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Saint Augustine: Tractates on the Gospel of John 28–54 is unavailable, but you can change that!

In his preaching, St. Augustine developed an oratorical style based on the classical rhetoric he had learned prior to his conversion which he adapted to the unique demands of Christian preaching. He still recognized the classical ends of rhetoric: to teach, to please, and to persuade. He gave, however, the place of most importance to content: what was said was more important than how it was said....

(5) Hear further: Christ wept; let the man weep for himself. For why did Christ weep except to teach man to weep? Why did he growl and trouble himself, except that the faith of a man justly displeased with himself ought in some way to growl in accusation of his evil works in order that the habit of sinning may give way to the vehemence of penitance? 20. “And he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ ” You knew that he was dead and did you not know where he was buried? And this is a signification that even
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