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absurd to take offence at the lowliness of Jesus Christ, as if
His lowliness were in the same order as the greatness which He came to
manifest. If we consider this greatness in His life, in His passion, in His
obscurity, in His death, in the choice of His disciples, in their desertion,
in His secret resurrection, and the rest, we shall see it to be so immense
that we shall have no reason for being offended at a lowliness which is not
of that order.

But there are some who can only admire worldly greatness, as though there
were no intellectual greatness; and others who only admire intellectual
greatness, as though there were not infinitely higher things in wisdom.

All bodies, the firmament, the stars, the earth and its kingdoms, are not
equal to the lowest mind; for mind knows all these and itself; and these
bodies nothing.

All bodies together, and all minds together, and all their products, are not
equal to the least feeling of charity. This is of an order infinitely more
exalted.

From all bodies together, we cannot obtain one little thought; this is
impossible and of another order. From all bodies and minds, we cannot
produce a feeling of true charity; this is impossible and of another and
supernatural order.

794. Why did Jesus Christ not come in a visible manner, instead of obtaining
testimony of Himself from preceding prophecies? Why did He cause Himself to
be foretold in types?

795. If Jesus Christ had only come to sanctify, all Scripture and all things
would tend to that end; and it would be quite easy to convince unbelievers.
If Jesus Christ had only come to blind, all His conduct would be confused;
and we would have no means of convincing unbelievers. But as He came in
sanctificationem et in scandalum,177 as Isaiah says, we cannot convince
unbelievers, and they cannot convince us. But by this very fact we convince
them; since we say that in His whole conduct there is no convincing proof on
one side or the other.

796. Jesus Chr