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

Against those that would prooue all damnation frustrate by the praters of the Saints. CHAP. 24.

THis is also against those who vnder collour of more pitty, oppose the ex∣presse word of GOD: and say that GODS promises are true in that men are worthy of the plagues he threatens, not that they shalbe layd vpon them. For he will giue them (say they) vnto the intreaties of his Saints, who wilbe the rea∣dier to pray for them then, in that they are more purely holy, and their praiers wilbe the more powerfull, in that they are vtterly exempt from all touch of sinne and corruption. Well, and why then in this their pure holinesse, and powreful∣•…•…se of praier will they not intreate for the Angells that are to be cast into euer∣lasting 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that it would please GOD to mitigate his sentence, and set them free from that intollerable fire? Some perhaps will pretend that the holy An∣gells 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ioyne with the Saints (as then their followes) in praier both the An∣gells and men also that are guilty of damnation, that God in his mercy would be pleased to pardon their wicked merit. But there is no sound christian that e∣uer held his, or euer will hold it: for otherwise, there were no reason why the Church should not pray for the deuill and his Angells, seeing that her LORD GOD hath willed her to pray for her enemies. But the same cause that stayeth the Church for praying for the damned spirits (her knowne enemies) at this day, the •…•…ame shall hinder her for praying for the reprobate soules, at this day of iudgement, notwithstanding her fulnesse of perfection. As now, shee prayeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her enemies in mankinde, because this is the time of wholesome repentance, and therefore her chiefe petition for them, is, that GOD would grant them peni∣•…•… * 1.1 and escape from the snares of the deuill, who are taken of him at his will, as the Apostle •…•…aith. But if the church had this light that shee could know any of those w•…•… (though they liue yet vpon the earth, yet) are predestinated to goe with the deuill into that euerlasting fire; shee would offer as few praiers for them, as shee doth for him. But seeing that shee hath not this knowledge, therefore praieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for all her foes in the flesh, and ye is not heard for them all, but onely for those who are predestinated to become her sonnes, though they bee as yet her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. If any shall die her impenitent foes, and not returne into her bo∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, doth shee pray for them? No, because they that before death are not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into CHRIST, are afterward reputed as associates of the deuill: And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same cause that forbids her to pray for the reprobate soules as then, stopp•…•… •…•…er for praying for the Apostaticall Angells as now: and the •…•…ame reason 〈◊〉〈◊〉 why wee pray for all men liuing, and yet will not pray for the wicked, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉, being dead. For the praier either of the Church, or of

some Godly persons is heard (a) for some departed this life: but for them which being regenerat in Christ, haue not spent their life so wickedly, that they may be iudged vnworthy of such mercy: or else so deuoutly, that they may bee found to haue no neede of such mercy. Euen as also after the resurrection there shalbe some of the dead, which shall obtaine mercy after the punishments, which the spirits of the dead do suffer, that they be not cast into euerlasting fire. For other∣wise that should not be truly spoken concerning some. That they shall not be forgi∣uen neither in this world, nor in the world to come: vnlesse there were some, who al∣though * 1.2 they haue no remission in this, yet might haue it in the world to come. But when it shalbe said of the Iudge of the quick, and the dead. Come yee blessed of my father, possesse the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world: and * 1.3 to others on the contrary, Depart from me, yee curssed into euerlasting fire, which is prepared for the deuill, and his angells: it were too much presumption to say, that any of them should escape euerlasting punishment, whom the Lord hath con∣demned to eternall torments, & so goe about by the perswasion of this presump∣tion, either also to despaire, or doubt of eternall life. Let no man therefore so vn∣derstand the Psalmist, when he saith, Will God forget to haue mercy, or will he shut vp his louing kindnesse in displeasure: that hee suppose that the sentence of GOD is * 1.4 true concerning the good, false concerning the wicked, or that it is true concer∣ning good men, and euill angells: but concerning euill men to be false? For that which is recorded in the Psalme, belongeth to the vessells of mercy, and to the sonnes of the promise, of which the Prophet himselfe was one, who when he had sayd, Will God forget to haue mercy: will he shut vp his louing kindnesse in displeasure? straigth-way addeth And I sayd, it is mine owne infirmity, I will remember the yeares 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the right hand of the highest. Verely hee hath declared what hee meant by these words. Will the LORD shut vp his louing kindnesse in displeasure? For truely this mortall life, is the displeasure of God, wherein man is made like vnto vanity, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daies passe away like a shadow. In which displeasure neuerthelesse GOD will not * 1.5 forget to bee gratious by causing his sunne to shine vpon the good, and the euill, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to fall vpon the iust, and vniust: and so he doth not shut vp his louing kindnes in displeasure, and especially in that, which the psalme expresseth here saying. I will remember the yeares of the right hand of the highest: because in this most mi∣serable life, which is the displeasure of God, he changeth the vessells of mercy in∣to a better state, although as yet his displeasure remaineth in the misery of this corruption: because he doth not shut vp his mercies in his displeasure. When as therefore the verity of this diuine song may be fulfilled in this manner, it is not necessary, that it should bee vnderstood of that place, where they which pertaine not to the Citty of GOD, shalbe punished with euerlasting punishment. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which please to stretch this sentence euen to the torments of the damned, at least let them so vnderstand it, that the displeasure of GOD remayning in them which is due to eternall punishment, yet neuerthelesse that God doth not shut vp his louing kindnesse in this his heauy displeasure, and causeth them not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tormented with such rigor of punishments, as they haue deserued: [Yet not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they may (b) escape,] or at any time haue an end of those punish∣•…•…, but that they shalbe more easie then they haue deserued. For so both 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…tch of GOD shall remaine, and hee shall not shut vppe his louing •…•…dnesse in his displeasure. But I doe not confirme this thing, because I doe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contradict it.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 not onely I, but the sacred and diuine Scripture doth reproue, and con∣uince

