At first, man loves himself for his own sake. That is the flesh, which can appreciate nothing beyond itself. Next, he perceives that he cannot exist by himself, and so begins by faith to seek after God, and to love Him as something necessary to his own welfare. That is the second degree, to love God, not for God's sake, but selfishly. But when he has learned to worship God and to seek Him aright, meditating on God, reading God's Word, praying and obeying His commandments, he comes gradually to know what God is, and finds Him altogether lovely. So, having tasted and seen how gracious the Lord is (Ps. 34:8), he advances to the third degree, when he loves God, not merely as his benefactor but as God.
Surely he must remain long in this state; and I know not whether it would be possible to make further progress in this life to that fourth degree and perfect condition wherein man loves himself solely for God's sake. Let any who have attained so far bear record; I confess it seems beyond my powers.
On Loving God, XV
Surely he must remain long in this state; and I know not whether it would be possible to make further progress in this life to that fourth degree and perfect condition wherein man loves himself solely for God's sake. Let any who have attained so far bear record; I confess it seems beyond my powers.
On Loving God, XV
I'm thinking this might be a post series. It's a great little work, wherein Bernard takes us through the "four degrees of love." You can find it in English here.
Sounds like a good Lent book, Joe - is it available in print anywhere?
Tim
Posted by: Tim | January 27, 2009 at 10:42 PM
You can get it as part of the Harper Collins Spiritual Classics series: (GE Evans) Bernard of Clairvaux: Selected Works
Posted by: joseph | January 27, 2009 at 11:31 PM