The Life of Augustine of Hippo
Part Three: The Pelagian Crisis (411–430)
Edited By Frederick Van Fleteren
Article 348: Fides rerum quae non uidentur
Extract
ARTICLE 3481
Fides rerum quae non uidentur
Augustine received Count Darius’ gifts and praise gratefully and happily because they indicated the giver’s good disposition and would be useful for his progress in virtue.2 Augustine responded cordially and warmly. He witnesses Darius’ joy at acquiring his friendship and hoped the esteem of this illustrious man for his works would render them useful for others. Augustine promised to pray for him and wished Darius to render him the same love and obtain the prayers of others. Augustine asked him to send letters and promised him his own as his work allowed.
Augustine sent Darius Confessiones and various other treatises as he wished to do more than the count had asked. These treatises are De fide rerum quae non uidentur, De patientia, De continentia, De prouidentia, and Enchiridion. He asks Darius to indicate his judgment on these works if he could read them before his departure from Africa or at least to note his judgment to Aurelius which would then be sent to Augustine
De patientia and De continentia are extant. The first is apparently a sermon ad populum.3 Thus not surprisingly Augustine says nothing of it in Retractationes.4 Besides instructions on patience, to distinguish true patience from false, Augustine speaks strongly against the Pelagians without naming them and against those killing themselves (Donatists) lest they not enter into the true life which they claim to acquire by martyrdom.5 He does not respond to the...
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