約伯倫理 第 66 章

Verse 2. — And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 18. The number seven is perfect. — What is understood in the number seven, save the height of perfection? For, to be silent about the causes of human reasoning concerning the number seven — which assert that it is therefore perfect, because it consists of the first even and the first odd; of the first which can be divided, and the first which cannot be divided — we know most certainly that holy Scripture is wont to put the number seven for perfection (Gen. ii, 3). Whence also it asserts that the Lord rested on the seventh day from His works. Hence it is also that the seventh day was given to men for rest, that is, for the Sabbath.

Hence it is that the jubilee year, in which full rest is expressed, is completed by seven weeks, which by the addition of one is filled up unto our reunion. 19. The sons of Job signify the apostles. — There were born to him, therefore, seven sons. Namely, the apostles advancing manfully to preach. Who, while they carry out the precepts of perfection, held, as it were, the strength of the superior sex in their conversation. Hence it is that, to be filled with the perfection of the sevenfold grace of the Spirit, twelve were chosen. For from the number seven one rises to the number twelve. For seven, multiplied in its own parts, is extended to twelve.

For whether four be led through three, or three through four, seven is turned into twelve. Whence the holy apostles, because they were sent to preach the holy Trinity in the four parts of the world, were chosen twelve; that even by number they might show the perfection which they preached by life and by voice. 20. The daughters, the multitudes of the faithful. Three orders of the faithful. — There were born also three daughters. What do we understand in the daughters, save the weaker multitudes of the faithful, who, although they by no means abide in the perfection of work with strong virtue, yet constantly hold the acknowledged faith of the Trinity? In the seven sons, therefore, the order of preachers, but in the three daughters the multitude of hearers is signified.

Also by the three daughters three orders of the faithful can be designated. For after the sons the daughters are named, because after the beheld strength of the apostles, three distinctions of the faithful followed in the conversation of the Church: namely, of pastors, of the continent, and of the married. Whence also the prophet Ezekiel asserts that he heard of three men delivered, namely Noah, and Daniel, and Job (Ezekiel xiv). For what is signified by Noah, who steered the ark upon the waters, save the order of prelates; who, while they preside over the peoples as a pattern of life, govern holy Church amid the waves of temptations? What by Daniel, whose wondrous abstinence is written, save the life of the continent is figured;

who, while they forsake all things that are of the world, with lofty mind rule over despised Babylon? What by Job, save the life of good married persons is signified; who, out of the things of the world which they possess, while they do pious works, as it were tend by an earthly road to the heavenly fatherland? Since, therefore, after the holy apostles these three distinctions of the faithful followed, rightly, after the sons, three daughters are recorded as born. There follows: