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| History of his disobeying it.
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20. History of his disobeying it.
Now I ask again, whence have my accusers obtained
this letter also? I would learn of them who it was that put it into
their hands? Do you cause them to answer. By this you may perceive that
they have forged this, as they spread abroad also the former letter,
which they published against me, with reference to the ill-named
Magnentius. And being convicted in this instance also, on what pretence
next will they bring me to make my defence? Their only concern is, to
throw everything into disorder and confusion; and for this end I
perceive they exercise their zeal. Perhaps they think that by frequent
repetition of their charges, they will at last exasperate you against
me. But you ought to turn away from such persons, and to hate them; for
such as themselves are, such also they imagine those to be who listen
to them; and they think that their calumnies will prevail even before
you. The accusation of Doeg1345
prevailed of old
against the priests of God: but it was the unrighteous Saul, who
hearkened unto him. And Jezebel was able to injure the most religious
Naboth1346
by her false accusations; but then it
was the wicked and apostate Ahab who hearkened unto her. But the most
holy David, whose example it becomes you to follow, as all pray that
you may, favours not such men, but was wont to turn away from them and
avoid them, as raging dogs. He says, ‘Whoso privily slandereth
his neighbour, him will I destroy1347
.’ For he
kept the commandment which says, ‘Thou shalt not receive a false
report1348
.’ And false are the reports of
these men in your sight. You, like Solomon, have required of the Lord
(and you ought to believe yourself to have obtained your desire), that
it would seem good unto Him to remove far from you vain and lying
words1349
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