Confessions - Book I - Chapter V
St. Augustine passionately seeks God's mercy and cleansing, expressing the soul's deep longing for divine rest and salvation.
In this devotional sermon, St. Augustine expresses his profound longing for God's mercy and cleansing. He confesses the brokenness of his soul and earnestly seeks God's presence to bring rest and salvation. Through heartfelt prayer and humility, Augustine invites listeners to reflect on their own need for divine restoration and forgiveness.
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5. Who shall bring me to rest in thee? Who will send thee into my heart so to overwhelm it that my sins shall be blotted out and I may embrace thee, my only good? What art thou to me? Have mercy that I may speak. What am I to thee that thou shouldst command me to love thee, and if I do it not, art angry and threatenest vast misery? Is it, then, a trifling sorrow not to love thee? It is not so to me. Tell me, by thy mercy, O Lord, my God, what thou art to me. \"Say to my soul, I am your salvation.\"[14] So speak that I may hear. Behold, the ears of my heart are before thee, O Lord; open them and \"say to my soul, I am your salvation.\" I will hasten after that voice, and I will lay hold upon thee. Hide not thy face from me. Even if I die, let me see thy face lest I die.
6. The house of my soul is too narrow for thee to come in to me; let it be enlarged by thee. It is in ruins; do thou restore it. There is much about it which must offend thy eyes; I confess and know it. But who will cleanse it? Or, to whom shall I cry but to thee? \"Cleanse thou me from my secret faults,\" O Lord, \"and keep back thy servant from strange sins.\"[15] \"I believe, and therefore do I speak.\"[16] But thou, O Lord, thou knowest. Have I not confessed my transgressions unto thee, O my God; and hast thou not put away the iniquity of my heart?[17] I do not contend in judgment with thee,[18] who art truth itself; and I would not deceive myself, lest my iniquity lie even to itself. I do not, therefore, contend in judgment with thee, for \"if thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?\"[19]
Sermon Outline
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I
- The soul's yearning for God’s rest
- The desire for God's presence to overwhelm and cleanse
- The plea for mercy to speak honestly to God
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II
- Acknowledgment of the soul's narrowness and ruin
- Request for God to enlarge and restore the soul
- Confession of sins and the need for cleansing
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III
- Trust in God's forgiveness and mercy
- Recognition of God's truth and justice
- Humility before God’s judgment
Key Quotes
“Who shall bring me to rest in thee? Who will send thee into my heart so to overwhelm it that my sins shall be blotted out and I may embrace thee, my only good?” — St. Augustine
“The house of my soul is too narrow for thee to come in to me; let it be enlarged by thee. It is in ruins; do thou restore it.” — St. Augustine
“If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Approach God with honest confession to receive His mercy and cleansing.
- Recognize the need for spiritual restoration and invite God to enlarge your heart.
- Trust humbly in God's justice and forgiveness rather than relying on self-righteousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main plea of St. Augustine in this sermon?
He pleads for God's mercy to cleanse his soul and to grant him rest and salvation.
How does Augustine describe the state of his soul?
He describes it as narrow, ruined, and in need of restoration and cleansing.
What attitude does Augustine have toward God's judgment?
He approaches God's judgment with humility, acknowledging God's truth and justice.
Why does Augustine emphasize speaking honestly to God?
Because honest confession is essential for receiving God's mercy and cleansing.