Introduction to the Philosophy of Saint Augustine
me him," he says. "It will be manifest that his power comes from me. Granted that I shall be fashioning a senator, an orator, and an emperor: from time to time I shall indeed fashion a senator, but more certainly a fisherman. A senator can take pride in himself; so may an orator and an emperor. The fisherman cannot except from Christ. Let him stand as a wholesome lesson in humility. First let the fisherman come. Through him it will be easier to lead the emperor on."
7. Remember, therefore, that fisherman, holy, righteous, good, filled with Christ, by whose nets cast about the world even those who already belonged there were destined to be taken. Remember he said: In the message of the prophet we have something still more certain. Consequently for the resolution of this controversy give me the prophet as judge. What was the question between us? You were saying: "Let me understand in order that I may believe." I was saying, Unless you believe, you will not understand.
8. Do you suppose, dearly beloved, that even he who says "Let me understand in order to believe" is saying nothing? What are we doing now except aiming at faith, not in those who have no faith, but in those in whom faith is still weak. If they had no faith at all, they would not be here. It is faith that drew them here to listen. The word of God has brought them to faith, but this very faith that has taken root must be watered, nourished, strengthened.
This is what we are doing now. As we have heard said: I planted the seed, and Apollo watered it; but God made it grow. Thus it ts not the gardeners with their planting and watering who count, but God, who makes it grow. (I Cor. 3:6-7) Through speech, encouragement, teaching, and exhortation we can plant and water, but we cannot give growth. That man was fully aware of whom he was speaking to, when, begging help for a nascent faith, still tender and weak, to a large extent wavering, but still faith, he said to him, Lord, I believe. (Mark 9:23)
9. A little while ago when the Gospel was being read you heard the Lord Jesus saying to the father of the boy: If you can believe, everything is possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:22) And he, turning his eye inward and gazing at himself, not in a spirit of rash confidence but first examining his conscience, sees in himself some faith, and he sees also some wavering. Both these things he sees. He declares that he has the one, and he begs help for the other. I believe, Lord, he says. What followed from this except "Help my faith'? But he did not say this. J believe, Lord.
I see here something about which I did not lie. I believe, I am telling the truth. But I also see here something or other that dis-