Morals on the Book of Job, Volume 3

by Saint Gregory the Great

Publishers:

John Henry Parker; Francis & John Rivington

, 1847–1850

Overview

The first part of volume 3, covers chapters 32–38. Saint Gregory discusses each verse, but focuses on a system of ethics that can be derived from Christian doctrine. He offers instruction on avoiding the “snares of Satan,” and describes both the grace and judgments of God.

Contents

Top Highlights

“For the ancient enemy is let loose against it with all his strength, who, although he has already perished, as having lost the happiness of his heavenly condition, is yet at that time more fully extinguished, when he is deprived of his permission to tempt, and is fast bound in eternal fires.” (Page 619)

“The Lord had confidence in the strength of this rhinoceros; because the more He endured him cruelly inflicting hardships upon Him, the more firmly He foresaw him enduring adversities for His sake. To whom also He left the labours, which He Himself had endured in the flesh; because He led him when converted even to the imitation of His own Passion. Whence also it is said by the same rhinoceros, I fill up those things which are lacking of the sufferings of Christ in my flesh. Col. 1:24.” (Page 451)

“For pride is the root of all evil, of which it is said, as Scripture bears witness; Pride is the beginning of all sin. Ecclus. 10:1. But seven principal vices, as its first progeny, spring doubtless from this poisonous root, namely, vain glory, envy, anger, melancholy, avarice, gluttony, lust. For, because He grieved that we were held captive by these seven sins of pride, therefore our Redeemer came to the spiritual battle of our liberation, full of the spirit of sevenfold grace.” (Pages 489–490)

“For our present life is the road by which we journey on to our home¹: and we are harassed here by frequent disturbances, in the secret judgment of God, expressly that we may not love our road instead of our home. For some travellers, if they see by accident some pleasant meadows on their road, are wont to delay, and to turn aside from the straight path on which they have entered.” (Page 40)

Product Details

• Author: St. Gregory the Great
• Translator: Charles Marriott
• Series: A Library of Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church
• Publisher: John Henry Parker
• Publication Date: 1844

About Saint Gregory the Great

Saint Gregory the Great (AD 540–AD 604) was born into Roman nobility and was prefect of Rome before converting the family estate into a monastery dedicated to St. Andrew, where he remained until AD 579, when he was appointed as apocrisiarius to Constantinople. He began his papacy in AD 590 under the name Pope Gregory I.

Gregory was a great leader, with successful missionary campaigns that changed the reach of Christianity in Europe. He was also an able reformer, and was known as “the Father of Christian Worship” for his work in developing the liturgy of his day. Upon his death, he was immediately declared a saint by popular acclamation, and is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and some Lutheran churches. Much of Gregory’s abundant work has survived, including Morals on the Book of Job and Dialogues.