He expoiuided the book ofJob at their request. 5 only unravel the words of the history in allegorical senses, Lean p. but that I would go on to give to the allegorical senses the turn of a moral exercise, with the addition of somewhat yet harder, that I would crown ^ the several meanings with testi-ior'for- monies^, and that the testimonies, which I brought forward, *^J' ^^ should they chance to appear involved, should be disen- tangled by the aid of additional explanation. II. At first however, when in this obscure work, which hitherto had been thoroughly treated by none before us, I learnt the extent and character of the task to which 1 was forced, being overcome and wearied with the mere burthen of hearing of it, I confess that I sank under it. Yet im- mediately, when, in a strait between my alarms and my devout aspirations, I lifted up the eyes of my mind to the Bestower of all gifts, waiving my scruples, I fixed my James thoughts on this, that what an affection flowing from the ' hearts of my brethren enjoined upon me, could not certainly be impossible, I despaired, indeed, of being a match for these things, but, stronger formy very despair of myself, I forthwith raised my hopes to Him, byWhom the tongue of the dumb is opened. Who makefh the lips of babes to speak eloquentlyj\;\si^. W^ho has marked the undistinguished and brute brayings of^^'^^* an ass with the intelligible measures of human speech. What wonder, then, that a simple man should receive under- standing from Him, Who whenever He willeth, utters His truth by the mouths of the very beasts of burthen .'' Armed then with the strength which this thought supplied, I roused mine own drought to explore so deep a well ; and though the life of those, to whom I was com])elled to give my in- terpretation, was fai' above me, yet I thought it no harm if the leaden pipe should supjjly streams of water for the service ofmen. ^\^le^eu])on,without further delay, I delivered the former parts of the book, in presence'', to the same brethren assembled before me; and because I found my time to be then somewhat more free, in treating of the latter portion 1 used dictation; and when longer intervals of time were at my disposal, many things being added, a small « i. e. textij of Holy Scripture, see 683. and it was completed in the first Vine. Lir. Common, c. xxv. year of his Pontificate, A.D, 590. Bar. •> The work wa.s begun while St. t. x. an. 5!^3. n. xxxvi. Gregory w.is at Constantinople, A.D.