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

Of the vniuersall way of the soules freedome, which Porphyry sought amisse, and therefore found not: that onely Christ hath de∣clared it. CHAP. 32.

THis is the religion that containes the vniuersall way of the soules freedome: •…•…or no where els is it found but herein. This is the (a) Kings high way that leads * 1.1 to the eternall dangerlesse Kingdome, to no temporall or transitory one. And •…•…reas Porphyry saith in the end of his first booke, De regressu animae, that there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one sect yet, either truely Philosophicall, (b) Indian or Chaldaean that teach∣et•…•… this vniuersall way: and that hee hath not had so much as any historicall rea∣•…•… of it, yet hee confesseth that such an one there is, but what it is hee knoweth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (So insufficient was all that hee had learnt, to direct him to the soules true •…•…me and all that himselfe held, or others thought him hold: for he obser∣•…•… want of an authority fit for him to follow) But whereas hee saith that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the true Philosophy euer had notice of the vniuersall way of the soules 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he shewes plaine that either his owne Phylosophy was not true, or els 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wanted the knowledge of this way, and then, still, how could it be true? for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vniuersall way of freeing the soules is there but that which freeth all soules, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cōnsequently without which none is freed? But whereas he addeth Indian or Chaldaean, he giues a cleare testimony, that neither of their doctrines contai∣•…•… this way of the soules freedome yet could not he co•…•…ceale, but is stil a telling 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Chaldaeans had hee the diuine oracles. What vniuersall way 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth hee meane, that is neither receiued in Philosophy nor into those Pa∣•…•… disciplines that had such a stroke with him in matters of diuinity, (because 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with them did the curious fond superstition, inuocation of all Angells) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which he neuer had so much as read of?

What is that vniuersall way, not peculiar to euery perticuler nation but com∣mon to (c) all the world and giuen to it by the power of God? Yet this witty Phi∣losopher knew that some such way thers was. For hee beleeues not that Gods prouidence would leaue man-kinde without a meane of the soules freedome. He saith not, there is no such, but that so great and good an helpe is not yet knowne to vs, nor vnto him: no meruell: for Prophyry was yet all (d) for the world, when that vniuersall way of the soules freedome, christianity, was suffered to be oppo∣sed, by the deuills and their seruants earthly powers, to make vp the holy number of Martires (e) that is, witnesses of the truth, who might shew that all corporall tortures were to be endured for aduancement of the truth of piety. This Porphyry saw, and thinking persecution would soone extinguish this way, therefore held not this the vniuersall, not conceiuing that that which he stucke at, and feared to endure in his choice, belonged to his greater commendation and confirmation. This therefore is that vniuersal way of the soules freedome, that is granted vnto all nations out of Gods mercy, the knowledge whereof commeth, and is to come vnto all men: wee may not, nor any hereafter, say, why (f) commeth it, so soone, or, why so late, for his wisdome that doth send it, is vnsearcheable vnto man. Which he well perceiued when he sayd, it was not yet receiued, or knowne vnto him: he denied not the truth thereof, because he as yet, had it not. This I say is the way that will free all beleeuers, wherein Abraham trusting, receiued that di∣uine promise, In thy seede shall all the nations bee blessed. Abraham•…•… as a Chaldae∣an, * 1.2 but for to receiue this promise, that the seede which was disposed by the An∣gells in the mediators power, to giue this vniuersall way of the soules freedome vnto all nations, he was commanded to leaue his owne land and kinred, and his fa∣thers house. And then was hee first freed from the Chaldaean superstitions, and serued the true God, to whose promise he firmely trusted. This is the way recor∣ded in the Prophet. God bee mercifull vnto vs and blesse vs: and shew vs the light of his countenance and bee mercifull vnto vs. That thy way may be knowne vpon earth: thy * 1.3 sauing health among all nations. And long aft•…•…r. Abrahams seede beeing incarnate, Christ sayth of himselfe, I am the way, the truth and the life. This is the vniuersall way, mentioned so long before by the Prophets. It shalbe in the last daies that the * 1.4 (g) mountaine of the house of the Lord shalbe prepared in the toppe of the mountaines, and shalbe exalted aboue the hills and all nations shall flie vnto it. And many people shall goe and say, come let vs goe vppe to the mountaine of the Lord, to the house of the God of Iacob, and hee will teach vs his way, and wee will walke therein. For the lawe shall goe forth of Syon, and the word of the LORD from Ierusalem. This way there∣fore is not peculiar to some one nation but common to all. Nor did the law, and word of God stay in Ierusalem, or Syon, but come from thence to ouer∣spread all the world. Therevpon the mediator being risen from death sayd vnto his amazed and amated disciples. Al things must be fulfilled which are written of mee in the law, the Prophets and the Psalmes. Then opened hee their vnderstanding, that they might vnderstand the scriptures, saying, thus it behooued CHRIST to suffer and to rise againe from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of * 1.5 sinnes should be preached in his name amongst all nations beginning at Ierusalem. This then is the vniuersall way of the soules freedome, which the Saints and Prophets (beeing at first but a fewe as God gaue grace, and those all Hebrewes, for that e∣state was in a (h) manner consecrated) did both adumbrate in their temple, sacri∣fice and Priest-hood, and fore-told also in their prophecy, often mistically, and some-times plainely. And the Mediator himselfe and his Apostles, reuealing the

