Seen as one of the most important figure in the ancient Western church, Augustine had drifted through several philosophical systems before converting to Christianity at the age of thirty-one. Today, St. Augustine stands as a powerful advocate for orthodoxy and of the episcopacy as the sole means for the dispensing of saving grace. Augustine can be seen to serve as a bridge between the ancient and medieval worlds. A review of his life and work shows him as an active mind engaging the practical concerns of the churches he served. "I will now call to mind my past foulness, and the carnal corruptions of my soul; not because I love them, but that I may love Thee, O my God. For love of Thy love I do it; reviewing my most wicked ways in the very bitterness of my remembrance, that Thou mayest grow sweet unto me...; and gathering me again out of that my dissipation, wherein I was torn piecemeal, while turned from Thee, the One Good, I lost myself among a multiplicity of things." St. Augustine, Confessions,Book Two, Chapter One. Lamp Post and the Christian Classics Ethereal Library are proud to present some of the finest Christian literary works of all time-writings that have affected the Church, touched the hearts of its leaders, and helped shape Christianity for two thousand years; timeless books that have endured and are deserving to be included among the Christian Classics.