In the same place. — And he will cover his face. 75. Heretics, after the manner of adulterers, cover their face. — Therefore the adulterer covers his face, that he may not be recognized. But everyone who lives wickedly, whether in thought or in deed, covers his face, because by the perversity of his doctrine or of his work he tends to this, that he may not be able to be recognized by almighty God in the judgment. Whence to certain men he will say at the end: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew vii, 23). But what is the face of the human heart, but the likeness of God? Which face indeed the perverse man covers, that it may not be able to be known, when he confounds his life either by evil deeds or by the error of perfidy.
But such a one, when he beholds the just supported by the prosperity of the present life, by no means presumes to persuade them to perverse things; but if any storm of adversity finds them, he straightway breaks forth into the words of pestilent persuasion. Whence it is also subjoined: