Um percurso pela tratadística do padre Alexandre de Gusmão (SJ, 1629-1724)

This article aims at rescuing Alexandre de Gusmão’s written books from oblivion, since he was not only responsible for the foundation of a Seminar in Belém da Cachoeira (Bahia), but he was also a literate Jesuit. Gusmão wrote different spiritual works directed to a broad audience on both sides of the sea. Six of them were classified by him as treatises, namely: Escola de Bethlem (1678); Arte de crear bem os Filhos (1685); Rosa de Nazareth (1715); Eleyçam entre o Bem, & Mal Eterno (1720); O Corvo, e a Pomba da Arca de Noé (1734); Arvore da Vida, Jesus Crucificado (1734). In order to investigate dialogues among Gusmão and authorities that were ancient or contemporary to him, aspects from his invention, disposition and elocutionare going to be highlighted here. Also, Gusmão’s treatises are going to demonstrate how a same genre could present various species during the 17th and the 18th centuries.