約伯倫理 第 1186 章

Nothing more grievously harms the soul than a virtue of which it is conscious, unless it be exercised by reproofs. Job was greatest, because he was less than God alone. After the loss of his goods, after the death of his children, after the wounds of his body, after the ill-persuading words of his wife, after the insulting speeches of his comforters, after the darts of so many sorrows bravely borne, blessed Job would have been worthy of praise by the Judge for so great a virtue of constancy, if he were now to be called out of the present world. But since here he is still to receive double, since he is to be restored to his former health, that with his goods restored he may enjoy them longer, lest his very victory lay him low through the sword of pride, almighty God must rebuke by strict justice him whom he keeps for life.

For what more often kills the soul than a virtue of which it is conscious? For while it inflates the soul with the consideration of itself, it empties it of the fullness of truth; and while it suggests that the soul is sufficient to receive rewards, it stretches it away from the intention of improvement. Job, then, was just before the scourges, but he remained more just after the scourges; and, praised before by the voice of God, he afterward grew through the lash. Truly, like a ductile trumpet drawn out under hammering, he was raised the higher in the praise of God, the more he was struck with greater chastisement. But he had to be humbled who, prostrate with sores, yet stood so firm in virtues.

He had to be humbled, lest the darts of pride should pierce through one so most robust, whom, it was certain, even the wounds inflicted had not conquered. Assuredly a man had to be sought by comparison with whom he ought to be humbled. But what is it that is said of him by the voice of the Lord: 'Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him upon the earth?' (Job 1:8; 2:3). By comparison with whom, then, could he be overcome, of whom, with God bearing witness, it is said that he could be equaled by comparison with no man? What, therefore, is to be done, except that the Lord Himself from His own person should recount to him His virtues, and say to him: 'Do you bring forth the morning star in its time, and do you make the evening star rise over the sons of the earth?' And again:

'Have the gates of death been opened to you, and have you seen the dark doors? Or truly: Did you, since your birth, command the daybreak, and show the dawn its place?' (Job 38:32, 17, 12). Who can do these things but the Lord? And yet man is questioned, that he may recognize that he cannot do these things—so that the man who has grown up with such immense virtues, and is overcome by the example of no man, lest he should be exalted, may be surpassed by comparison with God. But O how powerfully he is lifted up who is so sublimely humbled! O how great is a man's victory, to have lost by comparison with God! O how much greater than men is he who by testimonies is convicted of being less than God! For truly very powerful is he who is shown by such questioning to be not powerful.

But since we are being led to discuss matters too obscure, let us now come to the words of the same text: