11. Matt. xix. 16.
POLITICAL WRITINGS 331
Speeches of men who ask with ill intent, asking, yet unwilling to learn.
Behold, of this number was that rich man, who asked the Lord, Good Master, what shall I do that I may attain eternal life? " Did he not in asking about eternal Ufe, ask, as it were, for a song of Sion? Keep the commandments, said the Lord to him. And he in his pride, when he heard this, said, All these have I kept from my youth. And the Lord spake to him one of the songs of Sion, and knew that he took it not in; but He gave us an example how that many ask, as it were, counsel concerning eternal life, and praise us so long as we answer what they ask. He gave from him a lesson as though to bid us, that we should afterward say to such men. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? Behold, He saith.
Wilt thou be perfect? Go and sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven, and come, follow Me. That he may learn many of the songs of Sion, let him first cast out all hindrances, let him walk without encumbrance, that he may have no burden to weigh him down, and he shall learn somewhat of the songs of Sion. But he went away sorrowing. Let us say after him, How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? He indeed went away, yet the Lord gave hope for the rich. For the disciples were saddened, and said. Who then can be saved? And He answered them, What is impossible for man, is easy for God. For the rich too have a sort of measure of their own, and have received a song of Sion, a song whereof the Apostle speaketb. Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
11. Matt. xix. 16.
332 ST. AUGUSTINE but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. And adding what they ought to do, now he toucheth his instrument, and hangeth it not up: that they he rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Here is that one of the songs of Sion which the rich have received; first of all, not to be highminded. For riches puff up; and whom they puff up, those streams sweep away. What then is enjoined to them? Above all, not to be high-minded. What riches do, that let them beware of in riches; in riches let them beware of pride. For that is the very evil which riches bring to men not on their guard. For gold is not evil, which God hath made: but the avaricious man is evil, who leaveth the
Creator, and turneth to the creature. This then let him first take care, that he be not proud; let him sit by the waters of Babylon. For it is said to him, Be not high-minded; therefore let him sit: nor trust in uncertain riches; therefore let him sit by the waters of Babylon; for if he trust in uncertain riches, he is carried away by a stream of Babylon. But if he humble himself, and be not proud, and trust not in uncertain riches, he sits by the waters, he sighs for the everlasting Jerusalem, remembering Sion; and that he may reach Sion, he spendeth his riches. There thou hast the song which the rich have received from among the songs of Sion. Let them work, let them touch their instrument, let them not be idle. When they find one saying to them, 'What art thou doing? Thou art wasting thy substance by spending so much: lay up store for thy children:' when tihey see that he takes it not in, and understand that it is a willow, let them
POLITICAL WRITINGS 333 not readily say, why they do so, or what they do, let them hang up their instruments on the willows of Babylon. But beside the willows let them sing, let them not rest, let them work. For they lose not what they spend. They trust their riches to a slave, and they are safe: they trust them to Christ, and are they lost?
Thou hast heard the song of Sion for the rich: hear now the song of the poor. The same Paul saith. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out: and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. These are waters of Babylon. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.^^ Are then these songs contradictory? They are not. See what is said to 3ie rich: not to be high-minded; not to trust in uncertain riches; to do good; to distribute; to lay up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come. But what is said to the poor? They who will be rich fall into temptation. He said not, 'They who are rich,' but, they who will be rich: for if they were already rich, they should hear the other song. The rich is bid to spend, the poor not to desire.
But while ye Uve among such as these, who take not in a song of Sion, hang up, as I have said, your instruments upon the willows in the midst thereof: defer what ye are about to say. If they begin to be fruitful trees, if the trees are changed, and will bear good fruit; now then it is lawful for
12. 1 Tim. vi. 7-10.
334 ST. AUGUSTINE
US to sing to the ears of them that listen. But while they among whom ye Uve drown you with clamour, ask with ill purpose, resist the truth, bind yourselves not to be willing to please them, lest ye forget Jerusalem. And let your one soul, made one out of many by the peace of Christ, let captive Jerusalem, dwelling here on earth, say, // / forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget me. Vehemently hath she bound herself, my brethren, let my right hand forget me, sternly hath she tied herself down. Our right hand is hfe everlasting, our left, life in this world. Whatsoever thou doest for the sake of life everlasting, thy right hand doeth. If in thy works thou mingle with the love of everlasting life desire for the life of this world, or man's praise, or any worldly advantage, thy left hand knoweth what thy right hand doeth. And thou knowest that it is enjoined in the Gospel, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. ^^ Therefore saith she, // / forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget me. And truly so it happens: it is a prophecy she has uttered, not a wish. To them who forget Jerusalem, this happeneth which she hath said, their right hand forgetteth them. For life everlasting abideth in itself: they abide in delights of this world, and make that to be right to them, which is left.
Listen to this, brethren: for the right hand's sake let me press this upon you, for the salvation of all. Ye remember perhaps that I once spoke in this place of some who make what is left to be right, that is, who consider worldly goods of more value (than everlasting goods), and consider happiness to consist in diese, not knowing what is true happiness, the true right hand. These Scripts. Matt. vi. 3.