約伯倫理 第 492 章

1. What things are to be expounded in this whole third part, and in what style. — Although in a lengthy work a changeableness of style ought not to be blameworthy, yet, lest anyone should reprove me for the alteration of my manner of speaking, in the letter prefixed to the books I have rendered the reason why I have by no means carried the third part of this work through to the likeness of the others by way of emendation. These matters being set aside, this too is added: that the exposition of that same part begins from that verse where it is said, 'The tabernacles of robbers abound,' and extends by discourse as far as this, which is written, 'Their sweetness is the worm.' Which things indeed are so many, that they could not be comprehended in one volume, unless they were said under great brevity.

Whoever, then, is free from other occupations, let him ponder the rest that has been said in a more manifold manner. But whoever has not leisure to read studiously, let the brevity of this part please him, in which we do not so much say what we perceive as we mark out those things which are to be said. Therefore, since in it many things, even as they were caught as I spoke, so I have left behind, do you, my reader, accept the change of style with an even mind, because to those eating the same foods a diversity of cooking also often pleases.

But as often as you take up the several parts for reading, be zealous always to recall to memory that origin of the theme which I have set forth, because both through blessed Job, who is called 'the grieving one,' are designated the passions of the Lord and of His body, that is, of holy Church; and his friends hold the likeness of heretics, who, as we have already often said, while they strive to defend God, offend Him. Who, while they counsel feignedly, mightily afflict the mind of the saints; nor yet in all that they say do they fall away from the knowledge of the truth, but for the most part mingle both prudence with foolish things and truth with feigned things, so that, while they proffer somewhat out of truth, they may easily draw men to falsehood.

Whence the things which the friends of blessed Job speak are at one time despicable, at another wondrous; which nevertheless the holy man at times convicts by reproving, but at times receives by approving, and draws to the use of rectitude even those things which are stated by them rightly, but not proffered rightly. And so, despising those who despised his poverty, and set in the dunghill in body, he shows in how great a height of virtues he is seated within himself, when he records that the riches of the present life are nothing — those riches which he relates that even the reprobate abound in — saying: