But we are said to reverence those men whom we honour or
remember, or to whose presence we resort. So, too, even things
which are subject to us are said to be "cultivated" by us
(_coli_); thus husbandmen (_agricolae_) are so called because
they "cultivate" the fields; the inhabitants of a place, too
(_incolae_), are so called because they "cultivate" the spots
where they dwell. But since special honour is due to God as the
First Principle of all, a special kind of "cultus"[41] or
"reverence" is His due, and this the Greeks call _eusebia_ or
_theosebia_, as S. Augustine says.[42]
5. Lastly, all who are in a state of salvation are subject to God. But
not all who are in a state of salvation are called "religious," but
those only who bind themselves by certain vows and observances and who
undertake to obey certain men. Hence religion does not seem to mean the
relationship of subjection of man to God.
But although, generally speaking, all those who worship God can
be termed "religious," yet those are specially so called who
dedicate their whole lives to the Divine worship and cut
themselves off from worldly occupations.
Thus those are not termed "contemplatives" who merely
contemplate, but they who devote their lives to contemplation.
And such men do not subject themselves to men for man's sake,
but for God's, as the Apostle says: _You received me as an Angel
of God, even as Christ Jesus._[43]
* * * * *
_S. Augustine_: We are to abide in Christ! How then shall That not be
now our possession Where we are then to abide and Whence we are to draw
Life? Let Holy Scripture speak for us lest we should seem in mere
conjecture to be saying things contrary to the teaching of the Word of
God. Hear the words of one who knew: _If God be for us who is against
us?_[44] _The Lord_, he says, _is the portion of my inheritance._[45] He
saith not: Lord, what wilt Thou give me for mine inheritance? All that
Thou canst give me is worthless! Be Thou mine inheritance! Thee do I
love! Thee do I wholly love! With all my heart, with all my soul, with
all my mind do I love Thee! What, then, shall be my lot? What wilt Thou
give me save Thyself? This is to love God freely. This is to hope for
God from God. This is to hasten to be filled with God, to be sated with
Him. For He is sufficient for thee; apart from Him nought can suffice
thee! (_Sermon_, cccxxxiv. 3).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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