394 UiddHii laboura nfHoly Men travailiwj with others.
Job 39, optnly said, As 1, Who tlierci'orc cause the progeny of tbo
'-
— Elect to live, because 1 bring tlieni I'ortb at the time fore-
known. But when the birth of the bearers has been com-
pleted, it is well subjoined; Or hast thou observed the hinds
when they calve ? For to observe the hinds when they
calve, is to examine with careful consideration those labours
of fathers, who beget spiritual children.
42. For it should be carefully noticed, that this language
is so strictly attended to, that it is said. Hast thou observed ?
Because it is in truth the habit of very few to consider what
labour there is in the preachings of the fathers, with what
great pains, and efforts, as it were, they bring forth souls in
faith and conversation ; with what careful circumspection
they watch themselves, that they may be resolute in their
commands, sympathizing in infirmities, fearful in threats,
gentle in exhortations, humble in displaying their authority,
overbearing in their contempt for temporal goods, unbending
in the endurance of adversity, and yeX weak, when they
ascribe not to themselves their own strength ; how great is
their pain for those that fall, how great their fear for those
w-ho stand, with what ardour they seek to gain some things,
with what anxiety they preserve others which they have
gained. Because, therefore, it is the habit of very few to
consider these things, it is well said to him,
Or hast thou observed the hinds when they calve?
43. But it is no objection, that God, when speaking of
teachers, describes them under the type, not of stags, but of
hinds. Because, doubtless, they are true teachers, who,
while they are fathers through the vigour of their discipline,
know how to be mothers through their bowels of compassion.
Who endure the labours of holy conception, and bear within
the womb of love children to be brought forth to God. For
in the production of offspring mothers endure the greater
labour, who bear for a long period of months the growing
conception within their womb, and who deposit it, not
without great pain, when it comes forth from the womb.
Whence it is here also subjoined with fit consideration
;
Ver. 2. Hast thou numbered the months of their con-
ception V
xL 44. For when holy men think of the improvement of their