約伯倫理 第 53 章

Verse 1. — There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job. The historical sense. — 1. Job is called good among the wicked, which is the highest praise. — Therefore it is told where the holy man dwelt, that the merit of his virtue might be set forth. For who does not know that Hus is a land of the Gentiles? And the Gentile world stood bound by vices in that it was ignorant of the knowledge of its Creator. Let it be told, then, where he dwelt, that this may add to his praises, that he was good among the wicked. For it is not greatly praiseworthy to be good among the good, but to be good among the wicked. For as it is of graver fault not to be good among the good, so it is of measureless commendation to have been good even among the wicked.

Hence it is that blessed Job himself testifies of himself, saying: 'I was the brother of dragons, and companion of ostriches' (Job xxx, 29). Hence Peter extolled Lot with great praises, because he found him good among the reprobate, saying: 'And he delivered just Lot, oppressed by the unrighteous conversation of the wicked. For in sight and hearing he was just, dwelling among those who from day to day vexed the soul of the just with unlawful works' (2 Pet. ii, 7, 8). He assuredly could not have been vexed, unless he both heard and beheld the depraved deeds of his neighbours. And yet in sight and hearing he is called just, because the life of the wicked touched the just man's ears and eyes not by delighting, but by wounding. Hence Paul says to his disciples:

'In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world' (Phil. ii, 15). Hence it is said to the angel of the church of Pergamos: 'I know where thou dwellest, where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest my name, and hast not denied my faith' (Rev. ii, 13). Hence holy Church is praised by the voice of the Bridegroom, when it is said to her in the Canticle of love: 'As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters' (Cant. ii, 2). Well, then, is blessed Job described as having lived among the wicked, the Gentile land being mentioned; so that, according to the Bridegroom's commendation, he might be shown to have grown as a lily among thorns. Whence rightly it is presently subjoined: