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Posted on 07/29/2026 10:47:44 AM PDT by G Larry
Two previously unknown sermons by St. Augustine — one of Christianity's most influential theologians — have been authenticated, revealing ideas scholars say have never before appeared in his surviving works.
'They are indeed authentic': Sermons explore King Saul's consultation with the Witch of Endor
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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King Saul had previously banned all of the Witches from the kingdom, so he had difficulty finding her in Endor (a village noted for the small stature of its people)
Finally, Saul ordered signs to be posted to aid in the search.
The signs read: "Small Medium at Large"
Finally, Saul ordered signs to be posted to aid in the search.
The signs read: "Small Medium at Large"
These are writings allegedly copied from a lost manuscript some 700 years or so after his death.
Isn’t that what the Ewoks said? Leah was unavailable for comment.
If the article was that important or that influential, why did they lose it? And the article mentioned the newly found work was from another writing previously lost. They either weren’t very responsible or didn’t think they were all that much. Either that or they were in Joe’s garage.
wy69
I see what you did there.
“The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works”
—St Augustine
A bit modern (5th century - 12th century AD) but still of interest?
That is actually quite exciting. Sermons get lost. It happens. Maybe he wrote it while traveling. Maybe his eyes hurt and he dictated it.
6th ggrandfather was a reverend doctor from Yale and when I was visiting his church in CT a man heard I was there and showed up with several handwritten sermons of 6th ggfather’s, who seems to have written in his own private shorthand. The man’s hope was that just because I shared blood, I would be able to magically read the sermons and translate. Nope. Blood does not always triumph. But now it’s one of those frustrating puzzles that the gentleman laid on my head, never to be removed.
Fascinating. Have you tried running it through AI to see if it can figure it out? It’s worth a try.
One of the most illuminating books of Christian witness ever—it's not long, but it's full of meaning in every page:
Very much worth reading, but can be daunting for a modern to read, especially when he stops talking about himself and starts in on memory, and time, and creation. It's not like a modern autobiography at all.
Augustine is the reason for the default eschatology of the Western church shifting the view to amillennialism and a spiritualized millennium. His book ‘City of God’ did a huge disservice to the understanding about the coming end of the age Jesus warned us all so clearly about and that will come when ALL conditions and prophecies, including in the Psalms were fulfilled.
The wicked cannot see, be we as believers can become blinded to his truth when we refuse to see.
“He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” - Matthew 13:11-12
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” - Revelation 3:18
Lost Writings of Saint Augustine Found in Medieval Manuscript
Medievalists.net
https://www.medievalists.net/2026/06/lost-writings-of-saint-augustine-found-in-medieval-manuscript/
5,000,000 words: How St. Augustine’s works made it into the Middle Ages
By Shari Boodts
https://www.medievalists.net/2018/04/how-st-augustines-works-made-it-into-the-middle-ages/
12th c copy / discussion of lost sermons (St A’s life spanned 354–430).
Proverbs [Second?] 24. (Marg. "If thou...")
Psalm 119:11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. Sin is incomparably the greatest offending cause against God in all respects. It does not only rebel, for it is against and abuses all the rule of nature and reason, but to overthrow those rules that God has given unto all his creatures, and the original and natural rule of every kind, from which all its perfection and beauty doth proceed.
It proceeds with all direct opposition against itself, and with much contradiction attendant upon it; this being confessed by all even in what has been done. Man ought absolutely to own it. They are all of people and act by the natural appointment of things, and surely this therefore is of greatest force in the rule and law of nature. God hath so designed man to be above all created and corporeal good as the supreme end, and only next to the divine Majesty itself. And what is to them and accorded by Him, and with all, are all in one perfect relation and subjection, not only of personal morality, but of all mankind. Since all mankind are by nature, therefore, under His universal superiority, they are subject to His law, and rebellion against Him must needs be accounted an unnatural evil.
