Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen

 1. There are those who think that the Christian religion is what we should smile at rather than hold fast, for this reason, that, in it, not what may

 2. But, say they, those things which are in the mind, in that we can by the mind itself discern them, we have no need to know through the eyes of the

 3. But you say, that you therefore believe your friend, whose heart you cannot see, because you have proved him in your trials, and have come to know

 4. If this faith be taken away from human affairs, who but must observe how great disorder in them, and how fearful confusion must follow? For who wil

 5. But you will say, the good will of a friend towards me, although I cannot see it, yet can I trace it out by many proofs but you, what things you w

 

 6. If this Queen ye see not, now rich also with royal progeny. If she see not that fulfilled which she heard to have been promised, she, unto whom it

 7. “Give heed unto me,” the Church says unto you give heed unto me, whom ye see, although to see ye be unwilling. For the faithful, who were in those

 

 8. But as the wills of friends, which are not seen, are believed through tokens which are seen thus the Church, which is now seen, is, of all things

 9. If they suspect this, let them examine carefully the copies of our enemies the Jews. There let them read those things of which we have made mention

 10. Although, even if there went before no testimonies concerning Christ and the Church, whom ought it not to move unto belief, that the Divine bright

 11. But you, beloved, who possess this faith, or who have begun now newly to have it, let it be nourished and increase in you. For as things temporal

 

Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen

S. AURELII AUGUSTINI HIPPONENSIS EPISCOPI DE FIDE RERUM QUAE NON VIDENTUR, LIBER UNUS .

In quo demonstratur nos in christiana religione, non culpabili temeritate, sed laudabili fide credere res quas oculis nostris non videmus.