{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/101/1010051.htm","path":"chr/ecf/101/1010051.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/101/1010051.htm","text":"Chapter V.\u2014He Rejects the Sacred Scriptures as Too Simple, and as Not to Be Compared with the Dignity of Tully.\n9. I resolved, therefore, to direct my mind to the Holy Scriptures, that I might see what they were. And behold, I perceive something not comprehended by the proud, not disclosed to children, but lowly as you approach, sublime as you advance, and veiled in mysteries; and I was not of the number of those who could enter into it, or bend my neck to follow its steps. For not as when now I speak did I feel when I tuned towards those Scriptures, 228 but they appeared to me to be unworthy to be compared with the dignity of Tully; for my inflated pride shunned their style, nor could the sharpness of my wit pierce their inner meaning. 229 Yet, truly, were they such as would develope in little ones; but I scorned to be a little one, and, swollen with pride, I looked upon myself as a great one.\nIn connection with the opinion Augustin formed of the Scriptures before and after his conversion, it is interesting to recall F\u00e9n\u00e9lon\u2019s glowing description of the literary merit of the Bible. The whole passage might well be quoted did space permit:\u2014\u201cL\u2019Ecriture surpasse en na\u00efvet\u00e9, en vivacit\u00e9, en grandeur, tous les \u00e9crivains de Rome et de la Gr\u00e8ce. Jamais Hom\u00e8re m\u00eame n\u2019a approch\u00e9 de la sublimit\u00e9 de Mo\u00efse dans ses cantiques.\u2026Jamais nulle ode Grecque ou Latine n\u2019a pu atteindre \u00e0 la hauteur des Psaumes.\u2026Jamais Homer\u00e8 ni aucun autre po\u00ebte n\u2019a \u00e9gal\u00e9 Isa\u00efe peignant la majest\u00e9 de Dieu.\u2026Tant\u00f4t ce proph\u00e8te \u00e0 toute la douceur et toute la tendresse d\u2019une \u00e9glogue, dans les riantes peintures qu\u2019il fait de la paix, tant\u00f4t il s\u2019\u00e9l\u00e8ve jusqu\u2019 \u00e0 laisser tout au-dessous de lui. Mais qu\u2019y a-t-il, dans l\u2019antiquit\u00e9 profane, de comparable au tendre J\u00e9r\u00e9mie, d\u00e9plorant les maux de son peuple; ou \u00e0 Nahum, voyant de loin, en esprit, tomber la superbe Ninive sous les efforts d\u2019une arm\u00e9e innombrable? On croit voir cette arm\u00e9e, ou croit entendre le bruit des armes et des chariots; tout est d\u00e9peint d\u2019une mani\u00e8re vive qui saisit l\u2019imagination; il laisse Hom\u00e8re loin derri\u00e8re lui.\u2026Enfin, il y a autant de diff\u00e9rence entre les po\u00ebtes profanes et les proph\u00e8tes, qu\u2019il y en a entre le v\u00e9ritable enthousiasme et le faux.\u201d\u2014Sur l\u2019 Eloq. de la Chaire, Dial. iii.\n62:229\nThat is probably the \u201cspiritual\u201d meaning on which Ambrose (vi. 6, below) laid so much emphasis. How different is the attitude of mind indicated in xi. 3 from the spiritual pride which beset him at this period of his life! When converted he became as a little child, and ever looked to God as a Father, from whom he must receive both light and strength. He speaks, on Ps. 146., of the Scriptures, which were plain to \u201cthe little ones,\u201d being obscured to the mocking spirit of the Manich\u00e6ans. See also below, iii. 14, note.","title":"Nicene and Post Nicene-Fathers, Vol. I: The Confessions: ...","type":"page"}