約伯倫理 第 942 章

32. No works are good if they are stained by certain perverse ones. — When we are clothed with a garment, we are surrounded on every side. He therefore is clothed with righteousness as with a garment who protects himself on every side with good work, and leaves no part of his action bare to sin. For he who is just in some actions, unjust in others, has as it were covered this side but bared that, nor are those works now good which are defiled by other perverse works springing up. For hence it is said through Solomon: 'He who offends in one, shall lose many good things' (Eccles. 9:18). Hence James says: 'Whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all' (Jas. 2:10).

Which sentence of his he himself diligently expounded, when he added: 'For he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law' (Jas. 2:11). 33. Hence guard and vigilance must be applied on every side. In vain is everything else fortified, when even one entrance is opened to the enemy. — With the eyes of the heart therefore stretched forth on every side, guard must be applied by us on all sides. Whence rightly also it is said through Solomon: 'With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because from it life proceeds' (Prov. 4:23).

For being about to say 'watchfulness,' he prefaced it with 'all,' so that each one may diligently examine himself on this side and that, and as long as he is in this life, may know himself set in the battle-line against spiritual enemies, lest he lose through other actions the reward which he gathers through these; lest on this side he bar the gates to the enemy, and on another open an entrance. For if any city be walled against besieging enemies with a great rampart, girt with strong walls, fortified on every part with sleepless guard, but one single opening in it be through negligence left unfortified; thereby without doubt the enemy enters, who seemed shut out on every side. For that Pharisee who went up into the temple to pray — with how great fortification he walled the city of his mind, let us hear:

'I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess' (Luke 18:12). He who prefaced it, 'I give thee thanks,' certainly applied great fortifications. But let us see where he left an unfortified opening to the lurking enemy: 'Because I am not as this publican' (Luke 18:11). Behold, he opened the city of his heart to the lurking enemies through elation, which in vain he had closed through fasting and almsgiving. In vain were the rest fortified, when the one place, from which the entrance lies open to the enemy, was not fortified. He gave thanks rightly, but he perversely exalted himself above the publican. He betrayed the city of his heart by exalting himself, which he had preserved by abstaining and by giving.

Gluttony was conquered by abstinence, the greed of the belly destroyed; tenacity was overcome by liberality, avarice depressed. By what labors do we believe this was accomplished? But oh, how many labors, struck by one vice, fell down; how great goods were slain by the sword of one fault! Whence it greatly behoves us both always to do good, and from these very good works cautiously to guard ourselves in thought, lest, if they elevate the mind, they be no goods, since they serve not the Author but elation. 31. Above all pride must be guarded against. — Concerning which matter we do not act inordinately, if we bring forward testimony from books which, though not canonical, yet were published for the edification of the Church.

For Eleazar, striking an elephant in battle, laid it low, but was crushed beneath the very one he slew (1 Macc. 6:46). Whom therefore does he signify, whom his own victory oppressed, but those who overcome vices, but beneath the very ones they subdue succumb by growing proud? For as it were he dies beneath the enemy whom he lays low, who is elevated concerning the fault which he overcomes. It must therefore be greatly weighed that good things cannot profit if the evils which creep in are not guarded against. Everything that is done perishes, if it is not carefully preserved in humility. Whence it is also well said of our first parent himself: 'The Lord placed him in the paradise of pleasure, that he might work it and keep it' (Gen. 2:15).

For he works who does the good that is enjoined, but he keeps not what he has worked, in whom that which is forbidden creeps in. Let us therefore call Job blessed, because he had covered himself with good work on every side, saying: 'I put on righteousness, and I clothed myself with it as with a garment.' Whereupon there is immediately added: