Letters 136.1–136.3

The illustrious Volusian read me Your Blessedness's letter; indeed, at my urging, he read it to several people; and although everything you say is truly admirable, I admired it beyond measure. For with the grace of divine speech, humbly swelling, it easily earned approval. It pleased most of all in this, that you strive by the exhortation of a good purpose to steady and strengthen the man's somewhat stumbling steps. For I have daily discussion with him, as far as my strength and poverty of talent allow; since, urged by the prayer of his holy mother, I take care to call on him rather often, though he too deigns to return the visit on his side. Having received Your Reverence's letter, the man, who is drawn back from the stability of the true faith by the persuasion of many people, of whom there is an abundance in this city, was so moved that, if, as he himself affirms, he had not been much afraid of the length of a letter, he would have laid before Your Blessedness every doubt that he can have. Nevertheless, in language polished and careful enough, as you yourself will deign to judge, and with the clear brilliance of Roman eloquence, he has earnestly asked that certain points be resolved for him. This question has indeed been thoroughly worn out, and the cunning of those who defame the dispensation of the Lord's incarnation on this point is well known. Yet I too would come forward as a petitioner on this matter, since I am confident that whatever you write in reply will benefit very many, that you may deign to answer more carefully on the points where they falsely claim that the Lord did nothing more than other men have been able to do; for they bring forward their Apollonius and Apuleius and other men of the magical art, whose miracles they contend were greater.

The illustrious man mentioned above said, in the presence of several people, that there are many questions which could not unfittingly be joined to this one, as I said before, if the brevity proper to a letter had not been considered on his part. Though he would not write them, he did not let them go unsaid. For he said that even if an account of the Lord's incarnation were given him today, it could hardly be given clearly why this God, who is also affirmed to be the God of the Old Testament, scorned the old sacrifices and was pleased with new ones. For he asserted that nothing can be corrected unless what was done before is shown not to have been done rightly, or that what was once done rightly ought by no means to have been changed. For he said that things rightly done cannot be changed except unjustly, especially because such fickleness might convict God of inconstancy. Then also that Christ's preaching and teaching are in no way compatible with the customs of the state, since, as many say, it is well known that his precept is that we should render evil for evil to no one, and offer the other cheek to one who strikes us, and give our cloak to one who persists in taking our tunic, and go twice the distance of the journey with one who wishes to press us into service; all of which he asserts are contrary to the customs of the state. For who would allow something to be taken from him by an enemy, or not wish to repay, by the law of war, evils to the plunderer of a Roman province? And other things which Your Reverence understands could be said in reply to the rest. All these things, then, he thinks can be joined to the question, all the more since it is evident (even if he himself is silent on this point) that such great evils have befallen the state under Christian emperors who for the most part observe the Christian religion.

Therefore, as Your Blessedness deigns to recognize with me, since the reply we desire from Your Holiness will no doubt be passed through many hands, a full and carefully worked-out solution of brilliant clarity ought to be shown to all these points; especially because, while these things were going on, a distinguished landowner and lord of the region of Hippo was present, who praised Your Holiness with ironic flattery and maintained that he had by no means been satisfied when he inquired about these things. I, for my part, not forgetful of your promise but demanding its fulfilment, beg that books be written which will be of incredible benefit to the church, especially at this time.