Lightnings sentfrom God return to Him. 365
preachers. Whence it is written elsewhere, Tliine arrows Book
will go in the light, in the splendour of the glittering of^^^ g'
Thine arms. For the arrows of God to go forth in light, li.
is for His words to resound with manifest truth. But
because men frequently despise the words of life, even when
understood, miracles are likewise added. Whence he there
subjoined. For the splendour of the glittering of Tliine arms.
For the glittering of arms is the brightness of miracles. For
wo protect ourselves with arms, we destroy our opponents
with aiTOWs. Arms then, with arrows, are miracles together
with preaching. For holy preachers strike their adversaries
with their words, as if with darts, but they protect themselves
with arms, that is, with miracles ; in order that as far as they
are to be heard, they may sound forth by the force of their
darts, and as far as they are to be reverenced, glitter with
the arms of miracles. It is said therefore to blessed Job,
Wilt thou send lightnings, and will they go, and will they
return and say to thee. Here we are ? Thou understandest,
* As to Me.' For the lightnings go forth when preachers
glitter with miracles, and transfix the hearts of their hearers
with heavenly awe. But they return and say. Here we are,
when they attribute not to themselves, but to the strength of
God, whatever they know they have done powerfully. What
is then their saying to God, ' Here we are ?' For a kind of
obedience is declared in this word. For holy preachers
then to return and say, ^ Here we are,' is for them to ascribe
the glory of grace to Him, from Whom they feel that they
have received victory in the contest; lest they attribute to
themselves that w^hich they do. And lightnings can go forth
in doing their work, but they cannot return in pride.
7. Let us see then the lightning going forth. Peter says
to a certain lameman ; Silver andgold have I none, but what Acts 3,
/ have give I thee : In the nameofJesus Christ ofNazareth, ^~^*
rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and
raised him up : and immediately hisfeet and soles received
strength, and he leaping up stood, and walJced. But when
the multitude of the Jews had been disturbed by this which
had been done, let us now see the returning lightning, which
says ; Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ibid. 12.
ye on us, as though by our own strength or power we have