Chap. LVIII Of Not Searching Into High Matters, nor Into the Secret Judgments of God
1. Son, see thou dispute not of high matters, nor of the hidden judgments of God; why this man is left thus, and this other is raised to so great grace; or why this person is so much afflicted, and that other so highly exalted.
These things are above the reach of man, neither can any reason or discourse be able to penetrate into the judgments of God.
When therefore the enemy suggests to thee such things as these, or thou hearest curious men inquiring into them, answer that of the prophet, Thou art just, O Lord, and thy judgment is right. Psalms cxviii.
[USCCB: Psalms cxix. 137. “You are righteous, LORD, and just are your edicts.”]
And again: The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves. Psalms xviii.
[USCCB: Psalms xix. 8, 9. “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.”]
My judgments are to be feared, not to be searched into, for they are incomprehensible to human understanding.
2. In like manner do not inquire nor dispute of the merits of the saints, which of them is more holy than the other, or which greater in the kingdom of heaven.
These things oftentimes breed strife and unprofitable contentions, and nourish pride and vain-glory; from whence arise envy and dissensions, whilst this man proudly seeks to prefer this saint, and another man is for preferring another.
Now to desire to know and to search into such things as these, is of no profit, but rather displeaseth the saints; for I am not the God of dissensions, but of peace (1 Corinthians xiv.), which peace consists more in true humility than in exalting one’s self.
3. Some are carried by a zeal of love towards these, or those, with greater affection; but this affection is rather human than divine.
I am he who made all the saints; I gave them grace, I have brought them to glory.
I know the merits of every one of them, I prevented them by the blessings of my sweetness.
I foreknew my beloved ones before the creation: I chose them out of the world, they were not before-hand with me to chuse me;
I called them by my grace, and drew them to me by my mercy. I led them safe through many temptations, I imparted to them extraordinary comforts, I gave them perseverance, I have crowned their patience.
4. I know the first and the last, I embrace them all with an inestimable love.
I am to be praised in all my saints, I am to be blessed above all things, and to be honoured in every one of them whom I have thus gloriously magnified, and eternally chosen without any foregoing merits of their own.
He therefore that despises one of the least of my saints, honours not the greatest, for both little and great I have made:
And he that derogates from any one of the saints, derogates also from me, and from all the rest of them in the kingdom of heaven.
They are all one through the band of love; they have the same sentiment, the same will, and all mutually love one another.
5. And yet (which is much higher) they all love me more than themselves and their own merit.
For being elevated above themselves, and drawn out of the love of themselves, they are wholly absorpt in the love of me, in whom also they rest by an eternal enjoyment.
Nor is there any thing which can divert them from me, or depress them; for being full of the eternal truth, they burn with the fire of a charity that cannot be extinguished.
Therefore let carnal and sensual men (who know not how to affect any thing but their private satisfactions) forbear to dispute of the state of the saints: they add and take away according to their own inclination, and not according to what is pleasing to the everlasting truth.
6. In many there is ignorance, especially in such as being but little enlightened seldom know how to love any one with a perfect spiritual love.
They are as yet much inclined to such or such by a natural affection and human friendship; and as they are affected with regard to things below, they conceive the like imaginations of the things of heaven.
But there is an incomparable distance between what the imperfect imagine, and what enlightened men contemplate by revelation from above.
7. Take heed, therefore, my Son, that thou treat not curiously of those things which exceed thy knowledge, but rather make it thy business and thy aim, that thou mayest be found, though it were the least, in the kingdom of God.
And if any one should know who were more holy or greater in the kingdom of heaven, what would the knowledge profit him, unless he would take occasion from knowing this to humble himself in my sight, and to praise my name with greater fervour?
It is much more acceptable to God for a man to think of the greatness of his own sins, and how little he is in virtues, and at how great a distance he is from the perfection of the saints, than to dispute which of them is greater or less.
It is better to invocate the saints with devout prayers and tears, and to implore their glorious suffrages with an humble mind, than by a vain inquiry to search into their secrets.
8. They are well and perfectly contented, if men would be but contented, and refrain from their vain discourses.
They glory not of their own merits, for they ascribe nothing of goodness to themselves, but all to me; because I bestowed all upon them out of my infinite charity.
They are filled with so great a love of the Deity, and such overflowing joy, that there is nothing wanting to their glory, nor can any happiness be wanting to them.
All the saints by how much they are the higher in glory, by so much are they the more humble in themselves, and nearer to me, and better beloved by me.
And therefore thou hast it written, that they cast down their crowns before God, and fell upon their faces before the lamb, and adored him that lives for ever and ever. Apoc. iv.
9. Many examine who is greatest in the kingdom of God, who know not whether they shall be worthy to be numbered amongst the least.
It is a great matter to be even the least in heaven, where all are great; because all shall be called the children of God:
The least shall be as a thousand, and a sinner of an hundred years shall die.
For when the disciples asked, Who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew xviii.) they received this answer:
Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little one, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
10. Woe to them who disdain to humble themselves willingly with little children; for the low gate of the heavenly kingdom will not suffer them to enter thither.
Woe also to the rich who have their comforts here, for when the poor shall go into the kingdom of God, they stand lamenting without.
Rejoice you humble, and be glad you that are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God; yet so, if you walk in the truth.