD WHOSE WORK HE HAS IMITATED, WHETHER OF GOD OR OF THE DEVIL. In Deuteronomy: 'Do you thus repay the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he himself your father, who possessed you and created you and made you?' Likewise there: 'You have forsaken the Lord who begot you, and you have forgotten the God who nourished you.' Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew, John the Baptist: 'But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: O offspring of vipers, who has shown you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance. And do not say within yourselves: We have Abraham for our father.'

'For I say to you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. For now the axe is laid to the root of the tree; every tree therefore that does not bring forth good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.' Likewise there: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. But the slave does not abide in the house forever; the son abides forever. If therefore the Son sets you free, you shall be truly free. I know that you are the seed of Abraham, but you seek to kill me, because my word does not take hold in you. I speak what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.' Likewise there: 'You are of your father the devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father.'

'For he was a murderer from the beginning, and did not stand in the truth, and there is no truth in him.' Likewise there: 'He who is of God hears the words of God; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.' Likewise the Apostle to the Ephesians: 'And you, when you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, the spirit that now works in the sons of unbelief, among whom we too all once conducted ourselves in the desires of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.' Likewise to the Colossians:

'And you who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by evil works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through his death, to present you holy and unblemished and blameless before him.' Likewise there: 'Do not lie to one another, stripping off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new, who is renewed unto the knowledge of God according to the image of him who created him.' Likewise Peter the Apostle, First Epistle:

'May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, who now by his divine power has bestowed on us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own illustrious power, by which honorable and very great promises are granted to us, that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped that which is in the world through the lust of a perishing life.' Likewise John the Apostle, First Epistle: 'Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning. And for this the Son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.'

'Everyone who is born of God does not commit sin, for his seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are made manifest: everyone who is not righteous is not of God, and he who does not love his brother.' 91. THAT THE WISE MAN MUST GIVE AN ANSWERING WORD TO ONE WHO ASKS. In Ecclesiasticus: 'Be gentle to hear the word, that you may understand; and with wisdom speak a true answer.' Likewise Tobit: 'Take heed, my son, in all your works, and be wise in all your speech.' Likewise to the Colossians: 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly in all wisdom and all spiritual understanding,'

'teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.' Likewise there: 'Let your speech be always seasoned with the salt of the grace of God, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.' Likewise to the Corinthians, First Epistle: 'And you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound for the building up of the Church.' Likewise there: 'When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification among you.' Likewise Peter the Apostle in his First Epistle:

'Being always ready to make confession to everyone who asks of you a reason for the faith and hope that is in you, with modesty and fear, having a good conscience, so that in the matter in which they speak against you they may be put to shame, seeing your good conduct in Christ.' 92. CONCERNING THE FAITHFUL AND PRUDENT SLAVE AND THE ADMONITION OF MASTERS. In Proverbs: 'A prudent slave shall rule over foolish masters, and among the brothers he shall divide the portion.' Likewise there: 'For a deceitful son there shall be nothing good, but for a wise slave affairs shall prosper.' Likewise there: 'A prudent slave calms the anger of his master; but who shall bear a faint-hearted man?' Likewise there: 'Do not injure a slave who works in truth, nor a hired man who gives his life.' Likewise there:

'Let a sensible slave be dear to you as your own soul; do not deprive him of freedom, nor leave him destitute.' Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: 'If you have a faithful slave, let him be to you as your own soul; treat him as a brother, for you have gained him with the blood of your soul. If you injure him unjustly and he departs and runs off, whom will you seek? And by what road will you seek him? Free men shall serve a sensible slave, and a knowing man shall not murmur.' Likewise Paul the Apostle to the Colossians: 'Masters, render to your slaves what is just and equitable, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens, a most just judge.' Likewise to the Ephesians:

'And you masters, do the same things toward them, forbearing threats, knowing that both their Master and yours is in the heavens, and there is no respect of persons with God.' Likewise in Deuteronomy: 'You shall not deliver up a slave to his master who has fled to you, but he shall dwell with you in whatever place, wherever it pleases him, nor shall you oppress him.' Likewise in Proverbs: 'Do not hand over a slave into the hands of his master, lest perhaps he curse you and you be destroyed.' 93. CONCERNING THE ADMONITION OF SLAVES. Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians: 'Slaves, obey your fleshly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;'

'not serving to the eye, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart, serving with goodwill as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good each one does, this he shall receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.' Likewise to Timothy, First Epistle: 'Let as many slaves as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of the Lord and the teaching may not be blasphemed. But those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them, since they are believers and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit.' Likewise to Titus:

'Let slaves be subject to their own masters in all things, and be pleasing, not contradicting, not defrauding, but in all things showing good faith, that they may adorn in all things the teaching of God our Savior.' Likewise Peter the Apostle, First Epistle: 'Slaves, obey your masters with all fear, not only the good and gentle, but also the harsh. For this is grace with God, if for conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering unjustly. For what glory is it if, when you sin and are beaten, you endure it? But if, doing well and suffering wrong, you bear it patiently, this is grace with God.' 94. THAT ONE MUST OBEY KINGS AND WORLDLY POWERS. Paul the Apostle to the Romans: 'Be subject to all the higher powers,'

