02.15. Of the four degrees of love

15. Of the four degrees of love

Nevertheless, since we arecarnaland arebornof thelustof theflesh, it must be that our desire and ourloveshall have its beginning in theflesh. But rightlyguidedby thegraceofGodthrough these degrees, it will have its consummation in the spirit: for that was not first which isspiritualbut that which isnatural; and afterward that which isspiritual(1 Corinthians 15:46). And we must bear the image of the earthy first, before we can bear the image of the heavenly. At first, manloveshimself for his own sake. That is theflesh, which can appreciate nothing beyond itself. Next, he perceives that he cannot exist by himself, and so begins byfaithtoseekafterGod, and toloveHim as something necessary to his own welfare. That is the second degree, toloveGod, not for God’s sake, but selfishly. But when he haslearnedtoworshipGodand toseekHim aright, meditating onGod, reading God’s Word, praying and obeying Hiscommandments, he comes gradually to know whatGodis, and finds Him altogetherlovely. So, havingtastedand seen how gracious theLordis (Psalms 34:8), he advances to the third degree, when helovesGod, not merely as his benefactor but asGod. Surely he must remain long in thisstate; and I know not whether it would be possible to make further progress in thislifeto that fourth degree andperfectcondition wherein manloveshimself solely for God’s sake. Let any who have attained sofarbearrecord; I confess it seems beyond my powers. Doubtless it will be reached when the good andfaithfulservantshall have entered into thejoyof hisLord(Matthew 25:21), and been satisfied with the plenteousness of God’shouse(Psalms 36:8). For then in wondrouswisehe willforgethimself and as ifdeliveredfrom self, he will grow wholly God’s. Joined unto theLord, he will then be one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17). This was what theprophetmeant, I think, when he said: “ I will go forth in thestrengthof theLordGod: and will make mention of Thyrighteousnessonly” (Psalms 71:16).

Surely he knew that when he should go forth in thespiritualstrengthof theLord, he would have been freed from theinfirmitiesof theflesh, and would have nothingcarnalto think of, but would be wholly filled in his spirit with therighteousnessof theLord. In that day the members ofChristcan say of themselves what St.Paultestified concerning their Head: “Yea, though we have knownChristafter theflesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

None shall thereafter know himself after the flesh; for “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). Not that there will be no true substance of the flesh, but all carnal needs will be taken away, and the love of the flesh will be swallowed up in the love of the spirit, so that our weak human affections will be made divinely strong.

Then the net of charity which as it is drawn through the great and wide sea doth not cease to gather every kind of fish, will be drawn to the shore; and the bad will be cast away, while only the good will be kept (Matthew 13:48). In this life the net of all-including love gathers every kind of fish into its wide folds, becoming all things to all men, sharing adversity or prosperity, rejoicing with them that do rejoice, and weeping with them that weep (Romans 12:15). But when the net is drawn to shore, whatever causes pain will be rejected, like the bad fish, while only what is pleasant and joyous will be kept. Do you not recall how St Paul said: “Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not?” And yet weakness and offense were far from him. So too he bewailed many which had sinned already and had not repented, though he was neither the sinner nor the penitent. But there is a city made glad by the rivers of the flood of grace (Psalms 46:4), and whose gates the Lord loveth more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Psalms 87:2). In it is no place for lamentation over those condemned to everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). In these earthly dwellings, though men may rejoice, yet they have still other battles to fight, other mortal perils to undergo. But in the heavenly Fatherland no sorrow nor sadness can enter: as it is written, “The habitation of all rejoicing ones is in Thee” (Psalms 87:7, Vulg.); and again, “Everlasting joy shall be unto them” (Isaiah 61:7). Nor could they recall things piteous, for then they will make mention of God’s righteousness only. Accordingly, there will be no need for the exercise of compassion, for no misery will be there to inspire pity.