The Confessions: Selections from Books I-IX

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1770. Not illustrated. Excerpt: … Year of her Age and the 33d of mine, that re.igious and pious Soul was loosed from the Body. CHAP. XII. St. Augustine’s inward Grief at the death of bis Mother, thd’ outwardly refraining from Tears; to which after her Burial he givetb fome Way. i. T Closed her Eyes, and a very great Grief . came flowing in upon my Heart; and thence began to flow out into Tears; but my Eyes by the forcible Command of my Son drank them up again, even unto Dryness: And in this inward Conflict I suffered much. As soon as flie had breathed out her last Gasp, the Boy Adeodatus broke out into a loud Lamentation, but being chec k’d by us all he held his peace. In the fame Manner also something of the Child in me v hich was tending towards Weeping, was check’d and silenc’d by the manly Voice of thy Heart. For we did not esteem it decent to celebrate that Funeral with Lamentations and Groans, because thesefor the most part are used byway of bewailing the Misery of those that dse, or as it were their total Extinction. But as tor her Part, she neither died miserably, nor did she die at all as to her Soul: This we were assured of from the Purity of her Manners, and and the Sincerity of her Faith, and most certain Arguments. 2. What was it then that gave me so much Pain within, but a fresti Wound receiv’d from the sudden breaking off the Custom of our Conversation together, which was very sweet and very dear to me. It was a Pleasure to me indeed, that in that same last Sickness of her’s, kindly taking notice of my Services then performed towards her, she called me a dutiful Son; and related with much Tenderness of Affection, that she had never once heard from my Mouih any harsh or reproachful Word towards her. But alas O my God, who madest us, what Comparison could there be between the Kor.o…