St. Gregory the Great - Moralia in Job (Morals on the Book of Job)

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MORALS

THE BOOK OF JOB

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT,

TRANSLATED

WITH NOTES AND INDICES.

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IN THREE VOLUMES

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OXFORD, JOHN HENRY PARKER; J.G.F. AND J. RIVINGTON, LONDON. 1844.

[this project is ongoing, in time it is hoped that all the notes will also be added]

Complete Text available for Downloading (6.5 MB): in PDF

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(with thanks to Ruth Alkema for preparing this format)

VOLUME I.

The Epistle	Wherein he explains the time, occasion, division, plan, and the method of discourse and of interpretation pursued in his work.
THE FIRST PART.
The Preface	Wherein he in few words goes through the particulars, which are to be laid open in the course of the entire work.
Book I.	The first verses of the first chapter of the Book of Job are explained first historically, then in an allegorical, and lastly in a moral sense.
Book II.	From the sixth verse of the first chapter to the end, he follows out the exposition according to the threefold interpretation.
Book III.	The whole of the second chapter of the book of Job is explained after the manner of the former Books, historically, allegorically, and morally.
Book IV.	Wherein Gregory, having in the Preface set forth in few words, that the letter of Scripture is at times at variance with itself, and that the imprecations of Job, as of Jeremiah and David, cannot be understood without absurdity according to the sound which they convey, explains the words of Job in historical, mystical, and moral sense, from the commencement of the third chapter to the twentieth verse of the same.
Book V.	He explains the remainder of chap. iii. from ver. 20. the whole of chap. iv. and the first two verses of chap. v.
THE SECOND PART.
Book VI.	The whole of the fifth chapter, beginning at the third verse, is explained first in a spiritual sense, a few parts in an allegorical, and a great many in a moral sense.
Book VII.	He explains the whole of the sixth chapter, except the three last verses, in part allegorically and in part morally.
Book VIII.	He explains part of the sixth chapter, from verse 27, and the whole of the seventh and eighth chapters. In the course of this exposition, from verse 11, to the end of the eighth chapter, he speaks at length on the sin of hypocrisy.
Book IX.	He explains the ninth chapter, together with the whole of the tenth.
Book X.	The whole of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Job, and the five first verses of the twelfth, being made out, he closes the Second Part of this work.

VOLUME II.

THE THIRD PART.
Book XI.	In which the twelfth chapter, from the sixth verse, the thirteenth, and the first four verses of the fourteenth, are explained, a different style being adopted for the time.
Book XII.	Wherein after the fourteenth chapter of the Book of Job has been explained, beginning at the fifth verse, the fifteenth chapter entire is explained for the most part in a moral sense.
Book XIII.	Wherein is contained a short exposition, moral and typical, of the sixteenth and seventeenth chapters of the Book of Job.
Book XIV.	Wherein S. Gregory unfolds the historical, allegorical, and moral sense of the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters of the Book of Job.
Book XV.	In which there is a brief explanation given of the twentieth and twenty-first chapters of the Book of Job.
Book XVI.	After going through the twenty-second and twenty-third chapters of the Book of Job, and the twenty-fourth to the middle of verse twenty with a brief explanation, he brings the Third Part to a close.
THE FOURTH PART.
Book XVII.	What remains of the twenty-fourth chapter beginning from the middle of verse 20, together with chapters twenty-five and twenty-six entire, he sets forth chiefly in a moral sense.
Book XVIII.	Contains the exposition of the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth chapters of the Book of Job, to the twenty-first verse and half through it, after manifold senses.
Book XIX.	The interpretation being carried on from the last part of the twenty-first verse of the twenty-eighth chapter to the twenty-first verse of the following chapter exclusive, various meanings are laid open not less learnedly than piously, chiefly concerning Christ and the Church.
Book XX.	The five concluding verses of chapter twenty-nine of the Book of Job are more largely explained, together with the whole of chapter thirty, chiefly on the subject of heretics and carnal persons distressing the Church.
Book XXI.	The thirty-first chapter of the Book of Job is explained to verse twenty-four, exclusive, and chastity, humility, and mercifulness being first commended, many particulars are especially taught relative to the avoiding of the occasion of sin.
Book XXII.	All that remained of chapter thirty-one of the Book of Job is explained, and submissiveness of mind, and moderation, patience, charity, and earnest interest for those under our charge, are especially commended.

VOLUME III.

THE FIFTH PART.
Book XXIII.	The thirty-second chapter, and the thirty-third, as far as the twenty-second verse, are expounded; in which, while Job keeps silence, Eliu, a younger person, enters on many right and sound topics, though not rightly, or with sound intention..
Book XXIV.	The last eleven verses of the thirty-third chapter and the eighteen first verses of the thirty-fourth chapter are expounded, and striking truths are taught concerning Christ the Mediator, contemplation, the course of conversion, and the pastoral office.
Book XXV.	In explanation of the thirty-fourth chapter from the nineteenth to the thirtieth verse, the punishments of the reprobate, and the secret judgements of God are discussed.
Book XXVI.	The holy Doctor expounds the seven last verses of the thirty-fourth chapter, the whole of the thirty-fifth, with the first twenty-one verses of the thirty-sixth chapter; and launches out, at very great length, into both allegorical and moral meanings.
Book XXVII.	The last twelve verses of the thirty-sixth chapter are expounded, with the whole of the thirty-seventh, and their meanings ingeniously examined, for the sake of establishing a system of Christian doctrine, and ethics.
THE SIXTH PART.
Book XXVIII.	The first eleven verses of the thirty-eighth chapter are explained, in various senses, but especially in a moral sense.
Book XXIX.	Twenty-two verses of the thirty-eighth chapter, from the twelfth to the thirty-third inclusive, are explained; and many truths are taught, especially concerning the arts and snares of Satan, grace, predestination, probation, and the secret judgments of God.
Book XXX.	Contains an exposition of the last eight verses of the thirty-eighth chapter, and of the same number of the thirty-ninth: where the holy Doctor discusses very many questions in a pious and learned manner, especially concerning the preaching of the Gospel.
Book XXXI.	The ninth, with the remaining verses of the thirty-ninth chapter, is explained, the last three only being omitted; and the efficacy of Divine Grace, in the preaching of the Gospel, and in the conversion of sinners, is especially demonstrated.
Book XXXII.	The two last verses of the thirty-ninth chapter having been explained, the first fourteen verses of the fortieth chapter are expounded, and many things are taught, both concerning the infinite power of God, and the hurtful designs of Satan against men.
Book XXXIII.	Sets forth an exposition of the fifteenth, and remaining verses of the fortieth chapter, and also of the first twelve verses of the forty-first chapter: where the various arts of the devil are exposed, and predestination of free grace is taught, and reconciled with free will.
Book XXXIV.	The thirteenth, with the remaining verses of the forty-first chapter is explained, chiefly with reference to the pride of the Devil, and the most cruel persecutions of Antichrist against the Saints.
Book XXXV.	In which many things already said are repeated in recapitulation, and this immense work is brought to a close by a most lowly confession of human infirmity.