'for there is no power except from God, and those that exist are ordained by God. Therefore he who resists the power resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist bring judgment upon themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good work, but to evil. Do you wish not to fear the power? Do what is good, and you shall have praise from it, for it is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without cause; it is God's minister, an avenger unto wrath upon him who does evil. Therefore be subject, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For this reason also you pay taxes, for they are God's ministers, attending to this very thing. Render to all their dues: to whom tribute, tribute; to whom custom,'

'custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor. Owe no one anything, except to love one another.' Likewise to Titus: 'Remind them to be subject to rulers and powers, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to blaspheme no one, not to be quarrelsome, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men.' Likewise Peter the Apostle, First Epistle:

'Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake: whether to the king as supreme, or to governors as those sent by him for this very purpose, for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of the good — for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak for malice, but as slaves of God. Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.' 95. THAT THE LAW OF GOD IS THE LIGHT OF OUR JOURNEY. In Psalm 18: 'The precept of the Lord is bright, enlightening the eyes.' Likewise in Psalm 118: 'Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.' Likewise in Proverbs:

'For the commandment of the law is a lamp, and the light of life, and reproof, and discipline.' Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: 'By night my spirit keeps watch toward you, O God, for your precepts are a light upon the earth.' 96. CONCERNING THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. In the book of Wisdom: 'But the righteous man, if he be overtaken by death, shall be in refreshment. For venerable old age is not that which is long-lived, nor reckoned by the number of years; for the understanding of a man is gray hair, and the age of old age is an unspotted life, which having been made pleasing to God is beloved, and living among sinners was translated. He was caught away, lest malice should change his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.' Likewise there: 'Being made perfect in a short time, he fulfilled long times;'

'for his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore he hastened to lead him out of the midst of iniquity. But the peoples, seeing and not understanding, nor laying such things to heart — that the grace of God and mercy is upon his saints, and his regard is upon his elect. Moreover the righteous man who is dead condemns the living ungodly, and youth quickly perfected condemns the long life of the unjust. For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God has purposed concerning him, and why the Lord has fortified him. But the Lord shall mock them; and they shall afterward be falling without honor and in disgrace among the dead forever.' Likewise there:

'But the righteous shall live forever, and their reward is with the Lord, and their thought is with the Most High. Therefore they shall receive the kingdom of glory and the diadem of beauty from the hand of the Lord; for with his right hand he shall cover them, and with his arm he shall defend them.' Likewise Job: 'For death gives rest to the righteous man.' Likewise in the Apocalypse: 'And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow them.' Likewise there: 'Weep but little over the dead, for he has found rest.' Likewise there: 'The mourning for the dead is seven days.' 97. CONCERNING THE DEATH OF THE WICKED. In Ecclesiasticus:

'For when a worthless man dies, he shall inherit serpents and beasts and worms.' Likewise there: 'The assembly of sinners is like gathered tow; for their end is the flame of fire. The way of sinners is smooth, free of stumbling, but their end is hell and darkness and punishments.' Likewise in the book of Wisdom: 'For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God has purposed concerning him, and why the Lord has fortified him. But the Lord shall mock them; and they shall afterward be falling without honor and in disgrace among the dead forever.' Likewise in the Gospel according to Luke: 'There was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day.'

'And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who lay at his gate full of sores, desiring to be filled with what fell from the rich man's table, and no one gave to him; but even the dogs came and licked his sores. Now it came to pass that the beggar Lazarus died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died and was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus resting in his bosom. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him:'

'Remember, son, that you received good things in your life, and Lazarus likewise evil things; but now here he is comforted, and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to pass from here to you cannot, nor cross over from there to here. And he said to him: I beg you then, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they too come into this place of torments. And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said: No, father Abraham; but if someone from the dead were to rise and go to them, he would persuade them, and they would repent. But Abraham said to him:'

'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe if someone should rise from the dead.' 98. CONCERNING AVARICE. In Proverbs: 'He who withholds grain in scarcity shall leave it to his enemies. He who oppresses the people by the price of grain shall be cursed; but a blessing is upon the head of him who shares it.' Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: 'There is one who grows rich by acting sparingly, and this is the portion of his reward, when he says: I have found rest for myself, and now I will eat of my goods alone; and he does not know that time will pass and he will leave all things to others.' Likewise in the prophet Habakkuk: 'Woe to him who acquires evil avarice for his house; you have devised confusion for your house, your soul has sinned.' Likewise in the Gospel according to Luke: 'A certain man from the crowd said to Jesus:'

'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. But Jesus said to him: Man, who appointed me a judge or divider over you? And he said to them: See and beware of all avarice, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. And he told them a parable: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plentiful fruits, and he pondered within himself, saying: What shall I do, for I have nowhere to gather my fruits? And he said: This I will do: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will gather all my fruits, and I will say to my soul: You have many good things laid up for many years; feast. But God said to him: Fool, this night they demand your soul from you;'