CAPUT PRIMUM.
VERS. 1.-- « Tobias. » (BED., in Tob., tom. II.) Liber Tobiae est in superficie litterae salubris. Maximis enim vitae moralis exemplis abundat, et monitis. Sed quantum poma foliis, tantum historiae allegoria praecellit. Maxima enim Ecclesiae continet sacramenta. Ipse enim Tobias populum Israel significat, qui caeteris gentibus idololatriae deditis, fide recta 725Cet operibus Deo serviebat. Unde: « Cum irent, etc. » Jeroboam namque qui fabricavit ad deceptionem subditorum vitulos aureos, idololatriae cultores exprimit, quorum complices significantur in subditis.
« Nephthali. » (ID., ibid.) Latitudo, de qua: « Latum mandatum tuum nimis (Psal. CXVIII), » cujus tribus, id est filii populus fidelis, ejus civitas Ecclesia, de qua: « Non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita (Matth. XV). »
« Supra Naasson. » Naasson augurium, hujus civitas superiora auguratur, id est, contemplatur coelestia.
(BEDA ubi supra. ) Tobiae captivitas humani generis captivitatem designat per regem omnium pravorum, 725Did est diabolum, qui nos de patria coelesti in hujus exsilii vallem dejecit.
VERS. 3.-- « Ita ut omnia, etc. » (ID., ibid.) Sic populus Israel per doctores divini verbi eleemosynam non solum rudibus suae gentis auditoribus, sed gentibus ad Judaismum venientibus ministrabat. Quidquid enim naturaliter boni habuit quod hostis captivans non abstulit, hoc suis in exemplum virtutis ostendebat, et portionem salutaris scientiae tanquam decimam suae substantiae advenis, id est Gentilibus offerebat.
VERS. 4.-- « Nihil tamen puerile. » Jam illud apostolicum gerebat in pectore: « Nolite, pueri, effici, etc. (I Cor. XIV). Hoc autem secundum illos dictum est quod incedebant in mandatis Domini sine querela, 726Bsecundum illam regulam Tyconii, qua tanquam de eodem agentes, aliquando propter bonos omnes laudamus, aliquando propter malos omnes vituperamus, quod est secunda regula.
VERS. 6.-- « Omnia primitiva (ID., ibid.). » Videtur obloqui, quod prima decimatio cedebat in usus Levitarum, secunda in necessariis erogandis quando visitabatur templum. Sed tertii anni decimas quas 726Ctunc consueverant facere, concedebant pauperibus. Et ideo dicimus omnem illam vel omnes secundas, quia non poterat accedere ad templum timore custodum regis.
VERS. 9.-- « Cum vero factus esset vir (ID., ibid.). » Sic populus Israel, etc., usque ad unde: « Primogenitus meus Israel (Exod. IV). »
VERS. 10.-- « Quem ab infantia timere, » etc., credendo et confitendo scilicet quod nunquam peccatum faceret, sed ipsum timoris Domini spiritu impleret.
VERS. 13.-- « In conspectu Salmanasar, » etc. Non obloquitur quod alibi dicitur Salmanasar, qui et Sennacherib: erat enim binomius, vel generaliter omnes reges Medorum sic vocabantur sicut Aegypti 726DPharaones.
VERS. 16.-- « Cum autem venisset, etc. » (ID., ibid.) Sic populus Dei, etc., usque ad et Scripturae arcana pandunt.
VERS. 20.-- « Sepulturam exhibebat, etc., » peccatorum: ut nec memoria in illis remaneret. Tali sepultura voluerunt patres nostri honorari juxta sepulturam Christi. Unde Jacob in Judaea se voluit sepeliri, et Joseph de ossibus suis mandavit.
VERS. 21.-- « Denique cum reversus esset, etc. » Bene Sennacherib de Judaea fugit: diabolus enim veram confessionem pertimescit: et ante faciem ejus non subsistit
CHAPTER ONE.
VERS. 1.-- « Tobias. » (BED., in Tob., tom. II.) The book of Tobit is, on the surface of the letter, wholesome. For it abounds in the greatest examples of the moral life, and in admonitions. But by as much as apples excel leaves, by so much does the allegory excel the history. For it contains the greatest mysteries of the Church. For Tobias himself signifies the people Israel, who, while the other nations were given over to idolatry, served God with right faith 725Cand with works. Whence: « When they went, etc. » For Jeroboam, who fashioned golden calves for the deceiving of his subjects, expresses the worshippers of idolatry, whose accomplices are signified in the subjects.
« Nephthali. » (ID., ibid.) Breadth, concerning which: « Thy commandment is exceeding broad (Psal. CXVIII), » whose tribe, that is, the sons, is the faithful people, its city is the Church, concerning which: « A city cannot be hid, set upon a mountain (Matth. XV). »
« Above Naasson. » Naasson, augury, his city augurs the things above, that is, contemplates the heavenly things.
