LVIII: Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments Which Are Not to Be Inquired Into explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Humility and Self-Denial

  The chapter emphasizes that true humility involves acknowledging one's own sins and small virtues, and that the Saints themselves are humbler the higher they are exalted.

• Contempt for the World

  The chapter warns against worldly curiosity and disputation, urging the reader to focus on the low gate of the Kingdom and to despise the consolations of the rich.

• Love of God Above All

  The Saints are described as loving God above themselves and their own merits, resting in Him with perfect enjoyment and burning with the fire of inextinguishable charity.

Characters to notice

• Jesus Christ

  Quoted as the one who taught that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven one must become as a little child, and who is the source of all grace and glory given to the Saints.

• The Disciple

  Addressed as 'My Son' throughout the chapter, receiving instruction on humility and the danger of disputing divine judgments.

• God the Father

  Referred to as the one who made all the Saints, gave them grace and glory, and whose judgments are true and righteous altogether.

• David

  Quoted as the Prophet who declared 'Just art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment' and 'The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.'

• Moses

  Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'A little one shall become a thousand, but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed,' which echoes Old Testament themes.

Key passages

• “even if anyone should know who were holier than others, or who were held greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven; what should that knowledge profit him, unless through this knowledge he should humble himself before Me, and should rise up to give greater praise unto My name?”

  Even if you knew who is the holiest or greatest in heaven, that knowledge would be useless unless it made you humble and led you to praise God more.

  This underscores the chapter's central theme that humility and praise of God are more valuable than speculative knowledge.

• “They are all one through the bond of charity; they think the same thing, will the same thing, and all are united in love one to another.”

  All the Saints are united by love, sharing the same thoughts and desires, and are bound together in mutual affection.

  This highlights the unity and peace among the Saints, contrasting with the divisive disputes the chapter warns against.

• “Take heed, therefore, My son, that thou treat not curiously those things which surpass thy knowledge, but rather make this thy business and give attention to it, namely, that thou seek to be found, even though it be the least, in the Kingdom of God.”

  Do not pry into matters beyond your understanding; instead, focus on striving to be, even if the least, in God's Kingdom.

  This is the practical exhortation of the chapter, directing the reader away from curiosity and toward humble aspiration.