71.

Here indeed arises a question in no way to be blinked, that to this precept of the Lord, wherein He exhorts us to love our enemies, and to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us, many other parts of Scripture seem to those who consider them less diligently and soberly to stand opposed; for in the prophets there are found many imprecations against enemies, which are thought to be curses: as, for instance, that one, "Let their table become a snare," ¹ and the other things which are said there; and that one, "Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow," ² and the other statements which are made either before or afterwards in the same Psalm by the prophet, as bearing on the case of Judas. Many other statements are found in all parts of Scripture, which may seem contrary both to this precept of the Lord, and to that apostolic one, where it is said, "Bless; and curse not;" ³ while it is both written of the Lord, that He cursed the cities which received not His word; ⁴ and the above-mentioned apostle thus spoke respecting a certain man, "The Lord will reward him according to his works." ⁵