Chapter 16.—Concerning the Reward
of the Holy Citizens of the Celestial City, to Whom the Example of
the Virtues of the Romans are Useful.
But the reward of the saints is far
different, who even here endured reproaches for that
city of God
which is hateful to the lovers of this world. That city is
eternal. There none are born, for none die. There is true and
full felicity,—not a goddess, but a gift of God. Thence we
receive the pledge of faith whilst on our pilgrimage we sigh for
its beauty. There rises not the sun on the good and the evil, but
the Sun of Righteousness protects the good alone. There no great
industry shall be expended to enrich the public treasury by
suffering privations at home, for there is the common treasury of
truth. And, therefore, it was not only for the sake of
recompensing the citizens of Rome that her empire and glory had
been so signally extended, but also that the citizens of that
eternal city, during their pilgrimage here, might diligently and
soberly contemplate these examples, and see what a love they owe to
the supernal country on account of life eternal, if the terrestrial
country was so much beloved by its citizens on account of human
glory.