Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

itation, let them admit the penalty of fornication. Let them be allowed to live together, lest
a worse thing happen.
XXVII. As to the priest ignorantly involved in an illegal marriage, 2706 I have made the
fitting regulation, that he may hold his seat, but must abstain from other functions. For
such a case pardon is enough. It is unreasonable that the man who has to treat his own
wounds should be blessing another, for benediction is the imparting of holiness. How can
he who through his fault, committed in ignorance, is without holiness, impart it to another?
Let him bless neither in public nor in private, nor distribute the body of Christ to others,
nor perform any other sacred function, but, content with his seat of honour, let him beseech
the Lord with weeping, that his sin, committed in ignorance, may be forgiven.
XXVIII. It has seemed to me ridiculous that any one should make a vow to abstain
from swine’s flesh. Be so good as to teach men to abstain from foolish vows and promises.
Represent the use to be quite indifferent. No creature of God, received with thanksgiving,
is to be rejected. 2707 The vow is ridiculous; the abstinence unnecessary.
XXIX. It is especially desirable that attention should be given to the case of persons in
power who threaten on oath to do some hurt to those under their authority. The remedy
is twofold. In the first place, let them be taught not to take oaths at random: secondly, not
to persist in their wicked determinations. Any one who is arrested in the design of fulfilling
an oath to injure another ought to shew repentance for the rashness of his oath, and must
not confirm his wickedness under the pretext of piety. Herod was none the better for fulfilling
his oath, when, of course only to save himself from perjury, he became the prophet’s murderer.
2708 Swearing is absolutely forbidden, 2709 and it is only reasonable that the oath which
tends to evil should be condemned. The swearer must therefore change his mind, and not
persist in confirming his impiety. Consider the absurdity of the thing a little further. Suppose
a man to swear that he will put his brother’s eyes out: is it well for him to carry his oath
into action? Or to commit murder? or to break any other commandment? “I have sworn,
and I will perform it,” 2710 not to sin, but to “keep thy righteous judgments.” It is no less
our duty to undo and destroy sin, than it is to confirm the commandment by immutable
counsels.
XXX. As to those guilty of abduction we have no ancient rule, but I have expressed my
own judgment. The period is three years; 2711 the culprits and their accomplices to be ex-
2706 “᾽Αθέσμῳ γάμῳ.” Illicitas nuptias.
2707 1 Tim. iv. 4.
2708 Matt. xiv. 10.
2709 Matt. v. 34.
2710 Ps. cxix. 106.
To Amphilochius, concerning the Canons.
2711 The Ben. Ed. point out that in Canon xxii. four years is the allotted period, as in the case of fornicators.
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