370 Tlie Preacher discerrifi sins as the Cock night-hours.
Job 38, of the body, it transcends every thing which is of the body.
—Ll_For it would not, in truth, be at all suited to the loftiest
subjects, did not the Creator Himself of things above, bestow
it on the cock which crows, that is, on the teacher who
preaches. The cock also received understanding, first to
distinguish the hours of the night season, and then at last to
utter the awakening voice. Because, in truth, every holy
preacher first considers in his hearers the quality of their
life, and afterwards frames the voice of preaching, fitted to
instruct them. For to decide on the qualities of sins is, as
it were, to distinguish the hours of night, to reprove the
darknesses of actions with fit voices of reproof is, as it were,
to distinguish thehours of night. Understanding is therefore
given to the cock from above, because to the teacher of truth
there is given from above the virtue of discretion, for him to
know to whom,what,when,orhow to introduce his instruction.
12. For one and the same exhortation is not suited to all
;
because the same kind of habits does not bind all. For
those things that benefit some, often hurt others. For
frequently even herbs, which refresh some animals, kill
others, and a gentle hiss pacifies horses, urges on dogs ; and
medicine which lessens one disease, gives strength to another:
and bread which strengthens the life of the strong, destroys
that of the young. The speech therefore of teachers ought
to be fashioned according to the quality of the hearers, in
order to suit each class according to their own case, and yet
never to fail in the art of general edification. For what are
the attentive minds of hearers, but certain strings which are
strained tight in a harp? which the skilful performer touches
in different ways, that they may not produce a discordant
sound. And the strings give back an harmonious sound,
because they are struck with one plectrum, but with different
force. Whence also every teacher, in order to build up all
in one virtue of charity, ought not to touch the hearts of his
hearers with one and the same exhortation.
S.Greg. 13. For men must be admonished in one w^ay, andwomen
Naz.Or.
2. §.28.* in another; the young in one way, the old in another; in
one way the poor, and in another the rich ; in one way the
cheerful, and in another the gloomy ; in one way subjects,
in another rulers ; in one way servants, in another masters
;