The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 7: The Last Times • 257

“That’s a book I’d like to read,” said Cesar. “It’s The City of God ,” replied Father Greg. “Precisely!” said Augustine, using Father Greg’s expression and making us laugh. The Bishop called two scribes who came forward carrying a huge book—too large, in fact, to set on the threefold lectern. One of the scribes got down on his hands and knees while his companion opened the enormous folio volume onto his back. Augustine turned the pages for a while and then read aloud, Of the bliss of Paradise, of Paradise itself, and of the life of our first parents there, and of their sin and punishment, many have thought much, spoken much, written much. We ourselves, too, have spoken of these things in the foregoing books, and have written either what we read in the Holy Scriptures, or what we could reasonably deduce from them. The time remaining does not allow me to answer all the questions asked by curious men with too much time on their hands—those who are more ready to ask questions than they are able to understand the answers! 61 Joseph and I looked at each other, astonished that what Augustine had written hundreds of years so perfectly described people we knew today. “Bishop,” asked Cesar, “is justice possible in the city of man?” “You remind me of Marcellus!” replied Augustine. “Who?” asked Cesar. “Long ago,” explained Augustine, “I mentored a young man who rose to some prominence in the Roman

61 Same as previous reference, 596.