Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 1
Augustine — Confessions & Letters
SECTION 281
13. In the meantime, however,--and this, I think, may suffice in the present reply to your Excellency,--seeing that Christ has said, "I am t
13. In the meantime, however,--and this, I think, may suffice in the present reply to your Excellency,--seeing that Christ has said, "I am the way," [2380] it is in Him that mercy and truth are to be sought: if we seek these in any other way, we must go astray, following a path which aspires to the true goal, but does not lead m…
1,574 wordsSECTION 282Letter CXI.
Letter CXI. (November, a.d. 409.) To Victorianus, His Beloved Lord and Most Longed-for Brother and Fellow-Presbyter, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. 1. My heart has been filled with great sorrow by your letter. You asked me to discuss certain things at great length in my reply; but such calamities as you narrate claim ra…
2,299 wordsSECTION 2836. These things read faithfully, and proclaim faithfully; and to the utmost of your power beware, and teach others that they must beware, of
6. These things read faithfully, and proclaim faithfully; and to the utmost of your power beware, and teach others that they must beware, of murmuring against God in these trials and tribulations. You tell me that good, faithful, and holy servants of God have been cut off by the sword of the barbarians. But what matters it wheth…
1,106 wordsSECTION 284Letter CXV.
Letter CXV. (a.d. 410.) To Fortunatus, My Colleague in the Priesthood, My Lord Most Blessed, and My Brother Beloved with Profound Esteem, and to the Brethren Who are with Thee, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. Your Holiness is well acquainted with Faventius, a tenant on the estate of the Paratian forest. He, apprehending …
787 wordsSECTION 285Letter CXVII.
Letter CXVII. (a.d. 410.) From Dioscorus to Augustin. To you, who esteem the substance, not the style of expression, as important, any formal preamble to this letter would be not only unnecessary, but irksome. Therefore, without further preface, I beg your attention. The aged Alypius had often promised, in answer to my reques…
2,593 wordsSECTION 2866. If, however, this be not the end aimed at in these actions and by this zeal of yours, but there is some other ulterior reason for your un
6. If, however, this be not the end aimed at in these actions and by this zeal of yours, but there is some other ulterior reason for your unwillingness to be regarded as illiterate and stupid, I ask what that reason is. If it be to remove impediments to the acquisition of temporal riches, or the obtaining of a wife, or the grasp…
2,261 wordsSECTION 28712. For if the knowledge of the discordant and mutually contradictory opinions of others is of any service to him who would obtain an entran
12. For if the knowledge of the discordant and mutually contradictory opinions of others is of any service to him who would obtain an entrance for Christian truth in overthrowing the opposition of error, it is useful only in the way of preventing the assailant of the truth from being at liberty to fix his eye solely on the work …
2,437 wordsSECTION 28818. As to Physics, if the Platonists taught that the originating cause of all natures is immaterial wisdom, and if, on the other hand, the r
18. As to Physics, if the Platonists taught that the originating cause of all natures is immaterial wisdom, and if, on the other hand, the rival sects of philosophers never got above material things, while the beginning of all things was attributed by some to atoms, by others to the four elements, in which fire was of special po…
2,476 wordsSECTION 28926. Nothing is more certain than that this lies beyond the range and conception of the intelligence of Stoics and Epicureans, who cannot thi
26. Nothing is more certain than that this lies beyond the range and conception of the intelligence of Stoics and Epicureans, who cannot think of anything which is not material. But by the word "our" intelligence he means "human" intelligence; and he very properly does not say, "it lies beyond our intelligence," but "it seems to…
2,513 wordsSECTION 29033. The Platonists, however, who, amidst the errors of false philosophies assailing them at that time on all sides, rather concealed their o
33. The Platonists, however, who, amidst the errors of false philosophies assailing them at that time on all sides, rather concealed their own doctrine to be searched for than brought it into the light to be vilified, as they had no divine personage to command faith, began to exhibit and unfold the doctrines of Plato after the n…
728 wordsSECTION 291Letter CXXII.
Letter CXXII. (a.d. 410.) To His Well-Beloved Brethren the Clergy, and to the Whole People [of Hippo], Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. 1. In the first place, I beseech you, my friends, and implore you, for Christ's sake, not to let my bodily absence grieve you. For I suppose you do not imagine that I could by any means b…
803 wordsSECTION 292Letter CXXIII.
Letter CXXIII. (a.d. 410.) [From Jerome to Augustin.] There are many who go halting upon both feet, and refuse to bend their heads even when their necks are broken, persisting in adherence to their former errors, even though they have not their former liberty of proclaiming them. Respectful salutations are sent to you by the…
1,065 wordsSECTION 293Letter CXXV.
Letter CXXV. (a.d. 411.) To Alypius, My Lord Most Blessed and Brother Beloved with All Reverence, and My Partner in the Priestly Office, and to the Brethren Who are with Him, Augustin and the Brethren Who are with Him Send Greeting in the Lord. 1. We are deeply grieved, and can by no means regard it as a small matter, that th…
1,977 wordsSECTION 294Letter CXXVI.
Letter CXXVI. (a.d. 411.) To the Holy Lady and Venerable Handmaid of God Albina, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. 1. As to the sorrow of your spirit, which you describe as inexpressible, it becomes me to assuage rather than to augment its bitterness, endeavouring if possible to remove your suspicions, instead of increasin…
2,574 wordsSECTION 2958. It remains, therefore, that the reproach of disgraceful covetousness must be levelled indirectly at the clergy, and especially at the bis
8. It remains, therefore, that the reproach of disgraceful covetousness must be levelled indirectly at the clergy, and especially at the bishop. For we are supposed to act as lords of the church's property; we are supposed to enjoy its revenues. In short, whatever money we have received for the church either is still in our poss…
2,151 wordsSECTION 296Letter CXXX.
Letter CXXX. (a.d. 412.) To Proba, [2420] a Devoted Handmaid of God, Bishop Augustin, a Servant of Christ and of Christ's Servants, Sends Greeting in the Name of the Lord of Lords. Chap. I. 1. Recollecting your request and my promise, that as soon as time and opportunity should be given by Him to whom we pray, I would write …
2,293 wordsSECTION 297Chap. IV.
Chap. IV. 9. You have now heard what manner of person you should be if you would pray; hear, in the next place, what you ought to pray for. This is the subject on which you have thought it most necessary to ask my opinion, because you were disturbed by the words of the apostle: "We know not what we should pray for as we ought;"…
2,440 wordsSECTION 29817. Why this should be done by Him who "before we ask Him knoweth what things we have need of," might perplex our minds, if we did not under
17. Why this should be done by Him who "before we ask Him knoweth what things we have need of," might perplex our minds, if we did not understand that the Lord our God requires us to ask not that thereby our wish may be intimated to Him, for to Him it cannot be unknown, but in order that by prayer there may be exercised in us by…
2,288 wordsSECTION 299Chap. XIV.
Chap. XIV. 25. Perhaps you may still ask why the apostle said, "We know not what to pray for as we ought," [2476] for it is wholly incredible that either he or those to whom he wrote were ignorant of the Lord's Prayer. He could not say this either rashly or falsely; what, then, do we suppose to be his reason for the statement? …
2,213 wordsSECTION 300Letter CXXXI.
[2420] Anicia Faltonia Proba, the widow of Sextus Petronius Probus, belonged to a Roman family of great wealth and noble lineage. Three of her sons held the consulship, two of them together in 395 A.D., and the third in 406 A.D. When Rome was taken by Alaric m 410, Proba and her family were in the city, and narrowly escaped from…
1,047 wordsSECTION 301Letter CXXXII.
Letter CXXXII. (a.d. 412.) To Volusianus, My Noble Lord and Most Justly Distinguished Son, Bishop Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. In my desire for your welfare, both in this world and in Christ, I am perhaps not even surpassed by the prayers of your pious mother. Wherefore, in reciprocating your salutation with the respe…
1,648 wordsSECTION 302Letter CXXXV.
Letter CXXXV. (a.d. 412.) To Bishop Augustin, My Lord Truly Holy, and Father Justly Revered, Volusianus Sends Greeting. 1. O man who art a pattern of goodness and uprightness, you ask me to apply to you for instruction in regard to some of the obscure passages which occur in my reading. I accept at your command the favour of …
893 wordsSECTION 303Letter CXXXVI.
Letter CXXXVI. (a.d. 412.) To Augustin, My Lord Most Venerable, and Father Singularly Worthy of All Possible Service from Me, I, Marcellinus Send Greeting. 1. The noble Volusianus read to me the letter of your Holiness, and, at my urgent solicitation, he read to many more the sentences which had won my admiration, for, like e…
916 wordsSECTION 304Letter CXXXVII.
Letter CXXXVII. (a.d. 412.) To My Most Excellent Son, the Noble and Justly Distinguished Lord Volusianus, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. Chap. I. 1. I have read your letter, containing an abstract of a notable conversation given with praiseworthy conciseness. I feel bound to reply to it, and to forbear from alleging an…
2,427 wordsSECTION 3058. There is, therefore, no reason to fear in regard to the small body of the Lord in His infancy, lest in it the Godhead should seem to have
8. There is, therefore, no reason to fear in regard to the small body of the Lord in His infancy, lest in it the Godhead should seem to have been straitened. For it is not in vast size but in power that God is great: He has in His providence given to ants and to bees senses superior to those given to asses and camels; He forms t…
2,385 wordsSECTION 30614. For I think that such signs of divine power are demanded by these objectors as were not suitable for Him to do when wearing the nature o
14. For I think that such signs of divine power are demanded by these objectors as were not suitable for Him to do when wearing the nature of men. The Word was in the beginning, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and by Him all things were made. [2532] Now, when the Word became flesh, was it necessary for Him to cr…
2,237 wordsSECTION 307Letter CXXXVIII.
