We therefore see those things which Thou madest, because they are; but they are because Thou seest them. And we see without that they are, and within that they are good, but Thou didst see them there, when made, where Thou didst see them to be made. And we were at another time moved to do well, after our hearts had conceived of Thy Spirit; but in the former time, forsaking Thee, we were moved to do evil; but Thou, the One, the Good God, hast never ceased to do good. And we also have certain good works, of Thy gift, but not eternal; after these we hope to rest in Thy great hallowing. But Thou, being the Good, needing no good, art ever at rest, because Thou Thyself art Thy rest. And what man will teach man to understand this? Or what angel, an angel? Or what angel, a man? Let it be asked of Thee, sought in Thee, knocked for at Thee; so, even so shall it be received, so shall it be found, so shall it be opened. Amen.
— St. Augustine
Cited from Confessions 13.38.53
This is from the final chapter from Confessions. Augustine meditates on the awe and wonder God, who is the eternal primary cause of all things. All that we see is what God made. But God created all things out of nothing: “Thou didst see them there, when made, where Thou didst see them to be made.” God rested after the creation of all things, yet that rest was never inactivity, for God is self-sufficient, He is “ever at rest, because Thou Thyself art Thy rest.” Neither human nor angel can teach us to fully comprehend the mystery of God, but come before God in humble prayer, and “so shall it be received, so shall it be found, and so shall it be opened.” It is by grace that we participate in life with God.
Saith Augustine of Hippo (354-430): A western church father who served as the Bishop of Hippo in North Africa, close to present day Annaba in Algeria, the writings and ministry of Augustine defined Christianity in the West, and even to this day, Christians in the West draw their Christian theology, spirituality, and philosophy from Augustine’s influence. If anybody wants to seriously examine Christian theology in the West, then Augustine’s Confessions and City of God are must reads. Many long and complex theological discussions on predestination, original sin, and salvation of unbaptized infants are rooted in ideas that Augustine wrestled over in writings concerning the errors perpetuated by Pelagius.
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