約伯倫理 第 1250 章

44. The conceived offspring must be carried through the fitting time in the womb of the heart, that it may live. — For holy men, when they think about the advancement of their hearers, carry as it were a conception already in the womb. But when they defer certain things that must be said, and seek the fit time for their exhortations, they are, as it were, delayed in the length of months from the birth which they desire to take place.

And often, while they are unwilling to say untimely to their hearers certain things which they perceive, in that very slowness of bringing forth the sentence — whether concerning those things which must be counselled, or those which must be rebuked — they are confirmed by a higher counsel. And while the life of the sons is considered, and yet the tongue does not cast out before the time the counsel of the mind, the offspring as it were already conceived grows within the womb, so that the sentence of the heart may then come forth to the notice of the hearers, when, uttered profitably as through a fitting time, the birth may live. And because men are ignorant, in the intent of teachers, when or how these things are done, but God, unto the glory of recompense, considers not only the effect, but also marks the beginnings of thoughts, rightly is it said to blessed Job:

'Have you numbered the months of their conception?' You understand: as I do, who in holy preachers number not only the fruit of outward works, but the long-lasting thoughts themselves, and who also keep them for recompense. (Old version XXI.) 45. Those who prepare themselves to preach, let them first renew themselves inwardly with virtues. — By the months, because they are amassed days, may also be understood multiplied virtues. In the months, too, the moon is reborn; and nothing hinders if by the months the new creature of regeneration be signified. Of which Paul the apostle says: 'In Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature' (Gal. v, 6; vi, 15).

Holy men, therefore, when they prepare themselves to preach, first renew themselves inwardly with virtues, that they may agree in living with that which they teach by speaking. First they consider their own inner things, and cleanse themselves from all the filth of vices, taking utmost care that against wrath they may shine with the light of patience, that against the lust of the flesh they may glow even with purity of heart, that against sloth they may be white-hot with zeal, that against the confused motions of precipitancy they may be ruddy with serene gravity, that against pride they may shine with true humility, that against fear they may grow bright with the rays of authority. Because therefore they gather within themselves beforehand so great a store of earnestness, they become, as it were, in the conception of holy preaching, the months of virtues.

Which months the Lord alone numbers, because those same good things in their hearts none but he who gave them weighs. And because according to the measure of virtues the effect of fruits also follows, rightly is it subjoined: