{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/103/1030771.htm","path":"chr/ecf/103/1030771.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/103/1030771.htm","text":"39. For there is less sin, if people do not praise the sinner in the desires of his soul, and speak good of him who practiseth iniquities. 2604 Now what is more an iniquity than to wish to be obeyed by inferiors, and to refuse to obey superiors? The Apostle, I mean, not us: insomuch that they even let their hair grow long: a matter, of which he would have no disputing at all, saying, \u201cIf any chooseth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the Church of God. 2605 Now this I command;\u201d 2606 which gives us to understand that it is not cleverness of reasoning that we are to look for, but authority of one giving command to attend unto. For whereunto, I pray thee, pertaineth this also, that people so openly against the Apostle\u2019s precepts wear long hair? Is it that there must be in such sort vacation, that not even the barbers are to work? Or, because they say that they p. 523 imitate the Gospel birds, do they fear to be, as it were, plucked, lest they be not able to fly? I shrink from saying more against this fault, out of respect for certain long-haired brethren, in whom, except this, we find much, and well-nigh every thing, to venerate. But the more we love them in Christ, the more solicitously do we admonish them. Nor are we afraid indeed, lest their humility reject our admonition; seeing that we also desire to be admonished by such as they, wherever we chance to stumble or to go aside. This then we admonish so holy men, not to be moved by foolish quibblings of vain persons, and imitate in this perversity them whom in all else they are far from resembling. For those persons, hawking about a venal hypocrisy, fear lest shorn sanctity be held cheaper than long-haired; because forsooth he who sees them shall call to mind those ancients whom we read of, Samuel and the rest who did not cut off their hair. 2607 And they do not consider what is the difference between that prophetic veil, and this unveiling which is in the Gospel, of which the Apostle saith, \u201cWhen thou shall go over 2608 unto Christ, the veil shall be taken away.\u201d 2609 That, namely, which was signified in the veil interposed between the face of Moses and the beholding of the people Israel, 2610 that same was also signified in those times by the long hair of the Saints. For the same Apostle saith, that long hair is also instead of a veil: by whose authority these men are hard pressed. Seeing he saith openly, \u201cIf a man wear long hair, it is a disgrace to him.\u201d \u201cThe very disgrace,\u201d say they, \u201cwe take upon us, for desert of our sins:\u201d holding out a screen of simulated humility, to the end that under cover of it they may carry on their trade of self-importance. 2611 Just as if the Apostle were teaching pride when he says, \u201cEvery man praying or prophesying with veiled head shameth his head;\u201d 2612 and, \u201cA man ought not to veil his head, forsomuch as he is the image and glory of God.\u201d 2613 Consequently he who says, \u201cOught not,\u201d knows not perchance how to teach humility! However, if this same disgrace in time of the Gospel, which was a thing of a holy meaning 2614 in time of Prophecy, be by these people courted as matter of humility, then let them be shorn, and veil their head with haircloth. Only then there will be none of that attracting of people\u2019s eyes in which they trade, 2615 because Samson was veiled not with haircloth, but with his long hair.\nPs. 10:3, Ps. 9:24Ps. x. 3 [ix. 24]\n522:2605\n1 Cor. 11:16, 171 Cor. 11:16, 17\n522:2606\nE.V. follows text rec. \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c4\u03bf \u03b4\u1f72 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03c0\u03b1\u03b9\u03bd\u1ff6, but good mss. and Versions besides the Ital. and Vulg, have \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c4\u03bf \u03b4\u1f72 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9 \u03bf\u03c5\u03ba \u1f10\u03c0\u03b1\u03b9\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd, hoc autem pr\u0153cipio non laudans.\n523:2607 523:2608\nCum transieris. Gr. \u1f21\u03bd\u03af\u03ba\u03b1 \u03b4\u1fbd \u1f04\u03bd \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03c1\u03ad\u03c8\u03b7, sc. \u1f41 \u1f38\u03c3\u03c1\u03b1\u1f74\u03bb Chrys. Theod. or \u03c4\u1f76\u03c2 Origen.\n523:2609 523:2610 523:2611 523:2612 523:2613 523:2614 523:2615","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. III: Moral Treatises...","type":"page"}