Now the Prophet tells in what manner he was effectually touched with this vision, to wit, that he was so terrified with the fear of Gods presence, that he thought himself undone. And he adds the reason wherefore he thought thus of himself: Because (saith he) I am of polluted lips. I wonder why S. Jerome hath turned it, Because I held my peace, seeing there is no ambiguity in the word. It is true that the verb Damah signifies to hold ones peace, but in this place there is a certain note of the verb passive which is added. It may also be translated thus, Woe unto me for I am brought into silence: because silence is often taken for death in the scripture, and it is said, that those which are buried are in silence. But seeing it is all one as touching the sense, I will not contend much about the translation. His meaning is then, that he was so terrified with the sight of God, that he became as a dead man. And indeed there is no cause why we should wonder at this; for man must be wholly brought to nothing in regard of his flesh, to the end he may be renewed according to God. Whence is it that men live, that is, that they think they live, being puffed up with the knowledge of their own reason and power, but because they are ignorant of God? And so before he reveal himself to us we think we are gods rather then men, but when the Lord appeareth, then we begin to feel and perceive what we are. From thence comes that true humility which consists in this, that men attribute nothing to themselves, but depend wholly upon God. Wherefore this and such like places upon this argument, ought to be diligently observed. Now it was an ordinary thing with the holy fathers to cry,1 I shall die, I am undone, as oft as they saw God. Wherefore before our minds be well awakened by approaching to God in good earnest, our life is nothing else but a vain imagination: we are in darkness, wherein it is very hard to discern truth from error: but when we are come into the light, it is easy to discern the one from the other. So when God comes to us he brings the light with him, to the end we may see that we are nothing, which yet we can not perceive whilst we are puffed up with a vain opinion of our selves before.
NOw the Prophet telles in what manner he was effectuallie touched with this vision, to wit, that hee was so terrified with the feare of Gods presence, that he thought himselfe vndone. And hee addes the reason wherefore he thought thus of himselfe: Because (saith he) I am of polluted lips. I wonder why S. Ierome hath turned it, Because I held my peace, seeing there is no ambiguitie in the word. It is true that the verb Damah signifies to hold ones peace, but in this place there is a certaine note of the verb passiue which is added. It may also be translated thus, Wo vnto me for I am brought into silence: because silence is often taken for death in the scripture, and it is sayd, that those which are buried are in silence. But seeing it is all one as touching the sense, I will not contend much about the translation. His meaning is then, that he was so terrified with the sight of God, that he became as a dead man. And indeede there is no cause why we should wonder at this; for man must be wholly brought to nothing in regard of his flesh, to the end he may be renued according to God. Whence is it that men liue, that is, that they thinke they liue, being puffed vp with the knowledge of their owne reason and power, but because they are ignorant of God? And so before he reueale himselfe to vs we thinke we are gods rather then men, but when the Lord appeeres, then we begin to feele and perceiue what wee are. Frō thence comes that true humilitie which consists in this, that men attribute nothing to themselues, but depend wholly vpon God. Wherefore this and such like places vpō this argument, ought to be diligentlie obserued. Now it was an ordinarie thing with the holy fathers to crie,1 I shall die, I am vndone, as oft as they saw God. Wherfore before our minds be well awakened by approching to God in good earnest, our life is nothing else but a vaine imagination: we are in darknes, wherein it is very hard to discerne truth from error: but when we are come into the light, it is easie to discerne the one from the other. So when God comes to vs he brings the light with him, to the end we may see that we are nothing, which yet wee can not perceiue whilest we are puffed vp with a vaine opinion of our selues before.
- 1Judg. 13.22.Iudg. 13.22.
