376 Resurrection. HeavetCa harmony sleepsfor some. Job 38,the words of exhortations will at once cease. Whence; 38.^ also the very period of the resurrection is openly subjoined, when it is stated immediately; Ver. 38. W/ien the dust was hardened into earth, and the clods were bound together. V. 18. For the sacred language describes, after its custom, things still future, as though already passed: observing, Is. 46, namely, in itself, that which is said })y it ; Whomade the things that are to come. The dust is therefore hardened at that time into earth, because it is brought back to solid limbs. And the clods are bound together, doubtless, because solid bodies arise together gathered from the dust. But after we have stated how these words of the Lord are to be under- stood of the futm^e, let us now point out what they mean concerning the present. 19. Who will declare the system of the heavens, and vjho will make the harmony of the heaven to sleep 9 The Lord declares the system of the heavens, whilstHe now illuminates the minds of His Elect by teaching heavenly secrets. But He makes the harmony of heaven to sleep, whilst by a righteous judgment He conceals from the hearts of the reprobate the harmonious hymns of angels, and those joys of heavenly virtues. For this harmony of heaven, though inwardly wakeful in itself, yet slumbers outwardly through the very ignorance of the reprobate. The system of the heavenly mystery is therefore proclaimed, and yet the harmony of heaven is permitted to sleep; because to some the knowledge of the heavenly retribution is disclosed by inspiration, and what is the sweetness of inward praise is concealed from others. 20. The system of the heavens is set forth, because to the minds of the Elect there is unceasingly laid open what is the recompense of heavenly rewards ; in order doubtless that they may unceasingly advance, and, passing over visible things, may stretch themselves forward to invisible. For every visible object which arrests the reprobate in this life, urges the Elect onward to other things. For whilst they behold the good deeds which have been done, they burn with love towards Him by Whom they have been done ; and they love Him the more surpassingly, the more they con-