But as men are prone to estimate sins, not by
reference to their inherent sinfulness, but rather by reference to their own
customs, it frequently happens that a man will think nothing blameable except
what the men of his own country and time are accustomed to condemn, and nothing
worthy of praise or approval except what is sanctioned by the custom of his
companions; and thus it comes to pass, that if Scripture either enjoins what is
opposed to the customs of the hearers, or condemns what is not so opposed, and
if at the same time the authority of the word has a hold upon their minds, they
think that the expression is figurative.
--St. Augustine, On
Christian Doctrine, Book III, Chapter 10
