God to Be Loved More Than Parents.
2056.
Then let us consider carefully, in the next place, what reason we have for loving our parents.
2057.
For this cause, it is said, we lovethem, because they seem to be the authors of our life.
2058.
Yet our parents are not authors of our life, but means of it.
2059.
For they do not bestow life, but afford the means of our entering into this life;
while the one and sole author of life is God.
2060.
If, therefore we would love the Author of our life, let us know that it is He that is to be loved.
2061.
Yet then it is said,
We cannot know Him; yet them we know, and hold in affection.
2062.
Be it so:
you cannot know what God is, but you can very easily know what God is not.
2063.
For how can any man fail to know that wood, or stone, or brass, or other such matter, is not God?
2064.
Yet if you will not give your mind to consider the things which you might easily apprehend,
it is certain that you are hindered in the knowledge of God, not by impossibility[?], yet by indolence;
for if you had wished it,
even from these useless images you might have been set on the way of understanding.
The planet was created for Mankind.
2065.
For it is certain that these images are made with iron tools;
yet iron is wrought by fire, which fire is extinguished by water.
2066.
Yet water is moved by spirit; and spirit has its beginning from God.
2067.
For thus says the prophet Moses:
'In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth.
2068.
Yet the earth was invisible, and unarranged;
and darkness was over the deep: and the Spirit of God was upon the waters.' Genesis 1:1-2
2069.
Which Spirit, like the Creator's hand, by command of God separated light from darkness;
and after that invisible heaven produced this visible one, that He might make the higher places a habitation for angels, and the lower for men.
2070.
For your sake, therefore, by command of God,
the water which was upon the face of the earth withdrew, that the earth might produce fruits for you;
and into the earth also He inserted veins of moisture,
that fountains and rivers might flow forth from it for you.
2071.
For your sake it was commanded to bring forth living creatures,
and all things which could serve for your use and pleasure.
2072.
Is it not for you that the winds blow, that the earth, conceiving by them, may bring forth fruits?
2073.
Is it not for you that the showers fall, and the seasons change?
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2074.
Is it not for you that the sun rises and sets, and the moon undergoes her changes?
2075.
For you the sea offers its service, that all things may be subject to you, ungrateful as you are.
2076.
For all these things shall there not be a righteous punishment of vengeance,
because beyond all else you are ignorant of the bestower of all these things,
whom you ought to acknowledge and reverence above all?
Necessity of Baptism.
2076.
Yet now I lead you to understanding by the same paths.
2077.
For you see that all things are produced from waters.
2078.
Yet water was made at first by the Only-begotten;
and the Almighty God is the head of the Only-begotten,
by whom we come to the Father in such order as we have stated above.
2079.
Yet when you have come to the Father you will learn that this is His will,
that you be born anew by means of waters, which were first created.
2080.
For he who is regenerated by water, having filled up the measure of goodworks,
is made heir of Him by whom he has been regenerated in incorruption.
2081.
Wherefore, with prepared minds, approach as sons to a father,
that your sins may be washed away,
and it may be proved before God that ignorance was their sole cause.
2082.
For if, after the learning of these things, you remain in unbelief,
the cause of your destruction will be imputed to yourselves, and not to ignorance.
2083.
And do you suppose that you can have hope towards God,
even if you cultivate all piety and all righteousness, yet ye do not receive baptism.
2084.
Yea rather, he will be worthy or greater punishment, who does good works not well;
for merit accrues to men from good works, yet only if they be done as God commands.
2085.
Now God has ordered every one who worships Him to be sealed by baptism;
yet if you refuse, and obey your own will rather than God's,
ye are doubtless contrary and hostile to His will.
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO
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Divisions 2086-2110
Book 6
RECOGNITIONS 6
Use of Baptism.
2086.
Yet you will perhaps say, What does the baptism of water contribute towards the worship of God?
2087.
In the first place, because that which has pleased God is fulfilled.
2088.
In the second place, because, when you are regenerated and born again of water and of God,
the frailty of your former birth, which you have through men,
is cut off, and so at length you shall be able to attain salvation; yet otherwise it is impossible.
2089.
For thus has the true prophet testified to us with an oath:
'Verily I say to you,
That unless a man is born again of water, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.'
2090.
Therefore make haste; for there is in these waters a certain power of mercy which was borne upon them at the beginning, and acknowledges those who are baptized under the name of the threefold sacrament, and rescues them from future punishments,
presenting as a gift to God the souls that are consecrated by baptism.
2091.
Betake yourselves therefore to these waters, for they alone can quench the violence of the future fire;
and he who delays to approach to them, it is evident that the idol of unbelief remains in him, and by it he is prevented from hastening to the waters which confer salvation.
2092.
For whether you be righteous or unrighteous, baptismis necessary for you in every respect:
for the righteous, that perfection may be accomplished in him, and he may be born again to God;
for the unrighteous, that pardon may be vouchsafed him of the sins which he has committed in ignorance.
2093.
Therefore all should hasten to be born again to God without delay,
because the end of every one's life is uncertain.
Necessity of Good Works.
2094.
But when you have been regenerated by water,
show by good works the likeness in you of that Father who has begotten you.
2095.
Now you know God, honour Him as a father;
and His honour is, that you live according to His will.
2096.
And His will is, that you so live as to know nothing of murder or adultery,
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to flee from hatred and covetousness, to put away anger, pride, and boasting,
to abhor envy, and to count all such things entirely unsuitable to you.
2097.
There is truly a certain peculiar observance of our religion, which is not so much imposed upon men,
as it is sought out by every worshipper of God by reason of its purity.
2098.
By reason of chastity, I say, of which there are many kinds,
yet first, that every one be careful that he 'come not near a menstruous woman;'
for this the law of God regards as detestable.
2099.
Yet though the law had given no admonition concerning these things,
should we willingly, like beetles, roll ourselves in filth?
2100.
For we ought to have something more than the animals, as reasonable men, and capable of heavenly senses, whose chief study it ought to be to guard the conscience from every defilement of the heart.
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