Augustinus (pseudo), Sermones Suppositi. Classis IIII. De Diversis

5. Ethnicarum superstitionum reliquiœ. Superstitio in feria quinta. Et licet credam quod illa infelix consuetudo, qux de Paganorum profana observatione remansit, jam nobis castigantibus et de locis istis fuerit, Dco inspirante, sublata; tamen si adhuc agnoscatis aliquos illam sordidissimain turpiuidinem de hinnicula vel cervula exercere, ita durissime castigate, ut cos pœniteat rem sacrilegam commisisse. Et si, quando luna obscuratur, adhuc aliquos clamare cognoscitis, et ipsos admonete denuntiantes eis quod grave sibi peccatum faciunt, quando lunam, quæ Deo jubente certis temporibus obscuratur, clamoribus suis a maleficiis sacrilego ausu se defensare posse confidunt. Et si adhuc videtis aliquos ad fontes aut ad arbores vota reddere, et, sicut jam dictum est, sortilegos etiam et divinos vel præcantatores inquirere , phylacteria etiam diabolica et characteres, aut herbas, vel succos sibi aut suis appenderc ; durissime tanta eorum peccata increpantes dicite, quia quicumque fecerit hoc malum , perdit Baptismi sa - cramentum. Et quia audivimus quod aliquos viro£ vel mulieres ita diabolus circumveniat, ut quinta feria nec viri opera faciant, nec mulieres lanificium ; coram Deo et sanctis Angelis ejus contestamur, quia quicumque hoc observare voluerint, nisi per prolixam et duram poenitentiam tale sacrilegium emendaverint, ubi arsurus est diabolus , ibi et ipsi damnandi sunt. Isti enim infelices et miseri, qui in honore Jovis in quinta feria opera non faciunt, non dubito quod ipsa opera die dominico facere nec erubescunt nee metuunt. Et ideo quoscumque tales esse cognoveritis, durissime castigate; et, si emendare noluerint, nec ad colloquium nee ad convivium vestrum eos venire permittite. Si vero ad vos pertinent, etiam flagellis cxdite; ut vel plagam corporis timeant, qui de animæ suae salute non cogitant (a). Nos enim , fratres charissimi, cogitantes periculum vestrum , paterna vos sollicitudine admonemus. Si nos libenter auditis, et nobis facietis gaudium, et vos feliciter pervenietis ad regnum. Quod ipse præstare dignetur, qui cum Patre et Spiritu sanctu visit et regnat in sæcula sxcu!orum. Amen.

5. Remnants of heathen superstitions. The superstition about the fifth day. And although I believe that that unhappy custom which survived from the profane observance of the pagans has now, through our rebukes and by God's inspiration, been removed from these places as well, yet if you learn that some still practise that most filthy disgrace of the hinnicula or cervula [‘little mare’ or ‘little hind’], rebuke them so harshly that they repent of having committed a sacrilegious act. And if you learn that some still shout when the moon is darkened, warn them too, declaring to them that they commit a grave sin when, with sacrilegious daring, they trust that by their shouting they can defend from sorceries the moon, which is darkened at fixed times at God's command. And if you still see some paying vows at springs or at trees and, as has already been said, seeking out lot-casters and diviners or enchanters, and hanging devilish amulets and characteres [written charms], or herbs or juices, on themselves or their own people, rebuke these great sins of theirs most harshly and tell them that whoever does this evil loses the sacrament of baptism. And since we have heard that the devil so deceives some men and women that on the fifth day the men do no work and the women no wool-working, we solemnly declare before God and his holy angels that whoever chooses to observe this, unless they make amends for such a sacrilege by long and hard penance, will be damned where the devil is to burn. For these unhappy wretches who do no work on the fifth day in honour of Jupiter: I do not doubt that they neither blush nor fear to do that very work on the Lord's day. And so, whomever you find to be such, rebuke them most harshly; and if they will not amend, do not allow them to come to converse with you or to your table. If they belong to you, beat them with whips as well, so that those who give no thought to the salvation of their soul may at least fear a wound to the body. For we, dearest brothers, thinking of your danger, admonish you with fatherly concern. If you listen to us willingly, you will both give us joy and happily reach the kingdom yourselves. May he grant this, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

3. Cur divini frequenter vera nuntient. Cur nisi per eos periculum sæpe non vitetur. Hos adhibere grave peccatum est. Sed forte dicit aliquis: Quid facimus, eo quod auguria ipsa, et caragi, vel divini frequenter nobis vera annuntiant ? De hac re Scriptura nos con- testatur et monet, dicens : Etiamsi qua vera vobis dixerint, nolite credere illis, Tental enim vos Dominus Deus vester, utrum timeatis eum, an non (Deut. XIII, 3) Sed iterum dicis : aliquoties si præcantatores non fuerint. aut de .morsu serpentis, aut de alia qualibet infirmitate prope usque ad mortem multi periclitantur. Verum est, fratres charissimi, quia permittit hoc Deus diabolo, sicut jam supra dixi, ad probandum christia- num : ut cum interdum per illa sacrilegia alique re- media in illa infirmitate percipere, et aliquid verum potuerint agnoscere, facilius propterea diabolo cre- dant. Sed qui totam christianam religionem desiderat custodire. oportet ut haec omnia tota animi virtute contemnat, timens illud quod ait Apostulus increpans Dies, et menses, et tempora observatis; timeo ne sine cua- sa laboraverim in vobis (Galat. IV.10 et 11).Ecce Apo- stolus dicit quod qui auguria observaveris; sine causa doctriam ejus suscipiet : et ideo, quantum potetis circumventiones diaboli fugite.

