To the Faithful.

XLVII.—To the Faithful.

I admonish the faithful not to hold their brethren in hatred.  Hatreds are accounted impious by martyrs for the flame.  The martyr is destroyed whose confession is of such kind; nor is it taught that the evil is expiated by the shedding of blood.  A law is given to the unjust man that he may restrain himself.  Thence he ought to be free from craft; so also oughtest thou.  Twice dost thou sin against God, if thou extendest strifes to thy brother; whence thou shalt not avoid sin following thy former courses.  Thou hast once been washed:  shalt thou be able to be immersed again?