The City of God · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Augustine consoles faithful Christians whose chastity was violated by barbarians, arguing that God's providence permitted this for their humility and correction, and that true chastity of the soul cannot be taken against the will.
What happens
Augustine consoles faithful Christians whose chastity was violated by barbarians, arguing that God's providence permitted this for their humility and correction, and that true chastity of the soul cannot be taken against the will.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Providence and History
Augustine argues that God's unsearchable judgments permitted the enemy's lust for the purpose of humbling the proud and correcting the faithful.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
Discusses how chastity is preserved by the will strengthened by God's grace, and how suffering can lead to humility and correction.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author of the chapter, addressing the faithful and interpreting God's judgment.
- Jesus Christ
Referenced as the Lord whose servants are consoled.
Key passages
“Let not your life, then, be a burden to you, ye faithful servants of Christ, though your chastity was made the sport of your enemies.”
Do not despair, faithful Christians, even though your enemies violated your bodies.
Augustine consoles the victims of sexual violence during the sack.
“unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out.”
God's judgments are beyond human understanding.
Quoting Romans 11:33 to emphasize the mystery of divine providence.
“For some most flagrant and wicked desires are allowed free play at present by the secret judgment of God, and are reserved to the public and final judgment.”
God sometimes permits evil acts now, but will judge them at the last judgment.
Explains why God allowed the barbarians to commit such outrages.