2. What then is the difficulty? what makes the perplexity? what is in peril? Lest the Lord,
yea, to speak more plainly, lest the Truth Itself should be thought to have lied. For if we
would have it thought that He lied, the weak will receive an authority for lying. We have
heard say that He lied. For those who think that He lied, speak thus, “He said that He should
not go up to the feast day, and He went up.” In the first place then, let us, as far as in the
press of time we can, see whether he does lie, who says a thing and does it not. For example,
I have told a friend, “I will see you to-morrow;” some greater necessity occurs to hinder me;
I have not on that account spoken falsely. For when I made the promise, I meant what I
said. But when some greater matter occurred, which hindered the accomplishment3969 of
my promise, I had no design to lie, but I was not able to fulfil the promise. Lo, to my thinking
I have used no labour to persuade you, but have merely suggested to your good sense,3970
that he who promises something, and doeth it not, does not lie, if, that he do it not, something
has occurred to hinder the fulfilment of his promise, not to be any proof of falsehood.
3. But some one who hears me will say, “Canst thou then say this of Christ, that He
either was not able to fulfil what He would, or that He did not know things to come?” Thou
doest well, good is thy suggestion, right thy hint; but, O man, share with me my anxiety.
Dare we to say that He lies, Who we do not dare to say is weak in power? I for my part, to
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the best of my thinking, as far as according to my infirmity I am able to judge, would choose
that a man should be deceived in any matter rather than lie in any. For to be deceived is the
portion of infirmity, to lie of iniquity. “Thou hatest, O Lord,” saith he, “all them that work
iniquity.”3971 And immediately after, “Thou shalt destroy all them that speak a lie.”3972
Either “iniquity” and “a lie” are upon a level; or, “Thou shalt destroy,” is more than “Thou
hatest.” For he who is held in hatred, is not immediately punished by destruction. But let
that question be, whether there be ever a necessity to lie; for I am not now discussing that;
it is a dark question, and has many lappings;3973 I have not time to cut them, and to come
to the quick.3974 Therefore let the treatment of it be deferred to some other time; for
peradventure it will be cured by the Divine assistance without any words of mine. But attend
and distinguish between what I have deferred, and what I wish to treat of to-day. Whether
on any occasion one may lie, this difficult and most obscure question I defer. But whether
Christ lied, whether the Truth spake anything false, this, being reminded of it by the Gospel
lesson, have I undertaken to-day.
3969 Fidem.
3970 Prudentiam.
3971 Ps. v. 5.
3972 Ps. v. 6.
3973 Sinus.
3974 Vivum.
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On the words of the Gospel of John vii. 6, etc., where Jesus said that He…