End Of Book Iv.
CHAPTER IX
If a priest is not endowed with such qualifications he must needs do much harm to his people
When contention arises about doctrines and all do battle out of the same Scriptures, what power will one’s life exhibit in this case?
444. What will be the gain of his many struggles, if after all these toils one falls away through his great unskilfulness, and is severed from the body of the Church? This I know has been the fate of many. What will he profit by his endurance? Nothing; just as one will not (profit) by a sound faith, when his conduct is corrupt.
445. For these reasons he ought to be pre-eminently experienced in those contests, who has been appointed to teach others.
446. For even if he himself remained in safety, and in nothing injured by gainsayers, still the multitude of more simple ones, ordered by him, when they saw their leader defeated, and having nothing to say to those who contradict, would lay the blame of his defeat, not upon his weakness, but on the unsoundness of his doctrine; and thus by the unskilfulness of one, much people is brought down to utter ruin. For even if they should not altogether be joined with the adversaries, they are nevertheless compelled to doubt of what they had to encourage them; and to that which they approached with an unfaltering faith, they are no longer able to adhere with the same stedfastness; but so much commotion occupies their souls through their teacher’s defeat, that the evil ends in their shipwreck.
447. What ruin, and what fire he draws upon his unfortunate head, for each of those who perish, you have no need to learn from me; you well know it all.
448. Is it then from arrogance, is it through vainglory, that I would not be the cause of perdition to so many, and would not get to myself greater punishment, than what now awaits me yonder? Who would say so? No one, unless he would blame for nought, and philosophize over other’s misfortunes.