them most plainely and fullie, which thinke that to bee spoken rather by the way of threatning, then truely, when it is said. Depart from mee yee wicked, * 1.6 into •…•…sting fire, and also. They shall goe into euerlasting punnishment: and their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall not die, and the fire shall not bee extinguished▪ &c. For the Niniuites * 1.7 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fruitfull repentance in this life as in the field, in which GOD would haue that to bee sowne with teares, which should after-ward bee reaped with ioye. And yet who will deny that to bee fulfiled in them which the LORD, had spoken be∣fore, vnlesse hee cannot well perceiue, that the Lord doth not onely ouerthrow sinners in his anger, but likewise in his mercy? for sinners are confounded by two manner of waies, either as the Sodomits, that men suffer punishments for their sinnes, or as the Niniuits, that the sins of men, bee destroied by repenting. For Niniuy is destroied which was euill, and good Niniuy is built, which was not. For the walls, and houses standing stil, the Citty is ouerthrowne in her wick∣ed 〈◊〉〈◊〉: And so though the Prophet was grieued, because that came not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which those men feared to come by his propehcy: neuerthelesse that was •…•…ought to passe, which was fore-told by the fore-knowledge of God: because 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which had fore-spoken it, how it was to be fulfilled in a better manner. But that they may know who are mercifull towards an obstinat sinner, what that meaneth which is written. How great, oh LORD, is the multitude of thy sweet∣nesse, which thou hast hidden for them that feare thee? let them also read that, which followeth. But thou hast performed it to them which hope in thee. For what is, Thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hidden for them which feare thee, Thou hast performed to them which hope in thee: but that the righteousnesse of GOD is not sweet vnto them because they know it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which establish their owne righteousnesse for the feare of punishments, which righteousnesse is in the law? For they haue not tasted of it. For they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 themselues, not in him, and therefore the multitude of the sweetnesse of GOD 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hidden vnto them, for truely they feare GOD but with that seruile 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is not in loue, because perfect loue casteth away feare. Therefore hee performeth his sweetnesse to them which hope in him by inspiring his loue into them, that when they glory with chaste feare, not in that which loue casteth away, but which remaineth for euer and euer, they may glory in the LORD. For Christ is the righteousnesse of God. Who vnto vs of GOD, (as the Apostle saith) is made wisdome, and righteousnesse, and sanctification, and redemption. That * 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is written. Let him which reioyceth, reioyce in the LORD. They which will establish their owne righteousnesse, know not this righteousnesse, which grace * 1.9 doth giue without merrits, and therefore they are not subiect to the righteous∣nesse of GOD which is CHRIST. In which righteousnesse there is great a∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the sweetnesse of GOD, wherefore it is sayd in the Psalme: Taste * 1.10 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how sweet the Lord is. And wee truely hauing a taste, and not our fill of it in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pilgrimage, doe rather hunger, and thirst after it, that wee may bee sa∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it afterward, when we see him as he is, and that shalbe fulfilled which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. I shalbe satisfied when thy glory shalbe manifested. So CHRIST ef∣•…•… abundance of his sweetnesse to those which hope in him. But if * 1.11 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ sweetnesse which they thinke to bee theirs for them which feare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will not condemne the wicked, that not knowing this thing, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they might liue well, and so there may bee some which may pray 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wicked, how then doth hee performe it to them which hope in him? seeing, that, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they dreame, by this sweetnesse he will not condemne them which doe not hope in him. Therefore let vs seeke that sweetnesse of his, which

