Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
156 ST. AUGUSTINE member that this gospel is being read section by section in sequence. And I think that you have not forgotten what has already been discussed, especially the more recent matters about John and the dove." About John, of course, what new thing he, who already knew the Lord, learned about the Lord through the dove. And it was found, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, that John did, indeed, already know the Lord; but that the Lord himself was going to baptize in such a manner that he passed the power of baptizing from himself to no one, this he learned through the dove, because it had been said to him, "He upon whom you will see the Spirit descending as a dove, and remaining upon him, he it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit."^ (2) What is "he it is"? Not another, although through another. But why through the dove?^ Many words have been said, and neither am I able nor is it necessary to repeat them all; but it was mainly because of peace; for the dove, because it found fruit on them, brought to the ark even the woods which were baptized outside. As you recall, the dove was sent out by Noe from the ark," which was floating on the flood waters and was being washed by baptism, but not submerged. When, therefore, the dove was sent out, it brought an olive branch and it had not only leaves but it also had fruit. And this must be our wish for our brothers who are baptized outside, that they have fruit; the dove will not leave them alone outside until she has led them back to the ark.
(3) But the whole fruit is love, without which man is nothing, whatever else he has. And we have stated and recalled that this was most richly said by the Aposde. For he said, "If I should speak with the tongues of men and angels, but should not have love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And if I have all knowledge, and should know all sac-
7. I.e., in Tractates 5 and 6. 8. Jn 1.33. 9. That is, why did John learn this through the dove?
10. Or perhaps, with Browne, 104, "reconciliation" or "concord," a more specific Christian connotation of pax to fit the context of bringing those outside back inside the Church. "Peace" is the generic Christian Latin term. 11. Cf. On 8.8-11.