Conception and birth ofgood in man unseen, 393 questioned not as to tlie bringing forth of the wild goats, but Book as to the lime of their bringing forth. For if in truth we '- hardly comprehend this time in ourselves, we are much more ignorant of it in the mind of another. For the seeds of heavenly fear having been first conceived in the womb of the heart, are consolidated by studious meditation in order to remain; after that, when, having been kept firm by strict attention of thought, they proceed to reasonable discretion, they are formed, as it were, into distinct limbs; next, having been conformed by a habit of perseverance, they come, as it were, to the solidity of bones, but lastly, when strengthened by perfect authority, they proceed, as it were, to the birth. But no one observes these growths of the Divine seeds in another's heart, save Him Who creates it. For though we know, from the evidence of certain facts, that a person has conceived the might of heavenly desire, yet, when it comes forth to the birth, we cannot tell. 41. But the seeds which have been conceived in the mind frequently cannot arrive at perfection ; because they precede, in their coming forth, the proper time of their birth. And because they come before the eyes of men not yet fully fashioned in thought, they die as if born out of due time. For the tongue of man frequently extinguishes virtues which are still tender, when it praises them as though already strong. For they perish the more rapidly, the more unsea- sonably they come forth to the knowledge of applause. But sometimes,when our imperfect and feeble thought is brought too soon before men, it is dissipated by the assault of oppo- nents, and when it endeavours to a])pear to exist before the time, it causes itself not to be. But because holy men lake care that all their good thoughts gain strength in secret, and first form within the womb of their mind the offspring which is about to be produced, blessed Job is rightly questioned concerning the season for bringing forth; because, namely, it is not known to any one, excepting to the Creator, what is the fitting season in each case. But He, when He looks to the secret recesses of the heart, discovers at what time our good deeds are properly brought forth to the knowledge of men. It is therefore well said ; Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth in the rocks ? As if He VOL. III. D d