e. Letters, CCXX, 1-12.
280 ST. AUGUSTINE prayer; and for the things which you have, give thanks to God as the Fountain of goodness, whence you have received them; in every good action let the glory be given to God, and humility be exercised by you, for, as it is written, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of hghts." ^ But however much you may advance in the love of God and of your neighbour, and in true piety, do not imagine, as long as you are in this life, that you are without sin, for concerning this we read in Holy Scripture: "Is not the life of man upon earth a life of temptation?" ^ Wherefore, since always, as long as you are in this body, it is necessary for you to say in prayer, as the Lord taught us: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," ^® remember quickly to forgive, if any one shall do you wrong and shall ask pardon from you, that you may be able to pray sincerely, and may prevail in seeking pardon for your own sins.
These things, my beloved friend, I have written to you in haste, as the anxiety of the bearer to depart urged me not to detain him; but I thank God that I have in some measure complied with your pious wish. May the mercy of God ever protect you, my noble lord and justly distinguished son.
To my Lord Boniface,^^ my Son commended to the Guardianship and Guidance of Divine Mercy for Present and Eternal Salvation, Augustine sends greeting.
8. Jas. i. 17.
9. Job wii. 1. 10. Matt. vi. 12.
e. Letters, CCXX, 1-12.
11. See note to Letter CLXXXDC