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Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

13.

Quod autem invidus continentiae vel virginitati Fausto visus est, quia dixit: Maledictus omnis, qui non suscitaverit semen in Israhel, legant Esaiam clamantem: Haec dicit dominus: spadonibus omnibus, qui observaverint praecepta mea et elegerint, quae ego volo, et custodierint testamentum meum, dabo illis in domo mea et in muro meo locum nominatum, meliorem filiorum et filiarum; nomen aeternum dabo illis et non deerit illis. p. 415,7 Aut si contrarium putant Esaiam Moysi, hic eis placeat; si ille displicet, non est parum adversus istos. Nobis enim sufficit scire unum deum locutum et per Moysen et per Esaiam, et maledictum esse omnem, qui non suscitaverit semen in Israhel, sive tunc, cum populo secundum carnem propagando etiam carnalis prolis operatio in coniugali castitate ad officium civicum pertinebat, sive nunc, ne quisquam spiritaliter natus putet sibi debere sufficere, nec instet dominicis lucris, quibus quisque pro modulo suo praedicando Christum debet generare christianos. p. 415,16 Ita illa divina sententia tempora utriusque testamenti mira brevitate complectitur: Maledictus omnis, qui non suscitaverit semen in Israhel.

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Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

13.

If Faustus thinks Moses an enemy of continence or virginity because he says, "Cursed is everyone that raiseth not up seed in Israel," let them hear the words of Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord to all eunuchs; To them who keep my precepts, and choose the things that please me, and regard my covenant, will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." ¹ Though our adversaries disagree with Moses, if they agree with Isaiah it is something gained. It is enough for us to know that the same God spoke by both Moses and Isaiah, and that every one is cursed who raiseth not up seed in Israel, both then when begetting children in marriage (for the continuation of the people was a civil duty), and now because no one spiritually born should rest content without seeking spiritual increase in the production of Christians by preaching Christ, each one according to his ability. So that the times of both Testaments are briefly described in the words, "Cursed is every one that raiseth not up seed in Israel." ²