ce. Χ. §§ 57, 58] MISCELLANIES, BOOK VII. 101


purifications and modes of ritual, tt should be with the Lord?
where He is, in immediate subordination to Him. ~

Faith then is a compendious knowledge of the essentials,
but knowledge is a sure and firm demonstration of the things
received through faith, being itself built up by the Lord's
teaching on the foundation of the faith, and carrying us on to
unshaken conviction and scientific certainty. As I mentioned
before, there seems to me to be a first kind of saving change from
heathenism to faith, a second from faith to knowledge; and this


latter, as it passes on into love, begins at once to establish a


mutual friendship between that which knows and that which 15 4


known. And perhaps he who has arrived at this stage has
already attained equality with the angels. At any rate, after
he has reached the final ascent in the flesh, he still continues |
to advance, as is fit, and presses on through the holy Hebdomad ©
into the Father’s house, to that which is indeed the Lord’s
abode®, being destined there to be, as it were, a light standing
and abiding for ever, absolutely secure from all vicissitude.
§ 58. The first mode of the Lord’s working gives evidence
of the above-mentioned reward following on devoutness. Out
of many testimonies I will adduce one, thus summarily stated
by the prophet David: Who shall ascend into the hill of the
Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath
clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted wp his soul.
