ouls of men, and the State merely
tortures their bodies; they cause eternal death, and then complain
when the State makes them suffer temporal death."[1]

[1] _In Joann. Tractat_. xi, cap. xv.

But this is only an argument _ad hominem_. St. Augustine means to say
that, even if the Donatists were put to death, they had no reason to
complain. He does not admit, in fact, that they had been cruelly
treated. The victims they allege are false martyrs or suicides.[1] He
denounces those Catholics who, outside of cases of self-defense, had
murdered their opponents.[2]

[1] Ibid.

[2] Ep. lxxxvii, n. 8.

The State also has the perfect right to impose the lesser penalties
of flogging, fines, and exile. "For he (the prince) beareth not the
sword in vain," says the Apostle. "For he is God's minister; an
avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."[1] It is not true
to claim that St. Paul here meant merely the spiritual sword of
excommunication.[2] The context proves clearly that he was speaking
of the material sword. Schism and heresy are crimes which, like
poisoning, are punishable by the State.[3] Princes must render an
account to God for the way they govern. It is natural that they
should desire the peace of the Church, their mother, who gave them
spiritual life.[4]

[1] Rom. xiii. 4; Augustine, _Contra litteras Petiliani_, lib. ii,
cap. lxxxiii-lxxxiv; _Contra Epist. Parmeniani_, lib. i, cap. xvi.

[2] _Contra Epist. Parmeniani_, ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] _In Joann. Tractatus_ xi, cap. xiv.

The State, therefore, has the right to suppress heresy, because the
public tranquillity is disturbed by religious dissensions.[1] Her
intervention also works for the good of individuals. For, on the one
hand, there are some sincere but timid souls who are prevented by
their environment from abandoning their schism; they are encouraged
to return to the fold by the civil power, which frees them from a
most humiliating bondage.[2]

[1] Ep. lxxxii, n. 8.

[2] Ep. clxxxv, n. 13.

On the other hand, there are many schismatics in good faith who would
never attain the truth unless they were forced to enter into
themselves and examine their false position. The civil power
admonishes such souls to abandon their errors; it does not punish
them for any crime.[1] The Church's rebellious children are not
forced to believe, but are induced by a salutary fear to listen to
the true doctrine.[2]

[1] Ep. xciii, n. 10.

[2] _Contra li