St Augustine

Argument—Augustin censures the pagans, who attributed the calamities

of the world, and especially the recent sack of Rome by the Goths, to

the Christian religion, and its prohibition of the worship of the

gods. He speaks of the blessings and ills of life, which then, as

always, happened to good and bad men alike. Finally, he rebukes the

shamelessness of those who cast up to the Christians that their women

had been violated by the soldiers.

Preface, Explaining His Design in Undertaking This Work.

The glorious city of God is my theme in this work, which you, my

dearest son Marcellinus, suggested, and which is due to you by my

promise. I have undertaken its defence against those who prefer

their

own gods to the Founder of this city,—a city surpassingly glorious,

whether we view it as it still lives by faith in this fleeting course

of time, and sojourns as a stranger in the midst of the ungodly, or as

it shall dwell in the fixed stability of its eternal seat, which it now

with patience waits for, expecting until “righteousness shall return

unto judgment,” and it obtain, by virtue of its excellence, final

victory and perfect peace. A great work this, and an arduous; but God

is my helper. For I am aware what ability is requisite to persuade the

proud how great is the virtue of humility, which raises us, not by a

quite human arrogance, but by a divine grace, above all earthly