that which we love for its own sake , and that nothing is a
CHAP. XXXII.] IN WHAT SENSE GOU USESMAX. 27
For He shows us pity on account of His own goodness, but we show pity to one another on account of His ;—that is. He pities us that we may fully enjoy Himself; we pity one another that we may fully enjoy Him.
Chap. xxxr. God uses rather than enjoys us.
34. And on this ground, when we say that we enjoy only that which we love for its own sake , and that nothing is a true object of enjoyment except that which makes us happy, and that all other things are for use, there seems still to be something that requires explanation. For God loves us, and Holy
Scripture frequently sets before us the love He has towards us. In what way then does He love us ? As objects of use or as objects of enjoyment ? If He enjoys us, He must be in need of good from us, and no sane man will say that ; for all the good we enjoy is either Himself, or what comes from Himself. And no one can be imorant or in doubt as to the fact o that the lio'ht stands in no need of the j^^litter of the thinsjs it has itself lit up. The Psalmist says most plainly, " I said to the Lord, Thou art my God, for Thou needest not my good-
He does not enjoy us then, but makes use of us. For if He neither enjoys nor uses us, I am at a loss to disness."
cover in what way He can love us.
Chap, xxxii.—In u-7iat ivay God uses man.
35. But neither does He use after our fashion of using. For wdien we use objects, we do so with a view to the full enjoyment of the goodness of God. God, however, in His use of us, has reference to His own goodness. For it is because He is good we exist ; and so far_as^ we truly exist we are good. And, further, because He is also just, we cannot with impunity be evil ; and so far as we are evil, so far is our existence less complete. Now He is the first and supreme existence, who is altogether unchangeable, and who could say in the fullest sense of the words, " I am that I am," and " Thou shalt say to them, I am hath sent me unto you
" ^ so tliat all other things that exist, both owe their existence entirely to Him, and are good only so far as He has given it to them to
1 Ps. xvi. 2 (LXX.). 2Ex. iii. 14.