The FOURTH TOME.
THE Fourth Tome of St. Augustin's Works contains This Father's Explications upon the * 1.1 Psalms; which make too large a Book, to be comprised in one Volume with his other Commentaries upon the Holy Scripture. He composed them not in that order wherein we find them, but some at one time, and others at another; and not all after the same manner. Some are Commentaries written in his Study, and the others, which make by far the greater number, are Discourses made to his People. Cassiodore observes, That in his time they were divided into Fifteen Decads; this division is not observed at present, and it is not likely that St. Augustin made it. St. Augustin understanding no Hebrew, followed the Latin Translations made from the Greek Version of the Septuagint, to the Text whereof he often referrs. In some of these Explications, and particularly, in those that were not written to the People, as the Thirteen first, he only makes Allegorical Notes upon the Text of the Psalms; but in the rest, he is either very diffuse, and enlargeth much upon Reflections that are not very solid, or else he goeth from his Subject by long Digressions. He professes to explain the Letter, but his literal sence is almost always Spiritual or Moral. If he clears any term, or insists upon the Signification of any word, it is always to extract an Allegory, or something Moral from it. He brings all to Jesus Christ, to the Mysteries of our Religion, and to the Church. The Recompences and Blessings mentioned in the Psalms, are always in his opinion, Spiritual Recompences and Eternal Blessings. He often gives several sences of the same place, and very frequently makes a digression against the Schism, or the Heresies of his own time; He is full of useless Allusions, ill-grounded Sub∣tilties, and improbable Allegories. His very Moral Thoughts are seldom such as might have been naturally inferred from the Scripture Text; but ordinarily such far-fetch'd Notions as could never fall into the Mind of any Man that should read the Text.
Yet here and there one may meet with lively and fervent Exhortations, which raised his Peo∣ple; and profitable Instructions upon the most important Truths of Religion. So that though this Work cannot pass for a good Commentary upon the Psalms, yet it may be looked upon as a wonderful Collection of Christian and Moral Notions; and if it be of no great use for those that enquire after the literal sence of the Scripture; yet it will prove very Profitable to Prea∣chers, who desire to fit their Minds with necessary Thoughts and Rules to help them to dis∣charge well that part of their Ministery.