and those words of ours, by which we endeavour to set forth
CHAP. III.] CIirJST THE WOUD. 347 longer than their sound continues. For that Word remains unchangeably : for of this very Word was it spoken when of Wisdom it Avas said, " Eemaining in herself, she maketh all thimrs new." ^ Moreover, the reason of His beincj named the Word of the Father, is that the Father is made known by Him. Accordingly, just as it is our intention, when we speak truth, that by means of our words our mind should be made known to him who hears us, and that whatever we carry in secrecy in our heart may be set forth by means of signs of this sort for the intelligent understanding of another individual so this AVisdom that God the Father begat is most appropriately named His Word, inasmuch as the most hidden Father is made known to worthy minds by the same.^
4. Now there is a very great difference between our mind and those words of ours, by which we endeavour to set forth the said mind. We indeed do not beojet intelliirible words,^ but we form them ; and in the forming of them the body is the underlying material. Between mind and body, however, there is the greatest difference. But God, when He begat the Word, begat that which He is Himself Neither out of nothing, nor of any material already made and founded, did He then beget ; but He begat of Himself that which He is
Himself. For we too aim at this when we speak, (as we shall see) if we carefully consider the inclination^ of our will ; not when we lie, but when we speak the truth. For to what else do we direct our efforts then, but to bring our own very mind, if it can be done at all, in upon the mind of the hearer, with the view of its being apprehended and thoroughly discerned by him ; so that we may indeed abide in our very selves, and make no retreat from ourselves, and yet at the same time put forth a sign of such a nature as that by it a
1 Wisd. vii. 27.
2 Adopting the Benedictine version, per ipsam innote^cit dignis an'miis sccretissbmis Pater. There is, however, great variety of reading here. Some MSS.
give ignis for dignis = the most hidden fire of the Father is made known to minds. Otliers give signis = the most hidden Father is made known by signs to minds. Others liave innotescit animus secretissimiis Patris, or innotcscit signis secretissimus Pater = the most hidden mind of the Father is made known by the same, or = the most hidden Father is made known by the same in signs.
^ Appetitum.