3. Rom. xiii. 1, 7, 8.
306 ST. AUGUSTINE me without a cause; and my heart hath stood in awe of Thee. For how had the Christians injured the kingdoms of the earth, although their King promised them the kingdom of heaven? How, I ask, had they injured the kingdoms of the earth? Did their King forbid His soldiers to pay and to render due service to the kings of the earth? Saith He not to the Jews who were striving to calumniate Him, Render unto Caesar the things that are
Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's?^ Did he not even in His own Person pay tribute from the mouth of a fish? Did not His forerunner, when the soldiers of this kingdom were seeking what they ought to do for their everlasting "salvation, instead of replying. Loose your belts, throw away your arms, desert your king, that ye may wage war for the Lord, answer. Do violence to no man: neither accuse any falsely: and be content with your wages? ^ Did not one of His soldiers, His most beloved companion, say to his fellow soldiers, the provincials, so to speak, of Christ, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers? And a little lower he added. Render to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom: fear to whom fear: honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.^ Does he not enjoin the Church to pray for even kings themselves? How then have the Christians offended against them? What due have they not rendered? in what have not Christians obeyed the monarchs of the earth? The kings of the earth therefore have persecuted the Christians without a cause. But heed what he hath sub-
1. Matt. xxii. 21.
2. Luke iii. 14.
3. Rom. xiii. 1, 7, 8.