Moralia in Job 49

17. In the reconciliation of Job's friends is figured the conversion of heretics. — But because sometimes heretics, suffused by the bounty of divine grace, return to the unity of the holy Church, this is well signified by that very reconciliation of the friends. For whom, nonetheless, blessed Job is commanded to pray, because the sacrifices of heretics cannot be accepted by God, unless they are offered for them by the hands of the universal Church; so that by her merits they may find the remedy of salvation, whom by assailing with the javelins of words they were striking. Whence also seven sacrifices are recorded as offered for them; because, while confessing they receive the Spirit of sevenfold grace, they are as it were purified by seven oblations.

Hence it is that in the Apocalypse of John, by the number of seven Churches the universal Church is designated (Revelation 1:11). Hence by Solomon it is said of Wisdom: 'Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn out seven pillars' (Proverbs 9:1). By the very number of sacrifices, therefore, the reconciled heretics express what they formerly were, who are joined to the perfection of sevenfold grace only by returning. 18. Their pride must be slain, that they may be restored to the Church by this sacrifice. — But rightly are they described as having offered bulls for themselves and rams. For in the bull is designated the neck of pride, and in the ram the leadership of the following flocks.

What is it, therefore, to slay bulls and rams for them, but to kill their proud leadership; that they may think humble things of themselves, and may not seduce after them the hearts of the innocent? For with swelling neck they had sprung back from the unity of the Church, and were drawing the weak peoples after them as following flocks. Let them come, therefore, to blessed Job, that is, let them return to the Church, and by the sevenfold sacrifice let them hate the bulls and rams that must be slain; that, in order to be joined to the universal Church, with humility intervening they may slay whatever before savoured of swollen pride from their proud leadership.