Sep 27, 2012 06:01
11 yrs ago
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English term
the saints’ veils
English
Art/Literary
Religion
Christ is a king to reward his people. There is nothing lost by serving this king. He rewards his subjects in this life. He gives them inward peace and joy; a bunch of grapes by the way; and oft-times riches and honour. ‘Godliness has the promise of this life.’ I Tim 4:4. These are, as it were, ***the saints’ veils***. But the great reward is to come. ‘An eternal weight of glory.’ 2 Cor 4:17. Christ makes all his subjects kings. ‘I will give thee a crown of life.’ Rev 2:20. This crown will be full of jewels, and it will ‘never fade.’ I Pet 5:5.
What is the sense of this phrase? Does it refer to any Bible text?
What is the sense of this phrase? Does it refer to any Bible text?
Responses
+4
2 hrs
Selected
veils = vails: the saints' rewards or perquisites
"Veil" as a piece of cloth covering the face normally had the sense of concealment or even disguise in Watson's period, but however you interpret it, it is very difficult to make sense of such a metaphor in the context.
The solution, I am sure, is that Watson is using "veils" in a different sense, that of "vails", as it was normally and properly spelt. The basic sense of this word was some benefit or profit:
"vail (n.)
"advantage, profit," early 15c., from vail (v.) "to be of use or service" (c.1300), from O.Fr. vail, from valoir "to be of value or worth" (see value (n.))."
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&searc...
The word is obsolete in English now, but as well as being related to "value", it is also present in modern English in the verb "avail" (help or benefit) and "avail oneself of" (take advantage of).
The spelling of "vail" and "veil" was often unstable. "Veil" (cloth covering) was also spelt "vail", and Dr Johnson lists it with both spellings in his dictionary. He defines "vail" first as (1) a curtain or cover and (2) a part of female dress covering the face, remarking that this spelling is old and it is now (c. 1750) normally written "veil". But he then gives this third definition of "vail":
"3. Money given to servants. It is commonly used in the plural. See VALE."
http://archive.org/stream/dictionaryofengl02johnuoft#page/n9...
Under "vale" Johnson gives the same definition of money given to servants, and notes that the word is spelt both ways.
So although the spelling "veils" for "vails" was etymologically unsound, I think this must be what Watson means. This may well be an example of orthographic hypercorrection: because the spelling of "veils" was superseding "vails" for a curtain or covering, the spelling of "vails" in the sense of a monetary reward is inappropriately subjected to the same change (as with the unrelated very "vail" meaning to let fall, which Addison "ignorantly" spells "veil", as Johnson remarks).
It fits perfectly in the context. One must remember that by "saints" Watson didn't mean saints in the Catholic sense of those canonised by the Church (since the Puritans rejected the veneration of saints in that sense), but righteous and faithful people. They receive the earthly rewards he refers to, but these are as nothing compared to what they will receive hereafter: like mere tips or perks given to servants: "vails".
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-09-27 08:49:28 GMT)
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No, it doesn't refer to a Bible text, as far as I know.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-09-27 08:51:16 GMT)
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"unrelated very" in the penultimate paragraph above should read "unrelate verb"; sorry.
The solution, I am sure, is that Watson is using "veils" in a different sense, that of "vails", as it was normally and properly spelt. The basic sense of this word was some benefit or profit:
"vail (n.)
"advantage, profit," early 15c., from vail (v.) "to be of use or service" (c.1300), from O.Fr. vail, from valoir "to be of value or worth" (see value (n.))."
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&searc...
The word is obsolete in English now, but as well as being related to "value", it is also present in modern English in the verb "avail" (help or benefit) and "avail oneself of" (take advantage of).
The spelling of "vail" and "veil" was often unstable. "Veil" (cloth covering) was also spelt "vail", and Dr Johnson lists it with both spellings in his dictionary. He defines "vail" first as (1) a curtain or cover and (2) a part of female dress covering the face, remarking that this spelling is old and it is now (c. 1750) normally written "veil". But he then gives this third definition of "vail":
"3. Money given to servants. It is commonly used in the plural. See VALE."
http://archive.org/stream/dictionaryofengl02johnuoft#page/n9...
Under "vale" Johnson gives the same definition of money given to servants, and notes that the word is spelt both ways.
So although the spelling "veils" for "vails" was etymologically unsound, I think this must be what Watson means. This may well be an example of orthographic hypercorrection: because the spelling of "veils" was superseding "vails" for a curtain or covering, the spelling of "vails" in the sense of a monetary reward is inappropriately subjected to the same change (as with the unrelated very "vail" meaning to let fall, which Addison "ignorantly" spells "veil", as Johnson remarks).
It fits perfectly in the context. One must remember that by "saints" Watson didn't mean saints in the Catholic sense of those canonised by the Church (since the Puritans rejected the veneration of saints in that sense), but righteous and faithful people. They receive the earthly rewards he refers to, but these are as nothing compared to what they will receive hereafter: like mere tips or perks given to servants: "vails".
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2012-09-27 08:49:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
No, it doesn't refer to a Bible text, as far as I know.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2012-09-27 08:51:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
"unrelated very" in the penultimate paragraph above should read "unrelate verb"; sorry.
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Comment: "Thank you!!"
1 hr
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Native in: English (Variant: Wessexois) 
Works in: French to English, English, English to French
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sayings that the saints rely upon
The quote is from Thomas Watson
Christ's Kingly Office - Jesus Christ our Lord and our God
These are, as it were, the saints' veils. But the great reward is to come. 'An eternal weight of glory.' 2 Cor 4: I7. Christ makes all his subjects kings.
www.applesofgold.co.uk/christ's_kingly_office.htm
I do not kinow whether this refers to a bible text. My reading is that it means that these sayings and teachings are what the saints "veil" themselves in - a way of saying that rely upon them for their help and inspiration in life.
Christ's Kingly Office - Jesus Christ our Lord and our God
These are, as it were, the saints' veils. But the great reward is to come. 'An eternal weight of glory.' 2 Cor 4: I7. Christ makes all his subjects kings.
www.applesofgold.co.uk/christ's_kingly_office.htm
I do not kinow whether this refers to a bible text. My reading is that it means that these sayings and teachings are what the saints "veil" themselves in - a way of saying that rely upon them for their help and inspiration in life.
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