5. And although God can grant the spiritual oil without the material, yet because the apostles have used this rite in the case of the sick, and apostolical men in the case of catechumens, this practice which their authority hath consecrated cannot be omitted without sin (as hath been said in the chapter upon the Altar): just as anciently the just pleased God without circumcision; but after it had been enjoined them to be circumcised, such as omitted this rite were subjected to sin. Thirdly; we have to speak of the unction before baptism. And indeed in the New Testament not only kings and priests be anointed, as hath been already said, but also--(because Christ by His Blood hath made us kings and priests, that is, royal priests, unto our God, as the {136} Apostle S. Peter saith, [Footnote 494] 'Ye are a chosen generation,' that is, chosen out from the tribes of men, 'a royal priesthood,' that is, governing yourselves well)--also, I say, all Christians be anointed twice before their baptism with consecrated oil--first, on the breast: secondly, between the shoulders: and twice after their baptism, with holy chrism--first, on the crown of the head; and secondly, by the bishop on the forehead. [Footnote 494: I S. Peter ii, 9.] 6. And, according to Augustine, the first three unctions have been introduced rather by use than by any written authority. The candidate for baptism is anointed with oil--first, on the breast, in which is the locality of the heart; first, in order that by the gift of the Holy Ghost he may cast away error and ignorance and embrace a right faith; because 'the just liveth by faith,' [Footnote 495] and 'with the heart we believe unto justification.' [Footnote 496] But he is anointed between the shoulders, in order that he may, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, shake off indifference and sloth, and practise good works (because 'faith without works is dead'),' [Footnote 497] so that by means of sacraments of faith there may result a purity of thoughts. On the breast, again, that by the practising of good works there may arise a boldness of labour: between the shoulders, to the end that 'faith (according to the Apostle) may work by love.' [Footnote 498] The oil therefore is carried over from the heart to the shoulders, since faith, which is conceived in the mind, is perfected in works (because, that is, faith consisteth in making our _deeds_ like our _words_). [Footnote 499] But the person after baptism is anointed by the priest on the head with chrism, that 'he may be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh him a reason for the faith that is in him,' [Footnote 500] because by {137} the head is understood the mind: as it is written, 'The eyes,' that is the understanding, 'of the wise are in his head,' [Footnote 501] that is, his mind; of which mind, the superior part is reason and the inferior sensuality. Hence, by the crown, which is the upper part of the head,