'*Thou hast received a 'blow in the face, delight desire, an oath.
470 THE WORKS OF ST. AUGUSTIN.
some execrable pollution; even though by lying we do no man harm.
Me?''4 Where He shows that the preparation of the other cheek is to be done in the heart. Which also the Apostle Paul knew. for he, too, when he was smitten on the face before the high priest, did not say, Smite the other cheek: but, ''God,'' saith he, '* shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to law, and contrary to law commandest me to be smitten?"' 5 with most deep insight beholding that the priesthood of the Jews was already become such, that in name it outwardly was clean and fair, but within was foul with muddy lusts; which priesthood he saw in spirit to be ready to pass away through vengeance of the Lord, when he spake those words: but yet he had his heart ready not only to receive other blows on the cheek, but also to suffer for the truth any torments whatever, with love of them from whom he should suffer the same.
26. Touching which matter, there will be some place open for consideration, if first the divine authorities which forbid a lie be diligently discussed: for if these give no place, we vainly seek a loophole; for we are bound to keep in every way the command of God, and the will of God in all that through keeping His command we may suffer, it is our duty with an even mind to follow: but if by some relaxation any outlet be allowed, in such a case we are not to decline a lie. 'The reason why the Divine Scriptures contain not only God's commands, but the life and character of the just, is this: that, if haply it be hidden in what way we are to take that which is enjoined, by the actions of the just it may be understood. With the exception, therefore, of those actions which one may refer to an allegorical significance, although none doubts that they really took place, as is the case with almost all the occurrences in the books of the Old Testament. For who can venture to affirm of any thing there, that it does not pertain toa figurative foretelling? Seeing the Apostle, speaking of the sons of Abraham, of whom of course it is most easily said that they were born and did live in the natural order of propagating the people, (for not monsters and prodigies were born, to lead the mind to some presignification,) nevertheless asserteth that they signify the two Testaments;' and saith of that marvellous benefit which God bestowed upon His people Israel to rescue them out of the bondage in which they in Egypt were oppressed, and of the punishment which avenged their sin on their journey, that these things befell them in a figure:? what actions wilt thou find, from which thou mayest set aside that rule, and take upon thee to affirm that they are not to be reduced to some figure? Excepting therefore these, the things which in the New Testament are done by the Saints, where there is a most evident commending of manners to our imitation, may avail as examples for the understanding of the Scriptures, which things are digested in the commands.
28. It is alsq written, '' But I say unto you, Swear not at all.'' But the Apostle himself has used oaths in his Epistles.© And so he shows how that is to be taken which is said, **T say unto you, Swear not at all:'' that is, lest by swearing one come to a facility in swearing, from facility to a custom, and so from a custom there be a downfall into perjury. And therefore he is not found to have sworn except in writing, where there is more wary forethought, and no precipitate tongue withal. And this indeed came of evil, as it is said, '' Whatever is more than these is of evil:''?7 not however from evil of his own, but from the evil of infirmity which was in them, in whom he even in this way endeavored to work faith. For that he used an oath in speaking, while not writing, I know not that any Scripture has related concerning him. And yet the Lord says, '' Swear not at all:'' for He hath not granted license thereof to persons writing. Howbeit, because to pronounce Paul guilty of violating the commandment, especially in Epistles written and sent forth for the spiritual life and salvation of the nations, were an impiety, we must understand that word which is set down, ''At all,'' to be set down for this purpose, that as much as in thee lies, thou affect not, love not, nor as though it were for a good thing, with any delight desire, an oath.
27. As, when we read in the Gospel, '*Thou hast received a 'blow in the face, make ready the other cheek." Now as an example of patience can none be found than that of the Lord Himself more potent and excellent; but He, when smitten on the cheek, said not, Behold here is the other cheek, but He said, '' If I have spoken ill, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou
29. As that, '' Take no thought for the morrow,'' and, *' Take therefore no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or what ye shall put on."* Now when we see that the Lord Himself had a bag in which was put what was given,? that it might be
4 John xviii. 22, 23. 5 Acts xxiii. 3. 6 Rom. ix. 1; Phil. i. 8; Gal. i. 20. 7 Matt. v.34 378 Matt. vi. 34, 31. 9 John xii. 6. [See R.V.]
t Gal. iv. 22-24. 2x Cor. x. 1-11. 3 Matt. v. 39.