§ 1. On the Knowledge of God and of Self.

I EXHORT and entreat thee, most dear friend, to fear, honour, and love the Lord thy God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One in substance, Three in Per sons. For He is omnipotent, immense, eternal, most high, unchangeable, incomprehensible, supremely just, supremely holy, supremely wise, supremely good, supremely desirable. He created out of nothing the heavens and the earth, and all that is contained in heaven and earth. He sees and perfectly knows not only the actions of all men, but also their thoughts 105and dispositions. He knows all things, past, present, and to come. He is an exceeding lover of men, and ceases not to do good to every one of them, in this life. Wherefore, He deserves to be feared, honoured, and loved.

Take the utmost care, lest by sinning thou offend Him. Even if thou couldst save thyself and many others from death by consenting to some sin, thou must in no wise consent to it; nor is it permitted to do evil that good may come (Rom. iii. 8). For it would be most foolish knowingly and deliberately to offend the Creator, who is Infinite Good, for the sake of creatures, who are, as it were, nothing compared with God. The holy fear of God incessantly warns man to abstain from sin, and to “live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world” (Tit. ii. 12).

Reflect seriously, that for this end thou wast created by God, and hast received an immortal soul endowed with reason, that thou shouldst here obey God, and love Him; and that, by obeying Him, and leading a good life, thou shouldst at length clearly behold Him in heaven, and enjoy Him for all eternity. For, if thou dost diligently avoid evil, and do good; if. faithfully serving God, thou dost end this life piously; then shalt thou happily attain to heavenly bliss, through the Passion and merits of Jesus Christ.