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| Chapter XII. The answer on the different kinds of perfection.
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Chapter XII.
The answer on the different kinds of perfection.
Chæremon: In
accordance with the condition and measure of every mind Holy Scripture
summons our free wills to different grades of perfection. For no
uniform crown of perfection can be offered to all men, because all have
not the same virtue, or purpose, or fervour, and so the Divine Word has
in some way appointed different ranks and different measures of
perfection itself. And that this is so the variety of beatitudes in the
gospel clearly shows. For though they are called blessed, whose is the
kingdom of heaven, and blessed are they who shall possess the earth,
and blessed are they who shall receive their consolation, and blessed
are they who shall be filled, yet we believe that there is a great
difference between the habitations of the kingdom of heaven, and the
possession of the earth, whatever it be, and also between the reception
of consolation and the fulness and satisfaction of righteousness; and
that there is a great distinction between those who shall obtain mercy,
and those who shall be deemed worthy to enjoy the most glorious vision
of God. “For there is one glory of the sun, and another glory of
the moon, and another glory of the stars: for star differeth from star
in glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead.”1720
While therefore in accordance with this
rule holy Scripture praises those who fear God, and says “Blessed
are all they that fear the Lord,”1721
and promises them for this a full measure of bliss, yet it says again:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: for
fear hath torment. But he that feareth is not yet perfect in
love.”1722
And again,
though it is a grand thing to serve God, and it is said: “Serve
the Lord in fear;” and: “It is a great thing for thee to be
called My servant;” and: “Blessed is that servant whom his
Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing,”1723
| 1723 Ps. ii. 11; Is. xlix. 6; S. Matt. xxiv.
46. | yet it is said to the Apostles:
“I no longer call you servants, for the servant knoweth not what
his Lord doeth: but I call you friends, for all things whatsoever I
have heard from my Father, I have made known unto you.”1724
And once more: “Ye are My friends,
if ye do whatever I command you.”1725
You see then that there are different stages of perfection, and that we
are called by the Lord from high things to still higher in such a way
that he who has become blessed and perfect in the fear of God; going as
it is written “from strength to strength,”1726
and from one perfection to another,
i.e., mounting with keenness of soul from fear to hope, is summoned in
the end to that still more blessed stage, which, is love, and he who
has been “a faithful and wise servant”1727
will pass to the companionship of
friendship and to the adoption of sons. So then our saying also must be
understood according to this meaning: not that we say that the
consideration of that enduring punishment or of that blessed recompense
which is promised to the saints is of no value, but because, though
they are useful and introduce those who pursue them to the first
beginning of blessedness, yet again love, wherein is already fuller
confidence, and a lasting joy, will remove them from servile fear and
mercenary hope to the love of God, and carry them on to the adoption of
sons, and somehow make them from being perfect still more perfect. For
the Saviour says that in His Father’s house are “many
mansions,”1728
and although
all the stars seem to be in the sky, yet there is a mighty difference
between the brightness of the sun and of the moon, and between that of
the morning star and the rest of the stars. And therefore the blessed
Apostle prefers it not only above fear and hope but also above all
gifts which are counted great and wonderful, and shows the way of love
still more excellent than all. For when after finishing his list of
spiritual gifts of virtues he wanted to describe its members, he began
as follows: “And yet I show unto you a still more excellent way.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and though I have
the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and
though I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, and though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and give my body to be
burned,
but have not
love, it profiteth me nothing.” You see then that nothing more
precious, nothing more perfect, nothing more sublime, and, if I may say
so, nothing more enduring can be found than love. For “whether
there be prophecies, they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they
shall cease, whether there be knowledge, it shall be destroyed,”
but “love never faileth,”1729
and without it not only those most
excellent kinds of gifts, but even the glory of martyrdom itself will
fail.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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