Two Treatises on the Nature of the Elements and the Fifth Essence

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Why, then, do you not love these things, even as you yourself are loved by GOD (DEO)? Do you call me unrefined (rudem) and ignorant? Were you not far more unrefined once? Am I needy and lacking in things? Are you not, without your GOD, oppressed by a far greater want (inopia)? Why, therefore, do you neither instruct nor help me, you who walk about endowed by GOD with so many gifts and benefits? Should I pursue you with hatred because of that grace (gratia)? Far be it from me. For when I look into myself, I find you in my very self. Should I, then, judge myself worthy of greater glory (gloria) than you? By no means, brother, for I stand in the same condition as you. Why, then, should I exalt myself magnificently? Instead, being devoted to humility (humilitati), I shall endeavor to despise all the vanity (vanitatem) of glory. Is there anything in which we can truly glory, except in GOD, who loves us so greatly? Without whom, would we not be most miserable? Do not those who crave glory or honor in this world fall away from GOD, in whom alone is the fullness of all glory? On the contrary, do not those who rejoice in humility emerge as partakers of both honor and riches, by the indulgence of GOD?

Catchword: Hoc