8. It behoveth also man to have a table, whence he may take the bread of the Word of God. By the table we understand Holy Scripture, concerning which the Psalm, 'Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.' [Footnote 212] That is, Thou hast given me Scripture against the temptations of the devil. This table then we must have, that is, must lay up in our minds, that thence we may take the Word of God. Of the deficiency of this bread saith Jeremiah: 'The little ones sought bread, and there was none to break it unto them. [Footnote 213] It behoveth man likewise to have a candlestick, that he may shine with good works. [Footnote 212: Psalm xxiii (_Dominus regit me_), 5.] [Footnote 213: Jeremiah xvi, 7.] 9. A candlestick that giveth light without is a good work, which by its good example inflameth others. Of which it is said, 'No man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel, but in a candlestick.' [Footnote 214] This candle, according to the Word of the Lord, is a good intention: of which He saith Himself: 'Thine eye is a light.' [Footnote 215] But the eye is the intention. {38} Therefore we ought not to put the candle under a bushel, but in a candlestick. Because, if we have a good intention, we ought not to hide it: but to manifest our good deeds to others, for a light and an example. [Footnote 214: S. Matthew v, 15.] [Footnote 215: S. Matthew vi, 22.] 10. Man must also have an ark. Now _area_ is derived from _arcendo_: discipline, therefore, and regular life may be called the ark; by which crimes are driven away (_arcentur_) from us. Now in the ark were the rod, the tables, and the manna: because in the regular life there must be the rod of correction, that the flesh may be chastised; and the table of love, that God may be loved. For in the tables of the law were written the commands which pertain to the love of God. Therein must also be the manna of divine sweetness: that we may 'taste and see how gracious the Lord is: for it is good to have to do with Him.' [Footnote 216] According to that proverb of the prudent woman, 'She tasted and saw that it was good.' [Footnote 217] Therefore, that we may be the temple of God, let us have in ourselves an altar of oblation, lest we appear empty in His presence, according to that saying, 'Thou shalt not appear empty before the presence of thy God': [Footnote 218] let us have a table for refection lest we faint, through hunger, in the way: as saith the Evangelist, 'If I send them away empty, they will faint in the way,' [Footnote 219] a candlestick by good works that we be not idle, as he saith in Ecclesiasticus, 'Idleness hath taught much mischief,' [Footnote 220] let us have an ark, that we be not as sons of Belial, that is, undisciplined, and without the yoke: for discipline is necessary, as the Psalmist teacheth, saying, 'Be instructed, lest He be angry.' [Footnote 221] Concerning which, and other ornaments, we shall speak in the following chapter.