CHAPTER IV The priest should be prepared to contend with Greeks (pagans), Jews, and heretics
CHAPTER IV
The priest should be prepared to contend with Greeks (pagans), Jews, and heretics
Our equipment is not for one kind of battle only, but this war is diversified, and carried on by various enemies. They do not employ the same weapons, nor are they concerned to attack us in the same manner.
400. He that is going to enter into battle with them all, must know the tactics of them all, and the same man must be archer and slinger, centurion and commander of a cohort, private soldier and general, footman and horseman, marine, and artilleryman.
401. In military engagements every man undertakes one duty in the performance of which he repels assailants. But it is not so here; and if he who is to conquer understands not all the forms of military art, the devil knows how to plunder the sheep by leading in his bandits through the one place which may be overlooked; but not when he perceives a shepherd to be coming who has perfect knowledge, and well understands his devices.
402. Therefore we must be well defended on all sides. A city, so long as it is fortified all round, mocks at besiegers, and continues in great security; but if any one should break down the wall only the width of a doorway, no advantage remains to it from the surrounding fence, although all the remainder stands firm. So is also the city of God. When the promptitude and understanding of the pastor surround it on every side like a wall, all stratagems end in shame and derision to the enemies, and those who dwell within abide secure; but when any succeeds in demolishing it in part, even though he do not break down the whole, I may say that by means of a portion all that remains is ruined. For what if one successfully contended against the Greeks, but the Jews despoiled him? or should conquer both, but the Manichæans plundered him? or if, after getting the better of these, those who bring in fatalism should slay the sheep which are within? But why must I enumerate all the devil’s heresies? If the pastor does not well understand how to repel them all, the wolf by means of one of them may be able to devour most of the sheep.
403. In the case of soldiers, again, it is always to be expected that victory and slaughter will come from those who stand and fight; but here it is very different; for conflict with others has frequently conferred the triumph upon those who have been sitting at ease, and have not fought from the outset, nor have toiled at all; and he who is wounded by his own sword because he has not much skill in such matters, becomes ridiculous both to friends and foes.
404. I will try to make what I say clear to you by an example. They who have adopted the foolish opinion of Valentinus and Marcion, and all that are similarly insane, reject from the catalogue of the divine writings the law which was given by God to Moses. But the Jews honour it so much that even though the times forbid, they contend in opposition to God’s intention, for its complete observance. Now the Church of God, avoiding the exaggeration of both, pursues the middle course, and neither urges submission to its yoke, nor allows us to malign it, but commends that which has been annulled, because it was once useful in its time.
405. He who is to contend with both, must understand this proportion and mean; for if he would teach the Jews that their adhesion to the old law is out of date, and should begin by accusing it unsparingly, he would afford no slight handle to such of the heretics as wish to traduce it; but if he should be anxious to stop their mouths, and immoderately exalt it, and admire it as actually necessary at the present time, he would open the mouth of the Jews.
406. They again who rage with the madness of Sabellius, and rave after the manner of Arius, have fallen from the sound faith through going to extremes. The name of Christians is indeed applied to both, but if any one should test their doctrine, he would find the one party no better than the Jews, save in so far as they differ in names; the other party to have great affinity to the heresy of Paul of Samosata; and both to be far from the truth.
407. There is therefore, much danger here too; the road is narrow and strait, and shut in by precipices on both sides; and there is no little apprehension lest he who would smite another should be struck by a third. If we say the Godhead is one, Sabellius forthwith perverts the expression in favour of his own folly; and if again a distinction is made by saying the Father is one, and the Son another, and the Holy Ghost another, Arius comes in perverting the distinction of Persons into a difference of substance. But we must turn aside and flee from both the impious confusion of the one, and the insane division of the other, confessing the one Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and adding the three Persons; for so shall we be able to repel the invasions of both.
408. I could tell you of many other engagements from which, if a man fight not against them nobly, and carefully, he departs with many wounds.