3. Why diviners often announce true things. Why danger is often not avoided except through them. To employ them is a grave sin. But perhaps someone says: “What are we to do, since the omens themselves, and the caragi [charm-makers], or the diviners, often announce true things to us?” On this matter Scripture solemnly charges and warns us, saying: “Even if they tell you anything true, do not believe them. For the Lord your God is testing you, whether you fear him or not” (Deut. 13:3). But again you say: “Sometimes, if there are no enchanters, many are endangered almost to the point of death, whether from a snake's bite or from some other illness.” It is true, dearest brothers, that God permits this to the devil, as I have already said above, to test the Christian: so that when at times they have been able to obtain some remedies in their illness through those sacrileges, and to learn something true, they may for that reason more readily believe the devil. But whoever wishes to keep the Christian religion whole must despise all these things with the whole strength of his mind, fearing what the Apostle says in rebuke: “You observe days and months and seasons; I fear that I may have laboured among you in vain” (Gal. 4:10–11). See, the Apostle says that whoever observes omens will receive his teaching in vain; and therefore, as far as you can, flee the snares of the devil.

4. Divinos qui consulunt, diabolo sacrificant, Baptismum violant; Christo abdicato, cum diabolo pactum ineunt. Solet fieri, fratres, ut ad aliquem ægrotantem veniat persecutor ex parte diaboli, et dicat : Si illum præcantatorem adhibuisses, jam sanus esses; si characteres illos tibi voluisses appendere, jam poteras sanitatem recipere. Huic persecutori si conseuscris, diabolo sacrificasti; si contempseris, dicat martyrii gloriam acquisisti. Venit forte et alius qui : Mitte ad illum divinum, transmitte ad illum cingulum aut fasciam tuam, mensuretur et aspiciat; et ipse tibi dicet quid facies,aut utrum evadere possis. Dicit et alius Ille bene novit fumigare ; nam cuicumque hoc fecit, statim melius habuit, ominis tentio de domo illius discessit. Et istis omnibus quicumque acquie- verit, sacramentum Baptismi violavit. Solet etiam diabolas in hac parte deciper negligentes et tepidos christianos, ut si aliquis furtum pertulerit, instiget de amicis suis ille crudelissimus persecutor, et dicat ei : Veni secreto ad illum locum, et ego tibi excitabo personam, quæ tibi dicat quis est qui tibi furatus est argentum aut pecuniam tuam; sed si hoc cupis agno- scere, quando ad locum illum venis, noli te signare. Ecce ad quæ mala perducantur tepidi christiami, qui dum volunt temporalem sanitatem recipere, non ex- pavescunt sacrilegia tam nefanda committere. Istis enim talibus diabomi consiliariis quicumque consen- scrit, repudiato Christo pactum cum diabolo se fe- cisse non dubitet. Solent etiam mulieres sibi invicem persuadere, ut ægrotantibus fillis suis fascinum ali- quod, quod fidei catholicæ non conveniat, debeant adhibere. Et ista deceptio de parte diaboli est.

4. Those who consult diviners sacrifice to the devil and violate baptism; having renounced Christ, they enter into a pact with the devil. It often happens, brothers, that a persecutor comes on the devil's behalf to someone who is sick and says: “If you had called in that enchanter, you would be well by now; if you had been willing to hang those characteres [written charms] on yourself, you could already have recovered your health.” If you give in to this persecutor, you have sacrificed to the devil; if you scorn him, I say, you have won the glory of martyrdom. Perhaps another comes too, who [says]: “Send to that diviner, send him your belt or your sash; let it be measured and let him look at it, and he himself will tell you what you should do, or whether you can escape.” And another says: “That man knows well how to fumigate; for whoever he did it for was better at once, and every affliction left his house.” And whoever gives in to all these has violated the sacrament of baptism. The devil also often deceives careless and lukewarm Christians in this matter: if someone has suffered a theft, that most cruel persecutor stirs up one of his friends to say to him: “Come secretly to such-and-such a place, and I will call up for you a figure who will tell you who it is that stole your silver or your money; but if you want to find this out, when you come to that place, do not make the sign of the cross.” See to what evils lukewarm Christians are brought, who, wanting to regain temporal health, do not shudder to commit such abominable sacrileges. Whoever consents to such counsellors of the devil as these, let him not doubt that he has rejected Christ and made a pact with the devil. Women also often persuade one another that, when their children are sick, they ought to apply some charm that is not in keeping with the Catholic faith. And this deception comes from the devil's side.