約伯倫理 第 1197 章

VERSE 6. — 'Whereupon are its bases made fast?' 31. The bases of the soul are its intentions. — For the bases of each one are the intentions of the soul. For as the building rests upon columns, but the columns upon their bases, so is it written that our life rests upon virtues, but the virtues subsist in the innermost intention. And because 'other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus' (1 Cor. 3:11), then are the bases upon the foundation, when our intentions are strengthened in Christ.

But in vain do they raise up lofty buildings upon their bases, if the bases themselves do not stand fast in the solidity of the foundation; because assuredly they build however high works to no purpose, if the intentions of their hearts are turned aside outside the certainty of eternity, and do not seek the rewards of the true life; and they build for themselves so much the graver losses of ruin above them, by how much they bear higher buildings outside the foundation; because, since they do not aim at the rewards of eternal life, the more they raise themselves as it were in virtues, the more deeply do they fall into the pit of vain glory. Not therefore is it to be weighed what the bases sustain, but where they are sustained; because truly human hearts are searched by God, not only as to what they do, but as to what they seek in their works.

Whence, when Paul was describing the strict Judge, and was narrating the good things of actions, saying: 'Who will render to every man according to his works' — 'to them indeed, according to patience in good work, glory and corruption' (Rom. 2:6) — because, having named the patience of good work, he had as it were spoken of the whole building of the chosen action, he subtly forthwith inquired where the bases of that same building might stand, saying: 'To them that seek glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life' (ibid. 7). As if he plainly said:

Even if some show the patience of a good work, they do not receive glory and incorruption, if they do not fix the intentions of the heart, that is, the bases of the building, in the foundation; because assuredly God does not inhabit even the edifice of an honorable life which, set outside Himself, He does not Himself sustain. 32. They are to be directed to the love of eternity. — Because therefore the intentions of the chosen soul of each one rest upon the hope of eternity, rightly is it said by the voice of the Lord concerning this earth: 'Whereupon are its bases made fast?' As if He plainly said, Save upon Me. And while every just soul aims at Him, whatever it does temporally, it builds in Me without doubt not temporally.

But because we are then more robustly made fast in the foundation, when we both follow the words of God in the outward commandments, and by understanding more subtly weigh them in our inmost perceptions, rightly is it subjoined: