Their returnfrom active life. The cock, a preacher. 367
do they ever return in their silent thouojhts to consider the BookVV "V
Fount of hfe Itself. Of whom it is also well said, toflow -
again. For did they not constantly return with anxious
mind to the contemplation of God, their inward drought
would doubtless dry up even their outward words of preach-
ing. But while they thirst unceasingly to behold God, rivers
are ever springing up, as it were, within, to flow forth with-
out, in order that ihey may there derive by love the means
of flowing down to us in preaching. Let it be said therefore
rightly ; Wilt i/iou sendforth the lightnings, and will theygo,
and will they return and say to thee. Here we are ? Thou
understandest, as Myself, Who adapt My preachers, when I
will, after the grace of contemplation, to the ministry of
active life. And yet I ever call them back from outward
good deeds, to the inward height of contemplation, in order
that they may one while go forth, when commanded, to
perform their tasks, and that at another they may dwell with
Me more familiarly when recalled to the pursuit of meditation.
They return therefore and say, ' Here we are,' because,
though they may seem through their outward acts to be
deficient for a little in contemplation, yet by the ardent
desires which they ever kindle in their minds, they make
known their presence to God, by obeying Him. For to say,
' Here we are,' is to shew that they are present by their
love. It follows;
Ver. 36. Who hath placed wisdom in the inwardparts of
a man f or who hath given the cock understanding ?
9. Who else are designated in this place by the name of iii*
the cock, but these same holy preachers, mentioned again in
another way, who strive amid the darkness of this present
life to announce by their preaching, as if by their notes, the
approaching light? For they say ; Tfie night is far spent Rom.
hut the day is at hand. Who by their voices arouse the ' *
sleep of our sluggishness, exclaiming; It is now the hour ih.ii.
for us to arisefrom sleep. And again; Awake, ye righteous, i Cor.
and sin not. Of this cock it is written again; There be three p^o^t'o
things that go well, and afourth which goeth prosperously : 29—31.
a lion, the strongest of beasts, will not be afraid at tlte onset
ofany ; a cock girt in the loins; and a ram, whom there is
no king who can resist. For He is in this place mentioned