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10. No other thing, then, is chiefly to be regarded in this
inquiry, which we make concerning the Trinity and concerning knowing
God, except what is true love, nay, rather what is love. For that
is to be called love which is true, otherwise it is desire; and so
those who desire are said improperly to love, just as they who love are
said improperly to desire. But this is true love, that cleaving to
the truth we may live righteously, and so may despise all mortal things
in comparison with the love of men, whereby we wish them to live
righteously. For so we should be prepared also to die profitably for
our brethren, as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us by His example.
For as there are two commandments on which hang all the Law and the
prophets, love of God and love of our neighbor; not without cause the
Scripture mostly puts one for both: whether it be of God only, as is
that text, "For we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God;" and again, "But if any man love God, the
same is known of Him; and that, "Because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us;" and
many other passages; because he who loves God must both needs do what
God has commanded, and loves Him just in such proportion as he does
so; therefore he must needs also love his neighbor, because God has
commanded it: or whether it be that Scripture only mentions the love
of our neighbor, as in that text, "Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ;" and again, "For all the law is
fufilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself;" and in the Gospel, "All things whatsoever ye would that
men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the Law and
the prophets." And many other passages occur in the sacred writings,
in which only the love of our neighbor seems to be commanded for
perfection, while the love of God is passed over in silence; whereas
the Law and the prophets hang on both precepts. But this, too, is
because be who loves his neighbor must needs also love above all else
love itself. But "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love,
dwelleth in God." Therefore he must needs above all else love God.
11. Wherefore they who seek God through those Powers which rule
over the world, or parts of the world, are removed and cast away far
from Him; not by intervals of space, but by difference of
affections: for they endeavor to find a path outwardly, and forsake
their own inward things, within which is God. Therefore, even
although they may either have heard some holy heavenly Power, or in
some way or another may have thought of it, yet they rather covet its
deeds at which human weakness marvels, but do not imitate the piety by
which divine rest is acquired. For they prefer, through pride, to be
able to do that which an angel does, more than, through devotion, to
be that which an angel is. For no holy being rejoices in his own
power, but in His from whom he has the power which he filly can have;
and he knows it to be more a mark of power to be united to the
Omnipotent by a pious will, than to be able, by his own power and
will, to do what they may tremble at who are not able to do such
things. Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in doing such
things, in order that He might teach better things to those who
marvelled at them, and might turn those who were intent and in doubt
about unusual temporal things to eternal and inner things, says,
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you." And He does not say,
Learn of me, because I raise those who have been dead four days; but
He says, "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." For
humility, which is most solid, is more powerful and safer than pride,
that is most inflated. And so He goes on to say, "And ye shall
find rest unto your souls," for "Love is not puffed up;" and
"God is Love;" and "such as be faithful in love shall rest in
Him," called back from the din which is without to silent joys.
Behold, "God is Love:" why do we go forth and run to the heights
of the heavens and the lowest parts of the earth, seeking Him who is
within us, if we wish to be with Him?
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