AUGUSTINUS EUGUBINUS, BOOK I.

C ...began to exist among men, either by the indication of nature or by the aid of revelation. Anyone who wishes will understand that this truth was once obscure and held by only a few, but later became most radiant, burning throughout the whole world. Seeing these traces, these remnants of wisdom, we have believed them to be like rays of a greater light from ancient ages, and later of a supreme light; and thus, all things look toward one single truth.

On the three ways in which Wisdom has been known, but the later way is the most excellent.

CHAPTER II.

Decorative woodcut initial letter "I" featuring a figure in a classical landscape with buildings and trees.

THEREFORE, to begin with Wisdom, and repeating the previous reasoning more strictly, we say that Wisdom—or Truth—coming to men or offering itself from heaven, has progressed through three stages. Among the first men, it was more abundant, generous, and made perfect by God’s own delivery. Later, as the years increased, it was scattered, cut apart, and overturned; affected by the great injuries of time and men, it reached posterity like a fable or a dream—vile and torn. From this source came the origin of the world, God as the Author, the first principles, chaos, water, living creatures, the Craftsman Mind original: "Mens opifex"; a reference to the Platonic Demiurge or the Divine Intellect that shapes the universe, the flood, the giants, the tower, and a more certain affinity of divine things with human things. These were very well known in ancient ages, but were either entirely ignored by posterity or were so obscure and uncertain that they were regarded as little more than fables. The Philosophers who arose partly rejected this wisdom as fabulous, and partly passed it down in their writings as they had received it—obscure and contaminated. They preferred the Refutation The skeptical rejection of ancient traditions which they persuaded themselves they had discovered by their own judgments. Thus, truth began to be held as fables, and the obscure or false began to be held as true and certain.

D There happened to be, therefore, three parts and kinds of Philosophy. The first was that whole which, from the origin of the world, spread itself among many nations as if by hand and by rumor succeeding rumor; if this had not been violated later, that light would have stood out as a great thing for human affairs. The second kind had its origin from the Philosophers who speculated on natures and causes; this departed very far from the first, as human judgments frequently slip and do not find the truth they seek. Finally, a third Philosophy shone forth, dispelling the darkness of the former by its own clarity, not confining itself to one place, but filling all things with its rays. This third way healed the errors of Philosophy and the blows and wounds that had been inflicted by time; it unwove the distorted judgments of the middle way. Sought by all, and in the judgment of all men—even the Philosophers themselves—it is necessary for the world and alone worthy of the name of Wisdom. Just as in every language and doctrine there are many frauds and fables, so here alone is the sweet and desired rest for souls, who previously wandered through the uncertain conjectures of men.

This, which was the true science of human things, has always shone with some light in the world, always demonstrating the same Prince of the world, the same origin, the same immortality of souls, the same punishments for faults and the same rewards, and the same expiation for sins—which will later be clear from these testimonies compared among themselves. Therefore, since we have said it is probable that there was a certain tradition of Wisdom from the founding of the world, having its beginning from God—who revealed His greatness, divinity, and sublime secrets to the first man, and taught him that there is a Son and a Father in God—it is clear from this that almost all nations have had in their writings some records of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, of good and evil Angels, and of the creation of these and the world. Once the errors are wiped away, these things must be restored to their proper place. Likewise, many things which are in harmony with the truth, which men have discovered with reason as their guide, must be demonstrated. I shall not bring new things to your ears, but things that are by far the most ancient, so that it may appear that there is necessarily one single religion for the entire human race.