Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/443

117* On the contrary, his law saddens and disturbs them while the poisonous law pleases them. The law of the gospel requires that they suffer blows on the cheek and that, if anyone should sue them and take their coat, they let him have their cloak as well thus adding self-injury to injury. Therefore the people living on a diet of poison – which has been poured also into the holy Church – corrupt Christ's law with the saliva of garlic and insult from the wise magistrates; their civil service wisdom smells like garlic eaten after a fast they know how wisely to defame the simplicity of the gospel of Christ, sufficient and vigorous.

Well then, to return to where we began, what do we say about the Emperor entering faith with pagan rule and statutes and offices? It is clear that – as has then been said – this was "" It was not poured in without purpose, but that all people drink it, that all Matt. 5: 39–40.

This passage shows a definite Waldensian influence. It represents an echo of the Waldensian version of the legend of. Among the Austrian Waldenses the legend took on the following shape: The "manager" of the Church of God in the days of the rule of Emperor Constantine was "a certain Sylvester of Rome" who, being persecuted, led a miserable life "with his people on Mount Sirachia." Moved by a dream which he had had one night the Emperor asked to be baptized. [sic]by Sylvester. Once baptized, the Emperor was miraculously cured from leprosy. (Continued).