152 - Middle Ages

Middle Ages Augustine Tractates 94–95 on the Gospel of John (on John 16:5–11). 2 double-leaf sheets (4 pages). Latin manuscript on parchment. Late Carolingian minuscule with proto-Gothic features, written by a single scribe in brown ink. Two columns. 41 lines. Text area: approx. 38.5 x 23 cm each. Folio size: 40.5 x 27.4 cm. - Probably southern France, Catalonia, Austria, or Italy, ca. 1120–1160. For a similar paleographic example, see: Augustine, *Tractatus in Iohannis Evangelium* (fragment), New Haven, CT, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, MS 481.93. - Regarding the paleography: The script is rounded and broad; the stems are only slightly broken. The ascenders and descenders are short, and the ascenders are slightly club-shaped. The “a” is two-story, and the “d” appears predominantly uncial, i.e., rounded. The long “s” appears within words, and the round “s” at the end of words. The ligatures “ct” and “st” are characteristic. The abbreviations are frequent but standard: “ñ” (non), “q~” (quod, quae), “?” (per, pro), spus, sps, and scs (spiritus sanctus), dñs and xpc or xpm (Christus), e (est), as well as nasal marks. Punctuation consists of a period and a punctus elevatus. Hyphenation is inconsistent. The script corresponds to the transitional period between Carolingian minuscule and Textura, which was common in the 12th century in Italy and neighboring regions. The minimal stem breaks, the broad script, and the simple decoration support this dating. - Regarding the content: The text is Augustine’s *In Iohannis evangelium tractatus* 94–95. It is an interpretation of John 16:5–11, Jesus’ farewell discourse on the coming of the Paraclete (the Comforter, the Holy Spirit). The first section deals with the statement that it is good for the disciples that Jesus should depart, because otherwise the Paraclete would not come. Augustine interprets this as follows: The disciples could not comprehend the Spirit as long as they loved Christ only in a fleshly way. Jesus’ departure, therefore, also serves to purify their affection. The second section deals with “he will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Augustine explains the three concepts: Sin is unbelief in Christ; righteousness is his return to the Father; and judgment is the condemnation of the prince of this world, that is, the devil. He emphasizes that the Spirit convicts the whole world, not just the Jewish people, and refers to Acts 1:7–8 in this regard. The *Tractatus in Iohannis evangelium* is a cycle of 124 sermons and commentaries that Augustine of Hippo delivered and dictated on the Gospel of John between approximately 406 and 420. Tractates 94–95 are part of the exposition of the Farewell Discourses (John 13–17) in the final section of the cycle. Fol. 3 contains a palimpsest and remnants of two red initials. - Slightly browned and somewhat stained, with some worm damage in places. A rare and early example of the reception of Augustine. Medieval manuscripts. Augustine. In Iohannis evangelium tractatus 94–95 (on John 16:5–11). 2 bifolia (4 pages). Latin manuscript on parchment. Late Carolingian minuscule with proto-Gothic features, written by a single scribe in brown ink. Two columns. 41 lines. Written area: each approx. 38.5 x 23 cm. Leaf size: 40.5 x 27.4 cm. Probably southern France, Catalonia, Austria, or Italy, c. 1120–1160. - Cf. for similar paleography: Augustine, *Tractatus in Iohannis Evangelium* (fragment), New Haven, CT, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, MS 481.93. - Paleography: The script is round and broad, with only slightly broken shafts. The ascenders and descenders are short, and the ascenders are slightly clubbed. The “a” is two-storey, and the “d” appears mostly uncial, i.e., round. The long “s” is used within words and the round “s” at the end of words. The ligatures “ct” and “st” are characteristic. The abbreviations are dense but standard: ñ (non), q~ (quod, quae), ? (per, pro), spus, sps, and scs (spiritus sanctus), dñs and xpc or xpm (Christus), e (est), and nasal strokes. Punctuation consists of the punctus and the punctus elevatus. Word separation is irregular. The script corresponds to the transitional phase between Carolingian minuscule and Textura that was common in Italy and neighboring regions in the 12th century. The dating is supported by the slight breaking of the stems, the broad script, and the simple decoration. - Content: The text is Augustine’s *In Iohannis evangelium tractatus* 94–95. It is an exposition of John 16:5–11, Jesus’ farewell discourse on the coming of the Paraclete (the Advocate, the Holy Spirit). The first section addresses the statement that it is good for the disciples that Jesus is leaving, since otherwise the Paraclete will not come. Augustine interprets this as follows: the disciples could not comprehend the Spirit as long as they loved Christ only in a carnal way. Jesus’ departure is therefore also a purification of their affection. The second section deals with “arguet mundum de peccato et de iustitia et de iudicio” (John 16:8). Augustine explains the three terms: sin is unbelief in Christ, righteousness