he performeth to them which hope in him, and not that which hee is thought to effect vnto them which contemne and blaspheme him. (c) In vaine therefore man inquireth that, when he is departed out of the body, which hee hath neglec∣ted to obtaine to himselfe beeing in the bodie. That saying also of the Apostle, (d) For God hath shut vp all in vnbeliefe, that he may haue mercy on all, is not spoken to that end that he will condemne none, but it appeareth before in what sence it was spoken. For when as the Apostle spake vnto the Gentiles, to whom now be∣leeuing, he wrote his Epistles, concerning the Iewes, who should afterward be∣leeue: As yee, (saith hee) in time past haue not beleeued GOD. Yet now haue obtained mercy through their vnbeliefe: euen so now haue they not beleeued by the mercy shew∣ed vnto you, that they may also obtaine mercy. Then he addeth, whereby they flat∣ter themselues in their errors, and sayth, For GOD hath shut vppe all in vnbeliefe, * 1.12 that hee may haue mercy on all. Who are they all, but they of whom he did speake, saying, as it were Both yee and they? Therefore GOD hath shut vp both Gen∣tiles, and Iewes all in vnbeliefe, whom hee fore-knew, and predestinated to bee made like the Image of his Sonne: that beeing ashamed and cast downe by re∣penting for the bitternesse of their vnbeliefe, and conuerted by beleeuing, vnto the sweetnesse of the mercies of GOD, might proclaime that in the Psalme. How great is the multitude of thy sweetnesse, Oh Lord, which thou hast laid vp for * 1.13 them which feare thee: but hast performed it to them which hope, not in them-selues, but in thee. Therefore he hath mercy on all the vessells of mercy, What meaneth of all? That is to say, of those of the Gentiles, and also of those of the Iewes whom hee hath predestinated, called, iustified, glorified, not of all men, and will con∣•…•…mne none of those.

L. VIVES.

FOr (a) some departed this life.] In the ancient bookes printed at Bruges and Coline, those tenne or twelue lines which follow are not to bee found: for it is written in this manner, For the prayer either of the Church or of some godly persons is heard for some departed this •…•…fe, but for them whose life hath not beene spent so wickedly being regenerate in Christ, &c. Those things which follow are not extant in them, neither in the copies printed at Friburge. Neuer-the-lesse the stile is not dissonant from Augustines phrase; peraduenture they are eyther wanting in some bookes, or else are added heere out of some other worke of Augu∣stine, as the first Scholion, afterward adioyned to the context of the speech. Yet not so that they may (b) escape.]. The particle of negation is to bee put formost, that wee may read it, yet not so that they may vnder-goe those punishments at any time. In vaine (c) therefore man] In the Bruges copie it is read thus. In vaine therefore doth man inquire that after this body which hee hath neglected to get in the body. (d) For GOD hath shut vp all in vnbeleefe] Commonly wee read all things in the Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, all men. Paul signifieth that no man hath any occasion to boast that hee is glorious vnto GOD by his owne merits, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it is wholy to be attributed to the goodnesse and bounty of GOD.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Tim. 2.
• * 1.2

  Math. 12, 32
• * 1.3

  Math. 25, 34, 41
• * 1.4

  Psal. 7. 7
• * 1.5

  Psal. 14, 3, 4. Math. 5. 45
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 20 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 66 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3.
• * 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 C•…•…. 1, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 C•…•…. 10, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…7, 15
• * 1.12

  Rom. 11. 32
• * 1.13

  Psalm. 30.