“These mysteries are beyond the province allotted to human intellect,” replied his brother. “The Bible assures us that _the natural man receiveth not the things of God, for they are spiritually discerned_. Our Lord thanked his Father that these things, being hidden _from the wise and prudent_ (wise in the world’s wisdom, prudent in their own eyes), were yet _revealed unto babes_. Depend upon it, my dear brother,” continued the clergyman earnestly, “the true stumbling-block in our path is our pride! Is it not written in the word, _The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way_?” “Do you mean to assert,” said Augustine, “that none of the meek and devout have ever been troubled with difficulties and doubts?” “Not so; I believe that many of God’s best servants have been much exercised with such spiritual trials. But it has been beautifully written, ‘A sign is granted to the doubt of love which is not given to the doubt of indifference.’ The meek are not left in darkness,—such are not given up to the adversary. But it is because they oppose him, not in the intellectual armour of subtle reasoning and metaphysical argument, but armed with the sling of prayer, humble and persevering prayer. To such the promise of the Comforter is given, whose office is to guide unto all truth.’” _Augustine._—“You, doubtless, are amongst those spiritually enlightened, though I suspect that you regard me as still in darkness. I should like to know how far, with faith your infallible guide, you have penetrated into such a mystery, for instance, as that of the origin of sin.” _Pride._—“Nail him with that difficulty; wrest his one weapon out of his hand, and see how he comes off in the contest when your intellect fairly grapples with his!” _Aumerle._—“I find it more profitable, my brother, to trace the effects of sin in my own heart, than to dive into such a mystery. The existence of sin within us concerns us more nearly than its origin.” _Augustine._—“Now own to me frankly, Lawrence, whether there be not something conventional and strained in this perpetual talk—I had almost said _cant_—about sin, which we hear from the best people in the world? I look upon it as the affectation of humility, because without that crowning virtue the most saintly character is not considered to be absolutely perfect.” _Aumerle._—“Can you doubt the all-pervading influence of sin? _The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. There is none that doeth good, no not one_; this is the scriptural estimate of human nature.” _Augustine._—“Lay aside the Scriptures for a moment, and come to actual facts as we see them around us. Look now at such a character as that of Ida—pure, unworldly, self-denying, devoted; such a description of evil cannot for a moment be applied to her.” _Aumerle._—“You see her, God be praised, as she is by grace, and not by nature.”