May the infinitely compassionate omnipotence of God preserve you in safety and increase your happiness, my noble and distinguished Lord, and my most excellent son. With profound respect, as is due to your worth, I salute your pious and most truly venerable mother, whose prayers on your behalf may God hear! My pious brother and f…
2,668 wordsSECTION 3088. If it is now established that that which was for one age rightly ordained may be in another age rightly changed,--the alteration indicati
8. If it is now established that that which was for one age rightly ordained may be in another age rightly changed,--the alteration indicating a change in the work, not in the plan, of Him who makes the change, the plan being framed by His reasoning faculty, to which, unconditioned by succession in time, those things are simulta…
2,437 wordsSECTION 30915. For if the Christian religion condemned wars of every kind, the command given in the gospel to soldiers asking counsel as to salvation w
15. For if the Christian religion condemned wars of every kind, the command given in the gospel to soldiers asking counsel as to salvation would rather be to cast away their arms, and withdraw themselves wholly from military service; whereas the word spoken to such was, "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be …
2,206 wordsSECTION 310Letter CXXXIX.
[2545] Rom. xii. 17. [2546] Matt. v. 39-41. [2547] "Accepta injuria ignoscere quam persequi malebant."--Sallust, Catilina, c. 9. [2548] "Oblivisci soles nihil nisi injurias."--Cicero, pro Ligario, c. 12. [2549] Matt. v. 39. [2550] Luke vi. 29. [2551] John xviii. 23. [2552] Luke xxiii. 34. [2553] Acts xxiii. 3-5. [2554] …
1,931 wordsSECTION 311Letter CXLIII.
Letter CXLIII. (a.d. 412.) To Marcellinus, My Noble Lord, Justly Distinguished, My Son Very Much Beloved, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. 1. Desiring to reply to the letter which I received from you through our holy brother, my co-bishop Boniface, I have sought for it, but have not found it. I have recalled to mind, howe…
2,467 wordsSECTION 3128. Let me give an example, to which I solicit your earnest attention. In a passage near the end of Ecclesiastes, where the author is speakin
8. Let me give an example, to which I solicit your earnest attention. In a passage near the end of Ecclesiastes, where the author is speaking of man's dissolution through death separating the soul from the body, it is written, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." …
1,441 wordsSECTION 313Letter CXLIV.
Letter CXLIV. (a.d. 412.) To My Honourable and Justly Esteemed Lords, The Inhabitants of Cirta, of All Ranks, Brethren Dearly Beloved and Longed For, Bishop Augustin Sends Greeting. 1. If that which greatly distressed me in your town has now been removed; if the obduracy of hearts which resisted most evident and, as we might …
1,158 wordsSECTION 314Letter CXLV.
Letter CXLV. (a.d. 412 or 413.) To Anastasius, My Holy and Beloved Lord and Brother, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. 1. A most satisfactory opportunity of saluting your genuine worth is furnished by our brethren Lupicinus and Concordialis, honourable servants of God, from whom, even without my writing, you might learn al…
2,231 wordsSECTION 315Letter CXLVI.
Why should I say more? Salute the brethren who are with you, and pray for us, that we may be saved with that salvation of which it is said, "They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." [2612] Pray, therefore, for us that we may be righteous,--an attainment who…
2,312 wordsSECTION 3167. The holy Jerome also says: "The eye of man cannot see God as He is in His own nature; and this is true not of man only; neither angels, n
7. The holy Jerome also says: "The eye of man cannot see God as He is in His own nature; and this is true not of man only; neither angels, nor thrones, nor powers, nor principalities, nor any name which is named can see God, for no creature can see its Creator." By these words this very learned man sufficiently shows what his op…
2,202 wordsSECTION 31714. In the exposition which that most learned student of Scripture has given of the psalm in which occur the words, "Understand, ye brutish
14. In the exposition which that most learned student of Scripture has given of the psalm in which occur the words, "Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? or He that formed the eye, doth He not behold?" [2641] he says, among other things: "This pa…
1,737 wordsSECTION 318Letter CL.
Letter CL. (a.d. 413.) To Proba [2646] and Juliana, Ladles Most Worthy of Honour, Daughters Justly Famous and Most Distinguished, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. You have filled our heart with a joy singularly pleasant, because of the love we bear to you, and singularly acceptable, because of the promptitude with which t…
2,374 wordsSECTION 3196. Wherefore, I solemnly assure your Grace, that when on the following day (the day on which the infamous crime thus conceived was consummat
6. Wherefore, I solemnly assure your Grace, that when on the following day (the day on which the infamous crime thus conceived was consummated) tidings were unexpectedly brought to us that they had been led forth from prison to stand before him as their judge, although we were in some alarm, nevertheless, after reflecting on wha…
2,202 wordsSECTION 32012. These things being so, I know your benevolence too well to believe that you were the author of this crime, or an accomplice in its commi
12. These things being so, I know your benevolence too well to believe that you were the author of this crime, or an accomplice in its commission, or that with malicious cruelty you deceived us: far be such conduct from your life and conversation! At the same time, I would not wish your friendship to be of such a character as te…
824 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.