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| Chapter XXIX. Justice should be observed even in war and with enemies. This is proved by the example of Moses and Elisha. The ancient writers learnt in turn from the Hebrews to call their enemies by a gentler term. Lastly, the foundation of justice rests on faith, and its symmetry is perfect in the Church.
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Chapter XXIX.
Justice should be observed even in war and with
enemies. This is proved by the example of Moses and Elisha.
The ancient writers learnt in turn from the Hebrews to call their
enemies by a gentler term. Lastly, the foundation of justice
rests on faith, and its symmetry is perfect in the Church.
139. How great a
thing justice is can be
gathered from the fact that there is no
place, nor person, nor time, with which it has nothing to do. It
must even be preserved in all dealings with enemies.201
| 201 Cic. de
Off. I. 11, § 34. | For instance, if the day or the spot
for a battle has been agreed upon with them, it would be considered an
act against justice to occupy the spot beforehand, or to anticipate the
time. For there is some difference whether one is overcome in
some battle by a severe engagement, or by superior skill, or by a mere
chance. But a deeper vengeance is taken on fiercer foes, and on
those that are false as well as on those who have done greater wrongs,
as was the case with the Midianites.202
For they
had made many of the Jewish people to sin through their women; for
which reason the anger of the Lord was poured out upon the people of
our fathers. Thus it came about that Moses when victorious
allowed none of them to live. On the other hand, Joshua did not
attack the Gibeonites, who had tried the people of our fathers with
guile rather than with war, but punished them by laying on them a law
of bondage.203
Elisha again
would not allow the king of Israel to slay the Syrians when he wished
to do so. He had brought them into the city, when they were
besieging him, after he had struck them with instantaneous blindness,
so that they could not see where they were going. For he
said: “Thou shalt not smite those whom thou hast not taken
captive with thy spear and with thy sword. Set before them bread
and water, that they may eat and drink and return and go to their own
home.”204
Incited by
their kind treatment they should show forth to the world the kindness
they had received. “Thus” (we read) “there came
no more the bands of Syria into the land of Israel.”205
140. If, then, justice is binding, even in
war, how much more ought we to observe it in time of peace. Such
favour the prophet showed to those who came to seize him. We read
that the king of Syria had sent his army to lie in wait for him, for he
had learnt that it was Elisha who had made known to all his plans and
consultations. And Gehazi the prophet’s servant, seeing the
army, began to fear that his life was in danger. But the prophet
said to him: “Fear not, for they that be with us are more
than they that be with them.”206
And when
the prophet asked that the eyes of his servant might be opened, they
were opened. Then Gehazi saw the whole mountain full of horses
and chariots round about Elisha. As they came down to him the
prophet says: “Smite, O God, the army of Syria with
blindness.” And this prayer being granted, he says to the
Syrians: “Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom
ye seek.” Then saw they Elisha, whom they were endeavouring
to lay hold of, and seeing him they could not hold him fast.207
It is clear from this that faith and
justice should be observed even in war; and that it could not but be a
disgraceful thing if faith were violated.
141. So also the ancients used to give their
foes a less harsh name, and called them strangers.208
For enemies used to be called
strangers after the customs of old. This too we can say they
adopted from our writings; for the Hebrews used to call their foes
“allophyllos,” that is, when put into Latin,
“alienigenas” (of another race). For so we read in
the first book of Kings: “It came to pass in those days
that they of another race put themselves in array against
Israel.”209
142. The foundation of justice therefore is
faith,210
| 210 Cic. de
Off. I. 7, § 23. | for the hearts of the just dwell on faith,
and the just man that accuses himself builds justice on faith, for his
justice becomes plain when he confesses the truth. So the Lord
saith through Isaiah: “Behold, I lay a stone for a
foundation in Sion.”211
This means
Christ as the foundation of the Church. For Christ is the object
of faith to all; but the Church is as it were the outward form of
justice, she is the common right of all. For all in common she
prays, for all in common she works, in the temptations of all she is
tried. So he who denies himself is indeed a just man, is indeed
worthy of Christ. For this reason Paul has made Christ to be the
foundation, so that we may build upon Him the works of
justice,212
whilst faith is the
foundation. In our works, then, if they are evil, there appears
unrighteousness; if they are good, justice.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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