Morals on the Book of Job, Volume 2

by Saint Gregory the Great

Publishers:

John Henry Parker; Francis & John Rivington

, 1845

Overview

Volume 2 of the Morals on the Book of Job covers chapters 12–31, focusing on the moral instruction that can be gleaned from this book of wisdom. In his discussion of chapters 28 and 29, he specifically discusses the church and distress caused by heretics.

Contents

Top Highlights

“For to these likewise, whom we know to have been men of mighty virtues, there were not wanting temptations and conflicts from the vices. Hence it is that for our encouragement the same great Preacher condescends to bring to view things of that kind concerning his own case, saying, I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members. Rom. 7:23. For the flesh forces down below, that the Spirit may not uplift, and the Spirit draws up on high, that the flesh may not bring to the ground. The Spirit lifts up, that we may not lie grovelling in the lower world, the flesh weighs down, that we should not be lifted up on account of the things on high.” (Pages 402–403)

“Thus hence He says, Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Mat. 5:22. ‘Raca’ in the Hebrew speech is a word of interjection, which indeed shews the temper of one who is angry, but does not give forth a full word of anger. Thus anger without utterance is first blamed, then anger with utterance, but not yet shaped by a complete word, and at last also when it is said, Thou fool, anger is reproved, winch, along with excess of the voice, is fulfilled by the perfecting of speech as well.” (Page 522)

“And so one virtue without another is either none at all or but imperfect. For that (as it has seemed best to some persons) I may speak of the four first virtues, viz. prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice, they are severally so far perfect, in proportion as they are mutually joined to one another. But separated they can never be perfect. For neither is it real prudence which has not justice, temperance, fortitude, nor perfect temperance which has not fortitude, justice, and prudence, nor complete fortitude which is not prudent, temperate, and just, nor genuine justice which has not prudence, fortitude, and temperance.” (Page 547)

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
• Pages: 621

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.