390 Good works broughtforih on rocks of old example. Job 39, the time when the wild goats and hinds bring forth, and it is '- — said to him ; Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth in the rocks^ or hast thou observed the hinds when they calve? As if it were said to him; Thou believest thyself to have acted in some subhme manner, because thou foreseest not, as yet, that time, when spiritual masters, sent into the world, beget children by the doctrine of the ancient fathers, and by their labours gather together for Me the gain of souls. For wert thou to behold their fruit, like the offspring of wild goats and hinds, thou wouldest think very humbly of thine own virtue. For the great things which we do, we regard as the very least, when we balance them with nobler examples. But they then increase in their merits with God, when through our humility they become less to ourselves. 37. But teachers can be understood by the designation of * hinds,' but hearers by the term ' wild goats,' which are very small animals. But the wild goats bring forth in the rocks, because they are made fruitful in order to the per- formance of good works, by the examples of preceding fathers, in order that, if they hear perchance sublime pre- cepts, and, conscious oftheir own infirmity, doubt their ability to fulfil them, they may look to the doings of their elders, and from considering their boldness, bring forth the offspring of good works. For to speak of a few instances among many, that the studious reader may learn much in few words, when such an one is hard pressed with insulting words, and is unable to maintain the virtue of patience, let him recal to his memory the conduct of David, who, when Semei was assailing him with so many insults, and the armed chieftains 2 Sam. were striving to avenge him, says. What have I to do with ' ' y^^^j y^ sons of Saruia f Let him curse; for the Lord hath ordered him to curse David; and who is there who dareth to ibid. say^ wherefore hath he done so. And a little after. Let him ' * alone, that he may curse according to the command of the Lord, ifperchance the Lord may look on my affliction, and requite me goodfor this cursing to-day. In which words he plainly shews, that, when flying from his son rebelling against him, in consequence of the sins committed with. Bethsabee, he recalled to his mind the evil which he had