(BEDA ubi supra. ) The captivity of Tobias designates the captivity of the human race under the king of all the depraved, 725Dthat is, the devil, who cast us down from our heavenly fatherland into the valley of this exile.
VERS. 3.-- « So that all things, etc. » (ID., ibid.) So the people Israel, through the teachers of the divine word, ministered alms not only to the untaught hearers of their own nation, but also to the Gentiles who came over to Judaism. For whatever of good it had by nature, which the capturing enemy did not take away, this it showed to its own for an example of virtue, and it offered a portion of saving knowledge, as it were the tithe of its substance, to strangers, that is, to the Gentiles.
VERS. 4.-- « Yet nothing childish. » Already he bore in his breast that apostolic word: « Be ye not made children, etc. (I Cor. XIV). Now this was said with respect to those who walked in the commandments of the Lord without blame, 726Baccording to that rule of Tyconius by which, as though treating of the same [subject], we sometimes praise all on account of the good, and sometimes blame all on account of the bad, which is the second rule.
VERS. 6.-- « All the firstfruits (ID., ibid.). » It seems to contradict this, that the first tithing went to the uses of the Levites, and the second to the disbursing of necessaries when the temple was visited. But the tithes of the third year, which 726Cthey were then accustomed to make, they granted to the poor. And therefore we say all that tithe, or all the second tithes, because he could not approach the temple for fear of the king's guards.
VERS. 9.-- « But when he was become a man (ID., ibid.). » So the people Israel, etc., as far as whence: « My firstborn Israel (Exod. IV). » [Vulg. Exod. 4:22 Filius meus primogenitus Israel, "Israel is my son, my firstborn"]
VERS. 10.-- « Whom from infancy he taught to fear, » etc., namely by believing and confessing that [the boy] would never commit sin, but that [God] would fill him with the spirit of the fear of the Lord.
VERS. 13.-- « In the sight of Salmanasar, » etc. It does not contradict what is elsewhere said, that he is Salmanasar, who is also Sennacherib: for he bore two names, or generally all the kings of the Medes were so called, as the 726DPharaohs of Egypt.
VERS. 16.-- « But when he had come, etc. » (ID., ibid.) So the people of God, etc., as far as and they lay open the secret things of the Scriptures.
VERS. 20.-- « He gave burial, etc., » to sins: so that not even the memory might remain in them. With such a burial did our fathers wish to be honoured, after the burial of Christ. Whence Jacob wished to be buried in Judea, and Joseph gave commandment concerning his bones.
VERS. 21.-- « And at last, when he had returned, etc. » Well did Sennacherib flee from Judea: for the devil greatly dreads true confession: and before its face he does not abide
CAPUT II.
VERS. 10.-- « Contigit, » etc. (BED., in Tob., tom. II.) 727ANemo miretur si aliquando bonum typice malum, mala bonum significent. Si enim hoc non liceret nunquam nigro atramento, sed semper auro lucido nomen Dei scriberetur: quia Deus lux est. Sed si nomen diaboli calculo candido scribas, nihilominus tenebras significat. Caecatus ergo Tobias populum Israel significat. « Caecitas enim ex parte contigit in Israel (Rom. II). » Fatigatus a sepultura est caecatus. Qui enim infatigabilis in bonis operibus persistit, fidei lumen non admittit. Ita spiritualer fatigatus dormit, qui vigilare, stare, viriliter agere, et confortari negligit. Cui dicitur: « Surge qui dormis et exsurge a mortuis (Ephes. V). »
(BED., ibid.) Hirundines propter levem volatum, superbiam levitatemque significant: quarum immunditia 727Bquibus dominatur excaecat. Nido hirundineo suppositus dormit, qui levitati lasciviae, ac superbiae se incantus subjicit. Haec caecitas populo Israel, imminente Domini adventu in carne, maxime praevaluit, cum romanae servitutis jugo laboraret, et divinae legis praecepta male vivendo violaret.
VERS. 14.-- « Sed immobilis, » etc. Quia a domo Dei incipit judicium. Unde: « A sanctuario meo incipite (Ezech. IX). » Qui non corripitur non est filius: « Qui parcit virgae, odit filium (Prov. XIII). Paulus tanquam puer colaphizatur, tanquam juvenis extollitur.
VERS. 15.-- « Insultabant reges, » etc. (BED., ibid.) Erant in populo, etc., usque ad unde: « Charitas patiens est, benigna est (II Cor. XIII). »
CHAPTER II.
