Yesterday I wrote:
The opinion of Jerome has prevailed over that of Augustine, in making the
Lion the symbol of Mark and the Man the symbol of Matthew; but Augustine's
remarks about St John have won general assent, and are constantly cited by
commentators. One might compare his Tractate XXXVI on St John's Gospel;
and indeed I shall do so tomorrow.
* * * * *
And so:
"In the four Gospels, or rather in the four books of the one Gospel, Saint
John the apostle, not undeservedly in respect of his spiritual understanding
compared to the eagle, has elevated his preaching higher and far more
sublimely than the other three; and in this elevating of it he would have
our hearts likewise lifted up.
"For the other three evangelists walked with the Lord on earth as with a
man; concerning His divinity they have said but little; but this
evangelist, as if he disdained to walk on earth, just as in the very opening
of his discourse he thundered on us, soared not only above the earth and
above the whole compass of air and sky, but even above the whole army of
angels and the whole order of invisible powers, and reached to Him by whom
all things were made . . ."
* * * * *
The Ceramic Doctor, in an attempt to usurp my title, has enrolled in a gym!
To help
me retain my laurels, my wife today bought me a pair of high-powered electronic
super-accurate bathroom scales. Doffing my apparel, I found myself to weigh
16 stone exactly. I then, being conveniently placed in the bathroom, answered a
call of nature, and afterwards, 'experiendi causa', got back on the scales
to see
what I had lost. Now they registered 16 stone 2 pounds. I am at a loss to
explain
this, unless with reference to the expulsion of certain flotational gases . . .
The Supple Doctor.
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