Letter 210: 1. Good is the Lord, and to every place extends His mercy, which comforts us by your love to us in Him. How much He loves those who believe and hope in Him, and who both love Him and love one another, and what blessings He keeps in store for them hereafter, He proves most remarkably in this, that on the unbelieving, the abandoned, and the perver...
Augustine of Hippo→Unknown|c. 420 AD|Augustine of Hippo|Human translated
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Military conflict; Death & mourning
To our most beloved and holy mother Felicitas, and to our brother Rusticus, and to all the sisters who are with you — Augustine, and the brothers who are with me, greetings in the Lord.
How good God is toward the wicked.
1. The Lord is good, and his mercy is poured out everywhere — the mercy that calls us out from an evil life and forgives us when we repent. It is not surprising, then, that among his servants — even within the walls of a religious community — there are those who fall short, who stumble, who behave in ways that grieve the faithful. God himself tolerates the wicked in this life, giving them time to repent. Can we do less?
2. This does not mean we should be silent in the face of wrongdoing. Fraternal correction is not only permitted but commanded. "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone" [Matthew 18:15]. The duty of correction belongs to everyone, but especially to those who hold authority in a community. Do it with charity. Do it with humility. Do it with the awareness that you yourself are not immune to the same temptations.
Let peace be your goal, truth your instrument, and love your motive. May the Lord preserve you all in unity and holiness.
Letter 210 (A.D. 423)
To the Most Beloved and Most Holy Mother Felicitas, and Brother Rusticus, and to the Sisters Who are with Them, Augustine and Those Who are with Him Send Greeting in the Lord.
1. Good is the Lord, and to every place extends His mercy, which comforts us by your love to us in Him. How much He loves those who believe and hope in Him, and who both love Him and love one another, and what blessings He keeps in store for them hereafter, He proves most remarkably in this, that on the unbelieving, the abandoned, and the perverse, whom He threatens with eternal fire, if they persevere in their evil disposition to the end, He does in this life bestow so many benefits, making His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, on the just and on the unjust, Matthew 5:45 words in which, for the sake of brevity, some instances are mentioned that many more may be suggested to reflection; for who can reckon up how many gracious benefits the wicked receive in this life from Him whom they despise? Amongst these, this is one of great value, that by the experience of the occasional afflictions, which like a good physician He mingles the pleasures of this life, He admonishes them, if only they will give heed, to flee from the wrath to come, and while they are in the way, that is, in this life, to agree with the word of God, which they have made an adversary to themselves by their wicked lives. What, then, is not bestowed in mercy on men by the Lord God, since even affliction sent by Him is a blessing? For prosperity is a gift of God when He comforts, adversity a gift of God when He warns; and if He bestows these things, as I have said, even on the wicked, what does He prepare for those who bear with one another? Into this number you rejoice that through His grace you have been gathered, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 For there shall not be awanting occasion for your bearing one with another till God shall have so purified you, that, death being swallowed up in victory, 1 Corinthians 15:24 God shall be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:28
2. We ought never, indeed, to take pleasure in quarrels; but however averse we may be to them, they occasionally either arise from love, or put it to the test. For how difficult is it to find any one willing to be reproved; and where is the wise man of whom it is said, Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you? Proverbs 9:8 But are we on that account not to reprove and find fault with a brother, to prevent him from going down through false security to death? For it is a common and frequent experience, that when a brother is found fault with he is mortified at the time, and resists and contradicts his friend, but afterwards reconsiders the matter in silence alone with God, where he is not afraid of giving offense to men by submitting to correction, but is afraid of offending God by refusing to be reformed, and thenceforward refrains from doing that for which he has been justly reproved; and in proportion as he hates his sin, he loves the brother whom he feels to have been the enemy of his sin. But if he belong to the number of those of whom it is said, Reprove not a scorner lest he hate you, Proverbs 9:8 the quarrel does not arise from love on the part of the reproved, but it exercises and tests the love of the reprover; for he does not return hatred for hatred, but the love which constrains him to find fault endures unmoved, even when he who is found fault with requites it with hatred. But if the reprover renders evil for evil to the man who takes offense at being reproved, he was not worthy to reprove another, but evidently deserves to be himself reproved. Act upon these principles, so that either quarrels may not arise, or, if they do arise, may quickly terminate in peace. Be more earnest to dwell in concord than to vanquish each other in controversy. For as vinegar corrodes a vessel if it remain long in it, so anger corrodes the heart if it is cherished till the morrow. These things, therefore, observe, and the God of peace shall be with you. Pray also unitedly for us, that we may cheerfully practise the good advices which we give to you.
