Most famous for writing his autobiography “The Confessions” and the philosophical treatise “The City of God,” Augustine also penned numerous sermons which were meant to both inspire remembrance throughout the generations and to persuade others. Sometimes convoluted and complex, his sermons were not even read by many common people at the time. 

Augustine’s writings focused on persecution, when he said that another person can kill your body, but never your soul, thus Augustine advised to fear God instead of persecutors and to beware the death of your soul, since God will kill it if you act unrighteously. Augustine’s sermon called “sheep and wolves” focused on serpents and doves. He spoke of old snakes shedding their skin and compared this with abandoning the “old man,” or old ways of sin, and Christians as peaceful like doves but also wise like serpents. 

Citing martyrs as a strong example to all other faithful, Augustine’s main point was that they accepted the death of their body in exchange for the life of their eternal soul; they wouldn’t betray Christ. Using Peter as an example, Augustine asserted that he represented the Church and the Christian people, because when one trusts Christ they will not sink. However, when trust in oneself is larger than trust in God, he will sink in the stormy sea as did Peter. Moreover, the world is the sea, pulling people into its dangerous water, with a great threat being tranquility in life. When times are good, people let their guards down to temptations. 

Although tribulations, hardships, and persecutions may seem like the most dangerous and likely ways one might break away from Christ, Augustine urged Christians to be on guard against the offenses of the world, including enticements from friends or family. When asked how to resist these pitfalls, Augustine advised to obey God’s law and avoid being pleased with oneself for good deeds, as this only happens because of God’s grace. So strong is God’s grace, that it can even transform heathens and barbarians into people of God. Augustine thought that the world was old and failing and Christians were pilgrims therein. Eventually, all of creation would pass away, he surmised that there was no possibility of the world improving throughout history.