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Posted by Harold Burton on January 14, 2008, 10:00 pm
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and intuition! But nature has
refused us this boon. On the contrary, she has given us but very little
knowledge of this kind; and all the rest can be acquired only by reasoning.
Therefore, those to whom God has imparted religion by intuition are very
fortunate and justly convinced. But to those who do not have it, we can give
it only by reasoning, waiting for God to give them spiritual insight,
without which faith is only human and useless for salvation.
283. Order.--Against the objection that Scripture has no order.
The heart has its own order; the intellect has its own, which is by
principle and demonstration. The heart has another. We do not prove that we
ought to be loved by enumerating in order the causes of love; that would be
ridiculous.
Jesus Christ and Saint Paul employ the rule of love, not of intellect; for
they would warm, not instruct. It is the same with Saint Augustine. This
order consists chiefly in digressions on each point to indicate the end, and
keep it always in sight.
284. Do not wonder to see simple people believe without reasoning. God
imparts to them love of Him and hatred of self. He inclines their heart to
believe. Men will never believe with a saving and real faith, unless God
inclines their heart; and they will believe as soon as He inclines it. And
this is what David knew well, when he said: Inclina cor meum, Deus, in...
[39]
285. Religion is suited to all kinds of minds. Some pay attention only to
its establishment, and this religion is such that its very establishment
suffices to prove its truth. Others trace it even to the apostles. The more
learned go back to the beginning of the world. The angels see it better
still, and from a more distant time.
286. Those who believe without having read the Testaments, do so because
they have an inward disposition entirely holy, and all that they hear of our
religion conforms to i
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