EPISTOLA 210
Scripta ca. a. 423.
A. Felicitati et Rustico de malis hominibus tolerandis deque fraterna correptione facienda (nn. 1-2).
DILECTISSIMAE ET SANCTISSIMAE MATRI FELICITATI, ET FRATRI RUSTICO, ET SORORIBUS QUAE VOBISCUM SUNT, AUGUSTINUS, ET QUI MECUM SUNT, IN DOMINO SALUTEM.
Quam bonus Deus erga malos.
1. Bonus est Dominus 1, et misericordia eius ubique diffusa, quae nos de vestra caritate in suis visceribus consolatur. Quantum enim diligat credentes et sperantes in se, et illum atque in vicem diligentes, et quid eis in posterum servet, hinc maxime ostendit, cum infidelibus, et desperatis, et perversis, quibus in mala voluntate usque in finem perseverantibus ignem cum diabolo aeternum minatur 2, in hoc tamen saeculo bona tanta largitur; Qui facit oriri solem suum super bonos et malos, et pluit super iustos et iniustos 3; breviter enim aliquid dictum est, ut plura cogitentur. Quam multa enim habeant impii in hac vita munera et dona gratuita ab illo quem contemnunt, enumerare quis potest? Inter quae illud magnum, quod exemplis interpositarum tribulationum quas huius saeculi dulcedini tamquam bonus medicus miscet, admonet eos, si attendere velint, fugere ab ira ventura 4; et cum in via sunt, id est in hac vita, concordare cum sermone Dei, quem sibi adversarium fecerunt male vivendo 5. Quid ergo non misericorditer praestatur hominibus a Domino Deo, a quo etiam tribulatio beneficium est? Nam res prospera donum est consolantis; res autem adversa donum est admonentis Dei: et si haec praestat, ut dixi, etiam malis, quid praeparat sustinentibus se? quorum in numero vos per illius gratiam congregatos esse gaudete, sustinentes invicem in dilectione, studentes servare unitatem spiritus in vinculo pacis 6. Non enim deerit quod in vobis invicem sufferatis, nisi cum vos ita purgaverit Dominus, absorpta morte in victoriam, ut sit Deus omnia in omnibus 7.
Fraterna correptio odiosa at non negligenda.
2. Dissensiones autem numquam debent amari; sed aliquando tamen aut a caritate nascuntur, aut caritatem probant. Quis enim facile invenitur qui velit reprehendi? et ubi est ille sapiens de quo dictum est: Corripe sapientem, et amabit te 8? Numquid tamen ideo non debemus reprehendere et corripere fratrem, ne securus tendat in mortem? Solet enim fieri, et frequenter accidit ut ad horam contristetur cum reprehenditur, et resistat, et contendat; et tamen postea consideret secum in silentio, ubi nemo est nisi Deus et ipse, nec timet displicere hominibus, quia corripitur; sed timet displicere Deo, quia non corrigitur, et deinceps non faciat illud in quo iuste reprehensus est, et quantum odit peccatum suum, tantum diligat fratrem quem sensit hostem peccati sui. Si autem de illo numero est, de quo dictum est: Corripe stultum, et adiciet ut oderit te 9; non de caritate illius dissensio nascitur, sed tamen caritatem reprehensoris sui exercet et probat: quia non ei rependitur odium; sed dilectio quae cogit reprehendere, imperturbata perdurat, etiam cum ille qui reprehensus est, odit. Si autem ille qui corripit, reddere vult malum pro malo ei qui corripienti indignatur, non fuit dignus qui corriperet, sed dignus plane qui etiam ipse corripi deberet. Haec agite ut inter vos aut non exsistant indignationes, aut exortae statim celerrima pace perimantur. Maiorem date operam concordandis vobis quam redarguendis. Quia sicut acetum corrumpit vas, si diutius ibi fuerit; sic ira corrumpit cor, si in alium diem duraverit. Haec ergo agite, et Deus pacis erit vobiscum 10, orantes simul et pro nobis, ut ea quae bene monemus, alacriter impleamus.
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To our most beloved and holy mother Felicitas, and to our brother Rusticus, and to all the sisters who are with you — Augustine, and the brothers who are with me, greetings in the Lord.
How good God is toward the wicked.
1. The Lord is good, and his mercy is poured out everywhere — the mercy that calls us out from an evil life and forgives us when we repent. It is not surprising, then, that among his servants — even within the walls of a religious community — there are those who fall short, who stumble, who behave in ways that grieve the faithful. God himself tolerates the wicked in this life, giving them time to repent. Can we do less?
