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

Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Times at whose expiration some Philosophers held that the V∣•…•… should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the state it was in at first. CHAP. 13.

NOw these Philosophers beleeued that this world had no other dissolution,

〈◊〉〈◊〉 renewing of it continually at certaine (a) reuolutions of time, wherein the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of things was repaired: and so passed on a continuall (b) rotation of ages 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and comming: whether this fell out in the continuance of one world, or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arising, and falling gaue this succession, and date of things by the owne re∣•…•…ion, from which ridiculous mocking they cannot free the immortal nor the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…oule, but it must stil be tossed vnto false blisse, & beaten backe into true mi∣•…•… how is that blisse true, whose eternity is euer vncertaine, the soule either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…gnorāt of the returne vnto misery, or fearing it in the midst of felicity? But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from misery to happinesse neuer to returne, then is some thing begun in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hich time shall neuer giue end vnto, and why not then the world? and why 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made therein; (to avoide al the false tracts that deceiued wittes haue de∣•…•… distract men from the truth): for (c) some wil haue that place of Ecclesias∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hat is it that hath beene that (which shalbe: what is it that hath beene made? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ch shall be made. (d) And there is no new thing vnder the sunne: nor any thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may say, behold this is new: it hath beene already in the time that was before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be vnderstood of these reciprocall reuolutions, whereas he meant either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things hee spoke of before, viz, the successiue generations; the sunnes mo∣•…•…, the torrents falls; or else generally of all transitory creatures; for there were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ore vs, there are with vs, and there shalbe after vs, so it is of trees, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Nay euen monsters, though they be vnusuall, and diuers, and some haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…t but once, yet as they are generally wonders, and miracles, they are •…•…st and to come: nor is it newes to see a monster vnder the Sunne. Though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ll haue the wise man to speake of Gods predestination that fore-framed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therefore that now there is nothing new vnder the Sunne. But farre be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from beleeuing that these words of Salomon should meane those reuolu∣•…•… they do dispose the worlds course and renouation by: as Plato the A∣•…•… Philosopher taught in the Academy that in a certeyne vnbounded 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ yet definit, Plato himselfe, his schollers, the city and schoole should after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ages meete all in that place againe and bee as they were when hee taught 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God forbid I say that wee should beleeue this. For Christ once died for our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and rising againe, dieth no more, nor hath death any future dominion ouer him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after our resurrection shalbe alwaies with the Lord, to whome now we say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Psalme: Thou wilt keepe vs O Lord and preserue vs from this generation for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The following place I thinke fittes them best: The wicked walke in a circuit: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause their life (as they thinke) is to run circularly, but because their false do∣•…•… runs round in a circular maze.

L. VIVES.

•…•…lutions (a) Of.] Platonisme holding a continuall progression and succession of causes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 effects, and when heauen hath reuolued it selfe fully, and come to the point whence it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first, then is the great yeare perfect, and all shall be as they were at first. (b) Rotation.] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a •…•…it word of Uoluo to roule. (c) Some.] Origen, Periarch. lib. 2. I will follow Hierome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then R•…•…s in citying Origens Dogmaticall doctrines, and that for good reasons: we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Origen) that there was a world ere this, & shalbe another after it: wil you heare our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the later? Here Esay saying I will create new heauens, and a new earth; to remaine in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for the first Ecclesi•…•…stes: What is it that hath bin? that which shalbe. &c. for al things 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as they are in the old ages before vs. Thus Origen, yet hee doubts whether these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shalbe alike, or somewhat different. (d) And there is no.] Simmachus hath translated 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then Hierome, referring it vnto Gods prescience, that al things of this world were

first in the Creators knowledge, though Augustine a little before, take it as ment of the gene∣rality of things, and toucheth Hieromes exposition.

Notes

• Ecc. 1. 9. 10
• Rom 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Thess. 4. Psal. 12. 7.
• Reuolution of times.
• Is•…•…. 65. 17.