Moralia in Job 877

15. He who does not hear God speaking in the law shall not be heard by God when praying at the last. God does not hear his cry in the time of tribulation, because in the time of tranquillity he himself did not hear the Lord crying out in His precepts. For it is written: «He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be abominable» (Prov. 28:9). The holy man, therefore, beholding that all who now scorn to work righteousness turn themselves at the last time to words of petition, says: «Will God hear his cry?» By which words indeed he complies with the voice of our Redeemer, who says: «Last of all come also the foolish virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. And it is answered them: Amen I say to you, I know you not» (Matt. 25:11).

For so much the greater severity is then exercised, the greater mercy is now extended; and He strictly then puts forth judgment on the uncorrected, who now patiently bestows compassion on the offenders. Hence indeed the prophet says: «Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near» (Isa. 55:6). For now He is not seen, and He is near; then He shall be seen, and He shall not be near. Not yet has He appeared in judgment, and if He is sought, He is found. For in a wondrous manner, when He shall have appeared in judgment, He both can be seen and cannot be found. Hence Solomon reports Wisdom as both sweetly enticing and terribly judging, saying: «Wisdom preacheth abroad, in the streets she uttereth her voice» (Prov. 1:20).

Her voice too he intimates, subjoining: «How long, ye little ones, do ye love infancy, and fools covet the things that are hurtful to themselves, and the unwise hate knowledge? Be ye converted at my reproof; behold, I will bring forth to you my spirit, and will show you my words» (ibid. 22-23). Behold with what words the sweetness of Him who calls is expressed. Let us now see by what modes the severity of Him who rebukes is intimated, so that in the end the exactness of Him who punishes may at some time be exercised. «Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and there was none that regarded; you have despised all my counsel, and neglected my reproofs» (ibid. 1:24). Let Him now say in what manner He strikes those whom, though in no way returning to Him, He sustains with such long-suffering.

«I also will laugh at your destruction and will mock, when that which you feared shall come upon you, when sudden calamity shall rush in, and destruction shall press on like a tempest, when tribulation and distress shall come upon you. Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear; they shall rise early, and shall not find me» (ibid. 1:26). By the mouth of the most wise Solomon, therefore, all things concerning the supernal judgment are diligently expressed, because He both first sweetly calls, and afterwards terribly rebukes, and at the last irrevocably condemns. Well, therefore, is it said: «Will God hear his cry, when distress shall come upon him?» Because assuredly every hypocrite then finds no remedy in his cry, who now loses the fitting time of crying.

Concerning whose depravity it is further subjoined: