[Footnote 17: Capitulum in the original: but no number is annexed.] [Footnote 18: This should be Marcian and Valentinian.] [Footnote 19: Perhaps an error for Andredes-leage, formerly Anderida, in Sussex.] [Footnote 20: This number should be sixty-six.] [Footnote 21: Charford, near Fordingbridge, Hants.] [Footnote 22: That is, from seven till nine o'clock in the morning.] [Footnote 23: Wimbledon, or Worplesdon, Surrey.] HERE BEGINS THE PROLOGUE TO BOOK THE SECOND. In the beginning of this book it will not be necessary to make a long preface, my dearest sister; for I have guided my pen down through many perplexed subjects from the highest point, and, omitting those things extracted from sacred and profane history, on which most persons have fixed their attention, have left higher matters to the skilful reader. And now I must turn my pen to the description of those things which properly concern our ancestors; and though a pupil is not properly called a member, yet it yields no little service to the other members. We therefore entreat in God's name that our words may not be despised by the malevolent, but rather that they may give abundant thanks to the King of heaven, if they seem to speak things of high import. HERE ENDS THE PROLOGUE; AND THE SECOND BOOK BEGINS. CHAP. I.--_Of the coming of Augustine, who was sent by the blessed Pope Gregory._ [A.D. 596.] As Divine Providence, mercifully looking down upon all things from all eternity, is accustomed to rule them, not by necessity, but by its powerful superintendence, and remaining always immoveable in itself, and disposing the different elements by its word, and the human race to come to the knowledge of the truth by the death of his only begotten Son, by whose blood the four quarters of the world are redeemed, so now by his servant doth it dispel the darkness in the regions of the west.