St. Augustine, Of the citie of God vvith the learned comments of Io. Lod. Viues. Englished by I.H.

Augustines inuectiue against such as wrote against the Bookes already published. CHAP. 27.

BVt now I see I must take those in hand, that seeing they are conuicted by iust plaine arguments in this, that these false gods haue no power in the distribu∣tion of temporall goods, (which fooles desire onely) now goe to affirme that they are worshipped, not for the helpes of this life present, but of that which is to come. For in these fiue bookes past, wee haue sayd enough to such as (like little babyes) cry out that they would faine worship them for those earthly helpes, but cannot be suffred. The first three Bookes I had no sooner finished, and let them passe abroade vnto some mens hands, but I heard of some that prepared to make (I know not what) an answer to them, or a reply vpon them. Afterward I heard, that they had written them, and did but watch (a) a time when to publish it se∣curely. But I aduise them not to wish a thing so inexpedient: (b) It is an easie * 1.1 thing for any man to seeme to haue made an answer, that is not altogether silent; but what is more talkatiue then vanitie, which cannot haue the power of truth, by reason it hath more tongue then truth? But let these fellowes marke each * 1.2 thing well: and if their impartiall iudgements tell them, that their tongue-ripe Satyrisme may more easily disturbe the truth of this world, then subuert it, let them keepe in their trumperies, and learne rather to bee reformed by the wise, then applauded by the foolish. For if they expect a time (not for the freedome of truth but) for the licensing of reproch, God forbid that that should bee true of them, which Tully spoake of a certaine man, that was called happy, in hauing free lea•…•…e to •…•…ffend. (c) O wretched hee that hath free libertie to offend! And therefore what euer hee be, that thinketh himselfe happy in his freedome of re∣pro•…•…hing others, I giue him to vnderstand that farre happyer should he be in the

lacke of that licence, seeing that as now, hee may in forme of consultation con∣tradict or oppose what hee will, setting aside the affecting of vaine applause: and heare what hee will, and what is fit in honest, graue, free, and friendly dispu∣tation.

L. VIVES.

WAtch (a) a time] Many write against others, and watch a time for the publication, to the hurt of the aduersary and their owne profit. Such men writing onely to doe mischiefe, are to be hated as the execrable enemies of all good iudgments. For who cannot doe iniurie? And what a minde hath hee that thinketh his guifts and learning must serue him to vse vnto others ruine? If they seeke to doe good by writing, let them publish them then, when they may do•…•… others the most good, and their opponents the least hurt. Let them set them forth whil•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aduersary liues, is lusty, and can reply vpon them, and defend his owne cause. * 1.3 Pl•…•… •…•…tes that Asinius Pollio had Orations against Plancus, which hee meant to publish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death, least hee should come vpon him with a reply. Plancus hearing of it, tush saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is none but ghosts will contend with the dead: which answer so cutte the combes of the •…•…ions, that all Schollers made ieasts and mockes of them. (b) It is easye] The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (the voluntary censurer of the contentions betweene the greatest Schollers) if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 silent, presently condemne him, and giue him for conquered, without any other tryall: and holding him the sufficient answerer, that doth not hold his peace. If both write 〈◊〉〈◊〉; O •…•…en (say they) it is a hard controuersie, and so leaue it: neuer looking, (nor if they wo•…•…ld could they discerne) whose cause is better defended; because they doe not vnderstand it: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 euen as Augustine saith here, Uanity hauing more words then veritie; those fooles ofte∣•…•… •…•…on that side, that kept the most coyle. (c) O wretched] Tusc. l. 5. speaking of Cin∣•…•…: Is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…appy that slew those men: no, I rather thinke him wretched, not onely for dooing it, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ied himselfe so to gette the licence to doe it: Though to offend is vnlawfull, and li∣•…•… •…•…o man, wee abuse the world: for that is lawfull which each mans good hath left 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…o performe or follow.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hen truth
• * 1.3

  In pr•…•…at. h•…•…stor nat.