And sanctified men have evidently acknowledged the truth of this, and in every age wise men have taught it. It is one of the greatest dangers of sin, bringing us into opposition to Him who is our remembrance [Creator?], and it must needs be a part of the highest concern of every man to use the best methods they possibly can to avoid so great a danger.
Learned and knowing men of the most ancient times have laid down many rules and methods for this purpose, and recommended to us a way of example, by the help whereof every man of a right understanding may know himself and see his own infirmities, and thereby be awakened to the necessity of continual watchfulness.
For this end we ought often to be renewed from those things which are apt to fail, and by an awful sense of our own weakness. This is the office and reward of the Spirit, whereby believers are enabled to withstand temptation, recover again against their falls, and persevere in the Christian life by frequent recollection of the divine instruction, as the only humble and effectual means.
(the first page ends here)
ChatGPT General observations
This appears to be an 18th-century Protestant theological meditation on Psalm 119:11 ("Thy word have I hid in my heart..."). The author argues that: Sin violates not only God's revealed law but also natural law.
God's law is the original rule governing all creation.
Humanity is naturally subject to God.
Sin is therefore irrational as well as rebellious.
Christians should store Scripture in their hearts to resist temptation.
Spiritual growth requires continual self-examination and dependence upon God's grace.
The vocabulary and style remind me of late-17th or early-18th century English divinity (writers such as John Flavel, Matthew Henry, Stephen Charnock, or similar Puritan/Anglican authors)
Second page:
"...in his challenges of duty to God we are to follow the Apostle's counsel in the words of our text, Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee."
I.
The first duty implied in this text, here recommended unto us, is to hide God's word in our hearts.
This is expressed in general terms, and can entertain no higher notion than the obtaining of it, as our rule of operation. The Apostle James resembles a man hearing of it and attending upon it only as one looks into a glass, but immediately forgets what manner of man he was. The Psalmist therefore plainly exhorts every professor of faith fully and constantly to attend unto it, and seriously to meditate upon the Scriptures, that they may become familiar unto us.
Our having our hearts duly affected with it, and our souls always in pursuit of it, is sufficiently taught us in all its own important precepts, frequently inculcated unto us, and often urged upon us as our most constant business. We must account ourselves obliged to the faithful practice thereof, and let this be an especial resolution continually fixed upon our hearts, by steadfastness and God's grace, to make it our study and delight.
This, in general, we may safely and readily affirm to be the duty recommended unto us.
II.
The thing proposed next to prove is the great advantage of this duty; it is a most powerful preservative against sin.
It is in a more eminent degree than any other ordinary means, and in this respect believers have always found it. There are many vices and corruptions to be watched against, and a powerful and constant motive to watchfulness and self-government is well advised.
Every good man, upon serious and impartial examination, will lay up God's word in his heart as a treasure for his journey. Let him remove as many temptations as he can; yet while he is in the world, this is of great necessity. It is to our comfort and confidence that the remembrance of this admonition, both by rule and direction of holy life, doth furnish us with strength after every fall, and with power to resist temptations.
Our duty is frequently before us; and he that is well furnished with the Word of God hath wherewithal to withstand every temptation that can arise, and most effectually maintain...
(the second page ends here)
ChatGPT: What the sermon is saying:
Unlike the first page, whose emphasis was on the nature of sin, this page turns to application.
The author divides the discussion into two points:
I. The Duty
Hide God's Word in your heart.
Read it carefully.
Meditate on it often.
Let it shape your thoughts and affections.
Make it the rule of life.
He contrasts this with James 1:23–24—the man who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets what he saw.
II. The Benefit
Scripture stored in the heart is the strongest ordinary defense against temptation.
A believer cannot avoid every temptation, but can prepare beforehand.
The Word becomes a constant guide, comfort, and weapon in the Christian life.
I’m stunned. Floored. Out of descriptors.
I’ll write you when I get my head straight about this.
And THANK YOU!
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