402 Self-knowledge by stillness. Tliirsl in the solitude.
Job 39, completed all His works? What therefore does the span
beyond the six cubits suggest, but the power ofcontemplation,
which shews to us already the beginning of the eternal and
seventh rest? For because the contemplation ofeternal things
is not here perfected, the measure of the seventh cuVjit is not
completed. Because therefore the Church of the Elect com-
pletes all things which recpiire to be done, the city presents
itself as placed in six cubits on the mountain. But Ijecause
it here beholds as yet only the beginnings of contemplation,
of the seventh cubit it reaches only the span.
54. But it ought to be known that we do not at all reach
the height of contemplation, if we cease not from the op-
pression of outward care. We do not at all look into our-
selves, so as to know that there is within us one rational
part that rules, another animal part which is ruled, unless
we are made dead to all outward disturbance by returning
to the secresy of this silence. Which silence of ours Adam
Gen. 2, also when sleeping rightly typified, out of whose side the
'
woman presently came. Because, whoever is hurried for-
ward to the understanding of things within, closes his eyes
to visible objects: and he then distinguishes in himself
those qualities which ought either to rule manfully, or those
which, as being weak, can submit : that there is one part of
him which has power to rule as a man, another to be ruled,
as a woman. In this silence of the heart, then, while we are
awake inwardly by contemplation, we are sleeping, as it
were, outwardly. Because then men who are separated,
that is who are freed from carnal desires, inhabit this silence
of the heart, the Lord gave to this wild ass a house in the
solitude, that he might not be oppressed with a crowd of
temporal desires.
55. It follows. And his tabernacles in the land ofsaliness.
Saltness is wont to kindle thirst. And because holy men,
as long as they dwell in the tabernacles of this life, are
inflamed by the daily warmth of their desire to seek their
heavenly country, they are said to have their tabernacles
in the land of saltness. For they are in truth incessantly
inflamed, in order to thirst, they thirst to be satisfied, as it
Mali. r>, is written. Blessed are they icho hunger and thirst after
righteousness, for they shall befilled. It follows;
J