The present volume consists of a collection of minor writings of St. Augustine often classified under the general title of 'Works of Moral and Practical Theology.' While St. Augustine is well known for his great masterpieces such as the
Confessions and
City of God, too little is known about him as a writer of short treatises intended for the general spiritual welfare of the people. These little essays still have an unending appeal for people of all times who are concerned about the salvation of their immortal souls.
The treatises included are: The Christian Life (
De vita christiana), Lying (
De medacio), Against Lying (
Contra mendacium), Continence (
De continentia), Patience (
De patientia), The Excellence of Widowhood (
De bono viduitatis), The Work of Monks (
De opere monachorum), The Usefulness of Fasting (
De utilitate ieiunii), and the Eight Questions of Dulcitius (
De octo Dulcitii quaestionibus). Other works of moral and practical theology are not included, notably the
De catechizandis rudibus, and the
De doctrina christiana, but arrangements have been made to present these in other volumes. Indeed, these two cannot very well be called 'minor' works.
The essay, The Christian Life, is Pelagian in tone and is definitely not St. Augustine's, but it is included here because it comes from the same general period as the other essays and treats of a similar subject. Moreover, it has special interest in that it probably was written by a close follower of Pelagius, one of St. Augustine's celebrated opponents.
Each treatise in this volume has its own introduction, giving pertinent information for an intelligent understanding of the essay and other matters of general interest.
