The City of God

by

Saint AUGUSTINE

Translated by Marcus DODS, D.D.

(Book IV translated by the Rev. George WILSON,
Books V & VIII by the Rev. J.J. SMITH)

The Modem Library

Random House

New York 1950

C.S. 202

American University of Beirut

2002-2003
The City of God

by

Saint AUGUSTINE

BOOK I

(sack of Rome not to be blamed on Christian prohibition of worship of pagan gods)

Preface: explaining his design in undertaking this work

THE glorious city of God is my theme in this work, which you, my dearest son Marcellinus, suggested, and which is due to you by my promise. I have undertaken its defence against those who prefer their own gods to the Founder of this city - ( ... ) as the plan of this work we have undertaken requires, and as occasion offers, we must speak also of the earthly city, which, though it be mistress of the nations, is itself ruled by its lust of rule.

I.1. Of the adversaries of the name of Christ, whom the barbarians for
Christ's sake spared when they stormed the city

For to this earthly city belong the enemies against whom I have to defend the city of God. Many of them, indeed, being reclaimed from their ungodly error, have become sufficiently creditable citizens of this city; but many are so inflamed with hatred against it, and are so ungrateful to its Redeemer for His signal benefits, as to forget that they would now be unable to utter a single word to its prejudice, had they not found in its sacred places, as they fled from the enemy's steel, that life in which they now boast themselves. Are not those very Romans, who were spared by the barbarians through their respect for Christ, become enemies to the name of Christ?

( ... ) For of those whom you see insolently and shamelessly insulting the servants of Christ, there are numbers who would not have escaped that destruction and slaughter had they not pretended that they themselves were Christ's servants. Yet now, in ungrateful pride and