VERS. 10.-- « It came to pass, » etc. (BED., in Tob., tom. II.) 727ALet no one wonder if sometimes a good thing typically signifies an evil, and evil things a good. For if this were not lawful, the name of God would never be written with black ink, but always with shining gold: because God is light. But if thou shouldst write the name of the devil with a white pebble, it nonetheless signifies darkness. Tobias therefore, being blinded, signifies the people Israel. « For blindness in part hath happened in Israel (Rom. II). » Being wearied from the burial, he was blinded. For he who persists unwearied in good works does not admit [admittit; read amittit, "does not lose"] the light of faith. So he sleeps spiritually spiritualer wearied, who neglects to watch, to stand, to act manfully, and to be strengthened. To whom it is said: « Rise, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead (Ephes. V). »
(BED., ibid.) Swallows, because of their light flight, signify pride and levity: whose uncleanness 727Bblinds those over whom it has dominion. He sleeps set beneath a swallow's nest who incautiously incantus subjects himself to the levity of wantonness and to pride. This blindness prevailed most of all in the people Israel when the Lord's coming in the flesh was at hand, when it laboured under the yoke of Roman servitude, and violated the precepts of the divine law by living ill.
VERS. 14.-- « But immovable, » etc. Because judgment begins from the house of God. Whence: « Begin ye at my sanctuary (Ezech. IX). » He who is not corrected is not a son: « He that spareth the rod hateth the son (Prov. XIII). Paul is buffeted as a boy, is exalted as a young man.
VERS. 15.-- « The kings insulted, » etc. (BED., ibid.) There were in the people, etc., as far as whence: « Charity is patient, is kind (II Cor. XIII). »
CAPUT III.
VERS. 7.-- « Ut Sara, etc. » (BED., in Tob. tom. II.) Turbam notionum signat, etc., usque ad Daniel in coenaculo orat, et Elisaeus habet coenacula, et Christus in coenaculo pascha celebrat.
CHAPTER III.
VERS. 7.-- « That Sara, etc. » (BED., in Tob. tom. II.) It signifies the multitude of notions [notionum; read nationum, "of the nations"], etc., as far as Daniel prays in an upper chamber, and Eliseus has upper chambers, and Christ celebrates the pasch in an upper chamber.
CAPUT IV.
VERS. 3.-- « Corpus meum sepeli. » Corpora sepeliendo quasi sacrosanctum depositum terrae commendamus, quae reddenda et glorificanda in resurrectione credimus.
CHAPTER IV.
VERS. 3.-- « Bury my body. » By burying bodies we commend them to the earth as a most sacred deposit, which we believe are to be rendered back and glorified in the resurrection.
CAPUT V.
VERS. 7.-- « Ex filiis Israel. » Erat enim ex numero angelorum, qui sunt filii Israel, quia semper vident 727DDeum facie ad faciem, et saepe mittuntur in custodia filiorum Israel, id est videntium Deum. Unde: « Constitui terminos populorum juxta numerum filiorum Israel (Deut. LII). »
VERS. 10.-- « Tunc ingressus, » etc. (BED., ubi supra. ) Apparuit angelus Tobiae et socium se praebuit et Filius Dei hominem assumpsit, et visibiliter cum hominibus conversatus humanum genus salvavit. Introduxit Tobias angelum ad patrem, etc., et Dominus per miracula quae in carne fecit populo Judaeorum, ex quo carnem susceperat, ostendit: quia est filius et angelus, id est nuntius paternae voluntatis, cui etiam gaudium perpetuae salutis praedicavit, dicens: « Poenitentiam agite, appropinquavit enim 728Aregnum coelorum. (Matth. III.) » Et desperantibus de lumine coelesti « Ego sum, inquit, lux mundi, qui sequitur me non ambulat in tenebris (Joan. VIII). »
VERS. 15.-- « Et dixit ei angelus. » (ID., ibid.) Promittit angelus Tobiae ducere filium suum in civitatem Medorum et reducere, etc., usque ad interrogante angelum Tobia unde esset.
VERS. 18.-- « Ego sum, inquit, Azarias Ananiae magni filius, (ID., ibid.) Azarias adjutor, Ananias gloria Dei. Christus quoque fidelibus suis indicat, quia ipse est de quo dicitur: « Adjutor meus et liberator meus es tu, Domine, ne moreris (Psal. LXIX). » « Et vidimus gloriam ejus, quasi unigeniti a Patre (Joan. I). »
VERS. 22.-- « Tunc paratis. » (BED., ubi supra. ) 728BApparente Domino in carne, etc., usque ad et sic ad salutem gentium per apostolos pervenit.
CHAPTER V.
VERS. 7.-- « Of the children of Israel. » For he was of the number of the angels, who are the children of Israel, because they always see 727DGod face to face, and are often sent in the keeping of the children of Israel, that is, of those who see God. Whence: « I appointed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel (Deut. LII). » [Vulg. Deut. 32:8 constituit, "he appointed"]
VERS. 10.-- « Then having entered, » etc. (BED., ubi supra. ) The angel appeared to Tobias and offered himself as a companion, and the Son of God assumed man, and, conversing visibly with men, saved the human race. Tobias brought the angel in to his father, etc., and the Lord, through the miracles which he did in the flesh, showed to the people of the Jews, from whom he had taken flesh: that he is both son and angel, that is, the messenger of the Father's will, to whom also he preached the joy of everlasting salvation, saying: « Do penance, for 728Athe kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matth. III.) » And to those despairing of the heavenly light, « I am, he says, the light of the world, he that followeth me walketh not in darkness (Joan. VIII). »
VERS. 15.-- « And the angel said to him. » (ID., ibid.) The angel promises Tobias to lead his son into the city of the Medes and to bring him back, etc., as far as Tobias asking the angel whence he was.
