Contents – Book VIII
Chapter I
He, now given to divine things, and yet entangled by the lusts of love, consults simplicanus in reference to the renewing of his mind.
Chapter II
The pious old man rejoices that he read plato and the scriptures, and tells him of the rhetorician victorinus having been converted to the faith through the reading of the sacred books
Chapter III
That God and the Angels rejoice more on the return of one sinner than of many just persons.
Chapter IV
He shows by the example of victorinus that there is more joy In the conversion of nobles.
Chapter V
Of the causes which alienate us from God.
Chapter VI
Pontitainus’ account of Antony, the founder of monachism, and of some who imitated him.
Chapter VII
He deplores his wretchedness, that having been born thirty-two years, he had not yet found out the truth.
Chapter VIII
The conversation with Alypius being ended, he retires to the garden whither his friend follows him.
Chapter IX
That the mind commandeth the mind, but it willeth not entirely.
Chapter X
He refutes the opinion of the Manichaeans as to two kinds of minds,—one good and the other evil.
Chapter XI
In what manner the spirit struggled with the flesh, that it might be freed from the bondage of vanity.
Chapter XII
Having prayed to God, he pours forth a shower of tears, and, admonished by a voice, he opens the book and reads the words in Rom. XIII. 13; by which, being changed in his whole soul, he discloses the divine favour to his friend and his mother.