10. Eph. V. 8.
326 ST. AUGUSTINE through our consenting to being made captives, are they also called our capturers.
Those then who have led us captive, the devil and his angels, when have they spoken unto us, and when have they asked of us the words of songs? what then do we understand? That, when those in whom the devil worketh ask such things of us, he is to be understood to ask, who worketh in them. The Apostle saith, And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past.^ He sheweth that, having been redeemed, he has already begun to come forth from Babylon. But still what saith he yet? That we contend with our enemies. And that we may not wax wroth with men, who attack us with persecutions, the Apostle has diverted our efforts from hatred of men, and guided them to struggle with certain spirits, whom we see not, and yet we contend with them. For he saith. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, that is, against men, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.^ What means he by 'this world?' The lovers of this world. These he also calleth darkness, that is, unjust, wicked, unbelievers, sinners; whom, when they have come to believe, he congratulateth after this fashion, saying, Ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.^^ So then
8. Eph. u. 1-3.
9. Ibid., vi. 12. 10. Eph. V. 8.
POLITICAL WRITINGS 327 he has laid down that we wrestle with those principalities: they it is who have led us captive.
But, just as the devil entered into the heart of
Judas, to make him betray his Lord, yet would not have entered, unless he had made room for him; so many evil men from the midst of Babylon, by making room in their hearts for the devil and his angels, so that he may work in them and through them, sometimes ask us, and say to us,
to us the reason.' So too the heathen generally ask us, 'Explain the reason why Christ came, and what benefit Christ hath been to the human race. Have not matters been worse upon earth since Christ came, and was it not better then with men than it is now? Let the Christians tell us, what good Christ hath brought, wherein they think human affairs more happy, for that Christ hath come. For thou seest that if the theatres and amphitheatres and circuses were safe and standing, if no part of Babylon were falling, if men were surrounded by abundance of pleasures, and could sing and dance to lascivious strains, if the impure and whoremongers could indulge their rest in quiet and safety, if a man did not fear famine in his own house who cried out that the dancers should be clothed, if all this went on without discredit, without disturbance, and all these follies could be enjoyed without anxiety, these would be happy times, and Christ would have brought great happiness to human affairs.' But, forasmuch as wickednesses are now being destroyed, in order that that earthly desire being uprooted, the love of Jerusalem may be planted in; forasmuch as bitternesses are being mixed with this passing life, that men may long for the everlasting life; foras-
328 ST. AUGUSTINE much as men are being disciplined with scourges, receiving a father's correction, that they may not hereafter receive a judge's sentence; Christ, they say, hath brought nothing good, Christ hath brought troubles. And thou beginnest to tell to one, how much good Christ hath done, and he receives it not. For thou settest before him the example of those who do as ye have just heard in the Gospel, who sell all that they have, and give to the poor, that they may have treasure in heaven, and follow their Lord. Thou sayest to him, *See what Christ hath brought! How many do this, distribute their goods to the needy, and become poor not of necessity, but of free-will, following God, hoping for the kingdom of Heaven.' He mocketh at such men as fools, and saith, *Is this the good which Christ hath brought, that man lose his own goods, and giving to the needy, remain needy himself?' What then wilt thou do? Thou takest not in the good things of Christ, for another hath filled thee who is the adversary of Christ, to whom thou hast given place in thine heart. Thou lookest back to former times, and those former times seem to thee to have been happier, which were like olives hanging on the tree, swayed by the wind, enjoying their wandering desires like a sort of liberty in the breeze. The time is come for the olive to be put into the press. For they ought not always to hang on the trees: now it is the end of the year. Not without reason are certain Psalms inscribed, Tor the presses:' on the tree is liberty, in the press, pressure. For when human affairs are being crushed and pressed, thou observest that avarice increaseth: observe also that self-denial increaseth. Wherefore art thou so blind that thou seest the lees flowing down the streets, but not the oil
POLITICAL WRITINGS 329 flowing into the vats? Yet is not this without reason: for they who live ill, are generally known, they who turn to God and are cleansed from the filth of evil desires are hidden, for in the press, or rather out the press, the lees openly flow, the oil secretly strains off.
At this ye shout, at this ye rejoice, because now ye can sit down by the waters of Babylon and weep. But they who have led us captive, when they enter into the hearts of men, and ask us by the tongues of them whom they possess, and say to us. Sing us the words of songs, give us a reason for the coming of Christ; tell us what is another life: when they say, I will not beUeve, give me a reason why thou biddest me believe. Such an one
I answer and say, *Man, how it is that thou wiliest not that I bid thee believe? Thou art full of evil desires; if I tell of those good things of Jerusalem, thou takest them not in; thou must be emptied of that wherewith thou art full, that thou mayest be filled with that whereof thou art empty.'
Be not then ready to say ought to such an one: he is willow: he is barren wood. Strike not the instrument of music that is sound; hang it up rather. But he will say. Tell me, sing to me, shew me the reason. Art thou not willing for me to learn?' Thou hearest not with good intent; thou knockest not so as to deserve that it be opened to thee. He hath filled thee who hath led me captive: he asketh of me by thee. He is cunning: he asketh craftily: he asketh not to learn, but to blame. Therefore 1 wiU not speak to him; / will hang up my instrument of music.
But what will he yet say? Sing us the words of songs: sing us a hymn: sing us one of the songs of Sion. What answer we? Babylon beareth thee,
330 ST. AUGUSTINE
Babylon containeth thee, Babylon nourisheth thee, Babylon speaks by thy mouth, thou knowest not to take in save what glitters for the present, thou knowest not how to meditate on things of eternity, thou takest not in what thou askest. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? Truly, brethren, so it is. Begin to wish to preach the truth in such measure as ye know it, and see how needful it is for you to endure such mockers, persecutors of the truth, full of falsehood. Reply to them, when they ask of you what they cannot take in, and say in full confidence of your holy song. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land!
But take heed how thou dwellest among them, O people of God, O body of Christ, O high-bom band of wanderers, (for thy home is not here, but elsewhere, ) lest when thou lovest them who say to thee. Sing to us the words of songs, sing us an hymn, sing us one of the songs of Sion, and strivest for their friendship, and fearest to displease such men, Babylon begin to delight thee and thou forget Jerusalem. In fear then of this, see what the Psalmist subjoins, see what follows. For the man who sang thus, (and that man are we if we choose,) endured all around him men who asked these questions and allured him with flattery, who chid with biting words and falsely praised him, who asked what they took not in, were unwilling to empty themselves of that wherewith they were full; and being as it were in danger among crowds of such men, he lifted up his mind to the recollection of Sion, and his soul bound itself with a sort of oath, and said, // / forget thee, O Jerusalem, amid the speeches of those who hold me captive, amid the speeches of treacherous men, amid the