1. Matt. vii. 12.
154 ST. AUGUSTINE
Maker in our very hearts hath written this truth, That which to thyself thou wouldest not have done, do not thou to another} Of this truth, even before that the Law was given, no one was suffered to be ignorant, in order that there might be some rule whereby might be judged even those to whom Law had not been given. But lest men should complain that something had been wanting for them, there hath been written also in tables that which in their hearts they read not. For it was not that they had it not written, but read it they would not. There hath been set before their eyes that which in their conscience to see they would be compelled; and as if from without the voice of God were brought to them, to his own inward parts hath man been thus driven, the Scripture saying. For in the thoughts of the ungodly man there will be questioning.^ Where questioning is, there is law. But because men, desiring those things which are without, even from themselves have become exiles, there hath been given also a written law: not because in hearts it had not been written, but because thou wast a deserter from thy heart, by Him that is every where thou art seized, and to thyself within art called back. Therefore the written law, what crieth it, to those that have deserted the law written in their hearts? Return ye transgressors to the heart.^ For who hath taught thee that thou wouldest have no other man draw near thy wife? Who hath taught thee, that thou wouldest not have a theft committed upon thee? who hath taught thee, that thou wouldest not suffer wrong, and whatever other thing either universally or particularly might
1. Matt. vii. 12.
2. Wisd. i. 9.
3. Is. xlvi. 8.