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The Munichees. Sect. IV. 339
' you will be consuiiiod with everlasting fire.' But then it
should be renienibcred likewise, that in that piece are many
misrepresentations of things.
There are also strong expressions at the beginning of The
Epistle of the Foundation. After having called himself
apostle, he adds :
' That^ the words he is going to deliver are
wholesome words, proceeding from the living fountain. He
that hears, and believes, and keeps, them shall never die, but
shall obtain a glorious and eternal life.' These expressions
ought to be considered. If they relate to any doctrines not
founded on scripture, they contain a bold claim : but if he intends
to reconmiend only scriptural doctrines, the interpretation
may be softened. And it is observable that Augustine,
having cited those words, does not, in his remarks upon them,
censure them as wicked, or antichristian, or the like; but oidy
says thats' here is indeed a promise of teaching the truth, but
without good assurance: and that any body might say as much
to draw in simple people. Augustine then cites the words
next following in that epistle; ' The^ peace of the invisible
' God, and the knowledge of the truth, be with the dear and
' holy brethren, who both believe and keep the heavenly
' commands:' which Augustine does not blame at all, but
says he readily Joins in the same wish : and if Mani never
spoke otherwise he might be read and followed by every
body. Nay, he seems to declare himself well satisfied'' with
every thing at the beginning of that epistle.
6. Still it is argued that his followers conceived of him
as an apostle and messenger of Christ, and honoured him
accordingly. Some of their expressions have been mentioned
already, to which others may be now added.
Faustus, considering that text, Matt. v. 17 : " I came not
to destroy the law, but to fulfil," says: ' He'' must be for
" Hsec sunt, inquit, salubria verba ex perenni ac vivo fonte, qus qui audierit,
et eisdem primum crediderit, deinde quae insinuant custodierit, nunquam erit
morti obnoxius, verum aeterna et glor.osa vita fruetur. ap. Aug. contr. Ep.
Manich. c. xi. n. 12. ' Et haec, ut videtis, poUicitatio est,
nondum exhibitio veritatis ; et vos quoque animadvertere facillime potestis,
isto velamine quoslibet enores fucari posse, ut imperitorum animis per ornatam
januarn latenter irrepant. August, ibid.
^ Pax, inquit, Dei invisibilis, et veritati.s notitia sit cum fratribus Sanctis et
carissimis, qui mandatis ccelestibus credunt pariter atque deserviunt. Ita sit,
ut dicit. Nam et ista benigna et acceptissima optatio est. Tantum meminerimus
haec et a bonis doctoribus et a deceptoribus dici posse. Itaque si nulla
nisi talia diceiet, omnibus legendum et amplectendum esse concederem. ibid.
n. 13.
'' Et omnino, quidquid in hujus epistolae initio scriptum
est, donee veniatur ad causam, nolo reprehendere. ibid.
* Quare indeficientes ego praeceptori meo refero gratias, qui me similiter
labentem retinuit, ut essem hodie christianus. Faust. 1. 19. c. ^
r '^