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Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430

"The Confessions of St. Augustine"

How I would they had
then been somewhere near me, and without my knowing that they were
there, could have beheld my countenance, and heard my words, when I
read the fourth Psalm in that time of my rest, and how that Psalm
wrought upon me: When I called, the God of my righteousness heard
me; in tribulation Thou enlargedst me. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, and
hear my prayer. Would that what I uttered on these words, they could
hear, without my knowing whether they heard, lest they should think
I spake it for their sakes! Because in truth neither should I speak
the same things, nor in the same way, if I perceived that they heard
and saw me; nor if I spake them would they so receive them, as when
I spake by and for myself before Thee, out of the natural feelings
of my soul.
I trembled for fear, and again kindled with hope, and with rejoicing
in Thy mercy, O Father; and all issued forth both by mine eyes and
voice, when Thy good Spirit turning unto us, said, O ye sons of men,
how long slow of heart? why do ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?
For I had loved vanity, and sought after leasing.


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