557Faustus seeks to justify the docetism of the Manichæans.  Augustin insists that there is nothing disgraceful in being born. 560Faustus repels the insinuation that the prophecy of Paul with reference to those that should forbid to marry, abstain from meats, etc., applies to the Manichæans more than to the Catholic ascetics, who are held in the highest esteem in the Church.  Augustin justifies this application of the prophecy, and shows the difference between Manichæan and Christian asceticism. 565The scripture passage:  ‘To the pure all things are pure, but to the impure and defiled is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled,’ is discussed from both the Manichæan and the Catholic points of view, Faustus objecting to its application to his party and Augustin insisting on its application. 568Faustus fails to understand why he should be required either to accept or reject the New Testament as a whole, while the Catholics accept or reject the various parts of the Old Testament at pleasure.  Augustin denies that the Catholics treat the Old Testament arbitrarily, and explains their attitude towards it. 582Faustus does not think it would be a great honor to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose moral characters as set forth in the Old Testament he detests.  He justifies his subjective criticism of Scripture.  Augustin sums up the argument, claims the victory, and exhorts the Manichæans to abandon their opposition to the Old Testament notwithstanding the difficulties that it presents, and to recognize the authority of the Catholic Church. 590Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichæans. 590Title Page. 591Preface. 592God the Highest and Unchangeable Good, from Whom are All Other Good Things, Spiritual and Corporeal. 593How This May Suffice for Correcting the Manichæans. 594Measure, Form, and Order, Generic Goods in Things Made by God. 595Evil is Corruption of Measure, Form, or Order. 596The Corrupted Nature of a More Excellent Order Sometimes Better Than an Inferior Nature Even Uncorrupted. 597Nature Which Cannot Be Corrupted is the Highest Good; That Which Can, is Some Good. 598The Corruption of Rational Spirits is on the One Hand Voluntary, on the Other Penal. 599From the Corruption and Destruction of Inferior Things is the Beauty of the Universe. xii