Christian Generosity

Extract

This sermon seems to have been preached when St Augustine was an old man, and in poor health. In the second half he rather appears to lose the thread of what he had started preaching on. But while it lacks his usual liveliness and vigour, there are occasional flashes of his old self, and there is something very moving in listening to the old man gallantly carrying on at his supreme pastoral duty in spite of his infirmities.

Brothers, I have little strength, but God's word has plenty. Let it be effective in your hearts. You can listen strongly to what I am saying slowly and feebly—by complying with it. As though from his own thunder-cloud the Lord has thundered from the prophet Isaias; and if you have any sense, it has made you shiver. He spoke quite plainly, and these words need no explanation, only action. ‘What use have I', he says, ‘for the multitude of your sacrifices?’ (Isaias i, 11).