VERS. 18.-- « I am, he says, Azarias the son of the great Ananias, (ID., ibid.) Azarias helper, Ananias the glory of God. Christ also indicates to his faithful that he himself is he of whom it is said: « Thou art my helper and my deliverer, O Lord, delay not (Psal. LXIX). » « And we saw his glory, as of the only-begotten of the Father (Joan. I). »
VERS. 22.-- « Then, all things being made ready. » (BED., ubi supra. ) 728BThe Lord appearing in the flesh, etc., as far as and thus it came to the salvation of the Gentiles through the apostles.
CAPUT VI.
VERS. 1.-- « Profectus est, » etc. (BEDA, in Esdr., tom. II.) Domino veniente ad gentes salvandas, etc., usque ad et oves spirituales a furibus et bestialibus spiritibus et haereticis defendunt.
VERS. 2.-- « Et ecce piscis, » etc. (BEDA, ubi supra. ) Dominicae passionis sacramentum manifeste significatur, etc., usque ad nec in eo princeps mundi veniens quidquam habuit.
« Exivit. » (ID., ibid.) Christus mortem cui nil debebat accepit, ut pedes, scilicet suos, id est membra sua a contagione peccati et mortis ablueret. Occurrit 728Cpiscis eum devorare cupiens, et Domino in cruce passo diabolus, quo movente crucifixus erat, advenit, quaerens si quid peccati in eo invenisset.
VERS. 3.-- « Quem expavescens, » etc. Christus imminente mortis articulo coepit pavere et taedere, non diabolum, sed mortem, quae invidia diaboli intravit in orbem, naturali carnis fragilitate perhorrescens; unde: « Pater, transfer calicem hunc a me (Marc. XIV). »
VERS. 4.-- « Apprehende branchiam, » etc. (BED., ibid.) Apprehendit Christus di bolum qui eum capere in cruce voluit, et moriendo vicit. Apprehendit ergo branchiam, ut caput nequissimum a corpore, potentiae suae dextera separaret, id est nequitiam antiqui hostis ab his, quos sibi corpus fecerat, auferret, et 728Dhos corpori suo, id est Ecclesiae inferret. Branchiam enim habet piscis in confinio capitis et corporis, est autem Christus caput Ecclesiae, quae est corpus ejus, et diabolus caput iniquorum, qui sunt corpus ejus.
« Quod cum fecisset. » Quia cum Dominus nequitiam diaboli manifestaret, molitus est adhuc electis suis persecutionem commovere: hi enim sunt pedes ejus per quos ambulat in terra qui per omnia regnat in coelo.
VERS. 5.-- « Exentera hunc piscem. » Dominus piscem exenteravit, cum nequitiam diaboli latius sanctis aperuit: et quasi arcana insidiarum ejus reseravit. Reposuit sibi cor ejus, quia calliditatem ejus 729Ain Scripturis indicavit, de quo dicitur: « Serpens erat callidior cunctis animantibus terrae (Gen. III), » et alibi: « Num ignoramus astutius ejus (II Cor. II). » Fel quoque reposuit, quia quanto malitiae furore contra genus humanum saeviat, ad cautelae studium scribi et conservari voluit. Jecur reposuit, quia maligna ejus consilia adversum nos per doctores veritatis insinuavit: Aiunt enim physici: quia calore et occulta virtute jecoris excoquantur et digerantur cibi. Cum vero quae agere disponimus, sedula cogitatione, quo ordine sint agenda requirimus, quasi acceptos in stomacho cibos, ardore jecoris excoquimus.
« Sunt enim haec necessaria. » Astutia diaboli et nequitia cognita nobis ad medelam proficiunt: 729Bquanto enim ea certius exploramus, tanto certius declinamus
VERS. 6.-- « Assavit carnes ejus, » etc. (BEDA, ubi supra. ) Quidquid sibi ex hoc pisce assumpserit, etc., usque ad donec in gentibus Ecclesiae fundamenta locarentur.
VERS. 12.-- « Et oportet. » (ID., ibid.) Raguel populum gentium signat, etc., usque ad et qui audire dignus sit: « Jam non dicam vos servos, sed amicos meos (Joan. XV).
CHAPTER VI.
VERS. 1.-- « He set out, » etc. (BEDA, in Esdr., tom. II.) When the Lord came to save the Gentiles, etc., as far as and they defend the spiritual sheep from thieves and from bestial spirits and from heretics.
VERS. 2.-- « And behold a fish, » etc. (BEDA, ubi supra. ) The mystery of the Lord's passion is manifestly signified, etc., as far as nor had the prince of the world, when he came, anything in him.
« He went out. » (ID., ibid.) Christ took upon him the death which he owed not, that he might wash his feet, namely his own, that is, his members, from the contagion of sin and of death. The fish ran to meet him 728Cdesiring to devour him, and when the Lord had suffered on the cross, the devil, at whose moving he had been crucified, came, seeking whether he might find any sin in him.
VERS. 3.-- « At which being affrighted, » etc. Christ, when the moment of death was at hand, began to fear and to be heavy, dreading with the natural frailty of the flesh not the devil, but death, which entered into the world by the envy of the devil; whence: « Father, remove this cup from me (Marc. XIV). »
VERS. 4.-- « Take hold of the gill, » etc. (BED., ibid.) Christ laid hold of the devil di bolum, who wished to seize him on the cross, and by dying [Christ] overcame him. He laid hold, therefore, of the gill, that with the right hand of his power he might separate the most wicked head from the body, that is, that he might take away the wickedness of the ancient enemy from those whom he had made his own body, and 728Dmight bring these into his body, that is, into the Church. For the fish has its gill on the border of the head and the body, but Christ is the head of the Church, which is his body, and the devil is the head of the wicked, who are his body.
« And when he had done this. » Because, when the Lord made manifest the wickedness of the devil, he [the devil] contrived still to stir up persecution against [the Lord's] elect: for these are his feet by which he walks on earth, who reigns over all things in heaven.
VERS. 5.-- « Disembowel this fish. » The Lord disembowelled the fish when he opened the wickedness of the devil more widely to the saints: and, as it were, unlocked the secret things of his snares. He laid up for himself his heart, because he pointed out his craftiness 729Ain the Scriptures, of whom it is said: « The serpent was more subtle than all the beasts of the earth (Gen. III), » and elsewhere: « Surely we are not ignorant of his cunning astutius (II Cor. II). » [Vulg. II Cor. 2:11 non enim ignoramus cogitationes ejus, "for we are not ignorant of his devices"] He laid up the gall also, because he willed it to be written and preserved, for the study of caution, with how great a fury of malice he rages against the human race. He laid up the liver, because he made known his malignant counsels against us through the teachers of the truth: for the natural philosophers say: that by the heat and hidden power of the liver foods are cooked and digested. But when we seek out, with careful thought, in what order the things we purpose to do are to be done, we cook them, as it were, like foods received into the stomach, by the heat of the liver.
« For these things are necessary. » The craft and wickedness of the devil, when known to us, profit us for a remedy: 729Bfor the more surely we search them out, the more surely we turn aside
VERS. 6.-- « He roasted its flesh, » etc. (BEDA, ubi supra. ) Whatever he took to himself from this fish, etc., as far as until the foundations of the Church should be laid among the Gentiles.
VERS. 12.-- « And it behoveth. » (ID., ibid.) Raguel signifies the people of the Gentiles, etc., as far as and who may be worthy to hear: « I will not now call you servants, but my friends (Joan. XV). [Vulg. Joan. 15:15 reads vos autem dixi amicos, "but I have called you friends"; the words sed amicos meos are not in the verse]
CAPUT VII.
VERS. 11.-- « Quo audito verbo Raguel expavit, » etc. (BEDA, ubi supra. ) Audiens populus gentium verbum fidei, etc., usque ad ut qui stulta dicerent, 729Cstulte perirent.
CHAPTER VII.
VERS. 11.-- « Which word being heard, Raguel was afraid, » etc. (BEDA, ubi supra. ) The people of the Gentiles hearing the word of faith, etc., as far as that they who spoke foolish things 729Cshould foolishly perish.
CAPUT VIII.
VERS. 1.-- « Postquam vero coenaverunt, » etc. (BEDA, in Tobiam, tom. II.) Introductus Tobias ad cubiculum protulit, etc. Deus accepturus Ecclesiam de gentibus, in desponsationis initio, jubet eam abrenuntiare diabolo, et omnibus pompis ejus et confiteri fidem sanctae Trinitatis in remissionem peccatorum: quod est intima piscis viscera vivis cremare carbonibus.
(BEDA, ubi supra. ) Quia post abrenuntiationem diaboli, post confessionem verae fidei, sequitur peccatorum remissio, per aquam baptismi expulso diabolo, diabolum ligavit: quia a fidelium laesione cessando compescuit, quos etsi aliquando tentare 729Dprobationem permittitur, superare tamen prohibetur.
VERS. 3.-- « Religavit. » Desertum et Aegyptus corda infidelium significant, quae a Deo deserta. quia ejus habitatione indigna, et juxta interpretationem Aegypti perfidiae suae tenebris obscurata. Merito autem et qui a Deo deseritur a daemonio repletur. Angelus vero daemonem qui Tobiam occidere volebat, in deserto ligavit, qui cohibitum a fidelibus, qui sunt membra Christi, diabolum in infidelibus tantum dominari permittit, in quibus tamen tenet eum ligatum, quia nec ipsos tantum laedere permittitur quantum nititur.
VERS. 11.-- « Et factum est. » etc. (ID., ibid.) 730ACantus pullorum, etc., usque ad veraciter Christum hoste superato sponsum esse sanctae Ecclesiae cognoverunt.
VERS. 17.-- « Benedicimus te, Domine Deus. » (ID., ibid.) Laetatur Raguel de vita Tobiae, etc., usque ad sunt crassi gratia supernae dilectionis referti.
VERS. 22.-- « Duas quoque, » etc. (ID., ibid.) Apostolus gentium eos qui ad fidem venerant, etc., usque ad qui epulas ex eis quorum reficiuntur exemplis accipiunt.
« Quatuor arietes. » Quia sancti doctores et martyres quatuor libros Evangelii fide et opere conservant, prudentia, justitia, fortitudine, temperantia muniuntur, et quatuor partibus mundi instruunt Ecclesiam Dei.
730B« Occidi fecit. » Quia alii sponte mortificant corpora sua, ut sint hostia viva: alii inter manus infidelium subeunt martyria: per arma justitiae a dextris et a sinistris, id est, in prosperis et adversis hostem vincentes antiquum.
VERS. 23.-- « Et adjuravit Raguel Tobiam. » (BEDA, ibid.) Adjuramus Christum ut maneat nobiscum, donec perfectionem quietis per Spiritus sancti gratiam consequamur, qua requiescamus et a peccatis in corpore, et a pravis cogitationibus in mente.
CHAPTER VIII.
VERS. 1.-- « But after they had supped, » etc. (BEDA, in Tobiam, tom. II.) Tobias, being brought in to the chamber, brought forth, etc. God, being about to receive the Church from among the Gentiles, at the beginning of the betrothal bids her renounce the devil and all his pomps, and confess the faith of the holy Trinity unto the remission of sins: which is to burn the inward entrails of the fish with living coals.
(BEDA, ubi supra. ) Because after the renunciation of the devil, after the confession of the true faith, there follows the remission of sins, the devil being driven out through the water of baptism, he bound the devil: because he restrained him by ceasing from the hurting of the faithful, whom, although he is sometimes permitted to tempt for a trial, 729Dhe is nevertheless forbidden to overcome.
VERS. 3.-- « He bound. » The desert and Egypt signify the hearts of unbelievers, which are forsaken by God. because unworthy of his habitation, and, according to the interpretation of Egypt, darkened with the darkness of their own perfidy. And deservedly he also who is forsaken by God is filled with a demon. But the angel bound in the desert the demon which wished to slay Tobias, who permits the devil, restrained from the faithful, who are the members of Christ, to have dominion only in unbelievers, in whom nevertheless he holds him bound, because he is not permitted to hurt even them as much as he strives.
VERS. 11.-- « And it came to pass. » etc. (ID., ibid.) 730AThe singing of the young birds, etc., as far as they truly knew Christ, the enemy overcome, to be the bridegroom of holy Church.
VERS. 17.-- « We bless thee, O Lord God. » (ID., ibid.) Raguel rejoices over the life of Tobias, etc., as far as they are fat, filled with the grace of the love from above.
VERS. 22.-- « Two also, » etc. (ID., ibid.) The Apostle of the Gentiles, those who had come to the faith, etc., as far as who receive banquets from those by whose examples they are refreshed.
« Four rams. » Because the holy doctors and martyrs keep the four books of the Gospel in faith and in work, are fortified by prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, and instruct the Church of God in the four parts of the world.
730B« He caused to be slain. » Because some of their own accord mortify their bodies, that they may be a living sacrifice: others undergo martyrdoms at the hands of unbelievers: through the arms of justice on the right hand and on the left, that is, in prosperity and in adversity, overcoming the ancient enemy.
VERS. 23.-- « And Raguel adjured Tobias. » (BEDA, ibid.) We adjure Christ that he may abide with us, until through the grace of the Holy Spirit we attain the perfection of rest, wherein we may rest both from sins in the body and from evil thoughts in the mind.
CAPUT IX.
VERS. 3.-- « Tamen obsecro te. » (BEDA, ex Isid. ) Aliquos de credentibus servientes tibi quibus praedicandi committas officium ad colligendas gentes, quae 730Cnondum fidei mysterium susceperunt, sed tamen famam audierunt: et talentum verbi quod fama didicerunt, per fidei obedientiam reddant. Novus quotidie populus in Ecclesia colligitur, potest tamen specialiter intelligi, qui litteram legis septuaginta interpretes acceperunt, et ideo fidem citius susceperunt.
CHAPTER IX.
VERS. 3.-- « Yet I beseech thee. » (BEDA, ex Isid. ) Some of the believers serving thee, to whom thou mayest commit the office of preaching for the gathering of the nations, which 730Chave not yet received the mystery of faith, but have nevertheless heard the report: and that they may render back, through the obedience of faith, the talent of the word which they have learned by report. A new people is daily gathered in the Church, it can, however, be specially understood of those who received the letter of the law, the seventy interpreters, and therefore received the faith more quickly.
CAPUT X.
VERS. 8.-- « At vero Raguel, » etc. (BED., ubi supra. ) Cum plenitudo gentium intraverit, nemo prohibere potest, quin Dominus salutem Israel tribuat, et caecitatem ejus, quae ex parte contigit, respiciat. Recordata est enim divina clementia, quoniam tristitia magna et continuus dolor est Judaeis credentibus pro fratribus infidelibus.
730DVERS. 10.-- « Tradidit, » etc. Remittuntur in fine doctores Ecclesiae ad Christum, cum ipsa Ecclesia, virtutum divitiis plena, ad fidem illustrandam, bonorumque operum substantia ditandam Judaeorum gentem, ex qua Dei Filius sumpsit carnem.
CHAPTER X.
VERS. 8.-- « But Raguel, » etc. (BED., ubi supra. ) When the fulness of the Gentiles shall have come in, no one can hinder the Lord from granting salvation to Israel, and from regarding its blindness, which in part hath happened. For the divine clemency has remembered, since there is great sadness and continual sorrow to the believing Jews for their unbelieving brethren.
730DVERS. 10.-- « He delivered, » etc. At the end the teachers of the Church are sent back to Christ, together with the Church herself, full of the riches of virtues, to enlighten unto faith, and to enrich with the substance of good works, the nation of the Jews, from which the Son of God took flesh.
CAPUT XI.
VERS. 3.-- « Praecedamus. » (BEDA, ubi supra. ) Postquam illuminatus est populus gentium, praecedit divina gratia ad illuminandam caecitatem Judaeorum, ut in libris suis cognoscant Christum verum hominem et verum Deum, et sic tandem quasi viso angelo et filio suo quos diu non viderant, multum gaudeant; tandem, scilicet, se Ecclesiae de gentibus, congregatae mysteriorum communione conjungat.
731AVERS. 9.-- « Blandimento. » (BED., ubi supra. ) Canis gaudebat dum tecta dominorum diu invisa reviseret. Gaudent doctores de effectu sui operis, cum Judaeam a Domino recolligendam intelligant. Gaudent de praemio vitae aeternae, et cunctis eodem praemio corda exhilaranda praedicunt, et statim adventuram gratiam sancti Spiritus edunt.
VERS. 10.-- « Exsurgens. » Audito a doctoribus verbo salutis, exsurgit populus Judaeorum de perfidiae suae caecitate longa, et amore currit ad Dominum; sed offendens gressibus operum, donec renatus instructus in Christo, fidei et operationis lumen percipiat.
VERS. 13.-- « Tunc sumens. » (BEDA, ibid.) Dominus credentibus aperte revelat quanta sit antiqui hostis malitia, qui ipsum in passione devorare gestivit; 731Bsed per hoc occisus, membra sua, id est, eos quos ante tenebat, amisit.
VERS. 14.-- « Albugo. » (BED., ibid.) Habet adhuc populus Judaeorum velamen ante faciem cordis, etc., usque ad qui autem fragilitatis et ignorantiae conscii dicunt, Domine Deus, illumina tenebras meas; a Domino illuminantur.
VERS. 18.-- « Ingressa est, » etc. (ID., ibid.) Lucem gratiae spiritualis, quae septiformis est, significat. Post septem dies illuminationis ingreditur uxor: quia postquam Judaea per fidem illuminata fuerit, postquam gratiam Spiritus sancti acceperit; ingredietur ad eam Ecclesia, ut sit unum ovile et unus pastor, et sit domus Christi una, uno lapide angulari firmata.
CHAPTER XI.
VERS. 3.-- « Let us go before. » (BEDA, ubi supra. ) After the people of the Gentiles has been enlightened, divine grace goes before to enlighten the blindness of the Jews, that in their own books they may know Christ true man and true God, and so at last, as though the angel and their son whom they had long not seen had been seen, they may greatly rejoice; at last, that is to say, [the Jewish people] may join itself to the Church gathered from among the Gentiles by the communion of the mysteries.
731AVERS. 9.-- « By fawning. » (BED., ubi supra. ) The dog rejoiced while it saw again the roofs of its masters, long unseen. The teachers rejoice at the effect of their work, when they understand that Judea is to be gathered again by the Lord. They rejoice over the reward of eternal life, and they foretell to all that their hearts are to be gladdened with the same reward, and they declare that the grace of the Holy Spirit is straightway to come.
VERS. 10.-- « Rising up. » The word of salvation having been heard from the teachers, the people of the Jews rises up out of the long blindness of its perfidy, and runs in love to the Lord; but stumbling with the steps of its works, until, born again, instructed in Christ, it may receive the light of faith and of working.
VERS. 13.-- « Then taking. » (BEDA, ibid.) The Lord openly reveals to believers how great is the malice of the ancient enemy, who longed to devour him in his passion; 731Bbut, slain by this, he lost his members, that is, those whom he before held.
VERS. 14.-- « The white film. » (BED., ibid.) The people of the Jews still has a veil before the face of the heart, etc., as far as but they who, conscious of frailty and of ignorance, say, Lord God, enlighten my darkness; are enlightened by the Lord.
VERS. 18.-- « She entered in, » etc. (ID., ibid.) It signifies the light of spiritual grace, which is sevenfold. After the seven days of enlightenment the wife enters in: because after Judea shall have been enlightened by faith, after it shall have received the grace of the Holy Spirit; the Church shall enter in to her, that there may be one fold and one shepherd, and that the house of Christ may be one, made firm by one corner-stone.
CAPUT XII.
VERS. 14.-- « Et nunc, » etc. (BEDA, in Tobiam. ) Rediturus in coelum angelus apertius quid sit et quare venerit, et quo reversurus sit exponit: et Christus eidem populo latius proficienti conditionem suam patefecit, ostendens, quod ipse in Patre, et 732APater in Filio sit. Angelus redit ad Deum, Tobias remanet apud Patrem, et Christus a fidelibus suis intelligitur divinitate Patri aequalis, humanitate hominibus consubstantialis.
CHAPTER XII.
VERS. 14.-- « And now, » etc. (BEDA, in Tobiam. ) The angel, about to return into heaven, sets forth more openly what he is, and why he came, and whither he is to return: and Christ laid open his own condition to that same people as it advanced more widely, showing that he is in the Father, and 732Athe Father in the Son. The angel returns to God, Tobias remains with the Father, and Christ is understood by his faithful to be equal to the Father in divinity, consubstantial with men in humanity.
CAPUT XIII.
VERS. 1.-- « Aperiens autem Tobias os suum. » (BEDA, in Tobiam. ) Confessus est veritatem et misericordiam, etc., usque ad coelestis patriae gaudia praedicando.
CHAPTER XIII.
VERS. 1.-- « And Tobias opening his mouth. » (BEDA, in Tobiam. ) He confessed the truth and the mercy, etc., as far as by preaching the joys of the heavenly fatherland.
CAPUT XIV.
VERS. 1.-- « Et postquam illuminatus est Tobias, » etc., quadragenarius numerus laboriosus est, jejunii et abstinentiae. Nos autem omnes hujus vitae labores debemus sustinere, cum Dei et proximi 732Bdilectione, et sic fructificabimus.
VERS. 3.-- « Quinquaginta namque et sex annorum lumen oculorum amisit, » etc. Sacratum numerum quinquagenarium transierat, nec ad sexagenarium, qui perfectionem, propter senarium, in quo omnia facta sunt, significat, pervenerat.
VERS. 5.-- « In hora autem mortis suae vocavit ad se Tobiam. » (BEDA, in Esdram. ) Tobias, id est, doctores Judaeorum, qui de hoc mundo exituri propinquis suis annuntiant: quia mundus ad finem appropinquat, et futurae vitae bona in proximo futura.
VERS. 14.-- « Tobias abscessit ex Ninive cum uxore sua, et filiis et filiorum filiis, » etc. (ID., ibid.) Hoc quotidie facit Christus, etc., usque ad diu vivens animi levitatem non deserit.
732CVERS. 16.-- « Sepelierunt. » Sepultura Tobiae finem mundi designat, quo Dominus noster cum corpore suo, quod est Ecclesia, in requiem intrat angelis de societate hominum congratulantibus, et singulos per diversas mansiones pro meritorum qualitate collocantibus.
CHAPTER XIV.
VERS. 1.-- « And after Tobias was enlightened, » etc., the number forty is laborious, of fasting and of abstinence. But we all ought to endure the labours of this life, with the 732Blove of God and of our neighbour, and so we shall bring forth fruit.
VERS. 3.-- « For at fifty and six years of age he lost the light of his eyes, » etc. He had passed the hallowed number of fifty, and had not attained to the sixtieth, which signifies perfection, because of the number six, in which all things were made.
VERS. 5.-- « But in the hour of his death he called Tobias to him. » (BEDA, in Esdram. ) Tobias, that is, the teachers of the Jews, who, being about to depart out of this world, announce to their kinsfolk: that the world draws near to its end, and the good things of the life to come near at hand.
VERS. 14.-- « Tobias departed out of Ninive with his wife, and his sons and his sons' sons, » etc. (ID., ibid.) This Christ does daily, etc., as far as living long, he does not forsake lightness of mind.
732CVERS. 16.-- « They buried. » The burial of Tobias designates the end of the world, in which our Lord with his body, which is the Church, enters into rest, the angels rejoicing together at the fellowship of men, and placing each one through the diverse mansions according to the quality of his merits.