On Christian Doctrine (Contents Continued)

On Christian Doctrine (Contents Continued)

BOOK 3. The method of dealing with ambiguous signs

1. Summary of the foregoing books, and scope of that which follows

2. Rule for removing ambiguity by attending to punctuation

3. How pronunciation serves to remove ambiguity—different kinds of interrogation

4. How ambiguities may be solved

5. It is a wretched slavery which takes the figurative expressions of Scripture in a literal sense

6. Utility of the bondage of the Jews

7. The useless bondage of the gentiles

8. The Jews liberated from their bondage in one way, the gentiles in another

9. Who is in bondage to signs, and who not

10. How we are to discern whether a phrase is figurative

11. Rule for interpreting phrases which seem to ascribe severity to God and the saints

12. Rule for interpreting those sayings and actions which are ascribed to God and the saints and which yet seem to the unskilful to be wicked

13. Same subject, continued

14. Error of those who think that there is no absolute right and wrong

15. Rule for interpreting figurative expressions

16. Rule for interpreting commands and prohibitions

17. Some commands are given to all in common, others to particular classes

18. We must take into consideration the time at which anything was enjoyed or allowed

19. Wicked men judge others by themselves

20. Consistency of good men in all outward circumstances

21. David not lustful, though he fell into adultery

22. Rule regarding passages of Scripture in which approval is expressed of actions which are now condemned by good men

23. Rule regarding the narrative of sins of great men

24. The character of the expressions used is above all to have weight

25. The same word does not always signify the same thing

26. Obscure passages are to be interpreted by those which are clearer

27. One passage susceptible of various interpretations

28. It is safer to explain a doubtful passage by other passages of Scripture than by reason

29. The knowledge of tropes is necessary

30. The rules of Tichonius the Donatist examined

31. The first rule of Tichonius

32. The second rule of Tichonius

33. The third rule of Tichonius

34. The fourth rule of Tichonius

35. The fifth rule of Tichonius

36. The sixth rule of Tichonius

37. The seventh rule of Tichonius

Book 4. Treats of expression and recommends the authors of the Holy Scriptures as the best models of eloquence.

1. This work not intended as a treatise on rhetoric

2. It is lawful for a Christian teacher to use the art of rhetoric

3. The proper age and the proper means for acquiring rhetorical skill

4. The duty of the Christian teacher

5. Wisdom of more importance than eloquence to the Christian teacher

6. The sacred writers unite eloquence with wisdom

7. Examples of true eloquence drawn from the epistles of Paul and the prophecies of Amos

8. The obscurity of the sacred writers, though compatible with eloquence, not to be imitated by Christian teachers

9. How, and with whom, difficult passages are to be discussed

10. The necessity for perspicuity of style

11. The Christian teacher must speak clearly, but not inelegantly

12. The aim of the orator, according to Cicero, is to teach, to delight, and to move. Of these, teaching is the most essential

13. The hearer must be moved as well as instructed

14. Beauty of diction to be in keeping with the matter

15. The Christian teacher should pray before preaching

16. Human directions not to be despised though God makes the true teacher

17. Threefold division of the various styles of speech

18. The Christian orator is constantly dealing with great matters

19. The Christian teacher must use different styles on different occasion

20. Examples of the various styles drawn from Scripture

21. Examples of the various styles, drawn from the teachers of the church, especially Ambrose and Cyprian

22. The necessity of variety in style

23. How the various styles should be mingled

24. The effects produced by the majestic style

25. How the temperate style is to be used

26. In every style the orator should aim at perspicuity, beauty, and persuasiveness

27. The man whose life is in harmony with his teaching will teach with greater effect

28. Truth is more important than expression. What is meant by strife about words

29. It is permissible for a preacher to deliver to the people what has been written by a more eloquent man than himself

30. The preacher should commence his discourse with prayer to God

31. Apology for the length of the work