🚀 go-pugleaf

warm, not instruct. It is the same with Saint Augustine. This
order consists chiefly in digressions on each point to indicate the end, and
keep it always in sight.

284. Do not wonder to see simple people believe without reasoning. God
imparts to them love of Him and hatred of self. He inclines their heart to
believe. Men will never believe with a saving and real faith, unless God
inclines their heart; and they will believe as soon as He inclines it. And
this is what David knew well, when he said: Inclina cor meum, Deus, in...
[39]

285. Religion is suited to all kinds of minds. Some pay attention only to
its establishment, and this religion is such that its very establishment
suffices to prove its truth. Others trace it even to the apostles. The more
learned go back to the beginning of the world. The angels see it better
still, and from a more distant time.

286. Those who believe without having read the Testaments, do so because
they have an inward disposition entirely holy, and all that they hear of our
religion conforms to it. They feel that a God has made them; they desire
only to love God; they desire to hate themselves only. They feel that they
have no strength in themselves; that they are incapable of coming to God;
and that if God does not come to them, they can have no communion with Him.
And they hear our religion say that men must love God only, and hate self
only; but that, all being corrupt and unworthy of God, God made Himself man
to unite Himself to us. No more is required to persuade men who have this
disposition in their heart, and who have this knowledge of their duty and of
their inefficie