Homilies on the Gospel of John

“But the people, which knows not the Law, are accursed.”

Then is the charge against you the heavier, because the people believed, and you believed not. They acted like men that knew the Law; how then are they accursed? It is ye that are accursed, who keep not the Law, not they, who obey the Law. Neither was it right, on the evidence of unbelievers, to slander one in whom they believed not, for this is an unjust mode of acting. For you also believed not God, as Paul says; “What if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect? God forbid.” For the Prophets ever rebuked them, saying, “Hear, you rulers of Sodom”; and, “Your rulers are disobedient”; and again, “Is it not for you to know judgment?” And everywhere they attack them vehemently. What then? Shall one blame God for this? Away with the thought. This blame is theirs. And what other proof can a man bring of your not knowing the Law than your not obeying it? For when they had said, “Hath any of the rulers believed on him?” and, “These who know not the Law,” Nicodemus in fair consequence upbraids them, saying,