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TRACTATE 4 On I In 2.27-3.9 au REMEMBER, brothers, that yesterday's reading ended with this: "You have no need that anyone teach you, but the anointing itself teaches you concerning all things."] Now this, as I am sure you recall, we explained to you in such a way that we who speak to your ears from outside are just like hired men, applying cultivation to the tree from outside , but we cannot give growth nor form fruits. But he who created and redeemed and called you, dwelling in you through faith and the Holy Spirit, unless he should speak to you within, we make sounds without purpose. From what is this apparent? Because although many hear, not all are persuaded of what is said, but those only to whom God speaks within. But he speaks within to those who offer him a place, but they offer God a place who do not offer the devil a place. For the devil wishes to dwell in the hearts of men and to speak there all the things that tend to seduction. But what does the Lord Jesus say? "The prince of this world has been cast out.,,2 From where has he been cast out? Is it outside heaven and earth? Is it outside the structure of the world? But rather outside the hearts of those believing. As the invader has been cast out, let the Redeemer indwell, because he himself who created , redeemed. And the devil now attacks from outside; he does not conquer him who possesses within. But he attacks from outside by launching various temptations, but the person does not give consent to whom God speaks within, and the anointing of which you have heard. 2. And this same anointing, Oohn] says, "is true," that is, the same Spirit of the Lord who teaches men cannot lie. "And it is not a liar. As it has taught you, abide in it. And now, little chil1 . This version of 1 In 2.27 differs from that in Tr in 10 Ep 3.13 where the text is closer to both the Greek and the Vulgate texts. 2. Cf.Jn 12.31. 173 174 ST. AUGUSTINE dren, abide in him that, when he shall be manifested, we may have confidence in his sight, that we may not be confounded by him at his coming." You see, brothers, we believe in Jesus whom we have seen. They announced him who saw, who touched , who heard the word from his mouth; and that they might persuade the human race of these things, they were sent by him; they did not dare to go on their own. And where were they sent? You have heard when the Gospel was read: "Go, preach the Gospel to all the creation which is under heaven.,,3 Therefore the disciples were sent everywhere, and, so that they might be believed, signs and wonders were attesting that they were telling things that they had seen. And we believe in him whom we have not seen and we wait for him to come. Whoever wait for him will rejoice when he has come; those who are without faith will blush with shame when what they do not see has come. And that confounding will not be of one day and pass away, as they are ordinarily confounded who are found in some fault and insults are directed at them by men. That confounding will deliver the confounded over to the left so that they may hear, "Go into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.,,4 Let us, then, abide in his words that we may not be confounded when he has come. For he himself says in the Gospel to those who have believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you will be my disciples indeed ." And as ifthey said, "With what fruit?" he says, "and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."s For now our salvation [lies] in hope, not yet in reality, for we do not now hold what has been promised and are hoping that it will come. But "he is faithful who has promised.,,6 He does not deceive you. Only, you, do not faint, but wait for the promise. For truth does not know how to deceive. You, do not be a liar so as to profess one thing, to do another. You, keep the faith...

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