grace of the new testament, made plaine all those significations, that successe of precedent times had retained, as it pleased God, the miracls which I spoke of be∣fore euermore giuing confirmation to them. For they had not onely angelicall visions, and saw the ministers of heauen, but euen these simple men relying wholy vpon Gods word, cast out deuills, cured diseases, (i) commanded wild∣beasts, waters, birds, trees, elements, and starres, raised the dead. I except the mi∣racles, peculiar to our Sauiour, chiefly in his birth, and resurrection, shewing in the first, the mistery of (k) maternall virginity, and in the other the example of our renouation. This way cleanseth euery soule, and prepareth a mortall man in e∣uery part of his, for immortality. For least that which Prophyry calls the intellect should haue one purgation, the spirital another, and the body another, therefore did our true and powerfull Sauiour take all vpon him. Besides this way, (which hath neuer failed man-kinde, either (l) in prophecies, or in their (m) performan∣ces) no man hath euer had freedome, or euer hath or euer shall haue. And wher∣as Porphyry saith he neuer had any historicall notice of this way, what history can be more famous then this that lookes from such a towring authority, downe, vp∣on all the world? or more faithfull, since it so relateth things past, as it prophecy∣eth things to come: a great part whereof wee see already performed, which giu∣eth vs assured hope of the fulfilling of the rest. Porphyry, nor euer a Platonist in the world can contemne the predictions of this way, (albee they concerne but temporall affaires) as they doe all other prophecies and diuinations of what sort soeuer: for them, they say they neither are spoken by worthy men, nor to any worthy purpose: true, for they are either drawne from inferiour causes, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can presage much (n) concerning health, vpon such or such signes: or cls the vncleane spirits fore-tell the artes that they haue already disposed of, (o) con∣firming the mindes of the guilty and wicked, with deedes fitting their words, or words fitting their deedes, to get themselues a domination in mans infirmity. But the holy men of this vniuersall way of ours neuer respect the prophecying of those things, holding them iustly, trifles: yet doe they both know them and often fore-tell them to confirme the faith in things beyond sence, and hard to pre∣sent vnto plainnesse. But they were other, and greater matters which they, (as God inspired them) did prophecy: namely the incarnation of Christ, and all things thereto belonging, and fulfilled in his name, repentance and conuersion of the will vnto God, remission of sinnes, the grace of iustice, faith, and increase of beleeuers throughout all the world, destinction of Idolatry, temptation for triall, mundifying of the proficients, freedom from euill, the day of iudgement, resurrection, damnation of the wicked, and glorification of the City of GOD in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eternall Kingdome. These are the prophecies of them of this way: many are fullfilled, and the rest assuredly are to come. That this streight way, leading to the knowledge and coherence of GOD, lieth plaine in the holy scriptures, vpon whose truth it is grounded: they that beleeue not (and therefore know not) may oppose this but can neuer ouerthrow it: And therefore in these ten bookes I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spoken (by the good assistance of GOD) sufficient in sound iudgements, (though some expected more) against the impious contradictors, that preferre 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gods before the founder of the holy citty whereof wee are to dispute. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fiue of the ten, opposed them that adored their gods for temporall respects: * 1.6 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fiue later, against those that adored them for the life to come. It remaines now according as wee promised in the first booke, to proceede in our discourse of the two citties that are confused together in this world and distinct in the

other, of whose originall, progresse and consummation, I now enter to dispute, e∣•…•… •…•…oking the assistance of the almighty.

L. VIVES.

KInges (a) high] or road: the Kinges, the Pr•…•…tors, and the Soldiors way the lawes held holy. (b) Indian] The Gymnosophists, and the Brachmans, much recorded for admirable deeds and doctrine. (c) All the world] Therfore is our fayth called Catholike, because it was not * 1.7 taught to any peculiar nation, as the Iewes was, but to all mankind excluding none: all may be saued by it, and none can without it: nor hath euery nation herein (as they haue in Paganisme) a seuerall religion. But for the other, the Romaines had those gods and this worship, and the Grecians others: the French others from theirs, Spaine, Scythia, India, Persia, all seuerall. B•…•… all that professe CHRIST haue one GOD, and one sacrifice (d) All for the world] Liuing vnder Diocletian, a sore persecutor of Christianity. (e) Witnesses] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is a witnesse. (f) •…•…hy c•…•…eth] Why came it not ere now? or so. (g) Mountaine] Some bookes, leaue out, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…se▪ the 70. read it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. the mount of the Lord and house of our God. (h) I•…•… •…•…er] It was the beginning, or seminary of Gods Church. (i) Commanded] Some adde, the deuills to depart: but it is needlesse. (k) Maternall] The mistery is that nothing that o•…•… Sauiour touched, is stained, or corrupted. (l) In prophecies] In Moyses lawe. (m) Performances] In our law, by Apostles, and other holy Preachers. (n) Concerning health] Or, to befal the health, better. (o) Confirming] or, the rule of which they challenge to themselues, in fitting wicked a•…•…∣fections with correspondent effects. For they can vse their powers of nature farre m•…•…re know∣ingly then we, in procuring health or sicknesse.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Kings l•…•…gh way.
• * 1.2

  Genes. 22
• * 1.3

  Psalm. 60
• * 1.4

  Iohn 14 Esay 2
• * 1.5

  Luk. 24
• * 1.6

  A rec•…•…pitu∣lation of the former ten book•…•….
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.