611 chapter 11: the preacher of the mystical temple ness it may bring about wisdom; against dullness, understanding; against rashness, counsel; against fear, fortitude; against ignorance, knowledge; against harshness, piety; against arrogance, fear” (Mor. 2; Ch. 1).98 O sevenfold Light, glide into our hearts, and dwell in them forever! CHAPTER 11 The Preacher of the Mystical Temple Who is the ordinary Preacher of our Temple, so fiery that he is never dull, so severe that he never flatters, so attentive that he at once indicates and exposes our greatest and smallest defects, shows those which are to be corrected, and thunders against those which are to be avoided? It is the conscience that fulfills this duty of the preacher within us, watchful, not dissembling. I would not know what caused Cain to change the expression of his face after his sacrifice had been despised by God, so that God Himself had to ask him: “Why is your countenance fallen?” (Gen 4:6) [LV]. I would not know, I say, the reason for this, had not the very wise Ambrose, after a wise investigation, revealed it to me in these words: “Cain became gloomy, because he realized in his own conscience that his sacrifice was not found good by God.”99 God did not look with favor on the offering of Cain, and behold, suddenly the suitable and most excellent Preacher cries out: what did you do? Why were your gifts not accepted? Did you perhaps offer them with a vicious intention? For that reason you did not render God favorable to you, but rather you made Him hostile; what did you do? Cain was made almost breathless by what this Preacher said and his whole face became pale with fear. 98 Gregory the Great, Moralia, II, 49, in: On Chapter I of Job: PL 75, 592-593 (n. 68). 99 Ambrose, On Abel and Cain, Bk. II, yet in the edition Of the Works of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, tome I, Rome 1580, p. 123, E, and in PL 14, 368 (n. 214, 18), the words are presented in a different order.
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