Doctrinal Treatises of St. Augustin — The Enchiridion. — Chapter 85 (St. Augustine)

Doctrinal Treatises of St. Augustin · Saint Augustine of Hippo · the golden age of the Fathers · part 177 of 214

Doctrinal Treatises of St. Augustin — The Enchiridion. — Chapter 85 (St. Augustine)

Chapter 85.—The Case of Abortive Conceptions. The Case of Abortive Conceptions. Hence in the first place arises a question about abortive conceptions, which have indeed been born in the mother’s womb, but not so born that they could be born again. For if we shall decide that these are to rise again, we cannot object to any conclusion that may be drawn in regard to those which are fully formed. Now who is there that is not rather disposed to think that unformed abortions perish, like seeds that have never fructified? But who will dare to deny, though he may not dare to affirm, that at the resurrection every defect in the form shall be supplied, and that thus the perfection which time would have brought shall not be wanting, any more than the blemishes which time did bring shall be present: so that the nature shall neither want anything suitable and in harmony with it that length of days would have added, nor be debased by the presence of anything of an opposite kind that length of days has added; but that what is not yet complete shall be completed, just as what has been injured shall be renewed.