h, there is so much here. The more I read this short bit from St. Augustine, the more I saw; about earthly happiness, the nature of the kingdom of God, the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, and on it goes. Hebrews 11:13-16 comes readily to mind.
And therefore earthly kingdoms are given by Him both to the good and the bad; lest His worshippers, still under the conduct of a very weak mind, should covet these gifts from Him as some great things. And this is the mystery of the Old Testament, in which the New was hidden, that there even earthly gifts are promised: those who were spiritual understanding even then, although not yet openly declaring, both the eternity which was symbolized by these earthly things, and in what gifts of God true felicity could be found.
Saint Augustine, The City of God, Dods translation, book 4, chapter 33.
