For not only by the offering of incense is sacrifice made to
devils, but also by accepting too readily their sayings.
[Gratian draws the CONCLUSION.]
As therefore is evident from the authorities already quoted
ignorance ought to be odious to priests. Since, if in ignorance
of their own blindness they undertake to lead others, both fall
into the ditch. Wherefore in the Psalm it is said: "Let their
eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back
always." For when those who go ahead are darkened, they who
follow are easily inclined to bear the burdens of sinners.
Therefore priests must endeavor to cast off ignorance from them
as if it were a sort of pestilence. For although, in a few
instances, it is said that a slave is flogged who does not do his
master's will through ignorance of that will, this is not,
generally understood of all. For the Apostle says: "If any man be
ignorant, let him be ignorant," which is to be understood as
referring to him who did not wish to have knowledge that he might
do well.
Hence Augustine in his book of Questions:
Not every man who is ignorant is free from the penalty. For the
ignorant man who is ignorant because he found no way of learning
(the law) can be excused from the penalty, while he cannot be
pardoned who having the means of knowledge did not use them.
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