約伯倫理 第 99 章

Verse 11. — But put forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he possesses, unless he bless thee to thy face. 16. The devil can do nothing except by God's permission. — When Satan desires to tempt the holy man, and yet says to the Lord that He ought to put forth His hand, it is greatly to be noted that not even he himself attributes to himself the powers of striking, he who singularly is proud against the Author of all. For the devil knows that he does not suffice to do anything whatever of himself, since not even through himself does he exist in that which is spirit. Hence it is that in the Gospel the legion to be expelled from the man said: If thou cast us out, send us into the herd of swine (Matt. viii. 31).

For he who through himself could not go into the swine, what wonder if without the Author's hand he was not able to touch the house of the holy man? 17. The devil's will is evil, but his power just. It must be known that Satan's will is always iniquitous, but his power never unjust: because he has the will from himself, but the power from the Lord. For what he himself iniquitously desires to do, this God permits to be done only justly. Whence it is well said in the books of Kings: An evil spirit of the Lord rushed upon Saul (1 Sam. xviii. 10). Behold, one and the same spirit is called both of the Lord, and evil: of the Lord indeed through the license of just power, but evil through the desire of unjust will.

He therefore ought not to be dreaded, who can do nothing except when permitted. Only that power, therefore, is to be feared, which, when it has permitted the enemy to rage, both serves the use of just judgment, and his unjust will serves it. But he asks the hand to be put forth a little; because it is outward things that he seeks to be crushed. For Satan does not think that he does anything much, except when he wounds in the soul, that by striking he may call it back from that fatherland, from which he himself, cast down by the dart of his own pride, lies far off. 18. The face of God is the regard of His grace. — But what is it that he says: Unless he bless thee to thy face? We indeed regard what we love; but from that which we wish to turn away, we decline our face. What, then, is the face of God, but the regard of His grace, offered to be understood?

He says therefore: Put forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he possesses, unless he bless thee to thy face. As if he openly said: Withdraw those things which thou hast given; for if he loses what he has received, he will not seek the regard of thy grace, once temporal things are taken away. For if he does not have the things in which he delights, he will despise thy favour even by cursing. By whose cunning petition the Truth, in no way provoked, is not overcome, but to the enemy's own deception it is conceded, that it may serve the faithful servant for the increase of his reward. Whence presently it is subjoined: