{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/103/1030721.htm","path":"chr/ecf/103/1030721.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/103/1030721.htm","text":"32. But, as for that which is written, that God did good to the Hebrew midwives, and to Rahab the harlot of Jericho, 2444 this was not because they lied, but because they were merciful to God\u2019s people. That therefore which was rewarded in them was, not their deceit, but their benevolence; benignity of mind, not iniquity of lying. 2445 For, as it would not be marvellous and absurd if God on acp. 496 count of good works after done by them should be willing to forgive some evil works at another time before committed, so it is not to be marvelled at that God beholding at one time, in one cause, both these, that is, the thing done of mercy and the thing done of deceit, did both reward the good, and for the sake of this good forgive that evil. For if sins which are done of carnal concupiscence, not of mercy, are for the sake of after works of mercy remitted, 2446 why are not those through merit of mercy remitted which of mercy itself are committed? For more grievous is a sin which with purpose of hurting, than that which with purpose of helping, is wrought. And consequently if that is blotted out by a work of mercy thereafter following, why is this, which is less heinous, not blotted out by the mercy itself of the man, both going before that he may sin, and going along with him while he sins? So indeed it may seem: but in truth it is one thing to say, \u201cI ought not to have sinned, but I will do works of mercy whereby I may blot out the sin which I did before;\u201d and another to say, \u201cI ought to sin, because I cannot else show mercy.\u201d It is, I say, one thing to say, \u201cBecause we have already sinned, let us do good,\u201d and another to say, \u201cLet us sin, that we may do good.\u201d There it is said, \u201cLet us do good, because we have done evil;\u201d but here, \u201cLet us do evil that good may come.\u201d 2447 And, consequently, there we have to drain off the sink of sin, here to beware of a doctrine which teacheth to sin.\nExod. 1:17, Josh. 2:0, Josh. 6:25Exod. i. 17-20; Josh. ii., and vi. 25\n495:2445 496:2446 496:2447","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. III: Moral Treatises...","type":"page"}