AUGUSTINE COMES NOW TO THE THIRD KIND OF THEOLOGY, THAT IS, THE
NATURAL, AND TAKES UP THE QUESTION, WHETHER THE WORSHIP OF
THE GODS OF THE NATURAL THEOLOGY IS OF ANY AVAIL TOWARDS
SECURING BLESSEDNESS IN THE LIFE TO COME. THIS QUESTION HE
PREFERS TO DISCUSS WITH THE PLATONISTS, BECAUSE THE PLATONIC
SYSTEM IS "FACILE PRINCEPS" AMONG PHILOSOPHIES, AND MAKES THE
NEAREST APPROXIMATION TO CHRISTIAN TRUTH. IN PURSUING THIS
ARGUMENT, HE FIRST REFUTES APULEIUS, AND ALL WHO MAINTAIN THAT
THE DEMONS SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED AS MESSENGERS AND MEDIATORS
BETWEEN GODS AND MEN; DEMONSTRATING THAT BY NO POSSIBILITY CAN
MEN BE RECONCILED TO GOOD GODS BY DEMONS, WHO ARE THE SLAVES OF
VICE, AND WHO DELIGHT IN AND PATRONIZE WHAT GOOD AND WISE
MEN ABHOR AND CONDEMN,—THE BLASPHEMOUS FICTIONS OF POETS,
THEATRICAL EXHIBITIONS, AND MAGICAL ARTS.
That the question of natural theology is to be discussed with those philosophers
who sought a more excellent wisdom.