Answer to the Letters of Petilian, the Donatist.
Chapter 15.—16. Look at the states of Musti and Assura:
Chapter 10.—23. Petilianus said: Did the apostle persecute any one? or did Christ betray any one?
Chapter 71.—157. Petilianus said: To you the prophet says, ‘Peace, peace and where is there peace?’
Chapter 92.—200. Petilianus said: "Where is the saying of the Lord Christ, ‘Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’?300 Matt. v. 39. Where is the patience which He displayed when they spat upon His face, who Himself with His most holy spittle opened the eyes of the blind? Where is the saying of the Apostle Paul, ‘If a man smite you in the face?’ Where is that other saying of the same apostle, ‘In stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft’?301 2 Cor. xi. 20, 23. He makes mention of the sufferings which he underwent, not of the deeds which he performed. It had been enough for the Christian faith that these things should be done by the Jews: why do you, wretched men, do these others in addition?"
201. Augustin answered: Is it then really so, that when men smite you on the one cheek, you turn to them the other? This is not the report that your furious bands won for you by wandering everywhere throughout the whole of Africa with dreadful wickedness. I would fain have it that men should make a bargain with you, that, in accordance with the old law, you should seek but "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," 302 Deut. xix. 21. instead of bringing out cudgels in return for the words which greet your ears.