ACC ~ John 8 v7

AN ANSWER THEY CANNOT REFUSE

AUGUSTINE: And then he who had come to forgive sins said, “Whichever of you knows himself to be without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” What a splendid answer or rather suggestion! If they had been prepared to throw a single stone at the sinner, they would have received the prompt rejoinder, “The judgment you judge with shall be pronounced on you.” [1] You have condemned; condemned you shall be.

They, however, even if they would not acknowledge their Creator, knew their own consciences. Turning one after the other, they too in their confusion unwilling to look each other in the face, from the eldest to the youngest—that is what the Evangelist said—all went out. The Holy Spirit, you see, had said, “They have all turned aside, all alike have become unprofitable; there is not one who does good, no not even one.” [2] SERMON 16A.4. [3]

[1] Mt 7:2.

[2] Ps 14:3 (13:3 LXX, Vg).

[3] WSA 3 1:350.

THE VOICE OF JUSTICE

AUGUSTINE: What answer, then, did the Lord Jesus make? How did the truth answer? How did Wisdom answer? How did that righteousness, against whom a false accusation was ready, answer? He did not say, “Do not stone her”; otherwise he would seem to speak contrary to the law. But God forbid that he should say, “Stone her,” for he came not to lose what he found, but to seek what was lost. What then did he answer? See how full of righteousness, how full of meekness and truth his answer is? “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”… This is the voice of justice. Let the sinner be punished, but not by sinners. Let the law be carried out, but not by transgressors of the law. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 33.5. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:198**.

JUDGE YOURSELF FIRST

GREGORY THE GREAT: For whoever does not judge himself first cannot know how to judge correctly in the case of another. For even though he knows what the offense is because he was told what it is, he cannot judge what another deserves when, supposing himself innocent, he will not apply the rule of justice to himself. MORALS ON THE BOOK OF JOB 14.29.34. [1]

[1] LF 21:138**.

Jn