X. THE NORM OF AUGUSTINE; EXAMPLES FROM PAUL AND AMOS

As there is an eloquence adapted to youth, and an eloquence becoming to old age, so there is an eloquence peculiarly appropriate to the character of the ecclesiastical orator. It is of a type that is both unique and divine, since it deals with God, with man, with morals, and with the future state of the soul. It places him at once on the very highest plane, and imposes on him the most exalted obligations. Therefore, his speech and language should comport with the dignity of his theme and the sacredness of his office.

That Augustine chose both a high type of oratory for his norm, and one in strict accord with the proper conception of the character of the ecclesiastical orator, may be seen from an examination of the extracts, which he takes as examples of model eloquence, from the writings of the Apostle Paul, and the Prophet Amos. These are shown to possess both wisdom and eloquence, wisdom being the guide, and eloquence the attendant, neither displayed in a gaudy or conspicuous fashion, yet both harmoniously and artistically blended after the pattern of the finest art.

Following are the passages with analyses thereof.

A

THE APOSTLE REJOICES IN TRIBULATION

D. D. C. IV, 7. 11: Gloriamus in tribulationibus, scientes quia tribulatio patientiam operatur, patientia autem probationem, probatio vero spem, spes autem non confundit; quia charitas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris per Spiritum sanctum qui datus est nobis. (Rom. V, 3-5.) The following is the analysis as given by Augustine himself, together with other observations.

a.

Gloriamus in tribulationibus,

Main sentence of one membrum.

b. scientes quia tribulatio patientiam operatur,

patientia autem probationem,

probatio vero spem,

A climax, or gradatio, of three membra.

C. spes autem non confundit;

quia charitas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris per Spiritum sanctum qui datus est nobis.

To sum up, there are in this short extract, (1) the climax; (2) a period; (3) six membra, or clauses, besides metaphor which is sustained through five of the six clauses. The style is Temperata. Dictio.

B

PAUL'S DEFENSE, TO THE CORINTHIANS, OF HIS APOSTLESHIP,

IN THE FORM OF A BOAST

D. D. C. IV, 7. 12: Iterum dico, ne quis me existimet insipientem esse; alioquin velut insipientem suscipite me, ut et ego modicum quid glorier. Quod loquor, non loquor secundum Deum, sed quasi in stultitia, in hac substantia gloriae. Quoniam quidem multi gloriantur secundum carnem, et ego gloriabor. Libenter enim sustinetis insipientes, cum sitis ipsi sapientes. Toleratis enim si quis vos in servitutem redigit, si quis devorat, si quis accipit, si quis extollitur, si quis in faciem vos caedit. Secundum ignobilitatem dico, quasi nos infirmati simus. In quo autem quis audet (in insipientia dico), audeo et ego. Hebraei sunt? et ego. Israelitae sunt? et ego. Semen Abrahae sunt? et ego. Ministri Christi sunt? (insipiens dico) super ego. In laboribus plurimum, in carceribus abundantius, in plagis supra modum, in mortibus saepius. A Judaeis quinquies, quadraginta una minus accepi. Ter virgis caesus sum, semel lapidatus sum, ter naufragium feci: nocte et die in profundo maris fui; in itineribus saepe, periculis fluminum, periculis latronum, periculis ex genere, periculis ex gentibus, periculis in civitate, periculis in deserto, periculis in mari, periculis in falsis fratribus: in labore et aerumna, in vigiliis saepius, in fame et siti, in ieiuniis saepius, in frigore et nuditate: praeter illa quae extrinsecus sunt, incursus in me quotidianus, sollicitudo omnium Ecclesiarum. Quis infirmatur, et ego non infirmor? quis scandalizatur, et ego non uror? Si gloriari oportet, in iis quae infirmitatis meae sunt, gloriabor. (II Cor. XI, 16-30).

becomes the most tense, preparatory to his final outburst in the last

e.

A period of two membra.

Sarcasm against those who are "fools" and those who are "wise".

Libenter enim sustinetis insipientes,

cum sitis ipsi sapientes.

A period of two membra.

f. In the three following divisions Paul advances reasons

why he should be heard.

Toleratis enim

si quis vos in servitutem redigit,

si quis devorat,

si quis accipit,

si quis extollitur,

si quis in faciem vos caedit.

A period of two membra, three caesa, and one membrum.

g. Secundum ignobilitatem dico,

quasi nos infirmati simus.

A period of two membra.

h. In quo autem quis audet

(in insipientia dico),

audeo et ego.

A period of three membra.

It will be observed that the above eight divisions consist of a series of eight periods: four consisting of two membra each, two of

three, one of four and one compounded of two membra, three caesa, and one membrum. Psychologically, the sixth, or f-division, contains the climax, since it is in the three caesa that the orator's feeling becomes the most tense, preparatory to his final outburst in the last membrum of the same division. The height of his oratorical curve having been reached, he begins to descend in the first membrum of the seventh, or g-division, by a return to the word secundum, since it is by means of this word in the c and d-divisions that he assumes personal responsibility for his attack against his detractors which is to be both thoroughly human and absolutely decisive.

a.

b.

(2) The Boast Proper

Glorying after the flesh. A climactic arrangement, since Hebraei is the national name, Israelitae the religious name, Semen Abrahae, "heirs of promise," and ministri Christi.

Hebraei sunt?

et ego.

Israelitae sunt?

et ego.

Semen Abrahae sunt?

et ego.

Ministri Christi sunt?

(insipiens dico)

super ego.

A period of nine caesa.

Hitherto it has been a question of externals. Here Paul claims the right to be the chief apostle because of his sufferings. His elaboration of the "super ego" possesses the merit of the highest art.

I. In laboribus plurimum,

in carceribus abundantius,

in plagis supra modum,

in mortibus saepius.

A period of four caesa. Gradatio.

2. A Judaeis quinquies,

quadraginta una minus accepi.

A period of two membra.

3. Ter virgis caesus sum,

semel lapidatus sum,

ter naufragium feci:

nocte et die in profundo maris fui;
A period of four membra. Gradatio.
4. in itineribus saepe,

periculis fluminum,

periculis latronum,

periculis ex genere,

periculis ex gentibus,

periculis in civitate,

periculis in deserto,

periculis in mari,

periculis in falsis fratribus;

in labore et aerumna,

in vigiliis saepius,

in fame et siti,

in ieiuniis saepius,

in frigore et nuditate;

A period of fourteen caesa.

C. A graceful descent, pathetically portraying the Apostle's

sufferings.

I. praeter illa quae extrinsecus sunt,
incursus in me quotidianus,

sollicitudo omnium Ecclesiarum.

A period of three membra. Gradatio.

2. Quis infirmatur,

et ego non infirmor?

quis scandalizatur,

et ego non uror?

A period of four membra.

3. Si gloriari oportet,

in iis quae infirmitatis meae sunt,

gloriabor.

A period of three membra. Conclusion.

In the above examples there are three periods consisting of nine, four, and fourteen caesa respectively; one period of two membra, two of three, and two of four. There are, also, four gradationes, two in the caesa, and two in the membra. Division b, I, is conspicuous