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The Confessions of St. Augustine

Augustine, of Hippo, Saint · Composed during Augustine’s episcopate at Hippo, largely 397–400 (Book I opens with prayer typical of the initial composition). primary

passage 87 of 214 · BOOK I > BOOK VII (15/16)

in brief
Augustine says he could not enjoy God without Christ as mediator, who “mingled” divine truth with flesh for spiritual nourishment, and he then corrects his earlier misunderstandings about Christ’s humanity.

along with me only a loving memory thereof, and a longing for what I had, as it were, perceived the odour of, but was not yet able to feed on.

Then I sought a way of obtaining strength sufficient to enjoy Thee; and found it not, until I embraced that Mediator betwixt God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who is over all, God blessed for evermore, calling unto me, and saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and mingling that food which I was unable to receive, with our flesh. For, the Word was made flesh, that Thy wisdom, whereby Thou createdst all things, might provide milk for our infant state. For I did not hold to my Lord Jesus Christ, I, humbled, to the Humble; nor knew I yet whereto His infirmity would guide us. For Thy Word, the Eternal Truth, far above the higher parts of Thy Creation, raises up the subdued unto Itself: but in this lower world built for Itself a lowly habitation of our clay, whereby to abase from themselves such as would be subdued, and bring them over to Himself; allaying their swelling, and fomenting their love; to the end they might go on no further in self-confidence, but rather consent to become weak, seeing before their feet the Divinity weak by taking our coats of skin; and wearied, might cast themselves down upon It, and It rising, might lift them up.

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topics: conversion and faith · heresy, orthodoxy, and schism

The Confessions of St. Augustine · Augustine, of Hippo, Saint · 397–401