Moralia in Job (Moralische Betrachtungen zum Buch Ijob), Bd. III

Job sinned in his words, what else does he do, but confess Book that God, Who pledged Himself for him, had been the loser. 2. But since the ancient fathers, like fruitful trees, are not merely beauteous in appearance, but also profitable through their fertility, their life must be so considered by us, that when we admire the freshness of their history, we may learn also how fruitful they are in allegory, in order that, since the smell of their leaves is pleasant, we may learn also how sweet is the taste of their fruits. For no one ever possessed the grace of heavenly adoption but he who has received it through the knowledge of the Only-begotten. It is right then that He should shine forth in their life and words. Who so enlightens them that thej' may be able' to shine. For»merewhen the light of a candle is kindled in the dark, the candle,'^" "^ which causes other objects to be seen, is first seen itself. And so, if we are truly endeavouring to behold the objects which are enlightened, it is necessary for us to open the eyes of our mind to that Lightening which gives them light. But it is this which shines forth in these very discourses of blessed Job, when the shades of allegory too have been driven away, as though the gloom of midnight had been dispelled, a bright light as it were flaming across them. As when it is said, / know that my Redeemer liveth, Joh 19, and in my Jlesh I shall see God. Paul had doubtless ^^' discovered this light in the night of history, when he said, All were baptized in Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and i Cor.