Chapter XI.

A third element which tends to gain any one’s confidence is shown to have been conspicuous in Moses, Daniel, and Joseph.

56. But a third point seems also to have been noted in the case of those who were thought worthy of admiration440    Cic. de Off. II. 10, § 36. after the example of Joseph, Solomon, and Daniel. For what shall I say of Moses whose advice all Israel always waited for,441    Ex. xviii. 13. whose life caused them to trust in his prudence and increased their esteem for him? Who would not trust to the counsel of Moses, to whom the elders reserved for decision whatever they thought beyond their understanding and powers?

57. Who would refuse the counsel of Daniel, of whom God Himself said: “Who is wiser than Daniel?”442    Ezek. xxviii. 3. How can men doubt about the minds of those to whom God has given such grace? By the counsel of Moses wars were brought to an end, and for his merit’s sake food came from heaven and drink from the rock.

58. How pure must have been the soul of Daniel to soften the character of barbarians and to tame the lions!443    Bel and the Dragon v. 39. What temperance was his, what self-restraint in soul and body! Not unworthily did he become an object of admiration to all, when—and all men do admire this,—though enjoying royal friendships, he sought not for gold, nor counted the honour given him as more precious than his faith. For he was willing to endure danger for the law of God rather than to be turned from his purpose in order to gain the favour of men.

59. And what, again, shall I say of the chastity and justice of Joseph, whom I had almost passed by, whereby on the one hand he rejected the allurements of his mistress and refused rewards, on the other he mocked at death, repressed his fear, and chose a prison? Who would not consider him a fit person to give advice in a private case, whose fruitful spirit and fertile mind enriched the barrenness of the time with the wealth of his counsels and heart?444    Gen. xli. 33 ff.

CAPUT XI.

0118A

Tertia conditio quae ad fidem alicui conciliandam valet, in Moyse, Daniele ac Josepho fulsisse ostenditur.

56. Sed etiam tertius locus de his qui admiratione digni aestimarentur, Joseph, Salomonis et Danielis exemplo decursus videtur. Nam quid de Moyse loquar, cujus omnis Israel quotidie consilia praestolabatur, quorum vita fidem faciebat prudentiae, admirationemque ejus augebat? Quis se non committeret consilio Moysi, cui seniores, si qua supra suum intellectum et virtutem esse arbitrarentur, dijudicanda servabant?

57. Quis Danielis consilium refugeret, de quo Deus ipse dixit: Quis Daniele sapientior (Ezech. 0118B XXVIII, 3)? Aut quomodo homines de eorum dubitare mentibus possent, quibus Deus tantam conferebat gratiam? Moysi consilio bella conficiebantur: Moysi meritis de coelo affluebat alimonia, potus e petra.

58. Quam purus Danielis animus, ut mulceret barbaros mores, mitigaret leones (Dan. XIV, 39)! Quae in illo temperantia! Quanta animi et corporis 84 continentia! Nec immerito mirabilis factus omnibus, quando (quod vehementer admirantur homines) regalibus fultus amicitiis, aurum non quaerebat, nec delatum sibi honorem pluris faciebat quam fidem. Quin etiam periclitari malebat pro lege Domini, quam pro gratia hominis inflecti.

59. Nam de sancti Joseph (quem pene praeterieram) castimonia et justitia quid dicam; quarum altera 0118C illecebras beriles respuit, refutavit praemia: altera mortem contempsit, metum repulit, carcerem praeoptavit (Gen. XXXIX, 8 et seq.)? Quis hunc privatae causae ad consulendum idoneum non judicaret, cujus ferax animus et mens fertilis, temporis sterilitatem quodam consiliorum et cordis ubere fecundavit (Gen. XLI, 25 et seq.).