Page 536
Of the conflicts, and peace of the earthly Citty. CHAP. 4.
BVt the temporall, earthly citty (temporall, for when it is condemned to per∣petuall paines it shall be no more a citty) hath all the good, here vpon earth, and therein taketh that ioy that such an obiect can affoord. But because it is not a good that acquits the possessors of all troubles, therefore this citty is diuided in it selfe, into warres, altercations, and appetites of bloudy and deadly victories. For any part of it that warreth against another, desires to bee the worlds con∣queror, whereas indeed it is vices slaue. And if it conquer, it extolls it selfe and so becomes the owne destruction: but if wee consider the condition of worldly af∣faires, and greeue at mans opennesse to aduersity, rather then delight in the euents of prosperitie, thus is the victory deadly: for it cannot keepe a soue∣raigntie for euer where it got a victory for once. Nor can wee call the obiects of this citties desires, good, it being in the owne humaine nature, farre surmounting them. It desires an earthly peace, for most base respects, and seeketh it by warre, where if it subdue all resistance, it attaineth peace: which notwithstanding the aduerse part, that fought so vnfortunately for those respects, do want. This peace they seeke by laborious warre, and obteine (they thinke) by a glorious victory. * 1.1 And when they conquer that had the right cause, who will not gratulate their victory, and be glad of their peace? Doubtlesse those are good, and Gods good guifts. But if the things appertaining to that celestiall and supernall cittie where the victory shall be euerlasting, be neglected for those goods, and those goods desired as the onely goods, or loued as if they were better then the other, misery must needs follow and increase that which is inherent before.