2. This does not mean we should be silent in the face of wrongdoing. Fraternal correction is not only permitted but commanded. "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone" [Matthew 18:15]. The duty of correction belongs to everyone, but especially to those who hold authority in a community. Do it with charity. Do it with humility. Do it with the awareness that you yourself are not immune to the same temptations.
Let peace be your goal, truth your instrument, and love your motive. May the Lord preserve you all in unity and holiness.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
EPISTOLA 210
Scripta ca. a. 423.
A. Felicitati et Rustico de malis hominibus tolerandis deque fraterna correptione facienda (nn. 1-2).
DILECTISSIMAE ET SANCTISSIMAE MATRI FELICITATI, ET FRATRI RUSTICO, ET SORORIBUS QUAE VOBISCUM SUNT, AUGUSTINUS, ET QUI MECUM SUNT, IN DOMINO SALUTEM.
Quam bonus Deus erga malos.
1. Bonus est Dominus 1, et misericordia eius ubique diffusa, quae nos de vestra caritate in suis visceribus consolatur. Quantum enim diligat credentes et sperantes in se, et illum atque in vicem diligentes, et quid eis in posterum servet, hinc maxime ostendit, cum infidelibus, et desperatis, et perversis, quibus in mala voluntate usque in finem perseverantibus ignem cum diabolo aeternum minatur 2, in hoc tamen saeculo bona tanta largitur; Qui facit oriri solem suum super bonos et malos, et pluit super iustos et iniustos 3; breviter enim aliquid dictum est, ut plura cogitentur. Quam multa enim habeant impii in hac vita munera et dona gratuita ab illo quem contemnunt, enumerare quis potest? Inter quae illud magnum, quod exemplis interpositarum tribulationum quas huius saeculi dulcedini tamquam bonus medicus miscet, admonet eos, si attendere velint, fugere ab ira ventura 4; et cum in via sunt, id est in hac vita, concordare cum sermone Dei, quem sibi adversarium fecerunt male vivendo 5. Quid ergo non misericorditer praestatur hominibus a Domino Deo, a quo etiam tribulatio beneficium est? Nam res prospera donum est consolantis; res autem adversa donum est admonentis Dei: et si haec praestat, ut dixi, etiam malis, quid praeparat sustinentibus se? quorum in numero vos per illius gratiam congregatos esse gaudete, sustinentes invicem in dilectione, studentes servare unitatem spiritus in vinculo pacis 6. Non enim deerit quod in vobis invicem sufferatis, nisi cum vos ita purgaverit Dominus, absorpta morte in victoriam, ut sit Deus omnia in omnibus 7.
Fraterna correptio odiosa at non negligenda.
2. Dissensiones autem numquam debent amari; sed aliquando tamen aut a caritate nascuntur, aut caritatem probant. Quis enim facile invenitur qui velit reprehendi? et ubi est ille sapiens de quo dictum est: Corripe sapientem, et amabit te 8? Numquid tamen ideo non debemus reprehendere et corripere fratrem, ne securus tendat in mortem? Solet enim fieri, et frequenter accidit ut ad horam contristetur cum reprehenditur, et resistat, et contendat; et tamen postea consideret secum in silentio, ubi nemo est nisi Deus et ipse, nec timet displicere hominibus, quia corripitur; sed timet displicere Deo, quia non corrigitur, et deinceps non faciat illud in quo iuste reprehensus est, et quantum odit peccatum suum, tantum diligat fratrem quem sensit hostem peccati sui. Si autem de illo numero est, de quo dictum est: Corripe stultum, et adiciet ut oderit te 9; non de caritate illius dissensio nascitur, sed tamen caritatem reprehensoris sui exercet et probat: quia non ei rependitur odium; sed dilectio quae cogit reprehendere, imperturbata perdurat, etiam cum ille qui reprehensus est, odit. Si autem ille qui corripit, reddere vult malum pro malo ei qui corripienti indignatur, non fuit dignus qui corriperet, sed dignus plane qui etiam ipse corripi deberet. Haec agite ut inter vos aut non exsistant indignationes, aut exortae statim celerrima pace perimantur. Maiorem date operam concordandis vobis quam redarguendis. Quia sicut acetum corrumpit vas, si diutius ibi fuerit; sic ira corrumpit cor, si in alium diem duraverit. Haec ergo agite, et Deus pacis erit vobiscum 10, orantes simul et pro nobis, ut ea quae bene monemus, alacriter impleamus.