Tractates on the Gospel of John
TRACTATE 2 63 mind that which is and nevertheless not to depart from the cross of Christ, than to see it with the mind and to despise the cross of Christ. Beyond this it is good, indeed best, if it can be done, that a person both sees where he must go and holds fast the means by which he is to be conveyed.
(2) They were able to do this, the mighty minds of the mountains; they have been called mountains whom the light of Justice especially illumines.^ They were able; and they saw that which he is. For John saw and said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."'^ They saw this; and that they might reach that which they saw from afar, they did not depart from the cross of Christ and they did not despise Christ's lowliness. The little ones, I assure you, who cannot understand this, yet depart not from the cross and passion and resurrection of Christ, are guided to that which they do not see in the very same ship in which those who do see also arrive.
4. But truly there have been some philosophers of this world" and they have sought the creator through creation. For he can be found through creation as the Apostle clearly states: "For the invisible things of him are clearly seen from the attributes of the world, being understood by the things that are made. His eternal power also and divinity, so that they are inexcusable." And he continues, "Because that when they knew God" — he did not say, because that they did not know, but "Becailse that when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God or given thanks, but became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened." Darkened in what way? He continues and says more openly, "For professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." They saw where they had to come; but, ungrateful to him who granted
9. Cf. Tractate 1.2 ff. 10. Jn 1.1. 1 1. The Neo-Platonic philosophers are meant. For a good brief treatment of their influence on Augustine's thought see Gilson, 197 — 209, and Portahe, 95—104. Berrouard, Homelies I— XVI 850—852, gives an excellent account of how the Neo-Platonists came so close to the Christian concept of God and yet fell short of the ultimate truth through their humanistic pride.
12. Rom 1.20—22.